Although Shelby wanted to fast track an operation against Sanderson and wasn’t in the mood to waste time, he appreciated her cautious approach. The director was close personal friends with James Quinn, the president’s national security advisor, and his next stop today would be to pay his good friend a visit. With the “War on Terror” fever pitch at its apex in the country, he didn’t foresee a problem getting a “green light” from the White House.
“Well, to start, Sanderson is number seven on the FBI’s list of wanted terrorists, just under Ahmed Yasin, an emerging young Al Qaeda extremist that we’ve tried to kill three times already. That alone warrants action, but I understand that we are not talking about a simple Predator drone operation here,” Shelby said.
“What are we talking about?” Gerald Simmons said.
“I want Sanderson and his key players in custody.”
“Jesus, I was really hoping for something a little easier,” Simmons said.
“Now I understand why SOCOM is here,” Kestler added.
“The entire operation needs to be shut down before it causes more damage to investigative efforts domestically and internationally. Sanderson is a rogue, and only God knows what he plans next. We have a confirmed link between Sanderson and True America, and his operatives have been accepting arms shipments throughout South America and Europe. He’s a deviously intelligent planner and he’s had two years to come up with an encore to his last fiasco. Trust me when I say that we can’t afford to wait around for his next Broadway production,” Shelby said, shuffling through his file for a picture.
“Who knows where his next sleeper agent is hiding? The last one, pictured right here,” he said and held up the picture of Farrington, “buried a seven-inch blade to the hilt through an innocent man’s heart, severing his spinal cord. Just to steal classified information.”
“I’m going to be honest with everyone here and hopefully save some time,” Gerald Simmons said. “My boss supports action in this case, and I was mainly sent to assess the viability of suggested options. I notice that we don’t have any CIA representation at the table. Does someone have a country assessment from Langley that might shed some light on the possibility of local federal police or military assistance? Obviously, the best case scenario would be to let the Argentine government take care of Sanderson.”
“The CIA’s absence is no oversight. There were too many irregularities surrounding Sanderson’s debacle that couldn’t be adequately explained…especially by the CIA,” Shelby said.
“Do you suspect they were working together?” Kestler said.
“I couldn’t say conclusively, but I’ve been doing this for a long time, almost 40 years, and let’s just say that the numbers didn’t add up on the CIA’s side of the equation. I don’t know if there was any collusion. My gut says no, but I suspect that the CIA tried to specifically eliminate one of Sanderson’s operatives. Either way, we need to keep the CIA out of this. General Kearney brought the DIA’s assessment of Argentina,” Shelby said.
“Overall, the political climate is favorable for Argentinian cooperation; however, we feel that success is highly unlikely. Assuming a successful operation and capture, we have no guarantee of extradition. The extradition treaty is solid, but Sanderson is unlikely to be transferred. Munoz’s testimony for an immunity deal was structured to move the day’s investigation along so that the FBI could open more layers and figure out if a major terrorist attack was imminent. Munoz can’t be touched. He could take a tour of the White House if he wanted. Munoz never directly implicated Sanderson in any of his testimony, and any lawyer worth their salt could argue that Munoz would say anything under duress to get immunity. See where this is going? This may sound outrageous, but the evidence against Sanderson is circumstantial at best. Against most of them, frankly. We have a few solid cases. Richard Farrington’s fingerprints were on the knife that killed Harrison McKie. Daniel Petrovich was caught on camera slicing and dicing two Brown River contractors…followed by killing a police detective,” General Kearney said.
“And three more Brown River contractors on a suburban street. We’ve got Petrovich and Farrington nailed. The rest? They’re not likely to be held by Argentine authorities,” Shelby said.
“Running a paramilitary training center within Argentina’s borders? I don’t think we have to worry about them being released any time soon,” Kestler said.
