G.I. JOE: America's Special Missions Force Chapter 10
Billings, Montana August 10, 2011
"Agent O'Hara, I'm General Hawk." Hawk said as he shook hands. "This is Captain Stalker and Sergeant Duke."
"Interesting names, General" FBI Agent Shana O'Hara said as she welcomed them into her office.
"Sorry, but we have to keep our identities to ourselves." Hawk told her. "You are aware that military operations on U.S. soil are illegal. You would be better off not even mentioning us in your reports. The information would never leave your director's office anyway."
"I was already briefed on that, Sir." O'Hara said. "You want to tell me your interest in First Strike?"
"We found they are being funded by a terrorist organization. That is why we sent Flint here," Hawk told her as he nodded toward the Warrant Officer. He placed some photos on her desk. "This is what he found. Are you familiar with Major Sebastian Bludd?"
"Mercenary and terrorist. He's on Interpols wanted list." O'Hara answered as she looked through the photos. "They have M16's?"
"M16A2's to be precise," Flint said. "Along with some M203's and M60E3's."
"Bludd was seen delivering weapons and overseeing their training." Hawk told her as she set the pictures down.
"Flint says you have a man inside," Stalker said. "If he can kill the lights, a night assault would be the best bet."
"He can give us ninety seconds." O'Hara told him. "My team doesn't have enough experience for a prolonged fight."
"How many do you have available?" Duke asked her.
"Nine total, armed with MP-10's and shotguns."
"The best bet would be to take out the guards and then have the lights killed," Stalker said. "You have tear gas?"
"Yes, along with two M79 launchers."
"Okay we hit the guards and set up here and here," Stalker pointed to two locations on the map of the compound. "We'll have your man kill the power and go through the fence. We hit the the two barracks first; tear gas and flash bangs should keep them down."
"The problem will be this guard here." Flint said pointing to one guard tower. "It will be difficult to climb that tower without being seen. The only real option is shooting; and that will alert the compound."
"I can take that one," O'Hara said. "I have a high powered crossbow. That will keep the noise down."
"Sounds like a plan." Stalker said. "Duke will take the other guard and Flint and I will deal with the roving patrol. We'll split your team into two teams of four with one left as an overwatch. Duke and Agent O'Hara will meet up with the west team and hit this building. Flint and I will take the east team into the other."
"I'll join the overwatch," Hawk said. "I think it's best to have an extra set of eyes."
"Makes sense," Stalker nodded.
"We'll need four men to guard the prisoners when we go after Wingfield and Carruthers." Flint said, pointing to the command building that the Wingfields and Carruthers lived in. "This part will be tricky, since they will be alerted by then."
"I'd prefer as few of your men as possible be involved in this stage, Agent O'Hara." Stalker told her. "They will be well armed and dug in. It could turn into a blood bath."
"The best bet is to get someone inside with them," Duke said. "Are we sure Snake Eyes is unavailable?"
"He's still in Europe until the middle of the month," Hawk said. "What about this tunnel system?"
"We think it only connects the command building, the armory and the barracks." O'Hara said as she pulled another map out. "We estimated by the amount of dirt that was hauled out. It wasn't enough for an escape tunnel. Unless it goes just out side the fence."
"We'll split off four men to guard the prisoners and two others to keep watch from the guard towers." Stalker told them. "If we can find the tunnel entrance maybe we can have someone slip inside. Otherwise we'll provide a distraction for Duke to get on top of the building."
"Seems pretty solid," Hawk said. "Lets go over everything and tighten it up some."
First Strike Compound, Bighorn Canyon, Montana August 12, 2011
It was just after one in the morning and the night was still. Hawk and and FBI agent named Hardy were set up where Flint had camped. The Agent was looking through a thermal scope on a FN SPR .300 sniper rifle. Hawk lay next to him, keeping watch through night vision binoculars.
"Guards have changed." Hawk said through the LASH headset. "Roving patrol has started."
Stalker and Flint took position in a small ditch as they waited. Duke edged his way close to his assigned guard tower. This one was only six feet off ground and used to secure one corner of the fence. Agent Shana O'Hara was at the other, a twelve foot high tower just inside the fence. She knelt close to the fence holding a high powered crossbow. Duke climbed the fence and hugged the tower close, staying just out of sight.
"Duke," Hawk said over the radio. Duke tapped the top of the tower just hard enough for the guard to hear. The guard came over and leaned over the tower. Duke Grabbed the guards head and thrust a knife into his throat. He climbed into the tower and lowered the body to the floor.
"Red" Hawk said after Duke took down his man. O'Hara switched on the night vision goggles attached to her black helmet. She aimed at the guard who had set his rifle down to light a cigarette. The bolt caught him squarely in the chest and he let out a muffled grunt before collapsing to the floor.
