The Indonesian who had been intent on making his own demands was jolted by this preemptive strike. “I am Major Tetari of the Indonesian Army of National Reunification. We have no desire for any conflict with the United States, but this embassy is harboring a criminal wanted for crimes against the people of Indonesia.” His English was accented but precise.
“I know of no such criminal currently within this embassy,” Goodyard replied. “Our embassies are not havens for such individuals.”
Major Tetari swallowed. “We request, in the name of the people of Indonesia, that you turn over the
former President Ahsan Kediri for arrest and trial on the charges of
corruption, terrorism and malfeasance in office.”
“I know of no such charges currently held against the current President Kediri by
either the People’s Consultative Assembly of Indonesia or by any other recognized judicial
tribunal anywhere,” Goodyard replied. “Nor does the United States recognize the existence of any organization called
the Indonesian Army of National Reunification. As we hold that Indonesia is, in
fact, one nation united under a valid, elected government, an Army of
Reunification is both redundant and unnecessary. Now, we request – no, correction, we demand – that the hostile forces arrayed against this embassy be withdrawn immediately!”
“This will be done when the criminal Kediri has been …”
“We have already disposed of the question of President Kediri’s criminality, Major,” Goodyard cut the rebel officer off sharply. “The United States continues to recognize President Kediri and his administration
as the lawful government of Indonesia. As a friend and ally of the United
States, he is welcome to remain as a guest within this embassy for as long as
he chooses to stay.”
Tetari swallowed and moistened his lips. “Then will you give us assurances that your guest will not be allowed to perform
actions hostile to the interests of the people of Indonesia and the Army of
National Reunification.”
“As I stated previously, Major, the United States does not recognize the
existence of the latter organization. Furthermore, as a friend and ally of the
United States, President Kediri is welcome to utilize the facilities of this
embassy in whatever fashion he so sees fit to further the interests of the
legitimate Indonesian government.”
“That is unacceptable,” the Indonesian blurted out. “We insist that …”
“You may insist on nothing, Major!’ Goodyard roared. “Not here and not today!”
“Our forces can take this embassy at our pleasure, Mr. Ambassador!”
“I am well aware, Major, that the damn fools of this world frequently perform
acts of incredible stupidity. If your Army of National Reunification desires to
prove this point, you may launch your attack at any time.”
Goodyard took up his pen and returned his attention to the paper before him on
the desk. “Lieutenant, I’m finished with this gentleman. You may show him out.”
“Aye aye, sir,” the Embassy Marine replied crisply. “Major, if you will follow me, please.”
The seething Indonesian had no choice but to allow himself to be ushered from the office.
Christine Rendino lingered behind for a moment, just long enough to deliver an irreverent wink and thumbs up.
Goodyard grinned back and replied in kind.
Glancing down, he considered his fifth rewriting of “Mary had a Little Lamb.”
Lake Toba, North Sumatra Provence
Sumatra
0012 Hours; Zone Time, October 30, 2008
Admiral Ketalaman stared past the faces of the other men seated around the conference table at the wall of the cavern bunker, noting the crystalline flecks glittering in the dark basalt, and the work-broken facets of the raw stone.
Draw strength from the mountains. Be as the stone: strong, hard, impassive in the face of all adversity.
Renewed, he let the hesitant words of the reporting officer flow over him.
“The American Ambassador refuses all negotiation over the matter of President
Kediri and apparently he has the support of his government in the matter. It is
also apparent that their embassy is under orders to offer armed resistance to
any effort to take Kediri by force.”
“They have only a handful of troops,” the Islamic militia liaison interjected impatiently. “A platoon or so. Easily overwhelmed.”
“Barring the fact that we would be declaring war on the United States of America,” a third, more militarily realistic voice interjected dryly.
“The sword of Allah is mightier than any nation!”
“The sword of Allah be damned! We’d be biting a tiger in the ass!”
“Enough!” Ketalaman did not lift his voice but he did inject iron into it. Discipline was
at its most critical in times of reversal. “This has been an unfortunate event. Kediri’s continued freedom and the American intransigence are complicating factors but
not insurmountable ones. They will be dealt with in due course. But first we
must deal with the weakness that allowed this to happen. General Mytari, you
are our Javanese Operations officer. Why was this allowed to happen? Why was
Kediri allowed to reach the American Embassy?”
Ketalaman could see the general swallow in the low lighting. “It was unexpected. When our Intelligence monitors learned that the Americans
were advising President Kediri of our plans and activities, we were forced to
launch an ad hoc operation. We were not fully prepared to seize the palace
grounds at that time.”
“You should have been,” Ketalaman said softly. For ten heartbeats, Ketalaman held the thunderbolt over
the cringing officer. “I desire that you conduct an immediate investigation into this matter and that
you procure a list of the officers directly responsible for this failing. We
will consider this matter further when you have done so.”
“Yes sir, at once.” The man whose life had just been returned to him tried to discreetly backhand the sweat from his face.
In actuality, the general’s fears were groundless. Ketalaman had never had any real plans to order his death – he was a reasonably capable and dedicated officer whose death would have caused needless turbulence within his command structure – but the admiral had no intention of letting his subordinates know that.
In all probability, there was no true fault to be found in this incident. Military coups were an inexact science at best. In due course, the general would present his list of names and, in due course, Ketalaman would order their execution. Discipline would be served and the general would be an even more conscientious officer in the future.
“Now,” the Admiral continued, “concerning the Kediri matter. This is a problem that may rectify itself. Even
with the support of the United States, the Kediri government might still fall
on its own. The administration has been critically disrupted and the majority
of its senior members are either dead or in our hands. All will depend upon the
response of the commanders of the outlying garrisons and island
administrations. If they swear allegiance to us, or fragment into individual
satraps, then the day is ours and Kediri and his allies, no matter how potent,
are irrelevant. If Kediri maintains control, however, further actions must be
considered.”
The Leader must always have a plan. Or at least he must give the impression he has one.
“We will continue operations to secure the Capital area and we will continue our propaganda programs and our monitoring of the outlying islands. We must also expedite negotiations with the uncommitted commanders of the government military. We must make them see they are futilely supporting a lost cause.
“We must also tighten our perimeter around the United States Embassy in Jakarta.
No one is to be allowed in or out. Kediri must not be allowed to escape again,
no matter the cost or outcome. Is that understood?”
An acknowledgment rippled around the table.
