A Ghost in the Mist Chapter 2: San Diego ノー·マンズ·ランド
(No Man's Land)
(A/N: Once again thank you all for reviewing my story. So far I'm really having a blast writing this story, and I hope that you guys are enjoying this as much as I am. I didn't say this beforehand, but this story we'll be slash. If you have a problem with boyxboy I'd suggest turning back now and browsing the various stories out there that might suit your fancy. Otherwise read on ^^)
"It is important to remain calm and collected, even in the most extreme situations…" –Ada Wong
After his first meeting with Ada, Ren's life as a college student, the life he thought he was gonna have, changed forever. Not that his life had been normal up to that point, but there were times Ren wished he could go back to being a naïve boy who had endless possibilities opened to him. It turned out his parents, Clow and Yuko were former spies who retired from the organization that Ren was currently impressed into: M.I.S.T. an organization surrounded by mystery. They came into existence after the first World War, as a sort of police force to control the flow of information to influence the tides of war. After the second World War, they expanded operations the world over. They would claim they were successful each time, but they had their flaws as well. Each agent of M.I.S.T. represented their own designated country, and thus M.I.S.T. was an exclusive and elusive club to join. Recruitment was decided by blood, as Ren was, or by recommendation, which was once in a blue moon. They were very careful about who they picked, they were in the business of maintaining global order after all. Either way prospective agents had to pass had to pass a rigorous entrance exam, a pain in the butt was what Ren thought of the whole thing. Despite his angst Ren's parents rejoiced at his initiation and only said that it was his destiny and that he could choose what he wanted to do with it. He started training under Ada, who was then serving as "Hong Kong" a year before the ODIN incident. ODIN was a wakeup call to the entire world about the Federation's ambitions. Ren was particularly shaken up by the whole thing, it hardened him and destroyed any innocent notions of the world he had left. When Ada was promoted as the Chief of Operations, the one running the show as she worded it, Ren became the new "Hong Kong." That was five years ago. Since then M.I.S.T has focused on dealing with Federation sympathizers in Europe and Asia. This was their first opportunity to investigate the enemy head on at their doorstep.
Ren had never been to California, but he always saw postcards about how beautiful a state it is. "Was" he should say. The craters that ODIN left in its wake dominated the landscape and what was left of downtown San Diego. It looked eerie, like you could still hear the screams of the people, smell the fires that raged, and almost see the destruction taking place again and again. Must be more painful for those who actually survived Ren thought, but somewhere in his head he knew they had to be stronger for it.
Camping overnight in the grass wasn't so bad, he and Ada had trained under worse conditions. Ren didn't relish their journey through the sewers of France just to tag a politician, who was embezzling money to the Federation cause. Last night was pretty uneventful, the only thing Ren saw and heard were the local wildlife. According to M.I.S.T., the Federation was supposedly scouring for something near the coast of San Diego.
The tall grass was a good place to hide. He didn't exactly pick camo to wear on any of his missions, he wore a red cheongsam that stopped half way down his body running into his black pants that too stopped half way down his legs. He complimented it with traditional Chinese leggings and black combat boots. It was important for M.I.S.T. agents to be in uniform, even in missions, and there were few exceptions when the rule didn't apply. He didn't mind, except in this case red stood out from the golden brown grass that he was hiding in, but he would make do. Ren didn't travel far from where he landed the day before. Knowing one's surroundings was number one priority before spying on the enemy. It was essential to know how to take advantage of secrete short cuts for attack and escape, the more paths the better. Ren peered through the grass before he moved silently, almost crawling near the ridge that peered out to the destroyed neighborhoods that clung to the hills. The tattered houses could be good hiding places for Fed soldiers, so Ren made a plan to avoid them until he was sure. He could hide in them later and surprise any Fed patrol that happened to be unfortunate enough to cross his path. He jumped down from the ridge, about a twenty foot drop and landed in more brush before he moved again. It was almost ten in the morning, meaning that if there weren't any patrols that had stayed behind there would be certainly ones coming this way. Ren crept closer to a house he'd been eyeing. It was a parlor style house that was painted blue, it looked like a bomb exploded in the garage because the whole left side of the house including the garage was blown and charred. Ren climbed inside, machine pistol in hand. He threw out a smoke bomb and a flashbang for good measure. He listened for panic and disarray, anticipating Fed soldiers to literally jump out of the walls. When he was satisfied that no one was in the house, he set up in one of the rooms upstairs, taking out some supplies from his supply bag to take some notes and his P.D.A. to give a status report. M.I.S.T. issued P. were top of the line and state of the art, a gadget any spy would want. There were various models available and each agent chose based on preference. Ren's P.D.A. became a hollow blue cube when it was flipped open, a dim blue light filled the room as he dialed HQ's number and was connected in seconds.
