Warming The Cold One - 12. IT Issues?

He watched Tala nod. “Then you are correct, I have failed that part of my mission. Now you must understand that she be required to be captured and put on trial. She hid an illegal child. While she did not know what she had done, it is her that must pay for your existence.”

Tala responded in a neutral tone. “You must know that she will not go willingly. Both her husband and my mate will defend her to the death after I am forced to fight you from getting to her. I don’t want that to happen, Agent Montley.” Tala sighed before he continued. “You do know that you are 35% American clan, right? The secret you are defending is literally what keeps you from your birthright as an American Wolf.”

Agent Montley looked shaken for a moment. “How did you know that? I have never told anyone that. I could never bear the shame of knowing my clan was cowards.”

“I have the ancient gift of seeing into the hearts of a wolf’s spirit.” Tala focused on speaking to Agent Montley’s wolf spirit. “The truth is the Red Pack was chased to North Dakota when the clan you get your paycheck from tried to rid the world of my family. American wolves fought against the Civil War and we were decimated for it. Taj’s great-grandfather ordered my great-grandfather killed.”

The agent’s shoulders slumped. He sat down in front of Tala just as two police cruisers pulled to block in the three SUVs. Four officers walked over to the circle of men with hands on their weapons. One of the officers took the lead and started to assess the situation. “Gentleman, what seems to be going on here? We got a call of six men trespassing and claiming to be from the FBI.”

The second agent turned to the officers. “I’m so sorry officers. It seems we got a bit of bad information. Things got a little bit out of hand. We are fine now.”

Karla came out of the front door and ran over to the crowd of men. “Oliver, are you alright?”

Tala looked up at his mom. “Yes, I am fine.” He turned to the lead officer. “Agent Jones is correct, things did get a little out of hand. I am fine and I am also sorry you had to be dragged into this mess. I plan on sending your alpha personal apology as soon as I’m done talking with all these agents one-on-one.”

The officer stopped for a second. “How did you know we were all wolves in the same pack?”

Tala stood up slowly. “Officer, I am Tala. I am the head of the American Clan of lycans. I am sorry we had to meet under these circumstances. Please let your alpha know my mate and I will be by later this afternoon. He lives just a couple doors down, is that correct?”

The officer looked a little star struck. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Master Tala. Yes, he is just a few doors down this road. I’ll let him know you will be by.” He motioned to the other officers to stand down and they all got in their cars and drove away.

Agent Montley looked up at Tala. “Why are you so understanding and not angry about us coming for you?”

Jay walked up to the crowd and answered. “It is the ancient spirit in him. It makes him wise beyond his years. Be glad he didn’t get angry.”

Tala chuckled a bit. “I’m not good to be around when I am angry. As I was going to explain before the police visited us, I find it shameful that your puppet masters decided to send a six-man squad of American wolves to stop another American wolf from talking to his mom.”

The six FBI agents looked at each other with wide eyes. Agent Montley stuttered a bit. “You mean, we are all American wolves and didn’t know it.”

Jay spoke up again. “Yes, there was a binding put in place by the packs that were keeping the American bloodlines alive in the background. For everyone’s protection, no one verbalized about the American blood running through their veins. Little by little, those bindings are being broken so that the power of the American Clan can regain its strength.

The second agent spoke up again. “What do we do now?”

Tala looked over at him and smiled. “Quit your jobs. I will hire you all to run security on my pack lands. We just received 100 square miles of land in Southwest Washington state and I think it would be great to have six strong American clan wolves run my security.”

The agents all looked back and forth amongst themselves. They could all tell that Tala was serious, but they all had doubts. An agent that hadn’t said anything decided to test the waters. “You want us to uproot our families, leave our packs and move to Washington?”

Tala looked over at him. “Why not? I don’t want to be a downer, but I doubt your bosses are going to be happy about today and will try to fire you all anyway. Why not have a place to go and good pay? You have lots of time to decide. When you are ready, just petition your alpha to let you move to my lands. You don’t have to leave your packs if you don’t want to. I will happily allow visitors. I will have someone on staff to handle applications and yours will be fast-tracked if you want to join.”

A fourth agent looked at Tala sideways for a second. “Just like that?”

