Chapter 4 – Zambia

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File# 90001: Assault on rebels in Zambia
Date: March 18th, 2009 – Call-sign Onyx's car

At 2015 hours, Sasuke was driving in his father's fully-restored cherry-red 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 convertible, dressed in a three-piece black silk suit. He had just tracked down the car, and bought it from the owner. He wore the suit because he thought it made him look more professional.

Once parked his car in his apartment's car-park, and entered his apartment, he was greeted by Sakura who was holding a file.

"Hey," Sasuke said as he walked over to Sakura who was sitting on the couch.

"Hey," Sakura said as she stood up, "Where have you been?"

"I just found the car my dad restored," Sasuke said, "What's the job?"

Sakura handed Sasuke a mission file, "You're going to Africa," Sakura said, "We've got a client that wants to open a diamond mine, and he's willing to pay T.W.O. twenty five percent of the first year the mine is open."

"What makes us so sure the client will deliver?" Sasuke asked as he looked through the file.

"She gave us this," Sakura said as she opened a small bag, and let a forty karat diamond fall into her hands.

Sasuke took the diamond from her hand, and held it up to the light, "It's nice," Sasuke said, "You got an eye-piece?"

Sakura handed Sasuke an eye-piece, and as Sasuke put it up to his eye, he noticed a few nice cuts.

"Will you take the contract?" Sakura asked.

"Small flaw inside the stone," Sasuke said as he handed Sakura back the eye-piece, "But cut-up very nicely," Sasuke handed Sakura the diamond back, "How many of those examples did she leave?"

"She left seven." Sakura said.

"Seven?" Sasuke asked.

"One for me," Sakura began, "One for you, one for Naruto, one for Hinata, one for Kakashi, one for Rios, and one for Salem."

"Nice," Sasuke said, "And an extra twenty five percent on top, finally a client that after my own heart."

"Maybe they'll call back," Sakura said, "We can get more contracts."

"By the way," Sasuke said, "You want to go out when I get back? I've always wanted to go to The 19th Street Diner."

"Hold on a minute, are you hitting on your handler?" Sakura asked.

"No," Sasuke said, "I'm asking my handler to go out with me."

"See you when you get back," Sakura said as she fixed Sasuke's jacket, "Now get to the airport."

"See you when I get back," Sasuke said as he walked down stairs to see Naruto and Kakashi waiting in a T.W.O. jeep out in front of his apartment, Lee in the driver's seat.

"Let's go," Naruto said, "We've got a client willing to pay us money!"

"Don't get your ass in a knot Naruto," Sasuke said, "We've got time."

Sasuke sat in the seat behind Kakashi, and kicked his feet up beside the head-rest.

"You seem happy," Naruto said as the jeep started forward.

"Why wouldn't I be," Sasuke asked, "I just asked Sakura out."

"About damn time," Naruto said, "I knew you would."

"When are you going to ask Hinata out?" Sasuke asked.

"I was going to ask her when we got back," Naruto said, "She's a very beautiful girl."

"Then act on your instincts," Sasuke said, "When we get back, you better ask that girl out man."

"I will," Naruto said, "Let's get to airfield, boss can you start the briefing?"

"As you both know we've been contacted by a very serious client who wants to open a diamond mine," Kakashi said, "It's your job to make sure it gets opened."

"What's the problem?" Sasuke asked.

"There are several bands of rebel militia operating in the area," Kakashi said, "The client wants you both to make an example out of one of the rebel militia groups," Kakashi handed Sasuke a small file, "She's chosen this small band of rebels known as Dem Brooders."

"Why would she choose this band?" Sasuke asked.

"They seized control of the area the mine is in." Kakashi said.

"Oh," Sasuke said, "Makes sense. What kind of opposition are we looking at?"

"About a hundred or so guys," Kakashi said, "But you're probably looking at the same kind of weapons you faced on that island off the coast of Sri Lanka: old Red-Army standard-issue weapons."

"Wouldn't take much more than that to control a space that small," Naruto said, "A couple assault rifles, some light machineguns, maybe an RPG or two."

