by Kyle West
Vivian is a little overwhelmed as Insp. Clark talks fast and very formal. She responds, “Thank you sir. Thank you for your attention to my husband’s death. I need to know what happened for me so my heart can rest.” He tells her that he totally understands and tells her he will do all he can do for her. Vivian says, “I do not have my car with me. I left my car at work across town.”
The Inspector responds, “Yes ma'am N.O.P.D. made us aware of that. Where are you staying? I can pick you up. I can be there in twenty minutes. Or you can take a cab here and we'll reimburse you. We’re not that far from you, whatever works for you Mrs. Baylor.”
Vivian tells him, “I'll get Det. Ellis to bring me later today.”
Insp. Clark responds, “Oh no ma'am part of the investigation includes the New Orleans Police Department. It would be a problem if Det. Ellis brought you here okay.”
A concerned Vivian asks, “Oh no! Is he a threat to me Mr. Clark?”
The Inspector responds, “No. Not at all. This is well we can't talk about this on the phone. Is 9 o'clock a good time for us to meet Mrs. Baylor? Do you want me to send a car for you?”
Vivian replies, “I'm getting ready to head out with Det. Ellis within the next half hour. I have to prepare for Jesse's wake tonight. I should be able to come by about 1 o'clock this afternoon.”
Insp. Clark explains to Vivian, “I understand ma’am. Mrs. Baylor it is very important that we meet as soon as possible. We're close to putting this case to bed, we just really need to confirm some dates and places etc. We want whoever killed your husband to come to justice that’s what we all want. So whenever you can get here I’ll be waiting okay ma’am.”
Overwhelmed by the Inspector's persistence Vivian responds, “Yes. I understand. I will be there but what about Det. Ellis? I have to go to the police station with him today I think.”
Insp. Clarks tells her, “Tell him you have family obligations which you do. He should understand. This will just take about twenty-minutes ma’am.”
Vivian tells the Inspector that she will be there shortly as she ends the call.
3 weeks earlier…
Catacamas, Honduras is where one of the various American military installations is located. Jesse, McKenna and Novak are walking toward the cafeteria when they are summoned by Private Santiago to go meet with Major Applewhite at the Administration building immediately. The three M.I.C.O. soldiers quickly change directions and hurry over to meet with the Major. On arrival they get clearance from security before heading up to the second floor of the two-story building, where Major Applewhite's office is located. When the three soldiers enter the waiting lounge, the major's secretary instructs them to go and have a seat in the waiting room down the hall. The three soldiers spot Starr, Barone and Dixon (Rome) already sitting outside Major Applewhite’s office. The six men are very surprised to see each other.
McKenna asks his colleagues, “What’s up guys? What are you doing here?
Rome responds, “I was on my way Miami when I got the call. No reason other than show up!”
The six commandos figure it’s probably prep for another mission.
The secretary, Pvt. Oberman comes into the waiting area and tells the soldiers that the major is ready to see them. She adds, “Please follow me gentlemen."
The six M.I.C.O. soldiers enter to find Major Applewhite standing behind his desk. He tells them not to sit down and that the meeting will not be long. Also present at the meeting are two unidentified men; one is dressed in military fatigues and the other is dressed in a corporate blue suit. The men do not look friendly or speak. As Major Applewhite introduces everyone, the two men quickly stand up from their chairs.
Major Applewhite snaps, “Men this is Sgt. Bennett from Battalion #163 and Mr. Jeffrey Campbell from the Department of Justice. They have a few questions for you.”
Mr. Campbell quickly jumps in and asks if the men turned in all evidence from the Venezuelan project.
The soldiers look amongst each other and without hesitation say, “Yes Sir. You got everything we retrieved from the project Sir.”
McKenna further asks Major Applewhite if there's a problem.
Mr. Campbell interrupts, “Soldier do not speak unless I tell you to. Do you understand?”
“Sir, yes sir.”, as he looks to Major Applewhite to explain to them what is going on.