"You certainly took your time Hong Kong." Ada's voice came clear through in a chiding yet affectionate manner.
"Sorry for the delay chief, I was still scouting the area for stragglers. This area's clear, I'm gonna head further North to investigate." Ren peered through a broken window to check his surroundings as he continued his conversation.
"I see… Alright then, proceed with caution and be aware of your surroundings, as always. By the way Sherry has some work for you when you get back. I think she has it in for you for going over your extension." Ada chuckled as the line dimmed out. Ren sighed as he put his P.D.A away. He had, as his parents predicted, became a writer which was all well and good. But balancing his schedule and public image as an author was a lot of extra work on top of being a spy. All Ren knew was that he was gonna expect quite the phone call when got back to Hong Kong.
Four hours earlier, further North…
Hesh and Logan left Fort Santa Monica early in the morning for No Man's Land. Their father gave them both a pat on the shoulder and a look that rubbed off anxiety, but emitted assurance at the same time. He turned his attention to Riley, almost silently communicating with eye contact to watch out for his boys and to be careful as well. Riley seemed to get the message and circled Elias' legs and accepted a stroke from the commander before he boarded the Humvee that would take them to the borders of No Man's Land. From there it would be a trek on foot through the unknowns of No Man's Land back to the place they had once called home. This would be the first time the boys would be back home, they never looked back after they left and ten years later the thought never occurred to them once. Any reminder of their life before and the pain ODIN brought that day would only be a distraction and they needed focus for their job.
They had traveled considerably far into No Man's Land. Near the heart of San Diego they had ran into a couple of Fed patrols, they of course were no match for Logan and Hesh's team work and of course Riley's prowess and speed. They found themselves in a grassy area, nothing but the wind blowing softly in the background as they entered the rugged part of mountains. Hesh reloaded his honey badger, checking his ammo supply to make sure they had enough. Seeing that they were more than prepared, he looked over to Logan who was checking the camera on Riley's back. It was one of the newest revolutions in warfare, to send dogs to be the eyes and ears of the unit and to surprise the enemy when they least expected it. The camera was designed to fit on the bullet proof vest that Riley wore, and was equipped with a guidance system that utilized frequency wave technology, akin to dog whistles, to help guide Riley to a target. The trio crept through the grass trying to keep as low to the ground as possible.
"How you holdin' up Logan?" Hesh patted Logan's shoulder. Logan nodded, giving Hesh a thumbs up before turning his focus to the wooded area before them. Through the beams of sun light they saw a trio of soldiers emerge out of the morning mist and into their view. Logan took out the portable laptop that was linked to the camera on Riley's back, checking to make sure the program was up and running. Hesh started messing with the camera controls, keeping Riley calm but ready all the while.
"Is it on? Ok, looks like we're good, beginning sector scan. Contact. Enemy patrol approaching from the west. Do not engage. Let them get closer." Hesh whispers to Logan, and then turns his attention to Riley. Riley seems as eager to ever as Hesh fine tunes some last minute adjustments on the camera. Logan fixes his attention to the nearest soldier, his figure appearing clearly on the monitor.
"Do it." Hesh himself readies his weapon as Riley creeps closer to the nearest soldier before Logan signals him to attack. The soldier yells in surprise and pain as Riley jumps him and mauls his neck.
