Spies (by Dave B)

[DocQuantum]

Spies Chapter 14

I could feel the deep horror and sadness my friend still had over the events of that awful day even after all these many years. I watched tears form in my friend Colonel Jackson's eyes as he recounted the slaughter of our friends. He clearly could not go on even though our audience, especially Richelda Rankin needed to know the full story. I leaned forward from my comfortable seat put my hand on my friend's shoulder as I said "I will recount the rest of the tale as I am the only one living who knows all of the rest of our story."

"Almost as soon as Pierre, McGurk, Wing Wendall, and Colonel Jackson went running out the door Wendall returned. He still had his Colt .45 out. He aimed it at the consulate's charges de affairs and the military attaché. He ordered the military attaché to have his guard close and lock the gate. He then called the diplomat over to him and pistol whipped him. The man fell unconscious to the floor. The military attaché was not a young man but that did not stop him from trying to attack Wing Wendall. While Wendall was no longer a young man either he was trim and fit with years of experience in hand-to hand combat. The military attaché didn't stand a chance and he too was lying unconscious on the floor in seconds. Wendall kicked aside the military attaché and diplomat's bodies so that they were out of the doorway.

I was still gathering my strength. I believe I could have defeated the traitor fairly easily even then, but I wanted him alive so my master and I could have answers. Unfortunately we both heard the sound of an enraged man coming bounding up the stairs"

Jackson looked sheepishly then as he remember how he came running up those stairs in a fit of blind rage with no thought; only an unquenchable thirst for revenge on who ever closed the gates.

"Wendall glanced at me to see if I was still firmly the grip of the unconsciousness, which I feigned. He then quickly went to the side of the door. From there he could see me clearly and I dared not move yet. Jackson came running in and Wendall pistol whipped him hard in the back of the skull. Unlike the diplomat, I heard the awful sound of breaking bone when the pistol connected with Jackson's skull. The momentum of my friend body carried him well into the room.

"Wendall was still looking my way when he went over to Jackson's sprawled form. It was then that I saw another man with a pistol in the doorway. He was in his mid-fifties, his once blond hair tuning white, he wore a thin mustache. It was a man known only as G5, the oldest active spy in American service. He had been a spy when my master and I had been in the service. He was a one time a student of my master before I came into Black X's service. He was one of the first to have America's G designation which gave them a license to kill even when they are not defending themselves.

"Drop the gun" G2 said in that deep voice of his tinged with a Midwestern American accent. His gun was aimed at Wendall. G5 took a step into the office and I saw that he had made a mistake. Wendall saw it too. There was a carpet on the floor of the office that went from the entrance to the desk in the center of the room where Wendall was. The traitor was kneeling down by Jackson's unconscious body. Wendall dropped the gun. He grabbed the edge of the carpet while hiding the move with Jackson’s unconscious body. Before I  could warn him Wendall yanked the carpet out from under G5.

The blond spy dropped his pistol as he went crashing down in a very ungraceful heap. Wendall picked up his gun as he stood. G2 was ever resourceful and already recovered from his surprise and was reaching for his fallen gun. Wendall knew G5 by reputation at the very least and obviously did not want to fight him; he also knew that the master spy would not surrender. Wendall readied his gun to fire at the prone G5’s head.

I knew that I had lost my chance to question the traitor for he was too far away from me to tackle and save G5. Therefore threw my knife. It landed deep in the traitor's chest, killing him instantly."

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 15

I looked at my friend in the Rankin’s living room as I continued my tale: “I went directly to Jackson’s unconscious form on the floor while G5 retrieved his pistol while he stood up from the floor. My eyes narrowed as G5 pointed his pistol at me.  “It’s time for us to go Batu,” he said, “It’s time to go talk to your master.”

“Not yet we have five wounded men here, Jackson as well as the two other men from the consulate, not to mention the two poor mind warped men in the basement”  I replied.

“I don’t have time for this Batu. These men are expendable.  Where’s Black X going?”

I looked hard at G5. Time had not been kind to the middle-aged agent.   Then I remembered he had a partner in his mission in India. “What’s the matter?” I said. “G2 lose my master and Bruce Blackburn?”

G5 didn’t answer; he just said “we have to go.”

I closed my eyes for a moment and let my mind drift. I could see my master and Blackburn running along the rooftops. “You know there’s still a man following us Richard” queried Bruce.

“Yes” said my master. “My guess it’s one of the “G” agents. I only know G5 but he moves with the standard stealth and grace of those agents.”

Bruce smiled at my master and replied “You ought to know – you set the standard.”

“A standard that I’m too old to live up to Bruce;” My master then stopped running and pointed over to the man following them and yelled “ come on over mate. We know your there and we’d like to talk.”

With that I saw the other “G” agent emerge from behind a wall on a roof two buildings away. It was the first time I saw the remarkable man named Don Leash, otherwise known as G2.

In the meantime G5 noticed my trance and tried to slap me in the face. I shot my hand out and grabbed his wrist in a way that gave the proper leverage to cause him instant pain even though he was standing over my kneeling body. “Don’t ever try that again’ I said as I let go of him.

“Your partner is conferring with my master. We will meet them later.”

