“So, I assume we want to destroy the facility and everything associated? Are we to gain any intel there?” Webb said.
“The intel we have alludes to them working on a virus that has various effects on people. We intercepted communications implying they may not want the complete destruction of the people in the areas.”
Priest piped up, “They don’t want to obliterate all the people, so they want to take prisoners?”
Madison continued, “Correct. So, this virus, chemical weapon, medical cocktail, whatever you want to call it, apparently can make people subservient. How it achieves this, we don’t know. We tried to get an asset inside, but they have made this operation tight and exclusive. They aren’t letting many people in the clubhouse on this one. We have heard rumors that they have test subjects, but we have no visual evidence of this. Oh, the other bit of wonderful news. As of 19:38 hours last night, the whole sight went dark. No activity, no lights or communications, period.”
“So, we are to go into the target area with almost no intel, contemporaneous communications, and no layout of the interior of any building?” Webb inquired
“Justo en la boca del infierno?” Abarra sarcastically uttered.
“Pretty much,” Madison replied. All three men sitting at the conference table looked at one another with that “should have seen this coming,” look. Madison caught the glances but said nothing. “All the mission requirements will be briefed on the flight to your objective. As far as the mission criteria, it’s simple, make it to the lab area, assess the situation, infiltrate the facility, secure the formula and any other intel, then exfil. You will encounter enemy combatants all over the compound and should engage appropriately. Questions?”
CHAPTER 2
Hakkari, Turkey:
The night was devoid of light and the cloud cover blocked any limited moonlight that peeked through. The landscape of Hakkari was mountainous terrain with lots of rocks and desolate vegetation. The choice of putting the furtive research facility here was one of deception and pretext. That the perceived outcome of the research was not to benefit any of the governments of the players involved alluded to a volatile situation. To base their research in a “neutral” country separate from any of the target countries was a calculated decision. If any of the home countries of the terrorists involved found out about their plan, they would surely stop them and there is no telling what would happen to them.
The special ops Blackhawk with the stealth rotors silently navigated the hilly terrain end route to the infill point, 3 klicks SW of the Hakkâri facility.
Webb keyed his comms to the team. “Ok, we’re 10 minutes out. Let’s go over it one more time. Neville and Shin, you will take up Overwatch position on the designated high ground, directly east of the facility. Give us some initial surveillance on personnel and validation of the facility layout. The rest of us will infiltrate in a three-prong approach. Three, six, and nine o’clock. Watch your crossfire and check your targets. Doc and I will take three o’clock and provide cover and suppressive fire if needed. Priest and Shaw, you two will enter from nine o’clock and will be the breech team. Abarra and Myles, you guys will be at the six o’clock position and will stay in cover to provide support and any silent elimination of enemies who show up late for the party. Questions?”
The Blackhawk came in silent and smooth. It hovered about 50 feet from the ground, just low enough that it was hidden by a couple of hill peaks. The crew chief dropped the rope outside the left door. Webb and Myles, fast roped out first, touched down on the ground, pivoted to a prone position, and started providing support while the others exited the Blackhawk. Priest and Shaw were out last. Priest laid his comms, “We’re down. All personnel on site.” Upon the notification, the Blackhawk crew took off to await exfil notification.
The facility was like most others in this region. Plain bunker-looking buildings scattered about the compound. The primary research facility was toward the rear of the compound, almost backed up against a hill. Other various buildings were also on the compound to include a barracks to the east of the research facility. This is where Webb and Doc posted in case enemy soldiers came pouring out. So far, it’s been quiet. To the left of the research facility was a maintenance building and facility support storage. “Ok, maintain radio silence until we get a sit rep from Overlord,” Webb whispered.
Moments later, “Overlord to team, do you copy?”
“Copy, Overlord,” Webb replied.
“Things look quiet; unnervingly so. I see no personnel, no activity, no utilities in operation. Nothing,” Neville advised.
Priest keyed, “Are we sure our intel is fresh?”
“I confirmed before our last operational briefing that we had the latest intel.” Webb answered.
“Well, we will not be confirming squat unless we get moving. Breech team is heading in. Watch our ass, Overlord.” Priest continued.
“We’re on it. Proceed.”
Priest and Shaw made their way to the research facility front. Peering through the dark glass, Priest saw nothing. He dropped his NVG’s to the front of his helmet. As the green light activated, he tried to make out the inside layout of the facility. The front was a typical lobby with a front desk, either reception or security. There were two armchairs with a sofa in between them, all surrounding a large coffee table. There was a bank of elevators on the far wall to the right of the front desk.
Priest keyed his comms, “The front lobby is dark; no personnel. The power appears to be out. I don’t see any standby lights on, nothing on the computers at the front desk, or the call buttons on the elevators. I don’t even see any emergency lights on. Overlord, do you see any signs of life or power at all?”
“Negative. No ground lights, street lights, nothing. The entire facility looks dead.”
“Copy that,” Webb added. “Priest, proceed cautiously. Could be an ambush, but no power is calling too much attention to the scene if they want to spring something.”
“Copy that.” Priest tried the front door, and it was open. Shaw and Priest exchanged quizzical looks and proceeded on.
Inside, the lobby was eerily quiet. Even as experts of stealth, it still seemed like their footfalls sounded like they were stomping through like a full-size marching band. Se
veral long moments passed when Priest’s voice came over the comms. “First floor is clear. No personnel so far, and it looks like most of the equipment was left.”
“Copy that,” Webb acknowledged.
Abarra silently whispered to Myles, “This isn’t right. Something is off. A full functioning lab, and now there is nothing?”