Chapter 13: Direction and Deception

Cody pushed the foot of the staff into his satchel so the head was free of the leather. He strode towards the Lieutenant, with Gabir and Briana at his heels.

"Gabir, can you carry those inside your shirt?" Cody asked, over his shoulder. "I want them hidden, and I want your hands free."

"Yes, Seeker," Gabir said, unbuttoning the top buttons of his shirt, and sliding the metal plates inside.

The tablets were so light weight, that they didn't appear to hinder Gabir's movement. However, their bulk did make his stomach and chest look large.

"Miss Jorgensen, I know the combined weight of the two tablets won't be too much for you," Cody continued briskly. "You run with more weight than that, but you've never carried a more precious cargo. The priority is the safety of the tablets, but nearly as important is hiding the fact that we have them. We need to avoid curiosity of any kind. Pull your scarf tight so no one can see your hair or face. Slouch a little, too, so your height isn't as obvious. Use a single layer of the scarf instead of a double like Mom showed you. Hang the extra material down your back so it covers the pack."

"Okay, Professor," Briana said, quickly adjusting the scarf so her face, hair, and the backpack were hidden. She noticed her hands were exposed, and tucked them into the folds of the scarf.

"Walk behind us, and try to act subservient," Cody continued. "It's what people in this country expect, and they don't really notice women that act the way they expect."

They approached the Lieutenant, and Cody said, "Salim, we're going back to Mahdi's. You will walk a pace ahead of me, and to the side, as if guiding me. If we meet some of your Viper soldiers, and they ask any questions, you will introduce me as a senior member of the Sons, from America. I am here to advise and support the Colonel's and your efforts to catch the heretic. If we meet regular soldiers, play it by ear, but make sure they go away without being suspicious."

"Yes, Sir," the Lieutenant said, after gulping and clearing his throat.

"Salim," Cody continued, in a cold, dead voice. "Make them believe. I will know if you warn them in some way, and they are only leaving to set up an ambush. If you don't make them believe, I promise that you will not die, and I promise that you will pray to any god that will listen for death, but it won't come. Do you understand and believe me?" Cody asked, his voice even colder.

"Ye ... Ye ... Yes, S ... S ... Sir," The Lieutenant said again, his fear so palatable that Briana thought she could reach out and touch it.

Briana felt a chill go down her own spine at the sound of the Professor's voice. She had never heard him sound that way, and it bothered her. She felt like she had lost an important part of a dear friend, or of someone that she held in very high esteem.

"Then pull yourself together," Cody instructed the Lieutenant brusquely. "Gabir, walk a step behind me and to the side, directly behind Salim. Corporal," Cody said in Arabic, looking at the guard. "I want you in the same position as Gabir, but on my other side." Switching back to English, he continued, "Briana, you will be directly behind me. Keep your head down, that blond hair covered, and try to look meek. Hunch your shoulders a little. Your job is to protect that tablet. That means you will take action only as a last resort. Does everyone understand?"

Everyone nodded as they moved into position.

"Let's go," Cody said, turning towards the entrance of the temple complex.

The hand-held radio beside Cynthia squawked, demanding attention.

"Yes?" Cynthia queried in Arabic, after keying the radio.

Shawn was in charge of the interns, but Cynthia was the only remaining member of the original party at the house that understood Arabic. Only one of the guards understood any English, and his spoken English was very broken.

"Four soldiers just passed the check point," the guard reported in Arabic. "We weren't sure of their destination, but there is no doubt now. They are about ninety meters from the entrance to the courtyard." There was a pause before the guard continued with, "The party at the temple has just departed the temple grounds. They should arrive at our location in thirty to forty minutes. The soldiers will enter the courtyard in less than five minutes."

Cynthia thought quickly before asking, "What is their demeanor? Are they approaching cautiously or casually?"

"Casually," the answer came back immediately. "They are laughing and joking about something. Umm ... It sounds like they are talking about a girl they hope to enjoy."

"Thank you. Stay where you are and stay alert," Cynthia said quickly. "If you hear a disturbance from the house, report any notice that it draws."

