The V Unit

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Editor: K.C. Wells

Cover Designer: Meredith Russell

Copyright © 2014 by Max Vos

All Rights Reserved

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental. The Licensed Art Material is being used for illustrative purposes only; any person depicted in the Licensed Art Material, is a model.

WARNING

This book contains material that may be offensive to some: graphic language, adult situations

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By Max Vos

Hawk n Harley

Sasquatch

My Hero

P.O.W.

Mon Héros (French edition)

A Christmas Memory

The V-Unit

Table of Content

Copyright notice

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

About the Author

Available Titles

Chapter One

Mark, I can’t wait until we’re stretched out next to that pool, soaking up all that sun as we float around the Caribbean, the perky blond said as she pulled on the leash, towing along the grass-sniffing dog. She looked up, admiring the handsome man walking by her side, the same man who had the ability to turn her legs to jelly, and her panties moist from need and desire.

You and me both. Mark pulled the collar up on his coat, his breath visible as he spoke. I’m ready to take a break from this cold, wet weather. I don’t know if I can handle another snow….

When Mark didn’t finish his sentence, she turned to look toward her new groom, only to see a scene of abject horror. The last thing she was to see in this lifetime was a dark, shadowy demon, tearing out her husband’s throat. Then she too was attacked, her life’s blood drained, but not before her heart shattered with the knowledge that they would never meet the small miracle just starting to grow inside her. Mark didn’t even know yet. She had planned to break the news to him while on their honeymoon cruise. The small canine barked, straining to get away from the aberrations, but the leash was still wrapped around his mistress’s wrist. He was to be the only witness, other than the stoic monuments of the Nation’s Capital. They, like the small pet, would never reveal the ghastly event.

In less than two minutes, two lives that had only just become one were snuffed out, leaving nothing behind but two empty shells and the promise of what might have been. Families would be devastated, the lives of those left behind shattered, some never to recover.

* * * * *

Whose bright idea was this whole thing anyway? Four Star General Robert Brighton asked his friend and compatriot, Four Star General John Colton.

Powder’s, of course the older, battle worn General Colton answered with a sigh. Like so many other things, he never took into account the long-term consequences.

Figures, Brighton commented sourly. What about this Lieutenant?

First Lieutenant David Farragut, U.S. Marine Corp., distinguished record. General Colton pulled a folder from his attaché case, and handed it to the General sitting next to him in the black hired car. Here is a quick rundown on his military career. I had a cover page composed which outlines the high points.

It only took a few moments for General Brighton to look it over before commenting. He truly gave his life for his country. There was no question there, only fact. But, what’s this notation here about him being called ‘Sarge’?

He and twenty other good, brave men gave their lives for this mission, the other General said flatly. How they were ever convinced to do this is beyond me. I wouldn’t even know how I would begin to broach the subject. As for him still being called ‘Sarge’, from what I understand the previous Lieutenant was a total pussy and ended up put out on a medical. Severe PTSD. The rest of the platoon continued to call Farragut ‘Sarge’, at his insistence, even after he was promoted. Part of the deal was that his family was to get Lieutenant benefits before he would sign off on all this.

General Brighton, still looking over the file he’d been handed in more detail, shook his head. I’m with you on that one, Colton. He shook his head. How would you convince someone to willingly give up their lives for…this?

At any rate, he is going to meet us there with his Platoon Sargeant, the second in command. One William Ward Burrows, he informed Brighton. What scares the hell out of me is that these men are some of the best of the best. They were dangerous killing machines before, but now there is nothing to compare them to. What they managed to do in Fallujah was nothing short of miraculous.

And you said you have only had one other such meeting with these… well, for lack of a better word, people? General Brighton screwed up his face.

Yes, thank God. Gave me the willies, Brighton, he answered. As strange as it all is, it fascinates me at the same time. It is like talking to living history books. I can only imagine sitting down with them and listening to their stories.

I know you’re a history junkie, Colton, but I think I’ll skip that lecture if you don’t mind.

