Mr. Faren hesitated as the two enlisted men set off quietly down the hallway without him. He sat there, alone and contemplating the meaning of his position. If they were wrong, which was a probability, he would be an accessory to attempted Mutiny. Even if he proved in court he didn’t do anything, he still didn’t do ANYTHING to try and stop it. He knew these guys for about two years though…they wouldn’t make up something this. Would they? No… Maybe? No. No?
Cameron peeked back around the corner and stared down at him very seriously. Mr. Faren exhaled with frustration, then reluctantly rejoined the two. Better to stay with the two at this point. This better not get him kicked out of the Navy. His father will kill him…
The three carefully snuck down several maintenance routes, behind one of the service elevators, and then out of repair locker closet before carefully sneaking up the back entry to the bridge deck. They stopped halfway up the ladder and peeked down the hall; directly in front of them, about 10 yards away, was the primary ladder up to the bridge itself and on the left was the Captains state room… which they could make out the arm of one of the NSW who was diligently standing guard.
Mr. Faren rubbed his eyes and whispered with frustration. “So, what exactly are we doing?”
Bursts of automatic fun fire and combat echoed up from several decks below them. The three immediately glanced back from where the sound had come from, just out of caution. That sound was all it took for Mr. to know they weren’t lying. There were still many questions and it felt very strange, but good thing he let it get this far then, against his better judgment.
Max whispered seriously. “Well, at least our guys are fighting now… I hope that’s our guys, anyways…”
“Yeah…” Cameron nodded in equal concern. “I figure we can just walk up and invite ourselves into the Captains room, as if nothing were wrong with it. If the guards don’t want us to enter…we could just knock them out or something?”
Mr. Faren shook his head with a humored smile. “That’s a terrible idea. Let’s come up with one that won’t get us killed.”
The same monotone voice from earlier came back over the 1MC. “Now all hands stand down from General Quarters… Now all hands lay to the mess deck for drill debrief.”
Cameron growled quietly. “Damn…we need to do something and we need to do it now!”
Max shrugged in return. “Ok…knock out highly trained Special Forces guys…fuck it, it’s worth a shot.”
Mr. Faren at this point was completely silent, as the group walked up the last steps of the ladder and casually strode toward the CO’s state room. The two guards at post immediately spotted them and raised their weapons aggressively. “HALT! DO NOT MOVE! You are not allowed to be up here!”
Max smiled and tried to play it off. “Hey, we’re just delivering some-”
The NSW on the left shouted at him and menacingly shoved his rifle at him. “SILENCE! Put your hands above you head, slowly!”
The group passed each other defeated glances as they put their hands up, though Max had to set the tray of desserts down first. “Well…that didn’t work…”
Cameron shook his head and sighed. “Fuck these guys…” The NSW on the right immediately kicked him in the gut and snapped back. “Be quiet!”
Cameron dropped to the deck, winded painfully from the kick. The guard began to yell again but was drown out by several louder and much angrier voices from the hall behind them. “PUT THE WEAPONS DOWN! NOW!”
The NSWs immediately pulled Mr. Faren and Max up in front of them as human shields, as a group of four combat ready Marines, in MDU camouflage and black Naval armor, slowly inched forward, weapons aimed for kill shots. “I SAID PUT THE WEAPONS DOWN!” The Lead Marine screamed intimidatingly.
The NSWs detained their captives at gunpoint and then began to call over the radio for backup, just as another group of heavy footprints began to sound from the other nearby ladder well. Three more Marines began to walk up the main ladder, but were stopped as the nearest NSW fired his weapon blinding down toward them.
Cameron continued to play off being incapacitated as the NSWs moved forward and left him ‘writing in pain’ behind their view. Cameron continued to breathe heavily in mock agony until he drove a kick with all his strength between the nearby NSW’s legs. The NSW immediately lost his balance and fell to his knees in pain. He released his hold on Max long enough for him to drop clear to the deck. The Marines in the hallway took advantage of the window of opportunity and opened fire, dropping the NSW to the deck with accurate single shots.
