A Man Called Ghost
Chapter 26
"Alright, listen up." Commander Bob Munson waited for the SEAL team to quiet down. "There's been a change in our insertion. The target is moving and we don't have time for a HALO. We're catching the helo out in thirty minutes and we're going in with Zodiacs via 30/30. Don't worry about the chutes or oxygen sets. Wet suits, weapons and packs. Suit up people."
"Aye, aye, sir." Six voices answered his orders.
Harm stepped over to his locker and pulled it open, going through a check list of what could happen on this mission. Absently he pulled out the wetsuit he'd wear on the insertion and began to strip down to change.
"Geeze sir, look at that. There's no way you would have survived a jump with that thing." Perez said as he passed by Harm's locker.
Looking up Harm focused on the packed chute that was hanging in the spacious locker. A corner of the chute had been pulled out and a huge rip could be seen in the dark material. "What the hell?" Harm asked out loud. "I packed that this morning myself and it was fine."
"Don't look fine now sir." Perez said shaking his head as he wandered off to his own locker.
"What's up Greg?" Munson asked coming over to Harm's locker.
"Someone tampered with my chute. Damn good thing we're not jumping now."
"Damn good thing." Munson echoed as he stepped to the growler phone attached the bulkhead of the squad room. "Bridge, this is Squad Bay three. I need one of the Master at Arms' boys down here ASAP."
Munson paused to listen to the response. "Damn it Lieutenant, I have compromised equipment down here I want placed under guard. You get me a member of the security detail down here right now or I'll bring it up with the Captain!" With that Munson slammed the phone down and turned back to Harm. "Security is on its way. We'll get that locked up and then when we get back you and I are going to do a little question asking. I don't like the idea of one of my men being compromised."
"I don't like being compromised as you put it boss." Harm said with a shake of his head. Something was up, and he didn't have time to think about it now, but he would get to the bottom of this when he got back. Someone had tampered with his chute, and to him that looked like an attempted "accident".
Twenty minutes later Harm and Commander Munson stepped out onto the flight deck all geared up and ready to go. As they clambered aboard the helo taking them out to the ship, Perez tapped Munson on the shoulder and gestured towards the superstructure. Harm and Munson both turned to look just as a figure wearing a black wetsuit neared the helicopter.
"I wonder if he's got a suit on under that?" Munson called to Harm just as the figure stepped up to the helicopter and started climbing aboard.
"Webb. What the fuck are you doing here?" Harm shouted over the sound of the rotor blades.
"Coming along for the ride. You didn't really think I'd trust you to this did you Commander? You screw up all my missions." Webb shouted back.
Lieutenant Hadley, the Team's XO opened his mouth to say something only to close it again as Munson held up his hand. "Sir, you are not jump qualified. The risk is too great." Munson shouted as the helo left the deck.
"I appreciate your concern Commander, but the fact of the matter is I am going. If this Navy reject can do it, I can too." Webb gestured towards Rabb.
"I'd be careful about your footing, sir, you might just fall out early." Perez growled.
"Are you threatening me Chief?" Webb shouted back with a tight little smile.
"He's just warning you to be careful, isn't that right Perez?" Munson shot a stern look at his hotheaded Chief Petty Officer.
"Definitely, sir. You can't be too careful Mr. Suit, sir."
"Twenty minutes!" The crew chief called over the headsets.
"Twenty minutes!" Munson called looking at each of his men. "Mr. Webb. There is one man on this chopper I don't know, and don't trust."
"Oh that's okay. Don't hold it against him." Webb smirked at Harm.
"I'm talking about you, sir. Commander Post earned his trident. Where's yours? You are an unknown, sir, and you are putting this mission in jeopardy. It would be in the best interest of the mission for you to remain behind. A 30/30 isn't like jumping off the diving board in your pool back home, sir."
