The Guild, Secretive U.S. Intel Operatives
Chapter 2- Getting to Know You
Rick and his father, Jackson Hunt, are making it to NSA HQ for a brief.
"Kate Beckett, NSA Analyst and now active field agent, she's green dad, a rookie. I worry about her becoming a burden to Sophia and myself. We are an efficient team, there is no need for an addition."
"You have not read far enough into her record. As Naval Intelligence, she was part of a Recon Marine team, and passed all the requirements to do so. Her training equals yours and she is field experienced."
Rick was reading further into Beckett's profile.
"My bad, she is a seasoned operative… and very attractive… by the file photo."
"Just your type, Rick, brunette, hauntingly gorgeous, and very capable. Is that a problem?"
"Not for me!"
"Yes, well Sophia will have to get use to another female on the team."
"You don't think it will affect Unit Cohesion?"
"Not if Turner keeps her emotions in check. I realize you two were once an item."
"I'm over it Dad. I have moved on. What I don't know is if Sophia has moved on."
"I guess we'll soon learn. Beckett's cover is that she is a journalist doing a piece on you for her newspaper. Sophia will reprise her cover as Head of your Security. Should make for a very interesting setup."
"Where's the action at?"
"It will begin with a book tour of Asia involving Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines."
"Who's our handler?"
"An old acquaintance, Ned Stein."
"Still doing a deep cover as Black Pawn Publishing House, Asian Representative?"
"Same."
"Well we have a majority of the old group, Beckett will be the ringer."
"She's the only one who knows People's Front, and that is her contribution to the team."
"Mr. Hunt, we are arriving at NSA", alerts the driver.
"Good, let's get this show on the road!"
Once at NSA, introductions are made. When Sophia is introduced to Kate, she eyes Kate up and down. It is a demeaning look. That look does not go unnoticed by Kate, and she wonders what it is all about. Kate will soon learn.
Kate gives a quick 15 minute brief on The People's Front using her laptop to give her 'Dog and Pony Show':
"Not much is known on field operatives for the Front. But there is one who I ran into when I did my Recon Marine mission."
Kate puts up the picture from her laptop on to the 85 inch monitor in the NSA briefing room.
"This is Lei Ang Beng, Colonel in the New People's Army, and is an intelligence officer. He planned and spearheaded that attempted communist takeover which my recon marine unit took on in South America. This man is skilled; Kung Fu black belt, proficient in all the Chinese military small arms, scuba and jump qualified. He is a formidable adversary and one we may meet in the field."
After Kate is done, Jackson gets up and gives his brief.
"The cover for this op is an Asian Book Tour for Richard Castle. Agent Beckett, your cover is as a journalist for my paper, The New York Review, writing a series on the book tour, the first such Castle tour for Asia. Agent Turner, you go again as head of Castle security for the tour. You will have two other Guild agents on the Castle security team, that will be Agents Esposito and Ryan."
"I have worked with them before Director Hunt, they are first class", Turner says of her security team.
"It's beginning to feel like old times. Beckett is the new kid on the block", Castle says in humor.
"I am happy to be the rookie on the team, looks like a good group", says Beckett.
Once done, the new team is left alone to get acquainted with each other.
"So, Recon Trained! I myself trained with SEAL Six", Rick says in a one on one with Beckett. Sophia is overhearing all of the conversation.
"Recon, SEAL, essentially the same missions and qualifications", replies Beckett.
"You were naval intelligence and still on the active reserve rolls?"
"That I am. On active duty I was a Lieutenant JG. Since then I have climbed the Naval Reserve Ranks to full Commander."
"Well welcome on board, CDR. Beckett", Castle tells her.
"As team Rookie, take the time to observe and learn. Follow our leads and you should do just fine", Turner admonishes Beckett.
"I'll do just that. I not here to slow the team down. My Intel on The People's Front should add to the capability of the team."
"That remains to be seen, so watch and do try and keep up", Turner not cutting any slack for the new team mate.
Rick senses where Turner is coming from and realizes that Sophia feels threatened by Beckett, both professionally and personally. Kate is a match for Sophia both in looks and capabilities. Rick realizes he has all the makings for a Knock Down, Drag Out, Cat fight. He will have to play referee here, a task he had hoped was not necessary.
"I am sure Kate will do just fine Sophia", Rick replies trying to keep things neutral.
Sophia gives Castle a glare, one that Kate catches. Beckett is thinking that there is more to the two than just work partners and it dawns on Kate that Turner has a 'thing' for Castle. Kate knows now not to stir the pot and will avoid getting any closer to Castle in a more personal manner, even as she finds that Castle is an extremely attractive man. He is tall, well built, handsome, with a quick wit about him which speaks of his intelligence, and team leader. Many of the qualities that Kate finds desirable in a man.
This initial attraction to the man could be an added burden for Kate and to the team in particular. Kate will avoid any familiarity with Rick Castle that would cause Turner to think Kate has an interest in him. Kate makes a mental note to herself on this matter. She ponders these initial reactions to meeting Rick Castle but can not help but be drawn to him. This current situation is volatile and she will keep that thought up front.
Hong Kong Bound
They are on the Black Pawn Charted Jet heading for Hong Kong. They started in NYC, then on to London, and from there, headed east via Germany to Hong Kong. The jet is luxurious and reserved only for the top draw authors of Black Pawn, of which Castle is their top writer. Castle has made millions for Black Pawn and for himself in royalties. Alex Conrad, a Castle prodigy and heralded 'Next Rick Castle', being another Black Pawn Author, who rated similar such treatment. Although Conrad still needs to go farther up the scale to catch up to Castle. Alex Conrad was indeed an up and coming, 'new Rick Castle'. Still, Conrad, unlike Rick, did not have a secret other 'job'.
