by Lynn Emery
Ernesto tapped the keyboard a couple of times. The screen split to show the leaders and Legion’s main Mexican compound. “All of the kids they’ve taken have paranormal abilities, old news I know. But we, meaning our local Southwest division, managed to get someone on the inside as an employee. Mariela has been working for Sierra Apparel for just shy of two years. Long story short, she got a glimpse of some of the children. She believes they’re advanced.”
Val leaned forward with an eager expression. “They were selected because they not only have strong abilities, but they’re aware of and in control of them.”
“Even more exciting, it appears that the children developed mastery early by masking their gifts. They knew normal family members and others would see them as threats or freaks.” Jennifer rose and paced as she spoke. “They’re not only gifted, but smart, resourceful and take initiative.”
“All reasons that make them dangerous weapons in the hands of our enemy,” Zachary rumbled.
“Human beings, damn it. Not weapons,” LaShaun hissed at him.
He looked back at her without flinching. “We know that most, if not all, of the children willingly followed Legion members. The two teenagers signed pledges in Bat’s Blood Ink, with their blood mixed in. You realize the implications?”
“Of course the older kids would find such radical rebellion appealing. They had already gone very far to break rules, even drifting toward illegal behavior. That doesn’t make them willing members of the Legion’s forces. They’re kids for Lord’s sake,” Cee-Cee said with fervor. Noticing the stiff mask Desmond wore, she added, “Sir.”
“Unpredictable and emotionally unstable kids who have formed a bond with forces that threaten humanity in the present and future,” Zachary shot back. He spun to face the two leaders, who frowned back from the television screen. “I call for a full council meeting before we launch such a risky operation. The consequences could be catastrophic to the long-term goals of TEA.”
“Request denied,” President Truman replied evenly. Then his taut frown eased. “Secretary General Desmond, the full council has considered all actions and the possible consequences. The decision has been made. We urge you to put aside your feelings on this matter and assist Frank. Can the TEA count on you?”
Zachary’s eyes flashed blue fire as he raised his chin. “Of course.”
“Good. Now we must disconnect. Another urgent situation has been reported in Iran.” President Truman gave a curt nod.
“I expect hourly updates until preparations are complete for the foray. You must submit any plans for non-standard weapons or attack methods to me before use. Understood?” General Churchill Soames was already on her smartphone reading messages.
“Yes, ma’am,” Frank replied, with a sharp glance at Desmond. “Okay, team. Let’s get moving.”
He smiled as the younger members slapped hands and high-fived in celebration of the decision. LaShaun only felt an overwhelming rush of relief that she wouldn’t have to fight the TEA and Legion at the same time.
****
For the next two hours, the team made preparations for approaching the Legion compound. Almost one hour of that time was spent in reviewing data and nailing down the details of their strategy. LaShaun joined Val and Cee-Cee in a warehouse that housed heavy equipment, including a modified Range Rover. She immediately noticed that the color of the SUV blended into the scenery. The camo paint was an almost exact match to vegetation, sand, and soil of the Mexican landscape.
“Yeah, helps it kind of disappear once we set out on foot. Harder to see. Notice the trim is painted,” Cee-Cee nodded to the hummer as she strapped on a khaki vest. Then she looked at LaShaun. “Here, we got one to fit you. Lots of pockets.”
“Should I pack these?” Val held up a hard case full of stun guns.
“Hell yeah. I can’t believe you got hold of ‘em so fast.” Cee-Cee stroked the case lovingly as if it was a favorite pet.
“Hmm, well… having them handy isn’t against regulations, just using them.” Val grinned.
“You heard the general, get authorization. Prayers going up she approves. I don’t like ‘em, but in this case…” Jennifer appeared and frowned at the case.
Val nodded. “Not my first choice either, but we’ll use every advantage we can get our hands on. Okay, I’m going to check on the rest of the guys. Then we’ll head out.”
LaShaun watched the young woman march off, purpose in each solid step with Jennifer following. “Why the big deal about stun guns? Cops and the military use them all the time.”
