Keepers of the Gate: Defenders of the Free World: Defenders of the Free World

By Adrian P. Stubbs

"Keepers of the Gate" What began as a grand experiment to form a
multi-national counter-terrorist special operations group (MCTSOG),
to combat the global spread of terrorism in the 21st century,
eventually became the worlds premier special ops organization.
The SOG commandos tackle traditional terrorism as well as threats
from beyond the skies leading up to December 2012. This special
military command employs the use of traditional military hardware
and technologies, as well as technology that some would refer to as,
"Tools of the gods". Follow the commandos and watch them live up
to their motto, "Defenders of the Free World".

Video trailer link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STAWOqJf4hg

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465343581

Adrian P. Stubbs

Author’s Biography Adrian P. Stubbs was born in Nassau, Bahamas. He is an electronic engineer with over twenty-five years experience in the engineering and information technology sectors. He also has over eighteen years of law enforcement experience at the state, county, and city levels and served for a short stint as a marine. Adrian graduated from Norfolk State University with his first undergraduate degree and went on to obtain another and a graduate degree from Kennedy-Western University. He now resides and writes in the Metro Atlanta area with his family.

Book preview

Keepers of the Gate

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Defenders of the Free World

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Adrian P. Stubbs

From the author of

THE NSA FILES, CODE NAME: VENUSIAN IN BLACK

Copyright © 2011 by Adrian P. Stubbs.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2011913393

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4653-4357-4

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4653-4356-7

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4653-4358-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

98913

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all counterterrorist special operations

teams worldwide, the best of the best. I thank you for the valuable

and necessary services that you provide; you are the true

Keepers of the Gate.

Contents

PREFACE

PART I

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

PART II

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 36

CHAPTER 37

CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 43

CHAPTER 44

CHAPTER 45

CHAPTER 46

CHAPTER 47

PART III

CHAPTER 48

CHAPTER 49

CHAPTER 50

BEHIND THE BOOK

WHAT’S NEXT?

PREFACE

Terrorist attacks against all Western interests around the globe and within the United States of America escalate to such an extent that most of the allied nations decided that an international military special operations organization was needed to deal with the increasing attacks against person and property.

The Supreme Headquarters of S-10 Special Operations Group Command, a.k.a. Section-10 or S-10, began as a grand experiment to form a multinational counterterrorist special operations group (MCTSOG) to combat the global spread of terrorism in the twenty-first century. It is the brainchild of German chancellor Hantz Kraemer and US president Trevor Munroe. The concept was conceived while they, along with other world leaders, were attending a summit in Zurich, Switzerland, to discuss the issue of global terrorism and its impact on the world as a whole.

The new counterterrorist organization was being referred to as Section-10 or simply S-10 because it derived its authority from section 10 of the unilateral orders that were signed by the heads of state for the countries which were the initial signatories of the pact.

Section-10 is also unofficially referred to as SHADO in some circles, due to the organization’s similarities to a British television’s fictional ultrasecret military unit. That particular organization protected the Earth from the incursion of unidentified flying objects by utilizing space-based and sea-launched weapons platforms. The show was entitled UFO, and it aired in the UK between 1971 and 1974.

It was decided that this multinational organization will not be like its counterpart, the NATO forces, which were for the most part peacekeeping forces and often lacked the necessary teeth and decisiveness required, when swift military action was needed. This particular command will be utilized to conduct military special operations with regard to confirmed terrorist organizations and interests, with the support of the host countries involved.

A headquarters for this new command was set up in Virginia, with facilities on the Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach. The base was then labeled Supreme Headquarters of the S-10 Special Operations Group Command (SHQ-SOGC). This command will coordinate and control all counterterrorist operations within and around member countries in conjunction with local military counterterrorist groups, or special police units.

Section-10 is comprised of special operations and support personnel from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Germany, Australia, Egypt, Sweden, France, Spain, Italy, and Israel. Counterterrorist organizations in some of the former Soviet states, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, and Russia, though not members of SHQ-SOGC, actively share intelligence with it.

Several other former Warsaw Pact countries are assisting with the operations by providing intelligence on suspected and confirmed terrorist organizations, even though officially they aren’t members of the SHQ-SOGC Pact.

The command that is of special interest to this book is the Special Military Services. Its primary division is the Mobile Assault Commando Force. The counterterrorist or commando units fall under the command of the Mobile Assault Commando Force (MAC Force).

The charter of the Special Military Services is very similar to that of the US Special Operations Group and, more specifically, Delta Force, the British Special Air Service (SAS), and Special Boat Service (SBS) and GSG-9 of Germany, which is to take swift and covert action against terrorist organizations and interests. It also has directives that give it authority and the responsibility for the retrieval and recovery of all foreign technology assets on an international scope.

Section-10 initially has an official strength of three thousand six hundred military personnel from member countries. Three thousand two hundred twenty-five commandos make up the Mobile Assault Commando Force and seventy-five, the Intelligence Division. Collectively they make up the Special Military Services Command. Over the years, their numbers increased dramatically.

Section-10 began with three hundred support personnel, which included technicians, mechanics, clerks, medical staff, mess and supply staff, and base security (military police officers).

Eventually an air wing section was added, which included a wide variety of specialty aircraft.

Their uniforms include various types and colors of camouflaged BDUs and were mostly the standard US-military-issued gear.

As for weaponry, one commando officer was quoted as saying, We use whatever will get the job done correctly, the first time.

Section-10 is a one of a kind, the world’s only multinational counterinsurgency organization, defenders of the free world.

PART I

INTRODUCTION

KEEPERS OF THE GATE

The Beginning . . .

