OUTCAST Ops: The Poseidon Initiative

EPILOGUE

Mustapha Aziz Samir, the leader of Hofstad, stared out across the Atlantic Ocean from his table at a seaside cafe. He dined alone, preferring solitude after the failure of his pet project, the Poseidon Initiative. It had been a mistake to gamble all of their precious STX on one high-stakes mission. He should have listened to the advisor who had recommended against this course, recommending instead that he hold onto the nerve agent, keeping it in reserve for many years into the future, doling out deadly attacks in fits and starts according to the needs of the organization. But he had disregarded that advice. He had gambled and lost.

Nevertheless, the initiative wasn’t a complete failure, he told himself as he watched the pleasure boats come and go from the Bouregreg Marina. Much had been accomplished. The President of the United States of America had been made extremely ill, his nation thrown into a panic as several of his guests aboard his fancy personal yacht were killed. Three other attacks, too. The effort wasn’t too shabby, he mused, now watching the gulls vie for table scraps from a family of tourists two tables over.

Even so, his demands had been willfully disregarded. The U.S. embassy in the Hague remained open, never having closed for a single minute. He took consolation in the fact that this decision had cost the blood of American citizens.

And there would be other chances for retribution. Other opportunities for terror.

His server returned. Was he ready to order? He had forgotten to even look at the menu. Samir quickly perused it before handing it to the server with a smile.

“Perfect. I will have the Shellfish Delight.”