“Ghost Rider, one individual down. The second appears to be injured. Your asset is just sitting there.”
“Roger. Any movement in the vicinity?”
“Just the wounded individual on the ground.”
Michael turned to Elif and told her the news.
Colonel O’Malley zoomed back out and continued to observe his target. One lucky bastard he thought to himself.
“Billy. Anything on your monitor?” asked O’Malley.
“I see one truck on the western edge of Jarabulus sitting on the road with two individuals inside.”
“Copy. Keep eyes on them.”
Elif called Haris on his cell.
“Get moving, Haris. No threats around you now.”
“Okay, Ayse.”
Haris pressed on. He carefully scanned the desert in front of him and he continued moving north. There could be Islamic State fighters anywhere, he thought to himself. Despite having support from Elif, he grew more cautious with each step. Haris was getting closer to the border.
“Movement, approximately seven hundred meters. Look to your eleven o’clock, Elif,” said Walid.
Elif turned and saw Haris. He was moving slowly and methodically toward her position.
“Two men, five hundred meters and moving southwest,” said Nanook.
“Keep them in your sights,” said Elif.
The radios were now bursting with chatter around Jarabulus. One of their own was attempting to flee. The Caliph expected him captured or killed immediately. Now racing toward Jarabulus was Hassan Akbar with five of his veteran soldiers accompanying him. Hassan pushed up his arrival near the city where he had another matter to resolve.
“A second vehicle just pulled up alongside our friends at the western entrance into Jarabulus.”
“Any movement?” asked O’Malley.
“They just took off. Heading west. Zooming out.”
“Roger.”
“The trucks just dropped off four individuals about one kilometer along the trail. Truck is now heading back toward Jarabulus.”
“Looks like they are getting eyes on the road. What do you think, Billy?”
“Agree. They probably think they have the asset identified somewhere near his current location. Since he has to move north, he will have to cross the road. They will get eyes on him then.”
O’Malley zoomed out to get a better picture. Up ahead, he could see the trail and the group of men. Two remained, while the other two split up along both sides of the road. They began walking east.
“Ghost Rider, your asset is going to have to cross a road in approximately two hundred meters. You might want to let him know. Two individuals are located approximately three hundred meters to his northwest along the road. Two people are walking east.”
“Roger. We saw the trucks and see the individuals now,” said Michael.
Elif instructed Walid to keep his sights on the two men at the end of the road. She then asked Nanook for an update regarding the two men he spotted earlier.
“They are still moving southwest. I don’t think they can see him,” said Nanook.
She dialed Haris yet again.
“Haris, up ahead you will encounter a road. There are two men patrolling it while two others remain to your west. Keep the line open.”
Haris was being hunted, he thought to himself. He sensed his chances were slipping away.
Michael now believed the situation became untenable. He had to act quickly if Haris had any chance to survive.
“Elif, I am going to make my way to the dune up ahead. I can cover Haris’ crossing. When I get in place, have Nanook take out the two men standing along the road.”
Elif agreed.
“Viper 6, I am moving south toward the road. There’s a patch of brush about 40 meters from there,” said Michael quietly.
“Copy Ghost Rider, I see you now.”
Elif waited for Michael to get into position. Michael and Haris would only be two hundred meters apart. A few minutes later, she ordered Nanook to fire.
The first man hit the ground moments later. As the second man turned to look, Nanook hit him in the back. The two other Islamic State fighters patrolling the road were two hundred meters away and unaware of their comrades’ demise.
“Both trucks making a U-turn. Now heading west toward the asset,” said Johnston.
O’Malley had a decision to make. He looked into his monitor and could see the asset and his CIA contact nestled near opposite sides of the road. Two trucks filled with Islamic State militants were approaching their position.
“Billy, engage the trucks right away.”
Anticipating the order, Johnston already had his sights on the lead truck. Firing another Hellfire missile, the truck broke apart and came to a stop seconds later.
The driver of the rear truck swerved, narrowly missing the destroyed vehicle in front of him, and slammed on his brakes. Both men quickly exited and scattered into the desert. Moments later a second explosion rocked the vehicle setting it ablaze.
Chaos had ensued west of Jarabulus.
Haris observed the explosions from his position along the road. He rose to his feet and sprinted across the paved road. One of the two patrolling terrorists noticed him in the confusion.
The men raced toward Haris, spraying a volley of bullets in his direction.
Michael took aim and fired his weapon. The first man died instantly as the second individual darted into the desert. Michael lost him due to his vantage point.
“Haris, one of my men is located twenty-five meters ahead. He will guide you back to me,” said Elif.
“Haris. Over here,” said Michael.
Haris raced to join Michael near the brush. For the first time in several hours, Haris found a friend.
“There is another shooter near us, about forty meters to the west. Follow me.”
Michael and Haris moved east as he did not want to lead the remaining gunman toward Elif.
“Walid, where are the two individuals?” asked Elif.
“They froze after the explosions. They are just lying on the sand.”
“If they move, eliminate them.”