"You'll meet another one of our guys on the ground," Kakashi said, "His name is Shino, he was an assassin in an elite Black Ops unit, he specialized in using poisonous bugs to make death look accidental, before he was medically-discharged after he was diagnosed with in-stage 4 renal disease."

"A kidney disease?" Sasuke asked.

"Luckily they managed to get a donor kidney in time to save his life," Kakashi said, "But not in time to save his career. Rios and Salem tracked him down while he was studying poisonous bugs at the University of Washington, and made him an offer that he couldn't refuse."

"How will we recognize him?" Sasuke asked Lee.

"He has a white mask with black, circle-rimmed sunglasses painted over his eye-holes," Lee started, "He wears a Kevlar vest that has a collar that covers the bottom forth of his mask, and he has tattoos of various bugs running up and down his arms."

"He'll usually release various creatures into the area to create anarchy," Kakashi said, "Then he'll unload his favorite weapons which is an M60 light machinegun."

"M60 LMG," Sasuke said as Lee turned the jeep onto the runway owned by T.W.O., "Pretty sweet weapon, haven't seen one of those in use since 07' in Baghdad."

"I remember that," Kakashi said, "Who used that weapon?"

"I think it was Peters." Naruto said.

"No it was Snipes." Sasuke said.

"I think it was Trigger." Kakashi said.

"It could have been Dukes." Naruto said.

"We'll think about it," Sasuke said as he touched his fist to Kakashi's shoulder, "And we'll tell you when we get back."

"Good luck," Kakashi said as Lee stopped the jeep, and Sasuke and Naruto jumped out.

Sasuke and Naruto walked into the plane, and as they did, Naruto put in his earphones, and the opening guitar solo of AC/DC's Highway to Hell filled his ears.

A few hours later, as Sasuke and Naruto were dressed in their armor, they strapped on their parachutes, and stepped up to the back gate.

As the gate dropped, Sasuke and Naruto lowered their masks, turned toward each other, and bumped fists, "See you on the ground brother," Sasuke said.

"Dido," Naruto said, "See you later."

Sasuke went out the back of the plane first, followed by Naruto.

Sasuke came down a little hard in some trees, and eventually getting stuck in them.

"Hey brother," Naruto said through Sasuke's earpiece, "You still with me?"

"I'm alright," Sasuke said, he pulled on the release, but it was completely stuck, "I'm stuck in some trees, but my chute-release won't work, "I still have my weapons though."

"Can you cut yourself down?" Naruto asked.

"Way ahead of you," Sasuke said as he pulled out his Tatang fixed-blades knife, reached up to the straps of his chute, and cut himself free.

As he landed on the ground, he rolled forward, in Spec Ops School, everyone was taught that when you're stuck in a tree, the best way to land after falling is to roll forward, and let the momentum be distributed throughout your body so that you don't injure yourself.

Sasuke raised his M16, and saw no sign of hostiles in front of him, and proceeded forward.

"Hey brother," Sasuke said as he pressed two fingers to his ear-piece, "You out there?"

"I'm here," Naruto said, "Tracker says you're two klicks away."

"You good?" Sasuke asked.

"I'm good," Naruto said, "I'll see you at the objective."

"Got you buddy," Sasuke said, "See you there."

"See if you can find Shino," Sasuke said, "He's got the objective," Sasuke then heard a click, and felt the cold metal of a pistol against the back of his head, "I'll call you back."

"Don't move," the man said, "Are you T.W.O.?"

"Yes," Sasuke said, "Call-sign Onyx."

"You got a clearance?" the man asked.

Sasuke reached into his pocket, pulled out his clearance, and handed it to the man.

"Sorry about that," he said as he handed Sasuke back his clearance.

Sasuke turned around, and standing in front of him was a man about six foot one in T.W.O. Kevlar and a white T.W.O. mask with black, circle-rimmed sunglasses painted over the eye-holes.

"Thanks for not shooting me." Sasuke said.

"It's my fault," Shino said, "I've been scouting this place out for weeks, I'm a little stir-crazy."

"Gets that way," Sasuke said, "My partner's waiting at the objective."

