Asteroid Destruction
Page 23
Ghost looked to Cam. “Major?”
“Sir, I recall that the Activity was formed after the Iranian hostage crisis decades ago. At first, Army special ops, namely Delta, were rumored to be given self-contained missions. By self-contained, I mean without the knowledge of anyone other than those who worked within the close confines of the Activity.”
“How about you, Lieutenant?” asked Ghost.
“Same as Gunner and Cam, but I’ll add they were unique in that they had their own charter and structure. You know how the military is—chain of command and all that. Only, they never went outside the Activity for help. They have their own intelligence divisions, aviation support, classification names, etcetera. Truthfully, though, everything I’ve just said is rumor. You know, locker-room talk and such.”
Ghost stood and walked around the living area. He glanced at the Jackal and then over to Pop. “Sir, I’m sorry to ask this of you, but I need some privacy. Would you mind giving us a little time to speak alone?”
Pop was a good soldier and understood. “Nope, not at all. Howard needs a walk to relieve himself of his dinner. We’ll stroll around by the sound and check on the dock.”
Gunner stood and gave his father a pat on the back. “Thanks, Pop.”
After a minute in which Howard needed some coaxing to leave, the group of five was alone again.
Ghost returned to the conversation. “What I’m about to discuss with you rises to the highest level of our nation’s intelligence classifications. The Activity undertakes missions that are not given according to presidential directives. They’re not subject to oversight by congressional intelligence committees because virtually all Activity is self-contained by its own secretive multimillion-dollar budget tucked within the Department of Defense.
“This level of secretiveness is designed to shield Congress, and any administration that occupies the White House, from scrutiny when missions go south. Within Washington, and around the world, so little is known about the Activity that the enemy doesn’t even consider whether their operatives are inside their borders.
“The reason that I’m telling you all of this is because I’ve been tasked with reconstituting a unit that was mothballed years ago after the war in Afghanistan came to an end. It will be a small close-knit group of operators and key support personnel, but it will also have the benefit of other assets used within the Activity.
“Each of you passes the requirements of being mentally and physically sound, mature, competent and, above all, willing to go the extra mile on every task. These operations are demanding, challenging, deadly, but in the end, rewarding.”
Ghost paused, so Gunner began to ask some questions. “Are you saying we’d be going back to Afghanistan or the Middle East theater?”
“No, not necessarily,” replied Ghost. “You’d go where the situation dictates. But I will say this. Because of how you handled yourself on the NASA mission, and with your Earth sciences background, I imagine that when a catastrophic event presents itself, you’ll be called upon.”
“Who will we report to?”
“Me. Nobody else.”
Gunner looked to the Jackal. “Are you in?”
“Yes, Major. Well, I am if you guys are.”
Ghost discussed the Jackal’s role. “We’re entering a new era of warfare, whether it be against terrorists, rogue nations, or mother nature, as Gunner has experienced. The team I want to assemble around you will have a particular experience in intelligence gathering as well as covert operations.
“The unit that we’ll be reconstituting chased al-Qaeda all over Afghanistan and took out famed drug cartel leader Pablo Escobar.”
Cam had a question. “Sir, with the broad range of activities, pardon the pun, we’re gonna need access to a wide variety of tools—weapons, transportation, communications, and identification.”
Ghost assuaged her concerns. “Major, our budget may not be as big as the Defense Department’s, and you may not have multiple branches of the Armed Forces to call upon for assistance, but let me assure you of something. You will want for nothing. The accountants, as I call them, have the ability to requisition anything you need to accomplish your mission. No questions asked.”
“How about backup?” asked Bear. “Who’s gonna watch our six?”
“Each other,” replied Ghost. “Plus your support team at Fort Belvoir.”
“Do we get an increase in rank and pay?” asked Bear.
“You’re retiring from the Air Force and will receive the benefits afforded you based upon your service. After that, your pay from the Activity will make your head spin. Finally, there are the spoils of a successful mission, when available.”
“I understand,” said Bear. “So, can we keep the Valor? It’s not bothering anybody over on the beach.”
“No, Lieutenant, but any mode of transportation that you can pilot will be yours as needed. You just can’t bring it home with you.”
“Where will we be based?” asked Cam.
“Technically, Fort Belvoir, but you will be stationed in your home.”
Bear looked to Gunner. “Well, unless he objects, Cam and I are planning to find a place here on the island.”
Ghost thought for a moment. “If you do that, it helps us logistically. We might be able to assist you with the purchase.”
Gunner looked at the Jackal again and smiled. “What do you think?”
“Well, it beats working for the FBI. But then again, I don’t have to risk my life like you do. I will make you this promise, though. I will be there day and night to protect you any way I can.”
Gunner looked to Cam and Bear. “Any more questions?”
They both shook their heads.
“Whadya think, Gunner?” asked Ghost.
“Sir, would you give us a moment to talk? I’m sure Pop would like to exchange some war stories with you guys.”
Ghost and the Jackal excused themselves and joined Pop outside on the beach. While they were gone, Gunner hoped to have a serious discussion with his friends in order to make a smart decision. His hopes were dashed when Bear started the conversation.
“Hell yeah! I’m ready to jump on board the crazy train.”
Even Cam got in the act. She reached her arm up as if she were pulling the rope of a train whistle up and down.
“Woot! Woot!” she hollered as Bear walked around the couches bellowing, “Choo! Choo!”
Gunner shook his head in disbelief at the comic relief exhibited by these two. He saw pitfalls in the proposal, but the upside potential was great. Gunner was not a rule follower, and most of these types of operations required operating outside the box. The trip to the asteroid proved that.
