The Shield: a novel Read Online Free PDF

plans succeed. If we see that such a problem is about to surface, we will take appropriate action.” She smiled her engaging smile and waited for opposing views. None volunteered to argue with the nice lady – she was charming but had no patience for stubborn fools.
    People started shuffling their feet and preparing for the meeting to be formally closed.
    “ We have one other item of business that cannot wait,” the P.M. said. The room slowly became quiet again. “I have to remind you that today is Friday, June 20, 1941. The day after tomorrow, on Sunday, June 22, at 3:15 in the morning, Germany will attack the Soviet Union.”
    “ Do you propose that we prevent this attack?” one of the ministers asked.
    “ No. I don’t think we can do that, but there is a consequence of this attack that I would very much like to prevent.” Amos Nir looked at each one of the people around the oval conference table. Some of the ministers were already nodding in agreement, a few looked aghast.  Only one looked like he did not know what Amos was talking about.
    The discussion following his explanation of what he had in mind was tumultuous. At one point it be came so loud that one of the guards outside the room opened the door and looked in. The P.M.’s secretary waved to him that everything was OK. Finally the P.M. stopped the discussion and called for a vote. He had a comfortable majority on his side, but only on the condition that he got cabinet approval for any military steps that would likely become necessary. His next move was to make sure that there would be no trouble from the religious parties’ ministers due to Foreign Ministry and Government activity on Saturday. It was justified by the fact that such activities would save lives and saving lives overrides the Sabbath. But better to ask first and keep the coalition behind him. He got their agreement later in the day.
    ***
    The Foreign Minister waited for the crowd to calm down. The room was full and some of the attending ambassadors had to sit on improvised benches.
    “ Ladies and Gentlemen,” the minister said quietly – this quiet approach always worked. It worked now. The many conversations stopped and everybody was looking at him.
    “ I am assuming that everyone here has heard the official announcement. The facts as presented in that announcement are correct.” He paused to let the crowd digest the message and quiet down again. “I am also sure that at least some of you have used your own resources to check the situation. I would like to make several announcements and give you additional information. But first, does anybody here have any doubts that we moved in time and that today is” - he looked at his watch - “approximately 4 pm on June 21, 1941?”
    The crowd of foreign ambassadors was quiet. Some nodded in confirmation but did not speak.
    “ I see that the situation is clear. There are some actions to be taken and implications to this condition which, with your permission, I would like to examine more closely.” The minister looked at his notes for the first time. “The first thing that comes to mind is that we should do all in our power to keep events as close as possible to our history. I hope that everyone agrees with that.”
    The French ambassador got up: “Sir, this may be immoral. It is in your power to save many millions of lives. Why not act to do so?”
    “ And how do you propose we do that?”
    “ Well, your army could attack the German forces concentrated on the Soviet border and destroy them. This would stop the attack before it began and save many lives.”
    “ A very noble idea, Mr. Ambassador. Do you propose that we magically transport our army to the German-Soviet border in occupied Poland and combat the Germans there? If this is your proposal, I have to disappoint you – we have no means to perform such a feat.”
    “ No, no,” the French Ambassador was not amused. “This not at all what I propose. I was thinking more along the