The concept of the Meta Liberation Army (MLA) expanding worldwide and infiltrating other countries presents a fascinating and terrifying "what if" scenario within the My Hero Academia universe. Based on the provided information, the foundational elements for such a global expansion are already present, making it a highly plausible, albeit catastrophic, development.
Foundations for Global Infiltration
The MLA, both in its original and refounded forms, possesses several inherent characteristics that would make worldwide infiltration highly effective:
Core Ideology: Universal Appeal (to some): The central philosophy of "free usage of Quirks is a basic human right and emphasizes liberation over regulation" resonates with a fundamental desire for freedom. In a world where Quirk discrimination and strict regulations exist, this message could find fertile ground in many countries. The original MLA "was large and powerful enough to oppose the governments of multiple countries for several years," indicating its ideology already had international reach or at least significant transnational appeal.
Leadership Structure & Influence (New MLA):
Corporate & Political Figures: The new MLA's leading members are "major figures in the corporate and political fields." This is their most potent infiltration tool. Individuals like Re-Destro (CEO of Detnerat Company), Skeptic (board member at Feel Good, Inc.), and Trumpet (leader of the Hearts and Mind Party) possess legitimate influence, wealth, and networks that extend far beyond Japan's borders.
Global Corporations: Large corporations often have international branches, subsidiaries, and business dealings. Detnerat, for instance, could have offices, factories, or partnerships in various countries, providing perfect cover for MLA cells to establish themselves.
Political Parties: While Trumpet's party is Japanese, the underlying concept of influencing political discourse and policy through a "liberation" ideology could be replicated or adapted in other nations.
Secrecy and Patience: The new MLA "rebuilt... from the shadows, spreading Destro's ideology and gaining followers while avoiding attracting the attention of the authorities. By remaining in the shadows for decades, the Meta Liberation Army has amassed loyal warriors across many generations." This long-term, clandestine approach is ideal for slow, deep infiltration globally.
Dedicated Warriors: The "rank and file members of the army are known to be zealously dedicated to their cause." This fanaticism means they are willing to go to extreme lengths, including self-sacrifice, for the MLA's goals, making them reliable agents for covert operations abroad.
Propaganda and Recruitment: Destro's autobiographical book, Meta Liberation War, became a bestseller with "several reprints due to its popularity." This book, containing the core ideology, could easily be translated and disseminated globally, acting as a powerful recruitment tool and ideological foundation for new cells. Skeptic, as an executive director of a publishing company, would be adept at this.
"Liberated Districts": The concept of "liberated districts" like Deika City, where the majority of residents align with the MLA, could be replicated on a smaller scale in various countries, starting as seemingly innocuous communities or business hubs before revealing their true nature.
How Worldwide Infiltration Would Occur
If the MLA were to go global, the infiltration would likely follow a multi-pronged strategy:
Economic & Political Entry Points:
Corporate Expansion: Detnerat and other MLA-controlled businesses would expand internationally, establishing legitimate operations that serve as fronts for MLA activities. Key MLA members would be placed in leadership positions within these international branches.
Lobbying & Influence: Using their corporate and political connections, MLA members would subtly lobby for deregulation of Quirks, support politicians sympathetic to their cause, and fund research that aligns with their "liberation" narrative.
Financial Networks: Their wealth would allow them to establish complex international financial networks to fund operations, pay agents, and launder money, making them difficult to track.
Ideological Spreading:
Digital & Media Campaigns: Leveraging Skeptic's media expertise, they would launch sophisticated online campaigns, create "think tanks," and publish articles or documentaries promoting Quirk liberation, often subtly at first, then more overtly.
Underground Cells: Dedicated MLA followers would establish small, clandestine cells in various countries, recruiting individuals who feel marginalized or oppressed by Quirk regulations. These cells would operate independently but be loosely coordinated by central leadership.
Exploiting Local Grievances: They would identify and exploit existing social tensions, discrimination, or government overreach related to Quirks in different nations, positioning themselves as the solution or the voice of the oppressed.
Recruitment & Training:
Identifying "Warriors": They would seek out individuals with powerful Quirks who feel stifled, or those with a strong sense of injustice, offering them a "place to belong" and a cause.
Covert Training Facilities: Secret training grounds, perhaps disguised as corporate retreats or remote research facilities, would be established to hone the Quirks of new recruits and instill the MLA's fanatical dedication.
"Meta Abilities" Focus: The emphasis on strengthening "Meta Abilities" would be a global selling point, attracting those who wish to maximize their power without societal constraints.
Intelligence & Counter-Intelligence:
Global Surveillance: Skeptic's abilities and the MLA's resources would be used to gather intelligence on international hero agencies, governments, and anti-Quirk movements.
Infiltration of Agencies: They might attempt to place moles within hero organizations, police forces, or intelligence agencies in various countries to gather information and disrupt counter-MLA efforts.
Potential Global Impact
A worldwide MLA would have catastrophic consequences:
Widespread Anarchy: The core goal of "liberation over regulation" would lead to a breakdown of law and order as individuals are encouraged to use their Quirks without restraint, resulting in increased collateral damage and civilian casualties.
International Conflict: Governments would likely clash over how to handle the MLA, potentially leading to proxy wars or direct conflicts between nations supporting or opposing the MLA's ideology.
Erosion of Hero Society: The very foundation of hero society, which relies on regulation and order, would be severely undermined. Public trust in heroes and governments would plummet.
Rise of "Meta-Human" Supremacy: While promoting "liberation," the MLA's underlying philosophy could easily devolve into a form of Quirk supremacy, where those with powerful Quirks dominate and oppress the Quirkless or those with weaker abilities.
Economic Collapse: The disruption caused by widespread Quirk usage and conflict would cripple global economies, leading to resource shortages and humanitarian crises.
New Villains: The MLA's ideology would inspire countless new villains and rogue Quirk users, further exacerbating the global crime rate.
In conclusion, the MLA's existing infrastructure, ideology, and leadership make a worldwide infiltration not just a possibility, but a highly effective and devastating one. Their patient, multi-faceted approach, combined with the inherent appeal of "liberation" to certain segments of the population, could turn the My Hero Academia world into a truly global battlefield for the future of Quirks.
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29 maggio 2021; articolo di Derrick Broze I nostri primi tentativi di comprendere l’influenza di varie istituzioni e individui sul nostro mo
I nostri primi tentativi di comprendere l’influenza di varie istituzioni e individui sul nostro mondo, si sono concentrati sul sistema educativo, sui media dell’establishment e sulle aziende Big Tech. Ciascuno di questi pezzi della Piramide del Potere ha un’immensa influenza sulle menti e sulle decisioni delle persone in tutto il mondo. Tuttavia, nessun’altra istituzione può avere l’impatto dell’industria cinematografica statunitense.
The First President of the Hero Public Safety Commission: A Speculative Analysis of Power, Morality, and the Shadows of Hero Society
In the intricate world of My Hero Academia, the Hero Public Safety Commission (HSPC) serves as the bureaucratic backbone of hero society, ostensibly maintaining order in a world overrun by Quirks and villainy. While much attention is given to flashy Pro Heroes and iconic villains like All For One, the organization's shadowy underbelly—revealed through characters like Lady Nagant (Kaina Tsutsumi)—exposes a darker truth. At the heart of this corruption stands the unnamed first President of the HSPC, a male figure who preceded the female Madam President and met his end at Nagant's hands. Though canon provides only sparse details about him, his actions paint a portrait of a pragmatic authoritarian whose ruthless pragmatism shaped the HSPC's unethical practices. This speculative analysis delves into his potential background, motivations, psychological profile, methods, and lasting legacy, drawing from canonical hints in the manga/anime while extrapolating logically within the series' themes of heroism, societal control, and moral ambiguity. We'll explore how this enigmatic figure might embody the perils of unchecked power in a Quirk-dominated world, potentially serving as a cautionary archetype for the erosion of ideals.
Potential Background: From Idealist to Enforcer in a Chaotic Era
The My Hero Academia timeline places the emergence of Quirks around a century before the main story, leading to societal upheaval, vigilantism, and the eventual establishment of regulated heroism. The HSPC, as described in the provided document, was formed to balance influence between Heroes and civilians, overseeing licenses, investigations, and coordination with the police. The first President likely rose to power during the early-to-mid phases of this system, perhaps in the chaotic decades following All Might's debut or even earlier, during the "dawn of heroes" era alluded to in flashbacks.
Speculatively, he could have been a non-Quirk user or someone with a minor, non-combat Quirk—fitting the HSPC's emphasis on non-Hero leadership to prevent hero dominance. Imagine him as a former bureaucrat or law enforcement official from the pre-Quirk era, disillusioned by the breakdown of traditional order. In a world where Quirks amplified crime and inequality, he might have started as an idealist, advocating for strict regulations to "protect society." His ascent to HSPC President could stem from political maneuvering during a crisis, such as a major villain uprising or a scandal involving unregulated vigilantes. Drawing parallels to real-world intelligence agencies like the CIA or MI6, he may have been handpicked for his administrative acumen and willingness to make "hard choices," rising through ranks by proving his loyalty to the status quo.
