Chapter Four: The Expected Introduction

The night of the game, Luke sat at his computer desk in his apartment and navigated the website of the Philadelphia Eagles, searching the profiles of the Cheerleading Squad. Eventually, he found a picture of the girl and read the name allowed to himself, ''Anne.''

He searched her according to her profession with the team and discovered her last name before reading her entire name, allowed, ''Anne, her name is Anne Miller.'' 

The name was satisfactory. Her warm smile and light brown hair pleased his soul. 

''So, she is double-majoring in both dance and Elementary education at the University of Pennsylvania,'' he read aloud. ''She is an Ivy League student. She must be very smart, just as I know her to be beautiful.'' He sipped his green tea and continued to read more about her.

Anne's profile information revealed that he had a strong interest in reading and attending bookshops when she was away from school, and her family, who had raised her with an interest in the dancing possibilities involved in sports and cheerleading. The girl lived in Philadelphia, providing him evidence of what he had always believed: that northeastern girls, and Philly at that, are the prettiest of all. 

Luke realized that, as glamorous as she was on the field, she could also be subtly quieter and more reserved as he found her social media. Anne was both bubbly on the field and yet studious when at quieter locations. He viewed any image of her on one of her social media accounts as she read and studied at a bookstore in Pittsburgh. She looked different there, more serious, yet ever attractive to his sight, wearing her black suit and skirt, with olive green glasses that demonstrated the brown beauties of her eyes. 

''I want to find her,'' he said, sipping his cup again. His eyes found it difficult not to gaze upon her and dream of her beautiful figure all night long. 

Despite having never had interaction with her before, Luke held out for her, especially in light of the blushing smile that he had seen grow on her face, feeling that the interest was potentially mutual, giving him hope that something more could follow. 

A week later, the Eagles' touchdown remained on Luke's mind as he returned to Washington, though especially the sight of one girl, as she danced to his delight more than any other cheerleader on that green field. Over the prior week, he had considered his new position for the United States government; however, and soon, it became his primary mental focus. 

Luke faced the hallway to his right and saw all the computers and workers present with these machines. He wondered what the agency looked like sixty years prior, when Michael Glasgow had been a spy. He thought of the ex-agent, aspiring to follow in Michael's footsteps. 

The agent entered the Intelligence Agency. Upon reaching a room a few down from the door, he was immediately greeted by an older man. 

''Come with me,'' Jude Kerrigan began, approaching the agent. 

''Alright,'' Luke agreed, following him. 

''There is someone I've been waiting to introduce you to.'' 

''Oh?'' Luke asked. 

''Come this way.'' 

The two men headed up the stairs before reaching a lower level of the building. They were looking at the walls, and Luke, in particular, noticed an attractive secretary bypass him while seeking his admiration. He then turned his focus to his vehicle, the fresh Honda Civic with specialized gadgets, still inside, so far, undriven. 

''She's going to be a fun one to drive.'' 

''That she will,'' affirmed a strong, deep voice from a back room. 

Luke turned to Jude. ''Who was that speaking?'' he asked, with his head only tilted backwards.

''Luke Lancaster, today, is the beginning of our work together as agents,'' the voice continued. 

The young man turned his figure before viewing a man taller and darker than him, whose skin was fair, but whose hair was black as midnight. The man approached him with eagerness.

''You must be Luke Lancaster.''

''Yes,'' he responded. 

"Wonderful, you are my partner in action. I am Christopher Molina, and I am glad to see that we have finally met. We've been assigned to work together, and I highly anticipate the missions that we will share.'' 

Luke felt the imminent handshake that followed between him and the other agent. 

''I look forward to us working together,'' Christopher added. 

''Indeed,'' Luke returned. 

''The CIA tells me that you are one of their best. I can see why. You look like you have a past in the martial arts.'' 

Luke looked perplexed. ''Oh, what makes you think that?''

“My intuition. You move your hands with the strength of one who knows Karate and walk with the confidence of one fluent in Justo. Besides, I saw your luggage by the doorway with the black belt trophy beside it.”

Luke laughed. “And you have the observations of a spy.” 

“That is our job, isn’t it?”

“Yes, indeed.” 

“If I am to assist you, then I need to help you in every step that you take. We are agents of the United States government and international police, more or less. Our job is to protect American citizens and defend Democracy. You have shown that you have the masters of eastern arts. Let me prove to you that I have the eyes of an eagle.” 

Luke grinned, thinking of the cheerleader who caught his admiration.  

“We need to work together,” Christopher added. “It’s the only way that we will discover more of the sinister deeds occurring.” 

“Of course,” Luke replied.

“So where do we go from here, Mr. Lancaster?” 

“To Minneapolis,” Mr. Kerrigan interjected. “Gentlemen, our intelligence has learned from the TDEC that a secret weapon has already been forged in a rugged house there. Whether or not it is still in the city, none of us know. The Russians, however, have a history of striking when it’s least expected. Unquestionably, the Slavic United Reds are up to no good again. They’ve acquired a nuke and may soon plan to use it on all for vengeance against America, bringing down the USSR. This terrorist organization has been condemned by NATO (and even Russia itself), but it has been operating for several decades both within and outside of Russia, to re-establish Stalin’s vision of a secular, communist state.” 

Christopher laughed flippantly. “Ahead of themselves aren’t they, to take on NATO?” 

Luke appeared more concerned than his companion. “Minneapolis,” he returned. “If all this is true, why haven’t the local police in the city or the U.S. military, for that matter, gotten a hold of the weapon?” 

“The police tried, but it had since gone out of the house. We aren’t sure where. They, along with the military, take this matter as a pressing concern and have given both of you the task to find out what is necessary. Besides, Minanopilis isn’t the only city on our radar. Here, look.”

He lit up the nap of the United States on the wall in bright white. Then, six major cities turned red. 

“There are reports of suspicious activity with a weapon in Arlington, Charlotte, Chicago, Phoenix, and Minneapolis. Our agency is already sending out spies to each of them. Your job is to simply find out what’s going on there and to do whatever is necessary to getting a hold of the potential bomb. This seems no prank. We have sufficient information to believe we are under a clear and present danger, as our computers can prove.” 

Luke nervously reached for a paper cup of water. “I don’t like the stability of the entire country to rests on my hands,” he replied. 

“It’s not,” Mr. Kerrigan affirmed. “The police are investigating as much as they can and the military has already stationed troops there. Still, you and Mr. Molina have done assignments of your own to do. I will guide both of you every step along the way.” 

The two young men turned to each other. Luke sighed, as Christopher appeared less nervous. 

“Head to the city,” Mr. Kerrigan affirmed. “Go into the house on this address and see if you can find anything out that the police haven’t. From there, search elsewhere for further clues.” 

Luke turned to the map before him. He realized now the purpose of his first mission as an SA15 agent. The sight of Minneapolis flooded red in his mind, as he realized the imminent danger posed by one potential nuke in the hands of the Slavic United Reds.