Within The Light's Shadow: Shadow of Doubt

By Kenneth Kirkwood

Follow James, John, and George as they
add members to the PTF to stop the
chief engineer’s mutiny on board the
USS Bunker Hill CG 52. After the tragic
death of Captain Silverton, George, and
his team help Commander Johnstone
navigate the USS Bunker Hill CG 52
through a storm and a mutiny to reach
Australia safely. Once they are in port,
George offi cially becomes Commander
Johnstone’s assistant as they prepare
for the Peace Accords.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369402573

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Janis’s Destiny

I felt lost, not being able to associate with my best friend Scott. It was creating a hole in my life the commander would never understand. It had gotten to the point where I felt like I was completely alone. I was slowly becoming another person.

However, that did not matter anymore as I would finish my National Security Agency training, and I would be reporting to the USS Bunker Hill CG52 as an undercover operative for the NSA. Yet, I was still having a tough time comprehending how Steve would drug his son Scott, thus destroying our friendship. My biggest fear was that my family would find out the truth behind my deception and they would go crazy. However, I did not realize that things had changed since the incident with Steve. It seemed like my parents were more supportive of Scott than ever. My father was still mad at me for not supporting my friend after Steve’s death. Thus, they would disown me if they knew the truth about my relationship with Scott.

In hindsight, no one understood the relationship between me, Scott, and Janis. While everything seemed hopeless for the three of us now, Janis’s father seemed to be the only one who understood that Scott and Janis were George’s loyal friends, and no matter what happened, we would always remain friends. Our friendship is something no one could break, and one day it would be our strength to help rebuild this crazy world from the horrors of Donna’s treachery. Thus, it was breaking my heart that I had put a wedge in our friendship.

Meanwhile Janis’s father discovered that Janis was asking Cindy questions about how to get a hold of Scott, so she could get a message to me, he knew it was time to put his plan into action. Because he knew I was about to complete my NSA training and would become one of the most respected operatives the NSA had ever known.

When Cindy sent a message for Janis to meet Chief Petty Officer Escondido, my recruiter. Janis was elated that she had finally found a way to contact me, and she skipped her classes and went straight to the naval recruiting office.

When she got to the office, she was greeted by a lady who looked at her like she was crazy when she asked about Chief Petty Officer Escondido. Ma’am, Chief Petty Officer Escondido was sent to our Spokane office six months ago. It was right after the last group of recruits he enlisted, and if I am not mistaken, your friend George was one of those recruits. I wish I could help you. To track down Chief Petty Officer Escondido, you must go to the navy administration office. It seems like after he got transferred to Spokane, there was an incident and he retired. No one has seen him since.

Janis put her head down and calmly thanked the lady. Once the lady was sure Janis was out of sight, she called Chief Escondido, "Sam, there is some crazy lady who just left the office. She wanted to talk to you about George. I told her you had retired. I am unsure how you want to deal with the situation because she does not seem like someone who will say she needs to talk to George without having a reason. To her it is a matter of life or death.

Chief Escondido replied, Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll take care of it and make sure no one knows about her coming to the office today. You need to shred all the records, ‘cause if anyone finds out, I am still around, it will create a lot of trouble for George and his family.

She immediately destroyed the records and made sure that no one knew that Janis had visited the office asking about George or Chief Petty Officer Escondido. However, one of Donna’s men saw Janis go into the office. A few minutes later, he came into the office and said he thought his girlfriend might have come by and wanted to know if anyone had seen her.

The lady looked him in the eye and told him, Sorry, mister, I have not seen any woman this morning. I saw quite a few yesterday. Maybe you got the day’s mixed up because we had about five ladies enlist yesterday. The man thanked her and left.

Immediately after he left, the stranger contacted Donna. Donna, something is going on with Janis. She might have found a way to contact George, but the lady lied to me and said she had never met Janis.

Donna was silent for a few minutes before she said, Just keep me updated. She is the clue to finding George and Scott. Ever since Steve died, they fell off the radar. Let her do the work for us. She had me and Steve fooled. After we find George and Scott, we will kidnap her to verify that George is still her lover boy.

Meanwhile, when Janis saw she could not talk to Chief Escondido, she went into a slump and started crying. As she was walking back to her car, she began wondering why everything was so hard when it came to George. All she wanted was a normal life. She told herself she might as well go back to the house and lock herself in her room for the next few days. No one would miss her.