As the sun rises over the Oceana Naval Air Base in Virginia Beach, Virginia, it begins another day in the ongoing saga of life in the military. This particular location is the home of the Supreme Headquarters of the S-10 Special Operations Group Command (SHQ-SOGC), a.k.a. Section-10 or S-10. The base itself is similar to any other US military installation, except for one fine detail, the permanent presence of international military personnel and equipment there.

From the inception of the command, their motto, "Defenders of the free world, held true for the members of the newly fashioned multinational special operations organization. They will be called into action time and time again to various hot spots around the globe to combat that great infection known as terrorism."

Section-10, which began as a grand experiment to form a multinational counterterrorist special operations group (MCTSOG) to combat the global spread of terrorism in the twenty-first century, eventually grew into the world’s premier special operations organization.

Section-10 is comprised of special operations and support personnel from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Germany, Australia, Egypt, Sweden, France, Spain, Italy, and Israel. Counterterrorist organizations in some of the former Soviet states, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, and Russia, though not members of the SHQ-SOGC, actively share intelligence with it on a regular basis.

Section-10 is initially commanded by Colonel Anwar Roche, a highly decorated career US Army and Delta Force officer. Colonel Roche’s command staff is derived from a cadre of special operations officers drawn from the multinational forces teams represented on the base.

Although S-10 is housed on the grounds of the Oceana Naval Air Station, the military and civilian personnel assigned to the Oceana Naval Air Station have restricted access to the perimeters established for the SHQ-SOGC. Similarly the personnel attached to S-10 are restricted from certain sections of the naval air station.

Colonel Roche reports directly to the Chairman of the Multinational Joint Chiefs of Staff (CMJCS), a US army lieutenant general. He has two sons who are also in the military. His oldest son is an army officer and a helicopter gunship pilot, in addition to being a member of Delta Force. His second son is a naval officer on the Judges Advocate General’s Staff (JAG), where he serves as an attorney.

The counterterrorist or commando units fall under the command of the Mobile Assault Commando Force (MACF), or MAC Force. MAC Force is the largest division of the Special Military Services Command. SMS also includes the command’s military intelligence division and its headquarters staff.

These multinational commando units will be called upon to fight faceless enemy forces, which use unconventional means to inflict harm and damage, without regard for any rule of law or any concern or respect for the sanctity of life, including their own. For the most part, the enemy fighters are religious zealots who are driven by a strong inner desire to purge all unbelievers or infidels from the world in which they live. It is their hope that by so doing, they will usher in a utopian society for themselves. They have been so heavily indoctrinated by their religious/political leaders that they wholeheartedly believe that they are doing the bidding of a higher being.

These unconventional terrorist fighters use every type of weapon of mass destruction that they have in their arsenal. They utilize them in skirmishes that eventually turn into nuclear, chemical, biological, and electronic attacks.

Much has been said in the press over the years about the threats or potential usage of nuclear, chemical, and biological weaponry; but very little have been said about the deployment of electronic warfare and its impact on life as we know it. This type of warfare employs the use of software viruses and Trojan horses, electromagnetic pulses (EMP), and mind—and weather-altering technologies to inflict their damages.

What was widely known was that many of these faceless, unconventional enemy forces do possess them. They have been trained and aided by traditional military forces who feel that they too could benefit from the destruction of their mutual enemies.

Section-10 was developed to combat just such an enemy, the international terrorist. Now follow the commandos as they deal with maritime piracy, aircraft hijackings, bombings in municipal areas within America, gun battles, and car chases in major cities and raids conducted for terror group members in countries that requested assistance from S-10. Also follow the careers of many S-10 officers as they climb the ladder of success in their respective military roles.

The biggest challenge that the members of Section-10 will be tasked with is the overall responsibility for leading the defenses of the planet Earth from attacks being made by enemies many of them thought did not actually exist, until after their S-2 security briefings. This enemy to all humankind is not terrestrial but one that comes from beyond, way beyond.

Section-10 operates internationally, and as a result, it relies quite heavily on timely and accurate intelligence in order to effectively carry out its mandate. Due to the extensive task of policing the world, S-10 works closely with American and pact member-country law-enforcement agencies, military, and intelligence organizations. Thus Section-10 is a part of a global intelligence and counterterrorism network.

Most of the global electronic surveillance and countersurveillance activities are conducted in conjunction with the ultrasecret National Security Agency (NSA), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and with similar intelligence organizations within pact member countries.

This book spans several years in its coverage of Section-10, beginning with its infancy, and progresses through time as it becomes one of the world’s premier counterterrorist special operations organizations. In more than one sense, it was one of a kind, the world’s only multinational counterinsurgency organization, defenders of the free world.

The initial executive operations team of SHQ-SOGC or Section-10 was comprised of the following commanders:

Colonel Anwar Roche (US Army), Commanding Officer

Commander William Hartley (US Navy), Second in Command

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Meyer (Israeli Army), Divisional Commander: Special Military Services/Mobile Assault Commando Force (MAC Force)

Major Michael Dewitt (French Army), Second in Command: SMS/MAC Force

Lieutenant Colonel Herman Kohl (German Army), Divisional Commander: Training

Major Henry Stuart (British Army), Divisional Commander: Intelligence/SMS

Major Audley Lopez (US Marines), Second in Command: Intelligence/SMS

Major Roberto Vene’ (Italian Army), Divisional Commander: Logistics

Captain Roy Michaels (Canadian Air Force), Second in Command: Logistics

Most of the initial members of the executive operations team will be replaced over time as their military assignments changed and as they were promoted within their respective military organizations. As those changes were being made over the years, the only constant figure on the executive command team was its commanding officer, Colonel Anwar Roche.

In his role as commanding officer of S-10, Colonel Roche will be promoted several times, first to brigadier general, then to major general, to a lieutenant general, and finally to a four-star general before the story of the Keepers of the Gate concludes. Even then, General Roche’s military career was still far from being over.

