Chapter 9
Salvation- Part Two
0630 hours, 22 January 2001, Marshlands- Colleton Family Estate, St. Matthews, South Carolina.
The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon as retired US Army Colonel Thomas Colleton walked out onto his rather large from porch. He was sipping his piping hot morning coffee, when he saw a figure walking towards him, through the grass field in front of his house. The man had a shoulder holster on, that held a Colt 45. "Morning Colonel" the man yelled as he approached. Despite it being January, it never really got that cold in St. Matthews, South Carolina.
"Jesus Christ Chester, for the last time, it's just Tom, I'm retired" Tom replied as he took another sip of his coffee. Tom took a seat in one of the various wicker chairs that were scattered around his porch. Master Sergeant Chester Martin grabbed on for himself and plopped down next to his former Commanding Officer. "A beautiful morning" Tom observed. Chester just remained quiet, taking in the peaceful calm of the early morning. "How far along is Meg?" Tom asked, breaking the peaceful silence.
"7 Months" Chester replied.
"March is a wonderful time of year" Tom said, referring to the month in which Chester and Meg's 1st child would be born.
"Do you ever miss it?" Chester asked vaguely.
"Miss what?" Tom replied, looking for clarification.
"The Unit" Chester said.
"Every Goddamn day" Tom said as he took a sip of his morning coffee. "How's EJ hanging doing anyway?" Tom asked, referring to Colonel; Edward James "EJ" Barrett, who was The Unit's current CO.
"He ain't you Marshlands, but that being said, he's a good CO, cares a lot about his men" said Chester.
"And Tali" Tom asked. Chester sighed; he had had the feeling that was what Tom was gonna ask next.
"Are you asking as my friend? Or as Tali's Father?" Chester asked.
"Both" Tom replied.
"She's doing ok, don't ruin The Surprise, but Colonel Barrett is putting her up for Sergeant 1st Class" said Chester.
"It's about time" commented Tom. "She still has no idea about Malachi sleeping with Eli David's daughter?" asked Tom. Chester didn't even flinch. He showed no emotion. "Wow, Movie Buff's taught you well, no emotion, impressive" said Tom.
"Might one inquire as to the source of this information?" Chester asked.
"I maybe retired, but I still have my ways" said Tom with a smile.
"Old Man Galtier?" Chester asked, knowing that The QNA Commander had people all over the Riviere-du-Loup area.
"Old Man Galtier" Tom replied.
"Things are getting pretty heated in Quebec these days" said Chester.
"That they are, that they are" said Tom. Canadian Prime Minister Charles Clark had declared Marshal Law in Quebec, and had sent in The Canadian Military to keep order. The Canadian Soldiers had shown no distinction between legitimate targets and innocent Civilians.
"You think The QNA will turn to full scale revolt?" Chester asked.
"I hope not" he replied. "Don't get me wrong, I do believe that Quebec has every right to be it's own Independent Nation, but a full-scale war on our border is the last thing OUR Country needs right now" said Tom.
"True" said Chester. "Think Movie Buff is any closer to finding Palmer?" he asked.
0700 local time, 22 January 2001, US Federal Penitentiary, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
With Tony and Bridget checking out The DSD's old stomping grounds, aka The Bradenhurst Corporation's old HQ in Virginia, Three was sent to Leavenworth, to go through Clark Palmer's personal effects from his cell. When Three arrived, he was lead to a conference room, where he was greeted by a man wearing a very expensive suit. "Who are you?" Three asked, not expecting to be working with anyone else. The dark skinned man walked forward and extended his hand.
"Special Agent-in-Charge Leon Vance, NCIS, San Diego Field Office" he said. Three shook his hand.
"Sergeant Black, Special Forces" Three replied as the handshake broke.
"Really?" Vance asked, as if he was joking.
"Really" Three replied. "Have you been read into the investigation?" Three asked.
"Only on NCIS' end. I know that Supervisory Special Agent Leroy Jeathro Gibbs and his Senior Field Agent, Special Agent Stan Burley, have secured C.I.A Agent Clayton Webb and Navy JAG Commander Harmon Rabb Jr. at Agent Gibbs' place of Residence. I also know that 2 of your personnel are also on site" said Vance. "That's all I know"
"And that's all you need to know" said Three as he took off his leather bicker jacket. Vance and Three began going through the boxes off everything that had been collected from Clark Palmer's prison cell.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Vance asked.
