“I always have a story,” Reynolds said, chuckling. “I seem to also remember taking you boys to The Boars Nest. Remember that bar?”
“Sure do,” Clements replied, grinning.
“Spent a few nights fighting the locals, if I remember correctly,” Reynolds said.
“Well, damn!” Clements bellowed. Then, he turned to the younger Delta members, saying, “Boys, he might be a Marine, but this guy ain’t no joke. Taught Evasion and Scout school when I went through. Shit, I almost washed out. This dude’s a hard-ass.”
“He’s the one who talked me outta walking,” Marcus added. “Nice to have a bad mother fucker on our side.”
“And a Colonel,” Comstock reminded, ensuring they respect the man. “He’s also our commanding officer, so let’s make sure we don’t have any problems to contend with. This comes from the top, boys.”
Everyone stood up straighter. The presence of a Marine Colonel garnished a moment of respect. Especially if Clements spoke highly of him. But there was more.
“The Colonel here is a long range kinda guy,” Clements said. “Shot in the thousand yard competition a few times. Placed too,” Clements bragged.
“Second,” Reynolds said.
“I remember you teaching me a few things,” Clements added. “I still carry the M1A after your suggestion. Bigger round, harder hitting. It’s worked tried and true for me, Colonel.”
“Well, that’s good to know,” the Colonel said. He shook everyone’s hand, greeting all the men.
Then, Clements asked, “You really our commanding officer?”
Dale Comstock walked over, holding out the file. “Yup, it’s true. The Colonel runs a battalion up north of here, but was placed on this team, taking over McClain’s spot.”
“And don’t ask me why,” Reynolds said, “’cause I couldn’t tell ya. Truth be known, I have no clue why I’m here. The CIA called, and here I am. Ready to serve my country I guess. I . . . we all work under a woman named Elizabeth. She reports only to the dozen super-users. Seventh floor of Langley, if you get my drift. You’ll meet her soon enough.”
“What’s your task here?” Dale asked, handing the paperwork to Jefferson.
“I’m here to ready you boys, provide whatever you need. I’m good with surveillance, and I’ll be at the command center when this all begins.”
“When what begins?” Comstock asked.
“Your mission.”
Everyone grinned.
“I’m not here to break your balls, so don’t worry about that. Just like you, I’m here to get the job done. Understood?” Reynolds asked.
“Hooah!” they said.
“I’m excited to see Delta in action,” Reynolds said.
“That’d be nice,” Thompson said. “Base commander won’t let us do shit. Makes us sit on our asses all day.”
“Ah, General Kline.”
“Know him, eh?” Dale asked.
“He doesn’t understand Delta. Doesn’t get how you boys do things,” Reynolds said.
“He’s an epic douche-bag,” Thompson blurted. This caused Dale to glare his way. “I know, I know . . . he’s a general and all. But I can’t sit here with my pecker in my hand every day. Shit, even our range time was cut.”
“I hear you boys sneak out at night,” Reynolds said.
Thompson chuckled, saying, “Sometimes.”
“Good. You need to be ready. And don’t worry, starting tomorrow, we’ll be going out. Patrol the neighborhood, if you will. Maybe find some action. Get some practice.” Reynolds suggested.
“We could use it,” Thompson responded.
Dale looked over Jefferson’s shoulder at the file folder once more.
Everything seemed to be in place.
“We’re actually going in, aren’t we?” Dale asked.
“Yes. We’re sending your team in.”
“When?”
“Soon. A week, I’d suspect.”
“The target?” Dale asked, though he’d already guessed.
“We will all be briefed by Elizabeth later tonight. Like I said, she’s in charge. She’ll explain it better.”
“A woman, eh?” Thompson questioned. He was the chauvinist in the group, the one who felt this was a man’s world, especially Spec Ops.
