13th July, 2018

Somewhere in the Venezuelan Jungle

Two men inside a small shack in the middle of the jungle positioned near the river played poker. While their leader was out on recon, the two patrolled their house while playing poker at the same time. It was quiet and calm but as long as no one else knew where they were, they were fine.

As they played their game, the front door of their shack opened. They both glanced over and noticed their leader coming back from the jungle. Everybody recognized her by that eye-patch from her time fighting an arms dealer and her bodyguards.

"Hey, the pirate stripper's here!" One of them said.

"You wish, Keyes." The leader replied as she closed the door.

"How's the recce?" the other operative asked.

"The guerrillas are gonna start moving out soon so that means we better start following them. Let's pack it up."

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. The team quickly turned towards that door. Did someone follow them? They kept quiet in case whoever out there was listening.

"Check that out, Keyes." The leader whispered.

Keyes got up and pulled out his pistol as he slowly approached the door. Just as he touched the doorknob, gunfire hailed at the door, mowing it down alongside Keyes. The remaining operatives ducked down as more gunfire crossed towards them, piercing the barricades windows. The shooting stopped and the door was kicked open. Two armed men entered the house, scouring the area. The leader quickly pulled out her pistol and opened fire with two bullets for each of them. Once she was sure they were in the clear, the leader got up and noticed Keyes on the ground.

"Keyes! Keyes!"

She rushed to the body only to find multiple bullets all over his body and the head.

"Talk to me! How's Keyes?!" The other operative shouted.

"He's dead!" The leader answered, turning to him.

He didn't respond but cursed under his breath before quickly gathering what was left of his gear.

"We gotta move now!" The leader ordered as she got up.

Grabbing her last teammate back on his feet, they rushed out of the house and began to make a run through the dense jungle. Suddenly, more gunshots chased them down as they delved deeper into the wet but dry maze of a jungle.

16th July, 2018

Richmond, Virginia, USA

Elric Residence

Darkness. Everything around him was nothing but darkness. The soothing slumber felt relieving and satisfying. Alphonse Elric paid no attention to the brightness directing its light to his face. Then, he felt something press against the edge of the bed near him. Lips then pressed to his cheeks though Alphonse can't feel it.

"Hey. Time to get up." The voice said.

"No." He weakly replied, shifting himself away.

"Come on."

"Let me sleep."

"You forgot it's school for our little girls."

"Nice try, the girls don't have school this week."

"Yeah but you better get up fast before they get here in 3...2…1."

He heard rapid footsteps close themselves in before Alphonse felt a sudden crash onto his body, bolting his eyes open and bringing him back into consciousness.

"Daddy! Wake up! Wake up!"

Alphonse was unable to get up with his three daughters on him. Eda on the other hand wasn't helping much other than chuckling at the ordeal. Ally was tugging him on the bed sheets while Eva and Mia were just pouncing and repeatedly telling him to wake up.

"I'm up, I'm up." Alphonse said as he eventually managed to pull himself up.

"Come on, you three. We can make breakfast together in the kitchen.

"Okay!" The girls said.

They then got off of Alphonse and ran out of the room, giggling. Once they were gone, Alphonse glanced at his wife.

"You did that on purpose." He said.

"Well, you didn't really leave me much of a choice. Besides, you always like to wake up to your kids."

Alphonse groaned for a moment and Eda gave him another kiss in the cheek before heading out to the kitchen. He moved to the side and sat on the edge, stretching himself and letting out a yawn. Looking down at his body, he stared at the healed bullet wound to his right side of the stomach which almost killed him. Scratching his scruffy beard, Alphonse made his way to the bathroom to take a shower.

Ever since his time in Roanapur, Alphonse got recruited into the CIA as an Analyst and Operations Officer for his computer and finance experience. Eight years in the agency wasn't so bad for him, even though he doesn't get into the field as much as Eda. He was also in the SAC like his wife, handling covert operations since 2012 and still remembered his mission involving a rogue Russian program.

As soon as Alphonse finished his shower and got into his clothes, he heard a rumble from his nightstand. Alphonse picked his phone up and checked the ID: "Work". He let out a sigh and answered the call.

"Hello?" He said.

