by Sawyer, JT
“Well, he did save your hide back there on the highway near Tucson,” said Carlie.
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” said Shane, rubbing the back of his neck and grimacing. “That’s something that no amount of liquor is ever going to help me forget.”
“And here’s the best part—you’re gonna love this—we need him for this next adventure.”
“How’s that? He’s not former military.”
“I’ve been going through all of the available personnel records on General Adams’ computer, looking for people at this base who are from New Orleans. Jared is it—he’s our best bet for getting through that city without incident.”
“Carlie, you just looked at the same rap sheet I did. This guy’s a ‘bitch’—a habitual criminal.”
“If this were two days ago, I’d agree but with the world the way it is now, where is he going to run to? Given the line of work he’s been in, he probably operates well under pressure and can keep his cool when things get dicey. He seems like he’s got a softer side that can be appealed to,” she said with a slight smile. “Besides, I’ll present him with the illusion of choice so he feels he has a say in the matter.”
Chapter 7
“So let me get this straight. You want me to play tour guide through the French Quarter to some rusty frigate with a bunch of rotting feds where the virus started? So, you can, what—get some closure on how the world went down the toilet and sleep better at night?” said Jared, who was standing across from Shane, Matias, and Amy, who were sitting on folding chairs after listening to Carlie explain their mission.
“Look, the handful of scientists here and around the country are a long way from decoding this disease and figuring out a cure,” said Carlie. “There are some items on that ship that could help us track down where this thing may have originated. Once we understand that, we may be able to find out what we’re dealing with and provide intel on how to combat it. It’s either come with us or stay here on a short leash with the MPs doing sanitation duty in the emergency room.”
Jared sat in silence against a desk, rubbing the whiskers on his chin. His eyes darted around the room like a rodent caught in a leghold trap. “Listen, sister, I’ll go but I ain’t in this for your little science quest. If I guide you through the city to the pier, I expect to be compensated.”
“Compensated—this guy’s incredible,” said Shane. “What, do you want a bag of gold Rolexes to hawk after hours so you can keep yourself in hair gel and smokes?”
“What I want is between Carlie and myself or it’s no deal—and sweetie,” he said with a half-smile, “it ain’t anything that’s going to cause the Sheriff here to get an ulcer over. I am a southern gent after all,” he said with a chuckle, looking at Shane.
Shane narrowed his eyes, pulling Carlie aside. “You’re sure there’s no other way we can avoid having to bring Chicken Gumbo with us?”
“Not if we want to get in and out quickly,” she said, whispering to him and then walking back around Jared. “One thing’s for sure, we gotta get you trained up a little bit with basic firearms usage and tactics before we depart.”
“I can handle a piece just fine.”
“Did you already forget the two-gun fiasco at the bridge near Tucson—because I sure didn’t. You’re a walking poster for friendly fire.”
“You mean the Wild West shooting I did to save your boyfriend’s life,” he said. “You know, Shane still hasn’t given me a bro-hug.”
“That’s enough—are you in or out because all I’ve heard so far is a lot of chest thumping,” said Carlie.
“Sure, count me in. With you, me, the Sheriff here, and Matias, it looks like the Fantastic Four will save the world.”
“Actually there will be five of us and another team when we insert.” Carlie looked over at Amy. “If you’re up for it, we can sure use your help. Your paramedic skills will be a tremendous asset and you’re one tough lady under pressure.”
“I was hoping you’d ask, Carlie. You got it.”
“I want you and Jared to meet at the gun range in thirty minutes so we can get started.”
“She’s coming too?” said Jared. “I can’t be responsible for her any longer.”
Amy sent him a disgusted look. “Carlie, can I borrow your pistol now because I don’t think he’s gonna stop talking.”
Chapter 8
Shane and Matias took their two new students down to the indoor shooting range and did a crash course on basic pistol and rifle use along with a few team tactics. Given Shane only had three hours, it was little more than rudimentary skills so a beginner could perform safe weapons handling and, most importantly, not risk killing the teammate in front of them during a full-on crisis. The whole training event consisted of Shane constantly correcting Jared while trying to keep from slapping the man. When they had finished Matias went over field-stripping and weapons maintenance around a folding table.
“After today, whenever you have down time, I want you both to practice 100 dry-fire drills, focusing on smoothly removing your pistol from the holster and lining up your sights. Then do 100 magazine change-outs. Dry fire is the key to reinforcing muscle memory and practicing your basic skills no matter how advanced you become. The saying that you will rise to the occasion under pressure is bullshit but you will settle to the level of your training so train as you are going to fight,” Shane said, walking around behind both Amy and Jared. “Just remember that these creatures are like two-legged tigers that won’t stop coming so don’t hesitate to split their fucking heads open. Show them no mercy for they will show you none. Hopefully it won’t come to that—you’re going to be with us in an advisory role and not running and gunning unless things heat up,” said Shane.
