Chapter Ten
The SevNav's jet transported McGee and a grab bag of hi-tech goodies. Once he landed, Gibbs picked him and drove him to the third class hotel he was staying.
"If we can get a GPS on Tony, I can track him anywhere, otherwise it's going to be a little more difficult, but we can still do it," said McGee.
"How much more difficult?" snapped Gibbs.
"Keeps eyes on and once we know how they are traveling, using satellites," said McGee. "Will it just be you and me, boss?"
"No," Gibbs answered then he took a turn at a speed that made McGee's stomach crawl and suddenly parked his rental car in front of a cheap hotel.
McGee looked at the hotel and sighed. Sure, DiNozzo is living the high life and we live in a rat-infested place. It makes sense to me.
Gibbs got out of the car and waited for McGee, who grabbed two large metal suitcases and followed Gibbs into the hotel. They had to walk up three flights of stairs to get to the hotel room he was using. When they entered, Ziva was already in the room waiting for them.
"Ziva, I thought you were supposed to be in Pairs living in a four star hotel," said McGee.
"I contacted my cousin Hannah in Israel and had her meet me here then I sent her in my place to Paris. She looks enough like me so that if you don't know us she can pass for me," said Ziva.
"Does Vance know, boss?" asked McGee.
Gibbs didn't answer him but instead glared at him. This was his op now and was being done his way.
"Should we tell him, boss?" asked McGee.
"No," he answered.
"Chances are that if Vance is told then Eli will find out," said Ziva.
"I'm afraid that there is a leak that Eli is exploiting, but we'll deal with that later," said Gibbs.
"It is just the three of us until we call in the Navy Seals or whoever else we need," said Ziva.
"Okay, no argument, just as long as I don't have to talk to Vance," said McGee.
"I'll handle talking to the director for us from here on out," said Gibbs then he turned and looked at Ziva. "Can we get a GPS to Tony?"
"No," she answered.
"We are going to have to do this the hard way, McGee," said Gibbs.
"Gotcha, boss," said McGee.
NCIS
Tony sat with Etienne and Jospin having an after dinner drink. Etienne task was to engage a small freighter, which they would pick up Kota Baharu, Malaysia and travel to Sohan Bay, North Korea then dock in Onch'on where they would pay for the warhead and have it loaded onto the ship. Once they had the warhead, they would then sail it to Australia, where Jospin would make arrangements for its docking, pickup and transportation. He would meet them there in Australia.
Etienne and Tony would travel on the freighter, while Jospin would make all the other arrangements, including to start looking for a buyer. It would be Tony's introduction into the world weapons dealers. He and Etienne would share responsibilities on the freighter, but Tony would be in charge of the overall trip to get the warhead.
"Ten million to North Korea and we sell it for at least three times that much on the open market," said Jospin, as he savored his cognac.
"Do you have any interest already?" asked Tony.
"Right now we are talking independent terrorist groups, who don't have deep pockets," said Jospin. "The money won't get interesting until we are in discussions with certain countries. I am expecting a tidy profit for this one, Anthony. A nuclear warhead is the weapon of choice for so many, but they just can't get their hands on it."
"Maurice, this is a great way to start a partnership," said Tony.
"I recommend you, me, and your darling Sophie vacation in Dubai once this is done. It is a wonder spot to relax and know that no one will bother us there. It is a wonderfully safe place to indulge yourself," said Jospin.
"Sounds wonderful," said Tony.
"We shall plan our next big weapon sale while there," said Jospin.
"We leave on the ship in eight days," said Etienne, who had been on the phone with one of his contacts.
"I hope you don't get seasick, Anthony, because you will be water bound for several weeks," smiled Jospin.
"And where will you be?" asked Tony.
"I know a lovely place in Perth I can stay while waiting for you," he smiled.
NCIS
The freighter was what Tony expected it to be cramped, dirty, and far from a smooth ride. Etienne spoke whatever language was being spoken on the ship. Tony had no idea. He knew Italian and Spanish and that was all. Ziva would know and probably speak the language or understand, he thought. He guessed they were Filipino.
Etienne remained his best buddy on board staying close to him. The only time he got to be alone was late at night when he was seasick and he'd go up on deck to puke. His third night doing this, he noticed that people finally left him alone and stopped noticing what he did or didn't do, so he palmed his encrypted smartphone and after puking put his guts, he texted Vance with all the information he had. Once he was done with the text, he dropped the smartphone into the sea. He wouldn't need it once he got to Australia.
NCIS
Vance was thrilled to finally hear from Tony. Once he had the text he called Gibbs and relayed the information to him. From the pickup to where Jospin would be waiting for them in Perth at the docks to receive the warhead.
"We should concentrate on Perth," said Vance.
"Let North Korea have the ten million, Leon," said Gibbs.
"Let me. The money isn't the important thing; this is about the warhead," said Vance.
"NCIS in Australia can start looking for Jospin. Who else do we involve?" asked Gibbs.
"The Australian special forces, SAS is damned good. They can take the lead at the dock and take custody of the warhead. All want is the external drive," said Vance.
