Terms (The Experiments Book 3) Read online

  Una looked into the frightening stare when he saw Rickie’s luminescent green eyes.

  “Shoot it!” Jimenez ordered, again.

  Rickie viciously snarled and just as gunfire ensued , he leapt forward. With a pounce onto Una, using the downed body as a spring board, he ripped across Una’s throat, just as Rickie ejected himself with a fierce crash out the window.

  Two men flew to the window and continued their shots.

  In the room, the women cried. Cal found herself in a pool of blood; she slipped some as she turned to see the window.

  Was Rickie shot? Hurt? She didn’t have time to even think. Staring at the window, Cal worried so much about Rickie; she unconsciously cooperated as they lifted her to her feet and removed her from the room.

  Jake knew internally he had those inside the building worried. They weren’t sending out many men, there couldn’t be that many. One, two at a time, easy for Jake to pick off.

  It seemed as if he were alone outside, he spotted no more men. That told Jake two things. They were running scared or had a plan.

  He wagered on the later.

  That was why it came as so much of a surprise to him. Despite the nature’s fury of noise, Jake heard the break of the window. He charged to where he believed the sound came from. Low, in the rain, he ran, rifle clenched in his hand. Turning the bend of the building, it hit him like a freight train. Actually, to Jake it felt as if he were hit by a car. It slammed into his mid section, folding his body and sending him in the air ten feet back.

  He crashed hard in the wet grass and rolled three times, before bringing himself to a stop. With a slight slip, Jake turned his body to prepare to stand, when he hear the growl.

  Raising one eyebrow, he slowly turned his head, catching the glow of the eyes.

  “Fuck,” he whispered.

  Growl.

  “Goddamn it, Rickie.” Jake grumbled out, grabbing his side as he lifted to his knees. “I think you broke my rib.”

  Rickie shook his head, snarling, appearing as if he were trying to snap out of it, but was having a hard time.

  “Rickie.” Jake inched his way to him. “It’s OK. What happened?”

  Rickie breathed heavily, gurgled breaths, strained. Then … a whimper.

  Jake drew closer, and as the lightening flashed, he saw all the blood. “Fuck,” He hurried to Rickie who was struggling to move. “Don’t. Don’t, come out of it. Rickie stay mad.”

  Too late.

  Jake watched as Rickie did a slow transformation back into himself.

  “Sarge,” Rickie said in a weakened state.

  “Rickie, what happened?” Jake grabbed onto him.

  “They grabbed, Cal.” Rickie coughed. “How bad am I?”

  Jake chuckled “You’ll live. You’ll die first, but you’ll live.”

  “Figured as much. I went monster on them, guy.”

  “I see that.”

  “The one dude … he knows you.”

  “What?” Jake asked. “What do you mean?”

  “He asked Cal-Babe about you.” Rickie said. “She played dumb. Shit.”

  “What.”

  “Gotta go. Guy. See you in a bit.”

  “Rickie.” Jake gently shook him. “Rickie.”

  Rickie’s head titled to the side.

  Jake closed his eyes. “See you in a few weeks.” Jake ran his hand over Rickie’s forehead, smearing the blood that mixed with rain. So he would be safe, he carried him off into the woods, and set him down. Just as he did, barely through the voice of the storm, Jake heard the call of his name.

  “Graison!” Jimenez called out. “Graison. We have something of yours.”

  It could only mean one thing, Jake knew it meant one thing, the one and only thing that he had on the island that belonged to him.

  But who was this guy. Knowing him played an advantage to Jake. Slipping back more into the protection of the trees, Jake angled himself until he saw who it was calling his name.

  Carlos Jimenez.

  Had it been that long? How did he escape? The last Jake knew, Carlos was court martialed from the Mexican army and placed in prison for inhumane conduct to prisoners. Jake had been the one who had busted him when the US was working hand and hand with Mexico on operations. But that was years ago. Ten? Fifteen. So many Jake lost count.

  Jake had spent weeks with Jimenez, working side by side with him. Watching him as he did the things he did.

