Isla Mujeres

Langley, Virginia, USA

CIA Headquarters, NCS Briefing Room

Monday, July 16, 2012 1:18 PM

It was an unusually hot and muggy July afternoon in Virginia. Frank Patterson and Abigail Rogers had been ordered to National Clandestine Service (NCS) offices of the CIA to be briefed on an upcoming mission. Frank being in his early thirties and with NCS division for about a decade was an experience by the book operative. Abigail on the other hand was a slender carefree redhead in her early twenties and had only been with NCS for less than a year. Frank and Abigail had only worked together on one other mission, albeit a short mission in Belize, Central America. Were they had the dubious task of locating an illicit drug distribution network into Mexico and the United States so it could later be interdicted and possibly destroyed. The mission was so successful that both Patterson and Rogers were awarded the Intelligence Medal of Merit and a big pat on the back from their boss Jeff Daniels.

Thank God for air conditioning, Frank thought to himself as he listened to the drone of the unit in the briefing room.

"Frank what is this all about?" Abigail said breaking the silence as they waited for the mission chief to show.

"Your guess is a good as mine Abby. I just work here; they don't trust me with the keys to the shop." Frank chuckled as he adjusted his tie. "God it is frickin miserable outside. I can't ever recall it being so hot in Virginia."

Frank always thought Abby was cute but a bit on the wild side. She looked more like a college girl ready for a party than a field agent. She struck Frank as an unprofessional type. Frank sometimes wondered what the Agency saw in her but during their last and only mission together she did prove resourceful enough in the long run.

"Quit being a baby Frank." Abby said as she fiddled with her hair tie that was holding her long reddish-orange hair in a tightly wound bun. She couldn't help but notice that Frank's nice white dress shirt was soaked in sweat. "Maybe you will get lucky this mission and they will send us somewhere cold."

"What do ..."

Abby was cut off in mid-sentence just as the door to the briefing room came open. Jeff Daniels, a tall stocky man who had just become the current Mission Commander for the NCS Special Assignments Group (SAG) came in and boomed, "Well it is great to see you two. I hope you got some rest from the last mission."

"Why? What kind of trouble do you have for us this time?" Frank asked with a bit of a boyish grin.

Glad you asked. I got something you both may be interested in." Both set eyes now on the SAG Commander.

"The Company is interest in a group known as the Daughters' of Ix Chel. Not much is known about them except what I am about to brief you on so listen up."

"Why is the Company interest in this group?" Frank asked as he squirmed in his chair.

"A certain Mexican official high on their food chain has asked us to get involved in this. They need someone that is not associated or has no known connections to their government, so the State Department has assigned us this mission. Let me be clear. This is only an intel gathering mission. We are not to disrupt the Daughters in anyway at this time. If there is to be any action Mexico's Caldron Administration wants to spear head it."

"So our role is to get entry into the Daughters compound?" Abby asked as she still fiddled with her red hair.

"Compound? It's not a compound my dear. They have control of an island." Daniel said flatly. "And they are well funded to say the least. We need to know who is funding them, what their agenda is, and what people are sympathetic to them in the Mexican and or American or any other governments. We are totally in the dark about this cult. They are very secretive to say the least. Daniels continued as he walked over and shut off the lights and switched on a computer presentation.

"The Daughters are on the Isla Mujeres" Daniels said while pointing at computer generated image of the island that seemed to float in the air.

"Isla Mujeres? If my Spanish is as good as I think it is translates, Island of Women?" interrupted Patterson while sitting forward with interest in his chair.

"That it does my boy. It was named that by the Spanish when they discovered the island in the 16th Century. As you can see here this island state is located in not far from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula and in the Caribbean Sea."

"Just what the doctor ordered another cool assignment." Rogers said smiling at Patterson.

"Ha ha very funny Rogers." Patterson said under barely audible as he forcefully shoved his hands in his trousers.

"Anyway! Daniels continued. "The Company has set you up with a local that may be able to get you onto the island. He is a bit unorthodox at times but he is trustworthy. He is from Louisiana and goes by the name Billy-Ray LeJuene."

Pressing another key and bringing up another computer generated image. This is Terra Volk. She is a former Ukrainian National working in the area and trusted lieutenant to the High Priestess of the Daughter's."

