Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Blood And Steel

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 08:

Groom Lake Nevada

Connolly finally had a chance to breathe. His team was nearly assembled, mostly anyway. The three females were off somewhere. Jason didn’t mind. Unlike other places there was not a whole lot of space to wander at Area 51. Bella would be fine.

Despite the rumors and folklore about the base regarding UFOs, Area 51 was very secretive for one very important reason.

It was where the most bad ass equipment in the US military was designed and tested. The U2 spy plane and SR 71Blackbird were designed here. The B2 Spirit also known as the Stealth Bomber was designed and tested here.

Now he and his team were looking at the latest in technology. The Aurora program which had given rise to the latest UFO rumors. Jason could see why. They had used two modified versions of these aircraft in the Ortiz mission. Now he was seeing and appreciating the whole lot of the program. The program started in the 1990s and was designed as a reconnaissance plane, completely invisible to radar, much like the B2 Bomber. The difference between the two was the Aurora could do much, much more. Almost a triangle in shape, the fighter was fast enough to break the sound barrier, carried enough armament to take out a small country and could function as a bomber. Another important part of the project and the reason it took so long to develop was its maneuverability. It could stop nearly on a dime and transform into a harrier type jet capable of stopping and changing direction instantly, rising and dropping as needed and doing so in near silence. It also had the ability to break the atmosphere and use the rotation of the Earth and orbit to be anywhere in the world in less than two hours.

Nearly 90 percent of videos on the internet showing UFOs zig zagging across the sky were variants of the Aurora project. A large number of fighters had been produced and designed for two pilots alone. Only two had been modified to carry more than two pilots. The two that had been used could carry up to eight passengers in a small area in the middle and piloted by one or two men. Dante Youngblood, Mike Boller and John Anderson had been at Groom Lake learning the ins and outs of these amazing machines.

The director of Groom Lake, who had yet to give his name, was not happy about this. He was protective of his toys.

“I don’t believe I have to tell you how important it is that these machines are treated delicately and how expensive they are. What exactly are your plans for these aircraft?” The man in a suit who had yet to introduce himself asked.

“”I plan to take them into war. We will land in hot LZs, blow the shit out of things that need to be blown up and leave. I plan to ride these bitches hard and put em up wet.” Connolly calmly told the man.

The man sighed.

“I see. They are yours and will be at your base next week. I understand you will be testing other weapons. Of course these two each have a UV spotlight that can light up the size of a football field. I can’t imagine why you would need it but for the first time in my life, I was told by the President what was needed and to not ask questions. The bullets are all made of H4X1. The element is constantly in development. The missiles are also filled with shrapnel made of the element in addition to the napalm added. One missile will basically cut and burn anything within two hundred yards so please make sure you have no men… or women apparently, on the ground when one is fired. The crafts have 360 degree motion when hovering. There are also protective guns that operate independently of the craft that will defend it from incoming attacks.”

“Sounds perfect. What else you got for me?” Connolly asked the man in the suit.

“You’ve seen the rifles and handguns. I can show you a type of gun we are working one capable of firing the ammo but it is very difficult to handle. The weapon itself weighs 85 pounds and has a kick like you wouldn’t believe. We haven’t found a soldier yet who could lift and control the weapon while firing with any accuracy, not that much is needed.”

“Hawk you’re up.” Jason told him.

Dan Hawk walked up to the man and smiled.

“Show me the way.”

“Parker take this… man… to the weapons hangar.”

“Yes sir.” A soldier with no designation on his shoulder snapped to attention and Hawk followed.

“We plan to use these weapons and planes to practice scenarios over the next week. Any problems we need to know about?” Jason asked.

“No sir. The President has given you full access to the area.”

“What about the underground areas?” Jason asked, thinking of the rumored underground areas of the base.

“You don’t want to see the underground areas. They aren’t necessary or connected to the work you will be doing.” Confirming in his mind that they do exist.

“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that since you know nothing about the work we will be doing?”

“The President does not know about the area.”

“Yes he does.” Connolly pointed out, lying. He had no idea if the President knew.

“Truman signed an executive order that the area is only to be opened under certain conditions. That executive order remains in effect as far as I understand. That area is dead and locked until those conditions are met. The President himself cannot order me to open it. Believe me, I will notice, the world will notice if these conditions are met.” The man in the suit said smiling.

“Maybe. Of course my team could kill you and have control of this base within a matter of minutes.”

The man in the suit was no longer smiling.

“But it isn’t worth it. Keep your dirty secrets. Show my men where we can bunk down, get some chow and then we meet in the training hanger. I also want a look at the satellites we will be given access to.”

