XII
At eight the next morning Watts pulls up in Stone's driveway behind the wheel of the suburban. Stone walks up to the driver side lugging a black duffel bag over his shoulder and informs Watts that he'll take the wheel. Stone tosses the duffel in the back as Watts hops in back next to McCabe who asks what their next move is.
"Last night I spoke with the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Advisor, I informed them that for the time being I've assumed command of Omega Sector and they approved." Stone says getting behind the wheel.
"For the time being?" Watts says curiously.
"You mean they're aware that you disobeyed orders to go back into Iran." Sage says voicing the assumption.
"No they had no idea but I did tell them about the phone call I received just before the bomb went off." Stone replies realizing he had yet to tell them the details of that call.
"Yeah you seemed pretty concerned about that call, what happened?" Sage asks.
"I was." Stone says as he explains the details of the call. "Here's where it gets interesting. When I asked the comms agent if they had informed Hayes about the situation they told me they couldn't find her!"
"If they started lockdown procedures there's no way Director Hayes would have not walked right into communications and asked for a sitrep." Watts says.
"Exactly, which leads me to believe she wasn't in the building when the bomb went off!" Stone says.
"Then where is she?" Sage asks.
"Wait, so you think she was what . . . kidnapped from inside our own headquarters?" McCabe says.
"That's not possible is it?" Sage adds.
"Let me ask you guys something." Stone says as he turns onto the highway. "Who does the government think is responsible for the bombing?"
"Iran." Everyone says in unison.
"Sure, Iran did it. Blame it on them, why not; they just launched two attacks on the U.S. military. Who else would be behind it right?"
"The Jackhammer!?" Sage says.
"Exactly, now question number two. Aside from our own personnel who has access to get inside headquarters?" Stone asks.
"The Secretary of Defense, some military personnel, FBI, NSA, CIA." Watts says as he continues.
"Stop." Stone says after hearing Watts mention the CIA.
"CIA . . . Foley!" Sage says.
Watts immediately pulls his laptop out of its bag and brings up the file on Foley.
"I know you have your suspicions about him being connected to the Jackhammer but do you really think he's capable of this?" Sage asks.
"I don't know. If he is then what I don't understand is why would he take Kim, if he was behind this then why not just blow the place with her in it. Kidnapping her would only result in showing everyone his true colors." Stone says trying to come up with a motive. "One thing is for sure though, the Iranians weren't behind this. It's too coincidental for her to go missing just minutes before the bomb went off."
A moment later Watts finally brings up the file they have on Foley, McCabe looks over as Watts scrolls through the digital photos they have on file to get to the report itself.
"Hey I know that girl!" McCabe says.
"What?" Watts says stunned.
"What girl?" Stone says not knowing what they are looking at.
Watts scrolls back to through the photos to one of Foley and his sister. "Are you kidding me, that's Foley's sister!"
Hearing that Stone turns the wheel hard to the right violently pulling the vehicle over to the side of the road. Once stopped Stone turns around to look back at McCabe and the photo they're both referring to.
"How do you know her Andrew?" Stone says.
Realizing he may have misspoke he clarifies. "Well I don't know her but I've seen her a couple of times and she's a lot younger in this picture but it is definitely her. I first met her on flight 467; I saved her when one of the hijackers took her hostage. I didn't see her again for several months, then I ran into her again at . ." McCabe trails off suddenly wondering how he didn't see the uncanny coincidence. "Oh damn . . . . the Georgetown restaurant bombing!"
"Are you sure?" Stone asks.
"Wait a minute." McCabe says as he searches his pockets for the digital recorder. He plays the tape back of the anonymous tip the news received about the attack on Foley's home and realizes the voice belongs to the same woman. "Son of a bitch, that's her!"
"What name did she give you?" Stone asks.
"Rosalind Perry, she said she was an art dealer and had a gallery in Rome." McCabe says.
"Kyle what was the sister's name again?" Stone asks
"Rose Linda Foley."
"Rosalind." Stone adds.
"Makes sense, the etymology of Rosalind is pretty rose." Sage puts in.
"I can't believe I never put this together before." McCabe says.
"Don't beat yourself up, both times you met her were before we even suspected Foley of anything." Stone says as he turns back around and gets back on the road.
"Then that confirms it, Foley is behind all this and his sister is helping him." Sage says.
"He must have entered headquarters and kidnapped Hayes himself." Stone theorizes.
"But still, how did he expect to get her out of the building without interference." Watts asks.
"That's moot seeing as he didn't." Stone replies.
"He must have threatened to blow the building if she didn't go with him." Sage suggests.
"Obviously he planned to blow it anyway but we still need proof and we have to find out what happened to Hayes." Stone adds.
"Speaking of which, how or where are we supposed to operate out of while we investigate this?" Watts asks.
"Well the Secretary of Defense suggested that I set up a temporary base of operations since our infrastructure is pretty much gone." Stone says getting back to their original topic.
"Like where a hotel?" Sage asks.
"Well for more long term I was thinking Andrews Air Force Base but yes we will need a centralized location here in the city. So a hotel or convention center may have to do until we find something more permanent. We also need to recall all field agents back home, Kyle that's where you come in." Stone explains. "You'll need to access the Pentagon's mainframe for the our field roster, then you can send them all encrypted messages to return home ASAP."
"No problem, w-wait . . . the Pentagon!?" Watts asks checking himself.