General John Colton didn’t say anything else as the dark car with blacked out windows pulled up at a discreet side entrance to the Willard Hotel. When the door opened they were escorted by two men who seemed to be secret service, but General Colton knew better. He could see the tale-tell signs that these men were not actually men at all.

The two high-ranking Pentagon Generals were led to a private meeting room, but not allowed to enter. They were asked to wait as one of the security detail went inside. The tension was so high, it almost crackled. Thankfully, it didn’t last long. The other being returned to inform them that they were welcome to enter. He was dressed in a dark suit and sunglasses, even though it was night, and in his ear he wore a distinctive earpiece.

The small conference room was lit by candlelight. There were only four chairs, three of which were already occupied. From his previous meeting, General John Colton knew that there were seven of them on the board, and they were referred to as ‘The Committee,’ one from each inhabited continent except the Antarctic. The only reason he knew anything about them at all was because of a single private conversation with Lieutenant Farragut.

Good evening, General Colton, I hope you are well. The regal woman’s heavy accent was obviously of Middle Eastern origins. The dark outlined eyes seemed to pierce the soul and her skin glistened like polished marble.

Yes Ma’am, very well, General Colton responded, trying to hide the slight quiver that rippled through him. Thank you for asking.

Hatshepsut, she corrected him.

I beg your pardon?

My name, General Colton, is Hatshepsut. The woman’s eyes sparkled. "It would be rude for me, for us, to know your name and you not to know ours, do you not agree?"

Yes, of course, the General stuttered. This was not what he had been expecting at all. The previous meeting had been all business, conducted quite formally, whereas this one seemed to be taking a more informal tone.

This distinguished gentleman to my right is Ariston, from Athens, Greece. She indicated the man next to her. His looks were stereotypically Greek: the dark Mediterranean complexion, the nose, even the eyebrows reminded General Colton of the inhabitants of the Greek Isles.

And this gentleman, Hatshepsut nodded to her left, is Mathghamhain, from Scotland, if you could not have guessed. His flaming red hair, and the hint of a ruddy look of a pub-loving bloke was enough of a clue, if the kilt didn’t give it away.

It is…nice to meet all of you, General Colton said, recovering quickly. May I present General Robert Brighton, General Powder’s replacement.

General Brighton didn’t speak, but only bowed slightly as he acknowledged the introductions.

Yes, Hatshepsut said as she gave General Brighton a brief nod of her head. I was saddened to hear of General Powder’s demise last month.

Thank you…Hatshepsut, General Colton replied. His heart attack came as quite a surprise.

Hatshepsut only nodded before continuing. Our host, Thomas Woodford, your Representative from the United States, has been delayed unfortunately, as have your military service members, Hatshepsut informed the Generals, still standing. It is regretful but necessary, I am afraid.

May I ask the purpose for this meeting? General Colton privately felt ‘meeting’ was not perhaps the most accurate word. It had all the feel of a command performance.

We agreed to assist your government, even though it has been our policy not to get involved in such matters, Ariston said with a heavy Greek accent. "Now it is our community that is under attack and it is we who need your particular expertise in handling this delicate situation."

"My dear friend is correct, gentlemen. It is to our mutual benefit that this… problem is dealt with as swiftly and as discreetly as possible. Hatshepsut’s face wore a look of distaste. We would prefer to wait on the others before we go into any great detail, if you do not mind."

Acht,’Tis a wise thing to say it only the once, as Hatshepsut said. The unmistakable Scottish accent echoed in the room as Mathghamhain spoke, his flaming red hair waving about as if it had a life of its own. Doth have ‘nother matter to address, however.

Quite right, Mathghamhain, quite right, Ariston agreed.

"When we agreed to this partnership it was understood that the fewer people who knew of us, the better, is that not correct?" Hatshepsut leaned toward the two men standing there. They could feel the power emanating from her, making them even more aware of how vulnerable they were.

General Colton managed to agree, although without his usual convictions.

Your new Secretary of State has, how shall I say, conflicting ideas, which is why we do not normally get involved with governments. We feel that this new power could be detrimental to our well-being, as well as to that of the Middle East, Hatshepsut said.

