Author's Note: WE'RE BACK!
Holy crap this took forever but I did have good reason. First is most obvious because when you make a big move from one continent to the other, it makes sense on why some things have to be prioritized. Second was a month long of training where I had no real internet access and I had to focus on the skills. And lastly was the month long process of getting settled in, leases, car maintenance, food, setting up utilities, all the wonderful joys of new home ownership. All of which cost money. So I'm gonna be living a monks lifestyle for a while.
That being said I believe this chapter to be a little wonky in my personal opinion because I took too long on it. I am starting the next chapter and all I really need to do is fill it in until the last act. Because like I said before, I have it all planned out. It's just that there NEEDS to be a certain amount of time to pass in the story for it to matter. Big time jumps to me make a story very ham fisted if not done properly.
But now, back to the fight!
Chapter 66: Risk and Reward
August 5th 2011 0800 Hours
Bull Run Estates, Virginia
"I'm sorry dad but I guarantee they won't take what you said seriously. You know that after 9/11 they put in all those acts to make a bunch of work arounds."
"It seems as though that Hekmatyar is forwarding them information that's making me appear more suspicious than I'm letting on. But DHS won't just act unless they have hard evidence. If that happens, they'll bring in Army CID and then we're in trouble."
I downed the last of my coffee. I was starting to get a little antsy with the time I had left. And I wasn't thinking about just Hekmatyar and 'Jormungand'. The Department of Homeland Security wasn't budging from Dad's counters of intimidation of what he could do to them if they continued to question him of events and things that might not be real.
Even though some of it was.
"The thing that worries me is that the timing on this couldn't be any worse. We only have a few more days and Olson won't be able to shift suspicion anymore. And now she has someone she can exploit."
"What makes you so sure that he hasn't caught on just yet?" Dad asked carefully.
"Well I'm not proud of this dad, but it's from learning to lie so well after running for two years non-stop."
As dad and I were finishing up breakfast this morning, we were going over the details of our latest headache and the possibility that Hinoki's family might be under a threat from Hekmatyar. Around midnight last night I got a call from Dietrich. She and Carlyle had been going over the number that Black had intercepted through some unusual means. After running through a few possibilities and eliminating the obvious bullshit she washed it up to see that it was a registered work number for the Shadow Hammer PMC. The same group that was the guard detail for Hekmatyar's fake factory in South Africa. It seemed as though she wanted to put them to use now. Only problem was that they couldn't pinpoint their location but I knew exactly where they were.
And the best part was that if Dietrich found them this way, then that means she wasn't running her machine 24/7.
"You do realize what you're about to do right?" He asked as we walked to the study, still decked out with all of the stuff he could take from his office.
"I know the risks dad. But if we let this opportunity slip. We'll be worse off than Istanbul."
The thing that I needed to act on now involved several steps. First off was making sure that Hinoki's family was safe. A sub step for that was making sure he didn't catch on to what I was doing. If Hekmatyar knew I caught wind of what was going on, then his family would be considered expendable. Or he could also rat me out and send me into a trap. The next step was to try and lure out whoever is keeping an eye on his family just enough to give me an opening to grab one of them. Finally I squeeze whatever I can out of them to lead me to her by any means I want.
How to do that though was the biggest risk and challenge. I would have to use his wife and child as bait to lure Shadow Hammer into a false sense of having the situation in their advantage and then strike. And if something went wrong then I had an extra layer of security to make sure the Hinoki's stayed safe. Courtesy of a little phone call I made.
"Well what's going to happen if Koko realizes that she has crosshairs on her again and decides to cut her losses and run?"
It still made me feel unpleasant hearing him say her name so casually but I ignored it.
"She's too far in to shut down one site to build another. Those things take time and money which she knows she has a finite amount. There's something else that she's putting together. Something that has both to do with that Grid and her computer. And frankly she's so close that she wouldn't dare turn back or stop now."
Dad simply sat at his desk as he looked outside the study window. One of his staff, Burns, had arrived to his house in her car. Turns out she was the first shift for the day in his jerry rigged command center. As I looked back to Dad, he just smirked and looked to his desk. It was a little off putting that he still backed me up one hundred percent.
"Well you are the one that believes she's that determined. Since we don't have any real reliable firsthand accounts. You are the one who knows her better than anyone else. Didn't you say she was the most non-hypocritical person you've ever met?"
My thoughts then drifted back to that fateful night at the dock. Her admissions of what she wanted was chilling and disturbed.
"To be honest I don't rightly know anymore. But I do know that if I wasn't there, never wandered into her life, that I just kept marching on with a plain old Army career, she wouldn't be afraid of anything. I think that what…happened…between us complicated her plans in a way that she couldn't foresee. So now she's going for all or nothing."
Dad stared at me in silence. This was starting to get a little frightening. We still didn't finish our conversation on the very real possibility he might get arrested and charged with a lot of federal crap.
"I know that this little war of mine is getting more and more personal. But I only asked for your help dad. Not to put your neck on the line when there's the…"
"Boy." He said sternly. "You are my son. I will do what every true father must do, protect their child." Then spoke to me reassuringly.
I did want to change the subject quickly.
"Dad I get it. But what's happening is…"
"Something that you would never even conceive what would happen in this life. Even in your wildest dreams." He interrupted again.
The old man had a habit for always knowing what I was thinking. This was one of those times where I had to shut up and listen to him. I heard the front door open, dad must have trusted his people enough that they would let themselves in so casually. To me that seemed rather reckless and arrogant. But then I'd be acting paranoid again.
"I've been in the Army for twenty seven years, eighteen years old right out of high school. The family's collective military service spans over a century and the real stories we've shared and heard with other veterans exceed imagination because we all saw what really happened as opposed to the history books. A lot of it is the stuff most don't want to talk about because they don't know how they can sympathize with ordinary people. Only other veterans or those that were lucky enough to get through a contract without ever seeing combat. It's why we share certain things with them because more often than not, they've experienced them first hand. This time though, it's radically different. I'm not just doing this out of wanting to protect my country. I want to make sure that no matter what happens, I will not allow my son to be trapped forever in a world that will have nothing but misery. It's every parents job to make sure their children get to experience what they never could. This is my duty as a dad."
