Jack underestimated the CIA's typical behavior. The thick stack of documents in the folder provided less information than a single sheet of A4 paper. Large portions were redacted, giving the impression they were just playing with him.
It only took ten minutes to go through all the material. Jack summarized the mission in one sentence: "Something's happened near Mexico City recently. A major drug lord has angered some top brass, so they've decided to use the SEALs for a decapitation strike."
"Why did they come to you?" Dana Mohr asked with a curious gleam in her eyes.
Jack shook his head. He genuinely didn't know but could only make a rough guess. "Maybe it's related to that joint operation in Mexico from before. Also, I've worked with the SEAL Team Bravo that's been assigned this mission. That might play a role too."
Dana looked a bit wistful. "The mission lasts over four months, and we've only just started making some progress with the NYPD partnership here."
Jack raised an incredulous eyebrow. Frank Reagan practically looked at him like a son, and yet to her, it was merely "some progress"? Was her ultimate goal to marry him into the Reagan family?
Danny Reagan's straightforward nature suited Jack's style, and he wouldn't mind being brothers with him. Frank, despite his shrewdness and experience, was genuinely devoted to his family. Becoming one of his juniors didn't sound bad.
But actually becoming relatives was a hard no. Erin Reagan's age was a bit much for him, and he already had Zoe and Maureen. There was no need to specialize in being the favored partner of women in their forties.
The mission briefing stated it would last over four months, including three months of acclimation training. Jack was required to fully participate in Bravo Team's training, meaning that as the so-called liaison officer, he would likely accompany the SEALs in actual operations.
While Jack had worked with Jason Hayes and his Bravo Team twice, the first time was against brainless cannibals, and the second was on an island waiting to be rescued.
In the first case, dealing with New Mexico's cannibals, Jack had barely played a supporting role. On Hollow Island, thanks to his proactive efforts against the PMCs, the SEALs arrived to find the situation already under control.
So when Jack saw the three months of training requirement, he was genuinely excited. He had solved numerous cases recently, earning a pile of System coins but gaining few new skills.
Life skills were things he improved daily through practice, as he preferred not to waste coins on them unless necessary. For professional skills, he wanted to learn things like parachuting, piloting, and diving, but hadn't had the opportunity.
Now the chance was here. This was SEAL Team Six, America's T1-level special operations unit. Each member was required to master a vast array of combat knowledge and skills, capable of both air and sea operations, and proficient with various weapons and vehicles.
Training with them for three months might be grueling for others, but for Jack, it was like manna from heaven.
Although Jack didn't interact much with military systems in his FBI role, his time with Jason Hayes' SEAL Team Six had prompted him to research American special forces. He learned they were divided into three tiers: T1, T2, and T3.
Units like the famed 101st and 82nd Airborne Division's Special Forces, Marine Recon Companies, Navy Riverine Squadrons (as seen in Act of Valor), and the Air Force's 124th Special Tactics Squadron (formerly the 64th Aggressor Squadron) fell into the T3 category.
These T3 units were more like elite regular forces, focusing on broad responsibilities such as training, mission support, and intelligence analysis.
T2 units included the 75th Ranger Regiment, 160th SOAR (Night Stalkers), SEAL Teams and their Quick Reaction Forces, Marine Raiders, and Pararescue Jumpers.
These mid-tier units possessed capabilities far beyond regular combat forces, performing various special missions like counterterrorism, overseas deployment, and domestic security operations, while also supporting conventional warfare.
T1, the elite of the elite, included five units: Delta Force (CAG), SEAL Team Six (rebranded as DEVGRU), the Air Force's 24th Special Tactics Squadron, the Army Intelligence Support Activity (ISA), and the Ranger Reconnaissance Company (RRC).
Anyone who'd seen Black Hawk Down was familiar with Delta Force. Nicolas Cage's character in Con Air was a Ranger Reconnaissance Company veteran.
These T1 units typically operated under the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and were often deployed in combined task forces to leverage each unit's specialties for joint operations.
For example, the real-life Operation Gothic Serpent, depicted in Black Hawk Down, involved SEAL Team Six, Delta Force, the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, T2 units like the 75th Rangers and 160th SOAR, and the 10th Mountain Division for support.
Compared to the relatively low-profile Delta Force, SEAL Team Six enjoyed a bit of celebrity status thanks to frequent appearances in films, but fame didn't necessarily mean they were the strongest. In reality, their expertise leaned toward amphibious warfare.
Still, that was more than enough for Jack. His primary goal was to enrich his skillset. With a stockpile of System coins ready to spend on new skills as needed, this opportunity was too good to pass up.
Despite Dana's reluctance, the orders came from above. Since Jack had agreed, she had no choice but to let him go.
Soon, Rossi called. He had learned about the mission earlier and had more detailed information. It was a highly sensitive, classified operation targeting a major drug lord who had dominated Mexico for nearly two decades.
Rossi couldn't share more details over the phone but assured Jack that everything would become clear once he arrived. It was the usual routine: dealing with the cartel while watching out for the deeply corrupt Mexican officials.
It seemed the CIA had learned from past mistakes, or perhaps the recently re-elected president had decided to take a tougher stance. This mission was directly authorized by the White House and involved SEALs specializing in special operations.
Jack was instructed to report to Virginia Beach within three days. There, at the Naval Air Station Oceana—also known as Apollo Soucek Field—he would join Bravo Team, whose families typically lived nearby.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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