NCIS HAWAII: The Captain

Chapter 19: Joint Mission

It was early 2009, a cold January morning in Virginia Beach. Scott was at base when he received notification that his team, Echo, had been assigned to a joint mission with the CIA. The call was urgent, and the operation would be conducted in a Middle Eastern country, in an area with high insurgent activity.

In the operations room, he and his team gathered around a table cluttered with maps, reports, and folders marked "CLASSIFIED." Two civilians were present: Maggie Shawn, a CIA case officer with a serious, professional expression, and Jane Tennant, a field agent who seemed perfectly at home in the military-dominated environment.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Maggie began, adjusting her glasses as she spoke. "This is a sensitive mission. The target is a known terrorist financier who is using clandestine routes to transfer funds and weapons to cells in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We need to disrupt this network."

Scott listened intently, taking mental notes. He eyed the two CIA women curiously. Maggie was efficient and straightforward, but it was Jane who caught his attention. She had a confident posture, an easy smile, and her eyes were bright with determination.

After the introduction, the team began planning the operation. Maggie laid out the details: the target would be in a heavily guarded mansion on the outskirts of a city. Echo's role would be to infiltrate, neutralize the guards, and capture the financier alive.

"You'll be in at 02:00. We need this to be quick and clean," Maggie explained.

"Understood," Scott replied. "What about you? Where will you be during the operation?"

"I'll be based at the operational base," Maggie replied, pointing to the location on the map. "Jane, however, will be with you."

Surprise was visible on the faces of some of the Echo members. Operations with CIA agents in the field were not uncommon, but they always presented an additional challenge.

Scott looked at Jane. "Have you ever been involved in anything like this before?"

"Sometimes," she replied with a confident smile. "I can assure you that I won't get in your way."

"That's not what concerns me," Scott replied without hesitation. "I just want to make sure you're prepared for what we're going to face."

Jane tilted her head slightly, studying him. "I am. But thank you for your concern, Lieutenant Walker."

During the days of training, Scott and Jane worked side by side. She had a sharp sense of humor and an impressive intelligence. He could tell she was someone he could trust with his life, even though she was relatively new to operations of this type.

During a break in training, the two of them sat in a corner of the operations room, reviewing maps and reports.

"So, Walker," Jane said, breaking the silence. "What made you decide to become a SEAL?"

Scott hesitated for a moment before answering. "My father was a colonel in the Marines. My mother was a Navy medic. I guess it's in my blood. I've always wanted to serve and lead. What about you? Why the CIA?"

She shrugged. "I've always had an insatiable curiosity about the world and a desire to make a difference. The CIA gave me an opportunity to do that. Plus..." She smiled. "I'm good at reading people."

"Really?" Scott asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes. And let me tell you something: you're one of those people who carries the weight of the world on their shoulders but won't admit it. You're always thinking about your team and the mission, but you never take time for yourself."