Ravenous

After 9/11, the US was never officially on 'Red Alert.' Condition Red signifies the highest level of alert within the Homeland Security Advisory System, indicating a severe risk of terrorist attacks. This level is declared when there is credible, specific, and imminent intelligence about an impending attack that poses a significant threat to public safety, critical infrastructure, or national security. The primary mark of the red Alert would be the complete shutdown of public facilities, including schools, government buildings, and transportation hubs.

But unknown to the general public, there were 5 instances where the 'Red Alert' was in effect unofficially from 2002 to 2005. These incidents were never disclosed to avoid mass panic and economic disruption. Only elite circles of Elected representatives, intelligence officers and national security personnel knew of the alert. Each Red Alert was a quiet battle in the shadows, a moment where the safety of millions was hung by a thread, invisible to the ordinary citizens going about their daily routines. But after the final Red Alert, during Operation Watchtower, when the US was sure Al-Qaeda and its allies no longer had a nuclear arsenal, The critical status officially and, in actuality, became 'Orange'. 

Even though the main instigator behind the chain of events that started in September 2001 was still at large, the immediate threat was no more. Phase one of the Afghan war was over, and that meant it was time for spoils. Each nation, directly and indirectly, involved in the war would be reaching for a piece of the pie.

This was also when Alex applied for his leave of absence.

On May 2005, When Alex initially came to NCIS, he was introduced to the team by their then-director, Morrow, as a consultant/bodyguard for a case they had been working on. Originally, after the case was over, Alex was to follow Morrow and become a Homeland agent, but due to circumstances, he remained with the NCIS major crime response team. Here's the kicker: Alex never attended the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), which provides training for various federal law enforcement agencies, including NCIS. Since he never went through the program, Alex was never technically a Field Agent; instead, the SECNAV, considering his prior experience and skills, appointed him as a Special Investigation Officer (SIO) with a GS-14 pay grade. There was one other reason why his pay was that high: his other job description was Recon Arbiter. 

It is a specialised contractor position responsible for SAR, reconnaissance, tracking, and high-stakes mission operations. Basically, everything Alex has been doing when he was on active duty with higher pay. Since he joined NCIS, Alex's been called for 2 missions. One was asset protection for the transport of a classified document, and 2nd was the rescue of a 2-star general whom enemy insurgents kidnapped; both of these missions were pretty straightforward and were completed successfully.

[Unknown Location]

Three figures stand at the edge of a steep cliff, surrounded by the unforgiving expanse of a snowy mountain range. The sky above is a cold, indifferent gray, and the relentless wind, howls through the peaks, carrying with it the biting chill of impending death. Snowflakes swirl and dance in the wind, adding to the oppressive atmosphere of isolation and despair.

The two individuals flanking the person in the middle look battered and worn, their faces bruised and streaked with blood. Their clothes, torn and soaked through, cling to their shivering bodies. It's clear they have been tortured—dark circles under their eyes, the weight of exhaustion etched into every line on their faces. They sway on their feet, struggling to remain upright in the freezing temperatures, but their spirit remains unbroken, defiance glimmering in their eyes.

Surrounding the trio are 23 heavily armed assailants clad in dark tactical gear that blends into the snow-covered terrain. Their rifles are raised, each weapon pointed with deadly intent at the three 'captives'. The men are a mix of ruthless professionals, exuding the cold efficiency of mercenaries trained to kill without hesitation. Their leader, who went by Volk, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a scar running down his cheek, steps forward. He's dressed in black combat gear, a red armband marking his rank. His eyes are as cold and unforgiving as the mountain wind, and he addresses the captives in harsh, clipped Russian.

"Kneel, pigs," he commands, his voice booming over the sound of the howling wind. His accent is thick, his tone dripping with disdain. "If you bash your heads on the ground, I promise I will give you a painless death." 

Volks' words echo ominously through the crisp air, leaving no doubt that his promise is hollow. He smiles cruelly, enjoying the moment as his men watch with anticipation, their fingers ready on the triggers of their weapons.

