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The next morning when Hayes arrives to her office she finds the letter from Stone on her desk. After reading the letter she picks up the phone dialing Stone's cell phone, when she doesn't get an answer she decides to have communications track him down. She walks into communications to finds Dyson just settling in for her shift and orders her to triangulate Stone's tracer.
"Ma'am Deputy Director Stone doesn't currently have an active tracer; he hasn't been on a field assignment since he got promoted." Dyson explains.
Hayes is about to ask her to locate Drake given that Stone's letter stated he was with him but then she realizes as a section chief he wouldn't have one either. "Agents Watts and Sage, find their tracers."
"Yes ma'am." Dyson replies as she begins typing commands into her computer. "Agents Watts and Sage are currently somewhere over the Atlantic, they must be in flight because I cannot get a solid lock on their location."
"Let me know when you do acquire a lock, and keep it quiet.." Hayes orders.
"Yes ma'am."
Hayes begins to walk out when Dyson calls back to her. "Director Hayes." Hayes stops as Dyson gets up and walks over to her. "Stone, he's going to try and rescue the rest of Shadow team isn't he?" Dyson asks knowing she's treading into dangerous waters.
"I told you . . . " Hayes stops to take a breath and collect her thoughts. "Just do as I asked Sarah."
"Yes ma'am." Dyson says obediently.
Later that day halfway around the globe the G550 is nearing the drop zone, after two stops to refuel and nearly fifteen hours flight time. Stone and the others begin making their final preparations to debark. While everyone checks each other's parachute harness Stone begins to give a final briefing.
"Okay, listen up. We jump at thirty thousand feet, after a sweet free fall we land outside Qom and rendezvous with McCabe. Once we pick him up we locate our contact who will supply us with transportation to the outpost."
"I thought we were taking the train back into town?" Watts asks as he looks over Sage's parachute rig.
"Last minute change of plans, I have no idea how Khalid knew Hudson and the others were coming but it's a good bet he'll have eyes on that train now." Stone replies. "Besides we're not hitting Khalid's estate, so the train would just be out of the way."
"So how are we getting to the outpost?" Sage asks.
Stone grins in response, a look Watts and Drake know all too well. A look they also know means they won't like what he's got in mind.
"What's wrong?" Sage says to Watts.
"He's back." Watts says. "Well?"
"Any of you ever ride a horse?" Stone asks.
Almost immediately Sage's eyes light up like a Christmas tree!
"Are you serious?" Watts asks.
"We're in a desert Kyle." Stone replies.
"They have trucks."
"What breed?" Sage asks interrupting excitedly.
"Just be glad they're not camels." Stone says still speaking to Kyle as he turns to Sage. "Arabian. We've got an ally who's arranging it for us, known him for several years."
"An Iranian?" Sage asks.
"No he's from Saudi Arabia."
"I know whom you're talking about Michael, doesn't he usually want something in return?" Drake asks.
"Just some Beatles CD's and a few other miscellaneous items, pretty cheap in return for six Arabian horses. Anyway he's going to ride with us until we get the guys out, we have alternate transportation being dropped in for our escape."
A few moments later a crewman emerges from the cockpit informing them that they've almost reached the drop point. Standing near the cockpit door he hits the button to open the drop hatch in the belly of the plane. Stone and the others line up in single file as the air rushes in.
"Remember, pull at five hundred feet and try to stay together!" Stone says lowering his goggles into place.
Suddenly the jump light turns green and the four of them drop through the hatch with Drake in the lead. Stone tilts his head looking back up at the Gulfstream as it appears to shrink smaller and smaller as they fall. He looks back down at the others as they connect in circle grabbing each other's wrists. Stone maneuvers into position enclosing the circle as Sage grabs his left arm while he grabs Watts arm on the right. They take in the amazing sight of the Earth at such a high altitude. A few moments later Stone checks his altimeter noticing they have just passed below two thousand feet. He lets go of Watts' wrist and taps his altimeter twice then showing two fingers, indicating that they just breached two thousand feet. They four separate and within seconds reach five hundred feet as they begin pulling their ripcords. Stone continues to free fall for a moment looking up to make sure that everyone's chute opens without incident. Finally he pulls his own ripcord at almost four hundred feet. The black chute opens slowing his descent and lowers him safely to the ground. When he nears the ground he unhooks the duffel bag strapped to the front of his harness, the bag drops a few feet below his feet still strapped to him. Stone's feet hit the ground just two seconds after the duffel.
With his AK-74 already strapped tightly to his chest Stone scans the area around him making sure they are clear before pulling his chute down. He looks up to see Watts landing next then Drake and finally Sage. As the others begin pulling down their chutes Stone steps out of his harness and opens his duffel bag.
"Gear up, let's get moving." He says.
Dressed in an assortment of Middle Eastern style military clothing and tactical gear the four prepare to move out for Qom having landed just on the outskirts of town. Drake shoves his sniper rifle in a padded case and slings it over his shoulder. Then he pulls out an AKSU with no stock from his duffel bag; a shorter, lighter version of the AK-74. The others all equipped with AK-74's finish gearing up and begin to head for town. After a two-mile hike the rescue team finally arrives in Qom just as the sun is beginning to appear over the horizon. Spotting what he assumes to be the town's train station a few hundred yards to the north, Stone pulls out his Sat-phone and calls McCabe.
"McCabe it's Stone, are you alright?"
"I'm hanging in there." McCabe replies. "Where are you?"
"Just south of the train station, what's you're location?"
"Follow the tracks south about a thousand yards, you'll see the bazaar on your left. Walk towards it and I'll be watching for you."
About fifteen minutes later Stone and the others enter the bazaar; they look around for a moment but find no sign of their friend. Stone reaches into his pack for the Sat-phone when he hears a faint whistle. He looks to his left spotting someone standing in an alcove covered in shadow. The figure gestures for them to come towards him with two fingers. Stone and the others walk over just as the figure steps out of the shadows; he is surprised to see how haggard McCabe looks. Having not recognized him at first Stone notices a fresh layer of stubble on the younger man's face as well as the filthy condition of his clothes and gear.
"It's good to see you alive Andrew, are you alright?" Stone asks quietly.
"I'm tired, I could use a good meal and a hot shower but I know that's out of the question right now." McCabe replies.
"Comes with the territory I'm afraid, we do have clean water and something else for you." Stone adds.
