The news was blaring in the background as Pele leaned over the latest Robustor suit diagrams at a makeshift desk in the squadron’s rec room. The computer and tools were a far cry from what he had used in his previous life as a doctor, but he did his best to make do.
Pele had been helping the military work on the hand-to-hand combat suits from the field for the past eight years, ever since he was sent into the field as a convict soldier. He still went by his number, 588546, still serving in the same squadron under Jaber, now a Lieutenant Captain. All soldiers went only by their numbers in official records to protect them and their families from potential risks from radicals or extremists.
When Pele was in training, Jaber recognized his talents, especially with the new Robustor suits. These were the new robotic casing gear the military was testing for hand-to-hand combat. The soldiers could fly in the Robustor suits, and land where the enemy soldiers were hiding and then fight with more strength and quicker reflexes than they had naturally. Typically, they flew in clusters, with several “dummy” robotics surrounding them, to help deflect enemy fire. Unknown to Jaber, Pele had helped design the suits with Dr. Johann Dober, so he understood exactly how they worked and how best to use them.
Pele did get a kick out of the fact that he was sure his old lab partner, Johann Dober, probably had no idea that it was him giving feedback from the field.
Jaber had figured out long ago that Pele was not only his most talented soldier on the battlefield but was also very skilled at diagnosing problems with the suits and proposing effective solutions. Pele knew Jaber wanted the suits to be as effective as possible, but Pele was also starting to get suspicious about Jaber’s motives. There were several times when Pele recommended not using the latest advanced technology in some of their minor skirmishes. There was no need to put wear and tear on the costly suits, and also effectively “show the enemy their hand” by using their latest developments. But Jaber always insisted, as if he wanted the enemy to see what they were working on. Jaber would rationalize that the technology needed to be tested, but Pele knew it was unnecessary testing. They did not need to take the suits into many of the real battles, exposing its capabilities to the enemy extremists, and worse, losing some of the equipment to them.
In the evenings, the men and women in the unit lounged in the sparsely furnished rec room, finding some kind of entertainment before drifting off to their rooms for the night. Some played games, mostly on computers, others made videos to send to loved ones, but most lazed mindlessly in front of the screen half-listening to the daily news broadcast.
The news interrupted Pele’s thoughts as he lounged with the others. “Another battle with ISEX has broken out, this time back in Syria. ISEX seems to be continuing to create more and more of these small conflicts in remote places around the globe. “Paul, have we heard from any of our military strategists why ISEX may be doing this? Is it some kind of distraction?” asked one commentator to another.
“Thanks Susan. Well I talked with Larry Brandon at the Brookings Institute to see if he could give us any insight. He said the US Military has several theories and are working to thwart any threat from ISEX. One theory is that ISEX is creating these small diversions as a way to test our military capabilities, and at the same time weaken our strength by keeping our resources dispersed around the globe.”
Pele hoped his old comrades in defense strategy at the Pentagon were more on top of things than the news announcer made it sound.
Years ago, before Pele finished medical school and got recruited by the military to work on these tools, the most powerful countries in the world, both western and eastern, had joined forces to squelch the brutal Islamic extremists. These countries, often referred to as the Modern Block for their more moderate and mainstream values, were still all different in their own ways, but they could unite on one topic, defeating the brutal practices of ISIS. For several years the battle against ISIS continued, but the Modern Block eventually drove out and destroyed all that they could that was ISIS.
Their forces in shambles, the ISIS extremists went underground. They disbursed around the globe and formed small communities in remote, often poor and typically uneducated regions. They selected areas that were also rich in resources for food or energy. They stole where they could to get funds to invest in energy development and various types of farming. The farming helped feed their families, but they also sold crops for money to outfit their forces. One thing the new ISIS, now called ISEX, knew from their past battles was that technology often trumps manpower, and technology takes money to develop or buy.
When Pele first started working on the Robustor technology, ISEX had started to create these small clashes around the globe. Pele and Keece’s friend, Luca was impacted by this. He moved back home to Argentina to protect his sisters and the family’s dairy farmlands from the enemy forces. At the time, ISEX seemed to be trying to take over some of these farmlands, but they never fought very hard for them. Anytime the ISEX forces ran into opposition they would retreat. Regardless, they had managed to acquire a fair amount of land in remote areas where there simply were no strong military forces to defend the land, mostly in the middle east, a few parts of Africa, and some remote regions of Asia. But anywhere they were seriously contested, they retreated.
“Why?” was the question still being asked. The military believed there was some validity to all the theories; that ISEX was trying to grab land where they could, weaken the Modern Block by causing them to disburse their forces, and also to learn the capabilities of their Modern Block enemies. However, the Modern Block was also concerned there was a bigger plot at hand. What if ISEX was setting up outposts on all the continents in order to create a more global presence for when they were ready to stage a major attack?
