Chapter 11: Interlude

GRU Headquarters, Grizodubovoy Street 3, Moscow, Russian Federation

Colonel General Sergei Izotov looked pleased. The "terrorist" camp that was bombed eliminated the organization's chief rival and his superiors in Megiddo would be pleased. He was happy to be given advance notice of the strike by his contact in the United States government. His own personal Spetsnaz unit the 223rd Special Purpose Detachment has been deployed on covert deep reconnaissance missions. Forty of them had been in Africa but with Black Tusk failing in its objectives, it's time for phase 2 to begin. Thankfully US Tier One Units will take care of the problem.

Fort Bragg, North Carolina, August 2022

LTC. Scott Mitchell's Office

The mission in Africa was a success. But the death of those Navy Seals was a blow to United States Naval Special Warfare Command. But the Ghost Recon Teams and Seals made it out alive. This new group of fighters is particularly concerning. So, much so that the NSA's Blacker-than-Black organization known as Fourth Echelon is actively investigating them. Given the advanced weaponry, this unknown organization is using.

Mitchell was in his office going over all the Intel that had been given to him by the NSA, and every other Intelligence Agency. The end was near for Black Tusk. But the United States has been devastated by the terrorist attacks by those domestic extremist groups, specifically in New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles. Thankfully the counter-terrorist unit known as Rainbow took out the terrorists. The unfortunate thing was the amount of dead Americans and the destruction the attacks caused. Black Tusk will pay for giving those domestic extremist groups those weapons.

Undisclosed Location, United States

Fourth Echelon Director and field agent Sam Fisher looked at the women in front of him. She was looking at him with hunger in her eyes. It slightly unnerved him, but he needed answers. Viktoria Kolosov was a former GRU Agent and now an informant for the United States.

"There's a Russian woman using your old codename Snow Maiden." He said

"I was wondering when another would be activated." The woman said in a thick accent

"Activitated, like a program of operatives?"

"Da. The Snow Maiden program. To turn women into the perfect spies. Working for the oligarchs, the true leaders of Russia."

"So, Colonel Viktoria Antsyforova is a Snow Maiden operative. I've lost track of her after an ambush on US soil."

"Most of us are contacted via code or meetings with lower-level GRU or SVR personnel."

Fisher got up from the couch and thanked her for her time. She went up to him and planted a kiss on the cheek. He walked out the door and his earpiece buzzed.

"Sam, it's Grim. We've lost contact with our undercover agent inside Natalya Sokolova's inner circle."

"Where was his position last located?"

"Brazil."

"I know a team specialized in this kind of work. Tell Charlie to find his exact location. He probably has information on Sokolova's location."

He got in his car and drove out of the building. Thinking about the implications of a mass Russian Spy Program scattered across NATO Countries. What were the Russians planning and was Megiddo involved? Remembering that their influence stretches from the swamp that was Washington DC, to China, and the Russian Federation.

A dark spec on the roof near Viktoria Kolosov's penthouse appeared. Pulling out a long black case. The unknown figure built the rifle before he aimed it at the target. She didn't even know what hit her when the assailant shot the rifle. Putting the weapon back in the case the figure climbed down the building and went into a black van.

"When do I get paid?" The unknown man said

"Right now." A familiar voice said

The killer looked at his masked accomplice when he suddenly felt like he had been punched. Vision slowly faded as he saw the suppressed handgun. Then saw the female face of his association for the first and final time. The van drove off into the distance before it exploded killing the female and the driver. Leaving no trace of the assassination.

Poti Airport, Republic of Georgia

The current Snow Maiden Colonel Viktoria Antsyforov sat impatiently as the Antonov An-26 plane landed and the 40 Spetsnaz Operatives unloaded multiple crates of Russian-made weapons for the Forgotten Army and Davit Sidamonidze's growing separatist movement. A man approached her.

"Zdravstvuite. I'm Captain Ivan Severov of the 223rd Special Purpose Detachment. We have the weapons and equipment ready."