"DiNozzo get the password for that?" asked Gibbs.
"What else would a weapons dealer known as Bonaparte have for a password – Josephine," said Vance.
"Once I have the drive and DiNozzo then I'm implementing my plan to get Ziva and Tony free from Eli. You still agree with that one, Leon?" asked Gibbs.
"I am behind you one hundred percent, Gibbs," said Vance.
"Then we are almost done," Gibbs hung up.
The waiting was over. It was now time for action, which brought a smile to Gibbs' lips.
NCIS
They had reached Sohan Bay. Tony felt like vomiting for a change for a different reason than seasickness. This time it had to do with handing over ten million dollars to North Korea. The money wouldn't go towards its people and feeding them, but to the lavish lifestyle of the few. But he knew that the money was the prize here, it was the nuclear warhead. And the external drive.
They docked in Onch'on. According to Etienne, they would be here only a few hours and then gone. He'd already felt like he'd been too long on the ship, but there was no rest for him. Going to shore was not an option here. It was frowned upon. The less interaction with the people the better, he was told.
"Look," said Etienne.
Tony saw three men in North Korean military uniforms and one man in a black suit walked up the plank to see them. One of the military men struggled carrying an oversized metal suitcase, which Tony assumed held just the warhead. Again, he wanted to vomit. They had onboard with them a device powerful enough to destroy a good size city. It was a frightening thought to know there was that much destructive power in a suitcase.
"You have the money." Said the man in the suit.
There would be no names exchanged here. This wasn't about friendship or developing a relationship. This was about an exchange of a product for a fixed price. Tony lifted up his own metal briefcase putting it on a deck hatch. He opened it to show them a case filled with bearer bonds equaling ten million dollars. The man in the suit smiled. It was the kind of smile that made Tony think of showering. The man had the guy in the uniform open up their metal case while he added up he bearer bonds. In their metal case was a small, compact nuclear warhead. Etienne went over and checked it out with a Geiger counter. After a brief exam, he smiled.
"It has been excellent doing business with you," said the man in the suit.
"I hope we can do it again," said Tony.
This brought a big smile to his face. He and his compatriots left the ship with their booty. Etienne secured theirs and then lugged it down to their quarters. It was time for more time on the water heading towards Australia. Once there Tony knew he should just keep his eyes open and put his head down at the right moment.
Leaning on the railing, he started to think about Ziva. He hadn't taken time to think about her until now. Everything this past few months had made his head twirl. Well, she had his head twirling. He thought it was over between them, but now he couldn't wait to taste her lips again. She made his head spin but he liked it. Yet, he wasn't sure how it was going to continue. Chances were that Eli would want him dead and he just wasn't sure if Vance, or even Gibbs, could keep him alive.
But a few hours with Ziva would be nice before he died. She had that sort of effect on him. When it was right, it was the best, but when it went south, it was the most painfully experience for him. It was right at the moment. A few more hours would be nice.
NCIS
Ziva entered the temporary apartment in Perth looking a little under the weather. Gibbs followed her with his eyes as she walked down to the room she had been staying in and disappeared for a few minutes. Once she exited, she rejoined Gibbs and McGee in the living room area.
"McGee, are you hungry?" asked Gibbs.
"A little, boss," said McGee.
"I'm starved," said Gibbs.
Ziva came in and sat down on the sofa. She looked at little under the weather.
"You want some food, David?" asked Gibbs. "I'm think of pizza for lunch or maybe some hot dogs or burgers. If I recall you like Philly cheesesteak. I bet we could find one of those around here."
She looked at him with angry eyes then got up and ran into the bathroom. They heard retching coming from the bathroom. McGee looked over at Gibbs and he was smiling.
"Boss, she is sick. Should I call a doctor?" asked McGee.
"She doesn't need a doctor," said Gibbs. "I want you to go get you and sandwiches and go buy Ziva a box of Ritz crackers and a bottle of ginger ale."
"Okay, boss," he said then took off.
A few minutes later Ziva came out of the bathroom. She sat back down.
"Is the SAS set?" she asked.
"Yup," said Gibbs.
"When do we expect the freighter?" asked Ziva.
"How many weeks along are you?" he asked.
At first Ziva looked shocked then she tried to cover it up with a stoic face.
"I don't know what you are talking about, Gibbs," she said.
"Ziva, don't play games with him. I know a pregnant woman when I see one. How many weeks," he said.
"Seven weeks," she said.
"DiNozzo of course," he said.
"Of Course," she sighed.
"Morning sickness doesn't last forever. I had McGee get you crackers and ginger ale that will help your stomach," said Gibbs.
"We need to get Tony back alive and keep him alive. I want my baby to have a father," she said.
"I'll take care of that, Ziva. Don't worry about it. You just deal with being pregnant and listening to me and I'll deal with everything else," said Gibbs.
"I trust you, Gibbs," she said. "I trust you more than I trust my father."
"Good. You keep trusting me and I'll take care of everything," he smiled.