When Alpha Tango got back to the White House, an atmosphere of sadness had enveloped those who knew of the operation. For the first time that Stryker had seen him, Manny seemed like he had accepted defeat. Kelso couldn't even look at her, probably blaming her for the failure of rescuing her agent. After all, she had promised.

"Hey boss, doing okay?" Hemorrhage asked in his trademark accent, Stryker would've probably guessed southern Virginia.

Gone was the typical fun and ruck housing attitude. Even he knew now wasn't the time for joking.

"No Grant. I'm not." With that, Stryker excused herself and started for the showers. As she approached, she caught Raptor leaving them.

"Ma'am." Raptor nodded out of respect before continuing on her way.

Being pretty much the apocalypse, everyone was given around two minutes of hot water before they had to use cold water. Stryker stripped down and walked into one of the shower stalls, letting the steaming water relax her skin. Taking one of the waiting soap bars, she quickly lathered herself up, making sure to give extra attention to places like the knees and elbows where they had regular contact with the dirt and mother nature when on patrol.

She didn't know how long she had been in there for when she was snapped out of her trance by the White House's PA system.

"Agent Stryker, to the situation room; repeat, agent Stryker to the situation room."

She deduced that she had to have been in the shower long because the cold water didn't even feel cold. It was numb, just like everything else.

She turned off the water, stepped out & dried off, and started dressing again. she picked up her earpiece and placed it in.

"This is Stryker. I'm enroute."


Manny was waiting for Stryker when she walked into the room.

"Listen, imma need your final decision for your new teammate. Among other things but we'll get there."

Stryker had read the files when they got back from the Jefferson Center to try to get her mind off the incident, to no avail.

"Yeah, um, I think I'm gonna go with callsign 'Thunderclap'. Seems well rounded and I like his former experience." Stryker had seen that he was a member of the US Air Force's elite pararescue group, before he was recruited into the US Special Operations Command as a member of Delta group and had run numerous classified assignments.

"I thought that's who you'd pick. Now on to more important things."

On that end, Kelso entered the room; nodding to Manny and sending the quickest stare Stryker's way.

"I've decided that it's time to finish the Hyenas off once and for all."

Kelso popped in. "We've decided that your team will conduct a Breach and Clear straight through the center of the arena. Going level by level, you'll eliminate any opposition you come across."

Although she didn't think it would happen, she had to ask. "And if any surrender?"

Both Manny and Kelso looked at each other before Kelso responded. "Make sure no one is left to surrender." Stryker understood the implication. Eliminate the Hyenas with extreme prejudice.

"Any questions?" Manny asked Stryker.

"When will I get my new teammate?"

"By the end of the day. You'll start the operation tomorrow; leaving here before sunrise and reporting to the safehouse near the arena, you'll make contact and then I'll give you the final go ahead."

"Understood."

All of a sudden, a knock came from the door before it opened. In walked President Ellis.

"Sir!" Both agents and the captain snapped to attention.

"Please. There is no need of that. I have observed the going-ons of the White House since I was so appreciatively rescued." At that point he gave a nod to Stryker. "And I have decided that as we now have a congress, I can start making some appointments."

"Sir?" Manny questioned.

"Captain Manuel Ortega, who made you the Strategic Homeland Division's Chief Coordinator?"

"Sir, it was acting Director Mc'Owens. I was assigned to him when everything broke out and just before he passed from the Green Poison, he appointed me to the position."

"Ahh, I see. A shame about him, of course at the time, he didn't report to me but he seemed capable enough.

"He was sir."

"Well, as I was saying, I have put your name to the quorum to give." He held up his fingers in the quoting sign. "Advise-and-Consent to serve as my Executive Director of the Strategic Homeland Division."

There was a weight in the air before Manny spoke.

"Sir, thank you very much for your trust, but with all due respect, am I really up for it."

Before the President could respond, Kelso jumped in; she never was one for niceties.

"For the love of god Manny. You're the only person right now who comes even close! Now shut the fuck up and thank him!"

Stryker couldn't help but grin at the scolding she was giving him, almost like a mother to a small child. She swore she saw the President give a small smile too.

"In addition, to give you more authority and any and all military affairs that may arise, as Commander-in-Chief, I've promoted you to Colonel and appointed you as the Commanding Officer of the Military District of Washington." Ellis continued.

"Thank you very much again sir." Manny puffed out his chest a little bit in pride.

"Well, I know y'all got stuff to work on so, I'll take my leave." Ellis said before excusing himself from the room.

"Mr. President." They all saluted.

Gone was the depressed atmosphere and in its place, a touch of happiness.

"Congratulations!" Kelso yelled out.

"Yeah, congrats Manny." Stryker shook his hand.

"Alright both of you, alright." Getting back to business. "Go rest, both of you. You'll need it for tomorrow."

"Understood, oh, and one more thing." Stryker added.

"Yeah?"

"Don't think for one minute that we're not celebrating this tonight."

Manny head his head low as both Kelso and Stryker laughed.

"Oh god." He muttered. He always hated attention.


"Another one!" Hemorrhage yelled out.

Alpha Tango, Kelso, and Manny were gathered around a small fire on the White House's roof. Hemorrhage grinned from ear to ear when he learned of Manny's promotion. He explained that it gave him an excuse to crack open a bottle of homemade Moonshine that he made before the pandemic.

"Uhh, no way. That shit's like battery acid dude." Manny keeled over the side of the building, needing a little breeze.

"Yeah sure! That's what a lil' bitch would say!" Hemorrhage remarked before bringing the bottle to his lips and taking an impressive glug.

Everyone around laughed, slightly impressed by the redneck's alcohol skills. After a few seconds, it grew quiet. Before they knew it, Ellis approached from the roof access.

"Mr. President!" all of them stood to attention.

"First of all, who the hell gave you permission to drink on my roof?"

The agents looked between themselves sheepishly when Ellis broke the silence.

"I'm kidding! Son, pour me a drink, I need it too." Ellis motioned to Hemorrhage.

"Yes sir!" He responded in a giddy tone.

Taking the shot glass, Ellis downed the clear liquid as if it were water. "Damn, where's the alcohol? Colonel Ortega, did I promote a wimp?"

All around the fire, Manny could hear many 'Oooooohs' and an 'oh snap'.

"No sir. You didn't."

"Anyway, do any of you know the story of the ancient Roman legion who disappeared without a trace?"

A chorus of 'No sir' echoed around the fire.

"Well gather around and I'll begin. It all started when they reached Britannica…"