He's really thinking of only me? Even if the world ends?
This was one of those moments where only a parent could understand what he was talking about. I wasn't that yet. And I highly doubt that Hekmatyar will be that when the child will be born. She'll just teach it all about a new world that is built on a lie.
For a few moments it was silent, until Burns walked into the room. She only greeted us and went to her station. Clearly recognizing that the two of us were having a moment so she feigned ignorance. I decided to return to the tactical scenario.
"I need to get to the Bahama's right now. But before that I have to get Hinoki thinking that I'm going on another lead. I can't just throw a dart at a map and pick a place. It's gotta be believable."
Dad then took a look at his own computer. "Well I have been looking at a few options for where it can give a lead on where Hekmatyar can get her rocket fuel. We have all her aliases and shell companies where she can place orders. Worth a shot to at least delay her a bit."
"Good enough. We can't just make those companies stop production and she can just come up with another name to purchase this stuff from. If anything we just make her go through as much red tape as possible."
"The timing on this has to match perfectly though. I can use the same approach we did last time before Hekmatyar got her claws in him. I go ahead as scout and Hinoki can follow behind with Schokolade and Scarecrow. In the meantime I'll be in the Bahama's, I'll need to find these Shadow Hammer clowns the moment I have a solid lead. I need to know exactly where they're keeping an eye on his family. They could be seeing it from afar or they could be watching CCTV at an entirely different island."
"You'll need to convince Hinoki to make a call to them. I recommend only one of the two that will be with him be knowledgeable of what's going on. Your call to make on who though."
"I know who." I then took out my phone as I walked out of the study to get ready. "Okay. Time to pack tropical. Just make sure to delay them as long as possible until I get to Nassau."
"Leave it to me boy."
I then sent a text to the tech girl. It'd be best if we spoke when she was totally alone. Next was a call to my backup. They would have to come in at the last possible second. This was one of those times where I had to work this alone until I needed them.
"Yes it's me again. I think I have a group of individuals that Her Majesty's Secret Service would very much like to have behind bars."
August 7th 2011 1300 Hours
Eluthera Island, The Bahama's
This one was where I had to walk with a very specific balance. I was totally alone out here and that wasn't new but this was one where I couldn't have a Plan B. My only support was a down looking satellite and my dad acting as my guide from the house. I could care less that it was a nice day. I had been mostly moving around at night and staying inside during the day. A guy like me can't really blend in around here. But what could was Hinoki's house, the problem with certain residential areas in tropical climates was that they couldn't cut down as much vegetation as they wanted. Rules for owning a house are different everywhere you go. He probably couldn't just cut down whatever he wanted. It made my observation of keeping my own eye's on his family difficult because Shadow Hammer would more than likely be looking at them as well. Most likely with more and better gear. All I had was a directional microphone, a pair of binoculars, a laptop with some rather sophisticated software, and dad's eye in the sky.
"Thermal imaging still only shows two silhouettes occupying the house. Only others that have been even close to it were just people driving or cycling by."
"Are you sure there's nobody else in the jungle surrounding the property?"
"Other than the occasional person or persons walking on the beach, negative. Even if they did, they'd have a worse field of view than you would."
"Can't see the beach from where I'm at anyway." I said as I expanded the map overlay on my laptop.
I had set up shop in the only other available location that was even close to the Hinoki household. Their neighbor's house, about several blocks down the dirt road they lived on. It must have been an expensive beach home for whoever owned it, used most likely for winter vacations. Pity considering the houses civilian security system sucked and was no match for a CIA electronic decoding device. Since it was still summer, the only ones that would have access to it would be a paid keeper. I didn't care what kind of mess I would leave when I was done but I had to give off the impression that there was nobody here. Doing stuff at night in the dark wasn't new but it was still annoying.
"Well you're not there to work on your tan. So are you going to start? Their plane should have already landed at Heathrow by now."
I then checked my watch. It should have been five hours ahead of right now London time.
"Yeah. The longer I drag this out, the less likely I'll be able to get to them quickly." I then pulled out my phone with a premade text on it. "Ok chocolate girl, don't flinch."
1820 Hours
London, United Kingdom
"Do it."
That was the signal that Schokolade saw on her phone. She remembered from before they got on the plane that Damien had come up with a plan, a plan she saw as a bit heartless. To use Hinoki's family to draw out those that were keeping a malicious eye on them. Naturally this shocked her to how quickly Koko had gotten to the old Japanese Colonel. To manipulate him into doing what she wanted. But what was even scarier was on how easily that Damien had picked up on it and knew exactly how to use the situation to his advantage. All she had to do was keep up the sweet and innocent routine.
"I keep thinking about something." She said to start off neutrally.
"About what?" He asked.
The both of them were waiting outside the airport waiting for Scarecrow to get their rental car. He may have seemed normal, but Schokolade knew he was being eaten alive from the inside with knowing what would happen to his family.
"On just how surreal this all seems at times. I can't help but want to talk about these things later in my life. Not just to other colleagues or family but just average people."
"Not wise, and you know that. Plus it wouldn't do much good anyway. Most people are quick to point out the skepticism of a story from someone who claims to be something when they can't provide proof."
She had to go a little bit further. She could not however drag out a conversation. Damien said to her to get him to call his family in the fastest time possible or see a type of opportunity to get him to talk to them no matter what. But implored to do it with the intention of 'now'.
"You mean like all those guys that have been caught breaking the Stolen Valor law? Come on Colonel I'm just uninformed on certain things. Not on some agenda to deliberately offend people that have gone through what you have."
He smiled. "You forget. I'm not part of your Army. And in Japan, such things are non-existent."
