VIII
As ordered Shadow team meets in their ops room at two o'clock to go over a final mission briefing just as Stone walks in.
"Okay we received confirmation from our source that Khalid is in fact heading for his estate within the next twenty-four hours. I've got a jet lined up to leave tonight at midnight, it will take you as far as Kayseri, Turkey where we've arranged a couple of hotel rooms for you. As more Intel comes in we'll update you on a mission launch time so let's go through this from start to finish." Stone explains as he begins reviewing everything beginning with their entry point to Iran from Baku.
Once the team arrives there they will don their disguises and equip their voice translator strips and earpieces, all except Anderson since he fluently speaks Arabic. Then they will board a steamer boat that will take them south some two hundred miles to the port of Bandar Torkaman. From there they will board the Trans-Iranian Railway and ride into Tehran. Stone turns the floor over to Hudson at that point.
Hudson stands to review mission time and assignments. "There will be a vehicle waiting for us when we arrive in Tehran. Extraction gear for Khalid and our weapons will be inside the vehicle."
"What? We're going in unarmed?" McCabe asks.
"We'll have our sidearms but to keep a low profile we're having the rest of our gear air dropped into the Caspian Sea." Hudson replies. He continues by directing their attention to six foot wooden crate displayed on the main screen. "Our contact will retrieve the drop and transport it to the city leaving us the vehicle." Hudson explains as he tells them the crate will not only carry their rifles, ammunition and other equipment but will be used to extract Khalid.
"How's he going to survive in that thing?" McCabe asks.
"We'll get there in a moment." Hudson says keeping on track. "When we arrive at Khalid's estate we should have minimal opposition. Jones and McCabe will be stationed on the roof of the building across the street while myself, Anderson, O'Bryan and McCaffrey will move in to grab the target under the cover of night." Putting his team to the test Hudson asks what's next.
McCabe speaks up stating that once the order is giving for extraction he will bring the vehicle around which will be parked in the alley behind his and Jones' position.
"Correct Andrew, now to answer your earlier question." Hudson switches the image on the computer to show another image of the crate only cross-sectioned to show its contents. He explains that the inside is equipped with a portable oxygen tank and IV drip.
"Not a soul will be the wiser that we've kidnapped a terrorist faction leader until it's too late."
Stone steps in to add another detail regarding the crate. "In the event the crate is required to be scanned by X-ray Weiss has installed a device which will jam any scanner and upload and image of engine parts, which is what the box will be labeled to contain. You're cover, if asked, is you're a repair crew for a fishing boat in the Persian Gulf."
"That's a long way to go for engine parts for a repair crew." Anderson says. "It might seem more likely if we we're claiming to be from the Caspian."
"True. If we could extract you safely from the Caspian we would probably go with that option." Stone replies.
"Right anyway, once we get Khalid to our exit point Anderson will setup the IV and inject him with a sedative then secure him in the box with the oxygen mask affixed. Jones will stay put to keep eyes on us until we're ready to roll. Then we pick him up and head back to the train station. Mission time in and out of the estate should be no more than ten minutes." Hudson says.
"Once the train arrives in Tehran you only have a half hour before it leaves again. So we need a quick and clean execution of this mission otherwise you'll be stuck in Tehran." Stone explains letting that thought sink in. "Once you're back on the train you'll ride it the four hundred mile plus trip south to the Persian Gulf."
Hudson picks up again from there. "Once we arrive in the Gulf we'll have a boat waiting for us there. We'll load the crate on board and head out to sea. Once we get far enough out the Navy will pick us up. Any questions?"
O'Bryan responds first asking how long the sedative will last on Khalid. "We sure don't need him banging on the inside of that crate if he wakes up."
"Twelve hours, we thought about sound proofing the crate but that would be added weight." Hudson replies.
After a few more questions Hudson turns back to Stone stating they are ready to launch.
