***** PLEASE BE ADVISED…this chapter contains graphic violence and death ******
The men were able to sleep a little bit and when they landed in Bogota two members of SEAL Team 3, John Gorum and Frankie Hollister were there to greet them at the Military Airfield. The American Ambassador to Colombia was also there with the news that the mission would to be covert and that the U.S. Government would plead plausible deniability if anything went wrong.
As JJ and Aaron spoke with the Ambassador, the remaining men moved with their bags towards the two vehicles provided for them.
Danny grabbed Steve's arm stopping him, "So what the hell is that about? I thought the government sanctioned this mission? Now they want to wash their hands of everything?"
"They sanctioned the initial mission but once something goes wrong...it's politics Danno. I know you hate the word 'classified' but you're seeing the realities of military ops right now and this is normal buddy. It doesn't mean the government isn't backing us, they just won't admit it publicly or should I say they CAN'T admit it publicly" He put a hand on Danny's shoulder and squeezed, "We're on our own partner, but don't worry….that's how we like it"
Danny grinned, "You're fucking crazy you know that don't you?"
Steve smiled, "Yeah, and you love it babe"
"I will admit at this moment, I certainly do like the fact that you're crazy. And as far as being on our own…...yeah, I like it too"
Steve said softly, "Let's find our boys Danno" As they reached the vehicles, Steve embraced his brothers, John and Frankie and introduced them to Danny.
Frankie asked the Jersey detective, "So how's Smooth Dog adjusting to civilian life Danny?"
"Let's put it this way…...the Dog keeps me around 'cause I keep him alive"
Frankie and John laughed, "Sounds like he hasn't changed at all!"
Frankie again hugged Steve adding, "Damn it sure is good to see you brother"
Steve replied, "It's been way too long buddy…..the last time was…"
John interceded, "Craig's funeral…."
It had been fourteen months since Craig Melville had been killed during a mission in Kosovo. Aaron had notified Steve immediately and he had been in Craig's hometown of Boston, Massachusetts when the man's body arrived accompanied by his Team. They all had been to way too many funerals in their lives and they all were pretty sure that Dino was already dead…..
John looked seriously at his former leader, "Steve, we're going to bring your son home"
"I can't thank you guys enough…"
Frankie said softly, "We're here for you man, and we always will be"
As the ambassador drove off, the men loaded all their weapons and gear into the vehicles and drove towards their pre-arranged Motel rooms.
The remaining members of Seal Team 3 and six of the Marines were already there, including Sam Corbett.
Steve moved straight to Sam and hugging him tightly he said quietly, "We're going to get him back Sam"
Sam replied, "Damn right we are Sir"
Danny watched the two men and instantly he was so grateful that Sam was here. Sam was giving Steve strength, all of these men, his brothers were giving Steve strength.
There were plenty of hugs and introductions as the men greeted each other.
JJ eventually asked the Marine Unit Commander, Rob 'Jak' Jakowsi "Jak, thanks for joining us. How soon 'til your other men arrive?"
"They should all be here within the hour JJ and we're all ready to go"
"Great, let's go over everything shall we gentlemen?"
JJ, Aaron, Jak and Steve moved to the table in the corner of the room to finalize their plans while Danny joined the other men in preparing the weapons.
Within the hour the elite 26 man American team were on two cargo boats and making their way down the Atrato River towards their destination.
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Their plans were that the men would be split into four teams, two on each boat.
Team Alpha would be led by JJ and consist of his four remaining SEAL Team 7 members, Nate, Ronnie, Javier and Dominic as well as two Marines, Jose Flores, and Mike Smith.
Team Bravo would be led by Jak and consist of five of his Marines, Sean Phelps, Javon Griggs, Brett Cooper, Joe Lawson and Mark Bishop.
Team Charlie would be led by Steve and consist of Danny, Sam and his fellow Marine Damon McNeal as well as three members of SEAL Team 3, Theo Shelton, Eric Watts and Terrell Hayes.
