Chapter 38
A Tangled Webb: Part I
0915 hours, 23 April 2003, Closed-Session of Senate Select Committee of Intelligence, United States Capitol Building, Washington D.C.
"Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Dominick DiNozzo, United States Army. Executive Officer, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, Fort Bragg Command" Tony spoke into the microphone after taking his oath. As it turned out, it was the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that had wanted his testimony, not the President or Secretary of State. Tony straightened his tie and he leaned back in his seat. It had been a long time since he had put of his dress greens.
"Mr. DiNozzo, I would like to thank you for making the journey, here today" spoke the Committee Chairman, Senator Patrick Roberts, Republican of Kansas. "I would also like to state that room is black, and has been swept for both recording and surveillance devices"
"I understand, Mr. Chairman" Tony replied.
"And your counsel, could he please state his name for the record"
"Major Joseph Robinette Biden III, United States Army JAG Corps" spoke up Beau, who was filling for Meg as Tony's attorney. With Meg in the White House and no longer practicing law, Tony had needed a new attorney. Not wanting to take Tea, his father's Consigliore, he had opted for a JAG Attorney in the form of Beau Biden. The fact that he was the eldest son of a US Senator didn't hurt either.
"Lieutenant Colonel, I remind you that while this is not a criminal investigation, you are under oath, and any false statements you make will carry the same penalty as perjury in a court of law"
"I understand, Sir" Tony nodded.
"Mr. Chairman, if I could interject. While my client will not fight the subpoena to testify before this committee, I feel I must protest its timing. We are in the middle of a war in which Lieutenant Colonel DiNozzo's Unit is the spearhead"
"If I could interject" spoke Senator Carl Levin, Democrat of Michigan and the Ranking Member of the Committee. "We understand the inconvenience, but since you are here, we will do our best to conclude your testimony as soon as possible"
"I would like my protest noted in the record" Beau kept at it.
"So noted" Chairman Roberts nodded. "Then with that, I yield to the Gentlemen from South Carolina, Senator Graham" he nodded.
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman" Senator Graham nodded. "Colonel DiNozzo" the Senator began his questioning. "According to previous testimony from both Secretary of Defense Jack Reed, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: General of the Army Wesley Clark, there have been reports of French involvement in Iraq and Kuwait. Can you confirm this?"
"In what aspect, Senator?" Tony asked. "Are you simply asking me if the equipment that France has been selling to Iraq for over a decade is being used in battle, then the answer is absolutely, but you obviously already knew that. But if you're asking me if there are French troops on the ground, then the answer is yes. The French have deployed Engineers, Pilots and their GIGN Special Forces. Not 48 hours ago, my Unit encounter and engaged GIGN Forces outside of Basra"
"This is insane" spoke out Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), who was an outspoken critic of the war. "The French would never send troops, they are our allies. And like me, they are opposed to Mr. Obama's War"
"Senator, you have no idea how gravely mistaken you are" Tony shot back. "You may call this "Mr. Obama's War", but have no doubt that no matter what you call it, we're the ones who have to fight it. We're the ones who need the guns, bullets, bombs, tanks, planes to do the job right. And have neither the time nor the inclination, to sit here and listen to someone who has never heard what we call "shots fired in anger", let alone actually served in the uniform of their country" he said as he should up and reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a small wallet. He then flung it up at Senator Graham. "I took that off a dead GIGN officer" he said. "Of course, ya know, the ones that weren't there" he said as he slipped on his officer's cap, did an about face, and made his exit, Major Biden hot on his heels.
Tony was all the way out on the Capitol steps by the time Beau caught up with him. "Tony, hey Tony, wait up!" Beau called as he ran after his client.
"Yeah what?" Tony asked as he stopped to lite up a stogie.
"Colonel, as your attorney of record…"
"Stow it, Major!" Tony spoke sternly, his cigar between his teeth. "My flight for Bragg is wheels up from Andrews in 2 hours. Before that time I intent to see my son before flying out. As for you, I suggest you find a way to quash all further subpoenas before this or any other committee. Do I make myself clear, Major?"
"Yes Sir" Beau nodded. "Have a nice flight, Sir" he nodded.
1000 hours, 23 April 2003, Oval Office, West Wing, White House, Washington D.C.
