by Tom Hunter
Pin pulled out his notes on the decoded information from the jump drive Valentina had lifted from Samuel. Although he’d read through them multiple times already, there was always the chance he’d missed a little detail.
“I’m just carrying out the final status checks before takeoff and we’ll be good to go. Everyone, prepare yourself for flight,” came an announcement over the intercom.
As Pin reached down to secure his lap belt, his phone buzzed to announce an incoming message. Looking at it, Pin saw that one of his base’s communications officers was trying to contact him. Swiping the screen to open the encrypted messaging service, Pin barked at the man who appeared on the video.
“Yes? What is it?” he snapped. “Now is not the time for you to be bothering me.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” replied the officer. “Trust me. I wouldn’t dream of interrupting your flight if this wasn’t important, but I thought you would want to know that we’ve received a report from the field agents you sent after the target.”
“So we have McCarthy in custody?” Pin sat back in his seat, smiling smugly. “Excellent. Everything is falling into place.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but that’s not what’s happened.” Even over the video, the comms officer’s nerves were palpable. “Apparently, they failed to take him down and he eluded them to reach Terbouba.”
Pin clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening as his fingernails dug into his palms. He clenched his jaw, shaking his head in disgust.
“Sir? General Nam-gi? Are you still there?” The comms officer frowned anxiously.
“I’m still here,” replied Pin through gritted teeth. “Send out the alert to all operatives in the region to converge on Samuel’s current location. I can at least safely assume that he’s still in Tebourba, can’t I? Don’t tell me he’s escaped the city or I promise you, there will be executions.”
“I will issue the order to the agents just as soon as I get the authorization code from the Bruard,” replied the officer. “He is still with you, isn’t he?”
“Do not countermand my orders,” growled Pin. “You answer to me, and me alone. If I tell you to do something, I do not expect you to give me attitude in response.”
“I’m sorry, General Nam-Gi.” The comms officer gulped but held his ground. “I have to follow established protocol, and when I’m asked to divert agents from their existing missions, no matter how urgent the reason, it has to be under the authority of the Bruard himself. If you could only ask him while he’s there with you, I can send out the command immediately. All I need is the code.”
“You insolent-”
“Is there a problem?” asked Pae jovially, noticing that Pin had turned red.
Had Pin been wearing the papal cap, he would have ordered Pae to tell the comms officer to follow his commands without question, but Valentina was far too close for him to risk being so blatant about his attempts at a quiet coup, and without the other artifacts, he wouldn’t be able to control everyone aboard the VTOL.
“I need you to tell this man to send every available agent in the area to take Samuel McCarthy into custody,” Pin told him. “His escape is humiliating us. It’s time to settle the situation once and for all. We are so close. If we have McCarthy under control, it will make the rest of the mission much easier.”
“I don’t see the need for that.” Pae waved away Pin’s concerns. “We already have a perfectly decent plan of attack. We need to stick to that and not allow ourselves to become diverted. We retrieve the artifact at Dougga so we have the upper hand and set a trap for Samuel afterwards. Much as I appreciate your enthusiasm, Pin, save it for later. Focus your energies on preparing for Dougga. We’ll resolve everything there.” He laughed. “You worry too much, Pin. If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my time as ruler is that when you deviate from a plan, you set yourself up for failure. Relax and enjoy the flight. Forget about McCarthy for the time being. Stressing does nothing but elevate your blood pressure.”
Pin narrowed his eyes, bowing his head in seeming deference to hide his ire. If only he had all the artifacts, none of this would be necessary. He made a mental note to get payback on Pae for making him look stupid in front of the inferior officer. Perhaps an extra day in Pin’s private torture chamber for every offence would make him regret his actions.
“I apologize for my outburst,” Pin finally said. “You are, of course, correct. I was caught up in the moment, but you are the source of all wisdom.” He turned to his phone. “Ignore my earlier command. Proceed with the existing plan.”
