Chapter 6

"Fuck, fuck, fu—Kate, get me something! We'll be fighting the whole bloody city!"

The only drone in range needs a refuel. Can't stay up for long.

I may be able to assist, Captain.

David's eyes widened slightly when he heard S64 on the horn. He spoke out of turn, "What the fuck, S64?"

I'm tasking a secondary drone along with the other. It will be there in six mikes.

You don't have the authorization…

Already done. The other drone is on the way. Sit tight, Captain.

David looked at the others. It felt awkward that happened. He knew S64 monitored his activities from time to time since it was in line with her own assignments. This was… He looked at Price and said, "Just get the birds here, S64. Out."

"What the bloody hell was that?"

David knew he had to answer that. He replied, "S64. One of Jensen's." He wasn't sure how else to explain it. From the look on Price's face, it seemed that the man knew about Jensen pretty well.

"That explains it," was all Price said as he led the way to take up position. "Alex, Hadir, go north, cover that roof. Kyle, Farah, you're with me." He paused and looked at David and asked, "How good a shot are you?"

David knew what Price was asking. He pulled up the sniper rifle he carried and locked and loaded. "Pick 'em clean if you want."

Price looked at the man. He knew he was worth his salt and more than meets the eye. Farah wasn't surprised about it and Alex seemed comfortable too and no complaints from Garrick. He nodded, "Take up position. If one gets past us, take 'em out."

"Done," David said and moved to find a perch where he had a field advantage. He suspected that Price figured out who he was, or at least knew that he was more than the average freedom fighter that fell in with Farah's men. As he consoled himself before, there was no time to worry about being found out.

Figures Price would set you in the sniper's perch.

"And it didn't help that you tapped into the comms and shot your mouth off," David replied as he settled in.

As I mentioned to 3-1, you and Farah are key pieces along with Price and his men. I don't make assertions lightly. You know that.

David gave a slight shake of his head as he positioned himself. "How can I not? You haven't let me down. My problem is trying to explain you."

Commander Karim seems to not be surprised.

"Because I told her about you. Can't keep much from her."

Did you compromise…

"No," David retorted. "Just knows that I know you and I trust you. She trusts me though how much longer…" He peered through the sights as he looked at the field. Like Farah, he figured that the Butcher's men would try coming along the backside to flank. Price would have his group position to get ready. "I told her enough to show that I wasn't double crossing."

You're playing a dangerous game.

"Yeah, I tell that myself every damn time. Hasn't sunk in."

Be careful. If she trusts you, she will accept anything that comes out.

"Thanks."

Take care.

"You too."

Aww didn't know you cared.

"I don't. I don't need Jensen on my ass." David smirked when he heard her chuckle. He felt a little better about the situation and was ready for what was to come. He adjusted his rifle and peered through the scope. He called in, "In position. Clear view of the field."

Copy. Sharp eyes.

David viewed the scene through his scope. It was too quiet for his liking as he watched the unarmed military-aged males scramble and hide. The calm before the storm. It forced him to check around even though Alex and Hadir were covering the north. He took a breath and watched.

He could make out the fighters running behind cover to get into position. He tensed and readied for when the first shot would be fired. Once the bullets started flying, it was all in until one side came out on top. That's how it was every time they went into the fight.

It caught him off guard when they started shooting the lights, putting them in darkness. He cursed at the pitch blackness of the field. He heard Price tell Garrick to light it up with a flare and brought his rifle up. As soon as the light came on, he spotted them and started taking them out. "Contact!"

Engage! Engage!

David fired until the flare went out. It gave him a chance to reload. He was ready to go when Garrick sent another flare out. His body was tense since the time in darkness would allow the fighters to get closer. Time was not their friend in this case. He would use every second he had, and he took it while he had light.

You'll only find death here!

