From the intel they’d studied on the plane ride here, there was a small labyrinth of tunnels and rooms the Taliban militants they were after had built. Living quarters, workspaces, places to store their weapons and ammo…
The crude system also provided the terrorist group with space for their food and water caches, as well as an area to keep their money and other stolen valuables safe.
Through the scope mounted on his M27 IAR—infantry automatic rifle—Beckett could see a cook station built around the base of a tree. The design allowed the smoke to dissipate throughout the limbs and leaves above, preventing detection from the air.
Clever bastards.
He brought the tango covering the cave’s entrance to the center of his crosshairs. His gut tightened, and his trigger finger itched, but he drew in a deep breath and forced his muscles to relax.
As hard as the waiting could be, he understood full well the importance of patience when it came to an op, especially when five innocent lives were on the line. But by the time the sun was nearly set, Beckett and the others were more than ready to get the party started.
“You boys still with me?”
Shadow’s return sparked the team back to life.
“We’re in position and ready to move,” Slade responded instantly.
“Excellent. Okay, so from what I’m seeing, nothing’s changed, numbers-wise. There are five tangos moving around the cave’s exterior on the east, where you’re facing. I show one at the entrance, two standing guard on either side, a few yards away at the mountain’s base, one where the road leading out of the valley begins, and one in a sniper’s position located on the second ledge on the eastern portion of the mountain. Satellite shows two additional guards at the cave’s west entrance, but we’re hoping you can get in, secure the hostages, and get out before they even realize you’ve been there.”
“Copy that,” Digger acknowledged.
“Everything’s a go on our end, so whenever you’re ready, you’ve got the green light. Oh, and I’m sure it goes without saying, but watch for boobie traps. Groups like these tend to have a hard-on for that sort of thing.”
The woman wasn’t wrong. Beckett and the team had definitely had their fair share of experience in trip wires, hidden IEDs, and all sorts of other homemade traps set by the enemy.
Lucky for them, they’d all been well-trained in the art of detecting such devices. Even so, one could never be too careful when dealing with murderous assholes like the ones in their sights.
Letting Shadow know he’d heard the warning she’d given, Digger responded with a clear, “Hard copy on traps.”
“The chopper will be waiting at the designated exfil location to retrieve your team and the hostages.” The woman who’d served as the team’s overwatch from its conception gave a brief pause before adding a slightly softer, “Our connection will be lost as soon as you enter the cave complex, so be very careful, gentlemen. I’ll be here when you get out.”
Beckett hated the idea of losing touch with Shadow for even a minute, but thanks to the mountain’s impenetrable surface, they didn’t have a choice. It wasn’t the first time they’d entered the enemy’s territory blind, and it wouldn’t be their last.
“Okay, boys.” Dig wasted no time pushing himself to his feet. “You heard the woman. Keep your eyes peeled and watch your step. We’re no good to the hostages if we get our asses blown to bits.”
As he and Apollo followed the man’s lead and stood, Beckett’s mind immediately turned to the beautiful schoolteacher being held captive somewhere inside that cave. He prayed they were all still alive and that they’d be able to walk out of their prison.
He had no way of knowing what shape Evelynn and the girls would be in when they located them, but it didn’t matter. Beckett and his teammates were getting them the hell out of there, even if they had to carry them the entire way back to the chopper.
Even if it’s the last thing I do.
To some, the fact that he and the others were willing to put their lives on the line for complete strangers probably seemed crazy. Certifiable, even.
But for the men of Tac-Ops, it wasn’t about the risk to their own personal safety. It was about helping those unable to help themselves and making the world a safer place in the process.
One sadistic prick at a time.
“Copy that, Boss Man,” Apollo acknowledged Digger’s directive.
Beckett piggybacked with his own, “You lead, we’ll follow.”
Just as they did with every one of the team’s lifesaving missions.
“We need to move fast on this one.” Digger started to walk. “Shadow may have eyes on the west entrance, but without the additional team, there’s no way for us to cover both sides of the bastards’ hideout.”
They also had no way of knowing for sure how many tangos were inside the cave, which meant this could turn out to be a very bad day for them all.
Come on, God. Give us another one. Evelynn and those girls deserve a chance at freedom.