[Astrid's P.O.V]

Drakos Building, Hanger 3
14:21 PM
Mission Odin Status: Preparation

"Ready the choppers! Make sure to load the .95 caliber rounds and the PG-7Ts. And suit up! I want every available combat agent to be geared up and ready!"

Night Fury's voice echoed through the entire room. Agents everwhere, from the lowest rank to the highest, were scurrying around, following his orders.

We didn't know what to do. We were attacked during our graduation and then suddenly, Night Fury told us to gear up and that this will be our first mission. What are we supposed to do?

As soon as Night Fury announced that this was a state of emergency, every agent immediately moved into action. We were swept by the crowds until we reached a giant hanger, where multiple helicopters and planes were stationed. The entire hanger was built with glass, bathing the entire room with sunlight and revealing the blue sky.

I then spotted Camilla, who was busy ordering a couple of agents to load a cart of RPGs into one of the transport choppers. And... wait, where's Thrane?

"Hey, Camilla!" I called out to her.

She glances at our direction then looks back at the agents. After a while, the agents took off and Camilla ran at our direction.

"What are ya'll doing here? Gear up!" She yelled out in a strict voice that I have never heard her use. It honestly caught us off guard. She usually has this energetic and bubbly attitude but all of it seemed to change instantly.

"Why?" I asked. I mean, all of the sudden, we're rushing into battle? Can't we gather to plan first?

Camilla's face scrunched up into a scowl, "We're leaving! Every available agent must come! Ya just graduated, innit? You're official agents. So, get your asses going!"

The rest winced at Camilla's voice, then rushed away to gear up. Camilla was about to leave but I grabbed her arm. She whipped her head at me, a permanent scowl still plastered on her face.

"What?" She spat out.

"I didn't see Thrane. Did he go somewhere?" I asked.

Camilla's face suddenly fell. Her hardened eyes softened at his name. She bit her lip, avoiding my gaze. Then, she looked back at me, her eyes trembling. If it weren't for her tough girl persona, I would've believed she was about to cry.

"Thrane didn't make it." She muttered. I widened my eyes and gasped. No. It can't be. Thrane's dead?

"He covered me from the flames. He saved me. But the flames burned him to the bone." Her voice began to crack. She looked at me with glossy eyes, the pain of losing a friend, no... family, visible.

I placed my hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry, Camilla. He was a great man." I said with a saddened tone. Gods, first day on the job and people are already dying. This only opened my eyes to see the harsh reality this world has come to.

I saw Camilla rub her eyes, and lifted her head. She hardened her eyes once again, attempting to put up a brave front. But we both could see right through it. Nevertheless, the determination and fire burning in her eyes wasn't fake.

"Gear up, Astrid. There's a war coming."

I quickly grabbed a long dark overcoat with a white fur collar and wore it over my tunic. The logo of Drakos was imprinted on the chestpocket as my identification. We haven't really selected our own armor but this will have to do. I leaned down to tie my boots that I got from the armory. Placing Stormfly in the micropocket, I pocketed it in my coat and left my room.

The others said that we needed a mask to hide our identity. I just got the perfect one. It was a white face mask with black spires that covers only the upper half of my face. I got it from my visit to armory, along with my boots and throwing knives which I hid under my belt.

I quickly ran towards the hanger, where the others were. Once I stepped into the hanger, I was greeted by four-thousand angry agents, all in battle armor and clutching their weapons. But they weren't looking at me. They were looking at Night Fury, who was standing on top of a bunch of crates. Just like the rest, he donned his personal combat armor. I joined the rest of my friends who were way in the back of the crowd. Just like me, they don't have proper battle attire so they raided their wardrobe and wore what they can. Shawn probably has the worst one, which was a black tank top, fingerless gloves, and jeans.

But I don't blame him. This was all sudden. Why can't we just wait until we recovered from the attack? I looked at Night Fury who was explaining the plan.

"What'd I miss?" I whispered to person beside me, who happens to be Heather.

"Ha- I mean, Night Fury is just briefing us about the mission." She replied. I raised an eyebrow at her mistake but I ignored it. Then I remembered her expression during the graduation, and I told myself that I would ask her about it.

"Hey, what happened to you during the graduation?" I asked.

For a second, I thought I saw a pained expression on her face but it quickly disappeared as soon as it appeared.

She whispered, "Later. Listen first."

I frowned at her response, but nevertheless, I turned to Night Fury, who stating out the plan with a firm voice. How he could stay calm in all of this chaos is beyond me. Though I remembered this was the guy who nearly beat all of our asses.

"Drago Bludvist has a fortress in Isla Guadalupe. The entire island is his territory. We will use everything to surround him. Air assault, artillery, land assault. I want you to hit the island with everything you got. But this won't mean well go in guns blazing. We have limits in our attack like our aerial attacks. As long as it won't pass the sight of the fortress, you'll be alright."

"Drago has forty-thousand men at his disposal. And I haven't even mentioned their weapons systems. Their fortress is surrounded by 12-meter high walls and and a thick forest. So I want everything to go as planned!" Night Fury stated.

