Iran, Natanz
Mar. 21st, 4 am
Farvardin 1st, beginning of Noruz (Persian Calendar)

' It is you, tiny sister, that don't know history enough' he argued, ' I didn't forget Esfand 29th! Our national nuclear celebration is somehow modernized national oil celebration, the difference is that the Mosadeq's cabinet fell as a result of a coup by the USA but we will never let the Islamic Republic fall this time!'
Mother finally cut off the discussion, ' both of you are right and say the same thing, and all of you are brave ' No matter male or female you are!'

Persian Gulf, USA warship
Same date, 5 am

Walking on the prow, Roy tried to relieve, but the dream was repeated in his mind again and again, he saw he was setting a big fire, as big as possible, to burn the thing he had in his arms, his baby! He saw he was about to throw her in the fire, the girl was smiling at her father not knowing what was up and he didn’t know why he was going to burn her! Then he suddenly saw himself walking towards his fighter. For the fear of the scene he startled. He looked around him in darkness; felt his neck was wet with sweat. Got up and walked across the room, and now he was on the prow watching waves, under the boundless heaven, above the immense sea.
He’d been under a great pressure for these two subjects; his concern about the duty, and his urge to see his daughter. He thought his mind must have mixed the two up and annoyed him in dreams.
He closed his eyes and listened to the see. then knelt, and prayed.

‘You seem pale, did you sleep well? Can you fly this evening?’ the General asked him about an hour later.
The evening was time when the operation was arranged to begin, the best time to fly from the west towards the east.
‘Yes sir’ He said ‘but I think it would be much better if we had a tanker inside Iranian territory also.’
‘It would be, but it is not a situation to risk with, Iranians may notice it, in Iraqi air they can’t detect it and if they do, they won’t suspect, its attendance sounds natural in Iraqi sky. If they even suspect, they won’t shoot it, because it’s out of their territory’ General ensured the Major.
The time was passing slowly; he had met the israeli pilots that were going to accompany him in the operation.

At about 10:45 am he looked at his watch, he was told the Persian New Year was to begin around this time, he though they may have traditions like Christmas tree for their new year. He was home last Christmas; he remembered his wife's cheerful face when they were going to go to Times Square. She used to go there in her childhood and loved it.
A month or more after Christmas he was dispatched to the region to be informed and get ready for the operation, as soon as Natanz plant appeared overactive. He was sure Iranians lied the IAEA about their current nuclear activities, the thing he didn’t know was that why nothing wrong was found by the Atomic Agency 12 and why American Intelligence Agencies declared there was no approach to N-weapons by Iranians 13, why no strong evidence was declared by his government, and why Iran hadn’t improved its program to nukes while it could have done it long before. 14*

Silence had filled the the park where students stood, whole Natanz plant, and entire Iran! A few seconds left to the beginning of Persian New Year.
Everybody was waiting, praying, counting seconds, or thinking.
Fati was very excited, looked around, saw Miss Firooze reading Qoran in the last moments. Classmates were ready to cheer as loud as possible.
In this moment (11:04:54) there was a burst of folk Iranian music and the radio executor declared:
“The begining of the the Solar Hegira Year, a thirteen, eighty...” the rest of her sentence couldn’t be heard as a result of the loudest possible cheer around! Fati and her friends which were silent and listening to her pocket radio carefully, burst into cheers as well,
now every one was making good wishes to the other, only the bus driver seemed alone but Miss Firooze went to him to congratulate the New Year, the group of young women which were gathered in the little park near the plant were full of joy, but their wishes were even more strange, When Fati told her friend ‘I wish you pass your physics olympiad with high scores, she laughed and answered ‘I hope I will, and that's why I wanted to start my new year here, near the plant, do you think I could be one of the most progressive and courageous scientists and work here on this plant?


