The Wrath of Shakira Read online

  He had first met Shakira when he was twenty in one of Afghanistan’s training camps; they had forged a friendship before going their separate ways but had kept in touch.

  Upon his return to England, Omar had used propaganda videos to recruit young men and encouraged them to act against infidels.

  These raw recruits went to Afghanistan spending weeks training in the use of firearms and rocket propelled grenades, those with electronics aptitude learnt how to make basic circuits, practicing on wiring a light bulb up, if it came on bingo!

  They left these camps having been turned into fighting men; some went onto fight for the cause in the conflict zones around the world others returned to their home nation.

  Those that returned to England, Omar had shown them how to raise money for the cause by stealing and forging credit card details.

  Omar considered himself a Muja dine a holly warrior; the only record on him was for a shoplifting offence when he was fifteen, on that occasion he had received a Police caution.

  Six weeks earlier, he had met Shakira and Ali Hussein in Tangiers Morocco where he was given an initial payment of one hundred thousand pounds sterling towards his cause and a set of instructions to comply with.

  Shakira’s plan was to set off the device in a London underground; this would be the first phase of his revenge.

  Omar had brought a forged British passport for Hussein in order for him to enter the United Kingdom.

  Upon their return, Hussein had set up a number of cells using Omar’s contacts and men.

  The first was a logistics cell, responsible for housing, passports and credit cards.

  The second cell was for recognisance, responsible for gathering intelligence on targets.

  The last cells to be formed would be the attack cells located in safe houses, when the appropriate personnel had been brought in at the last moment.

  Hussein would become the link between the cells.

  In the previous four weeks, Hussein together with Omar had set up three safe houses one of which was the Edgware Road address.

  These had been rented on a cash basis on a six-week lease and Omar had personally handled the process.

  Omar had two men working for the London refuse collection service.

  They had been trained to look through refuse for purchase receipts that had used a credit card.

  These were collected and brought to the logistics cell; blank cards were then cloned with the receipt details to buy materials.

  Each card was only used three times and within twenty-four hours, then destroyed.

  Hussein had trained a small group of men in the direction of gathering intelligence on targets; this included taking photos written notes obtaining guidebooks and time schedules.

  Number three safe house was the residence of Hussein; the information from the recognisance cell was collated here.

  This was also, where Hussein had formulated the bomb and constructed it, using his vast experience and knowledge to create out of simple resources a volatile and highly efficient device, this would generate maximum effect in the designated target area.

  Abu Wael had entered the country one-week prior to the Paddington incident; he had gained passage on a freighter ship out of Luanda.

  The freighter had docked at Southampton and Abu Wael had slipped off the ship the first night. He had been met by Omar and driven to the safe house in London.

  Two days prior to the bombing, Abu Wael accompanied by One of Omar’s men had conducted a recognisance of the entry and exits to the underground at Edgware road and Paddington, which involved him buying a ticket for the short ride.

  He was now safe in safe house two on seventy-six Bethnal green road; he had seen the news reports on the bombing and was feeling pleased with himself.

  New Scotland Yard

  New Scotland Yard

  London

  Lat = 51 degrees, 29.9 minutes North

  Long = 0 degrees, 8.1 minutes West

  Sir Robert Dawson the Metropolitan Commissioner was holding his daily briefing at his office with a number of his senior staff.

  Dawson had joined the West Midlands police force fifteen years earlier, after completing his basic training at Ryton police training school near Coventry; he was posted to Wolverhampton on the ‘G’ division.

  He had started life walking the beat, moved rapidly onto panda cars and then gained a grade one Police driver qualification, taking him onto traffic for six months.

  Three years down the road he passed his qualifying exams and was rapidly promoted to sergeant, he spent three years on the Special Patrol Group (SPG).

  During this time, he was involved in the often-violent urban riots of the late seventies and early eighties as well as the many union strikes that had become commonplace during this period.

  The Special Patrol Group had been a key factor in maintaining and policing these unrests.

  However, they had gained a reputation of being resilient and had become feared, they were like storm troopers.

  They worked in units of eight police officers that were in turn paired up as partners, all under the control of a Sergeant.

  There emblem was a cobra snake, this had come about from the way they linked up when engaging in riot control.

  Their most effective technique was forming a wedge that could penetrate heavy densities of rioters and employing snatch squads to arrest key players.

  Upon leaving the SPG, he was promoted to inspector taking over ‘C’ shift on the ‘H’ division Green lane police station in Walsall.

  Over the coming, few years he rose rapidly through the ranks attaining the rank of Assistant Chief constable Operations.

  Dawson had become well known throughout the Police community as well as the power infrastructure of Whitehall.

  He was a rare animal. Having come through the ranks he had been there done it and had the tee shirt, much respected within the rank and file of the police community.

  When the post for Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police was on offer two years earlier, he was the obvious choice for the task.

