Chapter 28

The Eagle Has Landed

A/N- To anyone in the LGBT community, this is being written as if it was 2003, not 2015, so please keep that in mind.

Previously on "28 Seconds: Walk in Hell"-

"So, you wanted to tell us about something?" he asked.

"Uh, yeah" she said as she took his hand and pulled him to a seat on the couch.

"What is it?" Rex asked.

"I really don't know how to say this…"

"Then just do it" Rex said.

"It isn't…"

"Do it" Rex pushed.

"Rex…"

"Just do…"

"I'm Gay!" she blurted out.

0905 hours, 16 March 2003, Rex Bartlett's Apartment- 27 S Patton Ave, Apartment 2B, Foggy Bottom, Washington D.C.

Following Erica Jane's sudden outburst, Rex just sat there, soaking it all in. Rex had always considered himself to be a forward thinking person. He personally didn't have a problem with homosexuals, provided they left him alone. Hell, he was a self-described Rockefeller Republican. But now it was here, right here in his face. His sister, Erica Jane, his older sister, was a Lesbian.

"Rex, are you ok?" EJ asked. Rex remained silent. His father had a rule for situations like this: "Rule 11: In the end, the only thing that matters, is Family". His father also had another rule, one that was much more serious.

"Who else knows?" Rex asked as he stood up.

"My partner, John, and his wife, Natalie" Erica said. Rex walked over and leaned against the wall.

"You know that you can't tell this to anyone. Not Three, not Liat, and especially not Dad. Rule 18: A distracted Soldier is a dead Soldier" he said. "Growing up, my brother Reggie taught me that. Tony, Dad, might be the only real father I've ever had, by Reggie taught me a lot. Rule 18 is unbreakable" he said.

"You don't think I knew that. Edward may not have been the best parent in the world, but he taught me the same thing" she said.

"EJ, the President is about to take this country to war, with our father in the lead" Rex yelled.

"You think I don't know that?" EJ screamed back.

"I don't know EJ, it's only by luck that Three wasn't here tonight. His position ain't any better than Dad's is" Rex said.

"Just admit it, you think it's disgusting that I'm what, a Lesbian" she said.

"Oh yeah, that's just it" Rex yelled back, his voice full of sarcasm.

"You're an ass" she yelled back.

"The whole world doesn't revolve around you Erica, so grow up. There is a time and place for everything. I get that this is important to you, but even you have to admit this takes a back seat to a FUCKING WAR!" he yelled right back at her.

"I came to you looking for support"

"And I'm giving it to you, but you have to understand there are other priorities too"

"Fuck off" EJ yelled as she grabbed her coat and stormed off, slamming the door behind her.

"FUCK!" Rex yelled as he grabbed a coffee cup off the end table and threw it against the wall.

0500 hours local time, 17 March 2003, Haifa Lee Breakwater Lighthouse, Port of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.

It was March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, and AJ Kearns was thrilled. Sure, he was the sole living aire to his family; not that that meant anything, except that he was all alone. But still, the one thing he loved most was his heritage, which was 100% Irish. St. Paddy's Day was his favorite day of the year. However, being undercover as Marcus Sharon, an Israeli Jew wasn't exactly conducive to celebrating it. But still, it was Sunday, meaning he didn't have to report in at Mossad Headquarters in Tel-Aviv, and that he could stay at home, drink Killan's Irish Red and Guinness, as well as enjoy his corn beef and cabbage.

By the time the sun was up, AJ had finished preparing the dinner, letting it the Corn beef cook on the stove while the Irish soda bread baked in the oven. As he finished the prep, he sang old Irish folk songs, starting with "Free & Green"

Captain Taggart took the field
With his men as hard as steel
And we drove the bloody rebels to the sea
Before the guns were stilled
There were many hundreds killed
There's many an Irish girl sad tonight

When the smoke had cleared
It was just as we had feared
Captain Taggart lay wounded on the ground
With his head upon my knee
There he met eternity
I proudly closed his eyes and then I cried

Its whiskey in the mornin', whiskey in the night
Another Irish soldier-lad, has fought his final fight
We'll toast him till were drunk Boys, and dowse the candle light
Tell them Captain Taggart, is comin' home tonight

