Chapter 2
"So what is the deal with you and Fletcher?" Sasha asked Wolf as they were waiting for James to finish talking with the operators who ran the black site. She had to admit that the place was nothing like she'd expected. It was worse, sure the offices were nice and air conditioned but she'd seen the grounds as they drove in.
There were tiny sheds, no bigger than an average prison cell. Basically sweat boxes given they were in the middle of the desert. She could only imagine how hot it'd be inside the sheds. But she did know they held people long forgotten by the world. Yet, somehow were still regarded as dangerous individuals by whatever government put them there.
"I was sheepdipped by ASIO for a MI5 op, what they didn't tell me was that I was the bait. They used me to catch my Father assuming he actually ever cared for me which he didn't. MI5 leaked intel about my team and our mission. We were ambushed, I lost three men and held captive until Daniela paid for my release." Wolf said.
"James showed me her file. It doesn't look good." Sasha remarked. Daniela Soto was suspected of numerous crimes but circumstantial evidence and lack of credible witnesses left her in a legal grey area. She was charged but not put to trial. Instead she was renditioned to a black site.
"Yeah, my Mum and Father split when I was young. I barely remember them. I just know he took Daniela, Mum kept me; not entirely sure how it all played out. But my Father took her to South America and we never heard from them again and my Mum tried to find them but learned they had died in a car crash a couple years after the divorce. Mum was devastated but eventually moved on and married my stepfather hence different last name." Wolf shook his head. " Until that day, I thought Daniela was dead. Instead she's a criminal and she believes I betrayed her, thanks to Agent Fletcher." Wolf said bitterly. There was no love lost and Sasha could understand why.
"You're over-exaggerating. You helped us catch a dangerous woman." James said as he walked up to them.
"You and ASIO left me to rot for 2 months. My men died-" Wolf started but James cut him off.
"They were an acceptable loss and we were hoping your father would show not your sister. But you take what you can get." James said pragmatically.
"Except the small fish didn't lead you to the bigger one now did it?" Wolf asked him scathingly. He might not know his sister but she had gone out her way to save him when she didn't have to. So he owed her this, or at least something better than being here.
"Loyalty is a finicky virtue in my opinion. One has to find the weak spot and exploit it." James said, looking to Sasha pointedly, she felt the barb of his words.
"Loyalty is earned through trust. Something you seem to be good at breaking." Sasha told him.
"They need time to rustle Ms Soto up for us. May I have a word with you outside." James said to her, Sasha followed him out into the yard. The heat was dry and draining, her sweat evaporated before it had a chance to form it was so hot.
"Look, I said I was sorry. You can stop the whole wounded routine and be professional about this." James told her, like it was enough. She had asked him why he sat on the information as always he had a pragmatic answer for everything. She'd once it found comforting and attractive but now it pissed her off. It pissed her off because he'd pulled the wool over her eyes and now felt he was still in the right even though he'd lied by omission to them all.
"You betray people left and right as long as it suits you." Sasha told him. She wondered how she'd ever trusted him to begin with. She also ignored the bait of him saying she was being unprofessional. He had no clue how she was when she was unprofessional but one day he would. "And you purposefully sat on this information for months." She added, so frustrated as he didn't look contrite at all.
"So did Wolf." James offered.
"Wolf didn't have an in, unlike you." Sasha pointed out.
"She won't help us." James promised her.
"You don't know that. Obviously Wolf implored you to ask about her, to see if it was worthwhile." Sasha argued.
"He did but as I said, this is a waste of time." James told her firmly.
"Or maybe you wanted to waste our time so you could keep me to yourself. Tom gone forever, I'd move on and there you would be." Sasha said, he gave her a patronising smile as if he thought her statement was amusing. Boy, did that sting her ego. She wondered why she couldn't find a man who didn't make her feel disposable.
"Let's be honest, you were never entirely mine and you're not worth 'waiting' for." James said like their fling was nothing but another notch on his belt. Sasha's hand itched to slap him across the face but decided he wasn't worth it. If anything, she'd bide her time.
Daniela was shoved into a cold steel chair. Her restraints were secured to the floor. She knew as she felt the chains rustle against the floor. The sound of locks closed, her restraints grew taut before she felt the warmth of the guards' presence fade. She grimaced as the bag over her head was yanked off.
