“You always spoil my fun, but I get her the first chance I get.”
“Ming, my dear, you can get the fight you want with her when the time is right.”
“I'll be wheels up in an hour.” Ming hung up the phone. Sergei did as well. His plans were accelerated, and he was not going to back down now.
Chapter
18
Marie and her team, in fact, had arrived in Hawaii the day before and been brought on board the USS Gerald Ford for transport. “This is not the ride I wanted and most definitely not the attire,” Marie complained as they entered their quarters on the carrier, throwing her blue Navy working uniform on her bed. “I hate boats.”
“It's not a boat. It's an aircraft carrier. It is a smooth ride; you shouldn't get sea sick. We have to blend in. We can't stand out. Wearing the same daily attire of everyone else will help. Plus, blue is your color,” Ray retorted with a chuckle.
“I am not worrying about sea sickness. I am worrying about drowning.”
“Oh don't worry. I won't let you fall overboard,” Ray said with a smile.
“Cute, so now, you are having fun. I'm so glad you feel comfortable here.”
“Well, this is like home. I have spent a lot of time on board 'boats', as you call them.”
“Good for you. I can't wait until we are off this and on our way.”
Ray interrupted, “To where?”
“Stop one, Ming. We need to take her out, first.”
“We won't be docking at any port in China, so how do you assume we are going to get there?”
“Night drop from a plane, duh. They keep those on here.”
Ray laughed. “Fine, you have everything figured out. Thank you for the new gun. I appreciate it.”
“You are just being so sweet. I want to puke; stop it.”
“Ok, I will bring the asshole back if you prefer,” Ray joked back.
“Your attempts at humor are really bad, and if that was flirting, stick to your day job.” Marie chuckled, leaving the living quarters and moving towards the deck.
Ray took a deep breath. He was almost giddy. He had been out of the game for a long time, stuck behind a desk, training or reviewing reports. His task of putting together the team was the first time he got out of a suit in a long time. The fight was part of him, and it was a part of him that he missed. Fear for himself wasn't even crossing his mind. The adventure was too thrilling, and it hadn't sunk in, until he was on board and surrounded by what he always considered his true home. He almost raced to follow Marie up to the deck. Once he got there, he found the rest of the team had made their way up there, as well. Nobody seemed to like being in the lower decks after living in a bunker. Ray took it all in. They all looked pretty excited to be on an aircraft carrier and were happily chatting. He scanned for Marie and didn't see her, so he approached James, Jasmine, Chessy, and Greg, who were talking near the port side of the carrier. “How are you four doing?” Ray questioned as he joined the group.
“Hoping they let us stay up top as much as we can,” Chessy joked.
“Not too excited about being below deck?”
“I'm pretty sure none of us want to be below water level, especially after our bunker life for the past two weeks,” James added.
“Well, based on the activity I have been seeing, I don't think they are waiting to leave until the morning. It looks like we will be leaving within the next hour or so.”
“Any idea our destination?” Greg inquired.
“China, but that stays within our team. You can tell the rest of the team, but keep it quiet. I am not sure what the rest of the crew knows about us, and I would like to keep it that way.”
“Understood,” Greg replied.
Jasmine had heard the destination and had instantly started to step away. She knew where they were going, and she wasn't sure how ready she was to go home. Jasmine found herself almost running off the deck. Descending the stairs, she went straight for her bunk. Everyone noticed, but Greg instantly went after her.
“Should we follow her?” James questioned Chessy.
“No, let Greg talk to her. If we all go, it could overwhelm her.”
James nodded.
“I will leave you two. I need to locate the captain to discuss the plan.” Ray excused himself and left James and Chessy alone on the deck.
“Think she will be ok?” James pressed, concerned.
“I don't know. I can only imagine what she went through there,” Chessy replied.
Greg finally caught up to Jasmine, when she was sitting on her bed, staring blankly at the floor. “Hey, are you ok?” Greg breathlessly let out.
Jasmine gently nodded her head.
“Liar,” Greg replied, walking the rest of the way into the room and sitting down next to her. Jasmine didn't respond; she just continued to stare at the floor. “Look, I can't even begin to understand what growing up there was like or what they did to you there, but you are not there, anymore. It is your past, not your future. We will be with you when we go there. You are not alone.” Jasmine held her head up and looked at Greg, her soft blue eyes filled with tears. “I won't ask you what happened there or what you had to do to survive, but if you want to talk, I am here to listen.”
Jasmine looked away. “I never thought I would get out. I learned quickly to work hard and obey. I was good at faking it.”
“Faking what?”
“Enjoying it, being her favorite. I want her to pay.”
Greg reached out and placed his hand on Jasmine's. Jasmine looked back to Greg. “She will.”
Jasmine nodded and lightly rested her head on his shoulder. Greg placed his arm around her shoulders and let her softly cry on his shoulder. Greg didn't say a word. It wouldn't have helped anyway. She just needed to know he was there for her.
