It was a sunny day, filled with fun and laughter at the park. The members of 118 A-shift and their families enjoyed the time off after a truly hectic week, if only because they were dumb calls.
" The only thing missing is Ev," Eddie thought pensively thinking of his beautiful wife of 4 years. Evalynn Diaz had barged into his life in a hail of gunfire, sunny smile, and soul-searing blue eyes, with smudges of blood on her cheek and clothes, in what could be described as Hell on earth, AKA Afghanistan, like an avenging angel. There was an instant connection with one look and it grew into a friendship that could only be marveled at. The love that formed after was breathtaking.
"What's got you thinking so deep, Eddie? You look a little lost there bud." Chim inquired jokingly while popping his gum. While the now silent 118 looked on in piqued interest.
The thing is, how did Eddie explain that he was thinking about the love of his life…when the 118 didn't know about him even being married?
" Sorry man, Got lost in thought," Eddie replied, hoping it was enough to distract the 118. "Whatever you say, man." Chim chucked. Leaving it at that, thankfully, rejoining the conversation with Hen, Karen, and Athena.
" You okay?" Bobby asked, familiar with the look in Eddie's eyes. The look of longing and despair an old friend for Bobby. " I'm good Cap. Just ya know, thinking of Ev, Chris misses her you know?" Eddie said to Bobby. He was the only one who knew about Evalynn. He at least knew Eddie was married. " It's okay to say you miss her too, you know? It won't make you any less of a human or man to say you miss your wife Eddie. And I'm sure you are concerned about her. Have you heard from her yet?" Bobby asked with a concerned furrow on his brow.
" No, not since two weeks ago. But then, I expected it. She said it might be needed to go dark for a bit. It's just nerve-wracking and Chris keeps asking when he can talk to her, and I can't answer him because I don't know." Eddie sighed. " I mean it's not like I didn't know what she did for a living. I knew what I signed up for when we got married. We met in a war zone for God's sake. It's just I'm not there and can't have her back. At least somewhat. Back then we could at least steal a moment here and there. Although seeing that helo taking off every time was terrifying, knowing that there was a good chance she was in one of those choppers and could be dropping right into an active fighting zone was hard Bobby, but she's better than good. She's the best they have, and for good reason too." "I'm sorry Eddie. I wish I could help you more. And I'm not even going to pretend that I understand fully. I get it somewhat, with Athena being a police officer on the streets, but I see her at the end of her shift. And you don't get to even hear your wife's voice much less see her every day, so I'm not going to trivialize what you are feeling by saying I understand, because I don't. But know this I'm here if you or Chris need anything. And when you're ready the 118 will also be here for you." Bobby said, clapping his shoulder.
It had been a week since the family day at the park when Eddie woke to a feeling of dread pooling in the pit of his belly. It had been a long four weeks of no contact from Ev and Eddie was terrified that it meant nothing good. And it was getting harder and harder to reassure Chris when he felt distinctly unsettled himself. With a sigh and a touch of his thumb to his wedding ring, Eddie got out of bed and started the task of getting ready for the day with Chris.
" don't forget you're staying at your grandmother's tonight because I have a 24-hour shift, alright buddy?"
" Okay, dad. Hey, dad?" Chris asked while looking at his feet.
" yeah, what's up buddy?" Eddie said with a concerned voice. " Do you think mama is gone?" Chris asked with a tremble to his voice, eyes singing brightly.
" Hey, Superman? Come here bud." Eddie said pulling Chris into his arms while trying to hold in his emotions and be strong for Chris. "Bud, I know you miss your mom, I do too, but you can't think like that okay? Yes, it's scary that we haven't heard from her, and I'm worried too. But your mom is tough and has a bunch of people to watch her back. And mom warned us that we might not hear from her for a bit, remember?"
Chris nodded his head despondent with a tear trailing down his cheeks. "We need to make mama a birthday card for her birthday and you still need to buy mama a gift," Chris murmured with a soft smile at Eddie. Eddie chuckled as he stood up, " I do, huh? What makes you think I didn't already get your mom a gift?"
Chris looked at his dad and said dryly, "you hate shopping."
Eddie laughed at that and said, "let's go, or we're gonna be late."
Stepping into the station Eddie couldn't help but feel the earlier dread return with a vengeance, making him feel nauseous. Changing into his uniform, Eddie took his wedding ring off and hung it on the St.Christopher chain hung around his neck, kissing his ring before tucking it into his shirt, and joining A-shift at the table for breakfast.
The bell rang just as they were done eating, with a groan and laugh the team hurried to their gear and were on their way to another busy day in Los Angeles. After an hour of clearing a minor MVA, all with minor injuries and fortunately no casualties, they were on their way back to the station. The stillness was broken when Hen asked " Eddie are you okay? You seem kinda off, like your physically here, but mentally you are a world away" Hen said with concern clear in her voice.
