Sooorrryyyy. This one took a while. I struggled to get what I wanted in the team dynamics and dialogue for this chapter so I hope it worked in the end.
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Sonny Quinn is well aware he isn't exactly a beacon of patience and self control at the best of times.
This is not the best of times.
It's not even close.
He long ago stopped measuring mission success based on the operational parameters because let's face it sometimes they are just fucked up.
Sometimes the team comes home empty handed
And sometimes it feels like they made things worse
Every once in a while their actions feel just as bad as the people they are hunting even though some suit has labeled it for the greater good on some complicated chessboard he doesn't care to understand.
He lets cooler heads than him engage in all that crap.
Arguing with the asshats in suits with convoluted agendas and trying to get straight answers from spooks who don't remember what black and white look like…. yeah thats a number 1 or 2 job.
For him he keeps it simple. Keeps his eye on the prize and keeps his mind clear and focused squarely where it should be which is making sure his own come home.
Sonny Quinn protects his team, and his leader, above all else.
One simple thing.
It's not complicated or too much to ask for, at least he thinks.
And yet today they failed.
He failed.
Sonny watches the buildings fleet by the van window and feels it sink in a little bit more with each one that passes. Each building fading into the distance means they are a little bit further away from how things used to be and a little closer to this new reality he isn't ready to accept yet.
All because he failed.
And now they are one short.
Today they left his friend, mentor and leader, behind like nothing more than a piece of smoked meat. Like something that meant nothing to anyone at all.
He knows the kid was right. That they had to leave.
He's lost people in the field before. Hell last time it was him telling Clay they had to move on.
But God Damn It this was Bravo 1.
That means something in Sonny's world.
It means Jason deserved more. Deserved better.
Bravo 1 bore the weight of the world to keep this team going. There was no cost too high in Jason's world even when the tolls add up against his family and health.
Jason Hayes taught him the true meaning of service and sacrifice and straightened him out real quick when he was a young hot-headed operator thought he had it all figured out.
He's the one who time and time again pulled Sonny's ass out of the fire when he maybe did something on the stupider side. Come hell or high water rising in a torpedo tube Jason Hayes would always come through for you.
He was the first one to call Sonny to the carpet and tell him to get his shit together but also always ready to go to bat for him when Sonny just couldn't.
Jason pulled Sonny into his family, kicking and screaming and let him mooch off countless thanksgiving dinners, birthday parties and graduations and even made casual Saturday afternoon street hockey games a part of his weekly repertoire. Now he will never get a chance to tell the man how much he valued that and how tightly he hung on to those wholesome moments in the darker times.
And after all that they left him.
That doesn't sit right on so many levels.
So yeah, they can go get payback right now. Try to take solace in a little vengeance and bloodshed. He just knows he won't get much solace out of it knowing a brother is lying there abandoned and alone.
When the van arrives, Sonny pulls himself out on autopilot and follows his remaining brothers to the pre-arranged set point.
He tries to tell himself it can't hurt to go swak some asshates since they are already here. A quick and dirty fight, and then back to Jason.
He supposes he can get behind that if he really has to.
The team already studied this building in anticipation of a possible assault so they have a fall back plan ready and should be able to get in, get out and get back asap.
Except they don't.
It quickly becomes apparent the kid has other ideas.
Spenser insists on pulling them back further and setting up a surveillance post on a nearby roof.
When he mentions aborting the original plan Sonny runs out of patience and can't resist grumbling a little.
Clay ignores him.
So he tells himself to let it be. To bide his time and his tongue.
That manages to last all of another 2 minutes before he gives up on it because he reeaallly needs to get moving.
Sonny is desperately craving the simple clarity and tunnel vision that assaulting requires. His 3 foot world doesn't include horribly disfigured bodies, orphaned children and somber funerals to come, which sounds pretty damn appealing right about now.
Sitting here, overlooking the target building, perched on the precipice of indecision and competing interests, yeah that's not going to work for him.
It's way too much time to think.
And even worse - to feel.
Finally he can't take it anymore.
"Seriously. We already have a plan. Let's stop wasting time and get on with it"
Clay still doesn't turn to face him, responding gruffly while staring out into the street in front of them.
"And how well did that plan go for us."
Oh no you don't.
Clay's been known to make flippant comments like that and question things most of them just let go. Hell Spenser's pushed Jason's buttons more than a few times and Sonny's always let the two go toe to toe but that right there sounded a whole lot like questioning someone who isn't around to defend himself anymore and that's just a step too far in his book.
