Into the Breach

Chapter 1

Malaysia, 2062

The jungle was hot and humid. It was the fucking jungle and it was to be expected. Whatever was being sweated out stuck and clung to the body and it was irritating to be wearing the exo suits. During the day it was like hell except without all the fire and brimstone. Nighttime wasn't too bad hence why they were driving at night.

Sgt. Brian Wilcox looked out through his window as he sat shotgun in the truck ahead of the cargo vehicle his team was escorting. It was supposed to be a basic supply run; bringing in newly repaired gear or brand new gear and other supplies to the military outposts in this backend corner of Malaysia. It was a slice of heaven.

Wilcox knew the drill. It was what he did for the allied nations. After all it had only been a year since the Atlas command center in New Baghdad was taken out. It was said that the CEO Jonathan Irons was killed in the attack but no one was clear on that. He figured it was a load of crock since they were still fighting Atlas and trying to shut down the auxiliary facilities that had been left behind.

Since the fall, Atlas retreated but was still going. It didn't have the clout it once had but it was enough to cause heads to turn, specifically those people that had been oppressed for so long that Atlas and their ideas sounded like a fucking good idea. It was like when that old idea of Communism spread across Asia. It was a repeat of history and to Wilcox… well it didn't matter. He had a job to do.

His nickname was Old Battleaxe and for good reason. Wilcox was a stickler for protocol but he made changes as necessary when the situation called for it. He had a firm control on the conduct of his men and impropriety was not tolerated. He didn't allow looting or anything that would cause a local populace to become pissed at him or his country. Wilcox was also a man of letters as the phrase went.

He was well educated, having completed a degree in college. He studied history but was always fascinated by war history. Most people didn't think about it but soldiering did take a lot more than mindless following orders. You had to be able to think on your feet and assess the situation as it came to you. He was considered brilliant to have a field command but he preferred the shit supply runs. There was something about it that he liked apart from complaining and trekking through all types of terrain. One of the major things was that it didn't get exciting. He had enough of that when he fought against Irons.

Wilcox looked out into the jungle. They had to be on alert since there was a lot of jungle and it was easy to hide in the brush and launch an ambush. He had his men watching from their positions. "Keep it tight people."

Roger that.

The convoy passed the checkpoint without too much of a problem except for a few bumps in the road. There was only the final checkpoint and they would be at their destination. Wilcox wasn't going to relax though. They weren't there yet and he wasn't going to be okay until they reached the base and handed off the cargo.

It was too good to be true when the convoy approached the final checkpoint. Wilcox felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise up as he looked at the lead vehicle approach. He tapped the driver to indicate that he should be on alert. At that moment the guard that approached open fired on the lead vehicle. It was followed by an explosion that obliterated the vehicle in front. Wilcox called out, "Ambush!"

Men began spilling out of the vehicles to counter and provide cover fire. Wilcox was out of the vehicle and calling out orders to set up a perimeter. They were not going to lose that cargo. "Left side. Positions on the left side!"

The gunfire raged out but it was too dark to see people. The only indication was the light caused by the gunfire. Wilcox pulled on his night vision and returned fire and gave orders to his men. The return fire from the ambush was heavy. It seemed like for every man they killed, two to three more popped up. It also didn't help that explosive rockets were in use.

The vehicle that had been Wilcox's was targeted and it exploded, sending the vehicle into the air. He dove for cover as more explosions rang out followed by drones. "Drones! Incoming!"

It was like hellfire being rained down upon them. Wilcox took cover and returned fire. They had to get out of there. If he got into the cargo vehicle they could run the checkpoint. It was better to be on the run than be stationary otherwise they would all be dead. Wilcox checked his situation and called to his right hand man and relayed his orders. When the line was informed, he checked and called out, "Now!"

The line returned fire as they made their way to the remaining vehicles. Wilcox was going to take the lead vehicle if he had to. His right hand though stood by him as he shot his way to the cargo vehicle and he took the driver seat. Wilcox provided cover. "We're moving out!"

Before he could get into the vehicle though a large thumping sound filled the air. Wilcox hesitated when he heard the sound. He didn't get in but aimed in the direction that it came from and open fired. He called out, "Go Rollins!"

"Sir!"

At that moment the AST came through the brush. To the untrained person it was a scary sight. The first glimpse anyone got was metal and the really big guns that were capable of tearing a man in two and taking down assault vehicles. They were also strong enough to flip over armored vehicles and could take on the tanks even if they were armed with a trophy system. The newer models were terrorizing especially considering the upgrades to the specialist weapon systems.

