The Keepers of the Persian Gate Read Online Free Page B

job of explaining the situation and what the senior members of the ‘revolution’ were looking for. A price was agreed and money was to be exchanged via an account in Switzerland, following a further meeting.
    “This initial meeting was extremely tense. We were heavily outnumbered in terms of security, so an arrest would have been completely out of the question. If China was aware that we were carrying out the operation, we might have requested emergency assistance; however, they did not know. Instead we focussed on arranging the second meeting. We pressed the Mechanic for a time and location but he was having none of it. The location of the meeting would be advised in one week by e-mail message from a specific address provided to us,” explained Paddy.
    That e-mail never came. The reason for this was that the Mechanic was in Libya meeting an old customer, namely Colonel Gaddafi. Embryonic pockets of revolt were occurring in remote parts of Libya and intelligence suggested that Gaddafi was seeking to acquire materials to suppress the rebels.
    “We believe that he may have been seeking the Mechanic’s services to cause some sort of radioactive rainstorm or something similar to attack the villages from the air,” explained Paddy. The Mechanic had been known to create similar ‘natural disasters’ for other governments. Such action would allow Gaddafi plausible deniability for the mass murder of civilian settlements. This would be particularly useful if Gaddafi himself ever had to face the International Criminal Court.
    It was clear that the Mechanic had been warned of the dangers in Libya.
    “We suspect that Gaddafi actually instructed the Mechanic to go to Venezuela to continue his work on the project,” said Erin.
    Jake intervened. “I’m sorry, if the US is not a signatory to the International Court of…”
    “The International Criminal Court,” corrected Marco.
    “Yeah, well, whatever. Why is the US helping y’all out in catching this guy? Why don’t we take him?” Jake asked.
    The Admiral stepped forward. “Because although the US government would love nothing more than to put him before an American court, it was agreed last night that this arrest should fall on the shoulders of the international community. The US is therefore willing to assist, albeit in a classified capacity.”
    Paddy finished by stating, “From intelligence, the Mechanic is known to use a number of body doubles. One of the primary reasons I am here is to ensure that the man on Isla Margarita is in fact the same man I met in Macao.”
    “How do you know the man you met wasn’t a double?” asked Elvis.
    “I don’t,” replied Paddy abruptly.
    The Admiral then took the lectern for a final time. “Gentlemen, you have roughly three hours before you depart. I suggest you all try to get some sleep in your assigned quarters. Please report back to the flight deck at 2230 hours, when we will equip you with your gear and armaments. Dismissed.”
    The meeting ended abruptly, Paddy walked out with Marco and asked him how he felt about the operation.
    “It’s one of the craziest things I’ve ever heard. A flying boat, limousines? Something’s bound to go wrong, do you not think?” asked Marco.
    “Well, the US can’t afford to be seen to be invading its neighbours, so the onus is on them to keep it confidential,” replied Paddy.
    Paddy and Marco were escorted back to their quarters alongside the others. It was clear that the Admiral didn’t want any member of Frequent Flyer socialising with the other crew on board the Nimitz.
    The door to his quarters shut behind Paddy. Leaning his back to the door, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Although he was still exhausted from all the travel, he did not think sleep was something he would be physically capable of. The pre-operation nerves were simply too much. Instead, he sat and began a note to his girlfriend Sarah in Norwich, England.
    “Dear Sarah, I know I promised you that I