Chapter 21

Posted: May 02, 2007 - 08:26:49 am?

Gabe ran into Darla as soon as they made it back to the caverns. He was very proud of the way she had conducted herself during the battle, as she worked almost round the clock treating the wounded from both sides. She looked tired but happy as she followed him to his room. After Gabe told her how proud he was of her, she blushed and deflected most of the credit to Captain Garza. Gabe had a feeling about what was coming, when Darla's eyes sparkled as she talked about Garza. Finally she came out with what she wanted to tell him.

"Daddy, Eduardo and I have fallen in love. I am not going home with Stephanie and Katherine, instead, I'll get a job here while Eduardo tries to get his license to practice medicine. Once that's accomplished, we are going to open up a medical clinic for the campesinos and other poor people. Marta said she would fund the clinic with profits from the mines, if we will treat her workers and their families for free."

Gabe was actually relieved when Darla didn't have any other surprises for him, he was half afraid that she would be living as part of some commune like Peter.

"Garza seems a good man, Darla. When are you two tying the knot?"

"Eduardo will talk to you about all that, Daddy. He said that when he's ready, he would come to you and ask for my hand. Isn't that romantic?"

Gabe translated for Selena, although she had figured out the direction of the conversation already. Selena hugged and congratulated Darla, happy that both of Gabriel's children would be near him. Darla gave Gabe a giant hug and a kiss on the cheek, before she left.

It only took a couple of minutes for Gabe and Selena to pack up their rucksacks and make their way back to the main cavern. Marta, Peter and most of the rest of the former soldiers were there to see them off. Gabe told Peter where they were staying and said he'd expect to see him there in a few days with Katherine and Stephanie in tow. Gabe thought it would be best if Peter took the girls home, especially given that he would be bringing Stephanie back with him.

Gabe pulled Serafin aside before he left, and handed him a packet of hundred dollar bills.

"This is to help start our restaurant, my friend. If we need more, let me know. I want us in business as soon as possible."

Morales was stunned by the amount of money Gabe handed him; it was twice as much as he and Lupe had managed to save. He thanked Gabe profusely, and said it was enough for them to raise their sights towards a bigger place they had given up on being able to afford. The two men shook hands and Gabe and Selena headed out.

After a quick stop to recover Gabe's trunk and change into civies, the pair rode back into town. During the ride, Selena told him that Belicia and Marisol were going to work at the restaurant with them. Selena wanted to try making the breads and pastries for the venture, and the other women would help her. In addition, the three of them would wait tables and man the cash register, just as she had done at her sister's bakery. Gabe just nodded; it was one of those times when he knew he wasn't expected to do anything except acknowledge what she'd said. Gabe wasn't quite sure what Selena's plans were for Belicia (who everyone called Bebe) or Marisol, beyond working with them at the restaurant, and he wasn't going to ask.

Gabe and Selena received a very warm reception at the hotel. The manager manning the front desk had already heard about their part in getting rid of the rightwing paramilitary. They picked up their key and walked up to the room, Selena holding his hand and practically dragging him along.

Hurry up Señor Slowpoke, I want a long hot bath and to shave my legs. Then I'll put on a pretty dress and you can take me to dinner."

Gabe laughed and pulled her to him for a kiss.

"Are you sure you want to do that, Little One? You know that if I see you with smooth legs wearing a dress, I will want to ravish you long and hard."

Selena shivered and gave a breathy giggle.

"You are such a demanding husband, Señor Ballard, but I think I will take my chances."

Selena was true to her word, and an hour later, Gabe was proudly escorting her to the hotel's small restaurant. Selena looked fabulous in a white dress covered with large red orchids, the dress fell just above her knees. She had on a pair of high-heeled sandals that made her legs look long and sleek. Her hair was out of the braids she usually wore; it hung shinny and thick down to the middle of her back.

The two DEA agents were already seated in the restaurant, and eyed Gabe with glum hostility. They had heard rumors of Colonel Nuñez's defeat, and were trying to figure out how to break the news to their volatile boss. Gabe ignored their baleful stares and walked right up to their table.