"So, if I understand what you're telling me, you narrowed down the list to 2 guys without even consulting me?" the President asked as he took a seat in the arm chair that was in between the fireplace mantel and couch.
"Of course we did. Why would you possibly believe you had a choice in the matter?" Meg smiled from her seat on the couch across from him. Jared, Meg's Deputy, was seated next to here, with Sonny and Rick seated on the couch across from them.
"There's no doubt that Bayh is the best choice, but Edwards to the better choice politically" the President said as folded his hands into a triangle under the bridge of his nose. "I hate this" he said. "Both of them are Class 3s, what are their plans for '04?" he asked.
"Bayh has filed for re-election, Edwards isn't running" Meg said.
"Rumor has it he's banking on you not running next year" Rick said.
"So either way, Edwards is out come January '05?"
"Yes Sir" Rick nodded. "It should also be noted, that Bayh's re-election could be a tough one, especially in a place like Indiana"
"There's also the issue of regional balance. We're already risking a 3rd party split by pairing a conservative Democratic with an Independent moderate Democrat. If we put Bayh behind you, I'll hurt us out west, in the Northeast and down South" Sonny spoke up.
"So, in that case, Edwards would be a better solution in those terms" the President nodded.
"Precisely" Sonny nodded.
Meanwhile, in the outer Oval Office, Rex was working at his desk when his father walked in. "Hey" Rex smiled as he stood up and shook his father's hand.
"How's it going?" Tony asked.
"It's going alright. The 18 hour days are starting to catch up to me, but I'll manage"
"Hey, just remember it could always be worse" Tony smiled. "The Boss in?"
"Yeah, he's in there with Grandpa Sonny, Uncle Rick and Aunt Meg" he replied.
"Cool" Tony said as he made his way inside. The President and his people were just finishing up their meeting.
"A solid choice, Mr. President" Rick smiled as he and his potential future boss shook hands.
"So, you've finally decided to sell Ricky to the Rex Sox?" Tony grinned as he slipped his little brother into a headlock. Rick quickly threw an elbow into his brother's gut. Meg laughed as Sonny was quick to break up the brewing fight between his 2 oldest children.
"Enough, enough" he growled through his teeth as he pulled them apart. "I swear to God. 1st you 2 made me gray, next you're gonna make me lose my hair" he said.
"Sorry Dad" Rick said.
"My bad, Pops" Tony added.
"Rick, I believe you have some phone calls to make"
"Right" Rick said as he slapped his brother on the back. "Later bro"
"Jared, get to work with Steph and Will" Meg ordered. Once Jared was out of the room, Tony was able to speak more freely.
"I wanted to thank the 2 of you for quashing my subpoena… oh wait" Tony complained as he shut the door.
"Yeah, that was my fault" Meg said. "Word didn't reach me about it until I walked into my office this morning"
"Well, thanks to you, there might be one or more really ticked off Senators"
"We'll handle it. It's not like they can take us on in the press about it; not unless they want to go to prison for leaking classified information" Meg said. "What did they want to know?" she asked.
"French involvement in Iraq" Tony said.
"What did you tell them?"
"The truth. The French have deployed their GIGN Special Forces"
"So the rumors were true"
"No doubt, Mr. President"
"The only question is why? Why risk exposure like that?"
"I'm afraid a question like that is well above my pay grade, Sir" he said.
"When do you return to Iraq?"
"I'm flying out tonight. I'm leaving for Bragg in an hour and it's onto Kuwait City after that"
"Well, good luck, Colonel" the President said as they shook hands.
"Thank you, Sir"
"Stay safe, son" his father told him.
"Yes Sir" he nodded.
1230 hours, 23 April 2003, Tactical Operations Center, Unit Compound, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Tony strode into the TOC a little after noon chow. He was surprised only to find Izzy there, working at her desk. "Izabella, mia bella principessa" he sang in Italian as he leaned in to give her a kiss on the forehead. Izabella, my beautiful princess. "Per te" he smiled as he handed her a bouquet of lilies. For you.
"Grazie, Colonnello. Sei troppo gentile" she replied. Thank you Colonel, you are too kind.
"Where is everybody?" he asked as he parked it on the edge of her desk.
"Bravo was deployed to Kuwait last night, and with Bridget in Paraguay with Agent Webb, hunting down the Stinger missiles you and Mrs. Quartermaine learned about. That leaves just me and Colonel" she said.
