The Apocalypse Gate

By Stuart Haywood

Mellissa Carlisle is soon to be Custos. But will there be a world for her to protect?
Actions in the middle, and far east result in a catastrophic event which obliterates Mecca. The world destabilizes rapidly as the destruction triggers a fleet of huge mother ships which have been dormant for millions of years. The Apocalypse Gate Protocol is initiated,and the ships begin to systematically extinguish humankind. Mellissa Carlisle, and an old friend are mankind's only hope of survival. The abort code is lost, and the supercomputer is preventing them from stopping the cleansing of the planet. It comes down to one of them making the ultimate sacrifice. One way or another, this will be Mellissa's final mission,

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781326736309

Book preview

The Apocalypse Gate

THE APOCALYPSE GATE

(Mellissa's Final Mission))

Stuart Haywood

Other Titles by

Stuart Haywood

Fiction

Zoo (The Original)  First Published 2007 Revised 2014/16

Bob Davidson is a retired soldier who thought that when he left the Special Forces, his life would be more tranquil. As head keeper of Twyford Zoo in the English countryside, he was responsible for the staff, and the welfare of the animals. The busiest day of the year was dawning. It was also forecast to be the hottest on record. A mysterious rock fell from the sky. Shortly after, the huge Bengal Tiger succumbed to a red glow emitting from the object.

As the day progressed, one by one, the animals begin to react with an uncanny intelligence. Eventually, they coordinate attacks against the humans. Bob begins a long running battle of survival against the creatures. Some members of the public also become his dependents, adding to the enormous responsibility. Using all his Special Forces training, would he and his small band of survivors live through the nightmare?

Zoo 2 (The Return) (A Mellissa Carlisle Adventure) First Published 2013 - Revised 2016

A series of disappearances baffle police. Detective Sergeant Mellissa Carlisle and her partner DC James Tyler, are assigned to the case. She tirelessly searches for clues, but every case seems to lead to a dead end. She finally confides in a close friend, Bob Davidson. He has flashbacks of the terrible carnage during that day in Twyford zoo. A series of strange deaths attributed to animals confirm his fears, and soon he is embroiled in the hunt for the tiger.

The situation is discussed at the very top level, and the Home Secretary, together with MI5 decide to grant Bob a free rein. He puts together a force consisting of Police, Special Forces, a contingent of three Para, and eventually a unit of US Marine Corps. Together they track the tiger to a secret government installation. Held within that installation could be the means with which to extinguish human life. This time, Bob is determined to end the beast’s reign of terror.

Pillar of Rock (A Mellissa Carlisle Adventure) First published 2014 - Revised 2016

65 million years ago, a catastrophic event caused the inhabitants of Mars to abandon their home world for a primitive planet close by. The evolution of mankind - was it natural, or was the human race genetically engineered?

1099, during the siege of Jerusalem, a Knight discovers a golden box. He returns with it to England. It is safeguarded for centuries until 2014. Two factions need the box; both have the desire to use it for their own ends. But both will result in the annihilation of mankind. Detective Inspector Mellissa Carlisle joins the quest when she is assigned to a murder case. She then learns that she is herself equally sought after. Mel teams up with a professor to solve the remaining clues leading to the box. From Derbyshire to Edinburgh Castle, they are pursued by the deadly Messorem. The White House and Downing Street have faith in the detective, and assist in the quest. She finally has to decide which course of action to take once she recovers the artefact, to save humanity -  or to save herself.

Mabus (A Mellissa Carlisle Adventure)  First published 2015 - Revised 2016

Members of the High Council are being brutally murdered. Not all Messorem assassins have been apprehended. Messorem Twelve is on a mission to find his brother and release him. Detective Inspector Mellissa Carlisle is called upon once again to track down this 'Reaper,' and prevent him from destabilizing the world's status quo. But he seems to be one step ahead of their every move.

The chase involving Special Forces from several nations takes them around the globe. Messorem Twelve employs the services of a Russian assassin who has over one hundred kills to his name. The English Detective is soon the target of both.

The Genesis Gate Published 2016

After surviving yet another assassination attempt, Mellissa Carlisle is under close protection. Volkov is now totally obsessed with killing her. Utilising all his special forces training, he pursues Mel from Israel to the Appellation Mountains. It becomes a fight to the death in the forest after he strikes the first blow. She also learns a great deal more of how mankind was created - and how mankind could be eradicated

Ghetto of Hell   First published 2014

The Bechowicz family were no different from thousands of other families in Warsaw during the early part of the nineteen forties. But the fact that they were Jewish condemned them to a fate, only firsthand experience could even begin to comprehend.

