by Bella Juarez
His BlackBerry rang. Jack opened his eyes and looked at the number. It was a local number, here in San Antonio. He didn’t feel like company tonight so he sent the call to voice mail. Despite what the others thought, he hadn’t spent the last night with someone. He’d spent the night thinking about what he needed to do with his new group and Anna Santiago. She was so close today. He shook his head because he couldn’t get her out of his mind.
What the hell is the deal?
Jack closed his eyes again. He was so tired and needed to get some rest. All he wanted was one night of peaceful, dreamless sleep. Since his arrival here, he hadn’t been able to sleep because he was having nightmares again. One incident in particular was recurring almost every night. It was a mission that had gone horribly wrong and killed three of the eight team members he had. It was his second mission as a team leader and the loss had devastated him. He’d almost left the military over the incident. He’d been responsible for the death of three people and the torture and near death of another.
When the dreams haunted him, it meant he was stressed. But this move and the establishment of the new group had gone relatively well. Until now—if he didn’t come up with a plan, this would definitely slow things down. The cybergame was something new and the target was never seen and they were always chasing it after it had already done damage. He could never seem to get a handle and get on offense instead being on defense. It was frustrating and tiring. And these damn dreams didn’t help him. Neither did obsessing about a woman who really didn’t care for his company. He was beginning to doubt himself. Maybe he didn’t belong here. Maybe the job was better suited for someone else.
Anna…
Chapter 10
1498 Arnold Palmer Drive
Golf Villa Townhomes
San Antonio, Texas
July 26, 2008/2327 Zulu
Tammy sat as Anna hurried around the kitchen. This was Tammy’s reward for waiting around all day. Anna was cooking her dinner. Jessie, her own husband, had declined an invitation, asking instead for the leftovers. This was Tammy’s favorite reward because Anna could cook better than any restaurant in town.
“So what was the fire?” Tammy asked.
“No biggie, I had to reload a machine,” Anna said with a shrug.
“Was that the captain who was waiting outside with you?”
“Yes, it was.”
“So why did he ask for you? What happened that required your special touch?” Tammy asked as Anna chopped onions for the sauce she was making.
“The drive crashed,” Anna said without elaborating.
“It couldn’t wait until Monday? And they couldn’t get the on call?”
Tammy took a slice of the bruschetta that Anna had whipped out effortlessly, and within minutes, she had to stop her eyes from rolling into the back of her head because the food was so delicious.
“You know how the brass gets—they don’t wait.” Anna added the contents of the cutting board to a pan on the stove.
“Oh? And you were the only one who could fix it?”
“I guess so,” Anna said, turning her attention to the pasta she added to the pot of boiling water on the stove.
A base was in fact a small town. Tammy smiled. Rumors spread quickly and this new Navy commanding officer had been the topic of a lot of idle discussion.
“So what’s he like?” Tammy asked.
“He’s a jerk,” Anna responded flatly.
“Really? That was awfully nonjerkish of him to wait with you.” Tammy frowned.
“I didn’t ask him to wait with me and he’s a jerk.”
“That’s not what I heard. I’ve heard he’s very charming, and from where I was sitting, he’s very good looking.”
“I guess that’s subject to opinion.” Anna also took a slice of the appetizer.
“The charming part or good-looking part?”
“He’s definitely not charming—he’s a brute.”
“How about the good-looking part?” Tammy asked slyly.
“I can’t get past the brute part,” Anna responded, adding to the sauce in the pan.
“Did you have your eyes open?” Tammy snapped.
“You had my glasses, remember?” Anna sniped back.
“You’re not that blind,” Tammy sulked.
“He’s your type, tall, dark, and clueless. Jessie being the exception. I still don’t know what he sees in you.”
“Why are you avoiding the subject?” Tammy asked, ignoring the jab. “And…Why did he specifically ask for you to fix his hard drive? Like I said, they couldn’t get the on call for this weekend?”
* * * *
Anna remained calm as she flipped the pan’s contents because she was trying to relax. Working with Captain O’Malley hovering over her had been nerve racking and tense. Several times during the day she felt as if she were being interrogated. Anna turned her attention to the pasta in the boiling water because it was almost done.
“You know this sauce is almost overcooked,” Anna commented.
“Well?” Tammy demanded. “Why are you avoiding the subject?”
“I’m not.” Anna removed the boiling pot of pasta from the stove to the nearby sink.
“Yes, you are.”
“Look, I want to eat, and talking about that guy is ruining my appetite.” Anna combined the sauce with the pasta.
“Just tell me. Don’t you think he’s good looking?” Tammy demanded.
“He’s not my type.”
“That’s a yes-or-no question.”
“Not in my opinion. That’s a very subjective question,” Anna snapped.
“Anna, you’re hiding something. What’s going on? Why do you say this guy is such a jerk? From what I hear, he’s a panty dropper. Not just in the looks department, either. I hear he can charm them right off.”
Anna turned and looked at her friend coolly. She remained annoyingly silent, so Tammy pressed for more.
“He’s got to be around our age if he’s a captain in the Navy. Alice met him and has made it a mission to get him in her clutches. He’s all she talks about. I think you would be a better match for someone like him. The strong, silent hero type…Just the kind you used to love to bring down,” Tammy said with a smile as she took a dainty bite.