"Bridget is in Paraguay? Since when?" Tony asked, shocked.
"She left on the 17th" Izzy replied. "She didn't tell you?"
"No, she didn't" Tony replied, still stunned at the news.
"Well, either way, Colonel Colleton wants to see you post ricki-tick" she said.
"We really need to stop saying that" Tony said as he stood up and walked over to Tom's office. "Izzy said you wanted to see me, Colonel" Tony asked as he stepped inside.
"Shut the door" Tom ordered as he stood up. Tony did as instructed. "I just got off the phone with Deputy Director Delgado. A few days ago, I ordered Captain Sullivan TAD to the CIA for a mission…"
"In Paraguay" Tony cut him off. "Izzy just told me"
"Well, according to the Station Chief in Ciudad del Este, both Bridget and Webb are unaccounted for somewhere in the Chaco Boreal" he said.
"Are they alive?"
"Unknown"
"If Webb got Bridget killed…"
"Then he's already dead and Sadik Fahd saved you a bullet"
"Sadik Fahd!?" Tony yelled. "You let Webb and Bridget go after a man like Sadik Fahd, alone?"
"It was a CIA Op, not ours"
"Bridget is one of ours"
"If she's dead, there will be some claim of responsibility. If she's alive, there'll be some kind of demand; prisoner exchange, interview with Anderson Cooper, something like that" Tom stated.
"Colonel"
"No" Tom replied emphatically.
"I haven't even asked yet"
"Then don't"
"I can't just sit here"
"You're not. You're six is gonna be on the next flight to Kuwait International"
"Send me TAD to Paraguay"
"No"
"I can do Unit business in Paraguay"
"Like what?"
"Well, I would venture to guess that killing terrorists is a priority, but I'm sure there some Paraguayan Army unit…"
"No"
"I can find her. Even you have to admit I'm the best at what I do. Chester can hand things in Iraq without me, all of them can. That's why I picked them"
"You're orders are to return to Iraq and your men"
"Then I request emergency leave" he said.
"Denied. You're going back to the sandbox" Tom said. "Dismissed!"
"Sir" Tony snapped to attention, for what he knew would be the last time. He stepped out of the Colonel's office and slammed the door behind him. He walked over to Izzy's desk, where Izzy was pretending that she hadn't heard the screaming match that had ended only moments earlier. "Izzy, can you do me a personal favor?" he asked.
"Name it" she replied.
"Get me on the next flight out of Dulles to Montevideo in Uruguay. I can a train from there to Ciudad del Este"
"I can get you a flight straight to Ciudad del Este" she said.
"Fine, book it under my name" he said.
"No problem"
"Also, I need to you to take a letter" he said.
"Ok" she said as she pulled out a pen and paper. "Go ahead"
To whom it may concern,
I, Anthony Dominick DiNozzo Jr., hereby resign my commission from this, the United States Army, effective immediately
Tony then signed his name.
It was official.
"See that makes its way to Colonel Colleton's desk" Tony said, before making his way out.
1425 hours local time, 23 April 2003, Sadik Fahd's Compound, Chaco Boreal, Paraguay.
The echoes of Clay's screams filled the afternoon air, as Bridget waited nervously. While the explosion hadn't killed them, it had disoriented them long enough for Sadik's men to swarm in and capture them. While Clay had been brutally tortured for the past few hours, Bridget had been kept waiting in a small shed no too far off. Just close enough so that she could hear her "husband's" screams. Her face was cut up and bruised, with a large scrape adorning her right cheek. She was waiting anxiously when the door opened and Sadik walked in. "Is my husband alive?" she asked.
"He is oh no use to me dead" Sadik replied. "We were forced to hurt him badly; it is amazing the amount of pain stored in a car battery. I even offered to put you in his place, but he would not here of it. He must love you very much"
"Yes, he must" Bridget replied. When Sadik turned to leave, Bridget rushed over. "Please, don't hurt my husband anymore. I beg of you, spare him" she pleaded as she dropped to her knees.
"Please, do not kneel before me" Sadik told her. "There will be no more pain today"
"Thank God"
"Yes, praise be to Allah, the compassionate, he has given you both another day" Sadik told her. "Perhaps you can spare him a repeat of today"
"I'll do anything"
"Then answer me this question: who is he?"
