The Valkyrie’s Ghost

Author's Note:

Wow, it has been a few weeks. Work, life, and my stubborn attempt to say more with fewer words teamed up and brought production to a full halt for about seven days. Eventually I threw up my hands and said, "Pickle Juice, that is what editors are for!" I love detail, but trimming it down nearly broke my already overworked brain.

So, to the brave souls who have followed Lysandra from that first bathroom attack all the way to Riley going undercover in Brazil, kudos. Your endurance, your patience, and your ability to swallow your bile at dangling participles, homophone mishaps, and my ongoing war with commas deserve applause. Thank you. Truly.

And this "little episode"? Not so little. It landed at a beautifully nerd satisfying 30003 words. Threes on the ends, three zeros in the middle. Perfection. Curious about the total word count for all 17 parts of the BETA version? A completely unhinged 369185 words. I write what my brain sees, and apparently my brain sees a lot.

Now for the warnings. This part is dark. The antagonists in this world are intentionally extreme, fictional zealots who thrive on control, cruelty, and warped ideology. Boo. Hiss. To make the heroes shine, the villains have to be genuinely awful. If anything feels like it crosses a line or unintentionally glorifies their behavior, please tell me so I can fix it.

All characters, heroic or monstrous, live only in my imagination. As for spelling, grammar, and brevity, I tried. I failed. But hey, it is a beta. Effort counts.

This is Part 17, and reading Parts 1 through 16 first is strongly recommended.

Thank you for giving your time (so much time) to follow Riley undercover in Brazil as he fights to save his wife's life.

PHD

Chapter 81

Lysandra Vale

Wednesday, January 28th

Ilha das Três Marés Island

Ponta dos Ganchos Resort

27°17'42.90"S 48°33'10.55"W

Santa Catarina, Brazil

The small golf-cart like vehicle's wheels sang as it raced down the private landing strip that was an amenity with the Ilha das Três Marés Island. The southern hemisphere's summer weather shifted the salt-laden winds across the natural beauty of the exclusive island. The management company seemed to fight an ongoing war with the ever-growing vegetation of the island and had maintained a well-manicured lawn 25 yards around the perimeter of the runway.

To the west, the raw beauty of the Atlantic forest stood proud. The sounds of the wind in the trees and the animals when matched with the smell of the sea and cacophony of flowering plants gave life to the videos that Riley sent just days ago.

On the other side of the runway was a garden pulled from the pages of Gensis. The meticulous curated pathways and purposefully arrangement of flower beds and towering trees screamed exclusivity. The eastern shore of the island included a number of modern beach buildings that featured a massive 5,000 square foot main house as well as four guest bungalows that were 1,800 square feet each. The ant-like forms of the Aegis escort could be seen moving between buildings establishing their security protocols.

Shawna drove the cart as it was a bat escaping hell. Lysandra held tightly to the handholds as the headwind seemed to push against her reaching her destination. The Dassault Falcon 10X towered on the back end of the strip, next to a small building that held power and fuel. The door was down and Lysandra could see an impatient Mags keeping an eye out for her intended quarry. Lysandra.

Shawna pulled dangerously close to the wing to deliver Lysandra a foot away from the aircraft's steps.

"We just received Ramoth's SIGINT. There is a video from Riley." Mags explained as she ushered her to the Ghost Chamber.

Lysandra found a tired Penny, focused Parker, and the anxious Vera and Naomi gathered around the large executive table. The second the door closed, the system produced the head and torso of their virtual butler and AI guide.

"Worthington, please pull up the video from Riley Vale's undercover room." Penny requested before the AI system could even begin with its ritualistic greetings.

"Check that Worthington. Please provide a clip of how the Lamia Eyes delivered the micro-video camera to Ghost and Wraith." Penny corrected.

"Very well, Mistress Penelope." Worthington's cultured voice rang from the speakers. "Ramoth launched the Lamia Serpent at 2025 hours, after the waxing gibbous moon which was producing 79% of hits illumination was muted by altostratus layer of clouds that moved into the targeted area at twenty hundred hours. The broad, gray sheets of clouds formed in the troposphere and is leading an approaching larger weather system expected on the 29th."

"The gentle winds were at 11.2 mph, but provided excellent audio camouflage of both the serpent and eyes propulsion systems." Worthington explained.

