Chapter 2: It All Wrong on Calico Road

One Year Earlier:

April 9th 2010 1430 Hours

Prague, Czech Republic, Boscov Hotel

It had been a while since I had been in Europe. Even though I was constantly on the move there were only so many places on the planet I could go. The only place I really couldn't go back to of course was the states. Hell, even being in a NATO nation was risky but it's not like I had a choice if I wanted to get out of that mess in South East Asia. But considering that most people didn't know who I was gave me a bit of comfort. It still didn't change the fact that I had to keep looking over my shoulder for the last two years. Just cause I wasn't on an official wanted list, it didn't mean you were being hunted. Shadow wars are normally the dirtiest and the most unpleasant people that fight in them are the ones you don't hear about that nations want to capture or kill. That included me, and my name and exploits were made known to a lot of people. People that would shell out a ridiculous amount of money to get me to work for them. But no matter what, I kept things black and white. I chose who I was going to be employed to, at least until my anger got the better of me. That alone always kept everyone at a distance.

People avoiding me seemed to be a natural thing for me even when I was growing up. I had always been physically intimidating and having a rough voice made others think I wanted to start a fight. The real me was different though, I actually tended to avoid conflict and any time I spoke I kept it either monotone or professional as any captain in the United States Special Forces should. Some couldn't believe I was a captain despite being in my mid-twenties. But then I often forgot I was no longer part of that group, I would never be considering what I did. But I continued to keep myself physically fit and skills sharp and at the ready. Even though I technically had way more money than anyone my age should have, I always kept the way I dressed casual. A preference for black and baggy jeans along with black leather boots. The only thing that was really different about me was how I haven't had a hair cut in the last two years and it had gone down to my shoulders. As a slight breeze blew my deep brown hair to the left I noticed a woman that definitely reminded me of him, so this had to be her I was meeting.

As she approached me with her hands on her hips and a neutral type of smile normally used for introductions I couldn't help but think back to him. I'm glad that constantly smiling prick was so full of himself that he mistook me for being obedient but I guess he didn't wanna take the risk on me literally stabbing him in the back considering what he did to me. In the criminal underworld, whether it be drugs, guns, or even knock off merchandise anything could be done as long as it had a way to benefit a man's wallet. Including if that's saving your own ass. That's exactly how I got out of hot water with Kasper Hekmatyar after I killed one of his subordinate dealers and he then threw me in a shipping container for three days. He mentioned that my skills would benefit someone else as a bodyguard and that was his little sister Koko. She defiantly had an aura of mystery about her right off the bat. She was Caucasian and had pale skin with long snow white hair with piercing but gentle blue eyes. Including the fact she wore a white business dress she seemed like she was trying to portray herself as a ghost. Her name also had a mystery about it as well, her first name was of Japanese origins but like her and her brother their last name Persian. Then again I wasn't in any position to judge people on how they're named, my family always tried to sway away from the norms on how we named our children.

"So you're the infamous mercenary my brother sent?" She asked in a care free but professional voice.

"Depends, are you the woman that wants to employ in an internationally wanted killer as a bodyguard?" I answered not really caring.

She continued to smile gently at me completely unintimidated by the fact that a six foot six two hundred and eighty pound brute of a man that made a vicious name for himself in the criminal underworld by not only ranking up a huge number in both body count and property damage but also managed to escape US Military forces by driving across Kandahar by himself into Pakistan while dodging US and international authorities for the last two years.

"Rather a cold way to introduce yourself Damien, but there's never been any ice I can't melt. Now we're on a bit of tight schedule so if you could follow me."

As she lead me through the lobby my first thoughts were on how long this contract was going to be. I never really cared about first impressions or, within reason, whatever my employer at the time was up to. I had to eat and stay alive and this is what I was best at. I only just wish that it could have been something else. After a long silence we reached the top floor of the hotel and she started leading me to their suite by taking my hand as if I was some lost child.

"Step lively Captain Damien! One-two! One-two! Right-left!"

Guess this is the beginning of the next chapter of my already shitty life.

