Chapter 45: The Next Step

February 1st 2011 1200 Hours

SOCOM Operations Room "The Wolves Den", The Pentagon, Washington DC

"Shadow 5-5 this is Abyss. The Candle is about to be lit. Ensure that does not happen."

"Copy that Abyss. Candle will remain unlit until it's in our possession."

A majority of the US military's current operations were focused on the Middle East but that did not mean that Special Operations Command faltered in its other duties around the world. Especially with the ever growing amount of violence happening just south of the United States border. For decades even before the turn of the millennium, life became cheaper by the country the further south you traveled. But the drug cartel violence in Mexico had continued to spiral out of control and was slowly becoming a second Columbia of the 1980's. Gangs such as the Los Zetas the Sinaloa were growing more powerful and more violent with the trade in drugs and their ruthlessness had installed immense fear on the citizens of Mexico. Their government had failed in every attempt so far in order to quell the violence but a majority of those failures were in part of the ever growing reach of the cartel's influence. If they were not bought off, then they were killed. The true body count of how many people, both innocent and guilty, had climbed to where there were more dying in the span of a year instead of an actual warzone such as Iraq.

"Sir, Shadow 5-4 and 5-3 are in position as well. Predator drone is on standby." A staff member said.

"Very good Alice. Target will be marked before they clear the block so remember that it will be danger close Lieutenant Foster."

"Safety's on sir. I won't fire unless they say so." He said with his eyes glued to the drones live feed.

Now the violence had started to spill over into US border cities and towns. Illegal immigration had been a problem in the United States for years but when bullets start coming across the border there was little argument made in order for US SOCOM, along with other federal agencies, to earn its pay. The Mexican government had already asked the US for help but they were already helping the DEA in making their jobs easier by going into places they legally couldn't. There were few that the US still trusted in the Mexican government, primarily because of the cartels reach and influence. So the US government didn't involve itself more than it needed to unless it was absolutely necessary. But in the simplified version, it really wasn't anyone else's problem but Mexico's. But Marcus Andrushko wondered how much longer it would be until people would start screaming enough was enough. He saw it more times than he cared to mention first hand. Iraq was an example a lot of people like to use but many tend to forget that just as the US had started to ramp up it's War on Terror the Congo had ended its second civil war and had close to four million people dead in the span of four years. There weren't really any large scale battles either. Most of it was just the militia's and guerrilla groups terrorizing the locals and leaving such a mess in their wake it made Somalia seem tame and controlled. People just tend to watch what happens and only when it spills out of ones own borders do other nations start getting jumpy. He was sick of it and glad that once spring came around that he would be done with it and let someone else handle it. But until then, he had a job to do. That was making sure the Delta Force team he was directing all got home alive.

"All Shadows this is Abyss. Candle is in the candelabra. Stand by."

On the main monitor was a down looking satellite with a thermal scan of a section of the Mexican city of Nogales just over the border in Arizona. A prime entry point for drug shipments into the US but interrupting a shipment was not the main objective. No matter how many drugs that either get intercepted or destroyed, another shipment makes it through or takes its place. But not having the money to do it though makes a drug czars entire operation grind to a screeching halt. Even better if someone can access his own funds, which one of the Los Zetas lieutenants was about to deliver to his distributors. The Delta's mission was simple; apprehend the accountant, or the "Candle" and make him tell them everything he knows about how to access his boss's money. Everything else was expendable.

A three vehicle convoy had just parked outside and several people had entered a rather crude looking hotel. An effective disguise for a multi-million dollar deal about to go down. Outside in the alley behind it were five trucks, most likely loaded with cocaine, ready to depart the moment payment was confirmed. Inside though was a Delta Force team ready to engage the cartel members one floor below them. Earlier, they had casually cleared the floor of guards with the perfected art of the silent kill. Another was down the street in plain clothes preventing their escape route and a third was painting the building with a drone strike as well as providing sniper support two streets over.

"This is Shadow 5-3 target identified as a male with a dark blue shirt and gold trimmed sunglasses. He has the transfer case too."

Slightly annoyed by the operators lack of radio security on what they were looking for on the accountant. The General ignored it and took his place in the center of the room crossing his arms and focusing on the main screen. He then let them off their leashes.

"Copy that. All call signs you are clear to engage. Apprehend the Candle."

