05 The Blood Line by Tom Hunter

Author:Tom Hunter [Tom Hunter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-20T04:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Four

Pin’s pilot descended towards the VTOL pad to the east of the ancient city of Dougga. All around, Roman architecture was clearly visible, the old mortar and stone well cared for to preserve the remains for generations to come. It was a remarkable display of ancient civilization.

At this late hour, there were only a handful of tourist groups remaining, attendants and caretakers casually ushering them towards the exits to secure the site for the night, a task that was made more difficult by the approaching VTOL. Some of the tourists were too busy gaping at the descending craft to care about vacating the premises. Cameras snapped as they took photos of the unusual sight.

The beauty and wonder of the city was completely lost on Pin and his company. During the flight, Pin, Pae and a select handful of mercenaries had changed into Tunisian military uniforms, liberated from the sleeper agents when the VTOL had been requisitioned. A casual observer wouldn’t notice that the uniforms weren’t as well fitted as they should have been, that certain little details were out of place. By the time anyone realized something was wrong, it would be too late.

The pilot deftly maneuvered the aircraft down to its mark. Pin, Pae and Valentina huddled around a table going over their plan one final time.

“Now remember, boys, you need to let me do the talking.” Some of Valentina’s cockiness returned now they were entering into familiar territory for her. “Much as I know it will be hard for both of you to look to me as your superior officer, we do things very differently in Tunisia to Korea. We can’t risk either of you slipping up and blowing our cover just because you aren’t fully aware with the customs of the land. If we had more time to prepare…” She shrugged to indicate the situation was out of her hands. “But we don’t, so I need you to follow my lead and believe me when I say that it will truly pain me to treat you as my subordinates.”

Nobody believed her.

Pin and Pae pressed a discrete button on their lapels to activate the hologram technology that would provide the final piece of their disguise. A subtle shimmer made their faces dissolve to be replaced by nondescript Tunisian features.

“How do I look?” asked Pae.

“Oh, you are very dapper,” purred Valentina. “Nobody would know you’re not a distinguished Tunisian soldier. You’ll be drawing admiring looks from all.”

“Now, you’ll lead us straight to the site supervisor, yes?” asked Pae, clearly flattered by Valentina’s compliments. It was all Pin could do to stop himself rolling his eyes so strongly it would give him a headache.

“That’s correct,” Valentina nodded. “From what I understand, the news is full of rumors about the Bruard’s plans in the area, which works in our favor. It’ll be much easier to persuade them to let us inspect the radio equipment and sweep the grounds so we can secure the site under the guise of protecting them. Once we’re established, it’ll be easy to stave off the real Tunisian military.

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