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FREDDIE “KRUGER” MACK maneuvered his GMC Yukon Denali down the winding dirt road lined by trees on both sides. His GPS had long since given up trying to find the address, dropping him off at the end of the main highway where it turned into loose gravel.
He followed the gravel road until it stopped at a metal gate with a call box. He lowered his window and pressed the button marked simply “2” and waited for a response. After a few seconds, the call box buzzed and a red light on the attached camera illuminated.
“It’s me,” Kruger stated as he looked directly into the camera.
Without a word, the gate opened. Kruger drove over the cattle guard and continued down the driveway past a log cabin. A dirt road beyond the cabin appeared to be freshly graded. After a few hundred feet, the dirt road turned into a concrete driveway that led to a much more modern home.
Kruger parked his SUV behind a three-quarter-ton diesel pick-up truck and killed the engine. He took a deep breath as he stared at the newly built home, wondering if he was sentencing its owner to death after being out of the game for so long. He had been struggling with what he would say since leaving Virginia. He hated to show up under these circumstances, but they were truly out of options.
He shook off his doubts and exited his truck as the front door of the house opened. A blonde woman emerged, holding the hand of a toddler with light brown hair and bright blue eyes.
“Kruger! You’re early! It’s good to see you again,” she said as she picked up the boy. “How have you been?”
Kruger frowned and then asked, “Is Spectre here?”
“He went with Bear to pick up some steaks. He said he’d be back before you arrived, but you’re a little early. Is everything okay?”
Kruger forced a half grin as he walked toward her. “Sorry, just a long day. Thanks for having me. It’s good to see you too, Michelle.”
The wife of Cal “Spectre” Martin, Michelle Decker Martin was a former FBI agent and prosecutor. Together, she and Spectre had helped take down a corrupt and despotic U.S. Vice President, and more recently had helped stop a group of billionaires from destroying Western civilization. They had worked with Kruger and his team, but had since retired to the quiet life in rural Louisiana.
“Will Jenny or that other pilot be joining us?” Decker asked, referring to Darlene “Jenny” Craig, a former pilot with the top-secret organization known as Project Archangel, but who now worked for Kruger.
“Just me,” Kruger said gruffly.
“Well, come on in,” Michelle said, motioning for him to come inside. She gave him a hug as he reached the doorway and then ushered him in. Their German Shepherd named Zeus briefly sniffed Kruger and then followed them into the living room.
“Nice house,” Kruger said.
“Thanks, although not as nice as yours,” Michelle said with a grin.
“I’m only in it for work,” Kruger replied.
“What group are you working with these days?”
“Maybe it’s best to wait until Spectre gets here and then I’ll explain everything,” Kruger said.
“Is that why you’re here today?” Michelle asked as she put Cal Jr. down and handed him one of his toys.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Kruger said.
“Does Cal know?”
“What did he tell you?” Kruger asked.
“That you called from out of nowhere and said you needed to talk to him,” Michelle said.
“That’s about all he knows,” Kruger said. “I wanted to speak to him in person.”
Michelle turned and squared off with Kruger. “What’s with all the secrecy?”
“You know the drill, Michelle,” Kruger said. “Everything I do is classified at some level.”
“Yes, I know the drill, and that’s what I’m afraid of,” Michelle replied. “It’s been – what – a year since Helios?”
“Sixteen months.”
“So, almost a year and a half. Which, by the way, caused my husband to lose his job, nearly die, and almost attempt a Presidential assassination...but who’s counting?”
“I’m sorry,” Kruger said. “If there were any other way, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
“You saved our lives, and for that we are truly grateful. But please...please don’t drag him back into that life.”
“I’ll explain everything as soon as he gets here,” Kruger said softly.
“You sound just like Lyons,” Michelle replied.
“I guess it comes with the territory,” Kruger said.
Michelle sighed softly. “Make yourself at home. I need to go see about the baked potatoes,” she said as she turned and walked into the kitchen.
Kruger sat down on the couch in the living area. He noticed a lone book on the coffee table and picked it up.
“Instant Justice by Cliff Hanger,” he said to himself as he studied the cover.
Kruger was flipping through the pages when the door opened. Spectre and his long-time mentor “Bear” Jennings entered carrying groceries. Kruger put the book back on the coffee table and stood to meet them.
“Kruger! Good to see you, buddy,” Spectre said with a smile. “I see you found my book.”
“Cliff Hanger?” Kruger asked as he picked the book back up.
“Much catchier than Cal Martin, don’t you think?” Spectre asked with a grin as he continued into the kitchen to deliver the groceries.
“A former fighter pilot must take down a top-secret organization hell-bent on world domination with the help of a few unlikely friends,” Kruger said, reading the back cover. “Is this about you?”
Spectre placed the bags on one of the kitchen countertops and headed back into the living room to greet Kruger. “No. Why does everyone always think that?”
“I don’t know, bub,” Kruger said as he shook Spectre’s hand. “Maybe because that’s exactly what happened?”
Spectre shook his head and laughed dismissively. “It’s 100% fiction. Trust me.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Kruger said as he turned to shake Bear’s hand. “Good to see you, Mr. Jennings.”