Although it was fairly quiet inside The Wolves Den, what was happening on the other side of the screen was the same type of controlled chaos that had happened in war. What followed were muffled gunshots and shouts of orders in both English and Spanish. A blast then came on the screen of one of the delivery trucks outside thanks to a conveniently placed demolition charge planted on it by the team inside the hotel earlier. That kept the trucks in the alley so that they couldn't get away. Andrushko had been in these types of operations before so he knew all of the risks they were going through. He remembered the confined spaces of urban warfare. When indoors cover was either little or poor and how what could be on the other side of a simple door could mean life or death. Streets were just as worse with the enemy frequently having the high ground and could hit you from any direction. Now here he was as the one that directed where the players would go. All he could do was trust in his fellow Special Forces that they would perform their tasks above and beyond the best of their abilities.

"Abyss! Target is on the move! They're holding us back! Too much incoming fire." One of the Delta's said through the chatter.

"5-4?" The General said calmly.

"Already on it sir."

As the accountants convoy was about to reverse out of the area the overwatch team then directed sniper fire to stop the rear car. As well as provide suppressing fire on the entrance and windows to the bottom floor of the hotel so that the cartel members couldn't leave the building without getting picked off. It took them five dead men later to figure out running into the street was a bad idea. As the center car then collided with the rear car filled with dead passengers that was supposed to be its rear guard it then sped forward. This was to divert the escaping accountant directly into the plain clothes team. Thanks to some placed Claymore mines they then disabled the lead vehicle and its occupants with 800 steel ball bearings. The thin framework of the car did little to stop the high velocity moving shrapnel from ripping apart its occupants. Some of the staff reacted in being glad they didn't have to witness the carnage that was left over from the explosion. While the cut off team was busy with the accountant, the General tuned into the team that was under fire.

"5-5 the Candle is about to be taken. Disengage and fall back to the rendezvous."

"Copy that Abyss! Everyone fall back!"

Andrushko then covered the microphone with his hand so to not interrupt the radio traffic.

"Foster divert the Predator toward the hotel now, we need to trap as many of them as we can in there."

"Sir they're still not clear." The Air Force Lieutenant said concerned.

"Calm down kid I promised Sam and his boys a case of Blue Label and whole side of beef for when they get back to Goldwater. I don't want to be called a liar. Bishop?" He called to another one of the staff.

"Shadow 5-3 has the accountant and the wire transfer case, sir. They're falling back."

"Shadow 5-5 have you made it to the sewer? The curtain is about to fall."

"There's a truck parked over the hatch. Our route's cut off!"

"Shit!" Andrushko cursed as he looked over the screen.

The flashing beacons indicated Shadow 5-5 and where they were on the map of the city on a different screen. Darting his eyes around and doing some quick calculations in his head, The General acted as the pathfinder for his men on the ground.

"Alright cut left down the alley and move two buildings over. There'll be another entrance there. You won't be able to make a discreet exit, but it leads you back on your path. Move!"

"Abyss this is Shadow 5-4 are we clear to laze the target?" The overwatch team was getting impatient.

"Not yet. You still have men in the killzone."

A tense minute had passed. Andrushko had took more than enough time to properly plan the battle so that the outcome would come out in the Delta's favor. Memorizing the map of the city had helped too. If any hiccups happened he would then improvise.

"Sir the Predator's in range for air strike. All I need to know is where I'm aiming."

"5-5?" Andrushko asked gritting his teeth.

"We're clear! 5-4 paint the target!"

"On it!"

The confirmation tone then immediately sounded on Lieutenant Foster's screen. Highlighting the hotel's target coordinates on his HUD. Foster then did his part.

"I have tone. Weapons lock. Firing!"

On the screen came a beeping that stayed at a steady rhythm until it stopped and the hotel then exploded in a blurred cloud of smoke on the main screen. A muffled explosion could be heard from Shadow 5-4's radio.

"Target destroyed. Falling back to the rally point."

"This is 5-3. We have the candle and it's wick is unlit."

"Copy that. You know what to do. Once you have the wick, melt down the candle."

The staff had already been briefed on how this operation had been labeled as top secret. So it was no surprise to anyone that an execution order was just given. The Justice Department only needed to find out how to access the accounts of this one rather large chapter of the Zetas. They'd didn't say how they would get it and they didn't really need to have someone lead the way for them.