"Yeah man, you almost seem to be on auto today," Chim said questioning, drawing the attention of the rest of the crew in the truck, Bobby turned slightly from the front to see Eddie, question, and concern clear in his eyes.
Eddie sighed knowing that he couldn't hide his despondency anymore. "I'm fine. Just preoccupied, I guess. Chris asked about his mom this morning and honestly, I don't know what to tell him. It's a hard situation to explain to a 7-year-old, whether or not he's going to see his mom anytime soon" Eddie said with a sigh running a hand over his face.
"What his mother dumped him or something?" Reardon a floater asked. Gasping could be heard from the crew as Eddie turned to glare at him and snarked icily, " be a bit hard to dump him when Uncle Sam had her number before I did." "Guys", Bobby warned, sensing the rising tension and confusion. "Um, I'm sorry, Eddie, what do you mean by that?" Chim sputtered. " I'm saying that my wife…Chris's mother is deployed, Chim. That's what I meant!"
" We didn't even know you were married," Hen said with a shake of her head and her eyes wide in shock. "Well it's not like I've hidden it, and you all are nosy enough, I figured you would notice that I wear a ring before and after shift," Eddie said with a shrug.
Arriving at the station, the crew got out of the truck and changed out of their turnout gear. All heading off to do the chores still not completed. All content simply to go through their motions and task finding comfort in doing so.
The quiet of the loft, however, was shattered by the shrill ring of Eddie's phone ringing.
He glanced at the caller ID 'Unknown Caller' and felt ice settle in his belly, his heart racing.
"Hello?" Eddie said,
"Good day is this Staff Sargeant Edmundo Diaz?" A female voice said.
Eddie felt like he was trembling as he said, "yes, it is." The woman continued,
" Sargent Diaz, regretfully I am calling to inform you that your wife, Chief petty officer Evalynn Diaz and her team has missed all check-ins. A team was sent to their last known location. There were clear signs of ambush and your wife's tags were found near their Humvee as well as some blood. As of this moment, the Navy is listing Chief Diaz as MIA until we can determine where she and her team is."
The more the woman spoke the less it felt like Eddie could breathe, "Dios, no!" Eddie murmured. "Again I'm sorry and as soon as we know more you will be notified."
Eddie choked out a soft "thank you" and hung up.
He could hear the team softly asking with a hint of panic if he was alright, but he could no more answer them, then he could calm his racing heart and quaking body.
"Eddie?" Bobby asked placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, but there was no response.
"His pulse is racing, Bobby, and he is clammy," Hen stated "He's going into shock! We need to get him sitting down, now!"
"Come on Eddie, let's sit down. Okay? Easy. Breathe."
Hen helped Eddie sit down, rubbing a hand up and down his back in a soothing manner.
After a few minutes, Eddie's breathing started to calm down a little and his racing pulse slowed down. Bobby sat down on the coffee table in front of Eddie, while Chim sat down in the chair next to Eddie. "Eddie? What happened? Talk to us, please?" Bobby asked gently.
With a blank look on his face, " God, what am I gonna tell Chris? He was so excited to make his mama's birthday card and now I might have to tell him she's dead." Eddie choked out. Hen made a soft noise of distress while Bobby mearly looked grimly on and Chim looked lost on what to say. "Damnit, Bobby, this was supposed to be her last tour! After everything she's had to go through and overcome, this can't be it! What am I going to do without her? She's mi Vida, mi corazoñ, Bobby, she's always been what made it all make sense. She and Chris are all that matters. I can't lose her. And now they're saying she's MIA, and it's only a matter of time before they change her status to KIA. She doesn't deserve that! We were supposed to grow old together. Watch Chris grow up. Not have her be a name on a stone."
"I'm sorry Eddie, I know this must be hard, but don't lose hope. MIA doesn't mean she's dead, okay? It just means she's missing." Hen said trying to comfort Eddie.
"Don't." Eddie hissed, "you don't know what it's like out there! But I do. And my wife isn't some lost toy mistakenly misplaced. She went missing in a warzone. After being ambushed. Her entire team is missing."
"Alright guys, calm down," Bobby said. "Chim go check the ambulance. Hen, right now Eddie doesn't need platitudes, he needs support, which you have Eddie. We will do whatever we can to help you. I am going to call your aunt to take you home. You Shouldn't drive like this and you can't be at work in your current mind frame. Go get changed. I'll call Chief Alonzo and have someone fill in for you. Take all the time you need."
Eddie nodded in acceptance stumbling to his feet to change. While Hen and Chim left to do what Bobby asked.
In the locker room, Eddie changed in a haze only stopping when his hand touched the chain around his neck. Fingers curling around his wedding ring and clenching it tightly. He took the chain off and removed his ring, reverently taking the ring off the chain and sliding it on his finger smiling softly at the cascade of flinting memories flying by in his mind.