  Commissioner Dawson had been made aware of the OSC commanded by Strayker, up until now he had not had any dealings with Strayker but that was about to change.

  In the meeting, Commander Richards was giving an update on the Paddington explosion.

  “To sum up the device was a potent one and we are still awaiting confirmation of its make-up, the final death toll is one hundred and seven with another one hundred and fifty three injured.”

  “Thank you John.”

  Commissioner Dawson looked over at Commander Benson the head of SO-13 Anti-terrorist branch.

  “Colin what have you got for us?”

  “Well sir, not a lot we have only just gained access to the CCTV tapes.”

  Commissioner Dawson gave him a questionable look. “Why has it taken this long; this is top priority, I want the name of the person responsible for the delay?”

  Benson looked uncomfortable as he answered. “The Prime Minister Sir.”

  “What the hell is going on Benson?”

  “We got to the scene and a man named Charlton flashed a government I’D. Said we could not access the incident scene, I of course objected strongly, he gave me a Whitehall phone number, the Prime Minister’s office.”

  Commissioner Dawson was visibly agitated by what he was hearing.

  “Did you phone the number?”

  “Yes sir, I spoke directly with the PM, she told me to stand to for two hours, then I would have access to the scene.”

  “Right gentlemen I want you to carry on with the investigation of this incident within your respective departments, I want a meeting here tomorrow at three pm with updates and progress reports, that’s all.”

  Once alone,
he placed a call to his personal assistant. “Put a call through to the Prime Minister.”

  Mandy.

  His personal assistant replied, “The Prime minister has already called, but she didn’t want to interrupt your meeting, I’ll put you through now.”

  “Hello Robert, how has the meeting gone?”

  “Well Ma’am I have been told that Commander Benson was obstructed in accessing the scene by you.”

  “That’s correct Robert. Its time for you to meet Major Mick Strayker of the OSC.”

  “So their involved in this Ma’am!”

  “Now Robert you will like this man, there’s a good chance that this investigation will go outside of the Island, I want you to meet him today, I have arranged a meeting at his club for two thirty, I have given the details to your secretary.”

  Dawson looked at his watch, one eighteen pm.

  “Very well Ma’am, I’ll meet with Major Strayker.”

  “Robert, you are highly regarded by me and I have total confidence in you and your people, however when the security and safety of the British Isles and its people are threatened I must bring all my resources to bear, I am sure you will appreciate this!”

  “If it means nailing the persons responsible then I agree Ma’am!”

  “Good man, enjoy your experience when you meet Strayker.”

  Commissioner Dawson left his office. “Mandy have my driver meet me down stairs in fifteen minutes.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Aerial Approach

  Aerial Approach to OSC Whitehall

  London

  Lat = 51 degrees, 30.4 minutes North

  Long = 0 degrees, 7.8 minutes West

  Travelling at 90 mph at an altitude of eleven hundred feet in combat camouflage paint a helicopter was streaking across the skies of North West London.

  Flight Lieutenant Mat Osborne was flying the SA-341 Gazelle.

  Ten minutes previously, he had received instructions and coordinates for a pick up; he had departed from RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire for the fifteen-minute flight to central London.

  Seven miles out, he had picked up the outer marker signature beacon for his destination.

  At two miles, he could see the red white and blue strobe beacons emitting from the rooftop of the pickup zone, Osborne began his descent the single Turbomeca Astazou turbo shaft engine was throttled down with the thirty-four feet and five inch rotor blade responding.

  Osborne circled around making the final approach from the East coming directly over the River Thames to touch down on top of a building in Whitehall place.

  Max Storm ran across to the Gazelle and crouched down below the rotor swing, he opened the door.

  “Hi, I’m Max you passenger.”

  “Come aboard Max, my names Mat Osborne.”

  Max jumped in and buckled up, Osborne indicated to an earpiece and microphone, Max put them on.

  “Okay Max where to?”

  “First call North Weald airfield for a pick up and then onto Biggin Hill these are the coordinates.”

  Osborne increased engine speed and altered the rotor pitch and seconds later, they were heading in a North-easterly direction over the capital.

  Chingford

  Chingford

  North East London

  Lat = 51 degrees, 37.8 minutes North

  Long = 0 degrees, 0.0 minutes East

  To

  North weald

  Lat = 51 degrees, 43.1 minutes North

  Long = 0 degrees, 9.2 minutes East

  Roy Smith was having a cup of tea at North Weald airfield; Max had phoned him at his home in Chingford asking him to meet him at North Weald.

  Roy Smith’s code name was eagle six, he was five-foot eight inches tall with broad shoulders, his light coloured hair was shaven to a number one cut and he spoke with a Geordie accent.

  Roy had slipped into his leather all in one suit and pulled the visor down on the full face mask, jumped on his Norton Commando 750cc motor bike, fired the engine up and listened for a moment at the beat of the engine, Roy rode up the A140 through Epping forest, enjoying the rush of air and scenery along the route.

