Colonel Martinez seemed ready to insist on his plan, but Jason cut him off decisively. "Didn't you say you'd follow my lead?"
That settled it. There was no room for further debate. The Mexicans brought out a satellite map, and Lieutenant Lopez, who had grown up in Tepuro and knew every brick and alley, marked critical points with a marker as he explained the layout.
Soon, Team B members gathered behind their leader, Jason, and his second-in-command, Ray Perry, whispering as they refined their plans.
Jack appreciated the military efficiency. Disagreements aside, once a decision was made, everyone focused on the mission without wasting words.
"A densely populated 'village' where enemies blend with civilians, just like in Afghanistan, right?" Jason muttered to himself.
"Sounds about the same. Stealth insertion?" Ray Perry, his partner, immediately understood.
"Drive as close to the target as possible, then proceed on foot. Direct assault, clear the area house by house, and get out fast?"
"Exactly." Jason nodded in agreement. Major Eric Blackburn, their commanding officer, teased, "You two are so in sync, you might as well get married."
"If that's the plan, we'll need inconspicuous vehicles," Sonny Quinn suggested from behind. "Maybe a couple of sedans?"
"Not sedans—at least two SUVs with tinted windows. Nothing flashy," Jason countered.
"If Colonel Martinez and Lieutenant Lopez join us, along with Jack, we can split into three groups to clear two floors simultaneously."
Colonel Martinez hesitated. "Actually, Lieutenant Lopez won't be part of the raid."
Jason paused, clearly surprised. "Sorry, what? Why not?" The other team members exchanged confused looks—why would the colonel join but not the lieutenant?
Lopez's face reddened with embarrassment. "I'm from Tepuro. Many people there know me. They wouldn't even need a clear look to recognize me."
"Being a soldier is inherently dangerous. Everyone here is risking their lives," Clay Spenser grumbled, visibly annoyed.
They all knew the risks and accepted them. Given that Lopez was a local and familiar with the terrain, his refusal to participate felt like a betrayal.
"Lopez isn't joining the raid—that's my order," Martinez reiterated firmly.
"Fine, then I don't want him in this room listening to our plans," Jason said, tossing his pencil aside and leaning back in his chair, giving Lopez a disdainful look.
"You don't trust me?" Lopez's embarrassment turned to anger.
"Of course not. A soldier who refuses to fight is hard to trust, don't you think?" Jason's tone was calm, as if stating an obvious fact.
Lopez shot to his feet, glaring furiously at Jason. Before he could act, Martinez grabbed his arm. "Lopez," the colonel said quietly in Spanish, "think of your family."
With that, Lopez stormed out, his anger palpable. Martinez turned back to the group, trying to defuse the tension. "Lopez is a good soldier—just a bit hot-headed. Let's move on."
"Let's discuss the rules of engagement," Jack interjected, breaking the awkward silence. Though he disapproved of Jason's provocation, he understood that cultural gaps and the SEALs' mentality made it unlikely they would sympathize with the Mexicans' challenges anytime soon.
"Do not fire first," Major Blackburn replied.
The discussion continued for another half-hour, finalizing the mission details. The team was set: six members of Team B, Jack, and Colonel Martinez would participate in the operation, while Blackburn would remain at the command center with logistics officer Lisa Davis and CIA analyst Mandy Ellis, coordinating via drones.
The operation was scheduled to begin in one hour. Before wrapping up, Martinez gave a brief but sobering summary.
"We don't know how many men Doza can rally in Tepuro, but assume it's enemy territory. Once we're inside, anyone—man, woman, or child—could try to kill us. If anyone gets separated, the consequences are obvious.
"My soldiers will act as a quick reaction force stationed outside Doza's turf. If you need backup, they'll be there within 20 minutes. Understood?"
"No problem. Let's do this," Jason said, rising to signal his team to prepare.
In the underground parking lot, the team suited up.
"These Mexican Marine uniforms are practically skin-tight," Sonny Quinn grumbled, struggling to adjust his gear.
"Deal with it, Sonny. The Mexican government doesn't want us parading around in U.S. military uniforms," Ray Perry replied, carefully inspecting the two SUVs.
"Look on the bright side—it really shows off your 'impressive' rear," Clay Spenser quipped, stuffing backup weapons into the trunk.
"Oh, is someone jealous of my glutes?" Sonny joked, exaggerating a hip sway toward a rookie teammate.
"Why is there a fat ass in my way?" Jason asked dryly, arriving just in time to deliver a playful kick to Sonny's backside.
"Gentlemen, it seems morale is high," Martinez said as he descended into the parking lot with two subordinates. Despite his stout frame, he was fully geared up, though his flak vest barely covered his large beer belly. The sight drew a few smirks.
"Looks like we won't be alone today," Jack noted, his gaze shifting toward a figure approaching from Martinez's direction.
It was Lieutenant Lopez, fully armed with an AR-15, and his expression was resolute.
"Are you sure about this?" Martinez asked in Spanish, meeting Lopez's eyes with a stern look.
"This is my war too, Colonel," Lopez replied solemnly, saluting.
"Glad you've had a change of heart," Jason said, softening his earlier hostility.
Lopez responded with a firm nod, saying nothing more.
As the sun dipped low on the horizon, the team boarded their vehicles and set off. The evening light, though fading, was still piercingly bright at this high altitude.
The two unassuming Nissan SUVs bumped along the rough asphalt roads. The closer they got to Tepuro, the worse the road conditions became.
Rounding a corner, a church-like structure came into view. It was a parochial school, but its walls were plastered with posters glorifying Doza.
"Is Doza moonlighting as a school teacher now?" Jason asked sarcastically.
"He donated money to the school. If the priest refused it or tore down the posters, someone would put a 9mm round in his head the next day," Lopez replied without emotion.
Beside the school, a police car painted in green and white was parked. Clay Spenser frowned. "I thought you said the police don't go into cartel-controlled areas?"
"Federal police and the military are banned, but cartels need enforcers too. Don't be surprised if these local cops shoot at you—they're on the payroll," Lopez explained.
Jack couldn't help but feel somber, thinking of the many who had died at the hands of corrupt officers.
"I have to know—what happened to you last time you were in Mexico?" Jason asked, curious.
"Ask your CIA girlfriend," Jack said with a sly grin. "You worked with her for years—she must've read the report."
"Hey, shut it. If Alanna hears that, you're dead, you idiot," Jason retorted, clearly embarrassed.
"All right, focus up. Stay sharp—we're almost there," Ray Perry said from the front passenger seat, signaling the team to get ready.
Switching to the comm channel, he reported to the command center.
"Command, this is B2. We've reached Black Labrador. Do you copy?"
The operation was divided into six phases, each named after a dog breed. "Black Labrador" indicated reaching the final safe point. The next phase, "Golden Retriever," would begin once they had visual contact with the target building. Assaulting the target itself was dubbed "Pitbull."
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