Sequel to Just an Easy In, Easy Out Mission, found on the M Rating page.
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Queen of Spades
A story by Sea Starr
Chapter One
Lee Crane followed his contact into a dark alley, certainly not his choice for exchanging information, but since his contact's cover was a homeless man living on the streets it made perfect sense.
"Whew old man," Lee said cocking one eye and scrunching his face to emphasize his point. "When was the last time you bathed?" he asked with a guarded grin, knowing the ONI Agent had fully immersed himself in his cover.
"You got the bottle?" his contact asked, not breaking his cover even for a short reprieve.
Lee nodded, handing over the cheap wine inside a brown paper bag.
"You got something for me?" he asked. The "drunk" responded by handing him a single playing card.
Lee casually glanced at the queen of spades and slid it into his pocket; the playing card the final piece to an elaborate system of Intel retrieval as it held a message ingeniously encrypted into the intricate background of the card.
"Here you go old man," Lee said offering a five dollar bill to the wino while some walkers passed by. "Don't spend it all in one place," he suggested feigning a good deed, and left the alley with James opening up the cheap bottle of wine and taking a swig as if it were life giving water to a thirsty man in the desert.
~o0o~
Lee returned to his hotel room and sat on the bed thumbing through a deck of cards until he found the one he was looking for. He pulled out the queen of spades and slid it into his pocket, then headed for a wall socket. He used a dime to remove the wall plate, then screwed the plate back on. He moved to the next wall socket and proceeded to remove its cover, then replaced it as well. He continued until he had removed and replaced all the wall sockets until he opened the last one. The wall plate ran to the light mounted beside the bed and differed from the others as it was a solid piece with no socket openings. He opened the plate and inserted the playing card James passed to him behind the plate, then screwed it safely away from prying eyes and possible room ransackers. The whole exercise necessary because the hotel had painted over their wall sockets instead of taping them on their last renovations, by the looks of it over ten years ago. As a result each socket opened bore the marks of a seal being broken. In this case he broke all the seals, effectively hiding his secret compartment from the scrutiny of anyone looking for the card.
He was the last leg of a complex courier system designed to protect the identity of the Insider, who had passed on the information in five separate drops. The royal flush was complete with the queen, and ONI had strategically saved this last card for one of their best agents. Crane was known for getting the job done and this final piece held the key to the entire hand, as it held the code to read the encryption of the other members of the royal flush. Without the queen of spades, the other cards were worthless, at least until ONI's encryption department broke the code. Sooner or later they would, but the information in the poker hand was time sensitive and failure wasn't an option. However, the extraction was timed to protect the Insider, which meant Lee was stuck with a hot item that had the potential to be extremely hazardous to his health if the operation was discovered.
Only one more day, then he could blow this flea bag of a hotel and stop hanging around the red light district in this seedy port town.
~o0o~
"Mr. Morton to the radio shack, please."
Chip abandoned his map at the chart table and headed aft, taking a note from the Communication's Officer, Lt. Tyler Banks, better known as Sparks even when he wasn't manning his post.
"The latest from the Skipper's transponder, Sir," Sparks explained as Chip looked over the report.
"Looks like everything's on schedule," Seaview's XO noted, looking over Lee's movements as indicated by the sophisticated tracking system. "Very well," Chip acknowledged. "Carry on," he said heading back to the chart table.
He started to reach for the mic to advise the Admiral when soft sounds of steps descending the staircase interrupted his move. It looked like the Admiral was well aware that the report was due and was checking on Lee's progress himself.
"Is that Sparks' report?" Harry asked with a nod to the note in Chip's hand.
"Aye Sir, I was just about to call you." He handed the report over as Harry examined the coordinates for himself.
"It looks like everything is moving as planned, Sir," Chip offered to Harry's acknowledging nod.
"It would appear so," Harry added, almost distantly. "Very well, Chip, let me know when the next signal is received. I'll be in my lab."
"Aye Sir."
Harry left by way of the aft knee-knocker hatch with his guarded concern hidden behind his expressionless face. Had it not been for the intensity in his blue eyes, the crew might have missed his apprehension for ONI's mission altogether.
