Chapter 13

Present – Jack – In the tunnels

Fuck me - Todd was right! He had shared with me earlier, when we worked on the generator problem, how we had way too much infighting between us over too many stupid things (I personally think it's because we have too many women involved, but would never tell anyone - especially Masha). Now I'm right in the middle of some asinine argument between Jens and Maria about whether Glen could have helped his wife Evelyn escape from the mental hospital. Now I sure as hell don't like Glen, but from all I know that's the last fucking thing he'd do.

I use my command voice and order, "There is no 'I' in 'team' but there are three 'U's' in 'shut the fuck up!!!"

Present – Jens – In the tunnels

Did Jack just tell us to shut the fuck up? I glare at him and counter, "Who's the fucking boss around here?"

Jack smiles evilly and reminds me, "If my memory serves me right, you made me the boss. Now that I have your attention we need to deal with a huge fucking problem."

I sarcastically answer, "The only problem I can see is someone who is too big for his britches."

Jack yells, "You don't see the huge fucking problem because you're a part of it! Now shut the fuck up and listen for once or I will kick your ass from here till next Sunday!"

I'm pretty sure I could take Jack, but he's fired up so I decided to not challenge him - for now.

He continues, "Listen, we are getting our ass kicked because of these petty little disagreements between us which turn into what you all perceive to be major problems! They cause us to lose focus! Now you decide what the hell you want us to focus on: Finding Ben, finding Megan or scratching our fucking asses..."

Present – Maria – In the tunnels

Wow the Old Fart is more pissed than I've ever seen! It's funny when he threatens to kick my Princess Boss's ass because I'm not sure he could do that. For once my Princess Boss is smart and doesn't accept the challenge and keeps her mouth shut. He then reiterates what Todd had said earlier so I comment, "Jens, this is twice we've heard from different people that we need to focus on one problem. I personally think they are both right."

Jens answers, "Jack, it sounds like you've been talking to Todd and I agree with both of you. Our primary mission has always been to find Ben but we've become distracted and I'm to blame for that."

I interrupt, "Jens the blame isn't totally yours. I also got distracted, in Texas, when I went looking for Linus and his team. Do you know what our problem is?"

Jens looks at me and admits, "Yeah, we get too emotional about things and then we lose our objectivity." She turns to Jack and says, "Okay. I made you the leader, so lead."

Jack replies...

Present – Jack – In the tunnels

Well that went better than I thought it would however I do have one big question that needs answered. I look at Jens and ask, "Jens, what about Glen?"

Jens answers, "Jack, I put you in command and I want you in command, however I'm not sure the Marines will follow you over Daddy. Besides, Todd is worried that Daddy might be a 'Manchurian Candidate' and might pose a threat to me."

Maria adds, "Plus, we need to vet each individual Marine who's here. Hammer already discovered one man that wasn't a Marine."

This is surprising as hell to me so I ask, "Okay, both these so called facts are new news to me so I need a sitrep."

Jens and Maria give me a hell of a sitrep. When they are done even I question Glen and I know I'm going to be looking over my shoulder at each 'Marine' who's here.

Maria finishes with a suggestion, "Jens, I think we need to tell Glen that you put Jack in charge and he needs to follow Jack's orders."

I laugh, "Do you really expect the Old Man to take orders from a sergeant?"

Jen thinks for a few moments then says, "Maria, I like the hell out of that idea and Daddy can either follow Jack's orders or he can leave."

There's a knock on the door, Maria points her weapon at the door and we hear, "Matt and Jim reporting for duty."

I look at Maria and she explains, "Jack, it's my duty to protect Jens and since we don't know about the other 'Marines', she's not going anywhere without body armor, a helmet and armed escort."

She continues, "Open the door slowly and come in guys."

I comment on her action, "Now that's the kind of thinking we need around here; Maria, good job taking the initiative to protect Jens."

The guys come in and Maria begins to give them a sitrep while I talk to Jens, "Okay Jens, your first duty is to talk to Glen and make sure he understands who is in charge."

She salutes and replies, "Damn Skippy SIR!"

I began to complain about the 'SIR' when there's another knock on the door and the doorknob begins to turn. Maria, Matt and Jim cover the door with their weapons and Maria orders, "Halt and be recognized!"

Present – Masha – In the tunnels

I locate the room where Jennifer and Jack are located, I knock on the door, begin to open it and hear Maria yell, "Halt and be recognized!"