"Yes sir." The Delta member said without hesitation.

"Over and out." The General then relaxed his posture, took off his headset, took a deep breath and addressed the room. "Great job everybody. Mission accomplished."

A slight applause and shouts of victory then filled the operations room below the Pentagon. But Andrushko knew that this was just one more battle in a long war that he knew he would not live to see the end of.

1400 Hours

Joint Chiefs of Staff Meeting Room "The Tank"

No matter what the mission, big or small, there were always the debriefings. This one however had a lot more brass to appeal along with a video call to MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. Andrushko kept it short and to the point as he finished up.

"They're already on their way back and will be at Goldwater within the hour Admiral."

As he finished up with his fists behind his back, Admiral Olson then looked to his chief tactician with a grateful acknowledgment.

"Well done Marcus. Keep in touch and we'll discuss your next assignment."

"That's if I'll be around to do it." He whispered to himself and looking down a little sad.

"Something wrong General?"

"No sir. Just an unimportant issue that I need to discuss with you at much later date." He said readjusting his pose.

"Very well." The monitor feed then cut off, leaving the General with the heads of each of the nations armed forces.

Even with two stars on his chest, he felt rather overwhelmed by the levels of military power that was in front of him. But more often than not some of the men that reach these types of positions tend to lean towards the political spectrum of things sometimes. Some senior officers resented him sometimes simply because that he started out as an enlisted man and did not come from any type of academy. That he was not of their pedigree. It was that same centuries old quarrel that had existed between officers and enlisted men. But upon seeing things from both sides, they have their strengths and weaknesses in many things but as long as they still worked together and fought the impending enemy then they would get along. Andrushko didn't care anymore though, his time was up. He then focused on Chairman Mullen for his next set of orders.

"So how did it feel being the first one to use the most state of the art combat command center in the world?"

The General kept his true thoughts to himself, it was overkill in every sense of the word. He was briefed about the development and construction of this new SOCOM Command Center months in advance. This was just the live fire test against a group that already had absolutely no chance against them. But you have to walk before you can run and this was another step in reestablishing the status of being the world's sole dominant superpower. The big problem with that though, was that if ever it wanted to achieve its full scale unrestrained potential they would also have to face another world power and that would lead to full scale unrestrained destruction. Then nobody truly wins.

"It performed exceptionally sir. Captain Beaumont and his team would have handled it well even if I wasn't looking over their shoulders the whole time." He said highlighting about wanting to give his men a little privacy.

"I know you have good faith in your subordinates but true battlefields are becoming more and more scarce. And in order for us to maintain an advantage on our enemy we have to continue to evolve."

"No argument here sir."

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs then collected his preliminary reports and straightened his tie on his Navy uniform before he addressed the rest of the room.

"If anyone else has anything to add I have to meet with the SECDEF in twenty." No one answered. "Dismissed."

Andrushko then stood and attention, made a right face and exited the room in a proper manner even though no one was looking at him. As he left the room though he saw two familiar faces talking to each other, Captain Shumaker and Agent Carlyle. His was just as indifferent as usual, the Air Force pilot though was one of concern.

"You kept us waiting Marcus." He said trying to humor him.

"Just following through. I already told Olson all of it, this was just to make it formal."

He motioned that they should walk and talk. Civilians and military personnel around them going about their daily routine. Despite its history and high publicity, on the inside the Pentagon looked almost like your average run of the mill office building with a few extra decorated rooms. Only difference was its level of security and information flow. The sanity of the sheer amount of it was questionable.

"I thought you didn't care."

"I still don't. I absolutely hate earning points just by looking good. I seriously doubt any of them have ever truly been on the receiving end of gunfire. But I can't keep pulling the Green Beret card forever."

This was one of the more controversial things that discreetly happened when no one was looking. Andrushko never detested other officers that were above or below him unless they did something that was truly wrong. But he had more respect for those that were not only natural leaders but also went through the same hardships as their men did. Especially if they came under fire. He could at least take comfort in the fact that future generations of leaders would be actual combat veterans. With how long this war was going on, there would be quite a few.

"I find it strange that you don't like Generals even though you're one yourself."

"Well I find it stranger that you work for National Security and you tend to focus on what other countries are doing. Isn't that the CIA's job?"

