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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:49:20 GMT
Spies Prologue
I was sitting in my old friend Lt Colonel Jackson's office for only a few minutes. But when you've been told that you only have a few months to live-even that seems like hours. Jackson called me yesterday and asked if I could come to Washington and meet him. He was head of America's Counter-Intelligence Agency. He rose through the ranks since the 1940's when he worked in the field. Jackson even had plastic surgery done so that he and his mentor Bruce Blackburn looked exactly the same. Bruce has been gone a long time now. I hadn't thought about him for many, many years. Maybe I'll see him if the religious folk are right and Saint Peter thinks we did enough good to outweigh the things we had to do to keep our country safe.
Jackson's secretary tells me it is okay to go in before a get too depressed. Times been good to the man; he still has a neat trim figure. His office is like most bureaucrats small and tidy with a picture of the president on the wall. Jackson's desk is devoid of papers; so now I know that he was hiding his paperwork before letting me into his office. I'm retired and no longer have any kind of security clearance.
"Pete" Jackson says as he rises from his chair and gives a good warm hand shake, "It's good to see you."
"Good to see you too" I say. "Why did you call me?"
"President Richard wants you to tell Richelda Rankin who her parents were and how they died" said Jackson in a matter-of-fact tone.
I was completely perplexed because that went against all normal procedures from when I was an active treasury agent. "Why?"
"As a favor to the Indian Government and the head of their intelligence agency' said Jackson.
"So Batu is finally fulfilling Spencer's last wish," I said.
"Actually the three of us are. I have a flight booked for New York tomorrow morning at eight."
"Why now Jackson? Why are we dredging up this now?" I asked.
"Because you are the only one who was there at the beginning of the case Pete; and you're dying." I'll say one thing for Jackson he no longer pulled any punches.
"That's what I get for getting my checkup done at Bethesda" I said grudgingly.
The next morning I woke up at four. I hacked and coughed for a good hour before I could function. All those cigarettes I smoked over the years may have kept me calm enough to do my job, but they were killing me now. At five I showered and had room service bring me breakfast. A kind breakfast the health experts were saying would kill you, but what the hell; I'm a dead man anyways. I checked out of the hotel at six and met Jackson at the airport at seven.
Jackson was dropped off in a standard issue military car, but inside was his wife and an obviously bored teenage girl. I envied the man and for just a split second wished I settled down to a desk job when I had the chance. Then I silently laughed at the thought of Peter Trask doing anything but traveling the world and fighting the Nazis.
We arrived in New York and a young Hindu Man dressed in Red had a sign with my name on it. He introduced himself as Blaku, son of Batu and said that his father would like us to join him at the Indian Embassy. Blaku was dressed exactly like his father had always been whenever I saw him-red suit and turban. The only difference was that Blaku stood over six feet and weighed well over two hundred and twenty pounds of pure muscle.
Once we arrived at the embassy, we were shown to an ornate office. Batu was there. He was always a small man, but time seemed to have worn him down. As opposed to his son Batu was short thin and reedy. He was still dressed in his habitual red suit with turban.
"I have talked with the Rankin’s and they will allow us to talk with their daughter only if they get to hear our tale as well" said Batu.
"Well I guess were not going to then" I said as I look at Jackson.
"Jackson looked back at me and said "No, Pete. You forget President Richards was a policeman. He knew both of the Rankin's because they are also police officers.
Batu said “I met them both on a murder case after my master and I retired from the service. It was the same case where the Rankin's first met. My master and I saved their lives during that case. Rookie Rankin is still called Rookie because when he married Sally O'Neal he was a junior policeman. He is now a desk sergeant and Sally is Chief of New York City’s Homicide detectives. Their youngest daughter’s history was mystery to them. But they had kept her safe for many years because of a promise they had made to me in gratitude for my Master and I saving them years earlier.”
"That's why you gave the girl to them…I always wondered" I said. "But why do you want me to go with you Batu. You knew Richard Spencer and Madam Doom better than any man living."
"True, But I do not know all of the case, neither does Colonel Jackson, nor you, but together we should be able to them the entire story."
"Why" I asked.
"Because both of our governments believe that America needs a new Black X" said Jackson. "She needs to know where she came from before she can take over mantel."
"How do you even know she's up to the job" I sputtered.
"We've kept tabs on her over the years. She will want this Pete when she hears the whole story." said Jackson.
"She wouldn't if she knew everything involved with espionage" I said flatly.
"That is precisely why we are going to tell her about her biological father's last case" said Batu.
We rested until the drive out into the suburbs. I slept because I don't have very much energy anymore. The drive took a couple hours due to traffic, but being stuck in a stretch limousine in a traffic jam is not a bad thing.
Blaku had done the driving and he waited outside while the three of us old men went to the front door. Rookie Rankin opened it with his wife Sally five feet in back of him. I had the feeling that both of them would still armed even though they were off duty. I saw that I was correct once I entered their small ranch house.
Then I saw Richelda Rankin. She had the stunning looks of her mother, Madam Doom and the sharp intelligent eyes of Black X. I then started to tell her the tale of how her parents and several other spies had their last assignments in India.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:49:39 GMT
Chapter 1
Mom and Dad have been on edge for almost the entire week. They tried to hide it, but I grew up in a family of police officers, just like my Mom. Then my older sister and brother joined the force before me. I may be adopted but I've inherited their detective skills.