Well, we took his body home
And the drums and pipes did drone
And pulled a fine black casket through the streets
We told his grievin' wife
That he loved her more than life
And gave to his young son his father's sword

Now the people, they all dream
Of an Ireland free and green
Where nowhere can be heard the battle-cry
The fighting's gone too long
And it just drags on and on
I'd like to know some peace before I die

Its whiskey in the mornin', whiskey in the night
Another Irish soldier-lad, has fought his final fight
We'll toast him till were drunk Boys, and dowse the candle light
Tell them Captain Taggart, is comin' home tonight

And its whiskey in the mornin', whiskey in the night
Another Irish soldier-lad, has fought his final fight
We'll toast him till were drunk Boys, and dowse the candle light
Tell them Captain Taggart, is comin' home tonight

He then switched over to "The Irish Volunteer"

My name is Tim McDonald, I'm a native of the Isle,
I was born among old Erin's bogs when I was but a child.
My father fought in " 'Ninety-eight," for liberty so dear;
He fell upon old Vinegar Hill, like and Irish volunteer.
Then raise the harp of Erin, boys, the flag we all revere-
We'll fight and fall beneath its folds, like Irish volunteers!
Then raise the harp of Erin, boys, the flag we all revere-
We'll fight and fall beneath its folds, like Irish volunteers!

When I was driven form my home by an oppressor's hand,
I cut my sticks and greased my brogues, and came o'er to this land.
I found a home an many friends, and some that I love dear;
Be jabbers! I'll stick to them like bricks and an Irish volunteer.
Then fill your glasses up, my boys, and drink a hearty cheer,
To the land of our adoption and the Irish volunteer!

Then fill your glasses up, my boys, and drink a hearty cheer,
To the land of our adoption and the Irish volunteer!.

Now when the traitors in the south commenced a warlike raid,
I quickly then laid down my hod, to the devil went my spade!
To a recruiting-office then I went, that happened to be near,
And joined the good old "Sixty-ninth," like and Irish volunteer.
Then fill the ranks and march away!-no traitors do we fear;
We'll drive them all to blazes, says the Irish volunteer.
Then fill the ranks and march away!-no traitors do we fear;
We'll drive them all to blazes, says the Irish volunteer.

When the Prince of Wales came over here, and made a hubbaboo,
Oh, everybody turned out, you know, in gold and tinsel too;
But then the good old Sixty-ninth didn't like these lords or peers-
They wouldn't give a d-n for kings, the Irish volunteers!
We love the land of Liberty, its laws we will revere,
"But the divil take nobility!" says the Irish volunteer!
We love the land of Liberty, its laws we will revere,
"But the divil take nobility!" says the Irish volunteer!

Now if the traitors in the South should ever cross our roads,
We'll drive them to the divil, as Saint Patrick did the toads;
We'll give them all short nooses that come just below the ears,
Made strong and good of Irish hemp by Irish volunteers.
Then here's to brave McClellan, whom the army now reveres-
He'll lead us on to victory, the Irish volunteers.
Then here's to brave McClellan, whom the army now reveres-
He'll lead us on to victory, the Irish volunteers.

Now fill your glasses up, my boys, a toast come drink with me,
May Erin's Harp and the Starry Flag united ever be;
May traitors quake, and rebels shake, and tremble in their fears,
When next they meet the Yankee boys and Irish volunteers!
God bless the name of Washington! that name this land reveres;
Success to Meagher and Nugent, and their Irish volunteers!
God bless the name of Washington! that name this land reveres;
Success to Meagher and Nugent, and their Irish volunteers!

0530 hours, 17 March 2003, Roscoe Estate, Sheffield Lake, Ohio.

Victor Roscoe was the head of Roscoe Crime Family, which operated out of Northern Ohio along Lake Erie. For years his family had controlled the steel workers and longshoremen unions, using their influence to control the region. However, after the Northern War (Operation Frozen Fury), the FBI and US Military began to increase its presence in the area, slowly forcing the Roscoe family out of power. At the same time, these same Unions began having dealings with the Lansky and Corinthos Crime Families, both of whom had deep connections to the Military.

