Seal team six extra size.., p.119
SEAL Team Six Extra-Sized Holiday Bundle, page 119
The whole place is going to go south just like Syria did. Dana turned back to the computer and the swift-moving dot that was Flame. I hope he finds those people and gets them out of there before that begins to happen!
-11-
It was full dark when Flame parked the Land Rover in a wadi on the east side of the Euphrates River. The trip had taken a bit longer than expected because the main highway had been crowded with Iraqi military vehicles moving toward Fallujah. Flame had been forced to use an alternate route, bypassing the city and ending up off-road about two klicks from his destination—a pumping station on the southeastern outskirts of Tikrit.
It was clear that the city was in turmoil—Flame could see tracer rounds cutting long arcs through the sky over the city. Somebody is burning a lot of ammo in there, he told himself. Just like the old days.
The meet was scheduled for sunrise and Flame’s plan was to get there very early and find a spot where he could oversee as much of the area as possible without being seen.
He had long since lost commo with Dana—too much interference from the Iraqi military, which had some problems with communications discipline.
He knew that he’d have to make all the decisions.
His first was to park here. He knew that the Land Rover could get much closer to the rendezvous point—it handled well off-road—but it was noisy and noise carried amazingly well in the desert at night. Flame didn’t have many advantages here—and he wouldn’t throw one away just for the comfort of his clients. The TV crew could walk from the pick-up point to the car. The exercise, he was sure, wouldn’t kill them.
Dana picked a good night for this, Flame told himself as he moved across the sand, barely glancing at his compass. Moon’s nearly full. The ex-SEAL hadn’t realized how much he’d come to depend upon the night vision gear that had become so much a part of the unit’s tactical load-out. SEALs own the night! He remembered that oft-repeated phrase with a laugh as he looked around the brightly-moonlit landscape. Just not a night like this!
It was just as well. He made a mental note to acquire some night vision gear for future jobs and jogged toward the tracer-ceilinged city.
It took less than an hour to find the pumping station. Flame crept around the building making sure there were no guards, then, circling away from the structure, found a spot with enough elevation to give him a good look at the crew’s back trail.
He scooped a shallow trench out of the sand, lay down inside, and pulled a desert-cammo ghillie cover over him.
Binoculars out, Kalashnikov ready, he settled in to wait.
***
The sun was just lightening the eastern sky when Flame saw movement to his front. Could be them, he thought, moving the binoculars to bear on the still-distant figures.
There were three people—two men and a woman—all loaded down with backpacks and carrying cases that, he was sure, were loaded with camera equipment and other gear.
Flame resisted the urge to shake his head. The extra weight is tiring them—slowing them down. He saw the fatigue as they moved toward him. It would have been smarter to dump it all and just carry whatever they really needed. Again he carefully did not shake his head. Civilians never understand that—somewhere deep down they think every bit of the crap they carry is vitally important. He watched them struggle along. Nearly as important as their lives.
Another movement drew his attention. It came from behind the trio of civilians. Looks like they’ve got company. He slid his binoculars to the new target.Three men moving fast. He studied the newcomers, noted the typical Iraqi clothing—and the even more typical armament. They’ve got AKs and an RPG launcher. He smiled. I’ve seen that combination before!
For the first time he wished he’d brought a scope-mounted weapon—but he knew such a rifle would have been a mistake. I can’t just shoot them on sight.Dana had warned him to avoid that sort of thing. Not until I can tell whether they’re good guys or bad guys. He clicked the safety of the AK-47 off. I’ll just have to wait and see…
He knew that he wouldn’t have to wait too long. The heavily loaded trio was almost to the pumping station now. The man in the lead looking for some sign of the help he’d been notified was coming.
I’m here, Flame thought. Just get to cover and wait…
He put the binoculars to one side and slid the Kalashnikov to his shoulder, clicking the selector switch to ‘single shot.’
The metallic click echoed over the desert—but nobody heard it because it was drowned out by the sound of two AK-47s opening fire on full automatic.
Militants, all right. Flame nodded to himself as he watched the men chasing the trio open fire—in full ‘spray and pray’ form. No fire discipline at all. He rested the iron sights of his own AK on the leftmost figure, adjusted the aim slightly for distance and stroked the trigger.
***
Karin Hachtel was certain she was about to die. She screamed in fear as the men behind her began shooting and scrambled to follow her cameraman, Eric, as he ducked behind the cinder block wall of the pumping building.
“Stay here,” he pushed her up against the building. “I’ll get Dieter.”
Karin huddled against the bricks, wondering how this had happened. We’re not supposed to get shot at! She sucked in a long breath. We’re just reporting on the way Sunnis are treated now that the Shias are running the country. She shivered as bullets hit the sand a few meters from the shelter of the building. We’re on their side!
She saw a flash from a rise almost across from her. That’s odd. She leaned forward, trying to see more clearly. I wonder…
There was another flash.
“There’s someone over there!” She grabbed Eric by the arm. “I think he’s shooting toward us!”
