The Valkyrie’s Ghost

Author's Note:My apologies, part 15 arrives a bit later than planned. Consider this another reminder that the entire series is still firmly stamped Beta. These are episodes in progress, not a finished book, and the grammar occasionally reflects that reality. Editors are doing what they can to keep the rough edges from drawing blood.

If you're jumping in here, you may want to start at Part 1 unless you enjoy navigating without a compass. The story has accumulated a substantial amount of momentum by this point.

Everything you're about to read is a product of my imagination. Any resemblance to real people, events, or technology is coincidental and unintentional.

Thanks for sticking with The Valkyrie's Ghost as it continues to evolve.

PHD

Chapter 71

Riley Rivers

Saturday, January 24th

The Five House

8755 Ridgeline Hollow Road

Grants Pass, OR

Riley and Lysandra slid down to the floor of the shower. The rain shower head that was three feet square allowed water to cascade down to the exhausted pair of lovers. Riley's semen slowly dribbled out of Lysandra's red, swollen labia lips before water puddled and suddenly would wash the ejaculate down the drain in the massive walk-in shower.

"I can get behind this type of PT." Lysandra said between deep pants that did interesting things to her naked breasts.

"I think I was the one behind." Riley gasped. His worried eyes found hers. "I am sorry you had to spread your legs and squat for me to line up right." His ears burned in embarrassment.

Lysandra braved the torrent of simulated raindrops and snuggled into her husband's arms.

"That position was lovely." Lysandra kissed him on the lips. "It reminded me of the fat bottomed girl getting stuck on the way to the Super Secret Healing Spa." Lysandra closed her eyes and visualized the movement of his hands around her hips.

She looked up to see a smile on Riley's face. "That was a lovely memory."

"When you slid your hands around my hips and started to pull me back," Lysandra signed in great pleasure. "That shifted my engine to fifth gear."

"I was in fifth gear the second you stepped into the shower." Riley confessed. He leaned in to kiss his wife. "Thank you for last night." He punctuated the statement with a kiss. "Thank you for waking me up at 2:00 a.m.." Another kiss sealed the statement. "Thank you for joining me in the shower."

"You received pleasure for that?" Lysandra looked dumbfounded. "I just was chasing my own pleasure." She laughed. "I may walk funny this morning, but it was definitely worth every thrust." She moved in and passionately kissed him.

She released the kiss, looked back at his recovered virility and smiled sadly. "If we had more time, I would take care of you."

"We do have a day, don't we?" Riley asked.

"We do." She kissed him, stood to her feet, offered a hand, and pulled her husband to his feet.

Riley wasn't convinced that the newlywed's dual occupancy of the shower saved any water, but there were certain body parts that were especially hygienic with the extra attention they received from each of the partners.

-----------------

Riley sensed the omelet's curds were on the edge, he used his prep bowls to finish up the seasonings, requested meats, and cheese before gently folding the blanket around its fillings. A flick of the wrist and the opposite side was now in their final seconds of cooking when he felt movement at his shoulder and a clean white plate appeared on the counter near the cook top.

"Emma, your omelet is ready." Lysandra called.

Riley pulled the pan and with a push-pull flick the omelet slid onto the plate, that Lysandra claimed.

Turning to the kitchen and breakfast table, Riley found a solemn group. The Madderns were all in black. The women wore knee length black dresses while Jonas and Owen had slacks with white dress shirts which seem to beg for their crisp ties and jackets.

The Vanguard wore their dress uniforms from their home country. Each plate had omelet, eggs, toast, and Belgium Waffles in different states of being consumed. Each soldier's eyes were locked on their plate, likely lost in memories of the comrade in arms, friend, and brother.

Riley turned off the stove top, and started to shuffle the pans, bowls, and utensils to the sink, where Lysandra was rinsing bowls and slowly placing them in the dishwasher. He smiled at the memory of her wordlessly helping to prep breakfast at his side. They rapidly ate their eggs and toast before Talia and Miko walked into the door wearing their dress uniforms.

Knowing smiles and polite platitudes were replaced with gravity of the hour. They were going to lay to rest Cole. Lysandra would stop her cooking duties to welcome each person to the kitchen. A hug or kiss to the cheek, quietly taking their orders before escorting them to the drink station that held coffee, tea, and a variety of juices.

