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I have no strong knowledge about security in Marine or US Navy bases. Or NCIS squad tactics. Nor is what is described the same as the surrounding area of the MCSF. I know, but this chapter is written in a hurry.

Near Marine Corps Support Facility (MCSF) New Orleans

2000 Opelousas Ave, New Orleans

"What's the situation?" Pride was talking to the MCSF guardpost via radio. "Say again Sergeant? What...?"

"What?" LaSalle repeated, steering to avoid another vehicle.

"Step on it, there's a fire fight happening," Pride ordered with sharp urgency. Within two minutes, the three agents were there and they all donned Kevlar vests and helmets, as well as drawing out M-4 rifles. Even as they donned their gear, they could hear sharp gun shots and the commotion of voices.

"What did we just step into? Wasn't it just a murdered reservist?" Brody winced as bullets suddenly flew across their heads, several striking their vehicle.

"It just blew up into a mini war zone. Grab the fibre optic, easier to spot who's shooting who while under cover." Pride referred to the fibre optic cable that they stored away assaults on buildings. Soon enough, they had a picture of the scene on camera: Marine guards just outside the base were firing at a group of individuals hidden behind several vehicles. Just a few feet away from those vehicles lay someone in sneakers, jeans and USMC shirt.

"Shit," Pride briefed then told them on the count of three to open fire. Just as the many 5.56×45mm rounds hit the adversaries and their vehicles, Brody noticed a distinctive flash. "40mm!" She screamed yanking Pride LaSalle down as the grenade from a M203 struck their car. She could hardly mouth the word 'run' as she pushed the two of them forward, just before their vehicle blew.

"Triple shit," Pride breathed and asked if they were ok. "We need to get that Marine to safety first. Chris, cover us. Brody, on my mark," and both of them surged forward, aiming as best as they could. With Brody still firing away, Pride quickly ran through the ABCs of field first aid and then with her help, both of them helped the badly injured Marine all the way back to the guard posts.

"Thanks alot sir," the duty Sergeant breathed and ordered Navy Corpsmen to administer proper first aid. "Who the heck are these guys?"

"We suspect some gang leader who wants to revenge," Pride replied, wiping his forehead.

"Gang member? Lance Corporal Gonzalez here is a model marine and student," he argued.

"He did have some fall out when younger Sarge," a nearby Marine quipped, still scanning the area with his Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) and firing back.

"Well, we'll learn about it later," Pride added then grabbed a microphone. "Attention, this NCIS! You know you are committing serious crime and facing superior firepower! Lay down you weapons and..." the only reply he received was more gunfire, this time distinctively from a heave machine gun.

"Ok, we'll do this the hard way. Sergeant, cover us." Attaching a fresh ammo clip to his assault rifle, he signalled his two agents and they surged forward, targeting to disable the vehicles but to 'disable the damn people' if possible. Just as they neared the vehicles, the firing from that end suddenly stopped.

"What the..." LaSalle said, surprised.

"They're running away Special Agents," the Sergeant radioed. "We'll like to assist, but it may break Posse Comitatus if we chase them." Pride acknowledged and the three agents move cautiously forward, noting the several buildings nearby. Pride and LaSalle entered the first building, while Brody covered the outside. As she turned a corner, she heard a crying voice near her feet and found a young boy underneath a box. "There, there," the boy pointed at another nearby building as she helped him out and moved him to safety. Brody moved cautiously towards that building until a female figure with back turned was in sight. "Freeze, NCIS! Hands up!" she yelled but the figure just lifted one arm and a deafening explosion occurred.

NCIS New Orleans Headquarters

Nearly an hour later...

"Federal Authorities and the military are still not yet clear on the reason for the explosion that took place near the Marine Corps Support Facility. A brief word by the local NCIS field office stated that it was related to a string of assaults and murders on several Navy and Marine persoonel. They..."

Pride switched off the television and walked over to the quite bruised Meredith Brody, who had bandages in several places and held an ice pack to parts of her face. "How's your hearing?" he announced loudly.

"Much...better," Brody coaked as Jennifer Coates entered with a mug.

"I made your favourite cocoa," she announced.

Brody just stared at her cousin without any response. "Ok, whatever," she said, walking away and LaSalle immediately followed just as a buzzing tone was heard. He immediately retreated as Dr. Wade appeared on the LCD screen.

"Yeah Loretta?"

"You know how I hate 'boom body pieces destroyed' cases, Dwayne," she responded. "But there was just one piece that Sebastian and I could salvage from the debris and as well as our examination of the vehicle. We're running the DNA now but quite positive the lady who blew herself and the others up is Pia Bonfilio."

"Quite positive?"

"I can say more than quite," Sebastian chimed in. "The fingerprints all over the car matched those that the Detectives from the East Coast gave us."

"Okay, thanks you two," Pride said.

"So, case closed?" LaSalle asked.

"Well, once they can definitely say it's that Bonfilio girl. But looks like it will be a whole long day or days of paperwork."

The paperwork was largely completed and as evening came, LaSalle headed to the kitchen area and found Coates browsing through her phone. "Heya, still here?"

"Well, I've not really any place else to go. I could head back to Merri's, but I think she hold the main key."

"Shucks, well wanna grab a drink or something?" Coates thought for a moment then accepted.

"You really have to tell me what is it with you and your cousin," he said, as they walked towards the French quarter.

Coates shook her head and he repeated himself. "Ok, ok," she sighed. "I nearly killed her father, my uncle."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Well, basically, I stole his car when I was much younger. Actually drove it recklessly along the highway. Then he we saw it, I reversed and nearly struck him and pushed him off the cliff. She never forgave me about it."

"Oh," he responded as her brought her to one of the many bars. "I'm sure she will." Coates only shook her head and with her order in hand, he headed off the counter. As Jennifer Coates was looking for a place to sit, she suddenly spied a familiar frame and pushed her way through the crowd, ended up in the corridor to the ladies room. "Hey, sista," she turned to see a patron. "Ya mind? I got a bladder to empty."

"Sorr..." Before Coates could finish her apology, she felt a prick on the back of her neck and passed out.

To Be Continued.