Chapter 11

"Alex, duck!"

Alex heard the shout and dropped to the ground. It was just in time to see the blade whiz through the air where it struck AQ on target. Even more surprising was watching David charge past him as the knife was flying, watching him yank the blade out and swing it at two more AQ before pulling out his pistol and shooting the last one on the ground in the head. "Fuck me."

David holstered his pistol and sheathed his blade and walked over to Alex. "You alright?" He held his hand out.

Alex grasped the hand and accepted the help up. "Damn, David. Never seen anyone move that fast."

"CQB was my thing. Still is and I occasionally dabble in sniping," David said with a shrug. He tried his radio again, "Bravo Actual, copy?" The static was not encouraging.

After they swept the compound in the village, they had been directed to the teahouse where the AQ tunnels were. David was not surprised that AQ had their families in the compound. It was a baffling moment on how the enemy accused them of murder when they did the same thing and put their own families in jeopardy.

They swept the compound and rounded up the civilians. David was the one that asked them where the Wolf went, and the location was given. They met up with Alex and Farah to head down the tunnels. He had barely followed Alex after Farah took point when AQ blew up the tunnels. The resulting explosion left the entrance blocked and their comms cut off.

Since they needed light, David brought out the glow sticks and cracked them open. He handed one to Alex and Farah and tied one on his belt. The only way out was forward and towards the Wolf. He also fished out the lamp scope for his gun and fixed it on.

"You thought of everything," Alex had commented.

"I was always a… what you Americans call it, boy scout," David had replied before taking point. He had the light scope for just in case but relied on his glow stick to light the way.

"David has always made sure we have been prepared."

"I do what it can."

They made their way through the tunnels, but the rumbles were hardly encouraging. The explosions had put the tunnels in a precarious position. David was not normally afraid of being underground, but the rumbles made him uneasy. The worst thing was to be buried alive and slowly suffocate. Dying instantly was not even on his mind.

They had encountered AQ in the tunnels and took fire. David went into spotter mode and relayed them out while covering. He cursed when AQ lit their fire trap and managed to get back at them with a few well-placed shots. It was clear that they were determined to protect the Wolf.

At one point Hadir made himself known, demanding why he and Alex brought Farah to the tunnels. It had David snort at that since he knew better than anyone, no one told Farah what to do. If she wanted to be at the front lines, she went. David knew better than to dissuade her unless he saw there was an issue and that was very rare. He did manage to let Hadir know that no one told Farah what to do and that he should know that.

With the gunfire and the weakening from the explosions, David found himself and Alex separated from Farah when they fell down a shaft. It was decided that they continue and make their way up while Farah continued through. They had to work their way up and the tunnels had their fair share of AQ that tried to stop him. It was how Alex found himself saved from a bullet to the back by David.

David tried again, "Bravo Actual, do you copy." Hearing the static he shook his head, "Still too deep to get a signal."

"Best to keep moving," Alex agreed. "You wanna take point?"

David shrugged, "No problem." He sheathed his blade and switched to the rifle he had equipped. "With our luck, Farah already found the Wolf and took him out."

"Probably," Alex agreed as he followed David. They took it slow since the tunnels were AQ territory. They knew them better and had the advantage. As they made their way through, he asked, "Are you worried about her?"

"No." David checked his corner before proceeding forward. "She is more than capable. Better than most men I've met in my time with military."

Alex glanced at the man and raised his brow, "And not because you two…"

"A mutual respect for each other's abilities."

Alex gave a smirk. Evasion at its best and not unlike what he would have done working with Laswell. "I bet you tell that to everyone that asks."

"All the time." David pushed forward before adding, "We agreed that it was better to keep a united front as commander and lieutenant. And you should know what happens when feelings enter the picture in our line of work."

"I've been told to not get attached," Alex replied with a nod, "But you are not with any agency I am familiar with."

"I guess the best description is a merc with feelings," David said. It was the truth. He was no longer military, but his services had been for hire when he met Jensen so to speak. It was a bit more complicated than that, but that was essentially it. His only loyalties were to LF and Jensen, with the latter more as a favor.

"A merc with a famous past," Alex pointed out. "But that doesn't matter. You've done a lot with Farah to help us."

