Page 43 of SEAL's Spitfire
“Copy that. We’ll advise when we have visual.”
They moved with purpose but care, anticipating anything from an ambush to land mines. They’d made it out alive of every previous mission because they watched each other’s six and were careful.
It was almost three klicks before they heard back from TOC. The captain didn’t sound happy either. “Eagle1?”
Again, Jake signaled for them to stop. “’TOC, this is Eagle 1.”
“Eagle 1, be advised there are at least ten tangos within two klicks of your location.”
Now they had to wonder if it was a standard patrol or if they’d been alerted that they were coming. If they knew, had they moved Miranda Stanhope? If she’d been moved this had been a complete waste of time and resources.
“Copy that, TOC. We’ll proceed with caution.”
“You heard the captain, we’re close to the next checkpoint which should be within a klick of where they’re holding the hostage.” Jake pulled out his map and laid it on the rocky ground. “Eagle 3 and 4, I want you to circle around through here, Eagle 5 keep on the current track. Eagle 2 and I will go to the left through this pass here.”
They nodded and silently disappeared into the blackness. They’d meet at the checkpoint and see what they were dealing with when they got there. It would have to be a quick in and out with only two hours left until they had to be at the EXFIL point with Miranda.
Jake and Rafe moved stealthily through the brush, knives in one hand and guns in the other. As they approached the checkpoint, they saw at least four heavily armed enemy combatants guarding the cave where Miranda was being held.
“Do you see what I’m seeing?” Rafe whispered.
“Yes. Hopefully, it means HVT is still at this location,” Jake replied, and Rafe nodded. “Eagle 3, sitrep?”
“Eagle 3 at checkpoint.”
“Eagle 5, sitrep?”
“Eagle 5 at overlook. Four tangos visible.”
“Copy that Eagle 5.”
Rafe pulled out his binoculars to get a closer look. If they were expecting company, they were stupid. A raging fire burned near the entrance to the cave. Besides the four tangos standing, he could see at least three more inside the mouth of the cave.
“Three more tangos inside.”
“Where are the other three? TOC reported ten,” Jake asked.
Rafe didn’t like it. Were they further in the cave with Miranda?
“What do you want to do, Boss,” Rafe asked as he squatted next to Jake. They had a clear view of the cave entrance, Ryan and Murph were also within range. The four of them could easily take out the seven Taliban soldiers. But they didn’t know who or what was waiting for them inside the cave.
“TOC, this is Eagle 1.”
“Go ahead, Eagle 1.”
“We’re at the final checkpoint. We confirm seven tangos.”
“Eagle 1, the last drone pass confirmed ten.”
“Copy that, TOC. We’ll send Halo to check out the cave.”
“Copy that, Eagle 1. You have ninety minutes to get to EXFIL. Once the sun’s up, we can’t get you.”
“Copy that.”
“Eagle 5, make your way to Eagle 3’s location. Send Halo in.”
“Copy, Eagle 1.”
