AN1 Remember that part in the first chapter when I said to allow me some fantasy in this story when necessary? That comes into play this chapter :) When I did my research and planning into 1st SFOD-D prior to publishing this story, military rank was one of the first things that I had looked at. I read through numerous articles that confirmed that Delta Force recruits O-3 personnel (Captains). However, the lowest detail commanded by an officer is a troop. And that command is given to O-4 (Majors). And teams inside of that troop are led by Master Sergeants or Sergeant Majors. I have done extensive research into Delta Force, and I cannot find any role for Captains anywhere despite them being recruited into the outfit. And, because I want to have Chuck involved in all combat in this story regardless of everything I just said, this is where the fantasy comes into play. I guess the writers did it in canon, too, because Casey is a fighting officer in canon, and I decided that I want Chuck to be a fighting officer also. And so, instead of a Staff Sergeant or Sergeant Major leading the two teams inside of a troop in this story, it's two Captains instead (Chuck and Morgan). I have relegated the role of the Staff Sergeant or Sergeant Major to Second in Command of the team.
The Spy and the Soldier
Chapter Three, The Soldier vs. the Rebels
Pope Field
Fort Bragg
United States
Chuck arrived outside of a situation room on Fort Bragg that was exclusive to 1st SFOD-D personnel. Entering inside the room along with Morgan, the officers, and team leaders, walked over to the commanding officer of their troop, Major Patrick Moore, who was facing away from the two junior officers.
"What do we have, Major?" Chuck asked his CO.
Major Moore averted his glance from a file held in his hand, and he began to turn until he was now facing Chuck and Morgan.
"A little hostage rescue for both of your teams in the tropical rainforests of Colombia, if you are up for it, Captain Bartowski, before your reassignment?" Major Moore asked as he rotated his glance between the two subordinates of his troop.
Chuck nodded at his commanding officer. "Of course. For the record, it saddens me greatly to have to leave the team, but I feel duty-bound to do so," he stated.
Major Moore nodded. "Oh, you needn't explain yourself to me, Chuck. Everyone in this outfit knows the value that you bring to the Unit, and every serving member of this outfit will certainly feel your loss."
"Amen," Morgan quickly said in sharp agreement with his CO's praise towards his best friend.
"Thank you, sir. I'll be back as soon as the assignment is over, and Delta will have the first pick of any of the missions where a special forces team will be required," Chuck stated unequivocally.
The Major nodded and suppressed laughter, approvingly. "I'm glad to hear it! The three of us should catch up before you leave us, Chuck."
Chuck smiled at his CO. "I'd like that, sir," he declared.
"Me too," Morgan retorted.
Major Moore then put his game face back on. "Now, about the mission, five days ago, this CIA Agent, Zondra Rizzo," Major Moore paused for the briefest of seconds, as he began pointing at a picture in the file he was holding and Chuck glanced at the location of where his CO was pointing.
The name of the Agent, Zondra Rizzo, was in Sarah's file that Chuck had read through earlier in the day. She was a member of the infamous CAT Squad, so to state that Chuck became excited for this mission would be an understatement of the highest order.
The Major continued, "was taken captive while on assignment by FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebels around one-hundred miles south of Bogota. Thankfully, a civilian loyal to the government of Colombia had witnessed the abduction, and at great risk to himself, had followed the rebels and Zondra Rizzo as far as he possibly could for around ninety minutes by road until it became too risky for him to continue on further. Thankfully, his trailing of the rebels for as far as he was able has allowed us to get a fix onto a rebel camp around twenty miles away from where the civilian abandoned the pursuit. We believe it's the location of where they are keeping Zondra. From satellite imagery, we have a clear layout of the camp, but we have been unable to confirm with extreme certainty as to whether Zondra is actually present at the camp or not. If she is not, then all we can hope is that you are able to obtain intelligence at the camp that could lead you to her actual location. So, questions?"
"Where's our insertion?" Morgan asked.
