He insists, however, upon riding at Ben-David’s side. He takes the Zombie Killer and packs one of the tunnel-busters behind the truck cab’s seat. His instructions to me, acceded to by Ben-David, are to rivet myself to Rachel. I am to ride with her, hydrate with her, march to the ladies’ loo with her. She is not to be permitted to stray from my sight or supervision under any circumstances. Nor will Manning let her be issued a weapon. Further, at his insistence, I have outfitted Rachel with an NYPD-issue lapel cam and audio recorder exactly like the ones Manning and I wear.

ME

(to Rachel)

From now on, every word you speak, every sound within your hearing, and everything this camera sees will be recorded. You don’t have to do a thing. It’s automatic. Goes straight to the cloud, meaning the permanent database of the NYPD.

The convoy vehicles themselves are equipped with sophisticated Israeli-made comm gear, including interior and exterior cameras linking all vehicles to the column commander, i.e., Ben-David, and to one another. Every trooper wears a mike and headset. Every console/instrument panel mounts separate tablet-type screens for each truck and Humvee. All are tied in by laser and GPS locators, so that each vehicle knows where all others are at all times. Rachel’s police recorders are for Manning and me only, so that we miss nothing of what she does or says.

The convoy proceeds north out of Ein Gedi on highway 90. The Dead Sea is on our right. We stop briefly at the research facility at Mitspe Shalem. There Ben-David picks up more eco-equipment for Cyprus.

The loading proceeds in heat so intense even the birds and lizards have taken cover. Dana and her security party are nearing a breaking point, not so much from the heat or the labor, but from the tension produced by the foreknowledge of what they might have to confront, i.e., Instancer—and the fact that this eventuality has apparently not been addressed by their commander.

Here under the eaves Dana stands and confronts Ben-David.

She does so with respect but with passion.

DANA

Amos, our orders are to escort you and this equipment to Haifa and to see you safely aboard ship for Cyprus. This of course we shall do. However . . .

Giora, Hemi, and the other troopers listen intently. Dana gestures to Manning, to Rachel, and to me.

DANA

None of us in the security party is blind or deaf. We have read the news and heard the rumors. We know who these people are and why they are here—

BEN-DAVID

And your question is?

DANA

We are soldiers, Amos. We are not afraid to fight.

Ben-David’s glance scans the faces of the other paratroopers. Clearly they stand with their lieutenant.

BEN-DAVID

Our destination, Dana, remains Haifa. Should that change, I promise you will be the first to know.