Operation Z by Szepanski, G.D. (well read books .txt) 📗

Marines all passed on his request. Both the Navy and Coast Guard recruiters said his size wouldn’t work in either of their branches in any roll. Their rejection discouraged him, and Big Jim almost gave up on the idea of serving his country.

Then a man in a black suit approached him to tell Jim about the classified group called the Problem Solvers (PS). If Big Jim committed to a 15-year term in the PS, he’d get the most elite training, serve his country on special missions, and retire with a full pension. Anyone on the outside would see his service as a Marine and he would retire as a Colonel with a full military pension. It seemed too good to be true, but Big Jim had no other prospects, so he accepted the offer.

The training had been grueling. Twenty-four months of physical, mental, and weapons training which made Navy Seal training look like a pleasant stroll through the park on a Sunday afternoon. It transformed James Richards from a capable barroom brawler to an elite killing machine. Big Jim proved his talent as the most dangerous man in the world with each completed mission.

Along the way, Jim learned why the 15-year term had been dangled in front of each prospect’s face. Military recruits looked forward to 20 years of service before they received their retirement. Those who served in the PS rarely made it to the 15-year mark. Many outstanding soldiers lost their lives or were permanently disabled during Jim’s time serving. They called the PS in to complete missions when and where official forces couldn’t act. For instance, the Posse Comitatus Act didn’t let the military operate in the United States, but enemies of the State can live and function within the country’s borders. One call to the PS and these enemies disappeared for good.

Because of Big Jim’s long and successful career, he reached the level of team leader. This gave him insight into the workings of the PS itself and a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the United States Government’s operations. Jim knew the government’s response to terrorist attacks, virus outbreaks, natural disasters, enemy attack, and even defending against zombies. They had made jokes for years about CONOP 8888, but Jim knew the reality behind their plan.

The first light of dawn illuminated the morning sky with brilliant red, orange, and yellow colors. It would be a beautiful day with a clear blue sky. Big Jim’s first day of the rest of his life. He felt more unsure about his future than he had on his 18th birthday. How do you reinvent yourself at 33 with no life skills except violence? There was always the family’s corn farm in Iowa, but he had been away forever.

Lily walked through the slider, wearing the fluffy white hotel robe, pulling Jim from his thoughts of the past. “Good morning. You’re up early, Jim.”

“Good morning. I hope I didn’t wake you. Too much on my mind and I couldn’t sleep.”

“Well, it’s a big day for you. You made it through your last mission. Congratulations on your retirement.”

“Thanks. That’s what’s been troubling me. I happy to be done, but not sure of what comes next.”

“Just enjoy life. What did you do before?”

“I joined the PS when I was 18. So, before that, I worked on my family’s corn farm in Iowa.”

Lily laughed. “I can’t imagine you as a farmer.”

“Lily, why don’t you come with me?”

“What?”

“Leave the CIA and start a life with me.”

“As a farmer? Sorry, that wouldn’t work for me.”

“We don’t have to go to Iowa. Would could go anywhere. With you at my side, I can face anything.”

She smiled at Jim, but the smile quickly faded. “You don’t understand. Things are easier for you as a man. I was the first successful Navy Seal and female recruit to JSOC. I can’t throw all that away for anyone. Even you, Jim. I do love you, but I just can’t do it. Please stay out here while I gather my things and go. I can’t stand to see the hurt in your eyes.”

With tears running down her checks, Lily turned away from Jim and walked back into the hotel room. He heard Lily banging around inside the room and then the room door slammed shut. The sea breeze dried the tears which rolled down his face. Only the unknown lay ahead of Jim and he would face it all alone.

Big Jim stayed at the hotel for another week. On day number five, a package arrived for him. It released him from service with a thank you and gave him the paperwork for his retirement. A reminder about the top-secret nature of his work with the PS and a warning to not discuss it with anyone. To the world, James Richards had served in the Marines and retired a Colonel. If anyone ever questions his service, the message was to obfuscate and lie. In addition, they provided a onetime payment of $10 million tax free to an offshore account for his service. Jim laughed to himself, realizing the PS used both the carrot and the stick on their retirees. He was happy to leave the life behind and never wanted to see any of them again.

The last day of his stay in this paradise came too fast. Now he had to face the future, but no fresh revelations came to him. With no other options, Jim headed to Iowa and visit his brother, Judd Richards. Judd had taken up the family business and farmed corn on 350 acres of fertile Iowa farmland. They had always been close growing up, even with the four years that separated them. Jim had wished he had been a better big brother these last 15 years, but maybe he could make up for it now.

A top of the line Learjet sat waiting to fly Jim to Iowa. It would be his last benefit from the PS. At the other end, the local Ford dealer had a brand new F150 waiting for him.