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Category:
War
Publisher: Editions Dedicaces
ISBN-10: 1770765581
Type: Fiction
Pages: 172
ISBN-13: 9781770765580
Price: $10.60 (eBook)
Book base on True Story, written by Survivor. The very first fiction book on NATO air campaign against Yugoslavia in spring 1999.
The very first Fiction Book on NATO Air campaign against Yugoslavia in spring 1999. War Drama - Political Thriller based on True Story, written by survivor.
Behind the scene of air strikes against Yugoslavia, Top story of the Globe in the spring 1999, there is an inside drama in Radio Television of Serbia (RTS).
CEO of RTS makes decisions as if he is NATO ally not the head of State Broadcasting Company in charge of company policy and employees in particular. Life of other employees is only a step on the large scale of his promotion.
Aleksandar, journalist in News Editorial tries to explain CEO that his primary duty is to protect people in company not to sacrifice their lives due to some vague “Superior Goals”.
Small journalist versus CEO; Aleksandar, alone, cannot protect employees; forthcoming tragedy is on the way. Sixteen people, mostly young, were killed on April 23, 1999.
This is the story about people who are ready to do literally anything to keep their positions and privileges NO MATTER what price OTHER PEOPLE will pay.
The book THE OTHER SIDE OF REASON is available at Biblio (United States and England), Amazon, Lulu, Editions Dedicaces, eBay (international), PriceMinister (France), BookWorks and Pubmatch (United States). It is also distributed in digital format through online stores, such as Amazon Kindle (France, USA, England, Spain, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Japan, India), Payloadz, Smashwords (United States), Kobo and more.
Excerpt
Shall I ever be forty?!? Being the Target
(Instead of Preface)
Shall I ever be Forty !?! That dilemma seems to be ridiculous, speaking in regular terms. However, for Belgrade citizens from March 24 to June 8, 1999, it was quite real, Life Dilemma. For me, in particular.
I was born on April 15, 1959, so I was supposed to cross the border of fifth decade on the same day this year. In April NATO was supposed to be at Fifty (April 4). For sure, without running the extraordinary risk, compared with me, almost in leisure NATO has celebrated its Anniversary.
The building I have worked in, as simple as that, was the Target. Legitimate or Not, the Outcome is same. Actually, I am journalist with News Department of State Broadcasting Company. So, regarding the fact, that NATO
has performed HI-TECH Joystick Air War against Yugoslavia, Dilemma – Shall I ever be Forty !?! Was real.
As far as I am concerned my own life was, is, and will be extremely important to me. I have worked night shifts… So day by day, coming one following another looked as sequence of birthdays. If we take statistics and probability forecasting, chances for survival weren’t great (night shifts, building is the target). But there was WHAT IF !?! And the H O P E.
Anyway, my survival is none of others` business. That fact is natural. What one can do !?! Leaving the job means stay without money for living, continuing work means (what if NATO strikes the building)…? That’s contradictory. Isn’t it?
What is a matter of survival !?! Staying or leaving. Could be each of them.
According to air strikes statistics, on April 23 NATO celebrated 50th Anniversary in Washington, so daily target had to be very important, might be most exclusive in whole air war.
There were no multiple, diversified solutions, only two ends of binary system – Life and Death. Frankly, we usually have only TWO options, making the most important decisions in our lives. Ordinary people in ordinary living live in Binary system. They are married or single, employed or unemployed, with children or without.
Looking from time distance our selection between two seems to be by pure chance. However, choosing between one and another option is a must regardless consequences and side effects. Simply, Life is Ongoing process, no matter we are right or not. There is nothing, so far, that could be compared with experience of Being hit by cruise missile, approximately 100 feet from workplace.
I guess, everybody has an assignment so do air strikes` pilots. They do it for living; no matter killing people is unavoidable side effect of their assignments. I hope I survived that night due to something that is much more powerful than the most powerful men in this damned world, more powerful than joystick pilots, in particular.
April 1999 Survivor & Author
Chapter Four
Nightmare
Mid of March 1999
Clear sky can be seen through bedroom window. Bright stars are visible, but look threatening. Aleksandar is sleeping. After a while he starts moving his arms and head and sweating hard. Those bed movements come with temporary cries. Aleksandar looks like dreaming a terrible dream.
A man who cannot be recognized keeps slow walking through total darkness and emptiness. He is in black long gown. There is nobody and there is nothing except him. Actually it`s not sure whether he walks or floats through atmosphere or down endless field. Soon horrible storm is starting. At the blaze of weird lightning his head and face transform to smiling skull.