"My husband"
"Well" Sadik began as he pulled Bridget's diamond necklace from his pocket. "Your husband treats you very well"
"Yes"
"You have just contributed to the war effort. I will sell these stones to buy arms. Now who is this man you were trying to rescue?"
"He must owe you a great sum of money for you to kill a dozen of my men to get him back. Unfortunately for you, he is dead" Sadik grinned. He then pulled something else from his pocket. They were Bridget's driver's license and passport, both of which identified her as "Bridget Williams". "I wanted to ask you, you are wearing the same clothes in both of these photographs. Now what are the chances of that happening?"
"Both of those photographs were taken right after my wedding"
"If you had answered my questions truthfully, you would have spared your husband more pain, but perhaps you do not love him as he loves you" Sadik said as he turned to leave once again. "If she tries to escape, kill her" he ordered his men as he shut the door.
0900 hours local time, 24 April 2003, Gonzalez Import Export, Ciudad del Este, Paraguay.
Dressed in his civvies and his Beretta Inox tucked in the back of his waistband, Tony stepped inside the brick building. Finding the place was easy, as the "Import Export" cover wasn't much of one. He stepped up to the front desk and showed his passport. "Tony DiNozzo, here to see Edward Hardy" he said.
"This way" she said as she showed him into the back office.
"Mr. DiNozzo, what can I do for you?"
"Just point me in the direction of Sadik Fahd's compound, I'll handle the rest" he said.
"I don't know what you're talking about"
"A United States Army Captain and one of your own agents are probably being held there, and you're not gonna help me?"
"You must be mistaken. Armed, uniformed personnel cannot operate without host country knowledge. Doing so would be an act of war"
"You're seriously gonna play that card with me?"
"I'm afraid there is nothing I can do to help you, Mr. DiNozzo" Hardy said as he stood up. "If there's nothing else"
"Just this" Tony said as he drew his Inox and fired off a round into Hardy's kneecap, sending him crashing to the floor.
"You Son of a Bitch!" Hardy screamed.
"You better hope I find them" Tony said as he squatted down next to him. "Because if I don't, I'm gonna come back and finish what I started" he said as he pressed the barrel into his crotch. "You feel me?" he said as he stood up. He uncocked the Inox and tucked it back in his waistband.
From the second he stepped back out on the street, Tony had the feeling he was being follow. After circling around the block a couple of times, he was all but certain he had grown a tail. He quickly peeled off into an alley and drew his weapon once again. When his tail walked past, Tony quickly grabbed him, slammed him against the wall and shoved the barrel of the Inox in his face. "Is that anyway to greet an old friend" the man smiled as he held up his hands.
"Gunny?" Tony said as he lowered his weapon. "What the hell are you doing down here?" he asked.
"Waiting for somebody to show up. I never figured it would be you, Colonel" Carlos replied.
"You look like hell"
"Long story, Sir" Carlos said.
"You can drop the Sir, I resigned my commission" Tony informed him.
"Sir?"
"I'll tell ya later, for now let's hear your story"
"I was plucked out of the sandbox by the Company a few weeks ago and assigned TAD to Mr. Webb"
"Captain Sullivan was supposed to be with him"
"She was"
"What do you mean was?"
"Last time I saw them, it didn't look too good.
"Where are they?" he asked.
"The Chaco Boreal, Sadik has a compound there" he said.
0930 hours local time, 24 April 2003, Sadik Fahd's compound, Chaco Boreal, Paraguay.
Because both of them refused to talk, Clay had once again been tortured through the night. But once again he refused to talk. He was beaten, bloodied and battered, but he had remained defiant. Even as Sadik's men dragged him into the shed, and tossed him on the floor, he wouldn't give them the satisfaction. Bridget quickly rushed over to him, dropping down and lifting his head onto her thighs. "What did they do to you?" she asked as she took his hand, which was badly burned.
"Nothing I can't take more of" he replied weakly.
"What can I do?"
"What you're doing now is just fine" he said, his voice getting weaker. "I'll do whatever I can to keep them away from you" he promised her as he lost consciousness.
1100 hours local time, 24 April 2003, Ciudad del Este, Paraguay.
