With an exasperated sigh, Dakarai directed them both inside with a nod.
Hawk and Alex entered Dakarai’s home and waited for their host’s invitation to sit in the main living area. Once they did, Dakarai wheeled around to join them. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“How can I help you, Mr. Hawk?” Dakarai asked.
“First, I want to be upfront with you and tell you that I’m not working with the U.S. Navy any more, but I can assure you that you’ll be handsomely compensated.”
Dakarai scowled. “This is extremely unusual. Do you know what a risk I’m taking by helping you then?”
“I understand, but you must believe me when I say that we’re the good guys.”
Dakarai wagged a finger at them. “Good is relative, as is bad.”
“What I mean is that we are working to stop a madman from handing over dangerous weapons to Al Hasib.”
“That qualifies as good,” Dakarai said, rocking his wheelchair back and forth. “What do you want me to do?”
“We need some supplies,” Hawk said. “Something that will help us when we go up against a weapons dealer who lives in a home built into the mountain.”
“Are you talking about The Missile Man?”
Hawk nodded. “The one and only. Seems his days are numbered.”
“As are yours if you intend to try and take him on. You better not fail because you will only get one shot. If he’s alive and takes a shot at you, he won’t miss.”
“So we hear,” Alex said, chiming in.
Dakarai glanced at her. “You are as stupid as he is for following him.”
Hawk dug into his pocket and handed a folded sheet of paper to Dakarai. “We have a few requests that we hope you can fulfill.”
Dakarai studied the list for several moments. “This is a tall order,” he said, holding up the list. “When do you need all of this?”
“We leave tomorrow,” Hawk said.
“Let me see what I can do,” Dakarai said. “In the meantime, make yourself comfortable and watch a movie. I don’t have many movies in English, but there are a few Bollywood DVDs I have with English subtitles.”
Hawk eyed Dakarai’s DVD collection. It wasn’t as expansive as Hawk’s, but he had to admit it was a good one.
“A clandestine meet up with an Egyptian tech wizard followed by watching a Bollywood movie,” Alex said. “The best date night a girl could ever hope for.”
CHAPTER 13
Central Brāhui Range, Pakistan
KARIF FAZIL STUDIED THE WORLD MAP plastered to his office wall. He transferred the routes of several different cargo shipping companies. Their final ports varied from up and down both U.S. coasts as well as the Gulf of Mexico. Fazil’s favorite route was the one that docked in St. Louis via the Mississippi River.
They will never expect to get hit in the American heartland.
Omar Totah knocked on Fazil’s door. Fazil told them to come in, and Totah entered with a slew of lieutenants gathered to discuss the implementation of Fazil’s plan to attack the United States.
Fazil waited until all the men were seated around the table before he assumed his position at the head. However, he remained standing.
“Allah has smiled upon us,” Fazil said. “In the coming days, we will acquire enough fire power to wreak havoc on the evil Zionists of the west. They have spent years ravaging our beautiful land. We will now ravage theirs and rain down destruction on their beloved country.”
A chant of “Allahu Akbar” erupted from around the table.
Fazil held up his hands to quiet the men. “There will be a time to celebrate and give glory to Allah, but until then there is much work to be done.”
Fazil turned to Totah. “How is the training coming along?”
“Better than expected,” Totah said. “So far, three teams have successfully commandeered cargo ships and guided them to African ports before relinquishing them.”
“And there were no reports of dissent?”
Totah shook his head. “Not a one. Our teams paid the men generously to keep their mouths shut. And since it was little more than a training exercise with the actual ship crews getting to take a break, I doubt anyone will report it.”
“However, it will be different on trans-oceanic passages,” Fazil warned. “Those ships often carry security teams depending on what product is aboard.”
“In all our simulations, our teams overpowered security guards. I have no reason to think they won’t be able to be equally successful against more formidable opposition in a live situation.”
“I hope you’re right,” Fazil said.
“I hope we get the opportunity to put this training to use.”
Fazil cocked his head and knit his brow. “And what is going to stand in the way of this plan?”
Totah’s eyes widened as he leaned back in his chair. “I’m not trying to be contentious. Just trying to be realistic about everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“This isn’t the first time we’ve had a great plan to deliver a decisive blow on American soil, but we’ve struggled to execute.”
Fazil sighed. “Perhaps you’re right, but that’s why I have great hope for this plan. This time, we have a much greater margin for error. We won’t be dependent upon every little facet going perfectly. Even if the Americans manage to stop one or two of our teams, they won’t be able to stop all six of them at once.”
“I agree. But first we have to obtain the missiles and get them on the ships. That’s why I am hesitant to share in your optimism.”
Fazil ignited a cigarette and took a long drag before exhaling a large plume of smoke.
“Your job is to make sure we don’t fail,” Fazil said with the cigarette lodged between his fingers as he pointed at Totah.
Totah didn’t flinch. “You get me those missiles, and I’ll do my best to make sure this operation is a success. I just hope you haven’t underestimated how difficult that will be.”
Fazil grinned. “You need not worry about that. I will oversee this particular portion of the mission.”
“And how exactly are you going