The second NSW readjusted his position and placed the barrel of his rifle on Mr. Faren’s shoulder as he prepared to fire back, right as the other group of Marines recovered and shot the NSW through the neck from the deck below. The NSW lost his grip on Mr. Faren and soon met the same fate as his counterpart.
The primary Marines hastily moved down the long passageway, as the other Marines on the deck below began taking fire from an unknown source. Cameron and Max reacted on instinct, grabbed Mr. Faren, and dove straight into the CO’s state room as another group of NSWs came up the back ladder and began an intensifying two-front firefight.
They shut the door behind them just as several rounds snapped harmlessly through the doorway. The three had taken cover behind the couch and were breathing heavily from the burst of adrenaline. The raging sounds of battle were slightly muffled outside the door, and they could only hope dearly that the Marine’s had the upper hand.
Cameron was the first to spot Captain Palmeri tied and gaged to his favorite chair off in the corner. It was so surreal seeing THE Captain like this… Palmeri began to struggle in an attempt to free himself, the sound of which prompted the group to rush over and begin cut his bonds. “Don’t worry Captain, we got you!”
The Captain spit out the gag as soon as he was able and motioned over to the nearby fire alarm. “Cameron! Get the fire alarm!”
Cameron immediately jumped over to the bright red pull lever on the bulkhead, activating the system with a loud and continuous beeping accompanied by red flashing hazard lights. The Captain shook off the rest of his bonds, rushed over to his desk drawer, and produced an old M1911 .45 caliber pistol. “Who else is with you?”
Mr. Faren turned to Cameron and Max, then back to the Captain. “It’s just us, Captain…and a few Marines outside.”
The door opened just then as two of the Marines rushed into the room and took cover on either side of the metal framework; one of the Marines then keyed his radio. “Security 02! This is 04, we need support on the bridge deck!”
“All of you, follow me!” Captain Palmeri didn’t even have to raise his voice. Just the manner in which he spoke demanded their immediate response. He was very fired up and angry; they’d never seen him like this before! Then again, no one had ever held him captive and taken over his ship before…
The four of them rushed back over to the couch, and took cover. The Captain, carefully glanced out into the passageway beyond, then nodded to the Marine on the right. “How many bad guys are out there?”
The Marine took a quick peak out the door then pressed up hard against the bulkhead. He was breathing hard and spoke both angry and shaken at the same. “Looked like maybe five, Sir. The fuckers… I mean the bad guys took out team one!”
“They still out there or were they cut off by the fire system?”
The Marine shoot his head, he didn’t know. “Last time I saw ‘em they were down the hall, Sir. The fire doors shut just as we rushed in here…can’t tell if any got through.”
The Captain nodded with acceptance of the answer, then calmly asked. “What’s your name, Marine?”
The Marine hesitated then took a quick glance away from the hallway to the Captain. “Lance Corporal Castile, Sir.”
Captain motioned to the other Marine, bulkier one but who wore the ugly military issued glasses. “What’s your name?”
The Marine glanced back at the Captain. “Lance Corporal Grand…Sir.”
&
nbsp; Palmeri nodded and smiled at that; it was like the Captain wasn’t worried at all. He had like an aura of pure calm that was spreading to everyone in the room. This was the Legendary Captain Palmeri alright. For once, the officer word on the street was right. This was amazing to watch.
The Captain continued in a much more stern tone. “Ok Lance Corporal Castile, were going out there. I want you to cover the bridge ladder well… Understood?”
“Yes Sir…”
The Captain nodded to the other Marine. “Alright Lance Corporal Grand, I want you to cover down that long hall and make sure the bad guys are gone… Got it?”
“Got it, Sir.”
The Captain passed Cameron, Max, and Faren a quick nod. “Follow right behind me.” Then turned back to the Marines. “Move out!”
The Marines lead the way in, weapons held high, and cleared into the now locked down and red light illuminated corridor. The fire alarm had secured the hatch above the ladder well leading to the lower deck, and had also dropped a fire door in the center of the berthing area hallway, which essentially secured the entire deck from the rest of the ship. Cameron was surprised at the turn of events…in a good way. “That was really good thinking, Captain. The whole fire alarm thing.”
