Living on the Edge II

by Jack Lane

Overview

Jim and Teena Lacy volunteered for SOG (Special Operation Group) after Jim returned from Korea, where he served in the 187th Airborne, a Regimental Combat Team. After extensive training, they completed assignments in various parts of the world.

This story covers their mission to verify intelligence reports that Russia had covertly moved Nuclear weapons and troops into Cuba. Their mission objectives were to confirm those reports and obtain photos for presenting to the Kremlin...when President Kennedy demands their removal. Time was a crucial factor, since America must prepare to destroy the facilities, before nuclear missiles can be launched.

Russia-Cuba started the process of increasing coastal defenses for an anticipated US invasion, while they were on their mission. Since their covert mission required strict radio silence, they were un-aware of the military buildup within the region...until they reached their rendezvous point, where Seal Teams were awaiting to extract them.

On arrival at the rendezvous point...a fierce battle erupted that resulted in critically wounded. That required shifting their Plan for Seal Teams aboard high-speed surface craft to extract those ashore.

On their arrival in Florida, a meeting had been arranged in Miami for Pentagon leaders to review the data collected, and prepare for destroying all military bases in Cuba IF Russia refused to remove their missiles and troops.

It is an action packed story with extensive covert actions. Additionally, it conveys the love (and passions) shared by Jim & Teena...that will be enjoyed by all. The last three chapters include surprise events, with an ending that will surprise everyone.

Prior to their Cuban mission, Jim & Teena were on other covert mission assignments in the Middle East, Colombia and Brazil, that was covered in a prior book named "Living on the Edge".

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496916815
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	07/02/2014
Pages:	338
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.76(d)

Read an Excerpt

Living on the Edge II

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By Jack Lane

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2014 Jack Lane
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4969-1681-5

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CHAPTER 1

Preparing for a NEW ASSIGNMENT

After completing a three year (+) assignment in Brazil the long vacation period was nearing an end ... so Jin and Teena started preparing for a new assignment.

* * *

Teena and I had become extremely relaxed during our long vacation ... which meant very little thought had been given to the business we were in, during that period. Now however, it was time to start preparing ourselves for the future, since we would soon need to report back to duty.

Fortunately (after relaxing for a month), we had resumed our daily physical exercising and training, during the last two months of our vacation period. We knew that was important, because our job conditions in Brazil didn't leave time for us to keep in shape.

That included jogging at least five to seven miles per day, plus at least an hour of all our physical exercises, such as push-ups and sit-ups ... plus numerous other exercises. We also did our martial arts practice, and routinely did target practice at the pistol range on a regular basis. Our jobs required us to remain in top physical condition and proficient with various weapons.

Since it was imperative that we remain in top physical condition, all the exercises and training, had long been a routine part of our lives. Fortunately, we enjoyed it very much, and there was little doubt that we would continue the practice throughout our lives ... until either age or health didn't permit us to continue.

Since Teena was at the hair dresser and had plans to do some shopping later, she would be away for several hours. As a result, I decided to just relax in our apartment ... and review our past assignments in my mind, while nursing a glass of Chivas scotch.

We had elected to keep our first apartment in Tulsa, as our home base, even though we could afford anything we wanted. Teena was now an extremely wealthy lady, from her inheritance (and large settlement) she received ... as a result of the air crash in which her parents were killed.

However, after I returned from Korea, she had elected to join me ... to become a part of an un-named US Secret Services agency, as our lifetime profession. Since our combined incomes enabled us to live a good lifestyle ... she made the decision to place her inheritance funds in a family trust for our children in future years.

Teena received her degree in financial management & invested wisely ... so, she was now an extremely wealthy young lady. However, we both enjoyed the life and profession we had chosen to pursue, and were now looking forward to our next assignment.

It didn't seem possible our vacation was now nearing the end ... since we had been physically and mentally exhausted, at the end of the Brazil assignment. That was primarily because we had routinely been working 16 to 18 (+) hours a day during most of the last 18 to 20 months of that assignment.

The vacation had been so relaxing ... it seemed like only yesterday, since we departed Brazil. It was hard to believe it was now time to start preparing ourselves mentally and physically for our next assignment.

I knew it would be several hours before Teena returned from the beauty shop and her shopping, so I felt this would be a good time to laze back, relax ... and start refreshing my memory on the things that occurred at the end of the assignment.

* * *

As my mind wandered ... back over our lives together, it ultimately started focusing on the end of our last assignment in Brazil.

It had been uncertain whether we would return to Brazil, or perhaps be reassigned to another part of the world. We assumed that Tom's people were trying to evaluate the situation, and the fallout that potentially may occur, as a result of the events, which culminated in the loss of so many people, in the drug dealer groups. They were inter-connected with drug dealers throughout the world ... and all of them were extremely vindictive.

Many people who had provided evidence against drug cartel members (in the past), and given new identities by various Governments of the world, were found slaughtered many years later. In some cases, they simply disappeared, and no bodies were ever found. It was an extremely violent and vicious business with little regard for human life.

