CHapter 3 / Page 4

The spook rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, “To answer your question about the team leader.”

“Yes, my question,” snapped Lisa.

“To accomplish our objectives, we need someone with knowledge of the desert, language skills, proven combat experience, and who can not be tied directly to the US government,” explained the spook.

Another political calculation was revealed to this select group: a black operation where only someone named Arthur would allegedly have any knowledge or planning. An icy tingling reached down Brian’s spine. The administration was scared. This entire scenario had not been concocted this morning. They must have preplanned for something like this. They were following some sort of war plan. As with any plan, it tended to unravel once the shooting started. Brian wondered if anyone besides the Two Star and spook realized this was going to happen. Perhaps Arthur was polishing his sword so he could fall on it at an opportune moment.

“What sort of team? If you don’t mind me asking,” pressed Brian.

The spook handed them a black covered briefing book. There were no numbers, titles, or logos on the binders. Usually, these things had a bar code in the lower left-hand corner. Brian looked at the spook again. Who was this guy?

“If you’ll turn to page two, I’ll explain the team composition.”

Page one consisted of a map and plot of the U-2, the Iraqi boat, and the submarine paths. Brian fingered the map for a moment before looking up. “Is anyone tracking this sub?”

“You don’t have a need to know, Mister Stillwell,” replied Arthur.

Stillwell locked eyes with Arthur. Arthur looked away quickly. Well, one thing was certain. Arthur was no Ollie North, and this administration better make sure Arthur never appeared in front of a Senate committee. He would sound more like Janet Reno than Ollie North. Brian turned to the next page.“

The team composition requires a team leader, weapons expert, protective services fire team experienced in chemical, biological and nuclear weapon disposal, and a computer database expert. That’s a seven-man team. They will be able to communicate via satellite link to our command post.”