Voices for help are heard from the far depth of endless space. Frequency of those voices provokes jitters and indescribable fear. Pale white, weird blaze of lightning becomes weirder-orange-red color that blinds. At that point piles of broken skulls and skeletons fulfill all-around space. Face of unknown man then looks very happy.
Aleksandar`s movements become more intensive, sweating too. His cries are so loud that could awake neighbors in apartment next to his. He tries to continue sleeping. For sure, he has never dreamed so horrible nightmare.
Now, millions of skulls, skeletons and broken bones are all-round environment. Again, they disappear, and shortly after that appear. Unknown man keeps the pace of walking. He is not even annoyed, doesn’t matter he breaks through skulls and skeletons. There is a huge blast far away, but very soon blast starts multiplying itself. Many blasts come closer and closer. Now they are giant, almost nothing is visible due to heavy smoke and fire curtain. All-around a man who looks much happier and younger than at the beginning of the nightmare are missiles and bombs.
Aleksandar awakened, removing drops of sweat from face, neck and chest. Heart is beating hard. It seems that heart pulse rate is more than 200 beats per minute.
„Shit… Wh…What is this all about?!? This is the most horrible nightmare I have ever had,” Aleksandar says leaving sleeping room. He is going to washroom to wash his dead pale frightened face.
Aleksandar is starring at bathroom mirror: “I`d better have had erotic than neurotic nightmare… Jesus, I guess it’s a very, very bad prophecy. All those skulls, fire and smoke…No, no, no…That cannot happen.”
He is returning to bedroom, turning on TV. War film is on. Immediately he turns off TV not even trying to change TV channel.
Aleksandar: “What a shitty night. Hmm… Fortunately, I don’t believe these stupid dreams. I think I`ll sleep after these pills.” He is taking triple of usual dose (three instead of one pill of sedative) and slowly sinks to deep sleep.
Chapter One
White House, Washington
September 1998
Spacious, luxury, bur full of some intimate and thrilling atmosphere room in east wing on White House. That space has been definitely intended for strictly private and personal use. Although part of „Presidential Palace” nor a single official business meeting or even short encounter has been held here. It’s strictly for close family events and/or something that nobody wants to speak about in public. In other words, media access to this space is strictly forbidden.
The ceiling-height thick silvery white curtains block nice view to beautiful park full of vivid color flowers placed in modern ornamented flower beds. Room is neatly furnished for leisure and pleasure of persons who spend their time here. There is almost nothing that can make one thinking that he or she is in official residence of US President.
Extra-large king-size bed for is spacious enough for two very bulky and fat adult persons, three spacious armchairs of genuine leather, two are placed 10 to 15 feet from bed; third is inner corner of the room close to high exit door, in front of that armchair is nice stool. Walls are decorated with several nice oil landscapes, paintings that could, probably, sell good at Christie auction. On the floor below paintings a couple of big Chinese vases ornamented with ancient Chinese history characters and events.
Contrary to that, nest to third isolated armchair is ultramodern, as if it’s prototype sample, Hi FI stereo surround system with massive six brown wooden loudspeakers, designed for first class relaxation listening to the music.
One can notice that there is nothing that could damage or prevent harmony of people or pair who spend their leisure spare time in that room. Yes, it seems it is the truth, but only at first sight. US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton are the only persons in that room. Atmosphere is extremely tense, at this point, not for some hard political, but for very private, personal reasons.
They stand at more than 30 feet distance turning their back each other. Hillary is furious over Bill sex scandal with White House interim Monica Lewinsky. She has thoughtful, blank, angry face looking through windows somewhere outdoors.
Almost all high circulation mainstream media buzz on Bill and Monica sex affair. Photos of Bill and Monica are on front cover page of magazines and newspapers such as Time, Newsweek, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington post… Hillary is deeply humiliated and hurt by her husband adultery. That terrible feeling is intensified particularly by media headlines that mark US president as sex maniac or even mid-aged man who suffers from some mental illness, not as decent man who leads the most powerful nation in the world.
Hillary turns around to Bill, in trembling, but loud voice: ”Wh…What kind of man you are…Shame on you, Mister President.”
Bill decides to keep quiet for it`s well known that no use debating to hysterical woman. He knows that Hillary wouldn`t accept any justification or excuse in any case. She is too proud woman who has too much self-respect.