"I agree with her. The gas is an unfair and barbaric tactic." David gave a shrug as he kept his concentration on the path ahead. He glanced at Alex, "Call it a sense of fair play."

"Nothing wrong with that," Alex replied. "Your reaction said it all when you woke up."

David chuckled at that. It seemed that he wasn't going to live it down. "Thanks for stepping in."

"You'd do the same for me, brother."

David nodded and gave a fist bump to Alex. They kept forward until they started hearing something. It became evident that the Wolf was speaking, possibly transmitting a message. He muttered, "Sounds like the muzzle if off the Wolf."

The western world, they believe we are for sale. This is not true, of course. The super-power is for sale.

David ignored the Wolf and focused on what the AQ fighters were saying. He turned his head to better hear what they were saying. He nudged Alex, "They know we're here. They're going to light something. Keep sharp."

"Remind me not to speak in another language."

"I know Arabic and Farsi and my home language. I'm small compared to my friend."

"S64?"

David glanced at Alex and nodded, "Yes. It's enough to scare you."

Alex made a note of that. Having only spoken once to the mysterious S64, he didn't have much to go on. He shielded his eyes when he saw the flames of the fire. The fuel ignited and quickly spread. A quick look around revealed they had to go up. The mine cart provided the extra step to get up.

"Fire is spreading," David said. "We have to stay ahead of it."

Alex hopped on the mining cart and started to climb the stairs. He waited for David to catch up and they took both sides. It was alarming at how fast the flames were spreading. They had to get up top before they either burned alive or suffocated from the flames consuming the oxygen.

They cleared out the level, but they had to move. David shouted, "Ladder. Move!"

It was a mad dash. It didn't help that AQ were rushing out while they were climbing. David took shots when he could since he was walking drag. It lightened up the pressure on Alex and they continued to climb up. They only paused when they flames hit something valuable and there were explosions. It seemed that while AQ wanted to destroy their enemy, they were willing to destroy everything including them to do it. It certainly was a walk down memory lane when David used to execute similar missions in the past.

"This way," Alex gestured.

David followed Alex towards the ladder, careful not to misstep and fall. He could feel the vibration from the fire taking its toll on the wood and the explosions that had weakened the rock walls. He stepped aside when he saw a propane tank fall from above and gripped the ladder, preparing to follow Alex up. The flames were burning more intensely now.

More AQ tried to fire on them while they climbed. He found the ladder up and climbed up. Turning, he noticed that Alex had gone in a different direction. "Alex, this way," he called out.

Alex had gotten turned around when another explosion sounded, and he was thrown off balance. He lost sight of David and looked for the way up. When he heard David, he followed it back to where the inferno was burning. He spotted the ladder and saw David up top. He started climbing the ladder, but his weight and the flames caused the level below to collapse and the ladder fell back.

It had to have been a lucky catch that Farah caught him by the wrist. Looking down, he saw the wood fall away to be consumed by the flames. Looking back up, he saw Farah holding on and David reaching down to give a support grip. Both hauled him up to the plank walkway. It allowed him to take a breather, "Thanks cuz."

David nodded, taking a couple of breaths. That was a close call. Farah looked at them and gestured for them to follow, "This way."

Following Farah, they came across dead AQ. It was her handiwork and she confirmed it when Alex asked her about it. David handed a couple of spare clips for the gun she had picked up. He added, "She always lets the enemy know who bests them."

"And when I want secrecy, I have you," Farah added with a hint of playfulness in her tone.

"Well secrets kill."

Alex managed to add, "Kill plenty of Russians."

David chuckled when he glanced at Alex. Together they pushed forward. They still had a Wolf to bag, and it seemed that he was still keen on broadcasting his rhetoric.

You have come far, but what you seek is already gone.

"That's the Wolf. Dead ahead." Farah jogged forward followed by Alex.

David was last. He always was behind Farah when she led. He knew she wanted to see the Wolf punished. Listening to the broadcast, it had him worried. While part of what they were hearing seemed to be directed at his followers, that last part, David couldn't help but think it was for them. It hinted that what they were after wasn't there. There were a couple of possibilities. One was that the gas was there, and the Wolf wasn't, and they were listening to a recording or a streaming. The other was that the Wolf was there, and the gas was gone. Neither was a good option.

