been offered.
“What did you think of Sandy Vitale (the Acting Director of the CIA)?
“I don’t know, sir. He seemed preoccupied. I’m not even sure what he’s looking for.”
“Well. I think he’s still learning his way around too, Rachael. I think you’ll do fine and probably have a chance to craft the position.”
“I don’t know if he even wants me, sir.”
Simmons replied, “You’re in if you want it. The offer is on its way.”
Orders
When Peter returned to his office in the early afternoon, his cellphone began vibrating in his pocket. He answered, “Shields.”
A familiar voice responded, “Hey, Major. Stokes here.”
“John! It’s been a while. How are you and Carolyn and the kids?”
“All is fine, Striker (Peter’s favorite call sign), although it’s been quiet here since you left. Illinois will never be the same.”
Peter felt flattered, but responded, “Let’s hope we never break the tranquility again.”
“Yeah. Ain’t that the truth.”
Both were Rangers who had served together on special operations (ops) missions and saved each other’s lives. There was no closer bond between two humans.
Stokes continued, “Look, boss. I’ve got some news that I want to share before telling Carolyn. I know you’ve been down this road yourself.”
“Okay, shoot. Don’t tell me you’re goin’ tactical without me?”
“Yeah, well. You know the Pres has ordered the Guard to support the Border Patrol down south.”
Peter hesitated, responding, “Yes.” He had an idea where this was going.
“Well, I volunteered to go to El Paso, where that Agent was killed, and the other one kidnapped. It’s still an O-3 (Captain) position, but I figure it’s a step toward my oak leaves.”
Peter spoke reflectively, “Look, pal, there are things more important than military ambition. I wouldn’t want you to pay the price I’ve paid.”
Stokes thought reflectively before answering, “How are things with you and Rachael?”
Peter realized that he hadn’t talked to Stokes for months, “You know she broke off the engagement, right?”
“What? No. I didn’t know. What happened, if you want to tell me? I shouldn’t pry.”
“No, it’s okay, John. Basically, after our little trip to Tehran, she figured I was a suicidal jerk, and that was that.”
“She left you because of the op?” There was a harsh edge in his voice.
“Don’t get hostile, buddy. She was right. It’s one of those complex emotional things where she linked her feelings to some notion that I would lead a normal life and it all took a hit when I volunteered to go in country without even talking to her first. She’s right to hate me. Actually, she doesn’t hate me. She just isn’t going to tie her future to me.”
Stokes asked, “Is it permanently broke?”
“I don’t know, John, maybe.” Without wishing to prolong this line of discussion, Peter ended with, “I wish I’d done things differently.” He didn’t want his friend making the same mistake.
“It’s okay, pal. Look I’m not much good at these things either. Maybe Carolyn will feel the same way, ya think?” It was a rhetorical statement. “Look, if you ever want to talk to Carolyn about female thinking, be my guest. You know her well enough.”
“Thanks, John. Look, so okay, tell me about Texas. Are you sure this is something you want to do? Rules down there are different, you know. People get sued for shooting bad guys inside the U.S. You’ve always gotten medals for doing it in the Army.”
Stokes replied, “From what I hear, it’s getting close to our rules of engagement.”
“Well, in that case, maybe I should volunteer.”
“Sure. Why not just shoot yourself to end your pain with Rachael? At least give her some peacetime attention, and maybe things will improve between you two.”
“Thanks, Pal. I’ll be watching the news and don’t want to hear your name. God speed!”
