Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:50:50 -0400
From: Ken Barber
Subject: Cyclone Chapter one The Day it all Began

Cyclone

Chapter 1

The Day It all Began

	I woke up Thursday morning to an overcast sky, typical to Seattle.
I could hear the automatic coffee maker kick on as I turned on the shower
and prepaid for another day at the office. My house was older but in good
shape, It was the house I grew up in and inherited when both my parents
passed away 5 years ago. After my shower I headed to the kitchen for a cup
of coffee. As I poured my coffee I noticed a voicemail on my IPhone, the
display showed a 201 area code and said Norfolk VA. I didn't know anyone in
Virginia that I was aware of.  The message was from an attorney and said
they needed me to call urgently. I figured I would just call later from my
office. I was sure it was work related and was annoyed they had called my
cell phone.  The Drive to the office was typical and when I arrived the Hot
New Intern was waiting in the Lobby for me.

	"Mr Ryan, Mr Shuller asked me to bring you to his office as soon as
you arrived."

	Damn this guy was smoking Dark curly hair with blue eyes and under
his shirt and Tie you could tell he had a body to die for.

	"Carl, How many times do I have to tell you to call me Dale. Any
idea what John wants?" I replied heading to the elevator.

	"Sorry Dale" he smirked slightly which made my heart flutter. "I
really don't know but he has a couple of guys I have never seen before in
his office with him."

	"Ok well lets go find out, and then if you don't have anything
pressing I will show you how the new client software is going to make
everyone's life so much easier"

	"Great Dale, there isn't anything on my schedule that I can't clear
out for you" He actually winked at me. Damn this kid knows what he is
doing. As we waited on the elevator all I could think about was ripping
those pants of him and seeing what kind of underwear he wore. The kid had
an amazing ass. Kid, that's funny he is 22 years old only 4 years younger
than me and I am sure he is interested but its work and he is an intern so
I had to control myself.

	We got off the elevator on the 12 floor.  In the main lobby Karen
the receptionist smiled as we got off. "Well today is going to be a good
day. First thing in the morning and I get a visit by the two hottest guys
in the building."

	I laughed and gave her a kiss in the cheek. "They in the old man's
office?"

	"No in the executive lounge, they are waiting on you so just head
in."

The phone was ringing and she answered it so I couldn't ask her what the
hell was going on. We never used the executive lounge unless we where
entertaining some really heavy hitter clients. The firm I work for is the
largest law firm in Seattle and we had satellite offices in Portland OR and
Sacramento CA. I am Director of Communications for Shuller, Temp, and
Weis. After Graduating from Berkley with Honors I was approached by John
Shuller, who offered me the job. I have known John my whole life he was a
my dad's best friend and handled all the family legal affairs. My office
has 2 divisions PR and IT. Weird arrangement but My Major was IT with a
minor in PR so it worked ok. I was happy with my Job, my life that was
another story. My parents were killed in a boating accident 5 years ago. My
mom and dad where the most amazing parents in the world. They readily
accepted me being gay when I came out to them right after graduating High
School. They hated my partner Scott, I knew it but they would never admit
it. My dad was an architect and did really well. My education was paid for
and Now that they are gone I am comfortable financially. They told me I was
adopted when I was very young. I never knew who my biological parents were.
When My parents were killed I couldn't handle it and suffered from major
depression. Scott, my partner, lasted about 6 months before he left me.
Scott was not very supportive in the best of our years but I loved him and
it hurt even more when he left. I eventually started to deal with my
depression and with the help of a great therapist I got myself back on my
feet.

	Carl and I walked into the lounge and I stopped at the door. The
room was filled, All three executive Partners where there as well as about
6 other people I didn't know. The thing that was really odd was there were
2 people in US Navel uniforms and 1 person in a military like uniform I
didn't recognize. I immediately collected myself and entered the room. John
spotted me and Stood up.

	"Ah here he is, Dale good morning"

	"Morning John, What's going on here?" I said as I set my brief case
down and looked around.

The fact that everyone stopped talking and was looking at me unsettled me.

	John swept his hand around the room " Dale let me introduce you to
everyone. You know Mel and Wally."

	I nodded "Good Morning Mr. Temp, Mr. Weis". The both greeted me
warmly.

	"This is Steve Marshal".  I reached across the table to shake his
hand and it dawned on me Steve Marshal was the guy that left me a
voicemail.

	"Good Morning Mr. Marshal, I am sorry I didn't return your call.
But I promise I was going to you didn't have come all the way out here just
to talk to me" By my smile he could tell I was teasing.

My corporate meeting facade was coming out. I was always the one that kept
everyone from getting to stressed.

	John Chuckled and continued. "Dale this is Calvin Macintosh CEO of
International Nautical Security."

	"Mr Macintosh, it's a pleasure to meet you I have heard a lot about
INASS. Great Company and If I recall right I have some INS stock in my
portfolio".