While the two older men chided each other the Air Force pilot started to become agitated. The news he received of the aftermath of the raid was not positive.

"Sir I don't mean to interrupt but I need to let you know something. Full details are on the report in your office but this is urgent."

"I already know about the damn logistics network Calvin. I already discussed it with Chief Casey."

The General had actually made a false assumption. Shumaker's face grew grim.

"No sir it's not that. The drone strike caused more collateral damage that we though."

"What do mean?" The General said stopping in the middle of the hall.

Shumaker then leaned in close after seeing that everyone was out of range of a whisper.

"When the Predator missile struck the hotel it collapsed onto the opposing building. There were eleven civilian casualties so far and climbing. Mexican authorities are raising hell about what happened."

But as the Captain backed away he noticed that his commander had held the same stone faced expression he had when he asked him to clarify what he meant.

"And?" He simply said.

"Sir?" Shumaker responded unsure of the General's coldness.

"First off do not go and start blabbing off debriefs in the middle of the fucking hallway Captain."

The General crossed his arms and faced his liaison to the Pararescue Jumpers with an angry sharp scowl. He didn't have the same type of complexion or conservative haircut other General's had. He looked like he still worked for a living with a barely regulation high and tight and it looked like he forgot to shave this morning. His unnatural cold blue eyes matched the cold lack of emotion in his voice. He did not want to make a scene inside of the most powerful military headquarters in the world but he had to ensure proper discipline when it came to security matters. The agent of the NSA simply let the General do his duty and pretend like he wasn't paying attention.

"There is a reason why black ops are named the way they are. There is also a reason why that if something goes wrong we deny any involvement in said affair. We've had fifty years to perfect the art of unconventional warfare, in which we are an expert like no other. And in war, innocent people die all the time. If you think that our line of work doesn't come without risk then you should have kept flying your F-16. Now if you have anything else to say that's not up to public conversation we'll do that in my office. If not, as you were."

The Green Beret then walked off aggressively, the authority that he had earned carved a path through the hallway with both soldier and civilian knowing that he meant business. Shumaker was left behind defeated but reminded of what he had signed up for. Things were not so clear cut in this particular section of the United States military. He was also reminded that while he may have made airstrikes against insurgents in Iraq before he decided to transport PJ's, his current superior officer had killed men in fire fights or even with his bare hands all over the world. It was at it's purest form, an apex predator establishing its dominance.

"Don't let the blows keep you on the ground Mr. Shumaker." Carlyle said to get him back to his senses. "It's good that you feel that way, it keeps you human. But in our line of work you have to keep a little darkness in your heart. White knights on valiant steeds make for good story telling but reality is a little more complicated."

The agent of the NSA then left to catch up to the General, he had to give his own share of intelligence matters with what the other agencies had gathered during the previous week. With the catastrophe that happened in Budapest, Director Panetta gave explicit orders to all of his branch directors and section chiefs to be a little more open in sharing intelligence with the other agencies. But in the simplified version of why that Carlyle heard from his boss General Alexander himself, they simply were lacking in personnel to do their job because a lot of them were killed.

When General Keith Alexander was appointed as the first man in charge of USCYBERCOM, he chose former US Marine Major Peter Carlyle as his go to guy for cyber sleuthing. While his spy craft was good on its own he wasn't really an expert in computers until he managed to crack a Chinese Naval encryption in a day when a whole group of other experts had struggled for years. But now it looked like that the moment he was starting to perfect his newfound craft, it appeared that it would be turned over to civilian hands. Cyber security would be entirely civilian focused and not federal. Needless to say that a lot of senior military personnel that were privy to this information felt like that they were no longer responsible for protecting their country. Civilian oversight of the military was what made sure that it defended its country and not define it. While practical and necessary, total control over a security matter on this scale was questionable. Civilians were often susceptible to influence and this is what Carlyle thought was very dangerous.

"I know you already know but I would like to know your own personal thoughts at least." He asked.

The General then turned to the agent as with his normal tone. As if the scorning he gave the pilot had never happened.

"The Grid? Ahh…I'm all for war not being so fucking costly. But when you measure it in money and not human life it doesn't really draw out any constructive criticism."

"Well isn't war mostly destructive anyway?"

Andrushko just rolled his eyes at the former Marines poor sense of humor.

"You're not helping."