"Two insertions. On arrival at Tolemaida Air Base, 100km South-West of Bogota, I will set up base inside the C-130 on the runway, and you will board with your teams onto the waiting Black Hawks that the Night Stalkers (160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment) have already pre-deployed to the base in anticipation of our arrival. The rebel camp is around 250km away from Tolemaida. Now, we have to anticipate possible spotters at the Air Base. We don't know if anybody loyal to FARC will announce our presence when we land at the base, so you'll have to move fast. You will insert 8km away from the rebel camp, and you will tab the rest of the distance on foot. Alpha will approach from the North, while Bravo from the West. On your approach to the camp, you must also expect that they may know that you're coming, so don't walk yourselves into an ambush and be sure to take the appropriate steps to keep your teams safe," the Major stressed.
Chuck and Morgan both nodded.
"What about secondary hostages? What if Zondra is or isn't there, but another hostage or several other hostages are?" Chuck asked.
"Any secondary hostages at the camp, return them to Tolemaida, and we'll leave any non-Americans or foreign nationals for the Colombians to sort out themselves."
Morgan and Chuck nodded once more.
"I'll now leave you to gear up and inform your NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) of your mission objective."
"And I'll leave you to brief the CIA and the NSA of the operation that you're sending me on," Chuck joked, which earned him laughter from Morgan and the Major.
"Crafty, huh?" Major Moore replied with a shake of the head.
"I predict they'll blow a gasket when they find out. They both seemed to be that kind of way at the briefing yesterday," Chuck stated with a wide grin.
"Knowing the CIA, I think that's exactly what they'll do," Morgan declared in total agreement.
"How about I brief the Sergeant Major, and you inform the CIA and NSA of your mission instead?" Major Moore suggested tongue-in-cheek.
"No thanks," Chuck replied with a chuckle.
"I could pull rank," the Major stated.
Chuck nodded. "You could, but I know you won't," Chuck declared, causing the three officers to share laughter.
"Yeah, he definitely won't," Morgan chimed in.
"I'm not so sure I want to catch up with you anymore, Chuck," Major Moore declared on the laughter between the three settling down.
"Heh," Chuck laughed for a brief moment before restoring his composure and his professional attitude. "Will that be all, sir?"
"Yes, Captain. I'll see you both on the C-130 once the team is briefed and geared up," the Major finished.
Chuck and Morgan nodded a final time before they turned and departed away from their commanding officer, and the best friends went their separate ways as they each sought out their Second in Commands.
Chuck found his Second in Command, Sergeant Major Bob Eastwood, a few minutes later.
"What's the objective, sir?" Sergeant Major Bob Eastwood asked his officer and team leader.
"Hostage rescue in the rainforests of Colombia. FARC rebels nabbed a CIA Agent a few days ago. A good Samaritan followed the kidnapping for long enough, which has allowed us to get a fix onto a rebel camp. We don't have stonewall proof that she is being held there, but we have pretty high confidence that she will likely be there, or at the very least, intelligence that could lead us to her actual location," Chuck informed his 2IC.
"Where are we landing?" the twenty-year army veteran asked.
"Tolemaida. We'll then hightail the 250km in Black Hawks just in incase FARC has anyone loyal to them at the base and announces our presence. We will then insert 8km away from the camp and tab the remainder of the distance to the camp from the North and West. Alpha will approach from the North, and Bravo from the West," Chuck informed his senior NCO.
"What's the estimated fighter count at the camp?" the Sergeant Major asked.
"The Major hasn't briefed me on that as yet. We'll probably find out in the air," Chuck informed him.
"From previous experiences, there are usually around twenty to thirty guerrilla fighters in the camp," Sergeant Major Eastwood declared.
Chuck nodded at his 2IC's estimation. "Well, once my secondment begins in a few days, you'll be becoming team leader again, Sergeant Major," Chuck then declared.
Sergeant Major Eastwood nodded. "I was before you came, sir."
Chuck smiled at his senior NCO. "Will you be glad to get rid of me then?" he asked.
"Yes and no," the Sergeant Major laughed, which Chuck shared with him. "I'll be glad to lead my own team again, sure. But not at the expense of you leaving the unit. The guys have told me to relay to you that they're all going to miss you. You've looked out for us since your first day in the outfit eighteen months ago."
Chuck continued to hold his smile towards his 2IC. "It's been an honor to serve and lead you all. And I'll be back," Chuck declared with conviction.
"You'll probably be promoted to Major the next time you return to active status in CAG," the Sgt. Major stated.
