章 15: The Silent Threat

Back at the base, the rescued soldiers were immediately taken to the medical facility for treatment. Alex stayed by Jake's side, watching as the medical team worked to stabilize him and the others. Despite their injuries, the soldiers were expected to make a full recovery. Officials were relieved that they were alive as most of these soldiers came from a military family, and their relatives held high positions.

"Thanks, brother," Jake whispered hoarsely. "Somehow.... I knew you would come."

."*sigh*...Not soon enough, Jake."

Jake chuckled weakly, wincing slightly from the pain. "You always were the stubborn one. Remember that time in boot camp when we got punished, and you insisted on running an extra 3 miles after we were already dead on our feet?"

The memory was a welcome relief after the tension of the mission.

"Yeah, and you swore you'd never forgive me for that. Said you'd haunt me forever."

Jake said with a smirk. "Well, here I am. I guess I couldn't stay away. Besides, I needed to see if you could still handle yourself without me holding your hand."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Pretty sure it was the other way around. Who was it that got lost in the training exercises and had to be rescued by yours truly?"

Jake chuckled, wincing slightly from the pain. "Hey, that map was upside down! Besides, I was giving you a chance to be the hero in front of the girls."

Alex laughed. "Is that what we're calling it now? I remember you screaming something about preferring death over reading a map."

Jake grinned. "Details, details. Remember that night navigation course? You thought a raccoon was an enemy and tried to shoot it."

Alex smirked. "And who was it that slipped in the mud and ended up face-first in a puddle? Pretty sure the raccoon was laughing at you."

Jake rolled his eyes. "That was a tactical manoeuvre to blend in with the environment. You don't understand advanced strategies."

Alex shook his head, chuckling. "Alright, alright. Just rest up, will you? We need you back in action, not cracking jokes from a hospital bed."

"Deal," Jake said, settling back with a grin.

Alex was glad that if, after all the things he had gone through, Jake was still Jake.

The mission's success quickly spread through the ranks, and soon, Alex was the talk of the entire military community once more. The news eventually reached the highest levels of command, and it wasn't long before Alex was summoned to a debriefing with top Navy officials.

The debriefing was intense, with questions and discussions about the mission's details and the incredible feats Alex and Kai had accomplished for the past 2 years. The officials were impressed with Alex's determination, his strategic thinking, and his unwavering commitment to his comrades.

Admiral Hawkins, the commanding officer overseeing the debriefing, leaned forward with a look of admiration. "Your actions have saved lives and brought honour to our forces. You've demonstrated exceptional bravery and skill in the face of extreme danger. You have made the Navy proud."

Alex nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Admiral. But Kai and I were at the right place at the right time."

The admiral smiled. "Modesty is a fine trait, Ensign, but don't underestimate your role in this. Your initiative and quick thinking were crucial. Tell me, what was going through your mind when you decided to take on the mission alone?"

Alex took a moment to gather his thoughts. "Honestly, sir, it was a gut feeling. I knew the terrain and the conditions were against us, but I also knew we didn't have time to wait. Those soldiers needed help, and I couldn't stand by and do nothing since I was close by."

Admiral Hawkins nodded appreciatively. "Your instincts were spot on. From the intel we collected, it seemed like they moved up the execution time. If they had succeeded, it would have been catastrophic. And Kai, he was remarkable as well "

Alex glanced at Kai, who sat alert by his side. "Yes, sir."

The debriefing continued with more detailed questions regarding Alex's actions. The officials were not only impressed by his bravery but also by his humility and dedication to his post.

The debriefing concluded with a recommendation for Alex to receive the Medal of Honour, the highest military decoration awarded for valour in action against an enemy force. The recommendation was swiftly approved, and a formal ceremony was scheduled for early 2004.

In the meantime, the success of the mission also brought renewed attention to Alex's past, particularly the circumstances surrounding his blacklisting after the North Korean mission. It came up because even after completing several missions, he never went up the ranks. Admiral Hawkins himself took the initiative to clarify the reason for his blacklisting. Questions were raised about the integrity of the investigation that led to his team's dissolution and Commander Harries' fate. The military leadership decided to reinvestigate the North Korean mission to uncover the truth.

The investigation revealed glaring inconsistencies and biases in the original inquiry. It became evident that the team had been scapegoated for political reasons, and the accusations against them were more or less baseless. Finally, Lieutenant Commander Cedric Wells of the SEAL intelligence was found to be the instigator of all this. The new findings led to a public exoneration of Alex and his team. Their records were cleared, and their honour was restored.

