Chapter 39 - Freaky Morning?

September 6th, 2017

0920, Naval Air Station Key West, USA

"Director Nick Jones?" Colonel Miranda Sheppard asks.

A panting man leans against the wall. The Director of the CIA is trying to catch his breath.

"Colonel Sheppard?" Director Jones says in between gulps, "Is General Beggingson here?"

"Yes, Sir." Colonel Sheppard says, "He sent me to get you."

"Here I am!" Director Jones says with a huge gasp, "Lead the way."

Colonel Sheppard steps back into the building with Director Jones in tow. They race past the people busying through the hallway. 5 US Marines salute Colonel Sheppard as she dashes past them. Colonel Sheppard salutes back as she leads Director Jones to the elevator.

"No time." Director Jones says pointing to the stairs, "It's only 2 floors up."

The duo enters the stairwell and ascends. A minute later, Director Jones and Colonel Sheppard are at the door leading into the Command Center. Director Jones waves his badge and the door opens. Standing further in the crowded space are the unmistakable figures of General George Beggingson and Captain Mark Keyes. Colonel Sheppard follows Director Jones in then stops a distance away, saluting General Beggingson, who nods in response.

"That was fast." General Beggingson says as he faces the incoming Jones, Director of the CIA.

"I was already on my way." Director Jones says, "I know the attackers' target."

"Exactly what we need to hear." Captain Mark Keyes says.

"You need to send troops to Gray site Blazes immediately." Director Jones says.

"My forces are scattered and with comms down, I can't rapidly redeploy." Captain Keyes says.

"The enemies are trying to retrieve certain objects currently at Blazes." Director Jones says.

"Were they recently brought to the base?" General Beggingson asks.

"Yes." Director Jones says, "I already have an asset rushing there now to stop the robbery."

"Woah! Woah!" Captain Keyes says, "What is valuable enough to attack an American base?"

"Information." Director Jones says, "The more time we argue, the more people die."

Captain Keyes looks at Director Jones, then at General Beggingson.

"I trust him." General Beggingson says.

"Jones, my morning has been freaky ever since you showed up." Captain Keyes remarks.

"I have some Marines standing by." General Beggingson says, "Keyes, If you could arm them."

"Sergeant, arm the Marines then escort them to Blazes with vehicles." Captain Keyes says.

"Sir!" The nearby MP Sergeant says with a salute then makes his way to the exit.

"You have permission to use the vehicles at the front." Captain Keyes says looking at Jones, "I am responsible for over 25 thousand lives. Stop the bastards who dare put them in danger."

"Thank you." Director Jones says with a nod, "I will."

"Colonel Sheppard, lead the troops and support the Director." General Beggingson instructs.

"Sir!" Colonel Sheppard says with a salute.

"And Director Jones, we must chat after this is all over." General Beggingson says.

"You've my word." Director Jones shouts as he exits the room with Colonel Sheppard in tow.

0925, Director Jones is being driven in a desert camo M1038A1 Troop Carrier Humvee by Colonel Sheppard. 2 US Marines, male and female, are dressed in desert-patterned USMC Combat Utility Uniform and body armor. They are sitting in the back silently. Another humvee with 3 male US Marines, driven by the MP Sergeant, follows the Colonel's humvee. Each humvee has flashing blue lights with the words "Military Police" on its body. Every Marine and the MP Sergeant have a Beretta M9 handgun holstered to their hips and an M4 carbine semiautomatic rifle sitting on their laps or beside their person.

The two humvee convoy has just driven past a wrecked road. A bomb had exploded on the only road leading to Blazes but fortunately, the off-road detour remains. Now, the convoy is back on the narrow road. Director Jones stares further in the distance. Less than a kilometer due north, a plume of smoke rises from where Blazes should be.

"No contact with Blazes so I don't know what to expect when we arrive." Director Jones says.

"Then we'll just have to be prepared for anything." Colonel Sheppard responds.

"Indeed." Director Jones says pensively.

"Sir?" The male US Marine in the back asks.

"Yes?" Director Jones answers looking back.

"What does your asset look like?" The male US Marine asks.

"Young male, dark hair, light skin, in black scrubs." Director Jones says, "Why?"

"Well, I see a figure running past us from the northeast." The male US Marine says, "2 o'clock."

Director Jones looks out his open window, eastward. A trail of dust 200 meters away is going in the opposite direction. Focusing his eyes, Director Jones sees a newly familiar figure racing on the dusty grass. A man with a silver briefcase running really fast, heading back to the base.

"That is really fast." The female US Marine says as she observes the figure.

'But why would he be running back?' Jones asks himself as he predicts the path ahead.

"Turn around now!" Director Jones shouts.

"Sir?" Colonel Sheppard asks.

"My asset is running in the opposite direction." Director Jones answers urgently.

"What about the objects at Blazes?" Colonel Sheppard asks.

"Just send the other humvee to secure the site." Director Jones says.

"Roger that!" Colonel Sheppard says.

Colonel Sheppard slows the humvee to a stop then turns it around. She signals to the other humvee to continue onward to Blazes. Then, Colonel Sheppard speeds back to the base.

"I only hope we aren't too late." Director Jones says.