"Stalker," Flint and Stalker heard over their sets. The two man roving patrol walked by their spot. They were up in an instant, closing on the two men. Two arms reached out, hands covering the mouths of the patrol. Knives flashed quickly, and then the two men were being dragged away.
"Go," Hawk said and twelve people rushed to their assigned spots. O'Hara and the eight FBI agents were dressed in black overalls, body armor and helmets. They carried MP-10 10mm submachine guns and had Glock 22 pistols in holsters; two of the men also had M79 40 mm grenade launchers. Flint and Stalker met their four agents at the fence, dressed in black cargo pants and commando sweaters with body armor. Stalker carried a M4A1 5.56 carbine and Flint a Mossberg 590 shotgun. Duke crossed the inside of the camp and met O'Hara and her four agents. He was dressed like Stalker and Flint, but had a black knit cap covering his blond hair and carried a MP-10.
"Remember," Hawk said over the LASH radio. "Ten men are in the two barracks. Three are in the command center. Power goes down in six minutes."
At 1:30 the power went down and the fence was cut, allowing twelve people to rush through. Everyone was now wearing a respirator and the two groups set up outside the two barracks. Both groups had a M79 and tear gas was launched through windows. Another barrage was launched and then the doors were kicked in and M80 stun grenades tossed in. Duke, O'Hara, Stalker and Flint lead the way in.
"Federal Agents!" Both groups yelled. "Everyone down!"
Several men reached for weapons and were quickly cut down. The others who weren't dazed quickly dropped to the floor. The agents quickly pushed the others down and everyone's hands were secured with zip cuffs as the lights came up. Weapons were secured away from the prisoners and everyone searched as Stalker, Flint and Duke searched for a tunnel entrance. The prisoners were herded into one building and Scarlet dispatched four Agents to guard the seven men. Two other agents were sent to the guard post and two more to guard the armory.
"Friendly," was called from the doorway before Stanley Perlmutter and Junkyard the rottweiler came in. O'Hara walked up to him.
"What's the sit?" She asked.
"The Wingfields and Carruthers are still in the command building." Perlmutter said. "They have it rigged for a last stand and are probably set up at the back wall. Last time I was in there they had a M60 and several M16s available."
"Know anything about the tunnels?" Duke asked.
"They can only be accessed from the command building. Every entrance is locked from the inside except there."
"Can you show us the exits?" Stalker asked as he joined them. "We can at least barricade them so they can't be used for a getaway."
"No problem. It shouldn't be too difficult since they open outwards."
At 1:50 Stalker, Duke, Flint, O'Hara, Perlmutter and an additional agent were spread out around the wood building with a tin roof. Heavy wooden shutters with firing ports had been closed over the windows and the door was a heavy wooden door.
"This is the FBI," Shana O'Hara called through a megaphone. "Put down your weapons and come out, hands raised."
"That'll work," Duke whispered.
"I have to try," O'Hara scowled at him.
"We're going to have to go in through the door." Stalker said over the radio. "That place is built for a siege."
"C4 on the hinges?" Flint asked.
"Negative?" Perlmutter said. "The door has a heavy bar securing it."
"Blow out the shutter and throw in tear gas?" Flint asked after thinking a moment.
"Might work," Stalker said. "How are they set on night vision?"
"Scopes only; as far as I know." Perlmutter told him. "Off the shelf stuff."
"Duke, Flint," Stalker said. "Come in low from the sides and wire the shutters."
They circled around around to each side of the building and dropped to ground, slowly crawling to the front windows as O'Hara continued trying to talk to the people inside. Flint and Duke, each with fuse wire tied to their web gear and being unspooled by Stalker and Perlmutter, reached at the same time and leaned against the wall. They opened the satchels each carried and pulled out blocks of plastic explosive and began estimating how much to use. Duke slowly rose to his knees, waiting for any reaction from inside. He waved Flint up, and was happy not to hear any gunfire as the warrant officer reached his knees.
The two men quickly set the explosive and untied the fuse from their belts, attaching it to the C4. They quickly crawled back to the others, arriving at the same time as the two agents with the grenade launchers.
"This is your last chance," O'Hara said over the megaphone. Duke and Flint had attached the fuses to detonators and waited for her order. "This doesn't have to end in bloodshed. Come out unarmed and with your hands where we can see them."
After several moments of silence she signaled the two men. They hit the detonators at the same time and the heavy shutters blew apart. Everyone ducked in anticipation of gunfire from the building. After no response she signaled the two agents and they aimed their M79 grenade launchers at what was left of the windows. They launched 40mm teargas projectiles through the holes and quickly reloaded and fired again. The others aimed at the door, waiting for someone to come rushing out.
They waited as the gas dissipated , surprised that no one left the building. Stalker signaled for the others to cover the building and slowly crept to a window. He raised a mirror up and peaked inside. With a frown he inched up and took a look, exposing his head to everyone inside, before standing up.
