There were a few mock gasps of surprise from the audience in response to Santino’s status as “cultural expert.” Santino stood and offered an obnoxious wave and bow.
“Are you through, Lieutenant?”
Santino merely smiled and I smiled with him. It was easy to see why we had always gotten along so well. We were both notorious jokesters. While Santino was more of a prankster and standup comedian, I was just a smartass with a penchant for his sense of humor.
McDougal continued his briefing, waving a hand towards the large Frenchmen.
“Lieutenant Jeanne Bordeaux was a member of the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group. He’s worked mainly in Africa subverting terrorist activity before it reached Europe, and played an integral part in planning Operation Raven Claw, stopping the only major African offensive at Gibraltar in 2019. He’s our demo man.
“Lieutenant Helena Van Strauss is our sniper. She’s only been shooting in Germany’s KSK for a few months, but prior to joining, won gold in multiple shooting events at the Olympics. In the short time that she has served in the military, her kill count is quite impressive, so gentlemen, please try not to end up in her crosshairs.”
Santino tossed his head back and laughed, and I shifted in my seat.
“Finally, our newest arrival is Lieutenant Jacob Hunter. Formerly a U.S. Navy SEAL, Hunter is our water insertion specialist. Our location on the Tiber River is ideal for covert departures and arrivals back here to base. To do so, we’ll be utilizing underground sewers that require us to swim out to a tunnel system constructed by the Vatican and fed by the Tiber, before continuing out to the Tyrrhenian Sea where a sub will pick us up and take us where we need to go. Each of you has done at least some water insertion training, but if you feel you need some extra help, see Hunter after the briefing. He is also cross trained in underwater explosives, Bordeaux you may want to get in touch with him in regards to that. Finally, he is also a qualified sniper. You’re quite the Renaissance man, Hunter. With that, swim buddy assignments.”
My stomach churned because I knew exactly where this was going.
“Our combat operations doctrine is that of two-man elements working in tandem as a unit, so as situations require, we can split up. Santino, you’re paired with Vincent. Bordeaux, you’re with Wang, and I’ll tag along with you two when we’re in the water. That leaves Strauss and Hunter. Hunter, you’ll act as her spotter, and since she’s the least experienced in the water, you two could not have been a more perfect match.”
This time it wasn’t just Santino who couldn’t help himself, but the rest of the guys began laughing as well. I even saw Vincent’s shoulders bobbing in silent amusement.
Grudgingly, I finally looked over at the one person on the team I would soon have to become closest to. I saw her turn and catch my eye with equally deliberate slowness.
I smiled, keeping it completely platonic.
Strauss let out a small sigh, resigning to the situation, and offered me the first sign of affection since meeting me.
A nod and that was enough for me.
“All right ladies and gentlemen. We’ve been granted leave for seventy two hours starting now. I understand Lieutenant Hunter has been in transit from the States for over a day, so go get some sleep. The rest of you, hit the gym, or the range, but don’t leave the base, not that it’s bloody likely you could find your way out. In sixteen hours, we’ll start running through combat and arms drills. You’re all professionals, so it shouldn’t be long before we’re operating like a well-oiled machine. Dismissed.”
The Praetorians stood and saluted smartly before filing out of the room.
I headed straight for the rack, asking Vincent where it was first. It had been a long and tiring day, full of interesting surprises. After finally finding my bunk, I thought of my lovely new swim buddy as I kicked off my boots and collapsed onto the bed. My final thoughts as my head hit the pillow were of soft knuckles and piercing green eyes.
III
Vatican Undergrounds, Rome
July, 2021 AD
I awoke after ten hours of uninterrupted sleep, having dreamt of nothing but floating green eyes.
When I was a child, sleeping had been a tumultuous affair. Even after nine hours of restful sleep, I still awoke every morning drowsy and was fatigued throughout the day. Thankfully, years of military service easily kicked that habit. As soon as my head hit the pillow these days, I was out like a rock and rarely remembered what I had dreamt about. I woke up well rested and ready to handle whatever was thrown at me.
Glancing at the wall clock, I noticed it was only six in the morning, but as for what day of the week it was, I had no idea. After hours in transit, jet lag, more time zones than I could count and sleep deprivation; I had no clue what week it was, let alone what day. Pulling myself out of bed, I felt the calling of a long, hot shower, and a fresh change of clothes.
I found the shower almost immediately, noticing it was “male-only” and wondered where the ladies room was. I gave up wondering as soon as the steaming water began to wonderfully scald my face, and twenty minutes later, I felt fresh, rejuvenated, and ready to start the day.
Before leaving, I synchronized my watch with the wall clock and decided to head to the mess. I noticed four sleeping bodies in the racks and figured the last was busy in the large multiplex outside. McDougal or Vincent could be anywhere. I also noticed another dozen or so empty racks, and immediately wondered if we shared a facility with the first Praetorian team, and also wondered if we’d ever cross paths. It seemed like I’d find out sooner or later, so I pushed it from my mind, and left the barracks. It wasn’t long before I wandered my way into the large training facility and started my way towards the food.
A few steps in, I heard the crack, crack, crack sound of the same high powered rifle I had heard before. A quick glance towards the shooting range revealed my lovely swim buddy carefully firing down range once again. Five full magazines stood in a neat row on the table next to her, awaiting their chance to fire. Girl was on a mission, or something.
I decided it was probably a good idea to ignore her for the time being, as I understood the Zen-like peace snipers experienced when shooting. I knew I hated it when someone disturbed me while I was shooting and considering her obvious temper, I made sure to give her a wide berth as I passed by.
Instead, I followed my nose.
Not that there was an actual aroma wafting from the cafeteria so early in the morning of course. In most modern training facilities, at least the ones that housed the kind of Special Forces units that required around the clock feeding due to their erratic schedules, traditional cooks and cooking facilities were no longer up to snuff. Instead, new technology was developed that took orders, processed them, and finally, cooked the meals before delivering them to a serving tray. They were quite expensive, but the casual food consumer could hardly tell the difference from a flesh and blood cook and an automatic food processor.
I stepped up to the machine and punched up an order of bacon, scrambled eggs, wheat toast, a bowl of cereal that looked like fruit loops, and hot tea, and waited while the machine worked its magic. A few minutes later, it dispensed a sectionalized tray that held extremely generous portions of my selection. Armies were run on their stomachs after all, as Napoleon’s disaster in Russia had proved, so the machines were designed to serve more than double of a normal serving, a detail I definitely approved of.
Even so, I called up an extra order of bacon.
Sitting with my back to the ever diligent Miss Lieutenant Van Strauss, I began eating my breakfast. I ate slowly, listening to the meticulous sounds of rifle discharges behind me. I’d barely made it through my first serving of bacon when the shooting abruptly stopped. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed her gather her rifle and spent magazines and carry them to the armory, emerging minutes later empty handed, undoing her tight pony tail.