THE SEARCH
(SQUEAL TO PNNED DOWN)
By: Vince Davis

CHAPTER ONE

IRAQ- 14 MAY 2007 1329 HOURS, SOMEWHERE ON A ROAD EAST OF BAGDAD

Billy Topp walked along the convoy with his M-16 at the ready. They been moving for almost three hours now. The sun was high in the cloudless sky. Sweat was pouring down his face.
Billy and the rest of the convoy was marching down on a dangerous road. Billy's friend, Joel, walked a little quicker to catch up with his friend and then resumed his pace when he was beside his friend.
"What do you think, Bill?" Billy looked at him. He could see the sweat run heavily down his friend's face.
"All I know is, I have five hundred and sevety-six days left." Joel laughed. Billy looked straight ahead. They walked in silence not knowing what to say. There wasn't much. The tanks' engines roared as they moved along, as did the other vehicles. A few helicopters or planes would fly over head.
The sky was a clear blue with no clouds in sight. And of course that made it hotter. A few hours later, the convoy stopped to take a risky five mintue break.

IRAQ- 14 MAY 2007 1430 HOURS, AN UNKNOWN TOWN SOUTH OF BAGDAD

General Xan walked down the trail that led to a worn down building. Xan entered it and immeditly felt the coolness. It felt good against his wet face. Xan took a left and entered a dirty hallway. The sun shone through the coverless windows. Inlighting the hallway with brilliant light. Xan turned a right and entered a more narrow and darker hallway. Xan walked for about twenty feet and turned another left and he opened an old door that creaked when he opened it.
Xan walked in the tiny room that was surrounded by dirt smeared on the cracking walls. Xan closed the door and sat down on a rotting chair. His staff looked at him. Their hands were folded on the table which was also rotting.
Xan looked around with a slight smile on his face. The other memebers of the room just sat patiently and quietly. Xan took his time. He was in a rare mood. Xan took out a cigar instead of a cigarette and lit it.
"Men, the operation for my army to be built again is going smoothly. The Chinese are now involved. But I don't think the Americans know about this. They are sending men and equitment over here. But we still must be alert. I will be on the move a lot. But while this, operation if you will, is taking place, I need to go to some place more secure. Some place where the allies won't guess." Xan took another drag on his cigar. A man coughed and took a sip of water.
"What were you thinking of, sir?" Another asked.
"Well, I was thinking of Frace."
"France?!" One yelled. "I mean, that's a bit odd."
"What is there something wrong?" Xan asked kind of rudely.
"No, no. That's perfect, sir."
"Good. But I, do need to do some important things before I leave." Xan stood. He smiled. His cigar clenched in his teeth. "Good day, gentlemen. Oh, by the way...."

1,000 METERS FROM THE CITY.

Ron tapped the recorder again. Ron then pressed a finger on the ear piece to listen, and what he heard was unclear.
"Goddamnit," Ron said to himself. The sound became clear and all he heard was footsteps and the scraping of chairs. Finally a door shutting. Ron took off his boonie hat and took out a green cloth. He dabbed at his forehead.
Ron peered through the scope and looked at the city. He didn't have his sniper rifle with him because he was on a recon mission. He was only armed with a bowie knife and a .9mm.
Ron saw Xan walk out of the building and walking toward something. He couldn't really tell what it was. Ron squinted and finally gave up and moved the scope around the city once more. He was satisfied that he accomplished the mission.
"Dragon, this is Snake, come in," Ron whispered into his small thin like mouth piece.
"Snake, this is Dragon, go ahead," came the response.
"Dragon, I have finished the shopping and is ready to go to the car," Ron whispered as he was smiling.
"Roger that. Be alert as you cross the street and the cross guard will pick up you up at the light." Ron smiled.
"Copy that, Dragon. Snake out." Ron tapped the mouth piece and he heard a faint click meaning it shut off. Ron put his boonie hat back on and got ready to pull back. Before he did, he made sure he left no sign saying he was here. When he was satisfied, he pulled away.

FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA 17 MAY, 2007

Alan sat down his boy, named Keith, and walked over to his wife. She smiled at him as he held her close. Alan was still getting over at what he saw in Somilia but now he can control most of his flash backs. Grace was really happy when he came home. Of course the kid was too young to understand.
"I gotta go to the PX today," Alan said to Grace as she leaned on him. Grace smiled.
"Okay." Alan kissed his wife and parted. He messed up his kid's hair as he walked away.
Alan got into the car and drove off to the PX.

