| Special Intelligence Team - A Mission Close to Home |
| Late January 2003 When Chris and Vin returned from lunch, they found Ezra on the phone, as he generally was at that time in the day. �Tell Amanda I said, �hello�,� Chris stated softly. The southerner nodded once before relaying the message and saying goodbye. �How is she?� Vin asked softly. Ezra smiled. �She�s just fine, Mr. Tanner,� he replied. �She�s just arrived at the sitter�s and claims that she had a marvelous time in pre-school this morning.� Chris smiled and started to say something, but his phone rang, interrupting him. Larabee held up a finger to forestall any further conversation; then jogged into his office to answer the call. �Larabee,� he said succinctly. Vin followed his brother and stood in the doorway, watching as Chris hastily wrote notes about whatever the caller was saying. After a moment, the older man said, �Tell the SWAT team to stand by, we don�t want any screw ups.� As Chris hung up, Vin said, �Trouble?� The older man merely nodded and strode past the Texan. �Look alive, folks,� he said loud enough to get everyone�s attention. Once the rest of the team had turned to face him, Chris said, �A group believed to be connected with the AIO has just taken control of a press conference.� �How many hostages?� Josiah asked softly. Chris shook his head. �Not certain,� he replied. �At least twenty reporters, plus the White House Press Secretary.� �Ooo,� JD said. �That�s not good.� Chris smiled at the young agent and said, �No, JD, it�s not good at all. The director wants us to handle the situation with as few casualties as possible.� �When do we go?� Vin asked softly. Chris locked eyes with his brother and replied with only one word. �Now.� ***** Less than an hour later, the team was lead, by a White House staffer, to the room that would serve as their operations center during the mission. �Hello,� another staffer greeted, as they entered the room. �Isn�t it odd that the CIA would be called in for a domestic matter?� he asked. Chris nodded and, not looking at the man, he said, �If this were merely a domestic matter we wouldn�t have jurisdiction in it at all, but it entails dealing with an organization we were formed to combat, so that means we have to be here.� The staffer nodded silently and flinched back when Chris locked eyes with him. �What�s this set to?� the dark-clad man asked, pointing at a television. The staffer frowned. �Closed circuit,� he explained. �We use it to see how press conferences are proceeding. Why?� Ignoring the question, Buck asked, �Is it live feed?� When the staffer nodded, Chris set a hand on his shoulder and said, �Thank you.� Turning to Ezra, he added, �I need to get someone on the inside. Otherwise I can�t accurately assess the situation. You see a way?� The southerner frowned and stared at the television screen for a moment. �Who�s supposed to sit here?� he asked, pointing at an empty chair. The staffer who�d lead them their frowned and answered, �Mark, but he was late coming in. He�s waiting in the other room.� Ezra nodded and said, �I need his press credentials, but with my picture on them. Can you do that?� The staffer nodded and bounded off to fulfill his request. Chris scowled. �You�re going to pretend to be a reporter?� At the southerner�s nod, he added, �Be careful, Ezra.� Ezra smiled. �I always am, oh fearless leader.� Ezra glanced back at the screen; then removed his jacket and vest. After replacing the jacket, he loosened his tie and tossed the vest to Josiah. Turning to the others, he asked, �Do I look like a reporter now?� The staffer, who had just returned with the papers Ezra needed, reached up and undid the first button on the southerner�s shirt. �Now you do,� she answered. �Thank you,� Ezra said, taking the paperwork and glancing over it quickly. Satisfied that everything was in order, the undercover expert shoved them into his jacket pocket and removed his wallet. After taking out anything that might reveal his true identity, he turned to JD and asked, �Would you call Amanda for me, if I�m not out of there in an hour, JD? Just make sure she�s�safe?� JD nodded, knowing that the last thing Ezra needed in the situation he was going into was to have an anxiety attack. �I will, Ezra. Don�t worry. I�ll even tell you what she says over the microphone.� Ezra smiled anxiously and said, �Thank you.� �You up for this?� Vin asked uncertainly. Ezra nodded and replied, �I�ll be fine, Mr. Tanner.� With that, the southerner turned and headed toward the room where the hostages were being held. All six pairs of eyes turned to watch the monitor as the southerner calmly strode into the pressroom. �Sorry, I�m late, CJ. Traffic was�� At that moment, one of the gunmen interrupted him and asked, �Who are you?� Ezra blinked in confusion and said, �Mark?� The gunman pulled open the southerner�s jacket and pulled out the press credentials. From the front of the room, CJ nodded and calmly said, �It�s okay, Mark. Just do as they say. This will all be resolved soon�I hope.� The gunman scowled at the papers; then handed them back. �Sit,� he ordered. Ezra nodded and warily took a seat between two reporters. He put his head down in his hands and whispered softly, �That went well.