Chapter 9

Clay walked into his place a week before they were set to spin up for tour. This would be his first tour with Delta and Clay was not sure what to expect by any of it. He knew they would be going into the Valley, a place that was literally called Hell on Earth. He knew it was going to be hard, possibly the hardest tour he had ever done, but this was his team and he was going to get through it and adapt. Stokes did say that they could pack their own booze and drugs for the tour. On base, the rules were more relaxed and the rooms were two beds each. Clay had a feeling that him and Stokes would be shacking up for the tour, something that Clay didn't mind at all. Plus it would be a great distraction should he need it.

The second Clay walked into his house he knew something wasn't right. He snapped his eyes to the right where the living room was and there were three men dressed in suits sitting on his furniture. On the coffee table were the stacks of money he had from the drug raids as well as the cocaine bricks that he had. Clay had no idea who these guys were, but they looked official and Clay was already trying to figure out how he could lie about the stash and pin it on Ash.

"Who the hell are you?" Clay demanded.

"Special Warfare Officer Spenser, my name is Agent Brooks, this is Agent Samson and Agent Gibbs. We are with the CIA. We need to have a chat."

"Regarding?" Clay said, still not easing up at all. They clearly found his stash so there was still a high possibility of being arrested.

"It seems we have a lot to talk about." Agent Samson started.

"We found this in the back of your closet and let's not insult anyone's intelligence by you telling us it belongs to your father. We know you have been living here rent free while working for him. We also know that the logos on the cocaine bricks match the logos on the drugs that were supposed to be destroyed on various cartel operations." Agent Gibbs added.

"And yet I'm not being arrested. So what do you want?" Clay asked. It was clear they wanted something or he would be in cuffs right now.

"Have a seat, we need to chat about your future." Agent Brooks said, with a nod towards the empty chair in the room.

Clay wasn't in a position to argue so he went and sat down in the chair keeping his eyes on Agent Brooks, he seemed to be the one in charge.

"You are a classic case of a good kid getting mixed up with the wrong crowd. We know everything that happened to you in your entire life. That's part of our job. It's all classified, because the CIA made it classified when you became a Seal. You came from nothing, you went through hell and now you are a Tier One operator. You are well respected and everyone we speak with all say the same thing, that you are the future to the Navy. We also know what happened between you and the other members of Bravo and other teams. We know about your apartment and about this place. So let's not lie to each other, I would hate to have to go watch you piss in a cup just to get you to be honest." Agent Brooks started.

"You be cards up, I'll be cards up." Clay easily agreed. There was no point in denying anything, they already knew.

"Perfect. We know Delta is dirty, we've known for awhile. But it's not just Delta, it's also their support staff, Commander Boden and Agent Marks, their previous CIA handler. We also know that they have someone in the Upper Brass, a General or an Admiral that is also dirty and getting a cut of the money that is being stolen. We don't know who and we have yet been able to get solid proof to all of this." Agent Brooks continued.

"It's not just taking money and drugs from dead cartels. They are also going on unsanctioned missions while on tour. The Valley is full of terrorists, but also different stash houses for terrorist cells all over Afghanistan. Every time Delta goes on tour there, those stash houses get hit and the money is stolen and the tangos within the houses are killed. Women and children as well if they are present. It's always covered up by someone in the Upper Brass or they make an excuse as to why that was connected to an operation they were given." Agent Samson added.

"Agent Marks has been able to get placed back on Delta and Agent Ellis is being moved back to Bravo. Agent Marks will be starting tomorrow and they will be hitting more places on tour. We will eventually get enough proof to take everyone down, you can either go down with them or you can be the one to help take them down." Agent Gibbs said.

"What do you need me to do?" Clay asked. He wasn't going to be going down with Delta. He was not going to lose everything. His career was the only thing he had right now, there was no way in hell he was going to lose it.

"You keep doing what you are doing. Keep going on the missions, keep taking the money and the drugs. Keep doing exactly what you are told. Be just one of the guys and show them that you can be trusted with everything. You record everything though, whether that is with a notebook or a laptop. With your mind you'll be able to remember the smallest detail. You write it all down. Every single operation you go on. Everytime money or drugs are taken, how much, from where, who got what, every little thing. You keep track of it all and you keep doing it until you get something we can use to take them all down, including whoever is in the Upper Brass that is connected to them as well as Agent Marks. You get us that, then we'll give you complete immunity. You can keep all of the cash and drugs that you take and at the end you can pick what team you would like to be on. It's all right here in writing and signed by the Director of the CIA." Agent Brooks said, as he handed Clay the paperwork.

