Author's note: Well here we are again. I'm sorry for the delay, but I just wanted to make sure to kick off the second act right. I hope it lives up to everyone's expectations. Enjoy.
What Will It Take?
Chapter 7
"Man, fuck this place."
"Jeeze, do you ever do anything without complaining?"
"Why do we always get picked for the shitty jobs?"
"I guess that's a no."
"How do we even know that the intel on this is solid?"
"It's not, that's why they sent us here, to scout it out, because we're the SCOUT team."
"Whatever."
The two men had been trekking through the jungle for several hours, all they had were a set of coordinates to follow. The mission was long, and it wasn't easy, but they kept going. Both of them knew that the potential outcome of this mission could be game changing.
"Another thing."
"Oh god."
"Why do we have to go through the jungle? There's a road that leads right from the city to this place."
"Yes, but there's virtually no traffic. If HQ is correct on this, and we were to take that road, they would see us coming a mile away. We have to lay low, just in case."
The two walked for a few more minutes in silence.
"How much further?"
"About two more kilometers, we should be able to get a visual soon."
"That's if this thing is even there."
"What, you don't think so?"
"I have my doubts, even if it is there, there's no way anyone is using it."
"I don't know, it kind of makes sense to me. Who would think to look for someone out here?"
"I think this is a waste of time."
"Want to put money on it?"
"How much?"
"The usual?"
"Deal"
The two of them walked for a few more minutes as they approached the designated area.
"Hold up." The two stopped where they were, "You hear that?"
"Yeah."
The sound of engines and voices could be heard through the trees and brush.
"This way." The two of them moved quickly and quietly in the direction of the noise. After a few meters they reached a clearing. They stayed hidden in the edge of the brush, so they could see clearly in front of them. At first, they couldn't comprehend what they were seeing, then one of them smiled.
"Irvin, you owe me a dollar."
"Fuck you Norman."
Three days later
All thirty-three operators were sitting in Hereford's conference room. The room itself resembled a normal college classroom, with multiple rows of seats and a large screen at the front. Everyone was free to sit where they want, some chose to sit in groups while others decided to sit alone. There was casual talk amongst the operators while they waited for Six and her advisors to make an appearance. Meghan sat in one of the middle rows, to her left was Eliza, Monika and Siu. The group of them were making small talk, but Meghan wasn't paying attention. Her focus was drawn towards the girl with green hair a few rows in front of her.
Ela was sitting with Jack, and although Meghan couldn't hear what they were saying, it was still blatantly obvious that he was hitting on the girl, again. Every few sentences he would say something, and Ela would respond with either a smile or a small laugh. Each time a smirk would appear on the mans face, and Meghan wanted to smack it off his face. She was so focused on the two, she didn't notice someone take the seat to her right.
"Eyeing your prey?"
Meghan hid her surprise as she looked at the owner of the voice. "What are you talking about Taina?"
"You haven't stopped staring at her since we came in."
"I'm just making sure she's alright."
"She seems healthy and happy to me."
"I don't think Jack is good for her."
"Oh, and what makes you say that?"
"I can tell he's just trying to get in her pants, she deserves better than that."
"She's an adult, I'm sure she can make that decision for herself."
"It's just, I know she's dealing with a lot right now, I don't think she needs to deal with someone trying to fuck her."
"You didn't complain when I did it to you."
"That was over a year ago. I just needed a release."
"Well, judging by your actions, you might be due for another."
"I'm not sleeping with you again, that was a one-time thing."
"Oh, I wasn't talking about me. Besides, I have my own target." The Brazilian commented as she looked over at Ryad.
"What do you-
"Alright, settle down people!" Everyone stopped talking immediately as Six and a few other people entered the room. The lights went dim and the projector turned on.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us today." Six greeted the operators. "I'll keep this simple, we have a new mission, and it's perhaps our most important one yet." An image appeared on the screen, bearing only two words. "As you can see, this is called Operation Blood Orchid. With this, we may be able to deal the biggest blow to the White Masks yet." By now, every operator had given the woman their full attention. "I'll let my colleague give the details." She gestured towards the one of the men at her side. "Captain Isaac."
