Karachi, Pakistan
Ahmed Shah was tired. The journey from the mountains of Afghanistan to the suburbs of Karachi had been uncomfortable and arduous. The driver of the Mercedes crossed the Lasbela Bridge and turned right. Journeys end was now just a few minutes away. Ramazan Ali, next to Shah on the back seat of the taxi had been asleep since leaving the airport and was snoring loudly.
After an undisturbed night
’
s sleep Shah awoke at dawn, feeling refreshed and hungry. It was time to eat because today was going to be demanding. The high rise apartment block in the eastern suburb allowed Shah a panoramic view of the sprawling streets of Karachi. He stood on the balcony in deep thought and lit a cigarette. He could hear the sound of snoring reverberating from Ramazan Ali's bed and he smiled.
Ahmed Shah was now a very different person to the young man who once lived off a veritable diet of parties, drugs, sex and alcohol. On reflection he now knew of course they were just temptations of the flesh, evils of the western world and soon that world would suffer. From the blackened ashes would emerge the young green shoots of Islam that would in time grow and spread like a fertile forest, until the whole world lived according to the Koran. The death of the infidels was quickly becoming reality and not just a dream for the future Caliph.
“
Salam," Shah said on seeing Ramazan Ali.
"Salam," he replied before lighting a cigarette and taking in the views of Karachi from the balcony.
"You snore like a spitting camel."
"I know."
"I expect Kamran Khan Rana to call in the next hour. He
’
ll bring the passports and flight tickets." Shah said, exhaling smoke through his mouth and nose as he talked.
"Are you sure you're happy with the satellite images, because we fly tonight?" Ramazan Ali asked nervously.
"Don't worry, they are fool proof, my brother. Believe me, the North Koreans will buy into this one. The day after tomorrow we will be in Pyongyang implementing stage two of the plan. The consequences of our actions will bring the western infidels to their knees. The third and final stage of my plan is getting closer now. On that day the true believers will watch America beg for mercy, moments before they are annihilated from the face of the Earth.
”
The Ellington Building, Houston.
Hunter had called a ten o'clock team meeting in the control room and people were gathering with some minutes to spare. Yuri Klyushin, Jerzy Rozanski and Walter Rottenburg were drinking coffee and chatting by the drinks dispenser while Rob McPherson was sitting at a screen on the main console discussing some statistical charts with his wife.
At precisely ten o'clock Hunter and Linda Washington entered the control room. Hunter looked remarkably well considering his recent ordeal. The only evidence of his wounds was a sling supporting his left arm. Today was his first official day back at work. He strode into the room to loud applause from the gathering.
"Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen, it's good to be back." Hunter was smiling and waving in acknowledgement of the warm welcome he was receiving. "Thank you everyone I appreciate it. Okay, please gather round as I have some important information to pass on to you. Firstly, thanks mainly to Rob, the threat we were facing from Adam Domaradzki and his sect has gone away, forever. We can all now feel safe in the knowledge that there is no one out there trying to kill us anymore. From all of us, Rob, thanks for what you did." Applause filled the room and Rob nodded in recognition. Vicki gave him a gentle 'well done' pat on the back and he blushed slightly. She had forgiven him.
"We must stay focused and continue to search for the source of the signals," continued Hunter. "The President wants us to concentrate on the information we've already got and break their code. We need to know what they're saying and we need to know where they are. There's no news on the aliens who escaped from the Pentagon. There have been no sightings by the public or us for that matter but we must assume they are still out there because the signals are still being detected I believe Rob?"
“
Affirmative, sir.
”
McPherson responded. "We have had a number of transmissions now, the last was yesterday morning. The format is the same and the source seems to be the same but we still can't find what's transmitting the signals. It's as if the signals are coming from empty space. I'm afraid we don't have the answers yet."
"We will get there guys, we just need to keep chipping away at it. We have the best brains on the planet, all in one room. How can we fail to succeed?" The team smiled at Hunter's efforts to instil some enthusiasm in the weary team. "The second thing I want to discuss is our resources. The President called me this morning and told me that we are to lose another three of the satellites to the Military." Grumblings of discontent filled the room at the statement from Hunter and Vicki lowered her head in disappointment.
"I know it's not good news but we have no choice I'm afraid."
"What's the reason for it?" Walter Rottenburg asked sternly.
"I honestly don't know. It has something to do with national security obviously, because the military want them back. I can only suppose it
’
s the increasing tensions between us and North Korea but that Walter is only conjecture." Walter believed Hunter. "Vicki will you liaise with the military please because they'll want to take control of the satellites again and they'll need to be repositioned facing back to Earth. The information will also need to be re-routed to wherever."
