Chapter 6: Something Fishy
Undisclosed Location, Afghanistan- Middle East
Commander Richard Foxx- US Intelligence
2015
It has been a full day or so of surveillance over the fort in the mountains north of Kabul. Satellite images and intelligence data did not catch anything after 28 hours. Nothing even happened between yesterday and today. It was, as though, the trucks that drove up to the fort, have disappeared inside. Satellite images have picked up some fighters walking around the perimeter, but nothing out of the ordinary. Commander Richard Foxx ordered the operators inside the Intelligence Room and the Main Room to observe the fort and scan for movement and/or odd routes that the fighters take when doing their own patrols. Nothing ever showed up.
Richard was left at his desk, his bloodshot eyes staring at his computer screen. His right hand was holding the computer mouse with a gentle grip. What he was staring at was a picture of his family back home, in Richmond, Virginia. His wife, Rebecca, was a beautiful woman, with long, shiny, black hair and a bright smile. Being married for almost 18 years, she knows what it's like to have him leave for a while. Rebecca was strong in heart and very intelligent, especially when it comes to history. His brother, Bill, stayed with them, since he lost his job in the Army as engineer after a car bomb almost killed him. He lost his right leg that day. And, Richard helped him out and had let him stay with him and the family. Bill was also smart, but was a little bit light hearted. He loved being a kid sometimes, which took him back when the times were different back then, when things felt so good to be alive.
And, then there was Richard's daughter, Alisa. He was so proud to have a daughter like her, especially when she has all A's in her classes. Richard always loved to take her on a walk in the park, along with his brother and his wife. Anna has always surprised Richard and has always been the child that a father always wanted. She was Heaven on Earth when it came to having fun. Richard just wishes that being deployed doesn't get in the way of it.
And, then there was himself, Richard Foxx, now a commander of a US Intelligence base in the middle of the Afghan desert. Richard served his country for 19 years and he is still adding onto that record of service. Back then, after college, he joined the military, becoming an officer in the Army. When he was deployed in 2001, he lent a hand in Operation Anaconda and so much more. He helped in operations and in front line duty and even helped with air missions to attack specific targets. He married Rebecca in 1998 and gave birth to Anna in 2008. Ever since then, life has been up and down, with being deployed and all. However, he did not give up on them. Not even the slightest.
As he continued to stare at the picture on his computer screen, an intelligence operator entered Richard's office, his eyes also bloodshot.
"Commander, you might wanna take a look at this." The officer said. Richard kept the picture on screen and stood up from the chair and stretched. He then followed the officer out into the Intelligence Room and to his station, where it showed the entire Pacific area. A satellite looked over the Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Vietnam and Korea. The operator sat down and zoomed in on the Philippines. He then looked back to see Richard looking over his shoulder.
"Sir, we've just picked up suspicious activity going on in Manila." The operator said.
"Manila?" Richard asked.
"Yes, sir." The operator replied.
"When did you pick it up?"
"Just now, sir." The operator answered. "However, almost an hour ago, there was a small blip in Manila."
"A blip?" Richard asked.
"Yes, sir. The blip only beeped once and only once." The operator explained and answered. Richard cleared his throat and scratched his head, still staring at the screen.
"So, what is the suspicious activity?"
"We picked up something similar to what we saw in Afghanistan." The operator answered. "Well, except, they are using white and black pick-up trucks to move whatever they're moving."
"Do you satellite photos of the area?"
"We do, sir." The operator said. "Sending to your computer now."
"Thank you." Richard said, walking away from the operator and his station and heading into his office. He stood next to his office chair and then leaned over to his computer, then opening the satellite images that the operator had sent him. The images mimicked that of what he saw in the photos taken over Afghanistan, except for different vehicles and the city environment. He then looked at his phone that was next to the computer mouse. The touch screen phone was turned off.
"I hope you're still there, Mik." Richard said to himself, reaching for his phone and picking it up. He then dialed a number and waited for whoever was on the other end to pick up. "I need you on this." Then, the phone stopped ringing.
"Wolf?" a young woman's voice asked over the phone.
"Mik, this is Wolf." Foxx said into the phone. "You still in Manila?"
"Yeah, why?" the woman asked in reply.
"We might have a problem." Richard said into the phone in reply to Mik.
"Yeah, I know." Mik replied. "We're keeping a close eye on things."
"Good." Richard said, sitting down on his office chair. "Now, I want you to find out who is carrying out that delivery of some sort. And, if you can, get some accurate snap shots of them taking the stuff out from the back of the trucks."
"You got it, Wolf." Mik replied.
"And, remember though, I want some good snap shots and answers." Richard reminded Mik. Mik then sighed.
"Alright, what's going on over there?"
"We've picked up the same kind of activity here in Afghanistan." Richard answered. "Mysterious lookin' trucks were headed to a fort in the mountains north of Kabul and never came back out. I'm thinking that they're hiding something and I think they're hiding something there in Manila as well."
"Well, whatever they're shipping, I promise, it's not gonna be a secret anymore." Mik promised.
"Alright then." Richard replied. "Be careful. And, if you get back, maybe me, you, and the other guys can grab a beer or somethin'."
"It's a date." Mik said.
"Good." Richard said in reply. "Call me when it's done." Richard then hung up the phone and then closed the satellite photos, then looking at the family photo that he hid in the task bar. Then, he looked back at his phone and sighed, leaning back in his chair.