“Yes, sir.” The comms officer signed off, as Pae nodded approvingly.
“I commend you for your restraint,” the dictator told Pin.
“Of course.” Pin returned his attention to his notes, but not before he noticed Valentina smiling at him. Was she gloating at how he’d been made to look stupid or was she trying to connect with him?
Twenty-One
Loud dance music thumped out of a rundown house, as Josh and Waleed continued in their quest to find an appropriate vehicle to commandeer. The sound of breaking glass came from a nearby alley, where a bum had thrown an empty vodka bottle against the ground. He sat with his back against the wall, nodding his head in vague time with the music, holding out a hand to the two men with little hope of receiving anything from them.
“Sorry, dude. I haven’t got any change,” Josh shrugged.
“And neither do I, ever since you all forced me to leave Goldie behind,” muttered Waleed. “Remind me again why we came to the low rent side of town? I fancied traveling in style to Dougga. We’re not going to find anything worth a damn round here.”
“It doesn’t matter how we get there, as long as we do,” Josh replied, turning down another street to get away from the watchful eyes of the homeless man. He wasn’t going to risk having him sound the alarm or trying to blackmail them to keep quiet.
At last, he spotted a car that looked like it might be suitable. Hurrying over, he motioned to Waleed to find a good position where he could act as lookout.
An old hand at watching for trouble, Waleed nonchalantly leaned against the car, while Josh picked the lock to access the vehicle. In a flash, he was sitting behind the wheel, popping up the dashboard cover so he could find a hack point.
“I’m not convinced that this is the best way forward,” warned Waleed from the side of his mouth, as Josh started to work his magic. “Stealing a trusty family car would be way easier than taking something that clearly belongs to a gang member, drug dealer, or both. They tend to look after their vehicles properly.”
“Maybe,” Josh conceded. “But I’m not feeling in the mood to steal from innocent people today, so this will have to do.”
“Innocent is relative,” Waleed shrugged. “Besides, a mom or pop would be far less likely to shoot at us if they spot what we’re doing.”
“Well, we’ve been shot at often enough by now, so it’s not like it’d be anything new to you,” joked Josh. “I don’t know what you’re worrying about. You seem to have been pretty lucky when it comes to dodging bullets. Sadly for the rest of us.”
“Are you trying to get back at me for something I’ve said or done to you?” Waleed shook his head in disgust. “There’s no need to make constant digs at me. I’ve done my best this whole time. I don’t understand why you have to be so mean.”
“Why don’t you meditate about it?” sneered Josh.
Waleed’s sarcastic retort was cut short by Josh’s whoop of joy. The interior of the car lit up, holographic controls bursting into life as the on-board control system came online.
“Are we almost there yet?” asked Waleed, as Josh continued to fiddle with the wires behind the dash to start the engine.
“Not long now,” promised Josh. “This is a pretty straightforward model compared to some of the engines I’ve worked on over the years. Accessing the inner systems should be easy. All I have to do is…”
Josh let loose with a string of expletives as the c
ar’s alarm wailed into life.
“What the?” Waleed panicked, running round the side of the car to throw himself in the passenger’s seat. “We were meant to keep a low profile!”
“Damn iris sensor,” Josh growled. “Forgot this car had those. I wonder if its owner would be so kind as to…”
“Hey! That’s my car!”
The door to the nearest house flew open.
“Dealer override, dammit,” Josh muttered, trying various combinations of controls designed as a secret back door override to the vehicle’s security system.
“Get us out of here!” yelled Waleed, watching over his shoulder as the car’s owner raced towards them. “That guy’s armed and he looks pissed!”
Josh pressed the ‘start’ button, and they were rewarded with the heavenly sound of the engine firing up.
The gang member launched himself at them. The car’s roof bowed slightly as he landed on it. Josh slammed it into drive. They sped away, the man desperately clinging to his pride and joy in grim determination.
Twenty-Two
“How is that guy managing to hold on like that?” marveled Waleed, as Josh floored it.