Before Janis went off the deep end, a man walked up to her car and tapped on the window. At first, she didn’t recognize the man, but then he said his name, Don’t worry, ma’am. I am Chief Escondido, and I will help you get a message to your friend.

She turned and wiped away her tears. To her surprise, she discovered that the man was her father. Dad, what are you doing here?

"Did you write your Dear John letter to George. Don’t you remember I told you it was imperative that you mail the letter before he reports to his first assignment on board the USS Bunker Hill CGN52. I also told you I would return in a few months to take you away from all this. It’s time for your training."

Janis looked at him and said, What are you talking about? I am not about to leave all my friends, and I told George that I was going to wait for him.

Daughter, that is about to change. I told you your life was in danger if you continued to try and contact George. Right now, too many red flags are going off and Donna will soon figure out your secret about your love for George. Thus, you will blow my cover and we will all be captured by Donna.

Then he told her to get out of the car and take a walk with him. He said he had something he needed to show her. When they got to the end of the parking lot, he said, Do you recognize this man? He was following you this morning when you went to the recruiting office trying to find Chief Escondido.

When she saw the man she slumped down near the tree and was about to scream. Dad, what did you do? This man needs help!

He quickly put his hand over her mouth. "You need to be quiet. All I did was put him to sleep so he wouldn’t follow us anymore. I had no choice because you are no longer safe. Donna is closing in, and I need to get you to safety.

"Janis, Donna thought you were under Steve’s thumb. Now that Steve is dead, she is trying to find another way to get to George and his team. When you started searching for a way to contact George, she realized that you had deceived her. That is the only reason she did not take you out when she ambushed Steve. Because in the end, even Steve began to see through Donna’s plans. However, if you had kept up your end of the bargain and married George, he felt like he was safe.

"However, after Steve messed up with George’s mother, Donna decided to cut the loose ends and she had Steve roughed up. But her men got a little too aggressive and Steve wound up dead.

That is the only reason you are still alive. She became irate when she learned you were really in love with George. After Steve was taken out, she put a tail on you. Once you help her find George, you will be the next on her list. I am begging you to let me get you to safety before things get out of hand and I won’t be able to protect you anymore.

Are you crazy, Dad? I will not go anywhere with you until you tell me what is going on. I know Steve mentioned the name Donna, but I never met her, and I never knew how she fit into the picture. I have talked to her several times, and she made me feel at ease. I cannot fathom she would hurt Steve because they seemed like good friends.

Daughter, they were until he turned on her. Steve and George’s mother had a son, and Donna was trying to take her down, because she put George’s brother up for adoption.

"Dad, what are you talking about? Steve is George’s godfather. He would never do anything so scandalous. I’m afraid he did, Janis. He and George’s mother had a child together, and Steve begged George’s mom to marry him, but because she was underage at the time her father forced her to break up with Steve. While Georges mother wanted to keep her son, her father made her put him up for adoption because he felt like her pregnancy had left a permanent stain on his families legacy.

Thus, every time Steve tried to reunite with George’s mother Donna was always in the background. If Steve had left well enough alone, he would still be alive, but when he pushed George’s mom into the fireplace, he sealed his fate and yours too because it was only a matter of time before Donna throws you out with all the rest of her trash."

The most important thing to remember is that Donna and Steve are somehow related. I don’t have the full essence of the story yet, but I will find the underlying cause of it. But you need to put your head on straight and think, if Donna ordered the attack on Steve, what else is she prepared to do?

Because when Donna saw that her men got a little overzealous and Steve was dead, she did not even blink. She told her men to take care of the situation and she rushed off to oversee any unfinished business Steve had. Donna is kicked back, hoping that either you or Scott will lead her to George. I know this is a lot to contemplate but let me reiterate it is time for us to go. I have a special place where I can secretly train you.

Now that you know I was the one who recruited George’s team to take down Donna, you should realize that you’re in danger. The only way to save the world from Donna’s terror is to keep everyone hidden until the right time. That’s why you, George, and Scott must be separated for a while. Everyone needs to be trained individually. Each one of you has an important part in taking Donna down.

