Chapter 4:

Alex was sipping on a cup of coffee and worked diligently on his Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 55 when Jane dropped into the seat across from him. He arched a scarred brow as he asked, "What's up Janie?'

Jane had to chuckle; for Alex was the only one that had ever called her Janie. She said, "I just really want to thank you for helping us out in Russia and with handling Dimitri Petrov."

Alex grinned slightly as he replied, "Not a problem Janie."

She quipped, "Modesty from a jarhead I'm shocked; shocked I'd say."

His grin slowly spread across his face as he gave a hearty laugh and said, "You're hilarious Janie."

It was always real easy and fun talking to Jane; they had known each other since 1998; she had been a Captain with SOCOM attached to the ISA (Intelligence Support Activity) and he had been a Staff Sergeant and a team leader of a recon team in 1st Force Recon. He asked, "You got any contacts you can check with?"

She said, "I have a few."

He finished his coffee and said, "I do too; I think we should check with them soon as we land. Jose and Henry can go to the Embassy."

Jane said, "That sounds good."

Alex nodded as he rounded them up and explained his plan. Jose was not happy about the plan at all. He slammed his hand down on the table as he thundered, "Who put you in charge?"

Alex just gave him a look as he asked, "Are you done?"

Jose went to rant more but realized that Alex was just trying take command not because he was arrogant but because he had a brilliant tactical mind. He grinned slightly as he said, "Yep."

Alex shot an amused look as he teased, "Now that the baby had his tantrum we should lay out a strategy."

The other three readily agreed. And they got to work

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Bess was busy preparing for her speech at the UN when Russell Jackson burst into her office. He asked, "Ae ready for the UN?"

She replied, "Yes I leave in a few minutes."

He said, "The President wanted me to tell you good luck."

Bess nodded as Blake came to the door. She said, "There's my ride.

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Bess was nervous as she walked up to the podium. She took a drink of water then launched into her speech, "The terrorist group Hizb al-Shahid has only been in existence for a short time, but has already perpetrated countless acts of violence across the globe including setting off a dirty bomb in Virginia. My family was at ground zero during the attack and because of that I wondered if I was the right person to stand here today and ask you for your help. Is it too personal? And then I realized, yes, it is personal to me, and to every single one of us. Because the principal at the core of the United Nations is that all people, regardless of race, color, or creed, deserve to live lives of peace, free from the tyranny of sudden violence."

When she was done speaking the chamber exploded in applause. She thanked them as she went to sit with her staff. Daisy Grant whispered, "Great job Madam Secretary."

Matt Mahoney said, "My speech was brilliant."

Jay Whitman commented, "That ought to strengthen our coalition."

Nadine nodded in agreement.

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Alex stepped into the office of Nasir Farid; the head of ISI External Security and took a seat. The man was finishing a phone call and when he saw Alex his face creased into a huge grin and e quickly hung up the phone. He asked, "What can I do for you my friend?"

Alex replied, "We know that Pakistan is harboring Hizb al-Shahid fighters. We also know that Jibral Disai is being sheltered here in Islamabad."

Farid asked in snarky tone, "And what can the ISI do for the mighty USA?"

Alex said, "What's with the tone Nasir; I was just stating facts I wasn't hurling accusations."

Farid sighed wearily as he said, "I know my friend; in truth I hate the jihadists and those that pervert my religion to justify their evil deeds."

Farid pulled out a pack of unfiltered cigarettes and lit one as he asked, "What are we to about them?"

Even though Alex knew Farid meant every word he said and that he hated the Islamists in his country and religion; many within his government; in this very organization even that would happily derail their plan and sell the out them out to Hizb al-Shahid or any terrorist group. He said, "To be honest buddy I have no idea."

Farid said, "Me either my friend but we must think of something."

Alex nodded as Farid continued in a much quieter voice, "But until then we must get rid of Jibral Disai and Hizb al-Shahid. I want them out of my country and in hell really; it is where they belong."

Alex was impressed with his old friend; he asked, "What d'ya got in mind?"

Farid said, "I must meet with your team at once. I know the location of the jihadist dogs."

Alex pulled out his phone and quickly made a call.

Next chapter will be action packed