CHAPTER 1

Captain, Captain, a young Israeli army radio operator shouted. You must come at once. I have traffic on the ‘Red Line.’

He was referring to radio communications traffic within a specific range of frequencies, which were known to those in the intelligence community to be utilized by several Middle Eastern terrorist factions.

The army captain, a six-foot-tall man with low cropped black hair and light freckles on both sides of his nose, quickly walked over to the communications console. What is it, Corporal? he asked while maintaining a straight face.

Sir, I have picked up some communications on the ‘Red Line,’ the corporal replied. He looked up at his superior officer with one half of the radio headset covering his right ear. The left earphone was slightly behind his left ear.

So what did you hear that has you so excited? the captain asked impatiently.

Well, sir, I have it all here on tape. They are planning something against a cruise ship or something, the corporal replied and stared at the captain.

Something like what, Corporal? Speak up, man. Do I have to ask you for the information, one question at a time? He was beginning to show his irritation with the manner in which the soldier was presenting the information to him.

Sir, I picked up a set of transmissions between two parties who never reveal their names, and they appear to be hinting at plans for making some kind of attack at sea, maybe on a ship. I’m not sure. They didn’t say when, where, or how. The message just mentioned something about teaching the ‘Zionist pigs’ a lesson and that the oceans will swallow them up. It was all very quick and short, sir. It’s all here on the tape, the young corporal replied.

Not much to go on though, the group captain replied. But play back the recording anyway. I want to hear it.

The tape was played back several times, as the group captain tried very hard to listen to the ninety-second recording and to make a determination of what his next call would be.

After a few minutes, he smiled and said, Well done, Corporal. I think that you’re on to something. Not much but enough perhaps to start an inquiry. Get me the Mossad at once.

Ye-s, sir, the radio operator replied, feeling on top of the world.

Twenty-four hours later, a representative of the Mossad contacted the operations center for SHQ-SOGC and informed them of the message as well as their evaluation of it, which included any possible intelligence significance it may have to them.

Eighteen months earlier . . .

Colonel Roche, the speaker said into the microphone of the telephone after picking up the receiver at the start of the third ring. His telephone’s caller ID indicated that the call was coming from within the Pentagon.

He nodded twice, and then said, I’ll add it to my calendar. He opened his online calendar and inserted a meeting appointment as he listened to the caller.

Okay, good. Thank you, Major. I’ll see you on Wednesday, Colonel Roche said before replacing the receiver on the cradle of the telephone.

Colonel Roche sat back in his black leather executive chair, and then stared out of one of the windows in his office. He watched a muster formation consisting of two units of special operations teams forming on the parade grounds of Fort Bragg. He stood up and slowly approached the window and watched the Delta Force commandos dressed in the digital desert-camouflaged uniforms for a few seconds, as he contemplated his upcoming meeting in Washington, D.C.

Major Steele had informed him that his presence was required in a meeting with General Abraham Silva, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Pentagon on Wednesday at 1030 hours. General Silva was one of five four-star generals in the US Army.

As Colonel Roche looked out onto the parade grounds, he wandered what the meeting was all about, especially on such a short notice. He glanced down at his watch and noted that it was 1140 hours. He walked over to his desk after deciding that he should give his boss a call and see if he knew what was up.

His commanding officer was Major General Stanley Collette, also a West Pointer. He sat down and placed a direct call to General Collette’s office. The general’s adjunct officer, Captain Hewlett, answered the telephone.

Captain Hewlett, this is Colonel Roche. Is General Collette available to take my call at this moment? Colonel Roche asked. He paused for a few seconds and said, It’s in reference to my getting a call a few minutes ago from the CJCS.

The captain placed him on hold, and a few seconds later, the line on the other end was reconnected.

Thank you, General, for taking my call, Colonel Roche said, and then paused to listen.

Yes, sir, that’s correct. I just got a call from General Silva, and I was requested to meet with him on Wednesday at 1030 hours. Colonel Roche continued, and then paused to listen.

Thank you, General. I was just calling to see if you knew why I was being summoned to the Pentagon on such short notice, Colonel Roche said. Yes, sir, especially with the CJCS, he quickly added.

Colonel Roche paused to listen to General Collette for a few seconds, and then he said, Okay, thank you, sir. I was hoping that you could shed some light on this sudden invitation, he replied before replacing the receiver on its cradle. His boss didn’t seem to know either.

Later that week at the Pentagon . . .

On Wednesday morning, Colonel Roche arrived at the Pentagon at 1015 hours. After going through the security checkpoints, he was escorted to the seating area just outside of the general’s office by Major Steele.

After sitting down he glanced around the sitting room and took note of the various news and military magazines on display on the nearby tables. Nothing of interest caught his eye.

He ran the fingertips of his right hand over the embroidered gold oak leaf design on the black visor of his uniform cap as he admired his surroundings. He was dressed in his class-A uniform, which proudly displayed a four-row high stack of service ribbons above his left jacket pocket. On each shoulder he wore a Special Forces tab and a 4divisional patch for Detachment Delta (Delta Force). His insignia of rank, a silver eagle, was attached to each epaulette and to both of his shirt collars.

He watched other senior officers in the grade of lieutenant colonel, colonel, and brigadier general parade back and forth in the halls as they went about their duties. He smiled as he recalled his tour of duty here as a technical liaison officer earlier in his career.

His thoughts were interrupted by a door opening. He glanced in that direction and saw Major Steele walking in his direction.

Colonel, the major began, General Silva will see you now, sir.

Colonel Roche rose from his chair and smiled prior to saying, Thank you, Major Steele.

