by Laura Acton
When Stan left, Lexa eyed the sergeant. “My queen?”
Valentine ran a hand through his hair which needed a trim after months in the field. “My handle is Hammer, and he called you Queen of the Hammer.”
Lexa burst out laughing, not even mad at the man for the unnecessary rescue. She selected her alarm and made her way to the registers still smiling.
Bram’s Home – 8:30 p.m.
Dressed as Diligent One Monitoring servicemen, Master Corporals Cotilla and Holman assisted Loki installing sensors and cameras. They came to help because it would be safer for Bram’s family and allay Bram’s fears if the safety measures were in place and gave them an opportunity to meet Kellie De Haven so she would recognize them if she noticed them as they shadowed her.
Cassius Holman glanced at the little one sitting on the couch with her casted leg propped up on pillows, and his heart went out to her. While enjoying a delicious meal prepared by Mrs. De Haven and Mrs. Baldovino, they were briefed on what occurred. He turned back to his work as Loki handed him another camera and explained where he wanted it placed. A cry caused all three men to stop and turn to the sofa.
Holman rushed forward to Allie who now lay on the floor crying. Going into medic mode, Tower knelt and visually scanned exposed areas for injuries without moving the child. He found only a tiny red mark on her forehead and felt safe adjusting Allie’s position to make a more thorough examination.
“Allie, what happened?” Kellie asked coming from the kitchen as Bram bounded down the stairs two at a time after putting Sharlie to bed.
“I tried to reach my cup, and I felled off the chair and bumpeted my head on the table.” Her tears stopping, she peered up at the man they called Tower. He was almost as tall as her daddy.
Tower gently probed the area. “I’m a medic, ma’am. No real harm. Only a little contusion. Perhaps a cold pack for a bit to reduce any swelling.”
Allie’s gaze shifted to her dad. “Where’s Uncle Danny? I want him to kiss my booboo and make it go away. They always feels better when he does.”
Bram bent down and scooped his daughter up. “Well, Princess, Prince Charming had to go off to fight another evil dragon. He will be back soon. Will a kiss from a lowly servant suffice this time?”
Allie giggled. “Daddy you’re the King. Your kiss is lotza more better.”
Esteban Cotilla, Hammer’s explosive specialist, quietly questioned Loki, “She calls Blondie, Prince Charming?”
Chuckling, Loki turned to Nova. “Yep, Dantastic has a slew of monikers now. All of them more original than Blondie.” He glanced over in time to see his ma bring out a plate of cookies for Allie and the rest of them. Refocusing on Nova, he asked, “So how did you end up being called Nova?”
“Wanted to be called Supernova, since I like blowing things up, but ended up with Nova, cause my Mustang rarely starts. The short in the wiring harness still eludes me, but it is a classic, so I’m not giving up. Anyway, the two words, no and va, mean not going in Spanish. So they named me after my cursed car.”
Loki beamed. “At least that is creative.”
Jon’s Home – 8:30 p.m.
Having slipped in unobserved by neighbors, Master Corporal Wesley Benton, now sat at the Hardy family’s table and accepted the steaming mug of coffee from Jon’s wife. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“Please call me Jen.” As she slid a cup to Jon, she probed, “So what do they call you on the team?”
“Watchdog, ma’ … Jen.”
“Why?” she inquired, wanting to learn a bit about the man tasked with keeping her and her boys safe.
“I’m a sniper.”
Jon smiled. “A fellow marksman. What do you think of the new M1101A1 HK CSASS?”
Jen rolled her eyes when the two began a discussion on which sniper rifles they believed were the best. So much for getting a word in edgewise. After ten minutes she rose, smiling. If Jon is comfortable with this man watching over us, I guess I am too.
CFB Edmonton – Tarmac – 1800 Hours
As the plane touched down, Dan and the rest of the men reset their watches. Although they left Trenton at seventeen hundred hours and spent a little over three hours in the air, they landed in Edmonton at eighteen hundred due to the two-hour time shift. Dan stood and grabbed his travel bags as did the others. Walking down the ramp, he caught sight of his father standing next to one of three waiting vehicles.
