Echo Six: Black Ops 6 - Battle for Beirut Read Free

available to take anyone into the center that wishes make the trip. No charge."
    Another smile, maybe not so wide.
    "Is it safe?"
    The person who asked the question was an overweight businessman sitting next to the emergency exit over the wing. The seat gave more legroom, and the chance to get out first in an emergency. Obviously, he was a man who took his comfort and safety seriously. The Captain smiled at him.
    "The war is over, Sir. Hostilities ended several years ago, and you'll find Beirut is a mighty pleasant capital to visit."
    Nava noted he hadn't answered the question.
    "I heard there was more trouble in the city," the businessman persisted stubbornly, "Some say the troubles are about to start again."
    Another smile. Definitely forced this time. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear, Sir. People are taking their vacations in Beirut, which gives you an idea of how safe it is these days. It's up to you. If you prefer, you can stay in the terminal."
    He turned on his heel and went back into the cockpit. Hannah looked at Nava.
    "What you think?"
    "I don't know. I'm not sure it's a good idea. Don't forget, we're Jewish. These Muslims still hold the last Israeli incursion against us."
    Hannah dismissed her concern with a wave of her hand. "That's ridiculous. It's all in the past. I've heard Beirut is a place where people of all religions can mix together without feeling afraid. I'm going into the city center, even if you're not."
    Nava was doubtful, but wasn't about to desert her friend.
    "I'm not happy about it, but I won't let you go on your own. We'll disembark and find a taxi."
    Before she left the aircraft, she put her hand under the neck of her blouse. Hidden inside was a Christian cross. A strange possession for a Jew, but given to her as a love token by Abe Talley. Touching it made her smile, and she felt just that little bit safer with the link to the man she loved. She smiled to herself. He'd said he would come to visit her when she reached Israel. Soon, they'd be together. She touched the cross again and thought of him.
    Soon, Abe. Soon.
    She was wrong.

    * * *

    War was coming. Heaps of rubble lined the streets, and she started to think they’d made a mistake visiting the city. It should have been a pleasant excursion. The sky was blue and clear, the climate mild and balmy. Besides, the civil war had been over for many years. But what they saw was new rubble, not old. New rubble for a new war. It was obvious the troubles were anything but over. The hard-faced men with guns were back. She flinched as the rattle of machine gun fire echoed along the street, and their cab was peppered with chunks of masonry. Abruptly, a group of armed men appeared, chasing another man into a burned-out building. Nava looked across at Hannah.
    "I think it would be a good idea to go back to the airport."
    Hannah didn't reply, and she was about to repeat herself, when the driver swiveled his head around.
    "This is not good. I think we should enter the city center by a different route."
    He was a short, tubby Arab, with an expression that did little to give them confidence. His eyes were wide with fear, and he stank of sweat. A pity the climate control in the taxi didn’t work, the foul air was thicker than it had been in the aircraft.
    "Will it be any safer?"
    He shrugged. "This is Beirut. What is safe?"
    It was enough for at Nava. "Turn around. We’re going back to the airport."
    Hannah looked at her. "It seems a shame. We’re almost there."
    "We’re also in the middle of a battle zone. We'd be crazy to carry on."
    Her friend nodded slowly, but they were both thrown against the door as the driver swung the Mercedes into a hard turn and began driving up a narrow side street. He muttered a curse when he saw a checkpoint blocking the road, a line of burned-out cars with armed men standing behind them. The driver swung the wheel again, and they entered a small square. It seemed quiet, but as the driver had said, this was Beirut.