Secret Assassin by Jeremy Waldron

Author:Jeremy Waldron [Waldron, Jeremy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Smith’s compliment to me being the absolute best the U.S. Military had ever seen was nice, especially after witnessing my reckless behavior tonight. But, like him, I also lived by a certain set of rules, and I did what needed to be done.

Smith asked me, “Does that mean you’re on board?”

Just to clarify, I asked, “I report only to you?”

“That’s correct, soldier.”

I admired his effort to find me. Sure, I had the talent and the will to survive, but I also had nothing to lose. No family or friends to compromise me. I was utterly alone, and though I’d never admit it to Smith, though he probably already suspected it, I also desperately missed the action.

Smith said, “I’ll provide you with the intelligence and the resources you need to succeed.”

“And the pay?”

“A six-figure salary, plus any spoils of war you acquire yourself.”

A soldier of fortune. The deal was perfect.

When I asked about the mission details, Smith said, “Ahmad and his men want us to think they’re in North Africa, the Middle East, but we know they are in the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique.”

It was a country I was familiar with. I had traveled there on my own twice to play in its tropical blue waters. Located on the eastern coast of southern Africa, its people were familiar with war. You could see it in their wary eyes, feel it in the hostility of their voices, and hear it from the people who lived through the fifteen years of civil war—a war possessed by tribalism and exacerbated by the polarizing effects of Cold War politics.

“Will the supplies be waiting for me upon my arrival?” I asked.

“I have everything waiting for you inside a bungalow south of Pemba; a backpacker’s haven called Russell’s Place.”

“You have me going to a hostel?”

Smith’s eyes did a once over and he said, “I think you’ll fit in just fine.”

Then he mentioned what I should expect to find hidden inside that little beach bungalow. I had an artillery waiting for me, including tactical gear, as well as a bakkie to take me into the jungle, and to Ahmad’s. It seemed excessive, so when I asked Smith about it, he said, “Ahmad and his rag-tag army have proved too much for the Mozambican government’s security forces. As a result, they have hired private military contractors from Russia. Ex-special forces.”

“So, Russia’s handling the security?”

Smith said, “Not exactly.”

“What does that mean? Either they are, or they aren’t.”

“Let’s put it this way: Ahmad is like a leopard. An ambush predator. His tactic against the Russians has put them into a strategic retreat.”

Smith unfolded a map and spread it out on top of a table. It highlighted the region of southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique. He gave me the lay of the land and said, “We believe this is where Ahmad has our officer. Inside his compound. You’ll begin here.” He pointed to the map and highlighted the journey I would take. “Here, you’ll be stopped at a government checkpoint. They’ll probably give you shit.

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