From A Child's Plate

Chapter Six

Presenting Dragon One

Once Nala was certain that her father was unaware of her location she stood and crossed the dark room to Rios' large U shaped desk. She scanned the bank of computer monitors and located the ones with the footage for the hallway and family room areas. The screens were dark. She reached for the mouse but then concerned that she would mess the system up withdrew her small hand. She would need Elliot's help to replay the security footage and to get that she needed to wake him up and get him moving.

"0620 moving to contact."

She crossed to the big leather couch and looked down at her sleeping uncle. She loved to watch Salem sleep. He did all manner of strange things. He talked and laughed. He twitched and even sang sometimes. The scary part was when he had a nightmare. Nala hated those and Rios had instructed the young girl what to do in the event Elliot suffered one and the pair was alone. She reached out, brushed his hair back from his cheek and studied him in the dim light. He lay on his left side, knees tucked up a little with his left arm under his pillow and the right bent with his clenched fist tucked under his stubble shaded chin. She leaned over him and placed her watch next to his were it peeked out from beneath the pillow.

"0623 and perfectly in sync."

He'd kicked off his covers and was shirtless. Nala reached out once again and traced the very fine scar beneath his right eye. It was the scar, she now knew, from Salem's fight with his Russian sniper.

"Wow."

Then she ran her finger gently across the scar on his right wrist. It was Vasily Tyannikov's scar from when the big man had broken Elliot's arm back in Africa. Finally she traced the deep green flame enshrouded dragon up Salem's arm until she reached the head. Nala stroked the head reverently and smiled before whispering,

"0628 contact with Dragon One. Activating on my mark."

At 0629 Salem's eyes shot open unexpectedly and Nala flinched. He didn't move a muscle only his eyes moved scanning right and left searching the dim space.

"Nala."

"Uncle Elliot."

"Where's your old man?"

"Sleeping."

"How'd you get in?"

"The way we practiced."

He studied the small girl. Sure enough she wore her black mission gear. Sure enough they were alone. Before he could question her further she spoke in a whisper.

"0630 Dragon One activated. Time to get up sleepy head. Look your eyes are all puffy. I'll get a damp cloth while you get dressed."

Salem sat up and stretched trying to wrap his head around what just transpired. The little girl stepped away and went into the bathroom and Elliot headed for his closet. The events of the night before slowly trickled back into his memory and he groaned. He'd fallen apart. He'd have rather died first then have come unglued in front of that particular group of people. Before he could berate himself for his weakness the second major event of the night screamed at him. Art had unsealed his juvenile records. He tossed the shirt he'd chosen back on the shelf, chose a beaten up tee shirt instead, grabbed socks and his running shoes. He needed some space before seeing any of the group. He needed space and to burn off the anger seething in his chest. A good long run would be a start.

Back in the office Nala held out the cool cloth for him. He took it, smiled and sat down on the bed to pull on his shoes and socks. Then he daubed the cloth on his eyes while she waited.

"Bathroom stuff kiddo, be out in a mike."

"Roger that."

In the bathroom he pissed and studied himself in the mirror. Nala was right he was a mess. Between drinking himself senseless Friday night and the emotional toll of Saturday Elliot wasn't sure he'd be able to swing the long day he had ahead. He brushed his teeth, soaked his head under the tub faucet, dried himself off and returned to the office.

Nala was now sitting in Rios' big leather 'command center' chair studying the screens. He hoisted her up, slipped into the seat and put her on his lap.

"Need to see if I was slow enough." She said pointing. "Eleven is the hallway, and fifteen A is the family room area. We need to hurry though no telling when Dad'll be up."

"Time stamp?"

"0530 to 0600."

Salem manipulated the monitors to the desired time and the pair studied the screens, fast forwarding to speed the process along. From what Salem could see she'd beaten the cameras. He reset the monitors, lifted her up, spun around and they high fived as he set her down.

"That's my little mercenary. Well done And-A-Half!"

"Roger that Dragon One. Now we better get moving. Still need to retrieve my blocking strips."

The pair exited the office, retrieved Nala's gear and snuck along the walls until they reached the hallway.

"Go put that kit and key away, can't risk getting caught with it and meet me in the kitchen."

"Grama Mimi's up and making Cinnamon rolls."

"Yea I can smell 'em but we need man food; so how's about we do the Super Soldier Salem Special?"