“I have absolutely no idea, but we can’t risk going back to the others until he’s gone,” replied Josh. “I’m not having him taking his anger out on Shafira.”
“I told you we should have targeted a family, but would you listen to me?” argued Waleed.
“Now is not the time for I told you so,” Josh warned. “Give me a solution or shut up.”
“Just shake him off,” shrugged Waleed. “You’re supposed to be the hotshot driver, so drive!”
“I’m trying, believe me, I’m really trying,” yelled Josh, tires screeching as he yanked the steering wheel to go round a corner. The gangster stuck to the car as if glued there. “Maybe if you helped instead of criticizing my driving we could get rid of the guy.”
“I guess I do have a history of solving our problems with gangs,” Waleed mused.
“What do you mean, our problems with gangs?” Josh took his eyes off the road to glare at Waleed. “When have you done this before?”
“To be fair, last time I did have some help from Akhenaton,” Waleed told him. “And it didn’t come without a fair amount of damage to the surrounding neighborhood, but if you’re willing to trust me…”
“You are the worst partner ever!” Josh cussed, swerving in an attempt to dislodge their unwelcome passenger, but no matter what he tried, it only made the man more determined.
Clinging to the sides of the roof, the car’s owner edged his way towards them until he was able to lean over and look through the window. Pulling back his fist, he punched through the passenger window. Reaching through, he grabbed hold of Waleed’s neck, squeezing tight with an iron grip. He pulled Waleed towards him, threatening to yank him out of the window.
“J-Josh!” Waleed gasped for air, scrabbling futilely at the hand around his throat.
“Just shake him off, he says,” muttered Josh under his breath, veering from side to side, doing his best to force the determined ruffian to loosen his hold.
“Sorry, dude, but you leave me no choice,” he shouted at the car’s owner. He pressed the button to disable the vehicle’s automated collision avoidance system and drove straight towards a car parked on the side of the road.
“Nooo!”
Waleed gestured wildly at the approaching car, desperate to get his attacker to let go before they hit it. The gangster turned his head. Seeing the rapidly approaching obstacle, he tightened his grip, debating whether to brave it out in a dangerous game of chicken. Waleed gasped and scrabbled at the hand around his throat, to no avail. However, as they drew frighteningly near to the car, his attacker realized that this was a game he couldn’t win. He let go of Waleed and rolled to the ground.
Closing his eyes, Waleed braced for impact, just as Josh yanked the steering wheel to the right. They avoided a deadly collision, but the rear panel of their car scraped against the other vehicle’s door, giving off sparks accompanied by an ear-splitting squeal.
Waleed’s attacker hurriedly picked himself up from the ground, still desperate to catch up with his stolen car. He raced after them, angrily yelling and gesticulating, but Josh had it in hand. He gunned the engine, and they sped off. Frustrated, their pursuer pulled out a gun and fired. Josh yanked the wheel to the left, and their tires screeched as they rounded a corner.
Waleed fought for air, gasping for breath after his near death experience. He clapped, applauding Josh’s driving.
“Bravo!” he grinned when he was finally capable of speech. “I would have hated to have to dispose of a severed arm, but I’ve done worse. Your excellent driving was the final piece of my plan. Everything worked out exactly how I wanted.”
“Are you kidding me?” exclaimed Josh glaring at Waleed in disbelief. “You are the biggest idiot I’ve ever had the misfortune to deal with.”
“I maybe an idiot, but I’m a lovable idiot,” Waleed pointed out. “After all, you wouldn’t have done what you did if you didn’t care. You could have killed that man if he hadn’t let go and nothing says you love me more than being willing to murder someone for my sake.”
“Gah!” Josh hit the dash in frustration.
“I take it this means that you’ll never question my loyalty again.” Waleed nodded, leaning back in his seat in satisfaction at a point perfectly scored.
