Everything In Time
Chapter 8
Monday, April 3, 2006
Office of Naval Intelligence
Pentagon, Arlington VA
Admiral John Marshall was in his office with his 'inner circle' team which consisted of his NI Executive Officer Captain Meg Pike, her sister-in-law Commander Caitlin "Kate" Pike and Gunnery Sgt. Victor Galindez. They looking over the latest intelligence reports from the Middle East.
Naval Intelligence as well as all the other US Intelligence agencies were on the lookout for anyone wanting to continue on the late Sadiq Fahd's quest to continue jihad that was foiled in 2003.
Kate reported, "There are rumblings that a new terror cell was working with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP - AKA Ansar al-Sharia in Yemen), allegedly led by Sadiq's brother, Khalid Fahd. They were actively looking for weapons to continue their jihad."
"What have found out from the Saudis?" Meg asked.
"Well since Al Qaeda was kicked out of Afghanistan, they've been looking for a new home in Yemen. It's practically lawless there," Kate replied.
"Do we know for sure that Fahd is involved?" John asked.
"He's made his presence known on AQAP's website wanting to take over from Bin Laden," Meg reported.
"Do we have a location on Bin Laden yet?" Victor asked.
"We're working on that," John said cryptically.
The others wisely let it go so Meg asked, "Do you think Fahd knows about Harm & Sarah?"
"Unknown what his brother told him, if anything. Remember Sadiq was operating out of South America; well away from the Arabian Peninsula. That's also why we don't disclose our operatives to congress. There might be some idiot aide who thinks it's a good idea for complete transparency of our covert operations."
"Yeah, someone's always curious on how the sausage is made; then they're horrified when they see the process," Victor replied.
The others laughed at that as John continued, "Well, when can you and Kate get over to Riyadh to do some digging?"
"We can leave tomorrow and get there by Wednesday as long as I can make arrangements with my husband to take care of our children,' Kate replied.
"How is Bruce, Mrs. Carmichael?" John asked.
"He's good. He loves his new job of DC's Metro's Chief of Police."
"What are Jimmy and Little Kate doing lately?" Meg asked.
"Well, the twins are in 2nd grade, as you know, and they're going to receive 1st communion later this month. I hope I'm home in time for that."
"We'll see what we can do. We're also sending Keeter with you as your pilot. He can take up the slack with Victor if you need to leave," Meg reassured her.
"Sounds good. We'll do what we need to root the other Fahd out," Victor replied.
After making some travel and contact plans, the meeting broke up.
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
1330 Local Time
Prince Sultan Airbase
Saudi Arabia
Jack Keeter touched the US Government Lear Jet down on the runway. He followed the "Follow Me" pick-up to the US Air Force's secure hanger.
Kate walked off the jet first and grimaced when she felt the heat.
"Boy oh boy, I'm glad I don't have to wear an abaya anymore. I don't think I could survive in this heat," Kate said looking down at her khaki uniform.
Victor and Jack followed closely behind her. Victor wore his Marine tan & green uniform while Jack was in the same khaki type uniform as Kate.
They walked up to a Humvee where an Air Force 2nd lieutenant, whose nameplate stated "Saunders" was waiting. He snapped to and gave a parade ground sharp salute to the group.
"Good afternoon Commanders, Gunny. My name is Jack Saunders. I'm to be your liaison to our intelligence office here in Riyadh. We have an office set up for you three to work in."
After they Navy officers returned the salute Kate asked, "Very good lieutenant. Do you know what or who we're looking for?"
"Some guy named Khalid Fahd. His brother was killed in DC a couple of years ago."
"Yes, that's correct, but let's not speak about him outside the office ever again. There are big ears out here," Kate reminded him, even though there was no one with 100 feet of them.
"Yes ma'am" Saunders replied amiably.
The groups got into the Humvee and drove to the base admin building. They held their conversations until the entered the Military Intelligence office.
After Saunders introduced the three newcomers and set them up at desks in a group of adjoining cubicles where they could work, Jack asked, "So do you have any idea where Fahd is located?"
"We have verified information that Fahd is at a camp outside Sana'a, Yemen. It was very easy for them to infiltrate into that country during their civil war."
"Just like Al Qaeda did in Afghanistan after the Russians left." Kate replied.
"Exactly. We have them under satellite and drone observation. We can call in a drone strike on that camp anytime we want."
"Well let's not act to hastily. We need to know what he knows. Do we have any agents embedded with Fahad's group?" Victor asked.
"Yes, a woman named Aziza. She is very good," Saunders replied.
"A woman? In this area? How did she get involved with that group?" Kate asked.
"She married Fahd," Saunders replied.
"Really? How did you get her to turn?" Jack asked.
"She saw one of her sons being killed by one Fahd's men for sneaking away to play football with some 'infidels'. Fahd condoned the killing. Fahd is a fundamental like his brother."
"How does she get you the information?" Kate asked.
"She passes information in the local shopping bazaar in Sana'a once a week to one of our people. She managed to get a photo of Fahd to us. He does have a familial resemblance to his deceased brother Sadiq."
"Can we go see a view of the camp in real-time?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, let's go into the secure video room," Saunders said getting up.
The group went out, down the hall and came upon a door with an electronic card lock. Saunders swiped his access card through the reader and they all entered. The room was dimly lit to accommodate the viewing of various video screens set up with control consoles in various cubicles. There were operators manning every video screen. They went up to a cubicle where a Middle Eastern or south Asian female Air Force Staff Sergeant (four stripes) sat operating the controls.
Saunders introduced every one with, "Sgt. Fatima Hassan, meet our people from Naval Intelligence."
Sgt. Hassan got up to shake hands with the group. As she sat back down, Saunders instructed, "Show then Fahd's camp in Yemen."
