Encounter With ISIS by James Ward

Author:James Ward
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: English espionage thrillers, British intelligence novels, Spy thrillers concerning Islamism and Islamic State, MI5 and MI6 spy novels, Islamism, Action and adventure, Action hero
Publisher: Cool Millennium
Published: 2016-10-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18: So Long, Ian, We Hate to See You Go

They went straight to Underground Floor 1, where Ruby Parker was waiting with Annabel, Phyllis, and Alec, seated around a table. She glowered at them as if they were late. They sat down without offering excuses.

“As you may have heard,” she said, “sometime yesterday evening, Ian Woodward boarded a flight from Heathrow to Ankara. An hour ago, he saw fit to inform us that he’s in northern Syria, in company with the YPG, preparing for an assault on Rojava. The YPG are the Kurdish People’s Protection Units. Rojava is held by ISIS. I’m assuming – I dearly hope - no one here knew anything about his intentions beforehand.”

“I can’t believe it,” Alec said after a deathly pause. He almost laughed. “I’m in shock. Ian. Ian Woodward. I literally can’t believe it!”

“You’ll all be asked to sign formal declarations to the effect that you weren’t aware of his plans,” Ruby Parker said. “So if any of you feel that’s likely to pose a problem, you’d better speak up now.”

Silence. Everyone except Alec looked glum.

“You don’t look or sound terribly saddened, Alec,” Ruby Parker told him.

“I’m not saying I’d do anything similar,” he replied, “but I can’t help thinking it’s admirable. Sorry if that’s controversial, but I might as well be honest. I’m not going to tut-tut just because everyone else is.”

“How dare you?” Phyllis burst out. “You know nothing about what anyone else here’s thinking!”

“All that strikes me,” Gina said, “is we’ve lost a friend.”

“To a noble cause,” Alec replied.

Ruby Parker drew herself up. “We’re not here to discuss the ethics of it. We’re here because I’m required to issue you with a formal notification. As of the conclusion of this announcement, you are not permitted to discuss the matter with anyone else in this building. Including each other. Obviously, if anyone outside MI7 contacts you about it, you’re to report that fact straight to me. Do not, under any circumstances, respond with information, and absolutely not an opinion.”

“With respect,” Alec said, “we’re spies. If we want to talk about it, we’re probably going to find ways.”

“I didn’t hear that,” Ruby Parker replied witheringly.

“Is he likely to be prosecuted when he gets home?” Annabel asked.

Ruby Parker sighed. “Annabel: ‘With anyone in this building’ includes me.”

Alec put his hand up. “Sorry, I will just say this one thing, because I misjudged the mood earlier, and I’d like to make up by setting everyone’s minds at rest. The YPG isn’t a proscribed organisation in this country and it’s not a terrorist group. The Kurds are just normal guys trying to defend their villages from genocidal rapists. Since Britain’s actually aiding them, weapons-wise, the Crown Prosecution Service is going to find it very difficult to build a case against good old Unmentionable.”

“And I don’t expect to hear another word on the matter,” Ruby Parker said. “On pain of suspension. John, go home and pack your suitcase: you’re going to Morocco in Ian’s place. Your plane leaves tomorrow morning early.

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