Following Farah, they came across the room the Wolf was holed up in. Alex opened the door to the Wolf sitting with a bomb vest locked to his chest in front of a camera. He could hear the unmistakable sound of the timer ticking. The bastard was going to go out with a bang literally and take them with it. It wasn't going to happen though.

Without hesitation, Farah put a bullet into the man's head since he was holding a remote and raced to pick up the control panel while Alex kneeled to examine the bomb. David turned to cover just in case by some twist of fate AQ came on the scene. He gave a shake, "Disarm it. I'll cover."

Alex checked the timer and noted the time. Farah nodded and responded, "Cut the wire exactly when I say. Not before."

It was enough for all three of them to hold their breath as Farah gave Alex the sequence of wires and when to cut. David felt his breath go in and out when the last wire was cut, and the timer went dead. It was a breath of relief.

"All stations, this is Echo 3-1 in the blind. Jackpot. Primary target is KIA," Alex relayed on his radio.

"This is a mistake on you," David said as he pointed at Norris. He looked at the Marine with a look that could kill. "The same fucking mistake you made when you turned your back on the promises you made to the interpreters."

"Stand down, David, or I will have you detained," Norris replied with a firm look.

"Detained? Your people tried to fucking kill me for stopping you from doing the same fucking thing you're doing here." David didn't want to back down. He was done with hiding and was spitting for a fight and one that reveal the wrongs. "It's the answer for everything. Fucking kill people who disagree with you." He glanced angrily at Laswell before stepping back.

"I've ordered my Marines to treat Farah's army as hostiles," Norris countered.

"Which is fucking wrong, and you know it." David said something that was less than complimentary in Arabic and turned to avoid looking at Norris and Laswell.

Price had been quiet, but he was not liking the situation either. He had to admit David had a pair on him to actually hint at his past and accuse the US military of his attempted murder. He understood and was just as pissed and added, "You keep your moppets on a short string, Colonel."

"Or what?"

"Or I'll fucking hang you from it," Price warned. He also added the rider, "And I won't stop David from cutting off your balls."

It was a threat, plain and simple and could have been taken in the wrong way. It was wrong and everyone in the room knew it. David had enough and was ready to cut off Norris' balls right then and there. It was Farah that restrained him with a hand on his wrist. She spoke to him in the local dialect, "Not now. I need you."

David calmed down enough and nodded. He replied, "This is what they do, Farah."

"I see, but I need you to stay calm. Please." She looked at him in the eye. "Don't let them take you from me."

David took a breath and nodded, "I won't. I'll figure out something."

"I know you will. You always have."

"I'm tired of being told who my friends are," Alex said. He didn't like the situation either and Laswell had to be blind if she didn't see the visceral reaction David had. It had nothing to do with Norris personally, but for whom he represented. "I'm going back to Urzikstan with Farah and David. I'm staying with Farah's army."

David looked up at that. Farah had protested, but it was clear that Alex was going to do something about the situation American command had put them in. He had to respect that, and he told Farah to let Alex make his choice.

"What you're doing is illegal," Laswell protested.

"I'm pretty sure everything we do is illegal," Alex countered. He shot David a look to say he was serious, and he would meet them outside.

David nodded back and gave a look at Farah. It was hard on her. It actually had him angrier at Hadir. Choices had consequences and, in this case, Hadir's choices made things difficult for them. LF was labeled as a terrorist organization, which was far from the truth, but it was how the world was going to be. He didn't like it and toyed with the idea of getting word to Jensen. Then again, the man might already know what is going on.

Shifting, he turned to look at Price. Farah was thanking him, "Thank you. For everything."

"Its not over yet. Trust me," Price replied.

"I always have."

It was a farewell for now. David stepped forward and held a hand out towards Price. Price took the proffered hand and shook it saying, "Now don't get into too much trouble."

"You know me, Price. I'm a magnet for it," David replied with a slight grin. "Let me see if…"

"I wouldn't bother. More likely he already knows."

David nodded and gave a knowing grin, "Ah, but his assets have their own means."

Price understood what it meant. He wished them good luck and shook hands with Alex. It was bittersweet, but it wasn't really goodbye. David was going to take it as a 'see you later' type of leaving. He led the way out of the tent. Since they were not presenting as hostile, they Marines were leaving them alone.

