DARK HEARTED (The COIL Series)

by Telbat, D. I.

  "She's good." Corban moved to the false wall. "Take care, Miles."

  "Can you shake those guys or you need my guy out front to give you a hand?"

  "I could do it with my eyes closed. Well, your back door will help."

  Back in the store, Janice had bought a dozen postcards and a stuffed character called Taffy Andy for Jenna. With a knowing nod from the cashier, Corban and Janice exited through the back door, and wasted no time escaping along the back avenue to their parked car.

  **~~~**

  Chapter Six

  "Good morning, Mrs. Azmaveth," June Ellerman, the young investigative reporter, greeted as Chloe seated herself in front of the other woman and three cameras. Both women wore stylish pantsuits. "Thank you for coming."

  "Thank you for having me. Please, call me Chloe, June."

  An old hand at public relations, Chloe brushed her curly hair aside so the cameras could catch her pretty face. June Ellerman, a fit thirty-year-old, had been badgering Chloe for an interview for months. Corban had finally given his permission, giving her no restrictions as to what could be said outside of her own discretion.

  "Very well, Chloe. We've been doing an assortment of exposes on covert organizations. I believe the public should be aware of those clandestine persons who prowl through the night and seem to have no rules to follow, no laws. Some even have an international license to kill. No matter how much our world's governments deny it, we know these teams exist. The public should have full disclosure. Do you agree?"

  Chloe smiled back at the reporter. June's dark hair was up in a tight bun. The young reporter had knowing eyes, as if she knew all the answers before she asked the questions. Good ol' reporters, Chloe thought to herself. Media. They didn't really care about the public. Media outlets had their own agendas. She wondered what June's agenda was.

  "You can't imagine a time or situation where secrecy is needed?" Chloe asked.

  "Certainly, with military operations, but when it comes to citizens' privacy, we need to keep the governments in check, right?"

  "I don't disagree."

  "But you work for a very different type of organization. You call it COIL. C-O-I-L. Can you tell our viewers about COIL?"

  "COIL is an acronym that stands for the Commission of International Laborers, based on the Bible verse in Luke 10:2—'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.' Those were the words of Jesus referring to the plenty that are in need of salvation in Him, but so few laborers actually enter the field. One of COIL's greatest endeavors is to monitor volatile situations for Christian missionaries and workers who take up that charge and become laborers. We provide these people with early warning systems so they can safely, and successfully, exit a foreign country before they are harmed. In some cases, we ensure their safety so they can stay in the country without harm."

  "And because this series of interviews regards covert operations, what is it about COIL that is considered covert?"

  "Not much, I suppose." Chloe shrugged. "Our greatest concern is the safety of our international missionaries, so most of the work is done on the phone by case workers who monitor adverse countries. Nothing covert about that."

  "Give our viewers at home an example of an adverse country."

  "Okay. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one."

  "You have missionaries there?"

  "We monitor missionaries and other Christian workers there, yes."

  "Are they in danger often? Be honest."

  "No, not often." Chloe paused for effect and noted the triumphant look on June's face. "Not often, but always. It's an Islamic state, considered a radical one, at that. That country hosts their religion's most holy sites, Mecca and Medina. Thirteen hundred years ago, there were many Christians in Saudi Arabia, but most have been expelled or executed since, dozens in this decade alone. Arabia's government hires public relations firms in the U.S. to cover up their atrocities against Christian converts and other so-called political criminals. As one popular monitor stated, any person who does mission work or converts a Muslim to Christianity, faces jail, expulsion, or execution. It's common knowledge that Bibles are not allowed in Saudi Arabia, under penalty of stoning in some areas. So, are Christ's ambassadors in danger for sharing His love and peace? Absolutely. Daily. But the opposition clings so severely to the cruel bondage of Islam that we are forced to use some clandestine avenues to support believers."

  "Outside of Muslim countries, does COIL deal with anyone else?"