Twenty-Three
Josh pulled up in the little parking lot by the entrance to the park where they’d agreed to rendezvous with the others. In the middle of the grass nearby, he could see Samuel holding up his hands, encouraging Shafira to hit him so he could give her tips on how to improve her boxing technique. Akhenaton and Basile rested lazily under the same tree Shafira and Samuel had used for shelter earlier. While Akhenaton observed the lesson, listening to Samuel’s advice for himself, Basile was snoring away.
“What a beautiful scene of blissful ignorance,” Waleed observed.
“Yeah. What a pity we have to disturb them,” snapped Josh, leaving the engine running as he opened the door and called out to their friends. “Hey! You guys! We have to get going!”
Basile’s eyes snapped open. Akhenaton helped him up before hurrying over to the car. Shafira and Samuel exchanged worried looks as they followed.
“What’s Waleed done this time?” sighed Akhenaton.
“Don’t look at me,” protested Waleed. “This mess is all on Josh. We could have targeted a family car, but oh no, Mr. Big War Hero here decided that the sensible thing to do was to steal from drug dealers.”
“Not again.” Akhenaton rolled his eyes. “Did you tell him what happened last time? Don’t you ever learn from your mistakes?”
“Hey!” Waleed held up his hands, the picture of innocence. “I tried to tell him but he wouldn’t listen to me. Maybe he will in future now that he knows I do actually have a bit of wisdom to offer.” He glared at Josh, who shook his head in despair.
“Can you two lovebirds sort this out later?” pleaded Samuel. “If Waleed’s attracted heat from a local gang, we need to get as far away from here as possible.”
“I told you. It wasn’t me!” protested the thief.
Nobody was listening, as they quickly loaded up the car with their things and climbed in. It was a tight squeeze for the six friends, but Samuel and Shafira didn’t seem to mind being forced to be in such close proximity to each other.
“Where’s the map?” asked Samuel, as Josh headed south, deciding to plot their course on the way.
“Give me a sec.” Josh fiddled with the dials on the dash, finally managing to pull up a map of their current location projected into the middle of the car.
“Can you program in our destination?” asked Samuel.
Josh pressed a few more buttons, then cursed. “Sorry, guys. It looks like I disabled the GPS when I killed the alarm.”
“You set off the alarm?” Shafira raised an eyebrow. “You must be slipping, Josh.”
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“I guess that was my fault too,” snarked Waleed, suppressing a grin. “If you’d only gone for a family car like I said…”
“All right, so we’re going to have to go old school,” put in Basile, trying to head off an argument. “This red circle shows where we are at the moment.” He leaned forward between the seats to reach into the image, spreading his fingers to show a wider view of the city and surrounding towns. “Look here. If we drive south along the P5, it’s a pretty easy run.”
“It should only take a couple of hours by the looks of it,” nodded Samuel. “Much as I’d like to take a less obvious route, time is of the essence and it doesn’t look as though that’s much of an option anyway. If we’re going to run into the military whatever way we go, we might as well get our heads down and get on with it.”
“Let’s hope we can make the rest of this trip without too much of a fuss,” said Shafira. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve had more than enough adventure for one day.”
“One advantage to stealing from a criminal: he’s less likely to call the cops and report the theft,” Josh said, as he peeled away. “Less chance of getting stopped by the law. See, I was thinking all along. Right, Waleed?” He cast a smirk-laden glance over his shoulder.
“Hmph.”
Twenty-Four
Pin’s pilot descended towards the VTOL pad to the east of the ancient city of Dougga. All around, Roman architecture was clearly visible, the old mortar and stone well cared for to preserve the remains for generations to come. It was a remarkable display of ancient civilization.
At this late hour, there were only a handful of tourist groups remaining, attendants and caretakers casually ushering them towards the exits to secure the site for the night, a task that was made more difficult by the approaching VTOL. Some of the tourists were too busy gaping at the descending craft to care about vacating the premises. Cameras snapped as they took photos of the unusual sight.