Red Angel: Book II: Raiders (Red Angel Series 2) (16 page)

"No wonder the raiders fear you and your team. You really are like human bloodhounds." She laughed. "Pretty soon all the criminals are going to move to the FPU and PRS, because it isn't safe to operate in the UAS."

Three days before our third weekly meeting, I received a message from Adrian to report to the office the next day, which was a relief since I was getting bored even though the time home was wonderful. When I reported to work the next day, everyone was there and as anxious as I was to know the news.

"Stauffer asked me to call the team back early. Apparently, Admiral Rawls has received news from New Zheng. We're to meet with her at ten this morning," Adrian said as we sat. "Whatever it is, they're keeping it a secret."

"Rawls seems to have taken over the investigation." Kris frowned.

"I think she's like a shark that smells raider blood in the water. Catching the raiders certainly would be a major coup." Adrian gave a small grin.

I didn't say anything but I thought it wasn't blood but chum—bait for attracting sharks.

An hour later we assembled in Rawls’s conference room, and several minutes after that she appeared smiling.

"At ease, and take your seats. I just received word from Commander Whaley that he's been notified that he's a winner. It shouldn't be long before he gets to meet with the Controller," she said, and I could feel her excitement. "In addition, I've the puzzle message they sent yesterday—"

"They’re going to kill Whaley," I mumbled to myself, but my emotions overwhelmed me and it was loud enough to be heard by everyone.

"Paulus, I don't like being interrupted, and what's this nonsense about killing Whaley? He's not a child." She paused and looked away for a moment and the room seemed to contain only her and me. "I know you've been under unbelievable stress recently and it's beginning to affect your judgment. You need a well deserved rest." She looked to Stauffer. "Commodore, I would like you to put Commander Paulus on extended leave until she's cleared by our medical staff."

"Ma'am," Stauffer began but stopped when Rawls raised her hand.

"That's an order. This is not a punishment. I'm doing it for her sake."

"Ma'am, if you'll excuse me, since I'm obviously not fit for duty," I said at just about a whisper. Tears filled my eyes and memories of Doctor Browder flashed through my mind.

Rawls looked to be about to say something but changed her mind and just nodded.

I saluted—actually a farewell gesture because I wasn't coming back—and left. I went to our conference room, pulled out my tablet, and began typing. After making a couple of corrections, I sent it to the printer. The team had just entered the area when I collected my letter and signed it.

As they approached, I handed my letter to Adrian. "Adrian, as our team leader, I'm giving you my letter of resignation."

"You can't, Anna," Kris screamed. "I guess if you're unstable, I need to resign too, because I agree with you. Whaley's in danger. I just would have said it differently. Your
observation
hit a nerve. Rawls made the decision to go with Operation Winner and doesn't want to be told she's wrong or that it could cause Whaley's death."

"Anna, I also agree with you," said Adrian, "but resigning isn't the answer. The team won't be the same without you. Take some time off and go see the doctor. They'll see you're normal and you'll be back in no time."

"No, they’ll see what they want to see, like Doctor Browder did. They’ll spend months trying to convince me Rawls is right, that I have to be unstable because raiders are trying to kill me. Well, although I love being on the team, I won't submit to that for anyone. Besides, they would never trust me after that. They would always think they were right." I gave Kris a hug. "I love you." I turned and left.

I hadn't been home for more than an hour when Alexa arrived. To my surprise, she was smiling when she entered the living room where I was sitting, listening to music.

"I heard from Stauffer and Rawls and wouldn't be surprised to hear from Lultrel before the day is out."

"Do you think I'm unstable, Mother?" I asked, knowing I had made the right decision but feeling sorry for myself.

"The world should be so unstable." She sat and put her arm around me and pulled me close. I felt her unconditional love and relaxed. "Rawls wanted me to convince you to see the doctors 'for your sake'. I told her I thought you had made the right decision, that if she didn't trust you, then it was best for you to leave." She grinned.

Hearing that, all my pent up emotions faded, and I must have fallen asleep because when I woke the room was turning dark. Alexa still held me in her embrace and I felt at peace.

The next day the text messages began coming in. The first was from Rawls.

Rawls: Report to the office immediately.

Me: I'm no longer in the military. I resigned.

Rawls: You're still in the military. I haven't approved your resignation.

Me: Per your orders I can't return to work until the medical unit says I'm fit for duty.

Then later that morning from Stauffer.

Stauffer: Anna, we have the puzzle message.

Me: Lieutenant Commander Sinclair knows how to decode it.

Stauffer: She doesn't know how to translate it.

Me: I'm sure there are people at the Eteos University who can translate it.

Stauffer: Rawls doesn't want outsiders having access to the information.

Me: I can't. Admiral Rawls has declared me unfit for duty.

Stauffer: She was only thinking of your welfare.

Me: Then it's best I wait until the medical unit evaluates me.

Then it was Adrian.

Adrian: We miss you and believe you are right. Kris is considering putting in for a transfer. I would hate to see the team broken up, but I understand why you’re upset and I support you.

Me: Thank you, Adrian. I'm sorry, but Rawls gave me no choice. The shrinks would destroy me. Right now I'm at least a happy nut.

Then it was Kris's turn.

Kris: Little sister, how about lunch somewhere? I miss you.

Me: Love to.

We arranged to meet at a small restaurant on the outskirts of Eteos, close to where Kris had her condo. Kris picked a time after the normal lunch hour so it wouldn't be too crowded and we could talk. When I arrived, I found her already at a table. We hugged.

"It feels like when we lost Wilbur. No. Although I hate to admit it, it feels worse. I don't think any of us realized how close we've become," Kris said. "Sorry, It's not your fault. Adrian and I believe you're right to be worried, and wouldn't wager Commander Whaley wasn't in serious danger. But Rawls feels she's in charge ... well she is because she's our superior, but ..."

