Call to Arms: Betrayed

The Russian Plot

"As members of my innermost circle, you are bound by a rigorous code of secrecy. Do you understand?" Kowaleski asked as all the troops nodded. "Good. Now, to business. We have long talked of overthrowing our president and now, with my colleague, Alexei Mikhailovich, we shall finally do this. Shall I tell the plan again?" he asked as he pulled out a design plan. "In three months, President Borodin will be flying to London to attend a peace meeting with the American president. Mikhailovich, you'll be by the president's side throughout his trip. By my estimate, it'll take about 16 hours to fly from St. Petersburg to Great Britain. About 8 hours in, we'll revolt against the guards and take over the plane. Mikhailovich, the president'll look to you to clear us up, but that's when you'll betray him and help us. Do you understand?" Kowaleski asked as Alexei paled. "Do. You. Understand?" Kowaleski asked as she nodded. "And if you try to blow the whistle on our little scheme, I'll blow the whistle on you, dear," he said as she went pale again. "For country, for life, and for honor!" Kowaleski exclaimed as he saluted them all. They returned the gesture and then walked out. Alexei sat by the door when she exited, hugging her knees to her chest. "Why is Kowaleski mad?" she thought as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and then stared at the man who stared at her. "Have faith, child," the man said as he gave her a rosary and then a pair of dog tags. "There's a chapel on base if you wanna pray awhile," he said as she stood. She looked at the tags and then puts the rosary on. She walks down the hall and then goes into the chapel. She went up to the front of the chapel and then knelt. She draped the rosary around her fingers and then interlaced her fingers.
"Our father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. I don't know how longs it's since I prayed, but I'm sure it's been awhile. It seems like I only pray when I'm in desperate need, but I need guidance. Kowaleski wants me to betray a man I swore to protect. Or, to tell the truth, a man I was forced to protect. Though I don't deserve the protection, I pray you'll at least protect my family. Protect my children and my mother. Help Jeremy to fight the Russians and help Matthew not to mock him. Protect me and my daughter, Emily, from Kowaleski's madness," Alexei said in English, not caring who heard her. "Our father who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in Earth, as it is in heaven. Give this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom. For ever and ever. Amen," she said as she stood. She pulled out her St. Christopher's medal and then sat again, continuing to pray.

A few thousand miles away, Rose Blackwell was praying. "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, I ask you to protect my daughter. May you keep her safe from those who wish to harm her. And may you protect her husband and friend from falling in battle. Lord, we come before your throne of grace asking you to protect our troops. Strengthen them with your power and minister to their spirits. 'No weapon formed against them shall prosper' and 'My presence will go with you and I will give you rest'. May miracles abound them. Amen," she said as she looked at her husband's St. Christopher's medal. "And you, patron of travelers and carrier of Jesus, protect her in her journeys near and far," she thought as she wiped away a few tears. She continued to pray, hoping her words would reach all who she prayed for.
Jeremy Burkhart sat in a pew, not knowing what to say. He tried to remember the prayers he'd been taught as a child, but couldn't. "God, I don't know what to say, so I'll tell it straight. I'm afraid. I miss Alyssa and I confess, we slept together once, right before she left. I can't stand to forget her, but I don't have the courage to tell Matthew I slept with her. I miss her. I want her back. Please, if there's any way you can bring her back to me, I beg you to do so," Jeremy thought as he stood. "Anything you want to say aloud, Jeremy?" a priest asked as Jeremy smiled. "Father McCain. How's long it been?" Jeremy asked as he shook hands with him. "Mighty long time, Burkhart. You were just leaving for Ukraine when we talked last. So, how've you been?" Father McCain asked as Jeremy sighed. "How's the war been going?" McCain asked as Jeremy looked away. "The war's hardly begun and I've already lost a comrade," he said as McCain looked at him oddly. "Alyssa Blackwell, well, St. Claire was exposed to help me protect the president, but she was forced to join the Russians. That was a year ago," Jeremy said as he sighed. "May I tell a secret, Father?" he asked as McCain nodded. "The last day we were in Russia, Alyssa and I, we had sex. I tried to talk her out of it, but-," Jeremy said as he sighed. McCain laughed as he patted Jeremy on the shoulder. "Do you love her?" McCain asked as Jeremy shrugged. "I don't know. She's married, but we spent the longest time together in Pripyat. She only knew her husband a year before they got married, but he's a douche from what I've seen of him," Jeremy said as McCain laughs. "We've all felt that feeling of lust, Jeremy. Most of us choose to ignore it, but sometimes that feeling is for better, but often for worse. My advice? Try to find whether or not these feelings are shared," McCain said as Jeremy stood. "Thank you, Father. I need to be going now," he said as he walked out of the church...