"Chief, any update on the target?" Harm asked the crew chief as he crouched away from where Webb and Munson were having it out. He wouldn't contribute anything to the argument if he lost his temper with the meddling spy.
"She's still moving sou-sou-east sir. She's about five miles from the drop point last we heard."
"Outstanding Chief." Harm slapped the man on the back and moved back towards Munson.
"Five miles off bullseye boss, south-south-east." Harm reported.
"Good. So, Mr. Webb, can we consider putting the mission first?"
"I'm going Commander. Get used to the idea."
Biting back a curse Munson looked over at Perez who was glaring at Webb. "Perez. Give Mr. Webb a lesson on how to land a 30/30. Make it quick...we have ten minutes."
"Aye, sir."
Much to everyone's surprise Webb managed to make the 30/30 jump without breaking his neck. He was a little slow getting up into one of the two zodiacs, and had to be pulled aboard by Perez who'd been appointed Webb's keeper. As soon as everyone was aboard the inflatables the engines were fired up and the craft were steered towards the last known position of Hassa's boat. It wasn't long before the running lights of the larger craft were seen over the open waters. Quickly, the SEALs brought their craft alongside and soon the men were swarming up the sides and securing the area around the rail. With eight men it was easiest to split out into four teams of two, Harm went with Butts, and Webb with Perez. The teams were to locate Hassa, radio in when they had him, and meet back at the boarding point. Ideally they would be in and out without anyone being the wiser and then Harm would get everyone out on the chopper sitting on the deck.
Webb and Perez were the first team below decks, moving quickly but carefully. Perez even began to admit to himself that Webb could move quietly when he wanted to.
As Harm and Butts were making their way to the ladder well leading below decks, they heard the sounds of a struggle coming from immediately below them. Carefully they made their way down the ladder well to see Perez subdue an armed guard of some sort.
Looking up at the two newly arrived SEALs, Perez waved towards a door just down the passageway and motioned that he was going to take a look. Harm nodded and signaled down the passageway in the other direction leading Butts off to continue their search.
Silently opening the door to the third room, Harm heard the earpiece of his radio crackle slightly. "We've got him." Perez said softly.
"Everyone back to the rail." Munson's order came swiftly in response to Perez's announcement.
"Two moving out." Hadley's voice announced.
"Three movi...what the fuck are you..." Perez's voice was interrupted by a single silenced shot heard clearly over the radio.
"Two, report." Munson ordered. When Perez didn't answer Munson continued "Seven, are you in position to get to Two?"
"Affirmative." Harm answered and then set off down the passage to where he'd last seen Perez. "Eight, what's your status?"
Harm waited a moment for Webb to answer, and when he didn't hear anything he repeated the question. Still no answer. A moment later Harm saw the wetsuited legs of someone sticking out from the doorway into a cabin. Cautiously he advanced to where the man was laying with his weapon raised. Motioning Butts to cover him Harm entered the room quickly and ensured that it was empty. "Clear." He announced to Butts. Looking down at the figure he was standing over he saw Perez and a single wound bleeding out of his chest. "Three is down. Repeat three is down." Harm announced over the radio as he checked for a pulse.
"Pulse?" Butts asked.
"Weak." Harm answered. Suddenly Perez reached up and grabbed Harm's wrist. "Take it easy sailor. We're going to get you out of here." Harm tried to reassure the man.
"Webb..." Perez whispered.
"He's not here Perez. He must have gone after your shooter." Harm said softly.
"Shouldn't have left his man." Butts said with disgust. Harm grabbed up Perez's weapon and handed it to Butts before picking up a shirt laying on the floor and pressing it against Perez's wound. Reaching down he tired to lift the man to his shoulder carefully, knowing no matter what he did the man would be in pain.
"One, have the medkit standing by. We're on our way up." Harm said over the radio.
"Check in." Munson ordered.
"Two."
"Four."
"Five."
"Six"
"Seven." Harm said as he approached the stairwell.