Conundrum, It's a funny word because of its quirky sound, playful rhythm, and the way it rolls off the tongue. But it was the exact situation Alex found himself in. The man in the middle was none other than Alex Bishop; of course, they wouldn't know that because he wore a specialised Kevlar thermal suit with a gas mask.

"Kneeling's a bit much, don't you think? How about a hearty handshake and we call it even." Alex quipped in Russian.

Volks' sneer deepened, his eyes narrowing as he took a menacing step closer to Alex. "Oh, you have jokes, funny guy. You know what I think is funny?" He chuckled darkly, the sound filled with malice. "When I'm done with you, you'll look like Swiss cheese. And just for kicks, I'll feed what's left of you to the rats."

"You know, it's a good thing you didn't take up stand-up comedy as a career. Timing's off, punchline's weak… hey, at least you look like a clown, So that's something."

The mercenaries exchanged glances, their fingers twitching on the triggers. Their leader lost his sneer; with a swift motion, he signalled his men. A synchronised click filled the air as the 23 guns surrounding the trio flicked off their safeties, each barrel now pointed directly at Alex.

'Fuck.'

<Flashback >

2 days back, NCIS was a crime scene in the Shenandoah State Park. A petty officer, Benjamin Reilly's half-eaten, presumably by a bear, body was found. The problem was he was murdered by a knife before the bear had him for dinner, and in addition to that, the Petty officer had company. A lady was missing, possibly abducted, in the woods, with her current condition unknown. When the team reached the park, they were met with 2 Park Rangers, Ranger James Landis and Ranger Bobbi Hendricks. The second Alex laid eyes on James Landis, alarm bells started ringing. He smelled like blood, like the blood found at the crime scene. Due to Hunter's Instinct, he immediately knew the guy was trouble, Boone-level trouble.

But for now, the main concern was the missing woman. Alex kneeled down at the crime scene and used Focus Vision. Unfortunately for Park Ranger Landis, Alex thrived on these kinds of terrain. For some reason, he could always get a better read on nature than on roads and concrete jungles. Alex could see markings of a struggle taking place and a tall and strong person taking off with one of the victims afterwards, leaving behind a trail.

"One hour, I can find her," Alex said.

The Park Rangers chuckled at that. 

"If she is missing or kidnapped, she could be anywhere. Park's 198,000 acres. That's over 300 square miles". said Ranger Hendriks. She continued, "I don't know what they teach you folks at the big shot agencies, but that's about the stupidest thing I've heard."

"I have to agree with Bobbi here; the park is just too big. Finding her alone and under an hour is impossible." seconded Ranger Landis.

Gibbs had one of those deep, contemplating look on his face. "Alright, Bishop, you get an hour...and point on the case," Alex smirked and sprang into action mode.

"Tim, Kate", Alex called Agent McGee and Agent Todd to the side. "I want you to do me a favour. "

"Sure thing 'Boss'?"

"I need the name and identity of the missing woman who was with Officer Riley. His fellow officer must know something, but... that's not a priority. Kate...Tim, I want you to compile a list of all the persons who went missing or were found dead in Shenandoah State Park in the last decade, specifically women. Once you get a general direction, expand the search radius around the park." They were a bit confused but agreed.

"Got it."

[Shenandoah State Park, Virginia]

Once Ducky and Palmer reached the crime site, the team with the rangers took off. The park was vast as Ranger Hendricks said, a sprawling expanse of wilderness stretching over 300 square miles, filled with thick woods, winding trails, and hidden dangers that most people could never imagine. They moved cautiously; a man-eater bear was still on the loose, so they were on high alert. The cold air was crisp, and the faint scent of pine and earth filled their lungs as they pressed forward into the depths of the park.

Tony walked beside Gibbs, occasionally throwing glances at the cute Park Ranger Bobbi Hendricks; it was obvious what was going through his mind. Ziva David moved with relative ease, her eyes occasionally scanning the trees and the ground for any sign of movement. Alex led the way, his strides fast-paced, guiding the rest through the rough terrain.

