FADED E-Book

Joseph P Hradisky Jr

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

This is book one of an organization that seeks out to keep the scales of justice as equal as possible. James Clver personally believes that too much good, like the statement 'it is for your own good', is just as bad as too much evil. The balance has t be maintained.

Leseprobe

Joseph P Hradisky Jr

FADED

A James Clover Mystery - Book One

I owe all my writing inspiration to my wonderful wife, Terri. I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my story. I feel it is selfish to keep all my stories to myself. Have a wonderful life full of hugs and kisses. Joseph P Hradisky Jr This is a work of fiction. The names of the characters represent no one living or dead. The names of the places are real. Check them out.BookRix GmbH & Co. KG80331 Munich

FADED

A James Clover Mystery

Book 1

By Joseph P Hradisky Jr

A message from the author

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my story. I feel it is selfish to keep all my stories to myself. Have a wonderful life full of hugs and kisses.

Joseph P Hradisky Jr

Dedication

I owe all my writing inspiration to my wonderful wife, Terri.

This is a work of fiction. The names of the characters represent no one living or dead. The names of the places are real. Check them out.

This is the property of Joseph P Hradisky Jr. All rights are reserved.

James Clover

Tired.

The man running was covered in sweat. He stood about 5 feet and 7 inches tall, had a head full of grey hair, beneath the purple tinted glasses his eyes shone with the light of fiery hazel green, he was in good shape but did not always look it. There were times when his gut could have been better, but he really didn’t care. He could take any amount of hard punches and not be phased by them. Even though it didn’t look like the proverbial six pack. As he neared the finish line there were only two things he wanted. Both desperately the same. But he could not think too long on them for, when his mind wandered like this, he had a tendency to slow down. Whether it was in a car or running on a timed race course for qualifications. So he let the thoughts go for the moment, he was almost done.

*************

The small village of Sallu, Sudan was nestled in a small depression a half-hour away from a river delta. The location was not much to look at but what was under the surface was what made the land valuable. So much so that a consortium of American, Sudanese, business wanted it. The villagers refused to give it up for any price. The decision would cost many lives before the killing could be stopped. And James Clover didn’t need to see the toll this decision had wrought.

He could hear their screams amid the explosions. Screams of fear, screams of those in pain, and screams of the dying. Then there was the smell. The smell of burning flesh, paint, gasoline, and other things not quite identifiable. All pushing him to go faster, and faster, and faster. But, the harder he tried to pick up speed, the slower he seemed to go. Everything around him seemed to be going slower and slower. And, it seemed, the quick sand of time was not playing in his favor. Not even close. As if time wanted him to fail. To fall. To bow down before it and admit defeat. This man had the look of one who would never admit to defeat even in death.

*************

Very, very tired.

The dark haired man was panting, hard, as his mind was filled with visions. Visions which normally filled his nights with very unsettling dreams. Not horrible, never horrible, he had a long time ago made peace with God knowing he would die one day. In the meantime he would do whatever it took to protect the innocent. This act, of protection, made the horror nonexistent. It allowed him to sleep at night when most could not. Nor did he not realize the price he would pay when he stood before God. He was good with that since his God was a loving and forgiving God. He stood all of five-seven, seemed a little overweight as well looking as if he was a very slow person. As though he were very weak. The problem was like the cover of a book, to the max. What you saw on the outside was not what was on the inside.

*************

The smell of burning trees, houses, flesh, wafted over him like fetid slime. Cloying. Clinging. Unclean. Then it would be gone with the shifting of the wind. But not the screams. The wind did not carry them out of hearing for a single minute. He thought it would have been very good had this happened. It would give his ears a much needed break from the pain all around him as innocent people were being killed.

The sound, of multiple gunfire, filled the air as thick as the screams and smoke. In one sense this had been a no win situation. The info had been bad, the local help less than reliable or were insiders setting them up for the enemy. It didn’t matter, James never trusted anyone, so they never had the chance to fool him. The ones who did try were the food for dogs while their heads sat atop of a pike to show what would happen to those who helped the bad guys. Yet there still was the chance to save a lot of lives. He just had to move faster. So…much…more…faster.