"Take 'em out!" Logan doesn't hesitate after the monitor goes black and was already firing his honey badger just as his brother shouted his order. Hesh gave support, each of them taking out a soldier each before reloading their assault rifles, it was at times like these that they were thankful that they had silencers on their guns.
"Clear. That's the third group in twenty miles. Keep your eyes peeled, could be more of them." The three of them move forward past the bodies, Hesh doing a quick as he sprinted to make sure that they were clear from behind while eyeing Logan at the same time. They moved quickly and quietly through a tunnel that Logan had no recollection was anywhere near home, soldiers either from the Federation or their side must have dug them as a way to travel unseen through No Man's Land.
"Stand by." Hesh quickly kneels to the ground raises his balled hand to signal Logan and Riley to wait. Logan couldn't help but think of how this was a little like how they were kids, but now wasn't the time for nostalgia.
Hesh quietly creeps forward ahead of the duo, honey badger at the ready as he checks out the top of the tunnel formation. The ground begins to shake as Hesh took his third step, causing Riley to whimper in fear.
"Easy Riley." Hesh glanced above and swung his gun around up top making sure they were clear. "Welcome home… what's left of it anyway."
Hesh's tone changed a bit, from his serious, objective voice to a slightly angere
d whisper, the pain almost as fresh as it was 10 years ago. Logan too felt it as they approached what was once their home.
The front was a wreck, the ground cracked right through the pool that Hesh and Logan used to swim in when they were kids, Hesh could almost smell the barbeques that their dad used to cook and hear his mom scold them when their horseplay became too rough, almost a whisper in the wind. When their mother died, their father bought a statue of an angel that stood in a fountain he had built in memory of her. It was a spot that always greeted anyone that was visiting and was the last thing anyone would see when they left, just like their mother. She'd used to greet every guest first with the greatest possible care and give them a more than appropriate send off when it was time for them to leave. That too, was among the ruins.
They walked through what was left of the front yard which was almost literally folded in half: overgrown grass and the swimming pool, a red truck parked near the center. The house itself looked surprisingly intact, spared from the fires that ravaged the rest of the city. The walls were cracked and parts of the ceiling had collapsed from the constant tremors that rattled the area. Hesh walked ahead of Logan and Riley, scouting what was left of the patio.
"Stalker-Six this is Viking Actual, we are en route to the target location, how copy?" Hesh addressed command as they entered the house.
"Solid Copy, Viking, Be advised, recent reports of lots of enemy movement in that area. We are on a schedule here, so get that intel, and get out fast." a stern voice addressed the trio before cutting off.
The outside of the house looked relatively tame compared with the inside of the house. The ceiling had collapsed in more than one room, the hallway near the front of the house had a gaping hole that allowed sunlight to peer through onto the foyer. The trio walked through the foyer, Logan gazed upon the walls of his childhood, recalling fonder times when his mother what pictures they could hang on the wall while their father was deployed. Riley strayed ahead of the duo as they navigated through the foyer near the backyard, or what remained of it.
"Hey, check it out. Never thought I'd see this thing again."
Logan remembered the days when Hesh branded his MTS-225 shotgun during the times when they went hunting with their dad. He was their ace in the hole whenever they couldn't take down a runaway deer in a flash.
A sudden tremor jerked Logan away from his thoughts, the house creaked as the ground shifted left and right.
"Guess that means we should keep moving." Hesh said, strapping on his old gun. They walked together up a flight of stairs that opened up to the view of their childhood city, now a gaping crater. The neighborhoods that once surrounded the hill side lie in waste at the crater's bottom.
"Not like you remember it huh? This place is depressing the hell outta me, come on." Hesh jumped down from the perch they were standing on, giving a quick scan of the area before signaling Logan to follow. The ground soon quivered and shook more violently than before. The brothers were caught off guard and were soon on their knees.
