Sunday. 10:45 Textron Munitions

Corporations within the confederacy were always attempting to strike a balance between deferring to the military and their independence. Pushback in certain situations as possible. This excluded Naval Intelligence, to whom corporate executives viewed with great distrust and outright fear.

John, naturally, knew this and used that as leverage to get into place. Whether he was retired or had moved on to being an officer was a detail that he simply chose to skip over. Technically he was within his rights to do this anyway because of the instructions he had received from General Mizrahi and Director LeCroix.

The data had just finished being backed up and sent to John’s secure server. He stood up and stretched a little. Now all he needed were the log data and he could head back to the dorms and do a little work and relax with his friends.

If only things were that easy though, the door opened and three men with pistols drawn entered.

“Hands up, we will shoot if you resist,” the lead man shouted.

John sighed internally, “People who point guns at me have life expectancies that are shortened violently and quickly.”

“We’re not fucking around here, turn around and put your hands on your head,” the man to the right said.

John quickly scanned the room. Only the lead man was holding his gun properly. One was waving the gun around with a single hand as he was talking into a walkie talking with the other. The other was holding their wrist in a Barney Fife style. He needed to disarm or distract the man in front and then go after him. The multitasker wasn’t going to be useful in a gunfight.

“I’m not fucking around here pal, eat the fucking ground…”

The leader didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence. John grabbed and threw the chair that was behind him towards the man. He kicked the table in front of him towards the second man. The man that was talking on the walkie-talkie dropped it and was aiming his gun at John.

John drew his Sig Sauer P445 pistol and fired twice at the man. The first round struck his right shoulder, the second struck and shattered his left clavicle. He followed up by firing three rounds at the lead man. Two rounds ripped through the sinew between their ribs and his left lung. The third round pierced through his heart and right lung. The third man didn’t fare any better, the two rounds that struck him pierced his heart and neck.

“Drop the gun and you’ll survive,” John said calmly.

“Don’t kill me, don’t kill me!” the man screamed as he let go of the gun.

John kicked the gun away and peaked down the hallway. No one was coming at this moment but that likely would change shortly because of the gunplay that had just occurred. He walked back toward the maimed man.

“How many security staff is on duty today besides you three?”

“Eight, though four of them are outside and on another channel.”

“Good news for you then,” John walked over to the wall and pulled the first aid kit.

He walked back to him and began triaging the wounds. John kept a wary eye on the door in case any of the other security staff tried to be heroes. But why did the security agents do this? This type of response was completely unexpected, especially towards an Intelligence agent. Though the plus side to this, for the military anyway, is that the military could and would be every bit, if not more, ruthless as the corporations themselves.

“Doesn’t look like your going to die, but your not going to be feeling well. You faired better than the other two idiots.”

“Thanks? I guess,” the man said quietly.

“Where’s the main IT room from here?” John asked as he pulled a keycard from one of the dead guards.

“Down a floor, turn right, and down the end of the hallway.”

“I’ll make sure medics are called for you when I am done with my business here,” John said as he walked out the door.

John walked with a purpose throughout the building. The remaining guard inside the building wasn’t noticed, which gave JOhn some concern. He didn’t like not knowing where they were, but he had to get to IT and get those logs.

He slowed down and peeked inside the door. There were five people inside, all huddled around a central terminal. They were working at a feverish pace on something. John swiped the keypad and the door slowly opened. As he walked into the room he raised the gun and pointed at the group of workers.

“Hands up, step away from the terminal,” John commanded.

Three of them turned around and complied immediately. Another followed suit when they saw the three with their hands up. The diminutive man continued to work at the terminal. John leveled his gun and fired a single shot at one of the monitors in the wall above the man.

“The next shot is going to spray your brain matter all over the fucking terminal. I’ve already killed two people today, I wouldn’t bet against me increasing my body count today.”

The man pushed his chair away from the terminal and swiveled his chair to face John, “We can’t give you these logs.”

“I don’t give two shits about what other shady shit y’all are doing. There’s one very specific thing I’m looking at. However, were I you, I would strongly suggest to your superiors that anything your doing to cheat the military and stop any such things from happening before the next audit.”

“But…”

“Transfer the logs to that dongle,” John tossed it at the man, “Please understand that if you delete them or I find out that you altered them, you and your four friends are going to be dead.”

John scanned each person with his tablet and had all of their pertinent details. He placed a hold on any international or extra-planetary travel. While that threat may have sounded like an idle one to convince the one man to complete the work. It was however a deadly serious one, even if it would be very legally dubious to pull off.

“Here… here you are. They aren’t doctored.”

John walked over and grabbed the dongle and growled, “For your sakes, they had better be legit.”

John turned and walked to the door. Just then the door opened and the remaining security guard walked in. He didn’t see John along the back wall.

“Two of the guys are dead and another was wounded, are you guys ok?” the security guard explained.