  "Every country in the world has problems with true Christianity being preached openly, even this country."

  "Excuse me, Chloe, but this is a free country."

  "Where a teenager is expelled from high school for praying over her food in the cafeteria? Really, June, you know better."

  June forced a smile through her reddening face.

  "What does COIL do for Christians in these difficult circumstances?"

  "The Bible says that anyone who truly lives for Christ shall suffer persecution. It doesn't take a theologian to understand that persecution will exist with or without COIL. There are many forms of persecution, though. We stick to the physical—sticks and stones—concept, but words cannot hurt a Christian."

  "I don't understand. COIL steps in under the threat of sticks and stones?"

  "Or fire-bombing or machete or bullet. Yes. We try to keep the missionaries alive."

  "And you'll do anything to keep them alive?"

  "Anything? Of course not. Some missionaries, even in the face of grave danger, don't want to leave their posts. Others who choose to leave, we assist them through peaceful means only."

  "But you have covert teams operating to extract these missionaries by any means necessary."

  "You're not listening, June. Peaceful means only. I read all of the field reports. We've never caused a death while extracting a missionary family or individual—unless you want to count our own people getting killed while trying to help others."

  "Are you saying these covert teams are not armed?"

  "Only with—"

  "Careful, Chloe. I've read my own reports and research about COIL."

  Chloe bit her tongue. She took a deep breath before answering calmly.

  "Our teams—and all of our operatives—are armed with non-lethal devices only. Stun-guns and such."

  "Not real bullets? Nothing lethal whatsoever?"

  "No. Never."

  "These reports, the field reports that you receive, are they available to the public?"

  "Do you mean are they available to you? I really doubt the public is as concerned about the safety of foreign thugs as you are, June."

  "I simply want to hold COIL accountable, as well as other covert organizations."

  "Of course you do. Do you know the song, 'Amazing Grace,' June?"

  "Sure. Everyone is familiar with at least the first verse, I think."

  "If you went to Saudi Arabia, and at this time, as a woman, you would be forbidden to drive, you would have to wear a veil or go to jail if you weren't publicly beaten first. And if you went to the supermarket and started to quietly sing 'Amazing Grace' to yourself, and someone—a male Muslim—heard you, you could be stripped to the waist and publicly whipped on the back. Forty lashes or blows with a cane might teach you the lesson. If, by some act of God, you were able to contact COIL as you were being dragged into the town square for your shameful beating and scarring for life, COIL might be able to whisk you out of the country, if one of our agents or contacts can get to you in time."

  "So, these field operatives would rescue me without violence?"

  "There might be a couple smoke grenades involved, but it beats the alternative of bloodshed, right?"

  "I can't believe your people rescue these believers from the jaws of death, with the enemy armed to the teeth—without violence."

  "The Word of God, the Bible, tells us to love our enemies, all of them. Now, we wouldn't be showing them much love if we were killing them, would we? That's true Christianity."

&
nbsp; "But it seems that you are prejudice, if not violent," June decided. "You've said over and over how you rescue Christians. What about other religious missionaries? Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons are in danger, too. You refuse to help them?"

  "That's a good question, June." Chloe complimented the reporter, and reached out and patted the younger woman's hand. "When we were writing our mission directives, this was a major concern because we wanted to help everyone, though we have barely enough resources to help only the true Christians. We prayed about this extensively. This was almost three years ago. The situation, however, worked itself out."

  "It did? How?"

  "Well, you see, there's only One God. Those who do not stand on His saving grace during the most extreme persecutions, cannot continue their apostate work. It's difficult to die in a foreign land for a god that doesn't exist. The Book of Galatians, chapter six, verse twelve, touches on this fact. False teachers are more concerned about personal safety than correct doctrine. It's that simple. Other religions and cult missionaries simply pulled out of the most dangerous places when this recent rash of world persecution began. There were once millions of missionaries in the name of Mormonism, for instance. It's not so, anymore. They have abandoned their posts because they don’t have anything real on which to base their faith. It's not the One True God of the Bible in which they believe.