"No need for the long faces, gentlemen," he said. "I guess you've heard by now that the Tiger Battalion has been disbanded and their commander has disappeared, but did you know that the Commander Zorra has also disbanded her column and is seeking amnesty?"

When the DEA men shook their heads negatively, Gabe continued.

"Zorra met with the Mayor of Prado this afternoon and laid down her arms. The Mayor granted her amnesty within the Prado Administrative District, and is championing her cause up to the Governor of Ibague. You could safely bring in your helicopters now, but I think I have an idea that might make that unnecessary."

The DEA men asked Gabe and Selena to join them, and listened avidly as Gabe outline the plan that he and Marta had concocted. Gabe had to embellish the truth some to make it appear as if Zorra was less involved in the coca business than she had actually been, but he was selling the future, not dredging up the past.

"First off, gents, you should be aware that your first spraying efforts were very successful, you managed to eradicate about half of the coca bushes in the district. You have to understand that the farmers on the west side of the mountains only grow coca in small plots, because the bushes do not grow as well on this side of the mountains. Of course because you sprayed indiscriminately, you also wiped out much of the harvestable vegetables those same campesinos grew. Commander Zorra and her soldiers ended up giving those farmers what little money they had to help them feed their families for the last two months.

"Although the FARC does fund the majority of its operations with drug money, Zorra did not condone or encourage the growing of coca, and asked the farmers not to plant any more bushes after the spraying killed their crop. Her only reason for taking out the first choppers was because of all the other crops you were killing. In order to keep the collateral damage down, Zorra is willing to visit all the farmers still growing coca, and urge them to stop. We think that if you paid a nominal sum for each bush, the farmers would dig them up and bring them to you to destroy.

"You would accomplish much doing it that way. For one thing, it would be much cheaper than running the spraying operation. For another, think of the public relations bonanza it would be for you, if you could show a bunch of farmers voluntarily getting out of the coca trade. Of course, for this to have a lasting affect, we will need an alternative cash crop to replace the coca. I am thinking that we can start growing coffee trees, and start a cooperative venture with the farmers to export shade grown, high-end coffee beans. I already have a source for one year old, juvenile trees. What would be required is a commitment from the DEA to pay the farmers a stipend for the four years it will take for the trees to produce sufficient beans for market."

The DEA men were impressed with Gabe's impromptu presentation, and said they would recommend the idea to their boss. Gabe told them to feel free to present the idea as their own; all he was interested in was results. When Gabe and Marta came up with the idea of a cash crop to replace coca leaves, it was Marta who immediately thought of coffee. She told Gabe about growing up on her father's coffee plantation, and said she could teach the Campesinos how to cultivate coffee in the shady edge of the jungle to produce the best beans. Marta also said it wouldn't be hard to sell premium arabica beans, because coffee was the second most valuable commodity traded after crude oil.

Gabe and Selena stayed and dawdled over their meal after the DEA agents departed. They sat and talked about their future and the family Selena wanted to start. Gabe had no problem with Selena wanting children, hell she deserved as many as she wanted after what she'd been through. He never thought he'd be saying it, but the idea of being a father again actually appealed to him. Selena thought that it would be fun for Gabe to have children the same age as his grandchildren.

After the meal and a very good bottle of local wine, Gabe suggested they take a stroll around the town's piazza. Selena had other ideas, however, as she stood up and took his hand.

"I think not, my husband," she said in a husky whisper. "The wine and talking about us starting a family has me wanting you very badly. Besides, I am all smooth and sexy and you promised me a ravishing."

They walked up the stairs to their second floor room, arm in arm. As they walked, Gabe whispered the things he was going to do to her when they reached the room. Gabe unlocked the door and held it as Selena sashayed through. He closed the door and faced her as she reached back to unzip her dress. With a little twist, she ran the zipper down and shrugged the dress off her shoulders. The cotton garment fell straight down her body, revealing that she was naked underneath. Selena smiled when his eyes widened in surprise.

"I didn't wear any underwear, because you said to be prepared to be ravished, cruel master," she said sultrily.

Gabe growled and leaped across the room to grab her. She squealed and giggled as he picked her up and tossed her onto the bed. Her giggles turned to moans when he buried his head between her brown muscular thighs.

