Chapter 12

Interrogation was an art form. When Nicolette had been moved to field operative, she had been trained in the art of interrogation, specifically enhanced interrogation. She knew what worked and what didn't. Her ability to analyze key personnel was an asset. She liked to play with the target's mind. The mild form was what she did to annoy Ghost and have fun with the 141.

They had caught El Sin Nombre, aka Valeria, and now they needed to interrogate her. Ghost sought her out when they returned to talk to her, "Can you break her?"

Nicolette looked at the man and joked, "Well don't sugarcoat it, Ghost."

"I'm asking if you can."

Nicolette looked at where they were taking the woman. She put her hands on her hips, "Probably. If I knew what she would give her life to hold onto. I could probably find it if I just went in there to talk to her." She was giving her honest assessment. She looked at Ghost. "Truth is. I don't want to."

"Any reason why?"

Nicolette thought about how to say what she wanted to say. She walked with the man as they followed the others in. "Look… she doesn't know who I am. Let's use it to our advantage. Let her think she is with men that can be manipulated or annoyed, whatever… What she says and more importantly what she doesn't say… It will give me ammunition if we need to go further." She paused and lowered her voice so only Ghost could hear, "Plus… If I do go in there now… more likely she will not be as alive as you want her." She looked at the man.

Ghost studied her. He was well aware of her ability to take down a grown man. He had managed to find out she was CIA at one point. It didn't surprise him when she admitted she could handle an interrogation and get what they needed. He sensed this was different; it had been since they set foot in country, and he wasn't blind that it had something to do with her relationship with Alejandro and Los Vaqueros. He nodded, "Wait outside and listen."

Nicolette nodded and watched the man go in. She hung back outside, out of sight, but close enough to listen in. She heard Graves ask how Valeria and Alejandro knew each other. She leaned on the wall and crossed her arms over her chest and listened.

"She's ex-military. We served together."

"Different squads. Same unit. You were the wild ones huh… "los vaqueros."

Nicolette heard the story. It seemed that the business with La Araña was an example of preparation meets opportunity. It seemed that Valeria's team were the enforcers, in the pockets of the cartel, but they had the reputation of being clean cut. Nothing new there. It wasn't surprising to hear that Valeria killed La Araña and then took over. There was money to be made in drugs.

"You're a narco harboring a terrorist," Ghost's gruff tones were heard.

"Terrorism is good for business. It's insurance."

Nicolette thought about that for a moment. It became clear when Valeria spelled it out. She hissed low under her breath and cursed slightly. If they were going to find what they needed, they were going to need to make a deal with the devil. This was a reason why she didn't like going into ops too blind. In this case, she was glad she was not interrogating Valeria.

Nicolette had made deals with the devil before. They left a foul taste in her mouth when she did. The upside was that the devils knew better than to cross her. Valeria didn't know her. She didn't know what she was capable of doing, so there was no reason to adhere to any deal she made.

"FUCK!"

Nicolette jumped slightly and closed her eyes. She had men yell at her, even hit her, but to hear Alejandro scream like that. She knew he was mad. She took a breath and closed her eyes when she heard the door open. She watched as Alejandro stepped out and slammed the door shut. She shuddered at the feeling as she watched him. Taking a risk, she asked, "Hermano?"

Alejandro heard her but stormed off. He didn't like that they were being backed into a deal like this. He knew it was going to come back and bite them in the ass. He was also pissed at seeing the woman that was supposed to uphold her oath but instead became a disgrace to the army. He didn't want to take out his anger on the one person that would understand the situation they were in and was his adopted little sister.

"Alejandro."

Alejandro continued to ignore her until he got to an open area. He grunted and cursed as he paced around. He cussed in Spanish, venting his anger.

"Alejandro, you fucking know better than to ignore me."

Alejandro paused and turned. He saw Nicolette looking at him with a firm look. She had her eyes narrowed at him. Her hands were on her hips. Even though she was small for a woman, she was intimidating, especially when she was pissed. He looked at her, "Angelita…"

Nicolette walked towards the man. She looked at him with a raised brow. She could have scolded him, much like she used to but about things like a dirty barracks or something like that. She didn't want to do that though. She said, "Don't ignore me."

"Angelita… what your people going to do…"

"Make a deal with the devil. Believe me I figured that one out before you started yelling," she replied. She twitched her lip in a bit of a smile.

Alejandro sighed as he looked at the building where Valeria was being held. "Then you know that she was ex-military."