Wilcox stared at the AST as it lumbered towards them and it was readying its weapons. He called out, "Rollins, just go. That's an order!"

Rollins got the vehicle started while Wilcox fired upon the AST and noticed the ricochet coming off the vehicle. The cargo vehicle was starting to move forward but Wilcox was going to buy some time and then get out on foot. Some of his men were doing the same but they were occupied with another AST that had come out. It was even larger and heavier than the one he was trying to take down.

Wilcox aimed and fired at the AST. It would take some time but it was doable. Wilcox maneuvered to try and get into position to take out the AST. He fired at it but was given a hard clothesline and he was sent flying into the guardhouse. It collapsed around him and he heard the AST advance on him. It was going to fire on him when a vehicle rammed into it.

It was one of the guard vehicles manned by Stokes. Stokes had attempted to knock the AST off guard but the AST barely moved. Like poking the sleeping giant, the AST turned on the vehicle and grabbed it and slung it aside like it was nothing before unleashing a few rounds on it and making it explode. Wilcox managed to get to his feet when it exploded, relieved that Stokes managed to get out. He took the chance and flung an EMP grenade. It disabled the AST but then Wilcox felt it.

The round hit him in the shoulder from behind and it hurt like a bitch. He hit the dirt and his weapon flew out of his reach. He started to crawl to try to get it when he felt a boot press on his lower back and the barrel of a gun touch the back of his helmet. Wilcox swallowed knowing that he was going to die. He looked up and saw Stokes go down. He reached for his knife and was going to turn around when his right was grabbed by a hand and a gun was pointed at him.

"You saved the cargo but you're still dead."

The buzzer sounded indicating the end of the simulation. Wilcox sighed more in frustration as his head flopped to the ground. He looked up to see his would be executioner looking at him. His mouth was covered by the scarf that hung around his neck but the eyes belied amusement at the whole thing. "Fuck."

"Fuck is right Wilcox," the scarf covered man replied as he put away his pistol. He pulled down his scarf to reveal his mouth and it unmuffled his British accent. "Doesn't matter in terms of firepower. The best weapon is still the one between your ears."

"Copy that Commander," Wilcox replied feeling like a kid being berated. He accepted the hand up. He still felt like shit since he was bested by the commander.

The commander still had a bemused expression on his face as he looked at the AST that had been rammed by the vehicle and joked, "I see you got to take out an armored vehicle this time. You alright Mitchell?"

The hatch opened to reveal the face of Jack Mitchell. He was sort of scowling but it was spoiled by the grin that was showing on his face. "Better than being blown up, Phoenix."

"Fuck, you Mitchell," the commander replied in a good natured manner.

"Well he's right, mate considering you fell into a building from several stories while it was on fire and came out alive," the other AST walked up and opened to reveal none other than Gideon. "Rising from the ashes, Hayfield."

Connor Hayfield, now Lt. Commander, looked at his oldest friend with a slight narrowed look. He was well aware that Wilcox and the others were looking at him with that look of awe and rapture. "Yeah well it was more being prepared and opportunity. Don't make more of it."

Gideon chuckled before turning serious, "So… how did the rookies do?"

"Work in progress," Connor replied after glancing at the newest squad to join Sentinel. "Little ingenuity on Wilcox. Promise." His eyes lighted on Wilcox to point out what he assessed. "Rest of the team still a little green but getting there."

Gideon looked at the squad that had gathered. He nodded at Connor's assessment, "Alright. Reset the sim for one more run. We're going to get this right. Wilcox, try not to die this time."

"Copy that," Wilcox replied as he watched as the commander walked by and whistle for his dog. It wasn't just the commander. It was the fucking Lt. Commander call sign Phoenix that pretty much killed him in this sim run. It made his failure feel worse and yet justified. He was going to do better next run. He turned to his squad, "Alright, reset and reload."

In the meantime Connor kneeled to pet his dog he named Ash. She was trained as a Special Forces dog and was from a litter from his father's dogs. He found out that his father bred the dogs for service and a few were given as pets. Ash was going to be sent for training when he went home on leave a year ago but his father gave her to him and put him in touch with the head of the training unit.

