NCIS: Los Angeles - Hard Target

The Gauntlet

"Bring them."  The masked leader barked as his minions cautiously released their prisoners from their shackles; mindful and wary of any attempts to retaliate prematurely. 

Stepping up behind Kensi, the leader aimed his gun at the female agent's head; effectively ensuring the other agent's compliance with his orders.

"Any foolish behavior and this pretty lady pays the price."  He purred softly.  "Bind their hands behind them." 

Once secured again, a roughened rope was placed over their heads and tightened around their throats.  Kensi was purposefully placed last in the human chain to ensure that his prisoners kept pace with them.  If they didn't, she would be hung.  Deeks glared darkly at their captors, his gaze promising unbridled violence if any harm came to Kensi.  Slowly, he began to escalate until only the sound of Kensi's voice could calm him. 

"I'm okay, Deeks."  Kensi whispered as she sweetly placed her forehead to his upper back while their captors weren't paying attention.  "Stay strong, Marty.  I need you alive, okay?"

"Okay Fern."  Marty whispered so softly she could barely hear his response.  "But when we get out of here, all bets are off."  Kensi's heart warmed at her partner's ferocity. 

"I love you,  Marty Deeks."  Kensi breathed into his neck.

Marty closed his eyes against the flood of tears threatening to spill over.  Deeks loved Kensi more than his own life and would die to keep her safe.  "I love you too, Kensi Marie Blye."

Kensi smiled at Marty's use of her full name. 

Sam and Callen descended deep into their varied training and set themselves for the fight of their lives.  Their jailer had plans for Jana, using them as fodder for this madman's sick and twisted desire for revenge. 

"Move them to the hunting grounds and proceed with the plan."  The leader barked.  "Make sure they're secured.  If they give you problems, shoot the woman."

"Yes sir."  His men acknowledged crisply.

This is worse than I thought.  This clown means to hunt us down one by one, or he's going to force MacBride to find and rescue us while they hunt her and once we're freed, then we too become the hunted.  Sam thought to himself. 

Either this twit was an evil genius, or he was fairly stupid.  Even without weapons, NCIS agents train long and hard in close quarters and hand-to-hand combat; his team especially since their operations are more clandestine than most.  Perhaps the madman was a little bit of both and relished the challenge that five highly skilled and trained federal agents would provide him... so be it.  He and Callen's team would wait and bide their time until it was time to strike.     

C'mon MacBride...let's get this party started!  We'll be waiting!

****

The mountains above Ojai, California reflected the late afternoon sun in glorious shades of yellow, orange, gold, and rich purples.  Kerigan was nearly at the coordinates dictated by a group of kidnappers that had absconded with the rest of her teammates.  Two hours of driving had set Jana's teeth on edge and increased her ire tenfold as she replayed the video of her friends chained like animals in deplorable conditions in her mind. 

While driving, Jana played a series of scenarios in her head to occupy her time.  Uncertain of what to expect when she arrived, Jana kept her mind ever-alert for attack before getting to her destination.  Looking in her rear-view mirror, she had noticed a black sedan with tinted windows tailing her for the last forty-five minutes of her journey.  Whoever this "Game Master" was, he was taking no chances at ensuring MacBride's compliance with the rules; such as they were.