Chapter 26
Unknown Soldier
1800 hours local time, 24 May 2001, Madame Conte's "Massage" Parlor, New Orleans, Louisiana.
If Madame Conte's was really a massage parlor, then Tony was the Queen of England. Tony walked inside the notorious whore house, and asked to see all the girls. As Madame Conte brought them out, he looked each of them over. "Well, don't you look so debonair in that leather jacket" said one of the girls. "What are you, a Hitman or something?" she asked.
"I'll take her" Tony said as the girl led to Tony up the stairs to one of the rooms. When they got to the door, Tony handed her 3 $100 bills. "Thank you" he said as the girl walked away. Tony walked inside the room, where Billy was waiting for him. "You're still on the team?" Tony asked.
"Never left it" Billy replied.
"That's quite a cover you and Barrett built for yourself, Hitman" Tony said.
"Thank you Colonel" Billy said.
"Assault, Spree Shooter, Terrorist henchmen" Tony recited.
"I never laid a finger on Izzy. Colonel Barrett told me she was in on it, and that it was all an act. But yes, I stepped on a couple of toes during the pantomime" Billy confessed. "I only regret what I put everybody through"
"You were on a mission" Tony said. "And just so you know, Colonel Barrett is dead. I was forced to take him down after he shot me in the back" Tony informed him.
"Jaguden is waiting on me" Billy said with a sigh, trying to change the subject.
"Where is he now?" Tony asked.
"A couple of blocks over" Billy said as he pulled back the curtain slightly and looked out the window. "I told him I needed to relieve a little tension" he explained.
"He sympathize?" asked Tony.
"He seemed to" Billy replied.
"This Uranium, tell me about" Tony said.
"37 kilos of Russian U-235" Billy informed him. "Jaguden says it's been weaponized already"
"Weaponized where?" Tony asked.
"He says it's stashed in some storefront in Atlanta" Billy said as he handed Tony a ice of paper with the address. "We're driving there tomorrow to meet with the rest of Jaguden's men" Billy explained.
"Ok then, I'll tail you to Atlanta" Tony told him."
"If I may?" asked Billy as he slipped on his sweatshirt.
"All right" Tony indulged him.
"This guy is good, much better that what Three told me about him. He picks up on you, he'll abort the plan" Billy told him. "No. Step up in Atlanta, we'll be together there" Billy strongly suggested.
"What's the target?" Tony asked.
"I don't know" Billy replied.
"You don't know?" Tony said.
"Jaguden hasn't told me yet" Billy explained.
"I thought he trusted you?" Tony asked.
"He's working on it" Billy said.
"I'll see you in Georgia" Tony said.
"See you there" Billy said as he walked out.
1240 hours, 26 May 2001, Tactical Operations Center, Unit Compound, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
"Iz, Helo touches down in Atlanta with Alpha Bravo in 10" Bridget yelled as she rushed into the T.O.C. "I want a map of everything in a five-block radius on the plasma" Bridget ordered.
"Bridget, the Commander of Georgia State Patrol has 12 units ready to move" Izzy said with her phone in her hand. "Atlanta SWAT has 4 more" she added.
"Is he deaf or disrespectful?" Bridget asked. "I told him specifically no outsiders on this one" Bridget replied.
"Ok, and the Mayor's office in on line 5, he'd like to clear residents from the block" Izzy said.
"Negative. Jaguden sees anything out of the ordinary, he'll bail" Bridget stated.
"The Mayor is concerned about collateral damage" Izzy commented.
"Is he now?" Bridget said in a sarcastic tone of voice.
"Yes he is" Izzy replied in a similar tone.
"Then you fucking tell him that'll be a drop in the bucket if we screw the pooch on this one" Bridget fired back.
1300 hours, 26 May 2001, 45 miles west of the Alabama/Georgia border, Alabama.
"We'd better push it if we're gonna make Atlanta before sundown" Billy said to Colonel Jaguden as he checked his watch. "We're running late"
"Uh-huh" Jaguden replied nonchalantly as he just kept driving down the road.
"Give me your phone. I'll call ahead" Billy suggested.
"No. not necessary" Jaguden assured him. A minute later, Jaguden pulled the BMW 5 series off the pavement and onto a dirt road.
"What are you doing?" asked a confused Billy.
"Time to shake things up" said Jaguden with a sinister smile. A few miles down the road, Jaguden pulled into a small, deserted picnic area, where 3 men and 3 cars were waiting. "End of the road" Jaguden said as he shut the car off.
"I thought the end of the road was Atlanta?" Billy asked.
"No. the end of the road is here" Jaguden informed him.
"Smart" Billy commented with a fake smile.