"Heard that part." Once Alejandro was looking at her, she continued, "I was there but not there. Mostly because I would have been tempted to use what CIA taught me and Valeria would not be in a state to probably stand trial. If it came to that. However, what she said and didn't say told me quite a bit about her and started ideas of what to do."

Alejandro let out a dry chuckle, "I forget that you had a life before Las Almas."

"It carried into Las Almas," Nicolette corrected with a sad smile. "And something that seems to have been buried and lingers." She looked around and sighed before looking back at Alejandro. "Alejandro, mi hermano, I know that you are upset. Believe me I've hated making deals with the devil. The only thing that made it somewhat bearable is that the ones I made the deals with know what I am capable of, and they dare not fuck up because I can change their fortune like that."

"That I don't doubt, Angelita," Alejandro replied. It surprised him that she told him more about her life and what she did, but he was astute enough to know she had a point with it. "You made that clear to a few narcos here. Turned them into your sources."

Nicolette shrugged her shoulders at that. "They have their uses." She made a slight sound before continuing, "The point is that right now, the immediate threat are the missiles. If launched, it would be against innocent people and all in retaliation against a military target."

"I understand, but this will go bad," Alejandro replied, feeling defeated. He looked down at the ground, his feet shuffling a little. He looked at her. "It will not end well, Angelita. I warned them," he added with a firm expression on his face.

Nicolette took in his expression and nodded, "I know it will. It is always the case when my people make a deal with a criminal for the larger prize." She leaned in closed, "But who says that it will be the end when it goes south?"

Alejandro frowned and moved to look her in the eye. "What do you mean?"

Nicolette gave a slight smirk, "One word that is known to piss off any law enforcement agency: jurisdiction."

Alejandro looked at her, still confused, "Angelita…"

"Hermano, we may have made a deal with the puta cabrona, but I don't recall Mexican Special Forces making a deal," Nicolette looked at Alejandro with a knowing smile. "So, I don't think anyone would protest if Mexican Special Forces decided to arrest El Sin Nombre as soon as he is released."

It dawned on Alejandro that she was offering a solution to his dissatisfaction with how things were going. He stepped back and studied her recognizing that crafty expression she had when she figured out a loophole. He nodded, "I see. Seems you're familiar with this sort of thing."

"Let's just say that while the U.S. made a deal, I gave the suggestion to an ally that they still had options," she replied with a shrug of her shoulders. She pursed her lips and said, "I love my country as you love yours, but I don't tolerate people who should be taken care of getting away with it. It's one of the reasons why I tell my friends at the 141 to never ask when it comes to intel and other things."

"Because most would label you a vigilante or worse, a traitor."

"Fucking political agendas. They fuck everyone over for selfish gain ninety-nine percent of the time." Nicolette shuffled on her feet and put her hands on her hips. She swallowed a bit and looked at Alejandro. "Too idealistic for me, hermano?"

Alejandro shook his head, "No, hermanita. Just someone who sees the world for what it is. Probably a lot better than the ones in charge. Certainly, when we planned our attacks on the cartels, that was what you had in mind, and it almost cost me you."

"They didn't know it was me."

"But it could have been. I know they only know the name, but if they ever figure out it was you…"

Nicolette put her hand on Alejandro's arm. She gave it a reassuring squeeze as she said, "And that is why the name is more of an ideal. A name that many have been proud to take up. I followed what happened in the other states. It's encouraged the other units that resist corruption on the other cartels."

"Dios mio," Alejandro muttered. "You mean?"

Nicolette nodded, "Yes." She gave a wry chuckle, "Remember what I told you when I left? I always take care of my friends." She patted his arm in reassurance. She stepped back and shifted to see that Graves was coming out. "Seems like Graves has something. You better go and plan for once the green light is given. By the way… thank you. For looking after Soap."

Alejandro smiled at her, "Anything for you, Angelita. I admit you were pretty good at hiding it. He's a good man and if you were properly introduced, I would have approved."

"I figured," Nicolette replied with a smile. She leaned in and whispered in Alejandro's ear before she stepped back. "I'll be in CRC. I have a few things to do." She turned and left.

"You were pretty impressive at the cartel house."

Nicolette glanced over to see that Graves had entered. She turned back to her computer and tapped in a few keystrokes. She replied, "Just something I know how to do well."

Graves nodded as he came to stand beside her. He looked at what she was doing. He couldn't understand what he was seeing, but he could tell that it was important. "Still, impressive that you made it all the way from an overwatch point to the house, climbed the walls and then pounced on Valeria just as she tried to escape."