"Anything that can tell us where Clark Palmer is headed, and or who he is targeting" replied Three, a little more than annoyed. "Aren't you supposed to be an investigator? Shouldn't you know all this crap?" Three asked, as he dumped out another box.
"I'm more of the administrative type" Vance replied.
"Piss ass" Three mumbled under his breath. Then he found something. "I found something" he said holding up a stack of paper.
"What?" asked Vance. Three passed him a stack of drawings. Each on was a black spider web. "I'm confused"
"Of course you are" here muttered under his breath. "It's a Spider Web" Three pointed out.
"So?" Vance asked.
"It's a spider… WEBB!" yelled Three, as he practically had to spell it out.
"I don't get it" said Vance
Three counted in his head 4…3…2…1… Three watched Vance's eyebrows shoot up. "There it is" he said quietly to himself.
"Oh, Webb, as is Clayton Webb" Vance exclaimed. Three shook his head in bemusement. He couldn't, for the life of him, understand how this idiot had become NCIS' San Diego Field Office. Evidence in hand, Three quickly dashed out of the room. Once he was outside the prison walls, he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. He quickly dialed.
"Go for Movie Buff" his father answered.
"It's Sky Train. I think I know where 0-0-4 is headed, and who he's targeting" said Three, using Clark Palmer's Kill list designation.
"And?" Tony replied.
"He's headed for Arlington, he's going after Webb" Three informed him.
"Ok, grab the next available flight to D.C. me and Red Cap will meet you there" Tony ordered.
1800 hours, 22 January 2001, Gibbs' Residence, Arlington, Virginia.
It was late when Tony arrived at Gibbs' house. Three had gotten there a few hours earlier, and Tony had sent Bridget to The White House to brief the President. He walked up to the Gunny's house, and found the front door unlocked. Nice to know nothings changed thought Tony, as a grin came across his face. He opened the door and they first thing he saw was Three, who was sleeping on Gibbs' couch. "Ya know, this takes the phrase 'laying down on the job' quite literally" said Tony with his 1000-watt smile. Three raised up his right arm and gave his dad the 1-finger salute. "Real cute" said Tony as he dropped his bag onto Three's crouch. Three shot up in pain, Tony couldn't help but laugh.
"Fuck you old man" said Three, as he fell off the couch onto the floor. Tony walked away, in the direction of Gibbs' basement.
"Love you too Son" Tony retorted. Tony opened the door to Gibbs' basement. He quickly made his way down the stairs, where he found The Gunny, Billy and Izabella, doing what else, working on Gibbs' boat. Billy was sitting off to the side, sipping some of Gibbs' bourbon from a mason jar. Tony stopped in his tracks as he watched both The Gunny and Izabella, in almost perfect synchronization, sand the boat. Billy saw Tony and got up off his stool and walked over.
"They've been at this all day, it's like there's 2 of them" said Billy.
"Good God, the world came barely hand ONE Leroy Jeathro Gibbs; God help us if there's another. Replied Tony quietly. Tony walked over to Gibbs' work bench and grabbed a large mason jar, filling it ¾ of the way with bourbon. He lifted up his glass, and knocked it back, all in one shot.
"Holy shit Top, that's some serious drinking" commented 1st Lieutenant Hazard. Tony poured himself another glass full.
"Sonny Boy, if you'd been through HALF of the hell I've been through, you be drinking a hell of a lot more than this" Tony warned as he knocked back his 2nd mason jar full. "Gunny" Tony called out, "This the same boat you were working on last time ik was here, or is this a new one?" he asked.
"New" Gunny replied.
"What happened to the old one?" Tony asked.
"Finished it and burned it" Gibbs replied.
"Divorce number?" Tony inquired. Lieutenant Colonel Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo Jr. aka "Movie Buff" was one of the few people who had the right to ask Leroy Jeathro Gibbs that question.
