"Your passport and boarding pass, your gate is C42. Enjoy your flight"
"Thank you." said Edward. He picked up his boarding pass and started making his way to the departure lounge. "Why is it I get all these jobs?" he asked himself darkly.
He was due for some time off but Daniel had cancelled it at the last moment to send him to Egypt to collect samples of a new virus. When asked why they couldn't be delivered by courier Daniel had said, "The head of the Franklin Institute has requested they be collected in person. He says the virus is too dangerous to be allowed to fall into the wrong hands." So here he was and he wasn't looking forward to it. Daniel had tried to assure him it would be an easy trip but he had the feeling something was going to go wrong.
As Edward took his seat on the plane, a child nearby started crying. He was reminded sharply of the disastrous flight from Macropauli when a passenger had brought a haemorrhagic virus on board. They nearly didn't make it, the pilot dying almost before the plane had come to a stop on the runway. Edward looked across the plane to where the child was being soothed by her mother. The scene made him smile and he relaxed and settled back in his seat, trying to get comfortable.

Edward stood impatiently while the immigration official checked his papers. He was tired from the long flight and the last thing he wanted was a problem here. The official turned to a guard that stood behind him and muttered something. The guard scowled and looked at Edward.
"What is your purpose in coming to our country, Mr. Marcase?"
"It's Dr. Marcase and I'm here to collect some medical samples to take back to the United States," replied Edward with a scowl of his own. He was rapidly losing his temper.
"What do you intend to do with these 'medical samples'?" asked the guard, emphasizing the last two words in clear indication that he didn't believe Edward.
"We're going to study them and run tests on them," replied Edward, trying to hold his temper. "Is there some kind of problem?"
"Are you meeting someone?" countered the guard without answering Edward's question.
"Yes. Abdul Khalifa, the head of the Franklin Institute, and Hussain Suleiman, the Minister for Public Health." snapped Edward.
"Ah yes." said the guard. He muttered something to the immigration official who handed Edward his passport and entry visa.
"Your papers seem to be in order," said the official hurriedly. "Enjoy your stay."
"Have a safe trip Dr. Marcase," said the guard with a supercilious sneer. Edward felt a chill go down his back. The look in the guard's eyes suggested the trip would be anything but safe.

"Dr. Marcase!"
Edward looked for the source of the call and saw his name on a board. "You're from the Institute?" he asked the man holding the board, who was dressed in a guard's uniform.
"Yes." said Malik Aziz. "I am chief of security. Mr. Khalifa asked me to escort you to the Institute."
"Trouble?" asked Edward as he followed Aziz out of the airport.
"We've had two break-ins in the last five days." replied Aziz. "There is a group of terrorists who desperately want to get their hands on the virus. Security has become a major issue."
"Do you know who these terrorists are?" asked Edward, thinking of the Dawn.
"They call themselves New Hope. They claim they want to make the world a better place to live." said Aziz.
"By any means necessary." said Edward.
"Yes." said Aziz. He walked up to a Mercedes parked just outside the terminal. "Please." he said, motioning Edward around to the passenger side. When they were under way he continued. "These people claim they want the virus to frighten governments into listening to their demands but I think they have been infiltrated by people who will use the virus to make ransom demands. The leader of the group is a young man by the name of Thomas Banks but the real power is with a man called Paul Tyler. Tyler controls the group with an iron hand while stringing Banks along and making him think he is in control. Tyler is a cold, ruthless killer and must not be allowed to obtain the virus."
"Just how deadly is this virus?" asked Edward.
"Very deadly." replied Aziz. "If it gets loose it will make Ebola look like a bad cold by comparison."
"If that's so, then New Hope aren't going to be the only ones to come after us." said Edward. "The Dawn are going to want to get their hands on this too."
"The Dawn?" asked Aziz.
"An organization that uses bio-terrorism to achieve its goal of wiping mankind off the face of the earth." replied Edward.
"Then we're between the hammer and the anvil," said Aziz. "You're about to become the most wanted man in the world Dr. Marcase."
"Thanks." said Edward acidly. It was not a prospect he looked forward to.