John leaped into action and punched the guard from his blind side. The poor guard just saw a flash of color in his peripheral vision. Then he felt a fist connect with his jaw, knocking him out. He crumpled to the ground but avoided slamming his head into any sharp edges or corners. John leaned over and picked up the gun.

“Stay here, I’ll have the bitchy secretary call for medical assistance if dumbass here hadn’t already called it in.”

One of the girls in the room piped up, “Can you shoot her for me?”

John laughed to himself as he walked out of the room. He shoved the guard’s gun in the back of his jeans. The general feeling in the air was tense. It was clear why, the corporation tried to stop John’s investigation, but he wondered to himself how involved they were. John was going to review the logs and verify whether or not they were truly involved or not.

Eventually, John reached the first floor and was walking out into the lobby. He walked toward the secretary. She appeared to be both shocked and frightened at the sight of him.

“Hey bitch, please call the medics. One man has a pair of gunshot wounds but was stabilized. There are a pair of guards that are dead. Naval Intelligence will provide a statement to the police shortly,” John said.

He was about to turn and walk away, but he stopped. He holstered his gun and took the guard’s gun out of his pants. He dropped the magazine and racked the slide to eject the chambered round. John placed the gun on the counter but held on to the magazine.

“Oh, my apologies, I don’t need this.”

John turned and exited the building. When he got into the cab he sent his superiors word of the corporation’s security team attacking him and his response. Both of his superiors in this investigation responded agreeing that the loss of life was regrettable but unavoidable.

12:15 Co-Ed Dorm

John was typing away at his terminal in the living room. Alice and Jessica were at the table next to the kitchenette working on some homework. He was finishing his official report and was reviewing it one last time before submitting it.

After that was sent John began reviewing the logs and the data he had uncovered from the terminal. John didn’t think this was the smoking gun, but it certainly appeared to give them a treasure trove of useful information.

“John, when do you think they’ll announce the summer plans?” Jessica asked.

John turned around in the chair and looked at the pair, “Well, it’s already been announced, but firm plans probably won’t be announced until after spring break. Plus, if this is like anything else we’ve done, they’ll modify the plan towards the last minute.”

“Honey, when are we going to have lunch?” Alice asked.

“12:30. That gives plenty of time for you girls to go get prettied up in the afternoon.”

“What are you guys going to do?”

“Brian and Thomas are going to the art museum and then dinner on the town. The rest are playing catch-up with homework. I’ve got this thing I’m working on,” John said as he leaned in toward his terminal.

The girls just nodded and refocused on their homework. John was sifting through the logs and was seeing a pattern. He smiled when he saw one user consistently appear to use the terminal when some of the falsified orders were issued.

He pulled up the employee’s information. Diana Masterson, a lower-level assistant vice president of procurement. She certainly would have inside knowledge of how the military submits their orders. A background check didn’t create any links to a big conspiracy though. Her personnel life was a disaster. She was in debt up to her eyeballs. There were no business or familial connections to other corporations though.

John sat and stared at her information. The obvious hook to use against her would be the financial one. But when he began reviewing her bank records he didn't see any extra money flowing into her accounts nor did he see the balances on her credit accounts going down.

“What the hell?” John said under his breath.

“Keep it down over there, homework is being done,” Alice said sarcastically.

John grunted and leaned back in his chair. She received a small promotion a little over a year ago. But nothing appeared to be in the works for her currently. He then reviewed her work history and the requirements for the job, she was qualified albeit only just so. John then pulled up the resumes on file for the other candidates for that job. There weren’t any standouts though. She did stand out in the interviews though.

John rubbed his chin, maybe the benefits weren’t related to her job. He struck out when reviewing her living situation. No unexpected or improbable real estate purchases or transfers happened either. He didn’t have sales records on jewelry or precious metals.

In frustration, John stood up and began circling their loveseat. Diana was convinced to join this cabal but didn’t appear to receive anything for her services. So why would anyone join a cabal set on defrauding the military? That question had no obvious or apparent answer at this time. John stopped pacing and pulled up her social media platforms, she was going to be out and about today.

John now had plans for the afternoon. But in the coming minutes, he was more focused on having lunch. He was hungry and needed some energy for the afternoon.

14:30 Westmark Shopping Center - Appleby’s

Diana placed her bags in the booth before she sat down. The host handed her a menu and took her drink order. She was buried in her menu when John surprised her as he sat down across from her.

“Hi, so why are you submitting false requisition orders? And who are you doing this for? Lastly, this one is primarily for my sanity, what are you getting out of all this?

All color in her face disappeared. John smirked as he knew he had found the first person that was legitimately part of the conspiracy. He leaned on the table.

“You’re going to answer the question, then you’re going to into witness protection by a special division of Naval Intelligence.”

“Look, I was told that this would help my career last year. My middling reviews got a bit better,” Diana started sobbing, “I was just told to run certain programs on set days. I’d get a random message telling me what to do.”