"All three are down," he said over the radio and waved everyone over. "Let's see how we can get this door open."
Washington, D.C. FBI Headquarters August 15, 2011
"After entering we found all three subjects dead. Wingfield had killed his wife and Carruthers before turning the gun on himself." The thin man in the expensive suit read from the report in front of him before raising his head. "Are you sure this is how it happened Agent O'Hara? Or were these more unexplained deaths; like what happened to the guards?"
"Yes I'm certain that is what happened, Director Erickson." Agent Shana O'Hara said firmly, not flinching from the disappointed stares she was receiving from the three men in front of her. "The photos show how we found them."
"And the reason you acted so quickly without getting proper authorization and backup?"
"I had authorization," she countered, nodding toward the distinguished looking man to Erickson's left. "Director Hardy gave it to me, and sent additional support."
"I'm afraid you're mistaken, Agent O'Hara." Director Hardy said frowning. "My office never received any notice of your raid. If I had, I wouldn't have given approval. I'm rather disappointed, Agent. You're actions have left ten people dead and possibly hurt the careers of several good agents. And for what? The only charge we could given them was possession of automatic weapons and a few minor drug counts."
"What about the anti-aircraft missiles and plans for a raid on LAX?" She asked realizing that she was being set up.
"Once again I'm afraid you're mistaken. None of that stuff was found on site. You made a mistake Agent, one that you are going to be held responsible for."
"Sir everything, including my authorization is in the report I handed you," She said nodding toward the file.
"There is nothing here to back you up, Agent." The graying black man who had remained silent finally spoke. "I'm in agreement with my colleagues, you overreached your authority and caused the death of ten civilians. This will go under review, until then you are suspended. You will probably face charges over this Agent O'Hara."
"Sir, I'm telling the truth..."
"That's enough," Director Erickson said. "Director Blanton is correct. Leave your weapon and badge with the duty officer. You are not to leave the city until after you've been contacted. I would also suggest finding a good defense counselor."
"Sir." She said stiffly, barely keeping her anger in check.
"You are dismissed Agent O'Hara. We will not take you into custody at this time; though I'm certain you will face arrest. You are not to talk to the media. Or have contact with any agents formerly under you. Am I clear?"
"Yes Sir."
"Good, you will be contacted tomorrow as to when the review will be held. That is all."
Shana O'Hara seethed as she left the building. Like any other office, gossip spread quickly and she had become the subject of glances and whispering. It was all she could do to turn in her belongings and sign out without hitting someone. Which was her first plan after getting to her hotel, go to the gym and take her frustration out on the heavy bag.
The only break she had today was that a cab had pulled up when she left, and actually waited when she hailed it. She climbed inside and quickly growled the name of the hotel, before sitting back to silently fume.
"Rough day?" The cabby asked. She ignored him, not feeling like talking to anyone. O'Hara fumed a minute longer before realizing the voice was familiar. She glanced up and saw pale blue eyes looking back through the rear view mirror.
"Sergeant Duke," she said. "Is this your day job or did you come to get a better look at the career you and your General destroyed?"
"Neither." He smiled back at her, impressed by the glare she was giving him. "Hawk wanted me to thank you for your help. He also wanted you to know that you won't face charges. Apparently your Director Hardy is tying to cover his own tail and throwing you to the wolves. By tomorrow morning he will announce you did get confirmation from his office. Just not from he personally."
"Your General Hawk couldn't have showed up to defend me?" She asked, calming slightly.
"That wouldn't be a good idea." Duke said as he turned up a side street. "It's better if there's no evidence of our involvement. Just know that he has your back."
"And is concerned enough to send CMH winner Conrad Hauser as my personal taxi?" She asked, smiling at the shocked look on his face. "Something wrong Sergeant Hauser?"
"How did you find out who I was?"
"It was pretty simple really. You won the medal of honor by saving my father's life. I have an excellent memory and there are several photographs of you around the house."
"Patrick O'Hara is your dad?" He asked. "He was my squad leader when I was with the 82cd Airborne."
"That's him. He was one of the men who was pinned down when you took out that machine gun nest."
"How is he?"
"He lost a leg and had to retire. Now he's running the family dojo."
"He did mention a family business. Your two brothers are helping?"
"Three, and yes they're all instructors."
"I would tell you to say hello for me, but I'm afraid we're not supposed to have met."
"I get the hint, Sergeant. Don't worry, I have top secret clearance."
"We are aware of that Lieutenant." A voice spoke from the speakers.
"General Hawk?"
"Yes. Sorry about that meeting. I expected Hardy to have a little more backbone."
"The Sergeant informed me you handled it."
"The least I could do after all your help."
"This is kind of a roundabout way of telling me though."
"True, but that's not why we're having this conversation."
"Oh?"
"I have an offer for you, Lieutenant..."
