The Pandora Effect Ch. 03

Carl Werner was the team's heavy weapons member, and he had a look on his face like a young child in a toy store at Christmas. On a long table to the right of him, lay an assortment of heavy caliber machine guns. Some of them had tripod bases but others had a heavy-duty sling for mobility. He slowly walked over to one he'd never seen before and ran his hand over it.

"I've never seen anything like this one, it kind of looks like the M249 SAW with a folding stock. What the hell is it?" Carl asked.

"You have good taste in hardware Carl. It's designated the MGX. The M249 is a great little weapon for small squads, but it fires the 5.56mm round and we wanted something with a little more punch. This one has been reconfigured to fire the standard NATO 7.62mm round."

Jake reached over to a shelf, pulled a large backpack down, and set it on the table. As he unzipped it, he pulled out a flexible feed chute and attached it to the MGX. "I hope you have strong shoulders Carl. This pack and feed chute allows the gunner to carry up to a thousand rounds but I wouldn't go full auto for any length of time. The SAW has a cyclic rate of about 775 rounds per minute, this baby will go 980."

Carl looked at him in shock. "At that rate, how the hell do you keep acquisition on target?"

Jake gave him a big smile and patted his shoulder. "Carefully, very carefully."

Bob Holiday was watching the team wonder around and checking different weapons. V-man was looking through the scope of a large .50 cal sniper rifle and smiling brightly. He then saw Kevin open a gun safe and peer inside. What he saw made him laugh, as he reached in and pulled a black Desert Eagle out. As soon as he picked it up, he knew this was no ordinary Eagle.

"Wow this is pretty light for Desert Eagle," he said as he palmed the .50 cal handgun.

"That's my favorite weapon in here. It's made of composite polymers but can stand up to the recoil of the larger round," he said as then looked over at John Balch.

"Hey GQ, do me a favor and put that steel plate over there down range. Then put that cantaloupe behind it."

"I wish people would stop calling me that. I liked it better when it was just Rookie," he mumbled as he grabbed the items.

Jake reached in, picked out a seven round magazine, and inserted it into the grip. He checked the safety and handed it to Kevin. "Go ahead and give the lady a dance."

Kevin walked up to the counter while peering down range. He knew the Eagle could produce a tremendous amount of noise, so he put on a pair of sound suppressors and shooting glasses. He looked to the left and right to ensure the area was clear, then clicked the safety off and pointed the weapon down range.

"Fire in the hole," he said and then squeezed the trigger.

As the round left the end of the polygonal rifled barrel, the Eagle jumped hard in Kevin's hand. He silently wondered what kind of round he just fired because a normal Desert Eagle didn't recoil as violently.

The half-inch steel plate toppled over and Kevin watched in awe as the cantaloupe exploded into small pieces. "Holy fucking shit!" Kevin said with a gasp.

"Yeah, pretty cool huh?" Jake said as he looked at the demolished fruit.

Kevin engaged the safety and opened the chamber. As the new round ejected, Kevin effortlessly caught the round in midair and stared at it. It looked like any normal .50 caliber round.

Jake reached in and retrieved the Eagle and the round from Kevin. "Sucker had a bigger kick, didn't it?"

"Damn Jake how much powder do you guys put in them?"

"Actually, the CIA had them custom made for us. They're made with depleted uranium like the tank killers on the A-10 Thunderbolt. Think about it, armor piercing rounds in a Desert Eagle."

Jake leaned in and whispered in Kevin's ear. "I call them – wolf killers," he said with a chuckle.

"All right everyone we have the range for two hours. Familiarize yourself with any of the new toys these guys have. John, you might want Jake to take you around and find out if they have any experimental medical gear you might want to play with."

"Aye, aye Chief," he replied as exited the room with Jake Newton.

**********

Kristine flipped through the files on the previous attempts to capture or kill the three tangos. All workups and insertions were flawless, and all ended with the same results – death. As she moved a strand of light brown hair out of her eyes, she began to worry that Adam had signed up for a suicide mission.

She laid the large folder on the table and rubbed her tired eyes. "Come on Kristine, think God damn it! There has to be a connection."

"Kristine, are you okay?" Garrett asked.