IRAQ-SOMEWHERE IN A BEDROOM, 19 MAY, 2007 2300 HOURS

John Walker, also know as the Pimp, was in bed with a big smile on his face and his hands finger locked behind his head. The woman was sleeping beside him. He didn't really care for banging Iraqi women, but when he knew he could use his legs again, he saw her and they banged.
"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! I should have told you!" Shouted the woman and startling Walker. His smile faded as he heard the next saying: "I should have told you I had AIDS!" Walker leaped out of bed and looked in disbelief at a smiling woman.
"What?!" Walker screamed.
"I was just kidding, honey. You ready to go again?" She said in perfect english and was smiling now and her hands wondered her body.
"AHHHHH!!!!" Walker grabbed his pants and boxers and ran out of the room. "DOOOC!" He screamed.

IRAQ- IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DERSERT 19 MAY 2007 0009 HOURS

Ron slipped behind a rock and looked up ahead. He saw the Huey that was waiting for him. Ron spoke on his mouth piece so the gunner won't open fire. When Ron got the go ahead, he ran forward and the gunner helped him up. The Huey shook a little then took off into the night.

IRAQ- GENERAL XAN'S HEADQUARTERS 19 MAY 2007 0030 HOURS

Xan knew he was the Americans were sending recon pratrols out to recon or spy the area or him. He made sure that the air waves were unclear and , himself, has plenty of elite spies in the American base.
Xan knew he had to move out for his time was limited. He would have to finish doing his busniess when, he got to another destianation. And from there, he would go to France.
A Russain made chopper was waiting for him when he ran out of his barracks. Two staff memebers went with him and in seconds the chopper was gone.

BAGDAD-0159

Ron found everything going fast and before he knew it he was on his cot ready to go to bed. He was debriefed and everything. The Deltas were getting ready to move out in forty mintues to raid Xan's HQ.
If things got hot, the 82nd Airbone Division was ready to move in and help. But this operation was suppose to be steathly with no mistakes. There was no room for mistakes. They were to capture Xan and bring him back. The Deltas were ready to go.

Walker was walking down the six of his men checking thier equitment. Just to be sure. Walker had a sixth since about these things and he knew that he was going to catch him. Or his team he should say.
"Well, you guys are ready to go. The Black Hawk will be here in two mikes so be ready." The men nodded and some sat down, while some stood. One, he was a cherry, was smoking a cigarette very nervously.
Walker smiled as he gripped his MP5, his most trust worthy gun. He loved it and carried it on every mission. It was his good luck charm. Walker checked his watch. The Hawk was late.
Ray walked up behind him and stood still for a few seconds. Then he spoke up and his voice startled Walker.
"Walker, when is the Black Hawk getting here?" Walker didn't turn around or knowledged his presences. He just simply shrugged and finally heard the chopper whooping in the distance.
"Saddle up! Lets go!" Walker and his men lined up. When the Black Hawk touched down they immeditly ran toward the chopper and jumped inside. In five seconds the Black Hawk was gone.

Walker walked slowly foward as the others followed. Walker wanted to do this quickly but he didn't want to get him and his team killed. It was a clear starfull night. There were flashes and gunfire in the distance. Walker didn't really pounder on that very much. He had to concentrate on his mission.
Walker suddendly stopped when he heard machine guns chatter away. Walker took a knee and whispered into his mouth piece.
"Tree Top Village, this is Mouse. Please come in." Walker waited. A soft breeze played with the flap of Walker's do rag.
"Mouse, this is Tree Top Village, I read you clear as rain."
"Tree Top Village, I'm hereing some gun fire in the distance and two RPDs not too far way. Please explain why. Over." Walker waited some more. An owl hooted up ahead. The cherry jumped at the sound.
"Mouse, I have no idea what that is. Disregard and contiune on your mission. Out."
"Copy that." Walker shook his head and began moving. After fifteen mintes of walking, Walker saw some lights up ahead and he dropped down on his belly. He crawled foward through the brush and stopped before the brush ended.
Walker crawled up ahead and poked his head out of the brush. He took out his bushmans and peered through them. Everything was quiet, except for the gunfire in the distance. Walker crawled out some more and his team followed him. When he knew it was safe, they stood and began moving fast across the open towards the three feet brick wall that surrounded the small town.
Walker pointed his gun up and down, left and right, rapidly making sure no enemies are lurking about trying to pick off his men. His team followed him doing the same thing.
They moved swiftly, silently, and quietly through the sandy "streets" leading to the building where they know Xan is at. A few mintues later they were standing at the front door. Walker and his men put their backs to the wall on either side of the door.
The cherry, Jerry, took out a block of C-4. Walker nodded at him and took out a flashbang. The fighting became closer. Walker looked to his right toward the woods and actualy saw the muzzle flashes. The flashes were vague but Walker knew they were getting close.
"Hurry up." Walker commanded softly. Jerry finished up with the C-4 then moved back.
Fire in the hole!" Jerry yelled. The six men took cover. The door blew off its hindges a second later. Smoke and dust filled the splintered space.
Walker pulled the pin of the flashbang and tossed it into the dust. Walker flipped off the safty as the grenade went off. Jerry rushed in followed by Walker. Walker looked up and around. Walker couldn't see anything. His men spread out looking inside the rooms. The search took twenty seconds.
"Clear!" Walker yelled.
"Clear!"
"Clear!" Walker was bemused. Walker walked into the main room and scratched his head.
"I don't get it," he said. The other team memebers were standing around waiting. Walker turned on his headset and called in base.
"Tree Top Village, this is Mouse, how do you read?" Walker said. he waited for an answer then repeated it.
"Mouse, this is Tree Top Village, I read you loud and clear."
"Tree Top Village, the package is not here, the area is cold, and waiting for further orders. Over."
"Mouse, this is Tree Top Village, we are sending in the 173rd to secure the area. Please wait until they arrive, over."
"Hold until support comes, we copy that. Out." Walker sighed and gave his men some orders.