Watts steps up to McCabe retrieving an injector pen from his pack. "It's adrenaline, turn your head."
McCabe does as instructed as Watts wipes a section of his neck with an alcoholic swab then injects the pen.
"Ugh, that hurt." McCabe replies just as Stone hands him a canteen. He takes a long drink then pours some of the water into his hand washing his face with it just as the adrenaline begins to kick in. "Oh yeah that'll work."
"You ready to move?" Stone asks.
"You bet, let's go get the guys and get the hell out of this country."
"Where do we meet our contact?" Sage asks.
"North side of town, let's go. Translators on everyone." Stone says.
Except for Stone, because he is also fluent in Arabic, the rescue team all came equipped with the voice strips Hudson and the others used.
The five of them set off towards the north side of town on foot, they reach the edge of town about forty-five minutes later as the sun begins to hit the city. Sage spots the contact first pointing Stone's attention to a man sitting in front of a small fire next to six Arabian horses tied to a fence post.
"That's him isn't it?" she asks.
Stone leads the others over as the man rises from his seat and walks to meet them as Stone extends his hand. "Good to see you Josef, I can't thank you enough for helping us out on this."
"Please, please its just Joe. And I'm more than happy to help after all you've done for me, though it is good to see you again my friend."
"You remember Drake and Watts." Stone says.
"Yes of course, it's good to see you both again gentlemen." The man says shaking hands with them both.
"These are two of our newer agents, Sage and McCabe." Stone says turning to them. "Sara, Andrew, this our good friend Josef Galan."
"Good to meet you both." Galan says greeting them.
"Oh I almost forgot." Stone says as he unhooks a small pouch from his web gear. "Everything you asked for Joe; some Beatles CD's, extra batteries, a few snickers bars and I threw in a Beach Boys greatest hits. I know you're crazy about them too." Stone says handing him the pouch.
"You know me so well Michael." Galan says almost giddy with excitement. "Are you all ready to go, it will take us several hours to reach the military base." He says as he stows the pouch in a saddlebag. "Hopefully we will get there before sunrise tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? I thought this outpost was only some forty miles outside of Tehran." Sage asks.
"It is but to avoid detection we will be traveling through the Central Elburz Mountains, very rugged terrain." Galan replies.
"That's fine Joe, as long as we get there before sunrise." Stone replies noticing the incredulous look on Sage's face. As Galan begins to secure his own gear atop one of the horses Stone leans in close to Sage to whisper to her. "Our chances of success will be better if we attack at night but if we're spotted or followed on the way in by taking the short route we'll lose the element of surprise."
"Is there something I don't know about?" McCabe says to Watts as he watches the exchange of words between Stone and Sage.
"Got me." Watts replies.
"Let's mount up guys." Stone says noticing the others looking their way.
"When you are ready to make your escape from the base I will do my best to draw the enemy's attention away from you. That is when we will go our separate ways." Galan says mounting his horse.
"I was thinking about that and I have something that will help you escape; it's a hologram projector. Our R&D department develops gadgets like these to aid us while in the field." Stone explains as he mounts one of the horses. "It has a tiny camera attached to it, what it does is reflect whatever image it's pointed at, so if the Iranians give chase you can activate it and the device will cloak you in an image of the mountainside. You'll be virtually invisible." Stone explains.
"Very inventive but how will I get it back to you?" Galan asks.
"Consider it a gift from me for helping us rescue our friends."
A few moments later everyone is mounted up following Galan who leads them north towards the mountains.
Earlier back in Washington Hayes finally receives an update from communications on Stone and the others. Dyson informs her she that acquired a lock on Watts' tracer in Madrid.
"They must have just stopped to refuel because it was back in the air within a half hour." Dyson explains.
"Thank you Dyson." Hayes replies hanging up the phone. "Oh Michael why did you have to be so foolish." She says to herself.
"Problem Director Hayes?"
Hayes looks up to see Foley standing in her doorway next to her assistant.
"My apologies Director, your line was busy I was coming to let you know Section Chief Foley has requested to see you." Says her assistant.
"Thank you Mary, what do you want Foley I don't have time for games."
"I heard your Deputy Director is missing, I came to investigate." Foley says walking in.
"He's not missing he's overseeing a team on assignment and how exactly is it that you aware of any of this?"
"I have my resources."
"I would hate to think you were misusing them to follow my Deputy Director." Hayes retorts.
"I could say the same thing about Stone; he and a small team were spotted boarding a Gulfstream jet at a private airstrip early this morning." Foley says laying a photo on her desk of Stone and the others boarding the jet.
"Quit wasting my time Foley, I told you he's overseeing a mission."
"Nice try Hayes but I don't buy it, he's up to something and I'm going to find out what."
While unimpressed with his boasting Hayes wonders what Foley himself is really up to. "Good bye Foley!" she says sternly.
Foley leaves without another word, when he exits the building he walks across the street to his car retrieving his cell phone from his jacket pocket. He gets in the car and plugs the phone into a device to secure the line then he dials his sister's number.
"What did you find out?" Roz asks.
"Nothing conclusive but I'm betting on Stone; he's going to try and rescue his men and I think he's doing it against orders." Foley replies.
"What can I do?"
"Get me eyes on Khalid's outpost, I need to know if it falls under attack or anything out of the ordinary occurs."
"Wouldn't that be easier on your end? Can't you request to have one of the CIA's satellites to be re-tasked to watch the outpost?" Roz replies.
"Easier said than done plus it leaves a trail back to me; no I need you to take care of this but I may be able to help. There's someone you might be able to hire for the job, he's one of our CIA sources. He feeds us Intel in certain hotspots when we need it."
"You mean a snitch."
"Essentially but he works freelance for other agencies sometimes so he can't necessarily be linked back to us. In fact he's the one who kept eyes out for Khalid's return to his home for Omega Sector. That's how I knew to have you warn Khalid that an attack was imminent." Foley explains.
"So why not just warn him again." Roz asks.
"Because we want Khalid in an irrational state. We warned him before and he repelled Agent Hudson and his team. He probably feels pretty invincible now but he might finally take action if a second attack were successful, especially if Stone succeeds and rescues his men."
"Alright, send me the info on the snitch and I will get on it." Roz replies.
"On its way, contact me when you have eyes up."
