Chapter 4

It was easy to secure transport to Amsterdam. Since this was an urgent matter, Laswell knew she had to be there. No mistakes could be made. Not with ballistic missiles in AQ hands. It was by stroke of luck that Price and Gaz were in country tracking the cell. She had to admit that the source was not what she expected, and she had to owe it to the one person that she thought had been lost to her.

Being in the CIA, there were plenty of things that Laswell had done and some things she regretted. Working with the 141 allowed her to make up for at least one of those mistakes. It was just hard since Shepherd was very interested in a few of the personnel on the task force. She was brought out of her thoughts when her phone rang. Frowning, she pulled it out and checked it. She didn't recognize the number and declined it. The phone rang again with the same number. She declined it again. The third time had people looking at her. She answered, "Hello?"

Hi Mummy.

Laswell rolled her eyes, "I told you not to call me that."

I know. I just like savoring the image of you rolling your eyes when I do.

Laswell shook her head, "I hope this isn't a social call, Walker." Laswell only used Nicolette's callsign in front of the general. The rest of the time, she called her as she did when Nicolette had been under her. It was an old habit and one she slipped back into once she realized who Price's intelligence officer was.

Just giving a heads up. We do have some intel from the missile in Al Mazrah.

Laswell straightened up. "I thought it was destroyed."

It was.

"You got something?"

I got what I could from the computer. What I'll find, I need time. I had a feeling that Shepherd was going to order it to be destroyed.

"And you linked up before Ghost contacted."

Now Mummy, can't give away all my secrets. Just know that the intel Price and Gaz have panned out, which is why you are on an express flight to Amsterdam.

Laswell shook her head. She could grill Nicolette all she wanted, but she knew the woman would just say that she had her ways and means and to not ask. Laswell knew full well that Nicolette was a gray hat. She figured she had put those skills to use. The problem was if you tried to find a link, it wasn't what you thought it was. "I'm not even going to ask how you know about that."

Nothing special. Just a logical conclusion. And if you want honesty… I really don't like Shepherd.

"He's working with us."

You gave me the reasons. Doesn't mean that I have to like it. Never rubbed right with me. And I'm not complaining how he ignored I was in the room. Most everyone did.

Laswell sighed. She recalled when the 141 was meeting with Shepherd. The man ignored her after introductions. "That really isn't a good excuse, Walker."

Maybe so, but I didn't survive as long as I did without learning a few things like using that kind of thing to my advantage.

"I'll give you that," Laswell agreed. "So, apart from the missile, did you want to tell me anything else?"

Just that the captain knows and that you might be giving him a call.

"That does get annoying."

Again… how I survived. Life is a chess match to the death. Think three to four moves head at all times.

Laswell didn't need reminding. When she lost Walker a long time ago, she did expend resources to look for her and keep an eye out. When the leads were exhausted, she had no choice but to think Nicolette was dead. It was disconcerting to find out that Nicolette was still employed by the agency, but she didn't know about it. "I understand."

So, how about you find out how that peon Zyani is moving American ballistic missiles without us finding out?

"You certainly have a way of putting things back into perspective." Laswell adjusted herself in her seat and checked her watch.

Time and place for it, Laswell. I'm just as anxious as you to fix this. It'll make me sleep better when we find out.

Laswell chuckled and decided to tease the operator, "So, are you admitting that you are as stumped as we are?" She smiled at the snort she heard over the line.

I admit that you all are delusional if you think I'm all knowing.

"Walker, we know you have a way of finding things out."

And you should know how I see how those things figure into a larger context. Helped you out before the Armistice collapsed, didn't it?

Laswell sobered when she heard that. It was the early days of the 141. Nicolette wasn't around to formerly meet with everyone but had supplied the intel for key AQ leaders and even got close to Zakhaev that led to Price killing the man. That was when she suspected a few things before Nicolette came out of hiding. "You took a risk getting close to Zakhaev."

I was already working on that angle. Along with a side project.

Laswell knew what Nicolette was referring to. "You're not going to tell me more, are you?"

Just that things are fine. Gotta keep some secrets, Mummy.

Laswell sighed, knowing that the nickname she was saddled with was not going to go away. "Are you done?"

I am. Just giving you a heads up. Tell the Captain and Gaz that I said have fun with the fishing. Oh, and tell Gaz not to look at the window dressing.

Laswell rolled her eyes as the call disconnected. Sometimes she thought she had a child on her hands when she spoke to Nicolette. It only served to remind her how much the woman changed over the years. One thing that hadn't changed was the woman's desire to serve and look out for those that were on her team. She never liked the term expendable and refused to leave a teammate behind.

When she arrived in country, she contacted Price, "John, I'm here."

Still tracking. I'm guessing the Moppet talked to you.

Laswell couldn't understand why Price called Nicolette that, but she never minded. She replied, "Yes. Ryan stated she got the software package from the missile they found in Al Mazrah."

Any update on who and where?

"Negative. Ryan's in analysis phase." Laswell moved to secure transport to link up with the captain and the sergeant.

And managed to get in a phone call. No doubt she'll keep us posted.

