Flat Line

By Charles F. David

Flat Line. The stories in this book are fiction and are the authors view of whats out there waiting to bring us down.

The stories in this book are wrapped around an elite force known as the Navy SEALs, this countrys first line of defense.

The men in the pages of this book pursue and track down the terrorist that bring to our shores the nightmare we have long awaited.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479742479

Charles F. David

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Copyright © 2012 by Charles F. David.

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.

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Preface

Chapter 1   Do It

Chapter 2   Now Or Never

Chapter 3   Exit

Chapter 4   Fire Ball

Chapter 5   Way Out

Chapter 6   Password

Chapter 7   Hell Out Of Here

Chapter 8   Hot One

Chapter 9   Let’s Do It

Chapter 10   The Fan

Chapter 11   Spook

Chapter 12   Aces And Eights

Chapter 13   All Over Again

Chapter 14   Call It Off

Chapter 15   Anybody In Here

Chapter 16   The Mog

Chapter 17   Getting Soft

Chapter 18   Fast And Furious

Chapter 19   See This

Chapter 20   Hell Will Break Loose

Chapter 21   As Long As It Takes

Chapter 22   Hell Hole

Chapter 23   Here They Come

Chapter 24   Suitcase Nukes

Chapter 25   Blackhawk Down

Chapter 26   Mogadishu

Chapter 27   One We’ll Never Forget

Chapter 28   Not The End, Just The Beginning

COVER ILLUSTRATIONS BY:

D.E. FERGUSON

DEDICATION

This writer dedicates this book to all the Navy SEALs past and present who have given their all to protect our country from those that would bring it down and destroy it.

Dedicated to all the men that survived and to those that never made it back.

All heroes never to be forgotten.

PREFACE

The stories in Flat Line are wrapped in fiction. The characters in this book are the elite fighting force known as the Navy SEALs, a tight group of warriors that circle the globe fighting clandestine battles under the cloak of secrecy, never looking for the credit they rightly deserve.

In the following stories, they pursue the terrorist that threaten our country and our way of life. The SEALs are our first line of defense, and in this book, amongst other missions they take on, they pursue the terrorist bomb makers that put together suitcase nukes that are carried into the United States.

In these troubled times of trial and error, the threat of nuclear war still hangs heavy over our heads. The following stories will lead its readers in the direction of what could someday come to fruition, a nuclear war that could destroy our country and return us to the Stone Age. Something that we have always feared, being Flat Lined.

CHAPTER 1

DO IT

Time Line, the present.

On a U.S. ship somewhere in the Arabian Sea, in the dead of night two Navy SEAL teams board waiting choppers that will take them on the first leg of an all-too-important mission. Two eight-man teams are set and ready to take on maybe the most important mission of their Navy SEAL careers.

The men have been briefed on their mission, and it’s a go. Team Strike, commanded by Lieutenant Jay Brady, will take his team in to bring out one of the top Iranian nuclear scientists that is ready to defect.

The second team, Team Bolt, commanded by Lieutenant Rip Haskell, will go in to take out the nuclear complex where the soon-to-be-extracted Iranian scientist is working. They are on the deck of the huge carrier waiting to board the choppers that will take them to rendezvous with the submarine that will get them through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf.

The team commanders give the high sign as both teams board the choppers and are soon in the air heading for the meet with the sub that cruises below the surface of the dark waters of the Arabian Sea. Once on board, one of the men fields a question that is also on the minds of the others.

LT, do you expect this little jaunt to be a rough one? What’s the chance that we might be walking straight into the shit with our eyes wide open? What’s to say that Iranian is on the up and up?

Nothing’s carved in stone, Chief. The Israelis that we hook up with when we hit the beach have been dealing with the situation. They say their contacts have set the wheels in motion. The Iranian Scientist wants out of there. He probably figures the Israelis will take out that complex sooner or later and doesn’t want to be there when the shit hits the fan. As far as I know, the Intel is A-OK. We’ll handle it as always. We’ll take it as it comes.

The chief sat back and glanced over at the other men for a reaction. They looked to be taking everything in stride, looking as though this mission was no different than the many they had under their belt. Master Chief Rick Ponchielli, better known as Ponch by the men, sat back and went with the flow.