"All of my people are here, now that we've added you two the ranks that makes a total of nine bodyguards. They're an odd bunch but you'll be fine."

Dealt with my fair share of weirdo's over the years, this won't be any different.

"Normally I'd give you some time to get acclimated and settled in but like I said we're on a bit of a tight schedule and we have a bit of a problem." She continued after turning around and handing me a Browning Hi-Power pistol. "And you are going to help me resolve that problem. Think of it as an initiation to the unit and it will give us a chance to assess your skills."

Like any unit I've ever been in, you're never welcome with open arms. You always gotta prove yourself.

I waved her off and opened the left side of my leather jacket.

"I have my own sidearm, thank you."

The M1911A1 of course was an ancient gem of an automatic pistol, and I prefer the knockdown power of a .45 any day. I was also so glad that Kasper didn't decide to take all my personal gear but I was gonna have to wait to get it back until I was done with this first job.

"Comes prepared, your just earned one point."

She tucked the pistol behind her waste and continued to her suite. Two of her bodyguards standing outside the door, one black, defiantly another American, and the other looked like he was from South East Asia. Both wondering who in the world was following her.

"Mao, Wiley."

"Sup boss? And who's the big guy?" Wiley asked, him being the much older of the two with several ear rings and a peculiar hair-cut. I wondered how far back his career reached.

"You'll know once I introduce him to everyone."

She walked past them both and bursted open the door hard and there was the distinct sound of glass breaking.

"Everyone! Hi!" Not caring that she had just ruined a man's drink. And as usual all eyes tended to fall on me.

"Say hello to Damien Hannibal Andrushko."

There was an eerie silence across the room and everyone was giving me rather uncomfortable stares. Once they heard my name, they definitely knew who I was. It was a rather mixed group of individuals, different nationalities, some my age and others ahead of me by ten years but I knew that the vets of the group were Wiley and the greying haired unshaved guy on the ground with his shirt covered in wine. One that did stick out was a black haired and rather strong looking woman with an eyepatch. Koko wasn't kidding when she said they were an odd bunch. But I held my composure and just stared back. Koko got their attention.

"No need to freak out guys he's harmless and he's here to help us out." She then turned to the Asian man with a laptop. "Now Tojo, explain our pickle so were all on the same page."

"Hasn't really changed. The bastards have our container impounded at the port and the customs office wants you to give them a call. My guess is that they're gonna want a higher price than what we originally agreed on."

"They never planned on letting it through in the first place." She said not surprised as she looked to me. "You see the situation, the goods in that container belong to us and we need to get them back."

Squabbles between buyers weren't new to me. In the world I had accidentally wandered into, greed came up rather often.

"I know the deal. Search and retrieve, but I don't care about the big picture. All I need to know is what's the objective and what do I need to accomplish it."

"Lehm! Valmet!"

Stained shirt and eyepatch stood up.

That name's those two.

"We're moving out!"

1622 Hours

Highway E55, Heading Towards the Vltava River

The phone call to the so called customs official wasn't a pleasant one. Hearing "Don't cross me you bitch!" meant that this was gonna get messy.

"Funny I was gonna say the same thing to you."

She hung up rather calmly and continued to drive with me riding shotgun loading up the mags for an M4 that was loaned to me from a guy called R. Only distinct feature about him was his accent, his English was excellent but it wasn't his first language, it had a hint of Italian in it. Lehm and Valmet, I doubt that was her real name, road in a second car behind us as the rear guard. Classic convoy, or at least in this section of the world where all the locals didn't plant IED's along every major road in the damn country cause it was the only way they could fight you.

She went back to her normal non-chalant self, smiled and asked

"Well Damien, what do you think of your new team?"

From experience first impressions never really meant much. I learned not to get too attached to people anymore, they ended up either suffering or getting killed so I kept it strictly business. But in this case I would have to connect with them but not now. Teamwork always trumps the super badass and this was real life, not an action movie.

"Not a whole lot."

As I answered in my gruff but young tone she looked over at me as if she was speaking to me normally.

"Man of few words huh? I did do some research on you before you joined up. Quite an interesting past you have."

