Author's Note: We now begin the final act. I can't top what I did in the last chapter right off the bat. So it will start slow and continue to build. I am thankful for the favs, follows, views and reviews. It's been a hell of a ride. My only regret is that I wish I could advertise this a little more, maybe put it up on TV Tropes. But I'm not THAT connected to the internet. Me making sure that this story gets the ending it deserves is my main goal.

Enjoy.

Chapter 53: A Cost Too High

April 30th 2011 0345 Hours

Cape Town, South Africa

There was no time to address what had transpired, only to control the damage and clean up the mess as fast as possible without cutting corners. The Fruition would need time to depart but not before its Captain and crew received their instructions to hardline it to Port Elizabeth and dispose of Layla Faiza's body in the ocean. Koko Hekmatyar's bodyguards were on full alert on their ride to the airport for the first available flight out of Cape Town and to Port Elizabeth. It was a cramped ride in Ugo's SUV with everyone doubling up since they only had one vehicle now. It also didn't help in the fact that Damien drove off with a good portion of the crews weapons, luggage, and other sensitive items that they packed before Koko explained her plan. They had to get their replacement weapons, as well as get Faiza's body back on board the ship, and leave as fast as possible.

"I want all of his financial assets frozen. He more than likely won't use any of his phones or other forms of communication. But if there is any activity at all you tell me where it's at so I can find him."

Koko was the only one that had said a word since they left the ship. There was no privacy here with everyone bunched up. The feelings were mixed all the way around but the one thing they all shared was the shock of one of them betraying Koko the way he did. He was more than a comrade, he was a friend, he was family.

After she hung up with HCLI's intelligence branch, Koko made another call to one of her many African contacts. This one was to someone who made sure that no one in South Africa got too nosy with Marchen or its facilities. She was in her all business mode now, the situation called for it.

"Hello Colonel Vorstedt, this is Koko Hekmatyar. Sorry to wake you up so early but I have a bit of a problem."

In the trunk of the SUV were the other two most hurt by Damien's betrayal. Lutz was the only one who was looking out the window. He had to do something to take his mind off of the fact that his best friend shot at all of them. All he could do now was be on guard. Occasionally he glanced at Valmet. Just sitting there with her rifle in her hands and blank sad look on her face. He couldn't begin to imagine what was running through her mind right now. She looked so frail that a mere breeze would blow her away into the wind. A stark contrast to the woman he knew as someone that would kill you if you looked at her wrong. Saying anything to her right now would make it infinitely worse.

"I'll forward the details to you through a more secure connection soon. But to make it short and sweet, there's someone I need you to find for me."

Koko's plan had suffered a tremendous setback. Dr. Faiza's notes and theories that she exchanged with Dr. Miami were all well and good. But the more secretive and specific schematics of how she could make the computer smaller and more energy efficient couldn't be discussed over simple phone calls. Not to mention that Faiza needed to see what she was working with in order to put her theories into practice. But thanks to Damien's well placed headshot, she never will.

"I'm sending two of my people over to supervise and assist in this matter. They'll arrive by helicopter in little over an hour. Listen to what they have to say."

The Nightstalker pilots, Gordon and Rothrine, were en route by Little Bird to oversee the operation of the South African military to bring back Damien whether he wanted to or not. Koko had determined that since they were not as well associated with him as the rest of the crew was, they would be more inclined to not put their feelings before the mission.

"Now I must warn you though, the individual in question is very dangerous. But I need him alive. He's…crucial to my activities. Once you have him, give him over to my people and they'll handle the rest. Naturally, you will be well compensated for your services. Good morning."

As she hung up, all but one focused on Koko. Even with going so far as to shooting at them and killing an irreplaceable asset, she still wanted to give him a chance to come back. It wasn't the first bizarre way that she or even her brother Kasper had brought people into their fold. It was one of the things that her crew unanimously agreed that she was a little crazy on.

"Well boss?" Lehm being the leader to the bold step. "Where do we go from here?"

As the former Delta Force operator looked to her in the rear view mirror, he knew that iron faced persona she had was just a mask for what she was feeling on the inside. She was in pain and she was screaming. He himself couldn't believe that Damien acted the way he did. But now he was a threat and if he had to, he would kill him to protect Koko.

"We stick to the plan and continue to Port Elizabeth. I'll give Minami the details in person once we get there. Damien will expect us to immediately come after him but we'll give him a head start. Let him feel like I don't care about what happens to him. If he decides to stop this string of poor decisions, the both of us can work this out peacefully. Otherwise he won't get very far. There's nowhere he can hide from me. We have to get to Minami as fast as possible and then once this has blown over I'll have to search for another physicist that can at least match Dr. Faiza." She sighed agitated. "God knows how long that will take."

Lehm knew that this would not be over in the span of a day or even a week or month. Koko was more than likely coming up with these impossible expectations because she couldn't comprehend that the man she cherished more than anything else in the world stabbed her in the back. He felt that he should remind her about what he's really capable of.

"The Recces are hardcore in their own right. But they pale in comparison to guys like me and the kid. Not everything we do is kill a man without him even knowing we're there. Outwitting the enemy and evasion is a big part of it and he has plenty of experience in that." He said emphasizing the last part.

Lehm was referring to the nickname of South Africa's Special Forces. Formed under the infamous apartheid government they saw frequent action during their numerous border wars in the 70's. As an autonomous elite counter terrorist and covert action unit they were the most experienced troops in the entire South African military. With Africa being in a fluctuating state of constant war, they dealt with the worst types of people rather frequently.