  Stupid.

  Jimenez was militarily smart, but always lacked quick thinking.

  He was quick enough to pick up on Cal’s name.

  Jimenez had her. Locked in his grip, gun close, Cal was his single prisoner. Jake filled with rage at the view of him holding onto his wife.

  “Graison! I know you hear me!” Jimenez shouted. “Look what I have!”

  As a smart military man, Jimenez was pulling a draw. He was drawing Jake out. And that told Jake one thing. He was using his trump card, and that card was Cal.

  A quick shift of his eyes brought the broken window into view. The window Rickie crashed out of. With that in sight, despite the continuous call of his name, Jake grabbed his gas mask and raced to that window,

  It didn’t take long to render everyone … out. At least the men. One toss of the gas can through the window, brought screams from the women, that in turn brought four more men into the room.

  They like the other men, including Billy and Stan were down for the count.

  After climbing through the window, Jake beckoned facially for the women to remain silent. Some whimpered, but they didn’t scream. He hurried across the dining room and to the door. He inched it open and peeked.

  Not bad. Not many. Six.

  Piece of cake.

  With that, Jake placed the silencer on his revolver.

  “He’ll never come," Cal whispered.

  “Shut up.” Jimenez told her.

  “He’s not here.”

  “You and I both know that is not true. He is here. He sees us.”

  “Ok, then, if you are so sure of yourself, can you not scream in my ear anymore?”

  Jimenez chuckled. “Your confidence and lack of fear is what makes me so sure that your husband is here.”

  Cal felt him inhale and she titled her head away from him. She knew it was coming.

  “Graison!” Jimenez called out. “I grow weary of waiting! I’ll tell you what! I will give you to the count of three to show yourself! After that, I kill your wife. Got that.”

  No response.

  “One!” Jimenez counted. He then clicked the hammer of the gun. “Two …”

  “Three,” Jake whispered directly in his ear as he wasted no time, placing his own revolver to Jimenez’s head and pulling the trigger.

  Amidst the sounds of Cal’s disgust over the blood that covered her, Jimenez dropped.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Jake, by a long shot had beaten the United States Government storm and seize covert operation timetable. Assistance was on the way, but news of Jake’s success couldn’t be made public until the Army and other military outlets completed their mission.

  Their message for why there was a takeover wasn’t clear, some sort of political problem. A wrong doing to the Mexican people and they took it upon themselves. It would be years before the answer was clear. However, when it was all said and done that day, within hours, the siege was over, gunmen caught or killed, but not without the loss of over thirty innocent hostages. None of which were on Jake’s island.

  Unless they counted Rickie.

  Once allowed, Cal sought him out.

  “I can’t believe you forgot where you put him,” she marched ahead of Jake toward the tree lined area where Jake said he thought Rickie was located.

  “I didn’t say I forgot.”

  “What?”

  “I said …” Jake raised his voice. “I said I knew the vicinity!”

  “I can’t believe you don’t know the exact location. It’s Rickie!”

  “Wel
l, he shouldn’t be too fuckin’ hard to spot, Cal, he’s in a cocoon.”

  Cal stopped, spun, heaved a breath, and shook her head at him with a look of disgust. After visually letting him see she was angry, she turned again and neared the woods.

  “I think you should let a doctor look at you.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’ve been through a traumatic experience.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’re mad.”

  “What?’

  “I said you’re mad!”

  “No shit, Jake!” Cal screamed. “I’m deaf now, thank you very much. You shot a gun near my ear.”

  “Cal, I saved your life.”

  Cal stopped again. “You used a silencer on the men inside, on him you took it off.”

  “He was the last one; I didn’t have to be quiet.”

  “It was my ear, Jake! God!” Cal closed off her ear. “It’s still ringing.”

  “OK, aside from all that, I’m glad you’re ok.”

  “What was that?”

  “Cal, babe, please, if you can’t hear can you stop with the ‘whats’, try excuse me.”

