Chapter 1

Arab Republic of Ujdrary 2pm

The sun was at its hottest right now and still would be until the evening, the heat was enough to break westerners or anyone else not use to its heat. To these people though it meant nothing, their skin and bodies were used to it and so was hers now. After ten months of deep cover she knew how to blend in with the locals, she was one of them. Lived their lives, talked their talked, and shared their beliefs, however she didn't believe them.

She stood now in a shaded alley carefully watching a building on the far side of the busy street. These streets were not like back home, they were claustrophobic. There was noise everywhere and always, people walked having to push through everyone else, the heat got thicker in amongst everyone and the smell of sweat and dry heat hung in the air. It almost choked the oxygen completely.

Today was like no other though. There was a heavy stillness concealed within the atmosphere, she could feel it. Today was no secret everyone knew of the American Diplomat arriving at three. Security had been heightened but even she believed it wasn't enough.

Something was being planned in the inner circles of the community. Terrorist would see this as the perfect opportunity but she knew something else was going on. Her contact had told her a week ago that something big was being planned for today.

Ten months of work was now showing something. Things had been quiet for far too long. The group she had been tracking were now revealing themselves but she knew something much larger than a mere bombing. She had passed the information off to her handler and was ordered to pull out.

She stayed, her gut instinct had told her more was to be revealed. This group made major movements when involved in attacks, something much bigger was being planned. She knew it, the public knew it, there had been talks in the mosque's, in the streets. The bureaucrats and politicians don't understand just how much these people live. They don't understand their beliefs or feel the tension underlining everything.

Soon though she would have the proof she needed and hopefully prevent a major attack. She waited patiently her face hidden but eyes ever vigilant and watching. Her contact had entered almost an hour ago. Longer than usual she thought to herself. The shaded alley protected her from the heat but not by much. Everything just seemed off today but she was trained not to panic.

Her eyes scanned quickly the surrounding street, nothing out of the ordinary accept… the van parked in an opposite alley. She couldn't see the entire van, only part of the front bumper and wind shield. She left the shadows and made her way over towards the building.

2.10pm Inside the Van

Major Thomas Anderson checked his watch, five minutes to go time. Six of them sat in the van all ready to go, their briefing already done and now only waiting for the go sign. Anderson knew his team well, he trusted them each with his life and knew they trusted him the same. He'd worked with these lads for years, each of them earning their spot in the Regiment. The Regiment is what all the SAS call themselves.

He studied each one of his men behind their black masks and army fatigues. Covert assignments were done in the utmost secrecy but today they had to make an exception and carry it out in daylight in front of the country's populace. Anderson disliked the exposure and even objected to it asking it to be passed onto the American Special Forces.

His request was denied and so here he was after only two hours of prep time. He also disliked his new addition to his team. Someone he only met for the first time two hours earlier. He was going to protest against that also. Not knowing the details why or seeing his service record annoyed him greatly because it could cause a problem when in the field. He did request this new member's file but then wished he hadn't.

The file was completely blotted out in black ink, he knew what that meant so never asked. Now here they sat waiting together. The phone in his vest rang. He quickly answered it, the conversation was short.

'We're go,' he said plainly. Everyone checked their weapons and rushed out the van at speed. He turned to the new comer, his face still covered behind a new armour and helmet from when they first met.

'When we breach you wait here until we clear the area and call you. Understand?' A simple nod was all he got and he followed his men preparing to breach.

She made it to the building quickly and knocked on the door. She knew a guard stood behind it. The door opened barely a fingers width but it was all she needed. As soon as the door opened she fired the small calibre round straight into the guards throat and he fell backwards opening the door wider for her. Stepping inside she felt the hot air cool slightly but not much and her eyes adjust to the sudden dullness.

She quickly made her way downstairs keeping her sidearm hidden from view as she took the steps as quickly as she could. A door was at the bottom of the stairs guarded by two men, each of them armed. She slowed her pace as she neared them. Both guards moved towards her and she kept her head bowed slightly. Switching to Arabic she spoke softly,

'Soldiers they're here. Outside.' She pointed up the stairs for effect. The guards glanced briefly at each other and she used that distraction to make her move. Bringing her sidearm up she fired one shot into the guard's on her left throat. The second received a blow to his trachea choking the air from him and preventing him raising the alarm, a follow up blow to his nose pushed him back against the wall and then two quick shots to finish him off.

She pushed the door open slowly and searched for anymore guards. There were none so she made her way into the back of the crowd. She had to find her contact before the Special Ops team got in.

Anderson and his team made their way through the building steadily, Bravo team had made their entrance from the roof and were already clearing the floors while Charlie provided sniper support at the entrances. A drone provided tactical support for the teams.

Anderson checked his watch, 2.16pm. They reached the staircase leading down, Anderson took point. He took the stairs fast but stealthily. His comm link crackled as over watch updated him of how many bodies were in the building. Someone had just killed three guards and had made their way into the meeting room.

Anderson's sweat seem to cool, this mission was getting more complicated. Too many players and not enough intel was being shared. Most likely they had stumbled into an American spooks operation. He refocused and checked the bodies at the door. Both were dead. Professional. He order his men to prepare to breach. Bravo had secured all the floors making sure no one surprised them.

Anderson counted down from five.

She found her contact standing alone while everyone else prepared themselves. She made her way quickly over.

'Nadia,' she whispered. 'Nadia we got to move.' Nadia stared bewildered.

'Cameron what are you doing here?' Cammie didn't have time to answer, the door blow open and two flash bangs immediately followed the initial breaching charge. Cammie did what she could to protect her senses and Nadia's. Gripping Nadia she pulled her away from the firefight now ensuing.

'This way Miss Cameron' Nadia led them to a back door not on the schematics. Cammie followed her out the room and down another set of steps.