"You and Blackwater are needed for an important inquiry." The caller responded.

It was inevitable. Vacations at the holidays always results in at least one task from the CIA.

"Understood." Alphonse accepted.

The call ended and Alphonse's mood changed drastically. He wasn't in the highest interest in going back to Langley. But what choice does he have? Alphonse needed to find a proper explanation for Eda and the kids.

16th July 2018

Langley, Virginia, USA

Central Intelligence Agency Headquarters

Entering the meeting room, Alphonse and Eda are greeted by the sight of their boss, the CIA Director of National Clandestine Service George "Bookman" Black. As they sat down, Bookman handed each of them a folder for their task. Inside were three photographs of field operatives, two men and a woman.

"Sorry to pull you two from vacation but this situation needs to be handled as soon as possible," Bookman said. "Three days ago, we've lost contact with three of our Ground Branch operatives in Venezuela during their surveillance patrol on the Venezuelan government and their links with guerrilla terror groups. One of our CIA officers Hex was leading the investigation. She's a warrior but I'm starting to get concerned about her whereabouts."

"So what does this mean?" Eda asked.

"Lets just say Hex has alway been the one who doesn't follow orders and does things her way."

"So we're gonna need an extraction team to rescue them?" Alphonse suggested.

"Yes but the problem is that the US isn't allowed back in Venezuela. During the withdrawal, Hex and her team opted to stay in the jungle to continue surveillance because they believed something big was going on and putting another Ground Branch team there would be too risky."

Alphonse and Eda look at each other and nod.

"I believe we know a group who can handle this." Eda said.

16th July, 2018

Somewhere in the Maghreb, North Africa

AFRICOM Base

Orga walked out of the tent and into the scorching sun in the middle of the Maghreb. Multiple vehicles and soldiers passed by as he watched across the base of operations for the Green Berets. Surprisingly, getting hired by the US military wasn't the worst at first impressions. Orga was often given the idea that they were self-absorbed and small-minded but that was just in the books. While the others were out for the mission, the rest of the team stayed and waited.

Orga then noticed Akihiro at the equipment area, lifting weights while listening to something in his ear buds. Orga guessed he was up to 200 lifts. He then stopped and got up, taking a breather. Sweat slid down Akihiro's chest, unfazed by the sun consuming him. Orga scratched his newly grown heavy stubble and walked out of the front gate.

Four Humvees arrived and drove past the gate before parking near Orga. The doors opened and several Green Berets got out alongside Shino and Eugene. They looked to have been in action with one of the soldiers sporting a bandage on his right leg and Eugene on his left arm. As the rest of the soldiers moved towards the medical facilities, Orga approached his comrades.

"How'd it go?" He asked.

"Went well as always. No casualties, minor injuries and we left our enemies bleeding." Shino answered.

"Good. You two go get some rest and get your injuries checked out."

"Will do."

The two then went off and followed the Green Berets, leaving Orga to himself.

"Hey boss!"

Turning around, he noticed Yamagi approaching him with a ringing SAT phone.

"A call for you." He said, handing him the phone.

"Thanks." Orga nodded.

As Yamagi walked away, Orga answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Orga. It's me."

Hearing that familiar voice was relieving for him, especially the frequent contracts he had been receiving from her.

"Eda…it's been a while. Glad to hear your voice again." He said, smirking.

"Same could be said to you, Itsuka," Eda replied. "Are you busy?"

"Actually, me and my guys just finished a contract here in Africa. Got another for us?"

"Yes. We'll meet at the Airbase for debrief."

"Sure but I'm not gonna be on it. There's a couple guys from my team I need to get."

"I understand. Don't take long."

"Sure thing. Bye."

Hanging up, Orga lowered the phone and sighed. He was aware the rest of the team were away with their families. It's going to be difficult to explain.

16th July, 2018

Futami District, Japan

Yakumo

Wiping the last spot of the table, Ride walked back into the kitchen and threw the used wipe into the bin. Just as he did so, the sound of broken glass echoed across the house, followed by a yelp. Ride glanced towards where the sound came from.

"Babe?" He called before heading towards the sound.

Ride entered the storage room where the noise came from and noticed Fuka, bending over a fallen photograph frame. She was trying to scoop up the glass shards.

