Jack Coughlin - Clean Kill

Kyle and Jamal both had received first aid treatment on the battlefield in Saudi Arabia, then were transported to a Saudi military hospital for a day until U.S. authorities could arrange new lodgings. Since both men were undercover operators, they were spirited out of the country, Jamal going back to the States while Kyle was transferred to a British base and then onward to the Vagabond . He didn’t remember much of the trip because of the heavy sedation.

He wanted to remember. He knew that Juba was dead, but did not recall exactly how. And the missile, and Henry and the Chinese invasion. His memory circuits were sparking like a piece of silver in a microwave oven. The whole episode was there, but it just did not make sense. He closed his eyes. Tired.

Lady Pat was nearby, reading from a weekly newsmagazine. A story about how the Saudi royal family had crushed the militant uprising and apparently intended to use the victory to springboard into some overdue reforms in politics and human rights. She cleared her throat and resumed reading aloud, now assuming the serious voice of a television news reader. “In Washington, the president and the Pentagon strongly denied reports that American troops were involved in any way with the military effort to defeat the rebellion and secure the nuclear weapons. All U.S. troops and training personnel were confined to their bases throughout the brief conflict. American civilians stayed in their homes, said a Pentagon spokesman. This was a magnificent achievement by the Saudi military forces loyal to their government. They neither needed nor requested our help.” ’

She turned some pages. “Toward the back of the magazine is a brief article on China conducting a massive military exercise that was carried out in full view of the press. A spokesman in Beijing said the exercise was normal and successful and all troops had returned to their bases.”

Swanson sighed, drifting off. A hand found his and gently squeezed, and Kyle felt a warm kiss on his cheek. Delara. “Sleep for a while,” she whispered. “You’re home.”