Chapter 9
US military base camp outside Kabul
"What do you have for us, Commander?" clad in the desert cammies, Admiral Chegwidden towered over a short but stocky SEAL team leader.
Lieutenant-Commander Brad Rockwell observed the small group that gathered in his tent, taking momentary refuge from the merciless desert sun: two JAG officers and a CIA agent -- all looking ready for battle. He still couldn't believe they sent lawyers to do this job -- no matter how committed they were to finding their friend. Shaking his head slightly, he directed the group's attention to the map that lay on the desk before him.
"The cave is about 20 miles east of our position. If we head out now, we should be there by sundown. We can use darkness for our cover." Rockwell glanced over at the female Marine who stared so intently at the tiny spot on the map, as if her life depended on it. "Ma'am, sirs, I feel I should warn you that the possibility of finding your Commander alive is practically nonexistent. If I understand correctly, by now he would have been in the hands of the Taliban for almost 3 months -- that's longer than what anyone could last, considering the things these people are capable of."
"You don't know the Commander," A.J. interjected. "He's pretty tenacious."
"He'd have to be a goddamn Superman," Rockwell muttered under his breath, as he once again shook his head.
"With all due respect, Admiral, according to my intelligence, they were trying to pump him for information ever since they lost contact with their informer aboard one of our vessels. And the only reason I know that is because they recently paid a fair amount of money in an attempt to recruit a new informer."
"One of yours?"
"Not exactly," Lieutenant Commander gestured at Webb. "One of theirs. He gave us inside information we
needed to locate that group of terrorists ... and your man." He fell silent for a while, accentuating the gravity of his next statement. "You understand that the mere fact that they started looking for a new source of information suggests that the Commander couldn't or wouldn't provide them with any, and they no longer had the need for him." He stopped, noticing the pallor of the Lieutenant Colonel's face. "I'm sorry, Ma'am."
Mac's eyes darkened with pain, but she held his gaze, her jaw set tight with determination. "We are ready to leave when you are, Commander."
"Very well," he sighed, respectful of her ability to compose herself yet somewhat annoyed by her stubbornness. "I'll assemble my team."
* * *
Several hours later
Outside the caves
Darkness descended quickly over the desert, pushing out the remaining sunlight and with it the day's warmth. The desert air grew cold and hostile, as the rescue team, consisting of five active and one former SEALs, one Marine, and a CIA agent, reached a small ledge overlooking the rocky hillside of a giant mountain-mass. Panting slightly, they flattened themselves against the rocky surface, studying the area below.
"Okay, listen up, people," Rockwell began in a coarse whisper. "According to our Intel, there are a total of 15
Taliban in there. Two of them are standing guard at the entrance to the cave. Martinez, Burns," he nodded to two of his team members, "your job is to take them out ... quietly."
"Aye, Sir."
"Good. The rest of us will follow on your signal." He paused, looking at the three newest members of his team.
"These bastards downed two of our aircraft, killed two pilots and their RIOs ... and very likely killed another one ..." He frowned, thinking what the JAG lawyers' reactions were going to be when they find their friend ... if there's anything still left for them to find. "I don't expect any of you to give these bastards any break," he finished forcefully, as much for his SEALs' benefit as for the other three.
"Understood, Sir."
The small group moved forward, creeping slowly under the cover of darkness. Two figures separated from the rest of the group. Stealthily they neared the large gaping hole in the side of the cliff and pulled out their knives. The Afghani men that stood by the entrance didn't have time to react -- their throats cut in a swift deadly motion, drowning their silent screams in pools of their own blood. One of the SEALs raised his hand, signing to the others that the mission was accomplished, and the rest of the group quickly covered the remaining distance to the cave, weapons in hand, ready to fire.