“Sure,” Tala reassured. “I care for all my clansmen. I want to see you do well for your families.”

Agent Montley spoke again. “You have given us something to think about. I think it best we do just that.” He turned to the other agents. “Guys, let’s get out of here.” The six agents got into the SUVs and drove off.

Tala turned to his mother and Jay. “Let’s go inside. I think I need to have another quick talk with Hank before Jay and I go over to that alpha’s house.”

About two hours after the agents left, they arrive at the Phoenix FBI field office. They park and straighten their suits before walking in to meet with their boss. They sit down in the conference, each with a small glass of water and wait. Agent Jones dares to pose the question all are longing to ask. “So, how good do you think he’ll pay?”

Agent Montley turns to him. “I don’t know but depending on what happens in the next few minutes, we might want to find out.”

At that time, the Special Agent in Charge, George Crush, walks into the room with a fierce temper. “What the hell happened down there? I am hearing reports that you didn’t even try to do anything!”

Agent Montley took a sip of water and spoke very carefully. “Sir, our mission was a failure before we even left this building and you knew that. The moment that Hank didn’t call in when Tala knocked on his door, was the moment we should have turned around and went home.”

Special Agent Crush wastes no time responding. “Please tell me how six FBI agents were outsmarted by the likes of a half-wit celebrity. Those people hire someone to think for them!”

Agent Jones piped up. “Sir, he asked us why you sent six American blooded lycans to stop the head of the American clan from talking to his mother?”

Crush stopped to think for a second before answering. “Agent Jones, I am hearing doubt in your voice about your orders. As your pack beta, I got you this job and I’ll be damned if you are going to question my orders.”

Jones took a breath and then calmly decided why not. I’m going to rock my boss’s world a bit. “George, as my pack beta, I respect your authority without question. However, I think you are missing the big picture. We are 2nd cousins and that means that you too are an American clan wolf.” The five other men in the room nodded. “So the real question should be, why are we taking orders that go against our own existence.”

Agent Montley took up the conversation where Agent Jones left off. “Sir, you were not there to see this, but he came out to meet us in the front yard. He sat down on the grass and blew my mind. He waved off the local police that got called on us. He told us the truth about what happened to his family. He wanted to make sure we were okay. You know me, I can catch a liar before their lips stop moving and I will state my life that he was telling the truth.”

Special Agent Crush turned to the rest of the agents. “Do you all agree with the assessment of agents Montley and Jones?” He watched as all heads in the room nodded their agreement. “I see. You leave me no choice but to suspend all six of you for dereliction of duty pending investigation. Please leave your service pieces and credentials with the Duty Sergeant. Jones and Freeman, I will be sending a message to the alpha later today and you will need to answer to him. I will also be sending letters to the other packs you are from to hopefully have the same happen there too. You are dismissed.” At this he turned around and left the room.

Agent Freeman turned to the others and tensely laughed. “That went well.”

After the four wolves had a small snack, they returned to the living room to continue their discussion. Tala looked over at Hank and he knew the time had come. “Tala, I think I know what you are going to ask. I would protect your mother until my dying day. I’m sorry I hid the truth from you both for so long.”

Tala smiled. “I know Hank. We may not have always gotten along but I think you did the right thing at the time and I am better for it.” He saw Hank start to cry a bit. “I was going to ask if you wanted to come up to Washington with us. I want you to bring the whole family so we can be together and see how many want to be turned.”

Karla turned to Hank and he nodded. “We would love to, but I don’t know. That’s a big move.” She took Hank’s hand. “We don’t want to be in the way.”

Jay tried to reassure them. “You would never be in the way.”

Tala chimed in again. “Don’t get me wrong, I want to see you all the time, but I actually had a bigger favor to ask. I want to pay for you to move back to North Dakota. I want you to help manage the family lands.”

Karla looked surprised. “Honey, there are no family lands. They were all sold back around the Civil War. It was the only way they were able to eat. You know that.”

It was jay’s turn to shed a bit more truth. “Karla, my father’s family worked really hard in their management of the American pack bloodlines. They also bought back the land piece by piece and have it in a few shell companies. A few days ago, Tala was given control those companies. He owns all the pack land in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and parts of Southwest Manitoba.”

Karla started to cry. “You mean you really have our family land back?”