  “Try this ... fuck you.” She turned and walked.

  “Thank you. Thank you very much. Did I deserve that. No. Did I …”

  “Aww,” Cal whined as she stumbled upon Rickie. “He cocooned.”

  “I know.”

  “What?”

  “I said … I know!” Jake blasted. “And this is going to get annoying.”

  Cal crouched down to the cocoon. She ran her hand over top of it. “Rickie,” she said softly. “Thank you for saving me.”

  Jake’ mouth dropped open. “You thank him and not me.”

  “He died Jake.’

  “He’ll live Cal.”

  Cal’s head lowered. “He still died trying to help me.”

  “I know.”

  “Even though I am pissed that you shot the gun near my ear, thank you too, Jake. You ... you did great.”

  Jake couched behind her. He rested his hand on Cal’s arm as he whispered. “In all seriousness. I was worried, Cal. You’re all I thought about, you and the babies. I am so grateful you are OK. You’re my entire life.”

  Cal didn’t say anything.

  “Cal?” Jake called.

  Innocently, Cal looked over her shoulders. Almost embarrassed and apologetic she hunched, “I’m …I’m sorry, Jake, can you repeat that. I lost you after seriousness.”

  “Fuck it.” Jake stood up. “This is gonna get on my nerves.”

  “Jake.”

  “Nope. I’ll stand right over here while you finish your fuckin’ ridiculous ode to Rickie ritual that you do every time he cocoons.”

  “Oh my god, you dick. He died.”

  “I’m sorry, Cal, I didn’t hear you. What was that?”

  Cal grunted and returned her attention to Rickie’s cocoon. She leaned to it and whispered. “Sarge is being a dick.” She looked to see how close Jake was then lowered her voice even more “I’m glad I lied and said I didn’t hear him.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  October 6th

  Fort Bragg, NC

  Jake stood tall, chest out, eyes forward. His back was straight and he didn’t waiver at all as he stood before the line of commanding officers seated behind a table. Not once when he spoke, did he sound nervous or look nervous. Jake was calm and cool.

  Not Cal. When she spoke to the officers, she shook. The babies rattled inside of her. She told how he rescued her and how proud of him she was.

  And Cal was very proud of Jake. Seated in the audience, she watched the whole thing. In her opinion, he didn’t need an award or anything to make her proud. She didn’t even stay mad at him too long for the temporary loss of hearing in her ear.

  Billy would have added his two cents, but he had passed out compliments of Jake, during the siege. So he remained silent, but was there as well. As a reporter and friend.

  Rickie was grateful they waited until he popped out of the cocoon. He wanted and needed to be there. He even spoke to the officers telling them his rendition. Rickie held tight to Cal’s hand as General Sturgis spoke.

  “Lt. Colonel Graison. We have listened to your wife, and friends and Colonel Roberts tell of your acts of unselfish bravery or heroism. We’ve listened to you be very factual. What you did when this country was under siege was remarkable. Now, off the record … off the record the country owes you a debt of gratitude. You were simply, for lack of better words, heroic and amazing. I, for one, was very impressed, and proud. I believe I speak for my colleagues. However, on the record … your insubordination, disobeying of a direct order, your interference caused a high security risk in national security, and it can not be condoned. It is with regret that this court must pass down punishment. We have agreed upon the course of reprimanding. Because of your classification, your position as EXO at Fort Bragg remains unchanged. Unfortunately, we must issue a demotion and return you to the ranking of Major. That will be all … Major Graison, court dismissed.”

  There was an air of solemnity in the court room as Jake stood at attention, and the court officials all rose, gave a sad look to Jake and departed.

  Major Wilson, Jake’s attorney, turned to him. “I’m sorry, Jake.”

  Jake shook his head once. “Nope. You did well. I could have been court martialed. It’s not too bad, I still have my job.” Jake forced a smile, and extended hand to major Wilson.

  Then Jake did what he was afraid to do. He turned around to face his family and friends. It killed him and he felt the thump in his stomach. He heard the moans when the verdict was read.

