Part 1 – New Assignment
1941, Tobruk, Libya, the Battle of Gazala, it was early in the morning when the allied soldiers were awoken by the sounds of gunfire, and explosions.
OSS Agent Mako, a six foot two Caucasian male with spikey black hair and yellow-gold eyes shot into attention when he heard the explosion, he quickly jumped into his military boots, holstered his Webley Revolver, grabbed his M1A1 Thompson submachine gun as the men in his tent grabbed their own weapons, and ran out the tent's exit.
Once Mako was outside, the desert wind whipped at his face, when he looked up he saw a column of Nazi armor coming at him and the troops, and it was followed by a small platoon of Nazi soldiers.
As he was watching it, the tent next to his platoon's exploded, sending him flying sideways into the sand, once he brushed himself off, he ran over, scooped up his M1A1, and ran to support his men.
After jumping into a small position, Mako met up with his brother Bolin who was firing at the Nazis with his M1 Carbine.
"Hey bro," Mako said as he fired himself.
"Where have you been?" Bolin asked.
"Working," Mako said as he dropped one of the Nazis with three bullets as a bullet bounced off the sand in front of him.
As the artillery started firing back, several of the German tanks exploded, but they still kept coming.
A single Nazi leapt into the position the troops were in, Mako struck him on the forehead with the stock of his M1A1, knocking the Nazi backwards, then fired five bullets from his M1A1 into the Nazi's chest at point-blank range.
Mako then turned back to the Nazis and continued firing.
Mako's team's radioman ran up to Mako carrying a Lee Enfield bolt-action rifle, "Officer Mako! Officer Mako sir," he said as he ran up to Mako, "I've got a line from Command."
Mako grabbed the radio-phone, and placed it against his ear, "Mako here." Mako said.
"Sir," Major David Easton said over the radio, "What's your situation?"
"The Nazis are advancing sir," Mako said, "We're going to lose a lot of lives if we don't withdraw."
"Not an option Officer," Major Easton said, "You stay and defend that's an order!"
"With all due respect sir, that's an order you can shove directly up your ass," Mako said as he hung up, "Fall back! Fall back!"
As soon as the radio-man stood up to run, a sniper on top of a rock structure took the radio-man's helmet off.
The team ducked into cover as the sniper missed Mako by half an inch.
"We got a sniper on us," Bolin said as he reloaded.
"We're not going anywhere with him shooting at us," Mako said as he reloaded his M1A1, "Give me some cover! When you see the signal, fall back!"
The entire squad shot out of cover, and emptied their clips toward the sniper who ducked into cover after taking a stray bullet in the leg.
Mako quickly bolted out of cover, and ran toward an opening in the cliffs.
When he arrived he heard someone speaking in German, "Schau dir diese Arschlöcher unten ihre," one said, "Sehen Sie nicht einmal wie echte Soldaten aus."
Mako peaked out from behind cover, and only saw two Nazis standing on the edge of the cliff, probably not alone.
Mako engaged the safety on his M1A1, drew his M1 Knuckle-duster knife and Webley, and walked up behind the Nazis.
As one of the Nazis took a step back, Mako grabbed him around the neck, and stabbed him once through the side of the head.
As the other Nazi turned to see Mako, he turned around to grab his MP40, and as he grabbed hold of the barrel, a size thirteen US Military boot shoved him over the side of the cliff.
After looking down, and seeing the Nazi dying, Mako holstered his knife, and continued toward the sniper.
After scaling the side of the incline the sniper was on, Mako found the man bleeding out of his leg, and still firing at the troops.
As the sniper was drawing a bead on Bolin, Mako cocked his Webley revolver, the sniper heard, and raised his hands.
When he stood up, Mako smirked, and pulled the trigger.
The rock in front of the sniper turned red as a small hole appeared in the man's back.
He then fell forward onto the cover he was using, and flipped over.
Back in cover, Bolin was watching the perch with a periscope when he saw the sniper fall over the cliff, and then his brother run into sight, and wave.
"Let's go, let's go," Bolin said as he signaled the team to fall back.
Mako reached down, and picked up the sniper's rifle, a Kar-98 that was covered in sand, nothing really special, but it might have been enough to save him from a court-marshal.
When he got back to Tobruk, he found Bolin and the squad waiting for him with a Willies Jeep.
"Come on, come on," one of the machine-gunners said as he ushered Mako toward them.
Mako jumped in the jeep as one of the buildings next to them exploded.
The team made it out of Tobruk with most of the retreating British Army right before the other half of their forces surrendered to the Axis Army.
The rifle and the fact he was an OSS agent saved him from a court-marshal, but not from a hard-core ass-chewing by Major Easton.
"YOUR ORDERS WERE TO HOLD OUT," Easton yelled, "IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU WE'D STILL HAVE THOSE SOLDIERS! IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU…"
"If he hadn't abandoned orders, he'd be dead along with several hundred thousand more soldiers than several hundred," a familiar voice said from the front of the tent.
