The room was strangely silent as if the group didn’t know what to do next.
“I expected a bit more excitement when it came to me letting you play with my toys.”
Greg had the courage to speak up. “I am sorry, but we are all still wondering why you want our help at all. From what I know, you are pretty capable on your own, or at least, that is what I am thinking. I can’t speak for anyone else, so I apologize if it sounded like I was.”
Marie smirked. “Gregory, you have courage. I like that. The fact is this; you all do have a choice to fight with me or not. However, it doesn’t matter if you join me; they will come for you. You will become their targets; the whispers have started that you all exist. My enemies will become yours, and they will hunt you. I can lock you up in this bunker, and you can hide with the hopes they don’t find you or you can fight back. It is up to you if you want to be helpless victims or take your destiny in your own hands.”
Eyes were shifting around the room as they each looked to one another, until Dovia stood up, pulling her black hair up in a knot. “Nobody will call me a coward. I’m in.”
“Well, if any of the rest of you are with us, you will need to choose a weapon. A true warrior can find their weapon of choice by letting the weapon choose you. Please help yourself.” Marie stepped back, gesturing towards her walls of weapons for them to explore.
Each of the team members got up, some slowly and some quicker. The weapon collection was impressive. Many seemed ancient, and some, they had never seen before. James was one of the last to get up. He gazed over his teammates as they pulled weapons off the wall to examine them. He kept his hands free as he walked across the room. A weapon had caught his eye, a bow. James walked straight towards it. When he reached it, he stopped. Despite its black color, it stood out to James as if it was staring back at him. James raised his arm and ran his hand down the length of the limbs of the bow. Grabbing hold of the limbs, James pulled the bow from the wall and examined it further. The string glistened in the light, and James turned the bow in his hand.
“It’s made of carbon fiber. Strong, yet agile,” Marie interjected, stepping up next to James.
“It’s beautiful.” James lifted it higher and placed his other hand on the string and pulled it back. “You want to learn how to use it, don’t you?” Marie inquired.
“Do you know how to use it?”
Marie could feel a tear coming to her eye. Of course, she did. Michael had taught her. “Yes, I will teach you.” Marie had to step away. She didn't want to show her tears at the thought of having to teach James to use a bow. It should have been Michael there, teaching his son, not her. Marie positioned herself away from the group and just observed them. James was staring deeply at his bow, so much that he didn't notice Jasmine approaching.
“So you want to be a bow man?” Jasmine joked.
James looked up and laughed a little. “Yah, it just feels good in my hands. She said she would teach me.”
Jasmine reached behind her and pulled her katana from its sheave on her back. “My weapon has always been mine. I never got to pick.” Jasmine twirled the blade. “But it does feel like home to have it in my hands.”
“Any chance you are giving lessons?” Greg inquired, approaching the two with a katana in his hand.
“Only if you actually listen,” Jasmine teased.
“I always listen. James is the one who is hard of hearing,” Greg joked back, giving James a playful shove.
“Yah, yah, keep picking on the young guy. One of these days, you will report to me.”
Greg and Jasmine both laughed. “Dream on,” Greg let out between laughs.
By then, Chessy had joined the group, only her hands were weapon free.
“Why didn't you pick one?” Jasmine questioned, examining Chessy's bare hands.
“I just didn't feel a draw to any of them,” Chessy replied quietly.
“You don't have to pick one. You are a great shot and can handle yourself in a fight. Besides, you can just watch me show off with this bad boy.” James winked as he pulled back the string of his bow pointed at Chessy.
Chessy gave a half smile. “I'm sure I will be fine with what I have.”
“James,” the call came from across the room; it was Marie. “And anyone else who chose a weapon that requires a long distance target, we are headed up top to the range. Everyone else can stay down here and experiment.”
“Time to become a master.” James gave Chessy a quick hug and ran after Marie, who was already on her way up the stairs out of the bunker.
Jasmine tapped her sword against Greg's. “That means we have time to practice.”
Chessy slinked to the sidelines, just watching everyone. She had no passion for this, like she thought she would in the beginning. Greg felt at ease with the katana in his hand and was eager to learn from Jasmine. Jasmine was eager to teach. Chessy watched them with a gentle smile. They enjoyed each other’s company.
Up top, James, Rose, and Marcus joined Marie at her makeshift range. Each had found a bow on the wall and were eager to learn to use it. They stepped up to join Marie at the two long benches. On the benches were six large cylinders, filled with arrows. Marie picked up a bow she had laying on the ground next to the benches.
“I expected more than three to have appreciated the elegance of the bow and arrow.” Marie pulled an arrow from the cylinder to her right, positioned it on the bow, drew the string, aimed, and fired. The arrow found its mark, dead center of the center target, one hundred feet down range.
“Nice shot!” Marcus exclaimed.
“Now, your turn. Step up to the benches and pull an arrow.” All three did as commanded and pulled an arrow. Marcus fidgeted a bit, trying to line up the arrow and the bow, but Rose and James set their bows flawlessly. Marie moved to Marcus' side and helped him straighten out his bow. “I love these braids. They suit you,” Marie teased, patting Marcus on the back as she walked to the side of the line of fire. “Aim.” All three adjusted their bows and arrows to fit their aim. “Fire.” All three released.
