Disclaimer: SM owns all.

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Edward POV

When I originally signed up to be all that I can be, I should have known what I was getting myself into. Not only being shipped off to fight in unnecessary wars, but also to be sent out to perform rescue missions and the like. I was naive. I signed up because I wanted to become a hero, like all the little boys when they see someone in uniform. Be it policemen, firefighters, etcetera. When I had been recruited to become apart of the 1st SFOD-D, I thought that it would be an honor. And it was, for awhile.

That is, until this mission.

One of the MP's daughters was kidnaped by the head of the terrorist group, Irana. The wan was mad. By the time we arrived, however, a week after her kidnaping, she was dead. They had done some very gruesome things to this girl. Things that I can't even begin to think about without my stomach curling into knots. It was beyond rape, it was torture. Colonel Whitlock stood beside me now, cussing up a storm.

"Jesus, the poor girl," I muttered. Whitlock was still storming around, swearing under his breath.

Suddenly my radio clicked, and Lieutenant Colonel Swan's voice shouted out from the little speaker from back at home base. What now?

"It's a trap! Secure and retreat!" that just caused Col. Whitlock to become more creative with his swearing, blending words together to form new ones.

I clicked the button to give my response once Col. Swan was finished speaking. "Affirmative. Package had been lost."

"Fuck," came Col. Swan muttered. Then, "Retreat. Still, guys, there are at least fifty en route."

"Shit," Col. Whitlock murmured.

"Affirmative," I responded and Col. Whitlock motioned for me to huddle by him.

I clicked off my radio for the time being and darted over to where he was standing.

"Mjr. Cullen, excute emerge 10-40." he ordered.

Clicking on my radio, I said, "Emerge 10-40. I repeat, emerge 10-40. Check and status."

I got about eight responses. We had ten with us. Two were missing.

"Thomas, Taylor. Status," I repeated.

Nothing but silence. The hell could have happened?

"Where were they last!"

"Outside the compound, enemy watch," replied Col. Swan.

"Where is the enemyy now?"

"Within the compound. Fuck, they're closing in on the building."

Right as Lt. Col. Swan said that, we started hearing shots fired and screams in the background. Col. Whitlock dashed out into the hall, with me following closely behind.

"Blueprints," I yelled into the radio.

"We need a safe route out."

There was silence at first, and I was beginning to get worried. Then Lt. Swan's voice rang clear through the radio, leading us out of the building. By the time we got out, the grounds were empty.

If you don't count the dead bodies.

"Status," I whispered. There was nothing.

"Lieutenant, are they all inside?" I asked.

"Yes, except for the ones that the guys took down. None of their beacons are moving guys."

Jasper cursed some more whereas I heard a crack and spun with my gun in my hand, raised and ready to shoot.

There was another crack from behind me, and then felt Col. Whitlock's back press into mine. Slowly, we circled to get a view of our area and see out the threat.

Two men slowly stepped out from around the side of the building. One raised his gun and aimed it at Whitlock's side. I nudged him discretely, then watched as the man's eyes changed. The look he had in them was the same look everyone who plans to shoot has. Anger, revenge, disgust. I waited until his finger twitched then slammed into Whitlock's back, shoving him, then jumping forward. The shots rang out, while we both ran to duck for cover. One man stalked towards me, the other towards Col. Whitlock. I managed to slip out and aim at the man. I shot him in the hip, and he went down with a roar. His partner turned to me then and started firing. I managed to roll to the side of the small box and lay down. I could hear the man running towards me, and readied myself for a fight. I heard another shot ring out, and then the sound of a soft thud. Something -- or someone -- had hit the floor. I quickly checked around the corner, and saw Col. Whitlock striding up to the man I had shot in the hip.

"WHO ARE YOU?" he roared.

The man just laughed as the other raised his gun. I rolled from behind the crate and shot him in the chest. Col. Whitlock spun from the other man, then sighed. He turned back to the man, raised his hand gun, and shot him right in between the eyes.

I looked at him as I stood.

"Not enough time to question him, or safe enough to bring him with us," was all he said, as way of explanation.

I nodded, trusting him, and we set off back from the camp.

"Lieutenant, we're on our way back, now. Have any of our beacons moved?"

"They're all blank" he responded, his voice grim.

Blank ... fuck, they're all dead. Col. Whitlock's step faltered for a brief moment, and he looked to me. This was bad. Ten men lost. Ten very trained, experienced men. Lost. Dead.

This can't be good.

"Fuck," I muttered.

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Hi Everyone!

Ok once again I've gptta thank my beta Princess HarleyHeaven. There will never be enough words or gestures to how much I heart her! You're amazing skills have helped my chapters and stories to be the best they can be.

How you all like this chapter.

The next one is full of briefings, and getting closer.

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Definitions and such:

1st SFOD-D (Delta Force) -- Elite special operations and counter-terrorism unit. Its operators are chosen Carefully from the best soldiers of the Army Special Operations Forces. Most informations about the unit is classified.

Mjr. = Major

Lt. Col. = Lieutenant Colonel ... (though, they're still addressed as 'Colonel.)

Col. = Colonel

Emerge 10-40 = Emergency 10-40 = Acknowledge ... (at least, that's what I found out