Chapter 2

Two weeks later, Nate was in Washington where SNIPER was based in order to keep close to the Federal agencies in case of any government issues. After his recent mission he was ordered to report back to base for debriefing. He was at the passenger's pick-up section of the airport waiting for his company ride.

Nate wasn't current with events happening in the country due to his current mission. As he sat down waiting, he saw a man with a newspaper he noticed the title writing boldly: Is Russia after WWIII?

Nate looked at the title curiously, Russia causing war? He didn't have any facts just a title he needed to know more.

"Excuse me" Nate said "Do you know where I can buy today's newspaper?"

"Oh sure, there's a vendor over there" the man said directing him.

"Thanks" Nate said as he followed the man's direction. He bought a copy of that newspaper. He didn't have time to read it because a chauffeur signaled for him. In know time, Nate knew it was his driver.

"Nathaniel Xavier?" the chauffeur asked

"Yeah that's me, SNIPER base?"

"Yes sir, my name is Lance Ridley" he said as he shook his hand.

"Nice meeting you I only have one bag" he said opening the door for him.

Nate read the article which stated a possible Russian threat dealing with military warheads.

The navy's new warship the "Mantis" was sunken by two WXL-5 missiles during training practice no one survived the tragedy, the WXL-5 missiles were owned by Russia's military unit. Russia denies any claims of attempting an attack but is still under US investigations

"Is everything alright sir?" Lance asked

"I'm fine, when did this all happen?" He asked

"Three weeks ago"

"So why is it being released now?"

"The government wanted to keep it on a low profile until they can come to a decision on what happened"

"Thanks for the info"

"No problem". Lance said "We're almost there now"

"Great at least I can rest a little" Nate said taking a nap. It took about ten minutes to reach the gates of S.N.I head quarters.

He got clearance from security to park in H Q's parking lot. He didn't need to wake Nate; he already realized they were there.

"I wish I slept on the plane." He said wiping his face

"Well thanks it was nice meeting you"

"Same here sir" Lance said. Nate took his duffel bag to the elevator in the parking lot until he reached second floor that's when the locker room was to dispatch his bag, he took out some things, like his passport, identification card and his pistol before heading to the third floor

On the third floor, he was in the debriefing room where decrypting agents were on duty one of the agents was deciphering a message from the Pentagon.

Stacey was a decipher agent in SNIPER, she translated codes for the field agents like Nate.

She was also a hacker who could access information from other government agencies.

She was from California with her blonde hair and attractive complexion; her glasses didn't make it hard to reveal it.

The first person she met as a newbie was Nate they became intimate for a while but are still "friends".

He approached her silently and watched her decipher the information his skill was silence in battle not to alert your target when close.

He looked at her desk and saw an old picture of them together, he found touching.

"Still remember that day" he said to her.

"Mr. Xavier are you spying on me?" she said

smiling at him.

"I don't see that as a crime" he said rubbing her shoulders

"Well Connors needs to debrief you now honey"

"I've got time to kill"

"Get going Nathan Xavier" she said

"It was nice seeing you too" as he left he went into the debriefing room where Connors, Forbes and Head of security awaited to discuss.

Lincoln checked his watch to see if he was late it was 10:15am

"Welcome Nate, I've been expecting you" said Connors

"Same here" said Lincoln as he went to shake his hands

"Good to be back" he said

"I take it you've read the news, so you know what this meeting is about?"

"Yes sir I've been informed, Lance told me about it"

"He's a good man; I hope he wasn't any trouble."

"Not at all sir."

"This is head of security, Charles Blake" introducing the man.

"Pleasure to meet you" Nate said shaking his hand.

"Gentlemen, we have business to settle with." He said as the four of them sat.

They discussed about the situation about the attack.

"We know they were Russian missiles sir but they wouldn't attack like this they can't afford another war" said Connors

"And they couldn't have known about the Mantis this soon, it was covert." Lincoln added

"Try telling it to the secretary of defense" Blake said "We are as baffled as anyone else"

"The Russians said those missiles were stolen a year ago by the Americans." Nate said

"That's crazy who would want to set us up?"