"Thank you" Jaguden said as they got out of the car. "Last looks gentlemen" Jaguden said to his men. "If you have any questions, share them with me" he instructed. "No?" Jaguden said after everyone remained silent. Jaguden began digging into his duffle bag and pulled out 3 manila envelopes. He handed one to each of is men. "Cash, itinerates out of the country, secure phones" he said as he explained what lay inside the envelopes. "Directions to your targets are also inside" he added. "St. Louis, Philadelphia, Dallas" Jaguden instructed. "Park your vehicles where instructed and get out of the blast zone quickly, unless you want the world's darkest sun tan" he ordered as he walked over to a small wooden shed with a padlock on the door. As Jaguden unlocked the padlock, Billy quickly memorized the license plates on each of the cars. Jaguden opened the shed and pulled out 3 leather duffle bags. "Here you go" he said as each man took one.
"I thought there was only one bomb" Billy asked.
"I know you did" Jaguden replied. "In the backseat where you can keep an eye on the weapon" Jaguden ordered. Drive the speed limit, do not run and red lights, and for Clarke's sake go easy on the potholes" Jaguden instructed, using General Clarke's name in place of God's.
"None for me?" Billy joked.
"You and I have other business that requires our attention" Jaguden explained.
"Let's hear it" Billy said as he watched the 3 cars drive away.
"We have a certain friend who has been very helpful to us" Jaguden explained.
"Yuri Belknov" Billy knew.
"Now it is time to return the favor. When the attacks go down, The Americans will do everything they can to catch him" he explained. "We need to get him out of the country first" Jaguden stated.
1500 hours, 26 May 2001, Atlanta Furniture Co, Atlanta, Georgia.
The streets of downtown Atlanta were bustling with civilians as Alpha Team took up positions around the Atlanta Furniture Company building; the building where Billy had informed Tony that Jaguden had stashed the uranium. "What do you do when you see Indians?" Tali asked Tony as they sat in a white GMC Suburban across the street from the store.
"Be careful" Tony replied.
"What do you do when you don't see Indians?" Tali asked.
"Be twice as careful. I hear you" Tony concurred. "Ironman, you got anything down there?" Toy asked over the radio.
"Negative, me and Dragnet got nothing" Chester replied from their position inside a food vendor truck. "How about the wonder twins?" Chester asked.
"Yeah, we got nothing her too, Top" Three replied with an attitude.
"Lose the attitude Sky Train" Tony replied.
"Leave the kid alone Top, he's just mad because he's stuck spending his b-day in the field" Chester countered.
"I can fight my own battles, Ironman, thank you very much" Three replied.
"Ok, everybody just shut up" Tony ordered. "I'm tired of sitting here. Phantom, you're up" he ordered.
"Copy. Moving now" Cole replied. Tony and Tali watched as Cole, dressed in a UPS delivery uniform and pushing a hand truck, walked in front of the furniture store. "All's quiet here. You'd think there's be some activity by now" Cole offered up. "An advance man or something" he added.
"No. this ain't right" Tony commented.
1520 hours, 26 May 2001, 10 miles north of Tennessee/Alabama border, Tennessee.
"Yeah, we should probably gas up for the trip" Jaguden suggested as they drove along.
"Okay" Billy replied nonchalantly as he stared out the window.
"I'll pump. You get some food" Jaguden suggested.
"Sure" Billy said. "I should probably hit the head too" Billy suggested as Jaguden pulled the BMW into the gas station. While Colonel Jaguden worked the pump, Billy rushed into the bathroom and pulled out his cell phone. He quickly typed the license plate numbers and the destinations of the drivers into a text message. He hit send, but the phone had trouble finding a signal. "Come on, come on" Billy begged as held the phone up high, trying to find a signal. Billy began to panic as he heard footsteps approach the door. He quickly placed the phone on the window sill above the sink, silently praying the message would send.
"Come on, let us leave" said Jaguden as he barged in.
1535 hours, 26 May 2001, Atlanta Furniture Co, Atlanta, Georgia.
Tali let out a sigh as she leaned against the side of her and Tony's Suburban as Tony walked over with 2 cups of coffee. "Still no movement in or out" she said as Tony handed her, her coffee. "Bad Intel?" she asked.
"I think we've been conned" Tony said as he took a sip of his coffee.
"By Jaguden or by Billy?" Tali asked as she too took a sip.
"Does it matter?" Tony said. "Let's break this down" Tony said as he put his hand to his earwig radio. "Shark Bait, Phantom, in the back" Tony ordered. "Ironman, Dragnet, meet us out front" he added. Just as Tony and Tali stepped off the curb, Tony's cell phone rang. "Go for Movie Buff" he answered.
"Operation's scrubbed. You're looking at a decoy" Bridget informed him.
"Is that so?" Tony asked.
"New Intel. Meet already took place somewhere outside Birmingham" Bridget said.
"I understand" Tony said.
"We got 3 plate numbers and 3 cars" Bridget told him. "And here it is. Each is carrying a nuclear device" she said ominously.
"3 bombs?" Tony asked.
"That's affirmative, Movie Buff" she replied.
"Okay. We can be wheels up in 10. Is Hitman gonna lead us in?" Tony asked.
