Free Warrior's Heart (SEAL of Fortune) by Laura Day Page A

briskly strides out of the mess hall, leaving his half-finished lunch behind. It is Friday, three days since he has last seen Ronnie and the two days after the spooks had planted their bug. Ryker and CIA have suspended their operations in order to not inadvertently alarm whoever might be picking up the equipment. Because of that, the last two days have been nerve racking as they waited to see if the bugged equipment would be picked up.
     
    As he walks into the garage three black Suburbans are idling with their doors open. “What’s the plan?” Ryker asks the well-dressed man directing people to their cars.
     
    “Our stalker car just called in that the bug is moving. It is tracking. You and Dr. Baker are in the middle car. Marines fore and aft for fire support if needed.”
     
    “Dr. Baker?” he asks in surprise. “Why is Dr. Baker coming?”
     
    “Orders. She is to inspect the lab after it is secured.”
     
    “Fuck,” he mutters. Now he has two Dr. Bakers to worry about.
     
    “Dr. Baker. Right this say,” the spook says, directing her to the second car the moment she enters the motor pool.
     
    “No,” Ryker says. “Put her in the last car. If you have to, bring a Marine up to my car. I want the two fire teams to hold back unless the shit hits the fan. No, scratch that. Get a fourth car. Put one Marine and Dr. Baker in that car. It is to hold well back until the area is secured.”
     
    “My orders…”
     
    “I’m changing your orders. Now move it!” Ryker barks. At first it appears the man is going to argue but then he moves off to comply. Ryker spots one of the Marines that were pinned behind the SUV’s when the bomb went off at the apartment. “Corporal!”
     
    Three men turn to look in his direction so Ryker points to the man he wants. “Corporal Londergan,” the man says, stepping up and cracking off a perfect salute.
     
    “Corporal, you are with Dr. Baker. You stay well back and keep her safe. She is more important than you, me, or this entire fucking mission. You got that? If the shit gets too deep you get her the hell out of there. Her safety is your only concern.”
     
    “Yes sir!”
     
    “Good man!” Ryker says. “Alright, everyone else listen up. I know the Marine way is to go in and BSU, but we’re going to do this nice and quiet and hopefully there won’t be any need to blow shit up. Londergan here is going to take Dr. Baker and hold back well out of range until the area is secure.
     
    "Team One,” he says, pointing to the first SUV, “when we get to where we are going I want you to hold back about three blocks if we are in town, about a mile if we are not. Go to ground and wait for my signal.
     
    "Team Two,” Ryker says, pointing to the second SUV just as another rolls to a stop at the back of the line, “I want you to do the same, but on the opposite side. I will be in the third SUV. I will go in alone.
     
    "Wait for my signal. I will call for fire support only if I need it. Gunfire is not the signal. Everyone clear on that? I’m going to shoot everyone I see except for Dr. Baker, so don’t come in with support unless I call for it. It will really piss me off to shoot one of my own guys. Once again, I will call for fire support only if I need it. If I do, you come in and kill everyone that moves. I mean everyone because all the friendlies will already be down. Clear?” 
     
    “Do you have a go word?” one of the Marines asks.
     
    Ryker grins. “How about, ‘Marines! Get your asses in here!’”
     
    Everyone laughs. “Fuckin’ ay, sir,” says the Marine that asked the question.
     
    They are flying by the seat of their pants, so there isn’t a lot more to say. They will have to adapt and overcome when they get wherever it is they are going and the entire assault team is dressed in civvies to make them less conspicuous..
     
    “Alright people, let’s mount up. Everyone stay frosty and let’s get Dr. Baker and get out without any casualties.”