They both saw Scarecrow come around with their rental car. She knew she had to get this done now. Damien was out on a mission. They, in all reality, were just taking in the London sights at the end of summer.
"Well how do you talk to others to get any kind of emotion's not bottled up?"
He opened the back door to let her in. "You only say what is necessary." Then he got in the passenger's seat and made their way out of the airport garage.
This was taking too long. She realized she had to resort to more devious methods. She only hoped he saw her act on a slightly dumb impulse. And not ask how she got his number.
"It seems like you don't do it as often as you should."
"Eh. I may be old but that doesn't mean I'm a wise story teller."
Scarecrow looked to them both. "What have you two been talking about?"
"Oh nothing too important." She answered as she dialed the number given to her by Damien. "Just that he hasn't realized I think good 'How are you?' to Mrs. Hinoki would be a little easier on his stress."
His expression frowned a bit. "That isn't necessary. I…"
"Look Colonel, my own dad kept pestering me non-stop on doing better in school so much that I couldn't stand him occupying every second of my day. So I decided to cut off talking to him. That was until my mom barged into my electronics engineering class in college and told me he was in a car crash. It happened three days prior when she got a plane to Tucson when I was at UA." She then held up her ringing phone with his house number on it. "So trust me when I say you don't have much of a choice."
She then grinned with an innocent giggle. When it reality she hoped that this didn't blow up in her face. Naturally Hinoki tried not to contort his face in nervousness. The other end picked up.
"Hi Mrs. Hinoki! My name's Prudence, I work with your husband. And he would like to talk to you!" She then put the phone in his face as she answered.
"Darling? Are you there? Why does this woman have our house phone number?"
It took two seconds. But he finally answered. "It's not what you think dear. I'm actually working right now."
I did it Damien. That's all I can do for now. I hope your instinct pays off.
1334 Hours
It was nail biting to just wait there until I saw on my screen that the digital audio taps were finally showing signs of activity. But it looked like the girl came through. I didn't really care what Hinoki was talking about with his wife, but it was amusing to hear her chew him out over a misunderstanding.
Humor however was not what I was listening for. And I could tell the stuttering in his voice was legit worry about what would come next.
"Come on. Please."
When I got this stuff on my loaned laptop from Carlyle at the NSA, the technical explanation for what I was using was needlessly boring. So I just cared about if it would work or not. I knew that the Hinoki household was tapped, but that wasn't what I was looking for. It was a signal that was monitoring calls. The tracking program I got would trace the signal to the source of whoever was listening in. It didn't matter whether it was a landline or cellular service. Bit of a tap that tracks taps.
So I let it do its job.
…
And my gut was right. The tracer then pulled up a map that began triangulating it's signal. I had a slight feeling that wherever Shadow Hammer was calling Hinoki had a scrambler on their phone so that they couldn't have their calls traced. But I doubted they did the same thing for their taps when they would more than likely want to observe the Hinoki house.
"Perfect." I then put on my earpiece. "Dad, I think Carlyle'll owe me one for this. It's working and if I'm looking at the maps right, they're close."
But as the signal tracker was homing in on them, I got a text from Schokolade. I initially ignored it until it came up with a few short messages. It seemed she wanted to get my attention.
"Damien, whatever you're doing hurry up."
"Hinoki is talking to the peepers."
"Threats are legitimate."
"Crap." I said I texted back that I was on it.
I also had a special number on my phone that I would call only for when I was out of options or if I had everything I needed in one spot. They were pretty much on standby if I needed it. But now wasn't the time. Even though it seemed like they were gonna make a move if provoked enough.
"…matter who called or not. You seem to be losing your touch."
Just then I heard on the taps of a Scottish accent. With a threatening attitude to go with it.
"I didn't know she was going to…" Hinoki. Sounding absolutely terrified.
"This is not up for discussion!" He growled "But we do need you to keep the CIA distracted a little while longer. How long will it be until that fraud of a Green Beret comes back to England?"
The dumb bastards still thought I had gone ahead to another location. I still had the element of surprise.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
And speaking of locations I had theirs. Hell of a distance away for about a few clicks but it was interesting to know that they had a direct sight on his house. It was on the beach and the bay curved where Hinoki's property ended. So you could see a long strip of sand from another location. Classic tourist spot.
"Dad? I got 'em." I said ignoring the taps on the end with the Scottish guy giving Hinoki shit. "192 degrees about four or five kilometers south west. Isn't that like the outskirts of the town nearby?"
"I hear ya boy. Moving the satellite now. May take a few minutes though. Little harder with my staff working this out of my house."
Valid argument. You can't really work the latest in surveillance and communication tech out of a house with hardly a fifth of internet speed capacity and no satellite connection. I then grabbed my weapons bag and GPS tracker and headed out the houses back door to a dirt bike I stole a day prior. I would have to use the back trails to get a little closer to town so that they didn't notice anything suspicious. I'd be back for the rest of the equipment later.
After a couple of minutes I got to about a few hundred meters from where the signal was originating from. I parked the bike and went on foot hoping I could sneak through into their blind spot where they wouldn't have any sentries. It was located near one of the docks but not on it. Old and clearly not modernized, it was a large warehouse for either storage or moving local produce. Taking the opportunity with no one around, I unzipped the bag and got out my weapons and equipment. It was a quick snapping the belt with ammo around my waist and hooking the pistol holster around my thigh. My M4 PDW was already loaded so I just unfolded the stock, saw that my holo sight was on, and moved tactically to the building. If I caught these guys off guard that was the best I could ask for. But if they decided to do it the hard way, I only needed one of them alive. Preferably their leader.
As I got to the back door, I could hear voices from an open window above me. Too muffled to make anything out, but I recognized the Scottish accent of the one in charge.
It was go time.
"Damien wait! Don't breach!" Dad said over my radio just as I put my hand on the door hinge.
"Shit." I whispered as I pulled back and kept an eye out. "Dad. I'm right outside. What the hell?"