Silence. Where the hell was Webb? And where the hell had the target gone? Perez had said that they had him. When Harm reached the rail the rest of the team had already gathered and the team medic, a Petty Officer named Gunther, had the kit ready for Perez. Once Harm lowered him to the deck Gunther checked his vitals and shook his head. "He's gone skipper." Gunther said with a glance at Munson.
"Fuck." Munson said quietly. "Where's Webb?"
"He wasn't with Perez when we got there. My guess is that he went after the shooter." Harm answered.
"And the target?"
"Gone as well."
"Fuck!" Munson said a little louder. Harm agreed with him completely. This whole mission was turning into a cluster fuck. "Alright, the rest of you find those two. Post, get that chopper ready to fly. I'll get Perez on board."
Quickly the rest of the team scattered once more to search the ship while Harm climbed on board the chopper and ran through a preflight checklist. Just as he was finishing up Munson stepped into the cockpit and sat down in the co-pilot's seat. "How well do you know Webb?"
"Too well."
"Would he have gone after the shooter?" Munson asked after a moment's thought.
"Probably." Harm answered truthfully. "He's very dedicated to his missions. If the shooter was Hassa, Webb would have gone after him."
"Never should have let him come." Munson chastised himself.
"One, this is two. I'm in the engine room, and I have nothing." Hadley announced over the radio.
"Does this seem too easy to you?" Harm asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm thinking the same thing. Where are all the bodyguards? Where is all the crew? I only saw a couple of men when I made my sweep."
"We've been set up." Harm shook his head, swearing quietly under his breath.
"Looks that way. What's that?" Munson pointed out of the windshield to the point where they had boarded the ship. From the helicopter they could barely see it.
"What's what?"
"There...a figure..."
"Going over the side!"
"Anyone who can, get to the rail NOW!" Munson called over the radio as he stumbled back into the crew bay of the chopper. Both he and Harm hit the deck and ran over to the rail. As they got close they heard a low humming noise from over the side. Instantly Harm recognized it as the sound of one of the zodiacs motors. At the rail they saw one of the zodiacs pulling away from the ship rapidly with two figures on board; one dressed in light colored clothing, one in black.
The sound of softly padding feet announced the arrival of the rest of the team. As one, all six of them watched the two people drift off in the zodiac.
"Everyone aboard the chopper!" Munson called. "Hadley, you and Butts will drop and subdue!"
Quickly the team climbed aboard the chopper and Harm did his best to get it off the deck as fast as he could. At first the controls fought him as he'd never flown anything as big as a Sea King, but soon he had control of the bird and was heading in the direction they'd seen the zodiac heading. Munson took the co-pilot's seat again and fired up the powerful search light mounted on the nose of the bird. Flying low and fast, Harm quickly saw the zodiac ahead, making the best time it could and changing direction often. Bringing the bird overhead, Harm tried to hold it steady while Hadley and Butts dropped from the chopper into the water. Gunther sat in the door firing his weapon around the zodiac.
Only a few minutes had passed before Hadley was radioing in. "One, this is two. We have taken control of the craft. The target is not on board, repeat the target is not on board."
"Who the hell are they then?"
"Crew apparently."
"Damn it. Get back on board. Gunther, see if you can get the ladder over the side for them."
"Now what?" Munson asked looking over at Harm.
"Now we have a mystery to solve." Harm answered with a frown.
"Take her back home, Commander." Munson ordered after a second's thought.
A/N: Wow. Tense isn't it? Would you want to be those SEALs right now? I sure wouldn't. Well, I thought I'd break up the tension a little with some news. I have been approached by a wonderful, talented lady with a request to let her write Mac's POV of You Can't Live in the Past. Right now she's working on finishing one of her own stories, but once that is complete shes informed me she will start on Mac's POV. Please...settle down in back there. Just a word of warning in closing: I will not give a timeline as to when she'll have the story done or start posting. But rest assured it is coming soon to a computer monitor near you!
