Tom Clancy's op-center_ acts of war - Tom Clancy [67]
The terrorist spat something in Arabic and used his free hand to push Rodgers through the narrow opening. His legs still bound, the general stumbled and fell into the back. He immediately started to get up again. Mahmoud strode over and aimed the gun barrel at his head. He pointed for Rodgers to stay.
Rodgers started to rise. Even in the dark he could see Mahmoud's eyes go wide.
This was the moment which would define their relationship or end Rodgers's life. As the American struggled to get his feet under him, he continued to stare into his captor's eyes. Many terrorists found it easy to plant bombs, but not so easy to shoot a person they were looking in the eye.
Before Rodgers could get all the way up, Mahmoud raised his foot. He put his heel on Rodgers's chest and angrily pushed him down. Then the terrorist kicked Rodgers in the side and shouted at him again.
The blow forced the air from Rodgers's lungs, but it told him what he needed to know. The man didn't want to kill him. That didn't mean he wouldn't, but it meant that Rodgers could probably push him a little more. Rolling onto his side, Rodgers sat up and got his feet under him again. Once more he tried to stand.
Muttering angrily, Mahmoud swung a roundhouse punch at Rodgers's head. The general hadn't quite gotten up, and simply dropped back onto the floor. The fist flew over him.
"Bahstahd!" Mahmoud screamed in crude English. He stepped back and aimed the gun at Rodgers's midsection.
Rodgers turned his head around. He did not take his eyes off the Arab.
"Mahmoud, la!" Ibrahim yelled. "Stop!"
Ibrahim ran over and positioned himself between Rodgers and Mahmoud. They conferred in whispers, the newcomer pointing at Rodgers, at the computers, and then at the ROC crew. After a long silence, Mahmoud threw up his hand and walked away. Ibrahim joined him at the door and helped him carry Colonel Seden inside. He sent Hasan over to talk to Rodgers.
Rodgers had recovered from the kick, and climbed back onto his feet. He stood with his shoulders erect and his chin up. He was not looking at Hasan. In circumstances like these a prisoner tried to avoid the eyes of the interrogator. It created an aloofness, a detachment which the inquisitor had to try to breach. It also helped to prevent the prisoner from seeing the captor as a human being. However benign or compassionate he appeared to be, the man asking the questions was still an enemy.
"You were very close to death," Hasan said to Rodgers.
It wouldn't be the first time," Rodgers said.
"Ah," Hasan replied, "but it might have be the last. Mahmoud was ready to shoot you."
"To kill a human being is the least injury you can do him," Rodgers replied. He spoke slowly, wanting to make sure that Hasan understood.
Hasan regarded Rodgers curiously as Mahmoud and Ibrahim finished loading Colonel Seden onto the van. They tied him together with the others. Then Mahmoud walked over to Hasan. They spoke briefly, after which Hasan turned to Rodgers.
"It is our intention to drive this bus to Syria," Hasan said. His brow was wrinkled as he concentrated on expressing Mahmoud's wishes in English. "However, there are things which we do not understand about the driving of your bus. There are battery cells in the back and unusual meters in the front. Mahmoud wishes you to explain them."
"Tell Mahmoud that these things are used to find buried foundations, ancient tools, and other artifacts," Rodgers said. "You can also tell Mahmoud that I won't discuss the matter unless he unties my two associates and sits them in those chairs." Rodgers turned when he spoke, and said it loud enough for Pupshaw and DeVonne to hear.
The creases in Hasan's brow deepened. "Do I understand? You wish them to be freed?"
"I insist that they be treated with respect," Rodgers replied.
"Insist?" Hasan said. "Does that mean demand?"
Rodgers turned around and looked at the men standing by the front window. "It means," he said, "that if you don't treat us like people, you can sit in the desert until the Turkish Army finds you. Which will be by daybreak