	He smiled really warmly. "Yes you do Dale and Please call me Cal.
Let me introduce the rest of my people so poor John doesn't have to try to
pretend he remembers everyone's name." Everyone Laughed. "This Mike Clark
our Chief Operation Officer, Assistant Admiral John Warren our Fleet
Commander, and this is Vice Admiral Wilson and Captain Racely, United
States Navy. The Admiral and Captain Are here to observe and they role will
be discussed later."

	John put his hand on my elbow. "Dale sit down so we can get
started".

	I sat down and was starting to get really nervous so I cracked a
Joke. "So should I call an Attorney?"

	Cal was the only one that really laughed. "I think you have that
one covered Dale?" is laugh and smile put me at ease a little.

	John took a deep breath and then sighed. "Dale, you know I your
mother and father meant the world to me and you know I handled all of their
legal affairs". I nodded was going to ask what the hell this was all about
but decided to let John have his say. "Dale I also represented your parents
in your adoption and Mr. Marshal Represented your biological father." I cut
him off.

	"Now hold on just a Second John, Mr. Marshal. I buried my parents 5
years ago I never knew who my Biological Father was nor do I care to know.
If he sent you to try to arrange a meeting and get reacquainted with I am
not interested no ifs ands or Buts. End of Conversation." I stood up to
leave and John caught my arm.

	"Dale that's not what is going on. Your Biological Father died
Tuesday morning" John pulled me back into my seat. "Hear me out Dale. Your
Mother and Father where very good friends with your biological Parents.
Your Bio dad grew up with your father. He was a young naval officer with a
promising career. Your biological mother was a beautiful young woman while
her husband was on deployment she was in a car accident. She was in the
beginning of her ninth month of pregnancy she didn't make it but they were
able to save the baby. That's you Dale. Lt Commander Olsen was rushed back
from his deployment to grieve the loss of his young wife and figure out how
to raise a child by himself.  Your Parents were right by his side. After a
short while he realized that with his career and could not raise a child.
So it was either give up his career or give up his Child. Your Mom and Dad
convinced him to let them adopt you. Your Mom was not capable of having
children. This was the their only chance. Over the years Mr. Olsen checked
on you periodically but it was too hard for him so he and your parents
agreed he was not going to be a part of your life at all. It was hard for
your parents at first to and they agreed with him. He honored that
agreement until the Tuesday morning when he died of a massive heart attack
during his morning jog".

	 "John this is a lot for me to process. Why are you telling me this
and what the hell does it have to do with INS and the US Navy." I turned
and saw Carl the intern sitting in a chair against the wall. His eyes
showed a huge amount of compassion. "Carl can you fix me a coffee please."

	"Absolutely Mr Ryan." he jumped up and went over to the bar and
started to fix the Coffee.

	John looked at Mr. Marshal and nodded.

	"Dale, may I call you Dale?"

	"Sure Mr Marshal."

	"Steve, call me Steve. Your Biological father was Kevin Olsen
founder and controlling partner of INASS." All I could do was sit and stare
in shock. "Dale he left his entire fortune and his controlling share of INS
to you. You are now the Owner and President of INASS." I didn't know what
to say or do I just stood there and stared at him.

	Vice Admiral Wilson looked at me. "Mr Ryan, I know this is very
difficult for you but The Navy and The Federal Government need to know what
you plan to do. You see we just signed a contract with INS to provide
convoy escorts for some of our supply shipments. If you plan to sell the
company we will walk away from the contract if the company continues to run
as is we will honor the contract."

	Carl stood up and said "Ok as of right now Dale here is the
President of INS so I think we should appraise him of the status of the
company. Are you ok with me giving you a brief synopsis Dale?"

	I think I was in shock I just mumbled "Sure"

	"Ok Dale you own 75% of the stock for INS, I own 20% and the rest
was sold privately to key investors. Your Dad, MR Ryan, that is was one of
those key investors and owned 1%, Mr.  Shuller owns a 1/2%. I guess
technically you own 76% now. You can sell your entire holding with INS or
you can run the company. But before you make a decision I would like to
tell you that the INS as it stand now is a 14 Billion dollar company
however all our assets are tied up to fill this Navy contract. Up until
recently we provided security personnel to Companies that shipped goods
around the globe our personnel protected there vessels from Pirates,
Criminal Syndicates, corrupt military and navy officials and general
Thieves. We provided a number of personal to protect their assets and
personnel while on board ship. Recently we, trough the acquisition of some
older British Royal Navy Vessels began providing escort services to larger
ships. Super tanker and freighters and the like. We also have a division
that helps our clients clear customs around the world through cargo
tracking.  2 years ago the US Navy approached us about providing escort
services to some of their supply ships. This will allow them the move
supplies faster and safer around the world. In order to fill this contract
we had to double the size of our fleet . Myself and the late Mr. Olsen
agreed and took out a loan that allowed us to build or purchase the
additional ships and supply and crew them.  If your controlling share of
the company with in 2 years you will be a multi billionaire."

	"And what happens if I don't keep the company" I asked him.