Commander Harries, who had been living in disgrace, received a formal apology from the military. His dishonourable discharge was overturned, and he was reinstated with full honours. The military community recognized the injustice that had been done and celebrated the team's vindication. The members who were medically discharged received additional benefits with Purple Heart, and finally all the memebers, who lost their lives, their family was granted substantial pension.

The day of the Medal of Honour ceremony arrived, and it was a grand event attended by top military officials, government leaders, Alex's grandfather, Jake, and Team 3 members. The ceremony took place at the White House, with the President of the United States personally bestowing the honour upon Alex.

As the President placed the Medal of Honour around Alex's neck, the audience erupted in applause. The President spoke of Alex's extraordinary bravery and dedication, highlighting the significance of his actions and the lives he had saved.

"Today, we honour a true hero," the President said. "Alex Bishop exemplifies the very best of our military. His courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to his comrades are an inspiration to us all. We owe him and his fellow soldiers a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid."

After the ceremony, Alex's life continued to be defined by his dedication to the service. He and Kai continue to take on high-risk missions. Their reputation as elite operators grew.

Despite their success, the intense nature of their missions finally took its toll. In March 2005, during a reconnaissance mission in Iraq, Kai suffered a severe injury. While navigating a rocky path during the operation. Two drones ambushed them. Alex quickly shot them down. But unlike other times, Kai was hit. The bullets tore through the legs. Alex's heart sank as he saw his loyal companion in a pool of blood. He quickly administered first aid and called for an immediate extraction.

The medical team at the base worked tirelessly to treat Kai, and while the prognosis was good, it was clear that Kai would never be back to 100%. It was time for him to retire. MWD receives a higher rank than their handlers, who in this case was a Lieutenant as a symbolic tradition and a form of respect for the dogs' service. Kai retired as Captain Kai. 4 years of service with 112 completed missions.

For 4 years, he had been working continuously without taking a single break. He accomplished almost everything he wanted to do. He got justice for his team, he earned the respect and admiration of his fellow soldiers, and finally, he no longer felt like a failure. Maybe it was finally time to take a breather. Alex applied for a leave of absence.

Alex wanted to pursue a college education and earn a bachelor's degree. He was planning on adopting Kai after his retirement, even after all this time, Kai didn't become sociable. Alex was the only one he would work with. After Alex's leave of absence was approved, he returned to a quieter life, one that he had nearly forgotten in the years spent in intense military operations. He was trying to get a degree in Psychology and Engineering, 2 subjects that intrigued him. Alex had good SAT scores, but it's been a while since he graduated high school, so to be on the safe side, he was looking at night classes or community colleges. As for money, Alex had a pretty good amount saved throughout the years, and he would get around $900/ month as a recipient of a medal of honour. There was also this idea for a device which has been cooking up in his mind for some time now. He can finally get around to it now.

Alex settled into his new life; he rented a small apartment and enrolled into a night college, embracing the quiet rhythm of academia. He found solace in his side project and studies, focusing on the two fields that intrigued him. His SAT scores were solid, but with years of intense military service under his belt, Alex chose night classes with flexible attendance policies to ease back into civilian life. It was a stark contrast to the high-octane world he had known, but he welcomed the change.

Kai, however, was a different story. The loyal Cane Corso had been by Alex's side through countless missions, and retirement didn't suit him as well as it did Alex. Kai remained vigilant, ever alert to any potential threat, even in the most mundane of settings. Alex often took him to parks, hoping the open space and fresh air would help Kai relax. But the dog was as aloof as ever, wary of strangers and fiercely protective of his handler.

One evening, Alex was unwinding in his small apartment, reading through a psychology textbook. Kai lay at his feet, his eyes half-closed but his ears twitching at the slightest sound. The peace was interrupted by the sudden ringing of Alex's phone. The number was protected.

"Bishop," Alex said, his voice steady as he picked up the call.

"Mr. Bishop," a distorted voice replied, calm and authoritative. I need to speak with you about a matter of great importance—something related to the North Korean mission. Can we meet? There's a park not far from your location. I'll text you the details."

Alex's eyes furrowed. The North Korean mission was a chapter of his life he thought had been closed after the reinvestigation cleared his name. But the tone in voice suggested there was more to the story. Alex's interest was piqued.

"Alright," Alex agreed, his mind already shifting into the tactical mode that had served him well in the past. "I'll be there."

The line went dead, and within seconds, a text message popped up with the location and time. Alex glanced at Kai, who was now fully alert, sensing the change.