Tala went over and hugged his mother. “Yes, Mom. I have it all back and I want you to help make sure our clan’s wolves are given the chance to return to their home.”

Hank stood up and walked over to Tala. “We would be honored.” He reached out and shook Tala’s hand. “It’s time I undo the damage that was caused.”

An hour later, Tala and Jay are standing of the front porch of the alpha’s house. They knock and an average looking guy in his 50’s answered the door. “Good Afternoon, can I help you?”

Tala smiled. “Yes, I am Master Tala, head of the American Clan, Order of Five Winds and Bearer of the King’s Crest. This is my mate Sir Jason Wilson, Heir to the Celtic Clan. I have come to speak with you about rejoining the American Clan.”

The man stopped breathing for a second. “I know who you are. I also know your mother. I was asked to watch over her by a man from Idaho and have sent regular reports of her wellbeing. I never imagined you would be at my door though.”

Tala laughed internally. “I’m glad Uncle Alexander has been looking out for her. May we come inside?”

Yes, yes please come inside. Where are my manners?” The man opened the door wide and ushered them inside. “I am Alpha Peter Goldner, and this is my lovely wife and pack Luna Rose. Honey, this is Master Tala and his mate.”

Rose quickly jumped up from the chair she was knitting in and bow to Tala and Jay. “Oh my lord, I never dreamed I would meet royalty in my own home. Can I offer you anything?”

“Just two glasses of water please,” Tala answered for both of them. Rose brought them both a glass of water and motioned for them to sit on the sofa in the living room.”

Peter sat as well. “Now that we are settled. I have a few questions for you.”

“I can save you the questions,” Tala interrupted. “First no, you can choose to rejoin or not. Second, if you don’t have a pack representative, as I’m guessing you have been cheated of, you can choose one. Lastly, I just want your pack to be happy.”

Peter laughed. “Not at all what I was going to ask. I was going to ask if you had an address to send the paperwork to and when we can announce to the rest of the pack.”

Jay laughed out loud. “I have never seen Tala’s gift fail him.”

Peter looked at Jay and confessed. “It didn’t. I changed my questions to try to save face.” He turned to Tala. “I was serious. Where do I send the paperwork?”

Jay answered. “Right now, I would send the original to the council addressed to Björn Chase and a duplicate to my father’s office. Our compound is still being built.”

Tala looked over at Jay. “Yeah, what he said. Can I ask that you continue to watch over my mom’s home? She is going to be managing the former Red Pack lands until everything is settled.”

Rose took a sip of tea. “We would be happy to Tala. Karla and Hank have always been really nice people.”

Tala looked over at Rose. “Thank you, ma’am. We won’t keep you from your early dinner.” Tala and Jay stood up. Tala shook Peter's hand. “Welcome back to your clan and we bid you good luck.”

“What is the hell is going on?” Björn looks at the error screen on my laptop while talking on the phone. “I followed all the instructions I got from Raul and Rolf and this crap is still not working. The login just doesn’t work.”

Tala answers back. “Did you check with the IT department?”

Björn gives a half-hearted laugh. “The guys on the phone barely know the Wi-Fi passwords.”

Tala tries again. “Go to the IT department.”

“Fine,” Björn sighs. “As soon as I hang up, I’ll go to the IT office.”

Tala smiles to himself. “Good. I’ll let you go so I can check and see if Hawk is doing okay.”

“Tell him I say hello and to stop in later. Once he gets his office set up, of course.” Björn hangs up and closes the laptop and puts it in his bag.

Hawk’s phone rings. “Hello?”

Tala comes in over the speaker. “Hey Hawk. It’s Tala.”

Hawk smiles. “Hey big brother! I can’t talk right now though. No one can find where my office is supposed to be at.”

Tala frowns. “Something is going on then. Björn isn’t able to log in to his computer.”

“Huh. The building management office is right next to IT. I’ll head over there and maybe we can double team them and get everything figured out.” Hawk wonders for a moment. “Do you think he will know who I am?”

Tala chuckles. “I sent him that selfie of us and he joked he couldn’t us apart. He wanted you to say hello later anyway.”

Hawk sounds relieved. “That helps then, but I look so much better than you. I’ll call you when we get everything taken care of.”

