by Newman, AJ
Mike snickered, “I’ll bet you are….”
He stopped abruptly when Davi’s mom cut her eyes at him. Mike quickly regrouped. “I’ll bet he’s madly in love and wrapped around your little finger.”
Davi shook her head. “Mike, Harry is his own man, and seducing him would be too obvious. I will treat him as a friend or enemy, depending on how this turns out. I must add that Harry will be commanding a group of ten to twenty of Bassot’s men on our trip to Grenada.”
That was a shocker to most of the room. Aaron raised his hands. “If I were Bassot, I’d do the same. Davi thinks Harry is competent, and his group will be welcome. We just have to worry about Bassot and his men turning on us after we kill off the anarchists.”
Mike and Aaron then covered the spy group’s inroads into Bassot’s team and the anarchists. Jade had told them that the attacks had demoralized the anarchists’ followers since dozens of them had died during the attacks but only one of the leaders. Jade then told Aaron that Bassot couldn’t be trusted and planned to deal with us after his enemies were defeated.
I led the discussion concerning who should go on the mission and who should stay behind. “Mort, how many of your team is willing to fight to free the island?”
Mort scowled. “Not if we win all of the battles and have another of Bassot’s men take over where he left off. We want a democratic government.”
I stood up and said, “If we go to attack Grenada. I plan to take over the island and set up a Constitutional Republic based on the US Constitution. However, I plan to make additions that install term limits and limit federal power over citizens. Voting integrity and assuring everyone can fairly vote will be stressed.”
Mort didn’t smile much but cracked a grin. “Thanks, we thought that was the plan. The Captain has hundreds of men, several heavily armed ships, and the elites’ support. Can we defeat him?”
I looked around the room and knew exactly what to say. “One of my favorite quotes is, “Cut off a rattle snake’s head, and it won’t rattle longer.” Bassot will be dealt with during the assault on the anarchists, right after we eliminate the drug cartel.”
Davi added, “Harry shared the intelligence they’ve gathered on the cartel. They have light machine guns, RPGs, and plenty of AKs and handguns. No mortars or artillery.”
I caught their attention. “Davi and I will sneak ashore and perform a quick recon mission to verify that information before we attack. I’m afraid they might use Grenadians as human shields. I don’t want to make new enemies, so Aaron placed two spies on the island weeks ago. They reported there is a resistance movement and are eager to work with us. Davi and I will take weapons, ammunition, and explosives to the group. They will perform attacks on outposts on the side of the island furthest from the cartel’s headquarters to draw the cartel’s force away from their leaders. We slip in and wipe them out. Then it’s just a matter of mopping up and turning the island over to the resistance.”
I ended the meeting. “That’s all, folks. I need Aaron and Davi for a few minutes to discuss our meeting tomorrow with the Captain.”
Davi asked, “Should I be in the meeting since Harry will certainly be there.”
I handled that concern. “You are one of my most trusted lieutenants and are necessary for helping plan the mission. Harry can stay home before I go in without you. Harry and you will behave professionally, and I don’t expect any issues. Now, the question is how much we tell Bassot. Does he need to know about our spies and the resistance?”
Aaron’s head shook before I finished speaking. “No! We only tell him what Harry and we are going to do. Even Harry doesn’t need to know that we have extra help. We can say, “We’re so happy they had a resistance and joined us in the fight.””
Davi and I agreed.
I walked with Ally and Davi back toward our cottages. “Davi, can you feel Harry out on what happens to Grenada after we eliminate the cartel?”
Davi poked Ally in the side. “He asked me to feel out Harry and didn’t make it sound dirty. Is your boy growing up?”
Ally chuckled. “God knows I’ve tried to raise him right. I did a great job with Paul, but I fear I adopted Zack too late. I’m used to his boyish pranks and filthy mind. I kinda find them charming, now.”
I squeezed her hand. “I resemble that.”
Davi finally answered my question. “I was going to ask you if I could do that. I have a feeling Harry is close to being fed up with Bassot.”
***
Later that night, Davi lounged on her couch with Harry’s head on her lap. They’d just finished making love and were enjoying a glass of wine. Davi took a chance. “Harry, I’ve tried to keep our professional and private lives apart. I love you, and I don’t want you to compromise yourself or your beliefs. We’ll soon be attacking the cartel. What does Bassot plan to do with Grenada? Are we going to leave and let the inhabitants take the island back over and rule it in peace?”
Harry nuzzled against her. “Bassot compromises my beliefs every day. I love you and trust you. Bassot wants to take over Grenada and make their people into slaves to grow food and supply raw materials to make Martenvous a better place to live. Don’t pass out, but I’d like to stay on Grenada with my most trusted men and make it a great place to live in freedom.”
Davi bent over and kissed Harry passionately. Harry caught his breath. “I think you like my plan.”
She kissed him again. “I like your plan and want to discuss it with you and Zack tomorrow. Now, we’re going back to my bedroom.”
*
Chapter 9 – Bassot’s Dream
Ally made pancakes the following day along with Canadian bacon and orange juice. I pigged out and stuffed my face as Paul and Callie watched in awe. “Dad, save some for us. Paul and I are skinny people and need nutrition too.”