Canon hints at his treatment of "workers as disposable assets, primarily using people from the underside of society." This suggests a classist or elitist background; perhaps he hailed from a privileged family that lost status during the Quirk singularity, fostering resentment toward "uncontrolled" elements. He might have viewed Quirks as a societal disease, necessitating draconian measures. In speculation, his early career could involve covert operations against early villain groups, honing his belief that transparency breeds chaos. By the time he encountered a young Kaina Tsutsumi, he was likely in his 50s or 60s, a seasoned operator with a network of informants and a personal history scarred by losses—maybe a family member killed in Quirk-related violence, fueling his ends-justify-the-means philosophy.
Motivations: Preserving the Illusion of Peace at Any Cost
The document reveals the President's core drive: maintaining the "phony illusion" of hero society. He operated under the premise that public faith in Heroes was paramount, even if it required eliminating threats covertly. His motivations appear rooted in a paternalistic worldview—society as a fragile construct that "regular people" couldn't handle without curated stability. Speculatively, this stems from a fear of anarchy; in a post-Quirk world, where 80% of the population has powers, unchecked corruption among Heroes could unravel everything, leading to villain dominance or civil war.
Why the escalation to using Pro Heroes like Nagant for assassinations? As crimes by organized Heroes increased (per the document), traditional methods—using disposable underworld operatives—proved insufficient. He likely saw Nagant, with her Rifle Quirk's precision, as the perfect tool: a symbol of heroic excellence on the surface, but a lethal enforcer in the shadows. His grooming of her from youth mirrors real-world recruitment of child soldiers or spies, suggesting a calculated detachment from empathy. Motivations here could include personal ambition—solidifying his legacy as the "guardian" of society—or a twisted heroism, believing he was the only one willing to bear the moral burden.
A deeper speculation ties him to broader MHA lore. Could he have indirect connections to All For One? While canon doesn't suggest direct collaboration, the President's methods echo AFO's manipulative style—treating people as assets, discarding them when inconvenient. Perhaps he encountered AFO's influence early on, surviving a encounter that hardened him, or even unknowingly benefited from AFO's chaos to justify HSPC expansions. His insistence on opacity ("lack of transparency was akin to brainwashing," as Nagant put it) might reflect a paranoia born from knowing villains like AFO thrived on exploiting systemic weaknesses. Ultimately, his motivations boil down to control: not just over villains, but over the narrative of heroism itself.
Psychological Profile: The Banality of Evil in Hero Attire
Drawing from Hannah Arendt's "banality of evil," the first President embodies an ordinary man committing extraordinary atrocities through bureaucratic detachment. Canon portrays him as cold and threatening—when Nagant questioned the morality of endless killings, he dismissed her concerns and implied lethal consequences for dissent. This suggests a narcissistic or sociopathic trait profile: high in Machiavellianism, viewing emotions as weaknesses and people as pawns.
Speculatively, his psychology could involve compartmentalization—a coping mechanism for the cognitive dissonance of upholding "peace" through murder. He likely rationalized his actions as necessary sacrifices, much like how All Might's mentor, Nana Shimura, grappled with abandoning her child for the greater good. But unlike Shimura's regret, the President showed no remorse; his veiled threat to Nagant ("silence her") indicates a readiness to eliminate even loyal assets. This points to a god complex, where he positioned himself as the arbiter of justice, above the laws he enforced.
His interactions with Nagant reveal a mentor-like manipulation. He "groomed" her, exploiting her youthful optimism (as seen in her excited acceptance of the HSPC invitation). Psychologically, this mirrors grooming in cults or abusive systems—isolating her, burdening her with secrets, and eroding her sense of self until she hallucinated blood on her hands. His death at her hands could be seen as ironic justice: the monster he created turned on him when his control slipped. In speculation, he might have had a Quirk related to perception or influence (though canon implies he's non-Hero), amplifying his manipulative prowess, or perhaps he was Quirkless, resenting powered individuals and using them as tools to assert dominance.
Methods and Operations: The Machinery of Covert Control
The President's HSPC operated like a shadow government, coordinating raids (e.g., Hideout Raid) while handling "dangerous cases" individually. His key innovation: weaponizing Heroes for wetwork. Nagant's assassinations targeted corrupt Heroes and villains, preserving the public's naive view of heroism. Methods included recruitment from vulnerable populations, psychological conditioning, and cover-ups—claiming Nagant's arrest was over a "Hero argument" to deter infighting.
Speculatively, his operations extended beyond Nagant. He might have overseen a network of agents, including precursors to Hawks' infiltration role. Tools like surveillance Quirks, black-site prisons, or even experimental Quirk enhancements (foreshadowing AFO's Nomu tech) could have been in play. His "disposable assets" from society's underside suggest human trafficking elements, exploiting Quirkless or meta-ability outcasts. The escalation to Pro Heroes indicates a strategic pivot during a "hero crime wave," perhaps tied to economic downturns or Quirk singularity pressures. His threat to Nagant highlights enforcement tactics: intimidation, gaslighting, and elimination. In a broader speculation, he could have influenced policies like the Provisional License Exam to weed out "unreliable" candidates, ensuring only compliant Heroes rose.
Legacy and Impact: The Rot That Lingers
The first President's death didn't end his influence; his successor, the Madam President, continued the cover-up, imprisoning Nagant to prevent leaks and grooming Hawks as a replacement. This perpetuated the cycle, leading to the HSPC's downfall during the Paranormal Liberation War, where Re-Destro's Double killed the Madam President amid the organization's hubris.
Speculatively, his legacy is the "dark side" Nagant lamented—a systemic corruption that eroded trust in heroes, fueling villains like Stain or Overhaul. His methods prefigured the series' exploration of gray morality: Izuku's empathy contrasts the President's detachment, while Hawks' conflicted optimism echoes Nagant's broken idealism. In the epilogue era (post-Final War, with Hawks as President pardoning Nagant), his shadow looms as a reminder of how good intentions pave hellish roads. Could unrevealed files expose more agents or scandals? Perhaps his influence indirectly empowered AFO by creating disillusioned figures ripe for recruitment.
In conclusion, the first HSPC President stands as a speculative emblem of institutional decay—a man who, in safeguarding society, became its quiet destroyer. His story warns that true heroism demands transparency and humanity, not shadows and sacrifices. While canon leaves him unnamed and undetailed, this analysis posits him as the architect of MHA's moral complexities, a villain in bureaucratic guise whose death by Nagant's hand symbolizes the inevitable backlash against unchecked power. If the series ever revisits his era in spin-offs, it could reveal even darker depths, but for now, he remains a chilling what-if in the annals of hero history.
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SUMMARY: The Flash Mission is in play as the operatives arrive at their destination and James Fraser and Claire Beauchamp seek their unsuspecting target … Jonathon Randall. Little does he know who his assailants are, and what lies in store for him from his captors.
Chapter 154 and all other chapters can be found at … https://sablelab.tumblr.com/covertoperations
*This can also be read on AO3, although not all chapters are posted there as yet.
THANK YOU all so much for your lovely “Welcome Back” messages. I was thrilled to bits to read your thoughtful wishes. I am very happy to be back and to continue Covert Operations. I hope you too will continue to enjoy reading each new chapter.
Kind Regards sablelab xox
CHAPTER 155
This Flash Mission was one that James Fraser had organised to run as smoothly and as quickly as possible in order to catch their target unawares and return to Section post haste. It was imperative that Jonathon Randall had no inclination that he was being targeted in any way, and was oblivious that Section One was indeed carrying out this offensive this very night at his home. Jamie had studied all the intel from John Grey and the surveillance operatives as to Randall’s personal residence in Aberdeen, and it was here that the operation would be carried out.
From the briefing session announcement, first team knew that their leader was planning a mission to capture Jonathon Randall but not that it would be a Flash Mission per se. These flash missions were run on a moment’s notice, and when they were informed they would be leaving Section earlier than first told, they knew that James Fraser thought this mission too important and urgent to wait any longer. Although he had planned this mission to the nth degree, the team members were not aware of the parameters of the profile until the last minute. Jamie had not given them their PDA’s as they passed through Van access, but the mission objective was handed to Rupert Mackenzie and Geillis Duncan and the others in the van enroute as they departed Section for their destination.
“Details are on yer panels,” Jamie announced as he handed his operatives and Team 2 their orders.