Alex's declaration that he could find the missing woman within an hour did cause a stir up. Though he mostly did it to gauge Landis's and Hendrick's reaction. The Rangers were skeptical, borderline mocking, but after that Alex was almost sure Hendricks was blissfully unaware of her partner's...hobby.

They had been moving for about 300 meters when Alex suddenly stopped and knelt down. His gloved hand brushed against something half-buried in the cold, damp earth. It was a diamond ring, gleaming faintly in the dappled light filtering through the trees. He held it up, and the group gathered around, their breath visible in the chilly air.

Gibbs crouched next to him, inspecting the small piece of jewellery. "We're on the right track," he said, his voice low, filled with a mix of hope and urgency. "But…"

Alex nodded, his eyes scanning the area. "I noticed. This guy's a ghost."

"Ghost...Boss?" asked Dinozzo.

"It's what snipers call someone who can move through the woods without leaving a trace," Gibbs explained, "This guy's good… too good. You don't just learn this. It comes from experience."

Gibbs glanced at Alex, catching the faint glint in his eyes. Gibbs, being an experienced snipper and tracker himself, was following the trail the same as Alex, but whatever trail he had been following just had gone cold; it was as if he disappeared right from there.

But for Alex, the tracks were more visible to him than anyone else, a trail of subtle disturbances in the earth that told a story only he could read.

Before Gibbs could stand, Alex discreetly signed him to keep a close eye on the Park Rangers.

'Watch...Rangers...Suspicious.'

Gibbs gave a subtle nod.

The team moved on, their path winding deeper into the forest. Alex led them quietly, his eyes constantly shifting, picking up on the faintest hints of a trail—broken branches, disturbed leaves, and faint footprints that were nearly invisible to the untrained eye. Each step brought them closer to the end goal, and with each step he took, Landis was getting more impatient.

After another half-hour, they came upon a small, dilapidated structure partially hidden behind a thick tangle of underbrush. It was an old root cellar, the kind used decades ago by homesteaders to store food through harsh winters. Even before the building came into view, Alex could hear heartbeats coming from the root cellar. He could hear a faint, rhythmic heartbeat from inside—steady but weak. The smell of blood hit his nose, not fresh, but not old enough to ignore.

'Unconscious,' he thought grimly.

Ranger Hendricks stopped and pointed at the structure, her face scrunching in confusion. "James… isn't this your…?"

The second those words came out of her mouth, Without missing a beat, Alex unclipped the holster of his Beretta, turned around and pointed his gun at Landis before he could do something stupid. But it wasn't just him who had caught on. Ziva, Tony, and Gibbs had already drawn their weapons, each one aimed squarely at Ranger James Landis.

Landis froze, his eyes darting between the guns now trained on him. He raised his hands slowly, a look of feigned innocence plastered on his face. "Hey, what the hell is this?". His protest was seconded by his partner. But they put him in handcuffs.

Gibbs' expression was steely, his eyes boring into Landis with the kind of intensity that could crack the stone. "We're about to find out."

Alex walked towards the root cellar and quickly opened the door.

Landis hesitated, his face contorting into a mix of anger and defiance. "You're making a mistake—"

 Inside, a woman lay bound and gagged to a chair, bruised and unconscious but still alive. Ziva and Hendricks quickly jumped in to administer first aid. She was given water, and her cuts were bandaged. Alex noticed her wounds and his eyes furrowed.

"Gibbs... it looks like she has been beaten, like punched and kicked when she was bound to the chair." It was Ziva who spoke with a chilling coldness.

Gibbs grunted. The commotion woke up the poor woman, and the second she laid eyes on Ranger Landis, she let out a blood-curdling scream at the top of her lungs. Ziva and Tony tried to calm her down, but without much success, eventually, she passed out again.

Gibbs stared at Landis. "You're done. "

[Bullpen, NCIS HQ, Navy Yard]

The team gathered around the large screen monitor while Landis was in the interrogation room.

