Chapter 32
First In
0320 hours local time, 26 September 2001, Gardez, Afghanistan.
"All set?" Tony asked as Chester and Cole finished installing the PKP Machine Guns on top of the 2 small Toyota pickup trucks.
"All set Top" Chester said as he jumped out of the bed.
"Good" he said. Everyone was dressed in local garb, which meant that even Tony was dressed like a Mujahedeen Resistance Fighter. After the Soviet Invasion ended in 1988, The Mujahedeen split in 2, one becoming the Taliban, and the other half remaining with the Mujahedeen. By 1993, The Taliban had won, and the Mujahedeen had been fighting them ever since. "Ok listen up. Howitzer, keep Bravo out here with Hitman and Freedom until you here otherwise, clear" Tony ordered.
"Understood Mon Colonel" Junior Lieutenant Galtier replied.
"Good. Freedom, kept in contact with Marshlands" he added. "If we're walking into a shit storm, I wanna know about it before we get there" Tony said.
"Copy that Top" Tali said. "Good luck Movie Buff" she added.
"Sky Train, Dragnet, Ironman, let's move" Tony said. "Dragnet, you're with me in the lead vehicle" Tony said as he tossed the keys to Deeks. "Ironman and Sky Train, follow behind"
This was a different type of mission. This would be like Iraq and Somalia. It wasn't one and done anymore. They were all in it for the long hall this time. Deeks and Three started their respective trucks and they drove off into the night. As they drove, each man began to reflect on what may have been their final goodbye with their families.
"But I do not understand, why can I not go with you?" Liat asked for the millionth time.
"I already explained this to you Liat. If you're not going to stay here, then you're going back to Israel" Tony said.
"Do you really suspect that Director David had something to do with this?" Liat asked.
"I don't know… maybe" Tony answered as he finished packing his duffle bag.
"When will you be home?" Kate asked.
"I don't know" Tony replied.
"Christmas?" Kate asked.
"I don't know, that's what I don't know means" Tony replied. "Three, let's get a move on" Tony yelled as he threw his olive green duffle over his shoulder.
"On your heels" said Three as he appeared in the hallway, his duffle on his back. The 2 men made their way outside, walking toward their respective vehicles. Tony walked over to his blue 67' Mustang and used his key to open the trunk. He tossed the duffle inside. He slammed the trunk shut and turned around. He stepped back onto his front lawn and pulled his wife into a tight hug.
"I'm gonna miss you" Kate said whispered as she buried her face in the crook of Tony's neck.
"I'll miss you too" Tony whispered back. Kate took a step back, and Erica Jane moved forward. "Stay safe ok" Tony told her. "Did you setup everything with Uncle Rick?" he asked.
"Yes, I'll be spending the remainder of my medical leave with him and Alexis. They could use the company right now" Erica Jane said.
"Unfortunately that is very true" Tony said as he kissed her forehead, and gave her a quick hug. "Liat?" Tony asked.
"Ken Abba?" she replied.
"Get over here" Tony instructed as he held open his arms. Liat rushed forward and engulfed her father in a bone crushing hug.
"Be safe Abba" she said with tears in her eyes. "Bring you and my little brother home safe" she said.
Meanwhile, Three was saying his goodbyes to Karine, who was leaning up against Three's Mustang Mach I. "You will come home" Karine to him as she used her hands to cup his face. She then grabbed his right hand and placed it over her left chest. "This belongs to you know" she told him.
"Your left tit?" Three joked with a huge grin. Karine punched him in the arm.
"My heart, you big idiot" she said.
"I'm going to miss the way you slaughter the English language" he told her.
"Oh, is that the only thing you're going to miss?" Karine asked with a naughty smile. Three pulled her into one monster of a kiss, which was only broken up by the yelling of his father.
"Come on Three, enough with the grab-ass" Tony ordered.
"Yes Sir" Three replied sarcastically.
"Move it, come say goodbye to your mother and sisters"
"Coming" Three said as he gave Karine one last kiss.
"Enough" Chester yelled as he shut off the trucks radio.
"Problems Ironman?" Tony said over the radio.
"Just your son's choice in music, the hits of the Hindu Kush" Chester joked.
"I'll take that over Dragnet's Hip-Hop any day" Tony joked.
"Feeling cranky old man?" Three joked.
