American Survival (DeLeo's Action Thriller Singles Book 5)

by Bernard Lee DeLeo

  “How did you even know he would be attracted to me in the first place?”

  “We didn’t. I picked you to do the exams when they came in, simply to gauge his reaction to you, which was promising to say the least. If he had not reacted to you, I would have found another to gain his attention. From what I understand, he appears quite taken with you.”

  Dr. Morrison blushed. “I didn’t mean for it to get as public as it did.”

  “Nor did we Doctor; but not everything on a personal level can be taken into account, including personal attractions. Can you do your job or not? I need to know if you can accomplish what needs to be done when necessary. If not, we will find someone who can. You have much to gain by both accomplishing this task, and succeeding in implementing the inoculation program. We have need of someone who can handle something like this at the highest level of government. I can guarantee you a post at the highest level of the administration, if you can bring this assignment to a successful conclusion.”

  “I can do it without a problem, I am sure, until the time he eliminates the intended targets. After that, it will be up to how well we camouflage what we want him to do next, which will dictate the results of my efforts.”

  “You appear more taken with Jack than we had anticipated,” Kardel observed. “That could work in our favor, or it could complicate the ultimate success of the mission.”

  “I…I’ve never met a man as single minded as he can be, who can also be as sensitive and caring about everyone around him,” Dr. Morrison admitted. “I can’t guarantee I can handle him, only that I will do what you order. He trusts no one but his family, and the men he has shed blood with. The trust I gain will be superficial at best.”

  “Can you eliminate him if need be?”

  Dr. Morrison fell silent for a moment, and then looked up at the man in front of her. “I will eliminate him; but God help us if his family ever finds out who did it, and who ordered it. If they find out the first, they will find out the second.”

  “You let us worry about the family and friends. We must keep in mind the bigger picture.”

  “Jack manages to keep the bigger picture in mind too, and sometimes I wonder if he doesn’t get the image before we do. He combines a mixture of intuitiveness, and ruthlessness, I have never seen before. Perhaps that explains how he survived those years in the mountains. He commands a bunch of rednecks with a complacent attitude around his family and friends. That said, when he speaks, they listen. I’ve seen the way they look at him, and the level of respect he commands from them without effort. They make fun of him one second, and then would die for him the next. They would make us die in an instant, if they even suspect we mean him any harm. If he ever gets wind of any of this himself, you better have an army backing you up, because he will come for you Tom, make no mistake about that.”

  “Well then,” Kardel said seriously, “we will have to make sure he doesn’t find out, won’t we? To paraphrase an old comic book, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’, and sometimes great gambles. You may go now, Doctor. Keep me informed.”

  She started to respond, but he had already turned away.

  Chapter 21

  The Reaction

  The two brothers walked into the base gym, and stood in amazement just inside the door.

  “Well Toto,” Jack exclaimed, “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.”

  “So this explains where all the $3,000 hammer money went,” Paul noted.

  Jack looked out over the expanse of exercise equipment of every kind. It included a full basketball court on the left, and an enclosed Olympic size pool on the right. “I guess we could get a program started in here, huh?”

  “We could train for the Olympics here in at least five sports I can count,” Paul replied.

  “I haven t played basketball in five years.”

  “Yeah… basketball, that would be good for the old rib cage.”

  “I didn’t say I wanted to strip, and go one on one right this second,” Jack retorted.

  “Pick something, and we’ll work at it for an hour, and then grab something to eat.”

  “How about bench presses, curls, tread mill and hit the pool?”

  “Fine Jack, and can I call Mitch to come down and help me carry you back up to your room?”

  “I’ll be okay, my hands feel great now, and if anything else makes me hurt, we’ll stop doing it,” Jack argued.

  “I can’t wait to watch those wounds of yours, when the chlorine hits them. I ain’t wrapping your ribs either.”

  “Okay… fine…but what the hell, I’ll go play Doctor with Monica after we get done. What do you say?”

  “Deal, but if you pass out, I want a note to show Sarah and Jake this was your idea.”