"Yeah, Omega's entire computer network is linked to the Pentagon mainframe which serves as one massive backup hard drive" Stone explains. "All of our files are kept under tight lock and key. Only top government officials are allowed access in only the most dire of circumstances."
"I'd say this counts." Watts adds.
"Yeah, anyway the National Security Advisor gave us access. Here are the entry codes." Stone says handing him a small envelope. "And I assured them that only myself and you would have access to them."
"I see now what you meant last night about my being our entire communications center." Watts says taking the envelope.
"Once you send the message to our people to return home I want you to access O.S. security records and try to pull the video from the parking garage yesterday morning starting an hour before the bomb went off. If that doesn't work then try pulling the log for the ID card readers from the same time frame." Stone orders. "Hopefully that data was backed up before the bomb went off and we will have our proof."
"McCabe how much do you trust your former supervisor at the FBI?" Stone asks.
"Implicitly."
"Good, can you get on the phone and tell him we have a lead on the bomber's identity. Let him know we believe there is a rogue agent in the CIA and that we're still searching for evidence. Then give him Foley's name and his sister's name and a description of both and that we'll be sending him all the data we have thus far via email." Stone says.
"Copy that, should I ask them to scramble a team to try and locate him?" McCabe asks.
"If he's truly behind this then they won't be able to but let them have a crack at it anyway; maybe they can come up with a lead for us. Speaking of which, any clues or other data they come up with is to be reported back to us immediately."
"Understood."
"Any word on Hudson and Anderson?" Sage asks.
"Yeah I spoke to him this morning, they're en route to the states now and mad as hell that they won't be able help us run down the son of a bitch behind this." Stone says. "But they can rest easy because they know we're on it."
They arrive back at ground zero to find the search for survivors still underway as several cranes have been brought in to begin extracting heavy debris piece by piece. Stone finds a place to park the suburban then walks around to the back and opens the duffel bag. Before leaving home Stone loaded it with several things he figured he might need throughout the day. In addition to his own laptop inside the duffel is his shotgun with a loaded ammo sling, a full size first aid kit, a pair of work gloves, a small tool set, binoculars and other various items. On the way to ground zero they stopped at a convenient store and bought two cases of bottled water to donate for the police, fire, paramedics and other rescue workers who have been diligently searching for signs of life throughout the night.
"Orders?" Sage asks.
"Watts you and McCabe have your orders, Sara let's take this water over to the command post and then you and I are gonna have a look around." Stone says. "Kyle give me an update as soon as you have one, until we get some reinforcements back in town we'll let the FBI look for Foley."
"Copy that." Watts says.
After dropping the water off at the command post Stone and Sage check in with the local police on site and ask for any updates on the situation. Unfortunately the news is grim, as no further survivors have been found since last night. With the chances dwindling that anyone could still be alive Stone and Sage pull on their work gloves and assist the rescuers. A few moments later Stone's cell phone begins ringing, he looks at the number and recognizes it but can't place who it is. When he answers it he is stunned to learn that the call is coming from inside the building.
"Deputy Director Stone, I'm so glad I got through to you." Says the female voice. "This is Tech Agent Samantha Crane, I'm trapped underneath the building!"
Tech Agent?
"You're one of Weiss' people." Stone realizes now hoping that Weiss himself survived. "Is Weiss with you?"
"Negative sir, he was upstairs when the bomb went off. I was down here working on one of his projects in the tunnels."
"Just sit tight Crane, we'll zero in on your position and dig through as fast as we can." Stone says.
"That's not possible sir, the sub levels are protected by a six foot deep layer of titanium. You're not going to be able to dig through anything; Weiss setup this area as a fallout bunker but I know of a way out." Crane explains.
"What, then why in the world are you still down there?" Stone asks.
"Because I think it's jammed, it's a one man escape route that Weiss designed in the event we had to use the bunker. It's located down the street on the northeast side of Union Ave and Main St."
"Okay Crane we're headed that way." Stone says as he turns to Sage. "Tell the guys to get over here."
Stone keeps the line active but puts the phone down for a moment to inform the fire chief that there is a survivor underground.
"Where?" asks the fire chief.
Stone leads him to the directed corner as the fire chief redirects some of the rescuers to focus on the new area.
"We've got men clearing the area now Crane, just hold tight." Stone says.
After nearly an hour of clearing away debris they finally discover a metallic circular plate embedded into the sidewalk. Stone checks in with Crane on the phone to verify they found it.
"That's it, it's all clear?" Crane asks.
"Affirmative, give it a try."
"Here goes nothing." Crane says.
Suddenly the plate begins rising up out of the pavement, the object stops at nearly seven feet high as Stone realizes it is an elevator.
"Crane, what happened? Where are you?" Stone asks through the phone.
"I can't quite leave my post just yet sir, please get in."
Stone puts the phone in his pocket and turns to Sage and the others. "Follow me down."
"Got it." Watts replies.
Stone squeezes into the tiny capsule and presses the lone button on the inside panel, slowly it begins to lower him underground. A few moments later he emerges before Tech Agent Crane.
"Deputy Director Stone, it's nice to see you again." Crane says.
"It's good to see you alive." Stone says shaking her hand. "Can you send it back up I've got a team up there."
"Certainly." Crane says pressing the button. "Well let me welcome you to Weiss' backup command center."
Stone looks around and realizes Weiss knew what he was doing when he built the place. "This place is amazing, I knew there was a fallout shelter down here but I never knew Weiss designed it to withstand the collapse of the entire building."
