Chapter 35

Gibbs' mind was basically blank as he made his way through the scattered boulders and rocks between the first and the second campfires. Somehow his

body seemed separated from his mind. He was vaguely aware of pain, somehow he knew it was indescribable, agonizing, soul searing pain. But it didn't seem to matter. He had taken the time to tear his uniform blouse into strips and wrapped them around the worst of the bleeding on his arm and leg. There was no way to bandage his shoulder and hip or buttock. There appeared to be clots over lying the areas he could feel that weren't visible. After acknowledging this fact he decided to ignore it. He didn't expect to live through this night. He hoped to take out enough of this enemy that his team could make it out. He didn't dare hope to take the thought any further than that.

Gibbs moved with silent skill to a boulder just above the second group of three. There was no pretense of a sentry at this post. All of the men were asleep. The whisper came just barely audible to his right ear.

"Sleepin'! That's jus' damn kissin' my arse arrogance Gibbs. Pure an' simple. Don' they know we're the US fuckin' Marine Corps? Whad'ya say Ricky?"

"I say shut the fuck up you damn Rebel. Pay attention!"

Gibbs found a grim smile touching his lips. Leave it to those two to scrap just when things get hot and heavy. He moved into position, slipping down to the uneven surface next to the uppermost man. He repeated the same technique he had used earlier and took out the first two men. As he rose from his knees after the second the third man rose up muttering. Gibbs hand moved lightning fast to palm his knife and threw it with unerring accuracy into the man's throat. He fell over backward grabbing at it. Gibbs was instantly on top of him, K-bar in hand plunging it through the sternum into the heart and with a twist pulled it free.

He fell to his side when he started to stand afterward. The world slid into a tilt and he rolled onto his back trying to catch his breath. Slowly he forced himself to breathe deeply, ignoring the ringing in his ears and the lights flashing before his eyes. He lost track of time and gradually became aware of the rain which began to fall again, hitting him in the face. A soft voice spoke in his ear.

"Up Dahdee. Up now. Dey almost dere wid you. You gots to get up. Up!"

"M'tired Jack. It's hard…"

"You gots help Dahdee. You gots to listen hard. Bud'dere are bad bad men comin' too. Up now, Up!"

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The helicopter was moving at maximum speed now over the irregular terrain. With the visual of the enemy lights and camp fires they had paused only for a quick rappel down from the helicopter. With the sighting of the enemy a ground landing did not seem a good idea. Barker had dropped to the ground with infrared vision above the slope. Once at the truck site he moved quickly, quartering the area for sign. Thanks to the rain he found nothing. Dawn was only 2 hours away. Graylin-Pierce spoke to Mike.

"Suggestions Gunny?"

"Well, if it was me I'd take my squad and head to the bottom. Easier goin', they got wounded. On foot speed matters. Savvy?"

"I agree. They have been consistent in their journey toward the alternate extraction site."

"McGee, call up the BAMCIS order package."

"One minute… on line."

"McSneaky, dare I ask how you came by something that isn't supposed to exist?"

Ignoring Tony, McGee looked toward Mike's shadowed figure expectantly.

"Wanna know the extraction points Tim." Mike's voice was calm and slightly distracted.

McGee gave Mike the coordinates and waited for further instructions.

"Gotcha. Pierce, you got 'em?" Franks said.

"Indeed. I would vote for the second site. It is closer by a considerable amount, even if more risky."

"Agreed. Let's go get 'em. Those bastards aren't that far behind and I got a bad feelin'."

"Roger that."

The helicopter moved sharply to turn and head northwest along the mountain front. Tony was alert and very quiet. Tim looked in askance at him.

"You OK Tony?"

"Yeah…" Tony drawled the word out.

"What is it? Time to share."

"Indeed Anthony. I would appreciate every bit of information I can get about Jethro's possible location and rescue."

Ducky was wide awake and listening. A quick glance showed Jimmy listening also with an intensely focused look on his face. Apparently his nausea was gone.

Ziva was crouched in the cockpit entry facing her team and alert.

"Well I feel like Gibbs is trapped. He's hurt and he's trapped. He's dealing with it. But it's not good. We gotta hurry. He needs Ducky and Jimmy and a whole lot more than that."

Ziva's face was expressionless. She was at this moment all Mossad and all deadly. Tony met her eyes directly and nodded. She gave him a short nod and checked her pistol. Ducky's face was equally devoid of feeling. He stared thoughtfully into space. Jimmy swallowed hard but then nodded at Tony.

"Should we all be armed?" Jimmy asked to no one in particular and swallowed hard. He gave himself a mental shake and allowed determination to fill him.

"I don't have a gun."

"I shall be carrying a weapon Mr. Palmer." Ducky said still calm.

"Dr. Mallard, you have a gun?" Jimmy was astonished.

"I was in active duty for Her Majesty for many years Mr. Palmer. I have kept my weapon qualifications up to date and Jethro has always gone to the range with me to make sure of it. I may be old but I have a few skills that have been carefully cultivated and adjusted to my life as a senior citizen. Rather like my taking my medication and vitamins, I consider my ability to defend myself essential."

"I never thought of you as being someone who would shoot someone."

"If they are shooting at me I would not hesitate Mr. Palmer. I certainly would defend my friends. I have already proved my loyalty to country."

"I don't know if I can… but I'm willing to try." Jimmy said slowly.

