Why am I here on a Saturday? What’s going on?
The wall in front of the analysts was filled floor to ceiling with massive TV monitors displaying the current news and the latest UAV feeds. She paced back and forth. Hearing the door, she snapped to attention and saluted as Admiral Kent entered. He held immense power as the Director of NSA.
“Good morning, Major Stewart. I’d like you to meet General Carr, the commander of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, and agent Master Sergeant Kyle Evans.”
“Gentleman.” Lynn shook their hands.
Kent motioned the assistant to start the slideshow. Lynn listened to the details about classified material being leaked and the evidence suggesting a spy ring was involved.
“Evans is a seasoned special agent with the technical skills. We need someone with NSA and cyber skills. You fit the bill, and more importantly, you have a JETT background.” The gleam in Kent’s eye told her there was more to this story.
“Pardon me, sir, but I’m not an investigator, and this falls outside JETT’s purview.” She wanted to add, and it’s illegal for us to investigate U.S. citizens without proper…A chill ran down her spine. This mission must have been approved at the highest level of government.
“Beginning Monday, you’ll get a three-week crash course at Quantico, tailored specifically for you. Evans will be by your side. While you’re in training, we’ll have experts here, brainstorming. We’re looking at getting some of the software piggybacked onto an innocuous program we can push from here. That’s less work for you, and your necks are not hanging out. Our target is to get you shipped out within twenty-five days.”
This sounds crazy. Her muscles tensed. “Has the Army started an investigation?”
“An initial undercover investigation by General Carr’s unit can’t pinpoint the source, but we’ve narrowed things down to the Army Brigade in Paktia Province. With the leaking of top-secret JETT reports, the matter is now in our hands.”
“Has code word material been stolen?”
“We can only assume the worst.”
“What assets back us up?”
“Of course, there’ll be a large task force back here, but you and Evans are the tip of the spear, and the only ones on the inside of the Brigade. You’ll meet the Special Forces unit commander on base. He’ll be your on-site supervisor.”
Her hand twitched, and she moved it out of sight. After the required therapy, she had been cleared for all assignments and thought her demons were behind her. Yet, the mere mention of Special Forces caught her breath. If Special Forces were involved, then the mission would entail more than simple evidence gathering. This was a dangerous situation.
“Is there a problem, Major?”
“No, sir.”
“Evans will be your second-in-command and in charge of technical.” Kent pointed his finger at her. “I want you to run HUMINT. Time is of the essence.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t have that background.”
“Pardon me?” Kent’s eyes narrowed.
Her throat went dry. She rubbed her sweaty hand on her pant leg under the table. “I’ve analyzed written human intelligence reports filed by others, but I’ve never questioned a suspicious person or recruited anyone. Surely, you need someone with that background for such an important task.”
“You have excellent counterintelligence cyber skills and will fit perfectly with Evans. The HUMINT won’t be too difficult. We simply want you to cozy up to a few people and see what information you can get. Besides, you’ll be busy enough with trying to make it appear that JETT is carrying on as normal.” Kent leaned back and rocked in the chair.
General Carr said, “The Admiral speaks highly of you. As the JETT commander, your NSA affiliation gives you a level of autonomy. And as you pointed out, it’s not JETT’s mission, which is why they won’t suspect you.”
Lynn stiffened. “It will attract attention if you switch out JETT leadership.”
Admiral Kent smiled. “Fortunately for us, the current commander’s mother is undergoing an operation. Perfect opportunity to insert you. As for Evans, the paperwork will say you’re a team.”
There’s no way I’m finessing my way out of this. She scrunched her toes in her shoes.
The admiral cocked one eyebrow. “There is one civilian working with JETT whose reports tipped us off with incidents of alleged mismanagement with some Brigade officers. Initially, the lower rank didn’t take those reports seriously.”
Lynn was becoming increasingly uncomfortable as they directed the briefing at her like Evans wasn’t even in the room.
General Carr interjected. “The tracking software is not on that civilian’s computer. Also, a technical glitch in the Brigade computers and printers prevent us from fully tracking the computer users. It has to be fixed in the field. Evans will take care of that. You’ll have to be creative with distracting them.”
Creative? How do they think I’m going to do that? Lynn cleared her throat. “General Carr, do you think this civilian is involved in some way?”
“We don’t believe so, but everyone agrees it’s prudent that Evans installs the tracking software on as many computers and printers as possible.”
Kent’s arms were casually folded across his chest. “You look a little perplexed. Do you have any questions, Major?”
“No, sir.”
“Very well. Please remain.” Kent turned to General Carr. “I’ll see you later this afternoon at Club Meade. This round of golf is on me.” They shook hands.
As General Carr and Master Sergeant Evans walked out, Kent sat eyeing her with a crooked smile. The first smile of his that she had ever witnessed.
Now, it’s bizzare.
“There’s a potential glitch, but played the right way, it will be a plus.”
“What’s that, sir?”
“The civilian is a GS-14 senior analyst with a great reputation. There is a viable source that says the Brigade is pushing its weight around, trying to dictate and control, even though the analyst is not under their command.”
“Has anyone tried to correct the situation?”
