Return of Our Country

by David M Burke

  Krieger rode in the back of the truck to the river while the next truck was being loaded. Logistics teams had developed the plan. Most of the gold would leave by boat. Forty trucks would need to make it clear to get the gold from this private globalist stronghold. Getting forty trucks through the London area wasn’t a viable option. However, in addition to the gold being transported by waterway, a number of trucks would go out the main and service entrances of the castle and disperse in all directions. Each truck had a rendezvous point to get the gold out of the country. This strategy would reduce the risk of a total mission failure.

  When the truck Krieger was in made it to the designated spot under the shade of a large black stealth tent at the edge of River Thames, Krieger jumped out. He didn’t have to say a word. The team already had the back of the truck opened and were unloading. The engineers had equipment to grab the gold and place it on the gate of the amphibious landing craft. From there, the electric winch system on the craft pulled it into position.

  They were finished within minutes. Krieger climbed back in. From the back of the empty truck, Krieger watched the craft skim over the water and disappear quietly into the darkness. He couldn’t even hear the next stealth vessel pull into place.

  Over the next few hours, the teams unloaded most of the gold. It was apparent this portion of the operation was under control. Krieger, Briggs and Mauricio let the rest of the team shut down operations, then they rode with the final load to the river. By the time the last craft was loaded, the tent covering was dismantled and the three got into the helicopter. As they lifted off, they watched another truck leave the rear entrance. In another hour the last truck would be out of there, and there were still a few hours until daybreak. They were ahead of schedule.

  When they flew out to sea to meet their next transport, Krieger pointed. Mauricio and Briggs smiled as they watched one of the vessels full of gold drive into the underbelly of an oil tanker.

  Krieger did feel some comfort for a moment, then, ever driven to complete the entire mission, he remembered they had one more place to infiltrate.

  He turned to the others. “We’d better get some shut-eye. This next one won’t be as easy.”

  Chapter 56

  Intensifying sounds of first responder sirens blared. Gabby tensed. The vehicles came right down the street. Her emotions waned a moment later when the sirens faded as the vehicles passed. They were heading towards the globalists’ Central Banking headquarters.

  Lead Agent Francisco Gonzalez put both palms on the table. He leaned in towards Adam and said, “Sir, we need to get you out of here.”

  Part of the CIA Special Activities Division, Gonzalez ran this and several other safe houses in the London area.

  “By when?” Adam questioned, sensing Gonzalez’s urgency.

  Gonzalez stood straight up. “Early tonight, or even sooner.”

  “Why’s that?” Adam’s question was intended to make Gonzalez realize that he and Gabby had just escaped with their lives and could use some down time.

  Gonzalez had been running this safe house for two years. Posing as a successful small business man from California, Gonzalez used his passion for refurbishing old houses to serve as his cover. He’d had the CIA purchase some older homes, which were expensive for their size. Gonzalez slowly refurbished them. He sold a few and gained a reputation locally for his creative ability to maintain a home’s charm, while embedding every modern convenience and offering the homes at a fair price. This strategy allowed the agency to maintain several such safe locations throughout the city.

  Gonzalez’s mother had migrated from the mountainous Jalisco state of central Mexico. Coming across the US border at Mexicali town on the northern tip of the Baja illegally, she was a migrant worker. She had moved to Pomona, a suburb of LA, California, and started her family. Gonzalez was only about five foot six, but he was always gifted at anything he did. Even the gait of his walk was fluid. With his complexion and full head of dark hair, he was a man who could blend in anywhere. With this upbringing, Gonzalez knew all about hiding out, and he knew Adam and Gabby didn’t have much time.

  “Sir, this is a top-secret safe house and it’s very secure. We blend right in. But, pretty soon, the local authorities are going to do what they’ve been trained to do. They’re going to draw circles out from the last location you were seen, and methodically clear houses. If they know you left the banking headquarters, they’ll search their cameras. They could possibly identify you on one of the cameras about a block and a half away from here… and that’s the best-case scenario.” Gonzalez’s expression revealed another concern. “Worse than that is the possibility that there are several people in the CIA who would have access to this location.”

  Gonzalez hesitated, letting Adam realize for himself what he was about to say. “If just one deep state CIA agent has access to safe house locations in this area, they’ll be searching for addresses. If they find this address, they’ll contact the relevant people locally, who will come directly here.”

  Adam already had his own impression of what he was about to ask, but he wanted to hear what Gonzalez said. “What are the odds?” Adam asked.

  “I’d say about fifty-fifty, sir.”

  Gabby’s blue eyes met Adam’s. They both turned to Gonzalez.

  “How long do we have?” Adam asked.

  “I’m afraid they’re most likely starting the process now,” Gonzalez said. “I would be.”

  “Do you have a back way out?” Adam asked.

  “Of course, we have a few,” Gonzalez said. “But they won’t help. Whichever way you take, you’ll need to walk out on the streets. You’ll be exposed among the public. You need to get out of here before they quarantine the entire area.”

  Gabby looked at Adam and, holding out her open palms, indicating their attire would help identify them, she said, “How are we going to do that?”

