Necessary Retribution

by Mike McNeff

  “When you were in the Riverine Force? Did you know Bud Hallen?”

  “Damn sure did! He served on my second boat! How do you know Bud?”

  “He's on the Arizona Highway Patrol. I used to work with him. He used to tell me about his boat commander. He spoke highly of you.”

  “Well I'll be damned. I'd like to see that man again.”

  “I'm sure he'd like to see you too, sir.” Robin took several deep breaths. “Okay, I'll listen.”

  There were several minutes of silence. “Well, Colonel, let's start with you telling me what's going on.”

  Robin took another deep breath. “Admiral, we're going to get along a lot better if you just tell the FBI negotiator to go home. If we can't talk as fellow warriors, then this conversation is going nowhere.”

  Another period of silence went by. “Okay, Colonel, he's gone.”

  “Call me Robin, Admiral. Like I said, I don't think the colonel title is valid anymore.”

  “Okay, Robin, let's start over. As I understand it, you are in possession of items a lot of people want, including nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, no one has really explained to me what they are and who owns them.”

  “Myself and Colonel Alexander Prokenzi from the GRU, we're in possession of two Russian tactical nukes stolen from the Soviets by a renegade general named Picushkin. We stopped him from delivering them to the Al-Qaeda terrorist group. We also seized fifty million dollars in cash. Alex has taken the two nukes and twenty-five million dollars onto the sub along with General Picushkin. I have the other twenty five million.”

  “I was told there were other top secret documents on the yacht.”

  “We'll have to talk about that if and when we meet. I also have a wounded Pakistani ISI agent in custody with me. I did have a Chinese Intelligence agent in custody also, but you guys just killed him. Lastly, I have a young Pakistani boy who was made an orphan during this whole mess and who you guys have managed to scare shitless. That's the score so far.”

  “You stopped the delivery of nukes to Al-Qaeda?!”

  “My team and Alex's Spetsnaz team did. Then Alex and I recovered two more on this yacht. Call the Russian sub and ask for Colonel Prokenzi. He'll verify what I just told you.”

  “Can you standby for a few?” Robin's phone was beeping an incoming call from Ernie.

  “Well, I was planning to drop a line in the water and see what I could catch, but I'll wait.”

  The Admiral laughed. “Okay, Robin. I'll get right back with you.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Robin switched calls.

  “Hey, Ernie, are you guys all right?”

  “Us?! Did they try to kill you?”

  “Indeed they did.”

  “That does it. I'm going to the media.”

  “Hold on, ol’ buddy. Things have calmed down. Just hang loose until I get back to you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I'm sure.”

  “Okay, if you say so Rob, but personally I think we should blast everything to the media.”

  “Don't do anything yet.”

  Robin ended the call. He looked at Ahmed, who still trembled. “Ahmed, it's going to be all right. I'll take care of you. Do you have any family in Pakistan now?”

  “I have an uncle, but he is mean. He beats my aunt and my cousins.”

  “What about grandparents?”

  “They died.”

  “Okay, one way or the other I will make sure you and your brother are going to be safe.”

  Ahmed hugged Robin tight. “I want to go home with you!”

  “I'd like that myself, Ahmed, I just don't know if I can swing it, but we'll give it the ol’ college try.”

  The phone beeped.

  “Hello.”

  “Robin, I just talked to Colonel Prokenzi and he verified everything you told me. I can't tell you how upset I am this situation got so far out of hand and I will tell the president he needs to fire whoever recommended you be targeted.”

  “Okay, Admiral. Where do we go from here.”

  “Can we give the ISI agent back to the Pakistanis?”

  “Admiral, this asshole is the main contact with Al-Qaeda for the ISI. He is an intelligence bonanza, if we can hang on to him.”

  “As much as I would like to keep him, the Paks are raising hell and threatening to sever ties with us if we don't give him back.”

  “Of course they are. They don't want us to know what they've been up to.”

  “Robin, I have to give him back.”