She winced as her eyes adjusted to the bright lighting; when they adjusted she glowered at the sight before her. Hatred filled her entire being as she endured years of interrogation with 'enhanced' techniques for being a sentimental fool. She had years to grind her teeth over that mistake.
"Ms Soto, here we are again." James Fletcher said with a friendly smile, what she couldn't get was why he was bothered with her. She would never turn on her father because she was loyal even if it felt like he left her for dead.
She knew this was her punishment, she should have never looked back, should never have rescued her twin brother. She was not a heroine, she was the villainess. She couldn't wait to be free of her restraints, to break Agent Fletcher's handsome face and make him cry like a little boy for his Mummy.
Except for now she had to wait until her father felt she had served her time. She looked at the other two people in the room, her brother. She wondered what he thought of her now, she could see the guilt in his eyes.
When he'd last seen her; she'd been in the finest clothing money could buy, now she was in a well worn, dirty, sweat soaked khaki jumpsuit. Her hair;a mess, and her face mottled with fading bruises. They were from the guards when she fought back against their techniques. They really didn't like that.
Her eyes drifted to the woman standing in the other corner. She was gorgeous yet fierce; Daniela couldn't help but wink at her. Just keep everyone guessing. She even gave a small secret smile as she remained silent. She never said a word, sure she screamed and cried but no actual words had passed her lips in over four years. It was enjoyable and annoying at the same time given she had so many witty comments to say.
"My colleagues here would like a word with you." He said, he gestured to Wolf "You remember your brother?" he asked, Daniela looked at him bored as James treated her like a moron. "The woman to my left is Sasha Cooper, she is US Navy Intelligence." James introduced.
Daniela didn't say a word which infuriated James, he was so used to breaking people. Correction; breaking men which meant he had no clue the first thing about breaking her. She was supposed to be the feather in his cap, instead she was a constant reminder of what a failure he was. He'd caught her, yes. But he'd never taken down her father's empire or her network of contacts. So she was going to enjoy the air con before she was put back into the oven that have been her home for the past four years.
James sat back his chair and looked to Wolf and Sasha. "I told you, she has nothing to say." He told them.
Sasha pushed off the wall and took up the empty seat beside James. She placed a file on the table and opened it. "You've missed a lot during your rendition. The world was savaged by a virus. It killed 96% of the world's population. A cure was found thanks to Dr Rachel Scott and the Navy Captain who lead the mission. Captain Tom Chandler." Sasha pulled out photos and news clippings.
Daniela just looked at Sasha, ignoring what was on the table as she'd been given propaganda before. She had heard every tale, every threat one could be thrown at her. So she wasn't going to crack over something as stupid as this.
"Captain Tom Chandler was kidnapped over 5 months ago and brought to Europe. We think you can help us track him down." Sasha told her, "We're willing to give you a deal of a lifetime." She added as she pulled out what looked to be a legal document.
"What?" James asked confused. Daniela quirked an eyebrow surprised at the twist that fucked James over as he looked pissed at not knowing what was going on.
"This is a full immunity agreement, the terms are simple. You will be relinquished into the US Navy's custody where you will help us recover Tom Chandler. Once he's back on the Nathan James, you will be free to go wherever you wish. The crimes you may or may not have committed in the past are covered in the agreement. You will be free from prosecution from all government agencies. You can be out of here within the hour, if you sign on with us." Sasha told her.
"We didn't discuss-" James started but Sasha looked at him cool as a cucumber while her brother spoke up. Apparently he'd grown balls as he looked smug.
"We went over you. Our bosses agreed that a free pass is worth the price of Tom Chandler's return." Wolf said from his place.
Daniela pulled her hands up to the table and reached for the agreement. She looked over the terms which covered her ass and it looked legitimate legal document. She read it over making sure that by signing she wasn't acknowledging that she'd committed any crimes. When that was perfectly clear, she felt pretty safe in signing it. Hell, it was better deal that what she had at the moment. She also had to admit she liked the stunned mullet look on James' face for being played.
"What if this man, Tom Chandler is already dead?" Daniela asked idly, she had forgotten how her own voice sounded. Her accent was still thick as ever from growing up in Mexico, her father had decided it was better for her to be hidden away from from Europe and his enemies. At least until he felt she was old enough to be worth something substantial which equated to when she no longer looked like jail bait.
"I want physical proof." Sasha told her.