Cynthia stood quickly and said, "It sounds like Mahdi's four soldier friends are coming to visit, and they'll be here in minutes. Jamil, I need you to answer the door. You're the only one that can respond to questions in Arabic that looks Arabic except for the guards. They would draw instant suspicion."

"That could be pretty dangerous for her," Shawn said doubtfully.

"It will be, but we don't have time to do anything else, or to argue about it," Cynthia replied briskly. She looked at Jamil critically before saying, "Carry something to protect yourself with. We will be close by, but having your own protection is never a bad thing. A knife will be easier to hide than a pistol. That outfit should make it easy to hide things in the folds. It looks like something out of the Arabian Nights stories. I don't know why Mahdi would have something like that in his playroom. Maybe he had some kind of Arabian sultan fantasy and dressed girls to fulfill it. Those pants are loose enough in the legs to hide the knife in the folds of the silk. Shawn, Brian, I want both of you behind the door. Amy and I will be just out of sight in the doorways. Carl, I want you with Amy."

Cynthia turned to the lone guard they had in the house and said in Arabic, "You're nearly the same size as Mahdi. Put on one of his shirts without the rank insignia. You will be Jamil's guard when she answers the door."

Shawn shook his head while checking to ensure a round was in the chamber of his rifle.

"That is still too risky, Professor," Shawn insisted. "We need a way to distract them, so their attention isn't on defense or curiosity about anything, other than where we direct. We have to control the situation, and the current plan doesn't give us that control."

"You're right," Cynthia said in resignation, "but I can't think of an effective way to distract them that won't put them on guard. We can't afford a fight in the courtyard. We have to get them inside, and get the door closed, before we take action. We'll just have to take a chance."

"I ... ah ... I know a way to distract them," Jamil said, hanging her head.

"How is that, dear?" Cynthia asked.

Jamil took a deep breath, and in a quiet, haunted voice, explained, "They have already seen me naked. I'll take off my blouse. I can leave the pants on, so I can still hide the knife, but my blouse off will distract them."

Cynthia placed a sympathetic hand on Jamil's shoulder before saying, "You're right. Bare boobs make guys stupid. That would work, but can you do it?"

Jamil could only give a jerky nod.

"Okay, that's what we'll do," Cynthia agreed reluctantly.

Cynthia turned to the guard that was pulling one of Mahdi's shirts on over his own, and explained the plan, adding, "Watch Jamil, and smile as if you are enjoying making her answer the door without a blouse. Watch the soldiers in your peripheral vision. Don't let them touch her."

"They will not touch her," the soldier vowed to Cynthia.

He turned to Jamil and, in a much softer voice, said, "You are very courageous. I honor you, and I will protect you. You are a true daughter of the Order of the Seeker, and I am humbled by your actions."

Jamil met the soldier's eyes, startled at his words, but Cynthia urged, "Hurry. Everyone. Get in position. We only have a few minutes. When they knock, wait until they knock the second time before you answer."

The streets were dark as the three vehicle convoy made its way toward the former Sergeant's home. The radio crackled with the Arabic words, "Base to Mobile. Dogs are approaching the door."

Cody grabbed the mike and, also in Arabic, asked, "How many, and are they angry?"

"Four, and it looks like they are here for a party," the response came back.

"Will they be welcomed at the party?" Cody asked.

There was a hesitation before the reply came, "We told Mom. She said that she would welcome them. She said that she would take precautions so more dogs aren't attracted."

Cody looked at Gabir, and Gabir said, "We're still almost thirty minutes away. If Cyn says she'll take care of it, then it's taken care of. We can't do anything about it, anyway, so we have to depend on her."

At that moment, the convoy turned a corner onto a main thoroughfare. Cody saw the road block that announced a check point ahead.

"Salim," Cody snapped. "What is this road block about?"

The Lieutenant shook his head and frantically said, "I don't know! In the meetings today, the Major said he was going to use the duty platoon for roving check points at night to curtail smuggling. That isn't my area of responsibility. I didn't know about the checkpoint!"

