Chapter 26
That evening I met the team out on the beach for dinner. I noticed Admiral Thompson had arrived early and was sitting at a table with the other instructors. When he noticed me, he nodded his head in my direction. Natalia was sitting with Maurice and Nick talking by the fire. I walked over to the buffet food table and got some salad and a cheeseburger. I sat next to Chase and Vince.
“Hey Jason,” Chase said.
“Hey guys. Y’all ready for tomorrow?”
“Have you got a plan Jason?” Vince asked.
“I think it’s best for us to use our instincts and follow our training. Let’s just see what Admiral Thompson has in store for us.”
“Something doesn’t feel right about this place Jason. This is not what my dad and uncles went through when they had their training.” Chase said.
“I agree with Chase mate. We are headed into troubled waters,” Vince said.
“Well y’all know this isn’t a traditional unit we are in, right? As long as we support each other, everything will be fine. Did both of you get your digital trackers installed by Mr. Ketch?”
“Yes, he came to my room earlier,” Vince said.
“Yes, I got mine. That guy is weird,” Chase stated.
“That’s the feeling I got from him as well, we need to keep an eye on him.” I said.
Admiral Jacobson came over to our table. We all stood up to salute him.
“At ease gentlemen. This is a more informal atmosphere. Jason, Chase and Vincent. I have heard a lot about you all.”
“I prefer Vince mate. Only me mum calls me Vincent.”
“Excuse my English friend Admiral.”
Chase looked on and showed a little smirk on his face.
“I didn’t mean to offend you Vince. Are you all ready for tomorrow?”
“As ready as we will ever be sir,” Chase said.
“Well we start at 0500. So, goodnight gentlemen.”
“Good night, sir,” I said.
Chase and Vince went off to their rooms. Everyone left the beach for the night except Natalia and I. I walked over to talk to Natalia, but I could see Admiral Thompson and Jacobson watching us from the villa window.
“Hey baby, you look gorgeous.”
“Thanks baby. You know I only want to look good for you,” Natalia said.
“Well, you ready to lead your team tomorrow baby?”
“Yes of course, you know I can handle Maurice, and Nick is awesome.”
“Well I wanna come to your room tonight. I think I can avoid the cameras. I wanna be with you Natalia and I’m willing to risk it if you are.”
“Okay, I’m going back to my room now. I will leave the door unlocked.”
I watched Natalia and she walked up the beach. I loved how her wavy hair blew in the wind as her short black mini dress hugged her gorgeous curves. I took a moment and sat down on the sand and watched the waves. I thought about my journey ahead with the team. The waves washed up on the beach and washed slightly over my bare feet. I reflected on what Ryan and Brooklyn were doing right now. I missed my family already. I was hoping I had the strength to
get through the training I was facing ahead. I walked into the villa and said goodnight to Admiral Jacobson and Thompson as they both sat by the fireplace smoking cigars. As I walked up to my bedroom door I waved my wrist in front of the electronic panel on the door which recognized my tracker “WELCOME MR. ARMELL” the computerized voice said.
I walked into my room which was dimly lit. As I looked in the corner I saw a person sitting in the chair in the corner of the room. As I turned on the light I saw Mr. Ketch.
“Good evening, Mr. Armell.”
“Good evening, Mr. Ketch.”
“I’m here Mr. Armell, to let you know what some of my roles are here at the compound. My job is to maintain the integrity of the program and the team. We have big plans for you all. Don’t even think about sneaking out of here tonight to see Natalia. Your access to that side of the compound has been suspended.”
“I don’t know how this concerns you, Mr. Ketch. Natalia and I are just friends. I told Admiral Thompson I would end the relationship, but of course you caught us earlier, so you know I haven’t done that yet.”
Mr. Ketch walked over to me and stood in my face and whispered.
“Keep your dick in your pants Mr. Armell. It’s for your own good. Good night.”
Mr. Ketch left and the door locked behind him. I tried the door but it wouldn’t open. At that moment I realized how serious this situation was for us all. By now I’m sure Mr. Ketch had told Admiral Thompson about catching Natalia and I making out. What was Natalia gonna think when I didn’t come to her room tonight? I was hoping she would understand. Morning came quickly. I was up early. A tray of food was next to my bed. I didn’t even hear anyone come in my room. I sat up and ate and then got a shower and got dressed. I went to my room door to open it and I was surprised to see it was unlocked. As I walked out of my room Chase was coming out of his.
“Good morning, Chase. You ready to go?”
“Of course. Did you notice our doors were locked from the outside last night?”
“Yes. I was gonna go see Natalia in her room last night, but Mr. Ketch paid me a visit. When he left I noticed the door was locked?”
“This place is crazy man. What the HELL has my family got me into? This is more than I bargained for,” Chase said.
“I hear you man. I’m already thinking about how this is all gonna play out and we all get out of this alive. Come on let’s go, training is starting in 5 minutes.”
Chase and I met Vince in the living room and we walked over to the training facility on the north side of the compound. As we walked in, Admiral Jacobson was waiting for us.
“Good morning, gentlemen. You are about to start the most intense training on the planet. Natalia, Nick and Maurice will train with Admiral Thompson for the next two weeks at our second training facility. You three will then be reunited with them at that time. The purpose of separating you is to teach you to complete missions even if you become separated during combat. You will only have yourself, your training and hopefully your team members to assist you in making it home from your missions. You will be sent out to either kill or capture our country’s most deadly enemies. Some of our enemies range from drug lords, human traffickers, foreign diplomats, assassins and the worst of the worst. From this facility you will be sent on training missions to see how you and the team respond to highly stressful situations and adapt to those situations. Are there any questions?”
“Yes, Admiral, so the rest of the team will be secluded away from us for two weeks?”
“Yes, Jason, they will be getting the same training over there. After the two weeks you all will be able to come back together and work together. Today you all will work with Sergeant Gunner with weapons training. At the end of your twelve week training program here you will all be expected to be at sniper levels.”
“Hello, gentlemen. Are we ready?” said Sergeant Gunner.
Immediately Chase straightened up and shouted, “YES SIR!”