The Nazi war machine systematically decreased the Jewish sector known as ‘The Warsaw Ghetto’, through murder, deportation and unthinkable horrors, to achieve, ‘The Final Solution’ Jan Bechowicz tries desperately to keep his family together, and out of harm’s way. The uprising begins in April 1943 when he unwittingly becomes a key figure in the desperate struggle to stay alive, and one step ahead of the SS. A British Captain joins the courageous resistance group with the blessing of Winston Churchill. He aids the desperate fighters, also sending back intelligence to London. This is a story of survival against overwhelming odds. Portraying the outstanding bravery and unselfish actions of the Jewish resistance fighters.

Non Fiction

Bolsover (A Ripple in Time)  First Published 2014

Many works have been published on the town of Bolsover. They have produced in depth, historical facts. In the 'Ripple Series', the author moves away from the lengthy reference style publications, to give a more brief, story approach to the town's history. This is the first book of the series and covers a broad spectrum of accounts over several thousand years. From early man passing through from the continent as they hunted, through to coal, the industrial revolution, and the part it played in shaping the landscape.

All books by Stuart Haywood can be found on Amazon in Kindle, eBook or Printed Copy. Or from Lulu.com

For Further Details or Feedback, Contact Stuart via

Website -stuarthaywood.com

Facebook  -  Stuart Haywood Author

Twitter -@JohnSHaywood

Email - [e-mail]

I always welcome any feedback you may have. Thank you all for supporting my work and sincerely hope you enjoy Mel's Final adventure.

Kindest regards

Stuart Haywood

THE APOCALYPSE GATE

©Stuart Haywood 2016

Published in 2016 by Lulu Publishing

The right of Stuart Haywood shall be identified as the author of this work.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in a retrieval system, in any form, or by means, without permission in writing from the publishers.

All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real people, alive or dead ,is purely coincidental.

ISBN 978-1-326-73630- 9

THE APOCALYPSE GATE

CHAPTER ONE

Tora Bora Mountains

North East Afghanistan

Delta Captain Bill Compton scratched his ten day old beard for the millionth time and also had a quick sniff at himself, even he had to turn his nose a little, due to the heavy aroma emanating from his unwashed body. The four man team had been confined in the observation post for seven of those ten days.

This isn't dust guys, he coughed, then blew yet more of the fine substance from his optics. it's more like orange talcum powder.

The team had been inserted covertly several miles from this point, and hiked each night. The day times were spent laying up in hiding, and constantly cleaning their weapons and equipment.

Could be worse though Bill. an English accent behind him said. Sergeant Pete Bradley of 22 SAS regiment had volunteered for this gig. Their other two comrades were Sergeant Joe Gamora from Delta, and Trooper 'Boiler' Potterton from the SAS. It had been decided by both the U.S. and British governments to make this a joint mission.

Intelligence reports had revealed a strong possibility that a high ranking I.S. leader was occupying the very cave, where years ago, Osama himself had resided. The Taliban had been well and truly ousted from these mountains by the I.S., something the coalition forces never quite achieved. Compton turned to Pete, his face posed a question about the Englishman's last comment so Pete obliged.

We could be in the bloody arctic freezing our wobbly bits off. his smile was half hidden by his own ten day growth of ginger facial hair. The accent had a tinge of Scottish, although to Florida born Bill Compton, all Brits sounded alike, they just talked weird. Bill returned the bearded smile then resumed his position. The powerful optics brought the cave entrance up so close he felt he could reach out and touch it.

I aint seen jack shit though Pete said Bill, we will soon have to exfil, we only have twenty four hours supplies - max. his eye never moved from the scope.

Yeah. Pete replied, I am beginning to wonder if this Intel we have is kosher.

Been thinking that myself sarge. another English voice joined from the rear of the hide. Boiler Potterton was known as Boiler due to the fact that his surname was the same as the famous gas appliance firm, all we have seen for the last few days is a few bad guys popping in and out of the cave, if mister big is in there, he is not into topping up his tan.

The four men had gelled remarkably well. They had chosen the site between them, and chosen perfectly. It was three quarters of the way up a mountain, across a small valley from the target cave. Above them was a small overhang which concealed the hide from above. (Not that I.S. had any assets in the sky.). The hide was in a natural depression with a steep drop at the front and their field of fire covered the whole of the valley floor. The depression had formed a natural wall about a metre high at the front which concealed them from the cave, and the valley floor below. To the rear was a small rocky outcrop about a meter and a half high. Beyond that outcrop was a difficult climb for any would be attackers.