Just as daylight was about to light up the waters above the submerged sub, the choppers made contact. They watched as the sub surfaced in the predawn light. The order was given to rope down to the deck of the sub below.

Okay, let’s do it. That sub will want to submerge as fast as it surfaced. Hit that rope.

The men quickly roped down to the waiting sub, each chopper taking its turn to disgorge the men they were carrying. In no time, the men were below, with the sub again disappearing below the surface of the dark waters as the sun made its way back to usher in a new day.

Once below, as the sub buttoned up its hatches, the two team commanders were summoned to the control room to meet the captain.

Sir, Lieutenants Brady and Haskell. Good to be aboard, sir.

Gentlemen, good to see you and your men made it without a hitch. Let’s hope the rest of your mission comes off as planned. After we make it through the Strait of Hormuz, things could get touchy. We’ll be in Indian country with a lot of Iranian activity topside. The Iranian government has been saber rattling, with threats of closing the strait. Small Iranian gunboats have been threatening shipping, keeping things pretty riled up. It wouldn’t take much to start a shooting war in this part of the world. If that happens, the Middle East will blow up, threatening the entire region. The chain of command believes the Iranians already have a nuclear weapon at their disposal. If this is true, they’ll most likely use it on Israel.

Understandable, sir. We can relate to that. Have our Israeli counterparts checked in?

Everything is a go on that end, Lieutenant. The Mossad has been on top of things. Israeli special forces are on the ground and in place. They’ll be waiting on shore tonight to guide you in. I suggest you and your men relax and enjoy the ride. I’ll fill you in when we’re an hour out. At the present time, we’re thirty into approaching the strait. I’ll keep you abreast of what’s going on topside. Kick back, gentlemen.

The sub slid through the troubled waters of the Gulf of Oman and entered the narrow Strait of Hormuz. Everything was quiet topside, with very little activity on the surface.

It wasn’t long before things changed. The quiet waters that flowed through the strait came alive with activity. Sonar had picked up multiple ships moving on the surface. An hour into it had the sub’s commander on the bridge surveying what was going on top side.

Sir, we have activity topside. Sounds like the Iranian shallow-water navy is up to something. Better have a look-see, sir.

Making it to periscope depth, the captain found the source of the sudden activity that popped up. Small Iranian gunboats were hassling an American oil tanker that was slowly making its way out of the Persian Gulf. The ship was on its radio, putting out a distress call. The Iranian gunboats were circling the tanker, trying to provoke an incident.

Sound general quarters. This could turn into something. Let’s hope the pinheads that are in charge of those gunboats don’t decide to start World War Three. If we are forced to surface, this incident could jeopardize the mission. Call the SEAL lieutenants to the con. They might want to see what’s happening topside.

While this was going on, the SEAL teams were on the edge wondering what was going down. They watched as the activity aboard the sub increased.

LT, what the hell is going on? Sounds like something is happening topside. Sounds like all hell is breaking loose. What the hell do you suppose is going down?

Can’t say, Chief. I’m sure we’ll hear about it sooner or later.

As the two men talked, a crewman popped up. Lieutenant Brady, the captain wants to see you and Lieutenant Haskell on the con ASAP.

Here we go, Haskell. I think we’re about to find out what the commotion is all about. The rest of you guys sit tight. We’ll fill you in when we get back. Let’s go, Lieutenant.

The two men hurried to the control room, where they found Captain Dryer busily giving orders. They were running at periscope depth, taking in what was unraveling on the surface.

Gentlemen, thought you might want in on this. We have a scenario taking place top side. Iranian gunboats are screwing with one of our oil tankers that’s minding its business. If they attack that ship, I’ll need to surface and take on those gunboats to get them off the tanker’s backside. This incident could screw up your mission. As of this moment, the Iranians hopefully have no idea of our presence. Let’s hope it stays that way.

Minutes ticked by, with a tense crew at the ready. The atmosphere in the control room was thick enough to cut with a knife. The minutes turned into five and then ten. Still the episode kept up, refusing to unwind and force the sub to take a hand in what was going down.

Just as abruptly as it had started, the gunboats broke it off and disappeared, defusing the incident that could have been blown out of proportion. The all-clear was sounded, and the men on the bridge stood down.

