The Keepers of the Persian Gate by Sydney Maurice

waypoint. However, if there’s any doubt, it’s latitude 10.92 longitude -64.181,” said Agent Gonzalez.
    “What time is it?” asked Paddy.
    “2000 hours. So you have thirty minutes to get changed and then get down the coast. We’ll put you in the back of the jeep and drive to the nearest beach. When we are all happy that there’s no one watching, you will go into the sea and that’ll be the last we see of each other. Understood?” explained Agent Angel.
    “Affirmative,” said Jake.
    Paddy and Jake suited up. Sister Sarcos and the priest were waiting at the door when the group left the church. The nun smiled and shook Paddy and Jake’s hands and they both thanked her for helping them. As Jake was walking out the door, he stopped in his tracks.
    “Here ma’am - just a small token of our appreciation. From the US government,” said Jake. He handed her an envelope containing all of the remaining cash which he was supplied for the mission, about $20,000. Meanwhile, the priest stopped Paddy as he was about to walk out the door, resting his hands upon either side of Paddy’s face.
    “Dios tiene un propósito especial para usted,” said Father Hernandez.
    “What did he say?” asked Paddy, turning to Sister Sarcos.
    “He said God has a special purpose for you. I agree,” replied Sister Sarcos.
    Paddy nodded and thanked the priest. Meanwhile, Agents Angel and Gonzalez were on the steps watching the car. Seeing that the coast was clear, Paddy and Jake ran to the jeep and jumped into the back. The agents casually followed them out and got into the front two seats.
    “Right, guys, this is it. The situation looks good. The town is quiet so let’s just hope we don’t bump into any unfriendlies on our way to the beach,” said Agent Gonzalez.
    “Just don’t do anything to draw attention to us!” said Agent Angel.
    “Surf’s up, brothers! Hey Paddy, which way to muscle beach?” joked Jake, flexing his pecs through his wetsuit.
    “Cut it out, jackass,” said Agent Gonzalez.
    It wasn’t long before they were out of the town. The beach was less than a mile southwest of Boca de Rio. Paddy and Jake caught glimpses of the sky as the jeep moved along the bumpy road. As was the case the previous night, the sky was crystal clear with a full moon illuminating everything around them. After a few turns, Paddy had the unmistakable sensation of being off-road.
    “Ok. We’re here,” said Agent Gonzalez. The car slowly came to a stop and Agent Angel switched off the lights.
    “Go time. You got everything?” said Agent Angel.
    “Yeah, think so,” said Jake.
    “Yeah,” said Paddy.
    “Ok, the beach is a hundred yards away. Best of luck. Go now!”
    “Thanks, boys,” said Jake. Paddy and Jake made a break from the jeep. Within thirty seconds, they had immersed themselves in the water and were swimming out to sea. Meanwhile, the jeep drove off back to the road, switching its lights back on in the process.
    “Keep moving, Paddy,” shouted Jake.
    Paddy was lagging behind ever so slightly. It became quite obvious that Jake was at a significant advantage to Paddy in terms of his swimming abilities.
    “Jake, I’m not a Navy SEAL, so wait up!” shouted Paddy.
    “It’s not me you’ve got to worry about, Paddy!” said Jake.
    “Come again?” replied Paddy.
    “It’s the hammerhead sharks that fill this stretch of water that I’d be more concerned with if I’m honest!” shouted Jake.
    “You better be joking, mate!” said Paddy.
    “Nope! Deadly serious, keep moving,” replied Jake.
    That was enough to spur Paddy on to swim a bit faster. After roughly twenty-five minutes of hard swimming, the pair had moved close to the coordinates that were provided to them. Jake had been stopping every two hundred or so yards to get a new bearing. Whist the tide was pushing them in the general direction of the coordinates, there was a bit of an eddy pushing them eastward. If they weren’t careful, they would reach the