Iran, Tehran
Same date, 11:05 am

‘How could you be so calm in this situation?’ said Colonel Rastgari, while they knew a kind of suspicious activity had been under way, he was informed that a  civilian empty aircraft had landed near the borders with Iraq before an hour, and as much as it could be natural, it also could be alarming. They must decide immediately what to do with the threats, if any.
Major Hani took his headphone down smiling and said ‘happy New Year Sir, it began right now’
His patience concerned the Colonel even more. Trying to control himself he said ‘to you too’.
The tanker’s location was almost away and not easy to be espied.
Kaveh jumped up saying ‘we will have a few seconds time to call home, won’t we?’
‘I’m afraid of the day we have no home to call to any more’ the Colonel carped.
‘I understand the situation Sir,’ said Kaveh ‘I’m Iranian too, my heart also beats for love of this soil, but Sir, I do know, there is a God in the world.
‘We would better get in touch with Esfahan, Major Selahshur may also help, don’t you believe in our deterrence?’ he continued.
‘Is that enough? We surly can target it in Iraqi soil or anywhere, yes ’ said the Colonel ‘but how are we going to justify it to the public opinion of the world that we have detected a potential threat?!’
‘Just leave the decision for Intelligence Sir, we solely need to carry it out, don’t we?’ he answered.
Major Kaveh Hani, 30, cheery and faithful, as well as brave and patriot.
It was an hour they were alerted as well as Esfahan and Ahvaz Bases. They’ve been in a mixture of anxiety and happiness.

Some thought they shouldn’t give an excuse to the enemy media and some others said they can’t halt their national rights and security affairs for the sake of media uproar.
And now, the time was passing so slowly and uncertainly. At 2 pm, Iran set a number of Fajr missiles down in Andimeshk  (explanation fajr) and then (other types) in Ahvaz and Esfahan targeting Abughoraib and American bases in Iraq, all western and southern bases alerted. Still everything was uncertain.
At 2:30 pm the Saeghe fighters got ready and pilots attended in their posts.
At 3 pm F14s and Azarakhsh fighters took off to patrol borders, while Saeghes were still on the ground. Getting ready for some operations in Iraq against probably involved military bases of the United States, Iran informed its Arab and Kurdish allies about conditions.

Persian Gulf, USA warship
Same day, 4 pm

‘Iranians express unusual activities on their borders, most probably they’ve realized the attack’ General told his Major, Roy, ‘I’m not sure if it is wise to continue, though a few hours ago I received the order from Pentagon’
‘We’ll fight a legion of wolves in the middle of a mountain of fire and return victorious, long live israel and the US’ one of pilots cried.
‘Hay’ all of squadron cried, except their leader that was perfectly experienced, well trained and familiar with situations like that, nothing to joke about. He didn’t feel good, he was tired and anxious. Something was wrong, he was sure.
The attack was arranged to begin at 5 p.m.
The bad dream renewed in his mind again and he felt sick. The time passed very slowly and difficultly, they got ready, the plan was that other men should think they would fly just for some practice.
Stepping towards his eagle, the Major remembered what he had seen last night, exactly the same setting, now he was witnessing his nightmare in wakefulness. Why should it have happened right this morning? He asked himself. His feet had never ever trembled while setting off an operation. In most dangerous situations he had never felt a concern like this. He had never doubted his victory.
For a moment he hesitated, went back to his room immediately and took his Bible.

When he was set in his seat, he began feeling calmer and more comfortable. Checked his men and his systems, and fired the engine.

Iran, Tehran
Same date, 4:15 pm

‘I agree’ said Major Hani with no previous comment to agree with, ‘we would better counterattack from inside the Iraqi soil. What do the intelligence think?’
‘no, doesn’t seem wise, we have more control on an action in our own soil, we can’t risk’ it was Colonel Rastgari who answered, ‘intelligence left the procedure to us, just we should see when they declare the time of attack’

Even Kaveh appeared worried and silent in this situation. Colonel brought a little Qoran out and tried to read some verses.


Persian Gulf
Same date, 4:45 pm

Fighters entered Iraqi sky from separated entrances, and introduced themselves as trainers for a US base in Iraq to Basra officials; it was how US had notified Iraq about coming fighters, and they let them pass, though Iran also had warned Iraq about a threat like that from its soil to Iran. (16*)
The squadron passed Basra, while Iranian intelligence detected them passing.
The tanker took off.


Iran, Tehran
Same date, same time

‘َStrike the plane!’ the Colonel said as he put his earphone down and turned back towards the room where every body became silent and cold for a moment.
‘What on earth are you waiting for? It’s not time to hesitate!!’ he cried

Immediately the manual was sent to Andimeshk.
     To cover a space angle of tolerance, and give no chance to the target to escape, At once 7 Fajrs were
Launched  together.  100 more  long range  missiles  ready  to launch,  it was 4:50,  the  predictions
were fulfilled and the tanker crashed. (17*)
   While Iranian officers were still nervous, the news broke in Iran and suddenly excited the nation. The news mentioned that a threat was supposed to be ahead for nuclear plants and institutes which was hopefully prevented, it made people even more anxious and many of them rose up to go to the plant and declare their support from their national will.


