Chapter 9

It was quiet, too quiet. There were too few guards and none of the usual security measures were in place. Even the checkpoint let him in without too much fuss. Everything screamed at him that it was not a good idea, but he had to stop this before it began. Otherwise, innocent people would die.

All he had to do was disable the only vehicle capable of delivering the payload. All it would take was a simple cut of a few wires. To be safe, he'd disable the explosives as well. This method was only to be used against the terrorist group they were hunting, not the people that were helping them find the terrorists. The intel command had was shitty at best.

First things first he disabled the vehicle. Now it was the package. It was…

"You know, they said you were one to follow orders and get the job done."

"This is wrong, and you know it. They are innocent."

"They are terrorists."

"They helped us find them."

"They led my men into a trap."

"That wasn't them!"

He had backed away to look at the one who was going to stop him. He looked at the one he once called a friend. They had been through thick and thin. They always had each other's back. Until they disagreed on the op that had been sanctioned. He studied his friend before saying, "They only sanctioned it because they have something our government wants. Read between the lines."

"I follow orders. I'm not one to go and make friends with these backwater peasants. They will betray you in a heartbeat."

"This is wrong. They are the people we are supposed to be protecting."

"You left me no choice, Aquila."

What happened next was inevitable. There was one other reason apart from his ability to execute wet work and tactical maneuvers that gave him the nickname Aquila. It started out hand to hand, but his friend had to take it to the next level.

"Don't hold back, Aquila. Show me what makes you so great."

The fight spilled out and had drawn attention from the rest of the base. He had no choice and pulled out the one thing that made him deadly in close quarters. He could see the crazed anger in his friend's eyes as he defended himself. He fought his friend and had him at his mercy, but he couldn't deal the killing blow. He couldn't do that to a friend, and it cost him.

The shot was wide, but it hit its target. It felt like he was given a hard kick just under the rib and he felt the burning fire as the bullet passed through. It was enough for his friend to recover and deliver a few blows. He fought back, but it was hard to breathe. The only thing he was certain of was a railing that his back hit when he was pushed back. He could hear the roar of water.

The next moment he was falling. Then he was engulfed in the cold darkness of the water. He struggled to breathe, but he could feel the cold liquid swirl around him. He squeezed on his throat as he tried to make it to the surface. Then there was darkness…

"I did what I had to, David."

Farah and Alex were on the ground choking to death on the gas. Hadir was trying to justify his actions. He looked around and saw the people that he had been trying to save before he was caught. He slammed Hadir into the wall, "This isn't the way."

"You would have done the same. I know what you did Aquila."

He reacted and punched Hadir. Hadir returned the punch. They fought as the gas swirled around. He couldn't breathe, but he had to fight. He fell to his knees, and he heard Hadir, "I did it for us. For us."

The darkness crept in, and he fell again. He fell until he heard, "Men like you don't die. You get back up and keep fighting. Time to go."

"And wake up."

It felt like someone threw cold water onto him. David felt his eyes open and at the same time he took a gasping breath. It felt like someone shot him with adrenaline. The first thing on his mind was Farah and Alex and he jumped to his feet, not realizing that he had been on a medical cot. He heard a gasp and turned to see a nurse that had been thoroughly startled by him suddenly jumping up when he had previously been unconscious. He didn't care and walked past her and out of the room, ignoring the nurse telling him to come back.

It didn't take long for him to figure out that he was on a military base. By that time, the nurse had called for the MPs, and they came prepared to detain him. He saw it as an obstacle to his primary goal and reacted when they placed their hands on him. He incapacitated them, startling everyone in the hall, which brought more MPs.

That led to a fight. The MPs were good, landing a few good blows much to the dismay of the doctors that were shouting at them to stop it. It came to a head when one MP was going to charge at him when someone stepped in between and grabbed the MP. David found himself face to face with Alex pushing him against the wall to hold him back.

"David, relax. It's Alex."

David was glaring at the MPs and said, "Yeah I know it's you CIA." He stared at the MPs and then looked at the doctors and nurses. He dropped his politeness quick and asked, "Where the fuck is this and where is Commander Karim?"

Alex glanced around and leaned forward to whisper, "Farah is fine. You need to stow if you want to see her." He looked at David in the eye. "You cool now?"

David didn't struggle and gave a dry chuckle, "I've been cool CIA. I'm just pissed." He looked at Alex in the eye and firmly added, "At Hadir."