It had been a little over ten years since ISIS had first been defeated. Over those years, throughout the world there was an ever-growing schism between old, traditional, extremist cultures and more modern, or modernizing cultures. One of the big differences centered largely on the treatment of women and different religious practices. Women were considered equals in most modernized cultures, but the traditional extremist would not accept this. They continued to have multiple wives, treat women like property, expect them to be fully covered in public, and were often abusive to them. Women were not the only victims. Anyone with differing religious values were also treated harshly.
Ali Rehan, ISEX’s mastermind, used the tension created by this growing schism from the old traditions and modern practices to help his underground recruiting. Many believed he was slowly setting up outposts throughout the world to help create the new ISEX Caliphate.
Because of his suspicions about Jaber’s motives, Pele had started to spy on him. He had discovered some interesting bits of information so far. It turned out Jaber was a devout Muslim, which he went to great pains to hide from anyone in the squadron, even though there were many who practiced Islam in their division. Why would Jaber try to hide this? Pele suspected it was because Jaber appeared to follow a sect of Islam considered extremist by most Western standards.
Pele had discussed this with one of his best friends in his unit, Mina Yasiri. Mina was the youngest of four in her family, all three of her older brothers also served in the military. Her parents had left Afghanistan many years ago and both their families had settled in San Francisco, where her parents met. They were devout Muslims but believed strongly in peace and the fair treatment of women, part of the reason their children were all so committed to serving in the U.S. military fighting against the extremists.
Mina thought it very strange Jaber kept so much to himself and seemed to shun the other Muslims in the unit. “We have regular prayers and social events, but Jaber never comes. If I hadn’t heard him say something about the Koran in Persian once while on the phone I would not have even known he was Muslim. It’s very strange. We’re typically a pretty tight, communal bunch.”
Pele had also observed that Jaber seemed to be having a secret aff
air with the General’s assistant. Pele was not sure yet if any of this meant anything, but it was enough to keep him sleuthing.
Chapter 5
A couple of weeks after Radi’s services, Keece and her children were having movie night at home. They all shared a passion for films, so almost every Sunday was movie night. It was a tradition that had started when the kids were young, and Pele was still around. Keece had worked hard to keep it intact to help the family feel some continuity and cohesion after their worlds had been so rocked by the loss of their father.
After dinner, Keece would make old-fashioned popcorn with real butter. The loud popping and mouth-watering scent wafted through the house like a beckoning for everyone to gather. They would drape themselves comfortably on their favorite chairs, lobbying affably for their top pick that night. Who got to pick rotated every week, so the vying banter was always friendly and fun.
Keece had started to put the plan in place for creating an after-school tutor program for all their children, Cole’s, Radi’s, and hers. Sophie had readily given her approval, and Ava was on board as well. Ava was actually as excited to move back to San Diego as Cole, especially after she spoke with her former litigation firm and they eagerly agreed to hire her back.
Keece now had to find a facility and the right head tutor, who she would have hire the other tutors, as needed. For a facility, she was considering buying a large home, more of a compound, in Rancho Santé Fe. The money she and Pele had invested previously had grown into a nice sum so she could easily afford it. The question was whether it would have the right facilities for the various types of training she believed the children needed.
Keece also had a lead on a potential head tutor. One of her friends knew a former Navy Seal, Drew Johnson, who had gone on to be a successful businessman. He had sold his company last year and was now essentially retired at 50 and casting about for a new challenge. She had put a call into him.
Pace dropped a few popcorn kernels, as he scooped up another handful. Kaz, Rane’s mini-Aussie, rapidly lapped them up. “Spilling” popcorn for the dog was as much a tradition as making it. Kaz remained on high alert until the bowl was empty, ready at a moment’s notice to nab any fallen kernels, doing his duty to keep the floors clean.
As the movie continued, Keece noticed Rane seemed to be quite distracted by her phone. Keece smiled at the memory of watching the old movie Purple Rain together. Rane had loved the movie and the music so much she decided at eight, that she wanted to wear a purple braid as tribute. It was much subtler and actually more stylish then dying all her hair. After several weeks, as her roots grew out, Rane got bored with the purple and decided to die the roots of the braid yellow, next it was green, then pink, then blue until she had a rainbow braid, each color about an inch. She continued to this day to die the roots a new color about every month. Other girls had copied it, but Rane didn’t care. She knew she was the original. She continued to wear her signature rainbow braid. Now Keece could not imagine her without it. And it definitely made it easier to spot her in a crowd.
Keece’s attention returned to the moment. It was a family rule not to use phones during family activities like watching movies or playing games together, and Rane was calling someone now.
“Rane, what’s going on?” Keece asked her, a little impatiently.
“I’m sorry Mom, but it’s Devon. He texted me a few minutes ago ‘H E L,’ ” replied Rane, sounding concerned. “I texted him back and got no response, so I tried calling. No answer. It rings, so I know his phone is on. I’m just a little worried,” continued Rane.