"I will not give him any chances. He may be able to shoot his way out of a skirmish, but he has no support and no place to fall back. If worst comes to worst, I'll just leak his old credentials to the authorities and that will be it. No one's going to believe the words of someone with HIS body count."

Some of the crew did a double take to see if they heard Koko right on leaving him to rot. They kept their own thoughts hidden but they all knew that she was fiercely devoted to Damien as he was to her. She couldn't just drop all of that in the blink of an eye. But then again, no one thought he'd pull a gun on her.

The one that understood and knew how to manipulate the grey area the most out of the crew was Tojo. Working with both of the Hekmatyar siblings allowed him to address and access every option available for which direction to take in a task.

"Koko. Could there be a possibility that we could convince him a little better to see things our way? This seems highly irregular for him to do this just on impulse. Facts and evidence is something he likes to analyze."

They both sat on the floor of the back seat in front of Wiley and Mao. As she looked across to him she raised her eyebrows seeing that would be a good idea.

"Once we get on the plane I want you to go over Damien's share files and any communiques that seem out of the ordinary. I know that it's not much considering that he drove off with a bunch of our equipment and he's not stupid enough to use any of your phones."

Tojo nodded. "I'll do what I can."

"YOU'LL DO YOUR BEST AND MORE! THAT IS WHAT YOU'LL DO!" Koko snapped back at him.

The dam had finally burst and the silence of the car dropped even further. The brief moment of anger that the young woman had let out let everyone else know that she was just as hurt as the rest of them. She then realized that screaming at one of the people that she still trusted and likewise was unnecessary and out of place. Despite giving a look of regret towards the former JSDF officer, she didn't apologize. She knew she couldn't afford to be weak right now when there was a threat to her life's work.

"Koko?" Lehm braving her fury again. "Why don't you get some rest? We'll wake you when we're at the airport and then sleep on the plane. Let us handle everything else."

"I'm fine Lehm. You just worry about-"

He turned around to face her with the steel gaze of the hardened veteran he was. He didn't do it out of discipline, but to let her know that he would still be on her side of what kind of event that will unfold.

"I'm worried that if you keep physically and emotionally overexerting yourself like this, you'll collapse before you can even tell which direction he even went. Now let us do our jobs." He said ending with a pause per word said.

The lady in white just put her face in her hands. Took a moment to sulk. Then realized that the team leader of her guard could handle this type of situation better than she could at this moment. She had been accustomed to shocks, but nothing like having someone she loved betray her.

Speaking of affections though, after she put her head down to try and get some rest, the silver shield she never took off wasn't there. When Damien grabbed her by the throat, he must have caught the necklace and tore it from her when he ran. It didn't matter to her anymore anyway. It served no purpose now and she would have thrown it into the first available trash can. Fitting since he can no longer protect her.

Why Damien?

0800 Hours

The Slums

So far I had been lucky, now I had to tread carefully. After a hasty getaway I had to find a safe spot to get the gunshot wound to my arm sterilized. The most time consuming thing though was looking for and disabling the SUV's LoJack. By smashing through the console and ripping everything out. Otherwise I might as well have a string tied to me and she could just follow that. After a quick smash and grab from a closed pharmacy, I cleaned myself up but the wound wouldn't heal unless I got the bullet out of me. A hospital would be a bad idea, it'd be the first place she'd check. But if that damn computer was even half as good as she said it was, she'd probably would have gotten a report from Cape Town police about a break in at that pharmacy by now. It was stupid of me to give her a trail but if I didn't patch myself up I would have bled out or had an infected wound by now. At least I gave her a foggy trail now that she couldn't track one of her cars. There was only one place I could go where people wouldn't ask questions. The bad spots of cities are the same no matter where you go.

With this power, the world will know peace.

Cars around this place were often junkers and most people got around here by foot because of the tightly packed shanties. Regardless of a smashed front end on a relatively new model of SUV a lot of people I drove past either avoided me or gave me a look of distrust. But the key to survival around here is knowing when to stay quiet. So you just have to appeal to their nature. To make them listen to how many bills are being shuffled in one's hand.

Promise me that you'll always be by my side.

It didn't take long to find a specific group inside of their "business" district. Rough looking types I was all too familiar with when I first started out as a mercenary. Dirty cargo pants and worn shorts, sandals and boots, sleeveless shirts and open vests, all with faces saying 'don't fuck with us'. Making sure the car was within my line of sight, I did my best not to look wounded and kept one hand on the .45 in my pocket and the other on a wad of what cash I had. I hoped that any passerby's didn't do a double look in the car and see a small arsenal that I didn't know I had till much later. Not to sound prejudice but when a big white guy walks into the bad part of an African slum, you're not welcome with open arms. The group of better fed, muscular, and mean looking gang hanging out by one of the larger shanties saw me coming towards them but all I needed was directions. Hopefully the way they pointed wasn't back the way I came.

"Any of you speak English?"

The one with a multicolored arm band sitting on an old chair leaned toward me.

"Depends on what you're doing here." His deep voice matching mine. Clearly he didn't like outsiders.

"I need to know where I can find a surgeon that doesn't ask questions. Can you gentlemen point me the way to go?"

He just raised his eyebrow. "Why would we know that?"

Luckily 'Plan A' seemed to be working, all I needed to do was butter him up more. I took my left hand out with a $100 bill between two fingers and extended my arm to him. Naturally he reached but I took my hand back as he looked up to me.