"Hey, this old man can kick your ass every day of the week and twice on Sunday, you best remember that sonny boy" Tony countered. Before Three had the chance to think of what to say next, Deeks cut in.
"Eyes up, we got a roadblock ahead" he warned.
"Don't worry, these are Tariq's guys" Tony said. Deeks pulled the truck to a stop at the roadblock as a man approached. "Hey Tariq, where's your boss?" Tony asked in his flawless Dari.
"Who's asking?" replied Tariq as he slowly approached the passenger side door, an AK-74 in his hands.
"The man who fucked his mother" Tony replied. Tariq burst out laughing at Tony's response.
"He awaits your arrival in the town square" Tariq informed them.
"Thank you" Tony said as he signaled for Deeks to continue on.
"That was fun" commented Chester.
"How long is it gonna be this time?" Meg asked, leaning against the doorframe as she watched her husband pack.
"Till the job is done" Chester replied. "Are you and little Johnny gonna be ok without me? Chester asked her.
"Johnny is too young to know any better" Meg said as she stepped forward. "But I shall miss you, with all my heart" she said as she slipped her hands around his neck. She pulled her husband into a furiously passionate kiss, forcing her tongue down his throat in the process. When they finally came up for air, they rested their foreheads against one another. "I'm going to miss that the most" Chester said, nearly out of breath.
"Oh really?" Meg asked as she cocked one of her eye brows. Slowly, one of her hands dropped from around Chester's next and dropped to his waistline. "Are you sure that's what you're gonna miss most?" Meg asked.
"I knew there was a reason I married you" Chester said as he pulled her into another passionate kiss.
"Eyes up and out gentlemen, welcome to Gardez" Tony said as they drove into the town square. The 2 Toyota pickups pulled into the town square, where the 4 men exited the vehicles. "Howitzer, this is Movie Buff, over" Tony said into his radio.
"Go for Howitzer" Chris Galtier answered.
"Have made contact with our friends, awaiting your arrival" Tony said.
"Understood Movie Buff, on our way" Galtier replied. A few minutes later, Bravo Team pulled up in 2 more Toyota Pickups. Behind them were Billy and Tali, driving an old Soviet Army truck left behind in 1988.
"Took your sweet time didn't you" Tony commented.
"In your eye" Billy said as he jumped down.
"Just because somebody thought it would be a good idea to promote you to Captain, doesn't mean you get to dilly-dally" Tony told him.
"Did you really just say dilly-dally?" Billy joked, for which he received a swift kick in the nuts by Tali. Billy grabbed his junk and collapsed to his knees. "What happened to the head slaps?" he gasped.
"It's a time of war, Hitman" Tony joked. "Alright, Freedom, Ironman, Sky Train and Howitzer and Vegas" he said, Vegas being Master Sergeant Gardocki's new call sign. "Inside with me" Tony said. The group of five walked into the main building, where they found their man waiting for him.
"Ah, Lieutenant Colonel DiNozzo, my favorite infidel American Pig-Dog" The man said, he left hand clutched around the fore grip of an AK-47.
"And Kamran Shah, my favorite sand nigger" Tony replied, drawing both looks of pure shock from Galtier and Gardocki.
"It has been far too long my friend" Shah said as he held out is arms, as he and Tony shared an embrace.
"Indeed it has" Tony replied. "I see that you and your men are still fighting the good fight" Tony observed.
"The Mujahedeen are committed to a Democratic Afghanistan. We are prepared to die for our cause if necessary" Shah said.
"Is that an English accent?" Chester asked.
"A hangover from my days at Oxford" Shah said.
"Oxford?" Chester asked.
"Yes, does this surprise you, Master Sergeant Martin?" Shah asked. Chester went to go for his 45, when Tony stopped him.
"Take it easy Ironman" Tony said calmingly. "Kamran has been the C.I.A's chief contact here in Afghanistan since the Soviet Invasion back in 79'" Tony explained as he stepped forward. "I believe you have something for me" Tony whispered in Shah's ear. Shah nodded and then nodded towards a door off to the side.
"In there" Shah whispered back. Tony nodded in reply.
"Freedom" Tony said as he nodded towards the door.
"Right" Tali said as she entered the room.
"Three, give her a hand" Tony instructed.
"Yes Sir" said Three as he shouldered his M-4. Three walked into the room alongside Tali. On the floor of the room were several long metal ammo crates. Tali popped open the 1st one. When she did, Chester saw what was inside, stacks of cash money, Euros, to be exacted.
