Chapter 47
Tribunal: Part 2
1330 hours local time, 27 May 2002, United States Military Tribunal, Storage Area B, USS Seahawk, Task Force 84, Arabian Sea.
Without a witness to corroborate the ID of Mustafa Atef was Mohandes, Commander Rabb and Lieutenant Singer were forced to rest their case, with the caveat they could later call rebuttal witnesses. And thus, Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie and Lieutenant Roberts began their case.
They're 1st witness was a British Professor named Joel Sinclair. who was a PhD in International Relations, a masters of Law from Oxford, where he had been a professor of International Law and Military Justice for over 30 years. "Professor Sinclair, what constitutes a legal combatant under the Geneva Convention? Mac asked.
"A member of the armed forces of militia of a territory, wears distinctive insignia, carries arms openly, conducts operations within the laws and customs of war" he said.
"Can a legal combatant, who follows the laws of war be subject to a Military tribunal?" she asked.
"No" Professor Sinclair responded.
"Professor, the Government has failed to prove that my client is Mohandes, but for sake of argument, let's discuss Mohandes" Mac began. "In your expert opinion, does Mohandes fit the requirements for a legal combatant?" she asked.
"Indeed. Al Qaeda is a Military Group of international membership, akin to the French Foreign Legion. Mohandes was known to wear a braided Officer's Cap, and to carry a pistol at his hip"
"If Mohandes were to be connected to the September 11th attacks, would those actions be in contrast to the laws of war?"
"No. The World Trade Center, and the 2 Malls in Minnesota, could be tied to the US Financial and Commerce Systems, and thus, key to their war efforts. The same could be said for Airports in California, as they would be key to the US System of Transportation. Thee is no question that the Pentagon and Presidential Ranch were Military Targets" the professor concluded.
"Thank you, nothing further" Mac smiled. As she sat down, Harm stood up to begin his cross.
"Professor, it is your contention that the braided officer's cap worn by Mohandes is distinctive Military Insignia?" Harm asked.
"Yes, and he wore it everyday" the professor responded.
"Professor, I'm willing to bet that you wear a jacket and tie most days. Would I be correct?"
"Yes"
"But you wouldn't consider that distinctive Military insignia, would you?"
"I'm an academic, not a soldier"
"Mohandes is not a soldier, professor, he's a terrorist" Harm said.
"Objection" Mac said.
"Withdrawn" Harm said before the judge could rule on the objection. "Professor, the fact that Mohandes wore a particular item of clothing everyday, doesn't make it a uniform under the Geneva Convention, does it?"
"No, it does not"
"You also testified that the convention allows for the hitting of Infrastructure, but doesn't that pertain to Infrastructure directly related to a war effort?"
"Yes"
"But there was no war at the time of the September 11th Attacks"
"There was for Al Qaeda" The Professor responded. "A Jihad which has existed since the occupation of Palestine in 1947"
"Still, the Geneva Convention strictly prevents the taking of hostages, doesn't it?"
"Yes, but I'm not aware of any hostages hat were taken"
"Over 300 men, women and children on the aircraft that were hijacked by the Al Qaeda terrorists on September 11th"
"No ransom or demand was ever made to indicate that the individuals aboard the aircrafts were intended to be hostages"
"Are you kidding me?" Harm said.
"Objection, argumentative" Mac yelled.
"Sustained"
"I have no further questions" Harm said.
1230 hours local time, 27 May 2002, US Military Forwards Operating Base, Cyprus.
From the catwalk above, Lieutenant Nathan Westbourne watched as the small naval base's personnel unloaded the Containers of Nuclear Material from the Athena. He was dressed in his khaki service uniform, a navy sweater over it, and his khaki garrison cap, which boar his railroad bar insignia on the left side. Nathan was pulled from his train of thoughts when he heard footsteps on the catwalk approaching him. "Hey" he said as Liat walked up next to him, and leaned up against the railing, just as he was. Since she was on a US base, Liat was dressed in her ACUs and combat boots. "How's it feel to be back in uniform?" he asked his niece.
"Pretty good" She said. "Do you have any idea who Abba's source is?" she asked.
