Missys misadventure, p.16
Missy's Misadventure, page 16
Missy introduced Marsha and then glanced over at Robert. He was wide awake and looked very happy. She went over and hugged him tight. There were tears in her eyes when she let him go and backed away. “Hey! They gave me a couple days off from school so I could come to Mexico … Marsha has me at this really ritzy resort but you already know about how ritzy it is since that’s where you were staying. I …” She had to stop and her voice broke. Suddenly, the tears were streaming down her face, which was indeed a rare moment for her since she rarely allowed her emotions to overwhelm her so much. But, Robert was someone really special, like another father to her and she simply couldn’t help the way her feelings now just took over.
Connie was very moved to see how much Missy obviously cared about Robert. She looked at Marsha who had just introduced herself as some sort of co-worker, although not from the FBI. “You arrived at a good time. The doctors just left, right before you got here. He’s been awake for about a half hour now.”
Robert was also very moved by how Missy was behaving. He looked at Marsha and said, “I can’t thank you enough for bringing Missy down here. I’m sure Drew had something to do with that as well. Is Les down here with you also?”
Marsha said, “He was. And, he’ll be returning either tonight or tomorrow morning. He had to bring someone back to Washington. But, we can talk all about that later. Have they told you what happened yet? About the explosion?”
Robert nodded. “Yes, and I understand we lost three men. But, at least Oliver and Susan managed being okay. I understand Millie is in a coma …”
“We just came from her room. She’s awake now. Like you, she’s going to make a full recovery.” Marsha looked at Missy with a meaningful glance.
Robert fully understood what Marsha’s glance at Missy was saying. He looked at her and shook his head from side to side with a rueful smile on his face. Missy looked at Connie and said, “I’m going to just sit here and stare at this man. He really gave us all such a scare!” With that, she plopped herself on the bed, grabbed one of Robert’s hands and began pushing her healing energy out at him, her eyes ablaze and suddenly glowing brightly.
Marsha was able to actually feel the energy in the room and began conversing with Connie, again to cause some distraction from what Missy was doing. Although Connie listened to Marsha chatting away about how her agency worked with the FBI on certain cases and that’s how she and her husband knew Robert, it was obvious Connie was also feeling the energy in the room. But, she wasn’t quite sure just what she was experiencing and before she had the chance to become concerned, Missy stopped.
After staying just a little longer, Marsha and Missy said their goodbyes, leaving Robert with his ex-wife Connie. After they left, Missy reflected on how Connie had seemed with Robert; she was apparently going to stay right there at his side. Turning to Marsha, she said, “You know when I told you earlier … how I said Robert told me Connie had moved on? I think he was wrong. She never moved on. She moved out, maybe. But, she still loves him. It will be very interesting to see what happens next.”
Chapter Fifteen
Aug 29, 2019
Mike and John had no sooner arrived at “P” Branch when they were told to get right over to the large conference room. Something was happening and it was obvious there was a lot of tension with several staff members all scrambling. They had enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the same luxurious hotel Mike had stayed at with Missy during his last visit there and, as during that visit, “P” Branch was paying all expenses.
They’d not had any reason to rush and, having not checked into the hotel until late the night before, they had taken their time that morning. With the arrival of Jacques Arbogast at “P” Branch, everyone there had been very busy and the previous day had stretched out long into the evening.
As soon as they walked into the conference room, which was now filled and standing room only, they noticed the large monitor was displaying what appeared to be a TV broadcast showing a recent news bulletin. It actually was replaying the broadcast which had gone out only a half hour earlier while they’d been en route from their hotel. That broadcast had been a replay of a live video feed from an Islamic militant group calling itself the Worldwide Islamic Jihad Organization. They had paraded out Candace Axtell, very bedraggled looking with her hands tied behind her back, forced her to kneel there before them and were promising to publicly behead her in three days if their demands were not met.
The Worldwide Islamic Jihad Organization, or WIJO, was a terrorist group comprised of former Al Qaeda and Taliban extremists from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Like the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, they followed an extreme anti-Western interpretation of Islam which promoted violence against all infidels. The recent victory by the Afghan government during what the U.S. was calling Campaign Angel’s Wing had been a big setback, with many WIJO key leaders among the four hundred POW’s which had been captured.
What WIJO was demanding now was the release of forty detainees, after which the American girl would be allowed to live. Thirty of those detainees were amongst the recent POW’s while the other ten had been prisoners for several years. While it had not been promised an actual trade was possible, the news analysts had all assumed Candace would be returned if the demands were met. Those same analysts had also agreed that, based on past history, Candace would indeed be publicly executed if the three day deadline was not met.
In stark contrast to the video revealing how poor Candace appeared today, the TV stations were all showing various still photos of Candace which they’d been running since the story had first broken of her disappearance in Cancun. The girl in those photos was a strikingly beautiful girl who could easily grace the cover of any glamour magazine. The girl in the WIJO video was barely recognizable, with her face bruised and dirty, her hair in disarray and her body from the neck down cloaked by an austere black abaya garment. Missing was the dazzling smile being shown in all the photos; she had a gag in her mouth. But her deep blue eyes were the same; and, those clearly showed defiance.