"Eddie?" At the sound of his name, he turned to see his aunt Pepa standing by the door, eyes shining with unshed tears, arms open in comfort and Eddie fell into them, needing the touch to ground him. "Tia, what am I gonna do? How do I tell Chris? What do I even tell him?"
"You tell him the truth, son. That his mama is missing but that is all we know. That we can only pray and keep on having faith that Dios will bring our Evalynn home, that is all we can do Eddie."
Eddie nodded before taking his duffle bag and with a nod to Bobby, Chim and Hen left.
Chapter 2
Takes place about a week earlier*
Buck's POV
The night was cold as the team settled in their dugouts. Their HUMVEE hidden in the brush behind them.
There was a sense of disquiet in Buck's gut, she just knew something felt wrong. But then again she said that when they were standing in TOC. Of course, the brass seemed more interested in eliminating the target, than the safety of her team. "Chief looks like we've got company on the main track" Mike 'Hammer' Whitley their team breacher said.
Buck and the team looked through their binoculars and there was a soft rumble of irritation running through them all. This whole mission has been one big clusterfuck from the beginning." Dammit, Ricky, get on the horn, find out who these guys are!" Buck snarled
"Copy Chief,"
" Base do you read me? This is Splinter 6."
"Splinter 6, this is Base good copy. Sitrep? "
"Base we've got unknown bogies on our main track. Do you have better graphics on them?"
"Hold Splinter 6, we are confirming sight."
"Copy Base, over."
"Well?" Buck asked.
"TOC is looking into it Viper"
"Fuck, that's just great, we're sitting here and they have their thumbs up their asses" Buck glared at the approaching men.
God, she couldn't wait for this tour to be over. Then she could go home and hold her sweet Christopher and kiss her husband Eddie.
The team watched the men slow their vehicles and get out of the jeeps, clearly searching.
"I don't like the look of this" Miller 'Boomer' Jackson, their EOD expert, muttered.
"None of us do jackass" the corpsman, Dave 'Red' Willis said.
"Enough" Buck growled, "pay attention. Noise discipline boys.Keep your heads on a swivel. Last thing we need is these yahoo crawling up our ass."
Sounds of acknowledgment reached her as they watched the 10 men draw ever closer.
"Ricky? Get back on the horn to TOC, they are taking too long for my liking." Buck said drawing her rifle closer to her shoulder. The sense of danger getting more prominent then before.
" Copy." Ricky said. "Base this is Splinter 6. Do you have a SITREP on our unfriendlies? Over"
"Splinter 6, this is Base, copy. Affirmative on those tangoes. Intel suggests they are part of the cell your team was sent to eliminate. Suggest you hunker down, till you can extract safely. Over"
"Good copy. Over" Ricky said with a wrinkle to his brow.
"Viper, base intel says they are part of the cell we took out this morning. TOC says hunker down till we can extract."
"How the hell did we miss these bastards?" Steve 'Columbus ' Daniels, their maps and linguistic expert, said.
"Doesn't matter now. We just keep an eye on them." Hammer said.
"Uh…guys? Why is that guy pointing in our direction?" Boomer asked?
"Fuck! Viper they know where we are. They are heading this way and fast." Red said pulling his weapon closer, and flicking the safety off.
"Alright boys, looks like we're about to engage. Keep it tight, make every shot count." Buck said with a calm and deadly look in her eyes.
The only thing heard was the sound of weapons being cocked. Determination clear on a their faces.
The first shot was fired as the terrorists came in close, bullets pinging close to Bucks's shoulder. For the next 10 minutes, gunfire echoes through the hills. Yelps of pain and death surround them. It was the shout of "RPG!" From somewhere to Bucks left that sent a cold chill through her. "COVER!" Buck yelled.
The impact of the explosion was rattling, the rocks stinging her face. Cutting into the flesh.
Shaking off the fuzziness, blood dripping down her face, Buck looked at her team. "All Splinter elements, report!"
"Splinter 2, I'm good" Hammer yelled.
"Splinter 3,good" Boomer said.
"Splinter 4,fine! But I've got a problem! Splinter 5 took a hit" Red yelled.
"Splinter 6. I'm fine ." Ricky grunted.
Just then more bullets pinged and they ducked. Buck yelled, "Contact, left!". And with that fired off shot after shot. " Fuck!" Buck grunted as a bullet tore through her shoulder.
"Viper!" Hammer yelled, scrambling to her side. "I'm fine, stay on point!" Buck said. "Red? How's it looking with Steve?" Buck asked Red, while taking cover?
"Not good, Chief!" Red replied.
"Come on! Steve stay with me brother! Open your eyes, you lazy bugger!" Red said hands clamped over Steve's chest, blood pouring over his fingers.