	"Well our charter is very special as we are essential the largest
private armed navy in the world we have some very strict regulations on
us. First no one person can control more than 75% of the company. No matter
what you will have to sell or give away your extra 1%.  However if you sell
the rest, the Navy has a clause in their contract that that allows them to
withdraw this is for security purposes only. They can't risk someone
unknown having control of the fleet that is protecting their supply ships.
Now I will tell you honestly that if you do sell and the Navy withdraws the
company will go under. The massive amount of money we out for these new
ships and crews was all done on credit.  We cannot afford to meet our
obligations."

	My eyes opened at this "Cal, How many people people does INS
employ?"

	"About 5800 hundred worldwide about 4200 are American. Most have
served in the US Military"

	I looked at my bosses. "Gentlemen, I am sorry but I have to tender
my resignation with Shuller, Temp, and Weis.  This is a lot to deal with
but I cannot take this risk of putting 5800 people out of work. So I guess
that means I am the President of INS now"

	Cal held up a hand " Before you take the reins Dale, you have sell
off your other 1%. Everyone here in this room except the Navy Guys own a
piece of the company. Well except your assistant Carl too. All of them have
signed an agreement that forbids them from purchasing anymore of the
company from anyone else."

	 "So I have to find someone with an extra $1.4 mill just sitting
around to sell that off too?"

	Mr. Marshal spoke up this time. "We technically you can sell it for
any amount. It is a private Corporation and this would be a private sale.
Only your shares would be changing hands it would not affect the value at
all."

	"Hmm how long to draw up the paperwork for the sale?" I asked
everyone.

	Steve smiled. "We took the liberty of drawing up the paperwork and
all you have to do is tell us who and the amount then the shareholders here
have to agree on it."

	I laughed out loud "Put the name Carl Everett on the sale and the
amount is $20.00" Carl who had been sitting in the corner quietly dropped
his coffee and swore. "Shit, I mean damn, I mean fuck, oh my god I am so
sorry". Everyone in the room including the two Navy guys were laughing.

	I looked around the room. "Does everyone agree to this
transaction?" a Chorus of yeses.

"Does anyone disagree to this transaction?" no one responded.

	I looked at Carl and winked "Carl give me $20 bucks, I just made
you a millionaire"

	Carl stood up and came over and whispered in my ear. I shook my
head and laughed. I reached for my wallet and pulled a $20 out laid it on
the paperwork "you owe me $20 Carl."

	Everyone in the room busted up laughing again. Carl was even cuter
when he blushed. "Mr.  Ryan I don't know what to say. Thank you so much
with that he started to tear up.

	I patted him on the shoulder and told him to sit next to me.

	"Ok everyone, I have no idea what it is going to take to run INS so
I would like to propose we make Cal Mackintosh the Acting President and CEO
for the period of 1 year at the end of the year the presidency returns to
my control. During that year, for the first 6 months I will be a deputy
Chief Operations Officer and the spend 6 months as Deputy CEO"

	Assistant Admiral John Wilson stood "I will second that motion.
That's a brilliant Plan son, you are going to do just fine".

	Cal took over the meeting. "All in favor say yes" A chorus of
yeses. All oppose say no". No one spoke. "Ok so the motion carries 6 yes
and 1 abstention".

	I looked puzzled. "Who abstained?"

	"Well Carl didn't respond so that counts as an abstention." He said
with a smirk.

	Carl looked up. "What, OMG I am so sorry. Yes my vote is yes."

	Cal laughed. "Ok we will change the record to show that Carl
Everette voted in favor."

	Cal looked at the 2 Navy Guys. "Admiral, does that satisfy the
concerns of the US Navy?"

	The Admiral Smiled and said "Yes is does Cal. You know he is so
much like his father, Cal. My apologies me Ryan, your biological Father."

	Cal had a smile on his Face "Yes really is Teddy. So we are going
to spend the weekend in Seattle to get young Mr. Ryan ready to relocate to
Norfolk. So I can have the Jet take you guys back and them come back to get
us, if that will work for you Teddy"

	"Perfect Cal, We need to get back and get alot of flunkies to
settle down they are losing their minds right now" WIth that he grabbed his
hat and walk over to me and shook my hand.  "I look forward to working with
you Mr. Ryan. I notice o your not married you know I have a daughter your
age perhaps I can have you over for dinner some night and you could meet
her." with that he left. I was sitting there with a look of shock on my
face. Oh crao these people didn't know I was gay. Fuck Fuck this could be
ugly.

	Everyone was smiling I thought to myself fuck just lay it out there
and get their reactions.

"Umm, Ok, see there is one thing you all should know. and for me it's not
like a big deal but for some of you it might be and I think we should get
it out in the beginning that way if there are any problems we can figure
out solutions......" Cal interrupted me

	"Dale we have done a very thorough background check on you and we
know your gay. So does the Admiral, his daughter is too that's why he
wanted you to meet her."

	I had to have had a complete look of shock on my face. "Oh ok" was
all I could manage.