The Moon
Illusion and Deception
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Chapter Nineteen
Gaza
A surge of synthesized consciousness from Genie roused Jim, revealing a path leading toward the fringes of the Gaza Strip, a vast Palestinian encampment. Firm in his resolve to undertake this expedition, Qblh made his final preparations. Engaging in a neural link with Genie, Qblh enacted last-moment adjustments to their plan. Emerging onto the sun-drenched deck, Jim presented a rugged, disheveled figure, equipped solely with an array of elite commando gear.
"Helen, would you care to accompany me? Antiope, your duty is to remain aboard and safeguard the vessel, permitting no unauthorized entry. As we near our objective, we will further inflate the market value; however, you are to exercise all your vested options. Genie will acquire enough shares to significantly boost the price, and will simultaneously repurchase all outstanding put contracts. Upon our return tomorrow, we will initiate gold production to replenish our depleted resources."
"Understood, Captain!"
"I trust you do not anticipate me adopting a facial covering, Jim."
Helen's remark alluded to the religious custom observed by Muslim women, who conceal their faces behind a veil.
"Absolutely not, Helen! We would never impose such a requirement upon a Hellenized woman such as yourself. The more formidable you appear, the better. Furthermore, you have my protection. What conceivable adversity could arise?"
"Do not venture such a question."
"Nevertheless, some attire is necessary. Direct Genie to equip you."
Helen selected an ensemble mirroring Jim's, complete with equivalent weaponry and dark glasses, eschewing a hat. To assert her authority, she chose a distinct insignia, signifying a rank superior to his.
Jim intended to bring Genie along, disguised as a walking stick. This cleverly concealed a sophisticated metallic antenna, capable of manipulating ambient electromagnetic fields through Genie's intricate field generation system. Jim bore a ceremonial Colt 45, its pearl handle gleaming, a tool for intimidation rather than lethal force, as his sword was designated for combat. Helen's sword lay hidden within her parasol, intended to shield her from the sun's glare. She also carried her Venetian sidearm, a weapon employed for the protection of nobility, with which she was remarkably proficient. Both individuals bore a visible complement of grenades and ammunition belts, complete with magazines for their displayed automatic weapons. Additionally, each carried handheld control interfaces for supplementary defensive technologies.
The observation, "You two are quite a pair," ignited a flicker of envy in Antiope, directed at Helen, regarding the impending adventure. "Got to take care of some women killers."
Helen, her spirit soaring at the prospect of retribution, beamed with anticipation. As they prepared for departure, Antiope bid Qblh farewell with a kiss and stepped back, shielding her eyes as Genie spirited the duo away.
The oppressive heat immediately became a source of complaint for Helen. A foul odor hung in the air, emanating from the Gaza encampment where millions of souls languished in destitution. Their unwavering refusal to compromise, coupled with their persistent demand for a distinct historical territory, fueled the land's contentious claim by various ethnic factions. It appeared the Palestinians were disinclined to accept governance under a unified authority, or so Qblh gathered. Their insistence on an independent Palestinian state, linked to the West Bank, presented Gaza with an insurmountable logistical quandary. The populace seemed predisposed to making detrimental choices, fostering animosity and intolerance where collaboration should have been paramount. Nevertheless, the travel restrictions impeding access to the West Bank seemed utterly absurd. Jim, too, would have found them infuriating.
The inhabitants of Gaza, it must be noted, were not inherently hostile. Aware of the contractual stipulations delineating the factions, Qblh found himself feeling a measure of empathy for the Palestinians' predicament. However, the contractual language, as articulated by the most eloquent proponents of Palestinian ideology, struck him as disingenuous. The underlying guidelines were laced with veiled distrust and disparaging remarks. They were advocating for ethnic self-determination in a region that, if its inhabitants genuinely sought sanctity in their struggle, ought to be championing universal fraternity. Qblh readily perceived the inherent contradiction within the area's leadership. Establishing a viable corridor between Gaza, a nascent nation aspiring to independence from Israel, and the West Bank, its intended partner, would logically seem beneficial. The ultimate objective of the Palestinians was abundantly clear: the establishment of a separate Palestinian state, and nothing less than the pre-1967 borders, which included a bifurcated Jerusalem, would suffice. This crucial detail should be held paramount above all other considerations pertaining to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The vulnerable bore the burden of their forefathers’ transgressions. Qblh harbored no desire to provoke anyone within this settlement; his sole pursuit was comprehension. Helen found the community loathsome. She sensed the derision from its women, their gazes fixed upon her with envious disdain.
Upon their arrival, Qblh swiftly earned considerable esteem by safeguarding Helen's dignity. A band of youths taunted Jim's virility, demanding his consort adopt more modest attire. A brief, hostile exchange ensued.
Jim displayed his Colt, while the troublemakers brandished AK47s.
Jim then unveiled his sword, and a formidable surge of 500,000 volts coursed through some intensely heated weaponry. Jim grinned when he activated the switch on his cane.
"A tool of the agency," he declared, a smile gracing his lips as Helen collected the discarded firearms. With swift, sharp blows of her sword to their posterior regions, she propelled them away.
Handing Jim a brace of rifles, she shouldered a couple herself. These weapons, worn as insignia of victory, would serve to deter future belligerents.