The Captain let out a short friendly laugh. “I had a lot of time to think this through when they mutinied and tied me to my chair… I’m glad to see you realized what these punks were up to.”
Cameron smiled and nodded just as a burst of automatic fire rang down the long hall. Grand immediately dove to the deck and returned fire, dropping the lone NSW who had managed to get on this side of the fire door before it locked down. The Captain leaned out from the corner and softly kicked the Marine on the boot. “Go clear that hall, Marine.”
Grand very carefully stood up and began make his way down, when he noticed the two bodies of his companions lying dead in front of him. He exhaled with anger and called back to Castile. “Castile! They fucking got Najafi and Brooks…They’re gone...”
Castile remained motionless behind the drinking fountain he had taken for cover, weapon aimed up to the bridge. “God Damnit… Clear that hall and make sure those Navy fucks are dead… Uh, no offense to you other Navy guys… ”
“None taken.” The Captain laughed and began to check the bodies of the two dead NSW who had held Mr. Faren and Max captive. He quickly retrieved both their assault rifles and a side arm, and handed them directly to the Cameron and the other two. Naturally both Max and Mr. Faren got the assault rifles, and Cameron got the pistol…the higher ranked guys always got the better shit…
The Captain called down to Grand. “Clear that hall and get back here, on the double!” The Marine kicked the bodies of the NSWs, disarmed them, and rushed back double time. “All clear, Captain.”
The Captain nodded to him. “Ok, were going to storm the bridge. CS3 Max you follow Lance Corporal Castile and go left. Mr. Faren you go with Lance Corporal Grand on the right… Seaman Cameron, you follow me. Ready?”
The group nodded in affirmation. The Captain lead the way with his .45 up to the door, as the rest of the group got into position, and then together kicked in the door. The bridge was exactly the way the Captain had left it, with the exception of Commander Varco sitting in the Captain’s chair, though none of the other NSWs were anywhere to be seen. Good! That gamble paid off.
The bridge crew froze in silence, but this time it was probably in anticipation of the ass beating they knew was about to happen. The crew held back their enthusiasm as the Captain moved in front of the Commander, pistol aimed directly at his head, and spoke coolly. “Commander, you have exactly one second to get up out of my chair and get the fuck off my bridge.”
The Commander grinned, but it look so unnatural. “No Captain, the fleet already knows about your treason. It’s only a matter of time before they send additional warfare units and put down your attempt to mutiny against the true United States Navy. I suggest you put down your weapons and cooperate.”
ET3 Mendez grunted loudly. “Yeah about that, Commander… I sent that message over the ships internal communicator... Yeah I did that. You’re welcome and P.S. go fuck yourself.”
The comment drew quite a bit of laughing and smiles from the rest of the crew, though the Captain was not at all amused by anything at the moment. “Commander Varco… You’ve lost.”
The Commander continued to grin at him, then bit down hard on his back teeth. His eyes immediately went wide and he began to spasm uncontrollably, and his body fell limp onto the deck. The entire bridge watched on in bewilderment; Mr. Faren spoke what pretty much everyone was thinking. “Did he really just kill himself?”
Captain Palmeri kicked Varco violently in the head to ensure he wasn’t pretending, then motioned over to the Marines. “Get him into restraints and get him off my bridge! Then go police those bodies out in that hall and setup guard. No one gets up here, understood?”
The Marines slung their rifles and rushed over to execute their orders. “Aye Aye Sir!”
The Captain waited for the body to be moved, set his side arm down on a nearby coffee table, and then sat back comfortably in his chair. The entire bridge crew was staring on with overjoyed smiles, having endured an unexpected and deadly turn of events. It was over now though, or so they thought. The Captain motioned over to Miss Shelley, who was now right next to the radio panel. “Officer of the Deck, status report?”
