BRING ODESSA DOWN, Or Do Not Come Back Alive - Sheik Abu Bin Nidal

Bozak continued. "Where did you find that cigar, in a whore house? I don't see how you can stand it."

"I got use to it. Others will, too." He took a long drag on the cigar, and while the smoke lingered, he took another one. Do the world a favor. . . stifle." Capt. Bozak wouldn't let up. "Had the crime been

against a Christian, of Jew, nothing would have been said. But you crossed the line with your sister, I mean, hell, we know she was a fabulous piece of ass, but you, with your sister? It's against law. . . it's worse than. . ." he searched for the right word, "insanity, you idiot! That's the word I'm looking for; fucking idiot!" repeated with emphasis.

The glazed steel in his eyes mirrored his limit. "Be cautioned! Cross the line at your own peril."

If Capt. Bozak noticed, he didn't let on, but he did continue calmly. "You hang by a thin thread that could easily become a rope in the hands of a regime other than the Taliman, and would have already, had it not been for Sheik Abu bin Nidal." He paused for a moment to study Ajax. "I see a disturbing defiance about you. If there is something about our cause that bothers you, I should know what it is."

Again, Ajax's hate locked onto Capt. Bozak. I'm not that much of an idiot. "I have contributed more to our cause than anyone, and that includes you. The only reward I ask for is peace. Is that asking too much?"

"Sheik Abu bin Nidal prophesied to the world that those who die in the line of duty will inherit seventy virgins on the other side. Those who make it there can screw their brains to mush. To understand that prophesy, how you die, is to know your future."

Ajax nodded. "I remember. That prophesy was inspire while his tent was spread on the grass of a fresh water lake, in the shade of date palms with dozens of beautiful women at his beckon call. I can't help wondering, was that prophesy inspired by Allah, or did it come at the end of a wild, sexual activity that drained him of all his orgasmic fluid? I must remember to be contrite when I. . ."

Bozak didn't let him finish. "Hope to God you never meet. A nod of his head can cause you to lose yours." He stopped abruptly, happy to change the subject. He smiled approvingly as he placed his arm about the shoulder of the man drinking tea. "Take my friend here. . . He's a man I can trust. Give me two hundred like him. We would change the world."

The man with the tea didn't take his eyes off the glass. "I have to piss," he said.

Captain Bozak ignored his request. "I love this man. Smart. . . very smart. He is my brother. I will do anything for him. If he is killed, I will take better care of his family than he can, and I will not only be a father to his children, I will avenge his death with my life, if necessary."

The man still didn't take his eyes off the glass. "I have to piss." He was more emphatic this time.

"It's all right," Capt. Bozak said. "Outside. Piss on the wall."

Ajax called after him; "If anyone says anything, tell them Captain Bozak gave you permission to piss."

Bozak looked at him sharply. "You have a way that incites one with the urge to slap the piss out of you, Ajax, and if time permitted, I would do that. That's how close you've come."

Ajax ignored him. "Where did you find him?"

"He was like a homeless dog, looking for a friend. His family is on the verge of starving."

"Lucky he met you," said Ajax with a knowing smile.

"Isn't he, though," Bozak returned his smile. "He's going to drive the truck."

Just the mention of the truck said it all. The implication was the thread that separates the world of the living, and that of Allah.