Operation Black Oil
Posted: 2005-01-18 05:54pm
No, I'm not crazy. I'm suffering from some writer's block on the latest chapters of all my fics so I decided to write something to work out the kinks. Something I advise all the writers that ask me when going through one of these bouts what to do - write something else but you must always keep trying to write. Enjoy an insane crossover. The goal would be can I stuff as many that would make sense into a story? Only you can tell me.
OPERATION BLACK OIL
Chapter 1: Sin City
The events of this story takes place between 12:00am and 1:00am on the night of Operation Black Oil.
12:07a.m.
“Clock’s running.” Jackson noted as he checked the glowing face of his government issue watch. It went well with his government issue suit and tie as well as government issue sunglasses tucked haphazrdly into his breast pocket. The government issue ear transmitter/receiver was looped over his ear and dangled uselessly past his left earlobe.
His passenger noted this and smirked. This young agent would take anything issued to him. He had seen the type, their entire wardrobe down to toiletries were government surplus or issue. He doubted the man paid for much of anything.
“You want to debrief me on what exactly I’m doing in this helicopter and where I’m going?” Jack Bauer asked over the roar of the rotor wash.
Jack briefly eyed the older man sitting behind both of them. He had not said a word since they got on the helicopter and only moved to take a drag from an ever present cigarette in his hand.
“Las Vegas.” Jackson smiled.
Bauer frowned as he caught sight of the strip illuminated brilliantly on the horizon as the Blackhawk helicopter turned in a tight circle to approach the oasis in the middle of the sea of sand and desolation below him.
“And what’s in Las Vegas?” Jack asked eyeing the too happy CTU agent tasked to assist him in this operation.
“We believe there are several mob families meeting together in one of the casinos. The Bellagio is what intel is telling us right now.”
Jack frowned.
“In case they didn’t tell you Jackson, we’re CTU – counter terrorism unit. We don’t do mafia. We don’t even do foreign mafia. This is out of our jurisdiction.”
“No, no, you have me all wrong Agent Bauer, the mob is just a smokescreen for something else. Something bigger.”
Jack leaned in closer to Jackson.
“Let me let you in on something, taking me away from my wife and daughter in the middle of the night doesn’t make me very happy. Carting me off in a helicopter without a clue where I’m going or what I’m supposed to be doing makes me angry but what really pisses me off is stringing me along and not getting to the point.”
Jackson swallowed hard as he looked into Bauer’s hard eyes.
“You’re right of course, sir.” Jackson stammered. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small sheaf of papers.
“This is a communications intercept we had decoded only 3 hours ago. It indicates that there are foreign agents in Las Vegas. These agents have contacted certain crime families through their own connections with the local mobs in Vegas. The crime families have sent representatives to meet with them. These agents have their hands on something they are only calling “Black Oil.” We ran this through our databases and found nothing but 20 minutes into our search we received this communiqué from a contact in the NSA.”
Jack was already reading ahead.
“A biological agent?”
“Top secret, compartmentalized and sealed through god knows how many levels but our searches raised a red flag and when they read our communiqués they got real nervous.”
“A biological agent in Vegas?” Bauer pressed.
“Frankly sir we don’t know but the NSA scrambled two Fibies to do a quick recon of the area and prep for our arrival.”
“Two? Why the hell hasn’t every FBI officer between here and Los Angeles been scrambled damnit?!” Jack protested.
“Sorry sir, NSA has strict instructions that this Operation has to be kept on the strictest level of security. The two agents have extensive experience with Black Oil and even they don’t know the whole story. They are on a need to know basis but they made it clear you’re to run with this.”
“And the mob?”
“They’re meeting with these foreign agents in what we assume is a plot to distribute this Black Oil.”
Jack shook his head as the helicopter began its descent.
“This isn’t their style. Mob bosses don’t get involved in terrorist plots. There’s no real money to be made and all kinds of hell to pay afterwards.”
“That’s what we thought as well and the NSA hinted that there was more to this than met the eye.”
“Isn’t there always.” Jack sighed.
Jackson glanced over at the older man. The older man took a drag from his cigarette and nodded to Jackson.
“Another thing sir. The NSA will initiate a level 6 quarantine of the city if it is confirmed that we have found the Black Oil in the city. If they don’t hear from us within 24 hours on this they will initiate the operation anyway.”
“What kind of protocols are involved in a level 6? I’ve never heard of it.”
“Let me answer that agent Jackson.” The smoking man finally spoke. He had sat there watching the entire exchange with the keen interest of a butcher inspecting a prize bull. He took another slow drag of his cigarette and watched Jack closely as he spoke. The Blackhawk was touching down.
“Level 6 quarantine is only instituted in the event of the release or threat to release a biological agent that could threaten not just the country but the world. Black Oil if released into the general population of Las Vegas would in very little time rapidly spread through the south and Midwest and then the rest of the world. Once free of the zone of initial contact it spreads like wild fire. 100% contagion, 100% fatality. Nasty stuff Mr. Bauer. You can hopefully understand why we cannot allow this to spread.”