  Jack nodded his head. “I’ll work out with the rib bandaged, and get rid of it for the pool.”

  “You’ll never make it to the pool.”

  An hour later, they were on the way back up to see if anyone wanted to eat with them. Jack had kept his head out of the chlorine, and after the workout and shower, he felt better than at any time in the last few days. His ribs ached, but they were nowhere near as sore as he had thought they would be. He had helped Paul put some antibiotic cream, and bandage on his back, which had given Paul some trouble in the pool. All in all, the two brothers were in an excellent mood. Steve and Peter were waiting outside Jack's's room when they got there.

  “Steve and Peter… how nice of you to join… hey, what's's up with you guys?” Jack saw their faces, and shut up immediately.

  “Peter and I were checking out surveillance gear, which their electronics shop was very helpful with. They checked us out on some stuff I only dreamed of. I signed out some things for us to get used to using. With the clearance they gave us, we took out some nice things to practice with. We decided to do a little covert fooling around as a test. Jack, you ain’t going to like it, but we bugged Kardel's's office as an exercise.”

  “You did what? Steve… I…”

  Steve put up his hand. “We’ve swept everywhere for bugs around here, but we need to go outside anyway, and finish this conversation. With what Peter and I saw down in their toy department, nothing can ever be said with absolute certainty, ever again. Suit up, and we’ll head out in ten.”

  Jack nodded, with his heart thumping in his throat. He looked at Paul, and then turned quickly to his room to dress. A half hour later, they had gathered Mitch and the kids on their way back in from outside. The kids began to complain jokingly about being cold until they saw Jack's's face. Fifteen minutes later, they were listening to the taped conversation between Kardel and Dr. Morrison. When the tape ended, only Jack was smiling.

  “We knew it had nothing to do with my good looks,” Jack said. “I may not be a stud muffin; but I have all of you, and thanks to Steve and Peter, we know what’s going on. You two are something else. What in the world ever gave you the idea to bug Kardel’s office, and when?”

  “I took a copy of our equipment list, with some changes, to him in his office,” Steve replied. “Peter and I were practicing, and we wanted a challenge. The challenge came when we listened to it.”

  “Damn good thing you two decided to practice,” Mitch said, clapping Peter on the back.

  “What do we do now,” Sarah asked.

  “We do nothing,” Jack said simply. “We go on with our plans, and we play this smart.”

  “This place appears to be more like Section One than I thought,” Paul said.

  “It might be a good idea if we treat our stay here like a stay in Section One,” Steve added, “where if we make a mistake, we do not live.”

  “When we get on our own, we’ll need to hack into a higher authority, and see how much havoc we can create with the truth,” Jack said.

  “What about after Jack,” Mitch asked. “I mean, after we get established back in the Bay Area. How far do we go now?”

  “We know a few concrete facts. The inoculation program and gang infiltrat
ion remain real objectives. They want those things to happen, and so do we. If we accidentally, and quietly, make everything else also happen in spite of their wishes, well too damn bad!”

  “Will you still go out with Dr. Morrison, Uncle Jack,” Debbie asked.

  “If I must, I will make the sacrifice.”

  This provoked the laughter Jack was looking for to lighten up a very serious situation. “One thing,” Jack added, “treat this from now on as a combat situation. We will be armed from now on. If Steve and Peter can rig us up with some form of communication, we will stay in constant contact, until we get out of here.”

  “If things take a turn for the worse Uncle Jack,” Nick began, “what do we do inside a place like this?”

  “I have confidence we can pull this off. Steve and I will bring Kardel another legitimate update tomorrow, and retrieve the bug. Hopefully, he won’t sweep the office on a daily basis. In answer to your question, Nick, let me make this clear - any trouble, and we have an escape route mapped out, and we kill everyone between us, and the outside. We will have to have explosives planted to take out the base power and backup systems. I will take care of that end.”

  “We ain’t got a chance of doing all that, Jack, and you know it,” Paul said angrily. “We either act this thing out to the letter, or we die.”

