Once In Awhile

by Kendra G. Johnson

“Mr. Baer that is beyond your responsibilities.”

  “Bull. That kid is my responsibility. If he goes, I go.”

  “As you wish, Mr. Baer. Ask Whittaker to make your arrangements. And bring Blade to a private place so we may talk.”

  Blade was beyond excited about the prospect of joining the others in their mission. He told her he had the perfect cover story for his mother. Mrs. Gage had no doubt.

  It took two days, but they were all finally assembled together at the chateau and ready for the next phase. Nerves ran high. Blade was beside himself with joy. Danny Mac had been in contact with Pierre and bragged at how easily he had gathered all the players. Pierre railed at him when he did not produce Carter. Danny Mac was ready.

  “If I brought Carter, I would have risked the National Security Council coming down on us. He was not in Egypt and therefore not part of this original group.” Pierre was only slightly mollified.

  Kenann/Inanna had completed her part of the plan by convincing Pierre that he needed to assemble the ruling council to witness his triumph over his enemies. They wasted no time responding to his summons. Kenann had forgone the bedsheet for this occasion and had been able to find an appropriately elegant black dress to greet the men and women as they arrived.

  Kenann had also been busy in her efforts to make subtle alliances with the men. She had asked God to show her who she would be able to convince and trust when the time came. She only found one, completely unaware it was Vincenzo’s son. He had realized soon after coming to Istanbul with Pierre, that he was a madman. He saw no way out at that point, considering the threats they all received regarding assassinating their loved ones should they consider betrayal. Kenann did not reveal herself or their plan to Paulo, she simply insinuated she was concerned about Pierre’s stability and may need his support at some point. He had agreed. He figured this lady was at least more stable than Pierre. And she might be one step closer to getting out of this mess.

  Mrs. Gage looked at each face in the semicircle around her. Danny Mac, Moira, Jacob, little Blade with his expectant face, Andrew and Judy and even Angelo who risked swift retribution for his betrayal. They were all ready to do battle together again. She couldn’t be more proud.

  Carter and CJ stood with Whittaker and Johnson on the stairs a few paces above them. Carter looked all the world like a general addressing his troops.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, this is it. We have one shot. Let’s make it count.”

  The group shared a collective grin and nodded as one. Blade figured it was the closest he was going to get to a huddle roar and went with it. They were able to fit into one oversized utility vehicle. Danny Mac drove.

  “Kenann, we are on our way. Have you made preparations in the Armory?”

  She murmured softly, “Umm Hmm”

  “Good. Tell Pierre to assemble the council. I will escort in my quarry.”

  Kenann entered the room which looked like a simple cocktail party. Obviously powerful, wealthy people from all over the world were assembled in this one room. She recognized none of their faces but realized these were the people who controlled the faces she did know. Even if the public figures were unaware, these were the people who shaped and molded world policies behind the scenes.

  She took her place beside Pierre and assumed the now familiar hand on his shoulder. She bent and whispered, “Daniel is almost here with his package.”

  Pierre’s eyes took on a sinister gleam. He raised his voice. “Ladies and gentlemen. May I have your attention? Please follow me to our front hall.” He turned his chair and led the way. In the center of the large main hall, he had ordered an elevated platform be constructed. He wanted the advantage of height to compensate for his status at chair level. He would dominate.

  Kenann joined him on the platform flanked by the council as Danny Mac and the rest walked in as one. Pierre’s security detail moved the group en masse as instructed to just inside the wide doorway of a side room adjacent to the foyer.

  “So glad of you to join us.” Danny Mac started to step forward but was hindered at gun point. Kenann held her breath. This was not good.

  “Darling Inanna. You were so wise to call for the Council to witness the demise of this despicable group of vermin.” At that, a large iron gate dropped in front of their faces.

  Kenann tried to hold her voice steady. “Pierre, Daniel has been a faithful servant to us.”

