Chapter 11

"So your dad was assigned to the Ghosts?"

Sequoia gave a nod as she and Hesh walked through the halls. They were on their way to a briefing about the missile launch they saw in the Yucatan. "That much I got from Elias when I asked. It was after our first mission. I just had a feeling. He was away from home a lot… working."

Hesh nodded, trying to decide if he should persist. They had been talking since the afternoon before in between the usual chores and Logan being his annoying and cheerful self plus taking the break for actual sleep. Sometimes they lapsed into silence and it was comfortable like that first morning while either of them tried to come up with a question to ask.

Hesh was beginning to understand why Sequoia reacted the way she did when they captured Rorke. He knew now that the Charlie was Charles Williams, her father and probably one of the best interrogators the military had. If he was with the Ghosts at that time, then it had to be something important. He asked, "When he wasn't… working… what did he do?"

"Training," Sequoia replied. She had her hands clasped behind her while they were walking. Even though Hesh made it clear that she didn't have to be stiff, it was more for her sanity. It was a comfort zone for her. "In between school and other things, he was teaching me what he said that I was going to need to survive."

"Explains a lot."

"Not really. I didn't understand much of what he said and tried to teach me. In the end…," she ended up giving a slight chuckle. She looked up at the ceiling and then said, "I guess something stuck since I'm still here."

Hesh thought there was more to it but she wasn't going to go into it. He wasn't going to pry since this was a new step with regards to their relationship. If it had been Logan, he would have been asking and no doubt she would have indulged. He threw the ball that he had been throwing for Riley and the dog went after it to retrieve it. "Dad trained me and Logan. I bet you could give us a run for our money."

"Haven't I already?" Sequoia looked at Hesh with a raised brow. She gave a slight grin as she added, "Considering I remembered the laptop and managed to hold onto it."

"I'll give you that if it wasn't too badly mangled," Hesh replied with a slight grin.

"Still got the intel. So…"

Hesh chuckled as he accepted the ball from Riley. "I guess you have an answer for everything."

"Not everything," Sequoia replied. She shook her head for a moment as she remembered something and then chuckled. She looked and noticed that Hesh was asking silently what she was laughing about. She explained, "Something I remembered. 'We are to know everything but know nothing.' My father said it when he asked me to determine if he was lying about something. He told me that the most important thing you could ever do was to know what you needed and to know nothing."

"I don't get it."

"I didn't either and sometimes I think I had it figured out. At least when it has to do with being confidence as a squad leader." She gave a shrug of her shoulders. "He would say things like that and they stuck but I think he didn't expect me to understand it then but to remember it for a later time. It just comes as it does."

Hesh would have said something but Merrick found them saying that they were needed in briefing. He looked at her and she gave a shrug and followed calling out, "We're coming old man."

Hesh felt his lip twitch at that reference but also held his breath as Merrick turned to look at her. There was no need to feel alarm since it seemed that she and Merrick were on a sort of agreement to have an antagonistic type of relationship since he replied, "Good cause I'd hate to chew your ass out again Hawk."

"I could punch you in the eye if it will make you feel better."

"You just try that. Now get your asses over for briefing."

Hesh caught up with Sequoia and asked, "Are you shooting to be the pain in the ass?"

Sequoia looked at Hesh. She shrugged her shoulders since she wasn't sure, actually she was, and replied, "I was the moment I gave Merrick a shiner. Since then… fair game. By the way… did you use my stuff?" At Hesh's inquiring look, she explained, "I just happened to notice and I think I gave you an older batch. The smell is strong."

Hesh took in the gesture she made to indicate that it was strong. He rolled his eyes not to rise to the bait. He said defiantly, "I like it."

"Good. It's a nice smell." Sequoia had replied with a straight face that in the end they both ended up chuckling. It subsided when they got to briefing but it was still on their minds. She sensed that Hesh was a little anxious because it was a strong smell but that was the point of it. That meant it was ready to go and doing its job. She said, "Just pretend everything is normal… like a mission. No one will say anything."

"Experience?" Hesh looked at her.

"I had bruised ribs before," she reminded him. She cast a glance as if to dare him to challenge that or ask about it.

Hesh was curious but he wasn't sure if he even wanted to hear about it. Some of the things she mentioned about herself had been nothing more than usual and not worthy of spreading the rumors of the dreaded Echo Three. He replied, "And I believe you."

