Chapter 34
One Life To Live
0500 hours, 7 October 2001, Tactical Operations Center, Unit Compound, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
"Hollis Mann?" Bridget asked.
"Yeah" Izzy replied.
"What does she want?" Bridget asked.
"She didn't say" Izzy said. Bridget took a deep breath and quickly made sure her 45 was in her holster.
"Then why don't we give the good Major a good 'ole Unit greeting" Bridget said. She and Izzy left the T.O.C, only to find Karine standing there with Major Mann and her IAD Team. "What can I do for you Major?" Bridget asked.
"Where is Colonel Colleton?" Mann asked.
"Classified" Bridget replied, getting right in Mann's face.
"Oh is that right?" Mann asked, as she and Bridget stood toe to toe.
"Oh yes it is" Bridget replied.
"Well than, who is the ranking Officer on-site?" Mann asked.
"That would be me" Bridget said.
"Well than" Mann said as she produced a piece of paper from her pocket. "GIGN Sergeant Karine DuBois, and Staff Sergeant Izabella Freya Howsham-Gibbs, you are both under arrest for espionage against the United States of America" Mann read. "Take them" she ordered to her men. 2 of her men stepped forward and grabbed Karine, slamming her against the wall as they cuffed her. Before they could make a move towards Izzy, both she and Bridget drew her weapons, Bridget her 45, and Izzy her Walther PPK.
Suddenly, Izzy fell a sharp pain in her back, followed by several jolts of electricity, causing her muscles to contract and spasm. Her pistol dropped from her hand and Izzy collapsed to the ground. Mann's people rushed forward and placed Izzy in handcuffs. Bridget slowly backed up against the wall as Mann's men dragged Karine and Izzy away.
1435 hours, 7 October 2001, Bagram Air Force Base, Bagram, Afghanistan.
"Hitman, Sky Train, front and center" Tony yelled after he received a call from Bridget. Billy and Three came running up.
"What is it Top?" Billy asked.
"Hollis Mann is on the war path again" Tony said. "She just had Karine and Izzy arrested on trumped-up Espionage charges" Tony said. "Bridget, Colonel Colleton and Meg are on their way to DC to get them out" he finished.
"Top, request permission to fly to DC" Billy said.
"Me too" Three added.
"We hit Kabul in 3 days" Tony said. "I can't spare you" Tony said.
"What if we make it back by then?" Three said.
"You won't" Tony said.
"Come on Top, we can't let the bitch win" Billy said.
"Alright fine, go" Tony said. "Get 'em out" Tony said, as Billy and Three took of running. Tony walked over to the control tower, where Deeks was leaning against the wall.
"What's up Top?" Deeks asked.
"Hollis Mann is back" Tony said.
"The CID Internal Affairs bitch?" Deeks asked.
"The one and only" Tony said.
"What's her plan now?" Deeks asked.
"She just had Izzy and Karine arrested" Tony said.
"Do Billy and Three know?" Deeks asked him.
"I just told them" Tony informed him. "There taking the next available flight stateside" Tony said.
"Shit" Deeks said. "What about the rest of us?" he asked.
"The CDS Assault Forces hits the beaches at 0400 on the 9th. We take Kabul on the 10th" Tony said.
"Sounds good" Deeks said pushed himself off the wall. "See ya around Top" Deeks said as he started to walk away. Before he made it 2 feet, Tony grabbed Deeks' arm.
"Hold up" Tony said. "We need to talk" he said sternly.
"What about?" Deeks asked as he crossed his arms.
"Tali" Tony said.
"So I take it you know. About the kiss" Deeks confessed.
"Tali is my partner and my best friend" Tony told him. "You break her heart, I'll break ya neck" he threatened.
"My intentions are pure" Deeks said as he held up his hands.
"Oh I'm sure" Tony replied sarcastically. "We hit Kabul in less than 3 days time, just stay focused" he added as he padded Deeks on the shoulder.
0400 hours local time, 9 October 2001, Southern Coast, Afghanistan.
"0400" said Master Sergeant Gardocki as he checked his watch. "Phantom, turn on the porch light" he said.
"Right" Cole said as he flicked the switch, which ignited several red flares along the shoreline. In the distance, the very distinct sound of UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters could be heard. "And so it begins" Cole said.
