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The GhostWalker Tattoo
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Worn with pride and honour
Each symbol signifies shadow knights
Who protect against evil forces using psychic power, courage, and honour.
A deadly force.
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A GhostWalker Creed
We are the GhostWalkers, we live in the shadows
The sea, the earth, and the air are our domain
No fallen comrade will be left behind
We are loyalty and honour bound
We are invisible to our enemies
and we destroy them where we find them
We believe in justice and we protect our country
and those unable to protect themselves
What goes unseen, unheard, and unknown
are GhostWalkers
There is honour in the shadows and it is us
We move in complete silence whether
in jungle or desert
We walk among our enemy unseen and unheard
Striking without sound and scatter to the winds
before they have knowledge of our existence
We gather information and wait with endless patience
for that perfect moment to deliver swift justice
We are both merciful and merciless
We are relentless and implacable in our resolve
We are the GhostWalkers and the night is ours.
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Chapter 1
Team Zero
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Zark 'Zero' Prakenskii. GhostWalker. Former Marine Navy SEAL. A killer machine made by the states in order to infiltrate territories without detection – and just like their name – GhostWalkers – walks the earth without a trace, just like a ghost.
The sea, the earth, the air are their domain. They live in shadows and hunt the enemies no ordinary soldier would hunt.
And right now, Team Zero is on the hunt for their prey.
Fuck! Seriously?! Are they freaking out of their fucking minds?! This is sheer stupidity!
Zero grins when he heard the swearing of his 2nd mate – Ranulf Griffen. He feels the same way – as all the men were feeling with this mission, sheer madness.
Stupid yes – but dead serious. We have to be careful. Ran, how's the boogies?
He asked Ranulf, who with his enhancement can see through things for a very short period of time, though using it in extreme condition will render him blind for a short period of time.
Guard at the back – double – has Heckler & Koch G36. Triple on the inner entrance. Tunnel can be breach if we go through it as planned.
Good. Wait for my signal. We cant shit this one.
Right on Top.
They are currently positioned in the shadow – away from the eyes of every men and women – even the guard dogs aren't aware of them.
They are on a deadly mission.
An operation that no mere soldier can accomplished. Only them. The GhostWalkers.
They are the Top Secret 'GhostWalkers' who go on special missions called and known only by a few ranking officials in the government.
'GhostWalkers' have psychic abilities and genetic enhancements, some abilities and enhancements are more rare than others. Each GhostWalker team must have an 'ANCHOR', a team member who draws the psychic backlash, especially of violence, away from his other team-members. Without an anchor, the GhostWalkers abilities are limited because of the psychic backlash and the inability to manage in crowds/public.
And he is a powerful Anchor, who holds more than one member in his team.
They are what you call invisible hunters, day or night – land, sea or air.
All had a gift for languages as well as other things, they were all recruited right out of school and trained in operatives until the Project Paranormal.
Zero checks the surrounding places and signaled the others to pull their night goggles, making it easy for them to see in the blackness of the night. All of them doesn't need them, they could see in the dark as easily as during the day.
Stop.
What is it Top?
Ranulf questioned, using the telepathic communication they had perfected as children. He and the Team Zero were all from the same orphanage and the same facility of Project Paranormal.
They can communicate using their secured telepath. One of the deadliest weapon they have, if other soldiers would need radios or some kind of device, they use their direct mind link and talk.
Seth, can you feel it?
Yes Top. Fuck, they bring in specialized dogs.
Can you use your ability to them Kain?
Hell – it would be so easy if that were normal dogs – this one is full of shit.
He heard the whole team chuckles.
Kain has the ability to talk to any animals he chooses. With the Project Paranormal, his ability triples and has been enhanced not just talk but to put compulsion and suggestion on every animal on the planet. But its just ironic that Kain has a phobia to all kinds of animals – especially dogs.
And the three dogs on the vicinity aren't normal – they were well trained but nothing Kain cant handle.
The entrance of the US Embassy at Japan is full of guards, professionals and elite. Tonight is the celebration of the day a Peace Treaty were signed between the US and Asian countries – and such occasion will warrant hundreds of bodyguards – professionals and elite. And they are in Japan. Small country but a powerhouse. Feared secretly by many – States, North Korea, China and Middle East. Japan may be a small and weird looking land – but it houses the most sophisticated and refined mind on the planet. Think of nanotechnology, machines and other high-end warfare and they have it – though it is a beyond top secret.
What's the scenario Rowan?
No other GhostWalkers.
Good.
Rowan has a special ability to detect other paranormal humans such as them, because he does not have the same wavelength as the rest of the GhostWalkers, which makes it hard to see him with the naked eye, and his ability to camouflage himself makes him a perfect spy and sniper.