The operatives studied their mission objectives as they proceeded to the target area. The very nature of a Flash Mission was stealth, and as team leader Jamie had planned for all contingencies, for nothing could go wrong in carrying out their offensive this evening. Jonathon Randall would be captured and they would bring him back to Section One to face his fate.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In no time the mission van had reached its destination and parked near a sprawling mansion on the outskirts of Aberdeen. In the dead of the night the Section operatives unloaded in quick succession from the SUV at a discreet distance from the main house. No sooner had they stopped than the black clad operatives dressed in mission attire and balaclavas, which were pulled over their faces, blended into the environs like invisible ninjas. They approached the Randall estate surrounding the perimeter ready for the assault to contain and eliminate if necessary, as many of the associates of their target’s as possible. The dark grip of night had well descended with just the twinkling stars to brighten the night sky for illumination. Rupert Mackenzie cut a chain link fence to let the operatives through, then filing under, they took up positions under cover. Continuing to penetrate the estate, they blended so well into the darkness of night, camouflaged in the colour of darkness.
Some illumination was evident on all sides of the house except for the southern side, which was in shadows. Geillis Duncan and Rupert Mackenzie advanced in the moonlight, towards the house while other members of Team 2 followed with furtive scrambling under the wire fence until all Team members were in position. This Flash Mission was clandestine in nature and all operatives knew that failure was not an option. Although Murtagh Fitzgibbons had his own mission to prep, he had still issued them with special night vision goggles and state of the art silent laser weapons, which were quick, quiet and clean.
So, light of foot and moving with stealth around the perimeter, the operatives got into place. Joe Abernathy and his Team were lying in the grass with their guns at the ready, watching and waiting for any security guards to appear. Jamie’s team and Second Team had their profiles, and this time it was imperative that they were victorious in the capture of their target. The future of the mission depended on the successful execution without any casualty to any team member. Rupert Mackenzie and Geillis Duncan moved quietly to their marks, and assembled in the dark of night waiting in readiness for further orders while Abernathy alerted Jamie to this team’s status.
“Okay Fraser, we’re in place. All appears quiet. The perimeter’s clean here,” he stated.
“Stay alert in case we need back up.”
“Gotcha.”
Meanwhile, Jamie and Claire got out of the van and soundlessly approached the sprawling mansion. Blending into the night time surroundings, the two operatives moved swiftly but soundlessly towards the house. Stopping a few meters from the front door, Jamie alerted his team members as to their positions.
“Is the boundary clean in yer area?”
“Yes, Jamie. Nothing to report,” Geillis replied keeping a vigilant watch on her designated area.
“Mackenzie?”
“All clear here too.”
“Good. “Team one, plant ignition devices when ordered,” Jamie said affirming their instructions.
“Copy,” the two operatives reported as they began to move into position.
“Keep alert, this willna take long, I will give ye orders to ignite the incendiary devices when we have contained the target.”
“With pleasure,” was their unanimous reply as the two shadowy figures, of Geillis Duncan and Rupert Mackenzie, ran silently towards the house to carry out their orders and begin their sequence.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As James Fraser and Claire Beauchamp blended into the surroundings, he glanced at his partner before they proceeded any further. Jamie could tell by her body language that his Claire was a little edgy.
“Are ye alright Sassenach?” he asked softly running his eyes over her countenance.
“I'm fine Jamie. Just a little nervous at the thought of coming face to face with Randall once more.”
“Do ye want to step down?”
“No, I'll be fine ... Thanks.”
His hand lightly touched her arm in reassurance. You’ve got this Claire … We’ve got this … his eyes indicated in support as they once more edged closer to the house. The two operatives made their way to the front yard then stopped. Ever vigilant, Jamie cast a look around the perimeter where Team two were located, before he surreptitiously gave hand signals to Claire indicating their entry point at the front door and to move ahead.
“We'll go in here,” he gestured as he quickly scanned the door for any security devices he would need to disable, but he noticed that something was wrong.
There was no outward sign of any security system at the door, but that was no indication that there wasn’t one hidden in the lock or in the door frame itself. Jamie carefully ran his gloved hand all over the door panels, the doorknob and knocker. Feeling something amiss he signalled to Claire to keep alert, then contacted Fergus who was also keeping track of the proceedings in Tactical back at Section One.
“Okay Fergus, we may have a stumbling block.”
“Focus your infrared beam on the security light above the front entrance,” he directed.
Jamie did as instructed, and immediately Fergus saw Randall’s security plan of the residence pop up on his computer screen.
The young techie looked at the camera view and came back with instructions … “Do what I say…”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jamie opened his mission jacket to reveal a vest loaded with gadgets Murtagh had given him to detect anything hidden. Removing some type of sensor, he carefully ran it along the outer door frame and over other areas on the door. He stopped moving it when the device lit up indicating the location of an alarm of some sort. Holding the instrument over this position, he waited for directions from Fergus in how to fix the problem.
“Wait Jamie. The scanner will light up soon,” the computer techie announced.
So, he waited for the scanner in his hand to reveal the combination to disable the alarm and open the door. It didn’t take long until several serial numbers soon appeared enabling Jamie to disable the alarm system hidden under the door knocker itself. After discovering the number sequence, it only took a moment for the fortified door to open.
“Sensor circuit is closed. You're clear to enter,” Fergus announced happily as he watched Jamie disable the alarm.
He turned to Claire with a wry smile, knowing that soon their nemesis, Jonathon Randall would be in their custody.
“Got it,” he whispered with conviction to the technical Wizz back at Section.
“Excellent. Proceed inside to the main foyer,” was his next instruction.
Silently gesticulating to Claire, they both placed their night goggles on, drew their silencers and entered the premises like invisible thieves in the night. Once inside they soon disappeared into the shadows towards the area their IT specialist had indicated. The two operatives paused before continuing further into the house. They needed more intel on the number of people inside just in case Randall had security personnel scattered throughout the house or not.
“Fergus?”
“What is it Jamie?”
“How many inside?”
“I’m not seeing anything thus far. Proceed carefully.”
Meanwhile, outside the team members kept guard and followed orders. They surveyed the surroundings for any anomalies by keeping alert in order to deal with anything that would impact on the success of the mission or alert their target to the danger he was in.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
All was quiet inside the house, as they proceeded with stealth, except for the ticking of the Grandfather clock in the atrium. Light of foot, Jamie and Claire passed through the foyer into the loungeroom keeping a close watch on any irregularities now that they were inside the mansion.
“Any sign of Randall?” Jamie asked again with just a touch of bitterness in his voice. “What does your sat-thermo say?”
“Nothing yet,” Fergus replied as he studied the blueprints that defined Randall’s residence on his computer back at Section. However, he soon got back to Jamie with the intel they needed as to his location, for an image of a sleeping occupant appeared on his screen.
“Thermo is hot, but only in one room. It has to be Randall,” he reported convincingly.
“Do ye have confirmation where he is?” Jamie asked giving a nod to Claire to keep watch.
“Jonathon Randall’s bedroom is at the top of the flight of stairs to your left. There is a heat thermal in the first room Jamie. That is where you will find him. Randall is home alone. The other rooms are cold.”
“Thank ye.”
James Fraser and Claire Beauchamp quickly made their way towards the staircase that led to the second storey. Silently they ran up the stairs two at a time and down the corridor to where the bedrooms were located. Making their way to the site of their target, Jamie gave Claire a sideways glance as they paused outside Jonathon Randall’s bedroom door both holding their guns at the ready. He could see the determined glint in her eyes as they shared a moment of anticipation knowing that on the other side of this door, was the man who would soon be their captive.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jamie nodded to Claire of his intentions.
After a silent countdown between them, James Fraser lunged at the door and with one almighty kick, kicked it open forcing the door from its hinges. The wood splintered in all directions as they rushed into the room before Jonathon Randall realised what had happened. He woke up with a start at the noise of his room being smashed in, thinking that a bomb had exploded and that he was the target of an offensive by one of his enemies. How true was that thought, but he would never in a million years think that the two assailants, who had burst into his bedroom, were the very two people he had tortured with such heinous methods of suffering, more than any individual could endure, at the monastery.
He tried to reach for a weapon hidden under his pillow, but before he could move, Claire Beauchamp was standing on the bed holding her gun to his head. She cocked the trigger as Jonathon Randall looked around wondering who these two masked intruders could be.
“WHAT THE HELL!!!” he shouted indignantly. “WHO ARE YOU?!!” WHAT DO YOU WANT ?!!” he demanded trying to see who it was who had entered his bedroom so aggressively while he was sleeping.
However, it was difficult to see anything in the pitch-black room that he could distinguish as to their identity. His first thought was that they were two henchmen sent from the Black Panthers’ triad for payback for Samuel Li’s execution. That was the most logical assumption, but it could be anyone as he had made several enemies amongst the other triad groups as well. As he looked at the menacing duo, he began to have feelings of doom cross his mind, as these two masked intruders had him at his most vulnerable, and he was at their mercy. He was in a perilous situation, and one he had never been on the receiving end of before.
How was he ever going to get out of this situation? he thought in trepidation.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Neither Claire nor Jamie spoke.
