Ok, yes I know I have been away for a month, but its been busy. I am working on finishing this story soon. This chapter is HUGE. I am actually getting excited again about writing, so hopefully the remaining chapters will come easier.
Thanks again to JET1967, my editor.
Read and review folks. I am open to ideas.
NCIS LA DISCLAIMER: I do not own NCIS LA or its Character and plotlines. Only my OC's
THANKS!
30KM Northeast of Khost, Afghanistan
He sat in front of a Panasonic Toughbook computer. The dust covered rugged laptop was atop a basic plywood desk in the front room of a nondescript mud hut. There was a satellite phone attached to the USB port of the computer allowing it access to the Internet.
He looked at his watch for a few moments and then turned on the sat phone. Once a linkup was made with an orbiting satellite that was in a geostationary orbit at 22,236 miles up in space, the computer began its programmed download of encrypted email.
The phone wasn't a typical bulky sat phone. It was actually an IPhone 5 with what was called a "SatSleeve", a device that turned any IPhone into a satellite phone. It was a gift from his US-based sponsor.
He let the device run for exactly two minutes and not a second more. That was for security reasons. If they knew he was in the area they could triangulate his location. He wasn't too worried; no one knew where he was. But he would move locations immediately anyway. He didn't last this long in this business by not being careful.
Once the second hand swept past the 12 on his watch, he shut down the satellite phone, and even pulled the battery out. Placing his finger on the touchpad he selected his email and double clicked. He was expecting, anxiously, an email from his employer.
After a few moments the email program told him that there were "No New Messages." He closed the laptop and pulled his hands close to his face, pushing them together. There was a contingency plan for this. They had discussed it at length through emails over the past few weeks. He turned his head to call over his shoulder in Pashto.
"Send Fahid in to see me," he said with authority.
His servant Abdul, there really wasn't a better term to describe him, responded quickly and with a bow said, "At once," and backed out of the room.
Next Day
Camp Chapman, FOB, Afghanistan
0600 Local
Kensi, Andy, Neal and Gareth were in the DFAC having breakfast together. They had been an "improvised" team for a few months now. Kensi was getting used to working with her Air Force counterparts; she didn't feel as alone as she did when she first deployed to Afghanistan. She was also getting used to being the leader.
Back in LA she was the junior member of her team; even her partner Deeks had more experience. But over here Granger had made her the boss. Luckily there was no resentment. Matt's team was very friendly and more than competent; they had her back and she had theirs.
She still missed her team back in L.A., though, and prayed that this deployment would end soon.
They had spent that morning over breakfast discussing how quiet it had been the last few weeks. It was frustrating that they hadn't had any decent leads. The ones they did get were nothing but dry holes.
Kensi was brought out of her deep thoughts about her current situation and back home by Gareth. The Sergeant cleared his throat. "Kensi, you've been with us what four … five..months now?"
"Actually it's five months today," she said with a huge smile, gathering her wits. "Time sure flew by." Her smile quickly faded when she realized she had been away from home that long.
"Well, Congrats! Happy five month anniversary." Andy sighed, "Two more months and we finish our deployment," she added in her deep Texan accent, sounding relieved. "I'm so ready to go home, ya'll. Fourteen months is a long time."
Andy, Neal, and Gareth were scheduled to go home. Their deployment had already been extended once; they would leave no matter what. Kensi didn't know if she would go home, too, or not. She was sent here for a purpose and probably couldn't go home until it was done. What would happen then?
Neal added, "Andy, isn't Chase deployed over here still? Isn't he scheduled to rotate home around that time?"
Chase Holtzman was Andy's husband. He was also a First Lieutenant in the Air Force and a Combat Controller. Basically, he was Air Force Special Ops. He was trained to be dropped behind enemy lines with a team of operators, be it Navy SEALS, Army Rangers/Delta, or a fellow Air Force Combat Controller.
Combat Controllers were used to set up improvised forward air bases, rescue a downed pilot, or, mostly what they were doing now, coordinate air power with US or Allied ground forces. They were respected; most of the US Special Forces teams trained together now. They were hardly sent out on their own but mostly integrated with other teams, one or two controllers. They brought a skillset (forward air controlling) that the Army and Navy teams just didn't have.