Ray, on the other hand, was on a mission to find Marie. He had to lie to James and Chessy. He didn't want them to think he was not up to speed with what she was planning. Ray found her standing alone near the rear of the carrier. “Jasmine is pretty upset,” Ray announced approaching her.
“I knew she would be. Is someone with her?”
“Greg is with her.”
Marie smiled. “Good, someone levelheaded. He will be good for her.”
“Are you playing matchmaker, now?” Ray added, trying to lighten the mood.
“She deserves to have friends. She has gone without real friendship for so long.” Marie glanced around to see the flurry of activity of the crew. “We are leaving. Stay up here if you like. I am going to try to sleep some of this sea voyage.”
Marie started to walk away, but Ray grabbed her arm. “They need you, too. James and Jasmine need their mother.”
Marie lightly smiled. “I am here to protect them. I am no good for them like that. They are better off with each other.” Marie pulled away and left Ray alone on the deck.
Ray grasped the rail and stared out at the water as the carrier started its departure from the port. To be at sea again was thrilling, but what lay ahead was unknown, and his inner fear for the well-being of everyone was weighing heavily on Ray's mind.
Chapter
19
“Are they at sea?” Warren questioned as he and Franklin sat down at the United States Embassy in Switzerland.
“Yes sir, they just left port a couple hours ago,” his aide replied, handing him a stack of files.
“Thank you, please keep me up to date on their progress.”
“Yes sir,” the aide replied, walking out of the room.
“Things are moving ahead. It is only a matter of time before Sergei attacks.”
“But where? Do you really think he will attack either the United States or Great Britain? That would be too bold, even for him. He is too sneaky.”
“I gave him the target he has always wanted. He knows who is on the carriers.”
Franklin felt his jaw drop open. “You sent them out as bait!” he exclaimed.
“It had to happen. He was going to find out.
We need him to strike first, so we can look like the damaged parties and unify against him.”
“And what will happen when they all die on that carrier?”
“She is too crafty for that. I have faith they will get to their destination.”
“And if not?”
“Then we do this the traditional way. We go to war without them. We can win this war without them.”
“So you are ok with sacrificing them. Did you ever consider what would happen if she makes if off, but James or Jasmine doesn't? What if she finds out you spoon fed them to Sergei? You will become her next victim.”
“Then let's hope she is as good as her reputation dictates.”
Franklin was rubbing his face. How could Warren be so reckless?
“Just relax. Things are going our way. The world community is on our side, and that is all that matters.”
“I just think you should have thought more of their safety.”
“Their safety? They are not the only ones at risk. If we would have continued to toe the line, how many would have died at the hands of Sergei? He would have used our forces to do his bidding. People are going to die, no matter what. What matters is that we stop him, or a hell of a lot more people will die,” Warren barked, grasping the files tightly in his hand, then throwing them down on the table and standing up.
Franklin had adverted his eyes. He always shrank from conflict.
“Christopher, look at me!” Warren yelled.
“That's not my name,” Franklin growled back.
“What? You want to claim the second name they gave you? We are finally free, and we are going to have to fight to stay that way, so toughen up.” Warren grabbed Franklin, pulling him from his seat to his feet.
“Get your hands off of me!” Franklin yelled, pushing Warren's hands off of him.
“Have you forgotten how to fight?” Warren swung at Franklin, but Franklin blocked it.
“Are you out of your bloody mind?!” Franklin exclaimed, blocking further attacks from Warren.
Finally, Franklin had enough, taking Warren by the arm and flipping him, causing him to land on his back on the floor. Warren let out a groan then began laughing loudly. Franklin stood over him, almost confused about what he had just done to Warren. “Why are you laughing?” he said out of breath.
“Because you never forget. They can change our names and teach us new things, but we will always be soldiers, first.” Warren sat up and reached a hand up to Franklin for him to grab.
Franklin stood in silence. He was right. He could deny it to himself that he was no longer a soldier, but it was always with him. Chuckling, Warren waved his hand at Franklin again to request help up. This time, Franklin reached his hand out and pulled Warren to his feet. Warren reached out and patted Franklin on the back. “We are the survivors, and we always will be.”
Franklin shook his head slightly. “Not if this goes wrong. She will come for us next. I really hope this goes your way.”
“Our way,” Warren interrupted. “Our way,” he repeated, straightening his dark suit. Warren looked down to his watch. “Time to head home. I will be in touch.” Warren reached out for Franklin to shake his hand. Franklin hesitated, but took him by the hand and gave him a strong shake.
“I understand,” Franklin firmly replied.
Chapter
20
Ming did as she was instructed, bringing her ten best girls and files and reporting to Sergei's palace in Russia. Ming was directed to Sergei's office immediately upon arrival. Both she and two of her girls, Layla and Anya, along with the files, entered Sergei's disheveled office. “Well, you have certainly made a mess in here. Is that why you called me, to clean up after you?” Ming quipped, walking through the door.
Sergei looked up from his desk. The circles were visible under his eyes.
“How long have you been up? This is not like you.”
Sergei ignored her question and reached out his hand. “I need your file on the White Blossom.”
