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The team sat in command reviewing new intel from the techs. They worked non-stop for hours. BJ, Shawn, and Bill had been able to hack into the ISIS group’s security system, allowing them to receive a live feed.
“They have at least twenty men that we can confirm, but probably more,” Ryan told them. “Reese, how many men do you think Mendoza will have with him?”
“At least six.”
“That leaves us way outnumbered,” Jako said.
“We’ve been outnumbered before. We can do this,” Jake said.
“Alright, Reese, call Mendoza and have him set up the meet with the buyer at the docks in Mobile at midnight—two nights from now. The rest of you, that gives us two days to become expert marksmen. I want all of you to become familiar with every single weapon in that arsenal and spend as many hours as you can at target practice.”
“Yes sir!” They all said enthusiastically.
It was D-Day and the team was preparing to make their way down to the docks. They were more ready than they had ever been. Reese, Sarah, and Janie took the helicopter to accompany Mendoza to the docks. Jake, Kat, and BJ arrived two hours earlier to set up sniper cover. Shawn and Bill manned the surveillance tent to make sure they could get the team real-time intel when needed.
It was time. Jake cut the engines approximately two thousand feet out. They would swim the rest of the way. There were four men walking the perimeter; each team member silently took out a guard. They climbed up into position and signaled when they were ready. ISIS showed up with ten men instead of two, as Mendoza had requested.
“Eliminate as many as you can, as quietly as you can,” Ryan whispered into their earpieces. Jake and Kat waited for them to line up in their positions, and then quietly slit four of their throats. The other four men were inside with the one that was believed to be their leader. Jake and Kat took their robes and stood in their assumed positions. Just then, the limo pulled up, Janie and one of Mendoza’s men got out first. As soon as Reese, Sarah, and Mendoza entered the warehouse, all hell broke loose outside. Ten additional men swarmed the building. BJ, Kat, and Jake opened fire, while Juan and Janie engaged in some hand-to-hand combat. The battle only lasted mere seconds, but it felt so much longer. Jake looked around to take inventory of his team. It looked like they had come out the winners on this one. When they rushed into the building, all of the ISIS members were dead, Reese was shot on the floor, and Mendoza was holding a gun to Sarah’s head.
“I’m going to walk out of here with the bomb, the money, and Sarah. If you want her alive, you’re going to let me do that,” Mendoza shouted.
“You have three rifles pointed right at you man. You really think we are going to let that happen?” Jake said. In the brief second it took Mendoza to hesitate, Sarah grabbed his gun and pushed it upwards. BJ took the shot, hitting Mendoza in the temple. Most of the team had been injured in some way. They helped each other to the safety of the helicopter and got the hell out of there.
Ryan and Jako were standing by with a medical team when then landed at the compound. Reese had to be carried in on a gurney, but the others were able to walk themselves down to the hospital ward. Jako slapped Ryan on the back when they realized that everyone was alive and accounted for. Not to mention that the mission had been a complete success.
“You know what, this country has one incredible insurance policy with this team,” Jako said. Ryan laughed.
“You got that right! Looks like we are going to have to turn this into full-time employment for these guys.” The men smiled to each other and followed the group downstairs. Reese was in surgery for two hours. It seemed like an eternity before the doctor came out and told everyone that he was going to be just fine. They gathered in the study a little while later to toast their lives and their success.
“Congratulations!” Ryan bellowed. “You truly are the best of the best.” After another round. Everyone went to bed. Sarah grabbed a blanket and went down to sleep in the chair next to Reese’s bed.
The next morning, Jako went around knocking on doors. He wanted everyone downstairs for breakfast in fifteen minutes. Then, he went downstairs to get Reese and Sarah. When they all entered the study, Ryan was standing there was Vice President Woods. There were several suitcases already packed and lining the wall.
“I believe sincere congratulations are in orders,” Woods told the room of confused faces. “We have taken the liberty of packing your bags for you.”
“Kicking us out already?” Jake asked.
“Yes, your plane leaves in an hour.”
“Where are we going?”
“We thought two weeks’ vacation in Hawaii was appropriate. Is that alright with you all?” A couple of jaws hit the floor while other just nodded, awestruck. “After two weeks of rest and relaxation, you will be taken to your new compound to receive your next orders.”
“What? You mean...we’re staying?”
“You are the best task force this country has ever seen. We would be stupid to let you go,” Ryan answered. As the group celebrated, Ryan pulled Kat aside and told her that she would be in a detox facility for the next couple of weeks, and that he sincerely hoped she would rejoin the team afterward.
“Thank you so much sir...for everything. I would be honored to remain a part of this team.”
The End