Operation Eagle

By Susan R. Horsnell

My name is Kyan Miller and I have the ability to change into an Eagle and soar above the Earth.
Yep, you heard right—an Eagle.
A curse placed on the family in 1626 resulted in all the male members of my family having this unusual ability from the age of sixteen.
I work for the Government in Covert Operations.
I can obtain information, other operatives cannot.
This mission is one of my most dangerous to date.
The US is being flooded by Cocaine from South America and the Governments of these two countries are working together to put a stop to it. They have been receiving valuable intel from two US operatives.
Until .... one operative is found dead.
The other - Analia Rogers—is missing.
She has neither been seen, nor heard from, for three days.
We don't know if she is dead or alive.
I have been sent into the Alvarez family's drug compound to find the answer.
I'm on an inflexible deadline, in three days' time, the compound will be blown to smithereens, but there are details the Governments aren't aware of which could place their forces in danger.
Can I get the word out in time to prevent them from being slaughtered?
What I find inside the compound has my anger soaring to nuclear levels.
Am I in time? Is there anything I can do?
And, who has betrayed us?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lipstick Publishing
• Release date: Sep 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223942726

Book preview

Operation

Eagle

SUSAN R. HORSNELL

Contents:

Copyright

Note to Reader:

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

About the Author

OPERATION EAGLE

Copyright © 2021 by Susan R. Horsnell

The right of Susan R. Horsnell to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000

All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed, or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical or mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

Edited: Redline Editing

Proofread: Leanne Rogers

Published by: Lipstick Publishing

A close-up of a lipstick Description automatically generated

Note to Reader:

This book is purely fictional, a product of the author’s imagination and is written for the reader’s enjoyment. It is not intended to be used for Historical education.

The characters and practices are fictional and should be regarded as such.

Leanne Rogers,

This one is a change of direction, written especially for you. Words aren't enough to tell you how much I appreciate you.

CHAPTER ONE

Soaring above the jungle in a warm air thermal is my idea of Heaven on Earth. Mother Nature is on display in all her magnificent glory. Oranges, reds, and yellows of Bromeliads glisten in the sunshine, water droplets not yet dried by the burgeoning warmth. Water Lilies bob in pools of water topped up by overnight rainfall. Rubber trees, Acai Palms, Kapak, and Balsa stretch skyward competing for sunlight. The jungle is never quiet, never sleeps. By day, critters scurry about on the forest floor, a symphony of bird calls including Toucan and Macaw fill the air as they call to each other. By night, a cacophony of owls' hooting mingles with the chirping of crickets and the sound of frogs who are partaking of their evening meals.

Mice, spiders, crickets, small and large snakes, a veritable smorgasbord of tasty treats, but not for me. I have a human's appetite. I eat like a man and have the strength of a man, no fifteen-pound limit for me.

I flap my wings once and propel myself into another thermal above me. I could stay up here for the rest of my life, given the choice. But, I'm not here in El Supa to enjoy myself and take in the sights, I'm here on serious business.

˜*˜

My name is Kyan Miller, and I work for the Government in Covert Operations. My ability to change from human form to eagle makes me a valuable asset in the war against drugs. I was first alerted to my ability to shift eleven years ago, on my sixteenth birthday.

My parents had thrown me a 'Sweet Sixteen' party, but I felt listless, disinterested in my friends, the food, and the games. By the time everyone left, late in the afternoon, I was irritable, exhausted and my head pounded. My father had recognized the signs, and taken me out into the backyard, for a private discussion away from my sisters.

Son, come and sit down. There is something you need to know now you have reached sixteen.

I sat on the back step alongside my dad, we turned inward to face each other as he spoke.

Dad dragged his fingers through his hair, he looked uncomfortable. I don't recall ever seeing my dad uncomfortable or unsure.

Kyan, the men of our family are different. I don't want you to be afraid when you hear what I have to say.

Different, how?

Dad patted my knee, I always was impatient. Patience, son and I'll explain. Back in Imatabod in 1626, a distant relative defied the law and bred birds of prey. A neighbor reported him to the authorities, the watchmen came to his home and dragged him to the lock-up.

It was illegal to breed birds?

Certain birds and most especially birds of prey. The people in authority said they belonged in the air, free to live as they should. It was illegal to cage them or chain them by the leg.

I agree with the authorities; such majestic birds should fly free.

I agree with you, son but our relative, Matthias Miller said to breed them, they had to be restrained or kept in cages. The authorities disagreed saying the birds could breed in the open where they were free to choose their own mate and not have one foisted upon them. Matthias was ordered to release the birds immediately; the exceptions were the chicks and those feeding them. They were to be released once the young could fend for themselves.

Did he release them? I lean forward, my arms resting on my legs, attentive to the story of a long-ago relative.

He was returned home and told to release the birds at first light the following morning. He refused and when the authorities called back the following day, they found the birds still in their cages.

What happened?

The Mayor of Imatabod, who was a powerful Wizard flew into a rage, he didn't like being disobeyed. He cast a spell on Matthias and turned him into an eagle. The wizard decreed he was to be caged for the rest of his life. He also decreed, that every Miller male in future generations, would have to periodically shift into an eagle from the age of sixteen. The Wizard said they would have no choice and it would help them empathize with the birds.

Wow, were they kept in cages too?

No, they were free to live normally, if you call being able to shift into an eagle, normal. These men were ordered to transition at least once a week or it would happen naturally. So, you could be in a room full of people and the transition would happen whether you wanted it or not.

That would be embarrassing, not to mention hard to explain.

Yes, it would be, which is why the men have to make sure they shift before that can happen. They must remain shifted for at least six hours.