"Once we get to our secret location, I will have a major surprise for you. I am going to introduce you to part of the team that will take down Donna. You see, I have set up three different teams to keep Donna off balance. And as you are aware, George and Scott are on separate teams, and I secretly created a third team.

Then her father changed the subject, Janis, I love you and I don’t want to see you hurt, but you need to write the letter to George, and we need to mail it off before we go into hiding. I need you to believe me when I told you I will put you in plain sight and no one will suspect who you really are.

Janis looked at her father and said, Sir, it’s all a lie, I could never hurt George.

Daughter, you need to stop being so stubborn, this is the only way the two of you can be together. Because if you don’t write this letter, George will never become the man he needs to be. I will drop you off at George’s house and you need to write a letter and pack some clothes. You can tell George’s family that you are going on a trip and will be back soon.

Although Janis had already written the letter to George, she continued to debate with her father. She was still holding on to the fact that she wanted to marry George when he returned from his first tour of duty. However, she did not realize that his first tour of duty would be for four years. Her father hesitated momentarily, he had to let Janis in on the fact that George was part of the NSA.

Janis, her father said, "I know you still think George will marry you next year. However, he will not be returning from his first tour of duty for four years. And what I am about to tell you is top-secret and only a few people even know George is part of a secret unit called the Peace Task Force. He could not tell anyone. That is why you have not heard from him. He has been at a secret location being trained for the past few months. They did not even let him know about Steve’s death because they did not want it to distract his training. George will become the leader of the PTF, and this is the most important thing he has done his entire life. George must get your Dear John letter before he gets on board the USS Bunker Hill CG52 in San Diego or we will all be dead."

"Scott is another part of the same unit, and he does not realize he is a decoy to keep Donna off track.

"George is unaware that Scott is part of the PTF because when he was in boot camp he was informed by his superior officer that Scott was not part of his special unit. However, he would be in the future.

Scott became part of the PTF, while George was in training and he was given the same order as George and was informed that he could not let anyone know, yet he told you. Thus, he put you in a dangerous situation. It was all part of the plan because I was almost certain that Scott would tell you he was a part of the PTF.

Thus, Donna’s men informed her of the situation. When Scott and Cindy moved to San Diego, they watched him closely, waiting for him and George to reunite. They did not realize, Scott and George would be on two different ships."

I can’t listen to this craziness anymore! Janis cried. Why are you messing up my life? George can’t be a part of an NSA operation! She nearly went crazy. I know he told me I had to wait until his tour of duty was over. I thought it was only a year, not four years. And I had no idea he was putting his life on the line, she said as she paused for a moment. If I send this letter you want me to write, won’t this make George more vulnerable to attacks? His heart will be broken, how is he going to be able to perform his duties without getting hurt?

Janis continued, What if I don’t do this, Dad? What if I stay here and wait on George without trying to contact him anymore?

"Janis, that is no longer an option because Donna is already looking for Chief Escondido and once she finds out that he does not exist, you will be in trouble. It is too late to try and be a hero.

"The current situation is only temporary. If we don’t stand up and fight, Donna will have no mercy once she has access to the NSA secret files. She will personally destroy all those who she thinks are her enemies. Friendship and family mean nothing to her. That is quite evident. Don’t you see what happened to Steve?

"She is a liar and will make it look like we are the bad guys, and if she has control, she will gain control of a secret weapon called the light shield to ensure that she will remain in power for many years. I tried to warn my friend, Commander Revile, of her plans, but the power blinded him. In the end, once Donna gets what she wants, she will sweep him under the rug just like all her other friends.

She will not be satisfied until every member of the squad is made a laughingstock and behind bars for the rest of their lives. You will understand one day, my sweet little girl. I am not the monster you think. I am only looking out for you and George.

Janis looked at her father. For your sake, I hope that your plan works out. Because if you do anything to harm George, I’ll find a way to escape your clutches and warn him.

Her father laughed. That’s the spirit, girl. Now your mind is finally in the right place to begin your training. You don’t know how happy I am to be able to spend time with my daughter. I have waited for a long time to be near my daughter again.

Please write the letter so we can go into hiding, and you can begin your training. Don’t you remember what I told you before I left that my plan would have you right in front of George’s face? He won’t even know who you are until we take down Donna and you are able to reveal yourself.

