“At this point, Lieutenant, all you can hope for is that she doesn’t kill again.”
Colonel Johnson motioned the remaining men to their seats.
“If you have not heard, a woman posing as a war correspondent shot and killed a Blackbrier member early last night. Reports indicate she broke into a civilian house and shot Sergeant Sokolovic in the chest two times. Then she shot the homeowner’s son while escaping. Captain Delic was shot in the arm while chasing her. At this point, she is still at large. Colonel Thomas’ unit conducted their own unauthorized raid on a dozen houses in the area. As of right now, we have been unable to reach them.”
Colonel Thomas’ phone rang. He took the call, much to the chagrin of Colonel Johnson. After a moment, Thomas closed his phone and spoke to the group.
“That was Captain Delic. They found the suspect in Section One. They gave chase but the woman got away. However, he is sure she is still in the area. She is running, and she is alone.”
Johnson immediately laid out search grids and assignments to the officers. Each man nodded at his assignment, writing down the section and coordinates of their area of responsibility. Lieutenant Lieberman was notably left out.
When Johnson finished, he dismissed the group.
“Excuse me, Colonel Johnson, sir,” Lieberman said.
Johnson turned to regard the young lieutenant.
“I was just wondering what my assignment is.”
“Your assignment is to maintain base security. You let this woman loose. Pray that the rest of us are competent enough to find her.”
~~~
Steve Miller walked his post at the air base. Dressed in full uniform, it was unbearably hot. His rifle slung over one shoulder, the stock rested in his left hand.
He worried about Alina’s safety. Maybe she was back at the hotel, but he had no way to contact her. The radio was at the barracks. He could not leave his post.
He noticed the return of the Blackbrier Hummers—all but one of them. He watched them get out and go into their barrack, but he did not see Delic. Immediately his suspicions rose. Something was definitely wrong. If she was not here, that could only mean one thing.
Delic had found Alina.
His mind raced. What could he do to help? He shook his head and walked his beat. Nothing. He could not do anything, not with his unit locked down on the base.
He looked around. With everyone out searching for Alina, the base was practically deserted. Casually, he walked over to the motor pool. There was one Hummer left.
He shook his head. He could not leave his post. He would be court martialed for sure. Still, he could not let her die—and she certainly would if Delic had her. Where would he take her?
Suddenly, he stopped walking. The desert. It was the perfect place to dump a body. But where would he take her? He could only think of one place. The meeting sight. He nodded. Yes, that had to be where he was heading.
He looked at the car again, mounting a plan—but the plan would only work if she were still alive. Steve decided he had to take that chance.
He got into the Hummer and started the engine. He drove to the air base checkpoint.
The guard stopped him.
Steve rolled down the window. “I’m helping in the search effort.”
“All the other vehicles have left already.”
“Yeah, I’m getting a late start. Engine problem with this Hummer. Finally got it fixed, though. Listen, I’m late joining my unit. Could you let me out, please?”
The guard looked at him a moment then waved him through.
Steve turned left out of the base and headed north at high speed. He passed several troops canvassing the area. He ducked down so as not to be seen. Exiting town, he continued north.
He turned off the road where he and Alina sat earlier and watched Sokolovic and Delic drive down this path. After traveling ten minutes inland, he came across multiple tire tracks. He stopped the car and got out.
Rifle at the ready, he looked at the tracks. They were definitely non-military, except for one set. These were wide, like that of a black Blackbrier Hummer. Steve nodded, got back into his truck, and drove away toward the nearby hills.
~~~
Alina woke up to the sound of men arguing. She was in the back luggage area of a Hummer. She tried wiggling to a more comfortable position, which was hard to do with her hands tied behind her back. The plastic tie wrap bit into her wrists.
“I tell you, we should just kill her now! Let’s be done with it.”
“Not so fast.” It was Delic. “If we play our cards right, we might make some money off this. Sell her to the Iraqis. Let them do what they wish.”
