Chapter 9

The Terrestrial Defense Force office is a chaotic mess as agents rush from desk to desk. By now, every news station has picked up on the morning’s events of the assassinations that have taken place and the New World Regime’s proclamation of credit to those events.

Mike Grines, director of operations, isn’t too far shocked at the bold moves, but in combination with the sudden reports of the Black List falling under a similar attack has brought an entire new level of shock. “Alright, listen up,” he says loudly, grabbing the attention of the small conference room’s occupants. “We have two new members of the team joining us today.”

Melissa Dupree and Jonathan Stone turn around in their seats to regard the other two sitting in the back of the room. The room’s other two occupants consist of a large barrel-chested man with graying hair and beard, and a smaller petite, but athletic woman with blonde hair. The two look like an odd couple, but both Melissa and Jonathan don’t really look like the average partners either.

“Stone. Dupree. Meet Sage Greyson and Raven Cassidy,” Grines says motioning to the two agents. “Both are transferring over to us from the CIA. Agent Greyson before then spent fifteen years as a captain in the Navy SEALs and Agent Cassidy, a detective for the Detroit Police Department for ten before joining the CIA.”

“At least we have highly qualified recruits,” Jonathan says with a curt nod.

“Yes,” Melissa agrees. “It is nice to meet you two.”

“Now I’m sure you all are just itching to get out in the field and crack some skulls with the New World Regime, but it’s not going to happen,” Grines says with a small smile. “At least not right away it ain’t.”

“What do you mean?” Jonathan blurts. “That is our job ain’t it?”

“Considering who is involved? Yes,” Grines agrees. “But I got a call this morning from President McKinsey, shortly after the news reports starting pouring out and we’ve been ordered to lay low considering we’re not supposed to even exist.”

“You’re kidding right?” Melissa shouts.

Grines smiles at her. “Now, hold your horses. I didn’t say we’re going to sit back and watch a bunch of goons run around killing innocent people while we sit back sipping martinis. You guys will be plenty busy with something just as important and if you just so happen to get involved then ... well what can I say?”

In the back of the room Sage leans closer to Raven and says, “This is certainly not what I’m used to—a little lax and undisciplined if you ask me.”

“I’m sure there is a good explanation for it,” Raven replies, grinning.

“Oh there is,” Grines says, hearing the two agents perfectly. “But it was implemented long before I took over the position of director and I just never saw any reason to change it.”

Sage quickly sits straight up and half grunts, half clears his throat. Raven says, “Excuse me us for being out of line there, sir.”

“No need for that. You’ll quickly find out there are a lot of things different here. It’s very disciplined but relaxed like a family. Now as much as I’d like to get us all better acquainted we have pressing matters,” Grines informs them. “Like I said before, when the president contacted me this morning giving me the order to back off the NWR it is because of a government program called Section 8.”

“Sounds Top Secret,” Raven says.

“That’s because it is,” the director says assuredly. “Surprisingly enough, it is one of the few things even my predecessor Roger Cornelius couldn’t obtain much information on. The program took over the DEeP program when the CIA dropped it and created DEeP Six. Whether it is part of the CIA or another organization or not is unknown. But that is where our information on it ends.”