Chapter 53: Showdown with NCIS
The tension in the air was palpable as Scott entered NCIS headquarters in Washington, D.C. He had been informed by a contact that one of his men, Echo 5, had been detained by the Major Case Response Team (MCRT), led by the legendary Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The charge? Involvement in a possible murder-for-hire case. To Scott, this was an outrage.
Dressed in his impeccable formal uniform, with his commander's insignia shining, Scott entered the building. His determined gaze and the weight of his position made it clear that he was not there for small talk. The receptionist tried to stop him, but the mere mention of his name had security escorting him straight to NCIS Director Leon Vance.
Scott entered the office without even waiting to be announced. Leon Vance was behind his desk, while Gibbs, with his trademark coat and serious gaze, stood to the side.
— "Commander Walker," Vance began, trying to keep his tone diplomatic.
— "Can I help you?" Scott ignored the formality and got straight to the point: — "I want to know why the hell one of my men was taken out of our operational environment without so much as a warning or an explanation. Who the hell do you think you are to do this without solid evidence?"
Gibbs crossed his arms, looking at Scott calmly. — "We're investigating a possible involvement in a murder for hire. There was reason for the arrest."
Scott took a step forward, leaning slightly toward Gibbs, unafraid of the special agent's intimidating presence.
— "Motive?" he said, his voice firm. — "That's not how this works, Gibbs. You don't take a level one operator, part of a covert unit, based on motive. You need proof, something solid. Do you have that?"
Gibbs remained silent for a moment.
Vance tried to intervene. — "Commander Walker, I understand your frustration, but—"
Scott cut him off abruptly.
— "You don't understand, Director. These men you're detaining? They put their lives on the line every day to protect this country. And you think you can just remove one of them from his duties based on assumptions? That's unacceptable."
Gibbs finally responded,
"We're doing our job, Commander. If he's innocent, he'll be released."
Scott shook his head, letting out a bitter laugh.
"That's not good enough. And if you don't release my man immediately, I guarantee you that my team and I will come in here and take him by force. And I want to see who's going to stop us."
The silence in the office was sharp. Vance looked at Gibbs, clearly displeased with the situation. Gibbs remained calm, but his eyes showed a glimmer of grudging respect for Scott. He knew the commander wasn't just bluffing.
Vance tried to regain control. "Commander Walker, I understand your position, but I need to remind you that this is an official investigation. We follow the law—"
Scott interrupted again. "And I follow what's right. You think I'm willing to sacrifice a loyal operator for an investigation that doesn't even have any hard evidence? I want my man out now. And if he's found guilty, I'll deal with him myself."
Gibbs frowned. "That's not how it works, Commander."
Scott stepped forward, looking Gibbs square in the eye. "So tell me, Agent Gibbs, how do you think it's going to work when the Secretary of the Navy, the JSOC commander, and the President find out that you detained one of our best men based on hunches? Because I guarantee that conversation is already happening as we sit here."
As Scott turned to leave, Gibbs gave Vance a disapproving look. As soon as the door closed, Vance sighed deeply and sat down.
"I told you, Gibbs," he said, exasperated. "Where did you get the idea that it was a good idea to take on a tier one operator without any hard evidence? Now we have the entire military brass breathing down our necks."
Gibbs shrugged.
"I thought we had a good lead."
Before Vance could respond, the phone on his desk began to ring. He answered it, and within seconds, his expression hardened.
"It's the Secretary of the Navy," Vance said, covering the phone. "And he wants to talk to you, Gibbs. After that, the JSOC commander is on the line. And I'm sure the president will be next."
Gibbs let out a heavy sigh.
"They're not going to let us investigate, are they?"
"What do you think?" Vance replied. "Let the man go. Now."
That same day, Echo 5 was released and returned to base. Later, Scott received a message confirming that his man was safe and back with his unit. He was relieved, but he also knew that the incident had left deep scars.
As he drove back to Virginia Beach, Scott reflected on the loyalty he had for his team. To him, there was nothing more important than protecting those who fought alongside him, even if it meant facing the biggest names in Washington.
Back at NCIS headquarters, Vance looked at Gibbs seriously.
"I hope you learned a lesson, Gibbs. Next time, don't mess with the SEALs unless you're absolutely sure."
Gibbs just nodded, but deep down, he knew Commander Walker had taught him a lesson he wouldn't soon forget.
Chapter 54: The Name on the List
The year 2016 passed uneventfully for Scott and his team. After years of high-risk operations, he had finally found small moments of peace off the battlefield. His relationship with Jane Tennant had become closer than he ever imagined, to the point where they shared a kiss during a more intimate moment. However, they both knew that their careers required caution, and nothing had been made official between them.
It was now 2017, and the world seemed to be entering a new chapter of tensions and challenges. Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, in Los Angeles, something dark was being unearthed.
At the headquarters of the Office of Special Projects (OSP), the NCIS division in Los Angeles, Special Agent G. Callen was focused on his computer screen, while his partner Sam Hanna leafed through a detailed report on the death of a SEAL from Team 3.
