(AN: Okay, as you might infer from the title I'm running out of Achievements from Spec Ops: The Line and I'm going to be introducing some original titles. These will either be witty one-liners that I have created on my own, or achievements from other FPS. The good news for you is that this next arc has been expanded quite a bit; it will include more elements from the Familiar of Zero storyline and some extra stuff. Heck I might even throw in one more SOTL character for good measure. Any suggestions, be it for the titles or if you want/don't' want another new character, feel free to put them in the suggestion box. As previously stated things have been getting busy with work and such, but I promise I will update at least once a week, either Saturday evening or Sunday morning.)

The stillness of the afternoon air in Tristainia was broken by the drone of a Little Bird engine and the sound of blades cutting through the air. The inhabitants of the city had grown accustomed to seeing the odd-looking airship flying to and from the palace. Tebby's passenger spoke up.

"Wow, that's the palace? Pretty fancy digs, man."

"Yeah, Radioman, it's plenty fancy. Too gilded for my tastes, but if it's going to house a princess I guess it has to be."

Darden looked over his shoulder at all the equipment in the passenger compartment of the chopper.

"You sure my stuff is secured?"

Bowles nodded.

"Sure I'm sure. Of course we were in a bit of a hurry to bug out."

While Tebby was having a road trip to Gallia to cure Crosby and the teen witches, Bowles had received a radio call from Lt. Gordon at the palace. Apparently his friend Robert Darden, aka the Jester, was in serious trouble. One of the nobles who let him use his country estate was captured by the Reconquista, and they were closing the noose. Fortunately for Darden they weren't counting on an aerial evac. So he had marching orders on the ready when Tebby radioed in.

"Ah, Bravo Actual this is Bravo Six I have successfully completed Operation Waterspout, packages are dropped off, I am inbound."

Tebby's voice crackled through the static. Bowles responded.

"Belay that Bravo Six, we have new orders. Radioman's in hot water and needs an evac."

"Holy shit, how hot is hot?"

"Apparently one of his contacts turned on him, and now they have closed off the border and have him surrounded. I don't have many details other than they're not making a move yet, but time is still of the essence. Gordon will transmit the IFF codes for you to home in on when you get close."

"Roger that. Bravo Six is inbound to Albion, ETA three hours."

It was midday by the time Tebby reached Albion, he was flying high enough to avoid detection and was going off of the IFF beacon Darden was transmitting. He opened a channel.

"To friendly transponder ID Fife, One, Fife, Zero, Romeo, Delta; this Bravo Six transmitting IFF authentication is Romeo Foxtrot, Juliet Tango Four, Zero, Niner, Niner, if you copy turn to channel twelve and respond."

For a full minute there was nothing but static and he tried again. After the second time he heard a faint voice in the static.

"Holy crap, looks like the Jester is getting his very own Operation Frequent Wind! Bravo Six I am very fucking glad to hear your voice."

Tebby chuckled.

"Roger that Jester, be advised I am about sixty klicks from your poz and closing so hunker down and sit tight."

Darden was getting nervous. The Reconquista troops hadn't tried ramming the gates of his castle yet, they were just sitting there as if taunting him to try and leave. He checked his watch. Bravo Six should be here any minute now. He looked over to the only person who hadn't left, an elderly caretaker of the castle who wore some sort of Tartan cape over his tweed clothes. With his ruddy complexion and thick accent Darden had nicknamed appropriately.

"Hey, Groundskeeper Willie, there should be room on this craft for the both of us, if you've changed your mind."
The old man shook his head.

"With respect, Mr. Darden, I cannot leave the castle, it's my duty to stay."*

Darden shrugged, and then heard the distinctive sound of rotor blades beating through the air. He started to wave one of his Hawaiian shirts in the air to get the pilot's attention. When the chopper was making its approach, Darden turned back to the groundskeeper.

"Well, looks like my ride is here. Can you at least help with the equipment?"

"Aye, I will."

This brought Tebby to the present, still chuckling over the Reconquista soldiers gawking at his 'Bird as if it were some dragon. After they got over their initial shock they tried to shoot arrows and even some fire magic spells, but by that point Bravo Six was well out of range. He switched to the command channel and spoke up.

"Heavy Four this is Bravo Six, I have the package from Operation Radio-Airlift on board and inbound."

There was a slight pause but then Gordon's voice came through the static.

"Roger that Bravo Six, touch down in the main courtyard and bring Radioman inside. He has an old friend who wants to meet him."

Darden snickered over the radio.

"So old Gordon has set up shop in the palace too, huh? Always knew that guy had a soft spot for royalty."

Tebby steered the Little Bird towards a large open area within the palace where an improvised landing pad was marked out and had a shelter next to it covered in camouflaged netting. There was a small group of knights waiting for them as the chopper's skids touched down. They stood at a safe distance and waited for the engine and blades to slow down before approaching. Darden slipped the catch on his safety harness and opened the door. One of the knights saluted an awkward attempt of a US military salute.

"Robert Darden, alias the Jester?"

Darden nodded.

"Yep, that's me. You guys must be the concierge service."

The knight who spoke looked puzzled, but a familiar voice spoke up from off to the side.

"Quit with the joking, Darden. These guys won't get it."

The Radioman turned his head and saw a familiar sight.