He straightened his jacket and placed his cap squarely on his head before following the major to the general’s office.

Colonel Roche entered General Silva office and walked toward his desk. Major Steele closed the door behind him as he walked out, and soon he disappeared from view.

General Silva rose from his chair and walked toward the approaching colonel. Colonel Roche continued to approach him and saluted as the general neared him. General Silva returned the salute, and then extended his right hand to his junior officer. Colonel Roche took it and graciously shook it.

Colonel, I am so happy that you were able to make it, the general said, and then used his left arm to point toward a small conference table to the left of his desk.

Colonel Roche looked at the conference table and said, prior to moving in that direction, I am happy to be here, General. It brings back many memories of when I worked within these hallowed walls.

Good, good, General Silva said as he followed Colonel Roche to the table. Please have a seat, Colonel.

They both sat down. On the table were two closed files with the inscription TOP SECRET in large bold red letters, above the official seal of the Pentagon. Colonel Roche glanced briefly at the files before returning his attention to his superior officer.

General Silva opened another file that he brought with him from his desk, and Colonel Roche quickly realized that it was a copy of his personnel file.

Colonel, I have carefully reviewed your file from cover to cover, and I am impressed with what I see. I’ve read that you have served with distinction in both Special Forces and within Delta Force, in addition to having once served here in the Pentagon as a technical liaison officer for two years. You have also served with distinction in your intelligence assignments and have held command positions both at home and abroad, General Silva said as he briefly looked up from his reading.

Yes, sir, Colonel Roche replied and smiled.

The general nodded and then said, Colonel, how do really like what you’re now doing? He asked while looking at the colonel.

Colonel Roche shifted slightly in his seat and said, General, I really love being a special ops commando, more so, leading special ops teams. I feel that I’m a part of something very, very special. Pardon the pun, sir.

He smiled, as did the general. Sir, this is exactly what I want to be doing for my country in order to make a real difference in our war on terror, Colonel Roche continued.

The general smiled again, and then asked, If you could have any command in the army, would you prefer to stay there or move onto something else?

Without pausing to think, Colonel Roche responded, General, I’d prefer to stay in special ops. That’s what I’m trained best to do. Sir, being a commando is what I’ve always wanted to be.

Glad to hear it, Colonel, General Silva said. Colonel, from here on in, what we will be discussing is highly classified and should not be discussed with anyone outside of this room.

Colonel Roche nodded and said, Understood, sir.

Colonel, I have been tasked with developing a new command that I would like to put under your charge, General Silva said as he looked directly at Colonel Roche.

Colonel Roche was nodding as he listened attentively.

Colonel, this new command will be a grand experiment devised by our president and the German chancellor. With the stakes being that high, we have to do what we can to ensure that it succeeds. That’s why you are being selected to lead it. You have a proven track record of being resourceful and very successful in what you do, General Silva said as he continued to look at Colonel Roche.

Colonel Roche was smiling and nodding his head as he listened.

Colonel, this new command will consist of forming and managing a large-scale international counterterrorist organization derived from special operations personnel from several countries, including the United States, General Silva continued.

International, sir, like NATO? Colonel Roche asked. He was somewhat surprised by the mention of the new organization being comprised of international commandos.

International, yes, but not like NATO, definitely not like NATO, General Silva replied as he smiled. This new organization will have the balls to do what NATO won’t or can’t do, Colonel, with you at the helm.

Colonel Roche was then informed of what the initial makeup of the new command would be, and then he requested to be a part of the selection process for other members of the command staff.

Granted, General Silva replied. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Next they discussed some of the political and military challenges that the new organization would face, but he would not be alone in dealing with them. The general explained that Colonel Roche would have the US State Department and each member country’s equivalent as support on political matters. He went on to tell him that his military challenges would be channeled through the Pentagon. Colonel Roche was also informed that a new senior command position will be created within the Pentagon, to which the new commando organization will report.

I know that you have lots of questions, and hopefully they have been answered for you in the file before you. Please take a look at it. It is your copy to keep, should you accept this challenge.

Colonel Roche opened the file folder, and before he could start scanning the contents of the first page, the general continued, Colonel, no promises, but your successfully managing this command could open many other career development doors for you.

I understand, sir, Colonel Roche replied as he glanced up at his superior officer.

After quickly reviewing the contents of the folder, Colonel Roche asked several questions, and a brief discussion ensued. They also discussed the site selected for the new base of operations and the mandate for the new organization.

So, Colonel, what do you think? If you need a few days to consider this, that’s fine, General Silva said.

Colonel Roche looked his superior officer in his eyes and said, General, from what we’ve discussed and from what I’ve seen in this file, sir, I am your man for this job. I am certain of that, and I don’t need any more time to consider this great opportunity you’re presenting to me.

General Silva smiled and then said, Great! I am so happy that you have accepted taking on these new responsibilities. I am fully confident that you will do a great job. You have my total support. He handed him a business card and continued, Until the senior command structure can be ironed out, please call me directly should any questions or issues arise.

Colonel Roche accepted the card as he rose from his chair and said, Thank you, sir, I appreciate your support. He then placed it inside the right breast pocket of his uniform jacket.

General Silva also rose and extended his right hand to his junior officer. No, it’s you that I should be thanking, Colonel. I will have your new orders drawn up shortly.

Colonel Roche smiled and accepted the general’s right hand and briskly shook it. Afterward he placed his cap squarely on his head and saluted the general. General Silva returned his salute.

After returning the salute, General Silva walked from behind his desk and approached the colonel. Colonel Roche turned to look in his direction as he inserted the file folder into his attaché case. The attaché case sat on the floor next to the chair where he was sitting. He secured the case, and taking the general’s queue, he followed him to the door.

Remember, Colonel, call me if you need anything, General Silva said as he held the door open.

