Agent Z and the Terrorist Threat

“Agent Zed, the Agency has need of your services.”

The voice, with its clipped British accent, came from Zach Taylor’s computer. In a small window on the computer screen was the distinguished face of a gray-haired gentleman. This man was known only as the Director. He headed a top-secret government organization called the Agency, and Zach was one of his special operatives – a junior spy.

“What’s the mission, sir?” Zach asked.

Huddled around him, looking over his shoulders, were Zach’s two best friends – Annie Johnson and Moose Jacobs. They were all in the eighth grade together at Benjamin Franklin Middle School , in Glen Ellyn , Illinois . Glen Ellyn was a suburb of Chicago , the city where the Agency had its main headquarters.

“You are undoubtedly aware of the recent terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center , hmm?” the Director began.

Zach nodded, silently. The vision of the planes crashing into the two skyscrapers was forever etched into his mind. Every time he thought of the thousands of innocent people who lost their lives in the attacks, he felt a huge aching deep in his stomach.

“As you know, those attacks were the work of the Al Qaeda terrorist group. This group is led by Osama bin Laden, a notorious international terrorist. He has threatened further attacks on the United States .”

Onscreen, the Director’s face was replaced by a picture of bin Laden.

“In normal times, the Agency would not be involved with this kind of threat. Too busy chasing our own peculiar breed of mad scientists and criminal masterminds, hmm? But these aren’t normal times – are they, Agent Zed?”

“No, sir,” Zach replied.

He thought back to the many missions he’d completed for the Agency. Mr. Raven’s scheme to send mind-control signals via pirated videogame cartridges. The plot to attack Disney World with deadly nerve gas. Project Death Ray and the discovery of the Chinese smuggling operation. Working with the Finisher to keep a mutual foe from blowing up Hoover Dam with a nuclear bomb. Dr. Killjoi’s evil android army.

They’d stopped them all.

 “The FBI and CIA have been overwhelmed with leads related to Al Qaeda and the terrorist attacks,” the Director continued. “The fact is, there are more leads than agents to handle them. Because of this, the President has asked the Agency to put aside our normal affairs and lend a hand to our sister organizations.”

 “Which is where I come in?” Zach asked, curious.

“Precisely,” the Director confirmed. “The Agency has been tracking several suspects with potential ties to Al Qaeda. Two of these suspects are residents of Glen Ellyn – neighbors of yours, so to speak.”

“Arab terrorists?” Annie whispered, not entirely convinced. “In Glen Ellyn ? I’m so sure.”

Zach poked her in the ribs with his elbow, and made a shushing sound.

“Who are the suspects, sir?” Zach said, speaking clearly into the computer’s microphone.

Annie folded her arms and rolled her eyes, annoyed.

“This is Galeb Audah Saleem,” the Director said, as a picture of the suspect appeared on the computer screen. “Twenty-eight years old, five-foot-six, one hundred-fifty pounds. Native of Iraq . Employed by Southside Transport, a trucking company in Wheaton .”

Zach looked back at Annie. Wheaton was right next door to Glen Ellyn .

“Suspect number two,” said the Director, as the picture on screen changed, “is Kassim Masmah. Twenty-six years old, five-foot-ten, one hundred seventy-five pounds. Native of Saudi Arabia . Employed by Randolph Chemicals, in Evanston .”

“Masmah?” Moose said, his voice low and quiet.

Zach and Annie both turned to look at their friend. He didn’t normally speak up like this.

“That is correct, Mr. Jacobs,” the Director said. “The name is familiar to you, hmm?”

“Yeah,” Moose said, after thinking for a moment. “There’s a kid in our class named Ali Masmah.”

“Very observant,” the Director said with a slight smile. “Your schoolmate is Kassim Masmah’s younger brother. They moved with their family from Saudi Arabia four years ago. Might prove useful, hmm?”

Moose sat up a little straighter and nodded, silently. On the computer screen, the Director kept talking.

“Your mission, Agent Zed, is to observe these two suspects, and report any suspicious behavior. Use Miss Johnson and Mr. Jacobs as backup, if necessary.”

Annie and Moose looked at each other and nodded.

“I must warn you, Agent Zed,” the Director said, his voice stern. “These suspects, if they’re truly associated with Al Qaeda, may be extremely dangerous. You are to avoid any physical contact with the suspects – just follow and report, hmm?”

“Yes, sir,” Zach replied, a little disappointed. He preferred action to observation.

“One last thing,” the Director said. “On Saturday nights both suspects attend classes at the Westside Islamic Center. Might be a good place to pick up the trail, hmm?”

Zach nodded. The Islamic Center was within walking distance of his house, just off Roosevelt Road between Glen Ellyn and Wheaton .

“Miss April will meet you at the Middle School in exactly forty-five minutes to distribute your equipment for this mission,” the Director said. Miss April – otherwise known as the Assistant – helped coordinate all of the Agency’s field operatives. She also dispensed all their secret-agent gadgets and devices.

“We’ll be there, sir,” Zach said.

Onscreen, the Director nodded.

“God speed, Agent Zed.”