Page 6 of SEAL's Sky
“As I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, we have a situation. It’s still in the early stages. The CIA and Homeland Security uncovered a plot by Iran to take out Bagram. The intel is still fluid and until we have further confirmation you’re on standby. It may happen today, tomorrow, or the Deltas on site might be able to neutralize without assistance. If you don’t know Mark Wood, he’s our Homeland liaison, and I’ll let him take over. Save the questions for the end.”
Jake and his counterpart on the Red Falcon team, Quinn Gallagher, exchanged looks and then turned back to face the podium. Murph wondered if there was something else in play that they weren’t telling the teams.
“I think most of you already know me but in case you don’t, I took over for Gene Arnold. Before working at Homeland Security, I was Army spec ops, so I know the shit you have to deal with from the recent cases of bad intel affecting your missions.”
The low murmur of surprise and agreement around the room confirmed his words.
“That’s why we’re not heading out yet. I want to make sure we have as much confirmed as possible. As Captain Knox said, the intel is very fluid and could be just a lot of BS in response to the POTUS. With the recent rocket launches and injuries to our fellow soldiers, we aren’t going to take this lightly, you have my promise.”
“What we do know has been put together by Chrissy Stillwell and she’ll run you through it here shortly. We can’t afford any mistakes. We sure as fuck don’t want to go into Iran if we’re wrong,” Assistant Director of the CIA, Ralph Cummings, stressed. “It would be a clusterfuck of epic proportions.”
Another murmur of consent made its way around the room.
Captain Knox stepped back to the mic. “Any questions for Assistant Director Cummings or Mark? If not I’ll have Chrissy get to the intel we do have.”
The room remained silent. Murphy never understood why they asked for questions halfway through. What was the point until they knew more details? He thought it was interesting that Chrissy hadn’t shared any of the intel with Ryan, especially since they lived together. It had to make it hell on a relationship.
Turning down the lights, Chrissy shared her computer screen onto the whiteboard.
“This is all we have so far. Our informant has been working undercover for years as part of the Iranian Ministry of Defense. But he’s still not privy to their plans—usually.”
“So how do we know this is at all credible? Maybe he’s just trying to make a name for himself?” Quinn the boss of the Red Falcon team asked.
Murph thought about the same thing, it wouldn’t be the first time. Although if he’d really been in deep cover for so long, maybe he’d turned.
“We don’t and that’s why you’re not wheels up. But we do have others working on verifying the information. As the assistant director said, we don’t need to go into Iran with guns blazing and start a new war.”
“Do we have anything confirmed?” Jake asked.
“Only that if they are planning it that they have the capability, as seen from their recent attacks on American bases. We’ve heard chatter about the Taliban and Iran working together.”
“I guess the peace talks are just bullshit then,” Cam remarked.
“I'm not saying that. There's no definitive proof that they're in bed together, but honestly it sure as hell looks like it. Until we have proof, you'll be on standby.”
When Chrissy finished going over the rest of the slides, identifying the main actors and locations, the teams had a few more questions. There was so much unknown it made it difficult.
“I’ll let you in on this, the White House is taking this as a serious threat. Which means we are. All leave is canceled, and you need to be ready for wheels up at any moment. I’d say as soon as we get any kind of confirmation, we’ll be heading out.”
* * *
Jen concentrated on getting every detail written in her journal. Feeling safer than she had in too long, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Kurt was right behind her. If this escape act worked, it would probably take a long time before she stopped looking over her shoulder.
The conductor went through the railcars checking everyone’s tickets and when he got to her and asked for her ticket and license, that same foreboding twisted in her gut. But he just punched the ticket and handed everything to her and moved on. One more hurdle overcome.
The last time Jen visited her mother was two months after she’d moved to Soho, and that was at least eight months ago. The one time she’d started planning a trip, Kurt told her he was too busy at work. She’d have preferred to go alone, even though things were still mostly fine then, but he refused. The signs were there, but she never noticed them.
As she put away her license and ticket, her phone vibrated in her bag. Checking the ID, she smiled seeing it was her mom.
Mom:Are you on the way?
Me:Yes, I should get into D.C. around 1.
Mom:Are you okay? On TV they said Kurt reported you missing.
Me:Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll explain it all when I get home. I promise, I’m okay.
Mom:Please be careful. I love you.