Clay took the paperwork and started to read it over. It was very detailed and made sure to cover all bases. It was right there in black and white, if he agreed to this he would have complete immunity and he would be free to go on to another team when this was over and done with. Clay knew it wouldn't be simple. He would have to do whatever he was told to earn their complete trust. He would have to follow Maddoc's lead and be one of the guys. It wouldn't be easy, there was no telling what he would have to do. He had immunity to do whatever it was that he needed to do, but that didn't make it any easier. Clay knew the only reason he was being given full immunity was because it was involving a Tier One team, a CIA Agent and someone within the Upper Brass. They were too dangerous to be allowing them to do whatever they wished.

"I'm assuming if I don't get everyone this will be annulled." Clay stated.

"Correct, it's all of nothing. Someone with your skills and potential, I am confident you will be able to accomplish this. There is also no time limit as long as we are seeing results. You will report directly to me every month with updates on what you have been able to record and any progress on who the traitor within the Upper Brass is. You make this happen and we will protect you. No one will ever know about the money or the drugs that you take." Agent Brooks said.

It was a fair deal, one Clay couldn't really turn down. If he said no, they would arrest him right here and now, Clay was certain of that. He knew it was going to be tough and tricky, but he would make it work and make it happen. Especially when he could still keep taking the money to pay off his debt and the cocaine would allow his mind to shut off so he could truly focus all of his energy on shutting Delta down. Clay picked up the pen and signed the paperwork before he handed it over to Agent Brooks.

"Smart move kid." Agent Samson said, pleased with Clay's decision.

"I'll be in touch with you while you are on tour. Remember, just do everything they say and earn their trust. You need to get close to Maddoc, that will get you close to Commander Boden and whoever else is involved." Agent Brooks said, as he stood up.

"I'll get what you need." Clay promised, there was no other choice.

All three Agents headed out of Clay's house and Clay sat there trying to get his mind wrapped around what had happened just now. He never expected things to be turning this way. He never expected any of this. He would get to the bottom of what was happening with Delta though; his career depending on it. Clay got up and grabbed the money and drugs and headed back into the bedroom to put them back away. He also grabbed a notebook and a pen before heading back out into the living room. Clay placed the items down on the coffee table before he went over to the kitchen and opened the one cupboard. He grabbed the plate with the cocaine on it and placed it down on the counter. He took a couple of lines to clear his head before he went back over to the couch and got to work on writing down everything that had happened so far with Delta.

XXX

(Dirty Version Of The Tour Can Be Found On My AO3 Account)

Clay made his way through the base in the Valley. They had just landed and they needed to get set up before they would be off on a mission. From what they had told Clay, they would have an operation almost every day being out here. Clay now knew that some of those operations wouldn't be sanctioned by the military. He had everything he needed though to be able to record what happens out here. Agent Marks had returned a week ago like Agent Brooks had said. Everyone seemed to be happy to have him back and Mandy gone. Clay figured Mandy was happy to be back on Bravo. Clay had no idea what was going to be happening on this tour, but he was trying to do his best to be prepared for whatever could be coming his way. The base itself looked like a normal military base, not that Clay expected anything different. The sounds of gunfire surrounding the base were different. They weren't close enough to be a danger, but they were close enough to be heard. It was something that he would need to get used to hearing constantly.

Clay made his way into the dormitory area. Clay found an empty room so he went in and saw a desk and two single beds. Clay placed his bag down on the bed furthest from the window. He looked up when he heard the door being closed. Stokes had walked in and spoke as he placed his own bag down on the other bed.

"Hey there roomie. What do you think so far?"

"Well, it's noisy, but I like not having to sleep with five other people in a room." That really was a benefit to Clay. Not being stuck in a room with a bunch of other guys was a huge bonus.

"You'll get used to the noise. It becomes background noise pretty quick. And it is nice to not have to share. And this time around my roommate is way hotter than last time." Stokes said with a sexy smirk.

"Can I ask you something?" Clay started, as he sat down on the bed.

"You can always ask me anything."

"What we've been doing with the cartels, taking the money and the drugs, do we get to keep doing that here?"

"Why do you want to know?" Stokes challenged.

"Honestly, I like the money. I got a hundred grand in debt plus another hundred grand in destroyed property most of which are expensive literature. Plus I'd like to have a truck that isn't a piece of shit again. I never thought I would ever take money from an operation, but I'm finding that I like it. It's exhilarating to know that I can pull one over on the military. I mean, the money is set to be burned anyways, no one knows that we have it. It's gotten fun and exciting." Clay said with a smile.