Fatima manipulated the controls at her console to focus on the camp in question. It was in a rocky valley that was surrounded by cliffs. They saw the usual tents and vehicles that a desert camp would have. As Fatima panned the view around, they saw various individuals walking around, exercising, running obstacle courses or shooting target practice.
"How high is the drone?" Kate asked.
"40,000 feet. They don't even know it's there. We can keep one up for three days before refueling," Fatima said with confidence.
"Can you get facial recognition to work when they happen to look up?" Jack asked.
"Sometimes, it's better if we have someone get close, say about 1,000 to 3,000 yards. Those cliffs offer great vantage points."
"Just long enough for a sniper shot," Victor said.
"What say we take a trip into Yemen to test that?" , Jack asked.
"I can set you up with the correct robing and camels that can help you blend in. That's how we cross into Yemen. We look like Bedouins. We can leave this evening at 1800.
"Why not in the morning?" Keeter asked Saunders.
"Bedouins always travel at night and camp during the day. That's how they survive the heat of the desert. You three go to your quarters and get freshened up and squared away for the trip and I'll get everything ready," Saunders explained.
The NI trio agreed as they set to getting ready.
Thursday, April 6, 2006
0630 Local Time
Border Area of Saudi Arabia & Yemen
The trio with Saunders and a transportation squad of 20 Special Forces service men and women set out from the airbase just before twilight. The caravan consisted of five Humvees, one for Saunders and the NI Squad and all five Humvees pulled a horse carrier each. In each horse carrier there were two camels. Six camels were for each of the NI Team and two support troops. The other four camels would carry their camping gear and other provisions. The whole trip took about 4 hours to reach the border. The sky was still dark as they mounted the camels and set out.
They saw on their GPS equipment that they crossed the border a short time later.
Saunders recited, "There's an oasis about three hours ride south from here. We'll stay there for the day and wait out the heat. The camp is a night's ride south from that oasis. If there is anyone at the oasis, we should leave them alone and camp away from them."
"Sounds good to me," Keeter replied.
It was first light when they reached the oasis and started to set up their camp. Fortunately, there were no other campers at the watering hole.
After they finished setting up their tents and shared a meal from their MREs, Saunders suggested, "You guys need to get some sleep. You'll find that the tents are quite comfortable, even in this heat. The gals can sleep in their tent and we guys will sleep in the other. Our troop detail will take turns standing watch. We'll get ready to leave about 1800."
"Okay gentlemen, good night or rather good day," Kate said as she strolled to the gals' tent.
They continued their journey that night. Just before dawn their "eye-in-the-sky" notified them that they came within a mile of the camp. So, they dismounted to continue on foot.
They came to a rocky bluff north of the camp. They crawled as close to the edge as they could, careful not to show themselves against the horizon, to look down at the camp.
Galindez used his sniper rifle scope out to observe the goings on below. Kate had a digital camera with a telephoto lens and started snapping photos of the activity going on, as well as anyone who turned their face their way. All during their time there, their troops comms officer was in constant contact with the base operating the drones. So far, they were working undetected.
"Any chance we got a picture of Fahd?" Jack asked Kate.
"We'll know when we get back to the base and download the photos from the camera's SD card and compare them to the photo we got from his wife."
They stayed at the observation point for an hour. They didn't want to push their luck against being detected. Also, the sun was getting high in the sky and they did not want to risk any heat injuries. They retreated back to where they left the camels, mounted and rode back the way they came. It wasn't long until they found a spot to set up a small camp for the day.
They rested until the evening and set up to travel back to the oasis and then back to the border.
Friday, April 7, 2006
0525 Zulu Time
Prince Sultan Airbase
Saudi Arabia
When they downloaded the photos of the camp and thoroughly examined them, they saw that they didn't find what or who they were expecting.
It was Kate who broke the bad news. "We took photos of what we thought was everyone at the camp, but Fahd either wasn't there or never came out of the tents."
So, what do we do now?" Victor asked.
"We wait for information from Aziza," Keeter replied.
"Our agent we use for her contact will see her when she shops the market in Sana'a tomorrow," Saunders explained.
Saturday, April 8, 2006
1130 Zulu
Marketplace, Sana'a
Saunders' agent, a male Air Force corporal of Mid-Eastern descent named Ehab, was posing as a merchant working a vegetable cart in the outdoor market.
He saw Aziza get out of a beat-up Toyota SUV truck and make her way through the market. Eventually she reached the vegetable cart and started to pick out what she wanted. She did not make conversation as she knew the two males that accompanied her as security would overhear. When Ehab told her the price of her purchase, she handed over the currency to pay for her selection then she turned and walked away. As he went to settle the cash in the change purse hanging from his belt, he felt the small SIM card that was folded into the bills. It wasn't until later that evening after he finished selling for the day and went home that he was able to download the information from the SIM card onto his laptop and send the email to Saunders.
It was very late when Saunders received Ehab's email. As soon as he opened it, he phoned Keeter, Cate & Victor and bade them to come to his office.
When they came into the office, looking all kinds of sleep deprived and grumpy, Kate asked, "What's so important that I had to leave a video call to my kids?"
"We have a problem. Here, take a look at this. It came from Fahd's cellphone SIM card." Saunders turned is laptop for them to see the photo on the screen.
"Oh shit. We have to get back home ASAP!" Victor exclaimed.
The photo was from the "Navy Times". It was of Diane and Sarah from Diane's dinner celebrating her promotion to NCIS Director.
At that moment Khalid Fahd was walking through London's Heathrow Airport on his way to board a flight bound for Dulles and Washington DC.
He was thinking, "I will have my revenge for my brother's death at the hands of these two impertinent females."
He was totally unaware of the shit-storm he was walking into.