"Shit, whoa whoa!" Hesh curses under his breath as he and Logan try to steady themselves. Some of the old buildings that were clinging to the cliff side began to slide down into the crater below, one of them was church that was deemed a historical site for San Diego. Hesh quickly rushes over to Riley to calm down the whimpering dog, petting his head and stroking his ears.
"You're all right, boy. Just a tremor."
Riley's ears perk up, something had got his attention, and just like that they had their third man back. Riley's barks send Hesh and Logan into alert mode.
"Sounds like trouble. Logan sync up with Riley."
-A Ghost in the MIST-
Ren took off in a dash as he jumped kicked a soldier, his foot connecting with the back of the soldier's head causing him to double over in a mixture of surprise and pain. Ren didn't hesitate and gave him a swift stroke to his spine before he could alert his comrades, unfortunately for him he was a second too late. Two Fed soldiers had heard the commotion and ran back to check on one of their own and didn't fail to notice his presence. They shouted something Ren interpreted as "I'm gonna fuckin' kill you." before they drew their guns and fired. He had run into a platoon just as he left the destroyed house he had found refuge in. This was the first of the Feds he had seen all day, which was encouraging. His next plan after he took out this patrol was to retrace their steps to look for their nearest base. Ren jumped behind a nearby rock to dodge the hail of bullets that came in his direction, he readied his machine pistol for a counter strike. He took out a flash bang, cocking it to its maximum grade before he tossed it in their direction. He could hear the explosion and see the flash of light casting shadows on trees of the soldiers grunting trying to clear their vision. Ren swung his arm over and fired his machine pistol. A couple rounds was all it took and the only one left to tell the tale of the fight was Ren. He reloaded his machine pistol and returned it in its holster before ducking back in the tall grass nearby. He could hear the sound of trucks driving off in the distance as he tip toed through the grass. The path before him sloped up into a hill where Ren noticed some fresh tire tracks in the dirt and the sound of orders all in Spanish were being shouted. Ren stealthily trekked up the hill and saw a Fed camp down the other side of the hill. He wasn't sure if this was the dig site that Ada had told him about just that there was a lot of construction equipment and dump trucks going in and out of the camp. He checked his ammo and grenades, yep no way he was gonna take on an entire camp.
"Well this is gonna be fun. Guess I should see what all the fuss down there is about anyway, but first…" Ren crept back to the area where he found the Fed patrol. He found one of the guys he took down and bent down to take parts of his uniform.
"I don't think you'll be needing this anymore, thanks again." Ren took one of the soldier's cap and discarded jacket decorated with Fed badges and honors. He wasn't planning on speaking to anyone, just infiltration and data collection. Ren took out his P.D.A and switched on its GPS, so far he had advanced 30 miles Northeast and was nearing the end of the city limits. Maybe it would be worth his while to trek a little further North after he gave this camp a visit. He came back up the hill and fell in line behind a supply truck that was entering the camp. No one appeared to take notice, at least right away. About half way through the camp he started getting some weird stares from the higher ups and so Ren tucked his cap and decided to head to the nearest tent, hoping that a lap top or some sort of terminal would be nearby. He was rewarded, and got to work right away trying to dig up some useable info. There wasn't much on the dig site to his dismay, there were smart to keep that information by word of mouth only, there wasn't much information Ren could go by what was on the laptop was a manifest of materials and personnel.
"Great, well this is worthless, maybe I can find something useful in another tent… wait a second, what's this?" Ren scrolled down the list of the manifest a name popped out instantly one that Ren knew didn't sound or look South American.
Two hours earlier…
"Viking Actual, we're getting reports of a large enemy movements just ahead of you. If you hurry you should be able to intercept them." The radio buzzed.
"Roger that. Let's move!" Logan followed his brother's suite as ran down an abandoned highway, signs of bat
tles past strewn about with burnt out cars lining both sides of the road. They had just engaged an enemy squad earlier on their way to the rendezvous.
The trio had just reached a tunnel before they received the message from Stalker-Six. The unmistakable sound of an approaching convoy set the trio on alert once again.
