Chapter Ten

"All ASEAN units in the South China Sea have been redirected to defend China against Menendez's drone attacks." President Bosworth, under the security name Falcon, stated as Ryuji continued his call.

"I already sent some of the Ground Defense Force units to LA. Most of the Ground and all of the Naval Defense Forces are focused on defending Japan, and we have a squadron of interceptors set to destroy as many drones as possible before they reach Japan or China. The marine's will greet you with 'Oni', and you respond with 'Hayana'." Ren stated. "Futaba's already mixing a message using our old footage from Shido's calling card."

"Thanks, Ren Ren, I knew I could trust in you." Ryuji smiled.

"Hey, it's what the minister of defense does." Ren chuckled before he hung up. Ryuji put his phone away as the US forces finished speaking with the President.

"Not that I'm in the mood for more stress, but can someone tell me why there's a wanted war criminal on the chopper?" President Bosworth asked.

"Technically, we're all war criminals." Torres joked, back to his old self. "But to answer your question, Ryuji dropped a truth bomb on her and she decided to side with us." Minako groaned.

"We're falling right into Menendez's trap." Minako groaned. "Show me the drone flight paths." The screen showed several fleets of drones, all of them seeming to avoid LA. Minako pointed to one of them. "See that one inbound to Nicaragua? It's about to turn around." Sure enough, it turned, flying straight to LA.

"Los Angeles, I knew it was too easy to crack the celerium worm…" Section stated. A pair of explosions rocked the helicopter. "SHIT! THE PRESIDENT IS UNDER ATTACK!" The helicopter crashed into the highway, fortunately, the secret service already had an MRAP prepared for her, and the only injured person was the SECDEF. The plan was to get to the Prom Night shelter with the other G20 leaders to identify Menendez's location and eliminate him. It wasn't easy, especially when they had to get to a second vehicle, which was suicide bombed by several dragonfly drones. Ryuji pulled several people out of the crash, including the President and Arisato.

"Section, take the streets, I'll escort Falcon and the asset to Prom Night, you focus on the PMCs." Ryuji stated. "Torres, go with him."

"Copy that Skull." Torres responded. As Section and Torres focused on fighting the PMCs, President Bosworth got unusually chatty.

"So, I must know, how did a JGSDF member join the SAS?" President Bosworth asked.

"It's a remnant of the armistice." Ryuji explained. "I was in ARM-4 in Verdansk, I worked closely with Task Force 141, the old captain was impressed enough that he arranged for a special diplomatic dual citizenship so I could join 141."

"How heartwarming." Minako chuckled as she repeatedly stabbed a mercenary.

"The rest is a story we don't have time for." Ryuji stated. "The G20 convoy is just up-" A multitude of mercenaries popped up out of nowhere. They held the trio at gunpoint, but they were too focused on Ryuji and the President to notice the JSDF forces fast roping behind them. One short gunfight later an older member of the soldiers approached him.

"Oni." He challenged.

"Hayana." Ryuji responded. The

"I'd salute you but it seems we're the same rank." He chuckled. "Captain Takeba Makoto, the JGSDF Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade is at your service."

"Good to meet you Captain Takeba." Ryuji smiled. "Did you guys come with any tanks or armored columns?"

"No, but we have some attack choppers and our MRAPs." Takeba stated. "What do you need of us?"

"I'm bringing Falcon and the Asset to Prom Knight." Ryuji explained. "We're linking up with the rest of the G20, your new standing orders are to provide them with an escort."

"Copy that Captain Sakamoto, see you on the other side." He smiled. "Alright, we're moving out!" The JGSD guided the trio to a convoy of armored cars, where Section had Torres climb in the back seat of an F/A-38 E Strike Yellow Jacket. It was supposedly one that belonged to a pilot called Anderson who had to land her plane after getting shot. Ryuji stepped onto an MRAP, giving a thumbs up to Section as the two separated again. It was quite terrifying to be surrounded by the mercenaries as Section gunned them down, tearing them piece from piece with the plane's cannon. It was a beautiful sight, in all honesty. Soon enough, they arrived at Prom Night. Minako, the president, and Section were escorted in by a secret service agent. However, Torres had Ryuji stay outside for a second.

"He really wants America dead." Torres sighed. "You think it's ever going to be enough for him?"

"No." Ryuji stated. "And killing him won't be enough for you. It'll just make you empty. Why do you think I wanted to take Minako alive?"

"You wanted her to pay." Torres responded. "But not in blood, in seeking redemption."

"Exactly." Ryuji stated. "There's no way we can make Menendez turn himself in, but we can certainly bring him to justice."

"Yeah." Torres responded. "I kind of want to talk to him. I want to know what makes him tick, what makes his wheels turn."

"Well, if we arrest him, you'll get that opportunity."

"Well, this is the endgame everyone." Section stated, staring at the crowd of soldiers ahead of him. There was a group of Army Rangers, a small part of the JSDF Amphibious Brigade, some JSOC members, and, of course, his team. Oracle pulled through and secured a location that Menendez was using, though her smear campaign wasn't working, the Phantom Thieves didn't have as much reputation as they used to. But that was beside the point, he had a briefing to give and not much time to give it. "The Task Force 141 asset codename Oracle has figured out where Menendez is hiding. He's operating out of a Tacitus facility in Haiti, equipped with drones and CLAWS specifically to counter us. We'll split into two groups, air team and sea team. Air team will glide in on wing packs to meet the mercs, the sea team will come in shortly after to assist. To keep things simple, the air team will be US forces, and the JSDF is taking the sea. China will be sending in J-20's to attack the drones and paratroopers to assist in the raid against Menendez. Remember, orders are kill or capture, it doesn't matter what you do to him, but it's best to take him in alive. We want to minimize the chances of an uprising in his name. Dismissed, prepare for deployment at 1500." The members got up, going off to prepare for the mission. Sakamoto approached Section before anything else.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Sakamoto asked. "I'm not sure if emotions will get in the way."

"I'm fine, I'm more worried about Torres though." Section sighed. "He seems like he wants blood."

"I had a chat with him earlier, but it seems like he's still intent on killing Menendez." Sakamoto responded. "But at the same time, he's intrigued by him. He wants to know how he thinks."

"I'd keep an eye on him just in case." Section stated. "Something tells me he thinks Menendez might have something for him."