"No idea" Nathan replied. "So when you gonna come home?" he asked.
"You throwing in with my father?" she asked. "He's been pestering me to come home for over 3 years" she said,.
"Then why do stay there? Wouldn't you rather be home with your family?" he asked.
"Of Course!" Liat said. "But Eli David and his goon squad are out to get "Movie Buff" and if I'm in Israel, hopefully I can give him a heads up" she said.
"What if they figure out who you are?" he asked.
"Then I have Malachi and Dana to protect me"
"Ah, Dana" Nathan smiled.
"Have a little crush do we?" Liat asked. Nathan chose to remain silent. "I'll take your silence as a yes" she smiled. Nathan and Liat went on talking for a few more minutes before a young ensign walked onto the catwalk and came up to Nathan and Liat.
"What is it Ensign?" Nathan asked.
"We have a problem sir" the young man said.
"What?"
"The cargo manifest, it reads that there should be 16 kilos of in the container. We've weighted it ourselves and we've double checked it twice… 2 kilos are missing" he said.
"Thank you" Nathan said before turning to Liat.
"Think the manifest is wrong?" Liat asked.
"Better safe than sorry" Nathan said.
"I'll inform Colonel Colleton" Liat said.
0630 hours, 27 May 2002, Executive Residence, White House Washington D.C.
For Rex Bartlett, the morning of 27 May was no different from any other. At 0630 exactly, he stood proudly at the door to the Executive Bedroom, ready to deliver the President's wake up call. However, that was all about to change when a US Army Colonel walked up next to him. "Can I help you?" Rex asked.
"Colonel Thomas Colleton, I need to see the President" he said. Colonel Colleton had been at the Pentagon all night when he had gotten the call from Liat.
"Really? Because I thought you were out for a morning run and took a wrong turn" Rex replied.
"Your Tony's kid?" Tom said.
"And your Colonel Colleton, my father's CO" Rex. Tom stuck out his hand, but Rex ignored it and proceeded to knock on the President's door.
"Enter" The President called. Rex opened the door, slipped inside, and shut it behind him. He found the President sitting on his couch, looking over some papers, still8in his suit form the night before.
"Good Morning Mr. President" Rex said.
"Ah Rexton, how does the country look this morning?" The President asked.
"Burning the midnight oil again Mr. President?" Rex commented. "We've discussed this Sir. You need your rest"
"Says who?"
"Your Personal Physician, Dr. Wolek, all the people who do your physical at Bethesda every 6 months, and me" he added
"I wasn't aware you had graduated Med School" The President said sarcastically.
"Mr. President, your 65, you've had 3 heart attacks, and because Mrs. McCain will have me keelhauled" Rex said.
"Because I stayed up past my bed time? Please" The President said.
"Mr. President, you need your rest, this job is stressful enough" Rex said, giving the President a look.
"What's with the look?" the President asked.
"Not getting enough rest can also exasperate something else" Rex said, being intentionally vague, just in case someone happened to overhear. The President turned back to him.
"We'll discuss that later" he said.
"As you wish Sir" Rex replied. "Colonel Colleton is here to see you" he added.
"Send him in" The President said as he searched his pockets. "Rexton" he said. Rex sighed, and reached into his pocket, and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.
"Another reason Mrs. McCain is gonna have me whacked" Rex said as he opened the door, and allowed Colonel Colleton to enter.
"Mr. President" he said as he stood at attention
"Tom" The President said. "What's up?"
"Mr. President, about an hour ago, I got word from one of my people in Cyprus"
"The Nuclear shipment" the President asked as he flicked some ashes.
"Yes Sir" Tom said.
"We'll discuss this in the Oval. Walk with me" the President said as he slipped on his jacket. They walked out into the hallway, down the stairs and outside to the walkway between the Executive Residence and The Oval Office. The Marine Guard opened the door as the President and Tom stepped into the oval. "So what's the news from Cyprus?"