I quickly step to the side of the door, shield Ivan with my body and reply, "It is Masha and Ivan Reynolds, is my husband here?"

Maria answers, "Enter the room slowly so we can see your hands."

I stay at the side of the door, open the door wide then slowly step into the doorway where they can see me and Ivan. Ivan squirms and says, "Gapa!" I let him go, he runs to Jack while I enter the room and question, "What is the meaning of the increased security?"

Jennifer explains, "Hammer discovered one of the 'Marines' wasn't really a Marine. So until Daddy vets everyone, everyone is a threat."

Maria adds, "And my job is Jens' security."

I think for a moment and comment, "Yes, it is wise to assume that some of the men here are not Marines and might pose a security risk. I do have some information that, if it is accurate, might add to the security risks. That is why I'm here."

Jack smiles at me and says, "Okay soccer mom, what do you have?"

I smile back and begin, "Megan is no longer in Venezuela, and we wonder if perhaps she might have come back here and been instrumental in the release of Jennifer's mother, Evelyn, from the mental hospital."

Jennifer questions, "How did you know about Evelyn? And who is this 'we'?"

Jack saves me by saying, "Jens, just as Masha has never asked me for information, we do not ask Masha where she gets her information. Okay, let's suppose that Megan did aid Evelyn's release, why would she do that?"

I answer, "That is easy. It is because Jennifer's mother knows more about Jennifer than anyone else. So, if you were planning to target someone, that information would be invaluable."

They all nod their heads and Jack continues, "Masha, I've been put in command and our primary mission is finding Banzai so we don't have the resources to expend on this. Is there any way you could help?"

This is a change since Jack has never directly asked me for help. I will need to clear this with my one superior but I'm almost certain with what Megan has done to enhance the addiction potential of the product the drug lord was supplying, it will be approved. She is a truly dangerous woman. I answer, "I believe I have access to some resources which will assist in this task."

Jack delegates, "Good Masha, then Megan and Evelyn are your problem unless you tell us you can't help."

I wonder how Jennifer's father will react to finding out my Jack is in charge? This should prove interesting and I will need to speak with Jack before he has a confrontation with Glen. However there's something I want to do first so I question, "You mentioned a man had been captured who is not a Marine? What has been done with him?"

Jennifer answers, "Todd and Linus took him to another room and are interrogating him."

I smile because if Todd is interrogating him, we will get every useful piece of information from him that's possible. I request, "Well if you don't mind I would like to observe the interrogation. I might glean useful information which will aid in my assignment."

Jack agrees, "Masha that would be great, but first I want a kiss."

I go over to my Jack and he delivers a kiss which makes me weak in the knees. Then he pulls away and whispers, "Honey, don't worry about Glen. Your talk with me has changed my attitude and it's Jens' assignment to tell her father that I'm in command."

I whisper a reply, "Jack, let me know how this goes and if you need any help."

Jack says, "I need to go get some sitreps since I feel like I'm out of the loop."

He leaves while I retrieve Ivan and we depart to locate Todd, Linus and the prisoner...

Present – Todd and Linus – In the tunnels

I can see the medicinal herbs have taken effect but while I attempt to start the questioning, there's a knock on the door. I nod to Linus who approaches the door with his weapon and challenges, "Who's there?"

We hear, "Masha and Ivan Reynolds, I would appreciate the opportunity to view the interrogation."

I nod, Linus opens the door Masha walks in. She evaluates the prisoner and says, "It looks like I arrived in perfect time."

I nod, we begin the questioning and then...

Present – Jens – In the tunnels

I complain, "Maria, I can't move with all this shit hanging on me."

Maria commands, "Jens, shut the fuck up. You're going to wear your body armor and helmet and we're not taking no for an answer!"

I glare at her, "I'd be careful who you're telling to shut the fuck up - I'm getting damn tired being told that. Remember I can and will kick your ass."

Maria smiles, "I don't think you can kick all three of our asses."

I look at Matt, Jim and Maria then I decide discretion is the better part of valor besides I'm hungry so I surrender, "Well, I'm too hungry to kick the three of your asses right now so instead, let's go get some food."

We leave the room and it's like a fucking convoy: Matt and Jim are up front while Maria is behind me. I complain, "Don't you think this is going to attract too much attention?"

Then Sharik takes off like his ass in on fire and I further complain, "Hey, where the hell are you going?"