"Pull back now. You have a problem. I've been monitoring any movement off shore from the house and there's been a boat just floating out there. I took a closer look with the satellite and they were loading up some seriously heavy ordnance!"
Subconsciously cursing I didn't have time to think, only take action.
I backed away as quickly and quietly as I could from the warehouse. And after I went around a buildings corner, I sprinted down the street back to the bike.
Well this changes everything!
I knew I would disturb the hornet's nest but I didn't think Shadow Hammer would have this short of a fuse. I had to adapt to a new plan and fast. But first things first; get that boat away from the Hinoki family home.
"Damien?" Dad said trying to contact me.
"Not now Dad. I'll call ya back."
Going right towards their house and getting them out of there was a very last resort. Shadow Hammer can't know that I was in the Bahama's and had managed to trick Hekmatyar and her computer again until the last possible second. All they needed to do was send one message and Hekmatyar would not tell them where she was going to leave to next. I could only use my backup once I had defused the situation entirely. So that left only one option; intercept that boat.
The warehouse they were in was not next to the docks, so they wouldn't see me zoom past. But I hoped they paid no attention to the commotion I was beginning to cause when I sped towards the fishing docks. Zipping past people and riding down the wharf looking for something fast and inconspicuous. Which I did see a little dingy being tied up by its owner. I skidded the bike to a halt and jumped off of it and then into the boat. The fisherman could only get out a few words before I kicked him over the side, cut the rope with my knife and hit the throttle all the way forward.
The old wooden and fiberglass dingy hopped along the waves as I made towards Hinoki's property with the spray of the sea hitting me every now and again. There was only one real way to go and I hoped they didn't notice me coming to them.
"Dad! They still just looking at their house?" I said cupping my ear piece to get a better sound.
"Yes but where are you? You're heading away from them!"
"Check the water. You see me heading back there?"
There was a pause. "Damien what the hell are you doing!?"
"Not letting them rip the hook off the line!"
I ignored dad's ranting and made a beeline back to the house. Hopefully they would only be looking in one direction. The time to get there was shorter since I only needed to go one way and there was nothing really blocking the path. That's when I saw a boat in the distance that was designed more along the lines used for a leisurely day out at sea. That didn't mean that it wasn't faster than the dingy I was on. I prayed that they didn't notice me until the last second and I had to not use my guns because Mrs. Hinoki would have heard the racket even from the distance they were from shore.
I kept getting closer trying not to throttle it. That's when I saw two figures come out on to the upper and lower decks from the cabin. Setting together what dad must have seen from the sky. It wasn't an RPG but a recoilless rifle. Far more accurate to use at the distance they were and likely loaded with a projectile that would do more damage. One of those would more than likely level Hinoki's wooden house in two or three shots. Threat of them showing Hinoki of what would happen or not, I had to stop them now.
I pulled the throttle all the way back and went in for the attack. Obviously I couldn't ram the boat directly into theirs without killing myself. So I kept it to their starboard until I got close enough.
The one below deck though it was another boat passing by until he noticed the sound was getting too close. Shock lit up his face as I leapt from the dingy and flew into him like a spear as he dropped the launcher and tried to grab anything to defend himself.
CRASH!
I wasn't going too fast but it still hurt all the same. The thugs partner looked over the side to see what was happening but before he could react, I stood up, grabbed him by his collar, and pulled him down to the lower deck with a slam. But before I could deliver the finishing stomp he rolled out of the way. After quickly realizing who I was, he grabbed a cooler and threw it at me. I ducked but it gave him time to get back on his feet and came at me with a swing that connected, but I grabbed his follow up. I put his arm in a lock, delivered a double tap to his jaw, and swept out his foot throwing him back on the deck.
But before I could do anything else a rope came around my neck and knee came into my back. The pain from my spine was the leverage the other guy was trying to use to break it rather than strangle me. But he didn't count on me getting a little impatient while he was doing it. But as I put one hand on the rope to try and loosen it so I could breathe and get my knife, his partner got back on his feet again. He knew what to do next with the opportunity at hand. He delivered two blows to my gut and then to my face. I needed to get out of the other ones grip and get back on the offensive before I passed out.
The one I tackled decided to try again with harder force. But I lifted up my leg and my heel kick landed right in his chest and he fell backwards. Using the momentum I pushed myself back on the other guy until I hit something solid. Then rear headbutted the one choking me. Giving me enough time to get out my knife and plunge it into his thigh.
He let out a howling scream. Loosening the rope that I could get out of his choke. Keeping a firm grip on my blade, I then did a hard 180 degree turn and slammed my other elbow into his temple, ripping the knife from his thigh in the process and staining the dirty white deck with a string of blood.
CLICK-CLICK.
But it sounded like the other one had enough. Going in for all or nothing, I prepared a wind up, spun around to the direction of the sound of a cocked weapon, and threw the blade that saved my life more than once.
It did it again.
I was only aiming for his torso but the steel landed right in his heart, the look on his face and difficulty to use his voice wondered what in the hell just happened. His pistol dropped to the deck, and then him to his knees. I expected him to fall over the side. But he didn't.
But then I heard the other one limping fast back inside the cabin. He was going for the radio. Acting with haste, I pulled the blade from the ones chest and went after the other just he got to it. With my height advantage, I pulled his neck back by his face, put the knife on his throat and that was it.
As his body collapsed to the cabin floor with a slump, I took a moment to catch my breath. Rubbing my own throat from almost having my windpipe crushed. I then got on my own radio with a rasp.
"Dad? I got 'em. Hinoki's family is safe. You still tracking their phone call? Anything else happen?"
There was a pause before he answered. "Regardless that you saved them, that was careless boy. They aren't connected to Hinoki anymore but I can still pick up their signals. They were trying to get ahold of the boat that was sent to the house. Now I'm seeing activity at that warehouse you were just at. You spooked them!"
I had made a call. And it turns out that this time it was a bad call. But the mission wasn't a bust yet. I just had to make sure they didn't get away.