"The shipment is 2 kilos light" Tom informed him. "The manifest recovered by Lieutenant Westbourne's SEAL Team lists the container should contain 16 Kilos. Our people in Cyprus have weighed the shipment and triple checked it. 14 Kilos"
"Could the manifest. Be wrong?" The President asked. "An attempt by Eli David to rip off the buyer?"
"That is the working theory"
"Let's get everybody else in on this, have them weigh in. Just make sure they don't know Eli David was behind the sale. It could ruin our relations with Israel if the information leaks"
"Yes Sir" Tom replied as he bowed out of the room.
"Rexton!" The President yelled.
"Yes Mr. President?"
"When Sonny arrives, have him see me immediately"
"Yes Sir"
1425 hours local time, 27 May 2002, Darya Bulkh Valley Detention Camp, Afghanistan.
"Here we are" Tony said as he pulled the HUMVEE to a stop in front of the man gate. Like himself, both Webb and Bridget were dressed in Desert Camo ACUs. As they got out, Webb pulled out his ID and walked over to the gate.
"Clayton Webb, here to see General Shah" he said. The men behind the gate just stared at him.
"Tell General Shah that Tony DiNozzo is here to see him" Tony said in Dari, but then men didn't move, instead they grimaced at him. "Oops" Tony said when he realized it.
"What?" Bridget asked.
"They're Pashtun" Clay said. "And Tony just spoke to them in Dari. That's a no-no"
"Don't shoot, lower your weapons" came a voice from behindgate in heavy American-accented Pashto. "Lieutenant Colonel DiNozzo, Captain Sullivan, good to see y'all again" the man said as he saluted. His skin was a dark olive tan, and a goatee and sideburns covered most of his face.
"Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Rivera" Tony smiled at his old friend, who now stood behind the gate, rifle in his hands, dressed in local garb. "It's been awhile since Indonesia" Tony smiled.
"Yes Sir" Carlos smiled. "Open the gate" he instructed. Once upon a time, Carlos Rivera was attached to the US marine Detail at the US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. In June of 2001, the Embassy was attacked and had needed to be evacuated by Tony's team. Prior to that, Carlos had served in Iraq, Somalia, and Bosnia with Marine Force Recon, and at JAG for a 2-year period, before transferring back to Special Ops. The gate was opened and Tony, Bridget and Clay stepped inside.
"I know you" Clay said. "Your Tomas Delgado's son" he said.
"Yes Sir" Carlos affirmed.
"Where's the General?" Tony asked.
"This way" Carlos said. He escorted them to a nearby building, as General Shah stepped outside.
"You're a women" The General said when he saw Bridget.
"Yes, she is, so please do your best to restrain yourself in ordering her beheaded" Tony said.
"Ah, I see you have brought the paleface with you" he said to Bridget when he saw Tony.
"Paleface?" Tony repeated. "What are you, a fuckin Indian now?" Tony said.
"Fuck you" Kamran replied.
"All that money on an Oxford education, and that's the best you've got?" Tony joked.
"Welcome back, my friend" The General smiled as he and Tony embraced. "What brings you to this forsaken part on the world?" he asked.
"Kabir" Tony said.
"That Traitor?" Kamran said. "Have you found him?"
"No, we were hoping you had" Bridget said .
"Back during the Soviet Invasion, Kabir and Kamran fought together" Tony said.
"Until Kabir sold us out to the Communist pigs" The General said.
"Kam, with your permission, we would like to begin questioning the detainees. We have reason to believe that he's planning an imminent attack"
"Do as you wish" Kamran said. "When you fine Kabir, please tell him, I'll see him in hell"
1500 hours local time, 27 May 2002, United States Military Tribunal, Storage Area B, USS Seahawk, Task Force 84, Arabian Sea.
"The Defense recalls prosecution witness, US Army Staff Sergeant Anthony Dominick DiNozzo III" said Lieutenant Roberts. Three reluctantly stood up and stepped forward. Chester and Cole had already been called to testify, not evidently it was his turn.
"Anthony Dominick DiNozzo III, 26 May 83', Staff Sergeant, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta" Three said as he took a seat.
"Sergeant DiNozzo, are you a terrorist?" Bud asked.
"Fuck you" Three replied.
"Your honor" Bud wined.
