“That explains the bites on your legs and pretty tush.”
Amanda was all business now. “Yeah, well, he moved toward you when they called him in. He cussed a blue streak—he wasn’t happy about giving away his position. I could tell he sensed me. I’m pretty good at that, you know?”
“Yeah, so I’ve noticed.”
“So, back to my question.”
“Which was?”
“Umm, why’d you decide not to take out the big firepower? You drilled into me that that’s the ‘first order of business’ in all this happy horseshit. But then you go and screw me up?”
Connor studied Amanda. She looked so young and innocent in the early morning sunlight. Hers was a face that required very little makeup, and, for a fleeting second, he felt saddened to teach this beautiful woman the refined art of killing men. But, he had to admit she was good at it. She could find the killing zone, pull the trigger, and, most importantly, let it go afterwards. She was better than many men he had trained. Her grandpa had taught her well.
“Well, to be honest Snuff, I… I kind of… ahh… felt something there.”
“Huh?”
“Umm, it’s hard to describe. I thought maybe… ahh… there was a spark there.”
“A spark?”
“Yeah. I felt like it’d be a shame to waste him. In fact, I had a passing thought he might be helpful in our little trek across country. And, I just sensed he wasn’t real pleased hanging with that group of losers.”
“Oh. I guess it’s lucky I didn’t off the poor bastard.” Amanda laughed.
“Don’t get too cocky, Snuff. Remember what I said. Never get too cocky. And I imagine that Marty would be fairly hard to kill.”
“I had him in my sights, Mac. He was as good as dead. You know I don’t miss.”
“You never know, Snuff. You just never know.”
CHAPTER 1.10-The Datalink
“Colonel?” Major O’Malley stood before her. “Ma’am, the information’s coming through from Jimmy.”
Shamus was at the controls of the helicopter, going through the flight check in preparation for takeoff. The rotors had just begun to turn slowly and the whine of the engine was steadily increasing. Colonel Starkes took a seat in the front next to Shamus while Nicole and the major settled behind them, heads nearly touching to see the small screen set in the center of the instrument panel. She returned CJ to Nicole and concentrated on the screen.
The data link from Camp David used military satellites and the information emerged line-by-line on the screen. The link was a bit more degraded than the week before, but there was nothing within the colonel’s control to change this fact. She didn’t have the ability to launch another satellite into space. She could only use what was there until it decided to quit working.
“Would you prefer that I not see this, ma’am?” asked Shamus, slightly yelling to be heard over the noise of the quickening rotors.
“No, Shamus, we’re in this shit together. You know I try not to hide anything from the men under my command.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Shamus stroked his goatee, adjusting a few dials on the helicopter console. Curious, he leaned closer as the information unfolded. He was quite interested in this Connor Mac. Already, this unknown variable’s reputation was building among the men. A few seconds into the data, Colonel Starkes realized that the report they were reviewing was an ultra-top secret clearance personnel file. Clearance that, until she officially became president, she didn’t have.
“You sure, ma’am?” asked Shamus, recognizing that he did not previously possess this level of security clearance.
“I’m sure, Shamus. Look and learn. Oh, and if I tell you to keep something to yourself, keep quiet.”
“Absolutely, ma’am.”
“That goes for you, too, major,” she said, turning to face him.
“Yes, ma’am,” he acknowledged.
“And especially you, Nicole.”
“Sure,” said Nicole, stunned at the opportunity to remain.
“I’m showing that I trust you, Nicole, but I will not hesitate to personally render you null and void should you violate our need to keep quiet.”
“Null and void?”
“She means you’d be dead,” whispered Major O’Malley.
“Oh,” said Nicole, softly. She hugged CJ harder.
Scott approached Nicole. He gently touched her elbow. “Ma’am, you and CJ need to be strapped in before takeoff.”
“Oh, okay. In a moment.”
The screen read:
>Password authorized. User accepted.
>Warning! Security Clearance Alpha Nine: Ultra-Top Secret Clearance Required to Proceed! Improper clearance can result in immediate Court Marshall and Military Tribunal under applicable rulings if not authorized.
>Proceed?
>Acknowledged.
>Disseminating data…
Name: Connor P. MacMillen
Serial number: 1985638A
Social Security Number: 219-34-9618
Military Branch: Army
Last known Assignment: Airborne 82nd Detachment
Current status: Personal leave in Sydney, Australia.
Expected return to active duty: October 4, 2011.
DOB: April 8, 1979
Race: Caucasian
Blood type: AB+
Height: 5’ 9”
Weight: 185 lbs.
Eye Color: Brown
Military Entry Date: April 11, 1996-Westpoint
Last Known Residence: 128 Coldwater Ave
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15218
Highest Education/Grade Level: Bachelor’s Degree
Highest Obtained Rank: Colonel
Date of Last Promotion: March 29, 2011 (Seventh Field promotion)
Military Status: Active
Discharge Status: N/A
Signate Intelligence Rating: Very High Superior
RiXmond Conditioning Rating: Very High Superior
Staiger Flexibility Rating: Superior
Yenkel Endurance Rating: Very High Superior
Kirk Aggressive Qualities (KAG) rating: 10 of 10
Field Adaptability Rating: 9 of 10
Durability Rating: 8.9 of 10
Mission Execution Rating: 98.1%
Global Ability Quotient: 981 of 1000
Noted weaknesses (if applicable): Fearless. Demonstrates intermittent risk behavior placing him at increased probability for injury or death that is potentially inappropriate given circumstances. Susceptible to obsessive recovery of noncombatants, particularly females. May be susceptible to manipulation or coercion via this route.
Military Career Summary: West Point graduate. Completed accelerated education program on May 14, 1999. Completed Airborne Training under Major Underwood on October 3, 2000. Qualified as expert in Hand-to-Hand, Demolitions, Sniper Rifle, Electronics, Escape, Survival, and Recon. Immediately assigned to Special Ops under command of Colonel Roger T. Martin. Completed several key missions, four of which he assumed full field command due to heavy casualties. Served in Iraq and Afghanistan under black ops umbrella (assignments detailed below). Post Mission Briefings show a keen propensity for surviving under extreme stress conditions while ensuring success of military objectives. Post Field Reviews mention exceptional aggressive qualities and creative resolution when required. Connor P. MacMillen is considered an exemplary soldier and officer.