“I wish it were that simple. Unfortunately, Sanderson’s crew is running their operation on Ernesto Galenden’s land, and based on recent activity uncovered by my investigative team, we can assume that Ernesto Galenden is fully aware and supportive of Sanderson’s activities. Mr. Galenden is one of the wealthiest and politically influential men in Argentina. Sanderson would be tipped off long before an operation could get off the ground in Argentina. Certainly before federal forces arrived at the compound.
‘“Even if Argentine forces took Sanderson into custody, Galenden has the clout to set them free. It’s too risky in my opinion. If we decide to take Sanderson down, we need to do it ourselves. He’s had two years to train and prepare his next batch, plus he has a full complement of fully-trained operatives from the good old days. If he’s tipped off and flees, it’ll put a damper on his plans, but it won’t cut him off at the knees. His threat will linger,” Shelby said.
“We need to capture this man and his principal players. At that point, we can work to unravel whatever remains of his network and plans,” General Kearney said.
“I assume Sanderson and his crew won’t be deposited into the U.S. federal prison system?” Kestler said.
“No, ma’am,” Kearney said, “he’ll be flown straight to Guantanamo, where he’ll remain until he cooperates and dismantles his worldwide operation.”
“All right, I’m sold, as long as these gentlemen can convince me that we can pull this off without a major international incident,” she said and stared at the two Special Operations Command generals.
General Gordon spread out a few satellite images in front of him and smiled for the first time since Shelby entered the room. It was a meaningless, practiced smile that impressed Shelby. Prior to seeing it, the director thought only he had patented this grin.
“After reviewing the satellite photos and the DIA’s best assessment of the situation in that camp, I feel extremely confident that we can pull this off and keep it under the radar, both literally and figuratively. Our Navy’s Third Fleet, based out of San Diego, is one month away from sending the Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group to the Persian Gulf. The USS Boxer and all of the ships in the Strike Group are at sea conducting a final shakedown prior to deployment, fully loaded with a combat-experienced Marine Expeditionary Unit. This MEU has been reinforced with a Marine Special Operations Company and the uniquely modified helicopters needed to put them into action. The MEU also hosts a SEAL platoon that specializes in direct action missions. I can have another SEAL platoon onboard the Boxer within four hours, along with eight of the navy’s special operations Rescue Hawk helicopters. HSC-85’s “Firehawks” are based right out of North Island in San Diego. This would give us one hundred special operators, and more than enough helicopters to ferry prisoners.
“Based on DIA and FBI estimates, plus reconnaissance, I estimate the possibility of removing up to forty prisoners.”
“Forty? Is that feasible? How many helicopters are we talking about here?” Kestler said.
“Ten. Two marine CH-53ES Super Stallions and eight Rescue Hawks.”
“Ten helicopters is an invasion force, General. What are the chances of keeping ten helicopters airborne during a nighttime operation? The targets are as well trained as any of the men that will step off those helicopters. Right?” Kestler said.
“Maybe the use of Tier One operators is something to consider,” the assistant secretary of defense added.
“We won’t need Delta or Devgru on this one. The operation is too big for either of those units anyway.”
“Devgru is SEAL Team Six,” Gera
ld said, directing his comment at Kestler.
“I know what the Naval Special Warfare’s Development Group is, Gerald,” she replied.
“General Nichols’ Marines and the SEAL’s can handle this job. General?” he said, nodding to Nichols.
“Given the number of structures and personnel on site, one SEAL platoon would secure the armory and vehicles and set up three or four support positions consisting of snipers and light machine guns. The remaining twenty SEALs and sixty marines would be assigned to secure the structures and prisoners. The helicopters would drop into the valley from an adjoining one, giving them little warning. Within the span of a minute, they’ll be facing one hundred fully amped, night vision equipped, locked and loaded special operators…supported by several helicopters capable of spitting several thousand bullets into the compound within the span of seconds. Sanderson is a former special operator himself. He’ll recognize the futility of his situation within seconds. So will the rest of his crew. If he decides to go out in a blaze of glory, we’ll have a bloodbath on our hands, but it won’t last long, and U.S. casualties will be minimal.”