"Originally it wasn't but he reinforced the ceiling after 9/11." Crane explains.
"So much for needing the Pentagon."
"I'm sorry?" Crane asks.
"Never mind."
"Well we're running at full capacity down here, the generator has been running since yesterday. We have computers, all our backup servers are online, a weapons locker in the back, a barracks with bunks for twelve people, two lavatories including showers and another room to the left which leads out to the tunnel entrance which is where the Viper bikes are as well as Weiss' latest addition to his ground team. A Chevy SSR!" says Crane.
Stone walks into the adjacent room noticing the sleek blue truck and realizes this was the covered vehicle he had noticed in Weiss' shop shortly before Shadow team was deployed to Iran. "He designed this to go with the bikes?"
"Yes sir, modified of course; on board computer, tracking systems, armor plated, machine guns, side mounted rockets, smoke screen plus all the usual refinements of the Viper bikes." Crane explains.
One by one Sage and the others make their way down to the bunker.
"Guys I think we found our temporary base." Stone declares. "Watts you can forgot about accessing the Pentagon's mainframe, Tech Agent Crane has informed me we have everything we need."
"Good, let's hope we have the surveillance data from yesterday morning because it hadn't downloaded to the Pentagon's mainframe yet." Watts replies.
"Get on it then." Stone says. "Crane, I'm assuming no one else made it down here yesterday before the building came down?"
"Unfortunately not sir. Like I said I was already down here working on the SSR when the bomb went off. I guess I was lucky."
"Well I'm glad you made it, we could sure use this equipment now if there was a way to get it out." Stone replies.
"I believe the tunnel system is still in tact but the blast door won't open, I'm assuming it's also because of the wreckage up on the street." Crane says. "Speaking of which, how bad is it up there?"
"It's bad, only six survivors were found yesterday and only four of those were O.S. personnel." Stone says. "I'm curious, why didn't you try calling out for help until this morning?"
"Oh I tried, believe me." Crane replies. "But the signals were jammed all day of course I had no idea if it was because of the congestion or the layer of titanium over my head."
When was the last time you tried opening the blast door to the tunnels?" Stone asks.
"This morning."
"Come topside with me, I was you to show me where this exit is. If it's still buried then we can get to work on clearing it." Stone suggests.
A few moments later Stone and Crane emerge back on the streets to find the fire chief and several of his men awaiting the news of more survivors. Stone informs them that Crane was the only one.
"Begging your pardon but she doesn't look like she's been trapped under a building for the last twenty four hours." Says the fire chief.
"It appears our sub levels are in tact, we have a fallout shelter down there." Stone explains. "Chief, I need you to make sure that no unauthorized personnel go down there without my express permission."
"Understood."
Stone goes on to inform him that there's a section of debris they need to get to work on clearing away. "We have equipment down there that we need to be able to get out."
Crane leads the way and estimates where the blast door mechanism would be located two levels below. The crews begin to work on clearing the wreckage and after two hours they find two heavy support beams blocking the area.
"It'll be quite awhile before we can clear the area enough to remove these." Says the fire chief.
"Is there anyway to cut through?" Stone asks.
"Not yet, we don't know what else these might be supporting. This is a delicate situation, if there are survivors still alive in there and we might endanger them if we don't proceed carefully." Says the chief.
As the chief walks away Stone produces an idea but decides to keep it to himself for the time being. He decides to dismiss Crane for the day so she can go home and inform her family she's alive. Before she leaves she gives Stone and his team all separate access keys to the escape elevator.
While crews topside continue to work on clearing the debris Stone and the others make themselves comfortable down in the bunker. Within the hour McCabe hears back from his former superior at the FBI informing him that after checking his home and all probable locations Foley is nowhere to be found.
"Apparently Foley called in sick yesterday morning." McCabe explains as he closes his cell phone.
The others become very agitated at that piece information because they all know it's bogus.
"Then why wasn't he home?" Watts says asking the rhetorical question.
"Exactly." McCabe adds.
"What about the sister?" Stone asks.
"No known address listed for her in the D.C. area, or anywhere in the states I might add. According to records she owns an art gallery in Rome, which is what she told me when I spoke to her after the Flight 467 incident." McCabe says.
"Great." Stone says sarcastically. "Kyle please tell me you have some good news for me."
"Yes sir. First off all field teams have been contacted and ordered to return home. Only two field commanders have requested to remain on their current assignments. I advised them to go ahead and make preparations to pull out and you would contact them personally to hear them out and make a decision." Watts explains. "Secondly, I have your proof!"
"You're kidding?" Stone asks.
"Nope, it took awhile to decrypt given that the backup downloads massive amounts of data on a recurring timer but I found the keycard log as well as the video." Watts explains as Stone looks over his shoulder at the three monitors setup at one of the stations. "Security admitted Section Chief John Foley at oh eight twenty one and here's the piece de résistance!" Watts says bringing up the security footage.
At first he shows Stone the footage of Foley's entrance and since there are no cameras in his or Hayes' office he fast-forwards it until the moment when Foley and Hayes step off the elevator together. Stone watches in anticipation as the security guard returns Foley's weapon to him whilst a nervous looking Hayes stands next to him. A moment later Foley draws his gun!
"I knew it!" Stone says as he continues watching.
"It looks like here one of the guards is about to get the drop on him but he's shot from another angle." Watts says pointing it out on the screen.