"3" Gibbs replied. 4 Marriages, 3 divorces. The only one of The Gunny's marriages that hadn't ended in divorce was his 1st one, to his wife Shannon. They had had a child too, Kelly. While both Tony and Gibbs were fighting in Iraq and Kuwait during The Gulf War, Shannon and Kelly had been murdered by a Mexican Drug Kingpin named Pedro Hernandez. Months later, Gibbs had tracked Hernandez to Mexico; where he gunned down Hernandez, with a Sniper rifle, from over a mile away. To his knowledge, Tony was the only one who knew that Gibbs had taken his revenge on Hernandez. Life was a cruel mistress for Leroy Jeathro Gibbs.
"Where is everyone else?" Tony asked.
"The Spook and The Flyboy are sacked out up stairs, and Burley is at NCIS" replied Gibbs. "All the evidence from Palmer's cell was transferred to our forensic lab" Gibbs informed him.
"Have your forensic scientist there at 0600 Gunny, I want everything they have" Tony ordered.
1900 hours, 22 January 2001, Marshlands- Colleton Family Estate, St. Matthews, South Carolina.
With his Sister Anne entertaining the ladies downstairs, Tom Colleton and Edward James "EJ" Barrett went up to Tom's study for a drink or 2 of whiskey. As Tom shut the door, EJ poured the whiskey. He handed one of the glasses to Tom. "Cheers" they both said as they knocked glasses. After they knocked back the 1st round, EJ began looking at all the photos around the younger man's study. Despite being 9 years older and having had graduated from West Point 9 years earlier than Tom Colleton; Colleton had managed to make Colonel a full 6 years before Barrett. Of course, EJ never held it against Tom, as Tom Colleton had been a legendary Commander, probably the finest The Delta Force had ever seen.
EJ recalled something he once heard Tali say "No Commanding Officer has ever backed his men, more than My Father". EJ knew he could never replace Tom Colleton in the hearts of the men and women that had served under him. but that wasn't gonna stop him from trying.
EJ began walking around the study. There were a lot of pictures on the walls and fireplace mantel. The 1st picture was of an old couple, who EJ assumed were Tom's parents. Next to that were 6 Pictures, the 1st 3, were of The 3 Colleton Children, Tom, Jacob and Anne, from when they had graduated from St. Matthews High School. The next 3 were from when they had graduated College. Tom- West Point class of 1985, Anne- South Carolina University class of 1992, and Jacob- West Point class of 1997. According to Tali, since both her Father and Uncle Jacob had joined the Army, her Aunt Anne had been left to run Marshlands. Even after Tom had been forced out of the Army, Anne still ran Marshlands, with Tom being her right hand man.
As EJ made his way around the room, he came to another set of pictures. Another one he saw had been taken at a wedding. "This Irv Morrell's Wedding" EJ observed. Tom stepped forward.
"Yep, he was 3 years behind me at The Point. We were best friends and I was Best Friends at his Wedding. That was back in, 92'" said Tony as he tapped his knuckle on the picture frame.
"Talk about rising up fast, did you hear about his latest promotion?" EJ asked.
"To Colonel? Yeah I did, it's a crazy world isn't it. He'll probably be your boss someday" said Tom as he poured them each another glass of whiskey. While Tom did that, EJ began looking at Tom's other pictures. He came across one where he recognized 8 out of 9 the faces in the picture. To the far left were then Chief Warrant Officer Bridget Sullivan and newly promoted Colonel Thomas Colleton. To the far left were Captain Jack Bauer and Sergeants 1st Class Barry Hopper and Jason King. Next to them were Senior Sergeant Malachi Ben-Gidon and then Staff Sergeant Chester in the middle of the group was then Captain Anthony Dominick "Tony" DiNozzo Jr. the one man EJ didn't recognize was the one standing next to Tony. EJ read the caption at the bottom of the picture, hoping it would give him some sort of clue as to the mystery man's identity.
It read "Special Operations Detachment- Delta- Fort Bragg- 4 July, 1994".
"Hey Tom, who is this gut next to Tony?" EJ asked. Tom walked over to tell him.
"That is, was" Tom corrected himself. "Master Sergeant John Hirsch. He was Alpha Team's Senior NCO from November 1993 to September 1994, he was also The Unit's Senior NCO during that time" explained Tom.