"Doctor's place first."

His friends gave me stink eye but the one in the arm band just relaxed.

"You see the small hill over there with the rocky top?" He pointed.

I glanced and then nodded.

"Look for a building with a torn green flag. That's old man Musa's place. Whatever's wrong with you, he can fix."

I gave him the bill. "Thank you sir."

"Mmm. No need to be that polite big man. Just don't overstay your welcome."

"I don't intend to." I said as I left.

You're nicer than you give yourself credit for you know?

My biggest problem so far was the fucking never ending stream of cheery images of Hekmatyar in my head. It was enough to make me sick. I'd prefer my insomnia came back. And she was the one that saved my life. I thought she was someone unique, someone that only did what was necessary, someone that understood what I went through, that despite being a merchant for war she was still just a girl. Everything we had been through was nothing but a lie. Just so she could make her own selfish ideas into reality. Achieving world peace by making sure that there is no one left.

I just think you're an interesting person, that's all.

As I drove around the slums to the 'doctors' place I felt like punching myself in the head just to distract myself from that power hungry hypocrite. But I can't ignore her knowing what she's about to unleash. I couldn't believe someone with a mind as logical, cunning, and meticulous as hers is acting like a kid that just found their dad's gun. I don't know how the hell that computer works, and at this moment I don't really care, but this won't end with people no longer being able to fly. This will affect every square inch of the planet. Fear and chaos will spread like wildfire. Governments will be so sideswiped by it that they won't be able to handle their peoples outrage. It'll be open season on countries for terrorist groups. The screeching halt of air travel and trade will cause an economic meltdown triggering a world-wide depression.

Koko Hekmatyar will be at the center of it all.

I slammed my fist on the steering wheel. "And I helped her get what she needed. I'm so fucking stupid!"

I may have acted without thinking things through again but this time I could make an exception. There's no way in hell I'm gonna let World War Three start because of one girl's selfish and misconstrued thoughts on how she saw the world. But it's only me against her empire.

"Ok think. Faiza was key in that thing but now that she's dead that presents a problem for her moving forward with that damn computer, but it's already operational. Amada had to have already cracked US military encryption. The SEAL's were just test subjects. No matter what kind of move anyone would make she'd see coming a mile away. HCLI has one hell of a reach."

It was then I realized that maybe the best way to stop all of this was the obvious. I know every inch of her empire and her influence. I would be pretty valuable to someone that could stop her in one shot. But in the end, the price for it will be my freedom. Still, it's better than my soul.

Today would be on shock on top of another, and I don't have anyone else left that I can trust.

0445 Hours

Bull Run Estates, Virginia

The cool spring had finally begun to warm up in Virginia and leaves finally began to grow on the forest surrounding his property. The sun hadn't come up yet but that never mattered to any military man. It operates on a twenty four hour system. As such Marcus Andrushko didn't get frustrated when his phone rang.

"Ugh. What's Olsen want now?" He said groggily while rubbing his eyes.

A week ago, the Admiral informed him that any allegations toward him were dropped an he could go forth with his retirement plan in peace. It was a scapegoat story anyway, the JCOS couldn't make any of it stick. The same could not be said for Torrey Plame and the Army General couldn't believe what that Navy Commander had done. He was kicking and screaming that he had no idea what NCIS was questioning him about. The evidence against him though was enough to bury his career and his life. Whatever his reasons for doing it though was no longer the Generals concern. He may as well enjoy his final few years in the United States Army. It was just another day on the job.

As he reached across to the night stand next to his bed the number was a little bizarre. But it was way too early in the morning to be a telemarketer. It looked like he was starting his day early.

"Hello?"

"Dad?" A deep voice from a boy that was long dead answered on the other end. "It's Damien. We need to talk."

For a moment, General Andrushko thought he was having a nightmare. He lost the ability to comprehend what he was hearing as well as the ability to speak. He thought that this was some sort of sick joke.

"Dad! Please don't hang up! I know this sounds crazy but it's me! During high school when I was supposed to go for the juniors field trip. I skipped out and went fishing instead. Because of that you punished me by saying that I'd never learn to drive with Uncle Frank's '68 Camaro. I had to learn with one of your staff's family mini-van."

The shock forced him from his bed. The elder Andrushko recognized his sons voice from anywhere. As well as the little hooky incident from his teenage years. But he sounded like he was panicking and frightened. It was if divine intervention had given the General back his child.

"Son? Is that really you? Wha…? How…?" He could barely begin.

"I know you have a million questions but I can explain everything later. Right now I'm in serious trouble. I've been caught up in something truly horrible. A lot of innocent people are going to die and that's just gonna be the spark for what comes next! But I need to get stateside if we have any chance of stopping a war."

"Wait what do you mean war? Between who?" He said confused.

"The whole damn planet. And there won't be any winners. But I know how to stop all of this. I know who's pulling the strings. But I need to get home. Please dad! I can't trust anyone else!"

A truly remarkable thing had happened. Something that defied belief and it was a lot to take in. The son he thought he lost on a worthless battlefield had returned from the dead. With a purpose of wanting to save lives. If any of what was transpiring was real, General Andrushko could not afford to hesitate. It didn't matter that conflict was approaching. He would not lose the miracle he made with Lauren twice.

"Where are you boy?" He said as he hurried to get dressed and find his Chief of Staff.

"Cape Town, South Africa. But I don't know how long I'm going to be able to stay in one place."

"You mentioned someone else is involved in this. Someone chasing you?"