"The sister?"
Watts brings up the view from one of the other camera feeds from inside the parking garage on another monitor. "You bet." He says as Stone clearly sees the woman firing through the window of the car.
"Andrew, is this her?" Stone says.
McCabe walks up behind them and looks at the image. "Yup, that's her."
"Do the cameras get a shot of the plates on that car?" Stone asks.
"Yes sir." Watts replies.
"Get this video and the plate number over to the FBI right away, Andrew get me a line with your former supervisor over there now."
"I'm on it." McCabe replies.
Due to the status of their infrastructure Stone requests that the FBI begin a massive manhunt for Foley and his sister. Within minutes of receiving the evidence from Omega Sector the FBI gets the names, faces, vehicle description and all suspected aliases of both Foley and his sister out into the world via the news and social media; however Foley's status as a member of the CIA is withheld for the present time.
Watts coordinates with the FBI to track all credit card activity of both suspects as a search of Foley's home is immediately authorized to look for clues. Overseas a search also begins for Rosalind Perry as her home and art gallery are searched for clues for her whereabouts.
Over the next two days nothing happens as the search continues. During that time several field teams begin to return home.
"What is this, the Batcave?" one field commander asks sarcastically as he's shown down to the bunker.
Due to the limited space within the bunker in addition to the progress the crews above are making in clearing the area Stone requisitions temporary housing at Andrews Air Force Base. When he learns none is available he arranges for two conference rooms to be rented out by the government at a nearby hotel. He finds two rooms in a secluded wing of the hotel and with Watts' help they setup a second command post in one of the rooms. While the second is used for briefing, storing of equipment and other various uses. Once operational and synced with the computers from the bunker Stone assigns Cobalt leader Brick Rawlings as head of what he dubs, O.S. Station 2.
By the third day after the bombing Stone holds a briefing of all remaining Omega Sector assets. Held mainly in the bunker personnel from Station 2 as well as the few remaining field teams Stone approved to stay on their current assignments watch via satellite link. For those unaware he informs them all of the bomber's identity and their efforts thus far, most largely in part to cooperation by the FBI, to find and bring them to justice. Stone also mentions the fact that Director Kim Hayes was not among those lost in the bombing and that through video evidence it appears their suspect, Foley, has kidnapped her although to what end Stone is unable to speculate.
"Until such time I am the acting Director of Omega Sector. Priority one is finding these two and bringing Director Hayes home unharmed. Unless given my express permission all other assignments and investigations cease here and now." Stone says.
The next day while working in the bunker Watts approaches Stone with some unexpected news. "Michael I just received word from the CIA, get this Samon Khalid is dead!"
"What?" Stone replies shocked.
"It appears that the Iranian government didn't sanction his attack on Baghdad and the Forrestal. In fact it was discovered that the fighters he used against the Forrestal weren't even registered with their military, it looks like Khalid acquired those himself." Watts explains.
"That's not surprising given that they were Iraqi fighters but you said this came from the CIA, can we trust the report is accurate?"
"It is, I already confirmed it with the office of the Secretary of Defense. Apparently the Ayatollah sent two high-ranking officers to relieve Khalid of his command; he was so outraged he refused to surrender his post and pulled a gun. His own men had to gun him down to protect the two officials." Watts continues.
"That means Foley failed right?" McCabe asks.
"Not necessarily, it all depends on what Iran does from here on out. It's their move." Stone replies.
A few moments later they receive a communiqué from the Pentagon informing them they have just received a threat from the bomber.
Moments later a call comes through for Stone from the National Security Advisor.
"Sir." Stone says as Watts hands him the phone.
The National Security Advisor informs him about the threat they received. "The voice was muffled but it's got to be Foley, he said if the U.S. doesn't declare war with Iran today then he'll take out another government building."
"It sounds like he's lost his mind, how does he expect to get anywhere near any government building." Stone says. "Did he mention anything about Director Hayes?"
"No."
"Was the call traced?" Stone asks.
"Our experts say he was trying to scramble the system to avoid that but he doesn't know we blocked it."
"You mean we got a location?" Stone asks.
"Affirmative, I'm sending you the coordinates now. Go get him Stone!" says the National Security Advisor.
"Yes sir, wait one. Crane, try the blast door." Stone says hoping the debris has cleared enough so the mechanism will lift the door.
She tries it as ordered but finds it still won't budge.
"Sir we have a slight problem, we have equipment down here that we need to get out. Can you clear the area so we can blow the door?" Stone asks knowing it's a radical request.
"Are you talking about setting off an explosion in that bunker?"
"That's affirmative sir. It'll be a controlled explosion and it shouldn't have an adverse affect topside but we would want to clear the area first to be safe." Stone explains.
"Well I'm told the odds of anyone still being alive topside is zero at this point; I'll contact the Fire Chief and have him clear out ASAP."
"Thank you sir, tell him we'll be ready to detonate in ten minutes." Stone replies.
"Give me fifteen for safety's sake."
"Understood sir." Stone walks into the weapons locker and retrieves a shape charge. "Mount up guys we're getting out of here."
"We're really gonna blow through this door with us down here?" McCabe asks.
"We'll all take cover in the main room, the explosion will go off in the tunnel."
"But what about security, won't anyone just be able to get in here after that?" McCabe counters.