"What happened to him?" EJ asked. Several painful memories flashed through Tom's head
"Marshlands, this is Movie Buff, precious cargo is secure, Alpha Team exfilling now. Have on addition to previous report. One Kilo Indigo Alpha, repeat one Kilo Indigo Alpha. I say again Backdraft Down" said Tony.
Both Tony's and Malachi's trains of thought were interrupted as the C-130 touched down on the runway at Fort Bragg. Tony stood up, grasping an American flag in his hand. With Malachi's help, He draped it over John's Coffin. When the rear gate lowered, Tony and Malachi, along with Captain Irving Morrell and Corporal Reggie Bartlett, of The Rangers, they lifted up John's Coffin. The walked out of the plane as Tony heard Col. Colleton yelled "Attention. Present…Arms!" the 12 Ranger Honor Guard snapped to attention. The 4 men walked the coffin to a waiting hearse and placed him inside. "Quarter...Arms" ordered Colleton Then Tony turned to Col. Colleton and saluted. "You brought him home. That's a sacred duty. Well done" said Colleton. Tony reached into his breast pocket; and took out the small bag with the bullet that killed Hirsch inside it.
"He was like a brother to me Colonel" said Tony. Malachi walked up and saluted as well.
"Colonel" he said. "The man who shot John" he paused "his name is Officer Michael Rivkin; he's a Kidon team leader. He is Israeli. Request permission to return to Israel?" asked Malachi. Both Colleton and Tony knew instantly what Malachi was planning.
"Denied" said Colleton.
"Go get some rest Mal" said Tony. Malachi nodded and walked away.
"I give you my word Colonel, one day; Michael Rivkin will pay for this. One day, Michael Rivkin will die by my hand" said Tony. He saluted once again and walked away to his awaiting life. He walked up to Kate and gave her a tight hug. She had tears in her eyes.
"I plan to press disciplinary actions" said Barnes as Col. Colleton closed the door to his office. Barnes' right ear had was bandaged up from where Chester had hit him.
"And you were over there?" asked Colleton.
"Checking his cover story" said Barnes.
"Why?" asked Colleton
"To make sure" said Barnes before he was cutoff by Colleton.
"To make sure what? That he held his water?" asked Colleton.
"That's right" said Barnes.
"What do you got in your pockets? Empty em out" ordered Tom.
"Are you kidding?" asked Barnes
"NO! Empty em" ordered Tom, again, this time raising his voice. Barnes did so, in his pockets he had his wallet, his car keys, a couple of coins and a few dollars bills. "Where's your body bag?" asked Colleton.
"I don't have a body bag" said Barnes.
"Exactly" countered Tom. "But each Soldier in the Unit carries their own body bag. And until you've carried one, you don't deserve to talk to my men about their code. They signed on to no exist. For them, there is no Legacy. These men die for each other. Not for you or your boss. These Men are Warriors. You think you need to remind them about their codes of silence? They answer to a Higher Code, friend" barked Colleton.
"Let's keep this meeting on point" said Barnes. "Your man attacked me".
"A seriously wounded man, on his back, attacked you?" asked Colleton.
"Yes" replied Barnes. Colleton walked out from behind his desk and got right in Barnes' face.
"Well, he may have dinged your ear, but I'll break your neck. Now get the hell off my Base!" Tom ordered. Barnes stormed out of Colleton's office, slamming the door behind him. Colleton walked over to his bookshelf. He picked up a small brown box and opened it. He reached into his pocket and pulled out John's Bullet he placed it inside, next to the 2 that were already in there. The ones that killed Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart. Tom looked up when he heard a knock on his office door. "Come in" he said. His aide, Warrant Officer Sullivan walked in. "Oh yes, I need you to get this to John Hirsch's hometown newspaper" said Colleton.
"Yes Sir" said Bridget as she pulled out her note pad.
"Master Sergeant John Hirsch was transporting documents across an Airfield in Turkey, when an unexploded ordinance blew up, rolling his jeep. He died instantly. Fort Bragg Command expresses their condolences" he said.
"His whole life he's been defending his country and at the end that's what he's gonna get?" asked Bridget.