Stokes gave Clay a big smile. "See I knew you would be just like us. It's fucking thrilling to go into a stash house of a cartel or a terrorist and take their stash. It makes you feel all tingly, I fucking love it. And ya we'll have a shit load of opportunities to grab some cash. It's why we have the extra duffle bags, we'll store it in em and hide em away. Last tour we had over three million when we got on the plane. Took home over two hundred grand each."

"Two hundred grand times six would give you one point eight million. Where did the other one point two go?"

Clay couldn't believe how much money they were stealing on tour. What was also crazy was knowing that these cells just create new stash houses so the money is never dried up. They just take the loss and move on.

"There's nine of us in total. We all get equal shares."

"Ok, well six on the team, I'm assuming the other two would be Boden and Agent Marks. Makes sense why he would want to be back on the team. But who's number nine?" Clay asked, he was hoping Stokes would open up about who in the Upper Brass they were working with.

"You're right about them, but number nine only Maddoc and Boden knows. If you don't want to get a bullet in the back of your pretty head by one of the guys, I would highly suggest you lose interest in number nine." Stokes warned.

"Fair enough. I don't care either way. As long as I get my cut, I'm good with not knowing. In fact it would be better that way anyways."

Clay knew it was going to be next to impossible to get the intel he needed if no one would talk about who this mystery ninth person was. It was sounding like he would need to be Delta One before he learnt anything, and he didn't have that amount of time.

"That's why you are smart and sexy." Stokes said with a wink.

Clay just smirked as he stood up.

"I'm gonna hit the shower before we get spun up."

"Tease." Stokes joked, as Clay grabbed a change of clothes and headed out.

Clay had no idea what was going to be happening on this tour, but he was hoping to at least get a shower in before the insanity began.

XXX

Clay stood there under the hot water as his whole body shook. The first two weeks of the tour had not been pleasant ones. After taking a shower, one that had been interrupted with Stokes, not that Clay minded at the time, but right afterwards they were pulled into a firefight at the base. Apparently it wasn't uncommon for the enemy forces to come to the base and start shooting. That was two weeks ago and ever since the firefights were happening every single day, sometimes lasting for four or five days straight. It was a lot for someone to take. They were set to leave tomorrow for an operation and Clay was actually looking forward to getting the hell out of this base. Today had been especially hard. They had been in a firefight for three days now, nonstop shooting. Clay had been fighting along the front lines of the base when all of a sudden the eighteen year old kid that was next to him had turned into red mist. One second he was there and the next it was raining blood, covering Clay's whole body and face with it. There had been nothing left of the kid. Nothing you could even send home to his parents. They had hit him with a grenade and Clay knew he died instantly. That was yesterday and Clay had spent the rest of the time fighting the enemy off, covered in blood. After the firing had stopped, they couldn't rest, because they then had to do the painstakingly task of collecting the injured and dead and getting them sorted. Plus make repairs to the base. The enemy had been doing the same, only their dead were being burned to fight off disease, the result was this disgusting smell of burning flesh filling the air. The smell soaked into your hair and your skin, Clay didn't ever think he would get clean from it.

Once the water stopped running pink, Clay got out and quickly got dried off and dressed. He headed back to his quarters and was happy to see that Stokes wasn't here. He wasn't in the mood for home right now. Clay got into bed and pulled out his cell phone and saw that it was three in the morning. Clay saw a few texts from Emma asking how he was doing and how everything was going. He didn't text her back, at least not yet. He would need to lie to her and tell her everything was fine, but right now he didn't have the strength to do that just yet. Clay scrolled through the names of his contacts and stopped at Jason's. He hadn't heard from him since he had gone on that operation with Bravo. Jason was giving him space and Clay appreciated it. Clay hit the call button and moved his phone up to his ear. He didn't know if Jason would answer. It would all depend on if he was stateside or on an op or if he was on a plane. Clay just needed to hear his voice. He needed something to ground him so he could actually sleep. When there was no answer, Clay ended the call and pushed himself up. He went over to his duffle bag and pulled out a baggie of cocaine before he went over to the desk and did a couple of lines. He didn't want to get high, he just needed to get his mind to slow down long enough for him to sleep.

With that done Clay went back to bed and curled up under the covers. He picked up his cell phone again and sent Jason a text letting him know why he called so he wouldn't think something was wrong by the missed call.

