NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee began his day with a slight deviation from his usual routine. Unlike most mornings, he didn't wake up to an electronic device filled with notifications or a computer that had been left on low power mode overnight. Instead, he relied on his phone to stay connected and informed. However, as he prepared to leave for work, he decided to check his computer for any updates, and that's when he stumbled upon a notification that caught his attention. One of the numbers associated with his former teammate, Ziva David, had contacted the number on file for Director Eli David, Ziva's father. A quick check revealed that both devices were being actively tracked, and an audio file of the conversation had been recorded. This unexpected development put a spring in McGee's step as he entered the bullpen of the NCIS office at the Navy Yard. He struggled to contain his excitement, trying not to draw the attention of his colleague, Tony DiNozzo, who was notorious for his curiosity and love of questioning. McGee was determined to keep the news to himself, at least for the time being, and avoid becoming the target of Tony's incessant probing. It seemed that the universe had finally smiled upon him, perhaps as a reward for his tireless efforts to track down and help his wayward teammate, Ziva.
As the morning progressed, McGee received instructions from his team leader to head to the autopsy room to assist Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard, the chief medical examiner. The victim was the spouse of a Marine Lieutenant, and McGee's background in Biomedical Engineering, although limited, was deemed necessary due to the various medical devices the victim had been using. McGee's task was to catalog the devices, identify potential failure modes that could have contributed to the victim's death, and analyze every clue that might prove or disprove a connection between the devices and the cause of death. With his focus and expertise, McGee worked alongside Ducky to carefully examine the evidence and provide his technical expertise. He spent several hours in the autopsy room, meticulously documenting his findings and providing valuable insights to the investigation. As the day wore on, McGee returned to the bullpen, feeling more composed and focused, and dove into writing his report on the case. The report would be sent to both Agent Rick Balboa and Ducky, and McGee was determined to ensure that every detail was accurate and thorough.
As he worked on his report, the evening drew to a close, and Gibbs dismissed the team. McGee lingered for a few minutes, finishing up his report and ensuring that everything was in order. Finally, he packed up his things and headed out of the office, feeling a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. With a happy heart, he got into his car and began the drive home, the events of the day still fresh in his mind. The notification about Ziva's contact with her father's number continued to simmer in the back of his mind, and he couldn't help but wonder what it might mean for their ongoing efforts to track down his missing teammate.
Timothy McGee's earlier good mood had been replaced with a sense of worry and anxiety that was gnawing at his insides. The call had been from Ziva David, a development that would normally bring a smile to his face, but the content of their conversation had left him with a knot in his stomach. The receptor, confirmed to be Eli David, had been the source of some disturbing information. As Tim had transcribed and then translated the recorded conversation, all sorts of alarm bells had begun to ring in his head, warning him of the potential dangers that lay ahead. While it didn't take a genius to understand that Eli David was reluctant to share the news of a successful cyber attack on the servers of Mossad, Ziva's comments had been particularly troubling. Her mention of Al-Shabaab being trained to fight against Kidon, the elite assassins of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, and being on the ship they had infiltrated, waiting for them, should have led to a re-evaluation of the mission parameters. However, this was a luxury they couldn't quite afford, given their priority of rebuilding the recently hacked Mossad Network. The clock was ticking, and every minute counted.
Tim knew Ziva to be the most capable and dangerous person he had ever met. Her skills and expertise were unmatched, and he had every confidence in her ability to handle herself in the most challenging situations. However, the worst enemy to meet was a prepared enemy aware of your presence. This was a piece of wisdom that Tim had learned from listening to stories told by his dearly departed grandfather, Three Star Navy Admiral Nelson McGee. The old admiral had always emphasized the importance of being prepared and staying one step ahead of the enemy. With worry in his heart, Timothy McGee dug through the files he had pilfered from Mossad, hoping they held clues pertaining to Saleem Ulman and/or Al-Shabaab. As he delved deeper into the files, his eyes opened to a dangerous world, a world of manipulation, backstabbing, blackmail, and leverage.
