This is a revised version; hopefully it makes for a better read. I hope you enjoy it. Comments are appreciated. Special thanks to Brandon for editing this story.
No portion of this story may be reproduced for any reason without the express, written permission of the author. . . .
This story is a work of fiction. The characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. . . .
Eagle Eye Ch. 1 by Wolverine7009
Afghanistan, Kunar Province 18, May 2007
As the dust settled down from the passing sand storm, four figures appeared from a sand dune like magic. Looking through a pair of high powered thermal binoculars, coming into focus 500 yards out; a cluster of four buildings, the tallest being three levels surrounded by three single floor structures. The perimeter was enclosed by clay walls 7 feet high, with a single winding dirt road leading into the area.
"I have visual contact, commander."
"Roger that."
"Team leader to bravo 6."
"Bravo 6."
"Are we clear?"
"Clear."
"Team leader to air one, strike package Zulu is a go"
"Roger that."
Boston, Massachusetts (O'Malley's Pub) Present Day
With a look of concern, Katie calls his name. "Terry, Terry!"
Coming out of his day dream Terry realizes he's at the bar, and Katie the bartender is touching his hand and calling him.
"Yes?"
"You alright?"
"I'm good."
"Cool; so how about another cold one, on me."
"Sounds great."
While waiting for his beer, Terry tries to catch up with the college football game playing on the TVs when he notices a familiar face enter through the front door.
A well dressed gentleman after looking around the bar spots Terry and walks towards him. "You're a hard man to find; we kind of lost track of you after operation Bright Star"
"I can't be that hard to find, you found me. What do you want?"
"I have a job for you"
Terry with a small smile, laughs to himself.
"I'm not interested, I'm retired; plus I don't do that shit anymore."
"It's not an agency job."
"Oh really, then what is it?"
"Protection; I assume you know Carlton Bridgestone, President and Chairman of Bridgestone International. Well his daughter and son are the sole heirs to the family's 8 billion dollar empire. Mr. Bridgestone is currently in failing health; cancer, they are giving him less than 6 months. Protection is a high priority for the family, and the list of candidates was short; I figured you would be interested."
The bartender Katie returns with a cold mug of beer. Seeing the well dress gentleman; she begins to ask him if she could get anything for him, Mr. Knox politely waves her off.
"You're a very funny man Mr. Knox, I'll give you that. But the only thing that interests me is that TV and this beer, so if you're not the cable guy or the bartender then get out of my face"
"Really Terry; this is what your life has become, weekend sports and stale beer, when are you going to let that shit go. It's been 6 years, I read the report, you and your team had no idea there was going to be kids in the village. It was BAD Intel, stop carrying that fucking baggage"
Mr. Knox reaches inside his briefcase and pulls out a red binder and puts it on the bar.
"Think about it, you have till tomorrow to decide. If you decide to take it, be at the North Shores Airport at 11:30"
"What's in it for you?"
"Nothing, I'm a close personal friend of the Bridgestone family. I've been asked by the Board of Directors to make sure that all affairs are put in order prior to Carlton's death. In the past 5 years, with some of Carlton's business dealings overseas, there has been an increase of creditable threats made against the family."
"The son; Matthew Bridgestone is studying abroad in Switzerland under the alias Brian Knight; he's currently being protected with soft security. If there is ever eminent danger, then we will extract him. His daughter Lauren Bridgestone is the oldest and will be appointed Chairman/CEO of American Operations making her a #1 target. I've got to go; just think about it"
Terry watched Mr. Knox walk out the bar, he looks down at the red binder then looks at himself in the Bud Light mirror on the wall behind the bar. What stared back, was a man broken and bitter with a 6'1 190lb athletic frame Terry was still in shape but he had let his appearance go; with a 4 month beard and one year old curly afro thanks to his black and white heritage, he looked like a 70's hippie or an unshaved Lenny Kravitz.