“Our Weapons Section modified these stun guns. They not only deliver a larger electrical shot than normal, but the charge neutralizes psychic ability. Not maybe ten to fifteen minutes. Just enough to get you past your opponent. But it does make them slower even after they recover. It disrupts the neural activity in a way we don’t quite understand. The effect is individual though. Some are more affected than others.” Cee-Cee slipped one of the stun guns into a holster pocket on the inside of her vest. Then she gave it a satisfied pat.
“I don’t get their objection though.” LaShaun matched her actions. She slipped her knife and derringer into pockets that fitted them perfectly.
“Like I said, individual results vary. At least six deaths were reported over the last fifteen years or so,” Cee-Cee replied.
“We’re trying to stop people who serve demons, and they don’t mind killing as many as possible. In fact, it’s considered a job perk to them.” LaShaun eyed a pair of boots on a shelf built into one wall.
“The TEA is very sensitive that we don’t become like our enemy.” Cee-Cee gave her body a pat down. She appeared satisfied. “Not weighed down but ready for action.”
“And the political jockeying I just witnessed?” LaShaun pulled her thick hair back into a ponytail.
“Zachary Desmond is ambitious. It’s common knowledge he intends to run for president. At forty, most members consider him a bit too unseasoned for such a heavy job. President Truman has served six terms already. Rumors are he’s planning to retire sometime soon but of course be part of the Emeriti Council. Past presidents and high level generals continue in an advisory capacity.”
“Damn. Even psychics have political and election drama,” LaShaun mumbled.
“Hey, we’re still human with all the flaws that go along with it.”
As she waited for Cee-Cee to finish her preparations, LaShaun examined more of the inventory. “So ‘non-standard’ methods mean…”
“Lethal results, possible or certain.” Cee-Cee pointed to the boots. “Yeah, switch out what you’re wearing for those. You can change back when we’re through. Size seven, right? Those are not only waterproof, but resists snake bites and scorpion stingers. Handy in this part of the world.”
“Oh yeah, I want some of those.” LaShaun changed in minutes. She put her boots in place of the ones she put on. “You wouldn’t happen to have any children’s sizes?”
Cee-Cee wore an expression of shock. “Girl, we don’t usually include sprouts in martial operations.”
“Legion isn’t above using children for evil. Why not enlist them to fight for good?” LaShaun gazed back at her. “Criminal gangs use the sense of belonging to appeal to young people. Except for Ellie, the kids taken were rebels, not cared for at some level, and even abandoned.”
“Instead of merely keeping a database, we should recruit? Hmm, might not go over so well with a lot of members.” Cee-Cee’s eyebrows arched.
Val walked in. “True. We have a strong aversion to anything that smacks of us acting like a cult. But LaShaun offers a valid argument. Naturally we’d need to craft guidelines.”
“Politics and bureaucracy. Here I thought TEA would be different.” LaShaun glanced at the two women.
Val smiled. “Don’t be too disillusioned. Decisions are made fast and effectively. Not to mention members can and often do take independent action. The TEA doesn’t stop us.”
“Which is why Cee-Cee didn�
�t mind saying she’d help me even if leadership followed Desmond’s recommendation,” LaShaun lifted an eyebrow at her. “I feel better knowing that.”
“The TEA will even step in to help if things go sideways. Our biggest advantage is the lack of internal conflict throughout our hundred-plus-year history,” Val said.
Cee-Cee glanced at Val. “Until the last ten years.”
“Leadership has handled it well so far,” Val said. She checked the time on her wristwatch. “Okay, we’re going in at twilight. It’s almost four o’clock now. Sunset will be at about six fifty-five.”
“The drive to the main compound will take an hour. We start now, set up, and move.” Cee-Cee packed gear into the Range Rover as she talked.
“Thank you all for being on my side,” LaShaun said. She swallowed hard as Ernesto, Abril, and Jennifer strode in. She turned to Cee-Cee and hugged.
“Hey, soon as I hear kids are missing and in danger, I’m in, no discussion necessary,” Cee-Cee replied with intensity. “I know what being held captive feels like. A gang killed my family and kept me for five years. The TEA rescued me when I was fourteen.”
