Now this being crystal clear to everyone in the Situation room this meeting was designed to provide answers to a very serious threat facing the free world. The President stood up and said:
“Ladies and gentlemen. I’m only one man and this event facing us is bigger than one man or one country. However, as we have assumed the role of the most powerful and richest country in the world today, we’re expected to solve a global problem pretty much alone. I might suggest that we take a serious long look at what China is saying and not saying to provide at least an option out of this major problem. Now, I’m going to adjourn this meeting for two hours while our Brad Pratt team has something to eat and to kick around some options. I might add that due to the circumstances no option to render this madman defenseless is out of reason. I will consider all and I mean all options. Now having said that, in two hours we will return for a discussion.”
For Brad and his team the speech and answer was clear as glass: eliminate the threat. The real question was the how, when and where problem. But let’s not jump to conclusions he thought. Brad did not realize he was deep in thought until his father poked him in the arm telling him it was time for a late lunch. On the way to the cafeteria Nancy leaned over and whispered to Wendy saying that it looked to her like Brad was in deep contemplation and oblivious to what was around him. Wendy nodded her agreement and soon they were all sat down eating a late lunch. They were all there except Billy who was in a smoking area having nicotine for his lunch.
Steve sat in silence as most of the team reflected on what the President requested putting extreme pressure on all of them. Mike was thinking about the same thing as he realized that most of the people in that room they just left expected Brad and his team to save the day again. Well, at first it made him angry and then he realized that is why they formed the covert team in the first place.
Brad’s father was the first to speak out loud saying, “We can use the Situation Room to hash this over. I’ve some information of note and as soon as we are all finished eating let’s go back and get started.”
Brad smiled thinking how it was just like his father to take command as that was what he’d been doing for most of his life. However, the team members all knew that when it came time to make a plan or a decision it would be from the son not the father.
Back in the Situation Room Brad said, after all had made a restroom break and Billy had topped off his tank of nicotine, “Let’s take us one at a time and I’ll begin by saying, it looks like we will have to take out this guy and his entire family. Mike what do you have to say?”
“I’d say it is a given and we need a fool proof plan that would probably involve our SEALs.”
“What do you say father?”
“History tells us,” as Philip Pratt cleared his throat, “that to kill the beast you need to cut its head off. Numbers are thrown around without the thought of how many innocent people die in that country every year from starvation, prison and by other unnatural means. South Korea has a population of around fifty million and the North about twenty two million. The North has some resources and the South doesn’t have any to speak of. Now, let’s assume, as the President will voice in a short while, that reunification is more than just families being united, quite the contrary, look at East and West Germany when the wall came down. It was more than just a financial problem or a people problem but one of deep emotional fear that was pervasive throughout Europe. Now if a united Korea takes place, what about the one Korea having a border with China. Will the USA move troops next to the border with both China and Russia? Politically this is a football that will take a very strong force of people to tackle before the first yard marker. I rest my case.”
Brad asked, “Nancy, Wendy, Agent Jones, Billy, what have you guys to say?”
Nancy spoke up first as she looked around at the rest of the team, “I’d like to wait until we hear from the President and I will follow you Brad as to what will result from our talk with the other people.”
Wendy voiced the same as well as Agent Jones. Billy said, “My job is research and not on the front lines. I think that removing the ‘head of beast’ is necessary, but sorry to say that it’s out of my territory. I’ll be the first say this is not a cop out, but we all know who we are deep down inside. I’m many things but not a killer, but for the sake of many the loss of a few is bound to happen.”
Brad spoke up and after a long look at Steve, who gave Brad a subtle nod said, “I’ll not ask any of you to kill anyone. That end of things is left up to Mike and I. If we take on this job a plan will have to be put forth that will make our last two cases look like child’s play. This will have far reaching global repercussions; not just our own domestic issues. No matter what happens, the United States will be the one to take the heat, and I’ve no doubt the heat will make the old cliché of Harry Truman feel like a cold winters day rather than: ‘If you can’t take the heat get out of the kitchen.’”
At that moment in walked the leaders of all of the intelligence communities under the government umbrella and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Even Sandy seemed to feel the power of the room as she rubbed against her master’s leg. Then as if on cue, the President of the United States came in standing straight and tall as if he did this kind of thing every day.
He leaned on the back of his chair and looked directly at Brad Pratt and said, “We haven’t a lot of time as our best guess is that the leader of North Korea will use the spring season to bring forth his breathe of fire. Brad I’m going to lay the heat on you to suggest what is or is not possible to stop this madman from bringing off a nuclear war.”
The President sat down as Brad stood up. Mr. President, we’ve had only a few hours to digest what we have seen and heard. However, it appears we have little choice but to stop this threat of a nuclear holocaust with the demise of the leader of North Korea. Now if there is anyone in this room that has any ideas about how to do this please stand up and give forth your idea or ideas.” Brad remained standing knowing full well not a person in the room had enough backbone to suggest a method of stopping this war and war it would be if it went nuclear.