  Robin took a deep breath and shook his head. “You're running the show, Admiral.”

  “Good. They're sending a boat over now. The choppers are coming back, but this time it's to protect you.”

  “I can take care of myself, thank you.”

  “Work with me, Robin.”

  Robin weighed his options…there weren't many. “All right, Admiral. I'm putting a lot of faith in you.”

  “I know, Robin. I know.”

  A few minutes later the helicopters came back as a tender from the Pakistani destroyer that came along side the yacht. Four unarmed sailors came aboard, put the ISI agent on a stretcher and took him off the yacht. Ahmed starting trembling more and held tightly to Robin.

  “Robin are you there?”

  “I'm here, Admiral.”

  “Are you ready to be picked up?”

  “The boy and I are ready.”

  “The Russians say they'll take the boy. They have his brother at Osh.”

  Alex came over the gunwale from the sub. Robin stood up with Ahmed. Alex gave Robin his usual bear hug.

  “I thought they were going to kill you. I demanded the submarine captain shoot down the helicopters, but he refused.”

  “Well, that just means he's a lot smarter than both of us. Why do you want Ahmed?”

  Alex grinned. “My Sergeant Major must retire because of his age. He has no family. He wants to adopt both boys and teach them what he knows.”

  “Damn, that could be one hell of an education!”

  Robin put his hands on Ahmed's shoulders and translated what Alex just said. Ahmed began to cry.

  “I want to go with you!”

  “Ahmed, I'll find a way to make sure we're not far apart. It's a promise. Right now, I need you to go with Alex.”

  Alex knelt down and faced Ahmed. “We will take good care of you and your brother, Ahmed. Come with me and we'll get a good dinner and some ice cream and in a few hours you will be with your brother.”

  Ahmed looked at both men. He turned to Robin and hugged him. Alex held out his hand and Ahmed took it. Robin watched as the giant of a man gently took Ahmed away. As they were walking to the conning tower of the sub, Alex turned and saluted Robin. He saluted back. He ducked into the salon and retrieved his gear and the other briefcase with the money and went back out on the deck. One of the helicopters lowered a penetrator seat and Robin climbed in. Moments later he was on his way to Admiral Ellison with an uneasy stomach.

  FORTY-SIX

  ROBIN LAY ON THE BUNK in the stateroom the Admiral assigned him. When he arrived on the carrier, Admiral Ellison met him on the flight deck and took him to his stateroom. There Robin gave him a complete debriefing on all the missions that began three months before. When he finished, Admiral Ellison was furious…at Washington. When he got around to asking Robin about the Russian battle plans for conflict with NATO, the discussion became a little tense.

  “Yes, Admiral, the plans were on the boat.”

  “Where are they?”

  “I'm a little curious, sir. How did you know the plans were on the yacht?”

  The Admiral shifted uncomfortably in his seat and drew a deep breath. “NATO made a deal with Picushkin to buy the plans.”

  Robin was stunned, angry and confused all at once. “Wait a minute, then why did the CIA give us the equipment to take down Picushkin?”

  “Compartmentalization. The CIA didn't know until after you took off with the yacht…something they
didn't expect you to do. They expected you to take Picushkin to the airport and be picked up by your plane. The NATO op was being run by MI6 and Germany's BND. When they learned you and your friend had stolen the yacht and Picushkin, they went ballistic and started looking for blood. Apparently the CIA Director agreed.”

  “What a mess.”

  “I agree, but I need to know what happened to the plans.”

  “Alex took them. After all, they belonged to the Soviet Union.”

  Ellison let out an exasperated breath. “NATO is really going to be pissed.”

  “Really?! What's that bunch of little ol’ ladies going to do? They are so politically correct, they're worthless. It serves them right for playing bullshit games.”

  Ellison broke out laughing. “Well, you're probably right.”

  “Look Admiral, isn't it the accepted philosophy the cold war stays cold because of the balance of military power?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Well, it seems to me if NATO had bought those plans from Picushkin, the balance of power would be drastically altered and that wouldn't be a good thing.”

