The previous day Jim Alcheik's printing press had arrived in a heavy crate; instead of a press, however, it contained a devastating booby-trap which Degueldre had devised himself, consisting of ninety kilos of assorted explosive, with detonators secured to the planks of the packing case by parachute silk thread. Alcheik hastened to prise open the crate; there was an earth-shaking explosion, and the three-storey building disintegrated in dust. Alcheik, the karate champion, was blown to pieces and another eighteen barbouzes died in the blast; two survived by a miracle. Hanging in tatters from one of the few standing walls was one of Alcheik's M.P.C. posters, proclaiming: "Neither suitcase, nor coffin, but co-operation!"

FICTION: A booby-trapped printing press packed with explosives and detonated by parachute silk makes a striking set-piece for a thriller or espionage narrative.

Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Alge…, loc. 1503