The rumble of large trucks echoed through the room. Standing, the man went to the window and watched Amir as he motioned for the new arrivals to back up to the storage room. The doors were flung wide, and crates and boxes were loaded into the back. Walking back to his desk, he gathered up his notes and stuffed them into his rucksack. It was time to move to the final staging area.

10 days

Commander Jonathan S. Dixon poured over his emails when a knock sounded on his door.

"Come in," he called out but never raised his eyes from the screen. The sound of a throat clearing pulled his attention. "What is it, Daniels?"

 "You're needed immediately, Sir. There are members of NSA, CIA and Homeland Security waiting in 162."

Dixon knew this was major. Normally, he wouldn't be called into a meeting with that many acronyms involved unless it was urgent. He stomach dropped as he feared for the worse. Standing, he grabbed his lid and motioned for the staff secretary to lead the way. Arriving at the meeting room, he walked in. The room was full of people in both civilian clothes and uniform. This was big. Taking an empty seat next to a pretty brunette, he waited for the shoe to drop.

Two more brass entered then the door closed and a man wearing a black suit and slicked back black hair stood. Approaching the front of the room he addressed them.

"I'm Christopher Feltzer of Homeland Security." He proceeded to introduce the remaining suits. When he was done, he took a deep breath and dove into the reason for the meeting.

"As most of you are aware, the attacks perpetrated in Cannes, and Novi Sad came at a complete surprise. There was no chatter that anything was coming. This has had every intel gathering office scrambling. Then two days ago, we got a break."

He pressed a button, and the room darkened as a bright light focused up front. Pieces of conversation between two people in a virtual chat room flashed on the screen.

"One of our technicians found this bit of data while scouring for specific phrases. Once they were spotted, we were able to decipher the conversations between these two individuals. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a prospective target."

 

 

The briefing room was packed to the limit with more than twenty SEALs and a vast variety of support personnel. The two teams, Alpha and Bravo, sat in clusters, talking among themselves quietly about the meaning of this massive call-in. Every one of them hoped it was time to put the terrorist to bed finally. Permanently. Haafiz al-Bashir's face had been plastered on every news outlet in the world as he gloated over the massive destruction wrought in his name.

A shrill whistle pierced the low rumble of voices. "Listen up," a man's voice barked. Immediately, silence dropped in the room.

Dixon stepped to the front of the room and glared over the assembled. A veteran of almost fifty years, he had seen his share of evil in this world on an up close and personal level. At five-eleven and two hundred, sixty pounds, he was still a force of reckoning. His steel blue eyes showed no emotion as he addressed the gathering.

"This man," he pointed to a large poster containing al-Bashir's face, "was elevated to the number one spot on the list. Haafiz al-Bashir, code name 'Fedora' has become our top priority. As you are aware, we formed two tactical strike teams designated Alpha and Bravo." He pointed to the two sides. "The sole purpose of these teams is to take out Fedora with extreme prejudice."

He's steely glance took in the room as he continued. "He's getting ready to strike again."

The room filled with angry murmurs. Dixon silenced them by holding his hand up.

"We have received intel for an impending attack. Barcelona Spain will host an artistic show ten days from now. The show will feature works by world-renown sculptor Yasmena Riviera. La Ninfa Erotica is a collection of twenty-three statues depicting young women in suggestive and somewhat sexual acts. Crowds are expected to be in the thousands for each of the three days. This venue fits the MO for Fedora's group perfectly. The state department contacted the Spanish government in hopes of postponing, but they refuse. Because of the bombings in Cannes and Novi Sad, security had already been tripled. Given the new intel, the Spanish army will have the place on tight lockdown."

Toad raised his hand. "I volunteer to go be eyes at the show. You know, for the sake of goodwill."

Bruiser slapped him in the back of the head as the room chuckled. "We can't let you out of the playpen for one minute."

Railroad leaned over and whispered, "Naked statues, not women, you numbskull."

Toad shrugged nonchalantly. "Po-tay-to, po-tah-to."

Bruiser growled, "Put it back in your pants and pay attention."

When the laughs died down, Dixon continued. However, there was a slight smile on his face. "The intel netted us a surprise. We have a viable location for Fedora, and we're going to take him out before he can put his plans for Barcelona into action."

Once again the room erupted in voices. When it settled, he continued.

"Alpha team will take the lead on this one. Bravo is in reserve. The DOD has green-lighted this op with the full support of the State Department. Here is the information we have." The screen on the wall lit up with a map containing several marks on it. "It's time to put together a plan and stop this maniac once and for all. Wheels up in sixteen hours and I want to have at least three scenarios ready by then."