The Gray Man Ch. 38 - Fatima Revenge

The tension in the Pelican Intel conference room was palpable as Admiral Stephen Barnett's stern face stared back at TJ Gray from the main screen. The Communications Center showed live feeds from various hotspots throughout the world.

"Gray," Barnett began, "I know you are up to your neck in shit over there, but we have a problem."

TJ nodded with a slight smirk, "Only one, Sir?"

Barnett shook his head, "No, not only one. Just one that you may be personally interested in."

Gray nodded, "Let me guess, Omar?"

Barnett rubbed his bald head, "The one and only. Nazir seems to be supplying The Houthis with weapons. Weapons that are being launched at ships in the Red Sea. This is a problem without an easy solution. The Saudi's spent billions of dollars and a lot of years bombing Yemen trying to crush The Houthi movement. It only seemed to make them stronger. If we can't crush the snake, we need to take away its fangs."

Isabella and Rebecca both looked at their boss. They were well aware of what Nazir's brother had done to Gray, and that Nazir himself had turned Gray's best friend against him. They waited for a reply. The silence was deafening as the seconds ticked by.

Finally Gray spoke, "Admiral, HALO jumps and infiltration is the work of much younger men. The gray in my hair and the constant ache in my knees and hips are a testament to that."

Barnett allowed himself a brief chuckle, "Sergeant Major, war is for the young, trying to prevent escalation is left to us old mother fuckers."

Gray nodded, "Sir, with all due respect, this is my last military insertion, we will need to find other ways to utilize my set of skills."

Barnett nodded, "C-17 out of Aviano."

TJ rolled his neck and loosened his shoulders, "I can be wheels up from here in 12."

Barnett smiled, "If you hadn't stolen Johnson from me, I'd have her get you on a C-17 out of Andrews."

Gray smiled, "I'll have her get me on a Gulfstream instead. Much more comfortable that way."

I know I'm preaching to the choir but you're our eyes and ears, Gray," Barnett continued, his gaze unwavering. "Infiltrate Yemen, gather intel on Omar's operation. We need the puzzle pieces to guide the SEALs in. This isn't your rodeo. Get the intel and call the cavalry."

Rebecca, with a quick flick of her fingers over the keyboard, began accessing real-time data on Yemen. Isabella, her piercing eyes narrowing, brought up the latest intel she had on Omar's operation - and the whereabouts of his wife, Fatima who often was the real brains behind the operation.

TJ, his expression betraying a mix of determination and a haunting past, nodded. "I'll get you what you need, Admiral. And then some."

60 minutes later Gray called the leadership team together and informed them of their tasking. As he spoke the tension in the room escalated, especially from Gretchen. Finally, she shot him a look that was both protective and stern. "TJ, are you sure about this?"

TJ chuckled, "No, not really but it is what it is." He looked at Rebecca, "I need to be feet dry in 12 hours to Aviano, work your magic. While you are on the phone with Andrews, pull my METL (Mission Essential Task List) and have the armorer pre-load the gear on the bird."

The former Air Force Chief Master Sergeant jotted a note on her paper and nodded, "Roger that, Top." (Top, is a term of endearment often used for US Army Sergeants Major)

Gray turned his gaze to Isabella and Rebecca and without asking they replied in unison. "Already working on it."

TJ looked towards Gretchen and Izzy, "I need you two to come up with some back story in case shit goes sideways. Izzy, do me a favor and drop a hint to Fiona without giving too much away. She may be closer geographically than any assets we have in the area." Both women nodded.

Gray stood up, "Everyone back here in 90 - we've got work to do."

The Pelican team hustled out of the room while Gretchen waited behind. "Teej, I've got to be honest, this scares the fuck out of me. Industrial stuff, intelligence stuff, okay. This is putting you back on the tip of the spear and I don't like it."

Gray opened his arms as Gretchen walked over. He kissed the top of her head, "I know Gretch, but this is personal. He's the reason that Underwood did what he did to you. It's time that he paid."

Gretchen held on to him as tightly as she could, "Barnett said to call the cavalry."

TJ nodded, "I know and I will. Once I've dealt with Omar. Now, go help Izzy plan an escape hatch if I need it."

90 minutes later the team came back together. Gretchen looked over the room. "3 in 3 ladies."

Kasis was sitting in on the briefing, "3 in 3?"

Gretchen nodded, "When TJ was with Ranger Reconnaissance his commander conducted staff meetings 3 in 3. What are three things we need to know to accomplish the mission, you have 3 minutes. Taught Rangers to prioritize and be precise in their briefing."