His dad wore civvies, and when he approached, the general said, “Hope you had a smooth ride.”
“We did, sir.”
William took the duffle bag from Daniel and put it in the trunk of the sedan. “I’m commandeering you tonight if you don’t mind. Thought you and I might grab dinner together.” He turned to peer at his son, hoping he would agree.
Dan grinned and nodded. “Sounds nice. Will Mike be along?”
“Not tonight. Only you and me.” He patted his side and opened his sports coat to reveal his sidearm. “I’m armed. I have one for you if you would be more comfortable.”
Stepping to the rear, Dan said, “Not needed. Came prepared with my own.” He unzipped his kitbag and withdrew his great grandfather’s ivory gripped Enfield No. 2 Mk I.
William’s grin grew. “I haven’t seen that in years.”
Dan handed it over, so he could reclose the satchel and place his garment bag on top to ensure his uniform and suit didn’t wrinkle.
Examining the pistol, William ran his hand over the ivory. “I recall when my father restored this gun. The original grip was wood, and he had this ivory one carved specially for it.” Gazing at his son, he asked, “Have you fired it recently?”
“No, but she is clean as a whistle and ready.” Dan turned as Blaze approached. “I’m going to dinner with the gen … with my dad. I’ll catch you later tonight.” He attached his holster to his belt and covered the gun with his jacket, zipping up against the cold night breeze.
Directing his comment to the general, Blaze said, “Sir, is it wise to go without security?”
Dan patted Blaze’s arm. “Appreciate the concern, but I think two snipers can take care of themselves for a couple of hours.” When Blaze nodded and returned to the car behind theirs, he queried, “Want me to drive?”
Grinning, William tossed the keys to Daniel and joked, “Hope you don’t possess a lead foot like your mother.”
“If I do, I come by it honestly.”
“Yes, there is Loving blood running in your veins too. Leadfoot and laughter come from your mother’s side.” William started for the passenger side.
Dan slipped into the driver’s seat. “And from you, keen eyes, perseverance, and stubbornness. Those traits kept me alive many times.”
The compliment Daniel paid him gripped William’s heart. Choked up he only nodded.
“So, where are we going?”
Swallowing the lump, William answered, “How about steak?”
“Sounds good.” Once his father designated the restaurant and provided directions, Dan put the sedan in gear and just for fun, floored it, causing his dad to laugh.
And So, It Begins
29
January 25
CFB Edmonton – Officer’s Mess – 0630 Hours
General William Arthur Broderick, code-named Oracle for his uncanny insight and Badass for his strength and fortitude to plow through even the most difficult situations, stared at his son, feeling neither insightful nor powerful. As Daniel pushed his breakfast around on his plate, William was thankful his boy ate a huge dinner.
Wish I controlled time so I could turn back the clock to make different choices and create different outcomes, ones which did not hurt my son. Lifting his coffee, none too hungry himself this morning, William sipped the life-giving brew, hoping the caffeine jolt would sustain him until lunch since he had not slept much last night.
Noting faint shadows under Daniel’s eyes, William realized they shared not only similar appearances but also parallel behaviors. And he didn’t need to be a soothsayer to
discern his son’s stoic expression indicated Daniel erected shields, taking defensive measures to lock away all emotion. It is a method I’m quite familiar with and often employ myself.
“Daniel, you should eat,” William said to make conversation.
Setting his fork down, done pretending to consume tasteless eggs, Dan wrapped his hands around the warm mug of black coffee. “Not hungry, sir,” he responded but kept the remainder of the thought to himself. Don’t want anything in my stomach with the ability to embarrass me if it decides to make a return trip. Instead, after noticing his father’s plate resembled his, Dan remarked, “But don’t let me stop you from eating yours.”
Busted. William forced himself to take a bite of toast.
After taking a long drink of the lukewarm liquid, Dan asked, “Where exactly is the tribunal taking place?”
