Loco, Razer 8 (15 page)

Damn it all to hell! She loves me! Hell yeah
, thinks Loco.

He runs into the trees and spots the drug soldiers.
I’m
going to kill each one of them. I’m going to make them pay for taking Claudia
and for their mistreatment,
thinks Loco.

“Look, gueys!” yells Chavez. He points at Loco coming at
them.

“Pronto!” He calls the rest of his soldiers that are down
the side of the mountain.

The drug soldiers shoot at him. Loco continues to run
towards the drug soldiers. He doesn’t feel the shots that hit his shoulder and
his right side.

He throws off the dogs as they jump up at him, flinging them
far. He continues towards the drug soldiers. He stands, makes a sweep firing
back, and kills several drug soldiers.

Hell yes, I’m going to kill them
, he thinks. He continues
to advance, not registering the shots that hit him. He’s on an adrenaline and
anger high.

“Gueys, I’m going to kill you!” yells Loco.
I’m going to
kill the guey that gives the orders. He has a lot to do with how they treated
my Baby
, he thinks.

“Idiotas, get him!” yells Chavez. He sees that Loco is
shooting at them. “Who in the hell is he? Where’s the woman!”

Loco is blinded with rage and continues forward. His focus
is to eliminate as many as he can and especially Chavez.

I might die trying, but I know that they don’t have the
skill to kill me
, he thinks.

Loco takes cover behind a boulder. He aims and kills several
drug soldiers.
Fucking hell, I need to kill that bastard,
he thinks.

Loco takes aim at Chavez black heart. He squints and pulls
the trigger
. Oh yeah, I got him
, thinks Loco.

“Loco, have your back,” yells Panther. He runs past Loco and
kills some drug soldiers that are advancing towards Loco.

The team operatives engage and eliminate the drug soldiers
in the area.

Loco hears Panther.
Good, the team is here
, thinks Loco.
He falls to the ground, unconscious. He’s losing lots of blood.

Hell no! Loco fell, he must be injured
, thinks Ghost.
He runs up to Loco, after killing some drug soldiers that have attacked.

Ghost drops down next to Loco. He quickly assesses the five
crucial points. He checks the airways, breathing, circulation, any type of
disability/deformity, and for any hidden wounds.

“Panther, we need to get Loco to the medical center! I can’t
assess the extent of the damage caused by the gunshots,” growls Ghost. “I’m
applying pressure to the wounds, but he’s losing a lot of blood.”

“Bulldog, gurney,” says Panther into the mic.

“Ready,” replies Bulldog. He grabs the gurney that drops
down.

“I’m picking him up and you continue to put pressure on the
wounds,” says Panther.

“Clear!” says Panther. He communicates with the other team operatives.

“He’s going into shock!” yells Ghost.

They sprint towards the waiting gurney. Panther quickly
places Loco into the gurney.

Ghost straddles the gurney. He continues to apply direct
pressure to control the bleeding. He goes up with Loco.

Panther and Bulldog grab the rope and quickly climb it. The
remaining team operatives arrive, grab the rope, and rapidly climb up.

“Bulldog, I need help! Apply some direct pressure to the
pressure points, we need to control the bleeding!” yells Ghost.

Bulldog quickly applies pressure, looking at Loco. “Why did
he do it? We were here for pickup. I secured the FBI agent,” says Bulldog.

“I don’t know! Loco acted strange from the get-go,” says
Ghost. He looks at Loco turn gray.

“We need to get to the hospital fast!” yells Panther to the
pilots. “I don’t want to lose him.”

“We need to wait for Roberto,” yells Claudia. “Let me go!
Stop this plane!”

Claudia is hysterical. She sobs out of control.
Oh dios
mio. Please, please take care of Roberto
, she prays.

“Agent De La Cruz, we have direct orders to take you to the
hospital,” says Redfox. “Razer 8 is good.”

Everything transpires quickly and Claudia is taken to the
hospital.

Redfox is ready to leave after delivering Claudia to the
medical facility. He’s at the door when Claudia stops him.

“Oh dios mio, please tell me if Roberto De Leon is safe,”
implores Claudia.

Redfox shakes his head and turns to leave.

“Please, don’t leave without telling me! I need to know!”
she yells.

Redfox stops and turns to look at Claudia soberly. “Ms. De
La Cruz, you’re aware that the operative’s status is classified,” replies Redfox.
“Best wishes.”

Loco is on the bed in the operating room, surrounded by
doctors.

“Dr. Canon, I think that we lost him,” says Dr. Blackstone.
He’s keeping up with the urgency with which Dr. Canon is working to save Loco.

“He will make it,” says Dr. Canon.

Loco stands next to the doctors working on him. He looks at
his body and sees the urgency that the doctors are using to save him.