February 4th 2011 1000 Hours

Taipei, Taiwan

We had arrived in Manila before January ended and it had now been a week since we flew out and had spent a rather generous, and much more on guard, time in the capital of Taiwan. Kasper had a rather important international military conference he had to attend to that was occurring at the end of the month and he was the one that was poised to announce HCLI's new satellite network and its details to the world. The secrecy about it was still pretty tight, but then again since it was HCLI's most valued project. I still didn't really care about corporate things but the attention that Koko and Professor Amada were getting was making me more and more curious. It wasn't on my mind when we the Crimson Sparrow made port in Manila. We went straight to the airport the moment we got off the ship. But not before Koko said her proper goodbye and thank you to her brother, along with me getting another pat on the head from Chiquita. She still didn't want to drop that cub shit and Lehm didn't seem to care about her comparing us to each other again. I asked him when we drove off on which divorce did he finally realize that sticking around he was a bad idea. Like his usual lazy self he answered: All of them.

"AHH! Damn it." The coffee I got was a little too hot.

"Burn your tongue again?" Koko said. It wasn't the first time I downed a hot drink too fast.

Since we flew a little further south it gradually became warmer and it was actually pretty decent outside for it being February. The clear sky with the sun coming down almost made it feel like spring outside but it wasn't. So before we went off to our next meeting with this hardware and software manufacturer we all decided to sit down and have brunch at an open air café. I sat with Koko by ourselves and the rest of the crew as spread around the other two seat tables conservatively. We were still on high alert after Shanghai but we couldn't be paranoid, and it was a rather nice day.

"Yeah. But I'm alright. Was just thinking about Chiquita comparing me to Lehm again. She's slowly become the trope of being a blind old bat. I have ZERO intention of looking that shitty later in life."

"I heard that kid." He said in his usual carefree demeanor two tables over. Koko giggling.

"Hide it all you want Damien. But I know that the two of you along with Kasper have made amends. She's also more right than you care to admit." She said sipping her tea.

"Educate me then."

I stared out to the streets to watch people go about their daily lives. Them having no clue that an arms dealer that was a partial owner of a multibillion dollar business empire was going about her business. But they probably wouldn't be surprised.

In the economic world, Taiwan was known as one of the "Four Asian Tigers" that included South Korea, Hong Kong, and our next stop Singapore. Meaning that they had a massive industrial and economic growth rate fifty years ago and turned them into the leading financial capitals of Pacific Asia. Our next trip to Singapore was going to be more on the financial side of things but for here, Koko was just really going shopping. Probably gonna send all of this stuff to her "Toy Factory" in Port Elizabeth.

"Well you both wear shirts that wrap around you rather than fit you. Your vocabularies are very limited. No one want's to be around you both when you smoke. Laziness seems to fit you both pretty well…"

"That's WHAT we are. Not who." I said cutting her off.

She then leaned across the table and flicked me on the forehead.

"I wasn't done yet." She then sat back down. "You both also take what you do very seriously. You both want to keep all of us safe. Your both prone to lashing out with your fists instead of your heads. You both have only so many things you can really do in this world. You both have saved my life more than once."

These were the little moments where I didn't feel worthy enough to be in front of her when she was right about things. But one damn thing was for sure that I was not gonna end up like Lehm did when I got older. Truth be told I don't wanna keep living this kind of life anymore now that so many things have gone more positively for me in the last year rather than negatively. And like she said, there's only so many things I can do and my generous amount of money I have in my pocket is finite.

"And you both like Eastern European women with tattoos, black hair, big muscles, and huge tits."

As Koko said that out of nowhere, I unintentionally took a rather large gulp of still hot coffee. Not enough to burn the tongue or anything else as I kind of shot it back like if I was shooting back whiskey. The hot liquid burning down my esophagus the entire way. Not one of the more pleasant experiences I've had in my life. Plus Koko laughing at my misery broke down my pride even further.

But in hindsight, her analysis was not incorrect. That and Sophia was dressed in a lighter set of clothes for the type of day it was. People like her, myself included, can't really hide what we have.

