“Captain Smith?” one of them asked. I nodded as he offered his hand. “Commander Jenkinson. You’ll be flying with us. Jones explain much?”
“The basics. Suggested we’re going to an undisclosed location.”
“Given that you’re here now, I can tell you where. We have a training facility in Montana in the good old USA, far away from the prying eyes of the world. The man in charge is waiting for your arrival. We won’t be taking a direct route. From here it’s to Germany, after which you’ll be taken across the Atlantic. We’ll land, refuel, then we’ll be heading towards the north-west for the final leg. You’ll be flying comfortably at least. It’ll be the last you’ll have in a while.”
“Am I the only one?” I wondered.
“You’re one of a dozen recruits, drawn from allied nations across the world.”
“This is where our brief partnership ends, Nate,” Jones said, offering his hand, “Glad you joined me outside.”
I shook his hand. “Thanks.”
“If you’d like to board, Captain, we’ll get this show on the road.”
At least the seat was comfortable and a rather pretty dark haired stewardess offered me a drink before take-off. Once we were in the air, I took off my beret and looked at it, left wondering if I’d ever wear the uniform again. Jenkinson walked out of the cockpit once we were cruising, noticing what I was staring at. “Regrets?” he wondered.
“Too late for them now, but no. Not sure if I’m excited, nervous and just wondering what the hell I’m doing.”
“Not the first, won’t be the last,” he said, taking a seat in the chair next to me over the narrow aisle. “So I’m assuming Jones told you about what would happen.” He opened the folder and handed me something. “This will be in most major newspapers in the UK and Australia tomorrow.” It was a newspaper headline.
‘HERO MARINE SACRIFICES LIFE TO SAVE SQUADMATES’.
“Figured it would give your family at least some comfort to know you died on good terms. Guess most want to go out in some vague form of heroic action. The men under your command will be briefed by close of play today.” I handed it back. “I know that makes it real, Nate. Take some time to process it.”
“It’s to keep my family safe, right?”
“Yes. If our enemies discover who you are, they have shown before to have no problem attacking all those you hold dear.”
“Makes sense.”
“I’m sure you have a million questions. The one thing I can suggest is relax, get some shut eye later once we’re heading across the Atlantic. Everything on your mind will be answered on arrival. You want a drink, food, whatever, Jennifer here will look after you the entire way.” She appeared with another drink for me, a bottle of water for him. “Before you ask, she works for us. She’s just posing as a stewardess to make you comfortable.”
“Can she kill me a dozen different ways with her bare hands?”
“Two dozen, actually,” she said with humour. I met her eyes and she smiled. She was rather attractive. “Think you’re the first Royal Marine I’ve met though. Read what you go through just to make it. Even tougher for an officer. Guess you arrive with a reputation.”
“Guess it means diddly squat upon arrival though, right?”
“Not necessarily,” Jenkinson replied, “You’ve been chosen for a reason. We know what you’re capable of. We’re simply going to enhance your capabilities while adding some new talents.”
He returned to the cockpit as Jennifer sat opposite me. Couldn’t help gazing at her legs, wearing dark blue stockings. Her uniform of the same colour reminded me of those worn on regular passenger aircraft. She noticed me looking and smiled. “Sorry. Been a few months since I saw a woman, or at least, a woman like you.” I groaned, resting my head back. “God, that sounds even worse.”
“I’ll take the compliment, Nate.” I returned the grin at the use of my name.
“Nate… Nathan… Won’t be hearing that much longer.”
“Jennifer obviously isn’t the name I was given by my parents. What you’ll find is that your initials remain the same though.” She leaned forward and patted my knee. “Just sit back and relax. The jet we’re taking over the Atlantic is larger. You’ll have time to get some proper shut-eye.”
“Same crew?”
Another smile. “I’m escorting you all the way with those two troublemakers up front.”
“Care to join me for a drink? Been a while since I had some…” I sighed. “God, I can’t think of any way to say anything without it sounding like a chat up line. I have been deployed far too long, far too many times by now.”
She took off her hat, shaking her raven coloured hair free. Made her even prettier. “I’ll go grab a bottle or two. What’s your preferred tipple?”
“Bourbon.”
She returned with two glasses, offering one to me before sitting opposite again, nursing her own. I didn’t ogle her, but I definitely looked her up and down. She smiled at my obvious interest. Dark, almost black hair. A pair of gorgeous blue eyes. Face was just… perfect, to be honest. I was trying to figure out her nationality. Her accent gave nothing away. “You know all about me, I suppose?” I asked.
