Death in the Desert Read Free

commander, Colonel Nelson.’
    Nelson got up and addressed the unit. ‘The reason we gave you the info about the drugs business, thepoppy fields and all that, is because our cover story is that we’re a bunch of renegade soldiers on our way to do a deal for a very large shipment of heroin from Azma Al Haq.’
    ‘So we’re criminals?’ asked Two Moons.
    ‘Correct.’ Nelson nodded. ‘And to make sure the story rings true, it’s going to be spread around Pakistan, and other parts of Afghanistan, so that no one knows what’s really going on.’
    ‘We could be arrested,’ pointed out Tug.
    ‘Worse, we could get killed by rival drug dealers,’ said Benny.
    ‘True,’ agreed Nelson. ‘It’s a chance we have to take.’
    ‘And in my opinion, it’s worth it,’ added Omari. ‘If we can put a stop to this conflict we’ll save thousands of lives. American, British, Afghan.’ He gave a rueful smile. ‘I’m American, but I’m also an Afghan. I’m doing this to save people on both sides.’
    Nelson looked at the men.
    ‘Well, that’s the plan. Any questions?’
    ‘Just one,’ said Mitch. To Omari he said, ‘If this guy Al Haq is your uncle, why do you need us as your bodyguards?’
    ‘Because my uncle controls the mountain area in the north of Kajaki, but to get there means travelling from Kandahar across forty miles of country controlled by other Taliban warlords, most of them much more hard line than my uncle. And although the Taliban tolerate my uncle because they still see him as an ally, they would do anything to stop him if they thought he was negotiating with the Coalition.’
    It was a fair answer, thought Mitch, but something was still nagging him.
    ‘OK, that’s it, guys,’ said Nelson. ‘My next move is to take Mr Omari to the stores and get him kitted out. If he’s going to be travelling with us, he’s got to look the part.’
    ‘I don’t think I’d be any good with weapons,’ responded Omari uncertainly.
    Nelson grinned at him. ‘Don’t worry. No weapons, just a uniform.’
    With that Nelson and Omari left, and the soldiers got up from their chairs.
    ‘Me, a drug dealer?’ Tug said, chuckling. ‘Whatever would my father say if he found out?’
    Two Moons looked at Mitch and saw the concerned expression on his face. ‘You look worried,’ he commented.
    ‘Aren’t you?’ asked Mitch. ‘Think about it. This guy we’re going in with is a nephew of a Taliban warlord. Doesn’t that make you think?’
    ‘About what?’
    ‘About where his loyalties lie?’
    ‘You think Omari is planning to sell us out?’ asked Gaz.
    ‘It crossed my mind,’ said Mitch.
    Gaz laughed. ‘You are one paranoid guy, Mitch,’ he said. ‘The Taliban don’t need him to deliver us to them. There are thousands of British and Yank soldiers already there for them to pick up.’
    ‘Yeah, but not a special-forces colonel and his unit.’
    Two Moons grinned and slapped Mitch on the shoulder. ‘Trust me, this guy Omari’s all right,’ he said confidently. ‘I’ve got a nose for this kind of thing, and it’s kept me alive so far.’
    ‘You were in Afghanistan, Tug,’ said Gaz. ‘What are the Taliban like as an enemy?’
    ‘Fanatical,’ answered Tug, frowning. ‘At least, the hard-line ones are. They’ll fight to the death.’

4
    As their plane circled over Kandahar Airport, Mitch looked out of the window at the landscape below. From the sky it was just a vast expanse of sand, dust and rocks stretching as far as the eye could see, and it was difficult to imagine anyone surviving in this terrain, let alone making a living.
    ‘Military outposts,’ pointed out Gaz. Below they could just make out some encampments and vehicles, their colours blending in with the desert.
    ‘It’s a hard life out here for those guys,’ murmured Tug. ‘But trust me, it’s even harder behind enemy lines.’
    Because they were on a military flight, there were no serious security checks, which meant theywere able