Michael stopped to look through his scope as he and Haris made their way around a nearby dune. He saw no signs of remaining Islamic State fighters. Michael and Haris continued moving toward Elif.
A few minutes later, he and Haris arrived at Elif’s location. Michael instructed her to take Haris back to their vehicle and would cover their movement.
Unbeknownst to the group, approximately three hundred and fifty meters to their east, there stood a torn down farmhouse. The nearby shed was occupied by a lone Islamic State sniper. Walid and Nanook scanned the facility several times during the evening, but saw no signs of movement.
The lone sniper popped his head above the concrete and quickly acquired his target. He had been there all along and received instructions from Jarabulus to fire at the traitor when possible. The sharpshooter looked for the man with boots west of his position and patiently found him.
The bullet punctured Haris’ neck and he fell to the ground. Just mere yards stood between him and the border. The sound of the sniper’s rifle gave away his position. Walid and Nanook turned their scopes toward the shed.
Both men saw the shooter lower his head behind the barrier. Neither had a shot from their position.
Michael sprinted toward Elif and Haris. Haris was bleeding out.
“What more can you tell us of Kenema?” asked Michael as he figured Haris would be dead shortly.
Haris, barely able to speak, simply uttered, “The Sheikh at Kenema Mosque knows the plan.”
The former Islamic State bodyguard and Mossad asset turned toward Elif and uttered his last words, “Almost made it.”
Michael and Elif dashed back to Karanfilko
y. Michael immediately asked Nanook if he saw signs of the sniper. Nanook did not see him and said he thought he was still at his location. Michael asked him where he was hiding.
“Viper six. I have a sniper approximately four hundred meters east of my location. He’s behind a shed near an abandoned farmhouse. Requesting you take out the target. We are moving away from the area, over.”
“Copy, Ghost Rider. Good luck,” said O’Malley.
“Thanks for the support. Ghost Rider, out.”
“Billy, I have one more target for you.”
A few seconds later, Lieutenant Colonel Johnston would have his last kill for the evening. Haris would be avenged.
“Time to go home, Billy.” O’Malley and Johnston turned their drones north and began the flight back to eastern Turkey to an undisclosed airfield.
Michael and Elif drove back into Karanfilkoy. The two would rest and prepare for their delivery at two-thirty. They pondered if the events in Jarabulus would spook Raif’s buyers.
Karanfilkoy, Turkey – November 7, 12:08 AM
Michael had some time to spare before the AT-4 delivery. He reached into his pack, pulled out his cell phone and sent Laura a message.
Hi, Laura. What an eventful day so far and I am not even finished. Am thinking about you and hope you are doing well. Have you returned to D.C. yet? I keep thinking about our first date. Wish I was there with you now. I am lucky to have met you. Getting excited over the prospect of eating French cuisine soon. Michael
Elif turned and smiled at Michael.
“Are you writing her?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes,” said Elif laughing.
“I’ve never felt this way before. I guess I was always too busy traveling and working for the agency.”
“I understand. I had someone once.”
“Who?” Michael asked.
“He was Mossad. He died in Jordan two years ago. I miss him.”
“I’m sorry, Elif.”
“Me too,” said Elif as she stared out the window.
“Mind if I take a quick nap?” asked Michael.
“No. I’ll wake you when Raif gives us the go ahead.”
Michael drifted asleep within minutes as he had the uncanny ability to nap at a moment’s notice.
Ziyarete, Syria - November 7, 12:35 AM
Hassan Akbar arrived in the border town of Ziyarete after returning from Jarabulus. Haris was dead, and he personally notified the Caliph. Hassan avoided calling Al-Diri and enjoyed keeping him out of the loop.
He then turned to one of his associates in Ziyarete.
“Where are the weapons being delivered?” asked Akbar.
“At our usual site along the Euphrates northeast of Jarabulus. The delivery is scheduled for two-thirty,” said the Islamic State combatant.
“It’s my understanding there will be a Turkish intelligence officer and two others with the driver?”
“Yes. Our friend in Nizip confirmed again this evening.”
“Who are the two individuals accompanying MIT?” asked Akbar.
“Allegedly, it’s her superior and a doctor fleeing from Kobani.”
“Makes sense. They think we are YPG and this is our first supply of weapons from Turkey. They need the doctor for information. We need him for ransom. How many men will you have?”
“I am taking six.”
“No. You are taking twelve.”
Hassan Akbar and his five trusted deputies would join them.
He ordered two vehicles to depart Jarabulus and drive along the roads and trails west of the city since he was wary of the drone strikes conducted earlier. No reports of damaged vehicles came across the radios.
Ninety minutes later, satisfied the drones were no longer operating in the skies above, the first of three vehicles moved southwest toward Jarabulus. Akbar decided to split the group and drive along separate routes just to be sure. They would reach the delivery site in less than fifteen minutes.
Akbar’s group arrived. Flanked by the Euphrates River to his right, the three vehicles waited. Sitting in the rear vehicle were Akbar and his driver. Three of his passengers joined the group of men ahead while one man flanked the rear of the vehicle.