"Dr. Marcase, it's good to see you," said Abdul Khalifa, coming forward with a hand outstretched.
"Glad I can be of assistance." said Edward, shaking the other man's hand.
"You must be tired after your long flight. My assistant will show you to a room where you can refresh yourself before joining us for some lunch." said Khalifa.
"Thank you." said Edward, gratefully.
"I'll see you when you come downstairs." said Aziz. He and Khalifa headed off for a conference room while Ben Smith, Khalifa's assistant, took Edward upstairs in an elevator.
Smith led the way into a large office that overlooked the Institute's grounds. "You'll find everything you need behind that door on the right," he said. "I'll be back for you in about twenty minutes."
"Thank you." said Edward, looking around the office. On one side there was a big mahogany desk by floor-to-ceiling windows and on the other were several leather-upholstered armchairs around a marble coffee table. Impressed Edward opened the door that Smith had indicated. It led to a private bathroom that had everything including a shower. Smiling in anticipated pleasure, he closed the door behind himself.

Refreshed and relaxed, Edward walked into the conference room. At the far end of the table, Khalifa and Aziz rose to greet him. "Dr. Marcase. Please join us," said Khalifa. "Help yourself to anything you'd like from the buffet."
Edward's eyes lit up as he saw the food laid out on a nearby sideboard. He helped himself to a plateful before joining the others at the table.
"I realize we told you very little about the virus and for that I apologize." said Khalifa. "I was afraid the information could be intercepted and then we would be besieged by people trying to obtain the virus."
"I understand." said Edward. "Mr. Aziz has told me about the problems you're having with New Hope."
"We had another attempt at a break-in just before you arrived." said Khalifa. "The sooner this virus is safely stored in the United States, the happier I will be."
"Can you tell me a bit more about it?" asked Edward.
"It was created by accident," said Khalifa. "One of our technicians was experimenting with the Ebola virus to try and find a cure when he made a mistake and this new virus was born. When we found out what it could do…" He trailed off, shaking his head. "It might be better if you saw the test results for yourself." he said, handing Edward a file.
Edward read in silence, too stunned to speak. In all his years in the field he had never seen anything like this, it far surpassed anything before seen. If it got loose they would be looking at a mass extinction of the human race. "Why didn't you destroy this thing?" he asked shakily when he had finished reading.
"We tried." said Khalifa. "Nothing works. That's why we contacted you. Your organization is the best in the world. If you can't overcome this thing, no-one can."
"Does New Hope realize the full potential of this virus?" asked Edward.
"Not as far as we know." replied Aziz. "It is possible that Tyler may know, he has many sources of information but I'm sure Banks and the others have no idea."
"What arrangements have you made for transporting this virus back to the United States?" asked Edward.
"You will be given a military escort to the airport and be flown by military transport back to the United States." replied Aziz. "You will be surrounded by armed men at all times so Tyler will have no chance to get at you."
"I need to use a phone," said Edward. "My people have to be warned what to expect."
"There is a telephone right here that you can use," said Aziz. He passed Edward a phone that was standing near his elbow. "This line is as secure as we can make it."
"Red. How appropriate." said Edward. He quickly dialed Michael's cell phone number.
"Hailey." answered Michael.
"It's Edward. Don't talk, just listen." said Edward, not trusting the security of the phone line. "We have a code 4 situation. Hays airport, full security. Arrival time to follow later." He put the phone down and looked at Aziz. "Now all we have to do is get there."

"These things are bulkier than they look." said Edward, trying to get the Kevlar vest into a more comfortable position.
"The vest is an unfortunate necessity," said Aziz. "I can't guarantee you won't get shot but at least you shouldn't be killed."
"Nice thought." said Edward sarcastically but privately he was glad to be wearing one.
"Ready?" asked Aziz.
Edward sighed. The words 'young and expendable' came to mind as he thought of what they were about to do. "Ready." he said.
Aziz led him out to the entrance hall where Khalifa and one other man, surrounded by six armed guards awaited them. Khalifa handed Edward a metal case containing the four vials, which held the virus. "Good luck." he said.
"We're going to need it," said Edward.
"This is Hussain Suleiman, minister for Public Health," said Khalifa. "He will be going with you."
"Good morning." said Edward, shaking hands.
"I wish we could be meeting in better circumstances," said Suleiman.
"Gentlemen." said Aziz, cutting in on the pleasantries. "It is time for us to leave."
Closely surrounded by guards, Edward and Suleiman followed Aziz out of the building. Edward experienced a moment of tension as they moved down the steps to the vehicles. There were two army trucks and a land rover. Edward and Suleiman got into the back of the first truck, followed by the guards. Aziz got in the cab with the driver. When they were all ready they moved out, the land rover in the lead.