Jupiter Island, Florida (Bridgestone Estates)
As buckets of rain pour down on the bay windows from the passing tropical storm, Lauren sits looking out her window thinking about everything that had taken place over the last couple of years, since she's returned from England an Oxford graduate. Her charitable foundation "Kids in Need" has been going well and with the upcoming 20 city tour for children research and development; her plate is full. Now with her father ill and her brother currently studying abroad, on top of the recent breakup of a 2 year relationship with Mark Belltron; has her prioritizing her life.
A knock at the door startles Lauren.
"Come in" she called to the guest.
Lauren gave a smile when seeing it was her best friend an Executive Assistant Aubrey, they have been friends since grade school.
"Ha you ready to go over next month's schedule?" Aubrey asked as she handed Lauren a sheet of paper.
"Sure, sounds good" she replied, taking it and skimming.
"Here are the lists of hospitals we'll be going to on the tour; also I spoke with our media firm who will be getting out a press release regarding it."
"What's up?" Lauren asked catching the uneasy look on Aubrey's face.
"Well your ex's stuff from the New York Apartment just arrived."
She forgot all about Mark's stuff still being in New York. "Well have it sent to his parent's residence in Texas."
"Ok will do."
"Where are we at with accommodations for the tour?" Lauren asked still looking at the list of hospitals and the cities they're in.
"Right now that's been put on hold until Mr. Knox returns, hopefully with your new Executive Protection Officer" Aubrey answered.
Lauren looked up from the paper with a frown. "I do not need a personal bodyguard, the security we have now is fine."
"Your father, Mr. Knox and the Board of Directors has insisted that your security be increased, especially when you're appointed"
Lauren rolled her eyes; Aubrey looked at her watch: 2:45 PM, she then remembered the conference call with the Foundation Director at 3:15 PM.
"You have a 3:15 PM Conference with Mrs. Lee, also your father wanted to speak to you at your earliest. He's in the library / media room"
"Ok I'm going to see him now, dinner at 5:30 PM; are Lisa and Debra still coming?
"Yes they confirmed this morning"
Bridgestone Estates (West Wing β Library / Media Room)
Carlton was sitting at his desk going through old photos of his family, the steady beeping noise of his oxygen machine and morphine drip a constant reminder. The cancer had spread rapidly, and he knew his time on this earth was very limited.
Bree, Carlton's personal assistant, walked in and placed a cup of hot tea along with the quarterly report on his desk. "Will there be anything else for tonight?"
"No Bree; thanks."
"Well I'm going to call it a night."
"Ok"
Bridgestone International was a global brand specialized in mergers, acquisitions, and military technology with gross yearly revenues of $30 billion, most of his business affairs were in order; his daughter was being appointed the Chairman/CEO of US Operations. In one year his son Matthew would be brought on board as V.P. of European Operations and in 3 to 5 years after working under the tutelage of the current V.P. then be appointed Co-Chairman/President of European Operations. But with all of this added responsibility comes added danger, and Carlton wasn't a stranger to it. You don't amass this type of fortune without making some enemies along the way, and the South African deals were some of the most dangerous of all, so he wanted the best protection for his kids.
"Hi dad you wanted to see me?" Lauren announced.
"Yes, I hear you're upset about getting executive security assigned to you on a more regular period."
"I just don't understand why."
"Sweetheart our family is a target all the time, while in school you didn't have to have that much protection, even after graduating you didn't need a lot; but now it's very different. You are going to be appointed the Chairman/CEO of Bridgestone International you're the face of the company and there's a lot of bad people out there, just try and make it work for me, please?"
"I will give it a shot, but no promises." With that, Lauren leans over and kisses her father on the cheek and disappeared from the room.
Boston, Massachusetts (O'Malley's Bar Upstairs Living Quarters)
Terry was rolling side to side, kicking the covers as he slept. Flashing images came to him in his dream.
"Team leader to bravo 6."
"Bravo 6."
"Are we clear?"
"Clear"
"Team leader to air one, strike package Zulu is a go."
"Roger that."