I wonder why they keep on working on me. I’m gone. I’m
heading towards that brilliant light down that tunnel
, thinks Loco.
The
only thing that’s keeping me from running towards the tunnel is Claudia. I need
to talk to her. I need to tell her that I feel her, our almas are one, and that
she’s mia for eternity.

I don’t see how I can tell her. I told her last night. I
pray that she always remembers that I love her for eternity,
he thinks
.

He walks towards the light. He hears the doctor’s urgency in
trying to bring him back. They’re anxiously doing everything to save him.

Loco shrugs and walks towards the light, smiling
. Oh dios
mio, that’s my Mama smiling at me.

“Mama, I miss you,” yells Loco. He runs to her at the edge
of the tunnel that leads to the light.

“Mi hijo, I love you. Mi hijo, you need to return to your
Claudia. She needs you. It’s not your time to join us,” says Mama Lucy.

“Mama, I want to stay with you. I want to see my Padre and
my hermano, Miguel,” says Loco. He hugs his Mama.

“Mi hijo, you need to return to Claudia. You have a long
future with her and your bebe,” says Mama Lucy.

“Bebe?” repeats Roberto. He gazes into Mama Lucy’s eyes.
He’s confused and curious. “Claudia is going to have my bebe?”

“Yes, my son. You will be a wonderful Padre. You need to
return to take care of your familia. Remember that your familia is the most
important thing in this world,” says Mama Lucy. “I have to return.”

“
Mama, I love you
,”
says Loco.
His
tears fall down his face.

“Operative De Leon, do you hear us!” asks Dr. Canon. He
observes the tears fall down Loco’s face.

“Dr. Blackstone, he appears to be crying. His vitals are now
stabilized,” says Dr. Canon.

“Yes, it looks like he’s back,” agrees Dr. Blackstone,
nodding. “I really thought we lost him.”

“I did too, but for some unknown reason I kept at it,”
replies Dr
.
Canon
.
He shakes his head with disbelief.

Wow, I didn’t think he was going to make it. This is
unreal. He was gone for a couple minutes,
muses Dr. Canon.

“Dr. Canon, I believe that Operative De Leon will make it,”
says Dr. Blackstone.

“Yes, I think so,” replies Dr. Cannon, nodding.

Oh dios mio
, thinks Claudia.
Please take care of
Roberto and keep him safe. Please don’t take him away from me.

She stares at the door waiting for Loco to walk in.
I
need Roberto to walk into my room. Nobody wants to give me any information. I
don’t know if he’s alive or injured. I’m dying. Ice didn’t want to disclose any
information.

The doctors thoroughly inspected my body for injuries.
They took tons of blood tests and also had the psychiatrist visit me. Yeah, she
wanted me to admit that I was raped. They insist that they know that I was a
virgin from their last exam. They also noticed all of Roberto’s love bites. I
can’t tell them about Roberto.

They wanted to give me the medication to prevent
pregnancy. Yeah, the morning after pill, hell no! Wow, that really hit me hard.
Yes, of course, I could be pregnant. I missed my appointment for the birth
control shot. I didn’t bother to reschedule my appointment. Si, I thought that
my mission would be over and I that I wouldn’t need it. 

Claudia’s eyes tear up. She closes her eyes.
I will know
before I go home if I’m pregnant. I will not allow them to end my bebe’s life.
Hell no! I wouldn’t allow it. I know that Roberto will come searching for me. I
have to believe this. I saw his amor (love) in his eyes and felt his alma
(soul),
ponders Claudia.

She wipes the tears from her face
. I will be strong for
Roberto and our bebe
.
The Bureau will not allow my familia to visit me until
all the tests results have been cleared.

She buries her face into the pillow, curling up into a ball.
She falls asleep from exhaustion.

“Any news,” asks Panther, approaching Ghost.
Yeah, I know
Ghost is hurting
.
They’re close like brothers
, he thinks.

“No news, they’re still operating on Loco,” replies Ghost.
He’s sitting in one of the hospital’s waiting room chairs. He’s leaning
forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He rubs his head with his hands, with
frustration and fear.

“I’m praying that he comes out okay. You and I know what his
dream is and how hard he has worked to achieve it. I can’t think of losing
Loco. He’s like family. He’s like my brother,” says Ghost.

“Hey, we need to be positive. He’s strong and stubborn. He
will be okay. Ghost, we have to have faith,” says Panther. He takes a seat next
to Ghost. “The team is praying for him.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m wondering what made him go back. Why go
back when he’s at pickup with the cargo?” asks Ghost. He looks up, to look at
Panther.

“Yeah, that’s what the team has been wondering. We know that
he takes risks, but to intentionally return to the fire is insane,” replies
Panther. 

Ghost and Panther leap up from the chair as they watch Dr.
Canon approach.

Dr. Canon approaches Ghost and Panther.