"Looks like we're not done yet, buddy," Alex muttered, grabbing his jacket and heading out.

The park was quiet as Alex arrived, the sun dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape. He scanned the area, noting the sparse number of people—an elderly couple walking their dog, a jogger making his rounds, and a few scattered benches occupied by individuals lost in thought. It was an ideal place for a discreet meeting.

Kai stayed close, his posture alert but relaxed. As Alex approached the designated spot, he noticed a woman sitting on a bench, her back straight, exuding an air of quiet authority. She wore a tailored suit, her dark hair pulled back into a neat bun. Alex recognized her instantly—Lucille Porter, one of the most powerful figures in the intelligence community.

"Mr. Bishop," Porter greeted as he approached, her gaze sharp and assessing. "Thank you for meeting me on such short notice."

"Deputy Director," Alex nodded, taking a seat next to her. "You mentioned the North Korean mission. I thought everything about that had been resolved."

Porter sighed, her expression grave. "Directly to the point. Huh? That's what they wanted you to believe. The truth is, Lieutenant Commander Cedric Wells, while involved, wasn't the mastermind behind it. He was just another pawn in a much larger game."

Alex's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, Madam?"

Porter reached into her briefcase and pulled out a thin dossier, handing it to Alex. "The real perpetrator is something far more sinister—someone who's been operating in the shadows for years, manipulating events to serve their own agenda. We've been tracking this individual for some time, but they're highly elusive, with connections in the highest echelons of government and military intelligence."

Alex opened the dossier and scanned through the documents. They detailed a complex web of espionage, betrayal, and corruption that stretched back years, though most were just speculation. At the centre of it was a name he didn't recognize.

"They're responsible for the downfall of your team, the blacklisting, everything," Porter continued. "And as things are now, I have no chance to bring them down. I need someone with your skills, someone who knows how to hunt."

"And you have concrete proof of this?"

"Not exactly. At this point, it's more of a conjecture," said Lucille after clearing her throat.

Alex looked up from the dossier, meeting Porter's gaze. " So...you are telling all these... are just wild speculations with no concrete evidence to back them up. No offence, Madam Director, but why should I give a damn. As far as I'm concerned, my team has got justice. And, If such an organisation actually did exist, then getting involved means more trouble than its worth"

Lucille Porter's expression didn't change as Alex voiced his reluctance and suspicion. She had expected resistance, but the simple truth was that if roles had been reversed, she would have walked away by now.

"Alex," Porter began, her voice measured and steady, "I understand your skepticism. But this isn't just about unfinished business. This is about something far bigger—something that threatens not just you or me but the entire country."

Alex remained silent, his eyes scanning the dossier. The name at the centre was unfamiliar, but the connections it hinted at sent a chill down his spine. He closed the file and looked at Porter, waiting for her to continue.

"FAILSAFE," she said, almost in a whisper, as if the very word carried weight. "That's the organization we're dealing with. They've been operating in the shadows for decades, orchestrating events that have led to significant civil unrest, terrorist attacks, and even bombings on American soil. Their goal is still unknown, but they have been systematically creating chaos and corrupting the LEOs for at least two decades. And they've been frighteningly effective."

Alex's eyes narrowed. "How were they able to stay under the radar for so long?"

Porter sighed, leaning back on the bench. "FAILSAFE is unlike any enemy we've faced before. They have connections in every level of government, military, and even the private sector. Politicians, military officers, and intelligence agents—some knowingly, others unwittingly—have all played roles in their schemes. They use people like pawns, moving them into positions of power, manipulating them to carry out their agenda. They know how to cover their tracks, and they have the resources to eliminate anyone who gets too close to uncovering the truth."

"And you think Cedric Wells was just a pawn in their game?" Alex asked in a neutral tone.

Porter nodded. "Wells was ambitious, ruthless, and willing to do whatever it took to climb the ranks. FAILSAFE saw that and exploited it. They fed him information, nudged him in the right—or rather, wrong—direction, and let him believe he was in control. But he was just another piece on their board. When the time came, they were more than happy to let him take the fall."

Alex leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, deep in thought. " Why approach me? Its been years since NK mission, and what if I am part of this organisation?"

"Let's just say I have done my homework."

The things Porter was saying made no sense, and yet Alex could tell she believed it. And the name of the organization—FAILSAFE—resonated with him in a way he couldn't ignore. The more he thought about it, he got this rising sense of dread. It's been a while since he felt this way.

"What's the plan?" Alex finally asked, his voice steady.