Iraq, Abughoraib sky
Same date, 4:50 pm

They had no time to think and no choice but to obey, then at 4:56, they passed the border, and now it was Iran!
 

It was the first time an Eagle faced a Saeghe. Saeghes didn’t waist any time testing the opponents, invaded straight towards them and opened fire. The squadron separated immediately and hedged Saeghes in fire; Saeghes didn’t even care as if they were up to an outing and didn’t see any fusillade. As soon as one of them rushed to track the Major, he recognized that if Iranians understood he carried a nuclear warhead, they would never hesitate exploding his craft in any possible way and didn’t care it would kill all of them together at once.
He turned sharply and tried to get his opponent in front of him. Saeghe turned as well; it was much more maneuverable than what they had been informed.

He knew he had not much fuel to waist, fired his second guided missile. The Saeghe swerved but the missile followed it.
Again and again the Saeghe swerved until escaped from it. In respect of the lake of fuel, Roy tried to fly away from the battle immediately but he saw the Saeghe behind him. He felt cold for a moment, he hardly had ever let any fighter get behind him. He pulled his joystick severely and his excellent break turn reduced his speed to a fifth and Saeghe passed him but turned back very fast before giving a chance to him to maneuver his fighter behind it.
Two other israeli pilots came about to help.
‘How crazy these Iranian pilots are!’ he thought 18*
Israelis disturbed Saeghe; its pilot now understood that something was different about the commander's fighter. Roy looked at his fuel gage, he had lost much fuel in the battle and didn't seem wise to turn on afterburner at all, but he had no better choice.                                                     

All what the American eagle ever knew about the mountain range of Zagross, was GPS images and abstract explanations, while Iranian fighters were playing at home. Not a good place for a dogfight at all, and Iranians would track him down.

He increased his level and changed his vector to make them lose him and kept flying near the inhabited zones where he was almost sure he wouldn’t be attacked, for the nuclear warhead he carried.
He looked at his fuel gage again, he had lost almost all of the fuel in the battle and he didn’t know if he could stage his duty.

Major Raha had attended in Natanz base and now was informed that 4 fighters were out of the game while one was still in its way to Natanz. They were trying to catch it again.

He passed Meyme and reached to Natanz, he detected some fighters. His fuel warning light was on. There was a military base near the plant and many anti-aircraft guns around it, there was also a highway passing close to it where he could land after the bomb destroyed the plant with all defense maneuvers around (also his fuel would end up), and wait for probable help from the US.
By his GPS the nuclear facilities must had been visible for him by now. Yes, they were, more extensive than to be able to hide themselves behind the hill next to them. Still the main part was tens of meters down under the ground.

The anti-aircraft gun that would disturb Roy the most, was the one behind the facilities, the nearest to the plant, when he had to lower altitude for reconnaissance. In fact it was the duty of his israeli escort to destroy anti-aircraft guns if they could have reached there. He saw his target and made sure it was itself, but he also saw something like a great crowd of people. however he didn't recognize what it was and didn't have time, fuel, and order for such adventures, he flight straight to the anti-aircraft which shot him heavily, he shot back, though his cabin was badly damaged and he was about to get injured dangerously.
But he recognized neither fear nor care!
Raha watched the Eagle in the sky of the desert, pale and cold now, because she knew her pilots couldn't fight it above so many civilians gathering there, especially while it was suspected to carry a nuke. Seemed to her as if she was unarmed and tied while being attacked and targeted!

He fired his last missile, and hit the anti-aircraft.
So lucky he was, he wasn't wounded! His cockpit had become pitted. He knew he was in range of other anti-aircraft guns, anyway not as dangerous as this one. For a few moments he continued his way towards the highway to see if he could land there, to his surprise it was so full of cars (going to join the crowd around the plant).
He turned to the plant and unfortunately he saw he was right recognizing the crowd they were easily estimated to at least 7 thousand people, carrying flags. He was amazed, not able to explain what they were doing there, so many people far from towns among nuclear facilities!
'Their purpose is not your business, do your job and leave' he awakened himself.

'What if their purpose is the same my job?' he murmured, suddenly the last night dream attacked his mind:
"He was setting a big fire, as big as possible, to burn the thing he had in his arms…" his head went round as he felt the nuclear bomb in his aircraft.
How many babies like his would attend among the crowd? How many kids?

