Chapter 10: BANDBOX
"Fletcher and Dekker, you will take over-watch. Here." Tori's finger stabbed the crest on the digital map. "There you'll have a proper overview of the crater, camp site and provide info via the radios."
They nodded their consent as they got their gear from the back of the SUV.
Gibbs stepped up to Alexia and gazed over her shoulder. "Whatcha got there?"
Nonchalant, she grabbed the rifle and checked its magazine and bolt action. "Norinco QBU 88 or Type 88 for short."
"Chinese?"
"Yeah, works twofold; marksman and close combat, also has a ten round capacity. Rate of fire's quicker than, for example, a older version Remington rifle, where you have to do the bolt action manually."
"Had a M 40 sniper rifle when I was in the Corps." He provided as he walked away.
Alexia smirked at the short exchange and gave the rifle over to Dekker to check, whereas he handed over his assault rifle for the same inspection.
"Berth will supply technical support from the SUV. Whilst the EMTs will be on standby within reach."
"Yes, while you, the Colonel and me will advance on foot for the basin." Gibbs concluded on her behalf. "We got it, the first time."
"One can never be too careful." Tori said in a satirical tone, teasing the Agent while she shrugged into the tactical vest. "Could always send you ahead of us."
"Unreasonable." He relayed deadpan before matching her cocky expression. Shrugged. "It would be over before you got there."
"Whatever." She dismissed and waved at the Captains to go. "Radio us once in position."
"Yes, Major." Both replied and scurried for the nearby dune, then disappeared from view.
"Still no movement, Major." Michael called from the hood of the vehicle. "Probably still chowing away on their breakfast."
"MRE's in the morning?" Danny commented as he stepped up to Berth. "These guys are insane."
"Insane. No." Tori corrected with a snort, handing a tactical vest to Gibbs on the way over to the hood. "Best way to sell their supposed survivalist training. Genius."
The Agent joined them, vest over his head as he motioned at the terrain on the map.
"A clever tactic to keep away unwanted attention. Secluded, in a basin and in view of stragglers if they so happened to peak the dunes. Ample warning, too."
"Of course, but it's also a bad tactic if for instance someone like us, has snipers on the team."
"That's if you're assuming they're unequipped for the occasion." Gibbs challenged in a smug manner. "Semper paratus – always be prepared."
"That sending you first quip's beginning to look very attractive." She quipped over her shoulder.
"Perhaps we should, send him first." Danny inserted from the side. "He's the fly in the ointment. No disrespect intended, Agent Gibbs."
"Go on." Tori and the Agent retorted together, sharing a suspiciously precise pokerfaced countenance.
He gestured at Berth, her and then at himself. "Desert cameo." Motioned at Gibbs' attire. "Federal agent. Who do you think they're gonna identify first? Soldiers or a sleek businessman?"
"I was gonna do it anyhow." Gibbs retorted with a nod.
Tori smirked, thumbing at her partner. "Yeah, it was never a question with him, Danny."
"Then why?"
"You see?" She pointed at the man's bewildered expression. "Not the only one who thinks it's annoying."
"Hello ladies." Dekker announced over the com. link. "Sierra one and two in position and ready to light 'em up. Over."
"Copy that, Sierra two." Danny answered. "Wait for signal. Alpha over." He patted Gibbs on the shoulder. "Papa's going first. We'll shadow you as you already seem to know."
"Better cover up ol' Reliable." Tori said as she motioned at his sidearm. "Vest too. Jacket's gonna get a little snug."
"Ya gonna tell me how to take point, too?" Gibbs rebuked subtly, eyes glinting mischievously.
"Nah, value my life too much to get in the way of greatness."
Tori pulled him off to one side, away from Danny and Berth. He stared at the hand holding his bicep as if it was a felony. She let go and checked to see that his vest hid beneath the blazer.
"Mothering again, Major Hatcher?" He swatted her hand away. "Done this hundreds of times and so have you." He walked towards the crater veiled behind a couple of dunes. "Stick to your task. I'll stick to mine. Execute on my order."
Shaking her head, she snorted and signaled to Danny. "Papa's in play. Berth, convey modification to Sierra, and give the heads up if there's a change. C'mon." She jogged east, motioning for the Lt. Colonel to take the westerly position. "Alpha's flanking Papa."
Sweat beaded down his temple, slithered down to his chin, while a lone bead snaked along his spine. Added to that, sand sieved through to his shoes as he sank down deep during the descent.
Up ahead, sat the camping site plastered amidst the basin. Just like the surveillance footage had provided the previous evening.
