Marcus Markley: The UBIQUITOUS Files!

By J.A. Green

After the suspicious murder of his parents. young Marcus Markley embarks on a journey to make a name for himself and discover the true murders of his beloved parents. Twenty years later, self-made multi-Billionaire Marcus Markley runs some of the most powerful organizations in the world. He is a shrewd businessman that is not afraid of making power plays. His organization spans the globe with interests in places many corporations would not dare to go.

Marcus' secret clandestine organization UBIQUITOUS carries out orders that are not always exactly legal. He started the organization in order to solve the mystery that has surrounded the death of his parents. Now the organization is available to a very elite clientele. UBIQUITOUS is responsible for realigning many shifts in military, politics, and business to those that are willing to pay the price.
over 20 years ago while on vacation.

Marcus Markley: The UBIQUITOUS Files is written in the style of a James Patterson, John Grisham, or Tom Clancey. Marcus Markley will have you captivated from the first chapter until the final page.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.A. Green
• Release date: Mar 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310750038

J.A. Green

J. A. Green is an author of fiction writings in the suspense and action genres. The style of J. A. Green's writings are an easy reading often using short chapters for busy readers. He has enjoyed creative writing since his teen years (a long time ago, in a state far away). He hopes you will enjoy all his works as much as he enjoyed bringing them to you. J. A. Green is the author of the: Marcus Markley series, Passages, The Coliseum Games, Deception!, and Battlecry!

Book preview

Prologue

The couple sat at the quaint little sidewalk café or maqha. A few more hours and they would be leaving the city to return home. The couple enjoyed a light breakfast as they took in the sights and sounds of the city. The city was truly amazing with so rich a history.

Business had been good while they were here. The jobs had been successfully completed. It was now time to go home. The work would sort itself out.

Where was Thomas? He should have joined them by now thought Jacob. The waiter brought the tourist couple a fresh cup of coffee each. As Jacob was finishing the news of the AP wire, a car pulled up to the curb near their table. A man in traditional robes exited the vehicle and quickly walked into a shop next to the café. Jacob noticed the man presented as quite nervous, anxious really. Jacob followed the man into the shop with his eyes.

Jacob returned to his coffee and conversation. Moments later, the man exited the shop talking very quickly in Arabic. The man walked back to his car, looking quickly at Jacob as he continued to talk to nobody in sight.

Jacob immediately put down cash to pay for breakfast and nudged his wife to move. Several people stood up rapidly to leave. The man stood just outside the driver’s door, took a deep breath. He reached into his pocket while fixing his stare on Jacob. Jacob grabbed his wife to get her behind him, throwing his jacket over her as he threw her to the ground. Jacob then grabbed his pistol.

The man had a mobile device in his hand. He pushed a button. Jacob jumped back and threw himself over Hillary. The explosion was fast and furious. The screaming and crying increased as those that survived scrambled to help.

Thomas carrying his backpack saw the explosion and ran towards the café. Moments later and sifting through the rubble he found the charred bodies of his good friend and his wife. Thomas had to make the call. The issue just escalated.

Chapter 1

The night air was thick in the dimly lit alley. The man had been in the city many times before though had just arrived a few hours ago. He could see the embassy clearly from his vantage point. Officials from all around the globe were there for a state dinner tonight. The target would be coming out shortly. He had made sure of that. Everything was moving ahead as planned.

The man pulled up the collar on his black trench coat to make himself less visible. Success would be his. If all went right, he would be sitting in first class headed back to the states in a couple of hours. He had made contact with his man at the embassy when he arrived in town. Things were about to change. His employer made sure of that. He sat and waited.

A long black armor plated Mercedes limousine pulled up to the steps of the embassy. His target was sighted. The ambassador stepped into his limo destined for an appointment he would never arrive at. The driver closed the door and headed for the driver’s door. The limo pulled away from the steps. The escort motorcycles and limousine began the procession down the driveway. The security gates were opened as the guards waved the car through. The car eased its way onto the street. It should happen any time now. The car was gaining speed. According to the device in his hand the car was up to 20 kilometers per hour. The ambassador’s car should be well clear of the embassy as it winds down through the narrow street. The device read 32 kilometers per hour; the man stepped deeper into the shadows, then covered his ears.