David's lip twitched when he heard Farah shout at the fighters. He was in agreement there. He kept shooting until the lights when out again and he had to wait for Garrick to light up the field again. He could hear the bullets whizzing close and striking walls and whatever cover there was. He looked up when the lights went on again. The shadowy pillars of the remains of a building in the field looked like tombstones. It gave an eerie feeling. Like it was a sign of the end result of all the fighting.

Giving his head a shake, he turned to the task at hand and popped shots to help relieve the fire. It was no time to be philosophical, yet the sight was engraved in his mind. He was not a superstitious man, but it did bring to mind the warnings from S64 about how things were moving now. Lesser men would have run and hide. He wasn't though. He would keep it in mind, but he would also do his job.

The fire exchange continued until there was no one firing back. It went back to being quiet. David took the moment to count his rounds.

Round count.

David replied, "Half on the rifle. Still full on secondary."

Check your shots. Make 'em count.

David swallowed and adjusted his position. He was ready to relocate at a moment's notice, but he would stick to his post as long as he could. Just like Farah, he knew that it wasn't over. They would be back and there would be more of them. It was time to really dig in. He tensed when he heard the vehicles and spotted them, tracking them. They were repositioning!

It was confirmed when the mortar was sent flying. David turned away to shield himself from debris out of instinct. He looked out into the darkness, trying to see if he could find the mortars and pick them off. He grunted in frustration when more mortars flew, forcing Price's roof to leave the roof. He could join them, but his position wasn't compromised yet. He kept trying to look for the mortars to take them out.

The sudden light coming a flare lit up the field. David spotted one and took aim. It was a little far, but he would risk the shot. Taking aim, he breathed and pulled the trigger. The man went down, and he could make out that they were confused from it. It wasn't much though since there were others firing mortars. It was meant to be a shield for the advancing fighters. David turned his attention to pick off a few that were getting too close. He didn't know if he would be that lucky to get another mortar.

The mortar fire was effective and forced them to pull back. David though was behind as he moved from his nest to catch up. He came across a few fighters and took them out before they had a chance to fire. He called, "S64…"

Four minutes.

"Doubt we have that long," he replied as he took out a fighter that was almost on top of Garrick from the flank.

I'm working as fast as I can.

David sighed in frustration as he picked his targets. He did manage to get up close and use his knife to conserve ammo. He was not one to pull punches when in close quarters combat. He threw a punch and meant it. The fight kept up until they got every last one. The lull would allow them to reload and stock up. He made his way to Price's group.

"Not bad," Price said.

"Never said I could shoot well," David countered. He glanced at the field. "They're regrouping for another assault.

"Okay, move to the north building for resupply," Price ordered.

David followed, not questioning the order. He heard Alex on the comm saying they would set security. Garrick joined them to resupply. David said nothing as he grabbed ammo that would fit his gun. He stuffed mags in every pouch he had on his person. He checked his knife to make sure it was where he needed it be and checked his ammo loaded.

Bravo 6- This is Jaguar 4-1 on station for close air, guns hot.

"Copy 4-1, stand by for targets," Price replied. He glanced at David, "Seems like it worked out."

"Never let me down yet," David replied before going out to join Farah.

Once outside, he took a couple of deep breaths and rotated his shoulders. He could feel some of the tension release, but no completely. It was enough though to keep him going for the next round.

See, I told you I could get it in.

David shook his head at that and smiled slightly. He replied, "Never said you couldn't."

It should even things up. Still, be careful.

"Copy that."

It wasn't that long to wait. He heard the whistle in the air at another mortar and the explosion. He turned to see that Farah had joined him and they shared a nod. They had to stand their ground and fight to the end like always. It was how they lived to see another day. Cutting and running would not help them and it would leave their transports as sitting ducks. He locked and loaded to be ready while Farah grabbed the ladder for Garrick to get to the roof.

0-6, Jaguar 4-1 is overhead for fire mission. Waiting on your mark.

Garrick, go with Hadir. Take out that mortar team, then get your arses back here.

