Chapter 110: A Successful military operation
Explosions rocked the ground as squadrons of HellVortex helicopters obliterated militia forces that were swarming in from Niger.
Bodies stained the desert sand red with blood, as tungsten kinetic penetrators tore through them with ease.
"Saladin to all squadrons. Destroy all refugee camps and aid depots. Make sure those rats know the cost of crossing into Libya," ordered Saladin over the radio.
The choppers swooped across the border into Niger, their cannon fire ripping through tents and vehicles.
Explosions erupted as caches of weapons and napalm were ignited, engulfing the camps in fire.
People poured out of the camps like ants, scrambling to escape the hellish inferno.
"Take no prisoners. Leave no survivors," ordered Saladin.
Tungsten bullets tore through the fleeing crowds, mowing them down into heaps of bodies.
"Squadrons, return to base. Aristotle, prepare to launch earth scorcher missiles," ordered Saladin.
The HellVortex helicopters broke off their attack runs, and returned to their bases.
Four of the Aristotle’s ICBM silos opened, and maglev catapults shot the missiles into the sky, clearing them away from the deck.
The missiles ignited their rocket motors and blasted towards their targets with supersonic speed.
The warheads detonated over small towns and villages, releasing an inferno of napalm that burned them to the ground.
"Let’s see if those filthy rats try to bring their poisonous agenda into Libya again," said Saladin, as he watched the destruction unfold on the monitors in his throne room.
"Premier Saladin, we’ve received a message from the Niger government, they wish to negotiate a ceasefire," said one of his aides.
"Inform them that hostilities will cease as long as they can keep their filthy rabble in line," said Saladin.
"Premier Saladin, Israeli F-35s inbound towards the Aristotle," warned his second in command.
"Obliterate any bombs they drop, but don’t engage them," said Saladin.
The Aristotle’s flack cannons came to life, and laser guided bombs exploded over the sky, barely missing the deck.
The F-35s swung around for another pass.
"Disable them only. I’d rather not have NATO clamp down on what’s supposed to be a local skirmish," growled Saladin.
Tungsten-tipped rockets fired from the Aristotle’s VLS launchers, and tore through the wings of the F-35s, sending them spinning into the Mediterranean.
"Issue a communiqué that Libya is not in a state of war with Israel, and does not wish to escalate further," said Saladin.
"Communiqué has been received and acknowledged," reported his second in command.
"Prepare a secure video link to the UN. I’m pretty sure why Israel panicked so hard," chuckled Saladin.
----
"That thing is a first-strike weapons platform! It’s not just Israel, but the entire world is at risk! I propose we declare it illegal and send it to the bottom of the Mediterranean!" exclaimed Elijah, his eyes wild and bulging.
"Libya has never had, nor will ever have a first-use nuclear policy. The Aristotle is a deterrent, just like your nuclear submarines prowling the Mediterranean. It is not a threat to any nation," replied Saladin calmly.
"Tell that to the people of Niger who were incinerated by your little toy!" shouted Elijah.
"You mean those militia forces that were trying to cross into Libya by posing as refugees? They were hardly innocent civilians," scoffed Saladin.
"That’s not the point! The point is your missiles could hit a target from a 4000-kilometer range! Your Aristotle can strike deep into Europe and even Russia! How can we trust you not to use it?" demanded Elijah.
"Because I have no interest. I’m focused on building and protecting what Libya has become. But if you cross our borders with ill intent. If you attack unprovoked, then I have every right to defend my nation," replied Saladin.
"This cannot be allowed to stand! My country’s very existence is at risk!" thundered Elijah.
"Oh yeah? Remind me again whose country was bombed into political instability by NATO? Whose country was left as a shambles of petty warlords and open slave markets? I don’t begrudge you your shield, so don’t begrudge me my sword," said Saladin.
"You’re a madman! You’ve already demonstrated your willingness to use those ICBM capable missiles on Niger! What’s to stop you from using them on us?" asked Elijah.
"Contrary to your claims, I am not a madman. I’m not about to risk everything I’ve fought for in Libya, just to bait you and your lapdogs in NATO. Let me make it perfectly clear. Libya has no territorial ambitions, I have no territorial ambitions. I only wish to be left alone diplomatically, and to not be dictated to over whom I can and cannot trade with," said Saladin.
Elijah opened his mouth to respond, but Erik cut him off.
"Enough. Premier Saladin has demonstrated restraint and a willingness to de-escalate. I move that we accept the terms Premier Saladin had proposed in the last General Assembly. Libya will allow NATO to track the Aristotle’s movements through its transponder beacons, and in exchange, NATO will not interfere with Libya’s internal affairs, nor will they impose sanctions or trade restrictions," said Erik.
"I second that motion," said Ursula von der Leyen, a representative from Germany.
"All in favor?" asked Erik.
"Nay," said Elijah.
"Abstained," said Daniel, which earned him a glare from Elijah.
"Aye," chorused the remaining members of the Security Council.
"The motion passes. Premier Saladin, I trust that you will honor your commitments," said Erik.
"You have my word," replied Saladin.
"Then I believe we can consider this matter closed," said Erik.
Elijah waited until the video link was terminated before he exploded.
"How dare you Daniel! You could have vetoed that motion! You betrayed me!" shouted Elijah.
"If I’d done that, then all bets are off you numskull! Just thank your lucky stars that Saladin’s more pissed off with Niger than he is with us!" snapped Daniel.
"We could have sunk it!" yelled Elijah.
Daniel flung a CIA dossier onto Elijah’s face.
"Read that!" thundered Daniel.
Elijah picked up the dossier and opened it.
His eyes widened as he read the contents.
"The Aristotle is packing more armor than a damn World War II dreadnought! It would take over 10 torpedo hits to even cripple it! And even if you do manage to breach the hull, it can fire off its ICBMs in retaliation as it sinks! Sure, we could sink it, but not before Saladin nukes Israel out of existence!" snarled Daniel.
Elijah sank into his chair, defeated.
"So what now? Do we just let Saladin have his way?" he asked bitterly.
"For now, yes. Until we can find a way to neutralize the Aristotle without inviting nuclear Armageddon," replied Daniel.