You have no idea.

"I won't bring up everything but I'll stick to the common knowledge."

I decided best not to react. If that's all she knows then that's fine.

"I know where you've lived, your likes and dislikes, how far back your family goes it the US Military, your skills and training, the way you fight, and that you work for yourself. A contract mercenary with a black and white resume, that being said caused you to have just as many enemies as you do allies."

She was anything but through but the next part came and bit hard.

"I also know why you left your…well let me correct that. Killed everyone in your last unit."

What you failed to mention was that they were fucking scum that got what they deserved.

"Can't be bothered to answer?"

I racked the bolt on the carbine and looked dead ahead. "If you know anything about me Hekmatyar you know I'm not much of a talker or what happens when my enemies back me into a corner."

"I noticed but that isn't going to cut it with this crew." I must have struck a nerve cause she didn't look at me that time. She was right though, after that fuck up from last time I would have to interact more with her and her crew. I couldn't just let them think that I was trouble the moment I walked in the door. But for now I was on the job, I'd socialize later.

1700 Hours

Rear Car

In the rear car Lehm and Valmet were contemplating on how Damien's first impression left on them.

"So what do you think of the new guy?" Lehm asked

"Kinda hard to say when I've barely heard the guy speak." She said with concern. "Koko said the guy used to be a Green Beret that went AWOL in a bad way on his first deployment to Afghanistan. You've heard of him?"

"Like most mercenaries he's got a reputation but for him it depends on who you ask. Some will say he's the most reliable man they've ever had and others say he'll rip and tear through anyone that pisses him off. Employer or otherwise."

He then placed an unlit cigarette in his mouth.

"Anything else?"

"According to the little lady he was a bit of a West Point prodigy. Graduated two years ahead of his peers and was selected for Special Forces. His records indicate he was part of 3rd Special Forces Group, so it's safe to say he knows just about everything me and Wiley were trained with."

"Really? He looks more like a meathead model out of a men's fitness magazine." She wasn't impressed in the slightest.

"You of all people should know that looks can be deceiving." He then took out his zippo lighter.

"Well he's hiding something. I just can't figure out what yet." She then gasped. "Koko could be danger! I don't like the idea of her being in a car alone with a guy like that!"

Lehm then lit his cigarette, he didn't need to figure out that she was about to go on another tangent on how much she cared for Koko and wanted to be her guardian angel.

"She's always like this, always getting too excited with new recruits, no sense of caution." She began to scowl. "Anything happens to her and I'll kill that big bastard myse-…hyuck hyuck hyuck!" It was obvious she wasn't a fan of smoking.

"Jesus Lehm! Can you wait till were done driving to get you nic fix in? I'm gonna smell like an ashtray!"

"Yeah alright."

As Lehm put out his cigarette he looked in his mirror, two white sedans came up rather close and fast.

Front Car

Scouts. Goddamnit. The rear car didn't even signal, looks like this will be a short contract.

"Miss Hekmatyar."

"He speaks! What is it?"

"I assume that this group has an SOP for a tail?"

"If you spot them then you get to shoot them! No mercy! Hard and heavy!"

Pretty simple rules of engagement as I didn't even let her finish talking as I stood up out of the sun roof and opened fire on the first sedan. I noticed first that some of the rounds weren't really getting through but then I thought of the obvious.

Armored glass don't really matter if you keep hitting the same spot over and over.

As the first sedan slid into the retaining wall I focused fire on the one behind me. Then a van came in and blocked off Lehm and Valmet. I'd let them handle that one.

"Damien!" Koko was trying to get my attention as I lit up the second car. This time I targeted the engine block and I definitely must have hit the fuel line cause the hood then caught on fire.

"Warn me before you open fire on a target! You scared the crap out of me!"

"Just floor it Koko! The real fight will be right behind them!"

1843 Hours

Highway E55, 20 clicks to the Vltava River

The third scout car, the armored van wanted to just block off Lehm and Valmet and we couldn't leave them behind. So our several hour trip turned out to be longer than we thought, it was already after dark and what was strange was the lack of traffic. My guess was that the Czech authorities knew what was happening and wanted to keep this fire fight as controlled as possible. I could see Valmet try to get that van out of their way with a Mk46 LMG but the rounds were just pinging off it. Then it got worse as I saw the vehicle coming up the onramp on our left, an armored Humvee.