Mako and Easton turned around, and standing there was Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery, commander of the South-Eastern Command of the British Army.
"General Montgomery sir," Easton said as he and Mako shot into attention.
"You should thank this man," General Montgomery said as he put his hand on Mako's shoulder, "I think this man has a special talent in leadership we could use," General Montgomery then wrapped his arm around Mako's shoulders like Mako was his son, "Come along son, let's get your brother, I have a special assignment for you two."
General Montgomery went and retrieved Bolin, and took them both toward a military plane.
When they entered the plane, they were greeted by a security detail.
Where they were going they didn't know, but after seven hours, and a nap, Mako dreamed of something he had dreamed of the mysterious mocha-skinned girl he always thought about.
Mako was dressed in a pair of formal black shoes, black suit pant, and a long-sleeve button-up white shirt.
The woman he was chasing had mocha-colored skin, she wore a mid-shin length white dress, and as they were running through the woods, gunfire and explosions were going on around them, but they didn't care, and kept running.
As the plane touched down, Mako was roused by General Montgomery.
"Wake up," General Montgomery said as he roused the brothers, "We're here."
General Montgomery escorted Mako and Bolin out of the plane to an airfield in England.
When they arrived, they found a 1941 Cadillac limo waiting for them, "You'll go to where you're staying, and the next day you go to meet the VIPs." General Montgomery said.
Mako and Bolin entered the limo, and as they were driving through England, Mako was appalled at the devastation the Luftwaffe had caused.
They arrived at a small country house in Kent, when they left the car, several small children were running around the yard, two girls and a single bald boy, when they saw Mako and Bolin they were a bit confused, but when a man, apparently their father came out the door they ran behind him.
"You two must be the soldiers from Africa," the man said, he was six foot five, bald with an arrow tattooed on his forehead and hands, "I'm Brigadier General Tenzin of the British Army."
"Sorry sir," Mako said as he and Bolin shot into attention, "I didn't know you were a General."
"It's alright my boy," Tenzin said as he slapped Mako on the shoulder, "Please come in."
Mako and Bolin entered, and as they did, they smelled something cooking, "This is a nice place General." Bolin said.
"Why thank you," Tenzin said, "My wife is cooking supper, I hope you'll join us."
"We'd be honored." Mako said.
"Good," Tenzin said, "I think you'll want to freshen up," your room is upstairs, to the left, down the hall, last door on your right."
Mako and Bolin walked up the stairs, and to the room which was obviously a former general's room.
While he was showering, Bolin asked Mako, "What is this special assignment General Montgomery wants us to go on?"
"I don't know," Mako said, "Probably some kind of Commando Unit. It would be a break from the sands of Africa."
Mako stepped out of the shower, Bolin got in, as Mako was drying off, Tenzin's eldest daughter, Jinora took a peak at Mako, for the time someone in shape was probably thin, zero fat showing, and maybe a muscle or two showing.
Mako was in Captain-America-like shape, he was ripped, complete with a six-pack and everything.
That evening over dinner, Tenzin's wife, Pema raised a question, "So where'd you learn your skills Mako?" She asked.
"West Point," Mako said, "I was going steady at the college when the war broke out. I knew the OSS was my way to help out."
"We couldn't just stand by and let innocents suffer." Bolin finished.
"You serve America well," Pema said as she fed her newly-born son, "What was your specialty in the Army?"
"Assistant Machine-gunner and leader." Mako said.
"Support gunner," Bolin said, "And he was a better shot than I ever was."
"I'll bet," Jinora said, "Although with a face like that you could be an actor."
"Oh stop it, you'll make me blush." Mako said.
"Jinora," Tenzin said, "He's almost seven years older than you!"
"Sorry daddy," Jinora said, "A girl's got to have her crushes."
That night as Mako and Bolin were asleep, Jinora was about to sneak into Mako's room when her mother, Pema caught her, "Dear," Pema said as she dragged Jinora to her room, "You know that that man is older than you."
"But mom…" Jinora said.
"No buts little lady," Pema said, "Tomorrow he leaves, and you'll probably never see him again."
Jinora went to bed not knowing her mother was partially right, very early the next morning, she awoke to hear a car pull up, she went to the window to see Mako, Bolin, and her father dressed in formal soldiers suits get into a Rolls Royce Phantom, Mako and Bolin in the back, and her father in the front.
The car peeled away, and took off down the road.
The car arrived in London, and pulled up in front of Buckingham Palace, the Queen's Guard were patrolling the front of the palace with Lee Enfield Mk 4 bolt-action rifles and Sten Mk 1 submachine guns.
