Long Shot | 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Chapter 2

Finally, after our thrilling detour had ended and my heart rate had slowed back down to a normal and non-worrisome speed, we pulled through the gates to the compound, which Rone had just told us was officially called the CIA Annex. As we entered the Annex I was glad to see somewhat of a community that felt like home, or at least one of the homes I had had back in the day. With the men all around dressed in uniform pants and somewhat normal looking shirts, it reminded me of when I had completed my basic training. It was still an armed environment, but when compared to the other places I had been stationed, it was a lot more laid back.

"Check the new rides." Rone pointed to a row of pristine looking vehicles parked beside one of the buildings. "Gaddafi had a going-out-of-business sale on armored vehicles. Max-level armored, man. We got a great deal. We stole them. Sat unattended at the airport."

Jack and I both cracked a small smile as the three of us exited the jeep and stepped into what was going to be my home for about five or so weeks. Spotting a man in tan slacks, a blue blazer, and a clipboard in his hand, Rone waved him down. "Hey, Chief!"

"I don't want to hear it, Tyrone." the man said blatantly as he barely stopped walking to interact with Rone.

"No, no, I understand." Rone gave us a quick head nod before catching up with the man, who apparently was the chief around here. "I see what you're going for here. Secret spy base with fortified walls, gate cameras, and blue-eyed Westerners walking in and out of this place all day long. But if you want to avoid-"

Rone was cut off by the chief entering a security door and slamming it in his face. "That's so rude. Can't believe he just did that to me." Rone huffed to himself as he pulled out his security card and waved for Jack and I to follow him into the building. "Chief, if you want to avoid an international incident, you give me my guys when I ask for them!"

Inside the building, people sat around at desks doing what looked like a multitude of different jobs. Screens lined the walls with different stats and images of the country around us, and bulletin boards had pinned photos of dangerous or important individuals. The inside had fans and slight cooling appliances though, so it was much nicer than the unrelenting heat of the Bengahzi desert.

"Local faces need to resolve local conflicts, Tyrone. We're guests in this country."

Rone sighed as Jack and I stood near a wall and watched as Rone and the chief settled their differences. "We're unwanted guests, Bob."

"We're spies, you're security guards. Your job is to keep us out of trouble, not get into it yourselves." the chief, Bob, stated.

"Well, then help me do my job and give me my guys." Rone shot back as he flipped through the papers pinned to a nearby board.

Bob slowly closed the folder he was looking at and smirked as a group of three men entered the building with body vests on and guns in their hands. "Here's what you guys are good at. Working out, eating five hot meals a day. What you're not so good at is doing what you're told."

"That roadblock was run by Ansar al-Sharia." Rone followed Bob as he attempted to leave the room, and with it, the conversation as well. "It's not just tribal groups and freedom fighters anymore."

"If you have useful intel, Tyrone, put it in a memo. You guys bunk here, but you're not CIA. You're hired help. Act the part."

A shit-eating grin spread onto Rone's face as he turned to Jack and I. "Where are my manners? Jack Silva, Lexis Monroe, this is our esteemed Chief of Station."

Both Jack and I gave a small nod and a wave as the chief passed us, but he didn't so much as give us a side-eyed glance. "Hey, Tig. How are the twins?" he instead asked.