Sending the famous Ethan Hunt and his "Impossible Mission" team wasn't a big deal. After all, neither the legendary Ethan Hunt nor his long-necked, small-headed teammate Benji were a match for Richard Castle, especially now that he had J.A.R.V.I.S. Even their tech expert, Luther, would be powerless against Castle's AI.
What Castle couldn't tolerate, however, was their audacity to cross a moral line by targeting his mother or daughter. That was Castle's ultimate taboo.
As soon as Castle learned of this plan, he immediately contacted Bob Lee Swagger, who had just gone home to rest with his dog, Sam. It wasn't to enlist Bob's help in protecting Martha or Alexis—both of whom already had security. Instead, Castle wanted to discuss teaching the current CIA Deputy Director, who was also the head of the secret "Roxette" organization, a lesson—or rather, sending him on a one-way trip to meet Mephisto.
This deputy director had authorized an attack on Castle's family. For that, Castle decided the man couldn't be allowed to live any longer.
Martha, who was currently staying in Southampton at Castle's vacation villa with Chet, was perfectly safe. Her security was managed by the private firm Sean's father had gifted Castle, whose sole mission was ensuring the safety of Martha and Alexis. The only potential vulnerability was Alexis, who drove herself to school every day. However, Castle had prepared for that as well. With the NYPD equipped with drones Castle had designed and Northrop Grumman manufactured, three of these patrol drones were already operational. Since Long Island is a wealthy area, a drone was on 24/7 surveillance between Long Island and Manhattan. If those CIA fools thought they could abduct Alexis on her way to school, they'd first have to get through her seemingly ordinary but heavily modified Ford F-350.
Castle had outfitted Alexis's truck with bulletproof glass and armor-plated bodywork. He had also installed an upgraded onboard computer system that could, in emergencies, be controlled remotely by J.A.R.V.I.S. Using satellite signals, J.A.R.V.I.S. could take over driving to ensure Alexis escaped any threats, even if she panicked.
Thus, Castle wasn't overly worried about the deputy director's deranged plan targeting his family.
But...
The mere intent to harm his family crossed a line Castle could not forgive.
For the sake of his tracking software, the Roxette deputy director, desperate to climb the ladder before the new president, Benjamin, took office in two months, had lost his mind. His belief was that securing the software would position the CIA to produce impressive results under Benjamin's administration, potentially furthering his own career. With the CIA still leaderless after a recent wiretapping scandal, the deputy director had decided to go all in.
But what did that have to do with Richard Castle? Just because he owned groundbreaking software and refused to cooperate didn't give them the right to target his family. Were they so used to behaving this way abroad that they thought they could get away with it at home? Who let them become this arrogant?
Initially, Castle had planned to wait until Benjamin's administration to expose Roxette, capitalizing on the new president's reform efforts. But if they were so eager to dig their own graves, fine—Castle would oblige.
Mozzie, who had rushed over to stop an enraged Castle, said, "Rick, I know you're furious right now, but as your friend, I must remind you—this is a critical transition period between administrations. While the CIA might weather the fallout from losing a director due to scandal, it absolutely cannot afford the assassination of a deputy director on U.S. soil.
"Your plan is too reckless. Let's hear my idea first."
Bob, who had also just arrived, nodded fervently. He didn't want Castle to act impulsively out of anger. Both Bob and Mozzie knew how protective Castle was of Alexis. Someone plotting to harm her was a surefire way to push him over the edge.
But Castle had to stay calm. High-ranking officials like the deputy director could be investigated or even forced to resign over scandals, but assassination was out of the question.
If such an incident occurred, not only would the CIA be humiliated, but the federal government would have no choice but to respond decisively.
Castle had already begun to cool down by the time Mozzie spoke. He knew his friend was right. This was a CIA deputy director, after all. Even if the man was part of Roxette, Castle couldn't simply solve the problem with a sniper rifle.
Seeing that Castle had calmed down, Mozzie continued, "Since we've learned of their plan in advance, why don't we use this to our advantage? Being forewarned is a massive opportunity.
"If we capture their so-called elite agents or the kidnappers targeting Martha and Alexis, what do you think the CIA will do?"
Mozzie paused, then added, "By the way, how capable are these Impossible Mission agents? Could we take them alive?"
Mozzie's suggestion immediately piqued Castle's interest. Right—if he captured Ethan Hunt, along with Benji and Luther, and also nabbed the kidnappers targeting his family, he'd have all the leverage. With the evidence in hand, the fate of these operatives would be entirely in his control.
Roxette wouldn't dare let him expose this to the media. After the Snowden scandal, the last thing they needed was headlines about "CIA agents attempting to kidnap a bestselling author's family."
Energized by this idea, Castle grinned. "From what I know, this so-called Impossible Mission team isn't known for brute force but for pulling off challenging operations. Their leader, Ethan Hunt, is a master of disguise. If they really try to infiltrate my estate, there's no way they'll leave unscathed. With J.A.R.V.I.S. managing security, my system is probably tighter than Langley's."
Even Bob, usually reserved, looked eager. The CIA had betrayed him twice: once abandoning him in Africa, leading to his spotter's death, and later framing him for an assassination attempt on a vice president. This was his chance for payback.
Mozzie and Castle exchanged knowing smiles at Bob's enthusiasm. Clearly, the CIA's reputation didn't inspire much loyalty.
Meanwhile, Ethan Hunt, Benji Dunn, and Luther Stickell sat in a Paris safe house, poring over their latest mission. Ethan frowned at the orders, which bypassed their usual chain of command.
Benji, perplexed, asked, "Ethan, why would the deputy director personally assign us such an odd mission? Infiltrating the estate of a famous New York novelist? Even if the guy has a supercomputer at home, he's not our enemy..."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
I Am Zeus, KING OF GODS (Chapter 79)
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 391)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 471)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 677)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 1059)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1418)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1422)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1452)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1504)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld!(Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]