In retaliation for what he perceived to be an intrusion on his territory by the Corinthos Family, he had arranged for Finn Rourke, the head of the Westies Irish Mob and a key ally of the Corinthos Family, to be assassinated. He had also tried to take out Rourke's number 2, Robert Shannon. Unfortunately, the hit on "Bobby S" had failed, and his man on the inside, Liam Finch, had been forced to flee New York City. However, Liam had made his way to Ohio where Roscoe had been able to protect him.

When Victor arose from bed that morning, he made his way over to his bathroom, where he opened his medicine cabinet pulled out one of his prescriptions. He closed the mirrored cabinet door, he jumped, as he saw the reflection of a man behind them. "Good Morning Victor" Rick said as he slipped a wire garrote around Victor's neck, pulling it tight. Victor tried to scream, but the wire had already crushed his vocal cords. Rick pulled even tighter, twisting the wires, beginning to draw blood. Rick jerked him back, snapping his neck. Rick then dragged him back, dumping him into the bathtub. "Sonny Corinthos says hello" he grinned as he made his escape.

1100 hours, 17 March 2003, Marshlands- Colleton Family Estate, St. Matthews, South Carolina.

With only 6 hours until the Wedding, things at Marshlands were in full swing. Despite having given birth only a few months earlier, Anne, Tali's Aunt, had promised to plan the wedding. Back in November, Anne had given birth to Alexis Kristina Colleton-Rommel, her daughter with her on-again/off-again lover, Wolfgang Rommel. Due to Wolfgang's dangerous line of work, Wolfgang had signed over all parental rights to Anne, making sure that her daughter would have a good life.

Either way, the day was finally here. Marty Deeks and Tali Colleton were getting married. However, this would not be the wedding had always dreamed of. Tony, one of her best friends, wouldn't be there. Tony, along with Chester, Cole, Zander, & Three, all of whom comprised the Unit's Alpha Team, had opted to forward deploy to Saudi Arabia rather than attend the wedding. Sure, the Alpha Team was on assignment, but no one actually knew that.

Other family and friends of the Unit had also chosen not to attend. Tony's son Rex and Daughters EJ and Molly would not be coming. Neither would Chester's wife Meg, the Quartermaine Family, Three's girlfriend Jenn, and others had also opted not to attend the nuptials.

Regardless, the wedding prep was in full swing. The dresses and tuxedos were ready, the food was delivered and the vows had been written. Due to the smaller number of people attending than had been planned for, Tali and her father, Colonel Thomas Colleton, had opted to push the ceremony back from 1400 hours to 1730 hours, for more of a nighttime/late afternoon ceremony.

1900 hours local time, 17 March 2003, Unnamed Island off the Coast of Saudi Arabia, Persian Gulf.

While the island itself may not have had a name, it was still was flat enough to allow Tony to bring the C-141 Starlifter to an easy touch down on the sand. Tony quickly killed the engines and the lights on the wings and fuselage. "Top, what are we doing here in the middle of the Persian Gulf?" Chester asked.

"You'll see" Tony smiled as he undid his seatbelt and got up. He jumped down to the cargo hold and yelled "Sky Train, Razor, set the strobe light" he ordered.

"Where?" Three asked.

"Water's edge" Tony yelled. "The rest of you, start unloading the gear" he ordered. As Chester, Malachi and Cole started unloading the diving gear and explosives from cargo hold, Three and Zander setup the strobe light and walked back.

"Now what?" Three asked.

"Just wait" Tony smiled. In the distance, out over the water, the faint sound of engines, specifically outboard motors, could be heard. The sound got louder as it got closer.

"What the hell is that?" Cole asked.

"Nathan" Tony grinned as 3 Zodiac assault boats pulled up on shore. Teams of 6 Navy SEALs, each armed with an MP-5, jumped out of the boat, forming a protective ring. Tony gave a whistle and then called out. "Nathan!"

"Tony" Nathan replied.

"Ok that's it, get the gear aboard the boats, let's move, let's move" he yelled. The men of the Alpha Team quickly loaded their gear into the boats and a couple a minutes later they were off. Once they were about a ½ mile out, the boats killed their engines.

"Now what?" Chester whispered.

"Hold on" Tony whispered. Out ahead of them, it was pitch black, not even the moon or the stars were out. "Just wait for it" Tony said as the water started bubbling out in front of them. A few seconds later, a large black object crashed through the surface, before settling on the foam. "Ladies and Gentlemen, The USS Port Charles (SSN-792)" Tony smiled as a figure appeared atop the conning tower.

