McPherson opened the metal door slowly and looked in. Ahead of him, some ten feet away in a well lit corridor was another closed double metal door. Both men were now in the building between the two doors. Phelps closed the front door and then McPherson approached the second door and carefully opened it. What he saw astounded him.
"My God! Take a look at this Professor."
Professor Phelps was speechless for twenty-seconds or more as he scanned the equipment around the laboratory. He noticed a number of centrifuges, distillation columns, mass spectrometers, a liquid nitrogen and cryogenic area, computer screens and lab benches covered with all sorts of expensive looking analyzers and printers. In a large metal cage four hungry, surplus to requirements, laboratory rats, scurried around the cage sniffing the air and sensing the intruders. On one of the flat screens to his right Phelps saw a flashing message reading:
‘
BATCH TRANSFER COMPLETE.
’
His worst worries were confirmed. It was all so familiar to him.
"Are you okay, guys" came the question in their helmets.
"Yes, we're okay,
”
responded McPherson, not wanting to say too much.
"This place must have cost a fortune, Robert."
"I've not seen anything like this anywhere, Professor."
"Unfortunately, it reminds me of Porton Down." Phelps said disconcertingly.
Then McPherson noticed something that made him freeze. All around the building, mounted on the H-section metal uprights with tape, was plastic explosive.
“
Professor, DON'T MOVE. Stay perfectly still." Phelps obeyed the stern instruction from McPherson. Six inches ahead of McPherson, he noticed a faint red laser light about knee height off the floor, stretching across the lab.
”
Time to get out Professor. Turn around slowly and exit the building, now
. DO NOT TAKE ONE MORE STEP FORWARD INTO THE ROOM."
"What is it, Robert?
”
Phelps asked nervously.
"Just do as I say, I'll explain later."
"WE'RE COMING OUT NOW... THE PLACE IS WIRED TO BLOW
.
”
McPherson shouted into his mouthpiece.
Both men left the unit at a brisk pace, heading back to the waiting crowd. It was another six-seconds before the timer, activated by opening the inner door, counted down and the building exploded. The resulting pressure wave hurled them forward and they hit the ground hard, like flimsy rag dolls. Agent Steiger looked on in horror as the bright orange ball of fire mushroomed into the sky in front of her eyes and then she felt the intense heat on her face as the pressure wave pounded her body.
Professor Phelps was sitting in a wicker chair smoking his favorite pipe. He was staring at the clear blue sky, deep in thought. All around him the sweet smell of his tobacco filled the air. The hotel terrace was quiet when Agent Steiger arrived and spotted the plume of smoke at one of the tables. Just then a young waiter arrived with fresh filter coffee for two, that Phelps had ordered, and placed it on the table.
"Thank you," said Phelps to the waiter.
Agent Steiger waited until the waiter had gone before she spoke. "Good job those suits were fire proof professor," she said smiling and shaking his hand as he stood up to greet her.
"I can't believe this is happening to me
…
My life, since my wife died some twelve-years-ago has been...to be very honest, Agent Steiger
—
bloody boring. In the last few days I've travelled half way around the world and almost got myself blown up. How exciting is that?” The professor was clearly no worse for his ordeal and enjoying the moment and the company immensely as smoke billowed from his pipe.
"How are your elbows and knees today?"
“
Oh...I'll survive my dear, it
’
s only a gravel rash. The kind of thing you get when you're an adventurous child escaping from the Monster
’
s lair."
Agent Stieger was warming to this man by the minute. "This monster is far more dangerous though. Milk, Professor?"
“
Yes, please
…
You know I owe my life to Rob. I was fully aware that the situation was dangerous but I wasn't expecting that."
"He's an amazing guy, isn't he?" Steiger said. If he was single he'd be mine, she thought.
“
Yes, he certainly is. Have you seen him today?"
“
Yes," Steiger replied. "The hospital doctor has checked him over and he's been released. The cut on his leg was nasty and he needed quite a few stitches under his knee. I think they were more concerned about a possible infection or blood poisoning from the broken bottle but I'm glad to report he's fine. I did hear that his son is very poorly though
…
He
’
s been taken to the hospital for observation...something to do with his heart, I believe."
"Oh dear
…
that's all he needs. Let
’
s hope it
’
s not serious. He adores that kid. Talks about him and his wife all the time."
Steiger quickly changed the subject. "I know that we'll never be able to prove it now Professor but in my report I'm stating that from your observations it appears highly likely that the unit was used to create nerve gas of some kind. Are you happy with that statement?"
Phelps sipped his coffee and then thought for a moment. "Yes, I'm convinced that was the case."
Just then McPherson appeared through the open terrace doors. He was limping slightly but carried no other obvious injuries.
"Good morning, both," he said, sounding a little subdued.