“What makes you think he’s not married?” Anna fumed at the prospect of someone playing matchmaker for her.
“Is he? Did you see a picture of his wife in his office? I’m sure Alice would need that kind of information,” Tammy said innocently.
“That’s never stopped her before,” Anna snorted.
Anna continued to stare at Tammy in mute hostility, refusing to give credence to anything Alice Mendeola said, Alice being a scheming busybody in the cubical next to Tammy. She was the type of woman who liked to control men with her femininity. Most people who met her were given the impression that sugar wouldn’t melt in her mouth. But in reality, Alice was a vicious, conniving man-eater.
Anna had a strong suspicion that Captain Jack O’Malley wasn’t that easily controlled. After spending the day with him, Anna’s instincts told her Captain O’Malley was the type of man her grandmother always warned her about. He would get what he wanted and would be gone soon after. She briefly felt sorry for his wife, if he had one.
“You know Alice. She always gets her man,” Tammy said
“Good luck with that. I hope Alice gets what she’s asking for,” Anna finally said as she took two plates from the cupboard and plated their meal.
“What’s got you so rattled about this guy?” Tammy asked with a smile.
“I don’t like him.”
“Captain Jack, what have you done to our base?”
Chapter 11
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
1427 Communications Group
Office of the Commander
July 28, 2008/1115 Zulu
Colonel Jackson sat quietly as he listened to his Navy counterpart explain the message sitting on his desk. He watched and list
ened intently as this young captain explained what had transpired the last couple of days on the other side of his world. Jackson leaned back in his chair, and he stifled a yawn. He’d been here since 5:00 a.m.
“So, Colonel, it’s important that the message sitting in front of you goes nowhere,” Captain O’Malley concluded.
“So what you’re telling me is, there is an international cyberterrorist cell here? In San Antonio?” Colonel Jackson asked in disbelief.
“That’s what I believe, Colonel. And one of your technicians seems to be the only one who has figured out how to slow them down.”
“Why here?”
“For the same reason I’m here. CYBERCOMM. I believe your group is slated to be transitioned into that organization?” O’Malley asked.
“Yes, but as you know that still hasn’t become official yet. What do you think, Captain? Will it ever fly?”
“I’m not paid for my opinion, sir. I’m paid to follow orders. I do think we’re onto something here. I would like for you to reassign Ms. Santiago to our group, Colonel.”
“In her case, it’s called a loan,” Colonel Jackson said, taking a sip of coffee. “For how long?”
“Indefinitely, sir. I don’t know how deep this water runs.”
“Fine with me. Her boss might squawk. Can we say ninety days and then extend later?” Jackson suggested.
“I’d rather not, sir.”
“Okay, if she can help you, go ahead,” Jackson said, puzzled.
“Sir, as you’re well aware, I’m a part of Special Operations Command. She’ll be on loan to them, and I’ll make sure this gets resolved as soon as possible.”
Colonel Jackson was well aware of the position Captain O’Malley was in. Special Operations Command reported directly to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. There were no middlemen in their world. He was curious about the whole situation that had transpired over the past few days. Obviously, O’Malley wasn’t telling him everything. Jackson also knew that Captain O’Malley was extending exceptional courtesy. Although Jackson was clearly the senior of the two officers, Captain O’Malley held significantly more authority. He could’ve just taken what he wanted. Jackson started to question the situation he was finding his organization in but stopped short.
“However I can be of service, Captain,” Jackson said.
“Thank you, Colonel. Will you be the one telling Ms. Santiago she has been reassigned?”
“No, I’ll let her branch chief know. He can tell her. He’s on site at Brooks,” Jackson said.
“Colonel, sir, if I may, I’d rather you do it. I want as few people as possible knowing this information. We don’t know if there’s someone on the inside helping these people.”
“Are you suggesting one of my people could be involved in this?” Colonel Jackson asked, sitting up in his chair,
“Not necessarily, Colonel. At this point we don’t know.”
“I wish I could say it wasn’t true.” Jackson looked down at his desk, thinking.
“If it is someone in this organization, there’s a possibility Ms. Santiago could be in danger. That’s why I want this little chat between us kept on the down low. And I would like for you to tell her she’s being reassigned.”
“Do you want me to tell her what you think?”
“Of course not. I’ve got no proof. All she needs to know is she has a new desk. I’ll tell her what I want her to know.”
“Okay, I’ll keep it as minimal as possible.”
“I would appreciate it, Colonel.”
Chapter 12
Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
Information Technology Support Branch
July 28, 2008/1245 Zulu
Anna rushed into the office because she was late for work and hadn’t been able to sleep in two nights. She had an eerie feeling something was wrong somewhere. She’d gone to visit her mother yesterday. Everything was fine. She called her brothers. Everything was fine. She called her grandparents in Kingsville, and they were fine. Tammy was fine. This feeling was driving her crazy.
Beth was waiting for her like an excited child.
“Anna! It’s about time you showed up. Colonel Jackson wants to see you ASAP,” Beth said.
