War of

Another day of work was beginning at the main SEAL Team base. After the usual 6:00 a.m. wake-up call and breakfast, the companies began the standard drills, shooting, and training scheduled for the unit's work schedule. The sounds of simulated combat echoed throughout the training grounds. Short bursts of MP-5 submachine gun fire echoed from the tire house used for combat training. A few minutes later, the team emerged from the house, and the arduous, discussed drills began.

"John! You didn't break down the door on the fly. You hesitated for a split second. That split second could have cost you your life!" Team leader Master Sergeant Gregs spoke slowly but emphatically.

"True. I couldn't get my act together.

" "Okay, okay... Don't bother me anymore!" Gregs scolded him wittily. "Again. Go inside and secure all the rooms. It doesn't matter that the layout of the rooms has changed from last week. In reality, you probably won't know what building you're entering. You are to search the rooms like machines, with all possible door, corridor, and room configurations.

The squad stood up and moved to the edge of the training area, marked by a white line.

"3... 2... 1... Go!" Gregs shouted.

The squad quickly formed a column, bristling with guns on all sides. After a moment, the squad moved slowly toward the building's entrance.

Gregs ran to the checkpoint, where the situation in every room was visible on screens. From there, he could monitor all the moving targets in the building.

Meanwhile, the squad approached the door and positioned itself against the wall so that when the door opened, they would immediately fall inside. One of the commandos stood on the other side and grabbed the door handle. He showed the leader of the squad the "3" signal and, nodding, began counting down. When he reached zero, he opened the door briskly. The leader of the squad tossed a stun grenade inside. The second commando immediately closed the door. A moment later, a loud bang was heard. Anyone within ten meters of the grenade and not wearing earplugs should have been deafened by the explosion for over a minute.

Before the roar of the explosion had even subsided, the commando opened the door, and the column collapsed inside.

Gregs then glanced at the monitors. He knew the building's camera layout by heart, having placed them himself. Now, he skillfully changed views and moved the cameras to see what was happening inside. The squad quickly traversed the corridors, and when they encountered a door, they forced it open, or if it was open, threw a grenade inside. Everything took place in absolute silence, broken only by isolated gunfire and grenade explosions. After a moment, the commandos determined they had secured every part of the house, and the leader of the column gave the command, "Check the rooms." The squad turned back, moving through the rooms one by one, searching them thoroughly. One by one, they opened closets and alcoves, each time aiming their barrel at the center. As soon as one commando opened the door, two others illuminated the third with powerful flashlights. If an attacker was inside, a burst was immediately fired at him, and any possible evidence was secured.

After a few more minutes, the squad secured the building, and the column retreated to the edge of the training area.

"Disband!" shouted the column leader.

The commandos broke ranks, still aiming at the building.

"Mike and Brian! You're guarding us. The rest of you!"

Two commandos took a few steps toward the building, and the rest removed their helmets and, stripping off their uncomfortable gear, sat down on the grass.

Gregs emerged from his shelter and shouted at the commandos,

"End of simulation! Everyone, unload and shoot!"

Everyone stood up and began taking turns removing magazines and shooting through their weapons. They had plenty. Each commando, except for the MP-5, had a GLOCK pistol and an electric stun gun. Some also had pump-action shotguns and grenade launchers. After about two minutes, it was over.

"Sit down, guys. Now that was very good," Gregs said warmly.

The commandos sat down, unzipping their jumpsuits and removing their harnesses.

"Now that was exactly how it should be. You're supposed to check the buildings like this! Now," he checked his watch, "it's time for lunch!" "Last one in the mess hall clears the table!" he shouted cheekily, and dashed to the mess hall.

The SEALs had to gather their gear first, only then could they head to the mess hall. But they still packed up as quickly as they could. Five minutes later, everyone was in the mess hall.

From behind the counter, the cook was showing off his creations, and the hungry SEALs were passing him plates. No one knew better than their cook how important good food was to unit morale. Every meal was a culinary masterpiece.

The mess hall, as always, was relaxed. Everyone, whether the base commander or an ordinary private, cracked jokes while enjoying a delicious meal. SEALs always stuck together, regardless of rank or position.

Suddenly, a strange sound broke through the din of conversation. The mess hall fell silent. The typical mealtime din subsided. Sirens blared throughout the base.

Suddenly, a red light began flashing above the mess hall door, and a siren sounded from the loudspeaker.

Everyone rushed to the exit. An alarm was sounded throughout the base.

...

Reg read another report, the fourth, on the execution of his orders. Everything proceeded quickly and efficiently. Within an hour, all the necessary analyses had been completed, and it had been determined that the SEAL base would be Key West, Florida. Within the next half hour, orders were given to clear the base and immediately prepare it for the commandos' arrival. A special engineering unit was dispatched to the base for this purpose.

Two hours after Reg issued his orders, the mobilization procedure for combat units was initiated and they were informed of their destinations. In another half hour, the units should be ready to march and await the order.