"Listen up team, as some of you know the outcome of this mission could prevent or even possibly provoke a war with Iran. As risky as that sounds we cannot just sit on the sidelines while someone is selling U.S. weapons to them. The Jackhammer is our suspect and we have reason to believe he wants a war with Iran so we need to know exactly what Khalid knows about him. Khalid's group are the ones responsible for buying those weapons so whether or not we gain more Intel on the Jackhammer this mission still has its own importance. This is a delicate situation; I want you to understand that even if you succeed the result could be good or bad." Stone pauses with that thought hanging in the air for a moment. "Anyone who cannot accept that risk please leave the room now. No one . . . . . will doubt your patriotism or think you a coward." Stone adds firmly. When he sees everyone remain still he continues. "Alright, good luck . . . . . God bless. Hudson cut 'em loose."
"Alright you get the rest of the evening off, muster in the motor pool at twenty-three hundred sharp. We've got a plane to catch tonight."
Everyone quickly falls out of the room as Stone walks up behind Hudson. "William . . . ." Hearing the tone of his voice Hudson assumes for a moment that Stone is about to apologize for their recent quarrels as he sees his extended hand. ". . . . be careful."
Hudson however doesn't offer his hand in return. "We'll be fine." He says as he leaves the room.
Stone just stares at his friend as he exits, disheartened by the way Hudson left things between them.
As the team makes their way downstairs Hudson stops at his desk and sends a text message to Sage. Our mission was stepped up several hours; I'm free until eleven tonight, can I see you before then?
A moment later he sees a response come back. Sure, not sure what time I'll be done though, Kyle and I are on to something here.
I'll be at home, just come on over when you can. Hudson replies.
Sounds good.
Meanwhile back at the Georgetown apartment Watts and Sage make an exciting discovery. Having found the travel case under the bed they open it to find a Barrett M107 rifle! Before handling the weapon Watts puts on a pair of latex gloves so not to add his own fingerprints to it. He sticks his index finger inside the barrel as far as he can, when he pulls his finger out the glove is coated in dirt.
"Oh yeah this weapon has definitely been fired." He says to Sage.
"Wow, how could they miss from this distance?" she asks.
Watts doesn't answer right away as he turns his head to look out the window. "My guess . . . . . I don't think she missed."
"How's is that possible with this weapon at such a close range? You think it was a slip of the trigger finger?"
"A professional hitman, sorry hit-woman." Watts says remembering the tenant was a woman. "Not a chance, not in normal circumstances anyway. Maybe the shooter was ready to fire when the bomb went off and that's what caused the slip. I mean an explosion at that proximity would certainly scare the pants off me."
"Off anyone." Sage adds.
"Right, I'd be ducking for cover immediately. I bet that's what happened, the gun went off once the bomb did." Watts says thinking about the theory. "Keep searching the apartment, I'll call Stone and ask him to assign a forensics team to us."
"You really think we'll find prints on it?"
"I know it's a long shot but assumptions make for sloppy work." Watts adds pulling out his cell phone.
Moments later Stone picks up the phone on his desk and finds Watts on the other end. "That was fast work Kyle, what did you find?"
"A Barrett M107 for starters."
"You're kidding!" Stone says replies.
"Nope, we're still searching the place but I could use a forensics team down here ASAP."
"You got it buddy, any leads on the shooter?"
"Thus far just the basics but it's a woman; Caucasian, 6.0ft roughly a 135lbs, in her twenties, maybe early thirties. We'll get a more detailed description before we're done here." Watts explains.
"We gotta name yet?"
"Not yet but I'll get one."
"Okay, keep at it and Kyle."
"Yeah?"
"Good work, both of you." Stone says.
"Thanks, I'll check in with you later."
A few hours later Watts and Sage walk into Stone's office just as he's preparing to head home for the night.
"Rachel Farris." Watts says handing Stone his their report.
"Great job you two." Stone says skimming through the file.
"Thanks but unfortunately there wasn't a single print found in that apartment or its contents." Watts says.