1100 Hours

Bai Technology and Development

This wasn't the first place we had stopped by today, it was actually the third. In the simplified version Koko wanted to begin production on a specific set of microchips, data units, and all other types of electronic gizmos pronounced in five dollar words. Most likely this had to do with this "Jormungand" thing she was working on. Whatever it was, I didn't partake in as much interest in it as I did before. Koko's "persuasion" reassured that it was for something rather big besides what she said she would give me but it appeared I'd have to wait and hear it out from her when she was ready. While there were quite a few high numbers being mentioned, I did kind of tune out since what they were discussing was kind of boring. But as compared to what we usually did, I prefer boring.

"You look happy man. What's up?"

Me and the true big man of the crew Ugo were keeping watch outside of the conference room while Koko went about her business inside with Tojo and Sophia.

"I'm glad nothing is happening, that's why." I then leaned back on the wall and put my hands in my pockets.

The New Yorker then chuckled. "Wanna know something funny?"

"What?"

"I thought those exact same words until Mao shot my old boss in the head."

"And from what he told me you needed a clean pair of shorts. But yeah I get it."

I wasn't gonna slack on sentry duty, he knew this but I let him know anyway.

"I do find it a little weird that Koko's doing a decent amount of business in person out here in Asia. Normally this is Kasper's job and other than an occasional trip or two she never goes outside of Europe or Africa for this long. Even with the rocket launches it was just watch it go up and that's that. We get back on a plane and head back to Europe or the ship."

"Maybe her dad asked her to help out Kasper. Probably made a call to her when I wasn't looking. Either way I don't care. As long as we don't have a repeat of a few weeks ago."

Ugo then peeked into the conference room to check on her out of habit.

"How's your hip by the way?"

I felt the spot through the pants pocket the ragged feeling of a scar that was stitched up rather hastily.

"Still aches but honestly it doesn't compare to the second time I ever got shot." I then rolled up my right jacket sleeve. "Went right through my forearm."

"How did that happen?" He said glancing at the somewhat faded hole.

"Some asshole got a little too annoying so I started beating his face in. I didn't see his friend pull a gun on me. He was probably aiming for my head but he hit my arm when I was following up for another punch. Damn thing hurt like hell but I got him before he got me."

"You said second. When was the first?"

When Mike said that I only then realized what month it also was. Five more days and it would be the anniversary of the worst night of my life. But before anything else would come to mind Koko appeared in the doorway. It appeared that the meeting was over.

"It was three years ago. A former SEAL shot out a chunk of his side." She then poked where I was hit. I never was ticklish. "And he didn't even care that he was hit."

Mike then looked to me in shock and was probably wondering who I went up against. He didn't know the whole story, only three members of the crew did. Well technically four did and judging from the last few conversations we had before he died he was a little more informed than most.

"All done?" I asked.

"This was the last one, we're done for the day." She then looped her arm around mine again. "Lets go take some pictures of Liberty Square. I put your camera in your bag."

However before we could leave Sophia barged in between us.

"Koko it's my job to be your personal escort. I don't see the need for you to be that close to Damien."

"I said the day is over, not your task. And I don't see the difference on who would be my escort. I just chose him."

I immediately recognized the tone the both of them were speaking in. To the average eye it was just neutral discussion. But subconsciously there were sparks in between them and slowly forming into fire.

"I thought that after our talk we agreed that such methods were irrelevant."

"You are welcome to try a different approach. That is if you have any idea how that would work."

Oh crap.

As they both started to bicker I noticed Tojo was looking at them more than Mike was. Using our own unique hand signals I made sure that Ugo saw me with seriously implied urgency on my face. He knew why.

Run. Car. Now!

"I will take lead position with Damien. You can be behind me since it already makes sense."

There's the thunder.

"I won't allow him to be distracted by the certain aspects that you can't seem to cover."

And there's the lightning.

We had driven here in two cars with us in the lead with Tojo and Sophia in the rear with Koko. It sucked that I had to use him as the sacrificial pawn for this but there ain't no way in hell I wanted to deal with this shit. I'd prefer to live rather than separate those two. Plus he'd get over it. As we both slowly backed away Tojo saw us and wondered where we were going. I made a different set of motions to him.

Stay here. Don't move.

We were around the corner in the hallway and just before we got out of sight I saw the look on his face that he had been duped. The two of us then hauled ass to the elevator just as they both started to shout. Luckily for us some people were just getting off the elevator and we ducked inside and hit the close button. Just in time as I heard Koko shout to Tojo where me and Mike had gone.

"Sorry Aki baby. Your sacrifice will not be in vain."