"What equipment do we exactly have in those crates?" She said

"I'm Sergeant Boris Krupin. We have crates of RPG-42s, RPG-7s, an assortment of AK rifles, and 9M135 Voronas."

"Excellent. I'll be your point of contact for Operation Cossack."

"Understood Ma'am."

A few Days Later, Joint Base Andrews, Paladin Mobile Command Center for Fourth Echelon

Sam looked at the Strategic Mission Interface or S.M.I., helping narrow down the exact location of the compound. They knew that Black Tusk was run by a Russian Oligarch and that the organization had ties to the CIA. Looking for any past CIA outposts and compounds in South America.

"Sam." Charlie said "I found an abandoned CIA compound in the Mantiqueira Mountains in Brazil. Our undercover agent's burner pinged in that location in the last 24 hours."

Sam turned to Grim "Create a target package for our friends at Fort Bragg. Make sure Nomad gets the message." He finished

Clay Household

The Clay Household was abuzz with activity. A week had passed since the operation in the sweltering jungles of Africa and it smelled like smoked Ribs and buttered corn. They didn't have a housewarming party due to his chaotic schedule. But he was happy to finally see the old team again. He hoped they would get along with his new team. He walked into the house with the finished ribs and heard the television.

"Law Enforcement confirms that yesterday's terrorist attacks have been stopped but not before hundreds of Americans have been killed. President Becerra plans to address the shocked nation later tonight."

Of course, Clay knew the truth. A NATO Counterterrorist unit conducted a three-pronged assault on the three cities and captured the chemical weapons. He never would have guessed that an operation against a known financier of terrorism would lead to a race to find chemical weapons and fight against a CIA-trained Private Military Company.

Clay thought of his new unit, the Group for Specialized Tactics. They were his new brothers and sisters. The best that JSOC had to offer. He got along well with Dallas and of course Weaver. The doorbell rang and Stella opened it. He heard the familiar voices of his old unit Bravo Team of Seal Team Six, his friends. Stella entered the kitchen with Ray, Jason, and Sonny. Ray came up and gave him a hug

"Hey, brother. Trent and Brock couldn't make it."

"It's good to see you all. It's been a while."

"Don't sweat it Clay," Jason said

"Sonny here is still upset about you joining the Army." Said Ray

"What the hell do they have that we don't huh?" Sonny said curtly

"Let's talk in private, some guys from my new unit will arrive," Clay said

They walked into the den and he shut the door. Began to explain what Ghost Recon is.

"Listen, I'm part of a highly elite unit of JSOC called The Group for Specialized Tactics. You've never heard of them because they don't officially exist. They only select the best to join." Clay explained

"So, you're part of the silent tip of the spear. I've heard mentions of them but thought they were a myth." Ray said

"I'm happy for you Clay. You're obviously doing some good work." Jason said

Clay looked at his former teammates and friends. He even saw Soony smirk.

"Hell, any unit is lucky to have you. Still got to meet these teammates of yours." Sonny said as he gave his friend a hug

They all heard the doorbell ring again and it looked like the rest of the guests had arrived. Walking with his former Bravo Teammates he saw Nomad and Weaver.

"Hey, these are my former DEVGRU team members."

Everyone was greeting each other and handing out beers. When Weaver saw Ray, he smiled.

"Ray! Good to see you again."

"Coray? Oh, man. It's been a while."

"Since Seal Team 3 brother."

After eating stacks of ribs and eating corn. Clay decided to get Brian his son to meet his teammates. Of course everyone was delighted to meet the baby. Even Sonny got used to his new Ghost Recon teammates. All of them were getting along, talking about past missions and experiences. But Clay's pager went off, as did the other Ghosts.

"This isn't good. Nomad, Weaver, we have a situation. Sorry guys."

"The job never ends. We'll clean up. Go do your thing." Jason said

"Keep Clay safe Nomad," Sonny shouted as he saw the operators leave the house.

