GOTU - A Robin Marlette Novel
Page 21
“I'm afraid not, Gary.”
“I'm not sure I can physically do what we have been doing for much longer.”
“Can you do what you did on the raid?”
“Oh, yeah, I can do that!”
“Well, we will always need extraction and a ‘wheel man,’ so to speak. That will be your job. You plan it, you arrange it. You make sure we all get out.”
“I can definitely do that.”
“Anybody else?”
Ernie spoke up. “I don't like the idea that we are on our own if we get captured.”
“You have to look at it another way, Ernie. I take it they won't get in the way of our own rescue mission to get one of us out.”
Ernie smiled and shook his head. “Rob, you just might be the most dangerous man I know. I don't think Grassley fully comprehends what he is about to loose upon the world.”
“Oh, I think Bill Grassley knows exactly what he is doing. Think about it. He gave up a promising career in U.S. Customs to get us out of this jam. He would've been the head of Customs eventually. I think his main job is to pick missions for us and to keep us under control.”
“Why do we need control?” Emmett asked with a touch of irritation. Robin just looked at him. “Oh, you mean that going into a foreign country and killing a bunch of assholes on our own type of thing.”
“The thought crossed my mind.” Emmett's face broke out in a sheepish grin.
“Are we all in? The emphasis is on the ‘all.’ There is no shame in saying no. This deal definitely has good and bad points. Speak up or forever hold your peace.” Robin waited for a good minute. Nobody said anything. “Okay, we are all really Guardians of the Universe now. Hold on to your asses, because here we go. Burke, bring our new bosses in.”
Burke opened the door. “We're ready, Bill…I mean, Boss.”
“Nothing like keeping the suspense, Burke,” Robin said with light-hearted reproach. The rest of the team laughed as Burke hung his head with a sly smile. As Grassley and the rest came in, Robin stood up.
“We're in.”
Yates spoke next. “Actually, you were in the minute you stepped across the border. I didn't say this at first, because I didn't want you to think I was blowing smoke up your butts. This impromptu op you guys pulled amazed us. I know you got shot up, but all the same you accomplished the mission against overwhelming odds. You didn't give up and kept on fighting. That's the kind of team we want. We will give you training which will make you even better than you are now. We will give you the best equipment. You will have the assets to make your missions work. You have my word on it.”
“And mine,” Bill agreed.
“Robin, please come forward,” General Buchanan said. Robin walked up to him and came to attention. “Robin, by order of the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States, you and your men are hereby commissioned into the United States Army Reserve with the rank of colonel. Ernest Jackson will have the rank of major; Rockwell Barnett and Burke Jameson, lieutenant. Colonel Marlette and Major Jackson, you are hereby authorized to assign non-commissioned rank amongst your command as you see fit. Your immediate superior will be the Commander, Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, which will be the only place any record of you will exist.” General Buchanan handed Robin his orders. “Congratulations and welcome to SOCOM.”
Robin accepted his orders. “Thank you, General. We will strive to make the Army proud of us.”
“I am sure you will, Colonel. It's just nobody will know, will they?”
“I guess not, sir.”
“Now, if you will all please stand and repeat after me.”
The men all stood, raised their right hands, and repeated the oath of office.
Bill Grassley walked up to Robin after they were done. “Rob, we're going to give your team three months to heal up, and then we will start training. I know Jamie may need more time to heal and that's fine. We'll go with your recommendations concerning him. We're going to move your families to more permanent quarters here. The children can register for school on the Fort. We are starting here because Delta will be your primary trainers.”
“What about our kids in college and about to start college?”
“They have their choice: Georgetown University or West Point.”
“But”
“That's the best I can do, Rob. I think it's pretty damn good.”
Unless your kid wants to play baseball. “I'm not complaining. We'll adjust.”
“Any other considerations?” No one spoke up. “All right, gentlemen, some folks would like to meet you.”
The door to the room opened up and a group of men walked in.
“Guardians, these are the men from FBI HRT, Delta, and the Air Force who pulled your butts out of the fire.”
“Gentlemen, we are very pleased to meet you!” Robin exclaimed.