"My apologies Worthington," Penny smiled at Parker. "Perhaps a bit more concise of an explanation of the delivery. Ms. Vale is very interested in listening to her husband's message."

"I see." Worthington recentered. "I will be sure to adjust my response based on who asked and the context of the request." The butler confirmed.

"Perfect. Thank you." Penny confirmed.

"My pleasure Madame Moore." The AI responded.

"At 2033, the Lamia Serpent identified the biometric signals from the Phoenix capsule." Worthington continued as his body disappeared and a holographic model of the valley raced in on a what appeared to be a man-made plateau. A red flashing dot and a green flashing dot appeared to be located in a large stone building with a red terracotta roof. The system labeled this building as Cafeteria and Classrooms.

"Ghost and Wraith were eating through 2045 hours at which time they moved from the dining area into barracks building 4. They were on the 2nd floor and in windows 12 and 13 on the northeast side." Worthington continued the narrative, the camera zoomed out and every window on the northeast side was numbered and then the camera moved in on a red outlined and green outlined windows. Red was labeled Ghost and green was labeled Wraith. "The Lamia launched its Eye drones at 2058 hours, the eyes delivered both an audio node and micro-camera to windows 12 and 13."

A video feed came alive. It was of a small dorm room that had a twin bed on the right wall, a towel rack, and then a door that was cracked to what appeared to be a vanity to a restroom. On the left wall was a desk and chair, dresser, and a wardrobe. The view of Riley in his woman persona sat at the desk, brushing his shoulder length hair. He paused, held the brush in between his hands and bowed his head.

"Mi amado Señor Dios. Bendito sea tu nombre. Te glorifico en tu nombre y en tu poder. Tu creación me humilla..." The audio of his voice sounded as if he was sitting next to Lysandra.

"Worthington. Shift Riley's volume to 10% and translation to 95%. Please uses his synthesized voice for translation." Penny requested the system. "Rewind to the start of his prayer."

Lysandra heard the same statement in Spanish in the background but heard plainly Riley's voice say. "My dear lord god. Blessed be your name. I glorify you in your name and power. Your creation humbles me..."

Riley spent the first five minutes of his prayer thanking his God for the save travel and blessings on his family members.

Lysandra looked around the room shocked when she heard.

"Lord, thank you for sending me Val. He is the love of my life and I am willing to scrub toilets to earn my green card so we can be together!" Riley said, his hands almost crushed the brush due to their tight grip. "His blue eyes and chiseled muscles tempt me even thousands of miles away. Be with me lord. Give me patience and a pure heart."

"Lord, I need your grace and fortitude. I am not sure what I have gotten myself into." Riley continued. He then spent the next thirty minutes providing detailed information, looks, names, and the events from the sexualized interview to the clemency to the swift justice. Riley's eyes started to get moist.

"Lord, please be with Val once he finds out about Sergeant Thornevald's threat and my willingness to do whatever it takes to get back to him." Riley said. Emotion filled his voice.

Lysandra jumped when Naomi slid a box of facial tissues in front of her. Then she noticed she was crying freely at the image of Riley dropping to his knees to save a woman he didn't even know. Lysandra grabbed a tissue and dabbed at her eyes and cheeks. A deep inhale recalled the snot that threatened to dribble out with the tears.

"My husband likely saved Irene's life. Then he did saved Adriana Velásquez." Lysandra said, the throat was full of gravel. "He is a protector. He saves others. I love him for who he is!"

Everyone around the table relaxed.

The last part of the prayer was him praying for his official work assignment to be determined so he could earn the communication credits so he could call to check on his mother's sister.

"Mother's sister?" Noami asked. "He is having us hold before attempting to deliver to him the Eosphoros components."

The video showed Riley cross himself as if he was Catholic and then returned to brushing his hair. The door to the bathroom opened and Talia dressed in a thick, black terrycloth robe entered Riley's room.

"Good night María." Wraith said. "I am not sure about this...."

Riley stood, still dressed in the French maid's outfit stood to face her new acquaintance turned friend.

"I know." Riley said with a deep sigh. "I have no idea why I am still in this..." Ghost moved his hands up and down his uniform. "...but I had to pray about the contract, dinner, and the..." Riley seemed to stumble looking for the right word, "...the last thing."

Talia walked in and pulled the now taller Riley into a comforting hug. His heels still attached, the key sat on the desk.

