Fight fire with fire
Early in the morning after breakfast they have a visitor. It’s Hlengiwe with her associates. This doesn’t look like yesterday.“well gentlemen you look very tired.” Hlengiwe says to Themba and Qhawe who then look at each other. “yes I see you have emptied bottles here. Did I miss the party?” she says sarcastically. “before we get to today’s business can I speak to your wives alone? Where are they?” Qhawe is a little puzzled but says, “Yeah sure, they are upstairs and…” he doesn’t finish as Hlengiwe climbs the stairs and says, “I'll meet you in the study.” They look at each other but ignore it and lead Hlengiwe's men to the study.
Zinhle and Nothemba are sitting in the bedroom when a knock comes through. “Ladies can I come in?” Hlengiwe says but doesn't wait for them to say yes. She comes in and looks around, “So it seems you too also did less sleeping.” she says. Zinhle and Nothemba look at the 3 empty wine bottles by the mirror and they are a little embarrassed.
“okay look I suspect that your husbands already gave you classified information about their military backgrounds.” Hlengiwe continues. They look at each other not knowing if they should answer or not. Hlengiwe looks very serious and all business-like. She pulls a chair by the mirror and sits down. “Now I need you to listen to me and not interrupt.” she says to the tired looking ladies. They look at each and wonder she’s going to say.
“Zinhle you should know better about covert ops, you are a spy for crying out loud.” Hlengiwe says... Zinhle wants to interrupt but she can't. Hlengiwe continues, “both of your men made huge sacrifices not just for this country but for the world. I agree that some of the things they did were unfortunate but they did them on orders. They couldn't take it anymore so they quit the army in order to try and do right.”
Nothemba is showing no emotion but she’s listening attentively as Hlengiwe continues, “it was hard for them. Now their company is doing great work developing the under privileged communities. Why do you think is that?” she looks at Nothemba, “because they are trying to make a difference. This company is doing work not only here in this country but also to the countries they conducted those operations in as a way of making up for the mess. They are good men.” she says this and then looks at them both.
They are itching to speak but they realize that Hlengiwe is sincere. Maybe they should just listen to what she has to say.
“we managed to contain the sensitive info that they shared with you from making the news. We did what we had to do to contain it. But now we have another problem.” Hlengiwe say to which Zinhle looks at Nothemba wondering what could be worse than this. “with those idiots who were the source for the reports now being located, intelligence community from different countries will now work together to try and contain this.”
They couldn’t go quiet anymore, “What does that mean?” asks a worried Nothemba. “It means Intelligence agencies from different countries will work together to silence everyone who has info of these covert ops. That means Smith and his gang will soon become a small fry when international spies gun for your husbands.” Hlengiwe says which this rattles Zinhle and Nothemba. Hlengiwe continues, “they know that since you guys are spouses you must know something. So your lives too are in danger and those of your family members too. And your kids.” she says as she looks at Nothemba who burst out crying on Zinhle's shoulder.
While Zinhle consoles her Hlengiwe continues, “Why am I telling you this? I’m telling you because those men downstairs need you right now. They can’t be distracted by worry of you instead of being focused on the common enemy. So I need you to make up your minds. You can sit here and mop every day or you can help your men fight the bad guys. Smith and his cronies have been winning from the start because we are busy with domestic issues. Your husbands did what they had to do to feed their families and quit what they loved, the army, in order to start afresh. They are still working hard to develop the lives of poor people and for that they have become the enemy of a powerful secret society, they don’t need an enemy at home.
So, if you decide to stand with them and fight, there’s a debriefing in the study in 10 minutes.” She then stands up and leave the room closing the door behind her. She leaves the ladies lost for words. They have never seen Hlengiwe this authoritative before.
While Hlengiwe and the team are still discussing in the study the door opens. It’s Nothemba and Zinhle.
“I’m glad you could join us.” Hlengiwe says with a smile. Themba and Qhawe look at each other. They don’t know what to make of this. They watch them as they come over to sit down. Hlengiwe continues, “Now that everyone is here, let’s move one. Ladies and gentlemen it's time we start throwing punches as well. We can’t always run defense. These people have time and resources, they live for this.”
This smells like a new confident Hlengiwe.
“Zinhle it’s time you use your sources at the embassy to track down these businessmen's accounts and see if they can’t be linked with some dirt somewhere. If they are linked with politicians, it’s even better.” Hlengiwe orders.
"Qhawe, Themba its time to use your special ops skills and get back in the field. Find me some dirt, photographs preferably. We have tracked down their meeting place. I’m sure we may get lucky and uncover some of the faceless people behind Smith,” she says as she put the cabin on the monitor. “Living in fear is no longer a choice, ladies and gentlemen.”
She is interrupted by Nothemba, “Excuse me, what do I do?” she asks but Hlengiwe looks at her and smile, “Don’t worry Mrs. Nkosi I'm coming to you. But first things first, these gentlemen," she says she points to her associates, “will give you all the toys you need for your missions.”
Qhawe and Themba look confused but Hlengiwe reassures them, “don’t worry gentlemen I'm authorized to use my own assets for off-the-books but of national interest operations. So you are authorized to work on this.” she says. Qhawe looks at his wife and Hlengiwe notices and says, “Yeah you too Mrs. Nkosi, you are an asset now.”
Nothemba looks a little shocked. “Don’t be shocked Mrs. Nkosi,” Hlengiwe says. “Once Zinhle, Qhawe, Themba and my men get all the Intel we need you and I will work on supplying it to the media. It’s time you make contact with your friends in the media and, after becoming a best-selling author you made friends with powerful individuals who can help us keep all the info in the news for a while and in the face of the public. So welcome to the dark world of espionage Mrs. Nkosi.” she says with a smile while looking at Qhawe who has a worried face but realises this is the only way for them to regain their lives. It’s time to fight back.