Helen, now a formidable presence, was a spectacle the community had never witnessed. The local women dispersed at her approach, recoiling from her with palpable avoidance. Their reputation preceded them, silencing any who might have dared to challenge; a facade of placid smiles acknowledged their passage, but beneath it lay palpable dread. As their legend grew, new factions emerged, eager to test their mettle. Yet, Jim and Helen met these provocations with stoic indifference or a relentless advance that swept aside any impediment. Volleys of gunfire rained down upon them, but Genie artfully vaporized each projectile mid-flight, allowing the pair to proceed as if unperturbed by the assault. The assailants, stunned into retreat, dared not engage them physically. Pervasive destitution permeated the area, a community reliant on the very state it sought to sever ties with. Qblh perceived the imperative for both ethnic factions to operate under a singular legal framework, deeming it utter folly to expect concord between divergent cultures governed by diametrically opposed statutes.
Helen found their sojourn profoundly disagreeable. "This heat is oppressive, Jim," she lamented. "I detest this place. How much longer must we endure it?"
Abdul, their new taxi driver, chuckled at the unusual request to be transported to Jerusalem, yet a spark of curiosity ignited within him. The sight of a gold coin from Helen, however, transformed his amusement into eager cooperation. The power of money would bypass official channels far more effectively than any document.
"My name is Abdul," he announced, observing his passengers with an astute gaze. "Americans, I presume? You're certainly drawing attention."
Qblh remained stoic, a silent signal for Helen to handle the conversation. He had no desire to engage.
"Our journey has just begun," Helen declared, her voice firm. "Proceed to Jerusalem without delay."
"It's no simple feat," Abdul countered. "The border is heavily guarded."
"We shall see. Just drive," Helen commanded, her determination unwavering.
The route to the Gaza border was a choked artery of traffic. Helen, with deft diplomacy, appeased an armed faction, clearing a path for their vehicle. They inched closer, the cab mere yards from the demarcation. Exiting the vehicle, Helen guided a reluctant Jim towards the gate guards. A Palestinian officer, conversing in English, facilitated their passage, ensuring an unimpeded route. The road ahead, blessedly less congested, beckoned. Though hesitant to permit Qblh's unscrutinized transit, a pointed look from Helen prompted his acquiescence.
The Israeli guards proved a far sterner obstacle. Helen’s attempted bribe was met with outright refusal and the threat of immediate arrest. It was Qblh, then, who intervened, addressing the guard in a torrent of fluent Hebrew. Though the exact words remained a mystery to most present, the guard's demeanor shifted perceptibly, a subtle thawing of his resistance. He permitted the cab’s passage and promptly alerted his superiors to the group's presence within Israeli territory.
General Armstrong received the report with a wry smile. So that's where he was. His day had been consumed by the intricate dance of managing these extraterrestrial guests. Market disruptions, fueled by the audacious assertion that fusion and fission power would supplant conventional energy, had demanded his attention. Even sophisticated photovoltaic systems for smaller-scale applications were part of the unfolding narrative. General Armstrong found himself strangely drawn to this brave new world that Jim appeared to be ushering in. Initially, trust in Jim was a leap of faith, given the seemingly impossible nature of his pronouncements.
From orbit, satellite imagery pinpointed the cab's solitary progress along the distant highway. General Armstrong initiated a communication with the nearest Israeli command post, requesting direct contact with the cab's occupants. Abdul, meanwhile, regaled them with tales of the land, a narrative met with indifference by both Qblh and Helen. Helen, lost in her own thoughts, noticed the cab's malfunctioning air conditioning, a minor discomfort in their momentous journey.
"Abdul, could you please turn on the air conditioner? I'm feeling quite overheated."
"Regrettably, it's inoperative. There are no spare components available for repair, and it's out of refrigerant."
"Jim!"
"Alright."
"Abdul, bring the vehicle to a halt. I'm going to address the malfunction in your air conditioning. She's insistent."
"Are you jesting, Commander? I possess no tools, and neither do you. How do you intend to effect repairs? Is your companion perhaps deranged? Will you yield to her demands?"
"She will deny us any tranquility unless we ensure her comfort. She's on an outing and desires to be at ease. Allow me to provide you with funds for a pack of cigarettes while I attend to your vehicle's issue."
Abdul returned in under five minutes. He observed his taxi idling with its windows sealed. Within, Helen offered him a contented smile. Upon entering, he was astonished by the wave of chilled air that embraced him.
"Is it acceptable," he inquired, "if you reduce the intensity? I would be content with a temperature of 76 degrees, provided it's sufficiently cool for your liking."
"You see, Jim, I mentioned it was excessively frigid for him."
"I had presumed he would appreciate 68 degrees. Certainly, Abdul, you can turn down the air conditioning.”
"No, I wish to increase it. I desire it to be warmer."
"Your grammatical construction is flawed, Abdul. To achieve a colder environment, you turn up the air conditioner; you turn it down to make it warmer."
"You Americans and your English, your words are perplexing."
Abdul remained deeply impressed by his now-functioning air conditioner. The apparatus had never operated before. The woman exuded an alluring Egyptian fragrance that was quite captivating, but her associate filled him with apprehension. He radiated an aura of unwavering self-assurance and fearlessness, the hallmark of a true leader.
"The passage to Jerusalem is fraught with numerous security checkpoints. Attempting to circumvent them with gratuities will prove prohibitively costly and is not always effective. I have acquaintances who can escort you there for a remarkably reasonable stipend."
Qblh saw no need to elaborate on his strategy to Abdul.
"I fixed your air conditioner. Your sole responsibility is to operate the vehicle and drive us to Jerusalem; that's the extent of our agreement. No one will effectively stand in our way"
"This endeavor carries significant risks."
"My presence is inherently perilous to others, yet you need not tremble. I shall ensure your well-being. She places her faith in my guardianship. Why wouldn't you? Her vulnerability to external threats far surpasses any you might face."
Reassured that his occupants possessed a degree of intelligence, Abdul found his apprehension subsiding. Indeed, a flicker of excitement ignited within him, anticipating the impending amusement and unexpected turn of events.
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