They just forcibly grabbed Randall, hauling him from his bed and left the room, frog-marching him between the two of them. As they exited his bedroom, Jonathon could feel the cold hard metal of a gun pressed into his side and wondered where they would be taking him, and what, if anything, he could do to escape.
On the way back down the stairs, Jamie reached into his mission vest and pulled out one of Murtagh Fitzgibbon’s piece de resistance … a special self-combustible charge. He attached the hydrocarbon, chemical solvent covering plastique to the walls. The pyrophoric substance would ultimately cause detonation in a short time and ignite instantly upon exposure to the air. Hence it was imperative that they leave the house as quickly as possible, as it wasn’t long before the plastique burst into flames and the pungent smell of smoke was noticeable.
Acrid fumes teased his nostrils, and James Fraser couldn’t contain the look of glee that shone in his eyes, while his mouth curled at the irony of what had just happened.
It would be so ironical that what had happened to Jonathon Randall’s nightclub, The Triangle, would also happen to his private residence. In the morning, Section One investigators, would be able to search for clues in the rubble to the origin and cause of the fire by determining the original location of the blaze. Clues such as char patterns, and heat shadows would be their evidence to ascertain how the fire began when they gave their findings to law enforcement. Then, when all evidence was examined and analyzed, the Police would confirm that the cause of the fire was accidental. Carelessness would be the cause of Jonathon Randall’s demise, and would explain away his unfortunate death in the house inferno in the remaining smoking ruins. Obviously, this information would make for a sensational news broadcast presentation, thus alerting Sun Yee Lok and Karen Yee that the triad’s main henchman had been found dead in the ruins of his residence.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Back at Section, Fergus Claudel watched proceedings on his monitor as James Fraser and Claire Beauchamp exited the house with their target Jonathon Randall wedged between them.
“Yes!!! At long last you scumbag Randall!”
Fergus couldn’t contain his joy at the target’s apprehension. He whooped out loud, and gave a cynical smile that this terrorist would soon be their guest at Section One and would be thoroughly interrogated in the White Room. He was elated that Jamie and Claire had this villainous triad member in their custody. James Fraser would see that Jonathon Randall was shown some of his own medicine, peppered with the unique persuasive techniques only found in Section One.
The computer techie couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face. He reached into his desk draw for his hidden stash of Oreo cookies, and sat back in his chair. He placed his hands behind his head, a wry smile on his lips most satisfied at the outcome of this Flash Mission, and munched on his favourite snack.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Once outside the mansion, Jonathon Randall tried to make a move to escape from his captors, but Claire quickly pistol-whipped him on the back of the head with her gun. He stumbled forward as Jamie placed a hood over his head, and tied Randall’s hands behind his back while he was somewhat disorientated from the blow. This allowed Jamie and Claire to remain anonymous and to act with impunity. There was no way that James Fraser wanted their captive to realise who it was who had captured him just yet. That moment was reserved for a more fitting time.
Although Claire Beauchamp very much wanted to do more harm to their prisoner than she already had, she refrained from any further action. He would have his day of judgement in the White Room and that would be enough to satisfy her. Once he experienced the torture methods of Section’s Torture Twins, Madeline’s interrogation and Jamie himself, he would wish that he had indeed died in the house fire.
Jonathon Randall was unable to see where he was going and what was happening as he was led away. All he could hear was muffled voices he couldn’t make out, as someone ordered, “We have 90 seconds. Ignite charges.”
Unbeknownst to him, Rupert Mackenzie and Geillis Duncan were indeed igniting the strategic charges they had placed around the house. They soon burst into flames and very quickly leapt up the sides of the walls.
“Move out! Let's go!” was their next command. “You've got 30 seconds.”
As the operatives ran to the van, several loud bangs and the sound of shattering glass exploding, filled the silence of the night. Jonathon Randall, although groggy from the blow to his head, was now aware that he may be in extreme danger from whomever these assailants were. He knew that the Black Panthers mode of operandi was firebombing, and this payback from the triad for Samuel Li’s death would mean that he was indeed in dire straits with no way of being able to contact the Rising Dragons as to his predicament. Suddenly, he felt an awful sense of fatality wash over him with thoughts of the repercussions he would incur for what he had done to their leader. Torture and suffering were easier to give than to be on the receiving end of. He was a master at torturing others, he knew the most horrendous form of torment and agony one could inflict on a suspect, but he never feared that one day, he himself would be on the receiving end of triad retribution.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jonathon Randall began to shake and he felt a cold sweat inhabit his whole body. His skin felt clammy and very cold. The palms of his hands, underarms, and feet all felt as though he had been dragged through a primitive water torture session. His stress and anxiety levels had risen exponentially, and his heart was palpitating with the idea of his imminent demise at the hands of the rival triad group. When he was forcibly placed inside some sort of vehicle, he felt a panic attack wash over him which only exacerbated his fear of the unknown. Triads sought vengeance when one of their own was eliminated. This is what he feared the most from the Black Panthers, for he had firsthand knowledge of a triad’s method of torture.
“Where are you taking me?” he demanded with a bravado he was far from feeling.
The thought of concrete boots and being thrown into the South China Sea, or being buried alive or even death by a thousand swords, formed in his mind’s eye and he could do nothing about it. He was tied, blindfolded by the hood covering his head and constrained, so escape was out of the question. Whatever could he do when it all seemed so hopeless? Perhaps this capture was to be his end?
Jonathon Randall took a deep breath trying to console himself to his plight. He was not dead yet, so perhaps there may be a way to escape, or overpower these assailants if a chance arose. That was all he had in a way of positivity for escape, for little did he really know what awaited him at Section One.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Once everyone was safely seated in the Mission van, it drove off back to Section One with their captive target in hand. Taking off their night vision goggles, Claire looked over towards Jamie. He didn’t need to speak; his thoughts were written all over his face. Their nemesis was now their captive, and she knew that Jonathon Randall would be the recipient of all the vengeance he deserved, and in no better place to receive it than in the White Room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~to be continued next Friday 19th February
SYNOPSIS: Their days in paradise have been wonderful, blissfully happy and therapeutic for both Jamie and especially Claire who has finally recovered from her nightmares. Today, Jamie has planned a day of special surprises for his Sassenach, although she is very surprised at their mode of transportation as they set off on a day of carefree adventure.
Chapter 138 and all other chapters can be found at … https://sablelab.tumblr.com/covertoperations
THANK YOU all so much for your continued support of this novel of a story. I really appreciate everyone who is reading along. I hope you will enjoy these next four chapters as I take Jamie and Claire to idyllic places in the Whitsunday Islands.
CHAPTER 139
The lovers had fallen asleep in each other’s arms like they had every night spent here at Jamie’s home since they had arrived in Australia. Every day had been idyllic, they’d been bushwalking, lazing on their private beach, had watched the sunsets and sunrises and had made love in nearly every room of the house over the course of the past week or so. Memorable days and nights spent in each other’s company had been like a honeymoon. Since being here in Queensland, Jamie and Claire had idled away the time spent together and couldn’t have been happier or more in love for it had been blissfully romantic and carefree in this paradise so far away from Section One.
The two operatives were off the grid and absolutely uncontactable by Madeline and Operations. Their friend Murtagh, was the only one entrusted with where they were going and Jamie had let him know categorically that under no circumstances was he to contact them or let anyone know they had left Hong Kong. If Murtagh valued his life, and their friendship, then he would leave them in peace to enjoy their much-needed downtime to recover.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
James Fraser looked down at his Claire in calm repose. He had lost count of the number of days that he’d awoken with her nestled contentedly in his arms, and he loved that their intimacy made his beloved feel safe and protected. Thankfully her nightmares had dissipated and his Sassenach had slept more soundly and peacefully over the past few nights, free from her past recollections. All the bad memories of the monastery and the demons that had tormented her dreams had gone, and she’d not had any more nightmares take hold of her mind.
Sighing, Jamie ran his hand over Claire’s tousled locks and brushed a curl away from her cheek before kissing the top of her head. Smiling happily, he then kissed the side of her face inhaling the special scent of his love that filled his nostrils when he buried his face into the curve of her neck. He loved the smooth feel of her skin, but he loved it more when Claire arched her throat up for him to run kisses along the length of her swan like neck which led to the sensual foreplay that ultimately resulted in their lovemaking.
Life here in this paradise had been everything and more than they could have hoped for, but the fact that the days were speeding by, filled him with great sorrow. If only things could be different at Section and they were not under such scrutiny, then they could still perform their duties as operatives but have a life together. This time here had been a cathartic experience. He wanted their lives to always be intertwined in the same way their bodies had been for the last few days intimately and in peace. However, the leadership of Section did not allow fraternization between functioning field operatives and until such time as this changed then they would have to be clandestine in their familiarity and togetherness.
