Chapter 27:

Monday 25th April 2005

Managua, Nicaragua

0630 Hours

Watching the compound from across the way, Henry could see that the soldatos were getting ready to move, he looked to Thomas as he said, "Looks like they're prepping to move."

"Let's get evil, stay on high ground, when those charges go off, let loose on those guys." Thomas had said clutching the MP5 in his hand, he then said, "Toss that detonator."

Henry tossed the detonator to Thomas before he took his M1911 out and he cocked it back, before saying, "Leave the leader alive, he's mine."

Thomas nodded towards Henry before heading down the stairs, what worried him was how far Henry was willing to go to do this, he definitely knew that he would have done the same if any of his family wanted revenge against the cartels.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Walking down the stairs, he was in eyeline of sight seeing the front gate of the compound. Checking the MP5, he saw the ammunition in his cargo pocket.

He pulled out the radio and spoke to Steve as he said, "Steve, you there?"

"Copy that, November, we're waiting on 'em, they look ready to move!" Steve asked.

Thomas nodded, "Same here, they're getting ready to move, blow the charges, then let loose at 'em."

"You got it, bud. Once we've got everyone, circle back and head to the chopper, I'll be waitin' on ya." Steve replied.

Thomas nodded before replying, he put the radio back on his belt as he stood in a empty doorway and watched the front gate of the compound.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Henry POV

Standing in the abandoned room, it was very quiet. Down below in the streets, I could hear the constant chatter of civilians going about their daily lives.

They didn't know what would happen, they didn't know that the peace that enveloped the air was about to be shattered by the noise and sound of Heavy Machine Gun fire and half a dozen explosions from both compounds.

Thinking 'bout what I was about to do, there was going to be no hesitation, no mercy to be shown.

Looking down at the 30. Cal, I walk over to it, I prepare it as I pull the bolt handle back, it locks into place, contorting my face into a snarl, I look out the window as I speak a part of the very same rhyme, I always spoken.

"Soldier, keep marching on, head down into the gateways of hell, into the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil. Persistence is the key to survival, resistance instills that promise for survival, no matter what, we'll always survive."

I think about my friends from Tree Hill, Nathan, Haley, Peyton, Brooke and Mouth. Those guys who I trusted and cared about. They tried to make me feel at home, but I couldn't exactly be home, not until I found myself home in Brooklyn, at home with everyone that I loved with my heart.

My friends, my family, my brothers, my sisters, my parents and my grandparents they all made me feel loved, they helped me believe in loyalty, love is the strongest thing in the world, only if you believe in it correctly.

Feeling a tear drop on my hand, I felt tears pool in my eyes, the conflict within was hurting, I'm hating myself for what I've done, what I'm gonna do, but winning the war, I don't think anyone ever wins a war.

But all I can say is that I'm doing this for my friends, my family and for my loved ones, all those I've lost and I've still got here today.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Main POV

Henry heard the car engines starting up, he positioned himself ready for the kill, Thomas stood ready as he prepared the C4 Detonator, he looked to Henry's position and nodded to himself, he then said into the radio, "Alright boys, stand ready!"

The cartel convoy started their engines up as Henry prepped the 30. Cal, preparing for the eventual moment he would have his revenge, the C4 went off thanks to Thomas, blowing the compound to smithereens, the same explosions could be heard in the distance. The compound wall collapses because of the planted C4 explosives that had destroyed them.

Thomas then said, "Waste 'em!"

"Let's end this!" Henry said to himself as he let rip at the cartel, the Diablo's cartel ducked at the ferocious gunfire that emitted from the higher ground, Henry's anger was unparallel as he unleashed his anger into every bullet fired from the 30. Cal.

The Diablo's Cartel soldato's fell to the firepower of both Thomas and Henry, who try to take down as many as they can. Henry feels the machine gun starting to heat up as he pulls at the handle again saying, "COME ON!"

Firing once more, he unleashes chaos amongst the cartel which they fall to the overwhelming firepower, only Ernesto Diablo stood standing, but soon enough, Thomas grabbed hold of him.

When Henry saw this, he grabbed the Chicago Piano and loaded it with a 50-round ammo drum, the raging fire in his blue eyes that often spoke his 'way':

Kill first, ask questions later.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thomas brought Ernesto over to Henry who stood with the Chicago Piano aimed at him, Ernesto looked into the eyes of Henry O'Malley. He only saw fear, anger, the hate within him.

His threatening stance turned into one of fear and worry seeing the angry face of his hated enemy.

Henry then spoke, "Ernesto Diablo, for your crimes against the people of New York City, the United States of America, against the countless other victims of your reign of terror."

Taking a breather, Henry's voice turned into one of malice and anger that soon said, "I hereby sentence you to death. This is for my family."

Thomas didn't look away, but he knew that Ernesto signed his death warrant the minute he went for Henry O'Malley himself.

Opening fire on the drug cartel lord, Henry emptied an entire drum of ammunition into Ernesto Diablo who slumped to the floor dead, 50 bullet casings on the floor, the evidence of how Ernesto Diablo's fate was sealed.

Walking away from the scene, both Henry and Thomas evacuated the scene taking with them the weapons that were used. Joseph and Steve met up with them soon enough and the four of them evacuated from the area, their job was done to its horrific best.

Leaving Nicaragua via helicopter, Steve piloted alongside Thomas as Henry stood throughout the flight, Joseph saw the look in Henry's eyes, it reminded him of himself when he had gotten back from his first day of a firefight.

Joseph then stood up and said, "Don't dwell on it…"

Henry shifted his eyes over to Joseph Jr who said, "Can't dwell on any of it… don't let what happened tear at you, you're a good kid, taking the first step to destroy someone's never easy, pick a direction, you move 10 yards, you keep moving after that."

Joseph then looked down as he said, "It isn't about how you hit, but's it how hard you get hit and getting back up, keep moving forward no matter what."

Henry and Joseph shared a nod of understanding, a sign of respect between brothers in arms.