Beth’s eyes widened as she held up the message that had been waiting for Anna.
“Colonel Jackson? Our group commander?” Anna asked.
“Yeah! Yeah! He said as soon as you walked in for you to turn around and come see him. What happened? I know there was a trouble call over the weekend. Did something go wrong?” Beth asked, sensing she’d latched onto something juicy.
“Trouble call? What trouble call, Beth?” Anna asked, puzzled.
“Uh, I saw a note,” she said, turning away.
“What note? Beth, if I have to go see Colonel Jackson, please tell me what you saw,” Anna said calmly.
Anna hadn’t completed a trouble ticket yet and base ops never followed up on a support call. Captain O’Malley had asked her to keep this quiet. The only one who knew she’d been called out was Tammy. How does Beth know about this weekend?
“Uh, it was on Ed’s desk. He left himself a note to talk to you about this weekend,” Beth said sheepishly because she knew she’d been caught snooping.
Anna had forgotten that she’d seen Ed in the office on Saturday.
“Oh? I wasn’t on call this weekend. I’m off to the commander’s office,” Anna said calmly.
“What’s going on Anna? Do you know?”
“I won’t know until after I talk to Colonel Jackson. Will I?” Anna said as she left.
As Anna walked out the door, she heard Beth stomp her foot in frustration. She walked out into the sultry, almost oppressive morning. The weather added to Anna’s miserable mood as she climbed into her own car. The common vehicle they used around the base had no air-conditioning. There was no way she was driving to the other side of San Antonio in this weather with no air-conditioning.
Anna arrived at the group command office within thirty minutes. She entered the building and checked in with the commander’s secretary. She hadn’t had the chance to sit down before Colonel Jackson was asking her to come in and meet with him. The colonel was pleasant as he asked her to come inside his office. Anna was uneasy as he closed the door silently behind her.
“Ms. Santiago? It’s nice to meet you,” Colonel Jackson said, extending his hand.
“Thank you, sir. It’s nice to meet you, too,” Anna said, politely taking his hand.
“May I call you Anna? Please sit down,” Jackson said, taking his own seat.
“Yes, sir.” Anna took a seat.
Colonel opened a folder that was sitting in front of him and glanced at it briefly. “Anna. I want you to know I had a visit today from the commanding officer of Navy Special Warfare Group Five. He has asked me not to send this message forward.”
What’s O’Malley up to? Anna said nothing, deciding to wait until Colonel Jackson asked her a direct question. She wondered if something else happened after she’d left on Saturday.
“He’s also requested that we place you on loan to his organization. And I’ve granted that request.”
Anna felt the blood drain to her feet and she swallowed hard. Work for them! She couldn’t keep quiet any longer.
“For how long, sir? I’m sorry, Colonel Jackson, I don’t understand what’s going on here.”
“You will be there until they no longer need you. Apparently you’re on to something they’ve been tasked with and Captain O’Malley feels that you can help them. Can you tell me a little about this incident?”
Anna hesitated a moment. Captain O’Malley had asked her not to discuss the incident. But, she reasoned, since he’d come and talked with Colonel Jackson, she thought it would be okay to tell him. At least what she considered public information from the work she’d done with the others on the base.
“Yes, sir. There was a virus that seems to be released and contained on Randolph. I worked on twelve computers Fr
iday. All were directorate- or headquarter-level computers. I worked on Captain O’Malley’s on Saturday. I’ve checked the logs for our other branches and none of the other bases reported any incidents like what we experienced. So, I started digging around and found some pretty odd occurrences the night before on our e-mail and internet servers. While working on the first five computers, I figured it was more of an annoyance. It affects the networking and mail services.”
“Go on,” Colonel Jackson said, encouraging her.
“When I got to the seventh computer, I figured out a backdoor was opened to the network, so I shut it. I went back to the previous computers and found they had been compromised so I shut down the file that was causing the vulnerability. I worked on the remaining five. Late in the afternoon, I went back to the office and got this message out. I figured headquarters should be notified. That’s our policy, sir. Have I done something wrong?” Anna asked.
“I don’t think you did anything wrong. In fact it sounds as if you did everything right. How late did you stay on Friday?”
“I stayed until about eight, sir. I wanted to make sure I had shut down every possible vulnerability I could think of. I hope I’ve got them all. I was planning on spending the day reading through the security logs for any unusual activity.”
“Well, go report in with Captain O’Malley and then, if he lets you, do what you can to make sure this thing is contained and not allowing unauthorized access,” Jackson said.
“Sir, my access from the systems will be removed. It’s standard protocol when someone leaves the area.”
“I don’t think we want to do that, Anna. I want you to make sure this thing is shut down for good. Inform Captain O’Malley of our protocol and let him make that decision. That’s all, Anna,” Jackson said, rising from his chair.
“Yes, sir,” Anna said, taking the hint.
Anna rose and dismissed herself. She was troubled as she drove back to Randolph. What are those guys doing here? Anna was back at Randolph before she knew it. She entered the hangar with an uneasy feeling and slowly made her way to Captain O’Malley’s office. She opened the glass door and was greeted by his admin who was in uniform as well. Anna wondered if this group even had civilians.
