Chapter 17
Hail Mary, Full of Grace
1715 hours, 15 February 2001, Gibbs' Residence, Arlington, Virginia.
Supervisory Special Agent Leroy Jeathro Gibbs poured himself a fresh mason jar full of bourbon as he did what he did, pretty much every other night of the week, work on his boat. He looked up when he heard footsteps walking down the stairwell to his basement. "Don't you ever lock your front door?" asked a familiar voice.
"No need. Everything of value that I have is down here with me" Gibbs replied, not looking up from his sanding.
"Ya know I thought Tony was kidding when he said that all you do is sit down here drinking bourbon and working on that boat" she joked. Then she looked around. "How do you get it out of here?" she asked incredibly confused. Gibbs chuckled softly.
"Now that, I'm proud to say Mrs. DiNozzo, that not even your husband has been able to figure that out" Gibbs boasted proudly. Kate laughed as she walked over to Gibbs' work bench and poured herself a mason jar full of bourbon. She took a small sip before placing the jar back down on the work bench.
"How long has it been Gunny?" she asked him. Gibbs stopped what he was doing and looked up. "Since Shannon and Kelly died?" she asked. He shot Kate a look of surprise. "Tony told me" she informed him, which satisfied his curiosity as to how she knew about his wife and daughter.
"10 years" he finally replied after a few moments of silence.
"Ya know" she paused. "What I'm about to tell you, no one else knows, not even my son" she said. "Three was a twin" she confessed. "His Twin sister died at birth. She was stillborn" she said, bringing a tear to her eye. "Then, 16 years later, when Tony and I adopted Liat, It was like he had received a 2nd chance. Our family was whole again" she said.
"Why are you telling me this?" Gibbs asked.
"Gunny, where were you stationed in the fall of 1980?" she asked.
"Embassy Detail, London" he said. "Why?" he asked.
"And you had a girlfriend there, correct?" she asked. "One, Freya Howsham"
"How the hell do you know all this?" Gibbs demanded. Kate only grinned.
"Would you like that second chance Gibbs?" she asked. Gibbs' eyes shot wide open. The door to the basement, and a blonde female Army Officer walked down the stairs.
"Special Agent Gibbs" she said greeting him.
"Captain Sullivan" he replied. With that, Izzy slowly made her way down the stairs.
"Special Agent Gibbs, may I present to you Staff Sergeant Izabella Freya Howsham… your Daughter" Bridget said. Izzy slowly and timidly walked forward.
"Hi Dad" Izzy said with a very nervous smile. Gibbs only remained silent.
0600 hours, 16 February 2001, Southern Bank of the St. Lawrence River, 8 miles east of Montreal, Quebec.
"15 minutes" said Tony as he checked his watch for the one millionth time.
"This is stupid" Tali commented. "No, this is more than stupid, it's suicidal" she corrected.
"Calm down Tali" Tony ordered. "Just look at the Brightside, you'll be with the armor. Me and the guys are the ones sticking our necks out" Tony said.
"Stop acting like you didn't volunteer for it DiNozzo" she said with a grin.
"Yeah, well I liked my chances a hell of a lot more before when I did" he said.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Webb just told me that the Mossad Kidon Unit has the bridge rigged to explode, and Rivkin has his hand on the detonator" he said. Just the name was enough to send a chill down Tali's spine. When she was 15, her father had ordered Rivkin to rape her, in order to toughen her up for Mossad. "Hey" Tony whispered as he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a warm and loving embrace. He placed a small kiss on her forehead.
"Waiting on you Top" Chester yelled. Tony looked down at Tali.
"You gonna be ok Tals?" he asked. She sniffed her nose and Tony used his thumb to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Come on, ain't nobody gonna stop the Movie Buff and Freedom right. We're the team that can't be beta" he said with a smile, causing her to laugh at his stupidity. "Strength" he said as he held up his fist.
"Honor" she said as they fist bumped.
"Alrighty then" he said as he jumped down off the hood of the HUMVEE they were sitting on.
"Hey" she said as he walked away. He stopped and turned around to face her. "You better comeback, cause I'll kill ya if ya don't" she said with a smile. Tony only smiled and shook his head.
With that, Tony walked over to the rest of his team. "1st Battalion all set?" he asked Chester.
"They're raring to go boss" he replied.
"Good" he replied. "Now listen up. This section of the river is one of the widest. Also, the Canucks have blown every other bridge in this sector. This Bridge is the only way he are going to move anything heavier than a 50. Cal in Montreal" Tony said. "Now, intel says that there is a Mossad Kidon Unit operating alongside the Canadian Defenders" he informed them.
"Rivkin?" Three asked. Tony nodded.
