Classified: Missing Cat-Sub, Page 5

  The mark was so busy with the girl he never saw Tony. However the girl saw him clearly. At first she sucked in some air and then Tony gave her the shush sign. Her black eyes acknowledged him. The first thing he did was kick the man in the stomach lifting him clear off the girl and he rolled to the wall gasping for air. Surprisingly, the girl rose up, walked over to the man and she too kicked him in stomach. Tony smiled and said in Japanese, "I presume you are not willingly here tonight?"

  "No and I can see by your dress, you're here to do what I'd like to do to this worthless human. If I may be so bold, if you have a knife, I'd like to borrow it for a few minutes," she spat out with spittle flying. She was shaking all over with hate. Tony could see the man slowly recovering, but he was totally harmless.

  "I see you are serious young lady, so here, take my knife. I'll make sure he doesn't move much," he said while moving over and grabbing the man by his skinny arm, pulled him onto the futon back down. Tony was very impressed at how fast she moved. In a flash she had his evil penis in hand on its way to his mouth. The scream was piercing and Tony quickly stepped on his neck to stop the flow of air. It wasn't long before the man lie still but twitching in the throes of death.

  He thought it foolish of him to take this girl with him, but he couldn't leave her to the police. Ironically, she had a passport. He found out later powerful Japanese men would take her off island to other countries.

  He smiled again as the chopper began to drop down to the remote camp. He almost laughed out loud remember what she said right afterwards, "I need a shower, I'll only be five minutes. I can't leave here without washing his stink off me."

  The Bell landed in a swirling dust bowl. It never rains when you want it to, he thought as he bent down while the blades slowly stopped. His camp boss, Whymar, greeted his boss at the camp shack. The only redeeming factor of the shack was its a/c being powered by a fairly quiet Honda generator.

  Tony sat down at the desk and said, "We have a contract Whymar. I think we need four of our best. We're going to the USA."

  -8-

  "Andy, I think I see something off the port bow. I see a grey shape rather than brown," said Mike. The Navy had expedited the submersible request and by afternoon, Mike with his submersible pilot Andy Whitehaven, was following the exact course of the Vermont. They were almost 110 kilometers off shore where the bottom depth was 100 meters and counting.

  "I see it too sir," said Andy with some excitement in his voice. Like most dedicated military personnel, Andy was embarrassed by the loss of an important new craft. As they slowly moved to the, what was now evident, the missing cat sub, "Sir lets mark the spot using our GPS. Also, my orders are to notify shore that we are in need of pickup. They'll send a Chinook and whisk us away."

  "Okay Andy, let's wrap it up right after I take a few photos for my boss," said Mike.

  Later they were bobbing on the surface waiting for a pickup. Mike called Brad. "You were right on buddy. We marked the spot and will be back on base within an hour or so."

  Brad sat his phone down and without any emotion, stroked Sandy's head and neck. Then he called his boss the president. Brad was put right through. "Report," said Sam Bates.

  "We found it sir. I'm going to use it for bait to catch the people responsible; if that's agreeable to you," said Brad.

  "Damn fine news Brad. Would you care to speculate who was behind it," asked the president.

  "I think I know who is behind it, but our main concern it was China is not turning out that way. However, the source is very nearby, if you get my meaning," said Brad.

  "Yes, I think I do Brad. Your father has been very worried lately. I'm sure you'll tell him forthwith the good news," said the president as he hung up.

  "Son, you took the monkey off my back. Yes, indeed I fretted and worried, but had faith in you and your fine team. Your mother said I should take up gardening with Park. Maybe it's time I took a final break from the service. However, there's still work to be done and I'm not finished quite yet.

  Okay, so that is that and you'll use it for bait, I presume," said Secretary Pratt.

  "Yes, I'm sure it will lead to the east, but need to verify it first. Meanwhile we are digging into some shady politicians and manufacturing firms. I'll brief you and the president in a week or so. Got to go now sir," said Brad.

