by G. R. Carter
Still, he had been sent out on some useless mission in the woods with a bunch of backwards converts; almost like the commanding sheikh had wanted him to get caught by the Red Hawks. No, Hirsi Ali would never stoop that low, even to pay him back for challenging him. That had been a legitimate argument, not something worth killing him for. Unless…
“American, wait,” Aden sputtered.
“Yes, what can I do for you?”
“What do you offer?”
“I don’t understand. What do I offer for what?”
“If I tell you what I really know, what would you offer to do for me?” Aden asked.
“Why would I believe you’re telling me the truth? Just a second ago you wanted me and my entire country dead,” Culper replied. “Besides, we all know about Taqiyya. In fact I’d be more inclined to do the exact opposite of what you told me, just figuring you were lying.”
“I will give you facts to prove my word is true,” Aden said, his mind now clearing, formulating a plan to survive. “But I have one condition, and it is non-negotiable.”
Culper chuckled. “You got some stones, Aden. I’ll give you that. Can’t wait to hear what this is going to be.”
“Your Tracker, the one that captured me, he said that your Founder gives farms to those who help him, yes?” Aden asked.
“I won’t guarantee it, Aden. That depends on how much help you give and how serious you are about becoming a real Red Hawk. Hate to be skeptical here, but remember you wanted me to rot in hell a few minutes ago,” Culper replied.
“Yes, that was true. But as you Christians say, I believe I have had a bit of an epiphany,” Aden said.
Culper couldn’t stifle the laughter now. Years of intelligence work, interrogation, warfare...yet again he was seeing something he never witnessed before. “Go ahead, Mr. Dhere. Lay your one non-negotiable condition on me.”
“My farm must absolutely, positively be as close to the center of your Republic as possible. I do not want a farm on the eastern or western frontiers. Christian, I am telling you, I must be in the middle,” Aden demanded.
Alarm bells went off in Culper’s mind. There was something about his captive’s sincerity…
“You need to tell me why, Aden. Or no deal. Why would you not want to be on the frontiers of our territory? Tell me now!” Culper insisted.
“Because, Christian, a violent haboob is brewing,” Aden said with a determined look. “A choking storm that’s going to swirl all around you and destroy anyone and anything in its path.”
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