  “No!” he screamed. “He will die with the others.”

  She made herself touch his shoulder. He jerked his chair away from her touch and came down the ramp to confront his prey. Kenann looked her loved ones in the eye and felt completely helpless. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders.

  “Pierre, stop!”

  He whirled around. “You dare challenge me?!”

  She changed tact. “Remember, we have a presentation for our guests here. I know your zeal regarding these people but let us focus our attention on our extinguished guests.” She waved a presenting arm in a semi-circle toward the council members standing below her. He looked up at her and seemed to regain his composure.

  “Of course. Thank you, Inanna. I must remember my priorities.” He turned to his security and ordered the prisoners be taken to the secure room off the command center. He wanted them to know what he had accomplished and what they were powerless to prevent.

  He addressed the crowd. “I apologize for my momentary digression. If you will accompany me, I will show you what all our efforts have accomplished. We are ready to take the next step in this millennia’s world domination.”

  Pierre went to his private elevator while the smartly clad group mounted the stairs to the command center on the second level. She stole a glance at Danny Mac as she passed. She raised an eyebrow. He answered yes with an imperceptible nod.

  Show time.

  CHAPTER FORTY TWO

  Nita pulled herself over the parapet of Danny Mac’s balcony. She had started in the wee hours of the morning at the base of the cliff. During their aerial reconnaissance Jake observed this potential infiltration point. She pulled off her stocking cap and released her long red hair and allowed herself a moment to take a long draft from her water bottle. She clipped it back onto her belt and checked her weapon. She spoke to those listening.

  “I’m in.”

  Danny Mac turned to the others as if talking to them.

  “Most of the men by my count are here in the command center guarding the council. There are 3 unaccounted for. Watch your back.”

  “Roger that.”

  Carter responded. “We wait your go, Red.”

  “In due time, love. In due time.” Her Irish brogue had thickened with the adrenaline of the moment. She had found Danny’s balcony by the white cloth tied to the rail. The back face of the castle was endless rows of rooms with small balconies. Had it not been for that marker she would have wasted precious time getting her bearings to the armory. She knew she had to scale 4 balconies to get to her desired destination. This was as dangerous as the long climb up the cliff face.

  It was a matter of timing. She stood on the edge of the rail with her hand against the stone wall of the castle. She bounced on the balls of her feet and found her rhythm. One, two, three - leap. She rolled to a stop. Up again. Balance, breathe. One, two, three - leap. So far so good. Again. She counted and leaped. Just as she pushed off, her foot lost its purchase throwing her off balance. She strained for flight and flung her hands out for anything solid. One hand grasped a single ledge stone. Her fingers strained to hold the weight of her body as she swayed over a thousand-foot precipice. She felt the sweat pouring into her eyes and willed herself to calm. She found her rhythm again and strained up with her other hand to grab a spindle, eventually pulling herself up and over the railing. She did not wait or think long enough to lose her nerve but went straight to the final rail. Up, balance, count and leap. Solid ground. Now, let’s shut these freaks down and go home.

  * * *

  Kenann positioned herself so s
he could see into the glass enclosed observation room and the faces of her friends and loved ones. Almost there, almost there. She took a gamble and edged over to Paulo.

  “I need you to trust me, Paulo.” She whispered to him.

  “Yes. What is it you wish of me?”

  “I need you to unlock the door on our captives.”

  He jerked his head to her. She commanded. “Do not react. Just listen to me. Pierre is insane. He must be stopped. Those ladies who came here a few days ago were sent by your father, Vincenzo, to find you.” Nita had informed her of Paolo’s situation over the communication device. He did turn but slowly looked at her for confirmation. Her eyes confirmed she was telling him the truth. He wanted so much to see his family again. He would do whatever it took.

  “I will do it.”

  “Good man. Be careful.”