They don't want any problems with other Teams and he wants to make sure that their cover wont be blown – because if a hint that there's a kidnapping going on – any sign of Peace will be shattered and a World War of multitude numbers will occur.
He sighs and shook his head, their enemy – BloodShot – are making quite a move. BloodShot are what they were called – a terrorist unit, he sneered at the name but he had to give them kudos for scaring the shit out of every country they visited.
They left wreckage, carnage and death… and worst fear.
He cant help but think about the assignment given to them two days earlier.
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He was not amused when his head suddenly makes an urgent call, this is a rare occurrence when Sergeant Major approaches them with NTAS.
National Terrorism Advisory System, a two-level terrorism threat advisory scale used by the United States Department of Homeland Security since April 26, 2011. The Homeland Security Advisory System was created in response to the 9/11 attacks by the administration of US President George W. Bush. And the code was – Severe Red. His Team was actually planning on taking a vacation – on the Team Three's California Territory. A Severe Red was never issued on their turf – he found out later why.
Sergeant Major Falcon Siberia calls them announcing them that a World War Three may occur if the mission fails. All of them were at Kirk's favorite safe house. And all were currently eating their dinner – Seth's specialty – Lasagna with garlic bread and a mean looking brewed coffee that will shook the hell out of you.
Sergeant Major Falcon smiles tiredly, looking at Team Zero, you will get the impression that this is a young boy's group. All look young, not more than 25 years- 30 years old. He will bet that every women who will get to see them will think they were a model, artist or actors of some foreign country. His eyes settle on the leader of the Team Zero – named after him by the GhostWalkers.
Zark 'Zero' Prakenskii, with a different blood ancestry that puzzles even him. In the official record of the US Security - Zark is a half-Russian and half-American, born in Cairo Egypt. But the record from Dr. Whitney tells a different story. Zark has a blood descent from an Irish Grandfather, Scottish Grandmother, half-German and half-American Father and a half-Russian and half-Japanese mother. Nothing is certain about his blood lines - but one this is for sure the man has coldest Siberian silver blue eyes that can kill you instantly.
As cold as the arctic sea and as deadly as hell. He was the best among every soldier he had ever encountered and knows. Ruthless, merciless and fierce. He has a handsome face but you can see the hard, sharp and deadly features on them. He is younger to some of the members but has the most respect by the members and experienced to all of them. A straight-up killer. He has a code and all that, but when push comes to shove, Zero will be the one standing.
There is something different about him. Deadly accurate and feared not just by his men but by all the Team of GhostWalkers themselves. It was rumored that Zero has the deadliest of abilities in all the GhostWalkers – he was the favorite lab rat of the mad scientist Dr. Peter Whitney. No information, not even the most top Intel can give accurate information about Zero, it was only rumored that Whitney's favorite choice of soldier was Zero. He wants to know more but everything – every piece of information was never found. He bet that even his Team mates weren't aware of Zero's capabilities and enhancements. He was a force to be reckon with. He has a very strong psychic ability even before Whitney enhanced his genetics. As far as he is concerned Zero is the man who can truly be defined as a Ghost.
That is why he approached Team Zero. Because the mission is most crucial and nerve wrecking of all mission. It's a catalyst to start World War Three or the start of the War of the Worlds.
He cleared his throat and grimly lay a piece of paper on the table.
'Your Mission: The rescue of Jang Shin Hye. Son of the Ambassador to D.P.R.K. Permanent mission to the UN.'
Zero taps the paper with his long finger and raised his eyebrows. D.P.R.K. – Shithole.
It seems the Alert for Severe Red is no laughing matter. The threat level has been raised to Severe only once, which applied only to flights coming from the United Kingdom on August 10–14, 2006, in response to British law enforcement announcing it had disrupted a major terror plot to blow up an aircraft, DHS raised the threat level for commercial flights from the United Kingdom to the United States to Severe.
'Zero. I'm talking about that son.' The Major said, knowing that Zero got the hint.
He sighs and seats back on his chair, lazily folding his arms to his chest. Observing each and everyone of his Team.
'Hmmm… that doesn't sound good.' Kirk, one of his men on the Team – a computer genius extraordinaire, with an IQ of 300.
Kirishian 'Kirk' San Jose looks like brat. A handsome brown hair blue-eyed Half-Latino Half-American teenage looking brat of 15 or 16 years old – but is a deadly accurate soldier. He trusts Kirk's instinct and intuition in most of the tactics. He has one special ability that makes it so useful especially in enemy territories – a 'Push' at a person's mind. A suggestion or compulsion that makes an enemy does something for them in a short period of time. Kirk may look playful and smile like an angel – but deadly on his game. He has the phantom-like ability that makes it hard for anybody to see him even if they're close to him. If you want a job done in a crowd – you get Kirk. He will come and be gone in seconds and their enemy dead on the spot. No witness, no noise, no evidence. That is his game.
