The Caliphate by André Gallo (books to read for 13 year olds .TXT) 📕

“Is that where I heard the other explosions when I was running on the beach? Is it part of the attack on the base?”

     “It looks that way. It all took place at the same time. The ground attack was preceded by UAV strafing and bombing. There were also suicide bombings at the border checkpoints in Gaza, all within a few minutes of each other—well coordinated. As I told you before, we received a few mortar rounds on the base. They hit the runway and the canteen. Ten wounded, four killed. We’re looking for the mortars. They were probably fired remotely. In any case, Moshe, I want your unit to get ready for a takedown operation against this location,” and he pointed to the agricultural station on the map.

     He turned to the Unit 5707 commander.

     “Your unit will be in support. Go to your units, I’ll get you maps as soon as I can. Now I’d like to see Colonel Avidan alone, please.”

     When they were alone, the general said, “You need to know that this is not exactly an agricultural station. It’s really a Rafael installation. I don’t know myself what they do there, but it’s related to national security. So you’re probably not trying to save farming experts—the hostages are most probably scientists and the like. I know it makes no difference, but I thought that I’d tell you. I’ll send the maps over.”

     “Not to worry, sir. We have maps of all government installations in Israel in Building 12.”

     “Right, I should have known.”

     The General smiled and shook Avidan’s hand. “Good luck, Moshe.”

09:15

Al Khalil had expected to find a secret military project underground, and he was not disappointed. Both his and Hamas’s conclusions were confirmed. He understood that taking the building was one thing. It had been simpler than he had anticipated. But now came the hard part, making the most of what was only an intermediate success.

     First, he needed to know what this secret installation was, its importance, and how he was going to use it to his advantage.

     He was in a room off the main computer center with a large glass partition allowing him to see inside. He called Habib, his Carnegie-Mellon graduate, and told him, “I want you to start interrogating our prisoners one at a time to find out what this center is for. Start with that one over there. There’s something about him that tells me he’s different. He doesn’t look scared but I think you’ll figure out a way to make him talk.”

     The prisoners sat on the ground with their hands tied in back. One man sat almost by himself on the side of the group, stolid and in his own world. The man combed his brown hair down the middle and wore a tie—unusual by itself.

     “As you’re doing that, have someone collect all the ID cards, everything that will tell us who they are: their ranks, whether any are related, who they work for, everything. In fact, just have them empty their pockets completely. It will give us an insight into each and probably, from their notes and other pocket litter, what this place does. But sareeah, sareeah—speed. There is a whole country out there now that wants to take us down.”

     He went upstairs to check on Hussein and the imminence of an Israeli attack.

***

In their electronic broom closet, Steve and Kella’s wrists were still manacled. The room was narrow but deep and lit by a single overhead light. Another door in the back and on the left provided alternate access.

     Steve went to the door and turned his back to it so his hands could reach the handle, but it was locked, as he expected. He searched for some tool he could cut through the plastic with but saw nothing with a cutting edge, only electrical wires and related equipment. He was considering breaking a computer screen to use one of the sharp pieces of glass, when the door opened and Izem entered, closing the door quickly and looking behind him.

     “So, you’re the hostages! Abdul told me he was guarding a couple of Americans. His description fit you to a T. Why are you here?”

     “Izem!” Kella cried. “I never thought I’d see a friendly face in this group of killers!”

     Steve was astonished.

     “The same question to you. Aren’t you on the wrong side? Though I’m glad to see you. Can you help us get out of here? Are there other Tuaregs here with you?”

     Izem gave Kella a respectful nod, acknowledging her and her tribal lineage.

     “I joined like many others, to make a living. After Steve left Mali, I couldn’t just live with my brother; I had to earn some money and my military background was my only métier. Then, because I had joined, other Tuaregs followed me. Then it sort of got out of control. I couldn’t leave. Unfortunately, my Tuareg brothers have become believers in al Khalil and his cause. I lost any control I had over them.”

     “And what about Karim, where is he?” Steve asked.

     “Hussein sent a team to Gaza that includes Karim, Rashid and a few others. Karim controlled the planes that kicked off the attack. Now his job is done.”

     Kella turned around to show that her hands were tied.

     “Can you get us out of these?”

     “I can, but this is not the time. There are still more than thirty of us, and the Israelis are probably getting ready to attack. You don’t want to get caught in the crossfire.”

     Izem quickly cut through both sets of handcuffs with a knife he took from its sheath on his belt.

     “You better look like you’re still tied. Here, I’ll put this wire around your wrists.