Jormungand: Lost Redemption

by TheTrueWrath

Lost in the world with haunting memories of past sins, Damien Hannibal Andrushko a young fallen Green Beret now turned mercenary, becomes a bodyguard for a woman named Koko Hekmatyar. He will try to become the opposite of what he once was and choose to be a free man with a better heart. Will he find the peace he yearns for? Or will his soul be forever stained in blood and misery?

51. Chapter 50

Author's Note: We've reaching a big milestone with fifty chapters and we're in the home stretch of completing Act 2. I made this one twice as long and I don't think I'll be doing that again, not my style on making chapters very long. Still looking for a drawer, but I want to see if anyone can spot an special Easter Egg I put in here. One hint: Oak.

Chapter 50: Releasing His Own Tail

March 24th 2011 1145 Hours

Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida

With her two best assets waiting in Cuba, Koko Hekmatyar saw that all of the hard work and effort she had put into her plan for the last several years had finally forged her dream into a reality. Just before she departed from England she received a call from her friend Dr. Miami in Port Elizabeth stating that construction of the prototype was finished. With the design and engineering work for 'Jormungand' laid out by Professor Amada and Dr. Baburin, all that was left was someone to properly operate the system until she could train up more programmers. That was where Dr. Layla Faiza came into the picture. She shared the same type of outside the box thinking that Dr. Miami did with her expertise in quantum physics. Not to mention an excellent hacker such as her would be a tremendous benefit to the program.

"The moment we get our luggage we go straight to the docks."

"Aww come on Koko. Can't we at least get lunch at South Beach? I'm frigging starving!"

"You know it's spring break for most colleges this time of the month. You just want a chance to see some girl get drunk enough that she takes off her bikini top."

"That too. But I am starving. That wasn't a lie."

The bickering came from Koko's two always available chopper pilots, Keith Gordon and Nathan Rothrine. They had been formally briefed on the operation that Koko had been planning. They would be the insertion and extraction team with a fully loaded CH53 Super Stallion that Koko managed to procure for them and just waiting on board the Fruition to fly. Needless to say, both of them were rather excited for the upcoming operation but they both had their own expressions for it. It did draw out some odd stares from the crew. Helicopter pilots were a bizarre breed in their own right. It was natural that they were laid back but more often than not whenever they got bored they started something just for the sake of breaking up said boredom.

"God you two argue more than my grandparents. Why don't you both just tie the knot and be done with it?" Tojo said.

Gordon then straightened the collar of the brown bomber jacket he never seemed to take off, even in the heat of the southernmost part of Florida. He knew what Tojo was trying to do and the former JSDF officer didn't stand a chance. When it came to wit, Gordon pulled out all the stops.

"Oh please. Despite his sexy scar, I'm not one for red heads. Horrible tempers."

"You gave me this cut on my face you dick hole." Rothrine said losing a bit of his temper.

"See my point?"

Despite Rothrine's scathing comment to Gordon, he was grateful to him for saving his life. In the early stages of The Iraq War when they were both Warrant Officers, they had to extract a rifle squad that was cut off from their company during the First Battle of Fallujah. Gordon was the one flying their UH60 Blackhawk at the time and came in too low despite Rothrine's warnings. He said that he wanted to give the door gunners the best possible shots.

The heavy amount of rifle and machine gun fire blasted through the cockpit and a PKM round hit Rothrine in the side of the face as they were landing. Seeing his co-pilot injured he landed somewhat roughly and awfully close to the cut off group of American troops. The next moment he proceeded to get Rothrine out of his seat and apply first aid since his gunners were occupied. It took an extra several seconds after the last soldier was on board to finish but Gordon then jumped back in his pilots seat and got out of the hot zone before the insurgents had a bead on his chopper with RPGs. The adrenaline rush of the moment made Keith Gordon think that minutes had passed but he managed to land the chopper without damaging it, apply first aid, rescue the US soldiers, and bug out in less than 45 seconds. An insanely short period of time. But to Gordon, he just lived up to his call sign of 'Flash'.

All while this was occurring there was a former Colonel in the JSDF waiting for them when they all came from the main terminal. He had been more than aware of Koko's actions and stops throughout Asia. Not to mention what she was compiling together to build. Her actions didn't draw attention from the CIA alone.

Shanghai, Taipei, Singapore, Osaka, and now the US from Europe? Koko and her team are keeping busy. I wish the Director wasn't so jumpy on this. Don't have a choice now.

Hinoki then checked his watch and the moment he looked up from it, he saw the lady with white hair and her crew. He hoped he could dig some more information out of Koko about the Global Grid but she had a knack for playing things off. They were right on schedule, but there were two new faces that replaced two familiar ones. One, from the reports he got, never thought would leave her side. But wherever he was, he was acting on her behalf and Hinoki could only guess what he was doing. He only stepped in their path with a welcoming smile once she saw him.

"Mr. Hinoki, back from the beach I see. You look well."

"Likewise. I do apologize for meeting you here under these circumstances but we need to talk."

Koko didn't believe for one second that Hinoki was here by coincidence. But he didn't really have any means to stop her so she wasn't at all concerned.

"Sure that won't be a problem. We can talk while everyone else eats."

"Oh thank God." Gordon said behind her looking up to the ceiling relieved.

1205 Hours

Hinoki may have not have that many ways to stop her from boarding the Fruition and leaving, but the man who was three burgers in from his lunch still had some methods. He also ruined his opportunity to talk to HCLI's heir without him knowing. Koko though, saw this as a two pronged attack and not in the mood for his type of company. However what she didn't know was that Hinoki was here by himself. He had no such orders to work with Chief Black.

"Miss Hekmatyar! You like burger joints too right? I'd knew you'd pick this place."

Koko just ignored the formalities and decided to counter attack.

"Everyone…" Her crew looked to her. "Order whatever you want. Lunch is on the CIA."

As the crew unanimously smiled and made for the counter, Bookman realized he had been duped.

"Aw shit. At airport prices that's gonna leave a mark."

"It can't be much worse that what you've ordered. Your table's filthy."

Bookman ignored the quip. "Oh well. Take a seat Koko. Colonel, you too. I hear the NSA has been using your services quite a bit these days."

Koko waited until Valmet got her order and sat next to her. Friendly conversation or not, she wouldn't let her be alone with two spy's. It didn't matter that they were old men.

"Well I've only decided to cash in the job offer they gave to me years ago. And it was time to move on from the Johohonbu anyway."

"Well let me offer you some professional advice. Head back to the Bahama's. Keep hanging around with this crowd and you're gonna get burned."

"Mmm. General Alexander did let me know what to expect from you. But I have to say, rather crass greeting from a man of your stature. All I'm here for was just to make sure I followed up on the Global Grid and I have. I'm heading home not long after this."

"Well how are they responding to this at the NSA?"

"Hell if I know." He said as he took a straw to his mouth.

Koko saw that this was just typical spy talk between the two men. No clear cut conversation, just calculated guesses on what the other was doing until the focus was directed to her. And she knew it.

"Well as usual the NSA is behind the times and barking up the wrong tree. The real story is with this little lady." Bookman said pointing his burger at her.

"Nothing to see here. I promise." She said innocently.

"I doubt that. HCLI's actions have upset a lot of key US military officials. Including a lot of officers that are privy to this kind of information feel like they've just been spat in the face."

Bookman's tone changed from casual to serious. Koko expected him to get to the point, but not that quickly.

"Koko's only doing what she's best at, her job. Nothing more. Why should she care about what a bunch of old men think?" Valmet said on her behalf.

"Well Major Velmer it's because of what someone might do if they're pushed too far. Not everything we do is done from the top down. The NSA may not be very concerned with all of this and Director Panetta has been focusing on Afghanistan as of recent, but I'm still worried. You should keep in mind Miss Hekmatyar that my operation is to protect you."

Koko looked like he just offended her in the worst possible way. She believed that Bookman must have thought of her to be a complete idiot. He was only 'protecting' her until he could find a way to get hands on her project. But she wouldn't let him, and just smiled.

"Wow. Does everyone on your side see something as a part of some big old conspiracy? Being paranoid isn't an operation it's an obsession."

"My dear Koko…" He then took off his glasses to clean them. "The modern world is made of conspiracies. I myself don't even have enough time to sleep because of people like you. People with such power and money that can be used for better things are skulking around the underworld. At least I have time to eat."

"You ever consider that you'd might be doing too much of that?" Damien's sarcasm had continued to rub off on Valmet.

"That's enough Valmet. Let the man finish." Koko said restraining her sister.

Bookman didn't mind though. He just put his glasses back on and patted his stomach.