"That's Play 16" said Colonel Colleton.
The Next day, All Units members that were not away on missions, assembled at the Fort Bragg Chapel, with their families for John Hirsch's Unit Memorial Service. At the front altar, there was a small platform. On that platform sat Hirsch's combat boots. In between them, John's bayonet, which was attached to his Rifle, had been pierced into the wood. John's dog tags hung from the butt of the rifle, with John's helmet on top. As the Chaplin delivered the Eulogy, Colonel Colleton stood behind the small platform at attention. The 3 remaining members of Alpha Team sat by themselves in the front pew. Chester's arm remained in a sling. When the Chaplin finished his Eulogy, he stepped away from the podium and Colonel Colleton walked up to it.
"DiNozzo?" yelled Colleton.
"Here Sir" replied Tony as he shot up to attention.
"Ben-Gidon?"
"Here Sir" replied Malachi as he did the same as Tony.
"Martin?"
"Here Sir" replied Chester as he followed suit.
"Hirsch?" yelled Colleton. Silence engulfed the chapel. "Sergeant Hirsch". The silence returned. "Master Sergeant John Hirsch" said Colonel Colleton. The 3 men of Alpha Team sat down. "Born 7 November, 1965" continued Colleton. "Eldest son of Jay and Connie Hirsch" Colleton paused again.
"Killed…In Action" finished Colleton.
"He was killed in Action, in Haiti" said Tom, as a tear came to his eye.
"Rebels?" EJ asked.
"No" said Tom. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Has Movie Buff ever explained to you why he hates the Mossad with such passion?" Tom asked.
"No" replied EJ
"Johnny Hirsch was killed by a Mossad Kidon Unit Sniper, named Michael Rivkin. On the orders of Eli David, who was then a Mossad Deputy Director" said Tom.
"Yeah, I know who Eli is" said EJ.
"Johnny was one of Tony's closest friends. Tony gave me his word that one day, Michael Rivkin would die at his hand. And I've known Tony DiNozzo for a long time, since The Gulf War. He always keeps his word.
0600, 23 January 2001, Forensic Lab, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Headquarters, Washington Navy Yard, Washington D.C
As promised, The Gunny had had his Forensic scientist in her lab at 0600 sharp. Tony whistled a Sinatra song as he, Gibbs and Three rode the elevator down to the forensic lab. The elevator came to a hall and the doors opened with a "ding". As they approached the door to the lab, they could hear loud music blasting from inside. "Hey, that's 'Rollin' by 'Limp Bizkit'" said Three. "I like it" he concluded with a smile. they walked into the lab. And boy were they ever shocked by what they found. "DAMN!" said Three as his jaw dropped. What he saw was a girl, who couldn't have been older than 21, who was wearing a mini skirt and black t-shirt, covered in printed skulls, her dark black hair was tied into 2 ponytails as she skipped around the lab. She had on black lipstick and eyeliner. Three gave a long Wolf whistle. Somehow the girl had heard the whistle, and she turned down the music to talk to them.
"This Ms. Abigail Sciuto, NCIS' Forensic specialist" said Gibbs.
"Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Dominick DiNozzo Jr" said Tony introducing himself. "You can call me Tony" then Tony pointed to Three. "This is my son, Sergeant Anthony Dominick DiNozzo III, but you can call him Three" said Tony. Abby jumped forward and pulled both DiNozzos into a strong hug. Both of them struggled to breathe.
"Abs" said Gibbs and she released the hug.
"Oh Sorry" she said. "You can call me Abby" she said with a smile.
"How old are you?" Three asked her.
"Older than you" she countered, which brought a smile to Three's face. "I'll be 21 October 31st" she said.
"So what do you have for us Abs?" Gibbs asked.
"Well" she said, before being interrupted by her computer dinging. She walked over to check it. "There was a micro chip imbedded in one of his books, I just finished cracking the encryption" she said as she typed away on the keyboard. When she was done, a floor plan came up onto the screen.
"Hey Gunny, ain't that" said Tony as sometime caught his eye out the window. "DOWN!" he yelled as he pushed Abby to the ground. Three knocked The Gunny to the ground as bullets began crashing through the windows.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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