“I think it is a great idea. Do we have a layout of the area?”
<Yes we do and here it is.> Aston transmitted the layout telepathically.
“Ok, let me see what the team thinks.” An hour later the whole group was gathered for a skull session. Andy laid out the proposal and Aston displayed the layout. “Here is the thing, this location is a major pipeline for drugs and terrorists entering the US. We do not want to alert the Mexican authorities too far in advance since that is an invitation for a leak. We can utilize the Mexican military but we do not want them sending troops into an area too early since that might tip our hand. We need to do some planning on this. I think the first thing we need to do is to have a chat with this General Josephus Gomez to see if he will be cooperative and to see if we can garner some cooperation or intelligence from him. We also do not want to create a vacuum for another criminal organization to jump into so we can't just stop at one organization. If we do this well, there is the potential to have a dramatic impact on the quality of life for a lot of people in that area. The idea here is to train our capabilities but I like the idea of doing it in a way that helps other people. Our goal at this time would be to neutralize the selected organization, all of it. What do you all think?"
Jim said, “Let me throw a few thoughts. We are trying to assure that all of these capabilities we have are fully developed. Stretching ourselves is a good thing as long as we do not endanger others in our field of activity." All agreed and Jim went on, "I like this thing we are considering with Mexico and actually it might be kind of fun. One of the things about these thugs is they never seem to get the message. Crime there is so overwhelmingly prevalent that nobody knows where to start to clean it up. What if we were to teleport these guys one by one to a location where the national government, in particular, the military had them rather than the state? If we dropped them off with some identification of who they are, we may be more effective in getting them out of circulation. Just go in invisible and remove them to another location. My suggestion would be to the Islas Marias Federal Prison in the Islas Marias archipelago off the Pacific Coast. Just put them in the prison yard, in their skivvies, bound with Mexican restraints and their ID's hanging around their necks. Do it in the middle of the night so they are not so apt to see their people disappearing. After all the people are gone we can go in and clean the place out. Drop all the weapons where the Mexican military would like to have them. Same for all the explosives, ammunition and equipment. We can sequester any cash found to fund assistance for the victims of their actions. It can also fund relocation efforts. That can be done through an offshore bank. We don’t use any of that money for ourselves but only for people that have been injured by the various groups we disband. If the amounts are too large, we can redistribute that to charities and churches in Mexico that have active aid efforts under way.”
Ed opined, "There is a kind of poetic justice to that kind of redistribution. I kind of like it."
Andy asked, "What is the downside?"
Jim responded, "The money, of course. It represents a temptation and a distraction that we have to consider and resolve. But we can resolve that by giving control of those funds we recover to Aston. If he sees something as more self serving than not, we don't do it. We are not going to have any difficulty with personal funds. I could leave here this minute and come back in 20 minutes with enough gold and valuables to live like a king just from sunken ships that no one has been able to reach. I do not intend to do that because I do not have the need. None of us has suffered from greed, quite the contrary. I am concerned about the funds that the drug lords and terrorist organizations hold because of what they do with them. I would love to see that removed from the equation. It is largely the basis of their influence."
Aston added, <Jim makes a good point, I have enough gold and platinum on board to make all of you multi-millionaires, but that would be pointless and it is not our purpose. You really do not personally need the excess because the implants give you unparalleled mobility and anonymity. Why would you want to since you can go where ever you wish and blend in. The idea of using those ill gotten gains for assistance to those harmed does have an interesting appeal, an element of justice to it. I like the idea. Jim's suggestion of a revision to the initial proposal also makes sense and is workable. An additional thought is that you will need a plausible income that I will provide even though you will not need it. We do not want to call attention to you if you appear to be living a middle class lifestyle with no income. That would eventually invite issues.>
Andy said, "I like this whole idea of removing those resources and that base, but perhaps we are thinking too small. Last I read, there are at least five or six and probably more cartels moving drugs and terrorists across the border. These are not so much cartels as they are major crime operations. The conflicts and violence they cause is likely why so many want to migrate north, illegally. What if we were to take off the heads of these cartels in a relatively short period of time and deliver them to that prison after alerting the military that it was happening? That might just kick start some necessary reforms. I do like the idea of retaining a portion of the cash recovered to fund the works we have been discussing. If we decimate the cartels, particularly the leadership,, the military should then be able to put a lid on the violence. We do need a discussion with General Gomez to see how he feels about an intrusion/collaboration from us. He might also give us some guidance on where to hit, and how to contain activities."