Chase was currently assigned to a US Navy SEAL Team Detachment working in Afghanistan. That's all Andy knew. "According to his last cryptic email, I think so. We both were told that this would be our last deployment for awhile. Chase is taking a CCT instructor's position at Hurlburt Field. " She smiled wide when she said that.
Kensi could tell she missed him. Hurlburt Field was east of Pensacola, Florida and the location of the Combat Controller school. Andy had told her in private that her and Chase were looking forward to starting a family.
Before they could get deeper into their conversation, Granger walked up and, with a thud, dropped a few files on the table. Each person grabbed a manilla folder labeled "NCIS: CLASSIFIED".
"Ok, people, saddle up. We got some new intel and we're heading out to check it out ASAP. We are hitchhiking with a Marine resupply mission. The MRAP's will leave the base in 20 mikes." Granger's voice was serious in tone with an edge of excitement. Kensi noticed the slightness in his voice. This intel must be good to get a "stick in the mud" like Granger this excited.
Granger turned to walk away but Gareth spoke up as he was flipping through one of the files, "Uh, sir, where did we get this intel and what's it's 'confidence'?" Confidence was an Air Force buzzword when it came to trusting intel reports.
Granger seemed off put by the challenge and made his displeasure known in his response. "Sergeant, if I didn't have 'confidence' in the intel we wouldn't be moving, so get your gear and let's move out."
The team didn't budge; each just put down their file with a thump in solidarity. They were tired of running on wild goose chases. Granger got the message.
"Fine, there was a walk in at an outpost north of here. It was a little girl whose grandfather sent her with the information. Agent Sabatino found her. According to her, the grandfather is fed up with the fighting and sent his granddaughter out because he thought she would have an easier time accessing our lines. She told us a high level meeting was taking place later today in her village. SigInt (Signal Intelligence) also picked up some chatter about it, which is giving it extra credibility."
Four sets of eyes were still focused on Granger, not completely satisfied with the answer, so he continued.
"She also told us that a special foreign fighter was due to attend the meeting. This village is the home to one of the White Ghost's closest known lieutenants." He pointed over to Neal. "Special Agent Benedict, you haven't been cleared for fieldwork, so you will stay here and offer technical support, intel and handle the Globalhawk feed. We were promised coverage once we were on site. Happy now?" Granger acted miffed.
The team of four then stood up, gathered their stuff, and started to walk out of the DFAC to prepare to run down the new lead. Kensi was the last to stand and waited a moment for her "team" to walk ahead. As she neared to pass Granger she leaned in and spoke softly. "See, was that so hard?" After she spoke she walked out the door.
50 Minutes Later
7 miles NW of the Maktab Bazaar
Afghanistan
The five of them were sitting in the back of a Cougar MRAP getting jostled about as it drove along the "road" that led toward the village in the Hindu Kush mountain range. Water, food, ammo crates, boxes and a US Mail bag were strapped down to the floor between them. Granger had been quiet the whole way out. Kensi was becoming annoyed.
"So, what's the plan?" Two other sets of eyes turn to look at Granger as well.
"The plan is we are going to get close enough to the village, hump that last few miles during the night and set up surveillance on the village." He pointed to Andy and Gareth. "That'll be you two. Get in close and do what you're trained to do."
He then looked back over at Kensi. "Agent Blye, you and I will set up a blind and handle overwatch. If the White Ghost shows, you will take him out." He emphasized by pointing at Kensi. "If we can't get 'em, then we call in the Air Force and blow the place to hell." He paused for a second. I'd rather not do that, collateral damage and all."
Andy was fidgeting in her seat. Granger noticed the movement. "Do we have a problem, Lieutenant?"
Andy worked up her nerve. "Yes, sir, I do. Major Lee never let us go out into a surveillance operation this quickly, let alone using only two of us. He always said that four of us was barely enough. I feel this is too rushed. Plus, if you do take out the Ghost, what guarantees Sgt. Tompkins can exfil the area? You'll be kicking up a hornets' nest, sir."
"Well, Lieutenant, the Major is not here and this is my call. And Agent Blye and I will be providing top cover, and you told me you guys were good. We don't know how long they will be in this area so we have to move fast; it's worth the risk. If you hadn't noticed Lieutenant that I have come along for this mission and not sitting back at base." Granger answered, perturbed with someone questioning his judgment. But all he got in response were cold stares.
