Rescue Mission - It's a TRAP

[notjustaface]

Leaving Canada was about the hardest thing he'd done yet - harder still knowing that they were all flying into heavy enemy territory where not only would there be insurgents breathing down their necks there would almost certainly be a US Military ambush to capture them.

The mission itself was straightforward, two non-combatant civilians (reporters, Hannibal thinks) were captured three months before and being held in a camp a few miles outside of Baghdad. Three teams had already been sent in to extract them; two came back wounded and empty-handed, the third didn't come back at all. By Hannibal's reckoning the problem was that they were sending in too many people and taking the small compound through a single strategy - the first by air, the second full frontal, the third undercover. The real trick - and the trick to getting out of the trap - was to divide forces.

Hannibal goes in undercover, giving BA just enough time to create a nice explosive distraction for Face to set up with a sniper rifle and start taking out anyone that stands between the prisoners and the gates - no matter whose uniform they're wearing. Murdock had the most important job of all; air support. He'd have to wait undetected as close as possible before coming in and laying down enough cover to get everyone safely in the chopper before getting them the hell out of there... while being shot at.

"Think we can pull this off?" Face whispers quietly as they load magazines together in the relative privacy of their tent - less than two hours before going in.

Comments

[notjustaface]

That really is the crux of the problem, isn't it? There's no way around it, they came back - they're stuck with the job.

He half-shrugs and then frowns, shaking his head.

"Just good to know I'm not the only one who thinks this is fucking suicide."

[notthatcrazy]

"I ain't gonna let that happen and neither is Hannibal."

He scoots a bit closer. He knows he really can't back up that statement, but he's gonna do the best he can.

"You guys are family to me, you know that."

[notjustaface]

He knows he's not exactly the one with the most to lose - realistically if he does his job right nobody will even see him until it's time to catch his ride back stateside - but he can't shake the riskiness of it all.

Face doesn't move when Murdock slides closer, but his speed slows on clicking the rounds into the high-capacity mag.

"I know that, we are family. Just... you know how it is when you got fate breathing down your neck again."

[notthatcrazy]

That's not going to stop him from worrying. About all of them, really.

"Yeah, I know."

He loops an arm casually around his shoulder.

"Look, if anything does happen... no regrets, right?"

[notjustaface]

He looks back up at Murdock with serious eyes that are only amplified by the sheer amount of black gear and ammunition he's sporting.

"If something happens there won't be anything but regret."

It's a simple enough statement, and one that won't be swayed by any means.

[notthatcrazy]

He scoots even closer, unable to find an adequate response to this.

"How much longer we got 'til we go in?"

[notjustaface]

Turning his wrist to check the digital display he sighs; "Little over an hour. We should report soon. How's the helicopter?"

It was salvage when they picked it up, but if anyone can keep a rustbucket in the air, it's Murdock.

[notthatcrazy]

"As ready as she's gonna be. I managed to patch her up enough that she'll get us there and back."

It's obvious that his fondness for the old and well-loved extends to his passion for flying.

"Assumin' we don't take too much fire, which is always a possibility."

[notjustaface]

"You might wanna tack on some extra panels, we're gonna take fire."

Set up or no, there hasn't been a job yet that hasn't ended up on at least plan B. He'll bet a month's worth of chores they'll be taking fire.

[notthatcrazy]

"BA's already workin' on it."

You know shit's getting real when he doesn't even make a fuss about flying.

"I'll hold the thing together with spit and baling wire if that's what it takes."

He leans over and brushes a quick kiss against his temple.

[notjustaface]

His mind's in the game, but the gentle brush of lips on his sweaty brow is enough to draw his attention back to his partner and how close he is.

And how even when he smells like engine grease he's still pretty sexy in the way that only Murdock can really manage.

"One of the many reasons I love you." He smiles slightly, the corners of his eyes barely creased with the weariness of a bad night's sleep.

[notthatcrazy]

He does have a sort of quirky, off-beat charm.

"I love you... no matter what."

He moves his arm to his waist, leaning against him as he tries to offer whatever support he can.

[notjustaface]

Shifting his shoulder to let him fall into a more comfortable position, he lets himself sigh and then leans in to kiss him properly. They won't have much chance to do that for a while.

He doesn't let himself think it might be the last.

"Good times."

[notthatcrazy]

He's refusing to even accept the possibility that that might happen.

"Always gonna have your back. That's a promise."

[notjustaface]

"I know," he kisses him gently, letting his teeth graze Murdock's lower lip.

"I trust you."

[notthatcrazy]

He lets the kiss linger a while before pulling away reluctantly. Can't go getting too excited when they have to move out soon.

"I promise I'll do anything I can to keep you safe," he whispers. "Anything."

[notjustaface]

As much as he would totally go for a pre-flight quickie, it's probably for the best. Can't be going off with his head in the clouds. Besides, it gives him a little edge.

"I know;" he returns the whisper with a smile that fades quickly; "I'd die for you, remember?" He probably will, maybe not today but eventually.

[notthatcrazy]

He nods, acknowledging that simple, painful fact.

"I'd rather have you live for me instead."

[notjustaface]

"That's the plan, man..." the grin returns suddenly, wide and just a little bit cocky.

"And I don't care how many of those bastards I have to cut down to do it."

[notthatcrazy]

"That's more like it."

He pulls away to stand up, offering him a hand.

"Shall we get the party started, darling?"

His accent's gone British again.

[notjustaface]

"Aye, Captain..." he chuckles under his breath, letting Murdock help him up before slinging the large sniper rifle over his shoulder. Weighed down with gear, his body aches the slightest bit.

"You know, I didn't miss how much crap you need to carry in a war zone."

[notthatcrazy]

"I'll make it up to you later."

A nice long hot shower and a back rub sound like just what the doctor ordered, assuming they both make it out of this in one piece.

"C'mon, Hannibal's probably gonna wanna go over the plan one last time."

It's been a while since he's worn a flight suit, but he figures since the Army's involved this time he might as well go all in. He's still got his very non-regulation ball cap on though.

[notjustaface]

At least he wears it well - Face has always felt like when he puts on a uniform he could pass for any of the usual assortment of grunts. It makes him blend in seamlessly, which is going to work in his best interest in this particular circumstance. Just another GI.

"Right..." he sighs, letting things take their course. Game time.

[notthatcrazy]

He'll never be just another grunt to Murdock. But he knows that already.

He lets their fingers just barely touch as they head for the tent where Hannibal's got everything staged, nodding a greeting as BA joins them. He's quiet - probably still nervous about the flight, not that Murdock can really blame him.

"Ready for duty, Bossman."

[notjustaface]

"Jesus, Face..." Hannibal laughs around the cigar tucked into the corner of his mouth; "you look ready to take on a whole platoon."

"If that's what we're up against, I'll be prepared." He responds in a cold, serious tone that draws the smirk off the colonel's face.

"Right. So we all know our place. Keep an eye on the time - as soon as I go through that gate BA will begin setting charges at the main and side gates." He taps the points of entry on the map going clockwise around the compound. "I don't know where I'll be once they drag me inside but don't worry about that - I'll get loose and make my way to the captives."

Face takes over, pointing to the taller of the two lookout towers. "The explosion is my cue to climb up into the tower and take out the guard on both sides - then cover you both until I see the hostages."

"Exactly," Hannibal nods, "there may be friendlies down there so shoot to disarm but not kill." When Face steps back with a frown, he takes it as his cue to finish the debriefing. "When the hostages are in the open we'll send up the signal flare, Murdock..." He looks the pilot in the eyes, staring him down; "You come in as fast as you can and worry about the ground - we'll pick up Face last."