Tim sat at his desk, pouring over the extensive dossier on Michael Aaron Rivkin, a young and intriguing individual with a complex past. As he read, he discovered that Michael's father had been a highly respected and ranked officer in the Israeli Army, who had tragically lost his life during one of Israel's numerous conflicts. The loss had been devastating, not just for Michael, but also for his mother, who had already suffered the immense loss of her entire family. The grief had ultimately proven too much for her, and she had passed away shortly after her husband, leaving Michael alone and adrift. At the time of his parents' death, Michael had been serving his conscripted service in the Israeli Army, a experience that would shape his future and inform his decisions. After completing his three-year service, he had chosen to enlist in Mossad, Israel's national intelligence agency, where he would go on to hone his skills and become a highly valued operative. McGee read about Michael's exceptional talents, which included seduction, information gathering, sabotage, and assassination - a formidable combination that made him a powerful asset to Mossad.
As he delved deeper into the dossier, McGee learned about Michael's various missions and assignments, including his time as a regular Intelligence Officer in Tzomet, and his subsequent transfer to Keshet, a specialized unit focused on wiretapping and electronic surveillance. He also read about Michael's impressive two-year training in Kidon, a prestigious program that had further refined his skills and prepared him for the most challenging and high-stakes operations. One of the most significant aspects of Michael's career, McGee noted, was his assignment as the control officer for Ari Haswari, a mole who had infiltrated both Hamas and Al-Qaeda. This mission had been orchestrated by Eli David, the Director of Mossad, who had recognized Michael's potential and entrusted him with this critical responsibility. McGee read the notes from Michael's superiors, which highlighted his remarkable similarities with Eli David, praising his unwavering loyalty to Mossad and his unshakeable commitment to Israel. However, what caught McGee's attention was the revelation that Michael had been tasked with a very personal mission - to befriend and seduce Ziva David, Eli's daughter, who had briefly returned to Mossad. The goal was to tighten Eli's influence over his daughter, and Michael had been chosen for this delicate task due to his exceptional skills and charisma. McGee was surprised to learn that, prior to meeting Ziva, Michael had already fathered two children with different Sayanim, helpers of Mossad, who were scattered across the globe. The first child, a Russian girl, was currently living in Moscow, while the second child, a British boy, was residing in England.
Following his exploration of Michael Rivkin's files, Tim decided to read over the extensive files and documents that detailed the complex and intriguing story of Ari Haswari. As he read, he discovered that Ari's birth had been meticulously planned by the Mossad, Israel's national intelligence agency, as part of a long-term strategy to infiltrate Al-Qaeda. The plan had been set in motion by Eli David, a high-ranking Mossad officer who had been working undercover as a doctor in the Gaza Strip. McGee learned that Eli had befriended and seduced Hasmina Haswari, a Palestinian woman, and had eventually impregnated her. This was not a chance encounter, but rather a calculated move by Eli to create a mole within Al-Qaeda. Ari, the product of this union, would later inherit his father's role as a doctor and a spy.
As McGee delved deeper into the files, he found that Eli had traveled to Eastern Europe, where he had worked with Leon Vance, a former NCIS Special Agent who would later become the Director of the agency. This collaboration was part of a broader effort to establish relationships with various federal entities in the United States, further solidifying Mossad's influence and reach. The documents also revealed that Eli had maintained a long-distance romantic relationship with Hasmina, as well as a fatherly relationship with Ari, despite the physical distance between them. However, tragedy struck when a terrorist attack in Israel, carried out by Palestinian militants, prompted a devastating retaliatory strike by the Israeli Army. The attack resulted in the death of Hasmina, leaving Eli to bring Ari to Israel to live with him.
As McGee continued to read, he discovered that Eli had raised Ari in memory of his mother, while also courting and eventually marrying Rivka Givati. The couple had two daughters, Ziva and Tali, and Eli's family life seemed to be thriving. However, McGee also learned that Eli had manipulated his children into joining the Mossad, much to the distress of Rivka. This revelation shed light on the complex and often fraught relationships within the David family. The files also detailed Mossad's funding of a scholarship for Ari to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh, following in his father's footsteps. This was part of the plan to create a mole within Al-Qaeda and Hamas, with Ari's medical expertise serving as the perfect cover. McGee read about Ari's growth within the Mossad, his eventual membership in the Kidon unit, and his development of sophisticated assassination techniques based on his medical knowledge.