The three of them took a few minutes to discuss the risks, the pay, and the autonomy. It was agreed that the prospects of getting hurt were high, but they always were when they were deployed on a mission. In fact, operating outside the normal rules of engagement might make their tasks safer, so the autonomy and secretiveness was a key.
As for the money, they’d most likely kept close to a million dollars of the drug cartel stash. Only Bear was likely to blow through it, which would be more difficult for him if he was confined to Dog Island and under his friends’ watchful eyes.
This was an important decision, and Gunner needed a clear head. He left Cam and Bear to talk about the opportunity between themselves as he quietly slipped down the stairs and into the cool night air.
Chapter 52
Gunner’s Residence
Dog Island
The Florida Panhandle
Gunner walked toward the west end of Dog Island, which had become his place to relax and reflect. He needed to get away for a moment, taking this opportunity for the first time to consider what he’d been through over the last several weeks, or years, for that matter.
Despite the fact that she was gone, Gunner was feeling a newfound connection to Heather. It was if she were there, even though she couldn’t be. The two of them had such a close relatio
nship that they easily finished each other’s sentences and oftentimes made the same comment simultaneously. The two of them were always on the same page.
After her death, a void was left in Gunner’s heart and his mind. His partner, his soul mate, had been stolen from him and replaced with anger toward anyone he deemed remotely responsible. As a result, the closeness they shared had drifted out of his consciousness and was replaced with bitterness, sorrow, and self-pity.
Until now. It would take Gunner years to fully process and recount the events that led him into space. One thing he knew, however, was that the connection he had with his wife while she was alive had become a part of him again. Now he could call on her for advice. Or to lend an ear. Or simply walk with him on the beach. Their beach. The home they’d dreamt about together until they brought it to a reality.
“Woof! Woof!”
Howard was hollering for him. Because it was dark now, he couldn’t see his best pal, so Gunner began walking back toward the house. Within ten seconds, Howard was by his side, soaking wet from playing in the gentle surf. His tail was wagging and beating against Gunner’s calves as they walked together.
“Buddy, I was talking to your mommy. She said she misses you, too.”
Howard looked up and appeared to smile. His head snapped toward the water and paused.
“What is it, old boy?” asked Gunner.
Howard barked twice and walked into the water until it sloshed against his belly. Gunner waded in and saw what had grabbed his attention.
He gently nudged Howard back toward the beach and retrieved a bottle bobbing in the waves lapping against the shoreline.
“Whadya know, Howard. It’s a message in a bottle. See, it’s got a cork in it.” Gunner held it down to the basset’s level so he could sniff it. “Do you think we should read it?”
“Woof!”
“I don’t know, Howard. I feel like we’d be intruding. Why don’t we take it home and put it on Heather’s side of the bed? She’d probably think something like this is romantic, wouldn’t you agree?”
He barked again and then ran ahead as Ghost and Pop approached. Gunner knelt down to the water and rinsed off the sand. He tucked the bottle in his left arm and hugged it against his chest, where his heart was beating rapidly.
Pop led Howard back to the house, leaving Gunner and Ghost alone.
“Well, Gunner, what are your thoughts?”
“You know, when your life is turned upside down like mine was after Heather died, you really don’t know what to do. Everybody says you gotta move on, but it’s not that easy.”
Ghost understood. “Some people never move on.”
“I can imagine. Together, the whole world revolved around us. I never expected to live my life without her, and when it happened, I was at a loss.”
“You never quit, Gunner. You didn’t run away. I watched your career from a distance. I kept tabs on you, and you never knew it. I watched you pick up the pieces.”
Gunner laughed. “And here we are. Ghost, a month ago they were within an inch of kicking me to the curb. I could’ve lost everything over that test flight because I didn’t give a shit anymore, truthfully.”
Ghost stopped them and turned to Gunner. “That’s changed now, hasn’t it?”
“It has, and I’m not totally sure I can explain why. It’s as if I’m whole again, because I can feel Heather here, and here.” He pointed to his head and tapped his right fist against his heart.
“Listen, I’m not trying to lead you into a place that I don’t think you’re ready for. If anything, now more than ever, I think you need to join me on this new mission. We can do great things together. I’ve known that since the day you arrived at Hurlburt Field.”
Gunner chuckled and looked toward the house. Cam and Bear were leaning on the rail, staring at the two men as they spoke.
“Well, I’ll have a couple of very disappointed friends up there if I say no. What’s this new team or unit called?”
“Gray Fox,” replied Ghost.
“Wait, like the one in Afghanistan. They were the best.”
“And you will be, too. Gray Fox is being resurrected for you, Gunner.”
“I’m honored.”
Gunner turned to the house and hollered, “Hey, guys, can you come down here!”
Like two little kids who’d just been given permission to go play outside, Cam and Bear practically knocked each other over to race back into the house and within seconds emerged on the beach.
When they arrived, Ghost gathered them all together, but he looked to Gunner. “When the time comes, will you be ready to answer the call of duty and go where your country needs you?
“Yes, sir, send me,” replied Gunner, repeating the secretive motto of the Activity he’d heard in Afghanistan.
“Me too,” said Cam.
“Ride or die,” added Bear.
“We stick together,” said the trio in unison.
And, with that, Gray Fox was reborn.
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Table of Contents
Dedications
Acknowledgements
About the Author, Bobby Akart
Author’s Introduction to the Asteroid Series
Real-world news excerpts
Epigraph
Prologue
PART ONE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
PART TWO
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
PART THREE
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
PART FOUR
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapt
er 45
Chapter 46
PART FIVE
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Copyright Information