Another man spoke. “How do we know they will kill her? Sounds like another loose end to me. We were sent here to ensure her death, not sell her to the Iraqis.”
“Trust me,” Delic said. “I know Khebat, the tribal chief. He will kill her, but not until they’ve gotten all the political gain they can out of her. He’ll chop her head off, just like the others. What’s wrong with making a few extra US dollars out of the deal?”
“I still say we put a bullet in her head and dump her here.”
Alina’s head ached. She lay back down to try to clear it. Limber as she was, she had no problem snaking the plastic cuffs over her feet. Now her hands were in front of her. That was something.
“Where are you taking me?” she called out.
“Oh, so you’re awake,” Delic said. “Good. I had hoped you would be soon. Saves me the trouble of lifting you out. We’re almost there.”
“Where?”
“To a secluded place in the desert. When we get out, I have a few questions for you, and then you can go free.”
“Go free? I heard what your plans are, sell me to the Iraqis, but I won’t tell you anything. You might as well kill me now.”
“There! You see?” the first man said. “I told you.”
“Don’t worry,” Delic said. “Everything will be fine. Trust me.”
Alina spotted a briefcase beside her. She opened it. Inside were stacks of Iraqi dinars. A lot of money. She was sure this is what they used to buy the drugs.
She felt the truck going off the paved road and onto the rocky soil of the desert. At that point, she knew exactly where they were going: the same rendezvous spot Steve and she trailed them to earlier. They bounded along about ten minutes until Delic stopped the car. The doors opened and slammed. In seconds, the back lid opened.
Immediately, Alina struck out with her feet, catching Delic off guard. He fell on his back, hitting the hard ground.
Alina rolled out of the car. A band of at least twenty tribesmen left their quarter-ton pickups and gathered around them, forming a rough semi-circle. They pointed and laughed at Delic.
Khebat laughed loudest. “I see you don’t know how to control your women, Delic.”
One of Itsakovic’s men pulled his sidearm. “Here, let me show you.”
“No!” Delic yelled, dusting himself off. “This is between her and me. It’s personal.”
He came toward her, his eyes fixed and glaring.
Holding her bound palms in front of her, Alina said, “Don’t do this, Delic. I don’t want to kill you—not anymore.”
“Kill me? Look around you. Do you really think I will die today?”
Alina looked at the Iraqis. She singled out the chief and said loud enough for him to hear, “What happened to Ramyar and Dersima?”
“Who?”
“The two Iraqis who helped me. What did you do to them?”
“I killed them. What do you think?”
Khebat stood with his AK cradled in one arm. Hearing this, he shot a withering look at Delic.
“That’s what I thought,” Alina said, turning to the chief. “He murdered them in cold blood. Two innocent Iraqis who did nothing to harm anyone. They were good people, peaceful people, and he killed them.”
“Is this true?” Khebat asked. His rifle swung toward the Serb.
&n
bsp; Delic shrugged. “Uh, well, yeah. I had to, Chief. She told them everything about us. I had to kill them to protect our business.”
“The deal was none of my people was to get hurt. We agreed not to attack your convoys. Now, you have broken your promise. You will pay for this.”
Delic looked at Alina. “You tricked me!”
“I didn’t trick you, Delic. I just showed everyone the fool you are.”
He pulled a knife from his side scabbard. “I’m going to enjoy killing you.”
“Listen, let’s just go back to the base. It’s over Delic. The drugs, everything. Please, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Hurt me? I plan to watch you bleed. Trust me, when I’m through with you, you will beg to tell me everything about your organization.”
“I don’t have an organization. It’s just me.”
“Are you trying to tell me one woman took down one of the largest cartels in this part of the world? Ha! Don’t make me laugh.”
“Who’s laughing? It was easy. All you have is a bunch of men running the thing. Just look at those two.” She indicated Itsakovic’s men. “Typical low-brow males you’ve got employed.”