But it never was his approach, he was a warrior, he was a soldier! Went round a circle above them and thought he would kill a short time to give them the chance to run away; at least some of them could save their lives, but he was wrong, the crowd grew greater, more and more people were added in any second. his fuel was about to run out, three Azarakhsh fighters had been flying over his plane for a while but didn't act against him, they had the short annoying order "no conflict"!
He was not afraid for his life, he would never be, but he was angry and confused, 'crazy nation!' he thought 'do these people really know what they are doing? ... They deserve death!'
Then the Major heightened his level, he remembered the orders that the operation no way could fail even if the warhead would have to be fallen on the town itself, remembered WWII and remembered that he was saving other people, At last when he was in his level, again remembered the "order".
His thumb slipped down and touched the bottom. And ... pressed it to the first pause. He was sure he was strong enough to do it, just he needed more hatred. When he needed to hate his enemy he used to think about September 11 when 3000 innocent Americans were killed in that cursed terrorist attack, American national symbol of pride was destroyed, terror and hatred filled the society,
But this time remembering 9-11 made things even worse! For he was going to kill even more. He was just about to destroy the symbol of another nation's pride. The same nation who condemned 9-11 and lit up candles to pray for victims! 19* Right in this moment he was above them to bomb them, and to bomb what they were there to defend from. What was the difference between him and terrorists of September 11 then?
He touched his knapsack, having the copy of Bible inside.
'Stop judging, that you may not be judged. (1)', it was the verse that suddenly screamed in his mind. His hand, having Bible under it, trembled for the first time!
'For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.' (2) (New Testaments, Matthew 7:1, 2)
He expected to relieve by Bible but he was shocked.
Expected to carry out the duty as skilled as possible but he was giving up.
Which order should he have obeyed, commander's or God's?

Suddenly, he made his decision; and turned his joystick, to get distant from towns and crash his eagle to the ground destroying his warhead, his fighter, and himself.
In this way Iranians would have no access to him and his craft, but with the first look on his fuel gage, he recognized he couldn't fly to a safe distance (from towns), the fuel indicator had fully dropped down.
He didn't care about his own life; indeed he wished death with all of his heart.
He turned to the highway to see if he could land, but it was still full of cars, rushing to join their compatriots.
What then? Seemed all possible doors were closed to him! The only choice left for him was to land on the runway of the military base near the plant which he had on GPS.
Each second he could fall, he wished it would happen! Felt some heavy thing in his head.
The bomb was coded and Iranians wouldn't be able to open it. According to Iranian maneuverable Saeghes, his fighter wouldn't be of so much use for them. And the most valuable thing: himself! He was strong enough not to divulge any information.
Then,
It was the moment he took the bravest decision of his life:
Tired and broken but proud and powerful, he got in touch with the watch tower by just a short rough sentence, 'open the runway'

Iranian base sank in silence for a few seconds after receiving it, everybody confused and uncertain. All the time they had espied him, and then nobody ever expected such a message.
Major Selahshur, the commander, was already there, and she was the first one who broke the silence, 'What a hell has that man planed for?' she remarked and looked around. No one had any answer.

Roy was anxious. Went round the base hearing no response yet. He was thinking if he had only only one or two more rockets left after the battles, he would have burnt this cursed base to ash! His fuel had almost dried up. No response. Remembered his baby he was boycotting himself from seeing her, perhaps for ever. How hateful the world could be.

'Things can't be worse than what they are now' said Selahshur, 'open the airport for him'.

He landed and Azarakhsh fighters escorted him.
While his glass door was opening he took off his helmet with trembling hands and looked around with angry and uneasy eyes, he felt as time was stopped.
Every one was excited and even cried around the base.
The base itself was quiet and steady.
It was getting dark,
The holler of people could be heard,
The game was over,
Not in his favor!

Raha Selahshur walked to his fighter, fallowed by a number of Iranian officers, she looked at him puzzled and their eyes, with sharp proud looks, met.
He left his eagle slowly unwillingly.
She stood next to him, waiting to hear something.

One of the revolutionary guard officers said in good English 'You are prisoner of war, commander!
'Though unbelievable' he added involuntary.
He didn't listen and didn't hear, just looking at Raha recognizing her as the commander, said, 'The weapon of your military did not defeat me, the empty hand of your civilians did'.

'No, you won... this time!' she replied at last and left.