  Brad and team sat around the warehouse office kicking around some ideas about how the sub thieves might try and remove the cat sub. Agent Jones said, "Brad I'm not much on undersea stuff, but wouldn't it take a fairly large crane to lift the cat sub?"

  "Yes, it would. We need to have someone chase a red hearing thinking we aren’t looking where the cat sub really is. Any ideas team," asked Brad. The silence was broken by Sandy who passed a little gas. Brad chuckled and so it went until it was a round table knee slapping belly laughs. Sandy was delighted and woofed her approval. Finally, Mike wiping his eyes said:

  "I think it's time we went fishing off shore. We need a little downtime anyway. Let's get a local yokel to chauffeur us around. Who knows we might even catch something."

  "Okay," said Brad, "we got Mike fishing and who's going with him?"

  "I'll with him," said Wade. I'll get "Mike to tell me some war stories while we chug a brew and cast our bait out."

  "Wendy, what are you and Jones going to do while we bide our time," asked Brad.

  "I think we need to find out if someone rented/leased a barge or ship with a crane onboard. It would have to be diver equipped also. I think me and Jones will let our fingers do the walking through the yellow pages of the computer."

  "Sounds good team. Billy, what's your contribution to this wait and catch the mouse in the trap game," asked Brad.

  "I'd like to –or I should say, we—would like to keep on the background checks of Carolina and that Senator Totsky. So far he's kept us from finding out about his wealth. He did marry a rich woman who loves to breed race horses, but from what we've discovered, she loses her butt. It appears she has no business sense at all. Her daddy cast her adrift years ago; from what we gather. The senator was from an upper middle level with both his parents' professionals, but far from rich. He's clever that one is -- in our opinion."

  "Stay with it and provide us with a link to Hong Kong. I need that verified before I can take any action," said Brad. All knew what he meant except Alice.

  **//**

  Angi sat alone in the office while Tony went to see Varney. Her being the cautious one, she felt a chill thinking about taking on the Batt Team. She'd followed their exploits since the snatch and grab in North Korea. That was the first time he, Brad, had been photographed on a mission. Ever since, she'd surf the net each day, seeing what popped up about the not so covert team of the president. The recent news had the Batt Team, along with some Navy SEALS up against some diamond thieves. However, as it turned out it went deeper than just diamonds. It included murder, kidnapping and the thievery of art and jewels dating back to WWII. The end result was the elimination of two underworld power brokers who lost everything; including their lives. She shuddered while thinking about it.

  Her dilemma was talking to her mate and boss Tony Hodges. This contract would set him for life; if carried out successfully, that is. Failure was very possible. Loss of life was even more possible. But now how could they withdraw after accepting the half payment and agreeing to perform. The word would get around and that would be the end of Tony and his life plan. Simply put, they couldn't back out even if they wanted to. To Angi, it was payback time for all his work to rescue her from abuse, treat her like a person, acknowledged her brain, and the best part was his tender love he showed her how it was supposed to be between man and woman. She felt that her life was coming to an end. She'd sacrifice herself to save him somehow. Down deep, she realized Tony would challenge Brad Pratt to a one on one fight to the death. Such a thought brought fresh salty tears to her eyes. She hadn't cried for years. The dam burst sending forth a torrent of water down her brown cheeks.

  Her
only hope might be to contact Brad Pratt and hope he'd listen to her and not kill her mate and best friend. Tony wasn't a bad guy at all. Somehow she'd have to explain that Tony bit off more than he could chew this time.

  She decided as she wiped the last few tears from her face, to find Brad Pratt in Georgia and talk to him face to face. She'd heard he was a fair minded man and she truly hoped so. But, then, as she sucked in a deep gasp of air, what if Tony get mad and cast her adrift. Not so bad, she thought. At least he would still be alive even though she was lost to the world he'd made for her. It was the least she could do to pay him back for saving her from slavery.