One of the four was always in position looking down from the rocks at the rear, the area below was as baron and dusty as the hundreds of remote valleys in the surrounding area. They had been tasked with locating the leader and, if ordered, taking him out of the game. In other words, if he appeared in the cross hairs, then the shot was on. Drones had proved ineffectual due to another, but much larger overhang of rock covering the cave entrance. Bill had a quick glance at his wristwatch.

Ok guys it's noon, time to check in.

Most missions he had led needed him to contact base every twelve hours or even more, and if two contacts were missed, then a search and rescue operation would commence. But the importance of this mission, coupled with the fact that their target could leave at any time, necessitated that he call every two hours. If needed, the team could be on constant satellite link with video in high definition. They had transmitted several images over the last few days of all the movements in, and out of the cave, but as yet, their target had not appeared.

Boiler handed Bill something which had been wrapped in cling film.

Here mate, one of these will help you work, rest and play. said the trooper in a West Country accent. Bill looked at him with a puzzled expression. He deciphered the strange intonation, then looked at the small, crumpled item. He reached for it and signalled for Joe Gamora to take over the surveillance then sat back looking at the object in his hand.

Go on, open it. Boiler continued with a dusty smile. The Englishman was tall, over six feet, but he was skinny and gangly. Not what one would expect from a member of Britain's elite special forces. Even his beard had decided to go its own different ways. Bill could not help but notice the strangeness of its colour. It was actually blonde, exactly like Boiler's hair, also it was wispy and long. More akin to something from a Lord of the Rings character.

Bill was hesitant, it was obvious that there was something brown inside the cling film.

If this is a turd Boiler, I will haul your lanky ass down the mountain. Nevertheless, he slowly peeled back the film to reveal half a chocolate Mars bar. Bill had seen his two British comrades eating these from time to time, but had never tried it himself. He instinctively sniffed it due to the fact that he had been on the receiving end of too many practical jokes in his fifteen year military career, and this was not going to be another. It smelled of chocolate and was soft, but not melted. The mountain air was by no means hot, which resulted in the chocolate bar retaining some semblance of rigidity.

He took a furtive bite and chewed on a small piece, then a bearded smile creased his dust covered face.

This isn't half bad dude, but what's with the work, rest, play jibe? he asked with a frown.

That's what the TV adverts used to say, 'A Mars a day helps you work, rest and play'.

Bill smiled, more at the strange pronunciation than what Boiler actually said. The SAS trooper was born in the West country of England, and his accent was indeed thick. It reminded Bill of when he watched a British programme on TV, An old Top of the Pops featuring a trio of singers called The Worzels. He imagined Boiler with a piece of grass in his mouth and a smock with a funny hat and him saying, Oooh  Arrrr, which brought an even bigger grin.

The fact that it was wrapped in cling film did not faze him either. It was common practice to take candy bars out of their wrappers when on covert missions. Once they were in the cling film, there was no noise when reopening them. Pete had relieved Gamora in the outcrop at the rear and could see for miles across several valleys.

The sun cast harsh shadows over the landscape. It was bright, but was not accompanied by the heat and intensity of the lowlands.

Nothing was moving, not even the customary goats and their minder. The atmosphere in the hide was relaxed. Each man was a highly trained, and professional soldier. Very little in the way of commands were needed as they all knew what they had to do, and how they had to do it. Boiler handed another mars bar to Joe. He ate it while keeping his eye to the scope.

CHAPTER TWO

The White House

Washington D.C.

Mellissa Carlisle sat at a highly polished table. She was in a room adjacent to the Situation Room several floors below the annex to the main building. The only other occupant in the room sat opposite her with his elbows on the table top, and was looking older by the minute, Mel reflected. His skin was pale and had lost that freshness from when they first met. It was not just wrinkled, but it almost looked cracked in places.

Is this what it is like towards the end of a Custos's life? she said to herself, will I look like him in years to come? Mel had to be cautious about her thoughts though knowing the man opposite could read them. She had not yet quite mastered the art of switching her own thoughts off. They had been in this room for several hours each day since she returned.

The last few weeks had been hectic to say the least. After they had been brought back from the Appalachian mountains, each member had been through intensive de-briefing by the CIA and other three letter organisations.