Elise brought her plate and empty glass of juice with evidence of orange juice in the bottom of the glass, when Lysandra accepted them with a smile.

"Grim and I are going to get the Escalades ready." Whisper said with her head bowed in respect. "With our departure time 0740."

Riley turned to the kitchen and looked at the clock on the wall, which read 7:32 a.m.. "Sara, Emma, Owen, Marilyn, and Jonas will take the lead vehicle. The Vales and Van will be in the chase. Meet on the porch in six minutes."

Rilye looked to Lysandra. She reached around and loosened the straps to her apron, moved to the pantry where she hung her apron on the appropriate hook. She stepped aside to allow Riley to do the same. They walked to their bedroom and Lysandra pulled on a gray jacket to her Armani suit, pulling the sleeves down to help settle the coat on her shoulders. She slid on the two inch heels and turned to watch her husband.

Riley stood in front of the mirror, expertly moving the parts of a black tie that assume the form of a perfectly tied prototype of all formal military neck ware. His white dress shirt plunged into his dark blue pants that had a gold stripe running down each pant leg. His black shoes glowed with a shine seen on showroom cars.

Riley reached for his dark blue dress coat and quickly donned the Army Service Uniform. The black shoulder boards with gold trim and a silver oak leave designated his rank sat on the top of the shoulders. The modified ribbon rack was reconfigured. A light 'liberty' blue field with thirteen white stars arranged in three horizontal rows with a bronze numeral three in the middle of the ribbon was added to the top, rightmost position on his ribbon rack, requiring Riley that documented Lieutenant Colonel Vale's professional record and service history.

The gold buttons fastened into place, Riley reached for his service cap, pulling out a pair of black gloves that he slipped on before positioning the hat at the exact angle prescribed by the military code.

"Ms. Vale, may I have your assistance?" Riley asked, oddly formal.

"Of course." Lysandra answered, her eyes scanning her husband's body.

Riley walked over to the dresser, pulled upon the half-sized drawer that seemed to be designed for jewelry and pulled out a small cardboard box. Turned and offered it to his wife.

"Could I get you to help me with this last modification?" Riley asked. His eyes focused on her as she opened the box.

The box opened and a glossy black piece of plastic slid out, that had a pin and clasp molded into the back. She turned it over in her hand and found four letters. V-A-L-E.

Riley's eyes attempted to connect their souls.

"This is by far the greatest accomplishment of my life." Riley said quietly when their comms sparked to life.

"Grim and Whisper in place." Dante Alvarez's voice sounded.

"Casper, Command, Shuttle bus is here for Raptor and Titan is two minutes out." A female voice announced.

Riley clicked to find Lysandra's eyes filled with tears.

Riley smiled, stretched to wipe the tear with his black cloth glove.

Lysandra leaned down and disengaged the RIVERS tag, removed it and then carefully slid in the pin. She stood back and with a raised eyebrow to Riley, who smiled and nodded returned to the name tag to fasten it.

Lysandra brought up his RIVERS tag to her lips and kissed it, before dropping it in the cardboard box and fastening the lid.

"I am literally speechless." Lysandra said. "Mind if I keep this?" She asked presenting the box."

Riley smiled with a playful gleam in his eye. "What are you going to give me?"

"Me, silly." Lysandra said moved down and offered a short, but passionate kiss.

When the horn sounded Riley turned to Lysandra and they both mouthed the single word. "Wraith."

---------------

The Titan and Raptor squads were in place. Each lined the steps up to the federalist-style building. The dress uniform of their home country signaled ceremony, but each soldier's scanning eyes and the cradling of deadly weapons suggested a group of focused professionals who were on active duty ready for whatever the world wants to throw at them. Two Eagle drones quietly scanned the area immediately surrounding the funeral home with a fully staff command room in New York reporting on movement and signatures of human activity.

Grants Pass and Josephine County Sheriff's Office had eight vehicles in place around the funeral home. A black hearse glistened in the morning sun, it sat solemnly at the doors of the building, waiting to offer its final honors to its sole passenger.

Shawna Baker, dressed in the Marine dress blues "A" uniform. Her white gloved hand opened the door and offered a hand to Talia Moreno. A lone piper started with a low A and the Aegis soldiers snapped to attention. The rest of the original Vanguard stepped out of the SUV until Riley and Lysandra joined them from the left side of the vehicle.