"The Quad S? Hell yea! Back in three Mikes."

Across the sprawling ranch style home Tyson awoke with the trailing memory of a dream flickering in his mind. Groaning he dislodged himself from Samantha and slipped from the bed. He sat for a moment on the edge holding his face in his hands, trying to make sense of the fleeting dream memory.

Elliot was in it. He was laughing and goofing off, as he was so prone to doing. Then a thick, dark swirling cloud engulfed him and his laughter turned to frenetic screaming. Rios struggled in the thick haze to find the desperate man but every time he thought that he'd located him the screaming shifted and came from another location. Then from out of nowhere Nala appeared. Rios watched as the small girl took in a long breath and blew out forcefully. The Fog dissipated revealing Elliot. Upon seeing her he stopped screaming, smiled again and held out her hair brush. Nala's clearing of the fog apparently destroyed whatever horror Salem was afraid of.

"Damn it Salem!" Rios hissed pushing off the bed.

He hit the bathroom, pissed, washed, washed his face, dressed and headed for the kitchen. He was surprised to find Nala and his mother already there. Nala slid from her stool at the breakfast bar and swarmed into his thick arms.

"Daddy!"

"Morning Peach, Mom."

He squeezed her tight kissed the top of her head.

"Uncle Elliot's running. I already got him up and moving. Figured he'd need that; you know how you always say after a bad night he needs to get moving. So I did it. Said I couldn't go though, my legs are too short."

"That's true enough."

"Ewe you need to shave." She ordered scrubbing her palms up and down his cheeks. "Only Uncle Elliot's allowed to have stubblies."

"M-hmm I'll take that into consideration."

"You do that mister."

Rios sat her back on the stool and took a much needed cup of black coffee from his mother.

"You said you got your uncle up and moving. You woke him up?"

"Yup, here's another roll, Grama."

The big man squinted at the child confused. She woke him up. She got him moving. He never heard the office door alarm sound, and he was damn sure he didn't sleep through it. How had she gotten into his locked and alarmed office?

"Why are you in your mission gear?"

Nala looked down at her clothes and shrugged.

"Just felt like wearing them. It'll piss off Grampa Art for sure, the bastard."

"Nala!"

"But Grama he's so mean and…"

"Nala your grandmother's right, watch your language. How long's Salem been gone?"

"Oh probably about… oh I'd say…"

"Left at 0723 it's 0830 that's one hour and seven mikes Dad." Nala interrupted her grandmother.

The older woman shook her head at the child and smiled.

"Tyson you definitely have your hands full with that one."

"Two Grama; he has Uncle Elliot too."

Rios studied the child over his coffee cup as she resettled the huge military grade watch back on her tiny wrist. He let his curiosity as to how she'd gotten in the office slip aside and instead recalled when Elliot had presented her with the treasured gift.

Christmas, Rios Residence Two Years Earlier

Just as he'd done every year for seven years Salem arrived Rios' house with a truck load of presents. He timed it so that he'd arrive just after the family had time enough for themselves but not so late that the gift opening was entirely completed. He sat and watched Nala open his gifts and the ones remaining from her family, gave the adults theirs and opened his all the while trying to be present but not in the way. Elliot waited all year for these moments and relished in watching Nala and Tyson enjoy whatever surprises he'd found for them. After they'd opened all of the gifts Salem produced a small, square box. Compared to the rest of his gifts, which he insisted upon paying the various charities around town to wrap, this box was a mess, obviously wrapped by him. The bright red glossy paper was crinkled and the shiny silver bow while bow like was a twisted mess. All things being equal the little gift had as much tape on it as it did paper. He held it out toward Nala and squealing with glee she snatched it from his outstretched hand.

"Nala have some manners girl, don't grab!" Rios' father scolded.

"Grampa small's the best! What is it? What is it? What is it?"

"Open it, And-A-Half."

Nala studied the frazzled box, turning it and shaking it gently.

"It's beautiful Uncle Elliot. The bow is so shiny."

Finally she carefully slipped the silver bow and ribbon off of the box and set it aside. Then she slowly opened the red paper taking care not to tear it. She folded it and set it beside the bow and opened the box inside was a second box.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no!"

In a flash she was in Elliot's lap the gift clenched in her right fist and her little arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

"Nala what is it? Show us, Sweetie." Tyson's mother prodded.

