Scenario 1-B -- next universe over:

Across the rugged mountain-laced sky, in the faint purple of dawn, a sound more terrifying than even the Russian's tanks is heard -- the gigantic lethal drone of jet bombers in formation. They come over the mountain peaks in waves, spanning hundreds of miles in even, controlled formations. They are larger and more powerful than any weapon ever seen in the country -- they seem unstoppable, irresistable.

The formation widens on pre-assigned mission tracks, some flying over the capital, some diverging to span the airspace of smaller towns and villages across thousands of miles of rugged terrain. They come closer,t heir engines blotting out the songs of birds and the cries of small, malnourished children.

One by one the incredible machines arrive on target and the men who serve the distant international power called America press their finely machined switches, send obscure messages on their high-tech headsets, and prepare to drop their weapon load. The bay doors under each gigantic metal belly open slowly and their payload rains down upon the countryside in numbers so thick they look lie an invasion of locusts ----

Parachutes. Millions of paper parachutes, swinging in the dawn breeze from the rugged mountains, drifitng down upon the city blockks, the town squares, the village centers of Afghanistan. They flock like a blizzard of white birds descending from the morning sky. Under each parachute is a container, a simple squared tan box marked in Persian characters, which translate intoa greeting -- not a threat, but a greeting the best sense of open human communication.

In the boxes is found food, or medicine, or bandages, water, vitamins, grilled shishkabob, vegetables, and home-made cookies with chocolate chips. And in every one a brightly colored letter from the people of the United States of America to the poeple of Afghanistan, expressing friendship under the benevolent care of the Infinite, expressing concern for their rights as individuals, and expressing grief and mourning for the lives lost in both countries. Another letter explains the Bill of Rights. Another page describes the difference between process and terrorism, and the problem that terrorism has caused us, and what we need to cure it.

Each is signed, "Your friends in America", and has pictures of friendly Americans.

For many families who gather the packages, it will be the first square meal in months.