"What the?" he said quietly to himself, unfortunately for him, not quiet enough. Tali looked up and saw Chester staring. Three saw him too and quickly reacted by shutting the door.
1900 hours, 25 September 2001, West Wing, White House, Washington D.C.
To say that Sonny hated being back in Uniform was a complete understatement. But what he hated even more than that was being drafted as interim Chief of Staff to President McCain. "I hate this" Sonny muttered as he walked into the President's outer office.
"Rough day Mr. Corinthos?" asked Delores Landingham, The President's Secretary.
"Everyday I spend in Washington is a rough day" Sonny said. "Is he free?" Sonny asked.
"You do know that as his Chief of Staff, you have 'walk in' privileges, not to mention there is a door in your office that leads straight to the Oval Office" she said.
"It's not my office, it's the Chief of Staff's office, and I will not use that door, nor do I have 'walk in' privileges, as I am NOT, repeat NOT, The President's chief of staff" Sonny told her.
"Keep telling yourself that, Mr. Corinthos" she said. "And you can go on in, he's been expecting you"
"Thank you" Sonny told her as he walked in, shutting the door behind him. "Mr. President"
"Sonny, you do know that your office has a door that leads straight to mine?" President McCain asked.
"Yes Sir" Sonny replied.
"Still convinced that you're not my Chief of Staff?" the President asked.
"Only because it's true" Sonny said as he dropped a folder on The President's desk. "Steve Atwood, former Chief of Staff to the now deceased Speaker of the House" Sonny said.
"I'll take it under advisement" McCain said as he put the folder to the side. "What's going on in Afghanistan?" McCain asked.
"Delta is on the ground Sir, the War of Terror has officially begun" Sonny said.
"And so it begins" McCain said.
0415 hours local time, 26 September 2001, Gardez, Afghanistan.
"Gardez is completely secure, with the exception on the sector here" said Kamran, as he pointed to the map. "Here, in the north, there are a number of Taliban fighters, hold up on houses on both side of the street" Shah warned.
"Then, it looks like we've got some street sweeping to do" Tony said. He looked around the table and everyone nodded. "Ok then, I'll take Dragnet, Ironman and Hitman" Tony said as Tali exited the side room. "Excuse me" Tony said as he walked over to Tali. "Well?" Tony asked.
"It's all there, 200" she replied.
"And what is that in US Dollars?" Tony asked.
"If I've done my math right, just over two seventy" Tali said.
"Ok, get it loaded up and to the southern perimeter of the town. Marshlands has arranged for a CH-47 to meet you" Tony told her.
"What's his cut?" Tali asked with a smile.
"2.5" Tony said.
"And you?" she asked.
"The rest goes straight to my father" Tony said. "Get moving, take Three with you" he ordered.
"Yes Sir" she replied.
"Now, where were we?" Tony asked as he rejoined them at the table.
"Mon Colonel, what was all of that?" asked Junior Lieutenant Galtier.
"None of your concern, Howitzer" Tony told him. "Bravo Team will head west… to Bagram. In 4 days, The Mujahedeen, The Northern Alliance and The Unit will take Bagram Airbase by force.
"Why Bagram?" asked Master Sergeant Gardocki.
"Because, ya stupid Polack, its only 38 miles from Kabul, and it's large enough to accommodate a C-5" Tony said. "Let's move" Tony ordered.
20 Minutes Later-
"Hitman, overwatch" Tony ordered as they exited the Pickup Truck. "Wait" he said as he pulled out something from the bed. "This is an SR-25 Sniper Rifle, fires a 7.62x.51 mm round" Tony said. "This is why I had you leave the Karabiner at home" Tony said as he handed the rifle to Billy.
"Here" Billy said as he handed his K-98 Sniper rifle to Izzy. "Top told me to leave it home. It's yours' now" Billy said.
"Billy, I don't know what to say" she said. "Why?" she asked.
"Because, I want it to go to someone who will appreciate it" he told her.
"Just come home" Izzy said.
"I will" Billy promised as he held up his pinky. Izzy smiled and intertwined her pinky with his.
"You ready?" Tony asked.
"I'm ready" Billy said as he made his way to a nearby rooftop.
"Dragnet, Ironman, take the front" Tony ordered. "Dragnet, take this" Tony said as he reached into the bed of the truck once again.