Major Grant Holloway and Captain Helena Ward took two steps back and opened the doors to the lobby of the funeral home.

A smart rhythmic sound of leather snapping down on marble sounded and a six-person squad of a United Kingdom of Royal Marines appeared out the front doors. The second the first marine came into view; the bagpiper used a grace-note embellishment and launched into the haunting sound of the familiar "Flowers of the Forest."

The lead Royal Marine, a Regimental Sergeant Major who barked an order and the Royal Marines presented arms to the guest. The honor guard offered a crisp, perfectly timed about face and then led their military peers turned brothers and sisters of their fallen comrade into the building.

Riley's eyes scanned the auditorium and found Jordan, Mags, Vera, Naomi, and ten other Aegis executives. In the row behind them were Parker, Sabrina, Jack, Siobhan, and Penny. Then all of Riley's foster family were gathered, wearing muted colors of respect. Their concerned eyes focused on their newlyweds in the moment of sorrow.

Riley's eyes found the Madderns huddled in the closed balcony. Their red rimmed eyes and blotchy faces clearly evident as they peered into the open casket.

The casket was open, Cole's familiar face relaxed, a glossy black rim, red stripe, and white capped hat sat low over his eyes. The stiff dark blue collar with the Royal Marine metal emblems, and a bright red sash that looped from his right shoulder down towards his left hip that was hidden by the casket cover. A series of medals that had colorful ribbons that held a small metal disc sat on his unmoving chest.

A Union Jack was draped over the lid, with his SAS beret sitting next to his country's flag.

The Funeral Director stood up and introduced the funeral home's Chaplin who led a very agnostic prayer. A Royal Marine captain stood and with a very British manner provided an overview of Cole's service record, each award and commendation highlighted.

Dante Alvarez, dressed in his Air Force dress uniform, read the prepared obituary which shared that Cole was joined in death by his sister, wife and son after a tragic aircraft accident.

Talia stood up and walked as if the weight of the world fell on her shoulders. She looked down at her trembling hands and the notes that she had to guide her eulogy.

"When Breaker joined the Vanguard, he loathed me and I hated everything about his British snobbery. I think my presence threatened his sense of superiority over the colonies in general and women specifically." She pulled out a handkerchief of her Army dress uniform that was a match to Riley's and dabbed her eyes. "In the first six months if I was on fire, I am sure Breaker would run to the store to buy a liter of petrol."

"Then the craziest thing happened." Talia said. "Loathing turned to grudging respect. Grudging respect gave way to tentative friendship. At the time of his death, I would describe Cole Maddox as my twin brother. We were able to finish each other sentences, sense when we needed to work out to release the tension of the day or a three hour talk to help each of to solve the problems of the day."

Talia paused. It was as if she was psyching herself up for the last mile of a marathon when her body tried to convince her she couldn't make it. "He spoke of his sister, Sophie and how she was the best of him. He spoke of his great regret when he left Emily and Ollie for something as meaningless as male pride. I wish I had a chance to share with each of them what they meant to him."

Talia smiled. "I am sure up there." She motioned with her hand into the air. The direction could mean heaven, but for those who knew, understood it was the balcony. "They know the truth now."

It was two speakers later that Lysandra squeezed Riley's hand as he moved to stand up. He snapped to attention and moved with a military precision. Those with a military background knew they could build a house with the exactness of his 30" steps. They would also recognize that each step was absolute to the expected 60 steps per minute for such an occasion. His head was held steady, eyes forward. Per regulations, his arms hung at his side, hands cupped, fingers together, thumbs along the golden stripe on his trousers. Wrists straight, shoulders relaxed but square. The boots striking the marble of the auditorium resounded with a clean measured beat.

Riley came to the casket and in half a heartbeat was at full attention, his hand held in a salute to his fallen friend. His brother. It was a full sixty seconds before he snapped his salute down and returned to his slow march. His 60 steps per minute were not interrupted by the stairs, but only the step on which he reached the podium.

"Good morning. I am Lieutenant Colonel Riley Vale. I had the distinct honor of serving at the side of Master Sergeant Cole Maddox. A man of quick wit, unwavering loyalty, and skillset that made him an elite protector of people." Riley said with a measure of tension in his voice.