After riding hard for more than sixteen hours making only a few short rest stops Stone and the others are finally making their way out of the Elburz Mountains. Although he took on two more adrenaline shots throughout the day McCabe remains the one suffering the most due to his malnourishment and near dehydration before the others found him. Although he has kept well hydrated the only food he's had a chance to consume were a few protein bars and some other dry goods. Although Stone asked him many times throughout the trek if he needed a longer break McCabe trudged on stating that the longer they take the less time Hudson and Anderson may have. Stone resolved to keep watch over him throughout the journey and began riding next to him.
Even though it is nearly twenty-two hundred hours the moon and the stars give the travelers ample light to see by.
"It almost takes your mind off it." Sage says aloud to no one in particular.
"What's that?" Stone asks.
"The fact that we're in a foreign enemy country. It's so beautiful." Sage says as she gazes up at the millions of stars.
"Yes it is." Stone replies. Suddenly out of his peripheral vision Stone spots movement; he looks over just in time to catch McCabe about to fall over the side of his horse! "Whoa!"
McCabe becomes alert as he feels someone clutching his left shoulder.
"Okay that's it, we're stopping." Stone says bringing his steed to a halt. "Joe hold up; we're stopping McCabe needs food and rest."
"No sir, I'm fine." McCabe replies.
"No you're not Andrew, you need a break. We all do."
"But Hudson and . . . "
"Hudson and Anderson could already be dead and if they're not then we won't be much help to them unless we're all at our best." Stone replies as he dismounts.
Galan regroups with the others having been riding point and informs Stone that he has food in his saddlebags.
"He could use a hot meal." Stone says to Galan as he helps McCabe dismount.
"Yes I've got canned soup, beef stew or beans." Galan says dismounting as the others follow suit.
"Good let's get a fire going."
Within ten minutes Galan has a small fire going; he retrieves the canned goods promised and begins opening them and setting them in the fire to cook. McCabe and Watts arrive from having to relieve themselves over the next dune to find chow almost ready. McCabe sits down on a blanket laid out on the sand near the campfire as Stone hands him the first can to come out of the fire.
McCabe crumbles up some crackers into the can of beef stew and consumes a large spoonful.
"Good?" Stone asks.
With his mouth full McCabe mumbles something in return that Stone can't understand. Stone simply smiles at him as he turns to Galan.
"How far is the outpost from here?"
"Ten maybe fifteen miles at most, we'll be there with plenty of time to spare before sunrise." Galan replies.
"Good." Stone says as he takes a bite from his can of chicken soup. He continues to eat in silence with his thoughts centered mostly on Hudson and Anderson. He looks over at McCabe a moment later to see him sound asleep holding the empty can in one hand. He smiles and then turns back to Galan. "How long do you think it will takes us to get there?"
"If the horses are rested enough, an hour at most. And I strongly suggest they get it, we pushed them hard today." Galan replies.
"Same goes for us, we'll set out again at oh four hundred. That should give us plenty of time to get there and that gives us at least four hours a piece to rest." Stone says.
"Let's not wake the kid until the last shift then." Drake suggests.
"My thought as well, he's had it the roughest. Sara you and Kyle okay to take the first watch?" Stone asks.
"You bet." Watts replies as Sage nods in return.
"Joe and I can take the second." Drake volunteers.
"Alright, watch the perimeter and keep the camp in sight at all times." Stone says laying his head down on his pack. Within moments he falls fast asleep.
Stone is awakened by Drake at oh two hundred to start his watch; as he rouses himself Drake moves to wake McCabe but Stone stops him.
"He's needs the rest, I'll take the watch on my own."
"Are you sure?" Drake asks.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." Stone says grabbing his AK as he stands.
"I'll stay up with you but I've got to sit down, my leg is killing me."
"Okay but try to get some rest yourself." Stone says starting his way up the dune.
After an uneventful two-hour watch Stone walks back down to camp to wake everyone. Within ten minutes they are packed and mounted up as they set off towards the outpost. At oh five hundred Galan, still riding point roughly thirty yards ahead, gives up the signal to halt. A moment later he dismounts giving the signal for Stone and the others regroup. They do as instructed and lead the horses on foot to where Galan is awaiting them. As they approach Galan informs them the base is on the other side of the ridge just ahead.
"Can we take a look?" Stone asks.
"Sure but we should leave the horses here." Galan replies.
"Drake you're with us, the rest of you stay here." Stone orders.
Stone and Drake follow Galan up the ridge about a hundred yards, when they reach the top they lay into a prone position as they scope out the Iranian outpost. Stone pulls out a small pair of binoculars as Drake removes his sniper rifle from its case, scanning the base as well with the scope.
"Do you see that large compound near the back?" Galan says looking through his own pair of binoculars. "If you're friends are indeed still here that's where they will be keeping them. The stockade is built at least three levels underground."
Stone continues his surveillance of the base and notices something he didn't expect to see. "Drake look near the far east side, do you see what I see."
"Choppers!" Drake says. "Two of them."
"I'm thinking that might be a better way out, even with Joe's diversion if we haul ass out the back they might be on to us." Stone says. "If we commandeer one of them no one could be the wiser."
"Even if they are we can torch the other bird before we leave." Drake adds.
"And have a huge head start on them if they give chase." Stone says finishing the thought. "We could then fly it to our alternate transportation."
"Why not just fly it all the way to the gulf?"
"Because we'd be an easy target if the decide to send fighters after us, I don't feel much like getting shot down do you? We fly to our transport and head towards the gulf as planned."
"You're the boss." Drake replies.
"Joe how long until sunrise?"
Galan checks his watch and says. "Eighty seven minutes."
"Alright we're gonna hit the place within the hour, I want to be gone by full light." Stone orders. "Now let's get back to the others and get ready."
After regrouping Stone informs the others about the change in escape plans as they begin to gear up.
"Everyone ready?" Stone says checking his weapon.
"Michael, we've got company!" says Galan looking through his binoculars.
"What is it?" Stone says grabbing his own set of binoculars and scanning the direction they came from. He immediately spots the trail of dust kicked up by the jeep heading their way. "A patrol?"
"Probably, they're heading towards the base." Galan replies.
"This early?" Drake asks.
"We don't have time to sit around and figure it out. Activate the cloaking devices and equip silencers on your sidearms." Stone orders as he slings his AK across his back. "Joe lie down in the middle of the road and don't move."