Slowly driving under the Jarablus Bridge, actually located inside Turkey and along the border, Raif, Michael, and Elif now entered Syria. Raif grew more nervous as he approached the group of men. Michael and Elif sensed the man’s anxiety, and slowly moved their weapons onto their laps.
Elif stopped the vehicle approximately thirty yards from the collection of men and vehicles directly in front of them. She kept the engine running as dust spilled off the riverbank.
Two men moved forward and flanked their vehicle. Raif exited the passenger side and walked to the lone man awaiting him. Raif’s twenty meter walk seemed like an eternity.
“Raif, nice to see you again. You have weapons for us?”
“Yes, Houmam. In the back. The woman wants to speak with you. She thinks you are YPG,” whispered Raif.
“First, you will show me the weapons.”
Raif led Houmam back to the truck. Houmam stared into the eyes of Elif as he walked by. The disdain and resentment emanating from his eyes indicated he was not YPG.
Nevertheless, she remained in place. Nanook and Walid remained thirty-five meters behind her in the tree line.
Houmam looked into the back of the truck and saw the containers filled with AT-4s.
“There are a dozen here, Raif?”
“Yes, I saw them pack the weapons earlier.”
“Who is the man in the back seat?”
“I do not know him. She brought him to observe the transfer.”
Houmam walked back toward the front of the truck and looked into Elif’s eyes.
“Why does MIT want to help us now? You have never supported our efforts against Islamic State.”
“We believe it’s time. How much longer before Islamic State penetrates Turkey?” she asked.
Houmam did not immediately respond. Rather, he casually nodded his head.
“I will be right back. Raif, come walk with me to my vehicle. You will need payment.”
The two men stopped in front of the lead vehicle. Houmam turned to Raif.
“What did I tell you the first time we met?”
“Always come alone, Houmam.”
“That is right. So why break my rule?”
“It was the only way to secure the weapons. I had no choice. She insisted.”
“How do I know she is not here collecting information on us?”
“She is convinced you are YPG, Houmam.”
“How do you know that, Raif? Enough talk.”
Houmam drew his pistol and fired a single round into Raif’s head. Immediately upon drawing his weapon, Elif ordered Nanook and Walid to engage the two men opposite their truck. They had no chance to discharge their rounds at Elif or Michael.
Elif placed the vehicle in reverse and slammed her foot onto the accelerator pedal. The loose sand of the shorelines caused a delay. Houmam and the other Islamic State members began spraying bullets at Elif.
Michael sat forward from the rear seat and returned fire as Elif finally got the truck to begin moving rearward. Elif was operating on instincts as she ducked below the front windshield.
Soon after Elif and Michael moved, their progress stalled. Several of the Islamic State bullets found their way inside the truck’s tires. The soft sand prevented the truck’s rims from barely turning.
Nanook and Walid fired off several more rounds each killing four additional fighters before dashing forward.
“Out. Get out,” yelled Michael.
Michael and Elif worked their way to the back of the truck. Meanwhile, Akbar and the remainder of his men advanced forward. An intense gun battle followed
for the next three minutes.
Nanook, working his way along the Euphrates took out two more combatants. Walid remained pinned down approximately ten meters from Michael as he had open terrain to traverse.
A lull in the battle ensued. Akbar and his men were issuing verbal commands in an attempt to flank them. Walid took the opportunity to join Elif. As he approached the vehicle, an enemy’s sights found him. Three rounds fired from a set of scrublands twenty meters away entered his body.
“Nanook, make your way to the vehicle,” shouted Michael.
Michael leaned to the left edge of the truck and sprayed bullets along the riverbank to cover Nanook’s advance.
“They are going to come from our right through the vegetation. They cannot move along the shoreline, there is too much open space. Elif, you cover the area just in case one or two try.”
Michael wished he had his drones back.
“How many are left?” asked Nanook.
“Maybe six or seven, I think,” said Michael.
Elif’s cell phone rang. It was Tel Aviv.
“There are two men sitting behind one of the trucks ahead of you. Five others are at your three o’clock, approximately fifty meters,” said the operator.
“Michael, two up ahead and five moving around our position. They are approximately fifty meters away,” said Elif.
Mossad’s decision to provide overhead support to Elif’s delivery proved invaluable. The Tec Star low earth orbit satellite passed the thermal imagery directly to Mossad’s intelligence operations center. Michael now had additional ‘eyes’ from the Israeli Tec Star satellite flying three hundred kilometers above.
“We can’t sit here. We do not know what other type of weapons they may have. Nanook, keep your sights on that clearing ahead. They will have to cross it or come directly at us. I’m going to flank them from their left.”
Off Michael ran. Heading into the foliage, he began working his way around the advancing Islamic State fighters. Several minutes later, he waited and began scouting the terrain in front of him.
One by one, he picked off the first two men. Akbar and the two others immediately dispersed around the surrounding vegetation. They enjoyed limited concealment except Akbar who found a nearby tree with thick surrounding brush. Michael could no longer see him.
Into The Shadows Page 15