"Well, well, it would appear as if Gordon is still alive. What's shaking, man?"

"Not much, just trying to whip the Tristainian army into battle readiness before the Reconquista decides to invade. C'mon, let's go introduce you to the others."

Gordon led them both through an entrance into the palace and down a long corridor. At the end of the hallway was a large ornate wooden door with several knights standing at attention in front of it. Including a figure wearing the familiar digital desert ACU's.

"Heeeey! It's another member of the Damned 33rd! I know you, you're ah, ahhhh, Torrez?"

Alex turned from talking to Agnès.

"Nope, wrong answer, Radioman."

He was unprepared for Darden grabbing him into a bear hug, shocking the blonde female knight.

"This is so awesome! The 33rd is reunited!"

He began to twirl the young sniper in a circle.

"Reunited! In a whole new wooooorld!"

He heard Gordon clear his throat, so Darden stopped singing/mangling a Disney song and set Alex down.

"All seriousness aside, this is awesomeness taken up to eleven! It's one big happy family reunion! But without the awkward bits like the pervvy old uncle who wants to touch you inappropriately or the slutty second cousin who gets drunk and wants to sleep with you."

Darden saw the look on Gordon's face.

"What?"

"You done?"

"Umm, lemme think…yep! I think I'm good!"

"Good. Because you're about to meet a very important person and it is imperative that you make a good impression, got it?"

Darden waved his hand.

"Yeah, yeah you're forgetting I once interviewed the Emir of Dubai, I know how to deal with stuck-up royalty."

Gordon sighed.

"Yeah, I heard the transcript of that interview. Just mind your p's and q's, okay?"

He nodded to the blonde knight, who signaled to the two guards. They opened the double doors with flourish and revealed a cavernous room filled with banners and columns. Running up the middle of the room between the columns was a deep plush red carpet. Darden smirked.

"They're rolling out the red carpet for us, huh?"

Gordon shook his head.

"Carpet's not for us, Robert."

As they continued to walk Darden could see a throne on the far end of the room on a raised dais, with a gilded throne atop it. He saw two figures talking off to the side, one of whom he recognized.

"Konrad?"

Col. Konrad turned and smiled.

"Well, well, Darden. It's good to see you made it out of Albion in one piece. Welcome to Tristain."

Darden couldn't help himself, he ran over and hugged the colonel as well.

"Oh, man! It's so good to see that you made it, too, sir."

Konrad smiled.

"Good to see you too."

Darden then noticed the other person that Konrad was talking to, a lovely young lady with purple hair.

"So John, are you going to introduce me to this pretty young thing?"

He heard Gordon clear his throat and Konrad shifted in his feet uncomfortably.

"Ah, Robert, I would appreciate it greatly if you would show proper decorum for our hostess. May I present her majesty Princess Henrietta of Tristain."

Darden whistled.

"Oh, wow, um yeah sorry about that your highness. I was, ah, just expecting someone older and more uptight, ah, you know what I'm just going to shut up now and stop digging my hole deeper."

The princess to her credit just smiled.

"It's alright, welcome to Tristain, Mr. Darden, or should I say the Jester?"

He grinned.

"Oh, so you've heard of the great Jester of Albion?"

Gordon spoke up.

"If you mean she's heard what a royal pain in the ass you are, then yes."

Konrad interjected before things escalated.

"Lieutenant, that will be all, I believe you have soldiers to train."

the lieutenant saluted.

"Yes, sir!"

When Gordon left, Konrad turned back to Henrietta.

"Your majesty, with your permission I need to debrief Mr. Darden here."

She nodded.

"Of course, you will be available for dinner, won't you?"

Konrad smiled.

"Of course, your majesty."

"Please, I've told you before, you can call me Henrietta, it's alright."

Darden watched the princess leave through a side door in the throne room.

"So John, you and the princess, eh? You sly old dog you!"

Konrad chuckled and shook his head.

"It's not like that, Robert. She's just a good friend and an ally."

"Riiight, I know probably I haven't been here as long as you have Colonel, but I do know that when the women in this world start to do that shimmer thing with their eyes it ain't for their subordinates or friends."

The colonel decided to switch tack.

"So Robert, what did the Lady in the White Light tell you?"

A shadow crossed Darden's face.

"It's a long story."

*The groundskeeper is speaking in an Glaswegian accent for those who are interested. And yeah, I'm not even going to attempt to phonetically try the accent, because 1. Too much work and you as readers might not understand and 2. I really don't want to insult any readers from that neck of the woods.)

(AN: Ugh, I'm not happy with this chapter. I planned on writing this Big Damned Heroes moment with Tebby rescuing Darden from the Reconquista, but I couldn't get the action sequence to gel up and not look cheesy. So in the end I cut it all out. At least I got another chapter out before the weekend.

So, as the Radioman said, now they're all one big happy family. Well, until Radioman and Lugo meet, and then it becomes an awkward reunion to say the least. Hope I'm getting Darden's personality right, it's been a while and now that I'm developing his character it's going to present its own challenges. Next chapter, which is aptly called 'Requiem for a Radioman,' will show why he was so reluctant to tell Gordon what happened after he was shot by Lugo. I might have it up by the end of the weekend, but no promises as the workload continues to pile up.)