"You don't have to worry about that, there's another door at the end of the tunnel Agent McCabe." Crane says. "Even though it is opened like a normal remote this one works off an encrypted signal."
"Besides sooner or later the area topside will be cleared and we'll be forced to move out of here and find more permanent housing." Stone explains as he carries the shape charge down the tunnel to the blast door with Watts following.
The two of them attempt to setup the charge but suddenly realize they are not the experts on this kind of explosive.
"Man I sure wish Patrick was here." Watts says.
"I know what you mean." Stone says as he snaps his fingers suddenly. "Cobalt, they've got a demolitions expert. Get Rawlings and his demo man on a sat feed."
"Got it." Watts runs back to the main room and grabs his laptop. He returns a moment later with the two of them on the monitor, linked up digitally via Station 2. "The reception isn't great in the tunnel so we'll have to make do.
With the help of Cobalt's demolitions expert Stone and Watts position and arm the device where it will do the least damage topside without bringing down any load bearing walls in the bunker.
Stone gets back on the phone this time speaking to the Fire Chief topside who informs him the area is clear for a thousand meters. "Okay guys we're about ready to detonate." He says just as the others have moved the Viper bikes into the main room. Stone puts away his phone as he helps Watts and McCabe roll the SSR back as far as possible.
"You said this charge would blow out not in right?" Stone says checking one last time with Cobalt's demolitions expert.
"Copy that."
"Let's hope you're right, I'd hate for this baby to get trashed before we get a chance to use it." Stone says running his fingers along the contours of the truck.
Hope . . . . hmm.
They all take cover in the main room and equip goggles and ear protection, once ready Stone hits the detonator. Topside they hear the loud boom from underground but very little else is affected. Expecting a much larger cloud of dust Stone walks back into the tunnel after the noise dissipates and finds the plan went off without a hitch. He looks through a small cloud of dust seeing the seven by seven foot opening in the blast door, the section itself blown to pieces on the other side.
"Let's clear this debris then mount up, we're outta here!"
The four of them quickly move aside the larger chunks of the blast door remains from the center of the tunnel then run back into the main room.
"Sage, McCabe you're on the bikes. Watts you're with me." Stone orders.
"What about equipment?" McCabe asks.
"Trust me we've got everything we need in this baby right here." Stone says affectionately caressing the SSR.
He fires up the engine and leads the way into the tunnel, half a block later the sleek SSR emerges onto the city streets in the sunlight followed by the red and yellow Viper bikes!
"Chief, we're clear." Stone says via the bluetooth device inside the truck, he disconnects then call then connects it via three-way to Sage and McCabe's comms units inside their helmets. "Watts where are we headed?"
"Harper's Ferry."
"You're kidding?" Stone says.
"Nope, just confirmed it on the map. Just south of there actually but not far." Watts says working from the on board computer mounted in front of the passenger seat.
"Kind of ironic, of all the places why hide there?" Stone wonders. "Give me the details."
"It used to be a horse ranch, it's located about a half mile or so on the east side of the Shenandoah River." Watts says.
"How did this location not come up on our background search on him?" Sage asks.
"Not sure, it's been unoccupied for years so maybe it was included in someone's inheritance or placed in a trust and no one ever claimed or used it." Watts says as he begins researching the location. After a moment he finds the answer. "It looks like it was owned and operated by a William James Perry."
"Perry? McCabe isn't that the last name Foley's sister gave you when you met her on 467?" Stone asks.
"You got it."
"Then it was owned by Foley's mother's family, I would bet you'll find that was his grandfather." Stone says.
A moment later Watts finds the data requested. "Great-grandfather actually."
"Nice, we could have checked out this place almost three days ago." Sage says.
"Nothing we can do about it now." Stone says.
"Hopefully he doesn't know we're coming since he was trying to scramble the phone lines when he made his next bomb threat." McCabe points out."
"Actually guys I think that was his plan all along so don't get too comfortable out there. It'll be a heavily wooded area and I'll bet he's just waiting in a tree somewhere with a rifle ready to pick us off." Stone replies.
"This also could be where he's got Hayes." Watts suggests.
"Exactly, so no itchy trigger fingers."
"Understood." McCabe replies.
"Copy that." Sage adds.
After a half hour they begin to see exit signs for Harper's Ferry.
"Watts contact Station 2 for me, give Rawlings our destination and have him send a team to back us up." Stone orders.
"We're going to wait for backup?"
"No we're going in right away but I have no doubt this is a trap and I don't want Foley or his sister getting away if we fail." Stone replies.
"I'm on it."
A few minutes later they arrive on the outskirts of the run down horse ranch. Stone looks over the area through a pair of binoculars then gets out of the truck and walks around to the tailgate. He presses a button on the electronic key and the tailgate folds down revealing two black metal cases mounted on the inside of the covered bed. Stone pulls on the top handle bringing the case out and opens the lid. He passes out the Kevlar tactical vests and comms units to the others then dons his own. Then he closes the case pushing it back within the bed and pulls on the second handle. The second case reveals four sub machineguns the likes of which neither McCabe nor Sage has ever seen.
"What the hell are those?" McCabe asks.
"The 5.56mm XM8 rifle, it's a derivative of the H&K G36 but thus far it's only been produced as a prototype. Turns out Weiss was able to acquire this set of the compact version when he designed the SSR." Stone explains.
"I've been reading about these, was hoping we would get some." Watts says picking one up.
"Well enjoy it because I've heard a rumor that they won't be put into mass production." Stone replies.