***
Few days pass, a week even, since that assignment was given to each person and Zinhle and Nothemba are hoping just for one peaceful day with their husbands. They are hoping for a romantic dinner for four but then they walk into the study to find them dressed like movie spies. They can’t believe this is happening. They look all dangerous. Dressed in all-black clothes, bullet-proof vests, guns everywhere and high tech cameras. You'd swear it’s a Mission Impossible movie.
“What’s going on?” asks Nothemba. There’s silence. The gentlemen are busy checking their weapons and com lines. “Guys, where are you going?” asks Zinhle. “We have Intel that the spooks are meeting tonight at their cabin. So we have to go and do recon,” answers Themba.
This is getting real, the ladies realize. Qhawe pulls Nothemba aside and holds her, “Don’t worry, guns are just a precaution. I prefer to come home later,” he smiles and kisses her in the forehead. Nothemba doesn’t like this one bit, “baby this is not a game alright? I want you back here later you hear me?” she holds on to him. Meanwhile Themba is reassuring Zinhle as well, “Well you know how this game is like sweetheart. But don’t worry we will be okay.
It’s almost over now.”
The ladies have to let them go now. It is so hard because part of them feel like it may just be the last time they see them. They watch them as they drive off.
It’s 20:35 in the evening, clearly they won’t sleep at all tonight. The house has been beefed up with security because now this is an all-out war. They are no longer trying to evade missiles from the enemy now, but they are also firing back. Zinhle decides to pull two bottles wine and comes to the lounge where Nothemba is. She waits for her to finish a conversation on the phone.
She was talking to the kid.
“Are you insane?” she burst out laughing, “two bottles of wine? Hahaha,” Nothemba shouts as they both laugh out loud. “Hey look, since when do we ever stop at one?” Zinhle says. “I don’t want to be the one to have to get up and get another. So here’s the deal, this is mine and that’s yours?” they burst out laughing again. They know they will be waiting for their husbands to come home, so they decide to drink themselves away.
***
Themba and Qhawe come back in the early hours of the morning they find their wives sleeping in the couch. “Well, well, well it looks like we were really missed, “says Qhawe laughing. “Okay I will carry my wife to the bedroom.
What you do with yours is your choice.” he says as they both laugh. Qhawe carries his wife upstairs. She is sleeping flat.
Themba looks at his wife, who is also out. He looks around and sees three bottles of wine. He smiles, “Damn it, if you only knew you were heavy,” he says as he carries her upstairs.
***
The guys are up early in the morning and they seem to be in the mood for making breakfast. They are busy in the kitchen, Themba is making pan cakes while Qhawe is busy trying eggs and sausages. When Nothemba comes down she sees men busy up and down. The kitchen is a little messier than usual.
Well she doesn’t mind taking a day off from the kitchen since her head is weighing heavier than a train.
While she’s still amazed at what she is seeing, Zinhle comes down shortly after. “Whoa, did I wake up in the wrong house? Who are these men in the kitchen?” she asks as she laughs. Nothemba just responds with a smile.
Themba turns around and look at Zinhle, “it’s your husband darling," he says. "sit down, breakfast will be ready in 5 minutes.”
There is enthusiasm about these men this morning. Zinhle joins Nothemba, who is holding her head in the dining room. “what’s all that about?” she asks. Nothemba just shakes her head, “don’t ask me. Those two are acting weird.
To think that last night they went on a life daring mission, but acting like nothing happened kind of scares me,” she concludes.
In a moment breakfast arrives. They eat up without anyone asking how last night went and why they are acting weird by waking up early to make breakfast. But the ladies don’t mind being spoiled a little.
***
Late on in the day, it’s time for work. Everyone is in the study for the debriefing. Hlengiwe and her associates had arrived too and it is clear to everyone that playtime is over. “So gentlemen what do you have for me?” Hlengiwe asks authoritatively. Themba stands up and load something on the computer and then looks over to Qhawe, to take over.
“This is the cabin where we found Smith and his politician friends,” Qhawe says as he points to the big monitor screen. He keeps changing pictures of politicians and businessmen in compromising nature with what looks like escort women.
“As you can see, it seems our adversaries know how to entertain themselves.” Qhawe says as the shock on everyone else's face is visible. “Wait, wait…back up,” Hlengiwe shouts. Qhawe backs up the slide as the monitor shows a picture of a man with a woman on top of him.
“OMG! I will be damned.” Hlengiwe says. Everyone in the room is wondering what she’s talking about. “That’s Jack Locker. Why didn’t I see this coming?” She puts hands on her head but everyone is curious.
“What are you talking about?” Nothemba asks with keen interests. “That’s the man they call ‘The Emperor’. He’s a hidden hand in anything that involves wealth of anyone. He’s behind many powerful people. For all we know he could be running the country behind the scenes.” Hlengiwe says as she can’t believe what she’s seeing. “The others you probably know but all along we were worried about Smith but now it seems he is just a pawn, a bloody drop in the ocean.” Hlengiwe continues.
“Oh okay, now that we know who and what we are dealing with let’s rein fire on these bastard.” Themba says with confidence.
“That’s not how it works Mr. Cele.” Hlengiwe bursts his bubble. “We will now work out a plan that is effective and that works for us. Key is not having loads of ammunition and a big gun. But it’s having a clear shot so that when you fire you hit the mark and the target goes down.” she says.
From that time, they worked on a plan on how to use the info they now possess. Zinhle had also managed to get enough info on the bank accounts of these politicians and businessmen linking them with chain of corruption. There were moments where they disagreed on some aspects of the plan. They worked around the clock. One thing they agreed on though, the plan must be perfect and not end up giving away their ammunition.
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