I'm back living at home because you can't get a decent apartment New York City on a rookie patrolman's salary. I was living with my sister, but Susie got married two months ago. My brother Mickey is single, but way too big of a slob for me to ever live with him again. I can't tell you the number of times his sergeant has cited him for uniform violations.
Then yesterday Mom came in and told me that some that some men were coming to the house to tell me who my biological father and mother were. It's strange because I tried to find out two years ago when my mom had breast cancer because it suddenly became very important to me to know my biological family's medical history. Only trouble was, I could not find out anything despite my excellent detective skills. Every time I came close to some information-it would disappear. Now it was coming to me on a platter.
Dad told me during this time that he knew I was the daughter of a once famous spy named Black X. Dad also told me that he met Black X the same day he met my mother and that almost a seven years later, in1959, Black X's Hindu servant brought Black X’s infant daughter to my parents and asked them to raise me. Mom and dad did, and I've had a wonderful life.
I read about Black X. He was a famous spy like the fictional James Weld before and during the war but retired in bitterness after the war. He became an amateur sleuth in New York for a several years and then disappeared.
I was surprised when Susie and Mickey came over early this afternoon. I saw that they had their guns with them. I silently asked them with my eyes what was going on and Mickey said "Ask Ma"
So I did. "The men who are coming over are spies Richie”, that's short for Richelda. “Spies carry guns, America is still at war and we're going to keep you safe." I hugged Ma then; God, how I love her.
I was upstairs in the converted space over the garage that was my apartment when the limousine pulled into our driveway. I could see that the license plates were of the diplomatic variety. They were Indian. Three old men got out of the car. Three were older. One was a small Hindu and no doubt the owner of the car he was dressed in red and wore a turban. The second man was younger and had the bearing of a military man who might have once been in the field but now piloted a desk. The third man had a full head of grey hair and a pencil thin mustache. He was trying obviously sick because he had a portable oxygen tank with him.
It was the chauffer who opened the door for the old men who drew my attention. He was younger than me and I would have sworn we had never met but I knew him. I had known him my entire life. Somehow I knew his name was Blaku, Batu was his father and the two of us shared some kind of bond.
I became conscious that I was staring at Blaku when I heard the back door shut. That meant that Susie and Mickey were going to guard the rear of the house. I went down stairs and was introduced to the three men who came in. Blaku was evidently guarding the front entrance.
The three men introduced themselves and their reactions to me were very different. Colonel Jackson was looking me over like I was a candidate for some prized job. Trust me I have no, absolutely no interest in being a spy. The retired Treasury Agent Peter Trask looked like he acutely regretted age difference between us. It was funny because it was not a disgusting thing like it would have been with most men his age. I couldn’t decipher anything from the Hindu Batu, except that he was genuinely glad to see me.
The Peter Trask began to tell me how my biological father and mother died.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:49:51 GMT
I just wanted to give folks a quick note on the older characters seen or mentioned in Spies so far. they all were non-costumed characters with their own strip
Black X and Batu were first in Feature Comics #13-22 and then in Smah Comics for the books entire run of #1-#85
Rookie Rankin was a police office whose strip ran in Smash Comic from #25 to #70 His wife Sally Rankin nee O"Neal strip lasted the entire 75 issues of National Comics Peter Trask debuted in Police Comics #103 stayed on until the book was cancelled with #127.He also had his own book that lasted for 38 issues Colonel Jackson was a Supporting Character of the Bruce Blackburn AKA Destroying Demon Strip of Feature Comics that lasted #32 to 56 Don Q was also mention and will be appearing was in Crack Comics # 19 through 26 There will be others Dave
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:50:05 GMT
Chapter 2
It was late 1956, India was a free and independent nation, and it had been an independent nation since 1950. She had to first fight the Japanese and then what remained of the British Empire. The Indian Government did not care for either the Germans or the English. America wisely stayed out of the conflict with Britain and therefore the Indians sometimes gave America tacit approval for espionage operations.
I was in Bombay India. I had just finished a case involving a gang of Nazis trying to bring in counterfeit C-notes into the Indian economy. I was eating Tandoori Chicken with a gorgeous Eurasian woman named Aditi, whom I had met on the case when I saw Madam Doom dining with a young man.
I damn near spit out my food when I did. She was the supposed daughter of Mata Hari. She was ruthless spy and criminal who sold her abilities to the highest bidder. Usually that had been the Nazis, but occasionally she worked for the Communists or other independent groups. I'm sure she would have worked for the democratic states as well - if they paid her price. She was wanted by more than two dozen countries - including India. She had dropped off the face of the earth for more than three years.
My first impulse was to arrest her and call the local authorities because Aditi was with me and my last case was an especially hard one. Instead I made my apologies to the dear woman and told her I was going to have to go back to work sooner than expected. I truly regret that the two of us never got back together because she was a real beauty - rich too.
Aditi frowned and left as soon as I told her. I was surprised and grateful that I didn't get slapped, or had her glass of wine thrown in my face because the last thing I wanted to do was draw attention to myself. I wanted to be as unobtrusive as possible and follow Madam Doom when she left.
She and the young gentleman left a half hour later. I discreetly followed. The young man took a left and walked down the busy main street while Madam Doom entered a car. I looked for a taxi when I heard her voice for the first time she said "Mr. Trask, why don't you ride with me, instead of following."
