Chapter 15
Having fun yet?
David rolled his eyes as he took out some Russians on the ridge. "Getting there, S64."
Good. Listen, most of the troops are heading to your direction. They are going to try and take you out before you get to the main door.
"That's what 3-1 is for," he replied. David signaled to Alex of targets to task for air strike. He took cover and provided cover while Alex marked the target.
I know. Just giving you a heads up. You might need to get up close and personal.
"Not a problem." David grunted when a grenade exploded nearby. He moved to take out the Russian that threw it.
The plan was to have two teams infiltrate the factory. One would plant charges on the pipeline. The other would on the furnace. That way the entire facility would go down. The first step was to shock and awe the front door and then make their way to the main buildings to link up with Price's man Nikolai.
The way there though was a firefight. They had an APC to provide cover and Alex had air support, courtesy of Laswell. It helped, but at some point, they lost the APC. They still had air cover, which Alex kept up to keep them from being overwhelmed by the Russians. They used the advantage to press forward. David would pause to relay orders as well as Farah.
In the midst of the fight, they heard a voice over the loudspeaker. There was enough of a lull to realize that it was Barkov. The bastard was there. David knew that the urge to charge ahead was great, especially for Farah, but they had a mission and he trusted her to keep her head. They had to play it smart to make sure that they boxed him in, and he didn't have a chance to escape. They pushed until they were at the top of the hill.
"Echo Team, this is your start line."
That was the cue for Alex, Farah and David to make their way to Nikolai, grab explosives and the detonator and head to the furnace. As a precaution, they pulled on gas masks and Alex took point. Farah followed. David took up the rear. He paused by Price and looked at the captain, "Captain."
"Do what you do best, David," Price replied.
David nodded, "See you and the sergeant on the other side." He gave a signal to Garrick before following Farah and Alex into the building. Immediately, he heard an alarm and could hear people shouting and screaming.
"Look, the workers are leaving," Farah pointed out.
It could be a blessing that the civilians were out of the way or the curse in that they were a distraction and could get in the way. Either way, it was going to be a gun fight to Nikolai and then to the target. David shifted and gave a fist bump to Alex before moving to clear the building. He gave a few commands in Arabic to the fighters that were in their group.
"They are well armed for a lab," Alex muttered as they made their way down to the main floor.
"Considering what this place makes…" David replied with a shrug as he moved to a blocking position.
"We will bury it all," Farah finalized it before moving forward.
David gave a look at Alex before moving forward. They spread out to cover all areas when the lights went out and the emergency lights went on. It was an ambush. Their best bet was to use the machinery for cover and fire at what they could hit. Alex used the grenade launcher to push the Russians back and take the heat off of them, allowing them to push forward.
It seemed that the Russians weren't in the mood to care that their equipment was getting destroyed. They were willing to fight to the death to prevent them from getting through as they pushed to the third floor. Alex would do a clean sweep and the others would catch what avoided the initial fire. It was effective and allowed them to make it to where Nikolai was waiting.
"Alex, Farah, come quickly. Get your charges."
David grabbed one set of charges while Alex grabbed the other and the detonator. He shot a look a Farah that said he would do it. With Barkov still in the area, he wanted to make sure the way was clear for her to get to him. If anyone deserved to give Barkov what was coming to him, it was Farah Karim. He looked at Alex and nodded.
Before they kicked this off, he talked with Alex. Rather Alex came to him with the same idea. It really cemented the fact that if they had met in another life, they would have been fast friends. They were friends now and they understood each other. They agreed that if Barkov was at the target, they would pave the way for Farah to get him. They cemented the pact with a handshake that turned into a bro hug military brothers gave each other. David was not one to go back on his word or promise even if he never expressed them.
Farah let him take it while Nikolai handed the detonator to Alex, explaining that once it went off, it would start a chain reaction. She asked the Russian, "Why help us?"
"Barkov is a stain on my country. It will not stand, and a little friend of mine believes firmly in fair play," Nikolai replied in honesty.
