“Clements is a big boy,” Dale said.
“Ah, it was nothing,” Rivers said, rubbing his eye.
Dale shook his head. He was calm, cool, keeping his voice low. “Listen, Jeff, I can’t have this.”
“It wasn’t my fault. Country Fuck there—”
“—I’ll put a leash on them,” Dale interrupted. “Thing is, they don’t know you like I do. I’ll do my best to convey the message. In the meantime, clean yourself up. Think this might happen sooner than we think.”
“Oh?” Rivers tilted his head in question.
“Yeah, Elizabeth said to be ready at a moment’s notice. We have a lot of work to do.”
“Well hopefully your boys won’t shoot me in the back.”
“They won’t.”
“Clements seems the sort,” Rivers said.
“He won’t. Stop worrying about him. What I do need you to watch is that Russian woman, though.”
“Oh, I’ll do that just fine,” Rivers said.
“I’m not kidding, Jeff. There’s no reason for her to be here. I’m thinking something’s off, so keep an eye on her, will ya?”
“Gladly,” Rivers said with a chuckle.
Dale sighed, saying, “Stop thinking with your dick for a second. This whole situation stinks, and you know it. And Elizabeth, I think she’s holding back. I know you two are close…”
“Yeah, we’ve had our ups and downs,” Rivers said.
“Well, if you need to go give her a good fucking, maybe she’ll tell us what she’s hiding. We have nothing, no information, going in blind.”
“I know.”
“Then you’ll talk with her?”
“I’ll try, Dale. She’s not too happy with me at the moment,” Rivers admitted.
“Well, I’m counting on you. Now, I’m going to give Clements an epic ass chewing. And no more fighting. Understood?”
“Yeah, I get it.”
“Good. Oh, and Jeff… glad you’re here. Glad they brought you in on this one.”
“It’ll be a pleasure to fight by your side again, sir,” Rivers said, giving the man the respect he deserved.
“Don’t call me sir,” Dale reminded with a grin.
“What, ’cause you work for a living?”
“Nah. ’Cause you out-rank me now,” Dale said with a laugh.
“Well, you’ll always be sir to me. You trained me, and since I’m the best, you must have done your job right,” Rivers said with a smile.
“Get some rest,” Dale said, patting the man’s shoulder. “We begin prepping tomorrow.”
75
Dale Comstock walked down the long hallway, passing multiple offices, rooms of computers, empty spaces. At the end of the hallway he turned, walked a bit more until he reached the end.
The door to Colonel Reynolds’ office was cracked, light on.
Dale rapped lightly, pushing it open, easing his head in and asking, “Colonel, mind if we chat?” He remained at the doorway.
“Come on in. Something to drink?” Reynolds replied.
“No, thanks. I won’t take up much of your time, Colonel. Just wanted to talk for a bit,” Dale said, entering the room. The office was simple, a desk with a laptop and a stack of files, three chairs, pale green and barren walls. A simple light overhead, a lamp in the corner; the room had no windows, no life.
“Sit,” Reynolds said.
Dale sat as the Colonel took his chair behind the desk.
“What’s on your mind, Sergeant?” Reynolds asked.
“You seem like a straight shooter.”
“I can’t stand bullshit,” Reynolds said.
“I can tell that about you. I’m the same way. Besides, I’ve heard many good things about you, Colonel.”
“Not sure they’re all true,” Reynolds joked.
“My brother is currently serving in your battalion, actually. He’s quite a bit younger than I. Just made Corporal,” Dale said.
“A Marine, eh? You two get along?” Reynolds laughed.
Dale chuckled. “I come from a long line of Marines. My brother, my father, my grandfather — all Marines.”
“Family tradition?”
“Something like that.”
“But you joined the Army instead?”
“Sure did. Went the other way.”
“Bet it pissed them off.”
“At first, yes,” Dale grinned. “Though they got over it. I think they were happy I didn’t join the Navy.”
Reynolds chuckled at this. “I’m curious… why didn’t you follow your family’s tradition? You would have made a great Marine.”
“Special Forces, sir. Force Recon sounded good and all, and I almost signed up. But had a few buddies that were Rangers when I was thinking of enlisting. They told me about Delta, at least what the word was on base. Something about it appealed to me. Can’t say exactly why, but I feel I was—”
“—Destined for Special Forces?”
“I suppose so. From the first day of boot camp, I wanted to be in Spec Ops. Shit, I hardly knew exactly what they did, or if the truth was close to the legends. Either way, I wanted in. Joined Ranger school pretty fast, worked my way up, and now here I am.”
“How long you been in?”
“Twenty years, total. Been with The Unit five years.”
“Not too many can compete with 1st SFOD-D, Sergeant,” Reynolds complimented. “I’ve read your files, your accomplishments. Even read the parts off the record — your work with Special Activities Division.”
“Oh?” Dale could only say.
“Your team… they don’t know you’ve done work for the CIA, do they?” Reynolds asked.
“No. Then again, they don’t really ask questions.”
“They probably will now.”
“True.”
“And Rivers — they’re curious about him, aren’t they?” Reynolds asked.
“Ha! You could say that. Especially Clements. He doesn’t like him. Just broke up a fight before I came to speak with you,” Dale admitted.
“Think Rivers is a liability? If so, I can talk to Elizabeth. Maybe pull him?”
“No, Clements started the shit, I ended it. Don’t know why he hates SEALs so much, but he does. But it’s under control. Besides, I don’t think she’d pull him.”
“Why’s that?” Reynolds asked.
“The two… they have a long history. Trust one another, but fight like pit bulls. Thing is, Rivers is one of the best in the world. He knows his shit, Colonel. Good at his job, good with the high tech stuff.”
“If it was your call, would you have chosen him?” Reynolds asked.
Dale thought a moment, then said, “Without a doubt. I trust him to get my back.”
“That’s good, because with what you’re up against, you’ll need all the help you can get. I guess Elizabeth has picked the right team, eh?”
“I believe so,” Dale said.
“And more importantly, the right team leader.”
“Thank you, Colonel.”
“You’re not married, correct?” Reynolds inquired.
“Never had the time,” Dale said. “Besides, the divorce rate is pretty high and I figure if I ever do settle down, I only want to do it once.”
“No kids, either?”
“None that I know of.”
“And it’s your fourth tour in A-Stan. You must like it here,” Reynolds commented.
“I suppose I do. Have a good team. We’re close, know one another’s movements, work as one. Not bragging or anything, but we’re good.”
“The best, actually,” Reynolds agreed. “You guys have the best kill ratio. Been pretty much everywhere, done it all.”
Dale nodded, taking a moment of pause, pondering his next words, unsure of what to say next.
Colonel Reynolds broke the silence. “Why are you here, Sergeant? In my office, I mean. You have questions, no doubt.”
“I do, Colonel.”