“I’m more concerned about the ten helicopters illegally crossing foreign airspace. I’ll defer to your expertise regarding the capabilities of the operators,” Kestler said.
“Thank you, ma’am,” General Nichols said.
“Fortunately, we’re looking at a relatively unpopulated stretch from the coast to the border of Argentina, far enough away from the capital or any major airports that radar detection is not a concern. No coastal radar emissions beyond sparse Coast Guard patrols have ever been noted in the most likely area for our helicopters to go ‘feet dry.’ Once over land, we’re looking at a hundred and thirty mile trip to the compound. Forty miles of that is over Argentinian soil. Roughly a forty-five minute ride over land to the compound. The helicopters carry every possible electronic countermeasure available and have been constructed to produce a minimal radar or heat cross section. These birds incorporate stealth technology and are virtually undetectable by commercial radar. Even their rotor systems are dampened to reduce noise. The pilots are highly trained for this type of mission and have extensive real world experience flying missions a lot more complicated. Miss Kestler, if the White House approves the mission, it will succeed.”
“I concur with this assessment,” Gerald said, and for the first time since the meeting started, a few of the generals subtly shook their heads.
“The navy’s Strike Group will be at sea for two more days, conducting operations off Camp Pendleton. If the decision is made before they pull into port, the Strike Group can be in position off the coast of Chile within ten days, assuming the navy doesn’t mind burning a little extra fuel.”
“I’m sure they’ll mind, but given the tasking, they won’t have a choice. Gentlemen, thank you for your time. I expect to meet with the national security advisor later this afternoon to get the ball rolling. I think it’s clear this operation is worth the risks involved. Sanderson presents a clear and present danger to U.S. security. I’ll be in touch,” Kestler said, and everyone stood up.
“I think with the Secretary’s backing, we’ll be in business shortly. I expect to see everyone in the situation room within a few weeks. General, I’ll catch up with you later,” Gerald Simmons said.
When the assistant defense secretary exited the room, General Gordon shook his head and spoke quietly. “Just my luck to get stuck with that guy. I can barely stand to look at him and I have to deal with him on a daily, if not hourly basis. At least he isn’t universally opposed to conducting military operations like the last guy.”
“That appears to be his only redeeming trait,” the marine general added.
“Frank, Larry…thanks for putting on the ‘dog and pony’ show. I think the general concept of operations laid out by the two of you will be more than adequate to handle Sanderson. Start working on the details. Director Shelby assures me that all of the right faces are aligned to recommend an operation against Sanderson to the president, and we all know it would be highly out of character for the president to swim against this tide,” General Kearney said.
“Sounds good, Rob. We’ll get things started behind the scenes. I’ll put the helicopter squadron and another SEAL platoon on immediate alert, and we’ll start a detailed mission planning session with SEAL Team Three and 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion.”
“Thank you, gentlemen. Always a pleasure,” Kearney said.
The two generals departed after a brief round of handshakes, leaving Admiral DeSantos, General Kearney and Frederick Shelby at the table.
“Why were you so quiet?” Kearney said.
Admiral DeSantos leaned forward with a slightly anguished look on his face. “I don’t know. I didn’t have much to add. I inherited the watered down version of Sanderson’s program, and to be honest, the more I learn about Sanderson’s new program, the more I wish we had something like this…off the books of course. I just wonder if there isn’t a way to harness what Sanderson offers,” the admiral said.
“In flagrant violation of the Constitution and every known law of the country? Sanderson had his chance and he blew it. Congress shut him down for a reason, and given his complete lack of regard for our nation’s laws, or respect for our agencies, I wouldn’t expect the relationship to be worth the risk. I like results and I’m willing to bend the rules a little to achieve them, but Sanderson’s concept of bending the rules far exceeds anything any of us could live with. The sooner he’s out of circulation, the better for all of us. Trust me on that,” Director Shelby said.
