Chapter 12
NOTE AND ALERTS: This chapter, and possibly the next, I tend to add some (or a lot) when I'm writing the final draft, so if it gets too long, it will be 2 instead of one, WILL contain violence and killing, I will attempt to keep the gore down somewhat, however I cannot promise that. Those that are easily offended or have a weak stomach for violence/killing, please do NOT go any further. The fic was always going to take this direction… even from the very beginning, this was going to happen. I will, however, let y'all know a wee bit of a spoiler… it turns out ok… for a brief moment. ;) hehehe Y'all didn't think everything was gonna be hunky-dory now, did ya?
Coming up in the next few chapters… Ghost Labs, April O'Neil and Casey Jones, and everyone's favorite… ICE CREAM KITTY! Mikey will be singing the Ice Cream Kitty song, that I have yet to make up, but not to worry, it'll be awesome! :D LOL
Now, on with the story!
The Truth Of Things
Rose dropped the note, watching it float down to the floor. Her tears stopped, hand brushing across her eyes; then the rage came washing over her. Taking a deep breath in, then out, her voice, soft yet menacing, spoke to Seren. "Get Shaun's mobile."
Seren stood there for a moment… she wanted to say something, anything! However, she knew she'd better move or there would be shouting. No sooner did the poor girl think it than it happened.
"Seren, I said get the damn phone… NOW!"
"Chill Rosie girl, chill!" Mikey piped in with, hoping to somehow calm her down. It did the opposite.
"Chill… you want me to CHILL! What the fuck is wrong with you?" Her anger, when it reared its ugly head, was a lot like Raph's. Mikey had always thought that Raphael was the worse one… he was also wrong with that call as well.
"ROSE BRIDGET McDOUGAL YOU CALM DOWN THIS INSTANT!"
Rose, and everyone else, turned to see who had said those words. All eyes fell upon Splinter, who had heard the commotion and came to see what was happening. His voice rarely would rise above a normal tone… but when the occasion called for it, his strong, deep vocals would stop the turtles and anyone else who was around to hear it, in their tracks. He had not lost its authoritive tone.
His eyes softened when he looked at Rose… he knew that she held onto some things from the past… and that she had told them that one day, it may come back. None of them had any idea what happened when Rose was a Marine… she never wanted to speak about it, and if pressed further, she would just shut down and not say a word for hours to anyone. "My child, we will help you in every way we can. However first, you need to fill us in… who are these people who have my son, and where can we find them and get Raphael back?"
Rose closed her eyes for several long moments, her thoughts going back to that day… the day that her good friend, and unit mate, Gary, died. They were in Afghanistan, doing a routine check of the perimeter when they got ambushed. They were prepared, (Marines were always prepared, her C.O. would always say) however, what they were NOT prepared for was 3 of the locals to betray them. While they were fighting, they sent one of their own, Gary, with the locals, back to base to retrieve more ammo for them. Rose had thought that these 3 could be trusted, since each had lost his wife and children to the Taliban. However, she was more wrong about that. They lied, and Rose had asked the tribal elders about their families, and gotten confirmation from them. But the hold the Taliban had one most people there was too strong, so the tribal leaders were told what to say and when to say it. Her unit mate was captured and a ransom order was made. It was never paid because the Marines do NOT negotiate with terrorists. Private Gary Russell was beheaded by the leader of this particular group, Al Hasson Barak Mohammad. His head, along with the recording, was send to Rose with a warning. "Infidel whore, you will be next! We will hunt you down, kill everyone you love… then stone you to death!"
They had thought the reason why she was singled out was because she was a female, and a very lethal female at that. Rose had killed many Taliban, long range (sniper) and close range. She would always aim for the head, and always hit her target with deadly accuracy. Rose never hid the fact that she was a female, never wore the headscarf the other females wore. She said it messed with her view, and she wasn't going to fuck with that.
They interrogated the village leaders and the three men who arranged to have Gary captured. Rose was the one who spoke to the 3 men… they told her everything, names, descriptions, aliases, where they lived, who they associated with. She used whatever means necessary to get what she needed, and it is difficult to keep ones mouth shut when a pissed off female holds a knife to your nuts and threatens to cut them off. Well, at least two of them learned quickly, the first one she got ahold of refused… now he no longer has his balls, she slowly sliced those off.
Having the information they needed, Rose accompanied the body of the fallen Marine back to the United States. She returned to active duty once more, hunting down those who participated in the murder of her unit mate. They had managed to either capture or kill all but one, Mohammad eluded them, and after a while, they thought that he might have died in one of the bombings. Little did they know that he had escaped to America under an alias that none of them knew about. In America he was now known as Ahmed Abrar, and he had Raph.
Slowly opening her eyes, Rosie sighed softly; she knew that her past had caught up with her, and that she needed to tell them about it, so they could understand just how serious… how deadly, this could end up.
As she spoke about her time overseas nobody interrupted her, not even Mikey, who ALWAYS broke in with something or another, was quiet as could be.
Finishing up, Rosie stood there for another moment or two, trying hard to compose herself for what she, and the others, needed to do. "Seren, could you please bring me Shaun's phone."
The youngest of the girls, Seren was up and moving even before Rose had finished her question. Returning a few moments later, she handed Rose the mobile device. "Already turned on for ya girl." She smiled slightly at Rose, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
Rosie returned the smile, "I'm sorry for yelling at you before Seren… you know I…"
"Didn't mean it." The young girl finished for her. "Yeah I know, don't worry though, we'll get him back, and things will be good, I just know it."
"You are a good friend Seren, thanks." Turning to the others, she began telling them what would happen, and what each needed to do. "Shaun is, err, was my C.O., we all got satellite phones after we left the Marines… just in case. I'm going to explain… somewhat, the situation that is going on, he will get the rest of our unit together and bring them here. Luckily we all live locally, got 8 in all, together with you guys, which should be a decent number to handle things."