I could hear him through the wind. "We'd be happy to give you ride to port little girl!"

The passenger said in a deep Czech accent wearing standard issue military gear. It was obvious by now whoever Koko pissed off, they didn't want us to get that container, he pulled some serious strings.

"Voskov 6?!" She said surprised. "Damn that old bureaucrat!"

I didn't know who they were but it's obvious they brought out the heavy hitters. Literally as they rammed our side but it was anything but a PIT maneuver. I couldn't shoot back because I would be essentially pissing metal. All we could do was either out run them or out maneuver them. But that wasn't what really caught me off guard. I saw Lehm's car pull up next to the van and I saw a figure standing on the roof.

Is she out of her fucking mind?

I guess she was as she jumped down behind the van out of my sight, it then began to slow down. Just like in World War II if you wanted to stop a tank from causing mayhem get in close from its blind spots, pop the hatch, shoot inside, and toss a few grenades in and blow it to hell. Granted we were going about 60 miles an hour but the routine was the same. How the hell she managed to do that though was beyond me. We got off the freeway and on to some residential streets looks like they didn't want to start anything real nasty but they were still following us.

"Looks like our guys took care of those trackers for us, they're still following us but at least they're not shooting us anymore."

I kept my eyes on that armored Humvee. This time she was only half right they weren't going to shoot us anymore, they were gonna blow us up! I noticed an all too familiar targeting device normally used to destroy tanks. I immediately reached for one of the grenades we had in case of emergency but I had to time the throw right or we be roasted.

"Don't think I didn't hear you call me by my first name earlier! I think your making progr-"

"KOKO! FLOOR IT!" I screamed.

The Javelin fired, I held my breath and threw the frag.

If the Javelin ATM had any flaws besides being large and cumbersome it's not a short range weapon. It was also a two stage fire weapon, it was launched out of the tube first and then ignites and goes for its target. Meaning in theory if something disrupted its initial launch it could veer off course. The frag detonated under it and the missile went towards several parked cars blowing them up.

"Ha Ha! Fuck yeah!"

"They'll be reloaded in 20 seconds!" Koko said still in tactician mode.

Falling back on my training I acted quick on my wits to adapt quickly to the situation. It's not the missile that's really the threat it's the shooter. It was going to be a hell of a shot but I just needed to hit the targeting device or the launcher. But he won't poke his head up if he knows I'm aiming at him. Or more precisely if he sees me aiming at him.

"Koko! Keep going and turn off the car's lights!"

"That won't stop the missile from seeing the car's heat!"

"It's not the missile I'm concerned about! Trust me!"

She once again smiled and shut them off, hopefully the one with the launcher wouldn't see my silhouette out of the top of the sun roof through the thermal scope.

I switch the carbine lever from full auto to semi and took aim as he stuck his head out. Once again I held my breath and pulled the trigger.

It was safe to assume that my shot made its mark as the armored Humvee exploded in a ball of fire. He must have let it fall down into the vehicle and fired.

"WOOOOOO YEAH!"

I was falling into my more green days of an enthusiastic rookie getting off on the adrenaline. I dropped back down into the seat more than satisfied. Koko's smile remained on her like it was fixed but she held out her hand for a fist bump. Naturally I connected, and I sure as hell connected in making a solid first impression on my skill set and passing the initiation. And letting her know I wasn't an emotionless drone.

The mission was not over yet, we still had to get to the port, but it looks like we were in the clear.

"You're not what I expected Damien." She said generally interested.

"I get that a lot."

"A far cry from two years ago I bet?"

In that one moment the tension became so thick you could cut it with a knife. She did a little more digging than was necessary.

"So…you really know?" I asked.

"I won't ask you to tell the whole story, just about when you left. I trusted you back there, now it's your turn to start building trust with me. Think of it as another part of the initiation."