Ash had proven herself through training and a couple of missions the past few weeks. She was a good partner and had become popular with Sentinel. Connor rubbed her head knowing that she had been bored while he was running the simulation. He grinned as an idea came to him after he gave her a treat from his pocket and rubbed her head. It certainly would be interesting.

"I know that look."

Connor rolled his eyes slightly before looking up and asked in a not too innocent tone, "What look are you talking about?" He gave a slight grin at Ilona as she came up with the latest readings on the sim.

"That look," Ilona pointed out, not fooled at all by Connor's expression. "The one that tells me that you have something planned and it is for your amusement and everyone else's annoyance."

"Nice to see you still have love for me Comrade." Connor was still grinning as he stood up after rubbing Ash's ears. He tugged a little on his keffiyeh to loosen it a little and wipe the sweat.

"I fucking hate you," Ilona replied with a smile on her face. "You're even more trouble than you're worth ever since what happened in New Baghdad."

"Yeah a fucking legend." Connor sighed as he looked at nothing in particular. He came to focus on the observation deck where Ilona played her role of monitoring comms. "I need to have Ash do one run. She's bored." He looked at Ilona as he said that.

Ilona studied Connor with a practiced eye. Ever since they had met she had always looked after the man like he was a younger brother even though he disliked it. He was a proud man but he was also very reluctant when it came to allowing people in willingly. You had to force your way in and she had figured that out before Gideon did. He resisted but she persisted and Gideon wormed his way in on his own terms. They had been through hell together and that kind of thing didn't go away. But he had changed and it was for the better.

"You're doing it again, Comrade."

Ilona narrowed her eyes slightly but she was still smiling at him. "Just doing what I've been doing since day one. And I don't give a shit if you hate it."

"Oh I know that and I still hate it," Connor replied but there was no malice in his tone. He knew that Ilona had a soft spot for him and she was the one that got him to open up to the team. He adjusted his position and gestured at the sim, "So… I'm gonna run it with Ash. We'll see where it goes."

Ilona shook her head as Connor went to kit up. She called out, "And I'm sure it's not just for the laughs, Hayfield."

Connor laughed as he flipped Ilona the bird more out of affection than insulting. He turned to head to the armory to reload and decide if he wanted a different load out. He clicked his tongue to keep Ash close by. She would have to be kitted up too but that wasn't a problem. Or she could go in plain but those nonlethals did hurt like a bitch and even though Ash was trained like a soldier… he had a soft spot for animals.

"Don't tell me you're bringing in the mutt."

"Need the practice old man."

Gideon snorted at that as he checked the specs on the AST. "Bloody dog."

Connor snapped on Ash's combat vest and noted how happy the dog seemed. Then again she loved going to work and he rubbed her ears. "Well she saved your arse, old man."

"I'm bloody younger than you."

"But I'm still pretty." Connor purposely changed his accent to sound like his father's more to tease Gideon. He grinned cheekily at the man as he finished rubbing Ash's head and making sure her gear was on.

"You're not my type you wanker."

Connor couldn't help but laugh at that. "Nah, I was more into Mitchell."

"You rang?"

There was a round of chuckles as they finished kitting up. Gideon climbed into the AST that had been designated the HH Mark II. He looked at Connor as he wound his kiffiyeh around his face to look like an insurgent. Ash was sitting and her tail was wagging, indicating that she was excited to go on the sim. "You better keep that mutt in line. This is a training sim."

"Keep your panties on old man. Ash will take down anything that points a gun at us." Connor turned to look at Gideon. His grey blue eyes showed through the slit his kiffiyeh made. "And she doesn't miss."

Gideon nodded, "I know. Don't try to kill the rookies."

Connor grinned and shot a look at Mitchell. Mitchell had been watching the entire exchange. He had learned the past year that Connor Hayfield was an acquired taste and it took a special type of acquirement. He shook his head as he tripped the hatch to seal himself in the AST codenamed Shockwave. "And make sure not to kill me."

"No promises, Mitchell," Connor countered as he shot the man a wry grin. He locked and loaded and led the way to the sim with Ash following. He tapped the console to the lift to take them into position. "But I think it's time for Gideon to get shot in the arse."

Fuck you Hayfield.

Yemen

The night was cool and gave the sense of that old romantic feel of the Middle East. The darkness reflected off the sand and the buildings in the village. All was quiet indicating that the village was peaceful and it was so with the murmurs of old men talking and an occasional dog barking but there were was contentment that seemed to permeate the village. It was a good cover for the fact that there were armed guards patrolling around the main building within the center of the village.

