Hello there!

Hope all is well with you guys in wherever part of the world you are from. I know The Brave fandom reaches far and wide. Cheers to all of us!

This is just my fourth story (am I still a fanfic newbie? – I definitely think so! ) and hoping that I'm improving as the time goes. Your feedback /faves/follows are truly appreciated. :)

I'm also on Twitter wildcatabby, will be giving sneak peeks/updates there as the story progresses.

Here's the second chapter. Fair warning, a little swearing was involved.

Much obliged,

Abby

Dalton's Promise

Chapter 2

Amir saw the gunmen going to the direction of the house they've been in. His first instinct was to go back for Top. He checked his weapons, one hand gun with a couple of spare bullets and a knife. That's it. There has to be least 20 men in there. He is conflicted. He doesn't want to leave him alone but remembered his orders. "Damn it Top!" He closed his eyes, hissed silently and then with a conflicting heart ran as fast as he could to the rendezvous point.

A few hours later, McG was assessing the Ambassador Jeffries, patching his wounds and putting an IV. Jaz remains vigilant and always looking at the direction of where Amir and Top should come from. She has a bad feeling in her gut and getting restless.

She saw there was movement on the grass and Jaz straightaway zoomed in with her binoculars. She smiled when saw Amir coming towards them. She looked from left to right, for the far end and around again. No other movement. Her smile faded… she's shaking her head … her lips forming the word no repeatedly and her anger now building up.

Jaz charged at Amir and yelled "You left him? You left him! You f*cking left him!" as she continues punching Amir's chest. Preach grabs Jaz's arm and tries leading her away from him. Amir just stood there. He held his head down, his face forlorn.

McG approached Amir, his eyes showing him sympathy and worry. He reached out and touched his shoulder and checked him for possible injuries. "You okay there buddy?"

They can still hear Jaz screaming expletives. "We leave no one behind, f*cking no one! Does he not get that? He's been with us for how long? How f*king long?! How does he not f*cking get that?" Preach tries to calm her down.

"I don't want to leave him Joseph. Believe me, it is the hardest decision I've made. You heard him order us what to do."

"I did, and I know you had no choice and Top gave you the hardest job. Just that, since we lost Elijah, and after she's been captured herself, Jaz has strong feelings… about anyone left behind. I also saw the restraint that you've shown Jaz. You just let her vent at you, punch you and just took it. Thanks for that."

Amir bowed his head again and crossed his hands on the back of his neck. "I feel that I deserved Jaz's wrath, that and more."

"No brother, don't let this get to you. Let's meet with Preach and then we can call the Deputy Director and plan how to get Top back."

"How's the Ambassador?"

"A few bruises, a couple of cuts and he is dehydrated but other than that, he is fine. The medical evac plane is on its way to pick him up."

"That's good at least. One mission left. Get Top back." Amir said with determination in his eyes.

They secured one of the huts the locals let them use and set up their coms. The Mongolian government allowed them to operate in the area but discreetly.

At the table, they had different maps of the China laid out, and the tough box computer set up. They're online. They see Deputy Director Campbell, Noah and Hannah on their screens.

Preach informed them of how they rescued the Ambassador and Top's orders. McG gave an update of the Ambassador's medical status.

Amir then sat in front of the computer recounted what happened after most of the team left. He tells Patricia "I was looking for objects to replace Top's weight on the chair. There's none out there. They've cleaned that area good so there's no other way to replace the weight but with a body or let it detonate. I saw about 20 gunmen go to the direction of the house. I counted my bullets. There's not enough for all of them and I could have tried to… get some of them…to help… I'm so sorry. I'm so very sorry. I should have disregarded his orders. Better if the two of us were there instead of him being alone there…me thinking of what could possibly be happening… If your decision is to discharge me from the team, I would accept…"

Patricia interrupted Amir. "Hang on Amir, you are not being blamed here. This is not a court martial. I understood why Dalton ordered you to go. I would have ordered you the exact same thing. Hang tight. I will call you guys back."

"Boss we got problem" Noah pulled Patricia's attention to the other screen. "This is a satellite image of the coordinates of the house." Patricia caught the scream she almost let out. She's trying to calm herself and think.

Dark smoke emitted in the sky.

"Oh my God" Hannah gasps as she looks on the screen.

Noah continued on sombrely. "It's showing multiple bodies in the water but there's a tropical storm happening right now so we can't confirm…"

Patricia closed her eyes, clasped the chain on her neck and breathed deeply. "No, this is what we need. This storm will help and be our smokescreen." Patricia's already formulating a plan.

"But boss, boats are not a viable option plus the Chinese would know." Noah looks confused.

"We're not gonna use a boat. Get me Captain Halsey. They're still at Spratly Islands. I need a submarine. Hopefully the Captain is ready to test the new stealth technology there." Patricia is praying the Captain will approve of her plan.

Captain Helsey agreed. "Your team helped me to get my sub back. It's the least I can do. Will update you the soonest ma'am."

Patricia contacted the team again. "Preach, tell the team I have found a way to check on Dalton. Will keep you posted. Rest up for now."

"Roger that ma'am. Thank you." Preach ending the link.

"You didn't tell them about the explosion." Hannah states.

"Not at this time. They cannot do anything on their end so just let them rest." Patricia was fidgeting with her watch.

Patricia has been on closed door meeting with the Captain Halsey the whole afternoon. Now it's almost 1900H. It's going to be a long night.

Noah and Hannah were getting snacks at the nearby vending machine when they heard very loud scream of "Nooooo!"

Both stilled as they recognized the voice, and it came from Patricia's office.