  After recovering from his injuries this was the second time, he had been able to ride his bike.

  Epping Forest is just under ten miles long and two and a half miles wide and is the largest public open space in the London area.

  Roy covered the eleven-mile journey in fifteen minutes. As he downed his tea, he heard the sound of the helicopter approaching stood up and walked to the door that was ajar.

  He observed the Lynx descending creating a small amount of dust turbulence.

  As it touched down, he walked over crouching down below the arch of the rotor blades.

  One of the doors opened and Max appeared. “Welcome aboard Roy.”

  “A nice day for a bit of site seeing by air,” replied Roy.

  North Weald

  North Weald

  Lat = 51 degrees, 43.1 minutes North

  Long = 0 degrees, 9.2 minutes East

  To

  ICIS Biggin Hill

  Kent England

  Lat = 51 degrees, 19.6 minutes North

  Long = 0 degrees, 2.0 minutes East

  The helicopter dusted off and headed south the forty-seven mile journey took just under fifteen minutes.

  Flight lieutenant Osborne touched down in the North West corner of Biggin Hill airport.

  “Would you like me to wait for you?”

  “Yes we should be back in about two hours,” replied Max.

  A Black Range Rover was waiting nearby, which ferried Max and Roy the short distance to a disused gasholder station.

  Max and Roy alighted from the Range Rover. Max gestured with his arms. “Welcome to ICIS Roy.”

  Roy gave a puzzled look.

  “Follow me and all will be revealed.”

  Both men walked towards the gasholder, as they neared the building a large metal panel slid open and they both entered with the panel sliding closed behind them, a voice came from a nearby speaker.

  “Please carry out identification procedure.”

  Both men placed their eyes against an optical eye scanner where their eyes were biometrically analysed for the unique characteristics of the iris, they spoke into the voice signature monitor.

  Seconds later the panel in front of them slid open, two armed Sentinel guards stood just inside with a VDU operator.

  The female operative spoke. “Vince Edwards is expecting you sir he is in the situation room.”

  Max nodded and together both men walked down a long corridor.

  “So Max what’s the story with this place?”

  “Good question Roy; ICIS Intelligence Collating Information Service, from what I can recall this was a disused Gas holding station that had stood derelict for several years. When Strayker set up the unit he found this place and together with Vince Edwards created a high tech information gathering and analysis unit, all under the guise of a disused gas holding station.”

  “Who’s Vince Edwards?”

  “Vince; heads up ICIS and we should find him in this room.”

  As they entered the room, Roy saw Vince, Roy’s first impression was the same as everyone else who set eyes on Vince for the first time.

  He looked like a science teacher from the late fifties, collar length silver grey hair, glasses wearing a tweed suit yet ironically only thirty-two years of age.

  “Hi Vince this is Roy; Eagle six.”

  Roy shook Vince’s hand.

  Vince put his right hand to his chin. “Now where do I recall your name from?”

  In a microsecond, Vince’s mind with a British Mensa I.Q of 191 had found the answer.

  “Yes! You were with Max
when they raided Shakira’s camp, didn’t you get wounded.”

  “Yep; just a flesh wound fully fit now, Today’s my first day operational.”

  “Well you certainly have come in at the deep end,” replied Vince.

  “You have arrived at a propitious moment we have just identified your bomber Max.”

  “That’s quick work Vince, replied Max.

  “We have GAIL to thank for that.”

  “You mean one woman found our bomber.” Roy Interjected.

  “This is no ordinary woman Roy, if you would care to follow me I believe introductions are in order.”

  Roy looked at Max, Max shrugged. “Don’t look at me; this is one woman I have not met”?

  They left the situation room walking to a nearby lift Vince pressed level two, the doors closed and the lift descended.

  The door opened out into the Intel room a large circular room in the middle was a tube of vertical light similar to a fluorescent tube, but this one had a diameter of six feet.

  Max and Roy followed Vince over to the Light, as if my magic a three-dimensional hologram of a beautiful female face appeared within the shaft of light.

  “This gentleman is GAIL!”

  The female hologram said, “Hello Vince have you brought some visitors with you?”

  “Max, Roy this is Gail, Gail this is Max Eagle three and Roy eagle six.”

  “Ah yes.” GAIL replied. “I feel I know you intimately Max However, my systems tell me that you Roy are the new boy on the block”.

  Max stepped forward towards GAIL turning he looked at Vince. “Go on then explain the name GAIL.”

  “Simple really Max, Global Analysis Information Link.”

  “Well I have never seen anything like this before,

  what about you Roy?”

  “It’s a wonder of the modern world Vince,” replied Roy.

  Vince looked towards GAIL’s holograph image and said, “Do you here that GAIL; you’re a wonder of the modern world.”