Chapter 26
"Alright, listen up." Commander Bob Munson waited for the SEAL team to quiet down. "There's been a change in our insertion. The target is moving and we don't have time for a HALO. We're catching the helo out in thirty minutes and we're going in with Zodiacs via 30/30. Don't worry about the chutes or oxygen sets. Wet suits, weapons and packs. Suit up people."
"Aye, aye, sir." Six voices answered his orders.
Harm stepped over to his locker and pulled it open, going through a check list of what could happen on this mission. Absently he pulled out the wetsuit he'd wear on the insertion and began to strip down to change.
"Geeze sir, look at that. There's no way you would have survived a jump with that thing." Perez said as he passed by Harm's locker.
Looking up Harm focused on the packed chute that was hanging in the spacious locker. A corner of the chute had been pulled out and a huge rip could be seen in the dark material. "What the hell?" Harm asked out loud. "I packed that this morning myself and it was fine."
"Don't look fine now sir." Perez said shaking his head as he wandered off to his own locker.
"What's up Greg?" Munson asked coming over to Harm's locker.
"Someone tampered with my chute. Damn good thing we're not jumping now."
"Damn good thing." Munson echoed as he stepped to the growler phone attached the bulkhead of the squad room. "Bridge, this is Squad Bay three. I need one of the Master at Arms' boys down here ASAP."
Munson paused to listen to the response. "Damn it Lieutenant, I have compromised equipment down here I want placed under guard. You get me a member of the security detail down here right now or I'll bring it up with the Captain!" With that Munson slammed the phone down and turned back to Harm. "Security is on its way. We'll get that locked up and then when we get back you and I are going to do a little question asking. I don't like the idea of one of my men being compromised."
"I don't like being compromised as you put it boss." Harm said with a shake of his head. Something was up, and he didn't have time to think about it now, but he would get to the bottom of this when he got back. Someone had tampered with his chute, and to him that looked like an attempted "accident".
Twenty minutes later Harm and Commander Munson stepped out onto the flight deck all geared up and ready to go. As they clambered aboard the helo taking them out to the ship, Perez tapped Munson on the shoulder and gestured towards the superstructure. Harm and Munson both turned to look just as a figure wearing a black wetsuit neared the helicopter.
"I wonder if he's got a suit on under that?" Munson called to Harm just as the figure stepped up to the helicopter and started climbing aboard.
"Webb. What the fuck are you doing here?" Harm shouted over the sound of the rotor blades.
"Coming along for the ride. You didn't really think I'd trust you to this did you Commander? You screw up all my missions." Webb shouted back.
Lieutenant Hadley, the Team's XO opened his mouth to say something only to close it again as Munson held up his hand. "Sir, you are not jump qualified. The risk is too great." Munson shouted as the helo left the deck.
"I appreciate your concern Commander, but the fact of the matter is I am going. If this Navy reject can do it, I can too." Webb gestured towards Rabb.
"I'd be careful about your footing, sir, you might just fall out early." Perez growled.
"Are you threatening me Chief?" Webb shouted back with a tight little smile.
"He's just warning you to be careful, isn't that right Perez?" Munson shot a stern look at his hotheaded Chief Petty Officer.
"Definitely, sir. You can't be too careful Mr. Suit, sir."
"Twenty minutes!" The crew chief called over the headsets.
"Twenty minutes!" Munson called looking at each of his men. "Mr. Webb. There is one man on this chopper I don't know, and don't trust."
"Oh that's okay. Don't hold it against him." Webb smirked at Harm.
"I'm talking about you, sir. Commander Post earned his trident. Where's yours? You are an unknown, sir, and you are putting this mission in jeopardy. It would be in the best interest of the mission for you to remain behind. A 30/30 isn't like jumping off the diving board in your pool back home, sir."
"Chief, any update on the target?" Harm asked the crew chief as he crouched away from where Webb and Munson were having it out. He wouldn't contribute anything to the argument if he lost his temper with the meddling spy.