  Ellison looked at Robin for moment. “I'm beginning to think a lot of people under estimate you. I promise I will never make that mistake.”

  Robin smiled as he remembered the admiral's comment, but at this very moment he was starving. During the debriefing with the admiral, Robin only asked for coffee. He didn't dare leave his stateroom. He figured he was in enough shit. He heard a knock at his door. He got up and answered it. A young Marine sergeant stood at attention before him. The man looked nervous and ill.

  “What's up, Sergeant?”

  “Sir, Sergeant Enos Barclay requesting permission to speak with you, sir.”

  “Come on in, Sergeant.”

  Robin waved the Marine in and sat on his bunk. “Have a seat at the desk.”

  Barclay stood at attention. “Sir, I think it's best for me to remain formal.”

  “Sergeant, I've had one hell of a day and formality really isn't on my list of things I need. Will you please sit down?”

  Barclay seemed to deflate and he almost collapsed into the chair.

  “Are you all right, Barclay?”

  “No, sir, I'm not. I came here to apologize, sir.” Barclay took a deep breath. “I'm the sniper who tried to kill you today.” Tears started streaming down the Marine's face and he blurted, “In my heart I knew it was a bad order, sir, but I went ahead and took the shot anyway. I'm so ashamed.”

  Robin was taken aback and didn't know what to say to Barclay.

  The Marine took a deep breath. “I've told my lieutenant I'm quitting the Marines and I'm here to ask you to forgive me, sir.”

  Many thoughts went through Robin's head before he could formulate a reply. “What do your friends call you, Barclay.”

  “They call me Eno, sir.”

  “Well, Eno you can call me, Rob. Were you given a direct order?”

  “Yes, sir and I did question the order, but I was told they didn't want my opinion.”

  Robin chuckled. “I'm sure that's the case. Well, here's the deal, Eno. Apparently, someone advised the president I was a proven traitor. I don't know exactly who just yet, but that's the scoop I've received so far. Would you have a problem shooting a traitor?”

  “If they're an American citizen, I think they should be convicted in court before we decide they're a traitor.”

  “I like your thinking, but what if the traitor possessed nuclear weapons and intended to use them against innocent people?”

  “If that were the case, I believe I would have to shoot.”

  “I do too. That's what the president was told. It's not true, but that's what the president thought he was acting on.”

  Barclay looked at Robin. “Still, I have a problem shooting American citizens. I signed on to shoot communists and terrorists.”

  “Think about this. Police officers kill American citizens all the time, in justified shootings. Why should you be any different? It's been my experience, that if you're going to be a shooter on behalf of the government, you can't think in black and white. The world is too complicated and you have good sensibilities. I wouldn't quit the Marines, if I were you.”

  Barclay looked at the floor in thought.

  “And one more thing, Eno. Always look at the end result. You said you signed on to kill communists and terrorists, right?”

  Barclay nodded his head.

  “Well, the guy you whacked was a Chinese intelligence agent working with Al-Qaeda terrorists and let's not forget he tried to kill little ol’ me, by the way. So, you actually saved my life and killed a guy who was a communist and a terrorist. The way you got there may not be pretty, but it sounds like a good day's work to me.”

  Barclay looked up and shook his head smiling. “I came here thinking you would hate me and instead you're making me feel a whole lot better.”

  “Well, I do hate you, Eno, but I'll stop hating you if you can get me some place where I can get something to eat. I'm starving!”

  Both men laughed. “Can I do that? Will we get into trouble?”

  Robin shrugged his shoulders. “I'm not under arrest and no one told me I couldn't leave my stateroom, I just didn't think I should be roaming around without an escort.”

  Barclay stood up. “Well, then let's go!”

  “Good, but let's stop in to see your lieutenant first and tell him you've changed your mind.”

  “Okay, Rob. Thank you.”

