Al Zahrani brought his fingertips together, placed his hands before his face, and sighed. "Let us speak of it no longer, Mustafa. Now...we must redouble our efforts to complete the transfer of the deadly liquids and prepare them for use. Time...once on our side...may now be working against us. We have given the infidels pause to let them think we have expended our resources upon them. Their special holiday is just nine days away and in those days we shall lay in the shade to let them think no more attacks shall follow. We still have two more aircraft to acquire and transport to our location. The night before their holiday we shall begin loading our deadly brew aboard our aircraft. This shall be a Fourth of July the infidels of the Great Satan shall remember most bitterly!"
Chapter 12
June 25th
ASGuard Station
Kingman, AZ
Back at the ASGuard Station in Kingman, Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Roman changed back into his camouflage uniform before going to the station's communications center. There, he arranged a secure video conference with General Titus Roman, back in Phoenix.
Marcus gave his father a quick briefing on what had been learned from Turner, Johnson, and Kincaid. Then Marcus outlined his plan. The general complimented Marcus and his team for the information they had gathered and said that a packet of additional information regarding the Omega Mining Corporation and its owners had been transmitted to Major Mitchell. The two officers discussed a number of other topics then signed off.
Having reported to his commanding general, Marcus walked over to Major Michelle Mitchell's office to see what new data she had received. Marcus was not surprised to find Templeton and Caldwell already in the intel officer's office and reviewing the new data.
Mitchell pulled up numerous files on the large monitor on one wall. "Colonel, if you look at these reports here, you'll see that Omega Mining Corporation and Abdul Aziz Mohammed Al Zahrani imported a significant amount of lubricants from Iranian companies through a series of dummy companies. These materials were shipped through the Port of Los Angeles because of the PSSA's more open policies towards Iran. The drums passed through another Al Zahrani company that maintains good relations with both the PSSA and the USA then were shipped by rail to Kingman. If you look at the signatures on the inspection documents for each of the shipments, you'll see they've all been signed off by the same individual...Jakub Hamid."
After Marcus examined all of the signatures, Mitchell put other documents up on the screen. "These are copies of mining safety and operations inspections conducted over the last two years by state and federal agencies. Notice that there are no serious violations identified in any of the inspections. The minor violations they were given are the types that are easily corrected at the time of the inspection. All of the documentation is spotless...squeaky clean...statistically next to impossible. If I was asked, I'd swear these documents were pencil whipped. I'd say someone's bought themselves a couple of mine safety inspectors!"
Templeton and Caldwell pointed out other glaring non-issues that they'd found in Omega Mining's background that made the company look purer than the blowing snow. Finally, Marcus said, "Well, looks like our camping trip is on! We're certainly not going to find out anything by driving up to that compound's front gate and asking to speak to Al Zahrani. That'd tip them off that we suspect something's going on there. Better to sneak up on 'em and see what there is to see!"
Templeton raised one eyebrow and flashed a slight grin. "Sneak up on 'em in plain sight, you mean?"
Pulling his comm unit from his harness, Marcus returned his friend's smile and answered, "Yep!" Marcus sent a coded text then waited quietly for a response. Minutes later, he got it! "Okay, gents! We're a go! Let's go talk with Dix then get on the road. Major Mitchell, keep us posted on whatever else you find out." With that, Marcus, Caldwell, and Templeton left Mitchell's office and walked over to see Colonel Dixon.
Two hours later, a civilian SUV pulled out of the parking lot of a car rental company just down the street from ASGuard Station Kingman. Aaron Templeton handled the driving as Marcus Roman and Phillip Caldwell poured over a map. Just east of Kingman, Marcus signaled Templeton to pull over to the side of the road. Once stopped, the three men got out of the vehicle and Marcus laid the map out on the vehicle's hood so Templeton and Caldwell could both see it clearly.
