Chapter - 7 Old Demons

Sunday, November 11

Germany / France border

11:00 pm

Deep in the dark forest ten miles from the border between Germany and France lied a railroad track that was meant for military transport trains. A heavy armored train was making it's way towards the border into France and from there it would reach it's destination at a NATO base.

"What a boring night" said the train operator as he gazed at the dark sillouhettes that belong to the trees outside. Visibility was decreased as rain started to snow with hight winds. It turned into a blizzard in matter of minutes.

"Command says there might be group of hijackers trying to take whatever we're transporting" said a soldier to the train operator.

"All for a bunch of guns? Don't be stupid! You can hardly see anything in this weather" the operator replied.

As the train was crossing a bridge, the sound of a helicopter could be heard from far away.

"Did you hear that?" the soldier asked, the operator nodded.

Not many pilots would be crazy enough to fly a helicopter in the middle of a blizzard and NATO command never informed of an aerial escort. The soldier made the decision to alert all combat personnel on board. In matter of seconds all soldiers were ready for combat as the sound of the suspected helicopter grew louder.

"Who could that be?" another soldier asked as everyone was wondering what that would be. Then suddenly a loud explosion rocked the train, it was a rocket launched from a custom made all terrain vehicle. Another explosion hit the back of train as well.

"We're being attacked!" the operator yelled over the radio.

From half a mile from the train's location were the four Ghost vehicles: The Corvette C5 "Vulcan Stingray", The Dodge "Hell Viper", The Nissan GT-R "Night Raven" and the Aston Martin Vanquish "Ghost Falcon" racing through the highway adjacent to the railroad track.

"We've just recieved a distress signal from the NATO transport train" said Amanda over the radio.

"They started without us, let's see what this baby can do now" Dalton said.

"Let's see if these wankers are as bad as they say" Declan stepped on the accelerator and passed Dalton.

"Always in a rush to fight" Dalton muttered.

As the cars approached the train, Declan saw the first vehicle which was an all terrain pickup truck with a modified suspension, it also had a .50 cal gun.

"Hello, mate" Declan launched a small tactical rocket at the truck which exploded on contact.

"Ok.. Let's eliminate all hostiles. Declan, you come with me to the front of the train. Izumi and Jack, cover our asses" Dalton said.

"Alright" Jack said.

"Got it" Izumi replied.

Two more trucks rushed at Dalton and Declan which they were disposed of as the two men rammed them. Then two more assailants on dirt bikes rushed in.

"How you like this?!" Jack hit one of the bikes causing the enemy soldier to fall on the ground.

"Let's see if I remember the manual..." Izumi pressed on a button on her steering wheel, the HUD aimed at the rear tire and she took the shot. The second biker fell off as well.

Dalton and Declan plowed thru the horde of enemy vehicles until they reached the front of the train. However, the soldiers inside the train mistook them for the enemy and opened fire on them.

"You bloody idiots! We're here to save your arses!" Declan yelled.

Dalton said over the radio "This is Captain Lance Dalton... we're on the same side!"

The train operator picked up the radio "We didn't know you're on our side... it's a war zone"

The GT-R and the Viper raced towards the front of the train until Jack noticed the helicopter hovering on top of the train locomotive, a platoon of enemy soldiers rappeled down.

"They're about to take the locomotive over" Jack said over the radio.

The enemy sentries made their way into the locomotive and made quick work out of the NATO soldiers guarding it. The operator grabbed the radio "You've got to stop these maniacs... they're taking over!"

"Declan, I need you to take the helicopter down" Dalton commanded.

"I'm killing these wankers behind us... you do what you need to do" Declan replied.

"Damn it, Declan! This isn't time to bullshit around!" Dalton protested.

Declan flipped a 180 turn and went after a few enemy trucks. Izumi and Jack saw Declan pulling away.

"That idiot!" Jack muttered.

"I heard that!" Declan said over the radio.

The helicopter was visible at that point, it turned out to be a HIND D. The same helicopter from the Morocco incident. It started to open fire on the Corvette. Also the enemy soldiers made their way into the first two box cars.

"You won't take my train over... arghhhh!" The operator opened fire before the transmission was cut off.

"Damn!" Dalton returned fire at the HIND D.

"They're taking the train over! I'm gonna de-attach the cars from the locomotive" Jack said as he got in an angle and then he fired upon the latch that connected the box cars. However, they didn't break. "I'm gonna try missiles now" Jack switched to missiles.

"You might kill friendly soldiers if you do" Izumi glanced at the soldiers who were fighting the enemy.

"Any ideas?" Jack asked.

Izumi got closer to the third box car and set pushed the button for the afterburner mode. As the GT-R gained speed, Izumi steered the car into a small slope that served as a ramp and made the jump. The GT-R landed on top of the box car. Izumi saw two soldiers approaching her car, she used machine guns to gun them down. Jack saw three more bikers approaching and swiflty ram them out of the road. Meanwhile Dalton was trying to get a clear shot at the Hind D, he saw another man rappel from the helicopter.