"And Kyle already did a search for the name Rachel Farris but only came up with a forged ID and passport." Sage adds.
Stone exhales disappointedly at the turn of events. "Well we can get her picture out there at least, hopefully someone will recognize her."
"There's one more thing." Watts says.
"Yeah?"
"We're not for sure yet if this girl is the Jackhammer or some other party." Sage fills in.
Stone studies their faces for a moment thinking about the facts at hand. A moment later he puts it together. "If this was the Jackhammer then who blew up the restaurant?"
"Exactly, or vice versa." Watts replies. "There's definitely more going here than we thought."
"I can't wrap my head around this one tonight guys, get Farris' picture out there and we'll start again fresh tomorrow." Stone says deciding to take the report home with him to read.
After leaving headquarters Sage picks up a few sub sandwiches and a video and drives over to Hudson's apartment. Hudson grabs a couple of beers from his fridge and a bag of chips as he asks her about her assignment.
"No shop talk, not since it may be awhile before we get to see each other again." Sage says. At half past ten Sage offers him a ride back to headquarters, when they arrive she parks in a parallel spot just across the street. "I figured if I pulled into the garage the cameras might see me giving you this." At that moment she takes his face in her left hand and kisses him passionately. "You be careful out there?" she says when she pulls back.
"I will." Hudson says kissing her again.
"Good luck." She adds as he opens the door and steps out of the car.
He walks in through the main entrance and makes his way downstairs where the team is already mustered and waiting for him.
"What took you so long?" Anderson asks curiously as the team begins to pile into the shuttle.
"I've still got two minutes." He says as he hops in closing the sliding door behind him. "You got the Sat-phones?"
"Right here." Anderson replies.
"Thank you." Hudson says taking them both. He puts one in his bag and hands the other to McCabe.
The van takes them to a private airstrip outside of town where they board a government jet bound for Kayseri, Turkey. Before boarding Hudson orders a weapon check making sure everyone has their sidearm and extra magazines. Once preflight checks are completed on the plane they take off. The first leg of their trip will take them to Madrid, an eight-hour flight.
Kayseri, Turkey - After a half hour refueling stop in Madrid Shadow team steps off the government plane for the last time. Hudson checks his watch reading thirteen hundred D.C. time; as he adjusts it to the local time he spots a van approaching. A woman steps out informing them she is their attaché and will be escorting them to the hotel where they will be staying until they receive orders to proceed with the mission. They check into their rooms and with most of the team already jet lagged Hudson suggests they all get some rack time while they can. However most of the team votes for food first so they turn to the attaché who suggests a local establishment nearby. Before leaving Hudson makes his first scheduled check in with headquarters.
Earlier that morning in Washington Stone arrives at headquarters just after eight am. The first thing he does before going to his office is to check with the duty officer to see if Watts and Sage have arrived yet.
"Have Agents Watts and Sage reported in for the day yet?"
"I believe that's an affirmative sir."
"Good page them to report to my office please." Stone says as he turns to leave. Before he can even settle in Kyle and Sara enter the room as instructed. "Forensics reports come in yet?"
"Affirmative, it was waiting on my desk when I got here." Watts says. "The slug found in the restaurant definitely came from the Barrett we found in Ms. Farris' apartment. However no such reports of her whereabouts as of yet."
"Hmm." Stone mumbles as he thinks for a moment. "I'm putting you on surveillance today."
"Alright, who did you have in mind?" Watts asks.
"Foley, stakeout his house and follow him wherever he goes."
Sage is about to ask a question but Stone interrupts her anticipating her inquiry.
"Aside from CIA headquarters, I'll assign a second team to watch him tonight."
"Wire taps?" Watts asks.
"No not yet, we need a solid lead first. Besides I think he'd sniff them out and we can't afford to show our hand too soon on this one." Stone replies.
"Got it."
At a quarter 'til two Stone walks into communications to see if they've received Shadow's first scheduled update.
