"Unit 113-CC BC Washington DC, codename Archangel. Made up of Alpha Team, Charlie Team, and Bravo Team." Major Elliot told General Hein. "Go on." Hein replied. "All three teams have displayed valor and bravery in the war so far and have done their duty well. However I want to point out the repeated success of Bravo Team." This got Hein's attention. Putting his cigarette butt into an ash tray, he brought up Bravo Team's files. "Capt. Jamal Hunter, age 33, race African-American. Entered the service two years ago when his family moved to BC Washington D.C, served with Bravo Team for the past five years." Hein saw Hunter's face; it was the face of a caring man but with eyes that would send a Phantom running. "Sgt. Logan Maxwell," Elliot continued, "age 42, race Caucasian. One of the few survivors of New Orleans. Was with Unit 223 Deep Eyes for a few months in New York, transferred to Washington DC and was put in Archangel." Maxwell's face showed mental scars of past battles. The bushy mustache and caring eyes showed signs of a passionate father and husband; something Logan used to be. "Lt. Ariel Ramirez, age 29, race Latin American. Worked as a mercenary before the war broke out, was put in with Unit 113 with Logan, has been there since." Ariel was simply drop-dead beautiful. There weren't many good looking girls in the UNMF, but this chick proved otherwise. "Cpl. Angel Machiko, age 34, race Japanese. Acted as a dropship pilot in the UNMF, one of the few survivors of the Tuscan Massacre. Transferred from BC Texas to BC Washington DC." Hein thought to himself how this team could get so many beautiful girls. Even though Dr. Ross in New York was prettier, Angel wasn't too far behind. Skimming through the last of the files, Hein found an unusual photo of a young kid, looked to young to even be in the military. "What about this new one, this Richard Carmichael?" Hein asked, pointing to the photo. "Oh, Pvt. Richard Carmichael, age 19, race Caucasian. He transferred from London Defense Forces to the UNMF and he ended up with Archangel."
Hein stood up and peered out the window of the military building. Outside he saw the faint golden glow of the barrier and saw activity on the ground. A dropship had just landed and the crew was leaving it. "Major, I'm going to assume that this team returning is them." Elliot looked out of the window and replied, "Yes sir, that's them. They've just returned from a marking mission. Apparently from the smoke rising in the old city, I'd say it was a success." Hein however wasn't listening. He saw them one by one remove their helmets. The youngest one, Richard, was laughing with Logan who easily towered over the entire group. The two women were walking to decontamination. Then he saw Capt. Hunter, looking up at him. Hein knew Hunter couldn't see them, but he was damn sure trying to. Soon after one of his soldiers called him, he walked off into decontamination. "Should I send for them sir?" "No, there's no need. We'll keep Unit 113 here for the moment Major. If nothing new comes up in the next few weeks, I'll send an order for you to transfer them to New York." "Yes Sir." The two left the room and entered a nearby elevator. "Major, let me ask you something." "Sir?" "How long has the Zeus been done?" "In two weeks it'll be almost a month." Grunting, Hein crushed his cigarette in his gloved palm. "The council keeps postponing its firing. They've been focused on keeping the barriers active and perfecting new healing methods to stop Phantom infection." "Isn't that the area that that doctor is in? What's his name? Sid?" "Yes, Dr. Gaius Sid. Along with Dr. Aki Ross. The council is focusing more on their department then with the one offensive capability that we have. Those two are up to something other then bio-etheric healing methods. Something else. I don't know what though." "Well sir the council is meeting in New York in a few weeks. I'm sure we'll be able to draw it out of them then." "Let's hope so Major, because I feel that we'll have to take matters into our own hands if proper "action" isn't done."
"God, I don't know how you yanks deal with decontamination scanning while awake." Ricky groaned as he stepped out of the scanning chamber. As Angel stepped in, she looked over and asked, "What in God's name are you babbling about Ricky?" "The scanning! Hell back in Britain, our bunks have built in scanners that decontaminate us in our sleep. I'm still puzzled on how you people do it after a mission, while standing up!" "To make sure the Skinnies don't infiltrate the city." Jamal said as he stepped into the scanner. "These things maybe uncomfortable but their always accurate and detect even the smallest Phantom particles." "But these things leave me so woozy and dizzy afterwards." "He's right you know," Logan said, "I've gotta friend in Unit 223. Ryan Whittaker, he researched a little into the scanners, they cause more harm to us then the Phantoms." "But hey, rules are rules, believe me this isn't the most fun job." The man monitoring the scanner told them. "Hell that's your problem." Jamal said with a smirk as he left the scanner. "Ok you guys are clean, you're clear to go." "Thanks Doc." And with that, Bravo Team left for their own quarters.
Thunk went the knife as it pierced the wall. Logan got up and pulled the knife from the makeshift bull's-eye he crafted from cardboard and red paint. It hung on the nearby wall in the guys' room and his constant throwing had left several marks and slits in the wall. He threw it again and it hit the center circle with a loud Thunk. Logan got up and retrieved his knife. Jamal, reading a little from a novel, would give a small shudder when the knife hit the wall. Ignoring it, he buried himself deeper in the book. Ricky on the other hand was trying to watch the BC News but Logan's knife throwing had finally pissed him off. "For the love a God, WILL YOU STOP THROWING THAT BLOODY KNIFE AND GO TO SLEEP!" "I can't sleep." Logan said as he launched the knife again. "Neither can we, with your damn target practice." "Then why are you watching TV and the skipper reading?" "Well what are we gonna do? Just stare at the ceiling until you go to sleep?" "I dunno, you tell me." Jamal was snickering quietly at the two arguing. Ricky and Logan were friends but they bickered like siblings. "It's amazing how you haven't gotten in trouble for destroying military property." "I don't think Major Elliot is that strict. What's more important, a couple of dents in the wall or Phantoms getting into the city?" "By the way why are you training so much with that knife? I doubt a Skinny would be hurt by it if our rifles can barely take them down." "You never know when a knife can come in handy." Logan replied and threw a knife again. Thunk! Finally a loud knock came on the door. It opened to reveal a half-asleep but very pissed off Ariel who was holding a small metal pipe in her hand. "GIVE ME THE KNIFE LOGAN!" She said without a smile. Logan looked up at Jamal in his top bunk and asked, "A little help sir." Jamal however had rolled over in his covers with his back turned to Logan, "don't look at me, she outranks you and I'm off duty for the moment." Logan sourly handed the knife to Ariel and in one quick move she slammed the knife on a desk and shattered the blade with the pipe. "We've been up since midnight doing this mission and it's just 2 in the morning. Now reveille starts in about six and a half hours and I don't know about you cockheads but us ladies would like some shuteye before we have to get up. So in other words…GO TO SLEEP AND THAT'S A GOD DAMN ORDER!" Ariel screamed and left the room, slamming the door behind her. Logan was pouting while Ricky was trying to hear the last of the news. Jamal though was laughing hysterically under his covers. "What's funny skipper?" "Oh nothing…nothing at all. But seriously guys let's at least try to get some Z's before reveille alright." "Yes Sir." Ricky said and switched his TV off and rolled up in his covers. "Yes Sir." Logan said as he climbed into bed and secretly pulled a dagger from his boot and tossed it at the wall one last time before rolling up in his covers. He heard Ariel give off a loud growl and he secretly laughed before dozing off. Even though their mission was over and they had earned a good night's sleep, their adventures were just beginning.
To Be Continued…