It made him furious that they would once again have to return to the hellhole that was Section One after their two weeks, that they would have to pretend in front of their superiors that there was no romantic relationship between the two of them and that he would have to be careful not to show any emotion around the woman he loved. However, looking down at the angel of his heart, he had a moment of clarification. He was no longer the same person he had been for several years. Although he was still a cold, Level 5 field operative, he had changed emotionally. Claire Beauchamp had changed him for the better. She had made him more human and made him realise that he was worthy of being loved and giving love in return.
Shaking this malaise from his mind, Jamie looked down at his Sassenach’s peaceful, sleeping form nestled safely against his body. He placed a gentle kiss against her cheek, then pulled Claire in closer by wrapping his arms around her and rested his head against hers.
He loved this woman with all his heart and he would do everything in his power for them to be together once the Rising Dragons’ mission was over. He had promised her that he would find a way and he was going to keep that promise. This downtime was more than just for them to heal and recuperate. It was a time of honesty, of no regrets and a time for them to treasure every special moment spent together.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As she began to wake, Claire felt the touch of her lover’s kiss as Jamie brushed his lips over her porcelain skin once more. She stirred against him automatically nuzzling closer against his warm chest. Although still half asleep, she felt the tickling brush of Jamie’s growing beard against her flesh. It was so erotic that Claire stirred a little more before wriggling a little closer. She let out a keening whimper as he teased her throat with his tongue before brushing his lips up under her chin.
“Mmmm … That feels so good Fraser,” she moaned as her eyes began to flutter in that moment just before they opened.
Hearing her moan, Jamie stroked Claire’s temple and kissed the top of her head as his fingers lazily stroked her delicate skin up and down.
"Ja-mie," she whispered softly.
The sound of his name on her lips spoken so breathlessly thrilled him. If she continued to say his name like that though, they may never get out of bed and he had special plans for them today that Claire would not think him capable of doing. He kissed her hair once again then trailed kisses along her cheek as his love raised her head to look into his eyes.
Their lips gently connected. "Good morning mo ghràidh," he purred in his sexy Scottish burr and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “I could watch you for hours, Sassenach... see how you've changed ... how you're the same. Your hair... Mo nighean donn.”
“My brown-haired lass,” Claire uttered softly, the words lingering on her lips like a gentle caress from her man. She smiled at him, then leaning up, placed her lips to his whispering against them, " Good morning lover. So, what are we going to do today?"
Grinning at her with a gleam in his eye, Jamie lightly rubbed her cheek and stroked his fingers under her jaw. "Tis another surprise Sassenach.”
Claire was enthralled looking at him with a penetrating stare as she wondered what this wonderful man had in store for them today. She smiled back at him. "Hmmm? I wonder what you have in mind this time James Fraser?”
A smile beamed across his face waiting for her response to what he was going to say. “I was thinking we could go sailing the Whitsundays today.”
She was a little shocked at this announcement given that Jamie and the sea often didn’t see eye to eye and he was prone to getting sea sick. Tilting her head back to see his eyes more clearly, Claire soon realised that he was indeed serious with his suggestion.
A wry smile and a surprised raised eyebrow greeted his announcement. “Sailing? … But don’t you get seasick Jamie?”
“Don’t worry Sassenach. Everything will be fine. It will be smooth sailing … I promise.”
Seeing the sheer joy on his face at this suggestion Claire couldn’t help but smile too. “Well then … a day on the ocean sounds wonderful. I would like that very much.”
“Good,” he replied then leaning down Jamie gently kissed her lips while tracing a finger down her neck, but he stopped himself before it went further. “Well then, as much as I hate to say this … but we best get up. Time and tide wait for no man ye ken.”
"Okay," she nodded in agreeance with his plan although with some skepticism but wonder in her voice.
Giving Claire a cheeky little pat on the backside, Jamie grinned at her and wriggled his eyebrows. "Come on then Sassenach. Let’s get this day started."
She laughed and squatted his hand away before responding with a kiss of her own. “You’ll keep Fraser,” and rolling away from each other they got out of bed ready for a day of adventure.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Holding hands Jamie and Claire walked along the docks of the private marina admiring the rows of sailboats and yachts moored there until they stopped at a sleek, beautiful white yacht with a gold stripe along the side of it. However, it wasn’t the boat’s stunning design that caught her attention but the cursive writing printed in gold on the rear of the boat, ‘Je Suis Prest.’
Claire approached the yacht admiring the gold lettering on the stern and side of the boat unaware of what significance the name held for James Fraser. Turning around she looked at him inquisitively.
“What a beautiful yacht Jamie. Is this our hire boat for sailing today? Are you going to sail it or do we need a skipper? The name is intriguing … Je Suis Prest … I wonder what that means?”
He gave her a tender kiss on the mouth and with a smile on his lips replied, “Ye do ask a lot of questions Sassenach.”
“I’m just a little gobsmacked by this beautiful yacht Jamie. I can hardly believe this is for us.”
“Well it ‘tis. I believe that the yacht belongs to a Jared Fraser who is in France on business. He rents it out when not in Australia,” Jamie said standing in front of the beautiful, very big, yacht with the Fraser maxim emblazoned on the back.
“What? … No! It belongs to someone named Fraser? Jesus H Roosevelt Christ! What a coincidence he has the same name as you.” Claire replied in astonishment dropping her beach bag on the dock laughing and realising that Jamie had answered one of her questions. She cast another look at the sleek vessel moored at the dock with new eyes. “Je Suis Prest,” she muttered under her breath.
“Do you know what that means Sassenach?” he whispered in her ear as he came and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Do ye know the Fraser motto, lass? My clan's, I mean?
“No. I don't.”
“’Tis my family motto Sassenach from my other life before Section. Je suis prest … I am ready.”
“Je Suis Prest,” Claire muttered under her breath. Her eyes were sparkling with the thought the Jamie had given her another little piece of himself that he’d hidden all these years in Section. She smiled beguilingly at him.
James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser, Section One’s incomparable Level 5 operative was always ready for anything that may occur at Section. From dealing with the machinations of their superiors, to what happened on missions, to the life and death decisions he faced on a regular basis, this man was always ready. That is why he stayed alive and his team always returned safely. Jamie lived this family motto every day.
“I’m ready too Fraser… “she teased, “… ready for our sailing adventure today.” However, Claire’s face altered when she looked at him with some apprehension knowing that Jamie was not the best sea person. “But, are you really sure you will you be okay?”
Jamie saw the look that came over her face knowing how the sea affected him. Taking her hand, he smiled at his love reassuring her that he would be okay. “I only get seasick on ocean voyages mo nighean donn. Sailing in the Whitsundays is calm like a millpond and the region is one of the world’s safest boating destinations Claire.”
He raised her hand to his lips and placed a kiss to her knuckles. “It’s sheltered from ocean swell by the Great Barrier Reef, and the numerous islands provide calm and completely protected natural anchorages. That is the amount of swell I can tolerate. I’ll be fine Sassenach, but I do have some acupuncture needles just in case,” he teased with a twinkle in his eye.
She smiled relieved that he would be okay. “That’s good to know. So, are you going to tell me what we’re going to do then?”
Jamie just shook his head and grinned. “No. ‘Tis a surprise…,” he responded amused at the irritation furrowing her features. “… and I know just how much ye love surprises Sassenach.”
“But Jamie …”
He looked at her beseeching face and capitulated a little without telling her he had planned to also sail to Whitehaven Beach for a picnic. “Okay … I thought we might head over to the outer reef for some snorkelling. Would ye like that Claire?”
“Yes, I would like that very much.”
Her skin itched with excitement at the thought of sailing today with Jamie at the helm of this magnificent yacht. The thought of the cool sea breezes crashing over her and the stunning sea views, not to mention the virile man she was with, filled her with excitement for what the day may hold. Wherever the wind would take them on today’s adventure she just knew it was going to be memorable.
“Aye, Aye Captain.”
“Well then, welcome aboard sailor.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Holding Jamie’s outstretched hand, Claire managed to step onto the edge of the yacht and climbed onto the deck. Once onboard, she took a moment to admire the yacht from the lovely teak wooden deck to the cushioned benches curving on both the port and starboard sides of the saloon to the spacious cockpit where a huge steering wheel dominated the space. It was a beautifully maintained yacht and she was so excited to be going on this sailing adventure with Jamie at the wheel.
In next to no time after placing their supplies for the day on board, Jamie hoisted the mainsail that would capture the bulk of the wind power necessary to propel the yacht and if needs be, he could use the motors as a backup should the wind fail. He secured the vertical side of the sail to the mast, and its horizontal side to the boom parallel to the deck. Jamie then made his way to the cockpit to ready them for sailing while Claire walked over to the side of the boat and leaned over the metal railings, staring out into the crystal blue water wondering what adventures awaited them today. She took in the clear blue skies, the warming sunshine and shimmering ocean waves. Lost in thought she didn’t hear Jamie come and stand beside her.