"You're right on time sir." Comms Agent Dyson says as she notices Stone walk in the room.
"What's the word?"
"Shadow team successfully landed in Kayseri; Hudson stated they just checked in to their hotel. What are your orders?" Dyson asks.
With Dyson being the most senior comms agent Omega has Stone doesn't have to bother with asking if the line is secure. "Give me audio."
She flips a switch patching the call through the room.
"Hudson you copy?" Stone says.
"Affirmative." Comes Hudson's voice.
"You have a green light, unfortunately if you leave now you wouldn't make before sunup, so sit tight and get some rest. Did the attaché give you any currency?"
"Copy that, Turkish and some Iranian." Hudson replies.
"Good, we've got your plane chartered and set to leave at oh six–thirty your time tomorrow morning. That steamer ship out of Baku leaves at oh ten-thirty sharp. I received confirmation that our contact has acquired the package and it will be waiting for you in Tehran as planned." Stone explains.
"Good, anything else?"
"That's it, start sending us pings from your homing beacon tomorrow as your make your way to Tehran. We'll expect a five second ping to signal us once you've initiated the strike. If all goes we will hear from you by Sat-phone once you're safely outside of the city."
"Copy that, Hudson out."
"Are you on duty tomorrow Sarah?" Stone asks.
"Yes sir, you want me to keep you updated on their status?"
"If everything goes well then just let me know when he signals us that's he's initiating the strike."
"Understood." Dyson replies.
The next morning Hudson and team rise early and prepare to get underway; their escort takes them to a private airstrip where they find their contact for their chartered flight to Baku. Before allowing them to board the pilot asks for payment in advance. Hudson reaches into his pocket and pulls out a large wad of Turkish currency.
He hands it to the pilot and says. "Here's your advance and there will be a bonus when we land safely in Baku, provided you never recall seeing us if asked."
"Understood. Please climb aboard, we can be off the ground in five minutes."
They land in Baku at a few minutes before ten am local time, having lost another hour due their continuing trek east. Hudson orders everyone to don their disguises and voice strips before getting off the plane. Hudson turns to O'Bryan and does a comms check with the translator on. His voice comes out in Arabic and once the translation filters through O'Bryan responds.
"We're good to go sir."
Hudson hands the pilot the bonus he promised him as they step off the plane and head for the docks. He buys passage for the six of them and they board immediately and find the cabin assigned to them.
"One cabin for all six of us?" McCabe says in Arabic noticing the two sets of triple stacked bunks.
Hudson switches off his translator and comms and says. "This isn't a pleasure cruise, we should hit the coast of Iran at half past twenty hundred hours."
"How long is the train ride into Tehran from there again?" O'Bryan asks.
"A little over two hours, it should pull into Tehran hopefully no later than midnight." Hudson replies. "I strongly suggest we stay in the cabin as much as possible to avoid attention." He adds.
"It's a good thing I brought these." Anderson says pulling out a deck of cards. "It's gonna be a long boat ride, who's up for a game?"
"Go ahead guys, I've gotta signal headquarters of our progress." Hudson replies.
That night Stone and Robin attend their Lamaze class; throughout most of the hour Robin notices that her husband seems very distracted.
"I don't know about you but I'm craving some frozen yogurt." Robin says as they walk to his Chevy Blazer after class is over. Stone unlocks and opens the passenger side door and helps her inside.
"I'm sorry sweetie what did you say?"
"Frozen yogurt, do you mind if we go?"
"Not at all." He shuts the door and walks around getting in the driver's seat.
A few minutes later after they've made their selection and have found a seat Robin notices Stone's attention is still elsewhere.
"You thinking about William?" she finally asks.
He finally comes out of his stupor when he hears her speaking to him.
"Yeah, he and his team are on assignment."
"You mentioned that the other night but I was referring to the more personal situation you also told me about." Robin replies.