"Staff Sergeant DiNozzo, I understand your frustration, but please refrain from profanity" Judge Sebring ordered.
"Yes Sir" Three said. 'No, I am not a terrorist" Three spat out.
"As a Special Forces Operator, what is your primary mission?"
"Classified"
"Your Honor" Bud wined again.
"Staff Sergeant DiNozzo, the room is black, you make speak freely" Judge Sebring ordered.
"To train Indigenous Forces in unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, direct action, and national intervention operations, as well as conducting clandestine missions, hostage rescues and raids" Three said.
"Does that training of native personal include how and where to place landmines?"
"Yes Sir"
"Do you teach the use and construction of booby-traps?"
"Sometimes"
"Are you aware that landmines and booby-traps can injure innocent non-combatants?"
"Any weapons system can" Three said.
"But Landmines and booby-traps can't be aimed to avoid injuries to non-combatants"
"Yes Sir. But our landmines have self-deactivating and disarming mechanisms, and booby traps are contained to threat rich environments"
"True. But every time you teach the use of a landmine or booby trap, you are also teaching the killing of an innocent person?" Bud asked.
"Objection" Loren said
"Withdrawn" Bud said. "One final question, on certain operations, Special Forces remove all insignia, dog tags, anything that could ID you?"
"Fuck off" Three said as he held up his middle finger.
"Let the record reflect that was not a no" Bud said as he took a seat.
"Commander Rabb" The Judge said.
"Sergeant DiNozzo, have you ever killed an innocent, non-combatant?"
"No"
"What you ever encouraged others to do so?"
"No"
"Have you ever intentionally targeted civilians?"
"No"
"Have you ever hijacked a passenger jet?"
"No"
"Have you ever encouraged others to do so?"
"No"
"Is there anyone in this courtroom today who has?"
"Yes Sir" Three said as he pointed to Mustafa Atef. "He's right there"
"No further questions" Harm said.
"Defense Rests" Mac said as Three returned to the gallery. Harm smiled as he stood.
"Your Honor, the Government. Calls rebuttal witness… Mustafa Atef" harm said.
"Objection" Mac yelled as she stood as well.
"Your Honor, the Tribunal has already ruled the 5th amendment does not apply. The only evidentiary standard is probative value to a reasonable person, and what could be more probative, than the accused own testimony" Harm argued.
"Mr. Atef will not testify" Mac said.
"Why? Does he have something to hide?"
"I will testify" Atef spoke up for the 1st time, as he had remained silent for the entire trial.
"Very well" The Judge ordered. "We'll take as short break, and then we'll begin"
1525 hours local time, 27 May 2002, Darya Bulkh Valley Detention Camp, Afghanistan.
Tony and Bridget watched as the camp guards brought out a group of detainees. "The Colonel wanted brought out one at a time" Carlos yelled.
"They're here now" Webb said as he stepped forward.
"Where is Kabir Atef?" Tony asked in Pashto, before repeating himself in Dari. "Do any of you know Mohandes?" He asked.
"We know why we are here" one of the detainees replied.
"Why are you here?" Bridget asked as she stepped forward.
"To kill you" the as he grabbed Bridget, pulled a knife from his sleeve and held it to her throat. The other detainees quickly overpowered the guards and grabbed their AK-47s and took aim at Tony, Webb and Carlos. Carlos and his men quickly took aim with their own weapons, as Tony and Webb drew their sidearms. It was a good 'ole Mexican Standoff. "We leave now, or I cut her head from shoulders" the man yelled in broken English.
"This won't work" Bridget said as the man held the blade to her throat.
"I will kill her" the man said.
"Let her Go!" Carlos demanded. Upon hearing the commotion, General Shah entered the compound, a Tokarev TT-33 in hand.
"Stay back, you shoot, she die" The man yelled.
"Put the weapon down" Carlos demanded.
"I will kill American" the man said. "Set me and my brothers free or watch her die"
"Don't set anybody free" Bridget said.
"Shut up" The man yelled as he pressed the knife against her throat. "Drop your guns, all of you" the man demanded.