I turned to the others in the Rankin apartment. And said “I should explain: My master, Black X and I shared a mystical rapport. I could always know when he was in trouble and where he was, and he with me as well. But if I concentrated I could be with my master in my mind though he did not always know it unless I allowed it because it was I who initiated the link.

“Can you read my mind?” asked Richelda Rankin.

“No,” I replied. I did not think that now was a good time to tell her that my son, Blaku, who was guarding the front of the house could.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 16

Richelda Rankin sat back as a reassured her that I could not read her mind. I then returned to our tale.  G5 was frowning at me. I am certain he would have just as soon killed me then and there if he did not need me. G5 was once my friend, but time had hardened him to where he was almost as ruthless as the Nazis he had been fighting for nearly two decades.  G5’s real name is forgotten as are his exploits. But make no mistake he was a he like Wings Wendall was in the years before and during the war. Wendall’s heroism was broken in all those years of captivity. G5’s was slowly eroded in all those years of espionage.

“We have to go Batu” G2 5 said as he pointed his gun at me. He cocked the pistol and added the word “Now.”

I was undeterred and continued my checking of Jackson.  “These men need medical attention immediately” I stated firmly.

“I told you they’re expendable” said G5 with a grim look about his eyes.

“To you they are. Not to me” I said as I rose.  “We will go now only if you fire three shots from your pistol into the wall that faces the yard. That way no one gets hurt and the consulate’s marines will come running up here and we’ll be gone.”

“No, we’ll just go and the consulate’s people will get here when they get here” said the bitter “G” agent.

“I am only going to go if you do as I have suggested. Otherwise shoot. That too will be a good thing because then the marines will come and help the others. Either way I win.”

G5 grunted. “I could just knock you unconscious with my bare hands.”

I put my hands at my side with my palms facing him. “I’m younger and faster than you are. We’ve both had the same training. Add my other skills and I am willing to bet that you would be the one lying unconscious.”

G5 was weighing my words “Damn you!’ he whispered in an angry manner as he quickly fired three shots from his pistol into the wall facing the yard. With that we ran out of the consulate and met up with my master.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 17

I paused in my story telling as I explained that though I knew where my master, Bruce Blackburn and Don Leash, otherwise known as G2 were and where they were going I had no idea what their conversation was because I was running to meet them at their final destination. I would have had to stop and concentrate in order to do so and there was no time.

“You oughtta let me take over telling the story then Batu” said my old friend Larry Trask.

Batu nodded okay and I took up the tale. “Let’s see”   I started.  “I was left behind at the police station when the Thuggee riot started. Riot” I sniffed. “That’s what the press called it later when the US and Indian governments did their cover up of what really happened. It was an attack by the forces of Madam Doom; make no mistake if you try to check the veracity of what we’re telling you. It’s not in any history book or newspaper of the day.

That big burly recently promoted Indian lieutenant was the only officer left. He called the capitol in New Delhi and apprised them of the situation. They told him that the military was coming in to institute martial law. I was listening in on his side of the conversation. When he mentioned the fact that his now dead superior had made Black X a citizen of India and then signed him and Batu up in their secret service.  He took the receiver away from his ear. I could tell someone in New Delhi was screaming at that piece of information. The big man listened for a while longer and said “Yes I understand” at the end of the conversation. 

The big guy scowled at me and for a minute I thought he was going to use be for a punching bag but he turned away from me and yelled for one of the NCOs.  He promoted the man to captain on the spot and ordered him to get a list of weapons from their armory in the basement. I wish to god someone with a key thought of going there during the attack.

Anyway the newly promoted captain returned and told the big man something in Hindu, which I don’t speak.  The Big guy then informed me that he was now a major and he had specific orders to give Black X. “Where did he  go American? “ he asked.

“I don’t know” I replied. Don Q looks a lot like Black X from a distance. I know he was headed for the consulate. Black X said he had an idea where Madam Doom was, but I got the impression that was because of something you’re late and unlamented boss told him. “

The newly minted major handed me the phone and told me to call the consulate.  That’s when I found out about Don, Pierre, and McGurk. I also learned that there was a dead marine. The guy on the other end was near hysterical. He told me he was in charge because the charges de fairs and the military attaché were unconscious along with some guy he didn’t know.  He added that there was also another dead man in the charges de Affairs’ office.  I deduced from what the guy told me that the dead guy was either Wendall or Jackson. I had a hard knot in my gut and tears were rolling down my cheeks when I finished that conversation. Don was one of my best friends.

The big guy scowled silently when I told him what I had found out. Then the phone rang. The giant major picked it up and listened for a moment. “It’s Black X, he says he wants to talk to you,” he said before handing me the phone.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 18

Black X first asked me how things were at the police station. I told him, it was pretty bed and martial law had been declared. I then look at the big former sergeant and added “The man who has taken Ajay’s place wants to meet you ASAP.”

“Good, we’re headed for the airport. I know Batu knows to meet us there” said Black X

I was silent for a moment and then asked Black X if he knew what had happened at the consulate. He hadn’t. I told him what I knew.

It was his turn to be silent, and then he said very tersely “You’re absolutely sure about the casualties?”