At our last meeting with Tom ... he stated his preference was for us to return to Rio, where we would reside, & have responsibility for all our Agents through-out South America. However, it was still uncertain whether that would be wise, since it was unclear how many cartel members may have survived, and whether we were on a hit list.

As a result, Tom thought it may be best to proceed with caution, and look at other potential assignments. While everyone believed our true professions in Brazil had never been detected, there was no way to be absolutely certain.

Tom felt the American and Brazilian agents for the region would soon receive feedback from their sources, on whether our true roles there, had been detected. If it was still uncertain by the end of our vacation, he had other assignments in mind. One of those was in Europe, where we would be stationed in London, but would have responsibilities throughout Europe and the Middle East regions.

Teena and I discussed the various possibilities at length, and ultimately concluded it didn't matter where our next assignment may be. Although we were very happy in Brazil, and would look forward to returning, we would adjust and be happy, no matter where we were assigned.

* * *

As I lazed there sipping scotch and letting my mind wander back over the end of our last assignment ... trying to get myself prepared for return to duty, my mind continued to roam ...

Our last assignment in Brazil had extended to three plus years, before we could take a break. There were many crucial develop-mints in our efforts to understand, & become personally involved with the top Drug Cartel leader ... so taking a scheduled vacation was simply out of the question.

Ultimately, our efforts to become personally involved with the major drug dealer of the world had been successful. It ultimately resulted in the deaths of the two people, who were the leaders of the world's leading drug cartels.

The three (+) years of our Brazilian assignment evolved into a major cooperative effort, where we worked closely with both civilian intelligence agencies and Brazilian Military. It culminated in the deaths of the world's two largest drug dealers.

During the course of that assignment, we met and became close friends with many people that will be life-time friends. As a result, both Teena and I felt extremely proud of what our efforts had been instrumental in achieving.

* * *

As Special Agents assigned in Brazil, our primary assignment had been to study, understand, get to know ... and socialize with the top drug dealer in the country. After about 18 to 20 months into the assignment we had made very little progress and started to become a bit discouraged.

Unlike the prior assignment(s), it was ultimately concluded we would use our real names in Brazil. Tom (our manager), had arranged for us to be there under the guise of being employees for a manufacturing company.

The chairman of the company (we represented) had been an old Special Services Agent ... who had worked with Tom back in WWII. Because of the close ties, he and Tom made arrangements for many US Special Agents to be assigned to various regions of the world, as employees of his old friend's company. I never knew the financial aspects of the agreement, but I'm certain the company was well compensated.

Those arrangements required a tremendous amount of time, effort and expense to monitor ... since it involved their operations in many countries throughout the world. It also involved many people within our organization. As a result, it was certain there was a long-term contractual agreement between his friend's company and the US Government.

Our mission in Brazil culminated in destroying the two major drug cartels for the region. We ultimately learned the two largest cartels that were operating there, were actually the two top drug dealers in the world.

The Brazilian assignment had been a real challenge, with many frustrating problems ... that initially seemed beyond our capability to cope with, or resolve. We were (allegedly) there working as sales representatives for the large manufacturing company.

Our assignment objective had been to study, and hopefully get to know, & intermingle, with the top drug dealer in Brazil. During that period, we were working closely with the Brazilian Secret Services Groups. We also worked closely with a US Agent who was assigned to the US Embassy in Rio.

The last few months of our Brazilian Assignment had been extremely stressful (especially for Teena) ... because that was the first-time she had personally been face to face with certain death, unless we reacted quickly. Although she had received extensive training, it was her first involvement in a live real-world event, for which she had been trained.

I had never seen anyone more calm (or complacent), than she was ... and I had served in combat with numerous battle hardened veterans in Korea.

Fortunately, we were ultimately successful in achieving our objective and played a key role in working with the Brazilian Government (and the Brazilian Military) ... in bringing it to a successful conclusion.

We were both now looking ahead, and anxious to find out what Tom had in mind for our next assignment.

* * *

My mind continued to roam ... thinking back on that night when we observed & recognized the assassination setup for Paulo and Lydia (i.e. Bob & Jeri Grey). Teena was so calm you would never have guessed it wasn't just another training event.

It was however, an event where we faced certain death unless we acted immediately, in a calm professional manner, for which we were trained. The most amazing thing to me ... was her calm reactions and professionalism, in the face of certain death ... unless we took immediate action.

Although I had served with some excellent combat soldiers, that were extremely calm and vicious in a battle, I had never seen anyone more relaxed than Teena had been, on that night.

Her reactions were as though it was just another routine training exercise. There was no emotion of any type, other than the exceptional manner in which she performed. If I hadn't known better, I would have believed she was an old battle hardened pro. It puzzled me, how such a beautiful educated lady ... could be so calm in the face of certain death, unless we reacted immediately as we had been trained to do.

I was extremely proud of her ... so much, that it is beyond my ability to describe.

* * *

My mind continued to roam back over the end of our Brazilian assignment and ultimately focused on the events after our arrival back in the US.