"Negative. Hitman and the bombs are in the wind" Bridget replied.
"We got 3 bombs in the wind?" Tony stated.
"That's right" Bridget said solemnly. With that, Tony hung up. He turned to Tali, who had now been joined by Chester and Deeks.
"Remember when your mama said it could be worse?" Tony asked rhetorically. "This is what she was talking about" Tony said.
1600 hours, 26 May 2001, Presidential Bunker, below The West Wing, White House, Washington D.C.
"How do we stop these bombs?" President Bush asked both General Morrell and Izzy, who was now dressed in her class A dress uniform, as they walked into the situation room.
"Mr. President, in the last hour, Lieutenant Colonel DiNozzo has put himself and his men on the ground. we're attempting to track the vehicles as they reach their destination.
"I don't understand what that means. You're 'attempting' to track them" commented Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld.
"You have the cooperation of local law enforcement?" Bush asked.
"Yes we do Mr. President" Izzy replied
"What about using the news media or AMBER Alerts?" Bush suggested.
"Mr. President" General Morrell stepped in. "Colonel DiNozzo feels, and I agree, that if we notify the public, then the terrorists will know we're onto them. We don't want to give them a reason to alter their plan as we know it" Morrell said.
"Colonel DiNozzo wants to hit them before they know the fight has begun" Izzy commented.
"Yes, this is like high stakes Texas hold em'" Bush commented.
"Err, yes Sir" Morrell simply replied.
"Sir, if we don't find these people in the next 48 hours" Morrell said before the President cut him off.
"In the next 48 hours, we may be at war with Russia" Bush said.
"Sir, we have word from Moscow. They're denying any involvement" said Secretary of State Rice. "And they're denying it's their uranium" she added.
"It may be theirs, but it's in the hands of a madman now" Bush said. "Who did control it?" Bush asked Izzy.
"Former K.G.B Officer" she said.
"What's his name?" Bush asked.
"Yuri Belknov" Izzy replied.
"And how do we find this Commie bastard?" Bush asked.
"We already have him Sir" Izzy said.
"What? When?"
"The LA branch of CTU picked him up 6 hours ago. As we speak he's en-route to CTU Washington" Izzy said.
"Who's transporting him?" Bush asked.
"Special Agent in Charge Jack Bauer, he's former Delta" Izzy said.
"Once Agent Bauer has completed the transfer to CTU DC, I want YOU talking to him. Do I make the extent of my request clear, Staff Sergeant Gibbs?" Bush asked.
1125 hours, 27 May 2001, 30 miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri.
Thanks to the local LEOs, Tali, along with Weston and Cole, had managed to create a traffic jam in a key intersection, blocking the path of one of Jaguden's men, who was driving a blue Suzuki. "You guys ready?" Tali asked into her radio.
"Ready" Cole replied.
"Same here" Weston said. Both of them had taken up positions opposite each other across the narrow road, as Tali walked down the yellow divider.
"Tags match" Cole said as he checked the plate. Tali walked up next to the car, and in one, quick, fluid motion, drew her Walther P99, cocked it and fired a round through the glass and into the temple of the driver. The horn blasted continuously as the driver's dead body pressed against the steering wheel. While Tali checked for a pulse, Cole rushed to the backseat, where there was a black duffle bag.
"It's here" he said after unzipping the bag.
1130 hours, 27 May 2001, 1 mile east of Corinth, 85 miles west of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"Target vehicle inbound" said Deeks from his overwatch position as he watched the beige Ford Taurus approach. Chester had used their GMC Blazer to block the road, forcing the driver to stop. Chester, his 45 drawn, waiting patiently in cover, behind the Blazer. The driver shut off the engine and stepped out of the car, his hand inside his jacket. Deeks fired on round from his Sig Sauer into the thigh of the driver, causing him to slump back into the hood of his car. The driver pulled out his Tokarev TT-33 pistol and tried to return fire. Chester quickly popped up and fired 3 shots into the driver's chest.
"I tried to take him alive" Chester commented as he kicked the Tokarev away while Deeks checked the body. "Detonator?" Chester asked.
"No, it's not on him" Deeks said.
"Got the bomb" Chester said as he pulled a black duffle bag out of the back seat.
1145 hours, 27 May 2001, 30 miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri.
"Scratch St. Louis off the target list" Tali commented while Cole looked over the bomb. Since he had far more knowledge about bombs and trigger mechanisms that anybody else in the Unit, Cole was left with the task of disarming the bomb.
"Basic gun-type construction. High explosive on one end" Cole said into his radio.
"Yeah, Uranium Core at the other. But which is which?" Deeks asked as he and Chester were trying to defuse they're own bomb.
"That's a good question. Too many wires" Cole commented as he continued to look the bomb over. "Some decoys, some booby traps" he added.
"It's rigged" Deeks said to Chester.
"Mmm" Chester mumbled. "Okay, talk me through" Chester ordered.