David heard Nikolai's response. What stuck out was the use of the words "fair play." There was only one person he knew that would use those words in this job. He gave a slight smile at that while Farah thanked the man. He gave the man a passing nod before following Alex and Farah in to make their way to the furnace.
They were immediately attacked when they entered the building. To the Russians, they were terrorists, and they weren't going to give up without a fight. They had the advantage of knowing where all the nooks and crannies were to lay down sufficient fire. David caught a bullet in the arm when he pressed forward. The force knocked him on his back.
"David!"
David wasn't down for long. He managed to scramble back to cover. His back pressed against the machinery, and he glanced at his arm. The bullet hit the meaty part of his upper arm and was a through and through. He made a face at it while the bullets were flying.
"You alright, David?"
David looked over and saw Alex was looking at him while firing at the enemy. He replied, "I'm okay."
He got to his feet. They couldn't stop now. They had to push forward and get to the furnace. He would just have to focus and push past the pain. He also knew that he had to reassure them at some point. "Went through. I'm good," he said. To prove it, he took out a couple of Russians and pushed them forward.
Farah nodded. While they all knew that death was a probability in their fight to free their country and this one to end Barkov's factory and him, she was afraid to lose David. It was why he was reluctant to voice his feelings and she was the same. By voicing their feelings, it made it very real that they cared for each other, much more than commander and subordinate. When he went down, she thought the worst since he was always meticulous in how he approached a gunfight, but even he said he wasn't invincible. It was a relief that he was alive, but the fact that his arm was affected…
David was on his feet. Right now, was the mission. He spoke through the comm, "I'm good. We have to keep pushing forward." He looked at Alex and Farah with a look that said to keep going.
The lull allowed David to tear a piece of his keffiyeh and tie it around his arm. He wrapped it tight enough to staunch the bleeding. It would hold until he could have it looked at. He saw that he was next to a button and took a look at it. He peeked when he saw a few more Russians heading their way. Without another thought, he pushed it and the steam released. He had timed it just right and the steam hit the oncoming Russians. The screams were pretty good indicators.
Alex took advantage of the steam and shot at the Russians that were in pain and blinded by it. He glanced over at David and said, "Nice."
David shrugged his shoulders and adjusted his rifle. He was ready to push forward. They used the steam and the machinery as cover to push through to the next room. They had a couple of close calls when grenades were lobbed at them. Alex had a close shave when one exploded nearby him. The splash damage sent some debris at him, and he felt the sting on his face. He shook it off and headed towards the door.
It was unexpected when the door burst open with such force that it sent him flying back. Alex landed hard and detonator fell from his grip. He looked over and saw it sparking. "Shit," he muttered as he grabbed it.
"Alex, move!"
Alex looked to see a heavily armored Russian coming through the door. It was heavy assault armor, juggernaut armor. No wonder the door gave such force. The man was also carrying a heavy gun. They were in for a fight as he open fired on the Russian.
The Russian taunted them to take their best shot. Farah was shouting to use the barrels that were nearby. It was a good tactic, but it was going to take a lot more to bring down the juggernaut. Alex unloaded clips, but he might as well be throwing pebbles at the guy.
Farah, Alex… keep distracting him. I'll flank him.
Alex paused as he took cover and responded on his comm, "David, what the hell are you doing?"
Doing what I do best. Trust me.
Alex wanted to protest but Farah gave the order. He had little choice. He took cover and fired shots to distract the Russian that was cussing the hell at them. Farah was shouting at her men to keep it up. Alex wondered what the hell David was planning when he heard the Russian cussing up a storm followed by gurgling and the sound of blood spilling on the ground.
Alex came out to find David pulling out his kukri knife from where he stabbed the Russian in the neck. He looked at the downed Russian and at David. "Should I ask?"
David looked at Alex with a grin, "Probably not." He shook the blood off his blade and sheathed it. "Sometimes a gun isn't the answer."
