The catamaran sailed swiftly in the dark and reached some

nameless, unmapped port in the west coast of North Korea. Qadar

was still sleeping in a cabin with two beds. Somehow, after leaving

his villa, he started sleeping at night. His escort, someone named

only Lee, was sleeping next to him. Once they sighted the land,

captain woke them up. Sitting on the deck, Qadar and Lee drank

coffee, observing the approaching shore. Engines were switched

off and the boat had moved slowly towards the shore. Captain

had manoeuvred it smoothly without help from engines. Qadar

appreciated his efficiency and conveyed it while disembarking. It

was a wooden pier and the steps were slippery.

A lone soldier with an old jeep was waiting for them. They travelled

for nearly two hours and reached a guest house just before dawn.

They were received by a caretaker who ushered them into their

rooms to rest until further instructions.

By noon the weather had gone from a smooth breeze to a blustery

storm. Qadar and Lee were sitting in the safety of the veranda. The

coconut and palm trees were swaying like they were dancing to

a furious tune of nature. Qadar remembered few storms he had

seen in his childhood. It was exciting to see a storm and to be in

a coastal place, after having been confined for many years. Few

coconuts dropped making thudding sounds. Birds were shrieking

in fear, calling each other for support. Soon, it became dark and the

cacophony of birds coupled with the howling of wind made the

atmosphere eerie. It seemed as if the wind was blowing inwards

from the sea carrying salty moisture. Staff of the guest house lit up

lights. One waiter came requesting the visitors to come inside the

house.

Qadar smiled and waved at him. “Let me enjoy this, son. It’s been

long time since I suffered from the winds of storm.” He remembered

playing with his friends, under a reversed wooden boat for two

days during a storm. He smiled and thanked the waiter. Seeing the

old man remaining outside, Lee closed his eyes ignoring the waiter.

Qadar lit up a cigarette and got up. He walked to a pole supporting

the roof of the veranda and leaned against it. He watched the

swaying tops of trees. “A good omen for a bad job,” he remarked

to himself. There was a grin on his face. Whether it was born out of

satisfaction or sadistic frenzy, only time would tell.

They both waited till noon when one old car fitted with a helicopter’s

engine arrived slowly. A middle-aged man with a round shaved

head climbed down. The man with a pumpkin head reached them

and settled in the empty chair. He was scrutinising Lee while

lighting his pipe. After smoking for a minute he greeted Qadar.

“Sir, you have not recognised me. I am Rim, Sofu Rim, son of Tofu

Rim.”

Qadar leaned forward and tried to reconnect with forgotten names.

“It seems, I heard of your father. Of course, I could not place him

exactly. I’m sorry.”

Rim dismissed the apology. “No apologies are needed, sir. He was

your contact during your previous visits. And it was me who had

shown you around our laboratory. The pleasure is mine sir, to meet

you again. Can we discuss your requirement?”

Qadar looked at Lee and requested some privacy. He wanted a

one-to-one talk and didn’t know Lee very much to take him into

confidence. Besides, it was not a legitimate business deal that was

under discussion. Lee simply walked inside the house.

Both Qadar and Rim waited for the other to initiate discussion.

Qadar was looking at Rim now and then. He didn’t know how

to start. He didn’t know what was already appraised to Rim. He

turned his head and looked at the dangerously swaying palms.

Rim was smoking. He was not looking at Qadar in particular but

was noting all the movements. He spoke at last, without looking at

Qadar.

“I was apprised of your requirements. A 54KT plutonium device is

needed. Here, a lot is going to depend on where the device will be

exploded and what would be the subsequent geological reaction.

The device will have 18Kg of Pu-239 and a total weight of hundred

kilos. Roughly the size of a football. Simplified version. Tested one

0.5KT version last year in Nevada twenty kilometres down below,”

he smiled. “Yes! In Nevada. Few Americans work for us. After all

it is business and they are capitalists. Where do you want it to be

delivered?”

Qadar was taken aback. A 54KT device? Were they planning to blow

up the entire subcontinent? And they had already calculated other

possibilities. He had been thinking hard about how to convince

them to give one device. And it seemed they had already made up

their mind in his favour. Despite the chill in the air, he sweated.

His mouth went dry, he suddenly was searching for words. He

got up and walked up to the small table placed near the door. He

poured water from the jug and sipped slowly, letting his parched

throat soak each drop of water, as if this was the last time he was

drinking. He poured some water on his palm and splashed his face.

He rubbed the water on his face and neck. He walked back to his

chair and sat. He lit another cigarette. Blowing his fear along with

smoke, he thanked Rim for his help. He said, “Will you be able to

transport it to Peshawar?”

Rim replied, “If you want us to deliver, we can send a small boat

from here to Karachi. It will take roughly two weeks and will be

fully exposed to all patrolling vessels that may choose to inspect the

boat in international waters. Though the device is sealed, to prevent

radiation, it may be sensed with any sensors that are abundantly

available with patrolling ships. Alternately, you may take it with

you now and then it is your responsibility. We simply wash our

hands and deny anything related to the shipment or you. But, I

suggest you take it with you. You’ll be having an introductory

training in mainland and having the equipment makes the training

more effective.” He smiled at Qadar.

Qadar remained silent. He did not expect such a quick arrangement

without negotiations. What about the price? Was it also discussed

by Ling? If so, how much? How would the payment be made? He

would have to get back to Pasha for money and it may take some

time. Here, things were moving at lightening pace and Pasha’s

money transfer may happen at snail’s pace. He had no answers

even for himself. How could he discuss anything with Rim? And

what about the shipment? How could he take it on his own? He’d

be going to Chinese territory and someone there from regular

Government agency may sense the dangerous equipment he was

transporting. If he was caught with the bomb in China, he would

be called a terrorist. At this age, was this the only thing left for him

to be called, after being labelled a copycat, thief, scientific fraud and

traitor? He sighed. But, was he not a terrorist, when he accepted to

be part of this devious scheme? Probably, a scheme like this was not

even envisaged by many abhorred persons in history. Would he go

down in history branded as the most devious person who lived on

the earth? His legs trembled. He looked at Rim, who was waiting

for his reply.

Slowly, choosing his words one by one, Qadar replied. “Thank

you my son. For accepting the request and suggesting even the

transportation. I am overwhelmed.” He looked at his fingers

that were shaking. He closed his fist lest Rim would sense his

uneasiness. His palms were sweating. “This is the weight of guilt,”

he confessed to himself. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes

to pray. “O God! I never prayed to you sincerely. Even during my

earlier misadventures. For the first time in my life, I am losing

confidence. Please let me have success for one last time. I’ll make

you proud that you are my God.”

He opened his eyes and smiled. “About shipment, whatever you

suggest would be done. But, I need to inform my escort so that he

can inform his masters. And, was there any communication about

payment?”

Rim answered quickly, “Those things were already taken care of.

All you need to do is have lunch and take rest. Your boat will begin

its return journey at eight in the evening, probably in the storm. It

may be a rough and unpleasant journey, but for such a shipment,

this weather would be ideal. See you at the pier at seven in the

evening. Good day, Sir.” He abruptly stood up, extending his hand.

Qadar had to force himself to overcome the weakness in his legs

to stand up. He took support of the armrest of the chair and got

up. His whole body was shaking. He shook hands with Rim and

thanked him once again