Armageddon

Dog glanced across at the other plane’s lit cockpit and saw Major Alou. He gave him a thumbs-up and got one in return.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” he told McNamara, punching up the computer screen that controlled the engine start.

Brunei

12 October 1997, 1408

Sahurah watched quietly as the brothers brought the limp bodies to the shaded area at the side of the sultan’s compound, composing them respectfully.

Commander Besar was brought up last. The blast that had killed him had struck him in the back and neck, nearly severing his head from his body. The men who set him down were grim-faced; one appeared to be near tears. Sahurah considered scolding them, for surely Besar was now at bliss in Paradise.

If so great a si

“Cars!” said one of the men near the front of the compound, relaying the word from a lookout.

Sahurah left the others to care for the bodies and went out to the front. Three vehicles came up the drive. The first and last were filled with heavily armed men, crammed four across, front and back.

The middle car contained the imam and the Saudi. The imam pushed open the door and got out with a smile. “You have done well, Sahurah. So well!” he shouted, and he clasped Sahurah to his chest.

“The brothers have done their duty,” said Sahurah.

“And you remain humble!”

The imam seemed to be chiding him. But did the Prophet not direct a believer to know his proper place, to master overweening pride? If the great patriarchs, if the rulers and teachers had not boasted, how could such as Sahurah?

“We have not found the sultan,” reported Sahurah. “He escaped from the compound during the fighting.”

“A small matter in the context,” said the imam, waving his hand. “The capital is ours. Within a few days, we will control the entire country. The future is great, Sahurah”

“Yes”

“More work remains,” said the imam. “But we must give praise to Allah for the triumphs so far.”

“Yes” Sahurah saw now that he had denied the Lord his just thanks, and felt ashamed.

“I have heard that an American was taken prisoner at the airport,” said the commander.

“I was not aware of that,” said Sahurah. “My work has been here”

“Yes. It would be good if you were to take charge of him. He may prove valuable in the future. He was the head of the sultan’s air force.”

“I will look into it immediately.”

“There are anti-aircraft missiles there,” added the commander. “A crew has been sent from Malaysia to train our people to use them. You should select some of your best men to learn. There may be a counter-attack.”

“Understood.”

“We will have control of the nation very shortly,” said the commander. “Very shortly.”

“For the glory of Allah,” said Sahurah.

The imam smiled and got back into the car.

Brunei, near the Malaysian border

12 October 1997, 1708

McKe

“No,” she said sharply. “Wait until we’re sure of them.”

The men immediately dropped back into a crouch. McKe

The man at the wheel was bin Awg.

“All right,” she told the two policemen. “Carefully.”

As the men moved down to the water, McKe

Ammunition would be nice, as well.

McKe

“The sultan is here?” asked the prince.

“He’s fine”

“He must leave now,” said bin Awg. “I’ve arranged safe haven in the Philippines.”

“Why?” said McKe

“You don’t understand. He’s in great danger.”

“Of course I understand. But his duty is to liberate his kingdom and protect his people,” said McKe

“His duty is to preserve himself while we do that,” said bin Awg. His strides lengthened as he found the trail.

“I disagree,” said McKe

“It’s not up to you”

“Or you.”

THE PRINCE ARGUED WITH HIS UNCLE FOR MORE THAN A HALF hour, but the sultan would not be convinced. The only concession he made was that he would not personally use a rifle unless desperate measures were called for.

McKe

Brunei was by nature a land of peace. That was its greatest problem now—when the unthinkable came, it was difficult to respond.

McKe

The sultan came to the door of the small room he had adopted as his headquarters and called in McKe