Meeting

Meeting1

By Zaffen2

Raised in a training camp, deep in the jungle, and fed hate along with meager rations while being subjected to stringent discipline dictating every waking aspect of his existence. He trained extensively, in all forms of Spy Craft, Tactics, Sabotage, Demolitions, Forgery, Weapons of all makes, types, and manufacture, he was a formidable operative.3

He didn’t even know the country or location of the camp-he had been blindfolded when he flew out, nor did he care.4

Given the code-name Rockman as a child, his birth name never used, and had long ago been forgotten. Brown hair, Brown eyes, average height, average weight, slim body and a lightly tanned complexion, he was not even noticed at his job.5

He was so ordinary in every way-the better to blend in with the general population of the target country, that people wouldn’t remember him, if they even saw him to begin with.6

He had received word that a meeting had been scheduled for the, “Hand of God.”7

Without exception, all were to attend, which was very unusual since they preferred not to congregate in case they drew unwanted attention, and aroused suspicion.8

Such a call, though rare, would insure that all would attend; such calls were ignored only at your own peril.9

He drove, casting quick glances in all the mirrors, doubling back in a random pattern to avoid being followed.10

It had taken a good ten days to arrive even though the distance involved wasn’t that great.11

He had switched vehicles, parking by the entrance of a large store with two entry/exits and leaving by the second entry/exit to pick up a different vehicle that was waiting, several times to break surveillance if it were present.12

Late in the afternoon, he saw his destination ahead in the distance, an abandoned looking warehouse, loose tin on the roof flapping in the hot breeze, and a few dusty vehicles visible parked in front.13

Noting that the surrounding area was sparsely inhabited and fairly, desolate, he saw no suspicious vehicles or people.14

In fact, he saw no people at all.15

Just to be sure, he drove around the warehouse, and when he was satisfied that there was nothing out of place, pulled up to the abandoned warehouse to park with the other vehicles already there.16

Donning his black Balaclava, he walked over to the door, knocked and, when the door was answered, gave the recognition password to the guards at the door.17

Hurrying down the long hallway in the direction indicated by the guards, he arrived at the room as he’d been instructed.18

Upon entering the room, he found at least 50 people, all with black Baklavas to conceal faces all silent-no whispering, no shuffling of feet, no shifting of bodies, and sitting with backs straight, feet flat on the floor, disciplined, each as if carved in stone.19

No one knew any of the others insuring that, if any of them were ever caught, they would be unable give away the identification or location of others of the group-a practice called “Cells” which was implemented by the Communists just after WWII.20

Silently taking the first empty seat by the door, he noticed a chair had been centered at the front for the podium and wondered what that indicated?21

He didn’t have long to speculate. One of the individuals on the platform at the front of the room had risen, and was advancing to the podium to speak.22

A deep sonorous voice began to chant the ancient text of Allah, calling the faithful to prayer.23

All arose, kneeling on the carpeted floor in the direction of Mecca and, touching forehead to carpet, performed the ritual as they had been taught since childhood.24

*****25

The leader observed the assault teams that had been concealed in the surrounding structures, move into position to begin operations, completely unseen by the guards.26

Watching until just before teams were about breach the doors, the leader let the binoculars fall to their chest, pulled a radio detonation switch from a pocket, and settling astride the running motorcycle, pressed the button.27

Because of the pre-planted explosives, Rockman, and 49, others of the “Hand of God,” along with 100 of the assault team died in the ensuing explosion.28

Since they weren’t sure who the informant had been, the explosion insured that the informant died as well.29

Her Brown hair flowing from under her helmet, and uttering the phrase, “Allah Akbar,” she rode off into the gathering dusk without a backward glance.30