Ally placed several pancakes on each of their plates. “Dig in, boys and girls. I like to see my family eat.”
I’d just taken a bite of bacon when there was a knock on the back door, and a second later, Davi’s head popped through. “Zack, I need … are those blueberry pancakes?”
Ally said, “Pull up a chair but watch them. They bite if you get near their food.”
Ally set a plate in front of Davi and gave her some pancakes before serving herself. “Zack, pass the syrup. You have to share. The butter too, please!”
Davi’s mouth was full, but she managed to speak. “Harry and I need to talk with you before the meeting at ten with Bassot. Oh! Shit!” She ran to the door. “Come on in, Harry. This is my adopted family. I believe you know everyone.”
Ally jumped up and made more pancakes while I set a plate and eating utensils in front of our new guest. I dropped back into my chair. “Harry, Davi says you need to speak to me.”
Harry had just taken a bite. “Uh, I uh! We probably need to talk in private.”
I waved my hand around the table. “I trust everyone in this room with my life, and you can trust them with what you were going to say to me.”
Harry fiddled with his fork and pancake. “I could be killed if what I say leaks out. Davi, is this okay?”
“Darling, you can trust them,” Davi said and took his hand.
Harry fidgeted with his fork and started to put a forkful into his mouth. “I’d planned the liberation of Grenada before we knew who you all were. My plan was to convince Captain Bassot that the drug cartel was much more powerful than it really was. Then I’d take a large force made up of mainly soldiers and sailors that were like-minded and loyal to me. We’d take the island, kill the drug assholes, and start a free government. Of course, I’d have scuttled the ships that remained behind. Then we could take in refugees from Martenvous and help set up a more powerful resistance over here.”
I listened carefully. I mulled over what he’d said. “Harry, welcome to the family. Your plans and ours dovetail in together quite well. I have a few good surprises for you. Let’s eat and then cover our mutual plans before we meet Bassot in three hours. I
want us to be together on what we tell him but have a few small disagreements.”
Harry took a breath and placed his arm around Davi. “I agree and might have a few good surprises for you. One thing I must say is that when the Captain figures out we double crossed him, there can’t be any of your people on the island, or he’ll kill them.”
***
Aaron, Davi, Mike, and I walked into the palace promptly at nine forty-five. I had our plans in a folder and thought we were ready for about anything Bassot could throw at us. As I expected, Bassot made us wait an hour before we were ushered into his dining room. The asshat liked to meet while enjoying a meal. I walked into the room first and saw Jade sitting on his lap. She saw me and winked before any one of my crew could see her. She stood up, kissed Bassot, and left the room. That gave me an idea.
Bassot turned his attention to a blonde woman and didn’t seem to care if we saw him fondle her as she was leaving. The man was corrupted absolutely with his fleeting absolute power. “Captain Bassot, we are here and ready to discuss our plans to eliminate the cartel on Grenada.”
Bassot stood up and shook my hand. He pointed to the stars on his shoulder. “General Bassot is the correct salutation. I was recently promoted.”
I faked a smile. “Congratulations, General. I’m glad your superiors saw your talent and rewarded you appropriately.”
Bassot leaned forward. “Did Harry tell you that I promoted him to Major? He’s my protégé, and I trust him implicitly. He will be in charge of this operation. Oh! I hear that one of your right arm ladies and Harry have been, I guess, working very well together. Davi, you are radiant today even in your camouflage shirt and pants.”
Davi bowed slightly. “Thanks, and yes, Harry and I have similar interests in military strategies and tactics.”
I almost choked. “I have our plans ready to discuss.”
Harry looked at me and frowned. This threw me a curve. Bassot snapped his fingers, and two men rolled in a whiteboard and a large flip chart. “I’ve taken the liberty of making a few changes to my original plans. Flip the page, please.”
One of the men turned the page to show a map of Martenvous and the islands around the area. The map covered the Lesser Antilles from Puerto Rico to Grenada, including Barbados. Nine larger islands and a handful of small ones were highlighted. Martenvous was almost in the center of the island chain.
Bassot pulled a laser pointer from his jacket pocket. “I plan to add all of the islands to the French Protectorate. Of course, I will be the governor of this new French-ruled empire. Eliminating the drug cartel will shore up the south end of my new empire. The islands between Martenvous and Grenada are poorly defended. St. Lucia has a small but well-armed police force. It won’t cause too much trouble for Major Devereau and your force. The rest will fall like dominoes. Then we take Dominica north of us. Guadeloupe will be a tough nut to crack but not impossible. I think Harry might stand offshore with the two frigates and shell the shit out of them before your two forces storm the island.”
Harry looked as nervous as a dog crapping razor blades. I stood up and clapped. Aaron and the rest of my team followed my lead. “Bravo! General, this is brilliant. Of course, you’ll need some loyal subjects to manage each island for you. A select few who can get the most out of the islanders to benefit you and Martenvous to bring it back to glory and end suffering.”
Harry stood up and walked to the General. “Sir, my hat is off to you. I’d only had small plans to talk you into adding Grenada. This is why I admire you so much. I have a lot to learn.”
