(6/30/17) I am hitting a proverbial wall with ideas for new stories after Musings so thought I'd revisit my old ones...and this was my first. Was I ever shocked. Thank you so much for the reviews my first go around from Yellow Angela, Guest, bugsymutt, Allie, roguedoll, and lucianaevangelista. Wow! You all encouraged me to continue...not that it was even that well written. Thanks so much! As always..I appreciate!
So, I am going back and rewriting this. Should be fun. Follow along if you wish...reviews happily accepted.
BTW, still writing only what I would let my kids read...! haha...
It was just after 1300 when Flint entered the mess and grabbed a tray. Already far beyond hungry, he was thankful he didn't have to stand line for the usual lunch rush madness. He must have looked it, too, because the Green Shirt server grinned and instantly handed him an extra large bowl of chili and two thick slices of cornbread.
"Thanks," Flint said appreciatively inhaling the sweet and spicy aromas. His stomach rumbled in anticipation.
"Not a problem."
Picking up his laden tray carefully, Flint looked around the room, noticing the various groups of Joes scattered among the tables. Glancing quickly over them, he searched for one brown head among the many. His breath caught and he broke into a grin as he spotted her.
Lady Jaye was sitting at a table to the left. Ace was beside her. Shipwreck and Alpine were on the other side of the table. She was laughing at something they had said, holding her side. She glanced up and flashed Flint a bright smile as he came up alongside.
"Hi," she gasped, trying to catch her breath, "Sorry, I didn't see you come in."
He flashed her a lopsided grin and sat down next to her as she quickly scooted over to make room. Looking down at his tray, he sighed, "Man, am I starved."
"I'd watch out for that chili if I were you," Alpine warned, wagging a finger, "Gung Ho's been making suggestions to the kitchen staff again. It's a bit on the spicy side."
"It's not that bad, Goat Boy," Shipwreck laughed, "You just can't handle anything hot…unlike my man, Flint, here," He slapped Flint on the back as he flashed a grin at Lady Jaye.
Lady Jaye and Flint both flushed pink as Ace and Alpine laughed good naturedly. Despite their efforts to be discrete, it was common knowledge among the Joes that Jaye and Flint were…ahem…an item.
"Just as long as it's not his Cajun gumbo, I'll eat anything." Flint noticed the barely touched bowl still on Alpine's tray and gave him a condescending glance. "The General had Duke and I in a meeting all morning going over the latest reports from Washington…," Flint continued in an attempt to change the subject.
"Oh?," Jaye turned to him suddenly and frowned. It was she who had been working closely with Hawk gathering the intel. She was wondering why she had not been made privy to this latest information.
Flint knew what she was thinking and gave her an apologetic smile. "Later," he mouthed silently.
She nodded, understanding that it was not a conversation they could have in front of others.
Flint spooned his chili and took a cautious bite. He sat silently for a minute while everyone watched him.
"Mmm, not bad…spicy," he said chewing thoughtfully. He turned to Lady Jaye, his eyes twinkling, and winked, "I guess Shipwreck was right. I do know how to handle hot."
"Flint!," she smacked him on the back of the head, flushing red to his delight once again.
Shipwreck's eyes widened and he let out a loud guffaw, nearly spitting out his water. Beside him, Ace and Alpine laughed heartily at Jaye's expense.
The angry glare she shot them lost some of it's affect against her brilliantly heated cheeks. Nevertheless, they glanced hastily from one to the other and mouthed one word, "retreat." Scraping chair legs, they all pushed away from the table simultaneously.
"Gotta go," Ace flashed a nervous grin and headed for the exit.
"Yeah, see ya," Shipwreck echoed.
"Ummm….later," Alpine hurried after them.
Flint continued to shovel the chili into his mouth, a slight smirk on his lips. An angry Jaye was a sight to behold, and oh, how he did love to rile her. Not that he would ever admit that to her, of course, not, at least, if he valued his life.
"I have called you here because CIA intelligence has confirmed increased Cobra activity in the Japan sea."
"Recently, Cobra has been quiet, too quiet." Hawk pointed his laser pointer toward the map of Japan on the power point screen.
