“And that would be?”
“Someone who cares for you very much,” Connor replied, “but who has played his last hide and seek in the back room game. Nate has enjoyed this too much for my taste.”
Karen laughed. “He did however seem sorry to have told me about it this morning. I’m sorry for acting like I own you. I keep forgetting my Circle of Iron lessons.”
“I told you about your low self esteem,” Connor said. “I will be heading to France soon. Were you still interested in going with me? It will be very dangerous.”
Karen’s face lit up, “Do you mean it?”
“Of course.”
“I will let Derek know. Will I be able to help you?” Karen asked.
“Yes,” Connor replied. “I will need some cover, although I will be traveling in disguise. The danger comes in how well anyone out there knows who you are. If they have some kind of dossier on you, they may make my visit an attempted execution.”
“Will you have to let them know?”
“I want to set up a meeting with Pierre as Raymond Yee,” Connor explained. “If I keep the meeting out in the open like I am conducting business, I might get to a spot where I can get my hands on the list of girls taken, and where they were sent.”
“You mean force it out of him?”
“Not unless I have to,” Connor said. “I plan on buying the list. His funds are very low, thanks to my excursions into his accounts.”
“You just plan to buy the list and then leave him?”
“No Karen, Pierre and his entire staff must die on the spot. If even one lives, I will probably lose some of the girls. As I said, it will be dangerous.”
“I will be with you there too, won’t I?” Karen asked.
“You do not have to go with me to Pierre’s stronghold,” Connor replied. “I could use you along on the other missions to get the girls out.”
“I want in at Pierre’s too.”
Connor sighed, and shook his head. “I figured if I let you come, you would force your way in on the Pierre deal. You could die on that one you
know?”
“I know.” Karen put her arms around his neck. She looked into his eyes. “No one can get through you.”
“I am not a God Karen. I am a mutant like Nate says. I can be killed, and if I am, you will be too, or worse. You will just be in the way at Pierre’s.”
“Then you should not have asked me to come. I am in all the way,” Karen stated.
“Okay.” Connor held her to him tightly. “We will have to coordinate things with Greg after the Pierre deal. We will need a team to help us wherever we need an extraction. These missions will have to proceed quickly, or we will lose some of the girls.”
“How will you handle the people who bought these girls from Pierre?”
“They die, and their holdings will be destroyed or confiscated, with the help of the team we coordinate with,” Connor said without hesitation. “Once we have the girl in safety, there must be an object lesson in kidnapping children from the United States.”
“An international incident will be hard to explain to the President, after the fact,” Karen pointed out.
“We keep a low profile until we are done. If we are found out, and the President doesn’t like it, then fuck him.”
Karen laughed and held Connor at arms length. “You will cost a lot of people their jobs.”
“Derek is in all the way, and Greg will be. Nate could give a shit less. When it comes to returning little girls stolen from our streets, and sold into slavery overseas, we will get justice.”
“Your justice,” Karen stated.
“I will take responsibility for it. I remember my daughter Karen.”
“I remember your justice,” Karen observed.
Connor’s face seemed as if a shadow passed over it. His mouth turned down and his eyes looked past her into a hellish memory. “I killed and tortured, trying to erase the memory of my wife and daughter’s mangled bodies. I have a chance here to do it in reverse. The faster I move, the more parents who will see their daughters alive.”
Connor focused again on Karen with an awful smile. “You are right Karen, many will die to achieve my mission. If you have a problem with it, I would suggest staying home.”
Karen put her arms around Connor’s neck again and kissed him on the lips. “I have no problem with that.”
Two weeks later Greg Haynes, Nate, Derek, Connor and Karen sat at a table inside the super computer room. Connor and Nate had taken them all through the software changes, and programs they had added. Overall coordination for all operations would progress through Attila, under Nate’s control, through prior agreement. Nate would coordinate follow-ups with Greg’s resources at CIA, and determine extraction routes on the fly as needed.
“How are you doing Greg with your teams,” Connor asked the new CIA Chief.
“Nate has already fed in the locations I have put on alert for you,” Haynes replied. “I should say I will need some time. If I can have at least a general area just before you move in, I will get you out. Some are concerned for their networks they have built up. I told them I will put teams on the ground who will not compromise their resources.”
Connor nodded, “just so when I have a girl under protection, I can count on backup to take out interference, so I can get her clear without accident. The team you use on site will be in danger, and they will have a free fire zone until I get the girl out. Once Karen has the girl on her way to military or civilian transport out of the country, I will return to make sure your team gets out. I will leave no one behind.”
“I understand,” Greg replied.
“We will have state of the art communications and satellite reconnaissance all the way,” Nate put in. “Derek and I will be here to help you through every step. We will not leave anything to chance. The main blank will be Connor’s initial contact with Pierre. There will be no extraction there. Thomas and Karen will leave on their own. Once they have the location of the kidnapped girls, we move deliberately from one operation to another until we have them all. Clean up and containment after each extraction will be of utmost importance, or the next operation will be endangered.”