John Stokes was a novelty in the Illinois Military Department in Springfield. He’d been with the State’s Army National Guard for only four years and worked for the Director of Operations, a Brigadier General. He’d been promoted from O-1 to O-3 ahead of his peers, yet he’d only deployed briefly with them to the war zone in Iraq. Some of the other junior officers had gone on to serve in Afghanistan while John remained in the States. Normally, this would create animosity, but John’s service record was uniquely different from any other in the department — including two dangerous counter-terror missions within the United States and a special operation inside Iran. In Chicago twelve months earlier, he had helped Peter defeat terrorists with nuclear weapons. In another mission, he parachuted at night, leading a team of Army Rangers against an unknown number of Islamic fundamentalists using shoulder-launched missiles to shoot down airliners. He was known as an intrepid officer without fear, who volunteered for high-risk assignments. Stokes was admired by everyone who knew him. All of his big missions had been with Peter Shields.
John grew up in the Midwest as a quiet farm boy, who joined the Army upon graduation from high school. After basic training and Advanced Individual Training, he returned to his parent’s house in Peoria to marry his childhood sweetheart, Carolyn Gibbs, when he was still a Private First Class (E3). Together, they moved to Columbus, Georgia, where John was in paratrooper school at Ft. Benning. They had a daughter about a year later while stationed in Germany. He loved his family life apart from the Army, but also felt a duty to help against terrorists. When his European tour ended, he’d completed his first enlistment, and they both decided it was time to focus on raising their family. He left the Army and they moved back to Illinois, where John went to Northern Illinois State University using his GI Bill and also worked part time. He finished his degree in Computer Science in four years with some credit for Army schools. Carolyn also completed college and became a substitute teacher at elementary schools part time, but a second daughter also kept her busy at home.
Nearing the end of college, he convinced Carolyn that he missed the Army and would like to go back in as an officer. So, following graduation, he attended OCS and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Several months later, Carolyn, with the two girls, followed him to Ft. Bragg where he was completing Ranger training. After graduation, he was transferred to Iraq during Operation “Enduring Freedom,” where he was involved in some minor combat actions. The combination of separation from the family and the mental strain on Carolyn caused him to leave the active military again following the single tour.
Upon returning to Illinois to settle down, he returned to the National Guard as a “weekend warrior” and began a civilian career with a small manufacturing company as a Production Planner. He was still young and remained in top physical condition at a private gym. When the call came to the National Guard from the FBI in Chicago for military assistance and Ranger-qualified volunteers, John jumped at the assignment before either he or Carolyn had fully considered the implications. This is where he first met Peter and Rachael. Peter had been given tactical lead of the military support part of the FBI-led operation and had requested Guard personnel with Ranger training. Through the Posse Comitatus Act, military resources had to come from the National Guard, not active military. In the end, the action fell mostly on this military support component of the FBI’s team.
Following the successful operation, with recognition, Stokes felt a real sense of achievement. When a second call came, requesting him specifically by Peter for assistance to the New York Governor, he didn’t hesitate. This time, it was to capture some terrorists that were attacking airliners in the U.S. using shoulder-launched missiles. After several years of marriage, Carolyn understood his passion for action and was just thankful that he wasn’t going overseas for long periods, even though he was engaging in dangerous missions.
First Day
&nb
sp; Rachael’s first day at Langley was mostly spent in processing and orientation briefings. It was much like the Pentagon, especially in the G2 Directorate of the Army. The difference was that the entire building complex was a secure facility, with various layers of compartmentalization. Her official letter of appointment stated her position would be Deputy Director for Regional Operations. She understood that her “region” would be in the western hemisphere, but nothing was formalized.
It wasn’t until 1600 (4:00 PM) that she was escorted to the Director’s office. Sandy Vitale was the Acting Director of the CIA, pending Senate ratification as his permanent appointment. The transition was a foregone conclusion and would be completed within a month. He’d been Chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, but had no experience in the operational side of any intelligence agency.
Rachael sat in the office lobby for several minutes while Vitale concluded a meeting. She’d met him during their cursory interview, but didn’t know him otherwise except for his reputation as a hard case and open philanderer. While waiting, she wondered if management of the agency would change his egotistical demeanor now that he was actually responsible for results and the integrity of the office. He would never have been in line for the position without operational experience until the treasonous breach of trust by Will Lawrence caused a reaction in