"Fuck we lost him!" Red signed. Before Buck could so much as glance at Red and Columbus, an explosion sent her rolling to the side. "Viper!" The team yelled, but before they could do anything they were surrounded by more tangoes. Weapons pointed in their faces. They knew that to fire their weapons now would mean certain death for them. With a laugh the leader of the cell said " You American dogs, always so confident that you will win. Take their weapons and tie them up."
With the teams weapons secured and their hands tied, they were forced to their knees. "Take the men to the jeeps. I'll keep the bitch with me." He laughed when Bucks men started to pull on their bindings. Cussing and yelling at the men holding them captive.
"Now, what shall I call you?" The leader asked Buck.
Buck just glared at him, saying nothing. "Ah you are being stubborn woman. You will tell me your name!" The man said running a finger down her face tucking a strand of her dirty blond hair behind her ear, dropping his hand on her shoulder, digging his thumb into her bleeding shoulder. "Fuck you!" Buck gasped, curling over slightly.
"Let's try this again. My name is Hakeem."
"Yeah? Well fuck you Hakeem." Buck spit out.
With an angered snarl, Hakeem gave Buck a hard slap to her face, sending her to the dirty ground groaning. Hakeem pulled her to her knees by her hair, sending bolts of lighting pain through her head causing her to grit her teeth.
"You are brave now woman but no one will save you. And I assure you, your death will be slow and painful, should you continue to be so stubborn. Tell me your name and your team's purpose and no harm will come to you."
"Ha, you think I'm a fool? Do what you want Hakeem. I'm not telling you shit. Don't think for one second I'll believe a word you say, you bastard!"
"You know what I find strange? That you seem to be on a very combat-active team. Not very often we see a woman out here that is in a combat team." With that Hakeem punched Buck in the stomach, winding her. Followed by a punch to her side, sending Buck to the ground. The kicks that followed, broke two ribs and cracked three more, leaving her gasping and in pain. With a final kick to her back he gestured for his two men to take Buck to the jeep where the rest of the team was held.
When they arrived at the jeep, the team sighed in relief when they saw Buck, though they could see she was roughed up.
Buck was tossed in the jeep with the rest of the team. And then they drove off. Buck sat up against the side and looked at her team asking "you guys good?"
"Yeah, we're good. And you?" Hammer asked.
"I'm fine. We just gotta figure out where these fuckers are taking us and how we can get out of here. I'll be damned if we give them anything. You hear me? No matter what these bastards do you keep your mouths shut, copy?
" Chief…?" Ricky said then trailed off.
" We copy. Loud and clear" Hammer responded with a tight look on his face.
After an hour on the road, the jeeps came to halt in the mountains. Clearly at a hidden base of sorts. Once stopped the team and Buck was pulled out of the jeep and led to an enclosed room with only a cell door and a single light source. Creating an almost eerie feeling in the room. With a shove to their backs they stumbled into the room. The door clanging shut behind them. "Well this ain't the Ritz, that's for sure." Boomer grumbled sarcastically.
"Ain't that the truth. Looks more like the No Tell Motel." Hammer laughed.
"Alright, you boys. Let's settle down. Conserve our strengths the best we can. We need to be alert." Buck told her team.
"Let me take a look at you first Chief. You're looking a bit pale." Red said taking a closer look at Bucks's face. Before Buck could protest, Red took off the ropes tied around his wrists and untying the other's ropes. With quick and sure fingers, Red ran his fingers over Bucks torso and back." You've got at least a few broken ribs chief, and I'm guessing by your grimace, cracked ones too. And it looks like a minor concussion." Red told Buck.
"So a normal Tuesday at the office?" Buck huffed with a smile.
"Yup," Red said laughing.
It was about six hours later when a guard came in with their weapon held up,while another placed a bucket of muddy-looking water on the ground by the door and five moldy loaves were tossed in their cell. The guards backed out and locked the cell again. The team looked at the water and loaves then at each other and shrugged. Taking a mouthful of the sandy-tasting water and a loaf of bread. Eating sparingly, trying to conserve their resources and strength. Preparing for what they might have to endure soon.
It was a day later when Hakeem had them moved to another room, the purpose of this room all to clear to them. Chains bolted against the wall on one side, one set hanging in the middle of the room and what could only be described as a collection of sharps laid out on a table, gleaming silver and bright. Old and rusty dried blood staining the floor. Pointing a gun at Buck, Hakeem told the rest of the team to remove their clothes, which they did with a hard look, leaving them in only their underwear.
"Tie the men up against the wall and the woman in the center, " Hakeem told his men.
Two men grabbed Buck and dragged her struggling frame to the chains in the middle of the room. Her hands were secured above her head while the rest of the were chained to the wall.
"Now let's have some fun, shall we?" Hakeem smirked while taking a sharp blade and running it over Bucks's chest mockingly, caressing her cheek with the edge of the blade. Smiling at the glare on her face and the tense look from the team. "Ah, you are protective of her? Good."
