Chapter 1

*I own nothing.*

"So why did you call me here so late Finn. What couldn't wait till morning old friend?" Stoick asked with a laugh as he sat down at his large wooden desk. As he did so he took a good look at his old colleague who instead of laughing had a grim look on his face. Realizing the situation was no laughing manner, Stoick straightened his grin into a firm line and furrowed his brows.

"Colonel Hofferson, what's going on?"

Taking a deep sigh Colonel Finn Hofferson reached into the briefcase beside him and pulled out a plain looking file and placed it on the imposing desk before his General and friend. The reason he was here, General Stoick Haddock had been his friend for years and it was time for him to know what was going on.

Stoick reached forward and slid the file over to himself and opened it. Photos. He thumbed through the stack and they looked to be pictures of the inside of a torn apart warehouse. Obviously someone had tried to destroy any evidence before abandoning the place. After he quickly sifted through a few pictures on the top, not seeing anything, he stoped and looked back at his friend.

"What is this Finn? What am I looking at?" His tone dripping with authority.

"These…" he gestured at the file, "are undercover photos of my teams current mission."

Taken aback Stoick looked back down at the file thumbing through a few more pictures. "Current mission? I was not aware any of your team was active." Stoick knew full and well what kind of team and missions Colonel Finn Hofferson ran. Finn was in charge of an elite team of Soldiers of the Berk military, referred to as the Berk guard. It was an exclusive team of Soldiers who went on incredibly dangerous and secret missions. Missions that the the general public were blissfully unaware of but the General in charge of the entire military always was.

'So why was I not informed of this one?' Stoick thought in frustration.

"I did not tell you, so that way you would have no knowledge of it, Stoick. To protect you but after what we found…I couldn't in good conscience not tell you."

Finn's eyes stared directly into the other mans trying to convey how serious the situation was.

"PROTECT ME?! Have you forgotten who you are talking to Colonel?!" Stoick stood up quickly and slammed his hands on the desk causing a large bang almost as loud as his booming voice. "I am General Stoick Haddock! Commander of Berk's entire military and the second highest position in our Government, the only one above me is the President!" His flaming red hair only highlighted now by his equally red face.

"Stoick it's Hiccup." Came the soft reply of Finn Hofferson that extinguished Stoick's anger instantly.

"H-hiccup…what…"

Finn gestured to the chair in front of him, "please sit Stoick and let me explain."

Sitting slowly back in his seat Stoick brought his full attention back to Finn. "Explain. Now." His voice clipped and on edge after the mention of his college aged son having anything to do with one of Finn's mission. Knowing what types of things Finn's team did meant Hiccup could be in danger. Potential deadly danger.

Taking a deep breath Finn began, "A few months back I got wind that something was happing on Outcast Island. After speaking to a few contacts I found out that they were gathering weapons–"

"Gathering weapons?! Those bastards!" Stoick interrupted as his rage couldn't be contained.

"It's not just that Stoick, they have Berkian weapons…" Stoick was instantly shut up again. Shock present on his features at this new piece of information.

Finn continued, "which was the point when I decided to leave you out of this, you see if I figured if The Outcast have Berk's military grade weapons than–"

Stoick interrupted yet again, "someone in the military is supplying to them. Damn it." He sagged deep into his chair.

"Exactly, which is precisely why I had to leave you out; leave everyone out. The only people who know of my mission are my team who are undercover. Until…now of course."

Placing his hands on the desk Stoick braced himself for the question he was about to ask. Terrified at what the answer might be.

"So how on earth does this involve Hiccup?" Finn didn't met his eyes rather he stared down at the file. "Look at the last picture." His short reply made Stoick's chest tighten. Not a feeling he was used to. Sifting through until he got to the last photo, Stoick stopped and took a moment to look it over.