"Okay, okay, call down," Cody said. "Get control of yourself because you're going to need to talk to them. They must believe you." Cody thought for a moment, then continued, "You are guiding a group for the Major. This is a special project, and the Major has already been paid half. He won't get the second half until the project is complete. They understand graft, and they will believe that. Make them believe, Lieutenant."

"Lieutenant," Gabir snapped angrily. "You're hyperventilating. Continue, and you will pass out, and die. Take a deep breath and hold it. Hold it," Gabir repeated when the Lieutenant followed his instructions. "Hold it. Hold it. Now, let it out slowly. Do that again."

"Mobile to Base," Cody said into the radio. "We're about to meet some dogs. We'll try not to bring any back with us. Stand by to assist the home party. We'll contact you when we continue."

"10-4," the response came back. "Assist the home party and stand by," the orders were confirmed.

"Lieutenant," Cody said, to get Salim's attention. "You said the Major isn't favored by the men. When we stop, roll down your window and get the attention of the soldiers. Get the senior man to come to you. Your attitude will be disgust. Identify with the soldiers at the check point. The Major has them out on unnecessary duties at night, just like he has you doing meaningless duties with no extra pay. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir," Salim said, more in control of himself as he continued breathing deeply at Gabir's urging.

"Act as though I don't speak Arabic," Cody continued.

"Yes, Sir," Salim said again, as the little convoy slowed to a stop.

Three soldiers professionally approached the lead vehicle, one on each side of the vehicle, and the third about ten feet behind the first two. Their rifles were at the ready, but not pointed directly at the vehicle. The soldiers seemed very alert, but not overtly hostile.

Jamil waited nervously in front of the closed door. It had felt strange taking her blouse off. She had expected to feel shame for the action. The guard had been very courteous, and hadn't even looked at her breasts after she took her blouse off. The two male students hadn't stared at her nakedness either.

"We're here for you," the older student, Shawn, had comforted her.

"We'll protect you," the younger student, Brian, had assured her with determination, while blushing wildly.

Jamil's lips twitched, as if trying to smile at the memory. Brian's eyes never lost contact with her eyes while speaking to her, but the effort it took him to maintain eye contact was obvious.

"You're a braver girl than I am," Amy had said in admiration. "You just stay safe, girl. I want to keep someone with your guts close to me. Cynthia was right though. A bare pair of boobs will always make men stupid. This will work."

There was a knock on the door, and Jamil jumped. It had startled her, and she had automatically reached for the door. Then she remembered what Cynthia had said, and pulled her hand back. She took a breath to steady herself, while she waited for the second knock.

"You will be okay," the guard assured her quietly, as they waited for the next knock. "You have the perfect expression to draw them into our trap. You look angry, and proud, and afraid. You have a right to look angry and proud. You have nothing to fear. I would give my life to protect such a daughter of the Order of the Seeker."

Jamil was startled by the utter sincerity in the soldiers voice. She realized that he wasn't just trying to comfort her. He was completely serous.

"After answering the door, step back three or four paces, and kneel," the soldier suggested. "Try to make it look subservient. The movement will hold their attention, and it would be in keeping with the whole harem theme that pig Sergeant seemed to like. It will also keep you farther from them."

Jamil nodded in agreement as another knock sounded, and she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She looked at the soldier, really meeting his eyes for the first time. He smiled, and winked at her. Jamil gave a tentative smile back before straightening her shoulders, and facing the door. Confidently, she reached out and disengaged the deadbolt. She took another breath, let it out, and opened the door.

Jamil watched the smiling faces of the soldiers turn into leers when they saw her. The first soldier, the Corporal, took a step forward.

Salim rolled down the window of the SUV, and leaned out as the soldiers approached the lead vehicle.

"I am Lieutenant Al Khoury. Who is in charge?" Salim called.

"I am," the soldier that had been standing several paces behind the others replied. He hesitated at the lead vehicle before continuing to the second, saying, "I am Corporal Majeed, Sir."

"Good evening, Corporal," the Lieutenant said in greeting, able to inject equal parts of boredom and frustration into his voice. "I remember you from the duty inspection this morning."

"Good evening, Sir," the Corporal replied, as he approached the open window cautiously.

"I see the Major has found a way to disrupt another soldier's evening. What was the excuse for having you out tonight?" Salim asked, the disgust clear in his voice.