“You fought your way out. TEA members simply showed up following your psychic breadcrumbs.” Abril walked by and gave Cee-Cee a collegial slap on the back.
“Y’all gotta tell me that story one day,” LaShaun replied.
“Deal. Now time to saddle up,” Val said.
“We’ll be right behind you.” Ernesto jerked a thumb toward the wide opening of the warehouse. A dark tan Hummer was parked outside.
“TEA foray teams always take back-up vehicles, even if there are only a few of us,” Cee-Cee explained. She got behind the wheel of the Range Rover.”
Jennifer waved. “I’m riding with Ernesto and Abril. See you guys in a bit.”
The team exchanged information and last minute instructions. LaShaun was about to join Cee-Cee and Val in the SUV when a steel gray Ford F-10 truck pulled up. The word Policia stood out in bold black letters on the hood. All four doors opened at once. Chase exited one from the rear behind the driver’s side.
“Your husband gonna be a problem?” Val said as both she and Cee-Cee hopped to the concrete floor from the SUV.
“How did you… Right, the TEA has a full file on me along with photographs. You folks are starting to worry me,” LaShaun mumbled. She faced Chase, who strode toward her. His expression behind the dark sunglasses was blank.
“Nope. My ability is to read thoughts and emotions,” Val replied matter-of-factly. “This guy is pissed. He knows you didn’t tell him everything. I recommend diplomacy sprinkled with a lot of ‘I’m sorry, babe’.”
“Humph.” LaShaun didn’t feel apologetic in the least and allowed her face to show it.
“I don’t need to ask how you knew to come here, LaShaun.” Chase’s jaw worked as he tried to tamp down his fiery temper. He glanced around at the team members who observed. “This your squad? Looks like they’re ready to defend you.”
“I couldn’t stay at home fretting while the big strong man took care of things. And do they need to defend me?” LaShaun glanced past him at the three Mexican police officers standing yards away.
“Don’t pick a fight with me over this. We don’t have time to waste,” Chase shot back.
“Agreed. So y’all follow whatever legal procedures you have planned, and we’ll be about our business.” LaShaun turned to walk away, but his strong hand on her arm stopped her. When LaShaun spun to face Chase again, he let go.
He stepped close to her, his face only a couple of inches away. “We agreed to always be a team, to trust each other. This, this is against our promise.”
“Trust. Nice word coming from the man who practically accused me of being the root of all evil. Sorry if I wrecked your white picket fence dream life. How long have you thought marrying me and having Ellie was a huge mistake, Chase?” Despite her efforts, LaShaun’s voice broke.
The color drained from his face. Chase yanked the sunglasses from his face. The pain in his dark Cajun eyes struck LaShaun like a blow. She’d aimed to hurt him and now regretted it. But the question had hovered over them for weeks. LaShaun didn’t feel like empathizing with the strain on his relationship with his mother. Let him work it out. Yet the longer she gazed at the man she’d married, the more she wanted to feel his arms around her. Miss Rose’s wisdom rang in her mind. They needed to pull together. Maybe this test meant they couldn’t.
“You and Ellie are my life. I’m not going to go through this world without either of you. My mother knows it.” Chase breathed hard. When LaShaun didn’t reply, he put the sunglasses back on. “We have a solid lead on where the children might be held. This local gang is vicious. They torture and decapitate anybody who crosses them. They traffic humans and drugs.”
“El Duro, we know,” LaShaun said.
“Your team looks like they graduated from high school last month.”
“Yeah? Well looks can be deceiving.” LaShaun glanced over her shoulder and at Chase again.
“Even the Mexican Federal Police won’t go up against them at night. Look, they’ll kill the kids if you guys go in blazing. They’ve done it before. Please, please, let us deal with it our way.” Chase grabbed both of LaShaun’s hands.
LaShaun flinched at the impact of his words. “You mentioned trust and being a team. Listen to me.”
Ernesto stepped forward. “I don’t think—”
“El Duro is a tool being used by the parent organization of Juridicus. You understand what I’m saying? You and the Mexican police will be facing more than guns. That clothing company is a front but not for the gang. The children taken all have powerful psychic ability.” LaShaun spoke fast, ignoring the protests of the TEA team.