"I know it's not my business but those two have been at each others throats since we left China. I thought Koko was glad that she was ok."

I just gave him a deadpanned stare.

"Come on man, I know you and the rest of the guys gossip when the three of us aren't around in the same vicinity. You know what that was really about."

"Well I don't have the balls that Lutz does to call it out like that cause I like keeping mine attached to me."

The elevator then reached the lobby and we headed out towards the parking garage. Taking a few pictures of Liberty Square seemed like a good idea and by the time we got there the two of them would have cooled off. My phone then rang and obviously I didn't answer it for fear of either one of two screaming banshees.

"We gonna wait for them?" Ugo asked.

"God no. Lets get out of here."

"Your funeral." He said as he then took out his own ringing cell. He didn't answer it either.

"I thank ya'll."

"Fuhgeddaboudit." He said as he hit the unlock button on the keys.

His latest toy was a black Cadillac CTS, which technically weren't even out yet, but Koko could pull the strings on anything. Nobody was gonna keep a guy like Mike from driving in style. After we both put on our sunglasses I did kinda feel like I was about to go out and collect protection money. Two massive men in a luxury sedan pull up to a business establishment normally spells trouble. But I'd deal with that once Koko and Sophia had calmed down.

"By the way I wanted to ask. I just had the keys why didn't you just take them?"

"I needed someone else to for Koko to yell at besides me once she catches up to us."

"What!? Why!?"

"Takes the pressure off of me." I said undeterred as we pulled out.

"How the hell does that work? She's gonna think I was in on this! I just got this car man I don't wanna lose it!"

"Calm down, Mikey. Just leave the little lady to me."

"Really? What happens if she decides to yell at you anyway?"

"I said I'll handle it!"

Truth be told I wasn't really planning anything that far ahead. I just wanted to get the fuck away from that storm that was brewing before I was caught in the wind. It's weird that I can avoid detection and capture if from behind an enemies line with hundreds of troops around me with no problem at all. But I can't get away from one girl and her clinginess. It also doesn't help that I don't know what to really say to another one.

Gloria Residence Hotel, Koko's Suite

2200 Hours

I was so glad that this little trip to another spot in Asia wasn't as chaotic as the last two. What I find rather bizarre though was that regardless of what happened three years ago, I technically have been in one way or another three straight years of constant conflict. I did get my breaks here and there to breathe but I was always on alert and constantly on the move. Whether it would be a new client or on the run from whatever type of authorities in whichever country I was in. But in the last ten months since I hooked up with Koko I've seen more of the world than I could ever imagine. All the spots where people and culture were at and not just spots on a map like what was normal for me for two years. I did feel a little guilty about living in the type of luxury I was in though. Disavowing my current status, a normal soldier would never be in the position I was in. At best if he'd ever come across, say a dictator's mansion or villa it would be somewhat in a state of ruin. The last time that even remotely happened besides OIF and Saddam's palace was at the end of World War Two. This level of comfort though did give me my moments to reflect on past actions and see that I had continued to make myself better than I once was. But there were still moments I was frightened of, namely the future. What was ahead of me? Would I be able to start over? Will I share it with someone?

"Come on kid your on patrol." Lehm said after I uploaded my last photo on my computer.

"Got it."

I then grabbed my ACR and made sure it was loaded. Obviously I took the M320 off so as not to look too crazy. Everyone else was already asleep. It was good that we would enjoy one more night out here before we headed off to Singapore. It had been a while since I had been to Malaysia. Despite working for a group of modern day and much more sophisticated pirates, it was one of the nicer places I went in my travels. I'd be able to take more pictures of the temples and any type of festivity that would be happening.

"By the way, what did she say before we left?"

He had to be asking about what Koko had told me at the Square before dragging me out of everyone's line of sight and hearing.

"If I ever run away from them when it concerns me again she'll strangle me with my own hair."

He then let out his one note chuckle. "I wasn't talking about Koko."

I paused for a moment to think before I went out the door to hook up with Ugo. Damning myself for not thinking about the obvious. Curious though as to why he'd even care.

"Only what was necessary." I then faced him. "That and she said you're gonna have a stroke if you keep doing this."

He just let it roll off his shoulder as he then lit up his last cigarette for the day. I then left the room and made for the end of the hallway. Chiquita's words were still fresh in my head. I couldn't believe I was actually listening to her considering almost every time we met one of us threw a punch.