"It can't be" Dalton said.

Two soldiers noticed Izumi stepping out of the GT-R, she was wearing a pair of jeans, tall thigh boots, a white tank top and a leather jacket with her hair tied in a low pony tail with a bang on the side of her face. The enemy soldiers pointed their assault rifles at Izumi.

"Don't move!" said one of them.

Izumi turned around with her hands up and winked at the two soldiers, they looked puzzled and without warning Izumi rolled on the ground and threw two small knifes at the soldiers.

"I'm detaching the cars from the locomotive" Izumi said over her earpiece as she ran to the ladder that led to where the box car was latched.

"Roger that... I'll try to de-rail the locomotive" said Jack.

Dalton finally aimed his missiles at the HIND D and took the shot, the Russian helicopter exploded and hit the ground.

Izumi detached the box car, however. An enemy solider put his arm around Izumi's neck as he attempted to put her in a rear-naked choke.

"I can't allow you to do that" said the enemy soldier with a thick Middle Eastern accent. Izumi struggled a little until she flipped the soldier with a Judo counter throw, the latter landed on his back. As the soldier tried to get back on his feet, Izumi nailed the guy with a back spinning kick.

"Don't move!" Izumi draw her gun, the soldier put his hands up. As Izumi was approaching the man, the latter started to recite a prayer in Arabic.

"What are you doing?" Izumi asked, without warning the soldier lounged at her and grabbed her hands and got his thumb on her trigger finger and squeezed it as he put Izumi's gun into his mouth. Blood splashed all over including Izumi's face.

"What a hell?" Izumi was creeped out by the soldier's suicide, her hands were shaking and slowly wiped the blood off her face.

Meanwhile Jack tried to de-rail the locomotive by launching a harpoon-like grappling hook, he attempted going to the right but at no avail.

"Damn it!" Jack slammed on the brakes but instead he was getting dragged.

"Need help?" Dalton also launched the harpoon as well. Both cars were trying to slow the locomotive.

"Use the afterburner system... that might work. It's the button next to the stick shift" Dalton told Jack, both cars' exhaust shot flames as the horsepower increased. The train started to slow down as they crossed the border into French soil. Since the creation of the European Union, border security was less patrolled and the few officers tried to wave at the locomotive and the two cars to stop.

"You two twats think too much" Declan returned and slammed his car into the locomotive, causing it to collapse to the side.

"The box cars are slowing down... but enemy sentries are still trying to steal the package, Izumi is already there... give her a hand while I check the locomotive out" Dalton said.

"Alright" Jack responded.

"That girl... thinks she can take those bloody wankers by herself" Declan chuckled.

The Viper and the Vanquish drove back. Dalton stopped right in front of the locomotive and got out of his car. He pulled his Desert Eagle and slowly walked in, first thing he noticed was the lifeless body of the operator, he had his eyes open, Dalton knelt down and closed the man's eyes. He continued investigating until suddenly he felt a crushing blow to his mid-section, sending him flying out of the locomotive.

"What a fuck?!" Dalton muttered.

"I've been waiting for this day" A familiar man with long hair said. He was wearing camoflaged cargo pants, military boots and a tactical vest.

"I... I... killed you back in North Korea" Dalton was in shock.

Jae Kwan laughed at Dalton's statement "Next time you kill someone, make sure he's dead"

Dalton got up and looked at Jae Kwan "So are you still the Dear Leader's bitch?"

"Funny you mention that... After that explosion I was taken in by let's say my benefactor. The Kims can rot for all I care... soon I'll be knocking at their door and take over" Jae Kwan responded.

"Not on my watch" Dalton got into his fighting stance.

"Want to continue where we left off?" Jae Kwan had an over-confident look on his face.

Dalton rushed and tried to nail Jae Kwan with a flying knee but the latter side stepped and landed a roundhouse kick at Dalton's face. Then Jae Kwan grabbed Dalton's hand and flipped him with a Hapkido throw. Dalton was dazed. However, as soon as he opened his eyes; Jae Kwan was about to land an axe kick. Dalton rolled to the side at the last second.

"Get up! I'll give you the distinct honor of fighting before you die" Jae Kwan taunted.

Dalton tried a boxing combination but none landed, Jae Kwan turned and landed a back spinning jump kick. Dalton hit the ground again.

"It's no use..." Jae Kwan pulled a syringe and injected it's content on his chest.

"You cheap bastard... you need steroids to beat me" Dalton spit blood out.

"Not steroids... it's just a serum that enhances a soldier's body and mind" Jae Kwan threw the syringe to the side. Dalton got back on his feet, he had a feeling it was the end of the road for him. At a blinding speed, Jae Kwan landed a flying kick on Dalton.

"I knew you'd be here... now that I'm done with you, your little girlfriend Kira Mercier is next" Jae Kwan taunted.