Granger didn't want any argument so he just stared down his agents. Inside though, he knew he wasn't finished.
Ridgeline
10 Miles NW of Maktab Bazaar
Afghanistan
He stood there calmly holding a pair of Steiner 10x50 binoculars. In the viewfinder he saw three vehicles kicking up dust as they drove northwest. The vehicles were unmistakable at this distance. Cougars, and that meant only one thing-Americans. He smiled to himself. He looked up into the sky looking for helicopter support or other aircraft. He saw none.
His plan to bait his pursuers had worked. He would get the answers he and his American employer needed, but he had to make sure of one thing.
Turning his head over his shoulder he called in Pashto, "Wasim! Come here."
Wasim, an early 30's Taliban fighter and surprisingly loyal to this foreigner, came to his side with a slight bow. He said, "At your command."
He smiled at Wasim's prompt response and loyalty, but then his face turned serious. "Go amongst the men and remind them that we must take them alive. Any man who is dressed in uniform can be killed, but we must capture the ones who are not. Do you understand me, Wasim?"
"I will make sure the men obey your orders," Wasim assured him.
"Good, now confirm that with the men-any man who disobeys will be severely punished. DO NOT use the radios; we need to assume they are being monitored. Send runners. The attack will begin when the first rocket fires," he ordered Wasim.
Wasim bowed slightly again. "At once." He then turned, shouted an order and remounted his horse, riding down the line to position his fighters and carry out his leader's wishes.
The leader pulled his binoculars back up to his eyes and scanned the road again. He then turned and looked for a young fighter no older than 19. His name was Jawid. His parents were killed in a drone strike, collateral damage from an attack on a Taliban leader, and he pledged his neverending loyalty to him to seek his revenge. The leader took him under his wing, built up his anger and his hate, and taught him the ways of war. Jawid had become an expert with an RPG and was fearless.
"Jawid, come with me. You will have the honor of striking first at the Americans." The leader began to walk further down the ridgeline with Jawid in tow, taking him to the ideal spot, the place where he could use his weapon most effectively. Jawid had a smile on his face from ear to ear.
Pointing to a spot hidden by rocks on each side but with a clear backblast area, he told Jawid, "Position yourself here and wait for my command. Remember where I told you to aim." Jawid did as he was told and walked into the position. He placed his second RPG on the ground next to him so he could get off a second shot fast. He was trained to make two quick shots and then leave his position immediately to avoid returning fire. He positioned the slender pipe with a bulbous end onto his shoulder, raised up the sighting bar, and took aim at the lead Cougar.
"Let it come closer. We need to ensure a hit. If you miss they will have a chance to get away….. Nice and patient…." The Cougar was now less than 150 yards away. "A little bit more…...remember your training….slow your breathing….don't get excited…..let out your breath slowly…...slowly….. Fire!" A slight puff of smoke and backblast shook the previously quiet ridgeline.
NCIS OSP Ops Center
Los Angeles
California
Hetty sat down at her desk and passed on her usual cup of tea. This information couldn't wait; she had stalled long enough.
Hetty had waited as long as she could. She really didn't have much to work with before to worry the assistant director. Granger was very busy over in Afghanistan, and she didn't want to bother him with incomplete information. Hetty wanted to be able to give him something of substance, but after a few days of searching for more, nothing had come up. Buck Caldwell wasn't easily broken. She raised her phone and dialed a number committed to memory.
Middle Cougar
Heading NW from Maktab Bazaar
Granger, Kensi, Andy and Gareth were in a not-really heated but tense discussion on the mission ahead when the satellite phone in Granger's pocket buzzed. Granger took it out of his thigh pocket and looked at the screen. It had the US country code and an LA area code. That could only mean one person. At that time, Granger really did not want to deal with the petite yet intimidating woman on the other line. He took a deep breath and hit the call accept button on the phone. "What is it Hetty….."
Before he could say anything else the Marine riding shotgun in the front of the Cougar screamed, "RPG!" A second Marine, acting on instinct, turned his body and dove on top of the Agents in the back, knocking the phone from Granger's hand, causing it to tumble down onto the floor. As it bounced onto the floor, the battery compartment loosened and the phone went dead.