He grinned at her and taking her hand led her into the cockpit and started the engine. “Ready Sassenach?”
“Always,” she replied a wistful smile gracing her lips.
For Claire, watching Jamie concentrate on reversing the yacht safely out of its moored area at the marina as they headed out into the ocean was as mesmerizing as it had been watching him manoeuvre their car on the journey when they had left Med Lab.
James Fraser never ceased to amaze her every single day, and this too was a new piece of information about the man she loved that filled her heart to bursting. He was a consummate, virile specimen of manhood and her eyes glided over his torso from head to toe, before lingering on his arms as she admired his prowess at the yacht’s helm. The fact that just the thought of what his body and arms could do to her, and oh, sweet Jesus … his hands … was enough to make her cheeks blush with wickedly delicious thoughts.
Claire knew that she needed to curtail these wayward feelings or they just might get her into trouble, but that had never bothered her before, and besides she felt a little flirty. Moving up behind Jamie, she hugged her man pulling him against her. She placed her hands over his as he steered the yacht out into the open seas, then, resting her head on his shoulder, Claire sighed contentedly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
They had soon left the yacht marina behind them and it seemed as if they were the only ones in the vast sea. The weather was perfect for sailing with a warm breeze and only a few clouds in the vibrant blue sky. There was something rather magical about going where the wind took you. The cares and stresses of their everyday life as cold-blooded killer operatives had ebbed away since they had been here, and the present became everything for them. Briny air, azure blue swells, and a wind that carried them to whatever destination Jamie was taking them to in this picturesque setting, was all that mattered. It was freeing and liberating for the mind and the fact that Claire had banished all of her nightmares from her consciousness, she had relished being in paradise as much as he had.
The sails now flapped in the wind as the waves gently rocked the boat and the salt and brine smell of the ocean filled their nostrils. What a majestic place this was for them. They were completely unplugged and disconnected from the rest of the world, but completely connected with each other and their surroundings. Over the past week, the Whitsundays already had won their hearts and the fact that they were navigating new waters ... learning so much, working together as well as re-anchoring together through these wonderful moments, was everything. It was so different from their life in Section. The fact that they were having this incredible adventure, in one of the most beautiful locations in the world, immersed in nature, free and away from everything, with an element of learning and having to work at something as a team was really special.
This day was already turning into something unforgettable as Jamie and Claire talked about nothing and everything as they sailed along. The waters were the most beautiful azure blue she had ever seen while both of them were awestruck by the beauty of the sea. They were in the middle of the ocean, away from civilization, from their life at Section One and more importantly those who scrutinized their every move. There was just the two of them surrounded by the beauty of this part of the world. This was a place that had always been on Claire’s bucket list prior to her recruitment to Section One, but one she had never had the opportunity to visit. The dichotomy of being here to being in Section was worlds apart. It was as different as night and day. Just being with Jamie made her felt free and alive as never before, compared to their hellhole where you never, ever knew if you would live or die on any particular day. This day had already started out magical and Claire knew that whatever the rest of the day would bring, that to share it with the love of her life was all that she could want.
The yacht smoothly cut through the tranquil seas as Jamie skippered the vessel towards their first destination. He observed how happy and relaxed his Sassenach was and how very much he too was enjoying this sailing trip. His stomach had managed to behave, and not once had he felt even a tiny tinge of seasickness. He was so looking forward to seeing Claire’s face when they arrived at the outer reef for some snorkelling amongst the coral and underwater sea life. It was then on to Whitehaven Beach to spend the day, swimming or paddle boarding off the yacht and perhaps watching the sun set from the water, drinking plenty of wine and whisky on a beach picnic, before returning home under the shimmering night skies. It would be a day of living life to the full and enjoying each other’s company in the serenity of this beautiful area. Although he’d planned some things they would do, it was the joyful spontaneity of those unexpected moments Jamie knew would happen with his Sassenach, that they would remember and hold dear to their hearts.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Life for Jamie and Claire over this past week and a bit had been magical. They were somewhere that let them see the stars at night, somewhere away from their previous life where missions, End Games, covert operations, subterfuge and manipulation ruled their lives. They’d had the opportunity to connect with each other in a way that they were rarely able to do and they had relished their connectedness. It had been cathartic and exhilarating for both of them. Their wounds had healed and they were both in a good place and frame of mind that when they did have to return to Section, they were ready for whatever fate may hold for them.
Claire couldn’t pinpoint what it was that made this place and the Whitsundays so special.
Was it the beautiful blue water, always a pleasant temperature so that they could swim whenever they pleased? Was it the incredible islands, dotted not far from the shore? Some were home to sophisticated resorts while others, uninhabited, were filled with mystery. Was it the tropical weather or the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and fringing reef, home to an endless range of marine life? Or was it just that they got to appreciate and wonder at this special environment every day they were here?
Perhaps it was a combination of these things that made the Whitsundays a truly special place and one she would always remember. After all it was the place that Jamie had chosen to take her to recuperate and forget all that had happened to the both of them at the monastery and for that she would be forever grateful.
She was so relaxed and comfortable around Jamie here. She had let her guard down but so too had he. He had a way of making her laugh, and conversation with him was so easy. His all too familiar touch had taken her to places of exhilaration and ecstasy when they had both surrendered to the joys of making love so freely and without inhibition. Together they could conquer the world, for James Fraser was her rock. He was her everything and she loved him to distraction.
A hand suddenly reached for her waist as the man of her thoughts came and stood beside her. Claire leaned in close to Jamie as his arms encircled her waist and brought her to his side. Taking her hand in his, he guided it towards a new spectacular sight. Claire’s voice was filled with joy and wonder as he pointed out another spectacular sight … an island, a bird and a pod of dolphins surfacing from the ocean. They both laughed as they watched the friendly and playful sea mammals frolic in the water so close to the yacht.
“Happy Sassenach?”
Her delight was infectious. “Very … Oh Jamie, this is the most wonderful day.”
“’Tis only just beginning mo ghràidh,” he assured her with a mysterious gleam in his eye.
“I didn’t think it could get any better than sailing with you my love.”
“Well it just might ye ken, because we have reached the outer reef and I thought ye might like to go snorkelling and see some of the marine life.”
“Oh …” Claire replied excitedly unable to suppress the smile that crossed her mouth.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~to be continued Tuesday 18th August when we see what wonders are in store beneath the waters of the reef.
SYNOPSIS: Jamie and Claire’s night of passion is the beginning of their healing but during the night Claire is woken by memories of her incarceration.
Chapter 132(NSFW) and all other chapters can be found at …https://sablelab.tumblr.com/covertoperations. This story is not on Ao3.
THANK YOU all so much for supporting this story. I am very grateful to each and every one of you.
Also, if I could make a suggestion. You may like to reread the four chapters … Chapter 130(S) , Chapter 131(S) , Chapter 132(NSFW) and this chapter … one after the other. You will then get the whole picture as to why these chapters are so important to Jamie and Claire’s healing.
CHAPTER 133
Softly Jamie kissed her lips once again and they closed their eyes. In no time, they had both succumbed to an exhaustive but satisfied slumber with all thoughts of Jonathon Randall and the monastery at the further recesses of Claire’s mind.
Or so he thought.
Although Claire lay sleeping beside her love, it was a restless, anxious sleep. The slender fingers of her hands lay clenched, one near her face and one on her lower abdomen. Her mind seemed to have taken control of her subconscious as vividly realistic images from the monastery began to rattle her. Suddenly she began to twitch in her sleep while her brows furrowed in distress. As disturbing, dark thoughts entered into Claire’s mind, she began to shake her head from side to side on the pillow. Her eyelids began to flutter rapidly while her heart was pounding incessantly in her chest. Horrific fear began to consume her thoughts. She cried out in anguish.
“Jamie!!!!!!”
In the silence of the night the sound of his name uttered with such raw, guttural terror woke James Fraser up with a start. He blinked his eyes but was immediately aware of the woman lying beside him as she restlessly tossed and turned in their bed. They had fallen asleep in each other’s arms but he knew that his Claire was now having a bad dream. He turned his head towards her sleeping form and watched as she struggled against invisible demons in her mind and his heart broke a bit more for all that she had suffered at the monastery. Jamie saw the agitated movements and the sweat on her brow as she thrashed about. Whatever it was she was fighting against seemed very real to her. A gamut of anguished emotions crossed her face as her head obviously filled with horrifying images.
Her hands flailed wildly about. Extremely agitated Claire lashed out blindly hitting Jamie in the process. She squirmed like an eel in his arms, then rolled over him, wriggling and biting.
“Go to hell ... you bastard!!!” she screamed out in defiant anger.
Firmly grasping her hands in his, Jamie held them in a firm but gentle grip so as not to alarm her and lowered them to the bed. Claire was obviously having a nightmare about her torture at the hands of Jonathon Randall. She had endured more than she should have and when he’d found her the evidence of the triad’s methods of pain and suffering had been gut wrenching. Jamie leaned over and could feel the sweat cooling on her heated skin. Placing his hand to her chest he felt her heart racing madly. His Sassenach’s face was damp with tears and he watched as they trickled down her cheeks.
