Chapter 3

I had just returned from another long ONI mission. Not only was I exhausted but my body was black and blue from the beatings I had received from my captors. The doctor on the boat who examined me wanted to ship me stateside to a Navy hospital but I wanted no part of it and promised the doctor I would check in with my own physician. I returned to Groton after my debriefing with Admiral Johnson and decided I was fine and all I needed was some sleep and rest. Janet sighed deeply when she heard that. I couldn't wait to take a shower and hit the sack. I was staying at the Bachelor Officer's Quarters for a couple of days before leaving to visit mom in Providence. Once I was in my room, I got undressed and climbed into the shower. I decided no Navy three minute shower for me as I stood there letting the hot water cascade down my battered body. I finished up my shower and decided to get something to eat before finally going to bed. I found a BBQ place, ate dinner and returned to the BOQ. I climbed into bed and fell sound asleep. I woke up late the next morning feeling a little better. I spent the next two days doing nothing but catching up on my sleep. I was getting ready to leave for moms when my phone rang.

"Crane," I answered running my hand through my hair. I didn't look at the number of who was calling.

"Commander, this is Admiral Johnson. I'm in desperate need of your help."

"Admiral, please I just returned from a mission…" I replied but Johnson stopped me before I could finish.

"Lee, I know but Captain Bradley and another agent, Troy Andres missed their extraction times twice. They were sent to get the information on a new coding system the People's Republic is using to send their messages. We need to have that coding system so we can decode their messages and rewrite what they have sent."

"Troy Andres is with Captain Bradley," I said a little surprised that I wasn't called to accompany the Captain as his usual partner on the mission.

"Yes, do you know him?"

"Went to the academy with him. He was a couple of years ahead of me. Big football star, didn't expect him to be an agent of ONI. Why didn't Captain Bradley ask for me to accompany him?" I inquired.

"He did but you were already on a mission and it would have been impossible to replace you as you were already deployed."

"Where do I need to go…how soon…how do I get there?" I asked quickly willing to do anything for Captain Bradley.

"You need to go to the small country of Venenzia on the Baltic Sea located right on the western border of the People's Republic. They were to report to a secluded area on the beach for pick up but they never showed up. The intel we received shows there's a building two miles right across the border from Venenzia where the messages are being sent from. You'll leave via transport to Germany and then a helicopter to Venenzia. You need to leave tomorrow morning at 0900 from Norfolk. Sorry Lee, I know you're still recovering from your last mission but you're the best I've got and right now I need the best."

"Thank you sir, I'll be in Norfolk first thing in the morning."

"Take care Lee, please be careful," Johnson told me.

"Will do sir," I replied softly. I hung up the phone and sighed. Captain Bradley had to be okay, I thought as I called mom and told her I wouldn't be able to visit her as I had to leave un-expectantly on a job for the Navy. I packed my duffle with what I had with me, black pants, turtlenecks, shirts and my 45.

((()))

Lee paused and exhaled deeply. Janet got up and got him another glass of water.

"Thank you," he said as he took the glass from her and drank it up in one gulp. He put the glass down on the table and wrapped his arm around Janet's shoulders. She leaned against him as he continued talking.

((()))

I boarded the transport and headed for Germany. The plane was crowded with supplies needed at Ramstein Air Base but they managed to make just enough room for me to sit. Not sleeping well the previous night, I nodded off about an hour into the long flight. By the time I arrived in Germany it would be night due to the time change. A helicopter would be waiting to take me to Venenzia at first light in the morning.

"Thanks for the safe flight," I told the pilot and co-pilot.

"Good luck with whatever you have to do," the pilot replied as I gathered my duffle and walked off the plane.

I found a small hotel not to far from the air base where I would pick up the helicopter for the short ride to Venenzia. I checked in and went to my room, put down my gear and stretched. Even though I slept on the plane, I was tired and my body ached from sitting so long. I went to my bag and pulled out a couple of acetaminophen tablets hoping they would relieve my pain. I pulled out the map the pilot handed me when I boarded the plane and laid it on the small desk in the room. Johnson had faxed it over to the air base requesting they give it to me. Once I arrived in Venenzia, I would walk across the border into the PR. I located the building on the map and plotted my way into the building. I also noticed a small town not to far from the compound. If needed, we could always hide there until we could make our way back to Venenzia.

((()))

I was waiting at the air base before it was light. The chopper would take me to the small airport in Venenzia. Once I made contact with Bradley and Andres, I would call the air base on my SAT phone and have them send the chopper back for us. The pilot and co-pilot walked over to me as I stood waiting near the hanger.

"Hal, what are you doing here?" I asked recognizing the co-pilot as one who had picked me up on previous missions.

