Call to Arms: Betrayed

The Mission

  General Westgate stood, a smile on his face. "Welcome, First Lt. Blackwell," he says as Alyssa shakes his hand.

Alyssa shakes Westgate's hand, noticing a tattoo on his wrist. She takes his arm and then rolls up his sleeve. A skull wearing a red beret was emblazed on his wrist. "Spetsnaz, right?" she asked as he nodded. "How do you know?" Westgate asked, a forced smile on his lips. "I majored in military history in college before I became a lawyer," she says as Westgate rolls down his sleeve. "Well, let's quit dawdling and get to the real point. First Lieutenant Blackwell, Captain Burkhart, say hello to Anthony Thompson, Lieutenant General," Westgate says as a tall man enters the room. "Captain Burkhart, lovely to meet you," he says as he looks at Alyssa. "And First Lieutenant Blackwell, lovely to meet you, too," he says as he kisses her hand. "Will you please tell them their mission?" Westgate asks as Thompson nods. "First Lt. Blackwell, Capt. Burkhart, you are being asked to provide protection for the United States president, Mr. Andrew Madison. He's flying to Russia to negotiate peace with the Ukranian and Russian presidents and he needs protection both flying to and during the peace conference. And as the members of the U.S. Army with the most experience in Russian territories, you two were the first we considered. You will be reward after the mission, of course," Anthony said as they both nodded. "I'm not doing it for the reward. I'm doing it cause it's my duty," Alyssa said as she stared at them both. "Of course, Blackwell. We just thought that since we're inconveniencing you, a reward was needed," Westgate said as Alyssa's eyes narrowed. "Where did you say you were from?" she asked as Westgate smiles. "Don't really know," he says as Alyssa nods. "Well, go get suited up and you can meet the president," Westgate said as Anthony took them to the locker room.

****Half an hour later****

"Wow, Alyssa. You've really grown," Jeremy said as he saw Alyssa take off her shirt. "Really? This is from suckling 3 kids," she said as she pointed at her bosom. "And yet you're thin as a twig," he says as she pulls on a shirt. "That's called I work out," she said as she pulled on a pair of pants and then a pair of black boots. "Can I ask you a question?" Alyssa asks as he nods. "Where do you think General Westgate comes from?" she asks as he looks at her oddly. "What do you mean?" Jeremy as Alyssa pulls at her uniform, trying to be comfortable. She pulls at her St. Christopher medal, uneasy. "He doesn't sound American. My husband knows a man, a business partner, who's from Murmansk, Russia. And Westgate sounds exactly like my husband's business partner," Alyssa said as she sighed. Jeremy quickly finished dressing and then laced up his boots. He stood and then pulled on a cap. Alyssa braided her hair and then pulled on her cap also. "Would it be so bad if he were from Russia? I mean, they're our biggest partner in trade and whatnot," he said as Alyssa sighed. "What if they start a war, what then? What'll we do then?" Alyssa asked as they walked out of the locker room. They walked into the mess hall and Alyssa sat. "Want some coffee?" Jeremy asks as Alyssa nods. He goes and gets a couple cups of black coffee and brings them to the table. He gives a cup to Alyssa and she takes a drink. "Blackwell! You''ve got a call!" a soldier calls as he gives her a cellphone. "Hello?" she asks. "Hey, mom," Charlie says as Alyssa smiles. "I just wanted to say bye. Sorry I didn't," he says as she smiles. "I love you, too, honey. Can you put your brother on?" she asks as Mark takes the phone. "I love you, mom! I'm sorry I didn't say bye!" he exclaims as Alyssa smiles. "It's okay, hon. You were busy and I left real quick. Just remember I love you. Tell your brother and sister, okay? Tell them I'll call you guys anytime I can when I'm deployed. I love you," she said as he chuckled. "I love you more," he said as she smiles. "I love you way more. I'll see you when I get back, bye," she said as she hung up. "I'm happy I'm not the only one who's not afraid to tell my kids I love them in public," a man said as Alyssa turned. "Mr. President?" she said, looking at the man oddly. "Yes, I am the United States President, Andrew Madison," he said, looking at both Alyssa and Jeremy. "Good to meet you, Mr. Burkhart, or should I say Capt. Burkhart? So good to meet you, sir," the president said as General Westgate walks in. "It's so good that you guys have met. So, shall we talk about the mission at hand?" he asked as the president nodded. "Of course, of course, but perhaps I should meet the people who will be guarding me on my trip to Russia?" the president says as he sits by Jeremy and Alyssa. Jeremy stands and shakes the president's hand. "Capt. Jeremy Burkhart. 8 years in Iraq and one of the people who was deployed to Pripyat in 2014," Jeremy said as the president nodded. "No more about you. I want to hear more about this lovely creature," the president said as he looked over at Alyssa. "First Lieutenant Alyssa Blackwell, born 1995 to Vietnam vet Marcus Blackwell and Rose Blackwell. My brother was Thomas Blackwell, Lieutenant Colonel, who served in Iraq for 6 years. He was KIA in 2013. And just to put it out there, I am happily married with 3 children to Marine Corps man Matthew St. Claire," she said as the president nodded. She shakes the president's hand and General Westgate clears his throat. "Well, I believe the plane is ready, so get your gear and load up for the mission," Westgate says as Alyssa and Jeremy walk out of the mess hall.

**Aboard the presidental plane**

While the president made himself comfortable, Alyssa and Jeremy load their gear into the top uppermost compartments and then sit. "Are you comfortable, Mr. President?" Jeremy asked. "Of course, Burkhart. I hope that this peace conference will bring an end to this fighting. I don't want another war to begin," President Madison said as Alyssa nods in agreement. "I agree with you, Mr. President. I do hope that this will go as you say it will," Alyssa said as the plane shook. "Sorry about that. We're experiencing a bit of turbulence," pilot said as the plane stopped shaking. Jeremy picked up a bottle of champagne and then looked at the label. "How about a toast to our success?" he asks as Alyssa sighs. "Jeremy, we're working. We need to stay focused in case we get attacked," Alyssa says as the president smiles. "I agree with Jeremy. Who would attack us?" President Madison asks as Alyssa sighs. "Maybe only a bit of it won't hurt,then," she says as Jeremy pops the cork. He pours a bit into three classes and then distributes them. "Nostrovia!" Jeremy says as they all drink. Alyssa notices an odd taste and then sits down her glass. "Does it taste a bit odd to you?" she asks as they both shake their heads. She finishes her glass and then sits the glass down again. Jeremy and President Madison soon finish off the bottle. Andrew yawns and then goes into the room that was onboard. "Blackwell? I'm a little sleepy. I'm gonna catch some zzz's," Jeremy said as he stretched out on a couch. He began snoring and Alyssa scoffed.

***Half an hour later***

Alyssa yawned, barely able to keep her eyes open. "Perhaps a little nap'll keep me awake," she thought as she lay on the other couch. She closed her eyes and then drifted into unconsciousness...

***In the cockpit***

The pilot put the plane on autopilot and then stood. He went into the president's cabin and then smiled. Andrew lay passed out on the bed. He went to the front cabin and his smile widened. Captain Burkhart was sprawled out on one of the couches. First Lieutenant Blackwell lay on the couch, laying like a body in a coffin. He turned on his phone and then dialed a number. "General Harkov, the eagles are sleeping and ready for movement," the pilot said as the man on the other line laughed. "Thank you, Petrov. I'll let the Executioner know," he said as the pilot hung up...

***Real suspenseful, right? What'll happen next? Read on to find out!***