"I don't know yet. But what they have is very scary. I won't be able to hide for very long. They more than likely have already had my phone tapped so I'm speaking to you on a strangers old cell. But even I don't know how long that'll be safe."

"Well who is looking for you!? Tell me who they are and I'll take care of business."

He sighed on the other end. "If you send in anybody the normal way, they'll see every move they'll make and throw them in the wrong direction. Just like they did at Camp No with Night Nine."

The General froze as he was halfway down his stairs to his library. The security breach in SOCOM wasn't something anyone just talked about.

"How do you know about that?" He asked dreading the answer.

"It's complicated dad. Look I can't stay on this phone for much longer but I can point you in the direction of someone that has almost all the answers. I promise I'll explain everything, but I'm a sitting duck out here."

"I'll hold you to that." Damien knew something that someone important had missed. "Ok I'm listening."

"If he's still cowering in his little corner in Langley, find George Black. He's the CIA's Chief of European Operations. He'll tell you whatever you want to hear. If he dances around any questions, don't be afraid to use the rough stuff. Now this is important. Tell him that I skinned his precious Rabbit so now the…ugh…Little Lady isn't playing with a full deck. He's known of the threat these people have posed since day one. He thought he could bring them into his fold but he underestimated them. But now I have a chance at beating them."

One event just kept piling on top of another. That was the name of the CIA officer that was rescued in North Africa just a few weeks prior. Regardless of the questions piling up, if his son said the CIA would have answers he'd get them by any means necessary. They knew he was alive this whole time. It was more than enough excuse to bend and break the rules. Along with a few bones if necessary.

"George Black, got it. Anything else?"

There was silence before he continued. "You're going to have to brace yourself for a few things dad. I'm…not proud of what I've done in the last three years. Oh God…and I was actually so close to being done with all of this. But after I found out what she had in store, I couldn't take it. It wasn't worth it." The was some shuffling on the other end. "Shit! Sorry dad I gotta go. Stay by the phone I'll call you back."

"Wait! One more question. Who's this Little Lady?"

"…Koko Hekmatyar."

He heard the click and the name of alleged attacker on Camp No given from Admiral Olsen was confirmed by his son. He'd deal with the massive information dump later. His child was in danger and as a father once again, he'd do anything to protect him. It'd be an early morning for a very few select members of his staff as well.

It took a few rings before he picked up. "Raiser, it's me. This is an emergency, so listen to me very carefully…"

1100 Hours

Cape Town

That was all I could do for now, at least until I called him back and told him whoever he was going to send where to find me. But unfortunately someone else had found me first. I recognized them immediately as I peeked through the window of the old man's place. Someone must have donated a little bit more to find out where I was. She probably wanted to flush me out. No way in hell she'd be that cheap to send local militia after me. Two kept beside the damaged SUV and were waiting on me to come out. The others were nearby, probably right outside the fucking door.

"Well that didn't take very long."

As I got back from the window I took my .45 out of my pocket but only to have the hand of an the old doctor place it on the slide.

"I'm not about to patch you back up that quickly. Now I understand that you're new around here but in this part of Cape Town we have rules. This is a neutral territory, they know what will happen if they break them. They'll have to deal with each of the block leaders."

The old doctor wasn't worried at all. As per our conversation earlier he must have dealt with this kind of thing all the time. He went to the door to probably tell them to take their business elsewhere. But I could use the distraction to slip through the back door and flank them. I knew exactly what was going to happen next. It sucked for the old man though, he did a good job patching me up.

Simple agreements and honoring your word mean shit to people who want something bad enough. Especially if someone like Koko Hekmatyar wanted to neutralize a threat.

"Wat jy het-"

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The distinct automatic fire of an AK tore through him before he even knew what hit him. By then I had already scrambled out of the shanty doing my best to stay low. The bullets went through the thin wood and sheet metal like it was nothing. These guys meant business if they shot up the shanty town's only doctor.

It was good enough for me since I needed to vent my rage on someone that deserved it.

My first targets were the thugs next to the SUV, they were too focused on the shanty that they didn't see me flank them. Sprinting towards them I leapt and dived on them, grabbing them both by the head and yanking them back in a duel choke. The one in my left arm, I smashed his head through the driver side window. After he went limp I broke the other ones neck. After he dropped his AKM, I made sure there was a round in the chamber and started firing at anyone that was armed.

The bursts of fire and the shouting of Afrikaans ended as quickly as it started. Two of them were just standing in the open and third by the door, they went down quick. A fourth and fifth heard the commotion outside and returned fire from inside the doctor's doorway. After hitting the dirt I fired from under the vehicle and hit both sides of the doorway. The thin sheet metal did little to stop the heavy hitting rounds of a Soviet assault rifle.

Checking to see that my clip was empty, I tossed the rifle to the side and got out one of the crew's ACR's from the back seat. Hidden underneath a blanket and some luggage. I heard groans of pain from inside the shanty. One of them was still alive as I made my way over and peeked inside.

He was going for his fallen weapon, so I didn't give a chance as I put a burst through his back.

But then I heard a garbled radio message coming from him. And in my haste it looked like he was way better off than the rest of the militia. After kneeling down to the body and searching him, I found his radio. I don't speak Afrikaans but what was on the other end sounded urgent. He didn't have any ID but after I found a folded maroon beret in his pocket I knew military when I saw it. I had to move now but not without cleaning up first. As I went to the first casualty.

"I'm gonna need this back…" I took the cash I paid the doctor. "…and I'm gonna need this a little while longer." Including his phone. He was dead, he wouldn't care.