"Do I get a pen or am I supposed to sign in blood?" Daniela asked her, Sasha pulled a pen out of her jacket pocket and placed it on the table in reach of Daniel's cuffed hands. "Thank you." she said as she picked up the pen and signed the agreement.
"Ok, we'll start procedures to get you released." Sasha said.
"Good, I'm really tired of being in this shit hole." Daniela told them, she gave James a smile as he thought she had no idea where she was. What a fool he was.
"How sure are we about this?" Meylan asked Mike as they stood in the Helo bay waiting for the Helo to land with their visitor.
Mike just hoped the woman worth all the hell the President had gone through to get the immunity agreement. Majority of countries didn't care about pursuing Daniela Soto as they were busy rebuilding. It was only MI5 that had a stick up it's ass about keeping the woman locked up. But whatever Oliver Howard told them, got them to back down.
"It'll be fine, we had Neils here. If we get Tom back then it'll be worth it." Mike said, they'd make concessions before and the crimes the woman was suspected of doing were committed against other equally bad people. Grey area morally and ethically speaking but he was happy to live with it to get his best friend back.
The Helo settled onto the flight deck and they watched as Sasha, James stepped off the Helo followed by a slender 5ft9' woman in a filthy khaki jumpsuit came off followed by Wolf.
"Cooper," Mike said in greeting as the group met up with them. He looked Wolf's sister over; she had the same dark brown eyes, black hair but hers went well past her shoulder in a matted and sweaty mess.
She looked like she hadn't showered in months and her face was marbled with bruises; some fresh while others faded. Any visible skin on the woman was covered in some form of injury or scarring. Even with all that mess, she was not an entirely ugly woman.
"Sir, this is Daniela Soto, Captain Mike Slattery." Sasha said introducing them, Daniela walked to him and held out her hand to him. She had such an air of confidence and power about her, there was no shame that she was in prisoner jumpsuit.
"Pleasure to meet you, Capitán." She told him as they shook hands. He couldn't help but feel as though he was being sized up. She obviously approved of him as she wore a secretive smile. She had a thick South American accent which he had no anticipated, it made her voice almost lyrical and soothing when she spoke.
"This is my XO, Commander Joseph Meylan." Mike said introducing Meylan to her, the two shook hands. "And this is the Nathan James, you'll be escorted 24/7 while on the ship and restricted from certain areas of the ship. For obvious reasons." He told her, he had expected her to be paranoid or complain but instead she was refreshingly calm.
"Of course, all I really need at the moment is a hot shower, change of clothes and food that hasn't already passed through someone's asshole. Is that possible?" She asked him kindly, Mike snorted a laugh as he liked the bluntness of her nature.
"We'll do our best." Mike said dryly as he was still surprised by the woman and her demeanour.
"It will be appreciated, after I'm in a better state; I'd like to look over everything you have before I figure out how I am to meet my end of the bargain." Daniela told him.
"Very well." Mike said as he couldn't argue with her requirements.
Tom woke up with a start as he was prodded in the arm. His heart raced, his body covered in a cold sweat as he'd gone too long without a hit. He turned in the cot to find an old man sitting on a wooden stool in his room. The door wide open, but still not an exit as there were guards at the door. He couldn't even put up a fight as his drug addiction had wasted away his body just as it had rotted his mind and will.
"Bout time, me and you had a word." The old man said, he had a thick British accent and looked to be in his late 80s, dressed in very normal everyday clothes, nothing fancy or expensive. He propped the cane on the floor and leaned heavily onto it as he leaned forward in the chair. His arthritic hands curled over the handle. The faint lighting reflected in his cataract eyes, like the light did to cat's eyes.
"Who-" Tom choked out the word as his mouth and throat were dry but the old man knew the question.
"You'll learn in time. But for now, I wanted to see how you were doing. Wanted to see what has become of the infamous Captain Thomas Chandler. You're not much now aye?" he asked him.
"You did this to me." Tom told him, his stomach cramping painfully.
"I started something but how you are now? That's all you." He told him, Tom closed his eyes as the old man's words sunk in, the truth of them more painful than the withdrawal he was in. "You destroy lives in your wake, and now I will help you destroy your own." The old man told him.
"Oh- oh my god, this is so good." Daniela moaned before she took her second bite of the burger. She was in nirvana, as she chewed into the best burger of her life. She was sure her stomach would revolt later but it was so worth it.
