Chapter 21
When the group gathered in the control room at precisely 6 pm, Grim saw that something was bothering Sam. She shot him an inquiring look but he shook his head slightly as if to say: "Later." She started the briefing.
_ Charlie and I checked on Ali al-Massoud. He's in the village, six kilometers from here. But we have good news.
_ Ahmed Youssouf? asked Alpha.
_ Yes, Grim confirmed, not surprised that their best hacker already knew. He's also on the list, he's an Iraqi, and fortunately for us he will meet Ali al-Massoud in the village tomorrow at 9 am.
_ That's good news, said Sam. But does it change the plan?
_ Not really, said Grim. There will be more bodyguards, but I think that's all. So with you and Briggs on the field, and Kestrel covering your backs, it should be okay.
_ And if you could bring back their cellphones or laptops, Charlie chimed in, that would be great. Alpha and I could dig up some of their plans, and maybe make up some dirty setups to divide them.
_ Okay, said Sam. So we'll...
A small alarm cut him. The sound came from Alpha, who dug out a smartphone from her pocket and checked it. Two seconds later, the SMI beeped and showed two more dots in Afghanistan. Grim hastily examined them.
_ What's happening? said Sam.
_ The meeting tomorrow will count two extra targets, Alpha answered grimly.
_ Vladimir Orlov, a Russian from Smolensk, read Grim on the SMI, and a Moroccan, Mohammed ibn Hussein. That changes everything.
_ No, said Sam. We'll carry on the mission. Kestrel, will it be okay if you come with us on the field?
_ Absolutely, answered Kestrel calmly.
_ But, Sam... started Grim.
_ Alpha? Sam turned towards her. Kestrel told us earlier that you were better than him with a sniper, and he's excellent. Can you cover us?
_ Yes, I can, she said half-heartedly.
_ So that's settled, he said. Three operatives for four targets, I think that should do it.
_ Sam, you can't possibly...
_ We'll not lose this opportunity to give a huge blow to Meggido, he cut Grim. Alpha's leg is fine, she said so and was running like a rabbit, so I don't worry about her. We all are ready and eager to do what we have to do. What time did you say the meeting will take place?
_ 9 am, said Charlie.
_ Then we'll start at 7 am. We'll take down silently the guards around the meeting house, with Alpha's help, then we'll penetrate the house, kill the targets and try to steal their computer equipment and cellphones.
_ It's easy on the paper, much less on the field, Grim said darkly. I recommand we postpone the mission, wait to have more data and prepare for the better.
_ Grim, Briggs chimed in, Sam is right. It's a golden opportunity to strike them heavily. Four subordinates down simultaneously, it'll be a major blow in Meggido's face.
_ But the mission is risky, said Alpha, backing up Grim. Four targets, even with three ops, that's a challenge. There will be guards everywhere. We need more time.
_ No.
Sam had made up his mind. And he took full responsibility of his decision. He was Fourth Echelon commander, they had to destroy Meggido, and they would.
_ We won't waste any time waiting for another launch window like that. We'll attack tomorrow at dawn. Any questions?
Only silence answered him.
_ Good. See you after dinner for the last details.
He could see that half of the team was not thrilled, but he knew he was right. Briggs nodded at him. Kestrel, with his poker face, was studying the maps. Charlie slowly shook his head, then went to his lab. Grim, lips tightly pursed, turned her back on him and went next to a crew analyst to review some details. Alpha stared intently at him, disapproval etched on her face, then marched off the room. He sighed. Leadership could be a heavy burden sometimes.
Dinner was quiet and quickly eaten, each guest deep in his/her thoughts. Then they met for the last briefing. Sam gave them each their task, and explained that they would make a significant step towards the end of Meggido. Charlie looked like he was warming up to the idea, but the two women were clearly against the plan. Sam wasn't surprised, since he knew he was taking a risk. From Alpha he expected nothing but antagonism, even if he knew he could rely on her to cover them, but he was a little disappointed to see Grim so hostile. She didn't say a single thing, and when the briefing was over she exited the room without a glance, immediately followed by Alpha.
_ What's the matter with them? Briggs wondered aloud.
_ They disapprove, said Kestrel. They see the risks.
_ There's always a risk, justified Sam, as if he wanted to convince himself.
_ But this time the stakes are high, and greater are the risks, said Kestrel calmly.
_ You disapprove as well?
Kestrel shrugged.
_ I have no opinion. What has to be done will be done. That's what I think. I'll be more cautious than ever, that's all.
Sam clapped him on the back, then bade them goodnight. He went to Grim's cabin and, taking a deep breath, knocked softly on the door.
_ Come in.
_ Hey! he said, closing the door behind him. Can I talk with you about something?
She was seated on her bed, consulting a tablet computer. She briefly stared at him, then looked at her tablet again.
_ If it's about the mission, then I've...
_ It's not about the mission.
She raised her head and held his gaze. She saw the seriousness on his face. She offered him the chair at the small desk in the corner of the cabin.
_ What is it about?
_ Alpha.
_ What about her?
_ Isn't she the second soldier who survived Timochenko's experiments?
Grim, surprised by the question, thought for a few seconds. Then she said:
_ I've had the same thought. When she talked about it. And how could she know this simple fact if it isn't her?
_ True. But what makes me wonder is what happened today.
He recounted her the running with the Marine soldiers, Alpha telling him her leg was fine although the wound was deep and serious the day before, and that she could do two hundred push-ups. Grim knew that Sam wouldn't lie to her, but she had trouble believing him.
_ She's as fast and strong as Kestrel, he finished. And the guy's a machine. What more evidence do we need?
_ None, I guess. But why does it bother you?
_ It's not bothering me.
_ Yes, it is. You have this line on your forehead and a brooding expression.
He looked at her in surprise. She really knew him well. And her beautiful eyes gazing at him... No, he slapped himself virtually. Not now. After we are done with Meggido.
_ Yeah, I suppose it is. What I would like to know is her motives. Why is she here? Why Meggido?
_ If she was tortured by Timochenko, the answer is easy. Alone, Kestrel and she would have had much trouble bringing Meggido down.
_ Yeah, you're right.
He paused, then rose to leave and have a good sleep.
_ Night, Grim.
_ Goodnight, Sam.
_ And thanks.
She locked eyes with him. He understood the message loud and clear: "we'll talk when it's all over."