September 4, 2017
4.30 pm, London, UK
"Does the end justify the means?" The General asks, pensively staring into the shot glass of Pride vodka in his right aged hand. His black buttoned long coat and sunglasses hiding his well built yet scarred features. His gray hair contrasts with his dark hat. Even while sitting, he towers above most with a mature demeanor. A lion at rest.
"You told me there is only victory or defeat, my General." Darya, who sits at his right side, responds while holding her shot of Pride vodka in her left hand. Her long legs crossed, covered in fishnet. Her short black dress hugs her pale skin, accentuating her slender athletic build. Her fiery hair flows down to her shoulders. Her young yet mysterious green eyes stare at The General. A smile tugs at her cherry lips. A minx at play.
Both sit side by side at the bar of the little known pub of Devil's Tears. All around, the boisterous environment increasing with every passing minute as the workday comes to a close. The shady lighting does nothing to impede the discussions of the various patrons. A lone TV hangs on the wall behind the bartender.
"Indeed." The General laments while raising his shot glass, "The trap is set. Hail Skull Reich."
"Cheers, my General." Darya responds, clinking her shot glass with his then downing the Pride vodka worth over 2 million dollars a bottle.
On the TV, the topic of Brexit is cast aside for something far more urgent.
"We interrupt with Breaking News. Multiple sources have confirmed the abduction of the twin granddaughters of the American President." The lone white male anchor says, "According to Social Media, Mariah and Serena Ali, aged 20, were celebrating their birthday over the weekend at a resort in Cancun, Mexico. Contact with the girls was lost about 3 hours ago. Both are in their graduating year at Princeton University."
"Parents, Dr. Muhammud and Dr. Linda Ali, have not made any public statements. Their grandmother, now 6 months President, Gertrude Pond, has not released any comments either. The abduction has only been confirmed by several anonymous figures within the White House."
"President Gertrude Pond, made history as the first female president of the United States of America. She was sworn in after the disgraced 45th US President, whose exposed scandals forced him and his VP to resign in less than a month on the job. President Pond spent the first six months of her presidency rebuilding a divided nation and restoring faith in the American government both at home and abroad. Her actions have made her allies and enemies everywhere."
"We will update you as we know more."
8.30 pm, Washington, DC.
"How in God's name does the press know? This is a family matter." President Gertrude asks as her fist pound the Resolute Desk, the staple of the Oval Office. Night light seeps through the white curtains that drape over the three French windows behind the seat of the desk. The flags of the United States of America and the President of the United States stand equidistant apart, bordering the standing President Pond. The alternating brown and white parallel lines of wallpaper carry on them portraits of great historical figures and moments. Most of the portraits contain significant moments in African-American history.
"We are investigating the leaks, Madam President." Don Bridges, Director of the FBI, says. His greying dark hair and wrinkled skin revealing his 60s. Over 30 years of hard work at the bureau had earned him the highest office at the FBI. His dark Calvin Klein suit and black striped tie hide his surprisingly fit build. As a new grandfather, he empathizes with President Pond.
"Who kidnapped my granddaughters?" President Pond asks.
"We honestly don't know, Madam President." Don says, "No one has claimed credit nor demanded anything."
"But we suspect rouge elements of a local drug cartel, Ma'am. So far intelligence has been sparse but we are using every asset." Nick Jones, Director of the CIA, says. Climbing the ranks of the world's best spy agency over 40 years leaves no time to be a family man. His dark Armani suit silhouetting an aged yet rugged build. Always having to prove himself because of his Black racial background, he could relate to President Pond.
"Use everything you have." President Pond demands.
"Madam President, there could be a backlash if you are seen fully deploying all resources-" Don intercedes.
"I don't give a rat's ass!" Gertrude shouts, "They are my granddaughters and I will use the power of this office to find them because they are probably in this mess because of it!"
"My services are at your full disposal, Madam President." Fire says, looking straight into the brown eyes of the first female African-American president of the United States. He has been married to the job just like Nick. Over 40 years of service was more than enough to recognize a distraught grandmother even though all of his family members were dead.