“I wouldn’t fuck with her one bit,” Reynolds warned. “She’s a civilian, so you won’t salute her. But boys, she knows her stuff. She’s Tier One, just like you. This mission is Above Top Secret, Yankee White. We have Zulu Seven Clearance, so let’s keep it sharp.”
A wave of seriousness crossed their faces. Reynolds walked back to his duffel, pulling out six envelopes, each the same size, handing one to each member. “Inside, there are preliminary reports. Your security passes, paperwork to fill out. Good news is, there’s a bonus for this mission. You’re all on triple hazard pay for one month, though this mission won’t last near that long,” Reynolds said.
“Damn, triple? Thanks, Colonel,” Thompson said, opening up his envelope.
“Not my call. Elizabeth made it happen. There’s also thirty grand in each envelope. Enough money to get by any surrounding country if need be, especially Pakistan. Just in case.”
“This is a dangerous one, isn’t it?” Dale questioned, flipping through the contents of the envelope.
“Very dangerous, Sergeant. Something unlike you’ve ever experienced before.”
“We’re going in to find ’em, aren’t we?” Clements asked. He, of course, was asking about the missing Delta team. They, too, had heard the stories.
“Let’s hope so. Now, in the meantime, I want you guys to look over the materials I gave you. There’s maps, some other basics. Familiarize yourselves with it. I’ll need a bit to get situated, then we go out.”
“But General Kline . . .” Thompson began.
“He’s not your concern. I’ve got a helo fueled and ready. Heard it just dropped off some Rangers about forty miles west of here. You guys interested in backing them up?”
“Fuck yes we are!” Thompson said, excited.
“Well, we leave in twenty. Pack your shit and maybe we can go pick a fight.”
“You’re going with us, Colonel?” Comstock asked, curious at the notion.
“It’s been awhile, so I could use the practice too. There a problem with that, Sergeant?”
“Negative, Colonel. Actually, it’s an honor,” Dale replied.
“Good. I’m curious to see your men in combat. Besides, if I take you out, there’s no reason to sneak off base anymore, is there now?”
“No,” they all mumbled.
“Good. Wouldn’t matter, because I’m your CO, but let’s knock it off and do this for real,” Reynolds said.
Though it was unnecessary, and no protocol for it, all six Delta members stood at attention, saluting the Marine Colonel.
Reynolds returned the salute, turned, and walked out.
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Asymmetrical Clandestine Elite Services
Interrogation of Sergeant C. York
Army, 1st SFOD-D
Interviewer: Elizabeth (ACES)
Location: Khost Province, Afghanistan
Time: 0130 Hours Zulu
CLASSIFIED TOP SECRET
47
“Sergeant York, how are you feeling?” Elizabeth asked, entering the room and glancing at her watch. Exactly three hours. She looked at him, but no smile. She sat down, shuffled her paperwork like before, and looked up again. Her voice was pleasant, though not overly cheerful. “Have they injected you with anything?”
“No, not since we last talked,” he admitted.
“Good.”
“That doesn’t mean much, though. But so far, I guess I’ll trust ya. You’re a woman of your word until you break it,” York said.
“And I hear there were no incidents either.”
“My head isn’t as foggy. No, didn’t pick any fights,” York said.
“More relaxed?”
“A bit. Mind is clearing
up, though I still feel sluggish. Food wasn’t bad either.”
“Appears we’re making progress. Now, if you don’t mind, Sergeant York, I’d like to continue our talk. From the beginning this time?” she requested.
Though still restrained, York’s eyes had softened, he rested back in his chair, a bit calmer than before. He took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly, his eyes engaging her body once more, though he offered no comment. “My unit had twelve men. Ramirez was team leader.”
“An officer?”
“Ah, let’s don’t play games,” York said. “You’re not the sort. A Sergeant, like me. Like all of us. See, Delta doesn’t need officers, just warriors. We’re all the same. But we have team leaders, and Ramirez was it. Good one too.”
“I’ve read Sergeant Ramirez’s files. Highly decorated. Seven tours.”
“Yeah, that’s why he was team leader.”