"What?" Deeks asked.
"Keys to the front door" said Tony as tossed him an MCS-870 pump-action shotgun.
"Will do" said Deeks as he pumped it, chambering the 1st shell.
"Breaching" Deeks said over the radio as he and Chester breeched the front of the building. As they did, Tony silently walked around the side of the building. When he approached the sliding garage door, he grabbed an M-33 baseball grenade and pulled the pin. He quickly pulled up the garage door, tossed in the grenade, and slammed the door shut.
"3…2…1" Tony said. The grenade exploded, leaving a rather large dent in the door itself. Tony quickly drew his 45 and slid open the door, quickly finishing off the 4 wounded Taliban inside. "Back is clear!" Tony called out.
"Front's clear too" Chester yelled in reply.
0600 hours local time, 25 miles Northwest of Gardez, Afghanistan.
"Here it comes" Three pointed out as the CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter came into view.
"200 million Euros" Tali said. "Sonny's gotta be happy about that" she added with a smile.
"I'm sure he will" Three said. "Especially once he's out from under McCain's thumb" Three said.
"So it's on? Miami?" Tali asked.
"With the Border Patrol and Coast Guard cracking down, it's the perfect time" Three said. "Hey, somethin' ain't right about this bird" Three said
"That's because it is not ours" Tali pointed out. When the CH-47 came in for a landing, Three knew what she meant, as an Irish tricolor, was painted on the tail rotor.
"Since when are The Irish in the fight?" Three yelled.
"Since we got tired of killin Brits" said a very Irish voice as the rear ramp dropped, and off stepped an officer. He wore the distinctive Shoulder Flash and Green Beret of The Irish ARW, Army Ranger Wing. His shoulder boards signified him to be a Commandant, the Irish equivalent of a Major.
"Holy Shit, since when do you wear a Green Beret?" Three asked.
"Since they made me father a Lieutenant General" the man replied.
"You've certainly stepped up from a Commander in the IRA" Tali commented. "Commandant Sheamus McKevitt of The Irish Army Ranger Wing. Has a nice ring to it" she joked.
"Colonel Colleton said that you have a package in need of delivery" Sheamus said.
"200 Million Euros" Tali said. "Sonny's collecting old debts. You guys have until the end of the year to pay up your tab" Tali told him.
"I'll inform me father. You don't mind being paid in gold do ya?" Sheamus asked.
"I'll pass it on" Tali said.
0700 hours local time, 16 September 2001, Gardez, Afghanistan.
"The Package is on it's way" Tali said as she jumped out of the truck.
"Excellent" Tony said.
"Everything prepped for Bagram?" Tali asked.
"Bravo Team is setting up know" Tony said.
"You served in Desert Storm right?" Tali asked.
"September 90'-February 91'" Tony said. "Why?" he asked.
"I have this nagging feeling like we're gonna be here awhile" she said. "A long while" she added.
"I've had the same feeling" Tony said. "Are you prepared for the long haul?" he asked.
"I'm a Colleton, I was born ready" she replied.
"So am I, but the real question is, is everyone else" Tony asked.
"Three and Liat were born into this life" Tali said. "Bravo Team seems fine, and as long as Billy has Izzy with him, he'll be ok too. My Father made it through Panama, Desert Storm and Somalia, and Chester did the same. That only leaves" she paused.
"Deeks" Tony said. "Ya know, now that I think about it, he was the only one I didn't see say goodbye to someone" Tony said.
"Yeah… Me neither" added Tali.
"It must be nice, having someone to say goodbye to" Deeks said to himself, as he threw his pack into the back of his Ford Fairlane.
"You could always say goodbye to me" said a female voice.
"Tals, what are you doing here?" Deeks asked once he looked up.
"Just wanted to check on you, make sure you were ok" she replied.
"I'm fine, why wouldn't I be" Deeks replied.
"I just wanted to be sure" Tali said as she gave him a sweet smile.
"Thanks Tals" he said.
"So… no goodbye?" she asked.
"But you're going with us" Deeks said.
"So?" Tali said as she shrugged her shoulders.
"Come here" Deeks said as he laughed and smiled before engulfing Tali in a warm, loving embrace. Tali quickly returned it. "Goodbye Tali" he said as he gave her a kiss on the cheek before breaking the embrace.