Garrick took cover behind a vehicle. The two-story building where the mortar fire was coming from was heavily guarded judging from the amount of fire that was going on. It helped that the others were giving cover fire, but the reality was that they were heavily outnumbered. He couldn't forget what Price told him.

We defend this position; we live to fight another day.

Cut bait?

We may have to.

It was not something that Garrick would look forward to doing if it came to that. Until then though, he would give it his all. He knew that their companions would do the same. They had held out so far and it was enough to keep him going as he pressed forward. The closer he got, the more intense the fire. He was almost in danger of getting hit when a fighter had come danger close.

The whiz wasn't even audible over the gunfire. Garrick blinked as the tango went down when he realized at how close that was. He gasped for air at the thought.

Almost to the target. Keep going. I've got you covered.

Garrick pressed forward. It was disconcerting and yet comforting in a strange way. The man that had watched out for him in the embassy had been nothing but quiet. He barely said anything, but he made it where it counted. He appeared when you least expected it. Taking a breath, he moved forward until the path was clear. He helped Hadir over the wall and waited while the gate was opened. From there it was straightforward to breaching the house.

It was disheartening to see the owners of the house lying on the ground, dead. It was senseless slaughter and all because of the HVI. It was enough to make anyone want to bail on the mission, but Garrick knew he couldn't do that. It was just frustrating, and he thought it was bad enough his own government didn't act when they should have. If they did, London wouldn't be in shambles.

Keep focus. You've got about maybe six hostiles inside.

Garrick made a sound and couldn't help but reply, "Your timing is rather…"

Coincidence… and experience. Hadir can tell you that.

Garrick glanced at Hadir who made a slight motion and a shrug. Garrick shook his own head. "And it's your own experience that had you meet us on the roof?"

Common sense.

"Don't bother," Hadir said in subvocal. "He'll explain or not explain."

You know me better than that, Hadir. Just experience.

Garrick made a slight snort. It sounded like David was being purposely vague to be annoying, but having met the man face to face, he could tell that wasn't the case. More likely it had to do with things he couldn't tell. He didn't know how Price was alright with that. Turning his focus on the job, he moved with Hadir to clear the lower floors of the house before making their way up.

The mortars were starting up again. Garrick knew he had to move otherwise it would spell disaster. Yet he couldn't be hasty. That was being careless and sure to put him into the grave. He cleared the rooms, taking out the enemy when he spotted them trying to lay an ambush. He didn't understand their language, but there was no mistaken the sound of a grenade clinking against the wall. He ran back to take cover just before it exploded.

Trying again, he tiptoes and checked his corners before bursting into the room. The sudden bang of the door distracted the enemy firing mortars and gave him a clear shot. He took them out without mercy. "All stations, Bravo 2-6, all mortars down, building clear."

Rally back at the compound.

It was just a quick exit jumping out of the window and off the balcony, but the fight wasn't over. Garrick could hear more gunfire. Hadir mentioned that more fighters were coming. Glancing to his left, Garrick could see two vehicles coming. One was a truck with a mounted technical.

Taking a shot. Got 'em.

The lead vehicle swerved and crashed. Garrick could only blink. It was definite in his mind that David was no ordinary freedom fighter. The man had military training. He was sure of it. There wasn't time to muddle through it as Garrick loaded a grenade in the launcher on his weapon. He popped off a round and managed to take out another vehicle but there were more.

They're inside the compound.

"They'll get to the Wolf!" Garrick used his primary weapon to take out the stragglers. He was not going to let them get the Wolf.

Fall back to the residence!

Things were looking bad if they had to fall back. Even Alex was saying that the enemy was inside. It was enough to have Garrick thinking that they needed another one of David's big saves. He always seemed to come out and give them reprieve at the right moment. Yet what Garrick could see that it wasn't going to be possible this time around. At least he thought so.

AQ breached the residence building.