"Okay, here's the plan. Tommi will have a Chinook drop off our equipment just south of I-40 near Hunter Ranch. Mokri and Cowen will join us there. Three other troopers will drive this vehicle to Williams and turn it in," said Marcus. "They'll rejoin the Legion at Seligman. We will head south across this area for about 8 miles until we connect with this wash. We'll use the wash to travel another 7 miles that should put us in the neighborhood of the Omega Mining Compound. I want to see if we get to this ridge here due east of the air strip without being seen. If we encounter any Omega Mining Security, we'll act like a group of hunters out looking for deer and antelope. If we encounter any security personnel, we'll fall back. If they go hostile, we can defend ourselves but we will fall back doing so." Marcus pointed out the locations on the map before continuing.
"If we can get to either location without being spotted, we'll set up a cold camp and wait overnight. At first light, we'll have the sun behind us so we can use the ridgeline to scan the compound. We need to find entry and exit points along the fence line, key travels routes within the compound, and identify specific targets to investigate. We'll lay low during the day and wait for darkness to prowl around. Some of us will go in after dark, sweep the compound for as much intel as we can get, then beat feet back to our camp and get the hell out of Dodge."
"Where's our extraction point?" Caldwell asked.
Marcus pointed to the map again and traced a route back to a point about 8 miles northeast of the compound. "The ridges along here will block any view from the compound of a Chinook's approach from the north. We fall back to here and wait for extraction." The three men poured over the map again, then climbed back into the SUV and headed east on I-40.
About 45 minutes later, Templeton turned off I-40. At the dirt crossroad, he turned the vehicle south and drove a couple of miles in that direction. Marcus pointed out another dirt road leading westerly and Templeton took that road. That road ended near a copse of trees at one edge of a wide field. A small stream marked the opposite edge of the field. Templeton parked the SUV in the limited shade of some trees and rolled down the windows to let in a light breeze.
Just after sunset, the three men got out of the vehicle and walked out into the field. As they walked, each man would pause occasionally to activate a glow stick and then stick it partway into the ground before moving on. Soon, they had a landing zone marked out. Marcus finished the process by using several more glow sticks to create an arrow to indicate the current wind direction.
With the landing zone marked, Marcus took out his comm unit and called the inbound copter. The voice of Captain Lu Mingus responded, "We're about 5 minutes out, Centurion! Be ready." Marcus acknowledged the captain's transmission then waved his companions back to their vehicle.
Soon the unique sound of a CH-47's tandem rotors could be heard. As the helicopter approached, Templeton stepped towards the LZ and stretched his arms out to the ground and horizontal to the ground. As he did, he flicked the glow stick he held in each hand, activating their chemical luminescence. Kneeling down, Templeton used the glows sticks to guide the Chinook into position and onto the ground.
Once the copter's tires touched the dirt, the rear ramp dropped and five ATVs roared out of the aircraft's cargo bay. Two men walked down the ramp carrying additional equipment in a number of backpacks. They set the backpacks on the ground then climbed back into the helicopter. As the rear hatch closed, the CH-47 lifted back into the darkness and flew off.
The five ATVs converged on the stacked equipment packs while Marcus and Caldwell walked over. Templeton stepped into the group carrying a large trash bag. Opening the bag, he showed the others the glow sticks he had recover
ed from the landing zone.
The troopers greeted each other and got down to the business of setting up a couple of tents and getting a basic camp put together. One trooper placed a number of large stones in a circle on bare earth then gathered some fire wood. Soon a fire was burning brightly and someone got coffee going. With the camp prepared, the eight sat down to eat.
Once their meal was finished, three of the ASGuard troopers who had flown in with the ATVs and equipment bid their friends farewell and walked over to the rental SUV. Abe Mokri picked up the trash bag of glow sticks and carried it over to the SUV. The rear window rolled down and Mokri tossed the bag in and waved goodbye.