Ghost Tactical Operations Center, Fort Bragg, South Carolina, United States

Clay, Nomad, and Weaver entered the briefing room. He saw the usual members of his team Dallas, Viper, Holt, and Midas as well as LTC. Scott Mitchell, Major Alice Dennison of MARSOC, and First Lieutenant Kirk Graham. The old man as Mitchell was referred to by the younger Ghosts looked serious as he stood up.

"Gentleman, we have a situation in Brazil. As you know, the Black Tusk Special Unit is on its last ropes. Their terrorist attack with chemical weapons failed and the organization has been pretty much dismantled. As of 48 hours ago, Fourth Echelon lost contact with an undercover agent within the inner circle of Natalya Sokolova. The latest report from Fourth Echelon indicates that a former CIA compound in the Mantiqueira Mountains. Major Dennison will give you more Intel."

The former intelligence analyst from MARSOC stood up. Her shirt and black hair weaved as she was walking.

"This is Operation Gallant Eagle. Your objectives are to rescue the Fourth Echelon agent and gather Intelligence on Sokolova's location."

Nomad was listening to the briefing and was happy that Sam trusted him to get this intelligence. He stood up and told his AFO Team to get their weapons and equipment. It was time to finish Black Tusk.

Black Tusk Compound, Location Unknown

Natalya Sokolova was raging at what had happened over the past few months. Her brother was killed by those western dogs and the organization she created was in shambles. Thankfully she rooted out that traitor. She hoped he was dying slowly. Petra, her assistant, opened the door.

"Ma'am. I have an unknown caller on the line."

She knew who it was, the head of Megiddo. The organization was washing their hands clean of her. Watching her downfall, thankfully she still had friends in high places, thinking of her best friend Katya Maksimova and her family. She answered her phone.

GRU Headquarters, Grizodubovoy Street 3, Moscow, Russian Federation

Sergei Izotov just finished a secure phone call with his counterpart in the People's Republic of China Intelligence Bureau of the General Staff, Former General, and first director of the organization Tian Zhao. Zhao was also part of Megiddo, reporting to the mysterious cabal of activities in Asia. From what Izotov could gather, China is hoping to finally create an organization to rival NATO.

C-130 headed to Brazil

On this plane ride, Clay decided to sit next to Weaver. As former members of DEVGRU, they bonded immediately, it also helped that they were both marksmen. The veteran ghost operator recommended a series of memoirs written by Karl Fairburne, a legendary sniper from WW2. Nomad on the other hand was talking with Sergeant David "Viper" Ryan about past units and operations. Holt was joking with Midas and Fxit was reading about MACV-SOG. Clay was at ease and knew that the endgame was near. Black Tusks' illegal operations will end and the threat eliminated.

All the operators felt the plane begin its descent down toward the unmarked airfield. It landed with a thud and it shook. The ramp opened and they felt the cool humid air hit them. They were met by the Global Response Staff security contractors. The gray-bearded man smiled at Nomad.

"Perryman, what the hell are you doing here?" Asked the grizzled veteran

"Fancy seeing you here Master Sergeant Roy." Nomad said "Guys, this is MSG Roy. He was my team leader when I was a member of Task Force 88 in Iraq."

"We've been briefed by LTC. Mitchell on the situation. We're about 30 miles from the target location. We have ATVs and a Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1." Roy said

"All right. You heard him. Let's get our equipment ready. We leave in 20 minutes." Nomad called out to his team

Clay loaded his gear into the specialized jeep and began inspecting his weapon. The others did the same thing. Viper inspected the vehicle and noticed the Carl Gustav Recoilless Rifle. He made a mental note of it. After around 20 minutes the operators were ready to go.

"Alright guys, the agent we are looking for is named Michael Haney. He has vital information. Let's bring him home, gentleman."

The engines roared to life as the compound's gate opened. Off into the wilderness of Brazil. Clay hoped that the agent was still alive. This mission was too important to fail.