Isabella stood up as the lights in the room dimmed and the computer image filled one wall. "Yemeni coast." The map zoomed in on two islands, "It looks like the attacks originate from the Hanish Islands. Home of some of the fiercest fighting in the Yemeni Civil War back in 15." The slide moved to a dock with two smaller freighters, "The Admiral tasked a drone orbit. These two freighters seem to be what The Houthi's and Nazir are using to ferry weapons. Most likely from Iran." The slide changed again, "Heavy network of bunkers and tunnels criss-cross the northernmost island."

Gray jotted down notes as Isabella spoke. Gretchen moved on to Rebecca, "You're up Becca,"

Becca didn't need slides to tell Gray mostly what he already knew. "Nazir's operation has grown. He's supplying weapons to Venezuela for their conflict in Guyana. From what we can gather he's only supplying drones and anti ship missiles to The Houthis - most of them Iranian. Rumor has it, but we have no proof, that he has gotten his hands on some MOORS - long range, anti-ship, surface skimming cruise missiles."

Gray nodded as Rebecca continued, "Here comes the issue. The mission to stop the shipping attacks and the mission to stop Omar are vastly different missions. There are no signs that Omar is even in Yemen. Plus the last thing, it appears that Nazir and Fatima are creating a mercenary group to rival The Wagner Group. He's recruiting veterans from the various jihad's throughout the world and putting together a sizable force that calls itself Al-Qatil."

Gray shook his head, "The Assassins. Lovely, just lovely."

Gretchen looked around the room, Kasis had her hand up, "Questions and comments after everyone is done." She turned her head to Elizabeth, "Logistics?"

Johnson nodded, "The boss will be on a Royal Air Force Dassault Envoy from Andrews to Aviano. Before you ask, the Brits are eager to help as two of their ships have been attacked. Gear is squared away and will be stowed awaiting your arrival. Also, I contacted Aviano and they will be ready for deployment at your request."

Gretchen looked to Izzy, "Not much to cobble together on my end. I made sure all of your gear was scrubbed of anything identifiable. Also arranged for you to have traditional Yemeni dress sent with your gear. May not be needed but if you need to disappear into a crowd. That's all we've got."

Gretchen thanked the team, "First, my question. What is the mission here? The missile shipments or Nazir? As Rebecca noted, those are very different missions."

Kasis again raised her hand, "If your profile of Nazir is right, he may very well be on the island. Jihadists aren't going to follow someone who leads from the back. If Nazir wants to build a merc army, he will have to at least give an illusion he leads from the front."

Gray's brow furrowed, "Kasis could very well be right but even if Nazir is not on the island, the mission is to find the attackers and paint them for the SEALS. That being said, Isabella, I need you to pull every string we have to find Nazir's base of operations. CIA, NSA, Anyone in the 5 EYES - find that prick."

Isabella nodded and grumbled, "Needle in a haystack." before answering, "On it, boss."

Gretchen dismissed the team who went to their respective places. She looked at Gray, "Go home, get some rest."

TJ shook his head, "I'll sleep on the flight. Brain is too active to sleep." Gray walked down the hall to his office, when he opened the door he was shocked to see a young Indian woman, kneeling next to his desk. Her eyes down, and her palms up. He stopped, "Who are you and why are you here?"

The tiny woman spoke quietly, "I am your new secretary, Sir. I was hired by Ms. Foster to attend to your needs."

TJ looked over his shoulder, "Gretchen, I need you to come here. NOW." Gray noticed the Indian woman's arms shiver when he raised his voice.

Gretchen walked down the hall, "Oh, I see you've met Ananya. She's your new secretary."

TJ shook his head, "I have Johnson to handle all of the administrative tasks."

Gretchen smiled, "Teej, Elizabeth is the logistics coordinator for the entire agency. Ananya is your personal assistant. She will take care of any and all of your needs. She is a graduate of Cambridge with a degree in Geopolitical Science. She has a particular set of skills that should suit you perfectly." She used her pointer finger to summon Ananya. Gray noticed that she moved with the fluidity and grace of a gymnast, he also noted that each of her ankles were adorned with bracelets that slightly jingled when she walked.

When Ananya was close to the cousins she immediately knelt again. TJ glanced at her, "I've heard my cousin's description, now I need you to tell me why you are here and what your skills are."

Ananya looked up at him, her brown eyes brilliant and inquisitive. "Permission to speak freely, Sir."