As the night grew late, Marcus went over the mission op plan with his team one more time. Their background story would be that they all worked for a construction firm in Tucson. Caldwell's CBII office had set up a basic cover for each with the company, which actually existed. The group would be friends out scouting new hunting spots for the upcoming deer and antelope hunting seasons. Marcus told everyone to use each other's first names from this point forward. Their military weapons and other equipment would remain stowed inside hidden compartments on their ATVs until needed. The only visible guns and equipment would be civilian-made.
The men went over the plan for an hour then turned in to rest up for an early start. The one military operating procedure Marcus insisted on was that they post a rotating watch. Professionals that the men were, they all readily agreed with that.
***
June 26th
Off I-40
East of Kingman, AZ
Marcus rose early and walked over to check in with Templeton, who had the watch that morning. Templeton reported that the night had passed peacefully and that fresh coffee was brewing by the fire. Marcus nodded his thanks and went to his ATV to draw a civilian ration pack from one of the compartments on the vehicle.
Setting the ration pack to warm on one of the large stones that ringed the fire pit, Marcus walked over to the nearby thicket to answer Mother Nature's call. Returning to the camp, he picked up a small, collapsible plastic bucket then walked over to the small creek and drew out a bucket full of fresh water. Back in camp once more, he poured some water on his hands and washed them. Next, he poured some water on a clean handkerchief and wiped his face and neck. Rinsing the handkerchief, he rung it out then tied it loosely around his neck.
Marcus poured himself a cup of coffee, retrieved his now warm ration pack then sat on a small boulder near the fire. Coffee sure tastes good this morning, Marcus thought. Oh, no! I forgot the Tabasco sauce for the rations! He suddenly heard a soft whistle from his left and turned to see Aaron Templeton toss him a bottle of the hot sauce. That man is a gem, thought Marcus sprinkling the red hot sauce over his ready-made omelet. Ah, much better!
Soon, the others rose, took care of their morning rituals, and sat down to eat. Once everyone had eaten, Marcus pulled out the map and went over their route with the men. He reviewed the ops plan and their goals again then had the men discuss the plan to identify any potential problems. A couple of minor changes were suggested and added to the plan before they finished. Around 9:00 a.m., Marcus had the men double check their vehicles then take it easy for a while. At 11:00, they ate another meal then set about breaking camp and loading their equipment on their ATVs. Marcus noticed them addressing each other by their first names. Good! Just a bunch of friends out having some fun! he thought.
Just before noon, the men finished striking the camp. The fire had been extinguished, cooled, and covered; and the men and ATVs were ready to roll. Standing on the foot pedals of his ATV, Marcus waved an arm until it pointed south and called out, "Yo!" The others looked at their leader for a moment, then Templeton shouted, "Now he thinks he's John Wayne!" Laughter rippled through the group as they moved out.
The trails they used were in good condition and gates were available where fences cut across a trail. The first to reach a gate would stop his ATV, dismount and open the gate for the others, pull his vehicle through the opening, then close the gate. The men took turns leading their group, changing at gates or occasional branching's of the trail. Twice, Marcus stopped the group to take GPS readings and compare them to the map.
When they reached the spot where they would turn west, Marcus called for a stop near another small stream. The men dismounted from their ATVs and walked about stretching kinks out of their legs and backs. While the men paused to top off their water bottles, Marcus told them that from this point forward to be on high alert, yet to act casual. They chuckled at the oxymoron but fully understood what Marcus wanted.
When they moved out, they slowed their pace, hoping to look non-aggressive and to reach their intended base camp near dark. About three miles from the mining compound, the team drew close to a ridge. Marcus had the team stop again while he and Caldwell climbed to the crest to scout out ahead.
Using some scrub brush along the crest for cover, Marcus raised his binoculars to his eyes and scanned the area beyond. "Damn!" he said softly. Caldwell raised an eyebrow before lifting his binoculars. "Shit!" was the only thing the CBII agent could add to the conversation.
Poorly hidden just below the ridge on the next tall hill were two small observation posts about a half a mile apart from each other. Each OP was built partly into an overhang, with rocks piled loosely in front. Neither was very large and, based on what Marcus and Caldwell could see, only two men were in each location.