I'm not hurt, just needed to hear your voice. The past two weeks have been really hard. We're constantly in firefights at the base. They last for four or five days without a break. Afterwards, we spend what little time we have repairing the base, moving the injured and collecting the dead. Most were in pieces and we have no idea if who we are putting into a box is actually the right person. Today was hard. I was on the front lines with this eighteen year old kid next to me. It was his first tour, he joined because he got his girlfriend pregnant and wanted to provide a good life for his unborn child. He just found out he was having a son and now he'll never get to see him. A grenade hit him, I didn't see it coming over the sandbags. One second he was the and the next it was raining red mist. There's nothing left to send home. The smell here is awful. The enemy is burning their dead instead of burying them to prevent diseases. The whole place smells like burning flesh. We have to wear gas masks whenever we leave a room on base from the toxic fumes in the air. We've been to war, but this place is like oldschool war. Hiding in ditches on the front line type of war. I never thought I would be doing this. I don't know if I can. It's late here, I gotta get some sleep before it starts up again. I just needed to hear your voice.

Clay wiped the tears from his cheeks as he put his phone down and he rolled over to try and get some sleep. Two weeks down and ten more to go.

Clay was woken up by Stokes just after seven in the morning. Clay rolled over and saw Stokes standing over him.

"Morning Pretty Boy. I know you're tired, but we got a chance of getting out of this hellhole base for a few days."

"We're getting spun up?" Clay said, trying to wake up.

"Marks got some chatter online. There's a huge shipment in the mountains for the head cell in Afghanistan. That's what all the firefighting is about. They are trying to distract us and buy their time while they can distribute the weapons, drugs and cash throughout the country. It's a huge takedown, roughly a thousand guns, a hundred pounds of drugs and it's looking like a cool million in cash. All of it will be distributed to fifty outposts within the cell. We're gonna hit it, kill everyone we can and destroy the guns. We're heading out within thirty so get moving. I'll grab you some coffee and food, I'm heading there now."

"Alright, I'll meet you there. Appreciate it." Clay said, as he pushed himself up.

Stokes gave a nod and headed out. Clay ran his hands over his face and tried to wake himself up. He was happy about them getting out of the base and away from all the firefights. It would be a nice break. Clay grabbed his phone and saw that Jason had sent him a text message back.

I'm sorry I missed your call, we were on a raid. I'm so sorry you have to be there. I wish I could be there with you and help get you through it. The volatility within that place is why the Upper Brass are trying to pull our troops out, the death toll is too high and the results are far too low for it to be worth it. Please be safe, I just want you to come back home alive. We can deal with the rest when you get here. You can do this though. You have accomplished and survived so much in your life. This isn't what is going to break you. You are amazing, and strong, you are my son and there isn't anything in this world you can't do.

Clay saw that there was also an audio link attached and he hit play

"For whenever you need to hear my voice again. I want you to remember that I love you. You are one of things I am most proud of in my life. There isn't anything you can't do. There isn't anything you can't survive. And whenever you are feeling scared or lonely, know that I will always be right there with you. You are not alone; I will always be right there with you watching your back. I love you son."

Clay let out a shaky breath. That was exactly what he needed to hear. Clay downloaded the voice message to his phone so he could always listen to it when he needed the reminder. Clay felt better hearing Jason's voice and his words, it wouldn't be a permanent fix, but at least for now he was able to focus on what he needed to do. Clay got up and got ready, he had an operation to go on and he didn't want to be stuck here any longer than he needed to be.

XXX

It had been six weeks since the tour had started, they were half way through it and Clay wasn't certain if was going to make it after today. The past month had been hard, but it wasn't too hard. They were spending a lot of time outside of the base hitting different stash houses and eliminating terrorist cells here. They were stealing a lot of money and drugs, Clay couldn't believe how much. It seemed like this area was a hot zone for the terrorist organizations to stash their supplies here and as a transition zone for the guns, money and drugs to move out of the country. The result was huge kill numbers and they were already hitting two million in stolen cash. The guys were all excited about how much they had taken, but to Clay it was absolutely draining. It wasn't going on the operations, it wasn't even about the fact that he was going on unsanctioned missions or stealing money and drugs, it was the environment they were in. It was seeing the death and destruction, hearing the cries of pain and not being able to do anything to help was killing him. Today was killing him.