“Can I ask why this new element is so important to your work?”

“No. The President signed an executive order not to tell you. You want to take it up with him you are more than welcome. Till then let me worry about why I need special ammo and equipment and don’t ask questions. You guys are good at that, right?” Connolly told him sarcastically.

“Of course.”

The man in the suit walked off and Connolly and his team followed.

“Ty?” Connolly said, stopping Ty.

“Yeah brother. What’s up?”

“Please track down the women and ask them to join us. Tell Bella and Winter to keep their blades close and do not under any conditions let these men have close looks at them.”

“Uh, I thought you knew.” Ty said nervously.

“Knew what?”

“Mina took Bella and Winter for training.”

“Okay. Go get them from training.”

“Nah man you don’t understand. Mina took them in her Mercedes. They headed off base.”

“Headed where?”

“Las Vegas. Mina said they needed to learn some things she couldn’t teach them here. Bella especially. She made it seem like you knew about it.”

“I didn’t know a damn thing about it! Who authorized them to leave the base?!”

“Well none of them actually are in the military so authorization is kinda tricky. I mean I know they are team when it comes to missions but the rest of the time… I mean I’m sure Mina didn’t have problems talking her way out.” Ty told him.

“Get your ass to Las Vegas. Take the black Hummer. Keep an eye on them. Those two are our biggest secret weapons and they are running loose.”

“No they are running with their trainer.” Ty pointed out. “Besides that’s a three hour drive.”

“Listen, I would go but I have schematics to go over. We have floor maps of the Volturi castle and other vampire feeding grounds. I have satellites to go over. I don’t have time for this. I need you. Mina should have a tracker on her car. Follow it. Don’t interfere with whatever the hell she has going on but keep an eye on them, and keep me updated. When you find them turn on your ear com and go to secure frequency 7.”

“Why the hell am I doing this?” Ty asked.

“Because I’m your commanding officer?” Connolly tried.

“Try again.”

“They are valuable assets and I don’t trust Mina?”

“Then you shouldn’t have brought the gun happy bitch onto the team. Try again.”

“Because I want to make sure Bella is okay.” Connolly admitted.

“Hey that’s cool man. At least you’re bein honest this time. I mean I’m sure Bella will appreciate you watchin out for her.”

“Yeah, she will.” Connolly agreed with a smile.

“Worked out well for Edward Cullen.” Ty said quietly. Not quietly enough.

“What are you saying?” Jason asked him, immediately angry.

“I’m sayin for the first time in your life you feel something for a woman and you actin stupid. Girl wants to go to Vegas let her go to Vegas. If she wanted you along she would have asked you. Last thing she would appreciate is your jealous ass watchin her. But you right, dog. You my commanding officer. You want me to spy on your girlfriend I’ll do it. Want me to watch her sleep at night too or you got that covered?”

Ty began to walk away while Connolly dropped his head.

“Ty?”

“Yeah?”

“C’mon. We got schematics to go over. I guess we can catch the girls up whenever the hell they get back.”

Ty patted Connolly on the shoulder.

“See? You can make good decisions. Plus I won $50. When Webb heard they left he bet me $50 you would send someone after her. Good man.”

Connolly watched him walk away and contemplated calling Mina.

Fuck it. Bella could take care of herself. She had Winter and Mina with her.

He hoped.

I mean what were the chances of them running into vampires in Vegas?

The bigger question on his mind was what the hell kind of training Mina thought she would accomplish in Vegas.

Las Vegas Nevada

“These belong to the two of you.” Mina told Bella and Winter as she pulled out two long black coats in her trunk after parking in the Meadows Mall parking lot.

Bella looked at hers and put it on. It was a perfect fit hanging to just above her shoe line.

“Thanks.” she said without much enthusiasm.

“Problem Bella?” Mina asked.

“No. I appreciate it. I just don’t like other people buying me clothes.” She admitted. Winter understood. Mina did as well.

“Because of Alice Cullen? I get that. These will be the only clothes I buy the two of you. If you look inside the coats you will see a set of straps. six Velcro straps, very strong. You can place your katana inside and it will be completely hidden. Also you will be able to pull the jacket back and have the sword ready for battle in seconds rather than trying to pull it from a scabbard. These coats won’t fit into every situation but they will work in most battle scenarios.”

Bella looked at the coat and Mina with new respect.

“Thanks.” she said gratefully.

“Yeah, this is pretty cool Mina.” Winter admitted.