Before they could react, Hakeem took his knife and cut through Bucks t-shirt. Removing the tattered remains of the shirt, he grinned running his knife over her inner thigh. Buck kicked out, catching Hakeem in the gut with her boot, snarling ,"Piss off!"
With a thunderous look on his face Hakeem had one of his men put a gun to Ricky's head, the threat clear. Should she try anything, her men would pay the price.
Hakeem proceeded to tug off her boots, belt, and cargo pants. Leaving her in nothing but her black bra and panties.
Grinning Hakeem ran his hand over her side grip tight over her hip, bruising her skin. The team's faces turned red with anger when Hakeem squeezed her left breast with a grin. Buck twitched but said nothing, glaring over Hakeem's shoulder at the wall.
"Good, you can behave. Now what is your name?What is your mission?" Hakeem asked grinning.
The next two hours was a never ending blur of questions and a haze of agony for Buck, while the team yelled and shouted obscenities or turned mute, while Buck gasped through the pain. Never once answering the questions.
Just as Hakeem moved to place the cattle prod against Buck's back, the door opened and one of Hakeem's men came in holding a wooden box.
"Hakeem? You will want to see this" the man said.
"What is it?"Hakeem asked taking a stand next to the man where he was opening the box, bringing out a large stack of photos, giving Hakeem the top photo, grinning.
" Well what do we have here?" Hakeem said taking the photo looking at it then looking at Buck, before he turned it over looking at the back of the photo.
"Senior chief petty officer Evalynn 'Viper' Diaz" Hakeem read before looking at Buck, her face pale, eyes blank.
"I must say chief Diaz, it is an honor to meet the woman who has given my brothers so much trouble. Your reputation precedes you. You should be proud of yourself." Hakeem said cruelty and disdain clear in his face and voice, tossing the photo on the table. He walked up to Buck, taking the cattle prod and pressed it against her ribs long enough for Buck to let out a pained yell and pass out. The team swearing at Hakeem.
"If I were you? I'd get her to talk or the pain she and you after will endure will make you wish for death" Hakeem told the team.
"Screw you!" Boomer hissed.
With that Hakeem left the room laughing.
"Chief? Come on, wake up!" Red said while the others tried to get out of their chains.
"Mmhhh?" Buck groaned, regaining consciousness.
"Thank God, your awake. How are you doing, Viper?" Red asked.
"Peachy" Buck muttered with a pained groan asking the team "you guys okay?"
Ricky snorted, "only you would ask us if we're okay when you're the one hanging like a piece of beef in a butcher window. In pain! I might add chief."
"We're good. Though we need to get out of here soon. Before chuckles comes back for more fun." Hammer said, glancing at the door.
"Agreed," Buck said, glancing at the room and the table next to her. Fire burning in her gaze. Her eyes settled on where the box had been, gaze turning thoughtful and angry.
"Oh-oh, Chiefs got that look that says shits about to get real," Ricky said looking at Buck and the look on her face.
"What's up chief?" Hammer asked.
Buck turned to look at her team and said " From the moment we got this assignment, something felt off. Like we weren't given the full picture. Think about it. We were given a location, and a target. No more than that. The secondary target on that outlook? That was just off. There was nothing more than a location and the recon order. We were sitting ducks the minute we settled in that dugout and gave a check-in. These fuckers knew we were there on that ridge by the way they were pointing. And this guy knew our names before we were even brought in here. Those photos in the box were just window dressing."
"What are you saying chief? We got a mole in the ranks?" Ricky asked in anger. "You saying that Columbus is dead and we're in here because some weasel sold us out?"
"Makes sense, this whole thing reeked to high heaven from the get go." Boomer growled.
"Doesn't matter. We get out of here and we do what were trained to do. Complete the mission and survive. We get home to our families. Copy?" Buck said with determination, coloring her eyes and voice.
"Roger that" Hammer said for the rest of the team.
Buck nodded and with a glance at the door, raised her legs towards the table with the instruments on it. Dragging a thin needle-like instrument towards her and gripping it between her toes, pulling her legs up to her hands, she grabbed the instrument and started to pick the lock. Within a few minutes, the lock gave soft snick as it unlocked. With a soft grunt Buck dropped to the ground and with a quick glance at the door, made her way to the team. Within a few more minutes everyone was out of their cuffs and on their feet. Hammer moved up to the door and peeked out, seeing a clear passage. "Okay, looks clear. We move fast we can get the hell out of here." Hammer said. Staking up on the door Hammer in the lead, followed up by Buck, Boomer, Ricky and then Red. With a nod, they moved out the door on silent feet. At the edge of the hall Hammer held up a closed fist. The team came to a halt. Within seconds Hammer grabbed the guard coming around the corner, snapping his neck and handing off his rifle to Buck. They moved the body into a room, smiling at what they saw in the room. With quick work, they were dressed in some clothes and weapons.