"Colonel Jonathan Donald, wherever you and your team go bodies remain." President Pond responds. She stares past the two men sitting in front of her desk to the man sitting on the sofa and staring right back at her. The lit fireplace illuminates the dark-brown haired, gray-blue eyed man often called Fire. A tieless gray suit clothed the longest-serving and most decorated American Secret Agent the world has never heard of. Him and his team are America's most lethal assets.
"I am volunteering myself for the mission." Fire responds.
"You alone have unlawfully killed a mountain of people."
"That has given me the skills necessary to rescue your granddaughters."
A brief silence falls. Don and Nick sit awkwardly in between the tense exchange.
"You… are the embodiment of old-world cloak and dagger politics." Gertrude says, "Yet your record shows that you are the best of the best."
"Please…" Gertrude pleading while rising, "Save my granddaughters."
"As soon as they are found, Madam President." Fire promises, rising up to his full height of over 6 feet.
"Dismissed." President Pond says.
Don and Nick are already up because when the President stands, no one else sits. They nod as they make their way out of the Oval office. Don splits off, leaving Nick and Fire.
"She still doesn't like you, you 63-year old fire." Nick teases.
"Who sent me on most of those missions? You, you 69-year old snake." Fire responds.
"Do you think you can rally your troops on this volunteer mission?" Nick asks.
"Find the girls, I will handle the rest." Fire responds.
"To think you are practically retired."
"This is just one more thing."
September 5, 2017
11.30 pm, London, UK
"This should be my operation, Verruckt." The General says. The room around him poorly lit by an unholy glow of a silhouetted hologram accompanied by a disembodied voice.
"As Chair, I am overruling you." Mad Scientist says, "Vengeance will be mine as I see fit!"
"He is extremely dangerous." The General responds.
"Even nature bows to science and I am the Mad Scientist." Mad Scientist says as he dissolves fading, "Hail Skull Reich!"
"Hail Skull Reich!" The General says as the room falls into darkness. He instinctively rubs his left shoulder, the location of an ancient scar.
The TV coverage of President Pond's granddaughters' abduction continues...
"It has been nearly 36 hours since the abduction of Serena and Mariah Ali, granddaughters of President Gertrude Pond." Jake Wolf reports, "The 20-year old twins were celebrating their birthday at a resort in Cancun, Mexico when contact was lost with their security detail."
"Dr. Linda and Dr. Muhammud Ali issued a joint statement pleading for their daughters' safe return. The White House said they completely trust and rely on the FBI to bring the young women home." Jake continues, "Many people have journeyed to the White House to lay flowers and candles at the front gates to show solidarity with President Pond. Prominent figures and leaders from around the world have publicly condemned the abduction."
"America stands with the first family against such acts of cowardice," Sara Pauline says.
"Don't you view President Pond as your biggest political rival, Sara?" Jake asks.
"Doesn't mean I want harm to befall her family." Sara Pauline says, "It is her presidency I take offense to. It undermines American democracy. A Republican candidate was voted in and so the replacement must be Republican. Her continued administration could be called a state-sanctioned coup d'etat."
"Yet she has done well reversing the damages caused by 45." Jake says, "She resolved the border wall crisis-"
"We need a wall to secure our border and keep out all the illegals!" Sara interrupts, "Look what her softness on immigration has caused. Her own granddaughters are now victims of all that crime down there."
"The majority of illegal immigration is people overstaying their visas." Jake says, "In any case, President Pond is the first female American president and also the oldest serving US president in history."
"Don't get me started on her age." Sara Pauline says, "She should transition to someone younger in the Republican party. Now is her chance to do the honorable thing and invoke the 25th amendment. She should step away from the office and be with her family."
"Sorry to interrupt you Sara but we have a new development." Jake says, "This drone footage from an anonymous source shows the exact moment of the abduction. Viewers at home are warned…"
10 pm, Naval Air Station Key West, US
"We've tracked down the abductors using that drone footage." Nick Jones says while video conferencing with Fire on a desktop from the comfort of his Langley office at the CIA.
"Cartel?" Fire asks. He sits in front of a laptop in a well-lit room.
"Fringe extremist group gone rogue from the cartel, New Aztec." Nick says, "The splinter group call themselves Yao."
"Still no demands?" Fire asks.