"They'll most likely have the bridge rigged to explode. So our job is to lead the Rangers across the river and seize the other end of the bridge" Tony said.
"Won't they just blow it once we get across?" Deeks asked. Tony shook his head.
"Not likely, they'll wait till our Tanks are on the bridge, so that they can do as much damage as possible" Tony said. "Once we're across, we'll need to deactivate the charges quickly. The tanks won't be stopping" Tony said gravely.
"Why?" Three asked.
"Political Pressure from Washington. They want us inside of Montreal as soon as possible. Not to mention, this bridge is the only way we can get heavy equipment across the river, we need to be able to hold both ends with the bridge intact" Tony said. Then he turned to Chester. "Assemble 1st Battalion" Tony ordered.
"On it" Chester replied as he hurried off. Then Tony turned his attention the river bank. He saw that the engineers had the zodiacs all ready to go. Chester came running back a few minutes later. "1st Battalion assembled as ordered Top" Chester said.
"Good" said Tony as he walked towards the formation. "Straighten em out" Tony ordered.
"Battalion! Tennnn HUT!" Chester yelled. The Rangers instantly snapped to attention. Tony stood before them and paced back in fort in front of them as he spoke.
"My Name is Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Dominick DiNozzo Jr. like every man here, I am a Ranger. You have all been assigned to a mission few would qualify for, and even fewer would survive. I will not lie to you. Mission failure is probable, death, all but certain. The same thing was said, not 56 years ago, when our predecessors, our brothers, were sent to Liberate Cabanatuan. And like our brethren, we will not fail. Each and every one of you will fight on to The Ranger objective, though you be the lone survivor" he paused for a few moments. "As I said, I will not lie to you. I will not lie about the evil that awaits us across that river. Never before has America seen genocide so close to her. he will show the world, just what America stands for…Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of those who dare threaten it" he said. "Some of you might have noticed, there is in fact an extra Platoon attached to this Battalion. You may also have noticed, that they do not have The Ranger Tab on their sleeves" he paused once again. "Instead, they have The Fleur-de-lies. These men are Québécois. They are fighting for their freedom, their right to exist. Much like our fore fathers did in 1776. From this day forward, these men will forever be your brothers. Hooah"
"Hooah" the Battalion replied in perfect unison.
Tony remained silent and un-slung his M4. With his right hand on the pistol grip, he raised it above his head. "God Bless the United States of America" he said. "And on this day, and until the end of time" he paused. "Vive la Republique Belle!" he yelled.
1130 hours, 16 February 2001, West Wratting Red Lion Pub, West Wratting, Great Britain
"Where is this Yank anyway?" complained a man as he nursed a beer. As all 3 men were well respected members of parliament, meeting with an American Special Forces Officer was risking. If the press found out, their careers would be over.
"Calm down Roland, you're drawing unnecessary attention to all of us" said one of his fellow MPs.
"Easy for you to say Nicholas. If the vote goes as planned next week, it's bloody likely that I'll be the next PM" said Roland.
"Ya know, in the States, we call that a humble brag" said a man with shaggy blond hair as he said down at their table. The man spoke with a decidedly American accent.
"And who might you be?" Nicholas asked him. The young man smiled and took a sip of his beer.
"1st Lieutenant William Hazard, US Special Forces" he said.
"So you're the Yank we're supposed to meet with?" the 3rd man, who had remained silent up to this point.
"No, I'm just some random American who happened to walk into this Pub which happens to be out in the middle of no where" said Lieutenant Hazard.
"Are all Americans like you Mr. Hazard?" Roland asked.
"Only a select few, Mr. Cartland" he replied.
"So why have you summoned us here?" asked David. "2 Conservatives, Roland and I, and a Lib-Dem, Nicholas over there" he added. Billy smiled and took another sip of his beer.
"Well, as you 3 were just discussing, next week, there will be a vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Blair. If successful, Parliament will be dissolved and new elections will be held. The Conservatives will take the most seats, but will fail to win a majority. Thus, Mr. Cartland will become Prime Minister. However, without a majority, The Conservatives won't be able to govern effectively" said Billy. "Which is where Nicholas comes in" he added. "Things are heating up in Northern Ireland. The Occupation is taking a heavy toll on British moral. It's no secret The Nicholas' Party has been against the occupation for some time. The Liberal-Democrats are also pro-referendum; letting the people of Northern Ireland themselves decide their fate" he said. "It's also no secret that Prime Minster Blair and his New Labour Party, are strongly against this. Which leaves the Conservatives on the fence" Billy concluded.
"What is your point Mr. Hazard?" David demanded.
