Free Forever Until Tomorrow (War Eternal Book 5) by M. R. Forbes Page A

her scheduled voyage is nearly beyond measure. The AIT knows this, and so they seek to disrupt her any way they can. Or so I believed."
    He leaned over, reaching under the chair. It was clear he had prepared for the meeting, and he dropped a green file onto the table in front of them.  
    "What is this, sir?" Yousefi said.
    "This was delivered to an intelligence operative in Jakarta. It was received approximately one hour after the hospital was attacked. It is a letter from the head of the AIT."
    "Has it been verified?"  
    "Of course, Admiral. Would I give it my attention if it weren't?"
    "My apologies, sir."  
    "Go ahead, read it if you wish." He waved his hand over it. "I'll give you the summary." He looked Katherine directly in the eye. "The AIT wants Major Katherine Asher grounded permanently. In exchange, they have agreed to cease all other activity which may further hinder the launch of the Dove."

14

    "What?"
    It was the only word that escaped her. The only thing she could think to say. Her mind became a sudden slush of emotion and logic, trying to make sense of the General's words.
    "I don't understand, sir," Yousefi said for her. "You're telling me these attacks have all been to keep Major Asher grounded? That's a lot of effort to go through to get rid of one person."
    "And a lot of collateral damage," Petrov said. "They killed a lot of dignitaries, a lot of people, and yet now all they ask for is to have one pilot taken off the launch, after failing to kill her on two separate occasions. I agree, it is strange."
    Katherine shook her head, recovering from her initial surprise. "You can't seriously be considering giving them what they want? They're terrorists."
    "I understand, Major. And no, it isn't our desire to give them anything they want. I do not believe that this is only about you, or they wouldn't have gone to the party and created such chaos. These were trained soldiers, and they could have killed you any time they wanted before that."
    "Comforting to know," Katherine said.
    "Da," Petrov said. "So the answer is that both attacks, as well as this communique, are part of larger strategy. The question is, what is that strategy? And why? We know the AIT does not want Earthlings to leave Earth, and yet allowing the launch minus one Major will not help them achieve this goal."
    "My apologies, General," Yousefi said. "I appreciate that you're sharing this intel with us, but I don't understand why you're sharing it? You could have pulled Major Asher from the program without telling us a thing. After two attempts on her life, even the media would have accepted whatever you told them."
    "I'm telling you directly because it is right, Admiral. I do not lie to my people, even if the UEA would prefer it. Also, I need to know from Major Asher if there is anything she can share that may help us understand why they want her off the launch?" He looked at Katherine. His expression was warm and friendly, and she understood immediately how he had been so successful during the war.  
    "I told the MCI everything I know, sir. I'm as baffled by the request as you surely are."
    Petrov nodded. "I thought as much, but I was hopeful that perhaps you could think of something. Anything. You see, Major, I told you it is not our desire to give the AIT what they are asking. Yet, I also mentioned the cost involved with delaying the launch."
    He stopped there. He didn't need to fill in all the blanks. If she had nothing to help them make sense of the AIT's plans, nothing to help them stop it ahead of time, she was out. They were going to take the deal and keep the launch on track, even if it meant caving to terrorism.  
    Silence blanketed the room. Katherine stared at Petrov while she tried to decide if she should tell him the one thing she hadn't told the MCI. The one name that might or might not mean a damn thing.  
    "You don't know they won't renege," she said instead.
    "No, we don't," Petrov agreed. "But it will settle the rest of the