“Ooh, ‘advisor’…I kinda like the ring of that,” said Jared while lifting his eyes from the table and glancing over at Amy, who continued to disassemble her pistol.
“Surely you must have done some advising at that minimum security prison you shacked up in for three years,” said Matias, sending a knowing glance at Shane and then back to Jared.
Jared stopped cleaning his pistol and raised one eyebrow while looking up. He clenched his jaw momentarily and then let out a sigh. “The only advising I did was for your dad in the cell next to mine.”
The former smirk on Matias’ face melted into a grimace and he moved forward only to have Shane intervene.
“Kill the jokes,” said Shane. “If you’re going to be on this team, Jared, you’ll show respect to everyone around you because one day they could be yanking you out of a shit-storm.” Shane walked beside Jared and leaned in close to his face. “You may be used to being a lone-wolf but the needs of this team and the mission come before your personal desires—capisce?”
“Gotcha,” Jared said while folding his arms in front of his chest. “If your groupbuilding sermon is over, I’m gonna go grab my things and then meet Carlie and the others in the hangar.”
Shane gave him a stern nod, permitting him to leave. Jared glanced around at Amy and Matias and strode past them both towards the exit.
“I don’t think he gives a shit about anything in his life,” said Shane.
“Somewhere deep down he cares,” said Amy. “I think he just buries that side of himself in his rebelliousness, besides,” Amy paused to look at Matias, “you’re the one who brought up his past.”
“Now, Amy, don’t be fooled by this guy’s southern charm. He’s a con-man.”
“You guys have been in law enforcement too long and see only the bad side of people. I’ve encountered Jared’s type before and they’re usually all bark and no bite,” Amy said while grabbing her pack and walking away.
“What is it about that guy a woman could possibly find appealing?” said Matias.
“You find out, you let me know,” said Shane, stroking his beard.
Chapter 9
Carlie was stowing her pack with a 3-day supply of rations, ammo, and gear on a table in the hangar when she caught someone out of the corn
er of her eye entering the bay. She stopped what she was doing and turned to see Eliza walking towards her wearing jeans and a green sweatshirt. Carlie let out a partial smile. “Eliza, how are you doing—you holding up OK?”
The young woman kept walking and then threw her arms around Carlie’s neck in a hug. Carlie stood frozen with her arms by her side and her face tense then slowly raised her arms in a partial response. All of the years of providing executive protection and she had never had any of her clients respond with such blatant affection.
Eliza pulled back and put her hands on her hips. “How am I doing—I am alive and breathing thanks to you, Carlie. A week ago I had high hopes about doing medical research one day but I have no complaints, not about anything in my life ever again—except maybe the lack of hot water for showers.”
Carlie looked at her face and could see a budding confidence underlying her tired eyes. “You’re a strong woman and will make a fine scientist—heck…doctor, politician or whatever you want to be.”
“Uh…thanks. It will be as a scientific assistant for now. I think I’ll pass on anything related to politics though. Speaking of that nefarious occupation, I heard that you spoke with my father or more likely, he spoke at you.”
“Yeah, you could say that. He’s a man of principle and I can’t say I disagree with what he said.”
“Well, don’t let him scare you away. Deep down, he’s a guy who has great respect for the military and our fine Secret Service agents. So, are you going to be back on my detail soon, after you’ve rested?”
Carlie turned and walked back to the table with Eliza following her. “I’ve been reassigned to a new task force. We will be spearheading the movement to track down the origins of this virus.”
“What—but I thought once the situation was set straight with the events in Tucson that things would return to the way they were.”
“I don’t know if things will ever return to the way they were a few days ago. My services are needed elsewhere and your father is having his protective detail carry over to you.”
“Great…now he’s going to keep me velcroed to his hip and never let me out of his sight,” she said, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. “Did that moron Phillip have something to do with this?”
“Look, don’t get me wrong when I say this but I am actually fine with leaving the Service. You will be missed but will be in good hands,” Carlie said while carefully arranging the Glock magazines in a neat row for the second time. “I’ve spent so many years climbing a ladder that I thought I needed to in order to somehow prove myself. Now, I just want to finish this mission and take care of my own.”
“Will you be coming back here when you’re done with what’s ahead? Will I see you again?”
“I hope so,” she said, placing her hand on Eliza’s shoulder. “Just remember, you’re a warrior and can overcome anything life throws at you. Always fight the good fight, whether it’s with your hands or your head, and you will make a difference. The world needs people like you, Eliza.”
“Yeah, well that works both ways. And when you come back here, note my optimism,” she said with a smile. “I expect you not to be a stranger.”
“Roger that,” Carlie said as she looked beyond Eliza’s shoulder at her team approaching from the rear of the hangar. “You better go now or my team will think you’re trying to recruit me for the science division.”
“Yeah, I can totally see you in a white lab coat hovering over a microscope for hours.”
Both women laughed at the thought and then Carlie extended her hand to Eliza. They both shook and then Eliza walked away, passing the other operatives moving past her.