The others each grab an XM8 and stock their tac-vests with the three extra magazines in the case.
"Alright, McCabe you're with me. We'll approach from the east, Watts, Sage you two work your way around and come in from the north." Stone orders.
"That still leaves two sides unchecked, two ways for them to escape." Sage says.
"Actually only one unless he's got a boat, the river is just to the west maybe a mile at most." Watts explains.
"Keep in radio contact at all times and be careful. O.S. has suffered enough losses, I don't want any more casualties." Stone replies.
Stone and McCabe make their way through the tall grass towards the main house of the ranch. A few moments later a shot rings out in their direction!
"Shots fired, repeat shots fired." Stone says into his comms.
"Do you see the shooter?" Sage asks through the comms.
"Negative, McCabe?" Stone asks.
"No but I think it came from the house." McCabe replies
"We'll check it out, you guys stay put and keep sharp." Stone orders. "You ready?"
"You bet." McCabe replies.
The two of them move quickly towards the house and to their surprise they are not fired upon further. They get to the front porch safely and prepare to move in; McCabe kicks in the door and they both move in. Suddenly they a hear loud tone!
"MOVE!" Stone yells as he grabs McCabe tac-vest and pulls him out of the door with him. The two run and dive off the porch just as the house explodes!
"Stone, McCabe are you guys okay?" Sage says through the comms.
With their view of the house from the north they aren't able to see the front porch from which their friends entered the house.
"Let's go!" Sage says to Watts.
"No wait." Watts says.
"For what, we've gotta see if they made it out." Sage says running out into the open towards the house.
"Sara wait it's a trap!" Watts says running after her.
Meanwhile Stone gets to his feet, albeit sluggishly, and checks on McCabe. Slowly but surely McCabe begins to gather himself as Stone helps him to his feet just as he sees Sage running towards them followed at a distance by Watts.
Suddenly Stone notices the sniper positioned in the hayloft above the barn aiming a rifle at them.
"Get down!" he yells as the shot rings out and strikes Watts.
Sage horrified with herself suddenly realizes her mistake and the reason Watts was so intent on waiting. She rolls away before another shot is fired and sprays the hayloft door with her XM8. The sniper retreats from the counter fire and she immediately grabs Watts with both hands and gets him to his feet.
Although fearful for Watts' condition Stone takes the opportunity as a distraction and grabs McCabe working their way around to the opposite side of the house.
"Why are we retreating?" McCabe asks.
"We're not, we're going to flank him." Stone replies.
Meanwhile Sage gets Watts back into the tall grasses behind the cover of a tree. She sits him down and begins to check the extent of his injury.
"I'm so sorry Kyle, I should have listened to you." Sage says as she turns him on his stomach to get a look at the wound.
"It was a rookie mistake I'll give you that but all you can do is learn from it." Watts mutters.
"You can bet I will, I just hope it won't be at the expense of your life." To her surprise she finds a lot less blood then she expects. "The round missed your vest by an inch but I can't find an exit wound. I don't think it's serious otherwise you would be bleeding a lot more but the bullet is still in there so you need to stay still." Sage gathers up a handful of soil and packs it onto the entry wound to stop the bleeding.
"Agh!" Watts moans in pain.
She quickly clamps her hand over his mouth hoping he didn't just give away their position. She finishes packing the wound with dirt then helps him onto his back and guides his hand to the injury.
"Keep pressure there it will help stop the bleeding and try not to move." Sage says.
"What, where do you think you're going?" Watts replies.
"After Foley, the others will need help." She says reloading her XM8 with one of Watts' spare mags. "Here's your weapon, just in case." She says handing him his own XM8.
"Alright, be careful and don't get overeager." Watts says.
"I promise, I'm sorry Kyle."
"Catch Foley and we'll call it even." Watts replies.
"You got it."
She sets out through the grass towards the barn informing Stone via comms that Watts is okay and safe for the moment. She continues working her way towards the barn as Stone informs her they're doing the same from the opposite side.
As they converge on the house the sniper reappears in the hayloft door, Sage rolls to the side as a shot rings out but misses her. Stone and McCabe emerge from cover and open fire riddling the hayloft door with bullet holes!
"Sage you okay?" Stone says into his comm.
"Yeah."
"Eyes on that door." Stone says as the three of them train their weapons one the same spot. "Come on out Foley!"
Suddenly Sage hears the sound of a car engine roaring to life, she sidesteps around the barn keeping her eye on the hayloft trying to pinpoint the location of the sound. Suddenly a 1970 Olds bursts through the barn wall sending shrapnel everywhere! The car speeds towards Sage as she takes aim and fires. The driver ducks down in the seat as the bullets hit the front of the car and the windshield. Sage rolls away to avoid the car as it passes, she comes out of the roll on her feet and fires again hitting one of the back tires! She sees the driver sit back up in the seat just as the vehicle begins to spin out and hits a nearby tree.
Sage quickly loads a new magazine into her weapon and slowly approaches the car. Suddenly she hears Stone yelling to her and not just through the radio but also nearby. She turns back and notices the sniper appearing through the hayloft yet again as Stone and McCabe begin firing towards him.
She rolls away to avoid another shot just as the car door on the Olds opens and Roz emerges with a pistol in hand. Stone notices the sister appear from inside the vehicle and takes aim at her.
"Sage move!" He says firing.
