The Ghost Pattern

…35

The early morning air pushed through the open window, helped by a scented breeze heavy with spring blooms. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee almost covered that, as one after another, cups filled at the machine, and the team members took their seats around the small table, steaming cups in front of them.

“OK, so we find the plane,” Alex said, jumping right to the heart of things, “then what? Call the feds?”

“I don’t think that would be an option, even if we find it,” Blake replied. “I’d still rather have us continue on our own. They’d have to go through channels; it would take a long time.”

“Sam?” Alex prompted.

“I tend to agree with Blake. We’re looking at getting the feds, or maybe the CIA in this case, more likely, to orchestrate an op in a foreign country, based on some disputable satellite imagery and our stories. I don’t think they’re gonna do it. Not fast enough, anyway.”

She stood and started pacing the little space she had available, between the table and the wall where the map was pinned. She rubbed the back of her neck nervously, grinding her teeth.

“OK, let’s talk extraction scenarios, then,” she conceded, silencing the self-doubt she was feeling. She wasn’t special ops material; she felt overwhelmed at the immense responsibility hanging on her decisions, her actions, and her judgment. “Lou? You’re the closest thing we have to a special ops expert; I think you should lead the extraction discussions.”

“Sure, boss, I’d be happy to,” he replied, then went to the whiteboard with a marker in his hand. “We have two tactical issues,” he continued, writing as he spoke. “One, we’re assuming that the people are still with the plane, and they might not be. In fact, why would they be? Whoever holds them needs to feed them and house them, no matter how precariously. That takes space and resources.”

“Oh, God…” Blake said, “you’re right. We might find the plane, but they could be long gone from there.”

“Long gone, but not very far, I’d think it’s safe to assume,” Alex intervened.

“Why?” Lou asked.

“This is not some random hijacking under the spur of the moment. This was a well-planned op, and, most likely, if they’re housing the people at a certain location, they would have taken them by plane there, or as close as possible—441 people are a lot of individuals to be moving from point A to point B.”

“Agreed,” Lou said, “sounds reasonable. But that means once we find the plane, we’ll have to go there and find them. This is our first tactical issue,” he specified, writing the number one in a circle on the whiteboard, under the phrase, “Unknown hostage location.”

“And second?” Blake asked.

“Having 441 people means a lot of exfiltration,” Lou replied, “a lot of exfil to handle from behind enemy lines, under potential fire. Some might be hurt, weak, or sick. I think the best bet remains the plane. Get them out of there exactly as they came in.”

“Makes sense,” Alex said, smiling for the first time in days. “We’d need a pilot though. One of the 747’s pilots had a Russian name; let’s assume him hostile. We can’t count on him. I’d rather count on Blake’s pilot. And we’re also assuming that the 747 can still be used.”

“Yes,” Lou agreed, “we’re assuming that the Boeing is still airworthy, and has enough fuel to get everyone back to Japan. But we need firepower, serious firepower.”

“Why?” Blake asked.

“The UNSUB has enough people to control 441 hostages,” Lou replied. “We’re talking about anything up to potentially fifty armed forces, maybe even more. They could have air support, heavy weaponry, surveillance, advanced recon, who knows? We have to be prepared.”

Alex fidgeted uncomfortably, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

“Umm… and I’m not… I can’t be counted on, you know, I’m no special ops material,” she struggled to say, feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed. “I am coming with you, of course, but I’m not that great in a battle. I’ve never been in one.”

“Nope, that’s not true,” Sam said. “I’ve seen you in action. You’re cool under pressure, you keep your head well-bolted to your shoulders, and you don’t hesitate. I’d have you watch my six anytime.”

“Same here,” Lou said. “I’ve trained you and I’ve seen you in simulations. I’ve also seen you in the field; you’re a great shot. Just remember your training, and you’ll do fine.”

She looked at them both, then took in a deep breath and said, “Then we’re set. But we’re still not enough, the three of us. We need some serious help.”

“Four,” Blake said. “I’m coming too.”

“Blake, that’s not a good idea,” Alex replied. “We can’t watch over you while we’re out there. You’re better off waiting for us here, where it’s safe.”

“I won’t need you to watch over me. I’m a damn good shot, and a Desert Storm veteran. Give me some credit, will you? I can’t stand waiting one more second, so I’m coming with you. That’s decided.”

Sam nodded, and Lou whispered, “Welcome to the exfil team then.”

“I’m repeating myself here,” Alex said. “We need help, serious help. Where do we find it?”

“I’m thinking mercs,” Lou replied, “military hired help.”

“I’ll make some calls,” Blake offered.

“No, not this time,” Lou replied. “Let me make the calls, I’ll know better what to ask for.” He paused a little, gathering his thoughts. “We can’t hire them in the States, though.”

“Why?” Blake asked.

“They’ll need to bring a lot of gear with them, including choppers. We’re pretty sure we’re gonna find that plane, only we don’t exactly know where and when we’ll find the passengers. I’d rather have the four of us do the initial groundwork, stealth. With a dozen mercs or so in tow, and their equipment, they’ll see us coming from miles away.”

“Then they’ll need to be located in Japan,” Alex said. “It’s the only friendly area that’s close enough to our op zone.”

“See? What did I tell you?” Sam asked with a chuckle. “You’re already mastering this game. The only thing, just don’t call them mercs; they hate that. Even if they are guns for hire, that doesn’t mean they don’t have principles and a code of honor.”

“Oh… What should I call them, then?”

“Military contractors is better.”

“All right, let’s find us some Japan-based military contractors to help us.”