"Land, sea or air?" I asked.
"Still loading up from what it looks like. But you won't make it back in time!"
Dad was right. Even though I had a now faster boat available to me. I had no idea where Shadow Hammer would run to.
It seemed as though that now was the time where I needed back up. Enough of an amount of people to make sure that wherever they went they couldn't leave the islands. Which was perfect considering that this little archipelago was part of one of the territories of a rather large Navy. This little island was independent but still part of the Commonwealth after all.
1402 Hours
"It could be just a bad signal sir. All we really need to do is just make sure the timing was right with the encryption."
Rhodes just looked out the window of the second floor of the warehouse they were in with his posture placed in thought. The portion of Shadow Hammer with him calmly but not hastily packing up their equipment to move to a new location.
"No. Hinoki would eventually want to try and resolve this his own way thinking he could muster up some kind of plan to save his family. It was all a matter of time before he decided to act. Pity though, I was going to let them go regardless once he finished doing what he was told. Damn shame that when people are backed into a corner they become rather predictable."
Of course the real reason Rhodes was out here was to lure out Damien. His patience had paid off. Whether he was using tech from the CIA or had somehow managed to eliminate his two pawns without causing an alert was insignificant. Rhodes's real prize was to get Damien to come to him.
"Hey Chief." The one with the binoculars said to get his attention.
"Yes?"
"Cramer and Smith are on their way back with the boat. I thought they were going to be out there longer."
So I was right. He's here.
He smirked. "You would be correct." And then looked to his tech man again. "Is everything prepared for the withdrawal plan if necessary?"
"All done sir."
"Alright, get everyone ready. Plan Charlie. Now!"
There was slight hesitation but his remaining crew of ten went to their positions. He himself casually went to grab his TAR-21 Tavor and loaded his first magazine.
Interesting on how he managed to locate the observation boat, much less commandeer it for himself. Perhaps Miss Hekmatyar wasn't lying about how resourceful and tenacious he is. Pity he won't last through this by himself.
1417 Hours
"Well the stealthy approach is gonna be out, but at least I don't need to level the whole building, just get their attention somewhere else."
After dumping the two bodies in the ocean, I checked the launcher to see if it was loaded and it was. Working with so many different weapons over the years can cause you to forget how many of them operate but they all fall with the basic concept of where the safety, cocking mechanism, and trigger is and all you really need to do is aim. All I really need is a target. But I had to make sure I used it to just incapacitate their route of escape and not kill them. Even though it would have been worth it considering the fact they were threatening to kill Hinoki's little girl.
"This John Wayne bullshit is a stupid idea boy."
"Yeah well my most successful plans are usually half baked ones."
While the warehouse they were in wasn't on the docks, it was still tall enough that you could see them from the second floor with no containers blocking its view. They had to have seen the boat approaching, so I hoped that was all that they kept their eyes on. So after getting it lined up on the boardwalk just right, I slammed the throttle all the way forward, made my way out of the cabin with the launcher and hopped on the dock while the boat sped towards the pier. There were multiple crates on the dock to take cover behind so I took one there but what came next was a bit of a surprise.
Then for a brief moment I thought I saw movement from further ahead.
Suddenly multiple contacts came out of different spots of cover from the containers and crates with a variety of assault rifles, SMGs, and LMGs. They emptied their guns into the boat, literally filling it full of holes as it kept going. Only stopping with slamming its bow into the concrete pier.
It dawned on me that wasn't a coincidence. They figured out that someone was here to get them. I know an ambush when I see it.
It also dawned on me that this wasn't the first time I had used a vehicle for a distraction. It in reality had been a long time since I thought about that night where I ruined my life for the first time around.
But now wasn't the time to get caught up in bad memories. They went to inspect the boat further to see if anyone was in it. I counted six of them as I took the launcher off my back, but they weren't my target. It would have been stupid to kill off all the leads.
THWOOSH! BOOM!
The round hit dead center of the boat and blew up what was left of it sending the six flying backwards. Debris landing all over the place as the boats stern dropped to the shallow water sending the burning nose of the bow pointing in the sky.
Didn't expect that did ya?
As they were rolling on the ground I then moved ahead as fast as I could to get the drop on them and see if their leader was with them.
Ra-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tat!
But it looked like I had to push forward the hard way. I dove to cover behind a crate after hearing the sound of automatic rifle fire.
It then turned to the classic movements of stop and pop. Fire on the move. Suppress and flank. Wait for them to reload and get in closer.
Here there is no think. Only do or do not.
The shots were coming from further in. Most of the bodies from the blast were still on the ground but only one started to stand up.
I put him down before he could get to his knee.
The next few movements were being done the hard way. I saw that some of the firing was coming from the second floor of the warehouse I was attempting to breach earlier until I got the call from dad. I had to wait for them to reload because of the lack of decent cover. I would have thrown smoke if I had any.
The adrenaline was in full swing as I was sprinting towards the other side of the building. Praying to God that nothing hit.
"Right flank!" I heard from a British accent inside the warehouse.
It wasn't the same door but it didn't matter at that point.
"Just break it and leave it! It doesn't matter!" I heard a different voice that time as I kicked the door open and cleared what appeared to be a front desk office.
Breaching like this was incredibly stupid and dangerous in hindsight. Working like this alone means there's no one to watch your back or stay behind to secure a room. Especially when shit gets hot.
As I made my way upstairs, it lead to a sparse but recently vacated room. The wires connected to power outlets of some of their equipment was left behind from the commotion I heard earlier, the air still smelled of gunpowder. They were close.
"Clear the building!" I heard from a muffled voice from down below. I then ran back to the stairs.
But I didn't get more than three paces.
POW! BANG! BOOM!
It hit me so hard I couldn't react. The floor had erupted in a blast of concrete and shockwaves. Next thing I knew, I felt that I wasn't standing on anything. And after barely getting out a scream, I hit the floor below me hard.
The bastards had used themselves as bait and rigged the floor to take me out in the process.