Halfway to the airport, there was a small rise of land to the right of the road. Tyler lay on top of this rise and peered through binoculars at the road stretching into the distance. He grunted in satisfaction as he picked up the procession on its way to the airport. He scrambled down the rise to where his men were waiting below. "They're coming." he said. Picking up a rocket launcher he made his way up again, lying just below the crest where he couldn't easily be seen. His men spread out around him, various weapons at the ready. Before long the army vehicles came into view. Tyler waited until they were almost directly below then rose and fired the rocket launcher at the rear vehicle.

Edward sat up straight, a sharp sense of danger prickling at his back. "Something's wrong!" he called through to the cab. At that moment there was a whistling roar followed by a thunderous detonation as a rocket struck the rear vehicle, destroying it. This was immediately followed by the crackle of small arms fire.
"Hang on!" yelled Aziz. He shouted something into a walkie-talkie as the truck swung off the road and into the desert. The land rover turned to follow but was struck by another rocket, throwing it high into the air. It came down in a tangled heap, killing its occupants. The truck sped away, forcing everyone to grab onto something as it bounced over the uneven ground. Behind them, Tyler's men scrambled into vehicles to follow.
"Take it easy!" yelled Edward as he fought to hold onto the case containing the virus.
"We can't!" shouted back Aziz. "They're following us!"
"If I lose this case, we won't have to worry about them following us." muttered Edward, trying to brace himself and the case at the same time. The chase continued on into the desert for the next hour with neither side gaining any advantage over the other. In the back of the truck the heat was stifling and the bulletproof vest only made it worse.
"There!" shouted Aziz suddenly. "We can take cover in that fort!"
The driver swung the truck to the right and pushed it for everything it could give to get to the fort. Behind them Tyler realized what they were trying to do and split his force to try and cut them off. Aziz saw the second vehicle moving to flank them and prayed fervently that they would reach the fort first. It was going to be close. "Be ready to leave the truck!" he called into the back as they drew near to the fort. Within minutes, the driver brought the truck to a screeching, skidding halt. The guards hustled Edward and Suleiman outside and into the fort, Aziz and the driver close behind. The four of them turned to push the doors closed, leaving a small opening for the soldiers who remained outside. The men used the truck for cover and waited for Tyler and his men to come into range of their guns. Both of Tyler's vehicles came to a stop some distance away and the two sides studied each other for long, tense minutes.
"Where's Tyler?" asked Aziz. He was studying the distant vehicles through binoculars.
"The rocket launcher!" said Suleiman.
"Inside! Now!" shouted Aziz, but it was too late. A rocket struck the truck, destroying it with a deafening explosion. The blast flattened everyone in the fort and pushed the doors open. "The doors!" said Aziz urgently. "We must close them!"
Dazed, ears ringing, the four men struggled to get the doors closed before Tyler and his men reached them. With a dull thud they closed and the four men lifted the locking bar into place. "Can they get through these gates?" asked Edward wearily.
"If they use the rocket launcher, yes," replied Aziz, puffing from the exertion.
"Shouldn't we move away from here?" asked Suleiman nervously.
"Yes, although I don't think Tyler will try anything just yet," said Aziz. "He can't risk damaging the vials."
"He came pretty close with that last blast," said Edward.
"What do we do now?" asked Suleiman as they moved into the interior of the fort.
"We wait." replied Aziz. "When we don't turn up at the airport they'll send a search party out to look for us."
"Let's hope they find us soon," said Edward. "We don't have a lot of water."
"On the contrary." said Aziz with a smile. "This fort has it's own well which is still in working order."
"Pretty convenient." said Edward.
Aziz laughed. "It pays to always know what options are available, doctor."
"Edward, please." said Edward. "Lucky for us you did. If they'd caught us out in the middle of the desert, we wouldn't have had a chance."
"We still might not," warned Aziz. "We only have a couple of guns between us. Tyler could overwhelm us if he can get through the gate."
"We just have to make sure he doesn't," said Edward grimly.