Another crazy bitch Eastern European, Patterson thought too himself. Frank had a bad experience with Ukrainian women when he first joined the agency. Bad enough that he was sure he was going to die.

"There are two ferries that go to the island. One operates from down town and the other one is operated by Ms. Volk and is in the hotel behind the Fat Tuesday Restaurant."

"What else is known about Ms. Volk?" asked Patterson as he raised one eyebrow.

"As always the Company does the best it can but not much is known about Ms. Volk other than she has been the owner of the ferry for about two years now."

"I see." Patterson mused.

"Now this" Daniels continued bringing up yet another image, "is Dr. Samantha White. She is the High Priestess for this cult. She is a former Arizona State University professor. She has a PhD in archeology and wrote a book on Neolithic religions."

"She sounds like a very interesting woman" Abby said. "I think I would like to meet this woman."

"It gets better", Daniels continued. "The FBI believes she was involved with ELF until things got too hot for her and she fled to Mexico to start this little cult of hers."

"E-L-F. What's that?" Abby said as sat back and crossed her legs.

"The Earth Liberation Front (ELF), also known as 'Elves' or 'The Elves', is the collective name for autonomous individuals or covert cells who, according to the FBI, use economic sabotage and guerrilla warfare to stop the exploitation and destruction of the environment.

The ELF was classified as the top "domestic terror" threat in the United States by the Federal Bureau of Investigation has categorized them as eco-terrorists.

"So she is a crazy religious, tree hugging terrorist. Is that it?" Frank asked.

"I think that is it in a nutshell Frank." Daniels said.

"We have created a legend for both of you." Daniels said switching on the lights and handing both Patterson and Rogers a mission package. "Study it. You both work for Pemex; the Mexican-state owned petroleum company as consultants. It's all there in the mission brief and you will have plenty of time to become familiar with it on the flight over.

"Any questions, bitches, grips or complaints?" Daniel asked.

Both Patterson and Rogers looked at each other then back to Daniels and shrugged.

"Great then; you will be wheels up at 05:45 tomorrow out of Norfolk International with one layover in Detroit. You will be flying on Pinnacle flight 4026. We have set you up at the Avalon Baccara Hotel. Have a great trip and stay out of trouble.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012 19:34

Avalon Baccara Hotel

Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Getting through Customs was not difficult, especially when all you have with you is a carry-on. Even the 13 hour flight from Norfolk to Cancun wasn't really much of a bother to Frank Patterson. Hell he liked flying. It gave him a chance to read through the mission brief and get some much need shut-eye. No, what Frank didn't like was the oppressive humidity and the sweltering heat of the tropics. Frank was from Seattle and he loved the cooler temps and the ever cloudy skies of the Pacific Northwest.

"Let's get our carry-on put away and then get out of here. I want to see if we can locate this Terra Volk and see when we can get over to the island." Abby said as she threw her bag on the bed.

Frank looked around Abby's room. It was identical in every way to his adjoining room next door. It was a nice room as far as hotels are concerned. He had been in some real dumps with his service to the Company in Central and South America. Most places he had been were poor and most of his mission didn't call for him to play the part of an employee to a Fortune 500 consulting firm. This was a definite improvement. The Avalon Baccara Hotel was a four-star resort. The hotel itself was nestled in the Hotel Zone of Cancun that surrounded the large Nichupte Lagoon. The floors of room were of a checkerboard brown and white Spanish tile. The room itself had a high vaulted ceiling made from a richly dark timber and if Frank had to guess from trees in Cuba. Eight potted palm plants encircled the room and the view of the beach and surf from the arched window was spectacular. It was important for their cover that they stay in such luxurious accommodations.

"What's your rush Abby? I thought maybe we could go over the mission briefs once more. Besides we have to find our tour guide, Billy-Ray LeJeune."

"Then let's head down to the beach for a swim and maybe later hang out at the bar. We can catch up with Volk first thing in the morning" Quipped Abby.

"Me at the beach in swim trunks with a Margarita? No, I don't think so."

"Frank you should let your hair down sometime and enjoy life."

"I enjoy life just fine."

"You strike me as the type that sits at home between missions sipping fine French wine and listing to Italian opera records. I am right? Go ahead admit it. I am right." Abby said laughing.

"So what is wrong with French wine and Italian operas?"

