Bound by Blood, Forged in Fire

Honor

Jace was sitting in the conference room, he was called in to go over the details of the night of Ballard's attack then stuck around. He wanted to know the details of the investigation. He walked into the Squad Room and saw his father talking to Ziva, as he got closer he heard more about the details.

"It was a joint venture between NCIS and the DEA, the Administration was looking for smugglers transporting Middle Eastern opioid seeds into the US," informed the Mossad Officer. "When evidence pointed to military personnel NCIS began looking into SEALs deployed to areas of Afghanistan with opium fields."

Jethro noticed his son standing by Ziva's desk and dismissed Ziva to get more details. The two made their way to the elevator. When they were in between floors Jethro stopped the elevator.

"Before I transferred my platoon and another one from Team 7 burned poppy fields belonging to drug lords in bed with Al-Qaeda," said Jace, not wanting to waste any time. "Operations like that is what led to the concept of the Taskforce."

"Drugs from the Middle East are worth more than what anyone could produce domestically."

Jace only clammed up, this information could be vital to the case but it could also ruin the lives of other operators. Jethro didn't say anything else, he knew the position Jace was in, the Marine simply activated the elevator and they made their way back up.

. . .

Tony and McGee were in Little Creek, they had asked about the Lieutenant's social life. She was well-liked, Commanding Officer regarded her as one of his best and brightest. She transferred from the NAB Coronado, before that she was stationed in San Diego. Now they were going to talk to Chief Niels' C.O. and platoon leader. McGee spotted the latter, Lieutenant Colin Swarek talking to another SEAL. Swarek was 6'4" with blue eyes and dirty blonde hair, built like a pick-up truck.

"Lieutenant Swarek," said Tony, both men discreetly revealed their badges. "Agents DiNozzo and McGee, NCIS."

The LT stopped what he was doing. "How can I help you?"

"Is there a place we can talk in private?" asked McGee.

They went into a vacant storage room.

"What's this about?"

"Chief Petty Officer Niels was placed under arrest last night," said Tony.

"On what charges?"

"Sexually assaulting and murdering Lieutenant Junior Grade Jocelyn Ballard," responded McGee.

"Explains why my C.O. wouldn't explain his absence," said Swarek. "This has to be a mistake, Niels is a good man and a great SEAL."

"He has quite a few reprimands," said Tony. "Fighting, suspected drug use."

"Who doesn't have rough edges!"

"His superiors from Team 7 had quite a bit to say about him," said McGee. "So do his platoonmates."

The officer only clammed up.

"We're done here," said the lieutenant and stormed off.

. . .

Jace was standing by Ballard's body in Autopsy, he wanted to get one last glimpse of his friend's face. She was 5'2", Hispanic descent, her normally tidy her now carelessly loose. She was normally upbeat and lively, now she was stiff and cold.

"This isn't on you Jace,"

The operator turned around and saw LT. Holloway and PO1 Reese standing by one of the tables. Like Jace, they were in their NSUs, their composure was relaxed their eyes were sympathetic.