by Bella Juarez
“I see,” the president said simply as he looked at the mosaic. “An excellent idea,” he said with a smile.
“Mr. President, please understand the delicate position I am in. I gladly serve Iran, but I am living in Russia right now,” Azad said.
“If the Russians harm you, we will have a serious problem,” the president said.
“Thank you, Mr. President. The delegation is waiting to leave,” Azad said.
“Azad, one more thing…” the president said.
Azad’s heart momentarily stopped. Bloody hell! Now what?
“Yes, your excellency?” Azad answered.
“I want daily updates on your work. I do not care if the Russians know or not. Use the code to give me any news on a breakthrough, understood?” the president said.
“Yes, Mr. President, I understand,” Azad said, allowing his heart to start beating again.
“Have a safe journey, my brother,” the president said.
Azad turned and left before the president could think of anything else. He met the Russian delegation who had been waiting. They got into the limousines that would take them to the Tehran airport.
“Well, what did he want?” Ivanov demanded as they left for the airport.
“He wanted to know what was happening with Israel and America. He asked if I knew your plans,” Azad said.
Ivanov grunted at the response. “What did you say?” the general asked.
“I said I haven’t been privy to any plans about Israel or America. I work in a lab,” Azad said.
“The plan is simple, my boy. We plan to supply Israel with oil for the next fifty years and help destabilize the Middle East as much as we can so we can control the energy market. We want America as weak as possible. Their politics are weak and being consumed in war. In a destabilized area of the world is exactly where we want them. So they will not have time to get in the way when we take over OPEC. China can take care of the rest,” Ivanov said.
“What about Chavez in Venezuela? Don’t you think he’d have a problem with you taking over OPEC?” Azad asked.
“No. He will do what he’s told. He’s hanging on to power by a thread. Russia will cut that thread if he gets out of line. He is easy to replace,” Ivanov said.
“Very simple plan,” Azad said.
“The best ones usually are, my boy,” Ivanov said.
Azad sat back. It was a very simple plan indeed and exactly what his government wanted to hear. It made perfect sense that biological warfare would take America’s, and its allies’, eyes off the ball. They couldn’t be concerned with something as simple as gas prices when their soldiers were dropping dead from unknown pathogens. The body count in the war would double, maybe even triple, in a single strike. The American and British press would have a field day with antiwar news. Russia’s plan was simple, brilliant, and scary as bloody hell.
“Next time he asks, feel free to share this information. I’m sure he would appreciate it,” Ivanov said.
“I think he’d rather hear it from you. When he asked me, I told him to talk with you,” Azad said. But I’ll sure as blooming hell share with Britain! Azad was dragging his feet on producing Sergei’s new and improved pathogen.
They’d discovered what antibiotic had been used to kill the bacteria the few times it had been used. Katrina Wilson had managed to get them some samples of the medication before she’d been taken. Sergei Vaslliev worked out how to mutate the pathogen so it would be resistant to antibiotics. For a long time, they’d not been able to get past the nanobots because they mimicked blank cells, much like stem cells in a placenta or umbilical cord. The medication with the advance technology added would learn the DNA signature of the pathogens and isolate it, enabling the medication to do its work.
Only Sergei and Azad knew the secret. Sergei was now working at a US government research facility in Houston, under the guise of medical research for NASA, perfecting antidotes for the pathogens he’d helped develop. The plan was for Azad to stall until he’d been notified that Sergei had completed his work.
Azad glanced at Ivanov. He was still under the impression that Sergei had been taken away and was being held by the Americans. In all actuality Sergei had planned to defect when they recalled him to his work in biological warfare. He knew he needed to get his entire family out of Russia and he’d managed it. Now Azad felt like he was stuck keeping madmen from destroying humankind. Hurry up, Sergei. I’m walking a bloody tightrope!
