Chapter 2. The Arrowheads

The Arrowheads was a Classified Black OPs task force division of the FBI, whose members were drawn from elite Navy Seal teams for special operations, and released to join their own teams afterward. Its operations were unknown to many inside the organization. It was headed by a Navy Admiral. The Arrowheads were usually called upon whenever there were specific dangerous operations that were usually almost suicidal in description. They were the best of the best.

Admiral Mathias trusted the abilities of Lieutenant Tyler Wesley but what worried him was the fact that Ty wasn’t going to have members of his team around to help him. He was going to be on his own, amongst really bad people, till the final rescue operation. What if the boy didn’t survive? That would mean Mathias would lose his best man in the Arrowheads. Besides that, the boy was only twenty-six years old…just a kid. 

“This is a dangerous mission, son. But I can’t get you out.” The Admiral breathed.

“I will do it if I’m the only person they think can pull it off, Sir,” Ty said quietly. “In fact, I feel honoured that they all have so much confidence in me. But I need to know what this is all about. I know they’ll tell me tomorrow but please give me a summary.”

Robert Mathias sighed and stared at Ty. “The twenty-one-year-old daughter of the former Prime Minister of Jamaica has been kidnapped. When the man left office, he brought his family to live in the US…wife, two sons, and a daughter. Tanesha Ashton, the daughter in question, who is now in the grips of ZONKAI, is a third-year student of Harvard Law School.” Noticing the young Lieutenant’s raised eyebrow at that piece of information, the Admiral smiled. “You’re not the only one who’s got brains, son.” He chuckled. “I hear she’s one of those prodigies. Very brilliant girl. Anyway, her father is a very powerful man. In fact, it is believed that he still controls what goes on in his country and virtually calls the shots. There is some power struggle in the government in his country and his daughter has been kidnapped, to force his decision. He’s supposed to throw his weight behind a particular candidate or his daughter will be executed.”

“I’m guessing this candidate doesn’t know jack squat about running a country,” Ty murmured.

The Admiral chuckled at Ty’s comment. “What else is new? But of course, he can’t be arrested or taken out as he’s already paid to ZONKAI so…”

“They’ll kill the girl anyway.” Ty breathed.

The Admiral nodded. “For these guys, it’s all about reputation and not money, though one has to pay big for their services.” The Admiral groaned. 

One would think that once the beneficiary was taken out, the victim would be released because after all, there would be no point in killing the victim then…right? But not ZONKAI. They would rather see that act of taking out their client as a sign of rebellion, and kill the victim as a form of revenge on behalf of their client. That was how they operated and that was why they were feared and used by people who meant business.

“If only they were demanding cash, then this would be a piece of cake because the man is a billionaire and would pay anything to get his only daughter back.” The Admiral continued. “But it isn’t about cash. And the problem here is that victims never leave the clutches of ZONKAI, breathing.” The group was known to hold their victims for as long as it took, even after their client’s demands had been met. The aim was to ensure the continued loyalty of the one being blackmailed. Tiny pieces of body parts were sometimes sent to the one being blackmailed to ensure his or her compliance till the kidnapped victim died. Then there would be more demands in exchange for the body. There was no getting out alive once ZONKAI had anyone. “We, therefore, need someone in there who can protect the girl and generally, help us from within to get Ghost. And that is why you are perfect for the job. You have the skill and just the right amount of…wickedness…no offense, to pull it off.”

“None taken.” Ty smirked, knowing that his height of six’ four, his serious face, and his badass attitude alone, got a high percentage of his work done, leaving his skill to deliver the final kills.

“Much as we would love it if we could put Ghost permanently into the ground, our main aim here is to bring that girl out alive.” The Admiral said in a hard voice.

“I understand.” 

“It’s come to our notice that ZONKAI lost some of its high-ranking members in a car accident recently.” The Admiral continued. “They are therefore looking to recruit a kingpin from the ‘underworld’ to handle this particular kidnapping as it’s rather important.” The Admiral said, giving the word underworld, quotations with his fingers.

“And that’s where Skull comes in.” Ty breathed.