Roz ducks under the cover of the vehicle as Stone opens fire on the rear of the car itself. Hearing the bullets hitting the other side Sage rolls away into a nearby ditch just as Roz begins running for cover as well. The bullets puncture the gas tank and the car explodes shoving Roz fiercely to the ground. Sage gets up and finding Roz shaken but unhurt and kneels down on top of her to keep her from running.
"Don't move!" Sage says pointing her weapon at the base of her neck.
"Stone do you copy?"
"You all right?" he asks.
"Yeah, I've got Rosalind."
"Good, stay put and we'll go in and get Foley." Stone replies.
"Stay right where you are!" yells Foley.
They all turn to see him approaching from the field dragging Watts with him as a hostage. Stone does a double take up to the hayloft and realizes Foley must have left his rifle exposed in plain sight as a distraction. Seeing that he has Watts Sage immediately pulls Roz up to her feet but keeps her weapon on her.
"Drop your guns or your friend dies!" Foley threatens.
Without even thinking Stone responds and as his words speak the truth he finds himself shocked that he dared to say them. "I can speak for Watts when I say that he'll gladly give his life if it means stopping you from blowing up another building."
Although shocked himself Watts says nothing as he tries to struggle against Foley's grip; in return Foley knees him in the midsection near his wound.
"Agh!"
For a brief fleeting moment Stone prepares to take a shot at Foley but Foley senses this and brings his gun closer to bare on Watts.
"What is he talking about?!" Roz says confused and enraged by the revelation of her brother's plans. "After all this you just thought you'd kill hundreds more of our own people?!"
"Try thousands lady." Stone says.
"Wait, you didn't know?" Sage says curiously.
"No, in fact he was the one who left the bomb in your building, I had nothing to do with it. He had the idea the night before and I told him it was crazy and refused to go along with it." Roz replies turning to look at her brother. "We had a plan John, I never wanted our own people to die by our hands, not civilians. And now you're planning more destruction against our own people? He even blew up that restaurant in Georgetown; I didn't even know about that until a few days ago."
"You were responsible for that?" Stone says. "You've really have lost your mind haven't you Foley."
"We're not the enemy John the Iranians are and now you are!" Roz yells.
"Our actions weren't getting the job done, we had to take further steps to avenge Joseph." Foley says.
"They were working, Khalid gave the order to attack." Roz replies. "All we had to do is sit back and watch as our country invaded theirs. Khalid and all the other fanatics over there would be killed or captured."
"Samon Khalid is dead." Stone says intentionally driving a wedge further between them.
"What?" Roz says.
"That's a lie!" Foley assumes.
"The report came from the CIA, your own office. The Ayatollah didn't sanction any of Khalid's actions. His superiors went in to relieve him and he turned on them and was shot by his own men. Iran is standing down, they may be fanatical but they're not stupid." Stone says.
"That's great." Roz says sarcastically. "Was it all worth it John, all the innocent people you've killed. In the end all you've done is make us enemies of the state you lying traitor!"
"Shut up!" Foley says.
"NO!" Using the distraction Roz grabs Sage's sidearm from her tac-vest and pushes her to the ground before Sage can react.
At the same moment Watts reaches for Foley's gun but Foley hits him in the forehead with the barrel and he falls to the ground. Then he notices Roz aiming the gun at him; realizing he's lost everything his training kicks in and he fires at his sister to protect himself before he realizes what he's done.
Seeing Watts clear the target zone and Foley's focus on his sister Stone takes the opportunity and fires a burst of three rounds into Foley's right leg!
Sage quickly gets to her feet and knocks away the pistol Roz took from her.
McCabe goes to help Watts as Stone walks over to Foley who is trying to get to his feet. He kicks away Foley's gun then delivers a swift right cross straight to Foley's chin!
"Traitor!" Stone turns Foley on his stomach and cuffs his hands behind his back. He searches Foley and finds a remote detonator then turns to McCabe. "How's Kyle."
"He passed out, we need to get him an ambulance." McCabe replies.
"Call it in and watch him." Stone says referring to Foley.
He walks over to Sage who is currently putting pressure on Roz's stomach where the bullet entered.
"Where is Director Hayes?"
"She doesn't have long." Sage says.
"Rosalind, if you truly meant what you said then tell me what your brother did with Director Hayes." Stone says with mixed emotions.
Roz looks up at Stone realizing the feeling in her body is now very cold. "Ha-Hayes?"
"Yes, Kim Hayes. What did Foley do with her, is she alive?" Stone asks. He kneels down and puts his hand on top of Sage's adding more pressure to the wound.
Roz moans in pain as a result.
"Rosalind, you may not ever be able to make amends for what you've done but you can still save a life. Tell me what happened to her, please!"
From a few feet away McCabe looks on, saddened by the thought of such a beautiful woman having fallen so far from grace.
Roz continues looking at Stone for a moment taking in his words. "She's . . alive. She's in . . . . the s. . . stables." She utters as she points across the field.
Stone looks up and spots the stables on the other side of the large field. "Thank you." He says looking back at Roz.
"I . . I made a mess of everything didn't I?" Roz says as tears begin forming in her eyes. "I . . . . I . . . . I'm so, so sorry."
Sage removes her hands from the wound and listens for a heartbeat. She sits up a moment later. "She's gone."
"You bastards, this is all your fault." Foley says still lying cuffed on the ground. "You're the reason my sister's dead!"