"You'll do what ya gotta do Palmer. Don't worry about it. You got folks all around you that know what to do." Mike said while scanning the ground below them.

"Coming up on a natural cavern and outlet according to ground penetrating radar in 5 minutes Sir." Riley said.

"Head to it." Mike said sharply.

"Right. You heard him Mr. Riley."

"Aye Sir"

Tony felt something inside himself suddenly sit up and take notice. He knew this was the right spot. Ziva moved forward to take the night vision binoculars from Franks.

"Z, what ya thinkin' ?" Tony asked truly curious about her opinion.

"Why a cave? Wouldn't that be risky? You could get trapped." Palmer asked.

"There was a time…if I had an injured team member that was a possible fatality I would leave them." She turned to look directly at Tony.

"Ziva! Truly? I don't believe it. You would never leave one of the team behind!" Ducky said.

"At one time I would have Ducky. Without thought. Any Mossad agent would do so and expect the same treatment. It has happened to me and the enemy restrained me and held me captive as you know."

"Ziva… we came as quick as we could for you." McGee said quickly.

Ziva turned toward Tim. A smile touched her lips though McGee couldn't see it.

"Let me finish Tim. I have a point. Although I might leave the fatally injured behind Gibbs would never do that. It is branded in his soul to never leave a team mate behind. Gibbs is improvising, running with at least one injured team member that requires carrying. Burden or not, that Marine is going to be fought for. To the last man, to the death."

"Yeah. The Marines stress it." Jim said. "I learned that one!"

Ducky spoke slowly and with finality. "I believe it is also in his nature Jimmy;in his soul so to speak. His morality would not allow him to give up while there was a chance at life for his fellow Marines."

"A cave would do nicely to provide many hiding places." Ziva pulled her right glove more tightly to her wrist.

"Ohhhh…" Jimmy said.

There was silence after that until Graylin-Pierce spoke.

"We have circled around the mountain and are going to approach from the east gentlemen and lady." Graylin -Pierce said calmly.

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Gibbs slowly rolled to his left side and managed to get to his elbow. The rain was once again coming down steadily. From somewhere a mist was creeping up off of the basin. He drew a breath like a hiss through his teeth. Focusing on the low burning campfire he stared until the black spots in his vision cleared. Closing his eyes he got ready to try to get to his knees.

"C'mon Gibbs. Get your lazy ass up outta that hole. We gotta get movin'! The enemy's almost here! If we don' get these asshole's off the gate our relief's gonna get killed, then we'll all be killed, then Ricky and I gotta tell your precious little Baby boy why you ain't comin' home. I don' fancy that buddy boy! I'm the good uncle. Ricky's the bad uncle."

Looking over Gibbs saw Mercer tossing dry wood onto the fire.

"Whas'up?" his voice slurred and he gestured toward to fire. He felt strong hands gripping his flak jacket shoulders from behind. A powerful body came up against his back to steady him as he gained his feet.

"Just makin' sure anybody lookin' thinks somebody is still on duty!" Mercer said.

Saldano's short powerful frame came up behind Gibbs and leaned into him.

"Move out Marine. You aren't ready to give up. I've known you a long time

mi amigo. ¡Tenemos que ir! ¡Ahora!"

"OK, I'm movin'." Gibbs staggered forward, gaining stability as he moved forward following Mercer's broad back. He could hear Saldano climbing behind him.

It took them some 15 minutes to move into position for the last of the 'guardians'. Mercer dropped to the cover of a boulder just below Gibbs. He settled his rifle against the boulder behind him and removed his K-bar from its sheath. Saldano settled above Gibbs point of attack. There appeared to be only two men below.

Somehow Gibbs knew that Mercer was taking the first enemy out, his job was number two. Ricky was lookout and backup. For a moment he couldn't remember talking to his friends about the plan, but then a lot of things seemed to be rolling on automatic for quite a while now…

Mercer glanced at him and dropped, Gibbs put his left hand down and vaulted over the boulder he moved so swiftly onto the sleeping figure that the man had just begun to fling his blanket back in response to Mercer's fight with the other enemy.

As Gibbs staggered up he saw Mercer's knife flash again and again into the still blanketed enemy's body. The dead man fell to the ground at Mercer's feet. He stared at Gibbs who panting gave him a thumb up. Mercer nodded.

"Heads up! Engines approaching!" Ricky shouted to them as he scrambled to the mouth of the cave. He literally hung upside down to peer into the cave mouth.

"Sounds like at least one troop carrier and some ground vehicles. Maybe 5...

Need the troops called up Gibbs, gotta get 'em ready."

Mercer approached Gibbs. "What's your plan B Gunny?"

"Don't think I have one Mercer. I don't expect to get outta here." Gibbs swayed on his feet.

"I disagree, whole heartedly Gunny. That's not on the agenda today. Ricky and I decided if we don't get to go home, you gotta." Mercer pointed up toward the sky. "Time for the Calvary."

A plume of blue white light left Mercer's finger tips. It shot into the sky like a rescue flare. Gibbs eyes widened and he nodded slowly and looked at Jim Mercer's face.

"Guess that proves you're not a ghost ya damn fool." he said.

"Never said I was Gunny. Try a little more personal. We'll talk after y'all finish up here right?" He was grinning like a boy turned loose in a toy store. Your boys are getting' ready and here comes the bad boys! Oorah! OORAH MARINES!"

Answering cries came from the distance and the guns started as the first of the headlights tried to enter the bowl.