"You've made a full trip around the world. Rather nice places too and Miami is no exception. But I know that you're not wandering around looking at the beautiful scenery. We've crossed a line in the sand a very long time ago. But the next step you take will be from working within the system to trying to destroy it. Cross that, and not even I will be able to help you anymore. Just keep yourself, your team, and your boyfriend away from the enclave."

The table went silent. Hinoki just looked at them both. Valmet glared at the CIA Section Chief. But Koko wasn't even phased by his threat. She just rested her chin on her hand and looked to her bodyguard.

"What do you think he would say at a time like this?" She asked.

"Something direct with a lot of profanity." Valmet answered immediately. And Koko looked back to Bookman.

"You think digging up those insignificant facts and sticking your nose into my business is going to do anything to protect your precious system? What are you trying to save Bookman? With the world heading down a steep decline, is there even a system left to uphold?"

Koko was about to go into one of her philosophical ponderings again. Bookman knew this and let her continue. Curious to know what she would say.

"Here's a hypothetical, a utopia appears…" She then stood up and leaned over the table. "But you won't celebrate it. You defend the current world order which you see is just. Change is what you fear and anyone who pushes for a new order is the enemy. In your mind if you cannot maintain the status quo, you've failed your friends, your family, and your country."

Bookman knew that Koko was trying to get into his head but he didn't flinch at her threat either. As a matter of fact, George Black welcomed change. Anything that would be better, he would support without question. It would only solidify his codename of 'Bookman'. Even after all these years as a spymaster, he was still a scholar at heart.

"Interesting." He then leaned back on the booth. "I'd think I'd like to see this new world of yours."

Koko then gave the rallying signal to the team. She wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. They were on a time table now.

"Like I said it's only a hypothetical."

1345 Hours

Flight 441 to Dulles International Airport

Not long after Koko and her team left, Bookman was on a flight of his own back to Langley. He knew that Koko was going right towards Cuba but he didn't have any evidence on her. With the sudden spike in intelligence focusing on the Middle East as of recent he could use a few workarounds to either intercept her or stop her. Her ship could have went a hundred different directions towards Cuba so tracking her at sea wouldn't have worked. Drones could only fly so far and getting satellites to look would take up too much time. He'd call a man who owed him a favor later but he started off with his number two, Narville, back in Virginia.

"Did Hinoki head back to the Bahamas?"

"No. He postponed his trip back by two days. Our tail says he's heading right back to Fort Meade."

"Good. He took the bait. Let our source in Cuba know not to take the Rabbit out of it's hole unless it comes directly from me." He then hung up. "These next few days are going to be ugly. There's no way around it."

1730 Hours

Ft. Meade, Maryland

Youske Hinoki was about finished for the night. His orders from the Director were to maintain a closer eye on HCLI and only if their national security was threatened, would they respond. But what they weren't understanding is that HCLI was not the threat. It was Koko Hekmatyar, and it was nearly impossible to convince senior Executive officials that a twenty something year old girl was a threat to the United States.

He'd have better luck if he'd slept on it and tried again tomorrow but he had a visitor. A well-dressed gentleman with well-kept dirty blond hair and glasses. He may have appeared to be just lanky office drone but he could kill a man seventeen different ways with his bare hands.

"Mr. Hinoki, so nice to finally meet you. I'm Commander Torrey Plame, US Navy. I've just come from Coronado and have taken command of the Special Collections Unit."

The Colonel felt a firm handshake from the SEAL. He knew what he was, as well as the somewhat lame unit name handed down from NAVSPECWAR.

"It's a pleasure Commander. But I don't know why you want to come to me. I'm only a consultant."

"Hey now. No need to sell yourself short Colonel. This is quite the honor to be in the presence of Japan's greatest spymaster. And that's no exaggeration." He then took a seat opposite the Colonel's desk. "I understand you've got the ears of quite a few people around here, including General Alexander. He passed along some information to my boss Admiral Olsen who put me in charge of a special case. It appears that we have confirmed the possibility that there will be an attempt to abduct a high value asset from Guantanamo Bay. I needed to get your thoughts on this before we go any further. Naturally I'm not at liberty to discuss who is the source of this intel."

Hinoki did his best not to react but it wasn't just because of a threat on a US naval base. It was that he had realized he'd been played by Bookman.

It has to be Black. But Plame said this came down to him. Meaning that Bookman's network reaches as high as the Presidents National Security Advisor. Incredible, Bookman's taken me out of the loop and he's so far up even I can't touch him. Alexander clearly wants no part in what this has become. He's just passed this onto SOCOM to cover his own ass.

…

Son of a bitch. I took the bait and that fat weasel reeled me right in.

"This sounds awfully troubling." He said calming himself internally. "How do you plan to deal with this threat? That is if you are allowed to tell me?"

"Well you're mostly right. I'm not allowed to say, but you do have proper clearance. I know that you know of Koko Hekmatyar. And given her real and rumored recent events we believe that she is the mastermind behind this planned extraction. She's planning on abducting a hacker we have detained at the Camp No facility, code named 'Chatty Rabbits Foot'. We've had an extra security detail there for the last two weeks and according to all of our reports there hasn't been any type of suspicious activity that would warrant her extraction from the site. As you know, Camp No is a black site and 'Chatty Rabbits Foot' is it's closely guarded asset. If Koko and her crew attempt such a raid, we will eliminate them with extreme prejudice."

"Who's the security team?" The Colonel asked even though he already knew.

"Well it's not DEVGRU, they just came off of a training mission and are about to leave for another tour in Afghanistan. This is one of their sister teams, SEAL Team Nine. Code named 'Night Nine'."

It was the final confirmation that Koko had become a very dangerous threat. So much so that Hinoki was surprised to hear that the big guns were being brought out to stop her. A large powder keg was slowly being filled in Cuba, and all it would take is one spark.

March 26th 2011 1900 Hours

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC

The nights in the US Capitol had been considerably quiet since the spring began. Naturally there weren't a whole lot of people on the streets. Even fewer near the White House, but that was normally for security reasons. Two gentleman that did have the clearance to be there though sat on a bench in winter dress coats. One was facing towards the Presidents home on his phone. The other towards the interior of Lafayette Square with a bag of chicken wings.

"You gave the go ahead for Night Nine without authorization."

"Mr. Clapper that's impossible. I filed all the paperwork for an official request."

"Seems that request hasn't made its way through proper channels. It doesn't matter if it's SOCOM or the Joint Chiefs. The military is still run by civilians."

"Sorry sir. I'll try to find out what went wrong."

As he hung up on Commander Plame, the Director of National Intelligence had already knew what had happened to his request. He got it from Plame, and as a matter of fact he was holding it in his hand. He just pretended like it never existed. Or at least prolong it enough that approval would only come at the last possible second.

"Makes my chest ache to hamstring a promising young operative like him. I can only hope the best for him when Olson finds out." He said running his hand across his balding scalp.

"You might wanna get that looked at."

"Yelling wouldn't have worked anyway. But I hope that this is enough to fulfill my end of our deal."

Bookman then chewed on the last wing in the brown paper bag.

"It is. Good job Jim. You won't regret it. But I should be thanking you for tipping me off about the SEALs attack plan. I only asked that those guys to keep the wolves at bay. Not go hunting for their pelts."

"I can't pull this crap again George. Gates and Panetta had already questioned my competence but if word comes in from SOCOM then we're both in hot water."

Bookman knew the political side of this was going to be nasty if things took a turn for the worst. All he could do at this point was do what any professional spy would. As the former Air Force General said bluntly.

"You know I don't know who's ass your covering. Yours or someone else's. But are you sure that this is really worth it?"

Black didn't answer. He just stood up to leave since his business was concluded.

"Ah whatever. Knowing you, it'll work out. Still though I want assurance that you'll keep your end of the bargain."

He looked to the back of his head. "That cute twenty year old red head you got on the side? No one will ever know a damn thing. You have my word."

"That's all I needed to hear." He stood up as well and both men walked away into the night.

Bookman now had his insurance policy set up. He was hoping it would pay off. But with Koko Hekmatyar's power growing so exponentially and her actions becoming bolder, even he started getting nervous. But what was real surprising though was on how easily he got Clapper to pull a few strings for him.

Sometimes politicians are too predictable. He could give a damn about those warrantless taps but mention his fun with a girl and that fool came running.

March 28th 2011 2000 Hours

Cuban Coastline, Five Miles from Guantanamo Bay

After several days of waiting, tonight was finally the night. There was no more thinking, no more contemplating on which scenario would be best. Me and my new family would simply act and succeed. It didn't matter if our approach would be loud or stealthy. Even though they were fellow American's, that would be a small price to pay for getting my life back and never looking over my shoulder ever again.

