Chapter 13: And So it Begins
It's been a few days since Alex and Kai were done with their evaluations.
They were still not given any mission or were attached to any unit. He, for lack of a better term, was damaged goods. No one wanted to associate with Alex if given a chance. But Alex wasn't too bothered and kept training, he worked on his strength, agility, endurance, stamina and dexterity. He kept improving his stats, each day improving a bit, every day bettering himself, and he trained Kai as well. Alex was biding his time, patiently waiting for a break.
Alex didn't have to wait too long. Just three weeks later. On September 11, 2001, An incident that shook the very core of the US occurred. There was a nationwide cry for retaliation. A war cry that was heard across the globe.
Immediately after the attacks, the U.S. military increased security at domestic bases and deployed assets to protect critical infrastructure. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all civilian flights in U.S. airspace, while the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) scrambled fighter jets to patrol the skies.
G.W.B. authorized the call-up of 50,000 National Guard and Reserve troops to augment active-duty forces. USS Enterprise and other naval assets were sanctioned to reposition. The U.S. Air Force increased its alert status, preparing for attacks. The Bush administration declared a global "War on Terror," focusing on dismantling terrorist networks and preventing future attacks. Overnight, Afghanistan became a hotspot, Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders became the priority one targets.
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On September 15th, the helicopter that belonged to a US news crew was shot down at the runway of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan; the pilot was killed during the incident. Originally, the 5 member crew were covering an unrelated story in Pakistan, But after 9/11 happened, the crew rerouted their way to Afghanistan looking for a scoop instead of immediately returning to the US. It was already a volatile situation, but the icing on the cake was that one of the crew members was the granddaughter of a U.S. senator.
A video intercepted by the NSA showed the Taliban claiming responsibility for the attack and issuing a ransom request. However, the Taliban seemed unaware that they had a high-value individual (HVI) among the captives.
This was the worst possible scenario. Diplomatic talks were ongoing with Pakistan to station U.S. troops at their borders, and sending troops without the Pakistan administration's permission might undo all the progress made in relations. The media that Crew belonged to was strictly asked to keep this under wraps for now, and they complied, considering the situation. Still, the military knew it was only a matter of time before the public became aware of the news.
[Rear Admiral Fletcher's office]
The following day, Alex was summoned to the office of RA Fletcher. Officer Reynolds and Chief Rogers were also present, their expressions grave.
"Ensign Bishop," Rear Admiral Fletcher began, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of urgency, "we have a situation that requires immediate action."
"Sir."
"2 days ago, a helicopter belonging to an American news crew was shot down at the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan; one of them, the pilot was killed, and the rest are being held hostage", Fletcher continued. "unbeknownst to the perps, One of the crew members is the granddaughter of a U.S. senator. The Taliban has taken responsibility and issued a ransom request."
Alex's mind raced. This was the break he had been waiting for, but the stakes were higher than he had ever imagined.
"You and Kai are being assigned a mission," Fletcher said, locking eyes with Alex. "Your task is to track down and rescue the news crew. Since this just happened a few days back, we have limited information, just the location where their helicopter was shot down. You'll need to find the enemy's base of operations on your own. Your primary objective is to update every bit of new information you discover regularly." Fletcher handed him a device. " This device will wirelessly send the recordings back to our intelligence wing, And to rescue the captured civilians."
Fletcher continued. "Considering the gravity of the situation and the delicate diplomatic talks with Pakistan, 'Officially' you'll be acting on your own."
"What do you mean, Admiral?"
"This mission will be strictly off the books; there will be no cavalry or intelligence support. Whe..if you get captured, the US Navy will wash their hands off you. We don't want a repeat of what happened in North Korea to happen again, do we?"
The room was silent as the weight of the mission settled on Alex's shoulders. This was, undoubtedly, a suicide mission. The odds were stacked against him; he had no precise enemy location, number of assailants or their artillery count.
"Alex, if you want, you can refuse the mission," said Rogers
"Be well aware, If you refuse this mission, Ensign Bishop," Fletcher said, his tone hardening, "there will be disciplinary actions taken against you."
Alex took a deep breath, glancing at Kai, who sat alert at his side.
