Laurie had done an excellent job in the short time she had been allocated. Jack rested the coffee cup that had just been refreshed on the wide armrest of his seat. He opened the first email and started reading.
Bioinformatics was an interdisciplinary field that developed software tools to capture and manipulate biological data. It combined biology, computer science, information engineering, mathematics and statistics, in order to analyse large and complex quantities of data.
Jack sat back in his seat to ponder the information he had just received. He could understand why certain fields of biology which had increased in complexity and relied on large volumes of data, might require computer science. The era of big data was reaching biology. He was, however, amazed to read that computer science had reached the field as early as the 1950s. His smooth, almost baby-like face brightened up at the prospect of discovering a field he knew little about. He waved at the stewardess. “If you have a blueberry muffin left …”
She smiled the requisite ‘anything for a first-class passenger’ smile and returned a few seconds later with the forbidden item.
The papers Laurie had unearthed were of good research quality, not dumbed down yet clearly presented. Jack created a new document to capture his notes. He thought it might be important to remember why bioinformatics was used in genetics to process information about genomes and observed mutations, and that it aided in simulating or modelling DNA.
The red light flashing on the panel above his head indicated that passengers were to return to their seats. The captain’s voice came on the intercom to announce a period of turbulence. Jack’s cup was empty, the blueberry muffin gone. And other passengers across the aisle had returned to their seats in a hurry from the WC, fastening their seat belts nervously.
Jack smiled amused and yet mellow.
He has just finished his training and his first mission has begun. Iraq’s war is going well for the USA. The might of the American army has no rival on the ground, nor in the air … They are pounding the Iraqi forces relentlessly … Operation Shock and Awe.
Jack sits in the C-5 Super Galaxy aircraft that the US Air Force uses to transport its troops, munitions, and other essential logistical supplies. He has strapped himself in so tightly he can hardly breathe. The US marine master chief on the mission smiles at him with his usual amused yet good natured smile.
“Your first trip to a war zone, son?”
“Yes Sir, it is.”
Master Chief Hayes sits down next to Jack. The bulk of his upper body lands with a small thud against the metal frame of the aircraft.
“Are you joining the search for more WMD?” Hayes removes his US marine utility cap, slaps it against his thigh and folds it into a neat roll.
“Yes Sir, I’ll be looking for the weapons of mass destruction with the CIA team already on the ground.”
“What’s your gut feeling on that?” Hayes has now crossed his muscular arms over his chest. Jack notices a tattoo peeking out of his rolled-up sleeve. He doesn’t know how to answer about what has become a controversial subject.
“Don’t worry … I’m not interested in the official version. I’m just wanting to know what you think?”
“I haven’t yet formed a clear opinion. “Jack speaks slowly and Hayes drills into him. He’s just told him he is not interested in official and certainly not BS from a junior CIA agent.
Jack clears his throat. “I’m not convinced we’re gonna find anything.” There, he’s said it. Jack feels his cheeks colour a little and hopes Master Hayes has not noticed.
Hayes drops his chin on his chest. His lower lip covers his upper, twitching slightly.
“Thanks for being honest,” he finally says. “Although you know that it’s not going to do you any good if you are too honest too often.”
Jack nods. He knows, he has been told, there will be plenty of occasions when he will need to be economical with the truth. He feels today is not one of them.
“For what it’s worth …” Hayes is setting up his Invicta watch to local Iraqi time, ready for arrival when they land. “… neither am I.”
Jack frowns. “You don’t think they will find anything either?”
“Nope … We would have done already if there were any, and Saddam would not have held back from throwing the lot at us if he had the means of defeating the US.”
“Even if it meant killing some of his own people in the process.” Jack is not disagreeing but simply completing the picture.
Hayes settles back into his seat and closes his eyes. Jack is still waiting for an answer. Has the conversation stopped abruptly or is Hayes waiting for Jack to say more?
“If you don’t have anything valuable to say, don’t fill the conversation with irrelevant crap.” Master Hayes has not opened his eyes. Jack settles back into his seat and loosens his seat belt.
He would like to thank Hayes for the advice but it would be a piece of irrelevant crap.
The plane dropped into an air pocket and the frame of the American Airlines aircraft shuddered. Jack glanced at his neighbour, eyes closed, shoulders to his ears and hands clasped white on his armrests. Jack shook his head …
Old memories of his first mission always greeted him when he departed from the usual routine of his job.
Perhaps this time it was also reminding him of how he had met Harris in Iraq. Neither he nor Steve had ever spoken again about the mission in 2003. There was no need for them to revisit a moment in their lives that would be engraved in their minds forever … The fall of Baghdad.
The captain’s voice came back on the intercom. Half an hour to Boston Logan airport. Jack resumed his reading. He had