Marcus hit the outside circle of his target, Rose hit the inner circle, and James hit dead center. Marie couldn't contain her smile as it took over her face. “Just as I expected, a natural,” she whispered to herself.
James couldn't contain his joy either. “Yes!” he exclaimed.
Rose and Marcus laughed. “Well, you are just better, now, aren't you?” Rose chuckled.
James quickly drew another arrow and fired, another perfect hit. James was overjoyed and just kept pulling and firing in quick succession. Marcus and Rose looked on in amazement. Marie looked on with pride and grief. The joy of seeing her son excel did not dispel the pain of watching him master his father's art. By the time he stopped, James had fired twenty arrows. He had taken over all four targets, nailing every hit. James was out of breath as he looked at what he had done. Rose and Marcus were in shock.
“Um yah, I am going to need a little more practice to pull that off,” Marcus joked.
James looked to Marie. She smiled back at him. “I knew you had it in you. Now, let your peers practice, please.” James smiled as he stepped to the side to allow Rose and Marcus to practice.
Chessy had watched Jasmine and Greg practice enough. Everyone was busy experimenting with their weapons. Ray had taken to helping a few learn to manage them. Chessy figured she wouldn't be missed, so she slipped away towards the living quarters. As she wandered about the corridors, she came face to face with Marie's room. Her curiosity had overcome her good sense, and she pulled the door handle to see if it was open. It was. Chessy gently pulled the door open and looked inside. Everything looked like a normal bedroom. Chessy stepped inside and made her way to the desk that sat before the blank screens. Opening the top drawer, Chessy's eyes gazed upon a small white box with a jasmine blossom etched on the top. Chessy reached down and picked it up. Lifting the lid, she found a small scrap of worn fabric. She could barely make out little monkeys. Smiling as she removed
it, she saw a wedding ring that was badly damaged and missing the stone. It was the picture at the bottom that affected her. It was half of a picture. As she lifted it closer, the resemblance was undeniable. The boy in the picture looked like a young James. “It couldn't be,” Chessy whispered. The picture was too old to have been of James. As she looked closer, she saw the bow sitting on the ground next to the boy. The realization set in. It was Michael as a young boy. Chessy heard a noise in the hall and quickly placed everything back in the box and shoved it back in the drawer. She waited in fear to be discovered, but whoever it was moved away from the room. Sighing in relief, she looked around the room again. A black metal case under the bed caught her attention. Chessy picked it up and examined it closer, no markings. She placed it on the desk and opened it. Before her sat a stack of folders, the names of their fathers on the top. Locating the file with “Austin” on it, she opened it. She gazed upon the picture of her real father again. The word “deceased” was scribbled across it in red marker. Lifting the picture, she found a document with “report of death” at the top. Her eyes widened in shock as she read, 'Austin was killed after his mission to return subject, known as “Marie”, failed. Austin was able to complete mission to exterminate subject, known as “Michael”, prior to his death at the hands of subject “Marie.” Other members of his party were able to obtain property, now identified as “James”, and deliver him to secure location'. The document was signed by a “Bruce Serk.” Chessy lifted her head. She didn't want to look at it. Her father killed James’ father. Chessy closed the file and put it back in the case. She closed the case and slid it back under the bed. Nothing looked out of place, and Chessy didn't want to risk being caught, so she left the room, quietly closing the door behind her. Processing knowing that her father killed James' father was causing her to tear up. She didn't want anyone to see, so she went straight to her dorm room. Once there, she didn't go to her top bunk, but instead, crawled into James' bed and closed her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks. Chessy drifted to sleep and stayed that way, until she was awakened by James, shaking her gently.
“Hey, sleepy, you are going to miss dinner. You already missed lunch. Are you feeling ok?” The look of concern on James' face was so sweet Chessy couldn't help but smile.
“I know why she hates me.”
James looked puzzled. “Why who hates you?”
“Your mom.”
James smiled. “Just relax on that. She is just like that. Has to protect her little boy.”
Chessy shook her head. “No, my biological father killed yours. I look like him.”
Shock overtook James. “How do you know that?”
“I found the file.”
James rubbed his face. “Look, neither of us are responsible for the actions of our parents, good or bad. I don't care if she likes you or not, it doesn't affect how I feel. You matter to me, and food matters to me. So let’s go eat,” James said, pulling on Chessy's arm playfully.
Chessy playfully pulled back.
“Well, fine then, I will carry you,” James joked, picking Chessy up and laying her over his shoulder.
“Put me down!” she exclaimed, laughing.
“Nope, we are going to eat. I shall keep you captive until you eat,” James joked, carrying her out of the room.
Chapter
14
Back at the White House, preparations were in full force. Meetings of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were a daily occurrence.
“I understand your concerns,” Warren addressed the group. “However, I have been in contact with Prime Minister Franklin, and his team is on board. We have to act, and soon, for our own protection.”
“Sir, if we send our fleet towards Russia, it could be seen as an act of aggression and could instigate a war, when it could be avoided,” Louise Fowler, the Secretary of Defense, argued.
