A/N: I would like to thank you all for the reviews and I would especially like to thank the Tales from Bridge group for giving me the encouragement to write out my story that was in my head. My first attempt at a publish fan fiction and you guys are awesome. THANK YOU!
Chapter 6
Reunions II
As the SUV rolls pass a welcome to Las Vegas sign they are stunned to see the city of bright lights dark. Especially heartbreaking for Tex who grew up in Reno a city just like Las Vegas it is known for bright lights.
"My god what is happening to our country" President Oliver ask not really expecting and answer.
"This must be part of the regional leaders plans cut off the people with holding basics necessities to live. We need to be careful Castillo controls this part of the country" Tex says.
When out of the darkness two military assault vehicles cut force them off the road and two more flank them from behind cutting of their escape. The car is surround by men in tactical gear with automatic weapons
"Exit the vehicle on the left side and get on your stomach and cross your legs hands behind your back"
"Alright everyone keep their hands in plain sight and don't make any sudden movements we are out gun so just follow their directions. Everyone agrees" Tex asked
With the nod of their heads they all agree to the surrender as they lay on ground and are searched by the men and so is the SUV they find their weapons. Their hands are zipped tied behind their backs bags are put on their heads and placed into the SUV with one of the soldiers driving their vehicle. Tex has a suspicion these guys were from Nellis Air Force Base outside of Las Vegas. After a thirty-minute drive to they arrive at the location
They are escorted into a large open room and their hoods are pulled off their heads with bright lights shining in their faces when voice yells from behind the lights
"What fucking moron decided it was a good ideal to bag the Commander in Chief?" the person barked angrily
"Who led the intercept team tonight front and center"
Up steps a sergeant "I did sir" the young man replied.
Do you not know how to follow orders or did you decided to wing it?"
"No, sir I did not follow orders" the young man replied
"What are your standing orders sergeant?"
"To keep an eye out for the POTUS and his rescuers and let command know that we have Renegade in pocket sir"
"Right and you didn't do that did you Sgt. Clark?"
"No, sir I did not" he replies
"Sergeant, do you realize if something had happened to president the ensuing chaos that would have cause. These people risked their lives to save him and your cockiness could have cost them their lives! Get back to you post I will deal with you later" man replied
"Yes, sir" he replies as he heads back to the road.
"Sorry for the inconvenience sir, I am Colonel Ryan Wyatt commanding officer of Nellis Air Force Base" he says as he cuts the zip ties.
"Colonel why did you report to Castillo with your troops when they suspend the constitution?" Oliver asks
"Defend the constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. Regional leaders fit that bill perfectly and I plan to fight them before I surrender my base and personnel to them. I have the two men responsible for the death of General Ryan in custody sir. Once this little dust up is over they will be court martial"
"Hey if you done with the chit chat how about untying the rest of us" Tex request of the Colonel if you don't mind
"LCDR Green I recognize you, from a photograph my son sent me of him and you in the White House do you know what happen to him" as he cuts her bindings
"Yes sir, I do all I can say is he is not in St. Louis" she replies
"I only asked because he my son"
"I understand sir" she replies
"So, commandant, how have you been able to hold off Castillo's and his goons" Tex asks
"Since Las Vegas was designate as a refugee center the last eighteen months General Ryan made some additional security measures to the base which included upgrades to state of the art security, solar panels installation for power and alternative fuels sources for land vehicles. You name it Ryan put it into action"
"Why the road block? Isn't that a little a dangerous" Tex ask
"We have been disrupting any attempts to move supplies and resources from the area to the other regions" colonel replied
"What type of cargo is being moved between the regions" President asked
"So far, we have intercept several conveys with clothes, food, medicine and military weapons and civilians fleeing the area"
"How many other bases are holding out against the regional leaders" Kara inquires
"Plenty from the latest intel we received since the broadcast showing the regional leaders plotting with China hasn't won them any contests with the American people and well you know how we feel about losing a brothers and sisters in arms" the colonel stated
"Where are you housing the civilians, you rounded up in your little intercepts" President asks
"We house them here for the night then we move them up to a location we set up between here and Creech base. That way if there is any trouble they aren't caught in the cross fire" Wyatt replies
"Sir, we have quarters ready for you and your detail whenever you are ready"
"That sounds good but we need to make it to San Diego and rendezvous with the Nathan James and the CNO" president replies
"Sir, in good conscience I would not recommend that course of action but I can offer you more personnel"
"What do you have in mind Colonel?" Tex asked
"Well how about some Spec Ops operators here to aid in your mission to reach the James."