The day after the column was granted amnesty by the Mayor of Prado, Marta Cardenas, Peter Ballard and his sisters all came down to Prado. Stephanie and Katherine had their suitcases with them. After a long talk the night before, the sisters had agreed that the sooner they left, the sooner Stephanie could come back. Gabe and Selena met them in the hotel lobby and they all had brunch together. As always, the meal was filled with talk about their plans for the future and what needed to be done.

After they ate, Gabe led them over to the pay phone and called the Stovalls, using his calling card. When the phone started ringing, he handed it to Katherine. Katherine smiled when her mother answered the phone.

"Hi Mom, miss me?"

The others didn't need to be near the phone to hear Alexandra's scream of "Oh Katie, thank God."

From there, the phone was passed round robin from one sibling to the next, as Alexandra verified for herself that her children were okay. Finally she asked to speak with Gabe.

"Gabriel, thank you, I knew you would get them back safely. I'm also very happy that you didn't get hurt doing it. Are you still planning on staying down there?"

Gabe told her his plans hadn't changed, then he held his hand over the telephone mouthpiece and addressed Peter and his siblings.

"I am going to ask your mother to come down here so you can each talk to her about your future plans. I want her to see for herself that this is a nice safe place for you, despite everything that has happened."

When all four of them nodded in eager agreement, Gabe turned his attention back to Alexandra.

"Lexie, I think you need to come down here and pick up the girls yourself. I can't explain to you why, but trust me on this, okay?"

Alexandra had her doubts, but eventually agreed.

"What about Charles?" she asked.

Gabe barely stifled a laugh.

"Believe me when I tell you that he will be happier staying home. Tell him the girls have some issues that they need to work out with you before you bring them back. That's near enough to the truth so you don't have to feel guilty for leaving him home."

I'll book a flight as soon as I hang up with you. My passport is squared away, so I'll be there as soon as possible. Have Peter call me in a couple of hours, I will have my flight information by then."

Gabe exchanged goodbyes with Alex and passed her message on to Peter. All three of the sisters gave him big hugs for thinking of the idea of bringing their mother to Colombia. Katherine's hug was especially enthusiastic, as she pressed herself tightly against him.

Since they were in town already with their bags, Gabe convinced Stephanie and Katherine to get a room in the hotel until their mother arrived. Peter and Marta also decided to book a room for the night, the thought of a hot shower and restaurant food too appealing to resist.

A number of the former FARC soldiers were also enjoying the town, thrilled to be away from the confines of the caverns. Lupe and Serafin Morales were two of them, although the couple was checking out potential sites for their restaurant, instead of visiting the cantinas and clothing stores.

While Peter was waiting to call his mother, he rang up Tim Arronson, his boss in Bogotá. Arronson was surprised and delighted to hear Peter and his sister were free and unharmed. Arronson took the hotel phone number from Peter and asked him to stand by the phone a few minutes. When Peter agreed, Arronson hung up and called Sean O'Malley in Denver. His call was kicked upstairs much quicker this time, and in less than a minute, O'Malley picked up. Arronson went directly to the point.

"Mr. O'Malley, I just spoke to Peter Ballard, he and his sister are safe and with his father."

Ironically, O'Malley had been reading the written report that John Riley had prepared about the failed rescue attempt, when Arronson called. O'Malley pumped his arm in satisfaction, and chatted with Arronson for a few more minutes. As soon as they hung up, he called the number in Colombia that Arronson provided. Peter answered on the second ring.

"Ballard here."

"Peter, this is Sean O'Malley. We are all tickled to death that you and your sisters are safe."

"We are all fine, Mr. O'Malley. It was touch and go for awhile until my father showed up."

"I asked some old friends at the Pentagon about your father when I heard he was down there. He seems like a guy I'd want to meet one day. I know this has been stressful for you Peter, so take a couple of weeks off before you come back to work, okay?"

"Actually, Mr. O'Malley, that is not okay, because I'm not coming back to work. I do have a business proposition for you, though, that could end up making us both a lot of money. The idea is based on my Master's Thesis. Would you like to hear more?"

