Hello there,
First, I hope you are well despite the devastating news about the Brave's cancellation. I'm also deeply upset STILL and I'm planning to console myself by writing and reading more The Brave fan fiction. Someday I'll branch out to writing about other TV shows. For now, I have so many things in my head that I was hoping to see in the show that I will just have to write about it. In my own alternate universe, they are still going on missions. Yeah that's my happy place
Second, little backgrounder on how this story came about. I bumped my head while I was cleaning my cupboards! I had a nasty bruise and an idea was formed. Inspiration strikes at odd times albeit painful this time. I wanted to connect it to one of their previous missions so I used the Mongolia-China angle again.
Lastly, Happy June 1st and I appreciate all the reviews and feedback given to my stories! Hope you enjoy
Much obliged,
Abby
Dalton's Promise
Chapter 1
01 June 18
0630H Incirlik, Turkey
It was a quiet Saturday morning at the Quonset hut until one by one the team gathered at the breakfast table. Amir then made his announcement.
"I'm not gonna be able to cook Shakshuka this morning. We are out peppers and in the gardens too. So, you're all on your own this morning."
"C'mon man, you can replace the ingredient right? I was looking forward to it. I don't want Jaz's runny eggs." The medic pleading with Amir.
Throwing a towel at McG "Hey, I'll have you know, people like my runny eggs. " Jaz said defiantly.
"Who's "people"? Name names and no, Mr. Snuffleupagus doesn't count." McG jokingly added.
"Mr. Snuffle-what? Who's that?" Amir's brows are hunched together in confusion. McG and Jaz are giggling. Preach was shaking his head.
They were about to continue on their banter when they interrupted by the alert from the computer. Dalton got up immediately acknowledged Noah.
"Captain, we need your team in China ASAP. The US Ambassador to China was travelling to the embassy this morning when his car was ambushed by unknown assailants and they have taken Ambassador Jeffries with them possibly holding him off for ransom. No actual demands yet but we are hearing whispers they are a new low level terrorist group who wanted money so they can buy more guns."
"Well, this low level group has the Ambassador Jeffries so we take this very seriously. What's the official statement from the higher ups?" Dalton drank his last drop of coffee.
"That the US government does not negotiate with terrorist. Deputy Director Campbell is now speaking with the Chinese Liaisons Officer. If she cannot get him to agree to give the team passage to China, you have to go through Mongolia and go old school again" Noah doesn't like the idea but they don't have a choice.
"Ok Noah let us know what the Director says. We'll be prepared to leave within the next hour." Dalton looked over to his team.
"Roger that Captain." Noah disconnected the com.
McG is now tossing trail mix bars. "Grab your breakfast guys, we're moving out."
02 June 18
0330H Mongolian-Chinese Border
The team skydived into the Mongolian-Chinese border. "Talk about déjà vu." Preach said to Dalton folding his parachute.
"Yeah, I'm hoping not to be chased through the mountains again by the Chinese this time around."
"You might want to hold on to that thought Captain" Noah interjected on the coms. Having heard that, Dalton's shoulder slumped a bit. "What's the status?"
Noah informed Dalton of the Chinese Liaison Officer position regarding the matter.
"Quote he said the Chinese government will be the one to secure Ambassador Jeffries and won't be needing assistance from the US and that it is a local matter unquote."
"They have a US citizen being held hostage and they expect us not to do anything? Deputy Director Campbell accepted that?"
"Nope, she's still in a meeting with the higher ups and buying you guys time. It is also possible that she is looking for ammunitions and shields should this blow back. The mission is a go Captain. It's time to go old school… again. Good luck out there." Noah gave them the coordinates just before going radio silent.
The whispers turned out to be good intel. The Ambassador was being kept in a fishing village. The team was able to secure a boat and now en route to location.
Preach noticed the very dark clouds and strong winds. He advised Dalton about the storm coming in.
Using a heat signature device, they saw one body seated most likely the Ambassador then there is only one guy with a rifle standing guard at the front door.