Well, gentlemen, that was a touchy one. For a minute there, I thought we would have to go topside to defuse what was about to take place. So far our luck is holding out. We might pull this off yet. Let’s hope those gunboats aren’t around when we surface. We’re about two hours out, Lieutenant. I’ll brief you both when the time comes. We’re about to make contact with the Israelis. Let’s hope everything is under control ashore. You and your men will need to be ready when the time comes. We have a limited window once we surface.

Back with their men, the lieutenants were hit with a raft of questions. The men were curious to know what had been going on.

LT, what the hell was that all about?

Nothing more than some wild-ass Iranians looking to pick a fight with an unarmed oil tanker. Seems like the jokers are itching for a fight. You can more than likely figure that’s the way it will be when we get to go up against them. You boys will need to stay sharp. I have a gut feeling this is not going to be a cake walk. Chief, have the men check their equipment. We’re about an hour out. When the order is given, we’ll all need to be sharp and move fast.

It was soon time, and the captain made the call to attend the briefing. The teams would soon be called on to leave the sub and head inland. Lieutenant Brady and his cohort Lieutenant JG Haskell were all to ready to get it on and get their mission off the ground. They hurried toward the bridge to be briefed on what was to come. The captain was waiting to fill them in.

Gentlemen, it’s almost time to get underway. We’ve made contact with the Israelis, and everything is a go. As of now, everything is going as planned. When you get ashore, your contact will be a Major Stahl. He’ll lay out the scenario that will take place. He has along with him a detachment of Israeli special forces. They will be instrumental in helping you to complete your mission. One thing, there is a slight change of plans. When and if you succeed in locating the defecting Iranian scientist, you are to hand him over to the Mossad. Our government does not want to look like they know about his whereabouts. He still has family in Iran that will be left behind. The Mossad is working on getting them out of the country. Your mission is cut and dried—snatch the scientist and destroy as much of that complex as humanly possible. You will need to get the job done and be ready to be picked up shortly after nightfall. This ship will surface at precisely 1900 hours tonight. Be there waiting for the pickup. Your window of opportunity to board this ship will be limited. You’ll get the green light in twenty. Good luck, gentlemen.

Looks like it’s all up to us now, Haskell. We’ll need to get the men ashore under cover of darkness and locate our Israeli contact. If everything goes off without a hitch, we’ll be back on this sub before you know it. Let’s give the men a short pep talk and get them ready. I’m sure they all have an adrenalin rush ready to take off.

The lieutenant was right in his thinking—the rest of the men were charged and ready to take on everything and anything that was out there waiting. The rush they were about to experience was nothing new to them. They had felt it take over many times before, on many missions that spanned the globe.

It was time to shove off. The green light flashed to get the mission underway. The hours ahead would prove to be an uphill battle for the SEAL teams to overcome. It was a go.

The sub quietly surfaced, a ghostly figure coming up from the depths of the cold black expanse that had hidden it for many hours. The hatches opened, revealing the SEAL teams that emerged to fill the rubber boats that would take them to shore. Only a few short minutes separated them from the sub that quickly slid back under the veil of darkness and the waters that would hide them until they would again surface.

The rubber boats filled with the men now headed toward the Iranian shoreline, heading into the unknown. The SEALs were quiet as they paddled their way forward. The shoreline soon became visible, with the light of the coming day starting to rear its ugly head.

Off in the direction they were heading, they soon picked up a light that flashed a message. It was a beacon that directed them to their Israeli contact, the Mossad agent. The SEALs picked up on it and continued on toward the meet.

LT, there’s our contact. Check it out. That light is dead ahead. Looks like that is our man.

Okay, guys, stay alert. We can’t be sure what is there waiting for us. We need to stay on top of our game.

As they moved toward the flashing light, it abruptly ceased to guide them in. Something ashore had stopped it to function. The lieutenant brought the rubber boats to a halt and waited to see it reappear. "Chief, something’s not right. Our contact must have come up against something. Without that light to guide us in, we’re screwed. We can’t sit out here waiting for something to happen. We’ll need to keep moving. Let’s head toward the direction we last spotted the light. It’s our only option. Let’s… DO IT."

CHAPTER 2

NOW OR NEVER

The SEAL teams now found themselves up the proverbial creek without a paddle. They knew if they lost their contact, the mission would start off on the wrong note. They paddled in, hoping that the light would again appear.