"Can I wear it today? Will it fit? Is it just like yours? Will you put it on? Oh please, please, pretty please!"

"Yea I'm pretty sure, and yea I'll put it on you, and except for the custom camo, of course we'll match."

"Yes!"

"Salem," Rios growled, "we talked about this! Tell me you didn't, just tell me you…"

Before he could finish Nala flipped open the box and held it up for the group to see.

"Ta-da my mission watch! An MTM Camouflaged Warrior One!"

Nala spun back around to Salem and held out her left arm. He took off the small pink Barbie watch that had been a gift from Samantha's mother and set it aside on the end table. Then he took the new time piece from its case and wrapped it round her wrist. He slipped the latch through the catch, folded it up and snapped it closed.

"Perfect." The pair purred in unison.

Then Nala snapped, "Synchronize watches."

"I have, on my mark… 0912."

"I have…0912! We're already in sync. How cool is that. I love you Uncle Elliot. When's our first real mission? What's it gonna be? I can't wait. Is Daddy in sync. Dad synchronize!"

"Yes Nala I have 0913.5. We are all in sync. Right Salem. In sync. In sync means you listening to me when we discuss…"

"I'm gonna go in my closet and look at it in the dark, Uncle E. Wanna come? Daddy can't get us in there."

"Roger that."

They took off down the hallway leaving the rest of the group wondering what just happened. Samantha's father verbalized their confusion.

"What the hell just happened here? We just gave her a watch. A Barbie watch and it didn't come cheap; it's a classic collectable watch."

Rios pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

"That Art is an MTM Camouflaged Warrior One watch. No two of them are camouflaged exactly alike. It sports Swiss Ronda Quartz movement. The dial is NASA Type Carbon Fiber. The index and hands are designed for easy reading underwater and are fitted with Tritium Gas Tubes that will Glow without any external light source or twenty-five years. It's water resistant to 200 Meters. For you that's 660 Feet . The case and band are solid 316L Stainless Steel with MTM's unique Camouflage Finish over black durable ION/PVD plating. The glass is scratch resistant anti-reflective Sapphire Crystal. The crown is locking, screw down. The case size, which is obviously too large for a small girl, is 45mm by 14.5mm thick. It weighs in at eight ounces and we won't need to get her a battery until she turns eighteen because the little beauty has a ten year Lithium battery. And if all that is not enough for your resident seven year old watch lover it comes with its own watertight tactical box. All that for a paltry price tag of $1200.00. That is what just happened and what is going to happen next is that I am going to drag his skinny ass out of that fucking closet and beat it clear back to the god damned North Pole. So if you will all just excuse me for a moment. Salem!"

The Present

Rios snapped back to the present as Nala handed another roll to her grandmother.

"Thanks Nala that was very precise time keeping."

"Precise is good, Daddy."

"Did you have breakfast?"

"Yup."

Rios looked at his mother who simply shook her head and raised her arms up in defeat.

"They insisted."

Frowning, Tyson focused back on Nala."

"What dad? We had the Quad S. The Super Soldier Salem Special."

"The Super what?"

"Well it was a secret but I guess I can share it now since Grama Mimi knows. Oh hell and heathens what a mess."

"Oh hell and what? Never mind. This Super breakfast what'd he make you eat?"

"Boudin Noir mashed into scrambled eggs, with wiggly bacon on the side and all covered in brown mustard and butter gravy sauce, with toast dipped in the bacon grease. It's good energy food."

Rios blanched and shook his head.

"Your uncle ate that and went running?"

"Yup."

The big man shook off the shudder he felt. How on earth could Elliot eat that kind of slop and then run. It was times like these this, despite years of battling to get Salem to eat, that made Rios actually wish the man chose to go hungry.

"Tyson; Zoe and Heather packed the coolers last night; all they need is the ice. They're out in the garage."

"That's good. So are we on schedule Nala?"

"Roger that."

"Good let's load ice and get the stuff into the truck."

Nala hopped from her stool and darted toward the garage. Rios refilled his coffee, kissed his mother on the cheek and followed the sprite, once again wondering exactly how she'd gotten into his office.