Alex chuckled at that, "Probably."
"No."
Farah looked up at David in confusion. "David… give me the charges."
David shook his head, "No, Farah."
Farah didn't expect that from David. They had made it to the furnace, but the battle with the juggernaut damaged the detonator beyond repair. The only way to get the job done was blow the furnace directly. The thing was it was a one-way trip. Farah was going to do it. David refused to give her the charges. She frowned at him and said, "I am your commander."
"And I've followed you for ten years. Stood beside you, provided council… supported the decisions," David replied as he looked at her. "This time, I am not."
"David, this has to be done."
"I know. Just not you."
Farah frowned and opened her mouth and closed it before saying, "And I won't let you do this either."
"That's not what he meant, Farah."
Farah turned towards Alex. She then looked at David. "Listen to me. Both of you." She looked at both of them before continuing, "Because of this poison, my people have known something worse than war. I did not come this far to turn back."
"And he's not asking you to turn back," David said calmly. He looked at Alex and then at Farah, "He's asking you to give the order."
Farah looked at both men. It felt like they were ganging up on her with this. She looked at Alex and saw that he was serious. David was using formal way by appealing to her on Alex's behalf. She shook her head, "I won't do that."
Alex sighed and replied, "Commander, please."
"I am not your CO," she retorted.
"Farah," David replied, "You are. He stayed with us." He reminded her gently, helping Alex make his case.
Alex was grateful to David as he pled his case, "Someone needs to light this fire, and someone needs to kill Barkov and you can't do both. Not even Aquila is that good." He deliberately used David's call sign to remind her that she was human and to use the resources she had. He could tell that she was close to giving in and continued, "I've been on assignment my whole life. This is one I believe in. Give me the order."
Farah looked at Alex. She glanced at David. They knew what the stakes were. As soldiers, they knew what it meant to have duty. As freedom fighters, they knew what it meant to be devoted to a cause. They knew what Alex was asking. She lowered her head. She liked Alex and respected him for his choices. He was a friend, a needed one, to David. In the end, she knew what the correct choice was. She lifted her head, "You are a freedom fighter, Alex."
"You're a born leader, Farah," Alex replied as he straightened like a soldier receiving an order. "Say the word."
Farah paused before handing the damaged detonator to Alex. "Go."
Alex took it. "Yes, ma'am." He moved to the door and paused when David handed him the charges. He shook the man's hand in a warrior shake by gripping the wrist. "Stay in the fight."
David nodded and let Alex go. When Alex opened the door after he pushed the unlock button, he called out, "Alex." When Alex was looking at him, he said, "Adhhab mae allah ya 'akhi," and gave a gesture.
Alex looked at David and nodded, "Good luck, brother."
Alex didn't spare a second glance as he went through the door. It was the right thing to do. He knew he could do this even though the chances of him surviving were nil.
You and S47 are more alike.
Alex paused when he heard S64 on his comm. He frowned, "You were listening?"
David has an active comm. Sneaky bastard made sure I was listening.
Alex chuckled, "You might be right. Never got a chance to thank you for helping get the info to here." He started forward to find where he was going to plant the charges.
No need. I wanted to make sure it went right. A blight needed to be taken care of. This is more fitting though I would have liked to have killed Barkov up close and personal.
"Did he hurt you too?"
No, but he hurt people. Fucking Russian mentality of his. He wants a terrorist? He should look in the mirror.
Alex smiled at that. "Is there a reason why you decided to talk to me?"
Thought you might want a friend.
Alex paused when he heard that. "You consider me that?"
I'm taking a chance and… I know what it's like when you know that you may not make it and you will be alone. Last thought is that you wish someone was there, even if on comms.
Alex stared at the furnace and took a breath. He nodded even though there was no one there. "I appreciate that S64."
You can call me by my callsign. It's Ryan.
"Ryan?"
I like Tom Clancey novels.