The streaking HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) grenade came down from the ridgeline towards the lead Cougar. It was moving at around 300 meters per second and could not be easily seen during its brief flight. By the time the team's eyes had looked up the less than 6 lb projectile had struck the reinforced glass of the lead Cougar and detonated in a muted flash and grey smoke, but the huge boom resonated down the valley. The 1.6lbs of HMX explosive in the shaped charged instantly melted a copper core into a state of superplasticity.
The shaped charged not only melted the copper core but forced this hot copper slug forward at such a velocity that it could cut through 3½ feet of concrete or 20 inches of steel armor like a hot knife through butter. Unfortunately for the Marines in the lead Cougar, the lexan-reinforced windshield of the Cougar was like a piece of paper to the HEAT round.
The explosion and pressure instantly killed the Marine driver and front passenger. The semi-molten copper slug then went through the back, ripping apart walls, metal, and flesh, before creating a flat, jagged hole out the back armored door of the Cougar. Then, the diesel tanks ignited, making a thick black smoke rise above the wreck, ammunition started to cook off. Of the 4 Marines in the back, 3 were instantly killed by the round. The fourth, knocked unconscious, was consumed by the flames.
Before anyone in the other two Cougars could gather their bearings from the first RPG strike, a second RPG round streaked across the valley striking the trail Cougar in its front window. It was an exact repeat of what happened to the first Cougar, but all five Marines inside died instantly.
The driver of the Cougar that carried Kensi, Granger, Andy and Gareth realized he was now boxed in. The road had narrowed and a drainage ditch on either side of the road negated the high ground clearance of the MRAP.
They were stuck, a perfectly executed ambush.
The young Marine in the passenger seat stayed calm but started to panic. He turned to the driver and screamed, "Get us the hell outta here!" The driver tried to comply but he knew it was fruitless. The driver tried for one last ditch effort and floored it, hoping to push the first Cougar off the road and clear enough of a path to get around it and down the road to safety.
He didn't make it that far.
Two other RPG teams fired at that instant, but instead of aiming for the front windshield of the MRAP, their orders were to aim for the engine compartment. The impact of the grenades on either side of the engine compartment destroyed the motor, blew off one of front wheels, killed the driver and started a fire.
A thick, choking smoke began to fill the compartment. The Marine who had thrown his body over the NCIS and OSI Agents, a Staff Sergeant who had 5 tours of duty under his belt, stayed calm and forcefully ordered, "Everyone out. We stay here we are dead. I'd rather die fighting than staying in this funeral pyre."
The Staff Sergeant yelled to the PFC at the back hatch, "Pop the hatch, Smith, move to the port side and use the vehicle as cover. Move fast. We'll be right behind you." He then looked at the NCIS and OSI Agents. "You guys good?"
He received an assortment of "Yeahs" and "I'm goods." Granger was clutching his arm and shoulder. The Staff Sergeant noticed the pain in Granger's eyes. Before he could ask, Sergeant Tompkins spoke up.
"I got him, Staff. I'm a former PJ (Pararescue). You worry about getting us outta here." Tompkins then started to assess Granger as he pulled him towards the door.
Marine Staff Sergeant Victor Maldives, 33 years old from Chicago, looked at Andy and Kensi, each clasping a Colt M4 carbine in their hands. "Alright, you two stick together and follow the PFC out, find some cover and lay some fire on the ridgeline. We will come out behind you as you cover us. MOVE!"
Kensi didn't wait another second. The smoke and flames were getting worse. Her training took over. She practically pushed the PFC out the rear hatch door as small arms fire peppered the door. Keeping their heads down the trio made it to an outcropping of rocks that gave them cover to fire over the burning MRAP. Andy and Kensi shouldered their M4's and began laying down suppressing fire.
While Kensi, Andy and the Marine PFC laid down fire, Staff Sergeant Maldives led the other two remaining Marines out of the MRAP. Gareth came out supporting Granger once the Marines formed a protective ring around them. They moved further up the ridgeline parallel to Kensi, Andy and PFC Smith.
As soon as they cleared the burning MRAP, four more RPG rounds then struck the passenger compartment. The explosions blew apart the vehicle and now the whole vehicle was alight in fire and twisted metal.