"And I get that. How do you think I feel?" Alex didn't want to get into the fact that he had helped prepped the truck bomb. That he didn't react fast enough to stop Hadir. He loosened his grip on David to show that he wasn't trying to detain him. He spoke in Arabic, knowing David would understand, "We all were betrayed."

David looked at the MPs. Price was holding them off. He looked back at Alex and replied in Arabic, "At least he didn't try to kill you." He turned and walked towards the doctors, telling them that they could check him out and he wouldn't give them any trouble.

Alex took a deep breath and turned to watch David. He held his hand up to say, "Enough. It's all good."

David allowed himself to be checked out by the medics on base. They were shocked that he even woke up like he did. Hell, it surprised even him, and he had done it once before. He had drowned and then came to life. Jensen said he was half drowned and that there was a difference. It was just something to say because there was no way to really explain it.

Men like you don't die. You get back up and keep fighting.

Jensen offered that when he was trying to recruit him while he was recovering. At the time, David wanted to just wither away into oblivion. He wanted to tuck his tail in and hide. Jensen convinced him to get back on his feet. Now here he was. He pulled on the t-shirt that he had been given, wondering how the hell he was going to get out of this and find Farah. He believed Alex that she was fine, but he wanted to see for himself.

"You have any idea how hard it is to execute a plan with less than a chance of survival and still live?"

David turned to see Jensen standing at the door. His expression turned to a deadpan as he eyed the man. He literally owed Jensen his life, but he was not one to be a doormat either. Jensen seemed to respect that and told him once that if he wanted yes men, he would have recruited from the GI drones the nations of the world called armies. He replied, "I wouldn't know. Most plans I come up with ensure some measure of survival."

Jensen chuckled as he took in the surliness of David. He didn't blame the man considering the events that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. He waved the nurse off and stepped into the room. "No, you wouldn't. And yet, when the unexpected hits and your life is in danger…"

"Don't go into the whole I'm not the type of guy that dies thing," David said. "That's not what happened."

"Report says otherwise. You were exposed longer than Karim and Echo 3-1 before you stole a gas mask from a Russian soldier and still managed to get into a fistfight before you collapsed. But the report shows no long-term effects to be seen." Jensen pointed out as he looked at his man.

"I'm not a superhuman," David said, aware that it came out like he was pouting.

"No, but like I said, men like you don't die. You get back up and keep fighting," Jensen replied with a wry smile, knowing that it would annoy David to a degree, but it would keep the man's attention. He studied David just to check on him. "You know, you worried S64."

"I'm alright and I'll check in."

"I already did, but she'll like to hear your voice. I underestimated how close you two are."

"It's not like that," David replied in an annoyed tone while shaking his head. "It's strictly friends. We help each other out."

"Oh, I know. She was very insistent that you and Karim were vital to this. Never could elaborate. Only said to trust her." Jensen chuckled as he managed to look puzzled. "She takes after me."

"More like to teach a lesson."

"Kept you alive."

David rolled his eyes. The conversation could go in circles all day if he let it. Jensen loved playing on semantics and had a knack for making you feel guilty if you were stubborn about what he needed you to do. He sighed and said, "What did we miss? I mean, we were sure that it was the Wolf that stole the gas…"

"The question is what did you miss, David? You've spent ten years with the Liberation Force. What did you see?" Jensen looked at the man. "Or were you blinded by the friendship you and Hadir Karim had?"

"It was never friendship. He made that clear," David replied with a narrowed look. "He made it clear even before. He accepted my presence, but we were never close. Like he suspected me…" He drifted and looked at the ground as he recalled his confrontation with Hadir. He then looked at Jensen and asked, "How far did my past reach?"

"What do you mean?"

"He knew who I was, Jensen. He called me by my old sign," David replied. "Even the Wolf seemed to know who I was when he held him at the embassy."

Jensen thought about it and looked at David, "The reputation of Aquila does have a long reach. Many still remember what you did when you saved your unit. When you faced terrorists in close quarter combat. I know that you kept your special talents hidden while with LF."

"Not all of it. Kind of hard to not be a soldier."

"Ah yes, I figured Karim would use your talents."

"Only when necessary."

"Like what you just did?"