“
Yes, I can do that, but who do I liaise with?"
"Linda has all the information. Can I suggest you two get together after this meeting and sort it out between you?
”
“
Yes, okay, sir." Vicki nodded at Linda and she nodded back in acknowledgement.
"Let's not forget guys that we've achieved a great deal already and we do have alien transmissions for our efforts. Something we all believed might not happen in our lifetimes. Let
’
s crack their code. Let
’
s find out what they
’
re saying. Let
’
s get some answers." Hunter paused awhile. "Thank you all for your time, I won't keep you from your work any longer. Good hunting.
”
Later in the day, Rob McPherson was working in his office when the phone rang.
“
Hi, Rob speaking... Good news, what have they offered
…
I
’
m prepared to accept that offer. Tell them it's a deal...When do you expect to complete?... Okay, I'll make sure the place is cleared out by then...Yeah that's great, speak to you soon."
"Is that what I think it is?" asked Vicki from the next office.
"Sure is, Honey, I've just sold the apartment for the asking price."
"That's the first good news we've had for a long time."
“
Yeah, it certainly is. We need to go to DC as soon as we can to clear out my stuff. It'll be a chance for you to see the place."
"How do you feel about it? Will you feel sad to sell it?"
“
Hell, no; I'm over that part of my life now. I won't feel at all sad to sell it and since Amanda has wavered any claim on the place the money is all mine."
“
Ours. We're married now, remember?" Vicki smiled broadly.
“
Sorry, darling, ours,
”
McPherson emphasized.
“
When this is all over we can find somewhere else around the DC area to live. Leesburg has an executive airport and it
’
s not to far from the CIA building. I could teach my son to fly the Cessna by the time he's five. We need somewhere where he can grow up and play outdoors in the fresh air."
Vicki listened, smiling broadly. "Yeah, that would be nice. Come here and kiss me you handsome beast."
"How can I refuse an offer like that?" Rob duly obliged.
Washington DC (Three days later)
Rob and Vicki had enjoyed the lunch with his boss, Conrad, and it was great to catch up with the goings on of his old department and colleagues. It was over a year ago when Conrad offered McPherson the chance to go to Houston and a lot had happened in that time. Some of the experiences had been truly wonderful, some had been truly frightening.
"He really is a nice guy, isn't he?" Vicki said, looking out of the taxi window at the Smithsonian Institute.
"He certainly is, darling, and he knows a good restaurant too."
"Yeah, the meal was excellent. I enjoyed the fish very much."
"Look, that's my apartment over there." McPherson said pointing to a large Parisian Style stone building.
"Can you pull over there please, by the hydrant?" The taxi driver duly obliged.
Minutes later McPherson opened the door to his apartment and gestured Vicki to go in. The room smelt of fresh flowers and polish. Most of the furniture was covered in dust sheets and on the small Georgian entrance table was a bowl of fresh fruit and a welcome note from the housemaid. Maria you are wonderful.
Vicki walked tentatively into the sunlit room and looked around. " It's a lovely apartment."
"It's okay isn't it? We'll take some of the small stuff with us and the rest we'll leave for the movers to box up for storage."
"Doesn't it make you feel sad to come back here? It must hold so many memories?" Vicki asked nervously.
“
No... sad isn't the right word. I was happy here, I won't deny it but I don't miss it at all now darling. I've moved on. I've got a beautiful wife and a wonderful son, that's far more important." McPherson gently stroked Vicki's cheek with his finger. "The place is full of memories, luckily most of them are good ones." He then remembered the day when he walked into the bedroom and Amanda sat up in bed; told him she was leaving him for another man and he visibly shuddered. Unaware, Vicki strolled around the living room looking at the various photographs hanging on the walls and feeling comfortable with the situation. It was obvious who Amanda was and how beautiful she looked, but she didn't feel threatened by her at all. Very photogenic, she thought.
One picture attracted Vick's attention. It was Rob and another man and the setting appeared to be Cambridge.
"This is a nice photo of you. Was it taken when you were at Cambridge?"
“
Yes, it was."
"Who's the other guy with the scare across his eye?"
"That's a guy called, Habib. He was a brilliant young scientist."
"Was?" enquired Vicki, with a frown.
Rob joined her next to the photograph of Habib and himself stood with their arms around each other
’
s shoulders and smiling broadly. The young undergraduates were posing outside the splendid late Gothic chapel of King's College Cambridge. The scene was illuminated by a soft winter sun that cast long shadows.