The rain had already began to fall and it was getting progressively worse. But to me and Lehm, this just made us feel right at home. Plus it would give us the advantage of covering our exfiltration. Koko had called us twelve hours earlier and stated that she was closer to Cuba than she thought. So she slowed the movement of the Fruition until the storm began to make its way over Gitmo. Now that she was within radio range, the old man and I were holding our position under some trees away from the shore with an IR strobe. Two old trucks were parked a few feet away from us so that we would get as close as possible to the perimeter of the base. Lehm was keeping an eye out to sea from a night vision monocle. My ears were picking up a sound through the wind and rain.

"Hear that?"

"Oh yeah." He then got on his radio. "This is Sleipnir. Raven is that you I hear?"

"Raven to Sleipnir. I have eyes on your strobe. Skoll and Hatti are preparing to descend to your position."

I recognized Gordon's jaeger pilot drawl. Even more surprising was the distinct engine sound of a Super Stallion. Koko was pulling out all the stops to ensure that we had proper support for tonight.

As the bird closed in from the shore it stopped about fifty feet above us and a rope dropped from its tail. Six heavily outfitted figures slid down the rope and two had ruck sacks on them. As the last one was on the ground, the bird climbed and flew back out toward the Fruition.

"Valkyrie this is Raven. Skoll and Hatti are on the ground. Returning to Asgard and will await extraction."

"Copy that Raven. Sleipnir, operation is a go. Don't take too much time getting ready."

"Roger that. Over and out."

The ones who came over with our gear was Lutz and Wiley while the rest kept a 360 field of security while Lehm and I changed into our fatigues and loaded our weapons. There was no time for fist bumps and 'What's ups'. The ruck that Karl handed to me felt a little light. Normally I would like to carry around an extra gun or two but my ACR and pistols would have to do because we had to move fast. With my plates strapped on, knife sharp, suppressors tightened, and magazines loaded the old man and I donned our balaclavas and put our night vison on our helmets.

We became one faceless team, ready for war. Through the green world of my NVG's, I looked around and saw that the team was focusing on us. After a quick flash of lightning, the old man and I looked at each other. No noise until the lead started flying.

Let's move.

2030 Hours

Camp No

After ditching the trucks a sizable distance from the edges of the camp, we made the rest of the way on foot through the jungle. Koko was back on board the ship directing our movements and guiding us through the blind spots in Gitmo's security. As we reached the fence surrounding the site, Ugo took out a blower connected to a separate tank. As the rest of us covered him he proceeded to spray a corrosive solution, making a man sized hole in the fence. After we made it through, half of us took cover behind an SUV and the other next to a building near the one that lead to the prison. Tojo got on his radio while clicking another device on his chest rig. He had a little bit more reliable device on his back as compared to standard Army issue that shared the same amount of weight I use for when I start my curls.

"Valkyrie this is Skoll 4 were in and the jammer is broadcasting. They're not calling for anyone."

"Good give me just five minutes and I'll get the rabbit out of its hole. Intercept her when she's topside and remember the ROE."

"Copy that."

Not bothering to care about her tech magic, the rules of engagement were still the same as when we were on a protection detail. Defend ourselves and only engage unless absolutely necessary. But we did have to incapacitate the guards. That was expected.

That's when I came up with an idea. And I could kill two birds with one stone, because I hadn't really talked to Sophia yet. It had been a week since we've seen each other. As I peeked over the side of the SUV's hood, I saw that there weren't any Marines outside. I could just stroll right in. But I couldn't take them all by myself. So after I motioned to the other team to hold, I flipped up my NVG's and tapped Sophia on her shoulder.

"Follow me." I then walked toward the building while slinging my rifle behind me.

"What the hell are you doing!?" She whisper yelled.

"Making this easier. Come on." I said waving her on.

After she grunted in frustration, she took cover on the side of the building outside the door while I just walked up to it.

"So do you have a plan?"

"What are you so mad about? I just wanted to see if you haven't lost your touch at hurting people."

She then raised up her NVG's on her own helmet and her gold eye just looked at me as if I was out of my mind. Her concerns though were justified, maybe this was a bit of a stupid idea. But we had to incapacitate these guys anyway. It'd better to use fists than bullets and fists were quieter than flashbangs.

"This isn't a fucking game Damien."

"Who said I'm playing? Just let me get their attention, wait for my signal, and then back me up. I didn't expect to leave here without shedding some blood. So let's just make sure that it won't be a lot."

She at least recognized my serious tone as she slung her MK46 behind her back.

"And your signal is?"

"You'll know."

"Why am I not surprised?"

I just smirked under my balaclava and pushed both doors open. While pretending that I just made a mad dash to get out of the storm. As luck would have it, there were only four Marines inside. And their 'Special' security was nowhere in sight.

"Whoo! Crap. Helluva mess outside. Sorry about the mud guys but I'll try not to track."

The Marines were very taken back and confused at first but when they saw what I was outfitted with, they quickly stood in front of me with their M9's drawn. I raised my hands to put them at ease. And hoped that they didn't aim for my head.

"Who the hell are you!?" One of them barked at me.

There was only one real answer I could really give.

"Bad guy."

The rest had a hard time figuring out if they heard me right from the nonchalant response. But they switched back to battle mode quick. At least they weren't as slow when they figured out I wasn't joking. But this kind of security was expected. I was gonna tell Koko that nobody was stupid enough to do this. She just took the words out of my mouth before I could answer. These guys probably thought that this was just an easy form of duty.

"Michelson. Cuff him. Blair get on the horn and get command notified." The one who appeared to be in charge said.

Amateurs.

As one Marine made towards the phone that would have no answer because of the signal jammer, the other walked over he made his first mistake. Taking one hand off of his pistol to get his cuffs. I bursted forward and bent the pistol out of his hand and then locked his arm behind his back and moved forward using him as a shield. As I collided into the other two Marines, I kicked the shield into the metal elevator doors in the center of the spine.

As the one on the right tried to raise his own pistol back up I kicked it out of his hand and delivered a blow to his sternum and to his nose but the one on the left jumped on me and put me in a choke. The one on the phone, knowing he couldn't shoot with out hitting his comrade, took out his baton and prepared to swing. But instead I turned around a he hit his fellow Marine instead. As he dropped to the ground, I took advantage of the other Marines mistake and delivered a kick to his face and he fell backward immediately. I finished off the Marine trying to get up with several knees to the face and he then went limp. But I forgot about the one with the bloody nose as he kicked my leg out from under me and I got down on one knee. He tried to elbow me in the face but I caught it and flipped him on his back.

Still holding onto his arm I bent his wrist and I heard a crack. Taking advantage of his pain I mounted him hammered with a right. One, two, three, four, five times. He then stopped moving. As I stood up out of breath I heard a painful groan from the one who cuff me, I finished him off with a kick to the temple and he was down. As I was the only one left standing, I realized I was the only one in the room.

"HEY! What the hell!?"

Sophia just poked her head through the door.

"Do you need my help?" She asked casually.

"Yeah! Five minutes ago!"

"You didn't give me a specific signal."

Oh God, seriously?

"Whatever happened to not treating this like a game!?"

"Alright, alright, quit your bitching." She said adjusting her rig and getting out of the rain.

But then we heard a low beep, the elevator was coming up.

"They didn't get a warning out did they?" Sophia demanded.

"No! I stop-"

Just then I thought about what Koko said. About her needing time to get Faiza out of her cell. If I was interpreting it correctly, then she just pretended that she was the chief of the guard here or something and got the Marine MP's down below to evacuate the girl. But I had no time to figure this out, round two was coming up.

"Eh…no time to figure that out. Get ready."

She took one side and I took the other. As the heavy doors then opened I heard the distinct voice with a mix of English and Egyptian from Layla Faiza and her pompous attitude.

"I said I was going! So take your damn hands off me!"

"Please Doctor we're just…what the fuck happened here!?"

Two exited the elevator with weapons drawn to check on the beaten Marines. They didn't even check their flanks, so Sophia and I nodded at each other.

This would be for letting me do all the work.

"On your three!" I shouted. And both looked toward her.

She took the first one off guard by kicking him in the face while he was kneeling. After he fell flat and Faiza screamed the second moved forward with his pistol but she closed the distance. Bringing the gun to her side and elbowing him in the face while wrapping her arm around his neck. A third came from the elevator, but Sophia just jumped up and wrapped her legs around his neck. And with full force flipped them both and the three of them spun around in mid-air. Sophia brought down the one she had in a choke on his head but sprung back up and finished off the last one with stomp on the face.

Damn that was quick. I better step up my game or I'm gonna start feeling inadequate.

It looked like that was all of them as I heard Faiza shivering in the elevator. But Sophia was looking at me and not her. She started it.

"Do you need my help?" I said sarcastically.

She just glared at me.

"Not so funny when it happens to you now does it?"

"At least I didn't tip them off, you ass." She said closing the distance.

"You had it covered. Even though you still hit like a girl." I said putting my finger on her head.