"I knew it. You're so fucking uptight Frank. I bet if I swiped my credit card between your ass cheeks you could tell me what the numbers were." Abby said as she flopped backwards onto the bed laughing at Frank's expense."

"Fuck you Abby. Partying is all you think about?" Frank countered with a disgusted look. "You need to get your head in the game."

Rap! Rap! Rap! Came a sound at the door to the room.

"I wonder who that could be." Abby said as she shot bolt upright in the bed with a look of curiosity at Frank.

"Well the door isn't going to answer itself" Frank said as he ambled over and answered the door.

"Hi, I am Billy-Ray LeJeune. You must be Mr. Patterson right?"

Mr. LeJuene or as he liked to be called Billy-Ray was a tall skinny sort of fellow with a distinctly Cajun accent. He was dressed like everyone else on holiday in this part of the world; white Panamanian hat, very loud and colorful floral shirt with white slacks and sandals.

"Yes, we have been expecting you." Frank said.

I was wondering if you folks needed a tour guide while visiting this beautiful paradise."

"Sure, Mr. LeJeune." Frank said as he leaned on the side of the door blocking entrance and view into the room.

"Oh, please my friends at the Company call me Billy-Ray.

"So what exactly are you and what's in the bag?" Frank said pointing at a small brown worn leather case Billy-Ray was holding in his left hand.

Chuckling to himself Billy-Ray said, "I was sent by our employer to show you and Ms. Rogers around that is all. Oh be your point of contact here in Mexico. If you would invite me in we can discuss your itinerary in more detail."

"Ya, sure come on in." Frank said as he stepped out of the way.

Billy-Ray strolled into the room casually and said, "Woo wee! Nice digs. And this must be the lovely Ms. Rogers. Billy-Ray then turned and saw Abby. Extending his hand and saying, "Je suis très heureux de faire votre connaissance."

"Merci! Très heureuse!", Abby said with curious eye.

"You speak French mademoiselle?"

"I lived in Cergy. It's a suburb of Paris. My father worked at the marina's boating school when I was a young girl before moving to the States. Are you familiar with this place?"

"Oh no. I am a simple man from New Orleans and haven't been there since K7."

"K-7" Abby asked.

"Seven years since Katrina."

Abby smiled and nodded in understanding.

"Anyway, Très belle femme." Billy-Ray grinned.

"Merci. What brings you here Billy-Ray? I thought we had to hook up with you in town tomorrow."

"I have some toys for you." Billy-Ray said as he dropped his worn leather satchel on the hard wood table in the room. Opening it he pulled out a pistol and handed to Frank.

"Colt New Agent 9mm. Very concealable and packs a nice little punch at close range. Thank you." Frank said as he worked the gun's slide back and forth to feel its action. Frank liked the look and feel of this gun. At light weight and with a three inch barrel it wasn't a chore to pack this gun.

"And for the mademoiselle; I have this." Billy-Ray said handing her also a small pistol.

Abby held the small pistol in the palm of her hand. It was a two tone Sig P232 .380 caliber. "Merci. I will put this to good use." Abby said as she slid the pistol into her purse.

"I have one more thing." Billy-Ray said as handed Abby a thin grey hard plastic box about the size of her palm.

"What's this?"

"That my dear is the newest thing for getting information in a hurry; very discrete too. It's a shadow drive. The Company has learned that the High Priestess, Dr. Samantha White has a laptop computer she carries around with her everywhere. We think it may have files on it that pertain to all the Daughter's activities and contacts through out the region. The shadow drive need only be placed on or in close proximity of that laptop. Just press the button on the side and the red light will turn green when it is ready to copy Dr. White's hard drive. The shadow drive has a 10 gig hard drive. That is more than enough memory to copy any over the counter system currently on the market. Your cover should get you next to the High Priestess and hopefully in the same room as her device." Billy-Ray explained.

"Well take your time unpacking. The next ferry isn't until 05:30 tomorrow and then every half hour until 20:00. You just missed the last one for the day. Hey do you guys want to get a drink or go do some clubbing?"

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 06:12

Outside the hotel behind the Fat Tuesday Restaurant

Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico

"This is where you can find Terry Volk the operator of the Ferry to the island." Billy-Ray said pointing to the hotel across the street.