Ela froze at the sight of the man, she didn't think there was any way that it was the same person she fought alongside a decade ago. Sure enough, as if some higher power wanted to shake up her day, there he stood, she hadn't seen or heard from the man in nearly ten years. She honestly thought by now he either would have quit the warfighting business, or he was dead. She also knew that there was no way he didn't recognize her as well.
"Thank you, ma'am." The man stepped forward, at the same time, a new slide appeared on the screen. "The structure you see on the screen is what remains of Cǎihóng Amusement Park located just north of Victoria Harbor. The park opened in early 2000 and was a popular attraction until a roller-coaster malfunctioned and killed several passengers. After that, it failed to recover resulting in it being closed down and abandoned about seven years ago."
The slide changed again, it was the same theme park but now it was filled with personnel wearing white face masks. "Three days ago, my scout team was sent in to observe a strange amount of activity in the area and discovered this." He gestured at the image. "White Masks, and a lot of them."
The image changed again to a wider view of the park. "They have consolidated a large amount of personnel, vehicles, and weapons here. It looks like they may be shipping and storing drugs as well."
"So, it's a large base for the White Masks." Mike summarized.
"More than that." Isaac noted. "We believe that this abandoned park is being used as the White Masks operational headquarters."
There was slight confusion among the room.
"You mean this is the heart of the terrorist organization?" Timur asked.
"Exactly."
The room was quiet, as if no one could really comprehend what they had just heard.
"So, what's the plan?" Meghan finally asked.
"The plan is simple. We have the blueprints for the layout of the main building." Isaac explained. The screen changed again to display a blue schematic of the theme park. "Over the next few weeks, you will be studying and memorizing this layout. We will then begin training to clear and liberate the place, room by room. We've already got people working on recreating the building for training use, it should be ready in a few days."
"If they're all consolidated in one area, why not just drop a couple bombs on the damned place?" Jordan inquired.
"Unfortunately, it's not that simple." Six explained. "We've talked with the Chinese government, they won't allow us to fly armed foreign jets so close to their capitol." The next image was of a map showing the proximity of the park to Hong Kong.
"Not to mention the panic it would cause." Isaac continued. "Explosions from an air bombing won't be well received. However, if we go in with small arms to clear the place, it can be kept relatively quiet, at the very least we can play it off as construction or something of that nature."
"If they're concerned with foreign planes, why not use their own?" asked Liu.
"China wants to keep this as quiet as possible. Your country's government doesn't want the world to know that the White Masks managed to hide their base right under their nose for who knows how long."
"You mentioned training taking place over a few weeks, how do we know that they will not have packed up and left by then?" Gilles asked.
"We're confident that with the amount of personnel and equipment present in the area, they are planning to use this base for the long haul. Not to mention moving that many assets to a new location will be a long and difficult process anyway. The point is, this is our best chance to deal a heavy blow to the enemy, but we have to make sure we do it right."
It seemed that no one else had any more questions.
"Training will commence immediately." Six spoke again. "While the simulation theme park is under construction, we will discuss strategy and execution. Manning rosters and gear lists will have to be drawn up. Then, when the training course is finished approximately forty-eight hours from now, I want non-stop practice runs until we have it down practically to a science. As the captain said, this is our best chance, if we fail here, we may never get an opportunity like this again."
The room fell into a heavy silence, for nearly two years, Rainbow had been fighting the White Masks. Every time, it seemed like they were simply cleaning up after the terror group, now it seemed like they would finally be able to strike first for once. Every operator, especially the more experienced ones, were looking forward to such an opportunity.
"We will reconvene here tonight. Everyone take the next few hours to figure out what you may need and take care of any issues you may have to settle, because we are going to be busy until this kicks off. Any more questions?" No one raised their hand. "Alright, everyone be back at 1900. Dismissed."
Everyone stood up and the small side conversations started up again.
"White Mask HQ, we might actually be able to hit them where it hurts." Eliza was excited. "What do you think Meg?"
No response.
"Meg?" Eliza looked at the blonde who seemed troubled. She tapped her on the shoulder "Meg!"
Meghan was shaken from her thoughts. "What?"
"You alright?"
"Yeah…I need to take care of something." She got up to leave.
"Wait, Meg, what's wrong?"
The blonde didn't say anything as she left the room, as she walked out to the hallway someone else called out to her. "Hey Valkyrie."
She turned around. "Hey. Can this wait? I have something kind of important to take care of."