*************

It took an hour, by the course managers stop clock, but James Clover finished the course. Slow…too slow…James thought as he sought to catch his breath again. The sweat poured down his face, his body, almost like a small waterfall had grown on him during the run. Everything burned. His skin from the brutal sun to the over exerted muscles throughout his body. Right now, it seemed, he could feel them all. His pulse raced showing the rapid beating of his heart. Only for the moment as he drew in long, deep, breaths of air. The longer the breath, the quicker his body was returning to normal. With the transition those thoughts, he had shoved aside earlier, came roaring back. Even now he had to shove them aside, so he could concentrate on bringing his body back to relaxation stage.

*************

James Clover crested the ridge to see the village below. He could see the people trying to flee from the paramilitary unit attacking. Only there seemed to be no getting away. As they tried a new group of attackers would appear to stop them. The goal seeming to be to keep them in the village, so they could all be killed while the village, itself, was erased from the map.

What made this whole scene a whole lot worse was they were American. Civilian contractors hired by an American / Sudanese business partnership who wanted the land these people were on. Land rich in some form of a resource. James did not know, or even cared, what this resource was. All he knew was the idea it was the villagers and no one else’s

The American government was useless, or helpless, or a part of the problem to step in. The U N was tied up in a voting process where they would never achieve the votes needed to step in. Each time a vote was called to send forces in a key voting block would negate it. In most cases because the American Government, people, wanted the fighting to stop. While certain other reps wanted, what was happening, to happen because it would favor them in some way economically. It was always about the money. Always.

*************

Ten minutes slower than normal but, according to the course manager, still fast enough to pass. Nor did anyone understand why he was not upset at finishing so badly. To James it was all about passing the tests. In some cases you had to accept whatever it was just as long as you did. Nothing else was important enough to claim control over his mind like he had seen it do to so many in the past. Many who are no longer with the organization.

*************

James Clover had been chomping at the bits to stop this killing. He pleaded with all key figures in the Air Force chain of command. Each, and every, one told him there was nothing they could do till the President, Congress, gave them the okay. He pleaded with the ones in charge of the American units doing the killing. One even had the balls to tell James if he didn’t leave it alone he would disappear very quickly. No one ever saw the man again, but James left a clear sign who had done it. Clear enough where no one came after him.

*************

For a moment everything around him faded out as he concentrated on slowing his breathing. It still wasn’t where he wanted it to be. With his eyes closed he brought up the one image which brought him almost instant peace. It was his secret weapon, his secret rock of safety, an image so powerful he could almost feel himself become one with all things for this image grounded him in the reality of all life. And it all faded…

*************

It all faded to the day he had been getting ready to go AWOL on a solo mission to take out the contractors. He was a history buff. He knew what the force of a few, or even one, could accomplish. The 300 who forced Sparta to take on a huge, and cruel, force to save their land of free people. Maybe this would force the rest of the world to act in the manner they should already be acting. Countless innocent lives were being lost because they were too chicken shit to do what was right. James had no issues with that. He always did what was right. Fair. No matter what the method as long as it saved even one innocent life. For him an innocent life saved was the only goal.

It was the same day there came a knock on his apartment door. James never liked living on the base so whenever he had the chance he would live off base. Even in areas where no other American ever could. Some said it was karma, but he could make friends with just about anyone he ever met. Carefully, not knowing if he had been found out, James opened it to find a man, he had never seen before, smiling at him.

“Can I help you?” James asked the stranger. The answer caught him by surprise.

“The question should be ‘can I help you’?” The stranger replied. The man was tall, nearly bald, brown eyes, and a neatly trimmed mustache. He also wore a very expensive business suit. Which, thought James, was very odd for the summer had arrived with a burning vengeance to say the least.

