Dangerous Alliance, page 13
The tank’s turret tracked the Oshkosh. With a roar, a cloud of smoke, and a whistling sound, an armored-piercing round streaked toward the fleeing vehicle. Injured men bailed out as the projectile ripped through the rear of the truck, detonating when it reached the cab.
The troop carrier disintegrated, flames shooting skyward as the chassis sailed into the air before flipping over and landing on its top, crushing the driver and another man.
The tank sighted in on the Land Rover and fired.
A miss.
The errant round pulverized a parked car, sending fragments into Shidane’s vehicle. He struggled to maintain control, a piece of metal lodged in his chest.
Shidane called out to the other men for help. No response. He ventured a glance. One man had vanished. The other one's body had its arms outstretched, as if grasping for its missing head.
***
Hasan waited at the designated rendezvous point. In the distance, a vehicle’s engine misfired, a burst of black smoke billowing upward. It appeared to struggle as it approached.
Shidane brought the damaged Land Rover to a halt. He labored to open the door, a screeching sound announcing his success as it fell off its hinges. Losing his balance, he collapsed onto the sand.
Hasan rushed to his side. “Where are the others?”
Shidane coughed, blood seeping out of his mouth. “Tell … tell them we died with bravery in our hearts.” The man’s head lolled to the side as his body sagged.
Hasan dragged a hand over the man’s face, closing his eyes. He returned to Gari. Eyes closed, a slight motion of his chest indicated he was still alive.
Putting the truck into gear, Hasan and Gari drove back to their base, determination etched on their faces, two survivors of the day’s fateful attack.
***
Hasan stopped the Land Rover on the top of a dune overlooking the camp. “We made it back, Gari.”
He glanced at his team leader. “Gari?” Hasan gave him a slight nudge. Gari’s body shifted forward, his head hitting the dash. He didn’t move.
“Gari!”
Tears streamed down Hasan’s face. He realized his friend and mentor no longer breathed.
Hasan leaned on the horn to alert the camp of his return. He spotted Tahliil near the command tent and brought the bullet-riddled vehicle to a stop in a cloud of sand. Clothes saturated with blood, he grabbed Gari’s pistol, checked for ammunition, and stepped out of the truck.
“Gari—he’s dead. The others, too.” He glared at Tahliil. “The fish market was filled with men carrying weapons. A Somali tank demolished the troop carrier.”
Hasan’s chest heaved as he tried to keep his emotions in check. “They knew we were coming.”
Tahliil nodded. “I told them. We needed dead Kenyan soldiers to create confusion between the Somali and Kenyan governments. They’ll be too busy to worry about Dacar’s mission.”
“But … But, Gari was your friend.”
“At one time, perhaps, but he wanted to take over al-Shabaab.” Tahliil shrugged, his lower lip covering the edge of the upper one. “He died for our cause.”
Hasan stared at Tahliil, searching for some sign of humanity, a glimpse to indicate his decision to inform the government about the fake Kenyan attack was for the greater cause and not for himself.
Nothing.
Hasan raised the pistol as Tahliil lunged forward to stop him.
Too late.
He pulled the trigger.
Chapter Eighteen
Kaeson Youth Park
Pyongyang
Soo paid the entrance fee to Kaeson Youth Park and merged with the throng enjoying one of the few pleasures in the city. Not many people rode the attractions, the cost being more than half of the average monthly salary. Most of Pyongyang remained in darkness, but the amusement park blazed with colorful lights.
A long line waited for their turn to ride the Ferris wheel. Soo joined the queue and shuffled along with the others toward the ticket booth.
A nudge from behind caused Soo to jump. He glanced back—just a couple of excited kids pushing each other.
Soo shook his head and faced the front. A stranger stood in his space. Brown hat, gray clothes, bottle-cap glasses, and a small goatee, without any physical identifiable markings.
“Move.” The man pointed away from the crowds.
Soo hesitated.
The man gave a slight push on Soo’s shoulder.
“Be careful, or I’ll yell for the police! Do you understand who I am?”