Chuck nodded. "And, you'll probably be retired."
Sergeant Major Eastwood laughed. "They'll have to throw me out, sir. I won't go willingly," he declared.
Chuck laughed. "The Army will be losing a good soldier the day you retire, Bob," he stated with a strong feeling of respect for the veteran Sgt. Maj.
Sergeant Major Eastwood smiled. "Thank you, sir."
"I'll see you on the plane, Bob," Chuck then stated.
The Sergeant Major nodded.
Washington D.C.
CIA Director Langston Graham was seated in his office at his desk after another busy day of planning for the upcoming Project Intersect when the landline resting on his desk began to ring. The Director moved to pick up the receiver before stating into the device, "Director Graham."
"Sir, we have Major Moore from Delta Force on the line for you. He's come through JSOC and has requested a conference with you," Lizzie Shafai, the Director's aide, stated.
"Very well, Lizzie. Put him through," Director Graham replied.
Director Graham then paused in wait for a short moment until he heard activity. "Director Graham," he repeated once more.
"Good evening, Director. I'm Major Moore, here at CAG," Major Moore stated.
"Yes, I was made aware by my aid. What is the purpose of the call?" Director Graham inquired.
"I'm just phoning as a courtesy regarding Captain Bartowski. We have been fed live intelligence as to the location of a captured CIA Agent in Colombia, and the green light has been given for our unit to intervene and to attempt a rescue. Captain Bartowski is preparing to deploy on the assignment with his team,"
"HE IS WHAT?!" Director Graham blasted out and interrupted the Major in such a loud burst of decibels that it almost caused him to have a heart attack, and he flew up off his desk from where he was sitting as he rose to stand.
"I need to speak to him immediately!" Director Graham demanded as he began to fill up with rage on being informed that his Intersect candidate was being deployed on a live operation just days before the Director's far more critical operation was to commence.
"The Captain is unavailable. He's busy preparing for the operation. This is a courtesy call, nothing more," Major Moore replied.
Director Graham clenched his fist from where he stood. "I demand to speak to him this instant!" Director Graham demanded once more.
"Not going to happen. You have no command or oversight of our unit," Major Moore stated.
Director Graham clenched his teeth to control his building anger. "I'll go up and over your head!" Graham blazed out in defiance.
"Feel free. Go right on up to the Secretary of Defense for all I care. He'll tell you the same thing I just did. Actually, I don't think I like your tone, Director. She's one of your Agents. I at least thought you'd be happy about that."
"She knew the risks. She got caught, it's her own fault! My operation with Captain Bartowski is paramount to national security! I demand you remove him from this operation at once!" the Director commanded.
"He still belongs to JSOC for three days. So, no can do. I need my best men on the operation, and the Captain is the finest operator in the outfit. Now, as we're just going around in circles, if there's nothing else you have to add, then I will leave you to inform General Beckman of the development. Have a good evening," Major Moore said as he then terminated the call.
"DAMN HIM!" Director Graham cursed as he slammed his fist into his desk in immense anger at the insubordination of a petty Major and of Chuck for going along with it as the Director's operation became thrown into the air and it was now reliant on Chuck returning from this operation safely before it could even commence.
Director Graham then moved to pace around his office for a long moment as he planned out his response to this insubordination.
"Soldier boy wants to run off and play the hero, does he?! That will change when he's my asset!" Director Graham cursed as he walked back over to his desk and picked up his phone before pressing a button to be connected to his aid, Lizzie, out in the hallway.
Lizzie quickly answered the call. "GET ME GENERAL BECKMAN!" the Director snapped, before slamming down the phone receiver back in place once moreā¦
Pope Field
Fort Bragg
Chuck was now geared up and had just arrived on the runway of Pope Field in close proximity to the C-130 Hercules that the troop of Delta Force would be using to ferry them to their mission. Alpha and Bravo teams were assembled, and they were going through final inventory checks before boarding onto the aircraft. The flight to Tolemaida Air Base would take five and a half hours to complete.
"Wow, what an earful I just got from your new boss, Chuck. You're in for it when we get back," Major Moore declared as he audibly winced and he shook his head in shock.
"Which boss?" Chuck asked as he paused from his gear checks to glance at his CO instead.
"Director Graham," the Major declared.