"Can you spare the men and keep what you are doing here going?" the president asked.
"Sir, remember I said the general made improvement and these guys were part of that improvement" he replied
"Colonel, our time is short to rendezvous with the James she will hit San Diego waters within the next eight hours we been here about ninety minutes so time is so that cutting it close with a five-hour window" Kara states
"Flying you by helos it is a about two-hour flight flying low and under the radars that will give you eight-hours vice five and you can observe the operations at the base"
"Commandant, how long before we are wheels up" Tex ask
"We can be ready to fly in less than an hour mister, I didn't catch your name sorry"
"Didn't throw it Nolan, Tex Nolan" he replied as he offers his hand for a hand shake. "Let's work out the details and then we can go from there"
"Commander Green is that an acceptable plan of action" President asks
"Yes, sir it risky but faster" she said, "but what if we insert the spec ops team ahead of us they could set up a base camp within range of the base"
"Commander you and the team leader will need to work out the details" the Colonel said
"Commandant, we will need some more equipment for ourselves" Tex states
"Not a problem we can give you what every you need" Colonel replies
"Alright, then let's get this show on the road" Tex replied
"First let's get you some food then you can gear up then meet the crew and team taking going with you to San Diego" the colonel replied.
After a quick meal ad re-arming Kara and LT Eric Mitchell begin planning the advance team insertion into San Diego. They agree that the safety of the president was a priority so would be inserted on the outskirts of San Diego
Over the headset, the pilot "We will be landing in fifteen mikes"
"Gear up once they helo sets down we are on the move Pearson and Michaels you are on Renegade keep him protected at all time Smith you have point and Carter you will cover our six" as he gives them their orders
They reach the landing zones when everyone exit the craft with no problem they disembark with Smith taking point followed by Tex, Kara and Mitchell then Renegade Kathleen and Michaels followed by Carter. A tight circle is formed around Renegade as the helo departs and the team waits for the signal from the advance team.
"LT where are you boys shouldn't they here" Tex says
"Hold your horses" he replies
"Smith give the signal" Mitchell replies
Smith flash a quick code with his flashlight await the returning signal. Within a few seconds, he receives the response and a voice calls out
"LT, over here" a voice says
"Master Sargent your late" he replies
"Ran into a slight problem had to take care of it sir" he replied
"Are we still a go?" he asked
"Yes, sir we have several vehicles and we have a secure location. Sir, this is basically a ghost town no vehicles on the road coming or going so it will only take us about thirty minutes to reach Harbor Island to spot the James" he replied.
"Alright you heard the Master Sargent load up" LT orders "Follow the plan and keep it tight.
They load up in the vehicles heading toward Harbor Island to observe the James as she enters restricted area. Thirty minutes later they arrived at the designated spot they all exit the vehicles
"Sir, I have a visual on the James sailing into the harbor" Carter reports
As they watch the James sail into the San Diego harbor when out the sky missiles striking the James below the water line. They all watch in shock as she begins to sink Kara begins to run towards the water when Tex grabs.
"Kara girl what do you want do" Tex asks her
"I want revenge but first we need to take down Castillo and his thugs and after that get Frankie and get somewhere safe" she replies
"Alright you heard the Commander let's go" Mitchell replied
They load up in the into the vehicles and head towards the base they pull into the abandoned shipyard and into a darken workshop.