I turned my head and looked at her. I was admittedly baffled until I took a step in her direction. Then a hail of gunfire erupted all along the side of the street I was on. I have no idea how I escaped with my life, or even any serious injuries. As it was I had multiple flesh wounds along my left side. From my scalp down to my calf; the gun's sight must have been off to the left. I ducked and got under cover as Madam Doom sped away.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:50:15 GMT
Chapter 3
The scene on the street was a total mess. I couldn't leave the poor wounded people unattended. I had some basic first aid training from my days during the war when I was in the navyt. Soon, but not soon enough the ambulances came along with the police. One of the police was a big burley bearded man who scowled at me the moment he heard me speak, "You are an American, are you not?" he asked.
I said yes and then he demanded to see my passport. I reached inside my jacket pocket for it and the big man sucker punched me right in the middle of my stomach. He immediately followed that up with a knee to the face as I was double over. The man was a smart cop because he stepped back and has his gun drawn on me as I look up dumb-founded at his attack.
A police lieutenant came running up after my beating and asked why the sergeant had just attacked me "He is carrying a gun, and a foreigner" said the sergeant.
"Of course I'm carrying a gun. I'm a United States Treasury agent who has just finished a case with your government." I said.
The lieutenant was a younger man and a more discerning man than the sergeant. He turned to the noncom and said “take this man to the hospital after you have divested him of his weapon and papers. I will contact the United States Consul and our own diplomatic offices. We want no incidents sergeant.”
I ached all over. I had the various nicks that the gun had taken out of my left side and a nose that was probably broken thanks to the sergeant's knee. The doctors patched me up fairly well but I didn't want to take any pain killers. I wanted to keep my mind sharp. Enemies were everywhere it seemed and I didn't have any allies until Don Q showed up from the United States consul.
Don Q was a diplomatic courier and spy. He was always dressed in the most fashionable attire. He had to have wealth beyond what the government paid him. He spoke as smoothly as a snake-charmer. His demeanor was always cheerful and unflappable. He stood about 5'10" with black hair and blue eyes. He wore a monocle in his right eye that made him look even more debonair than he was.
He came in with the Indian police lieutenant and sergeant "Hello Trask, I see the Indian government has seen to your wounds. Would you like to return to the scene of the crime? The police would like your help" Don Q said.
The lieutenant motioned the sergeant, who was standing in the doorway over before I could answer. The big man handed me back my gun, wallet, and passport as he muttered and apology. The angry look in the man's eyes told me that he wasn't but that was no skin off my broken nose.
We drove in one car. The lieutenant sat in the back with Don Q and me with while the sergeant and the driver, a police private sat in front. We discussed what had happened on the street. I noticed that a car was following us. I brought it to everyone's attention but Don Q said that the car was the consul's and was being driven by his partner Pierre.
Pierre was Don's chauffeur, pilot and whatever else he needed. Pierre was French citizen who became an American citizen after the war was over. He hated the Nazis. He was as rough around the edges as Don was smooth. They made an odd team, but one that worked well together.
I purposefully hadn't mentioned Madam Doom or the German she was meeting with before the gunplay. We surveyed the carnage on the street and looked for where the fire could have come from. Don frowned as examined the scene, "Lieutenant" he said `the third story of that building is where the firing came from and it is also where our joint operation was working from. We had better go up."
The five of us went up while Pierre stayed in his own car. Climbing the stairs was plenty painful for me as battered up as I was but we took our time. The door to the room was open and the sight inside was ugly, four dead men- two American and two Indian, evidently strangled by the old Thuggee method of garroting. I recognized one of the Americans as a G agent, our best. This wasn't good.
We all entered cautiously looking over the carnage and debris which was scattered over the floor. The Indian private who had driven the car guarded the door. Don and I were checking the two dead Americans while the Indian sergeant was checking his dead countrymen. The lieutenant went over to the open window that looked over the street.
"Who were these men tracking" I asked
"A German agent named Baron Stricter. A real bastard as I understand it. And a practicing wizard as well" said Don Q. I was going to say something about there being no such thing as magic when Don added "Like Merlin or USA, the Spirit of Old Glory."
I just shook my head with that statement. The last thing I ever wanted to do was confront magic user. I held up a slightly charred picture of a handsome blond haired man and asked Don if it was Baron Stricter. When Don nodded yes I said "I don't think he's working alone Don."
"Why not? He asked.
"He was having dinner with Madam Doom. I spotted them at the café. I came out to follow them. The Kraut went one way and she got in a car and asked me to join her. The shooting started before I could get in.
The Sergeant and private were looking at me with amazement ever since I said Madam Doom's name. She was the world's foremost villainess and if one could judge by the looks in their eyes-they certainly didn't like idea of her being in their country.
By chance I turned to look to see what the lieutenant's reaction was. He wasn't surprised. He was smiling. He had some rope wrapped around his wrist and jumped out the window. Once he was clear I could see a man with a panzerfaust- a German bazooka- firing a shell directly into the window the lieutenant just vacated.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:50:26 GMT
Chapter 4
It strange how your perception of time slows at certain times; mine did, to an incredibly slow rate of speed when I saw that rocket coming. Instinctively I knew that there was nowhere to run and no cover to get behind. I saw the big Indian Sergeant's pants become brown. I have to admit that I felt my own pants dampen as I saw the rocket grow ever larger in the window. Don Q though had a totally different reaction.