There was excitement about the idea from the entire group. Aston noted that the General was at home alone having lunch. That if the team spoke to him mentally, he would hear in Spanish and be understood. Andy said, "I would like you all to listen in. The Chief, Pat, Maria and I will go there physically. We will wear those uniforms that Aston suggested, and be in semi-visible form with our faces obscured. We should change in the ship." Aston noted that they would appear in the uniforms merely by willing it. Physical change would not be necessary. The uniforms were black from head to toe with a flared star on the chest. Pat noted that the uniforms were striking. After they changed they teleported to the General's kitchen in full invisible so as not to startle him. Andy spoke to the General, <We would like to discuss a matter of some importance with you General Gomez. We believe you may like what we would propose. We are here now but did not want to startle you with a sudden appearance. May we join you visibly?>
"Si."
<General, if you just think the responses, we will hear you and that way, no one else will overhear what is said here.>
<I understand, but I am not sure I believe.> The four appeared in semi visible mode with faces obscured. <Are you the group that has been giving terrorists around the world such a dose of their own medicine?>
The General laughed in turn and said, <Amigos, 'liked' would be a term of gross understatement, I definitely 'liked' and applaud your actions. How may I be of assistance?>
<Actually General, it is we who would like to offer you a gift and ask for assistance. We know you are having some difficulty with controlling the violence brought on by some crime families in your country. For starters, we have in mind the complete neutralization of the major criminal organization in the Ciudad Juarez area using the same tactics you have already heard about in other areas. We can individually teleport individuals elsewhere. The location we had in mind is the Federal Prison Yard at the Islas Marias Federal Prison in the Islas Marias archipelago on Isla Maria Madre. If it is acceptable location, the transfer is nearly instantaneous.>
<That would be a wonderful location for them surpassed only by depositing them on the moon.>
Andy responded, <I agree except that it would be difficult for them to breathe there and we are not murderers.>
The General laughed and then said, <It almost sounds like you could actually reach there.>
Jim replied, <Yes, we can and we would not have t
rouble with our breathing.>
<Madre de Dios. What are you?>
<General, we are quite human but with some additional capabilities. We are trying to put those capabilities to some good use that will benefit those less fortunate. We do need some help because we are not many, so time becomes a critical limitation in how we approach a project. The things you have heard about us were essentially practice runs. They were a bit showy for a reason. Some day, we may explain that to you. First, in your view, is the Ciudad Juarez group a reasonable first target?>
<That would be an excellent first choice, they cause too much friction and animosity with our neighbor to the North.>
Andy continued, <Second, can you provide us with a list of persons in that organization with outstanding warrants for arrest?>
<That I have in my office and I can gladly provide that information to you. I would ask that you destroy that list when you are done because my government considers it secret for some strange illogical reason.>
<We can do better than that. We do not have to take a copy, only to see each page in the document. You will be able to say that you did not give a copy to anyone.>
<Bueno.>
<Third can you tell us how many persons are in the different echelons, who are the Capos, who are the Lugartenientes (Lieutenants), who are the Sicarios (Hitmen) and who are the Halcones? Same conditions as the last item.>
<I can also provide you with that information. Some of the persons on that list are under suspicion and we do not have solid proof. We do have enough to detain them for a time. Hopefully the organization records will help us there.>
<Fourth, where do you want them placed if not Isla Maria Madre?>
<Isla Maria Madre is excellent for the Sicarios and Halcones and they will be the most numerous. For the Capos and Lugartenientes, I would suggest a different location. I will show you a map and provide the coordinates. Those we would keep incommunicado for a longer time. Incidentally, you will likely want a news blackout for a period of time while you gather in the criminals. I can assure at least ten days. Will that be sufficient time for you.>
<I believe that is more than adequate. If we run into an issue we will contact you. If less time is appropriate, we will also let you know.>
<Fifth, where do you want the drugs placed for disposal?>
<We have a drug disposal and destruction site that is really quite efficient if underutilized. I will provide the coordinates and a map for you.>
<Sixth. We expect to find a large quantity of weapons, munitions, explosives and the like.>
<We have an ordinance disposal site and you will have the coordinates and map for that. We can determine whether any of it is in a high enough quality condition to be salvaged for use by our own troops. You may save us a few pesos in our budget."
