The team made it to the warehouse, they found nothing but empty crates which tested positive for gunpowder. Tire tracks suggested that the GTNE frequented here the past few months, and the track went east. The TOC sent a UAV in the direction of the tracks and found three technicals moving away from an improvised secured compound, the feed showed that the occupants of the vehicles were the missing service members. Everyone mobilized, they were arranging for a helicopter with the troops to extract them once they were within a safe distance from the compound.
. . .
The three trucks had made it twenty miles from their prison, as far as they could see no one had been following them. Captain Brodsky, one of the Rangers, was currently trying to find a secure channel to call for help with one of the radios they took from the armory.
The third truck started to slow down, engine sputtering; everyone stopped Sergeants Cameron and Ward popped the hood. The engine was severely overheated and had three bullet holes causing damage in critical places. They neither had the time nor means to repair the engine so they would have to make room in the other vehicles. Before anyone could do anything they came under heavy fire from their southwest.
Taking the appropriate positions the troop conducted defensive fire, and two of the Rangers conducted suppressive fire while everyone got into the last two technicals. McHugh and Ward hit the accelerators once everyone was on board.
. . .
Echo and November Team had loaded into a Chinook with an escort of two Blackhawks, making their way to the missing troops. The agents were in the TOC, watching the live feed from the satellite watching over their vicinity, a UAV was on its way over too. The team was prohibited from engaging in direct combat despite their protest. Ziva had an M4 and load of gear prepared in the event they could engage, but for now, all she could do was watch and wait.
The only person who hated this as much as she did was Gibbs, he was only half here as an agent, and the rest of him was acting as a father. Ziva stood next to him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"That's our boy out there," said Ziva, as if it meant that it was all going to end well.
Gibbs only nodded.
. . .
The troop was forced to stop when the second truck's tires were shot out, they relayed their status through the radio and set up a defense. Jace saw two enemy technicals coming their way from the southwest. Jace saw a militant prepping the vehicle's machine gun and fired a headshot at the driver, causing the vehicle to swerve. This caused the truck to swerve violently, throwing the gunner out of the vehicle. They continued to defend themselves, however, six more technicals were coming their way, three of which were packing RPGs.
A rocket blasted pasted them, throwing two servicemembers into the vehicles, rendering them unconscious.
Jace used the M203 mounted onto his M4 to take out two of the enemy vehicles, and Watson did the same, eliminating two more technicals. One of the Marines and a Ranger took control of the machine guns on their trucks and opened fire. Jace took one round to his left arm, causing him to use the truck for support.
Seemingly out of nowhere, the remaining enemy troops were riddled with gunfire. Everyone took a look behind them and saw three friendly aircraft, once the Chinook landed they stacked in under the cover of their comrades.
Jace took a seat next to Reese and Rhodes.
"You just can't seem to stay out of trouble," mused Dave.
Jace laughed, overjoyed to see his brothers and that the others were out of harm's way.
. . .
Back at the FOB, Julian was stuck in the infirmary with the others, he had finished his AAR in the meantime and was anxious to get out. Every time he looked at the person next to them he could see what they had endured together, he remember the feeling of the whips and batons used on his back and sides. He was snapped out of his thoughts when Ziva sat by his side, taking his hand.
"I'm not going to force you to open up," said the Israeli woman. "But I am here if you want someone to listen."
"Thanks, Zee."
Ziva rested her head on his shoulder, the two simply laid together.
The next morning everyone was loading into the C-130, Jace rested in a hammock in the corner. Watson took a seat next to him, the two contemplated what to do when they got home. They found comfort talking to each other, it kept them from thinking about their imprisonment.
"The people I talk to have been where we have," said Jace "You?"
"I got my wife and my dad," responded Blake. "Dad was in the 82nd Airborne, served in Grenada."
"Mine was in Panama and Kuwait, Marine Corps."
"My wife, Whitney, is an elementary school teacher," continued the Staff Sergeant. "You?"
"Kathleen was a nurse."
"Was? She retired?"
"She died when the GTNE bombed Norfolk."
"I'm sorry," replied Watson. "Looks like you still got a village around you."
The soldier pointed to both Jace's teammates and the agents.
"Yeah, I'm kinda stuck with them," said the sailor, smiling.
The two tried to get some rest like the others, all Jace could think about was his in-laws, his daughters, and what his future would be like. All he could do was go forward, he couldn't change the reality in front of him, but he could overcome it.
. . .
Back at D.C. Jace had been designated to serve as an Operations Chief, while physically and psychologically recovering, he'd be tasked with designing operating plans for multiple teams. Once he returned to active duty he'd take on the role of Echo-Team second-in-command and return as November-Team leader. Until he was reinstated he'd be coordinating with NCIS and any other agencies regarding operations.
Ziva and his dad called twice a day, they understood that he needs space to breathe and process everything for himself. He was grateful, he felt blessed to have such great people in his life.
At Bennet's funeral, Julian passed on some photos of Glenn from his earlier days on Echo to his sister and parents. With those photos was a letter.
"I have led the best life possible, despite what others may think. I never married, and never had kids, but I had the best family around me. The family that has been with me from the beginning, my blood, and the brothers that were with me until the end.
I have no regrets,
Senior Chief Glenn Michael Bennet."
Afterward, Jace met with Ziva and the triplets.
"I checked with Watts," said Jace, thinking of his new brother. "He's taking some R&R, getting help, spending time with his family."
"That's great," replied Ziva. "How about you? Is there anything you need?"
Jace joined his hand with hers. "I'm great, I feel like I have it all."
Ziva gripped his hand gently. "So do I."