� �As well as can be expected,� JD replied, over the microphone hidden in Ezra�s ear. Chris nodded and turned to Vin. �Okay,� he said. �I need you to try to get as close to the room as possible, pick out your targets and be ready to take them out.� Vin nodded. �Ventilation shafts?� �Try it,� Chris replied succinctly. �Be careful.� �Always, Big Brother,� the Texan replied, running off to check and see if there was an entrance to the room through the building�s ventilation shafts. �Big Brother?� another staffer asked. �What�s that, like a nickname or something?� Chris shook his head and explained, �My parents took him in after his ma died. He�s like my little brother.� �And they let you work together?� �They have to, Mr. Zeigler,� Chris stated, locking eyes with the older man. �I wouldn�t work without him on my team.� �Oh,� Toby replied softly. Frowning thoughtfully, he said, �There�s a room next door to there with tinted windows. If you leave the lights out, no one in the pressroom can see you in there.� �Show me,� Chris requested. As Chris followed the man out of the room, JD called, �I�ll let you know if there are any problems.� �Do that,� Chris called back. Buck settled down beside JD to watch the proceedings on the closed circuit television. �I count five,� he said softly. �Ezra says there�s three more that aren�t visible on the monitor, plus the reporters told him that one is hidden in the crowd,� JD reported. �That makes nine,� Josiah calmly intoned. �We can handle it.� Nathan nodded. �The goal is to do this with little to no casualties, either among the reporters or the gunmen,� he reminded the explosive expert softly. Josiah locked eyes with his friend and said, �I�ll keep my temper, brother, just so long as no one tries to hurt any of those innocent people.� �Or Ezra,� Buck added. Josiah turned to Buck and nodded briefly, before returning his gaze to the monitor and the scene that was playing out before them. ***** Ezra looked up from his hands to gaze around once more. In a soft voice, he asked, �Where is the terrorist in the crowd positioned.� �In the back row,� a red-haired reporter answered. �He�s the hulking big guy with the brown hair.� As Ezra glanced back and eyed the man, he relayed the information to JD. In a quiet voice, he added, �He�s seated beside a woman who is quite hysterical.� �Got ya,� Vin replied, from the ventilation ducts. �I�ll target him first.� �Remember,� he heard Chris say. �Don�t kill anyone unless you have to.� �I know,� Vin answered irritably. Chris sighed and explained, �We need to get at least one of these guys alive so we can interrogate them, Vin.� �I know, I know,� Vin replied. �Damn!� �What?� Chris asked, startled by the uncharacteristically harsh language from the soft-spoken Texan. �I got an obstacle blockin� my path, Cowboy,� came the soft reply. Chris glanced up at the air vent, as though he could somehow see through the ceiling and solve his brother�s problem. �What kind of obstacle?� �Someone put a pipe through the shaft,� came the irritable reply. �Who�d do a stupid thing like that?� �Plumber?� Buck answered softly. �Can you get past it?� Chris asked anxiously. The Texan grunted, then said, �It�ll be tight, but I think I can manage.� �Put your gun through first,� Nathan suggested. �Quietly,� Ezra advised. �I think one of our hosts heard you up there.� �Take it nice and easy, Vin,� Chris coached, eyes falling to the gunman that stood around the pressroom. �Ow,� Chris heard over the microphone. �You okay?� he asked, in concern for his younger brother. When Vin answered a moment later, Chris could hear the embarrassment in his voice. �I�m fine,� the Texan replied softly. �I�got a little stuck, is all.� �Hurt yourself, Junior?� Buck teased. �Ya might say that,� Vin replied. �Give me a minute more and I�ll be in position,� he added, sliding quietly through the air duct. Just after Vin made that announcement, Ezra glanced at his watch and closed his eyes for a moment. �JD?� he said tensely. �What�s wrong, Ezra?� �It�s been an hour,� the southerner answered softly. JD glanced at his watch and replied, �Um�I just got off the phone with her, Ezra. She�s fine.� �Okay,� Ezra said, still sounding a little nervous. �You�re sure she�s all right?� �Yes,� JD answered confidently. �In position,� Vin interrupted. �Okay,� Chris replied. �Vin, acquire your target. Ezra, tell the reporters to get down on your signal.� �Right.� �Affirmative.� Chris glanced around the pressroom and nodded. �Josiah, can you cook us up a little distraction?� �Smoke?� the explosive expert asked. �Sounds good,� Chris replied. �The news is being spread,� Ezra reported. �In a few moments every reporter in the room should know what to do when I give the signal.� �Good,� Chris said. �Okay, people, I want go-no go from each of you. JD?� �Looks good, go,� the electronics expert said, after checking his instruments. �Buck?� The ladies man glanced at the monitor. None of the gunmen were standing too closely to any of the hostages, except the man in the crowd. As long as Vin took him out, it was fine. �Go,� he said evenly. �Nathan?� Nathan used the monitors connected to each agent�s microphone to check their vital signs. Ezra�s pulse was a little high, but that was expected and he was well within safety parameters. �Go,� the medic said softly. Satisfied that each of the men on the perimeter of the situation was ready, Chris began checking those that were key to the operation. �Vin?