The admiral leaned back in his chair tapping his fingers on the table, staring at Lynn with a big grin.
Why is he toying with me?
“The current JETT commander has been staying out of the fray. The analyst’s proper chain of command has spoken to the Brigade, but apparently, the Brigade has ignored them. However, I think you would be perfect for getting matters back in line and finding out what else this analyst might know. First, you must get over any awkward issues.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t understand.” Lynn was not aware of any civilian colleagues presently deployed. While she wracked her brain, the admiral continued to smirk at her.
“The woman is openly gay, which, unlike in the military, isn’t punishable in the civilian workforce.” He paused again. “It’s 2010, Major. Congress will likely repeal DADT by the end of the year, and personally, I don’t care who you choose to spend your time with or love.”
Her head started aching and spinning like race cars were having a smash-up derby inside her brain. No way was she going to acknowledge his statement.
“Sir, if you are implying that this woman would sway me into breaking my oath of honor, then you are wrong.”
“I’m sure she won’t, but we’re all human, now aren’t we?” He rocked in his chair for a good minute. “DADT may fall in the future, but for God’s sake, don’t engage in a romantic liaison.”
“Of course not.” Lynn weakly mouthed.
“As a civilian, she’s in a gray area and can socialize with people you cannot. Get as much information as possible without revealing the mission.” He waved his hand. “Find out which of her friends have dirt on the Brigade. You can protect her from harassment to a point, but she has to stand on her own. The squabble they have is a nice distraction, so use it to your advantage.”
“That would be manipulating her, sir. That would be unethi
cal. If her reports have pointed out Brigade improprieties, then why not bring her onto the mission?”
He was now glaring at Lynn. “I have my reasons, Major. She and the rest of JETT will remain unaware of this mission. They will do their normal work, hunting down Al Qaeda. Part of your assignment is to convince everyone that you and Evans are doing normal JETT work. Are we clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
“We must be able to focus our technical assets. So far, it’s been like a damn needle in a haystack.” He leaned over, pointed his finger, and stared her in the eyes. “Orders have changed. You will be her onsite supervisor once you hit the ground. Do everything you can to squeeze info out of her. Go up to the line, but don’t cross it. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, sir.”
He stalled again. “According to the official record, you both received high evaluations, but one person claimed the two of you were overly friendly in the last assignment. Fortunately for you, no one else backed up that allegation.”
As his words filtered through her mind, she swallowed hard. She couldn’t speak, and the sudden gleam in the admiral’s eye felt like he could read her mind.
“I’m sure you and Ms. Alaina Clairmont will perform admirably again.”
Even though she was sitting, Lynn felt lightheaded, then her heart beat increased.
“Do you have a question, Major? You seem to have grown quiet.”
“Yes, sir. I mean, no questions, sir.” To her annoyance, Admiral Kent seemed to relish in dropping the bombshell information as his lips quirked into another smile.
She concentrated on her breathing and tried to calm her heartbeat. The door abruptly opened, and an older man walked into the briefing room. He wore a neatly pressed navy suit.
“My apology for being late, sir. The Syrian incident took longer than expected.”
“Major Stewart, I’d like you to meet Mr. Thomas Blair, NSA’s Director of Middle East Affairs. I’ve given him the authority to act on my behalf on this mission.”
Blair came toward her with his hand outstretched. The grip was firm, yet gentle. Something about his deep brown eyes, thick, wavy gray hair, and smile seemed familiar, but Lynn couldn’t place him.
Kent smacked his hand on the table as he stood. “Do your job, Major and don’t let the pretty woman distract you. Mr. Blair will finish your briefing.” He didn’t wait for a reply or a salute and walked off.
“Sir, I will do my best.”
Kent stopped at the door and faced her. “Yes, Major. I might have asked you to bend the rules, but I’m confident you will not break them.”
After the admiral’s suggestion to cozy up to and betray Ali, Lynn found it difficult to concentrate on Blair’s words. If Ali didn’t despise Lynn now, she soon would. She fidgeted in her chair. The clock on the wall indicated Blair been talking for only ten or fifteen minutes, but to Lynn, it seemed like an hour. She couldn’t wait to get out of there.
“And there is the matter of Ms. Clairmont,” Blair said.
Lynn snapped to attention.
“I want to remind you of your responsibility to bring this matter to a close and keep everyone safe, including civilians.”
His face was unreadable, but his eyes changed somehow and appeared sad.
“Mr. Blair, I take full responsibility for those under my command. I will not compromise anyone’s safety.”
He rubbed his bottom lip with his finger. “Before Ms. Clairmont’s first deployment, she worked several joint projects. She is an exceptional analyst with great potential.” He leaned on the table and folded his hands. “The admiral believes that you and Ms. Clairmont have a history that can be used to the advantage of this mission.” Lynn could see his facial muscles clench briefly, and his eyes hardened, but his tone remained even. “I do not know Admiral Kent’s level of tolerance, but I can tell you if you ruin her career, you will have made me your enemy. You don’t want to do that. Keep everything in order and above board. No fraternization.”
Frak, frak, frak! He just threatened me. I can’t believe this is happening.