Thank you, sir, I will remember that, Colonel Roche replied prior to walking out of the office. He walked down the hall and returned the salutes of two army first lieutenants who were walking in the opposite direction.

Supreme Headquarters of the S-10 Special Operations Group Command . . ., Colonel Roche said to himself as he neared the security checkpoints and smiled. I like it.

Twenty-four months later . . .

Colonel Roche convened an executive meeting with his command staff at the SHQ-SOGC headquarters on the Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach at 0930 hours.

Gentlemen, it has now been six months since our inception, and al-Qaeda is still the single biggest threat to the free world, Colonel Roche said as he looked around the table into the faces of each of the officers seated there.

I am sure that most of you have faced this enemy several times in your former roles as counterterrorist commandos. As a member of this newly formed command, the fight goes on, but from a slightly different perspective. Now we have joined forces and will continue this fight as a single entity, a collective of some of the best commandos from all over the globe, Colonel Roche continued.

Now that we are fully functional and have most of the operational resources in place, I want to revisit some of the high points as to why we exist as an organization.

"In the US, we will be working very closely with several nonmilitary organizations in our fight against terrorism. Namely, we will be working with the NSA, CIA, and FBI, in addition to the Department of Defense’s Defense Intelligence Agency.

"Intelligence coming from international sources will be directed to our intelligence division for analysis. However international requests for military action from any SHQ-SOGC pact country must be approved by the Allied Joint Chiefs of Staff, before any action can be taken by us.

Our directives are that we will not get involved in any regional or sectarian conflicts. We will be only be utilized for counterterrorist operations that have specific entry and exit strategies.

Colonel Roche glanced at his staff members and continued, The president of the United States has made it very clear to me and our senior commanders that we shall not operate on US soil unless our assistance is officially and specifically requested in writing by the FBI. As you may be aware, they have the primary responsibility for fighting terrorism within this country. And that request must come via the MJCS.

SHQ-SOGC was being funded by its member countries and had an initial annual budget of over thirty-two billion dollars.

Within a week’s time we will be participating in an exercise with members of Delta Force, US Navy SEAL teams, and the SAS in Saudi Arabia followed by another three weeks later with our Israeli colleagues in Israel, Colonel Roche said. The team of officers each nodded their heads in acknowledgement of his comments.

Afterward Colonel Roche participated in a roundtable discussion with his senior officers, as each of them provided the team with status updates on their areas of responsibility. Those discussions lasted for approximately thirty minutes.

The meeting concluded shortly afterward. Colonel Roche returned to his office, and then he walked over to a large glass window and stared out into the distance. He watched as two modified F-22 Raptors made their final approaches to land at the naval air station, and he smiled. He soon returned to his desk and logged onto his computer.

Squadrons of F-35, F-22s, F-117 stealth fighters and an assortment of other advanced military aircraft were based there.

CHAPTER 2

A large clock which was constructed from a fourteen-inch cross section of an oak tree trunk hung on the wall above the fireplace and displayed the time as seven ten.

Colonel Roche was sitting at a small oval table in his dinette. He was jotting some notes into his duty pocket notebook while he ate breakfast.

Jennifer entered the dinette from the adjacent kitchen with her breakfast on a serving tray and looked with displeasure at what her husband was doing.

Honey . . ., she said. Please don’t eat and try to work at the same time. Do either one, but not both. Since this is breakfast time, I’d prefer that you eat first.

Colonel Roche glanced briefly in her direction and said, I know, darling. Just a few things that I need to make a note of that came to mind. I’m trying to jot them down while they’re still fresh in my memory. Inspiration has no respect for time or place, he said and smiled.

At the conclusion of his writing, he placed the small black hardback notepad into the right breast pocket of his woodland camouflaged BDU jacket.

On each of his jacket’s collars was attached a small black patch with an embroidered silver eagle, his insignia of rank. His divisional insignias were attached to both shoulders, while his black beret was affixed with a cloth SHQ-SOGC crest. The beret sat on the far end of the table near his aviator-type sunglasses with dark gray lenses.

When he was through with breakfast, he rose from the table and gently pulled his jacket down. Thank you, dear, it was a delicious meal, as usual.

You’re quite welcome, darling, Jennifer replied and smiled as he walked toward the kitchen sink and deposited the dishes. He rinsed them quickly prior to placing them inside the dishwasher.

Colonel Roche then returned to the master bedroom and completed his final preparations for work. He walked up to and opened his concealed firearms safe. He retrieved two 9mm semiautomatic pistols and four fully loaded magazines that contained 115-grain hollow point bullets. Both pistols had their slides locked open.

He inserted a full magazine in the Beretta 92F and released the slide, which chambered a live 9mm round. He then placed the pistol into his holster that hung on his right hip after engaging the safety. Next he placed two spare magazines into the double magazine holder on the left side of his belt. At that point, Jennifer walked into the room.

Preparing for combat, I see, she said and smiled, while still staring at the firearms as she walked toward the bathroom.

Yep, I’m always prepared, Colonel Roche replied as he inserted a full magazine into the magazine well of the single action Browning Hi-Power 9mm pistol and released its slide. He set the safety, and then inserted the loaded pistol into a clip-on holster and then placed it inside his briefcase, which rested on the bed.

Jennifer walked back into the bedroom, and then stood in front of the full-length mirror. She had begun inserting earrings into her earlobes when Colonel Roche walked up behind her and held her gently around her waist.

He kissed her on her neck and said, See you later, darling, I hope that you have a great day.

She turned around and gently kissed him on his lips and said, Good-bye. I’ll try to have a great day, and I hope that you have a great day too, and please be careful.