“I am pretty sure war is inevitable. They sent an agent to kill my wife, and now, they deny it and push blame on others. We cannot predict their next move. We have to be prepared to fight.”
“But why? It doesn't make any sense for them to attack you so personally. They have made no threats against the country. We can only confirm that it was probably a KGB agent. We cannot confirm that they ordered it,” Louise replied.
Warren knew he was in a corner. He needed those ships at sea and needed a reason to put them there. “I will sleep better if we had some protection. So how about a compromise? We send four carriers to sea and park them in international waters, not too far from Russian. That way, they are close enough to make Russia think twice about launching any attacks.”
Glances were exchanged around the room; most were not sure.
Louise spoke first, “Sir, I don't think that it would do much harm for four carriers to be at sea. We can say they are out for a training exercise. But they need clear instructions not to act without authorization from this council.”
“I am ok with that. Anyone else have anything to add?” Warren inquired. None spoke. Most were confused as to what was going on; however, they were not prepared to speak up. What could be the harm of a few carriers sitting out at sea?
“Ok. So, how soon can we prepare the carriers to go?” Warren directed at the secretary of the Navy.
“Sir, I can have four ready to leave Hawaii in two weeks,” he replied.
“Good, I would like a list of the available carriers within the hour. Can you do that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very good, then you are all dismissed. Louise, if you could come with me. I have a few more things to discuss with you.”
“Of course, sir,” she replied.
Warren stood up, and everyone followed. Warren nodded and walked from the room, Louise following close behind. Warren went straight to the oval office, shooing his assistants as he entered. Louise closed the door as she followed him in.
“In the future, I would appreciate it if you did not so openly oppose me,” Warren barked taking his seat.
“Sir, with all due respect, I don't like it when I am left in the dark. I know you want them there, but it would be better if you would just tell me what you know that I don't.”
“I have a team that I need to get into China, and the carriers are the perfect transportation and cover.”
“Sir, you will be breaking international law by sending our forces into China, without any justification.”
“I have justification, and I will have the cooperation of members of the Chinese government to do what I am going to do, but like I said so many times before, you need to trust me. I know what I am doing.”
Suddenly, there was as a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Warren ordered.
The Secretary of the Navy entered. “Sir, I have a list of the available carriers for your approval.”
“Good, let me see the list.” Warren waved his hand for the secretary to come forward. The paper was laid before Warren and he smiled. “The USS Gerald Ford needs to be part of the group. Other than that one, the other three are at the discretion of the Navy.”
“Sir, may I ask why you want the USS Gerald Ford?” the secretary of the Navy asked, confused. “It is not our only carrier of that size and class.”
“I want it as part of the group. It has the capabilities we need, and you know that.” Warren narrowed his eyes at the secretary.
The secretary shifted a bit. He knew what Warren was talking about. “Sir, if you want to activate a seal team, you need to consult with the Navy. They need orders from us, not from you.”
“I just need the capacity of the carrier. I will be sending my own team.”
“Sir?” Louis interjected, confused.
“Inform the captain that he will have passengers with instructions from me directly. He is to follow them as given.”
“Sir, this is not proper, nor does it follow any appropriate chain of command. I cannot and will not approve that,” the secretary barked back.
Warren was furious. “You will do as I have ordere
d. This is a matter of national security, and do you want this country to be caught with its pants down? My team will handle the work you don't have the balls to do or are too busy talking about your egos to make a damn decision. This is covert, and you are lucky I am telling you this much. My team will be on that carrier, and the captain will follow their orders. Is that clear?”
Louise was standing in shock. Warren had gotten very unpredictable since the first lady had died. He was a loose cannon.
The secretary was not in the mood to argue anymore. “Fine, but if this goes sour, it is on your head. The carriers will depart in two weeks. Your team better be there on time for departure,” he stated, walking out of the room.
As the door closed, Louise turned to look at Warren. “I know your wife's death has hurt you, but you are making dangerous decisions. It could cost you your office. You are a good man. Don't let your anger over her death take over your decisions.”
“I know what I am doing; please just trust me,” Warren said flatly, reading over the papers that had been left on his desk while he was out.
Louise just nodded. “Ok if you need anything, I am here,” she said gently.
Warren nodded, not looking up from his papers. Louise quietly left the office. Warren waited for the door to close before sitting back. He almost chuckled. They were worried about his grief. What grief? he thought. It was time for his revenge on the man who had run his entire life. When it came to motivation, grief had nothing on rage.
Chapter
15
Back at the bunker, training was progressing for all the team members. As Marie knew, they were exceptional, once allowed to explore. They all embraced their weapons and mastered them in record time. Within two weeks of being in the bunker, they had advanced far more in combat than they had in the six months of CIA training. It impressed even Ray. He was starting to become more comfortable with Marie, despite his reservations about her tactics and background. When she worked with the team members, she appeared to care about their well-being. Yes, she pushed them, but no more than John had. Only, she was far more gifted at teaching than he would have ever thought possible.
Jasmine (Teumessian Trilogy Book 3) Page 6