  Admiral Ellison wrote a full report of his interview with Robin and sent it directly to the White House. An hour later he received a coded message from the president relating several high ranking individuals in the CIA and the White House staff were fired, including James Chapple. The admiral learned Jordan Yates had been appointed the new Director of the CIA and a William Grassley was named the new Director for Operations. The president asked the admiral to give a message to Robin. A message the admiral was happy to give.

  He went down to Robin's stateroom and when he couldn't find him the admiral found out Robin was in the galley with a group of Marines. As he neared the galley, the admiral heard loud laughter, which abruptly stopped as he entered the door. All the Marines stood at attention as did Robin.

  “Why is it every time I show up the fun stops? Please be at ease gentlemen.”

  “Care to join us for a cup of coffee, Admiral?” Robin asked.

  “Actually, I think I'll see if I can get a hamburger.”

  Sgt. Smiley turned to a very young private. “Cameron, get the admiral a hamburger. Want some fries with that Admiral?”

  “I can get my own food, Sergeant, but thank you.”

  Smiley indicated to Cameron to still get the hamburger. “Ah, sir, we don't get to talk to you that often and well, sir…we've had worse admirals. Just consider it a token of our appreciation.”

  Admiral Ellison smiled. “Okay, that would be great, Sergeant.” He sat next to Robin. “So Robin, have the Marines been telling tales of their combat prowess?”

  “Actually, sir,” Barclay said, “Robin has been telling us cop stories.”

  The Admiral gave Robin a surprised look.

  “My prior life, sir.”

  “Oh yeah, you did mention you worked with Bud Hallen on the highway patrol.”

  Robin shrugged. “Seems like a long time ago.”

  The master chief of the galley delivered the Admiral's hamburger and stood by, a little nervous, to see the Admiral's reaction. The chief left with a smile on his face when the Admiral said, “Damn good burger, Chief.”

  As the admiral ate his burger, Robin resumed answering questions about police work. Several of the Marines said they intended to apply for a law enforcement job when they left the military and Robin gave them some advice. Then a Marine asked Robin about what he did now. The admiral interrupted.

  “Gentlemen, as you can imagine, the colonel, cannot discuss his current assignment. What he does now for a living is even beyond my security
clearance.”

  Silence descended upon the group. Then Robin spoke up. “Hell, guys, are you going to let rank destroy a blooming friendship?” The group broke out in laughter.

  The admiral stood up. “Gentlemen, I have sincerely enjoyed your company, a welcome break for me. Unfortunately, I must steal the colonel from you. We have some important matters to discuss.”

  Robin stood up and shook hands with the Marines. The one who asked about his current assignment took his hand and looked him in the eye. “If you need a good man, sir, I'd like a shot at your unit.”

  “What's your specialty, Marine?”

  “Sneak and peek,” a voice said from the group. The others laughed.

  “That's a good specialty in my kind of work, Marine.” Robin looked at his name tag. “I'll keep you in mind.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  When they were in the admiral's stateroom, he reached into a cabinet and produced a bottle of Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey. “I don't know about you, but I could use a drink after today.”

  “Amen, Admiral. I came real close to dying today.”

  The admiral poured two fingers of whiskey in the glasses. He held up his glass to toast. “I salute an American hero.”

  Robin was momentarily confused. “Are you referring to me, Admiral?”

  “Yes, I am, Robin. What you did these last couple of days was nothing short of heroic.”

  Robin took a sip of his whiskey. “I'm no hero, Admiral. Certainly, not an American hero. We were once cops who tried not to hurt anyone, including suspects. Now we kill just to survive and it has reached the point where killing has become a mere afterthought. I've killed sleeping men, men who didn't know I was near them and men who were simply doing an assigned task at a particular moment. They were all involved in acts threatening innocent people, but I gave them no warning…no chance to surrender. I just killed them.” Robin's eyes met the admiral's. “My men and I have become dark and dangerous shadows moving through the night grappling with a squirming underworld. I've become unsure of just what and who the enemy really is…I just react to threats to the innocent people on this earth.”