"What can I say? I'm pretty good at scurrying," Nicolette said. She typed in a few more strokes. "I'm checking the validity of the puta's information for one of the missiles."

"You don't have to. My guys can do that." Graves leaned on her chair.

"Can your guys task a surveillance drone?" Nicolette looked at Graves. She chuckled at the expression on his face before looking back at her screen. "I guess not. Don't worry, I have authorization to task any surveillance drone withing reason. Perks of having friends in high places."

Grave looked at what she was doing and saw that she had pulled up the surveillance drone she had tasked. He blinked at what he was seeing. "No fucking shit."

"As I said, I'm intelligence. The other stuff is just a hobby and I learned to defend myself." Nicolette tapped some keys to direct the surveillance. "I know Spanish because I am a polyglot. Useful when I travel to get intel. I don't always have to rely on a translator."

Graves shifted to look at her. He liked her despite the aloofness and the politeness. He thought her to be almost superhuman when he pulled her stunt with the cartel house. She was a hell of a good shot. A valuable asset. It was a shame that she wasn't with Shadow Company. "Seems pretty useful."

"Usually is."

"Ever consider going to private sector?" Graves had been leaning on the console and shifted to look at her.

Nicolette felt the stare and heard the question. She decided to play a bit dumb. She shifted to look at him, "I'm sorry. What?"

Graves smirked at little, thinking he had caught her off guard. He repeated, "I was asking if you ever considered going to the private sector?"

Nicolette sensed this was a recruitment pitch. It brought her back to when she had been recruited by the CIA. It was the same, just the words and agency were different. The difference was she had wanted to join after giving considerable consideration. It was never about the money for her. Yes, she made considerable money on the side, but she used it to help her friends or give to a worthy cause.

She wasn't a fan of mercenaries at all. She knew that their rules of engagement were different for them, and she had met a few that the arrogance was through the roof. She refused to do business with them, and they suffered for it when they tried to force it. Again, something she didn't tell Soap or Ghost because she wasn't proud of it.

Knowing that Graves needed an answer. She politely smiled and replied, "I'm not one for capitalism. Just not my thing."

"Well, you'd have access to the best equipment, best pay, and you'd get to have more say over your schedule. Regular holidays." Graves straightened up and grabbed the edges of his vest as he was prone to do. He looked down at her.

Nicolette decided to come right out and ask, "Why me? I can name at least three others that are better and provide a similar skill set." She swiveled in her chair and looked up at him.

The dynamic was apparent. It looked like Graves was in a position of power with him standing and Nicolette sitting. Nicolette didn't see it as such. She saw it as an annoyance. Graves saw it more as a playing hard to get. He replied, "Maybe so, but I want you. I've seen what you can do, and I doubt those three can do what you can do."

Nicolette studied the man. Her hands were in her lap as she thought about her response. She was saved from responding when the computer beeped. She turned her attention back to it. "Seems like the tasked surveillance is on station."

Tapping a few keys, she brought up the aerial surveillance on the screen. It showed an oil platform and a ship. She zoomed in on the platform. "There's your platform in the Gulf. Right at the coordinates Valeria gave" She tapped a few more keys to show the ship, "And there is the ship."

Graves leaned on the console and studied it, "Hot damn. This is what I'm talking about."

Nicolette tapped a few keys and sent the data to Shepherd. "Now you boys go plan. Shoo." She made a waving motion indicating she was shooing Graves out.

Graves stepped back amused at what she was doing. "Alright, Ryan." He started walking out. He paused when he was at the door. He pointed at the screen and said, "This is why I want you with my Shadows."

Nicolette had no intention of joining the PMC, but she knew better than to be rude about it. She could play the game if necessary. She just saw it as an inconvenience. She replied, "I don't mind when my team and yours work together and I know some of my intel has been used to send you where the general needs you."

Graves sensed that was all she was going to say. He nodded and gestured at her, "Think about it. Especially the fact that you'll be able to visit Alejandro more often."

Nicolette didn't say anything and watched the man leave. She knew he said that because he had observed her and Alejandro talking and came to the conclusion that they were close, maybe under the impression that they were family. She swiveled to turn back to her screen and took a deep breath. She certainly hadn't expected that.

It seems that your modesty may no longer be effective.

Nicolette snorted at that, "Possibly. Addy, you know I would never trade up for a PMC."

Your profile from CIA and from Jensen suggests that it is so in addition to your other eccentricities that you seem to have no problem using to prove a point.