Remember how I said Don Q was unflappable. He pulled out his pistol and fired four quick rounds right into the incoming rocket. The fourth bullet hit the detonation trigger and the rocket burst its shrapnel down onto the street below. He then fired a fifth shot that killed the man with the panzerfaust on the roof across the street. Don was an amazing man.
The room was entirely silent for a moment until Don said as he reloading his gun "We had better get out of here."
The sergeant and I were still somewhat stunned and we dumbly followed Don's orders. I'm kind of ashamed to admit that given all close shaves I had had over the years. The only excuse I have is that I was still hurting from being shot before. That and the fact that I think the doctors slipped in a few pain killers that were still in my system.
The private was nowhere to be found when we entered the hallway. We found his body half way down the stairs to the second floor the poor guy had been hacked up pretty bad by a gang of men with sharp knives.
I can say that with certainty because there was suddenly a group of about a dozen or so men at the landing waiting for us once we got to the poor private's body. There were about the same number rushing down behind us from the floors above.
The sergeant was bending over his dead private. He was also taking out his gun. We now had four pistols between us and were in very close quarters. Seven to one odds are not good numbers; even when you're the one with gun.
The sergeant was like a mad bull he started to run down the stairs towards the crowd, firing wildly into it as he did. He hit someone every time because of the proximity. I had to hold on to the rail to steady myself and then I fire into the oncoming rush of men charging down towards us. Don Q stood by me, kept me safe as he knocked down one or two of the knife wielders that came too close to me.
We turned to go down the stairs once we had cleared the upper stairs from anyone pursuing us. That big burly sergeant was covered with cuts and blood. Dead Thuggee's were all about him. We could hear police sirens in the distance. He looked at us and said to me "Listen American, I am sorry about earlier. I don't like Americans because you are the British's ally. You tell your government about Madam Doom. I'll tell mine."
Neither he nor I were very steady as we went down the rest of the stairs. Don Q was though, steady and alert. The poor street looked worse than ever when we came out of the building. I had very grim sense of satisfaction at seeing the lieutenants' carcass on the ground with its back filled with shrapnel.
Pierre drove the counsel car right to us. Don ushered me into the back. I closed my eyes as the two talked. "You were right Don" said Pierre. "I checked while you had your fun and the way back to the counsel seems to be becoming too crowded for smooth traffic."
Don nodded and lit a cigarette. He calmly took a deep puff even as he offered me smoke. He was deep in thought as Pierre drove off. Finally he said there is an American destroyer down at the docks; the USS Pawnee. "Head there Pierre"
That's the last thing I remember because I passed out.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:50:41 GMT
Chapter 5
I finished my part of the beginning of the story and looked over to Batu and Jackson wondering which one of them would take up the tale. The two of them exchanges glances before Jackson started talking.
I was awoken in the middle of the night by a call from Sergeant McGurk, Bruce Blackburn’s aide de camp, on a special phone that was a direct line to the office. I remember my wife murmuring "Not again". We had just had out first child and she was always upset when I left for days or weeks. What she really wanted was for me to quit or get a desk job.
"Yes" I said into the phone. McGurk said "Come to the office ASAP; you'll have time to go back home afterwards, you'll need to pack your bags."
I didn't ask where I was going because McGurk wouldn't know. He was too far down the food chain to have any idea of our new assignment. I turned over kissed my wife and told her I'd be back later this morning. I could her muffle a sob as I left the room. I got dressed and took a moment to look in at my son Bruce.
I arrived at Colonel Jordon's office an hour later. Bruce Blackburn was already there. Bruce and I had the same face thanks to plastic surgery that was done during the war. He was also officially declared dead for the duration. This helped in our various cases. Neither of us had any family at that time, so we were ideal operatives for the missions we undertook. Once the war was over Bruce and I were allowed to resume our old identities even though we stayed active in counter-intelligence.
Colonel Jordon was in charge of our unit. He briefed on what had happened in India and told us that we would be leaving on a military flight out to the Pacific 1500 hours. He added that military intelligence wanted to send its own man as our pilot. This was the soonest their best could be available. Time was of the essence but the military often moves slow, even in a crisis. We knew we had to get on the ground fast.
Don Q was already there, but he was a state department intelligence officer. Larry Trask was there, but he was a treasury agent. Bruce, McGurk, and I, as well as the military intelligence officers were the ones with the training in counter-intelligence. There was also the problem with the G agents.
G agents are the very, very best spies/commandoes we have. They are sanctioned to kill without provocation. Things tend to get a bit messy when they're involved. Evidently this case really started when an agent code named G7 was killed. Then two more just died in that room that Larry described. We knew that the commander of the G unit would probably be sending in his best: G2 and G 5. Understand, the G unit maybe loses a man every three years or so. We knew they would be pissed and not have any finesse in a neutral country that we desperately needed to be an ally or at the very least stay neutral. We weren't given explicit orders to impede their progress, but the colonel intimated that it would be a good idea should we run across them.
Then an argument ensued between the colonel and Bruce. Bruce wanted to bring Black X into the case. Colonel Jordon refused because Black X had been out of the spy game for about ten years and therefore he could not be privy on top secret matters. Bruce argued that no one knew Madam Doom better than Black X. And Black X had been the very best espionage agent our country had ever produced. Colonel Jordon ordered Bruce not to talk to Black X. I later found out that Bruce ignored the colonel's order.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:50:51 GMT
Chapter 6
I looked over to Batu because he was the only one in the room still alive who knew what happened when Bruce visited Black X. The small turbaned Indian smiled before continuing our tale.
