Lieutenant Colonel Bitterns went through his papers for a few moments more before raising his head to look out at the group assembled at the table, recently dubbed “The Horseshoe” due to its shape.  His office was about 20 feet from the “head” of the table and his seat at the head was empty.  Stepping out, he noticed everyone else was seated or at their stations.  The officers spread out on either side of the table, followed by some of the staff and then the ground pounders--the men and women of Operation 8.  

Off to the sides of the table’s sides, along the walls, were a series of gear lockers with weapons and ammunition on one side, then things like explosives, vests, body armor and medkits on the other.  In between the Horseshoe and the weapons were the work stations which was made up of a variety of desks with computer equipment, wires, and things of that nature. While this was the first meeting point, this room itself was not any type of home or base.  After this point, they’d be flying around place to place, setting up the Horseshoe either in buildings allocated to them, or sometimes even in vehicles.  For the most part, this was all cutting edge and all of that coupled with the access to private military jets, intel, sources, comms, and even satellites.  Access to these things will take a vastly different amount of time based on locale, but they had staff available to liaise with local sources as best as possible.

Bitterns moved to his chair and sat down, thumping the files in his hand down on the table to align them before setting them down and clearing his throat.  “Ladies.  Gents.  We’re officially in business.  Welcome to FOB Hammer, Northern Iraq.  A handful of you have been here already so to you, welcome back.  We’re about 20 miles out of Mosul and while things are peaceful there, have been for a while, what most you do not know is that as of several hours ago, Saddam Hussein suffered a heart attack and is not likely to survive.  In light of this, several things have happened of importance.  For one, his son Uday has stepped in in place of his father in control of the Baath party.  Second as per usual, several groups look at this as a way to break away from the Hussein regime, some look at it as a chance to focus on more low key, tribal wars that have been squashed for a time, and others simply look to make some form of profit.  In short, things are tense and in some places, it is like a powder keg ready to go off.  It hasn’t been officially released that Saddam is hospitalized, but slowly it has been coming out.  

Our operation involves a United States CIA agent imbedded into a Sunni separatist group in Mosul, codename Teapot.  Don’t laugh, I didn’t pick the name.  Anyway, the CIA has been trying to put a shipment of chemical weapons into the hands of the Sunni group.  Oh, the group’s name is the Sunni People’s Front, if that is of any importance.  So.  Teapot knows where the exchange of these weapons is taking place between a buyer with the Iraqi Republican Army who is dealing with Sunni sympathizers.  

Right now we need to get into this 2 story building and get Teapot extracted.  In typical fashion, we are attempting to buy our way in.  We have a case of 10,000 US dollars to offer pay SPF to allow us to take Teapot in for interrogation.  Generally, as we are not at war with Iraq, or the SPT, and they know what we can bring to the table, they should give him up.  It’s not uncommon for us to scoop up targets out there for interrogation and they know we aren’t in a position where we need to play hardball.  We knock them around a bit, maybe get some intel on some other tribe or faction, set them free and we move on.  

We’re going in appearing as a part of a UN led joint taskforce.  Nazari, Yolish, Drachmann, you all are going in.  You’ll be taking the role of civilian contractors there to take Teapot in, assuring them he’ll be back tomorrow after first prayer.  We have credentials for you that will pass a basic test if no one looks too thoroughly.  On the monitor behind me is a picture of Teapot, use this name to assure him all is well.  He’ll recognize it.  

After we extract him, we’ll hot tail is the hell back to FOB Hammer and send him on his way.  

Erikson, you and Haoi will be across the street from the target building.  You will be overnighting in a room under the identities of a group of civilian workers on the power grid.  You have the bios in front of you along with passports.  We will contact you before the group is going in, at which point you will go eat in the diner that will give you a clear visual on the front of the building.  Make sure that your firearms are concealed.  You’ll be inserted tonight.

Captain Kagan, you and Emmanual will arrive on the opposite side of the building from Erikson and Haoi about 10 minutes prior and be in a tactical vehicle ready to react if necessary and give the main group an escort and security.  You’re to be fully armed and prepped in case things to south.  

Again, the man behind me, Teapot, is the priority.  We need him alive so he can supply the information we need to allow the United States to intercept the weapons and also the buyers.  That’s not our business or our show.  We just need Teapot.  In the event there is any resistance, you are authorized to engage forces necessary to extract Teapot.  Again, keep in mind, he does NOT know we’re coming, so he will not trust you or be accepting until he hears Teapot.  

This should go smooth and easy, about as routine as you’re going to get here.  Any questions?”

The screens showed maps, two pictures of Teapot, and then several pictures of the building and positions that the operators were to take.  One photo showed a relatively new housing building that had several large apartment homes with a large center court yard in the middle.  It then showed a view of the building from both the hotel and the position behind the building.  There were several pictures on a rotation of armed guards in the buildings at various points but they didn’t seem to be military or police--just guys with guns.  There was a mud concrete wall about 8 feet high surrounding the complex with an exit on all 4 sides.

On the table in front of the individuals was a list of equipment they had access to, including SAT phones, and in-ear comm links.  The weapons the individuals took would be chosen personally, as what attire.  Bitterns waited a moment while they digested the information on paper and that was just spoken.