For the next three days they kept watch in pairs but Tyler seemed content to sit and wait them out. On the morning of the third day Edward went down to the well in the courtyard to wash. He'd just stripped to the waist when he noticed Suleiman by the gate. The man was furtively trying to lift the locking bar.
"Going somewhere?" asked Edward, approaching silently.
Suleiman jumped and then charged. Edward was completely unprepared for the attack and went down with Suleiman on top of him. Suleiman's attack was vicious and it was all he could do to protect himself. Then Suleiman found a rock and hit him a stunning blow across the side of the head. His vision blurred, Edward saw Suleiman take a knife from a sheath attached to his calf. He made a wild grab for Suleiman's wrist and caught it just as Suleiman was about to plunge the knife into his chest. They wrestled for possession of the knife, rolling over and over in the hot sand. Edward gripped Suleiman's hand around the hilt of the knife and pushed it around for all he was worth. The blade turned slowly until it was facing Suleiman. In desperation he threw himself on top of Suleiman and pushed. Suleiman went rigid, his eyes wide and then he relaxed. Edward rolled off, exposing the knife jammed to the hilt in his chest. Edward tried to get to his feet but his strength was gone. He collapsed face down a few feet from Suleiman and passed out.

Aziz woke with a start as Ahmed Sahwi, the driver, stumbled into the room holding the back of his head.
"What happened?" asked Aziz as he helped Sahwi into a chair.
"Suleiman hit me from behind." replied Sahwi. "Knocked me out."
"How long?" asked Aziz.
Sahwi checked his watch. "Over an hour." he said.
"The gate!" said Aziz. He crossed the room to the window and looked down into the courtyard where he saw both Edward and Suleiman lying on the ground. "Looks like Suleiman and Marcase had a fight. Stay here while I go and see what happened." He hurried down to the courtyard and checked the gate was still secure before going and kneeling next to Edward. There was a bloody gash on the side of Edward's head where Suleiman had hit him and there was a bruise across one cheek from the fight. Aziz felt for a pulse and then ran his hands lightly over Edward's body to check for broken bones. There were none but Edward's back and shoulders were burned red from exposure to the sun. Assured that Edward was alive and reasonably okay, Aziz turned to Suleiman. One look was all he needed to know that Suleiman was dead - the knife had gone straight through his heart. He turned back to Edward and gently shook him awake.
Edward stirred sluggishly. "What happened?" he asked groggily.
"You had a fight with Suleiman and were knocked unconscious, " replied Aziz. "You need to get inside out of the sun. Can you walk?"
Edward gingerly felt the side of his head. His fingers came away sticky with blood. "I think so." he said
Putting Edward's arm around his shoulders Aziz helped Edward to his feet. Edward swayed as his head began to pound and his knees buckled. He closed his eyes as dizziness and nausea swept over him.
"Concussion and sun stroke." said Aziz as he held on to Edward. "Good combination."
"Thanks." said Edward thickly. Leaning heavily on Aziz for support, he made it back into the tower where he was lowered onto a bed. Fighting to stay awake he told Aziz what to do for his head and his back.
"A good thing for you I was able to bring the first-aid box out of the truck," said Aziz.
"A pity it doesn't come stocked with ice," said Edward. "My head is killing me."
"No ice, but there are painkillers." said Aziz with a sympathetic smile.
"I could use some too," said Sahwi.
"Suleiman slug you too?" asked Edward, looking at Sahwi.
"Not as hard as he hit you, but yes." replied Sahwi.
"I seem to have that effect on people," said Edward. "At least we know now why Tyler held off attacking the fort. He was waiting for his man on the inside to open the gate."
"What do we do now?" asked Sahwi.
"For today, nothing." replied Aziz. "You both need to rest, Edward especially. Tomorrow we'll see about getting out of here."
"And how do we do that?" asked Edward.
"You'll see," said Aziz with a mysterious smile.

"Good morning. How's the head?" asked Aziz as Edward stirred and woke the next morning.
"Better." said Edward as he carefully sat up.
"Your voice isn't slurred anymore, that's good," said Aziz. "Let me have a look at your back." He sat down next to Edward and gently probed his back and shoulders. "You're lucky there's no swelling, but you'll be sore for a while."
"It could be a lot worse," said Edward. "What's the plan for today?"
"As soon as you're ready, we leave." said Aziz.
"If you had a way out, why didn't we leave earlier?" asked Edward.
"I was hoping we would be rescued, but it's obvious Tyler has found a way to keep them occupied," replied Aziz.
"What chance do you think we have of walking out of the desert?" asked Edward.
Aziz sighed. "I won't lie to you. Our chances are slender at best but it's better than sitting here waiting to be taken."
"Wouldn't it be better to go at night?" asked Edward.
"Have you ever been in a desert at night?" asked Aziz. Edward shook his head. "Believe me, it's better to walk in the day."