“That’s it!” one of them yelled. “Delic, I don’t care if it is personal. This chick’s going down now.” He aimed his pistol at Alina’s head. Delic slapped it down.
“Not until I’ve had my fun with her. When I’m done, you can do whatever you like for as long as you like. My men and I had her ten years ago. You can have her now.” He looked at Khebat. “And then you can have what’s left.”
Delic held the knife out front, circling her. Alina turned, following him, her hands extended.
The tribesmen did nothing. They cradled their weapons and smiled at each other, seeming to enjoy the show.
Delic charged.
Alina easily dodged the blade and landed a swift knee to his stomach. Delic coughed and went to one knee, holding his midsection.
“Last chance, Delic,” Alina warned. “Please, just give up.”
His faced flushed. His teeth gritted. The veins on the sides of his neck bulged. He came off the ground in a rush, trying to spear her with the knife. Alina parried the thrust with a sideswipe of her arms, then whirled a spinning kick to the side of his head.
Delic staggered. The tribesmen laughed. Delic seemed to lose control at that point. He rushed again, this time with a high hand, the knife arcing down for her heart.
Alina raised her hands and caught the blade with the plastic cuff. She twisted around, wrapping the knife, and pulled hard.
The edge cut the cords. The knife and cuffs fell onto the sandy plain.
They both went for the knife, but Alina was closer and faster. She picked it up and swept the blade in front of her, cutting Delic across the chest. He backed off, looking at the blood seeping through the long gash.
He shook his head. He came in slower and lower, careful of the gleaming weapon she held.
Alina moved the knife slowly from side to side as a deterrent against another frontal assault. Delic circled to the right. Alina followed him, her eyes watching his.
Dirt kicked from his feet as he dove for her legs. She stabbed down, plunging the blade into his back, but Delic continued his attack. Grabbing both her legs, he rose to one knee and lifted her off the ground.
She fell awkwardly with Delic on top of her. He went for her throat. Alina blocked his hands with the bloody knife, cutting his left palm deep.
Delic snatched his wounded hand back and rolled off as Alina thrust upward. She missed, but at least she was free from his crushing weight. Quickly, she scrambled to her feet.
Delic was bleeding from four places now, his shirt completely crimson. He wavered on his feet and arched his back. “That sort of hurt.”
“Just give up. Let me take you in. I promise I won’t kill you.”
Delic shook his head. “Can’t do that. You know I can’t do that.” He came at her again, though moving slower.
On impulse, Alina ran at him and jumped, kicking him with both feet in the face. Delic went down hard. He tried to get up but stepped into another upward kick to the face. This time, he stayed down.
That is when something hard hit the back of Alina’s head. The knife dropped tip first into the sand. She fell face first but rolled quickly onto her back. Itsakovic’s man stared down at her, his gun in his hand.
“Time to stop all this nonsense!” he said. He cocked the pistol and drew aim.
Alina heard a short hiss and thud of a bullet hitting the man’s chest. A second later, the report of a distant rifle.
The man’s face contorted. Blood seeped down the front of his shirt. He hung like that for a brief moment, and then started to fall.
The Iraqis were no longer amused. As one, they unslung their rifles and aimed at Alina.
Alina leaned up and grabbed the gun that was still in the man’s hand. She twisted it toward the second man and squeezed off two fast rounds before he had time to clear his gun from the holster. The slugs tore through his heart.
She rolled on the ground and fired at the crowd of surrounding Iraqis. Four men dropped before the group scattered.
Another hiss and a thud as a bullet slammed home. Another man went down.
The Iraqis fired indiscriminately as they dove for cover. Bullets hissed by Alina’s head. Others kicked sand in her face.
She continued rolling, firing as she did. Alina came up on one knee and fired again, shooting a man in the stomach as he raced toward her. She immediately sprang forward and caught him before he fell, using the body as a shield while bullets from three Iraqis ripped the man’s torso. Alina fired three rounds from behind, dropping all three men.