Miss Shelley smiled brightly and then pointed over to the main view screen. “Captain, we were moved into position to support the Aries with a fire mission, but the firing system was having some ‘difficulties’ thanks to Petty Officer Sabra over there… We tried to stall as much as we could after you were taken… Were just glad to have you back, Sir.”
The Captain smiled back. It was always a nice feeling when your crew actually respects you. “Thank you, I really appreciate that…but we aren’t out of the woods yet. I want reports on how the security teams are doing throughout the ship. I want all sensitive areas locked and I want every boarding team member and every crew member with a weapons qualification armed... I also need a secured channel opened with the 12th Battle Group. I need to speak to Admiral Morton… We need the rest of the fleet here ricky tick! Make it so, Miss Shelley!”
The bridge crew all acknowledged loudly and set right into motion. Max and Mr. Faren let out sighs of relief having survived the whole situation. Miraculously at that. If the Marines hadn’t come up right when they did…
Max smiled as he spoke. “Well, we didn’t die…and that cheese cake still might be good… Don’t know why I’m hungry all of a sudden…”
Cameron grinned. “I think I’ll pass, too much of that stuff can kill you… Yeah I made a corny joke…don’t judge me…”
Chapter 28 – High Values
The roomy ‘High Security’ elevator slowly ascended from the lower Congressional train tunnels, to the surface level somewhere inside Congressional Hall’s lower library wing. Though it was obvious it was just a service lift, it was carpeted and decorated as if it were some hotel room, even with a small table and lamp off to the side. It was just an elevator, it was so unnecessary! What a waste of money…
Though both India and Krieger teams had thus far been true to their words and fighting for the same, they now just stood silently ignoring each other. Both teams knew the plan, knew their individual positions, and no longer had any interest in trying to dispel the looming distrust. Part of Matt wanted to strike up another conversation and bridge that gap, but the other part of him knew that with the mission being so close to over, why did it matter? As long as India didn’t try to backstab his guys, Matt couldn’t really care either way.
Baranov grumbled a few words in his usual thick Russian accent. “I came to country to fight terrorists and bandits… not to fight politicians and US soldiers. I do not wish to spend rest of life in rat hole prison if we lose…”
Hawkins replied halfheartedly. “I wouldn’t worry about that… They’ll shoot u
s or hang us first.”
A commando had begun to stare at Baranov with an annoyed expression. Was it annoyed? Either way he was staring and it was rude. “You’re Russian? What the hell are you even doing here? This is an American fight!”
Baranov chuckled and shrugged to him. “I’ve been here whole time, friend. I am soldier like you.”
Another Commando snorted in Baranov’s direction, and replied back snidely. “He’s not your friend… You Russian assholes sat and watched Shady Sands burn from across your border, just because you didn’t want to get involved in an American fight! I had relatives there, so fuck you and your country!”
Baranov stared at the man as if he had three heads. What did HE have anything to do with that? That was ignorant thing to say.
Gaillard, who was just as big as the commando, not only thought it was an ignorant thing to say, but she wasn’t going to let them speak to her gunner that way! She grunted loudly and crossed her arms toward the commando. “Shut your mouth! This is HIS country just as much as it’s yours! You stupid machismo asshole.”
The commando turned and flexed his chest out, apparently trying to be intimidating. “What the fuck did you just say to me, bitch?”
He just called her a bitch? Whoa! Some of the soldiers quietly gasped in surprise.
“Bitch?” Gaillard’s face went wide with disbelief, but it didn’t last long. She grabbed ahold of his shirt and cocked her arm back, ready to punch the man straight in his bigot face. The rest of India and Krieger started to move in to break up the fight, just as Captain Lorain stomped loudly and growled at both of them. “Both of you shut the fuck up! If you haven’t noticed, we have mission to complete! Same team, same objective, got it?! You don’t have to like each other, but you will NOT start this bullshit up!”
Gaillard and the Commando stared each other down with looks of disgust, then turned their backs and went back to whatever it was they were doing before. Matt and Shake passed each other shrugs of disapproval at the whole situation, along with several of Team India they noticed. Good to see both sides criticize stupidity.
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