Two men walked up to John and Diana with one speaking, “Our scans of her indicate she’s telling the truth. We have agents that are searching her apartment. We will escort her back to our secure position now.

Three other men, this time openly carrying assault rifles joined them, “The transport is waiting outside, we’re ready to transport her.”

John said, “Follow them and do everything they ask. Then with any luck, you’ll be able to start a new life on a colony away from Earth.”

“But, but, but my life is all here. Sure it’s not much and is kind of shit at times, but everything I have is here,” Diana protested.

John shook his head, “If you stay here, the group that recruited you will try to kill you now that we’ve made contact with you.”

Diana’s continued protests were ignored and eventually were shut down out of hand. She was made to get up and was surrounded by armed guards as they walked out of the restaurant. They were joined by six more guards that were outside the restaurant.

The walk to the exit was direct and the shoppers were actively avoiding the armed military men. The few people that weren’t paying attention got the message quickly and eventually got out of the way.

16:45 Naval Intelligence Safe House

“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry but you know how these investigations can get,” John said.

Alice snorted, “No, I don’t. But I do know how you get when you work on things like that. Should I expect you back tonight?”

“Yeah, I’m going to be here for another hour or two before heading back. Besides, we have classes tomorrow and I can’t skip them.”

“Like you aren’t already mostly done with your classes so far,” Alice was grinning.

“Technically I’m only done with one class. But I have several papers to write on the others.”

“I’ll see you later tonight.”

“Love you too,” John said as he ended the call.

He walked over to the other agents in the room and looked over their shoulders. Director LeCroix was present as a hologram in the room. He was coordinating some plans with the other agents.

“John, good work. We’ve not yet found who she was contacted by and how they contact her.”

“I doubt we’re going to find anything sir,” John said in a morose manner, “If there were any breadcrumbs to follow they will have by now cleaned up.”

“Our telepaths have confirmed she’s telling the truth,” Agent Johanson said, “The mystery individual contacted her via a call to her corporate number, but the voice was scrambled.”

John walked over to a terminal, leaned down, and was reading the latest entry. Why hadn’t there been any reprisals yet? She wasn’t involved enough to be the fall guy. She didn’t have anything that could lead back to anyone else, maybe she was beneath notice.

John shook his head and walked into the living room where she was being questioned, “Diana, did you hear any chatter about anyone else working with you was involved with this or any other corporations?”

“Never from the voice,” she paused and looked worried, “I don’t think they were part of my company. But I heard some rumors.”

“Go on,” John said as he sat down in a chair.

“Jillian Dexter, she’s the president of the military relations team. She was living well above her means, which were quite large by the way, but way above what she should be able to afford.”

“How so? Do you have any specific examples?”

“Many, she owns her private jet and employees two full-time pilots. She travels all of the time when not working. I’ve heard that she also owns three vacation homes and a second home.”

John looked back to the other room and pointed at an agent that overheard what she said. He stood up and walked to the back of the room and looked into the mirror. He was trying to piece together things, and more importantly how he was going to entrap this executive.

“What else can you tell us about her?” one of the telepaths in the room asked.

“She has a personal driver, Trevor Jenkins who was fired recently. Not sure what he’s up to anymore. She is very fitness-oriented and has gym memberships all over the place. She’s exacting, fail her even once and your dead to her.”

“What’s your relationship with her? Presuming she’s the connecting that got you this job that is,” John asked.

“I was her college roommate. She helped me get this job. Her folks were well connected and helped her get that job. She soared up the ranks there, within four years of starting here she was a vice president of a division. I was there for her when she bounced some scenarios off of me. I think I was right most of the time since she kept on talking with me .”

John walked out of the room and into the other were several agents were frantically working. He walked up to the holo-emitter and waited for LeCroix to finish speaking. John’s gut was telling him she, not Diana, was the true link here.

“Director, I think this Jillian chick is our high-value target. I need a deep dive on this lady. I suggest sending her to Zeta Lapulis and keeping her safe there. What are the odds this group knows we have her?”

“High. If we nabbed her in private maybe we could get away with altering the news,” LeCroix said.

“Any of you have a mile-high view of her finances?” John asked.

“Need to do more, but it’s not coming from her father. Nothing is being wired in or transferred to any account in her name.”

John smirked, “They are doing it the way I would. Unmarked and cleaned credit chits. Check the purchase of her jet please.”

“Pilots are paid monthly via credit chits. Plane and one home were purchased via credit chits as well.”

“Check her family’s history to see if they were sending that money to her on the side. If we don’t find anything there we need permission to go after her.”

“Permission to do so will be pended until we can complete a thorough review of her history. I will be in touch,” Director LeCroix said firmly.

John nodded and wished them a good day. He was feeling optimistic for the first time in this investigation. This lead may not go anywhere, but it was the best option they had thus far. He only hoped that she wasn’t wise to what they were doing and that he could get her to spill the beans.