PROLOGUE:
THE GAME BEGINS
"We're here at the scene of what appears to have been an underground explosion in Northwestern Oregon. We're not exactly sure what caused it just yet, but this has drawn a lot of attention from federal authorities. The FBI has essentially cut us off from the area. But what we do know is that what appears to have just been a normal house on this hill behind me was much, much more. There is speculation about this being some kind of secret government research lab. I can't get a clear answer from anyone around here, but…"
Colonel Donald Lydecker picked up the remote and turned off the television before him. He grabbed the phone on his desk. "Get Delta Team ready for deployment. I want them at the chopper pad in 15."
Aboard the helicopter, Delta Team was conducting inventory on their equipment. Colonel Lydecker was sitting up front looking out the window, a concerned look on his face.
Lieutenant Spencer's voice came over the com. "Colonel, was it one of ours?"
"No, we don't have anything in Oregon."
"What will be our objective, sir?"
"We'll need to gain control of the situation. Just make sure your team is ready for a quick insertion."
"Yes sir."
Colonel Lydecker reached into the duffle bag at his feet and pulled out his laptop. After a couple of minutes, he was getting a live feed from the site of the explosion. It was the same reporter from earlier on the screen in front of him. Colonel Lydecker turned up the volume.
"…and we now know that there are some casualties. Special Agent in charge Ashley McGee has roped off the area, but from our vantage point we have seen at least five people brought out on stretchers."
Colonel Lydecker turned around in his seat to look at Lieutenant Spencer. "Get me all the information you can on a Special Agent Ashley McGee of the FBI. And see what kind of contingent the FBI has sent to Oregon."
"Yes sir."
The colonel turned his attention back to the news broadcast. "…body bags being brought out. And you can now also see Special Agent McGee off to the right. It looks like she has gathered her detail together for a meeting of some kind." As the camera focused on the agents, Lydecker tuned out the reporters voice.
Special Agent McGee was a very attractive, young woman-young being the operative word. My God, she only looked around 30. She looked very sure of herself, standing there addressing her men. And she's the only woman. She nodded to a few of the men and they walked off. Ahh, she must have sent them to guard the perimeter. It looked like she had around twenty agents under her direction, and they had to be spread out. It shouldn't be too difficult to handle them.
The camera stayed on the group of agents. The reporter was going on about how the FBI is trained to handle situations like this.
Colonel Lydecker smiled. They weren't trained to handle his Delta Team. He shifted in his chair. "What's our ETA?"
"Twenty minutes, sir."
Colonel Lydecker looked back at the computer screen. The camera was now focused directly on Agent McGee. Lydecker found himself rather attracted to the young agent. She was thin, but not too thin. She had short, brown hair and was very energetic while speaking to her men.
Lydecker smiled. Probably would be a handful in bed. "Lieutenant."
"Sir?"
"It looks like they have four agents covering the perimeter. I want the perimeter secured immediately after we land. That includes the media. Be discreet, but I want them shut down. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"Contact Alpha Team. We're going to need them here. And get the techs assembled and on their way, too. Have Alpha Team report directly to me when they arrive."
"Right away, sir."
"Oh, and lieutenant, I want you, Winters, Richter, and Pike with me when we land. We're going to have a little talk with Special Agent McGee."
"Yes, sir."
"And where's that information on Agent McGee?"
"Coming right up, sir." Lieutenant Spencer stepped forward and handed Colonel Lydecker several sheets of paper.
Lydecker quickly skimmed over them.
So, she's 31. She graduated first in her class at the academy. She's handled a
lot of cases throughout her career, but no high profile cases. That would make
this her first big case. She'll probably be a little more territorial than
usual, then.
Lydecker flipped the page. She has no living relatives. Parents died in a plane crash ten years ago. That happened while she was at the academy. Hmph. Apparently it didn't affect her too much, or she was just one very focused young lady. No close friends; more of a loner. Never had a long term relationship. Hmmm.
Colonel Lydecker looked up from the papers, staring out the window as the ground below him flew by.
"How much longer?" Lydecker asked.
"Five minutes out, sir."
"Get your men ready lieutenant. I don't want any trouble."
"Yes, sir! Alright men, listen up!" Lieutenant Spencer said as he spoke into the headset. "You know what you're supposed to do. Richter, Winters, and Pike-you're with me. The rest of you know what area of the perimeter you will cover, right?"
Lieutenant Spencer's headset was filled with affirmatives from the rest of his men.
Colonel Lydecker looked ahead out of the front window and the objective was very visible, even from several miles out. Red and blue lights dotted the area. A few floodlights had also been set up.
They couldn't have timed their arrival any better, Lydecker knew. The sun had set an hour ago, so their approach would be masked. His men could get to their areas of operation without being visualized. And the FBI still wouldn't have had time to send in any reinforcements. Besides, they weren't even aware of the need to send anyone else. Matters should proceed smoothly.
The colonel allowed himself a brief smile, knowing he had trained his men to be the best.
His men were at ready and on the ground even before the helicopter touched down. They had been trained well, and it showed. Several of the men disappeared into the night. Only four remained at the chopper. They each fell in behind Lydecker as he headed for the FBI command post in search of Special Agent McGee.
Special Agent Ashley McGee was from a small town in Virginia. Her father had been a successful lawyer, her mother a successful homemaker. Growing up she had everything she wanted. Ashley always demanded the best of herself, so she was always successful in all of her endeavors. Failure was not an option. She pushed herself to be the best, and that is exactly what she was-the best. Her only setback in life was when her parents died in a plane crash. What would have made most crumble emotionally only served to make her stronger. There wasn't time for grief in her life, nor was there place for it. She was able to turn off her feelings, something that continues to come in handy in her present life. She immersed herself in her training at Quantico and it paid off. She got her first assignment in Washington D.C., and never looked back.
Agent John Pierce walked over to a long table, at which Agent McGee was leaning over inspecting a few small pieces of metal. "Hey Ash, there are some men here waving federal badges around. And they want to speak to you."
Agent McGee sighed, clearly annoyed that her train of thought was interrupted. "What men?" She asked as she looked up and got her answer. There were four men, standing in front of her, with the young agent. Three of them appeared to be soldiers of some sort, dressed in black fatigues.
The older one, who was dressed in civilian clothing, spoke first, extending his hand as he did so. "Colonel Donald Lydecker."
Agent McGee hesitantly shook his hand and started to introduce herself. "Special Agent…"
The colonel cut her off. "I know who you are, Agent McGee. We need to talk." Lydecker motioned for her to walk with him. "Shall we?"