"SIR, YES, SIR!"

"Now for the plan, I'll call Viggo Grimborn to lay it out for you."

Night Fury stepped down from the crates and handed a wireless microphone to Viggo, who stepped up to the crates.

"I'll only repeat this once so listen up. Strike team will lead the aerial assault, bombing their defense system, who will be led by Atali. Tidal team and Boulder team will cross the waters using the dreadnoughts, to provide distraction, take over their beach, and attack their front defense, which are roughly five-thousand men, tanks, and multiple turrets. You will be led by Dagur as Alpha Unit."

"The Mystery team will lead the Stoker team in the island undetected then attack the fortress on the other side. You will be led by Night Fury as Omega Unit. Tracker team, led by me, will hang back here, protecting the building and providing strategy and directing the attack via satellite. Sharp team, led by Mala who is, for now, recovering, will provide artillery support from San Clemente Island using the auto-cannons and coastal guns as Beta Unit. Now, if there's no further questions, join your teams. We will be leaving in ten. This is Mission Odin. Do not fail. NOW MOVE IT!"

Everyone began to move and joining their respective teams. I was confused. I didn't know which team I placed at. This is what I get for being late. I looked around, and my friends were already gone.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed my wrist. I turn around, and it was Heather.

"Come with me, you're in the Stoker team with me." And before I could even reply, she dragged me to one of the transport choppers where groups of agents were already boarding it.

I got in and found out that Eret, Thuggory, Shawn, Zythid, and Kai, were all joining us. Heather led us to the seats, where she told us to strap in.

"Hold on. Where are we going?" I asked.

Heather turns to me, arching an eyebrow. "Haven't you been listening? We're headed to San Clemente Island."

San Clemente Island
16:52 P.M.
Mission Status: Begins in T-minus 38 minutes

"Where are we with the subs, Johann?" Night Fury asked the bearded man wearing a trench coat and a beanie. They were talking in the docks, where the dreadnoughts and gunships were being held.

"Don't worry, Master Fury. We just need to fuel them up and they're ready to go." He replies smoothly.

"Good. Also, have you called her?"

The bearded man named Johann nodded with a frown. "I did, sire. But I haven't received anything yet."

Night Fury growled under his mask, causing Johann to flinch. He whips around, and takes out a black pistol with glowing blue veins wrapped around it from the belt on his waist He digs his hand on one of his pockets in the belt, and pulls out a magazine. He loads it in his pistol, then glances at Johann.

"Tell the others that I'm taking a trip, and that they should go on without me. Let Cutthroat replace me." He tells Johann before dashing away from the docks.

Johann shook his head, still not used to the immense presence of the masked man.

Not long after, a man suddenly ran towards Johann, wearing headphones with a mic over his ears. "Sir, they've arrived."

Just as he said, a fleet of transport helicopters and planes began to appear over the night sky. Right beside the docks, was a large hanger with an airstrip for the planes and helicopters to land.

All aircraft touched the airstrip safely, shutting their engines down. The doors opened, and all at once, hundreds, no... thousands of agents jumped out and moved to their specific areas.

Teams Tidal and Boulder immediately boarded the dreadnoughts and the ships, with Dagur leading them.

Team Sharp, led by Mala, used the jeeps and trucks to drive out of the airstrip and into the other side of the island, where the artillery are.

Astrid jumped out of the chopper, together with Heather and the others. They followed the rest of Team Mystery and Stoker to a hidden gate at the ground. A tall and slender agent with black hair, very pale blue eyes, and dark rings around his eyes that looked like he hasn't slept in weeks, propped open the gate that allowed the teams to enter. He had a hideous scar going across his neck, along with a necklace with an animal's tooth hung around it. Wearing a slick black leather outfit, he began to head towards Johann who was waiting for him in the docks.

Astrid stared at him as walked towards the docks. "Where's this guy going?" She said to herself.

She checked if anyone was around before following him. She hid behind one of the piled up crates near the docks and listened to the man's conversation with Johann.

"Johann, where's Night Fury?" The slender agent asked.

"Mister Cutthroat, he told me that he was going on a trio somewhere and he left you in charge." Johann replied.

Cutthroat widened his eyes, "What? I can't lead the teams! Where is he going?"

"If I'm right, then he happens to be visiting Valhalla." Johann replied with a frown.

"Why the hell is he going there now?"

"I believe he is requesting for their help. Master Fury does have quite a good relationship with them. I'm sure they could help us in oud predicament."

Cutthroat pursed his lips. He looked over to ocean then back at Johann.

"Alright, hold this..." He hands a walkie-talkie to him, "Call me when he arrives."

Johann nods, taking the walkie-talkie as Cutthroat began walking away. Astrid sat there, processing on what she heard.

'Night Fury left us? To visit Valhalla? Is Valhalla a place? Did he die?' Astrid asked herself.

"Hey, what're you doing here?"