When they entered, they saw that several areas had been damaged during the Battle of Britain, but not severely, some of the hired help was still cleaning, when they entered a secret sitting room, they rounded the corner, come into the room, and saw King George the Sixth sitting with his wife Queen Elizabeth, across from him was the Prime Minster of England, Winston Churchill, and sitting next to Prime Minister Churchill was American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Tenzin bowed before King George and Queen Elizabeth before turning and saluting Prime Minister Churchill, and shaking President FDR's hand, "My friends," Tenzin said as he turned toward Mako and Bolin, "May I present OSS agents Mako and Bolin."
"King George, Queen Elizabeth," Mako said as he bowed before the monarchy of England, then turned toward Prime Minister Churchill, "Prime Minister Churchill," after shaking Churchill's hand, he turned toward FDR, and saluted him, "Mr. President."
"Please don't salute me," President FDR said, "Please, sit."
Mako took his seat, and Bolin followed after doing what his brother did, "Would you boys like some tea?" Queen Elizabeth asked.
"Yes ma'am," Mako said as he put his hat in his lap, "That'd be lovely."
Queen Elizabeth clapped, and a female maid brought in a tray of tea, and after pouring everyone a cup, Prime Minister Churchill spoke, "I'm sorry to interrupt," Churchill said as he looked at the guests at the table, "But I'm afraid we need to get on with it."
"Sorry Prime Minister Churchill but this is serious business," King George said, "But by all means, proceed."
The guards walked outside after shutting the door, and closing the blinds, after they left, Tenzin turned off the lights, and pressed a button on the table that lowered a viewing screen.
What came on the screen next were images of dead French men and women with weapons lying next to him, "These come from spy cameras in France," Tenzin said, "Each day the Nazis kill almost a hundred French Resistance fighters. Right now the resistance is scattered, and that's the last thing we need. If the Nazis focus more of their efforts on France our forces in Africa and Asia might have more of an advantage."
"So what have we got to do with this?" Mako asked.
"We need someone the Resistance can secretly rally behind," Prime Minister Churchill said, "We think your leadership skills can play a big part in this Sir Mako."
"So you want me to lead the French Resistance?" Mako asked.
"In a way," President FDR said, "We need someone to help organize the resistance, but not in the traditional way."
"What's the Op?" Bolin asked.
"Operation Underworld," FDR said, "Names after Charles Luciano."
"Most successful businessman ever," Mako said, "Made a lot of money during Prohibition."
"Nice way of putting it," Tenzin said, "Your objective is to go into France from Switzerland once your training is complete undercover as former Swiss Bankers now looking to open business in Paris."
"But behind the scenes we'll be working with the Resistance?" Bolin asked.
"Yes." Tenzin said.
Prime Minister Churchill set up the sugar-bowl from the tea-tray at arm's reach, "Your goal is to keep the Nazis here," he said then set up the gold-leaf tea-strainer halfway between him and the table, "The French Resistance here," he then moved his tea cup to the edge of the table, about three inches from his chest, "But keep the people of France here."
"Keep your Enemies at arm's length, but keep France closer," Bolin said, "We can do that."
"Good," Tenzin said, "Because that's the operation."
"To make life easier for the French people." Mako said.
"Yes." President FDR said.
"You'd have full access to the British Army's arsenal," King George said, "And to British Intelligence, you'd be receiving the best training there is, and unlimited access to the treasury."
"Weapons, money, and training," Bolin said, "What's the catch?"
"The catch is that you'll be in Nazi-occupied Paris until we can liberate it," Tenzin said, "The only backup you'll get is the French Resistance, and you better hope they're near because we won't be very far. You get caught there won't be a hero's burial, just a shallow grave and a bullet in the head. So if you turn down the offer you can walk out those doors, no hard feelings, we'll just send you back to Africa to fight the Nazis. But if you accept the offer, then you'll be rewarded in ways you two can possibly imagine."
Mako paused for a second before looking up at Tenzin, "Where do I sign?" Mako asked.
"I thought you'd say that," Tenzin said, "Good choice."
"Were do I sign as well?" Bolin asked.
"You are staying out of this," Mako said, "You're my little brother, I look after you first."
"With all due respect Mako," Bolin said, "It's my choice."
"I'm afraid he's right," Tenzin said, "Agent Mako will you stand?"
"Sure," Mako said as he stood up.
Tenzin took the Warrant Officer stripes off Mako's lapels and shoulders, and replaced them with the silver Eagle of an American Army Colonel, "Congratulations Colonel," Tenzin said, "You are now in charge of Operation Underworld."
"Thank you sir," Mako said as he saluted General Tenzin.
"Agent Bolin will you stand?" General Tenzin asked.
Bolin stood, and he replaced the Sergeant stripes on Bolin's shoulder with the brass leaves of a Major.
"Thank you sir." Bolin said.
"You two are France's only hope now," Prime Minister Churchill said, "Good luck."
Mako and Bolin saluted the five in the room, turned around, and walked out.
"You really think they're the ones?" King George asked.
"Oh yes," Tenzin said, "They are the ones."
Off to meet the rest of the team…