The helicopter finally touched down.
“So what happens? What sort of guidelines am I looking at before this quarantine goes into effect?”
“Quarantine?” the Smoking man asked quizzically.
Jack sighed and shook his head.
“We were just discussing a level 6 quarantine.” He replied tightly.
The smoking man took another long drag and peered out over the entrance of the Blackhawk at the night sky as the helicopter’s rotors slowed enough to let passengers and equipment to offload. Jackson hesitantly began collecting equipment.
“At an undisclosed location a single B-2 Stealth Bomber is being prepped and loaded with a handpicked crew who do not exist. This crew is helping the bomber get loaded with a payload of tactical weapons that will not be found missing from our inventories. At the appointed time, whether it is confirmation of the release of Black Oil or the Fail Safe time is reached they will take off and initiate a nuclear strike against the city.”
Jack stared dumbfounded at the man as he took another long slow drag of his cigarette.
“Are you insane?” Jack breathed.
“You have your orders Mr. Bauer. I hear you’re the best at this sort of thing it’s time to prove it.”
Jack lunged forward to grab the smoking man but an M-16 muzzle lodged itself against his temple. Jack froze. The not so nice Jackson was cold and calm. His finger was squarely placed against the trigger.
The smoking man had not moved a muscle as he watched Jack with a detached interest.
“The two FBI agents I’ve assigned to assist you are very well versed in the Black Oil. One is a MD. Put her to good use. I would listen to the young man, as wild as some of his theories can be he has proven invaluable at this sort of operation.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed on the man.
“A full squad of CTU agents under Nina Myers are en-route and should arrive within the next two hours. Jackson here is a special forces operative and has had extensive combat experience. Put it to good use.”
Another figure stepped under the rotor wash and poked his head through the door.
“Ah, just in time.”
“They’re definitely here.” The man replied hotly.
“Calm yourself. This is Agent Jack Bauer. You will render him any assistance he needs in this operation.”
“I thought this was going to be mine.” The man protested.
“There is a chain of command and you are not privy to all that I am. This is a team and you will follow him is that clear.”
The man grumbled something under his breath. Jack slowly glanced backwards, painfully aware of the muzzle against his temple. The man was young, black hair but his eyes had that look Jack knew all too well. This man was dangerous. Not dangerous like not so nice Jackson, but dangerous like Charles Manson.
“Agent Bauer this is Alex Krycek. He also has experience with the Black Oil. It would be best if he were kept behind the scenes. He has a nose for ferreting out those involved with these plots.”
“Not to mention Mulder might shoot me on sight.” Krycek added with a cold smile. Oh yes. Jack noted. He wasn’t all there. It wouldn’t be the first mad man he’s had to work with.
“So Alex will leave us now but will maintain contact with you throughout your mission and he WILL be helpful won’t you, Krycek?”
“Scout’s honor.” Krycek raised his right hand solemnly then smiled again as he ducked out of the helicopter.
“You have your orders Agent Bauer.” The smoking man glanced down at his watch. “and your clock is running.”
“When this is over-” Jack began.
“When this is over you will do nothing. You will be given a promotion, a nice raise and a corner office somewhere of your choosing. You will have success and peace. That is IF you succeed. Always bear in mind Agent Bauer one thing above all.” The smoking man took another drag before continuing. “You have 24 Hours to either destroy the Black Oil or stop it. Otherwise this city will not see another sunrise.”
The smoking man nodded to Jackson.
“Let’s go agent Bauer. The mission awaits us.” Jackson pushed the M-16 muzzle into Jack’s temple. Jack grunted as he coolly stepped out of the helicopter.
“Would it matter if I wished you good luck?” The smoking man asked him quietly.
“Go to hell.”
The smoking man shrugged and the helicopter lifted off away from the tarmac. Jack watched the Blackhawk vanish into the night sky.
“Let’s go agent Bauer.” Jackson said as he brought his M-16 down and motioned towards the black Hummer parked off the tarmac. Jack turned suddenly and punched Jackson who fell backwards off his feet and landed with a thud on the ground.
“Let’s.” Jack snapped and strode over to the Hummer. Jackson smiled softly as he wiped a speckle of blood from the corner of his lip.
“I deserved that Agent Bauer. But you only get one free swing.” Jackson laughed as he got to his feet and followed Jack to the Hummer. He opened the door for Jack and as Jack stepped in Jackson leaned into Jack’s face. “Just One.” He reminded jack coldly before slamming the door shut.
Jack’s mind raced as he checked his watch. This was going to be a long day.
12:19a.m.