"How did he take it?" Chuck asked.
"Not very well at all. I even told him that I would leave him to inform the General! One earful was more than enough for me!" Major Moore joked.
Chuck began to laugh and was quickly joined by several operators who had also heard the CO's remarks.
"Well, let us go and bring back this CIA Agent then, shall we?" the Major declared as he glanced around Alpha and Bravo teams.
Every operator began to nod in sync as Chuck, and the rest of the troop began boarding onto the C-130.
Washington D.C.
"Why did you stay with Bryce for so long, Sarah?" Carina asked from where she was seated with Sarah at the bar of the club they were catching up at.
Sarah puffed out a long sigh from her friend's continued attempts to talk about Sarah's love-life that she just wanted to move on from and to begin her new assignment instead. "Carina, Bryce wasn't perfect, but he was the only person I had. I didn't want to be alone, so something, anything was better than nothing," she declared.
"Sarah, you could have ditched him, and suitors would have been lining up a mile to vie to replace him," Carina argued.
"Carina, it's too late for what if I did this or what if I did that. Bryce is in the past now. I don't want to keep talking about him, so can we drop it? Because if you don't, then I am going to walk out because I am sick of talking about him," Sarah warned as she threatened to stand up there and then.
"Sarah, I'm sorry. I am just trying to help," Carina said with a sincere smile.
"Carina, you can help me by changing the topic. I didn't come here to talk about Bryce all night. To be honest with you, I am sick of hearing his name. I am trying my best to move on from him, so please stop mentioning him to me because you're not helping me right now. Ok?" Sarah asked.
Carina nodded. "Ok."
Sarah smiled at her friend. "Thank you."
"So, how long has it been since we last saw each other?" Carina asked.
Sarah took a moment to ponder the question. "Six months, I think?"
"Yes, you're right.
Gulf of Mexico
On-board C-130 Hercules
Halfway to Tolemaida
"In the time since we departed Ft. Bragg, satellite imagery has been able to obtain a clearer view of the camp. There are around twenty-five fighters at the location. We still do not have a clear indicator of hostages present at the camp, though," Major Moore revealed.
"What are our rules of engagement?" Sgt. Major Eastwood asked.
"Standard protocols, anyone with a weapon, clear to engage," the Major stated.
"Do you really think we'll be spotted, sir?" Staff Sergeant Ken Williams, one of Morgan's team members, asked.
Most of the Delta Force operators who had heard the question all began to nod.
"It's highly likely. They usually have spotters and inside men at all of the major bases. It's also unlikely that they'll know exactly why we will be there. So even though there's a high chance of them spotting us, they won't know the purpose of our visit," Major Moore declared.
Most of the Delta Force operators nodded in agreement with their commanding officer's assessment of the situation once more.
Two hours later
The highly elite Delta Force unit had just touched down on the runway of Tolemaida Air Force base, and the tail of the aircraft began to open as Chuck, and the rest of the team began to depart from the plane while Major Moore and two of his aids remained behind inside of the Hercules to set up base and command of the operation. Having finished departing, the two teams hastily made their way towards four waiting Black Hawk helicopters provided to them by 160th SOAR Night Stalkers. Two of the Black Hawks would be used for transportation, and two would be used for overwatch protection at the two insertion points and subsequent extraction rendezvous for the highly specialized unit.
"There sure are a lot of eyes on us right now," Sergeant Will Jackson, an Alpha Team member, declared as he scanned his glance around the airfield.
"Indeed there are," Chuck agreed with his team member as he shifted his gaze around a gathering of Colombian soldiers at the airfield as the two teams continued to make their way to the waiting Black Hawks.
"I wonder which one of them is the spotter?" Sergeant Neil Riley, a Bravo Team operator, asked.
"It could be any of them," Morgan replied as he trained his gaze at the gathering of Colombians.
Most of the troop nodded as they continued on.
Alpha and Bravo teams arrived at their transportation a minute later. JSOC had already briefed 160th SOAR before Delta Force had landed that the unit was expected imminently. They were also briefed on what the operation would entail many hours ago. Chuck, along with the rest of the operators, then moved to board onto their transportation.
