Chapter 20

“We’ll take the mission...” Mike told Hank.

“Good to know ... What’s the catch?” he replied.

“We bring in our own people and the less you know the better.” Mike told him.

“Ok...”

“ ... Ok ... That’s it?” Simone asked him with a cocked eyebrow.

“From my perspective, yes. I’m not going to second guess anything you do. In fact, to quote a great philosopher Sgt Schultz, I want to know nothing ... NOTHING!” Hank replied.

Mike chuckled. “Dad and mom used to watch Hogan’s Heroes.”

“People just don’t get it these days. There was a lot of wisdom in that TV series...” Hank said smiling.

“So, I’m guessing that your directors are going to want to talk to us before we get started?” Simone asked.

Hank hit the red button and unsealed the room so that Michelle, Gina, and Chris could come back in. They all resumed their seats and Hank resealed the conference room again.

“I’m guessing that you’re going to take the mission since you’re still here.” Director Haspel asked.

“We are director. But like we told Director Richards, we want to use our own people for this.” Mike told her. “It’s not that you don’t have capable people, but the people we use, we’ve worked with before and we all know each other.”

“No problem here, Director Wray?” Haspel asked

“No objection. However, we’d like to put one person with you in case you learn something we need to know or vice versa.” He added.

Simone started to object but saw Mike shake his head. “Who did you have in mind?”

Director Wray spoke up at the point. “He’s from the HRT section and was one of our best undercover people for the first 5 years he was in the bureau. You might know him, he came from Delta directly to the agency, Roderick McFadden.”

“He was an E7 from 1^st Ranger battalion. He came to my squadron right before I changed out command. He’s good with reconnaissance and blends in anywhere to the point that you never even know he’s there. What did he do when he was undercover?” Mike asked him.

“Roderick was a courier that smuggled anything up from Mexico and Florida to anywhere on the eastern seaboard or the Mississippi river valley.” Wray told them.

“Is there anyone looking for him?” Mike asked.

“Not that we’re aware of. They’re either locked up or dead. He was very thorough in gathering evidence.” Wray told him.

“Good enough.” Mike told them. “Also, I’d like to ask for three weeks instead of two.”

“May I ask why?” Gina asked.

Mike gathered his thoughts before speaking. “May I guess that as soon as we leave the building, you’re going to cease all active intelligence gathering on her in order to keep this as quiet as possible?”

“You may.” Director Wray told him.

“You want this done as quietly and as fast as possible. The variables in her life are numerous. Tracking her movements, daily life, and social life will be tough enough without unrealistic time constraints. Like we told you, two weeks is impossible. If you want it done clean and quiet, it’ll take three weeks to pull it off.” He told the directors.

Director Wray looked over at Gina. “He’s right.”

“Oh, I know he is. I’ve read enough about them to know when they’re being honest.” She replied. “You’ve got it. Only thing we ask in exchange is an occasional word about how you’re progressing.”

“Roderick will send word every three days; will that be acceptable?” Mike replied.

“Completely.” Wray replied.

“I would like to confirm one thing with you if I could before we get out of here.” Simone asked. “How far off the books is this operation?”

“After you leave the building, as far as we know, you’re still on the beach in Belize.” Hank told her.

“Where does Roderick fall into this?” Mike asked.

“He knows what he’s getting into. He disappeared off the books two weeks ago. He’s getting a small warehouse in Baltimore set up for you and your team.” Wray told him passing a business card to him. “Here’s the address.”

Simone slid it into the pocket of her jeans and looked at Mike. “Anything else babe?”

“No, I think that’s got it.” He told her standing up. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hank looking at him. He watched as Hank looked at his Cell and held three fingers out. He blinked his eyes twice as fast as he could telling him he got the message.

Simone and Mike shook hands with the directors as Michelle deactivated the SCIF function in the conference room. When they were standing at the desk where they signed in Michelle walked up to them as the guards were finishing with their badges. They left the administration section and walked into the main area. Michelle thanked them for coming and asked if they needed anything else from her. Mike told her no and thanked her for her help. The three of them shook hands, and Mike and Simone left the building. When they got to their car, Simone started to say something, but Mike stopped her.