“Our daughter Chelsea has just enrolled in college…I guess you are informed on it. Instead of being proud of you she is deeply ashamed of her daddy.” Hillary continues almost weeping: ”She has confided to me that her friends mock you and her using some dirty words and jokes”. She adds in very ironical tone: ”Can you make out what have you done Mister President?“
At that point Bill reacts: “Hey, Honey. You know that I have nothing with that girl...Do you really believe media bullshit?!? You know what media in this country can do to boost its circulation. It’s just media story telling. Pure fiction...Just another fairy tale.“
Hillary furious replies: “Oh, please. Do not call me honey. How can you dare it after all...You must be zero morale person. Address Monica cute words, not me.“
She reduces her anger for grade or two: “Do you think I’m so naive to believe your lies. You cannot erase your dirty orgy with Monica with a couple of short Honey-Darling Statements.“
There is debate in progress, Bill shortly replies: “The only physical contact was shaking hands in White House exterior in front of media, nothing secret, all public. There is official footage. It’s just part of protocol.“
However, Bill words cannot persuade Hillary. He is still suspect who has committed unexusable crime for wife who strongly believes her husband.
She continues: “Hey, Bill don’t talk to me like that, I am not stupid.“
She is making several short steps to small coffee table with bunch of various political magazines picks one and starts reading: “I will just quote media...Listen to me carefully...Citation – He focused on me pretty exclusively, kissing her bare breasts and fondling her genitals.“
Hillary makes strange grimace as she was disgusted at something and continues reading magazine: “The President unzipped his pants...And she performed oral sex.“
She looks so disgusted as if she will vomit, still reading: “The President inserted a cigar in Ms. Lewinsky’s vagina then put the cigar in his mouth and said It tastes good.“
She throws magazine at Bill yelling: “Fucking Idiot...Is that your official protocol. Just shaking hands, you said...As far as I know sexual perversions and orgies have never been a part of White House Protocol.“
She rushes towards door, turns to Bill speaking through clenched teeth: “Goodbye and FUCK OFF MR PRESIDENT. Keep enjoying your orgies Caligula.“
Hillary leaves room slamming hard, massive door. Bill remains alone trying to cope with hard personal troubles.
„Hmm, bastards, you deserve fair revenge for such bullshit,“ he mutters to himself thinking of media that make big troubles to his private life. Media were loyal so far. He would never won presidential election if media had not supported him intensively. It’s like medicament which cures at small dose, but kills in case of overdosing. You cannot train media like dogs; even dogs could attack his owners. Bill has just passed through terrible experience thanks to media. Several years ago media had lion’s share contributing him to become US President, now they turh hostile. Unfortunately, Bill cannot fly into a rage at this point. He would rather be unknown well paid manager or CEO in some mid-size, or even, big corporation, completely protected by media and public. In that case he could keep his sex affairs and mistresses off Hillary very easily.
Yes, position and Glory of American President has its price, that is not easy to afford without some losses. Monica is not his first sex affair as married man, but it has struck more painfully than all others. Risk of high skies flying is much higher than ground cruising. Bill is mature and experienced man who knows well what women want, what men they admire. Adultery should stay no comment action; less words the better. Women don’t want to see man who make long justification speech explaining something that should remain personal secret. Long blabbering is women’s specialty; they want to see men of action, men who are brave enough to do something new, exclusive and unique, something unpredictable.
Brilliant idea occurs in his mind – All world and international community, not just West are fooled by Slobodan Milosevic, President of Federal Republic Yugoslavia, small country in European part called Balkan. It’s high time for appropriate response; Milosevic performs aggressive ethnic cleansing of Kosovo Albanians on daily basis. In spite, all world oppose such actions he continues as nothing happens. He must be punished. Bill has forgotten his problems with Monica for a while focusing himself to Slobodan Milosevic and his crimes on Kosovo.
Well, it’s right time for retailation, Bill thinks for himself, we’ll stop him mocking us. Serbia is s small country, we can erase it from map of Europe if we want. At this point, he is completely committed to Slobodan Milosevic and plans against him. US and NATO allies can start some kind of highly selective low intensity air strikes against Yugoslavia. Frankly, we will mainly bomb Serbia and Belgrade where all this is masterminded. Montenegro is forced to be in embrace of dictator.
Bill is not particularly worried by Russian reaction in case of air campaign, although Serbia and Russia are traditional, historical allies. However, Boris Yeltsin is pretty silly drunk who has no balls to resist NATO. Besides that he can easily be bribed by a couple of long containers loaded by first class branded whiskey.
He knows that such action (bombing country in heart of Europe) will divide political dignitaries, and many, even in the West, would oppose such initiative, but most important people will support this idea of Air strikes against Yugoslavia. And of course, his beloved wife Hillary will be on his side. That’s very important to get better rating both in political and private life. There is a proverb One stroke kills two flies.