  **//**

  Brad decided to go for a run while his team performed the objectives handed down. He caught a ride from Alice and Billy as they both would go to the temporary housing to continue the research on the senator and the manufacturing firm.

  Soon he was jogging on a nice late morning run around the base. While running he found the Huron Trail that went south and then he turned east to the dock area. As he ran south on the Huron Trail, he felt a vibration coming towards him. Brad slowed and then walked feeling the strength of the vibration. He stopped and turned east, nothing, turned north, nothing, turned west, nothing. It came from the south which meant South America most likely. He continued his run thinking about what the warning meant coming from the south. He could understand it coming from the west which would mean the Far East or Asia. However, south was a puzzler. Be that as it may, it was time to tighten security both here and at home.

  Back home, at the base housing, Brad called his wife first and then he'd call Mike. Sujin took it in stride and said, "Not to worry my husband. I've been training again while your precious mother has been a super babysitter. Me and Rocky have been up and down the beach enjoying the good weather for a change. You know fall is upon us here at the coast and rain will come soon. We Asians hate rain, you know. I'll never get used to it. I think we should winter in Arizona like your mother says to do," as she laughed.

  He loved her laugh. As a matter of fact, he loved her no matter laughing or crying; which crying was seldom seen or heard. He said, "How's Park and let him know what I feel coming. I don't feel it much your way, but here is very strong. What do you think about having some SEALS come up for a while?"

  "Let me think about for a day or so. Our security is pretty good. A stealth attack might not be fun at all."

  "Oh, by the way, Steve's wife called and said she like for us to take Lucy back. She reminds her too much of Steve. I sent a sailor down to take care of sending her to you. You could use an extra security dog just now."

  "Park said he's got an excellent rooster and I can verify it by the noise it makes. Little Brian loves the chickens. Park is anxious to have little chicks running around watching Brian chasing the uncatchable. Okay, my husband got to go now. Bye love you."

  "Hey Mike we have company coming from the south," Brad said. Mike had a pole hanging over the stern wishing a fish would take his bait. He said:

  "You know, there's always something to ruin a good fishing day. I was hoping to bring home dinner. Now I guess we order fish and chips."

  Brad smiled and said to return when it got dark. By then all the team would be in one place to decide what to do next. And to the 'what to do next' was a big surprise when Brad received a phone call from the base reception person.

  The call had come through regular channels. The caller was a female and the number to return the call was located in Belem, Brazil. It was a puzzler for sure. Billy had begun to trace the call as Brad dialed it up on his secure phone. The call was answered on the second ring. Brad heard a female voice with broken English. She said, "Mr. Pratt. This isn't a prank call. I need to see you face to face and talk to you about the future. It's something to do with Hong Kong. I'm flying out within the hour. I'll find my way to the Navy base. Please give me a phone number to call you direct please."

  Brad said, "I feel that what you want is important. A van will pick you up at the base gate. The driver will know who you are. Call this number when you arrive." He gave her his cell number. She hung up without saying good bye.

  The team was staring at him while he was musing inside his head what it all meant. He looked up knowing it was fruitless to contemplate or guess what she wanted. One thing he did know and that is it was tied directly to the cat sub and more than likely to the vibration he received from the south. He said, "Interesting conversation. A female with broken English, Asian, I suspect, wants to see me and discuss something relating to our current mission. Expect the unexpected."

  Billy said, "The call came from Belem, Brazil and is registered to a company called, Security Import/Export Inc. The sole owner is Felix Spanner of Brazil. I'll run a check on him soonest Brad."

  "Sounds innocuous to me. However, beware of a wolf in…….. my mother always said. Now, how about some lunch. I'd go for some southern fried chicken, if it was available on this fine base," said Brad.

  After hanging up, Angi made a reservation to fly to Jacksonville, Florida. She didn’t have a god to pray to, but she said a prayer for her and Tony.

  -9-

  Tony, meanwhile, had laid out the plan to Varney about the contract of up to seven individuals that needed removal. Varney's eyebrows rose almost to the top of his dark brown skin. He said, "Tony, we are contracted to take out seven people who are affiliated with the USA government as a covert team?"