“What do we have here, Brass?” Gil Grissom asked as he stepped into the Hotel Room. His eyes expertly examined the crime scene with a calm precision as the slightly rumpled grumpy looking police detective smirked and walked over to Grissom.
“Dead body. Vic was found with his head bashed in right over the sink.”
“Hmm…he’s dressed, shirt’s still on, suit jacket, sleeves not rolled up.” Grissom noted.
“I’ve begun processing the sink and the rest of the bathroom. But I don’t think this was where he was killed.” The tall young black man interjected softly as he finished taking the last roll of crime scene photos of the body and its position, careful to capture every small detail, significant or not. He was too experienced to ever think that anything was unimportant when it came to a crime scene.
“What makes you say that Warrick?”
“Blood spatters out here on the balcony.” a female called out.
Grissom turned his head and saw Catherine Willow on her knees gently collecting blood swabs from the balcony floor and the sliding glass door.
“Gunshots?”
“Three. But no one heard them which makes me think silencer.” Brass explained.
“Inside or outside?”
Catherine pointed to the glass.
“Impact points look like the shots came from inside the room.”
Grissom approached the glass and inspected the three neat bullet holes that cracked the smooth glass into spider web patterns.
“That’s a nice grouping wouldn’t you say Brass?”
Brass nodded.
“Notice that too huh? This wasn’t some drunken angry fight. This was a shooter. Cold, clean.”
“Then why the mess in the bathroom?” Warrick asked.
“We have a marksman kill the victim out on the balcony but then drags the body over to the bathroom and bashes his head in over the sink. Doesn’t add up does it?”
“This is one of those puzzles that’s going to keep you up tonight isn’t it?” Brass replied sardonically.
“Oh, I don’t know. He might be telling me all I need to know before we leave this room.” Grissom replied, slightly distracted when he spied something bulging in the front suit jacket. Grissom quickly and smoothly snapped on latex gloves and reached into the coat pocket for the bulge, fishing it out. It was a leather wallet.
Grissom flipped it open and nodded knowingly.
“Notice the off the rack suit, the shoes and the unmistakable indentation of a shoulder holster?” Grissom pointed to the various observations.
“I’m thinking mob.” Warrick added.
Willow shook her head.
“He’s too neat for mobster, he’s sporting a crew cut, no discernable tats, no piercings. Clean cut and very professional.”
“A cop?” Brass added.
“Try FBI.” Grissom showed them the ID in the wallet.
“Great…Feds will be all over this before we can say---”
“Hello.” The young man interrupted as he stepped past the police line followed by a short red head with fiery blue eyes who watched everything with an intense interest as they approached the assembled CSI’s. He flipped open his ID wallet displaying his FBI identification. The young woman did the same with a practiced snap of her wrist. “Fox Mulder, FBI. This is my partner Dana Scully. We’re here about the murder.”
“boo.” Willow finished under her breath.
“You know what? I’m really impressed.” Warrick added with an arched eyebrow.
“I’m sorry?” Scully replied curiously.
“We’re sorry. My name is Gil Grissom, head of the Crime Scene Investigation Unit.”
“We assume you’re going to want to handle this from here on.” Brass added perfunctorily.
“Actually, considering we’re the only agents assigned we’d like to have your CSI’s help us out on this end.” Mulder replied as he stepped around to inspect the body.
“I assume you found him just like this?” Scully asked.
“Yes ma’am.”
“Agent Scully will do, Officer Brass. I’m curious, it doesn’t look like he was killed here.”
“No, we were just analyzing some blood spatter and bullet holes out here on the balcony. Looks like our vic was killed out here and then dragged back in here.”
“If that’s so where are the drag marks on the rug?” Mulder asked curiously.
Grissom looked down and nodded in approval. “You’re right, no drag marks that we can see.”
“Maybe he was carried?” Warrick suggested.
“No signs from his clothes that he was.” Scully noted as she examined his suit and shirt collar.
“He might have walked over to the sink then.” Willow concluded.
“And bashed his own head in?” Brass asked.
“Or someone bashed it for him.” Grissom replied.
“Our shooter waited for this guy to walk over here and then bashed him over the head by the sink?” Warrick countered. Grissom was quickly shuffling through the crime scene photos and paused at one.
“We’re missing something very crucial and fundamental here.” Grissom said quietly as he strode over to the glass door.
“What is it, Gil?” Willow asked.
Grissom slid the door closed in her face. She was taken aback by the action but then comprehension dawned in her eyes.
“According to Catherine’s initial walk through this door was closed.” Grissom explained.
“Which means that if he did walk over to the sink he would have had to shut the door behind him.”
“Or the killer could have.”
“Or he wasn’t shot at all.” Scully announced as she gently lifted his suit jacket to display his clean crisp white shirt. No bullet holes and absent of any blood stains.
“What the hell?”
“HE shot the killer outside the balcony.”
“But how did the killer bash his head in?”