I needed a better place to hide. It was a risk but I'd have more options if I found someplace in the city and I needed to ditch my car and find another mode of transportation. Luckily they had an old Land Rover with them when they crept up on the doctor's hut. I couldn't keep that either, so the moment I made it in town I ditch it and go on foot. I grabbed whatever hard evidence, supplies, weapons, and ammo I could fit in a backpack and carrying bag. But as I was packing, I noticed something shiny on the floor of the front passenger side. The moment I picked it up I knew it was the shield I gave her and she never took it off. I must have ripped it from her when I took her by the neck. And once again that goddamn sweet and beautiful face that was just a mask for the hideous freak behind it popped into my head.

"FUUUUUCK!"

Screaming at the top of my lungs I then slammed my fist with the silver shield in it down on the engine hood so hard I dented it in.

But now was not the time to be lost in a rage. I had to go, but not without making sure the fool that would come to collect his dead subordinates would get a nasty surprise when they searched the car that used to belong to my former employer. With a two grenades and a few pieces of string, whoever opened the SUV door would be the last thing they'd ever do.

The adrenaline had calmed down again as I started to drive off normally as if nothing happened. Enough so to see that this was the first skirmish in a war that I declared on a mad woman. She knew I was a threat and I know every way to exploit her weaknesses. She had already lost a crucial piece of her plan but I can't beat her on my own. I will not let the world fall into ruin because of one mad little girl's outlook on all of human life. I truly believed that she cared about me. She saved my life. But in the end I didn't even know her at all. Or anyone else for that matter.

My hatred still wasn't subdued as I found myself starting to shake.

The final blow to my spirit though, was that Velmer didn't even try to help me. I was gonna tell her that I loved her. I wanted to take her to start a life away from all of this. I didn't even NEED to go home anymore. Just being with her made me feel complete. It didn't matter to me what she did, I just cared about her. It's like some sick joke that it all comes crumbling down on me when I finally started feeling happy again.

But if this is how it must be. Then so be it. Looking at the silver pendant again I wrapped the chain around my wrist. It'd be a permanent reminder of what I shouldn't have bumbled into like an dumbass.

"Time to show you what a true monster is, Hekmatyar."

1217 Hours

"What in the hell were you thinking when you sent in one man and a bunch of trigger happy locals to get him? My boss told you this guy is not some rank amateur!"

Meanwhile across the city in a secluded staging ground for South Africa's Special Forces, the pilots for Koko Hekmatyar were giving a stern blowing up to Colonel Vorstedt for being too ambitious. Gordon may have been the more carefree of the two but he and Rothrine were trained in the same harsh and brutal methods that make US Army helicopter pilots earn their wings. If they were ever shot down by enemy fire they had to have the art of evading capture be second nature. As well as be willing to steal and kill to survive.

"I wanted our presence to be discreet. I thought…"

"You thought very stupidly and now his guard is up because he knows he's being hunted now." Rothrine cut the Colonel off.

"Which means taking him alive is now going to be much harder thanks to your haste."

As Gordon finished for his partner, one of Vorstedt's men came to him with a radio in hand.

"Sir. Inkomende oordrag van Condor Twee."

(Sir. Incoming transmission from Condor 2.)

The Colonel took the radio while still being stared down by the two American's that worked for HCLI's heiress.

"Gaan voort."

(Go ahead.)

"Geen oorlewendes Meneer nie. En geen teken van die Amerikaanse. Maar hy het ons trok steel. Hy het Mej Hekmatyar se agter gelaat."

(No survivors sir. And no sign of the American. But he did steal our truck. He left Miss Hekmatyar's behind.)

The Colonel did not make a good first impression with Koko Hekmatyar's subordinates but now he had a lead on where Damien went. Each of their vehicles, no matter how old looking, were tagged with a transmitter. But he decided to heed the advice of the two pilots. If he was as smart as they said he was then he wouldn't be using it for very long.

"Verstaan. Maak skoon en kom terug na die Nes. Ons het nog 'n voorsprong."

(Understood. Clean up and come back to the Nest. We have another lead.)

"Kopieer ons kontroleer…"

(Copy we're checking…)

BOOM!

The blast on the other end caused the radio to screech. It was then followed by garbled, but panicked chatter. Gordon and Rothrine were not surprised.

"I don't know why Koko asked you to help keep her assets safe in your country but your reliability now ranks at jack and shit. And jack left town." Gordon said annoyed.

The Colonel then shot an angry stare at the former Warrant Officer while he gave his right hand instructions to handle the situation until he was done with their guests. He owed the arms dealer for not only upgrading the SASF arsenal but giving some key intelligence of some very dangerous warlords, he would not be belittled by one of her own subordinates. He was a soldier just like him and not one that took insults lying down.

"I will admit, that I might have underestimated one of your former employees. But we are used to these types of individuals. They aren't however as well trained as she said he is. Event's like this do not happen often. But in his haste to get away he hasn't realized that our vehicles are tagged. He won't get far and I'll have the Cape Town Police on a discretion watch so that they don't interfere with our operations. This will be dealt with quietly and you'll get him alive."

The two pilots didn't flinch. They knew who had their back could end this man in a heartbeat if she wanted to.

"See that it does. I don't want to have to explain to Koko why Cape Town is in chaos." Rothrine said.

"But it will be done on MY terms. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to deal with the casualties YOUR former co-worker caused!" Vorstedt said pointing as he went to his men.