<Seventh. We expect to see quite a bit of military grade equipment and vehicles. It would be a shame to waste that. Where would you like that equipment?>
<You can move even that! I think that would also go to the Ordinance depot for evaluation and salvage or destruction as indicated by its condition.>
<Eighth, these criminals typically have immense amounts of cash on hand in their compounds. We intend to skim off some of it to finance relocation efforts for people injured by them, for families where the wage earner has been murdered, for reimbursement to persons that have had to pay ransom. We need none of it directly ourselves. The rest will be your problem. Where will you want it placed?>
<That is an interesting issue. It is also more of a temptation than many could handle, even for some of our troops. This is going to sound strange coming from me but I would suggest you drop all of the money that is in pesos in every church poor box you can find in Mexico. Most of that money will get where it needs to be, in the hands of the poor, same thing for all the rest of it, only go international with that. Then burn down those buildings, to the ground. Do so thoroughly. People will suspect there was money there and maybe even where it went but won't strenuously object without upsetting those who benefit. Burn down all that remains. The accounting of their activities will likely be valuable for purposes of prosecution of these Capos and their like. Lead them all to think the money was burned. Perhaps some charred, unusable remnants left laying around to make the suggestion. Leave no proof. I never said this but if it were me that is what I would want to do.>
<General, we salute you. That is how we will do it. Rest assured it will be distributed to places where it can do the most good. Ninth, we expect to see prisoners at this compound, persons kidnapped, held against their will and so forth. Some may not be in good condition. Some may need medical attention. All must be debriefed. Families will need to be contacted to let them know these people are safe. We will need to assure that they are indeed who they say they are.>
<We have a secure wing at the base hospital here where we can handle that very nicely. We will treat them well and we will get their stories and return them to their families as soon as is practicable.>
<Bueno. Finally, where do you want incriminating evidence placed? We will not be able to provide a true chain of evidence but some things may be self evident enough to use or at least provide leads for your investigators and prosecutors.>
<At this base there is a locked store room that might do. It is currently filled with locked filing cabinets. My designee and I are the only ones with authority to enter. That is the place to put such things. I will unlock all of the unoccupied cabinets today and when you put something in you can trigger the lock and I will know to look there. I will also need to know when you are ready to go so I can have appropriate troops in place for the drop off sites. I will need at least five to six hours to get people in position with orders. I have some suggestions as to who would be appropriate stops for future action. How soon before you wish to start? >
<We are ready now but we knew you would need time to set up what you need from your end. Merely think a ‘go ahead’ command and we will start. We can teleport you to your office and you can show us the materials we discussed and then return you here so no one is the wiser.>
<Si, let us do that now.> He showed them everything he had said he would show them and they returned him to his kitchen. <Amigos, this has been a dream come true. I hope I am not dreaming this because that would be very sad. I wish to thank you for what you have in mind. Vaya con Dios.>
Jim, Andy and Pat returned to the ship where everyone else was waiting. Jim started the discussion, "Well that was not entirely expected. General Gomez appears to be solidly in our camp. He has already started the preparations. We need to have an idea of how many people we have to move, so we can do a rough estimate of timing and appropriate planning."
<The first cartel base is one of the largest. The Capos and Lugartenientes number about 150 persons and the number of on premises soldiers number about 2,500. All of these criminals should be transported. The whole transfer of people should take about an hour. I will label each person with a band around the neck that the individual cannot remove to aid the Mexican military in processing them. I will also give each of them a mild sedative to calm them down and make them more amenable to the process. Next we clean out the site and transfer materials to the locations designated by General Gomez. We should be able to do that in about an hour. After all the transfers have occurred, its burn time. Four of you should go up above the Earth on the Sunward side and absorb enough solar power to burn, actually melt the principal buildings. I will let you know how much to absorb. That should only take a few minutes. It will be a very hot fire. Everyone at the compound is to be removed first. I can create a portal to a cavern/vault where we can store the money and valuables we capture. With the speed and strength that each of you have, you should take only a few minutes to accomplish that. We will then need to find as many of the off-site Sicarios and Halcones as we can. These should be restrained and they should be transported with the weapons that are locked and not touched so the military forensics people can test ballistics and prints for evi
dence. I think you are looking at an operation of about 3 to 4 hours in all. I would suggest we confine the first night operation to one compound. We can then critique what worked and what did not do so well. We can confer with the General tomorrow to see what he feels about the operation and where to go next. I believe that four nights of this will give the Mexican military a major boost in their effort to reduce the violence. If lights become an issue remember that the primary implant recipients can absorb power and electricity is a form of energy.>
They went over the plan a few more times and determined what each persons role would be. All felt that they were ready.
Pat posed a question, "Aston, do you have the ability to tag the people we have been arresting so that we can find them again if they elect to continue their errant ways?"
<Nicely said Pat, we do indeed and I have been doing just that. In fact, the terrorist in London escaped with some help from his friends. They are again plotting serious damage and should be stopped poste haste.>