I don't know how long I was on the lower floor. But it was long enough to realize that the abuse my body was going through as of recent had reached its breaking point that I wasn't able to get to my feet as fast as usual.
"I'll admit. Pretty interesting plan you had there Andrushko. Archaic as hell, but it almost worked."
As I was face first on the bottom floor covered in debris from the second, I saw the Scottish voice was coming from a man dressed for the warm weather. With a very thick full beard and long hair with the color red and a bull-pup assault rifle which looked to be an Israeli Tavor.
"Almost." And he then kicked me in the face. "And you're not the only one that can make cunning plans. Take that shite off of him and get him outside."
After that, two of them dragged me outside by my arms. Next I felt a third wrap something around my throat while the other two held my arms tighter and put their feet on the back of my knees so I couldn't move. I couldn't even hear what my radio was saying until red beard threw it into the water.
He then looked at me with a smug smirk. "So you're Hekmatyar's big bad attack dog? Hmph. Well, being one of her crew I guess that can make you pretty tough. Too bad you Yanks are all the same. All thunder and fury and not realizing what you walked into."
This asshole didn't realize that we aren't in some damn movie.
"Hey fuckwad if you value your life I suggest you tell me where she is. Right now-GAH!"
The wire then tightened around my neck as red beards smirk widened. He then held up his hand to get his man to stop.
"I'll do you one better pretty boy. I'll take you right to her. You see I actually find you rather fascinating. Even after all of problems you caused her, she still wants you back alive. Dare I say either her bells aren't all ringing in unison because she's about to pop out a brat or you must be very special."
Good that I knew who would lead me to her but I needed to get out of my current situation first. Or at least stall for time.
"And come to think of it, I owe you one as well." He said pleased.
"For what?" I asked.
"You kickstarting something with her that caused her to destroy that whole facility she built from the ground up. I was there when she and her Japanese friend first broke ground for the foundation three years ago. At first I thought it was a real let down working for her when she told my company what we were doing, but the pay was rather generous. All of that hard work and no more than six months after she opens it, she levels it, just because of you. Then the moment I saw her approach me after that was done I knew how our job would change. She cut us loose to go and hunt for you. She knew we would not go for theatrics and take care of you as fast as possible. She must have been desperate because I have heard of her reputation for being awfully selective about who she wants to do business with, but still keep us on with double the pay? I knew we were walking into a fight that would be worth it."
I don't think he realized what she was planning. Then again hired killers, especially ones like this asshole who enjoy said act, don't question their employer when it means they can cut loose and not care.
"I wouldn't have minded it lasted a little longer though, shame that I didn't get to see you at your best."
"Trust me, if I was at my best we wouldn't be even talking. You'd just be dead, plain and simple."
He then smirked and raised his eyebrow. "Really? Well what's not so simple is the fact that you compromised Hinoki's family. I was gonna let them go because you were the bigger prize. It was a fifty/fifty shot so I'm glad I got the better odd. But I think that woman and that brat's deaths and the capture of Bookman and you're Da's ace in the hole will send a message to back away from Miss Hekmatyar."
During his little monologue, I did hear something in the distance. But I had to keep him going on. In a rage to keep him focused on me I tried to muscle free but the three's grip were too strong.
"Like I said, you might wanna reconsider your plans if you value being in one piece and having all your blood on the inside of you." I growled.
"So vicious. We'll see when Miss Hekmatyar gets a hold of you." He then made a circular motion with his hand as he stood up. "Alright boys! We have who we need. Get him out of here."
As they lifted me up to take me away to who knows where, I wondered if I was hearing things and this was it.
THWIP!
The sound followed by some minor wet spray to my right put that doubt to rest real quick.
Bout fucking time!
As the other two holding me were trying to process what just happened I took my free arm and smashed my elbow into the one behind me and then grabbed the fingers of the one holding my arm and bent them until I heard a crack.
Which was followed by a piercing scream where all eyes of red beards crew looked toward me. One ran towards me with his rifle raised, but dropped to his back after what looked like he was hit in the chest.
"Spread out!" One yelled.
But then the cavalry showed up with perfect timing as I also heard chopper blades get closer and closer. I took the time to bolt away from the main group and went for cover. I saw multiple men in full tactical gear approach from all sides of the docks. They got there quicker than expected.
What erupted next were a multitude of shouts and screams from different voices in all directions. This was followed with multiple suppressed and unsuppressed gunfire. Ending with a different English voice coming from a bullhorn of one of three helicopters circling the docks.
"This is the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom! In accordance with the safety and defense of Commonwealth of the Bahama's you all are under arrest for acts of terrorism! Surrender and lay down your arms at once!"
Some ran but didn't get very far. Others just accepted their fate and put their hands up. One though decided to try and slip away.
The overly arrogant red beard with a face contorted into anger on wondering what just happened.
Oh no you don't.
Taking advantage of the chaos he decided to try and run to one of his SUV's parked away from the warehouse.
But he didn't count on me moving so fast to get ahead of him. As he opened the driver's door to get inside I cut him off midway by kicking the door shut into his torso.
SLAM!
As he let out a painful shout, I grabbed him by his tactical vest and threw him away from the SUV. He then quickly got to his feet while pulling out his sidearm but I closed the distance and put my grip on his wrists. Moving out of the way as he fired off a single shot.
Backhanding him across the face, I tripped his feet out from under him causing to loosen his grip on his gun. After throwing it to the side, I got on top of him in a dominant mount. Keeping a firm grip on his arm as his free one clawed for anything of use. But he realized that he wasn't going anywhere and appeared to accept his fate.
"What the fuck are you waiting for!? Do it Andrushko!"
I just stared back. "As much as I'd like to, I need you alive." And then balled up my fist.
THWACK! THWACK!
As his eyes rolled over, I finished incapacitating him. The noise around the docks had died down considerably too. Meaning it was over.
"There he is! Agent Andrushko!" I heard from a Caribbean accent coming toward me.