There is thin smile on Bill's face that was worried and wrinkled less than an hour ago. He already acts as double winner – He will win battle against Balkan dictator Milosevic, and, in the first place, he will gain Hillary love again. All that at just one stroke.
Bill takes some nonfiction book on post-cold war world from shelf and sets him in luxury armchair start reading it wearing glasses on half nose. Due to fatigue he cannot stand reading more than twenty minutes, or so; lays book aside on small coffee table next to armchair. Bill puts cushioned stereo headphones on his head, takes remote controller selecting Beatles music, removes glasses, sliding slowly to deep comfortable leather armchair.
Chapter Two
Self Service Restaurant
Radio Television of Serbia
July 1998
Very hot summer day. There are lot of people. It’s very noisy, but atmosphere is friendly and pleasant. Media stuff use this place to take some short rest. It's time for lunch. Aleksandar, journalist with News editorial and his colleague and friend Misa, technician have been waiting in queue for cashier. They loaded tray with some food.
“I think these fish fillets menu with sea fruit salad is right choice for me. Hmm… I guess they are very tasty,“ Aleksandar says.
“You are quite right. But I prefer steaks. You know it,” replies Misa smiling.
“We must eat something sweet. Let’s take pancakes. I know it`s not healthy, but we must enjoy our only life”, adds Aleksandar.
Misa agrees nodding his head: ”Great idea…Let’s do it. Enjoy all you meet and eat in your only life”.
Both Aleksandar and Misa are smiling. After paying meal Aleksandar and Misa sat at the table and started eating and chatting. Poltics in Serbia is, unfortunately, inevitable topic, so many people get even more nervous and frustrated after break.
However, Aleksandar asks Misa rather personal question: ”What about your marriage ?! You stop talking about it. I should know it first as your good friend. Don`t you think so.”
“Oh, Jesus. What a question. No idea… Maybe next year,” Misa answers to his question very surprised.
“Why next year? No need for postponing. It’s high time…You are almost forty. Can you make out what I'm talking about. I`m not sure”, says Aleksandar trying to persuade Misa.
“For sure, you know that you must have money… funds, dinars, dollars… Name it however or whatever you like. One needs it to become decent husband, father…simple, head of the family,” Misa says pretending as if he is shy boy without self-confidence.
At this point Aleksandar realizes that it`s not so possible: ”Yeah... In other hand many people get divorced for the same reason… Unfortunately, most people get poorer and poorer. You have not your apartment in possession. You cannot afford renting one, either.”
Misa gets a little bit nervous: ”Please, let’s change the topic. Talking about money drives me desperate. I’m middle-aged man, but I feel like six years old kid… Shit! And who should be blamed for it. I work weekends, holidays, day and night shifts. And what I get in compensation for all that. Student pocket money.”
Aleksandar makes out that this talking is completely wrong: ”Yes, you are right. I am awfully sorry. Money, here, in recent years is bloody fucking hard stuff to get it. Listen to this music,” he shows Misa small disc player in jacket.
“That’s a way I like it, aha, aha, Staying alive, Start me up. Superstition. Great mix. These songs were planetary hits. It was more than twenty years ago. I was in high school. We were just teenagers,” Aleksandar’s face gets pretty nostalgic look, “Jesus, are we old?!? What`s going on with time. Oh, God, please help me stop the time.”
Misa tries to return Aleksandar to reality nowadays: ”Hey, hey, are you under cocaine. Come Back. I’ve got some extra money. I am leaving next week for Montenegro on vacation. You know what triple S means. Sea, sun and sex.”
“Nice. Third S, sea you cannot find in Serbia unless you are wizard. Unfortunately, I will stay this summer in my home town. I have got some things to do. That’s life. And of course… career. However, another two S I can find in Belgrade too,” says Aleksandar.
Ivana, journalist with same editorial as Aleksandar, is entering the restaurant. She is approaching Aleksandar and makes thin official corporate smile: ”Hurry up. They are waiting for you in editorial and wander where did you lost. I guess that’s not half an hour break.”
Aleksandar gets rather annoyed by her comments, sharply reples in ironic voice :”Timing my break is none of your business, my dear, young lady. I shall be there in few minutes. Is that clear, young lady.”
Misa is more fearful than Aleksandar tries to calm him: ”Go, immediately stand up and go. You finished your meal. Plates are empty. Do not quarrel with them. As simple as that they are higher ranked what means they are more powerful and can fire you. Keep your job. We are living in hard times.”
Aleksandar nervous and bit angry: ”Yes, Keep shitting job… Be humble. Fall to your knees. Avoid conflicts with supervisors, editors, managers, even same level ranked colleagues. Uhhh, what craps of life we live through.”
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