The loud, massive fireball erupted 2 blocks from the embassy. Some guards ran to assist. Quickly embassy personnel erected security barriers. People were now on the street. The man put the device back in his pocket. He folded down his collar and began walking towards the accident with several other onlookers. He stood on the sidewalk as the guards and escorts pulled the lifeless body from the backseat or more like what was left of the physical body of the ambassador and his drivers. The car’s remains were a tangled mess. The explosive and detonator were destroyed in the explosion. The source was untraceable, just the way he liked it. He had visual that the ambassador is dead. His boss would be pleased. The Association had won a battle today. The man walked to his car 3 blocks away, slid in and faded into the night. Thirty minutes later he was in the business lounge waiting for his flight.

Chapter 2

Thomas Phydeux drove up to the gate of Marcus Mountain just outside Malibu, California. His Chevy Tahoe rumbling at the gate as the guard verified credentials and waved him through. Phydeux dropped the car in the garage area and caught the elevator for the ride 4 stories below ground level. He straightened his tie and suit before exiting the elevator to walk the tunnel. He is in the nerve center of UBIQUITOUS.

Phydeux entered the employee lobby of the Association. He was greeted by Tabitha the receptionist. He walked the hallway back to his office suite, where Samantha his personal assistant greeted him and began briefing him as he entered his office.

Thomas, here are the reports you wanted. This morning papers are laid out on the coffee table. It looks like the trip was a success, said Samantha. Thomas stated that yes it was. Just a reminder Thomas, you are scheduled to meet with Marcus in 15 minutes. Thank you, Sam, I appreciate the reminder.

Phydeux pressed the space bar to bring his monitor to life. He checked his email. The accounts had been credited. His associate reports that the explosion has left the authorities baffled. The trade talks were discontinued due to the potential security threat of another attack. There would not be another attack at this time. Phydeux chuckled to himself. He picked up his portfolio and headed to his private conference room just off his office. He punched in the code and entered.

The conference room was richly decorated in dark woods and earth tone walls. In the center was a conference table for ten. At one end was a console of controls. Phydeux pushed a button then began reading a brief from last night.

A tall, dignified, and handsome man in his late 40s walked into the room and sat down beside Phydeux. The room was sound proof and regularly swept for listening or surveillance devices. An electromagnetic pulse prevented any outside infiltration. Good Morning Marcus. Good morning Thomas. How was the night? Phydeux replied I attended the event last night and enjoyed the fireworks at the end. Then I gather all is well and on schedule asked Marcus. Phydeux replied yes. I have viewed the results myself. Your flight was pleasant I assume, asked Marcus. I was able to sleep some on the plane. I landed a couple of hours ago. Excellent said Marcus.

The House of Commons is about to take a vote that could negatively impact our operations in northern Great Britain. I would like your team to assess the situation and provide me with best options. Let’s discuss the options tomorrow morning same time. I need timelines, and resources needed to sway the vote. The vote is expected by Friday, so there is little time or room for error. Phydeux responded my team is always ready. I will get Swanson analyzing the situation immediately. Marcus replied: Excellent Thomas, I can always count on you for results and left the room. Phydeux pressed a button to summon Alexandre Swanson.

The redheaded man came to Samantha’s desk. Alex, good morning, Samantha said. Sam, as beautiful as ever, replied Swanson. Is the old man in? Samantha smiled and said, you better not let him hear you say that. He could lay a world of hurt on you. I know replied Swanson. I have to mess with him or he might think I didn’t care.

SWANSON, came the voice from around the corner. Phydeux was just rounding the corner coming to Samantha’s desk. "I was just coming to find you as you are surely too young to move so slowly. Any time, any place old timer retorted Swanson as he smiled. Alex, if we did not have so many cases together over the years, I just might have to show you what this old timer can do to a whippersnapper like you.

Boys, boys, surely you flatter little ol’ me with your bouts of raging testosterone… flirted Samantha. However, the mine is bigger than yours routine is old. We have some work to do, don’t we? Phydeux turned to Samantha and said, you are right, beside I would hate to have to find a replacement for the time Swanson here would be recovering. Yeah whatever Tommy boy.

Thomas, Alexandre, and Sam had worked on many missions together over the past 20 years. It was only this close-knit trio and the rest of their exclusive team that could get away with ribbing each other such as this. The trio entered the private conference room to discuss the Englander Project.

Chapter 3

UBIQUITOUS is like no other organization of its kind. UBIQUITOUS is often referred to in certain circles as The Association. The Association specializes in covert operations that are not sanctioned by any government or military entity. The resources were literally endless given reasonable cause. UBIQUITOUS is the ultimate operation to change the course of history. The Association is controlled by one man through many layers of protection, legal and illegal, ethical and unethical. The one purpose is to complete the mission and get the required result, or else.

