Seeking Contact

[Jamie]

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
Security Classification: TOP SECRET

A few days after the attacks in London, Lawrence sat confined in his private office, reviewing reports presented by the Security Services and watching re-runs of Al-Qaeda’s announcement claiming responsibility for the attack. His hands slowly clasped together as he contemplated a retaliation that could define his legacy. He had already publicly promised a response, and though he trusted the security services to conduct their investigations within the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister knew the true instigators were in a foreign country. The public had no appetite for war, but someone had to be held accountable.

It was well known that Al-Qaeda used Afghanistan as a safe haven, but the extent of their operations there had never been fully certain. Adams leaned back in his chair, releasing a deep sigh. Suddenly, with a decisive motion, he sat up and pressed a button that connected him directly to his Secretary.

“Can you reach someone high up in the Afghan government? Ideally, Prime Minister Waziri,” he said, his tone steady but urgent. Leaning back again, he exhaled slowly, the seconds felt endless as he waited for a response. Grant

 

[Grant]

Prime Minister Faridullah Waziri sat at the conference table, engaged in a serious discussion with Interior Minister Osman Khan and Defense Minister Javed Karim. They were strategizing their next move to secure Afghanistan's regions from the hidden Taliban threat. The conversation shifted from one tactical concern to another as maps of key regions were spread across the table. Suddenly, the intercom on the table buzzed loudly. Faridullah's hand froze mid-sentence, and both Osman and Javed halted at the disturbance. The Prime Minister leant forward and accepted the transmission.

"Prime Minister Waziri, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is on the line," a voice from the intercom announced.

Faridullah raised a hand, signalling for the generals standing near the door to step outside. "Generals, please wait outside until we’re finished with this call," he instructed, his voice firm. The officers exchanged brief glances and filed out of the room quietly, leaving only the three ministers in the conference room.

“Put him through,” Faridullah ordered. A brief static click indicated that the call had connected through the intercom system.

"Greetings, Prime Minister. You are speaking with Prime Minister Waziri. I would like to express my condolences regarding the terrible attacks that have occurred in your capital city. I assume that is why you are calling?"

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

As the seconds ticked by awaiting a response, Lawrence shifted into a more comfortable position, raising the phone to his ear and promptly switching off the speaker that had been active during the wait.

"Good evening, Prime Minister Waziri," Lawrence greeted, his tone likely conveying an unspoken response to the question posed.

"Thank you, and I’m afraid so. Here in the UK, we’re still conducting an investigation to pinpoint those directly involved, but it’s clear that Al-Qaeda, as an organization, bears the ultimate responsibility. Regrettably, they will face the consequences—one way or another. I’d like your support.

It’s well-known that the group has operations in Afghanistan, but I’m unclear on the extent of their activities or where their leadership might typically gather. If you’re willing to assist, I’d appreciate any intelligence you might have on their known operating areas, facilities, or any other relevant details you’re able to share and I suppose, to understand your relationship with them too?" Grant

 

[Grant]

Faridullah hesitated momentarily, carefully choosing his words before responding to the British Prime Minister.

"Prime Minister, let me be clear—our allegiance does not lie with Al-Qaeda or the Taliban. Until recently, our nation was under its grip. Kabul fell when Al-Qaeda joined forces with the Taliban, plunging our country into darkness. Under their rule, life changed overnight. We were forced to serve them as the so-called government. But with a forceful coup, we reclaimed Kabul. That victory, however, is only the beginning—the fight is far from over. Their forces plague our lands. Something we hope to change in due course."

He gestured toward the Minister of Defence, seated across the table, before continuing in a measured tone.

"My Defence Minister has kept me informed of the latest intelligence. Unfortunately, we have little to offer at this time. After the attack in London and the coup in Kabul, they've scattered like rats, retreating into the shadows. We have identified several locations where both group's leadership previously operated. However, these are deep into Taliban territory, so a direct assault will prove fruitless, and the body count investigating it, meaningless."

The Prime Minister shifted in his seat, visibly deep in thought, before leaning forward slightly. His voice was calm but firm.

"Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are not pests you can simply stamp out and move on from. For every leader you eliminate, another radical rises to take their place. They have hundreds of cells across Northern Africa and Central Asia. So tell me, Prime Minister—what is it you truly hope to achieve? You can't just send in an army and expect to wipe them out."

Jamie

 

[Jamie]

Lawrence arched an eyebrow, jotting down a few notes on the paper before him.

"Perhaps I've misunderstood, or are you referring to another discussion? I’ve neither suggested a direct assault nor advocated sending in an army," he remarked, his tone rhetorical. A slight shrug accompanied his words as he leaned back, his expression calm despite the tension in the conversation. He had already noticed how quickly the Afghani Prime Minister tended to leap to conclusions—a tendency that troubled him from the off. It already felt like the Afghanistan Government had accepted defeat as far as Al-Qaeda were concerned.

"I have no interest in war, categorically," he continued. "My objective is straightforward: I want direct communication with their leadership. That’s not easy when they’re hiding in caves. It’s much simpler to engage when you know where to reach someone. Your cooperation in sharing the locations of their previous operations would be invaluable. It would provide me with a solid starting point, and it would also assist the International Court of Justice when it comes time to send official correspondence."

A brief silence hung in the air.

"Out of curiosity, I find myself intrigued by the circumstances that led to your term in office. I wasn’t aware it was a coup that enabled you to reclaim Kabul. If not through direct assault or deploying an army, how did you prevent another radical leader from taking power in Kabul?" His tone remained steady, but his thoughts were racing. Perhaps they didn’t stop another radical leader at all. Grant

 

[Grant]

Faridullah paused, reassessing his words, wondering if he had been harsher than necessary toward Lawrence. The tension on the call was palpable, and he knew he had to de-escalate it as best he could.

"You must forgive me, Prime Minister. With the world crying out for war against Al-Qaeda after their atrocities in London, you can understand my growing concern for my nation. I have dealt with these people before—been forced to work with them—and if you take anything from this discussion, let it be this: diplomacy will not work. I know this firsthand. Perhaps that is why I assumed you would immediately resort to force, and for that, I apologize."

Faridullah reached for a folder in front of the Defence Minister and slid it across the table before opening it. A neatly typed double-page spread lay before him, stamped with a single word: "Vanguard". His eyes skimmed over the details, ensuring everything was in order before he continued to speak.

"Al-Qaeda claims to fight in the name of Islam, yet their actions cast suspicion on our entire culture. It chills me to think where this might lead in the coming year. Naturally, that puts me on the defensive. As for their known locations, I have already dispatched a unit to scout ahead—I fear they may have moved on. I will not risk giving you false information or wasting your time."

A brief silence settled over the room as Lawrence posed his final question. Faridullah glanced at the two men beside him, his gaze shifting between them. He wondered why the Prime Minister was so interested, but ultimately, he indulged him.

"My administration began long before the Taliban takeover, Prime Minister. Their method is simple—if they cannot control you, they kill you and replace you with their own. If they find you useful, you live to serve their cause another day. Our initial leadership was met with great success among the people, and the Taliban saw an opportunity to manipulate that support. But we saw through their masks, and so did our military commanders. We played the long game and planned. Even under watchful eyes, our officers remained loyal to our administration. Calling them to rise, to reclaim Kabul piece by piece, was vital to the coup’s success. That, and a little outside help."

Jamie