“Knowlan has connections to organized crime. While he keeps his nose clean, the likelihood of favor-swapping is suspected. And an occasional suspicious death is not out of the question.”

“What about his past?” Wyl asked.

“His past piqued our interest. Gang activity as a teenager, but no criminal record. Either he is clean, or he managed to avoid getting caught. I’m betting he insulates himself from the actual crimes. Both men are considered dangerous. MacGowan because of his intelligence. Add the ready availability of talented, technology-savvy college students, and the stage is set for criminal activity almost impossible to trace. Knowlan because of his connections and possible influence over others in the criminal element.”

“Possible influence?” Rod asked.

“We think Knowlan keeps a list of underworld connections, Rod.”

Rod nodded. “It sounds like we need to keep an eye out for others as well.”

“I won’t lie and tell you the mission carries no risks.” The general stopped and regarded Rod and Wyl. “Other questions, gentlemen?”

“General, the connections between our background and this mission are quite obvious,” Rod said. “You need Wyl for his cryptographic abilities. You need me for my connection to the arts. And you need our relationship as a gay couple. What are the specific expectations for us, and how are we to carry out this mission?”

“Excellent questions, Rod. Wyl, any questions from you?”

“Yes, general. If I may be so blunt, Rod doesn’t have any field experience, and I have not kept up with the latest in cryptography. While we fit the needs of this mission, how will we be sure we can succeed?”

“Excellent question, Wyl. I have answers for you both, but let’s take a quick health break. I’m sure you're both ready for a stretch. Duggins, show Rod and Wyl to the Men’s Room.”

“Yes, sir. Gentlemen, follow me.” Duggins stood and moved toward the office door.

Wyl and Rod followed Duggins out of the office and down the hall. At the Men’s Room, they entered while Duggins returned to the office.

“You're amazing, Rod.” Wyl stood at the urinal. “I’m so proud of you. You communicated with the general in a direct and respectful manner. Your sense of what's important helps you handle this meeting.”

“You give me more credit than I deserve. I’m quaking in my boots. Well…if I wore boots. But I’m not the only one who is uneasy. I can tell you are full of unanswered questions you aren't sure how to ask at this point. Remember, I’m here with you. I have your back. If you tense up, think of me holding you in my arms.”

Wyl glanced at his husband as he zipped his pants. “You appear so calm. How do you manage?”

“Babe, we’re in the Pentagon, which is enough to make anyone nervous.” Rod zipped. “But the general chose us for this mission. His confidence in us tells me the U.S. needs the skills we possess. I figure we must do what we can.”

“You’re being courageous through this,” Wyl said as they washed.

“What choice do we have? Move to Canada to avoid the draft?” Rod chuckled. “That’s so 1960s.”

Wyl laughed. “No… you’re right. But General Steinburg’s reminder of Italy took me back. He said both men in Ireland are considered dangerous. I thought I left danger behind me but here we are, facing danger in Ireland.”

Rod pulled Wyl into his arms. “Think of everything we’ve been through already. Nosy employees at the college, your brother’s death, a meddling ex-wife with an agenda, a Marine buddy with a closed mind, a ranch hand who ain’t workin’ for no queers, and me almost dying in San Francisco. We survived, so we’ll be fine through this. Remember, you didn’t realize the dangers you faced in Italy. In this mission, we are aware of the dangers and have the skills and knowledge to help us survive. We can face anything as long as we’re together.”

Wyl closed his eyes and inhaled. “I love you, Roddy,” he whispered.

“I love you more.” Rod gave Wyl a quick kiss, and they returned to the general’s office and took their seats at the table.

The general motioned to the items laid out for them. “New passports for each of you. Rod, your passport reflects your Sterling surname. Wyl, your discharge canceled your military passport. Yours is now a civilian passport.”

“Thank you, general, sir,” Wyl nodded.

“Yes, thank you, general,” Rod followed Wyl’s lead and nodded.

“Let’s talk mission specifics, gentlemen. We want you to infiltrate MacGowan’s organization, break his code, and stop whatever plan is in place.”

Wyl’s head spun as he tried to envision this mission. In all his years in the Marines, a situation to ferret out criminals never came up. This sounded more like a secret agent movie, with car chases, gunfire, and bad guys in dark alleys. He glanced at Rod, and his stomach tied in a knot. He needed to protect his husband. Rod's background included no military experience. How could he survive this mission? Losing Rod? Not an option.

“General, please excuse the inference, but this mission comes across like a Bond film.” Wyl glanced at Rod again. “Espionage is new to us both. And we’re dealing with experienced criminals who will think nothing of putting a bullet in us. How can we prepare for this mission, and what support can we count on while in Ireland?”