"Good. Then you won't mind a swift smash to the boy bits." She said curling her fist.

"While you two are busy with the foreplay can you at least get Rabbit's Foot out of there?" Koko said through the net.

"Oh shit can everybody hear us?"

"Yep."

"Uh-huh."

"From outside."

"Radio's do have an off switch bro."

"Aw man it was getting good."

"Get the Rabbit kid. We're soaking out here."

After that embarrassing moment, Sophia and I pulled our weapons back to our fronts and made towards the Doctor. Curled up in the side of the elevator and what appeared to be hastily dressed.

"Come on Doc lets go." I said grabbing her arm.

She got up with only minor resistance, but looked at me as if she heard something familiar. My voice is not something you can just copy.

"Wait a minute. You're one of those two that came to my cell last week. What's with all the commando shit?"

"No time for twenty questions just move." Sophia said pushing her forward.

The rain still hadn't let up as we went back outside and the thunder was becoming a bit more frequent. We had what we needed, so all we had to do was leave. But I hoped that the one thing I was hoping to avoid, happened anyway. It was never simple for me, or any of us sometimes.

They were moving at a hustle just conversating about anything. But when two Marine MP's saw a couple of people with guns hauling away a prisoner, they acted a little more directly than the guards at the prison entrance.

"FREE—AAUGH!"

Bang! Bang!

There was no think, only react. My suppressed shots downed them but it didn't do anything to stop them from reacting to being shot. As one of them fired their sidearm as a form of alert as he fell onto the wet ground.

I know I thought to myself that there would be a price for this. But it didn't make me feel any less shitty.

"Fuck! Move!"

As we double timed it, Koko came on the net with concern in her voice but maintaining radio discipline.

"This is Valkyrie. What's going on!?"

"We had a SNAFU. Some guards stumbled onto us and we had to use force." Lehm said while flipping the safety off of his M40.

Faiza continued her complaining as we bolted out of the camp. There was no alarm, but we heard shouting about who fired those shots as we ran further from the black site.

"…Understood. Continue on planned exfiltration route."

This was something we planned for, but you're never prepared for something until it actually happens. Improvise, overcome, adapt. I wasn't planning on failing.

2039 Hours

The Pentagon, Washington DC, "The Wolves Den"

When he was younger, Marcus Andrushko was expected to deploy with his fellow Green Berets to anywhere in the world within 24 hours. So he was used to hasty amounts of time in order to get ready to go on a mission. He was also used to security threats on any type of facility but normally they were either flukes or some fanatic that wanted to try and make a statement with a pipe bomb. But this was something that shadow wars were really fought. They were long, dirty, and sometimes unpredictable. But he had made up his mind and he would put in his formal request next month.

As Admiral Olsen explained to him on a phone call as he was driving home from work, he was told to turn around and get to the 'Wolves Den' and await any word about what might be happening near Camp No. Naturally the General didn't argue when it came to credible threats. All he needed to know is where they were at and what could he do to stop them. He got the full details from Commander Krauser when he walked into his office.

"What the hell does this group want with a damn computer geek?" He said taking of the top of his uniform to get more comfortable.

Krauser had seen the memorial tattoo on the General's forearm before. Mrs. Andrushko had long since past before he met the Green Beret. But a part of it looked newer than the rest. Not fresh, a year old at least. The name 'Lauren' was in a scroll at the top where the angels wings pointed up. At the bottom of her feet which her legs appeared to be leaping up into the sky was a scroll with 'Damien'. The sailor always wondered how he managed to continue on with his duty without breaking.

"Hacker sir. Apparently the CIA have a bit of a nest egg that they don't want to cash in just yet. So someone wants to take it."

Andrushko was used to the blotted out lines in the paper. And in emergencies you don't really have time to debate your moral ambiguity.

"Is it just us for the night?" He said waving his finger around to the four other members of his support staff. While sitting near the screen instead of in the center of the eerily silent room.

"This was on real short notice sir. I didn't even leave the building. I got word from my boss saying he could use your help just in case as well."

God I hate this last minute shit. I should have just quit when the year started. This is insane.

As Krauser then stood up to pour himself a fresh cup of coffee, Andrushko's government phone rang. There were a select few that he spoke to on it and they all were for business. The room went silent and focused on him.

"Yes?" His face turned to horror. "What!? Damn it. Ok I'll do all I can from here. But this is the Navy's show."

There was a brief pause after he hung up and Andrushko was looking down between his knees. But Krauser was the only one brave enough to ask what happened.

"Sir? What happened?"

The General picked his head back up with determination. It was time to go to work.

"They got the CIA's special prisoner. They inflicted nine casualties on the Marines too. Seven were beaten, two of them to death, and two more were shot."

He didn't need to say anything else as the people he had with him got busy. The Green Beret stood up and took his position. For now he could only watch.

2042 Hours

Aboard the Fruition, Cuban Territorial Waters

Koko's ship was in total black out mode off the coast of Cuba. She had managed to hide her ships presence from the American radar nets but it wouldn't last all night. Now that she had 'Chatty Rabbits Foot' in her possession, came the hard part. Despite the rough start of having to kill a few Marines, making sure her team, her friends, got back safely only mattered to her. The Raven was fully refueled and armed just waiting to go get them.

She had three laptops set out on the bed in her cabin, each one for a different purpose. Her radio piece in her right ear, he satellite phone in her left hand, and dressed in her most comfortable pajamas. She noticed that on her first laptop was a warning signal. Her team was being followed.

"Terrific. They've sent a strike team after us." She chuckled. "So arrogant. I won't Damien and the others be taken out by the likes of them. Especially with me on their side."

She then got on her phone and called her Japanese friend in Port Elizabeth.

"It's me. It's showtime."

2044 Hours

Ft. Meade, Maryland, NSA Headquaters

"You have the go ahead for Night Nine."

"Yes sir."

As Commander Plame adjusted his glasses, he knew didn't need much approval from the Director from when several Marines were killed. But he had expected this type of action from someone like Koko Hekmatyar. All he could do now was bring the damage under control.

His two support staff gave the thumbs up that they, along with the SEALs, were ready and he took command of the operation. The screen in front of him gave a live feed via drone flying high above the escaping group. There were nine figures shown through thermal imaging. One of them was Rabbits Foot. Behind them though and closing fast was Night Nine.

"At least with them dragging Rabbits Foot is slowing them down."

He then put on his earpiece to give the final instructions.

2046 Hours

Cuba

"Gentlemen this is Searchlight, prepare to engage. Just remember that the Cuban Army has a few combat brigades not too far from your current location. If all possible keep Chatty Rabbits Foot alive. But you are clear to sanction the rest. Night Nine, you are a go."

Lieutenant Dante Mendez and his team were let off their leash, each one of them ready for some payback. They didn't care that their night off had been ruined. The moment they heard that the threat they were warned about finally happened they sprang into action before their commander could finish his sentence. This was where each one of them showed on how they earned the right to become a member of the best Special Forces unit in the world. They would prove it again tonight.

"Goat 1 copies all. Alright guys you heard 'em. Goat 5, take your team on the right flank. Goat 7 take yours left. I'm going right up main street. We'll keep them funneled in and pick them off one at a time."

"Copy that." Cannelli said.

"Were on the move, D." Robertson acknowledged.

Far ahead, as they ran through the thick jungle valley to their extraction point, Damien was at the rear security element with Lehm. But his knack for sensing imminent danger was picking up again as he slowed down and stopped. Lehm heard him stop as well, knowing that they were being followed.

"What do you think kid?" He asked.

"It's them. No doubt about it. So much for sneaking out." He said unscrewing his suppressor.

"Hey! What's going on back there?" Valmet said over the radio.

"We got hostiles inbound." Lehm said unshouldering his M40.

"Do we run or fight?" Ugo said ahead at the point.

Damien had already prepared himself mentally and physically for this. He had come so far it getting rid of his violent side. He now managed to focus it down to tactical and strategic thinking above all else in situations like this. But when the odds are unforeseeable, the best approach is the direct one.

"Fuck it!"

And he let out a long stream of fire at anything that looked like a human silhouette.

On the receiving end of the assault rifle fire Mendez and his team hit the ground. Then immediately returned fire using bounding movements to get in close for a better shot. From what he could see, the opposing force seemed to mirror the SEALs moves in some way but not all of them. Whoever they were, they were not your run of the mill insurgents or guerrilla fighters. They were professionals. One thing that was unbiased though was that the wind, rain, and lightning were effecting both sides.

As the two groups exchanged fire, Faiza screamed in a panic as she took cover behind a tree. The thumps and zings of bullets flying through the thick vegetation and kicking up mud.

"This is a horrible idea! What do you people want with me!?"

