28,000 ft Above Northwestern Mexico – 13:20
The four Hunters and eight SEALs are getting ready for their jump. With their oxygen tanks on they speak through the radio.
“This is why I don’t drink alcohol,” said Alex.
“Well,” said Happy, “Hypoxia isn’t that bad Alex.”
“Tell that to Jimmy, Happy,” said Rojas.
“Just kidding,” said Happy, “It was a bad joke, forget I said it.”
“Who’s Jimmy?” asked Alex, “The guy before me? What happened to him?”
“He fainted while in the air,” said Rojas, “He could’ve died even before slamming on the ground. Lead caught him. He lived but was completely paralyzed.”
“Why didn’t anyone talked to me about this on our other jumps?” asked Alex.
“I don’t know,” Rojas said, “maybe because you didn’t ask.”
“Alright were here,” said Lead, “We talked about this earlier but I’m gonna say this again. We’re doing a HALO. Stick close during the free fall. Open up your chutes at three thousand feet AGL. Rendezvous at rally point upon landing. Let’s go.”
Navolato Municipality, Sinaloa
It’s just past noon and the sun is striking hot. Along a straight road between wide agricultural fields, a guy drives south towards the Las Puentes. He checks his clock from time to time and looks up in the skies. He quickly turns right not entering the town. Again he peaks out his window and looks up the sky. After traveling half a kilometer from his right turn he stops the car. He gets out and looks south. A wide desert like area is right in front of him. Not long after he saw someone meters away from the road. Four guys emerging from the dirt.
A little surprised but he approaches them, “Is this half of your team?” he asked.
“The others are securing our escape,” said Lead, “You’re going with us?”
“No,” the guy said as he reaches something inside his pocket. He gives a piece of paper to Lead. Lead saw a pencil sketch of a map, “If I go there with you, I’m done for. I wouldn’t want to be beheaded.”
“I thought your embedded in them?” asked Lead.
“Yes but I’m not supposed to be here,” the guy turns around to walk away, “Good luck.” He walks back into his car and drives away.
Lead looks at the piece of paper then puts it in his pocket, “Let’s go. Our adaptive camo will hide us but remember not to stay close to any people or they’ll notice.”
They crouch as they slowly walk towards Las Puentes.
“Guys,” said Alex, “There’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.”
“Is that about Jimmy?” asked Rojas, “I swear there’s no other reason why we didn’t tell you about what happened to him.”
“No, it’s not about him,” said Alex.
“About the kid in Rio?” asked Happy.
“No,” said Alex, “Oh God, that still feels horrible now that you’ve mentioned it. I won’t forget the face of that kid for the rest of my life.”
“Don’t say that Alex. I feel bad too, you know,” said Rojas, “But at least we have you here. Or we’ll be needing Jimmy back.”
“I thought we talked about the Jimmy thing being sensitive,” said Lead.
“Alright, I’m sorry. My bad,” said Rojas.
“Guys, guys,” said Alex, “Would you want to hear what I have to say or what?”
“Just spill it Alex,” said Rojas, “instead of making us guess.”
“Yeah,” agreed Happy, “Say straight to the point. Like no introduction whatsoever.”
“I was the Miami guy,” said Alex. Happy and Rojas stopped moving and looked at Alex. Lead stops when he noticed he’s just the only one moving.
“What the?” said Rojas.
“Yes,” said Alex, “I met Samantha shortly before we talked to her dad about Iran.”
“I’m so proud of you, son,” said Happy.
Rojas looked at Happy, “You’re supposed to punch him, remember.”
“Yeah it’s because it’s a joke,” said Happy, “Now that it’s real. I just – I can’t believe how. I mean it’s the President’s daughter. Honestly when I saw her pictures in the briefing I thought if my son could’ve been three years older it’d be perfect. But again I thought three years age gap is nothing so they’d still be perfect for each other. But now you see, Alex is just like my son. And-”
“For shit's sake Happy, stop,” Rojas said as he and Alex looks at Happy in disbelief.
“That’s too much information, Happy,” said Alex.
“Let’s move,” ordered Lead. The four continue moving.
They didn’t talk for a moment before Rojas breaks the ice, “I just can’t believe you slept with the President’s daughter.”