  "Keep in mind also, June, that persecutors are driven by darkness, and the true darkness wants only to kill the true Light. More often than not, Christians are the only ones who are targeted in these foreign lands. The devil wouldn't get anywhere if he constantly targeted his own false teachers. He'd be destroying himself."

  "You're quite the fanatic, Chloe. Listening to you, you're an extremist, you know that? No one would condemn your operatives for taking out a few torturers, you know."

  "June, we don't do what we do for public opinion. We serve God in Jesus Christ's Name by the power of the Holy Spirit and His guidance. And though we don't serve man, we do desire that all men, women, and children recognize the joy that comes in serving Christ."

  "Let's talk more about your covert operations and less about your religion," June guided. "Countries certainly don't allow you to move across their borders freely. Don't international laws mean anything to you?"

  "COIL tries to exhaust all diplomatic measures before anything covert is ever exercised. Of course, laws are important. The Bible says in Romans that we are to live peaceably with all men as much as possible, and to obey the government—and we do—as much as we can."

  "But you still sneak across countless borders every time a follower of your Jesus cries for help. You have no accountability."

  "If we were really violating international laws, June, we would be shut down. Several intelligence agencies around the world watch us very closely. We make no compromises. It's commonly understood that countries that violate human rights must be handled differently. When we parachute into Duba, Saudi Arabia, to save a Christian woman from forced circumcision, borders don't exist. There's no border that condemns such mutilation, so there's no border that can keep assistance out."

  "You seem to really hate Muslims, Chloe."

  "What a horrible thing to say, June! Even though the Koran instructs true Muslims to persecute and wipe out any non-Muslim, a true Christian would never wish ill or do any harm to someone of the Islamic faith. Muslims spend billions to eradicate everything but Islam, therefore, their presence is quite an obstacle. In many ways, they are in the forefront. But Islam is regional. In South and Central America, our greatest obstacles are guerrillas who kidnap missionaries to ransom them. In Mongolia, we face Lamaism, or Tibetan Buddhism. In North Korea and China and Cuba, we deal with communism and atheism."

  "We can talk all day about how holy COIL is, Chloe, but let me ask you this: would you allow me to accompany a covert operation to witness your organization first-hand—in action?"

  "Are you serious?" Chloe gasped. "I mean, you'd want to go that far?"

  "I was in the Army Reserves for four years. I could handle it. But, of course, you won't allow me to accompany an op because you have things to hide—maybe even untruths you've told our viewers today; skeletons in the closet, and such."

  "No, no. Um. Wow. On the contrary, uh, June. We'd be delighted to take you along on something real. I must warn you, though—they rescue the persecuted in the face of death, nothing less. And we often lose operatives."

  "You're saying you'd actually allow me to go with one of your teams? No one has ever allowed me to accompany them before."

  "Since you have military experience…" Chloe shrugged. "We have nothing to hide. I can't promise you'll make it out alive, but if you're willing…"

  "And your teams are well-trained, right?"

  "They're the best of the best from all over the world. Navy SEALs, paramilitary from China, Belgian commandos, you name it."

  "But they're all Christians."

  "Now, they are. Many have, well, pretty hard-core pasts, but God can change anyone's heart."

  "And where will I go? Who will I go with? Let's give the viewers a little teaser."

  "It's tough to say right now, but we'll stick you with one of our teams in a real situation."

  "With your…Christian commandos?"

  "Yes, with our Christian commandos."

  **~~~**

  Chapter Seven

  The morning after the interview with June Ellerman, Chloe eased into Corban's office. She cleared her throat only when she realized Corban hadn't noticed her entrance.

  "Oh. Chloe. Come on in."