“Glad you like it. I have a gun on me if we need one. Leave your katanas in the trunk. We won’t need them here.”

“Why are we here?” Bella asked, looking at the mall with suspicion.

“Because you both need clothes. I don’t give a damn if you buy blue jeans or custom leather or designer dresses. Decide what you want to look like and buy it. Bella do you like your hair?”

“Yeah. Why not?”

“Then it won’t be a problem. You can concentrate on getting clothes. You won’t want to wear BDUs all the time. Trust me. I spent enough time in the military, that camo and black get old in a hurry.”

Mina began to walk off.

“Wait? What is wrong with my hair?” Bella asked.

“Nothing. I just asked a question. You said you wanted to be a woman. To be in control of your life. How you want to appear to the world is important. If you want the same style you had in high school that is your business. Same with you Winter. If you want to give a different appearance to the world then you can do that as well. I want you to start thinking about these things. I am going into that mall with you. I don’t give a damn what you buy. But you need things. After this we are going to Wal-Mart and buying hair brushes, toothbrushes and other certain things that will be needed.”

“Oh, okay.” Winter said. That made a certain amount of sense.

“Keep in mind tonight we are training. We are going to a casino and the both of you are going to learn the art of seduction.”

“Say what?”Bella asked.

“The art of seduction.” Mina repeated.

“I told you I’m not fucking anyone.” Bella stressed.

“I didn’t say the art of fucking. You will have to figure that out for yourself. You are both virgins and I don’t have the time to have the sex talk with you.”

“What makes you think I’m a virgin?!” Winter asked.

“You are gay right?”

“Yeah.”

“How do you know?” Mina asked.

“Because I am attracted to women.”

“Have you ever made a move on anyone besides Bella?” Mina asked.

Winter dropped her head. It was the answer Mina suspected.

“Exactly. Neither of you know a damn thing about sex. Believe it or not seduction while it can lead to sex has nothing to do with sex. It is about making a man or woman be so enamored with you that you can make them do whatever you want. Bella you were seduced by a vampire who wanted your blood and you allowed it. It’s time to learn how to do that to others, in a less dramatic fashion of course. It is important and has nothing to do with sex. It has to do with allure. Making someone want you so much that you are in control, instead of being controlled. Understand? You are both beautiful. Use that.”

“I don’t have any money.” Bella pointed out.

“You have a black credit card in your purse. You have been on the government payroll for two months. You haven’t used it. Winter you haven’t used yours at all. The government has paid all your expenses. I’m not saying either of you are rich but you both have a couple thousand. Winter you probably have closer to ten thousand. You need clothes. Buy clothes.”

Without another word they followed Mina into the mall. Walking around neither could decide what store to go into. Mina offered no suggestions, just following and not saying a word.

Bella looked into a store and saw her reflection in the window. Her head dropped.

“What’s wrong Bella?” Winter asked.

“Look at me. I’ve gotten more muscle. I’ve gotten thinner, even though I didn’t need to. But my hair is still the same as it was in Forks. My eyes look… old. I don’t… I don’t want to look like this anymore.”

“So don’t.” Winter told her. “There is a salon right there. I could use a haircut.”

“I wouldn’t even know where to begin. How… I mean Jason…”

“Fuck Jason!” Mina practically yelled from behind, causing Bella to jump.

“You want him right?” Mina asked.

Bella nodded.

“Then let him want you. Not who you used to be. You decide what you want to look like. You decide who you are. If he doesn’t like it fuck him, find someone who will. Do not make decisions on what you look like based on anyone but yourself.”

“What if I want to shave my head?” Bella asked smirking.

“Let’s not go crazy.” Mina told her. “Picture how you see yourself. How you want to look. Everything, hair, color, style. Picture it in your head and go in there and tell one of those women. Make it happen. Make you who you want to be, not who Jason or Edward or Alice or anyone else wanted you to be. Think about it and then go in there and make yourself confident and happy. Decide what and who you want to be and start making it happen. Lesson number three. Winter if you want to look different do the same. If not don’t. But be you. You can’t seduce anyone unless you think you are beautiful yourself. How can you make someone want you if you don’t want yourself?”

“Will you come with me?” Bella asked Mina.

“No. I will stay out here. You do this yourself. Go inside and decide for yourself. Winter you do the same. When you come out I will be here eating and we can continue. Just remember I have rooms reserved for us at the Palace tonight. Lesson four starts in six hours. We are on a time limit and need to move. If you are going to do it, do it now.”

Bella took a deep breath and imagined how she wanted to look. Together with Winter they walked inside.

“What are you getting done?” Bella asked Winter.

