Chapter 13
"You okay?"
Garrick looked at Ryan sitting behind Price in the cruiser as they sped towards Barkov's estate. She was sitting there with a look of concern on her face. The cold demeanor was gone. "How do you do that?"
"What do you mean?" Nicolette wasn't intentionally being vague. She wanted Garrick to express his thoughts and she did wonder when he would ask about what she was doing to the Butcher.
Garrick took a breath. He wasn't sure how to say things without offending her, but he felt that he should just come out and say it. "How you could be so cheerful when we met, then become whatever it was with the Butcher?"
Nicolette gave a slight nod, "Ah. That."
Garrick nodded, "Yes. You were… cold. I don't think the Captain could be like that even though…" He wasn't sure how to describe it.
Nicolette thought about what she said and glanced at the rearview mirror. She could tell Price was listening. She doubted that he liked the way how Garrick was comparing the two, but he seemed interested in what she had to say. She gave a slight shrug, "I had to learn how to do that." She knew Garrick wanted her to elaborate so she continued, "My first op in the field, I ended up in a situation where I ended up killing my target. It was supposed to be a meeting, but… didn't work out that way and he decided to get… handsy."
"Did he…"
"No, but it was my first time killing someone." Nicolette turned to stare at the back of Price's seat. "I was ready to pass out because I starting to hyperventilate. My handler at the time, took care of it." She looked at Garrick, "My handler told me that sometimes you had to get your hands dirty. Sometimes its impersonal like shooting from long range, and other times you have to get in close. Sometimes you have to hit nerves to get what you are looking for. It's slow and bloody and sometimes you have to make a choice. You can't let them see your hesitancy. If you do… then pack your bags."
Garrick was quiet as he listened to her tell her story. He thought that was a cold way to train someone. Then again, he could remember when he first killed someone, and he was trained to do it. "You said it was your first op?"
"Yep. Before that, I was just an analyst. I wrote reports." Nicolette made a slight snort. "Still haven't figured out the how they decided to put me in the field. It is how I got my call sign."
Garrick made a slight chuckle. He sobered though, "So, you just switch it off." It was more a statement than a question.
"It's one step before what I would be if I didn't cross the line," she replied. She looked at Garrick. "I can't afford to let feelings show when I'm tracking down what you need. A lot of my territory deals with the kind of people that scared straight stories are made of. I am ashamed to say that I honed my skills taking care of those perpetuating the human trafficking and sex trades. Nothing bothers me more."
Garrick looked forward. It was a lot to hear, but it seemed to make sense why she was close but not close. If it could be put like that. He was quiet as he thought about what she said. He didn't look up until Price said, "Hey, there's a checkpoint."
Garrick asked, "For us?"
"Is there a difference?" Nicolette glanced at Garrick as he brought his rifle up, ready to shoot. She looked straight ahead like she was riding a taxi.
Garrick glanced at her and her demeanor. He turned his focus to the possible obstacle ahead. "Road's blocked. What's the plan?"
To Price, there was only one way to do it. "Shock and awe." He gunned the engine and turned on the siren. He also got his gun ready.
"What if they don't move?"
"Then all hell breaks loose."
"My kind of day," Nicolette muttered as she checked and cocked her gun.
The checkpoint got closer as Price proceeded to maintain his speed. Nicolette watched as they got closer. At the last second, she pushed Garrick down and bent down to avoid being seen as Price blazed through. As soon as she heard the shouts fade, she sat up and let Garrick up. They both looked out the back window to find that they weren't going to be followed.
Price chuckled when Garrick cussed out of relief while he lit his cigar. "Nikolai saved our bacon."
"What if they follow?" That was a concern. It would put a dampener on their mission.
"They won't," Nicolette said. "Nik will make sure of that." She gave a grin at Garrick to let him know that it was one of those things she did.
Garrick gave a slight smile. Despite the fact that she was a walking contradiction, he liked her. He couldn't exactly state why since he didn't really know her. It was a risk that Price was letting her stay on with this mission. The only thing that vouched her was Nikolai. He sobered though and looked downward. He had heard Nicolette's thoughts, now he needed to hear from Price. He sighed and asked, "Boss… What the hell are we doing here?"