“Mr. Grissom, are you aware of the theories on psycho kinesis, in particular telekinesis?” Mulder asked.
“Uh...I’m aware of the theory, yes, I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”
“Mulder.” Scully interjected in a warning tone. “Perhaps it would be best if you helped me with the body here. We’re going to want to finish processing him so I can examine him back at the morgue.”
“We’ll talk later Mr. Grissom.”
Grissom watched Mulder walk away with a hooded expression.
“Just what was that back there?” Scully said softly as they began checking the rest of the body.
“Playing a hunch.”
“This is Las Vegas, can’t you play a hunch at the craps table instead of making us look…”
“Weird?” Mulder interjected helpfully.
“Spooky.”
“Why Scully, its been ages since you called me that.”
“I’ve been hanging around you too long. Now doesn’t it bother you that our sole contact here to help with the investigation of the Black Oil is dead?”
“No, I would have been surprised if he was alive when we met.”
Scully blinked and looked up at Mulder.
“You can’t have worked the X-Files this long and not expect these kind of events.” Mulder explained.
“Well, we need to move. Agent Bauer should be in the city by now and we need to touch base with him. Personally I’m not looking forward to introducing him to our only source on the Black Oil lying on a slab in the morgue.”
“If we don’t hurry Scully there’ll be many more lying on the slab if what I suspect is correct.”
She paused long enough to fix him with a steady gaze.
“And just what do you suspect Mulder?”
“If the Black Oil is a weapon like I suspect this could be the Trinity test site for it.”
She said nothing in response and returned to her work.
Warrick watched the two darkly dressed FBI agents with a bemused expression.
“What is it Warrick?” Willow asked.
“Just that with those two I have a feeling we’re in for a very long shift.”
“What do ya think Tommy huh?” Big Pussy asked with a lecherous grin.
“It’s nice.” Tommy replied nonchalantly.
“Nice?! This guy’s gotta be bustin’ balls right? Nice. Maron, this is paradise.” Paulie chuckled as the limousine pulled into the drive way of the Bellagio.
“Ok, calm down, Jesus Christ you’re acting like a fucking tourist.” Tony Soprano snapped.
“I’m sorry Ton.”
It’s alright, I understand.” Tony Soprano replied with a wink.
Paulie leered out at one of the glamorous women waiting to enter her own limousine.
“So, Tommy, I know you just got out of the joint, you’re telling me this place isn’t in the least bit appealin’?” Big Pussy asked with a good natured elbow to Tommy’s ribs. Tommy Vincetti nodded.
“It is, I’m just not going to blow a nut over this fucking place, Capice?”
“Hey Tommy come here.” Tony indicated the open spot next to him on the opposite side of the passenger area of the limo. Tony obediently slid over. Tony placed an arm around Tony’s neck bringing him in closer to the don of North Jersey.
“Tommy, your boss asked me to look after you until things could be smoothed over between you and Leo. Now we Sopranos go back a long ways with the Leones in Liberty City. We get a lot of our cigarettes from out there. So when they send someone up to Jersey we like to look after them, show them a good time.”
“I understand Tony.” Tommy replied softly.
“If you really understand then you know what you should be doin’”
Tommy glanced at the large don curiously.
“Try to fit in. No one likes a cold fish, Tommy. There’s no reason for you to be angry. You’re outta the joint. Try to enjoy life.” Tony pressed a few c notes into Tommy’s hand. “And speakin’ of gettin’ your nut off have one on me.”
“You’ll forgive me if I don’t think of you while it’s happening?” Tommy replied smiling.
Tony laughed.
“Now that’s a good first step Tommy.” Tony replied.
The door to the limo opened and the doorman to the Bellagio welcomed the assembled mobsters to the casino.
“Ton, this could be the start of somethin’ big.” Paulie predicted as they filed out of the limo.
The Helicopter continued its flight back away from the city of Las Vegas. Inside the passenger compartment The Smoking Man nodded as he spoke into a secure satellite phone.
“Yes. It’s all been arranged. Does it matter? Of course not. There are no second chances at something like this.”
The cold desert air washed over him as he took another long drag.
“The mobsters will provide the cover that we need. Expendable assets every single one.” He nodded in agreement with what was said. “No.” He took a long drag, “Yes, of course I ordered that. An Agent like Bauer cannot be controlled for long with a vague threat hanging over his head. Yes, both of them. They will be in the city by the hour. No, he won’t know until I tell him. Do you really think his wife and daughter are any less expendable in my view? No. I assure you no.” He smiled coldly at a question. “Senator Palmer will have to find his own way out of the Drasens’ trap. Bauer is ours right now and we’re not letting him go. The good thing about this primary is that it will keep a lot of attention away from the target.”
He paused.
“Yes. I’m acutely aware of what will happen if this operation fails. Unfortunately I am also aware of what will happen If it succeeds.” He took a drag and shook his head as he listened. “No. I don’t think a rock and a hard place is appropriate at all. I like to think of this more as The Devil and the Deep Blue sea.” He switched off the phone and satin silence the rest of the flight out.