  "Yes, and each are well trained and the leader is at the top of the line when it comes to martial arts. Are you having some doubts Varney?"

  "Quite frankly I am Tony. Even though our men are well trained, going up against a formable group is tantamount to destruction of our organization."

  "I see what you are saying Varney. Maybe I need to rethink this whole plan. Maybe it should be mano to mano, as they say. I'll think on it Varney. Now show me what you've been doing and how our men are shaping up. I need a little exercise so chose an opponent and let the games begin," Tony said.

  As Tony prepared for a spot of competition, he wondered if he had thought the whole contract through. He was so caught up in the scheme of things he really didn't stop to contemplate what he was really up against. This wasn't a game. It was a fight to the death. Maybe what he saw in Angi's eyes told the real story: fright at its highest level.

  While Tony was sparring with a student, Angi was boarding a flight to Florida. She'd left a note behind for Tony. He wouldn't be happy, but then life is full of unhappy people. All you had to do was look around you at anytime and at any place. Even at an airport where most of the passengers were tourists going somewhere, had grim faces fighting the throngs of pushers and shovers. However, for her, she was flying business class so not much pushing and shoving going on. She sat back to gather her thoughts. Smiling, she had almost seven hours to gather her thoughts.

  **//**

  Mr. Chi, by his own reckoning was in his mid eighties. He'd been through and had seen many changes in China. From the foolishness of Mao to the rapid expansion of an industrial giant fueled by human power. Mr. Chi didn't live this long and became this rich by being a fool.

  The vibration of his jade pieces foretold him the contract to eliminate Brad Pratt and his team was not the way to go. He'd thought about while the currier was flying to Hong Kong. He had instructed Mr. A to have her brought to his office when she arrived. Make sure, he told him, that you don’t scare her off. I want her to be comfortable and relaxed. He was going to tell her to cancel the contract regardless of what anyone else said. For her trouble and the head of the security company, he would give her 1/4 of the fee to settle the debt.

  In the meantime, he instructed Mr. A to retrieve that mini sub sooner rather than later. It was time to make a move. The longer it sat there, the more time for exposure to be found was evident. Besides, he had an ace in the hole, even if it was found. He smiled at the fact money could buy you anything on this planet, if you had enough of it.

  He said, "Mr. A, how are our guests
doing these days?"

  "They're fine sir. We keep them pretty well drugged so they are rather listless. I'll have someone check on them shortly. Meanwhile, that Senator Totsky is asking for more money. He told me his expenses are increasing as time goes on. I await your order sir," said Mr. A.

  "Transfer that Pratt contract to Senator Totsky. He's been a thorn in our side from the beginning. That should make the currier happy."

  **//**

  Like most Asians, Angi could sleep anywhere at any time. The flight attendant told her to raise her seat up because they'd be landing shortly. Angi hurried to the restroom to freshen up a bit.

  After customs, she hailed a taxi to take her to Kings Naval Base. The taxi driver shrugged his shoulders and took off. Angi paid with a credit card and tipped the man generously with green dollars. He smiled with a mouthful of gold teeth accenting his black skin.

  Angi walked to the guard station noting it was very dark out and she was hungry. The guards were forewarned that she would be coming. In no time Alice was on her way to pick her up. Angi shouldered her bag and waited outside not wanting those Marines to stare at her.

  For Brad she was about what he expected of an Asian: small, wiry, short black hair and eyes, a stubby nose with thin lips. She was no raving beauty, but not hard on the eyes either. She followed Alice and sat down where instructed. She looked around the room and in no time she spotted Brad as the main man in the room. The aura around him radiated power from within. She'd guessed right in coming here to make a deal of some sort. Agni felt really small and uneducated around this team of professionals.

  Brad said, "Welcome Angness to our country. What can we do for you now that you've come such long ways from your origin?"