PROLOGUE
The notorious Sir William had once again emerged. Ex-British Parliament darling and MI6 master spy turned rogue. He had arranged the kidnapping of the daughter of the Chair for House Ways & Means. He was looking for the coding of the F-35 software in exchange but the President knew that exchange would never occur. The President called upon Dean Hickenlooper, the Big Fed and Dean had called on the Neutralizer to seek & destroy

THE STORY
The C130 carrying the Neutralizer and the race-prepared MGB taxied to a stop on Hartford's Bradley International Airport western-most runaway, away from other air traffic and curious eyes. The Neutralizer entered the 20ft panel truck carrying the MG and sat waiting in the B's driver seat while the truck made its way from the airport. In a secluded area of RT 4 north of West Hartford the truck stopped and the MGB was driven off. The soldier drove for West Cornwall via north on RT 44/202. Then west to Torrington, Connecticut. Systems check included a quick call to Dave Novak aka "Hard Drive" and Dino Perez aka "Gadgets" testing voice control, computer ops and satellite reception. "All systems a go", said Hard Drive. "Stay frosty"!

The Neutralizer steered the B west on RT 44 - a unpretentious country road tree lined with rolling hills. "Excellent MG driving" thought the soldier. At Canton Center the B continued west on RT 202 through Torrington where the Neutralizer picked up RT 4 again. The B purred with its 1.8 liter over-bored aluminum power plant looking every bit like its British Leyland predecessor. At RT 128 the MG turned north to West Cornwell. The soldier stopped at the BP station where the tip about Sir William's 2 Dodge Hellcats filling with premium gas came. The attendant again related his story while also looking over the soldier's MGB. Onto the local police who stared at the soldier and his car mouths open. The DOJ credentials were almost as impressive as the muscled-up MG. They had an approximate fix and a patrolman keeping watch. "Probably not the best idea for a local cop", thought the Neutralizer but said nothing. The soldier thanked the police and asked they call the patrolman back as he quickly exited for the B.

Arata proceeded toward the coordinates the police gave him and stopped at the Cornwall Country Market on Kent Rd. Hard Drive came up on the soldier's phone. "Hickenlooper wants an update" said the computer genius! "I'm in proximity to target and proceeding with a soft probe" answered the Neutralizer. "Have Dean contact the Cornwall police and tell them if their patrolman does not answer their call not to proceed to the target under any circumstance.....I will proceed and advise".

After parking the B the soldier hiked in forest camo approximately 1 mile to the coordinates. With his Steiner 15X80 Military Binocs he spied upon a farm and large garage. The Patrolman sent to watch the place nor his car were anywhere. As the Neutralizer continued the soft probe a police cruiser suddenly appeared and stopped before the garage. What got out was NOT the patrolman but two of Sir Williams’ hard men. The garage door opened and while the patrol car was hidden the soldier spied upon one of the Dodge Hellcats!! The Neutralizer's heart sank for the patrolman and added more justification to the fact he would need to go guns blazing in a lightening hard probe. The congressman's daughter would be under 24-hour heavy guard and any covert attempt would be highly risky.

Arata checked the action and load of his Berretta 93R mounted in his shoulder holster and the Israeli 44Mag Dessert Eagle front his quick-draw hip holster. He also prepped the Heckler & Koch MP5 sub-gun knowing its fire power would need lead the way.

The Neutralizer then removed his camos for the skin-tight special forces black suit and face paint in order to cover his approach that evening. He then settled down, watched and waited.

2400 hrs! A light goes on in the back of the house and the soldier saw the silhouette of a young and very frightened girl through his Steiners. Little movement except for two guards walking the farm house in opposite circles. Time to move. Arata slid forward like a cat approaching prey. A steep ravine ahead. The soldier slid down fast on his belly and hit the floor.

OUCH!!! WHAT THE HECK?? Susan yells from the kitchen.......".is that you Ralph"? "Did you go and fall off the couch dreaming you some sort of secret agent again"! "I need help with the dishes"!! Oh well, I can't wait until my next nap!

NEXT: ATTACK!

Note: Chapters 1 & 2 can be found in the Driveline May & June publications respectfully.