"Oh, well, now look who we have here! It's you lot again!" Major Phillip Rivers, one of the Night Stalker pilots, declared on connecting his gaze onto Chuck and his team.
Chuck and the rest of his team laughed as they boarded onto the helicopter. "How have you been, Major?" Chuck asked one of his close acquaintances. Chuck had encountered the Army Major numerous times on operations over the years, including during his time with the 75th Ranger Regiment.
"I can't complain, Chuck," the Major replied with a warm gaze.
"Can't or won't?" Chuck laughed as he continued to gaze at the Night Stalker from where he stood.
"You know me too well, Captain. How about yourself?" the Major asked.
Chuck smiled at the experienced pilot. "Fine and dandy," he declared.
"Great. You guys ready to bring this American back home safely then?" the Major then asked.
Chuck nodded from where he continued to remain standing on the hawk. "Let's rock and roll," Chuck declared, and the Night Stalker nodded.
Chuck then moved to take a seat in the helicopter, and the four American gunships quickly ascended into the air as the second phase of their mission began.
A short while later
The American unit was now well on their way to tonight's hostage rescue mission when the commanding officer came on air, "Another satellite has made a pass over the camp. We have managed to confirm that there are, in fact, hostages at the camp. It is still unknown as to whether the primary objective is at the location, though."
"Are we expecting any further pass over before we arrive at the objective?" Chuck asked.
"It will be touch and go. Act and prepare as if this will be the final pass over. The information will be being fed to your PDA's as we speak," Major Moore responded.
"Affirmative."
03:00 hours
The third and final phase of Delta Force's mission had now begun, as Alpha Team had just touched down at their insertion point, 8km north of the FARC guerrilla camp. The helicopter that had inserted Chuck's team onto the ground immediately ascended into the air once more.
"Alpha Team on the ground. Securing our position in case the helos have compromised our insertion point," Chuck reported into comms as he adjusted his Night Vision Goggles into position from where they were formerly hanging on his helmet.
"Affirmative," Major Moore responded.
Chuck and the rest of his team quickly began to fan out to reinforce and secure their position for several minutes in case of a rebel attack.
"Bravo Team on the ground. Setting up a defensive position at the insertion point," Morgan then declared into the communication channel.
"Copy that," Major Moore responded.
After a few minutes of waiting in a defensive position, and with no attack on their position materializing, Chuck felt confident that the activity of the helicopters had not compromised their insertion, and Chuck began to stand from his position, and the nine other operators of Alpha Team followed suit.
"Alpha Team, advancing on rebel base camp," Chuck stated into comms.
"That's affirmative," Major Moore responded.
"Bravo Team insertion point also secure. Now also advancing on mission objective," Morgan declared.
"Copy that," Major Moore retorted.
03:40 hours
Alpha and Bravo Teams had been mobile towards their objective for thirty-five minutes when they paused in place as their CO came on the air.
"Standby. We have managed another satellite pass of the FARC camp. There doesn't appear to be any kind of increased activity since the last satellite pass, so it appears that your mission was not compromised after we landed at Tolemaida. Continue to the objective as planned," Major Moore stated.
"Affirmative. ETA to the objective; twenty-five minutes," Chuck declared.
"Copy that, sir. Bravo Team ETA; likewise," Morgan stated.
With the communication chatter going quiet, Chuck and the rest of his team continued converging towards their objective once more as they trod carefully through the jungle in search of any kind of booby trap or land mine or anything that could possibly compromise their approach to the camp.
04:05 hours
"Alpha Team; in position with a view of FARC base camp," Chuck declared from his prone position in the mud of the jungle.
"Affirmative. How is it looking?" Major Moore asked.
"It's quiet. There doesn't seem to be increased sentry activity beyond what you would normally expect in a camp like this. They're absolutely not expecting us. There's a sentry in place standing over a GPMG (General-purpose machine gun) in a fortified position, but that's about all," Chuck declared as he trained the sights of his Heckler & Koch HK416 suppressed assault rifle onto a male guerrilla that was completely unaware that he was surrounded by an elite American unit.
"Copy that. Bravo Team, status?" Major Moore asked.
"Bravo Team, arriving at objective imminently," Morgan declared.
"Copy that. In position for assault at 04:15 hours?" the Major asked.
"That's affirmative, sir," Morgan replied.