Sergeant Major looks at Kirk coldly: 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea.'
'Oh hell! Anything to do with North Korea isn't going to be good.' Rowan mumbles and eats his 3rd pine of chocolate.
Rowan 'Eagle' MacGregor – a very handsome – more like model handsome Half-Scottish Half-American former US Marine. A very valuable player on his team. Rowan saves his men more than once. Rowan's ability is to heal. He can heal, sometimes with the help of crystals. No matter how fatal the condition, he will do everything in his power to save his comrade, no matter how hard the outcome. They are not superhuman. Each of their ability has a setbacks. He takes on the illness or injury of the person he is healing. It creates great bodily fatigue and sometimes Rowan would need days to rest. And just like the rest of them has telepathy that makes their communication strong and unbreakable. He has a special ability to detect other paranormal humans such as them, because he does not have the same wavelength as the rest of the GhostWalkers, which makes it hard to see him with the naked eye, and his ability to camouflage himself makes him a perfect spy and sniper.
'It gets worse. They've abducted a special visitor of Bob. They were from Germany and visiting the same museum when the kidnapping occurs – the visitor tries to help and to avoid delay, included them on the kidnapping.'
'Fucking shit. This is not just World War Three – try to include Four and Five in that. German men! Germans! Those idiots!' Kain shook his head while eating his lasagna.
Kain 'Kira' Sakuragi, Half Japanese Half American dark blue eyes and black hair expert in all technique of the Asian teachings. The team has extensive knowledge in all forms of martial arts – but Kain is different. Just like his nickname 'Kira' – 'Killer' – in Japanese Kanji, his knowledge in the martial arts can date from the Ancient times. His training was with Ancient Masters – and while they were trained in killing with guns, he was trained killing with hands. Aside from Telepathy and talking to animals, Kain can Dreamwalk and perform Psychic Surgery, extremely rare ability that makes him valuable.
'Shut up Kain – you're thinking of Hitler.' Rowan throws him a shell of nuts.
'Well, I wouldn't say Kain isn't right there. We have no information of the special visitor, but knowing that they were friends of Bob – the so called Demon Lord of the Business World – they were probably Royalties as well.'
'Crap. There goes our vacation…' Seth sniffs sadly while sticking his razor sharp blade on the garlic bread.
Seth 'Chef' Gomez, a cheerful Half-Filipino Half-American former Navy SEAL. An excellent cook and what his Team cant do without. Seth can cook the most delicious, scrumptious and deadliest food in the world. He has a talent in identifying each ingredients with one taste and he can able to see if a liquid has poison in it. And because the kitchen is his domain, so are the deadly weapons can be found in them. Knives. Blades. Forks. Anything with sharp objects – hell – he can even create a dynamite with just a mixture of starch and other powder in the kitchen. His ability also includes shielding. A very strong Anchor and shields most of his Team's minds in alertness of having a GhostWalker in enemy's camp territory. Handsome brown skinned man, brown eyed man that makes all the opposite sex weak.
'Well… you wont be having any vacation if the mission fails.' Falcon says sarcastically. The men stop at the middle of whatever they were doing and just stares with a devilish smirk to Falcon. Like all of them are the Hunter and Falcon – their prey.
Zero silently observes, raising his eyebrow and coldly smirking at Falcon.
Falcon and his men never meet eye to eye. For his men, Falcon is one of the lapdog of the States and will not hesitate to betray them if necessary. But he trust Falcon to a certain degree. They were friends in the military school – but Falcon wasn't one of them. He wasn't a GhostWalker and GhostWalkers only trust their comrades no matter the circumstances. Because each one of them taste the same torture and pain of being in the said project.
A project by the madman Dr. Peter Whitney. A genius among genius – in this time – he can say that Whitney surpasses the brain and intellect of Einstein – five Einstein combine and still they wouldn't be a match to the brain and power of Whitney. His multi billionaire corporations and projects that affects the whole world. The man behind the GhostWalker project and the man they are all hunting and hoping to destroy… once and for all.
Whitney made them all different – yes they were different since they were born – but the enhancements made them far worst. They feel not human anymore. The enhancements made their genetics combined with animals, plants and a new breed of nanotechnology. Their DNA has been infused with top of the food chain animals.
The thing that only made them human than monsters are their creed and loyalty and their honor.
'Explain the situation.' He said breaking the ice cold silence.
Falcon nods and one by one puts the paper of information in front of them. He was amused seeing the paper. The paper is thin white – made of papyrus – they all know what it meant. The mission is higher than up – Top Secret. Need-to-Know. That if there's a chance of being taken – will immediately be destroyed by the touch of any liquid. Water. Sweat or Blood.
