Clancy, Tom - Op Center 04 - Acts Of War by Clancy Tom

Author:Clancy, Tom [Clancy, Tom]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

it by force. Turkish soldiers were kil ed out of hand whether they

resisted or not.

Commander Siriner did not leave the cave unless it was

necessary. Even at night, there was the fear that he might be

assassinated by Turkish or Iraqi snipers positioned in the

peaks around the base.

It was both a relief and an honor that Siriner was standing. An

honor because the commander was showing the men respect

for what they'd accomplished. A relief because he attached no

blame to them for the loss of Walid and Hasan.

"I thank Al ah for your safe return and for the success of your

mission," said Siriner, his deep, resonant voice fil ing the room.

"You have come with a trophy, I understand."

"Yes, Commander," said Mahmoud. "A vehicle of some kind

which the Americans use to spy."

Siriner nodded. "And you are certain that in bringing it here, you

yourselves were not spied upon?"

"We used it to blind the satel ite, Commander," said Ibrahim.

"There is no doubt that they cannot see us."

Siriner smiled. "As their flyovers of the region suggest." He

looked at Mahmoud. "Tel me what happened to Walid's ring

and to Hasan."

Mahmoud took a step forward. Hasan had radioed the base

about Walid's death, and the guard had just informed Siriner of

Hasan's death. Now, Mahmoud gave their commander the

details. The commander remained standing as he spoke. When

Mahmoud was finished, Siriner sat down.

"The American is here, in captivity?"

"He is," said Mahmoud.

"He knows how to work the equipment you've captured?"

"He does," said Mahmoud. "Several of the captives appear to know something of its operation."

Siriner thought for a long moment, and then cal ed for a soldier

who served as his master-at-arms. The brawny young man

hurried into the office and saluted. Military formalities were

strictly observed among the twenty-five soldiers who were

permanently stationed at the base.

The commander returned the salute. "Sadik," he said, "I want the American leader tortured where the others can hear."

Ibrahim wasn't convinced that the American would break.

However, he didn't offer his unsolicited opinion. The only

answers Siriner accepted from his people were "Yes, sir," and

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Yes, sir," the master-at-arms said.

"Mahmoud," said Siriner, "I've heard that there are women

prisoners as wel ?"

"Yes, sir."

Siriner looked back at Sadik. "Select a woman to watch the

torture. She wil go second. I want this vehicle working for the

next part of our operation. It may help us guide the infiltrators."

"Yes, sir."

Siriner dismissed his master-at-arms. He turned back to

Mahmoud and Ibrahim. "Mahmoud. I see you wear Walid's

ring."

"Yes, sir. He gave it to me before he---left us."

"He was my oldest friend," said Siriner. "He wil not die

unavenged."

Siriner walked from behind the desk. His expression was a

strange mix of grief and pride. Ibrahim had seen the expression

before in the faces of people who had lost friends or brothers,

husbands or sons to a cause that was equal y close to them.

"As we expected, Syrian Army troops have begun moving to the

north. Mahmoud. You're acquainted with the role that Walid was

to have played in the second phase of our operation?"

"I am, sir," Mahmoud replied. "Upon his return he was going to relieve Field Commander Kenan. Kenan is going to lead the

raid upon the Syrian Army outpost in Quteife.

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