ANA Reborn by Carl Facciponte - HTML preview
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Chapter 23
ad Bahar finished his morning coffee and J walked to the front door of his home. Tarek lifted his young boy-arms for a hug.
“I will see you tonight, Hala,” he said to his wife.
“Khoda Hafez,” she responded. “God keep you safe,” and returned to cleaning the kitchen.
The road to the meeting house was dusty and sun-baked as Jad slowly pumped the pedals on his bicycle.
“Bagram Airbase, launch MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone.”
“Yes, Sir. Launching MQ-1C drone.”
The drone rolled down the runway and lifted into the sky, with its air-to-surface missiles mounted, for the several-hundred-mile mission flight.
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When friends at a local juice bar saw Jad passing, they waved to him. The hot, dry air suddenly seemed intolerable He stopped, dismounted, and ordered a cool drink of pomegranate juice with friends. Reporting his estimate of the poppy black paste from his fields to the co-op could certainly wait for a while on such a hot day.
An hour of pleasantries passed quickly. Jad waved goodbye as he mounted his bicycle and continued his ride. He passed the outskirts of town and pedaled through the empty desert on the way to his meeting.
“Sir, terrorist target acquired and verified.
Arming missiles.”
“Engage target when ready.” came the reply.
“Understood. Engaging target and releasing AGM-114 Hellfire Missile #1.”
Jad Bahar and his bicycle disappeared with a thunderous roar and flash. The debris scattered far beyond the six-foot diameter hole in the road.
“Blow me in, will he?” said Lance quietly as he ended the call.
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Carl Facciponte