Chapter 7
British Embassy
Secure Briefing Room
Kabul, Afghanistan
May 7, 2009/1025 Zulu
Kashi sat around the large table along with Commander Lance Corbin, Senior Chief Alex Richards, Lieutenant Dan Gamez, and the British MI-6 team that was assigned to the problem in the Kush Valley of Afghanistan. They listened as the latest update from Azad Jobrani was briefed. This report had a direct impact on the mission that he and MI-6 were jointly working on with SEAL Team 13. As well as dealing with the attack in the Shindand Valley, the joint team was also trying to find any trace of old Soviet bases in the Kush Valley.
“What’s going on with the tissue samples that were collected after the attack?” Alex asked.
“They’ve been sent to Stockholm,” one of the staffers answered.
“Stockholm? Why Stockholm?” Commander Corbin asked.
“European Center for Disease Control is in Stockholm, Commander,” the staffer answered.
“They understand the sensitivity of this, I hope,” Corbin said with a frown.
“Of course, Commander, the center has a facility dedicated to NATO. It is held in very strict confidence,” Kashi said.
“I sure as hell hope so, you don’t know my boss. He gets a little edgy when things don’t go his way,” Corbin said.
“As a matter of fact I do, Commander. I understand your concern,” Kashi said with a smile. “By the way tell Rock and JJ I said hello,” Kashi added.
“Did we ever find out how Iran got a hold of that pathogen?” Shaq asked.
“Our man inside Russia informs us that Mr. Bakri obtained and provided the Iranians with a sample. We’ll assume that all Iranian troops stationed along the border have access to the pathogen. Of course for now, the UN and Coalition Partners don’t know what Iran is capable of,” one of the staffers said.
“That’s just fucking lovely,” Cobra snapped.
“Do we know if they’re propagating and producing the pathogen?” Alex asked.
“We’re trying to find out,” Kashi said.
“I suppose it’s too early for any findings to see if the pathogen is ours or a new hybrid?” Alex asked.
“You know something, Commander, if you’re concerned about the sensitivity of the ECDC, why don’t you send Alex to Stockholm?” Kashi suggested to Corbin.
“Not a bad idea,” Lieutenant Gamez agreed.
“I’m not a research doctor, I’m a medic,” Alex said.
“I don’t care about the research. I care about this shit leaking out. You could keep a lid on it, while you’re working there, Doctor,” Corbin said with a smile.
“Would you all excuse us for a moment?” Kashi said, turning to the rest of the MI-6 staff that was in the room. “I think we’re done anyway.”
The British team left the small room to the SEALs and Kashi. He smiled at the suggestion he’d made. Isabel had ranted to him one day about the fact that Alex was an idiot for dropping out of his residency. She’d further ranted about the offer Alex had received from Rock for completing his residency and becoming a physician and the fact that he hadn’t moved on it.
“Alex, it would be the perfect opportunity for you to take that new position,” Kashi said.
“What the hell do you know about that? What is this?” Alex asked, looking around the table.
“What will it take, bro?” Gamez asked.
“Come on, Alex, it’s time to move on this. We need to get that new team going and now is the perfect opportunity.
Take that paper you’ve been working on and apply it somehow,” Corbin said.
“Paper? What sort of paper?” Kashi asked.
“You remember the herders you brought in? You know the baby that was born at the hospital?” Alex asked.
“Yes, what about them?” Kashi asked.
“After Isabel cleaned up the mother, I saved the placenta and the umbilical cord from the birth. I read an article about stem cells and blood disorders and when I found the pathogen again I planned on running some tests. Make a long story short, I found the pathogen in the samples I took. They were showing no signs of infection. The entire tribe has been infected and they’re able to fight it off. I’ve been trying to understand why,” Alex said.
Kashi looked at Alex in mute disbelief. Kashi had always suspected there was a whole lot more to Senior Chief Richards. Alex was brilliant, organized, and was way above average for an enlisted member of the military. His suspicions were confirmed when he and Isabel had talked. This man was probably on the verge of a major discovery.
“My God, Alex, what the bloody hell are you doing in a field hospital when you should be in a lab? You could be on the verge a breakthrough!” Kashi exclaimed.
