Death Trader by Fredrick L Stafford & Michelle Kirk

Author:Fredrick L Stafford & Michelle Kirk [Stafford, Fredrick L & Kirk, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-28T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Over coffee and Black Forest cake, at an umbrellaed table, in a seaside café, on a windswept sunny afternoon, in Caesarea, Israel, Azzur waited for the seemingly gentle old man he called his mentor and chief to finish reading.

“I saved your report on Project Molka for last,” the chief said. “Because you ended it with a recommendation for cancellation. A priority cancellation.”

“Yes,” Azzur said. “Her first task was inconclusive, and she has now failed her second. Failure of a single task is mandatory cancellation.”

“I realize this. However, a priority cancellation has never been approved for a project. Or even requested.”

“Hopefully this will be the lone exception.”

“The difficulty level of the task was extreme,” the chief said. “Two previous projects also failed to complete it. Considering this, perhaps she rates some special dispensations?”

Azzur shook his head. “The first two projects—through no fault of their own—were eliminated before ever making contact with the target. Project Molka had the target in hand, and then by a careless error allowed him a literal last second escape. I do not believe in giving dispensations for incompetence.”

The chief changed his mind about his last cake bite. “Will you indulge the thoughts of an old retired man? I mean old, formerly retired, man. Excuse my error.”

“The only error was your retirement in the first place, chief. At your age, we should all have your strength and energy. And your recall to service was a beacon of hopeful light in these dark times.”

“My thanks. But let us talk of you. This past year has been very tumultuous. Our appalling betrayal. The unthinkable losses. The unprecedented reorganization this has necessitated. I am sure being asked to step down as department head and return to field duties was very difficult for you to accept.”

“Many others have sacrificed much more,” Azzur said. “My personal feelings are insignificant.”

“And the difficulty of serving under me again?”

“A privilege.”

“Your loyalty is admirable,” the chief said, “but not the main reason I originally recommended you as my successor. Nor was the record of your many victories. It was the manner in which you dealt with your defeats, few as they were, that convinced me you were capable of higher responsibility. You quickly abandoned a victory, but you nurtured each defeat. Studied it. Learned from it. Used defeat as a teaching tool, with second chances often given freely to those responsible. Which is why I must now question your reasoning for the quick and permanent dismissal of Project Molka.”

“Unfortunate but unavoidable.” Azzur took out and lit a cigarette.

“Unavoidable due to what reasons?”

“Her motivation for joining the Program could be troublesome to future operations if she is not under our control. We no longer have the resources to monitor former employees. Priority cancellation is the wise alternative.”

The server came by, warmed their coffees, left the check, and smiled away.

“If approved,” the chief said, “your request must be handled with the utmost delicacy. She has served the nation with honor. This will be respected. Therefore, it cannot happen here.

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