  “You didn’t give me a chance to talk about my idea of an insurance plan. We will need hostages, and our two Power Rangers, Kardel and Morrison, seem the best candidates. Like you said Paul, our survival really depends on playing this game until we get out, then we will rain on their parade. If we make mistakes, and things go wrong, a lot of people will die. I still want an option, and I’m open to suggestions.”

  “I have one,” Steve said. “I’ll kill Kardel tonight, and you kill the Doc.”

  “Simple, but elegant,” Mitch said.

  “Kardel!” Paul shook his head. “Never would have figured that.”

  “Power makes a real potent elixir. Let’s get back in, have something to eat, and then get back to work on this list. We need a final one before tomorrow morning, when Steve and I reacquire the bug.”

  Chapter 22

  The Unwilling Ally

  After returning inside, and cleaning up, they all went to dinner together. Paul and Jack described the gym, while Steve and Peter demonstrated some of the gadgets they had acquired, and used earlier. They made final adjustments to their supply list, and Sarah agreed to correct the computer file.

  “Incoming,” Peter said, keeping his eyes on the papers strewn in front of them. “Mata Hari now treks towards our table, even as I speak.”

  Jack felt a hand placed lightly on his shoulder. He turned to see Dr. Morrison smiling down at them. He placed his hand over hers, and then stood up. Glancing quickly around the table, Jack then turned towards Dr. Morrison, with her hand still in his. He bent down and kissed her lightly on the mouth.

  “All of you were so enthralled, I hesitated to interrupt you.”

  “No big deal, Doc,” Jack said. “We’re putting together the last changes to our supply list. I want Tom to have the final draft tomorrow morning. Did you get done with your patients? I hope you weren’t too rushed today.”

  “I plodded through the day just fine,” the Doctor replied. “I see you’ve already eaten.”

  “Yeah… we’re almost finished now. I’ll sit with you and have some coffee while you eat.” Jack turned to the others. “I guess this torture session can end now. Don’t forget, we start training tomorrow morning. What time do you think Paul?”

  “I figure 5AM sharp will make for a good start.”

  Mitch snorted in disbelief. “You haven’t seen 5AM since that raccoon took up residence one night at the bottom of your bunk.”

  “Yeah, Dad,” Nick added, “no one can wake you up.”

  “Okay… okay.” Jack laughed as Paul spluttered denials. “Let’s make it 8AM so Paul can get his beauty sleep.”

  “I’ll get some food, and be right back,” Dr. Morrison said. “I’ll see all of you later I guess.”

  “Until then, Doc,” Mitch said.

  Dr. Morrison turned, and walked towards the mess line. Jack sat down quickly. “That went well. You all better get going. The tension here will give us away for sure. We need some practice in deception, I’m afraid. It’s not your fault, now get going.”

  “What will you do, Dad,” Jake asked.

  “I’ll kick back with the Doc, while the rest of you see if you can find any escape routes we can defend, and have any chance of living through. We still need to know the main power sources here too.”

  Jack paused and smiled. “Listen. Have a good day after you look around. We have time. I have a plan, which I will put into effect with the Doc. It may help, or it may lead to a fast exit. Get some supplies ready, and weapons. Mitch, I need you to keep track of Kardel’s whereabouts. We may need to cut the head off this snake, if my plan goes awry. I’ll talk to you all later.”

  “Tomorrow morning, I’ll bet,” Sarah added.

  “Never mind. Now take off. Lighten up a little, or we won’t fool anyone.”

  “I’m not sure I like the sound of this,” Paul said.

  “Trust me,” Jack replied.

  “Now I don’t like the sound of this,” Mitch added. “You aren’t letting your Jones do your thinking for you, are you?”

  “No Mitch… just the opposite. I will stick to business. Keep in mind we are not in an enemy concentration camp. Most of these soldiers, and civilians, probably have no idea what Kardel has in mind.”