David pursed his lips as he struggled to find the words he wanted to say. Finally, he said, "I was given discretion. Commander Karim was the only one informed more about me. Ten years, Jensen and she knows just a fraction, but enough to take a guess. While she and Hadir are siblings, she knew I took a risk with her, and she kept quiet. She only asked because I gave her leave to ask, and it didn't come without me asking her intentions."

"I believe you." Jensen never doubted David's integrity. Despite what the reports said when he "died," he knew what he was getting when he recruited David. It was why he let things go the way they did. "Right now, we still have gas missing…"

"Hadir is angry. He wanted to take vengeance on Barkov. This was a means to an end," David said. He gave a tired look at Jensen. "We have to follow. Get the Wolf. Find Hadir and then Barkov."

"You seem to have it all planned out."

"No. Just the logical conclusion. S64 kind of hinted at it in one of our conversations."

Jensen listened and couldn't help but chuckle. "She is good. She's like you."

"She's intel. I'm the hammer." David shook his head. He was well aware of his capabilities. He didn't need someone making more of it than there already was. "Tell me where to go and point my gun."

"Don't simplify things," Jensen rebuked, "You both are the same. My philosophy on how your kind never die, it applies to her. All my operatives have that one thing about them that gives them the success they have. Some are more prominent than others, but you all do the job you are tasked with, and you succeed when others said it couldn't be done."

David listened to Jensen and thought about it. He still thought it was coincidence, but he would let the man have it. He looked at the man and said, "I don't know about that, but I do know our best lead is the Wolf and Hadir. We do have to worry about a power vacuum if we execute the Wolf and the Butcher."

Jensen smiled as he asked, "And you are sure you are up to the task? Are you fully prepared for the fact that you might need to go in all the way with your talents?"

David thought about it for a moment. He was terrified that those that did kill him would find out he was alive and try to kill him again. He tried hiding, but that wasn't who he was. His abilities came out when he trained LF members and created his network of informants in the city in Urzikstan. Farah had asked him to do what he knew. He could face it head on if he had to. He looked at Jensen, "I'm ready."

"Good, because I managed to convince the base commander that you just had a reaction to an accidental injection of adrenaline and for Kate to give you leeway," Jensen said. He turned to leave, pausing at the door to add, "Being Aquila was never a bad thing. Maybe someday you'll take the other name back." He then left the room leaving David to ponder his words.

"You're lucky you know."

David turned from where he was surveying the base. It had been years since he had been on one where they weren't shooting at him. He looked at his companion. He gave a shrug, "Maybe. Some may call me tough to kill, CIA."

Alex made a face at the nickname, "Can you not call me that. I know you know I am with CIA."

"Lot more fun," David said with a wry grin and slight shrug as he turned to look at Alex. He sobered quickly and asked, "The Commander?"

"Pissed," Alex answered honestly.

David nodded at that, "Figures." He thought for a moment and then added, "I know she told you that LF doesn't use poisons. I don't blame her, and I agree. It's the reason I joined up."

"Thought you joined because you were told to," Alex looked at David with a puzzled look.

David shook his head and almost laughed at the response he gave, "I was told to embed with the locals to keep appraisal of the situation of the region. The how was left to me." He looked at Alex and explained, "Working with Jensen's group, we are given a lot of leeway. Some have called us the black ops of black ops."

Alex nodded. He had heard of that when he joined the Special Activities Division. "Some guys when I first joined mentioned that. You guys…"

"Do things to keep a back channel open in order to stave off disaster," David quoted the recruitment line he had been fed. "That's pretty much it. We make friends with the most unlikely people because they are often the ones that make the difference. Me… I just wanted to hide while doing my job."

Alex wanted to ask. It was clear that David revealed a part about his past. He already suspected quite a bit and Kate had given him an earful that she had never heard of a Gabriel David serving with any military that had ties to the U.S. It just meant he had to look deeper and beyond what the surface was showing him. It seemed though that David was the one that was pulling back the curtain on that. He would take it. He liked the man. He couldn't help but ask the question, "What do you mean hide? You hardly seem the type."

David gave a dry chuckle. He sighed as he watched the troops go about their business. He turned towards Alex. "I know you suspect who I am. I'm going to tell you a name. One that you may have heard of. I was once called Aquila."

Alex didn't expect that David would give it up like that. He just stared at David, not sure if he should say anything. He assumed the man would deflect, deny, or change the subject entirely. This came from left field, and he didn't know how to react to it.

David watched his expression and laughed at the reaction. He knew he was picking up bad habits from Jensen and S64, but he had to admit the tactic worked at times. "Didn't expect that, did you?"