"Hello, Commander," Hal replied shaking, my hand. "I go wherever they send me. This is Darren; he's your pilot for the ride to Venenzia."

"Nice to meet you," I answered shaking his hand.

"Same here. Are you ready to depart?" Darren asked as we climbed aboard the chopper strapped in and put on the headphones so we could communicate with each other.

The chopper got clearance for take-off to the north and east. It was only a thirty minute ride to Venenzia. The pilot signaled me to turn on my headset. "Have you ever been to Venenzia before?"

"No sir," I replied.

"Even though it's a small country it has a beautiful beach and sunsets."

"Thanks but I don't think I'll be able to enjoy the sights while I'm here," I chuckled nervously.

We entered the air space over Venenzia and the pilot was cleared to land at a remote section of the airport. "Thanks for the ride. I'm not sure how soon I'll be going back," I told them using the headset.

"No problem Commander," Hal replied, "just give us a call when you're ready to leave. Someone will be here to pick you up. Good luck, sir."

"Thanks," I said as I removed the headset, unbuckled my seat belt and jumped out of the chopper grabbing my duffle. I stooped down so I would clear the blades and trotted off the landing pad. I gave them the thumbs up signal letting them know it was safe to take off.

I walked through the small terminal building and out onto the street where I could smell the ocean. I knew that Bradley and Andres extraction point was somewhere on the beach so I started walking towards the beach hoping I would find the hotel near that position.

((()))

When I arrived at the beach, I noticed it was quite crowded. The weather was quite warm and I was already sweating as I looked down the beach trying to find a hotel. I saw there were two of them. I looked them over and decided that Bradley would chose the one closest to the woods. I also noticed it was also the farthest from where I was now. As I walked along I got many offers from the women sunning themselves wanting me to put suntan lotion on them. Janet gave him a wry grin as he continued. By the time I arrived at the hotel I was drenched in sweat. Seeing no one in the lobby, I rang the bell and a young woman came out from a room directly behind the counter.

"Can I help you," she asked looking me over from head to toe. "I'm Lisa."

"Yes, I would like a room please," I said politely. "Sorry for my appearance but it's warmer than I thought it would be."

"No problem sir," she grinned. "I have a room on the second floor overlooking the beach, it's a little more expensive but the view is fantastic."

"I'll take it," I replied smiling back.

She filled out all the paperwork and handed me the key to room 207. "Here you are Mr. Kingston. Enjoy your stay," she remarked looking me in the eye.

"Thanks Lisa," I said as I took the key from her, my hand lingering a little longer than necessary. As I turned to walk away I asked, "Just one more thing. I was supposed to meet my two friends here, Bradley and Andres. They were scheduled to arrive a couple of days ago. Can you tell me if they're here?" I asked flashing my special smile. "Still using your good looks and charm to get information," Janet snickered as Lee continued.

"I'm not supposed to reveal that information but you look honest enough. Yes, they arrived three days ago," she told me looking at the reservation's book. "I haven't seen them today but then I just got back from vacation yesterday. In fact, they're in room 205."

"Thanks," I responded winking at her as I walked away.

I walked up the stairs to the second floor and located my room. I entered the room which was a little warm as the air conditioning wasn't turned on. I quickly found the switch and turned it to as cool as fast as I could. I put my duffle down and went out to the balcony. Lisa was right the view was fantastic. I went back into the room and then to the bathroom turned on the shower and jumped in for a nice cool shower.

((()))

I wanted to check out the room next door so I opened the door to my room and made sure no one was in the hallway. Seeing no one I grabbed my key, lock pick set from my duffle and went to the room where the captain and Troy were staying. I knocked on the door hoping they would answer but no such luck. I took my lock pick, easily opened the door, quickly went inside and locked the door. I could tell they hadn't been there for at least a day as the soap hadn't been used and the towels were still hanging the way the maids hung them up when they made up the room. Damn, I thought as I looked around for their luggage. I searched their bags but didn't find anything of importance.

Knowing Captain Bradley as well as I did, I knew where he would have hid the intel if he had it. I knew his suitcase had a false bottom so I removed the clothes and carefully looked for the edge of the bottom when I lifted it up, it was empty. I knew then that I was going to have to go and find them along with the intel. I only hoped I wasn't too late. I opened the door to their room, seeing no one in the hall; I left the room locking the door and returned to my room. I changed into my fatigues not wanting to wait any longer to rescue Captain Bradley and Troy. I loaded my gun and put extra ammunition in the pockets of my fatigues. I also took the canteen out of my bag, filled it with water and left the hotel using the back door I noticed when I went upstairs. I quickly made my way into the woods and hiked to the compound.

