Chapter 20 #2
"If POTUS prioritizes it, yes," Gabby said. "But it'll be tight."
"He'll prioritize it," Jason said with certainty. "Once he understands what Darkwater is doing, he won't have a choice."
Jared spoke for the first time. "Public relations. How do we control the narrative?"
"Carefully," Jason said. "This needs to be framed as a law enforcement operation, not a corporate takeover. Guardian is acting under federal authority to shut down an illegal intelligence operation that threatens national security."
"Media will go crazy," Jared warned. "Private security company storms offshore platform. Arrests executives. Seizes assets. That's going to raise questions."
"Let them ask," Jason said. "We'll have answers. Documented evidence, testimony from Maggie Brooks, and proof of what Darkwater was really doing."
"What about Kestrel?" Charley asked. "Adrian Kestrel is the CEO, the face of Darkwater, but he's not on the platform."
"Correct. He's in Fort Myers, Florida," Max confirmed. "I've been tracking him. He has a residence there, along with an office and security detail."
"We need simultaneous takedown," Jacob said. "Hit the platform and Kestrel at the same time. Don't give him a chance to run or destroy evidence."
"Agreed," Jason said. "FBI can handle Kestrel. We'll coordinate with their Miami field office. Guardian takes the platform, while FBI takes Kestrel."
Ronan looked at the tactical display again. "Who's running command and control on the platform?"
"Reece," Jason said.
Jacob's eyebrows rose. "He’s good, but don’t you want one of us up on comms, too?"
"Yes, but as backup. He's been undercover on Darkwater.
He knows the platform better than anyone.
He's built relationships with security personnel.
He has tactical insight into what's blocked, what's clear, and what's a nightmare.
" Jason met his brother's eyes. "And he's capable of running the operation. "
Jacob considered that, then nodded. "All right. He's a damn good operator. If you think he can handle it, I’ll back him up.
"Thank you," Jason said.
"It’s what we do, Jace, as big as Guardian is, we’re family," Jacob said with a smile. He looked at Ronan. "You'll be his tactical liaison. Coordinate between teams on their channels, but Reece will be on the command and control freq. Make sure communication flows smoothly. I’ll take the God’s eye view and ensure we don’t have any other issues and coordinate any emergency responses not anticipated. "
Ronan nodded. "Understood."
Jason turned to the shadowed figure on the screen. "You're confident you can control platform systems during the operation?"
"Completely," Max said. "I've been inside their architecture with one of the lead programmers.
I know it better than most of their own people.
When Guardian moves, I'll lock down executive levels.
Disable security systems in key areas. Open doors where you need them.
Close doors where you don't. I'll make that platform yours. "
"What about communications?" Jacob asked. "Can you jam their ability to call for help?"
"Already handled," Max said. "When the operation starts, all outbound communications except Guardian frequencies will be blocked. They won't be able to call the Coast Guard, Navy, or anyone else. They'll be isolated."
"Good."
Jason surveyed the room. "Specialized equipment. What do we need?"
Jacob pulled up a list. "Submersibles. We have two available. RHIBs. We have six.”
“Wait, remind me what a RHIB is?” Gabby interjected.
“Rigid hull inflatable boat,” Charley said. “Have you been out of the field that long?”
Gabby scowled at her sister. “I never had a mission where I had to learn about boats. Now, if you want to talk about HALO jumps, I’m your girl.”
“Anyway,” Jacob continued, “We have all the breaching equipment we need. Flashbangs. Less than lethal munitions. Body armor. Night vision. Standard loadout for each operator."
"Medical?" Gabby asked.
"Two Mercy teams on standby with helicopter transport," Jacob said. "They come in once the platform is secure. Handle any casualties. Treat injured personnel from both sides."
"Prisoners?" Charley asked.
"Detention teams," Jared said. "They can fly in with or after the Mercy teams. We'll secure high-value targets first. Adrian Kestrel's executive staff.
If they can be flipped, good, but if not, the boss man says we have enough evidence that they were the people who ordered the hit on Maggie Brooks.
Everyone else gets processed based on their level of involvement. "
Jason brought up a list of names. "Known bad actors. Jonah Pike, director of strategic intelligence. He's the one who sent the message that lured Maggie to the maintenance bay. Primary target."
"Who else?" Gabby asked.
"Marta Voss, infrastructure specialist,” Jason said.
“Actually, she’s ex-SVR, Russian foreign intelligence. She's been covering tracks and helping all the executives operate in the shadows," Max said, adding information that Jason hadn’t had for this brief.
Jason pulled up more names. "Make sure that’s added into the brief for POTUS.”
“Already done,” Max said.
Jason nodded and continued. “Additional bad actors are Carson Phelps, senior VP of operations, and Adam Lewis, CFO. They're complicit even if they didn't pull the trigger."
"And Kestrel?" Jared asked.
"FBI takes him," Jason confirmed. "And we'll provide evidence. Testimony. Everything they need to make charges stick."
Jared leaned forward, “I’ll coordinate that with the FBI. Gabby, can you send me the legal brief?”
“As soon as it’s approved,” Gabby confirmed.
Charley made notes. "Charges will include conspiracy, attempted murder, corporate espionage, violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and possibly treason, depending on what the intelligence analysis shows. Are we sure we don’t want this to go to the council?"
"That depends. Will the charges stick?" Ronan asked.
"They'll stick," Max said with certainty. "We have digital evidence, witness testimony, and financial records. This isn't a gray area. These people committed serious crimes. Kestrel is not getting out of this, no matter how much money he has."
Jason checked the time. "All right. We brief POTUS in five hours and thirty-seven minutes.
Jacob, I need final team assignments ASAP.
Ronan, you're coordinating with the teams and Reece.
Make sure he has everything he needs. Gabby, start drafting legal documentation.
Executive orders. Arrest warrants. Everything we'll need for federal authorization. "
"On it," Gabby said.
"Charley, intelligence analysis. I need a full brief on Darkwater's client list and what information was compromised. State Department will want details."
"I'll have it ready," Charley confirmed.
"Jared, prepare press materials. We go public the moment the operation concludes. I want the narrative locked down before speculation starts. Let me know if anyone at the Bureau gives you a reason for concern."
"Understood."
Jason turned to the screen. "My friend, you're the linchpin of this entire operation. If platform systems aren't under your control when we hit, people die."
"They'll be under my control," Max said. "You have my word."
Jason believed him. Max had never failed Guardian.
"All right," Jason said. "This is happening. Tonight. Eight teams. Forty operators plus apprehension and Mercy teams. We take Darkwater. We shut down an intelligence operation that threatens international stability."
He looked around the table. "Questions?"
Silence.
"Then let's get to work."
The meeting broke. People moved immediately into action. Calls were made. Orders were issued. The machinery of Guardian Security shifted into operational mode.
Jason remained at the table, staring at the rotating image of the Darkwater platform.
Somewhere on that structure, his son was alone. Undercover and waiting for Guardian to arrive.