The Admiral shrugged. “Among others.”

“What do you mean among others?” Ty frowned.

“There’s going to be a contest to pick the best. It was between Warlord and Fataa.” The Admiral scowled when he mentioned the names of two of the deadliest crime lords in the country. “We managed to get Skull’s name in there. So it’s going to be a fight to the death between the three of you. The winner gets the job.”

“I see.” Ty nodded slowly, understanding his assignment better. He also understood why his Admiral looked shaken. “Hand-to-hand combat?” He asked.

“Yes.” The Admiral responded.

“Killing those two scums will be a pleasure, Sir,” Ty growled. “Fataa shot a pregnant woman in the head in the full glare of people, simply because she asked him why he was driving so carelessly. The least said about Warlord, the better. Like I said, it will be my pleasure.”

The Admiral nodded. “The winner will be running things in the camp. You know…torturing, negotiating, and all that bullshit. He will answer only to Ghost himself. As I’m sure you already know, ZONKAI takes every job seriously. They never fail. Like I said earlier, it’s more about reputation for them than the money. We hear their money is on Skull. It looks like ZONKAI would love to be associated with Skull because of his reputation and probably because he’s young and can therefore be groomed to take Ghost’s place one day.”

Ty had to make an effort not to roll his eyes at that piece of information. “And what is that reputation besides the obvious…”

“All the vices you can think of, Lieutenant.” The Admiral chuckled. “The guy is a killer, a rapist, a ruthless bastard…all the works. He’s the full package. Why do you think ZONKAI wants him? His reputation precedes him. And that’s the kind of person they want.”

“So, I’m in.”

“Only if you’re able to kill Warlord and Fataa. If you’re not… Let’s just say we’re all hoping you will.” The Admiral looked like he was going to be sick. They were sending a good soldier into the midst of killers and he didn’t like it one bit. But Tyler Wesley was their best shot. Even he knew that. He cleared his throat and stood up. “I know you’ll kick arse.”

Ty couldn’t help grinning at those words. “You bet I will.”

The Admiral chuckled, but then frowned. “There’s one thing you must know, Lieutenant. To blend in and be able to save that girl’s life, you have to do whatever it takes.” The Admiral said quietly. “As much as we want you to protect the girl from harm, you have to act believable. They expect you to be a thug so you have to be one. These people can see right through you if you act differently from how they expect you to. All we want is for the girl to come back alive. But you have to do what you have to do…whatever it takes.” There was a veiled message in that advice, which neither man wanted to voice out. 

Ty nodded, swallowing hard. “Whatever it takes.” He repeated, feeling his stomach drop with dread. It appeared he didn’t have any choice but to do some horrible stuff to ensure the success of the mission, he thought with trepidation. Fuck! 

“Remember that son.” The Admiral whispered. “Or none of you is going to make it out of there.”

“Roger that,” Ty responded quietly. “Oh hold it, Sir. About Skull…the rumored tattoos…”

The Admiral smirked. “I guess you’re going to get some mean-looking tats, Lieutenant.”

“Oh shit!” Ty muttered to himself. “Can you do me a favour, Sir?”

“Err…sure. Looking at what we’re asking you to do, a favour is the least I can do for you. What is it, Lieutenant?” The Admiral raised an eyebrow.

“Find out the name of the idiot who thought it was necessary to put a tattoo of a skull on the forehead of a fictional human being, for me please,” Ty growled. “I plan on killing him slowly and painfully after the mission.”

Admiral Mathias burst into laughter, watching as Ty turned and walked confidently to the door. “Hey, Lieutenant?”

“Yes, Sir.” Ty stopped with his hand on the doorknob.

“Make sure you come back alive.” The older man said hoarsely. “That’s an order.”

Ty turned around to face the Admiral. “Not only am I coming back alive, but I also intend to bring the girl back alive and Ghost back, dead or alive, Sir.” And with a proud smart salute, which wasn’t necessary as both men were in civilian clothes, Ty opened the door and left.

The Admiral looked at the closed door and smiled. He didn’t have any doubt Ty would do exactly as he’d said. He was that badass.