“I hope to God it’s our new security team,” the tall and slender Eric said, as he scrabbled for his camera. “Because if it’s not, we are all going to die here.”
“Look!” The third member of their team, Dieter, had pulled himself to the corner of the wall and was peering around it. “One of the men chasing us has fallen. The others…” He turned back to his two companions. “The others seem confused.”
“I hope they stay confused.” Eric began assembling his camera, then thought better of it. “Hey—while we have time…” He nodded at the river a few yards in front of them. “Perhaps we should cross?”
“Our contact said to wait here.” Karin nodded toward the building. “By the pumping station.”
“They didn’t know someone was going to be shooting at us!” Eric zipped up his case. “Come on—we can’t stay here!”
Karin shook her head—but crouched, ready to follow the tall man.
***
What are those idiots doing? Flame had taken down one of the men chasing the TV crew and, as he’d expected, the other two had frozen in place for a long second before dropping to the ground as they frantically searched for the location of this new player.
All they have to do is sit where they are, Flame had picked out his second target and had the sights set on the lump that he knew to be the other rifleman—when that worthy looked up, he would get a real eyeful…
But before that happened, the trio, who had been huddled in perfect safety against the pump house wall, began to move, heading toward the river at an angle that would—they hoped—keep the building between them and their pursuers.
Flame shook his head. Idiots! As soon as they hit the water they’re going to be visible—sitting ducks for those two hadjis. He knew he should use them as bait—wait for his two targets to move to shoot the easy targets in the river—but he couldn’t take the chance that his clients would get hit before he took down the shooters. I’ll have to act now. He concentrated on the tiny target he had carefully centered in his sights. Flame stroked the trigger again.
The round hit the second rifleman on the highest point of his ass, sinking deep into the soft flesh and rewarding Flame with a scream of anguish—and a better target.
A third stroke left just the holder of the RPG.
Give up, asshole. The TV crew was halfway across the river now. You can’t win. Flame kept his rifle zeroed in on the area he knew the third man was hiding in. All you have to do is run away, he smiled. I won’t shoot you. The smile widened—hardened. Really I won’t…
On cue, the man struggled to his knees, turned the rocket launcher toward Flame’s position…
The SEAL was ready. His first shot took the man in the center of his chest. The second hit just under his right eye, drove into the brain, and exploded—accompanied by a stream of blood and grey matter—out the back of his head. The corpse stood erect for a long second…
Then tumbled backwards, the grenade firing straight up as a dead hand tightened on the trigger.
Flame watched the rocket motor fire as the round cleared the launcher. It went nearly a thousand feet straight up—then fell to a point only a few inches from its firing point—right into the stomach of the RPG operator. The resultant explosion, Flame thought, insured that if the bastard did indeed get to paradise, he probably wouldn’t enjoy the virgins all that much.
***
Karin was almost out of the river when the explosion rocked the area around her. She looked back just in time to see the area beyond the pump station erupt in red-tinted sand.
“Our friend up there got all three of the men chasing us,” Dieter shouted from behind her. “I told you we should have waited!”
“It’s too late to worry about that now.” Eric clambered up the bank and reached back to help Karin. “Where is our benefactor?”
“Over there.” Karin saw a movement to their left and up the hill.
All three turned in time to see Flame rise from the ground like some warrior god of old.
-12-
“This way!” Flame motioned for the three Germans to come up the hill toward him. “Hurry!” He kept his own eyes downrange—scanning the area for any movement.
“Come help us with the equipment!” That from the blond cameraman. “It’s heavy!”
“Carry it or leave it!” Flame ignored the man and kept his attention on the landscape in front of him. “There might be others after you!”
“Pick it up, Eric.” The woman had already hefted her own bag and case. “He’s right!”
Flame heard the cameraman mutter something that was probably a curse before all three of the Germans managed to get grips on all of their their equipment and start climbing toward him.
“Land Rover is back there,” he told the girl when she reached his position. “About two klicks that way.” He jerked his head toward the wadi that hid the vehicle. “Go—I’ll make sure we’re clear and catch up with you before you get there.”
“That way,” the girl nodded. “Two klicks.” She motioned for the others to follow. “Right.”
Flame watched the three as they crested the hill and hurried down the back side to make sure they were on the right track.
They were.
His attention returned to the area before him. He could hear the sounds of gunfire in the city. Small arms, he noted. Nothing heavy.
That meant the militants didn’t have any artillery in this area.
The Iraqi Army can stop this—crush them before they gain power. A wry smile crossed Flame’s lips. If they want to take the trouble to do so. He remembered his own time in Fallujah and how difficult it had been to get any Iraqi—Sunni or Shiite—to do anything at all.
They’ll let it fester. He knew that the black flag of Al-Qaida had already gone up over Fallujah. Until they can’t clean it out on their own. He scanned the area around the pump house one more time. Then they’ll cry for us to help them. He rolled up his ghillie cloak, put it into his pack and headed down his back trail, following the clear trail left by the film crew. I wonder if we will?