I promise you that after your training is complete, I will live up to the end of my bargain and you will be put in a position where you will become George’s main contact. He will never see the switch coming. Commander Johnstone and Captain Golden will not even know I made the change. But you are going to have to make him think you are someone else to gain his trust Janis, when the time is right, you will be able to reveal the truth to George. And you will be able to get married. Now is not the time to feel sorry for yourself. It is too dangerous for you to be together without following my plan."

Then she pulled out the letter she had written and started waving it around. Is this what you want from me? It is as if you want to see George suffer. It’s not fair to him or me. Janis started to rip up her letter as she told her father she refused to break George’s heart.

However, her father snatched the letter from her hand. "I know it is a little old-fashioned. But George never asked me for your hand in marriage, Your message will not get to George until he is about ready to embark on his new life as an NSA operative on board the USS Bunker Hill CG52."

Why didn’t you tell me you had already written the letter? I am glad you are on board. Finally, I can concentrate on saving my daughter’s life ’cause, darling, to survive and eventually marry George, you have no other choice but to grab my hand and on hold until the end."

Janis tried desperately to grab the letter back from her father. He laughed. Girl, you sure are a strange one. But when she realized she had been backed into a corner by her father, she hollered It’s a deal! But if I find out you have been lying to me I will find George and warn him, and this entire charade will be over. Now let’s get going before I change my mind."

Janis Father smile, We have a lot of work ahead of us and our friends are waiting for us. Once I send this letter off my plan will become operational, and it will become effective within the next year. But if you had not broken up with George, you would never have been able to marry him.

"While I know it’s harsh, if we all do our part, Donna’s reign will end, and the world will be better. I am going to drop you off to pack your things. I will be back in about an hour after I have mailed this letter off. Then I’ll make my final appearance at the office to keep Donna’s men off guard.

"The funny thing is, all this time Donna has been looking for Chief Escondido, if she really knew who I was, it would blow her mind. While everyone thought I had left you alone, I was right in plain view the whole time, always keeping an eye on you, just like you will be with George, only you will be much closer to him than I was to you.

"Daughter, once Donna finds out that you sent George a Dear John letter, she will turn her focus to Scott. Scott will be all right because he has no idea what is going on, and even if Donna follows him and Cindy, she will never find anything tying you to Scott or George.

Janis said sharply, "Sir you’d better be right about Scott being a decoy. Knowing that I am putting my best friends, who is like my brother, and my future husband life in your hands. Donna better have a tough time figuring out Scott is a decoy, or I will never forgive you.

He abruptly stopped Janis, Before you stick your foot in your mouth, you must pull yourself together and follow my lead. While you may think you have things figured out, this is only the tip of the iceberg. So, I hope you will one day look back and see that I have loved you since you were born. I know right now this all seems complicated, but when you see the plan, you will be glad you followed my instruction.

When her father pulled up in front of George’s house, it looked like no one was home. He smiled. It’s good that you won’t have anyone around asking you questions. Hopefully, all you will need to do is leave a note and they will think you went to visit an old friend for a few days.

Janis was glad the house seemed empty as she was packing her things. She was so preoccupied with packing that she did not even notice Sally when she snuck up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder.

She asked her, What’s going on?

Where are you going in such a hurry? Sally hugged Janis.

Did I do something wrong?

Janis, we all love you, is it because George has not contacted you?

Whatever it is, you can talk to me. Please don’t run away where I’ll never see you again. I am begging you don’t be a stranger. I have come to depend on you these last few months, and I can’t wait until your wedding when George gets back.

When Sally said something about her wedding, she nearly lost it. Don’t worry, Sally, everything will be fine when I get back. Let everyone know that I went to visit some friends and I will be back in about a week.

Sally smiled. I already miss you?

After Sally left, Janis quickly finished packing and went downstairs and waited for her father to call.

About ten minutes later, her father pulled up to the curb and called Janis on her cell phone. When she picked up he forcefully said,. Are you done packing? We got to get out of here before someone figures out what we are doing!

When Janis only brought one suitcase he looked at her and laughed. That’s all you’re bringing?

Janis sneered at him. What did you expect? You only gave me an hour. Dad, will I ever see my friend again?