Alex managed to find his voice and replied, "Most people would deny it or…"

"And I doubt that would have satisfied your curiosity for long. Am I right, CIA?"

"I did ask Laswell about you."

"And I'm betting she couldn't find anything on a Gabriel David."

Alex studied David's mannerisms and it dawned on him. He gave a knowing look, "David is not your real name."

"And can I be sure Alex is yours," David replied returning the look. He really did wish that they met before all this. Alex would probably prove to be a better friend than the ones he had in the past. He sobered as he explained, "The reason I'm telling you this, is because I know you heard something when I exchanged fists with Hadir."

Alex could have denied it, but he didn't want to lie to David. They were both caught up in this. One had it more complicated than the other. "I heard him call you that. Are you really the eagle that brings a god's wrath?" He used the description he had heard of when he did his time as a soldier.

David made a slight sound at the description, "Most of what is said is an exaggeration, but the incident with my unit is true. Being labeled a traitor and then being hunted down… that is true. Though you probably heard it was justified."

Alex thought about it, "Mostly that they had a soldier that was cracked and threatened an operation and the safety of the men."

"Bullshitting. Gotta love it," David said with a chuckle. He turned to view the base members working. He sighed, "Never thought I'd be back on a base." He sighed and changed the subject. "Next step is to hunt the Wolf."

Alex raised his brow at David. The man had been found nearly dead and now he was on his feet and itching to go. It just seemed surreal. "Hey man, you were just exposed to chlorine gas while getting an ass kicking to the point where we found you nearly dead."

"Your point?"

Alex shook his head, "Do I need to spell it out to you?"

David looked at Alex. He knew it would look strange and even unbelievable. He gave a slow smile, "I know what you are talking about. I am fine and I know you saw the report. Thing is, Alex, I am pissed. Long and short of it."

"You knew Hadir for ten years…"

"I'm pissed for Farah."

Alex took the moment to realize that David was not being formal and that he actually called him and Karim by name. He didn't try to take too much time into thinking about as he replied, "Tell me about it. She was also worried about you."

"I shouldn't have done what I did. I reacted when I figured it out with a little help from S64," David said. He put his hands on his hips as he turned to Alex and shuffled on his feet a little. He shrugged his shoulders. "I should have seen it coming. I fought beside him for ten years. Observed him…"

"Farah never saw it either and he is her brother."

"After this, he'd be lucky she'd acknowledge they were somewhat related." David pursed his lips before adding. "I'm not a fan of chemical warfare myself. It's bad enough we have guns and the upgrades. The more serious stuff… This is also going to cause problems for LF."

Alex didn't mind the change of subject. They were all still processing Hadir's betrayal. He knew Farah and David definitely saw it as such and from what he could tell, David was willing to go to extremes with Hadir. "What do you mean?"

"Hadir is a Western asset. We're already in deep shit with stolen chemical weapons and to find out it was him…" David gave a pointed look at Alex. He studied the man for a moment before saying, "Worst comes, can I count on you to watch Farah's back?"

"You planning on going off on your own?"

David shook his head. "I'm not like S64, but I get the feeling we're going to jump on a wild train ride and the only way off will be to jump and it may not be together."

Alex looked at David, "Sounds like you are like her. Just not as annoying." At David's look, he explained, "She talked to me before the embassy."

David snorted at that, "Figures." He gave a pat to Alex's shoulder, "Don't discount what she says. I'm serious."

"Roger that," Alex said. "You're serious though about what's next," he stated more than asked.

"I saw it once in my previous life and it killed me. Well… nearly." David looked at Alex, "I just want to make sure that people that matter have their backs watched. I know Farah will keep you and me both out of trouble. You know what I'll do. Can you do the same?"

Alex shifted to look at nothing in particular to think about it. Maybe it was crazy with the timing of David's friendilness and his assertion. Then again, maybe David just wanted to fill the hole Hadir left. It rankled still that he hadn't done anything to stop it. He needed to find the gas. Just not like this. He looked at David. The man certainly had watched his back and pulled them out when they needed it. He faced David and straightened up, "Alright David."

David nodded and held out his hand. Alex took it and they shook on it. In not so many words it was a silent declaration of a friendship.

A/N: David is awake and his life does hang in the balance. He makes a firm friendship with Echo 3-1 though. Stay tuned for next time...