The two HCLI supervisors then continued to observe SASF and wait until to jump in when the situation called for it. But they hoped it wouldn't be soon. If it came down to it, they had to deter Damien's will to fight. But it would be a last resort only. Gordon knew this as he looked out to the Little Bird Koko had given to him and Rothrine before they left, outfitted with an M134 Minigun. Damien wouldn't stand a chance against them unless he magically pulled a Stinger missile out of mid-air.

"She said she wanted him back Keith. Don't go full cowboy." Rothrine said knowing what his old friend was thinking.

"No worries Red. I won't ignore Koko's request but he shot at us, and that's all the reason for me not to trust him." He then scratched his face. "God, I actually liked that kid. Why the hell did he do that?"

"Well not all of us see the world for what it truly is." He whispered under his red mustache.

"Come on Red, you and I both were screwed out of our jobs. You make one change in a flight plan and it's your career. I could give a shit about people who THINK they know better. I'm looking forward to seeing how people like that will react to Koko's plan."

Rothrine didn't argue. The way the two pilot's lost their status as Nightstalker's was the pettiest reason he'd ever heard of. All they wanted to do was give some Iraqi's a safe ride out of a hostile area.

"Let's just focus on getting Andrushko back."

0830 Hours

Bull Run Estates

What was going on inside Marcus Andrushko's home was strictly off the books and limited to only a select few people. It wasn't the first time the General had called an emergency to his staff but it was never to meet up at his house or set up his study to be his own personal command and control center. Each one of them were wondering what could be happening that would make the Green Beret act in such a way. As well as his visual agitation and fear behind his cold blue eyes. His Chief of Staff was used to secrecy but when his commanding officer was behaving this irrationally, it called for some answers.

"Shumaker should be here any second now with Chief Black sir."

From what Raiser was told, the CIA officer would have them. After getting shot out of his bed before sunrise he only told his wife that work called and he didn't have time to get in uniform. All he was told was that someone was in trouble and not to ask questions.

"Thank you Colonel."

The General checked his watch for the dozenth time in the last hour. Alice Burns was monitoring the simple set up that was put next to the fireplace, wires were strewn across the floor. She and Shumaker had discreetly took a few pieces of tech from the office. They were waiting on someone to contact him but Raiser never saw him this antsy. It wasn't in Andrushko's nature to be this nervous. As he kept his eye on him he made his way to his desk, pausing as he looked at the only picture frame, then opening the draw to pull out his old .40 Smith and Wession. Raiser didn't react but Burns was starting to get nervous as the Green Beret walked to the Colonel and handed him the gun.

"What the hell is that for Marcus?" He said letting him know he was done with the silent treatment.

"Only to keep Black from making any poor choices. That and he doesn't have a choice in leaving without giving me what I want."

As if on cue, a knock was at the General's front door. Raiser then took the gun from Andrushko and stuffed it in his shorts, pulling his t-shirt down over it.

"Burns, go get the door then wait outside with Shumaker. I'll let you know when to come back in."

"Yes sir." The DOD member said clearly nervous. But she wanted to make up for what happened in Cuba.

A minute later, a portly looking man in a grey suit, faded hair, glasses, and calm complexion was in the doorway of the Generals study. A briefcase in his hand. He didn't face him until Shumaker closed the door behind him. As their eyes met, both of them knew exactly why they were here. Raiser sat at the side as a witness and a guard.

"I knew that eventually the two of us would meet each other. I didn't think it'd be this soon though."

Two days ago Bookman had just finished a new strategy that he was about to prepare for Director Panetta. It had to do with a new world order and how to conduct intelligence operations in a world without full scale conflict between leading world nations. But he couldn't bring himself to say who led him to formulate a strategy like this. As he was about to go to work, a plain clothes Air Force officer stopped him from going in the building. He presented a form to the Chief with orders to immediately meet with a SOCOM representative and officially sealed with the US Army's approval. Not making a scene, he did as he was told but confused on why an Air Force officer was doing this. But knowing who he would meet made it a dead giveaway on what was about to happen today.

"The reason I didn't storm into Langley and drag your sorry carcass out by the throat is because whatever is happening will not be solved by boisterous strong arming."

Bookman saw the similarity between the General and his son. It wasn't just the unnaturally blue eyes, but the intimidating presence and establishing superiority of being logical, calm, and knowing if one wrong move was made it would be the end of someone else's life. For Marcus, it was the nature of being one of America's best and on occasion worst. For Damien though, it was hatred of the horrible things that had occurred in his life.

"So what is it you need from me General?"

"Everything." He growled as he walked toward Bookman aggressively. "Starting off by telling me why the fuck you people kept me from knowing my son was alive!"

Black knew Andrushko would cut to the chase. Raiser though raised his eyebrow in shock about what was really going on. It wasn't the first time the CIA had hidden someone else's death but this was something else. For now he would make sure his commander didn't lose his cool. But Black didn't blink, since both men were veterans of the dirtier side of wars.

"That wasn't me General…" He set his briefcase down. "…and you know the nature of our work revolves around the need to know basis. Not everyone knows everything. It's the same thing with SOCOM. Do you go around discussing all those raids in Baghdad? Burning those poppy fields in Thailand? Or maybe those diamond smugglers in Libera where their shipment went missing after they were all disposed of?"

Andrushko was surprised that he had prepared himself like that. There were grey area's throughout his life as well. But he wasn't the one under the microscope. He damned secrets at this point.

"Why?" It was all he asked.