'Jang Shin Hye is sixteen. A good-looking nice young man far ahead of his age. He was with his little cousin Moon Minama at the Japan historical Museum when they were kidnapped – their bodyguards are all killed, which is why we know that they have a traitor amongst them. No North Korean can be killed that easily and with their precious care – it is an inside job. They are demanding something from North Korea.'
'And that is…' Ranulf asked.
Ranulf 'Rain' Griffen, the trusted second man of the Team. If one may think Zero is deadly and a demon, and one will need to think of Beelzebub – a demon amongst demon – the very explanation to describe Ranulf. A man that can never be bribed, bought or persuade.
He looks carefully and without emotion nor a hint that he is observing his second hand. Ranulf. A man not to be messed with. He respects and trusts Ranulf like a brother. Half Greek Half American. And when he says Greek – one can get the picture. Ranulf inherited all the special features of a Greek God. Handsome, tall, masculine, light grayish eyes, black raven hair, perfect in all angle, an Adonis made. Ranulf mostly takes the 'seduction' part of the mission. No woman can resist him. He has that charm 'pheromones' that can even bring a Queen on her knees. And maybe just like his ancestor Poseidon, he has the ability to breathe underwater for long periods of time, and only he knows that Ranulf grows gills and flippers underwater. And with the Project Paranormal, his ability to see things went extreme. His a When Ranulf looks back at him grimly, he inhales and breathes a long sigh. This is the most Top Secret. Even the general was reluctant to part with the knowledge but he wasn't about to let his men go into a deadly mission without all facts at hand.
Need-to-Know.
Hell.
The term 'Need to know' makes even a higher official uncomfortable. It is only used by government and other organizations – particularly those related to the military or espionage, describes the restriction of data which is considered very sensitive. Under need-to-know restrictions, even if one has all the necessary official approvals – such as a security clearance – to access certain information, one would not be given access to such information, or read into a clandestine operation, unless one has a specific need to know; that is, access to the information must be necessary for the conduct of one's official duties.
'Tell us. All details, no dirt hanging. You know my drill.'
Falcon knows it. Zero wouldn't agree on anything without proper information on the assignment. He doesn't want to repeat a mistake the Team One made. Accepting the mission without proper details – resulting to capturing one of a GhostWalker and being tortured – skinned alive by their enemy. That was a shock and a first to all GhostWalkers. A GhostWalker being captured may only results to one thing – a betrayer on the higher up who sets the assignment.
Maybe this is what they fear of Team Zero, the versatility and the blood involve in the Team. All are what you can call Half Breeds. All are from different races, culture and knowledge that made them formidable. Imagine, a blood containing different race and inserting a new genetically enhanced DNA.
A fearsome lot.
'It seems one of their leading scientist accidentally stumbled in creating a very unstable and highly infectious substance. The General was reluctant to part with the knowledge – but is everyone familiar with Origin BioHazard?'
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'You're fucking kidding us right?' Kirk spills his coffee on his shirt, resulting to his yelp.
'Huh? Bio-fuck-what?' Seth asked and chewed still on his food.
'I have knowledge with the word Biohazard but I am not familiar with the so called Origin.' Zero states and looks at Kirk – if someone knows about something – Kirk is the man. Hell, he can be labeled not just a walking internet-lopedia but a walking A.I. - Artificial Intelligence.
'You go brain man – I have no idea about that.' Rowan said and continued on his 4th pine of chocolate.
Kirk looks at the rest of his men.
'Dude! Seriously? Has no one even bother to read any books lately? Or even browse the internet?' Kirk asked and looked at Zero who looks back at him coldly, waiting for him to explain. 'Sheesh! Seriously… BioHazard or Biological hazards, refer to biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily that of humans. This can include medical waste or samples of a microorganism, virus or toxin – from a biological source – that can impact human health. It can also include substances harmful to animals. The term and its associated symbol is generally used as a warning, so that those potentially exposed to the substances will know to take precautions-'
'So what's with the origin?' Seth asked.
'I'm getting there,' Kirk snapped. Annoyed being interrupted. The men smiles. 'It is used in the labeling of biological materials that carry a significant health risk, including viral samples and used hypodermic needles. By the way, a hypodermic needle is used for rapid delivery of liquids, or when the injected substance cannot be ingested, either because it would not be absorbed as with insulin, or because it would harm the liver. There are many possible routes for an injection.'
'Christ!'
'Precisely, imagine – that kind of thing being secretly released in the hospitals worldwide, or worst – any civilians can carry it.'
'What's with the Origin?'
'If I'm not mistaken, the so called Origin refers to the first – the prototype of all BioHazards level.' Kirk looked at Sergeant Major and the later nods.