"Permission to come aboard!" Nathan yelled.

"Granted!" a female voice yelled back. "Ok you sons a bitches get aboard" she yelled as men appeared from the hatches on the main hull.

1930 hours local time, 17 March 2003, USS Port Charles (SSN-792), off the coast of Saudi Arabia, Persian Gulf.

As Malachi, Cole, Three and Zander stowed the gear in the forward hold, Tony, Chester and Nathan made their way to the bridge. "Lieutenant Nathan Westbourne and 1st Chester Martin, reporting as ordered" Nathan yelled.

"At ease" Lieutenant Commander Samantha "Sam" Clark replied. "You care to introduce yourself, Lieutenant Colonel?" she asked Tony, who had remained silent.

"Excuse his silence, he didn't even tell us what the mission was until her were over the Med" Chester said.

"Yes, speaking of that, I received a direct ordered signed by the President ordering me to render all possible assistance. You mind filling me in?" she asked. She and Tony both gave each other looks. "Clear the Bridge!" she yelled.

"Mam?" asked a junior officer.

"Now!" she yelled. Within a few seconds, the Bridge was empty, the watertight doors shut behind them. "So, what's the mission?" she asked.

"We're kidnapping Saddam Hussein" Tony smiled. Sam showed no reaction, while Nathan was stunned.

"You're kidding?" Nathan asked.

"No he isn't" Sam shook her head. "I learned a long time ago never to doubt Tony's lunacy, or his capacity to try the impossible" she smiled.

"I'm very serious. The code name for this Operation is Black Crow" he said. "Sam, just get us inside Kuwait City Harbor, we'll handle it from there"

"Is it deep enough?" she asked. "If we hit the bottom, the crash'll ping ever sonar within 10 miles"

"It's 18 meters" he said.

"Ok, I can handle that" she replied.

"We're going to infiltrate the Dasman Palace via a sewer pipe that leads out in the Gulf. We blow a hole in the floor with underwater explosives. If all goes well, we'll scoop up, a large portion of Saddam's Family, including Saddam himself and his son/grandson Ali Hussein"

"What do you need from me and my men?" Nathan asked.

"There are 500,000 Iraqi Republican Guard soldiers in Kuwait. Once we blow the charges, we'll only have a few minutes to get in and get out. SEAL Team 2 will handle the extraction back to the Port Charles"

"And what happens if they find us before you blow the charges?" Sam asked.

"Do what you have to do. Protect the boat at all costs" Tony ordered.

1300 hours, 17 March 2003, Oval Office, West Wing, White House, Washington D.C.

"Mr. President, Congresswoman Wilson to see you" Rex said as he leaned in the door.

"Send her in" the President said. A couple of seconds later, Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R-NM), appeared in the doorway. "Heather" the President said as he stood up to shake her hand. "Thank you for coming" he added.

"Of course, Mr. President" said the Congresswoman as they shook hands.

"Please, have a seat" the President waived her to the chair next to his desk.

"So what can I do for you, Mr. President?" she asked as she took her seat.

"Heather, I'll cut right to the chase, I have a job offer for you" he said.

"I though Karen got Homeland Security" she said.

"She did" the President said. "I had something else in mind" he said. "NSA, National Security Advisor"

"Are you serious?" she asked.

"This is the official offer" the President said.

"Mr. President, this is my dream"

"I know, do you accept?" the President asked with a smile.

"Of course, Sir" she said as a huge smile appeared on her face.

"Excellent" the President said. "Meg, Rex!" he yelled. Both Meg and Rex appeared in the doorway, Rex carrying the appropriate articles. Heather quickly wrote out her resignation from Congress as Rex laid out the articles for Heather's appointment.

"They're might be a slight buzzing in your head, don't worry, it'll go away eventually" Meg smiled as Rex laid down a leather-bound folder on the President's desk.

"There is a small promise that I ask everyone who works for me to make" the President said. "Never doubt that a thoughtful, committed group of citizens can change the world" he recited. "Do you know why?"

"Because it's the only thing that ever has" she smiled.

"Please stand" Meg said.