Mr. Campbell steps in front of the soldiers and takes command of the conversation and continues, “You guys are highly decorated soldiers. You took an oath that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that you will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Understood? By no means will this government be taken advantage of by any and I mean any individual of any rank. No incompetence or disrespect will be tolerated by any outfit men. Are we perfectly clear men?”
Sgt. Bennett jumps in and steps right to McKenna who on paper is the leader of the M.I.C.O. Unit. “Son whatever problems you had out there, this is your time to fix it, right now.”
McKenna looks over to Major Applewhite with a look of utter confusion.
The Major interjects, “Gentlemen I’ll take it from here. I’m sure everything here will come to order. My men are thorough. Thank you Sergeant for coming out here.”
Nothing more is said by Sgt. Bennett and Mr. Campbell. The confused soldiers stand in silence as Maj. Applewhite motions for them to leave the room. The Major tells Sgt. Bennett and Mr. Campbell that he will be right with them as he walks the soldiers out to the empty waiting room. Nothing is said until Maj. Applewhite stops them in the corridor and softly says while looking to the ground, “You boys sure you got everything out of there?”
McKenna abruptly cuts in, “Major Sir, what the hell was that Sir?”
Starr interjects, “Sir talk to us.”
Novak puts his hand on Starr’s chest and says to the major, “Sir I do not want to see them again at all. Things got crazy out there, if we screwed something up just let us know ok. I really don’t appreciate them coming at us like that.”
Maj. Applewhite rudely interrupts and in a whispery voice so not to be overheard all over the office, “You don't appreciate? You boys fucked up, fucked up big time. I don’t appreciate those bean-counting suits coming down here sticking their noses in my fucking operations!”
Major Applewhite in an even softer voice continues, “Boys you better make sure you turned over all and I do mean all evidence and detail from the project. You better look in your shoes, the bottom of your sock drawer, your girlfriend’s house, your glove compartment, whatever. Listen to me carefully…the Virgo-62 project. Go over your notes again and make sure everything was turned in, ok men?”
The six M.I.C.O. soldiers stand in the waiting room stunned as the major walks back into his office.
The soldiers start to talk amongst themselves getting louder and louder, trying to figure out what major Applewhite could be talking about. Novak stops the conversation and tells the others that they cannot talk there.
McKenna says, “Yea. Right. My place, right now?”
Starr and Barone say, “We have a briefing in fifteen minutes.”
Rome adds, “I got that thing in Miami, it’s an overnight assignment Greg, I leave in an hour.”
McKenna responds, “Damn. Ok. Guys! Don’t say anything about this meeting, anywhere!”
Novak…looking back at Major Applewhite’s office door says, “I don't trust those assholes. All our places might have ears in them.”
McKenna continues the conversation, “We gotta meet and figure this shit out tonight guys. Must! Rome we are going to have to fill you in when you get back. Keep your mouths shut about this guys!”
7:20 local time…
McKenna and Novak are dressed in civilian clothing, driving in a military issued Crown
Victoria. They stop off at a local convenience store to get something to drink and snack on. Salva Vida beer and catrachitas before they pick up Jesse; who lives in an apartment in Roatan, right on the beach. Jesse sees the two men pull up to his apartment and gets in the car with them. McKenna and Novak say nothing to Jesse as he gets in the back seat. They
drive back to the base and see Starr and Barone deeply engaged in a conversation with the gate attendant. The two men get into the car and again there is no conversation at all. Novak drives off the base toward the beach not too far from Jesse’s apartment. The entire ride is met with silence as each man is deep in thought. When they arrive they begin to look around the desolate beach to ensure they are alone. The men stand in a semi-circle before they begin to speak.
Novak speaks first, “Guys first! Anybody got something they want to get off their chests? Whatever we have in front of us we can handle together so speak up now.” Each man shakes his head no, as Novak continues, “Seems like we got into some deep shit here. Did we forget anything out there guys? No leaks left standing right? Again the men nod their heads no. McKenna adds, “And how the fuck would we know Tim? We don’t know what the C.I.A.’s business was out there?”