Team Delta would be led by Aaron and consist of his remaining five men, John, Frankie, Pete Savage, Desmond Olsen and Craig's replacement Tanner Frost.
Alpha and Bravo were on the lead boat and would pass by the Cepeda camp just as the initial team did. On direction from JJ, Charlie and Delta would come to shore approximately one mile before the site and begin advancing on foot which would allow them to attack the camp from both the front and the rear.
On both boats the leaders met with their men going over every minuet detail over and over again.
'SEAL missions are different Danny' the words again ran through Danny's head as he listened to Steve and Aaron. Eventually the men became quiet as they put on their vests and gave their weapons a final check.
Steve moved over to Danny and sat on the bench seat next to him. "Are you ready for this partner?"
Danny grinned, "Absolutely, are you?"
Steve winked at his friend, "I couldn't be more ready Danny. Now I want you to listen to me….you stay behind me on our approach into camp and remember Danno, these aren't like the criminals you're used to dealing with. You can't talk to them and they WILL NOT surrender. These bastards have no respect for human life and every damn one of them will put a bullet in your head without even blinking an eye. You see anyone, ANYONE Danno...you plug him, you hear me?"
"I hear you Steve. I'm gonna be fine….we're going get Tyler and we're all going to be fine"
"Yes, we will be. These men are the very best at what they do and Danny, so are you…..I love you buddy"
"I love you too Smooth Dog"
Smiling, Steve reached over and grasped his partner's outstretched hand, "Let's get this done"
Moments later, JJ's voice came across the radio "Charlie, Delta deploy…..Charlie, Delta deploy"
Aaron responded, "Roger" He then looked at men, "We're a go!"
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The cargo boat pulled to within a few feet of the shore and with their night-vision goggles on and holding their packs and weapons above their heads the men entered the water one by one. The men waded through the waist deep mucky river water in single file.
Once on land Steve led the group into the coverage of the jungle followed closely by Danny and Sam with Aaron bringing up the rear.
Danny had never been in this environment before and as his eyes scoured his surroundings, what he saw made his skin crawl.
Hundreds of reptiles...lizards, frogs and oh God the fucking snakes…were all around them in the trees and leaves.
He said quietly, "You didn't tell me about all the damn snakes Steven"
Steve glanced back at his partner, "The snakes are the least of our problems Danno. Just watch where you step"
Danny looked down, saying "Holy shit" at the amount of reptiles at his feet. He added softly, "I hate the fucking jungle"
Steve grinned at his partner before again picking up the pace.
A few minutes later JJ's voice came across the radio, "We're on land, moving towards target" and Steve responded, "Roger that"
They continued to move quietly forward, the only sounds being the breaking of branches under the men's feet.
Suddenly Steve stopped, raising his hand and instantly the other twelve men stopped dead in their tracks as they listened.
Danny's ears perked and in moments he heard what had caused Steve to stop, voices…two….maybe three voices coming from directly in front of them.
Steve held up four fingers, first motioning to the left and then to the right.
Danny watched on in amazement as with no words being spoken, four men moved in catlike silence to the left and four to the right. Moments after the men passed them, Steve and the other began to slowly move forward with their weapons drawn.
With the aid of his night-vision goggles Danny was able to see the enemy seconds later. There were three of them and while they were obviously guarding the camp….their attention was not all on their job. JJ had been told that the Cepada cartel was quite unorganized and that appeared to be true.
The three men were laughing and telling jokes, right up to the second that their throats were cut.
John, Desmond and Eric had slipped up behind the men without making a sound and in perfect unison, they grabbed the men's foreheads, pulling back and slicing their throats from ear to ear. They each held their victims tightly against their bodies until they ceased struggling, then dropping them to the ground.
******** SO? What do you think? Up next, the rescue mission. PLEASE NOTE, I have NEVER served in the Military and while I do everything I can to make the scenes as realistic as possible please remember that I write for enjoyment only, mine and yours! With that said, I would LOVE to hear what you think! *********