12:59a.m.
[/quote]
OPERATION BLACK OIL
Chapter 1: Sin City
The events of this story takes place between 12:00am and 1:00am on the night of Operation Black Oil.
12:07a.m.
“Clock’s running.” Jackson noted as he checked the glowing face of his government issue watch. It went well with his government issue suit and tie as well as government issue sunglasses tucked haphazrdly into his breast pocket. The government issue ear transmitter/receiver was looped over his ear and dangled uselessly past his left earlobe.
His passenger noted this and smirked. This young agent would take anything issued to him. He had seen the type, their entire wardrobe down to toiletries were government surplus or issue. He doubted the man paid for much of anything.
“You want to debrief me on what exactly I’m doing in this helicopter and where I’m going?” Jack Bauer asked over the roar of the rotor wash.
Jack briefly eyed the older man sitting behind both of them. He had not said a word since they got on the helicopter and only moved to take a drag from an ever present cigarette in his hand.
“Las Vegas.” Jackson smiled.
Bauer frowned as he caught sight of the strip illuminated brilliantly on the horizon as the Blackhawk helicopter turned in a tight circle to approach the oasis in the middle of the sea of sand and desolation below him.
“And what’s in Las Vegas?” Jack asked eyeing the too happy CTU agent tasked to assist him in this operation.
“We believe there are several mob families meeting together in one of the casinos. The Bellagio is what intel is telling us right now.”
Jack frowned.
“In case they didn’t tell you Jackson, we’re CTU – counter terrorism unit. We don’t do mafia. We don’t even do foreign mafia. This is out of our jurisdiction.”
“No, no, you have me all wrong Agent Bauer, the mob is just a smokescreen for something else. Something bigger.”
Jack leaned in closer to Jackson.
“Let me let you in on something, taking me away from my wife and daughter in the middle of the night doesn’t make me very happy. Carting me off in a helicopter without a clue where I’m going or what I’m supposed to be doing makes me angry but what really pisses me off is stringing me along and not getting to the point.”
Jackson swallowed hard as he looked into Bauer’s hard eyes.
“You’re right of course, sir.” Jackson stammered. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small sheaf of papers.
“This is a communications intercept we had decoded only 3 hours ago. It indicates that there are foreign agents in Las Vegas. These agents have contacted certain crime families through their own connections with the local mobs in Vegas. The crime families have sent representatives to meet with them. These agents have their hands on something they are only calling “Black Oil.” We ran this through our databases and found nothing but 20 minutes into our search we received this communiqué from a contact in the NSA.”
Jack was already reading ahead.
“A biological agent?”
“Top secret, compartmentalized and sealed through god knows how many levels but our searches raised a red flag and when they read our communiqués they got real nervous.”
“A biological agent in Vegas?” Bauer pressed.
“Frankly sir we don’t know but the NSA scrambled two Fibies to do a quick recon of the area and prep for our arrival.”
“Two? Why the hell hasn’t every FBI officer between here and Los Angeles been scrambled damnit?!” Jack protested.
“Sorry sir, NSA has strict instructions that this Operation has to be kept on the strictest level of security. The two agents have extensive experience with Black Oil and even they don’t know the whole story. They are on a need to know basis but they made it clear you’re to run with this.”
“And the mob?”
“They’re meeting with these foreign agents in what we assume is a plot to distribute this Black Oil.”
Jack shook his head as the helicopter began its descent.
“This isn’t their style. Mob bosses don’t get involved in terrorist plots. There’s no real money to be made and all kinds of hell to pay afterwards.”
“That’s what we thought as well and the NSA hinted that there was more to this than met the eye.”
“Isn’t there always.” Jack sighed.
Jackson glanced over at the older man. The older man took a drag from his cigarette and nodded to Jackson.
“Another thing sir. The NSA will initiate a level 6 quarantine of the city if it is confirmed that we have found the Black Oil in the city. If they don’t hear from us within 24 hours on this they will initiate the operation anyway.”
“What kind of protocols are involved in a level 6? I’ve never heard of it.”
“Let me answer that agent Jackson.” The smoking man finally spoke. He had sat there watching the entire exchange with the keen interest of a butcher inspecting a prize bull. He took another slow drag of his cigarette and watched Jack closely as he spoke. The Blackhawk was touching down.
“Level 6 quarantine is only instituted in the event of the release or threat to release a biological agent that could threaten not just the country but the world. Black Oil if released into the general population of Las Vegas would in very little time rapidly spread through the south and Midwest and then the rest of the world. Once free of the zone of initial contact it spreads like wild fire. 100% contagion, 100% fatality. Nasty stuff Mr. Bauer. You can hopefully understand why we cannot allow this to spread.”