“All except Wendall and Jackson” I replied.

“Damn!” he whispered. “I’ll tell Bruce. Batu will know what happened. He’s on his way even as we speak.” With that he hung up. I hate to say it but I was relieved that I wasn’t the one who had to tell Bruce Blackburn about McGurk and Jackson.

“Where is he American?” queried the big man in a menacing voice.

“I have a name – Larry Trask, my name is Larry Trask” I said. “Black X wants you to rendezvous at the airport at the plane when we came in on.”

“Good” said the big man. “I am Major Singh, Taj Singh. “  He then started out the office “Come American” he said with the meanest mischievous grin I ever saw. I knew then and there that I would forever be known as American as far as the big guy was concerned.  I really liked that big lug even if he did break my nose.

We went down to the car and the troops were just finishing putting a good dozen military weapons. The major explained that the squad guarding our plane had Enfield rifles and he thought they needed an upgrade since they were going to accompany Black X. Madam Doom was to be captured or killed and he was going sure that she didn’t get away.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 19

We drove directly to the tarmac where the C-47 Skytrain was parked. The five Indian guards Ajay had posted to guard it were still there. So was Sergeant Spin Benson, Wing Wendall’s partner. Benson looked bored as hell he was smoking a cigar and reading a couple comic books. I could tell by their wear that he had read them dozens of times.  The Big guy started yelling orders to his men while I went over to Benson. I asked him he had seen Black X

“Yeah, Bruce Blackburn’s wit em. Dere’s anodder fellat too.  I ain’t ever seen ‘im before

I nodded back and looked over at the big guy; he was handing out a bunch of Sten Submachine guns. He was waving a Bren Light Machine Gun like it was made of paper in one hand and a PIAT in the other.  A PIAT is a British anti-tank gun like a bazooka.  P.I.A.T.  stands for Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank. It’s based on a mortar, using a spring to fire the charge instead of a rocket. It was not as effective as a bazooka and you couldn’t fire downward towards a target because the charge would fall out. India was still using old British – Commonwealth weapons at this time, even though they kicked the Brits out.

Black X stood up and the other fellow stood up when I enter the plane Bruce was sitting on the side of the fuselage.  He was just staring into space; McGurk’s death and the unknown fate of Jackson hit him pretty hard. I know ‘cause Don Q’s death was eating at me.  The Big guy started yelling in English for Black X to come out.  Spencer just smiled. It was a grim smile but still very winning somehow. He was a remarkable man.

I took a deep breath before speaking to the assembled Rankin’s. “I never met Richard Spencer before this horrible mission. I knew his reputation and believe he exceeded it in every way. He could a worn a costume and he would have been as tough as any of the Freedom Fighters. He was special. Now where I…oh yeah, the Big guy was calling for Black X to exit the plane.”

G2 and I tried to follow him out but we were met by a couple of Indian guard pointing their Sten Submachine guns right at our bellies. I noticed another one had his gun pointed at Spin Benson. The last two guards were covering Black X who was speaking to the big guy in Hindu, which I don’t speak.  G2 just stood in the doorway. As I went back inside I heard Black X say “don’t do anything stupid Don”.

Five minutes later Black X and Spin come on board with the big guy and his guard. “What’s going on?” said G2. 

Black X said “we’re waiting for Batu and your partner on this mission. They should be here any minute. Once we’re airborne I’ll tell you where were going and why.”

G5 came in then flashing his pistol “Not so fast Spencer! This is a US military plane and you’re not part of the government anymore. If the Indians want to go they have to get their own damn plane.

From the Cockpit Spin Benson yelled “You’re not military either buster. I don’t what happened to the skipper of this plane; but unless he tells me not to fly this bird with dese guys - I’m flying em.”

G5 sniffed contemptuously as he said in a matter-of-fact tone “Wendall was traitor. Now he’s a dead traitor.”

Benson’s, who didn’t know anything about what happened at the consulate, jaw dropped in stunned disbelief.

“I’m willing to bet you’re  a damned traitor too’ he was cocking his back when Black X deftly kicked the gun out of his hands while Batu, who was behind G5 grabbed his ankles and pulled, causing him to fall to his knees. G2 then gave the man a quick karate chop behind the neck that knocked out G5. 

“I’ve wanted to do that for the two weeks” said Don Leash.

The big guy wanted G5 thrown off the plane before we left but Black X said it would be better to disarm him and take him with us because we going to need every man aboard the plane before this mission was over.  He then went over to the cockpit and spoke very consolingly to Spin while Batu brought us up to date on what happened at the consulate. We were airborne fifteen minutes later.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 20

Black X began his tale of what he knew about Madam Doom once we leveled off. First he asked the big guy if all his men spoke English; and said “good” when the giant answered yes.  “We’re flying to the Kazmir Province.” That caused quite stir among the Indians. Kazmir was and is a lawless tribal region, only nominally governed by India and her soldiers are not looked upon in friendly terms by the locals. It’s also a hard place to land a plane. A couple of them were looking leery as they eyed the parachutes stored in the back. I wasn’t looking forward to any parachute drop as banged up as I was either.

