Lost and Found

[Nathan]

Iraq Intelligence Services had spent months chasing the shadow of Saddam Hussein. Special operatives had scoured Tikrit with little luck in finding him. However, today they’re luck would change.

Police Officer Zainab was part of the search party for the local police officers. In plain clothes, he was assigned the task of prowling the streets for signs of Saddam Hussein. The weather was scorching, beating hard on the dusty streets of Tikrit, no humidity in the air just pure heat. Zainab pulled into a local corner store to purchase more drinks for his search.

Opening the store, Zainab begun to head to the drinks. Picking up a drink he took it to the till and paid. The shopkeeper took his money, before heading into a backroom. Zainab turned back around to head out as the shop door made the chime of someone else entering its void. Zainab caught a glimpse of the man, he looked familiar. Zainab wasn’t sure, but he looked like an ex officer of Saddam’s paramilitary. As the man passed, they exchanged a polite nod as the man held the door open. Taking hold of the door, Zainab would wait a second before ducking back into the shop unseen. The door made it’s tell-tale chime of someone exiting the building.

Zainab listened in as the man headed to the till. He could hear the back room door close as the shopkeeper returned to the shop.

“Good morning, Brother”, the man exclaimed to the shop keeper “coming in to pick up our regular shop”

The shop keeper looked panicked as he scrambled to put together the shopping list. Zainab continued to hide behind the shopping shelf.

“Please forgive me, I completely forgot to put together you’re order! I do hope the President can forgive me” The shop keeper exclaimed in between hastily packing food into a bag.

“Quiet brother! There are ears everywhere. Continue packing!”

Zainab’s ears perked up at the mention of President. Had he accidentally hit the jackpot? Months of hard work on the streets may have finally paid off. Saddam had run a military operation to keep himself disguised, but a loose lip may have ruined it all. Zainab’s hope was quickly brought back to earth as the sound of a bag being picked up and money being exchanged. Footsteps filled the room as the man headed back out towards the door. Zainab closed in closer to the door, remaining out of sight. Waiting for the chime, he waited ready to make his quick getaway.

The door chimed. Zainab burst forward, catching the door behind the shadow of the man. The light and heat of Tikrit hit him as he exited the building.

Zainab moved to his car as the man moved to his. Both men entered their vehicles at the same time. Zainab’s eyes kept firmly on his prey as the two vehicles moved off. Kicking up the dust from the old streets of the city.

The cars followed each other for an hour and a half. Keeping a good distance, Zainab managed to keep himself undetected. Before long, the car pulled into a guarded farmhouse. Zainab was sure that he could not get any further. Pulling into the side of the street, he grabbed a long-range camera from his car and headed into the bush.

Taking position high up in a tree, he could see the side of the building and it’s roof. Scanning, through the lens he could make out figures on the roof, carrying RPG’s and sniper rifles. Whatever was in the building was a high valued target. He spent 10 minutes taking photos, moving to each side to get a 360 view of the building.

Crunch

A twig cracked behind him as voices grew in volume. Zainab knew his time was up. Swiftly and quietly, he slipped away.

Driving back, Zainab felt like the fate of Iraq depended on these images. He knew Iraq and the UK would be looking for Saddam’s location, ready to launch an assault on him. Upon reaching the police station, he sent the most important email of his life..

 

[Nathan]

President Taha was enjoying a lunch with the First Gentleman and their 2 sons when the call was received.

“President Taha, we have an urgent situation developing. Please can you attend your office immediately” Rayya recognised the voice of National Security Advisor Ibrahim Al Mohsen “You’re not going to believe this”

Rayya sighed as she left her meal half finished. Leaving the comfort of her new apartment in the Republican Palace to return to the more formal setting of the executive building. The walk through the grand palace left Rayya sick in the stomach on her first few days in power. Whilst Iraq was starving, Saddam Hussein was living the life of luxury in the Palace.

The marbled flooring left an imposing thump as Rayya walked through the corridors. The first few nights had been difficult, constant meetings and cabinet appointments on top of her commitments as a mother. Still though, Rayya remained sure this role was her destiny.

Rayya’s time for reflection and self-awareness came to an abrupt halt as she entered her office. Hunched over laptops and computers were senior members of the military, cabinet members and the national security advisor. As she entered, the men stood to their feet. The generals fired off salutes towards Rayya. Rayya swiped her hands down, as the men returned to the bustle of their jobs.

“Madam President, we believe we have located Saddam Hussein. He is holed up in a disused farm outside of Tikrit. Security is high. Professional looking militants with high powered sniper rifles and RPGs.” NSA advisor Al Mohsen described. Raising his voice to be held over the chaos of the office.

“How do we know it is him Ibrahim, it could be anyone?” Rayya had been given false hope before, she was sure she would not risk soldier’s lives for a low valued target

“A police officer overheard a conversation referring to a President living there. That given the high security levels would support Saddam being there… I am 90% sure it is Saddam.”

“How did the police officer overheard that conversation?” Rayya said confused. She took a seat at the desk

“He was thirsty Ma’am” Al Mohsen placed several files in front of her “We have a joint UK-Iraq mission ready to go. If you are content, we can notify the British commanders to launch the operation. With you’re permission, Task Force Grey will storm the building.”

Rayya paused; this was her first major decision as President. The lives of soldiers would be put in harms way. If her advisors were wrong, the loss of soldiers could cause severe political damage, and personal guilt for the President. Rayya looked around the room, the room has since gone quiet. The sound of a pin drop could be heard. Rayya took a breath.

“Launch it” Rayya forced the words to fill the room. “Get me further eyes on that house, aerial reconnaissance and surveillance. Get me in contact with Task Force Grey”