Stone stands up with a cold look on his face as he walks over to Foley. Although the others realize the hatred in his eyes no one makes a move to stop him. Stone walks over and kicks Foley over onto his back then stands on his leg where he shot him. Foley screams in pain and before he passes out Stone takes his foot off and squats down beside him.
"You open that traitorous mouth of yours again and I'll put a bullet in it!" Stone says pressing the barrel of his XM8 against Foley's mouth. Once he realizes Foley knows he means business he stands up and turns to McCabe and Sage. "Watch him and look after Watts, I'm gonna go get Hayes."
Stone runs back to the SSR and drives to the other side of the property to the stables. He leaves the remote detonator he found on Foley inside the truck; he walks inside the old structure, which is filled with cobwebs, still armed with his XM8 as a precaution. Suddenly he hears some noises, he follows the sounds and finds Hayes tied up and gagged with a sack over her head in a pile of hay. He puts down the weapon and kneels down beside her in the hay. He pulls off the sack and from her reaction realizes she has not seen daylight for quite some time. As easily as possible he removes the duct tape covering her mouth and begins to cut the tape off her wrists and ankles.
"Michael!" she says as her eyes adjust enough to see who her rescuer is.
Stone is a little taken aback as she wraps her arms around him thankfully. Realizing how vulnerable she must have been feeling he holds her in that hug for a moment. "Your safe now Kim." She pulls back a moment later and he helps her up and escorts her back to the truck.
"Foley?" she asks.
"We got him."
"What about his sister?" Hayes asks.
"She's dead, Foley shot her." Stone explains.
"What?" Stone explains as he helps her into the truck. "He really did go off the deep end didn't he?"
"I think he just lost himself in vengeance." Stone replies as he drives back over to the barn.
When they arrive they find a few unmarked vehicles and several ambulances on the scene. Foley and Watts are placed in separate ambulances which speed off towards the nearest hospital, Foley's under heavy guard and escort. Stone takes Hayes to the other ambulance but she begins to refuse.
"I'm fine Michael."
"Don't argue with me Kim, you've been through a lot. Get in the ambulance and let them check you out." Stone orders.
"Alright."
"I'll be back in a minute." He walks over to the backup team and hands them the remote detonator he found on Foley. He informs them that there is another bomb in they city. "Is there anyway to find out where it is using this?"
One of the agents steps forward with an idea. "Well this might sound crazy sir but it's possible we could trace the signal if . . ."
"If what?" Stone asks.
"If we armed the device."
"You mean arm the bomb?" Stone says clarifying the statement. "You're right it sounds crazy."
"I told you but theoretically it could work, we could arm the device and trace the detonator's signal straight to the bomb itself. Then go in and dismantle it, of course I'd need to examine this device further before we try it. We don't want to arm it and find out there's no turning back." The agent explains.
"No we certainly don't want that." Stone says. "Alright, get on it."
While the paramedics examine Hayes Stone begins to report on the last few days' events to her. Having been knocked unconscious before Foley hit the button she wasn't sure what had happened in the moments afterwards. She's horrified at the news of the bombing and so many lives lost, so many good people.
"I left you a message when we got back from Iran, I figured you were still asleep at the time." Stone says.
"I hadn't checked my messages yet, what happened?" Hayes asks not knowing if she is ready for the answer.
"Hudson and Anderson are fine, they're still recovering but they are on their way home." Stone says.
"That's very good news."
"It is but I don't take much pleasure from it, because of me Khalid launched those attacks against the U.S." Stone's expression turns grim as he bites his lip.
"What is it?" Hayes asks sensing more than just the guilt of everything that happened in the gulf behind his expression.
"Drake didn't make it, he's gone."
"Don't blame yourself Michael, none of this was your fault. It was all Foley, he's the one responsible for Drake and O'Bryan and the countless other lives lost in this mess."
With nothing more helpful to say at the moment she changes the subject as she notices she's never seen the SSR before today. "Where did the new truck come from?"
Stone explains to her about the bunker and the sole surviving member from Weiss' team that they found trapped inside there. "We've been using it as our primary base for the last few days. When we couldn't find you I took command of Omega and setup a second command post in a hotel in the city. Despite the losses and our lack of resources for the time being Omega Sector is still operational."
"It sounds like you have a lot to tell me." Hayes says.
"Yeah." Stone says as he asks the paramedic how she's doing.
"She's a little malnourished and dehydrated. I'll start an IV here but we need to get her to the hospital to get some more fluids in her." Says the paramedic.
"I'll catch up with you at the hospital and we'll talk later." Stone says.
"Okay."
As he watches the ambulance drive off Stone says a silent prayer in thankfulness. He then pulls out his phone and calls Robin, when she answers the first thing she hears is: "I love you." He tells her the good news that they found Kim and have the bomber in custody. "I'll see you tonight." He says happily.
When he turns around he finds Sage and McCabe standing at ease before him. "Good job you two."
"Do we make a great team or what?" McCabe says.
"Absolutely but we still have a few problems." Stone says.
"We have no headquarters, our numbers have been greatly diminished and we're probably all gonna get fired." Sage says.
Stone cannot help but chuckle. "Guys even if that is our fate; I want you to know it's been an honor working with you two." Stone says extending his hand.
They shake hands all at once then disperse.
"Let's get outta here." Stone says.
McCabe and Sage put on their helmets and mount the Viper bikes as Stone gets behind the wheel of the SSR and leads the way.