"Heather Ann Wilson, imposing special trust and confidence in your integrity, prudence and ability, I hereby designate you to the post of Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and I hereby authorize you to perform and fulfil the duties of that office, with all the powers and privileges, and subject to the conditions proscribed. It is affirmed by my signature" he said as he signed. "And it is affixed with the Seal of the United States, and it is done so on this date and in this place" the President recited as he and his new National Security Advisor shook hands. "Congratulations" he said as the 2 shook hands. "Meg, have Stephanie draft a statement" the President ordered.

"Yes Sir" she replied as she left the room. Once Rex was out of room as well, the President spoke again.

"Heather, I know this is all quite sudden, but I need you to follow me" he said.

"Of course sir" she said as the President walked out of the Oval Office, heading towards the stairs.

"What is it Sir?" she asked.

"We have an Operation underway, green light is in 4 hours"

"Where?"

"Kuwait City"

"What the target?" she asked as they entered the Sit Room.

"We're kidnaping Saddam Hussein" the President said.

"Are you serious?" she asked.

"We're very serious" said General Clark, who was sitting at the end of the table with his feet up. "Sam just radioed in, the Port Charles is moving into position as we speak" he said as he stood up. "There also going to move up the jumping off point by 2 hours"

"Why?" the President asked.

"The Iraqi Coastal Defense units are increasing their patrols in the harbor, if they don't get inside now, they may not be able to make it in undetected" he said.

"What time is the jump off?" Heather asked.

"Who's she?" Wes asked.

"Heather Wilson, National Security Advisor" she introduced herself.

"Since when?" Wes asked.

"About 5 minutes ago" the President smiled.

"So you finally replaced that rat bastard Ramsay" Wes said.

"And it's about time too" the President agreed.

"Now, if you'd just find a new secretary, and give Rex a break…"

"Don't push it" the President told shot back.

"Get Heather briefed, I think I would be best if I kept to my public schedule" the President said. "No need to give the media any hints in finding out what we're up too. I'm sure they'll find out soon enough"

The President made his way back up the stairs, heading towards his office. He stepped back inside, using the door that lead directly into the hall. After shutting the door behind him, the President walked over to the secret panel in the wall, which hide the Presidential secret stash of liquor. He pulled out some 100 year old scotch and poured himself 5 fingers. It was times like these that he was glad that his predecessors had kept this stash. "God Bless Teddy Roosevelt" he said as he took a sip.

"I'm sure the Senator will be glad to hear that" said Meg as she stepped into the Oval.

"I was referring to his Great Grandfather, President Roosevelt" he said as he took another sip.

"Rough day, Boss?" Meg asked.

"Eh, the New York Times ran another "White House Mafia" story" he said. That wasn't the whole reason that he was stressed out, but it was part of it.

"They've been running those stories for 2 years, 1st when Sonny was Chief of Staff, and then later when I took over. They're still running em, and as long as we're all still in the building, they'll keep on running em" she said. The President chucked as he poured Meg a drink.

"Happy St. Paddy's day" he said as they clinked glasses.

"I didn't know you were Irish?" Meg asked.

"50 Irish, 50 Kenyan" he replied. "Can you guess which one shows?" he said sarcastically.

"Well then, Erin Go Bragh" Meg smiled. Long Live Ireland. "We still need a Secretary of Education" she said.

"Yeah, I know" the President said. "I've had other things on my mind ya know"

"No, I get it" Meg said.

1115 hours local time, 17 March 2003, USS Port Charles (SSN-792), Kuwaiti territorial waters, Persian Gulf, 3.5 nautical miles south east of the Port of Kuwait.

As Tony and his men prepared to depart, Sam made her way to the Conn, grabbing the radio. "All Hands, this is the Captain" she said. "In case you were wondering, the scuttlebutt is true. We have been selected for a top secret mission, the likes of which has never been attempted" she said. "All Hands, Battle Stations submerged" she ordered as the Klaxon alarm went off.

Meanwhile, in the forward decompression chamber, Tony and his men had their wetsuits on and were putting on their scuba tanks. "Ok, Ironman has the explosives, Phantom has the torch. The rest of you, keep your eyes peeled. There are mines as old as World War II down there. We set one of those off, it won't be just us that gets fried" he warned.

"We got it, Top" Malachi said.

