Warhead

WARHEAD

KERRY CEPERO

Part of the Company Man Comic Book

Created

By

Pete Hernandez III

©ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2015. Published in the United States and released internationally by authorized commercial entities in accordance with the laws of each sovereign nation.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

For my loving family; Monica, Esteban, Annabel, Kathy, and Tiffany...

FACT:

In 1931; The Puerto Rican Cancer Experiment was undertaken by Dr. Cornelius Rhoads, under the umbrella of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Investigations. The initiative infects human subjects of Puerto Rico with cancer cells.

Along with his research Doctor Rhoads later goes on to establish the U.S. Army Biological Warfare testing facilities in Maryland, Utah, and Panama, and is named to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

While there, he begins a series of radiation exposure experiments on American soldiers and civilian hospital patients…

…the results are classified.

US EMBASSY

Libreville, Estuaire Province

Gabon.

October 5th 2024

1:45 AM local time

Embassy Watch Room

STAFF SERGEANT Kevin Wilkes on-duty

Corporal David Vega on duty

A full moon lights the night sky over the US Embassy building that has stood here since 1961. A fortified establishment that over the decades has seen three wars in the immediate region. Tonight however, all is quiet for two longtime friends-almost brothers; who sit in the command watch room and trade stories to entertain the long and normally uneventful post.

"So anyway Dave- I told her we were going to check out King of Crowns. It was two for one and brother she got PISSED!" Kevin said banging his large hand connected to a 6’ft 5, 237 lb. frame on the console surface.

No way... David laughed out loud. He always gets a kick hearing Kevin tell his tales with gumption. Always the entertainer when the shift gets boring. Normally, people see Kevin as a serious individual because of his dedication to training and perfecting his body; what he loves to refer to as his temple. The man wakes up at the crack of dawn and gets in a serious workout before an already busy schedule ahead of him, and don’t find yourself eating an unhealthy meal at his side when it’s chow time. The man will point out every bad thing that sits on your plate and every side effect you’ll get by eating it. For him…it was lean chicken with no flavor and a veggie that was usually boiled or steamed. David really admired the discipline Kevin had toward his diet, even if he didn’t follow a diet himself.

Brother, she stormed out and right into her car my dude. She bounced and left me holding the bill for the room, the rental, and the VIP tickets to the club. The worst way to end a leave bro; I jumped on a flight out here the next day Kevin said jokingly as he took his phone out and scrolled through some images. Look…here she is flipping me the finger as she walked out. He extends his arm so David can get a good look at the image.

Damn Kevin... David smiled and shook his head slightly. "That’s what you get for not listening to me brother. King of Crowns is just a glorified nudie bar, that’s all. There isn’t one good woman that wants to be wined and dined there!" David said scrolling through the surveillance shots of the property.

"No, it’s not! It costs $75 just to get in there! I only pay $10 to get into purple pussycat. Kevin responded. He leaned back on the chair and rested his head on his arms. It’s always packed."

It’s a strip club Kevin.

It’s a high-end gentleman’s club little brother. Bottles are $300 a pop.

That’s why I’m a VIP member at the pink pussycat. laughed Vega. Budget babes and cheap beer all night brother!

Only a few Marines rarely saw this side of Kevin. Most people would be intimidated at the size of the man so to share in his tales off base you would have had to have earned a special respect with him. Of course Corporal Vega had that respect and more. David was the little brother Kevin Wilkes always wanted. Both of these Marines grew up in the same boys’ home in Queens, NY. Kevin who was five years older; convinced David that the Marines were the best way to go.

Neither one of them were any good at school…David hated reading and Kevin couldn't divide or multiply. The long time did have one thing in common-pride. They both hated depending on anyone or anything. Spending a lifetime in boy’s homes run by churches they preferred to avoid any situations that made them feel as if they were taking handouts.

Kevin would work at minimum wage job at a senior center serving the residents needs like picking up prescriptions or cooking for them and David would pick up a shift at the local supermarket bagging groceries near the church where the boys from the home would worship. On payday Kevin and David would treat the younger boys to takeout pizza or a group movie night. Which is why enlisting in the military made so much sense to them. Since in the Marine Corps they would earn with honor that which is given. It made them feel stronger as men, as examples to the other boys still living in the home. To this day, they still send money for pizza and movie nights.

