“Explain,” he said, glaring at the man he would sooner kill than talk to. He was American and every American needed to die.
“Researchers discovered that swine flu survivors had super immune systems with antibodies that could kill off any new flu virus, not just the H1N1. Their immune systems went into overdrive. There is a possibility this could occur with Virus EA2 which Dr. Bjornson created, since we used a strain of H1N1 and bound it to the Plague. We’d need a survivor of EA2, and I doubt there are many. It was engineered that way,” Palin said, his words dripping regret.
Callum nodded. “There may be one, possibly two. If we retrieve these individuals, how long would it take to recreate the vaccine?”
“Normally months. Sometimes never, but you have his notes. I’ve looked through them. It’s possible to reverse engineer and identify the antibodies if you can find someone who survived.”
Callum turned to his security captain. “Take half those crates and deliver them to Arizona by tomorrow. I want them in place for a deployment on my word. The second shipment will be driven to California. Leave ten crates here. You, Captain, have a special mission.”
“Yes, sir,” the security captain nodded and motioned for his men to get moving.
“You will remain with me, Dr. Palin.”
“Mr. Dafoe.” A tall, lanky Arab stepped forward. “I’ve received a report the military have been sighted in Bosque. An evacuation of all residences near the Rio Grande has begun.”
“And the virus?” Dafoe asked.
“Doing its job,” the young radical said with pride, as if he invented it. “Reports say the clinics are lined up with the sick in the valley. Others will continue their daily business and pass it on to each other. More will leave their towns. It’s spreading. With no vaccine, they will all die. The government will be forced to call their military out of the Middle East to enforce quarantines and control the population.” The young man nodded in respect. “Word of you has reached our brothers across the world. Some already revere you for what you have single-handedly done, Mr. Dafoe.”
Young minds filled with hate were so easy to hire. In every state, some immigrants with chips on their shoulders gorged on what America had to offer and reveled in the opportunity to stab her in the back. Even young men and women who’d never stepped foot in their ancestral homeland were ready to pick up a weapon and double-cross the Americans. He used it to his advantage. Since his wife had died, he held the same contempt. It fueled his revenge. The SEALs would not stop him.
“What is your name?” Callum asked the man.
“Adeeb.”
“Remain here, Adeeb.”
The young man nodded and stepped to the side of the security captain.
“Dr. Palin, wait for me in my office.” He looked pale and beaten down, but the doctor had better find a second wind because Callum didn’t plan on expiring with the rest of the population. He turned his attention to Adeeb and the security captain. “Find Lumin Edenridge. She was given the second virus and I believe she’s alive. I think the military has the vaccine. If we can’t get it, we need her. Bring her back here.”
Both men acknowledged his request and left.
* * * *
“Petty Officer Bale,” Tony said, answering his cell.
“Tinman, it’s Kayla.”
“Were you successful with the Cochito Band?”
“Affirmative, but the agreement is hardly binding and they were very resistant, and with good reason. Holding the water back means they endanger their lands. They told me there’s been heavy rain the last month in Colorado and many of the underground tributaries are feeding into the Rio Grande. You’re gonna be on the clock, Tinman.”
“Understood. What about the canisters?”
“That’s why I’m calling. Aircraft was in flight five minutes ago. ETA fourteen ten hours.”
“Can you do me a favor?”
“Course, what do you need?”
“Will you check in on Lumin for me?”
“Shit, Tony, ya think I haven’t already? They released her this morning. She’s shaky, but she wanted out of the plastic bubble something awful.”
He laughed. “I bet. I want her to stay at my place.”
Kayla chuckled.
“What? Oh shut the hell up, woman.”
Kayla’s voice altered to something akin to a teasing big sister and said, “Picked out a ring yet?”
“What? No,” he drawled and paused. “Should I? Maybe I should?”
“Tony, for frig’s sake, I’m kidding.”
“I’m not.”