"Fuck no I'm not okay. None of this shit makes sense. The S.A.S went into Libya for what I can only assume was a preemptive strike before the tangos started the mission. Then you lose two teams only a hundred miles from each other. If they received the virus after the third team, do they stay or try to make it out of the country?"

"I'm just speculating here, but if it was me, I'd want to test it. Maybe they only got half of the canisters and are due the rest after verification?" Adam said.

"Even though they don't follow the standard procedures of any tangos I've ever hunted, it seems foolish to hang around after releasing that shit. Who in their right mind would hang around after the Pandora Effect kicked in? Those – things – wouldn't care who you were." Garrett said with a slight shudder as the thought of humans coming back from the dead.

Kristine suddenly looked up and stared at Garrett hard. "What did you just say?"

"What, those things wouldn't care who you were?"

"No before that Garrett."

"You mean about hanging around after the Pandora Effect kicked in?"

"Damn, that's it! That's our break right there!" Kristine screamed as she flipped quickly through the file, searching for something.

Garrett turned and leaned in to whisper something to Adam. "Tenacious little thing isn't she."

"You have no idea Garrett," Adam said with a small hint of pride.

Kristine found the information she wanted and quickly looked up with a smile. "Right here, this Major what's her face tried for years to expand the testing to a human subject. Every time her requests were denied at the highest levels of government. I'll bet she didn't tell Bashir about the Pandora Effect. She's not helping the fucking terrorists, she's using them to test the virus."

Garrett was astounded at her ability to go through a hundred pages of Intel and pick out one report to tie it all together. "After this is all over Kristine, how would like a job?"

"Trust me Garrett, after you get my bill for this job, you'll figure out you can't afford me," she snapped back and pick up the photos of the southern half of the Ukraine.

"How old are these photos Garrett?"

"Not sure down to the hour, but probably a week or so."

"Are there any satellites in the area?"

"Sure, we always have a bird around Sevastopol because of the Russian fleet stationed there."

"Adam, feel like going for a walk to the situation room?" she asked with a smile.

"Yeah I'd love to," he said. "Really, when did this become – her – team?"

**********

Bashir zipped up the duffle bag that concealed the canister containing half of the Pandora virus. After setting it in the corner, he walked over to the table and checked Mansur's travel documents. They were flawless and would pass any inspection in case the ship came under scrutiny by officials.

He tossed them back onto the table just as Mansur and Rashida entered the house. Rashida placed a full grocery bag down and began pulling the contents out. When she removed a large bottle of wine, Bashir looked at it and then back up at his mate.

"Why would you pick up a bottle of wine? You know how dangerous that is during the mission."

"I'm sorry my love, I just thought you and I could celebrate after the ship pulls out. It will be a great milestone for you," she replied as she cast her eyes down in a submissive nature.

"You're being a little over confident about the success. Mansur, are the mercenaries here yet? I want this to go over without any problems."

"It will Bashir. I've studied the control system and engineering. The mercenaries are traveling through the eastern side of the country and are due to arrive in the morning. The ship's Captain is the only one aware of us and said he was going to depart tomorrow night."

"Fine, but don't kill the crew until you've reached the Mediterranean. After that, trap the Captain in one of the holds and drop a vial inside to finish the job. After you set the ship on auto pilot, destroy the radio and controls then we'll meet you in Gibraltar."

"You still haven't told me what you want me to do with the mercenaries?"

"Tell them we'll pick them up as they approach the coast of the United States," Bashir said as he picked up a map of Western Europe.

"My love, I don't mean to sound out of line, but I thought we were going to Scotland? How will we pick them up near the coast?"

"We're not my lovely mate. For all I care they can rot in a cell in America, at least for a little while until the virus takes effect. Besides, the longer they stay on the ship; they will provide protection for the canister in case it's boarded."

Mansur stared at the team leader, he seemed confident about any retaliation. "Do you think it will be boarded?"

"No, for two reasons. I think they got the message from their last attempt. If they didn't, they don't have anyone smart enough to track us down now that we have the virus."

**********

As Kristine, Adam, and Garrett entered the dark room, Adam looked around on the back wall at the large screens. What he saw made him step back a bit, as the amount of information flashed before him. Two of the six screens had real time satellite images on them and the other four showed statistics of something Adam couldn't make out.