  Chuck. Rickie. Billy … Cal.

  Jake focused on Cal, even though Chuck approached him first.

  “It’s not fair, man. Not fair. You have to appeal.” Chuck said.

  “Nah, Chuck, I’m fine.” Jake replied. “I’m still your EXO.” He pushed toward Cal, shaking hands with those who extended a hand.

  Billy spoke up, “Jake, I’m gonna make this a national news story. I mean it. It’s not right.”

  Jake shook his head. All he wanted to do was hug his wife, and he did just that. With a deep breath he took Cal into his arms and embraced her.

  “I’m so proud of you,” Cal told him. “Very proud of you.”

  Jake kissed the top of her head. “You always preferred calling me major.”

  “Well, yeah, it’s easier.” Cal looked up to him and smiled.

  “Thank you,” Jake said. “This means a lot.”

  Cal tipped toed and kissed him. “Let’s go home.”

  Jake nodded.

  “Sarge,” Rickie patted him on the back. “Don’t worry about it, dude, you’re still a Sarge in my book.”

  Jake laughed; he reached out, grabbed onto Rickie and kissed him on the head.

  “Uh! That’s like, twice in one week.” Rickie rubbed the kiss spot, and then smiled.

  Chuck stood by the closed doors. “Ready?”

  Jake nodded.

  Chuck opened the doors. Immediately they were bombarded with a barrage of reporters, cameras and questions.

  Jake with his family in arms trudged forward.

  Major Wilson made his way out to speak on Jake’s behalf.

  As Jake waded through, Cal on one side of him, Rickie on the other, he was surprised when he saw Greg.

  Hand outward, Greg approached Jake. “I’m sorry.”

  “No need.” Jake said. “I appreciate you speaking on my behalf.”

  “I just wished they would have let me be there to hear the verdict. Jake, you do know, if you want, you have a job with Caldwell.”

  “Thanks, but no thanks.” Jake said. “I got my job. I’m happy with that. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  “By all means,” Greg stepped aside to let Jake pass. “I’ll see you next weekend.”

  Just as he was about to make his exit through the side door, Jake stopped. “Next weekend?” he asked Greg.

  “You don’t
remember?” Greg said. “You made a deal. Part of the agreement. You are committed to the next four weekends to doing that reality show.”

  Jake winced. “Fuck,” He gave a shake of his head in disgust. “Please don’t tell me you have me singing.”

  Greg chuckled. “No. That’s funny.”

  “I was being serious.”

  “I know,” Greg said. “But you are actually a major part of the show. The judge and determiner, so to speak.”

  “Christ, I have to listen to bad singers.”

  Cal snickered. “Jake, why do you insist it’s musical.”

  “It’s Caldwell; they aren’t going to give me anything up my alley.”

  Greg spoke up, “Quite the contrary. This is sort of up your alley. Pretty much you’ll be overseeing and aiding in the training of young people. Eliminating them as they move forward. Boot camp of sorts.”

  “Really?” Jake gave a closed mouth look, “A reality boot camp show. I’ll see you next weekend.” He reached for the door, opened it and allowed Cal to walk through. “That doesn’t sound bad at all, Cal. It might be fun. Reality boot camp.”

  Chuck cleared his throat. “Gonna work them hard, Jake.” He grunted when Cal nudged him.

  “Very, Chuck. I’ll take it seriously. Reality show boot camp.” Jake held Cal tighter and exhaled, “Here I was worried. I might just like this.”

  Cal said nothing. She glanced at Billy, Rickie and Chuck. No one commented. No one let on anymore about the boot camp. They just trudged on letting Jake bask in the thought of a rigorous training show, figuring his discovery of the truth would have to take place on another day, another chapter in his life.

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  Next Up: Divided We Fall

  All is happy on the Graison home front, the babies are born and Jake and Cal truly get into the swing of everyday life. Until Caldwell calls again. This time Jake is put under the scope and must face, to him, the ultimate and tragic mental endurance experiment.