"What is this place Kara" asks
"This is one of the ship yards that are along the waterfront this one is the closest to the base we can get without give up our position" MSGT replied
"MSGT, what was the problem you had prior to the rendezvous?"
"We thought that the base was their center of operation it's not the shipyards is his center of gravity. With the train tracks running through the shipyard gives him the ability to move supplies to the east no problem. If were not for a Colonel Howard we would have been toast." MSGT replied"
"Did you say Colonel Howard?" Kara inquires
"Yes, ma'am I did" he replies
"LT Colonel Theodora J. Howard US Army"
"Yes, is there a problem CMDR" he asks
"Where is she" Kara demands as she begins searching for the colonel. Kara finds the colonel going over plans with the advance team all she is see is the woman who tried to kidnapped Rachel and harm her family and Chandlers. Howard turns around as Kara approaches her
"Green" is all she gets out before Kara slugs her in the jaw the blow knocks Howard to the ground. Before Kara can land another blow, Howard sweeps her legs bring her down.
"Green if you give me a chance I will explain myself" she says
"Why you are a traitor you sold out your country for what" Kara demands as she lands another blow to her mid-section the two women trade blows as stunned men look on.
Tex and Mitchell step in the fray pulling the two combatants apart Mitchell stands Howard on feet and hands her over to the MSGT, with order to restraint her and sit her in a chair.
"Let's see what the good Colonel hear has to say for herself before you beat her death" Tex says
Kara looks at Tex with a burning desire for revenge against this woman who has cause so much destruction and betrayal with her actions. She knows that any intel that the Colonel gives them could compromise their mission.
"Alright" she says
"Explains yourself Colonel how did you get here I thought Shaw and the leader would have killed you" Kara inquired
"More Shaw that the regional leaders, she told me I out lived my useful and order her guards to kill me"
"Did you know that they planned to kill the president and divide the country" Kara ask
"They manipulate Michener to send Chandler instead Secretary Rivera in order to kill him but what they didn't count on was the pirate Takehaya taking part of the Nathan James crew as hostages in Vietnam nor did they realizes that the CNO would stay behind to take charge of the search. See without Chandler around the Michener would have been easy to manipulate Shaw had been working on him for weeks gaining his trust"
"So, the Commodore not dying the plane explosion ruined their plans. Trying to take the doc and his family along with Green's hostage. Maybe I should let her finish what she started" Tex says
"What else aren't telling us Colonel" Mitchell ask
"It's not the regional leaders you have to worry about its Allison Shaw. She is slowly taking them out one at a time. They think Beatty and Rivera deaths were their ideals but it was Shaw's she just planted the seed in their heads. Beatty and Rivera wouldn't play along after the death of Michener so they became expendable" she replied
"Sir, what do you want to do with her" Mitchell asks
"So far, her intel has been spot on, if we set up at the first location we would be history" MSGT replies
"What do you know about Castillo's operations?" Kara asks
"Over the past several days he has trucks going and coming with supplies to store in a warehouse" Howard replies
"Apparently, anything that was ship buy semis overland was being hijacked around Las Vegas and the four corners area which I am guessing is your doing" as she looks at the Spec Ops guys.
None, of them bothering confirming her intel about the Vegas disruptions
"How is that Castillo has the entire military here under his control yet elsewhere they are holding out against the leaders" Mitchell inquires
"Anyone who questions his authority he has killed so they stop asking plus he is using food as leverage if they complain he cuts off not only their rations but rations for the family" she replied
"That sick bastard" Mitchell replies
"MSGT, your take" Kara ask
"We would not be having this conversation right now, she took out one Castillo's goons who got the drop on me so" he replied
"Howard seems that you might be on our side but if you make a wrong move I will person end you understood"
"Loud and clear Commander" she replies
"Now that discussion is over let's figure out how to take down this monster" Kara replies
Forty-five minutes later they are in an isolate area of the shipyard observing the activity in the yard. Kathleen is in the background showing the president how to fire a gun as Tex looks on proudly at his kid. When the recon party returns, and reports their observations.