The General leaned forward, forearms on the table, fingers laced. “Excellent questions, Wyl. Rod, share your concerns with me.”

Rod cleared his throat. “I assume both of us have gone through thorough vetting or we wouldn’t be here.”

The general nodded.

“If I may be so bold, General, you are aware of my lack of military experience. My top priority will be keeping this guy safe.” He thumbed toward Wyl. “I can use a gun, but holding a gun in my hand to shoot at a stationary target and having enough confidence to use it to defend against an attack by experienced criminals is unlikely to yield desirable results. Plus, this is a military operation for which I have no experience. Am I being drafted?”

The general smiled. “I’m glad you two are thinking about survival. You both ask valid questions. Let’s cover the question of military service. Wyl, you are being brought back in for active duty. Rod, you are, in essence, drafted, although not in the typical sense. Wyl, your Marine experience taught you that military men have identification, including insignias indicating rank, dog tags, name badges, and uniforms. For the purposes of this mission, we want you both to appear as citizens. Therefore, I have dispensed with the usual military protocol. While in Ireland, you will use your civilian identification items, such as your Texas driver's license and civilian passport. You will not have a uniform. But given the nature of this mission and the risks involved, I assigned each of you the rank of Colonel.”

Wyl gasped. “General, sir, a Colonel is a base commander. We have nobody to command.”

“This country is asking a lot of you. I can’t write you a fat check. A check I don’t believe either of you needs. But I can give you the honor of a rank matching the skills each of you brings to the table and emphasizes the worldwide criticality of this mission.”

Rod leaned over and whispered, “You okay, babe?”

Wyl smiled. “Fine. It surprised me.”

“General,” Rod said. “Thank you for the vote of confidence. But can we turn to the topic of training?”

“Of course. Rod, you will spend two weeks at Quantico, where we train Special Operations Forces. The first week, you will learn standard military protocol and proper weapons handling. In the second week, you both will train at the same facility. You’ll learn to think on your feet in tense situations and how to use a weapon to defend yourself when your life is threatened. We will train you in hand-to-hand combat in case physical encounters occur. We won’t put you through the demanding physical exercise training. Still, you will be prepared to handle anything you encounter in Ireland.”

Wyl cleared his throat. “General, what about bringing my specific computer skills up to date? Will I have a chance to learn the latest as well?”

“Of course. Wyl, your training will occur here at the Pentagon for the first week. You will focus on refreshing your cryptology skills. We have a class of promising young recruits who will enjoy having you in their presence. And speaking of cryptology, since we don’t want to reveal your full background to the world, you are a cybersecurity expert for this mission. The guise keeps your true skills from unscrupulous ears but still gives you access to the information we believe will help solve the crime.”

“It all makes sense, general,” Wyl said. “What kind of support can we expect in Ireland, sir?”

“The US has no armed forces in Ireland. Ireland is a neutral country, so there are no foreign bases. You’ll be without U.S. military assistance while on the mission. The U.S. Embassy will be informed of your presence, but aside from you informing them of your arrival, they will not be involved. Instead, we arranged a top contact for you within the national Irish police force, Garda. As I mentioned, Commissioner Seamus Kane, the top man in Garda, will be briefed on your skills, relationship, and why we selected you two for this mission. He is the only one in Ireland who will have knowledge of your cryptology skillset, Wyl. The fewer, the better. You won’t have any direct interaction with Commissioner Kane or the Galway Chief Superintendent, Ciaran O’Brien. The Chief Superintendent will have full knowledge of your mission but not your background in cryptology. He will view you as a cybersecurity expert. Your contacts in Galway are two British MI6 agents familiar with the Irish underworld. British Intelligence informed them of your mission but not your specific skillset, Wyl. They will be your backup in case something arises where you need help. And finally, should you have any questions or issues, I am at your disposal any time, day or night, via the tablets in front of you or the government-issued cell phones you will receive during training.”

The general glanced back and forth between them. “I don’t believe you took a honeymoon trip after marriage, correct?”

“No sir, General,” Rod said. “We married prior to my retirement from the college, so we made no plans.”

“We did spend time in San Francisco, General,” Wyl said. “But our trip resulted from the video we did to counteract a threat to out our relationship.”

The general chuckled. “That took balls, gentleman. Impressive video, though. Now, back to the honeymoon question; as far as your friends and relatives are concerned, you are taking an extended honeymoon trip to Ireland. You may be gone as long as two months, so prepare to be out of the country for an extended period. Avoid sharing any details about your true purpose.”

“Yes, sir. We understand,” Rod nodded at Wyl.

“Today is September 6th. I scheduled your training to begin on September 20th. You will depart for Ireland on Monday, October 4th, to start your mission. We hope to have you back in the States before Thanksgiving.