Page 46 of Nightstalker

“Copy that,” Zane smiled. “I see the director did not find the humor in my mission report.”

“No sir, he did not. I believe his exact words were, ‘how stupid does this cocksucker think I am?’ I think he has caught on. He thought you were naming all your missions after the tail you bagged, however the Traci Lords op gave you away.”

“Damn, I knew that one was too obvious,” Zane chuckled. “Drew, you got anything new for us?”

“Captain Black has checked in again, the tunnels are still clear. You’ll have safe passage to the other side. Black has an informant they use from time to time. He told the kid to spread the word that the border patrol was going to be doing exercises in the area. The drug runners will stay clear,” Drew filled us in. “Jasmin has something to add.”

Drew stood up and Jasmin replaced him on the screen. She had her hair pulled up in a high ponytail that gave me an unobstructed view of her beautiful face. I studied her for a moment, her mask of professionalism clearly in place. She gave away no emotion as she began to speak.

“Intel came back on the guards. Three men, all South African Special Forces; Tito Lee, Junior Alco, and Banele Yost. All three spent six years as Recces. When they left they started offering personal protection for the dirt bags of the world. They are excellent at what they do including safe transport for drugs and girls as well.” Jasmin stopped and looked down, obviously to scan a report in front of her. She looked up and continued. “Do not underestimate these mother fuckers.”

“Copy that. Do we have their service records and pictures?” Colin asked.

“Yes, I have already sent that information to Zane’s tablet. Their client list and last known ops are also there. If at all possible I am sure the director would love to rendition their asses.”

“The director can kiss my pale white ass. That cocksucker would love nothing more than to send us out to do his dirty work, and then leave our asses flying in the wind. Fuck that noise. Let him send out his own God damn team.” Eric crossed his arms over his chest, looking like he was ready to spit fire.

All of us in this room had been burned by the CIA at one point in our careers. It still burned my ass to have to play nice with the bastards. I hated to have to eat shit, yet whenever the CIA stuck their nose in an op that is exactly what you had to do, eat shit. Eric was not wrong. The director was notorious for letting an operative swing in the wind to save his own ass. So much for playing on the same team.

“That all you got Jas?” Zane asked as he scanned the information on his tablet.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Zane stiffen, but before I could fully study his reaction it was gone. I racked my brain for any recollection of the three shit bird guards, but I was coming up empty. I could not remember ever hearing their names, which is a red flag in my book. When you’re in the game long enough you know all the players. You make it your business to know every detail. It could be a matter of life and death.

“What is it Zane?” I asked.

“All good.” He looked up, his eyes boring into mine.

With a nod of acknowledgment, I let it go. Zane was not ready to share. I trusted my brother. He would never keep something important from his team.

“That’s all I got boys. The jet will be landing in,” Jasmin stopped to look at her watch, “fifteen minutes. Flight plan to San Diego has been filled. Your transport to the tunnel will be awaiting you. See you all tomorrow, out.”

Before I could even blink, Jasmin’s side of the screen went blank. My gut twisted in an uncomfortable knot. Something felt off. My head was so fucked I could not work out if it was all the shit swirling around with Jasmin or if something was off about the mission. Christ, I had to pull my head outta my ass before I got myself dead. My gut was always right, always.

“Garrett you got anything else?” Zane looked up from his tablet.

“That’s all I got. I’ll be on standby at HQ.”

“No you won’t. Go home get some rest. You look like shit, brother. Drew and Jas can take over from here.”

“I’ll sleep in your office, Z, I need to be here. Out.” Garrett disconnected before Zane could argue. Smart man.

The screen once again came to life and images of three men were displayed. Each of them standing in their dress uniforms; complete with the maroon colored beret displaying the Recce insignia on the left side. Behind them was the South African flag. None of them looked familiar. I glanced around at the team to see if any sort of recognition dawned on them. Nothing. Well, fuck me, this was not good.

“I will make this brief, six years’ service all three. Tito Lee. Only child, honorably discharged, clean record, top of his class in his Special Forces Basic Training Cycle, served four years in SANDF. Junior Alco. other than honorable discharge, two older sisters. Father deceased murdered in a robbery attempt, middle of the road through his schools, five years in SANDF. Benele Yost. Cousin of Alco, dishonorable discharge, only child both parents deceased boating accident. Raised by his uncle and aunt, uncle deceased, in and out of trouble all through school. Several letters of misconduct, violation of rules of engagement, court marshalled by UN officials, civilian casualties.” Zane stopped and placed his tablet on the table scrubbing his hands over his face. “I have seen firsthand this son of a bitch’s handy work. He is a mean mother fucker and does not give the first two shits about taking out everyone, innocents included.”

I knew my brother had seen some fucked up shit in his time. He locked it down deep and would not allow anyone in to help relieve the burden. So God damn strong all the time, but one day all that weight will bear down and break even the strongest man.

“Do not let Yost get the drop on you. Do not hesitate. This is not a CIA op, this is a cleanup effort. Clean these mother fuckers up by any means necessary. I am fully aware of what I am asking of you and in a court of law it might be considered murder. I do not give two shits that I am playing judge, jury and executioner with these scumbags. The last time I saw Yost he slit a six -year-old hostage’s throat after the boy was no longer needed. If you are uncomfortable with what I am asking, stay behind.” Zane had officially gone thermonuclear. His face was stone and his eyes had gone blank. That six-year-old’s death was still weighing on him and he was ready to exact retribution.

I looked around the room, the team stood at the ready, all with the exact same steely looks of determination on all of their faces. At that moment I finally felt it, I belonged and was God damn proud to stand beside these men. Each of us ready, none of us blinking an eye at taking out these fucks. Four less dirt bags in the world.

No one spoke a word as Zane studied each of us. “Right. Let’s roll.”

“HOOYAH”

***

We touched down in California six hours later. I would like to say that my gut still wasn’t screaming at me, but that shit would be a lie. Something was not right, the look on Zane’s face only confirmed that my instincts were spot on. He felt it too. We rode to our drop point in silence. Thank fuck each of the men around me had already slipped into that cool detachment. no one needed to fill the silence.