"Ok then" Tony nodded. "Gentlemen, this is our target for tonight. Saddam Hussein, President of Iraq and his son/grandson, were ready not sure which, Ali Hussein, the Iraqi Military Governor of occupied-Kuwait" he said as he point to the 2 photos he had taped to the wall. "These 2 men are responsible for more than 1,000,000 innocent deaths in the past 20 years, so I'm sure you'll be more than thrilled to hear that we have been ordered to take them in alive"

"Any particular reason we can string these assholes up by their toes?" Malachi asked.

"Because we're soldiers, and we follow orders, that's why" Tony replied.

For this mission, each man would be carrying a similar weapons load out. Each man would be carrying a silenced Mac-10 submachine guns and Berretta M-9 sidearms, which were also silenced. The only one carrying anything different was Zander, who was carrying an SR-25 Sniper Rifle, suppressed.

"Ok, here it is" Tony said as he pointed to a rough diagram, which was also taped to the wall. "Once we're outside, it'll be about a mile swim to here" he pointed. "This is the end of a sewer pipe, which leads to a tunnel underneath the city, which we'll use to gain access to the palace. The pipe is large enough, but it's grated, so we'll need to cut through it" he said. "Phantom, you'll handle that" he ordered.

"I got it Top" Sergeant 1st Class Jonathan Cole nodded.

"After we cut through, keep the torch with you, we might need it" Tony ordered. "Once we're through the pipe and into the tunnel, it's less than a quarter mile to the target. We'll place charges all along the floor, and once we're in position, we'll blow out the entire floor, and make our way inside"

"There's no way for us to make a quieter entrance?" Malachi asked.

"It would require us going topside, which would take longer and increase the chances of us being spotted before reaching the target" Tony said. "Once inside, Blue Star will take Sky Train and eliminate all remaining hostiles on the ground floor. Ironman, along with Phantom, will being placing charges. Setup claymores, booby traps, whatever you can find that will buy us time" he said.

"Right" Chester nodded.

"What about me?" Zander asked.

"You're with me, we're gonna sweep the 2nd and 3rd floors and locate the target" Tony said. "Along with the 2 primaries, there are 2 additional secondary targets that could be on location" he said as he tacked up 2 more photos. "Saddam's 2 wives" he said. "Unlike the 2 men, the women are expendable" he said. "Neutralize on sight" he ordered. "Once we have the targets in custody, we will make our exit"

"How?" Malachi asked.

"Lieutenant Westbourne's SEAL Team will come in on Zodiac's and we will extract back to the PC" he said.

"And the Iraqi Harbor Patrol is just gonna let us slip into the night?" Three asked.

"Lieutenant Commander Clark is working on that as we speak" Tony said as there was a knock on the door. "Enter!" Tony yelled. The door opened and Lieutenant Commander Samantha Clark stepped in. "Speak of the devil" he said.

"Take a look at this" she said as she handed him a photo of a large tanker. "That's the Al-Fazik, it's an oil tanker docked in the harbor, taking on stolen Kuwait crude" she said.

"What flag is she flying?" Tony asked.

"Kuwaiti" Sam said.

"Meaning that we have a legal obligation to let her through our blockade" he said.

"I think she can be our ticket out of here"

"Keep going"

"We can fire on the tanker, and the fire she be enough the cover what I expect will be a very large firefight in the palace"

"That could work" Tony agreed. "If all goes as planned, we'll breech at 0030" he added.

"Zero Dark Thirty, got it" she nodded. "Good luck Colonel" she said.

2355 hours local time, 17 March 2003, Port of Kuwait, Kuwait City.

The water around them was pitch black as they approached the end of the sewer pipe. Tony popped a red star flare and dropped it to the sea floor. As the men settled on the sea floor, Cole moved forward, holding a protecting mask over his eyes. Everyone turned away and shut their eyes as Cole lit the cutting torch. The grate on the end of the pipe was severely eroded and it only took Cole a few minutes to cut through all of the rebar and with Chester and Malachi's help, they pulled the heavy grate loose and dropped it to the seabed, sending up a huge cloud of sand. Tony picked up the flare and led the way inside the pipe. The pipe was about a ½ mile long and it took them a few minutes until they reached a sewer junction. Tony spat out his re-breather and tore off his mask. Everyone else quickly followed suit as dropped off their tanks as well. "Ok, it isn't far from here" Tony said as he flipped out his Mac-10.