Yes, It may be a while, but one day you may be their only hope because the project I have been working on will save many people. I would never take you away from your friends unless I knew it was for the best.

It took me a little bit longer at the office than I expected. We will have to stop by the post office on our way to the airport. If everything works out all right, George should get your letter a few days before he gets to his new command.

Janis sighed. Dad, are you sure there is no other way for me and George to be together? I feel like George will never want to be around me again.

Remember, daughter, things are not always as they seem. I promise you, in the end, the two of you are going to be together.

When her dad put the letter in the mailbox, she tried to reach across him and pull the letter out of the box as he drove away. She broke out in tears when she realized that she would be breaking George’s heart. I can’t do this to George. I am in love with him, and I know he will see right through my letter. I have never been this cruel to anyone.

Her dad looked at her and wiped her tears away. Daughter,. I have spent the last ten years of my life hiding in the shadows. Finally, I have a chance to have you back in my life. I would never think of destroying your relationship with George. However, if you don’t stop pitying yourself, it will end badly for all of us. The only way you can protect George is to break off your relationship. Once everything is over, he will understand, and he will forgive you because he loves you.

The rest of the world may think you have broken his heart. But deep down inside, George will always love you. After he takes it all in, he will see the coded message and not stop searching until the two of you are back together. He may get lonely and even go astray for a little while. But in the end, my plan will succeed because the only one he loves is you.

Janis shook her head. How could her dad be so callous? Her dad continued to babble about how George would become a hero after breaking up with her. Daughter, your sacrifice made sure that George will become a great leader. His devotion to duty and loyalty will become legendary.

As they were boarding their flight Janis felt like her life was over and now she had to deal with her crazy father. She wished she could turn the clock back, but it was too late. She had to finally drop and trust her father knew what he was doing. Her life depended on him following through with his promise to reunite her and George.

For the moment, she relished her father’s happiness, and while she was going to be far away from everything she had known, she was excited to be introduced to the rest of the team that was going to take Donna down.

It was sweet music to her ears when her father continued to reiterate his plan. He assured her no one would suspect who she really was. He told his daughter, My plan is foolproof. Only one other person knows what I’ve planned, and he will reveal himself at the appropriate time.

Janis’s father’s plan started working sooner than he expected because he had sent Janis’s letter to the NSA without a forwarding address. Thus, the letter arrived the day before I graduated from training. I was irate because I could not understand how Janis was able to obtain my address. The commander had told me there was no way anyone would be able to contact me.

When I opened the letter, I nearly went into a state of shock. Janis was leaving me. I knew it had to be a trick. This had to be part of my training. I called the commander, and when the commander did not pick up, I called May.

CHAPTER 2

USS Bunker Hill CG 52

May picked up the phone on the first ring. "How are you, George? You know you don’t need to call me anymore because you will be talking to the commander directly when you arrive at your new duty station the USS Bunker Hill CG52 tomorrow."

What May did not understand is that while I was in training, they had begged me not to let Scott and Janis know anything about my mission. After receiving the letter from Janis, I angerly stated Today I decided to give the commander his wish. I am through with those turncoats. May why didn’t anyone tell me Scott’s father had died. If I’d known the situation I would have gone to Steve’s memorial service. But I was told no one would be able to communicate with me or Scott while I was in training. Yet, I received a letter from Janis. May you need to find out how Janis was able to obtain my address.

May spoke very softly, George, Steve was robbed and beaten up the day you left for training. Also, while he was in Alaska, it was determined that Scotts condition had drastically improved, and we decided he would make a great addition to the PTF. The changes would not take place until he reached his first duty station. while he is part of the PTF he will become a decoy to keep Donna from tracking you down.

"Although the timetable for Scott to become a part of the PFT remains basically the same, and he will arrive on board the USS Carl Vinson the day before you are aboard the USS Bunker Hill."

"We are still baffled that Cindy was able to contact Scott’s commanding officer on the USS Carl Vinson CVN70. Once his commanding officer saw the letter from Cindy, he immediately forwarded the letter to Scott’s base commander in Alaska. Thus, when Scott was given forty-five days leave to take care of his father’s funeral arrangements we were all stunned. While on leave, Scott married Cindy and moved to San Diego."

May continued, Since we learned about Steve’s death after the fact, we felt it best to wait until you reached your duty station to allow you to contact Scott.