“I’m a little busy for games.” James was about to close the door when the next words stopped him cold.

“You have the right idea but going AWOL will make you look just as bad they are. I am pretty sure, my info on you, is quite clear on this point. No matter what you do you will never stoop to the same level of those you fight. No matter who they are.” The stranger looked at James for several minutes before continuing. “The name, and the only one you need, is Prime. I am in the process of recruiting certain individuals to act as a positive response team for situations like this.”

“And what do you know of this situation?” James moved aside to let Prime into his apartment then closed the door.

“You want to go to Sudan to stop the American civilian soldiers from killing more innocent people just because a very large business wants their land. Is my info wrong on this point?”

“No.” Was all James could say as he turned to face Prime with his back to the door. Curious James asked. “So what is it you have in mind?”

“Good, you are as opened minded as my briefing on you indicated. We have, or I should say I have, been keeping tabs on you for a few years now. This is not the first time you almost went off the reservation to do what was right. What I have in mind is to have you leave the Air Force in the correct manner and join my organization.”

“So what makes your organization so different?” James was thinking he could like this man if it achieved what he wanted. As long as there were no strings attached.

“We have no one to tell us no. In some aspects we are the same as those you want to take out. The big difference is our goal is to keep innocent lives safe, power mad people from thinking they are above any law, and to send the bad guys, of the world, a message they can, and will, be held accountable for their actions. Even if it means to take on American businesses, politicians, and the very rich if they are the ones who are wrong. Usually they are.”

“So I take it anything goes to stop them?” James sat down to take in the implication of the conversation. “If the only way to stop them is to terminate with extreme prejudice it can be done?”

“Absolutely. I would rather not take lives but whatever it takes to get them to stop is what we will do. It follows the idea on the use of force. We will always use the minimum to get the job done but, at the same time, we will get the job done.” Prime looked at James waiting. “Well?”

James smiled. “What are we waiting for?”

*************

This was a bit too fast but nothing to be concerned about. It was heading in the right direction. An idea he should be following himself in the physical sense. So, as soon as his breathing reached where he wanted it to be, all he could think about was getting into a nice hot shower. Then a nice warm bed with his wife.

*************

“Attention, Eagle Security Forces, this is your only opportunity to lay down your weapons and surrender. If you do you will be tried in a World Court, if you do not you will die.” James signaled his team to get ready for he already knew what the answer would be.

Suddenly the ridge, just below his feet, exploded with rounds from the Security group. James didn’t move for he knew their first rounds would not be high enough to come close to him. James raised his hand, waited a second, and then dropped it.

The first round of fire, from his organization, were three well place missiles. These exploded in the heart of the Security group. The explosions were followed by an intense barrage of bullets. James watched the carnage below before holding his hand up. The attack stopped. While the smoke cleared James made his way down to the village. Behind him was the rest of his team, as well as the other 8 teams, who formed a line with James.

Slowly they made their way among the Security Forces. Living, or dead, a bullet was put through the forehead of each member of the Security Forces. When they got to the village James stopped. He turned to his second Tricia Henry. “Is the perimeter ready for the Sudanese force coming?”

“Affirmative.” She replied. “We have three sets of eyes on them as they approach. The army will be here in five minutes.”

“Good.” James signaled his comm. Person over. “Your turn.”

Ryan Grant picked up his bullhorn and started speaking. “To those left in the village you need to take whatever shelter you can till the fighting is over. We are here to defend you and what is yours. Pikeun maranéhanana kenca di kampung Anjeun kudu mawa panyumputan naon bae bisa kantos tarung nyaeta leuwih. Urang di dieu pikeun membela anjeun jeung naon Hormat.”

“Kumaha urang bisa dipercaya anjeun?” A voice yelled out from somewhere near the outer buildings.

Ryan translated for James. “How can we trust you?”

James smiled toward the village. “You can not, and I am not asking you to. I am just asking you to make yourselves safe.”