The three of them walked further into the room. Garrett studied the two new comers as they survived the room. He always took pleasure in seeing someone's face on their first visit to the classified room.

"Where in the hell did you guys get this shit?" Adam asked with awe.

"What, you didn't think a two hundred dollar hammer would go to waste, did you?" Garret said.

"Now that we've seen all the cool video equipment you have Garrett, can Mr. Pac-Man bring up Sevastopol now, or do I have to eat the fruit in the middle of the screen first?" Kristine asked.

The three of them strode over to where an operator was tuning in one of the satellite feeds. He studied the picture then looked down at the display information, as Garrett placed himself beside him. He knew he was the best control man in the room, so he chose Jack Richards to assist Kristine in her search.

"Jack, how's it going today?"

"Just fine Director Brown. The SX-171 seems a little touchy today for some reason, I constantly have to tweak it."

"If anyone can do it, you can Jack. How's the family doing these days? Your little girl has a birthday coming up soon doesn't she?"

"Not so little anymore Director. Angie's fourteen going on thirty if you know what I mean Sir."

"One of these days you have to invite me out for some of your wife's stew. I hear it's to die for."

"Anytime Sir, as long as you don't bring Director Eason with you."

"Jack, I brought some people down with me. I want you to meet Adam and Kristine. Kristine is helping me with the Intel on the three tangos we're after. You're the best I have down here and I want you to give her anything she asks for."

Jack was in his mid-thirties and happily married. When he turned to see who Garrett was talking about, he couldn't help but think he should have waited. The woman before him was stunning, even in the business pantsuit.

"Hello Ma'am, nice to meet you," he said as his voice cracked a bit.

"Nice to meet you too Jack. Maybe you should just call me Kristine. It seems you're having a hard time pronouncing Ma'am at the moment."

Adam couldn't help but laugh inside when other men meet his wife for the first time. He never really took any offense to their reactions. He remembered that fateful morning when he stepped out of the car in front of Predjama castle. When he first laid eyes on Kristine Duka, she looked like something sent down from heaven just for him.

Garrett walked over and stood next to Adam as he watched the two Intel people get started. "Can't say I blame him Adam, but if you want, I'll have a chat with him about his manners later after you two leave."

"That won't be necessary. You seem to be pretty in tune with your people Garrett, almost to the point you're not CIA."

"A lesson I learned in Special Forces, treat them like people and not hired hands. They get enough bullshit from Eason when he's in here, they don't need any more from me."

"Wow, I'm actually starting to like you Garrett," Adam said with a hint of laughter.

"Don't let that go to your head Dawson. When I'm in the field, I'm the meanest son of a bitch within a hundred miles."

"Okay Jack bring up the area around Kherson this time," Kristine said.

Jack adjusted the dials on the control console and checked the image on the screen. "How's that Kristine? I can go in closer if you want."

"No leave it there for a minute. I just want to look around for a moment," she said as she stepped back towards Adam.

Garrett leaned over and looked at Kristine as she studied the map. "Um – Kristine, maybe it would help if we all knew what you were looking for."

"Now if I were with a group of psychopath terrorists, where would I want to go," she mumbled.

"Ma'am, I mean Kristine, can I say something?" Jack asked with a bit of hesitation.

"Sure Jack I never turn down an opinion."

"If it were me, I'd want to blend in with a lot of people. If the tangos know we're after them, they'd want to get lost in the crowd, maybe board a ship or something."

"Why not drive out? You can be anywhere in Europe in just over a day," Adam replied.

"Well Sir, why would you want to deal with all the checkpoints? They'd be stopped at least fifty times."

"Jack's right Adam, I'd much rather take a ship out of the country. Jack what's the largest merchant terminal in the area?"

Jack turned around and adjusted a few dials, then punched some numbers on the keypad nearby. The group could see the image shift to the west over the Black Sea. The SX-171 finally stopped over a large town and zoomed in. As the picture become fuzzy, Jack quickly worked the controls to sharpen the image.

"That's Odessa, it controls about ninety percent of the commercial traffic in the area. They get in there, you'll never find them. There must be two hundred ships going in and out every day. Sorry Sir, I guess I talk too much," Jack said as he looked down at his control board.