“You are Ambassador Soo, and you’ll do as you’re instructed.” He gave another push and prodded Soo in the back, leading him toward the empty picnic area.
A second man, dressed in similar clothing to Soo’s escort, sat at one of the tables. He motioned to the other side of the table.
Soo paused and the first man shoved him into the seat.
“What is the meaning of this?” Soo’s chest heaved with fright.
“We met in the Seychelles.” Black orbs like bottomless pits gazed at Soo.
“Y-you tortured me.”
“We did no such thing. Your mind is playing tricks.” The man stood. “Remember, we are watching.”
The two men disappeared into the shadows, leaving Soo alone at the table. Shaking, he stood and trudged back to the line for the Ferris wheel.
He listened to the laughter and chatter around him. Who are those men? Why are they watching me and making threats? He made his way forward in the line, one slow step after another.
A hand grabbed his shoulder.
Soo gasped and swung at the unknown assailant.
Kim caught Soo’s arm in mid-swing. “Ambassador Soo. What are you doing?”
“I-It’s you.”
“Yes. We were supposed to meet fifteen minutes ago.” Kim gave Soo a glance from head to toe. “Did something happen?”
“No. Yes.” Soo’s shoulders sagged and he gulped. “T-The men who kidnapped me. They’re here.”
Kim glanced around. “Where?”
“They were here a few minutes ago. One took me to the picnic area. They warned me.” Soo gazed over the queue and toward the picnic area. “I don’t see them.” He heaved a sigh. “They were the ones who kidnapped me in Victoria.”
“Let’s skip the Ferris wheel. You need a cup of tea to calm your nerves.” Kim guided Soo out of the line and led him by an elbow to a small tea kiosk.
“Three teas, please.” Kim paid for the drinks and nodded toward an empty table away from the kiosk. He put one drink in front of him and gave the rest to Soo.
“Drink, Soo. This will help you relax. There is much to talk about.”
Soo took a careful sip of the hot drink. Even though the evening wasn’t cold, he wrapped his hands around the cup for warmth.
“What is the problem?” He finished the first cup and started on the second.
“We must put our story together. Wook will ask why we stayed out of contact for several days. He might ask both of us.”
“I can understand him asking me, Kim, but why you? You’re my aide, nothing more.”
“True, but Wook is devious when he suspects anyone.” If you realized the truth, you’d require more than tea. “When do you meet with our leader?”
“In two days.”
Kim picked up his cup to hide his grimace. I meet him tomorrow. Our story must be convincing. “What will you tell him?”
“I might tell him I needed a few days to myself before returning to Pyongyang.”
Kim shook his head. “It won’t work. We always seek permission to take personal time. Even more important when we are out of the country.”
Soo nodded. “You are correct as always. Hmm.” Soo rubbed his chin, his eyes closed. He remained in this position for several moments. Slapping his hand on the table, he smiled. “We tell him I went for a walk. I collapsed in the intense heat. Someone called an ambulance, which took me to Seychelles Hospital. No one knew about you, so you needed time to search for me.”
“Yes, a reasonable explanation. Let’s go over the details, so you are ready.” I must also be prepared.
***
Major Kim was ushered into a small antechamber to wait for Wook. He would try not to show any nervousness in front of his leader, although perspiration dotted his forehead, and sweat made his skin clammy.
A door opened and Supreme Leader Wook strode into the room, two generals accompanying him, their notebooks and pens ready to capture the meeting.
Kim jumped to attention and saluted.
Wook waved a hand in the air. Kim dropped his salute and shifted to a parade rest position.
“Report.” Wook skimmed the contents of a thin folder he brought with him as he sat at a small, unadorned table.
“Supreme Leader, Ambassador Soo and I met with the Somali pirates. The ambassador conveyed your change of conditions from two tanker ships to three for every shipment of weapons.”
“How did they respond?”
“At first, they weren’t happy and threatened us. When we informed them they would receive weapons in advance, they smiled throughout the rest of the negotiations.”