“They set up a room at Club Ed. Plouffe will have no opportunity to make an escape attempt.” William washed the dry toast down with juice.
“Sound strategy, particularly since no one can figure out how the bastard sent someone to kill Mom and one of my teammates.” Dan finished his coffee and stared out the dining facility’s window.
“We will, Son. Do you plan to install a security system in your apartment?”
Dan shook his head. “I don’t think the old wiring in the building is capable of handling the load. They can’t even keep the elevator working.” He let slip, “I still clear my place when I enter, though.”
Tucking the sad bit of news in his hip pocket, the impact of Daniel’s six years in the field hit William again, but he didn’t outwardly acknowledge the remark. “Ever consider moving to a newer building?”
Shrugging, Dan said, “Have a lease and my neighbor, Mrs. Stark, is a sweet older lady who needs help sometimes.”
Blaze spotted Blondie and strode over, carrying his tray, and sat in a padded chair at their linen covered table after an offer from the general. He glanced at Blondie’s uneaten eggs. He slid the bowl of steaming oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon in front of the kid and said in a quiet tone, “Eat.”
With awe, William watched as Daniel lifted his spoon and began consuming the hot cereal. So many things he still didn’t understand regarding his son. A tiny spark of envy grew for the closeness and trust existing between Daniel and Blaze, though it was extinguished by relief his boy had a man like Blain in his life. A man who filled the role of protector as he should’ve for many years.
Blaze turned his gaze to General Broderick. “Sir, the more I review the evidence Blondie brought, the more something gnaws at my gut. The package is too neat, too perfect. Can we obtain any handwritten reports by Tapia and request the handwriting expert analyze them?”
Not having reviewed any of the materials, William queried, “Yes, but why?”
“Seems out of character to me that a military police officer would write in such detail about his plans and how much he disliked you two. Talking about it, yes. Leaving physical evidence, not likely.”
Mike joined them in time to overhear Blaze and nodded in agreement. “Tapia didn’t strike me as the diary type. I can make the inquiries before things begin this morning.”
Finishing his oatmeal, Dan considered the ramifications if what Blaze suggested was correct. “If not Plouffe, who? And why?”
William sighed. “There is a whole block of men in Club Ed with motive. Pletcher, Merrill, Travis, and el-Younis to name a few. Then there are all the other enemies we’ve made over the years of fighting terrorism. If it isn’t Plouffe, it could be anyone.”
Dan’s oatmeal sat like a boulder in his stomach. Fucking fantastic.
CFB Edmonton – Quarters – 0830 Hours
Jim scowled in the mirror as he viewed his service dress uniform, the military’s equivalent of the business suit. Leaving his past behind was a bit hard to do when pieces kept intruding in his new life. Although, when he received the call from General Broderick, and he explained why Commander Leroux requested both he and Dan wear their dress uniforms he conceded.
When he pulled his heavy-weight, rifle-green jacket and trousers, light green long-sleeved dress shirt, and black tie out of the closet, Heather begged him to put it on for her. She oohed and aahed over how handsome he looked wearing it. Her smiling face more than made up for having to press and polish everything on short notice. She helped him pack for the trip, leaving time for a quick, pleasant excursion with his beautiful wife before Blaze and company showed up to collect him.
Turning as Dan exited his room, Jim’s jaw dropped. “Holy shit!” He stared at Dan’s colorful chest. Being in service dress, no medals would be worn, only what they referred to as undress ribbons. He zeroed in on two identical decorations with black central stripes, flanked by red edges centered on which were thin white stripes. Customarily, a maple leaf pin in silver, gold, or red was attached to denote one, two, or three subsequent awards.
However, Jim realized Dan wore two Sacrifice Medal ribbons because one would not hold more than three pins. The first had three red leaves attached, and the second contained one red and one gold leaf. Images and recollections of all fifteen times Dan was injured still haunted him. However, in his mind, Dan deserved many more red maple leaves to cover the multitude of wounds he suffered, especially when he was tortured.
