Prologue
Paladin
"Charlie, what are you up to this time?" asked Anna Grimsdottir.
"Just got a ping from somewhere in Mexico, in an island off the Yucatan peninsula. You might wanna take a look." Charlie Cole quipped.
The SMI (Strategic Mission Interface) opened a map of the island of Cozumel, along with the pictures, pertinent information, and locations of five individuals. They were:
Lara Croft, 25
PFC Jonah Maiava (Honorable Discharge), 33
(Ret., US Army Special Forces, JSOC) (1st SFG) Lt. *REDACTED* Rourke, 35
(Ret., JTF-2) Sergeant *REDACTED* Winters, 29
Dr. Pedro "Amaru" Dominguez, 52
Sam Fisher's eye caught a glance on Rourke's profile, as he, Rourke and Victor Coste served together in JSOC, especially in the Battle of Takur Ghar, as part of the recon team.
"I know that kid. Cocky as hell, wants to jump the gun on everything." opined Sam.
Isaac Briggs also focused on Rourke, his buddy during their SF days.
"I know, right?" Isaac Briggs chided in.
"Sam, we need to look closely on the situation. The area could be a hotspot." Isaac continued.
Then, Andriy Kobin, caught a glance on Dominguez.
"Shit! I know that man! He needs to die! I regret selling weapons to him," he burst out.
"Jeez, Andriy, calm down. What's wrong, dude?" asked Charlie.
"Remember why I walked into the CIA Benghazi HQ?" Andriy asked back. "The Engineers aren't the real threat. Neither was Iran."
"Is there something I missed during the whole Engineer business?" Sam closed in on Andriy.
"Uh, hmm, let me explain." Andriy replied nervously. "Sadiq's man met in the café near the docks. I had too much to drink, but I remembered the other guy. Hispanic, greying hair, has a bodyguard with not-so delightful manners."
"Go on." Isaac chided in.
"Apparently Sadiq and Dominguez worked on a deal on obtaining nukes from China, Russia, and Iran. Dominguez said something about an eclipse."
"Sam, we got a distress signal, in Cozumel. Hostiles converging on 2 individuals."
"Briggs, you're coming with me. Kobin, you still owe me an explanation. Grim, have the team prep the chopper for insertion."
END OF PROLOGUE