“I’m sure they did.” Wook gave a thin smile. “I would like to watch their faces when they receive the weapons.”
“Supreme Leader?” Kim frowned at Wook’s words, his eyebrows arched, not expecting a response.
Wook chuckled. “We are sending them weapons, most of which are inoperable. The ammunition is old and might explode when used.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Kim, relax, we’re dealing with pirates. They can’t retaliate. We’d wipe them out like ….” Wook snapped his finger. “A bug.”
“It would be an honor to do so, Supreme Leader.”
“I want you and Soo to fly to Sehouk … Seehan—”
“Sihanoukville, Supreme Leader.”
Wook nodded. “Yes. You will meet the pirates and orchestrate the handover. No mistakes. They must leave with the shipment without testing the weapons.”
“What if they insist?”
“Let them test weapons from the crates with my photograph. The weapons inside will work. The others won’t.” Wook gazed at Kim. “You will be in charge, not Soo. I’ll tell him tomorrow when we meet.”
“Yes, sir.”
Wook stood and headed toward the door. He stopped and returned. “Kim, aren’t you forgetting something? Why were you late returning?”
Kim glanced at the floor before staring into Wook’s eyes. “Yes, Supreme Leader. We were late because Ambassador Soo became ill.”
“Didn’t your orders require you to notify me at once when something changed?”
“Yes, sir.” Kim sighed. “I lost him.”
Wook stomped his foot and slammed a fist into the palm of his other hand. “How can you lose him? At times, he’s a pathetic, dim-witted man, although I admit he does show occasional creativity. You’re an intelligence officer. Are you saying he’s smarter than you?”
“No, Supreme Leader. He left the room while I took a shower. When I finished, I couldn’t find him. I searched the hotel, the grounds, and the nearby area. He was gone. Vanished.” He glanced downward, trying to hide any indicator he might not be revealing what did happen.
“Did you involve the police or government officials?”
“No, sir. I kept searching for him. After four days, I found him in the local hospital. A nurse said some tourists brought him in, suffering from heat stroke and dehydration.”
“Hmmm.” Wook pursed his lips and glared at Kim. “I suppose you acted in the best manner. But … I should have been informed.”
“Yes, Supreme Leader.”
“Your new orders will be sent to you in a day or so. Remain in Pyongyang. I might require your services.”
***
Soo tossed and turned throughout the night. He dreaded his upcoming meeting with Wook. Kim never called. Why not? Did Wook arrest him?
He covered his mouth and raced to the bathroom. He threw the toilet lid up as his stomach heaved. Soo’s head and face became damp with perspiration as sharp pains racked his body.
His body ached. Emptied, he wiped his face with a wet cloth and scooped water with his hands to drink. Why not tell Wook the truth? What is Kim afraid of?
Soo glanced at the clock, 5:35 a.m. Might as well stay up and rehearse for my meeting. He paced the room like a caged animal, all the time expecting a disastrous outcome.
A knock at the door startled him. He checked the time—two hours had passed. He opened the door. Two men waited for him. Without a word, Soo locked the door and allowed himself to be herded to a black vehicle.
After they had arrived at Wook’s compound, the car continued past the normal drop-off point and followed a narrow road. At the rear of the facility, a small white gate beckoned. Unseen guards opened an access point. The vehicle stopped and one of the men climbed out. He motioned to Soo. “Come.”
They entered the building and walked down a marble-floored hallway. A giant photograph of Supreme Leader Wook hung on the bare walls, the eyes seemed to look down at Soo. His escort stopped at a plain white door. Twisting the knob, he pushed. “Wait inside.”
After Soo had entered, the door slammed shut. Soo glanced around. An armless chair stood near a small table. Otherwise the room was empty.
Moments later, an inner door popped open and Wook strode into the chamber. He gazed at Soo before sitting down.
“Tell me, Soo, why did you not stay with Kim as instructed? Who did you meet with? What did they want?” Wook slammed a hand on the table, causing Soo to jerk back.