I will, Colonel Roche replied as he began to walk away. She took hold of his left hand and said, I love you, Anwar. He smiled and looked at her as he told her that he loved her too.

He let go of her hand, and then he pulled his beret onto his head so that it slanted heavily over his right ear. Next he put on his aviator-style sunglasses and quickly inspected himself in the mirror. Once he was satisfied with what he saw, he turned and blew a kiss toward his beautiful wife, who was still watching him. She smiled widely.

Colonel Roche pressed the latches to his briefcase shut, and when he was convinced that they were secured, he picked it up and walked out of the room and eventually the house.

After he had gotten to his car, he opened the rear right door, and then he placed the briefcase on the floor behind the driver’s seat. He entered the vehicle, and then he opened the garage door via the remote control. He adjusted his rearview mirrors, and then started the engine.

As the vehicle eased out onto the driveway, its doors automatically locked with a soft click.

As he pulled out into the cool Virginia morning, he made a mental note that the golden sunrays were just beginning to penetrate the light gray cloud cover. The temperature was approximately fifty-two degrees Fahrenheit.

Most of the trees appeared to be a brilliant golden yellow. Their leaves reflected the season of the year due to the fact that the trees were preparing themselves for the approaching winter months.

About a half a block away, Mr. Bakker, the regional manager for a local telephone company, was about to get into a burgundy color sedan, which was parked on his driveway. He turned to wave to Colonel Roche, who promptly waved back.

Colonel Roche picked up the radio’s microphone and said into it, S-10 Control, this is Alpha Charlie One. I’m 10-8, over.

Roger, Alpha Charlie One, the radio operator responded.

Colonel Roche then drove east on Virginia Beach Boulevard and turned south onto London Bridge Road as he proceeded to the base.

As Colonel Roche approached, the naval sentries at the main gate came to attention and saluted him. He cleared that checkpoint and drove toward the one leading to the S-10 side of the grounds.

As he drove up to the barricades blocking access to that side of the base, a military police sergeant walked up to the car and inspected his credentials.

The soldier was dressed in the black and gray urban camouflaged BDUs, with rolled up sleeves and a black arm band around his right upper arm with white inscription that read, MP. On his head he wore a black beret with the SHQ-SOGC crest affixed to its tab. He also wore a standard issue Beretta 9mm pistol on his right side in a covered flap holster.

Approximately six feet away, on the lawn and behind the chain-link fence, a concrete pad displayed a crest and a white sign that read, Supreme Headquarters of the S-10 Special Operations Group Command.

Thank you, Colonel, you may proceed, the stony-faced army MP said. He signaled to the other guards to open the gates, and then he saluted Colonel Roche.

Thank you, Sergeant, Colonel Roche said after retrieving his credentials and returning his salute.

A few seconds later, a metallic vehicle barrier disappeared into a thin slot in the asphalt pavement. High-resolution surveillance cameras monitored the activities at the main gate, all building access points, and the entire outer perimeter of the base.

After parking in his allotted space in the basement level of the parking deck, Colonel Roche entered the main administrative building using his access card. This particular building had a smaller white sign that also had affixed the SHQ-SOGC crest and the words: Special Military Services, Divisional H.Q.

Two buildings down from it was home to the divisional commanders for the mobile assault teams, the MAC Force. The sign in front of their building read, 256th SOG Training & Logistics Division.

The commandos had a cover story in place which indicated that they were members of a training and logistic unit that assisted in the training and development of international SOG units. Officially, they were not a combat division.

Inside all of the buildings, hidden surveillance cameras monitored the hallways and corridors. The cameras were also continuously monitoring storage facilities and certain lobbies.

In the lobby of the administrative building was another security checkpoint. It was manned by two sentries seated behind a console and surrounded by an array of closed-circuit camera monitors. Both soldiers were armed with Beretta 9mm pistols as their side arms, and within an arm’s reach lay two fully loaded H&K submachine guns and four spare ammunition magazines, each loaded with thirty-two rounds of ammunition.

The two sentries, dressed in woodland camouflaged BDUs, rose to their feet as Colonel Roche approached their position. They saluted, and he returned their salutes.

Good morning, Colonel, the sergeant said, quickly followed by the same greeting from the corporal.

Good morning, Colonel Roche replied and handed his credentials to the blue eyed, baby-face-looking corporal.

The corporal placed the ID card into a slot in the console, and the computer checked the coded information on the card against that stored in the computer system. After he was satisfied with the results, he removed the card and handed it back to Colonel Roche and said, All appears to be in order, sir. Have a good day, Colonel.

He then saluted as Colonel Roche accepted the card, prior to stepping away from the console.

Thank you, the colonel replied and returned the salute to both NCOs. He then turned left and walked in the direction of the Executive and Operations levels of the building.

A multilayered steel door stood at the entrance to the Operations area. The surrounding walls were constructed out of bullet and explosive resistant material and were acoustically safe and electronically shielded from espionage activities. The area was also secured by redundant laser defense systems.

Colonel Roche approached an ID terminal and placed his right palm onto a brightly lit glass surface. The device read his palm print, and then said in a synthesized human voice, Please place your head against the headpiece and look into the open port.

Colonel Roche did as he was instructed, and the computer replied, Thank you. It then performed a retina examination of his eyes and quickly compared them with the data stored in memory.

Next he walked over to a voice identification terminal mounted flush into the wall near the entrance and said, Colonel Anwar Patrick Roche.

A few seconds later, the computer said, Welcome to SOG Command, unrestricted access granted.

A steel-plated door quickly slid open, and Colonel Roche entered a corridor that lead to the various offices in the Operations group. He walked in the direction toward the main administrative offices and entered an open lounge area. All duty personnel in the area quickly rose to their feet as a senior NCO shouted, Officer on deck. The occupants then saluted their commander as he approached.