“What do you want from us?” she yelled as another image obviously formulated in her tortured mind.
For a moment, two moments, Jamie struggled, trying to hold Claire close and kiss her tenderly. He’d thought to ease her, both of them, with the wine at dinner. He’d known she lost all sense of restraint when in drink; and with their explosive lovemaking he thought that his Sassenach had turned a corner … but obviously not, for demons still ruled her mind. He simply hadn’t realized what she was retaining he thought grimly, trying to seize his love without hurting her. Carefully, Jamie brushed the salty drops of tears away with his lips pulling Claire lovingly into his arms. This seemed to calm her a little and her movements stilled as she moved and nestled into the crook of his arm. Gently his hand stroked her head brushing her tangled tresses from her face.
“Ssshhh! Mo ghràidh,” he whispered tenderly against her ear just before placing a light kiss there.
His lips moved down her cheek placing soothing kisses to her fevered skin. Jamie’s calming cadence continued as he tried to soothe her agitation and distress. He knew full well the kinds of demons that walked the dark spaces between her dreams for he too had fallen prey to their insidious pull. He had fought them off and he would help his love to do the same. His voice was gentle and calm as he tried to placate the horror thoughts crossing her mind.
“Dinna be scairt Sassenach. Yer safe a nighean. I’ve got ye.”
“No!!!”
“Sleep now ... everything is okay... ‘twas just a bad dream mo nighean donn.”
Claire’s lips parted suddenly in a quick intake of breath. “Jamie?”
He watched her face intently. Could he reach out for her battered soul and bring it back to the light?
Wanting to allay her torturous thoughts, Jamie held his love’s body more tightly to his, while protectively enclosing her in the warmth of his embrace. He could feel the sweat cooling on Claire’s heated skin, as her heart raced madly in her chest. Her face was a little wet with tears, and ever so gently he stroked those tears away. Cradling her tenderly in his arms, his comforting words washed over her as his arms enfolded her against his chest. He lovingly trailed his hands down her body soothing away the hurt of these images that had taken control of her mind. He also gently stroked Claire’s head by running his fingers though her hair at her nape to calm her agitation. She snuggled closer to the man she loved as he pacified her movements while her thoughts consumed her psyche. As he held her, he whispered endearing words into her ear to placate the savage beast and kissed her fevered brow.
Claire sighed in her sleep. Eventually sensing Jamie’s concern, she responded to his touch and the sound of his voice as she roused a little from her restless slumber. She called his name quietly, “Jamie?”
“Ssshhh!” he whispered into the night, his soft voice washing over her like a soothing balm to her senses. “It's alright Claire. You're safe."
At the sound of his voice, reality returned in full, washing away the last traces of the nightmare. Her eyelids fluttered as she nestled a little closer turning her sleepy eyes towards her lover’s hypnotic voice. Opening her eyes, Claire stared up at the man in whose arms she felt safe. Tears welled up in her eyes once again when she saw the concerned but loving face of her avenging angel.
“Dinna cry mo nighean donn. No, shhh.”
The gentle cadence of his voice washed over her with soothing strokes. “The mind just takes a little longer to heal than the body Sassenach. But you're strong, mo ghràidh.” He paused, lightly pressing his hand to her cheek as his thumb nonchalantly stroked across her cheek. “Dinna be afraid. Let yerself remember ... the dreams will stop and I’ll be here to catch ye.”
A heartbreaking sob tore from her throat as tears welled in her eyes. “Jamie … I’m sorry ... This is all my fault.”
“No … no … ‘tis not my love,” he answered softly sensing her guilt-ridden regrets. “Dinna ye dare be sorry Sassenach. I willna have it, d’ye hear?”
Tightening his arms around her, Jamie hugged her body firmly to his own. He could tell by the tremulous quaver in Claire’s voice that her mind had relieved all that had happened to them at the monastery.
Her anxiety and stress levels had been heightened by her experience and it was only natural that his Sassenach would find it difficult to banish these thoughts from her subconscious mind. The trauma of these upsetting events would test the strongest of individuals and although his Claire was strong, she was also vulnerable. It was little wonder that Jonathon Randall had had such an impact on her psyche, but with his love they had the chance to put the past behind them. He knew that his Claire would survive because together they would write a different ending to what was causing her nightmares.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Safe in Jamie’s comforting arms, Claire closed her eyes as his calming and reassuring words washed over her. However, when she opened them and raised her eyes to look at him, she found her love cradling her so tenderly that she couldn’t stop gazing into Jamie’s blue eyes.
“I survived,” she stated categorically with conviction with just a tiny hint of a smile.
Jamie’s breath caught in his throat while his eyes were focused on his brave Sassenach. “We both did my love and those who are responsible will be punished. Ye have mae word.”
“Jamie?” she whispered again.
“Aye? Are ye hurting? D’ye need me to get …”
She gave him a tentative smile. “No. I’m okay.”
However, he was not okay. Thoughts of what his Sassenach at endured again flashed through his mind. He needed to be gentle. Very gentle. She was broken; he must go canny, take his time and be very careful in gluing back her shattered bits. Her bruises had begun to heal but there were still faint traces on her porcelain skin of the evidence of her torture. Rage consumed him. Anguish for what had happened to his beautiful Claire tormented him. He wanted to kill someone. He wanted to hurt Jonathon Randall as much as he had hurt his Claire and then he wanted to kill him with his bare hands. The irreversible damage he had done to his love’s psyche would remain with her for a long time but with his love he hoped that together they would heal and recover. Claire was a strong woman she would not let this torture experience beat her. She was a survivor and for that he loved her even more.
If it was the last thing that he did he would see that his Claire would not suffer one moment more of her torturous thoughts. Her body had begun to heal but what had come to pass was still very raw to her. Although he thought she was recovering, he now knew that it would take a little longer for Claire’s mind to erase those horrendous memories of incarceration. Last night had certainly been a start but obviously his Sassenach was still suffering, but he would help her get through this. He would help her rid her mind of those thoughts. His love was more broken than he realised but here in this paradise he would do everything in his power to let her heal completely and to make his Sassenach whole again. Remembering those times and confronting her fears was a good thing.
When next they made love, gentleness would be his weapon in helping her realise that the violence she had suffered would not discern who she was. Claire needed to face her demons to be able to let them go and then together they would dispel the atrocities through his love and devotion. Letting go would not be easy but when she did her nightmares would stop. Not a day would go by than he would miss an opportunity to reconfirm how precious she was to him and that they would have recompense for what had taken place at the hands of Jonathon Randall and the Rising Dragons.
But first he wanted to hold her in his arms forever and keep her safe.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
With his face so close to hers that his words caressed her skin like thistledown, James Fraser gathered his woman up into his embrace speaking softly and kissing her between each statement, "I’m here … Ye're safe … Nothing will harm ye as long as I’m with ye … Go back tae sleep Sassenach."
Claire closed her eyes as Jamie kissed her brow, her eyelids and cheeks. She whispered his name as tender kisses anointed her face over and over again.
“Things will be better in the morning. Sleep a bit. You're worn out my love,” he murmured against her ear.
Eventually his evocative caresses lulled her senses causing Claire to drift back into a peaceful sleep but not before her arm tightened around Jamie’s torso. He felt her steady breathing on his neck, however, sleep evaded him. He stared up at the ceiling for quite a while, his heart gripped with the enormity of the task of restoring his Sassenach’s spirit after such abhorrence. Brushing away a few wayward strands of her hair from her forehead he drew his love more comfortably into his arms hoping that the remainder of the night passed without her nightmares returning. He studied her face now calm in repose and knew that he would not rest until his Claire was avenged. That was his solemn vow.
Closing his eyes, he waited for sleep to come but it did not. Instead Jamie softly cried, a tearless, soundless wail that lay heavy on his heart for his beautiful Sassenach. His muscles strained to achieve that he might not shake with it, that Claire might not wake and know it. His only comfort was the small, so fragile weight that lay warm upon his heart, breathing steadily. He pushed the building rage for Jonathon Randall away from his thoughts, for he knew that Claire would feel his abhorrence for the man with any tenseness in his body if he didn’t. He certainly didn’t want his love to feel anything other than the calm, soothing caress of his body next to hers. His arms were a safe haven and for the next fourteen days he would see only to her needs in order for his love to heal. He would bide his time until they met again, as they would, then he would summon his wrath again but for now he would only focus on his Claire.
