Chapter 9

"I see you remember this place, Angelita."

Nicolette shifted from where she had decided to sit and watch the sunrise. She left Soap sleeping in her bed, after telling him to stay asleep. It was rare they could get such a respite. She made her way to a spot Alejandro showed her where she could watch the morning sun rise. She climbed up and sat on the roof of the building, just taking in the landscape.

Seeing Alejandro, she smiled and replied, "Of course I remembered. I always look for the best spot for a sunrise."

Alejandro chuckled as he moved to join her. He swung his legs over like he was clearing a barricade and landed on the ledge. He turned when he heard her laugh.

"Show off."

"I could say the same thing about you, hermanita," he replied. "At least you did when we needed you the most."

"Sniper shots are nothing," Nicolette replied after giving a playful punch on his shoulder. "Ghost made sure I was as good as he is."

"I meant your set up to buy us time to retreat."

"Oh. You know that if I have an opportunity I take it," Nicolette replied. She looked at Alejandro. "It was like getting into old habits, hermano. Right when I first started helping you."

"I remember," Alejandro nodded. "Thing is, Angelita, yesterday, you were different from before." He looked at her made sure she was looking at him before continuing, "You are not what started in Las Almas five years ago, but I know you can be that again. I pray that you don't."

Nicolette looked at the man that looked after her like an older brother. She replied, "I felt like it was the same. I know it wasn't the same and… I won't be like that unless I have to."

"I know, hermanita," Alejandro replied with a nod. "It is why if it is time, I hope you come to me. I will be ready and stand with you."

Nicolette smiled at the man. "You are a good man, Alejandro. A better brother than I deserve."

"You're more than I deserve," Alejandro corrected. "If you hadn't saved my life that day…"

"We wouldn't be able to say that the only thing that could kill you is you," Nicolette finished with a smile. She looked down at her hands and then back up at him. "Which is true. You love Las Almas. I love this place too. It is beautiful."

"You see like I do," Alejandro said smiling at her. He looked at the landscape. "The children have been asking about you."

"I think about them all the time. Just I like I do Thalia. She's doing fine by the way."

"A product of your generosity." Alejandro put a hand on her shoulder. "Same as where my family is."

"I couldn't let the cartel try their tricks."

"I know. And I am grateful." Alejandro paused and watched the sunrise with her. He then observed, "Working with the 141 seems to have done you a lot of good. I worried about you when you left us, and I worried when you visited."

Nicolette leaned against Alejandro. "It has. Price is very much like you. He looks out for me. Takes me a lot to convince him that I could do things. He also listens even when it sounds ridiculous."

"I like him. And seems you found a second Rodolfo with Gaz." Alejandro knew about the 141 members. He had kept in touch with Nicolette through the years. "Ghost seems to be your punching bag."

Nicolette snorted at that. "We beat each other up, hermano. We are… so much alike in a lot of things," she said with a smile on her face.

"And Soap?"

Nicolette paused. She wasn't sure how to answer that. She did mention that she was seeing someone when she emailed Alejandro when she got together with Soap. She just didn't give a name. Now she felt like she was being interrogated even though it was hardly that. "Um…"

"I know, Angelita." Alejandro wrapped his arm around her to hug her. "I noticed mostly him. How he would look at you. You're both very good at keeping your minds on the job." He sighed, "I saw the look on his face when we realized you were still trapped in the exfil vehicle."

"That was twice in two days," Nicolette replied. She took comfort in Alejandro's hug. "First time was a heli crash. Scared the fuck out of me too. I think about how lucky I was to walk away from it."

Alejandro made a sound. That was the job. Danger happened whether it was in training or on an op. He didn't like that his Angelita was in those situations, but he knew she decided to do the job and respected it. It was why he allowed himself to trust her when she came up with her near crazy ideas. "You walked away, and you made good on the chance given you."

"And it's more of the same."

"True, but at least you have someone who knows you or is willing to know you and stand by you."

Nicolette moaned and hid her face in Alejandro's shoulder. "You are not going to let that go, are you?"

