Chapter By Chapter> Tom Clancy’s Op-Center: Mirror Image chapter 33

Chapter by Chapter features me reading one chapter (or possibly multiple chapter for this one) of the selected book at the time and reviewing it as if I were reviewing an episode of a TV show or an issue of a comic. There will be spoilers if you haven’t read to the point I have, and if you’ve read further I ask that you don’t spoil anything further into the book. Think of it as read-along book club.

Last time we looked at two short chapters, one that comes off as filler and one that’s a character building moment for Striker members.

Hey, we might finally be halfway through the book by the time we’re done. However, I’ve run out of things to say so….here’s a preview of the audiobook of this novel, going after the prologue and first chapter.

Will we ever learn why these guys were killed? Probably not this chapter, but it’s time to get back to where we left off. Let’s see what our more competent Op-Center is up to now.

Chapter Thirty-Three: Monday, 4:30 PM, Washington, DC

At this point I can remember who these people are but there are some whose actual job or title I can’t remember. Rodgers is easy. He’s second-in-command and Striker’s “boss”. Lowel Coffey is the lawyer, and he has to handle the legal matters…and that includes trying to convince Congress to let Striker go into the situation close. The senators he talks too is uncomfortable with a potential shoot-out with the Russians. Rodgers still doesn’t believe Zhanin is ready to tackle a rogue element who is in with drugrunners. McCaskey, the FBI liaison, brings in maps of the area where Commie Op-Center is, so they’re closing in on their mirror image (words chosen on purpose).

As far as the train, their satellites can tell whatever they’re carrying isn’t machinery and is easy for two men to lift. Stoll, the computer guy, has been sent the pictures for further analysis. So story is moving along..technically. What we do get from this chapter is a lesson as to how the chain of command works with Striker. Once Rodgers gives an order, Paul cannot countermand it without firing Rodgers. (Although Mike does claim that if Paul called them back, he agree to it.) They’ll also be skirting a lot of international rules, but with Zhanin still forming his new administration, Op-Center is the only one who can block the conspiracy…a conspiracy they’re only involved in because the baddies decided to bomb part of the country to keep us out of it. Again, it didn’t work for the Japanese in WWII and it was a dumber move here. Any more mistakes and Media Zealot is going to have to cover these guys.

I’ll admit that a lot of this chapter is over my head when it comes to the political ramifications of all this. I’m just too use to the heroes saving the day, but this book is pushing for intrigue and if you can follow this stuff you might be getting it. Next time we’re checking back in with Striker. Hopefully they have a final plan by then.