Eventually when he did finally succumb to tiredness James Fraser fell back into a troubled sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In the early light of the morning’s rays, Claire awoke and dreamily stretched her limbs so satisfied and in love with the man beside her that it was impossible to feel any happier. Subconsciously she’d repressed memories of her nightmare, and consequently she had no recollection of her bad dreams during the night. Only the vivid pictures of their lovemaking so profound, so beautiful, so soulful, formed a tapestry of images in her head of what had happened between them. Last night had been utterly incredible. Sexual healing was crucial to them finding themselves and was the road back to recovery for both of them. Healing of the mind, body and soul would be their catharsis and this tranquil oasis was what they needed to achieve that.
Turning her gaze towards the man of her thoughts, Claire studied the beautiful human lying next to her and let her eyes do the caressing. From his steady breathing and rise and fall of his chest, to the twitching of his eyelids, she took in every aspect of Jamie’s softened features in repose. Both of them had been through an indescribable trauma in Hong Kong but here in this place of tranquillity, she knew that they would both recover with each other’s help. Her eyes devoured the chiselled contours of his face, especially his whisker roughed jaw, the adorable cleft of his chin to the riotous mass of auburn curls on his head.
Moving closer she touched her finger to his mouth.
James Fraser was a conjurer. She loved everything about his kisses ... the gentle brush of his lips against hers, the teasing, playful games they played and the delirious passionate kisses that took her breath away. Just thinking about what this man did to her senses with his caresses made her want to wake him and experience those kisses again and again. But most of all she loved the cat and mouse games they played when his lips connected then pulled back ... teasing and cajoling a response from her in tit for tat. She was receptive to whatever Jamie wanted to do. It was as if she was entranced by the magic ... the pull of his desire coupled with the caress of eyes that slid over her lips with intent. All of these things made her toes curl. They were curling now.
They had made love into the wee small hours of the morning while their insatiable longing for each other had totally fatigued them both. Except it was never, ever enough. Adoring eyes traversed James Fraser from head to toe in appraisal as he lay in a deep slumber, but it was the sweet smile on his lips as he slept that melted her heart. Just being able to observe him without him knowing made her smile as well. This was a man who had moved heaven and earth to find her, he’d been tortured and shot, he’d risked his own life over and over again for her, and if they had died in that gas chamber, then she could ask no more than to die together.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jamie had always put her welfare ahead of his own but as she studied him, Claire could see that he was exhausted. It had been a long journey to Australia, and he was still recovering from his operation. She suddenly felt a pang of guilt that he may have aggravated his wound last night although not once had he complained that it was hurting. However, regardless of what Jamie had said, the energy spent during their lovemaking must have taken its toll on him for it was so unlike him to remain asleep this long. Her hands itched to caress his skin, but she knew this would awaken him and though it was excruciatingly difficult, she resisted the temptation to do so. But it was his mouth, a mouth she longed to reconnect with, that held her mesmerised.
Her own lips were swollen from the powerful flurry of kisses they’d shared last night, and she gingerly traced her fingertip over her bruised lips in remembrance. A raw need for this man once again rushed through her veins, but she didn’t want to wake him although he was oh so tempting. Nevertheless, she still lowered her mouth and ever so gently pressed her lips to his delicately tasting his bottom lip. Jamie stirred. Her mouth trembled at the gentle connection and Claire felt them respond somewhat to her caress. However, fearful of awakening him she reluctantly broke away. Her eyes then travelled down the column of his throat before resting on the dressing covering his wound.
She wondered if it hurt. After all the exertion of last night it must surely ache terribly this morning, she thought. Gingerly she lowered her mouth to the spot and again placed her healing caress to his injury.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jamie moved beneath the covers and when Claire pulled back, she was captured by the mesmerizing gaze of her lover studying her. His eyes swept the features of her face so lovingly that she was unable to look away. Little did she know, but Jamie was looking to see if she had remembered her bad dreams from last night. Claire in turn smiled at him as if she had a special secret that she might or might not share with him. She seemed as if last night’s nightmares didn’t even exist. His eyes lingered on her beckoning mouth and the tongue tip just peeking through her lips cheekily that begged to be caressed.
Hence, judging by his Sassenach’s demeanour, it was obvious that the frightening thoughts were buried deep in her subconscious.
Reaching out for his hand, Claire lovingly interlaced their fingers giving them a gentle squeeze. She smiled; her eyes lingering on his sensuous mouth.
“Good morning,” she said in a whispered voice.
Never taking his eyes from her face, Jamie brought their joined fingertips to his mouth and intimately kissed her fingers. Releasing her hand, he traced his love’s petal soft lips before closing the distance between them with a chaste caress.
“Good morning a leannan.”
Smiling she traced her fingertips along Jamie’s powerful jaw feeling the bristly stubble on his chin which tickled the pads of her fingertips. “I can’t believe that we're really here in another country,” she whispered with wonder in her voice.
In reply, Jamie rubbed his chin up and down her palm. Overcome with the erotic sensation of the rough hairs pressed into her hand, Claire mewed happily. Tenderly she stroked his face before tracing the outline of his mouth, trailing her finger lazily across his bottom lip. Provocatively she dipped it inside his mouth all the while holding his gaze. Her eyes were captivated by his lips and her leisurely touch was having an effect on any logical thought patterns.
Capturing her wayward index finger, Jamie caressed it with his tongue before reluctantly releasing it. “Aye … we are,” he answered as his fingertips separated the tangled tresses from Claire’s nape.
A rosy red hue coloured her cheeks as his eyes seemed to penetrate to her very soul while the soft timbre of his voice caressed her ears. Claire could only imagine what it would be like to wake up every morning for the next two weeks in this man’s embrace.
Laying side by side they moved a little closer towards each other until they were nearly nose to nose. Their eyes were full of the wonder of such a thought knowing that they could not be contacted by Section One for the next fourteen days. Jamie let his gaze drift over her face but Claire lowered her eyes as his stare seemed to bathe her with stabbing jolts of burning embers. His gaze scorched her, and cupping his hand around the nape of her neck he brushed her hair away from her face, and drew her head closer before gently kissing her forehead.
“God Claire yer so bonny. I canna look at ye and keep my hands from you nor be near you and not want ye.”
“Is that how you felt the first time we lay together?”
“It's always been forever for me, Sassenach.”
Claire couldn’t hide the beaming smile that graced her lips at what Jamie had professed as he continued a languid inventory of her body this morning. He stroked the back of his fingers up and down her cheek and under her chin, then he lovingly traced the arch of her brow with the pads of his fingertips. She sighed as little shivers of delight possessed her, and welcoming his touch, Claire brushed her head against his hand, wanting more of these caresses. Ever so gently, he stroked the arch of her brow once more before returning to her half-opened mouth. With gentle dexterity, he traced his love’s petal soft lips, then closing the distance between them he tenderly captured her mouth in a loving kiss.
“Mo nighean donn?”
“Yes …” she murmured fluttering her eyes at him and floating on cloud nine.
Teasingly, he nipped her swollen bottom lip once more. “We better think about …”
“Hmmm?” She mumbled against his mouth while intent on splaying her hands against Jamie’s virile chest and idly tracing her fingernail across his skin.
Sucking in his breath, he trembled at her touch but his words were garbled. “… getting up.”
“I’d rather stay in bed Jamie … Wouldn’t you?”
“Aye … Sassenach … I would,” was his husky reply.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Claire’s playful seductive mood was a good sign that her bad dreams had been banished from her mind. Jamie felt himself overcome with emotion at his love’s reaction and he couldn’t help himself. Two could play this game. Without wavering he shifted his body, taking her with him and rolled onto his back-settling Claire’s body on top of his flush from neck to knee. This was a much more comfortable position for him and presented less pressure on his wound. He still felt a little tender, but having Claire’s weight covering his own felt like thistledown this morning.
The hard length of James Fraser pressing hotly between her suddenly damp thighs left Claire in no allusion as to how he was feeling. Jamie’s erection brushed her inner thigh as her nipples scraped his chest. A carefree chuckle bubbled up in her chest, revelling in the knowledge that she was the one who had this effect on him. Wantonly rubbing against his growing arousal, she was really enjoying his predicament. She had never felt this close to Jamie after making love before and it felt good … it felt right.
Her eyes looked deeply into his. “It feels strange. We’re really together here.”
Holding her captive in his arms he rolled them back so that they were lying on their sides facing each other and silenced them both with a mouth soft yet hard at the same. His lips determinedly coaxed a response from her making her forget all her worries. A soft whimper of need immediately bubbled up inside Claire’s throat when his responsive tongue slipped between her lips to seek and caress.
“Aye … We have fourteen days.”
Claire attentively bit her lip in a way that he loved before a huge smile bowed her mouth. “Two weeks. I’m so happy Jamie.”
Achingly rocking her hips against his, desire for each other immediately consumed them once more and time stood still. There was no Section One … no Madeline or Operations there was only just the two of them and the time they had together in this beautiful part of the world for the next fourteen days.
“So am I.”
James Fraser had two weeks in which to erase Claire’s nightmares and heal his love completely and there was no time like the present to start.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~to be continued Friday the 24th July.