"Will you please shut up and let us handle this!?" Valmet yelled back.

A few hundred rounds assault rifle, machine gun, and sniper rifle fire had already been exchanged between the two groups. Along with the thump and blast of a 40mm grenade. Normally for the former GSG-9 sniper, it would have ended in the first few volleys. But battlefields are never the same.

"Skoll 1. We need to bound back further. Make them keep their heads down." Mao said through the net.

"I'm doing my best." Is what he said to let them think he wasn't panicking.

Damn it all. This storms playing hell with my aim. These guys are tough. Who are they?

After a few more shots he couldn't see anyone through his night vision scope.

"Shit. Gotta move."

He was further ahead than the rest of his team. But as he crawled through the mud to get a better position one of the rounds that had missed the other ricocheted. He then felt a sharp pain in the back of his right shoulder.

"AWW FUCK! I'm hit!"

As Lutz yelled through the radio, he could hear more gunfire getting closer. Some of the SEALs had managed to get around them the fire shifted to a different spot. Someone was getting their attention.

"Hang on man. I'm coming! Hatti One. Get the doctor moving!" Damien said on the radio to Valmet.

2055 Hours

Ft. Meade

So far the battle was on equal footing. No casualties had been suffered but they needed to stop Koko's attack squad from getting further eastward away and into Cuban territory. The recon drone kept a clear eye on the battlefield as Plame continued to support the SEALs.

"They're persistent. I'll give them that."

He then looked to the left flank of the battlefield and saw two silhouettes. Far ahead of Koko's group. He then took out a laser pointer.

"Those two on the left flank. They're probably snipers. Have Goat 7's northern most group break off and intercept them."

But before she could acknowledge, one staff member picked up something on her screen.

"Sir. I've got something on radar. It's moving awfully fast towards the drone."

2057 Hours

The Fruition

There wasn't only one drone in the sky that night. Koko had her own modified amphibious Reaper that could be launched from the ship. This was the first in a two part strategy. She took the drone off of its auto pilot and flew it towards the SEALs own eye in the sky.

"Eat this."

There was the tone and lock. Then confirmation of a destroyed target.

"YES! I just blinded you bitches with science! And I'm just getting started."

2058 Hours

For a brief moment Night Nine heard an explosion in the sky and then their GPS transponders went dead. The firefight was still going on but the enemy that had abducted Chatty Rabbits Foot had bounded back even further into the jungle. They were going to lose them if they didn't figure out where to go next.

"El-tee. My GPS just crapped out."

"Mine too. And we lost those snipers."

"Same here guys. This may sound crazy but I think that blast we heard was our drone. Someone shot it down." Mendez said as he reloaded behind a tree.

"Wait. What do you mean 'shot down'?"

"Don't worry I'll get on it. Blake!" He shouted to his teammate. "Keep on them. I'll coordinate with Searchlight and get us access to the Tactical Data Link."

"Got it!"

On the left side of the battlefield, Damien had managed to get Lutz further away from the approaching SEALs. But being only able to provide covering fire with one assault rifle was not holding back a whole squad. Lutz's injury that was hindering his shots wasn't helping.

"You're losing a lot of blood man. Let me patch you up." Damien said with concern.

"I'm ok. I can still run. Frankly I'd prefer my ass again. At least I could still shoot."

Suddenly more fire erupted from the trees. Both friends cursed and hit the mud face first. Angry that he didn't have his M320 attached to his ACR, Damien would have to hold them back the hard way. He flipped on his back to get a grenade out of his pouch. Once the stopped to reload, he threw the frag.

BOOM!

"Lets move!" He said as Lutz followed him.

But in their haste to get away, they forgot that they were in a valley with a lot of rolling slopes.

After running a sizable amount of yards, Damien's next step didn't have solid ground and both men fell down a hill side. Each tumble was followed by a hit with the branch of a shrub or a rock. Ending with a thud into more mud.

"Aw crap!"

"Goddamn son of a bitch!" Lutz said gripping his injured shoulder.

Damien then immediately went to his injured friend who was rolling on the ground in pain. Now only one of them was combat effective.

"I think that fall just made it worse. Hold still man I'll need to stop the bleeding before I can set it."

"Urgh! Just don't give me any morphine. I ain't out of the fight yet."

Damien just sighed. "Just don't act too tough. It was never your strong suit."

"Arschloch." He then got on his radio. "Sleipnir, this is Skoll 1. 2 and I got separated and were at the bottom of a ridge."

"Skoll 1 and 2 this is Valkyrie. Hold position." Koko said intercepting the call.

"What? Why? We can't stay here. Those are-"

"Don't you move a damn inch from your spot Damien. I'll handle it."

Koko cut off her transmission to him before he could respond. He looked back up the ridge to hear that the fire fight was still going on. Lutz managed to get on his knees but not without a challenge since his right arm was in a sling.

"We cannot stay here Karl. Remember those SEALs Sophia briefed to you guys?"

His face greyed. "Oh no. Don't tell me they're after us."

"Afraid so man. Can you stand? We gotta find a way to get back up this ridge quick and take the fire off of Lehm and the others."

The sniper didn't answer. Instead he stood up and handed out his rifle to the Green Beret. Knowing he would use it better than he could at this moment. After a quick swap in ammo they moved out to find a way back up the ridge and get into Night Nine's blind spot.

"You know, before all this I was a little doubtful with Koko about what she's been doing recently. Said some pretty criticizing things to her. Same thing to what you did honestly."

The gunfire was still quite a ways off. They could still have a quiet conversation.

"I know bro. I know you guys heard me yell. At the time I couldn't believe what she wanted us to do. And I know you guys saw us both out in the rain."

"Well…what did she say that made you change your mind?"

The two men who acted like clowns to others when the were together didn't always did it for their own amusement. When they spoke to each other with concerning matters, they acted like they've known each other since time began. But as Damien stopped to turn around and answer Karl his intimidating unnaturally blue eyes, even in the dark of a stormy night, always spoke the truth with his physical and meta physical presence of being larger than life.

"She told me that she can let me finally go back home."

Lutz knew that Damien was still a wanted man. But what confused him was on how Koko could wipe his slate clean. He was telling him the truth but Lutz was having a hard time figuring it out.

"Come on bro. They need our help."

The pain was only in his shoulder, not his legs. The sniper double timed it with his best friend.

2104 Hours

The Fruition

Koko had blinded the SEALs support but the fight wasn't over yet. She still had her adoptive family out there in the storm and she had the only line to pull them all in. Her system was only half complete when she suffered an incursion in Shanghai but now she had a fully functioning machine for cyber warfare. This would be the true test of it if her prototype would succeed.

"These idiots aren't backing down. I can so picture the agent behind all this. Some uptight, four eyed, douchebag, trying to make a name for himself."

She then got back on her sat phone to Dr. Miami. She picked up immediately.

"Well you were right. They're using the Tactical Data Link. Portal sixteen has uploaded their IP address. I got them pinned. It's all the way up north in Ft. Meade. I think you've won this battle."

"No. It's not over until they're all back on board my ship. Hold on." She then got on her radio. "Raven. Fire her up. Bring the wolves back."

"You got it Valkyrie." Rothrine said with the sounds of shuffling in the background.

"Minami? Give them a taste of 'Jormungand'."

"Sounds fun. Although it seems I was right. You are getting soft."

Koko then formed her iconic Cheshire grin. Her system connected to the link detected by the drone and did its job.

2107 Hours

Cuba

After receiving new coordinates for their location on where to move, Mendez and the rest of Night Nine continued their pursuit of Koko Hekmatyar's crew. While he was out of breath, Mendez believed this was the first time in a while that an opposing force proved to be a challenge even on home turf. SEALs almost always operated behind enemy lines and they were outnumbered a hundred to one all the time. So that didn't really count. Going up against single group, they always dominated them. But the mission was far from over, he had to catch up to the other half of his team. They needed to pay for what they did.

"How are they doing?" He asked Cannelli of the two men injured by the grenade blast.

"Cole just has some shrapnel in his leg. But Burkowski didn't make it."

Furious. The Navy Lieutenant took his anger out by kicking a tree.

"Shit! Ok, take him back to camp, everyone else form up on me." He then got on his radio.

2108 Hours

The Wolves Den

"Searchlight this is Goat 1. We got the new coordinates and are proceeding on mission but we have a man down. Send a ground MEDEVAC to Goat 6's location."

"Copy that. MEDEVAC en route."

Marcus Andrushko only kept watch on the events happening before him but he knew it wasn't going to be long once he had no choice but to assist. Commander Krauser's face turned to emotional pain knowing that a fellow SEAL had just lost his life. But the General continued to focus on the occurring battle in Cuba. He saw were Mendez and his team had stopped to reestablish connection with their GPS. But the coordinates on screen weren't adding up. Couple that with the destruction of their UAV, Andrushko saw that they weren't fighting an ordinary enemy.