Novak reacts, “They’d never tell us anyway man. They’d kill us first, especially after everything went ape shit out there.”
Starr says, “It’s gotta be either money or some documents naming names, big ass names, that would fuck up a lot of the people up top.”
Novak replies, “Any of you see any money out there? Anything?”
McKenna jumps in, “Then what did we miss then? C’mon think guys! Think hard!”
Barone says, “We didn’t leave a body? Nobody can be out there alive talking?”
Starr adds, “Yes, that’s gotta be it! Gotta be! I definitely didn’t see any money out there either, it’s gotta be a body talking!”
McKenna states, “If so we’re all toast guys. I’m sure we cleaned the project too.
Starr interjects, “Damn why can’t Applewhite just tell us what it is?! He treated us like shit man.”
Novak cuts in, “Nah he covered our asses with those guys, Major got out backs.”
McKenna adds, “Applewhite can’t help on this one guys. Think about it, that’s why he asks for no details and gave us no solutions.”
Jesse cuts in, “It looks like he’s gonna let us sink or swim on this one brothers. I could see it in his face?”
McKenna responds, “Yeah I bet those suits was in his ass heavy for him to come at us like that.” After a second or two, McKenna says, “We gotta go back down there guys, like this week or next. We gotta.”
Jesse cuts in, “What? So we go walking around in Venezuela, goin door to door askin’, “Hey anybody know who survived the U.S. sponsored bloodbath around here last month!””
Novak interrupts, “I’m gonna see Sgt. Haynes at an orientation later this week. He was my instructor in marksmanship way back. I’ll ask him if he heard anything about Virgo-62.” McKenna jumps in, “We can’t do that Tim. We can’t trust anybody right now.”
It is then when the men see eight to twelve beach-goers coming onto the beach from the bushes playing bongos, singing and laughing. Novak looks up and quickly ends the conversation
telling everyone to walk to the car. Jesse chooses to walk to his apartment, five minutes away.
Four days later, McKenna, Novak, and Jesse lead a group of young American soldiers training for a European assignment. The three commandos push the young soldiers through the obstacle course and ride them hard. The last soldier finishes, joining the rest of the soldiers crashed out of breath and spread out on the grass. Jesse brings the plastic water bottles for the agonizing young soldiers giving them moral support; while Novak tells them they are not tired. Walking across the obstacle course is Maj. Applewhite. The three M.I.C.O. commandos stop what they are doing and watch as the major walks towards them. Maj. Applewhite walks over to the three commandos as they salute him, which he returns the salute.
Major Applewhite asks, “How are the new soldiers coming along?”
The commandos are a bit uneasy and surprised by the major’s presence on the field and take a second or two to respond.
Novak says, “Sir these guys are strong. They’re good sir.” McKenna turns and yells to the twenty or so young soldiers to stand up and salute Maj. Applewhite, which they do very quickly.
Maj. Applewhite tells everyone to fall at ease and jumps right to the matter, “I need you men tonight. You men are going to escort and secure a party of eight (four U.S. Senators and four of their aides) down to Ecuador. They will land here at 1030 hours and transfer to military air transport with you guys at 1130 hours. Shouldn’t take long the party has to be back here in the morning. Real quick matter.”
McKenna responds, “Sir party of five. I’ll need all six of my men sir.”
Maj. Applewhite tells McKenna, “Fine. Finish up here and get your team prepared. McKenna assures Maj. Applewhite that they will be ready. The major salutes the commandos first, which they return the salute. Before leaving, the major turns to the twenty young soldiers and kindly salutes, smiling at them, which they respectfully return the gesture. The commandos look around at each other and say nothing. They seemed to expect something different from this impromptu meeting from their superior.
McKenna simply tells Jesse and Novak, “Alright guys let’s finish this up.” as Novak yells to the young soldiers to be at attention and commence exercises.
The flight to Ecuador is about three hours. The six commandos and their party depart from Honduras at 12:30 pm.