"We're cleaning up a mess," Price replied. He glanced at the rearview mirror to look at Nicolette. She wasn't moving to save anything. He had time to formulate some thoughts on her, but he hadn't quite come to a firm decision.
"With women and children?" Garrick hadn't wanted to admit it earlier, but it bothered him when he first saw the Butcher's family in the van and Nikolai made it clear what they were to be used for. It was also what prompted him to talk to Nicolette about her being cold.
"They were leverage," Price countered sharply.
"They were hostages," Garrick argued.
"When you take the gloves off, you get blood on your hands, Kyle. That's how it works," Price answered sharply.
Garrick couldn't help but make a sound at that. The best he could do was glare at the back of Price's head. He knew that was true. He had witnessed it and he did kill the Butcher with the man's wife and son there even though their heads were covered. He asked, "Where do we draw the line on this, sir?"
Price was going to respond when Nicolette said in a firm tone, "You draw the line wherever you need it, Sergeant." She waited until Garrick was looking at her before continuing, "You come across the hard choices that will test who you are. As long as you know where you stand, you can draw that line wherever it needs to be. And if you have to be cold and unfeeling to get it done, then so be it. At the end of the day, someone has to make the enemy scared of the dark."
Price was impressed. He added, "We get dirty, and world stays clean. That's the mission." He glanced at the rearview mirror to gauge Garrick's reaction as he continued, "Now if you're having second thoughts, then I can do this on my own with Ryan."
It wasn't meant to be a taunt to Garrick. Price knew that Nicolette would follow. He got the feeling she was the type to see a mission through until the end. He also knew that she was up to the task. He had seen it, but he could also see how hard it was.
Garrick was quiet as he looked out the windshield. The wipers cleared the rain that was falling. He knew they were right. He never really thought of what it meant to have the gloves off. He had certain assumptions, and they were blown down. It was a hard pill to swallow, but he was going to see this through the end. He replied, "No, sir. No second thoughts."
"Good," Price approved, "Now let's get Hadir before he kills Barkov."
"I'll make a phone call. I know a few people," Nicolette said as she pulled out her earpiece. She glanced at the two men. "We've got about a twenty-four-hour drive to Moldova."
"Don't remind me, Moppet," Price said as he blew a drag on his cigar.
Nicolette chuckled as she dialed. Once she connected, she started speaking in Russian. She knew Price was listening in and carried on a conversation that was more of pleasantries than what her intentions were. She laughed a little bit before she gave her order. She laughed and said something before hanging up.
"Friends?" Price glanced at her in the rearview mirror.
"Acquaintances. I actually hate the living shit out of them, but the devil you know," Nicolette shrugged her shoulders. She looked at Garrick who was staring at her. She added, "Can't be friends with everyone. Alexi is my go-to for weapons and a few other things."
"So, what was the conversation about?" Garrick asked.
"The usual. About the family. Little Olga is top of her class, and she is only eight," Nicolette said with some pride. "Children don't need to suffer for the stupidity and greed of adults." She took a breath and added, "I arranged for weapons and gear and transport. Plus, the layout of the compound."
"And they know how to get this?"
Nicolette looked at the two men in the cruiser. She could see that they were skeptical at her ability to get what she needed. She explained, "There is always someone willing to sell information. The trick is finding the right person and making sure that they aren't lying to you. Alexi… while I hate his ass, he's good at what he does. He's small time underground, smuggling goods to sell cheaper and arms dealing. While despicable at times, he has a grasp on the area."
Price listened to her explanation. That was pretty much the truth with intelligence gathering. Sometimes your sources were the kind you wouldn't take home to meet the folks. It was often how they found the intel that was the hardest to find. Yet, he suspected that the girl riding with them, knew how to do a lot more than what she had shown so far. He nodded, "As long as they fucking work, Moppet."
Nicolette chuckled. It was not the first time someone called her a name. She assured them the gear would work and settled into her seat. She crossed her arms over her chest and tucked her chin in. They had a long drive. "Wake me if you need me to drive, Captain."
Moldova was a nice place, but it was scarred with history. A history of rich in a culture and scarred by a hard regime. Nicolette had gotten out of the cruiser, finishing putting her hair in a knot, so it was out of her way, and it allowed the night vision to fit on her head. She turned to look at Price and Garrick before turning when her ear heard the sound of a motor.