After Carlos had explained the situation, Tony had more than a few questions. "Why the hell didn't you call for backup? Webb is smarter than that"
"He thinks there's a mole in the company down here" he said. "They've lost 7 agents in the past 3 months"
"Jesus, so we could be walking into a fucking ambush"
"Yes, Sir" Carlos replied out of habit.
"Fuck" Tony said. "Do we have transportation?"
"I have a jeep"
"Good, gather whatever supplies you need, we leave as soon as possible" he said.
1400 hours, 24 April 2003, Oval Office, West Wing, White House, Washington D.C.
It was official. At least, as official as it would be until the President made his announcement anyway. The decision would be made the following day. The President had met with the man whose name he would put forward to congress as the 48th Vice President of the United States. The President was sitting as his desk, enjoying the silence, when his Chief of Staff walked in. "What's up?" the President asked.
"Al Sharpton is suing the NYPD for what I believe is the 245th time, this time over a suspect, and I quote "beating himself to death"" she said.
"Come again?" the President asked.
"I didn't believe it either, so I had Rex out a call into his sister. Apparently the suspect in question, a 19-year African American male, Lydell Little, was doped out of his mind on Crystal Meth. Will in a holding cell, he grabbed the bars and began slamming his head against the metal, breaking his neck in the process" Meg explained.
"As pathetic as that story is, why is this relevant?" the President asked.
"Because, like it or not Mr. President, you are ½ African American" she said. "And both sides are going to come after you on this one"
"We could just simplify matters" the President said. "When I ran for Senate, Sharpton called me a "traitor to my race". If he fucking thinks I'm gonna lift a finger to help him, he has another thing coming. Have Stephanie draw up a statement in support of the NYPD. IF that doesn't work, I'll fly to New York myself" he said.
"I'll have her get to work on it" she said.
"Good. Is Sonny still here?" he asked.
"Yes Sir, I believe so" Meg said.
"Rex!" the President yelled.
"Yes, Mr. President?" Rex said when he appeared in the doorway 2 seconds later.
"Find your Grandfather, and tell him to get his 6 in here" the President ordered.
"Yes Sir" Rex nodded.
A few minutes later, Sonny, dressed in one of his English suits, strode into the Oval Office. "You requested my presence, Mr. President?" he asked.
"Take a seat". Sonny took a seat in the chair next to the President's desk.
"Sonny, I'm gonna need you to stick around for a while" the President told him.
"Mr. President, with all due respect, Meg is one hell of a Chief of Staff, a lot better than I ever was" she said.
"I had a different role in mind" the President said. "Senior Advisor to the President" he said.
"Mr. President, I am the alleged Mob Boss of the Largest Organized Crime Family on the Eastern Seaboard"
"You also spend nearly a year as my predecessor's Chief of Staff" the President told him. "We're at war, Sonny. I need my best people around me to help steer the ship" he said.
"Do I have a choice in the matter?"
"Nope" the President smiled.
"In that case, I volunteer" Sonny replied.
"Excellent!" the President exclaimed as the 2 men shook hands.
1730 hours local time, 24 April 2003, Sadik Fahd's compound, Chaco Boreal, Paraguay
By the time Clay regained consciousness, it was late in the afternoon. "You ok?" Bridget asked as Clay struggled to sit up.
"They think we're Israelis" Clay said as he clutched his side.
"Why?"
"Because they hate Israel. Israel is their enemy. And they're so fuckin paranoid, they see their enemy everywhere" he said. "I think they're planning something, something big; a strike against the US" he said. "Sadik needs to know if his Op has been compromised" he added. "I'm so sorry for dragging you into this" he said.
"Stop apologizing, I chose to be here"
"Bridget, I don't know how much your credentials really factored in in me choosing you for this. I fear that a lot of it was more of me just wanting you with me"
"I don't know what to say" Bridget replied, trying to hold back a smile.
"I just wish I could die for both of us" he told her.
"I don't need you to die for me, Clay" she told him as she pulled her into a hug. Only seconds later, Sadik's men came in and dragged them outside, where they were moved to a stone cellar below the compound's largest barn.
0900 hours, 25 April 2003, Rose Garden, White House, Washington D.C.
As Stephanie made her opening remarks to the press pool, President stood with his Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor, discussing the latest news from Iraq. "We're pushing into Basra, but it looks like the Iraqis have rushed in reinforcements to hold the line" Meg said.