Chuck inhaled a breath of air as he continued to observe the Colombian sentry in his sight as he prepared to enter into direct action.
04:15 hours
Alpha and Bravo teams were now both in position to assault the FARC rebel camp, and they were preparing to begin their hostage rescue mission at any moment. Another sentry had now appeared in view of Alpha Team. Bravo Team, meanwhile, also had a sentry in sight at the western entrance of the camp.
Chuck continued to remain in position as he waited for the command from his commanding officer to commence the operation to rescue Zondra Rizzo.
"I have control," Major Moore appeared on comms. "Alpha, ready?"
"Ready," Chuck replied as he continued to train his sights onto the sentry posted at the GPMG behind the sandbags about fifty meters away.
"Bravo, ready?" Major Moore said.
"Ready," Morgan replied.
"Begin assault in three, two, one, execute," Major Moore commanded.
On being given the command to assault the camp in search of Zondra, Chuck, and his team member, Sergeant Randy Nelson, each fired two rounds at the sentry in the fortified position behind the sandbags at the GPMG. While Sergeant Major Eastwood and Staff Sergeant Scott Hill each fired shots at the second sentry stood in view of the team. Alpha Team immediately rose from their positions they had placed themselves in, and they began to converge towards the northern entrance of the camp rapidly.
"Two sentries neutralized. Approaching the northern entrance of the camp," Chuck declared as he continued his advance through the jungle towards the entrance of the rebel camp.
"Copy that."
"One sentry neutralized. Converging on the western entrance to the camp," Morgan stated into comms.
"Affirmative."
Chuck had now arrived at the entrance to the camp, and he grouped up in formation with his unit as the elite team filed into the northern entrance of the stronghold, and they entered the lobby area of the rebel base. Chuck immediately turned left, and he entered inside of what was the storeroom of the camp with two operators following in behind him. They quickly cleared out the storeroom, and it was empty of any threat.
"Storeroom cleared," Chuck declared.
"Affirmative."
Chuck and the two operators then doubled back, and as Chuck exited the storeroom, his gaze connected onto a male about twenty yards away that froze in place on spotting the American crack unit.
"LA ALARMA! LA ALARMA! LA ALARMA!" the rebel began screaming as Chuck, and two other operators immediately dispatched several rounds towards the rebel fighter, and he dropped lifeless onto the floor of the camp.
Chuck and the rest of the elite special forces team immediately began to hear a hell of a lot more noise as the alert had been bellowed, and a direct armed engagement was now about to begin.
Chuck quickly continued on with his mission of securing and neutralizing all threat inside of the camp with the element of surprise now at an end. Several seconds later, Chuck began to hear bursts of unsuppressed gunfire as Chuck threw a flashbang into one of the housing areas on the base, and he was inside the room in an instant. Now in Chuck's field of view inside the room were four rebels that had flown out of their places of rest, and they were searching for their weapons in shock and complete disorientation. Chuck took no time hesitating as he immediately began to engage two of the rebels, and two other operators following in behind him also began to fight the Colombian rebels inside of the barracks. The three Delta operators quickly neutralized the FARC rebels inside of the housing, and Chuck and his two operators swept through the barracks for any further threats and in search of Zondra and any other hostages.
"Housing Alpha, cleared," Chuck stated into comms.
"Affirmative," Major Moore responded.
Departing the housing with no sign of any hostages and no further threat, Chuck continued his advance with two other operators when they began to take fire from one section of the camp. The three American soldiers immediately returned fire onto the two rebels that were intensely engaging them.
"Housing Bravo, cleared," Morgan came on air as Chuck continued to exchange fire with two FARC rebels when the small contingent of three Delta Force operators was then joined by another team of three and the six elite tier one operators quickly dispatched the two rebels and Alpha and Bravo Teams continued their advance through the camp. Chuck then moved to enter into another hut inside of the camp to clear it of threat, and his gaze connected onto an enormous quantity of cocaine all around the room.
"Fuck me!" Sergeant Major Eastwood declared as he followed in behind Chuck, and his gaze connected onto the massive quantity of cocaine.
"We've uncovered a massive drug lab. There is a LOT of cocaine here," Chuck reported into the communications channel.
"That's affirmative," Major Moore responded.