Dan glanced around him, and down at his uniform wondering what was amiss and couldn’t find anything and finally said, “What?”
Blaze, Winds, and Mason all entered the common area of this six-room barracks and halted, also surprised by the fruit salad on Blondie’s chest, but they keyed in on the Cross of Valour which recognized acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril.
Exiting his room William smiled. “You added all your honors.”
Dan nodded. “As requested, sir. Did I put them in the right order?”
William strode over and double checked. “Perfect, Son.”
“Where in the world …” Jim trailed off as General Broderick approached.
“Rightfully, we should have an award ceremony. However, Daniel assured me last evening you men would prefer receiving these in private.” William proceeded to bestow upon each man several medals before saying, “Plouffe covered up many of your accomplishments. You all earned these honors. If you need help arranging them, I’ll be happy to assist.”
Dan grinned at the awe-struck faces of his brothers. He sighed at his reflection as he donned his tan beret using the mirror to ensure it sat properly. He wore his dark green uniform only a handful of times, and thankfully it didn’t fill him with the same sense of dread the tan operational uniform did. Though, he would still prefer to be wearing his black suit. Army sniper was his past, and he liked being a TRF officer.
After adding several maple leaves to existing ribbons and adding two new ones to the mix of eye candy on his chest, Blaze smiled and asked what was on all their minds. “The Cross of Valour you deserve for many missions. Which mission is this related to?”
A fleeting grimace crossed the general’s face, so quick everyone except Dan missed the emotion. Dan didn’t believe he deserved the honor. He failed to save an exceptional man. He quietly replied, “When Yankee died.”
They all nodded. None of them had been on the FUBAR mission with Blondie but recalled the shit hit the fan afterward. Blondie called a strike on his position to keep intel from insurgents after they trapped Blondie and Yankee in a building. It was a friggin miracle the kid survived. Mason ended up with a promotion and a unit of his own after Yankee’s unit was disbanded.
“Wear that with pride, Blondie. You earned it multiple times,” Blaze said as he reached out to shake Blondie’s hand.
Winds, Mason, and Jim all did the same, each congratulating the others on their long overdue recognition.
Club Ed – Courtroom – 0920 Hours
Upon entering, everyone surrendered their phones and all devices capable of a Bluetooth signal. They followed Corporal Navarro, who made a stop at the dining area, which h
ad been assigned for those who would be testifying for the prosecution. Dan spotted a few familiar faces but didn’t speak to anyone. Jim was told to remain there, and the rest of them continued down the hall.
On the walk, Navarro regaled them with details about the Canadian Forces Service Prison and Detention Barracks. They learned the twenty-five-cell prison was staffed with thirty soldiers and maintained year-round. On average, they housed fewer than ten inmates on any given day and twenty percent of the time the jail remained empty. The facility’s current detainees only included the men netted during the investigation into Plouffe’s actions.
His senses heightened and on edge, Dan scanned the indoor exercise area noticing the room had been configured according to regulations for a General Court Martial. At one end, a table had been centered for use by the military magistrate and to the left and behind it stood the Canadian Flag and on the opposite side the Canadian Forces Ensign.
In front of the judge’s bench, on the right side, facing the center sat a clerk desk with a computer. Located directly across was the witness stand. Two tables for the five-member panel were placed next to the clerk’s desk. The defense and prosecution tables faced the judge. White cloths covered each tabletop and all contained water bottles, pens, and notepads following guidelines.
Behind the attorney tables, a gallery set up for the public contained three rows of five padded chairs. However, with the top-secret content, civilians would be excluded from the proceedings in the interest of national defense. The only ones permitted to remain in the room would be members of the court, counsel, the accused, Chief of the Defence Staff McFergus, General Broderick, Colonel Sutton, and Dan if he so desired.
Given the need for security by soldiers with the necessary level of clearance, the presiding judge invoked his right under section 180.3 of the National Defence Act to allow Blaze’s unit and Mason to stay in the courtroom to act as guards although they would testify at some point.