0300 hours local time, 10 October 2001, 5 miles south of Kabul, Afghanistan.
"Ok, listen up" Tony said as gathered around the table with a map laid out. "If we don't do this right, then we're gonna have a serious problem on our hands" Tony said. "Ok, Phase 1" Tony began. "AJ" Tony said as he looked over to Captain Alan James Quartermaine Jr. "At 0600 hours, Captain Quartermaine's Rangers, along with the Alpha Team, will insert into the Arg, The Afghani Presidential Palace, via Helo, and secure it. The Arg has a total 83 square acres. He will secure every inch of it" he said.
"My men are ready" confirmed Captain Quartermaine.
"Excellent" Tony said. "Now, Alpha Team is 2 men short, Captain Hazard and Staff Sergeant DiNozzo are stateside" Tony informed the small group. "That being said, Captain Quartermaine will be my number 2" Tony said.
"Yes Sir" Quartermaine replied.
"Now, Sergeant 1st Class Colleton and Staff Sergeant Deeks will be responsible for the primary target, Mohammed Omar, the leader of the Taliban" Tony instructed. "Omar is to be taken alive, Hooah?"
"Hooah" Tali and Deeks replied at the same time.
"Now, Master Sergeant Martin, you will be responsible for collecting any intel we may find inside. Locations of Osama Bin-Laden and any intel on ISI presence in Afghanistan take priority" Tony said.
"Right" Chester said.
"Ok, once the Arg is secure, Lieutenant Colonel Manning's Ground Force, consisting of the 2 remaining Ranger Battalions and elements of the 10th Mountain, supported by Bravo Team, will blast it's way into the city and make the rv at the Arg. Todd, are your men ready?" Tony asked.
"Ready" Lieutenant Colonel Thomas "Todd" Manning replied.
"Permission to speak Top" Chester spoke up.
"Granted" Tony said as he slipped on his tan Ranger beret.
"Top, like you I served in Somalia, as did Colonel Manning" Chester began. "This sounds an awful lot like the same bullshit plan we had then" Chester said.
"I know, but this time, we do have the M1A1s and AC-130 Spectres" Tony said. "But still, I know what you mean. I know that this is verse for verse from Somalia, but this time it'll work" Tony assured them. "Our own Air Force and Navy have spent the past 3 days bombing the city. We have them available for tasking, as well as CDS Air Units" Tony said.
"Who do we have?" Deeks asked.
"The Germans have flown in an attack helicopter squadron and they've landed an armored division. The Irish have sent the Army Ranger Wing" Tony informed him.
"Sounds like a plan T" Colonel Manning said.
"We only have one life to live gentlemen, let's make something out of it" Tony said. "Alright, go make sure your men are ready. Manning, with me" Tony said as the meeting broke up. Tony exited the tent with Todd following close behind. Tony pulled out 2 cigars, quickly cut them, and handed one to Todd. After they lit up, Tony finally spoke. "You ready?" Tony asked.
"We're one the 5-yard line son, you Delta Boys are gonna need my Rangers" Todd joked, quoting something then Captain Irving Morrell had said back when they were in Somalia. After Tony finally stopped laughing, Todd spoke again. "Don't worry Tony, we're ready" Todd assured him.
"Good, because if you ain't, I'm gonna give your scare a matching set" Tony said, referring to the scare Todd had on his right cheek; a memento of a Bosnian knife fight back in 96'.
"Ouch" Todd said as he rubbed the scare with his hand. "So how's Kate and the kiddies?" Todd asked as he hopped onto a oil drum.
"Kate's still in DC, Three is stateside somewhere, Liat is back in Israel, and Erica Jane is still in New York" Tony said.
"Yeah, I heard about you adopting EJ's daughter" Todd commented. "Did you really kill him, or is that just part of the "Movie Buff" Legend?" he asked.
"Yeah, I killed him" Tony confessed.
"Good, he always was an ass" Todd said. "Fucking Ringbanger" he uttered
"Todd, it's ring knocker, and, aren't you a West Pointer too?" Tony asked.
"Class of 91'" he said as he held up his right hand. "And you have a ring too" Todd pointed out.
"Correction, I have 2, my wedding ring, and my Ohio State Ring. I'm no academy butter bar" Tony said.