  “You’ll have to blend in,” Gonzalez said. “I have everyone looking for some clothes to help you fit in.”

  Adam looked at Gabby’s face and, in a brief moment, realized his efforts to save the country had allowed him to orchestrate the transfer of enough stolen money to pay off more than half of the national debt. And, if Krieger was successful, the entire national debt would be paid off. Adam was satisfied. If it was only him, and he died getting away, he would feel his life had been complete.

  His eyes moved from Gabby’s eyes to the smooth skin surrounding what he playfully called her perfect nose. The strong presence she still maintained reminded him how she had managed to talk him into letting her come along on this assignment. Her logic had convinced him, George, Madison, and even Krieger. With Gabby along on the visit of what the globalists assumed would be the economic surrender of the United States, they would be disarmed. And they were, because they had been told she wanted first-hand knowledge of the transactions to convey to the public. It sounded logical; they all knew Gabby was well respected in the media and among the masses. They believed that, with her advocating to the world how this was a good move for all, it would settle down the unsuspecting masses and especially the President’s most loyal supporters. Those nationalists were the globalists’ biggest threat. It was the perfect plan.

  But now, Gabby and Adam were trapped. Their escape had been compromised and, after barely making it out of the NWO compound, they were about to be closed in on.

  Adam and Gabby’s relationship had been kept a secret because of the potential political fallout. Adam now questioned if keeping the perception of him being the most eligible bachelor in the country was shallow. Gabby deserved better. She deserved everyone to know. And here she stood, unwavering in her commitment to the country and to him. He admired her loyalty, her acceptance for who he was, her uncompromising devotion to her profession, while at the same time her total understanding and support of his calling. It all flashed before his eyes at that moment.

 
Now he and Gabby were getting more comfortable with eluding those they worked with and the press. They were rendezvousing in remote places where they wouldn’t be detected. He was feeling at peace with all of it. But she deserved better, and it had taken this for him to realize it.

  Even after becoming the vice president and being reasonably secure, some of his actions had still been haunted by the financial devastation he hadn’t emotionally gotten over.

  He scanned her upper cheeks and then back to her eyes, which he immediately remembered thinking would still be beautiful when she was eighty years old.

  It was lucky he and Gabby had even made it here. This safe house had been their primary backup plan, but the route they’d planned to get here hadn’t worked out. Instead, they’d had to scurry down stairs and into an alternate escape route designed to facilitate the bankers’ escape. Now with the city being squeezed tighter than a garter belt, the sand in their hour glass was running out.

  Adam focused on the extraction plan. “Where’s our backup transportation?”

  “Compromised,” said Gonzalez. Seeing the concern on Adam’s face he added, “We’re exploring other options.”

  Adam felt an immediate escalation of concern for Gabby. At that moment, the door began to open and he watched the right hand of Gonzalez deliberately reach for and grip his Glock. That movement alone reaffirmed the seriousness of the situation.

  Then three agents walked in the room. The first agent in the door had a piece of paper in his hand. He walked directly up to Adam and said, “Mr. Vice President, sir,” as he handed Adam the note.

  Adam looked up at the agent and took the paper. Before he read it, his eyes focused on the blue eyes watching his every movement. For a brief second he took in her beautiful eyes and simply smiled.

  She returned the smile and watched for his reaction. The coded message from Mauricio told him that the first extraction of black gold was complete. He saw Gabby looking at him. She could read him by now and, though she didn’t know the details, she asked, “Everything’s going as planned so far?”

  A broad grin came across his face. “It is.”

  Then she asked, “What about The Shadow?”

  He hadn’t heard about Brooks and wasn’t sure if anyone knew Brooks was on his own.

  Adam’s expression changed to one of concern. He knew the team was still in the air, so this would be a good time to make contact.

  Adam looked at Gonzalez. “I need to talk to Colonel Krieger. See if you can track him down.”

  * * *

  When Adam hung up the phone, he looked at Gonzalez, who looked over at the other two agents who had entered the room a moment ago. The female agent stepped closer to Gonzalez.

  “Sir, we did the best we could. We have viable options for the vice president, but,” turning to Gabby, the female agent held up a duffel bag Gonzalez immediately recognized. The agent said, “I’m the only woman here and my clothes won’t fit you, so Commander Gonzalez had something in his car. Let’s see if they fit.”

  Then the female agent placed the duffel on the table for Gabby and handed Adam some clothes. “I’m sorry Mr. Vice President, we have several outfits we could give you, but since you’ll be traveling together,” she looked at Gabby, “we need you to match.”

  Adam held up some jeans and the accompanying T shirt and a button-down shirt.

  The female agent explained to Adam. “Put on the T shirt and then the other shirt on top is to wear untucked and unbuttoned.”

  Gabby felt something uncomfortable was coming. “So, what are we dressing as?”

  The middle-aged female agent turned, unzipped the duffel bag and reached in. She pulled out a top and held it up. It was a tightly fitting skimpy tube top. The agent’s other hand pulled out black spandex type bottoms. Gabby’s eyes got big.

  The agent explained. “Our only option is for you to go as a cute chick, maybe just out of college. I’m sorry… This is all we have.” The agent’s tone and expression were sincere.