Departing the drug lab, Chuck continued to advance south through the camp, and he was coming to the end of this particular corner of the rebel camp, and he was approaching where the two rebels had engaged him just earlier when two more guerrillas appeared in his view from the same location armed with assault rifles. Once more, Chuck assessed the fighters as an immediate threat to him as he and numerous members of his team began to engage the rebels, and they discharged a large number of rounds at the guerrilla fighters. With them neutralized seconds later, Chuck advanced towards the location of the deceased rebels when Morgan came on the air.
"Primary objective secured and two additional hostages. A Colombian, he appears to be military, and we also have a female British national here," Morgan declared.
"That's affirmative. Great work. Let's wrap up and secure the camp of any further resistance," Major Moore commanded.
Alpha and Bravo teams then spent the next few minutes completely clearing the camp of all further resistance...
The FARC rebel camp was now completely secure, and the cleanup operation was in effect before extraction. Eighteen Delta Force operators were going about their duties, such as gathering weapons and intelligence gathering. Two Delta Force operators had sustained minor gunshot wounds during the operation.
Chuck had now arrived at the location of where the three hostages were being held inside of the base when Morgan came on the air.
"Wow, Chuck, you were right, buddy! That is a LOT of cocaine!" Morgan declared.
Chuck laughed and nodded his head in strong approval. "Yeah, we're talking Scarface levels for sure," he declared back into comms.
"Good reference, Chuck!" Morgan responded in approval.
Chuck then walked up to Zondra, and she met his gaze. "Zondra Rizzo?" he asked on stopping in her immediate vicinity. She was no longer bound.
"Yeah," Zondra declared as she continued her glance.
"United States Army, we were sent in to rescue you. A good Samaritan witnessed your abduction, and he followed your abductors for more than ninety minutes, which allowed us to get a fix onto the camp," Chuck informed her.
Zondra smiled at Chuck. "Thanks for the rescue," she said softly.
Chuck returned the smile. "That's no problem. If an American ever needs our help, then we'll always show up to help them out. Oh, by the way, I am unable to curb my gaping curiosity. You were in the CAT Squad, right?" Chuck asked as he continued to hold his gaze with her.
Zondra frowned. "You have me at a disadvantage. You appear to know so much about me. Who are you?" Zondra asked.
Chuck grinned as they continued to hold their gaze. "Captain Bartowski, ma'am. I can't say much, you know with the whole classified thing, I'm sure you can understand. But, let us just say that I am a big admirer of the Clandestine Attack Team, you guys sounded so cool," Chuck declared.
Zondra laughed. "You guys aren't so bad yourselves. There must have been twenty or more fighters here. I hope none of you took any injuries during the operation," she replied warmly.
"We have two guys who got shot, but they're only minor gunshot wounds. By the way, there were twenty-five fighters," Chuck laughed to her.
Zondra shook her head as they shared another smile.
"You special forces, always being accurate and methodical," Zondra joked.
Chuck suppressed laughter. "You betcha," he said with a wide grin.
"Can I get your first name?" Zondra asked as they held their gaze.
Chuck nodded. "Sure, it's Chuck."
"Wow, I didn't think anyone still named their kids, Chuck."
Chuck and Zondra shared brief laughter. "It's a heck of a lot more popular than Zondra!" Chuck protested.
Once more, they shared slight laughter. "Touche," she replied.
"I'd better get back to my tasking. Do make sure to pay a visit to the drug lab before we blow it up," Chuck stated.
"How much drugs are in there?" Zondra asked.
"A lot!" Chuck laughed.
"Ok, now I'm very interested in paying it a visit. Thanks for the tip," Zondra stated.
"You're welcome," Chuck said as they shared a final warm glance before Chuck departed to continue to prepare to exfiltrate.
The four American gunships had now arrived in the area of operations, and they were now hovering over the FARC base camp.
The elite troop of Delta Force operators then began to depart the camp along with Zondra and the two other freed hostages. Explosive charges had been set inside of the drug lab to blow the large cache of cocaine to smithereens. The two Black Hawks that were being used for transportation then began to descend into open spots, and the operators, Zondra and the hostages started to embark onto the transports.
"It will be a tight fit, Zondra, I'm afraid," Chuck declared as he stood outside of the Black Hawk waiting to embark, and she smiled at him.