It was a picture of the inside of the same warehouse. Charred debris spread all over the ground in what looked like a burn pile of sorts. After staring at it for a few moments he finally saw what Finn needed him to see. His eyes widening instantly in recognition. 'No…'

A half burnt picture of his smiling Son stood out on the left side of the pile. A photo that looked like it was taken in a surveillance type fashion. Clearly Hiccup did not know or consent to it.

Stoick's heart began to speed up as he stared harder at the picture trying to find any other type of clues as to why the Outcast would have Hiccup's picture. What would they want with him? Hiccup was just an innocent twenty one year old college kid. Studying engineering and hoping to get a job in Berk's government when he graduated. Using his inventive spirit and knowledge to help Berk prosper and grow.

"We think they are going to target him." Finn's decisive answer to his question broke him of his thoughts. "The only thing we have come up with is his connection to you. Other than that we don't know why they would target him."

Rage started to bleed through Stoick's veins thinking that because of who he was, his son would be in danger. He knew in the back of his mind it was always a possibility but now that the situation was unfolding in front of his eyes he couldn't help but feel absolutely hate for these people. Whoever they were.

Stoick cleared his throat and looked back up at his long time friend, "so what do we do?"

Finn stroked his beard and thought about how to deliver his solution for a moment before answering. "We keep this a secret, we can't let this information get out. My team is still there and hopefully we will crack this case soon…but I suggest a round the clock bodyguard for Hiccup. Until we stop these bastards he's not safe."

Dropping his head in his hands, Stoick let out am exhausted sigh, he knew it was the right decision but he also knew how much Hiccup was going to dislike the idea. "I agree but Hiccup won't like it. Being followed around and living with a man in a suit an ear piece. I'll get grief for years for this."

A smirk spread across Finn's face, "who said anything about men in suits?" The questioning look from Stoick urged him to continue. "We can't give him an obvious security detail. Assuming the people we are after are still watching him, if they saw bodyguards they might know something's going on. So we give him a much less obvious bodyguard."

Eyeing him for a moment, Stoick decided to take the bait and ask the question. "I have a feeling you already have someone in mind. Who?" Reaching back into his briefcase Finn pulled out yet another file and slid it to Stoick.

Opening the file Stoick's eyes widened seeing the person Finn was wanting to protect his son. "Truly? Do you think he needs this much protection?" Stoick asked in a slightly shocked tone.

"I do. Best Soldier for the job; I assure you." Finn nodded.

Stoick nodded in agreement and shut the file. "Tell them to meet us at my Son's house tomorrow around dinner. You know we'll have to include his roommates in this as well. Especially since they will all be living together."

"Of course, Sir." The two men stood up and shook hands.

"Thank you Finn. Keep me updated with any new information on your mission. Only me." Finn nodded and the two men walked out of the Generals office and through the many security doors until they exited The Great Hall. The large government building in the heart of Berk's city. Both men separated and went to their individual vehicles. Once inside Finn pulled out his work phone and dialed a familiar number.

Cold blue eyes stared at the ceiling above her bed. Thoughts were running through her head keeping sleep at bay. Memories that tended to only visit her at night and not much short of an alcohol induced sleep would stop them. So since she was begrudgingly trying to cut back on her drinking, she laid on her plush bed wide awake. Staring at the ceiling and letting the memories torment her.

'Not that I don't deserve it.' She thought morbidly.

The ring of her work cell cut through the night and without even looking her hand reached over and found it on her nightstand. Again not looking she answered the phone and put it to her ear. "Captain Hofferson speaking." Her eyes never leaving the ceiling as she heard a very familiar voice come from the speaker.

"Captain Hofferson, it's Colonel Hofferson. You have a mission. I'm sending over information now, that is all." The line clicked off in her ear, not surprised, her uncle was never one for pleasantries. At least with her. Taking the phone away from her ear she dropped her arm down to her side. Eyes still staring at the ceiling she tightened her grip on her phone.

'Here we go again…'

So new story!

Modern AU but very similar to the way things are set up in the shows/movies. Just no dragons and Berk has a single large city on it instead of a small village.

I hope you enjoy!