The next ten minutes were spent quietly and efficiently moving through the compound and killing any guards they came across. Boomer placing explosives as they go.
20 min after they first escaped the room they were tied up in, they settled in the shadows of the hills, observing the compound in grim satisfaction.
"Ricky, get in touch with Admiral Lee, and only him. Till we know where the leaks is I want a tight leash on our location." Buck said.
"Copy." Ricky said, dialing the SAT phone to the Admirals private line.
"Lee!" the admiral barked into his line.
"Admiral Lee, don't say anything ,this is Petty officer Coulson. Splinter 6 communications officer. Are you alone?" Ricky asked.
"Yes, I am. Want to tell me what's going on petty officer Coulson? Why has your team missed all check-in calls?" Lee asked?
"Sir, the running theory is that we have a mole in the ranks. The guys who ambushed us knew where we were from the start. And the intel that led us to our last location was info light." Ricky said
"Alright, where is your CO?" Admiral Lee asked.
"Please hold." Chief? Admiral wants to talk to you." Ricky said handing Buck the SAT phone.
"Sir? This is Senior Chief Diaz. Splinter team lead." Buck said softly.
"Give me a Sitrep Chief Diaz." Admiral Lee commanded.
"Sir, at approximately 16h00 this afternoon, after we completed our primary objective, we were given a secondary location and orders from TOC stating we were to do short range recon on a road leading to Kabul. No further intel was provided by TOC, we were in the AO for approximately 120 mikes when two vehicles approached our location, stopped and got out of the cars. After a few minutes staring at a screen they started pointing at the ridge we were using as cover and started towards us, firing. We returned fire. I lost one of my men due to an RPG strike. His body is still in those hills sir. We were taken captive and questioned. About 30 mikes ago, one of them brought in a box of pictures and they were able to positively identify me, and most likely my team. Our names are on the back of each photo I would assume, as that's where the leader of this group, a man by the name of Hakeem, found it. Sir there has to be a leak somewhere in command."
"Dammit, this is a shit show!" Admiral Lee growled softly,
" Can you get to an extraction point, and can you do so safely?"
"We're Oscar Mike sir, soon as we do some housekeeping, we can be on the move. I'm just not liking the idea of our location being made known to everyone and their dog." Buck said.
"Understood chief. However I'll get you a extraction team that owes me a favor. We keep this radio silent until you and your team are RTB. Do what you need to do and come home chief." Lee said.
"With pleasure sir." Buck replied.
"The coordinates will be sent shortly on this number."
"Yes sir" Buck said, handing the SAT phone back to Ricky.
" Look for RV coordinates. Boys, we got the green light to clean house." Buck said with a grim smile.
"Alright lets blow these fuckers!" Boomer said getting ready to blow the charges he placed. The rest of the team load their weapons and prepared to take out any squirters that might survive the explosion.
"On my mark"Buck said. Everyone nodded. " 3,2, mark!" Buck said and braced as Boomer detonated the charges. Buck and the team took out the few that came running out, quick and clean.
When a soft 'ping' sounded Ricky looked at the SAT phone and grinned. " Got the location. 1 click east.We gotta move though, extraction is in 20 mikes and and we gotta hoove it."
"Let's move ladies" Buck said, getting to her feet while the others joined and they all made their way to the LZ.
20 minutes later, the team heard the distinctive 'whap-whap' of the rotar blades from a Black Hawk chopper in the air. "Hammer, pop smoke!" Buck orderd.
"Popping smoke" Hammer stated seconds later.
"Splinter actual, this is Comanche 1, I've got green smoke. Confirm?" A gruff voice said in their comms.
"Confirmed. Green smoke, that's us." Buck said.
"Copy green smoke confirmed. We are landing." The voice replied. And with that the chopper landed and a soldier hopped out and ran to the team. While a gunner took position. Guarding them as they hustled to the chopper, Hammer grabbed Buck around the waist to help her into the helo. Within seconds they were airborne and heading to base.
Chapter 3
The following hours, once they landed on base, were filled with a haze of questions, medical checks, and a full debrief. They had all done their AAR's in Admiral Lee's office in silence. The last few hours catching up to them- hell the last few months it seems. The constant back and forth, one mission after the other. One injury after the other. And now with the loss of a brother, it all seemed so pointless now.
"The investigation into our mole is underway, chief Diaz." Admiral Lee said walking into his office, seeming to have aged a decade in the last hour.
"That's a relief sir. But I have to ask. What about Columbus? His body is still on the ridge." Buck asked Admiral Lee.
"Don't worry about that chief, I personally had Team 10 sent out to the grid coordinates you gave us. He was recovered where you said he was, and I'm being told he is enroute as we speak. He is coming home chief, and that's because of you and your team." Lee replied, eyes kind and understanding.