They walked in to find it was just Logan in there. It looked like it might be some good news about the missile. They could certainly use some. Elias waited until his eldest and Sequoia came in before saying, "NORAD was able to say conclusively the missile launched in the Yucatan did not hit the USA."

Logan was the first to ask, "So where did it go?"

"That's exactly what I'm sending you three to find out," Elias replied. His gaze lingered on Sequoia since he knew the extent of her injuries. So far she was giving no sign of saying she wasn't up to it. Then again she was like her father… and mother in that respect.

"And the others?" Sequoia gave an inquisitive frown. She was curious why it was just her, Hesh and Logan in this meeting.

Elias gave her a look and she was quiet. He continued, "The President has authorized Operation Clockwork. It's an assault on a Fed facility high in the Andes that could give us the answer. You will infiltrate the facility and gather any information you can on their missile program."

"Sounds simple enough," Sequoia allowed giving a nod to indicate she understood.

Hesh though had to ask since it was nagging on his mind and probably everyone else's, "What about your old friend Rorke? He won't stop coming for us."

"Rorke will get his," Elias cut in sharply. He was well aware that was the possibility. He had considered it the moment he got the orders for it. Yet they couldn't divert attention to something that might or might not occur. "Clockwork is the priority."

Hesh looked like he was going to say something but was stopped when Sequoia grasped his uniform sleeve and gave a slight shake of her head. At the same time she said, "Agreed, sir. When do we move out?"

It was after they left the room that Hesh asked, "Why did you stop me?"

Sequoia stopped and looked at Hesh. Logan was behind his brother so he was effectively stuck behind them. She replied, "Because there was no point to it. And Elias was right. Clockwork is priority."

"And I get that but you know, everyone knows that Rorke is on the loose…"

"And if he is smart, he will regroup," she countered. She studied Hesh for a moment before glancing at Logan and then turned to continue walking. "It's what I would do." She knew they were still following and they were heading in the same direction.

"What you would do?"

Sequoia paused and turned to look again. "Yes. The worst enemies are the ones that know how to keep a target at unease. They even plan for things like this. Waiting is the worst feeling in the world especially when you don't know. The best thing is to be aware and move forward."

Hesh said nothing and neither did Logan. They continued along silently and went to grab their gear. It wasn't until they were almost ready to ship out that Hesh found Sequoia she was talking to the pilot that was going to fly them to the Andes along with Logan and they were getting along well… at least Logan and the pilot were and it had Hesh's attention as he made to load up.

"Sometimes I wonder if there is such a thing as coincidence."

Hesh nearly jumped since Sequoia's voice was low and unexpected. "There is such a thing as fair warning," he replied trying not to show that he had been startled.

"That was when you met me," Sequoia replied grinning. She liked the fact that she was able to get Hesh jumpy. Logan was fun to joke around but she was slowly discovering Hesh was something else. "Anything else is on you."

Hesh looked at her as he finished loading up. "And somehow I feel I might regret even saying you don't have to be so stiff with me."

"As long as it is honest. You don't have to like someone in order to watch their back." She climbed in and sat looking out at him.

"Right," Hesh replied as he climbed in followed by Logan.

Sequoia gave a slight smile as she leaned back. She shouted at the pilot in her language and laughed at the reply. At the looks she said, "Skye is someone I know from Pine Ridge."

She was my teacher. Takes a bird of prey to know another.

Sequoia was still smiling. It had been a surprise to see Skye again and she thought she had died when ODIN attacked. As it turned out Skye and her mom escaped and went back to the Pine Ridge reservation and it seemed that they looked for her since no one else seemed to think about it. They thought she was dead. Skye turned her life around and joined the moment she was old enough to and ended up in the pilot training program.

When Sequoia met their pilot, it was Skye who recognized her right off and started talking in their language to make sure. Sequoia automatically responded and it was a nice reunion for them. Skye filled her in on what happened after ODIN and Sequoia filled her in on what she had been doing. It was then Skye asked, "Do you remember that day when you made me climb the tree?"

Sequoia nodded and replied, "Yes."

Skye then showed the scar on her palm, "I fell."

"But you got back up." Sequoia looked at the girl and added, "That is the most important thing you'll ever learn in life. Getting back up after you fall… you end up knowing what you are capable of."