They had been sent on an operation to eliminate a player within a terrorist cell. He was making a serious name for himself and they were taking him out before he became too big and started to cause major problems within this war. It was all supposed to be simple, Clay was to be on overwatch and wait for the perfect chance to take the target out. The guys were all spread out watching his back so he wouldn't have to worry about someone sneaking up on him. Clay had thought this would be easy, just lay in wait for his opportunity. What he didn't know was that within the village they found pleasure and joy in torturing women and children right in the middle of the street. For two days Clay had to lay there in the cold and wet dirt looking through his scope down at the village and watch as different women and children were chained up to a post and beaten, tortured and raped until they finally bleed out. He had to hear their screams and cries for it to stop and for help. He had to watch as the men were laughing and enjoying themselves and their victim's expense. The whole time he had to wait for his target to come out of a door, right behind where all of the torture was taking, so it wasn't like he could look away. He had no choice but to watch it all play out until he finally had his shot. Clay didn't stop at just the one though, once their target was down, Clay turned his gun on the other men within the village. Taking them out one by one. The guys picked up on what he was doing and they joined in on the elimination. By the end of it the only ones left alive were women and children.

Once they got back to the base, Clay immediately went to take a shower and then he laid down on his bed. He wanted to be alone, he wanted to try and forget what had happened over the past couple of days. At the same time though, he couldn't sleep, there was no way in hell he could sleep. Clay didn't know what to do so he just laid on his bed. He had no idea how long it was before the door to the room was opening and Stokes walked in with Keith.

"Come on Pretty Boy get up. We got some partying to do." Stokes said, as he held a bottle of whiskey and Keith had some cocaine that he pulled out of his pocket.

"We can't be partying, the base could get attacked again." Clay said with a dead tone.

"It's a holiday for the Afghani people. Hence why there's no gunfire in the background. Everyone has the night off." Keith said, as he locked the door so they wouldn't be interrupted.

"Which means we get to party and forget what a fucked up few days it's been." Stokes added, as he opened the bottle and poured them all a red solo cup full of whiskey.

Clay forced himself to sit up. He didn't really feel like company, but at the same time he didn't want to be alone. Clay took the cup and took a drink from it as Keith got them all a bunch of lines of cocaine spread out on the desk.

"You go first Pretty Boy, you've had a harder couple of days." Stokes said once Keith was finished.

Clay placed his cup down on the floor before he went over and did four lines of cocaine before going back over to the bed. He had to admit, he was starting to think this was exactly what he needed. The guys both did their lines and Keith went to sit down on Stokes' bed while Stokes joined Clay on his.

"I heard Marks is closing in on another stash house. He wants to try and hit as many as we can." Keith said.

"Have you ever run out?" Clay asked.

"Naw, there's about fifty at any given time. They change em up all the time. It's more lucrative though this time around. The war in the Middle East is far from over. People think it's almost resolved, they have no idea what goes on in the Valley." Stokes said.

"This place is the hub of terroism in the Middle East. It doesn't matter if you are Afghani or from another country. If you are looking to purchase guns or launder money through one country to the next, it all goes through here. So the money we are taking might not be from this specific terrorist cell, it could be from one in Iraq. Hell, it could be money from rebels in Yemen. They all use the terrorist highway." Keith added.

"I had no idea. I've been to J-Bad three times in my career so far and I've never heard of it. How did you guys find out about it all?" Clay was more curious for himself rather than Agent Brooks, but he would add it in his reports.

"When we joined Maddoc already knew about it and was doing this. We assumed it was from Boden or whoever was Delta One previously." Keith said with a shrug.

"Where are your past teammates? Normally teams will talk about them or you meet them in a bar. I've never heard about em." Clay genuinely wanted to know that, because it was weird.

"They're dead. No one leaves Delta unless it's in a body bag." Stokes said.

"Why do I get the feeling it's not always by hostile fire." Clay said, carefully. He wasn't sure yet just how far he could push them for information.

"There's been a few that needed to be removed for the safety of the team. Had a few rookies that didn't want to be a true member of this unit and they unfortunately didn't keep their head on a swivel." Keith answered.

"And a few more that came up MIA on an operation or tour. You don't gotta worry about that though. You've been proving you are loyal to the team." Stokes added.

"But know that if we find out you are a rat, we'll hand you over to the highest bidder." Keith said with an edge to his voice.

"I believe in loyalty, so I don't gotta worry about that. Besides, if I didn't want to be on Delta, I could have easily transferred after our first op and I wouldn't still be taking money and drugs with ya."

"He's good I told you he would be." Stokes said with a smile.

"Ya he is." Keith had to agree.

The three of them spent the next five hours drinking and doing cocaine. Clay wanted to forget the past six weeks and tonight he was going to make sure he did. All he could do though was hope the next six weeks would get easier, but Clay seriously doubted it.