Rob pointed to his friend in the picture. "He was the son of a very wealthy Afghan business man. On a visit to his homeland the inevitable happened and he was kidnapped. A huge ransom was paid for his release but he was never seen alive again. His decapitated body turned up some months later and he was I believe, buried in Kabul. He was a great guy and a close friend. I wanted to go to his funeral but 'Uncle Sam' had other ideas for me at the time."
"How awful. What a terrible waste of life.
”
Vicki said, sadly.
"It was a terrible waste, because he was a genuinely brilliant scientist."
"It looks beautiful in the snow, Rob; like a picture postcard."
“
Yes
—
now can we please do what we came here to do?"
“
Sorry, darling, what can I do to help?" Vicki asked with enthusiasm.
The Ellington Building two days later.
It was eleven o'clock in the morning and the control room was a frenzy of excitement as more signals were being picked up and recorded. This particular transmission was longer than any of the others and after seven minutes it was still transmitting.
"As soon as we have the full transmission, let
’
s get to work on it guys." McPherson said, excitedly.
Everyone was standing and looking at the large screen displays as statistical information about the transmission started to flash up. Vicki was busy repositioning the satellites for the military and reprogramming the signal routing when by mistake a top secret bulletin flashed up on her monitor. She stared at the screen in disbelief as an image of Rob's university friend appeared to stare back at her. Quickly she changed the screen image. Unnoticed in the noise and excitement she purposefully walked out of the room and headed for her office, deep in thought. When Vicki arrived she closed the door behind her and switched on her monitor. A few key taps later and she was looking at Habib's image again. Opening a desk draw she pulled out the photo of Rob and his friend Habib taken from Rob's apartment in Washington, a photo she really liked. Carefully she compared the facial scars on both images. Vicki remembered Rob's words. His decapitated body turned up some months later and he was, I believe, buried in Kabul.
"This guy was not buried in Kabul." Vicki said out loud. "This guy is very much alive."
Rob was staring at his monitor when Vicki walked back into the control room. Grabbing a chair next to him she sat down.
“
Rob...Rob."
“
Sorry, darling, what did you say?"
“
Rob, I need to speak to you."
"Not now please, we're very busy and right in the middle of a transmission. Can't it wait?"
Vicki looked around the room.
“
No, this can't wait, Rob."
"What is it, that's so important?"
"Not here...... In my office, NOW.
”
McPherson stared in silent disbelief at the image on the screen.
"It's him all right, it's Habib...What the fuck is going on Vicki?"
"I don't know, Rob, but we need to let Hunter in on this one." Vicki said sternly.
McPherson picked up the phone and pressed a fast dial button.
“
Hunter, it's Rob here, Vicki and I need to see you now, it's very important
…
Okay, we'll come straight over. Let's go, he'll see us now.
”
Two minute later Linda Washington was showing them into Hunter
’
s office.
“
Thanks, Linda. Can you sort out some coffee for us please?"
"Sure thing, sir.
”
“
Okay, guys, sit down please and let's talk. Don't tell me you two want out just as things are getting exciting?" Hunter sounded anxious.
"Don't worry, Colin, it's nothing like that."
"Then what is it, guys?" Hunter asked, enthusiastically.
McPherson looked across at Vicki in silence, for a brief moment, and she nodded.
"When I was at Cambridge University, I befriended a young enthusiastic student from Afghanistan by the name of Habib."
Hunter's face donned a bemused frown.
“
Please, hear me out." McPherson continued. "Habib was a brilliant scientist specializing in human biology. After obtaining his doctorate he worked for the British Government at Aldermaston where, I believe, he specialized in the development of extreme toxins and nerve gas for chemical warfare." Vicki and Hunter were absorbing every word McPherson uttered. "He was supposedly kidnapped and beheaded in Afghanistan some eight years or so ago."
“
Rob, I don't understand, what has this got to do with our project?"
“
Nothing." McPherson answered bluntly.
"Then why are we talking about someone who's dead?"
Rob again looked at Vicki. "Because he's not dead, and the CIA have flagged him up as an active terrorist answering to the name of Ahmed Shah. Can we use your monitor please?" McPherson asked.
"Feel free." Hunter gestured to the screen.
Vicki walked over to his keyboard and typed in some information. "This is information I accidentally received during the satellite changeover. The transmission wasn't meant for my eyes and it is top-secret.
”
Vicki admitted. "But I believe it's critical that you see it sir."
"Go ahead." Hunter was intrigued and leaned forward toward the monitor expectantly.
On the screen Vicki manipulated two photos of Habib side by side, one was from the Cambridge photo, both had exploded views of the scar across the subjects right eye.
Hunter carefully scrutinized the images in front of him for a few moments, thoughtfully rubbing his chin with his index finger and thumb. "Houston, we have a problem,
”
he finally commented, picking up the phone.