"Smells like shit in here" Three complained.

"Gee, I wonder why, it's only a sewer" Malachi said as he pulled back on the slide of his Mac-10.

"Cut the chit-chat and let's get a move on" Tony said as they took off running down the tunnel. Tony slung his Mac-10 over his shoulder and pulled out his Beretta, cocking it and pulling out his flashlight, turning it on. "All right, let's rock n' roll" he said as they moved along the tunnel.

1715 hours, 17 March 2003, Marshlands- Colleton Family Estate, St. Matthews, South Carolina.

"You ready?" Bridget asked as the music began to play.

"I'm a Colleton, I was born ready" Tali smiled. With that, Bridget, who was a Maid of Honor, began walking down the aisle. Waiting at the end of the aisle, at the altar, was Deeks, who was in his Dress Green Class-A's. Once Bridget reached the end of the aisle, Colonel Colleton stood up and offered his daughter his arm. Tali stood up and accepted her father's arms. Much like other weddings that had been held at Marshlands, Tali and Deeks' wedding would be non-denominational, as Tali was a Roman Catholic and Deeks a Protestant. They reached the end of the aisle, and Deeks held out his hand, which Tali took after receiving a kiss on the cheek from her father.

"Dearly beloved" the Chaplin began. "We are gathered here today to this man, and this woman in the bonds of Holy Matrimony. Should anyone feel that they have just cause, that these 2 should not be joined in Wedlock, let them speak now or forever hold their peace". When no one spoke up, he continued.

0020 hours local time, 18 March 2003, underneath the Dasman Palace, Kuwait City, Kuwait.

As quickly and as carefully as they could The Alpha Team began placing the charges along the ceiling of the tunnel. "Come on, let's make it snappy Gentlemen" Tony said as he secured 2 more blocks of C4 to the ceiling.

"Do you Martin Alvin Deeks, take Taliann Margaret Colleton, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish, from this day forward, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"

"I Do"

0025 hours local time, 18 March 2003, USS Port Charles (SSN-792), Port of Kuwait, Kuwait City, Kuwait.

"WEPS, get me a firing solution on that tanker" Sam said softly. At present, was resting silently on the bottom of the harbor, running silent and still. Sam watched as the Port Charles' Weapons Officer programmed in the firing solution. "Load tubes 1 & 2, Mk-48s" she ordered. A minute later, they were loaded.

"Tubes 1 & 2 loaded" echoed Lieutenant Danville, the XO.

"Flood the tubes, open outer doors" she ordered.

"Tubes flooded, doors open" the XO echoed. Sam checked her watch

"2 minutes" she said.

"Do you, Taliann Margaret Colleton, take Martin Alvin Deeks, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish, from this day forward, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"

"I Do"

0029 hours local time, 18 March 2003, underneath the Dasman Palace, Kuwait City, Kuwait.

"60 seconds" Tony said as he watched Cole connect the detonators. Once they were in place, the men quickly retreated to a safe distance.

Back on the Port Charles, Sam got ready to fire. "Fire 1" she ordered. "Fire 2". With the torpedoes in the water, the Chief of the Boat, Master Chief Robert "Bobby" Dougherty started the stop watch. "Impact in 30 seconds" he said.

"Then by the power vested in me by the State of South Carolina, I now pronounce you Husband & Wife"

"Impact in 7…6..." the Chief counted down.

Meanwhile, in the tunnel, Tony did the same. "5…4…3…2…1"

TO BE CONTINUED…

PLEASE REVIEW

(Tali's Voice)- Next time on "28 Seconds: Walk in Hell"-

In Kuwait, when not everything goes as planned, Tony and his men must rush to make an exit. Meanwhile, as the invasion draws near, Tony gives out some heartfelt advice. In Israel, AJ begins making progress with Liat. Finally, one of the greatest speeches ever.

Major Casting Announcement: Beginning in the Next Chapter, Dominic Zamprogna will be joining the Main Cast as Pfc. Dante Falconeri.

A/N- If anyone has a problem with the Irish songs, I apologize, i wrote most of this on St. Patrick's Day.