"You okay?" Ride asked.

"I'm fine, Ryo," Fuka replied. "I accidentally dropped the frame."

Ride quickly helped his wife out with the glass before putting them in the bin. As Fuka pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, Ride glanced at her belly which was carrying their nine month old child.

"You shouldn't be working so hard." Ride said.

"I know but I don't want to be lazy." She replied.

"Come on, babe. You're not lazy. You just can't be doing the hard work since you're carrying our son."

Fuka then turned and stared at him, giving Ride an impression he said something wrong.

"What?"

"It could be a girl, Ryo." Fuka told him.

"Well my best bet it's a boy. He was kicking around in your stomach."

"But it could be a girl."

"Okay, maybe it is."

Ride then picked up the frame and looked at the photograph. His eyebrow raised. Fuka stood beside him and noticed the photograph.

"Wow." She muttered.

It was an old photo of Ride when he was ten standing beside Takaki, Fuka's older brother, with his arm draped over his shoulder. Ride lingered at the photo for a while.

"I was actually looking for this," he said. "I-I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have left it there."

Fuka placed her hand on his arm. "No, it's fine. I'm glad that we found it. You two looked very happy together."

Ride looked back at the photo and noticed they both had large smiles. He couldn't help but grin at the sight.

"Yeah, we had an amazing time back in America."

Fuka looked up at him and smiled. Ride remembered those days with her and Takaki. He still remembered the day Takaki gave his blessings on the day of their wedding alongside a heartfelt speech. Suddenly, Ride's phone began to vibrate in his pocket. He pulled the phone out and saw the familiar name on the screen.

"I gotta-"

"It's fine. Go." Fuka nodded.

Ride walked out of the room and headed into the living room before answering the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, kid. Bad time?" Orga asked.

"Nah, I was just making some adjustments. What's up?"

"We got another job. You in?"

16th July, 2018

Yaeyama District, Japan

Taketomi Island

Mikazuki watched as Akatsuki stood on his feet and waddled his way towards him, giggling. It was his first time finally able to walk. Once Akatsuki reached Mikazuki, he grabbed him and lifted him up, saying all those nice things a normal dad would say to his toddler son. Mikazuki felt some good vibes when he's with his family, especially when he's not on duty. He took the chance to make up for the time he lost for the past few years.

Suddenly, Mikazuki heard his phone vibrate from the table and he placed his son back onto the floor before getting up to grab the phone. He answered the call without looking at the ID.

"Hello?" He said.

"Hey, little brother." Orga replied.

Mikazuki hadn't heard from him for the past year. He wasn't used to hearing his voice again.

"Hey, Orga. Is everything okay?"

His friend then told him about everything and a new contract for the team which he is needed for. Mikazuki sighed and nodded.

"Yeah. I'll be there."

By the time it was night, Mikazuki set Akatsuki back into his crib though he was already asleep. Turning the light off, Mikazuki walked out of his room and headed to his bedroom to pack. Just as he entered his room, Mikazuki noticed Atra facing the window with crossed arms. She must've heard the phone call from the other side.

"When are you leaving?" Atra said.

"Tomorrow morning." Mikazuki answered.

There was no response. She was probably upset about his decision to leave his family once again to serve with his friends. But Mikazuki didn't blame her. He felt bad for leaving them without a proper time together.

"You know I can stay." He said.

Atra turned around and faced him. Mikazuki could see her gloom in her eyes.

"I can stay if you don't want me to go."

Instead, Atra sighed.

"Mika, I'm not saying you should stop. I get why you chose this for the family. I'm just scared you'll do something that'll risk your life. I mean, we've known each other since we were kids and you always put yourself in danger all the time."

She was right. Mikazuki often got himself into danger almost all the time and this could be a deadly game that he might not survive.

"I want you to come back home safe."

Mikazuki moved in for a hug, embracing his wife to assure his safety. He held onto her like it was the last thing left for him.

"I'll be back."

17th July, 2018

Djibouti, East Africa

Camp Lemonnier

Alphonse started doing some research on his next assignment while waiting for Eda's contacts from Japan to arrive. Going on Google was another one-stop-shop for a head-start. Alphonse then typed on his laptop and clicked on the search button. As he was reading an article, the door opened and Alphonse looked up.