O'Malley had a momentary flash of annoyance at the young man's cocky impertinence, until he remembered how full of himself he had been at that age. Sean remembered Peter's thesis, hell it was the main reason he'd hired him. The paper had created quite a buzz in the mining community, because of his theories concerning environmentally benign methods of extracting minerals and metals from rock.

"I'm always looking for legal ways to make money, son. What did you have in mind?"

"I have in mind a partnership of sorts, Mr. O'Malley. One in which I lease you exclusive rights to the system I've developed for two years, with rights of first refusal for continuing beyond that. I was notified that the patent office had accepted my patent application for ore extraction two days before I was captured. Now that the patent is pending, I can start licensing it's use. In exchange for an exclusive license agreement, you set up the first distillation facility here in Prado, and process ore that I find. Your cut of the pie from me would be small, but after you see how simple the technology is that I've developed, you'll make tons of money using the process elsewhere."

O'Malley thought for almost a minute as he ran the benefits of doing things Peter's way through his head. It wasn't a bad offer, but it was very restrictive.

"Suppose we changed the exclusive use period to five years, with me paying you a royalty of five percent of any earnings Consolidated makes using your process, after you pay me back for building you a facility down there?"

Peter smiled to himself as O'Malley made his counterproposal. The conversation was going almost exactly as he had envisioned it would.

"Mr. O'Malley, you would need to build a facility anyway, so if you drop the stipulation about me paying you back for the investment, we have a deal in principle. Don't worry about the cost of building the distillation facility here, because I will get you enough ore to make your money back in a year or less."

The two men talked for a few minutes longer, hashing out a few details. O'Malley told Peter he would authorize Tim Arronson at the Bogotá office to build whatever Peter needed within reason. Peter would meet with Arronson with his requirements, before picking up his mother at the airport.

Pedro Nuñez spent the day after he arrived in Ibague taking care of financial matters and obtaining a civilian wardrobe for himself. His two henchmen had civilian clothes in their duffle bags. Yes, he still only had two men with him, having opted to keep the number small to make moving around easier. Another thing Pedro accomplished was securing them transportation. He found a seven-year-old Ford Explorer in excellent condition and at a fair price.

The next morning, the three men left Ibague and headed for Prado. They arrived in Prado in the early afternoon, about the same time Peter was talking to Sean O'Malley. Nuñez drove to the seedier southern part of town, and checked them into two rooms at a nondescript little motel. Nuñez was certain no one recognized him in this part of town, and doubted if anyone cared that much anyway, as long as he paid cash in advance. Pedro gave the men fifteen minutes to get settled in their room, before he sent them on their first mission. He gave them each a fist full of pesos and some instructions.

"I am certain you will find some of the FARC scum at the various cantinas celebrating. Go hang out with them, but do not mention you were a Tiger Soldier. Buy them a few drinks and get them talking. I am most interested in the whereabouts of their puta of a commander."

While Nuñez was gathering intelligence on Marta Cardenas, Ian McAllister, the Agent In Charge of the Colombia Field Office of the DEA, was telling Arturo Guzman what his men in Prado had reported. McAllister was delighted that Guzman hadn't known a thing about the defeat of his proxy soldiers. It felt good to wipe the smug, condescending smirk off the man's face.

"I'll tell you, Arturo, it's the damnedest stroke of good luck possible for our program. The AUC and FARC wipe each other out, and the kidnapped geologist's father rescues him and his sisters. Then my man down there steps in and starts a program to get the peasant farmers to turn in their coca bushes voluntarily. And come to find out it's all possible because of how successful our prior spraying efforts were. I'm telling you Guzman, I'm sending those choppers straight to the eastern side of the mountains, using the same plan. You were right on the money to recommend we start where we did. With what we learned, our program will be three times as successful."

Arturo Guzman acted as if he was immensely pleased with McAllister's good fortune, while in reality, he was scrambling for how to deflect the DEA away from the Cocaine Cartels' prime growing area.