“And you respected him?”
“More than just about anyone. You see, we do shit other people can’t do. We operate different, see. There’s no time for egos, and we don’t have issues with our mission leaders. We’re all the same, and they pick the best for the job. We work together though. No orders, just a team.”
“Ramirez’s record is impeccable. Tell me your thoughts.”
“A real class act. The go-getter type. He really believed in what we were doing here. His patriotic duty and all that. Lots of combat, seven tours like you said. Good head on his shoulders, I’d do anything for him,” York said.
“The rest of your team?”
“All the best. My brothers.”
“How long have you served with this team? With Ramirez?”
“This is my third tour.”
“And Commander McClain?”
“Again, third tour under him. Good guy, didn’t make mistakes. Did everything right in my book.”
“Fair enough. Let’s go back to Ramirez. You say he’s . . . patriotic? He believes in this war?”
“He did. He’s dead now, ma’am. But he believed we are here to fight for truth, justice and the American way. And all that other democracy shit. But I liked that he didn’t preach it, didn’t push it. But he sure as shit showed it. Ramirez had a good heart. Kinda guy who’d risk his life for some Afghani kid, who’d feed stray cats and dogs, who’d help build houses if need be. He cared about these people. And if Ramirez was around, you didn’t dare do something that would get an innocent person killed. Sure, it was part of the job, but you were extra careful on his watch.”
“What about you? Are you patriotic? Are you for the cause?” Elizabeth asked.
York laughed, staring coldly. “Don’t give two shits about duty and honor and all that BS. I’m here for two reasons.”
“Which are?”
“I’m good at my job . . . and I’m here for my team. My code is to The Unit. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. Don’t mistake it, I’m not half the man Ramirez was.”
“I see,” Elizabeth said, scribbling something on her paper. She looked back up, her soft brown eyes studying him, digging into his soul. A certain sorrow overcame her. Then, she said, “Sergeant, I’ll be frank and ask you directly. Remember, this is only between us. Do you think Ramirez made the right call?”
“We were ordered in to do surveillance,” York replied.
“That’s not what I mean. Was it the right call to go into that valley? To search the village, the cave?”
York shook his head, his eyes glazed. “Despite having lost my closest friends, I’ll back his call forever. He said we needed to go in and we did.”
“Nobody questioned it?”
“Nobody wanted to. We’re Delta, that’s what we do. We move forward while the cautious man hesitates. Got that?”
“I understand.
“Under no circumstances is Sergeant Ramirez or Commander McClain responsible for the deaths of my guys,” York said. “I’ll never waver from that, you got me?”
Elizabeth was somewhat humbled by this, surprise overtaking her. Here she had perhaps judged this man, this elite warrior who cared not of God or country but of only the men beside him. “Under no circumstances will any of your team, or Commander McClain, receive an ounce of blame. They will not be punished, for this didn’t happen.”
“Okay, good,” York responded, relaxing a bit.
“Ramirez . . . he was the last in, wasn’t he?”
York went blank for a moment, his mind drifting, remembering back to that dismal day. “There was this moment when I thought we’d both make it. There was a moment when I thought Ramirez and I might get out alive.” York then looked up to Elizabeth, eyes cloudy with tears. “Guess it didn’t work out that way, did it?”
“What was your mission, Sergeant York?” she asked bluntly. “Why were you in that valley?”
“Ah, now that’s classified, ma’am.”
“I know the details, I’m not looking for you to regurgitate. I simply want to hear it from your perspective. Your mission was to seek and destroy Taliban presence in that region, I know this. Khost was blowing up, and you guys were moved in. Got into a pretty good fight, too.”
“Yeah, there had been a string of bombings. The embassy in Afghanistan, a few allies attacked. Things were getting ugly, and the war was growing burdensome,” York admitted.
“So conflict rose in this region?”
