Rogue mission, p.1
Rogue Mission, page 1
Rogue Mission
Book 7 in the Dan Stone series
A Novel
By
David Nees
Copyright © 2022 David E. Nees
All rights reserved
This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by electronic, mechanical or any other means, without the express permission of the author.
Rogue Mission, Book 7 in the Dan Stone series is a work of fiction and should be construed as nothing but. All characters, locales, and incidents portrayed in the novel are products of the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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For more information about my writing, please visit my website at http://www.davidnees.com
For Carla
You always inspire me to be my best.
Many thanks to Eric who not only encourages, but gives critical feedback that makes a rough text shine. Your generous gift of time and attention is very much appreciated.
Further thanks go to my beta readers. Brian, Paul, Ed, Alex, Joyce, Bruce, and Bob. These are people who have enjoyed my stories over time and unselfishly contributed to this book’s success with their critical reads. You have made this novel a better one.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 19
Chapter 18
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Afterword
Rogue Mission
“If something can corrupt you,
You’re corrupted already.”—Bob Marley
“Diapers and politicians should be changed often.
Both for the same reason.”—Unknown
“Desperate diseases must have desperate remedies.”—Proverb
Chapter 1
___________________________________
T he lab in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, run by the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization for the Centre for Pandemic Research, was connected to the University in the city. It carried a high safety ranking but was not part of the International Experts Groups of Biosafety and Biosecurity Regulators, or IEGBBR. This organization set standards for biosafety and biosecurity. Not being a member didn’t mean the lab had inadequate security, but it might not be of the latest levels as recommended by the organization.
The building was set out with one long wing where the secure labs were located. This was connected by a segment to another shorter wing that housed the administration offices and main entrance. Fortuitously, there was a large clump of woods near the building, which made for a perfect place to assemble the assault team.
The night was chilly this far north, even in late summer, as the days were getting shorter and the sun lower in the sky. The men Zhōu had assigned watched from the tree line with night vision optics. By 9 pm, all the workers had gone, and the only cars left in the parking lot belonged to the overnight security detail.
A van pulled up on the adjacent street. It had multiple antennas on it. The assault leader waited for the word that the men in the van had jammed the phones, so no calls or alarms could go out.
“You are all clear,” came the disembodied voice.
“Good. We will begin. I will update you. Have the second van ready to pick us up.”
The men emerged from the trees and quickly dashed across the dark parking lot. The security cameras would not record their passing. They stopped at the front doors and pulled hoods over their faces. They were all carrying Zastava AK47 pistols, the shortened version of the rifle with a pistol grip, short barrel, and collapsible stock. It was a compact and deadly weapon for close engagements.
“We’re going in.” The commander radioed to the men waiting in the electronics van.
A small explosive charge was placed on the doors. The team stepped back, and the leader triggered the explosion. They ran through the lobby, with two men taking control of the guards while the others ran up the stairs to the security office. Inside, the men were vainly trying to call out for help.
“There’s no connection,” one of them shouted. “The lines are dead!”
“My cell phone doesn’t work either,” said another.
Just then, the assault team broke through the doors.
“On the ground, or we’ll shoot!” One of them yelled.
One of the guards tried to pull his sidearm and was immediately cut down with a short burst from an AK. The other men obeyed the command.
After securing the guards, the assault team went through the building to the inner part containing the bio-pathogens. They donned hazmat suits and shot their way into the inner containment section. With the schematics of the building memorized, they quickly located the storage containers. The anthrax was stored in four leak-proof plastic cylinders. These were removed from their storage locker and placed into four larger containers which were then sealed. Finally, they put the larger containers into two ballistic cases, which were locked shut.
After leaving the bio-hazard area, the men removed their suits, packing them in an empty bag before making their way out of the building, leaving the guards tied up. Except for the commands when the intruders entered, no words were spoken.
Later, when the police interviewed the guards, no one could recount whether the thieves had any accents. Given the lack of any clear foreign accent, the investigation immediately looked towards domestic terror. The first focus of the investigation in the subsequent days would be on domestic terrorists who might want to destroy the Canadian beef industry. When that produced no results, the investigators would turn to various right-wing organizations. Due to the left-wing bias of the current liberal party and bureaucracy, this would seem to be the natural path to pursue. Last would come a look into leftist-leaning separatist groups. The theft would not be considered a threat to the U.S.
