As soon as they left the transport after they arrived in New York, Jamal and the rest of Bravo Team gasped at the sheer size of the Barrier City. D.C had nothing on New York. New York was easily twice the size of the D.C. BC. They nearly got lost trying to find their way to the barracks. "Jesus Christ! How in the hell could you Yanks build something like this? There isn't a BC anywhere in England or Europe that is close to this size." Ricky said. "I never knew that New York was this big." Ariel added. "Our barracks have to be around here somewhere." "Well I'll be damned." Logan said. "What?" Jamal asked. "RYAN! RYAN YOU BIG BASTARD!" Jamal looked over to see Logan running towards a big black man who looked about the same age as him. He was the same size as Logan and judging from his bulging arms, just as strong. "Ryan, god damn man it's good to see you." "Logan. I didn't know you would be here. What are you here for, business? I thought you and the 113 were stationed in D.C." "We were, until Major Elliot decided to transfer us here because of our valor in the line of duty. Hey Captain, come here a sec." Jamal and the rest of Bravo Team walked over. "Ryan, I'd like you to meet Bravo Team. That's Angel, Ariel, Ricky, and our skipper Jamal." "Nice to meet you…um?" Jamal asked as he extended his hand. "Whittaker," Ryan said as he shook his hand, "Sgt. Ryan Whittaker Unit 223 Deep Eyes."
"Pardon me Sergeant," Ricky asked, "but we were wondering if you could show us the barracks. We're new here and frankly we've never seen such a big fucking place like this." "Sure thing kid. Be glad to. Any friend of this big palooka is a friend of mines." As the group walked off to the barracks, Jamal's curiosity began to kick in. "So Sergeant, tell me, what exactly do many of the Units in New York do?" "Nothing much Captain. Most of em are assigned to protecting the council leaders and keeping civil order in the streets. You don't have to worry though. City Clearers aren't even necessary around here." "What does Deep Eyes do?" Angel asked. "We're a Combat Recovery and Police Unit. We help the civil guards keep the city streets safe but we also go out into the old city to keep Phantom density down as best as we can. If they start getting close to the city then we get out there and beat their asses back into the old city. Well here it is." "Thanks Sergeant," Jamal said, "We'd probably be lost if it weren't for you." "Don't mention it. Hey if you guys aren't doing anything, maybe you could come down to the Rec Room. Meet the Deep Eyes. We'll help you get acquainted to the base." It's in that building over there." "We'll be delighted to, thanks Sergeant." Jamal said. 'Please sir, call me Ryan."
When Bravo Team reached the Rec Room, they discovered that their old base's room had nothing on this one. It was twice as large and had twice the number of soldiers in it. "Hey there's Delta and Alpha." Ricky said. "Come on, let's go see them." Angel said. Ariel, Angel and Ricky ran over to them but Logan and Jamal stayed and sat with the Deep Eyes. "Glad you could join us," Ryan said, "Guys I'd like you to meet the Deep Eyes. This is our Captain, Gray Edwards and these two are Corporal Jane Proudfoot and Neil Fleming." "Nice to meet you guys." Gray said. "The pleasure is mine Captain." "Please, don't worry about all that rank shit here." Gray said. "Yea," Neil added in his New York accent, "as long as you aint in front of General Hein, rank isn't an issue between us." "So you guys are from the 113 huh?" Jane asked. "Yep," Logan replied, "City Clearers." "Are you shitting me?" Neil asked. "You're telling me that you guys are Phantom fodder?" "Well, us and that group over there." Jamal said pointing over at Alpha, Delta and the rest of Bravo Team. "Never thought I'd see the bravest and craziest sonsabitches face to face." "Well to each his own Gray." Ryan said. "How do you guys do that shit? I mean they have to pay you guys extra or something. I mean they couldn't pay me a million dollars to go into a Phantom nest for even a minute." Neil said. "Well they do call us the craziest bastards in the whole military." Logan replied. "It must be easy here," Jamal said, "I mean doing nothing but guarding the council members. Isn't that Dr. Sid guy here in New York? He's like the head of the bio-etheric department isn't he?" "Yea he is." Gray said. "He's got a partner doesn't he. Some hot chick I think, Asian-American girl. I saw her in the news a couple of times." Logan said. "Yea…he does." Gray replied with a gruffness in his voice. "Well I can say for all of Deep Eyes it'll be a pleasure working with you guys." Ryan said. "We look forward to it." Logan said. "Now if you'll excuse us. We've gotta go show these people how to play pool around here." Logan added and he went off to a group that had gathered around a pool table. "Hell not if we do first. Neil, Jane, let's go. Capt. you coming?" Ryan said. "Na, you guys go on. I'm gonna have another drink then go to bed." Ryan shrugged his shoulders and went off to join the group leaving the two captains at the table. One was thinking about his former love and if he'd live long enough to see her again. The other wondering if he and his team would live period.
To Be Continued…