"Alright" Deeks said. "Phantom, give us the play-bu-play. We'll uh… We'll do it together" Deeks said into his radio.
"Tell Chester to feel underneath the cylinder for a device" Cole said. "Here's the pressure that you want, as if he's poking around a throbbing tooth" Cole described. "You understand?" Cole asked.
"Be careful" Deeks translated.
"I got that thank you" Chester said as he went over the casing. "Got it" Chester finally said.
"That's the trigger for the detonator" Cole informed him.
"Is this thing hot?" Tali asked Cole.
"No way to tell until we open it" Cole replied.
"Wonderful" Tali remarked.
1205 hours, 27 May 2001, Petersburg, Virginia
As they drove along, Jaguden reached into the backseat and grabbed a manila envelope, handing it to Billy. "This for Mr. Belknov?" Billy asked.
"It's an exit strategy" Jaguden replied as he dialed his cell phone.
"So where are we sending the lucky bastard?" Billy asked as he opened the folder. He pulled out an airline ticket. "Ah. Lovely Caracas. Que bueno" Billy commented.
"There is one in there for you too" Jaguden said.
"Venezuela?" Billy asked.
"That phrase you're looking for is 'thank you'" Jaguden joked.
"Thank you" Billy said with his best fake smile.
"Not answering" said the Colonel as he placed down his phone.
"Who's not answering?" Billy asked.
"Other 2 cars. Where the hell is everybody?" he asked as he dialed again.
"Hey, you hear from the others?" Jaguden asked. "Ok listen up, new plan"
Meanwhile, Cole and Chester continued working on their respective bombs. "Ok, we're looking at a green wire, connects to a digital timer" Deeks described as he watched Chester work.
"No, it's redundant. It's a dummy. Cut it away" Cole said.
"You sure?" Deeks asked.
"Cut it and see" Cole said.
"Very reassuring" Deeks said sarcastically. "Ok, hold on. Standby" he said as Chester cut the wire. Thankfully, nothing happened. "All right, we're good" Deeks replied, sweat dripping down his forehead.
"Ok, Dragnet. Have Ironman look for a heavily shielded wire beneath the right side. Mine's yellow" Cole said.
"Does mine have to be yellow?" Chester asked.
"No" Deeks said.
"I have a white one, heavily shielded" Chester said.
"Okay" Cole said. "Look, Brothers. This cut oughta be the one. I'm gonna keep talking as I go" he explained. "If my comm suddenly goes dead, tell Ironman to cut the black wire instead" Cole cautioned.
"We're gonna be fine" Tali assured him, getting only a slight laugh and grunt in response. Deeks and Chester waited anxiously for Cole to make the cut.
"I want to be an Airborne Ranger, I want to live a life" Cole sang as he made the cut. "I want to live a life of danger" he finished when the bomb didn't explode.
"Make the cut" Deeks said to Chester. Chester made the cut, thus defusing the bomb.
"Pager five" Chester said.
"Yeah" Deeks replied with a soft chuckle. While Deeks pulled the Geiger counter from the tool kit, Chester pulled out the trigger mechanism. Deeks switched on the counter and handed it to Chester. Chester held it over the bomb and a few seconds later, it beeped, signifying that it had a reading. "What?" Deeks asked.
"Isotope ain't weapons grade" Chester said.
"It's not uranium?" Deeks asked.
"Not U-235" Chester said. "Check Phantom's" he ordered.
"Phantom, we, uh- we got a dummy nuke" Deeks said into his radio. "What's your readout?"
"Negative" Cole replied.
"Both are fakes?" Chester asked.
"Not only that, but these aren't even bombs, they've only been rigged to look like em" Cole added.
"Well ain't that clever. 3 bags, 2 of em fake" Deeks formulated.
"Yeah, but the third one, it's got to the magic prize" Chester said.
1300 hours, 27 May 2001, Counter Terrorist Unit, DC Branch, Washington D.C.
Belknov, who was handcuffed to a table in one of CTU's interrogation rooms, waited for someone to come and question him. He was surprised when a woman walked into the room. "Right now there's a nuclear device being driven toward Dallas, Texas. Call if off" Izzy demanded as place a satellite phone on the table.
"Whom do you expect me to call?" Belknov asked smugly.
"Colonel Lex Jaguden, his men, or the assholes you're working for" Izzy said firmly.
"I am retired, but you know this" Belknov said.
"There's a hell of a lot of ex-KGB like yourself, pedaling nukes for their 401(k)'s" Izzy said as she slammed Belknov's file down on the table.
"Is better than stock market" Belknov replied.
"Call it off" Izzy demanded once again as she picked up the phone.
"Even if your saying is correct, I don't control Jaguden or his men" Belknov told her. "I'm a blissfully ignorant middleman" Belknov said as he folded his hands in his lap.
"A middleman who assassinated the Egyptian President 20 years ago" Izzy said.
"I want a deal" Belknov said. "Immunity inexchange for my help" he offered.
