The War of the Americas - Chapter V

Author's preface: Previous chapters can be found at the links. Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4

"Where is Mrs. Platt?" The Seal again barked at Dom. Dom's mind reeled as he sought to provide an answer that would satisfy. He knew that if he told the soldier his wife was still in the house he would insist on a rescue attempt, and very likely would succeed. Dom was sorely tempted to do just that as it would result in what he very much wanted, Sylvia with him as they fled Mexico. However, she had told him she wanted to stay, that she needed to stay. He knew in his heart that she might never forgive him if he did not give her that chance. And, he knew, that ultimately she was right. She could do much more good for the war effort from behind enemy lines then with him safe in America. Having made up his mind he replied "She's dead." The Seals eyes widened "What? Are you sure? Are you one hundred percent certain?" The tears still in his eyes over the death of his two beloved dogs likely helped him sell the lie as he replied "Yes, I am certain. All she was doing was trying to stop the dog. She made a move to block him, and the Mexican soldiers just opened fire. She was shot multiple times. In the head and the body. No one could have survived. She is dead. Let's go." The seal radioed to his team that he and Dr. Platt were on the way out, back to the RIB. He instructed them to provide covering fire if needed and prepare for immediate departure. They both turned and raced down the long winding stairs to the beach as quickly as they were able. They faced no resistance and quickly reached the bottom, where sat the waiting RIB along with the four other SEALs that made up the extraction team. Dom had never even seen them until they were almost on top of them. Their camo was expertly crafted to the environment and their movements so precise and practiced they appeared as if ghosts out of the sands of the beach. They had all embarked onto the small boat when the first gunshots rang out. The sands of the beach exploded all about and rained down on them as the boat raced away at full speed. They heard shouts and a few bullets that whipped by their heads much too close for comfort though fortunately none found their mark and they were out of range within moments. Dom worried about any Mexican patrol boats that might be launched to intercept them from the Coronados. He did not know that the SEALs had already closely reviewed intelligence data on the islands from US spy satellites and concluded their was no real threat. The few small boats the Mexicans kept there were not fast enough or well armed enough to threaten the SEALs especially with US close air support launched from San Diego or the many US Navy aircraft carriers in the region only minutes away if needed.

Finally Dom had a chance to catch his breath as they raced across the open ocean in a generally northerly direction towards the United States and freedom. His adrenaline had worn off and he sat down hard. His face was caked in blood (not his own), and sweat and he took in great gulps of air as he tried to process what had just happened. It was too much for his overtaxed mind and body to handle and he almost immediately fell asleep with the sounds of the RIBs roaring engines in his ears and salty ocean spray biting him hard in the face. Seeing his condition the leader of the SEAL team swooped down to assist, stretching him out fully and putting a blanket over him. The last thing Dom heard before he fell into a deep slumber was the SEAL whispering to him "It will be OK Dr. Platt. You are safe now. We will make sure you remain that way until we get you where you need to go." From the SEALs perspective the operation had been a success. They had managed to extract one of their targets (the other was dead), had suffered no injuries and only fired a single shot. Characteristic of a SEAL sniper, that shot had been very effective and deadly. A highly efficient operation is how their commanders would characterize it, even if their main objective, the rescue of Sylvia Platt, had not been achieved. Dom did not know where they were headed when he had fallen asleep, but the SEALs had several escape options preplanned depending on how the operation evolved and had decided to return to The USS Jack H. Lucas, the Navy's newest, and most advanced Burke-class destroyer, only recently deployed to the fleet, and currently floating just a few miles off shore near San Diego. They headed that way at top speed and based on GPS should be within range of the ship in less than 30 minutes. The declaration of war between the United States and Mexico was now official the SEALs and the entirety of the US Navy were on their highest alert. All stealth measures they had at their disposable, which were considerable, were deployed to ensure they would not be harassed or tracked as they moved quickly across the Pacific toward their rendezvous point.