However, the documents also revealed a growing sense of distrust and hatred between Ari and his father. Notes from Michael Rivkin, Ari's control officer, reported omissions and outright lies in Ari's reports, as well as secret meetings with Al-Qaeda and Hamas members. Additionally, there were instances of sabotage of Mossad missions within the Gaza Strip, further eroding the trust between Ari and the agency. McGee also discovered that Ziva, Ari's sister, had volunteered to become his control officer, despite Eli's omission of critical information regarding Ari's behavior. The official Mossad report on Ari's death detailed his corruption by Hamas and Al-Qaeda, as well as his eventual demise at the hands of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, his boss and team leader .
Following Ari Haswari's files, Tim decided to read up on Mossad's reports on his teammate Ziva David. He was struck by the intricate web of similarities and differences that existed between her and her brother Ari. The more he read, the more he became fascinated by the complex dynamics that had shaped Ziva's life. He discovered that Ziva had been raised alongside Ari, and that from a young age, she had taken on a protective role towards her younger sister, Tali. This sense of responsibility had been instilled in her by her father, Eli David, who had begun grooming her to follow in his footsteps as a Mossad Officer and eventually, as a Mossad Director. McGee read about how Ziva had learned the intricacies of battle tactics, combat, and politics from her father, who had taught her everything he knew. He learned about how Ziva's mother, Rivka, had fiercely protected Tali from Eli's influence, recognizing that her shy and compassionate nature made her unsuitable for a career in Mossad. Despite this, Rivka had encouraged her children's creative pursuits, and McGee discovered that Ziva had a talent for ballet, while Tali had a beautiful singing voice, and Ari was skilled at playing the guitar. These influences had been a testament to Rivka's presence in their lives, and the impact she had on their upbringing.
However, McGee also read about the tumultuous events that had shaped Ziva's life. He learned about Rivka's divorce from Eli David, which had been prompted by his infidelity with Kidon Officer Orli Elbaz. This had been a devastating blow to the family, and the consequences of Eli's actions would be felt for years to come. McGee read about the tragic death of Tali, who had been killed by a suicide bomber, an event that had left Ziva and Ari reeling. This tragedy had deepened the wedge between Eli and his son, and had a profound impact on Ziva's life. The loss of her sister had been followed by the loss of her mother, who had been caught in the aftermath of an IED-induced car accident. This had been a devastating blow to Ziva, and it had hardened her heart, transforming her into the skilled killer that her father had always wanted her to be. McGee read about Ziva's conscription in the Israeli Army, where she had spent two years before joining Mossad. Like her brother before her, she had been recruited into the elite Kidon unit, where she had quickly demonstrated her innate talent for assassination, seduction, infiltration, information gathering, and languages.
As McGee continued to read, he discovered that Ziva had formed a close bond with NCIS Special Agent Jennifer Shepard, a friendship that was similar to the relationship between Eli David and Leon Vance. He learned about Ziva's decision to volunteer as Ari's control officer, a move that would put her at the center of a complex web of intrigue and deception. McGee read about the orders given by Eli David to kill Ari Haswari, a move designed to gain the trust of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. However, he also read about the note provided by Michael Rivkin, which revealed that Ziva had obeyed the letter of the order, but had violated its spirit. She had not killed Ari because her father had ordered it, but because she had discovered that he was planning a major terrorist attack against Israel, in collaboration with Hamas and Al-Qaeda, as an act of revenge against their father for the death of his mother, Hasmina Haswari.