'I still don't get it. So what if its an Origin? I know it can be worst, but what's the criteria?' Ranulf asked still unable to dig the Science analysis bullshit.
'There are certain levels of BioHazard. The United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC categorizes various diseases in levels of biohazard, Level 1 being minimum risk and Level 4 being extreme risk. Biohazard Level 1, the bacteria and viruses including Bacillus subtilis, canine hepatitis, Escherichia coli, varicella the so called chicken pox, as well as some cell cultures and non-infectious bacteria. Biohazard Level 2, the bacteria and viruses that cause only mild disease to humans, or are difficult to contract via aerosol in a lab setting, such as hepatitis A, B, and C, influenza A, Lyme disease, salmonella, mumps, measles, scrapie, dengue fever, and HIV. Biohazard Level 3, the bacteria and viruses that can cause severe to fatal disease in humans, but for which vaccines or other treatments exist, such as anthrax, West Nile virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, SARS virus, tuberculosis, typhus, Rift Valley fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, yellow fever, and malaria. Among parasites Plasmodium falciparum, which causes Malaria, and Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes trypanosomiasis, also come under this level. And the high risk: Biohazard Level 4: Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic diseases.'
'Fuck so many viruses. All in all a death sentence to millions.'
'We get all that – so meaning Origin is the most fatal?'
'Origin is a highly contagious and mutagenic biological agent known as The Quarter of Silence.' Kirk said grimly and coldly.
'Come again?'
Zero continued having realizing the grim situation of the Origin. 'A quarter of silence. 15minutes before death. That is almost like creating a weapon of mass destruction. Release it to the public and it will kill instantly and if we are talking about a quarter of silence then the virus are like us GhostWalker – it has five major modes of disease transmission: airborne, waterborne, bloodborne, by direct contact, and through vector – insects or other creatures that carry germs from one species to another.'
'Precisely.' Falcon confirmed.
'The hell are they doing experimenting on that kind of thing?' Zero asked. That sort of thing doesn't need to be experimented on the first place. What kind of sick people are doing these experiments and may know that the result may end in destruction and death of so many.
'Its like the so-called anti-matter. It is impossible to produce, or let say God-like to produce. For the antimatter cannot be used as an energy source because creating it takes more energy than it produces. So thus the Origin. A quarter of silence – leading the death of all living things.' Kirk said and coldly drinks his coffee, grimaces when it turns ice cold.
'What – do they get that idea from Da Vinci Code?' Ranulf asked.
'Angels and Demon idiot. Get your movies right.' Kirk corrected him – Kirk knows Ranulf is trying to score a hit there. But failing miserably.
'Then wanna go date with me?'
'I'd rather date a terrorist. Sheesh! You fart inside a movie house!' The men erupted with laughter.
Zero clears his throat and Falcon continues. No matter where or how serious the situation is – his men will always be like this – making light of the situation. One may say that all their talking about are homework and exam – not the crisis of the world.
'General Hye was certain he would be contacted very soon with the demand of the Origin. It was not made public but Jang isn't his real wife's son but his lover – and sad to say – he loved his lover more than anything in the entire world and so is his son. The only reminder of his late lover. This is a desperate situation any way you look at it.'
'You've been in touch with the General lately?' he asked.
'Quietly. He cant be seen talking to us – any of us, of course.'
'The Group BloodShot – has a known members – Nathaniel Henrick and Marco DeSilva. They were seen travelling to Japan. The next day, these kids were kidnapped. The kidnappers left behind an American assault rifle.'
'U.S. To implicate the Unites States.' Zero said. 'Because we aren't in enough trouble already, with each countries at each other's throats with this nuclear issues.'
'Hell, even if they knew we weren't guilty of kidnapping, to save face they have to retaliate.' Kirk rolled his eyes.
Seth looks grimly. 'Using children as pawns.'
'The children would have to die. You all know they'd kill them. They have no other choices. Falcon, was Jang raised by the old man?' he asked.
'Yes.'
'Then they have no choice but to kill him. One thing, he wont panic, not if he's anything at all like his old man.'
'Privately and very confidential, North Korea and Bob has asked for us to aid them in getting these children out alive.' Falcon said firmly.
'Are you certain they are alive?' Rowan asked. Well, terrorist are known in killing their hostages – no matter the outcome.
'We have to believe that. I want your Team to go in and bring them all alive.'
'Wow! Sounds so easy.'
Falcon glares at them and sighs heavily. He cant blame the men – this is far worst than any mission combined. Worst is the special visitor of Bob.
That is one of the worst scenario. North Korea he can handle but Bob – its like asking the devil himself. Bob may be known as a business tycoon or the Demon King of the Business World – but he doubts that all the old man do is pure business. No one can survive in the economy without the military, politics involved.
