Chapter Twenty One #2
Wow, they really had come a long way. Dex was a great team leader and hell; he may even be able to take over the reins at Onyx when the time came.
“Tell Donnie to get his psych done. I’ll give Claire a heads up. I’ll decide once I see that report.”
“Are we going to tell him about Charlie?”
“Yes. But not yet. Let’s keep that list of names to ourselves until I hear from Washington that we’re good to go. Right now, the embassy is secure.”
Dex frowned. “I don’t like holding this back from him.”
“Tough. That’s an order.”
***
CHARLIE BUSIED HERSELF shredding confidential information, trying to ignore the shouts and taunting from the protesters outside the embassy. When she had arrived, there had been a handful of them, but over the past week, the number had increased steadily, and they were getting angrier.
Ambassador Clarkson had met with Daram’s current prime minster and his officials yesterday at his palace, but the talks had broken down.
There was talk of a rebel group threatening to take over and their government was more determined to fight to the death so they could claim victory.
The ambassador was currently on a call with Washington, and Charlie suspected they would evacuate.
They had been working on cleaning house all week, anticipating leaving.
It was so sad. Some great work had been done in this country. The embassy had assisted in building a hospital, planting crops, and providing aid. Now it looked like that might all be destroyed by yet another war.
Would the US step in to try and stop it? As she mindlessly shredded papers, she thought of Donnie. Would his special team be involved in something like that?
Donnie. Her days had been so busy she didn’t have much time to think about him.
But at night, he was all she could think about.
Cellphone service had major issues here and right now, they were using satellite phones to make most of their calls.
They had been asked to limit personal calls. She had only called Maddie once.
The first few nights, she had cried herself to sleep.
Convinced she was to blame for Nate’s death because she asked Donnie to come to the house that night.
Maddie had been quick to tell her it wasn't anyone’s fault.
What happened was an accident, pure and simple.
She didn't see it that way. The fact remained if Charlie hadn’t asked Donnie to come, and if Donnie hadn't decided to cancel his plans, then Nate might still be here.
She was numb, unsure if she was angry, upset, ashamed or just plain sad. At least now, she understood why Donnie had left. A part of her ached for how Donnie had been carrying this guilt for ten years. Alone.
Where did that leave her and Donnie? She had no idea.
She loved him. He made her feel like the most beautiful, cherished woman in the world.
He was brave and kind. He was funny and serious.
He was her high school crush and the man of her dreams. She thought maybe they had a future.
But this admission had put a dark cloud over everything, and she wasn’t sure they could get past it. Not this time.
When she got back, she planned to tell her parents. She couldn't keep this from them. She had no idea how they would react, but she couldn’t keep this to herself. They had a right to know what really happened that night.
“Charlie?”
“Yes?” Charlie spun around at Ambassador Clarkson’s voice.
“Can you call everyone together; I need to make an announcement.”
“Of course. We’re leaving?”
The ambassador nodded sadly. “It’s getting too dangerous to stay. They’re sending a plane. The Marines will help us evacuate and another team are coming to ensure we get home safely.”
“You did everything you could.” Charlie said. The ambassador had worked so hard, it was understandable that she would be upset that it had come to this.
“It wasn’t enough. Anyway, our military escort should be here within twenty-four hours, so we don’t have much time.”
“Understood. I’ll gather everyone together.”
After the ambassador made the announcement, it was all hands on deck to ensure anything confidential was destroyed. Charlie had never been evacuated before and the realization was beginning to hit home. The crowd outside were angry, chanting.
“Americans go home.”
Just a little longer, and they would get their wish. She was ready to go home.
***
“WHEELS UP IN SIXTY minutes.” Sam entered the war room.
Donnie had just got back from his psych evaluation with Claire. He wasn't expecting to be allowed to spin up. But he hoped to be with the intel team here on the ground.
“We’ll be hitting the ground hot. The protesters are getting agitated, so your primary concern is to get all staff securely to the plane. Marines will get them loaded on the bus, you will provide the escort, and Nyx will be on oversight as planned.”
“Why are they so focused on the embassy? I thought the idea was to attack their own government?” Dex asked.
