The Unseen War
an excerpt

Chapter One

0600hrs, November 12th, 2009
International airspace, en route to North Africa,
25 Years Later…

Special Agent Mara Kade sat in the passenger compartment of the American UH-60 Black Hawk transport chopper as it made its way across the Atlantic Ocean on its way to North Africa. The wind whipped violently against the armoured hull of the craft, spraying drops of rain all over the windows as it went. She was an attractive Asian woman of about 26 years, and had the curvaceous body to match. Mara had been in the CIA for most of her adult life, but no matter how many times she did this, the pre-mission jitters never got any less intense.

At that point, her radio crackled to life, and a familiar voice came through the link. It was that of her partner, Agent Chris Redfield.

“Mara Kade, come in! Agent Kade, respond please!”

Mara fumbled for the switch, and depressed it, activating the radio link.

“This is Special Agent Mara Kade, coming in loud and clear.” She replied, “Chris, is that you?”

“That’s an affirmative, Agent Kade!” He confirmed, “Command asked me to conduct the final briefing on this mission before you go into action. You ready?”

“You better believe I’m ready!” Replied Mara, her voice full of frustration, “I was called back to headquarters last night, suited up, then sent off in this Black Hawk without any proper briefing to begin with!”

“I’m sorry about that Mara,” Replied Chris, “but things were urgent, and we couldn’t afford a delay.”

“That much I had figured out already,” she replied, “What’s wrong Chris? What’s happened?”

Chris paused and cleared his throat before continuing.

“At approximately 2100 hours last night, Ecko Adaan requested asylum from us.”

Mara’s eyes widened in shock upon hearing this. Ecko Adaan was a black market trader infamous for his connections to all sorts of shady dealings. He was well known to all the major international law-enforcement organizations, but remained a legend because he had proven to be thus far extremely elusive. The fact that he was suddenly requesting asylum from his worst enemy was troubling news indeed.

“Why?” Asked Mara. It was the only question able to emerge from her mouth.

“Apparently someone wants him dead,” replied Chris, “although who exactly it was, we don’t know.”

“Not surprising,” replied Mara, “He’s wanted by every law enforcement agency on the face of the planet.”

“True enough,” replied Chris, “but whoever the culprit may be, Director Smith wants Adaan brought in for questioning ASAP—the knowledge and connections he has could give us everything we need to deal a major blow to organized crime both in America and abroad!”

“Alright,” replied Mara nodding, “so where’s the LZ?”

“You’ll be infiltrating a secure compound on a remote island off the coast of mainland North Africa. It seems to be run by a local mercenary group, and they’ve got Adaan and are holding him in their detention block. He managed to send out a distress call before he got captured, but that’s all we’ve got—no building plans, layout, guard positions—nothing!”

“Great,” sighed Mara, “So I’m going in blind, is that it?”

“Not exactly,” replied Chris, “I’ll be in constant radio contact with you over this small microphone to provide you with tech support, and we do know that Adaan’s transmitter is emitting a small locating beacon. It’s much too weak to pick up from here, but when you get closer to him, you’ll start to pick it up. That’s your clue—other than that, you’re on your own. Good luck!”

“Thanks Chris,” Mara replied, “I think I’m going to need it!”

Ma’am!” Hollered back the copter’ pilot at that point, fighting the roar of the engines to be heard, “We’re almost at the LZ—ETA is one minute!”

“I’ll let you go for now—radio silence until you’re in the building.” Began Chris, “Take care, Mara, and bring that bastard home!”

“I intend to!” Replied Mara as she strapped on her parachute. The pilot shouted back that they had arrived at that point, and Mara made one last check of her equipment as the compartment door opened, allowing the wind and rain to hit her body at full force. With that, she spread her arms and leapt out of the chopper, letting herself soar towards her objective...
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