"The decision to don a uniform, lace up the boots, and carry a weapon seems like an easy one. On the surface, it is made as simple as trying to ensure your sister is safe and has the opportunities that you did not. It could be that you loved your soulmate and you wanted to start your lives together." Riley's face went blank and his voice lost half of its volume. "It could be that you were in foster care and you wanted a college degree."

"Every minute while serving in the role of protector is invested in preparing for the unanticipated. Every five mile run to build your physical strength. Every 10,000 shots fired on a shooting range to hone your skill. Every exercise allows you to work with your brother and sisters of arms to prove that you have what it takes to protect others." Riley paused for a good 15 seconds. "Eventually every soldier must face a terrifying fact. One that is simple, yet profound. One that separates the elite from the good. I value others lives more than my own."

Riley's eyes scanned the room. Counting his heart beats. At sixty, he continued.

"Master Sergeant Maddox faced this question, and his life is his answer. Serving with distinction in both the United Kingdom's Royal Marines and Special Air Service. Beloved brother, spouse, father, and son who stepped into danger to protect others. He was a highly skilled soldier who gave his life to protect innocents. His final words were requests to take his place. To protect those who he loved."

"Breaker. Rest well." Emotion constricted his voice. "Know that I proudly stand your watch. Your mission is my mission. Your loved ones are my loved ones."

"When I was awarded the bars and I had a former commanding officer to share with me that the weight of command is daunting. The sacrifice of soldiers is unfathomable. The fact that soldiers are often away from home. Face down in the mud when they would rather be at a tee-ball game watching their kids. Huddling in a field tent when they would rather be snuggling with the love of their life." Riley continued. "They literally risk life and limb every second of every day. Why?"

"Because they value the safety and well being of others above their own. They want other mothers and fathers to enjoy all the tee-ball games they can. They want people in relationships to enjoy the safety of their homes and their time together knowing they are secure." Riley said, his eyes serious.

"Master Sergeant Cole Maddox was a son. Brother. Husband. Father. Friend. Squadmate." Riley paused. "Master Sergeant Cole Maddox was a protector. My wife is safe because of his sacrifice. I honor his life and that sacrifice."

---------------

Shortly after Riley's eulogy, the Royal Marine guard with military precision carried Cole's casket to the waiting hearse. The squad cars provided the escort from the Funeral Home to the cemetery. Where the marines carried Breaker's casket through the dual rows of Aegis soldiers in the unique dress uniforms of their home countries. The crisp salutes, rigid bodies at full attention lined the path to his grave.

The honor guard used a well rehearsed motion to fold the Union Jack into a neat rectangle, which was handed by the NCO to the Royal Marine officer. He marched to stand in front of Riley.

"On behalf of the Royal Marines and a grateful nation, please accept this flag in recognition of his loyal service." The officer said in his rich British accent and provided Riley with the folded flag.

The second Riley touched the flag, the NCO's voice barked an order and the seven soldiers of the honor guard pulled their Heckler & Koch L129A1, took aim, and fired their weapons as one entity. The three rounds provided Master Sergeant Cole Maddox with the twenty-one gun salute he so richly deserved.

---------------

Riley helped Lysandra out of the Escalade and the two went to meet the Madderns as the second SUV. They spilled out and with red eyes were actually smiling.

"Riley!" Sara and Emma both said and rushed into his arms.

"How did you get an honor guard?" Emma asked, out of breath.

"Do you remember Thomas Ellery?" Riley asked, attempting to hide his disdain.

"The pompous wanker?" Sara asked.

"Sara Maddren." Emma said with disapproving look, which turned to an evil smile. "Don't you mean a pretentious dick?"

The two sisters laughed and hugged.

Smiling, Riley continued. "Well you remember he got direct orders from the Prime Minister, right?"

"Tommy boy did not like not being included in the details." Emma offered.

"Well, the same dispatch then flew to the Twentynine Palms base in the Mojave Desert where the Royal Marines were in engaged in some large-scale combined arms exercises with US forces. They had the honor guard on call since that day. A call last night and they were ready for today." Riley offered.

Riley looked down, a storm cloud ran across his face.

"Sophie and Emma. I am sorry we could not have you up front where you belonged. Sorry to squirl you away in the closed balcony and shuffled in the back with the rest of the Aegis soldiers." Riley said remorsefully.