“I like my hair. Easy to handle. I’m going to just get a trim. What about you? Changing anything?”

“I’m changing everything.” Bella said more confidently than she felt. Once her name was called she sat down to the chair she was guided towards.

“My name is Elise. What will we be doing today?”

“Everything. I’m on a time limit so let’s not take too long. I want my hair thinned out and straight. I want it to fall to just past my shoulders. I want it black. Midnight black.”

“That’s going to be quite a change but it will bring out your eyes and cheek bones.”

“I know Elise. Make it happen. Also if you have any suggestions about my eyes I would be glad to listen.”

“What is wrong with your eyes?”

“How old do you think I am?”

Elise said nothing.

“Exactly. I am twenty. I want my eyes to look like they are the eyes of a twenty year old who has her whole life ahead of her.” Bella said, feeling more confident as she spoke.

Winter walked up thirty minutes later.

“Holy shit Bella.” She whispered, hardly recognizing the beauty in the chair.

“That’s the idea. Do me a favor? Go find me a black dress for tonight. Something that will hug every inch of my body. I want an open back and it should be cut low in the front. Ask Mina if you aren’t sure. Also buy me the tightest jeans you can find in your size. We are built the same. Grab me some t shirts and I will be good… no. Lingerie. Victoria’s Secret. Have fun. Buy me… things. Thongs. Bras that make me look I have more than I do. Help me out Winter. We can do more later but right now we are on a time limit and this coloring is taking longer than I thought.”

“I can do that for you Bella.” Winter told her and kissed her cheek.

Bella continued to look at the transformation in the mirror. She liked what she saw. For the first time in a very long time she looked at herself and liked what she saw.

Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas

“There is your target.” Mina whispered to Bella. They were looking at a man in a very expensive deep blue suit sitting at a high rollers table. He had long dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He was thin, much too thin to be attractive. He had a deep tan that looked to be fake.

“Who is he?” Bella asked.

“Andrew Miramont. Heir to the Marimont Hotels empire. He is a shark here. Regular player who generally drops a couple million a trip. He is clean as far as Interpol is concerned. He is nothing more than a simple playboy who has access to way to much of his daddy’s money. There is one quirk he has though. He likes to drug girls before he has sex with them. They follow him willingly enough to his room. Once there he drugs them, has his way with them, and leaves them without a word. None of the girls say anything. How could they? A girl goes up to a rich man’s room voluntarily and screams rape the next morning. Not many are likely to take her seriously. This behavior has to stop.”

“If they go willingly why does he drug them?” Winter asked.

“It’s the power. He likes having absolute control over them. Tonight he learns what it is like to be a victim.” Mina answered.

“He already has three blondes around him. How am I supposed to get his attention?” Bella asked. Winter could still not get over Bella’s look. She looked like a dark angel. Make up highlighted her face for the first time Winter could ever remember seeing her with it on. Her lips were an understated red and her eyelashes were black and full making her brown eyes seem darker than they actually were.

“You are going to seduce him. You my dear have a look that draws men in. Your eyes are beautiful, despite what you think. You will stand at a distance and watch him. He will scan the room and catch your eyes. You will meet his. He will look away. You will as well. Act as if you are not impressed. He will come back to you. He knows the blondes with him. Perhaps not personally but he knows the type. You are mysterious. He will have to know you. He will come back to you, begging for your attention without ever saying a word. Meet his gaze. The fifth time chuckle to yourself. Act as if you are amused by his attention and look away. After a minute look back at him. If he is still looking he is yours. He will approach you. Play it cool. Everything you imagined yourself to be? The way you want to act? As if you could care less if he was there or not? Use that. He will practically beg to show you his room. Once he does you have him.”

“What doI do with him then? Hurt him? Beat him up?” Bella asked, not all sure that she could pull this off.

“No. He will try to drug you. You will slip this into his drink.” Mina told Bella, handing her a small clear pouch of white powder.

“Do not drink what is put in front of you. Pretend to if you must but do not swallow. Do whatever you have to do to make sure he is the one who is drugged. Then let us in. I will handle the rest.”

Bella nodded and walked towards the table, looking stunning in her black dress. She leaned against a pillar and did just as Mina had told her. She held herself confidently. She also acted confident and amused. She acted a bit bored at times letting her eyes wander. She met the man’s eyes a few times. She nearly outright laughed the last time he glanced her way. It played out just as Mina said it would. When he stood up and left the very angry blondes at his side she knew Mina was right. She had him. The power of that emboldened her.

“Can I help you?” she asked as he walked up.