“We managed to save Operative De Leon. We almost lost him
once. The surgery was a success. His injuries were a small gunshot wound to the
stomach and two other gunshot wounds to his right thigh and left shoulder. We
performed laparoscopic exploration and were able to repair several injuries to
his small bowel. The thigh and shoulder injuries are superficial wounds,” says
Dr. Canon.

“Hell, yes! Loco is going to survive!” groans Ghost. His
voice is raspy from his anxiety and fear of losing Loco.
Thank you god
,
thinks Ghost. He closes his eyes for a few seconds.

“Fantastic news, Dr. Canon,” says Panther, nodding. He
glances at Ghost swallowing his tears.

“We had difficulty assessing the extent of the damages done
by the gunshot wound. He was bleeding severely. It helped that he was brought
into the hospital immediately. Operative De Leon is stabilized and in ICU.”

“Can we see him?” ask Ghost.

“Right now, it wouldn’t be a good idea. He needs rest and is
being monitored. He’s still in critical condition. You can visit him in the
morning. He will be here for a few weeks,” says Dr. Canon. He observes Ghost
and Panther.

“Okay, Dr. Canon, we understand,” replies Panther.

“Yeah, thanks,” says Ghost.

The next day, Claudia is trying to eat some breakfast.
I
can’t eat this, it’s gross. I want to go home and talk to my Mama
, thinks
Claudia.

I need to take care of several issues. When I’m released
from here, I’m going straight to speak to Ice. I’m going to ask him to search
for Roberto. I need him to tell me he’s well. I have this awful anxiety that’s
driving insane. I’m going to resign. Hell, yes, especially since the doctors
confirmed that I’m pregnant. Wow, I’m having my Roberto’s bebe. This really
gives me strength to continue living. I need to get strong for our bebe. I know
that Roberto will search for me
, muses Claudia.

There’s a knock on Claudia’s room.
Hmm, I wonder who it
is. Can it be Roberto?
wonders Claudia.

She smiles, looking at the door. “Come in,” says Claudia.
Oh
si, my Baby is here,
she thinks.

The door opens and Ice walks into the room “Hi, Claudia, how
are you feeling?” asks Ice. “The doctors advised that you’re doing well, but
that you’re pregnant. They also stated that you refuse to take the morning
after pill to prevent this pregnancy.”

“Ice, this is not the Bureau concern,” replies Claudia. She
stares at Ice. “I have every right to continue with this pregnancy. I want this
baby. I told the doctors a million times that I was not raped!” says Claudia.
“I need you to look for the delta force operative that rescued me. I need to
know that he’s ok. I need to talk to him. Ice please, please I need you to
locate him and learn his status.”

“Claudia, you know damn well that a delta force operative’s
status is classified. Your status is classified. I can’t help you. Why do you
want to talk to him?” asks Ice. He observes Claudia.
I wonder what the
urgency is. What’s the real reason that she needs to locate him?

“I need to thank him for rescuing me. I need to know that
he’s well,” replies Claudia. She returns Ice’s stare.

I will not tell him that Roberto is the padre of my bebe.
I don’t want the agencies to discipline him. I don’t want them to think that he
took advantage of me. Hell no, they don’t need to know
, ponders Claudia.

“Claudia, I’m sorry. You’re asking the impossible. You know
damn well that the agencies are protective of their operatives. That’s the way
it is,” Ice calmly states.

“This is absurd, Ice. I’m an FBI agent. I will not hurt him,
ever! I need you to get me his information,” yells Claudia. “I’m resigning. I
can’t take this work anymore!”

“Claudia, I think you should go home and rest. You can think
about it and let me know if you still want to resign. You’re an asset to Bureau.
You speak Spanish and you’re able to infiltrate easily into the drug rings,”
says Ice.

“Ice, I’m telling you now that I made up my mind. You have
been informed that I’m pregnant. I’m not going to risk putting my baby in any
jeopardy,” says Claudia.

“Damn, yes, I was informed. I understand your position.
Okay, Claudia, I can have you out on maternity leave,” says Ice. “I really
don’t want to lose you.”

“Ice, I thank you for your belief in my abilities. I’ve made
up my mind. I’m going to take care of my baby,” replies Claudia. He looks at
him somberly.

Ice stares at Claudia with frustration
. Damn it all to
hell! Claudia is an excellent agent. She’s perfect for these missions. Maybe
she’ll change her mind after she has this baby. Damn it, who’s the father?
he thinks.

“Okay Claudia, I understand. I’ll be happy to take you back
after you have the baby,” says Ice.

“Ice, I don’t want you to wait. I’m not returning,” responds
Claudia. “I’ve made up my mind.”

Ice sees her determination. “Okay, I understand,” says Ice.
“When you’ve rested for a few days, I need you to stop by the office. I need
you to sign the paperwork.”

“Okay, will do,” replies Claudia.

Ice nods and he turns to leave. He stops at the door. “Don’t
try to locate the operative. It will be impossible,” says Ice. He walks out.