"She's still moving sou-sou-east sir. She's about five miles from the drop point last we heard."
"Outstanding Chief." Harm slapped the man on the back and moved back towards Munson.
"Five miles off bullseye boss, south-south-east." Harm reported.
"Good. So, Mr. Webb, can we consider putting the mission first?"
"I'm going Commander. Get used to the idea."
Biting back a curse Munson looked over at Perez who was glaring at Webb. "Perez. Give Mr. Webb a lesson on how to land a 30/30. Make it quick...we have ten minutes."
"Aye, sir."
Much to everyone's surprise Webb managed to make the 30/30 jump without breaking his neck. He was a little slow getting up into one of the two zodiacs, and had to be pulled aboard by Perez who'd been appointed Webb's keeper. As soon as everyone was aboard the inflatables the engines were fired up and the craft were steered towards the last known position of Hassa's boat. It wasn't long before the running lights of the larger craft were seen over the open waters. Quickly, the SEALs brought their craft alongside and soon the men were swarming up the sides and securing the area around the rail. With eight men it was easiest to split out into four teams of two, Harm went with Butts, and Webb with Perez. The teams were to locate Hassa, radio in when they had him, and meet back at the boarding point. Ideally they would be in and out without anyone being the wiser and then Harm would get everyone out on the chopper sitting on the deck.
Webb and Perez were the first team below decks, moving quickly but carefully. Perez even began to admit to himself that Webb could move quietly when he wanted to.
As Harm and Butts were making their way to the ladder well leading below decks, they heard the sounds of a struggle coming from immediately below them. Carefully they made their way down the ladder well to see Perez subdue an armed guard of some sort.
Looking up at the two newly arrived SEALs, Perez waved towards a door just down the passageway and motioned that he was going to take a look. Harm nodded and signaled down the passageway in the other direction leading Butts off to continue their search.
Silently opening the door to the third room, Harm heard the earpiece of his radio crackle slightly. "We've got him." Perez said softly.
"Everyone back to the rail." Munson's order came swiftly in response to Perez's announcement.
"Two moving out." Hadley's voice announced.
"Three movi...what the fuck are you..." Perez's voice was interrupted by a single silenced shot heard clearly over the radio.
"Two, report." Munson ordered. When Perez didn't answer Munson continued "Seven, are you in position to get to Two?"
"Affirmative." Harm answered and then set off down the passage to where he'd last seen Perez. "Eight, what's your status?"
Harm waited a moment for Webb to answer, and when he didn't hear anything he repeated the question. Still no answer. A moment later Harm saw the wetsuited legs of someone sticking out from the doorway into a cabin. Cautiously he advanced to where the man was laying with his weapon raised. Motioning Butts to cover him Harm entered the room quickly and ensured that it was empty. "Clear." He announced to Butts. Looking down at the figure he was standing over he saw Perez and a single wound bleeding out of his chest. "Three is down. Repeat three is down." Harm announced over the radio as he checked for a pulse.
"Pulse?" Butts asked.
"Weak." Harm answered. Suddenly Perez reached up and grabbed Harm's wrist. "Take it easy sailor. We're going to get you out of here." Harm tried to reassure the man.
"Webb..." Perez whispered.
"He's not here Perez. He must have gone after your shooter." Harm said softly.
"Shouldn't have left his man." Butts said with disgust. Harm grabbed up Perez's weapon and handed it to Butts before picking up a shirt laying on the floor and pressing it against Perez's wound. Reaching down he tired to lift the man to his shoulder carefully, knowing no matter what he did the man would be in pain.
"One, have the medkit standing by. We're on our way up." Harm said over the radio.
"Check in." Munson ordered.
"Two."
"Four."
"Five."
"Six"
"Seven." Harm said as he approached the stairwell.
