In all the commotion, no one had noticed that one of the sniper shots had hit Keece in the neck. Pele rushed over, found the wound, which was bleeding heavily. He did his best to stem the flow, “Keece, stay with me. I can’t lose you now.”
Chapter 33
The voices rang out over the audience in clear, beautiful blended harmony as Calice and Zander finished the National Anthem, starting the ceremony. Drew had volunteered them for the event. The US Military had insisted on an awards ceremony to honor the brave mission executed by the Top Ops—TOPO team on the Arab peninsula. The mission had effectively shut down ISEX’s attack and nearly completely wiped out their forces, with almost no casualties to the Modern Block forces.
Pele and Drew had been opposed to any kind of recognition, concerned about risking exposure of the team members’ identities. But the US government was adamant. They needed a hero for the American people, and other World powers, to celebrate. The public essentially demanded it. Respecting the need to keep the team identities hidden from the enemy, the military had agreed to keep the members anonymous, but to recognize the team, similar to the Seal Team 6 that had been recognized for killing Osama Bin Laden years ago. Drew and Pele finally agreed to let the US government honor Drew as the team’s leader, claiming he was a tutor by day and instructed the highly skilled force covertly after hours. Pele was honored simply for his part in creating the Robustor suit.
The ceremony was on the White House lawn. Dignitaries from around the world attended. The weather cooperated, offering a beautiful crisp spring day with the trees lavishly smothered under their cherry blossoms. The audience, smartly dressed in suits or their customary military attire, was packed with dignitaries from around the world, especially those from the Modern Block, all appropriately respectful, but happy to be celebrating the end to the ISEX threat without large collateral losses.
Pele followed Drew up onto the stage, smiling at his family and friends, including the rest of the anonymous team members, who were all seated behind the podium, looking out into the audience. Even Keece was there, still weak from the shot in the neck she had taken on the mission but smiling supportively at him. It had been touch-and-go for a while, but she had pulled through. Thank goodness. He could not imagine life without her, especially after living apart for so many years. There would always be security risks, but for the moment, he was happy and relieved to have the mission successfully completed and everyone back home, safe, and relatively sound. Sanji’s ankle was still healing, Drew was still adjusting to his artificial leg, and Keece had several recovery months ahead of her, but for the most part they were in good shape.
The mission had been more successful than they had imagined. A few of ISEX’s leaders had escaped to the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan, but most of their forces had died or been captured. The virus, carried by the prisoners the TOPO team had released, spread rapidly across the Arab peninsula. ISEX’s military, knowing the prisoners were infected, tried to avoid them instead of recapturing them. But if the freed prisoners encountered any civilians, the civilians were usually infected. The military forces of the Modern Block were willing to administer the vaccine, and saved hundreds of lives doing so. But for members of ISEX, if they wanted the vaccine, they had to turn themselves in, and then be imprisoned by the Modern Block. Not an easy choice, but it meant life or death, so most turned themselves in.
Shanta fidgeted on stage next to her big brother, Devon, uncomfortable in the dress and heels her mother insisted she wear. She much preferred her typical lab coat and jeans. She gazed out at the audience, a little nervous, like the rest of them, about security. They all knew the importance of keeping their identities secret, but they also knew Drew was at risk as the purported leader of the secret force, so everyone was a little on edge.
Toward the back, standing among the crowd, a dark-haired young man with a tightly trimmed beard caught her eye, his gaze fixed on her. Her eyes widened and she gasped in recognition. She would know that stance and that face anywhere. Her mind raced. How could he be here? Why was he here? Did he know about her involvement in the mission? How could he?
For a split second, her gaze met his. He looked as surprised to see her as she was to see him. Reflexively, without thinking her hand flew to her belly, and then she quickly pulled it away, but not before she saw a questioning look in his eyes and then a brief flash of recognition. Oh no! Could he have guessed? She thought frantically.
Devon, hearing her gasp, asked what was wrong. She leaned over and quietly whispered, “The father is here.”
She pointed towards the back. He was already gone.
In one swift motion, Devon swooped her behind him and moved them both off the stage. At the same time, he indicated to security to search the area in the audience where Shanta had pointed.
