Shahim took the man’s shoulder, “Hassim, hear me. We like to think we are fighters, but we are, in truth, little more than cowards. We hide in caves and then attack without warning or control. We massacre innocents under the banner of God and insult His name every time we do so. This fight,” Shahim waved his hand around the burning night, “this fight is more important than you could possibly know, but not for any of the reasons you think. If you survive tonight, then I beseech you to return to your home, and give yourself over to peace. We are not worthy to take on His work, and we insult Him when we take up arms in His name. If these men here deserved to die for some Holy War, would He not smite them? Who are we to act on His behalf?”

Hassim stared at the man, dazed. What was he saying?!

“For my part, well, I am beyond redemption.” Shahim continued, “I am going to face whatever judgment awaits me. I promise, Hassim, with absolute certainty, that you will never hear from Shahim Al Khazar again after this night. No matter what else happens, that man dies now.”

And with that Shahim turned away from the dumbfounded Hassim. The burly warrior took a few steps back from the edge of the roof, and then, to everyone’s astonishment, ran and leapt off the roof of the two-story building, landing with a roll on the concrete parade ground below. They watched as he tucked and then came to his feet in one smooth motion and set off at a run across the quad. He was heading north, right into the hailstorm, and they stared after him as he disappeared into the violent night.

Chapter 50: Hidden Pathways

On the far side of the planet, it was still early evening in Washington, and the president was sitting and cupping a hot mug of coffee, and looking in confusion at the collection of people in his office. An hour beforehand, the president’s chief of staff had informed him that Admiral Hamilton was requesting a private meeting with the president immediately. He was told that the admiral had not said why, but had stressed that it concerned national security and that it was imperative that the meeting happen without delay. The president had found himself in his Oval Office just before he was supposed to be getting ready for dinner with his family, sipping his coffee and bracing for whatever news the admiral might be bringing.

The meeting had started strangely and only gotten stranger. The president was no newcomer to sudden emergency meetings being called by any one of a number of his inner circle of advisors, aides, and close political allies. But to have such a meeting called by the senior admiral of the navy was very unusual.