"They're not dropping anything" Bridget sneered.
"Shut up!" the man yelled.
"Do it Kam, have your men lower their Weapons" Tony said.
"No" Kam replied.
"Damn it, Kam. Just do it, we'll get em later" Tony said as he gave a slight nod to Carlos and Webb. "All of you put your weapons down" Tony ordered, as he gave a small nod to Bridget. Both Carlos' and Kamran's men reluctantly did as requested and lowered their weapons. "Open the gate" Tony yelled. The gate was opened and the man slowly walked back towards it, dragging Bridget with him. Once the man was distracted, Bridget gave him a hard shot to the stomach with her elbow. She quickly twisted the man's arm behind him, and gave him a knee to the stomach before punching him in the face, knocking him to the ground on his back. Tony, Webb and the Marines quickly opened fire, killing at the would-be escapees. The man that Bridget had knocked down quickly grabbed a rifle and took aim at Bridget. Tony quickly fired 2 rounds into his chest, killing the man. "I knew if he thought he was getting his way he'd he relax and give you an opening" Tony said as he ejected his spent clip and inserted a new one. Bridget smiled at him as she stepped forward and gave Tony a kiss on the cheek.
1535 hours local time, 27 May 2002, United States Military Tribunal, Storage Area B, USS Seahawk, Task Force 84, Arabian Sea.
"Please state your name for the record" Harm said as Mustafa Atef took the stand.
"Mustafa Atef"
"And you are a member of the organization known as Al Qaeda?"
"I am a soldier. I have been one all my life" he began. "From Military School in England beginning at the age of 6, to serving in the Saudi Army where I attained the rank of Captain" her paused. "Then I became a soldier of Allah" he said.
"So you are a soldier like any other, except you are in Al Qaeda, is that your testimony?"
"Is the truth" Atef confirmed.
"And you trained people in Al Qaeda, like any other soldier?"
"Except better" Atef bragged.
"Is it your contention that the September 11th attacks were nothing more than simple military operations?" Harm asked. Atef only laughed.
"Who do you think you are talking to?" Atef replied. "American bombs have slaughtered thousands of Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan. Do you really think that when the Pentagon uses words like "engaged" or "neutralize" or "target", that they are any better than me? When a man's cause is just, he is not afraid to use the word kill"
"When a man's cause is just, is he also afraid to admit that he is Mohandes?" Harm asked.
"Objection, leading" Mac said.
"Overruled"
"I am not afraid" Atef replied. "I am Mohandes" he confessed.
"Is he also not afraid to admit that he trained the 9/11 Hijackers and suicide bombers?"
"I picked the men, trained them, planned it, and I'd do it again"
"The attacks on September 11th, they were Al Qaeda's most important Operation, weren't they?"
"Don't you think so?" Atef replied.
"If this Operation was so important, why not go yourself?" Harm asked. "Instead of duping impressionable young men?" Harm said.
"Objection, argumentative" Bud yelled.
"I'll tell ya why you didn't go" harm said. "Because for all your pride and posturing, you're a coward" Harm said.
"Commander!" the Judge yelled.
"You're afraid to die, well let me tell you something, that's exactly what your gonna do!" Harm said forcefully.
"Commander!" The Judge yelled, louder this time. "That is quite enough"
"Nothing further"
1630 hours local time, 27 May 2002, Darya Bulkh Valley Detention Camp, Afghanistan.
"So I see you've gone native Gunny" Bridget said, commenting on Carlos' wears.
"It works Mam": he said. "I can almost pass if I keep my mouth shut" Carlos replied.
"Is that how you got his gig?" Bridget asked.
"Yes Mam, also they wanted someone with investigative experience to help hunt down Bin Laden and Company" he explained.
"Don't let Tony hear ya say that. If anyone is gonna get Bin Laden, it'll be him" Bridget said. "So what's Afghanistan like? Is it what you expected?"
"Yes and no Mam" Carlos answered. "The Corp thought me everything I need to survive, but when a guy goes down, what ya hear, what ya feel, it's crazy"
Meanwhile, Tony and Webb were interrogating a wounded AQ fighter that had just come in. "Where is Kabir?" Tony asked. The man didn't reply, but instead help up 2 fingers to his lips. Tony nodded and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. The man took one, as Tony flicked out his lighter. After the man took a few puffs, he finally spoke.