"I think the reason why she finds such an interest in you is because she's never found anyone as strong willed and steadfast as her."

She was not talking about Sophia.

"I may have protected her but she never really had a chance to grow up. Floyd raised his own children to profit from war. But she now sees a chance to be her own person. I can't make you do anything. But don't let her be alone."

It was a little contradicting from what the man said to me himself but as the old saying goes, there's always two sides to every story.

"It never gets easier." I said to myself.

"With you it's damn near impossible." I froze at the voice of what came from the ultimate tomboy.

I shut my eyes and then took a single step around the corner. Ugo had to have switched with her as payback from the other half of the scorning Koko gave the two of us. Bastard. I opened them in hesitation to see a woman standing six foot three, over two hundred pounds, pitch black hair, and a single gold eye. Leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, an MP5 dangling from her hip, and a look of contempt on her face.

"Hi." I said nervously.

"Since we now have some time to ourselves. You and I need to have a talk." She then closed the distance and me taking some slow movements backwards.

Once again I can take on any man, machine, or challenge without blinking. But something that kinda transcends being human is something else. That and I also care about her.

"I'm all ears so what's up?"

"You've been avoiding me an awful lot as of recent. I don't like it."

"I'd figure I'd respect your boundaries and give you some privacy?"

Lying and not telling her the real reason wasn't the best way to start.

"Don't try and act stupid Damien. You know what Koko and I were talking about and I'm gonna end this now."

She then pushed me through the door that was the exit to the stairwell.

"Listen do we have to do this here and now? We do have a patrol to do."

She then put both of her hands on the wall keeping me in place. The look on her face was expecting truthful answers.

"I get you're the brooding silent type and I know that's not the real you. But you only act in a happier and more positive way when your around both me and Koko. So what am I to you?"

This was something I was dreading for the longest time. Now I had no choice. And I was literally treading in the dark.

"I…can't answer that Sophia."

She then slammed her hand on the wall immediately.

"I don't wanna hear that shit! I want to know..."

"It's because I don't know how to answer that! That and I'm also afraid!"

"Of what?" She asked like she didn't have a clue as to what I was talking about.

"I'm just so damn terrified of that if I take that big step I'm gonna fall off of a cliff. I don't know what "normal" is anymore. You, Koko, Lehm, Karl, and everyone else are best thing that's ever happened to me. But there's still so much that I've left in my wake that it will catch up to me eventually and I will be the cause of it. The proof of that is what happened to you. I might not be that lucky again! I don't want to lose you! If I…!"

Before I went any further she grabbed my head and pulled my lips to hers. I just shut my eyes and enjoyed the moment.

"For someone that doesn't really believe in fate you have a bad habit of thinking that everything is going to happen in the worst case scenario." She then wrapped her well-toned arms around and held me close with her well-endowed chest against mine. "So if you think that happens I'm going to be right there to prove you wrong."

I smiled. "Thank you Sophia. Was there anything else?"

"It wasn't the answer I was looking for. But I heard what I needed to hear. Now you need to show me that you mean it." She said as she started to undo my belt buckle.

"Umm…" Props for boldness. But why here?

"Don't think about it too hard." She said as she unzipped her own pants. "A woman does have her needs."

A valid point. But I didn't want her to do all the work as I leaned in for another kiss and put my hand up her shirt. Squeezing one of the massive breasts underneath as she started breathe heavily while the clatter of my rifle and her SMG collided with each other before we did. We then looked at them and chuckled as we did have to be quiet. We then unslinged them and put them against the wall before we continued. We didn't have time to get undressed and redressed since we did have a patrol to do. Her aroused look was all I needed to do to begin as she clawed her hands down my back with her hands and I leaned in and bit on her collarbone. Our carnal desires then took over us and wanted to make sure that we both satisfied each other. While trying to maintain a level of subtlety so that the suppressed moans of pleasure didn't bring any unwanted attention. I don't know which answer she was looking for, but I was honest in making sure that I would not lose her.

But if what Koko had said she'd give me would be true then maybe I could muster up the courage to make that final step in telling her how I feel. Most importantly I would see where I was going and steer away from the cliff. All of what I had right now, would mean nothing if there was nowhere for me to go.