"I see mostly Navy, Marine, Coast Guard and a few Army" Cooper reports
"This is Castillo distribution center he is hoarding his stash and doling calories out to his people for their hard work" Tex replies
"We are going to steal it back right" Kathleen ask
"That's the plan we steal from it back and hopefully him down" Tex replies
"MSGT, Cooper, Smith you will take the northwest quadrant, Smith, Gains take the high ground. Peters and Smith, you have point Michaels and Pearson you are on protection detail" Mitchell is giving orders to his men.
"Tex, and I will take the flanking position" Kara says
"Shift change and patrol patterns anything remembered what I taught" Tex instructs Kathleen.
"Got it" she replies
"Colonel you are with me I don't trust you around the president" Tex says
"Alright Nolan" she replies
Everyone takes fans out taking their positions, Kara is maneuvering around the ship containers carefully making her way towards the end of the container she peeks her around as she is about to advance from her position she suddenly grab from behind she tries to scream but a hand is cover her mouth and lifts her off her feet the person who grabs say "It's me" twice before she realizes it is Danny.
Kara relaxes and turns around and looks upon Danny and they exchange frantic kisses.
"How is it possible I saw the James sink" she said.
"Kara slow down and I will explain" he says
"We got the message you sent out about the extraction of the families and Captain Chandler explained everything about the Enterprise" he said
"So, they made it to the "E" all of them" she asked with tear filled eyes
"Yes, he replied with a smile
"You got to meet Frankie" she smiles with tears in her eyes
On the other side of the yard Tex and Howard are moving stealthily around the containers when they turn the corner and sees a group of men in tactical gear among them a familiar face.
"Commodore, don't mean to be rude but I thought you were dead" he says
"Tex, I see you made a new friend" Tom says
"Yeah, but I wouldn't call us friends" he replies
"Colonel Howard what's your end play? Switch sides since you back a losing side." Tom asks
"No Captain, I need to redeem myself not in your eyes but my own I became what I swore an oath to defend against" she replies
Tom looks hard at Howard and realize that she is broken by her betrayal to her country and the men and women she has served with but more so to herself. He still doesn't trust her but he sees she is trying to make amends for her betrayal.
"When this is over you will face a court martial" he states
"Yes, I know but right now we need to stop Allison Shaw more before she can implement her plans" she replies
"Commodore, head this way and I will introduce to a couple of new friends we made on the way here" Tex says
"Lead the way" Tom says
As they all head towards back to the rally point Tex explains that while travel through Las Vegas they ran into personnel from Nellis AFB. There they met a Colonel Wyatt the CO of the base. They have been hijacking supplies that Castillo was trying to send to Price's region with great success. They also have been taking in civilians fleeing the area. Creech AFB is also non- simpatico with the leaders"
"What's you read on this Wyatt" Tom asked
"You know what he said when ask why he didn't report to Castillo 'defend the constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic terrorists' that what he called the regional leaders" he replied.
"Commodore, let me introduce to you President Oliver code name Renegade"
"Mr. President, glade to know you are on our side." Tom says
"Captain glad to see you are still alive" he replies
"Commodore, this LT Mitchell, MSGT Jones, SGTs Smith, Pearson, Michaels,
Carter, Gains, Lopez and Peters. Smith and Pearson are combat controllers the rest are PJ's" he says
"Commander I see you and our friend here have been busy since our last communicate"
"Yes, sir" she replies
"So, this is Castillo's center of gravity" Tom say
"Its food, the people work for the food he doles out for their labors" Tex replies
"Looks like the team some new additions" as Tex is eyeing the SEALs who join the Commodore
"Well it looks like we all have the same ideal" Sasha says
"Mr. President allow me to introduce to Captain Bosch SEAL and Commander Cooper Naval Intelligence
"Mr. President" they both acknowledge
"We need to fall back to where we set up a base camp not too far from here" Mitchell suggests
"Your right LT pretty soon we will start to draw attention" Tom replies
"Master Chief, Pearson and Smith set up on that building roof top establish a comms hub the James is at EMCON she can't respond she will be listening in everyone else will fall back to the base camp established by Mitchell's team" Tom orders
Twenty minutes later the last group enters the warehouse as they need to adjust their plans to take down Castillo's operations.