Colonel Roche returned their salutes and said, Good morning, gentlemen, please carry on. He then continued on his way to his office to begin another day in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

Ten minutes later, Sergeant Jim Mahoney entered the office with a cup of coffee and the status reports from the prior night. Coffee, sir, he said, and the reports for the last twelve hours. Colonel, I was instructed to remind you of your 0930-hour meeting with the Operations staff, he continued.

Thank you, Sergeant, Colonel Roche replied as Sergeant Mahoney turned and made a hurried exit.

Colonel Roche glanced at his wristwatch and made a mental note that he had approximately fifty minutes to go prior to the start of his meeting.

He settled back into the thickly padded executive chair, opened a folder stenciled in bold red ink, RESTRICTED, and began reading the intelligence reports. He sipped his steaming black coffee and made some notes in preparation for his upcoming meeting.

CHAPTER 3

Most people never thought that they’d see it happen in their lifetime, the return of democracy to Cuba. Politically and economically, things had changed for the better on the island nation. They have held open elections, and they now have a three-party political system. The era of Fidel and his brother Raul Castro had ended nearly a decade earlier without any bloodshed or a single shot being fired in anger.

Free trade and travel have been established between the United States and Cuba and most of the free world. There was even a US embassy in Havana. With the return of democracy, there came an end to the massive refugee migrations to south Florida. Most Cubans were excited to stay at home and to assist in the building of their nation.

Seven years after democracy had returned, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had awarded Cuba the privilege of hosting the summer Olympic Games in another three years, on the tenth anniversary of it becoming a free nation again.

Like most summer Games, this one would consist of equestrian events, archery, canoe/kayaking, cycling-mountain bike, cycling-road, track and field, swimming, baseball, and football-soccer.

The Cubans were showing their national pride as they built the Olympic venues and upgraded the country’s infrastructure. New roads and hotels were being built, and the national communications systems were being upgraded to support the influx of athletes and other guests to the host country.

Beyond the positive economic impact of the Games, security was at the forefront of the minds of Cuba’s government officials. They wanted to ensure that the citizens and guests to their country felt safe, without feeling intimidated or oppressed by a massive military presence on the streets and venues.

They then opted to have large numbers of police officers from the Interior Ministry in plain clothes at the venues to supplement their uniformed colleagues and soldiers. Uniformed police officers would maintain highly visible patrols in the towns, larger villages, and cities, while the military would cover the more rural areas of the country, as well as the sea ports and airports. Plain-clothes police officers as well as plain-clothes military intelligence agents were on duty all over the country, even though the Games were still many months away.

The vast open countryside of Cuba posed many security concerns to Cuban officials, and they expressed their displeasure of the possibility of having an international incident occur on their soil, during the Olympic Games.

As a result of that concern, a formal request was made for assistance to the American government. After some deliberations, it was agreed that the request was an assignment that best suited SHQ-SOGC.

Even though the Cubans needed additional security coverage at most of the venues, the Cuban authorities were mostly concerned about the security of the visiting athletes, primarily the Israeli contingent.

Colonel Martinez of the Cuban Revolutionary Army was charged with the responsibility of providing security for the Games. He’s had extensive training over the years with one of the primary Russian special force units charged with counterterrorism: the Spetznaz. Colonel Martinez trained both at home and in Russia.

Even though Cuba’s Ministry of Interior was responsible for the internal state security, the government decided to have the Revolutionary Army take the lead in providing security for the Olympic Game venues, primarily because the special operations units, which were needed for the security details, were a part of the army. This caused some territorial conflicts at first, but the commanders in the Interior Ministry dropped their formal objections soon after the Cuban president got involved.

Shortly after Colonel Martinez had been informed of SHQ-SOGC’s agreement to assist with his security measures, he called and had spoken to Colonel Roche on several occasions in reference to the matter.

Colonel Roche, as you are aware, the Israeli teams pose a special security problem for me. We can’t afford for something to happen here, not now, not ever, Colonel Martinez said into the telephone and paused to listen to Colonel Roche for a few seconds.

Yes, yes, Colonel, especially with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it makes my job that much harder, Colonel Martinez replied and once again paused to listen to Colonel Roche’s response.

Thank you, Colonel, I appreciate everything that you are doing to help us out in this matter. I am really looking forward to meeting you.

Colonel Roche had informed Colonel Martinez that he was sending down two five-man recon commando teams to meet with his security forces. He said that their primary objectives would be to review the venues for all the events and devise security plans with the aid of the Cuban security teams to alleviate any identified risks.

Colonel Roche also informed him that he would be coming down with the recon teams, which will be led by Captain Braithwaite. Captain Braithwaite was a career officer on assignment to S-10 from the British SAS (Special Air Service). He loved doing his job, and he executed it well.

Colonel Martinez was delighted with Colonel Roche’s feedback and display of genuine concern. He was excited about finally getting to meet him and to be working with his teams. It was now mid-March, and the Games were scheduled to begin on July 12.

Colonel Roche was looking forward to meeting Colonel Martinez, as much as he was of visiting Cuba. He had never been there and was anxious to set foot on the Caribbean nation.

The CIA already had several agents assigned to the island nation. They were working out of the new US embassy in Havana as special envoys, technical liaison officers, and State Department employees.

Colonel Roche informed the embassy of his team’s pending trip to assist with the security assessments. The newly appointed US ambassador to Cuba was Anthony Hooper, a career diplomat from the State Department. Colonel Roche had met him several years ago while he was still posted in Washington, D.C., with State Department.

Shortly after learning that his team will be working with the Cubans, Colonel Roche requested that the embassy provide him with all of the intelligence that they had on the country. His reasoning was that he needed them in order to reconcile them with the reports that he had already received on Cuba.