((()))

Lee paused for a few minutes. Janet got up and turned on the light on the table as it had gotten dark while Lee was talking. "Do you want some more water, coffee, or a drink?" Janet asked sensing that Lee was going to have a hard time telling her what had transpired on the rest of the mission.

He smiled at her, "No, I'll be okay," he told her running his hand through his hair, "but thanks anyway."

She sat back down and turned to face him, waiting patiently for him to continue. He picked up her hand and gave it squeeze as he resumed his story.

((()))

Once in the woods, I double checked the map. I didn't have to walk very far before I was in the People's Republic. I folded up the map and stashed it in my front pocket and continued walking through the woods stopping only to take a quick drink and listen for anyone following me. It was cooler in the woods as the trees offered protection from the hot sun. After walking two miles, I came upon a brick building painted brown and green and almost passed it by as it blended in with the landscape. I walked to the building getting as close as I could without being seen. I saw only one guard in the front of the building then walked around to the rear and saw one guard there also. I looked around surveying the area for another escape route instead of the hiking back through the woods. There was a road that ran right into the front of the building and thought that might be an option of escape as it went into the town. I wasn't sure if there was a hidden electric fence surrounding the building so I went to the side of the building, looked around and found a fairly large rock and threw it at the building. When it didn't set off an alarm, I knew the area was clean. I waited watching the guards hoping the current guards would change duty shifts soon and it wasn't too long before another guard came out of the building to relieve the current guard. The guard handed the new guard his rifle and keys before he went inside. I ran along the side of the building stopping at the corner before I got to the back door. As soon as the guards traded positions, I would make my move.

I snuck up behind the guard at the rear of the building and hit him on the back of the neck. He went down like a ton of bricks. I searched him for the keys I saw the other guard give him before he left. I found them and took them along with his rifle. I unlocked the door to the building and went inside seeing only a long hallway with doorways on both sides. Damn, it'll take me forever to search all of these rooms, I thought. But I got lucky as I started to open the door to one of the rooms; a guard came out of one about four doorways down. I quickly went into the room leaving the door slightly ajar so I could hear what the guard was saying.

"I don't give a damn if you don't eat," the guard said as he slammed and locked the door taking the food tray he had and walked in the opposite direction from me.

Once I saw the hallway was clear, I quickly ran down to that doorway and looked at all the keys on the ring. I pulled out my lock pick and tried to use it to open the door no matter what I did the lock wouldn't budge so I would have to try every key hoping one of them opened up the door. I was about half way through the ring when I heard someone coming down the hall. I just made it to a staircase leading to a basement and hid there until the guard left the area. The guard walked past the stairwell and entered the door across the hall. I looked through the open door and saw the room was full of computer stations with men at every station and figured this is where the PR sent out all their coded messages. The guard shut the door and I heard it lock as soon as it was closed. I went back to the door in the hallway and tried another couple of keys finally finding the one which opened the door.

The only light in the room was from a small window about ten feet above the ground. I could barely make out the figure handcuffed to the cot which was the only piece of furniture in the room but recognized the man as Troy Andres.

"I told you I don't want any of your slop," the man yelled.

"Troy, I'm here to get you out," I told him. "It's Lee Crane."

"It's about time someone came to get me. There's a switch by the door turn it on."

I found the switch turned on the light and saw Troy sitting on the cot. It was clear he had been beaten by the swollen eyes that were barely open and split lips. I didn't even want to think what he looked like under his torn shirt.

Troy could barely see but knew who I was as he had heard about me from other agents and he also remembered me from the academy as I had gotten the best of him in a fight.

I grabbed the ring of keys looking for one that would release the handcuffs. I found the key I was looking for and undid his hands. "Where's Captain Bradley," I asked urgently.

"Sorry Lee, I don't know. When they caught us, we were separated," he told me as he rubbed his wrists chaffed from the handcuffs.

"How did you get caught anyway," I asked curiously.

"It was my fault," Troy admitted. "We were getting ready to leave when I walked into the trap they had set for intruders. They tortured me wanting to know why we were here."

"Let's get the hell out of here," I told him as he helped him up. "Do you have the intel or do I have to search this place for it too?"

"I've got it," Troy responded as he picked up the mattress on the bed, undid the zipper that held the cover in place and removed the small disk. He put it in his pocket and gingerly walked to the door with my help. I cautiously opened the door and checked to see if it was clear. I helped Troy out the back door and into the woods where I sat him down and gave him the canteen I had in my pack.

"You stay here. I'm going back to find Bradley. The building isn't that big and I've got the keys. Hopefully they won't know the guard is knocked out until the next shift change. If I'm not back in thirty minutes, make your way back to the hotel in Venenzia," I told him.

"I'm staying here until you find him. It's my fault we were caught so I'm not going anywhere," Troy insisted. I nodded my head in agreement knowing I would do the same thing.