Brock subtly steps in his way stopping his momentum and it's only then that Sonny realizes he's taken a step forward with his fists clenched.
He consciously relaxes them and steps back.
Looks up to see Clay now watching him with an unreadable expression
Trent on the other hand has no problem shooting his teammate a clearly disapproving look.
Sonny glares back, no time for Sawyer's holier than thow shit right now.
He wasn't going to punch Clay who currently outranks him, by the way.
Probably.
…..
Okay maybe.
It's just that resetting is a waste of time if you ask him. Which apparently no one cares to do.
Sure enough both Trent and Clay have gone back to ignoring him and focusing their attention on discussing possible options.
Does no one realize that this delay is only giving them more time to prepare and set up too?
Brock joins in the conversation and they continue talking in circles pretty much confirming that this is no longer going to be a quick in and out.
His team seems bound and determined to drag it on all day at this rate.
Are they all forgetting about their leader. The one lying helpless and alone back there. Does that ring a bell for anyone. Does anyone give a shit about that except him.
Newly blooming pain and anger eats away at any filter.
"Hurry the fuck up. Jason would have been able to figure this out on the fly and we would have been halfway home by now"
Now Clay looks like Sonny did actually punch him and Sonny takes a small amount of smug satisfaction in finally getting a reaction.
Isn't that what people always tell him to use his words instead of his fists.
Maybe there is something to it.
It was almost as satisfying.
He ruthlessly ignores the slight pinch of guilt because yeah, maybe throwing Jason in there might have been a shot below the belt.
But the rest of it he is completely unapologetic for. Facts are facts, and if Clay wants to run with the big dogs than this is how it is. He needs to step up to the table and Sonny isn't going to sugar coat that on a mission even for a friend. Especially not when he is against their current course of action to begin with.
Clay gamely recovers. He slips on a neutral mask and then his voice comes out cold and calculated and very un-clay like.
"The Intel was faulty. Whatever explosives got Jason were bigger than just a simple S-Vest. And just because we got all the ones in that building doesn't mean they didn't get a call out or have some pre-established protocol that's been missed now. Or that they didn't somehow get wind of the explosion or saw our guys post security and figured out something was up"
He takes a deep breath, setting his shoulders and glancing around at the team before he continues on firmly. "I want to make sure we have all the pieces this time. To make sure that those people in there relying on us don't end up blown to smithereens because we rushed in. And I want to make sure that we are all still around to go back for Jason…."
Now Clay has eyes only for Sonny, his face hardens and his voice loses a few more degrees of warmth as he finishes, staring Bravo 3 squarely in the face... "So sorry for taking a few extra seconds to get it right."
He turns back to watching the target building and the alley below, a very clear signal that the conversation is over for him.
Sonny still isn't satisfied though. He still wants to fight. Isn't willing to let it go or let it be or wait it out or whatever zen crap he's being asked to do. All the rage, the unfairness, and the pain, is churning just below the surface. Bubbling up to the surface and trying to escape. He won't be held responsible if his team ends up as collateral damage because no one will let him go do his damn job.
"Then let's just go back. Let's go back and get Jason if y'all are too afraid to move forward."
He catches Trent nodding in support as he finished his outburst which is more than a little surpising. Their medic's calm and measured approach to things rarely aligns with his less tempered, less stoic, gut reactions. Generally the two of them balance things out by being able to consistently take opposite opinions on pretty much any and all facets of life.
Clay on the other hand pretends not to hear it, or notice the budding union of Bravo 3 and 4.
Even more surprisingly the response when it comes is from Brock who hisses quietly at them "We didn't come all this way for nothing. Might as well get the job done."
Now Trent rounds on him, sniping back quickly "Yeah, but at the cost of what? We have no better Intel. Could be walking unprepared into another bomb."
Sonny flares at that one, again with the questioning of Jason.
"Jason wasn't unprepared. We don't know what happened" He says bitingly, daring anyone to go anywhere near that line of criticism again. His adrenaline kicks up clearing his mind, as he finally gets an approximate of the fight he wanted in an unexpected conflict zone.
But Trent doesn't back down "exactly…. We don't know!'
Sonny brushes past that, pressing back with urgency, determined for someone, anyone to understand "We can figure that out later. Let's get in there now and do what we do."