“It was seven in the morning when Mr. Blackburn called on us. My master and I were having breakfast when we heard a knock at the door. Neither of us was expecting anyone. I went to the door and answered it. As I walked to the door I sensed that the man on the other side was a friend and that he was troubled. My initial thought was that my master and I were going to help someone solve another crime. We had been doing that ever since we retired from the business of being spies. Once I opened the door I knew we were going to be going back into the espionage game.
I led Bruce Blackburn into the living room even as I called out to my master to tell him who was here. I asked Bruce if he wanted any coffee or breakfast as I left him and my master alone to discuss whatever brought him to us. Bruce asked for some coffee.
Please understand that my master and I had a unique bond. I would know whatever was being talked about in the other room without eavesdropping. I came back in with a tray filled with a cup and saucer of coffee, a decanter of cream and a bowl of sugar. Bruce asked me to stay as I turned to leave. "Batu I know that you will know all about our conversation, but I'd really rather talk to both of you anyway."
I bowed and stepped back against the wall. My being merely Black X's servant had been a guise we had portrayed for many years. We did it unconsciously but in reality we were the best of friends.
Bruce explained the situation and asked for our help and Black X simply said no.
"What? Why not? Sputtered Bruce, this was surely not the answer he was expecting.
"I am out of the spy business Bruce. I'm retired" said my master adamantly.
Bruce fumed for several second before asking "well what can you tell me about Madam Doom that's not in the dossiers."
My master frowned before saying "Not much; just remember that she works for the highest bidder. That may or may not be Germany."
"Come on Richard" said Bruce using my master's all but forgotten given name, "who else would she work for?"
"The British or other Commonwealth Nations; India was the crown jewel in the old British Empire and I'm sure that they would like it back under their control. That's the reason Churchill kept so many troops there during the war. I'm not saying it is the Brits Bruce - just don't close your mind to the possibility."
Bruce finished coffee and asked if there was anything he could do to change my master's mind. My master shook his head no and Bruce left. I took the tray into the kitchen and did the dishes from our breakfast. I then went to my room. As I crossed the foyer I saw my master pour himself a drink of whiskey from our bar. My master was not one to drink early but the news of Madam Doom disturbed him greatly.
He loved her and at the same time hated her because of her total ruthlessness. He had vowed to bring her to justice but was never successful. In truth he let her escape a number of times before he saw just how evil she truly was.
I was packing clothes in my room when my master knocked on the door. He asked me what I was doing. "I am packing master. I am going to India."
"I told Bruce we weren't going."
"No master, you said you weren't going. I was born in this country, but my heritage is Indian. My parents were born there and I must go there and try to protect her freedom."
My master lips narrowed and he simply nodded. Later I heard him pour another tumbler of whisky. I came out to see how he was. He said "Would you please pack my bags Batu. I can't let you go alone after so many years."
I smiled at my master and said "I already have. We also have first class reservations for tonight out of Idlewild International Airport.”
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:51:02 GMT
Chapter 7
I looked at Batu before taking up the tale. Bruce, McGurk, and I met at the air force base. I had no idea Bruce had ignored Colonel Jordon's direct order. Major Wings Wendall was our pilot. He was reputed to be the best that military intelligence had. He disappeared in 1943 and was found on a deserted island five years later. His eyes looked slightly haunted. He hid it well, but he had some dark secret. Bruce and I picked up on it the moment we saw him. We looked each other in the eyes and made a mental note to take caution with our pilot.
Sergeant McGurk was oblivious as was Wings co-pilot and mechanic Spin Benson. Benson had not been on the mission when Wings went down and probably had survivor's guilt. Now he did everything he could to help his senior partner.
The plane flight was long uneventful and probably nowhere near as enjoyable as the first class seating that Black X and Batu had. Military plane's interiors are cold, dull, and grey. We arrived on the aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt. Don Q and Pierre were waiting on the deck for us. Larry was being kept below deck because he still having difficulty walking thanks to the bullets that took bites out his left side. Nothing serious, but the doctors on board insisted that he rest. Don led us to sickbay and chased out all the medical staff. Pierre kept watch at the door while Don checked he vents. "I told you Don, I check them whenever they leave” said Trask.
"Never hurts to make sure Larry" said Don before turning to us and asking nonchalantly "Who told Black X about this?"
"What do you mean Don" asked Bruce.
Don let out a sigh and said "Richard Spencer AKA Black X and Batu are currently in route to India from New York; I'm with the State Department, we're supposed to know these things."
"Are you going to have them deported?” asked Wings.
“No, Batu has dual citizenship. Did it back in 51 and Richard is the best of the best. We couldn't hold him if we wanted to. Remember the two of them were known to take out entire Japanese island garrisons all by themselves. We won't play with them or share any of our intelligence. They are on their own as civilians."
"That's a little harsh" said McGurk.
"But it is also the way Washington wants it countered Don.
"Do we have any more information?” asked Wings.
"This just a guess that the G agents have landed because there was shoot out at the German counsel last night."
"Do we know for certain, I mean it could have been the British as well" said Bruce.
Everyone laughed at that statement; even I. Don looked at Bruce and said who put that idea in your head Bruce?"
