The Big Breach - Index of

The Big Breach; From Top Secret to Maximum SecurityCompliments of http://www.192.comhandle. Other shadowy figures were emerging from the woods, makingpurposefully towards the vehicle, weapons held out menacingly.There was no time to reply to Baz before our vehicle was alsosurrounded. The barrels of two AK47s loomed at me through thewindscreen, their owners just dark shadows. There was a sharp tap on myside window and, looking round, a pistol gesticulated for me to openup. Trying not to make a sudden movement, I slipped my hand round tofeel for the button on the top edge of the door - Jim would havetripped out the central locking when he got out to move the tree. Ipushed it down, praying that the unreliable system would work. Therewas a satisfying clunk as all five doors locked up. The pistol crashedthreateningly against the window in response.The situation was awkward rather than desperate. Thankfully most of thesoldiers were clean shaven, so they were not from the Afghan Mujahideengroup that was known to be operating in the area and who would nothesitate to execute infidels. Our lives were probably not in danger -even the worst Bosnian militia groups were unlikely to murder UNPROFORsoldiers as it would lead to severe retribution. But I was worriedabout the vehicles and equipment. Only a few weeks earlier a group ofFrench journalists had been ambushed a few kilometres from this spot,ordered out of their Land Cruiser at gunpoint and left at the side ofthe road as their ambushers drove away in the new vehicle. It would bea disaster if the same thing happened to us. Losing the Discovery andcomms-wagon would be bad enough but the KALEX HF comms equipment,though outdated, was still classified `TOP SECRET'. Still, I thought tomyself with a weak smile, they would be in for a nasty surprise if theytried opening my briefcase. The metal box that contained the encryptionOTPs and other classified material had an inbuilt incendiary devicethat would destroy the contents with a satisfying bang if it wereopened incorrectly. I hoped that they would not get that far.Grabbing the Motorola I got on to Baz. `Don't get out of the vehicle atall costs,' I shouted.`Gotcha,' Baz replied, not as cockily as before.The pistol banged against the side window again and an order was barkedin Bosanski. Stooping slightly so that the pistol owner's blackenedface was visible, I shrugged and held up my hands. `I don't understand.Ich verstehe nicht. Je ne comprends pas,' I replied, cursing for theumpteenth time how ridiculous it was for personnel to send me on aposting of this nature lacking even rudimentary language training. Thevoice barked out again and a rifle butt smashed into the rightheadlight, breaking the lens. I got the message and reached for thesteering column stalk to flick out the remaining light.The voice barked out again, so I dropped the window a crack, hopingthat it would be taken as a gesture of conciliation. `How can I help?'I asked feebly in English. The voice screamed again, more aggressivelythis time, and the vehicle rocked as he pulled hard on the door handle.Other soldiers tried to force open the rear door too. Winding down thewindow another half-inch, I tried to identify myself. `UNPROFOR,UNPROFOR. British soldiers,' I said, holding my United Nations ID cardup against the window.page- 116 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version of this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com