He broke into a lope, anxious to catch up before his wards did something stupid.
***
Karin kept Eric and Dieter moving in the direction the big American had indicated. She had been surprised to see just how big he was. The man is a giant!She shook her head. Two meters tall at least! And those shoulders…
She wondered what Eric was thinking. He’d been ready to challenge the man over his refusal to help carry the gear. I’ll bet he won’t do that now that he’s seen him up close!
They’d been walking for nearly an hour now and Karin was surprised that the big American hadn’t caught up. I didn’t hear any more shots—what could be delaying him?
She started to turn around—and found the big man just a few feet behind her.
“You’re still about a klick out.” He shook his head. “You’ve got to speed it up.”
“Help us with the equipment.” Eric had jumped when the man had first spoken but now had himself under control. “It’s too much for us to carry.”
The big man ignored him. “I’m going on ahead to make sure the Land Rover is safe.” He pointed slightly to his left. “Follow my tracks—I’ll meet you before you get there.”
Then he was gone—trotting across the loose sand away from them as silently as he had come up from behind.
Karin watched for a second, then lifted her box of equipment and followed along—faster now—she suddenly realized that she never wanted to disappoint this man again.
***
Flame didn’t have to check his GPS to find the Land Rover—he knew where it was. He trotted at a comfortable pace after leaving the three Germans, not slowing until he was less than a thousand yards from the car. From there he moved quietly forward until he came to a slight rise in the Earth that gave him some cover. Once there he took out his binoculars and had a long look.
Nobody in sight, he thought as he scanned the area—and saw the scuffs in the sand he had cleared when he left the vehicle. But someone has definitely been here. He settled in and began to carefully search the area. Now where are they…?
One over there, he could just see the barrel of an AK peering out from a high point about fifty yards back on the other side of the wadi. Tracks indicate there’re at least two of you—where’s your friend... He smiled when he saw the edge of a scarf just visible behind the car. Bingo! Flame pushed himself back from the edge of the rise and began to move back the way he had come. If I can just get the Germans to stay put long enough to allow me to handle this…
The film crew, he soon discovered, hadn’t gotten very far after he left them. He found them sitting in a circle ‘resting’ not two hundred meters from where he’d seen them last.
“I am sorry…” The dark-haired reporter hesitated, eyes on Flame. “What do we call you?”
“Call me Flame.” He smiled, pulled off the cap he’d been wearing. “Everybody does.”
“Good!” She smiled. “Then, Flame, I am sorry we have not yet reached the Land Rover. Eric,” she nodded at the cameraman, “insisted we rest before moving any further.”
“It’s good you did.” Flame squatted in front of them. “Two ragheads found the car and are waiting to ambush the driver when he gets back.”
“What did you say?” Eric leaned forward, his eyes hot.
“I said there are two ragheads waiting to ambush us at the car.”
“It is no wonder the Arab world dislikes you Americans so much.” Eric sniffed. “Calling them names, assuming the worst of them!” He glared at Flame. “The men are Sunni tribesman—good people! I am sure they are merely waiting to see if the owner of the car needs any assistance.”
“With their AK-47s ready to help him right out of this world.” Flame shook his head. “Are you really that stupid?”
“I am not stupid—and you are wrong about these people!” Eric began to get to his feet. “I will prove it!”
“How do you plan to do that?” Flame figured he knew what the idiot had in mind but he was perfectly prepared to let him say it out loud.
“I will walk to the car and talk to these men.” He stood up straight. “I will show you that they mean us no harm.”
“Are you going to put the girl in jeopardy too?”
“Fraulein Hachtel believes as I do—don’t you Karin?”
The reporter looked from the massive form of flame to the lanky Eric. “I am not so sure …”
“Don’t tell me you are beginning to believe all the propaganda!”
“Eric, they tried to kill us.”
“Merely a misunderstanding of some kind.” He shook his head. “I’m sure we could have worked it out.”
“Sure,” Flame interjected. “Right after they shot you full of holes.”
“Those were foreign fighters—outsiders—the Sunni are good people.” He turned in the direction of the car. “And I will prove it to all of you.” He took a long stride forward, glanced behind him to see if the others were following, then, when he saw they weren’t, shook his head and started walking in earnest. He would show this arrogant American the error of his thoughts!
Shit! Flame thought as the cameraman strode away. I can’t just let him get killed… He looked at the two remaining Germans: “Stay here—both of you.” He turned away. “Don’t move!”
He wasn’t sure they would do as he said—but he couldn’t worry about that right now. Right now he had to get back to the wadi before that idiotic cameraman did.
He broke into a run.
-13-
Dana stared at her laptop, willing it to show her Flame’s signal. She’d lost contact with her partner soon after he crossed the Tigris River—there was too much interference caused by the government forces moving in the same area.
She had managed to track him for some time through the GPS transceiver on his Land Rover—but it hadn’t moved in hours.
You’re running out of time, Flame! She tried to will that thought to him. Fallujah’s going to hell and you might not be able to get back here if you don’t start soon.