"So, what's the plan?"

David turned to look at Alex with a raised brow, "And the reason you're asking me?"

Farah hummed and said, "I don't think you can pretend anymore, David."

David looked at them before walking towards their vehicle to head back. He really couldn't pretend not to have some sort of means. "I'm going to reach out to a friend."

"I thought Price said it wasn't worth it," Alex replied puzzled.

"David means his contact," Farah explained.

"You mean S64? What can she do?"

David climbed into the driver's side. "The question is, what can't she do?" He started the vehicle and drove off base and headed back to their stronghold. "S64's specialty is intelligence and logistics. She's the one you call when regular reinforcements aren't coming."

"Like the drone at the embassy."

"Cakewalk for her." David drove through the road. "S64's main staging is the eastern bloc and the Middle East. Since I've known her, she's supplied intel on Russian interference and support on various terrorist organizations as well as delivered tier one personnel into western hands. She'll give you a run for your money, CIA."

Farah leaned forward from the back seat, "And you think she may be able to help."

"I think she can get the intel into the right hands, namely Price. He knows Jensen."

"How do you know that?" Alex was curious.

"Because he didn't turn on me and he was amused at my 'sense of humor.'" David chuckled a little as he drove into the city. He knew Alex and Farah would keep a watch. While they put Barkov in a bad position, they were still at odds with remaining Russian soldiers and AQ supporters. "Working with Jensen, you kind of turn a little into him. It's recognizable. That and I was the one that helped relay messages from Commander Karim when I first entered the country."

David drove to a safe place to store the vehicle. He hung back while Farah gave orders and told Alex where to go before putting his earpiece in his ear and activated his call. He moved to where he could surveil the area while waiting for his call to go through.

Give me a good reason why I shouldn't hang up on you right now.

David laughed at that. If it wasn't Farah scolding him, it was appreciated women who were firm in their convictions. They were as capable and, in some cases, more capable than their male counterparts. He replied, "Would you believe that I was on an op to bag a Wolf?"

If it were anyone else, no. But I read the AARs. Don't try to figure that one out.

"I'm willing to bet that the know how black hat skills came in handy," he replied in a teasing tone. "I mean you did commandeer a drone to help us out."

Only because we needed the Wolf alive. David, I'm sorry about Hadir. I thought it was the Wolf too…

"And I'd say you were right. Hadir joined up with them. Thing is I'm under the impression that his beliefs don't align with AQ."

Making a deal with the devil. You did assess that he was prone to impatience. We just missed it. Nothing more to do about it know.

"Always the pragmatist," David said as he paced around and made his way up the stairs of the building that he often took refuge in when he needed a break. He gave greetings to LF members if he walked by them. He would leave it to Farah to explain if the need arose. "Listen, the gas was already moved off site when the wolf was KIA."

Well, given Hadir's attitude towards the Russian occupation, I'd say that he moved to the mother country.

"I'm in agreement there. The problem is knowing where. With AQ, he has the resources to find the place to hit his enemy where it's going to hurt."

Did you want me to tap my contacts?

"Let's go another way." David made it to his room and pulled out the computer that Jensen had given him. It was military grade in that it could take quite a beating. It was to be used as a means to pass information and occasionally call for assistance. He opened up his connection and tapped into what he could access. "We're going to look for the Butcher." He sent the information on the man.

Looks like one helluva badass.

"Doesn't top you. We find him, pass it onto Captain Price…"

Price? Why?

"He wants to end this like us."

Can he be trusted?

David sent the basics on Price. He didn't have to since S64 could have done it herself. He thought about it and replied, "He saved Farah ten years ago. He's the kind to get the job done and do what is right." He studied his screen. When he didn't hear from his contact, he asked, "S64?"

Alright, David. I'll do what I can. I know someone in Russia, and I think I might stretch my legs on this one.

"Don't do anything reckless."

Says the one who basically told Norris to go fuck himself. Russia is my staging area. I can personally make sure Price gets the intel.

"I'm not sure I want to ask you how since he doesn't know you."

Ways and means, David.

A/N: They bagged a Wolf but now they are hung out to dry. David reaches out to an old friend. Stay tuned for next time...