Intelligence Kills

Chapter 12

Twelve:

There's a thin line between sane and insane. My mind is whirling with activity. Somewhere, I know there is the continual noise of the road we are traveling. But I refuse to believe that it leads back to where I began. Where all of this madness began. I don't want to go back.

I feel sick and excited at the same time. if this is happening, then please let favor be on our side. Just this once. I'm finally doing what's right. Maybe favor will be on our side.

I need sleep and I can't sleep. I need sleep so much. If only something could just lull me to sleep and all this would disappear...

"Hello? Yes, this is Nathan Rouse."

I was jolted awake when then the car hit a bump. I'd been sleeping for the past half hour or so. Athena was slumped against the opposite door but I could tell she was listening very carefully. Jack was driving but he was listening as well, his head tilted to the side.

"Shit, are you kidding me? They've already got a replacement for Stelar? How is that possible," Rouse exploded. He looked back, seemingly worried that I was still asleep. He noticed I was awake and relaxed a little.

"They've got a replacement," Jack hissed. Rouse nodded. He mouthed something and Jack cursed, shaking his head. Both of them seemed a bit tense.

"Who is it," I asked. Neither of them answered. I smacked Jack's head. "Just answer. I probably don't know them anyway. But who is it?"

"Danny Albright. Probably the biggest douche in the entire CIA department," Jack snapped. He shot me a glance, shaking his head. "Albright wants to shut our mission down. He wants to kill you and turn you in. By tomorrow. He says we have to or he'll shut the whole team down, no questions asked."

"He can't do that," Athena protested. She looked at me, then back at Jack. "If he kills Sniper, which is impossible, then they might start a war on us for killing their most valuable asset. And besides, we can't just kill Sniper. What does this guy think? That somehow the Seven will just leave us alone?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "We all know we can't just quit on this. I agreed with Stelar. We need to destroy Alithera. Even if it means the loss of lives, we need to do it. If we don't and the Seven think that you are weak, they'll move in and attempt to take over. It may sound really freaking stupid but it's the truth."

Both men nodded in understanding. None of us knew what would happen. Rouse sighed and handed me the phone. "Albright wants to talk to you."

I rolled my eyes, created a speaker and attached it to the phone. "This is Sniper."

"Sniper! Hello, it's good to talk to you again," Albright said. All of us rolled our eyes but it was a wasted effort when we realized that he couldn't actually see us.

"I've never seen, heard or spoken to you in my entire life. So, no, it's not like you've talked to me before," I said. there was a cold tone underlying my voice and I knew it was rude to be like that but honestly, who did this guy think he was? Just because he was the new director, that didn't give him the right to cut off the missions that Stelar had assigned. Besides, this was super important. If this guy was smart at all, he'd let us continue.

"I would watch your tone," Albright said slowly. So much for the pleasantries.

"You're not my father, dipshit," I snapped. I could hear the crack of his knuckles. It was obvious he was trying to restrain himself. I smirked and mouthed "What a prick," to Athena. She giggled and put a hand over her mouth so she wouldn't be heard.

"Watch your language young man! Now, I need you to return to Alithera this moment or we'll be forced to deport you. And send my team and the girl back," he commanded.