NERVES OF STEEL

CHAPTER 7- PAWNS IN THE MAIN GAME

THREE DAYS LATER

             Seated in his office that morning, his routine was interrupted when the door suddenly came open and Lieutenant Colonel Warner walked in briskly and disturbed.
             
"Have you seen this, Commander?"
"What's going on?" Russo asked.
"Our Men sent to discover the Neuroveil has returned but...."
"But what?"
"They don't look okay to say the very least."
"Were they able to get a sample of the gas?"
"Sir, they appeared to have being ambushed."
"What? Our plan was foolproof. Our opposition couldn't have known. Unless..."
"Unless what, sir?"
"We've got ourselves a mole."
"You don't mean..."
"Yes, Colonel. That would explain this. We have a traitor in our midst." He said, banging his fist on the desk, the anger evident in his voice.
"But it was just us both and the General at that meeting three days ago." Warner was started to get perplexed.
"We must double our security measures in ensuring that every meeting , every plot and every of our agenda stays a secret."
"I'll see to that, sir."
"I'll find out who this traitor is and they will sorry for ever betraying the service."
"One thing is certain. The Neuroveil works. Those men are good as toddlers learning how to hold a pen when it comes to combat. They've being relieved of all memories of their training. At this point, they wouldn't know how to
"What do we do concerning the Anarchists?"
"What I should have done from the beginning. Set up a call with the S.A leader, I need an audience with them."
"Right away, sir."

               Walking across the office, Warner set up the computer and soon after a few processses, the anonymous hidden face of an S.A member appeared on screen.

"Tried of the games already?" The Man on the other end asked.
"It's like I always say, Peace over War. Name your price, what is it you want this time?"
"It's simple, but I can't tell you over a call."
"Fine. Send me your location and I'll be there."
"Come alone."
"That won't be possible."
"Not less than three associates and no cameras."
"Deal."
"Tomorrow evening at 5pm on the open waters. A vessel will be sent to pick you up. Our boss would like to think of this as a peace negotiation so allow us treat you to dinner, Commander."

          Russo glanced at Warner, unsure of what to make of this gesture but one thing was certain, this was one hell of a fucking head -on-the-block risk.

"It is settled."
"Until then."

Hang-Up!

"Are you sure about this, sir?"
"No I'm not but it's either this or risk that gas being exposed in our camps."
"But we cannot risk your life, Commander. I'm certain the General won't approve of this."
"My Father doesn't have to know and you will hold your tongue about this, Colonel. That's an order."
Warner bowed slightly. "Ofcourse, sir. Have you decided on the escorts who will go with you?"
"Sergeant Andrews, You ofcourse and Major Alvarez."
"I'll alert the two of them immediately."
"Yes, do. You may leave."

            With a salute, Warner turned around and left the office. Immediately he was gone, a worn out Russo reclined back in his seat and sighed heavily. If this were back in the day, he'd would have probably pulled himself out a wrap of coke to clear his head but no, not again.
 
           He wasn't going to let himself be tempted into going back to drugs. They had messed up his life back then and not to mention, the objective he was working towards, needed to be approached with a clear head and a working mind. Too bad, he was going to have to leave a few dead bodies in this wake and no, this had nothing to do with the Anarchist situation. They were only pawns in his main agenda.

Forgive me, Father.

"We have a critical situation."

                 Came the Colonel's voice as he paced in front of the two officers. Diane and Ryan Andrews.

"The Commander will be embarking on a dangerous mission tomorrow evening at 5pm on the open waters. He intends to attend a peace meeting organized by the S.A and you two has been chosen to go with him. Now, I ask that you be of your best mind and at alert when tomorrow comes."
"Yes, sir!" They both chorused.
"Good and let this remain a secret between the two of you."
"Understood." Said Ryan.
"You may leave."
While Ryan took his leave, Diane stayed behind.
"Dad?"
"What is it?"
"Why would he agree to such a thing? He's the Commander. Why would he risk his life for something his not sure of?" She asked, just to be sure there wasn't another scheme underneath the surface.
"I tried to talk him out of this. Even the General himself isn't aware of this. We can only hope all goes as planned."
"Me too."
"Tomorrow we are to protect the Commander at all cost. His life before any of us."

             That statement came as a sting on her pride. What a precious scared asshole! She thought, spitefully but outwardly, she only nodded and turned around to leave.

"Diane?" He called.
"Yes, Dad?"
"It has been confirmed that there is a traitor in our midst."
She felt her breath hitch in shock. Had her cover been blown? "What? Really?"
"Yes. Do you have any idea who it could be?"
"M-me? I don't think so. Everyone looks so committed to the core. I think this suspicion might be wrong."
"Hmm..." Warner nodded, thoughtfully. "Our team was ambushed even before they could carry out phase one of their mission on the S.A despite our foolproof plan. That could have only been possible if they had an insider informant."
Fuck! She cussed, inwardly.
"I see." Diane only said.
"Whoever it is, I pray death finds them before the Commander does."
She could only stare at her Father, speechless.
Why did that statement scare her?

            Diane nodded slightly, turned around with an unpleasant ache in her chest and walked away from her Father. She was nervous now. She had to be extra careful now that all eyes will be on the look out for the mole.

           A picture of the immerse disappointment and shame on her Father's face when she's eventually revealed to be the traitor flashed across her mind for a second. No! She couldn't let that happen. Calm down, Diane. They won't ever figure it out. She found a secluded spot, reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.

"Was wondering when you'd call." Shadow's voice sounded on the other end.
"The Commander will be present for the peace meeting."
"You're sure there's nothing to it."
"No. If there was, my father would have told me. I might not be able to get to you until after tomorrow."
"Something wrong?"
"They suspect a mole. I have to be extra careful now."
"I would hate for you to get caught. You're my biggest asset yet. So take all the time you want."
Biggest asset.

             How sad it was that she gets to hear uplifting things like this from crooked individuals whereas her own family....but all the same.

"Thank you."
"What's really in it for tomorrow, Major?"
Diane let out a rather sadistic smile. "Tomorrow is the day, the General loses his son. Tomorrow is the day, the nation loses a leader. Tomorrow is the day the Commander doesn't return home. Tomorrow is the day, I kill Russo Montero."