The six of them continued to lay down fire. Staff Sergeant Maldives made his way carefully over to the trio of Kensi, Andy and PFC Smith. "Alright, you three keep laying down fire, but conserve your ammo. My M249 gunner will setup a covering fire and we will leapfrog down this valley. There is a Special Forces OP about 9 clicks southeast of here." He pointed the direction. "If we get separated or if it really hits the fan, head that way. Our long range radio was knocked out in the attack and these valleys are playing havoc on our short range. You guys and girls up for this fight?"
Kensi replied for the three of them, "Oorah, Sergeant."
"Alright then." He threw down five M4 magazines at their feet. "Here is more ammo. Use it wisely." and then he was gone, working his way back to the other position.
Using hand signals, Staff Sergeant Maldives told PFC Smith to start his leap frog move back as the other group laid down fire. PFC Smith looked at the two female agents and yelled, "Let's go. Keep your heads down." Then he led them back 30 yards or so and stopped and turned back to lay fire down for the second group to do their leapfrog.
Kensi and Andy picked out their targets and methodically pulled the triggers. The larger group rose and started moving back towards and past the smaller one 30 or so yards. Then they stopped, turned and laid down fire. And the process began again.
During the last leapfrog, one of the Marines in Sgt Maldives group took a round to the arm. He was still mobile but couldn't aim his M-16 well with just one hand. Maldives made him take over supporting Granger and made Gareth pick up his weapon.
Kensi, Andy and PFC Smith were ready to leapfrog again when a shriek rippled through the air and it seemed the earth moved under their feet. The last thing Kensi saw before she hit the ground was a blonde haired figure push her to the ground, screaming "Incoming."
The Taliban fighters had fired a Soviet made 82mm mortar, which had detonated closeby.
Kensi felt a slight twinge in her upper hip from where she had landed on a rock. Andy was sprawled out over top of Kensi. Kensi looked at Andy and said, "You good?"
Andy coughed some dirt out of her mouth and slowly picked herself up. "Yeah." And then she sat back down on her rear, pulled her M4 up and popped off a few rounds.
Kensi then turned and sat up. Fighting a ringing in her ears she began to gather herself. She didn't feel any pain anywhere but began to pat herself down checking for a wound. When she patted her upper thigh she felt something warm and wet. She looked down at her hand and noticed it was covered in red.
Panic hit her hard, and she continued patting down her leg, looking to see where the blood was coming from, but she found no wound after a thorough search. She looked over at where Andy was firing. She yelled to get over the noise of the rounds and the ringing of her ears, "ANDY!"
Andy turned to look at Kensi, who was sitting there holding up her hand, covered in red. Andy's first thought was "Kensi's hit." Andy made a move to go check on her teammate when she suddenly felt weak and lightheaded. She fell back against the rocks in a heap. Wow, she felt tired all of a sudden. Then Andy felt something wet on her stomach and looked down.
The front of her multicam shirt under her body armor was covered in blood. Andy looked down, perplexed at the sight. She didn't feel any pain. Andy didn't know adrenaline was masking her pain, but she would find out soon enough.
Kensi observed everything that her partner did and realized what had happened. She wasn't hit, Andy was. That was reinforced when Andy looked straight into her eyes and all she saw was fear. Andy only said, "Kensi."
Kensi slapped PFC Smith on the back to get his attention. PFC Smith stopped firing and turned and saw. He reached into his web belt, removed his small med kit and threw it at Kensi. "HANDLE IT" was all he said, as he continued to fire his weapon. Kensi crawled over to her partner.
She began to reassure and assess her Air Force teammate. "It's ok, Andy. Let me check it out. It's nothing; let me look at it." Kensi laid Andy down and pulled up her body armor and shirt. Using Andy's shirt she wiped away some of the blood to get a better look at the wound. There was a huge gash where a piece of shrapnel from the mortar had torn through her side.
Kensi looked back into Andy's eyes. Andy was beginning to become scared and turning ghostly white. Kensi couldn't show fear or concern because that would cause Andy to become even more concerned. Kensi had to keep an upbeat attitude and try to stop the bleeding. Kensi took a pressure bandage and pushed down onto the wound. She called out PFC Smith's name.