I wanted to correct him that I wasn't that but explaining it to him would have been needless.
"You guys with the Royal Marines?" I asked the masked member as his colleagues were taking away red beards crew.
"Some of us. We're with the Bahamian Self Defense Force. Our English friends let us know of this possible threat and we were obligated to help. You'll forgive me but, CIA mission? Royal Navy coming to the rescue? I'm finding this all rather surreal."
I used to think the same thing.
I just acknowledged him with a hum. And pointed to the man under my knee.
"Don't take your eyes off of this one. And I know this might be a bit much to ask, but I need two things."
"Yes?"
"I need a detail of your men to act as guards to a family here as a little extra protection. And I need a phone."
1620 Hours
Nassau International Airport, BSDF Sector's Hanger Bays
Things managed to settle down after I got in touch with Dad. According to him Hinoki's wife was yelling at him non-stop but he said he would call me when the time was appropriate. Most likely to thank me but I couldn't help but feel a little suspicious that he might have known that I had used him in some way. But things had worked out for the best way I could have hoped. I now had my lead, but the problem was getting them to give us what I wanted.
I just sat from the gantries overseeing SDF and the Royal Navy go about their business. The Defense Force here had set up several makeshift holding cells for the Shadow Hammer prisoners. They would be held here until the representatives from the British Secret Service arrived to take them back to the Isles for their fates but I just needed to find out where Hekmatyar is.
"Her Majesty's government does thank the CIA for delivering us such a prime fugitive and his henchmen to us. Interpol as well as our government and the Dutch's have been trying to prove Shadow Hammer's activities as unlawful for years. This kind of action though will undoubtably indict them on involvement with terrorist activities. But I don't think you're going to be able to get what you want out of them until they're flown back to London."
Not happening. I need them to talk now.
The man addressing me was the leader of the raid that caught Shadow Hammer for me, a Commander Howell. I still wished they didn't think I was an agent, but that didn't matter at this point. The post intel he gave me helped them solidify the identity of who I beat up, Spencer Rhodes.
A rather sick asshole from what dad told me about him over the phone. The fact that he was a "senior executive" of Shadow Hammer was irrelevant since mercenary groups don't have real business models. Looks like I did good on upholding my deal to Minister Harvey. This would be beneficial, because I needed an army to fight another one. If Hekmatyar can bring people to her side, then so can I.
"Tell me Commander have any of the prisoners decided to give up a lead on where I can find the person of interest I'm seeking?"
"Nothing yet. They're really holding it in tight. Not even back talk. Each time I asked them anything they just stared back."
The reason why was obvious, Hekmatyar had either paid them a shit load or if they talked they'd be dead. But I couldn't just wait for the bad news to reach her. I needed a lead or at least some kind of indication of her plans. Looks like it was my turn to put my information extraction skills to the test.
I just hope this didn't turn into a riot.
"Alright Commander." I said as I got to my feet and made for the stairs. "I'll get what I need out of them. I was their target anyway. But how I'm going to do that is going to be up to me and you will stay out of it."
"Excuse me Agent Andru-?" He protested but I cut him off.
"You will stay out of it Commander! I am running against the clock against a much bigger threat and this group will lead me to it. The Minister of State for your military will have what is owed to him but I need what I need first."
As I left him to contemplate on what was about to happen there was only one cell I was focusing on, Rhodes's.
The cells housed one prisoner so that no two shared information or plan anything. They were the same six by eight design of chain link fencing that completely enclosed each prisoner. While hastily build they were sturdy enough so that they couldn't try anything. Especially with roving guards keeping a constant eye on them.
Each one of them looked at me as I passed them all with heavy footsteps making for their boss. Rhodes was sitting on his cot and turned his head around as I approached his cell. He stood up and looked at me less arrogant this time. He knew why I was here.
"Rather clever you came so well prepared. Pity none of these blokes even remotely know that you should be in one of these little cages with us."
I just stared back. Interesting though that he admitted that is a little twisted in the head.
"Then again, if your cruelty is strong enough then anyone can ask you to do the jobs they're too afraid to do themselves. It's why men like us are so valuable. Morals, ethics, principles and all that other shite mean nothing whenever someone wants to stay on top. Whether they be some angel of mercy or selfish monster. But don't think I'm just going to admit the fine details of my job performance. It's called respecting my clients privacy."
Classic monologuing fool who thinks the world is a stage and he's the star of the whole show. Hekmatyar more than likely briefed him on everything about me. But I don't think he realizes that this is real life. And reality can be a lot more crueler and terrifying.
Plus he was starting to bore me.
"Person or place. I do not care which. A name so that I can find her. Now."
The cocky fuck smiled. "Well I did say I would take you to her." And then tilted his head. "After I had asked where she would want us to go once we had you. You really think she would tell ANY of us something like that?"
I then turned to walk to a guard, handing him my pistol. "Keys to his cell. Right now."
He looked at me confused for a moment but after the slant in my eyes to hurry up, he slung his rifle behind him. Taking the keys from his pocket he held the one on the link that opened his cell. I exchanged it for my pistol and walked right back to Rhodes. His gaze was one of focused curiosity and stood in one spot as I opened the door and backed away.
Naturally this drew a lot of eyes from everyone.
Rhodes cautiously then took a single step outside the cage. Looking around he relaxed a bit, knowing that no matter what he did he would be shot before he even took a single step.
He just looked to me and smiled. "Trying to prove something Andrushko?"
"I don't got time for this shit. How can I find her?"
He knew what was coming next as I saw his fists ball up and put his chin down. The freak must have lusted for a fight so badly he didn't care of the situation he was in.
"Try standing on your head and holding your breath."
Hard way then.
He must have expected me to stalk towards him, but he didn't realize that my legs have one hell of a reach. A side kick to the sternum sent him stumbling back into his cage.
"Anyone stops this, you're next!" I shouted to all the guards as I approached a dazed Rhodes.