Cameo black crates were stacked to one side, providing a barrier for their right flank, whereas two black SUV's covered their left and rear flanks. Netted canvas tops spanned from the closest vehicle over to where two poles erected above the sand. A flap fluttering in the breeze served as the entrance. This was where he headed next.
In addition, a lone satellite dish glinting in the sun nested above the upper most crate. Wires ran away from the main tent, across the sand and over the crest to the north. Perhaps to a generator they'd hid from view. All things considered, they'd barricaded themselves pretty well. Made sure they were alerted to trespassers like himself via hidden go-cams.
"Uh, they've got eyes on perimeter." He whispered over the com. link.
"Sierra you're weapon's free. I repeat: you are now weapon's free." Danny instructed. "You stick to Papa like glue. Alpha will stay in cover position. Over."
"Copy that, Alpha. Sierra out."
Agent Gibbs smiled at the exchange, then halted as a thirty something man emerged from the entrance.
"Hola." He lifted up a hand. "Can you help a brother out?"
"Three relocated towards the tail end of their tent." Berth conveyed in his ear. "Five are mid-center and two situate at the front entrance."
The assailant straightened his back, stepping directly into full view. His face cringed with the sharp glint, but his cloudy eyes focused on the Agent.
"What's a suit doing in the desert?"
The absurdity in his tone triggered a bout of irritation within the veteran, but he played his part and laughed at the comment.
"Funny story actually." He thumbed over his shoulder. "Got wedged over the ridge there. And I said to myself, 'dang Pete, you're a stubborn old coot. First, you get lost, now you're in a tight spot. What are ya gonna do?' So, I thought I would take the gamble, you know, maybe I'll get lucky, find someone. And hey look, I did. So can you help a brother out?"
"Came to the wrong place, brother." He flung his hand up, waving him off. "Beat it, old man."
"Thought you'd say that. Execute, now." Gibbs ordered as he retrieved the pistol from his lower back and leveled it at the man. "NCIS. Hands where I can see them."
The mercenary ignored the order and as soon as he reached for his handgun, the Agent fired off a round.
On cue, Danny and Tori sprinted from the dunes behind him to his left and right. The Major headed straight for the crates. Danny sprinted for the SUV whilst the second assailant rushed from the entrance. Gibbs veered after Tori, double tapped him in the chest, and assumed position next to her.
Two hundred meters out, Alexia scoured the outer edges of the crater with her scope and fired. A lone gunman on the ridge behind the encampment tumbled head over heels. Came to a standstill in an inert heap at the bottom. After that, she fixed her rifle on the front entrance, both Gibbs and Danny in view, whereas Dekker held a steady eye on Tori.
Seven more remained, another few unaccounted for behind the ridge.
"Alpha one move to rear, we'll cover entrance." The Major instructed. "On my mark, turkey shoot, Sierra two."
"Roger that, Alpha two."
"On it, boss." Dekker complied.
"What?" Gibbs scowled, disliking the change in plans, but Tori brushed past him.
"I wouldn't stay there if I were you." She announced, seizing him by the jacket and towed him along.
One by one, M 14 EBR bullets pierced the air, smacking crates as they shredded their way through to the interior of the tent. Cries of pain filled the air, one attacker stumbling out only to run right into the butt-end of a M4 assault rifle.
"Oh, that's gotta hurt."
Sudden gunfire erupted from the rear. Danny and Alexia engaging retreating figures, while Tori signaled with a raised hand for Dekker to stop. Straightaway, the echoing thunderclaps subsided, and she signaled for Gibbs to breach. In tandem, they entered and found that most had left via the back entrance.
Hi-Tech equipment had shattered with the assault. Water bottles, papers, and chairs laid strewn over the tarp floor, while a table lay on its side for defensive purposes. Eating utensils rested in a heap where it had toppled from its surface. Whilst several cots and the SUVs dinted with holes from Dekker's turkey shooting. They moved through. Scanned every inch of the thirty-by thirty-meter area the men had called home for the last six weeks. Then exited to the sound of Alexia's rifle echoing in the valley.
Another scout took a tumble, landed in a heap off to the group's right.
"That's all of 'em." Danny said as he approached them. "Sierra's keeping an eye out for more."
"Short and . . ." Tori began, when a concealed attacker emerged from the sand, captured her from behind, jerked her away from the men. Then hauled her towards where the crates situated.
"Okay, buddy let's relax." She coaxed. "We're in no rush."
His grip tightened around the combat knife inches away from her throat. Shoved his handgun against her side. Danny and Gibbs followed them. The latter's pistol aimed at the assailant's head and glare cold and indifferent.
"Easy there." He voiced calm and collected. "Danny, tell him he's surrounded. He should lay down his weapons and surrender."
