Jacques was pulling up his CCU trousers, when the rap came upon the door. “Come!” he bellowed, buttoning the trousers.
“Sir!” the woman said, snapping a smart salute as she entered.
“I want Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo ready to move at a moment’s notice,” he said, continuing to dress.
“Sir, yes sir!”
“Get a hold of Lucia; tell him to change course to Constanța, fucking, Romania. I’m sure Julia would love to speak with his prisoner.” Though, I suspect there’ll be more screaming, than talking.
“Sir, yes sir!” Dylah held her ground. “Sir, permission to join Alpha Company on this mission, sir!”
“Permission denied,” he replied without looking at the woman.
“Sir… yes sir,” she said quietly.
“Dylah,” Jacques said, pulling on a boot. “It’s taken me six long years to figure out why you frustrate me to the point I want to strangle you.”
Her brow furrowed. “Sir?”
Jacques bloused his trouser legs, then stood. He stared into her dark eyes. “If I had a daughter, I’d want her to be just like you. I’d want her to have your strength, your courage and your determination. That’s why I’m putting you in charge, until I return.” The woman blinked several times. “The men respect you, so stop hitting them.” He leaned close. “You do have a pretty smile. A wise woman would stop being pissed off when a man said it, and start using it to her advantage… That’s what I would tell my daughter.”
Dylah’s dark eyes grew wide. For a second Jacques expected a fist to his teeth. Then the woman grinned. “Sir…yes sir.” She left his quarters back straight and walking tall; a woman on a mission.
Jacques finished dressing. He retrieved a maroon highland beret with a gold hammer and silver lightning bolt flash from the top shelf, dusted it with his hand, and placed it squarely on his head. He pressed the button next to the door again, this time with considerably less force. “This is Captain Jacques Montrose. Until further notice, I am placing Leftenant Dylah Stigg in command. I expect each of you to give her all the respect and courtesy you have given me over the years; she has more than earned it.”
He walked briskly down the corridor, returning the salutes of the men standing at attention as he passed; Dylah fell in behind, fallowing him to the quad. Jacques approached the seventy-three men standing at attention, returning their salutes. Jacques had recruited each man of Alpha Company, personally; and most had been with him more than ten years.
His eyes swept over their hard faces. Given his druthers, he’d get something to eat and watch Archer before calling it a night; not running off to save his nephew from Hell itself.
“No sweet words,” Jacques bellowed. “I told all of you, this day would come.”
“Sir, yes sir!” the men replied in unison.
“Who are we?!” Jacques bellowed.
“Death, sir!”
“And, where is Hell?!”
“COMING WITH US, SIR!”
“Goddamned right!” Jacques shouted with a sneer, his chest swelling with pride.
Someone began singing Come With Me Now, and the rest joined in, heading for the plane.
* * *
Dylah Stigg watched with envy as the C-130 Hercules took to the air. Her chest swelled with pride that Jacques Montrose thought her fit to lead in his stead; but she had been a soldier long before becoming an intelligence officer, and couldn’t help feeling slighted at missing an opportunity to join her company on a mission as important as this.
Hugo Ortiz approached quickly, giving her a smart salute – she was going to have to get used to that, hopefully, not for very long.
“Charlie, Delta and Echo are standing by, ma’am” Hugo said flatly. “Bravo wants to know if you want them to scrub their current mission.”
Dylah didn’t have to mull the answer over in her mind for any length of time. If they backed out on their deal, it meant refunding forty million dollars and losing credibility. The money could be made up in a few months, but you lost your credibility, it was a bitch to get it back. “No, we’ll keep them in place, for now.” If we have to call them back, things are fucked-up beyond belief, and our credibility is the last fucking thing we’ll have to worry about.
“Yes, ma’am,” Hugo replied, then saluted before retreating.