"Republican Guard?" Sonny asked.
"No, it looks like the Fedayeen, Saddam's militia" Meg said.
"Well, we'll deal with it after. The Fedayeen may have the numbers, but we've got the firepower" the President said as Stephanie finished her introduction. "I believe that's my que" the President said as he straightened his tie.
"Ladies & Gentlemen, the President of the United States" Stephanie said. Only the sound of the cameras could be heard as the President approached the podium. "Good Morning" the President began. Behind him, stood every member of his cabinet, his senior staff, Congressional Leadership and
- Secretary of State David Palmer (D-MD)
- Secretary of the Treasury Linda McMahon (R-CT)
- Secretary of Defense Jack Reed (D-RI)
- Attorney General Alan Fisk Sr. (D-MS)
- Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton (R-CO)
- Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns (R-NE)
- Secretary of Commerce Luci Baines Johnson (D-TX)
- Secretary of Labor Rush D. Holt Jr. (D-NJ)
- Secretary of HHS Tommy Thompson (R-WI)
- Secretary of HUD Alphonso Jackson
- Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters
- Secretary of Energy Don Young (R-AK)
- Secretary of Education Jeb Bush (R-FL)
- Secretary of Veteran's Affairs Anthony Principi
- Secretary of Homeland Security Karen Hayes (R-CA)
- White House Chief of Staff Megan Martin (D-TX)
- Senior Advisor to the President Michael "Sonny" Corinthos Jr. (I-NY)
- White House Communications Director Will McAvoy (R-NY)
- Deputy White House Chief of Staff for Strategic Planning Jared Franklin (D-CA)
- Deputy White House Communications Director Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords (D-AZ)
- White House Press Secretary Stephanie McMahon (D-MA)
- Special Assistant to Deputy White House Chief of Staff for Strategic Planning Ellen Swatello (D-WI)
- Personal Aide to the President Rexton John "Rex" Bartlett (R-VA)
- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General of the Army Wesley Kane "Wes" Clark
- United States Ambassador to the United Nations Blair Manning (D-PA)
- United States Ambassador to the Compact of Democratic States Elizabeth Leslie "Liz" Quartermaine
- Governor of the Provisional Occupation Government of Liberia Rudy Giuliani (R-NY)
- Senate Minority Leader Wendell Tripplehorn (D-SD)
- Senate Minority Whip Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
- House Minority Leader George Miller (D-CA)
- House Minority Whip Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN)
"Thank you" the President repeated.
"It was just over a year ago, that I stood here under similar circumstances when I was appointed to the vacant Vice Presidency by my predecessor. And it was a short 5 months ago that I ascended to this office of President of the United States. I 1st entered public office in January of 1999. America, and the world, were, for the most part, at peace. That all changed on the morning of September 11th, 2001. It was on that day that America showed that our enemies might be able to knock us down, but they will never knock us out.
It was also revealed that day that we faced an entirely new type of enemy. One who doesn't carry a flag, or wear a uniform. One that would you terror and mass atrocity as political weapons. The dead remember our indifference; the dead remember our silence. I came here tonight to be congratulated. But last month, when I visited the Red Cross camps, overwhelmed by the flood of refugees fleeing the horror of Saddam's Baathist Regime, I realize I don't deserve to be congratulated. None of us do. The truth is we acted too late. Only when our own national security was threatened did we act. Saddam's regime murdered over 300,000 Kurdish men, women and children and we watched it on TV. We let it happen. People were being slaughtered for years and we issued economic sanctions and hid behind the rhetoric of diplomacy. How dare we? The dead remembered: real peace is not just the absence of conflict, it's the presence of justice. Well today, I come to you with a pledge to change America's policy. Never again will I allow our political self-interest to deter us from doing what we know to be morally right. Atrocity and terror are not political weapons, and to those who would use them, your day is over. We will never negotiate. We will no longer tolerate and we will no longer be afraid. It's their turn to be afraid.