"Good. That's a relief." Buck replied. "Sir, do we have any word on who sold us out?"
"We have a few POI's, but there is someone I like really well for this. A corporal Joy Enslin, a comms officer in TOC. She has some very suspicious money trails behind her. Coincidentally enough, the money transactions all coincide with when other teams from other missions were attacked" Lee told Buck, the distaste for the matter clear on his face.
"Med tells me that you'll be healed up in no time. You're just going to be sore for a while. But I imagine six cracked ribs, miraculously only two broken, a sprained wrist and a hairline fracture to the left forearm. A minor concussion and bruises. Of course, the burns from the cattle prod I'm told will be sore for a bit. And you need to look out for infection?" Lee asked, astonishment clear in his voice.
"Well sir, I guess I'm harder to crack then they figured." Buck grinned.
"Indeed Chief." Lee grinned back. "Viper, you're more than badass and you know it sister" Hammer snorted, from where he and the rest of the team had been racked out, so far quiet. They all laughed at that before settling down.
"Chief? I'm told that this was to be your last tour of duty. No chance I can get you to stay once you are healed up is there?" Admiral Lee asked
"Yes sir. It is my last I've been in for 12 years sir, so no, I'm done. I think it's time I focus on being a mother and a wife now. They have waited long enough." Buck said. "Speaking of family, has my husband been notified that I'm okay?
"Admiral Lee grimaced in apology, " No, Chief, I'm afraid not. Between the mole, and getting your team back on base, and medical assessments, I have yet to let them notify your family. If you would like, I can do so now? Have them notified?" Lee offered
"No sir. I would prefer you not do it. We don't know if we might have to be spun up again or what might be needed from us. I know them well enough to know that only seeing my face on a screen or hearing a static filled voice on the line won't help them. And I'm guessing CACO already made a MIA notification to them?" Buck said. " That they did. I'm told your husband sounded slightly spaced out when they spoke to him." Lee said in sympathy.
Just then Admiral Lee's phone rang. Once he answered the phone a serious look filled his face, his eyes flashing in anger.
" Send her to holding. I want her locked down tight. Her betrayal cost us a fellow brother and almost cost us an entire SOG team." Lee snapped down the line hanging up the phone. Everyone looked at the Admiral in question, tension shimmering through their shoulders.
" Its been confirmed. Corporal Joy Enslin was involved in leaking your location to the cell who captured you and killed Petty officer Daniels. She will be taken into custody and charged with treason and conspiracy to commit murder. She will pay for what she did. Of that I assure you." Lee said with conviction clear in his voice.
With his words, there was a sense of relief running through the team. To know it wasn't all for nothing, that it was finally over, at least for today. Their mission was over and they could stand down. And for Buck, its was time to go home to her boys.
As everyone got up to leave the admiral's office, Lee spoke "Chief Diaz, a word please?" he asked as the team reached the door. Everyone looked at Buck before she nodded at them that she would catch up with them soon
"Sir?" Buck asked.
" Due to the nature of your injuries and the time you served, it has been decided that you should go home earlier. You will be given a full honorable discharge and not a medical discharge. You have served faithfully for a long time chief. It's time to pass the torch and be with your family" Lee said with a smile.
" Thank you sir. It's been an honour serving our country and this team." Buck said with a smile.
Admiral Lee shook his head and said " The honor was mine Chief Diaz, your courage, dedication to team and country, and your perseverance to see the mission to its completion is what made your team great. Your leadership and intelligence, and your out of the box thinking always guided your team well."
With these words Admiral Lee saluted Buck sharply, a gesture she returned as well.
After she was dismissed she joined the team, answering their unasked question stating that she was being given an early honourable discharge. There were whoops of joy filling the air as they celebrated with her, even if it meant they were losing her as a leader.
16 hours later
Eddie truly was running on will alone, getting through each day seemed longer and harder as he waited for news that could very well crush and shatter his heart and that of his sons. That was what had him sitting in the 118 loft early that morning, not listening to the sounds around him just existing.
Bobby approached Eddie, asking " How are you holding up?"
" Fine." Eddie said.
"Okay" Bobby said, eyebrows raised. "Want to try that again? With the truth this time."
Eddie signed, " What do you want me to say Bobby? That I'm shattering the longer I hear nothing? That i'm terrified every time the phone rings or there is a knock on the door that it's someone going to tell me that my wife is dead? That's I'm scared the Navy is going to call and tell me they can't recover my wife's body and that I'm going to bury an empty coffin. That im scared that Christopher is going to look at me and ask where his mother is? Is that what you want to hear Bobby?"
"if that's how you feel and that's what's running through your mind? Then yes, Eddie, that's what I want you to tell me. Like I said we're here for you and Chris." Bobby said, clamping a hand on Eddie's shoulder and smiling gently.