The President cleared his throat ending the dreadful silence and said, “I want the room cleared save Brad and his team and the Joint Chiefs of the military. Thank you all for coming and would you all remain available for the next hour if needed? The room emptied at a record pace as if a fire had been broadcast. If an echo could be heard from each person leaving it would have been, “save my ass.”
Brad sat down and waited and in the meantime he drank some not so bad tea that he reminded to compliment whoever made the decision to provide the beverage.
The President waited for Brad to speak after the room cleared, but then decided to say something first, “Brad I apologize for not asking you if you wanted to take on the job or pass. I selfishly thought you would be the one to take care of this horrific event if called upon. I first called upon your father and he was very helpful making some suggestions. Of course Steve and his boss, who is under the weather at this time, gave me their invaluable input. Now I’m asking you if you are in for the ride of our lives?”
Brad was thinking not of the job forth coming but of his family and his wife’s family in Seoul, South Korea. Seoul was only a few miles from North Korea and with its 10 million inhabitants would all perish in a heartbeat. Of course he would do everything possible to save his family and his country. Not to mention save the innocent people from ruthless dictators bent upon power and greed.
Brad stood up and gave a quick look around at his team and said looking directly at the President, “I’m in and so is my team of experts. We will take a week or so to come up with a plan and what I would like is a military man as a go-between to work with the military on logistics and such things. I’d like my father to be that person. You probably don’t know Mr. President that my father retired a two star General. So as to not rub the Joint Chiefs or any other military personnel please give him the rank of a four star general at l
east temporarily. In addition we need a direct link to China as it would appear they are in a position to help us covertly. My wife and I both speak Chinese fluently so we need not have an interpreter.
My team member Billy Ricker will need access to all the satellite information and pictures without any protest from anyone. Mike Henshaw, sitting to my right here is a former Navy SEAL and will be visiting the headquarters of that branch very soon. He’s to be given a free hand without interference from anyone. Some members of the SEALs will be moved up to Oregon for training so we will need housing and all things necessary for at least two months of training. That part of the operation will be headed up by Agent Jones and Wendy Brown.”
“Nancy Longstreet will liaison between all forms of transportation and accommodations which, therefore, she will need the help of the FBI and the CIA. She is to be given carte blanche. I guess what I’m saying sir, is the government is a big bureaucracy; we don’t need any stumbling blocks. Please pave the way for us to operate. At this point in time I have no idea how we will carry this off but God willing we will find a way and keep the collateral damage to a bare minimum.”
Brad waited while the President digested the requirements he demanded. The waiting was not long in forthcoming as the most powerful man on earth had many things to do in a single day. And sitting in chair thinking was not one of this man’s long suits. He was known for a quick trigger and history had proved him mostly correct. Now he is said, “Consider it done Brad. If I hear any bad feedback so help me that person will be breaking rocks with a sledge at Leavenworth. Now so you can hear my orders, Mr. Chief of Staff, please recall all members previously here for a brief sit down.”
Fifteen minutes later after the entire cabinet of the United States heard their orders from the President Brad and team was on their way to the helicopter and from there back to the Round House on the Oregon coast.
****
Where the flight aboard the Gulf was usually full of animated talk and, of course, a few jokes thrown around, this flight had the atmosphere of a funeral. Even Billy was quiet and sat there with triple patches on his arms to ward off withdrawal from nicotine. Sandy lay quietly probably wondering why no one was paying any attention to her No doubt when she got home Rocky would rub it in that the trip was a downer.
Two hours into the flight most were cat napping or staring into space thinking about the upcoming job of taking out a leader of a country and his family. Two were very awake and had their heads together. Nancy and Wendy were discussing what the world was coming to and how in the last two cases where one involved a crazy serial killer brutally killing off senior citizens and the other more recent case involved the right wing fanatics trying to over throw the government. Now they were assigned the task of disposing a dictator who basked in his own glory detested by most of not all the world, including his own people.
Wendy asked Nancy if she had seen the pictures of the fat boy son who was supposed to replace his father as a leader. Nancy just shook her head telling Wendy that what she knew about the baby faced soft son was he loved pro basketball and it was obvious that he was fat not because he loved rice and kimchee, but western food in abundance. Nancy nudged Wendy to point that out that the boss man Brad, was lost in thought with his laptop on screen saver mode. Both girls wondered what was going on in his head at that moment.
If asked, Brad would have gladly told them he was thinking how to derail a train carrying the North Korean leader and his son. Meanwhile in North Korea the SEAL team would be laying waste to the ‘Dear Leader’s’ other family members. He would ask the two team members if this plan sounded good to them or not. Meanwhile Brad considered any and all ways involving anyone who had an expertise he offered. Brad decided to take a break and call home. He had forgotten to call and he was way past due from checking in with his special wife and son. Sandy sensed his mood and gently nudged him sending out the vibes that she was with him always and forever.
Sujin answered with a pleasant hello for way after midnight on the west coast. Brad said they were about two hours out and for her to go to bed that he would be home around daylight. Sujin never asked a question knowing he would tell her what happened in good time. He signed off telling her how much he loved her and to give the little guy a big hug for him.
