"Are we there? Where exactly?"
"Mediterranean Sea. Outside Tartus Port. Two cruisers, three destroyers, and a nuclear submarine. The carrier's aircraft have started patrolling over Syria. Assad wants to turn the state funeral into a parade."
Alvarez said nothing.
"Lieutenant, wait at the airport. Don't wander off. We'll send someone to pick you up."
"Who's coming?"
"3rd Special Forces Battalion."
The call ended.
Alvarez stood there, holding the phone, listening to the busy tone.
He looked at the flight information screen, at the red "Delayed" signs.
He remembered Hassan standing in the olive grove, cane in hand, saying "The bridge stays, the water flows, I've buried the people." Now the bridge is still there, the water is still flowing, but the people are gone.
He turned and left the departure hall.
11:05 a.m., above Damascus, Big Mao Air Force Su-27 fighter plane
