Vengeance of Honor

Prologue

Jalalabad, Afghanistan

One week ago

On a certain street where a mosque stood at its dead end, it was nothing but deserted except the fact that a few motor-powered bikes were parked in an unorganized manner in front of the mosque.

It's dawn and the Mecca prayers could be heard from a radius of two miles away as it was amplified by the large stereo phones affixed just under the dome of the mosque.

Taking a corner into this street by foot is an old man named Hakim. With the aid of the walking stick he'd acquired a long time ago, he made his way towards the mosque. Step by step, he dragged his feet. He was already panting hard by then.

In his eyes, a sign of hatred and pain was clearly present. It was, without doubt, that he was very old and worn-out. Wrinkles were all over his face as the skin on his cheeks hung loose. His crooked back was an addition to the physical pain he's experiencing.

He paused for a while so he could catch his breath. He raised his left arm and looked at his old Rolex watch strapped around his wrist. Yes, he's late in schedule. But they were not to start the meeting until he's present. Because he called for the meeting, gathered his bests and nonetheless, he's in charge of the organization now - it's leader.

It's been three years since they had this meeting. So, he felt its time for something like that.

He carried on walking. Thinking of the past made him stronger. If it wasn't his age, he would be running by now. There was so much in mind that he wanted to tell to his members and he felt that they earn a right to know. Nonetheless, it was the truth. He would tell them soon. As soon as he reach the meeting spot.

While walking, he was already reciting the lines. Going it through over and over again, making sure he doesn't miss a detail.

For a long ten minutes, he finally reached the steps that leads into the mosque. Sweating hardly now, he quickly progressed himself up, not caring the tiredness anymore. Because he felt that it was what's necessary, a mission in life - his life. Wait, no. He mustn't be so selfish. It is the necessary process to the spreading of Allah's words. He must do it. He insisted it.

He had long put the word pride behind himself because it isn't important anymore. Allah is more important now, considering.

****************

"Sorry, I'm late," Hakim said in Arabic, barely above whisper, as soon as he entered the underground bunker under the mosque.

There were twelve men seated on the carpet, chatting and drinking tea before his presence. Most were in their 50s but there was this particular man who stood out among the rest.

He was undoubtedly buff with large muscles bulging out of his traditional clothes he was wearing. His square cheekbones and tan proved that he was nothing but a tough man. But there was this caucasian look on him which Hakim would make use of.

As soon as Hakim was in, all of them quickly stood up. One of the older man, presumably Hakim's assistant, walked up to him and said, "Salam." He offered a hand and Hakim shook it.

"Salam," Hakim replied in the proper manner.

They all shook hands and embraced each other.

By then, they were all seated and were making small talks. When the conversation reached its limits, Hakim stood up.

He began in Arabic, "Today, I'd gathered all of you here for a number of reasons. Firstly, as all of you know, today is the death anniversary of our fellow brother and friend, Osama bin Laden. He was a great leader, don't you think?"

There were nods.

"His death was nothing but great loss. His plans, particularly the 9/11 was smart and effective. It brought al-Qaeda to the next level. And don't forget my friends, it was also the spreading of Allah's words. The sign of honor that was necessary. They, the Americans, were shocked by the attack! They were stunned, in other words. It was the brilliance of Osama that made us what we are today."

"I agree, Hakim," one of the members said confidently.

"Well, he was with al-Qaeda since its inception. He's the founder, to be exact. Most of you know that, right?"

Nods by members again.

"And even some of you here, was with him together, building and strengthening this very organization. Some of you came a little later, but your contributions are still appreciated."

He continued talking. Talking about how al-Qaeda was formed and the genesis of it. It was more of the truth that was concealed from them. Truth that they do not know about. And how the organization succeeded so well without doubt.

The long speech didn't bore the members. It amused them. But there was a little bit of anger in them as they weren't told about it a little earlier. But nonetheless, they were still brothers, fighting for the righteous together.

Hakim didn't stop. He continued, "Do you realize something, brothers? After 9/11, the well planned attack, he, Osama went into hiding. Only after ten years, the Americans found him. Look at how stupid they are! Ten years!" Hakim mused and gave a little chuckle. "Even a schoolboy could had figured that out. He just hid in an ordinary house but still, they couldn't just find and locate him!"

"You've got a point," someone said.

"After they found him and of course, killed him in cold-blood, they thought they were so victorious. Celebrating and shit." Hakim shook his head. "Come on Americans, at least be more civic-minded. It's a death, piece of shit!" Hakim shook his head again. "After that, you know what they did? You know what they did?!?!" he screamed. "They put his corpse in a body bag and threw it into the Atlantic Ocean!" he was screaming in anger. "At least learn some respect!" he screamed again.

"I agree," a member named Hagri said, followed by nods from other members. "Vengeance must be brought unto them." Nods again.

Hakim smiled and said, "Yes, vengeance. Such a powerful and useful tool at this moment." He paused for a while as he continued, "Well, my friends and brothers, it had been two years since his death and the Americans are probably laughing and teasing us for not responding. I believe it's time to exact our revenge and spread the word of Allah!"

"Yeah!" most of them supported.

"Not only vengeance. Not only vengeance," he said calmly. "But justice too!"

The yeahs followed again. But this time, Fadi interrupted. "Good positive thinking, I like that. But how are we gonna prosecute it?"

"I'm too old for all that, Fadi. That's why we have a young man with us here today," Hakim said. "Ershad!" he called.

The only young and tough man in the group stood up while Hakim sat down and took a sip of his tea. All the attention moved to Ershad.

Confidently, Ershad began, "I have thought of a well-planned - "