~o0o~
Lee took a short nap then grabbed his leather jacket; time to play the role of young man looking for action in the busy night life of this port town. It was hardly a unique cover as he had played a similar role just six months ago, only that time he played a sailor on leave. As it turned out, his contact was a double agent, one he had become intimately involved with. He had barely pieced together the clues in time to protect the intelligence and complete the mission. The fact that Holly was a traitor was bad enough, the fact that he had acted on their previous shared attraction made the entire mission very disturbing. Their intimate experience hadn't hurt the mission and had actually been the catalyst to him realizing that Holly was working both sides of the espionage game. Feeling used wasn't a great feeling, but realizing that their experience was, at the time, one of the hottest of his life added self-degradation into the mix. In the end, he overcame; completed the mission and exposed the double agent. Though he would always be disappointed in Holly's betrayal, he refused to carry anymore guilt over their affair; had she'd been the person he thought she was, they may have even had a future together. As a man he explored the possibility in a physical relationship, the fact that he was on a mission wasn't a problem. ONI only cared about results, and though Lee kept himself professional as much a possible he couldn't be a robot. It wasn't just an intimate encounter, it was an attraction with a woman he admired.
Lee shook off the impromptu introspective moment. No time for regrets, it was time to walk the streets, hit the bars, dance a few dances and then head back to his hotel at some ungodly hour of the early morning. One more night and he would call for his extraction.
He locked his room and headed downstairs, stopping to talk to the night clerk before leaving.
"I need the maid to leave more towels," he informed the inattentive night clerk currently reading a newspaper and barely nodding his understanding. Lee hung around, forcing the night clerk to acknowledge his presence.
"Yeah I got it," he answered perturbed. "You need towels in 206."
Lee nodded, at least he knew he'd be able to take a shower when he came back. He'd been inserted about a week ago, establishing a routine of making the night life circuit which included tossing a few coins to the bums and winos in the alleys along the way. The low-budget hotel he was staying in had been rented at a weekly rate, which didn't include daily maid service.
Satisfied his room needs were taken care of, he headed out to paint the town red.
~o0o~
A concerned homeless shelter worker handed out sandwiches to the drunks who lived partly on the streets and partly in her shelter. She knew many of them by name and sorrowed greatly for their current state. Still she didn't judge, she just wanted to ease their pain a little and offer some hope for a better life. When she came upon a drunk who was sleeping off his stupor she would offer him a bed at the shelter where he would be safe from the dangers of the street.
"Here friend," she said offering a drink of water to a wino, still hugging the empty bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag. "Come along James, you don't want to sleep out here tonight," she urged as her assistant helped the drunken man to his feet. James was new to the streets, having made his way over from another area not covered by her shelter, but during the last two weeks she had come to recognize him as he availed himself of the shelter from time to time.
James uttered something incoherent, which she took mean as "yes" to going back to the shelter and guided him along.
Upon arrival at the shelter he availed himself of the facilities as Staci Hatcher went about her business dishing soup bowls out to her "guests." About a half-hour later Rusty, a young volunteer exited the bathroom.
"Oh Rusty, I didn't see you come in," Staci greeted surprised.
"No ma'am, you were gone when I came in," he replied. Rusty was nearly six feet tall with sandy blond hair and a pleasing countenance. Staci had been quite impressed that the young man would give of his time when he could obviously be spending a nice Friday night out with a lovely girl instead of helping the less fortunate of the streets.
"Did you happen to notice James?" she asked a little worried that the old man might have passed out on the floor of the locker room.
"I talked him into taking a shower," Rusty said with a polite smile.
"Oh thank you Rusty. I just take care of them how they come, but he was really in need of it," she answered in her typical non-judgmental attitude.
"Well I'm headed out, I could only stop in for a few minutes tonight," he replied with a smile backed with a healthy dose of respect for the young lady who gave of herself so selflessly. He thought she was a visionary and an idealist concerning the hope of reforming the unfortunates she took upon herself to steward and protect. He wasn't sure if her hopes were an illusory facsimile of a utopian world he didn't believe existed, but he couldn't fault her real concern and true humanitarian effort.
"This is for you," Rusty said, handing an envelope to the shelter worker. "Just do me a favor, don't open it till I'm gone," he asked with a smile.
"Sure Rusty, but are you going away? This seems a bit like a goodbye," the perceptive woman replied.
"Yes ma'am," he admitted. "Goodbye Miss Hatcher."
"Goodbye Rusty and thank you for all your work," she offered graciously as she watched him walk away and wave his farewell.