Mel had made good her promise to learn more from this man. Despite what she heard from him though, Mel always had the feeling that he was more than sparing with the truth. There seemed to be more that he omitted, than what he actually told her, and she did not like this feeling. There would be much to learn about her future. What would be expected of her, and what further powers would she develop as the next Custos? Somehow, Mel felt that she was not entirely in the loop.

Mel did return to England for a brief visit and Zak accompanied her. She finally felt like they were a couple; an item, something which until that point had been alien to her. Johnathan had not been in her life long enough to give her that sense of belonging and closeness. Mel still felt a sadness every time he came into her mind though. The 'what ifs' and 'maybes' challenged her thoughts often.  Zak always knew when she was thinking about the professor, and supported her with gentle encouragement to talk about it.

The two of them decided to spend time seeing people and places they had not frequented often enough. Her parents were on that list and it was agreed that Mel would see them on her own. Not that she did not want them to meet Zak, she did, desperately, but she felt the reception she would receive would be strained enough as it was, so thought it best to face it on her own. Zak reluctantly agreed, and sought out some old buddies who were stationed in the UK. 

Mel finally did visit her parents. She breathed heavily as she stood at the garden gate to their suburban semi then looked down the small, crazy paved path. The garden, as with everything else about them, displayed complete order and symmetry.

Another sigh, then she rang the door bell. Mum and Dad obviously knew nothing of where she had been, and even less of what she had been doing. Her father, as usual seemed distant. Mel had an uneasy feeling that he was almost disappointed in his daughter for some reason. The fact that she had attained the position of Detective Inspector in the police force did nothing to make him feel proud, but would he feel different if he knew just what she had done?

It was difficult not to tell him and it was out of the question anyway. Not only that, Mel strongly believed it would not make that much difference. He would probably not believe her, and even accuse her of exaggerating.

Her mum was her mum, the little lady who kept house and looked after dad. She did keep the house immaculate though, not a speck of dust anywhere. Dad's lunch and tea would be on the table at a set time, and they would sit down together, usually in silence. Nothing to discuss, nothing to share. For some reason, her brother was the apple in their eyes as he had made something of his life. They did not seem to realise that he had travelled thousands of miles away for a reason. Mel was beginning to think just who was more disappointed with who in her family.

To say her parents were not tactile. would be a gross understatement. Mel had had more hugs from the President of the United States of America, than her own parents. Finally, and gladly, it was time to say goodbye. She left her parents home with a heavy heart as always, and drove straight to Bob and Sarah's cottage. Apart from Zak, these two wonderful people seemed to show her the love she sought.

Mel spent a few days at the cottage where she met up with Zak once more. Bob and Sarah were genuinely pleased about the two of them getting together as Zak was greatly admired by both Bob and Sarah. Mel, as always was saddened when it came time to leave. Perhaps it was the fact that she could share her inner most feelings with them that made her stays so relaxing and stress free.

From there, she saw Superintendant Mason at the police station in Chesterfield. John MacLeish, her Detective Sergeant, was still recovering from his shattered ankle in Scotland and she would not be here when he returned, much to her disappointment. Mel had missed Mac, as a sister would a brother.

The bad news which Superintendent Mason gave her did not sit well when he informed her that the injury to Mac, combined with his leg wounds received in the Bengal affair, could possibly rule him out of any further operations in her special unit.

I can't see him ever being fit enough Mel. he had said. Mel knew how devastating that would be for her friend and asked Mason to keep it to himself. If it was ever the case that Mac was to be 'grounded', then she felt that needed to come from her. Mel wished he was here now, knowing three would not be the time to go up to Scotland, but she had talked at length with him on the phone and agreed that as soon as he was back on duty at Chesterfield, Mel would come over to see him. Also, she was itching to get back to some semblance of normality herself. Mel just wanted to be Detective Inspector Carlisle again.

I am sure your friend will be fine. Mel was startled by Custos's voice. She had not realised that her thoughts about Mac were being broadcast so patent. 

He will be devastated if he cannot return. she said, and I will miss him greatly. Mel looked down at the surface of the table with sadness in her eyes. I wish we still had the bio constructor that healed me.

She looked up at Custos.

How could such advanced technology, millions of years ago, have simply vanished?

You have told me of the equipment on board Eleven Mellissa, especially this piece of apparatus which basically brought you back to life, and healed your horrific wounds, and all I can say to that question is - I do not know.