� he asked softly. �Target acquired. I�m go,� the sharpshooter answered. �Josiah?� After a moment, the explosive expert said, �Sorry, one of the wires didn�t want to connect. I�m go now.� Chris nodded and glanced through the tinted glass at the undercover agent. �Ezra?� he prompted. The southerner glanced surreptitiously around the room and answered, �Go.� Chris smiled. �Okay, on three, Josiah, start your distraction. One�two�three!� There was a soft pop and smoke began wafting into the room through the cracks below the door. The gunmen moved toward the doors to see what was occurring outside the room. �Vin,� Chris cued. A sharp bang emanated from the ventilation shaft across from Chris and the gunman in the crowd slumped out of his chair. At the same moment, Ezra suddenly said, �Mark!� On cue, every reporter in the room hit the floor. Ezra took cover behind a chair and pulled the sidearm he�d hidden in his pant leg to point it at one of the terrorists. �Don�t even think about it,� he growled at the man, who�d begun to move toward the press secretary. Chris quickly entered the pressroom through the door leading from his hiding place and scanned the room. After the smoke had begun seeping into the room, Josiah and Buck had entered through side door and taken some of the gunmen into custody. The only casualty appeared to be the man position among the reporters. �Okay,� Chris said to his men. �Head �em up; move �em out.� �And that,� Ezra said, dimpling at the older man, ��is why your codename is �Cowboy�.� Chris glared and said, �Secure the prisoners, and get them out of here.� Ezra chuckled and walked over to cuff the gunman who he had stopped from harming the press secretary. �Miss Cregg,� he greeted softly, as he pushed the prisoner over toward his compatriots. �Thanks,� she said, grinning at him. �Hey,� said the mustached reporter. �Who are you guys?� Ezra smiled and shrugged; then bounded over to secure one of the other terrorists. Within moments, the terrorists were all cuffed and were being moved out of the building. Nathan had already begun checking out the former hostages. �Once Nathan�s done, we head back to Langley,� Chris said evenly. He smiled at the scattered nods he received and then turned and headed out of the room. ***** �Okay, people,� Chris said, once they were back at the office. �Good job today. We resolved the situation with minimal casualties and none of the hostages were injured.� JD raised a hand and, at Chris�s nod, he asked, �We get anything out of those guys yet?� �Not much,� Chris answered. �But enough to know that they were AIO operatives. I want you to get started on your reports first thing tomorrow morning, but tonight, I think we should go out and celebrate a job well done. What do you say?� Most of the team readily agreed, but Ezra hesitated. �I�I want to get home, Chris,� he said softly. Chris nodded. �Well, we could go down to the �Saloon�, have some drinks and some burgers. Then you could take Amanda with you.� Ezra smiled and nodded. �Alright,� he said softly. As the men dispersed, Chris caught Ezra and said softly, �Travis wants to know about your progress cracking the code the AIO uses.� Ezra sighed and shook his head sadly. �Nothing yet, I�m afraid,� he answered. �But I�ve some ideas that I need to explore, perhaps tomorrow.� �Okay,� Chris said. �See you in an hour.� The southerner nodded and turned to follow the others out of the room. �How�s he workin� out?� came a softly drawled question from behind the black-clad man. Chris turned around to find Vin staring at him. �I think he�ll be okay,� Chris answered. �He�s actually been � relaxing, when he�s with us. He doesn�t seem to check his watch as often and he doesn�t seem to be hiding behind that mask as much.� Vin nodded. �JD never called Amanda, did he?� It wasn�t really a question, since Vin already knew the answer, but Chris felt he should explain. �There wasn�t really time, Vin,� he said softly. �Think he�ll check with her?� Vin asked. �No,� Chris said certainly. Vin scowled. �How can you be so sure?� �I�m pretty sure he already knows that JD didn�t call her,� Chris said. �That�s probably why he�s so anxious to get home.� �He is getting� better then,� Nathan said. �According to his file, one of the agents he used to work with pulled a similar trick, for similar reasons, and he had a full blown panic attack when he realized that no one had called her for him.� �I know,� Chris said. �Maybe we�re a good influence on him,� Buck suggested. Chris chuckled. �Us maybe,� he said. �But you could never be a good influence on anyone.� �Hey!� Buck said. The other agents laughed and began to head out to meet the southerner and his daughter at the small restaurant that had become their favorite meeting place outside the office. End |
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| Special Intelligence Team Introduction Page |
| Special Intelligence Team - A Mission to Russia |
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| Disclaimers: I don't own the characters from Magnificent Seven or West Wing that appear in this story and no infringement of any copyright is intended. Amanda is mine, so please ask before you take her out to play and, if you do play with her, don't play too rough with her, she's only five years old. ;) |
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