That was when Logan came up and Sequoia introduced them to each other. She could tell that they hit it off right away and was amused and curious by the whole thing. It was the reason for her comment to Hesh and her subsequent fun in startling him. The meeting had her spirits lifted and it showed on her face as she looked out the bay doors. It was noticed mostly by Hesh who was thinking that it was a nice sight to see.

"Can't you just cut it?"

"If you want that knife shoved up your ass." Sequoia shot a look at Keegan for suggesting that she cut her hair. It was a problem though since they were 'borrowing' uniforms from the dead Feds they ambushed. The problem was that they were all men and it was painfully obvious she was a woman and her hair was the giveaway.

It was easy to pull it off since the gear made her look like a small man. The problem was her hair and they had to wear the Fed K-pots and masks. Keegan made the suggestion of her cutting her hair and that was the reason for her outburst. With a look she deftly unpinned the coiled braid and let it trail down her back. With skills of longtime practice, she slipped the braid down the collar, picked up the head mask and helmet and popped it on.

No one could argue that she was going to blend in. Even Keegan felt like he stuck his foot in it. Logan whispered to Hesh, "Now that is more like the rumors of Echo Three."

"Tell me about it," Hesh whispered back as he picked up his gear.

"Time?" Merrick looked at Hesh and interrupted to put the team back on focus.

Twenty-two, thirty five," Hesh replied after checking his watch. He looked at Sequoia who was ready to go and almost didn't recognize her. He found that he was looking for her tomahawk since it clearly defined her but it wasn't there. It would have stuck out anyway as she said even though he could see that it pained her to leave it behind.

"Let's move out," Merrick said, satisfied that everything was set. He was surprised she got that forceful with Keegan but she made her point. He started forward, his boots crunching in the snow. "Kick, we've acquired enemy uniforms and are headed to the security checkpoint."

Roger that.

The snow crunched under their boots as they crept through the trees. Hesh watched as Sequoia gave a tap on Keegan's shoulder to indicate that she was apologizing for earlier. Keegan gave a nod and they continued as if nothing happened. Hesh sidled up to Sequoia and whispered, "Everything good now?"

"Misunderstanding," Sequoia offered. Her voice sounded gruff muffled under the mask and it just added to the credibility that she was a man that looked short even though her height complimented Hesh's. "It's good."

Hesh nodded and said, "Looks better in a braid."

Sequoia would have said something but Merrick was relaying the plan, "We hit the checkpoint and get into position for the returning patrol. Checkpoint's ahead."

You've got ten minutes to acquire transport and be inside Blackbird before we cut the power.

"Copy all," Merrick replied as he heaved himself over the ledge. Keegan wasn't too far behind followed by Logan, Hesh and Sequoia.

Sequoia took point and moved ahead with her rifle leveled to fire. She had pulled ahead of the group almost gliding while moving on the balls of her feet. She had good balance in that form and had once bested her father when they practiced and he was teaching her tracking and hunting. A lot of the things that were of the old way sort of fit in this war she was fighting now. Again she wondered if it was a coincidence or not just like meeting Skye again.

"There it is. Hold your fire."

Sequoia crouched on the slope and peered down at the checkpoint they needed to acquire transport. She paused and scanned the area and relayed to Merrick, "I count eight at the checkpoint."

Merrick scanned and confirmed, "Confirmed and the guard on the tower makes nine. Nice work Hawk."

"Always old man."

Merrick glanced at her with a slight look that almost was a grin before looking back at the scene. He looked at the tower and said, "Logan, take the guard out. Right side tower."

Sequoia peered through her scope to watch the scene below for any sign of movement while Logan brought his rifle up to aim at the guard on the tower. They had to take him out first otherwise he would alert the whole base if something happened and then they were in deep shit. She was keeping her eye on the other tower and the ground nearby unaware that Hesh was doing the same to her left but looking directly underneath the tall tower on the right while Logan got off a clean shot and the guard was down.

"He's down," Keegan confirmed.

"We've got three on the command tower to the left," Merrick replied with a slight nod. "You kids take them out together."

Sequoia aimed at the one in the middle, "I got monkey in the middle."

"I got left on three," Hesh murmured and counted down.

It was almost synchronized as the three Feds dropped. They didn't see that coming. Merrick confirmed, "Splash three. Nicely done. Take out the rest. Everyone pick a target. Go."

It felt like a free for all as everyone picked a target to shoot. It was quick work and Merrick gave the word to move up. "Logan, left side covering Keegan and clear that body. I can see it from here."