Jesse, McKenna and Novak are seated in the front of the plane while Starr, Barone and Rome are in the back. They are all dressed in their military fatigues. The senators and their aides are seated in the luxury cabin; in the middle of the plane preparing for their speaking engagement in Quito.
The plane lands in Ecuador at 3:00 pm local time. The soldiers and their party are met by four black SUV’s to take them to downtown Quito about an hour away.
McKenna has his team ride in two SUV’s. One in the front as an escort and the others in the back. The senators ride in the middle vehicles. The convoy heads out as scheduled.
After the two hour speaking engagement the M.I.C.O. soldiers and the senatorial party immediately head back to the airstrip at about 6:30 pm. They are going to a different airstrip in Napo, which is only forty-five minutes away. As the convoy heads into the jungle the first SUV in which McKenna, Jesse and Barone are riding, unexpectedly slows down and pulls over to let the two SUV's in which the politicians are located pull ahead of them.
McKenna quickly leans over to the driver and yells, “Pvt. (Esposito) you got to keep up!”
The two SUV’s which the politicians are riding in continue down the road. There appears to be a problem in McKenna’s SUV. The private tells McKenna that his road plan is directing him to make a turn at Mayara, Marker #3.
McKenna again yells to Pvt. Esposito telling him to back up off the now dark inlet immediately. The following SUV driven by Private Guerra in which Novak, Starr and Rome are riding also make the left onto the road of Mayara and follows right behind.
The six commandos and both SUV drivers are yelling back and forth.
Pvt. Esposito yells, “My GPS and road plan is directing me to make a turn right here! He proceeds very slowly, squinting to see the dark and treacherous road. Pvt. Esposito shows McKenna the road plan and makes another left, then down a small hill to find that the road has been blocked by a fallen tree. Pvt. Guerra follows right behind the first SUV and makes the second left before Novak says, “No this isn’t right, where the fuck are they going?” Starr instinctively readies his weapon. Rome yells, “Back up outta here man! Back up!”
As Pvt. Guerra hits the reset button on his GPS, he doesn't see Pvt. Esposito in the lead SUV backing up the hill. From the back seat of the lead SUV Jesse is waving back to Pvt. Guerra to quickly back up out of the inlet! McKenna
and Barone, jump out of the lead SUV with their rifles drawn and start walking up the hill towards the SUV behind them screaming for Pvt. Guerra to back up! But due to the jungle darkness he does not see.
Novak sitting next to Pvt. Guerra puts the SUV in reverse from the passenger’s seat. It is then when a large flatbed truck blocks them all in the inlet. Novak yells to Starr and Rome, “Rear! Rear!” From the flatbed truck ten gunmen come from under a white tarp and begin unloading a barrage of bullets on both SUV’s and the six commandos! Starr and Rome open fire on the men on the flatbed truck right behind them!
The men on the truck jump off the flatbed and scatter out to get into the gun battle. Pvt. Guerra quickly puts the SUV in gear and speeds forward ramming into the back of the lead SUV. Novak, Rome, Starr and Pvt. Guerra make their way out of the SUV returning fire. McKenna and Jesse run towards the flatbed truck returning gunfire to cover for the vulnerable M.I.C.O. commando soldiers exiting the rear SUV. The six soldiers yell codes and patterns out to each other surveying the tree filled area and landscape and to the direction of the heaviest gunfire. It is then when eight more enemy gunmen come up the hill toward the back of the commando soldiers cornering them in. McKenna yells, “Left flank! 7 o’clock!”
Barone and Jesse gun down an assailant on their left and retreat. The commandos take fire from the front and rear. They are forced to retreat to their right, deeper into the
jungle. With fifteen gunmen on their tail, the M.I.C.O. soldiers keep retreating and moving so as not to be surrounded by the gunmen keeping them in front of them as best as possible. Jesse desperately keeps pulling and dragging Pvt. Esposito back with him out of the line of fire yelling, “Keep your head down dude! Move! Move!”
The gunmen keep constant gunfire on the commandos forcing them even deeper into the jungle. Novak yells to Starr and Rome, “3 o’clock! Watch your right flank!”
