Blowback by Al Pessin

Author:Al Pessin [Pessin, Al]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pinnacle Books
Published: 2020-12-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-seven

Al-Jazar either had plans for a big operation or was working out his anger on the male recruits. He had the foreigners learning weapons handling and attack tactics and running rings around the outside of the camp in the midday sun.

Faraz pretended to be in as much pain as his comrades, collapsing after the last lap and breathing heavily.

“It was never like this,” Nic said between gulps of air.

“Something has changed,” Faraz said. “It seems al-Jazar is in a hurry to get us ready to do something.”

“Yeah. I’d like to say I didn’t sign up for this, but I guess I did.”

Faraz pushed himself to his feet and offered Nic a hand. “Well, you seem to have lost a few pounds, at least.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“Anyway, I hope al-Jazar knows what he’s doing.”

“Why would you say that? Are you some sort of expert all of a sudden?”

“No. But even in a video game, emotion can overwhelm strategy and tactics.”

“Yeah, well, this ain’t no video game, is it?”

“No, it’s not. Let’s get cleaned up. I’m starving.”

* * *

After dinner, Faraz lingered at one of the picnic tables, trying to figure out how he could escape. For now, there was no way. Maybe al-Jazar’s eagerness would make him reckless. Certainly, the man was arrogant enough to do something stupid. That would be Faraz’s chance. For now, he would have to wait, see how things developed.

Faraz was about to go to his tent when some of the women came out of the kitchen. Having finished their work cooking and serving the men, it was their time to eat.

Cindy broke off from the others and came toward Faraz’s table, with Amira trailing behind. “Mind if we join you, Karim?”

“Not at all,” Faraz said.

Cindy sat directly across from him. Amira took the spot next to her and gave Faraz another demure smile.

“You two have any idea what’s going on?” he asked.

Cindy responded. “What do you mean?”

“I mean the extra training, al-Jazar’s mood. It seems like something is about to happen.”

“Believe me, we’ll be the last to know,” Cindy said. “The guys used to complain that they could only work in the camp or be suicide bombers. Now, they complain that they’re training to be fighters.”

“It’s just a bit of a surprise, I guess,” Faraz said.

“Well—”

“Cindy!” came the call from the kitchen door. It was Katya, the German head of the kitchen crew. “I need you in here.”

“She’s a taskmaster, that one,” Cindy whispered. She shrugged and got up with her tray. “See you later.”

Faraz and Amira sat in uncomfortable silence. She was short, maybe five foot three, he estimated. From what he could tell from her untucked, long-sleeved shirt and calf-length dress, she was neither chubby nor thin, with large breasts that no amount of baggy shirt could hide. Her hair was covered, as always. He had thought she was pretty from the day he’d met her, but tonight her cheeks sagged and her brown eyes looked tired.

“Remind me, how long have you been here?”

“Couple of months now.

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