"Well that's kind of what I meant, before he left I wished him good luck and offered my hand. I guess just to let him know that whatever else is going on I'm still his friend."
"What happened?"
"He didn't return the gesture." He says taking a bite of his yogurt. "He just glared at me and said they'll be fine. I can't believe he's behaving this way."
"I'm sorry to hear that, is this the same assignment you spoke of the other night as well?"
Stone leans forward and whispers his response since there are several other people in the frozen yogurt shop. "Iran, yeah."
"That's dangerous isn't it?" Robin asks.
"Extremely but his assignment is vital. I just hope I know what I'm doing."
Having gone up on deck earlier Hudson steps into the cabin around eight-thirty pm to muster his team. "We're coming into port now, make no mistake boys we are now in harm's way. Turn your comms and translators on and remember from here on out don't address each other by name."
The team disembarks the ship and hops on a shuttle bus to the train station. They board without incident as Hudson discreetly sends another coded message to headquarters to inform them they are now starting the last leg of their journey. He is the last to climb aboard the train and finds McCabe holding a seat for him.
"How can you be so calm and serene?" McCabe whispers making a conscious effort not address him as sir.
"Experience, just try and relax." Hudson replies.
The train pulls into Tehran at just before midnight; the team disembarks and discreetly synchronizes their watches as Hudson reiterates that the train will be on the move again in thirty minutes. They begin searching the station parking lot for their contact. A moment later Hudson spots the battered blue delivery van ahead, as planned it sits alone remembering that the contact would keep the van in sight until they arrived but there would be no contact between the two parties.
"Great no keys." O'Bryan says reaching above the left front tire.
"They said drivers side, not left side." Hudson says pointing through the windshield.
O'Bryan looks closer finding the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle. Hudson reaches under the right front tire finding the keys.
"Oh." O'Bryan replies as they all pile into the van.
Hudson hands the keys to McCabe who gets behind the wheel as he gets in the back. He turns around spotting the crate in the back as McCabe starts the engine.
"Let's go, we've got work to do."
They find Khalid's place within seven minutes, they circle around first to check out the area finding no one on the streets.
"That's your sniper point." Hudson says pointing out the building across from the front of Khalid's place. "Drive around to the adjacent building and park in the alley.
McCabe pulls the van into the alley as ordered and they all get out of the van. Hudson orders the team to check the alley before they unload the weapons; within a moment they ensure the area is clear with no eyes on them. Hudson and Anderson open the crate and begin passing out the tactical vests, rifles, smoke and HE grenades and other equipment found within it. They hand the Dragunov to Jones and the AK-74's to everyone else, each with a mounted red dot sight and silencer attached.
"Comms up, remember to keep your voice strips on at all times. McCabe you and Jones get going. Let us know as soon as you're in position so we can move in. McCabe you're our eyes." Hudson says tossing him a pair of thermal binoculars. "We've got seventeen minutes guys, let's get this done."
McCabe and Jones hop back in the van with McCabe behind the wheel. As they drive away Hudson looks at his watch, he holds down one of the buttons on the side for five seconds emitting the signal wired into his homing beacon that will inform headquarters the mission has been initiated.
Back in Washington, Comms Agent Dyson dials Stone's extension and informs him that she just received Hudson's mission launch signal. Stone looks at his watch reading just after four pm local. He quickly figures in his head that over there it is just after midnight.
"Very good thank you Sarah. Let me know when his call comes in on the Sat-phone."
"Will do sir."
Stone rises from his desk and walks down the hall to Hayes office informing her that Shadow team has begun their operation.
Hayes simply acknowledges the statement but then notices Stone lingering by her door.
"Was there something else?"
"Huh?" Stone replies.
"What's on your mind Michael?" Hayes asks.
With his thoughts centered on Hudson and the delicate situation their friendship is in Stone quickly comes up with a better response; one that protects Hudson and Sage while not having to lie.
"Are we doing the right thing Kim?"
"If you didn't believe that you wouldn't have sent them."
