Manipulation - D.K. Wilde

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was apparent in the background of the dome and the eye was slowly following their movements. He knew they were being watched. Ordering the team to hide from the cameras and put on a dead guard’s clothes, he explained they were to act as normal as possible and keep away from the buildings.

      One of the SEAL members, found the power supply and set a C4 block. The small explosion eliminated all power, Wade watched, as the cameras remained operational. Something didn’t make sense and he felt the only explanation was that the whole facility was being controlled remotely and probably wired to explode.

      “We need to get out of here … now,” yelled Wade.

      Special Forces operatives worldwide know that if somebody orders a withdrawal you react instantly. With the two group’s running back to their respective entry points, Wade suddenly heard the distinctive sound of a landmine exploding. Turning he looked across the lawn to see what remained of the two men who had been following Joe.

      Without warning, the buildings and various parts of the perimeter erupted. Troy had pre-empted a possible attack could occur and had prewired explosives to be remotely detonated.

      The dust started to settle and the gas was dissipating. The buildings and perimeter looked like a war zone. Hundreds of holes covered the once manicured lawns. Debris and glass scattered over the entire area. The building creaking and groaning as the cantilevered structure fought the gravitational pull to collapse over the side of the mountain. Wade, Joe and the two SEALs had survived the explosions, predominately because of their armour vests and helmets, but were suffering the consequences of blast concussion. No matter how hard they tried they could not get to their feet or keep their balance. The ringing in their ears was excruciating as their noses bled. Wade was staring at the fence, blinking and trying to get his eyes to focus as the welcome sight of the remaining SEAL Team 6 arrived to their aid.

      Joe had become concerned when Wade had called in the drone strike and thought it relevant to advise SEAL command, who then deployed the balance of the team. The new arrivals had parachuted in, cleared and checked for further activity, gathered the remains of their fallen comrades and called in a helicopter evacuation.

      Washington DC

      “Hey mate … have you been having fun without inviting us?” came the bellowing New Zealand voice from behind him, as Wade turned to see his buddies Kiwi and Jacko walking out of the airport terminal.

      “What the hell, Wade … what happened?” asked Jacko the ex-US Delta Force soldier who was looking at the cuts and bruises on Wade’s face and hands.

      “Nothing much, just ran into a door.”

      “Must have been a door packed with C4 and wielding an axe by the look of you,” said Kiwi, the ex-Australian SAS soldier, as they all shook hands and slapped backs.

      “The Colonel told us you’d be here and we’ve come to help,” stated Jacko expecting a non-acceptance from Wade, who was renowned for getting results by working alone.

      “Thanks guys, I appreciate that,” he replied. “Come on … time to pay Crystal and her dad a visit.”

      The three men climbed into the CIA Suburban as Wade called Crystal and learnt she was at the hospital. Her father had been attacked, beaten and left for dead with the CIA guards shot and killed when unknown assailants had broken into his home early the previous morning.

      With her father on life support and knowledge that the family dog had been shot; Wade knew Crystal would be emotionally fragile and he would need to keep her as distanced as possible from the Samantha Cooper affair.

      “My god Wade … what happened?” asked a concerned Crystal as he walked into the intensive care room.

      “I’m okay,” he replied trying to subject away from himself. “How’s your dad?” he questioned as the three men stood back and looked at the pulverised body lying on the bed.

      Trent was nearly unrecognizable with his head bandaged from a blunt instrument strike, his nose, cheek and jawbones shattered. Both eyes were blackened, bruised and swollen closed. Both arms and legs had been broken and his lungs were punctured from multiple broken ribs. The machines that were keeping him alive whirred and ticked as the intensive care nurse continually monitored his progress.

      “They are not even sure he’ll live,” replied a scared Crystal as the tears flowed and she buried her head in Wade’s chest.

      They spent the next two hours at Trent’s bedside until Wade said, “Crystal we need to do something about this. These people are not going to stop until either we’re all dead or their dead … I’m sorry I’ve involved you and your dad but we must go,” he said pointing at Kiwi and Jacko.

      With her eyes red and puffed from all the crying she replied, “I’m coming to. There is nothing I can do here and I know it’s what dad would want me to do.”

      Looking across at Kiwi and Jacko he noticed how they both nodded, reluctantly, in agreeance.

      “Okay let’s go,” he apprehensively replied.

      The drive to the Warehouse gave Wade the opportunity to explain events. On arrival they noticed the massive increase in security details. Wade recognized the distinctive presence of the President’s secret service as an aide ushered them into the secure conference room.

      Entering Wade saw seated at the head of the table U.S President Markham, to his left General Razen and Charlotte Bysmith. To the Presidents right was General Forest, Kia, and Joe Plant. Standing behind the President, against the wall, were two Secret Service agents and on the opposite wall two ceremonial dressed, rifle held, military MPs. The far end of the table sat a well-dressed middle aged male Wade didn’t recognise.

      Upon seeing Wade President Markham stood and walked toward him. “Hello Wade,” he said holding out his hand.

      “Mister President,” replied Wade shaking hands.

      “I know you were trying to avoid catching up with us so we decided to find you instead,” remarked Markham smiling and looking across at Bysmith and Razen. “And I assume this lovely lady is Crystal.”

      “Yes Mister President, lovely to meet you. Sorry about how I look,” replied Crystal bowing her head as she shook hands.

      “Please don’t apologise. You look very beautiful.”

      “Mister President. I would like you to meet Kiwi and Jacko. Unfortunately, due to operational reasons I cannot divulge their real names.”

      “That’s okay Wade, I understand. Please to meet you gentlemen.”

      “Alright if everybody could take a seat we can get this briefing started,” said Forest. “I realise there are a few here who do not know others in the room and I will not delay proceedings by individually introducing but there is one person I do need to introduce.” Looking across at the unknown male Forest continued. “I would like you to meet Barry Olsen. Barry is from the Department of Homeland Security and has specialised in the study of the Cooper family and all its associated interests.”

      “Thanks General. The Cooper family is a self-made multi-billion dollar enterprise. The late grandfather, who died of suspicious circumstances about thirty years ago, started it. His son, the current benefactors father, who also died along with his wife suspiciously six years ago, succeeded him. They had three children, two sons and a daughter. One of those sons was Vice President Daniel Cooper who lost his life in an explosion in Darwin, Australia three months ago. His brother Thomas has not been seen or heard of for nearly twenty five years and his sister Samantha is a recluse in Seattle. Samantha lives in a fortress like facility on top of a mountain and the most current photo we have her is this, taken three years ago,” he said pointing to an image on the overhead projector.

      “We know Samantha has multiple personalities and we believe, as many as seven. One of those personalities is an extremely dominant and aggressive male, who we believe, could have masterminded the demise of her parents. We have not been able to get remotely close to her home and therefore I can give

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