Khaled looked outside the window of the top story at the sleepy village. His gaze narrowed as he surveyed the land. His slim fingers tapped the sill as he continued to stare out. His thoughts were on the upcoming plans that would be set into motion.

The world was a complicated place. Many things happened and some were undoubtedly tied to others. Was it coincidence? Maybe… maybe not. The point is that there many things happening. The world was complicated; the more things tried to change, the more it stayed the same.

People tried to make things simple. It was easy to focus that way. Focus on the immediate threat and then you changed your world. Truth was a matter of perspective. People were only human and they had a tendency to turn a blind eye to the things that were happening. After all how was one supposed to pay attention to everything when often times the immediate was a concern?

It had been a year since Atlas had been knocked on its rear but there were other forces at work. And they were far older than that. The world didn't stop revolving just because an immediate crisis had ended. There were things to do and plans to execute if only to achieve the goals set so long ago.

Khaled shifted when he heard the door open slightly. He knew who it was coming in but he didn't break his gaze as he continued to look out. They still had time; plenty of time to do what was needed. They could wait just a little bit more.

This was something that went back before the advancement of technology. It was part of a longstanding grudge and criticism of the hypocrisy of the capitalist countries. A battle that spanned several decades and against enemies that were still the bane of existence. It was an ongoing fight that he had inherited and believed in fully.

"They are ready."

Khaled took one last look at the landscape and nodded. This was what he was fighting for. That and to gain some measure of revenge for wrongs that had been committed. Revenge is a dish that is best served cold and this was long overdue though the first attempt had been done nearly four decades earlier.

Turning, Khaled started walking back into the room. "Come then Hakim. We can't keep them waiting." He started walking out of the room and down the hall.

"I don't understand why we have waited so long."

"Sometimes Hakim," Khaled replied, "The best way to strike is when the enemy's guard is down. This has been achieved in the past and it works with good planning." He rounded a corner and barely acknowledged one of the guards. "The West thinks they have won and then Atlas came."

"They are now weak."

"War weakens the enemy and when the timing is right you strike."

"But we have been fighting against the opulence of the west for decades. Not much has changed."

"It may not seem like it," Khaled replied, "But that is what we are counting on. The more things change, the more they stay the same. When they think they have dealt with one thing, they will only realize that they are vulnerable and that is after the strike comes when they least expect it."

They had paused outside the door. Khaled looked at Hakim and continued, "Besides, it is personal since the agency responsible is on the move."

"How do you know this?"

"They think they are keeping up but following the work of Odysseus… And it helps to know that there are people watching." Khaled pushed the doors open to enter into a large room .There were several others in there that were waiting. He looked at them with a bland expression.

They were all comrades in arms. And they all believed in the mission that had been started by their leader. And that was to fight against the capitalistic injustices that plagued the world. Despite everything that had happened a long time ago, things hadn't changed but they continued to do their work. Khaled was particularly amused about the leader of a team that had been after him and his men. Call it sins of the father if you like.

"The time to strike is now."

Khaled turned his attention to the conversation that had been taking place. He knew that everyone was getting restless. Even he was and they had continued their work ever since Odysseus had been taken down. They had done things but it was overshadowed by what Atlas had been doing and had done. Right now since there was a window of opportunity the consensus was to strike. He voiced, "Indeed it is. For decades we have struck against the opulence of the west. The injustices of capitalism still have maintained dominance and is out of control. We have seen this with Atlas."

"They took down Hades."

"But after the meltdown," Khaled pointed out. "It only revealed the hypocrisy of Atlas. Our goal."

"Then what do we do?"

Khaled looked at the group. What he was going to propose and what was already in the works was something that would probably make the others angry but it was perfect. True that the some of the one who killed Odysseus was tracking them and not even close but it wasn't the only reason. He had read about the exploits that had happened with Atlas and it had him curious.

To say that there were forces at work could be taken in multiple ways. Khaled was not inclined to be superstitious but what he had heard about what happened in New Baghdad had him wondering. After all it wasn't every day that someone defied the odds. But that was a side matter what was important was the mission. He would have time to look into the matter of the Phoenix later. Right now it was for Odysseus. For Cordis Dei.

A/N: And here we are with the sequel to From the Ashes and we start off with a battle that turns out to be quite different and some interesting going ons. Stay tuned for next time on Into the Breach...