Gray nodded, "Granted."

Ananya chuckled, a melodic sound that added a touch of warmth to the ambient hum of the café. "Well, Sir, life is too short to be lived in a perpetual race, chasing promotions and climbing an invisible ladder. I realized that my true passions were drowning in a sea of spreadsheets and conference calls."

She paused, her gaze momentarily lost in thought. "I come from a family that values tradition, but they also instilled in me the importance of pursuing what truly makes me happy. Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of that."

TJ nodded, captivated by her sincerity. "So, what changed? What made you take the leap?"

Ananya took a deep breath, a small glow of pink blush crept up from her neck, "It was a culmination of many factors, and one of the main reasons was the toxicity of the environment, especially among women."

TJ raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Toxicity? Among women?"

Ananya sighed, "Yes. It's disheartening to admit, but the backbiting and infighting among women in the corporate realm can be overwhelming. Instead of uplifting each other, it felt like we were constantly navigating a battlefield of passive-aggressive comments and sly maneuvers."

She paused, her eyes focused on Gray's dazzling green eyes. "I thought the corporate sisterhood would be one of support and encouragement, but more often than not, it became a web of competition and judgment." A small, determined smile played on her lips. "I've decided to carve my own path. I want to surround myself with a community that values authenticity and collaboration. Whether it's pursuing my own ventures or finding a workspace that aligns with my values, I'm determined to create a space where women uplift and empower each other, rather than tearing each other down."

Gray reached out a hand, "Stand up, Ananya."

Ananya nodded as she took his hand and stood as if she were a cat who had been lounging in the sun. "As you wish, Sir."

TJ looked at the diminutive woman dressed in a traditional Teal colored Anarkali Suit. "Why here, why now, why me, and why were you kneeling when I walked in."

"Sir," Ananya began, her eyes lighting up with a mixture of admiration and determination. "There's something about your power and presence that drew me in. My family is quite traditional, and I've always followed the traditional path they set for me."

TJ nodded in understanding, "How did you hear about me? Much less my power and presence."

Ananya chuckled softly, "I met Gretchen at a luncheon, she described you in a way that resonated with me on a deeper level. Your vision, your drive, your courage -- it spoke to something within me that had been quietly yearning for more than just tradition."

She continued, her gaze distant as she recalled the moment, "I knew, right then and there, that I wanted to..." she paused, "no, on a deeper level I needed to serve you, make your life easier, more pleasant and less stressful.

TJ raised an eyebrow, curious about the connection she felt. "So, what did you do?"

Ananya's smile widened, "I approached Gretchen after lunch and asked for an interview. I wanted to be a part of your world, to serve you in whatever capacity I could."

TJ looked at his cousin, "So, this was your idea."

Gretchen smiled, "Happy Birthday?"

TJ looked back at Ananya, "Tell me about your skills and gifts."

Ananya blushed, "The corporate world has equipped me with a set of skills that I believe can make a difference. First and foremost, research and investigation are second nature to me. I've spent countless hours diving deep into data, uncovering insights, and connecting the dots. It's not just about finding information; it's about understanding the story it tells."

TJ nodded, intrigued by her emphasis on understanding the narrative. "And typing?"

Ananya chuckled, "Oh, I've mastered the art of swift and accurate typing. When you're dealing with a fast-paced environment, being able to transcribe thoughts seamlessly is a skill that often goes unnoticed but is absolutely crucial. It's all about ensuring that the flow of ideas isn't hindered by the mechanics of putting them on paper."

"Efficiency," TJ noted with a nod.

Ananya continued, "I am very efficient. I look at the details so that you can focus on the blue sky, big picture. There's also the art of being a complete administrative aid. It's not just about managing schedules and handling correspondence, though those are certainly in my wheelhouse. It's about anticipating needs, streamlining processes, and ensuring that everything runs like a well-oiled machine."

TJ could sense her passion for the role she played. "So, you've got the full package."

Ananya blushed, "I think so, Sir."

Gretchen looked at the young lady, "Tell Mr. Gray about the rest of the total package you present."

The blush on Ananya's face was even more pronounced, "Sir, I am an excellent cook, I am immaculate at cleaning. I am also a trained massage therapist as well as being a trained dancer. Also, when Mrs. Foster hired me, she helped me prepare my body for your pleasure."

TJ cocked his head, "Oh, really?"

Gretchen snapped her fingers, "Show him, Ananya."

