Prologue - All Leaves Cancelled: November 2072
The order was disappointing, even stunning, but there was no getting around it. All holiday leaves were cancelled.
December wasn’t going to be a season of peace this year. An extensive network of fanatical terrorists had formed, including Bereznik separatists, Neo-Thuggee, and others. They were jointly threatening to strike both secular and religious places where large numbers of people traditionally gathered for entertainments and celebrations. This year, Ramadan, Hannukah, and Christmas all overlapped, increasing the number of potential targets. And then there would be New Year’s celebrations worldwide. Reports from uniformed and undercover field agents were flowing in steadily. In addition, there was the ever-present danger of an attack by the Mysterons. There had already been several unconfirmed sightings of Captain Black.
No one would be home for Christmas this year. But there are always the memories of Christmases past...