"May, slow down. First you tell me to forget about Scott and move on. Now you are you are making him a part of the team after how he acted in boot camp. You knew his father drugged him, thus Steve and Donna had control of his mind. It may have seemed like it was all a part of their plot. Yet some of that was the real Scott and I was resigned to the fact the Scott would never become a member of the PTF.

Now you are saying there is a leak, which allowed Cindy to contact Scott in Alaska, and you did not shut it down until after Janis sent me a Dear John letter."

The commander had promised me there was no way my friends and family would be harmed if I became the leader of the PTF. It was supposed to be a secret. My parents nearly got a divorce because I joined the navy. And because you were unable stop a leak, Janis somehow found out that I had been deceiving her. This should have never happened.

May quickly said, You are right, George. There is no way Janis could have mailed you a letter, you have not opened the letter yet. It sounds like a trick Donna is playing with your mind. Whatever is on the letter, she stated that she did not think is was going to be favorable to George.

You need to get the wax out of your ears, I told you I have opened the letter. However, I wanted to know why you would think the letter from Janis would be unfavorable news, were you involved in some kind of plot to break us up I stated angrily.

May was stunned by my accusation of being in a plot to destroy your relationship with Janis. "George, what are you talking about she firmly stated how would I know what Janis wrote to you? I am just as stunned by the letter as you are. The strangest part of Janis sending you a letter is that she made sure you received the letter the day before you were supposed to start your first tour of duty on board the USS Bunker Hill."

I rudely replied, "Janis dumped me, and I do not know if I can fix it this time. She wanted to marry me when I was at home. I begged her to wait for me until after I returned from my first tour. And I cannot fathom being without Janis for the rest of his life. If this letter is true, I do not know how my heart will ever recover. As far as your leak goes, the first person I think you should check out is Chief Escondido.

When I first met James and John, he knew too much about PTF, and he knew how to push my buttons. When he started talking about Scott, I was seriously thinking leaving and returning home to become an accountant at Bernie’s TV repair shop, if it had not been for my conversation with Commander Johnstone, I would have never joined the navy."

May said, "You are very smart; everyone knows you love Janis, and this is a shock to your system. Therefore, I will forgive you for accusing me of being involved with Janis dumping you. However, you have wounded me deeply.

I believed her and lowered my voice as I began to apologize to her. Your priority should be to find out if chief Escondido is conspiring with Donna I humbly stated.

May forcefully stated, George, if what you are telling me is true the chief will pay the price for his deception. The commander had given him some general information about the PTF before he met with you to take you to Spokane for your enlistment. But from what you are telling me he has been playing everyone from the beginning. George, you must remain steadfast in your resolve to lead the PTF because you see things that we have overlooked that is part of the reason why you were chosen to lead the PTF.

She clamored Then commander has informed me many times how important you are to the success of our mission. I am begging you not to give up on us. This mission is going to change the world. If everyone does not take their place, we will fail. That is why regardless of our feelings, we must be able to stick with the mission to the end and make some tough choices knowing we will have climbed above the terror and brought peace to the world.

George, she said sweetly, I am truly sorry that Janis has broken up with you. If there is anything you need please do not hesitate to let me know, and I will personally check out Chief Escondido."

"However, it seems strange that Janis started poking around at the recruiting office last week specifically asking about Chief Escondido. Immediately after meeting with Janis the recruiters office notified me that she had been asking questions about the chief. But they told her he had retired. Thus, they told us not to be concerned because they thought she had given up her search for the infamous Chief Escondido.

After contacting my source, I was informed that there was no way she could contact Chief Escondido. Thus, I felt like all the bases were covered. Yet, someone deceived me, and somehow Janis found the chief, and he gave her your address. It seems like the rumors about the chief were correct. He was always a sucker for love."

I was quiet for a minute. "May, there is something fishy about this letter from Janis. She would have never written a letter like this without being coerced. I’m certain someone else is behind her writing the letter because she assured me she would wait for me until after my first tour of duty. Janis had never lied to me, and I am beginning to think something has happened to her.

I begged May to ensure Janis was still living with my family. Because if she was not, I would never believe she wrote this letter, and she might be with someone who is worse than Donna. Once I have a chance to