"That's all wrong."

"What is sir?" One of the staff members asked.

"Night Nine's location and where they're heading."

"Umm…sir we can see exactly where they're going. It may not be live but-"

"That's exactly the point Alice."

He then looked at the display on screen and began pointing out the best routes he would take.

"Ok they were there. And their only place to move is there. Goat 7 lost those snipers where there's a sharp drop off. They can't double back to the border so that means…OH FUCK!"

2109 Hours

Cuba

Goat 5 had been in pursuit and managed to stay on Koko Hekmatyar's crew the entire way. Their only place to go was to make a circular path back to the coast. Robertson had heard about the loss of one of his comrades. But he couldn't afford to get angry now. He had to stop Hekmatyar's team, here and now. They were bounding slower this time from dragging the hacker and from the constant movement.

But in the distance overlooking the somewhat open terrain from a small ridge. Two men, one spotting and one shooting, would get Night Nine to stop shooting at their team. Whether drawing from Alvin York or simple hunting tactics, you draw down on the last target.

"Sitting ducks." He then pressed his mic switch. "Skoll and Hatti Teams, this is Skoll 2. Keep moving and don't stop."

"What? I thought she told you two to stay put!?"

"Just go Sophia. I got this."

After hearing his lover curse him out on the net, the CIA fugitive with the code name of 'Nightmare' had his first target lined up through the night vision scope.

He fired.

The SEAL at the receiving end never saw it coming. His head whiplashed to the side and fell like a stone.

He fired again.

That one fell as well, just as the next one bounded forward. Not knowing they were under fire.

He fell as well but this time he let out a scream he'd been hit. The remaining members of Goat 5's team realized they were now caught in an ambush. Worse was that they were in an area with little cover.

2110 Hours

Ft. Meade

"Dante! I have men down! We're under heavy sniper fire! We-AAGHH!"

Commander Plame could only listen on to the radio chatter in horror. He was sweating through his suit that he possibly sent Night Nine into a deliberate ambush. He needed an accurate location of where the SEALs were at and now. Or there wouldn't be any left.

"Goat 5? Goat 5! Come in!"

"Sir! Enemy sniper teams have them pinned, they can't advance!"

"Jesus! Pull them back to the South East! Get them out of that killing zone!"

What remained of Goat 5's team retreated out of the snipers ambush but what came on the net next shocked the whole room.

"Goat 1 this is Goat 8. We just ended up at the border!"

That was in the North, the complete opposite in the direction that Plame had sent them.

"What the hell? How could our maps be wrong?" He said baffled.

The situation for Night Nine and Commander Plame had now grown desperate. Half of Mendez's team was KIA and Koko Hekmatyar's squad was escaping with the CIA's prize while utterly humiliating the SEAL's.

"Searchlight! This is Goat 1! Where the fuck are you sending my team!?"

Plame was now in a panic. He didn't know what else to do, except the obvious now. But as he was about to give the order to withdraw, the voice of an older man with grit and a slight amount of anger in his voice came through the comms.

"All remaining Night Nine elements this is Abyss. The Data Link has been compromised. Disregard Searchlights orders, I'm taking command. Authentication Code: Alpha Sierra One Nine Eight Seven Zero Six One Two. I'm gonna transfer you to my control operator now. Follow her instructions and go EXACTLY where she tells you to. I'll get you guys out of there and stop those bastards."

There was hesitation on the comms, but only for a moment.

"This is Goat 1. Copy Abyss. Authentication confirmed. Awaiting instructions."

Night Nine's frequency stopped broadcasting to Ft. Meade and was transferred over to the Pentagon. Plame knew exactly who 'Abyss' was and how his career as an officer in the United States Navy will be over by tomorrow morning. But he couldn't think of blaming anyone else but one person. Plame was a calm man but this was one of the few moments in his life that he truly lost his temper.

"Koko Hekmatyar…I'll kill you for this!" He said throwing his laser pointer at the screen.

2112 Hours

Cuba

The storm was still going on but it had to be one of the few moments in my life where I was utterly exhausted and had no strength left, this fight was brutal. But we had made it out alive. The SEALs had retreated broken and bloody but it had appeared that they just wandered into exactly where we wanted them to be. Something was very wrong, not because we had won, but this battle played entirely into our favor.

"What the hell? They just up and disappeared. Like they were never here."

I knew the answer immediately.

"Koko did all of this. How? I have no fucking clue. But it was her."

Karl took a moment to let it soak in besides the rain.

"I never should have doubted the little lady but how could she pull this off?"

"Attention disobedient dumbasses one and two."

So much for our original call signs.

Koko probably wasn't in the mood to answer said question anyway since we kind of went of the plan to do our own thing. But we still got those SEAL's off of the rest of the team.

"I think that's us." I said to Karl and he let out a smirk. "Yes?"

"Catch up to the rest of the pack. Raven is inbound for pick up at landing zone Alpha. ETA twelve minutes."

"Better not say anything smart." Lutz said cupping his mic in his hand. "She sounds pissed."

"Understood. We have an injured wolf here though. Have the doctor standing by when we RTB."

I kept quiet for now. There was no way in hell that the SEAL's would have misread the land layout like that. Not to mention the access codes. Getting us past the finger prints in the prison. The security cameras not flagging Lehm and me when we were there. And now just guiding a SEAL team to wherever the hell she wanted them to. Koko got all of this shit in a way that wasn't possible.

This had to be the first time I was ever scared of her.

2122 Hours

Lieutenant Mendez had figured that Guantanamo Bay would be somewhat decent spot for his team to be stationed at for a while. It wasn't the anarchy of Iraq, the lawlessness in Afghanistan, the civil strife in the Sahara, it was quiet and on the other side of the world. There wasn't supposed to be anyone just waltzing onto United States soil and start shooting up their work environment, their home turf, their neighborhood.

Night Nine had been comprised of fourteen SEAL's. Now they had been cut down to eight. Each one of them furious that they had walked right into an ambush. Mendez felt like he didn't deserve to be the leader of SEAL Team Nine anymore. But they weren't just going to let these terrorists just get away.

"Keep going along that route and they will run right into you." The lady support member said.

"Copy that Abyss 3. We'll bring you their heads back."

"Secure that shit Goat 1. I know all of you want payback. But if you lose your cool now then they win. This is not going to go unanswered." Said Abyss Actual.

"Affirmative."

Night Nine had done away with their electronics knowing that they were no good. Instead had just been directed by compass via a map from SOCOM's chief tactician back in DC. Their current location was near a cliff that was a bout a kilometer from the coastline. They were calling into him about terrain details every few minutes so that he could paint a picture in his head about where they were at without getting lost.

"We haven't seen them in a while. What makes him think they'll show up here?"

"Well what made you think it was a good idea to run back to us with five pounds of shrapnel in your leg?"

"I just lost a lot of my friends, do I need a fucking excuse?"

"This isn't the fucking movies you just added another challenge to this."

As the two of the remaining members of Night Nine argued in a whisper their commander came through on their radio. Now was not the time to take their fury out on each other.

"Kill the goddamn noise right now or else. Get ready and wait for my signal."

Through the noise of the storm, came the sound of a helicopter. It was the evac bird for Koko Hekmatyar's team. They would wait until the chopper touched down and they would hit them with an ambush of their own.

During that time Koko's squad had emerged from the jungle performing a 360 degree field of security. The CH-53 began it's descent to place the rear of the aircraft on the edge of the cliff kicking up more wind than the storm. Chopper pilots of Flash's caliber always did the trickiest landings for both practical and impractical reasons. The noise of the blades made it a little difficult for Lehm and the others to hear each other so they spoke through their radios.

"Ok guys. Get on board." Rothrine said at the tail.

"Wounded first. Go Lutz!" Lehm said.

The wounded sniper went in first followed by Mao and Wiley with Dr. Faiza. They took her away from Valmet because she was becoming more and more agitated with her whining. She was more than happy to just pull security with her MK46. As she continued to scan her sector there was a tap on her helmet, the man she loved (and sometimes wanted to hit) stood behind her with Lutz's rifle across his chest motioning to her that it was time to go.

But they didn't know that they were in the sights of what was left of a vengeance fueled Night Nine. It was too late to get Faiza back. All they could do was at least not let them leave.

"NOW!" Goat 1 screamed.

Night Nine had hid a significant distance from Koko Hekmatyar's crew using nature as cover. They had fainted their retreat, when in reality they took a different route to intercept Koko's squad at their landing zone. Half of them concentrated their fire on the cockpit of the chopper. The rest focused on the members of the crew that weren't on board yet.

"Hostiles!"

"Return fire!"