  As the others left, Jack motioned Steve to stay. “Can you and Peter sweep the Doc’s room for bugs and weapons?”

  “Consider it done. How will I let you know?”

  “Come back down. We’ll be here for the time being. Give me a wave if you have the room clear. I hate to put this on you, but you and Peter can do it without leaving a trace.”

  “No problem. Peter and I will get it done while you’re dining with her. Be careful Jack,” Steve said seriously. “If you have to kill her, make sure they won’t find the body until morning.”

  “Agreed. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  Steve grasped Jack’s shoulder for a moment. Steve picked up his tray and left, leaving Jack to await Dr. Morrison's's return.

  When Dr. Morrison returned with her meal, everyone but Jack had left. He watched her approach, as he sipped his coffee, marveling at how much she looked like the blonde haired Borg character, Seven of Nine, on Star Trek Voyager. Jack grinned, remembering how attracted he had been to the character. His wife had always made a snide remark, when she saw him taking visual pleasure in front of the television. He remembered always answering her derisive comment the same way each time, ‘I don’t want to have an affair with her, I just want to watch her’.

  The Doctor sat down opposite him, and covered his hand with hers, momentarily joining past and present in a very eerie manner. It didn’t last long. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think they don’t like me.”

  “Actually, I told them to beat it, so I could have you to myself.”

  “Where’s your face bandage by the way?”

  “I went swimming with Paul. I kept my head out of the water, but I still didn’t want to wear wet chlorine bandages around. I’m an expert swimmer, but not good enough to not get splashed.”

  Dr. Morrison laughed as she took a bite of her food. “I’ll put new bandages on after I eat.”

  “Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

  “Lay off me while I’m eating. What else did you do that I know you shouldn’t have done?”

  “I worked out a little in the weight room too.”

  “Oh, your ribs must feel just fine now,” she said, shaking her head.

  “As a matter of fact, they feel pretty good. My head wounds itch, so I guess they’re healing too.”

  “No thanks to you. Hey, I thought we were going to have dinner together.”

  “We needed to cov
er too many things, so we could get started on our training. We have a long way to go in a short period of time.”

  “You’ve been conducting a guerrilla war for over three years, in an area uninhabitable by some wildlife. How much more training do you need?”

  Jack grinned. “Urban warfare compares to guerrilla warfare in the mountains, in the same way the merry-go-round compares to riding a roller coaster. We had escape type shelters all over in the mountains, and we used them all. In the Bay Area, we will be in the open, with nowhere to run. My kids’ lives depend on the next few weeks, as well as my brothers, nephews, nieces, and friends. I take it seriously, and so do they.”

  Dr. Morrison paused in mid-mouthful, as she heard Jack’s voice change. When she looked up, he was no longer smiling. “I…I wasn’t trying to make light of the situation Jack.”

  “I know, Doc. I wanted you to know this will not be any cakewalk. Our lives depend on us not taking anything for granted. I figured you would like to know just how serious I do take this.”

  “I never questioned it. Come up to my room, and listen to some music with me. I’ll give you some better coffee than you’re drinking here.”

  The smile came back, and Jack nodded. “It wouldn’t have to go far to beat this stuff.”

  Jack looked up, and saw Steve and Peter. Steve gave him the high sign and waved. He turned so Jack could see a 9mm pistol in his front waistband. Jack waved back. “I’ll be glad when we get out of this place.” He patted Morrison’s hand as she finished her meal.

  Later, in her room, Jack let her take his shirt off. She removed the rib bandage, he had haphazardly put back into place after swimming. She traced his ribs with her fingers, as she gauged the swelling. Jack helped her off with her blouse, and she shuddered as he traced his fingers lightly down her rib cage on both sides. Jack kissed her, and she pulled him tightly against her.

  An hour later, as she writhed under his touch, she arched her back, and cried out as she began to climax. Only then did she feel a sharp, needle like pain, under her chin, as she continued to shiver and climax helplessly. She felt something begin to trickle wetly down her throat. She froze with her head still thrown back.