The two groups stepped toward each other and merged into handshakes, thank you's, and congratulations.
“Did I ever tell you guys how much I love the FBI?” Rocky loudly proclaimed to a couple of HRT operators.
Robin talked to the HRT and Delta team leaders and thanked them on behalf of the whole team. “If you guys weren't there for us, many of us wouldn't have made it, including me.”
“We were glad to be there,” the Delta leader said. “It's always fun to whack drug smugglers and terrorists.”
“Same goes for us,” the HRT leader agreed. “We train and train, but don't deploy as often as we like. This operation was a kick!”
After a half hour of discussion, Grassley announced a barbeque was being served in the courtyard of the building. Everyone moved there and enjoyed more conversation, steak, and beer. The Guardians met their future trainers, and the Delta operators guaranteed the Guardians their skills would be greatly enhanced by the time the training finished. The Delta guys told the Guardians they would go through training evolutions with the SEALs and Air Force PJs, in addition to Delta. The Guardians were getting excited about their new job.
Later, Karen talked to Robin in their quarters. Robin finished telling Karen about the CIA's plan. “It's not like we have a lot of choices. I know all of this has been tough on you and the kids, and moving to a whole new part of the country won't make things any easier.”
“We are a tough family, Robin Marlette. Will you be gone all of the time again like when you worked narcotics?”
“That may be a good side to this. I will be away from you when we are on CIA missions, but I won't be doing that all of the time. I will be a businessman in Seattle. When I travel for this business, I can take you and the kids with me.”
“That sounds like it might be fun.”
“Overall, honey, I should be with you a whole lot more than before.”
“That's all I ever wanted, Rob.”
“Believe it or not, Karen, that's what I want too.” Robin kissed his wife.
An hour later, Robin worked on plans for the team when Karen came into the room.
“Honey, you need to talk to Cathy.”
“What's up?”
“She just came back from the hospital. She and Andy are having trouble. Cathy is very upset.”
“What is the trouble?”
“I think she should tell you.” Robin went upstairs to the unit where Cathy and Laurie were staying. He knocked, and Laurie opened the door.
“Hi honey, how are you doing?”
“I'm doing fine, Dad, but Cathy sure isn't. She's in her room.” Robin walked over to the door and knocked.
“Cathy, it's Dad. Can I come in?” Cathy didn't respond. Then after a short time, she opened the door.
“Want to talk?”
Cathy sat on her bed and started crying.
“What's up, Cathy?”
Cathy slowly looked up to her father. “Andy says I should go away and leave him. He says his face is horrible and he doesn't want to be with me anymore. He wants me to find someone else.” C
athy fell on her bed, sobbing.
“Did you tell your mom about this?”
“Yes.”
“How do you feel about it?”
Cathy shot upright, giving her father a fierce look. “I love Andy with all my heart. I want to be his wife. I love him for his heart, not his face!”
“Well, are you a Marlette or a mouse?”
“What do you mean?” Cathy asked with a quizzical look.
“Are you going to give up, or are you going to take matters into your own hands?”
“I love Andy. I'll do what it takes! I just don't know what to do. Will you help me, Dad?”
“I'll take care of the technicalities. Let's go see Mom.”
Robin and Cathy went downstairs and Robin called to Karen. “Honey, are you here?”
Karen came out of the bedroom and put her arm around Cathy. “Have you decided what you're going to do?”
“Dad says I should act like a Marlette and take control of the situation.”
Karen glanced over at Robin. “That would be your dad. What do you want to do?”
“I love Andy and I want to be his wife.”
“Any idea when you want to do this?”
“I wanted to marry Andy two days after our first date.” Cathy began to cry, and buried her face in Karen's shoulder.
“Oh, my dear first-born child, you are so much like your father.” Karen gently pushed Cathy from her shoulder and looked lovingly at her. “I know that no matter what Andy says, he loves you with all of this heart. Let's you and I go see Uncle Ernie and Aunt Sally.” Karen turned to Robin. “Colonel, will you please handle the technicalities while we go see the Jacksons and get ready for a hospital wedding?”
Robin saluted Karen. “Can do, General!”