"I'm not making a deal" Izzy said.
"Then I suggest you find some who is authorized to do so" Belknov said.
"No, I don't think you're hearing me" Izzy said as he slammed Belknov's head against the table. "You're not getting a deal" she said. "I'll give you some time to think that over" she said as she walked out.
1310 hours, 27 May 2001, Henrysville, Craighead County, Arkansas, 55 miles northeast of Dallas, Texas.
"Tags match" Liat confirmed after she checked the license plate.
"Yeah, the engine's still warm" Three confirmed as he slammed down the hood of the small Volkswagen. "Must've switched vehicles, which me he knows he took down the other 2 cars" Three reasoned. "Which also means he's been I contact with Jaguden and that he knows" he added.
"You pass the word to Movie Buff?" Liat asked.
"Yeah, he just touched down in D.C" Three said.
"So the car's empty" said Bridget, who Tony had placed in charge of the Texas part of the Op.
"Well, he ain't getting far with a 70 pound duffel bag" Three said.
"He might have what you call it?" Liat asked as she extended her thumb.
"Hitch hiked" Three interpreted.
"There's not much traffic out here" Bridget observed.
"Captain, Mam, we got a call in. There's been an incident up the road a way" said the local LEO who found the abandoned car.
"I don't like the sound of this" Three said.
About a mile down the road, at a gas station, the police had covered up a dead body. He had been shot in the chest twice with what witnessed had identified as a Glock 17. "Carjacked" Liat said.
"Double tap to the chest, no signs of struggle" Bridget said as she looked over the body.
"Not much of a fair fight" Three said as another Local LEO came over.
"A witness inside said she saw a man with a large duffel wandering the parking lot" the officer said.
"Run his license, get a make on his vehicle, and see if anybody saw which way he went" Bridget instructed.
"We know which way. He's going to Dallas" Three said.
1330 hours, 27 May 2001, Counter Terrorist Unit, DC Branch, Washington D.C.
Back at CTU DC, Belknov was smoking a cigarette when Izzy walked back into the interrogation room. Tony, who was dressed in civvies, walked in behind her. "Ready to tell me what I want to know?" Izzy asked.
"No" Belknov replied.
"Where is it?" Tony demanded as he slammed his fist down on the table.
"You have a quick temper" Belknov commented.
"I have a quick temper and the unofficial authorization to kill you if you don't tell me where that bomb is!" Tony yelled as he got right up in the Russian's face.
"You are quick to lose your temper" Belknov said. "That's one of the many things your file says. The one back in Russia" he added. "You think so one in your position does not have file?" Belknov asked rhetorically. "You drink too much, you've made mistakes, you've had failures" Belknov recited.
"What do you know about my failures?" Tony asked.
"I know they led to the events of today" Belknov said.
"How's that?" Tony asked.
"I'll tell you everything you want to know, after I get my deal" Belknov said.
1400 hours, 27 May 2001, Route 67, Sherwood, Texas, 30 miles east of Dallas.
Three mashed the accelerator of the "liberated" FBI cruiser they had stolen. With Liat in the passenger seat acting as navigator, and Bridget in the back as the shooter, the 3 man team flew down Route 67. "That is him up ahead" Liat pointed out. Three put the petal to the metal. "Yeah, that's right, come on go for it" Liat encouraged. The car the target was driving rapidly began to pick up speed.
"He's spotted us" Three declared.
"If it detonates in the city" Bridget warned.
"Yeah, I know, I know" Three replied.
"Get me a little closer" Bridget ordered as she lowered her window. "Steady" she said as they approached. Bridget took careful aim with her 45.
"Take him down!" Liat yelled.
"Might upset the cargo. Then we've all had it" Bridget warned.
"It will far worse if it happens within city limits" Liat countered.
"You are one altruistic bitch" Bridget said as she positioned her torso out of the window for the shot.
"Coming up on the right" Three yelled.
"Steady! Steady!" Bridget yelled back. "Steady!" she repeated as she fired several rounds into the driver's window of the target vehicle. One of the bullets struck the driver in the back of the neck, killing him instantly. The car began to swerve, before finally flipping over into a violent roll. The car careened straight into a divider. The car exploded on impact. "Here we go!" Bridget yelled.
"Hold on!" Three yelled as slammed on the breaks, bringing the car to a screeching halt. The 3 of them got out of the car and cautiously approached the target vehicle.
"Well, no mushroom cloud" Liat said.
"3 cars down, no bombs" Three said.
"Where's the Uranium?" Bridget asked.
1425 hours, 27 May 2001, Counter Terrorist Unit, DC Branch, Washington D.C.
"You have plane ready?" Belknov asked smugly when Tony and Izzy walked back into the room.
"Yeah it's ready" Tony said. "But I have one question. You we're picked up at Union station" Tony said. "With a ticket in your pocket for Chicago" Tony added. "Well here's my question. Why did you get to the station 3 hours before your train departed?" Tony asked.
