<Agent Shahim Al Khazar, please report on your progress reintegrating into the forces in Pakistan.>

They had all seen his updates on the trial in Peshawar, and things had moved quickly from there. He began his report, “Things have progressed well since my trial. Many are afraid of me, and though I believe some of the old guard still plot against me, the bulk of the fighting force here has taken my name as anthem, and I am heralded as invincible. A nickname has started to spread that I am ‘Osman Returned,’ a reincarnation of the legendary Islamic warrior Osman Gazi, who was so victorious against the Byzantine Empire in the 1300s.

“It is clear that in order to promote my success here I am going to need to capitalize on that developing hero persona, possibly by discreetly encouraging an internal war between some of the factions in order to eliminate some of my rivals. Once I have declared for one side, I can swing power to the leader of that group in a series of lopsided victories. That will remove my naysayers and also leave me as heir apparent and right-hand man to the remaining leader. The distraction will also serve to help the Pakistani government to relax a little, softening them for the coming blow.

“Currently they are still very much on their guard from my attack in Islamabad, and the fast spreading rumors of my return have only bolstered their paranoia.”

Lana spoke, “It’s hardly paranoia, Agent Shahim, you did kill about 150 of them in one night.” His avatar merely nodded, but inside Shahim cringed at the memory while Lana continued snidely, “Of course, we can only hope you will continue to be as successful now you have returned to Pakistan, and not repeat the errors of your time in America.”

She looked at him and he was reminded of the conversation they had had in his apartment in New York when she had wielded the echoes of her royal influence over him. Oh, Princess Lamati, you think you are disappointed in me now, just you wait, thought Shahim.

But outwardly he looked grave and bowed slightly to the princess who called herself Agent Lana Wilson, averting his eyes in respect.

<Very well. We believe the Council should consider the motion proposed for Agent Khazar to initiate a faction war within the Taliban and Al Qaeda forces. Do we have a second?>

John Hunt nodded and the AI registered his accession, automatically initiating a vote. As Shahim had hoped, it was not a controversial topic, and the motion passed easily. So far, so good.

The meeting moved on, through discussion of the various topics left for them, winding its way excruciatingly slowly toward the all important final item on the agenda. Finally they got to the elusive topic and John allowed himself a brief glance at his sometime partner Shahim across the room as the AI introduced it.