"Good," Shino said as he reached down to a bed of leaves, and picked up his M60, "Missions like this go a lot smoother with three people instead of two."

"By the way," Sasuke said as he held out his hand, "Sasuke."

"Shino," Shino said as he shook Sasuke's hand, "I'll follow you."

Sasuke proceeded forward, followed by Shino.

"So you were in the 425th DEVGRU?" Sasuke asked.

"Yep," Shino said as he pointed the gun toward the trees, keeping a lookout.

"I heard they went through some heavy shit in Kabul." Sasuke said.

"I was right in the middle of that," Shino said as he pointed to his shoulder, "Silver Star."

"Know the feeling," Sasuke said, "You got something up your sleeve?"

"Yep," Shino said, "I've got several bugs ready to assault the compound."

"You'll be able to pull them back?" Sasuke asked.

"Of course," Shino said, "Let's find your buddy."

Sasuke and Shino continued through the woods, eventually arriving at a small split in the trees where several rebels came out of.

Sasuke and Shino shot into cover, Sasuke raised his M16, and focused on the rebels.

Shino raised his M60, the huge weapon was over three feet long, and weighed about two pounds short of twenty five pounds.

"On your shot." Shino said.

Sasuke placed the stock of his M16 against his shoulder, looked down the sights, and fired.

Shino joined in firing, and soon the rebels were lying on the ground, lying in a puddle of their own blood.

"Nice shooting," Shino said as he and Sasuke stepped over the blood.

"Much appreciated," Sasuke said as he pulled out a tracker, "Tracker says the objective is half a klick away."

"You think your partner will be there?" Shino asked.

"You don't know Naruto," Sasuke said, "He's tougher than you think."

Sasuke and Shino arrived at their objective, an open area that looked like a crater.

"Nice place," Sasuke said, "When do we get to kick off this party?"

"Now," Naruto said as he snuck up behind Sasuke and Shino.

"There you are brother," Sasuke said as he grabbed Naruto's hand, "Good to see you alive."

"Likewise," Naruto said, "This Shino?"

"Yep," Sasuke said, looking over at Shino, and pointing at Sasuke, "Shino, this is Naruto, my partner."

"Nice to meet you," Shino said as he reached his hand over Sasuke's back, and shook Naruto's hand, then returned it to the grip of his M60.

"Dido," Naruto said, "What're looking at here?"

"About fifty hostiles," Sasuke said, "And just like that island, the primary weapons appear to be old Soviet weapons, minus the China Lakes."

Naruto looked through the scope of his rifle, and instantly saw what Sasuke was talking about, the rebels had China Lake pump-action grenade launchers (look up 'China Lake grenade launchers' on Bing if you're curious what they look like).

"China Lakes," Naruto said, "They only made about five hundred of those for Vietnam. But Vietnam ended forty years ago, those are museum pieces."

"Someone obviously started making them again," Sasuke said, "Those weapons seem to be working mockups."

"Maybe," Naruto said, "Any idea how we're going to take them out?"

"Shino's got that covered," Sasuke said as he slapped Shino on the shoulder, "Work your magic."

Shino pulled out a small detonator, and pulled the trigger.

As soon as he did, one of the rebels looked down at the ground, then started cursing, and screaming bloody murder.

His buddies looked over to investigate, and soon, they saw several large ant hills popping out of the ground.

"Siafu," Sasuke said, "Nice touch."

"Sioff…what?" Naruto said.

"South American army ants," Sasuke said, "The biggest ants in the world."

"Managed to find a way to charm them," Shino said, "Comes from years of research."

"Nice," Sasuke said as he slapped Shino on the shoulder, "How long before we can go in, and clear out the mine?"

"Once our little comrades are done," Shino said, "Might as well get comfortable."

Shino took Sasuke and Naruto over to a tree where he set up three deer stands, "Best seats in the house," Shino said as the three climbed up the trees, and took their seats.

"You got some popcorn?" Sasuke asked.

"Nope," Shino said, "But you guys want a cold one?"

"I'd love one." Sasuke said.

Shino reached into a small cooler underneath his seat, and tossed one to Naruto, then to Sasuke.

"This is nice," Sasuke said as he took a swig.