"Did I hear that right?" Webb said. "He doesn't know where he is now, but he was with Kabir 2days ago?"
"Yeah" Tony said as they 2 men stepped back. "If what this said is true, then I'm gonna need my men" Tony said.
"Then let's get back to the Seahawk" Clay said.
1800 hours local time, 27 May 2002, Leonardo Hotel, Haifa, Israel.
AJ whistled "Yankee Doodle" as he strutted into the hotel lobby, guitar case in hand. As he walked through, he made sure he turned his head every-which way. "Easy, not so fast" Mal said into AJ's earpiece. "You're shaking the camera"
"Shut up" AJ said as he slowed his pace, allowing the fiber optical camera embedded in his Ray-Bands to refocus. "I count 4 in the lobby, all armed with Uzis" AJ said as he exited the back of the lobby, and turned down the hallway towards the large freight elevator. "Hey, why am I taking this piece of shit? What happened to the people elevators?" AJ complained to the 2 men who were guarding the elevator, both of who were armed with AK-47s.
"The other 2 are out of service, we apologize for the inconvenience" one of the men said. "We need to check case" he said.
"In the elevator, I'm late" AJ said as he rushed inside.
"What floor?" the man asked as the doors closed.
"Fuck you" AJ said as he drew his Jericho from his holster, flicking off the safety and cocking the hammer all in one smooth motion. He fired 2 shots into the man's head, then turned and fired another 2 rounds at the 2nd man. "Targets down" AJ said as he pressed the stop button on the elevator. He then pressed the button for the ground floor, sending he elevator back down. When the elevator reached the ground floor, the doors opened, Rick and Malachi standing there. Rick was armed with his 45. and Malachi with a silenced Uzi. "Any problems?" AJ asked as he pressed the button for the penthouse.
"They needed some air?" Rick said with a smile. Back in the lobby, all 4 men were dead, their torsos riddled with bullets.
As the elevator rose towards the penthouse, AJ opened the Guitar case and pulled out the contents: his M1897 Trench Shotgun. "Here we go" he said as he pumped the action. When elevator reached the penthouse, and the doors opened, Malachi immediately opened fire, spraying 9mm rounds everywhere, killing 4 men. AJ then moved forward, firing 2 rounds from his shotgun at 2 more guards, killing them both. Malachi soon followed, checking the rest of the penthouse.
"Clear" Mal informed them.
"Same here" AJ added.
"Check the bedroom" Rick said. Malachi and AJ fired more rounds into the door of the bedroom. And AJ used the butt of his shotgun to smash open the door. They found their target, cowering behind the bed. The man tried to crawl his way under the bed, but AJ walked over, grabbed the man's ankles and pulled him back. He then tossed his shotgun on the bed, drew and cocked his Jericho, and aimed it at the man.
"Good evening Mr. Fainberg" AJ smiled.
"Please, please" the man begged.
"Fuck this" Rick said as he fired all 7 rounds of his 45. into Fainberg's chest.
"And so it ends" Mal concluded with a smile.
"Let's blow this popsicle stand" AJ said as he picked up his shotgun. "1st round is one me"
1100 hours, 27 May 2002, Oval Office, West Wing, White House, Washington D.C.
"God damn it" the President said when he checked his watch and saw that it was 1100 and Sonny still was in yet. "Rexton!" he yelled as he stood up and walked to the door. "Rexton!" he repeated himself. Ever since the President learned Rex's full name was Rexton, he had insisted on using it anytime he had to use Rex's name. "Rexton!" he said for the 3rd time as he opened the office door. "Re…" he cut himself off when he saw Rex sitting at his desk, tears in his eyes. "Rex, what is it?" The President asked.
1945 hours local time, 27 May 2002, United States Military Tribunal, Storage Area B, USS Seahawk, Task Force 84, Arabian Sea.