Giving Suleiman's haik to Edward, Aziz made ready to leave the fort. After they filled their water bottles he lead the others down to a cellar and located a trap door, hidden underneath some crates. It led to a tunnel, which ran out under the desert. "Hopefully it will be some time before Tyler realizes we are no longer here." said Aziz.
"How far out does this tunnel go?" asked Edward.
"About five hundred yards." replied Aziz. "It comes out behind an outcropping of rock which should shield us from Tyler's view."
Without any further words they entered the tunnel and closed the door behind them. Aziz fortunately had a small flashlight, which provided just enough light for them to navigate the length of the tunnel. Once on the other side, Aziz pushed on the door but it refused to give. He put his shoulder into the door but it remained stuck fast.
"I hope this is just because the hinges are rusted and not because there's something leaning on the door," said Edward.
"There's only one way to find out," said Aziz.
The three of them leant into the door and pushed for all they where worth. Gradually, inch-by-inch, the door opened. By the time they'd opened it enough to slip through, Edward had a splitting headache and he was feeling dizzy and sick. After checking that no one was near the door, Aziz insisted that Edward rest for half an hour in the cool tunnel. Worried about the concussion, he gave Edward some more painkillers and then left him to rest. Arms resting on his knees Edward closed his eyes and relaxed, letting the pain and nausea flow out of him. It didn't seem very long at all before Aziz came and touched him on the shoulder.
"It's time to go," said Aziz gently.
Edward slowly got to his feet and followed Aziz to the door, shielding his eyes from the bright glare of the sun. Wrapping the haik around his head, he followed the others out into the murderous heat of the desert. Ignoring his sunburn, he slung the case containing the vials over his shoulder and fell into line behind Sahwi. Aziz struck off to the east, hoping to find one of the villages that he knew lay in that direction. All that day they walked, stopping frequently to allow Edward to rest. They rationed their water as best they could but Aziz knew that they would soon be suffering from dehydration. That and the lack of food for the last four days would considerably weaken them and make Tyler's task of finding them that much easier.
"How do you feel?" Aziz asked Edward when they had stopped for the night.
"Exhausted, but at least my head doesn't hurt so much." replied Edward.
"But you do still have a headache." said Aziz.
"Yes." said Edward reluctantly, seeing there would be no fooling Aziz.
"It might have been better to stay at the fort than force you to march across the desert," said Aziz.
"No." said Edward firmly. "At least this way there is a chance, no matter how slim. If we had stayed at the fort, Tyler would have had us for certain."
"You're right of course," said Aziz. "As the saying goes, 'the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one'."
"I didn't know you were into classical novels," said Edward.
"I have a degree in English." said Aziz. "That was one of the texts we studied."
"The classics were never my strong point." said Edward. "I preferred more modern texts."
"In your profession, you can't have much time for reading," said Aziz.
Edward smiled. "You're right. As soon as we cure one outbreak, another occurs. It's never ending."
"Do you enjoy what you do?" asked Aziz.
"I wouldn't be doing anything else." said Edward.

Aziz and Sahwi took turns keeping watch during the night leaving Edward to sleep. The next morning Edward woke refreshed, his headache gone.
"You look better," said Aziz. "You're eyes are much clearer and you've got some color back."
"I feel better," said Edward. "A good old fashioned roast dinner and I'll be a new man."
Aziz laughed. "You're definitely better. Come on, let's get started while it's still reasonably cool."
They set out into the early morning light and walked all day with no sign of Tyler or a village. Aziz grew increasingly concerned as their water supplies dwindled almost to nothing. By late afternoon they were down to just half a canteen. Aziz was about to call another halt when he spotted something in the distance. It took him a moment to realize that he was looking at a village, distorted by a mirage. "Look!" he said, pointing.
"We've made it," said Sahwi, with a smile.
"I wouldn't be too sure." said Edward. "What's that?"
Out of the mirage a black shape was approaching. It quickly became the silhouette of a jeep. Edward looked back they way they had come and saw another jeep approaching. Within minutes, the two vehicles had reached them.
"So gentlemen, we finally meet." said Tyler.