Bear frowned as he shook the red-bearded operator’s hand. “I have a feeling I can’t say the same about seeing you. Cal told me you called from out of nowhere and needed to see him.”
“I promise, I will explain everything,” Kruger said.
“How about now?” Michelle asked, returning from the kitchen.
“Fair enough,” Kruger said.
Spectre picked up Cal Jr. as they took their seats around the coffee table in the living room.
“Two weeks ago, a high level North Korean scientist named Jon Chang-Ha killed himself after being discovered during an escape attempt. He was the number two man in their nuclear program, specializing specifically in their EMP technology,” Kruger began.
“Killed himself or was killed?” Michelle asked.
“Based on what we know, he killed himself,” Kruger replied.
“Was he defecting?” Bear asked.
“It’s highly classified and I can go to jail for telling you this outside of a vault, but yes, he was working with a team out of Langley,” Kruger said.
“What does that have to do with us?” Michelle asked impatiently.
“Despite his death, we were still able to pull intel off a thumb drive he left in a dead drop for us. Without going into too many details, we learned that an attack on mainland U.S. is imminent.”
“It’s been imminent for months now, hasn’t it?” Bear asked. “Or is that just smoke and mirrors from the CIA?”
“This is a no-shitter, bub. The thumb drive verified that they have the technology in place to pull it off right now.”
“What kind of attack are we talking about?” Spectre asked.
“Multiple ICBMs fitted with EMPs that could take out everything west of the Mississippi River,” Kruger replied.
“So, you go in and take them out. You have guys – like yourself – trained to do just that. Besides, that country would cease to exist within minutes of launching anything at the U.S.,” Bear argued.
“Well, we have a plan, which is why I’m here,” Kruger said before turning to Spectre. “I need your help one last time, bub.”
“Dude, come on,” Spectre replied. “I have one kidney, remember? I’m no operator. Never have been. I write books and take care of my family, which is all I want to do now. I’m finally happy.”
Michelle grabbed Spectre’s hand and squeezed it as she glared at Kruger.
“I get that, bub. I really do. But I wouldn’t have come here today if there were any other way. You have a firsthand experience that no one else in the world has. And to be honest, you’re the only person I know I can trust for something this critical,” Kruger argued.
“I’m sorry, but my answer is no,” Spectre replied. “I’ve given enough for my country. It’s time for someone else to pick up the torch. My son is my future.”
“Even if it jeopardizes your son’s future?” Kruger asked. “We’re not talking a minor inconvenience if they do this. It’s the end of modern civilization in the United States as we know it, and probably the end of this country.”
“We’ve been long overdue for a good flush of that toilet bowl in Washington anyway,” Bear interjected. “We’ll be fine out here. We can fend for ourselves.”
“There’s a war brewing. The only question is whether we fight it here or there. But rest assured, you will fight it, one way or another. Even if that means fighting until your last bullet here,” Kruger answered.
“So be it,” Bear said as he folded his arms and sat back in the recliner. “Molon Labe.”
“You really think the threat is that real?” Spectre asked.
“Again, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” Kruger said. “Look, I’m not asking you to be a door kicker. I just need your expertise and your critical thinking skills. I need the mind that came up with that tactical plan you executed in Cuba.”
“Cuba?” Spectre yelped. “What does this have to do with Cuba?”
“With limited numbers and relatively little firepower, you infiltrated a foreign country and recovered a prisoner and a fighter jet,” Kruger said. “I need that kind of thinking.”
“I don’t know...” Spectre said.
“$10 million dollars,” Kruger said. “Wired directly to your account. Tax free.”
“From who?” Michelle asked.
“Doesn’t matter. You’ll get ten million and the peace of mind knowing that Cal Jr. will grow up with a chance at a decent future.”
“What good is the money if Cal Jr. grows up without a father?” Spectre asked. “Trust me, I did that. It sucks – even with a good father figure in your life. It’s just not the same.”
“Like I said, I’m not asking you to be a door kicker. I just need your outside-the-box thinking,” Kruger replied.
“So, he only does the planning?” Michelle asked.
“And the training and minimal support,” Kruger replied. “That’s it. I wish I could explain more, but it’s really sensitive and highly classified. I’ve already said way more than I should.”
“Ten million dollars to train someone else?” Spectre asked incredulously.
Kruger nodded. “It’s that serious, bub.”
Michelle and Spectre exchanged a look. Michelle nodded slowly as Spectre kissed Cal Jr.’s forehead.
“When do you need an answer?”
Kruger looked at his watch. “Twenty minutes ago.”
“Typical government bullshit, always waiting until the last minute,” Bear said.
“Bear, what do you think?” Spectre asked. “Seriously.”
Bear eyed Kruger. “You two have been through the shit together. If it were any other worthless government shill, I’d say hell no. Even knowing the stakes, I don’t think you should do it. But, I know you, Cal. If you don’t go, you’re going to let it eat at you. And ten million is ten million.”
“It’s not about the money,” Spectre replied.
“I know that, but it doesn’t hurt.”
“I’ll let you three talk it out,” Kruger said as he stood. “But this is time critical. I’ll need your decision by morning.”
“Wait, aren’t you going to stay for steaks?” Michelle asked.
“I’ll pass,” Kruger said. “I really need to get going. Call me when you make your decision, Spectre.