Page 52 of Seamus: Unconventional
They all look at me. “I did grim reaper but it wasn’t assigned only-assassin. I worked with the K-9s then my partners. We did good or I wouldn’t have lasted. A lot was setting a stage to get reactions that were acceptable.”
Jessie laughs. “I bet uncle Danny was trained by a Delta Brother.”
“Axe was his sponsor and trainer. They weren’t set up like us. Axe was the first trainer Badass had,” Ben says as he hits his phone. “Was Axe Delta Force?”He listens then shakes his head.“Saber is the only Delta Brother I know of.”
I smile. “Our jobs are classified. I was fully trained in SEAL and Green Beret but never wore the uniforms. Utilities and desert fatigues made life easy for us. It’s vague.”
Cort smiles.
Brinks nods. “I never talk jobs to anyone. Nova knew me in but has never asked a single question about what I did. He knew or saw.”
I was the same. The EU base had so many elite units that weren’t clearly identified, blending in was easy. “No one ever asks me either.” We turn to Ben when he hits the table. Bishop and Web have not said a word this whole time. Alder is typing away like we’re not here, but I bet he can give me word for word everything that was said.
“Thanks, Luke Rayne.” Ben smiles at Jessie. “There wasn’t Delta Force but DEVGRU which was SEAL Team 6. That was expanded later into black squadron, red squadron and more.” He waves his hand like it doesn’t matter. “DEVGRU was selected exclusively from SEAL but SFOD which is Special Force Operational Detachment or Delta is completely classified, high risk and dangerous. I read that twice a year a class of a hundred apply but only five to ten make it in any given year. The tier thing isn’t the only distinction, because if they make it, they’re tier one, but they split for secrecy, covert, high value capture or elimination. They have tactical and other fight words but basically, they all can do everything. They take the best of the best from any branch and are considered the elite of elite because so few make it. I’m honored Brothers and see why you both think this is an easy job. I was pissed seeing an ex-general heading this with ex-military backup. He trained his fuckin’ troops to be corrupt.”
Light chuffs. ‘Contractor, private firm supply to military bad. Teach profit not loyal. Oath taken forgotten for pay.’ His hologram throws it up from the chip quickly.
I nod at his board. “He’s right. The war on terrorists opened the door for private suppliers supposedly making war cheaper. It was based on a lie and is still running on that same lie years later. We were chipped with money diverted from the DOD budget. I can guarantee you that a handful of brass are the only ones that know we were chipped so they can gain power over information, world leaders or a country.”
Ben watches me. Cort shakes his head. “Kaleb and Citiali said money will be found soon enough. Is it the pentagon money?”
I shrug. “I’m a soldier, Boss. I don’t pay attention to what’s going on in congress unless it’s from NPR or the AP. Vets have forums that run accurate at Officer level, the rest is propaganda to me. When I got out and made it to Scotland, I realized we were fed what they wanted us to see. I had no one back home to ask what’s real.”
Ben nods but Jessie talks. “Kaleb said we should watch local news and question everything. Projection is normal for politicians and we should always follow the money. If a politician is living in a mansion, while making under two hundred grand from their government pay, they aren’t legit. He’s a Baxter and has never lived in a mansion.”
I nod. “I worked for years banking almost all my pay. I was left money and property from my stockbroker of a dad and lawyer mom. On top of that, my uncle left everything from him and his parents to me. I never once thought of buying a mansion. I bought a farm in the Texas inferno without touching anything but my pay. The inferno was cheap.” I bought it from a vet moving north.
They laugh at me. Light sends me a clown emoji. I smile at him. I’m a clown and know it.
“Brinks never said he was elite of the elite. He just said SFOP like So-fop.”
Justice and Web laugh.
I shrug.Some call it that, I guess. “So, Jessie and Justice are causing an angry seizure thing today…” I try for back to the point. I’m supposed to take the boys to Nevada to see a new chopper and drone laser testing. I never heard of it but want to see it.
Ben nods. “Yeah, but not seizure.”
I just look at him. I don’t need whatever it is but don’t think any of us need details. Well, maybe Jessie and Justice do.
Justice slaps a hand across his face. Cort looks at Justice then me just as he’s forming a smile on his face. Ben just moves on. I try to stop thinking but Light is throwing pictures and emojis at me.
A few minutes in Ben turns to Light. “Justice and Teller are known as Cheech and Chong because their banter is funny on an innocent level that neither shows in their outward daily lives. You, I don’t even know how to categorize your funny. You’re a dog,” he puts his hand up. “A dog Brother but that takes getting used to. Every reader can see what you throw through the chip.”
I crack up, scrunching my eyes closed at Light’s eyes bugging out. He really looks like that big eyed AI picture for a second. Justice then Cort laugh. I look down.
I hear Ben take in a breath. “Just know that we see what you’re sending Seamus. I don’t know how he keeps a straight face.”
I look at Light. “Years of experience. Light is usually more professional than I am. I don’t know why he picked today to show all that cheeky.” I have to look down fast at the comical eye bugging again. I feel him trying to hold on and open my eyes on everyone but him.
Ben laughs. “We’re done for now. Did you have any law we need here, Bishop?”
“Just what I pointed out for the other states, Boss. I saved it to the board.” Bishop is good.
Ben nods and Cort takes over. “Web?”
“Alder put the law Bishop added in the protocol outline format Seamus handed us for reactions. Hannah has some new intel but it doesn’t add anything to the reaction. It’s more character traits. ABSZ IT will flag anything new they add from the last meet on.”
I nod, loving how this works.