Edward, Aziz and Sahwi were driven to a remote village that Tyler had taken over as a training ground for the soldiers of New Hope. They were hustled into a small house and made to stand against one wall. Tyler took the case off Edward and gave it to one of his men. "Open it." he said.
His back to the captives, Muhammed Ali set the case on a table and quickly opened it up. He tensed in surprise and then turned to Tyler. "It's empty!" he said.
Tyler, who had been watching the captives, saw shock on the faces of Aziz and Sahwi but not on Edwards's. Edward tried to keep his expression neutral but there was a look of intense satisfaction in his eyes. "Where are they?" demanded Tyler.
"Where no one will ever find them," said Edward.
Tyler pulled out a handgun and shot Sahwi, killing him. "Where are they?" he demanded again.
Shocked and angered both Aziz and Edward lunged at Tyler. His men stepped in and subdued both of them, forcing their arms behind their backs to make them stand still. Tyler put the gun to Aziz's head. "Tell me where to find the vials or I will kill him," he said coldly.
"Go ahead." said Aziz. "I would rather die than let you get your hands on that virus."
Tyler considered them both for a moment and then withdrew the gun. "There is a better way. Bring them." He turned and went into a room at the back of the house. It was a small featureless room containing nothing but a bed and a chair. "Put Marcase on the bed." he said. Edward was dragged to the bed and tied, with his hands above his head. He pulled experimentally on his ropes but they were tied tight. Next to him Aziz was manhandled into the chair and tied securely. "Now what?" he asked, glaring at Tyler.
"Now this." replied Tyler. He took a small black case out of his pocket and gave it to Paul Langdon, his second in command to hold. Opening it, he took out a hypodermic syringe, which he filled from a bottle taken from another pocket.
"What's that?" asked Edward.
"This is the poison from a very rare South American spider," replied Tyler. "It won't kill you, but you'll soon wish it had."

"This is useless," said Daniel angrily. "We've been going in circles for days and we're still no nearer to finding them."
"Some of these people are undoubtedly on Tyler's payroll," said Michael quietly.
"You're quite right, Mr. Hailey." said Abdul Maarouf, a colonel in the Egyptian army. "They have deliberately been leading us astray to prevent us from finding Dr. Marcase and the virus. However, I've had a few trusted people of my own out looking for them and I believe we have a lead. A villager saw three men walk out of desert earlier toda but they were intercepted by men in vehicles. I believe one of these men to be Dr. Marcase."
"Can you take us there?" asked Michael.
"As soon as you are ready," said Maarouf.

Daniel sat impatiently in the land rover while Maarouf spoke to the villager. It was early evening and already darkening towards night. After much discussion Maarouf returned to the vehicle. "The villager says they went to the north. Tyler has an encampment in that direction, so it's my guess that's where he's taken them."
"How big is this encampment?" asked Michael.
"It's an abandoned village," replied Maarouf. "Tyler uses it as a training ground for his men."
"How many men?" asked Michael.
"Twenty to thirty" replied Maarouf. "The usual kind of rabble you find in these groups but there are half a dozen mercenaries among them. Tyler uses them to keep the others in line."
"Think we can get in?" asked Michael.
Maarouf smiled. "Shouldn't be a problem." he said. Getting back in the land rover, he directed his driver on a northerly course towards Tyler's encampment. It took them two hours to reach the village, which was nestled under an outcropping of rock. Parking the vehicles on a ridge not far away Michael and Maarouf got out to study the situation. While they looked at the village through binoculars one of Maarouof's men went in on a scouting mission. The village appeared quiet and still. Most of the houses in the center of the village had lights on, while those on the perimeter were dark and empty.
"Do you know which house Tyler is in?" asked Michael.
"It is in the center of the village. Sgt. Faisal will find out which it is." replied Maarouf.
About an hour later Faisal returned. "Marcase and Aziz are being held in the center of the village, in Tyler's headquarters. The mercenaries are all close by but if we wait until morning they will be taking the men out on a training exercise."
"That will make things easier," said Maarouf. "For us at least."
"What do you mean?" asked Michael.
"Tyler is totally ruthless," replied Maarouf. "It will go badly with your friend if he doesn't give Tyler what he wants."