The Fed was draped over the barrier and it was obvious he was dead and not drunk off his feet. Logan walked over and pulled the body over to his side and made sure he was hidden while Keegan dragged the other inside the building. Across the way, he spotted Sequoia pulling another inside on the right.

"Hesh, in the back covering me," Merrick continued, "And Hawk, eyes on the road and gate."

"Just like sweeping the Wall old man," Sequoia said as she took up a patrol position at the gate. "Piece of cake."

Hesh was nervous about her being alone but he followed orders. Even though the distance technically wasn't far, it felt that way. The patrol was inbound and right on schedule as confirmed by Kick. She stood at her position and glanced in his direction as if she knew. She adjusted her grip on her weapon and gave a nod to indicate that everything was fine. He felt a slight flush creep up his face and it felt warm. To hide it he said, "These uniforms better work."

"It only works as far as you can play the part," Sequoia replied. She gave signals like she was on patrol and added, "That and if you can speak Spanish." She looked up and muttered, "BTR on the road."

"Let the BTR pass," Merrick said as he looked at the patrol arriving. "Hawk, you're up."

Hesh felt his muscles clench in fear as Sequoia held up her hand to halt the transport while the BTR moved down a different direction. She started speaking in Spanish and with the mask pulled over her face, it sounded gruff and hardly feminine. It gave him the chance to murmur, "Logan, you've got the driver."

Sequoia was chattering away in Spanish, thankful that the language lessons from Morales came in handy. She was leaning on the truck in a casual manner and noticed Logan starting to make his way towards the driver. She kept the driver's focus while Logan crept up and watched almost nonchalantly as Logan knifed the guy as Hesh took out the other. She was still leaning against the hood and looked at Merrick, "Piece of cake."

"Alright, Merrick said glad that the smirk wasn't showing since he was amused at Sequoia's position, "Clean and load. We need to be green in thirty."

It was quick work to load the truck with the bags and get everyone in. Sequoia found herself wedged between Logan and Hesh and she felt stiff mostly because Logan seemed to be shoving her into his brother. A look showed that he was doing it purposely and she gave him a punch on his thigh while Keegan started to drive.

"Relax, Hawk," Hesh said quietly. "You're like a poker."

Sequoia punched Logan's thigh again for good measure since his eyes were laughing at her. She settled down since Merrick was shooting them a look like he was babysitting unruly kids. She asked, "Is he always like this?"

"Worse," Hesh replied as he looked at Logan who was trying to be innocent. He looked back at Sequoia and said, "I don't bite."

That seemed to do the trick and Merrick was able to say, "Once inside, keep your spacing and minimize shots after the blackout. Hesh be ready to hook into their system when we get to security."

"Roger," Hesh replied with a nod.

"Hawk, eyes and ears… and have fun," Merrick added.

"Thanks… old man," Sequoia muttered. She nodded her understanding.

Merrick had spoken to her before they infiltrated and said that he was going to depend on her to be eyes and ears for them. What they couldn't see or hear; virtually if they missed someone she was to cover. He also said that once they started the downloads, she was to watch Hesh's back and make sure they get the info out no matter what. In other words she was protection detail and it had Sequoia feeling that there was a lot riding on this or it was something to keep her busy. Either way she was going to do her job.

"Scarecrow we are at the clubhouse. We've secured a vehicle and moving to Blackbird," Merrick replayed.

Copy Actual. Blackbird is quiet. You are go for insertion and data retrieval.

"Copy all," Merrick replied as he started the clock for blackout. "Entering Blackbird."

Sequoia sat quietly and observed the area as they entered. It was like going into an underground parking garage and it was littered with Feds lounging or carrying about their business. They just had to play it cool and she could do that as she slid out of Hesh's door while he grabbed her bag and handed it over before grabbing his. They started walking casually and let Keegan and Merrick do the talking.

"Ready your NVGs," Merrick said.

His timing was perfect as the lights cut out then. Sequoia was already on the guards that were standing next to her and Hesh. She didn't use her gun but reached out and knifed one and snapped the neck of the other as soon as Merrick said to clean house. She had her rifle up and was shooting at hostiles, following Hesh through the security. Time to clean house… sort of.

A/N: Hesh and Sequoia seem to be getting along and now they Clockwork is in effect. Keep watching for more There Are No Coincidences...