“Now as to the reason why we’re going to Kazmir” explained Black X “is simple – that’s where she’s from. “ He held up his hands as I started to object. “I know what you’re going to say Larry” he says to me; “she’s the daughter of Mata Hari. And you’re right she is. Her mother, who was Dutch, bore when she was living in the Dutch East Indies before she was married and contracted syphilis, which in part killed Madam Doom’s younger half siblings .

Her father was an Indian named Jazer  Domie.  He was a member of the Indian aristocracy on the run from British authorities because he was also a member of the Thuggee Sect which the British had all but eradicated.”

“What about those men who attacked our headquarters?”  asked the Major.

“Only three, four at the most were actual Thuggees, the rest were paid hoodlums” replied Black X. “They were the leaders of the mob. Of course you realized that before the attack Major Singh. I know for a fact you have only been posing as a sergeant, hoping to find a connection between Ajay and Madam Doom.  You’re from the capitol otherwise they would have had you report to whoever is in charge of the unit’s taking charge of the city while it’s under martial law and not with us. The Big guy started to protest but Black X added “I don’t thing Ajay knew. He was a corrupt bastard but he wasn’t in her pocket, or her employer’s either.”

“Employer?’ Queried G2.

“Yes Don, Madam Doom never commit’s her crimes on her own. She is always in someone’s employ. Usually a government as they are about the only ones who can afford her price. “

“The Krauts “said G2.

“Possibly” said Black X, “Possibly someone else. At this point it doesn’t matter but it may be the British. Ajay wasn’t in their pocket and that could be because her backers are from the Commonwealth.

“I want to ask you what you found in the German Embassy when you and G5 raided it earlier. But first I want to finish with my explanation of Madam Doom’s origins”

Anyway it was scandalous for a white woman, even for Mata Hari, to have relations with an Indian. Domie paid her to have the child and then took her to Kazmir. That is where the last Thuggee Temple is. It is also the reputed place of the Eye of Kali.”

The Indians, including the big guy all gasped when Black X said the Eye of kali.

“What the hell is that? I asked.

“It is a gem that reportedly has mystic properties” replied Black X.

“What Magic properties/ asked Bruce Blackburn, who had been quiet up to now.

“It is said that the Eye can drain free will from anyone who behold it” said Batu

“Nonsense” exclaimed G2.

“Perhaps,” said Black X. “However Madam Doom was raised in this temple and under the influence of the Eye. Most people think it’s her good looks that cause men to bend to her will, but I’m telling you that it is not. She has the power to corrupt people’s minds.

“Is that why you let her go time after time Spencer?  All this time I thought it was because you were her lover.” said a newly awakened G5.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 21

I was shaking my head of the memory of us all in the C-47 headed to Kasmir and G5 trying to get Black X’s goat.  My audience was looking at me as though by reaction to G5’s comment about letting Madame Doom go all those times was something I agreed with. “Let me tell you something about what G5 had just said: It was an unsaid belief that was held by just about everyone in the US law enforcement and Intelligence communities. There were even some rumors that Black X was cashiered because it. But it was all a bunch of bull. “

“My master did love Madame Doom Larry, and he did let her escape once in 1940 because of that love. And once again fifteen years later when he wasn’t in the government’s employ as well” interrupted  Batu. “My master was a hero and a man in love. Twice he let love get the better of him.”

I nodded when Batu spoke, no one knew Richard Spencer better than he did. I then started having a coughing jag. I couldn’t catch my breath. I was barely able to whisper to Batu “you should continue the story Batu. Before he did Jackson took me out into the Rankin’s back yard. Mrs. Rankin brought me a glass of lemonade.

I watched as my friend Larry had a serious coughing spell.  I knew he was fatally ill, but I did not realize until then just how soon he would die. Jackson was right now was the time to tell Richelda Rankin about her parents.  After everyone was settled back in I started to resume our tale but then decided to say something about my master and Madam Doom.  “I should tell you something of your parents Richelda. Both your parents were master spies. My master, Richard Spencer, otherwise known as Black X was a spy for the American government from 1928 through 1945. He was America’s top field agent from 1937 until he retired in 1945.

Madam Doom real name was named Margaretha Domi after her mother. Margaretha was Mata Hari’s real name. She was a Eurasian woman of a Dutch mother and Indian father. She was born in the 1880’s but aged at a remarkably slow rate. She was well into her seventies when she died but didn’t look a day over thirty-five. She was a spy for hire. She usually worked for the fascists, but would occasionally work for the communist or even democratic powers if they were willing to pay her price. She was utterly ruthless except where your father was concerned.

They were adversaries and lovers. Each one hated themselves for loving the other. But there was no help for because their love ran through them like nothing I had ever seen before or since. The last time my master saw Madam Doom before this case was in January of 1956 in New York City. My master occasionally helped the police department with unsolved cases but he was essentially retired.

He happened to see Madam Doom walking the street in Manhattan and made it his business to find out why she was there. She was walking one way and he another when he spotted her. He turned around and went right up to her. I do not know what was said in their conversation but she thought she convinced my master that she was not then working and was merely in New York for a holiday.

