Chapter Text
When Caleb reached Sonny, it didn’t take long to identify the problem. The main mechanism was bent and wedged at an angle, preventing it from moving. Caleb immediately started working the problem. If he simply bent it back, it could easily snap, leaving Sonny unable to continue the climb.. They’d both have to return to the ground, consuming valuable time. He had to find another solution.
“Listen, I need you to create a friction hitch to secure yourself to the rope so you can take your weight off the jumar. I’m going to try something.”
Sonny did as he was asked, trusting Caleb knew what he was doing. Caleb didn’t, but figured he couldn’t make it worse. If he couldn’t fix it, they were in the same position they were a few minutes before. As he studied the device, he mentally inventoried the tools and gadgets on him. Then he remembered the reflective tape he had brought to mark the trees.
Tearing off a piece and carefully folding it onto itself, he jammed it in to rebalance the cam. Miraculously, it worked.
“Well, butter my biscuit. Aren’t you just a little McGyver there Echo 6?”
Caleb smiled. “Been called worse. But get a move on…I’m tired of staring at your ass.”
“Some people would pay good money to have that view.”
“I am not one of them.”
They made it to the top without further incident. Cresting the ridge, they found Brock and Clay had silently taken out two guards who had stumbled onto their position. It was now only a matter of time before their absence was noticed, so they needed to work fast.
After confirming with Blackburn that things were calm back on the ground, Sonny keyed his mic.
“Bravo 3 to HAVOC, passing Arches.”
Lisa couldn’t help but smile. She rarely got to speak to Sonny over comms.
“Copy, passing Arches. Bravo 3, be advised, we see two figures near the front east side of the building. Three others disappeared into the woods west of your position. There are two vehicles on site with no traffic on the road. How copy?”
“Good copy.” Sonny turned to the team. “Ok, Brock, Trent, find that third guard and take him out. Grab cell phones, rendezvous at the target. Spenser and Caleb, let’s locate the other guards. On me.”
Sonny led, quietly picking his way through the foliage until the shanty holding the hostages came into view. The three held their position, watching for movement. Their patience paid off as two men stepped outside and the smell of smoke drifted through the humid air. The guards smoked and chatted, oblivious to their comrades' fates or of Bravo’s presence. After a few minutes, they flicked their cigarettes and went back inside.
“Spenser, what were they saying?”
“He asked if they’re moving the hostages tomorrow. Someone named Juarez is making the call. He’s coming up tonight…they’re hoping he is bringing a team to relieve them.”
Just then Trent radioed in. The third tango had been neutralized, and he and Brock were looping back to Sonny’s position.
Once reunited, the team finalized the plan.
“Ok. Bravo 6 will flank the east side, I will flank the west. Once set, we’ll create the diversion and snipe them when they come out. 4 and Echo 6 enter and clear, we’ll grab the hostages and be back down before anyone’s the wiser.”
“Havoc to all Bravo elements. Be advised you’ve got two vehicles turning onto the approach road. 10 mikes out.”
“Copy Havoc.”
Each operator moved silently to their place. Once set, Sonny gave the command.
“Execute, Execute.”
Clay shouted Spanish. As expected, the guards stepped out to investigate. Bravo’s sharpshooting took them down instantly. With the immediate threat eliminated, the team stormed the building.
Sonny immediately reassured the hostages, “We’re U.S. Military, here to take you home. We need to move quickly. Listen to our instructions and do exactly as we say.”
Trent moved to assess the hostages. “We‘ve got a problem.”
Sonny shifted his attention to Trent. Even in the poor lighting it was easy to see one of the hostages had a badly wounded leg.
“Is it broken?” Sonny inquired.
“Pretty sure. Look, we can’t take him down the cliff. He wouldn’t make the hike out anyway.”
With the vehicles approaching, Sonny had to make a decision fast. He relayed the situation to Blackburn, who immediately began the climb to join the team.
“Brock, Caleb, get the hostages over to the descent and hide them, Caleb, stay there. Trent and Clay, hide these bodies. It’ll buy us some time. Everyone else, prepare for an ambush.”
Caleb quickly had the hostages up and moving and within minutes had disappeared into the brush. Brock scooped up the injured hostage into a firemen’s carry and followed.
“Bravo 3 to Havoc. Sitrep on those vehicles.”
“They seemed to have slowed. One SUV and one pickup. There is a part of the road that washed out, they are making their way around it. ETA six mikes.”
“Number of Tangos?”
“It’s difficult to tell. Best estimate, six.”
The team moved into position, hiding among the dense underbrush. Their night vision, along with the element of surprise, gave them the upper hand.
Six minutes later, the Barrio 18 contingent arrived. Five men tumbled out of the SUV and one from the truck. A young remained in the truck, barely twelve or thirteen. Likely the daughter of one of the men, just a kid.
The leader hurried two other men into the shanty with him while the rest remained outside. Shouting erupted moments later, and they stormed out with guns drawn.
Sonny gave the signal.
Shots rang out, three gang members dropped instantly. A quick firefight ensued, but the gang members were no match for the men of Bravo.
The young woman slowly stepped out of the truck, looking dazed. She stood still, eyes scanning the bodies around here.
Clay raised his voice in Spanish, then English. “Hands up!”
She didn’t respond.
He lowered his weapon, showing his palms. “We don’t want to hurt you. Just raise your hands.”
Still nothing.
He took a cautious step forward.
She glanced at the body nearest her, then locked eyes with Clay—for the first and last time.
She reached for a handgun tucked in her waistband.
A shot rang out before she could aim.
Clay turned to see Blackburn, weapon raised, eyes locked on the girl.