She waited a few minutes and opened the envelope curiously to find a stash of cash with no note. Surprised and confused she thumbed through it, finding two thousand dollars and gulped. Quickly she ran outside to see if she could thank Rusty properly, but he was nowhere to be seen. She walked back in and sighed, the donation would go a long way in groceries and blankets. She stuffed the envelope in her pocket and called for her assistant.
"Frank, would you check on James in the locker room. He was taking a shower but that was some time ago, I'm afraid he might have passed out."
Staci went to the office and deposited the envelope in the safe, though she had a heart for working with the homeless misfortunates, most that frequented her shelter were addicted to booze and she was enough of a realist not to carry cash on her person. When she came back out, Frank was waiting with a perplexed frown.
"He must have skipped out the back window, Miss Hatcher."
Staci sighed, it wouldn't be the first time.
"That's okay Frank, let's serve up dinner."
~o0o~
Rusty left the shelter and quickly disappeared, he had his extraction all planned out. He rounded the nearest building and climbed the fence, ending up in an adjacent alley and back onto the street a whole block over. He made his way to the beach and disappeared in the golden bushes that separated the beach from the shore. He crouched down and reached for his transponder unit, activating it with guarded anticipation. James was glad to be through with this part of his mission. Spending two weeks on the streets as an alcoholic bum was a tough assignment, the only thing that made it bearable was the kindness of the young lady running the shelter. He wished "James" could have at least said "thank you" but he stayed in cover and never expressed his appreciation for the selfless life she chose to live. The two grand he left would be expensed to ONI and he would be sure to report the generous donation his secondary cover, Rusty Lancaster left upon his departure.
He scanned his surroundings and then looked up at the starry sky. It was dark and his cover was good so he settled in to wait for his ride.
~o0o~
"We just received the signal, Sir," Chip reported.
"Very well, Chip, I'll be right up," Harry replied.
He hung up the mic and took just a moment to reflect silently then left the lab and headed top-side. So far the mission was advancing just as expected, he supposed he should have found some measure of peace in that fact. He shook off any further thought as he felt the ballast tanks blow and Seaview begin its ascent from the ocean floor. At any rate, he thought silently, it will all be over soon. The rest of his concern was locked cleanly behind his stoic face; tight lips and a furled brow that exuded both determination and confidence, as he made his way forward.
"Sir, we're at nine-oh feet, ten miles off the coast," Chip reported.
"Very well, Mr. Morton. Take us in as close as we dare and surface."
"Aye Sir," Chip said turning the chart around to the Admiral and showing his intended coordinates for surfacing.
Harry nodded his approval as Chip gave the orders to proceed at standard.
"Up periscope," Chip ordered, only one mile off the coast. He increased the range until he had the beach in sight, then dialed up the night vision, spotting a lone figure on the beach.
"Sir," Chip said, offering the Admiral the periscope with their extraction target already sighted in.
"Very well, surface Mr. Morton."
"Aye Sir."
Chip took hold of the mic. "Surface, surface, surface. Blow all ballast tanks, ten degrees up bubble," he ordered then reached for the klaxons, depressing the button three times.
~o0o~
James checked his watch, then scanned the beach to the right and left before emerging from his hiding place. His position was still secure, but he had positioned himself in front of the bushes to make his heat signature easier to read. After another five minutes or so, he just barely heard a faint noise over the waves breaking.
Seaview is right on time, he mused silently. He checked the beach again and ran out to the waves meeting the boat part way and hauling himself in the rubber raft with the aid of helping hands that expertly secured him and turned the boat around, speeding back toward Seaview.
James tilted his head back to rest on the raft, grateful that his part was done. It had been a long two weeks and he was looking forward to sleeping without the intrigue of the mission constantly on his mind. He would have felt completely relieved, except that there were two agents in the field yet to retrieve. The mission wasn't over until everyone came home.
~o0o~
Lee made his way to what had become his usual stomping grounds while "vacationing" here. It was important to continue this part of his cover to protect the intelligence and prove that he wasn't hiding anything. He walked towards the first establishment on his bar hopping circuit and took a quick glance into the alley that James frequented, noting he was gone. It was what he expected, and he was glad that James was in the clear now that the final card had finally been passed. He was probably aboard Seaview right now, of course James could have taken possession of the card and immediately called for an extraction, but there was a trail of contacts that could potentially lead back to the Insider if he were caught with the card. Indeed, the playing card was going through several agents' hands before it would be completely secure. That part of the plan was hopefully going on right now.