"Because I did not want to miss train" Belknov said. "Are you going to let a nuke blow up in your country, all to satisfy this man's curiosity" Belknov asked Izzy.
"We have new Intel, that the bomb is headed for Boston. We don't need you" Tony said.
"You don't know where in Boston" Belknov said. "Fly me there and I might be able to stop it"
"There is no new intel about Boston. You're lying" Tony yelled. "The bomb is headed her to Washington isn't it?" Tony demanded. "The one thing you were desperate for is to get out of here" Tony stated. "We're in the blast zone aren't we?"
"You're going to fill millions of more tombs if you don't get me on that plane" Belknov said.
"Maybe so, but you die first" said Tony as he drew his 45 and fired 2 shots into Belknov's chest. Tony holstered his weapon and reached down to check Belknov's pockets. He pulled out a piece of paper that read "Tomb US" Tony read aloud.
"What does that mean?" Izzy asked.
"I have an idea" Tony said as he stormed out.
1500 hours, 27 May 2001, Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
"Your friend not here?" Billy asked Jaguden as they waited for Belknov to arrive. "I think the tomb of the unknowns is around here somewhere" Billy said as Jaguden made a phone call.
"Someone once said" Jaguden began as he put his phone is his pocket. "Who was it? 'During Wartime, truth is so precious, that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies'" he recited as Billy picked up a fallen miniature US Flag and placed it up right.
"It was Prime Minister Winston Churchill, on D-Day, 6 June 44'" Billy informed him.
"Very impressive" said Jaguden as he screwed a silencer onto his Makarov pistol. When he made a move towards Billy, Billy quickly countered it. Hitman and Jaguden traded blows back and forth before Billy wrestled the Colonel to the ground, landing several more blows. Jaguden got desperate and kneed Billy in the groin. He threw Billy off of him and dove for the pistol. Jaguden grabbed the pistol and aimed at Billy when 2 shots erupted threw Jaguden's chest. Blood pooled in Jaguden's mouth as he fell forward. Billy looked up and saw tony jogging towards him. Tony stopped and stood over Jaguden before firing another round into his chest.
"Thanks" Billy said as he rested his hands on his knees.
"Well, I haven't saved us yet" Tony said. "The bomb's here somewhere" Tony explained.
"What about the other 3 cars?" Billy asked.
"Decoys. All of em" Tony answered.
"Jaguden said we were here to pick up his contact, his supplier, Belknov" Billy said.
"Belknov is dead. He was going to kill you and make you look responsible" Tony explained.
"There's no bomb in the car" Billy said.
"It's here! Somewhere where Jaguden could get at it" Tony stated.
"It's not in the car… its part of the car" Billy concluded.
"This is ground zero" Tony said as they rushed over to the car. They spent the next few minutes tearing apart the BMW, finding nothing.
"Find anything?" Billy called out.
"The others were 70 pound cylinders….. The drive shaft" Tony concluded as he dropped to the ground to get a look at the car's undercarriage. "Fresh welding" Tony observed.
"Any trigger device?" Billy asked.
"The other 3 were digitally activated, via cell phone" Tony explained.
"Jaguden's cell, he dialed someone before" Billy recalled. "He's already activated it" Billy said frantically.
"Then the clock's ticking" Tony said.
"He would've given himself time to get out of the blast range" Billy said as he checked his watch.
"No way to know how much time that gives us" Tony pointed out. "Time to earn our pay" Tony said as he dialed Cole's number.
"Listen Top, if the bomb is in the drive shaft, it's gonna be the same gun-type design" Cole explained. "The target at one end and the uranium bullet at the other"
"What about the detonator?" Tony asked.
"No time. Your only choice is to cut the cylinder in half" Cole explained.
"The drive shaft?" Tony asked.
"Yes. Break the shaft in the middle. Keep the bullet from hitting the uranium core" Cole continued to explain. "It won't disarm the bomb, but it will keep it from going nuclear"
"I've got nothing that'll cut steel" Tony said.
"I got it" Billy said as he ran over to a nearby maintenance truck.
"Okay. You're gonna have to get under that car somehow. You're gonna have to jack it up"
Tony quickly looked around for something he could use. He spotted a freshly dug grave and smiled. "Well, we've come to the right place. Hold one" Tony said. Tony quickly started the car and moved it over the grave, while Billy came running back with a reciprocating saw. Tony applied the emergency brake and got out of the car. Tony dropped down into the hole and Billy handed him the saw. "Light" Tony said, and Billy handed him a flashlight. Tony handed Billy his cell.
"Ok Phantom, we're a go" Billy said.
"Billy, tell Top that before he does it, he has to know this. Once he makes that 1st cut, he'll be exposed to the radiation.
"How much?" Billy asked.
"90 seconds" Cole said. "Any more than that, and the radiation will"
"Got it" Billy said as he hung up and tossed Tony the phone. "You got 90 seconds Top" Billy said.
