Chapter VII. Arrest mission

In the Air Force Intelligence branch building in Latakia, Major Basel hung up the phone, grabbed another phone, and called the secretary’s office.

-Did he arrive?

-Yes, sir, he’s here waiting

-Okay, let him in

A man wearing a Bedouin dress, his head wrapped in a light yellow kaffiyeh, embroidered with black threads, his features are harsh, and he smells putrid.

As soon as he entered the office, he motioned for him to halt, and with a contemptuous glance and a twitch of his nose expressing his dissatisfaction, he instructed him: Keep away, do not come any closer.

Man: alright sir

Major: Damn you, you have been cooperating with us for years, and I have never met you without your stench. When are you going to take a shower, man!

The man in a servile manner: Whenever you command, sir.

-What’s the boy’s name?

-Walid, sixteen years old, lives in the village with his mother, and his father is a political prisoner

-Where is he detained?

-I don’t know, but he’s been detained for years, that’s all I knew when I tracked him down

-Well, what exactly happened?

-Sir, I was tending my sheep and felt compelled to respond to nature’s call. I entered the woods, went back a little, and then heard a voice speaking. My curiosity was piqued when I heard the term Mr. President, may God protect him, so I crept forward, and I observed the young man discussing plans to create havoc in the country and overthrow the regime.

-Who was with him?

The shepherd was silent, hesitated and knocked his head to the ground, stuttering….

-What is with you? I asked you who was with him?

-No one, sir, there was only a cow next to him

He lit a cigarette, and looked at him firmly: Are you sure? cow? What if someone else was among the trees?

-No sir, there was no one but him and the cow

He took another breath from his cigarette, looked at the secretary, and signaled to her with his hand to dismiss him from here.

Shepherd: Sir, will you not give me any reward?

-Of course, the lady will take care of it, get out of my face

picked up the phone, called someone,

Get ready, you have a mission to arrest a boy and a cow.