PRIMAL Vengeance

Chapter 29



Khartoum, Sudan



"We've had a minor setback." Omar was sitting at his desk in the PETROCON tower, talking into his speaker phone as he drummed his thick fingers on the desk. It had taken him an entire day to summon the courage to make this call. It was now mid-morning, the day after the ambush that wiped out Sagrib and his men.

"You call this a minor setback?" Zhu's voice hissed through the speaker. He had already been briefed by Yang on the failure.

"The Janjaweed followed up on your intelligence."

"Which was accurate."

"Yes...but they were ambushed by a larger force and now most of my men are dead, including Sagrib."

There was silence as the Chinese oil executive paused. His anger was still sharp.

"I send you weapons, vehicles and intelligence and still you cannot crush a group of old men and children. Omar, I am beginning to think that you are wasting my time."

"I will fix this problem, Zhu. I've already gathered more men. I can replace Sagrib. All we need is more equipment. The Dinka must be destroyed. Sagrib's men will have killed most of them already. There will only be a handful of the dogs left. It is Allah's—"

"Omar!" the Chinese businessman interrupted. "What you need to understand is that China does not care for your petty war or your religious ranting. Do not think for one minute that this is anything more than a business transaction. China needs oil and we will negotiate with whoever has it. At this stage it would seem that is not you."

Omar swallowed nervously. "We will have the oil, believe me. I have sent for more Janjaweed, twice as many as before. I just need more guns, more vehicles and more intelligence."

"More, more, more! Your little war has already cost China millions, Omar, and for what? So far the amount of oil that has been pumped out of your squalid little country pales in significance compared to the price of a merchant ship, a brigade's worth of armor, toys for your Janjaweed and a helicopter."

The Sudanese politician's jowels jiggled as he shook his head. "None of that is my fault. How was I to know the CIA would help the Dinka? You told me there was no chance of that."

Zhu remained silent.

Omar continued, "I have sent for twice as many men. We cannot fail."

Still the Chinese businessman said nothing.

"Given the extra costs I would be willing to offer a cheaper price on the oil."

Finally the Chinese businessman's voice emitted from the speakerphone on Omar's desk.

"That will not be necessary. China is committed to this venture. I have already ordered replacement vehicles. They are on the way to the refinery. Your men will report to Yang there and will work for him directly. Ensure they understand this. I will not have production delayed through the incompetence of another of your religious fanatics."

"And equipment?"

"It will be supplied. Ensure your men do not fail us again, Omar."

The speaker emitted a beeping tone. Zhu had terminated the call.