"So Kate, how did you wind up being Naval Intelligence?", Castle asks of Kate.
"I had a NROTC scholarship. It paid my tuition, got Midshipmen pay for expenses, and had a guaranteed job after graduation. Seemed like a good way to go."
"Why intel?"
"I wanted to be a Navy lawyer in the JAG Corps, as my parents were civilian lawyers. After 9/11 I wanted to strike back at terrorist threats and hoped to do so as a JAG Lawyer. A summer NROTC tour in the intel community had me interested. So eventually I chose to be an Intelligence Officer. Never regretted it, I have had good assignments."
"Going NSA? How did that happen?"
"That Recon mission got me involved with them. They had an opening just as my active duty Navy contract was completed and I was asked to apply. The rest is history."
"Why just now for a field assignment from an Analyst position?"
"I have been taking care of my father who has health issues. An Analyst position allowed me a chance to care for my father, then this happened. The director ask me to take a field assignment with option to return to my analyst position once this mission was done."
"Well you are the sole analyst who knows The Front, so it is the right call."
"I agree, that's why I'm here."
"Count the team lucky to have you."
"Thank you, coming from you as lead agent, that gives me more motivation to do the best job I can!"
Agent Turner hears this conversation and it further increases her annoyance with this new Agent Beckett. Turner does not like that Beckett is encroaching in her playground and with Rick no less. Sophia is seeing green and does not want this current setup, but for sake of their mission she tamps down those feelings.
Castle on the other hand is attempting to learn more on Beckett to evaluate her potential with the new team. He is liking what he sees. Beckett is indeed an asset to the team. Now if he can only convince Sophia of the same, it will be better for the team. Rick knows he has a challenge in that!
After some time into the trip, Agents Esposito and Ryan come to bond with Beckett as a team member.
"Just call me Espo and Ryan here is addressed as such."
"How long have you two been partners?"
"Seems like forever", replies Kevin Ryan, "Espo was here first coming from Army CIS, I came in from a deep cover assignment, being embedded with the Russian mob looking for terrorist elements. That was when I worked with Homeland Security."
"We refer to them as 'the boys' although tweetledee and tweetledum would be just as appropriate", jokes Castle about the two.
The remark gains a glare from them.
"Ha, Ha, Castle, we love you too!"
"You know I say it out of affection, right guys?"
"Right boss", the two say back in unison.
"You know boys that dad has your best interest in mind", Turner says.
"OK mom, we understand", the boys joke back.
Kate is laughing at this teasing by the veterans of her team.
"So how is Beckett to be viewed now that she is on the team?", asks Espo.
"We will look to her as our little sister."
"Hey little sis, welcome!" The whole team says in sync.
"Thank you boys, Mom and Dad!", Kate replies back in humor. The remark draws a loud laugh from the group.
Now Kate feels she is officially part of the team.
The remainder of the trip goes well. Each member readies their field pack. Weapons cleaned and greased, ear piece, comm gear tested, special cell phones with added features not on any civilian cell phones are checked out, intel docs reviewed, and the mission game plan committed to memory.
"Castle, Ned S, our handler for this case?", asks Espo.
"Yes, who else would it be?"
"Just confirming, looks like the old team is back."
"With a new member."
"Yes, little sis Beckett."
"Espo, promise one thing."
"Name it boss."
"Keep her under your wing, show her the ropes. She has field experience but it was some time back. She could use your mentoring."
"You got it boss, can do!"
"Good, that's my man."
In a more private and secluded location of the plane, Sophia and Kate had gotten into a one on one.
"Turner mind if I ask you a question for the sake of unit efficiency."
"What do you want to hear Beckett?"
"You and Castle."
"We were once an item."
"And now no more?"
"Not if I have my way."
"Good to know, I'll stay clear."
"See that you do", Turner says as she heads for the woman's rest room.
Espo had just happen to hear the tail end of their one on one, as Turner leaves for the ladies room.
Espo tells her, "Beckett, Castle has moved on, but Turner is still clinging. Thought you should know."
"Thanks Espo, but I have already figured out I need to steer clear of any involvement beyond professional. Personal feelings will not develop."
"Sure thing Beckett, just know that might be hard to do. Castle is a different kind of leader. He takes care of his team, more so than most. You can't help but feel connected to him. Sophia had that connection but wanted more. Castle at first thought it could work for the two of them, but the pressures of our jobs caused Rick to back off for the sake of team cohesion. Just see it for what it is, nothing more. You'll be okay then."
"Duly noted Espo, and thanks."
"Any time little sis, we are family now."
Kate knows that this is a tight team and she makes it her goal to contribute to further enhance them. She keeps down her attraction to Castle, even as her emotional reactions to him tell her otherwise. Kate had not been with a man in a while. She had a brief affair with one Wil Sorenson, FBI, who she had worked a case with as Naval Intelligence. That had lasted six months, but field assignments, and circumstances had endeavored to end the liaison. She had not even thought of Wil in all their years since the break. Unknown to Beckett was her attempts of keeping it official with Castle would prove to be a difficult task. One which would arise from time to time as they worked the mission.
In the woman's rest room Sophia Turner had washed her face with cold water. She clearly could see that this new team member, one Kate Beckett, would indeed be a challenge in her attempt to win Rick Castle back to herself. The woman was every bit as attractive and capable as herself, maybe even more so. She had observed the interaction between the two and could tell from Rick's body movements and subtle tones in his voice that he was attracted to Beckett. She used to get the same reactions from Rick when they first met. It was De Ja Vu for her. She would have to up her game here.
Done freshening up, Turner heads back to the main cabinet of the Black Pawn Jet.