Chapter 11 Lucia and Employees meet 8/13/10
Feeling a little irritated and a just a little desperate, but hiding it well, she thought, Lucia entered the elevator with Tank close behind her. Tank pushed the button for the 4th floor. When the door opened he waited for Lucia to exit first. Showing no nervousness, fear or any other emotion she left the elevator and waited for Tank to point her toward her the new apartment. Inwardly all she could think was how the hell to get away from Tank. She did not want to enter her new apartment with him. Hopefully he had not really gone through her things when he moved them down to this floor. If he had he might have discovered a few of the things she wanted to keep private. Of course her guns would not be considered unusual, but other things she kept might be, if not dangerous perhaps a little inflammatory.
In going down to continue that insane meeting Lucia figured she needed some sort of an equalizer. What could she get into that conference room unnoticed? Not that anyone would search her. To begin with she wouldn't allow it. The most logical thing to do was simply to go back down to the conference, hold her head high and deny, deny, deny. Make them prove every statement. They couldn't disprove but she could certainly prove that the Rangeman group had been instrumental in the slaughter of her family. Over these years she had kept photographs, discarded shells, and most importantly the location of the one grave for her slaughtered village. Americans were notoriously squeamish about mass graves and dismembered bodies. Especially when children were involved. Those photos could bring a grown man to his knees - maybe not these mercenaries but the general public would be revolted. Failing that with a little maneuvering and luck she could find a way to escape. No way anyone would have thought to put the building in lock down. No one could possibly think she was dangerous. Ranger and his mercenaries were the dangerous ones. They should be detained and arrested.
After taking off her traveling clothes, Lucia put on comfortable and loose pants and a top. Over these she put a hoodie. These clothes could hide several weapons. Choosing several guns, a stun gun, knives and a small explosive or two, and pepper spray, all the things a girl needed to feel safe. "Ready to go. Back straight, head held high, confident smile, "lets go back to the conference room Tank. It's show time."
On reaching the 5th floor once more, Lucia noted that the conference room was full and spilling out into the hall Ranger was again at the head of the table and Ms. Plum was seated on his left. The Admiral was still on his right. The older and former core employees, Tank, Lester, Bobby, Hal, Hector, Cal and all of them were seated around the table. Others were standing against the walls in the conference room.
Upon entering the room Lucia smiled and said "Good afternoon. I understand we have some interesting issues to discuss today. I am going to need a DVD player as well as the use the smart board for some exhibits I would like to show. I want to make sure all of you can see them. Now Admiral" she started " Do you intend to question me first or would you prefer that I make a statement first?"
"Lucia, I think you are jumping ahead. If you have exhibits and a prepared statement I think we, Ranger, Tank and I should preview your proposed offerings. We can ask the others to again wait in the hall. This is not going to be your platform or your singular show." stated Admiral Stone firmly and with an icy look at Lucia.
"Once again Admiral I strongly object. If you will recall I am currently in charge of Rangeman and its personnel current or terminated.." pressed Lucia. "If you will not allow me to make a statement, take questions or show exhibits what do you expect from me?" she questioned.
"Colonel I believe you are well aware of our expectations, we, Ranger, Tank and I will preview your statements etc. There will be no further discussion. Now if all of you will once again go back to the hall we will make every effort to keep this conference short.
"Bullshit Admiral. I will not stand for this show of disrespect."
"I believe you shall stand for whatever courtesy or disrespect we choose to show you. While this is not a trial, it is, an opportunity for you to give all of us an explanation for your actions. You may state your case. I believe we all would like to hear some explanation. But first you will state your case to Ranger, Tank and me. And believe me we will not tolerate any disrespect from you. You should be aware that General Barnes is already in Washington, meeting with his peers to explain his actions as well as yours. So I suggest you should be very careful with any statements you make.
"So be it you son of a bitch." Lucia growled "I am here to make Ranger and Rangeman , pay for the atrocities they saw fit to visit upon my village several years ago. I have photographs, testimonials and my written statement, giving great detail to those horrendous events. I have everything here in this folder. You can either listen to me and examine what I have brought or I will be happy to give it to your superiors. These atrocities must be punished in equal measure."
There was a collective gasp as Lucia accused Rangeman, of atrocities. Before the conference room could empty, she carefully and with great deliberation placed a series of photographs on the table. Lets let everyone take a good look at these photographs
The occupants of the room did not move. They looked expectantly from the Admiral to Lucia and back again.
"You are jumping the gun Colonel", snapped Ranger as he reached to gather the photographs. This is not the appropriate time for this. We have not had a chance to look at them just yet. Back off Lucia."
"Not a prayer," snarled Lucia, "I only wish someone in my village had had the chance to tell you to back off all those years ago. I'm not going to back down now, so if you want to stop this process you are going to have to make your move now. I'm waiting and I am prepared. Otherwise lets get on with this show. Let everyone see everything I have brought with me." With that Lucia spilled her folder onto the conference table. "Feel free to pick up these exhibits, observe and read, all of you. You want to know what kind of man you all seem to respect? Take a look at all of this. Major Ricardo Carlos Manoso, your esteemed boss and friend is a mass murderer"