Operation (15 page)

“Perhaps he is not as smart as I first thought,” the woman said. “He appears to be a man of emotion, concerned with the passions of the mind. He does not live in the real world. Instead, he tries to understand the past through the motivations of what was, rather than what will be.”

“Do you want to bring him in for questioning?” Smith asked.

“How ironic,” she said, ignoring his question. “This man with passions for the myths and legends of centuries; he has searched for his entire life for that which he has only met in the pages of old books ago and yet destroys the creatures. How controversial that choice must have been for him—to destroy what he loves.”

“Do you want to bring him in for—”

“Do not repeat yourself. It is a sign of weakness,” she said with disdain her voice. “This man, Reese, he is the most dangerous and yet the most helpful.”

“I don’t understand. If we seek to recover—”

“Talk to him, but I want him brought here. Go to him, figure some way to get him to come willingly. I don’t want to rouse his suspicions. Do not tell him the specifics just yet. Propose a hypothetical scenario and see how he reacts. He may be useful to us.”

“And if he doesn’t want to assist us?” Smith asked and instantly regretting the question.

“He will come. He is a man of conscience,” she said as she brought her eyes to bear on Smith. “You wouldn’t understand that, would you?”

Without another word, the woman turned and started to walk out.

“Bitch,” Smith whispered.

She stopped and turned to face him. Her eyes had such intensity that Smith felt them almost burning through him.

“Yes. Mr. Smith, that I am
.
But you haven’t seen the full force of it yet, nor do I think you really want to.”

Smith felt a shiver run through him from her words
. She’s right about that.

“Now, run along and do what you have been told.”

Chapter Thirteen

She smiled as she closed the door. She had no doubts that he would do as she instructed. Easily controlled by fear, like most. The key was learning what that fear was and using it against someone. And she was very good at that.

She went down the sterile hallway and stopped at another non-descript door. She removed her identification card and slid it into the lock. The door opened and she entered what she considered her own office—her home. Unlike any of the other offices on the hallway, this one contained living quarters: a sitting room, bathroom, office and bedroom. There were no windows. Here, the outside world did not exist. This was her world only, the world of the Agency and agent 077, Samantha Boskone. 

At forty-one, Samantha knew nothing of life beyond her job and that was exactly the way she wanted it. Her job was complicated enough and she couldn’t afford any distractions beyond what those of her work provided her. She looked upon her life—her job—as a necessity to ensure that the things that needed to be done, got done. And she was quite good at her job. Because she was a private person, it didn’t even bother her that no one would know of her accomplishments outside of the Agency. She knew what she did and that was all she needed. The Agency was her family; her parents, her children, her friends and her lover all rolled into one neat package.

However, simple was not a fair description of what she did or felt toward her work. She knew she possessed unique problem solving skills. She “fixed” the problems of the country so that the world would go on and the United States would remain secure in its role to shape and guide the rest of the world. She felt this was very important; so important she dedicated her life to fulfilling it with every breath she took. She would give her life without a second thought to protect this goal, as well as kill anyone who might stand in the way or try to tarnish the image of the United States. Was she a killer? She didn’t look at it that way. What she did was make the sacrifices that needed to be made, whether directed by the Agency, or if they were her own feelings. That was her life: one sacrifice after another.

Those that came before her knew this as well. They had dedicated their lives to preserving the American way of life. Sometimes mistakes were made; however, she knew that things done in the past were under different circumstances than they were today. Times change and the actions required of them needed to change as well. That was why she was involved with this present situation.

She sat down at the desk. Something bothered her and she couldn’t put her finger on what it was. Her feelings were always correct and she knew what this meant: she was missing some vital link here.

Goddamned military. They always screw things up and then I have to clean it up. Sometimes I wonder what they are thinking…and the Special Ops boys are the worse of the lot: pure 100% testosterone with an attitude and not one ounce of brains.

She removed a folder from the desk drawer and placed it in front of her. Her eyes scanned the outside of the brown folder which was labeled only with the words—
TOP
SECRET
.
The folder was several inches thick. She opened the folder and began to read:

__________

TOP SECRET

FLASH MESSAGE: AGENCY EYES ONLY

ENCRYPTED TEXT

From: Agent 001

To:  Agent 077

1. Recent developments may jeopardize project codeword: Iron Stake.

2. Background: Agent 015 confirmed existence of assets by General Stone during Kosovo peacekeeping operations. However, discovered by the Agency too late, Stone badly managed assets which resulted in their loss. In addition, Agent 015 discovered contingency plan Stone was executing placed an additional two assets at his disposal. These assets were lost to forces unknown thereby posing a threat to the supremacy of project Iron Stake.

3. Your mission is to secure these assets by any measures required. The use of Iron Stake against all tainted personnel is at your discretion.

End Message.

__________

Samantha was well aware of Project Iron Stake. She was the one who used the asset associated with the code name, so she understood the importance of protecting it. It was a measure to be used only as a last resort considering there was only one in existence, or at least that is what they had believed until Stone’s involvement.

 A very important asset indeed, and not to be wasted…

As part of her moving up the ranks in the Agency, Samantha had being given the handling responsibility of Iron Stake, which was a very large feather in her cap. She knew that as well as her superiors had when they gave it to her. When the determination was made to use Iron Stake, the assignment was given to Samantha and she would ensure that the mission was carried out explicitly as directed. Her contact with Iron Stake was limited to only those occasions that required that they meet.