"Oh that's comforting."
"That's the reality of command Michael, this really shouldn't be a new concept for you." Hayes replies.
"It's a new concept when I'm not out there with them."
As soon as McCabe and Jones are in position Hudson orders them to do a scan of the building. Jones immediately notices through the scope on his Dragunov that there are no guards patrolling the upper level.
"That's not right, there should be one patrolling the outer terrace." McCabe says strapping on the thermal goggles.
After further scans McCabe confirms the fact and informs Hudson there is one target upstairs who appears to be sleeping. Then he finds three more downstairs, assuming them to be the guards McCabe gives each of their locations to Hudson.
"Two of them could be guards, the third downstairs appears to be swimming."
"Did you say swimming?" Hudson asks.
"Copy that, it's a big place I guess they could have a pool in there."
"Okay we'll clear out the bottom level first then move upstairs, the target could be on either level." Hudson replies. "Keep us updated on their movements. We're going in."
As Hudson and the others move towards the estate McCabe takes a quick peek to the left to spot them crossing the street. He quickly checks the area around them to make sure there's no immediate threat to them. Within seconds the team is through the side door and moving into the estate with McCaffrey on point.
"First target is in the next room to your right." McCabe says as he watches them through the thermals.
McCaffrey turns and pumps three rounds through the man's chest as they move forward. As they approach the foyer they hear McCabe telling them the next target is across the foyer in the next room.
"His back is turned to you at the moment." McCabe says.
McCaffrey and O'Bryan turn into the foyer with deadly silent footsteps. They spot the man turning and O'Bryan puts a round through the back of his head. Intending to take out the target with his knife McCaffrey steps forward and grabs the man's arm guiding him quietly to the floor.
Hudson signals the two to move down the center hallway towards what they assume is the pool. As they approach the doors Hudson holds up his arm in a signal to hold.
"Eyes, where's the third target?" Hudson whispers in his radio.
"Kitchen, back side of the house." McCabe replies.
Hudson gives the signal to McCaffrey to move in. McCaffrey rises from his crouch and prepares to kick in the double doors. Suddenly McCabe notices movement on the other side of the doors!
"Wait, FALL BACK!" McCabe yells frantically just as McCaffrey kicks the doors open.
While Hudson has to wait the two-second delay for the translation to come through his comm unit he immediately realizes their mistake through McCabe's tone. Thirty or more armed Iranian's rise out of the pool firing! McCaffrey is mutilated by the onslaught as the others dive for cover in the hallway.
"Pull back!" Hudson says firing his AK-74 at full auto into the poolroom.
As the hostiles advance Hudson and the others try to retreat back into the foyer; they leapfrog over each other working their way back. While they take down several of the enemy Hudson knows they are still facing at least seven to one odds. As he stops to reload he sees O'Bryan take a round through the shoulder. Hudson grabs his only HE grenade and tosses it down the hall, when it goes off he tosses his smoke grenade next as O'Bryan gets to his feet and continues firing. Hudson looks at him and gives him the signal to leapfrog back again as Hudson resumes firing just as the smoke grenade begins obscuring the hallway. The three of them continue firing as Anderson makes it into the foyer.
"C'mon, get outside." Anderson says opening the main double door entrance.
"Go get the van." Jones says to McCabe as he takes aim through the doorway to lend additional fire support the moment he has a target.
"Are you kidding if we move in to extract them on the main street the van will get shredded." McCabe replies knowing they can't escape that way. Suddenly he spots movement on the balcony. "Target up top!"
Before he can aim Jones sights up the target and fires taking him out just as another one appears behind the first. Jones takes the second one out then re-directs his aim back at the doors just as Anderson is taking cover outside.
Hudson loads his third magazine into his rifle as he hears O'Bryan yelling for him to go.
