"Good morning Captain Ballard."
"Morning April." Jake could tell whether his secretary was just saying a casual hello or something more. After all she'd been around for a while and he was trained to read people.
"Your meeting with General Lawrence and the others was moved up to 10AM in the East Room, sir."
"Thank you April. Did you get the package?"
"It is in the safe. It came in by private courier as you requested."
As April exited his office, Jake ran the safe combination and pulled out a large square envelope. He surveyed it and was pleased to see that both sides were blank and also that it was not tampered with.
"This envelope should have everything I need to free myself from the wretched B-613" Jake thought as he pried it open and began pulling out page after page of information. He was bent on being thorough because every word was meant something.
Jake stared at the document and grimaced. He went over the information as though he was reading about someone else:
"Jake Ballard. Indiana. Living family member: Terry Ballard (mother). Subject is a prime candidate for B-613 operations."
Jake leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes and thought about his mother, his dead sister and his lost childhood. He had made so much effort to forgive his mother but she never tried to meet him halfway. She was always angry but he did not fault her because she had a horrible life, which made her very bitter. He opened his eyes, sighed and attempted to delve further into the document.
"The meeting is in seven minutes, Captain" April said as she peeked through his office door.
Jake placed the documents inside the envelope, returned it to the safe and changed the combination before making his way to the East Room.
Everyone was already seated when he entered the room. He saluted and was directed to a chair next to the C.I.A Director.
"Captain Ballard, I asked you here to discuss a top-level operation I want you to helm. You will leave for South Armenistan in two days to lead a stealth team on a top level assignment."
"Glad to serve my country, sir." Jake said with great enthusiasm.
General Lawrence who seated at the head of the table walked over to the map wall and began a comprehensive briefing on logistics and the overall operational mission strategies.
"Captain Ballard, I will send you full dossiers on the targets in an hour and I will meet with you later on to discuss any last minute questions you might have," General said. This signaled the end of the meeting and Jake hurried back to his office.
As a Navy man, Jake knew he would have to prioritize South Armenistan. This meant that he had to shelf his B-613 escape plan for a while longer and pray to all that's holy that his new assignment didn't keep him away too long.