"If you decide to leave, I am going to leave as well." Talia said for the room audio and video surveillance they assumed that MoD installed in new recruit rooms.

"Isabella, you are the only bright spot in this whole fiasco." Riley said. "I feel we can be life-long friends. I love Val and want him in my life, but he would be disgusted if he knew I dressed up as a whore..." Riley paused, thinking. "...no, a whore's fluffer. Not again."

"Let me help you with those locks on your heels." Wraith added.

Lysandra watched as Talia helped with the shoes and then returned to her room through the bathroom. Riley took off the dress, and Lysandra watched Riley dressed in a garter belt, stockings, panties, and bra. He grabbed a black silk teddy and walked towards the bathroom door. He paused and looked directly at the window, smiled sadly and disappeared.

The hologram of Worthing replaced the video window of the now empty dorm room.

"Riley's intel on the caste system clears up a lot of the SIGINT. We noticed the grouping of colors, but not what tier each color represented." Penny said thoughtfully.

"This feels off." Naomi said almost to herself. "No. This feels contrived."

"I feel the same way." Parker said immediately. "We have the tried and true carrot and stick that Cole Maddox referred to. The green card the carrot and integrating into a form of human trafficking if not right out slavery."

"There is a psychological attack as well." Vera added, her anger boiling in every word she let escape from her clinched lips. "Stand up for men. Stand up for qualities in women based on their value to men. How to stand. How to dress. How to walk. How to seek forgiveness."

An unusually subdued Mags spoke up. "Worthington, please display the Men of Dominion Operational Theater."

Worthington's body faded and the luscious green Atlantic forest appeared. The soaring mountains and deep valleys came into view. The seven and half mile long strip of the rugged terrain began to add features. The four campuses appeared with the code names assigned to each campus--La Fortaleza del Silencio, Gilded Cage, Midway Complex, and the Collegium. The icon of a Wyvern was moving towards a map pin labeled Ironwood.

"Ramoth wanted to harvest the feeds from the La Fortaleza del Silencio now that Ghost and Wraith are embedded." Mags updated the group. "It is just over one and quarter miles as the Lamia flies," Worthington presented a line between the two campuses and reported 1.31 miles. "...so they are shifting to Waypoint Ironwood. The Lamia is just now dropping its video and audio nodes on the selected targets. Once complete it will meet Ramoth at Ironwood."

"We need Riley transferred to one of the other campuses before we can attempt a cyber infiltration. The Eosphoros Lattice requires an open field that 100 feet of the engineered filament is able to be embed in the soil." Parker reflected.

Lysandra took a deep breath. Reflecting on the details that Riley shared. The black lingerie he wore on his way to the bathroom. All for her. She let out the breath in a huff. "Well, it seems as if Agent Ghost has made it behind enemy lines. He is pretty sneaky, so hopefully he will not need to be there long."

The tension of the room made Lysandra uncomfortable. "Parker, any word on the Echo Pines cabins?"

"Yes." Parker lit up with excitement. "I heard from the design team that they sourced furniture from furniture stores in Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland, Seattle, San Francisco, and Sacramento. The designers went with Ethan Allen, Restoration Hardware, Arhaus, and other high-end furniture brands. This includes wall décor, rugs, furniture, linens, lamps, and fully-stocked kitchen. It makes these homes move in ready."

"Remind me, what is that cost?" Lysandra asked.

"The smallest home is 2,015 square feet, which is Paula and Gary's Pinecone Vista Cottage. It is running at $85,000 for the high end furniture. Ann 18 cabins are coming in just over $2.5 million dollars." Parker added. "Riley mentioned that any furniture that is not used by people moving in will be put in storage and used for the housing we will build for Aegis staff."

"By the way, Alpine holding is paying half as half of the cabins are for Aegis staff or contractors." Penny added. "We are flying in fifty design staff contractors who will work under the guidance of our design staff to receive the shipments of furniture which will all arrive in the next two days and prepare the homes for their owners. They will be ready to occupy by Saturday."

"It looks as if you will be moving into the Ridgecrest while we start construction on your Seattle home and The Five House." Parker confirmed. "I have a team working on designs that should be ready for you and Riley to review. Contractors for both Echo Pines and Seattle have been secured, just waiting for the final designs."

"I need to report to training camp on April 26th. Any chance?" Lysandra asked.

"Sorry Lysandra. Not a chance. Maybe by August if the subcontractors can be scheduled efficiently." Parker said with a grimace.

