Please don't hate me for the ending ;)

Chapter 6

After night came morning, and this was the last scheduled day Callen had with the hostages. Callen had procured four SigP238 compact guns from the armory and hidden them in his clothing; the loose tunic providing a well-disguised hiding place. Callen entered the makeshift cell as he had done the previous times avoiding eye contact with the SEALs. Then he maneuvered himself behind each soldier making sure that the ropes were loosely tied and then slipped a gun to four of the hostages including Sam. Callen didn't arouse suspicion. No one suspected anything. It was suddenly happening and the tension amongst the SEALS was rising as it would only be a matter of hours before they'd be free.

After having dealt with the SEALs, Callen was helping Taj clean the plates when Raza approached. Callen was too preoccupied with running the plan through his head and the leader's presence made Callen jump, "Aziz, I startled you?"

"Sorry Raza, my thoughts were elsewhere. I was thinking about how to solve the differential problem affecting the tank. What would you like me to do?" Callen recovered nicely. It frightened him how well he could lie.

"Nothing as important as that, Aziz. There will be a feast tonight outside after evening prayer. It is important to keep moral high when the war is so long and tideous," explained Raza.

"Thankyou." Callen nodded as Raza did too and left.

Callen wasn't expecting this turn of events. He was going to make himself sparse once the fireworks began and assemble with Sam and the others. Now it would only look conspicuous. He'd have to rethink his place in the plan. Deep down he knew this was a bad sign.

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"That's evening prayer Sam!" stated Harvey excited, freeing his feet from the rope shackles.

"Ok…you boys remember the plan. There is no place for heroics. Callen gave us these guns for protection, not to draw attention to ourselves. We try and blend into the night and run for it. Is that understood men?" gruffed Sam.

"Yes sir," came the chorus.

The SEALS were ready, primed and ready to go.

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Apart from the few sentries patrolling the camp, all of the soldiers had finished evening prayer and had moved to the direction of the feast. Goats were being spit roasted, and a spread of dips and breads, fruits and nuts and vegetable curries littered the makeshift table. Callen couldn't wait any longer. Westerman was going to blow this place at 2200 hours, regardless. There would be no way to get word to him to postpone the attack. Callen had no choice he had to start the fireworks now. He looked around and every one was relaxed and enjoying themselves. It seemed like the perfect time to slink away. But as he started to leave the feasting area, Hussien grabbed him by the shoulders, "Aziz my brother, where are you going?"

DAMN! thought Callen as his whole stance stiffened. Thinking quick on his feet he said, "Mother nature is calling."

"Oh she can wait…come come with me and taste this wonderful adrak lassi…Behrim is a fantastic cook," Hussein insisted as he pulled Callen towards the table, guiding him away from the place he was supposed to be running to. Callen feigned a smile as his eyes kept looking towards the SEALs holding cell. However, he sat on a stool as he allowed his hand grab the detonator that was loose in his pockets. It was now or never. As Hussein came over with the drink, Callen pushed the button that would start the domino effect. Suddenly the northern night sky was ablaze with fiery light, the men went ballistic, as they scrambled for their guns.

Hussein grabbed Callen by the tunic, "Come, let's go and arm ourselves." He turned believing Callen would be behind him. Callen followed for a few steps before veering off towards Sam.

Raza stood watching the chaos unfold. The night gave him no respite from the panic and terror he saw before him. This was not supposed to be happening, thought Raza. There was no warning. Suddenly he felt everything slip through his fingers.

Seconds later, another explosion erupted on the western side sending the soldiers into more hysteria. Then minutes later a third explosion on the southern side. There was chaos and panic and in the midst of it, no one noticed Callen slipping away.

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It was the first explosion that masked the blasting of the cell wall. The SEALS, dusted themselves off and ploughed through the rumble. Sam led his team as they took their defensive positions. The coast was clear and there was their transport as promised. Callen always keeps his promises thought Sam, smiling to himself. He stood near the blast hole as he and Hank covered the other Seals' run to the Humvee, "Go, go! Hurry!" Sam shouted. A soldier came round the corner and Sam plugged him twice.

They were all in as Hank and Sam followed suit. Once inside Hank screamed, "Leshawn get us outta here!"

Sam grabbed his shoulder, "No we give Callen some more time." The two alpha males locked eyes, "He said he'd be here."

Moments passed and Hank glared at Sam. What could he do? They had waited long enough. If it were up to Sam, he'd wait an eternity but he was responsible for the lives of these SEALs. He was their commanding officer. He had to make the decision. He looked out one last time then nodded dejectedly to Hank, as the man yelled, "GO! Go Leshawn!"

The Humvee's large tyres kicked up sand and sped off to the roaring yahoos of the freed SEALS. Minutes into their escape, Sam looked out the small rear window in time to see Callen come round the corner. He stood rooted in the spot, alone whilst the terrorists ran around looking for the enemy and as Sam drove away. He froze against a background of fear and despair. Screaming just seemed so pointless and so useless. He was left behind…again…

Sam lost it as Callen silhouette became smaller and smaller. He yelled frantically to Leshawn eyes glued on Callen, "Stop! Stop the damn Humvee! Callen's back there!" As Leshawn was about to apply the brakes Sam watched in horror as Callen's figure jerked, swayed and slowly dropped to the ground.

"NOOOOOO! We have to go back! We need to help him!" screamed a distraught Sam.

Hank and Thomas, pulled him down, "We can't stop Sam…we can't! They'll kill us all and then Callen's work would've been for nothing. Honour him by seeing this through."

"You talk like he's dead already. You don't know G…he can survive anything and we never leave a man behind," yelled Sam, flaying his arms in vain, trying to get to Leshawn.

Hank and Thomas held him tight as Sam's resistance was starting the wane, obviously accepting the inevitable. As the Humvee sped away he saw from afar that his partner hadn't moved. He hadn't gotten up. Then he heard Thomas' voice quiet and soothing, "Sam he's dead. He's gone!" over the drone of the Humvees engine.

All Sam could do was put his head between his knees and sob, sob like a baby for the brother he deserted, for the brother he abandoned.

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Ten minutes into the journey, having covered almost 20km, their presence appeared on Westerman's radar, "Damn it. He's done it. That's our boys…Callen's done it. Fire the Patriots. Let's roast those sons of bitches."

The silence in the Humvee was shattered as the Patriots roared past heading for Raza's camp. The place would be decimated.

In minutes a feint glow littered the night sky as the earth shook. G was no more.

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