When the tires hit the runway in North Bend, Mike woke up ready to go. Mike was typical military that could sleep anywhere at anytime and when woke up he was ready to go wide awake. He drove the van down to Bandon, dropped off the team members and then drove on south to Port Orford where he called home.
Brad and team were met by Sujin and her sister Earie. Breakfast was ready and all were very hungry having only eaten airplane microwave food on the way home.
Brad told his wife after a brief hug, he would take a run on the beach to clear his head of bad air on the plane and in DC. She had his running gear laid out and before long he and Rocky were sucking in the salt air with the pungent smell of rotting seaweed and other dead and living things that habitat on the coast of Oregon. However, after a few years living on the coast Brad did not notice the downside of the smells and of the weather, but now he relished in its charm and ever changing scenery. No two days were alike as the weather changed the landscape on an almost daily basis. This was especially noticeable after a storm that washed up driftwood and glass balls from Japan. Now Brad let it all hang out for punishment to let his body know it was in for a long bout of daily grind till the dust settled and he was back home safe and sound with his family.
After hitting the north jetty where the Coquille river dumps into the sea he turned for home and a hot shower as a light rain stung his face while clicking off five minute miles. Rocky too was pumped and happy to have his master back home. Both running into the wind felt even better than with the wind. Brad loved a challenge and the wind was just another factor in a day for him. Now as he rounded the corner to head up the trail to his house he could hear the sounds of the waves crashing upon the shore behind him.
Chapter 3
Fresh out of the shower Brad felt like he was ready to take on the world. Now what he needed was some food to fill up a very empty space and low and behold a tasty breakfast was sitting on the floor table steaming just waiting for him to enjoy some homemade Korean food. The rest of the team had already eaten and showered ready to face the task at hand.
Nancy and Wendy were downstairs; Billy was outside playing with Rocky; Mike was still down south in Port Orford and Sujin sat on the floor with little Brian while Brad ate his breakfast. Sujin waited patiently for Brad to finish and then she knew he would talk to her. While he used chop sticks like a native he plucked a chunk of scrambled egg into his mouth and then looked at her and winked. Sujin blushed and lowered her eyes for just a second.
Brad sat his sticks down and leaned back to rest his back against the sofa. He looked lovingly at his wife then he said, “I’ve not tested this theory yet but I’m thinking about a train wreck for the ‘Dear One’ as that’s his method of transportation when he visits China. I’ll ask Billy to see if there’s a bridge we can blow up and let the train tumble into a river. Meanwhile, I’m thinking about you and your sister entering North Korea and eliminating the remainder of the family. What do you think of that my lovely wife?”
Nothing surprised Sujin that came from her husband. She always expected the unexpected and the team was becoming more and more familiar with how he thought. While she mulled it over in her head, Billy came in and Brad told him to see if there was a bridge or two out of North Korea into China on the tracks to Beijing. Billy only paused for a second and said, “I’m on it boss and will be back with an answer quicker than the weather changes around here.”
Sujin, who had sat the baby down on the floor rug next to the table and said, “I’m ready and so is Earie when you need us. Let me see if my Seoul connections with photography can provide a cover for us. Or I’m open to any suggestions you might have. I’d guess after Christmas would be the jump off point in time?
”
“That would be my best time estimate. First we must get the basic plan and then we can work out details. Now I’m going downstairs and see what Billy and the rest of the team are up to. I see the weather is rainy and I’d like for us to go to town for a big bowl of clam chowder around one pm after the lunch crowd thins out. Mike should be here by then and you could drop the news to your sister when you are comfortable with telling her.” Brad smiled at her as he rose to go downstairs and to face his team without knowing any answers to their questions. Meanwhile, Sujin sat there absently playing with her son thinking how imperative it was to have a talk with that defector. In her mind he was the key to open the doors of questions that flooded the mind of her husband and his team.
When Brad entered the room the silence was deafening. He said, “People, this is not the end of the world yet. We have a chance to save the world and how many people can say that?” Billy came out of the computer room having heard the speech and cracked up affecting all who remembered that Brad Pratt was really not known for his humor. “Alright, what is the plan folks? We’ve been instructed to put this leader of North Korea out of business and I for one have a few ideas and am ready to consider any and all ways to an end. My first thought was to have a train accident. Now having said that let’s start with Nancy and what do you suggest?”
Nancy said with a twinkle in her eye and with a hint of sarcasm, “I’m not good at design, but am hell on wheels making the road smooth to pass over. However, I’ll stick my neck out a bit here and suggest we call in a strike force off a carrier and send the bastard to hell.” And with that she crossed her arms across her chest in defiance of being caught with a sense of humor.
Agent Jones said, “How am I to follow those last two acts. Being a black man gives me no advantage and I am delighted to be upstaged on this fine occasion just before Thanksgiving.” Agent Jones left it there as small talk and Billy with a handful of papers quickly passed them out and headed up the stairs for a smoke break while the rest of them read his report on North Korea.
'Dear One' Breathes Fire Page 2