Anyway, listen I’m going for a coffee, you want one? Kevin asked.

Cafe con Leche with five sugars please. David said scrolling through the screens on the monitor.

Five sugars, seriously? Kevin gave him a sly look with a raised eyebrow.

Yea man, you know I love it light and sweet. Vega replied. Make sure you don’t forget. Last time you brought me a cup of coffee it was bitter and angry; like the girls you love to date so much.

Ha, ha; real fucking funny. Next time we go home, I’ll tell everyone how the tough jarhead keeps fake cherry filled pies stashed in his locker.

Pause right there Marine-don’t you blow up my spot. David said motioning to Kevin to keep his voice low. Those pies are my home away from home.

Yea, yea, yea… Kevin said with a sly grin on his face. Listen, camera 8 went down an hour ago. Make sure you log it in the pass down book.

Already done Sergeant... David said.

That’s what I’m talking about Marine. Kevin said with pride as he walks out of the control room.

David waits for him to leave before he reaches into his left pocket for a box of his favorite individually wrapped double cherry frosted pies. Come here baby…daddy missed you.

Seville Warehouse District

Outside the embassy, several blocks away on the Rue Pecqueur within the factory district of the city inside a small warehouse near the industrial sector; a small army made of former Gabonese soldiers has gathered here in the middle of the night. All of them have a united purpose in being here- whether they wanted to or not; led by a man fueled by pure vengeance and terrible resolve. His name is Emry…a lifelong guerrilla and a man with purpose. Emry stood no taller than 5 foot 8-yet his reputation towers in this country. He stood silently near the dock area of the warehouse, puffing on a habanero seed cigar and contemplating what is to come this night.

Lionel Duvalier…you have the look of a worried mother on your face. He teased one of his top commanders, and oldest friend.

Emry…are you sure the police will stay out of the area? Lionel asked with visible concern. His shirt was drenched in sweat from the nerves he struggled to contain.

Stop worrying Lionel- everything is in order. Get the men to make sure they are all fully loaded. We cannot afford any mistakes tonight. Emry said as he opened up the bay doors inside the warehouse.

Lionel has stood by Emry’s side for almost twenty years. As child soldiers they learned the horrors of war and the value of family. To them it was everything…family…the common denominator above all else. Lionel went on to start a family of his own. He married a seamstress and she blessed him with two sons and three daughters. With this life before him he had thought he’d seen the end of conflict, the end of war. He settled his family in a small village near a farm where he raised chickens and most importantly- lived in peace.

That was until six months ago when Emry came back into his life-reminding him of his duty to a greater purpose. Ordering his friend to put aside the peaceful man and re-embrace the soldier once more.

Lionel walks toward a large weapons cache holding everything they would need to conduct this undertaking tonight. They will have enough firepower to tear the building to shreds…god willing. The jeeps have arrived with Alexei and the rest of the men. We now have eighty-nine fighters; hopefully they won’t all die tonight. Lionel said pacing back and forth nervously.

Lionel hasn't seen a battle in over a decade. The rehabilitated rebel has forgotten the hunger for the fight…and lost the taste for blood. If he had his way he’d be back in the village tending to his crop. Emry on the other hand has a healthy appetite for destruction.

Lionel, you are scared my friend; but do not fear. Everything is falling into place. Emry said calmly as he laid a soft hand on Lionel’s shoulder.

They walked over to a table where a group of men down whiskey, rum, & tequila in search of the drunken courage needed to get through the challenge of this night. Lionel too takes a glass and pours himself a shot of rum. He immediately swallows the liquor and quickly pours another. I’ve forgotten the courage needed for such things.

Lionel, the reason you lack the stomach for this is because your mind lacks the proper… motivation. Gather the men here, and I will show you what I mean. Emry ordered.

Lionel went off reluctantly after swallowing another shot glass full