“Of course, Nate. We will be working closely together, should you become an agent, that is.”
“How do you mean?”
“I will be your lone contact except for direct communication from the Director. Each Field Agent has a dedicated operative. I will need to watch and learn how you operate. Though you will be trained, it is still expected that you will operate in the field how you see fit, at least within the mission parameters and objectives. Therefore, I will need to learn how you think and ensure you always have whatever you need at hand.”
“Interesting. Guess it’s to keep us both safe?”
“Correct. Though I am fully trained, I am not a Field Agent. I’m better at organisation and ensuring that you remain alive, no matter where you are in the world. I’ll never be more than a phone call away.”
“Can I ask your story?”
She smiled, making sure our glasses were topped up first, before she leaned back. “I’m a little older than you, Nate.”
“So?”
“Just wondering if you’re getting the wrong idea about us working closely together. Or maybe it’s the right idea?”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “I wouldn’t say no. I’m trying to figure out where you’re from?”
“Germany.” That had me raising eyebrows. “I worked for the Bundespolizei before switching to the Bundesnach… er, the BND, in English, the Federal Intelligence Service. Must have impressed the right people there as I was recruited with this lot seven years ago.”
“Never been a Field Agent?”
“No. Had all the training, but the Director recognised my strengths and talents lay elsewhere.” She sipped at her bourbon. “I can’t answer too much about the role. Well, I can, but everything will be explained when we arrive. For now, it’s best you just relax. We’ll be switching planes in Germany. You’ll have a chance to get some sleep and hopefully arrive refreshed.”
“Any chance of some company?” The question made her laugh, thankfully seeing my humour in a direct question. “Can’t blame a man for trying. As I said, it’s been a few months being surrounded only by men and I don’t swing that way.”
“I’ll ask if you can at least have a shower when we land in Germany.”
“As hot as possible. I’m sure I have a month’s worth of sand stuck up my arse.” Taking a sip of my drink, I considered her again, noticing her gaze back at me. The longer I looked, the prettier she got. “Any chance I could know your birth name?”
She smiled. “Julia. Don’t tell anyone.”
Making a zipping motion across my mouth, I said, “My lips are sealed.”
We enjoyed a couple of drinks and definitely some light flirting. I had a feeling she’d been chosen for that particular reason, someone aware that I’d find her attractive. Then again, I’d find any woman attractive after months in the desert. Still, in the back of my mind was the fact everyone would now think and believe I was dead. It must have passed over my face more than once as Jennifer eventually leaned forward, resting a hand on my knee.
“It gets easier over time,” she said softly.
“It’s just that I couldn’t tell anyone. I understand why, it’s to keep them safe as I can only assume I’m going to be neck-deep in shit at times, but…”
“I was an only child, Nate. Unmarried. No children. You’re single, despite certain dalliances you might have enjoyed.” I met her eyes at that. “They were your cousins. No-one cares about that. But people like you and me, we’re the perfect recruits. We can walk away from our old lives, and while they will be saddened to believe you’re dead, they will be safe and you can operate with a clear mind.”
“And conscience?”
“It gets easier. My parents have passed, Nate. I couldn’t even attend their funerals.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. The Director was polite enough to inform me each time and gave me time to grieve. He knows that, despite everything, we miss those closest to us. We just have to compartmentalise it within our minds. Best thing to do is keep yourself busy, even when not on assignment.”
Landing somewhere in Germany, the jet ended up in an isolated area of the airport. I was escorted by Jennifer to a building where I could at least have a hot shower and changed into more comfortable clothing. She was waiting for me as I stepped out of the bathroom, giving me a once over. What I didn’t expect was for to her step forward and kiss me. And it was one hell of a kiss, eventually ending up with her pressed against the wall, my hands all over her body, tongue exploring her mouth, smiling as she released a small whimper as I pressed into her.
Pulling apart, I had to swallow and take a deep breath. “So… We’ll be working closely together?” I whispered.
“I’m going to have to thank the Director for this assignment,” she whispered back, “One thing. They can’t know. Relationships are obviously frowned upon. Though if it’s just sex…”
“I can do just sex.”
“I do have the unfair advantage of knowing nearly everything about you, Nate. We might have to rectify that during our flight over the Atlantic, when you’re not sleeping, that is.”
“Where will you be?”
“Well, I was hoping for an invite into the same bed.” I raised an eyebrow at her honesty. “I had your file and your picture. Now that I’ve actually met you…”