For the next two weeks they saw each other constantly.  While it was true that Madam Doom was wanted for multiple crimes all over the world my master was an ordinary citizen. He should have made the authorities aware of her presence in Manhattan but he could not bring himself to do it. Instead they a whirlwind romance – something I believe they had both wanted to do since they first met.  Then Madam Doom disappeared just as quickly as appeared. My master was heart-broken, not surprised; just heart-broken. And that is why he was refused to help Bruce Blackburn help when he first asked.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 22

I was about to continue in my telling of our story when Richelda Rankin asked “was Black X influenced by this power of persuasion you said Madam Doom possessed?”

“I have thought long and hard about that very question during the years and I believe my master was not susceptible to her abilities.  I do not say this as a loyal friend and defender of my master’s reputation but rather as a man of a few mystical abilities and as a spy. People whose will was indomitable could resist her. Black X had an exceptional will. His love for Madam Doom was genuine as was hers for him.

Richelda had a frown on her face when she asked another question. “I’ve always had an easy time getting perps to confess. I always thought it was because I’m an exceptionally good interviewer. But is it possible that I inherited Madam Doom’s power of influence?” I could see that she was truly troubled by this even as Rookie and Sally Rankin assured her that she was indeed excellent in all aspects of police work.

“I will not lie to you Richelda. You do have a modicum of your biological mother’s power but you haven’t cultivated it except with criminals so it lays dormant in you most of the time. If you worked at using to persuade others to do thing they wouldn’t ordinarily do it would grow stronger.”

My answer distressed the young woman who then asked “Does this mean I’ve gotten innocent people to confess to crime they didn’t commit?”

“No” I reassured her very quickly.  “Madam Doom had to use chemical concoctions to drain a person’s willpower to the degree that would make an innocent man confess to crimes he did commit. “Your ability is more along the lines of getting someone to do something that at least a part of them wants to do. I am certain you have had no greater success that your parents or siblings in getting harden professional criminals to confess. Your remarkable success rate comes when dealing with the amateur. Correct?” She smiled in relief and I knew I was right. If the truth be told I was not certain.

“So what happened on the plane Batu?” asked the man who brought up Richelda as his own daughter.

My master took G5’s accusation that he let Madam Doom go time after time because he was her lover in stride. He said flatly that he had indeed let the woman escape because of love on two times.

“So the blood on her hands also belongs on yours” spat G5.

“Yes, I’m afraid so George” replied my master.

“Don’t call me that; I left George Fine behind a long, long time ago. I’m just G5 now” said America’s senior spy.

“I know George, but I knew you even before your code sign was X5. Back when agents with the license to kill was X instead of G” said my master. You entered the ranks just after they change from a color in front of an X as a way to designate America’s top spies. Your designation was going to be gold.

“Yeah and you refused to change and the Washington bully boys coddled you and let you keep your precious Black X moniker” retorted G5.

“Yes” said my master “part of the reason I wouldn’t change my designation was pride, as I had a certain notoriety as Black X and the other reason was because the bloody bigoted bureaucrats refused to give Batu the X designation when the man was as good if not better that most of the field agents we had; including myself.”

I started to object but my master said “Don’t deny the truth Batu. False modesty is not becoming.” With that I stayed quiet and listened to my master and George Fine argue.

“Yeah right” said G5. “Keep telling yourself that. You’re nothing but an overrated quitter.  You quit the service because we lost the war.”

Now my master was truly surprised. “Is that what you really think? Do you Larry, Bruce?”

Bruce Blackburn had been silent since he heard the sad news about the about the rest of his team. “I don’t know Richard, there was talk saying that was the reason…but I never concerned myself why you and hundreds of others left back then.”

Larry Trask just lit a cigarette and said “I didn’t know or care.”

G2 did then added “That is what they say in the service sir.”

My master shook his head in sadness. “I didn’t quit because we lost George. I quit because I was finally defeated by the one foe that defeats every field agent – time. I had grown too old for the job and I was never very good at paperwork so a desk job wouldn’t work for me.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 23

G5 scoffed at my master when he said he quite the service because he became too old to be a field agent. “That’s a load of bull Spencer. I know the only reason you quit is because we lost while the rest of us kept on fighting.”

“You’re wrong George. Time’s caught up with you now. Batu and I should never have been able to overpower you before we took off” countered my master.

Seeing where my master was going with this I added “And then there is the fact that you didn’t see the rug that Wing Wendall pulled out from under in the dimly lit room at the consulate. Your night vision is not what it used to be G5.”

“Ah you both daft” said G5.

Then G2 the quiet unassuming Don leash spoke up, “G5 why didn’t you help Don Q. Why didn’t take out the leaders of the mob that was chasing him?”

“I couldn’t get a clear shot. All I had was a stinking pistol” said G5 in his defense.

“You still should have been able to take out the leaders” said G2. “Unless your eyesight isn’t as good as it is supposed to be. “

G5 looked as though he wanted to crawl under a rock because we all knew then and there that Don Q and the others would still be alive if G5 was up to the physical standards that a G agent is supposed to maintain.

“Damn you!” screamed Bruce Blackburn as he leapt at G5 and began pummeling him. The intensity of the unexpected explosive attack was such that G5 could not defend himself. The rest of us were stunned by it for a good ten seconds.  We sat there while Bruce Blackburn pounded G5.

