GOTU - A Robin Marlette Novel (26 page)

“Jesus, how many choppers were down there?”

“I counted four,” Mark replied.

“That's about right,” Rick agreed. “HRT and Delta were there. They are the ones who got the Arabs off your back when you got cornered…even captured two of them alive.”

“Amen, brother,” Rocky chimed in. “I was never so happy to see the FBI in my whole life. I take back every bad thing I ever said about them. Those guys fast roped in there and started taking care of business. Then the Air Force PJs came in and started getting us out.”

“I tell you, Rob, I didn't think we were going to get out of there.” Burke's bandaged face bore a solemn look. “I thought we reached the end of the trail in that dirty little hole.”

“We didn't give up, did we? We kept on fighting.”

“I don't know how you did, after taking that burst in the back. You did make me feel a little better when you blew the Arab away with your .45.”

“They really pissed me off!” The group laughed. “I'm just happy I wore my ballistic vest. I wouldn't be here.” Robin took a long, painful breath. “Tomorrow at 1300, we're going to be taken to somewhere on the Fort. Grassley says our situation will be worked out then. It is probably going to be both good and bad. We're facing federal prosecution for a lot of crimes. I know you all have been told to keep quiet or you will go to prison. That tells me they don't want to do that, but assuming they don't, it won't be for free. They are going to want something from us. The only way we can get through this with a minimum amount of further damage to us and our families is by sticking together.”

“Are we screwed, Rob?” Ernie asked.

They have taken a public position that gives us some bargaining power. We can only make the most of that power by staying united. I talked to Marv and Jamie before I left Walter Reed and they are in. Is there anyone who wants out?”

“Our families are scared, Rob,” Gary observed. “My wife and I are so close to retirement” Gary's voice trailed off.

“That's my point, Gary. All of our families want and need security. We need to stick together and make sure we take care of each other.”

Gary nodded his head. “I'm in.”

“Anybody else with questions or concerns?”

“We assume you have a plan, Rob,” Ernie observed.

“I do, but in this skirmish, we are strictly tactical. We're primarily dealing with Bill Grassley. He is somebody we all trust. I don't believe Bill is working for Customs anymore. It seems to me he is in the intelligence business now. We'll have to see.” Robin looked around for more comments. “All right, let's hit the sack. We'll see everyone out front at 1245 hours.”

After everyone left, Robin painfully made his way to Karen's bedroom. When he approached the door, it opened. Karen stood there, her lovely image filling Robin's heart and soul with warmth and questioning anxiety.

“Welcome to
our
bedroom, Sergeant.” Tears began streaming from Robin's eyes. Karen gently put her arms around his neck. “Robin, you have to know I will always love you.” Her mouth met his, soft and moist. Karen's tongue told Robin of the passion waiting for him to heal.

THIRTY

Jack Moore, Oscar Leighton, and the rest of the Lima Two-One crew stood at attention as Chief Williams formally retired from the United States Air Force. The Chief stood ramrod straight in his dress blues. Jack thought if Mrs. Williams smiled any broader, the expression would become permanent.

It had been a close thing. The transfer of Chief Williams to the Air Force Rescue chopper saved him from disciplinary action. He now stood proud in his retirement ceremony with full honors. The Air Force awarded Chief Williams the Silver Star and a life saving award for his actions in pulling Robin off of the hill in the clandestine operation. Jack wore a contented smile.

Two black Chevrolet Suburbans picked up the team at 1300 hours. At 1332 hours, they sat in a large conference room inside the Delta Force Command Center. The conference room did not look like a typical government room. There were no windows, and large monitors and high-end electronics and computers lined the walls. It contained quality wood furniture and a collection of original military action paintings hung on the beige walls. The room maintained a sense of urgent formality. Bill Grassley came in with another man. They were followed by a Major General.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen. I'd like to introduce you to Major General Dave Buchanan, the commander of Delta Force. This is Mr. Jordan Yates, CIA Deputy Director of Operations. He's now my boss.” Several members of the team looked at Robin and smiled. “When I told Robin about this meeting, he surprised me when he had no questions. He told me all of you trust me. I hope I will live up to your trust.