Edward's eyes flickered open. He was feverish, drenched with sweat from the poison. "Why don't you tell me what I want to know and we can end this," said Tyler.
"Got o hell." said Edward, his voice little more than a whisper.
"It's your choice," said Tyler coldly. He looked at Aziz. "You could persuade him to stop this nonsense."
Aziz looked for a long moment at Edward. "No." he said quietly. "I can no more persuade him than you can."
"Then you're both fools," snarled Tyler. "I will have that virus, even if I have to kill you both for it."

Next morning Michael watched the village while Maarouf got his men ready. He saw the mercenaries gather up the men, leaving only a token force behind. He waited until the men were well away from the village before leaving his post. "It's time," he said, coming up to Maarouf.
"Then let us go," said Maarouf. He offered Michael a gun. "You will be needing this," he said.
"Thanks." said Michael. He felt more comfortable now that he had a gun. He went over to Daniel who was sitting in the land rover. "It's time to go in.," he said.
Daniel nodded. "What do you think we'll find?" he asked,
"It's hard to say," replied Michael. "Knowing Edward, he would have resisted Tyler no matter what."
"Between his stubbornness and his temper, he'll get himself killed one day," said Daniel.
"Let's hope it's not today," said Michael.
They set out towards the village keeping close to the rock wall for concealment. Maarouf sent scouts on ahead to deal with any guards and clear a way into the village. After a short time the guards, led by Faisal, returned and reported
“Tyler’s men have been neutralized,” said Faisal. “There is one guard left and he is in the house with Tyler and Langdon.”
“Good.” said Maarouf. “It’s time we paid Mr. Tyler a visit. Lead the way.”
Faisal led the team into the center of the village and pointed out Tyler’s house. The soldiers quickly spread out around the house, covering all doors and windows. When they were ready, Faisal kicked open the front door went in, followed by three soldiers.

“He must have hidden them in the fort.” said Tyler.
“We’ve been all over the fort and there is no sign of them,” said Langdon. “He must have put them someplace else.”
“He’s not stupid enough to have buried them in the sand and there’s no where in the tunnel that he could have put them.” said Tyler.
“Unless he never had them at all.” said Langdon.
“What do you mean?” asked Tyler.
“He could have been a decoy,” said Langdon. “The virus might have been taken out by someone else.”
“Suleiman assured us that there would be no decoy,” said Tyler. “He was adamant that Marcase would be carrying the virus. Besides, if they were going to use a decoy Aziz would have known. He was just as surprised as we were that the vials weren’t there.”
“Then we’re back to where we started.” said Langdon. “We have to get Marcase to tell us where the vials are hidden.”
Before Tyler could respond, there was a crash and the door flew open. “Don’t move!” ordered Faisal as he burst into the room. Tyler and Langdon froze but the guard foolishly went for his gun. Faisal shot him before he could raise it and fire. As Tyler and Langdon were being relieved of their guns, Maarouf, Michael and Daniel entered the room. Michael and Daniel immediately headed for the back room and the bed where Edward lay. Edward’s eyes were closed and he was breathing heavily, apparently asleep.
“What have they done to him?” demanded Daniel as Michael cut the rope binding Edward’s wrists.
“They interrogated him with a rare poison and when that didn't work they drugged him with cocaine.” replied Aziz.
“Cocaine?” asked Daniel sharply.
“They hoped to make him dependent so that he would give up the location of the virus to get his next fix.” replied Aziz. He sighed in relief as Michael cut his ropes and began to massage the circulation back into his wrists.
“Tyler doesn’t have the virus?” asked Michael in surprise.
“Edward has hidden it somewhere,” replied Aziz. “Only he knows the location.”
“Damn!” swore Daniel softly. “How long ago did they drug him and how big a dose?”
“About an hour ago and from what I could see it was a large dose,” replied Aziz.
“There’s no way to know how long he’ll be out,” said Daniel. “Did he give you any idea at all of where he might have hidden the virus?”
“None.” replied Aziz. “I would guess it is in the fort somewhere. There was no other place he could have put it.”
“Fort?” asked Daniel.
“I can show you where it is.” replied Aziz. “We took shelter there after Tyler attacked us.”
“I’m willing to bet Tyler’s been all over that place,” said Michael.
“Maybe, but he didn’t have you.” replied Daniel. “If anyone can find where Edward hid those vials, you can.”
“If they’re there, I’ll find them,” said Michael. He looked up as Maarouf entered the room.
“How are they?” asked Maarouf.
“Dr. Marcase needs to be taken to a hospital.” replied Daniel. “Mr. Aziz appears okay but will need a check-up.”
“All I need is some food,” said Aziz. “I haven’t had anything to eat for about five days.”
“We’ll find you something on the way out.” said Maarouf. “What about the virus?”
“Dr. Marcase has hidden it somewhere,” said Michael. “We think it is may be at a fort.”
“Do you know where?” asked Maarouf.
“Mr.Aziz can show us,” replied Michael.
“Take Sgt. Faisal and half the men and go to the fort. The rest of us will take Dr. Marcase and the renegades back to the capital,” said Maarouf.