"Fuck," Garrick muttered as he continued to fire at any of the enemy that he could see. This was serious and he was seriously doubting they were going to make it.

Get over there now! Secure the Wolf!

Heading there now.

David's voice held urgency, but the calm tones sounded strangely out of place with all the gunfire. It was like the more gunfire, the calmer it was. It was one of those slight moments of reprieve, but Garrick knew he had to pull his weight too. He started making his way to the residence.

There was heavy resistance outside the residence and nearly pinned Garrick by the wall. A well placed grenade from his launcher helped and a second rifle entered taking out the stragglers. He saw David come up and checked the area. They gave each other a nod and proceeded forward into the residence. More gunfire was going on outside as they moved through the halls.

"No. Let me go!"

Garrick felt a sense of urgency and the need to get there when he heard Stacy's voice. He didn't want to let her down after what he did to get her out of the embassy. He didn't realize that David was close behind him and had switched from his rifle to a pistol. All he was focused on was seeing Stacy being held like a human shield. The only place he had a shot was the enemy's head and they were hard to make in general.

It took him completely by surprise when David pushed him to the side and calmly executed a perfect headshot with the pistol. It also seemed to have caught the enemy by surprise that he just strode in there with nothing but a pistol. It was the kind of thing to make Garrick think the man was suicidal by doing that. His own superiors would have told him off for being reckless like that. He didn't have time to mull over it and barked at the woman, "Stacy, get out of here now!"

Garrick glanced at David who had cleared his weapon and switched back to his rifle. Either he was with a one man army or someone that defied odds and convention. He gestured at the door and tried the handle. "Door's jammed!"

By that time Price had joined them and the three of them gave the door a hard shove. It opened only to reveal the Wolf gone and a huge gaping hole in the cinder block. It took Garrick a moment to realize that they had lost their prisoner. "Fucking hell. They got him, Captain."

Garrick turned to look at Price only to see David stride forward to stand behind Farah. It allowed him to get a good look at the man as he stared at the hole. The expression on the man's face looked bland, but Garrick got the sense that the wheels were turning in the man's mind while at the same time he seemed to wait to take any orders from Farah.

"Hadir, get your team to the crossroads. Bring everything you've got," Farah said as she stared at the wall.

"Yes, sister."

The man didn't even flinch when Price stepped up to ask what the plan was. It was like he was waiting for something, or he already knew what she was going to say as she said it, "The Wolf is with the Butcher. Terrorist cells in the city will hide them. Bravo will clear house to house in search. My people will help you. If they try to escape to the mountains, there is only one road."

"Tariq Almawt'. The highway of death." The air seemed to still when David named the route, "The Russians bombed it during the invasion, killing people that tried to escape."

Garrick heard the snort of derision. There was clear hatred for the Russians. He shifted as he observed the man as he said something to Farah in her language. He waited to hear what she said and nodded before turning and leaving. Whatever it was, Garrick got the feeling that the plan would leave no stone unturned, and David was going to be pulling something out of his pocket.

"There is a village at the crossroads," Farah continued, "I sent Hadir and his fighters there to prepare an ambush. Alex and I will join them and take up firing positions above the road, lying in wait for the Wolf."

"And David?"

Garrick held his breath waiting for the answer to the question that Price asked. He was curious about it since Farah was not unfazed by the man's actions in a firefight. He looked at Farah and Price.

Farah looked at Price, "Doing what he does best." She glanced at both men. "Striking and killing when they least expect it." She turned and left to contact her people with Alex in tow.

Garrick waited until she left before asking, "Anything about this not seem right?"

Price was quiet for a moment before making a slight sound, "No."

"But one man…"

"A man with his reputation is something to be scared of and Farah knows how to use it," Price replied as he turned to start prepping for the plan. "Just stick to the plan."

A/N: The Wolf escapes but it seems S64 decides to give a hand. Will we see more of them? Stay tuned...