"We are supposed to be catching smugglers," the Corporal replied, relaxing slightly, and also sounding disgusted. He seemed to relax even more as he said, "Of course, ten minutes after we're set up, all the smugglers know which street to avoid. They have better communications than we do."

"Humph," the Lieutenant snorted. "He has me escorting some stupid American. He's a smart American though. He only paid the Major half of whatever bribe the major was able to extort. He will pay the second half after the American's project is finished. I am their escort until they leave Baalbek. I guess it isn't all bad. I do get to eat good, but getting some of that money the Major received would have been better."

"I could do with a good dinner," the Corporal replied sourly. "We are eating field rations. As for money..." He shook his head in disgust before saying, "There's no chance of that unless we catch some smugglers. We get a share of whatever is captured. It would have to be a really stupid smuggler to get caught after setting up the check point the way the Major directed."

Salim shook his head in irritation, and grunted in agreement before asking, "Do you need to search us for contraband?"

"No, Sir," the Corporal replied. "Let us know if you see any smugglers," he said drily, before stepping back from the window.

"I'll be sure to send them to you," Salim answered with a laugh. "Be safe tonight," he concluded, before raising the window.

They heard the Corporal calling to the guards, motioning the lead vehicle through the check point. After the last vehicle had passed the soldiers, Cody and Gabir sighed with relief.

"Lieutenant, for that performance, I am going to do everything in my power to ensure you survive this operation," Cody said. "Very well done."

Jamil stepped back four paces, and knelt on the hard floor of the foyer. She bowed her head meekly, keeping her eyes on the soldiers through her loosely hanging hair. She saw the guard stiffen to one side, his rifle still aimed in her general direction. The guard's smile was little more than a rictus, when compared to the warm smile he had showed her before.

The Corporal, and two of his soldiers, began slowly walking towards her. Their expressions exhibited naked lust, and their eyes were focused intensely on Jamil. The fourth soldier took two steps, following his friends, but stopped when he saw the guard.

"Who are you?" the fourth soldier asked the guard.

The soldier didn't aim his rifle at the guard, but swung it so the barrel was still pointing at the ground, in the guard's general direction.

"I'm a friend of Sergeant Mahdi," the guard explained with a grin. "He asked me to let the girl answer the door. He wants to keep her as a household servant. It was my idea to let her answer the door like this. Servants do answer doors like this, don't they?"

The soldier relaxed, and returning the guard's grin, before turning towards Jamil.

"I don't know if all servants do, but I sure like it when she answers the door like that," the soldier replied.

"Maybe the four of you can escort her get downstairs to the Sergeant," the guard suggested. "He is busy with another girl in the basement and didn't want to stop to answer the door."

The fourth soldier's grin broadened, and he said, "Escorting her downstairs sounds like a very good idea."

The soldier took two quick steps forward to catch his friends. The guard also stepped towards Jamil, reaching a position to the right, and slightly behind the fourth soldier.

The guard swung the rifle butt in a short arc, and the edge of the butt slammed into the soldier's temple. It sounded like a melon being hit, and shattered, by a club.

The other three soldiers whirled, their rifles rising to confront the threat.

Jamil leaned forward, and her hand flashed toward the Corporal.

The razor sharp knife severed both of the Corporal's hamstrings, and his legs folded under him. The front door slammed shut, accompanied by the Corporal's first scream.

One of the soldiers hesitated swinging towards the guard, unable to decide which was the greater threat; whatever had felled the Corporal, or what had attacked his friend. The second soldier didn't hesitate, and his rifle was still swinging towards the guard.

Jamil didn't hesitate either. The force of her slash that disabled the Corporal caused her body to twist, and the knife was right behind the solder that was trying to aim at the guard. She lunged, and stabbed upwards, and the knife disappeared between the soldier's legs. The material of the man's pants was pushed out by the force of the immediate gush of blood, and a thin, high pitched scream came from the soldier's throat.

The indecisive guard was suddenly facing three rifles, each of them held by men with very determined faces. His indecision fled, and he dropped his rifle before raising his arms over his head.