"Howard how long have you been here you seem to have a handle on the what's going on here" Mike says
"I have been here for about two weeks prior to the coup. I figure I would hide in one of the shipyards close to the base. That's when I notice a lot trucks coming and going on the other side of the yard I also notice that this
pattern change after the coup that when the train began departing for Price's region arm guards were to the trains when shipments went out."
"How many guards were added and do you know their placement" Bosch asks
"I observed four guards on the train one with the engineer the rest spread out over twelve cars. The train leaves every two days around 1300" Howard replied
"Alright, lets plan this smartly and precise limiting the number of casualties if possible I want a working plan within the next two hours. Sasha, I want you do what you do best gathering intel listen in on their communications and try to figure out their schedule." Tom said
Elsewhere, General Bradley has just lied to a group of people that if they board these trucks they will be given food, water and shelter in exchange courtesy of regional leader Castillo. He sees the desperation on the faces of the people especially the children who are hungry. At that moment, a LT Bates a naval officer approaches him.
"Sir, how much longer are we going to lie to the people about what is going on this."
"Bates, keep your voice down we don't want these people to panic if that happens they will end up hurt or worst Castillo will kill them. You know what they will do to us and our families if we don't play along. Now move these vehicles out toward the yard" he replies as he walks away
The Bates, looks at the retreating back of the general in disgust the man is spineless accepting a promotion not deserved from Castillo he went from a major to a four- star general. None of the men respect he allowed several military personnel and their families to be shipped off to Price's region. They need to act now soon.
The teams are in position when they observe the four trucks rolling into the shipyard straight into the warehouse.
"In fifteen minutes we are a go, Mother have the helos standing by for medivac" he says over his comms.
"Heads up have eyes on a Bradley wait a minute check out who pulling into the yard it Castillo" Mike relays over his head set.
"Everyone hold your position I repeat hold your position" Tom orders
Observing the interaction between Castillo and Bradley, Mike sees that Bradley is not a true leader he bows to Castillo's whims. The two men head towards the warehouse Castillo motions for his security detail to remain with the vehicle.
"Is everyone seeing what I am seeing" Mike asks
Castillo detail is taken down and from out of the warehouse Manuel Castillo is dragged out of the warehouse along with Bradley.
"I will be damn" Tom says
"All teams move in" he orders
Upon reaching the center of the yard Tom is very impress with the skills of these young men and women.
Bates, is shocked when he sees a tactical team appear from surrounding buildings he is even more so to the Chief of Naval Operations.
"LT, excellent job nice takedown you did it without firing a shot" Tom say
"Thank you, sir, it took some planning and timing" he replied
"Well, Manuel it looks like your plans for your own private kingdom is a bust" Tom says
"The great Tom Chandler enjoy your little triumph while it last soon the other leaders will put an end to you once and for all" he replies
"You and the other regional leaders are done see in all of your dirty dealings with Peng has been aired throughout the
country. You think that the people will let you get away with murdering the president and the lives of 300 plus sailors and the senior leadership of the military branches. While you have been isolating yourself here the country has been fighting back against your partners and then there is the President Oliver"
President Oliver emerges from warehouse flanked by Master Chief, MSGT and the people from the railroad cars. Tom shout attention on deck Commander and Chief rendering a salute.
"Captain, these people need water food and medical aid as for the general and Castillo arrest them both for treason. We need to give them the oath to defend the Constitution of the United States." President says with a smile