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he also in the Service?"
    David threw his head back and laughed. "Yaacov, you must vary your reading. Put down your manuals and histories. You can learn much from fiction. This 'Baggins fellow' is a character in Tolkien's The Hobbit . After many great adventures, Bilbo couldn't settle into his old life so he wanders from home at every opportunity. His life bores him and he prays for adventure. That's me. I can't settle into the routine. All my life, any type of routine could be fatal. Now, they expect me to sit back with my feet up. I can't do it."
    Yaacov knew much of David's past, although he did not know even a third of the truth. His security clearance was too low to allow for such knowledge. "You have served your country in the field for many years," he said. "The time has come for you to sit back and give others the benefit of your experience. You deserve a rest."
    "I don't want to rest. I don't want to teach ."
    David had been semi-retired from the field. Politics had interfered yet again in the Mossad and many of the longer-term agents were considered a liability - or more likely a possible embarrassment. Supposedly, times were changing and the Mossad had to change with them. David hoped his was a temporary problem that his friend and head of the Mossad, Assi Levy, would solve. But until that time, David was forced to leave the field and instruct the new soldiers with their new technology.
    "Look at me. I'm in excellent shape. As good as I was ten years ago. Maybe better, since I stopped smoking. My reflexes are still good. If I was a soldier, I'd still be able to fight in a war. I just want to be useful. I'm only fifty. I'm not dead, yet. You should understand how I feel."
    Yaacov smiled at the man sitting beside him. He did feel for David. In less than a year, regulations would prevent the major himself from leading commando missions. The elite squad was a young man's unit. Strategy meetings and lectures would soon occupy Yaacov's time.
    "Yes, I will soon be a Bilbo Baggins," Yaacov agreed. "But what can you do? Regulations are regulations. You can only make the best of your life."
    "Sounds good," David said. "We'll talk again in a few years. Then you can tell me all about the wisdom of the regulations."
    David shaded his eyes to watch a white and red Ecureuil II helicopter land near the two heavily armored craft. He raised his eyebrows at Yaacov. Both men rose and headed toward the sleek craft as the pilot jumped out and ran to the nearest commando. The soldier pointed at David and the pilot trotted to meet them.
    The pilot saluted sharply. "Colonel Morritt?"
    David returned the salute. "Yes."
    "If you would come with me please, Colonel. I have orders to bring you to Tel Aviv."
    David looked at Yaacov. The major shook his head and shrugged.
    "Assi Levy told me to bring you immediately, Colonel," the pilot said.
    At the mention of Levy's name, David's face brightened. "Then, by all means, we shall leave immediately," he said, handing Yaacov his ARM rifle and helmet.
    Once in the air, David could see bulldozers heading for the destroyed village. The machines would plow the remains of the buildings under and redo the roadwork, then the construction crews would move in. By this time next week, another mockup of the Arab village would stand on the same spot, ready for the next training mission.
    Turning away from the window, David wondered why Assi Levy, the Memuneh of the Mossad, had called him back to Tel Aviv.

Chapter 4 - PROFESSOR MILNER

    George Stamatakes expertly guided the open convertible around the many curves of the coastal road. Katrina Kontoravdis sat beside him, watching the scenery through the wisps of her windswept hair. She knew even the short style would be a mess by the time they arrived at their destination, but it was worth the irritation. The sea air and warm sun were relaxing and she desperately needed relaxation. She could feel the excitement and tension knotting the back of her neck. The acid