"Truth hurts but it is better coming from the person in possession of it," Nicolette replied. She tapped a few keys on her computer. "Did the information get through to Shepherd?"

It did. I also wanted to alert you that the source coding has been completely mapped. I am sending it to your computer now. The usual look.

Nicolette chuckled as she saw her screen come alive with the coding. She preferred any intelligence she was analyzing to be encrypted that way. She could read computer coding but not everyone else can. Even when she was with CIA, she was like that. Not because of a competitive streak, but even then, she had trust issues.

She studied it and muttered, "Okay, so we have manufacture, batch, and where it was stored last. Addy, do you think you can do a search?"

You know I can.

"I'm only asking because you spent a lot of processing power just to sift through this data even with the help of Alejandro's servers." Nicolette looked on the screen and studied the surveillance of the Gulf. "So, can you be honest?"

I am fine, S64. If you recall my specs, you will see my capabilities. The servers from MSF have helped greatly. I will start a search on where the missile was last kept. It shouldn't take long, and I will keep you posted.

Nicolette nodded, "Alright. I guess I better go and get in on the debrief."

Take caution. It seems that Graves is interested in more than your skills.

"And how did you come up with that?"

Do you have to ask?

Nicolette chuckled. She remembered when Jensen called her in to meet the AI. It was an experimental AI that could infiltrate security and provide tactical support. The initial meeting was like how she and Ghost clashed, but on a more friendly and accepting manner, if there was such a thing. They clicked and Jensen essentially gave her the AI. In order to be able to communicate with the AI anywhere in the world and get tactical appraisal, she set up a central location to house the AI and Addy had free reign to access anything wireless. It was risky since the AI could go rogue, but no problems occurred due to the parameters that had been programmed. Since then, Addy had helped on quite a few things and even revealed a canny ability to "read" humans based on audio and physical response. So what Addy was telling her was what she already sensed about Graves.

Sitting there and studying the tactical display, she thought about what Graves said to her. She did get the sense that he wasn't above using aggressive recruitment techniques. She asked, "Addy, would it be better working for a PMC?"

Commander Graves gave valid points. You will never be short of resources, and you will be able to see Thalia more often as well as Colonel Vargas.

"True, but I get the feeling that he would be ten times worse than a government. If I were to get in trouble, I'd be left to dry." Nicolette sat back and thought about it more. It was tempting and she certainly had friends from college that went onto working for PMCs and agencies similar in the private sector. She knew what it was like to be abandoned, but she also knew what it was like to be found and she had both through the 141.

S64, it appears that your intel was received, and General Shepherd has come up with a plan. He has called for a debrief.

Nicolette looked at her screen at the image of the oil rig platform and the anchored ship. She had a thought and asked, "Addy, are there any S- assets near the Gulf that have a drone fleet available?"

Scanning… there is one, S38.

"I mean one that will actually pick up the phone when I call." Nicolette gave a slight roll of her eyes. She tapped a few keys to save her data.

S38 is the only in the area. I am well aware that the last job that you both were involved with did not end well.

"Well, getting shot in the ass is a good way to incur a grudge," Nicolette replied. She studied the image and sighed. "Still, I have little choice. Addy, try to find me a working number. Once I get back, I'll make a call."

Will do.

Nicolette picked up the hoodie she had taken off when she came into the CRC. She put it on and moved to leave the room. She pulled open the door to find that Soap was there with his fist raised to knock. She took a step back, surprised that he was there. She recovered and joked, "You're improving, Soap."

Soap lowered his fist and grinned, "Well, I'd say that you were the one that anticipates, love. That's your forte."

"Not really," Nicolette said with a slight shake of her head. She gestured towards the computer, "Addy let me know that Shepherd is ready to plan an attack."

"At least Ghost and I aren't surprised anymore."

"Well… I wasn't too trusting at the time and you both accepted it as part of my don't ask policy," she replied as she shyly made a circle with the toe of her boot. She looked at Soap with an unsure expression.

Soap took in her expression. "But you trust us now. In fact, the team knows about the poppet."

Tell the sergeant that I like his assessment.

Nicolette started laughing when she heard that. She looked at Soap who was looking at her for an explanation. She cleared her through and gestured at her earpiece, "Addy just said that she likes you calling her that."

"Oh. Well, she gives that impression," Soap replied, a bit uncomfortable. He shrugged his shoulders to try and hide it.

Nicolette smiled, "It's alright. You should hear with Price calls me on occasion." She chuckled and left the room. She tugged on his shirt sleeve. "Come on. I know the general doesn't like to wait."