"Yep," Naruto said, "What's nicer than sitting in a deer-stand watching vicious killer-ants eat people?"

"They won't last much longer," Sasuke said, "Once we're finished here, let's get into that mine, and clear it out. The faster that happens, the faster I can meet up with Sakura."

Half an hour later, Shino looked back at the rebels, "Alright," he said, "Think they've had enough."

Shino pressed a button on his remote, and after he pressed the button, the ants stopped attacking, and went back into their anthills.

"Let's get to work," Sasuke said as he jumped down from the trees, and picked up his M16.

Naruto and Shino jumped down to the grass, and they walked down the slope into the crater.

One of the rebels saw Sasuke, Naruto, and Shino, and crawled toward his rifle, his skin had broken out into masses of bumps and blisters, as he was reaching for his AK-47, he heard a click from above, and Sasuke was standing over him with his Model 500 in his face, "Goodbye," he said as he pulled the trigger.

Sasuke rejoined Naruto and Shino in front of the mine-shaft, and they looked downwards into the hole drilled out of the ground.

"Not your typical mine shaft," Naruto said as he looked down into the hole.

"Nope," Sasuke said as he looked up at Shino, "Naruto, stay here, and signal us if anyone comes this way. Shino, you're with me."

"Where to?" Shino asked.

"The only where is down," Sasuke said as he dropped his M16 down the shaft, and slowly dropped himself into the mine, eventually entering a large open area.

As he retrieved his M16, Shino dropped into the mine next to him, "Not very bright down here is it?" Shino asked.

"Rebels probably knocked out the power," Sasuke said, "We'll have to turn it back on before we continue."

"Follow the wires?" Shino asked.

"You know it," Sasuke said, "If you see any glowing yellow eyes, let me know."

"Glowing yellow eyes," Shino said, "Got it. Why does this remind me of Dead Space?"

"Cause it in some way is," Sasuke said, "It's just that we're not in another galaxy, and we're not using weapons from the future, we're mercenaries, and we're trying to kill rebels."

"Cocky," Shino said, "You'd go first."

"If I die first, you go first," Sasuke said, "Go."

Shino moved ahead, his eyes slowly adjusting to the brightness.

After walking through the darkness for several minutes, Shino saw a light at the end of a long tunnel.

"Light at the end of the tunnel." Shino said.

"Usually when you see a long tunnel, you're supposed to stay away from the light," Sasuke said, "But that might be our way in."

"After you," Shino said, "Age before beauty."

"Age maybe," Sasuke said as he walked passed Shino, "Beauty, no."

After exiting the tunnel, Sasuke and Shino arrived at a large open area where they saw the bulk of the rebels stationed in.

"Please tell me you have something up your sleeve." Sasuke said.

"Actually yes," Shino said as he flicked his wrist forward, revealing a small remote, "Look down, close your eyes, cover your head, and don't look up, no matter what."

"Alright," Sasuke said as he covered the back of his head, and looked directly at the ground.

Shino did the same, and hit the button.

The entire area was soon full of the sound of buzzing wings as swarms of locusts filled the cave.

After half an hour, the buzzing stopped, and both Sasuke and Shino stood up, and saw the rebels lying on the ground, completely stunned.

"Let's finish them," Sasuke said as he picked up his M16, and held it at his hip.

Shino put one foot on the rock, held his M60 at his hip, and fired into the crowd of rebels.

As Sasuke and Shino were unloading into the rebels, Naruto saw several trucks pulling up, filled with rebels.

Naruto pulled out his M32, and fired twice, the grenades destroyed the trucks, but several of the rebels made it out right before the explosions.

After Sasuke and Shino had dealt with the rebels, they went back to the exit, as Shino climbed up, Sasuke walked over to the wall, and retrieved a small diamond with his knife before climbing out of the mine.

As Sasuke climbed up, he stood next to Shino as they saw Naruto standing over the rebels, blood dripping off the edge of his Anything, Anywhere, Anytime Marine Recon Bowie Knife, all the rounds in his M110 were still there.

"Nice job brother," Sasuke said as he slapped Naruto on the shoulder.