While the newscasters all had lots of things to say, decrying the horrible treatment Candace was obviously getting and debating whether the U.S. government would comply with these ridiculous demands or if, as had happened before on more than one occasion, yet another atrocity was about to be performed, there was no additional information really available.
The video had been filmed somewhere outdoors, late in the day over there which, due to the time difference, was now morning in the U.S. There hadn’t been a lot of scenery being shown, but the terrain had appeared rocky and hilly. It was assumed the location was somewhere in Afghanistan, Pakistan or another of the neighboring countries over there in the Mid-East. Of course, as the newsmen were quick to point out, finding and rescuing Candace prior to the three day deadline would clearly be an impossible task.
The media were now rushing to get statements from Candace’s family. General Blake had issued a request for them to be left alone but this was all very big news and he was being ignored. Fortunately, he had anticipated things and there were several private bodyguards already stationed at Candace’s home, preventing any access to her mother or sister; they, of course, were both staying home behind closed doors.
When Drew noticed Mike and John, he came over to them and said, “I just got off the phone with Les. He got back to Cancun late last night and Marsha had to roust him out of bed for this. He’s alerting the pilot to get back out to the airfield and file his flight plan. Your girls and that Oliver Bessom will be going to Kabul. Hopefully, by the time they arrive over there, we’ll have worked out some plans for dealing with this.”
John asked, “Why Kabul?” He had quickly accepted the fact Tracy would do all she could to try and save Candace. As, of course, would Missy. Yeah, the girls wouldn’t rest if there was any possible way they could help. He and Mike had had several long discussions and they both knew that’s just the way it would always be. Bond with a witch? Be in the supernatural fast lane forever afterwards.
Drew said, “That WIJO group may have made a mistake, filming that video outdoors. Had it been inside, our experts wouldn’t have anything to go on. But, outside, feeding it in real time like that? We can probably triangulate to within a hundred mile radius, based on the position of the sun and the time. And, Kabul not only has resources that might be needed but will likely be within a short distance from wherever that circle might be.”
Mike asked, “Can this Oliver guy get some idea of where Candace might be within that two hundred mile circle? I only know a little about what Millie was able to do …”
“We hope so. According to some of the members on my staff who have monitored the finder witches we know about and seen what they’ve done in the past? If the witch has power like Millie and has a good enough object, one that has meaning to the victim and contains the victim’s energy, he or she can actually sense the missing person up to maybe a hundred miles away. Two hundred miles is maybe too far, but perhaps we’ll get lucky.”
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General Blake looked around the room. Once again, the audience included top officials from the military, Homeland Security, the FBI and CIA, both houses of Congress, and high ranking cabinet members from the White House. These were the same individuals whom he had been meeting with for the past several months to review reports and ultimately approve the Campaign Angel’s Wing strategy which his staff had pulled together for him. When the Defense Secretary had then obtained approval from the President, CAW had been a go.
He had asked for this same group to assemble today since they all knew about the existence of supernaturals. They had approved using “P” Branch’s “asset” for CAW, although only a few had actually learned of Missy’s identity or even known just what sort of supernatural asset she was. Now, he wanted to explain that supernatural assets were trying to find his niece.
He had met earlier with other agencies, both military and civilian, and the turmoil created by this demand for forty detainees to be released was overwhelming. These prisoners were terrorists and in spite of all the sympathy he’d been getting from everyone, there just wasn’t going to be any agreement for any of these terrorists to be set free. There had been a lot of rhetoric about reprisals and so forth, all to supposedly avoid any group ever daring to kidnap Americans or threaten American lives in the future, but none of that would save his niece.
Everyone had heard all this many times before and, in spite of what the U.S. had threatened, his niece was now over there with her head literally on the chopping block. He wasn’t here now to ask this group for permission to use supernaturals. He was merely telling them what was going on. He looked over at Drew who had agreed to explain things.
Drew stood and thanked everyone for being there on such short notice. An awful lot of important work had all been shuffled to one side in order for that to happen and, speaking for General Blake as well as for “P” Branch, he told them it was greatly appreciated. Then he continued with the real purpose of the meeting. “You all know what we’re facing here, with yet again an American life being at great risk. But, I’m not here to ask for any negotiations with terrorists. I’m here to tell you we have sent three witches to the Mid-East. Three supernaturals having some very great and special powers. They should arrive there in about twelve hours. One of these witches is what we call a finder witch. This finder witch may be able to locate where Candace Axtell is being held.”
“Is this the same witch, the so-called supernatural asset you told us all about during Campaign Angel’s Wing?” asked Ted Hanson, Deputy Secretary of State. “Hell, we named the damn campaign for your guy, right? I know you said he wasn’t really an angel of death, but … well, we all know your man could do black magic or some such thing, because …”
“Ted, I’ve told you that asset was not an angel of death. Now I’m telling you there’s no black magic being performed. In answer to your question … no, the finder witch is not the same asset who helped us before. However, that asset is one of the three witches we’ve sent. Yes.”