Seeing as how things were serious now he looked at me in anger. But it looks like he was able to adapt to the situation. Before I could get a proper guard up he then jumped up to grab the links that enclosed his cell and delivered a duel kick that sent me back a few steps. As both of us got back on the defensive he balled his fists up and got into a stance most boxers used.
The British SAS normally teach their units a combination of different martial arts such as Jujitsu, Karate, Judo, and Kenpo. Also known as Goshinkwai. For the longest time, even today, there are frauds and con artists in the fighting world that come up with the stupidest of claims for a martial art that either doesn't exist or is just a bunch of moves that do nothing. It was just so that they could trick people into giving them money. This however was not one of those styles. Two brothers from Wales took the knowledge they learned from one of the best Judo masters in the world and combined it with their own boxing skills to create something truly unique.
I went first. Stepping into a swing, but he parried it and delivered a kick to my knee. Taking advantage of my pause, he then followed up with a shot to the ribs.
But powering through the pain, I delivered a spinning back kick. Which he dodged, but he didn't get out of the way in time for I high kick. He decided to try and match that particular way, but I grabbed his leg. Lunging forward to put him in a standing lock with my left arm. Taking advantage of his confusion and my height advantage I delivered a cross. Then reversed the strike with my elbow to his temple.
He then leaped up to twist his way out of the hold, while kicking me in the side of the head, breaking himself free from my grip. This was followed by a combination of punches and blocks from the both of us. But after catching an opening of four strikes with a right hook, left hook, a gut punch, and a high knee to the face threw him back on the ground bloodied.
"The woman. Now."
He just growled and then leaped up onto his feet. Charging forward I didn't expect him to have such good form, leaping into a spin kick aiming for my head. But he was wide open. More than open enough to grab him out of the air and slam him into the concreate floor with enough force that it echoed in the hanger. With him on the ground not looking behind him I got close, raised my foot high, and planted it into his spine.
He roared in pain. Whether I broke something or not was inconsequential. It was then that I saw Howell tried to direct some of his men to stop my "interrogation". I just pointed at him and waved my finger. I saw that some of the guards were a little taken back by what they were seeing. Wondering if approaching me was a good idea.
"Where?" I said standing to Rhodes's side.
But it looked like he wasn't done yet. He then elbowed me in the stomach. But then really had me in pain rolling backwards with a follow up to my crotch.
It wasn't the first time someone got off a cheap shot. But it fucking sucked when it happened.
With me lowered over to match his height he took the opening to deliver a front kick. I then got out of his range because if I didn't get back on the offensive, I wouldn't get anything out of him. So the next logical step is just to not let go of him.
After parrying and exchanging another round of punches, he went for another high kick. That's when I grabbed his leg by his calf and heel. I turned around and with all my might, used by body as extra weight for a throwing motion, threw him leg first over me and slamming him to the floor. Not giving him a chance after that, I kept a hold of his leg I closed his knee in as I placed our backs together keeping him pinned. Then using a free hand, I elbowed the back of his head. His face connecting to the concrete floor as an extra pummel.
He couldn't break out of my grip as I felt his resistance fading.
"The girl!" I screamed.
"Piss off you wanker!"
I then bared my teeth. It wasn't wise to fall back into my greatest strength and weakness again but I needed this guy to talk. I just wish I could have been in control this whole time.
Letting go of his leg, I then kneeled up over him, grabbing his shoulders. And then began to slam his face into the floor.
Each hit sounded wet upon impact. Appropriate for the amount of blood he was losing. But then he was starting to go limp.
"Andrushko!" I heard Howell's voice but I didn't care. This had gone on long enough.
I then stood up, put him in a rear naked choke hold, and lifted him off the ground at the same time.
"Andrushko that's enough!" He shouted as the bloody Rhodes struggled in my grip. "You're going to kill him!"
"I will if he doesn't answer me. Hekmatyar! Last chance!"
I was a little too focused on making Rhodes sing when I noticed several guards looking like they were about to pounce on me to stop me.
But then I heard a strained answer.
"Sh…sh…ship." He said choking.
"What?" I asked.
"Her ship…the Fruition." I said only loosening the grip slightly. It wasn't a good enough answer.
"That damn thing could be anywhere! How's that supposed to help me!?"
"No!-COUGH!-She's doing something to it! Fitting it out for her project!-GASP!-Once we were done here she'd tell us where her ship is so we could guard it while it was undergoing something big. She didn't say what it was for but I know the parts to outfit it were coming from France and Russia!"
The hardass act he was pulling had finally run its course. I dropped him like log and he fell to his hands and knees. Bloody and gasping for air. I then looked to Howell, his judgement of me not too pleasing but his men had calmed down.
"He's all yours. Whatever you can squeeze out of him after you get to England, pass it along to the CIA. There's too much material and too much money moving around with this thing for nobody to just know nothing."
I then went to the one guard to get my gun back. Turning around once to see Rhodes with a look of absolute rage in his eyes as he was more than likely going to be looked at by a doctor. A classic look I've seen over the years of when someone wanted me dead and it was personal.
"Agent Andrushko!" Howell shouted again.
"What?" I said flatly.
"I am aware of how intelligence agencies extract information from prisoners, but that was a bit excessive. What am I supposed to tell my superiors when he shows up looking like that!? Regardless of what he's done, he still has rights and to be judged in a court of law for his crimes!"
I just walked off. It wasn't his fault he didn't know.
"Tell 'em he slipped on a bar of soap. I don't give a fuck." I said pulling out my phone.
"Dad? I got the next bread crumb. Looks like I'm heading back to either France or Russia."
"You think she has the device in one of those two countries?"
"No. But I need you to get ahold of Black. Have him check out orders for modifications on a cargo ship. Big ones. Including orders that seem highly irregular."
"Alright I'll find out where they might be going. I also just got off the phone with Hinoki. He sends his regards."
If he didn't suspect I used his family as bait. Then all was well.
"Tell him to thank me if we live through this."