Ugo and Valmet tried to keep them suppressed with their MK46's but they didn't know how far away the SEAL's were to get a clean shot. As the rest bounded back into the chopper it started to take off without everyone.

"Get away from the end of the chopper!"

Gordon was taking too much heat from the incoming fire and had to ascend in a panic to avoid getting hit. And without any cover Damien and Valmet were still on the ground, they couldn't move. Gordon tried to give Rothrine a clear shot with the side mounted .50 caliber.

But before her could fire, a 40mm grenade hit the side of the Super Stallion and damaged the lateral control. The instability of the chopper caused Tojo to tumble out the back. Fortunately Mao caught him before he fell as they both held on for dear life at the edge of the ramp.

"Somebody give me a hand!"

"Gordon! Get us stable! Rothrine! Cover fire!" Lehm said directing the situation that had gone FUBAR.

Gordon felt the weight in the controls but got the chopper back to flying how he wanted. The heavy rounds of the door mounted .50 caliber M2 went off rivaling the thunder in the sky. Seeing this, Damien and Valmet ran back to the tree line for better cover. But the chopper continued to receive incoming fire and moved to get out of the SEAL's line of sight. Which had now shifted to the two of them.

"Fuck! Keep moving!"

"How the hell did they catch up with us!?"

The Green Beret then got on his earpiece while the former FRDP Major covered him.

"Valkyrie this is Skoll 2. LZ Alpha has been compromised. Raven has been hit and Hatti 1 and I are still on the ground."

2124 Hours

The Fruition

Koko didn't expect the attack squad to be so stubborn, but what shocked her was on how they found out where her extraction site was at. With completely turning the SEAL's technical capabilities against them, the fight should have been over with. Somebody on the other side didn't want to quit and she cursed herself for not keeping her Reaper drone in the air until the team was out of the hot zone. She should have seen their retreat as a faint because of how fast they were moving in the opposite direction. She should have focused on all the available comm lines instead of the one the SEAL's were using.

Another alert came on one of her laptops, she would worry about her mistake later. The SEAL's were about to have air support from an AH-1 Cobra. She'd have no choice but to make another test. But she had to get Damien and Valmet out of there.

"Head towards LZ Bravo. Do not engage, just lose them in the jungle. Raven, get behind the hill at Nav Point Foxtrot. You have a Cobra inbound, stay out of its sight."

"I just get all the fucking attention." Gordon complained but remained calm. "What's it's ETA?"

"About eight minutes. Wait for my signal to move, then hardline it to LZ Bravo, pick them up, and get the hell back on board my ship."

"Roger that. Stay safe down their you two! I'll be back."

"We'll be waiting. Koko, we're going radio silent. I'm not risking them picking up our trail again."

When Koko heard on the net that they came under fire again, her iconic smile turned into pure rage. She was alone in her darkened cabin, but anyone who came under the gaze of her ice blue eyes would see true terror. Someone had wanted to die if they thought they could stand against her. She had come too far to fail now and she would lose to some fools manufactured sense of ideals. Not to mention, lose two people that she loved.

One, just a little more than the other.

"No one is going to take him from me. I will kill anyone who tries." She said redialing to Dr. Miami.

As she put her phone to her ear, the roboticist was fully aware of what transpired.

"I heard the whole thing Koko. I have an idea that can stop this whole thing in one shot. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Of course. I'll aim, you shoot."

Koko had really wanted to conduct this extraction with the least amount of violence as possible but they decided to push her over the edge. They would feel the wrath of Koko Hekmatyar.

2129 Hours

Cuba

If you had to invent a new level of stress than this would be it. Getting away from the SEAL's was one thing but we had no defense against a gunship. This night was already bad enough and it turned out that whatever in the hell Koko had, didn't work. As we took cover behind a fallen tree, Sophia and I were running out of ideas as well as ammunition.

"Four mags for each .45." Lutz's rifle had one shot. "Sophia?"

"Last belt. Three mags of 9mm. How the hell are they tracking us in the dark?"

There weren't any sustained fights since we ran from the cliff except for pot shots at each other. But we were moving through a valley with not a lot of room to maneuver. That wasn't including the thick vegetation. We had only one way but they had to be getting as tired as we were. Cause the secondary LZ was still far away.

"I don't mean to boast but this is what guys like me are best at. And it's real fucking annoying when it happens to you."

Both of us were hurting bad, that's the thing about veterans of so many fights. Old injuries tend to creep back in like cracks in a road that hasn't been repaved. Pain I can fight off, but mental doubt is not so simple. This truly had to be the worst situation I had ever been in. We both looked at each other and we understood the inevitable.

Koko wasn't going to save us this time.

"Even if we get away from them. That Cobra's thermal imaging is gonna see us clear as day."

I leaned my head against the log, everything was soaked down to the skin at that point so it didn't matter.

"Well? What do you wanna do?" I asked.

I then heard the slide of metal. She took out her knife and lifted up her NVG's.

"Fight."

I lifted up my own goggles to look her in the eye.

"You are not gonna listen to Koko? Dear Lord….remember when you told me you'd find a reason for me to be afraid of you? You just did."

As we looked at each other, we heard the sounds of wet footsteps and foliage shuffling. The worst of the storm had passed, making the rainfall quieter. After flipping my goggles back down I saw once again the figure of black ops soldier outfitted with the best combat gear available. We needed to thin their numbers as best as we could but they were in a formation where if one went down then the rest would get to cover easily. There was no right call to make here, at least the Cobra's chain gun wouldn't risk friendly fire if we got up close and personal.

I got back behind the log and used our unique hand gestures. I memorized them so much that they'd become instinct.

Break left. Target the center. Wait for my mark.

Instead of answering like normal she just reached out and our gloved hands squeezed each other tight. I could tell without seeing that she was smiling at me under her balaclava. I knew how she felt, she knew how I felt, there are some things that you don't need to put into words. Including kicking ass and looking good while doing it.

We let go and moved to the SEAL's flanks with a low profile. I then noticed that it got bright for a moment but it wasn't the lighting. It was the moon, pale as death, poking itself through the storm clouds. Looked like this time I'd have to accept his invitation. At least I won't be alone when the time comes.

It was nice night to die.

2131 Hours

The Wolves Den

"Vulture 4-4 is approaching scavenging grounds. No signs of any enemy chopper or contact with any Night Nine elements."

It took a while for the Marine air wing commander to get one of his Cobra's in the air but after a blunt and urgent convincing from SOCOM's unofficial number two he said the weather could suck it if it meant he could prevent a massacre.

"Keep searching 4-4, they're down there and they're hurting. We're not up against any normal hostiles tonight. You tell me if you see any change in your instruments, no matter how trivial. Understood?"

"Copy that Abyss. Will continue broadcasting for any Night Nine elements and provide support."

General Andrushko had never encountered a fight like this in his life. He knew technology could be exploited but he always believed that cyberwarfare and hacking were nothing like in all the movies that had come out in recent years.

With his staff's instructions and his directions, they managed to keep what was left of Night Nine alive. He also let the other side know that they were fighting men, not machines. It was too late to try and recapture 'Chatty Rabbits Foot' now but he managed to separate some of the abduction team. If he could get one of them alive then they would lead him to whoever was responsible for this.

But he had a big problem though. He was managing to guide Night Nine just fine up until several minutes ago but then they simply dropped off the map without radioing in. Their GPS was already sabotaged so he had to rely on their word on where they were at. Like playing chess without a chessboard. But as crazy as it sounded, it looked like someone was done playing the game and just threw the board to the side like an angry child.

None of this was funny, it was downright terrifying.

"Where the hell did Mendez and his boys go? It's like they just disappeared."

Commander Krauser had thrown off his dress blue jacket and his tie was undone. He was pacing around the den feeling utterly helpless that men he had fought with on several joint ops in the past were being sucking into something that they couldn't escape.

"Battlefields don't just up and disappear Joe." Marcus was griping his face in frustration. "But someone's managed to do that and I can't say that without sounding crazy."

The rest of Andrushko's support staff were having an equally hard time believing what had transpired as well. They were picking up silent comm lines and they couldn't use their Data Link because it had been compromised.

But then the worst had finally struck. One of the younger members of the staff, a DOD civilian named Alice Burns, was no longer getting a fix on Vulture 4-4.

"General. Now I just lost Vultures transponder number." She said in a panic not knowing what else to say.

The Green Beret shot out of his seat, his blue eyes that bleed superiority full of anger. He went next to where she and another staff member sat. Grabbed a spare headset and tried to keep radio discipline.

"Vulture 4-4 this is Abyss acknowledge your location, over."

No response. He then put the frequency on open and emergency channels.

"Vulture 4-4 acknowledge this transmission, over." He said with growing anger.

Still nothing. He slammed the desk with his fist in a rage.