The Captain … err … General glowed with pride for his plan. “I’m pleased that you all see what my plan can do for me, Martenvous, and you. I have plenty of people without the ability to lead that suck up to me every day. Only a few of the old money elites on this island have a clue what it takes to start a business or manage people. Zack, you have built a strong team. We can do great things together.”
I walked up to the flip chart. “General, we can start on the global plans the day after we run the anarchists off the island. How much do you want to be involved?”
The General motioned to the second man who’d been silent so far. “Harry, introduce Captain Monet.”
Harry asked Monet to join him. “Charles is my XO and will be in charge of all planning and organization. Zack and my team will work with him to deliver the results our leader desires. This team will be unstoppable.”
I read between the lines and figured out that Monet was a trusted ally of the Generals. “I like the organization and can’t wait to begin the planning for the larger picture.”
Harry tapped on the whiteboard and flipped the next chart. “This is our proposed timeline for conquering Grenada and then the other islands in order.”
Aaron gazed at the timeline. “This only gives a few days per island. Each one could take weeks.”
Captain Monet huffed and walked in front of the flipchart. “My plan takes into account all foreseeable delays. What are your concerns?”
Aaron wrapped his arms around his chest and walked to the chart. “Unless you plan to use some type of chemical or biological weapon, we’ll have to take the island through hand-to-hand combat. Of course, we’ll use the cannons and mortars from the ships, but they’ll only be effective on buildings and large gatherings of people.”
The General slammed his fist on the table. “Captain Monet is a graduate of the French Military Academy and is an expert. We go with his schedule.”
I paused, stood up, and pointed to Monet. “How many battles have you fought in or led people into?”
Monet choked. “None, but I have studied war tactics and successful battles at the war college.”
I pointed to Aaron and Davi. “Aaron led the Israeli forces in the famous Battle of the Negev and several other major victories against the terrorist states. Davi has led Special Forces teams into hostile countries, sabotaged their infrastructure, and assassinated military leaders. I’d listen to them.”
The General’s face flushed, and he visibly shook. To my surprise, he calmly said, “I agree. Captain, work with Aaron to address his concerns. The timetable only reflects my dreams of uniting the Lesser Antilles into our own sovereign country. There is no hard timeline. Monet, Aaron, and Harry, please go to the meeting room next door and hammer out your issues.”
Aaron took Davi with him. I stood there with Mike waiting on an ass chewing from the General. He smiled and pointed at Mike. “Mike hasn’t said anything during the meeting. Why did you bring him? Does he have military skills?”
I squinted and turned to my goofy friend. “A good leader surrounds himself with the best, most experienced people he can find. He also has to have a few people who will call bullshit when he hears a stupid or questionable idea. Those people don’t have to be the best in the field. They have to be loyal but not afraid to stop up the works and question the experts. Mike is one of the best survivalists I know. He has my back, and I have his. He isn’t always right but always makes me think things through when others press their ideas. He’s saved my life more times than I can count.”
Bassot slumped in his chair and scratched his jaw. “Do you see my Mike anywhere around me?”
My heart raced, and I felt my heart pound in my ears. “Harry could become your Mike. However, you have to trust him and listen to him. The worst thing a leader can do is be like the king with no clothes. Monet wants to please you too much. He will get people killed. You need to develop a couple of people you trust to help you steer your efforts to make your dreams come true. I hate to say it, but if we conquered all of the islands tomorrow, you don’t have enough loyal and competent men and women to help govern them.”
Bassot stretched and stiffened his back. “I see two men like that in front of me now. There are two more in the meeting next door. I need your team to help me fulfill my dream. I think I have plenty of the young pups like Harry, but the older ones have lived like elites and allowed their underlings to manage the island
. The truth is Martenvous had become an elite cesspool. In my attempt to keep the island from disintegrating, I fell into the trap of settling for the same bad leadership. I also liked the women and power. I became Caligula!”
I jumped in and maybe over my head. “You have identified the problem. Now you need to reflect on what went wrong and how to do it better going forward. I think you can only succeed if you get most of your subjects to support your policies. My team has fallen in love with Martenvous and would gladly stay and contribute if we defeat the anarchist and cartel. We also have to make the farmers our friends. That can be done.”
Bassot stood up, followed by Mike and me. “You’ve given me a lot to think about. While I may have appeared that I didn’t like what I heard, I want to assure you that I did need to hear it and make changes. Could you give me your thoughts about how to get the farmers on my side?”
I took a deep breath and scratched my jaw. “I’ll be glad to help with the farmers or anything else. I will ask you to write two lists. The first is your complaints about them. The second is a list of what they want. Then give an honest effort to see if you can meet them in the middle.”
Mike and I left the General and joined the others in the planning room. We worked until noon. I told Monet that the General gave me a task with my comrades, and we would leave for lunch and be back in two hours.
We lunched at one of the cafes close to the palace. Mike plopped into his seat. “Man, that took some balls to tell the Gen … er …al that he was full of crap!”
Davi’s head snapped around. Her mouth opened, and nothing came out. I raised my hand. "I said it diplomatically. The man is over his head and knows it. He’s pissed off everyone on the island and surrounded himself with incompetent yes men.”