Selena sat on the floor next to Ambassador Cathwaite. She was unbound. The terrorists hadn't bothered to tie anyone up. Selena couldn't blame them for feeling confident. Holding AKs against unarmed civilians tended to make you feel that way. Two men watched her and the other hostages.
She read the banner. It was a verse from the Quran about slaying the enemies of Allah. Black banners with verses calling for jihad were never a good sign. Neither was the video camera.
Two of Omar's men were setting charges all around the walls. It was clear they intended to destroy the building. One of the terrorists was standing next to her. She couldn't let Nick know, not right now. Selena wondered if anyone would leave the building alive, then pushed the thought away.
Omar walked over to her. "You, journalist, get up."
She got to her feet. Omar grabbed her arm and marched her over to the video camera. He handed her a piece of paper.
"These are our demands," he said. His breath was foul with the smell of fish. "There is a transmitter on this camera. The images will be relayed on television throughout the world. Read these demands, as they are written. It is, as they say, a scoop for you. Do you understand, slut?"
"Yes." Inside, she seethed. She could kill him before he moved but it wouldn't do any good. His men would cut her down and probably kill all the other hostages as well. "I understand," she said.
The terrorist leader signaled. A bright light came on over the camera. "Begin," he said. "Read the statement."
Selena started reading the terrorist demands. Immediate release of thirty-four Abu Sayyaf prisoners being held for trial by the Philippine government. Recognition of an independent Islamic Republic on Mindanao. Reparations for past offenses by the government in the amount of $100 million, to be brought to the embassy within twelve hours. All prisoners were to be released immediately. If the release was delayed, one hostage would be executed every hour, on the hour. Any attempt to assault the embassy would result in all hostages being executed.
They were impossible demands. Selena knew they wouldn't be met. It meant they would all die if nothing happened to stop it.
She finished reading. Omar stepped in front of the camera and pushed her out of the way. "Sit down, whore," he said. Selena went back over by the ambassador and sat down.
Omar spoke to the camera.
"You need to know we are serious," he said. "I will show you how serious we are."
He pointed at one of the hostages, a local girl who worked in the mailroom. The camera followed his gesture. He signaled one of his men. "Her," he said. The man grabbed her and pulled her to her feet. He brought her over to Omar and forced her down on her knees.
"No, wait," she said. "Wait."
Omar shot her in the head in front of the camera. Gray matter and bone sprayed out over the room. The body toppled over.
"You have one hour," Omar said to the camera. "If you do not begin releasing my people I will shoot another. Next time it will be an American." He made a slashing motion across his throat. The camera light went off.
Selena felt the ambassador grip her hand.
"Bastard," Cathwaite said. "She just had a baby. Three months ago." Her voice trembled with anger. Blood spread in a wide stain under the dead girl.
Outside the embassy, Nick considered his next move. Selena's voice sounded in his earpiece. She was whispering, but Nick could hear the stress in her voice.
"Nick, do you copy?"
"Affirmative."
"There are twelve of them. They've placed charges all around. They shot a hostage."
"We're outside the building looking for a way in." He paused. "You okay?"
"Nick, these people are crazy…"
Her voice cut off.
"Selena?" he said. There was no answer.
CHAPTER 21
Lt. Colonel Kroger shielded his eyes against dust kicked up by the Sea Knight helicopters as they lifted away. Three Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallions came in after them and settled on the boulevard. They disgorged more Marines and half a dozen Humvees with Browning M2 .50 BMG machine guns mounted topside. Kroger believed in being prepared. From the air he'd seen a column of Philippine Army vehicles speeding down Roxas Boulevard toward the embassy. He placed some of his men and a Humvee across the Boulevard in the path of the oncoming Philippine troops. Others took up positions along the edge of the embassy grounds. Kroger had created an instant buffer zone around the embassy. No one was getting near the building without going through him.
The Philippine convoy was getting close. "Looks like we got here just in time, sir."
The speaker was his XO. Major Clifford Anderson had been Kroger's second in command for the last two years. Both men had served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both had been under fire many times together. Kroger couldn't think of anyone he'd rather have with him in a potential firefight.
"Better get ready for an argument, Cliff," Kroger said. "The locals aren't going to be happy."
"That's too damn bad," Anderson said. They waited for the Filipinos to arrive.
The lead vehicle was a Kia 450, a medium-sized truck used for troop transport. It was followed by another half dozen similar vehicles filled with troops. Two American-made M113A2 armored vehicles brought up the rear.
"The tracks on those must be doing a real good job on that nice asphalt road," Anderson said.
"Show of force. They probably think they're going to go through the gates with them."
"That's not going to happen," Anderson said. Men wearing olive drab berets and dressed in camouflage uniforms scrambled out of the trucks. They carried modern assault rifles. An officer stepped down from the lead vehicle.
"Showtime," Kroger said. "That's the 1st Scout Rangers, if I'm not mistaken."
"Those are Steyr assault rifles they're carrying," Anderson said. "Good weapon."
"The Rangers are their elite unit," Kroger said. "They even sent a general. Let's go, Major. Time to make nice. Smile."
The two Marines walked over to the Philippine general. Kroger saluted.
"Lieutenant Colonel Kroger, sir."
The Filipino returned the salute. "I am General Narcisco. Why are you here, Colonel? I was unaware permission had been given for American troops to deploy. Your men are blocking my vehicles. I wish to pass."
"I'm afraid I cannot allow that, sir. My orders are to secure the area until the situation is resolved."
Narcisco's face tightened under his beret. "You are on Philippine territory, Colonel. You will remove yourself immediately. We will take care of this."
"Sorry, sir, I can't do that. May I remind you that the embassy is United States territory."
"Colonel, unless you wish to find yourself a lieutenant again, you will immediately get your men out of the way."
Behind General Narcisco, his troops had picked up on the hostility between the officers. They didn't look happy. It had been a long time since World War II and Americans were no longer popular in the islands. Anderson saw one of the Filipino officers give a quiet command to his sergeant. Weapons came up to port arms.
"Move out of my way, Colonel," Narcisco said.
"Sir," Anderson said.
"I see it, Major."
Kroger raised his left hand in the air in a prearranged signal. The Filipino troops found themselves staring down the barrels of Marine rifles. Kroger was bluffing. He wasn't going to fire upon troops from a friendly nation, but Narcisco didn't know that. Fifty or sixty Marines in battle dress pointing weapons at you would intimidate most people and Narcisco was no different. He looked at the faces of the men behind the rifles and saw nothing to reassure him. It was a convincing, chilling display of force.
"General," Kroger said, "my orders are to secure this area. I suggest you consult with your commanders as to the best course of action. Your troops will not be allowed to come near our embassy."