"I just want to know if I need to have a conversation," Alejandro teased. "After all, you are mi hermanita. Familia." He chuckled at her reaction. It wasn't a lie though. He would act like a protective papi if the man in her life did anything to hurt her.

Nicolette knew that Alejandro would press until she caved. She decided to bite the bullet, "Soap and I… are together. For over a year."

Alejandro made a sound of acknowledgement, "Now that wasn't so hard."

Nicolette straightened up and shifted to look at him, "I don't like to talk about it, because I think I'm going to jinx it."

"Dime."

"I've… not had much luck with relationships, hermano," Nicolette explained. "Romantic or otherwise. Hell, even Ghost and I clashed horribly to the point where we both said things we didn't mean, and I walked away." She picked at her fingers and put them in her lap. "Soap… he's different. I warned him and even told him how I met my Russian friends since that usually sends people running for the hills."

"He didn't run."

Nicolette shook her head. "No, he didn't. He kept coming back. He… tried to help me when the nightmares bothered me. He tried… tries to understand me."

Alejandro listened and nodded in approval. "And just the right man for my Angelita." He looked her in the eye and explained, "I know he gave you reasons. My opinion? He sees what I see in you. Angelita, con pistola chingada."

Nicolette made a face and smacked his shoulder. She pretended to be mad, but it didn't last. She ended up laughing with him. "You're the best, Alejandro."

"I know."

They both turned to look at the landscape. The sun had risen higher, and it looked like a blanket was being lifted from the land as the light touched the ground. Nicolette sighed in contentment as she watched it. "Thank you for helping us, Alejandro."

"It affects Las Almas."

"True," she agreed, "But I fear that what is happening is going to make things much more complicated in other things. It is easy to say 'this is the world I live in. I have no business with the outside.' But the way things have developed… It's like the narcos getting creative. Just on a global scale."

Alejandro pondered what she was saying and nodded, "You may be right, Angelita. Terrorists don't cross the southern border and yet one did."

"I'm glad Rudy is okay. I saw the cut."

Alejandro muttered a few choice phrases in Spanish under his breath. It made her chuckle and put her hand on his shoulder. "Rudy is just like you. Tough old dog and that's a good thing." She looked at the landscape before adding, "I know the cartel will be looking into who thwarted them."

"Sí," Alejandro nodded in agreement. He looked at her and saw she was thinking about something. He could take a good guess. "And you want to wander through the city to hear the word."

"You know I can, hermano. Next to you and the Vaqueros, I know Las Almas like I do my hacking skills. I still have a few contacts in the city," Nicolette replied, laying down her reasons. "And I know you will be reaching out to yours. We always said more eyes gets us a bigger picture. Recuerda?"

Alejandro stared at her. He wanted to make a face at her logical argument and the fact that she was using his own words to reinforce it. He nodded, "Yes. I remember, Angelita. Thing is the cartel has a long memory. They may not know your face, but they know of the one that continues to make trouble for them."

"I was listening in the truck when we went to the safehouse." Nicolette gave a knowing smile at him, "I can read between the lines, hermano. It's what I do for a living."

Alejandro knew she was right. There was no way around it. "Alright. I'm for it. You have to convince your teammates of it."

Nicolette chuckled at the thought of doing that. Soap would be trying hard not to argue, and Ghost would be trying not shout at her for suggesting something her would have done himself. "It will be fun," she said.

"Just as long as you don't disappoint the Vaqueros." Alejandro shot a knowing look in her direction. At her look he added, "Tradition, hermanita. You know how superstitious we can be."

Nicolette narrowed her eyes at Alejandro and replied, "Fine. I usually visit this time of year anyway."

Alejandro chuckled at her reaction, and they shared a laugh. They stayed there a little while longer until nature told them they needed to eat. It really did feel like old times.

The video was proof of life. Laswell was alive. For how long… that was a matter of debate. The threat was clear though when the AQ fighter put a gun to Laswell's head. It was enough to send powerful emotions through the two soldiers watching it.

"This is proof of life," Gaz said. His eyes watched the video, ignoring the fact that General Shepherd was on the line as well.