"Black X. it is probably the Germans but he said if Madam Doom's involved-then any nation or anyone could be involved because she works for whoever pays her the most" explained Bruce.
"Noted" said Don. He looked at Wings Wendall at all of us and said "get some sleep. I'll wake you when it is time to go."
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:51:15 GMT
Chapter 8
We slept for about six hours before Don woke us up. Wings and his copilot Spin had had enough sleep and were preparing their plane for takeoff. I heard Trask ask Don Q why he simply didn't have Pierre, Don's partner, chauffer, and pilot fly us in. Don smiled and said "The plane belongs to the military and Pierre belongs to the State Department. It would ruffle too many feathers back home, not to mention Wings'."
This statement by Don was brought home when we arrived on the carrier's flight deck. Wendall said "Everyone on board but Trask; I'm not taking a civilian."
Pete yelled "What the hell does that mean-I'm not a civilian-I'm a God Damn Federal Treasury Agent."
"You're not military, nor are you with the State Department. Ergo I can refuse to have on my plane."
Don Q, ever the diplomat stepped in then; saying "Actually you can't Major Wendall. Inspector Trask is here at the behest of the State Department. I realize that we may uncover information that we will want to keep top secret and therefore I decided to have the navy reactivate Larry."
"You what?" exclaimed a flabbergasted Larry Trask. "Don you can't…I hated the service…each and every day of my two enlistments."
"Two?" inquired Wings.
"Yeah... I joined in 36, got out in 40 and re-upped after the Japs attacked us at Pearl Harbor in 41." explained Trask.
"Meet Lieutenant Commander Larry Trask of Naval Intelligence" said Don.
"Well…that's different" sputtered Wendall as he went back to his plane. Trask in the meantime whispered to Don Q "This had better be temporary."
"Actually it hasn't even been done" said the Monocled spy with an amused smile.
We strapped in and left for the Indian Subcontinent. It only took ninety minutes. We were met on the tarmac by two American Embassy limousines. One had an American driver and the other an Indian native chauffer. They approached us as we disembarked from the plane. Bruce drew his gun and told the two men to stop.
"Blackburn! Have you gone totally nuts" said Trask.
"No, I read Madam Doom's files. In at least one case she brainwashed completely loyal men into becoming human bombs that killed themselves as they assassinated their assigned targets" explained Bruce. "You two" he said to the drivers "Hands up with palms facing us."
Don Q looked at Pierre and said "You had better check the cars mon ami."
Wendall was still shutting down the plane when he told his partner Spin Benson to help Pierre.
They found several bombs in each car. The first one was a remote control device attached to the antenna. Then Pierre found on connected to the odometer. Spin found the one wired to the speedometer. Simultaneously they found the one activated by using the brakes. They looked at one another decided that neither car was safe because they might have missed yet another bomb.
"A bit of over kill" said McGurk when we were told of the amount of explosives.
Then the two limousine drivers started running towards us with wild looks in their eyes. They fell over unconscious after eight steps. It was then that we saw a limousine fast approaching us. We saw that it was an Indian Government car when it stopped. Black X and Batu stepped out of the vehicle as soon as it came to a rest.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:51:25 GMT
Chapter 9
"I watched and listened as this Colonel Jackson, Batu and Trask talked. Trask looked very sick and was carrying around a small oxygen tank. They were all very earnest as they told me and my parents about some case they worked on back in the fifties. Trask and he Colonel turned back to Batu, so I knew it was his turn to recount what happened all those years ago.
I smiled at Richelda Rankin; see looks so much like my master it makes my heart ache. "My master, Black X and I arrived in Paris via a transatlantic flight. Once there my master and I stole a German fighter jet. We were over Bulgaria before the Germans knew what had happened. We stayed on the German side of the border and landed in Istanbul. My master quickly negotiated with the local authorities for further transportation. The Turks wanted the latest German jet and we wanted to get to India. Ergo we traded them for an older long range American spy plane. And the Indian government wanted one of those, but was bogged down in negotiations with that Americans because of OSS objections.
I smiled at the assembled group in the Rankin home and continued. "We arrived an hour or so before the active American agents. We were met by Adi Ajay. He was head of the province's counter-intelligence and police. Ajay was an enormously fat man, he had to use two canes just to walk. I thought then, as I do now that he was a criminal to have such a large girth in a country where so many people starve.
We gave him the plane as a gift. He in turn asked us to work for him. Neither my master nor I trusted this large man, but he had the power to throw us out of his country; or imprison us, therefore we agreed. I had dual citizenship, but Black X was an American. Ajay had my master sign a paper and he was made a citizen of India and made both of us members of India’s counter-intelligence agency.
Ajay brought us up to date on what information he had and told us that the Americans were due to land soon. My master said that we should go out and meet them. As we approached the assembled intelligence officers I sensed apprehension in them. They were drawing their guns at the drivers of their limousines. I looked into the minds of the two drivers and saw that they had a mental command order placed in their subconscious to detonate bombs they carried and kill the Americans.
It was a trick that Madam Doom had used once before when she was killing various ambassadors to the United States. I could not override the command, but I could give them an image of them carrying out their orders. I had a very difficult time keeping them alive afterwards as their bodies wanted to shut down. I was exhausted when I got out of the car and could barely stand. Me master told me to stay in the car and he would talk to the Americans, he and Ajay.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:51:35 GMT
Chapter 10
"That Indian really was fat, he was the fattest man I had ever seen-before or since. The famous Black X stood at his side, as did the sergeant who had beaten the crap out of me a few days earlier, only now he was a lieutenant. He was big and burly but Ajay made him look small.