A hiss and thud sounded behind her. Alina turned to see another man standing over her. Blood spurted from a gaping wound in his neck. He landed at her feet.
She looked up at the distant hills. It must be Steve, she thought. Thank God!
Some of the insurgents started shooting at the hills. Puffs of sand kicked up along the ridges. Other soldiers scurried behind their trucks for cover, more afraid of the mystery gunman than Alina.
It was the wrong choice.
Alina dropped her empty gun and dove for an AK laying in the sand. She slammed her back against the front fender of a pickup, checked the magazine, and then jammed it home. She was in the danger zone, on the inside of the semi-circle of pickups. She had to break outside.
An Iraqi popped his head up from behind his truck to take a shot, but Alina already had the rifle at her shoulder. A quick, three-round blast destroyed what used to be a face.
She rolled around the front of the truck to find two more men crouching in fear. Her first impulse was to shoot, but Ramyar’s words came to her. When they just looked at her, she settled for a straight jab with the rifle butt in the face of one. A hard swipe to the head knocked out the other.
Bullets shattered the glass beside her and beat a steady rhythm along the truck. The tiny shards of tempered glass exploded in her face. Instinctively, she dropped as every remaining gun fired at once—some at Steve, most at her.
Frantically, she dug a glass fragment from her eye. This was no time to be blind. She blinked repeatedly, desperately. Only then did she see a man almost on top of her, his rifle ready.
Another hiss of a slug followed by the thud against flesh. The man collapsed on his back as the distant crack of the rifle sounded yet again.
Alina turned and waved at Steve, then continued her assault. Walking in a low crouch, she made her way to the end of the truck, picking up AKs and scavenging their clips. These she shoved into the leg pockets of her camouflaged pants. She was back on the offensive again.
Reaching the end of the pickup, she peered around the corner. A stream of bullets tore through the thin metal skin. She ducked back, but not before taking a hit to the forearm.
Blood streamed down, dripping off her fingers. She rapidly ripped the tunic off a dead man, tore a piece, and wrapped it tight aroun
d the wound, tying it off with her teeth.
One truck cleared, four to go.
She hoped Steve could keep them pinned down. He was the only reason they were not all rushing her at once.
She raised her head over the truck bed and just as quick ducked back down. Five Iraqis were advancing straight across the middle.
Alina dropped to the dirt and looked from underneath the pickup. The men’s legs were exposed. She poured her clip into them. Each man fell in rapid succession holding broken and bleeding legs. Alina couldn’t bring herself to finish them off—not after the promise she made. They were out of commission. That was good enough.
The other gunmen seemed more wary now. No one ventured into the open. No one peeked above their truck. With Steve behind her as an over watch, Alina chanced a longer look.
Nothing. The desert was silent.
Once again, she made her way to the end of the truck, only this time no one fired. Glancing back to where Steve must have been, she signaled she was going forward. She took a deep breath and darted full speed for the next truck.
She ducked and ran, barely avoiding the stream of lead that erupted overhead coming from the far side of the circle. She slid head first behind the truck. To her surprise, there was no one there. They all must have abandoned their positions for the far side of the circle—away from Steve’s long reach.
Two trucks cleared, three to go.
It was going to be harder now as she circled away from Steve’s protection. She was practically on her own from here on out, but that didn’t bother her. She barely gave it much thought as she ran for the next pickup.
This one was bumper-to-bumper, so she had no problem skirting around the front end. She never slowed down, never gave them a chance to guess where she was.
Alina cleared the front of the next truck to find three soldiers hiding there. Their guns came up. She fired twice. Two men dropped.
Her gun clicked empty.
The third Iraqi stood in seeming surprise for a moment, his eyes wide. Then he smiled a gapped, three-tooth smile.
Alina raced for him, but she knew it was too late. There was no time...
The hiss of a passing bullet ricocheted off the roof above the gunman. Steve couldn’t hit him, but he did make him flinch. That was all the time Alina needed.
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