The SEALs' aircraft and watercraft were also dispatched to the base. In two days, Key West Base will become an impregnable fortress, from which operations can be launched anywhere in the world.

Reg grabbed the phone and dialed the secretary's number.

"Miss Kelt. Please call a meeting of the department heads.

" "Yes, sir. One more thing, Commander." General Gray called another conference in an hour.

"Fine, thank you."

He got up and went to his department's conference room. On the way, he made himself a coffee and grabbed the morning newspaper. Finally, he had a moment to see what was happening in the world.

The newspaper didn't mention the missing satellite. In fact, nothing else had happened. He glanced out the window. The square in front of the building was bustling with activity. Couriers were running in and out every few minutes, and extra guards had been posted outside the building.

A moment later, the department heads began to file into the room. Five minutes later, everyone was there.

"Hello again, and thank you for carrying out my orders so quickly," Reg began formally. "Now, please prepare for departure, and we'll meet you at the command air base in an hour. I hope the transport has assigned us a command plane.

" "Of course," the head of the transport department replied.

"Well, let's get to work! I'm going to a conference with the old man right now, and I don't know how long it will take. If I don't get there in time, go without me and start setting up a command post. I'll take a fighter and get to you as soon as I can. That's all."

He finished his coffee and headed for the exit. On the way, he told his secretary to prepare for departure and report to the command air base with everyone else.

"Our plane will be waiting there. Please stick with our people; they'll show you everything. And for God's sake, don't be so scared. I don't know what this is all about either."

Reg knew Miss Kelt had only been in the Navy for a short time and that this was her first major operation. So he tried to cheer her up.

It took him a while to get to the main conference room, where the next meeting was to be held. Every time he passed through the building's key areas, he had to show his ID to the guards and sign a list. When he finally reached the room, the meeting was already underway.

"I apologize for the delay. I didn't anticipate you would order such extensive security measures.

" "Never mind. Sit down and listen," the general replied. "Please continue," he said to the intelligence representatives.

"So, as I was saying, we managed to obtain photos of Cuba using reconnaissance aircraft. We didn't find a satellite, but we did encounter several heavily defended objects. Some of them were firing at our planes. They must be hiding something there." The naval intelligence representative turned on a projector and showed photos of several objects. They showed some large buildings surrounded by rocket launchers and anti-aircraft guns. Several photos showed tracer rounds, while others showed crews running towards the guns.

The general asked the CIA representative to speak.

"Our agents can't gather data so quickly, but we already know that certain factions in Cuba may be interested in intercepting the satellite. Preliminary findings indicate that Middle Eastern countries or China are behind this.

" "Thank you. I would now like a progress report from your departments.

" "The Marines are on full alert and will be ready to occupy the bases in Florida in two hours.

" "The SEALs are awaiting my order to march to the Key West base.

" "Three aircraft carriers have departed for Cuba, and submarines are beginning to surround the island. Unfortunately, creating a complete and impenetrable barrier around the island will take several weeks.

" "Reconnaissance flights are underway over Cuba. The data is constantly coming in and being analyzed.

" "Good, thank you," the general said, looking satisfied. "Please continue."

Everyone headed for the exit.

Reg glanced at his watch and realized he wouldn't make it in time. Never mind, he thought, I'll just remember what it's like to fly the good old F-16.

He returned to the office. The entire department looked deserted. He grabbed his laptop and key documents from his room and headed for the parking lot.

He drove home and, after packing his belongings, headed for the airport.

It took him a while to complete all the airport formalities, but an hour after the last briefing, he was sitting in the cockpit of an F-16. These aircraft were now used only by command, so they weren't armed. They only had a cannon, but that was more for added pep. In the cockpit, behind the pilot's seat, there was a rather spacious baggage compartment.

He quickly packed and secured his belongings, then climbed into the cockpit. The hangar crewman retrieved the ladder and stood in front of the hangar, ready to guide the plane onto the apron.

Reg, step by step, went through the engine start procedure and radioed:

"015 alpha alpha foxtrot to tower!

" "This is tower. 015 alpha alpha foxtrot, speak!

" "015 alpha alpha foxtrot, ready to taxi!

" "015 alpha alpha foxtrot, cleared for taxi to runway four. When you arrive, report on channel eight.

" "Understood, I'm on my way!"

He gave the soldier a thumbs-up sign, indicating he was ready. The soldier guided him efficiently out of the hangar, then saluted.

Using the airport map, Reg reached the end of the runway. When he positioned himself in the middle, he radioed:

"015 alpha alpha foxtrot on runway four, ready for takeoff!"

"This is the tower! 015 alpha alpha foxtrot, set the transponder to code 9877 and take off!

" "015 alpha alpha foxtrot, understood, transponder to 9877 and take off."

He turned the transponder knob and vigorously pushed the throttle forward. The plane quickly gained speed and lifted off.

Within minutes, Reg was on the computer-calculated course. According to the navigation system, he still had half an hour before he reached the plane carrying the rest of the staff.