"I go it, don't wanna dig my own grave" Tony joked.
"Godspeed" Billy said as Tony made the 1st cut. Tony continued to push the saw through the metal. "30 seconds" gone Billy said as he checked his watch.
"Almost there" Tony replied.
"Come on, come on!" Billy pleaded.
"Fuck!" Tony yelled. "The saw's caught in the cut" Tony yelled.
"Push it!" Billy yelled. "50 seconds gone"
"Fuck this" Tony muttered as he threw the drill to the ground and reached up. Using all the strength he could muster, Tony broke the drive shaft in 2. Suddenly, the car started rolling backwards.
"Brake's slipping! The car's gonna fall on you!" Billy yelled. Billy tried pushing the car back as it rolled completely over the grave.
"Hey I can't get out. The radiation" Tony realized. "Get out of here!" Tony ordered.
"Not without you Top" Billy grunted as he jerked the car back. Tony quickly grabbed the saw and shoved it behind the wheel. Without wasting another second, Tony quickly climbed out of the grave. Tony and Billy sprinted away just as the car exploded, the force of the blast throwing them to the ground.
"That was fun!" Tony laughed as he pulled out his phone. "All callsigns this is Movie Buff. It's over" he said proudly.
1800 hours, 27 May 2001, Oval Office, West Wing, White House, Washington D.C.
Now dressed in their Class-A dress uniforms, Tony and Billy walked into the oval office where President Bush, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, and Brigadier General Morrell where waiting. "Mr. President, may I present Lieutenant Colonel Anthony DiNozzo Jr. and 1st Lieutenant William Hazard" said one of the President's aides.
"Sir" Tony and Billy said as they snapped to attention and saluted.
"At ease Gentlemen" The President said as he stood up to shake their hands. "Colonel DiNozzo, it's my understanding that this fine nation owes you quite the debt of gratitude" President Bush.
"I serve at her pleasure Mr. President" said Tony, her referring the The United States.
"Yes, well, General Morrell informs me that until a suitable replacement can be found, you will be in command of The Delta Force" Bush said.
"Yes Mr. President" Tony replied.
"Lieutenant Hazard" The President said as he moved onto Billy.
"Mr. President, I'm prepared to face any disciplinary measures deemed necessary by my actions" Billy said.
"That won't be necessary, Lieutenant Hazard" said General Morrell as he stood up from the couch. "Per the President's instructions, and at the request of Colonel DiNozzo, I have spoken with Major General Huffman, The Army's Judge Advocate General. He agrees that any fallout from this operation should be laid at the feet of Colonel Barrett" Morrell said. "Lieutenant Hazard is in the clear, from the JAG Corp anyway. If Lieutenant Colonel DiNozzo decides to take disciplinary actions; that will be his prerogative" Morrell said.
"Lieutenant Hazard, is there anything you can tell us about who Colonel Jaguden's backers were?" asked Secretary Rumsfeld.
"No Sir, but I can tell you that the plan was not sanctioned by the Canadian government" Billy said.
"How so?" Rumsfeld asked.
"From what I know, General Clarke is an egomaniac. If he was behind this, he would want the world to know it" Billy explained. "But whoever it was, had a lot of money, and a huge ax to grind with the United States" Billy calculated.
"Any ideas on who that might be?" Bush asked the 2 of them.
"Sir, if you want me to start listing my enemies, you're grandkids will be your age by the time I'm finished" Tony said.
"I see that there is a lot of things I've inherited from my predecessors that I still don't know about" Bush confessed.
"If that will be all Sir" Tony said.
"Dismissed Gentlemen" Bush said. Tony and Billy snapped to attention, saluted, and turned to leave.
"Oh, Colonel DiNozzo, I have one question" Bush said, stopping Tony in his tracks. "I've been reviewing the file Lieutenant Colonel Mann has been building on you" Bush said. "I'm able to get answers for most of the things in here, except one" Bush read. "What is 'Operation Cobra Venom'?" he asked.
"Sir, if I were to answer that I would be committing treason" Tony said as he ducked out of the room. In the hall, Billy was waiting for him.
"Top, you'll have my resignation on your desk by 0730 tomorrow" Billy said as top slipped on his braided Officers' cap.
"That won't be necessary 1st Lieutenant" Tony said as they walked out. "I won't accept it" Tony said as he returned the salute of the marine guards.
"But why?" Billy asked.
"The Unit needs good men kid, and you're it" Tony said as they entered the parking garage. "Now, I have to go speak with my wife about us taking in Erica Jane until she's finished with College. And I believe a certain someone is waiting for you back at the T.O.C" Tony said as he opened the door of his 67' Mustang. "Go get er' kid" Tony said as he got into his car and started the engine.
2230 hours, 27 May 2001, Unit Locker room, Unit Compound, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Izzy was at her locker changing her shirt, when she heard the door to the locker room open. "Do you guys always have to wait until I'm changing my shirt to walk in?" she called out.