“Have you lost it? You’ve known her a millisecond. She almost died and that scared you, but you’re going to have time to get to know each other. Well…after stopping a pandemic and finishing off your seven-month deployment.”
“No fucking way,” he hollered. “Kayla, you have to help me. Can we get married over the phone? Video call?”
“Whoa, Tinman, listen to me. In fact, standby one.”
“Petty Officer Callahan,” Mace answered.
Oh, for shit’s sake. “Kayla, he’s standing fifteen feet away from me.”
“I know that,” she said, linking all three of them together on a conference call. “But this is easier.”
Mace lifted his hand in a “what the fuck” gesture. “Mace, talk to Tinman.”
Mace walked toward him. “What’s up?”
“I want you to go find Tinman’s good sense,” Kayla ordered. “He’s obviously misplaced it. He wants to marry Lumin.”
Mace choked back a laugh. “Nothing wrong with that, is there? She’s hot, probably keep him out of trouble for the next fifty years.”
“He wants to marry her now,” Kayla announced.
“Now as in…now? Ah, T-man, ya want to do that before or after we blow up a major highway?”
“Now,” he said.
Mace cocked his head and his brows rose. “You’re not kidding.”
“I’m not kiddin’.”
“You haven’t even asked her yet, Tony. It’s not exactly a ‘sweep a girl off her feet moment’ you’re planning.”
“She’ll say yes.”
Kayla stammered then said, “Mace, help me out here.”
Mace cleared his throat. “I think she might, Kayla.”
“You’re both stupid,” she spit at them.
He and Mace broke out laughing.
“Can we do one thing at a time, and this is not the time, Tony.”
“I want her to have my name. What if something goes wrong? She’ll get all my benefits. She’ll have my place. I know you guys will look after her.”
“Tony,” Kayla yelled. “Gaaaah. Get on the phone, Nina.”
“Why am I on the phone?” Nina said, coming on the line.
“Hey, babe,” Mace said, winking at him.
“I’ve got a ton of shit to do. Hi, hot stuff,” Nina said, the sound of papers shuffled close to the phone.
“Intervention,” Kayla said sharply. “Tony wants to ask Lumin to marry him, as in now. Right now. As in get the pastor, now.”
“T-man,” Nina screeched. “Seriously, that’s too cool.”
“Nina!” Kayla yelped.
“What? I think it’s sweet,” Nina said, siding with him.
Tony laughed knowing Kayla was gonna round out on him any second. “That’s three against one, Kayla.”
Kayla huffed. “Well, it’s going to be two against three and Lumin’s vote evens it out. You need to spend time together. You’ve talked on the phone, and spent some precious, if not earth-shattering, hours together, but this is an important decision. Neither of you should jump into this like crazy teenagers.”
Kayla was doing a good job voicing the concerns of a big sister or his mom, who he didn’t talk to enough, but maybe he should. If Lumin married him, she’d become part of his small, dysfunctional family. “What if I ask her and she says yes?”
“Then,” Kayla paused. “Then you’re engaged, and it should stay th
at way for at least a few months. She’s only twenty-four, Tony. Her parents will no doubt want to be part of this. Not to mention they’ll want her to finish her degree.”
He hated Kayla sometimes. She always managed to find the weak point. “She can still do that while we’re married. In fact, she won’t have to work anymore. Lumin can concentrate on school alone.”
“Tony,” Kayla shouted. “Do I have to get my husband on the phone?”
“Oh sure, pull out the big guns.” He rolled his eyes and Mace broke out laughing, and so did Nina. “Why the hell do you guys get to be married and I don’t?”
“T-man,” Nina said, still chuckling, “you have to admit, we kinda knew our husbands for more than one day. I think Lumin is perfect for you, but this is only a couple shades off a Las Vegas shotgun wedding. Don’t you want to ask her when you’re face to face?”
“That could be months, Ninja girl.”
The looming task of controlling a virus settled on all of them and no one spoke. Everything could change if they weren’t successful. He and Lumin were immune to the virus, but millions weren’t, and he and the squad could be months dealing with an international disaster.