"I was wrong to say that. I didn't mean for it to, but I can see now that my comment threatened her ... judgment. The same as with Sharat. So maybe in a sense she's right: I'm unfit for the military."

"You're right for our team and you'll be right for the military as soon as you make admiral and don't have to worry about hurting people's feelings." She laughed.

Just then the waiter came over and we ordered. During lunch, Kris entertained me with stories about her trip back to Eastar to visit her family.

During dessert, I finally asked, "Would you like me to look at the puzzle message?"

"No, Rawls made the mess, let her clean it up. Actually, we know there’s nothing to translate, but we've kept it a secret within the team. The coordinates don't have the double asterisks, so there’s no message to deliver." She gave me an evil grin.

It was midafternoon and I was in my home office wondering what life after the NIA would be like when my tablet buzzed, indicating an urgent message. It was from Adrian.

Adrian: Commander Whaley and his three agents were killed. Office destroyed.

I sat there numb. Being right somehow didn't make the situation feel any less tragic. Lives needlessly wasted for what? Fame? Glory? The Fast Track? While I sat there numb, I heard Alexa enter the house.

"Anna?" she shouted.

"Upstairs, Mother," I answered, but stayed seated.

She looked flushed when she entered my office. "By the look of you, you've heard the news." She sat, awaiting my reaction.

"Yes. It's not much of a surprise. Their strategy for dealing with threats is to eliminate them—security guards at the robbery sites, the Oxax NIA team who were assigned to find them, and any others who interfere—like the New Zheng NIA office."

"Admiral Rawls came to see me today. She wanted me to convince you to talk with her. I told her it was your decision and I wouldn't interfere."

"Did she say what she wanted?" I was curious in spite of my anger.

"Rawls isn't a bad person. I believe she was genuinely concerned about you, but I'm afraid her rank, your age, and her eagerness to catch the raiders overcame her good judgment. It's what always concerned me about you dealing with senior officers. We're all fallible, Anna."

"Then you think I should talk to her?"

"I think you were right to refuse being examined by the psychiatric department. They would have seen you as the catch of the century and never let you go. You were right to resign. Besides, I love you. If you choose to talk with her, I'll accompany you if you want, but I'll support any decision you make."

The next morning I sent Rawls a message stating I would talk to her, but I wanted my mother present. She agreed. When Alexa and I arrived, Stauffer, Adrian, and Kris were already in her office.

"Thank you for coming, Anna. I did you and your team a great disservice and felt I owed you an apology and an explanation. You and your team have exceeded all of our expectations, and I thought you had the raiders all but caught. And rather than work with you to develop a strategy, I chose to take over and go for the kill." She paused as if considering her next words.

I couldn't help but interrupt, appropriate or not.

"Ma'am, I'm aware I do things that aren't correct military behavior and expect to be held accountable. If I deserve a reprimand or letter in my file, I'll understand. But I'll not submit to a medical evaluation by psychologists. I would be the prize of the century, given Red and all the attacks on my life. They would never let me go. They would destroy my life."

"Anna, I've talked with Sinclair and Shrader several times since then and realize your team is unique: you've no official team leader; you follow up on anything one of you wants; you consider everyone equal in rank and talent; and you’re sensitive to each other's needs. For example, your outbursts. They've pointed out that those are almost always sudden insights which you can't control and which they pay attention to because they lead to breakthroughs. So in a sense, the whole team is unstable by normal navy standards. And yet, you've become the go-to team when we need the best in the UAS, like now. I've come to the conclusion that if I want the best out of you, I'll need to work with you differently. I also had a long conversation with Doctor Renata, who's qualified as a psychologist. She assures me you're surprisingly stable considering everything that has happened to you over the years and recently. So what if I make her your psychologist when a situation arises that requires you to see one?" She smiled.

"Yes, ma'am. Doctor Renata has always treated me as a person and not a freak to be studied. Thank you, ma'am." I felt a huge relief and felt myself relax.

She sighed. "Anna, if you still want to resign, I'll sign your resignation."

I looked to Kris and Adrian, who were shaking their heads. Just then Red made an appearance, wrapping himself around my neck and brushing my cheek with his tongue. I guessed that was his way of agreeing. "No, ma'am, I would like to stay, and I'll report to Doctor Renata for my evaluation."

Rawls laughed. "No need, she has already certified you fit for duty. Therefore, you need to give me a recommendation as to what we should do next. Adrian?"

"Ma'am, we need to discuss it—" Adrian paled for a brief moment.

"Stauffer, have Lieutenant Gannon report to the conference room. If you don't object, I would like to stay and observe. I would like to see the team in action. That may help me understand you better."

While we waited for Rich to arrive, Rawls moved her chair back against the wall next to Alexa and Pannell and sat. Rich arrived shortly afterward, nervous and out of breath, and sat when Adrian gestured at a chair.

"All right, any suggestions on what we do next?" Adrian asked. When no one said anything, he turned to Gannon. "Rich, how did you do with that program I asked you to create?"

"It's done, and it produces interesting results. Wait, I'll show you."

He played with his tablet and the room monitors came on. My six assumptions were displayed with a box after each plus an additional box titled Raided System.

"Adrian asked me to create a program which would allow us to enter different values for each item. Currently the search is for the raid on Eastar. Notice the boxes currently have the values that Anna used, and the result produces the Star Trader and Easy Explorer. But as I decrease the times for questions four and six, only the Star Trader meets the assumptions. And depending upon the assumptions for Holy Star and Stone Ring, we can narrow the search to one merchant each—Cloud Chaser and Good Deal."