  He started to move but she put a restraining hand on his arm. “We need to be very casual. If you leave my side so soon after we have spoken, you will draw attention to yourself. Now laugh at what I have just said.” He hesitated only a moment and then threw back his head and laughed. He shook his head and grinned. She did the same.

  Pierre called out. “Are you fraternizing with the help my dear?” There was an edge to his voice.

  “Just sharing what I plan to do to our captives. He approves.” This seemed to appease him. She waived Paulo away with a laugh.

  Luckily, he understood the gravity of his mission and his need for caution. He did not go directly to the glass enclosure but joined some other guards by the window. He remained casual.

  Nita had donned her favorite travel pant suit made of black spandex blend. She loved it for its durability and wrinkle free properties. It looked great for a casual date or a night full of kicking butt. She stepped out into the hallway and approached the man monitoring the hallway below. He turned and gave her a quizzical expression. He had seen this lady here earlier. Wait, he thought she left. Was she part of the council?

  Nita turned on her cat like charm. With a soft purring sound, she trailed her hand up his chest and over his shoulder as she made to move behind him. He was silenced and laid quietly on the floor within seconds.

  She moved languidly down the steps as if she had nothing better to do in case she was observed. She made for the front door when a very large man appeared from the shadows.

  “What are you doing? Who let you in here?”

  “I was invited, big boy. And I was just going for some fresh air. These castles can be horribly stuffy.” He looked up and realized his partner was not at his post and gave a low rumble in his chest.

  ‘Here we go’, she thought.

  He lunged for her. In one swift motion she leapt onto the wall propelling herself onto his back. Pulling off her scarf, she had him incapacitated in short order. He fell back pinning her to the floor. She rolled the massive weight off her and ran to the main door.

  “Welcome, friends.”

  Carter, Whittaker, Johnson and Pinky ran in carrying weapons. CJ followed, refusing to be left behind. They swiftly made their way back to the armory and gathered additional firepower for their friends.

  Carter whispered. “We’re on our way.”

  Nita added, “One still unaccounted for so stay sharp.”

  In their ear buds Pierre’s mechanical voice grated. “Oh, please do come join our party.”

  * * *

  They froze in their tracks. Carter nodded to go into the closest room out of the direct line of fire of the hallway.

  “What do you want, Pierre?”

  “Oh, many things, many things. Is this Mr. Carter?”

  Carter did not respond.

  Inside the command center it appeared all bets were off. Pierre had Blade on the floor at his feet claiming him as the long overdue sacrifice. The ruling council members were looking dubious as they congregated together out of the way of the melee.

  Several minutes earlier before Paulo could make good on his promise, one of the other guards had taken it upon himself to do a search of the captives and found Danny Mac’s ear bud. He put a gun to his head to ensure silence as he removed it and took it to Pierre. Pierre had then ordered them out of the glass enclosed room and on their knees in execution position.

  He called to Kenann. “Inanna, to take your rightful place you must come and complete the sacrifice of blood. Take this knife from my hand and do it.”

  “Pierre. Please you must stop.”

  “I said do it.” When she hesitated, he nodded to one of his men who struck the small gong sitting on the floor under one of the tables. Kenann froze. Her eyes took on a glassy appearance. Danny Mac looked up and willed her back to him. She put her hands to her head and whirled around bending over at the waist as if in pain. Pierre’s smile revealed his enjoyment in the suffering his mind control was causing her.

  Kenann raised herself up slowly to her full height and turned to look at Pierre. She smiled. Then raised her arm and put a bullet between his eyes.

  CHAPTER FORTY THREE

  Everything happened at once. Blade rolled into the man to his left clipping him at the knees sending him flying backwards. Kenann grabbed his weapon in midair and knocked him unconscious with it before he hit the ground. Danny Mac and Andy made short work of the two guards behind them, turning their weapons on the remaining guards. One of them was Paulo who took the opportunity to knock out the man to his right. Kenann put her pistol to the temple of the man to his left and whispered, “Don’t even think about it.”