“As you all are very well aware, you violated many United States and Mexican laws. The Mexican government wants your heads. They have filed a formal protest and are threatening to go to the International Criminal Court. We have, of course, denied everything, with appropriate slips to the media.”

Robin spoke up. “Can't we shut the Mexican government up by threatening to tell the world about the Arab terrorists they harbored?”

“That issue has been secretly discussed, which is why this incident won't go any further than a formal complaint to the U.S. government. That doesn't mean you're out of the woods. There are special interest groups in this country and others who want to know the whole story, who are claiming that this whole operation amounted to genocide.”

“That's all bullshit, as you know,” Robin said. The men made comments of approval.

“We know and will protect you from all of this, but there is a price.” Grassley saw no surprise in their faces.

“I see Robin has figured this out also.” The men laughed. “All of you are finished as law enforcement officers in Arizona. Your records at DPS and the Phoenix Police have been confiscated. To them, you no longer exist.” Grassley looked around the room again. “We have hinted, but not confirmed, that you were all killed.”

“We are going to move you to the Northwest. We have substantial military assets there that can get you to where we need you, when we need you. You will work for us, the CIA. We will not want you full time. Just when we need a team no one knows about.”

Robin stood up. “First things first. We need money to live on. How can we survive if you are not going to need us full time?”

Grassley looked at Yates, who nodded and stepped forward. “We are going to set you up in business. We are proposing a worldwide export/import business. You will be fully capitalized, including transportation assets and a generous five-year operating budget. We want the business to be located in the Seattle area.”

“Do we get to run the business?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, what will be our status when we work for you?”

Bill Grassley stepped forward again. “When you deploy you will be absolutely covert. You will have nothing with you that connects you with us. If you are captured by anyone unfriendly to us, you will be on your own. If you are killed, your families will receive the benefits of the rank we will give you in the Army.”

“You're confusing me, Bill.”

“We will provide you with all the support we can for a mission, whatever it takes. But if we are using you guys, it is because we cannot be connected with the operation. Our basic plan is to give you the mission. You plan it. You tell me what you need in support and money. When we agree, that will be the deal. But make no mistake—if you get captured by unfriendlies, you're on your own. It may be that way even with friendlies.

“The reason we are giving you all a rank in the Army is because, as a team, you will have to have access to military facilities for training and such. You will all be given a rank that befits your experience, education, and training. We can negotiate the ranks if necessary.”

“How much do we get paid?”

“As I said, you will be giving me a budget for each mission. Once we agree, that's it.”

“Can you give us about fifteen minutes?”

“Absolutely.” Grassley, the general, and Yates left the room.

“Okay, guys, you heard it all. Any comments or questions?”

Gary looked around. “Rob, at some point can I opt out of the missions? I'm asking because I am not getting any younger.”

“I'm afraid not, Gary.”

“I'm not sure I can physically do what we have been doing for much longer.”

“Can you do what you did on the raid?”

“Oh, yeah, I can do that!”

“Well, we will always need extraction and a ‘wheel man,’ so to speak. That will be your job. You plan it, you arrange it. You make sure we all get out.”

“I can definitely do that.”

“Anybody else?”

Ernie spoke up. “I don't like the idea that we are on our own if we get captured.”

“You have to look at it another way, Ernie. I take it they won't get in the way of our own rescue mission to get one of us out.”

Ernie smiled and shook his head. “Rob, you just might be the most dangerous man I know. I don't think Grassley fully comprehends what he is about to loose upon the world.”

“Oh, I think Bill Grassley knows exactly what he is doing. Think about it. He gave up a promising career in U.S. Customs to get us out of this jam. He would've been the head of Customs eventually. I think his main job is to pick missions for us and to keep us under control.”

“Why do we need control?” Emmett asked with a touch of irritation. Robin just looked at him. “Oh, you mean that going into a foreign country and killing a bunch of assholes on our own type of thing.”