"Why me? Why was I assigned this mission?" Alex was genuinely curious.
Officer Reynolds answered.
"You found your way back from the enemy camp in North Korea in less than ideal conditions. The higher-ups felt like among all the soldiers, you might have the best chance."
"Alex, that was also one of the reasons for moving you into the K9 units," said Rogers
"Ensign Bishop, as you know, the situation is highly volatile; the special ops are prepping for a full-frontal attack on Kabul, and so you are on your own, but rather than thinking like that, think of this as your chance to redeem yourself," said Fletcher.
Alex thought for a few seconds. "I'll take the mission, Sir."
Fletcher nodded, his expression slightly amused.
"Good. You'll be briefed on the transport details immediately."
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The briefing concluded. Despite the nature of the mission, ultimately, this was his chance to prove himself and shed the label of "damaged goods." He and Kai were quickly prepped for the mission, packing the necessary gear. Alex was calm, his mind focused, and Kai seemed to have sensed the gravity of the situation as well, his usual playful demeanour replaced by alertness. Alex was given a custom tactical Kevlar armour without the insignia of the US Navy. Once he left the inventory, Alex saw Rogers at the hangar; with all the things happening as of now, his retirement plans were postponed.
"Alex," Rogers began, his voice low. "I wanted to see you off personally."
"Chief," Alex replied, nodding. "I appreciate it."
Rogers took a deep breath, then spoke again. "This mission... there is no roundabout way to say it; it's a suicide mission. Fletcher is sure that either you are going to be captured or KIA. He only wants you to send him those fucking recordings so that he can send in the real rescue team later, better prepared. The bastard."
Alex could see the frustration in Rogers's voice.
"I figured as much. But I have been waiting for a mission like this."
Rogers stepped closer. "Listen, Alex. You're one of the best soldiers I've seen and worked with. You have the skills, the instincts, and the determination to be a great officer." Rogers handed him a satellite phone." I called in a few favours. This sat phone will get you in contact with a rescue chopper stationed at the Pak border. The commute time will be between 25 to 70 minutes, depending on where you are. But if you come under heavy enemy fire and feel like there is no way to go forward, use this, Alex, even if you have to abandon the mission. "
"T..Thanks."
"Oh, don't get all mushy on me now, Bishop. Besides, I am only doing it for Kai."
Alex chuckled, then replied with a playful grin, "Well, Chief, Kai does have that effect on people. Maybe I should let him lead the negotiation with the enemy, too."
Rogers squeezed Alex's shoulder before letting go.
"Good. Keep your wits about you, but stay sharp. Remember, the enemy is cunning and ruthless, but you are trained. And finally, no matter what happens out there, you've got people back here who believe in you."
Alex felt a surge of gratitude.
"Thank you, Chief. That means a lot."
"Alex, use the sat phone if necessary," Rogers warned him one final time
Alex gave a small, determined smile. "I'll do my best, Chief. And I won't leave those people behind. Not if there's even a slight chance of saving them."
Rogers sighed, but there was a glint of pride in his eyes. "I expected nothing less. Godspeed Alex."
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Alex and Kai were flown to the Pak-Afghan border. As they approached the drop zone, it was 2200 hours; Alex reviewed the mission plan one last time. The helicopter touched down, and Alex and Kai quickly disembarked, blending into the rugged terrain. The helicopter lifted off, leaving them in complete silence. He had 12 hours to save the hostages and return to the extraction point.
Alex crouched down, scanning the area with his night-vision goggles. "Stay close, Kai," he whispered. The dog responded with a soft growl, his eyes sharp and alert. Together, they moved toward the location where the news crew's helicopter had been shot down.
The crash site was a grim sight. The helicopter was a twisted wreck, still smouldering. Alex searched the area for clues. He found signs of a struggle and tire tracks leading away from the crash. "This way," he murmured to Kai, who sniffed the ground and led the way.
Alex's eyesight helped him track the tire patterns, even though it's been a few days. As they followed the tracks, he finally saw a fortress about 40 miles from the crash site. They finally found the enemy camp; After hours of trekking through rough terrain, they finally were near the enemy fortress. It was a heavily guarded compound with watchtowers and patrols. Alex knew a frontal assault was impossible. He needed to rely on stealth for now.