  Angelo had tried to shield Granny and Judy with his body but soon found they had other ideas. They scrambled to their feet and grabbing any discarded weapon they could find, ran to provide cover of the Council. Angelo had no choice but try to keep up. Some of the Ruling Council had already made it to the door before Granny and Judy could corral them. They were met by Carter and his crew running up the hallway toward them. They waved them back into the room and turned them over to Granny and Judy who had things well in hand. Angelo stood by, looking a little stunned. All the guards were subdued by that time and the victors were beginning to relax.

  Out of the corner of her eye Kenann saw the one remaining guard fill the doorway to the room and raise his machine gun to fire. She turned sideways and dropped him with her handgun.

  Danny Mac caught her eye from across the room and grinned, “Good shootin Tex.”

  CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

  The Ruling Council and captured guards, after a thorough search, were herded into the glass enclosure until they could determine the next course of action.

  Carter’s eyes roamed the group. “Everyone okay?”

  Each person inspected the person beside them, and it was determined that no one had been injured.

  Danny Mac had Kenann wrapped in his arms. “Kenann’s idea to disable the guard’s weapons prior to our arrival was a good one.” Granny made her way across the room and was enveloped by Danny Mac and Kenann.

  Danny Mac whispered, “Thank you.”

  Granny smiled, “Once in a while you have to do your fighting on your knees.”

  Kenann looked at them quizzically but they only smiled at each other.

  Nita and Pinky had Paulo cornered. Pinky was shaking her finger under his nose undoubtedly lecturing him about bringing grief to his family. Head hanging, he looked appropriately chagrined.

  Andy, Jake and Carter were scouring over the technical equipment. Andy was downloading material onto flash drives as fast as his fingers could move, in the event someone had activated a kill switch.

  Judy stood with Angelo. “Are you doing okay, big guy?”

  “I cannot fathom the way all of you worked to control this room. Except for a few, you are not professionals.”

  Judy grinned like a mischievous child. “We’re pretty cool, aren’t we?” And feeling playful, showed him exploding fingers, “Ba-BAM!”

  Blade was sitting on a very pale CJ’s lap, blotting sweat from his forehead. “Take deep breaths, Mr. CJ, you’re safe now.�
��

  Mrs. Gage stood a little apart observing the group. She had begun to open her heart the moment she had invited Danny Mac and Kenann into her life. They brought with them more people to love and lots of crazy adventures. She looked over at Pinky and Nita who represented her other life. Her heart was full of thankfulness and hope for the future.

  Jake looked up at that moment and smiled at her. Yes, my life is full, she thought.

  * * *

  Once everyone had caught their breath, Carter called the President. He spent considerable time emphasizing the connection between this group and ISIS and the gravity that entailed. He also impressed upon him the sensitive nature of having so many clandestine pipelines under the soil of friend and foe alike. This was going to take great diplomatic skill to keep it from falling into the wrong hands and becoming a worldwide power pandemic.

  Nita and Pinky said their good byes as they planned to accompany Paulo home to his family.

  Nita hugged Mrs. Gage whispering something to her. Mrs. Gage emitted a throaty laugh. She put her arm through Pinky’s and sent her regards to her royal but clueless husband.

  The rest of the group waited until the choppers arrived to transport the captives to an undisclosed location. Several of the council had attempted to bribe Carter for their release and continued their ploy as they were led away by the Seal Team. Carter maintained all the information from the hard drives. He had transmitted it over secure channels to his team in Virginia and planned to carry the flash drives on his person all the way home.

  The President asked Carter to stay with the captives for the next several days to oversee their debriefing. He had no time to say good byes and chided himself for even feeling he wanted to. He was a soldier for pity sake. He nodded to the group as he followed the team to the waiting choppers and continued to chide himself for the lump he felt in his throat.

  The small group returned to the chalet to pack. They then gathered in the formal living room of the chalet with whatever luggage they had, as they waited for their transport to the airport.