"Vehicles incoming! Shift right!" They hid behind a line of destroyed cars and synched their movements with convoy as it drove past. They made it to the end of the tunnel to an area strewn about with more wreckage, a ship and more fed soldiers.
"Hang on. Straggler on the right, two o' clock. He's mine." Hesh drew his gun and with a quick shot the fed soldier was dead.
"Jackpot. Stalker, we're seeing a massive enemy camp up ahead, moving in to investigate." He turned off his radio and turned to Logan.
"Logan, sync on Riley." Logan readied the camera on Riley's back before getting out his receiver. Through the feed, he led Riley through the grass, making sure to set a good pace to keep him hidden. Through the blades of grass they could see a steady flow of soldiers and vehicles, seeming to converge at a point ahead. Logan was patient, attaining the perfect balance of advancing Riley just enough to take out two patrols. He shifted Riley into a pipe as they moved forward. He used any form of cover he could find to make sure Riley wasn't seen, taking out one more soldier behind a burnt out van. The debris was soon becoming sparser and sparser, Logan found Riley in an area that was a bit more organized: the edge of the camp, Logan thought. There was a huddle near a group of vehicles just up ahead from Riley.
"The guy on the trailer, can you see him?" asked Hesh. Logan focused the zoom on the camera.
"Well, well, so nice you could join us." The owner of the voice wore a black bandanna, a style that Logan recognized as army. He was addressing a guy they had presumably captured, he wore a full blown mask that hid all traces of his face.
"Hey, you see that guy's mask?" Logan nodded, he and Hesh were thinking along the same spectrum, this guy that the Federation had captured, he was a ghost, no doubt about it.
"Rorke?" a shocked voice came from the captured ghost. He struggled against his captors with no luck.
"What's the matter? You looked like you've seen a ghost?" chuckled Rorke, he leans forward menacingly.
"You won't get anything from me." the ghost spits back, his captors force him to his knees.
"Well that's too bad." Hesh and Logan hold their breaths as Rorke pulls out a hand gun and fires, no shot, no bullet. The ghost drops his head in a mix of relief and fear.
"Heh. Now you didn't think that it was going to be that easy, did you? Oh no. You and me got a lot of catching up to do." Rorke said as he signaled his men to take the ghost into their ATV.
"Move everything to Firebase Charlie, including him! Operation Homecoming will proceed on schedule!" With that Rorke disappeared into a crowd of soldiers as they scrambled to follow his command.
"Firebase Charlie? Operation Homecoming?" Hesh wondered out loud, Logan wondered the same thing. The fed was this close, they were gonna make a move and it was gonna be a big one.
"Viking, what's your position? You boys better double time or you get left behind." the comm sounded.
"Roger that, we're on our way. Marking the rally point now. Get Riley out of there, we'll regroup at the exit." Logan nodded and went to work mapping out the safest route for Riley to escape.
Present time…
"Alex V. Johnson, codenamed Ajax." Ren read the name out loud. He entered the computer's hard drive looking for files with the name Ajax. He found one, though it was hard to translate. The word "Ghosts" kept popping up over and over again. He didn't have much time to ponder about what that meant since he heard a group of soldiers entering the tent talking about the soccer game they'd watch later. Ren quickly powered down the laptop and exited the tent with a wave and without incident. Now that he found out how many guys where there and what they would be bringing, it'd be nice to find out where the dig site was and where they'd be headed after. It was apparent that after a couple of odd looks the other soldiers had given him that he had overstayed his welcome in the camp, so he quietly crept back into the woods, discarding the uniform he picked up and resumed the track his GPS had mapped out.
"Downtown San Diego… too bad I can't enjoy a night out on the town." Ren sighed, the crunching of the leaves as he walked were the only thing he'd be enjoying for a while.
Sorry for the late update! I started writing this a week ago then got swept away by work. Still waiting to hear back from grad. school so wish me luck! Reviews are greatly appreciated! Thank you for reading! I'll come up with the next installment soon!