The helicopter finally touched down.
“So what happens? What sort of guidelines am I looking at before this quarantine goes into effect?”
“Quarantine?” the Smoking man asked quizzically.
Jack sighed and shook his head.
“We were just discussing a level 6 quarantine.” He replied tightly.
The smoking man took another long drag and peered out over the entrance of the Blackhawk at the night sky as the helicopter’s rotors slowed enough to let passengers and equipment to offload. Jackson hesitantly began collecting equipment.
“At an undisclosed location a single B-2 Stealth Bomber is being prepped and loaded with a handpicked crew who do not exist. This crew is helping the bomber get loaded with a payload of tactical weapons that will not be found missing from our inventories. At the appointed time, whether it is confirmation of the release of Black Oil or the Fail Safe time is reached they will take off and initiate a nuclear strike against the city.”
Jack stared dumbfounded at the man as he took another long slow drag of his cigarette.
“Are you insane?” Jack breathed.
“You have your orders Mr. Bauer. I hear you’re the best at this sort of thing it’s time to prove it.”
Jack lunged forward to grab the smoking man but an M-16 muzzle lodged itself against his temple. Jack froze. The not so nice Jackson was cold and calm. His finger was squarely placed against the trigger.
The smoking man had not moved a muscle as he watched Jack with a detached interest.
“The two FBI agents I’ve assigned to assist you are very well versed in the Black Oil. One is a MD. Put her to good use. I would listen to the young man, as wild as some of his theories can be he has proven invaluable at this sort of operation.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed on the man.
“A full squad of CTU agents under Nina Myers are en-route and should arrive within the next two hours. Jackson here is a special forces operative and has had extensive combat experience. Put it to good use.”
Another figure stepped under the rotor wash and poked his head through the door.
“Ah, just in time.”
“They’re definitely here.” The man replied hotly.
“Calm yourself. This is Agent Jack Bauer. You will render him any assistance he needs in this operation.”
“I thought this was going to be mine.” The man protested.
“There is a chain of command and you are not privy to all that I am. This is a team and you will follow him is that clear.”
The man grumbled something under his breath. Jack slowly glanced backwards, painfully aware of the muzzle against his temple. The man was young, black hair but his eyes had that look Jack knew all too well. This man was dangerous. Not dangerous like not so nice Jackson, but dangerous like Charles Manson.
“Agent Bauer this is Alex Krycek. He also has experience with the Black Oil. It would be best if he were kept behind the scenes. He has a nose for ferreting out those involved with these plots.”
“Not to mention Mulder might shoot me on sight.” Krycek added with a cold smile. Oh yes. Jack noted. He wasn’t all there. It wouldn’t be the first mad man he’s had to work with.
“So Alex will leave us now but will maintain contact with you throughout your mission and he WILL be helpful won’t you, Krycek?”
“Scout’s honor.” Krycek raised his right hand solemnly then smiled again as he ducked out of the helicopter.
“You have your orders Agent Bauer.” The smoking man glanced down at his watch. “and your clock is running.”
“When this is over-” Jack began.
“When this is over you will do nothing. You will be given a promotion, a nice raise and a corner office somewhere of your choosing. You will have success and peace. That is IF you succeed. Always bear in mind Agent Bauer one thing above all.” The smoking man took another drag before continuing. “You have 24 Hours to either destroy the Black Oil or stop it. Otherwise this city will not see another sunrise.”
The smoking man nodded to Jackson.
“Let’s go agent Bauer. The mission awaits us.” Jackson pushed the M-16 muzzle into Jack’s temple. Jack grunted as he coolly stepped out of the helicopter.
“Would it matter if I wished you good luck?” The smoking man asked him quietly.
“Go to hell.”
The smoking man shrugged and the helicopter lifted off away from the tarmac. Jack watched the Blackhawk vanish into the night sky.
“Let’s go agent Bauer.” Jackson said as he brought his M-16 down and motioned towards the black Hummer parked off the tarmac. Jack turned suddenly and punched Jackson who fell backwards off his feet and landed with a thud on the ground.
“Let’s.” Jack snapped and strode over to the Hummer. Jackson smiled softly as he wiped a speckle of blood from the corner of his lip.
“I deserved that Agent Bauer. But you only get one free swing.” Jackson laughed as he got to his feet and followed Jack to the Hummer. He opened the door for Jack and as Jack stepped in Jackson leaned into Jack’s face. “Just One.” He reminded jack coldly before slamming the door shut.
Jack’s mind raced as he checked his watch. This was going to be a long day.
12:19a.m.
“What do we have here, Brass?” Gil Grissom asked as he stepped into the Hotel Room. His eyes expertly examined the crime scene with a calm precision as the slightly rumpled grumpy looking police detective smirked and walked over to Grissom.
“Dead body. Vic was found with his head bashed in right over the sink.”