"Anyway, there is something else I wanted to ask you" Todd began. "Erica Jane is a Detective now?" he asked.
"Homicide, 1st Precinct" Tony said. "How did you know that?" Tony asked.
"Her partner, McBain, and I grew up together. When we last talked, he thought it was suspicious that a 21-year old rookie, 3 months on the job got a detective's badge" Todd recalled. "What did you do, blackmail somebody?" he asked.
"I prefer the word extortion" Tony joked.
"Only you" Todd commented.
"Todd, she's a orphan because of me. I pull a round in the side of her father's head" tony said.
"Thank you for your opinion Lieutenant Colonel. But it's about sacrifice" EJ said.
"Oh yes it is" Tony replied as he backed away, removing the knife from Barrett's throat and placing it back in its sheath. "But this time the sacrifice is going to be you" Tony said as he got right back in EJ's face. "Under the authority of Brigadier General Irving T. Morrell, you are relieved of command pending the outcome of an Article-32 investigation" Tony said. "You're done EJ" Tony said as he turned to walk away.
"Never" said EJ as he drew his Desert Eagle handgun from his holster and aimed at Tony's back.
"Dad no!" Erica Jane yelled as EJ fired a round into Tony's back, the force sending Tony crashing to the ground.
"Freeze Colonel!" Tali ordered as she appeared in the doorway, her P99 pistol in hand. EJ quickly grabbed Erica Jane, ducking behind her, using her as a human shield.
"Don't make me" EJ said frantically. A shot rang out, and both Erica Jane and Tali feared the worse. Then, EJ's gun dropped to the ground as he slumped back against the wall, a hole in the side of his head. Tali looked over to Tony, who was now sitting up, smoke coming from the barrel of his 45. Tony unbuttoned his shirt and peeled it off, revealing a very thick bullet-proof vest. With a grunt, Tony stood up and walked over to EJ's body.
"Sorry old friend" said Tony as he picked up EJ's gun. Not knowing what to do, a frantic and devastated Erica Jane ran to Tony, wrapping her arms tightly around him. "Shh, shh, it's ok" Tony said as he tried to comfort her. Jesus Christ, what do you say to a kid who just watched you shoot her father in the head Tony thought to himself.
"Ok, correct me if I'm wrong, but EJ used his own daughter as a human shield" Todd said, drawing a nod from Tony. "Then you did what you had to do" he concluded. "Detective 3rd grade, Erica Jane Barrett. Has a nice ring to it" Todd joked.
"Shut it, or I'll tell Blair how you really got that scare" Tony threatened, referring to Todd's wife.
"Hey, I was just talking with her, that's all" Todd said as he hell up his hands.
"Until you found out she was married" Tony finished with a smile. "Boy, could her husband weald a knife". Tony took another puff of his cigar when he saw Captain Quartermaine walking over. "Hey Scarface, why don't you go have a chat with Lieutenant Galtier, make sure everything is copasetic" Tony suggested.
"Right" Todd said as he flicked the cigar from his hand and walked away.
"Colonel, 1st Battalion is ready" AJ said as he saluted. Tony returned the salute and held his cigar in his hands.
"Good, we leave in" Tony paused to check his watch, which read 0345. "75 mikes" Tony said.
"Permission to speak Sir" AJ said.
"Granted" Tony replied.
"Sir, I want to that you for choosing me to lead the assault" AJ said.
"Don't flatter yourself Quartermaine, I'll be leading the assault, and I didn't pick you, you were assigned to me" Tony said.
"Colonel, I…"
"That's enough Captain. Ya see, what you don't realized is, is that I don't care, that our families have never gotten along. I don't care. The fact of life is, is that unlike your little brother, you've never seen combat. I was settled with you, because General Morrell decided it would be best if we didn't drag Jason back in" Tony said. "Also, I don't care, that your brother, Jason, is my father's bodyguard, I really don't" Tony finished.
"Yes Sir" AJ replied, not knowing what else to say.
"Dismissed" Tony yelled forcefully. AJ quickly saluted and ran off, just barely missing Tali in the process.
"A little much don't you think?" Tali said as she walked over.
"No, I don't" Tony said.
"Oh really? I've have never seen you come done that hard on someone, ever" Tali told him. "You're picking on him. Why?" she asked.