“There are protesters there, too,” Kelly answered. “Some people feel we could have done more and they’re angry. Then there's Reborn. It’s possible they might attack the embassy to make a point. We all know how anti-American they are. Reborn soldiers could be in the crowd.”
“We should have evacuated sooner,” Tyler said.
“I don't disagree, but it wasn’t our call,” Sam replied.
“We secure the embassy staff, then what?” Steve asked.
“We assess the situation. If Reborn are making a move, we will be stopping them.”
That was what everyone wanted to hear and, damn, Donnie desperately wanted to be there. He had some unfinished business with those guys.
“Suit up, guys.” Sam said. “Donnie, Dex, my office.”
Dex closed the door and Sam handed him a folder. Dex glanced over the document inside and looked back at Sam with a nod. What the fuck was going on here?
“You aced your psych eval,” Sam said.
“Didn’t realize it was a test?” Donnie asked surprised.
“It wasn't, but I needed to know where your head is at for this op.”
“I’m good. I’ll do whatever I can to assist.”
“You’re cleared to operate on paper,” Dex said.
On paper? What the fuck did that mean?
“So, does that mean I’m going with the team?” he asked hopefully.
“That depends on how you react when I tell you the next piece of news,” Sam said, picking up another folder.
Donnie was lost. He took the folder, opened it, reading the title of the document enclosed.
Daram Embassy Staff List.
He looked between his captain and team leader. “What am I missing here?”
“Look at the last name on the list,” Dex said.
Donnie scanned the list and stopped breathing.
No, no, no! Charlie was in Daram? Tearing his eyes from the paper, he looked at Sam.
He was screaming inside, ready to punch a wall and run to the plane to get to Daram as fast as he could.
Now he understood about the psych eval and this conversation.
He held it together because if he couldn't show he was calm, he would be staying at the Farm.
There was no way in hell he was letting that happen.
“I’m good to go,” he said calmly. “Let me go.”
“Ms. Weston is one of fifteen Americans that need evacuating. I don’t need to know exactly what your relationship is with her, but I do need to know that it won't distract you from doing your job and obeying your team leader.”
“It won't, sir. I swear. Of course, I want to get her out of there and I will, together with every other American.”
What if Sam said no? Donnie couldn’t stay here knowing Charlie was in Daram. Knowing Reborn soldiers were likely among the protesters outside. Knowing what they might do to her if they decided to take hostages. They needed to be airborne now.
Sam looked at Dex. “Your call.”
Dex looked surprised a moment, then nodded.
“Donnie, I trust you meant what you just said. We will bring Charlie home, but there are fourteen other people. You may not be able to stay by her side. You may not even get to see her. If you come with the team, I need you with the team. Twelve of us against Reborn is already going to be a challenge. Secure the embassy first, but then your head needs to be right to finish the job.”
“It will be. I want those guys as much as anyone.”
“Ryan will take lead sniper.”
“Understood.” He accepted he wasn’t ready. He hadn’t even picked up his rifle since returning.
“You sure?” Sam said to Dex.
“Yeah. I’m sure. We go as a full team to take these fuckers down.”
“I will not let you down.” Donnie spoke as calmly as possible despite every muscle in his body tensing. Charlie was in the middle of what was about to be a war zone.
“Better not. Or you might find yourself on permanent desk duty,” Sam said with no humor in his voice.
“Understood, sir.”
“Alright then, let’s not waste any more time.”
***
CHARLIE SCREAMED WHEN the first explosion erupted outside the embassy gates.
As she peered out the window, the US Marines were doing their best to keep out the protesters.
The crowd had grown again, and some were now armed with what looked like little bottles on fire and were throwing them over the gate.
Others were trying to climb the gate and walls to get inside.
Things were getting out of hand and fast.
“We need everyone together in the foyer now!” a marine shouted.
Charlie did as she was told, not even stopping to get her purse. She looked around for Ambassador Clarkson but couldn't see her. As they gathered in the foyer, she counted. Fourteen. Ambassador Clarkson was missing.
“The ambassador, she’s not here,” she said to the marine.
The soldier nodded at two others and they took off.
“Don’t worry, ma'am. We'll find her.” He turned and addressed everyone in the room. “Things are getting a little heated outside. I need you all to stay here, so we know where you are. You are safe. This is just a precaution.” His words did not do much to reassure Charlie.