"Good morning, Rob," they both replied, clearly happy to see him. Phelps asked if he was okay.
"I'm
fine...thank you professor. My knees bandaged up and I've got some stitches, but apart from that I'm fine. Should heal completely in a few weeks.
”
The crystal
…
I wonder, he thought.
"Doctor, I've just been talking to the professor about my report."
"Call me Rob, please."
“
Okay, I will, if you call me Beth.
”
McPherson smiled and nodded his acceptance.
"I'm going to state in my report that there is overwhelming evidence, based on Professor Phelps
’
statement, the equipment found in the lab, together with the forensic report, that the building was used to manufacture nerve gas."
McPherson looked at Phelps and he nodded his approval.
“
Okay, lets run with that."
The waiter then reappeared with more coffee and a cup for McPherson.
The young man driving down the Mai Kolachi bypass was heading for the US Embassy with just one thing on his mind. The Toyota's trunk was stuffed full of high explosive and nails and the belt around his waist also held a ring of plastic explosive. In his lap there were some wires crudely connected to a small electrical switch. He was all alone and sweat ran down his pallid young face. His hands were shaking as he gripped the steering wheel and he was struggling to stay focussed on the task ahead, mumbling a prayer as he drove. Twenty minutes previously he'd been holding his mother in his arms sobbing like a baby.
Ahead, through his bloodshot eyes, he could see the exit off the bypass that would take him onto the Mai Kolachi Road where the Embassy was situated. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he steered the vehicle onto the exit road until he finally approached the Embassy. Ahead there were armed US Soldiers and a barrier. He needed to be closer...accelerate...smash through the barrier
…
faster...
The guards saw the white Toyota careering towards them at speed. In a split second it was upon them and they opened fire without warning. The young man hit the accelerator hard as bullets smashed through the windscreen. Crouching down to avoid being shot he felt a jolt as the Toyota smashed through the barrier, still accelerating. As he looked up he could see his target ahead. Wherever you find a Kafir you kill them. He closed his eyes and flipped the switch in his lap.
The thunderous blast shook the area around the Sheridan Hotel.
"What was that?" Phelps asked, excitedly.
"That sounded like a very big explosion, and not far from here either." Steiger said, clearly concerned.
Soon the wailing sound of ambulances reverberated through the city as they rushed to the scene of unbelievable carnage and another mother had lost her son to an ever demanding God.
"This place is something else and I must say a little too lively for my liking. I'm looking forward to getting on that plane tomorrow."
"Yes, I know what you mean." McPherson responded.
“
I need to go home too, as soon as possible. Beth, I believe you're taking me to meet the guys at the communications center. Is that correct?"
“
Yes Rob, in about fifteen-minutes.
”
"Okay, well, Professor... I'll say my good-byes now, in case I don't see you tonight. I need to Skype with my wife."
"Let
’
s hope we meet again, Robert, in more peaceful surroundings. Oh and by the way I almost forgot. Thanks for saving my life and I hope your son makes a speedy recovery too.
”
Phelps gave McPherson an appreciative hug.
A hotel worker shouted from inside the building.
"THE AMERICAN EMBASSY HAS BEEN BOMBED
—
MANY PEOPLE DEAD
—
TERRIBLE.
—
TERRIBLE.
”
Hearing the sound of the massive bomb exploding, brought a smile to Shah's face, just as it had when he watched the laboratory explode, throwing the two men in suits to the ground. Shah had not been there when McPherson arrived and didn't recognize him in the hooded safety suit floundering on his belly in the dirt. Shah's plan was working beautifully. Now it was time for the next stage. It was necessary to call the authorities again and give the address of the gang responsible for the atrocities at the US Embassy. Everything was ready at the apartment and this time it wasn't going to explode.
McPherson had decided not to tell Vicki about his near escape. He'd decided that she had enough on her plate with Daniel being ill and he knew he needed to be there with her to support their son...... not in this God forsaken place he was beginning to detest more and more by the minute. Vicki had explained over the phone that they were still conducting tests on Daniel and they suspected it was a heart problem. When she knew anymore she promised to call him. Daniel was cheerful enough she explained but he was getting tired very quickly. Vicki had begged him to come home as soon as possible. Bending down he picked the crystal out of his bag and lay on the bed holding it on his chest. Quickly he felt relaxed and his eyes started to close...
"I'm completely confused, I have no idea what to do. How the hell can I be of any help? What negative forces are you talking about?"
"You will know them, when the time comes."
Just then the phone rang at the side of the bed.
“
Shit." He pulled the receiver to his ear. "McPherson."
“
Rob, it's Beth. Can you be in the lobby in ten minutes? We're off to talk to the boys at the communications centre."
"Yes, okay, Beth, I'll see you there in ten."