Bob is no easy man to pleased nor a man who makes a request. He mandates and the fact that he approaches him and with the knowledge that he brings the GhostWalkers only concludes that Bob knows more than he admits.
You can never be just a businessman in this world. Bob has all the connections and Intel. He doesn't know much about the man but he knows he is powerful and with just a single word – an entire company can go down… so is a person.
And the request 'Get him alive no matter what. No scratch. No wounds.' Is the most impossible of all request.
They don't know if person was alive and even if they were hurt, or tortured. Knowing the BloodShot they will torture their hostage… torture and will be placed in a traumatic experience.
He doesn't know the person's lineage or anything – Bob was so private and no matter what he asked – he only gives the name. He doesn't know if they were dealing with a young King or something. But if the person is indeed a King – then there would be a hell – a blood bath, if he was killed or damaged beyond repair.
That's why he asked the most feared and legend amongst the GhostWalkers Team – Team Zero. Just like their name – they go in like a ghost and leaves behind nothing – either in death or in shadow.
'We have to know where they are. Are we on them? Intel?' Zero asked while reviewing the situation.
'We have been on lookout and two of my men managed to tag both of BloodShot with a tracking device.'
He raised his eyebrow.
'It's a sophisticated tracking device that can pass like a contact lens.'
Falcon gives the small data chip to Kirk and he inserted it in a small data reader. The Team has the most advanced computer and AI. Artificial Intelligence. One more thing to add to Kirk's name is his hacking expertise and knowledge. Graduating High School at the age of ten. And having letters at the end of his name. Receives his B.A. summa cum laude from Columbia University, getting his PhD from Stanford University and specialized in Artificial Intelligence.
They were silent for a few minutes and only Kirk's typing of the keyboard can be heard. No one dares to say anything. All are currently thinking of best way scenario to plan the rescue.
'Working… working… hit. They're relaying the information just fine. And fuck. Top, don't want to screw everyone's ugly asses here but, they're transmitting from under the American Embassy in Japan. The American Embassy Top. If the kids are found there – dead or alive – the world is in trouble.'
'Damn,' Kain muttered.
'As you can all see, this requires a delicate hand. You have to get there, get in unseen, scoop the kids without anyone knowing you – or they – were even there. That means no shots fired. Nothing that can draw any attention.'
'With no shots fired? Against a terrorist organization that thrives on as much violence and publicity as possible? What are we James Fucking Bond? Do we have a souped-up car hidden and maybe a cape here?' Rowan glared at Sergeant Major not bit undaunted that he is currently talking and glaring at a higher ranking official.
'That's Batman, dork. Bonds get all the women.' Kirk said.
'Huh? Crap! I got that wrong.' The whole table erupted, he even chuckled, trust his team to make everything hard for the Sergeant Major.
Falcon rolls his eyes and wants to hit his face with his palm. One reputable characteristic of Team Zero that made all the Generals squeamish and afraid to approach them is this. This light, level-headed butt jokes on every single thing. Some of the Generals comes back red faced and angry and some would like to end up crying – for the men of Team Zero are merciless when it comes to this. They can try the patience of a saint!
'Kindly look at them.' Falcon shows them the picture of Jang and Moon. A picture of a very handsome young man with short hair and sharp black eyes with a very pretty girl, that looks more than nine or ten. The Korean distinct of features can be identify very much.
'Jang and Moon. According to Intel, it seems Moon wasn't supposed to be kidnapped. She happens to be at the wrong time and the wrong place. Moon is very special to the General, she is his niece to his favorite sister. And the child is the so called 'Princess' of the family. Listen, if we needed cowboys to go in, gun blazing, we'd have any number of men. But we cant do that. We have to get in and get out with no sound, no trace, no hint… just like a ghosts. The boy is the only son of the ambassador and I'm sure as hell I don't have to tell you the international implications.'
'I guess we are all going.' Ranulf said.
Falcon smiles for the first time since he got there. 'With your ability you can walk in and take them back without a fight.'
'Whoa! Hold there Sergeant Major – we are GhostWalkers – we aren't magicians. You and I both know its impossible to control situations like this. Like you said this is delicate. Most of us have good luck – but what we have are our abilities and good Intel.' Kirk said firmly.
Zero looks at Falcon and coldly told him: 'We aren't Gods. We can die anytime of the day.' Hell! What the fuck crazy idea do they have of them? Gods? Heck, they can be killed too. They aren't immortals and sure they have abilities but they are still humans.
Falcon felt cold sweat runs in him. That look of death and coldness in Zero's eyes can make even the President squirm. He hold his ground and firmly said, 'The General is a fine honorable man. A man any military man would respect and idolized. He has a code of honor and justice in him. But he is afraid. A man like him shouldn't be afraid. I didn't meet the little girl's parents but you know – any relatives to the General he treats a family and precious to him.'