"Al Qatala search party," Garrick said.
"Hadir brought AQ," Price replied.
"That means they haven't Barkov. Not yet," Nicolette said as she finished with her hair. She watched as the men got out of the cruiser. She picked up her knife and tied it off and picked up her choice of rifle.
"Then let's get Hadir before he starts a third world war in Barkov's basement," Price said. He glanced at Garrick and Nicolette before starting off. "Stay close."
Nicolette took drag and followed Garrick as they hoofed it towards Barkov's estate. While she was not military, she learned maneuvers and was able to follow Price and Garrick quietly through the forest bordering the estate. She kept the men in her sights while checking for any sign of AQ. The last thing they needed was getting caught with their pants down.
Barkov's place will be crawling with Al-Qatala. Best advantage we'll have is the dark. Stay hidden and only engage when you have to. If Hadir is in Barkov's house, we a chance to find him.
"Better us than David," Nicolette muttered in acknowledgement.
Price couldn't argue with that. He asked, "What about you Ryan?"
Mission parameters, Captain. Hadir is the intel in my world. Gotta snap him up.
Price felt his lip twitch. Nicolette reminded him of someone else who operated the same way. Once on a mission, they were oriented to it. "Good. You may be of some use after all."
You haven't seen what I can do yet, Captain.
Price did get to see some of it when they were in the compound and came across three AQ. Garrick had shot the light out to distract them. He barely caught it when he saw her move and take out the third AQ fighter with knife to the throat. She dragged the body to where it couldn't be easily seen in the grass before pulling up her rifle. She took out the fourth one just as quiet. "Move up. Little close there, Ryan."
Most men are afraid of a bogeyman. I just reinforce it. Ask Nik.
They made it to the overwatch point and scoped out the compound. There was movement in the church, the clock tower, and the pool. That was probably their best bet on where to find Hadir. Price was going to keep overwatch while Garrick went to clear the buildings. Nicolette decided to go with Garrick, "I'll go with the rook here and keep an eye out."
"Not a rook," Garrick protested.
Nicolette merely chuckled as she rigged up her rope to descend. She straddled the edge and looked at Garrick, "Try to keep, up."
Garrick looked at Price, but only got a nod as he set up his rig and started to rope down. Nicolette was already waiting for him as he began his descent. Almost immediately there was shouting as AQ fighters were chasing Russians before they shot them.
Take 'em out.
Garrick took aim and shot one and was going to shoot the other, but Nicolette had already got the drop on him and was pulling her knife out and her silenced pistol. She checked and signaled to him.
All clear. Move.
She's efficient. I'll give her that.
You wanted quiet, Captain. That's what I do.
Garrick touched ground and they started moving forward. He had his rifle with the silencer on. Nicolette had the same as she moved parallel with him.
Careful, you're outnumbered, but you can try to disengage if things go loud.
Numbers aren't a problem, Captain.
Got a plan?
Always do. Garrick, make your way to the buildings to clear. I'll thin the numbers for you.
"And how are you going to do that?" Garrick thought that was crazy.
I'll tell you the story of how Nik knows me. Then you'll see.
Garrick would have said something, but Nicolette was already gone. He wanted to swear but refrained from it. Price wasn't putting up a fuss, so he could grin and bear. He turned his focus to the mission at hand, staying in the darkness. At this point, that was his only ally. The pool was the closest, so he started making his way there.
He rounded a corner and nearly jumped when he saw a shadow. A closer look revealed it to be a dead AQ that had been propped to look like he was on patrol. Garrick muttered, "Fuck."
Sorry about that. Better to make it look like there are still people on patrol. It will buy you more time.
"Is this what you meant by thinning the numbers?" Garrick moved forward, careful not to disturb the body. He shook his head a bit.
That… among other things.
Clever.
Garrick pushed forward to the gate entrance. He saw the light go off from Price shooting it out. He heard AQ shouting and hitting someone inside. "Sounds like Al-Qatala's got a hostage."
See if Hadir's there. He could have Barkov.