"That is wonderful news Señor Ian, and I am pleased my small efforts helped. Perhaps I have a few other ideas on how to proceed with the spraying. Perhaps the approach you used in Prado would work in the east as well. It could be that the key to success is keeping your efforts small and work towards voluntary compliance. Why not try another small test in Meta Province? It is an eastern slope province with much coca cultivation. I could smooth the way for you to base your helicopters near the city of Villavicencio, at the military base of the Colombian Army's 4th Infantry Division. If your operations continue to be successful in Meta Province, you can move on to Putumayo Province next."

To Guzman's relief, McAllister agreed to his idea. Putumayo was the real prize that McAllister was after, because almost 100,000 hectares of coca was cultivated there. He figured that a few months of spraying in Meta would have his crews in top condition, and their technique honed to perfection. Guzman was happy he could once again deflect the DEA from Putumayo. He knew his efforts would be well rewarded by Diego Leon Montoya-Sanchez, the head of the North Valley Cocaine Cartel.

After Peter Ballard took his mother's flight information, he went up to the room he'd booked with Marta. When he unlocked the door and went in to the room, the sight of her took his breath away. She was lying on the bed wearing a short red teddy with a matching g-string. Her hair was recently shampooed and spread out artfully on the pillow, the light from the late afternoon making her tresses appear more auburn than black. She was looking at him unsmiling, her eyes smoky with lust and shiny with love.

Peter admired her body as he ripped off his clothes; she had to be the most beautiful woman he'd ever met. She drew up one knee as he approached the bed, calling his attention to her impossibly long and shapely legs. Neither of them spoke as he knelt on the bed, although they both sighed when he ran his hand up her warm smooth thigh. Marta eagerly raised her hips when he grabbed the waistband of her tiny panties and slowly pulled them down her legs. When he tossed the g-string across the room, she started to sit up and pull off the small satin top. He surprised her by staying her hand and pushing her back down on the bed.

"I'll get to that," he said in a firm voice that made her shiver.

She fell back on the bed with a wide-eyed nod of her head, as his hand reached the juncture of her thighs. When she felt his finger slowly enter her, she spread her legs further to give him room.

"You are so wet for me, Marta, and I am so achingly hard for you. Do you think that might be because today is the day I impregnate you?"

Marta moaned and pushed her hips up.

"Yes," she whispered, "today is the day Peter, I can feel it in every fiber of my being."

Peter looked into her eyes as he swung himself between her wide splayed legs. She hungrily reached down and grabbed his huge hardness and set it at the entrance of her wet and ready slit. Her breath hissed out as he ever so slowly penetrated her. When he was fully seated within her tightness, she wrapped her legs and arms around him and they made slow gentle love. The words of love and adoration he whispered in her ear as he gently stroked into her, fired her passion and filled her heart. Even though their lovemaking was slow and languid, it didn't take them long to reach a shattering mutual climax.

For Marta, it was the most satisfying orgasm she ever had. No, it wasn't the strongest she'd ever had, (although Peter had been responsible for that one also) but it was the first that centered in her heart and not her vagina. She clung to him desperately, raining kisses on his face as the feeling washed over her in roiling waves.

After a couple of minutes, Peter reached back, loosened her legs from around his waist, and rolled over until she was on top. Marta squirmed happily as she felt that he was still ramrod hard within her tight sheath. It was his turn to groan as she flexed her internal muscles and sat up. When he started pushing her teddy up, she put her hands over her head to help him. So the wispy bit of red satin joined the panties at the side of the bed. She shook her hair back into place and looked down at him with love and longing. All of the pain in her past life disappeared at that moment, leaving nothing but a bright and shining love for him.

Pedro Nunez's spies reported back to him at ten o'clock that night. They had a wealth of information for him. He was amazed at the tale they told about the disbanding of the Columna Carlos Sanchez. He was delighted to learn that his quarry was in town at this very moment, and that his men even knew exactly where she was. All he had to do was keep and eye on her and patiently wait for a time when he could catch her alone and with her guard down. When that happened, he would pounce. He would be the Tiger and she the hapless antelope. Pedro's dick started firming up at the thought of her pinned beneath him, begging for mercy. But there would be no mercy for Commander Zorra; El Tigre had nothing for her except pain and misery.
Joe J & Wet Dream-Girl
Chapter 22