Interdiction, W.Addison Gast [room on the broom read aloud .txt] 📗

where to turn off the highway.
The two observers on the rooftop were relieved and their replacements briefed. Cowboy stayed and continued his contact with the people back in Arlington. The activity at the nest slowed somewhat but other than the radio traffic that consisted of lookouts reporting American patrol movements, nothing changed. Several attempts were made to get voice surveillance inside the nest but because it was below the ground and probably under two or three feet of hard packed dirt, the equipment was not capable of getting anything useable.
“Ok people, this looks like we need to get some help in on this surveillance and decide if we want to take them out or let them stay there and provide us with more information. One thing we obviously do need is a person on the ground there that can immediately tell us what these Pashti are talking about and that can’t wait for transmission and decipher back here. DJ looks like you have a tough assignment here on your first day on the job. Be ready to leave in two hours. You are going to Afghanistan.” The General had both hands on the map table and looked up at DJ across from him. “Capt. Walsh will take you back to your barracks and after you get packed, will take you on over to Andrews to catch our GS550. Big Bird as we call her You should be on the deck there in Mazar I Sharif this time tomorrow. Get some sleep on the plane. Capt Walsh will get you issue of a secure satellite cell phone and a GPS. Any other gear you need, call the Capt back here and he will assist. Punch in our numbers here on that cell Captain, so DJ has a one-touch contact available with us. DJ, call me on the cell as soon as you get to Andrews and board Big Bird.” The General returned his attention back to the table and the people around it. This is the way it would have to be if DJ was going to work for the department in any capacity. He would be treated like any other operative regardless if the orders came from his father or another commanding officer.

DJ wondered how many times in his life, starting today, he’d have to either stretch the truth or outright lie to his friends. He called his future roommate on his cell and told him the bad news. He would have to report to Ft. Bragg for an infantry demo tomorrow morning. No excuses. Dj’s friend Mark would help Matin move into the apartment. The tough part to explain was how long DJ would be gone. “I really hate to broadside you with this little exercise Mat but I have no alternative. The demo is tomorrow and I don’t know how long it will last. Stock the refrigerator with enough corona Light and steaks and we’ll party when I get back-deal?”DJ was hoping Mat would not ask any questions or for details. He didn’t.
“DJ, when you get back I want to talk to you about a job offer I have.” Said Mat.
“Cool man. It’s always good to have a roomie that is employed I say.” DJ didn’t ask where the offer was from.
“DJ?”
“Yeah Mat.?
“Be careful dude, OK?”
“Always. I cover my six you know that Pal.”
DJ knew from the comment he had just made that Mat knew that there was more to this quick unplanned trip than was out in the open but still, he had not questioned DJ. He would make a good roommate for DJ in his new job. DJ closed the cell as he and Capt Walsh entered Andrews Air Force Base. he glanced at his watch. They were on schedule. The only other task to complete before he would board the aircraft was his BDU hardware and vest.
“I have two people from the department that will be traveling with you DJ. They will brief you on our communications network in country and who will be assisting you. They will not stay in country so they will be giving you this heads-up onboard during this trip. Get to know these teammates because you will be working together in the future and it’s good to know how each other think. It could save your life someday. OK?”
“Gotcha.”
“I’ll say this for you DJ, for a guy that is new to the group and taking a lot on your shoulders, you appear pretty calm.” The Captain was not patronizing the boss’s son, he was serious.
“Confidence Captain. I know I can do what is required. It is just going to be a little interesting to see what bumps in the road we’ll encounter doing what’s required.” DJ smiled at the Captain and then his attention moved to the aircraft that they were driving up to parked on the tarmac at Andrews. He was impressed. The GS550 was a beauty. It could range up to 5,600 miles if necessary and fly at .85 mach. The two rolls Royce BR710 turbofan jets were not only powerful but very quiet for their size. DJ felt he was peeing in the tall grass with the big dogs as he climbed the stairway to the open hatch. This was the Army’s best. It was almost too much to wish for but there they were; Two very attractive uniformed flight attendants waiting at the entrance to the cabin.
“Welcome aboard Lt. Jacobs. We have an area in the rear set aside for your group. Airman Yang will direct you. I understand that part of your baggage will be brought separately onboard ?”
“Yes it will Miss, please see that it is brought immediately to the Lieutenants cubicle.” Interrupted Captain Walsh who had accompanied DJ up the stairs.
The Captain then shook hands with DJ and wished him well and left.