However, up until only recently had she been made aware of the length of time Iron Stake had been in use regarding covert operations. She knew the answer why she had not been privy to the past information on the operation: the reason was based on a need to know basis. Prior to this latest military blunder, she hadn’t a need to know. But now that she did know; for one of the few times in her life, she had been surprised at how deep this project was. Normally the life term of a project was limited to only a few years at best, some even shorter. But she learned that Iron Stake had been in existence for over sixty years.

Samantha allowed her mind to absorb the information. She would be methodical in her planning, as usual. Whatever she felt she was missing would come to her as she reviewed it over and over again in her thoughts. As part of her methodology, she flipped to the back of the file as her starting point. She would read through each message and report again looking for bits and pieces she would be able to use to resolve this latest conundrum that had been handed her. It was, after all, what she did so well.

Part III

Operation Iron Stake

TOP SECRET

Message Files 1944

__________

TOP SECRET

FLASH MESSAGE: AGENCY EYES ONLY

ENCRYPTED TEXT

Date: 2 October 1944

From: Agent 001

To:  Agent 035

1. Reports from European Military Command indicate unusual discovery made in the Soviet controlled Yugoslavia in Balkan region. Further examination required. Select small team of military men and infiltrate area to investigate. Avoid all contact with Soviet forces.

End Message.

__________

TOP SECRET

FLASH MESSAGE: AGENCY EYES ONLY

Date: 9 October 1944    

From: Agent 035

To:  Agent 001

1. Reports of discovery validated—synopsis to follow.

ENCRYPTED TEXT

VALIDATED INFORMATION: On September 15, local militia unit found  underground cave while searching for enemy occupation. Further search revealed entrance to a deeper cavern. Examination of the cavern revealed a large crypt-like tomb, containing a body. The lack of adornment of the chamber precludes conclusion of burial chamber. Body very well preserved. Female, with long, flat nose, large ears, teeth in immaculate condition and incisors more like animal canine teeth, rather that of a human. Skin extremely pale. Examination shows significant anomalies. Medical personnel conducted further examination of the body, detecting a faint form of respiration.
WOMAN
ALIVE
.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: No logical explanation. Preliminary estimate time this crypt sealed: 50-75 years. How body can still possess life requires further investigation.

ACTION TAKEN: All nine personnel secured. One civilian national, serving as guide and interpreter included. He refuses to go back into the area. He believes local folklore — creature terrorized area almost century ago, murdering almost an entire village. Called woman “ vampire”.

End message.

__________

TOP SECRET

FLASH MESSAGE: AGENCY EYES ONLY

Date: 11 October 1944    

From: Agent 035

To:  Agent 001

1. Developments of investigation. Further action warranted.

ENCRYPTED TEXT

VALIDATED INFORMATION: Medical evaluation results: no responsive or outward signs of life from the woman, body possesses unusual recuperative powers with minimal blood loss. The blood is also an oddity: contains characteristics that suggest the female is non-living, i.e. the lack of active and living cells. Of internal organs, only heart and lungs appear operational.

ACTION TAKEN: Our civilian guide suggested consultation with local scholar of ancient myths and legends. He thinks that there might be a way to prove that this woman, or creature as he suggests, is in fact what he says: a vampire in some form of deep sleep. Although I find this highly unlikely, if no other options present, see no other alternative but to explore that option.

End Message.

__________

TOP SECRET

FLASH MESSAGE: AGENCY EYES ONLY

Date: 13 October 1944    

From: Agent 035

To:  Agent 001

1. Developments of investigation.

ENCRYPTED TEXT

VALIDATED INFORMATION: No change in status of discovery. Continues to defy medical.

ACTION TAKEN: Finding no other option, have secured local scholar to review body. He produced some physical reactions from the woman. He got the body move one of its limbs. Also succeeded in having the woman open her eyes. Guide concurred with guide: woman is a vampire in hibernation; conserving energy for an undetermined period by slowing body functions to a minimum. He also suggested that the clothing of the woman and the artifacts in the chamber indicate a period of perhaps a hundred years or so ago. Independent analysis of artifacts and clothing confirms articles 125-150 years old. Unless placed in here before the woman, or there is some way into this crypt we have not discovered, unable to reach a logical conclusion.

AWAITING INSTRUCTIONS.

End Message.

__________

TOP SECRET

FLASH MESSAGE: AGENCY EYES ONLY

Date: 15 October 1944    

From: Agent 001

To:  Agent 035

1. Further instructions.

ENCRYPTED TEXT

Continue investigation. Eliminate any possible information leak. Attempt to bring woman to consciousness for interrogation. Ensure fail-safe measures in place. If all attempts fail, destroy everything.

End message.

__________

TOP SECRET

FLASH MESSAGE: AGENCY EYES ONLY

Date: 17 October 1944    

From: Agent 035

To:  Agent 001

1. Developments of investigation.

ENCRYPTED TEXT

VALIDATED INFORMATION: Scholar indicates vampire feeds on the live blood of animals and humans. Extraordinarily fast and strong, virtually impossible to kill except by decapitation, immersion in sunlight, and some references to the use of some religious symbols. Appear alluring to the opposite sex and possess a strong sense of self-preservation. Generally unsocial, solitary and territorial creatures.