Chapter 23
The Taste of Coffee
Thor sat across from Sorina at the small table on the veranda, the morning sun warming his back. A gentle breeze ruffled the white linen tablecloth and napkins in their laps. Overhead, a few wispy white clouds floated slowly eastward in an otherwise clear, blue sky. Sorina chuckled softly as Mio jerked in his sleep at their feet, rattling the place settings. The dog rolled, resting his head on Sorina’s feet, she caressed his muzzle, and Mio huffed himself back to sleep.
Thor held his eyes closed, swallowed the last of the café au lait Christelle sent with Else, and let his mind drift. It had gone cold, but there was nothing in this world better than waking up to the caramel-colored liquid and two fresh-baked croissants. To him, that was a proper breakfast; the breakfast his mother made for him – though, while his mother was alive, it had been hot chocolate instead of café. Now, it was coffee, strong and hot – Well, not hot this morning – just the way his mother liked it.
Some believed in inferior coffee like it actually existed; Thor was not one of those people. Growing up in Portland, with the benefit of having a French mother’s passion to aid him, taught Thor to appreciate the subtle differences that every bean had to offer.
True, not every variety was suitable for every cup; a proper roast, grind, water and brewing method all must be considered to ensure the bean reaches its full potential; not every bean makes the perfect espresso. Even then, a great deal is simply out of your hands; some growers can be unscrupulous bastards, ruining your best efforts long before the bean makes it way to you. place the blame for that bland cup of café where it belongs; the grower or coffee house – which can be worse more times than not – that coffee bean just wanted to make you smile.
Now, if only he could get everything just right with the black-haired beauty sitting across the table; that would be something spectacular. Using the amulet’s power did not help as Thor had hoped; all he could sense was a rollercoaster of emotions, so strong it made his head ache for hours.
He opened his eyes to see Sorina staring at him; the sunlight sparkling in her dark eyes reminding him of a strong, dark coffee, with just a hint of cream. This was not the first time he saw the comparison between the two; they both could be warm and inviting, or cold and bitter. This morning, Sorina eyes were warm and inviting, which made Thor suspicious as to what she wanted.
“Has anyone ever told you how absolutely beautiful you are?” he asked, smiling.
Sorina rolled her beautiful eyes, forcing the quick smile from her face. “Yes, a man that may or not be a murderer – but definitely not a thief – had told me twice since sunrise.”
“A keen eye, this man has,” Thor said, his smile growing wider.
“Where did you go?” Sorina asked softly. She had lost some of her edge the past few days; and even laughed at the joke he told her, yesterday. Trust was still an issue; she continued to watch him like he was going to steal the silverware the second her back was turned.
“Home,” he said, feeling drawn into those eyes that were warm and inviting. For the moment, at least; it was early morning, and there was plenty of time for him to receive the cold and bitter.
She seemed disappointed. “Back to your ship, you mean?” she brushed a few strands of hair that escaped one of her silver combs. He caught sight of a diamond earring glittering in her left earlobe. Did she always wear earrings, and he never noticed before? That was so unlike him, he rarely missed something like that, especially when a beautiful woman was involved.
Thor shook his head. “No. Back to a rainy September morning, a long time ago… so very long ago,” he added sadly. “Music was playing,
and my Mom and Dad were dancing around the kitchen – they did that a lot. Mom must’ve seen me sneak a sip from her cup; because, the next thing she did, was set a cup in front of me. ‘Go on, you’re old enough, now,’ she said.”
Thor chucked. “There was so much milk, it was barely beige. To me, it was the greatest thing on earth. Just remembering a happy time, that’s all.” He did not tell her it was the last morning he ever spent with his parents.
From the sadness in Sorina’s eyes, she must have guessed. Why would she not? In so many ways, they were much the same: Two miserable orphans, forced into a situation no one should be in. We could start a club, but who’d fucking want to join?
This was the part where Mikki would say something to lighten the mood, but she and Bryndis were off doing something with Selucca; they had been doing that a lot the past two days. Whatever they were doing, they did not tell Sorina; if he could believe her: she stood with the rest of them, as Bryndis gave him an earful. For all he knew, this was all part of Bryndis’ sick plan to get even with him for not calling her every five minutes while they were scaling a mountain.