After a few days trying to relax and unwind, we reported to our headquarters office. We knew Tom (our manager) ... was anxiously waiting for us to report in, because he planned to schedule a meeting and work session with the staff.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and share ideas, for building a new computer data base ... that would be used by all participating nations throughout the world. The initial primary objective was to create a worldwide database, to help monitor and track those in the drug trade.

Another primary intent for such a database was in the training of new agents ... prior to their assignments. It would not only be useful in the training of new agents, it would potentially save many lives. It was becoming increasingly obvious to all of us, that we were entering a new age of technology, and the computer would become increasingly important in future years.

Tom knew that in order to achieve success in the efforts to control the drug trade, it would require the support & participation of nations throughout the world. He also knew it was imperative that a combined world-wide effort had to be made, if there was to be any hope of preventing further escalation, of the world drug problem.

In reality, the initial purpose of our training and the unit for which we were assigned ... was intended and directed toward the national security of the US. Our first assignment (involving Israel) was directed toward that objective.

The next two assignments in Colombia and Brazil however, were both directed toward helping understand and control the dramatically increased growth in the use of drugs, throughout the world. Both of those assignments involved working undercover, with the various law enforcement agencies within each country.

Since the extensive training we had received was directed and focused on national security of our country, it was unclear to us ... where our next assignment might be, or what it would entail.

We all realized ... that we were entering a new revolutionary age of the computer. We knew the integrated computer technology would be an essential part of our business in future years.

Since many parts of the world are being controlled by Russia & China, it is unclear to all of us, what may lie ahead. That makes it highly probable however, that our future assignments will need to be focused on America's national security.

* * *

As I set there sipping a scotch ... my mind continued to roam back over the years as I waited for Teena to return ...

On our last assignment, Teena and I worked (undercover) as sales representatives of a worldwide organization, who's CEO had worked with Tom back in WWII. They were both in special units that ultimately evolved into the elite US Special Forces units that still operate in today's world.

That old working relationship, ultimately led to them entering into a contractual agreement ... where many agents within our Special Units, work in various parts of the world (posing) as sales representatives of his friend's organization.

On our Brazilian assignment, I (allegedly) worked as a sales representative ... for the company of Tom's friend. During that assignment, Teena and I worked closely with the Brazilian Secret Services, and with another US Agent, who was assigned as part of the US Embassy staff in Brazil.

During that assignment, we became socially involved, with one of the top drug lords in Brazil. The social relationship with his family, led to our close personal friendship ... with the top drug lord in Brazil. That friendship (with Bob & Jeri Grey), combined with the close working relationship we had with Brazilian CIA agents, ultimately resulted in destroying two of the largest drug dealer organizations in the world.

The size and magnitude of so many drug facilities scattered throughout the country (which is slightly larger than the US), made it an extremely challenging operation ... that required a tremendous amount of planning. That statement alone, puts the size and complexity of the efforts required into perspective.

Our efforts & working relationship with the Brazilian Agents during the assignment, was a crucial factor in the ultimate success of the mission assignment. As a result of the overall success ... both the strategy and methods used will be shared as part of a joint worldwide effort to help curtail the drug trade.

* * *

After we had relaxed for a few days, we felt refreshed & ready to proceed with business. We assumed it would require several weeks, with many meetings and long days, before we could take the vacation we were anxiously looking forward to.

As we entered Tom's office, his secretary greeted us ... then said ... Tom has been anxious to see the two of you. He's in a meeting right now, but should be back within a short while. He had planned to be back in the office about fifteen minutes ago, so the meeting obviously lasted longer than he expected ... However, just as she said that, Tom entered the office.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Living on the Edge II by Jack Lane. Copyright © 2014 Jack Lane. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

1 Preparing for a New Assignment, 1,
2 Return to Duty - After Brazil Assignment, 18,
3 The Cuban Crisis - 1963, 26,
4 The Cuban Missile Crisis-The Beginning, 47,
5 The Cuban Mission Landing-Proceed Inland, 66,
6 The Mission Intensifies, 80,
7 Nuclear Weapons Confirmation, 97,
8 Complete Recon Mission-Prepare to exit Cuba, 115,
9 Completion of the Mission Inland - Preparation to Exit Cuba, 127,
10 Firefight Erupts - During Exit from Cuba, 139,
11 Evacuation from Cuba - Critically Injured, 156,
12 Sub Captain - Medical Treatment-Briefing, 165,
13 Final Briefing - Prepare for Russian Confrontation, 186,
14 Mission Briefing - Prepare for Military Confrontation, 205,
15 Return to Florida - Mission Overview, 219,
16 End Cuba War Threat - Crucial Factors, 240,
17 Memories of Love plus Cuban crisis review, 253,
18 Cuban Mission wrap-up - Planning the Future, 264,
19 Tom Health - A heart wrenching experience, 276,
20 Life Changing events & decisions, 290,
21 Planning-Action decisions for the future, 298,
22 Retirement Plans with an Exciting Future, 313,