“I realize you will be approaching Pierre in disguise Thomas,” Derek said, “but how do you know he will take money at first, and put the list in your hand? On top of that, I am worried about you setting up the meeting before hand.”
“I know Derek,” Connor admitted. “The meeting with him remains our weakest link. Listen, I would do this by remote control if I thought I could contain it after I got hold of the list. I must be on site to make sure none of the names on the list get warned, and that requires in person physical control.”
Derek turned to Karen, “I know Thomas has to go to Pierre’s, but why do you have to go?”
“We have been all over that Derek,” Karen sighed. “I am going.”
“I could order you to stay. You work for me. Remember what happened the last time you went against my requests,” Quenton pointed out.
Karen flushed, as Nate and Connor laughed, and Greg looked on in confusion. “I’m going Derek.”
Connor reached over and put a hand on Quenton’s shoulder. “Forget it Derek. She only learns the hard way. I already told her she would only be in the way.”
“Very well,” Quenton relented. “I still do not like it.”
“Mr. Connor,” Jeff s voice came over the speaker. “A man has arrived to meet with you at Mr. Haynes invitation. Shall I send him in?”
Greg smiled. “The man I picked to head up the strike force after you get going. You and Nate know him.”
“Send him in Jeff,” Connor said.
The door opened, and a well-dressed man of Chinese descent walked in. Of average height and build, his dark black hair combed straight back, the man presented a pleasant innocuous appearance. He nodded at Derek, Karen, and Greg, and smiled as he recognized Nate. His mouth dropped open in stunned silence, as he recognized Connor.
The man recovered enough to take Connor’s proffered hand, and then hugged him instead. After a moment he stepped back, as he remembered they had an audience. “I cannot think of anyone I would have been more surprised to see Thomas. You owe me an explanation. After all you are responsible for me.”
“Don’t give me that hocus-pocus about my owing you crap,” Connor laughed.
“You saved my ass in Kuwait, and that means you are responsible for the rest of my unworthy life. I had released you from your debt only because I heard you were dead.”
“If CIA had not sent a slanty-eyed devil into Kuwait to begin with,” Connor joked, “there would have been no need for my saving your ass.”
Johnny Loo nodded. “Not one of my most brilliant volunteer ideas. You are now responsible for a wife, and three children, ages two, five, and seven.”
“When did you have time to work?” Connor asked. “Come on over and sit down. I guess you know Greg and Derek. This is Assistant Director NSA Karen Blakely, and you already know Nate.”
Johnny shook hands with everyone but Nate, whom he kissed on the top of his shaven head, bringing a bout of laughter as Nate rubbed the spot. “Hi honey, long time no see.”
“You little prick, I told Thomas he should have left your wise ass for Iraq to deal with.”
“I guess you know the danger involved Johnny,” Connor continued, as they sat down together. “I have to say, I am happy to have you in charge of the strike team.”
“I have two daughters Thomas,” Loo said. “I speak for the team I picked. We know what the mission entails, and we will get it done. Director Haynes did not say what the rules of engagement would be.”
“I will protect the girl and Karen,” Connor explained. “Everyone else I will leave up to you and your team. There will, I imagine, be innocents in all of this at these sites, but I will be able to get on-site intel to you before you head in.”
“The purpose will not be simple extraction then?”
“No, you will be making a statement for the countries involved,” Connor answered.
“I like it,” Johnny replied. “I take it this will be like Mission Impossible, in that all association with us will be disavowed?”
“No one gets left Johnny, not even bodies,” Connor corrected. “After I get Karen and the girl free of the fire zone, I will be back to make sure everyone else gets clear.”
“Works for me,” Johnny said. “When do we start?”
“Karen and I will be leaving the day after tomorrow. I would like you and your team in Europe by then. Once I have the information, we go on immediately. Nate, Derek, and Greg will be here coordinating missions from the list even while we hit. There will not be much time for breaks in the action. The slower we proceed, the less chance the next girl on the list will still be alive.”
“Forgive me for saying so,” Johnny smiled, “but this sounds like something not sanctioned by anyone outside of this room.”
“No,” Connor admitted, “but I will tell you this Johnny, there will be a big bonus for everyone who goes on this mission. I will see to it personally, or Nate will. We are leaving no one but myself out on the limb.”
“I am glad you and Nate are the ones behind this. I liked what Director Haynes had to say about the mission, but I figured it would be another half-ass unsupported screw up.”
“Yet you volunteered anyway,” Connor commented. “I like that.”
“As I said, I have two daughters,” Johnny reiterated.
“Who might lose a father,” Connor pointed out.
“Yea,” Johnny laughed. “I’ll be safe just assassinating people. Did you forget what my particular department does Thomas?”
“No, but I have an offer for you after this is over.”
“Yea Thomas,” Nate broke in, “good idea. Johnny, you have got to come in with us. You would be great here, and we need the help. Besides, we need an oriental to make our quota.”
“You son.oh I see,” Johnny relaxed, “pick on the oriental day is it?” He joined in their laughter.
“I am not sure how I feel about you hiring away my operatives,” Greg broke in.