Michael stood on the wall of the fort looking out across in the desert in the early morning light. They’d spent all the previous day searching for the vials without success. Wherever Edward had hidden them, he’d done it well. Michael tried to put himself in Edward’s place, to try and think the way Edward did. He ruled out all the obvious places, Edward wouldn’t put them where they could easily be found. He would, however, put them where he could keep an eye on them. Michael turned and looked at the interior of the fort. He scanned the courtyard and found himself irresistibly drawn to the well. It was the only place they hadn’t done a thorough search. Leaving the wall and going down to the well he began circling it, scanning it with his eyes for anything obvious. Then he began to look inside the well and within seconds his quick eyes picked out a brick that wasn’t quite in place. It was farther down than he expected and he had to lean quite far over the edge of the well to get to it. He worked the brick loose and let it drop. Then he carefully scooped out the dirt that was packed behind the brick and gently pulled out a bundle of rags. Holding them tightly, he eased himself up off the edge of the well. Once he was able to stand, he unwrapped the bundle he had retrieved. There in his hand lay the vials.

Edward opened his eyes and blinked, not recognizing the room. The white washed walls and the faint odor of antiseptic suggested he was in a hospital. He looked around the room and saw someone standing at the window but the bright light hurt his eyes and he couldn’t tell whom it was.
Daniel stared moodily out over the hospital grounds. He felt it was time to return to the United States but he also felt he owed it to Edward to stay. Hearing a sound behind him, he turned and saw that Edward was awake. “Welcome back.” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed. “How do you feel?”
“Much better.” replied Edward. “How long have I been here?”
“Three days.” replied Daniel.
“Three days?” asked Edward, startled.
“Caused by a combination of drugs, concussion and exhaustion.” said Daniel.
“What about the virus?” asked Edward.
“Michael has recovered the vials and taken them back to the US.” replied Daniel.
Edward smiled. “So he found where I’d hidden them,” he said.
“Very cleverly done.” said Daniel. “What gave you the idea to hide them?”
“I knew we’d never get away from Tyler,” replied Edward. “So the first night we were at the fort I hid the vials. The well seemed to offer the only place that was safe.”
“It certainly fooled Tyler,” said Daniel. “His men had been all over the fort without finding anything.”
“Did you get him?” asked Edward.
“We did. New Hope won’t be bothering anyone for a long while,” replied Daniel.
“That’s good,” said Edward, relieved. “What about Aziz? Is he okay?”
“He’s fine,” replied Daniel. “Tyler didn’t touch him.”
“You mentioned drugs. What did Tyler give me?” asked Edward.
“Cocaine.” replied Daniel gravely.
Edward looked away, a muscle twitching along his jaw. He’d experienced drug addiction first hand when one of his friends had become addicted. Paul Tanner had been a brilliant student and would have gone far in the medical field, but he’d gotten heavily into drugs and had died of an overdose. Edward had stood by throughout and had been there when he died. “How many times?” he asked quietly.
“Just once.” replied Daniel gently.
Edward breathed out heavily. "You don't know how happy I am to hear that," he said. "I'm glad you found us when you did."
"So am I." said Daniel. "I've seen a friend's career wrecked by drugs, I wouldn't want to see it happen again."
"Thanks." said Edward, surprised by Daniel's candor. He was struck by the sudden certainty that Daniel had remained close by during the past three days and it touched him deeply. This was a side of Daniel he'd never seen before.
"I should let you get some rest," said Daniel. He started to rise but Edward reached out and took his wrist.
"Thank you." said Edward sincerely.
"You're welcome." said Daniel. He rose and walked to the door where he stopped and exchanged a long look with Edward. Then he left the room, leaving Edward to speculate on the fragile new bond that had formed between them.