"Oh, I um" stuttered a familiar voice. "I'm sorry" he said as he turned to leave.
"No, Billy, wait" Izzy said as she dropped her shirt and grab Billy's arm. She swung him into the bank of lockers and pressed her body up against him. "You are not leaving until we talk" she said firmly.
"Ok" Billy said. "Iz… Staff Sergeant" he said, as he couldn't bring himself to use her name. "What I did was inexcusable" he said. "If I hadn't let Colonel Barrett talk me into doing his dirty work, none of this would ever have happened to you" Billy said with a tear in his eye.
"Billy if not you, then Barrett would have found someone else" Izzy told him.
"But you are my partner, it's my job to have your back" Billy said.
"And you always have" she said as he took his right hand in both of hers, and moved it over her heart. "And, you have always had this too" she said. "I love you Billy, nothing will ever change that" she declared.
"Izzy, I um, um" Billy stammered.
"Do you love me Billy?" Izzy asked. Billy nodded his head numerous times, causing Izzy to giggle. "Then shut up and kiss me" she said as she attacked his mouth with her own.
0530 hours, 28 May 2001, National Mall, Washington D.C.
It was early, and the sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon as Tony, now dressed in his civvies, strode along the National Mall in between the Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial. It was a quiet and peaceful morning, a nice change from the past week. When he reached the Lincoln Memorial, Tony stopped and took a seat on the steps. A few minutes later, a man dressed in a suit sat down next to him. "You're late Clay" Tony said to him.
"Cut me some slack Tony" Clayton Webb replied. "If it makes you feel better, your intel did pan out. We got Belknov's handler" Clay said as he handed him a file.
"Major Anna Devane, KGB" Tony read.
"She was Belknov's and Rokotov's Control Officer during and after the Cold War" Clay said.
"Was?" Tony inquired.
"Frisco caught up with her in Northwestern Canada. He put 3 in her back" Webb said.
"Which means everything she had she took with her to the grave" Tony said.
"Not quite" Webb corrected him. "Frisco also managed to get his hands on Major Devane's files"
"Any leads onto who contracted her to supply the uranium?" Tony asked.
"No, nothing that good, but we did come up with something good" Webb said. "Devane had recently been contacted by Hezbollah, they are looking to contract Rokotov for a job. She was due to head to Beirut in one week's time to negotiate the terms" Webb said.
"Now, with both Devane and Belknov dead, Rokotov is seemingly on his own" Tony said. "Which means that Rokotov will have to travel to Beirut himself" Tony concluded. "Thanks Webb" Tony said as he patted him on the back. Tony stood up and started to walk away.
"DiNozzo, what are you planning?" Webb asked him.
"Don't worry about it" Tony said.
1000 hours, 28 May 2001, Tactical Operations Center, Unit Compound, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
"Freedom, where the hell is everybody?" Tony asked when he walked into the T.O.C and found it deserted.
"Morrell gave them the day off" Tali said.
"Morrell?"
"He's waiting for you in your office" Tali informed him.
"Great" said Tony. "Probably here to chew me out" Tony said as he walked into his office. Inside, he found Morrell sitting on his desk. "Maybe tomorrow I'll head over to the Pentagon and site on your desk and look through your stuff" Tony said as he closed the door behind him.
"Nice to see you too DiNozzo" Morrell said.
"Why are you here Irv?" Tony asked as he sat down at his desk.
"You're going to be quite busy trying to track down the people responsible for the acts of the past few months" Morrell said as he stood up. "I'm re-activating the Bravo Team. It's been out of action since Captain Bauer's departure, and it's high time that it's back in action" Morrell said.
"Who did you have in mind to lead it?" Tony asked.
"I'm getting to that" Morrell said. "Naturally, Staff Sergeants Weston and Cole will once again be on the team. But we're adding 2 more enlisted men" Morrell said as he handed 2 files to Tony.
"Master Sergeant Ronald Everett Gardocki, call sign 'Iceman'" Tony said as he scanned the 1st file and placed it down. "Sergeant 1st Class Tavon Garris, call sign 'Panther'" Tony read. "Ok, they sound fine, I'll read the rest later" Tony said as he pushed the files aside. "But you still haven't answered my question. Who did you have in mind to lead it?" Tony pushed. Morrell smiled and walked over to the door.
Morrell opened it a crack and yelled. "Sergeant Colleton, send him in please". A few seconds later, a young man, maybe 21 or 22 years old, walked in. he was in uniform, but it wasn't one Tony had seen before. It was the same cut as his, but it was Dark Navy Blue. He looked like he belonged in The Army of The Potomac, not The Unit. Then Tony saw his face.
"Oh my god, what the hell are you doing here?" Tony said.
A/N- WOW! 21 reviews for 1 chapter! You guys are awesome. Thank you so much. This only serves to prove why y'all are the greatest fans in the whole world
Oh- and please feel free to take a guess as to the identity of the new Bravo team leader