Exopa Terra by Baley Montag - HTML preview

Part Nine

April 13, 10:00 A.M. PST

Two Days after the ExopaTerra Attack

The Warehouse in Carlsbad, California

The group is quiet. They are moving around eating breakfast. The advanced secret service agents have been there about an hour.

Two more secret service agents, the President, Director Davis, Brenda Packston, and Sharon Lawler enter the warehouse. Brandon shakes hands with the President and Director Davis.

The President begins, “Okay professor it looks like you accomplished most of what I wanted you to do. From what Director Davis, and what Agent Packston and Agent Lawler told me you people pretty much saved the day.”

“This is a good team Dick,” Brandon says.

“I know it is,” the President says. “That is why you are all going to work together in the future. We are going to fund you as a think tank. My office will be in touch with you with the details.”

The group applauds and smiles.

“I only have a few minutes,” the President continues. “But there are a few items that I want to personally clear up.”

“First, Agent Packston, your father and I have known each other for years, and we have both know the professor for almost as long,” the President says. “When you were undercover living with the professor you did far more of a service than you will ever know. Someday, but not soon your father will explain that to you in more detail.”

“Do you have something to say to her professor?” the President asks.

“I want everybody to hear what I have to say,” Brandon begins. “My real intent was to have Brenda join this team. She made the best choice for both us, but she would have been a good addition to this group.”

“During ExopaTerra, Brenda performed above and beyond her peers in the FBI,” Brandon continues. “But equally important to me she is a sincere, loving, caring, intelligent individual that has been and will be my extreme pleasure to know.”

Brandon goes to Brenda and they hug she starts to cry but holds it back.

“Brenda do you have anything to say,” the President asks.

“I felt bad a lot of times because I was deceiving you,” Brenda says. “You released me from that guilt when you told me that you knew about me from the beginning. I love you, respect you and if there is any regret that I have it is that it was not a different circumstance. But lastly, you helped me grow and you educated me and you have definitely got me hooked on cyber warfare.”

The group applauds and smiles.

The President walks up to Tonya,” As for you Tonya, young lady, you are officially dead.”

Everyone but Director Davis has a surprised look on his or her faces.

“Let's see if I have this right? The President of the United States knows High-tech Tonya,” Lucy says.

The President looks at Lucy Chin,” You must be Lucy Chin. I will deal with you later.”

The President looks back at Tonya he shakes her hand and slips something into her jacket pocket. “You did a good job.”

The President walks over and stands by Director Davis.

“About 8 months ago,” Director Davis begins. “An intermediary approached the President on behalf of Tonya. We were told that several terrorist organizations were trying to recruit her for ExopaTerra.”

“On my behalf and under my direction Director Davis met with Tonya.” The President continues. “Her job was to infiltrate the terrorist organizations as much as possible and bring back as much information as possible.”

“She was very effective,” Director Davis says. “We have busted more terrorists and have more intelligence on their operations that we have ever had in the past.”

“Okay, let me try this one,” Agent Lawler says. “Even though you had an entire task force looking for Tonya and she was still considered the most wanted cyber attacker in the world, you knew what she was doing and meeting with her on occasion. Do I have that right?”

“That's pretty much correct,” Director Davis says.

“Okay, question,” Brenda says. “So I was living with the professor to, among other things, monitor whether or not Tonya contacted him. Why?”

“We really did want them to stay apart for at least a while,” Director Davis says. “It was essential that the professor did not try to find her and we did not want her to contact him.”

“Just remember that I was directing this operation,” the President says. “Send blame over this way if you have any.”

“I don't have any blame sir,” Brenda says. “I just want to make sure I have things clear.”

“Captain Spinx,” the President says. “I heard you saved these guys a few times.”

“They have been more than a pleasure to work with sir,” Spinx says.

“You are on administrative leave for the next year. You get full pay and benefits,” the President says. “Thank you for what you have done. Once your leave is over I want you to rejoin this team. If anything critical comes up in the meantime I will want you back with the team immediately.”

The President shakes Spinx’s hand.

Brenda walks over to Tonya and shakes her hand, “So you are Tonya?”

“Nice to meet you Brenda,” Tonya says.

Tonya and Brenda talk in hushed voices in the corner.

Brandon looks a bit surprised.

The President walks around the room and talks to each team members and shakes their hand.

“I have to go now,” the President says. “But I wish you all the best of luck. Henry, are you ready to go home and see the wife?”

“Yes sir,” Kirkman says.

They President's entourage leaves the warehouse.

“Look, on the counter,” Lucy says, “Kirkman left the money bag.”

They run over to it and open it. There was over $300,000 in it.

Kirkman walks back in the warehouse. Lucy hides the bag.

“I forgot my photo,” Kirkman says. “Bye all.”

He picks up the photo and as he was walking out the door he comments “Oh, and you get to keep the rest of the money.”

The group digs into the money.

Brandon approaches Tonya. “Well you always were full of surprises.”

“You have provided me with a few surprises,” Tonya says “I am just balancing the scorecard.”

“Is it over yet?” Brandon asks.

“Yes, it is over.” Tonya says.

“Stay, please,” Brandon asks. “And stay for the rest of our lives.”

Tonya puts her arms around Brandon’s neck and looks him in the eye. Then kisses him. The group cheers and claps.

“Only if you take me to bed right now,” Tonya says.

“Your wish is my desire,” Brandon replies.

The group cheers and applauds.

April 13, 10:00 A.M. PST

Two Days after the ExopaTerra Attack

Brandon’s Room at the inn

Tonya and Brandon are in bed. Brandon is lying on his back, Tonya is sitting on top of him staring down and softly laughing.

“What game do you want to play now?” Tonya asks.

“Oh I am up for about anything,” Brandon says. “Why don't you pick?”

“How about...truth or dare?” Tonya says laughing.

The professor has his surprised look, “Well the last time I played.”

Tonya cuts him off with a kiss. As they kiss she reaches over to a night stand and puts something in her hand.

Tonya ends the kiss and shows him her new ID Card that has her picture on it, the name Tonya Harris, the letters CIA.

The professor smiles and laughs.

Tonya laughs and laughs.

They kiss and roll around under the covers.

THE END