She’d had a tough choice about the child. No one was pressuring her into keeping it, but it was her mother, Sophie, who helped her make the decision. Sophie and her wife had in the past contemplated adopting as they had always wanted a child of their own. They all agreed the best thing was for Shanta to go away for the birth so no one would know it was hers, then Sophie and her wife would adopt it as theirs. A seemingly simple solution, before the heir of ISEX discovered he might have an heir of his own. Shanta prayed she had not given the secret away. It was, after all, only a split second. He could have simply been surprised to recognize her and not know she was with child.
Devon and Shanta decided not to mention the sighting for now. There was no need to spoil the celebration. They knew they were as safe there as anywhere with all the security present.
The remainder of the ceremony went off without a hitch. Drew was congratulated. No one seemed to know the identities of his covert team. No one would have guessed it was the young students he was tutoring. Drew and Pele hoped it would remain that way. They joined their family and friends for the reception. Pele went over to the children to give a toast for Drew. Sanji was still hobbling around on his broken ankle.
“How’s the leg healing Sanji?”
“Good,” Sanji replied, and then added in his most flamboyant voice and posture, “I just hope it holds up when I wear my heels!”
They all laughed, knowing he was half-serious. Sanji was happy to cross-dress whenever possible, the better to perform his favorite 80’s boy band tunes. He would have to temper some of his wilder moves for the time being.
General Adams came up to Pele to express his appreciation, “Pele, our country and the world owe you a great deal for what you and Drew’s team did. I know we can’t recognize you officially, but the risks you’ve taken and the hard work you’ve put in to make this mission a success, have been noted. Thank you.”
Shaking Pele’s hand warmly, he continued, “Whenever you’re ready, come back. We need men like you.” Then he added with a wink, “And Drew’s team,” knowing Pele was the real leader, but not realizing he was standing right in front of the rest of the team.
Pele thanked the General graciously and then turned back to his family. He whispered in Keece’s ear, “The kids really did perform as an incredible team. They are a pretty special group.”
She smiled up at him, “I guess maybe CodeY had some benefit.”
Pele pondered this, “You know it’s still hard for me to even think about Radi without feeling angry. It’s hard to fully forgive him for the eight years apart from you. But I do have to be grateful for the fact that he brought you into my life. I don’t know if we would have ever been together, without him and Cole egging me on as part of our silly CodeY scheme.” Pele felt truly blessed that he had found such a wonderful woman he could love so completely.
He paused for a moment, still reflecting, before continuing, “But I will say this, the children have some great skills. But I still give you, and Drew too, most of the credit. Without the values and maturity you two have taught them, they would not be such an amazing team. They truly take care of each other and want to help the world.”
Keece
smiled in appreciation, looking thoughtful at the same time. “Thanks for the kudos. I am thankful they seem to have such good values. That said, they’ve all got some pretty incredible gifts. I think they’ve learned to better appreciate them, and they certainly know better how to use them! So happy they were able to use them for such a good cause.”
Pele responded giving her a loving squeeze, “You are so right Mrs. Rosen. Couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Keece laughed at his exaggerated platitudes. “I knew there was a reason I loved you.”
Pele laughed, “Well, they may not have been able to recognize you publicly today, but I’ll see if I can’t make it up to you,” he added in a mischievous tone.
She giggled, her eyebrows darting up, “I look forward to that.”
As the children joined them, Pele draped his arms around Keece, Rane, Kala, and Pace. “Let’s go home,” announced Pele. “I think we’ve earned a little RnR.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
So many of my friends contributed unknowingly to this story by sharing many experiences and special memories with me, but I’d like to especially mention a few good friends: Bishop Thorpe, I would have never started this without his eagerly listening to my ruminations, Paul Hardart who simply encouraged me to write it down, Rob Urbach for his advice and input.
Also, editor Christine Whitmarsh for her insightful editing, Griffin Smith for his assistance and advice and Jema Edwards for her hard work helping me get the book out and on the market.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lamar Rutherford was so intrigued with her own creative story she felt compelled to write and share it. Her love of the craft is evidenced by her unique fiction style, weaving action-adventure with a romantic twist.
By day she sells multi-million-dollar businesses in a diverse range of industries from technology to manufacturing to medical, and more. She’s also been a C.P.A., opened and run her own businesses, launched both Internet and a B2B software startups, and managed the sales and marketing for a luxury, international hotel. She’s had more careers than cats have lives.
As a debut fiction author, Lamar drew on her world travels, many adventures, and her love of polo to create her first novel, CodeY.
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