Laswell couldn't disagree. "I'm securing transport to link up."

ETA?

"Less than an hour. Where are you now?"

Canals. Under a bridge. Spotted an AQ boat.

Laswell schooled herself. If it was what they were after… "Is it carrying a missile container?"

Negative, not this one.

Laswell sighed, "Let's hope it leads us to the one that does." She made an adjustment as she moved to go to the rendezvous point.

I'll be in touch.

Laswell normally wouldn't pass on a message, but decided to this time, "Ryan says to have fun fishing and for the sergeant to not look at the window dressing."

Hearing the reaction sound at the end told Laswell that Price got the message and understood. She disconnected and continued making her way. They had to find the smuggling partner or AQ and Hassan. They had to find those missiles.

"Ryan seems to like to make a point," Gaz muttered more to himself after hearing the message. He was also trying hard not to show how embarrassed he felt because of a joke.

Gaz, you set?

Gaz sobered quickly. He knew his friend would say something like that to keep him on his toes while having a laugh at his expense. He cued his comm, "Good here, Cap."

Let's get after it.

Gaz got his grapple hook ready as the AQ boat passed. They were going to "ride" the boat in and hopefully find what they were after. He waited until the boat passed and hooked his line on the rear of the boat. Price had done the same. Now just ride in.

The docks had been full of AQ fighters protecting a barge that was being loaded with cargo. That was the target since it was large enough to carry a missile. There was a sense of urgency since they had no idea how many missiles were out there and what the targets were. The world could get pretty fucked over if they didn't find out. Gaz felt the urgency but kept his cool ass he made it to the dock where the barge was.

Clearing out the AQ was easy. He managed to acquire a pistol with a silencer and used it when he could. He took out the last of AQ and called, "All clear."

Right with you, Sergeant.

Gaz linked up with Price at the gate to find it locked and Price working to pry it open. Gaz covered to make sure they weren't caught unawares. He checked and moved when Price moved forward.

"Listen… Spanish."

Gaz listened to the voices. That did sound like Spanish. "Sounds like it."

They stacked up on the door and Price asked, "You set?"

"Good to go." Gaz held his weapon ready as he took position.

As soon as Price shoved the door open, Gaz swept into the room and pumped a few rounds into the hostile in front of him. Price took out the other. Gaz entered to sweep the upper deck before following Price to the lower deck. Another hostile came out, but Price took him out before he could even draw his weapon. It was better to be quiet as they didn't know how many hostiles were onboard.

Gaz met up with the captain as Price kneeled over the body to look and see who they were dealing with. Price lifted the dead hostile's head to reveal a tattoo on the neck. "Look at this… Las Almas. Mexican cartel."

That changed things as Gaz asked, "What the hell are they doing here?"

Price didn't answer Gaz. He radioed to Laswell, "Laswell, Iran's using the cartel for transport."

Gimme a name, John.

Price looked up at Gaz before replying, "Las Almas."

Hassan's working with narcos.

"Standby."

Price and Gaz cleared the rest of the barge. Gaz got lucky and took out a narco that had a phone go off. He searched the body to retrieve the phone and saw that it was a text message. He handed it to Price, "Cartel's meeting with AQ."

Price took the phone and studied the messages before relaying to Laswell, "Laswell, find Café Gracht. Something's about to go down."

I was asked to play with the symphony.

Nicolette studied the little face on the screen of her tablet and smiled, "Really? I'm so proud of you, poulaki mou. What will you be playing?"

The violin solo for Scheherazade!"

Nicolette felt her eyes widen. "Wow. That is amazing. What did your mother and father say?"

Mummy said she was very proud. Daddy made me fly. Will you be able to come Auntie Nick?

Nicolette felt a pang. The thing about this job was that there were no guarantees. The times she did manage to make it was because she did everything that she could to make it happen. Timing wise, they were always Christmas miracles. This one… She asked, "When?"

Three weeks, o fílos mou. George and I explained that you might be working.

Nicolette studied the little girl and her mother. She nodded, "I might. In fact, I'm kind of busy right now. Kind of what George and I used to get into trouble with on occasion." It was the only way she could let the woman know that it was the kind of thing that you couldn't really talk about, and it was enough to indicate it involved guns and bad guys… the dangerous stuff.

I know you work like Daddy, Auntie Nick. If you can come, please do.

We will record it too.

Nicolette couldn't help but smile. She then looked at the little girl. "Then I will see what I can do. I can't make promises, Thalia, but I will see if I can make it. If not, your mom and dad will record it so I can see it."

Okay.

"Practice and do well, poulaki mou."

I will.

I'm sorry.

Nicolette shook her head, "No worries, Astraea. I know I might have given the impression I can make things happen like when Thalia needed her treatment and her violin…"

You did what you could because of George. You know that he would never ask you even though we are family. You understand pride quite well.

"Well… working with the people I do…" Nicolette shrugged her shoulders. She looked at the woman that she had become close to. "I will see if it is possible. Right now… I don't know."

I know and Thalia knows. Do what you can i aderfí mou.