“They’re going to make what we try to do even tougher, LaShaun,” Abril blurted out.
LaShaun looked at them. “No, Chase is right. We’ll all do better if we combine efforts.”
“One reason the local police in particular have left these guys alone is because of rumors about El Duro using witchcraft. Not that they’ll admit it, but that’s part of the reason they don’t want to face these guys at night.” Chase looked at them all in turn. “I’ll tell them I want to spend some time with my wife.”
“Let’s move,” Jennifer put in firmly, gazing at Ernesto for direction.
“Okay, if that’s the only way to keep you guys from blocking us,” Ernesto said.
“Let’s make it even more believable,” Chase said. He pulled LaShaun to him and kissed her.
Her objection was cut off when his mouth covered hers. Chase pressed hard until their bodies fused by the heat of his passion. Desire, love, and devotion flowed from him into LaShaun. When he pulled away, she gasped.
“Wow,” Cee-Cee whispered.
“Time to roll out,” Val cut in, her voice steady and practical.
Chase jogged over to the waiting Mexican police officers. After a short exchange, they seemed more than happy to accept his explanation. Two of them grinned and slapped him on the back. The officers gave LaShaun a friendly wave goodbye. Then they got into the truck and drove off.
Minutes later, Chase sat beside LaShaun in the rear seat of the Range Rover. She didn’t pull away when he folded his large hand over hers. Cee-Cee and Val discussed the terrain and other details without look back at or talking to them—their attempt to give them some measure of privacy.
“We still have to work out…” LaShaun gazed at him as her voice trailed away.
“I know, but right now we’re team Broussard slash Rousselle, right?” Chase squeezed her hand.
LaShaun wrapped her arms around his neck. Pulling him close, she murmured, “Right.”
“If I may interrupt the make-out session,” Cee-Cee said with a smirk at them. “Ahem, I have news to report.”
“Go,” LaShaun replied as she and Chase broke apart.
“So we finally have a translation of the two messages left at the crime scenes in Louisiana. Just in
via email from a Dr. Bakir who works in our Los Angeles group. They are written in the Jairo language, created by a 12th century philosopher who claimed he had visions from angels. Some dude named Randolphus Gywnek. He formed a cult based on these so-called divine visions that asserted that Satan had good cause to rebel, and the Creator is the true villain.” Cee-Cee read from the android tablet in her lap.
“Bunch of bullshit,” Val said flatly.
“The translation?” LaShaun leaned forward.
“So the first one says, ‘Though they be young, yet they are wise beyond their years. Power flows from them. Rejoice at their joining.” Cee-Cee frowned. “What?”
“Joining means wills and souls have committed to the demonic mission to win the war between good and evil,” Val explained.
“Left at the house of one of the kidnapped kids, the case that we’re on,” LaShaun replied. “Written in Bat’s Blood Ink as part of the ritual to make the children part of Legion. And the other message?”
“So it is written, weaklings falter. The chaff shall be sloughed away from the wheat. That which serves not is destroyed.” Cee-Cee continued to scroll through more of the email.
“Murder scene,” Val said, her voice grim.
“Yeah, how did you know?” Chase grabbed his vibrating cell phone.
“Similar inscriptions, usually on a wall or the floor, have been found with victims of Legion. Mostly in Europe. A few in North Africa. Written in other languages though. This Jairo is a new one to me.” Val turned down a dirt road. “Okay, gonna be a bumpy ride for a bit.”
“We’re taking a back route. Our intel team says El Duro has informants watching the main drag that leads to the big compound. Plus, we’ll pass one of their mini-outposts along the way.” Cee-Cee checked the GPS of the Range Rover as she talked. The image changed to a photo.
“Image from one of our drones.” Val nodded to the screen set into the Ranger Rover’s dashboard.
“Damn, you people don’t play. The local police could use some of this tech.” Chase studied the images.
“Unfortunately, the cartel employ cops as well. Easier for us to operate behind a gray curtain than try to keep up with who’s who,” Val said. The woman couldn’t have been over thirty, yet she sounded like a seasoned warrior.