“I-I wanted fresh air. I didn’t meet with anyone.” Soo swallowed, his mouth dry. “I forgot my hat. The heat and intense sunlight became too much for me. I collapsed in the street.”
Wook crossed his arms but remained silent.
“Supreme Leader, I realize now it was wrong to venture out without Kim. My actions caused you unnecessary concern.” Soo’s body trembled, as he feared his leader’s response.
Wook nodded. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better now. Our climate rejuvenated me.”
“Good. You and Kim leave on a new assignment. You are to travel with the shipment of weapons to Cambodia. When the transfer is complete, return here. I will grant you five minutes with your family if everything is satisfactory.”
“Thank you, Supreme Leader. This makes me happy.” Why does he keep torturing me? He should release my family. They have no part in this. Innocent. They are innocent.
“Do as you’re told without any further mishap.” Wook stood, signaling the end of the meeting. “You know the penalty.”
***
Two days later, Soo and Kim scampered up the loose gangway of a rusty freighter, traction pads long since stripped off the rusting metal, safety line too slack to provide security. Peeling paint, discarded containers, and broken equipment littered the deck.
Soo stopped a crewman. “I am Ambassador Soo, and this is my aide, Kim. Take me to the captain.”
The crewman glanced at Soo from head to toe and spat, missing Soo’s polished shoes. “Follow me.”
Rats scurried from garbage piled in corners, squeaking at the interruption as the men passed. They entered the bridge, which appeared no better than the rest of the ship.
The crewman walked up to a wide-shouldered man with a swarthy complexion, wearing a food-stained uniform. “Hey, Cap’n. This is ….” He spat on the deck. “Oh, yeah. Ambassador Soo.” With a chuckle, the man left.
“Please have someone take me to my quarters.” Soo sneered at the captain with disdain. “I want tea once I’m settled in.”
“This is my ship, and you’ll work like everyone else. No time for self-important people. If you want tea, you’ll go to the galley and make it yourself.”
The captain pointed out a door on the other side of the bridge. “Your cabin is located out there. The door is open. You share.”
“You must know, as a senior official for our Supreme Leade—”
“On this ship, I am the Supreme Leader. You do as I say, or I’ll toss you overboard.”
Kim grabbed Soo by the shoulder before he angered the captain. “Let’s find our cabin and the galley. We’ll unpack and get accustomed to the ship’s layout.”
Soo nodded. I hope we don’t get sick on this floating garbage pit. “Lead on, Kim.”
“We must keep a sharp eye on the captain and his crew. There’s something—I don’t trust them.”
Chapter Nineteen
Greek Oil Tanker Zeus
Somewhere on the Indian Ocean
Dacar paced the bridge wing, struggling to contain his excitement after hijacking their first oil tanker. Turning away from the others, he allowed a ghost of a smile to appear before masking it.
Pushing past several of his men, Dacar entered the wheelhouse. He strode toward the captain, a small white-haired man, who remained in his chair. “How did you get your limp?”
“I fell during a severe thunderstorm and broke the femur in two places. Never been the same since.”
“Captain, what is your name? Since we will be together for some time, we might as well be pleasant to each other.”
“What about my men?”
“As promised, they are contained in the mess.”
“What about the injured man?”
“He’s with the others. He’ll have a headache, but he’ll survive. Now, what is your name?”
The captain stood, several inches shorter than Dacar. “I am Sandie Stavros of the Greek Merchant Navy and captain of the Zeus.”
“Hello, Sandie Stavros. I am Dacar, the leader of this group of opportunists. Thank you for your ship. I gave her a new name, Zebu and a new flag, too. From the Bahamas.”
The captain gazed around the bridge. Except for the on-duty pilot and himself, the three men were alone as their guard had stepped outside when Dacar returned. “I examined those coordinates you gave me. We are going to Cambodia?”
“Perhaps. Why?”
“No reason, except I’m nosy.” Stavros shrugged. “Since you changed the name, the flag, and are going to Sihanoukville, there can be but one reason—ransom.”