“I’ll be in touch. Thanks for corralling the right people at the right time, Bob. I owe you one,” Shelby said.
The director stood up and bid the two DIA flag officers goodbye after extracting a promise that Kearney would keep him in the loop.
Chapter 18
6:35 PM
Nuequen Province
Western Argentina
Daniel stared at the map laid out on the massive oak table in the headquarters lodge and glanced up at the sixty-inch plasma screen TV mounted on the wall just above them. The table had been pushed up against the rustic wall so the team could lay out any paper maps or charts on it and easily cross-reference the material with any of the media that Sanderson had acquired. Currently, it displayed some “borrowed” satellite imagery from the CIA.
“This sounds like a routine site reconnaissance. Why can’t the CIA handle this? Or Shitwater? It sounds like Berg is breaking our balls,” Daniel said.
His comment was accompanied by a few muted laughs, which were immediately stopped by several serious, condemning stares. Farrington glared the hardest.
“Come on, Sergei. You know you want to laugh,” Daniel said and focused on the map again.
“Three bodies on this dead-end road. Russians?” Daniel said.
“Daniel, you’re killing me. Unknown on the bodies. Imagery indicates that we might be looking at several more bodies in a mass grave around this cluster of buildings,” Sanderson said, flashing his laser pointer at the screen.
Parker sat at one end of the table with a laptop. He moved a mouse connected to the computer, and the image zoomed in on a cluster of buildings far removed from the main concentration of buildings associated with the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site. “The buildings of interest lie about ten miles southwest of the old reactor complex and show signs of recent activity. According to local sources, mining operations in the area had been extensive, but recent imagery doesn’t show any mining equipment associated with the activity at this site, and a new, permanent structure appeared about five months ago. The miners typically bring trailers for any onsite needs. CIA thinks we should focus on this site.”
“And check out the three bodies?” Farrington said.
“Exactly. The site is to be examined specifically for signs that it may have been used as a laboratory. To answer your question, Daniel, though I don’t like to get in the habit of entertaining your endles
s supply of commentary…the CIA division running this op is chasing a theory, based on some circumstantial intelligence reports. Due diligence. Whatever the case, the Russians are up to something, and the CIA doesn’t want to fall too far behind on this one,” Sanderson said.
“What are we looking at?” Farrington said.
“The Russians are turning over every conceivable rock to find Dr. Anatoly Reznikov, a disgraced and disavowed bio-researcher. Apparently, a Russian Special Forces raid in Dagestan hit pay dirt. They found evidence that Reznikov travelled to Dagestan to meet with Al Qaeda leaders. Five years ago, Reznikov tried to steal partially weaponized encephalitis samples from Russia’s equivalent of the CDC. As you can imagine, this is not a match made in heaven. Only bad voodoo can come of it.”
“Why would they keep shit like that around?” Andrei interjected.
“Standard procedure. We do the same thing, even with programs that have been banned for decades. The CDC keeps a sample catalogue of every known disease, natural or manmade. Anyway, they fired him from the lab and blackballed him throughout Russia. He disappeared soon after that. The CIA always speculated that he had been assassinated by the Russians, but apparently that was not the case. Your job is to gather evidence to help the CIA determine if someone, likely Reznikov, had run a lab at this site. It’s perfectly isolated, aside from the mining activity, and Reznikov would be familiar with the area.”
“What about radioactivity levels? This was the Ruskies’ primary nuke testing site for most of the Cold War. I’d like to have kids one day,” Daniel said, and this time most of them laughed.
“Now that’s a scary thought,” Farrington said.
“You’ll be equipped with Geiger counters and radiation strips. I can’t imagine the need for radiation suits, given the fact that someone clearly used the buildings for an extended period of time. If it’s hot, I don’t want you sticking around. That’ll be your call, Daniel. I wouldn’t want to ruin your plans to have beautiful children,” Sanderson said.
Black Flagged Redux Page 14