"Honestly? I think the kid has a very bright future, he just needs to be toughened up a bit" Tony answered.
"And you've taken it upon yourself to do it?" She asked.
"Somebody has to" Tony said with a smile. "So what's up Tals?"
"You got a letter" Tali said as she handed the white envelope to him.
"Who from?"
"You have the letter in your hand, and yet you still ask me who it's from" Tali said as she rolled her eyes.
"Geese, what's got your panties in a twist?" Tony asked.
"For your information, I wear a thong" Tali said.
"Ok, really did not, need to know that" Tony said as he turned and opened his letter. "It's from Catherine" Tony said as she opened it.
"Ah, so, tell me, how is the fair Miss Middleton, who happens to be your sister" Tali asked.
"Well, for starters, she isn't a Middleton anymore, she says that she just couldn't stand living with them anymore, she's moved back to the states. She changed her name… again… and she's living with Courtney, in New Hampshire" Tony read.
"Courtney? As in Courtney Matthews, Sonny's sister?" Tali asked.
"The very same. Her name is now Catherine Matthews, and she plans to finish her college education at Dartmouth beginning in the fall"
"Really? Does Courtney actually have custody of Catherine?" she asked.
"Yep. According to Catherine, The Middletons were actually worse than our biological father" Tony said.
"Is that even possible?" Tali asked.
"Evidently so" Tony said as he finished reading the letter. "It wasn't just the Middletons, it was her boyfriend, this guy named William Windsor" Tony said as he folded up the letter and stuffed it in his shirt pocket as Tali laughed. "What's so funny? Tony asked.
"William Windsor?" Tali asked.
"Yeah. So besides having a stupid name, what's so funny?" Tony asked her.
"William Windsor is Prince William, Princess Diana's eldest son" Tali said. "Oh and wait, let me guess" Tali said as she held up her hand. "You don't care, because he is still not good enough for your sister" Tali concluded.
"Damn right" Tony said with a smile.
1900 hours, 9 October 2001, Army Criminal Investigation Division Headquarters, Quantico, Virginia.
From what he could see, CID HQ was mostly deserted for the night. As quietly as he could, Three made his way down the hallway, trying not to draw attention to himself. Bridget had given him a direct order to wait until Meg was able to secure a court order that would set both Izzy and Karine free. But, being his father's son, Three had gone on ahead, alone. He knew that that probably wasn't the smartest decision, but he didn't care. He had to find Karine. He quickly made his way to the basement, where the holding cells where located. At the front of the holding area, there was an armed guard standing watch. But other than him, the coast was clear. Three silently crept up behind the guard and knocked him over the head with the butt of his M9. He grabbed the guard's key ring and quickly began checking the cells. "Karine!" he called out in a loud whisper.
"Trois!" she called out from one of the cells, sending Three running.
"For the last time, it's Three" he said as he unlocked the cell. He grabbed Karine's hand and pulled her into a quick kiss.
"What are you doing here?" Karine asked in her broken English.
"I've only got one life to live, and I intend on spending it with you" he said as he gave her another passionate kiss "Come on" he said as he pulled her along. They quickly made their way up the stairs and her mere feet from the door when they found themselves surrounded by armed men.
"Going somewhere, Staff Sergeant DiNozzo?" asked Major Hollis Mann as she stepped in front of him. "Take her" Hollis ordered. The men rushed both Three and Karine. Three released Karine's hand and quickly threw a haymaker that knocked one of the men down. He quickly took a swing at the next one, knocking him back. Three drew his sidearm and drew a bead on Major Mann. His M9 in his right hand, Three used his left to grab Karine's hand.
"We are leaving, NOW! Or the Major dies" Three said as he aimed for the Major. Before anything else could be said, one of the guards snuck up behind Three and cracked him over the head with a knife stick, sending him crashing to the floor.
"Trois!" Karine yelled as she dropped to her knees to check on her boyfriend. 2 of Hollis' men quickly grabbed Karine and began to drag her away. "NO!" Karine screamed as she kicked and clawed at him.
"Karine!" Three yelled as he held out his arm. After a nod from Hollis, 3 guards began beating Three, crashing their knife sticks down on Three's spine. "Karine!" Three yelled again as gunshots rang out.
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