† † †
Zhōu Ming was a member of the CCP and was involved in the country’s research on pathogens. He had been associated with the Yuntau laboratory, but distanced himself from the institution when the pandemic broke out. There were suspicions regarding its origin along with the lab’s involvement and Zhōu could not be tainted by such conjecture. He was a high-level bureaucrat in the massive spy agency run by the CCP.
Zhōu had an agent positioned in Franceville, Gabon, where the Level 4 lab was located. His agent had identified and made the acquaintance of a worker who had been passed over for promotion in favor of the supervisor’s nephew. Nepotism was a continual source of corruption and inefficiency throughout much of Africa.
While Gabon ranked as the fifth highest economy in Africa, twenty percent of the population earned ninety percent of the income, leaving a large segment in deep poverty. Politics had also become increasingly tumultuous and unstable. In these conditions, it was not hard to find, even among the workers at the lab who earned more than most of the population, someone who could be bought.
Hsu Jiang was an agreeable fellow and the lab worker, Doukas, quickly succumbed to his friendship and favors. By playing on the man’s resentment, he won his confidence and then, with the promise of riches, his acquisition into helping steal the anthrax.
“Doukas, I have an exciting business opportunity for us,” Jiang said when they met for drinks after Doukas’ shift was over. “It will overcome your unhappiness at not being promoted.”
“You think so? I have stopped rising in my career. What will my family do if I can’t i ncrease my wages? I worked hard for this job, and I do good work. But you think that makes a difference? The supervisor has chosen family over me.” Doukas shook his head. “It is unfair, but I understand it. There are just not many other opportunities for me.”
Jiang smiled. “Ah, but that’s just it. There are other opportunities for you.” He paused for dramatic effect. “And I have just come across one.”
His face beamed with a bright smile. Doukas looked at his friend. He’d known him for three months, but they had become close. Unlike the few other Chinese he had come across in Gabon, Jiang was not standoffish but welcomed his company. He had even helped Doukas at one time, providing access to a Chinese doctor when his father had become ill.
“So, what is this opportunity? A new job with your company?”
Jiang shook his head. “My company hires few local people, you know that. But I am not so constrained. No,” Jiang’s face turned serious, “someone I know knows a person who is willing to pay a lot of money to acquire a certain item. And that certain item resides in the lab where you work.”
“We don’t sell our inventory. It is all bio-pathogens. We do research on them. That is what I do. You know that.”
“I know. But this person is interested in one of those pathogens.” Jiang shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know why. I think he may be a wealthy businessman who wants to get into tech research and produce new compounds. Maybe he thinks he will take a shortcut.”
Doukas thought for a moment. “The only way he could get something from our lab is to steal it.”
Jiang smiled back.
Doukas gave Jiang a cautionary look. “Are you suggesting theft?”
“There is a lot of money to be made. For both you and me.”
“But we could go to jail. Have you seen the jails in Gabon?”
“I can plan a way to do this so we will not get caught.”
“But you will need me to actually do this deed.”
Jiang nodded. “That is why we will share in the payoff. Fifty-fifty split.”
“What is it this rich person wants from the lab?”
“One kilo of Anthrax.”
Doukas looked out of the window to the bustle on the street in downtown Franceville. “That is a dangerous substance. How much money are you talking about?”
“Five hundred thousand U.S. dollars.”
Doukas’ eyes opened wide, and he gasped. “That is more than 300 million CFA.”
Jiang nodded. “And you get half of that. It is enough money to secure you and your family for the rest of your lives.”
Now doubt began to spread across Doukas’ face. “I could never hide that much money. People would wonder where I got it and then connect me to the crime.”
“Doukas, I have traveled much, and this posting is only my latest job. I have found ways of doing business all over the world, including things like hiding money. I can help you with that. Your challenge will be to keep this a secret, even from your family, and to not get greedy and spend it too fast.” He paused for a moment. “You could even take your family to the U.S. with that much money. A new life for your children in America.”