Then suddenly the plane lurched to the left and then to the right as multiple machinegun bullets ripped through the fuselage.  We were crashing down into the mountains below at an incredibly steep dive. I truly believed that we were all going to die at that moment.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 24

None of us in the back of the plane were wearing seatbelts. We all tumbled forward towards the cockpit as Spin Benson took the airplane into a steep dive to avoid the fighters.  The plane rocked from side to side and we were thrown this way and that even while bullets continued to rip through us.

We were a tangle of bodies massed together. Some of us had been shot while others had broken various bones when we tumbled together. I had not been injured even though I was at the bottom of the heap. My master went into the cockpit to aid Spin Benson while the G agents showed why they had that designation. The older disgruntled G5 grabbed the PIAT from Steve Trask even while G2 took the ammunition for the weapon. They didn’t say a word; slowly they climbed towards the door.

I heard the younger man say to the older one “I better take the shot. My eyes are better.”

G5 glared at the man before he nodded in accent. G5 handed G2 the PIAT. He grunted as he opened the door. G5 now yelled “Hand Me the ammo bag.”

The plane began to level off but it was still swerving this way and that.  G5 took the bag and then grabbed G2’s belt screaming “I’m gonna hang on to you so you don’t fall out.”

G2 nodded as he put one of the charges in the PIAT. The PIAT was a difficult antitank weapon to use and could not be fired downward because the charge would fall out. However it had the advantage over bazookas and the like because it had no back blast and could be used in the enclosed fuselage of the airplane. One of the WWII era propeller fighters that were attacking us came from below firing its guns through our floor. It banked away from us but came in G2’s line of vision. He had to wait until he saw that it would come parallel to us as it continued its climb. He fired the PIAT and blew the plane out of the sky.

Unfortunately parts of the destroyed aircraft came smashing through the open door. G2 evaded the Shrapnel but the PIAT was damaged.  Seeing this G5 grabbed one of the few parachutes that were in the back of the plane. I honestly thought he was going to abandon us. G2 knew better. “It’s suicide George” he yelled.

“Maybe, maybe not” G5 screamed back. He stood in the watching the second plane, which I found out later were British Spitfires. By this time I had climbed out of the tangled pile of bodies and went to the G agents. I saw that G5 was looking for the second plane. He had a desperate plan to jump on top of the plane and destroy it.  I went to the others side of the plane and look out the window. I saw the plane bearing down on us from above. I yell out “incoming at 10 o’clock.”

The bullets again smashed through our plane before the fighter flew below us. I quickly calculated how soon it would be directly below us.  I prayed my math was right as I yelled “Go”

G5 jumped out of the plane; in his hand he had his pistol while the bag of PIAT charges was still hung over his shoulder. Silently he leapt out of the plane. I rushed over to the open door. There I saw G5 clinging onto the right wing of the Spitfire with his right hand as he fired his pistol with his left. I saw the Spitfire pilot lose control of the aircraft as it began to spin. G5 must have killed the aviator. He hopped off the plane.  I saw his parachute open before I lost sight of him.

Then I heard my master say “We’re going down folks. Prepare for a crash landing.”

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 25

I finished my lemon aid in the backyard of the Rankin’s house. It was enclosed with a large hedge as the boundary straight out and fences on either side. Richelda’s siblings were sitting with me, but they were obviously keeping an eye out on the surrounding neighborhood.

Her brother asked me “What’s going on in there?  What’s so important that somebody in a limo comes here, and why do we need to keep an eye out for a possible attack?”

I smiled back and said “I know you what’s going on kid.” I inhaled deeply then before adding “I’m sure your folks will tell you what’s being said in there later. As for why you need to be on guard, Batu is head of the Indian Government’s Intelligence agency. Japan has attacked and occupied parts of India as well as California so he’s obviously a prized target for Axis agents.”

With that I stood up and went back inside. My lungs were feeling better after breathing some fresh air. Batu was regaling every one about our plane crash. He was being very dramatic. I sometimes have a perverse sense of humor; so I interrupted him saying “Oh come on now Batu; you know the plane made a perfect three point landing.”

The look of puzzlement on Batu’s face was priceless. “Three points: the cockpit and main part of the fuselage was over here, the tail section was over there and the wings were strewn everywhere” I added with a smile as I sat back down.  “We really did land hard. I broke my leg. Bruce Blackburn’s wrist was broken.   Five of the Indian soldiers were dead and another three were gravely wounded. The Big Guy had some cracked ribs. Spin Benson was in really, really bad shape. Only Batu Black X and G2 escaped unscathed. “

“It was real mess but we were lucky because the plane wasn’t on fire. Those of us who were ambulatory helped the rest of the wreck. They put me down next to Spin Benson; he was shot up pretty bad plus both of his legs were broken in the crash. Black X was working on him – trying to stop the bleeding.  Benson was talking so low you could barely hear him: “Listen” he said “I didn’t know Wing turned traitor…I just figured those years in the prison camp changed him, made him harder. You gotta tell my wife Mabel… the kids I didn’t know.”