"What for?"
"Decoy, when the patrol spots a body in the road they'll stop to investigate." Stone explains.
"What's the point of them stopping at all, just let them go by." Galan argues.
"It'll be easier to slip into the base if we ride in driving in their own patrol vehicle." Stone replies.
Realizing his motive now Galan does as instructed as the others split up into two groups on each side of the road activating the cloaking devices.
"Hold your fire until necessary, Drake and I will take them out. Keep those horses quiet as long as you can." Stone says.
As the jeep approaches Stone makes out three men inside; the trooper manning the machine gun mounted in the rear of the jeep spots the body in the road first. The driver brings the jeep to a stop as he and the passenger get out to examine the body. Stone gives Drake a hand signal informing him that he will take out the machine gunner, leaving Drake potentially with two targets. Just as they are about to fire one of the horses neighs, as the patrol crew searches for the source of the sound Stone and Drake open fire. Once they each take out their first target they converge on the passenger as Drake puts two rounds though his chest and Stone a third. A second later the cloaking fields are deactivated as Galan gets up from the road.
"What do we do about the bodies?" McCabe asks.
"Haul them up the hill and toss them on the other side, hopefully no one will miss them until it's too late." Stone orders.
"Take any extra magazines or grenades off them that you can carry." Drake adds.
Once the bodies are disposed of Stone, Watts, McCabe and Sage load into the jeep.
"Sir you do realize there were only three men in this patrol, don't you think someone will notice we've picked up a passenger?" Sage asks.
"At six in the morning, not likely." Stone replies.
"Drake you'd better get going, keep in radio contact at all times." Stone says.
Drake takes a look down the ridge and then looks back at Stone. "You know, the cloaking device isn't field tested for movement. If I'm spotted out there I'm screwed."
"You got a better idea for getting in there unnoticed? I think driving in with a patrol crew of five is pushing our luck."
"Only if they don't see me." Drake says looking at the distance between the ground and the under chassis of the jeep.
Stone reads his expression and instantly knows what he is thinking. "You sure about this?"
"Yeah, you can stop and drop me off as soon as we get in." Drake replies.
"Alright let's get you hooked up quick, we've got sixty-three minutes until sunrise." Stone says hopping out of the jeep.
A few minutes later Drake is securely tied to the under chassis of the jeep, as Stone and Watts make one last check of the harness Stone mentions that Drake is bound to get pelted with a lot of dust and rocks given the terrain. Drake puts on his goggles from when they parachuted yesterday and secures them in place.
"We'll stop once we get inside the gate and I'll give you the signal. You'll only have a few moments to unhook before we get going again." Stone explains kneeling on the ground so he can speak to Drake.
"I got it, let's get a move on." Drake replies.
Stone hops back in the jeep behind the wheel and starts the engine.
"Joe, when you see the flare that'll be the signal when we need the diversion." Stone says.
"I'll be waiting."
"Thanks for all your help my friend." Stone says extending his hand.
"As always it is my honor my good friend, good luck." Galan replies.
Stone shifts the jeep into gear and heads for the base, as they approach they can see the closest two guard towers are equipped with mounted heavy machine guns and spotlights. When they arrive at the gate Stone can see the lone watchmen inside waving them through as he tries desperately to stifle a yawn. Stone drives right through as instructed and turns towards the nearest guard tower. Without looking up Stone notices the trooper in the tower glancing at them but as he turns his attention back out towards the desert Stone stops the jeep. He knocks twice on the outside of the jeep and a second later he hears Drake's body dropping to the ground; Stone pushes the gas pedal heading for the armory leaving Drake behind.
Once the jeep is clear Drake rolls to his left and quickly gets to his feet hobbling over to the ladder leading up to the tower. With his voice strip firmly affixed he begins calling to the soldier in the tower.
"I'm coming to relieve you, Major Khalid wants frequent changes in guard posts this morning."
"I've still got four hours left on my shift though." Replies the soldier having heard Drake in Arabic.
"I'm just following orders." Drake says. As he gets to the top of the ladder he notices the soldier still has his back turned to him. "Was that the morning patrol that just came in?"
"Yeah, so you think the major suspects an attack or something?" the trooper replies just as hand is clamped over his mouth and nose!
Drake cuts the troopers throat and guides the body quietly to the floor of the tower, he looks around making sure no one saw the silent attack. With no apparent eyes on him Drake removes his sniper rifle, a Swiss made SIG SG 550, from its case and sets it down. Then he checks to make sure the mounted machine gun, an RPK with a fifty round drum magazine, is locked and loaded as he picks up the pair of binoculars sitting on a small shelf inside the tower.
"Leader I'm in position, base activity is minimal from what I can see." Drake says through his radio as he scans the base with the binoculars.
"Copy that, give me a thermal scan of the armory, we're headed there now." Stone replies.
Stone parks the jeep next to another just like it in front of the armory.
"What do we do if we see Khalid?" Watts whispers as they get out of the jeep.
"We're not here for him, stay focused on our objective." Stone replies.
"This was Hudson's objective to begin with, hypothetically if we do see him what are your orders regarding him?"
Stone thinks for a moment and says. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, let's set the charges in the armory then hit the prison compound."
The four make their way towards the armory just as they hear Drake's report coming through their comms.
"I make six targets inside, two of them have AK model weapons within reach."
"Thanks for the update, keep us advised on activity outside." Stone replies.
As they walk in they find four of the targets playing cards in a room outside the weapons locker, none of which having yet to pay them any attention. Sage spots a fifth asleep in the corner on a cot with an AK-47 leaning against the nearest wall. Stone peeks around the corner into the weapons locker and finds the sixth target cleaning an AK-47.
Using a hand signal Stone orders the other to wait here as he walks into the locker.
"You've been at this all night huh?" Stone says in fluent Arabic to the trooper. "How about a cigarette."
While the trooper acknowledges Stone he doesn't make eye contact with him as he continues to field strip the rifle. "Yes please."
Stone reaches into his gear but instead of pulling out a pack of smokes he pulls his knife; the trooper doesn't notice the weapon until its too late! Stone covers the Iranian's mouth before he can scream as he shoves the knife into his gut. Stone whistles signaling the others to come in.
"McCabe help me set the charges." Stone says lowering the dead trooper to the floor. "Watts, Sage."
