Bound by Blood, Forged in Fire

Hooyah

The ride on the Grumman C-1 Trader wasn't terrible, though everyone could've gone without Tony's complaints about his discomfort. The team, along with the Pattersons and Agent Taylor were riding with Julian's platoon and Patterson's ODA, they found that he was especially close with Lieutenant Holloway, Petty Officers First Class Andrew Wesson the team corpsman, and David Reese, the heavy weapons specialist. Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant Niko Martinez was going over data with CIA Special Skills Officer Bianca North. Holloway was fair-skinned with light brown hair cut short, and blue-green eyes, he stood at six feet. Wesson was 6'3" with dark brown hair and hazel eyes, he had a large nose that suited a man of his size, naturally possessing a large build. Reese was 5'11' with green eyes and brown hair, he had a sun-kissed skin tone, most likely from his time in Team 3 with Julian, who ironically looked as if he could use some time in the sun himself. Martinez was 5'9", lean but athletic nonetheless, with black hair and brown eyes. Officer North was a brunette woman with hazel eyes standing at 5'9".

Once they landed at the Joint Operations base they made their way to the TOC, inside were Colonel Calvin Sampson, Commander Walton Blackwell, and DSS RSO Garret McGowan. Sampson stood at 6'1", and had brown hair and eyes with fair skin. Blackwell was the same height as the Colonel, his hair was a lighter shade of brown, almost looked blonde, with blue eyes. McGowan was blonde with blue eyes, stood around 6'0", and was within the same age range as the other two.

After formalities, everyone took a seat.

"Alright everyone, as you know this joint-venture serves as what determines the go/no-go for future operations similar to this in the future," said Sampson. "So let's get it all right the first time."

The Colonel pointed to two different models, one of what looked like a plantation with a fortified compound and a warehouse that had been converted into a tactical base of operations.

"We've located two points of interest a port that serves as a load-off point for smugglers and a poppy field that makes routine deliveries to Iraq." continued the Colonel.

"We'll split off into two teams the ODA and DEA will take the poppy field while the SEAL platoon seizes the port alongside the FBI," picked up  Commander Blackwell. "The MARSOC MSOT will split up and augment both teams."

Gibbs raised his hand. "What are we expecting to find aside from drugs?"

"We expect there to be intel that'll provide us data on other exploits, buyers, and anything that'll help obtain warrants for future operations," responded McGowan. "As previously mentioned, the operators' primary objective while in the field is neutralizing on-site hostiles while the DOJ elements may engage enemy combatants if necessary but will ultimately focus on evidence seizure."

Jace raised his hand next. "Sir, what types of forces are we expecting to encounter on site?"

"We gather that there are moderately armed and sizeable forces on each of the sites," said Blackwell. "Aside from the augmentation from the MSOTs, we have a company-sized QRF from the 75th Rangers."

Chief Warrant Officer Henry Mitchell raised his hand. "Sir, what's our status on taking prisoners?"

Mitchell was an African-American male, stood at 6'2", and maintained only a five o'clock shadow despite the relaxed grooming standards.

"Captured enemy combatants will be placed under the jurisdiction of the FBI, " responded Sampson.

After going over the combat strategies the operators were dismissed, leaving the others to discuss the plans for future operations.

. . .

Julian was going over the more detailed plans of attack for the operation with his platoon. He was on sniper detail with Holloway as his spotter, LTJG Blane was going to be the assault squad leader with PO1 Wesson as his second, meanwhile, Reese would be responsible for the heavy weapons team. Agent Taylor, an HRT element, and Officer David and Agent McGee were going to be integrated into the assault.

Ziva was standing in a corner with Chief Petty Officer Lydia Brooke, the EOD operator attached to the platoon throughout the operation. Brooke was a tall, athletic woman standing at 5'9". She had wavy black hair and blue eyes, her skin was fair, almost like snow. They seemed to be laughing, Julian made his way towards them. He had been on deployments with Brooke before, despite women being barred from combat, there were plenty of them serving alongside their male counterparts. Brooke graduated at the top of her class at the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School at Eglin Air Force Base, she aced her tactical training. Despite such feats, she was never arrogant and, cocky but she had earned that right. Jace considered her a close friend, they sparred regularly and he made sure that she was up to date on vital information regarding their missions.

"You two ready to bring it?" Jace asked, rhetorically. The two only smiled at this, looking as if they knew something he didn't. "What's with the looks?"

"Lydia was just telling me about how you planned to pick out a best man," replied Ziva. "Is an Ultimate Fighting tournament the best way to choose? It doesn't sound traditional."

"It should be," replied Brooke. "A dog fight goes well with his nickname anyway."

"Cerberus, how does one get a nickname like that anyway?"

"I worked with a K-9 handler back when I was in the 26th MEU," answered the SOC. "When I first came to Team 3 I hung around the dog handlers, made me feel nostalgic and I was less nervous. I did the same when I transferred to Team 4."

"That's really why they named you after a three-headed hellhound?" poked Lydia.

"That's what I'm sticking to," responded Jace.

"Alright, so your contenders are your father and a handful of the men you've served with?" asked Ziva.

"Why? Are you interested in competing, Ziva?" playfully poked Jace. "If so, Brooke, that would mean you have a chance to get in on it too."

"Oh, I'd rather not ruin the pride of the guys, though I do approve of your methods it fits with their fratboy tendencies." said the bomb tech.

"So we're waiting until sundown to move?" asked the Mossad operator.

"Yeah, the ODA will be doing reconnaissance on their target at this time because the compound's guards have been deployed to guard an incoming shipment," said Jace. "They're going to take advantage of how vulnerable it'll be."

"And our target?" asked Brooke.

"Same as it was before."

The three continued to prep their gear and fell in with the others.

. . .

Captain Patterson was leading his ODA to their target in Ground Mobility Vehicles, almost ten miles away from their target he halted their movement and signaled them to split up into two teams. Mitchell took his team and moved them to approach from the west while Patterson took his to the east. The sun would set in less than an hour, once the advantage of total darkness took over they would make their move. The Marines were standing by with the Chinook in the event of their Army counterparts needing a QRF along with the DEA FAST element.

Meanwhile, the SEALs were approaching their target on multiple fronts, one squad was by the water, Jace and Holloway were perched on the top of the building adjacent to the warehouse, and FBI HRT was getting ready to breach the main entrance with Ziva and McGee in tow. Their half of the MARSOC MSOT were rappelling onto the roof of the warehouse.

LT Halloway gave Jace a nod, the former went for his radio as the sniper readied his weapon.

"Alpha-One to all units, on my mark. Three. . . Two. . .One," Holloway spoke into his radio. "Execute."

With that all operators breached the warehouse, they were met with resistance but they were too quick for their adversaries. Julian dispatched three combatants standing guard at the windows. Wesson and his squad engaged five sentries and Blake cleared the next room with his squad.

At the compound, Patterson's team had called in the MARSOC MSOT to torch the poppy field as the ODA and DEA FAST seized prisoners and evidence. As the operators gathered everything Patterson received a radio transmission from Mitchell.

"Sir, we've got company, a cargo vehicle is closing in on our location," Mitchell barked into his radio. "Two tactical vehicles with SAWs, I count at least ten hostiles."

The Soldiers gathered for a defensive position while the Marines prepped for an offensive attack. The DEA agents secured the evidence and prisoners.