UBIQUITOUS employs only the very best in their fields while maintaining complete anonymity to the outside world. Employees and contractors of the Association are very well paid financially and in certain perks of the work. A great deal is achieved by The Association, when much of the bureaucracy is removed.

It has been rumored that when a particular military is bogged down by politics, or a certain course of action would be defamatory to the government, an alliance can be established between the military and The Association. The alliance is always in the best interest of UBIQUITOUS. Due to the deep covertness, very few know of the organization. If anyone is suspected of knowing too much, the individual is removed from the equation. UBIQUITOUS always completes the mission with the desired result, period. In over 20 years since the Association was formed, there had been a 0% failure rate. Thomas Phydeux was not going to let that change on his watch.

Samantha and Thomas sat on opposite sides of the conference table. Swanson was at the video screen giving the brief. This core team was always kept small, to remain ultra-effective. A small team meant less likelihood of slip ups. When this team made a mistake, people died and economies crashed.

Alexandre continued to brief Samantha and Thomas as to the critical timing of the mission. Thomas interjected after 5 minutes. Okay, we get it. What do you see as the solution? What is it going to take to make it happen? Alexandre was used to Thomas’s direct approach. He had learned Thomas had a great sense of humor for what he does, but when it was time to work, it was all serious.

I suggest a 5-person team: Intelligence, Communications, Munitions, Surveillance, and Logistics. By my calculations and latest intelligence, we have a small window to take advantage of 0200 to 0400 Greenwich on Thursday, two days from now. Hmm, said Phydeux. Any prospects as to the other team members. The usual stated Swanson. Tasha and Thornton. Thornton is due in from debrief in the next couple of hours. He should be good for turnaround in the next 16 hours. He can sleep on the jet.

Chapter 4

Thornton entered the building through the door off the alley. He was able to pick the lock with his special key. As he entered the side hallway, he noticed a light. The glimmer was faint underneath a door. He quietly slid an optical cable under the door searching for any life signs. The readings came back as an empty room, void of life. Someone had left their light on.

Thornton unlatched the window in the back-storage room to allow the rest of the team in. Katrina and Alexandre slid through the window dressed in all black and black make up. The team slowly worked their way up to the fifth floor where the entrance to the penthouse is located. They were undetected. The security forces will be multiplied due to the presence of the royal family. So far so good. Alexandre pulled out his scanner, He told the team there are 2 guards on the other side of this door and 4 more stationed outside the main door to the penthouse. If we can catch them off guard we stand a far better chance. It does not appear they are carrying their Uzis. Katrina slipped into the darkened corner of the hallway and released the mice.

Moments later three of the guards were chasing 4 mice through the hallway away from their hiding place. The cheese she had placed earlier in the day was at the other end of the floor outside the penthouse. Thornton slipped into the opposing corner. He aimed his weapon loaded with 6 rounds of powerful sedative in micro dot pellets. The pellets would barely be noticeable as they hit their targets. The delayed reaction and rapid succession knocked the remaining 3 guards out concurrently. Thornton, Katrina, and Alexandre arrived at the servant entrance to the penthouse without being seen. Within seconds, they were inside the service area.

Alexandre viewed his scanner. He told the team the empress should be in the bedroom directly above us. The bed is about 10 feet from the left of where we stand and 12.5 feet straight up. The Duke’s bed is straight back 45.7 feet. According to the scanner both beds are occupied. Alexandre pushed a button. It appears both beds are occupied with the respected parties. He slid his fingers across a panel. Yes, we have confirmation. The targets are acquired.

Thornton loaded his weapon with the armor boring semi-porous capsules into his silenced ultra-high powered gun. The gun was so powerful that the armor piercing was burned away at impact leaving only the drug filled capsule to penetrate the skin of the target and kill instantly, leaving no markings or identification of entry wound. Katrina stealthily walked down to the storage closet underneath the Duke’s bed. 3-2-1 and FIRE! Katrina and Thornton shot their weapons at exactly the same time as Alexandre watched their targets on the split screen. The thermo-graphs showed a cooling of the bodies and heart rate was decreasing. Success!

Alexandre checked the hallway. The guards were still knocked out. The others had not yet returned. The mice were a great deterrent. They quickly assembled in the room down the hall, then out the window before the servants would ever know. It would be hours most likely before the servants found the lifeless bodies. They would be back in the safe house across the Heng-Pei Peninsula.

Chapter 5

The custom Ford Excursion pulled into the parking garage. Three men in black suits white shirts, and red ties, all wearing dark tinted glasses exited the vehicle. Each man had a submachine gun and a .357 holstered to their massive bodies. The combined weight of these men was more than a Volkswagen. One man opened the door on the passenger rear side. A tall man in a dark suit carrying a briefcase exited the vehicle from the front seat, passenger side. The final passenger emerged in a long black, cashmere trench coat. The team entered the building with the trench coat well protected by the 4 men.