Kashi watched Alex and held his breath. He prayed the man would come to his senses. Alex sighed heavily and looked around the table.
“All right, I’ll do it. But you need to find a doctor in research medicine to come and oversee this. Get a doctor from the Naval Medical Research Unit at Fort Sam to come and work with me,” Alex said.
“Rock said you can do residency while you’re here with the doctor that’s coming next week, until you get back to Randolph,” Corbin said.
“Whatever.” Alex waved dismissively.
“Don’t you get a promotion, too? That’s pretty cool, huh?” Gamez asked.
“To lieutenant,” Corbin said.
“What the hell? It’s taken me almost six years to make lieutenant,” Gamez said.
“Doctors walk in as lieutenants,” Corbin said with a shrug.
“So, you’re going to Stockholm? Right?” Kashi asked.
“I guess. Isaac can run things when I leave. If he needs some help can you send Isabel to the hospital until the doctors get there next week?” Alex asked.
“I will,” Kashi said.
“Let me get his all arranged. You might not leave for a couple of weeks, Lieutenant Richards,” Corbin said with a grin.
“We needed him there bloody yesterday!” Kashi said.
Chapter 8
MSF Clinic
Kush, Afghanistan
May 13, 2009/1306 Zulu
Alex and Isabel were finishing up the clinic visits for the day. Kashi had managed to work a schedule where a few of the SEAL medics would help provide healthcare to the people of the valley. Meanwhile Shaq or Gamez would take a team and hunt in the valley for what would lead them to that damn Russian lab. They had found lots of contraband and raiders but no Soviet-era buildings that looked as if they held any promise.
“I’m out of gauze and sponges,” Isabel said, looking through the cabinets. “I knew I was running low, but I didn’t think I was out. I don’t know when that shipment is coming in.”
“It’s all right, Izzy. I’ll go back to the base and grab enough to get you by until your shipment comes in. Do you need anything else?” Alex asked.
“Are you going and coming right back?” she asked.
“Yes, it’s only a twenty-minute drive. I’ll take Shaq with me. Some of the guys need to get back anyway,” Alex said, packing his bag.
“What about that big party with Tashza tonight?” Isabel asked.
“I’ll be back in about an hour,” Alex said, swinging a large duffel bag off the table.
Isabel shrugged and turned back inside the clinic. Alex walked out to the Jeep and threw his bag in the back. He located Shaq joking around with some of the younger local men.
“I need to go pick up some supplies. Can you take me and bring me back?” Alex asked.
“Why did I get chauffeur duty? It’s because I’m a black man, isn’t it?” Shaq asked.
“No, it’s because you’ve got the keys,” Alex quipped.
“Come on, man, I’m just fucking with you. Let’s round up the guys that need to get back,” Shaq said.
The men that needed to return to Camp Echo were rounded up and they made the twenty-minute trip back to the small base of operations. Shaq and Alex went to the field hospital and grabbed the supplies they needed and started on their way back to Kush. As they drove, Alex noticed Shaq looking over at him several times. They finally caught each other’s eye and Alex frowned.
“Please don’t tell me you find me attractive,” Alex said.
“No, but I’m wondering about something,” Shaq said with a smile.
“No, I don’t swing that way. Ever,” Alex quipped, looking ahead.
“Shit, like I’d be interested in your ugly ass,” Shaq shot back.
“You couldn’t handle me, Shaq.”
“It ain’t me I’m wondering about.”
“Oh?”
“When are you just going to fuck her and get it over with?”
Alex looked sharply at Shaq. Oh shit! Am I that obvious? He’d been trying hard to keep his distance from Isabel and keep their relationship professional. Especially after that night in her room when he damn near fucked her. Isabel, to her credit, kept herself busy and was always professional when they were working. Every now and then he would catch her looking at him with that hunger he had seen when he held her.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Alex asked, looking away.
“Really?”
