“Africa is the world’s largest home of radical Islam: al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda, Daesh, and half a dozen other extremist organizations are recruiting, training, and terrorizing the second most populous continent on earth. In another decade, the two billion people living in the failed states of Africa are going to present a catastrophic threat to world stability. The continent has been a nexus for smugglers and arms traffickers for five hundred years, and now Iran, North Korea, Russia, and a dozen others are operating outside the law and bleeding it dry. With the United States pulling out of the region, the continent is going to implode. Tens or maybe hundreds of millions of people will die.”

Jake didn’t dispute a word that Graves had said. Fueled by corruption and illicit weapons, Africa was on a downward spiral into anarchy.

“Black Flag is about developing a covert instrument of national power,” Ted continued. “China is already playing the long game. They’re mining raw materials there now, but they’ll use that as justification to ‘stabilize’ the region when their investments are threatened by political collapse. Do you think a China that dominates Asia and Africa might possibly present a threat to U.S. security?”

“All valid points, but we could address the maritime threat with naval patrols.”

“The oceans are too vast for denial forces, Jake. Hell, the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean are almost thirty million square miles. We might need Yaxaas once a year or once a month, but with our intel and his capabilities, we’ll be able to prevent a lawless Africa from knocking the world off its axis.”

“You’re going to use Yaxaas as a CIA navy?”

“We’re going to use a local solution to a local problem.”

Jake wasn’t happy with the idea of working with the warlord, but the logic behind it wasn’t as hollow as he’d first thought.

“It does give us deniability,” he conceded.

“Better than deniability,” said Graves. “Our involvement won’t even be suspected. Some of these shipments may not be illegal, but they’re unquestionably not in the best interests of the people of Africa or the United States.”

“Do you think you can trust Yaxaas?”

“Not even close, but you and the Ground Branch team are going to make him understand that there will be severe consequences if he deviates from our agreement.”

Jake kept pressing, but Graves had an answer for every question. The man was unconventional, but that was part of his brilliance. Few people thought as radically as Ted Graves.

“I think I convinced Athena Romanos not to go to INTERPOL,” Jake said, “but their next ship will be in the Arabian Gulf in two days, and she’s going to turn it around the second she finds out we haven’t rolled up the pirate ring.”

Graves scowled. “You’re covered as State Department, right?”

Jake nodded.