"All we know is someone knew that the Mantis was set for training that night and knew its exact time to destroy it."

"Whoever did would have been close to its location"

"Are you saying someone wanted it to look like an attack?"

"Yes but the question is who is behind it and why" Nate said "Our only lead is in Cuba"

"You might have something Nate but it's under Martial law thanks to Juarez" said Blake

"He won't give you access especially for an investigation"

"Then we get access from someone who can" Nate said.

"We have a man there, he's in Guantanamo bay there's a police precinct which can get you in."

"So who is he?" Nate asked

"His name is Manuel Guadalupe he is the head of security in that location" Connors said

"Can we trust him?" Blake asked trying to feel secured with this assignment.

"Yes sir we can" said Connors relieving the head of security.

"So who do we send for this operation?" Lincoln asked.

"Nate is our candidate" said Connors "You'll meet Guadalupe at Guantanamo bay, we'll inform him about your arrival"

"How would I recognize him?" he asked

"You will receive his dossier before leaving tonight"

He said "But remember he is also head of security so you'll have to gain his trust"

"How do I do that?"

"Give him this code: special alliance"

"Yes sir" he said as him and Lincoln left the conference room.

"Don't worry sir, we'll get to the bottom of this soon." Said Connors

"I hope so Connors" said Blake "I really hope so"

Back in Cuba, Jamarh was in his office, dealing with some of his clients which were notorious gun-runners from other parts of the world if he could keep the countries distracted they will align their resources with his for higher economy.

Jamarh had three clients which were wanted by their own countries, dead or alive.

From Brazil, Caesar Perez was wanted for illegal smuggling to the U.S and extortion, Ling Jon Wu a military weapons smuggler from North Korea and Jean Pierre Lebeau wanted for selling secrets to enemies and terror attacks in Paris.

The plan was to meet Jamarh in Cuba to start their business by next week.

Jamarh was to throw a party for his three years accomplishment in Cuba, he also had a business that was legal he owned a heavy machinery factories to give him a low profile.

"So is the agreement set or not gentlemen?"

"We are still concerned Jamarh, what about local authority?" Ling Jon asked

"Yes supposing local authorities start to question your activities?" asked Caesar.

"There is no threat, while the U.S and Russia are still questioning what went wrong we could have smuggled 50 loads of weapons without any interference"

"How about this martial law in Cuba"

"As long as the governor is in charge we will be able to disguise our business as legitimate"

"Very clever, but supposing there is a flaw in this operation?"

"U.S authorities are prohibited to be in Cuba making it safe for us to move further in this."

"Then we shall meet as planned" said Lebeau

"Till then" said Caesar as they switched of their transmitters.

Jamarh looked outside of his office windows everyone was about their business until seven that was their curfew thanks to Juarez, if anyone was out after that, soldiers would not hesitate to shoot.

Jamarh started his business eight years ago after being declared dead it was the best cover-up to continue working on his project.

His company's name was the 'Alliance', it was a factory that dealt with heavy machinery and generator systems, that's when he decided to create the perfect weapon, what if he could access military computers, missiles and weaponry he could have the world in his hands for the perfect price leading to the creation of Deadlock . The device was like the size of a desktop computer once he had access to any military program, he could log in to any base and hi-jack the program. His factory gave people jobs as workers and his guards.

Jamarh had a mansion in Manzanillo, but his company was based in Holguin's city area. His mansion was surrounded by tropical beauty; he had servants running the place. They were unaware of Jamarh's deceit but he gave them jobs in order for them to feed their family. Jamarh was not married but he always found pleasure with escorts but one of his female servants he found much desire for, her name was Maria, a beautiful young woman with raven hair, she lived in Bayamon in a small village. She was hired to clean Jamarh's bedroom to feed her family, however he found more use for her.

Whenever she was sent to clean his room, he will always trap her any chance he gets and takes opportunity of her vulnerability even though she's reluctant.

Jamarh looked outside his window office he saw the people about minding there own business doing what they had to do before there curfew was time most people were buyers and sellers. Feeling relaxed he took out a Cuban cigar and lit it. The plan must not fail.