“I didn’t,” said Alex in complete denial, “I didn’t even asked for her number.”
“But she’s a beauty isn’t she?” asked Happy in a serious tone.
“I – ” Alex paused for a bit before continuing, “Although, I admit I did like her a little. But if only I knew she was the President’s daughter.”
“What? You’d stay away from her?” asked Happy, “Then you’d be just like the other people she stays away from.”
Alex stares at Happy, “I don’t know. Yeah, but - but she wouldn’t have been in this situation.”
“We’re here now to bring her back, aren’t we,” said Happy, “Undoubtedly, the girl likes your company. No one does that, especially not from the White House. Having the attention of almost all the security agencies, getting kidnapped in Mexico, just for a guy in Miami.”
“I don’t know if that’s a compliment but I feel bad a lot more after you said those things,” said Alex.
“But you know,” said Happy, “Now that you said you’re that guy. I think it feels a little better going in all these troubles because of you and not because of some random dude.”
Lead immediately signaled to stop. They all went prone as a convoy of several vehicles drive past the road ahead of them. The convoy went straight into the town.
“Let’s go get your girlfriend, shall we?” said Rojas as they reach the Las Puentes.
Inside the target building – Las Puentes – 13:45
Samantha is inside a room sitting in a chair with muffled mouth and both hands tied at her back as well as both feet tied to the chair. In front of her sits Nathan and Jeff in the same manner. Dried tears are all over their faces but not Jeff. Suddenly someone enters the door behind Samantha. Jeff looks at the person and frowns.
“Why the long face?” said Pedro as another guy enters with him. Pedro walks in the middle of the three, “Esta es la hija,” he said as he looks at Samantha, “Obviamente,” he smirked.
“Qué hay de los otros dos?” the guy said.
“You can use them as slaves,” Pedro said as he looks at Jeff and Nathan, “Or sell their organs.”
The guy thinks for a moment, “Deja ir al niño,” he said as he signals his hand. Two other guys went in and approached Nathan.
Samantha screams even in her muffled voice looking at Nathan. Nathan starts to cry as he is untied and brought out the room. Jeff only looked down avoiding to see his brother’s face crying. Samantha tried to turn her head to see him one last time before they brought him out. She stares at Pedro angrily as she continues screaming.
“Well that’s disappointing,” said Pedro.
“What did you say?” said the guy at Pedro.
“I – I mean how about this one?” Pedro asked at he points at Jeff.
The guy walks a little just enough that Samantha can see him. He looks at Jeff, “He’s perfectly fit. You said he works for Daniel. Why not work for us?” the guy smiled, “I want to hear what he has to say.”
Pedro despite of his disappointment, takes off the cloth muffling Jeff.
“I will,” said Jeff, “But I want you to spare my brother.”
“He just ordered to do that earlier,” said Pedro. Samantha sighed in relief.
“Untie him,” said the guy. Pedro looks at the guy, “I said untie him.”
Pedro kneels down and unties Jeff’s feet. He then goes behind him and unties his hands. Jeff stands up stretching his arms. Pedro looks at Jeff in a mean way as Jeff does the same to him. The guy noticed their hate and draws his gun. The two both looked at the guy confused. Samantha looks away in fear.
Jeff and Pedro steps backwards as the guy cocks his gun. But then he held it on it’s muzzle, looks at Jeff, and offers the gun, “Prove yourself to me and do me a favor.” The guy nods at Jeff and looks at Pedro.
Jeff picks up the gun and looks at Pedro. He can see the fear and confusion in Pedro’s eyes. Jeff slowly points the gun at him.
“I – I don’t understand, senior,” said Pedro terrified.
“I know a traitor when I see one,” said the guy, “I’ll just send my payment to your grave,” the guys smirked, “And by your grave I mean a deep well, or just the side of the street. Or both. I’ll just decided where goes your head and where goes your body.”
Jeff, still pointing the gun at Pedro, looks at the guy. He’s waiting orders.
The guy nods at Jeff, “Kill him.” Samantha closes her eyes.
They suddenly hear a thud outside the door before Jeff pulls the trigger. The three looks at the door. Samantha opens her eyes and tries to turn her head.
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