“She will be caught. You need to relax, unless you have a lead,” Ming replied, reaching into the box Layla was holding.
“How old was she when you got her?”
“She was four,” Ming replied, handing the file to Sergei.
Sergei started flipping through the file, until he found the picture of Jasmine when she was brought in. “This was her, correct?”
Ming looked at the picture. “Yes why? What are you getting at?”
Sergei moved the pile documents and started to flip through the pages vigorously, until he found what he was looking for. “Yes, here it is.” He turned the file to show a page with a picture stapled to it.
“Who is that?”
“It's her. It's Marie when she was five.”
“What does that have to do with anything? Have you lost your mind?”
Sergei grabbed the picture of Jasmine at four from her file and held it against the picture of Marie at five. Ming felt a stone drop into her stomach. “You see it, don't you?”
Ming nodded. “They look identical,” she gasped.
“That's because the White Blossom is her daughter. I thought it was just another rumor, but it all started to make sense. Blossom goes missing around the same time Marie re-emerges with a team, including at least one girl who knew your fighting techniques and even fights like one of your girls,” Sergei rambled.
“She reclaimed her daughter. I trained her for her,” Ming's voice boomed as anger filed her.
“She has all of them. She has the lost children from Soldat, as well,” Sergei retorted with a smile.
“Why are you smiling? This is a disaster.” Ming ran her hands through her dark hair.
“Because I am about to put them at the bottom of the ocean.” Sergei smirked, feeling proud he had finally gotten Marie, her son, and her daughter.
“How?” Ming was intrigued.
“She was coming after us, but picked a very poor transportation method. It is only a matter of time before our planes intercept the US carrier they are on. It will be the end of her.”
“Then the secrets of her power will be lost forever. I thought that was what you always wanted. If you kill her, then you have nothing.”
“I know you want her for yourself. I forgave you long ago for trying to take her from me. She has become an obstacle and needs to be eliminated. I need them eliminated. This is our chance to stop her, and if it means destroying the only chance I have at the key to her powers, then so be it, if it means salvaging everything we have worked for.”
“This will spark a war. Are we ready?” Ming questioned.
“I am. Are you?” Sergei smiled.
“Your army is ready?”
“They are more than ready. We will crush whatever they send. It is very simple. Resources mean power, and we will take the middle east as planned and control the oil. We will have to pass on blaming North Korea; that fell apart. Taking the oil will force the rest of the world to fall in line, just as we have planned. So are you ready?”
“My girls are always ready. Where do you want them?”
“They can stay here, for now. I want to see how this attack goes, before I move anyone into action.”
“Then we will enjoy your gracious hospitality,” Ming said with a wink as she turned and left the room, her two girls in tow.
Chapter
21
The trip on the Pacific had been smooth. The cover of military exercises had held up across the international community, and no real chatter had been picked up that anyone suspected anything else. The captain was pleased as he worked out the last details of Marie and Ray's team transportation to mainland China. “We will depart at night. The plane can get high enough fast enough to make the drop, without being detected. How confident are you with your team's ability to do a parachute drop at night?” The captain directed at Ray.
However, Marie took the question. “They can handle it. The drop zone is only five miles from Ming's estate. I am concerned about her bein
g alerted to the drop.”
“If we drop you any further, we are in mountainous terrain. It would be too dangerous. You would run the risk of injuring or killing some of your team.”
“The site will be fine. We will make it work,” Ray interjected confidently.
“Perfect, we will prepare to launch at eleven hundred hours. That gives your team eight hours to be ready.”
“Yes sir,” Ray replied with a salute.
Marie just rolled her eyes. “Fine with me,” she added, turning and walking out of the command center.
Ray followed behind, but Marie appeared not to be heading out, but heading to something. “Where are you going?”
Before Marie could answer, they found themselves face to face with Jasmine and Greg. “Go down to the bunks and get everything ready. I want everything ready to go within the hour.”
“I thought we weren't leaving until nightfall?” Greg questioned.
“We aren't,” Ray interrupted.
“I want it ready to go within the hour,” Marie repeated.
Jasmine nodded, “Yes ma’am.” She grabbed Greg's arm and swiftly headed towards the bunks.
“Do you want to explain yourself? We are not heading out in broad daylight. Why are you rushing them?”
“Something is wrong. This shouldn't have gone so smoothly. I don't like it. I want them ready to move at a moment’s notice.” Marie pushed past Ray and made her way up to the observation deck, overlooking the deck.
Once there, she saw James, Chessy, Liam, and Rose all standing around talking, while watching the waves. Marie changed her glance to the horizon. She was looking for anything to indicate trouble. Ray had caught up to her and was watching her from behind.
“You can't ever think that things won't go south. Whenever things go well, you just assume things have to go bad next.”
Marie wouldn't even look at Ray. She was fixated on the skyline. “Because it always does.” Marie continued to scan the skyline as Ray joined her. Marie's blue eyes widened as she saw what she had feared. “There!” she exclaimed.
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