  "Don't tell me you were here all night again." As she sat down in front of his desk, she noticed three unwashed, plastic bowls and spoons on the shelf behind him. "Janice's catering service?"

  Corban set his computer mouse aside and focused on his public relations manager.

  "Yeah, we made a family event of it. She brought Jenna since she had another snow day yesterday. Half of the city's shut down, anyway. Nothing else for them to do . How's Zvi making out?"

  "He's stuck in Pittsburgh. I don't even know why he went up there. It seems I see this office more than I see my own husband. How about our three boys overseas? Any clues?"

  "Ever heard of Xacsin Castle?"

  "Xacsin. I've heard that name, but it's been years." Chloe cringed. "Please don't tell me that sadistic guy's involved!"

  "Afraid so. Interesting story about this Mr. Xacsin." Corban placed a photograph in front of Chloe. "Looks like he's another one of Abaddon's men. It's been confirmed through my European contact. The attack in Malaysia, my family being abducted, now our three boys in England… Xacsin has been up against us for over a year and we're only now learning of his involvement. He's been keeping his head down. His origins—how familiar are you with him?"

  "I know he started in Ireland. He was the IRA's basic terrorist trying to crumble England for a while. And I know he had enough influence that when he went rogue on a couple bombings, the IRA didn't rein him in; he was too powerful. They exiled him instead of killing him. Word was that he went to Germany and found a new calling, some sort of white supremacist group. The Mossad was watching him for a few years, probably still are, because he sponsored hate crimes against Jews all over Europe, but nothing that anyone could prove. I didn't know he had a castle. You said Xacsin Castle?"

  "Yep. It seems he's broadened his scope to include Christians now. Jews and anyone who's pro-Zion or pro-Israel could be a target. I'd sure like to sit down with him and ask why he was having men take my wife and daughter if his beef is with me."

  "You know why, Corban. He can't attack you head-on, so he finds and goes after your weakness." Chloe bowed her head, knowing that Corban knew all of this. After the attack six months ago, he had been fortunate to get his family back at all. The Lord was gracious. Now, finding another contact of Abaddon's who was involved in that attack was opening old wounds, not to mention the fresh wounds of the three missing operatives. "Well, COIL has never held ba
ck our support for Israel's right to exist. They're God's Chosen People. Forever in the Bible means forever. That's probably why we've been targeted by him—our people and the operation in Malaysia. It's a whole lot more complex than we thought. We're not just being targeted because of our work to support missionaries in dangerous lands, we're being targeted for our support for Jews, as well."

  "Zack McLeery," Corban spat aloud as if it were a curse word. "That's the name he uses, but I guess he goes by Xacsin McLeery, too. He likes to include that 'sin' suffix, evidently."

  "Creative."

  "Why didn't the Mossad take him out a long time ago?"

  "Don't know. It was never on my plate. This Zack, or Xacsin, probably has a dozen loyal followers. If his network is as strong as is rumored, he'd be replaced by someone with the same ideals, all sponsored by whoever this Abaddon is. So, are our boys in this castle of his?"

  "It's the best lead we have so far, Chloe, and I'm confident enough in the source to set things in motion already. He and his compound have a website; they're claiming to be the original Germans by way of their Wend heritage. The Wends were a first century Slavic people."

  "His alias is Irish, but he's claiming German descent?"

  "Hate-filled ideals can be blinding. And they have no shame about their hatred. He seems to have a mess of Skinheads from America and Europe working for him, probably more than what you guessed."

  "Where's the castle?"

  "Midway between Berlin and the Baltic Sea."

  "That's a cold region. Deep forests, most of it. Some farming land. I was through there years ago."

  "Don't even think about it, Chloe."

  "What?" She frowned. "Am I still on probation for the Malaysia nightmare?"

  "There's never been any probation. If I thought you were at fault over Operation Helena, I would've fired you. You're feeling responsible for our boys' injuries, I know, but don't. I really need you here to run things, to coordinate."