The time for negotiations and diplomacy has all but passed. The only way this ends is with the unconditional surrender of Saddam Hussein and his Baath Party Government. Like the Nazis at Nuremberg, Saddam will stand for the crimes he has committed in both war and against humanity. That is the end game. That is the one and only outcome we are willing to accept. They is no limit to the extent we will go to bring these butchers to justice. As my predecessor did in Liberia with "McCainism", I will do in Iraq and Afghanistan. This new war calls for a new doctrine. One that will tell the world that we not only mean business, but there is no army, no border, no political force on this earth that will stand in our way. The French think they insult us by calling us the "World's Police". We'll I have news for them, while they may throw it down as a gauntlet of insult, we will pick it up and wear it as a badge of honor.
If these past few years have taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected, and that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. The country needs to stay the course, in both Iraq and the Global War on Terror. That is why this country needs a Vice President who will stay course, pick up the banner and fight on.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this man is a lawyer, the son of mill worker in rural North Carolina. A devoted husband and loving father of 4. His legislative record over the past 5 years is second to none. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure and privilege to introduce to you, the man whose name I will be submitting to Congress as the 48th Vice President of the United States: Senator John Edwards of the great state of North Carolina!"
1025 hours local time, Sadik Fahd's compound, Chaco Boreal, Paraguay
Clay was struggling to stay conscious when Sadik came in. "Things have changed. I will leave it up to you. I will take one of you or the other, you choose. Before you decide, know that 1 of you will be placed in the room with one of my men, he will put you through hell. And no one will be there to call him off"
"I thought you believed in a compassionate God?" Bridget spoke up.
"Oh he is, but I have no interest in debating you"
"Because I'm a women?"
"A women, an infidel, and perhaps even a Jew. Bridget, are you a Jew? A falsifier of words, an occupier of the holy place, and a denier of prophecies, one of the so-called Chosen people?" he asked in a hateful rhetoric.
"Peace be upon you, your lord hath laid down a law of mercy, so that if one of you commit a fault through ignorance and afterward turn and amend, he will surely be gracious and merciful" Bridget recited.
"You know the Quran. As do I" Sadik replied. "And this I say: our path is soaked in blood, and so we write in blood, a language you can understand" he told them. "You have an hour to decide, woman. Your blood or his" he told them as he stormed out.
The hour passed slowly. "Did I tell you I was sorry about all this?" he said for the 10th time. "If we ever get out of this…"
"When. When we get out of this, not if" Bridget corrected him.
"Aren't you the cockeyed optimist"
"I can't accept dying here, Clay. I won't" she said as she took his hand. "And I won't leave you behind" she promised him as the door opened and Sadik and 2 of his men stepped in. When Bridget stood up, Clay tried to grab her.
"Bridget, no!" he yelled as she walked forward. He tried to stand, but collapsed to the ground.
"It is her choice and she has made it" Sadik told him.
"The Quran teaches you to protect women because they cannot protect themselves!" Clay yelled as he struggled to get off the floor. "You can't do this!" he yelled. "Bridget!" he yelled as the door closed.
"What can I say that to make you stop all this?" Bridget asked.
"Nothing, I am not interested in you. But I will sit with your husband. And when your cries for help go unanswered and your shrieks become unbearable, he will tell me what I need to know"
"This goes against everything your religion has taught you"
"DO NOT TELL ME ABOUT MY RELIGION!" Sadik screamed. "There is a Fatwa that says I may kill Americans where and when I find them. So my hands are clean" he told her. "Shalom, Bridget" he grinned. He was about to shut the door when gunfire erupted and an explosion rocked the far side of the compound. "What the hell is going on?" Sadik yelled as a bullet cracked past his head. He quickly made a run for it. One of Sadik's men moved to shoot Bridget when 3 rounds slammed into his chest, killing him. The same shooter then quickly dispatched 2 more of Sadik's men. Bridget turned around and saw Tony, M4A1 in hand, standing in the doorway. "You coming or what?" Tony said.
Meanwhile, Gunny Rivera quickly shot his way through several of Sadik's men as he approached the large barn. He kicked in the door and found Webb passed out on the floor. "Come on Sir, time to go" he said as he put Webb's arm over his shoulder. By the time Carlos carried Webb back to their truck, Tony had already cleared out the Hacienda and found that both Sadik and the stingers, were long gone.
"So what do we do now?" Carlos asked as he placed the badly injured Webb into the passenger's seat.
"We get Webb to a doctor" Tony said as Carlos walked over.
Meanwhile, Bridget was comforting Webb. "You're gonna make it, just hang in there"
"My mother would never forgive me if I died before her" Webb smiled faintly.