Out in the garage they found the four coolers lined up in front of the ice machine. One was filled with drinks for the kids, one with beer and wine coolers for the adults and one with snacks. The forth was empty awaiting the meat and cooking items. While Rios loaded the pre-made hamburgers, shish kebabs and hot dogs, Nala worked at filling the others with ice. Finally the task was complete. Rios took two coolers and Nala one and the pair rolled them down the driveway to Tyson's truck. Once there he dropped the tailgate and hoisted Nala up into the bed. Then he loaded the three coolers for the little girl to drag to the rear while he returned for the remaining cooler.

After loading the final cooler he turned and saw Salem rounding the corner onto his street. About four hundred and fifty yards out the man kicked into a full sprint. Rios and Nala watched him closely.

"No limp, Daddy."

"Not that I can see."

"His hip must be better."

" I hope so. He still shouldn't overdue it. We have to deploy in a week and a half."

"It's Uncle Elliot, you know how hard headed he is."

"I'll talk to him."

"Let me do it Dad. You're too demanding. He doesn't handle that very well."

"How old are you?"

"Just turned nine, Dad come keep track!"

"You seem older."

"Just mature. Uncle E. say's it's a good thing being mature."

"Yea, well maybe you can get some of that maturity to rub off on him."

"No! Then he'd be no fun."

Then Elliot was there grinning and panting.

"Looking good Fifty! No limp."

"Thanks kiddo. Got any drinks up there."

"Yup, not too cold yet though. Beer or…"

"Gatorade, Nala, he wants a Gatorade. A purple Gatorade."

"I do?"

"You do."

"You heard to man and he is the boss."

Nala shrugged and moved to the coolers and began digging for the requested drink.

"How far'd you go?"

Elliot spat and cleared his throat.

"What…like eight miles. The big loop twice and the small loop a time and a half. Thanks Nala."

He took the purple drink from her, chugged about half of it and sat down next to her on the tailgate. Rios stepped away and fished around inside of the truck finally dragging out a grungy towel. He smelled it wrinkled up his nose in distaste and returned to Nala and Salem.

"Here, smells like you, must be yours." He said scrubbing the towel around Salem's sweat soaked hair playfully and sitting down beside him their shoulders touching.

Salem grabbed the towel and oblivious to any odors wiped his face off then his chest and the back of his neck.

"Fuck, I wore myself out, Tyse."

"A little slow actually, soldier."

"What!"

"Eight miles, you've been gone for one hour and thirty-three and a half minutes." She declared tapping the short nail of her right index finger on the Warrior One's Sapphire glass.

"I told you not to get her that damned watch, Kermit."

"I am still rehabbing! Got another drink up there Sergeant Hard Ass?"

"Yep, but I'm just sayin'"

"Just dig me out another drink. Jesus Christ and fuck me twice, where'd you find that kid, Tyse? You need to crack down on her and get her to mellow out. Acts three times her age."

"I heard that!"

Salem stood up and stretched. Then he bent over and touched his toes before pulling upwards on each of his feet tucking his calves against his thighs. Then he looked Tyson in the eyes suddenly serious.

"What about, Art. Did some thinking while I was running."

Rios looked over his shoulder at Nala then stood and faced Elliot. He looked down, locked eyes with the smaller man and sighed. Nala being well versed in the men's body language sat down on the cooler and waited. She knew from the look on her father's face that they needed a moment.

"I'll take care of it. It's mine to do, Ellie. Just trust me ok."

Salem flopped the towel over his right shoulder and nodded. He hated to admit it but Rios was right. If left to his own he'd lose his temper and just prove that Art was correct when he'd said that they should not have given him a second chance.

"Like to fight my own battles, Tyse."

"I know, and you know that I know and that I know that you're capable of handling yourself. But I also know you Ellie and you can't risk blowing a fuse with him; so just let me and Walter, my lawyer, handle it. Promise me."

Elliot nodded and Rios pulled him into a quick embrace.

"Alright lovey dovey time is over. Break it up. Here you go Uncle Elliot, and gentlemen by my watch we need to continue loading."

"Ok, ok." Rios conceded.

"Forget the drink. Tank Commander, And-A-Half mount up!"

"Roger that, Fifty!"

Nala tossed the drink back into the cooler, bounded up onto Tyson's huge shoulders, wrapped her fingers in Salem's sweat soaked hair and pointed toward the house.

"Papa Tank One, move out half speed, at eleven o-clock on my mark. 3-2-1, engage!"

The trio marched down the sidewalk and entered through the front door. As they approached the landing for the sunken family room Nala called a halt. Both men stopped and stood perfectly still.