PFC Smith came over and Kensi got right into his ear, "She's hit bad; we need an evac FAST." Smith took a quick look down and pulled his radio from his shoulder. He spoke to Staff Sergeant Maldives and, when he got a response, he looked at Kensi and just shook his head. Maldives was not able to reach anyone on his radio.
Kensi cursed under her breath and went back to treating Andy. "I got you, Andy. Stay with me. We will get you out of here soon, I promise. Just hold on." Andy just stared into Kensi's eyes and nodded slightly. Kensi continued to apply pressure to the wound.
The incoming fire increased around them but Kensi was focused on Andy. Bullets ricocheted off the rocks around them. The blood flow coming out of Andy's wound seemed to slow down to a trickle, but Andy seemed very shocky. She was in and out of consciousness. Where was Staff Sgt. Maldives and the rest of the team? Andy needed Gareth's expert medical skills. Why hadn't they come for her?
Kensi looked towards where Sgt. Maldives and his groups should have been. She didn't see any movement. It was then she realized that all the small arms fire around her came from AK-47's. She didn't hear the distinctive small bark of a M4 or M249. She didn't even hear it in her own position. That's when she turned to look for PFC Smith.
When she did, she was horrified at what she saw. PFC Smith was dead. He had taken a round to the face. Kensi had never seen the damage a round to the face could cause and it shook her. She seemed lost. The world seemed to slow down around her.
Her protection was dead. Her partner was seriously wounded. She was separated from the rest of her group. Hostile Taliban fighters were all around her. Could this be the end? She sat there still for a moment, pondering that thought. The noise seemed to stop around her.
No, she thought, this can't be the end. I will not go out this way! I am the daughter of a Marine! 'I will get Andy out of here or I will go down fighting,' she told herself. She shook the cobwebs out of her head and reached for her M4.
But before she could raise her weapon a shadow loomed over top of her and then a sharp pain hit her temple and everything went black….
BREAK
Standing around her position, three Taliban fighters had their AK's pointed downward. One had just clubbed the remaining American woman in the side of the head and knocked her unconscious.
The leader approached. One of the fighters bowed and spoke to him.
"The male soldier is dead; the blonde female is seriously wounded; and the other female is ok. We found these on the women." The fighter handed over Kensi's NCIS and Andy's OSI badges. "The other group managed to get away, but we killed two more of their Marines."
"Hmmm, Special Agent Kensi Blye of the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service and First Lieutenant Andrea Holtzman, US Air Force Office of Special Investigations. So they are the ones who have been after us. Gather them up. Do what you can for the blonde woman. We need to know what both of them know," he ordered calmly. Two men grabbed Andy and carried her while the third threw an unconscious Kensi over his shoulder. They headed off towards the mountains.
Manhattan Beach
California 2100hrs PST
Matt's POV
It was late, but I needed to go for a run. I was stressed out. Sam, Callen and I had worked over Buck Caldwell for 12 straight hours, and he didn't budge one inch. He just kept his mouth shut and said only one word, "Lawyer."
The three of us decided to call it a night and put Caldwell into lockup for the night with another team from NCIS. We each went our separate ways. Callen talked about getting a beer but we were all exhausted and decided to just get some sleep.
When I got home, I had every intention of doing just that, but my mind was running 100 miles a minute, so I changed, putting on my running shoes, and hit the Strand. My phone was in my pocket and my bluetooth headphones in my ear. I tuned out every noise or person and just concentrated on the concrete in front of me.
In my ear my running tracker just announced I had completed 5 miles. I decided to do 3 more miles and I pushed on. The moonlight reflecting off the ocean was comforting. I must have zoned out for a second because I hardly noticed my music had stopped and a ringing was in my ears. Someone was calling me.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and looked at the number. It was from the 757 area code. Who was calling me from Virginia?
Then I noticed the prefix; it was from Langley Air Force Base, and instantly I recognized the number. The General... Executive Officer of the US Air Forces Air Combat Command, Lt. General Henry "Hellbent Hank" Carlisle's office and Andy's father.
Oh, crap...and it's midnight on the East Coast...What did I do now?
I stopped and gathered my breath...I hit answer... "Major Matthew Lee." 30 seconds later my face turned white….
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