Black X and Ajay came over to us. The morbidly obese Indian intelligence spy chief introduced himself and Black X. He made a point to tell us that he had made Black X an Indian citizen and that Black X was working for him. And that we could go home if we had a problem with that. Don Q took the lead with that ultimatum and smiled his winning smile saying "That's fine with us. We should probably share information as soon as we can."
"Agreed" said Black X, "But not here. Your employees need to be disarmed and then taken back to the American consulate. By then Batu should be rested enough to take them out of their trance. I suggest that you also gather up these men's families and bring them into the consulate compound for their protection."
Don nodded and said "We'll gather up all of the on staff American families. We don't have enough room for our Indian personnel."
Ajay looked at the new lieutenant before saying “round up the Indian families and give them safe haven except for the family of unconscious Indian driver over there. Take them to the American Consulate." The lieutenant saluted and went back to Ajay's limousine to radio his orders. I didn't think that it was a wise idea and said so.
Ajay smiled a grim smile back at me before looking to Black X, who nodded in agreement with me. Then Ajay called the lieutenant back and said "We'll do this later by phone at headquarters. Speaking of which, who is going to return with me there.
Don Q said "I will, as will Bruce Blackburn, his specialty is counter-intelligence and Larry Trask; he has been in of this since the beginning." I was surprised to be included on this. Ajay called for two Indian Government cars to take them back to the American Consulae. Batu rode with them.
Spin Benson was told by Wings Wendall to stay with the plane. McGurk was told to to ride in the other government car which would carry Jackson and Wendall. Wings Wendall then voiced his objection. He wanted to go to the Indian Intelligence headquarters but Don said no.
Wendall was insistent and asked why. The fat intelligence chief then said "Because your country is still allied with the Commonwealth of Great Britain, which is our sworn enemy. I can get away with allowing a policeman and diplomat in, even a counter-intelligence agent who is trying to help us capture a common threat; but not a soldier of your nation. Don Q knows this-even if you do not." Wendall turned and went to his assigned automobile with a very angry look about him.
It was a quiet ride to the Indian Intelligence Headquarters. Ajay's girth took up the entire back bench seat. Black X, Don, and Bruce sat in the back seat facing Ajay while the Indian Lieutenant and I were cramped in the front seat with the driver.
The drive took a few minutes. Once we arrived we went straight to Ajays's office. The lieutenant immediately started barking out commands to carry out the orders Ajay had given him out at the tarmac.
Ajay's office was spacious and opulent. I knew then and there that this guy was as corrupt as they come. He knew that we knew too. He smiled at us like a cat does at a cornered canary. "Yes gentlemen' he said "I do like my creature comforts and people pay me to look the other way. But I do not accept money from people who are foreigners or with to harm my country, do I Don Q?
"True" replied Don; "We tried to bribe him three years ago. We also tried to blackmail him when we saw his corruption, but, our efforts failed. He's a lousy cop but an excellent counter-intelligence man." Bruce, our own counter- intelligence man, frowned at these comments but said nothing. Black X's face betrayed nothing and Ajay laughed.
We then started to compare notes when there was a knock on Ajay's door. The lieutenant came in and said "there a riot going on a few blocks from here and headed this way. I think it is ruse and we're going to be attacked as soon as they get here.
Ajay raised an eyebrow and thought for a moment. "Call in everyone lieutenant. Get my driver and have car ready because I'll be leaving in a few minutes. Gentlemen" he said to us. "I can take you with me or leave you to your own devices please choose."
"We had better split up Don" said Black X. I'll stay here. Don you'd better go with Ajay."
Bruce said "I know how to travel exceedingly well over roof tops"
I said "I'm still hurting from that gunfight the other day. I'm not going anywhere. I owe these bastards some serious hurting. Besides I want to watch that lieutenants back. He saved my ass as well as beating me up."
Don and Ajay got up and left then while Bruce, Black X and I headed up to the roof.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:51:45 GMT
Chapter 11
Don Q came back into the Ajay’s office and said “I changed my mind. We then went up to the roof. Below us was a teeming mob charging the Indian Intelligence and Police complex. From the roof I saw Ajay's car over turned and burning two blocks away. Black X reassessed the situation. "Don and I look alike, especially at a distance. There's a good probability that if the thugs are after me if they are working for Madam Doom. That means we need to change our plans. Don and I will wait until they can be certain to see us and then take off using the roof tops. Bruce, I want you to cover Don's back and back sure he gets back to the consulate. Batu will know where and how to find me where ever I am."
He then looked at me and said "Sorry Larry, but your wound prohibits running around the roof tops. I hope I can draw them off."
I saw the earnestness in the man's face and nodded. He was right; I was in no shape to do any kind of running. I then looked over at Don; my old friend couldn't look me in the eye. At last I found something that broke through Don Q's debonair exterior.
I also note that he and Black X did look strikingly similar. Black X was taller and a bit more muscular, but, they both were exceedingly good looking men who had black hair and a pencil thin mustache. The most obvious similarity beyond those was the fact that they both wore a monocle over their right eye. Black X's monocle was opaque however; whole Don Q's was clear as glass. I later learned that Black X's monocle hid the fact that he had lost his right eye while undergoing torture.