“Relax Greg,” Nate told him. “We will still be working with you, and the three of us can impart a lot of knowledge to your new recruits. Johnny here has been in this stuff a long time. He needs to get out in the private sector.”
“I ain’t driving no limo for a living Nate, so get that through your shiny head right now,” Johnny said as he looked around at the super computer setup, “but I see you do a hell of a lot more than that. When we get done, you talk, I’ll listen.”
“Fair enough,” Connor agreed. “Well folks, Nate and I have a business to run, so if there is nothing further, we have to get back to work.”
Chapter 28 The First Step
Karen sat next to Connor disguised as Raymond Yee in first class as they were a quarter of the way to their destination. She had been dozing comfortably. Connor had to stay awake to maintain his appearance. “I find your disguise after reading Mr. Yee’s file to be repulsive.”
“You are not going to start complaining already, are you? Next it will be when do we get there, and are we there yet?”
“I am just making conversation,” Karen retorted.
“Yea, well beauty is only skin deep.”
“I hope you don’t get frozen in that shape shift Mr. Yee, or I may have to rethink my fondness for you.”
“You have wounded me greatly madam,” Connor replied.
“We have not had a chance to talk since you set up our appointment yesterday. What do you think about it?”
Connor held up a quieting hand. He took a small electronic notepad and made a few screen changes until he was satisfied. He put it back in his suit jacket pocket and looked at Karen. “Did you forget the word I told you to speak if you wished to talk to me about our meeting? I explained I cannot know about every device that may be aimed at us.”
“Sorry,” Karen said, realizing she had forgotten her security training completely. “Are we clear.”
“A little late for that now my dear. Yes, and my conversation with our host went very well. He needs money, and my figure of five million just about made him drool through the phone line. He will have us picked up at the airport, and then we will be taken to an estate he owns. From there we must adlib the rest.”
“You told him you would have a companion?” Karen asked.
“Yes, I told him I was bringing a secretarial assistant to handle the fund transfer. He thought it humorous I intended to use the list to extort money and favors. I expect he kept it all along just for that purpose, but he was in no position to reap the benefits.”
“Look at this.” Karen looked around, and then hiked her knee length skirt up at the corner closest to Connor. She had a garter belt and stockings on, but no panties.
“You bitch,” Connor whispered tightly. “Why in the world did you show me this now?”
“Just to watch the great mutant wonder squirm in his seat on this airplane.”
Connor started to reply and then he just smiled. Karen gasped as desire swept through her, and she clenched her fists at her sides.
“Thomas,” she whispered fiercely. “Pl…Please don’t. Yo…You’ll get my skirt wet. Oh…no…don’t…”
Connor let up, and Karen sat up slowly. She looked over at him with her cheeks flushed red. “You bastard…I…”
“Careful,” Connor cautioned.
Karen shut up and looked away, knowing anything else she said would only cause her immediate embarrassment. “This is not fair Thomas and you know it.”
Connor laughed. “I guess someone will think twice before she brings a knife to a gunfight, huh?”
“I only wanted to tease you a little,” Karen protested, still not making eye contact.
/>
“Right back at you Doc.”
“Do you think we could stop at our hotel before going to the meeting?” Karen asked.
“Sorry my little Mata Hari, we have other places to go when we get off of the plane. I told you, they will be picking us up right from the airport. We will have to solve your little dilemma after we get through with our business.”
“I think I hate you.”
“We’ll see,” Connor laughed.
As Connor and Karen cleared customs, a man approached them, sign in hand, with the pre-arranged word global on it. “I smell like a street walker thanks to you,” Karen said sideways to Connor as the man walked up.
“Mr. Yee,” the man inquired.
“Yes,” Connor replied.
“Please follow me,” the man directed. “The car is right outside. I am having your bags picked up for you. They will be brought out to the car.”
Connor could get no read at all from the driver, so he nodded at Karen to follow along. They worked their way out of the airport. The driver led them to a Mercedes parked with a policeman actually watching the vehicle. The driver nodded at the policeman, and then opened the door for Connor and Karen to get in the backseat. After their baggage was loaded, they drove off quickly, and Karen gripped his hand strongly in her lap with both of hers. Connor could feel the fear. For the hundredth time, Connor wished he had not agreed to bring her.
They traveled for about a half an hour out into the countryside, eventually turning onto a long winding road, leading to Pierre’s estate. There were no gates or guards, and Connor could feel Karen relax a little. The driver slowed about fifty yards back from the lavish chateau. Gardens encircled the estate. A large ornate fountain lay between them and what looked to be the entrance. Trees lined the approach from the road.
The flash which shot through Connor just before the car stopped, gave him a split second in which to throw open the car door, grab Karen around the waist, and dive out of the car. She screamed, as he gripped her to him, and started running. Something, Connor figured to be a missile, slammed into the car and exploded. Shrapnel tore into his back and legs as the blast threw them forward into the air. He cushioned Karen’s fall by twisting to hit the ground shoulder first. Ignoring the blinding pain, Connor lurched to his feet with Karen in his arms, running for the trees. He did not stop running until they were far from the chateau.
American Mutant Page 29