"Thanks," Naruto as he wiped the blood clean on his sleeve, "Didn't think they were worth the bullets."

"They weren't," Sasuke said, as a T.W.O. helicopter came in for a landing, "Now let's get back to Miami."

Sasuke, Naruto, and Shino boarded the chopper, and as it took off, Sasuke pulled the diamond out of his pocket.

"What's that?" Naruto asked.

"Diamond," Sasuke said, "Found it on the ground so I picked it up."

Once Sasuke, Naruto, and Shino were back in Miami, Sasuke walked into his apartment, and after a quick shower, he got dressed in a pair of smart-shoes, blue jeans, a long-sleeve button up white shirt, and a black suit vest.

He walked over to Sakura's apartment, and knocked on the door.

Sakura answered the door, and she was absolutely stunning, a pair of cowboy (or cowgirl if you prefer) boots, blue jeans, and a white, long-sleeve button-up shirt that was covered by a black-leather jacket.

"You look great," Sasuke said, "I thought you might want something different to wear," Sasuke held out a small scarf, "Picked it up while I was in Zambia."

"It's beautiful," Sakura said as she took it.

The scarf was rectangular with some tribal designs stitched into it, she draped it around her shoulders, and found it had a small hood.

The two walked down to the garage, and entered Sasuke's Mustang 302 Boss.

As Sasuke started the engine, he felt as though the engine had pumped pure adrenaline from the pistons, through the gas-pedal, and into his heart.

As he pulled the car out of the garage, he floored it down the street, and Sasuke screamed for joy when the car picked up speed.

As they arrived at the 19th Street Diner, Sakura was breathing heavily, "That was awesome," she said as she fixed her hair, and looked over at Sasuke, "You are the most amazing driver I've ever seen."

"Thanks," Sasuke said as he got out of the car, walked around to Sakura's door, and opened it for her.

There was a fleet of classic cars lined up in front of the building which was 50's vintage, they entered, and Sakura instantly saw why Sasuke always wanted to go there, the walls were decorated with vintage aviation and automobile memorabilia, it was vintage inside and out.

"This is a nice place," Sakura said, "Where'd you find it?"

"Used to come here all the time with my family," Sasuke said as they walked over to a single booth which was made of red-leather, "My father's a military man, when I was young, we moved a lot."

"What was the longest time you stayed in one area?" Sakura asked.

"The longest time I stayed was when my father was stationed in England," Sasuke said, "We stayed there two years before he was redeployed back home."

The waitress, who was dressed in a vintage waitress outfit came over to the table, and handed them their menu, "Good evening," the waitress said, she was five foot five, had a round face, dark brown eyes, Caucasian skin, and brown hair, "How can I help you two?"

"I think we'll start off with something to drink," Sasuke said as he held up his menu, "I'm driving so bring me a Blue Coconut Breeze."

"Ok," she said, "And for the lady?"

"Mojito." Sakura said.

"Ok," the waitress said as she wrote down their drink orders, "I'll put that in, and be back to take your food order."

"What about you?" Sasuke asked.

"What about me?" Sakura asked.

"Tell me about yourself." Sasuke said.

"I was actually born here in Miami," Sakura said, "My mother owns a bakery downtown."

"The Japanese Garden," Sasuke said, "I love that place."

The waitress brought them their drinks, and opened her notebook, "What'll you have to eat?" She asked.

"I'll have the pizza burger," Sasuke said, "Normal side."

"K," the waitress said, then turned toward Sakura, "And for the lady?"

"Island-sauce tossed shrimp," Sakura said, "1000-island dressing on the side."

"I'll put that in," the waitress said, "Enjoy."

Sasuke and Sakura started talking again, "What about your father?" Sasuke asked.

"My father was a SEAL," Sakura said, "He was stationed in Miami until I went off to college, he always wanted me to become a field-medic, but Rios and Salem found me first."

"You were among the first?" Sasuke asked.

"Yes," Sakura said, "They recruited me, so I answer to them. What about your parents?"

"My mother was a Broadway singer before she met my father," Sasuke said, "She went by the name GoldenThroat Mikoto. She was a big hit, before my father 'swept her off her feet'. She left showbiz life behind to travel with my father, and raise me and my big brother."

