The Mark of the Rebel by B K Thomas

Author:B K Thomas [Thomas, B K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780985444280
Publisher: BK Thomas Group
Published: 2019-12-10T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Deir ez-Zur, Syria

Mashal, the General and the rest of the group enter the apartment building and walk up three floors. Mashal knocks on a door and waits. He looks back at the General and smiles. He is enjoying leading the General around by the collar too much the General thinks to himself. The door opens to an armed man who immediately smiles and greets Mashal with a huge embrace. He waves for them to come inside. The room is full of noise. The General follows along with the others. The room is full of men with weapons and a woman in the kitchen. Mashal sits down at the table with the man who greeted him, and they begin to talk. The General makes his way to a corner and leans against a wall and studies the scene. They are warriors. All of them. He can see it in their faces and the way they move. They look curiously at the scientist who stands out among the hard men. The woman leaves the kitchen and moves to the table with a tray of glasses and a teapot. She offers the newcomers tea then scurries back to the kitchen. She follows the tea up with some bread and dip. The men in the room make their way to and from the table taking what they need. It is a casual atmosphere but with an air of discipline. The General walks over to the table and grabs a cup of tea and walks back and leans against the wall again. He knows he isn’t welcome unless invited. Mashal continues his conversation then frowns. The General watches the table over his cup as tries to pick up any clues. Mashal talks with the man a little longer and nods occasionally. Finally, they both stand up and hug each other. They say goodbye and the General starts to push away from the wall to restart their journey. Then he sees the stranger leaving and Mashal remain in the room. The General stands sipping his tea watching the room. The men that were in the apartment when they arrived follow the man who is leaving. They stream out of the apartment building into the vehicles that brought the General’s group. Thirteen men entered the building and thirteen exit. The game is afoot.

“Relax General. We must wait for a little while.” Mashal calls out to him with a grin. “Did you have some bread yet?” He asks pointing to the spread in front of him.

The General walks toward the table. “No, I thought you would rather talk without me around.”

“That is very thoughtful of you General. I appreciate your awareness. That is what has kept you around for so long I suspect. But now come over and enjoy.” Mashal welcomes him and hands him a document. “This is your new identity General. You will be Saqib from now on. You will need to learn the information. When we are stopped at the checkpoint you need to be ready to tell them who you are.

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