“Wait till we’re back at the hotel and we’ll talk.” He told her...

Three miles from H-3 air base in Iraq

Kilo six nine, a reinforced Delta team had flown into Warsaw from Fort Bragg a month prior and had gotten mission briefings from both the Eldest Son team and US intelligence. They spent ten days prepping the mission and then flew to Baghdad to be inserted by HALO into the target area. Mossad had contacts on the ground in Saudi Arabia watching for the trucks to leave and enter Iraq. When they had crossed the border, satellite and unmanned drone tracking took over.

Kilo six nine had been on the ground for three days when word finally came that the convoy was enroute. The team had chosen that particular bridge because it was never rebuilt after the war in 2003. The bridge was unstable and had a sign telling drivers to only cross one vehicle at a time due to the bombing.

“Kilo six nine, this is Sentry ... Convoy is turning down down route 31 and is approximately 15 miles from your location. Average speed is 40 mph.”

“Kilo six nine copies all.” Major David Witherspoon told them. He switched over to internal comms with his team. “All kilo elements report in.”

“Placement team set.” A voice told him.

“Local security set.” Another voice told him.

“Northern overwatch set.” The sniper team watching the valley floor told him.

“Southern overwatch set.” The other sniper team watching the road to the bridge replied.

“Roger, Sentry says the convoy is fifteen minutes out, stand by.” he replied. “Sentry, Kilo six nine, going to internal comms, time now.” Witherspoon told them.

“Sentry copies, good luck and God bless...” The voice told him.

Mossad Operations Center, Tel Aviv

The team listened to the radio traffic and watched the Global Hawk’s video feed of the convoy as it approached the team’s position.

“I still can’t believe the US military got them to follow a specific route.” Dominic said to Denise.

“It wasn’t hard. Just forward a request to use drones to cover the normally used routes, and since this is the only semi-paved route into H3...” Denise replied shrugging her shoulders.

“That new fabric works well obscuring thermal signatures.” Robert said to Tali.

“What new fabric?” Petra asked.

“It is called ‘Hayalet and the company that makes it is in Turkey. They created a fabric that is undetectable by thermal or night vision. And honestly, from what I have read about it, you have to be almost standing on the person to see them at night.” Talitha told them. “The downside is that it is very warm and breathes worse than Gore-Tex.”

“Gore-Tex doesn’t breathe.” Dominic told her.

“Exactly.” Talitha replied.

“Ok, I’m feeling a bit sorry for the sniper teams then.” Dominic told her.

They watched as the convoy approached the team’s position. The video showed the six vehicles moving slowly up the road and then off to the upper part of the screen, a vehicle appeared, and four thermal signatures stepped out of it.

“Umm, Denise?” Robert asked.

“I see them.” She said pressing the transmit button. “Sentry, this is Ursula, can you identify the thermal signatures to the north west of Kilo six nine?”

“Roger...” The voice replied. They watched as the picture zoomed out and shifted to the new objects. The picture then zoomed in and focused on the four people that were walking towards the team’s position. “Stand by Ursula ... Kilo six nine, Sentry, be advised, four people moving southeast towards your location, approximately 3 miles and closing. We’ve confirmed that there are no friendlies in the area, consider hostile, if needed take whatever action you deem appropriate.”

“Kilo six nine, roger...” came across comms.

Three miles from H-3 air base in Iraq

“Northern overwatch, Sentry says we’ve got hostiles coming in from the north west.” Witherspoon told them.

“Northern overwatch copies...” SFC Jake Kowalski replied to the team leader. He shifted his spotter scope to the north west. “Fuckin Murphy ... I was looking forward to a quiet mission.”

“Tell me about it.” SFC John Campbell replied.

Back with the rest of the team, the convoy got closer. The southern overwatch team watched as it rolled into the small valley below them. “Convoy, one mile and closing...” SFC Will Bonnary said quietly.