“Anjeun teu bisa jeung Kuring keur teu nanyakeun anjeun. Kuring keur saukur nanyakeun Anjeun pikeun nyieun yourselves aman.” Ryan told the person in the village.

When no response came back James knew they were trying to find a safe place till the battle was done. When the army finally arrived it never stood a chance. Those who survived the land exploding under them were terminated with extreme prejudice. After the news, of this battle, hit all the news channels the U N finally stepped in with the backing of the United States.

There were several attempts, led by the business who was behind it all, to arrest the people of the organization but this was soon put to rest when a whole lot of evidence of the business’ role in the mass slaughtering wound up in the enforcement element of the U N Security Forces H Q as well as every major news organization around the world. When the smoke cleared the business was forced into bankruptcy for what they had done. The president of the company was jailed as well as all the upper levels of management.

*************

Then going home to his girlfriend, wife, to snuggle with her. Lately he had been having trouble not saying the later out loud because he was having trouble this could be considered a lie. Especially since her father had no clue except they were seeing each other.

She was the vision he brought out when he needed strength or needed to cool himself down. There was something about her naked skin next to his. It calmed him like nothing else. To some she was the equivalent of warm milk just before going to bed. She also knew what he did, because she once was a part, of the organization, now retired and was okay with it as long as he didn’t do anything stupid. He had once. Almost got himself killed when he clearly had other options. The penalty was James had to sleep in a separate bed, in the same room with her, while she did all sorts of erotic things. Nor was the pain taken away when they did finally have sex. This had happened only once.

As he started toward the barracks the course official brought him a clip board. This held his test scores for the week of training. Slowly looking through the papers he saw he had passed everything. A few were closer than he felt comfortable with, but he did pass. For a moment his thoughts faded to the first time he had done this. He was so into getting it done. He hated tests. Any kind of tests. So the best way to get away from doing a test was to do it as quickly as possible while getting the highest grade possible.

He was so fully devoted, to this idea, that it wasn’t until everyone had finished before he was told he held the new record on everything. And not by just a little but by a good stretch. Since then he had been told each new round of recruits were trying to break his hold on the scores. Many tried but only a few even came close. Deep down he was growing impatient for the day when someone did. Then they would leave him alone on the issue.

When he had finished the last page he signed them and started again to the shower room. Again everything around him faded to background noise because he really didn’t care about anything at the moment. He was just tired. So tired he knew their first night together would be only for sleep and cuddling. Tricia knew this, so he didn’t worry about any possible problems there. He was so in his mind, studying what he could have done better, when a sound finally broke through.

Reality faded back in, but it still took him several minutes before he finally heard someone was trying to talk to him. For a moment he thought about not stopping. Nothing was even close to being more important than heading to the showers. All he really wanted was a hot shower and his girlfriend’s naked body. But he stopped.

“Hey old man wait up.”

James Clover recognized the voice of Richard Brody. New recruit. Wait…no…that was last year. It didn’t seem like he had been here that long. Slowly James Clover turned to face Brody.

Richard came walking up to stand in front of him. Bad mistake he would regret later. “You know old man I almost caught you today. Next year I will pass you for sure. Then it will be time for you to retire.”

James Clover thought about making a reply but felt it was of no importance. So he turned to head to the showers once again.

A hand grabbed his shoulder for a second. “Hey, old man, I was talking to you. What? You think you are so much better you don’t have to talk to me?”

“I would leave him alone if I were you?” This came from the course manager Ron Jeremy.

“But you ain’t me older man so I would keep my opinions to myself if I were you.” Richard tried to grab his shoulder again, but James Clover had already started to turn around to face him. It was one thing to be disrespectful to him but not to his friends.

“It’s your funeral.” Ron said.

“You had something to say to me?” James asked Richard.

“Yeah. Next year I will not only pass you on this course, but I will set new records for all of it.” Richard paused for a moment. “Just wanted to let you know.”