Marcus was a very distinguished looking man. He was always impeccably dressed. His suits were mostly Armani, or a tailored Hugo Boss. He liked to leave some room for the toys he carried. The few gray specs in his hair gave him that little extra sign of respect and maturity.

Marcus was one of the most powerful men in the world, yet few people knew of him, unless you had dealt with him before. Marcus was always kind and respectful. He always got what he wanted. He is a master negotiator. Marcus carries enormous influence in many circles inside and outside the power brokers of the world. As a result, Marcus exuded confidence in all his dealings. The Markley empire spanned the globe and beyond. The wealth of the Markley name was more money and holdings than a medium sized country.

The Markley Team entered the ornately decorated reception area on the 27th floor. The team had entered the offices of Swarkovsky, Petrov, and Taylor. A beautiful, impeccable redhead greeted them. Mr. Markley excellent to see you again, said the redhead. Thank you, Irene, stated Marcus. Mr. Markley please allow me to escort you to the conference room. The six walked down the side hallway that provided a pictorial history of the organizations leaders past and present.

Once inside the conference room, Irene asked: What may I get you? A bottle of water, chilled for each member would be wonderful, thank you replied George. George is Marcus’s personal assistant. George removed his lap top and a portfolio from the briefcase. Marcus whispered something to Fredrich his head of security on this trip. Fredrich communicated some comments to the other two security guys.

The three executives Swarkovsky, Petrov, and Taylor entered the room followed by a herd of assistants and counsel. The executives and lead counsel filled one side of the table. The advisors and counselors sat behind them near the wall. The impression was to intimidate. Marcus Markley was not so easily moved.

Heinric Petrov, spoke up. Markley, you have received our counteroffer to buy our operations of TechnoChina in China, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Either you are willing to accept these terms or you are not. Mar-Tec holds a reasonable market share. If you purchase TechnoChina, it will make Mar-Tec the largest provider and manufacturer of high end electronic devices in Asia.

Marcus Markley stared at Petrov eye to eye, studying his opponent’s eyes, facial expressions, body language, and breathing patterns. He took a long slow breath as he observed Petrov’s two partners. They sat very quietly, one fidgeting with his PDA, the other typing on his computer a letter to nobody. The assistants were all sitting looking very non-pulsed like they were regularly apart of such hard-core negotiations. He put his hand out as George handed him a sheet of paper. Markley never looked down or broke eye contact with Petrov. A slow inhale and Markley slowly and controlled raised his hands to cross fingers in a triangle. He looked at the unread sheet of paper in front of him. The security guards stepped back half a step on cue.

Heinric, Peter, and John, we have known each other a long time. We both entered the Chinese market around the same time with different variations of similar devices. We have all enjoyed massive profits. The cycle has run its course. One of us needs to purchase the other’s interest. It is just good business. The offer Mar-Tec has made is a good offer. The arrangements allow Techno to enter other markets we have no interest in. Isn’t it time you took the money and placed it where it can please your stockholders?

Peter Swarkovsky spoke up sounding a bit agitated. How about Techno buys Mar-Tec? Marcus looked at Swarkovsky unfazed. The sudden burst of emotion indicated to Marcus that they were hiding something. Now was the time. Marcus looked at John Taylor. John, would you like to weigh in on this discussion.

John Taylor was the youngest of the three executives and had been hired away from Mar-Tec Great Britain. Marcus, I have known you for several years. I know you to be well prepared for an acquisition. I find the fact that your offer is well below TechnoChina’s current value disturbing. We have several government contracts in the final approval stages in Mainland China and Taiwan. Something tells me you know this already though. Marcus continued to observe Taylor while taking in Swarkovsky’s and Petrov’s reactions. The fact the offer is low indicates that you strongly suspect there will be a shift in our economic well-being. Marcus looked at Taylor with no real facial expression. Markley’s team were basically stone faced.

Marcus looked at each of the executives. The offer is below current market value granted. The offer is quite equitable given the terms. It is what it is. You are welcome to say no. The monies from this transaction can strengthen other areas we both know are slack in your global operations. Things change gentlemen. The offer is good as long as I am in the room. My suggestion is you take the offer. The government in China and Taiwan have been known to periodically go through abrupt changes as history has shown. Of course, I would tell you to take it though. If you choose not to I will find other investments to expand in the region. It is decision time gentlemen. What are you going to