Nicolette nodded and said her farewell in Greek. She waited until her friends signed off before closing the laptop. She sighed as she stared down at the laptop. She thought about what it would mean to Thalia if she did show up. The problem was she didn't know how long this business with Zyani and AQ would last. She opened her laptop again and opened up a program and started typing. She did this for a few minutes before saying, "You know you could have jumped on the call, Ghost."

Ghost grumbled as he stepped into the room. "Thought it was a private call."

"And you know Thalia would like to talk to her favorite ghost. Her words, not mine. Unless you wanted to have that conversation in private." Nicolette glanced up and looked at the man with a knowing look. She knew that he kept in touch with the little girl he was more or less conned into meeting two years ago.

"Anything you bloody don't know about that?"

"Just the content of the conversation," Nicolette said as she started scrolling through data. "That is between you and her." She looked at Ghost to signal that she would never pry into private conversations like that.

Ghost made a sound and looked at the screen. He was quiet for a few moments. "Poppet told me about being selected."

Nicolette nodded as she scrolled through what she was looking at. It was still in analysis. There was a lot of data in there. She might need Addy's processing power to speed it up. That would take the AI out of commission for some time. She would have to think about it. She asked, "Did she ask you to attend?"

"I don't do concerts."

Nicolette chuckled since that meant Thalia did. "She knows we're busy people. It's why I never make promises. Still, it would be nice to see her perform Scheherazade. It's a rather complex solo. Professional grade."

"Poppet will do," Ghost said gruffly. "That violin of hers will do."

Nicolette chuckled at his response. She knew that being conversational about things like that was not his forte. Talk about something related to the job and it was better. The man preferred not to talk at all, but it was unavoidable. She had mercy on him and pointed at the coding, "Source coding on the missile."

Ghost saw she was having mercy on him and took it. He asked, "You got anything?"

"It's not like the Matrix," Nicolette replied. "But I can tell you is that this is basic programming, what it does."

"And how does that help us?"

"Not much." Nicolette grinned when she heard the telltale sounds of Ghost grumbling. Before he could curse, she added, "However, if I can find who programmed it, it will tell me where it came from."

"Really?"

"Down to the manufacture batch. Most you military types don't know that. Not even computer geniuses working for you." Nicolette couldn't resist teasing Ghost.

"So, you admit you're a genius?"

"Fuck no. I'm a pragmatist," Nicolette replied with a smirk. She sobered though since she had to tell him that there was more to it. "Problem is though that with the amount of data to sift through, that's going to take time. I can speed it up and recruit Addy to dedicate some of her processing power."

"But it's gonna cost ya."

"Put her out of commission. So, if we have to go anytime soon, the only thing I could probably get is comms. No infil, security, the usual I would have her do." She turned to look at Ghost. "I would normally bring this to the captain, but you are the senior officer."

Ghost knew that she was thinking about her suggestion. She was deferring to seniority, which was him, kind of a validation as well. He thought about it. He asked, "If we run into trouble, couldn't you do what Addy does?"

"You know I can. But you know I'm only human."

Ghost pondered some more before asking, "How much more time?"

I believe I can speed it up by thirty percent. Like S64 stated, lieutenant, the data set is large.

Ghost looked at Nicolette. She was waiting for his answer. They needed the intel. "Then do it. We need the intel."

"My thoughts too," she replied softly. She then turned her attention to the laptop. "Addy? Did you hear that?"

Affirmative. Dedicating processing power to analysis. I will be able to maintain contact with the teams.

Ghost nodded at that. It was a risk, but it would be worth it. "Let me know then." He then walked out only to run into Soap who was attempting to come in. "Bloody fucking hell," he muttered and walked away.

Nicolette had watched the whole thing and felt bad for Soap when the man looked in the direction Soap went. She had a look of sympathy when he came in saying, "I don't think Ghost likes me much."

Nicolette gave a slight smile and a shrug, "He does… just…"

Soap came to stand behind her. He gently put his hands on her shoulders and started massaging them. He kissed her cheek, "More like you?"

"In some ways," she admitted, shrinking a little in her seat. It wasn't that the massage was uncomfortable, it was just being reminded that she had similar issues.

Soap noticed and leaned forward. He whispered, "And I know you try, love." He kissed her on the cheek and sought her mouth.

Nicolette responded by kissing him back. She closed her eyes as he kissed her again. She moaned and said, "No fair, Soap."

"Thought you liked a good sneak attack," he replied as he kissed her again. He grinned, knowing that he was right.

Nicolette growled and moved to kiss him again. She pulled back and gave him a wry look, "You're only right because I like you enough."

Soap mimicked injury to his heart. He laughed as he pulled up a chair to sit beside her. He laughed at the look she was giving him, knowing that he was going to pay for it later when they were alone. "Aww, you know I'm only teasing."

"I know," Nicolette said with a knowing look as she turned back to her laptop. She typed in a few lines, pretending to ignore him. "Which is why I'm making you sit there." She glanced at him and gave a grin before turning back to work.

A/N: The captain and Laswell are in Amsterdam and Nico is working on finding out where the missiles were from. Stay tuned for more...