"My point is, that even if the vote goes down as you plan, you won't have enough seats for a majority. That is, unless you form a Coalition-Government with The Liberal Democrats" Billy said. "Give Deputy Prime Ministership to Nicholas and 6 of the 21 Cabinet Seats to his Party" Billy said. Then he turned to Roland. "With you as Prime Minister, David can be your Minister of War. From this position, he can back The Irish referendum"
"What is America's interest in all of this?" David asked.
"You've seen what happened in Quebec. Well, I think you should know that The IRA is planning a massive revolt. I'm not just talking about a few radicals, I'm talking about a 2nd Easter Rising" said Billy, referring to the 1916 Irish Revolt.
"If Parliament is dissolved, the vote for a new Parliament will take place rather quickly. Now, I can get word to the IRA leadership. If the vote is successful, which it will be, you have to push forward the referendum. If this happens, The IRA will have no reason to start another war" said Billy. "It's quite simple gentlemen. Either way, you will lose control of Northern Ireland. The only question is how many British lives will be lost in the process" Billy concluded as he chugged down the last of his beer. "Good day Gentlemen" he said as he rose from the table and walked out.
0655 hours, 16 February 2001, St. Lawrence River, Quebec.
"Cut the engine" Tony ordered to one of The Rangers as they approached the river bank. The other Zodiacs quickly followed suit and the small flotilla silently approached the shore. Suddenly, Canadian machine guns opened fire on them. "Move!" Tony yelled. Dozens of Rangers were hit by the heavy MG fire. Tony silently began to pray as his Zodiac approached the shore. He repeated "Hail Mary, Full of Grace" several times. "Let's Go! Rangers Lead The Way!" Tony yelled, as he jumped onto the river bank. The Rangers, led by Alpha Team, stormed up the river bank, quickly over taking the various Canadian machine gun nests. The men of the 1st Ranger Battalion quickly dispersed. Tony's Team, along with 2 Ranger Chalks quickly sprinted towards the Bridge. "Sky Train and Chalk One with Me. Ironman and Dragnet, talk Chalk two and hit the other side" Tony ordered as they sprinted.
Meanwhile, Tali pulled back on the cocking hammer of the 50. Caliber Machine gun that was mounted on the lead Tank. Like a battering ram, the armored spearhead of Blade Force pierced through the Canadian defenses and charged towards the bridge.
From a safe position just down river from the bridge, Mossad Officer Michael Rivkin watched the battle take place with a devilish grin. "Teo, are all charges set?" he asked his number #2, Mossad Officer Teo Gold.
"Yes Sir" Gold replied.
"Excellent. We will blow the bridge sky high, just as soon as the 1st arrogant American tank crosses the Bridge" Rivkin grinned. .
"Move" Tony yelled as his men rushed the north side of the bridge. "Quick, here come the tanks, we gotta remove as many of the charges as we can" Tony yelled. But it was too late, the lead tank was already on the foot of the bridge.
"Ready" Rivkin said holding up his hand, as he watch through binoculars as The American Tanks reached the bridge. "Now!" he yelled throwing down his hand. Teo leaned down hard on the plunger. Nothing happened. "I said now!" Rivkin repeated. Teo lifted the plunger back up and slammed it down again. Again, nothing happened. "NOW!" Rivkin screamed. Teo slammed the plunger home several more times. Still nothing happened. "AHHHHH!" Rivkin screamed as he threw down his binoculars.
"Officer Rivkin, we must leave, the Americans are across the river. the Americans are only 155 miles from Quebec City" Teo said urgently.
Back on the bridge, Tony couldn't figure out what happened. "Who found the receiver?" Tony asked in confusion as Tank after Tank rumbled across the bridge, which now lay safely in American hands.
"Nobody" said Chester as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Hey dad" said Three as he tapped his old man on the shoulder. Tony turned around to see his son looking down river through his binoculars. "Take a look" said Three as he lowered the binoculars from his face and held them out for his father. Tony took them from his son and put them up from his face. "2 o'clock, about 1800 yards up river" Three said. Tony looked, and saw a beautiful young blond, leaning on her left shoulder up against a large rock that rested on the river bank. In her right hand, she held a board, a circuit board to be exact. She smiled and dropped it in the river. Tony's trademark 1000-watt smile made an appearance on his face for the 1st time in a long while.
A/N- Next time, on "28 Seconds: Strength & Honor"-
The Battle for Quebec continues as The Blade Force reaches the key crossroads town of Montcalm. But, when Tony is unexpectedly pulled from the line, General Morrell orders Three to take command of The Alpha Team. As the battle for Montcalm erupts, Three takes matters into his own hands, and shows the world, what a true hero, really is.
A/N- Happy Birthday to my awesome Partner in Crime, "Shortcake99"! Happy Birthday Amy!