“I had to introduce myself. I am Andrew. What may I call you?”

“That depends. The way you have been looking at me you may as well call me a prize. I believe your blondes are not happy with you.” Bella told him, fully engulfing herself into the role. Becoming the person she had ran through and through in her head.

“They are children. You are a woman. I must know you. Are you staying here?”

“Yes. My name is Bell.”

“Bell? A beautiful name.”

“Thank you Andrew.” Bella told him, give him a slight grin and glancing up and down his body. The effect was immediate.

“Perhaps you would care for a drink with me?”

“I can order a drink from the bar at anytime Andrew.”

“Not from my suite though. I have to show it to you. It is almost as beautiful as you are. The penthouse. You must see it. We can drink wine while looking over the Vegas skyline. It is too amazing to pass up. Please?”

“I don’t usually follow strange men to their hotel rooms Andrew.”

“But I am not strange. You know my name, I know yours. We are friends now.” He said with a devilish grin.

“Fine. But only a drink. If you think I am that easy you had best rethink your impression of me.”

“Of course.”

Ten minutes later Bella and Andrew were in front of the door to his penthouse suite. Bella hoped that Mina could get up here without an elevator key. Then she realized it was ridiculous. Even if she couldn’t, Bella had this. She could do this. She had done well so far.

Bella stood by the window looking out over the impressive skyline. Andrew walked behind her and placed his cool hand on her bare back.

“Andrew?”

“Yes Bell?”

“Get your fucking hand off me.” Bella said in a pleasant tone.

“My apologies. Can I offer you some a glass of wine? A merlot perhaps? I have a great selection. Try this. Make sure to let it breathe before you taste it.”

He handed her a glass of dark red wine.

“Is this expensive?” Bella asked him.

“Only about $5000 a bottle.” Andrew laughed. Bella poured the drink into a plant next to the window.

“Andrew I drink Tequila. Where the fuck is your bar?” Bella asked, the pleasantness in her voice gone.

“Next room.” Andrew whispered, shocked by her actions.

Bella walked quickly to the bar in the next room and found a bottle of Tequila. She deftly poured the powder in a shot glass and poured Tequila over it. She poured one for herself and as Andrew watched she downed it.

Placing the glass in front of him she simply said… “Your turn.”

Placed in a position where he could not turn her down Andrew sipped at the…

“Shoot it like a man or I’m leaving. Please don’t tell me I found the only man in Vegas who can’t shoot straight Tequila.” Bella told him.

Andrew shot the glass back.

He smiled and was about to defend his manhood. Before he could his eyes became heavy.

Bella did not bother catching him as he hit the ground hard.

She walked over to the door and was unsurprised to find Mina and Winter there smiling.

“Now the fun starts.” Mina said. Bella noted she had steel cable in her hands.

After the three of them had undressed Andrew to his very tiny red bikini underwear they secured his ankles to metal cuffs and then to a steel cable. Mina ran the end to an iron leg of the bar.

Winter shattered the window with a kick. Bella wrote rapist on his forehead with lipstick. She and Winter tossed him out the window. He fell six feet before the cable caught and he hung by his ankles 14 stories above the ground. When he woke he would definitely see the world from a different perspective.

“Don’t worry about finger prints ladies. We don’t exist. Time to go. I have us rooms reserved at another hotel. The security cameras here will be taken care of by some friends of my own I have.”

Thirty minutes later at the Luxor Hotel Bella entered her room and took off her stilettos. They had been difficult to walk on but so worth it. She had learned a lot today and tonight. She had learned about who she wanted to be and she had learned that she could become that person. She learned that it had nothing to do with swords or vampires or any other supernatural event. It all had to do with her. Bella learned she had the power in herself to be anything she wanted. Tonight she was justice. Tomorrow she may be something else. When she saw vampires she would be vengeance.

She peeled off her clothes and lay on top of the very soft bed, naked. Despite what she learned about herself it was the same face that was in her head when she closed her eyes.

She wondered what Jason was doing?

In the next room over Winter stood by the window in deep thought. She considered trying to communicate with Summer in a more substantial way but she did not feel Summer’s presence like she had before. She sensed Summer was staying away for some reason.

The reason became clear when a slight knock on the door came. She walked over and opened it, only slightly surprised to see Mina.

“Can you handle this?” Mina asked her.

“Yes.” Winter told her.

“I can’t teach Bella about sex. I am willing to do this for you. It will be intimate but it will be for your education. The CIA can teach you many things to do with your body. This is not one of them. Make no mistake. I am here to mentor Bella but I want to help you. You understand?”