Or trying to see how to find him. You're clear to enter, Garrick, but you should look for a fuse box. Give you an advantage.
"Rog," Garrick replied as he worked his way around. He managed to get to where he had a view. "No sign of Hadir, but they have a hostage."
Find out what the hostage knows. Any intel could lead us to Barkov.
Garrick tried to entry on the roof. There were two AQ standing guard. He took them out with his suppressed rifle before making an entry. He took careful aim at the AQ beating on the hostage before firing. He made his way to the hostage that was babbling. He took a look at him, "Poor bastard's done in."
We still have to check the church and clocktower. Hadir could be there.
I'll clear the path. Stay sharp.
Garrick left the hostage there and continued. They didn't have clearance so they couldn't call for medical. They had to pick up and move on. The clocktower yielded nothing. The church however, told a different story. They hostage had cracked and gave up a code: Third floor, 451.
They linked up at the top floor of the estate. It was a tad challenging as the place was now lit up. They really had to work at getting by unseen. Garrick had to admit that it was a tad easier that Nicolette had thinned the numbers a bit and he helped when he searched the buildings to find Hadir. Now that they were in the main estate, they had to get to the third floor. Darkness was no longer their ally, so he had to be careful.
Making it to the stairs, he called, "Moving to the third floor."
Copy. Check fire. I'm up top.
Make that two.
Garrick saw Nicolette and Price waiting for him at the door. He double-timed it to the door and entered the code. Hadir was inside and it was clear that he didn't expect them at all.
"Captain, please. I didn't know it was you!"
"Should've Hadir," Nicolette said as she stepped forward, content with Price shoving the man into the wall. "Considering what the fuck you did."
It was clear Hadir didn't expect a woman to address him like that. Much less one that didn't care what Price could do to him. Garrick studied the scene and could tell that Nicolette was ready to step in but held back out of respect for Price's relationship with Hadir. Or former one. He blinked when Nicolette snorted at Hadir asking if they were protecting Hadir. She shook her head and said, "No stupid fuck. They're here for you."
Price was not in a mood and was prepared to manhandle Hadir out but was stopped when Hadir held out a tube, "I'm not your enemy. Look. I know where the gas is made. I have the location."
"Barkov's chemical factory?"
That was a big find. Garrick realized the importance of that, and it seemed Price and Nicolette did too. That didn't change facts though. They had to bring Hadir in. There wasn't time though. Barkov sent his men to take care of Hadir. It became a firefight to get to the north side tunnels. Garrick spotted the tunnels and they had to make a run for it. A missile came in danger close and hit. Garrick felt the impact and was knocked to the ground.
The impact disoriented him and struggled to get to his feet. He felt the stickiness of blood on his forehead. He blinked until he was yanked to his feet.
"On your feet, soldier," Nicolette nearly shouted in his face as she half dragged, and half carried him towards the grate that blocked the tunnels.
"I'm alright," Garrick said, once his head cleared.
"Good. Cause I aim to have us walk away from this," she said as she turned to cover.
Hadir managed to cut the lock off. They were barely through when Price called out an inbound missile. Then came the explosion and Garrick saw black. He opened his eyes to Price coughing beside him and realized he was on the ground.
"Clear your head son. Ryan? You alright?"
"Fucking peachy," Nicolette said as she coughed and got to her feet.
Garrick made a sound and said, "Never been more clear sir." He accepted the hand up from Hadir. While he understood what Hadir was doing, he didn't agree with it. It was why he apprehended him and told him that he wasn't going to help Hadir.
"Captain…"
"This was a one-way trip, Hadir. You knew that."
"But you'll do the right thing, yes?"
They were in a difficult position. Garrick asked, "Boss, tell me we're gonna finish this."
"We need support. Let's hope we get it."
They were in a difficult situation Garrick realized. He looked at Nicolette and asked, "Ryan?"
Nicolette studied Garrick and then looked at Hadir. She thought about the logistics of everything. She turned and tapped her earpiece, "Addy, S64. I need a secure line. We'll see if he talks."
Price watched her. She wasn't promising anything, but she knew David well enough. She would try. He looked at Garrick. "We'll see."
A/N: They went after Hadir. Now they know where Barkov is. Stay tuned for next time...