“Thanks for the words of wisdom, girls.”
Nina said, “Good luck, T-man. I’ll take care of the mother hen here.”
He hung up and Mace gave him a raised brow. “You’re gonna do it, aren’t you?”
“Yup.”
“Ditz,” Mace yelled over his shoulder. “We need a laptop over here for a video chat.”
“What for?” Ditz asked as he approached him.
“Just give it to him.”
Ditz shrugged and offered his. “Use this icon,” he said, pointing at the screen.
“Thanks, man.” He took a big breath and hoped the stars were all aligned. He sauntered over to a sizeable rock jutting from the sand surrounded by tufts of tough grass that managed to find a will to live in the hot terrain. He hunched down and sent Lumin a text to sign on to his computer at home. Within a few seconds she answered.
Sure, standby.
A broad smile tightened his cheeks, and then the reality of what he was about to do sent his heart into thumping beats.
“Hi,” she said, settling down in a chair at his kitchen table. She moved slowly and winced a little.
“Hey, my lady.” She looked a thousand times better than when he’d been forced to leave her and rejoin the squad.
“Are you okay?” she asked, her smile giving him courage.
A mirage of images lay out like a portfolio in his mind. He’d never tire of waking up and turning over to see her smile and those eyes first thing in the morning. He remembered the look of lost faith when she thought she would die and he willed the heavens to let her live. Seeing her ponytail flounce behind her when she’d crossed the casino lobby and knew she was special. He clearly saw a lifetime with her and he closed his little black book on bachelorhood.
“I’m doing all right, except I’d rather be there with you.”
“I’d have to agree.” She gave him a sweet wink. “I’d like to know what that beard feels like on my cheek.”
“That might be a while,” he said and gave her a thoughtful look.
“I understand.” She reached out her hand and slid a finger down the screen. “I can use my imagination.”
He balled his hands, wishing he could hold her. “It won’t be easy for us, but I know one thing for sure.”
She cocked her head, waiting.
“I always want to come home to you. I don’t need months to figure out who we are, I know it’s going to be you and me.” With a curled brow he said, “But if you need time, then we’ll take time.”
“What are you talking about, Tony? Of course we’ll have time.”
He nipped at his lip. “Lumin, I wanted to ask you—”
“I can’t wait to introduce you to my parents. I think they’ll love you.”
His request took a step back and then curled itself in a corner. Meet her parents. Kayla’s lecture bit him in his “do the right thing” ass. He was almost thirty-one. He’d lived. Lumin had just begun. She had milestones she needed to cross, and he wanted to be there to see them, but chances were he’d miss a lot of them depending on duty. Being a SEAL meant missing a huge portion of their life together until he retired from active duty, but he didn’t know when that would be.
His gaze fell to the rock.
“What’s wrong? My parents will get used to the fact that you’re not Catholic. I know you said you want to become one. I promise it’ll be all right, even if you’ve changed your mind.”
He nodded and gave her a reassuring smile. “I hope so.”
“Tony,” she paused. “Something is wrong, tell me.” Her expression scrunched with worry.
“Just concerned about you.” Which was the truth. He looked over his shoulder to see the squad milling by the river bank. Duty first. He rebelled against the thought. He wanted Lumin to come first, but she never would. Not in his world, even if that’s all he wanted. “We have to get moving. I just wanted to check on you.”
“Okay,” she said meekly. “Tony, I’m going to rest up for a few days, but I’ll be out of your apartment as soon as possible. I talked with my brother today. He wants me to come stay with him and his family.”
He grasped the edges of the laptop and looked into her eyes. Did she think he wanted her gone? “I want you to stay near the base. Kayla and Nina are close by. If you need anything call them. I don’t know when I’ll be back, but my place is yours.” He swallowed heavily. “Ours.”
“Ours?”