“Roger, we’re ready for them.” SFC Raphe Schmidt replied. SSG Chris White placed the first tracker on the end of the pole. “Not the best way to spend the night...” He quietly said to his teammate.

“I can think of worse ways. At least it’s warm here.” Chris White replied.

“Konar Province?” Raphe asked.

“Twenty below zero and snowing...” he replied as they both quietly chuckled.

“Here it comes, get ready.” The southern overwatch team told them.

“Placement team, it’s your show now.” Witherspoon told them.

“Placement team copies, we’ll let you know when we’re complete.” Raphe replied.

The lead vehicle stopped at the sign and the convoy leader got out to read it. The rest of the drivers walked got out and walked to see what the problem was. The drivers all met up at the lead vehicle as the leader gave instructions. As the meeting broke up, the vehicles all started up and got ready to move out. The convoy leader walked the bridge as his vehicle drove across. He shone a flashlight into the hole that was in the middle of the bridge and then moved on. When he was across, he flashed his light back at the other vehicles. The trucks started moving one at a time across the bridge.

Raphe watched as the first truck passed over the hole. As it did, he quickly pushed the pole with the tracker up so that the magnetized tracker would stick to the underside of the cab. He knew it was in place when he heard a small ping. Dropping the pole, Chris snapped another tracker to the top and they waited for the next truck to pass.

On the hilltop to the north where the north sniper team was located, the hostile team came into view. “Hostiles sighted.” Jake said quietly.

“Northern overwatch, shift your focus to the incoming hostiles, local security will take over for you.” Witherspoon told them.

“Northern overwatch copies.” Jake replied.

John Campbell shifted his rifle to cover the hostiles. “Got’em. Looks like 4 people on foot with AK47s. No belt fed weapons or RPGs noticed. Range to target ... fifteen hundred yards plus and closing.”

“Confirmed, 1-5-3-9 yards to target.” Jake confirmed.

As the last truck passed over the bridge, it slowed and tried to move around the hole. As it did, the drivers front tire hit the railing and almost went into the ravine. Chris and Raphe heard a thump and then yelling coming from the cab of the truck. They silently laughed as the truck backed up and started to move forward again. Raphe got the last tracker attached to the truck and it moved off.

“Placement is clear and empty.” Raphe reported.

“Roger placement.” Witherspoon replied. “Overwatch, what’s your status?”

“Range to targets 9-2-4 yards, clear line of sight. Targets are sitting on a hilltop, doing nothing. No one is pulling security, and they have no idea we’re here as far as we can tell.” Jake replied.

“Are they watching the road?” Witherspoon asked.

“That would be my guess.” Kowalski replied.

“Copy.” Witherspoon replied. He looked at the team Sergeant, MSG Zeke Smithers. “Convoy overwatch team, what do you think?”

“Four guys and they have no idea we’re out here. Plus, they might have intel about what’s in the area.” Smithers replied. “You, me, Moss, Zamir, and Moulin with Kowalski and Campbell on overwatch.”

Witherspoon thought for a moment, then nodded his head in agreement. “Listen up...” Witherspoon said into his radio. “Moss, Zamir, and Moulin meet us in the wadi to the north. Northern overwatch will remain in place to cover us. Chief, head to the extraction point and secure the LZ.”

“Roger, let us know when you’re headed our way.” CW3 Michael Zhao told them.

When the five Delta troopers were assembled Witherspoon briefed them on their purpose. “We’re going to get a look at the four hostiles. We’ll set a hasty ambush as they move back to the vehicles. If we can grab one, we will. If they take hostile actions, shoot first ask questions second.”

Back at the bridge, Chris walked out of the washout and up the hill to link up with the rest of the team. As he crossed the road, he noticed a large bundle laying on the edge of the bridge. Using the muzzle of his rifle, he poked it to get an idea of what was in it. Pressing the transmit button on his radio, he reported this in. “Guys, we’ve got a package in the road that probably fell out of the trail vehicle.”

“Can you carry it out?” Zhao asked.

“Roger, whoever packed it, did a good job. It’s solid.” Chris replied hefting it up on to his shoulders.