The Defense Secretary said, “Look, I know who that asset really is. General Blake actually met with that person, one of our soldiers, and included using that soldier in his plan for CAW. And, that soldier made a difference, a huge difference, as you are all very well aware. And, did so without there being any hint the U.S. was using supernatural soldiers.”
Charles Winword from the CIA added, “Yes, I also know who that asset is. I was allowed to review the soldier’s file. As I was for CAW, I’m in full support of this. I like that we’re sending witches to find Candace Axtell. I also fully support giving these witches any assistance they may need over there. I assume that’s why General Blake has asked us here, right, Paul?”
“Yes. And, thank you.” General Blake looked around the room at the others and then back at Ted Hanson. “These witches aren’t going to start World War Three or reveal to the world that the U.S. is doing anything supernatural. But, I do have helicopters and troops over there standing by. They’ll go wherever they need to go in order to bring my niece out. With the way these WIJO terrorists are acting, I don’t anticipate any backlash from any country out there about our doing this.”
Ted Hanson said, “Hey, don’t get me wrong. I’m all for this, as long as any involvement by our helicopters and troops is perceived as merely a rescue effort? That can’t be a problem. And, if your witches can kick some ass? Without the rest of the world knowing all the details? More power to them!”
On that note, the Defense Secretary and General Blake ended the meeting. It was agreed they’d reconvene if events evolved that it became necessary. On the whole, however, everyone was hoping those witches might indeed kick some ass and somehow avoid the whole world having to watch poor Candace being decapitated.
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Oliver looked around the jet once again. He still was trying to get used to being a part of all this and was amazed at what this “P” Branch agency was capable of making happen. He’d barely been able to say yes when off they’d gone, checking out of the hotel and rushing onto this plane, all before he’d had any chance to change his mind. As he looked around at the plush interior of the aircraft, he was not having any second thoughts however. No, he wanted to help find Candace and he knew he might be her best chance. Maybe her only chance.
He didn’t know what they’d do once they found her, but Missy and Tracy had really impressed him so far. From the comments he’d heard Les and Marsha make, they were totally convinced the two girls could storm any castle, fight any demons and somehow save the day. Missy had cracked him up, grumbling how she wasn’t going to worry about making any plans. She’d let Traaacy make the plans since Traaacy was such a great planner and had done such a wonnnderful job in Cancun.
Then, in spite of her actually having managed to get some sleep during the night? Again, in her cat form, so she was pretty much back to normal? She’d insisted on getting more “cat time” on this flight. She hadn’t even bothered to leave the cabin but had merely insisted that he and Les close their eyes while she undressed. He did and a minute later there was a big energy pulse. Not only had he felt that but he’d also been able to tell there’d been a shimmer of light out there, even though his eyes had been shut. When he’d opened them, there she was. Strutting about the cabin, purring in her cat form and acting really obnoxiously towards Tracy, who was in hysterics, laughing. Missy the mountain lion. Wow!
He knew she could actually understand everything that was going on and being said … her green-yellow eyes were basically the same as before and were not missing a thing that was going on. Nonetheless, it took some getting used to for him to have her right there, prowling around. She was such a magnificent looking animal, too!
“Hey, Oliver! I’m calling it, before anyone else gets the chance. If she-who-won’t-be-named should happen to require any kitty litter, that’s for someone else to take care of. Okay?” Tracy was looking for ways to poke fun at Missy, who was working very hard at being impossible. “And, you’ve seen how this wild animal likes to eat, right? Huge quantities of red meat. And, you know what they say … what goes in …”
Missy chuffed and somehow managed to work her long tail into position so she was then able to slowly drag it all across Tracy’s throat. When she then began tickling Tracy’s ear with the tip of her tail, Marsha started laughing so much and so hard he wasn’t quite sure she was really okay. He looked over at Les who was shaking his head, grinning at the rest of them.
Fortunately, about a half hour later, Missy actually stretched out across one of the large fold down seats -- all the seats were similar to those in business class on commercial airlines -- extended the claws on one of her paws to activate the mechanism and make the seat recline and then she curled up into a ball and went to sleep. Everyone soon ignored her and she stayed asleep for most of the way over. Oliver managed to catch a bit of a nap as well, as did the others. They all knew once they arrived in Kabul, they needed to hit the ground running and they might not get a chance for much sleep after that.
Les did check in with Drew every few hours using the satellite phone. “P” Branch was hard at work, both with their experts examining the WIJO video so they could pinpoint a location and with coordinating things with the Army folks in Kabul for when they arrived. Missy’s A-Team would be there, which was definitely going to help. General Blake had made some calls as well, of course, and whatever assistance might be needed in the search for Candace, they would be getting it.
Chapter Sixteen
Aug 30, 2019
Captain Bonomo had done his research. He’d read the academy’s file on Cadet Missy McCrea and then had checked further. When he’d googled her, on a whim, he’d been surprised at how many hits he’d gotten. And, he’d been even more surprised when he’d read all that was out there on the internet, going back more than six years.