Mikki would jump on any plan that would make me look bad, like it was the last lifeboat on the Titanic! But what the Hel did I do to Selucca? Maybe I should have a talk with Doru Albusel; he seems to be the only man alive with any insight to the workings of a woman’s mind.
“If you’d like, I’ll get Luiza to make you a cup, later,” Sorina said with a slight smile.
It’s a trap! She in it with Bryndis! Say no! Say no! Say no! “If it would be no trouble, I would like that. Thank you.” Oh, dear Gods! When did I turn into such a pussy?
He was just about to say something witty – which he was sure would have sounded as smooth to Sorina as it did in his head – when the sounds of men shouting caught Thor’s attention. He looked up to see several men rushing toward the east wall, while Bonchance sprinted up the stone stairs two at a time toward him. Goddamn it! What now?!
Thor sprang to his feet, rushing to the edge of the veranda, leaned against the stone railing, shielding his eyes from the morning sun with a hand. Sorina was at his side in an instant, her utter confusion coming through the amulet loud and clear. Mio nearly knocked the wrought iron table over as he jolted from his nap, then swung his massive head to see what was wrong.
Two CH-47D Chinook helicopters came into view; dark-gray and marked with barely visible identification letters and numbers. From the way they maneuvered, Else could be flying either one, which meant both pilots had extensive combat experience, and this little jaunt was a walk in the park. They circled the ancient structure once, then disappeared as they landed outside the wall.
“I think we’re being invaded!” Bonchance exclaimed breathlessly.
“I wish that were true,” Thor said with a scowl. “I’d be less irritated.” Goddamn you, Bryndis. Why can’t you have faith in me… just this once?
Thor made his way to the gate swiftly. If the men on the wall began firing, Thor doubted the men in the choppers would think twice before firing back. “Open the gates!” Thor bellowed. Mio trotted at his side, Bonchance and Sorina trailed close behind.
Thor rushed outside to see fifty camouflage-clad men hustling to unload the twin transports. In the midst of the organized chaos, he spotted a brick-wall of a man, wearing a maroon highland beret with a flash identical to Nwabudike and his men – with an added silver lightning bolt slashed behind the gold hammer – shouting orders. Even with his back turned, Thor recognized “Steve” instantly; he should, his jaw was still stiff from their last encounter. The three other men to accompany “Steve” aboard Mjölnir moved among the men unloading the helicopters; each wearing a beret with the altered flash. They all were.
At least, now he knew what Bryndis and Mikki were up to. Julia, no doubt, had a hand in all this, as well; it was definitely the kind of blind-siding that woman was fond of.
Nwabudike appeared at Thor’s side, staring impassively; nothing seemed to faze that man. I bet the bastard would yawn in front of Hel’s face!
“Did you know about this?” Thor asked the Nigerian man.
Nwabudike shook his head. “No, but I am not surprised.”
Then why am i? Thor whistled loudly; several men looked his way before continuing their work.
“Steve” moved toward Thor with the grace of a tank on a battlefield. The big man saluted Thor. “Captain Jacques Montrose … semi-retired, reporting for duty, sir!” the man said with a thick Scottish accent that sounded so familiar to Thor.
Irritatingly, Nwabudike returned the man’s salute. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Sir.”
Thor’s mouth flew open. Jacques Montrose! Could it be true? Thor stared a moment; mentally removing years and the beard from the man’s face, and forty pounds of muscle from every place else. “Uncle JJ?” he whispered, and the big man gave a wink at the mention of the name. “I was told you were killed, seventeen years ago.” He rushed forward, wrapping his arms around the man his father called brother.
Jacques’ arms went around Thor. “That’s alright,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s the same story they told the Queen.”
“Where the Hel have you been?”
Jacques furrowed his eyebrows in thought. “For eight months after your Mum and Da’s funeral, in hospital; trying to prove to the fine army doctors I wasn’t insane.”
“That must’ve been difficult,” Thor cut in. “Dad always said, you were certifiable.”