"Tango two o-clock."

Art stood across the room in front of Tyson's sixty inch television watching the morning news unaware of their presence.

"Roger that Tank Commander, advise." Salem whispered back.

"Acquire suitable ammo."

Salem looked around the foyer, retrieved a large bright red apple from the fruit bowl on a nearby table and returned to Nala and Tyson.

"Ammo acquired."

"Roger that. On my mark send it."

"Roger that. A five count?"

"Roger. 5-4-3-…"

"Salem if you take out my television…"

"Stand by, Fifty!"

"Copy that. Advise."

"We'll recon and find a way to avoid the friendly."

"Roger that. I was hungry anyway."

He reached over, polished the apple on Rios' shirt sleeve and took a big bite.

"Papa Tank One ahead half speed."

They arrived in the kitchen and Rios slid Nala off of his shoulders and onto the kitchen island counter. As Elliot passed her he handed off the half eaten apple and to Rios and his mother's dismay Nala greedily bit into the untouched side.

"So much for bug breath."

"Watch it Tubby." Salem sniped opening the refrigerator. "I heard that."

"Tubby? How many times do I have to tell you do not call me…oh no you don't!"

"What? It's a beer. A lone beer. I ran eight miles, I deserve…"

"Not at this hour. Not in my house. Back. Put-it-back-now."

"Fine."

Salem replaced the beer and took out a new half-gallon jug of orange juice. He held it up for Tyson's approval, opened it and before either Mimi or the big man could stop him he chugged straight from the bottle.

"Ugg pulp. I hate the pulp kind. After all these years you'd think you'd have figured that out by now, Rios. Damn it, some kind a friend you are."

He took another long swig and held the jug out to Nala who dutifully copied his actions and handed it back.

"Yuck, yea the pulp's gross Dad, geeze."

"God damn it, Salem!"

"Tyson your language."

"Don't Mom just don't. And you, you freaking lunatic I'm gonna…"

"Good morning all."

The room went quiet as Samantha waltzed in.

"Morning Mom." Nala mumbled passed a mouthful of apple.

"You are not wearing that to the beach missy. And you, tell me you are not drinking out of my jug of orange juice."

Salem held the jug at arm's length and studied it. He sighed belatedly and shook his head.

"Ok, nope. I'm not drinking out of your jug of juice, Nala is. She started it and was sharing."

He handed the jug to Nala who took a long swig before handing back.

"Sharing's good, Mom. They teach that in church. But this pulpy kind it really sucks."

"Nala!"

"And I know black's not beach wear. Me and Uncle E. still need to change. We've been hard at work all morning while you were wasting your life away sleeping."

Rios was on the verge of panic. Firefights, missed extractions, bad intell getting wounded all of that was nothing compared to playing referee between his wife and Elliot. Throw Nala into fray and the big mercenary would just as soon be taken captive by just about any nation well versed in the finest methods of torture.

"Morning Sam and just, just let them be ok. Just let it all go and try and have a nice day."

He leaned in to give her kiss in hopes of placating her and as they met she looked over his shoulder at a leering Salem. Then instead of the quick chaste peck Rios had intended she dragged him into a deep, long kiss.

"Eeeew, old people get a room!" Nala squealed.

Salem knew the kiss was intended to aggravate him so he immediately began whispering a devious plan in Nala's ear.

"Operation dispose apple core. Can you hit the garbage can near your mom?"

"Roger that."

"Three count. Execute on my mark."

They watched as Rios broke from the kiss scowling. He knew too that the kiss was intended to tease Elliot. He took a slight step back leaving Samantha alone and looked toward Salem to judge his mood.

"3-2-1 send it."

"Frag out!"

Nala threw the apple. It buzzed past Samantha's head by an inch, ricocheted off the microwave door with a splat and dropped into the waste basket below.

"Yes! That's my girl the! Prepare to mount up for exfil!"

"Roger that!"

Salem closed the juice, tossed the near empty jug at the garbage can behind the apple, dashed forward, scooped and slung Nala onto his back and fled the kitchen.

"God damn it Salem! Nala! Mom don't! Just don't say a word. Both of you just shut up. I do not need to hear whatever it is either of you think you need to say. So just do-not-speak. Salem! I'm coming for your skinny fucking ass Elliot, just wait. Just you fucking wait!"