"It will just be a second," He reached into his back pack. "I managed to get one of those old-fashioned cameras you were looking for." He handed her a camera that looked like it was from the 70's, which also came with its own leather carrying pouch.
"You actually managed to find one?" She asked as she accepted the gift. "How?"
"I told you, I can track down anything, and anyone."
"What do I owe you?"
"Nothing, just think of it as a thank you for getting me out of that scouting mission. Man, Irvin was pissed."
"You're awesome."
"I know."
"I have to go, we can talk later." She turned to leave. "Thanks again McConnell."
"No problem."
Back in the briefing room, Jack had resumed his attempts at flirting with Ela, but the Polish girl couldn't hear anything he was saying. Her eyes were locked on the captain at the front of the room. She didn't know if she wanted to go up and talk with him, or bolt from the room and never come back.
"Oh look, an old friend, this one is still alive." Another voice. "You gonna run again? Who am I kidding, of course you are."
Ela stood up and faced towards the door. Jack noticed and grew concerned. "You okay?"
"I…I can't."
"Can't what?"
She didn't respond, instead she simply walked away. She had to appear calm and collected, but on the inside, it was taking all her strength not to sprint as far away from this place as possible.
The walk back to the barracks seemed to go on forever. She made her way back to her room, as soon as the door was closed, she collapsed. She felt like the room was spinning. So much was running through her mind, she replayed everything from the four years she spent with her team in Iraq. The first time they had met, their first mission, the first time she had killed…the day she had gotten them killed.
Why was he here? Did he know she would be here? Did he know now? He had to, there was no way he didn't notice her green hair in the crowd. Were the others here? Were they even alive? What would they think of her now? Would they even want to see her?
"I don't know why you're even asking, you know the answer."
"West?"
"Hey, you remembered."
"Why…why do you all keep haunting me?"
"Maybe it's because you let us."
"Why can't you all just leave me alone?"
"We're all in your head Bosak, the only one that keeps bringing us back is you."
By now Ela was shaking, both from fear, and confusion.
"I just want to get away, this was supposed to be a new start for me. I want to leave all of that behind, I want to move on. Why can't I do so?"
"Maybe you should ask Isaac." This time it was her father's voice.
She looked up, and they were standing there. Her father, West, Nelson, Daniels, Jacobson, and Stevens. They were staring back at her, blankly.
All she could do was scream.
Meghan stood outside of her favorite coffee shop, in her head she was going over the conversation she was about to have. She knew this wasn't going to be easy, but it needed to be done and she only had a few hours till she had to be back. Finally, she took a deep breath and stepped inside. Business appeared slow since it was the middle of the work day, which was fine, it made things a little more private.
"Hey Meghan!" Came a familiar voice. "You're here early."
"Hey Lena." Meghan greeted.
"What can I get ya?"
"Actually, can we talk for a minute?"
Lena's smile disappeared. "Sure. Just give me a minute."
"Okay." Meghan walked over to one of the tables and took a seat.
After a couple minutes, Lena came out with drinks for both of them. She was noticeably less cheery than usual as she took a seat across from Meghan. "Here luv, it's on the house."
"Aw, thanks Lena." Meghan took a minute to take a few sips from her drink, hesitant to begin. Finally, she spoke up. "Lena…I-
"You're going again aren't you?"
Meghan was surprised. "How did you-
"This isn't the first time we've had this conversation Meghan" Lena interrupted again.
"Oh. Right." Meghan realized that she shouldn't have been that surprised. They had talked about this before for Dust Line, Skull Rain, and Red Crow. Meghan recalled how excited Lena had been when she found out she was staying behind for Velvet Shell.
"Is it going to be dangerous?" Lena asked tentatively.
"No more than the others." This didn't seem to help Lena's peace of mind.
"Can you tell me where?"
"No. Not until I get back."
"How long will you be gone?"
"Maybe a month, give or take."
By now Lena was slightly trembling. "You're going to be careful right?"
"I always am. You don't need to worry about that."
"No, bullshit Meghan, I absolutely have to worry about that!" Lena snapped. By now, tears were running down her face and falling into her drink, which remained untouched. She looked down and spoke softly. "I'm sorry."
Meghan moved to the other side of the table and wrapped her arms around the smaller girl, who started quietly sobbing as she grabbed on to her as if she were leaving right this second. "I'll be okay Lena."