Alex found a vantage point where he could observe the guards' movements. He noted their patrol patterns, waiting for the right moment to strike. Under the cover of darkness, Alex and Kai slipped into the compound, avoiding the guards.
Alex moved like a shadow, his heightened senses guiding him through the maze of corridors. Kai, equally silent, followed closely. They reached a courtyard where a group of heavily armed terrorists were gathered. Alex knew he had to take them out quietly. He planted a C4 and kept moving through the fortress undetected.
He identified the weakest points in the terrorists' defences. One by one, he eliminated them with swift, silent strikes. A knife to the throat, a broken neck, each move precise and deadly. Kai assisted, attacking when needed, his powerful jaws crushing windpipes and incapacitating guards. He then hid the bodies. In places he could not strike directly, Alex planted explosives.
As they moved into the inner rooms, the resistance grew stronger. Alex encountered more guards. He used the shadows to his advantage, blending in and striking from unexpected angles. The terrorists never knew what hit them and hid their bodies.
Alex crouched behind a crate, observing a group of six guards gathered around a map. He could hear snippets of their conversation about the hostages. Taking a deep breath, he threw a small stone to the opposite side of the room. The guards turned their heads, and Alex moved swiftly. He took out the first guard with a chokehold, then snapped his neck. The second guard barely had time to react before Alex's knife found his throat. Kai lunged at the third guard, his powerful jaws clamping down on the man's arm and tearing through muscle and bone. The remaining guards fell in quick succession.
After an undetected infiltration, Alex and Kai finally reached the room where the hostages were being held. The door was heavily guarded. He signalled Kai to stay back and moved into position.
Alex threw a small stone to the opposite side of the hallway. The noise drew the guards' attention, and Alex took advantage of the distraction. He moved swiftly, taking out the guards one by one with silent precision. Within seconds, all five were down.
Alex entered the room and found the four hostages huddled together and terrified. "I am here to get you out," Alex whispered and asked them to be quiet.
The crew looked relieved, but Alex knew the hardest part was yet to come. They had to get out of the fortress undetected. "Stay close and follow my lead," he instructed. The crew nodded, and they moved out.
Alex led the group through the labyrinthine corridors, avoiding patrols and using his heightened senses to detect any threats. Kai was at his side; his ears perked for any sound. They made their way to the courtyard, where Alex spotted a truck they could use to escape.
As they approached the truck, a guard spotted them and raised the alarm. "Run!" Alex shouted. He engaged the guard, taking him down quickly, but the alarm had been sounded. They had to move fast.
Alex helped the news crew into the truck and jumped into the driver's seat. "Hold on!" he shouted as he started the engine. The truck roared to life, and they sped toward the gate. Guards fired at them, bullets pinging off the metal frame. Alex then detonated all the C4s, giving them an explosive head start. The truck burst through the gate, and they sped into the night, the fortress fading into the distance.
Their escape was far from over. The terrorists pursued them in jeeps and motorcycles. Alex drove with skill, navigating the rough terrain and evading their pursuers. Kai barked, warning of approaching vehicles. Alex swerved and dodged, trying to avoid gunfire and obstacles.
The chase was intense, with bullets whizzing past and explosions lighting up the night. Alex floored the pedals to its limits, determined to get the crew to safety. They reached a narrow canyon, and Alex saw an opportunity. He drove into the canyon, the narrow walls providing cover from the gunfire.
The terrorists followed, but the tight space worked against them. Alex navigated the twists and turns with precision, the pursuers crashing and falling behind. They finally emerged from the canyon, the sounds of pursuit fading but still following.
Alex knew they needed to reach the extraction point. He followed the coordinates given to him during the briefing, driving through the night. They reached the rendezvous point, and the helicopter was waiting for them. The heavily armed armed chopper fired into the enemy as the hostages, Kai and Alex, boarded it.
The helicopter lifted off, and Alex watched as the landscape below quickly faded. They had done it. He Had completed the mission against all odds
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
TruthSEER
TruthSEER On a compeltely seperate note.
If Kate was alive, what are the chances She and Tony would get together.
Reference episode, Life Before His Eyes; Season 9 ep 14
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