He coughed and was quiet. “I looked at Black X and asked if he was dead. Black Z said “No not yet.” He stood up and said “I’ve got to go and check on the others.”  That was Black X he triaged the whole scene before he came back with Batu.  “What’s your blood type Larry”? He asked.

“AB negative” I replied.

Batu started setting my bust leg as Black X says “good Spin needs a transfusion and an operation. You’re the only match we’ve got.”

A hundred questions popped into my head about how they we going to do a transfusion and who was going operate when Batu snapped my leg back into alignment.  I passed out. When I woke up Spin and the others were all bandaged up. I saw that they made a make-shift shack with protection from the elements as well as cover if we were attacked.

Black X was smiling as he knelt over me and shook me awake.  He said “Larry, most of us who can walk are headed out. I’m afraid that excludes you because of your broken leg.” Once they left camp I never saw or spoke with him again.

I frowned at that news. “Who’s going” I asked.

“Major Singh, Bruce, G2, Batu, and I are headed out. Bruce and the major are hurt, but they’re ambulatory.  Major Singh was able to radio his government and they are assembling a rescue party. It’s getting dark now but they should arrive sometime in the morning. But we have to go and stop Madam Doom’s employer.” With that Black X stood and walked away. Then that Big Guy came over to me and said “American, I have two men who aren’t hurt. They’re good men, but inexperienced privates. I want you to be in command of them. I want you to take charge here.”

I lit a cigarette and took in deep drag before saying “I need to be in a better location if I’m gonna be overseeing your men Big Guy.”

The Big Guy then lifted me up as easily and gently as one would pick up a new born. He grunted as his cracked ribs hurt him, but he carried over to a place he had already prepared.  I could see the camp and fairly far out from it as well. But the place also had pretty good cover in case we were attacked. There was an Enfield rifle with lots of rounds of ammunition within easy reach.  The Big Guy looked me in the eyes and said “please take care of my men Larry Trask.”

“I will Taj Singh” I replied. He smiled then and I saw he had lost his front upper teeth in the crash. He saluted me casually and left. Hell of a thing, the Big Guy broke my nose the day we met and we became good friends. I heard he passed away back in 1963. Spin Benson also survived from his wounds but he died of a massive heart attack back in 1972.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 26

So Black X and the others left and my part of the story is over except for what happened a few hours after they had gone. We heard as series of explosions, then gun shots all around us from the surrounding mountains sides. We couldn’t tell from exactly where because the noise echoed   through the canyon.  Then it was all quiet for about twenty minutes. To say that those of in camp who were conscious were also anxious would be an understatement. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard a familiar voice cry out “Trask…this G5 I’m coming in.”

G5 came in to camp. He looked exhausted. His shirt was wrapped around his left hand. His other clothes were in tatters, including his leather jacket. His face was bruised and he was walking with a pronounced limp. “Madam Doom’s troops had a welcoming committee set up for your rescue planes Trask. None of you were going to make it out alive” he said though a fat lip.  Where’s your first aid kit?”

I told him it was over by the make-shift first aid station; he limped over there and he unwrapped his bloody shirt from around his hand. I saw then all of his fingers on his left hand except for his thumb and index finger were cut off.  He saw me looking at him as he applied what little sulfa we had left to the stumps. He was in obvious pain as he said “some of them had mighty sharp knives.” He then continued to work on his hand.

Then he scrounged up a one of the Indian’s Sten light machineguns along with a few clips as well as an Enfield rifle and some grenades before coming over to me. He looked down at his hand and said “listen Trask, I took care of all the Thuggees; except for one that I’m going to follow back to their base. I figure Black X and company is going to need some cavalry to bail them out.” He then turned and started to limp away. He stopped after only a couple of steps. He held out his wounded hand before his face saying “I know Don Q was a friend of yours. Black X was right; I’m too old for this line of work.  If another G Agent was there instead of me Don Q would be alive. I didn’t want to face retirement.’ He looked at his hand “but now I have no choice. I apologize.”

I gave him a long hard stare before I said “save your apology for McGurk’s widow.”

He looked at me with a look that was both angry and sad at the same time. “Fair enough” he said before turning and leaving the camp. I never saw him again.

After I finished telling everyone in the Rankin living room what happed at the crash site I said “That concludes my part in our ill-fated mission. Batu will have to tell you the rest.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 27

I smiled at the Rankin family as they turned to me after Larry had finished talking.  The five of hiked for fifteen miles before my master called us to halt. My master had espied the hidden mountain pass he had been looking for; he called us over to him. “This pass leads to a secret entrance that has only one guard.  I want the four of you to go that way. Batu knows the password and body movements which will allow you to enter without alarming our foes.”

The other three looked at one another with questioning eyes. Bruce Blackburn spoke for each of them when he asked “Where are you going Richard?”

My master smiled as he said “I’m going to continue down the trail and walk into the trap they have set. I’m going to surrender.”

“Why?” asked G2.

“To help you get in easier Don’ explained my master to G2. “The focus will be on me. From here I’m told it takes ninety minutes to get to the in the entrance you’re going to and it takes two hours to go the way I’m headed. That’s for men who are in good shape and unhurt. Bruce and Major Singh both have fractured bones and are in pain, no matter how much they deny it. Therefore we should get to our respective entranceways at about the same time.”