Silence. Where the hell was Webb? And where the hell had the target gone? Perez had said that they had him. When Harm reached the rail the rest of the team had already gathered and the team medic, a Petty Officer named Gunther, had the kit ready for Perez. Once Harm lowered him to the deck Gunther checked his vitals and shook his head. "He's gone skipper." Gunther said with a glance at Munson.
"Fuck." Munson said quietly. "Where's Webb?"
"He wasn't with Perez when we got there. My guess is that he went after the shooter." Harm answered.
"And the target?"
"Gone as well."
"Fuck!" Munson said a little louder. Harm agreed with him completely. This whole mission was turning into a cluster fuck. "Alright, the rest of you find those two. Post, get that chopper ready to fly. I'll get Perez on board."
Quickly the rest of the team scattered once more to search the ship while Harm climbed on board the chopper and ran through a preflight checklist. Just as he was finishing up Munson stepped into the cockpit and sat down in the co-pilot's seat. "How well do you know Webb?"
"Too well."
"Would he have gone after the shooter?" Munson asked after a moment's thought.
"Probably." Harm answered truthfully. "He's very dedicated to his missions. If the shooter was Hassa, Webb would have gone after him."
"Never should have let him come." Munson chastised himself.
"One, this is two. I'm in the engine room, and I have nothing." Hadley announced over the radio.
"Does this seem too easy to you?" Harm asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm thinking the same thing. Where are all the bodyguards? Where is all the crew? I only saw a couple of men when I made my sweep."
"We've been set up." Harm shook his head, swearing quietly under his breath.
"Looks that way. What's that?" Munson pointed out of the windshield to the point where they had boarded the ship. From the helicopter they could barely see it.
"What's what?"
"There...a figure..."
"Going over the side!"
"Anyone who can, get to the rail NOW!" Munson called over the radio as he stumbled back into the crew bay of the chopper. Both he and Harm hit the deck and ran over to the rail. As they got close they heard a low humming noise from over the side. Instantly Harm recognized it as the sound of one of the zodiacs motors. At the rail they saw one of the zodiacs pulling away from the ship rapidly with two figures on board; one dressed in light colored clothing, one in black.
The sound of softly padding feet announced the arrival of the rest of the team. As one, all six of them watched the two people drift off in the zodiac.
"Everyone aboard the chopper!" Munson called. "Hadley, you and Butts will drop and subdue!"
Quickly the team climbed aboard the chopper and Harm did his best to get it off the deck as fast as he could. At first the controls fought him as he'd never flown anything as big as a Sea King, but soon he had control of the bird and was heading in the direction they'd seen the zodiac heading. Munson took the co-pilot's seat again and fired up the powerful search light mounted on the nose of the bird. Flying low and fast, Harm quickly saw the zodiac ahead, making the best time it could and changing direction often. Bringing the bird overhead, Harm tried to hold it steady while Hadley and Butts dropped from the chopper into the water. Gunther sat in the door firing his weapon around the zodiac.
Only a few minutes had passed before Hadley was radioing in. "One, this is two. We have taken control of the craft. The target is not on board, repeat the target is not on board."
"Who the hell are they then?"
"Crew apparently."
"Damn it. Get back on board. Gunther, see if you can get the ladder over the side for them."
"Now what?" Munson asked looking over at Harm.
"Now we have a mystery to solve." Harm answered with a frown.
"Take her back home, Commander." Munson ordered after a second's thought.
A/N: Wow. Tense isn't it? Would you want to be those SEALs right now? I sure wouldn't. Well, I thought I'd break up the tension a little with some news. I have been approached by a wonderful, talented lady with a request to let her write Mac's POV of You Can't Live in the Past. Right now she's working on finishing one of her own stories, but once that is complete shes informed me she will start on Mac's POV. Please...settle down in back there. Just a word of warning in closing: I will not give a timeline as to when she'll have the story done or start posting. But rest assured it is coming soon to a computer monitor near you!