Alexei and Sean were talking about spending time with their families and figuring out a wedding date, wanting to plan theirs out sooner rather than later. While Jamie and Kyle had agreed to wait until after the presidential election to get married, he was looking forward to Alexei and Sean tying the knot. He’d already picked out their wedding present, which consisted of him paying for their honeymoon to the resort island of their choice in the Mediterranean. The manmade floating islands off the coasts of Spain, France, and Italy were exclusive playgrounds for the rich and always ranked high on lists for romantic getaways. Jamie thought they’d like it.
The Night Stalkers had put in a request for Annabelle to teach a session or two for new recruits and she was seriously thinking of accepting. It meant a stint at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, away from the rest of the team, but she’d promised Jamie it would be like going home for her. Annabelle had good memories of her time spent there, and was getting back in touch with old friends. Plus, she loved flying, on her own or by flight craft, and Jamie wasn’t one to deny her that.
Donovan was sticking close to home because Gracie wasn’t leaving the MDF anytime soon. And where Gracie went, Donovan followed. Like Katie, he would probably find himself running some training courses for MDF agents, though he wouldn’t go into the field. He’d been talking a lot recently about youth outreach and sports camp for disadvantaged kids in the D.C. area as well. If he started one up, Jamie was prepared to bankroll it.
The United States Navy had reached out to the MDF requesting help in setting up some training scenarios for metahuman threats their Navy SEALs might encounter in the field. Madison had volunteered and offered up her expertise. She was set to travel to the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado near San Diego, California at the beginning of summer. When her time at the base was finished, she’d head up to Los Angeles for a few months to spend time with her family and take a screenwriting course or two for fun out of UCLA.
Trevor was thinking about applying to medical school through an accelerated course, which Jamie had promised he would pay for. Trevor had spent years in the field as a medic and was looking to expand his ability to help people. While the traditional route of application submission meant he only had a narrow window left before it closed in June to be considered, Jamie figured most medical schools would accept his application if it came in late. It meant losing Trevor to school for a few years if he chose to apply, and Jamie hoped Trevor did, because he wanted his team happy.
As for Jamie, he and Kyle were going to spend time together and with their families around helping out on his father’s campaign. When the election was over—whether Richard won the presidency or not—they would start planning their wedding. Until then, Jamie and Kyle were enjoying their relationship out in the open.
The letter of reprimand in Jamie’s file was still there, but it wasn’t the entire reason for their leaving the MDF, just the spark that lit the flames. They’d proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he and Kyle could work together on the same team just fine. The director had assured him that whenever—ifever—they decided to return to active duty full-time, they wouldn’t be separated.
Jamie figured that decision was based on the fact none of them would return if the team was split up. Like Katie had told him nearly two years ago, the MDF didn’t want to lose the metahumans on their roster. If keeping Jamie and Kyle and the rest of their team together was what would eventually bring them back into the fold, then the MDF would agree to it.
For now, they were taking a much-needed break. Jamie was glad to see that the director, for all the disagreements they might have some days, was still firmly in their corner. Jamie respected him and always would. Nazari’s support regarding how they wanted to live their lives was something Jamie wouldn’t forget.
Their convoy of SUVs drove through the streets and entered the central zone of the megacity. The security checkpoints had diminished, but the area containing the National Mall and other government buildings had been unilaterally turned into a pedestrian-only zone. Unless someone was a government employee with an approved security parking permit, or someone whose residence was located within the newly drawn restricted zone, then vehicles weren’t allowed. Aerial traffic had already been banned in that area earlier in the century and the latest order expanded on it.
The change had happened to compensate for the fact the Sons of Adam had managed to smuggle military-grade weapons into the megacity with Declan’s help. Declan had been ex-Special Forces and capable of successful infiltration anywhere in the world. Smuggling a cruise missile launcher into the nation’s capital was a challenge he had successfully met.
Jamie was glad Declan was dead, even if the manner of his death complicated Jamie’s standing in the public eye. He hadn’t been thinking about public opinion when he’d executed Declan on a live news stream—just that he’d wanted the fucker dead. Overall, Jamie was satisfied with the outcome, even if the brass would’ve preferred he’d stayed his hand.
Considering the enormous mental anguish Jamie had been under during the attack after shooting Kyle, the MDF hadn’t come down nearly as hard as the agency could have regarding his actions with Declan. In the end, the attack was countered and neutralized. That was all that mattered to the powers that be.
“I’m not closing the door on the MDF,” Jamie finally said. “None of us are. If I’d still been in the Marines, I’d have stayed for the full twenty.”
Nazari nodded. “I’m not questioning your dedication, Callahan. That has never been in doubt. I’m merely saying you might find civilian life is exactly what you’ve been missing. There’s no shame in never coming back.”
Jamie knew that, but he also knew that with his team stepping down, it left a huge hole in the MDF’s roster. They’d been the heavy hitters, the team the MDF sent out to deal with the deadlier threats. That wasn’t to say none of the other field teams could get the job done; Jamie just knew they’d be stretched thin for a while.
Splice had a high kill rate and always would. No cure existed, no vaccine had been found to counter the reactions the chemical produced in the human body. You either died or you didn’t when exposed to Splice. Most died, though Jamie knew of at least three people who’d survived the Splice chemical bombs that had been detonated during the attack.
Those three new metahumans were currently ensconced at the MDF, still struggling with the transformation of their lives and bodies. But all three had refused the option to walk away from the fight and were committing themselves to the MDF.
The hole Jamie’s team was leaving behind would be difficult to fill, but it would be filled.
“We’ll see,” Jamie said.
“What’s done is done. Right now, let’s focus on one problem at a time.”
The one their convoy of SUVs was driving toward was yet another Congressional hearing behind closed doors. This time, however, Jamie knew it would go differently, not least because of the declassification of his and his team’s identities.
All of that meant the media was out in force when the SUVs pulled up in front of the Hart Senate Office Building. The flash of cameras and the buzz of hovering drone cameras could be seen and heard even with the vehicle doors shut.
“Ready?” Nazari asked as his aide in the front seat got out first.
“Always, sir,” Jamie replied.
The aide opened the side passenger door for Nazari and the director climbed out amidst a hail of questions from reporters. Capitol police were on hand to hold back the press, the sidewalk absolutely full and the closest lane in the street barricaded off to provide extra room. There were as many international press groups as domestic in the crowd, all vying to get the perfect shot, hoping one of their shouted questions would be the one that got an answer.
Down the line of SUVs, the entirety of Jamie’s team climbed out. Since this was official MDF business and no longer hidden beneath the guise of a civilian matter, everyone was in uniform if they had one—Sean was the only one in a suit—to help drive the point home that they’d acted on orders by the United States government and not out of personal desire or greed.
Katie and Kyle approached, with the rest of the team following right behind. Joining them were a handful of high-ranking MDF agents and several JAG representatives. Deputy Director Stirling had remained behind on base. Missing was the cadre of Secret Service special agents who’d joined them last month for the first hearing, but Jamie didn’t mind their absence.
“Let’s go,” Nazari ordered, leading the way.
Jamie and the others fell into line after him, marching forward. The flash of cameras seemed brighter than the sun at times as they walked toward the entrance. The press didn’t follow them inside, but some were waiting for them when they arrived in Room 306 again.