So, what happened to Matthias?

He lived for another fifty-three years, he was eighty-one when he passed. The story goes his son, who was cursed, shifted without incident.

What is the point of this story, dad?

Dad sighed and sucked in a deep breath, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. You're a Miller and sixteen…… He watched me closely for a reaction.

The thoughts in my head were on a roller coaster to nowhere. You're telling me, I'm an eagle? I give a slightly hysterical laugh. Be serious, dad. An eagle? I'm gonna sprout wings and fly around the city? I start to rise but dad places a hand on my thigh and holds me in place.

Son, watch.

Dad stands and strips down to his briefs. I stare in amazement as he bends forward, wraps his arms around his knees, tilts his head skyward and changes before my eyes. No fuck. Within moments, my dad stands, perches, sits, fuck, I don't know. He's there right in front of me, a fucking huge eagle. His briefs lay in tatters nearby.

Mom steps through the back door with a bathrobe in her hands. She knows?

Mom?

Wait until your father shifts back to his human form and he'll explain.

Dad shifts back, slips on the robe, waits for mom to go back inside and sits down beside me.

Do you have questions, son?

Questions? I have fucking hundreds. I must have become mentally unstable in the last few hours. I rub my eyes. How? When? Who told you?

I found out when I was sixteen, the same as you. I felt strange and my father explained it to me. I wasn't as calm as you.

I'm calm because I think I'm in a deep state of shock. So, I can change?

Yes.

How do I do it?

The same as I did. You bend forward and wrap your arms around your knees, tilt your head back, slow your breathing and heart rate. And, it happens.

Does it hurt?

No.

I can only leave from home and return here? I can't land somewhere and shift back, I'd be naked.

When I want to go somewhere and not return home, or on a mission, I pack my belongings into a small carry bag. Once I've shifted, I carry the bag in my talons. I find somewhere out of the way to land, shift back and dress.

This both excites me and scares the crap out of me. I can change into a bird, a big ass bird, and fly!

Dad explains how I can still live a normal life with a wife and kids.

We sit in silence for a few minutes while I absorb everything I've heard.

The government knows of our ability and like my father, his father and me, you will be offered covert work with them.

Do I have to work for them?

No, no-one will pressure you.

I nod. I'm only sixteen and have had my heart set on Medical Science at college.

Dad stands and looks down at me. Would you like to try changing?

Now?

Dad nods.

I guess so.

I stand beside Dad and remove all my clothing. He places his hands on my back and eases me forward. I feel rather exposed. I wrap my arms around my knees and tilt my head back, Dad gives me a reassuring smile. I close my eyes and concentrate on slowing my breathing and heart rate.

I feel strange, my body is burning up. Moments later, I open my eyes and glance down. I'm a bunch of feathers. A bunch of fucking feathers!

When I glance next to me, Dad has also changed. He looks over his shoulder and propels himself into the air.

Wow! He's enormous but so graceful. He lands back beside me. I'm in awe. Dad flicks one wing with his beak, I stretch both out and marvel at their size. They aren't as big as dad's but still impressive.

Dad bounces on his feet and is airborne again. I take the hint and follow his example.

I'm flying! Fuck! I'm in the air over the house. I follow Dad up toward the clouds and feel a stream of warm air grab hold of me. I notice Dad's wings stop flapping as he surfs the thermal. I do the same. It's fanfuckingtastic!

˜*˜

I return from my thoughts of the past and land near a small cave where I have my belongings hidden. After changing, I negotiate the thick undergrowth to the road where my car is hidden amongst the foliage.

After unlocking the car, I climb into the front seat and take the small folder from under the passenger seat. I relax back and read.

Pietro Alvarez, head of one of two large cocaine drug cartels in this part of the world. Wife-Imelda. Two kids aged nine and six. Why the hell would anyone subject their kids to a life in the jungle, away from everyone, surrounded by drugs?

Diego Santanya, second in charge. Evil sonofabitch if the intel on him is believable.

I take a look at the aerial photographs of the plantation – Asunto de Familia. The property appears to be heavily guarded, fuck only knows how anyone would get in, and if they did, how the fuck would they get out. My gut churns, I have an awful feeling I know what my mission will be.

I slide the paperwork back into the folder, start up the engine, and head to the rendezvous with my handler.

CHAPTER TWO

The small café is located on a side street away from the center of town and prying eyes. A bell tinkles as I step through the door from the bright exterior to the dimly lit interior. I give my eyes a moment to adjust and spot my friend and handler seated at a table tucked away in the back corner.

Señor? Sir A pretty girl with flowing black hair and piercing blue eyes greets me.

Do you speak English? My Spanish is perfect as is my Russian, French, Mandarin and German but I prefer to converse in my native language.

Yes.

Excellent. I have a friend waiting here. I indicate the back table. Can you please bring me a black coffee and the menu for lunch?

Si, Señor.

The girl hurried away, and I weaved through the tables toward my handler. He stood, and we shook hands before sitting.

As prompt as ever, Kyan.

Would you accept me any other way, Carson?

Carson remains quiet while a coffee is placed in front of me and the girl hands us each a menu. It takes only moments for us both to request the Paella and the girl again leaves us alone. I sip at my steaming hot brew.

Did you look through the folder? Carson inquires.

Yes, and I headed up this morning to check the area. I had another look at the information before coming here. I'm guessing you want me inside the compound?

Yes, but not for the reasons you think. Carson hands me a USB which I tuck into the pocket of my jeans. This one will be tricky but I know you have the ability to pull it off. In fact, you're the only one who can.

You have me intrigued. I sip at my coffee and lean back as a plate of Paella is placed on the table in front of me. Taking the fork