"Damnit Marine! You answer me NOW!"

Marcus Andrushko had faced many extraordinary things in his life. From the good, to the bad, and to the worst.

From marrying a girl before he could legally drink. Having a son, before he even turned twenty. His first time under enemy fire. His acceptance into becoming an officer. The brutal training he went through to becoming a Green Beret. Losing the woman he loved to cancer. Carrying out top secret missions around the world. Going to Iraq a second time. US Army War College where he got his first star. Losing his only son to a war that didn't seem to have an end. And now witnessing the reality that someone could truly control a battlefield by their own will.

It couldn't have been real. His stone faced persona of being untouchable turned to true horror.

"Sir?" Alice asked grabbing his forearm covering his tattoo. "What do we do?" She asked innocently.

The General knew defeat when he felt it. But it had never been this heavy. He just threw off his headset and decided to sleep in his office tonight. After what would be a very difficult conversation he would have to explain to Admiral Olsen.

"Nothing. Shut everything off." He said coldly.

His staff just looked at him in shock. They'd never seen him this defeated since his son vanished.

"Sir!? What about Night Nine!?" Krauser protested.

"I'm sorry Joe. They're gone." He then left without getting the top of his uniform.

"General-!"

"I'm going make a call to Admiral Olsen. Only I don't know how I'm gonna explain this."

The Green Beret left 'The Wolves Den' which had just become compromised in the span of a single night. He heard Krauser say his comrades name, Dante, in sadness as he left. He felt as empty as the hallways in the Pentagon this late at night as he walked back to his office. He pulled out his phone to tell his superior to explain the terrible news.

It was not a good day on the job. Olsen picked up immediately.

"Eric…" Marcus let him know he was serious. "I think we've just experienced an act of war."

2133 Hours

Cuba

Night Nine's fighting capabilities were systematically stripped away from them one piece at a time. Except for short range radio they had now become totally isolated from both Searchlight and Abyss. They hoped Vulture 4-4 would answer them soon. Odds were always stacked against special forces but not in the level where it overshadowed them. The stress, the fear, the loss of friends, and now apparently being abandoned adjusted them to their primal instincts of being the deadly killers they were trained to be. Logic would conclude a withdraw from the battle. This however had devolved into a fight and had now become personal. They wouldn't leave each other in such a dire straight or let their friends die for nothing.

"Come on you fuckers where are you?"

The SEAL with the wounded leg, Cole, had blocked out the pain in his leg from the shrapnel and replaced it with hatred. He didn't care if the two that had been separated from the terrorists would get command the intel they wanted. He just wanted them dead.

His rage had blinded his tactical prowess, he wanted a target in some way, shape, or form. It was a tragedy that it was him.

BANG!

The high powered shot of a .338 Lapua Magnum round at close range drew the attention of the remaining SEAL's. Only to see that their numbers now dropped to seven. Cole fell to his back with a hole in his chest. His final thoughts were damning himself for not taking one with him.

Mendez tried to maintain command of his men. He saw a large silhouette without a weapon running past trees.

"Take him out!"

The figure in the dark dove to cover but as the SEALs focused on him, they were hit in the back by Valmet's Mk46. They were now down to six. Cannelli had now lost all of his team. His quiet persona had been drastically reversed and with the lack of a better direction, ran towards the sound of gunfire. Shooting at anything in his path.

"I'LL KILL YOU! YOU MOTHERFUCKER!"

Going in on her flank, he kept running and fell over her in the literal sense knocking her weapon out of her hands. Quickly regaining his posture he threw off his NVG's and charged again. But this time Valmet pulled her knife on him and threw a slash. The SEAL held up his rifle to block the strike and used the fluid movement return a rifle butt. This continued for several clashes until Valmet decided to put some distance between the two by slashing his arm, disarming him of his weapon, and delivering a flying knee to his face. She sprinted forward in hoping to finishing him off with a strike to the throat but a second SEAL stepped in at the last second.

He clotheslined with such force it swept her head over heels. He tried to end the fight by shooting her on the ground but she reacted faster than he could aim. If he fired any more he would have hit another team member and that speed of hers wasn't natural. With some precision and her unnatural strength she took partial control of the SEAL's rifle and fired off the remainder of the clip while spinning to the ground. Valmet landed on top of the SEAL but as she got into a dominant mount, two powerful arms reached around her and she was thrown backwards in a suplex while verbally letting out pain as she landed. The SEAL's recognized the sound of the voice as a woman's but that didn't matter at this point. The two on one hand to hand fight was about to go into another round.

On the other side of the skirmish, Damien was finally pinned in place by the rest of the SEAL's after taking pot shots at them while darting past trees large enough to provide his huge form with enough cover. But that cover was not enough to stop the blast of a grenade launcher.

THWUP! BOOM!

The tree shielded the Green Beret from the explosion but the sound of the explosion and the flying splinters threw him back a good ten feet. His NVG's were now destroyed and his ears were ringing for a few moments but enough sound managed to get through that he heard some shouts.

"Blake! NO!"

Damien threw off his helmet to see, only to look up at a body jump onto him with a knife ready to stab him in the head. But he decided to pounce too early so Damien took the opportunity to curl his legs in. The SEAL landed on the Green Beret and he caught his knife before in could pierce his right eye. Using his powerful legs he launched the man back to where he jumped, while pulling out his duel .45's and emptying the clips into the man's torso.

The SEAL commander's other team lead landed next to him with a muddy thud, his chest full of holes. In a rage he fired off another burst to keep him pinned. But what came next was a sound he was glad to hear. The distinctive rotor chops of an AH-1, and it was close. This fight ended now.

"Everyone! Pull back!"

What was left of Night Nine then retreated to a safer position that would be a danger close fire mission. Mendez kept Damien suppressed while Cannelli drew his backup sidearm and forced Valmet away from their brawl. She zoomed back avoiding the shots and disappeared into the darkness.

Damien had heard the rotor sounds of the gunship as well, it sounded like it was directly on top of them. This time there was no escape. The only thing he could do was just tell Gordon to go while the gunship was distracted. But before he could send it out, he was met with a familiar embrace. Both would tell the exact same thing to each other, to run. But they knew better.

"I don't feel alone anymore. Thank you."

"I won't ever let you go."

The two warrior lovers simply held each other tight and waited for the end. The Cobra, was closing in for the kill.

But it kept getting closer, and closer, and closer, and started hitting the tops of trees. Damien, seeing what might happen, forced Valmet down to cover her as the gunship had violently crashed into the jungle behind them with a fireball lighting up the night. Debris landing all around them.

Realizing it was safe, they both got off the ground baffled at what had transpired.

"What in the hell just happened?" Valmet asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine."

The two then went to inspect the wreckage. The AH-1 was split in half and burning. The next step that Damien took, he felt something roll under his boot. But it wasn't a log, it was a man's severed arm. On it's Velcro was a familiar looking patch of goat skull with fangs. As he kneeled down to rip it off, he then showed it to Valmet. They shared the same thoughts and more questions just kept popping up. Damien had grown accustomed to the events in the time he had spent with Koko. Valmet had seen the miracles she performed many times over.

But this was a whole new level.

"One of you two better answer me!"

They were both so consumed in the surreal event of the SEAL's own air support crashing into them that they didn't know that Koko was on the radio. Her voice full of urgent worry.

"Koko? Is that you? What just-?"

"Oh thank God you're both alright." She said cutting off Valmet answering. "How much further are you two from the LZ?"

She knew what just happened and she was playing it straight.

"How far!?"

"Uhh…" Valmet pointed to Damien to get out his own GPS. "Less than a click."

"Ok. We've outstayed our welcome in Cuba. Keep moving and I'll tell Raven to pick you guys up the moment he gets to you. They'll rope you up instead of touching down. Make sure you have all of your things. I don't want any evidence of us left behind."

"Roger that. Over and out."

Deciding to worry about what happened later. They resumed their tactical thinking, but not before hearing the painful groans of one last hostile. Koko said no evidence, so that included witnesses. Damien motioned to Valmet that he'd be right behind her and made toward the sounds.

Lying on the ground, with piece of metal sticking out of his chest, Damien saw the last one that tried to kill him and his lover. As well as what appeared to be the last obstacle that was preventing him from getting the chance of a new life. There was no way to save him anyway. So the best thing he could do was put him out of his misery.

Standing tall over other's is what Damien always did. Whether he wanted to or not. He looked down with cold blue eyes at the broken figure of a Hispanic SEAL that was subconsciously cursing him with ever fiber of his being.

"What…are…you?" He asked with blood and anger from his mouth.

Damien was not the same man he was so long ago. He was different now, better. But if he finally admitted it to himself he would finally, truly, change. He took out one of his .45's and aimed for the head.

"Your fucking nightmare."

BANG!