“
Great." Beth smiled and replaced the receiver.
McPherson placed the crystal back in its bag and walked, still limping slightly, to the bathroom.
The sooner we're done here, the sooner I can go home to my family. They're far more important to me than this nonsense.
Pakistani special forces arrived at the high rise apartment block by helicopter and quickly shimmied down ropes onto the roof of the building. Soon, onlookers gathered at ground level, watching excitedly as the elite troops dropped ropes down the side of the building. Within minutes they had entered the apartment high above the ground through a window, bringing gasps of disbelief from below. All around people were craning their necks eager to watch the free spectacle.
Once it was announced that the place was safe, other uniformed officers entered the building through the front door, taking the computers and all forms of potential evidence away for examination. Now, just over one hour after the call was made by Raman-Ali the place was empty and silent, apart from some pieces of furniture and the beds. The front door was left open and a one eyed cat was already asleep on a bed. On the balcony, cigarette ends littered the floor.
People around the area had gone back to their everyday business now that the short burst of excitement was over. The musky stale smell of smoke, impregnated into the walls of the apartment would be there a lot longer.
An old man with a crooked back looked into the flat, scared to enter, and wondered what all the commotion had been about. Then some noisy children arrived but the old man raised his walking stick to them defiantly and they ran away.
Abu Kalizad was thirty-two years old and born in Iraq. He had been brought up in a society where violence and bloodshed was the norm. He had taken to arms at the age of fourteen and killed a man by the age of fifteen. His victim, another Iraqi, lay on the ground wounded, begging for mercy as the young victor walked up to him. He smiled as he looked down into terrified eyes and without hesitation fired six bullets into the man
’
s head. A five year old boy watched from behind a nearby wall, too frightened to cry out his dead father
’
s name. The young Iraqi found the excitement of killing addictive and from that day on he was hooked. He had been radicalized in the Yemen some years later and was now one of Ahmed Shah's most trusted brothers in the fight against the Kafir: The non-believers.
Embroidered onto his white cotton overalls, below his name badge, was the title of Chief Maintenance Engineer. Today was quiet in the Presidential hanger at Jinnah International Airport and the large Jumbo Jet stood majestically behind the huge metal doors. Deep inside the bowls of the plane Kalizad was carefully cutting into a stainless steel hydraulics pipe that was part of the planes complex landing gear. Next to him was one of the canisters made by the executed Hanif Mohammed Haseeb and on its side it carried the distinctive red, blue and white emblem of North Korea. Fitting this one will be quicker, thought Kalizad.
The first one on the other side of the plane took almost thirty-two minutes. This one will be installed in less than twenty minutes. The units fitted perfectly and they would go unnoticed, hidden in the mass of the hydraulic pipework responsible for pushing and pulling the huge wheels in and out of the fuselage at landing and takeoff. Kalizad had also wired the canisters into the onboard power supply so that batteries would not be needed to power the electronic circuit-board, as demanded by Ahmed Shah.
"Done but I'm not filling in a job sheet today," Kalizad said to himself, pleased with the result. Now it's time for a cigarette outside in the fresh air.
US Intelligence Communications Center, somewhere in Karachi.
The atmosphere in the underground room was electric. People were huddled around screens excitedly discussing the information that was slowly being released to them. Top Secret information about the inner workings and future plans of a ruthless band of extremists lead by a man named Ahmed Shah. Details of the plan to fool North Korea were there for all to see along with the fake satellite images and false documents. Flight details to Pyongyang and all the meeting notes were on screen detailing the information given and the cost of $1,000,000, paid by North Korea, to Ahmed Shah for the information.
"The authorities had another tip off after the bombing of the embassy and they raided an apartment in the city and found...a pot of gold." Steiger said putting her hand on McPherson's shoulder. "The Ambassador to Pakistan is on his way, obviously wanting a bit of the action."
“
So, their plan was to trick North Korea into believing the US was just about to drop a nuclear bomb on them, launched from Israel?" McPherson asked.
"That's right, in the hope that North Korea would panic and strike first, hitting Israel with a nuclear warhead. Robert these people are quite insane."
"Insane without a doubt, but also very determined."
"This information proves the innocence of the US in this whole affair, Robert. North Korea has to be shown the evidence. Imagine if they did attack Israel, unaware of the truth, it would be a tragedy.
”
"I'm sure that won't be allowed to happen, Beth." McPherson replied as they walked to one of the monitors still visible.
"I noticed that you're not limping today. Your knee must be getting better,
”
Steiger commented.
McPherson couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth. "Yes, it's much better thanks. I've taken the bandage off. It was much too tight." His thoughts turned again to the crystal that intrigued him more and more. Where did it come from? A magic crystal with the powers to heal and Daniel at home in hospital...What am I doing here?