"What do you think we are trying to do? We are all working to figure out a way to get in there and do that," Brock snarks back.
Now Clay turns around sharply. "Enough!"
He runs a tired hand over his face and lowers his voice, speaking softly and with gravity "Do your damn jobs and help me figure this out or if that's too much to ask then shut the hell up and wait quietly while I do. Squabbling at each other isn't going to help anyone. We are better than this. He would have expected better than this."
An uncomfortable silence follows.
Sonny for one is bristling at the admonishment. Not at all in the habit of allowing Spencer to put him in his place. Every instinct wants to chirp back, push back, continue on with this battle.
The problem it stings just a little bit extra, feels just a little too pointed, which in his experience usually means there is some element of truth to it that he doesn't want to hear.
Still seething he looks for support to Trent and Brock and can see a similar storm of emotions playing out across their faces.
He has to admit it's also a little out of left field. Spenser's been running around trying to emulate Ray Perry mannerisms for days, weeks, even. Calm, composed, shoulder ot cry on, everything to everyone. But that one was all Jason. Right out of the Hayes playbook down to the set jaw and the straight shoulders and the words that cut right through you and make you feel about 2 inches tall.
Kid might be all high on his britches but he does have a point.
Jason would have expected better from them. Would have demanded it too, just like Clay is well within his right to do now.
No one seems to be able to come up with an effective argument so they laps into a terse holding pattern. The team continues to watch, and wait, and do nothing, and Sonny again almost reaches the end of his ability to sit quietly when finally a tango exits the building.
Sonny gives him a quick once over, dismisses it and goes back to trying to figure out a way to convince the team to leave without starting another war.
He's just about got what he figures is the least inflammatory statement he can manage ready to roll when Clay breaks the silence.
"Bravo 2 to Havoc, can we get some assistance with something."
It shocks him a little to remember that there is a world still outside of this mission, because it kind of feels like it ended a few hours ago. Like all that is left is the team slowly self destructing here on this rooftop.
"Go ahead Bravo 2. What do you need?"
"Can you pull up the pictures of the dead tangos we sent you from the previous building. Look for one with a pretty noticeable scar on his face. left side..."
"Bravo 2, what are you thinking?" This time it's Ray's voice on the coms. Quiet, calm and intrigued, his presence even in that form, restores a tentative sense of normalcy to the team. Like he is just around the corner and heading their way to meet and bounce ideas off of. Like Jason is just around the corner too. Like they aren't untethered or directionless.
If Clay is feeling the same he doesn't show it, responding back slowly and pensively
"I swear I saw this buddy back at the other building. He went in just before we breached "
"Negative Bravo 2. No facial scars in photos you sent." Eric's voice takes back over and his response has Clay frowning.
"Roger that, and ISR confirmed there were no squirters during the assault or since?"
"A-firm. Perimeter was secure." Ray provides the answer meaning Sonny is actually willing to trust it.
Trent seems to have caught on to what Clay is stewing about, and thinks it through out loud
"So if he went into the building, and he didn't come out, how the hell is he here, and not dead."
Despite himself Sonny's interest is peaked, now understanding why Clay is obsessing over this one dude.
But he still feels like they are over complicating things and that maybe there's a very simple solution being overlooked here.
"Are you sure it's the same guy, it's pretty dark?"
It's not too dark to see the glare that gets shot his way.
And if it was, the clipped, glacially cool response from Clay would have made it pretty damn clear.
"I'm sure."
Sonny considers trying to clarify. He was actually trying to be helpful there. Although it's not hard to see why it maybe was taken the wrong way in this current climate.
Before he can decide whether or not he wants to broach it again, Clay moves away, heading to the south east corner of the roof and staring out contemplating the area due south of them towards the harbour in the not too far distance.
Now what?
He knows that look. It's the same one that Clay gets when he's got an idea. When his brain is racing a mile a minute down some rabbit hole and it could be a while before it appears with whatever creative theory is percolating inside.
Thankfully his already stretched too thin patience doesn't get tested too much further.
"Havoc, can you go back in historical records and find out where the postal building used to be?"
What the fuck?
A quick glance around shows he isn't the only one wondering what the hell he is missing here. He takes some satisfaction in seeing equally confused looks on Trent and Brock's faces.
Even Balckburn's normally unflappable voice seems somewhat perplexed when he responds with the coordinates for the unexpected request after a minute.