“Shaq, we ain’t here for the party. We’re working. I don’t have time to screw around with someone.”
“You keep telling yourself that, Doc. But I see it and I don’t give a shit what you say. Time or no, when it happens, it doesn’t matter what the fuck is going on, it just happens. And between you two, it will happen in a big way.”
Before Alex got a chance to deliver his clever answer they looked at each other in alarm at what was coming over their comm lines.
“Get your fucking asses back here! We need some help!” Gamez ordered over the comm line.
Lieutenant Gamez and three SEALs were pinned down. Kush had come under attack. Shaq stepped on the gas and drove as fast as the vehicle would allow. They hadn’t been that far away, but the trip seemed to take forever. They were met by Gamez and Kashi, who looked very worried.
“What happened?” Shaq demanded.
“They came and started to raid the village. We stopped most of them, but a few of them got away and are holed up,” Gamez said.
“Where?” Alex demanded.
“In the clinic,” Kashi answered quietly.
“Where’s Isabel?” Alex demanded.
“Alex…We’re all worried about her,” Gamez started.
Alex’s heart stopped for a brief second and the blood in his body drain to his feet. He looked at the building and then at the SEALs who had come to surround him. Alex started to move but Shaq stopped him.
“Listen to me before you make another move. I’ll go in there with you, but we need to think this thing through. If we don’t, the wrong people will die. I know that’s the last thing you want. So think. Before. You. Move!” Shaq urged, whispering so that no else could hear.
“What’s the plan?” Alex asked Shaq.
Alex knew that Shaq was quickly becoming a master strategist. He was the right man for this job, and if anyone could get Isabel out alive, it was Shaq. Alex briefly recalled how Rafe Wilson, the previous executive officer before Cobra, had made Shaq’s life a living hell. He’d had tried to get him kicked out of the military for being gay. Rock had put a stop to it, but he couldn’t stop Rafe’s constant harassment.
Because Shaq had proven himself, no one but Commander Wilson seemed to have a problem with Shaq and his preferences. Alex sent up a silent prayer of thanks at having him here. Shaq was
the only hope Isabel had right now. Shaq looked at the clinic for a moment. He put his hand on Alex’s shoulder.
“I’ve got an idea. Kincade, Radar, Sampson, come with us. Dan, you and Kashi get all the civilians under cover,” Shaq ordered.
Dan and Kashi broke off from the group and went toward the villagers, hurrying them to safety.
“Doc, how many entrances does the clinic have?” Shaq asked.
“Four. Two doors in the front, one in the back, and there’s a crawl space under the building at the southeast end that comes into the supply room. There are five rooms with walls in the building…” Alex started to lay out the building in every detail.
Shaq looked at the building again and for a long few moments said nothing. He turned back to the men waiting and laid out the plan, giving everyone an assignment and pairing off teams. It was late in the afternoon when they’d gone back to Camp Echo. Now, it was dark and that played to their advantage as the SEALs got into position and waited. At one point they heard Isabel screaming. Shaq looked at Alex with concern. They’d be going in the back where the exam rooms were and that was the most dangerous part of the operation because of all the separate rooms.
Isabel screamed again. She was in the back part of the building near where Alex and Shaq would come in. The building was a thin portable building with doors that hadn’t been reinforced. Even though they had all become attached to Isabel, the battle-hardened SEAL had kicked in for all the men.
Izzy was now just a hostage that needed to be taken alive, if possible. Shaq nodded to Alex. He tried the door quietly. He’d unlocked it earlier to take out the trash and he couldn’t remember if Isabel had locked it behind him. He prayed she’d forgotten as he turned the knob. Alex was relieved because it was still unlocked. With his body away from the line of fire, Alex inched the door open and took a peek.
There were boxes stacked near the door that opened to the outside. Alex had a clear view of the empty passageway that was lined with two exam rooms and a day surgery room. Light spilled into the hallway from two of the exam rooms. It was unclear which room Isabel was in. Alex saw a shadow, waited, and closed the door slowly.