"The card players?" Watts asks.
"Quietly, then secure the entrance, go." Stone says as he pulls two double wrapped bricks of C4 from his pack. He hands one to McCabe as they prime and set them. Once McCabe sets his he spots something in the weapons locker that interests him.
"Check it out!" he says grabbing a six-shooter grenade launcher off the wall. "Can I keep it?"
"This isn't a wal-mart McCabe." Stone replies. However after thinking about it for a moment he realizes it could come in handy. "Conceal it as best you can, it makes you conspicuous."
"Sweet." McCabe slings it across his back draping the baggy hood of his robes over it. He also grabs a reload of shells and fits it into his backpack as best he can.
"Drake how's it look out there?" Stone says.
"Not much activity, base still hasn't woken up yet."
"Okay, charges are set we're moving for the stockade." Stone replies.
Meanwhile Watts and Sage walk back into the adjacent room right up behind two of the card players.
"Who's winning?" Watts says in Arabic.
Before anyone can answer Watts puts the barrel of his silenced Sig Sauer against the head of the nearest target and fires! Sage follows suit putting one through the skull of the trooper nearest her as the other two hesitate in their reaction, startled by what is occurring. Before they can so much as reach for their sidearms Watts and Sage take them both out! Sage moves to the trooper lying in the cot who is roused by attack but she plugs him three times before Watts can get to him.
"Damn." Watts says impressed.
They move back towards the weapons locker just as Stone and McCabe appear.
"Charges are set." Stone says.
"How long?" Sage asks seeing the grenade launcher slung over McCabe's back. "Find a new friend did we?"
McCabe simply smiles with anticipation as Stone informs her the charges are detonated by remote.
"Drake we're ready to move for the stockade." Stone says.
"Got a few sentries up and moving but still pretty clear out, go now." Drake replies constantly scanning the area near his friends.
The four make their way out of the armory and start walking towards the prison compound. They enter the underground structure and begin looking for Hudson and Anderson.
"How are we going to find them?" Sage asks.
"How about asking. Watts, you and McCabe stay here and guard the entrance. Anything goes wrong you let us know." Stone says handing Watts the detonator.
"Copy that." Watts replies.
As he and Sage walk further into the stockade they find lone trooper on duty at a desk.
"Where are the Americans? Major Khalid plans to interrogate them again when he wakes up." Stone says.
"I'll have to confirm that order." The trooper says looking them over.
With a touch of makeup to darken Stone's skin tone as well as a layer of dust and dirt on them all from riding for almost a whole day the Iranian doesn't seem to suspect a thing as he picks up the phone.
"Hey it is not even dawn yet, are you really going to wake up the major at this hour?" Stone says.
"I have to confirm the order and I won't have to wake the major, I can call his new executive officer." The trooper says.
"Fine, what cell are the prisoners in. We can go retrieve them and by the time we get back you'll have confirmed the order."
"Sixth door down on the left but you'll need my keys so just wait a moment."
"No thanks." Stone says jabbing his knife through the trooper's throat! As blood spills out the trooper's throat and Stone's hand he lays the body on the floor. He removes the knife wiping it off and his hand with the tails of the trooper's shirt. He sheathes the knife and grabs the keys off the corpse's belt.
"Let's go." He and Sage make their way to the right door and look around making sure there are no other guards nearby. Stone looks through the peephole into the darkness but can't see anything. Sage taps him on the shoulder pointing his attention to the light switch. She flips on the switch as Stone looks in again; he slowly looks back at Sage and says. "It's not a pretty sight."
"Open the door so we can take him home." Sage replies.
"Them Sara." He says correcting her. "Keep your personal feelings in check."
"Of course sir, I'm sorry."
Stone opens the door and walks in to see Hudson and Anderson both looking as if they're near their breaking point, obviously having been beaten and tortured repeatedly. Stone immediately checks for a pulse on Hudson then Anderson realizing their both sleeping, not to mention both seriously dehydrated and malnourished.
Sage turns off her translator in effort to wake them.
"Will, Gage snap out of it!" Stone says.
They both begin to come too slowly but as Hudson looks into the eyes of his friend he believes he's dreaming and Stone can tell something is wrong.
"Talk to them, I need to check their wounds." Stone orders. "Kyle what's your status." He says attending to Hudson.
"Good so far, have you found the guys?" Watts says turning off his translator as he hears Stone in English.
"Yeah but they're not in good shape, oh man I'll get back to you."
"What is it?" Sage asks checking the hall for signs of activity.
"Gangrene."
"How bad?"
"Not bad enough to amputate yet thankfully." Stone says unhooking his butt pack from his web gear. He loads a shot of antibiotics into an injection gun first and jabs it into Hudson's shoulder near his wound.
"What's that one?" Sage asks as Stone loads another shot into the gun.
"A mixture of adrenaline and vitamin supplements; it'll give them some energy so we can get them moving." Stone says injecting the second shot into Hudson's neck. "Get some water down him while I check on Gage." He moves over to Anderson and checks the wound in his leg. "Yep same thing, not as bad though." He gives Anderson the same two injections and then forces water down him as he receives a transmission from Drake.
"Leader I'm starting to see a lot of activity around here, how are you guys doing?"
"We're preparing to move out." Stone replies. "Watts as soon as we come out blow that armory. Drake, take out anyone moving for those choppers."
After receiving acknowledgements from both of them he asks Sage how Hudson is doing.
"He's conscious but out of it."
"Same here, I know you guys feel like hell but we've gotta move. We're going home." Stone says giving each of the a few light slaps in the face to rouse them, he then turns to Sage and says. "Pick him up."
Sage helps Hudson to his feet as Stone hauls Anderson up over his shoulders.
"Let's go." He says.
A few moments later they return to the entrance where McCabe and Watts are waiting.
"We've got four targets heading our way." Watts says quietly.
"Blow it, Drake we're moving."
Watts rips off his voice strip then presses the trigger on the detonator. The C4 charges explode setting off a chain reaction of secondary explosions as countless rounds of ammunition and other explosives are set off from within the building! Watts and McCabe lead the way out of the stockade firing on the group of troopers that were headed their way. With their attention distracted by the explosion they are taken out easily.