Price felt the blood rush through his veins. He didn't like that Laswell had been on overwatch on the boat alone. He felt that maybe he had time to call in a favor, so she had back up. First in mind was an old friend that had a tendency to go down swinging and taking out as many AQ members. Second, was another but was lying low and he would have had to ask a certain someone where he was.

Laswell said it was time sensitive. It was true. There were other missiles out there and they had this lead from Hassan's phone after mission success in Las Almas. The level of detail had Price proud of his hand-picked intelligence officer. It led them to Spain and their hunch was right with the cartel and AQ members swarming around.

Thanks to him and Gaz, they were able to sneak up in ghillie suits and take out the guards and find the tunnels beneath the lighthouse. They figured out the purpose, but no missiles and Laswell ended up getting taken. The unspoken question was how the hell they were able to find Laswell alone. It was a moot point now. Price leaned in and asked, "Where did this come from?"

Urzikstan.

Price studied the video more. It was then he noticed something and pointed it out, "Look. They're pointing east."

Likely to Al Mazrah.

The urgency upped a notch now as Gaz gave his input, "They get her underground there, we'll lose her for good. Not even Ryan would be able to find something."

"Don't discount, Ryan," Price reminded Gaz. "If she were aware, she'd be on it. Probably have a plan in place."

"But she's been offline," Gaz said, referring to Addy.

"Gonna have to do this on our own. We'll lead the rescue team," Price said. In his mind, it was better that Nicolette stay in Las Almas and focus on what she was working on and the cartel angle. He didn't doubt that she would find something.

That's not gonna happen, John.

Gaz wasn't sure he heard that right and looked at Price as he confirmed, "Say again, General?"

This is a tug o' war, boys. We need to pull back, not lean forward.

That didn't sound right. To soldiers, the rule was to never leave a man behind. It was ingrained in them since day one of training. To leave Laswell in AQ hands did not sit well with him or Price. He asked, "Since when?"

Since now. We can't just send in the calvary. These things take planning and preparation.

Price was ready to break something in half. He replied, "These things take violence and timing. I can do both. Kate's life is in a fuckin' hourglass." He turned when he heard the chopper starting to come in and saw Gaz waving him in.

I know you're upset, Captain. This happened on your mission and that's a tough pill to swallow.

Prince resisted growling at that. Yes, he was upset. It was his mission, his watch. The leader was responsible for all members on the mission. So yes, he was upset. He was also upset that he was wasting time debating the merits of going after Laswell. This kind of thing just raised tempers. He took a breath before asking, "Are you telling me, we leave her?"

I'm telling you I can't help you… but I won't stop you.

At first Price thought he was going to have to go rogue with that first bit. The last part had him look at Gaz. They wouldn't receive official help, but that didn't mean that they didn't have it. It was a matter of reaching out. Price nodded, "I'll have her back in twelve hours." He grabbed the secure linkup.

Don't die doing this, John. Laswell wouldn't want that. I don't either.

Price paused as he thought about that. There were plenty of people that didn't want him to be foolish. Some would attempt to kick his ass into the next century and one that could make his life a living hell. Gaz heard the same thing. He almost wanted to break into a smile since he was imagining Nicolette's reaction to the general. No doubt it would involve cussing up a storm. She cared about Laswell too. He asked, "General, I thought Kate was your friend?"

War isn't about friends. It's about enemies. Good luck.

Call bullshit on that one, Gaz thought to himself. He accepted the computer when Price handed it to him and stole a look at the captain's face. They were going to rescue Laswell. They weren't going to leave her behind. He gave the situation they were facing, "We'd be going head-to-head with AQ on their home turf. They're going to have hundreds more protecting Laswell. We need an army."

Price was thinking the same thing. He was also thinking of calling in on Nicolette for assistance. He knew she would spring to action when you told her the purpose. It was only to get what they needed down to Urzikstan. He replied, "I can get us an army. And someone who can load us up."

Gaz couldn't help but smile at that. "Calling in Ryan?"

"Ryan will stay in Las Almas, but there are ways to get what we need. She knows how." Price slid open the door to get in the chopper. He called out to the pilot, "Nik!"

Nikolai turned and looked at Price, "Where to?"