“Grab it and bring it.” Zhao replied.

Over at the ambush site, Witherspoon and the rest of his group had made their way to the trail where the hostile element had moved to the top of their hill. They had set up a hasty ambush along the trail and were waiting for them to return to their vehicle. The insurgents walked down the hill and back towards their vehicle, laughing and joking like there was no need to be alert. SFC Andre Zamir, being fluent in Persian, firmly told them to drop their weapons and lay on the ground. Two of the men snapped their rifles up and were promptly shot dead by two of the Delta team. The third one looked for a place to run but was knocked unconscious by Zamir. The fourth dropped his rifle, held his hands up in the air, and started to cry. Smithers ran over and pushed him to the ground and knelt down on his upper back. Moulin was right behind him flipping him over to cuff him.

“You know you’re carrying him, right?” Moss asked Zamir as he flex cuffed the unconscious terrorist.

“Small price to pay for a KO with one punch.” He replied as he flexed his bicep.

“Please ... This guy is MAYBE a buck fifty.” Moss replied in a whisper.

“Still counts.” Zamir replied as he started to search their prisoner.

Witherspoon walked over after making sure the other two were dead. He looked over at his team sergeant who with the help of SFC Moulin had his captive under control. “You got him?”

“Yeah...” He replied standing back up. “Zamir, you and Moss strip and search the bodies. Bag everything and bring it.”

“Overwatch, we’re secure here, pack it up and meet us RV bravo.” Witherspoon told the sniper team.

“Confirm RV bravo, don’t take too long or we’re coming to look for you.” Kowalski told him.

They started to task of searching the bodies on the trail. Moss handed a satellite phone to his team sergeant. He powered it up and looked through it. “Andy...” he said quietly handing him the phone.

“Lots of names and numbers. Aww, look ... They were nice enough to leave the location app on for us.” He told him.

“Shut it down, we’ll pass it up to higher.” Witherspoon told him.

Moss and Moulin were finished searching the bodies and had packed up everything. The unconscious captive had finally regained consciousness and they were on their way to link up with the snipers and then on to the LZ to be extracted.

Mossad Operations Center, Tel Aviv, 3 hours later

Talitha, Denise, and Director Fogelman were talking about the captives the Delta team was bringing back and trying to decide how to handle them. All three agreed that the captives didn’t need to know they were in Tel Aviv.

“How far was the ambush point from Syria?” Denise asked. A technician pulled a map of the area up for them to see. “Twenty-two miles to Syria.”

“Russians?” Chiam asked.

“I think that would be a great way to go.” Denise told him. “Tali?”

“I agree.” Switching to Russian, she asked Robert if he felt like playing Russian Intelligence.

Speaking with a thick Russian accent, he replied. “We can absolutely do that. I would love to watch them crap their pants hearing that they were captured by Russians.”

“Just so we’re prepared, do we have a location that we’re telling they are?” Dominic asked.

“Latakia, it is a city on the coast of Syria. There is an old US Air base that the Russians are using to launch missions from.” Chiam told him. “Spetznaz is also based out of there, so that would lend to the appearance that they were captured by Russian special forces.”

“Let’s go debrief Witherspoon and his men...” Denise said to Tali.

Marriott Hotel, Washington DC

Mike sat on the couch with Simone cuddled up against him. They had left Langley and stopped to get something to eat. They had been quiet on the way back to the hotel. They had tossed a few names around as they ate but decided to finalize the list when they were alone.

“I’m not bashing your abilities, but we’ll need to bring Angus in on this.” Mike told her.

“I think you’ll be giving me a massage tonight for that insult to my professional reputation. Use the cinnamon scented oil please.” Simone said with a smile.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, I’ll damn sure take you up on it...” Mike said sarcastically. “How do you want to make contact with Symanski?”

“I want to use Trish.” She replied.

“Trisha Masters?” Mike asked.

“Yes.”

“Reality mixed with deception, good idea.” He told her.

“I’m guessing you want John Sullivan here to help out?” Simone asked.