"Mustafa Atef" Judge Sebring began to deliver the verdict. "This Tribunal finds you guilty of the intentional targeting and mass murder of non-combatants. By Unanimous vote, this Tribunal sentences the accused to death" he finished. "Mr. Atef, you and your comrades will go down in history as butchers, who perpetrated a grave atrocity that precipitated your own downfall. As for now, you'll be transferred as soon as possible to The United States Federal Penitentiary at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. There, at a time of the convening authority's choosing, you will be executed by firing squad" Judge Sebring read the ruling. "We're done here" he finished.
"You think this is over!" Atef yelled as the Marine MPS dragged him away. "Kabir will whisper in eternal darkness, and all the world will hear him roar!" Atef yelled. He was about to speak again, when Tony's fist came crashing into the side of his face, breaking his nose.
"Shut up!" Tony yelled as the MPs dragged Atef away.
"Congrats Hammer, Loren" Tony said as he stepped forward.
"Thanks" they both echoed.
"So Loren, I understand you're the new battle group JAG" Tony said.
"Yep" she smiled.
"Well congrats again" he smiled as he gave his cousin a kiss on the cheek before leaving the room. "That was one hell of a trial" Tony said to Chester and Three who were standing in the hallway outside the makeshift courtroom.
"You missed it Top, Three here told Lieutenant Roberts to fuck himself, twice" Chester smiled.
"That's ma boy" Tony said, mocking tears. "I'm so proud of him" he joked.
"Where are Bridget and Webb?" Three asked.
"Checking in with back home" Tony said .
"I'm right here" Webb said as he raced down the alley way. "We can't execute Mustafa" he said. "While we were in country, there was a massive spike in chatter between Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Russia" Webb said.
"Russia?" Tony said.
"That's the wild card" Webb said. "We've decrypted one message, it was a wire transfer, $250,000,000 from a Pakistani Bank, routed through the UAE, and finally to Iran"
"$250,000,000 for what?" Tony asked.
"That's what we need to know. There's an Al Qaeda Operation underway, with even Russia somehow figuring in. We need Mustafa alive" Webb said.
"Just give me 10 minutes" Tony said.
"What we know is that Kabir is the point man and Mustafa is behind it" Webb said.
"Mr. Webb, Colonel DiNozzo, a Marine came running up. "They need you down in the Brig" the Marine said. Tony and Webb rushed down to the Brig, where Mustafa has being held.
"Fuck" Tony said when he saw what happened. A few minute later, Harm and Loren arrived as well. "Bag em and tag em, the put him on ice" Tony ordered.
"What did you do Tony?" Harm asked.
"I didn't do anything" Tony said as he held up a fountain pen in his gloved hand. "He must've taken it from the courtroom" he said.
"He slashed his wrists with a pen?" Loren asked.
"Original" Harm commented.
"The MPs brought him down, he laid down and rolled over as if to go to sleep" Tony said. "He did the deed and bled out, never making a sound" he informed them. "All I needed was one day, just one more day"
"Whatever he knew, he took it with him" Webb said.
"Now we need to find Kabir, before it's too late" Tony said. Tony then turned to leave, when he saw Bridget standing near the door, her eyes welled up and tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Bridget what's wrong?" Tony asked.
"Tony, it's your father… he's had a heart attack" she said.
PLEASE REVIEW! It's My Birthday! So reviews would be nice, PLEASE!
Author's note- as it so happens, I'm looking for a new "Muse Tester", this entails lengthy PMs, and preventing me from writing every stupid idea that comes out of my head. In short, my "Muse Tester" is the person I bounce ideas off of and vice versa. The added benefit is you get a whole bunch of spoilers for "28 Seconds".
(Three's Voice)- Next time on "28 Seconds: Strength & Honor"-
As their father's life hangs in the balance, Tony and his siblings gather together in D.C. In a chapter full of flashbacks, we learn how Sonny Corinthos went from Army Officer, to being one of the World's most powerful Mob Kingpins. Meanwhile, the hunt for Kabir leads Webb and Three to Russia, where they make a shocking discovery. Finally, The President must decide whether or not to appoint a new White House Chief of Staff.