“I am also concerned about your history of PTSD, even though medical cleared you for duty last year. Do you feel up to the task?”
“Yes, sir.”
Her answer was honest, but in the back of her mind, she wondered if seeing and working with Ali would spark any new anxiety.
“Very well.”
He shoved a folder and pen across the table. Lynn opened it and began reading. Like every other project, the “read on” documents that gave her the clearances for the project were long, detailed, and tedious. She hurried through as best she could, but paused at the signature block that gave her permission to work on a case investigating a U.S. citizen. Below the empty lines for her and Mr. Blair were the signatures of Admiral Kent and…Holy Toledo.
“Any problems, Major?”
“No, sir.” She signed and gave them back.
He added his signature with an expensive fountain pen.
Snap.
With the cap on, he paused, then began tapping the pen in his hand. After several seconds, he slipped the pen into his coat pocket, but his glare remained unwavering.
“I’m counting on you, Major. Don’t disappoint me.”
“Yes, sir.”
The uncomfortable silence that followed made Lynn want to crawl under the table.
What the frak does he want?
“You may go now, Major.”
Chapter 19
October 2010 – Paktia Province, Afghanistan
Ali’s jaw dropped when the JETT commander walked into the conference room with an unexpected guest. After the announcement that Lynn was taking over, Ali zoned out. When they were dismissed, she shot out of her chair.
After a power walk for nearly an hour, her calves burned and her throat was bone dry.
I should have brought a water bottle.
Her tongue flicked away the salt from her upper lip. She marched on until she reached the ring road. With her hands on her hips, she looked out at the perimeter’s double fence topped with concertina wire. Sunlight glinted off one of the watchtowers and momentarily blinded her.
Damn, I forgot my wraparound sunglasses.
At this point, she should have turned back. Instead, she straightened her spine, pushed her shoulders back, and crossed the road towards the fence. Truck tires crunched behind her.
“Get in. It’s dangerous outside of a vehicle.”
Ali halted at Lynn’s voice. She marched over to the truck and almost ripped off the door handle. “Half of the enlisted from my tent quad are in the guard towers this time of day. Unlike the cramped office, the expanse of the sandy landscape and the solitude calms me down. Besides, it’s such a delightful day,” she said sarcastically. She jumped into the passenger seat and slammed the door.
“That’s not the point. There’s no place to hide. A sniper could easily pick you off, and where are your sunglasses? They’re more than a fashion statement.”
“Really? I thought every sexy model was into shatterproof polycarbonate lenses.” Ali fluttered her eyelashes then crossed her arms. She propped her lug sole boots on the dashboard. “This isn’t going to work, Lynn.”
Lynn drove back to the middle of the base and parked at the rear of the repair yard. They sat in silence.
A low rumble grew louder, and a heavy equipment transporter passed by, carrying a twisted MRAP. Ali’s breath caught as Vicki’s face flashed in her mind. She forced herself to take a deep breath. The smell of diesel stung her nose and filled her lungs.
“Look, Ali,” Lynn spoke in a gentle voice. “I didn’t ask for this assignment, and I’m sorry things didn’t work out before. We’re here now, and we have our orders. Let’s get along and do this for all of our fallen buddies.”
Lynn’s elbow was propped on the windowsill. Her head turned away, and then rested in her hand.
Dustin. Give her a break. Ali said in a calmer tone, “I tried to contact you several times, bu
t only once did you respond, and it was curt and cold. I was worried about you.”
“My therapy went well, and I’m fit for duty. That’s all you needed to know.”
“Jesus, Lynn. You could have at least answered an email or two. Maybe you had someone else to comfort you through the therapy.” Ali regretted the words, but they spilled out, and there was no way of taking them back.
Lynn’s jaw tightened. “Again, I’m sorry for what happened. Mentioning Sacramento is intentionally throwing salt on a wound. We’re both professional. If you spit nails at me all the time, it’s going to be rough. Let’s call a truce because we have to work together.”
Lynn took a banana out of her pack and offered it to Ali.
“No, thank you.” Ali closed her eyes.
“Suit yourself.” Lynn slowly savored the fruit.
After a few minutes, Ali sat up and gave Lynn a scowl. “Why are we out here? Do you think giving me the silent authoritarian treatment is going to make me change my mind about you?”
“Nope.” Lynn drew the word out and took a drink of water.
After another five minutes or so, Ali blew up. “I’ll work with you and put my best foot forward, but I don’t have to like it. Start the damn truck and take me back or I’m going to walk!”
Ali reached for the door handle. Before she found it, the door popped open. Startled, she found a solemn face inches from her own. The man wore the stripes of an Army senior non-commissioned officer, level E-8.
“Ali, meet the new JETT second-in-command, Master Sergeant Kyle Evans. Ms. Ali Clairmont is one of the best analysts on the team, but watch out for her wicked streak of stubbornness.”
“Ms. Clairmont. I hope you are all you’re cracked up to be, according to your file.”
He shut her door and leaned onto the windowsill. The warmth of an android and the accent of an ivy leaguer unsettled her as much as Lynn’s criticism.
“Miller is JETT’s second-in-command, and I—”
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