"Honestly, he built his own reputation. He didn't come onto our radar until about nine months after the Army said he disappeared. He willingly involved himself in a lot nefarious activities with some very unpleasant people. Whatever his reasons, he made himself a walking threat. The agent who kept the best tabs on him, as well as the one who figured out who he was, worked for my department. His code name was: Nightmare. Some of the things he did was…exceptionally brutal. But I think it would be more appropriate for him to tell you why that is."

The Green Beret bared his teeth. "Why wasn't I ever told about this? For Christ's sake he's my son!"

"I'm not making any excuses General. I had to make the logical choice here so only a select few know about him. If word got out that one of our own members of United States Special Forces went so far over to the other side, needless to say it would cripple our reliability and influence to conduct our intelligence operations around the world. It's why a whole lot of people don't really know about him. But make no mistake, he has killed a lot of people. Some deserving but many more who weren't."

The General's anger continued on a slow incline, he refused to believe his own son would turn into a terrorist overnight.

"I'm finding all of this very difficult to believe, Black."

"You wanted the truth General. I have no reason to lie to you. The only way you would have ever found out was if he contacted you. It's why I'm here."

"But even if didn't tell me, I would have spent the rest of my life not knowing my son was really alive. Wouldn't you?"

Black didn't answer. There wasn't anything he could really say without sticking his foot in his mouth.

"Do you have any children Black?"

It was another response the CIA Chief expected from the Green Beret. He didn't feel good about where this conversation was about to go next.

"I have a son and a daughter."

The General closed the distance until he was face to face with him.

"Then you should know that as a father you would do anything to protect them. You know that if you were in the same situation I am right now, you would move heaven and earth to find out what really happen to them and make sure they were safe." He then grabbed his collar and forced him to his door with a thud. "So you know that whatever reason for keeping a secret about a man's child being alive when he thought he was dead is a load of shit!"

"Marcus." Raiser said putting his hand on his shoulder. Stepping in silently from behind

His Chief of Staff, as well as his friend, knew that beating a CIA officer's face in was not going to get Damien back home any faster. His son did tell him to prepare himself for some facts he wasn't going to like. He let him go and backed away, looking at the Chief in disgust and pity. He had a more important matter at hand. By making sure that he would help him clear a path in getting his son home and have another ally in a fight that, according to Damien, would stop a war from happening.

"None of that matters right now. From what he told me something terrible is about to happen soon and if we fail, there's going to be a lot of blood on YOUR hands. Because you were too arrogant and stupid to eliminate a threat when you saw it and now it's too late. But luckily for you, my son found out something you didn't know. And now he's being hunted by someone you're very associated with."

Bookman didn't expect this. Koko Hekmatyar was so attached to Damien it was obvious she cared for him. And there was no change in Damien's behavior that would warrant a radical change for him to betray her like that.

"What did he tell you?"

"Word for word; 'I skinned his precious Rabbit and now the Little Lady isn't playing with a full deck'."

He killed Faiza? And then he ran from Koko? Somethings not right. Even if he…

"Judging by the look on you face, the quantum computer that she's apparently built is now more dangerous than you realize. We're at the mercy of shit that should only exist in movies."

Bookman wondered how much Damien told his father. "Mind if I ask how you found that out?"

"Olsen told me about it after the Camp No incident. It took me a hot minute to piece it together after I found out he was alive this morning. But after the easy breach in my brand new SOCOM Command Center, a sign saying 'Koko Hekmatyar was here' would be pushing it. And I think that's why he finally contacted me. He knows what machine is capable of and it's already in the wrong hands. God only knows what she's going to do with it."

Bookman took a moment to think. There wasn't anything else that he could say that the General didn't already know. Koko didn't really care about the US or any other country for that matter but she didn't hold grudges against nations. She was a businesswoman through and through not an extortionist. She wouldn't hold the country for ransom as if she was a member of SPECTRE. But for the longest time she proclaimed that she wanted to create a new world over and over again. It had to be that. Damien held the last clue and whatever it was it frightened him so much that he betrayed his surrogate family.

"Did he say anything else to you? Anything about a new world?"

"You tell me."

"It was what Koko Hekmatyar was planning on for the longest time. Only reason we couldn't figure it out is simply because if you want to keep a secret you don't tell anyone. She also never posed any real threat, until just recently. That's the honest truth."

He sighed annoyed. "You know, you spies truly fascinate me sometimes. You think that there are LEVEL'S of threats. It's either one or the other."

Raiser had sat by long enough. It was hard for him to take in as well but he knew the General had gotten what he wanted. Now was the time to go to work.

"Sir? We can figure out what Hekmatyar has in store later. Right now Damien is alone out there with information that can save a lot of lives. Let's bring him home."

"Agreed." He didn't take his eyes off Black and neither did he. "Burns! Shumaker!"

The two were waiting right outside the door, ready for whatever came next.

"Alice get back on the computers and keep an ear on the phone."

"Sir."

"Colonel, get me a Delta unit ready to go to Cape Town. We're going to have to call in a few favors. Shumaker, find them a ride."

"I can get Tom Temishenko's men ready to go in two hours."

"Wait. Stop." Bookman said firmly. The room focused on him.

"Don't worry Black we're not leaving you out of this. You are gonna be the one that will call in all these favors."

Bookman ignored the General's snide comment. "I know and I have an idea that can help you glide under the radar a lot better. It'll take time but she won't see you coming until it's too late."

"How?"