Kain draws his chair back and forth, 'Do we know who's behind this? Does General Hye have any ideas?'
Falcon nods. 'A few. There are couple of powerful people who believe that if the United States was caught resorting to the kidnapping and murdering of children, the world would makes concessions on their nuclear program.'
Rowan snorts. 'So he wants prisoners.'
Seth shook his head and grins broadly while playing with his favorite Jaguar Knife, 'If we turn those men over to the general, you bloody hell know what he'll do to them.'
Falcon coldly nods, 'They took his son. He has the right to question them. We cant do it. We cant let anyone know we were even there.'
'Sheesh, such a shame. I have so many plans on asking them later on.' Seth mutters.
The men rolled their eyes. Seth is one sadistic son of a bitch if one messes with children. He doesn't like innocent little ones to be involved and if he catches them – skinning them – peeling their skin little by little is just one of his pass time.
'We cant torture them ourselves.' Zero muttered to Seth. Every now and then he needs to hold Seth's mentality and spirit. Seth was a man from a hard working blood… and he witness in early age the pain, the gruesome world of reality in the hands of soulless people. And Whitney's favorite to torture in mind and psychological was Seth – earning him the nickname 'Psychopath' to Whitney.
'I can arrange their deaths,' Kain agreed and turned to Falcon, one eyebrow raised in inquiry.
Falcon shook his head. 'As much as we'd like to settle thing that way we cant. We have to pull those kids out of there without a shot fired. NO ONE CAN KNOW. We'll get them out of Japan and back in General Hye and Bob's hands immediately. You tranquillize whoever you find and walk away. I mean it. Leave them where they lie and get those kids out of there. That's part of your mission.'
'Is that all? You're sending us without bullets?' Zero asked.
'It has to be this way,' Falcon said firmly. 'You're Ghost. Get in and get out. We don't have much time. We cant take the chance that they'll move those kids again. Its one of their favorite tactics with hostages, moving them every few days to a new location.'
'They wont move them Sergeant Major,' Zero said with a small sigh. 'And I think you know that. They're going to kill them and leave their bodies near the gates inside the embassy. God knows what they'll do to the kids first. You can bet they'll have pictures and arrange for reporters. They're looking for big splash. The video will be a YouTube hit on the internet. You know they've got someone ready to record their deaths.'
'We have military transport standing by,' Falcon said. 'You can sleep on the plane. You'll leave in two hours. You'll be infiltrating the U.S. Embassy in Japan. We don't want anyone in the embassy informed at this time other than the captain.'
There was a long eerie silence. 'You're not letting the embassy know?' Zero echoed softly… dead softly… looking at Falcon with a killer cold eyes. 'I don't think so. What the hell are you trying to pull?'
'I told you it was a hot one. What better way to start an international incident? If the children are found there, the United States would be publicly blamed. Who do we trust? You know there would be a leak!' Falcon snapped.
Kain snorted and stands – standing close at the window, reading the atmosphere. 'The Marines guard all of our embassies. Security is ultra tight.'
'That's where you came in. You are Ghost. I don't want to repeat myself over again and sounding so damn redundant but this is a international situation. Do what you have to do to go in and haul the kids royal asses home.'
'You wont object to our defending ourselves if it comes to that right sir?' Rowan asked sarcastically… coldly.
Seth plays with his knife while Kain pulls his knife from his booth and begun sharpening it. Falcon shot them a speculative look.
'Defend yourself with tranqs. You have to keep your men in line Zero,' he warned looking at Seth and Kain.
'My men know what to do,' Zero said. He caught the eyes of the two and shook his head. Both sighed and put the knife away, having made his point. 'Maybe we should make some fresh coffee and give ourselves time to think this through.'
'I'll make a fresh pot,' Rowan volunteered and the table erupted.
'No way in hell I am drinking your coffee, I'd rather go to this embassy buck naked and armed only with water guns.' Seth said and hurriedly went to make a fresh pot.
Rowan glares at Seth and sits while the room laughs.
'Oh. By the way this is what Bob gives me, the picture of the special visitor.'
Falcon slowly places the picture and the whole team swore.
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'Fuck! Bloody everlasting hell!'
'Jesus Christ!'
'Are you serious?'
'Hey Sergeant Major, are you sure you brought the right picture? I think you got the painting from the museum.'
'Hell, are you sure that's even human?'
The whole team bombarded Sergeant Major Falcon with questions and information while Zero remain calm and stared at the photo.
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Zero stared.
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Stared hard like an idiot.
For the very first time in his life – he was rendered speechless… by a mere picture.