"You have a big brother?" Sakura asked.

"Yes," Sasuke said, "Captain Itachi Uchiha was an Army Ranger for three years before being medically discharged, he's still in the Army, but he teaches Military History at WestPoint."

"What about your father?" Sakura asked.

"My father, Colonel Fugaku Uchiha is the Pastor at the WestPoint Catholic Church," Sasuke said, "My mother is a stay-at-home mom who runs a small daycare at WestPoint."

"What rank is she?" Sakura asked.

"She doesn't have a rank," Sasuke said, "She was a singer, not a military soldier, my father pulled a few strings, and Major General Graham allowed her to stay on the campus."

"Major General Graham just let your mother stay on base?" Sakura asked.

"He had no choice," Sasuke said, "My father is his son."

"You're the grandson of the Commanding Officer at WestPoint?" Sakura asked.

"Yes," Sasuke said, "It's where I attended college while in the Reserve."

"Hold on a minute," Sakura said, "You were in the Army Reserve, and yet you were a Green Beret?"

"I decided that being in the Reserve was not enough," Sasuke said, "So when I signed up for the Green Berets, I knew it was my calling."

"Some people say you have to be crazy to join the Special Forces." Sakura said.

"I prefer the word, talented," Sasuke said, "Being categorized as one of America's Deadliest Green Berets says something right there."

"Maybe," Sakura said.

"Here you are," the waitress said as she placed the food in front of them.

Sakura's food was a plate of three skewers that held six shrimp that were each hand-battered, tossed in flower, deep-fired, and tossed in 19th Street Diner's signature tropical sauce, here side was a salad made of spinach, cucumbers, carrots, and celery with 1000-island dressing.

Sasuke's food was a bacon-cheeseburger on a sesame-seed bun with a small three-meat-pizza on top of the patty (the bacon was cooked in the patty), mozzarella cheese, fried onions, and tomatoes. His side was the 19th Street Diner's signature hand-made chili-cheese waffle fries that you have to eat with a fork otherwise you'd have it all over you.

As they were eating, Sasuke looked up at Sakura, and thought she was still the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, despite the fact she had some of 19th Street Diner's signature sauce on the corners of her lips.

"What?" Sakura asked when she saw Sasuke looking at her.

"Nothing," Sasuke said, "You have a little of the secret sauce on the corners of your lips."

Sakura grabbed a napkin, and wiped her mouth, "This is really good," she said, "I love it."

"Now you know why I loved this place," Sasuke said, "And I still do."

There was writing on the wall next to the table, Sakura pulled out a small permanent marker, "So do I," she said as she drew a heart and wrote the initials S.U. & S.H. inside.

After finishing, Sasuke raised a question, "Desert?"

"I'd love some." Sakura said.

Sasuke raised his hand, and the waitress walked over to the table, "What can I do for you?" she asked.

"I think we're ready for desert," Sasuke said, "Bring us the Number 3 Special, but no fancy crap."

Five minutes later, it came out, the Number 3 Special was a slice of Death by Chocolate, Chocolate cake with an orange-molasses-based filling, and triple-chocolate-fudge icing with chocolate chips covering the cake.

"Good lord," Sakura said with a chuckle, "You're spoiling me."

"Let's dig in," Sasuke said as he picked up a spoon, and dug in with Sakura.

After Sasuke paid the check, he and Sakura walked out of the Diner to the car.

Once they arrived back at the apartment, Sasuke looked over, and devised a way to get a kiss out of Sakura.

"You know you have some chocolate on the corner of your mouth?" Sasuke asked.

"Where?" Sakura asked.

"Here," Sasuke said as he leaned down, and gave Sakura a small peck on the lips.

"Goodnight," Sakura said as she entered her apartment, "Honey."

"Goodnight," Sasuke said, "Baby."

Sasuke walked into his apartment, sat down on his couch, kicked his feet up on the table, and exhaled deeply, "Pretty successful night," he thought as he looked up at the ceiling, and see how he could find a way to apply the Three Date Rule.

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