Robin called Andy's doctor and told him of the situation. The doctor knew about the argument between Andy and Cathy. He told Robin Andy had sunk into a deep depression and he would be happy to take care of the blood tests. Cathy had received a complete physical at Walter Reed after the rescue, so the hospital records contained both her and Andy's blood analysis. That made the marriage license easy.
Three days later, both families were flown to Walter Reed and met the Walter Reed Chaplain.
As they were walking to Andy's room, Ernie stopped her. “Cathy, are you sure you want to do this? Andy is going to be going through a rough time. Even when he is through reconstructive surgery, he is not going to look the same.” Ernie's last words were strained with a tight throat, and tears welled in his eyes.
Cathy's eyes shot fire. “I know exactly what I am doing, Uncle Ernie. I love Andy, I want to be his wife, and that's it!”
“Cathy, we love you”
“Ernie,” Robin interjected. “If you don't want my shy and retiring daughter to kick your dumb balls into your throat, I suggest you shut up and let's get on with the wedding.”
Sally Jackson grabbed her husband's arm and with an exasperated look pulled him to Andy's door.
Robin looked at his daughter. “You're on, kid. Make him believe.”
Cathy kissed her father, hugged her mother, took a deep breath, and walked into the room. She wore a simple white dress with white daisies hand-picked by Karen in her hair. She held a small bouquet of other flowers. Her bright blue eyes sparkled with a fierce passion. Andy appeared confused and dazzled by her beauty.
“Andrew Jackson, do you love me?” Andy did not answer right away. Eventually, he spoke, trying to make his jaw work.
“Yessh.” He turned his face away.
“Andy, look at me.” Andy turned his head back. “I love you with all my heart. I want to be with you forever. I don't give a damn what your face looks like. I only care what your heart and soul look like. I want to be your wife and I want to be your wife now. Are you ready?”
Andy nodded his head. Cathy smiled and kissed his cheek. She turned to the door with a shining smile. “We're ready!”
“I don't know how I can top that!” the Chaplain said as he walked through the door.
Robin and Karen held hands. They looked at each other and then at their daughter. Love and fierce pride swelled in Robin. He put his hand around Karen's waist, and she pressed his arm close to her as tears made their way down her cheeks. Still, Robin chuckled to himself and sent a silent message to Andy: God help you, Andrew Jackson.
Also from Booktrope Editions
Cathedral of Dreams, by Terry Persun (Science Fiction) A compelling tale of a dystopian future and personal heroism, pitting the outsiders against the mind control machine of New City.
Skull Dance, by Gerd Balke and Michael Larocca (Thriller) An atmospheric tale of international nuclear espionage, intrigue and heroism, twisted politics, terrorism and romance.
Paradise Junction, by Phillip Finch (Thriller) A web of crime and intrigue as two privileged thrill seekers set off a series of vicious crimes leading to murder. (coming soon)
Sugarland, by Phillip Finch (Mystery) An exotic action filled tale. An insurance fraud draws an investigator to the Philippines and into a maze of violence and romance. (coming soon)
Wolf's Rite, by Terry Persun (Adventure) A ruthless big city ad exec is captured by mystical Native Americans who send him on a spirit walk, where he discovers love and violence at the edges of sanity.
Deception Creek, by Terry Persun (Coming of Age Novel) Secrets from the past overtake a man who never knew his father. Will old wrongs destroy him or will he rebuild his life?
Sweet Song, by Terry Persun (Historical Fiction) This tale of a mixed race man passing as white in post-Civil War America speaks from the heart about where we've come from and who we are.
Paging Dr. Leff: Pride, Patriotism, and Protest, by Gabriel Constans (Biography) Life of Dr. Arnie Leff, Vietnam veteran and activist, who's fought for community health and a workable drug policy.
Sample our books at www.booktrope.com
Learn more about our new approach to publishing at
www.booktropepublishing.com
Table of Contents
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
EIGHTEEN
NINETEEN
TWENTY
TWENTY ONE
TWENTY TWO
TWENTY THREE
TWENTY FOUR
TWENTY FIVE
TWENTY SIX
TWENTY SEVEN
TWENTY EIGHT
TWENTY NINE
THIRTY