“Hmm…he’s dressed, shirt’s still on, suit jacket, sleeves not rolled up.” Grissom noted.
“I’ve begun processing the sink and the rest of the bathroom. But I don’t think this was where he was killed.” The tall young black man interjected softly as he finished taking the last roll of crime scene photos of the body and its position, careful to capture every small detail, significant or not. He was too experienced to ever think that anything was unimportant when it came to a crime scene.
“What makes you say that Warrick?”
“Blood spatters out here on the balcony.” a female called out.
Grissom turned his head and saw Catherine Willow on her knees gently collecting blood swabs from the balcony floor and the sliding glass door.
“Gunshots?”
“Three. But no one heard them which makes me think silencer.” Brass explained.
“Inside or outside?”
Catherine pointed to the glass.
“Impact points look like the shots came from inside the room.”
Grissom approached the glass and inspected the three neat bullet holes that cracked the smooth glass into spider web patterns.
“That’s a nice grouping wouldn’t you say Brass?”
Brass nodded.
“Notice that too huh? This wasn’t some drunken angry fight. This was a shooter. Cold, clean.”
“Then why the mess in the bathroom?” Warrick asked.
“We have a marksman kill the victim out on the balcony but then drags the body over to the bathroom and bashes his head in over the sink. Doesn’t add up does it?”
“This is one of those puzzles that’s going to keep you up tonight isn’t it?” Brass replied sardonically.
“Oh, I don’t know. He might be telling me all I need to know before we leave this room.” Grissom replied, slightly distracted when he spied something bulging in the front suit jacket. Grissom quickly and smoothly snapped on latex gloves and reached into the coat pocket for the bulge, fishing it out. It was a leather wallet.
Grissom flipped it open and nodded knowingly.
“Notice the off the rack suit, the shoes and the unmistakable indentation of a shoulder holster?” Grissom pointed to the various observations.
“I’m thinking mob.” Warrick added.
Willow shook her head.
“He’s too neat for mobster, he’s sporting a crew cut, no discernable tats, no piercings. Clean cut and very professional.”
“A cop?” Brass added.
“Try FBI.” Grissom showed them the ID in the wallet.
“Great…Feds will be all over this before we can say---”
“Hello.” The young man interrupted as he stepped past the police line followed by a short red head with fiery blue eyes who watched everything with an intense interest as they approached the assembled CSI’s. He flipped open his ID wallet displaying his FBI identification. The young woman did the same with a practiced snap of her wrist. “Fox Mulder, FBI. This is my partner Dana Scully. We’re here about the murder.”
“boo.” Willow finished under her breath.
“You know what? I’m really impressed.” Warrick added with an arched eyebrow.
“I’m sorry?” Scully replied curiously.
“We’re sorry. My name is Gil Grissom, head of the Crime Scene Investigation Unit.”
“We assume you’re going to want to handle this from here on.” Brass added perfunctorily.
“Actually, considering we’re the only agents assigned we’d like to have your CSI’s help us out on this end.” Mulder replied as he stepped around to inspect the body.
“I assume you found him just like this?” Scully asked.
“Yes ma’am.”
“Agent Scully will do, Officer Brass. I’m curious, it doesn’t look like he was killed here.”
“No, we were just analyzing some blood spatter and bullet holes out here on the balcony. Looks like our vic was killed out here and then dragged back in here.”
“If that’s so where are the drag marks on the rug?” Mulder asked curiously.
Grissom looked down and nodded in approval. “You’re right, no drag marks that we can see.”
“Maybe he was carried?” Warrick suggested.
“No signs from his clothes that he was.” Scully noted as she examined his suit and shirt collar.
“He might have walked over to the sink then.” Willow concluded.
“And bashed his own head in?” Brass asked.
“Or someone bashed it for him.” Grissom replied.
“Our shooter waited for this guy to walk over here and then bashed him over the head by the sink?” Warrick countered. Grissom was quickly shuffling through the crime scene photos and paused at one.
“We’re missing something very crucial and fundamental here.” Grissom said quietly as he strode over to the glass door.
“What is it, Gil?” Willow asked.
Grissom slid the door closed in her face. She was taken aback by the action but then comprehension dawned in her eyes.
“According to Catherine’s initial walk through this door was closed.” Grissom explained.
“Which means that if he did walk over to the sink he would have had to shut the door behind him.”
“Or the killer could have.”
“Or he wasn’t shot at all.” Scully announced as she gently lifted his suit jacket to display his clean crisp white shirt. No bullet holes and absent of any blood stains.
“What the hell?”
“HE shot the killer outside the balcony.”
“But how did the killer bash his head in?”
“Mr. Grissom, are you aware of the theories on psycho kinesis, in particular telekinesis?” Mulder asked.
“Uh...I’m aware of the theory, yes, I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”
“Mulder.” Scully interjected in a warning tone. “Perhaps it would be best if you helped me with the body here. We’re going to want to finish processing him so I can examine him back at the morgue.”
