9:52 PM Wednesday, August 12, 2024, Cheshire, Massachusetts, USA
A few minutes later, Mom had all the information and both she and Dad even had memories of the conversation that Joe and I had while we waited for them.
I wish you boys had included me sooner, Mom's thoughts announced. We could have foreseen something like this. You really jumped the gun on the whole Food First operation. If you had spent more time thinking and less time acting… Men! Somehow, we heard a mental snort of derision along with that last word. I didn't know we could do that, then she continued, "Ok, since we're already in this mess, I applaud you for trying to help people, but I wish you had started with a softer target than the world's deadliest drug cartels… Anyway, You've done well planning for tomorrow, but we need to make sure we're using our superior firepower to our advantage. I want fully cloaked weapons platforms shadowing the leaders of Group 17, the top leadership of their closest allies, any significant intermediary people between Group 17's brass and the people who will be meeting our delivery driver. If things go badly, we'll have the ability to apply immediate leverage on leadership to control their people in the field. Or we can shoot neat little heat-cauterized laser holes in their foreheads if we don't have time for them to wait for new orders. If we have to do that, we can incinerate the entire bodies with the lasers to cover the evidence. If there are people around, Manny will recover the bodies while saying something about hidden snipers and assassins within earshot of anyone present, then haul them to somewhere we can incinerate them later. He'll be ok with that, right?
I think so, Dad answered, he's a pretty solid guy.
You've met him?! He's seen your face?! Mom asked incredulously.
No, no, I communicated by voice, disguised voice in Spanish, while Joe showed him a made up talking head on a computer screen video chat.
OK, good. We'll all need fictional identities to use for that sort of thing, with full documentation and back stories that'll pass a good background check, but that can wait until morning. Joe, do you have those airborne assets in place yet?
Almost. Six of the weapons platforms did not find physical access to the interiors of the buildings or rooms where the targets are currently positioned. We can shoot through the walls, with the bigger platforms using gamma rays, or burn through with the category 4 units' infrared lasers if we don't mind potentially burning the buildings down. Units will track the targets through the walls until more immediate access is available.
OK, it'll have to do. If they mention our meeting or our operation, I want us all notified immediately.
So, Manny's going to cooperate with the request to redirect his delivery today, then we expect he'll be sent back with a meeting request for whoever's in charge of Food First. Who is that, Tim?
Um… me… with a hidden identity… I mean, obviously I can't go to the meeting, I'm only eight. It would be too weird, I thought to the group timidly.
You, little mister, are not going anywhere near Guatemala for the foreseeable future. Mom commanded somehow under the impression that she outranked the Supreme Ruler of the Entire Earth Solar System and Nearby Space. Unfortunately, I don't think we have anybody on site who can play the role well enough, she continued.
So, no meeting… Dad offered. How are we going to explain that without getting our warehouse shot full of bullet holes or burned down?
We're going to have the meeting.
Dad took a minute, then, OK, I'll do it. Joe what can we rig up for a disguise.
Don't be stupid, Mom cut in, It's going to be me. We need someone who can think on her feet and not get into a pissing contest. The fact that a woman is in charge of a charitable organization that prepares and distributes food to the hungry might lessen any suspicions they might have. I bet I even walk away with a substantial donation to our cause.
There was a silence, a long silence as Dad and I realized she was right.
Once Manny gets back, you can take my shield ring for the meeting. It should protect you if anything happens. I offered, to break the mental silence.
Dad jumped in, And we'll have Joe cover you with a couple of the higher grade weapons drones the whole time you're in country.
OK, Joe, can you find an apartment in the east and put me on record as having lived there for a couple years, fabricate a complete life story and cover it with records that can be accessed if a police background check is run. I'll be from Peru, arrange it so I spent a year in Guatemala City in my twenties, then went back home. I returned to Guatemala six months ago and set up this charity. I know you listed a man as the CEO, but the story will be that my father set it up for me to run. He invests in US stocks and has done quite well. He just wants me to be happy, so he let me convince him to set up this 'little community kitchen,' his words, not mine. Dad and I listened raptly as Mom spun an ever more complex story. She finally wrapped up. So, I need to learn Spanish by morning, make sure I have a Peruvian accent. I'll need black hair, Joe, can you do something about a darker tan? I need to look like I've been near the equator for six months. We'll need to circulate my story and a photo to the workers, ASAP, in case any of them are questioned. Once Manny gets back tomorrow with my invitation, we'll just tell the workers I've decided to come by for a visit, and I may be taking a more active role in the operation. Make sure Manny has a download of my back story, the parts a delivery driver would know, as part of his prep for tomorrow. And, of course, I'll need enough info to discuss the countries and pass for a lifelong native of Peru and so on.
Yes, I can do that. Will your persona speak English? Joe asked.
If I say I don't, I might slip up and respond to something someone says in English… Mom replied thinking out loud.
I could block your real personality, so you temporarily believe you're this character. You'd respond to English or any other language as she would. Joe supplied.
How would I stay on mission if I don't remember this? Mom asked.
You'd know that one of your drivers told you about the diversion, came back and told you about the meeting request. You'd know by reputation which group you're likely involved with, and you'd be afraid they'd want to involve you in helping them transport drugs. Your goal would be to keep Food First operating independently, legally, without any control or influence from such unsavory characters, Joe told her.
I'm not sure that's a good idea… Dad seemed concerned with the idea, I was a little concerned, too. Mom wouldn't remember that she was my mother? Something about that scared me to my core.
Still, Mom thought to us, if I know I'm protected by invisible laser-equipped drones, It might be hard to fake the real fear that Mirabel would have in this situation.
Mirabel? Dad asked.
Yes, Maria Isabel Flores, Maribel for short. That will be my name.
Dad cut in again with another objection, if you're really scared of being killed, or worse, maybe 'Maribel' will capitulate and give him what he wants to preserve her safety.
Joe had an answer, I can maintain your strong sense of courage and independence as a primary constituent of Maribel's character. It makes the whole mask stronger, actually.
Thanks for the help, Joe, Dad thought with what seemed to me like sarcasm.
That's it then, Mom concluded, I'll transform into Maribel for the day. I should become her before I arrive on site so that the workers believe it as well. We can use this same persona if I need to visit again, and I can be the one to communicate with the Food First staff directly from now on, so we maintain the illusion for Group 17 and all the other factions.