Marcus and Caldwell moved quickly and quietly back down the hill to their team. "Well, we lucked out and didn't ride right out in front of them. But, we've got to slip past them and I don't see that happening with the ATVs and a large group. So, a change in plan is called for. Temp, you and Tobias set up a cold camp here, camouflage the ATVs and gear, and wait for us. Abe, Phil, and I will go in after dark. We're going to find a place that'll give us concealment for tomorrow and use the morning light to do a close up recon of the compound's security. Tomorrow night, we'll go into the compound, see what we can find, then fall back to this position. We'll use the micro-radios with sub-vocalization microphones for team communication otherwise radio silence unless we need you. Everyone got it?" Everyone nodded.
Marcus, Caldwell, and Mokri got their gear together while Cowen and Templeton set about creating a camouflaged encampment under a rocky overhang. Once all that was accomplished, the men settled down for to eat dinner and wash it down with water. The three infiltrators took time to lie down and get some sleep while Cowen and Templeton stood guard.
A couple of hours later, the sun began to set in the west and Marcus, Caldwell, and Mokri prepared to shove off. The trio checked their equipment and black uniforms once more to ensure nothing was loose or reflective that might give away their location then donned their micro-radio gear. Finally, darkness fell in the Arizona high desert and the team of infiltrators set off down the dry wash. Each man wore night vision goggles to enable them to see in the moonless night.
As they neared the two observation posts, Marcus climbed to a ridge where he could observe the outposts without being seen. He was able to remove his NVGs and use regular binoculars because the men in both OPs had large fires going.
Unknown to Marcus, the jihadists didn't care if the bright, flickering light of the fires ruined their night vision. They needed it to heat their tea, to stay warm as the desert heat radiated back out into space, and to ward off the strange animals that wandered this desert.
Marcus noticed a gully that ran down the face of the hill north of the northern-most observation post. He believed he and the others could use the gully to hide their movement up to the crest of the hill. Marcus returned to Caldwell and Mokri and guided them towards the gully. The three men reached the gully undetected then made their way up the mountain as quickly and silently as mountain goats. With the observation posts behind them, they made their way towards the high twin peaks that Marcus had chosen as their observation point.
The three men were making good time across the high
desert when Mokri suddenly froze in his tracks. When Marcus and Caldwell turned to check on the NCO, Mokri hissed at them to stay put. With exaggerated slowness, he pointed to the large flat rock to his right. Turning their NVGs in the direction, they could make out the faint outline of a coiled snake against the radiated heat of the rock. A soft buzzing sound could be heard coming from the direction of the snake.
Master Sergeant Ebrihim "Abe" Mokri maintained an unearthly calm as he turned his body slowly to face the reptile. He had encountered poisonous snakes before during training exercises in the U.S. and on missions in other countries. He knew that his best bet was to remain calm and move very slowly. Mokri had an idea that might be helpful in their current mission if he played his cards right.
Mokri used his left hand to reach into a pouch on his combat trousers and draw out a heavy, black evidence bag. Shielding it with his body, he let it fall open then moved it slowly around in front of the snake. Shaking the bag gently, he used it to attract the snake's attention. As he did this, Mokri slowly reached out his right hand toward a spot behind the snake's head. Slowly, ever so slowly, Mokri got his right hand into position then suddenly it shot forward and his fingers closed around the snake just behind its head. The pit viper could thrash about but could not bite its captor.
Abe Mokri let out a slow breath then drew air back into his lungs. Then he began to stuff the snake into the evidence back. With it stashed inside, he pulled the drawstring tight. One snake, alive and pissed, but unable to harm anyone for a while, Mokri thought to himself. The sergeant looked over to Marcus and Caldwell and signaled them to stand fast. Old desert saying, thought Mokri, where's there's one snake, there's usually another. He carefully scanned the rock outcropping to his left. Ah! There it is! And with the air temperature dropping fast, this one is already slowing down.
The Arizona State Guard Trilogy Page 29