Mel remained silent and placed her own elbows on the table, then waited for him to continue.

We have recovered some technology. he finally began, for example, the ability to alter molecules, whether solid or liquid. We have enough knowledge to construct the vast ships in the underground hangars. Plus much more, but at some time in the past, around one million years ago, much of our knowledge was erased or destroyed. We know that many of our people decided to search the galaxy for a new home world, but we do not have any records, or contact since they left. At some time on this planet, there must have been a purge of ancient knowledge. Perhaps it may even have been during the great wars against the League.

The League of Originals? asked Mel wide eyed.

Yes. his eyes met hers, they looked tired, the Foedus Originum tried to eradicate all opposition and were intent on ruling this planet as gods and kings. Fortunately, their numbers were insufficient to achieve their goal. The Messorem were an ancient order who originally pledged allegiance to our cause, but for reasons known only to them, they went over to the League. The Messorem was originally dedicated to the protection of the settlers.

So, originally, the Messorem were the good guys. Mel's thoughts drifted to Amron Mabus, who was Messorem Twelve knowing he had goodness in his heart. Cruelly, it had been systematically destroyed over the years by the Messorem training academy. Mel was also pleased to hear that he had survived the shooting at his apartment in Tel Aviv, and had recovered. Unfortunately though, he was now in an ultra secure location where he would probably remain for the rest of his life. This troubled Mel greatly. He had saved her life on several occasions, but she was not now in a position to help him in return.

So tell me more about the great wars asked Mel trying to channel her thoughts.

Again, records are very sketchy. continued Custos, "there were a few rebels to begin with. They had found that the hybrid earth humans were easy to manipulate, and therefore rule. Although humans did have some of our DNA, they had been brought up in primitive conditions on the planet which was because we wished them to evolve as naturally as possible. They had no perception of where their origins lay, or of the technology their 'half brothers and sisters' possessed. What seemed to have happened - in my view at least, was that some hybrids who were brought up with the true settlers soon showed the traits of the primitive humans. Greed, envy, domination, and the need to usurp others, all the negative emotions that we had never experienced until then.

It did not take too long before that particular faction began to influence others. Soon they left the mother ships and began the League of Originals. Many smuggled weapons out with them and gradually the conflicts escalated until it was all-out war. Over centuries, armies fought each other in huge battles. One war would end and another would begin. Each divine being, as they wanted to be known by, strived to take what others had. They were cruel, and it could only be the earth human DNA to blame for that, because our own culture on the home world had never once had any conflict.

Yes, we did manufacture weapons, weapons so powerful they were awe inspiring, but that was to defend ourselves, should there be others in the universe who would seek to take from us. The League occupied two cities in the middle east. Those cities became their strongholds where they began building their own devastating weapons. Despite several raids on those cities we could never destroy the weapons, or succeed in overpowering them. We decided that we had no option but to eradicate the cities completely. his gaze fell to the floor for a few seconds, it was a time my ancestors were not proud of, as millions of innocent humans were killed in those terrible explosions."

Where there other strongholds, other cities? Mel asked, she was engrossed once more in what this man was relating to her, although she could see that it was a painful memory.

Yes, several. his eyes once again searched hers, however they were defeated by conventional means. Those two main bases were called Sodom and Gomorra, and to this day, the land is tainted by the effects of radiation.

Mel opened her eyes wider. Those two cities were mentioned in the bible, and were also eliminated for a similar reason. Maybe the bible was written as a rough account of the fate of the settlers. God King of Eleven, the Archangels, it all seemed just too coincidental. She turned her attention back to Custos.

What about the mother ships in orbit, like Eleven?

According to ancient records, there were no ships in orbit at that time, and no account of why. I believe that for some reason they have been dormant, or mothballed as you may say. Or, had they simply decided to follow the others to another world? Perhaps they were so old that they just crashed to earth. There is no way of knowing

That would be sad. Mel whispered, Eleven was a massive ship, a city in space. There were thousands and thousands of people aboard. But why do you say mothballed? Do you believe that they are still here on this planet somewhere?

That is one explanation I have strong feelings about.

So where could they be? It's not as though they are small.

Custos did not answer, he could not. There was no answer. Eleven and the other sister ships were no more, so simply shrugged his shoulders. Mel did not pursue it. Once again, she had the feeling that he was not being completely open. She looked at her companion and decided to ask different questions.

Can you understand what I told you about the Apocalypse Gate?

His eyes slowly rose to meet hers once again.