"We're going to need to make contact with these people as well as your Delta Force troops, directly. If Koko Hekmatyar gets one wind of that we're coming to rescue him, she'll double her efforts to find him and send us on a wild goose chase. For getting your Delta's over there undetected we'll have them delivered the same way we sent the SEAL's after Pablo Escobar. Hiding in a cargo container aboard a civilian plane."

It was a little primitive and slow in communications but if anything electronic wasn't being used then her computer's hacking capabilities were useless.

"Shumaker? Can you get one of those containers we use every now and then?"

"All I need to know is where to send it sir." The PJ flyer said with confidence.

"Get on it. Raiser, get Temishenko. Bookman, you'll handle the travel arrangements. I wish I could go with you but I need to stay by the phone for when he calls."

"I might as well start a tab on how much this is going to really cost."

"Hold it." He put an iron grip on his shoulder as he was about to leave. "Do you think that just because you said you have no reason to lie means I trust you? You knew my son was alive, asshole."

Bookman didn't argue but he was starting to get annoyed with the fact that Andrushko was using every opportunity to take advantage of him being caught with his pants down. He did the same thing to a lot of other people in his career as a spy. He just wished that it didn't happen to him in this particular situation. If Damien wanted to be taken into custody, it had to be serious.

"I can't do anything sitting in your house General."

"I know." He then pulled out his cell. "That means when I call you I will get a response and I will get what I ask for or I'm going right to Panetta about all the shit your department's done. Is that understood?"

So this is what it feels like when you're at the short end of the stick.

1340 Hours

Marchen Development and Production, North of Kirkwood, South Africa

"So that's what happened."

Explaining the situation to Professor Amada why Dr. Faiza wasn't with Koko when she arrived in Port Elizabeth was not a pleasant experience to recall again. As they sat together in her office with Karen Low observing them from the closed door, Minami found this incredibly hard to accept. Even more so with seeing her best friend in a state of utter misery. She saw from her bloodshot blue eyes that she had been crying a lot as of recent. What angered her the most was the slight bruising around her neck. She was sickened that Damien would go that far.

"Koko…" She put her hand on her thigh. "…there is nothing I can say or do that will make you feel any better. But it seems as though, he can't begin to understand what you're actually about to accomplish. People do have a tendency to fear what they don't understand and Damien is no different. I just wish he didn't lash out with a gun. I hate to say this but…if he was willing to use you as a shield and shoot at his friends then he is too far gone."

Koko sat up from the couch and walked over to Minami's office window. She saw that Lehm was still by their car smoking his favorite brand. It's not that she didn't allow him in, it was that she needed her best friend right now and he wanted to keep it as private as possible. The rest of the crew were back at her hotel in town.

"All I wanted to do was share a bright future with him. Let him finally be happy and free from the torment that was unjustly cursed upon him. He believed in me, and I him. And he just throws it all away!" She shouted slamming her fist against the glass.

Minami almost never saw Koko truly angry. She had to get her thinking about anything else other than Damien. But what was a pressing matter had to do with him anyway. She sat up and stood next to her.

"Dr. Baburin and I have managed to restore Jormungand to its operational state and replaced all of the parts needed for it to maintain its power output. But since we don't have Dr. Layla Faiza to make it smaller, fix certain technical workarounds, and conceive a more stable magnetic vacuum it can only be used in short intervals. So needless to say, our progress has been set back significantly."

Koko had come too far to fail now. She couldn't let her failure with Damien be the failure of her dream.

"Whatever you need I'll get it."

The doctor then took out a cigarette. She did what she pleased in her own office.

"There's actually one thing Koko. It's not a problem though. Only a concern." She said as she took out her torch.

"With what?"

"Power consumption. The amount the computer needs to process efficiently is way beyond what the building itself would actually use. That will raise some suspicion that we don't need. We'll have to create our own power plant that supplies electricity to just this building. Discreetly of course."

"I'll get right on it. But others is not who I'm concerned about. He already knows what this place really is." Koko looked to her serious intent. "I want this place under full guard twenty four hours a day. Let Malin know to double check all of the maintenance personnel. And place a call to Shadow Hammer for more security."

Shadow Hammer was one of the more reliable private security firms that Koko trusted. They were the ones she hired to guard her "Factory". While they asked for a lot, they were worth every penny.

"Are you really expecting him to do something that's just plain suicide?"

"I'm expecting that he's willing to do anything at this point." She then went to leave.

"Well where are you going now?"

She paused as Karen opened the door for Koko.

"The plan cannot continue on determined intentions alone. I will need to continue my arms deals in order finance Jormungand until it's fully operational."

Karen then began to escort Koko out but Minami had one last question as she put her cigarette out.

"Can I ask you one more thing? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

Koko turned around and walked back to the Japanese roboticist. True friends always talked to each other if they needed to.

"What's up?"

"Why did he want to go to Cape Town anyway?"

Her posture and expression saddened. The answer for that was in Tojo's digging around Damien recent emails that he didn't bother trying to hide. He had been in contact with a rather well known optometrist that specialized in advanced transplants. His last message he sent was that he was ecstatic that the doctor had found a donor that was a match. That they would have the procedure as soon as they arrived.

"He initially planned to say that he wanted to leave on peaceful terms. But the surprise was that he wanted to give Valmet a new eye. After that, he would've simply left with her."

Koko answered her question and left with Karen Low tailing her with a look of regret. Minami, taking off her glasses, stood in the center of her office deep in thought of where this would go next. None of it was fair to Koko.

Especially for her sister who truly did love him.