"Daniela-" Wolf started but she held up a hand as she swallowed the burger in her mouth.
"Don't, I don't want to hear it. I want to enjoy this burger before it repeats on me-" She stopped as the door opened. "Hello," Daniela said in a charming manner as Danny walked into the room.
"Hi," Danny said as he went to the coffee station and poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Lt Green this is my sister Daniela." Wolf introduced. Everyone on the teams had been briefed on her arrival to join them. But now Wolf had the pleasure of making the rounds and the stunned stares as they all couldn't believe he could be related to Daniela.
"Hi, nice to meet you." Danny said as he took a seat opposite Wolf and her.
"We're not family. Wolf and I might share DNA and a womb once upon a time but that's all. So don't feel beholden to him in anyway given he got me 4 years in a black site. It was no Contiki tour." Daniela assured Danny while sliding a dark look at Wolf. She was still pissed, but in Wolf's defence he didn't know her. So he was learning her as much as she was he; except she seemed to have him pegged.
"Just tell everyone." Wolf said as he'd wanted to bury the hatchet with her. She, however wanted to air out the only dirty laundry they had to the world or at least anyone they had a conversation with.
"That you're a terrible twin brother? Sure, because I told you I wanted a nice meal alone but you want to bond to me like a lost duckling. And now all I'm thinking something more fun should be on the cards." Daniela said with a hungry look at Danny, before she gave Wolf a droll look. "I don't need you to cock block me." she told Wolf.
"I'm married." Danny said holding up his hand; flashing the wedding band.
"So?" Daniela asked blandly.
"Married, and deeply loyal to and in love with my wife." Danny told her with amusement as she gave him a bored look and picked up her burger again.
"Well aren't you boringly romantic." She commented before she took a bite of her burger.
"You should know there is a rule on the ship. No fraternisation." Danny told her.
"I want to have sex, it's not a big deal." Daniela said obviously not understanding or purposefully misunderstanding him. Danny wasn't sure if it was the former or the latter.
"It's against the rules." Danny clarified.
"Even better, illicit sex is so delicious." Daniela said smugly before she took another bite of her burger.
"You're here to help us find Chandler, not get laid." Wolf told her. She rolled her at him and wore a tired expression that felt patronising.
"I'm well aware of my agreement with the US Government. Honestly, I can happily forgo foreplay. It would only take 10 minutes and free up mental space." Daniela argued, Wolf scowled while Danny choked on his coffee at how blunt she was. "So who is single and suitably fuckable on this ship?" She asked Danny.
"No fraternisation. No sex, at all." Danny told her as the door opened, Daniela turned in her seat and smiled as Burk walked in.
"Hello," She said warmly to him. Burk paused in his walk to the coffee machine to look at her. She smiled at him as she checked him out. She was freshly showered, her hair brushed and in clothes Sasha had given her. She was practically a new woman and she needed some breaking in; so to speak.
"Hey," he said slowly as it was not missed that she was checking him out like a woman who'd been starved for years and he was a prime cut of rib eye steak perfectly cooked.
"Who are you?" she asked Burk salaciously.
"No one you need to know." Wolf told Daniela, she threw him a dark look as he was killing her vibe.
"What's going on?" Burk asked them as he felt he was being pranked.
"Wolf's twin sister." Danny said as he placed his coffee on the table as he was afraid he'd inhale it from the amusement of Wolf trying to keep his sister on the straight and narrow. She was a force nature and he'd only known her two minutes.
"Daniela Soto." Daniela told Burk, with a winning smile.
"Carlton Burk, you two are twins?" Burk asked incredulously as he pointed at them. He couldn't see any similarities except skin tone, eye colour and hair colour. Everything else seemed to be opposites.
"Oh I like you." Daniela said warmly as if she relished in him not thinking she was related to Wolf.
"He's single." Danny said saving himself from her flirtations and throwing Burk to the Shewolf.
"Am I missing something here? Her name is so normal." Burk asked Danny and Wolf in a low voice while Daniela winked at him.
"What are you doing after lunch?" Daniela asked Burk with a flirtatious chuckle.
"Not you." Wolf told her, Danny half laughed but saw Wolf's look and quickly covered it with a cough and cleared his throat while Burk was still trying to figure out if this was for real or a trick. "As you have work to do." Wolf reminded her.
"Kill joy." Daniela told Wolf.