Once the first explosion goes off Drake takes aim at the other three tower guards with his rifle. He decides to wait on using the RPK until necessary and continues sniping other targets near Stone and the others, effectively clearing a path for them to the choppers. With Anderson still on his shoulders Stone grabs the flare gun from his tac-vest and fires it in the air.
Watching through his binoculars Galan sees the flare and hits the detonator Stone left him for the two explosive charges set a hundred yards away on each side of him.
Watts and McCabe continue to lead the way towards the helicopter pad. Stone notices that there isn't much attention directed at them at the moment as most of the base personnel is drawn to the fire engulfing what is left of the armory or the two explosions south of the base. Assuming someone is attacking from the south several troopers mount up in a jeep and other ground vehicles heading off in that direction.
"Get down!" Watts says firing at a group of Iranian's that just noticed them. McCabe lends suppressive fire as Watts removes the emptied magazine and hurls a grenade towards the hostiles.
Stone stops and sets Anderson down taking aim and two new targets nearby. "Drake we've got a problem here!"
"I'm on it!" Drake replies as he begins picking off the nearby threat. By the time the third man goes down from flanking gunfire some of the hostiles turn their attention away from the rescue party. This leads to their downfall as McCabe and Watts, having now reloaded take the rest of them out.
"Keep moving!" Stone orders as he hauls Anderson back up onto his shoulders.
A few moments later they reach the helicopter pad, as they walk to the nearest chopper Watts is ambushed by a hostile! McCabe springs into action and kicks the assailant in the head knocking him away from Watts. He does a backspin kick to the man's midsection knocking him off the helicopter pad.
"Sage get inside and fire her up." Stone orders securing Anderson into the old Lynx helicopter. "McCabe get that grenade launcher ready, we'll need to lay down some cover fire for Drake."
"Sir I don't know how to fly a chopper!" Sage says laying Hudson down inside the aircraft.
"Alright get behind some cover and get ready for a fight, Watts get on that door gun. Drake, get moving we're heading out." Stone orders as he jumps into the pilot's seat and begins starting the engine.
Having switched to the RPK a few moments ago Drake empties the drum magazine then abandons his position. He slides down the ladder and starts moving towards the chopper as fast as possible. He takes out a few hostiles with the 550 then ditches it when his magazine clicks empty. Suddenly a grenade goes off just yards away as he grabs his AKSU; he dives for cover avoiding injury and fires towards his attackers.
"McCabe what are you waiting for, he's under fire!" Stone yells over the building sound of the propeller blades. "Drake get the lead out we've gotta go!" Stone says into his comm as McCabe begins unloading shells at the enemy.
Drake continues as it becomes evident that the base is aware of the situation and focusing their attention towards the helicopter pad.
They're on to us.
"Reloading." McCabe says shoving in the second round of grenades into the launcher.
While doing so Sages continues firing her AK, when her magazine runs out she yanks a grenade from her belt and throws it. The explosion buys Drake a few a moments and he continues his way towards the chopper. Suddenly a round pierces Drake's bad leg and he falls to the ground, he fires his AKSU taking out two nearby troopers then hurls all but one of his remaining grenades. Stone sees this happen and opens the door preparing to go after him.
"NO! Michael you're the only one who can fly us outta here!" Watts says firing the door gun.
Drake gets to his feet and continues on just as a round exits through his stomach, he sinks to his knees and falls over again.
"Drake!" Stone yells into his radio.
Watts instinctively puts a hand on Stone's shoulder from where he's seated manning the door gun to prevent him from trying to go after Drake.
"Go on Michael." Drake says over the radio.
"No I'm not leaving you behind!"
"It's too late, I'm messed up anyway. If you don't go now there will be no one to come for you and you know it. Get Will and Gage outta here, get them home. Go now!" Drake says firing the last few rounds in his AKSU. He tosses the empty gun aside and grabs his last grenade clutching it in his hand as he pulls the pin! He pulls out the earpiece as he hears Stone still trying to raise him.
Stone hits the control panel several times with his fist in anger; then he notices a couple of hostiles approaching the chopper. He draws his sidearm and fires out the window taking them both out. "PULL BACK!" He yells as he holsters the pistol.
Watts relays the orders at the top of his lungs as he continues laying down cover fire with the door gun.
"What about Drake?" McCabe yells back.
"NOW!" Stone screams.
Sensing the tone of their commander's voice McCabe unloads the last four grenades in the launcher to buy them time to takeoff. As soon as Sage and McCabe are on board Stone pulls back on the stick and lifts them into the air.
"Watts, the other bird!"
Watts looks at McCabe who is riding on the edge of the aircraft and they both pull out a grenade dropping three in all down to the second Lynx sitting on the adjacent pad. Stone continues his ascent making a sharp left turn to get out of the range of gunfire and the following explosion. As the second Lynx is destroyed Watts resumes fire on the door gun covering their escape.
As they circle the base heading back south Stone looks out at where he last saw Drake. Down below a group of Iranian's have just surrounded him, lying face down one of them rolls the body over with his boot. The trooper is shocked to see Drake flipping him off with the same hand holding the grenade just as he releases his grip on it! Stone sees the explosion and struggles to contain his composure.
"Sage get up here and give me a hand."
"I told you I don't know how to fly a . . . "
"JUST GET UP HERE!" Stone yells cutting her off. Feeling like he's about to puke Stone tries to calm himself then says. "You can still be a copilot."
A few hundred yards from the base Stone looks down and notices Galan riding hard south from the base. Suddenly he vanishes obviously activating the cloaking device Stone left him. Stone looks back and spots the ground units rolling south along the main road searching for signs of further attack.
"I hope they don't find him." Stone says aloud.
"Sir?" Sage says from the seat opposite him.
"Joe."
"Oh . . . . . . I'm sorry about Drake sir."
"I'm sorry I yelled at you." Stone says. A moment of silence passes between them then Stone looks back at the guys. "Does it make any sense trading one friend for two?"
"You didn't make that decision Michael, Drake did." Watts says sensing a rare moment where he can address him by name.
"His death wasn't in vain sir, he gave his life for his friends. If you ask me I can't think of a more noble way to die." Sage adds trying to console Stone.
"Isn't it weird." Watts says.
"What?"
"How much Shadow team has changed in the last year. Granted Drake has been off the team a few years but in the last year you got promoted and Hudson took over. Now you're back in the field, we've got two new agents on the team and now Drake and O'Bryan have been lost."