Nicolette held her tablet in her hand as she stared at the faces on the screen. Her expression didn't betray her concern at the news she just learned when she checked in with Price and Gaz. "So, it was confirmed AQ took Laswell?"

Aye. We're heading down to Urzikstan.

Nicolette nodded and rapidly tapped a text email to send to assets in the region. "Copy that. Sending a heads up to some old friends."

Think alike, Moppet.

"Just hedging my bets, Captain," Nicolette replied as she received a confirmation. She also tapped in a few other things. "I know you have Nik on board. Just making arrangements for transport."

Don't try hogging all the fun.

"And what good am I if you don't use my talents?"

Crash and burn, mate.

"Exactly, Gaz." Nicolette studied what she had and sent them to the captain's computer. "Isn't that why you badgered Mummy into allowing me to be on the team?"

I didn't badger. I bargained.

Nicolette chuckled as she studied the faces on the screen. "And we all know that it means the former," she said with a grin on her face. "You're all set to arrive in country. I even made sure you had a few upgrades to help."

Should I even ask?

"Probably not, Captain." Nicolette looked to the side before looking back. "I'm sorry. I would have had Addy on surveillance. She was tasked on something that required more processing power."

Not your fault, Moppet. You do what you have to do to get what we need. Understand?

"Yes, Captain."

Behave and try not to kill Ghost.

"Try not kill Rook. I rather like him."

Really, Ryan?

"If I have to explain, that is on you." Nicolette chuckled at the scowl on Gaz' face. "Take care, both of you."

Catch you on the other side.

Nicolette studied the screen and nodded. She waited until the screen went blank before saying, "Don't die on me, Captain."

At that moment she heard a beep in her earpiece. She shook her head and tapped it. She said, "Knew you couldn't resist giving me a call after I sent my message."

I just wanted to hear that beautiful voice.

"Now you're talking shit, S47," she replied to keep the mission on track. "So, any questions on the upcoming mission?"

So, AQ have Laswell and taking her to Al Mazrah. You are asking Farah and LF to scout, track, and assist in her rescue.

"Pretty simple. It's a request relayed from Captain Price. And I know you have me on speaker. Hello Farah." Nicolette was smiling as she talked to old friends.

Hello, Ryan. I am starting to believe David more when he says that you always seem to know.

"I know people. Well, tendencies. That is how I make an assessment. Hence my callsign," Nicolette replied. "So, I am certain you both know the situation?"

Yes. And you are clever or rather Captain Price is clever to use an established relationship.

"As I told David," Nicolette replied as she paced in the room. She paused to look at a picture on the wall of the security room where she had been when she got the call from Price. "Your part of the world is my staging area. I made myself familiar with the cultural norms of the region. Even when in war, the niceties must be observed. As the saying goes… more flies with honey."

Very clever. I assume the captain is on his way?

"Yes, with Gaz and Nik." Nicolette pivoted to look out the window to the room. "Farah, can you have your people scout the most likely route they will take Laswell? You are more familiar than I am with a map."

I would like to call bullshit on that, but very good, S64.

I can do that. I assume that you also made arrangements for supplies?

Nicolette grinned as she looked at her tablet. She was getting her confirmation as they were talking. "You both know me well. After all, I do believe in a fair fight. Least I can do is upgrade your weapons and put you in touch with my guy for a steady supply of ammo as needed. Anything to make sure the fucking Russians stay out."

That is… generous, Ryan.

"I know." Nicolette paused and looked around before adding, "Laswell is important to me. We knew each other from awhile back. David understands."

Understood. We will do what we can and link with the captain.

"Thank you, Farah," Nicolette replied. While she could ask David directly, she knew that Farah was the leader. "Good luck."

Same to you.

Nicolette smiled. She was going to hang up, but she heard something on the other end. She listened and then asked, "David?"

I'm still here.

"Any reason why you aren't getting on the move?"

Just a few questions. And as a friend, I expect some answers.

Nicolette rolled her eyes. She wanted to tell him that there was no time, but that wouldn't persuade him to hang up. He would be persistent about it. She sighed, "Alright."

A/N: All Spanish is approximate courtesy of Google Translate and some help from a few friends.