Keep paddling, men. We don’t need to be caught out here when daylight strikes. We’ll be fish in a barrel if we stay here. Let’s hit that beach and fast.

It now became a race against time, with the sun coming in to light things up. Their only hope was to make the shoreline before things began to unravel. When they made it to the water’s edge, they left the boats and looked for cover.

LT, we made it this far. All we need to do now is find that Israeli agent. Where the hell do you suppose he got to?

Chief, over here. I think we found our man. He’s in a bad way. His throat has been cut.

In the dim light, Brady looked down at the man staring up at him. He lay on the ground bloody, with his eyes wide open, staring up at the two men that looked down at him.

LT, looks like a setup. With this dude gone and out of the way, we’re f-cked. Whoever took him out has us backed into a corner. How in the hell are we going to find his outfit to hook up? What’s our next move?

Too late to turn back now. We’re in the shit with no backup. Only option we have is to continue on and hope that we come across the rest of those Israelis. Haskell, move on up, we have a change of plans.

What’s up, LT? What’s our way out of this?

Let’s move up and check out the installation. It’s our only move, nothing else left open to us. We’re probably in deep shit already. We need to keep moving. Get the men up. We’ll try to pull it off.

The SEAL teams left the beach and moved inland. With daylight upon them, they moved forward, keeping as much cover as they could find. About a hundred yards in, all hell broke loose. Waiting for them on the perimeter of the installation was a sizeable force of Iranian military. They opened up on the SEAL teams and put down a steady stream of fire, stopping them cold in their tracks. The men now found themselves pinned down, with no place to go.

LT, they caught us cold. The mother-fuckers were waiting for us. They have us pinned down. We’ll never get past this point. What’s our next move?

Only one thing left to do. We need to back on out of here and try to get back to that sub. The bastards have us outnumbered and in a shitty spot. Get the men back down to the beach while the getting is good. I’ll stay behind with three of the men and hold them off. Get on the radio and see if you can make contact with the sub. It’s our only way out of here.

The men left their cover and slid back down toward the beach and the boats that were left behind. They picked up two of the men that were hit and took off with gunfire tracking behind them.

Chief, Jonesy caught one. I think he bought it. I’ll go back and check him out. Give me some cover fire.

The SEAL turned and braved the incoming fire to check on the man that had gone down. When he was but a few feet from making it, he noticed that the man that had taken the hit was KIA. When he finally reached him, he saw that he had taken a round to the head. The man was dead before he hit the ground.

As he started to pick up the dead SEAL, he too took a hit. A bullet caught him in the right shoulder and caused him to drop his buddy to the ground. He was now unable to carry him out.

The chief saw what went down and yelled back to the man. Hollister, get your ass out of there. Nothing more you can do back there. Move away and head toward us.

Just as Hollister started to move, he caught another bullet in the leg that stopped him from making it out. He signaled back to the chief that he was unable move.

Give me some cover fire. I need to go back and get his ass out of there. This place is getting to damned hot. We need to get back down to the beach. Keep trying to raise that sub. We need out of here and fast.

The radio took a hit, Chief, can’t say if we made it through to the sub. We can only hope they heard us before the radio went down.

The chief moved like a cat shot in the ass and, in no time, was dragging Hollister toward the beach. When they reached the water’s edge, they found Lieutenant Haskell and the other men in the boats ready to take off. Haskell was quick to ask the whereabouts of Lieutenant Brady and the others. Chief, are the others behind you?

Negative, sir. When I was pulling Hollister’s ass out of the fire, I looked back and saw the LT and the others being overrun by the Iranians. Couldn’t see if they did them in or not. I think they’re screwed, sir. Do we go back for them?

Too late for that, Chief. We need to get these wounded the hell out of here. Let’s hope that sub received our distress call before the radio was taken out. Shove off before the shit hits the fan and pulls us down too.

The boats carrying what was left of the two SEAL teams headed back out to sea. It was bright daylight by this time, giving them no cover whatsoever. They reached the rendezvous point where they sat in the rubber boats waiting for the sub to surface.

"Chief, I wish I knew if the sub picked up our distress call before that radio went out. We’re not in what you would call a good place to be. Sooner or later, those rag heads are going to come out here to finish us off. You men, keep a sharp eye for any signs of a periscope. That sub has