"Here", he pointed to the coast of North Korea, "and here", he pointed to Hokkaido, the northern most island of Japan. Hawk flashed more pictures of a large, imposing building. "This is Heidaina Corporation." He paused but since no one spoke up he spoke slowly and clearly. 'Heidaina' means "extensive" in Japanese."
"Extensive?" the Joes murmured looking at one another in surprise.
"Do you mean extensive as in Extensive Enterprises?" asked Scarlett.
"That's what it looks like," he replied stonily. He flashed another picture.
"It's one of those blasted twins," exclaimed Duke, leaning forward and slamming a fist on the table.
"Tomax." All the Joes looked toward Lady Jaye.
"How do YOU know?" Flint asked, his voice slightly on edge. Why was it the twins always got him upset?
"Xamot has the scar," she said matter of factly.
"Hmf…," he grumbled.
Hawk rose to hand out files. His imposing presence commanded the attention of everyone in the room.
Lady Jaye cast a confused glance at Flint. His jaws were clenched as he reigned himself in, still grumbling under his breath. She shrugged slightly; she had no clue why he was so upset.
They all flipped their files open. Hawk waited silently as they quickly read though the information.
"This is it?" Lady Jaye looked up in surprise. "Two pages?" She had been the one following the paper trail for Hawk. There was a lot of information she had been privy to that had not appeared in the report.
"That's it." Hawk spoke in disgust. He gave her a meaningful glance and she held back the next question. "We know Cobra is in the area. We know the twins are involved, financially, at least. We know they have set up a base in Kanagawa. Sources tell us there is significant money flowing in and out. We don't know who else is there, what their plans are, or why the twins are financially invested. We don't even know if or how Heidaina Corporation is connected to the Cobra increase in North Korea and Hokkaido. I'm going to put all the Joes on high alert. I have a feeling this is not all it seems to be."
He caught Lady Jaye's eye. She was shaking her head in disbelief. And now for the next test, he thought.
"Flint and Lady Jaye, you two have already proven how well you work together in the field. I want to see how you do as a covert team. With that in mind, I am assigning the two of you for this mission. Reconnaissance only. No engagement unless necessary. Understand?" his sharp gaze rested on Flint.
"Yes sir," Lady Jaye and Flint glanced at one another, their faces questioning. This was certainly a first.
"Good." Hawk smiled brightly. "Here are your orders." He handed them a large manilla envelope. "Get your gear packed. Freshen up on some Japanese. You will be leaving the day after tomorrow. Your flight tickets are there also."
"We're flying commercial?" Find asked, surprised.
"Yes," Hawk smiled wryly, "I know Covert is not your speciality, but please follow Lady Jaye's lead. I think it's best we didn't advertise that we're military on this one."
Lady Jaye gave Flint a smug grin.
"Uh, yeah, right…" Flint turned back to Hawk, slightly embarassed.
"Duke, I want you and Scarlett to prepare a secondary team. We don't know what Flint and Lady Jaye will find there. I want you to be ready to move in a moments notice, should they need back up or in worst case, an emergency extraction." Duke and Scarlett started in surprise. "This is off the record, but I don't feel good about this one. I would have pulled out but I have too many higher ups pulling the strings."
"Yes sir," they said together.
Lady Jaye and Flint glanced at one another, their silence speaking volumes. Then they sat down to look over the mission specifics.
"Let me know who you have decided on as your team," Hawk continued with Duke.
"Yes sir," Scarlett and Duke left the room already discussing who to put on their team.
"Sir?"
"Yes, Lady Jaye?" Hawk answered. She cocked an eyebrow, glancing at Flint, "Permission to speak freely?"
"Yes," he sighed.
"There was more information, sir." She pretended not to notice Flint who who looked at her in surprise. "Why wasn't it put in the final report?"
"I wasn't given authorization to share that information. I guess it was a good thing you were doing the intel, since I "technically" cannot tell you about it," he smiled wryly. "And I guess "technically," I can't tell you to act on that information. But I trust you will know what to do."
"Right…," Lady Jaye frowned.
"Oh, and one more thing..."
Lady Jaye and Flint suddenly felt cold.
"Lifeline asked me to give this to you...just in case."
Flint reached for the small bottle hesitantly, "Uh, thanks."