The End of the Beginning
Chapter 67: Building Our Own Army

After a bit of static the live news feed of the burning dam resumed. The commentator in the helicopter with the camera seemed unaware of the cyber intrusion that had just hijacked his feed. The news anchor back in the studio quickly broke into the feed upon its return however to address a no doubt terrified and confused public.

William loaded other live streams from other news networks, all of which seemed to have also been intruded upon by the same foreboding message. Jake checked his glass tag, as did Nancy. Both found the message embedded and spreading through all forms of social media.

“We need to act fast,” said William, making for the door. “He is going to arrest Colonel Morrison and Hammond upon their arrival here back at base. We’ve gotta stop him. That is what we need to focus on right now. We expose Hernandez then maybe we expose the rest of their plans.” “Woah, wait!” Jake cried. “We are at Sequence Red, full security lockdown. If you get caught outside they will take you in.” “I’m sure the lockdown and communications blackout is by design,” said Nancy, “so no one will interfere with him at the airport. No one will be around to see what he does. No one will be around to know.” “Which means we’re the only ones who can help,” William insisted at the door. “We can’t trust anyone in ISAF and tipping off outside authorities could give him the chance to run.” “We’re the only ones that know,” Nancy said faintly.

“Well, not for long,” grinned William.

“No. No, no, no, no!” asserted Jake. “I know what you thinking, Captain. You aren’t doing that. Your team isn’t doing that! They are neither equipped nor trained to take down an international terrorist with God knows how many other people on his side on this base!” “I know, that’s where you come in,” William nodded impatiently.

From Nancy’s desk came a computerized voice. It said, “Incoming call from Colonel John Morrison.” It was William’s earpiece.

“Oh, good,” said Nancy. “It looks like my unjamming efforts worked.”

William shoved past everyone to get to the desk and answered the call. “Colonel! You hear me?”

“Will,” said John, “I can hear you. Man, I’ve been trying to call you for days. You were right about Samir. He didn’t have drugs in his system, he was clean!” “We know, Colonel.”

“You know?”

“Yes, it’s a long story but listen, don’t come home! You hear me?”

“What Will? You’re breaking up. Did you say don’t come home? Why shouldn’t we come home?”

“Yes, don’t come home! It’s a trap. Hernandez is - ”

The connection went dead.

“Shit!” yelled William, throwing his earpiece across the room. “It’s dead. He’s on to me. He just wants to shut me up just long enough till the fireworks start.” “Well,” sighed Jake, “if he’s on to you, he’s on to me as well. You’re not walking out that door alone, Captain. Just as you don’t want him to take down UNIRO’s good name, I don’t want him to tear down ISAF’s. I swore to protect this base just as you’ve sworn to protect this world.” Jake smiled. “It’s my duty.” William smiled.

“Let’s go get your army ready,” nodded Jake.

“I think your growing bromance is adorable and all,” said Nancy, “but you’re still forgetting that there are ISAF guardsmen everywhere outside! Sequence Red, remember.” “A distraction then,” suggested William. “We need a distraction.”

“Yeah,” agreed Jake.

Both men looked at Nancy grinning with the same idea.

“What?” she asked innocently.

Both men pointed to her and said, “Distraction.”

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