Chapter 10
Carlie spent the next hour meeting with both of her teams. Having worked with Shane and Matias, she knew they would help her look out for Jared and Amy, making their transition into their support roles easier.
Sergeant Boyd’s group would be another story. In addition to him there were five others whom General Adams had drawn from a hastily assembled pool of men from the army personnel still left at White Sands. She knew there was little choice right now in handpicking her cadre as there were so few experienced operators at this facility. Most of them were support personnel or artillery.
From their records, Carlie noted that each man had served one or more deployments in the Middle East and possessed above-average shooting skills. They would already be used to the stress that comes with extended operations in hot spots along with sleep deprivation. Carlie knew from her own training that an operator’s skills were only half the equation in the success of a mission. A battle-tested mindset and undaunting willpower to see a mission through, regardless of physical hardship, only came from a place deep inside that you either had or you didn’t. Everyone was the same from the neck down—it was what was nestled between the ears that made a warrior gutting it out and getting the job done.
The first man to her right was over six feet tall and had a clean-cut face and blue eyes. He could’ve been a movie star with his looks, she thought. Beside him was a shorter man with a shaved head and tattoos running the length of his sinewy arms to his wrists. Across the table from her were the other three warriors. One looked to be around twenty-four and the youngest of the group. He had a gruff appearance with a missing front tooth and a pock-marked face that looked like he had seen his share of street fights. Standing beside him was a meaty black guy who must have been six-eight and refrigerator-wide. The last man had pale skin and a buzz cut that revealed his stubbly red hair beneath his boonie cap. His hands were heavily scarred and his ropy arms resembled those of a rock climber.
As she looked over the swarthy men provisioning their rucksacks, Carlie noticed Boyd kept glancing her way, studying her like she was a piece of produce in the grocery store. She walked over and stood before him as he outfitted his tactical vest with rifle magazines.
“Sergeant Boyd, I saw in your files that you were involved in operations in Tikrit in ’09.”
“That’s right, it was supposed to be an easy sweep through the city but we got fucked by insurgents whose numbers were greater than what intel indicated.” He set his vest down and stood straight up, facing her. “The general said that you were in army intel at one point, weren’t you?”
“That’s correct, Sergeant.”
“Well, there’s nothing like having boots on the ground to augment what the drones above are telling you.”
“The intel which drives the drones is the reason there are boots on the ground in the first place.”
“Hey, I’m all for technology but I put my faith in the man to my right and my left,” he said, gliding his eyes over her chest and then back up to her face.
“It’s good to be a man of faith, Sergeant Boyd, but I also need men who have the balls to take action without question when the chips are down. And if you’re the man your personnel file says you are then you’ll be able to fit that bill just fine,” Carlie said, moving an inch forward with her eyes fixed on him.
General Adams walked in, causing everyone in uniform to stand at attention. Boyd turned away from Carlie and stood erect while she slowly turned to face the general.
“I’d like both of your teams to accompany me to the lab,” Adams said to Carlie. “I’d like you to meet the chief medical researcher, Doctor Efron, and hear his take on what we’re facing before you depart the base.”
Carlie walked behind the general as they made their way down to the laboratory for what she hoped would be a brief intel update on the virus.
On the way, Boyd moved up alongside Shane, who was at the rear. “So, I heard you were a former SEAL, is that right?”
“Yeah, what of it?”
“So why didn’t they put you in charge of this op?”
“Because I don’t speak Russian and Carlie is way more qualified with her intel skills among other things.”
“She’s more qualified than you or me, yeah right.”
“What was your background again, Sergeant�
��Rangers, is that right?”
“Damn straight, Army Rangers,” he said, slapping his chest with his right fist. “No disrespect but there’s a reason that they don’t allow mattress-thrashers like Carlie into the Rangers, SEALs, and other high-speed units. Women just can’t hack it.”
Shane stopped and fell behind the rest of the group with Boyd next to him. “Listen, pal, however short your time is on this team, just remember that Carlie can outgun, outrun, and outfight most of the people here.” Shane moved an inch away from Boyd’s face. “So I’d start showing some goddamned respect.” Shane glared at the man for a second and then turned and walked down the hallway towards the others.
Chapter 11
In the lab were a dozen assistants milling around, exchanging notes from their clipboards, analyzing numbers on DNA sequencing machines, and feverishly pecking out results on laptops. Resting on a corner table were heaps of discarded MRE packets, empty water bottles, and crumpled napkins. The entire lab smelled like moldy bread overlayed with a slight odor of bleach.
Carlie saw Professor Alan Beauchard standing in a white labcoat at the back of the room, speaking with a female assistant. He looked better than he had when Carlie rescued him in Tucson with Eliza. She was relieved to see that his medical skills were already being put to use. The professor nodded at her as she walked by and she responded in kind then made her way over to the main desk where a silver-haired man was standing with assistants hovering around him.