“The thought crossed my mind.” Emmett's face broke out in a sheepish grin.

“Are we all in? The emphasis is on the ‘all.’ There is no shame in saying no. This deal definitely has good
and
bad points. Speak up or forever hold your peace.” Robin waited for a good minute. Nobody said anything. “Okay, we are all really Guardians of the Universe now. Hold on to your asses, because here we go. Burke, bring our new bosses in.”

Burke opened the door. “We're ready, Bill…I mean, Boss.”

“Nothing like keeping the suspense, Burke,” Robin said with light-hearted reproach. The rest of the team laughed as Burke hung his head with a sly smile. As Grassley and the rest came in, Robin stood up.

“We're in.”

Yates spoke next. “Actually, you were in the minute you stepped across the border. I didn't say this at first, because I didn't want you to think I was blowing smoke up your butts. This impromptu op you guys pulled amazed us. I know you got shot up, but all the same you accomplished the mission against overwhelming odds. You didn't give up and kept on fighting. That's the kind of team we want. We will give you training which will make you even better than you are now. We will give you the best equipment. You will have the assets to make your missions work. You have my word on it.”

“And mine,” Bill agreed.

“Robin, please come forward,” General Buchanan said. Robin walked up to him and came to attention. “Robin, by order of the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States, you and your men are hereby commissioned into the United States Army Reserve with the rank of colonel. Ernest Jackson will have the rank of major; Rockwell Barnett and Burke Jameson, lieutenant. Colonel Marlette and Major Jackson, you are hereby authorized to assign non-commissioned rank amongst your command as you see fit. Your immediate superior will be the Commander, Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, which will be the only place any record of you will exist.” General Buchanan handed Robin his orders. “Congratulations and welcome to SOCOM.”

Robin accepted his orders. “Thank you, General. We will strive to make the Army proud of us.”

“I am sure you will, Colonel. It's just nobody will know, will they?”

“I guess not, sir.”

“Now, if you will all please stand and repeat after me.”

The men all stood, raised their right hands, and repeated the oath of office.

Bill Grassley walked up to Robin after they were done. “Rob, we're going to give your team three months to heal up, and then we will start training. I know Jamie may need more time to heal and that's fine. We'll go with your recommendations concerning him. We're going to move your families to more permanent quarters here. The children can register for school on the Fort. We are starting here because Delta will be your primary trainers.”

“What about our kids in college and about to start college?”

“They have their choice: Georgetown University or West Point.”

“But”

“That's the best I can do, Rob. I think it's pretty damn good.”

Unless your kid wants to play baseball.
“I'm not complaining. We'll adjust.”

“Any other considerations?” No one spoke up. “All right, gentlemen, some folks would like to meet you.”

The door to the room opened up and a group of men walked in.

“Guardians, these are the men from FBI HRT, Delta, and the Air Force who pulled your butts out of the fire.”

“Gentlemen, we are very pleased to meet you!” Robin exclaimed.

The two groups stepped toward each other and merged into handshakes, thank you's, and congratulations.

“Did I ever tell you guys how much I love the FBI?” Rocky loudly proclaimed to a couple of HRT operators.

Robin talked to the HRT and Delta team leaders and thanked them on behalf of the whole team. “If you guys weren't there for us, many of us wouldn't have made it, including me.”

“We were glad to be there,” the Delta leader said. “It's always fun to whack drug smugglers and terrorists.”

“Same goes for us,” the HRT leader agreed. “We train and train, but don't deploy as often as we like. This operation was a kick!”

After a half hour of discussion, Grassley announced a barbeque was being served in the courtyard of the building. Everyone moved there and enjoyed more conversation, steak, and beer. The Guardians met their future trainers, and the Delta operators guaranteed the Guardians their skills would be greatly enhanced by the time the training finished. The Delta guys told the Guardians they would go through training evolutions with the SEALs and Air Force PJs, in addition to Delta. The Guardians were getting excited about their new job.