"Neither would I" Bridget told her.
"I liked having you for a wife" he smiled a bloody grin.
"I like having you as a husband" she returned the compliment. "And a friend" she added.
"There's something about sharing the same bed" he paused. "The same toothbrush"
"You used my toothbrush?" Bridget asked. "Webb that's disgusting" she told him, keeping the smile on her face.
"I've been single too long" he told her.
"We both have" she added. The world stopped for a moment as they both leaned in for a sweet kiss, the first one either of them had had in a while. They quickly stopped when they heard footsteps behind them. Bridget turned and saw Tony standing there"
"Webb, Gunny is gonna get you to a doctor" Tony told him.
"Thanks Tony"
"Yeah" Tony said as slugged Webb in the face, knocking him out. "That's for Bridget" he said as he slammed the door. "Take care of him, Gunny" he said.
"Yes Sir" Carlos nodded as he started the engine and drove away.
"Ok" Tony said. "What do you know that I don't?" he asked.
"Sadik had the missiles moved out to somewhere near the Rio Verde, the Green River"
"That's a lot of ground"
"Well come on" Tony said. "On our way in, we passed a field with an old Stearman parked in it. with any luck I can get it in the air" he said.
"Have you ever flown a Stearman?" she asked.
"No, but I have a pilot's license and how hard can it be?" he said.
"And what do we do once we find them? if we can find them?" she asked.
"Don't worry about it" Tony said.
30 minutes later- over the Chaco Boreal
"It all looks the same" Bridget said, trying her best to remain calm.
"We got maybe an hour before we run out of fuel"
"Then what?" she asked.
"Don't worry, I can put this crate down anywhere" Tony told her.
"That's what I'm afraid of" she replied. "Look, over there. It's a semi" she pointed out below.
"Hang on" Tony said as he pull the plane into a roll. They buzzed the small compound, which was crawling with Sadik's remaining men.
"The stingers are in that semi" Bridget yelled.
"I'm going around again" Tony yelled. "When I give you the signal, take the stick" he told her.
"What!" Bridget yelled. "I can't fly this thing!"
"You can do it Brig, just grab the stick and hold on tight" he yelled back. Bridget turned around and saw Tony lighting a cigar.
"Tony, you've gotta be kidding me!" she yelled.
"Don't get you're panties in a knot" Tony replied as he pulled the plane into a slow bank turn. "Now!" he yelled. One the ground, some of Sadik's men opened fire. Tony used his cigar to lit one of the sticks of dynamite. He raised it up and threw it to the ground below. It hit home, killing 2 of the shooters. Unfortunately, several rounds also struck the plane.
"We're hit!" Bridget yelled.
"I got it!" Tony yelled as he re-took control and brought the plane back around. "We're gonna go in lower. When I tell you, take the stick back again" he said.
"Any lower and we'll have landed" Bridget said. "They're on the move" Bridget said as the truck started to pull away.
"Take the stick" Tony yelled.
"I got it" she replied. Sadik's men continued to fire as the plane approached. Tony lit another stick. He threw it, and this one landed on the back of the trailer. The ensuing explosion ripped through the truck, detonating the missiles in the process.
"Haha, we did it!" Tony yelled triumphantly.
However, there was one that they had missed. The terrorists quickly prepped it and fired it at the Stearman. "Tony!" Bridget yelled when she saw it coming. Tony quickly retook control. Tony pulled them into a tight roll, and managed to dodge the incoming missile, which went careening into a nearby hill. Unfortunately, the maneuver had also caused the engine to stall out.
"Hang on!" Tony yelled as the plane flew into the trees below. The initial impact tore off both wings as they slammed through the trees. They were finally stopped when they slammed hard into a tree, sending the plane ass over teakettle.
PLEASE REVIEW!
(Rex's Voice)- "Next time on "28 Seconds: Walk in Hell"
It's the final 2 chapters of Walk in Hell, and things are far from over. As the White House juggles confirming a new VP and a possible re-election bid, they soon found themselves rocked by a new scandal that threatens to bring down all of them. In Paraguay, Tony and Bridget continue their hunt for Sadik Fahd. Finally, it's a conversation that "Tridget" (Tony + Bridget) fans won't wanna miss.