"The worst part is that we can't even take them home." Stone says.
An awkward silence fills the inside of the chopper for a few moments then Watts says. "By the way two great new agents!"
Sage and McCabe both smile in response.
"Uh oh." Stone says looking and the control panel.
"What?" McCabe asks.
"We're almost out of fuel."
"How is that possible we've only been in the air twenty minutes?" Watts exclaims.
"Do you think we're leaking fuel?" Sage asks.
Without having to order them Watts and McCabe lean out the side of the chopper checking for fuel leaks.
"I don't see anything." Watts says.
"Me neither."
"They must have just not topped it off after its last flight." Stone suggests. "It's okay we're only ten miles away from our transportation drop. We'll stay low to the ground until we run out."
"Are you nuts! Sir?" McCabe says.
"You'd rather walk a few extra miles?" Sage says.
"Oh crap!" Stone utters.
"Reserve just kicked in didn't?" Watts says calmly.
"Yup." Sage confirms.
"We've got less than five minutes worth of fuel." Watts says to McCabe.
"I'm taking her down, when we hit thirty seconds I'll land." Stone says.
Five minutes later Stone lands the Lynx in the middle of the Elburz Mountains.
"How far is our drop from here?" Sage asks getting out of the chopper.
Stone checks his GPS. "It should only be a mile or so away, two at most. We'll take turns carrying the guys."
"So let's get moving before some tank shows up on our tail." Watts adds grabbing Anderson.
They set off through the rugged terrain of the southern Elburz on foot just as the sun starts to peek over the horizon. They make the near two-mile trek in just over fifty minutes. They arrive at the drop point to find two vehicles covered in parachutes.
"You never did tell us what this alternate transport is?" McCabe says with Hudson on his shoulders.
"A.W.E. Strikers, as Weiss likes to call them." Stone says pulling the chutes off one of them. "All Weather Environment transports."
"Dune buggies, sweet!" McCabe replies.
"50 Cal machine guns mounted on the top and M249 Saw mounted on the passenger seat. Let's load the guys in each passenger seat; we need to get fresh bandages and an IV drip started on each of them before we move out. There are medical supplies inside." Stone says.
Within a few minutes they have Hudson and Anderson field treated and secured inside and they take off in the dune buggies south towards the gulf. Hudson in the care of Stone and Sage while Anderson rides with Watts and McCabe.
Hours later at the outpost Khalid is surveying the damage. When the armory blew he was awakened by his bodyguards and led into hiding in an underground bunker. By eight am he received word that the base had been searched and cleared of enemy personnel. Khalid then returned topside where one of his subordinates began reporting on the status of the damage to the base and the number of casualties as well as the two missing prisoners.
By this time Roz's contact has set up eyes on the scene via a digital camera stationed almost a mile away overlooking the base. As she controls the optics remotely from a safe location she contacts her Foley on a secure line.
"Looks like you were right, the base has been hit bad but Stone and his men are long gone."
"Do you know if Khalid is still at the base?" Foley asks.
"No way to know unless I contact him."
"And tell him what?"
"We could tell him who led the attack." Roz suggests. "The only problem is we don't know where Stone is headed."
"Yes we do, there's only two likely possibilities." Foley says. "His friends have been Khalid's prisoners for a few days, they were almost certainly tortured in that time in addition to any injuries they sustained before their capture. Stone would need to get them to a hospital which means either he's heading for the U.S. troop base in Baghdad or the U.S.S. Forrestal in the Persian Gulf."
"How do we know which one?"
"I'm betting on the latter but we don't really need to know if Khalid can be persuaded to attack both. Contact him and give him the lead and give him Stone's name." Foley says.
"Contact him as the Jackhammer, or incognito." Roz asks.
"What were Khalid's actual last orders to that cell that you ordered to hit me and Stone?"
"To evacuate the D.C. area and stay put until further orders come in." Roz replies.
"If you think you can pull it off under the guise of the cell then go for it but how will you explain them knowing about the attack?"
"I don't know, it's a risk sure and if he sees through my cover I'll have to come clean."
"True, so keep Stone's name in reserve, at least that way you will still have something to offer him." Foley replies.
Roz disconnects the call and sends a message to Khalid under the guise of the remaining cell stationed on the east coast, stating that they heard about the attack and that they have a possible lead. She continues monitoring base activity on the computer screen while she waits for an answer. About ten or twelve minutes later a message comes in requesting authentication. Having saved the code phrases they exchanged Roz types in the appropriate sentence authenticating herself as the cell.
How could you possibly know and what lead are you referring to? Khalid types.
We planted a few bugs on some of the federal officers while they were investigating the Georgetown bomb. Roz replies.
On his end of the digital world Khalid is about to type in a response, shocked that his men would be so foolish to go near a crime scene that another team of theirs was working. Suddenly he realizes he may not be talking to his men at all! You were not issued any such equipment, how did you acquire those bugs?
Realizing her cover is probably blown Roz types in the first thing that comes to mind that might resemble a logical answer. Radio Shack.
Give me your roster! Khalid responds demanding she name each man in the cell. When she cannot do it he adds another message. Jackhammer! Were you responsible for this attack?
I give you my word I was not but I know who is.
A lot of good your word is worth.
I have information you might find useful. We have a common enemy, and American named Michael Stone. He led the attack on your base to rescue his men, those two agents you were holding prisoner. Roz responds.
What's he done to you? Khalid asks not trusting him for an instant.
That's personal but just look at what he's done to your base. He and his team are still in Iran trying to make their escape.
Why don't you just go after him yourself?
I am just one where you are in command of many, do you not want him dead? Or are you content to let the Americans just roll in and destroy your base from within.
After a long pause another response comes in from Khalid. Do you know where they are going?
Were his men wounded, the prisoners they rescued?
Yes.
Then he will be heading for a hospital, which leaves him only two options, Baghdad or the Persian Gulf to the U.S. Navy.
You are insane, you want me to attack the United States military!
If you hurry you might catch him before they escape but even if you don't you have a weapon that will help your fighters in the battle. The bonus shipment I sent you after we concluded our first transaction together, do you still have it?
Yes but I never had a reason to use it.
You do know, if Stone is headed for the gulf he'll be picked up by the U.S.S. Forrestal. That's your target, kill Stone and you'll never hear from me again!
Done.
Roz grins knowing she's just accomplished her mission.