"Thanks." Frank said as he leaned hard into the battered door of the yellow 67'Volkswagen Beatle they were riding in. The door gave way with a moan as he stepped out and Abby had to slide across the back seat and get out on Frank's side because her door wouldn't open at all.

"What do you say we catch a ferry?" Frank said as he started to jog across the busy street to the hotel that the ferry operated out of.

Once inside it was easy to find the ferry terminal. There was a big sign with the ferry's schedule and fee, seven pesos to ride the ferry to Isla Mujeres from Cancun. Frank and Abby approached an older Mexican woman of a Mesoamerican descent that was working the window.

"Hola. Hablas ingles? Frank inquired to the woman behind the counter.

"Yes, how can I help you?" the woman replied in English with a heavy Mexican accent.

"My partner and I would like to book passage on your ferry to Isla Mujeres."

"That's no problem for her but you, no."

"No. What do you mean no. I have business on the island." Frank said reaching into his pocket. "I have denro. No problem." Frank then said holding up a wad of cash.

"Un momento" the woman said getting up from her stool behind the window and walking away.

As Frank and Abby waited for the woman to come back they scanned the lobby of the hotel. One can never be too careful Frank always thought as he patted his waste band for his concealed Sig 9mm. And it is always a good idea to have a party favor should things get nasty. Frank never had a lot of friends growing up. Frank was a loner and it was hard for him to trust people. Guns, yes, guns he trusted. They seldom let him down.

The hotel was much like the one him and Abby currently had rooms at. High vaulted ceilings, Spanish tile flooring, seascape and Mayan paintings hanging on the walls and people coming and going that were here on holiday. No one really stood out in the lobby.

A woman in her mid-twenties had come out of a door that was obviously part of the ferry operations. She was slender with short red hair that glowed in the morning sun. She had dark freckles on her pale skin from her face to her chest. Frank quickly identified her as Terra Volk. Frank couldn't help but notice her ample cleavage. Frank was fond of girls with big tits, which was unusual to be sure. Frank never had many girlfriends and for sure never had a serious relationship but he did feel an attraction to large chested women."

She had what looked to be a small gold pendant wedged between her cleavage as it hung on a slender gold chain around her neck. If Frank had to guess it was a cross. Ah, Jesus, always is in a good place, Frank mused to himself. Lucky bastard! I hope that when I die big chested women around the world will put my effigy between their tities. Frank almost laughed out loud at that thought.

In a Ukrainian accent Ms. Volk said, "May I help you?" Terra said with a smile as she extend her hand to Frank and then to Abby in greeting.

"Yes, we are looking to book passage to Isla Mujeres." Abby said smiling.

"I see. Well for you it is no problem getting you over to Mujeres but it is highly unconventional for a man to come over to the island unless the Priestess has requested his presence."

"I am sure the Priestess would want to see us. It is important and in her best interest for her to hear what we have to say." Frank said putting on his best business face and thinking her English sounded good. She must have been educated in an English speaking country.

"And why is that? Ms. Volk said flatly. "The island is a woman's retreat and men, unless they are servants. No, that is not the right word is it. How do you say..., ah, yes, employees are the only men authorized to be on the island. What could you possibly have to tell her that wouldn't land you in deep trouble?"

"Ms. Rogers and I represent a geological consulting firm that is currently engaged in business with Pemex. Pemex believes and we agree that the Daughters of Ix Chel are sitting on top of a very large and very lucrative sea of oil. If we could get an audience with the Priestess and explain to her why it would be in her best interest to let us sink a few test wells on the island I think it could be a win-win for everyone. If someone came to me and told me I was going to be a billionaire I don't think I would be all that upset. Would you?"

"Very well then, you can come. But remember one thing. You must follow our customs."

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 07:13

On board the Akhushtal

Caribbean Sea 6 mi. off the Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

"Very odd how upset Ms. Volk was about you coming along to the island. What do you make of that?" Abby inquired as she pulled her jacket snug around her body.

"Who knows, I have seen a lot of crazy things on missions but one thing for sure. Religion scares me more than anything. Especially exotic religions such as this. I remember one time in 2009 I helped Brazilian authorities hunt down, five members of the Kulina tribe in Brazil who were wanted on the charge of murdering, butchering and eating a farmer in a ritual act of cannibalism, known as ChaCha. It's funny how people get these crazy ideas and then turn them into even crazier dogmas." Frank said as he ran his fingers through his black hair.