"Hey, been looking for you," Eda said, approaching him. "What're you up to?"

"Catching up on Venezuela," He replied. "I'm starting to understand why we need to keep tabs up there. It's getting worse by the minute and the President is not really doing much."

"You want to be with the mercenaries on the field."

Alphonse didn't act surprised. Ed's always knew what was on his mind.

"You don't want me to?" He assumed.

"No, I know that you're capable of handling yourself. I'm just surprised you want to go back there." Eda replied.

There was a brief pause as Alphonse looked away from her.

"Remember the SEALs team we deployed in Somalia to hunt down that Al-Shabaab leader?" He asked.

Eda glanced at him. "Why are you still blaming yourself for that?"

"Eda, they died because of me and the wrong intel I provided them. I should've gone with them...and I just like being on the field."

Another moment of silence filled the room.

"Okay."

"Huh?" Alphonse looked up at her.

"Like I said. Okay," Eda repeated. "I get why you want to be with them though I don't believe it's your fault for what happened back in Somalia. It wasn't the first time we had the wrong intel for an OP but the team's deaths weren't because of you...but if you still want to join Tekkadan on this OP then I'm fine with it. Just be careful."

"I will."

Eda then leaned over and gave a peck on Alphonse's cheek before heading for the door.

"Eda," Alphonse called, grabbing his wife's attention. "Thanks."

She responded with a smile before walking out of the room, leaving Alphonse back to his research.

As Orga waited under the sun, he noticed a C130 land on the airfield before coming to a stop. The back ramp opened and several Marines stepped out alongside Mikazuki and Ride. Orga stood up and watched as the two approached their leader carrying their bags. He then walked up to them, bringing himself into the light.

"I was actually hoping you two wouldn't come." Orga said.

"We're fine," Ride replied. "Our wives don't mind."

Orga paused and looked at his teammates for a moment.

"Guess I'm glad you guys did come."

They then made their way to the tent where the rest of the team were waiting in.

"So another contract from the CIA?" Mikazuki asked.

Orga nodded. "That's right. From the guardian angel herself."

"This means things won't go bad for this one, right?" Ride said.

"Don't know. She brought some other guy with her."

"What other guy?"

Once they entered the tent, their questions were answered. They were greeted by Eda and her husband which none of the team recognized. They were given a quick introduction to their assignment before Eda started the debrief.

"When the US withdrew their personnel from Venezuela, three of our agents chose to stay back and continue surveillance on the highly trained guerrillas and the Venezuelan government's connection with them." She stated.

"This situation is similar to the Colombia and FARC conflict, except in this one, the government isn't the good guys after reports of their crimes against humanity surfaced." Her husband, Alphonse, said.

"Four days ago, we were unable to reach out to our agents. No communications, no signals, nothing. Which leads to the main part of this contract. This is going to be a rescue mission for the agents and Alphonse is joining you on this mission."

"We'll be deployed via HALO jump from the C130 and we'll use an RHIB to cross through the river and then move on foot to the safe house in the jungle."

"We need to keep this a low profile, especially from the Venezuelan government." Eda added.

This seems easy for the team, except for the fact they're being forced to babysit a CIA agent who happens to be Eda's husband.

"Just like last time, we'll discuss payment after this."

Once the debrief was finished, everybody was off to gear up. Alphonse was just wrapping up on his gear for deployment. It felt strange, feeling those equipment from the past. It had been a long time since he was deployed on the field.

"So you wish to come with us?"

Alphonse turned around and noticed Tekkadan's leader, Orga leaning on the door frame and staring at him in a way that doesn't feel like a warm welcome.

"Yeah." Alphonse answered.

Orga let out a huff before getting off the frame. He then approached him, stepping closer to him.

"Let me make myself clear...I don't trust you and this is my team. If you do anything to endanger them or get any of them killed...I won't hesitate to put three bullets into your skull. Understand?"

Alphonse was taken back by his intimidation. He gets why he wouldn't trust an outsider though. But he won't be able to guarantee he would entirely get any of them killed. Alphonse decided to play along by his rules.

"Understood."