“How do you know they won’t just shoot you, or come looking for us since they have to know Batu is almost always with you asked Major Singh.

“Madam Doom once told me I should proceed this way if I ever thought she needed rescuing from this place” said my master.

“Are you certain she does Master?” I asked. “This could all be a trap she designed for us a long time ago.”

“It could Batu, it could well be a trap, but my gut tells me that someone else is in charge. I think she really did want to talk to Larry when he spotted her.  I didn’t want to come to India. I didn’t want to see her again; not after she left me the way she did. I know she’s wanted by almost every country that isn’t in the Axis and even a few of those that are, but I honestly believe she was trying to reform when I saw her in New York. She was in talks with someone at the United Nations.”

Taj Singh sniffed derisively as he said “The United Nations? Bah that is just a cover for the imperialists to lord over the lesser countries in the old British and American alliance from the war.”

Bruce Blackburn started to object but my master put up his hand before saying “There’s some truth in what you say Major Singh. That is why India refused to join when she achieved independence. But it is not now the entire truth. In any event Madam Doom was in New York trying to get a pardon for her past crimes before she left.’

“You never told me this Master” I said.

“Sorry Batu. When she left I thought it was because she had had a change of heart and she decided to return to her old ways. That’s why I didn’t want to come here. But when I heard Larry and Ajay’s story of what had happened here I came to believe her original tale. She came back here because her homeland is in danger” explained my master.

“So we’re going to rescue the most notorious and deadly woman in the world like she’s a damsel in distress?’ ask an incredulous G2.

“No,” replied my master “we’re going to free a small nation and sect. I’m sure their gratitude will lead them to ally themselves with the Indian Government.”

“But the Thuggees have great talents for assassination and espionage the Indian Government will only be too happy use” concluded Bruce Blackburn. “I don’t know if I can help you in this Richard” he added.

“I don’t think I can either” said G2.

“I know” said my master. “But realize that if you two who are representatives of the United States. That means the Thugees will also be grateful to America. Both nations can profit by our rescuing them.

Major Singh sighed audibly before saying “I have never truly trusted Americans but I think my government will probably become your ally after a give them my report. The Thugees will never act against your country. He frowned then before say “and I’m certain that you can make an agreement that the Indian Government won’t use them against the British.

Bruce and G2 two looked at one another before saying together  “Let’s go.

[DocQuantum]

Chapter 28 (ORIGINAL VERSION ONLY -- THERE WAS NO REWRITTEN VERSION OF THIS CHAPTER)

Richelda looked at me with confusion, so did her adopted father and mother.  “Why does Larry speak so highly of Major Singh when he was willing to kill Bruce Blackburn and G2?” she asked.

I smiled at their naivety as I said “this was back in 1956 and India was a small newly independent country that had recently been at war with America’s top ally Great Britain so neither the Indian Government nor Taj Singh thoroughly trusted America at this time. India became America’s ally in later years and is in their own desperate fight against the Japanese even now. Taj and I had much to do with forging those ties, but they didn’t exist back then. Alliances between nations shift over the years Richelda.” My master’s daughter looked at me and nodded silently as she grasped the truth of what I said.

Major Singh and I continued up the mountain pass towards the secret entrance while my master continued walking towards the main entrance. As we walked the Major and I spoke about our situation. I told him that the three of us we very likely to here in these mountains. Taj Singh grunted in agreement with me and said “you can leave my friend but I have my orders.”

“Not without Black X” I replied before explaining to Singh that he could trust the American Spies who were working with us. Singh said he to bring the Thuggees here under his government’s control and he knew the Americans wouldn’t accept India having so many readymade assassins because many in his government would want to send them after the British Government in Exile. 

“Perhaps” I said before adding “But perhaps it is you who are hoping you can send the Thuggees against the British.”

“So what of it” he asked.

“India does not need another war Major. You are veteran of the Second World War. You know how horrible it is. Do you want it visited upon our people.” I said.

The big man was silent for some minutes before saying “No Batu, I don’t want to see war visit India.”

Good I told him. I then explained that the Americans we knocked unconscious and tied up were only feigning their defeat.

“What” cried out Richelda, “why didn’t you say that in the first place?”

My dear friend Colonel Jackson replied for me by saying “Batu always liked telling a story with surprises. He believes that if he told you right out; he would have destroyed the narrative.”

I nodded (somewhat embarrassedly) and Colonel Jackson explanation. I could tell Richelda and her parent we a little angry with me before I said “Trust me the story id better this way.

Major Singh and I were nearing the secret entrance when I said to him “once we get to the entrance I am going to talk with guard. I have the password. I am going have him take me inside. I need you to stand guard at the entrance. The Americans will be following us up this way and you need to let them in. But you major need to stay at the entrance and guard our backs. We were being watched when we attacked the American spies. You and I are not being watched now but my master is.

“Why do you want be to stay outside Batu?” he asked.

“I need you to let the Americans into the mountain Major Taj otherwise my master and I will never come out of there alive.”