Hudson runs towards the entrance hugging the walls as he gives the order to McCabe to extract. Even with the smoke grenade still obscuring the hallway the Iranians don't cease fire for an instant. With two feet to go to the entrance a round hits Hudson in his right shoulder from behind! The bullet goes completely through but the force of it spins Hudson around before hitting the deck just inches from the door.
"No!" Anderson yells as he continues firing. "Cover me!" He says to O'Bryan as he chucks his HE grenade down the hall.
It explodes in a concussive force taking out a few of the hostiles as O'Bryan loads a new magazine and resumes fire.
As Anderson moves to grab Hudson McCabe and Jones begin to see muzzle flashes through the smoke. They inform Hudson and the others to stay low as they open fire shooting through the window above the doors. Glass rains down on Anderson and he grabs Hudson's good arm and drags him through the door outside. He gets Hudson to his feet grabbing him around the midsection. Anderson fires his AK with one hand and yells for O'Bryan to pull out.
While McCabe and Jones take out several hostiles he spots them charging towards the foyer just as O'Bryan steps outside! They watch as multiple rounds go through O'Bryan before he can get clear! Suddenly the hostiles turn their fire towards them, the volley of fire hits the ledge of the roof and the two go down.
With no cover at the moment Anderson tries to run with Hudson in tow but a bullet goes through his right leg and he falls to ground with Hudson next to him.
On the roof McCabe looks to his right and sees that Jones took a round through the jugular vein, he checks for a pulse but doesn't find one. Letting the enemy assume they took out both snipers he low crawls back to the opposite side of the roof and quietly climbs down to the van just as he hears the gunfire cease.
The Iranians spill out into the street surrounding Hudson and Anderson. Anderson rolls over attempting to fight to the last breath but one of then hostiles stomps his foot down on the rifle as another kicks him in the head. The Iranians begin kicking and beating the two until they hear a voice yelling over the commotion.
"STOP!"
Hudson and Anderson look up, already swollen and bleeding to see whom the voice belongs to.
"These two men are now my prisoners." The man says to the group.
Hudson can see the resemblance to his younger brother and knows it is Samon Khalid.
"You Americans, did you really think you would capture me so easily?" Khalid says to them in English. When Hudson and Anderson say nothing in return he continues. "I am surprised that you speak Arabic so well."
Hudson slowly reaches up to his neck and tears off the voice strip. At the same time McCabe quietly approaches the scene from within the building he and Jones were positioned on. He gets to a window and watches the scene intently from across the street.
"Ah very clever." He hears Khalid say. "Strip them of their gear and then load them on the truck. I want them taken back to base for interrogation." Khalid orders.
Several Iranians grab Hudson and Anderson getting them to their feet as they strip off all their gear. As they continue searching him Hudson looks up towards the roof assuming McCabe and Jones didn't make it. As his eyes drift downward he spots a pair of eyes watching him through a small window across the street. McCabe raises his rifle suggesting he could try to help them but Hudson just gives him the subtlest shake of his head.
"And sweep the area, make sure those snipers are dead." Khalid orders as he turns back towards the house.
At hearing that Hudson subtly mouths, "Go" to McCabe. Knowing once they find only one body on the roof they'll swarm the area looking for him. McCabe reluctantly works his way back to the alley but realizes he can't possibly hope to escape if he tries to drive away in the van. So he quickly runs through the alley in the general direction of the train station, however he knows there's no likely hope of getting there in time on foot.
Once the Iranians finish searching Hudson and Anderson they are left wearing only their pants and t-shirts. Assuming they have a tracer on their person somewhere Khalid orders their clothes, shoes and equipment burned. As their effects are thrown into a barrel and lit on fire a covered APC drives around and Hudson and Anderson are roughly thrown inside. As Khalid's troops get in along side them Hudson and Anderson exchange glances knowing they are in serious trouble. Even if McCabe manages to somehow escape capture there's no telling when, how or if headquarters will be able to mount a rescue. As the APC drives away Hudson realizes the worst part is they have no clue as to what horrific fate lies ahead!