Alex chuckled as he heard Garrick over the comm stating that he and Price were fighting to the pipeline. He replied, "Bravo, Echo is set at the furnace. Farah and David are going for the general." He released the comm and began setting the charges.
So, what is your plan?
"Is that a trick question?"
No. A practical one.
Alex paused before replying, "This was a one-way trip, Ryan. There is no plan."
I know that's not you. I read about you, Alex, known as Echo 3-1, Special Activities Division for CIA.
"And should I ask how you got that on me?"
Don't ask. You might not like the answer. In all seriousness, Alex, you are not the type to just say it's the end. You're resourceful, much like David. So, I don't believe you when you say you don't have a plan.
Alex set the charges and thought about it before replying, "Ryan, the detonator's dead. The charges have to be set manually. There's no way I could get out on time, even if I took off the minute I hit the button."
Do you really believe that?
Alex growled in frustration, "And are you listening to me?"
Yes.
"Then…"
I don't like to lose, Alex. I never see things as the end. I may feel like it, but then I step back and look at it again after taking a breath or two. So, tell me, what is the plan?
Alex was surprised at the forcefulness from the woman. She was firm, different from Laswell. "Something tells me, you've done this before with someone else."
I have and I'll let you in on a secret: I believe deeply in your mantra of never leaving a man behind.
Alex smiled at that. He looked at the setup and thought about it. "Alright. Say the plan is to get a better head start. Can I ask if you have a suggestion?"
You may. Do you have a cell phone?
Alex pulled out his cell phone. He frowned at it, "You want me to rig my phone to be a detonator?"
Bingo. Like I said, use the resources around you.
"I'm not an expert on that."
I'll talk you through it.
Alex blinked at that and nodded, "Alright."
Alex listened as S64 gave him directions on how to set it up. Each step made him wonder more about the woman that just seemed to be there when you needed a helping hand the most. "Tell me something Ryan, you seem to know hardware pretty well."
I do. And software. My mind… functions a bit differently the way I see the world.
"So, you're not going to tell me."
I could, but then I'd have to decide if I want to make you disappear and make you my bitch.
Alex laughed at the implication. He understood she meant making him an asset of hers. The conversation, while heavy in possible false hope, was helpful. It helped with this pill to swallow, and he appreciated it from her. "Sounds like it would be a chore."
Not really. We'd just have an understanding and I have strict consequences.
Alex chuckled as she gave the final instructions. "Okay, I have it wired."
Now you need to set the timer. Give yourself some time to get a running start. The phone itself will set the charges off.
"I suppose I can't set it for longer."
Given the phone's charge, it won't last that long.
It was true. There wasn't much of a charge. Just enough for maybe thirty seconds. Alex sighed and asked, "Can I have an honest answer? Will thirty seconds be enough?"
If you are asking for scientific fact and probability, the answer would be no. But I don't base my guesses on that.
"So, what is your guess?"
You have a chance. Thing is, will you take it? Sometimes a chance is all you need.
Alex looked at the timer. He set it for thirty seconds. All that remained was for him to press the button and the rest was up to the charge. He gave a slight smile, "Ryan, if I somehow manage to make it out…"
If you make it out, I will tell you my real name.
"Then I guess I'll have to make it."
That's the attitude of Echo 3-1 that I know.
"Thanks." He waited until the word was given.
Alex, charges set?
Straightening up, Alex responded, "Affirmative, sir."
Alex?
Alex held his finger poised ready to push the button. "I'm not getting out of here. Let's do this."
Thank you.
Alex smiled, "Yes ma'am."
He heard Farah relay to Price that everything was ready. He checked his watch and waited before pushing the button. He had thirty seconds to go. He started making a run for the exit.
All stations on my mark… 3… 2… 1
It was timed perfectly as the seconds were counted down. Alex could hear the explosions start. He said, "Thanks for being here, Ryan."
You're welcome… Echo 3-1.
A/N: The assault on the factory and Alex asks to make a sacrifice. Looks like he might not be alone. Stay tuned for the finale...