Clay ignores all that. Eyes alight with interest, plowing onwards.
"Okay, now draw a line from that point directly to the harbour. Does our pos happen to fall on that line?"
Sonny suspects Clay already figured out the answer to that question before he even asks it because he barely even reacts when Blackburn confirms. He quickly redirects.
"How about the previous location?"
Another affirmative.
Clay nods with satisfaction. Thinking it through but not sharing with the class fast enough for Sonny's liking.
"So…." he prompts tersely.
Clay takes another infuriating second and then finally decided to catch his team up.
"I think they've tapped into the underground postal tunnels"
Receiving 3 blank looks he continues on explaining" In some of these old european port towns they built underground tunnels from the docks up to the post office to move the goods on a dolly system. A primitive underground train system if you will"
"Thank you, Mr. History channel"
It slips out of his mouth without thinking, an automatic response to new heights of nerdiness previously unseen from the boy genius.
Except there is nothing normal about this day or this mission anymore, and the strained tensions between the team right now means this isn't the time or the place for that kind of levity. What normally might have cracked smiles, lead to more jokes and teasing, falls spectacularly flat in an awkward silence. The only response is a probably well deserved cold shoulder from Clay who ignores his attempt to make eye contact in favour of going back to his radio.
"Havoc, can you get us any sort of maps of the underground"
"Negative Bravo, not in any sort of timely fashion anyways. Would need to get into city archives we don't have access to"
Clay starts to pace as he works through the problem out loud. "So they know we are coming. There is an unpredictable underground network at play. And they may be reinforced with explosives. Nothing ideal about any of that is there."
Sonny suspects it was meant as a rhetorical question but Blackburn obviously agrees with the assessment.
"Bravo 2, recommend pulling back. We can re-asses the situation and re-inforce your numbers prior to engagement."
Clay's face twists sourly at that option, obviously not in favour of it.
Before he can answer one way or another Trent weighs in, solemn and stony faced "Maybe that's the best option. We already got one person blown up today."
Nuh uh.
No way.
He's come firmly around to Brock's point of view. They didn't come all this way, do all this just to turn around now. Bravo doesn't run from a fight.
And yet when he looks over at their current leader he isn't disagreeing with Trent. Isn't making a decision one way or another yet.
Sonny's had enough of this.
He reaches and turns on his coms "Ray what's your take. We need to proceed here right?"
Now Clay glares at him. And Sonny stares back defiantly, he's over playing by the rules official or unofficial. All he wants is to get this god forsaken mission and if he has to phone a friend to help speed that along then so be it.
There's a long deliberate pause and then Ray's voice comes through firmly with a subtle hint of admonishment like only Ray Perry can do "Boots on the ground make the call. It's Bravo 2's decision."
Thanks for nothing Ray.
That was thoroughly unhelpful and left them exactly where they were before. Not that he's exactly surprised but it was worth a shot. Not much to lose at this point.
He raises his head to find Clay staring coldly at him. Okay maybe one thing to lose. Their friendship might be yet another casualty lost to the mission at this rate.
Spenser deliberates another long second, refusing to be rushed or swayed. Finally he grimaces and opens his mouth to speak, Sonny turns away in disgust, knowing the answer that's coming. He might as well start packing up now. If they are going to run away like cowards they can at least do it quickly and efficiently.
"Grab your gear. We are going in"
His hand freezes over his bag and he pauses there, partially bent over, frozen in place as he sorts through the rush of relief, anger, and eager anticipation that floods him.
He slowly straightens up, turning to face Spenser who is watching him carefully.
Sonny opens his mouth, not exactly sure what to say, but sure he probably should say something. Unable to come up with the right words the intention dies in his throat.
He struggles for a minute and then tells himself it's not the time now anyways. That there will be time to make this right later.
Clay seems to be in agreement, turning away and going over to consult with Trent without another backwards glance.
Sonny briefly wonders if he will regret missing that moment down the road.
Within a few minutes the team has a new plan and is formed up in place to execute. There is no more time to second guess, no more time to wonder or regret, and thankfully no more time to feel.
What Sonny can feel is the world closing in around him. His focus narrowing to the small lens, the men to this left and right, the path ahead, the tactical considerations, thats all he sees.
3 foot world.
To his right and just ahead he hears Clay's voice, confident and certain now. "Execute. Execute."
And then the world explodes with a blur of motion and he falls.
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