The attendant pulled the curtain back on the area where DJ would spend the next 18 hours. The seats around the table were the large recliner design with several different items on the armrests. It was all there. A connection for his lap top complete with video input/output, head phones, a pair of Buck Rogers looking virtual image headset and a sliding panel that exposed a multitude of dials and controls when opened.
The kid sitting in the seat closest to the windows dressed in Dockers and tennis shoes looked up from his lap top and stuck out his hand.
“Danny Nero Lieutenant, welcome aboard the company’s air nautilus.”
“Nautilus?”
“You know-Captain Nero-Nautilus forty thousand leagues and all that?”
“Gotcha. Didn’t we meet earlier today?”
“Observant Lieutenant and a good memory for faces I’d say. I was in the briefing but the action was a little tight so I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself.”
“DJ unless we are in mixed company-OK?”
“Danny,-anytime”
“I’d say you are the annalist of choice for this mission Danny is that correct?”
“I’m your communications and spook-gear instructor-provider-type-guy, DJ, your angel should be here now but like always, she is late for the party.”
“She?”
“Girl-type. You know, knockers, wigglebutt and all. One exception. This one has it all in one bag and knows which shelf it is on and you will like her, believe me. Only negative about miss bitchin to look at is that she is engaged to a Goliath Marine that is six four and his hands hang down to the floor.”
“Duly noted, my friend.” Said DJ, smiling.
“Lieutenant Jacobs?” The voice on the other side of the curtain asked.
“Yes?” Answered DJ as he pulled back the curtain.
“Your gear here sir. Do I stow it up forward with the attendant or do you want it here?” The sergeant was holding a large black duffel bag.
“Here will be fine. Thank you sergeant.” As he answered the enlisted man and took the bag, she came down the aisle to the cubicle and stood behind the sergeant waiting on him to go around her and leave. Danny was right, there was a definite wiggle in her walk and it was bitchin to look at .
“Thank you for waiting on me Danny. I know you’d love to leave without me.” Without taking a breath she continued. “I’m Penny Buckley and you are Lieutenant DJ Jacobs.” Extending her hand she went on. “You are younger and bigger than I had imagined. The smile was a killer. You expected a little glint of light to come off her perfect teeth as she spoke.
“Nice to meet you miss Buckley. Please join us here if you are ready.”
“I’m going to use the com room up forward for a bit. I’ll see you gents right after we level out.” She was gone as fast as she appeared.
“Lets go over a few items in your duff bag DJ so you can know how to use your new tools of the trade when you need them.” Danny was ready to start his brief.
“Hang tight one Dan. I need to make a call before we get airborne.”
DJ sat down in the seat next to Danny and punched in the speed dial for Arlington on his new satellite cell. An odd occurrence then took place. Instead of the number dialed showing in the screen area only a symbol appeared. It resembled the Greek Omega symbol but different.
“Standby one DJ, we will be right with you. “ The voice on the opposite end was familiar. DJ held and waited.
After a few moments the voice returned.
“DJ, we are getting flash traffic from UIR counter T headquarters and it relates to your situ. I’m going to review the data we have as it come in but in the interim, have Buckley brief you on what we have on codename Saih I will be sending you an update factor. I’ll get back to you while you are enroute.”
“Roger sir. The group is assembled and we are going over the mission engagement tactical. Out”
“Lets start with this item here. You requested this instead of the standard issue weapon. Can I ask the reason for the preference?”
“You are talking about this wonderful piece of Austrian engineering, I assume?” DJ was pulling the 9MM Glock17 out of the bag. “I’m comfortable with this model is most. Of the reason for the request but in addition with having lived with one of these on the range at the point, it carries 19 rounds in the two column magazine. The silencer is just that; not more than a bottle of Dom Perignon being opened. I can strip it and reassemble in the dark --three minutes fifty three seconds-tops. The six pound trigger is a nice plus.”
“Sounds like you know what you want. We’ll make a note in your package back at the nursery to that affect.” Acknowledged Dan.
“The rest is pretty much what you used in your counter t training at the point; Kevlar--new XP series tactical vest, a Garmin GPS-72 with all the important waypoints for the mission area preset accurate to within three feet and two nice cutting tools. A Ka-bar for your leg sheath and a new item from Smith & Wesson I thought you’d like, a folding Zytel four incher for the more exacting close-up work you may have to do. The waterproof black ten inch pouch-like folder has some local pocket change in it and two cards that can be used—with discretion, if you get into an area where the local commander’s treasury is empty.” Dan was reviewing the radio frequencies that were used in the area around Mazar I Sharif when Penny Buckley opened the curtain.
“Excuse me Dan, I hope you are about finished with DJ. I have a TACO from the General for DJ.”
As Dan climbed out of the chair