“It did. We saw a wave of attacks, a harder push. I think it’s ’cause we pushed ’em into a corner. They had nothing else to do but fight back. Thing is, the media was starting to report on it, and it sure didn’t look good for the good ol’ war machine.”
“So they called in Delta.”
“Right on, good on them!” he declared with a laugh. “We were to observe, ultimately. See, Delta works like you spooks—in secret. Observe and report Taliban presence, track their movements, gather INTEL.”
“But at some point you encountered resistance.”
“Damn right. Got into a little shooting match against fifty of those fuckers.”
“That’s nearly four to one odds.”
“We’re Delta,” he said brazenly.
“Who shot first, Sergeant York?”
“Well, like I’ve said a million times, they spotted us. We took fire and had to return it. Couldn’t help it, that’s what we were supposed to do if discovered.”
Elizabeth stared a moment, expressionless. Then, she slowly leaned in, a smile forming, near laughter in her voice. “Sergeant York, you don’t really think I believe that bullshit story, do you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I know you’re repeating it. Over and over again helps. I can see you know the game. Funny thing is, those big boy generals and agents never once questioned that part. They believe you, Sergeant York. They believe you took fire and had to return fire in self defense. But I don’t believe a single fucking word,” she declared.
York grinned. He couldn’t help it. There was something about this woman that impressed him, something bold about her, something different.
But he opted to remain silent. He wouldn’t dare speak in a way that might dishonor his friends, his brothers. He’d die before that happened.
“I stand by that report. They fired first.”
“Your team was under orders to observe, yet were spotted and fired upon.”
“Yup.”
“You think I believe that? Don’t test my intelligence. Ramirez disobeyed protocol. He called for a strike, didn’t he?”
“Fuck you!” York belted out.
Before he could berate her further, Elizabeth spoke. “Sergeant York, this matter is classified above any of those who have interviewed you before. This includes a three star general, many others. I know you don’t believe it, but there’s no cameras, no recording devices. I’m also not here with the intention of blaming anyone, especially Sergeant Ramirez. His name will be honored, not slandered, I can promise this. His family will receive full benefits, he’ll be held in high honor by the Army. But I do need
the truth,” she stated.
“Who cares how the fight started? Those fuckers were there and we killed them. That’s our job.”
“I just need to know. You see, I understand the nature of men who enter special forces.”
“You do?”
“I have a friend who’s a SEAL. I know your mentality, your alpha-male heritage that needs to be proved from time to time. Your ego, your team’s super-ego of a perfect killing force. Unstoppable, capable of anything. York, Delta Force are super-soldiers. I’d expect you to engage regardless of protocol. It’s not that I care, because to be honest, I figured you guys shot first. I’m trying to solve a puzzle, and that tidbit of information would be most helpful.”
“All right, fine,” York said, believing her, giving her trust, letting go. “We did observe—at first. We watched as they loaded two pickups full of bomb making materials. Those fuckers are good with their IEDs. They really fuck our guys up. And it’s not always the fact that they kill, it’s the psychological aspect of roadside bombs. These devices fuck our guys up mentally, too. They make them gun-shy, scared. It’s all about morale.”
“And this group had such materials?”
“Yeah, I know my bombs, and no doubt that’s what they were. Watched through our scopes, saw they were ready to head back south.”
“So Ramirez decided to do something about it.”
“We all did.”
“Why didn’t you call in a strike?”
“We did. Called it in twice, actually. But we were declined both times.”
“Hm,” she mumbled under her breath. “There should have been plenty of ordinance,” she said, pondering aloud, beginning to shuffle through her papers again.
“Oh, they had it. Apaches, Warthogs . . . shit, mortars and tanks too. We usually have a half dozen Predator drones flying above, but for some reason, not this day. Whatever the fuck we want, we usually get. But this time, no air support, nothing.”
“What did your command say to do?”
“To keep observing. They told us to stand down and only watch. Even if that meant the Taliban would drive off, set up their bombs down the road, kill some kid who should be going home to his parents,” York said.
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