Garrett walked up and placed his hand on the worried man's shoulder. "Jack, the only piece of bad Intel is the one you don't share with everyone. Send a message to the team in Kherson to get over there and check it out, and I want round the clock surveillance on that port."

"Right away Director Brown," he said as he quickly began working his controls.

Garrett turned and looked at the husband and wife team. "You two feel like having some dinner?"

"Only if it's on the Agency," Adam replied quickly.

"Come on then, I know this nice little Japanese place just outside the..."

Kristine grabbed Garrett's arm, preventing him from leaving. "Something's not right about all this."

Garrett smiled a bit. "Yep, tenacious alright. Okay Kristine you have my attention."

"You said earlier that they don't follow the same rules as any other tangos. So why would they do the smart thing and get lost in a big city?" she said quickly as she walked back up to Jack.

"Jack darling could you bring that back to the east over Sevastopol?"

The talented operator tried to hide his blushing face, as his deft fingers worked the control panel with meticulous ease. When the image settled, Kristine's eyes darted back and forth over the picture.

"Pan to the right and zoom in a little more if you can."

Within seconds, Kristine was looking at the northern half of the Black Sea. She tilted her head and continued to study the view. Adam and Garrett stood there and watched the talented Intel Officer at work.

"A little more to the right and zoom in on that area around Feodosyia."

When the advanced spy satellite zoomed in, the group could make out a small merchant vessel moving slowly towards Ordzhonikidze. She noticed a small pier jetting out from the shoreline. She leaned down and looked at the console, but she couldn't make heads or tails of any of the controls.

"Do you have any Intel on that area Jack?" After typing something on the keyboard, a write up of the area appeared on one of the other screens.

"Um – not really a lot Kristine, it appears to be just another small town along the coast. They do have one manufacturing plant there, so that's probably where that ship is headed to."

"Kristine, what is it that you don't get?" Garrett asked.

"You said it yourself, these guys aren't playing by the rules. Why go where we would surely look for them? Why not a quiet little town that no one bothers with?"

"You can't be sure that they'll go to that little town," Adam said.

"I know that Adam but just call it a woman's intuition. Jack do you have another bird that can watch that area too?"

Jack turned to look at the Director of the S.A.D with a concerned expression. He knew he had another one in the area, but at what price would it be to tell two outsiders about it? He remained quiet while the Director decided on what action to take. After a few moments, Garrett nodded at his trusted operator.

"Yes Ma'am. We always have a bird directly over Moscow at all times. I can have it repositioned in a few hours."

Adam's eyes shot open at the revelation. "Nice to know how trusting the CIA is."

"Yeah well, I'm sure they have one right on us at this very moment so we're even. There isn't much more we can do but watch, so how about we grabbed some chow?" Garrett said as he walked towards the door.

"Before we go I need to get my men settled for the evening," Adam said.

"Not a problem. I got everyone a hotel room about five minutes from here. My assistant will take care of transportation and I'll drop you two off after dinner."

"Wow you really did think of everything. Lead on Director Brown," Kristine said with a smile as she followed the two men out of the room.

Marriott Inn and Conference Center, Washington D.C.

Kevin flipped through the channels on the television, while Carl pulled out two beers from the tiny refrigerator in the corner of the room. The room was well decorated and two double beds occupied most of the it. Carl looked around as he handed Kevin a beer. He'd been in the Navy for twelve years and stayed at many hotels in that time. He couldn't remember being in such a plush hotel before.

"The CIA must have some deep pockets to set us all up in a place like this?" Carl said as he took a sip of his beer.

"I'm just glad it's not coming out of my pay check. I wonder how our new medic is getting along with V-man? He's been giving him shit about being all GQ pretty hard."

"Does seem odd that someone who's paid to play in the mud and shit worries about how he looks. Then again it could be worse."

"Yeah, how's that Carl."

"John could be bunking with Bob." Both SEALs roared with laughter at the thought of the rookie medic having to room with a seasoned Chief Petty Officer.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door and both men palmed their weapons tucked under their shirts. If it was one of the other team members, the plan was to call first before coming over. Since they were on mission now, they couldn't take any chances.