“Yes.” Winter whispered. Then her lips were touched by Mina.

“Then take off your clothes slowly. Then you will undress me and we will begin. Relax. I won’t hurt you. This may be the best experience of your life. It stays between the two of us. Understand?”

“Yes.” Winter said and then pulled her shirt over her head. Tonight would definitely be a lesson she would never forget.

Groom Lake Nevada, The next morning

Bella, Winter and Mina had still not made it back. It was 0700. The team had just finished a 5 mile run and finished weightlifting. Now they were in hand to hand training.

Connolly had sparred with Webb and Boller. Boller lasted thirty two seconds. Webb lasted a bit longer, lasting a while minute and ten seconds and landing a shot on Connolly’s chin before getting knocked down by a round house. Now Jason and Ty were on the mat.

Jason made a mistake and Ty used his long legs to sweep him, taking him down for the first time in his life. He was on top of Jason in a second, pounding him while Connolly lay there in a defensive position only able to ward off the blows coming from Gavin’s long arms. He was finally able to catch his Ty’s wrist and flip him over, going back to his feet. When Connolly stood, he moved in for the kill only for Gavin to stop him with raised hands.

“I’m good fool. First time I ever took you down. Think I’ll quit while I’m ahead.”

Jason turned to see the rest of the team holding in smiles.

“What? Any of you fuckers want to step up?” he asked annoyed

“Man this girl has got you turned inside out, doesn’t she?” Webb said and then laughed.

“Yes, rumor has it over the pond that you are untouchable. You just got touched my friend. Something on your mind?” Clive asked.

“Yeah, three of my fucking team members missed drills yesterday and PT this morning and I don’t even know where they are since Mina decided to find and destroy the tracker on her car and not stay in contact per protocol. What if we needed them last night?”

“You think we can’t handle things Jason?” John asked.

“Yeah. We can I guess. Still it’s against protocol.”

“Commander?”

“Yeah?” Jason asked the very nervous soldier that had just walked up.

“You have a call on the secure line. Should be on your ear com on secure level 8.”

Secure level 8? That was reserved for only one man. Shit.

“Yes sir?” Connolly greeted the President of the United States.

“Good morning Jason. Are you enjoying your time at Groom Lake?”

“I wouldn’t say enjoying sir but the weaponry is fascinating.”

“Glad to hear it. I am calling for two reasons. One is you will be receiving coordinates for a possible vampire body dump in Mexico. Over three hundred bodies. They Mexican Authorities have asked for the FBI’s help. They were using ground penetrating radar looking for drug tunnels when they found the mass grave. It appeared to have been disturbed very recently and one of the bodies looked fresh. No blood found. They believe it is a cult. They have asked for the FBI’s help. I am sending your team instead. Keep the Aurora’s under wraps. Land nearby, and cover and guard them, drive in the rest of the way. Vehicles will be waiting for you. Scout the area, find out if there is a coven nearby and destroy them. You will be contacted by a woman named Vivian. She will handle all coms while you are in the field and be your eyes and ears. Got it?”

“Yes sir.”

“Second thing, Were you running any ops in Vegas last night?”

Fuck.

“No sir. My men were here.”

“Your men?”

“Apparently the Israeli… Mina decided to take the two girls too Vegas for training.” Connolly admitted.

“I see. Apparently the son of one of the richest men in the world was found hanging by his ankles out of the penthouse suite windows this morning. He had rapist written on his nearly naked body. Claims some girl named Bell drugged him the night before. Funny thing is all Caesar’s Palace video systems, state of the art systems, went haywire for about three hours and no one saw this girl. So I check with the CIA who tell me an agent from the Mosad happened to land in Vegas yesterday and leave this morning. I’m sure Mina has her reasons but please remind her that this is not Israel and if she plans to seduce and embarrass one of the richest Americans in the world to please run it by me first.”

“I will definitely do that sir.”

“Sounds good. Happy hunting Connolly. Dave out.”

Connolly looked over his men.

“We going to wait for the girls?” Webb asked.

“I don’t know.” Jason said, frustrated.

“We all had a meeting last night.” Ty told him.

“You had a meeting without me?” Connolly asked, instantly alert.

“Yeah it was actually about you.” Dante added. “We are all in agreement that since the two of you are going to wind up together anyway, to cut down on the sexual tension you should just ask her out.”

“Ask her out?”

“Yeah. We all know you two are into each other. It can only hurt the team if you fight it. So we think you should start dating her, on your time off of course. We have all accept the fact that if it comes down to her or one of us we are fucked anyway. So go for it.” Ty suggested.

