The lights dimmed briefly as the submarine descended deeper into the sea’s depths. Unlike most submarines Roen saw in movies, the Atlantis was very spacious, almost like a luxury submarine, if there were such a thing. The lights dimmed again as Admiral Abrams stepped up to the podium.
The crowd grew silent as the admiral cleared his throat and spoke. “The bulk of the Genjix are still at the Decennial. We need to complete this mission before the enemy can reroute their forces. As you all know, this was originally an assault to steal the Penetra scanner prototype while the Genjix were focused on the party at Monaco. Now it is also a rescue mission. Several Prophus delegates and a civilian were kidnapped at the Decennial. Satellite tracking has pinpointed their trajectory toward the Capulet’s Ski Lodge.
“The Capulet’s Ski Lodge is currently the headquarters of Genjix European operations. We’ve heard no chatter from the Genjix regarding our rapid deployment, but they are likely on heightened security. If we take this base, it’ll cripple their operations.
“Team formations have been altered to accommodate the rescue mission. We need to hit them hard at the very last minute in order to minimize the danger to the hostages. We reach the beach in two hours, so rest up and get some chow after this meeting. They have our people, ladies and gentlemen. We want them back! Good luck, and send these bastards to the Eternal Sea. The floor’s yours, Stephen.”
For the rest of the meeting, Stephen and Dylan laid out their tactical attack plan. It was a complex and large assault. The base was built into a mountaintop and would be difficult to breach. All five teams had separate entry points and objectives.
Roen’s Echo team was augmented from the original plan, and would infiltrate the base from the rear to locate the hostages. Roen lost track of what the other teams were supposed to do, and decided to focus on the specific objectives for his own. He’d have to rely on his squad commander for guidance. All he cared about was Jill and Sonya’s safe return anyway.
As the briefing wrapped up, Roen decided to get a final meal before the attack. His stomach had growled all through the meeting, constantly reminding him that he was famished. He went down to the mess hall and sat down with a plate of food. He found he had no appetite for food as his thoughts went to Sonya and Jill. What was Roen doing eating while they were in danger? How could he have failed both of them? It was his fault they were captured. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to them. Tears welled up in his eyes as he pushed the plate away. He got up to leave, ashamed that he was crying.
“Roen, good to see you’re all right,” Stephen said as he came up and put a sympathetic hand on Roen’s shoulder. Taking an apple and cutting it in two, Stephen offered him half. Roen shook his head and tried to wipe away the tears. Stephen shrugged and took a bite with a loud crunch. “Don’t worry, son, the girls will be all right. They’ll keep Sonya alive until they can interrogate her. Your friend will be used as leverage against you. We’ll be on them before they can do anything. I promise.”
“It’s my fault they got captured,” Roen mumbled.
“Nonsense, son,” Stephen said. “It’s the Genjix’s. Make no mistake about it. Don’t beat yourself up. Just make it right in two hours when we land and make them pay.”
He is right. If you let your emotions control you, we will not be able to save them. Focus on the task ahead of us.
“What if we’re too late, Tao? I don’t think I can live with myself.”
I swear, if you continue wallowing in self-pity, I will kill you myself just to switch hosts. Get yourself together. We have your future wife to save.
“Look,” Stephen reassured him, “you’ll see them both again. I put you in charge of the retrieval team; you’ll find them.” Stephen gave him one last pat on the back before leaving. “I’ll see you on the beach.”
I cannot believe I am saying this, but you should eat. You will need your strength.
Roen couldn’t help but feel guilty about eating at a time like this, but Tao was right. He needed to be ready for the rescue mission. He pulled the plate back and chewed with conviction, intent on not enjoying any of it. However, the submarine mess hall’s food was actually pretty good. In fact, Roen warranted it a step up from the crap he usually ate. At least if he died, he would do so with a full stomach.
“Small solace,” he muttered as he stuck his fork into a piece of potato and lifted it to his mouth.
Feeding you well is the least we can do.
“Is that some kind of rule? Never kill people on an empty stomach?”
If it is not, it should be.
Roen sighed. “I never dreamed my life would come to this.”
Your life will be whatever you make of it. You always lamented about wanting to get out of that… what did you call it, middle-class rat race? Well, now you are making a difference. Is this not what you always dreamed of?
“You know what that taught me? To be careful of what I wish for. I should have spent all that mental energy dreaming of a Brazilian lingerie model instead. Think of how much happier I would be.”
I am glad you still have your sense of humor.
“Who says I’m joking?”
Well, I would rather you be with a Brazilian lingerie model instead of being here as well. Does that make you feel better?
“Surprisingly, it does. Shows you’re not all work and no play.”
You sound like a bitter girlfriend. You never take me anywhere. You are not funny. You are not romantic. You do not buy me things.
Roen chuckled. “I do feel like a bitter girlfriend.”
Really? Is that what you think of me?
“Well, everyone tells me you’re a hard-ass. I mean, just look at Yol and Paula. It’s like they’re having a party in her head every day.”
You do realize that Paula is highly trained and very experienced. She has been involved with us for a decade now. Yol has it easy. He moved into a penthouse while I got a fixer-upper. You needed my hard-ass-ness.
“I’m a fixer-upper?”
Actually, you were a complete demolition and rebuild.
“That would be insulting if I didn’t know it was true. Was I that bad?”
You want me to be honest?
“No, lie to me.”
You were a natural. There was a pause before Tao spoke again. But I have to say, Roen, I am extremely proud of you. You have come unbelievably far and become a fine agent.
“Like Edward Blair fine?”
Keep aiming high. It is hard to be Edward Blair fine.
“So everyone tells me.”
“Excuse me, sir?” A lieutenant walked up to him.
Roen looked up from his meal. “Yes?”
“Admiral Abrams is requesting all personnel report to the launch deck. We’re deploying in ten.”
Roen leaned over the side and hurled his dinner into the dark depths of the Mediterranean Sea. The skiff bounced up and down over the thick waves like a bronco trying to buck him off. He wiped his mouth and sat back down in his seat. Around him, the men in his squad looked as if nothing happened. Morgan, Roen’s second in command, leaned over. “You all right, sir?”
“Just a little seasickness.” Roen retched.
They might have believed that if you had not vomited before we launched.
“Well, this boat ride isn’t helping matters much. Are we almost there?”