"I assumed I would be renting a place." Lysandra said. "I probably should get Octavia to find me some options."

"That might be a good idea. You might have Aegis tag along to make suggestions based on the ability to secure the site." Vera added.

"Let's get you out by the pool. You don't want Riley to have a better tan." Naomi teased. Mags and Vera sat stunned that the reserved PhD Cryptologist just mothered Lysandra.

Naomi stood up and walked over to Lysandra and pulled her out of her chair.

"I need some sun as well. Mind if I join you?" She asked as she led Lysandra to the waiting cart.

Chapter 82

Riley Vale

Thursday, January 29th

La Fortaleza del Silencio

Leadership Compound

27°01'21.76"S 49°12'11.17"W

Brazil

Riley----------------

The ten newest contractors in black dresses, stockings and shoes walked in a perfect line. The heels clicked on the embedded designs of the terrazzo floor as Maren Hoffbauer da Silva stood in the middle of a second floor hallway, watching the covey of graceful women float past her. Doors to classroom spaced evenly along the hallway serving as mile markers on this odyssey as the stern face scanning each woman as they sauntered past her.

Riley's mind recalled the woman barking louder than any drill sergeant in his military career. Her harsh explanation that 'ladies should' position their arms just so. Ladies should carry their heads like this. Ladies should position their shoulders like that. Each statement was coated in civility, but the core was poisonous and barbed.

"Adequate." Maren announced to the woman who moved to stand in a semi-circle around the decorum trainer. The gathered women shifted to a standing rest position.

They had spent 45 minutes on the standing rest position which called for the right foot slightly ahead of the other, weight mostly on the back left leg, shoulders relaxed, arms resting naturally at her sides, and her chin level as she was facing the person they report too. Eyes wide with interest, lips parted and smiling in fascination. Deep breaths from the diaphragm to emphasize movement in the breasts.

"We are going to move to our career's room. There are fourteen stations, each with a representative contractor who currently serves in that role." Maren announced.

The uneven clicks of heels echoed down the corridor the form of Irene Marquez Duarte struggled up the last step and then moved to walk the perfect form towards the group.

"Sister Marquez Duarte will lead you through this lesson." Maren announced and without a sidelong glance at Irene moved down the hall and down the stairs.

Irene slid into the spot that Maren just vacated.

"Good afternoon ladies." Irene welcomed the group. "I apologize for my absence. It is better for me to stand than lay in a bed on my stomach, so I asked to resume my duties and here I am."

"Before we move to the cafeteria and the job expo, I need to provide you a reality check on what is available." Irene said, the sneer of the interview was gone. Her tone was that of a war-grizzled veteran offering advice to the green troops hurried to the front lines of a bloody war. "Wearing the black comes with rights and privileges, but there are few available positions for women in black. If you cannot secure a position, you will be reclothed as I was yesterday."

Irene seemed to allow the implications of her statement to settle in. "That being said, there are more than ten positions that welcome the black. We have the first 45 minutes. Shall we?"

Irene turned to the woman at the front of the line. "Ms. Sánchez‑Armenta, lead us to the dining room if you will."

The 5'8" woman turned on the toe of her shoe and elegantly stepped into the MoD canter. Riley's mind flashed to a 1950s synchronized swimming in which girl after girl dove into the pool.

Irene turned and walked beside Talia who was last and Riley who was second to last. Her chin was in the prescribed angle and her movements belied that she was brutally strapped hours before. That was until the stairs, where she visually grimaced with each step down the staircase. When Riley turned his attention, she gave him a sharp nod and her eyes rolled up to the ceiling. Riley turned the look into a small cough as he continued to follow the woman before him, step by step.

Verónica stopped at the now closed doors to the dining room, turning to the side resuming the MoD parade rest. Each of the nine others joined her.

"Maren has taught you well." Irene said, her former grace recaptured back on the even floor. "If you see a man at a table, you treat him as the CEO who decided to slum a meeting. Yes sirs and no sirs only unless he asks you for an open response. There are fourteen tables that have black, blue, and purple tiers specialist that will discuss the available positions and qualifications. Several tables will have small assessments to catalog your skill and abilities. You may only visit nine of the fourteen tables, so plan accordingly. You may only approach the trades table if you have a certificate from your interview that you in fact have the knowledge required to be successful in that role. Any questions?"