They conversed quietly for the next half hour, with Doukas casting cautious glances around to make sure they were not overheard. He finally agreed, and he and Jiang made a date to meet later to discuss the details.
† † †
Zhōu’s agents arranged to meet with members of the Communist Party of India. One of the numerous communist groups operating in the country, but considered to be the most dangerous. They, like all the other Indian communist parties, believed in and participated in direct violence to advance their aim of spreading Maoist ideology throughout India. Violence was part of the agenda, considered even more important than politics.
With guidance and funding from Zhōu, the group planned an assault on the Poojapra Central Prison. The prison was conveniently located near the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, a Level 4 lab located in the southern Indian city with the tongue-twisting name of Thiruvananthapuram.
Once the bomb went off and the prisoners began escaping, Zhōu had locals ready to attack the lab. With the floor plan already acquired, they proceeded much like the team in Canada. In this attack, they killed the guards and went straight to the inner building. After suiting up, they removed the anthrax and received their payoff of 250 thousand U.S. dollars.
Chapter 2
Two months earlier
___________________________________
T he man came to his suite late at night. It was cold and gusty. A night that continued the dreariness of the earlier day which has been gray and chilly with a wind blowing off the desert to the west, bringing clouds of sand and dirt.
Rashid was sitting on a couch with a glass of Turkish Tea in hand. It was grown on the banks of the Black Sea and known for its pungent taste. He enjoyed it with a teaspoon of sugar added.
He didn’t like Beijing in any season. If he were honest, it was more that he didn’t like the men he had to deal with. But as with Scorpion, his past assassin, now dead by another assassin’s hand, he put up with distasteful people for the sake of jihad.
He had come to China under the cover of developing business. China was heavily involved in its Belt and Road program which helped developing nations build out their infrastructure. The Chinese helped, but with the price of debt laid upon the recipients; debt by which they hoped to enslave these other nations, grabbing control over their infrastructure, and making them beholden to China. Rashid had managed to grab a piece of this program through his companies. He had a large construction firm which specialized in a wide array of projects from high-rise office buildings to road and rail construction. Rashid also provided the machinery for various mining operations which were of interest to the Chinese.
He had been in meetings all day trying to sift through the opaque language the Chinese used in order to glean their true intent in the negotiations they were finalizing. It was as much diplomacy as business and the conversations reflected that reality. Now he waited for another visitor; one he hoped would be more direct. It was this visitor and the discussion they would have which had been the driving motive for Rashid to attend these meetings directly instead of leaving them to his lieutenants.
He was staying in a large suite in the Hotel Éclat. It was a luxury establishment in a prime location near the embassy district and catered to rich businessmen doing deals in China. With its iconic glass pyramid, it had become an instant landmark since its construction. The hotel boasted an impressive collection of modern art by Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, and Zeng Fangzhi. It provided a comforting oasis apart from the crowded environment of the city. The rich could insulate themselves from the hectic bustle of the capital. The density of the people in the city was hard to avoid, except in the few quiet and luxurious oases such as provided by this hotel and its rooms.
The door rang with a simple chime. Rashid’s servant and bodyguard rose to open it. A man stepped in. He was dressed in an immaculate designer suit that looked freshly pressed even this late in the evening. The guard blocked his path and carefully checked him for weapons before admitting him and then retired to an adjoining room. He kept the door slightly ajar.
“Zhōu Ming, welcome,” Rashid said. He spoke in English, the lingua franca of the business world.
“I am happy that you agreed to meet with me.” The guest took a seat across from the couch that Rashid pointed to.
“Coffee?”
Zhōu Ming nodded and a servant girl came in and poured a cup for the visitor, placing cream and sugar on the table.
“I was interested when you contacted my staff about a meeting,” Rashid said. “Curious about what you might want.”
“Well, I have some knowledge of your activities and interests.”
Rashid smiled at the man. “Maybe you should start by reciting what you know about me and my interests.” The statement was as much an order as a request.
Zhōu took a sip of his coffee. “I know that some years ago you pursued three cannisters of weaponized anthrax left over from the Soviet era. Apparently two of those cannisters were captured by the Americans.” He paused to take another sip and then looked at Rashid. “That was accomplished by a lone agent as I understand it. Someone who may have interrupted your plans in other areas.”
