The Faithful, North African and Middle Eastern Islamic nations, are plotting to seize the oil resources of the Middle East. By controlling the earth's oil and its major trade routes, they plan to bring the world to its knees. Then, when the entire world is kneeling, the Faithful of Allah will read to them from the Koran, preaching the message of Islam, the True Faith. The Faithful will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. But how far will they go? And how many lives will it cost?

5. Straits of Sicily

5.8 Zharan

5.8.1 Final Preparations

In spite of her father’s good news, Rahil made but little progress preparing for her family’s departure. The truck was large, indeed. However, one was not large enough for all the goods from the shop and her home. The freezers were packed with frozen meats, fish and other perishables. Barrels and vats were resealed and caulked to prevent leakage. Boxes of food stuffs were carefully arranged.

Then, there were the household goods. The china was packed away, protected by some of her mother’s old clothes. Silver plate and utensils were carefully wrapped and secreted at the bottom of large boxes of clothes. Kitchen ware, clothes, furnishings and appliances were stacked, ready to go. Yet, there was more ... always more.

And, with each passing moment, as boxes of family treasures was packed, Rahil could see her mother fading. Sefina was mourning every article that she so lovingly placed in every box. Tears streamed down her face, and occasionally a sob escaped as some particularly poignant piece disappeared into the depths of a carton. Before her eyes, Rahil watched as her mother’s health faded.

Her father was far too busy to see the changes in his wife. He was packing the shop, hiring workers to help him sort and pack. The trucker worked closely with Ahmed, ordering a refrigerated truck to take the perishables, while packing the rest in the first. It was a prodigious effort, and everyone was nearing exhaustion.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Uncle Ma’Sum appeared. “What is all of this, Nephew?”

Ahmed looked up, surprised to see him. “Ah, Uncle, I am preparing to depart to Qatar, as you directed.”

“But, what is this? I see men I do not know in possession of my shop, laying their hands upon my goods. Who authorized this? What are you doing, Ahmed?”

Flabbergasted, Ahmed replied, “I am doing as you ordered. I have packed your goods, and prepared them to be transported to Qatar. I am awaiting your orders as to our destination?”

“But, these men! How are you paying them? How did you pay for these trucks? I told you to put them into my carts and to push them to Qatar. Why have you not followed my orders?”

“Uncle, are you telling me that I should lift a freezer from the floor of the shop onto a hand cart by myself? You ordered me to transport the contents of your shop to Qatar. I am doing so.”

“Ahmed! You were to have left them behind. Then, I could claim them as damaged goods. The Crown would have paid me for my losses. And, I would have been able to sell what was left and keep the profits. Nobody would have known. But, you, my nephew, have destroyed whatever chance I had of profiting from this war.

“Be gone from here, Ahmed! You, your wife, and that thing you call your son. Be gone! And let me try to find a way to recover from the mess you have made.”

“What? You can not mean this. You promised my father that you would care for me and my family. You promised this before Allah! How dare you violate your oath? How dare you violate your family’s honor?”

“Honor? What do you know about honor? You are just a humble servant, with whom I may do as I like. My brother? He is dead, and all he ever did for me was foist you off upon me and my family. And, of what good are you? You live in the midst of the greatest city of the realm, and all you can show for it is this poor excuse for a shop? Anyone with half a brain could have done as well as you. Be off with you! Take a cart, and be gone by tomorrow.”

5.8.2 Martial Law

“What is this?” the young policeman inquired.

Ma’sum took upon clothed himself in a mien of majesty. “I am preparing my goods to be transported. Of what business is this to you?”

The young policeman was not to be deterred by the haughty merchant. “By order of the King, you are to resume your business as usual. You will neither shirk in your responsibility to Allah and the King, nor shall you advantage yourself by gouging your patrons. I know this shop, and do others in this precinct. We will know if you are violating the King’s decree.”

“Decree? What decree?” demanded Ma’sum. “I have received no notice of the King’s wishes, nor has it been announced. Be gone with you, and let an honest merchant conduct his business.”

It was the police officer’s turn to bristle. “I have given you the King’s orders. I expect you to follow them, or face arrest on the charge of treason. Comply, or face arrest, merchant!”

Ma’sum seemed to deflate before their eyes. His normally arrogant air was replaced with that of an old man, thoroughly beaten. Slowly, he turned to Ahmed. “Put it all back. Resume business as quickly as possible.”

He began to walk away, but the trucker seized his arm. “See here, merchant, I have brought my men and my trucks to this store to transport it all to Qatar. I have been promised 5000 riyals plus the exclusive trucking rights to this shop. I demand payment for the services I have rendered.”

Ma’sum reared up like an old lion suddenly challenged. “I did not offer you any money. I did not contract your services. It is not I who owe you, but my nephew, Ahmed. Collect what you can from him.”

As Ma’sum turned to walk away, the policeman stopped him. “Merchant, did you not demand of your nephew that he should pack up the entire inventory of this shop and transport it to Qatar?”

Ma’sum answered, “Yes, but I did not expect him to spend my money to do it.”

“That is of no consequence,” the policeman replied. “You demanded that Ahmed comply with your demands. It is obvious that he needed trucks to transport the large inventory of this shop and men to help pack, load and transport it. Therefore, you authorized him to perform his duty, which he did. You may not abandon him.”

Ma’sum replied, “It is his responsibility, not mine. He made the arrangements without discussing them with me or obtaining my approval. Thereby, the costs are his, not mine.”

The policeman scowled. “This does not sound right to me that you should demand of your nephew and his family, but then abandon them. Let us speak with the Imam. He shall tell us what is the law.”

Ma’sum grew read in the face. He puffed up as though about to yell at the policeman, but then staggered back until he was leaning against the wall of the shop. He gasped, “Water!”

Rahil raced into the shop, her skirts flying. Seconds later she reappeared with a cup. Tenderly, she held it to Ma’sum’s lips. “Drink, dear uncle. May Allah’s blessings be upon this water, and restore you.”

Ma’sum sipped the cool water. Slowly, his face returned to its normal healthy appearance. His breathing seemed to become easier, and his legs no longer seemed weak. “The blessings of the Prophet upon you, my child.” He touched her arm tenderly, and then addressed the policeman. “No, it is not necessary. Allah has spoken to me." He glanced towards Rahil, continuing, “I have been warned of my greed, and saved by the innocence of a child from disgracing my family.”

He turned to Ahmed. “Long have you worked for me, and long have I profited from your efforts. I have been sorely tempted, and failed in my duties. When your daughter spoke to me the blessing of the Prophet, my eyes were cleared, and I saw myself as I really am. I have shamed myself and brought dishonor upon my family.

“Ahmed, you have been most loyal to me. Indeed, you have been as loyal as was my brother before his untimely death. You were right to accuse me of dishonoring the agreement between myself and him, made before Allah and the Prophet. And, I have been warned.

“I give to you this shop. You have earned it many times over. I promise you, before Allah and His Prophet Mohammed, bless his name, that I will honor my agreement with my brother and extend to you the right you have so justly earned. I would only ask that you continue to be a part of my family’s business, and that we consult with each other as equals.”

The trucker interjected, “Does this mean I will get paid for my services.”

Ahmed smiled at him. “Yes, you will be paid for your services to me at this time. And, I ask you to extend your services to me to restore my shop. Then, perhaps you and I and my uncle can further discuss our business association.”