Chapter 9 - The Operation Begins
Four months later.
The high-tech command sanctuary of Task Force Omega buzzed with intense, quiet energy. Glowing digital world maps spanned the main wall, tracking real-time maritime vessel telemetry across Atlantic shipping lanes.
I stood at the central tactical console, holding Clara in a secure tactical chest harness while reviewing real-time satellite intelligence. My daughter was now five months old, thriving, happy, and surrounded by a network of loving caretakers, including Mrs. Alvarez and my dedicated staff.
Major Daniel Reed walked up to my console, holding a classified red-striped briefing folder. "General, Phase One of Operation Deep Harbor is complete. The federal grand jury returned a twenty-four-count indictment against Jason Vance this morning."
I kept my gaze fixed on the digital map screen. "What are the specific charges?"
"Federal corporate fraud, illegal export of controlled defense microprocessors, tax evasion, and conspiracy to defraud the United States Government," Reed reported. "His bail was set at five million dollars. Since he has zero assets left and no guarantors, he was remanded directly to the county detention center pending trial."
"And the maritime syndicate that Chloe was operating for?" I asked.
"They realized Jason's company was compromised," Reed said, tapping the digital screen to display a cargo ship moving through international waters near the Caribbean. "Our intelligence indicates that the syndicate leadership believes Jason knows too much about their illegal financial pipelines. They think he might turn state's evidence to reduce his sentence."
I turned my head to look at Reed. "You mean they're going to target him?"
"We intercepted encrypted comms two hours ago," Reed confirmed grimly. "The syndicate has contracted local enforcement assets inside the detention center to eliminate Jason before his preliminary testimony next week."
I looked down at little Clara, who was playing happily with the soft collar of my uniform shirt. Despite everything Jason had done to us--his cruelty, his betrayal, his utter lack of humanity--he was still Clara's biological father. I had zero affection left for him, but allowing him to be murdered in a jail cell by an international criminal syndicate was something I could not allow on my watch.
"Is Jason currently in general population at the detention facility?" I asked.
"Yes, Ma'am. The civilian authorities were unaware of the specific syndicate threat level," Reed replied.
"Contact the United States Marshals Service immediately," I ordered firmly. "Have Special Operations Team Alpha deploy to the county detention facility under emergency defense order. Secure Jason Vance and transfer him to our high-security military brig at Fort Meade before nightfall."
Major Reed looked surprised. "General... after everything that man put you through, you're sending an elite military tactical unit to save his life?"
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I looked Reed straight in the eyes, my expression steady and unyielding. "I am not saving him for his sake, Major. I am saving him so he can stand in a court of law, face full public justice, and serve every single year of his sentence in a federal prison. Death in a jail cell is an easy escape. Jason Vance will live to feel the full weight of his dishonor."
Major Reed snapped a crisp salute, his eyes filled with immense respect. "Understood, General! Team Alpha is moving now."