The Lt. Colonel obeyed relaying the statement in Aramaic. The man spat his disapproval and moved back with another few steps. The blade nicked her throat. Blood trickled from the cut. She stayed relaxed, breathing even and relayed with her eyes at her left hand. Gibbs marked her sheathed combat knife, nodded that he understood. To his left, Danny saw the exchange and raised his assault rifle.
"I have a shot." Dekker communicated. "I repeat: I have the tango in my sights."
"Stand down, Sierra two." Danny advised.
"One shot, it's all I need." Gibbs warned as he glared. "That's my final warning."
Danny translated and the man yelled out several furious sentences.
"It's you they want Agent Gibbs. Either you yield or she dies."
"That's it. I'm taking the shot." Dekker interjected.
"No!" Gibbs growled.
The bullet zipped through the air and tore through the man's ankle, his gun firing with the painful outcry. Tori slipped the knife from his hand, knelt down, and hurled him over her shoulder. Lastly, knocked him unconscious.
"You son of a . . . you had to go for his foot, really Dekker." She stayed in the bent position, breathing labored.
"What? It was the only clean shot available."
"Gibbs had it covered, he ordered you to stand down."
"Due respect, you ordered me to serve as your backup. That's what I did."
She toppled over onto her side. Gibbs knelt beside her and combed a hand over where the bullet had lodged in her vest. "Next time you decide to do something fly boy, listen first." He snarled as he assisted her in detaching the vest. Then breathed a heavy sigh when he saw blood stain her shirt.
"Your recklessness could've gotten her killed."
"I'm so- . . ."
"That's enough, Captain." Gibbs retrieved two photos from his inner jacket pocket, held it for Danny to take. "Get the survivors to identify who they're working for." The Lt. Colonel snatched it without a word and walked for the entrance. "Major Berth, those EMTs will do."
"Yes, Agent Gibbs. Already on their way."
He stood, held out a hand for Tori to take, and aided her to her feet in a gentle fashion. "Okay Major Hatcher?"
She nodded with a scowl. "I thought mothering was prohibited."
"I'm the boss; it comes with the territory." They shared a wry smile, although hers laced with anguish. "And. Not your mother."
Tori gripped her side as she stifled a laugh. Gibbs winced with the action. "Please, no jokes. Hurts."
"Duly noted." He said whilst his phone vibrated in his pocket. Next, indicated towards the oncoming ambulance. "You did good, Major. Now go."
Ten minutes later, Gibbs walked up to the ambulance. The scene a stunning Deja vu, although this time she observed his approach.
"What's news?" She asked in a cheerful tone.
"Nell, apparently." He pointed at him, face stoic, as he perceived the concern in the Medic's eyes.
"News?"
"Bruised rib, fortunate for a point blank."
"Vest saved the day." She crooned.
"Cut and bruise patched up, Agent Gibbs." He squeezed her shoulder. Gibbs frowned at the behavior, then something clicked and his expression relaxed. "She can go."
"Thanks Nell. Appreciated."
"No problem. Gotta go."
Both watched him take leave before Gibbs turned towards her. "We're done here. Plane leaves tonight."
"Why? We just took down a terrorist nest. We still need to match the missing pieces."
"Glad you think so." He commended with a chuffed grin. "Miguel and Nigel came forward, confessed to what they'd done. Swapped places, trafficked guns and recruited mercenaries to do their dirty work."
Her brow furrowed, somewhat disgruntled with the quick turnaround. "Convenient don't you think? Just as we round up their goons, they cough up their involvement."
"It's a strategic yield. We can do nothing about it."
"Wait a minute." Tori raised an eyebrow, dubious about his nonchalant attitude. "How did they know? Vance arranged it so that no one knew, except for us."
Gibbs shrugged feigning innocence. "Don't know."
"Nah, I'm not buying it this time." She chuckled, then stilled as the bruised area protested. "You definitely know. What did you do?"
"Nothing." He schooled an impassive expression, but she noticed the sly glint in his eyes and cuffed his shoulder.
"You suck at lying."
Yes, I agree, it's too straightforward, too precise and too convenient. I don't like coincidences, neither do I enjoy an abrupt ending to a case. Not if we had the goal line in sight.
They're guns for hire – to what end? For what purpose? Do they have more nests like this one? What's the target? Who is the target? Why the deception? Impersonation? So many unanswered questions and I'm ordered to stand down.
"Vance congratulated us for a job well done." Gibbs declared more so to convince himself. "We're done. He will take it from here."
Tori had noticed his mind churn. The reluctance to submit was clear on his face, but she nodded keeping her speculations to herself. Yes, it was an unexpected win, and now they were to go their separate ways. Gibbs to NCIS, and Tori and her team to the shadows where they would fade away like they never existed.