"None." Nick Jones responds, "This entire situation smells fishy. I'll bet good money they didn't really know who they were kidnapping."
"The team is itching for my retirement party." Fire says, "So the sooner we rescue the girls the better."
"Alright, alright. Satellites place the group in an abandoned farmhouse in the middle of the woods, about 60 miles West of Cancun. Coordinates and data sent." Nick says, "The dense forest makes satellite scanning difficult but there's a Reaper en route to the region so you should have better information soon."
"We will be airborne in 1 hour," Fire says while skimming through the data Nick just sent, strategizing rescue plots in his head.
"Oh!" Nick says, "Don is reluctantly giving your team a 4 hours head start while the FBI negotiates paperwork with the local authorities."
"Tell Don to have helos standing by." Fire says, "They can clean up after us."
"Will do." Nick Jones says, "Bring everyone back safe, you old fire."
"Over and out, old snake," Fire says, ending the call.
Fire stands, making his way to the door. Pushing it open, he steps into a spacious aircraft hangar. Metallic stairs lead down to the ground floor.
"You are supposed to be on a cruise sailing around the known world." Dr. Kabeer Wong says, standing beside the stairs and facing the door Fire just opened. His glasses shielding his brown eyes. His hair greyed from experience. His brown skin tanned by nature. Although he is shorter than Fire, he maintains steady eye contact.
"Soon doc," Fire responds, lightly holding Dr. Kabeer's right shoulder before walking down the stairs. Fire remarks mentally, He is surprisingly fit for a 75-year old.
"How is your scar?" Dr. Kabeer asks.
Fire stops.
"Still there," Fire says, rotating his left shoulder as if to prove his point, "But a none issue."
"Good. Your last mission was less than a week ago so you all should really be resting." Dr. Kabeer retorts, watching the departing figure.
"Doc, this is the last mission," Fire says, as he resumes his descent.
"Well, as the team's doctor, it's my job to remind you all that you aren't superheroes." Dr. Kabeer shouts, "And I can't keep up with you youngsters. So be careful out there."
"Don't worry doc! We've got the Chief and the Chief has us." Quake, AKA Andrew Ewald, says with a thumbs up. His black on black t-shirt and pants barely hides his bulky muscular build. His dark skin contrasts with his always smiling pearly whites and brown eyes. A short black beard covers his chin and a low haircut covers head. His gloved hands hiding slight burn marks earned as the team's land warfare and explosives specialist. Aged somewhere in his 40s.
"Gather round, Team Six," Fire says as he walks toward a big table with six tablets.
"We should enjoy this beautiful Florida weather while we can," Wave, AKA Chloe Ross, says. Her caramel skin covering her slender build filled with powerful muscles. Her short wet blonde hair swaying as she walks towards the table. She is the team's water warfare specialist. Her piercing blue eyes scanning Quake. Aged somewhere in her 50s but still radiating youthful 30s.
"Perhaps after the rescue. What say you, Aviator?" Spectrum, AKA Simon Wright, says. Light brown skin and eyes. Hands in black gloves. He is the team's communications and technology specialist. Aged somewhere in his 50s.
"Absolutely. Especially with such perfect flying conditions." Aviator, AKA Shawn Sho, says. Unavoidable Asian build with short dark hair and eyes. The team's pilot and aerial warfare specialist. Aged somewhere in his 50s.
Shade, AKA Kaori Takei, nods while a short blade dances in her slender fingers. Her silent entry is unmarked by everyone. Her hood covering her Asian characteristics. She is the team's reconnaissance and assassination specialist. A step away from her 50s although looking vibrant 30s.
This is Team Six. America's best kept secret taskforce filled with extraordinary people. Their physical prowess is rated as above olympian. And, they are all in black on black mission outfits.
"So what's the plan, Chief?" Quake asks.
"Nighttime tree landing about a mile from the enemy base. Shade and Wave will scout the girls' position. The rest of us will form a perimeter and tie up loose ends as we advance. Rescue the girls and exit by helo courtesy of the FBI." Fire says, "Details are on your tablets. Questions?"
"It's a full moon tonight." Aviator asks, "When do we fly?"
"Wheels up in 50 minutes," Fire says.
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GOT IT