Astrid looked up to see the slender agent, Cutthroat, eyeing her with suspicion. She smiled nervously, then raised her hands in the air.

"I'm a D- Drakos agent, s- sir. Please don't kill me?" Astrid stuttered.

Cutthroat glanced at her coat, the symbol of Drakos imprinted on the chestpocket. He arched an eyebrow at her.

"What team are you?" He asked.

"Uhhh, Mystery team, sir." She replied.

"Well, come with me then. I'll be leading the Mystery team." He said, extending a hand to her.

Astrid takes it and he pulls her up. They began to head to towards the direction of the gate. The rest of Stoker and Mystery team has already entered, with Astrid and Cutthroat left outside.

They both entered the gate, Cutthroat closing it as he went down. Inside, was long concrete tunnel with torches screwed on the walls.

As they began to walk their way to the end, Astrid began restless. She really wanted to ask about the conversation she heard about but at the same time, she's confessing that she eavesdropped on them

Cutthroat noticed the blonde agent's fidgeting. At first, he simply ignored it. But the constant twitching of her ears and her fingers tapping her thigh, annoyed the hell out of him.

"What is it?" He decided to ask.

Astrid was so deep inside her world, she unconsciously blurted it out.

"Where did Night Fury go? What's Valhalla? Who are you? Why-" Astrid slaps her hand across her mouth to stop herself from embarrassing herself even more. Her cheeks flushed red, avoiding the slender agent's eyes.

Cutthroat simply breathed out a laugh, amused with Astrid's slip up. He didn't mind that someone heard his conversation with Johann. But at the same time, he doesn't really know her.

"To your first question, you already answered it yourself. To the second, that's classified. To the third, my name is Cutthroat. Just Cutthroat." He simple replied.

The blonde raised an eyebrow, "Cutthroat?"

"Yeah. It's been my name ever since I was a kid. Decided to stick with it." Cutthroat shrugged.

"Man, you had a rough childhood. But nice to meet you. My name's Astrid. Astrid Hofferson." She introduced herself.

Cutthroat blinked at her surname. "Hofferson. Sounds familiar. Military activity?"

"Yeah. My uncle's a pilot for the Air Force."

"Ahhh, The ol' Fearless Hofferson, ain't it? I met him a long time ago. Amazing pilot. Felt like he was part of the plane. Never ceases to scare the shit out of the others with his daredevil tricks."

Astrid let a smile creep her face. It's good to know that her Uncle Fisk still has an amazing reputation. "Yes, sir. Best pilot there is."

Cutthroat snorted. "Sure, sure. I myself happen to be a pilot. And I'm confident with my skills."

"My uncle is going to beat your ass."

"I'd like to see that old man try."

Astrid laughed wholeheartedly. In this moment, Astrid felt like she wasn't rushing into war. She felt like she was having fun with a new friend. Which reminds her...

"Sir..." She started.

"When we're alone, call me Cutthroat. I don't like those formal shit." He made a disgusted face.

"Cutthroat, who exactly are we fighting?" Astrid asked. She never knew who Drago what-fist is.

At the mention of their enemy, Cutthroat furrowed his eyebrows. The mere thought of the man made his blood boil.

"Drago Bludvist. A madman without conscience or mercy. Killed millions with his army. We never had actual interaction with him because it was too dangerous. Well, up until now." He said in a dark tone.

"But why are we attacking them right away? Isn't it smart to recover our strength first?" Astrid retorted.

"I wish we could." Cutthroat muttered. Then he clicked his tongue in frustration. "You see, once Drago targets something, he won't stop until he destroys it. So today, when he attacked us, there will be another tomorrow. And another. And another. And so forth until we're reduced to rubble. So it's better now we attack rather than suffer the consequences."

Astrid pursed her lips, and scrunched up her eyebrows. She couldn't believe they're fighting a man like this. If you could even call him a man. But, one question still remains.

"You think we can win?"

Cutthroat grunted and gritted his teeth. "I hope so. If we don't, well, we're in deep shit." Then his eyes suddenly lightened up, "Look, we're here."

They finally reached their destination. It was a cave-like room made out of stone and dirt. Water from the ocean was rushing in from a large opening out in the front. Agents were running around, grabbing equipment and heading to the...

Astrid widened her eyes at it. There were just four of them, bloated metal beasts that lay half-submerged in the water, secured by iron chains as thick as her bicep. Each one was the size of an office building turned on it's side. The submarines had no markings or symbols. They seemed to be coated in black oil or tar. Their turrets, set well back were closed and solid. It emitted no sound at all, but she knew it was up and running. On top of each of submarine, is a large hatch, big enough for four people to fit in at the same time.

Agents were climbing in aboard the black beasts as it continued to float in the water like a huge whale. If they're going to sneak into the island undetected, then this will be the perfect vessel.

"You better get going, Astrid." Cutthroat told her. "We're leaving in ten minutes. Mission Odin is about to begin."

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Yo, I'm so excited to write the battle. I'mma go nuts in writing it.