"You promise?"
"Of course, I've made it back in one piece all the other times, haven't I?"
"That doesn't make it any easier. What's to say this one won't be different?"
"Come on, surly you have more confidence in me than that."
"It's not that I'm not confident it's just…"
"I know what you mean." Meghan used her thumbs to wipe away the tears from Lena's eyes.
"I was so happy that you weren't going on the last one, we got to spend so much time together. I guess I fooled myself into believing you would never have to go again."
Meghan was starting to feel even worse for the girl. The two really bonded over the past year, they really considered each other as sisters. Like her mom, Meghan hated that Lena had to live with the fact that, at any time, she could get a call saying that Meghan had been hurt or killed. Lena was strong, she had supported Meghan throughout every operation, and was always there for her whenever she needed to escape once in a while, Meghan wanted to make it up to her. "I'll tell you what, when I come back, I'll take some leave. We'll hang out together just you and me, we'll do what whatever you feel like."
"What? You mean it?"
"Of course, Amelie can join us too."
"I thought she creeped you out."
"If she makes you happy, how bad can she be."
Lena's smile had returned. "I'm going to hold you to that."
"Of course." Meghan smiled back.
"You are really something Meghan Castellano."
"Look who's talking luv."
"Shut up." Lena giggled. Her chipper attitude had returned, which Meghan was happy to see.
"Well, I have a few hours before they need me back. Anything new with you?"
"Funny you should ask. Something big did happen." Lena was slightly blushing.
"Oh really, do tell."
"Well, I finally came out to my parents."
"Really?! Well, how did that go?"
"Well…to be honest, I think they already knew."
"Well that doesn't surprise me."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"You aren't the subtlest person, Lena. When you first saw Amelie, you were practically drooling." This made Lena blush again. "So how did it go with Amelie?"
"I'm fairly sure she got their stamp of approval."
"That's great! What does Amelie think?"
"She was happy that I introduced her. She was happier with the fact that I finally mustered the strength to 'show her off'."
"That sounds like her. I'm happy for you, everything turned out well."
"Yeah well, that's not all…"
"Oh, what else is there."
"Well, we just hit our one year anniversary and we decided to um…celebrate."
Meghan's face turned serious. "What?! You mean…"
"Yeah."
"I'm going to kill her!"
"Meghan, relax! It was my idea."
"Are you serious?!"
"Yes, now calm down."
Meghan calmed herself slightly. "Okay, explain."
"What is there to explain? We've been together for a year now, we felt like the time was right. I actually wanted to do it months ago, but she didn't think we were ready. She looks out for me, Meghan. Like I said, she's really sweet once you get to know her."
Meghan listened to what the girl was saying, processing every word, she took a deep breath. "Okay."
"You're not too upset, are you?"
"I guess I really can't be when you put it that way. Just make sure she knows that if she ever hurts you, I'll make sure she regrets it."
Lena laughed. "Oh, trust me, she knows."
"Good." Meghan was able to relax again. "Oh, hey. Check out what I just got." Meghan pulled out the camera from earlier and showed it to Lena.
"Is that the camera you've been searching for?"
"The exact one, a friend of mine managed to scrounge one for me."
"Looks really cool." Lena commented, admiring the relic.
"I haven't used it yet, want to do me the honor of taking the first picture with me?"
"Oh, what a privilege." Lena said sarcastically.
The two moved closer together and smiled as Meghan snapped a photo of the two of them.
"I can't wait to see it once its developed."
The two talked for a couple more hours, talking about the array of different things going on in their lives. Eventually, the time came, and Meghan had to leave.
"Looks like I have to go, we're meeting up again in an hour." Meghan looked at her watch. "I'm going to be really busy until we leave, but I promise, any spare time I have, we'll spend together."
"Okay."
Meghan hugged Lena one more time.
"You better come back in one piece."
"I will, I promise."
Lena watched as Meghan left the shop back to Hereford, as she did, one last tear ran down her cheek.
Author's note: So we get to start off Act 2 by saying hello to a few old friends. I was always planning to have Isaac and the rest of the surviving team members show up eventually. However, I wasn't originally going to have Lena appear again, but the scene seemed to fit the story so well, now she has half a chapter dedicated to her. As always, hope you enjoyed and feel free to leave a review. Until next time.