“That would be unprofessional.” Connolly said while giving it some thought.

“This is the most unprofessional team I have ever seen or been a part of. Go for it old boy. Worst that could happen is she shoots you down for fucking the Jewish bird and we all move on.” Clive told him.

He had a point.

“You really think I should?”

“Yeah. Take her someplace fun. Laid back. Romance her. I can give you some tips if you want. If there are two things I know, it’s killin bitches and romancing women.” Ty told him.

“Hey look. Mina and the girls are back.” Mikey said, looking at the front screen. A few minutes later the girls walked into the hanger.

“You missed morning PT.” Connolly pointed out until he saw Bella. At least who he thought was Bella. She was wearing faded jeans that hugged her like a second skin and a tight black tank top that said Navy on the front. Her hair was thinner and gorgeous. She stood straighter but something else was different about her. Her and Winter. But it was mostly Belle he focused on. Then it hit him.

Her eyes.

They were different. Vibrant. No longer wary. Confident.

“I know. We slept in and even stopped at Dunkin Donuts on the way here. I had a chocolate filled one. It was delicious.” Mina told him.

“Your stunt caught the eye of the President of the United States.” Jason told her.

“Good. He needed to be embarrassed in front of the world. Perhaps next time he will think twice about drugging another girl in his room.”

“You got him to his room, drugged him and hanged him upside down from the fourteenth story of Caesar’s Palace. Definitely caught his attention I’m sure.” Clive mentioned.

“Actually Bella lured him to his room and drugged him. She had him in the palm of her hand.”

“She did? You did?” Connolly asked.

“Yes I did.” Bella answered with a sly grin.

“How?” he wanted to know.

“Easy. I put the skimpiest dress I could find on and seduced him.” Bella told him.

Connolly gritted his teeth but held in the jealousy he was feeling. Jack spoke for him.

“While you two were out we found out we have a mission. So if the two of you could grab your swords and the three of you could change we would appreciate it. We really need to get a move on.”

“No problem Jack. Go get our super jet ready and we will be with you in five… no more like ten minutes.” Winter told him and strolled off. Everyone noticed she was different as well but no one could put their finger on it.

As the team filed out, Connolly stayed back to catch Bella’s attention.

“Bella?”

“Yes?” she asked, stopping and realizing the team continued to move.

“I was wondering if you wanted to go out? Like on a date?”

“Death Valley again?” Bella asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No. I mean a real date.”

“Where would you like to go?” Bella asked.

“Anywhere you want.” Connolly told her. He would take what he could get.

“I’ll think about it.” She told him, surprising the hell out of him.

“Think about it?”

“Yes. You know what that means? Give it some thought, weigh the pros and cons, decide if I am going to let you shave my legs with lotion this time, maybe use a little lotion on you. That sort of thing. I’ll think about it and let you know. Of course if I say yes dinner is most likely the most you are going to get. We can start there. I will let you know. Now didn’t you say we had a mission to get ready for?”

“Yeah. Yes ma’am.” Connolly said, shaking himself out of the daze he was in.

Bella moved in close and kissed his cheek softly then rubbed it.

“You need to shave. See you on the plane.” she said, then smiled and walked away. He watched her ass until she was out of the room.

“Damn it. She’s got me.” he admitted in the empty room and was surprised he didn’t mind.

Wonderland, Cheyenne Wyoming

President David Rodriguez had flown in on Marine one to referee an argument between two of his oldest friends. He was annoyed. The President had more important things to do. Like play golf today. Then he planned to hang out with Dani at Camp David for a few days. Now this.

Chris Jennings and Father Francis Rodriguez sat across the table glaring at each other.

“I came here as a favor to you, not to listen to this blasphemy, David.”

“You and your damned organized religion. Has it ever occurred to you that maybe you don’t know everything or anything about the other side.” Chris suggested.

“Has it ever occurred to you that you are drugging children here?”

“I’m doing it to keep them safe!”

“Gentleman calm down.”

“You want me to show you Father? You want to see this other side? Because there are millions of souls fighting the pull between what you call Heaven and Hell.”

“Ghosts cannot walk this earth for long. Let them stay there. Demons can but only with hosts and you know this. Demon possession is rare.”

“Because they are incorporeal. What if they aren’t? What if these doors are signs? Signs that the demons and lost souls of this world are trying to break through. Think of all those demons and evil souls. Souls that aren’t evil but filled with regret even, unleashed on this world? What then?”

“Then I would say the book of Revelation is right and perhaps it is time we all start praying.”