Devon, who was eighteen now, had insisted on staying at his Dad’s place until they sold it. He was staying there alone, which neither Sophie nor Keece thought was a good idea, especially since he’d gotten into drugs in recent years. Keece knew this because Rane had stopped hanging out with him and finally admitted it was due to the drugs. Devon was hanging with a wilder crowd then she liked. Keece had been concerned before Radi’s death. She believed part of the reason Devon had gotten into drugs was because he was bored at school. He was a bright kid and school was likely not challenging for him. She also thought he was rebelling against his father. Devon and Radi were actually very much alike, but both were too stubborn to see or admit this, so they butted heads often. Keece had hoped the drug usage would be a phase that Devon would outgrow, but Radi’s death had not helped.
Keece quickly said to Rane, “Get in the car and go over there right now. It’s not worth taking a chance. Call me as soon as you find him to let me know everything is okay, or if you need help.”
Rane, a little shocked by her mom’s urgency, headed for the door, Kaz by her side, as usual. Kazi was given to Keece as a puppy when Pele went MIA. Her friends thought it would help comfort her. But Keece was so busy trying to put their lives back together she did not have enough time for the pup. Kaz quickly took to Rane, who managed to get permission to take him to school with her. The dog never left her side now, a completely devoted companion. Rane, with Kaz, jumped in the car and commanded it to drive to Devon’s house as fast as possible.
Chapter 6
As Rane pulled up to Radi’s house in La Jolla, she saw a few of Devon’s friend’s cars outside. The house seemed mostly dark except a blueish light from one room, likely from a video screen, and a soft light from the main living room. She raced to the door hoping to find nothing unusual, only the quiet aftermath of a wild party. The living room was a typical post-party scene with leftover remnants of drug paraphernalia littering the tables. Most of the guests were either passed out, making out, or had already left the premises.
She turned on the overhead lights jarring everyone to attention.
“Where’s Devon?” she asked loudly.
Blank, dazed stares were the only responses. She sprinted to the stairs and up to his room. His prone body lay on the bed, outlined against the light from a movie playing on his video screen. She quickly flicked on the lights and rushed to his side, trying to shake him awake, but there was no response.
She speed-dialed Keece and almost yelled into the phone, “Call 911!”, then she hung up abruptly and started CPR on him. She was well trained from her lifeguard classes.
Keece dialed 911 as she jumped in her car and sped to Radi’s. Before she got there, Rane texted that they were in the ambulance headed to UCSD’s hospital. She re-routed immediately. By the time Keece arrived, Devon was alive, but still unconscious. Keece could see Rane was by his side in the room, holding tightly to his hand. The nurse said Rane had saved his life, that he was stabilized now, but would take some time to sleep off the drugs. She didn’t think the overdose had been intentional, simply a reckless combination.
Keece opened the door to the room quietly. The room looked as warm and inviting as possible in the necessarily sterile setting. Machines surrounded Devon, beeping and flashing in the muted glow from the low lights.
Keece could hear Rane softly sobbing, as she admonished Devon, “Don’t you dare leave me too Devon. Don’t you dare. You know I need you. We’re going to get you through this and make sure you stop this nonsense.”
Keece’s heart went out to Rane. Rane had never really gotten over the loss of her father. Pele had been her hero, her guiding light. She worshipped him. Rane was devastated when he was arrested and accused of embezzlement and cheating on her mother. Rane simply could not imagine the father she adored could do something so hurtful and so against all the values he had taught her. Luckily, Devon had really been there for her. He helped comfort and distract her. He would get her to play soccer or computer games with him, and then tease her until he could get her to smile. He was very patient with her.
But, despite all Devon’s support, Rane was still very independent and self-protected emotionally. Keece knew this was largely due to what Rane had seen her mother go through. How, after so many comfortable, loving years with Pele, Keece had suddenly needed to use all her abilities and energy to keep the family out of the poor house. Keece hoped
Rane, in time, would learn to feel comfortable and open up emotionally, that it was worth loving even if you risked losing everything.
Keece gave credit to Rane’s soccer coach, Gordon Sheffield, for helping. He was teaching Rane how to depend on her teammates and the importance of both giving and accepting support from others. Gordo’s influence was part of the reason Keece kept encouraging Rane to play on the boys’ team. Not only was the level of play more on a par with Rane’s talents, but Gordo had done an excellent job of building a team that worked well together. Rane was really blossoming under his tutelage.
Rane heard Keece as she stepped closer.
“Oh Mom! How could he do this to himself! He must know how upset I will be if something happens to him!” she wailed.
Keece put her arm around Rane, comforting her, “Honey, sometimes people do stupid things without realizing how hurtful it will be to the ones they love. But we have to love them anyhow. I’m just so grateful he will be okay.”
Rane, starting to relax and feel the relief, mumbled under her breath in playful anger, “He might not be by the time I get done with him!”
Keece and Rane laughed, releasing some of the pent-up tension of the night’s experience.
CodeY Page 21