Preach is with Amir going around the back. Handling the front would be him Jaz and McG. On his cue, Jaz used her silencer and shot the guy at the door. McG checking on the fallen guy to confirm he's dead. They dragged him and placed under the fishing net while Jaz did another perimeter sweep.
Dalton opened the door and saw that Amir and Preach coming in from the back. This seems to be too easy. The Ambassador is unconscious. When Dalton approached him, he cut the ties on his feet and hands. When he's is about to lift him, he heard a soft click. Placing him down, he carefully looked underneath his chair.
"Damn it. I knew this couldn't be this easy." Top seethed. "It's rigged. If I lift him off, it will detonate. Preach, get the dead guy on the front. We will replace his weight with the Ambassador's."
A minute later, Preach came back empty handed. "Top, we got a problem. He's not there."
"What? How could a dead guy disappear? Someone's out there!"
They heard a faint radio exchange speaking rapid Chinese. All of them stilled.
"That can't be good. We have to move now. We don't know how many are coming. We are sitting ducks here with no coms of our own." Amir suggested.
Dalton had to make a quick decision. "Ok, McG on the count of 3, I will toss you the Ambassador. You, Jaz and Preach make your way to our spot. Preach, contact and debrief Director Campbell."
Concern was painted on Jaz's face. "What about you guys? You can't seriously think we'll be leaving you behind."
"Amir, go around the village. Scout the area for possible escape routes and continue to look for things that can hold off the bomb. I'll sit on this chair for the meantime. In case you see something is off, I need you to go to the rendezvous point. No need for the two of us to be here. No arguments. "
Amir silent for a moment then nodded hesitantly. Jaz on the other hand can't help voice out what she thought of her CO's plan.
"What?! That's your plan? I do not like this plan Top. You would be alone, vulnerable here. "I'll stay with you. Preach and McG can handle the Ambassador." She's not budging.
"You'll do as you're ordered to soldier. That is a direct order Sgt. Khan." Dalton almost shouted at Jaz's face. He saw the hurt in her eyes but it is what he has to do. She has to be safe. Dalton doesn't even want to entertain the thought of her being captured again especially now that she has been making progress lately according to the internal report Dr. Martin forwarded him.
Not waiting for Jaz's rebuttal, he turned and readied the Ambassador, "McG, on three". Dalton sat on the chair and there no other sound.
Preach and McG held on one arm each and dragged the Ambassador away. Amir left to look for their escape route and for heavy objects.
Jaz stared at Dalton. "Just FYI, this plan of yours sucks. I expect you and to come back…to the team. Come back to… me. Ok? Promise me… please." She was trying to hide it but her voice is already cracking. Losing Elijah was bad enough. She can't bear the thought of losing Top too.
In a moment of weakness, Dalton reached for her face caressing her cheek "I will. I promise. Now go!" he ordered. They held each other's stare for a minute before Jaz turned around and followed Preach and McG.
He is not a praying man, that's usually Preach and Amir's forte but now he needs all the help he can get. He closed his eyes and prayed for his team. He prayed that they we'll be able to cross to the Mongolian border safely, without any more problems. He prayed for his…
The sound of heavy footsteps interrupted his thoughts. His only escape route is a window. He have to get the timing right. As soon as the door opened and the insurgents were in, he quickly got up and jumped to the window.
The blast from the explosion caught him, knocking him out into the open sea. His ear is buzzing. His vision is doubling. He has blood dripping from his forehead. There is debris all around him. He removed his Kevlar vest so it doesn't sink him. He needed to stay afloat.
He made a grab for the plank floating near him and tried to muster all his energy to pedal his feet so that he could be out of sight quickly. Cutting a portion of his shirt, he tied it around the wound in his head. Sharks? I have to worry about sharks right?" Helaughed out loud…laugh so he won't cry.
He also felt the rain starting to pour. The storm is coming. He's in and out, beginning to lose consciousness. His said a prayer for his team… for himself. "Please God, let them be okay…let me be okay … protect us all… I made a promise…I have to… because I have yet to tell h…" That was his last thought as rain starts to fall heavily on him and the current took him away…