His nerves jumped like he’d drank a bucket of caffeine. He must be confusing the shit out of her. This being a gentleman shit had rough edges that were making him bleed internally. “I want you to do what’s right for you. If it means you don’t think we’re a good fit—”
Lumin surveyed him for a moment. He didn’t have to wear his heart on his sleeve when it came to this woman; it just marched on out of his chest without permission.
“You called for a reason. Are you trying to tell me in a nice way to hit the road?”
Her sweet voice reached out to him and nearly hit the detonator button on his desires. “I just want you to be safe.”
She picked up a piece of paper and held it in front of the camera. A list of eight names and telephone numbers, all of them women, some of them with a short message but very definitive, made him wince. Pulling the paper aside so he could see her again she said, “That was the first three hours.” She shrugged. “I’ll leave it on the counter for you.”
“Throw it in the garbage,” he said quickly. “I didn’t call to dump you. I called because I can’t stand it anymore. Twelve hours without seeing you is too long.” He ran his tongue over his dry bottom lip. The sun beat down on him and his body leached sweat inside his fatigues. SEAL training taught a man to ignore uncomfortable, but his feelings for Lumin seemed to grow even when he wasn’t in her presence. It sat somewhere in the extreme yearning mode, or higher. He kept asking himself why. She was beautiful, but so were a lot of other women. It made no sense, except for maybe the thought that she had given her innocence to him. He had to honor that. Age-old thinking, maybe even possessive, and there was no doubt it had hit him hard when Ed had come on to her, and that was even before he’d touched her.
“Tony, stop worrying about me. You saved my life, now go save the world.”
Good sense flew out the window, carried on the wings of selfish need. He needed to know she was his. Forever. “Not until you agree to marry me because I can’t take on the world unless you’re beside me.”
Lumin’s eyes grew into blue saucers. “What?” she said on a whispery exhale.
He cleared his throat, took a deep breath and said, “Lumin Edenridge, I promise I will do this right when we’re together again, but I’m asking if you’ll marry me.”
Lumin leaned back in her chair. “You’re not kidding,” she said, looking shell-shocked.
Maybe he should have listened to Kayla and Nina, they were girls after all. “Ahhh, no, I’m not.”
“I—I mean we, we haven’t talked about things that matter.”
“Like what?” he said, seeing the guys milling; he knew he had to get moving.
“Well,” she said, nervously. “Like children. Maybe you hate children.”
“I don’t. I love Squirt and Kelsey and I want us to have a family, but only when you’re ready,” he added.
“What about my schooling?”
“Finish it. I can support us both until you do.”
A nervous laugh escaped her and she shook her head. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes.”
“T-man, we gotta go,” Mace said from behind him, then leaned over. “Hey, Lumin, how ya doing, girl?”
“I’m all right, Mace.”
Mace grinned at her. “Did you say yes?”
She laughed. “Not yet.”
“That’s what he deserves. Keep him dangling.”
“I don’t think I can.”
Tony held his breath waiting for the next part. Lumin quickly scribbled something on the paper where she’d taken the messages. Slowly she lifted it in front of the monitor and turned it. His blood pressure spiked and he stopped breathing until the other side faced him. He let out a huge breath and laughed, and Mace did too. It said, “Affirmative, T-man.”
“I love you, Lumin.” She gave him the sweetest smile. It wedged itself in his heart and that’s where he’d keep it. “We gotta go, Mrs. Bale.”
Her grin broadened. “Keep your center, Tony.”
He nodded, feeling like he’d won a prize fight, taken out every Tango on the planet and stood in the winner’s circle of life. “You’re my center, Lumin. Everything else is moving but us. Bye, my lady.”
She waved at him and the screen went dark. He closed the laptop with a snap and rose to his feet. Mace nodded at him. “Do I need to ask?”
Mace shrugged. “Hell no, man. I’ve stood beside you through a shit storm, I’d be proud to stand by you when you marry Lumin.”
“Thanks, man. Let’s get this done and find Dafoe.” His face felt like it was going to split with the wide grin he couldn’t restrain. “She said yes.”
Code Name: Luminous Page 24