"Um, Rosie… what ya gonna tell them about us?" Mikey hesitantly spoke… he sure didn't want her yelling again; even though he didn't think she would.
"They are all trustworthy", she began, coming over and placing her hand on the youngest turtle's arm. "I entrusted them with my life, and they never let me down. I still trust them with it. They will probably be a bit shocked, and I am sure questions will be asked, but I'll handle things, so don't worry."
Smiling, Michelangelo was once more his joyful self. "Alright, we get to meet more humans! I wonder if they all like pizza?"
Rose knew that if she didn't bring Mikey back, that his questions would distract not only him, but everyone else as well. "Mikey, you have to stop… this is serious business, and I am relying on you little brother. No joking whatsoever from now on."
"Alright Rosie, I'm here for you, and I won't let you down, I promise!"
Smiling back at him for a moment, her face once more became cold. "This is not the Foot clan… this is not Shredder; that was like a walk in the park compared to this enemy! Believe me when I say, they WILL kill you! They do not hesitate, they just kill; it's what they know and it's all they know!" Looking directly at Leo, Rose stepped up to him. "You will take lives tonight; you will fight for your very existence tonight, make NO mistake about that! Are you ready to lead your brothers Leonardo?"
Bowing deeply, Leo responded with a simple "Hai!"
Returning his bow Rose gave him a soft smile. "Good!" Picking up the phone, she made the call, quickly explaining things to her C.O. It didn't take her long, only a few minutes; the rest of it she would update them when they arrived. Turning to the others, she responded with, "They will be here within the hour."
"That is damn quick!" Donatello spoke, "How can you guys get ready so fast… and how did you contact the others just as quickly?"
Holding up the phone, Rose showed him, "See that little red button there… press it and a signal goes to each of them. All they know is it's an emergency. Each of them already has a bag and weapons at the ready, and we agreed on a meeting place a while back, which is my Shaun's. He will quickly fill them in, then they will be coming here, however, before they get here, we have some setting up to do."
Everyone had their jobs; Isleen and Donny retrieved the radio equipment and made sure everything was in working order as they were using Rosie's as a base camp. Leo and Mikey went with Brissen to the weapons room to retrieve, as Rose put it… EVERYTHING. Splinter ended up helping as well, there was that much which needed brought up. Seren brought out the body armor and various items for the turtle's to wear. Since the guys were basically bulletproof, they didn't need much. However Rose wasn't taking any chances and, knowing that something may occur, told Isleen to make armor for all four of the turtle's and Splinter; it was better to be safe than sorry.
Rose busied herself checking on things here and there, when she was satisfied that it was fine, she went upstairs to prepare. Walking into the room she shared with Raphael, Rose flipped on the lights. Making her way to the closet, she knelt down and removed a blanket, revealing her old foot locker from her days in the Marines. In it held her, as she liked to call them, 'war gear'. Placing each piece out upon the bed, she began the process of dressing.
Rose was just getting ready to begin dressing when Leo softly knocked on the door. She hurriedly answered it wearing only a bra and panties, forgetting for a moment that it was Leo and not Raph walking into the room. Leo was a bit uncomfortable, but Rose just rolled her eyes at him. "Geez Leo, you have seen me in a bikini, and that covered LESS than what I'm wearing now is!"
Giving a bashful smile the oldest turtle returned with, "I guess you are right Rosie."
As she continued to get dressed they spoke about what would happen. "We will take three vehicles. One will hold you, Splinter, Donnie and Mikey, the other five of the guys, and the third will hold the other three and me."
"Where will the girls be at, here, I hope." Leo was worried about the girls… perhaps Splinter, or one of his brothers should stay behind, in case something happens here.
Rosie knew what was on his mine, and answered before he could even ask about it. "The girls will be here, and they will be fine. The house has alarms, everyone will be in constant radio contact, and we have enough lighting around every building that will be turned on. Nowhere to hide out there… it'll look just like day. And the girls know how to defend themselves… both Brissen and Seren are excellent shots, and Isleen has a trick or two up her sleeve."
Leonardo breathed a sigh of relief, he was glad that they had so much protection here. However, he did want to let Rose know something… maybe she already did have knowledge of what he was about to say… maybe she didn't. He would tell her anyways. "You know Rosie, Raphael and I… we talk a lot nowadays. He talks mostly about you, and how much he loves you."
Hearing that made Rose temporarily stop what she was doing to turn and listen to him, "Go on…" She quietly said, wanting to her the rest of it.
"You know that Raph is a hot head, and he can get REALLY moody at times…"
Giving a small chuckle and smiling, Rose responded with, "Yeah."
"In the twenty years my brothers and I have been alive, I can honestly say that when he is with you, he is… different. He's happier, he's calmer, and even his insults to Mikey are nicer." Walking over to her, Leo settled his hands on her shoulders; looking down at her, he smiled warmly, "He told me… before… this… before you left for the wedding… that he didn't think he could ever survive if you weren't in his life, and that he loves you with everything that he has in him. I KNOW he didn't mean what he said Rose… but you gotta be patient with him… it's gonna take a while for you to completely tame that temper of his, okay."
Tears began to fall down Rosie's cheeks, and she wrapped her arms around Leo's waist, hugging him. "Thanks, I really needed to hear that right now."
Returning the hug, Leonardo placed a soft kiss upon her head. "Just thought you should know."
Brissen's voice shattered the brief moment, "Rose, Shaun and the others are here."
NOTE: Yep, going to be 2 chapters (I hope LOL) instead of one! I think I can get this part wrapped up in the next one… think being the operative word! LOL