McGee and Kate had finished their assignment. The missing woman's identity was Jessica Fagan, Petty Officer Riley's fiancé. McGee then pulls the driver's licenses of seven women who died around the park in the last few years and puts them up on the screen. All their deaths were deemed accidents by the coroner. But strangely, when their 'accident' reports were pulled, all of them had similar injuries, body wounds and similar fractures to the bones. They were also similar in appearance, and that included Jessica. The conclusion was that someone was using park accidents to cover up murders. Someone who knew the terrain and was familiar with the park's happenings. 

[Interrogation Room, NCIS HQ]

Ranger James Landis sat cuffed to the steel table in the cold interrogation room. 

Gibbs and Alex entered the room, their expressions unreadable. Gibbs moved with the calm precision of someone who knew exactly when to strike while Alex stood by the door, arms crossed, his gaze never leaving Landis. 

Gibbs pulled out a chair and sat down directly across from Landis, leaning forward slightly, his icy blue eyes locking onto the rangers. Alex remained standing, silent and observing.

"Let's start with the basics," Gibbs said, his voice low as he placed the print-out pictures of the seven dead women McGee found. "We know about Jessica Fagan and them. We know you've been doing this for years, using the park, staging them like accidents to hide your crimes."

Landis smirked, though it was a weak attempt at defiance. "You've got nothing. All you have are some old photos and a scared woman who doesn't know what she saw."

"We've got more than you think. Seven women, all dead, all fitting the same profile—brunettes, similar build, all around the same age. They all went missing near your patrol routes. Coincidence doesn't cover it."

Landis's smirk slightly wavered. "So what? Accidents happen. People get lost. It's a big park."

Gibbs slammed his hand on the table, the sharp sound cutting through the air like a gunshot. Landis flinched, his smirk finally breaking.

"Don't play games with me, Landis. You're not clever enough to talk your way out of this," Gibbs snarled. "We found her, and she's alive. She's going to tell us everything, and when she does, I'm going to make sure you get the rope."

Landis's defiance wavered, the gravity of Gibbs's words sinking in. He swallowed, but still, he tried to maintain his façade. "You think you're so smart, don't you? You don't know anything. And you have no proof."

It was then when Alex finally moved closer, he used HI and projected anger.

"That's where you are wrong, James; you killed too many women, women who looked similar and based on what you did to Jessica Fagan, we know how you killed them. As of now, a judge is issuing an order of exhumation for all these women. You and we both know what kind of injuries and fractures we are going to find on these women. Adding to the fact the fact Jessica had similar injuries and was found at your root cellar... there is no way out of this, Landis. " Alex's voice was cold, almost detached. Everyone present there felt a chill and shiver of fear, especially James Landis

Landis's colour drained from his face, and his hands trembled slightly. "I didn't… I didn't mean to— I couldn't control..."

Gibbs cut him off sharply. " Couldn't control what...?"

Landis's breathing became ragged, his eyes darting between Gibbs and Alex, searching desperately for a way out that didn't exist. His once defiant demeanour crumbled under the weight of their relentless pressure. The room seemed to close in on him, the walls suffocating him as he struggled to maintain the last shreds of control.

"I couldn't stop," Landis muttered, his voice barely audible, eyes glassy with terror. He looked down at his trembling hands as though they belonged to someone else. "It started as just...something playful. I needed to feel powerful. And they... they were always there. Vulnerable."

 "I didn't mean for it to go this far. The first one... it was an accident. But then... I felt this... this rush. I was in control of everything, and it got easier. They'd cry, they'd beg, and it just... I needed to make them quiet."

Landis's confession spilled out in a torrent, each word more horrifying than the last. He described how he'd hunt them, watching them from a distance, learning their routines, and then striking when they were most vulnerable. He would keep them for days, chained in that root cellar, their screams muffled by the dense forest around them. He'd beat them until they were too weak to resist, savouring the power he held over their lives. And then he finally confessed the terrifying truth. 26 woman. Landis had murdered 26 women till now.