"My....sorry, our ancestors, were a cautious race. he began, they insisted on incorporating failsafe strategies in place where ever they could, but in this case, it sounds as if this failsafe had not initiated."

What do you mean?

You told me that you were informed of this protocol by the Captain.

Yes, Captain King. Mel could still not somehow bring herself to call him God.

Surely that protocol would have been initiated as the wars grew in intensity. It seems from records I do have, that at times, the result could have gone either way. So if the League gained the upper hand, it would have activated the Apocalypse Gate Protocol.

But the Apocalypse Gate, according to King, stated that any being on the planet with less than eighty percent original blood line would be destroyed. Perhaps at that time the majority of the planet's inhabitants were above that percentage, and if that were the case, then the protocol would remain dormant. Also, as you have said. Eleven could have no longer been around to carry it out.

Custos nodded, but looked upwards.

But Mellissa, it was also said that if the artefact was destroyed, then that would be the trigger.

But what, or where is this artefact. Mel cut in, King says it is something from the home planet? A piece of Martian rock, or meteorite, or whatever?

Since you first told me of this, I have searched all known databases without success. I have spent a great deal of time in one of our submerged cities scouring what little there is in its archives.

Do I know of this city? Mel asked with a frown, something else he has omitted to tell her perhaps?

Not personally, I would imagine. It was an early mother ship which came to earth and rested on the sea for several hundred years. But once the conflicts began, it was decided to submerge it, and it has been there since. Unfortunately, much of the ship's capabilities were decommissioned due to age, but it still has basic functions, and at present accommodates about two thousand of our people who constantly monitor the Earth. I believe it was written about by a man called Plato. He was one of the settlers and called the ship, or city - Atlantis. We submerged it north of Cadiz in what is now called Spain.

Any other little gems of knowledge I am yet to learn. There was real venom in Mel's voice. She was annoyed, something as big as this piece of knowledge, and she knew nothing of it.

Custos was taken aback by her tone and removed his elbows from the table and leaned back. He could not understand her outburst at all and simply frowned as he looked at Mel for a few seconds. She could see the genuine confusion and began to mellow.

It's just that.... she relented,  I only seem to find things out when I ask. I feel that you only tell me small tit bits of knowledge, and if I am to be Custos, then surely my knowledge should be as yours.

Custos sighed and returned his elbows to the table.

My dear Mellissa. his voice was soft, fatherly, there is so much for you to learn, so much I have to tell you. It will take decades - and do not worry, I will be here for another hundred years yet. he attempted a smile. Mel did not reciprocate and he continued.

I feel your concern about my age and welfare, but if you think that a human begins to age progressively in the last thirty years of life. probably around fifty, then think of me as about sixty in Earth years. So if I live as I should, that would give me about one hundred and eighty to two hundred years in earth time. he smiled and slowly sat back in his chair. You have all the time in the world my dear Custos Mellissa, do not try to absorb too much too quickly. It may seem to you that I can be vague, and even withholding at times, but I try to target the information that is relevant to the occasion.

Mel began to feel a little embarrassed. What he said made perfect sense. She was still trying to come to terms with the physical changes, let alone having to store more and more information. She slid her hand across the table and placed it gently on his. Although the skin looked crinkled, it actually felt warm and smooth. He made no effort to move, instead he placed his other hand on hers.

Do you understand now why I am as I am? he asked.

I do, and I apologise for doubting you.

Mel released her hand and walked over to the coffee machine. Zak came into her thoughts again. He and Paul Derbyshire had returned to Tel Aviv to assist the Mossad. Paul had gone a few days earlier so as to see Tamar Ackner, the Mossad section chief who had been injured by Mabus.

Tiredness was overwhelming Mel, so she knew it must be difficult for Custos. She decided to have another hour then retire. She would then have a relaxing time spent with the First Lady Andrea Bolton. Their friendship had proved invaluable to Mel. Andrea reminded Mel of Sarah Davidson, quiet, but well and truly in charge.

CHAPTER THREE

Northern Afghanistan

Movement guys. hissed Joe Gamora as he zoomed to maximum magnification. Pete was still at the rear position, and remained there. He looked across as Bill Compton and Boiler Potterton crawled over to Joe. Not a whiff of dust was disturbed as they moved and Joe rolled sideways to let Bill take over.

Three bad guys stood in the entrance, a different scenario than before. Bill Compton commented. Boiler looked through his own non-reflective binoculars, but the distance was too great to make out fine details. The bigger scope zoomed