“And I would say I have a special forces team who is ready to stand in the way of Armageddon and two very special girls wielding Samurai swords ready to kill whatever comes through. But I don’t know what I am fighting.”

“Then why don’t the two of you work together to figure this out?” David asked.

“He wants to take me to some extra dimension. I’m not going there. I place my trust in God.” Francis pointed out.

“What if God is placing his trust in you to do the right thing? Help me out here Father. I need you. You are an expert in demonology. Tell me what these things are. At least look at the damn sketch.”

Chris shoved the hand drawn sketch towards the Priest who took a deep breath.

“Did you say Samurai swords?” Father Francis asked.

“Yes, why?”

“Where did these swords come from?”

“I don’t know. They arrived on my kitchen table. I had a vision leading me to a set of twins. One is dead now and another girl has taken her place, also led to me by a vision. That is all I know. Except for the fact that only these girls can hold them.”

Father Francis sighed.

“The demons you saw were most likely Oni”

“Oni? Japanese demons?” Chris asked.

“Yes. And if they are trying to break the barrier they are most likely doing do at the behest of a captain of some sort. I don’t know more. These swords have likely been used before. Are they supernaturally strong?”

“Strong enough to cut through…” Chris stopped and looked at the President.

“Cut through vampires. Yes Francis. They exist. I have proof. I have weapons. What I don’t have I answers to this demon problem.” Dave told him.

“I know.” Francis admitted.

“You know what?” Chris asked, not sure if he meant the demons or vampires.

“I know that vampires exist.” Francis admitted, shocking both of the men seated with him.

“”How the hell…” David started. Chris ignored it. He was focused on the Oni.

“These swords and there sudden appearance are most likely connected to the Oni demons from Japanese mythology encouraging other souls to break down these doors. There is a story here, and the story is in the Vatican archives. The real ones. The ones that were hidden after the burning of the library of Alexandria and wound up in the Vatican’s hands. I need to see those scrolls. I need to know how my girls can stop the end of the world. I have a feeling it’s been done before.”

“I doubt anyone short of the Pope can have access to the archives and I certainly can’t get us in. They are the most guarded secret in Rome.”

“Do you know where they are?” Dave asked.

“I have heard rumors. That is it.”

“My team can get in with your help Francis.” Dave told him.

Father Francis looked across the table at Chris Jennings. He was not sure about what went on here. The gifts these children possessed, he worried it could lead to possession and Chris was encouraging it rather than helping the children control it. The other gifted children… still he decided Chris was a good man.

“I will help you on one condition.” Francis told him.

“Name it.” Chris said immediately.

“That you give me a chance to prove to you that not all vampires are evil. I have a friend. He saved my life once. He is a vampire who exists on donated blood. He is a good man. Give me your word that you will meet with him and not kill him. Do this and I will help you as much as I can.”

Neither Dave nor Chris said anything. Finally Chris spoke.

“A vampire killed Summer.”

“Not this vampire. Had he been there he most likely would have saved her. He was a revolutionary soldier. His name is Garrett. He had helped this country in secrecy since he was turned after a battle. A vampire from the Volturi tried to feed on me once in New York. He saved me. That is how I know of him.”

“You know of the Volturi?” the President asked.

“The two of us talk quite extensively. As I said, he is a good man.”

“What is his name?” Dave asked while Chris dropped his head in thought and tried to figure how he would explain this to Winter.

“His name is Garrett and if you give him a chance he can be of great help to us.”

The President looked at Chris who gave a feint nod.

“Fine. I will meet with him. My team will be there. He tries anything funny he is ash. Sound fair?”

“Fair enough. He lives and you make no move against him and I agree to help you.” Francis offered his hand to President Rodriguez who took it.

“We will meet in Utah. I am assuming you want to be there? Both of you?”

Francis and Chris both nodded their heads.

“Fair enough. I will set up a time next week. Now I really have to spend some time with my daughter. If that will be all?”

“That will be all.” Chris said. Francis stood.

“Could I catch a ride back to New York?”

“Yeah I guess so. C’mon on Padre.” Dave said smiling.

Chris watched the two fly away.

A vampire. A vampire who could help them?

Winter would not take that well. He wondered how Bella would. He needed Bella here. He needed to work with her on her gift, especially if this vampire was gifted.

Then Chris thought of the banging on the doors of the other side and the fall out should those doors fall.

He realized that while Winter and Bella were the key, at this point he would take all the help he could get.

A/N Next chapter the team comes in contact with a Mexican coven of vampires. Whose is ready for a fight?