"His name was Timothy Marks," Callen said, as he looked through the digital documents. — "He served in Ramadi in 2006. It looks like his death may be tied to something that happened on that mission."
Sam stepped closer. — "Ramadi, 2006. It was one of the worst times of the Iraq war. A lot of SEAL teams were operating there. Do you think this is personal?"
Callen nodded. — "It looks like it. We're seeing a pattern. Timothy Marks is the second SEAL to die in the last six months, and both were in Ramadi at the time. The first was ruled a suicide, but now we're starting to see connections."
Agent Kensi Blye walked into the room with a tablet in her hand, followed by Deeks, who looked slightly uneasy. —
"You guys need to see this," Kensi said, setting the tablet on the table. "We have a list. Someone compiled the names of SEALs who were on specific missions in 2006. And guess who's at the top of the list as a possible next target."
Sam picked up the tablet and frowned as he read the name:
— "Commander Scott Walker. Echo Team, DEVGRU."
Deeks whistled in surprise.
— "DEVGRU? We're talking about one of the best operators in the world. Why would anyone go after him now, after more than a decade?"
Callen crossed his arms, thoughtful.
— "Whoever it is, they're trying to send a message. Someone wants to settle an old score."
Meanwhile, in Virginia Beach, Scott was enjoying a rare afternoon off at his parents' house. They were in the backyard, talking about the future, when Scott's phone vibrated. He picked it up and saw that it was an unfamiliar number.
— "Commander Walker," he answered, his voice firm and professional.
On the other end of the line, a female voice answered:
— "Commander, this is Special Agent Kensi Blye from NCIS in Los Angeles. We're conducting an investigation involving your personal security. Do you have a moment to talk?"
Scott frowned, stepping away from his parents for privacy.
— "Personal security? What are you talking about, Agent Blye?"
— "We're investigating the deaths of two SEALs who served in Ramadi in 2006. We found a list of names of possible targets, and yours is at the top."
Scott was silent for a moment, processing the information. He took a deep breath before answering.
— "Who else is on that list?"
— "I can't reveal all the names for security reasons, but everyone on the list was involved in missions in the same area. We think someone is trying to get revenge for something that happened back then."
— "Understood," Scott said, his voice deepening. — "What do you know about whoever did this?"
— "We're still investigating, but we think it's personal. We need your help to understand what might have happened in Ramadi that led to this."
Scott took a deep breath. Ramadi had been hell, and many difficult decisions had been made during that time.
— "I'll cooperate in any way I can, but I'll warn you now: no one on my team works alone. If someone is after us, they'll have to face all of us."
After the call, Scott briefed his superiors on the situation. He also gathered Echo for an impromptu briefing at the base.
— "We have a problem," he began, looking around at the attentive faces of his team. — "NCIS believes someone is targeting SEALs who served in Ramadi in 2006. Two men have already been killed, and my name is at the top of the list of possible next targets."
Echo 2, a seasoned and loyal operator, raised his hand. — "You think this is real, boss? I mean, who would have the nerve to go after us?"
Scott nodded.
"It's real enough that NCIS would contact us directly. And I don't intend to ignore that."
Echo 4, one of the youngest on the team, asked,
"What do we do now, Commander?"
"Right now," Scott replied firmly. "We're on high alert. I want everyone to step up their personal security and monitor for any suspicious activity. And if anyone knows anything that might have caused this in Ramadi, I want to hear from you."
The room fell silent. Everyone knew that Ramadi was an old wound, full of difficult memories and decisions that no one liked to revisit.
Later, Scott drove to Langley to meet with Jane. He knew he could trust her to provide an objective perspective on the situation.
"Are you okay?" Jane asked, welcoming him into her office.
Scott shrugged.
"Let's just say I've seen better days. I'm in the crosshairs of someone who thinks they can solve old problems with violence."
Jane sighed, crossing her arms.
"You know you'll get through this, right? You're Scott Walker. They can try, but they'll never be able to take you down."
He smiled slightly, appreciating her support.
"Thanks, Jane. But I need you to stay alert. If this is as serious as it sounds, it could end up involving more people than just my team."
She nodded.
"I'm with you on this one, Scott. Always."
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, NCIS continued to piece together the puzzle. Callen and Sam had discovered that an Iraqi insurgent, who had lost his family in Ramadi, was behind the hit list. He was now living in the United States under an assumed identity, plotting his revenge.
"If he's here, we have to act fast," Callen said. "If Commander Walker is next on the list, we can't waste any time."
Sam nodded, pulling out his phone.
"I'll call him. We need to let him know we're close to solving this."
Scott was at home, reviewing operational reports, when he got the call from Sam Hanna.
"Commander Walker, this is Special Agent Sam Hanna from NCIS. We have information that could help you, but you need to hear it in person."
Scott frowned, sensing something bigger was about to happen.