Madam Hatshepsut, it has never been our intention that anyone in elected office know of the existence of the V-Unit, General Colton assured her. And I guarantee you, only fully vetted military leaders would know of this specialized unit. To date, only General Brighton and I know anything about it.

Very good. Hatshepsut seemed more at ease. Let us agree to keep it that way for the time being, General.

General Colton breathed a sigh of relief as the door opened. He saw Lieutenant Farragut and Sergeant Burrows enter the room, followed by Thomas Woodford, the American ‘Representative’. Finally, this meeting could get underway. The sooner the mystery was over, the better he would feel. Being in a room surrounded by the undead scared the hell out of him.

Hatshepsut also seemed to be relieved that the rest of the meeting’s participants had arrived. Welcome, gentlemen.

I am sorry for the delay, Hatshepsut, but as you know, it could not be avoided, the attractive American vampire said as he approached. He casually took the vacant chair.

It was most inconvenient, but unfortunately this could not be circumvented, she agreed. Now that everyone is present, let me introduce General Brighton. He has replaced the recently deceased General Powder.

The two Marines stood at attention for the Army and Marine Generals. It was Marine General Colton who called ‘at ease’, letting the two Marines break attention. In the back of his mind, he wondered if they could still be classed as military, since officially they were dead.

So that we are all on the same page, as you Americans are so apt to say, let me make sure everyone is up to date as to how we got to this point. Hatshepsut took the lead. "The former Secretary of State first approached us with the offer of protection from the US Government—if we agreed to his terms. Those terms were that we turn a group of your military men, who volunteered of their own free will, and parent them, in return for such protection, is that correct?"

Yes, Ma’am, General Colton agreed.

And that these military men would then follow all laws and rules set forth by this committee, the primary law being ‘do no harm’, with the exception of your military missions, currently in the Middle East. Is that also correct?

Again General Colton had to agree.

Good. We are clear on the matter then. Up to this point only Hatshepsut spoke during the formal part of the meeting.

Thomas Woodford pushed a lock of his wavy brown hair back from his face before picking up the discussion. We understand that your mission in the Middle East is far from over, but I’m afraid that something has come up that will take precedence over your objectives at this time.

The other Committee members looked on steadily, watching the reaction of the four members of the American military.

We must ask for your help in a matter that is of utmost importance to us all, Hatshepsut said. "There is a situation that needs to be dealt with quickly. It appears one of our own has gone rogue. We are not sure who it is at this point, although we do have a suspect in mind.

Aye, and if I get my hands on the scoundrel… Mathghamhain growled, raising the hairs on the back of General Colton’s neck.

There is no proof, Mathghamhain, and we need to be sure before we say anything further, Hatshepsut interrupted him before he could continue.

The reason, why your men and myself were late this evening is because we have an outbreak of such rogues here in this very city, Thomas Woodford said, his eyes sparkling with intensity, his anger making the normally bright blue eyes appear grey. We got word that there was an attack on a couple, regretfully resulting in their deaths. Sadly, this was not the only attack tonight, and it has pushed the limits of the ‘cleaners.’ I had hoped to be able to apprehend these lawless brethren, thereby finding proof of who is behind all this.

These attacks are happening with increasing regularity out in the open, putting all at risk, Ariston added.

Hatshepsut looked to the Marines, then the Generals. "Gentlemen, what we require from you at this time is your knowledge and military expertise as to how we might bring this under control, and to help us find out who is behind the abomination.

The room suddenly became very quiet. Shadows flickered in the candlelight. General Colton felt he needed to say something, but was at a loss as to what.

It was Lieutenant Farragut who filled the unearthly silence. Your Majesty, if I may?

Hatshepsut nodded to him, giving him permission to continue, a slight smile on her pale lips.

I was able to get a sense of these rogues while at the murder scene and I think that my unit would be able to track them, given enough time. Farragut’s voice was gruff and scratchy, conflicting with his impeccable appearance.

Hatshepsut turned her attention from Farragut to General Colton. Is it agreed then, General Colton? You will help us with this matter? Lend us this special unit of yours?