“We’ll talk later Mr. Grissom.”
Grissom watched Mulder walk away with a hooded expression.
“Just what was that back there?” Scully said softly as they began checking the rest of the body.
“Playing a hunch.”
“This is Las Vegas, can’t you play a hunch at the craps table instead of making us look…”
“Weird?” Mulder interjected helpfully.
“Spooky.”
“Why Scully, its been ages since you called me that.”
“I’ve been hanging around you too long. Now doesn’t it bother you that our sole contact here to help with the investigation of the Black Oil is dead?”
“No, I would have been surprised if he was alive when we met.”
Scully blinked and looked up at Mulder.
“You can’t have worked the X-Files this long and not expect these kind of events.” Mulder explained.
“Well, we need to move. Agent Bauer should be in the city by now and we need to touch base with him. Personally I’m not looking forward to introducing him to our only source on the Black Oil lying on a slab in the morgue.”
“If we don’t hurry Scully there’ll be many more lying on the slab if what I suspect is correct.”
She paused long enough to fix him with a steady gaze.
“And just what do you suspect Mulder?”
“If the Black Oil is a weapon like I suspect this could be the Trinity test site for it.”
She said nothing in response and returned to her work.
Warrick watched the two darkly dressed FBI agents with a bemused expression.
“What is it Warrick?” Willow asked.
“Just that with those two I have a feeling we’re in for a very long shift.”
“What do ya think Tommy huh?” Big Pussy asked with a lecherous grin.
“It’s nice.” Tommy replied nonchalantly.
“Nice?! This guy’s gotta be bustin’ balls right? Nice. Maron, this is paradise.” Paulie chuckled as the limousine pulled into the drive way of the Bellagio.
“Ok, calm down, Jesus Christ you’re acting like a fucking tourist.” Tony Soprano snapped.
“I’m sorry Ton.”
It’s alright, I understand.” Tony Soprano replied with a wink.
Paulie leered out at one of the glamorous women waiting to enter her own limousine.
“So, Tommy, I know you just got out of the joint, you’re telling me this place isn’t in the least bit appealin’?” Big Pussy asked with a good natured elbow to Tommy’s ribs. Tommy Vincetti nodded.
“It is, I’m just not going to blow a nut over this fucking place, Capice?”
“Hey Tommy come here.” Tony indicated the open spot next to him on the opposite side of the passenger area of the limo. Tony obediently slid over. Tony placed an arm around Tony’s neck bringing him in closer to the don of North Jersey.
“Tommy, your boss asked me to look after you until things could be smoothed over between you and Leo. Now we Sopranos go back a long ways with the Leones in Liberty City. We get a lot of our cigarettes from out there. So when they send someone up to Jersey we like to look after them, show them a good time.”
“I understand Tony.” Tommy replied softly.
“If you really understand then you know what you should be doin’”
Tommy glanced at the large don curiously.
“Try to fit in. No one likes a cold fish, Tommy. There’s no reason for you to be angry. You’re outta the joint. Try to enjoy life.” Tony pressed a few c notes into Tommy’s hand. “And speakin’ of gettin’ your nut off have one on me.”
“You’ll forgive me if I don’t think of you while it’s happening?” Tommy replied smiling.
Tony laughed.
“Now that’s a good first step Tommy.” Tony replied.
The door to the limo opened and the doorman to the Bellagio welcomed the assembled mobsters to the casino.
“Ton, this could be the start of somethin’ big.” Paulie predicted as they filed out of the limo.
The Helicopter continued its flight back away from the city of Las Vegas. Inside the passenger compartment The Smoking Man nodded as he spoke into a secure satellite phone.
“Yes. It’s all been arranged. Does it matter? Of course not. There are no second chances at something like this.”
The cold desert air washed over him as he took another long drag.
“The mobsters will provide the cover that we need. Expendable assets every single one.” He nodded in agreement with what was said. “No.” He took a long drag, “Yes, of course I ordered that. An Agent like Bauer cannot be controlled for long with a vague threat hanging over his head. Yes, both of them. They will be in the city by the hour. No, he won’t know until I tell him. Do you really think his wife and daughter are any less expendable in my view? No. I assure you no.” He smiled coldly at a question. “Senator Palmer will have to find his own way out of the Drasens’ trap. Bauer is ours right now and we’re not letting him go. The good thing about this primary is that it will keep a lot of attention away from the target.”
He paused.
“Yes. I’m acutely aware of what will happen if this operation fails. Unfortunately I am also aware of what will happen If it succeeds.” He took a drag and shook his head as he listened. “No. I don’t think a rock and a hard place is appropriate at all. I like to think of this more as The Devil and the Deep Blue sea.” He switched off the phone and satin silence the rest of the flight out.
12:59a.m.
[/quote]