Nearly four hundred miles later Stone and the others are nearing the Persian Gulf. As the two A.W.E. Strikers drive through the rugged terrain the second vehicle, being manned by Watts and McCabe, suddenly comes to a stop.
"Stop turn around." Sage yells from the top gunner seat.
Stone looks behind to see the other vehicle some fifty yards behind; he turns the dune buggy around heading back towards them when his own engine dies ten feet short of reaching them.
"You outta gas too?" McCabe yells.
"Looks like it."
"I was starting to wonder if we would make it, the gas tanks on these things are pretty small." Watts adds.
After already exhausting both refuels on each vehicle they stop five miles short of the coast, per Stone's GPS.
"We've got a long hike ahead of us before we get to those boats." McCabe says.
"Carrying two wounded that will take us forever, we can't wait that long." Stone says switching his radio to a new frequency. "U.S.S. Forrestal, this is Shadow team do you copy?"
After a moment a reply comes back. "We read you Shadow, we've been waiting for your transmission. What's your status?"
"We're outta gas and have two wounded, requesting airlift at the following coordinates." Stone says feeding them their current location.
"Affirmative Shadow, dispatching Sea Hawk now, Forrestal out."
Less than ten minutes later Stone and the others begin hearing the sounds of the incoming chopper. Stone opens a smoke grenade and tosses it forward, with no danger in sight the bird lands and the crewman bring two stretchers to carry Hudson and Anderson. As the Sea Hawk lifts off and begins its flight back to the carrier Stone looks at his team feeling bitter sweet at the mission's success.
"We did it." Watts' voice breaks him out of his trance.
"Yeah."
"When we get back home we'll have to have a drink at the Pub and toast to Drake and O'Bryan." Watts suggests.
A few minutes later the Sea Hawk lands on the deck of the U.S.S. Forrestal. Hudson and Anderson are immediately taken down to the med bay for examination and treatment. As he watches them disappear below decks a crewman walks over to greet Stone and his fellow agents, a crewman that he recognizes. Before the man can introduce himself Stone steps forwards pointing at him.
"Chief Barnes right?"
"Yes sir, how did you know?" Barnes replies.
"You don't remember me do you? About . . . " Stone says thinking back. ". . . . six years ago I landed a stolen Harrier aboard this ship while it was stationed in the Bering Sea."
"I thought you looked familiar, I do remember that. I'm sorry I forgot your name." Barnes says.
"Stone."
"Good to see you again Agent Stone."
"Thank you, it's actually Deputy Director now."
"Well congratulations." Barnes says.
As Stone continues chatting with Barnes Sage's eyes widen with disbelief.
"That was you!?" She says interrupting as she realizes the coincidence now. "You were the secret agent who came aboard with that Harrier."
Suddenly Barnes realizes another familiar face. "Lt. Sage, I didn't recognize you out of uniform. What are you doing back?"
"She's not back, she works for me now." Stone says as he turns to Sage. "And yeah that was me, how did you know about . . . of course, you were stationed on the Forrestal."
"Ever since I came to Omega I always thought I'd met you somewhere before but could never place it." Sage says.
"You were the one who saluted me." Stone says remembering now. "What a small world."
"Well now that we've had our little reunion, I'll show you to the bridge. I'm sure Captain Jameson will be just as surprised to see both of you." Barnes says.
After a short reintroduction with Jameson Barnes is about to show Stone and the others to some visitors quarters until Hudson and Anderson are cleared for transport. Suddenly a bridge officer states that the carrier is being targeted!
"General quarters! Ready defensive counter measures and launch alert fighters now!" Jameson orders.
"Bogie targeted, MIG-29's and several of them." A radar operator says. "They're firing!"
"Lock onto the projectile and destroy it." Jameson orders.
"I can't get a lock!" Another crewman exclaims. "I think they're jamming us?"
"How is that possible?" Stone asks Jameson.
"With our tech it shouldn't be, fire line of sight." Jameson orders.
The crewman operating the close-in weapon system or Sea-Whiz attempts to target the incoming missile.
"I've got three missiles now, make that four, no six!" a crewman reports.
The Sea-Whiz platforms open fire but with only manual targeting they are not as effective. The crewman successfully hit two of the projectiles just as a missile hits the carrier! Before the Sea-Whiz operator can line up on a new target two more hit as several more come in.
"Sir they've hit two defensive platforms and one lower section."
"Where?" Jameson asks.
"Looks like the pilots quarters and briefing rooms." The crewman replies.
"Confirm." Jameson orders.
"Alert fighters launching now!" another officer replies.
Stone, Sage and the others watch the birds lift off the deck just as another missile hits the ship.
"Sea-Whiz battery 3 was just hit."
"Sir pilots briefing and quarters hit."
"Another missile incoming!"
The projectile hits an F-18 as it taxis towards the catapult just as its wingman takes off. Jameson quickly realizes that by hitting the pilots' quarters the enemy has crippled the ship's ability to fight back from the air.
"We're losing planes." A crewman shouts.
"No we're losing pilots, we've still got several planes." Jameson replies. Suddenly he makes a snap decision. "Sage, I need you in the air!"
"Yes sir." Sage replies.
"I'll be her wingman." Stone says stepping up.
"How long since you've flown a jet Stone?" James asks realizing that if he's now a Deputy Director of an intelligence agency it has probably been awhile.
"As far as I can recall it was the Harrier but it's like riding a bike Captain."
"Go, Barnes get them suited up." Jameson orders. "All remaining defensive batteries protect those planes, flight deck get those birds armed ASAP!"
Stone and Sage are quickly helped into some flight gear as the two F-18's are prepped for them. With only a handful of defensive batteries still functioning the carrier continues to fight back having already shot down one enemy fighter. Within a few minutes Stone and Sage are climbing into the cockpits of the F-18 Hornets.
Although having never taken off during a battle Stone cannot be more excited, nor Sage; for her it is the second chance of a lifetime.
"Good luck sir!" Sage yells to Stone across the flight deck.
"Let's kick some ass!"
One by one they take off without incident with Sage in the lead; just as Stone lifts off the deck a missile blasts into the catapults destroying the front section of the flight deck.
"Shadow 1, Shadow 2 do you copy?" Jameson says over the radio giving them call signs. "The catapults have been destroyed, we can't launch anymore fighters. Make us proud!"