It wasn’t as if he had much choice in the matter. Of course you will have our full cooperation, Madam, the general said emphatically. Afterwards, when this has been taken care of, I assume the unit will then be able to return to the mission already started in the Middle East?

Yes, of course, General Colton, Hatshepsut reassured him. I would like to add that we have all been very pleased with the way in which you and your men have handled that particular situation. It has been done with the greatest of care, and your men have utilized their new skills remarkably well. It is but another reason why we feel secure in asking for their assistance in our time of need.

She may have called it asking, but the general took it for what it was—an order.

Thank you, Your Majesty, Farragut answered with a slight bow.

We have all agreed that Thomas will be the one to take charge here, since it is his territory after all, while the rest of us will return to Europe to deal with the crisis happening there, Hatshepsut added, almost as an afterthought.

Europe? General Brighton spoke for the first time, his voice almost squeaking. You mean this is happening there as well?

The Committee all turned to look at him directly for the first time, but it was Ariston who answered him. Yes, General Brighton. I had assumed that you would have been a little more up to date. The ancient vampire almost sneered at the man.

General, this is a global outbreak, Thomas Woodford said with a little more compassion.

Oh, I see. The newcomer wore look of acute embarrassment on his face.

General Colton wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. If there is anything that we need to do at our end, please, do not hesitate to ask. Until then, I will turn control of the V-Unit over to Mr. Woodford.

Thank you, General Colton, I think that would be for the best at this time. Thomas Woodford smiled at the sweating humans.

Turning toward the two Marines, the general said, Lieutenant Farragut, please avail yourself of whatever you require for this situation. You may return to our command when it is taken care of.

Yes sir, Farragut responded, as both he and Sergeant Burrows came to attention.

Madam, is there anything else that you require from us? General John Colton was becoming more and more nervous, anxious to have this meeting over with.

No, General Colton, thank you for all your help and understanding. Hatshepsut sat as straight as a rail as she had continuously throughout the meeting. It has been nice to have met you, General Brighton. I am sure that we will continue to have a strong and healthy working relationship. You may go now. The words were a dismissal.

Thank you, Madam. Have a good evening. With that, the two generals were escorted from the room, where they took a deep breath, both men relaxing for the first time since they had stepped from their car only forty-five minutes earlier.

General Brighton almost ran towards the open door of their car as soon as it came into view, never remembering when he had ever felt so bone-shatteringly shaken, and hoping that he never had to attend such a meeting again.

Chapter Two

Ladies and gentlemen, the pilot has turned on the fasten seat belts sign for our final approach into Dulles International Airport. Please return your seats and your trays into their upright position. The nasal voice of the flight attendant droned on, making Bronson Rudan want to stick a sock in her mouth. I will be around to collect any remaining trash you may have.

True to her word, she went down the aisle holding out a bag, collecting bits of trash from the passengers on United’s flight 932 from London. As the woman with too much make-up was making her way between the rows of seats, the pilot came on. Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for choosing United today. The current time is 5:52 a.m., and the weather in Washington D.C. is a cold and blustery thirty-three degrees, with sleet and wind, which will make our landing a little bumpy, I’m afraid. Please remain seated until the aircraft has come to a full stop at the gate. Again, thank you for choosing United Airlines as your travel choice.

After spending over twenty-three hours traveling from Kabul, Afghanistan, the only thing Bronson wanted to do was take a shower and fall into his own bed for the next twenty-four hours. It had been six long months since he’d been able to sleep in his own bed, and he was looking forward to it. The only thing keeping him from the warm comfort of his bed was the final leg of his journey, the drive from Dulles to his apartment on ‘M’ street. The worst part was he knew that he was going into the city during rush hour. Of course, if his publisher at the Washington Post wasn’t such a cheap ass bitch, she’d have a car waiting for him, but Bronson wasn’t holding his breath. Even with the stories he’d been turning in, which had all made international headlines, he’d be surprised if he even got a ‘good job’ out of the bitch.

Walking into baggage claim, Bronson stopped dead in his tracks when he saw his editor, Tom Picks. Looking at the poor guy, who always seemed to look as if he’d slept in his clothes,