Björn walks into the IT office and a guy walks from behind the counter. His badge shows he is a level two tech from the Saharan clan. “How can I help you?”

Björn pulls his laptop out of the bag. “Master Rolf checked this laptop out for me and told me how to log in, but it doesn’t seem to be working for me.”

“Go ahead and turn it on and I will make sure you are doing everything right.” The IT tech watches as Björn turns it on and types in the log in credentials he was given. “I think I see the problem. All the logins for Master Rolfs team would start with a C. Are you should you wrote it down correctly?”

Björn looks up to the tech. “I’m not from Rolf’s team. I’m an American clan wolf and I was told our logins started with a U.”

The tech looked bewildered. “There are no American clan log ins. What is your name?”

“I am Master Björn Chase. I sit on the Circle for the American clan.” Björn looked irritated and held up his security badge. “I was told that my log in information should have been ready yesterday by both Rolf and Master Raul.”

The tech stopped for a second. “Your Master Björn. I am so sorry sir.” He ran behind the counter and started typing at a ferocious pace. “Please forgive me, but I need to call the head of IT and see why this is happening.”

Björn huffed a bit. “I understand." Björn calmed down with the tech. "I am not upset with you. I just want this fixed since it will affect five packs so far.”

The IT tech’s call finally goes through. “Sir, I have a member of the circle here who doesn’t have a log in.” He waits for his boss to stop screaming at him. “Sir, his log in information starts with U. We don’t have any active U usernames in the system.” Again, the head of IT screams at him. “No sir, I understand. Good day to you too.”

Björn looked a little shaken. “I guess that didn’t go well.”

The IT tech shook his head. “He called me an idiot. I tried to tell him that you weren’t in there and said I obviously didn’t know my job. After that, he fired me.”

Björn gasped. “Don’t go anywhere! Where is his office?”

The IT tech started sobbing. “It’s down this hall at the end. I can't afford this stress or to be out of a job again!”

Björn walked over to the hallway door and badged it open. “Sit down and have a break. I’ll make sure that your job is fine but his might not be.”

Björn got to the end of the hall and opened the door to the IT head’s office. The guy turned around in his chair as he started to yell. “I thought I told you to get out!” He is facing the door when he sees it is not the tech from the front. “Who the fuck are you? How did you get into my office?”

Björn looked him straight in the eye. “I am Master Björn Chase. I sit on the Circle for the American clan. That is who the fuck I am. Who are you?”

“I am Brandon Smith, Head of Global IT Operations. You have no right to barge into my office claiming to be...” The head of IT stands up and sees the security badge on Björn’s belt. He quickly sat back down.

Björn walks over to his desk and leans down in his face. “Don’t you ever raise your voice to me again.” The man in front of him is now pouring sweat. “Now, explain to me why my log in doesn’t work.”

Brandon quakes in his seat. “I’ll check.” It takes the man about five minutes and he finds what he is looking for. Crestfallen he looks up at Björn. “The work order to create the American clan network system was cancelled by executive order.”

“Brandon, you are going to have to explain that in a bit more detail.” Björn could feel a deep rage starting in himself.

“I don’t know either, sir. It shows someone from the senior council killed the order, but I am already fixing it as we speak. It should be finished by the end of the day now.” By this point Brandon understands his team screwed up big time not checking on that. “Do you know when we need to create the next log in so I can do it personally?”

“End of the day is too slow. Do your best to speed it up. Also, what do you mean next log in?” Björn looked confused. “You’re not creating the credentials for all the American clan?”

“All the clan sir?” Brandon was just as confused as Björn was. “How many are we talking?”

Björn felt the anger building again. “Lets see, there is mine as a member of the Circle. There is Master Tala’s as head of the American clan. Next, we have Sir Hawk and the rest of the Boise Pack. We have Alpha Peter and the rest of the Southern Arizona Pack. I think that would total 250 so far. Do I need to go on?”

Brandon went white as a ghost. “Those are big packs. That would really be about 1250 as every wolf is supposed to have one.”

Björn looked a bit surprised. “I guess you better get on it. I expect them to be ready by tonight.” Björn turned to walk away. “By the way, you better go apologize to your tech out there and give him a raise for having to deal with you.” Björn left the office with Brandon crying in his chair.