Globe trotting – Rajkot P1
Note: A little different spin on this one, we are in Rajkot India and the mission is already on. Rajkot is a large city of over 1.25 million people and it is near the Pakistan border. According to the internet Rajkot is known for its gold purity and has one of the world's largest gold markets.
***555***
"Have you ever tried to run in a sari?" Annie asked as she ran through the market area of Rajkot India.
"Um, no," Auggie replied confused.
"It is not easy," her voice indicating the level of exertion.
"If you had moved out when I told you to you wouldn't be running now," Auggie tried not to sound too 'told you so'.
"If I hadn't gotten that last photo we would have no intel to speak of," she returned and Auggie heard a hollow sounding echo.
"Where are you now?"
"In an alley, I think I lost them," Annie caught her breath and kept an eye out.
"OK, hang tight there for a few, just to make sure."
"Gladly," she leaned against a wall and wiped at the sweat on her brow, it was awfully warm in Rajkot for February.
"Aside from getting chased out of it, what was the market like?" Auggie asked as they killed time.
"Amazing, I have never seen so much gold in one place. The women here wear the most intricate and beautiful jewelry," Annie whispered from her hiding spot.
"Is that a hint?" Auggie laughed on the other end.
"No, most of it is way too over the top for me to actually wear, but it is really something to look at, like art really."
"I know Grace Kendall has an engagement ring, but I would be most honored to buy Annie Walker one," he said shyly.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, one that is uniquely Annie," he grinned.
"And what would that consist of exactly?"
"Well, it would have to be exquisitely beautiful," he began and she just chuckled.
"Uh huh."
"And made of the toughest metals, titanium should do, totally unbreakable," he continued.
"Yeah?"
"Oh yeah. And it should sparkle. Like you, it should always be the brightest thing in the room," he was whispering now to match her voice.
"How do you know I sparkle?" she asked coyly.
"I feel it. My skin tingles when you 're in the room."
"I am pretty certain I am clear now, how about I come back there and we can tingle together?" she laughed.
"I like the way you think, and we need to get those photos to Langley, if you're comfortable proceed back to the safe house," Auggie instructed.
Annie stood up from the wall she was leaning on and approached the alley exit cautiously, certain she was no longer being pursued she exited to the main street. She had to loop back past the gold market to get to the safe house and that was when the bombs went off.
***555***
Annie?" Auggie asked after he heard the explosions.
Nothing.
"Annie?" he tried a little louder.
Auggie fiddled with the frequencies on the comm equipment and tried again, he received no reply. His hands flew over the keys and direct dialed Calder's office.
"Director of Clandestine Services," the secretary answered.
"This is Auggie Anderson, I need to speak to the Director right away.'
"Mr. Michaels is in a meeting…" she didn't get to finish that thought.
"Please interrupt him tell him it is Bravo 1. I will stay on the line," Auggie tried to remain calm.
"What's wrong Auggie?" Calder answered moments later.
"There was an explosion, maybe more than one, near the market. Annie was there," Auggie reported, his voice cracked at the end.
"Are you sure it was an explosion? We had no intel on an attack?" Calder pulled up all the files on Annie and Auggie's current assignment.
"Believe me I am more than familiar with the sound of explosive devices being detonated," he snarled.
"Right, yeah. OK. I assume you have tried to reach Annie?"
"Radio silence."
"Her comm could have been damaged in the blast or her hearing might be shot for the moment," Calder attempted.
"Or she could be dead."
"Yes, but let's not start there."
"What do I do?"
"Follow protocol."
"I sit here and wait for her to report in, when she could be injured or worse just half a mile away?" Auggie said indignantly.
"We don't have any boots on the ground there, that is why we sent you guys for the intel. I can try to call the Pakistan station and see if they will send a few bodies over," Calder opened a sat link in another window and began.
"That will take half a day at best," Auggie groaned.
"OK, give her an hour to make her way back to you. She could be enroute right now with a busted ear piece and a sprained ankle."
"If she isn't here in an hour I am going after her."
"Understood. In the meantime get on the police scanners and find out what the hell happened, we were not expecting bombs."
TBC