Walker looked at his watch. It was thirty mintues after he called in. And the 173rd still hasn't came. Plus, the firefight was getting closer. Which after, sitting there and listening, there seemed like only one side firing. All he heard, was about five dozen AK-47s and maybe two machine guns. That puzzled Walker.
Walker began walking around, checking on his men. They all seemed fine. They were tired and thirsty, as was he. Walker was getting vexed by the second.
"Tree Top Villiage, this is Mouse. Come in," Walker said a little forcefully. No answer. Walker repeated it. Still nothing. "Robinson! Check your radio." Walker walked over to him. Robinson was already checking his communtications.
"Well?" Walker said. Robinson shook his head with out looking up. Walker began to have a bad feeling about this situtaion when all of a sudden everything became strangely quiet. Then he heard it. The thumps. Then the whistles. Walker didn't want to believe it but he heard it.
"Mortars!" Robinson yelled. The first one landed on one of the buildings. The building exploded. Walker was thrown back against a concrete wall. He slumped to the ground and saw bright flashes of light. Then everything seemed to pause....

30 MINTUES AGO, Delta HQ 0230 HOURS

"What the fuck is going on here!" A Major yelled running into the TOC.
"Sir, we lost all contact to the Delta"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, someone scrambled or jammed the radio waves."
"How long have we lost contact?"
"About twenty-nine mintues. We were trying to contact them saying, that we picked up enemy forces heading your way and to pull out...but...that's when we lost it." The Major looked up at the roof. He sighed.
"Send in the 173rd."
"They are already in route as far as I know." The Major turned on his heels and walked out into the night.

FOUR HOURS AGO, BEIIJING, CHINA, 2100 HOURS

Xan was at China for an important meeting about the war with the Americans. Which this war isn't really declared, but hopefully soon it would be an offical war. Xan also has the military aid from China. Which is also why he is here right now.
Xan was sitting in this nice room with granite for the wall and marble for the floor. The shiny wood table had papers neatly stacked and a water conatner and glass in the middle. Two or three ashtrays were scattered about. Xan got up from the leather seat to get one. Just then Ming came in through the tall oak doors. The doors slowly and quietly shut behind him.
"Xan, wecolme!" Ming said with a beaming smile. Xan bowed and took Ming's hand. Ming sat down across from Xan. Ming and Xan took out cigars and let them.
"Tell me about what you are planning, Ming," Xan said looking at the table. The light reflected off of the table. Ming smiled.
"I know, as well as you probably know, the Americans are going to look at your last town you stayed at. I was planning to start the war right there." Xan let out a little "hmm". Xan cleared his throat.
"Well, I want to take France. I mean, I want to take Paris. The Americans won't attack France. Not in full force. I know that for a fact. They need France's premission. Which is most likely a no. So the Americans can't do anything. For one main reason. This isn't war. Well, not declared war. So we are safer there, we build our men up, so it'll be a pain in the ass for the Americans to get," Xan said.
"Yes, comrade. I'll see what I can do. But do realize, that the Americans may declare war on us."
"Why?" Xan asked as he was taking his cigar out of his mouth.
"Because I have a big surprise for them," Ming said with a wide grin on his face and the hint of evil in his eye.