Carrick Roads

Kismayo, Somalia

Kismayo, SomaliaJabir Al Masri stood on the Al Rashid’s Hotel balcony, gazing out across the shimmering surface of the Indian Ocean’s quivering reflection as the enormous Sun’s red orb slid gradually behind the distant edge of the horizon. Dropping his eyes he could see the Sha Maris, berthed across the bay, in Kishmayo Port.

Since being put in charge of this mission, Jabir had been working with a Somalian Pirate cell. The metallic voice of the “Mullah” calling Muslims to prayer through the loudspeakers mounted on the towering minaret of a nearby mosque, interrupted his thoughts.

Jabir turned and looked reflectively at the other five men standing in the room.

“Brothers, thank-you for coming, I expect you are wondering why I asked you here today. Let me say we have an ideal opportunity to further our cause and attack the infidel in his homeland.” He sauntered over to a marble table and lowered his gaze down onto a British Admiralty Chart spread out across the table.

“The English coast my brothers.” The others stopped their fervent chatter and gathered around the table.

Pointing to an inland stretch of water on the chart. Jabir said, “this is where we will begin our mission, Carrick Roads.” He moved his finger along the south coast, stopping at Folkestone. “Here is our target!”

They studied the locations, Jabir’s finger had been pointing to.

Taajir Sadiq, appeared uneasy and somewhat puzzled. He gazed up at Jabir. “Why so far from our target? Isn’t that going to create logistical problems?”

Jabir looked up, smiled and said, “quite the opposite Taajir, this location will provide us with an excellent secluded base for carrying out our mission, when the time comes.”

“How secure is this place?” Said Taajir.

Jabir sighed, “let’s just say our people have their ways.”

Taajir shrugged his shoulders. “Okay Jabir, but a mission, such as you have outlined, only comes once in a lifetime.”

“Commendable Taajir, but, our planning for this mission has been meticulous down to the last detail. Okay, if there’s nothing else, we set sail for England tonight, so let’s all get back to work and make sure the Sha Maris is ready to put to sea on the late evening tide.”

The Sha Maris is a research and survey vessel with well-appointed accommodation, arranged on three decks with ample sleeping for up to 30. There was a spacious lounge equipped with satellite TV and video system. She had spent her working life around the Arabian Gulf and, off the coast of Oman.

During the past couple of years, she had been laid up, almost forgotten, in a backwater creek in Dubai. The humid climate of the Middle East had taken its toll over those years on her steel plating and decking.

Her new owners, the Avenging Lions, had been fortunate to buy her for a bargain price. After buying her, they moved her down to the port of Kismayo, in Somalia, where the Sha Maris had undergone a major overhaul and refit and renamed the Exeter Star.

Jabir picked up the phone and dialled room 2301. “Ah! Khadar, send Hammad to my room, please.”

“Yes, sir.”

Hearing a knock on his door, he calls out “come in Hammad.”

“Salaam Alaykum,” said Hammad.

“Alaykum-Salaam, please come in Hammad and sit down and have some coffee.”

Hammad was curious why he’d been asked to see Jabir.

“I understand you have a masters ticket, Hammad?”

“Yes, sir, I have been a captain of many merchant vessels in my time.”

“How would you like to work for me?”

“What sort of work do you wish me to do sir?”

“I need an experienced captain to sail the Exeter Star to the UK, but we need to leave tonight!”

Hammad exclaimed “Oh! Tonight!”

“Can you be ready at such short notice Hammad?”

“I would need to attend to a few personal matters first, but yes, I could sail tonight.”

“Okay, Shrokan, Hammad, you will be paid a very generous salary, together with a substantial bonus on completion of your assignment. I will prepare your contract and meet you on board this evening. We will need to leave port no later than 21:00 hours.”

Hammad strolled back along the corridor toward the lifts thinking about the significant salary and bonus he will get for this job, which will ensure he will now be able to pay for his daughter to go to a university in Europe.

Jabir called room 2301 again. “Khadar, all done, come to my room please.”

“Did Taajir and his men suspect anything?” Said Kadar.

“No they think they are the full team.”

“How are we going to reveal the UK based team, without raising Taajir’s suspicions?”

“It’s part of our master plan. We’ll say the mission has changed because of an exceptional opportunity has arisen. So we have hired a second group to operate alongside us. Are this team ready to join us when we call them?”

“Yes, Jabir, I contacted Jamal this morning. He confirmed they’re prepared and can travel down to Trevallis Manor when we need them.”

“Good, that’s very good,” said Jabir.

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