After finishing his exploration on the three Kidon officers that he had met, Timothy McGee decided to thoroughly review the comprehensive file that compiled a vast amount of knowledge about Saleem Ulman, gathered from various sources, including the contents of Abin Tabal's computer and the intelligence collected by Michael Rivkin. As he delved deeper into the file, he discovered the tragic and tumultuous life of Saleem Ulman, who had grown up in the war-torn Gaza Strip. The file revealed that Saleem's family had been torn apart by Israeli retaliatory strikes, with each member falling victim to the violence one by one. This devastating loss had fueled Saleem's growing hatred towards Israel and its inhabitants, ultimately shaping his extremist ideology. The file further detailed Saleem's involvement with the notorious terrorist organization, Al-Qaeda. McGee read about Saleem's active membership and his participation in multiple operations, which had likely contributed to his radicalization and further solidified his anti-Israeli sentiments. Moreover, the file highlighted Saleem's repeated interactions with Ari Haswari, an undercover mole who had infiltrated Al-Qaeda by posing as a doctor. McGee noted that many of these meetings had gone unreported by Ari, suggesting that Saleem's activities were even more extensive and complex than initially thought.
One particular incident caught McGee's attention: Saleem Ulman's mysterious disappearance just six hours before a contingent of Metsada, an elite Israeli special forces unit, arrived to eliminate him. This narrow escape had allowed Saleem to resurface three years later, although the Mossad intelligence officer who had reported his reappearance had paid the ultimate price with his life. McGee realized that Saleem's ability to evade capture and reemerge after such a long period was a testament to his cunning and resourcefulness. The file also shed light on Saleem's role in establishing a terrorist cell known as Al-Shabaab, which had been responsible for various activities against US interests. McGee was alarmed to learn about the group's training camp located in Somalia, just hours away from the port city of Bosaso.
Timothy McGee sat motionless, his mind reeling from the emotional rollercoaster he had just endured as he delved into the files. The extent of Mossad's manipulation was staggering, and he couldn't help but feel that he would never be able to fully recover from the revelations. As he sifted through the documents, he discovered that Mossad's reach was far more expansive than he had ever imagined. From clandestine operations in foreign countries to meticulously planning the recruitment and training of future agents, it seemed that Mossad was a giant, insidious octopus whose tentacles stretched into every corner of the globe, infiltrating every layer of every society. As Tim ran his fingers through his hair, he struggled to process the sheer volume of information he had just digested. His mind was racing with the implications of what he had learned, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was only scratching the surface of Mossad's true intentions. He thought back to the events of the past week, and how they had unfolded with such rapidity. It was likely, he reasoned, that Mossad had not yet had the opportunity to fully process the final information dump from Michael Rivkin, or to classify and disseminate it to the relevant agents. Regardless of what had transpired, Tim was convinced that Ziva was walking into a perilous situation, one that could potentially end in disaster.
A surge of adrenaline coursed through McGee's veins as he clenched his jaw, his determination to help Ziva growing with every passing moment. He was resolute that he would do everything in his power to support her, no matter the cost. As he pored over the various pieces of information on his computer, searching for any clue that might aid Ziva, a faint whisper seemed to caress his ear. It was the familiar voice of his grandfather, Admiral Nelson McGee, speaking to him from beyond the grave. The older man's words were laced with a sense of wisdom and experience, and they echoed in Tim's mind like a mantra. The quote, taken from the ancient book "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, was one that his grandfather had often cited: "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." Tim felt a sense of calm wash over him as he repeated the words to himself, drawing strength from the timeless wisdom. He knew that the death of Michael Rivkin had set this chain of events in motion, and that the information gathered by Rivkin throughout his life would ultimately be the key to resolving the situation. One way or another, Tim was determined to see this through to its conclusion, using every resource at his disposal to help Ziva.
As he delved deeper into the files, Tim's thoughts turned to Ziva, and the danger that she faced. He knew that she was a skilled and capable agent, but he also knew that she was walking into a situation that was fraught with peril. He couldn't shake the feeling that she was being pulled into a trap, one that had been carefully laid. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, and he knew that he had to act quickly to help her. With a newfound sense of purpose, Tim set to work, using all of his skills and resources to gather intelligence and piece together this puzzle he was facing. He was determined to do everything in his power to support Ziva.