A Glimpse Of Decay (Book 1): Red Storm) by A.J. Santiago

country.”
    “This is an issue of national security.  I could care less about Kazakhstan or any other fucking Stan !  We’re not going there for them, we’re going there for us.”
    “That is so wrong!” Irene moaned.  “Those people think we’re going there to help them.  They put their trust in us because we are the most powerful country in the world with the best science and technology.  They think that we can really help them.”
    “I really don’t care what they think.  I just know what needs to be done.  Let’s not lose ourselves in needless debate over what’s right and what’s wrong because the only important thing is making sure that we get the job done.  Anyway, the people we are going to meet in Kazakhstan have the same suspicions that we have.  They don’t want to make a bunch of noise either about the incident in Russia, but they do think that it does have something to do with all of the shit they are starting to see.”
    “You’re just a bureaucratic robot,” Michael said chuckling.  “You’re not what my country is about.” 
    “Just make sure you have your shit together when we hit the ground and do what you’re told,” Roberts replied in a dry, flat tone.
    “Hold on there,” Michael said in objection, “you might be in the military, but we’re not.  We’re not a couple of privates you can just boss around.”
    “Look, I don’t know why my superiors decided to go with the two of you, but they did.  I guess you must be hot shit in your field, but now you’re both acting on behalf of the United States and you fall under military jurisdiction.  That means the two of you do what you’re told to do…no questions asked.”
    Irene quickly realized why Roberts was with them.  He was there to be their handler, to oversee and direct them, with a firm hand if necessary.  She was now really beginning to feel very frightened.
    “Instead of getting all worked up over this, you might as well just sit back and enjoy the ride.  Hell, you guys should think of yourselves as two of the luckiest people around right now.  You’re living out the American dream.”
    “Excuse me?” Michael asked in an astonished tone.
    “You know, the American success story that everyone strives to live out.”
    “I don’t see it that way,” Michael said.  “I don’t think either one of us sees this as any sort of success story.”
    “And just how can you see this as a success story?” Irene questioned.
    Roberts adjusted his seat back and smugly replied, “Well, just over a week ago the two of you were out in the Arizona desert digging through coyote shit, and now you guys are racing across the world in an effort to save Mankind, gaining fame, fortune and notoriety when it’s all over and done with.  It will make for a hell of a book, that’s for sure, and I’m sure when all of this is over with, you guys can have your choice of running whatever big school biology department you want.”
    “Jeez, you really don’t know either of us, do you?” Irene said in disgust.  She looked down at her brown hiking boots and smiled.  “I feel sorry for your wife and your family for having you as their patriarch, I really do.”
    Offended, Roberts barked, “You don’t know a damned thing about me or my family!  Now why don’t the two of you get some sleep?  You’re gonna need it.”  Calming down, he stood up and glared at Irene.  “You got spunk, and I like that.  You’re gonna need that for where we’re going.”  He glanced over at Michael, but still speaking to Irene, he said, “Maybe before we land, your partner can miraculously grow a set of balls as big as yours.”  With a smirk and a dismissive chuckle, he worked his way back to the aisle.  As he walked towards the stairway that would take him down into the cargo hold, he began to whistle a song to himself.
    “I can’t tell you how much he gives me the creeps,” Irene said, contempt in her voice.
    “Tell me about