“He was just jealous, because I’m better looking” the older man said. “Your grandfather came to visit one day, and offered me a job. A year later, four men I trusted with my life and I were ‘killed on a training exorcise’. We began working for Vali – and still do. Don’t ask doing what, and I won’t have to lie.”
Thor nodded. He was not sure he wanted to know anyway; certain knowledge a person was just better off not having. There were still a lot of questions Thor wanted answers to; however, that would have to wait for another time, there were too many things that needed to be finished first.
Jacques released his embrace, pulled his phone from a pocket and handed it to Thor. “Is that thing as big as it looks?”
Thor stared at the image of the creature in disbelief. Apparently, the missile launcher was not the only upgrade Else made to his helicopter. He wondered what other toys she had installed, behind his back.
“Bigger,” Nwabudike said, staring at the screen. “And it continued its attack, after being torn in two by missiles.” A few of the men standing closest paused, exchanged glances at that statement, continuing their work with perked ears.
“Give me forty-eight hours,” Jacques said with a level stare into Thor’s eyes, “and I can have a thousand pairs of boots on the ground, and enough air support to block out the sun. Now that we know where it is, we can be home with its hide for a rug in a week, sipping your granda’s Scotch and catching up.”
Thor shook his head, handing back the phone. He glanced at the patch of earth near the gate surrounded by bright yellow caution tape, a devilish grin crossing his face. “I’ve got a plan that doesn’t get every one of those men killed.”
Jacques smiled. “You’ve got your grandmother’s cockiness, that’s for sure.”
“I assume you stopped in for a cup of tea.”
Jacques straightened his beret. “A wee dram of Scotch, actually; I had to drop off a package, anyway.”
Thor shook his head, wondering what sort of package the man delivered.
“Utilize my men and me where you see fit, Thor.” He saluted Nwabudike. “Captain Adeyemi, it is my distinct pleasure to serve with you, sir. When this is over, I’d love to sit down with you over a drink, and hear how the hell you got out of Yemen, without losing a man.”
Nwabudike returned the salute. “I look forward to hearing how your men made an entire warehouse full of weapons disappear from a Russian military installation.”
Thor’s eyes flicked between the two men. It seems both
of them have been very busy in the past. Thor would love to be at that table; both of those stories sounded intriguing.
Thor gave Jacques an evil stare, rubbing his chin. “You hit me,” he said, running a finger over the split that had not yet completely healed.
“Just as hard as I could!” Jacques leaned close, and whispered: “If it still hurts, maybe you could get that dark-haired gypsy girl behind you to kiss it, and make it better.”
Gypsy girl… Sorina?! “She hates me,” Thor whispered.
Jacques glanced past Thor’s shoulder, then laughed. “I hope you’ve used better judgment devising this plan of yours, my boy, or you’re fucked six ways to Sunday.”
What the Hel did that mean? “I’ll tell you all about it, later. Make sure your men know Hel’s coming before they settle in.”
“They know.”
Thor turned to Nwabudike. “This changes nothing; I still expect my instructions to be followed to the letter!”
Nwabudike nodded. “And they will be. Isn’t that correct, captain?”
Jacques gave Nwabudike a quick salute. “Absolutely, captain.”
“Bonchance!” Thor shouted, and the young man rushed forward. “Find Bryndis Angantýrsdóttir, and bring her to me, even if you have to bind her hands and feet and carry her on a pole… Actually, I think I prefer doing that!”
Bonchance’s eyes popped open, he looked to Nwabudike, silently pleading for other orders.
Nwabudike’s granite face cracked a slight smile, then he nodded to Bonchance, and the young man ran off toward the castle.
Thor nearly ran over Sorina as he turned. Damned, but that woman was underfoot as much as Mio was, lately. Sorina actually had the nerve to blush as if she had no idea what was going on. It was just like Bryndis to keep him distracted while she plotted behind his back. Why the Hel did everyone in his life treat him like an immature child, incapable of making good decisions?
Hammer of the Gods Page 27