  Adam tried to break the ice. “Well,” he said, “we can’t go like this,” referring to their current attire. Then, to keep things moving, he started taking off his suit.

  Gabby walked to the far end of the room and turned her back. She took a deep breath and began to take off her jacket and top. When the male agent started to gawk, the woman jabbed him with her elbow. “Can you give her some privacy…?”

  The male agent nodded. His shoulders sunk and, with a reluctant look on his face, he turned and went out the door.

  When Gabby turned back around, Adam’s eyes widened. He swallowed.

  Gabby made another adjustment to the top.

  Gabby tried to be light hearted. “Couldn’t you get something a little tighter?”

  Adam didn’t think that would be possible.

  Gonzalez finally said, “Sorry ma’am, it’s my daughter’s. That’s all we have.”

  Gabby tried to make light of it by joking, “Teenager?”

  She hadn’t really expected the Gonzalez’s affirmative response, “Yes ma’am.”

  Gabby looked at Adam. Well, that explains it. “When Gonzalez said we were going to be exposed in public, I never thought he meant this type of exposed.”

  Gonzalez shook his head. “Next time we’ll have a few more fitting options… no pun intended.”

  The female agent looked over Gabby. “We need to do something with your hair. How about pulling it back or putting it up? It needs to match your look.”

  Gabby nodded and took some barrettes out of her hair, letting the rest of it down. She asked the agent, “Do you have a tie?”

  The women spread open the duffel bag and, after searching the bottom said, “We have two.”

  A moment later, Gabby had her hair pulled back and looked young enough to be just a few years out of college. She bopped towards Adam. Her pony tail wasn’t the only thing bouncing. She stopped in front of him and said, “How’s this?”

  The one man left in the room besides Gonzales immediately refocused away from Gabby’s bouncing breasts.

  “That’ll work,” Adam said with a nod.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked Adam. She knew he was fighting back saying something.

  He shrugged. “Well, no one will be looking at your face, so I guess we’re good.”

  Gonzalez looked at the female agent and knew he needed to take control of the conversation and get them focused.

  “Well,” Gonzalez said, “maybe this will work in our favor. Here’s what we’re going to do.”

  Chapter 57

  “Son of a bitch, I told you I’m too big to parachute,” Krieger bellowed as it took two SEALS to pull him into the vessel. It was only a few hours later. This was the route Mauricio had chosen to get them to the next phase of the mission.

  Dripping wet, Krieger stood and turned to watch Mauricio, who got pulled aboard with one arm. Krieger continued his poke at Mauricio. “Parachuter’s are like gymnasts, the smaller they are, the easier they tumble and land. You don’t see many two hundred-and fifty-pound gymnasts, do you?”

  Mauricio quickly looked back at Krieger after almost getting caught making eye contact with the SEALs.

  Mauricio offered some banter of his own. “Well sir, it was standard procedure in case the plane was being tracked. Besides that, you did great. You got to the water faster than the rest of us and may I say you made the biggest splash with that entry.”

  The SEALS enjoyed the moment. While they knew of Krieger, they didn’t know him well enough, so they thought they’d better leave the banter between Mauricio and Krieger. One of the SEALs helped Mauricio pull in the pack that was attached to his strap. The pack had some of his special communications equipment in it.

  The captain approached Krieger. He said, “Colonel, I’ve got an urgent communication for you from London.”

  Krieger
looked at Mauricio. They weren’t expecting a call from anyone. They both knew something had gone wrong.

  Krieger went down below and took the call.

  After a brief discussion where Adam explained that they’d left Brooks in the globalist banker’s headquarters and he was most likely in grave danger, Krieger asked, “Are we free to engage?”

  “Colonel, he saved our ass and, if you’re successful, possibly the country.”

  “Understood sir,” Krieger said. “I’ll get someone on it.”

  “Colonel.”

  “Yes sir?”

  Adam said, “And let the QRF know that. I want them to know why they’re going back into the teeth of the globalist stronghold for him.”

  “Yes sir.” Krieger actually smiled and looked at Mauricio. He knew that the men needed to know why they were going back. With that knowledge, they would take on the fight, no holds barred.

  Krieger disconnected from speaking with the vice president. Now, he’d make the call to send a small extraction team after Brooks.

  * * *

  The frigate sped off, cutting through the water like no other. Krieger and Mauricio quickly got into dry gear. Conditions were almost perfect. The Captain continued to increase speed up to over seventy miles per hour. This stealth vessel was like nothing else on the ocean, and was being used on its first mission. With a cargo load capacity designed for the weight they’d be transporting, it was the perfect vessel for the application.

  * * *

  Krieger said to Mauricio, “Get me the Independence.”

  This operation required a surprise and extraction from multiple vessels, but none was more important than the LCS2 Independence out of San Diego. This vessel had been chosen because of its formidable jamming technology and vast array of capabilities. At over four hundred feet long, it had the capabilities of a small assault transport, including a flight deck and hangar for housing two SH-60 or MH-60 helicopters, a stern ramp for operating small boats and cargo volume and payload to deliver a small assault force with fighting vehicles in a roll-on/roll-off port facility.