What happened after that only Rutang and the agents could tell. Signals Intelligence had picked up a beacon in a snow-covered saddle about a quarter kilometer east of the houses, and further investigation of the site via satellite and Green Force tracking revealed that at least five members of the team were there, although all five GFTCs indicated no pulse.

The weapons cache had been destroyed, and higher assumed that Rutang, Saenz, and Vick had tried to hide the bodies then escape across the border into Afghanistan. Somewhere along the way they were captured.

"They got us because of me, Scott," Rutang said through a groan. "Because of me."

"No time to worry about that."

"Listen. First team got taken out in the explosion. But the others . . . We couldn't just leave 'em there."

"Tang, forget it."

"We planted a beacon on the site so higher could bring 'em home."

"Higher knows about the marker. They'll send in a recovery team. Don't you worry, brother. Nobody gets left behind."

Brown finished removing Rutang's cuffs, just as Diaz's voice broke once more over the radio. "Captain, I got him. But the bodies are piling up out here--you'd better move!"

"Roger that. We're getting them out right now. Ramirez, they're drugged. I need help."

Ramirez rushed back into the room, helped Saenz to his feet, draped the guy's arm over his shoulder. Brown assisted Vick, while Mitchell got Rutang to his feet--and it was now even more clear that he'd been the worst beaten of the group.

"Get some jackets, hats, gloves, whatever you can find. Bundle them up and get 'em ready to move," Mitchell ordered.

Ramirez and Brown got to work, and within minutes they had all three dressed and ready to face the weather.

"Buddy, I have to lift you," Mitchell told Rutang.

"I know."

Mitchell hoisted Rutang over his shoulders. "Just like old times, eh?"

"Yeah."

"At least you're lighter than the last time I carried you."

"I've been on the Taliban diet. Lose ten pounds in three days, guaranteed."

"Great. Now shut up and let me rescue your ass. Diaz, are we clear to move?"

"Affirm--wait, negative, negative! Another guy from the middle house, heading right for your door! He looks unarmed, but he's too fast for me."

"Captain, he's mine," said Brown, who carefully brought Vick to the bed, then rushed to the front door, drawing his Nightwing.

Mitchell put a finger to his lips, warning Brown.

The gunner nodded, eyes growing wide with an intensity that nearly lit the room.

The door swung open, and in stepped the guy, much shorter than the others, wearing a tan and black shemagh over his head and face. His voice came muffled: "Who stole my cigarettes? I want to know right now!"

Brown rolled away from the door. And the rest happened so quickly, so efficiently, that Mitchell could only mouth a curse in utter awe.