"You could always sit on my knee," Sergeant Will Jackson joked causing immediate laughter among the operators.
"Or I could just throw you out and take your seat," Zondra retorted as she moved to embark into the Black Hawk, extending the laughter from the entire gathering in that particular American gunship.
"Oh no, she didn't!" Sergeant Major Eastwood said approvingly.
"Zondra, welcome to the unit!" Chuck declared with a loving grin as he moved to embark into the Black Hawk, and he took a seat next to Zondra.
"Thanks," she replied as they shared a smile.
With everybody boarded into both Black Hawks, they began to ascend into the air, and all that was left was to destroy the drug lab.
"Zondra, would you like the honors?" Chuck asked as he extended his arm out, and he offered the detonator to her.
"Sure," Zondra replied as she moved to take the detonator out of Chuck's hand.
"Fire in the hole!" Chuck declared, and on doing so, the operators and Zondra all watched as the camp exploded down below.
"Boom!" Sgt. Major Eastwood exclaimed in excitement.
"How much cocaine was in there?" Chuck asked as he glanced at Zondra once more.
"Easily a tonne, maybe more," Zondra declared as they held their warm gaze.
"Wow!" Chuck exclaimed in amazement.
"We could have sold it and got rich," Sergeant Kyle Watson joked.
"Yeah, we could've. I always fancied being a drug dealer and carrying a golden desert eagle with me around South America," Sergeant Major Eastwood joked, causing further laughter amongst the operators.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that!" Chuck retorted as he glanced around the operators on board the gunship.
"Quick, grab him, and throw him out before he has us all court-martialed and shot!" Sergeant Will Jackson joked as the merriment between the team and the attractive agent continued on.
The four helicopters had just touched down at Tolemaida Air Base after a successful operation.
"Well, Phil, thanks for the ride. It's been a pleasure, as always," Chuck said to the Night Stalker Major.
"Likewise, Chuck. Congrats on the near clean and perfect operation and a speedy recovery to your two injured," the Night Stalker said.
Chuck smiled as he moved to shake the Night Stalker's hand from where he was standing. "Thank you, Major. Tell your wife I was asking about her."
"I don't have a wife, you bastard! But neither do you!" the Major retorted, causing strong laughter inside the helo.
"Stay safe, Major, Captain," Chuck then said his final farewells on the laughter quietening as he glanced at the pilot and co-pilot a final time before disembarking from the helicopter, and he then began the short walk back towards where the C-130 Hercules was still parked and waiting with its tail opened.
Alpha and Bravo teams arrived at the C-130 a few minutes later, and Major Moore, in addition to some Colombian military personnel, were waiting at the location for their arrival.
"A clean operation, men. Great work," Major Moore bestowed praise upon his soldiers.
"Thank you, sir," most of the Delta Force operators replied in unison.
"We'll be handing over the Colombian soldier that we rescued to you, Colonel," Major Moore then said as he glanced at the Colombian Colonel waiting at the C-130.
The Colombian Colonel nodded graciously while feeling very pleased with the American unit because it had killed twenty-five rebels and destroyed a significant portion of drugs in addition to the rescuing of three hostages.
"I will be staying too. My home is here," the female British hostage declared.
"If you're sure," Major Moore said with a nod.
"I am, thank you for the rescue," the Brit replied as she glanced around the unit.
"No problem. You're welcome. Stay safe," Chuck replied to the Brit.
Chuck, Zondra, and the rest of the troop then all began to board onto the C-130 to head back to their base in Fort Bragg after a very successful rescue operation...
End of Chapter
AN2 Uh-oh! Chuck is in for it big time next chapter! Make sure you tune in!
AN3 I had a bit of writer's block during this mission because I've never been in a jungle before or seen any real jungle missions in tv shows or read about them in books. I hope I didn't do too badly. There's only one way for me to know. Leave a review and let me know. Reviews provide me the infinite motivation to continue on, and they equate to faster chapters :)
AN4 In the tv series Seal Team, they gave a C-17 to the small team on operations. I thought that was overkill. I wouldn't imagine anything more than a C-130 being given to a small SOF unit. And that's at a best-case scenario. See you all next chapter!