"Your problem is with me, not her" Dalton spit more blood as he was trying to sit up.

"You can welcome her soon in hell" Jae Kwan pulled a handgun and aimed it at Dalton's head. At the last moment he saw someone move fast on his blindside and threw him a few feet away. Jae Kwan rolled in mid-air and landed on his feet.

"I don't know what sick game you think this is but it's over now" Izumi said.

Jae Kwan looked at Dalton "It makes no difference"

Izumi got into her fighting stance "After I'm done with you, you can call your lawyer because a cold cell is waiting for you"

"Insolent wench" Jae Kwan threw a combination of kicks at Izumi which she dodged. Then Izumi countered with an elbow to the mid-section which Jae Kwan blocked but pushed him three feet away.

"Not bad" Jae Kwan grabbed Izumi's wrist and attempted a throw from Hapkido but Izumi jumped with a back flip and landed behind the former. Jae Kwan quickly pulled a blade and tried to cut Izumi but he only succeeded on cuting the band that was holding Izumi's hair in a low ponytail, causing it to be loose and straight.

"It's over... soon this place will be run with NATO forces" Izumi said.

The fuel inside the train's locomotive started to spill and a spark set it on fire, thus improving visibilty. Izumi took a good look on Jae Kwan and she couldn't believe what she saw.

"My God... It can't be... you" Izumi said.

Jae Kwan had a puzzled looke on his face, he never met Izumi before or at least he thought.

"It... is.. you, Eiji... I can't believe is you" Izumi lowered her hands from her fighting stance.

"You're the second person who calls me that... I'm not this Eiji. My name is Jae Kwan and I'm a colonel from the People's Democratic Republic of Korea's army" Jae Kwan replied as he clinched his fist.

"Eiji, don't you remember me?" Izumi said. Dalton looked confused as well.

"I don't know you" Jae Kwan replied.

Izumi only looked at Jae Kwan with disappointment, while the latter looked at her with anger and hatred.

"I'm Izumi... your sister" the young detective said.

Dalton looked even more puzzled "Izumi? Jae Kwan's sister?"

Jae Kwan laughed "Sister? I don't have a sister! I don't know who you are but I'll tell you this will be your grave"

"I don't know who filled your head with lies but you have to believe me... I'm telling you the truth" Izumi pleaded.

Jae Kwan leaped into the air and tried to land a flying kick on Izumi but she side stepped, then Jae Kwan performed a spinning back fist which Izumi blocked.

"Stop this... I'm not your enemy" Izumi said as she was holding Jae Kwan's arm.

"Your lies end here!" Jae Kwan grabbed Izumi's arm and threw her several feet away. As he saw Izumi on the floor, Jae Kwan pulled a combat knife and started to walk towards her.

"I have no family... this is the end for you" Jae Kwan coldly said.

Suddenly the Dodge Viper crossed the curtain of flames with a loud roar coming from the exhaust. Jack saw the former North Korean soldier and pulled a 180 turn, hitting the latter and sending him flying. Jae Kwan landed on his back and he was dazed. Jack came to a complete stop right next to where Izumi was.

"I thought you needed back up" Jack rolled his windown down.

From above another HIND D arrived and opened fire with several rounds hitting the Viper.

"Shit!" Jack mumbled.

"Dalton... he's hurt" Izumi pointed at Dalton who was a hundred feet away.

"I'll cover you" Jack said as he took aim and returned fire, Izumi ran towards Dalton and helped him up. Dalton was to weak to move fast, Izumi tried her best to help the former to get closer to Jack's car.

"Damn!" Izumi looked at the HIND D lowering it's altitude and a blonde female with a military outfit tossing a rope ladder. Jae Kwan ran and grabbed onto the ladder.

"Eiji!" Izumi looked at Jae Kwan making his exit. The helicopter left the scene and the surviving enemy operatives fled the scene as well.

Jack got out of his car and ran to where Izumi and Dalton were,then Dalton collapsed from his injuries.

"What happened?" Jack asked, he was wearing cargo pants, a black shirt and a hoodie.

"I... got... my ass kicked" Dalton said after couching blood.

"Hang in there!" Izumi took her jacket off and placed it under Dalton's head.

"Is it true? is... Jae Kwan... your brother?" Dalton asked.

Izumi nodded with a sad look in her eyes.

Jack was silent when another vehicle appeared, it was Declan who just finished taking down his share of bad guys.

"These bloody cowards left and didn't take a thing" Declan said as he emerged from his car.

"They are professionals..." Jack said.

"No doubt, mate" Declan replied.

"We gotta get him medical attention" Izumi said, showing concern for her injured comrade.

As the fire was dying out, NATO military vehicles approached. It was a long night and for the team it was a close one as they nearly lost one of their own. It also left more questions than answers.

The Junkie's notes: It took me a while to post this chapter but good news... I'll be having some free time to post more chapters. I appreciate all the good reviews on this story and you won't be disappointed as the story unfolds. One Love!