The maid knocked, then used her key announcing her arrival, just in case.
"Maid service," she said, opening the door and finding an empty room. She rolled her cart in and closed the door behind her. She collected the towels to be laundered from the bathroom floor and replaced them with fresh ones, then used her feather duster for a cursory dusting job. The bed was made so she left it, if the guest wanted fresh sheets they would typically leave the bedding pulled back. That was fine with her as it was almost quitting time for the young woman. She pulled out her vacuum, plugged it in and did several quick passes over the carpet, then left the machine running as she headed straight to the wall socket under the mounted bed light. She pulled out a small screw driver from her apron pocket and quickly divested the plate of its screws. She removed the plate and reached for the Queen of Spades, sliding it inside her blouse where it was safely hidden between her bosom and bra, then reached into her apron pocket for another queen of spades. She replaced the wall socket plate with her counterfeit card and returned to add a few more strokes with the vacuum cleaner before stowing her machine back on her cart. She stopped to fuss with her hair in the mirror and then opened the door and wheeled out her cart, locking the door behind her.
Sandra returned her cart to the maintenance closet and left her apron. She grabbed her sweater, then headed downstairs to clock out.
"I'm done, Ralph. See you tomorrow," she said over her shoulder as she headed carefree for the door.
"Did you get the towels in 206?" Ralph asked, his head still buried in the newspaper.
"Yeah, yeah. See you tomorrow."
"Bye Sandy," he answered distractedly.
"Sandra... I told you, Sandra," she corrected and then headed out the door.
The night desk clerk just shrugged his shoulders. Sandra. Sandy. It was all the same to him, as long as the guy in 206 got his towels he shouldn't have anything to complain about and that's all he cared about, because it was a long enough night without having some guest complaining about clean towels.
Sandra made her way out of town, taking her way home walking along the beach with her pants rolled up and carrying her shoes. She strolled past the beach houses further down the beach where the shore line was rockier and cliffs replaced the gentle sloping landscape, then reached into her pocket and pressed a small button. Almost immediately, well-lit bubbles formed in front of her as something yellow surfaced and motored toward her, beaching the craft right in front of her.
A side door opened as a man dressed in a dark turtleneck and slacks, stepped out. Auburn hair peeked out from under the black beanie cap as small wavy curls refused to be tamed by the knit hat.
"Full house beats a flush," he said without emotion.
"Good thing I have a royal flush," Sandra responded to the auburn haired man's raised eyebrow as he waited for the rest of the code. "I just pulled in the last spade," she finished.
"Welcome aboard Miss Striker," Harry greeted, helping her aboard while quickly scanning the beach.
"Thank you, Admiral Nelson," she replied, knowing exactly who her pilot was. A tall dark headed man in a red jumpsuit guided her to a chair in the back of the craft and helped her strap in as the Admiral secured the hatch behind him.
"So this is the flying sub," Sandra mused, clearly fascinated.
"Yes ma'am," Ski answered, all business but not missing the opportunity to talk to a pretty girl, even if that pretty girl was ONI and could knock him off his feet with a right hook.
"Everyone ready?" Harry asked over his shoulder as Kowalski took the co-pilot's seat.
"All clear, Admiral."
"Then let's get this fish underwater," he said as FS1 slid off the beach and back to the safety of the water. The sea floor dropped dramatically about twenty feet out as the flying sub submerged to the quiet "awwwws" of their passenger in the back.
"Bookmaker to High Roller, come in," Harry called.
"Bookmaker, this is High Roller, we read you loud and clear."
"Inform the Pit Manager that we have a guest... Lady Luck."
"Aye Sir. The Pit Manager wishes to convey that the Dealer has also been secured."
Sandra smiled in the back, knowing that James had delivered several cards, as well as the final card that she now held and that the ambiguous message concerning the Dealer meant that he was safe aboard as well.
"Very well, ETA... fourteen minutes."
Seaview signed off as Harry piloted the sometimes submarine, sometimes aircraft toward her home berth, the SSRN Seaview.
Now all we need is the Gambler, Harry thought in silent hopes that everything was going as planned and that they would receive Lee's call by morning.