Colonel Roche was informed that the requested reports were forthcoming within a matter of days. He was anxious to see what types of security organizations the Cubans had in place today. He also needed to clearly understand the roles and responsibilities of each of their agencies.

Two Weeks Later

Colonel Roche and his reconnaissance teams led by Captain Wainwright arrived as scheduled at the Baracoa Air Force Base, referred to locally as Base Aerea Baracoa, just outside the city limits of Havana.

As the US Air Force C-130 aircraft touched down on the asphalt of the runway, a new era was about to begin for both nations. History was being made, since this was the first time in recorded history that an American military aircraft had landed on Cuban soil, other than at the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay. It was 1030 hours Zulu, Monday, March 30.

The aircraft taxied to the end of the runaway, and as it did, a dark green military jeep pulled up followed closely by a similar color military transport truck.

Here comes the welcoming committee, Colonel Roche said to Captain Braithwaite.

Yes, sir, the captain replied with a smile. He then turned to his team and said, Okay, lads, we’re here. So let’s get ready to show our Cuban hosts what we do best.

The aircraft came to a stop, and then the large door in the aft section slowly descended with whirring sound. The commandos unstrapped themselves and stood up.

Colonel Roche and Captain Braithwaite got up and headed toward the opening door. As they approached the door, they saw that the driver of the jeep had driven to within thirty feet or so from the tail of the aircraft.

Two Cuban officers emerged from the jeep and slowly walked toward the aircraft. They both were dressed in green army fatigues and wearing the round green utility caps with the flat tops that Cuban soldiers have come to be known by. They both wore dark color aviator sunglasses and side arms.

As Colonel Roche disembarked, the two Cuban officers stood at attention and saluted. Both Colonel Roche and Captain Braithwaite returned their salutes.

The lead Cuban officer approached the two American officers, and he extended his right hand of fellowship as he said in nearly perfect English, I’m Colonel Martinez of the Cuban Revolutionary Army, and this is Major Gonzales of the Ministry of Interior. Welcome to Cuba.

Colonel Roche briskly shook his hand and said, Thank you. I am Colonel Roche, and this Captain Braithwaite. He then shook the major’s hand.

Captain Braithwaite then shook their hands and said, Thank you, sir, we’re at your service.

English? Colonel Martinez asked while looking at the captain.

Yes, sir, Captain Braithwaite of Her Majesty’s Special Air Service on detachment to SHQ-SOGC.

Both Cuban officers smiled, nodded, and then looked at Colonel Roche.

Colonel Roche, at long last we meet. I was so looking forward to this moment to meet you, Colonel Martinez said as he smiled and stared at Colonel Roche.

Colonel Roche smiled and said, And I you, Colonel.

Come now, Colonel, have your men board the truck, and then we’ll be on our way, Colonel Martinez said. We have lots to show you. We are so happy that you’re here.

Colonel Roche nodded to Captain Braithwaite who immediately turned away and said, Sergeant Rollins, have the lads load their gear on the truck, and let’s get ready to move out.

Sergeant Rollins acknowledged his orders, and then instructed the men to comply. The ten commandos filed off the aircraft with their duffel bags and other gear in hand. Since this was a recon mission on friendly territory, they were not carrying any weapons other than their field knives. Their tactical weapons would remain on board the aircraft.

The commandos were dressed in the US Army’s digital woodland camouflaged uniforms with their S-10 and unit patches on both shoulders. The Mobile Assault Commando Force’s (MAC Force) unit patch consisted of a black and gray circular insignia with the depiction of Thor’s hammer surrounded by a wreath made of lightning bolts. Under the hammer was inscribed the unit’s name, MAC Force. Each member of the unit wore the insignia of rank of their home country.

They soon boarded the truck and sat in silence as they looked around the air base. Two Mi-24 Hind and several Mi-4 Hound helicopters were visible on the ground, as well as a few Mig-29 and Mig-21 jet fighters. Several Cuban airmen and other military personnel were standing and staring in awe at an image that they thought that they’d never see, an American military aircraft on their base, especially as an ally.

Okay, let’s move out. Colonel, you and Captain Braithwaite may ride with me in the jeep, Colonel Martinez said, and then extended his right arm to point the way toward the idling vehicle.

Thank you, Colonel Roche replied, and then looked at his junior officer and nodded. Captain Braithwaite looked over at his men on the truck as he started to walk toward the jeep.

They’ll be okay without you for a short while, Colonel Roche said and patted the captain on his left shoulder, and they both walked toward the jeep.

Yes, sir, the captain replied and smiled.

Major Gonzales got in behind the wheel, and Colonel Martinez got in the front passenger seat, while the American officers climbed into the rear compartment.

The jeep pulled away, and then made a U-turn with the transport truck in tow.

Colonel, the Cuban government has made arrangements for you and your team to stay at one of our finest hotels in Havana, Hotel Armadores de Santander, Colonel Martinez said as he looked back at Colonel Roche.

Thank you, Colonel, Colonel Roche replied. We certainly appreciate your hospitality.

You’re quite welcome, Colonel. We really appreciate you helping us with our little security issue here, Colonel Martinez responded.

Not a problem. None of us would want an international incident to occur on our soil, especially if it could have been prevented. We’re more than happy to assist, Colonel Roche replied and smiled.

The cool breeze felt refreshing as the winds blew across the open top jeep. The radio was turned down low, but Colonel Roche could hear the distinctive music of Jazz Cubano being played. He tapped the fingers of his right hand on the open space on the seat next to him in tempo with the music. Captain Braithwaite noticed it and smiled.

Their hotel was situated next to Habana’s famous port where the offices of a Spanish shipbuilding company once stood. Its architecture had