"Thanks Cap." Eddies said, sitting back on the couch. The rest of the 118 were sitting around Eddie in silent comfort offering what little support they could.
A few minutes later, they heard soft steps on the stairs and looked over at them, seeing a tall blonde woman in green camo fatigues ascending the steps looking pretty banged up but with a smile that could light the room.
"Can we help you ma'am?" Bobby asked politely.
Everyone looked on in curiosity, except Eddie, who seemed like he was lost in thought.
"That depends on if you know where I can find firefighter Eddie Diaz? I'm told he's assigned to station 118." The woman replied with a soft smile at Eddie. At her voice, however, Eddie flew to his feet spinning to look at the stairs, frozen in shock, eyes wide. " Ev… what?" " your home?" "Please tell me I'm not dreaming?" Eddie stuttered in one breath.
"oh, Eddie, baby no. I'm home. I promise." Buck said with a smile lighting her blue eyes, stepping towards Eddie. Eddie met her halfway, eyes scanning over the body he knew so well. Gently pulling her into his arms hugging her like she was something precious, which she was to him.
"Gracias, Dios mio, I thought I was going to lose to, carino" Eddie said softly into her neck, Bucks arms tightened around him and she whispered softly into his ear "Never, mi corazon, I will always fight for you and Christopher, until my dying breath baby. That's what I promised you. And i'm home now, for good. Brass decided that it was fair. It was my last tour anyway." Buck said.
"That and you're injured. Lets not forget that shall we." Eddie said with concern in his voice.
There was a soft sound of someone clearing their throat, causing the embracing couple to turn while still keeping touch with each other.
"Care to introduce us Eddie?" Bobby asked with a smile at the couple.
"Right, sorry cap" Eddie said with a slightly bashful smile on his face, pulling Buck closer slightly, still not able to believe his wife is in his arms again, scared that if he lets go she might just disappear and it all would just be a cruel dream.
"Guys, this is my wife, Chief Evalynn Diaz. Baby, this is Captain Bobby Nash, our firefighters Howard ' Chimney' Han, Henrietta ' Hen' Wilson and Lesley Sheldon. My partner on the rig. And the police sergeant is Athena Grant, Bobby's wife." Everyone smiled warmly in greeting.
"Pleasure to meet you all. And thanks for looking out for this one here." Buck gestured with a gentle squeeze and a smile at Eddie.
" No problem. We're a family Chief. We look after our own" Bobby said with a warm smile at the couple, already seeing the difference in Eddie's demeanor just by having Buck back in his arms.
"Please captain Nash, it's Buck. No need to be formal and it's a life i'm leaving behind for something much better anyway." Buck said.
"Well then please call me Bobby," Bobby said while the rest of the team nodded and said to call them by their names too.
" Hope you guys dont mind, but i'm stealing Eddie."
" Im guessing you're not working today, right?" Buck asked Eddie.
" No, I'm not working right now. I couldn't seem to focus on much more then taking care of Chris." Eddie said softly, shaking away the tears that threatened to fall.
"Go hug your son. He's been missing his mom." Bobby said. Watching as the couple left the station.
30 minutes later
Eddie and Buck arrived at the school where Chris was. Getting out of the car they met in the middle, fingers lacing together, they made their way up the steps of the school. Anticipation fluttered in Buck belly, after 8 months apart, she was going to see her baby boy. God she could feel the tears already gathering at just the thought of holding her baby in her arms, smelling his sweet smelling apple scented hair.
Arriving at the classroom where Chris was blissfully unaware of the fact that his mama was right outside his class. When the teacher looked up she saw Eddie hold his finger in front of his mouth motioning at Chris and then Buck. The teacher nodded and smiled brightly at them, turning back to her class, silently taking out her phone to record the happy reunion. Buck walked on silent feet , heading to the mop of brown hair bent low over his work, smiling at her son. A hush fell over the class as more and more of the students noticed her presence.
" That's a really colourful picture superman." Buck murmmerd from next to Chris, his head snapping up so fast, Buck was almost scared he would give himself whiplash.
"Mama!", Chris yelled. Throwing his arms around Buck's neck and starting to cry into her shoulder, shaking.
"you're home?" he asked voice muffled in her shoulder, question and hope clear in his little voice.
"Yes baby, mama's home. For good. I'm not going anywhere mijo." Buck promised.
"Let's go home guys." Eddie said smile wide as the rest of the class cheered and clapped their hands, the teacher subtly holding up her phone to show Eddie, who nodded gratefully at her for capturing such a wonderful moment.
With that the Diaz family headed home. The hard months of not knowing, really the hard years of not knowing over. A wife and mother reunited with her family. Her service to her country paid for. The sacrifices over. Her mission was completed. Senior chief Evalynn Diaz stands down and Evalynn Diaz, wife and mother takes her place with her family at last.
THE END