Beautiful would be cliché and pretty wouldn't justify the description he can say about the photo – but no words can better describe it.
Divine and exquisite.
Angelic…
He was staring at the most beautiful, bewitching angelic face he had ever seen in his entire life.
Yes, he had been around the world, seen many faces and bodies but nothing prepared him for this.
He felt like a dolt for having that word – beautiful – as his only description. But he felt that nothing else matters. Whoever invented the word 'Beautiful' have the creature on the photo on their minds.
Sun kissed blonde hair, waves softly with the wind, he guessed, because the photo looks like the person was called from behind, the wind creates an illusion to the hair of waving it softly.
Those eyes that stares back at him with a certain defiant and pride… Emerald green eyes… he felt a sudden thug at his heart.
Soft pink pale lips… a pinkish blush on the cheeks…He suddenly felt a rush of animalistic possessiveness and obsession. He could feel his body's reaction… taut… dangerous… a man's reaction.
Zark Prakenskii looked down at his hand. It was trembling. He had fought for survival since he was a toddler. He could withstand pain, torture and agony. He'd been shot, knifed, hit with metal and he had remained rock steady. He had sewn his own flesh. He had killed – numerous times. Nothing shook his calm. That place inside him, that cool detachment that earned him 'Zero' was what kept him alive.
He could even allow any woman to service his body – even the most desired woman in the world, as he could hers and still remain completely detached and in control.
But he couldn't stop his hands from shaking or his body from reacting just looking at the picture.
He was startled from his thoughts when Kain ask, 'Damn! Are you sure that's even human? That's an-an-argh Angel! I mean, fuck! We have to hurry rescue it!'
'Damn! We have to rescue her as soon as possible – I wouldn't want to think what those idiots would do to her.' Rowan said and still staring at the photo.
'Shit! If they even lay a finger on her – I swear I'll slowly skin them alive.' Seth said leaving the boiling pot.
Falcon taps the picture gently and clears his throat. 'It's not it – it's a he. And it's not her – it's him.'
Silence.
The most eerie silence since he came here followed.
1
2
3
4
5
And the whole table erupted.
'HIM?!' 'HE?!' 'A MAN!' 'ARE YOU FREAKING SURE?!' all voices shouted.
Falcon sighs heavily and gently massages his aching temple. This is the reason he didn't show the photo immediately when he shown them Jang and Moon's photo. He doesn't want to have the initial reaction he is getting and doesn't want to ruin any compromise decision.
He doesn't blame them though. When he and Bob talk – and was shown the photo. He too was rendered speechless. Only when the secretary of Bob cleared her throat was he able to regain his consciousness.
Bob wouldn't like to talk about the special visitor. He was afraid that either the photo was of a young King or a Prince… but then again, he have knowledge of several top Royalties but he had never encountered nor hear any rumor about this beauty before.
'He truly is a he. Bob wouldn't want to disclose any information regarding him, just a name.'
'Are you sure that's a he?' Kirk asked and looked at the photo once more.
'Yeah, I mean, crap! Look at those lips?!' Seth said and now all are looking at the person's lips.
Zero sharply gazed at Seth and all of them, he suddenly had this urge to hide the photo and made them all erase their memories.
He inhales sharply.
What has gotten to him?
Damn!
He felt the urge to snatch the picture, go to the Embassy and made war there for kidnapping – even daring to touch his precious Angel.
He almost bangs his head on the wall.
He grits his teeth and massage the bridge of his nose, hiding his predicament. Hiding his feeling and sudden change of temperature to all his team. He was glad he can shield himself to them – for he doesn't want them to know that right now – he is currently sporting a major hard-on and fuck it all – by just looking at the picture… well he could say that he was sporting he hard-on when he imagines himself kissing those soft pink lips.
And fuck! His Angel?!
Okay, that's weird – first of all, that's the most cheesy and disgusting word he ever uttered. And for the love of God – why would he feel like he wants to erase all his men's memory of seeing that beautiful Angel.
He looks at Ranulf and he can see that his 2nd hand was also staring at the creature intently.
He swore quietly.
What the hell is this feeling of possession and rage?
And for a guy?!
Anytime of the day he would be disgusted and it will scare the shit out of him, but knowing the creature on the photo is a man made him want to search for him and shake the hell out of him to know for sure why the hell is he feeling this way?!
'Bob only gave a name. And he needs to be rescued as soon as possible together with the General's children.'
'The name.' Everyone looks at him when he rasped the question.
No one dares to asked why – for he looks anything like the Zero they know.
The look he has right now, is of a dangerous and sinister killer machine.
His voice cold.
His manner sharp.
His aura cant be fathom and his stare – icy.
'Wolfram. Wolfram von Bielefeld.'
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