Ananya again slipped to her knees, she lowered her head to his feet and quietly whispered, "May your girl serve you, Sir?"

Gretchen did not wait for her cousin to answer, "You may proceed."

Ananya put her hands gently on the outside of TJ's legs as she slowly moved them up his calves to his knees and finally his thighs. Her hands made quick work of his belt, his button and his zipper. One slight tug and Gray's slacks were splayed around his ankles.

Ananya gently took his cock into her hands, "Oh, Mrs. Foster. It's even more beautiful and powerful than you described." With both hands she started to move her hands up and down his soft cock while her mouth moved to suckle on his balls. It only took a couple of moments of her tender touch and Gray's 9 inch cock was standing straight out from his body.

"I hope you are right when you told me it will get even harder in my mouth. The dildo you gave me was so lifeless compared to this.," she whispered softly as she grasped the shaft and drew it to the "O" of her parted lips.

Gray felt Ananya slip her mouth over the head and down the shaft. Her saliva coated his cock as she sank lower. As she lowered her head, she started a gentle sucking action that drew her cheeks inward. Gretchen watched amazed as the barely 5 foot submissive took more and more of Gray's long thick cock into her throat.

Ananya moved her head and back and forth, taking Gray's cock deeper inside her warmth until then pulled back and sunk again about halfway down the thick shaft. She breathed through her nostrils, took a gulp, then took him in all the way, deep-throating me as her lips chewed at the base of my shaft and her nose touched his pelvis.

"Very impressive Ananya," Gretchen purred.

Ananya moaned a thank you as she brought her fingernails into play soon thereafter, lightly scraping his testicles with one purpose in mind--to prove to Gray that she was worthy to serve him.

Ananya was determined that she would not take her lips from his cock until I had spilled his cum deep into her throat. Gray obliged as he began to slowly fuck back and forth in tempo with her bobbing head. Instinctively his hand moved to the top of head, though it needed no guidance. He opened his eyes and watched amazed to see his cock move completely out of her mouth until only the head remained inside, only to completely disappear into her throat. Every few thrusts she would change and rapidly bob on the head, the pale white shaft moved back and forth between her rose-petal soft lips.

Gray had never felt anything like it and it didn't take long until his knees buckled as the first wave of his orgasm boiled at the base of his cock. When Ananya felt the shaft thicken in her mouth she pushed her head all the way down on his huge prick while his cock exploded directly into her throat.

The swallowing sensation as she gulped in his cum just accentuated the feeling as her throat massaged his shaft. She swallowed every drop, gulping down the cascading cum like candy, never lifting her head until she was sure her boss had no more to give her. Then, and only then, did she take her lips away, looking up at me with him with her brown eyes smiling sheepishly.

She licked her lips, as if searching for more cum. "Am I worthy to serve you, Sir?"

TJ took a deep breath as he tried to control his breathing. Gretchen chuckled, "I have never seen him cum so fast and so hard. You are indeed worthy. I will have your things moved to his house this evening."

TJ, hearing his cousin, turned to face her, "My house? What's the plan when Angela comes back?"

Gretchen smiled, "Yes, your house. Ananya is here to serve you, whatever you need, whenever you need."

Gray looked more past Gretchen than at her, "That doesn't answer the second question."

Gretchen tilted her head, "First off, trust me Ananya can care for her two. Teej, Angela's been gone 7 months. Are you sure she is coming back at all?"

TJ pulled up his pants, "I need to go."

Gretchen tried to grab his shoulder, "I thought you were going to stay here."

Gray didn't stop his exit, "So did I."

Gretchen watched from the window as Gray stormed out of the office, climbed into his car and raced from the parking lot. Gretchen's comments about Angela had pushed a button deep inside of the warrior. Her words echoed in TJ Gray's mind, a bitter aftertaste of truth and concern. As he drove out of the parking lot, the weight and the reality of abandonment clung to him like a stubborn shadow.

The traffic blurred through the windshield as he navigated the streets, the hum of the engine offering little solace. Dark memories crept in, unwelcome visitors to an already crowded mind. The twisted dance with Nazir Omar played out like a haunting reel, each frame stoking the embers of a simmering rage.

The familiar road home stretched out ahead, lined with ghosts of a past he couldn't shake. The air inside the car grew heavy as PTSD's relentless grip tightened, pulling him back into the clutches of anguish. Angela's departure, Mark Underwood's betrayal, the haunting specter of The Omar's and their compound -- each memory clawed at the peace of his psyche.