"I'm listening, Agent Hanna. What is this about?"
"The man behind all this is here in the United States. And we think he's close to making his next move."
The tension in Hanna's voice was clear. Scott knew time was running out.
Chapter 55: The Hunt and the Showdown
In the OSP office in Los Angeles, the atmosphere was tense. The Iraqi insurgent who had caused so much chaos by targeting Ramadi SEALs was now on the move, and his next target was Commander Scott Walker, the legendary leader of Echo Team, DEVGRU. Special Agent Sam Hanna knew exactly who Walker was. Although they had never operated together, Sam, a former DEVGRU operator, recognized Walker's name as synonymous with excellence and leadership on the battlefield.
In the OSP operations room, Sam was reviewing information with G. Callen and Kensi Blye.
"Sam, you seem to know this Walker guy," Callen said as he stared at the screen.
Sam crossed his arms and nodded.
— "I know his reputation. When I was at DEVGRU, he was already a legend. We always heard stories about Walker and Echo Team. He wasn't just an operator; he was the kind of leader who made others trust him blindly, even in the most impossible situations."
Kensi raised an eyebrow.
— "So, let me get this straight. This insurgent is going after a DEVGRU commander, the leader of an elite team? What kind of idiot does that?"
Sam shrugged.
— "Someone very desperate or very stupid. Or maybe both."
Deeks entered the room with a tablet in his hand.
— "We have news. Sources indicate that the insurgent is in Virginia Beach. It seems he managed to track Commander Walker and is going after him. The guy really has a death order."
Callen turned to Sam.
— "Do you think Walker knows?"
Sam shook his head. — "If he knows, Walker won't wait for someone else to handle this for him. He'll take action."
In Virginia Beach, Scott was at home with his parents, enjoying a rare moment of rest. He had taken every precaution since learning he was on the hit list, but he hadn't expected danger to find him so soon.
As he was reviewing some reports in the home's office, the sound of tires screeching in the driveway caught his attention. His trained instincts immediately kicked in. He grabbed his pistol from the cabinet next door and walked to the window, looking out. A black car was parked outside, its engine still running.
"Dad, Mom, I want you guys to go upstairs. Now," he said calmly but with authority.
"What's going on, son?" his father asked, concerned.
"Just do what I ask. I don't want anything to happen to you."
They did as they were told, and Scott quickly checked the exits of the house. When he returned to the living room, he saw a figure approaching across the lawn. The man was limping, a gun in his hand. Scott knew this was the insurgent. Scott opened the door before the man could get any closer. He pointed his pistol at him, his voice as steady as steel.
"Stop right there. Drop the gun now."
The man stopped, breathing heavily. He looked like he was in pain, but the hatred in his eyes was evident.
"You... You don't remember me, do you? You took everything from me in Ramadi."
Scott didn't lower his gun, but his mind began to process the man's words. Ramadi had been a brutal war zone, where difficult decisions were made on a daily basis.
"It doesn't matter who you are," Scott replied. "You crossed a line by coming here. Now, drop the gun before I make a decision for you."
The man laughed, but before he could say anything else, the sound of sirens in the distance began to grow louder. It was NCIS. The man tried to run, but his injured leg slowed him down. Scott reacted quickly, firing a shot that hit the insurgent's other leg, sending him falling to the ground with a cry of pain.
Scott walked over to him, pointing the gun at the fallen man. "You thought you could come to my house, threaten my family, and get away with it? This ends here."
When the OSP team arrived on the scene, Sam Hanna was the first to get out of the car, followed by Callen and Kensi. They found Scott standing over the insurgent, who was on the ground, bleeding but alive. Sam nodded to Scott.
"Walker. Looks like you handled that."
Scott looked at Sam, recognizing the face of a former DEVGRU. "Hanna, right? I remember you. You were on Bravo Team before you came to NCIS."
Sam smiled. — "Yeah, and you're still there, holding down the fort. Good job. This guy's our problem now."
Scott lowered his gun and took a step back as the NCIS agents handcuffed the insurgent. He glanced at Sam.
— "You guys took your time."
Sam gave a short laugh. — "I thought you could hold the line until we got there."
Callen walked over, watching the insurgent being loaded into an NCIS car. — "It's amazing this guy thought he could get close to you. He must be braver than he looks."
Scott shook his head. — "Bravery has nothing to do with it. He's just a broken man, trying to settle a score in a wrong way."
Back at OSP, the team discussed the case. Gibbs, who had been briefed on the situation, also called Director Vance about the incident.
Leon Vance shook his head as he listened to the report.
"Did this insurgent think he could challenge someone like Walker? He should have read the reports before trying something so insane."
Gibbs nodded.
"He underestimated the kind of man he was dealing with. That never ends well."
However, Scott, back home in Virginia Beach, knew that danger was never truly far away. He still had work to do, and the world continued to be a dangerous place for those who wore the uniform.
With a sigh, he looked out the window at the night, already planning his next move.
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