We examined our pistols even as we watched oncoming onslaught tearing through the complex. Black X and Don climbed on top of the ridge of the roof so that the crowd below could see them easily. Once the mob hesitated the two dashed off in opposite directions.
The mob then trisected one large group went after each man, while a third, larger group continued their attack. I have to admit that I was glad because now I had something to do. I went down the stairs and went looking for the lieutenant.
He and his men were about to be over run when I found him. I came out through a side hallway. The charging crowd didn't see me because they were lunging ever forward. I fired several shots into the mob from a different direction that the one they had been facing. One of the most disconcerting thing a soldier, or in this case thug, can have happen to them in combat is being fired upon from your flank. I was only one man and only had my .45 pistol, but it was enough to cause a panic in the ranks.
The lieutenant used the opportunity to lead his men forward and the thugs fled. We had one the first part of the battle, but fighting was still going on in the complex. I reloaded and we cleaned up the building. The lieutenant found himself to be the only surviving officer when it was all over. He quickly decided to call in the army.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:51:54 GMT
Chapter 12
I looked at my three companions at the Rankin's home. I was breathing heavily. I have to carry around an oxygen tank these days. Remembering that day in India was not pleasant. "Well that's my part of the tale so far. Who wants to take over" I said. Johnson and Batu looked at one another before Jackson nodded and took over our tale.
Batu was still wiped out when we arrived at the consulate. We took the two drivers down to the basement while we went upstairs to the second floor to brief the military attaché and the top diplomat there, hedging certain information but giving them some of what we knew. In the middle of that meeting we started to hear a loud roar of people.
We looked out the window and we saw a huge group of Thugs chasing a man. I wasn't sure if it was Don Q or Black X. I asked Batu if it was Black X. Batu was too weak to even speak, but he did shake his head no.
"Mon Dieu" cried Pierre. "Zat is Don!" as he rushed out of the room.
The rest of us: Wings Wendall, McGurk and I went after him, drawing out pistols as we went. Batu tried to get up as well. But he was still too weak. The military attaché was calling down at the courtyard to have the marine guards close the gates even as the diplomat was yelling at us to put away our guns.
We rushed down the stairs and out to the courtyard. The marines were following their orders but Wendall countermanded them. He ordered that the gates should stay open until the Thugs were within a hundred feet. He out ranked the military attaché. The marines had a smile on their face. One of them started to draw his own sidearm, but Wendall forbade them from firing. "I'm in uniform fellows, I don't dare go out there and shoot, but I'll keep the gates open."
The rest of us went out and formed a small pathetic firing line. We fired at those who were closest to Don, who was running for his life. He was no longer wearing his jacket or hat. His pants and shirt were torn; even his signature monocle was gone. He was also bleeding from a wound on his right side forearm.
Don was losing ground; I knew he wouldn't reach us before he was overtaken. It was evident to all of us. Don saw us and then glanced over his shoulder. I could see the look in Don's as he estimated his chances. He smiled a sad smile as he continued to vainly run away from the chasing Thugs.
Pierre had been with Don since the war through thick and thin. He too saw what was going to inevitably happen. Pierre started racing towards Don in an insane attempt to save his friend. Don yelled "No Pierre Stay back," but Pierre kept running to his friend.
Don Q stumbled and fell. The crowd swarmed over him. I don't know if he did it purposefully to stop Pierre or not. If he did…it didn't work because Pierre continued his charge to save his friend. He too was overtaken by the thugs.
McGurk and I ran back to the compound as fast as we could. The gates were closed and locked when we got there and the Thugs were now chasing us.
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Post by DocQuantum on Aug 26, 2021 6:52:04 GMT
Chapter 13
We had nowhere to go. The marines were not by the gates and the Thugs with their long bloody knives were closing in on us. "McGurk" I said, "We've got to get over this fence."
"How Captain Jackson?" he questioned even as he fired his last round at the surging mob. Just then a rope came over the gate. A Marine Sergeant dressed in his blue dress uniform said "climb over sir."
McGurk said "Go ahead sir; I'll be right behind you."
I started my climb up; just when I reached the top the Sergeant holding the rope was shot from behind he collapsed in a heap. I jumped down a looked around for the shooter but saw no one I grabbed the rope yelled at McGurk to climb.
McGurk was well into his fifties and not in the best of shape. He really shouldn't have been on this mission or any other mission in those days, but it got him away from his wife. He said he loved her, but could only stand her in small increments. That's why he remained an active agent. He was supposed only be our secretary on our missions though. That is to say he was there as our administrative backup, yet here he was in the middle of things.
I was pulling on the rope even as McGurk was scrambling up it. He looked like he was going to make it but the Thugs started throwing their knives at him. I heard him grunt with pain even as I heard the accompanying thump of the blades entering his flesh. His eyes rolled back into his head as his hands let go of the rope. Silently he mouthed Emma, his wife's name, as fell back down to the outside of the counsel's gates. I like to believe he was already dead because the damned Thugs swarmed him and carved him into little pieces.
They could have overrun the counsel, but instead they turned and dispersed into the surrounding streets. I could see McGurk lying at the entrance. Don Q and Pierre were farther out down the road along with several dozen Thugs that we had killed. I was crying silently as I fell to my knees. This was the worse mission I had ever been on and I just knew it was going to get worse.
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