Chapter 37

While Sam was calling his daughter, Kestrel was walking next to Alpha in the lobby of the Tripler Army Medical Center. She had recovered well and was able to stand and walk, but she still couldn't speak or hear. Kestrel escorted her to a taxi, and they went to the Waikiki bay, as Alpha wanted to see the ocean. The taxi dropped them on the shore of a magnificent beach, crowded with tourists, and they started to walk casually on the path along the white sand. They both wore civilian clothes, and Kestrel was happy to see that Alpha's jeans and shirt suited her well. He himself was feeling comfortable in his polo shirt, black trousers and trainers. He had cut his beard in the morning but not shaved it, since Alpha found him very handsome wearing it. And he wanted to please her.

They had lunch in a small restaurant on the beach, and treated themselves with sharing a huge seafood platter, then eating ice cream. Alpha was smiling and relaxed, but he noticed a couple of times a wince while putting her hand on her head. She took some pills in the middle of the lunch, and signed:

_ Painkillers. I need some.

He felt worried, but decided to put it in the back of his mind. What the doctor had told him had confirmed Alpha's signs: she had a little less than three months to live. And her pain would be greater with every passing day. There was nothing to do except enjoying with her what life she still had to live, and carry out her plan. And he had decided, even though it tore him apart, to help her in doing so. So, in spite of her pain, he took her hand and kissed it softly. She smiled to him, and signed:

_ Should we go and find a little somewhere to have a siesta?

He signed back, not wanting to say it aloud:

_ Yes, but I'd rather go cuddling than sleeping.

She choked a laugh, blushing. He paid the bill, then they crossed the road and entered the hotel in front of them. They had wonderful moments, and stayed there the three days Sam had given them, only going out for a moonlight walk on the beach or eat delicacies in different restaurants. Kestrel wanted to pull out the time, but he knew these three days would be the last good ones for them. So they enjoyed the happy interlude as much as possible, not thinking about the future.

On Saturday at dawn, Kestrel called a taxi to drive them back to Pearl Harbor, where the Paladin had moved to be stationed. They were the first to enter the control room, so they sat in chairs to wait for the others. During the last day, Alpha had tried to use her voice, and she could whisper softly, but her hearing had not returned. She murmured to Kestrel:

_ I'll explain to them, but I won't be able to talk that much. I'll sign, but could you translate for me, please?

_ Of course, he said.

She was getting better at reading lips, but it wasn't a hundred percent accurate. Kestrel took her hand, wanting to give her courage. She already had a lot of courage, but telling the others about her plan was going to be difficult, he knew it. She bent forward and kissed him. Then he heard footsteps coming closer, and turned his head to see Sam and Grim advancing towards them.

_ Hi! said Grim, grinning widely. It's good to see you, Alpha!

_ Thank you, whispered Alpha, smiling back. Good to see you too.

_ You can talk! Sam marveled, also smiling happily.

_ It's slowly coming back, she murmured. But I can't hear, I'm reading your lips. So please forgive me if I don't understand what you say. Misha will sign for me.

_ No problem, said Sam. Are you the first here?

_ Yes, said Kestrel, signing at the same time. And Alpha has something very important to say to all of us.

_ Really? said Grim. What about?

_ Meggido, Alpha answered. I have an idea to bring them down.

_ Hey, Alpha! Briggs rejoiced, entering the room. How are you?

_ Still deaf, but otherwise I'm fine, thanks. You?

_ These three days were wonderful! I met a nice waitress in a café near Pearl Harbor, had some good time, and...

He stopped when he noticed Kestrel's smirk as he signed for Alpha, and she had a wide grin.

_ Good for you, said Grim, suppressing a smile.

_ What about you and Sam? retorted Briggs. Did you get intimate at last?

_ Yes, said Sam proudly, making Grim blush. Lots of times. The experience, you see.

This time, Alpha burst out laughing, a whispering laugh that transformed into a violent cough. Kestrel leaned toward her, worry on his face.

_ Are you all right? he said.

She nodded, still coughing, and grabbed her small bottle of water. She gulped down several mouthfuls, then sighed, grinning.

_ Sam's going to kill me, she whispered, smiling.

_ I have no intention to kill you, he said, looking into her eyes, as Charlie went in the room and said hello to everyone, and grinned at Alpha.

_ I hope not, she murmured, because something else is killing me.

Kestrel felt that the room temperature had dropped a few degrees. The smiles quickly faded, replaced by concern.

_ What? said Grim, astonished. Did I hear correctly?

_ Yes, Alpha whispered. I have cancerous tumours in my brain. I have three months, maximum. Three months to bring Meggido down.

_ But... Sam began.

_ No, Sam, Alpha cut him with a difficult whisper. Please, let me explain. Misha will speak for me.

And Alpha signed her plan, while Kestrel translated her words. The Fourth Echelon team sat in chairs around them, listening intently.

_ Let me get this straight, Sam said roughly, and Alpha looked at Kestrel who signed his words. You want to create all the evidence we need to prove that the hacker AlphaOmega is a member of Meggido, and use this evidence to bring them down by causing a massive scandal which will make them fall and sued. You will pretend that AlphaOmega is with them since the beginning, and make false statements to the official agencies in order to accuse the highest members of Meggido of being a bunch of gangsters. You'll crush your reputation as a white hat, be the bad guy, and die in a prison cell before any trial.

She nodded gravely. Sam was impressed by her courage and determination. She was dying, but she wanted to end the fight against Meggido by sacrificing all she had. Yes, a true hero.

_ Your plan is brilliant, he said slowly, to allow her to read his lips. What can we do to help you?

_ Sam! interjected Grim, you can't seriously...

_ Grim, Kestrel cut her wearily, pain in his eyes. Please. Trust me, I've told her what you're going to say. A lot of times. But she's dying, and she wants to make the best of her remaining life. We can only respect that and help her.

He hung his head, and Sam saw how deep was his suffering. He had to accept to lose the love of his life, and she would consume her last forces in the downfall of Meggido, next to him but in a military plane, with an intel team and no real privacy. How cruel that fate was for them!

_ Kestrel is right, he said at last, masking his emotion as best he could. We have nothing to do except carry on that plan until the downfall of Meggido. We have a lot of work.

_ If we do that, Grim said reluctantly, Alpha and Charlie will create the evidence and the viruses to insert them in Meggido's servers, and Briggs and Kestrel will have to infiltrate the houses or offices of the members of Meggido to put the ghost files into their computers. The evidence will have to stay hidden until we are ready to catch every member simultaneously.

_ It's impossible, Charlie protested. Even the...

_ It is possible, whispered Alpha, cutting Charlie.

He looked at her, bewildered. She smiled.

_ Still want some hacking lessons?

_ Yeah... yes, of course!

_ Then I'll show you how to do it.

_ Wonderful! Charlie yelled, bouncing on his feet.

Kestrel looked at Briggs.

_ Have you got any problem teaming up with an ex-Russian, ex-Voron ops?

_ None, said Briggs, and they shook hands.

_ Sam will be your field runner, said Grim. I'll be in charge of the missions, but he'll manage you guys, train you, baby-sit you, and so on.

_ Hey! Briggs protested, making Alpha and Kestrel smile.

_ And of course he's the boss, said Grim, smiling at Sam.

Sam smiled and looked at the team around him. Exceptional people, and he would lead them to the downfall of Meggido, with Alpha's help. He said at last:

_ Alpha, Fourth Echelon will help you have the heads of all these Meggido bastards. And I'm proud to work with you all, folks!

They all nodded. Then he added:

_ Time to work! Go!