Chapter 1

Life is a stranger to us. We had not explored the offers of it. What we identify is just a slice of a whole cake. And what the cake is…? It is oblivion. How do we actualize such inappropriate meaning of life? And how do we repair it? Simply assumed, we don't. We deal with it…

"Chopper One-Seven, Team Alpha ready for takeoff."

"Roger that, Command GHO, Team Alpha for go-run!"

The helicopter acquired its delight, and hovered off to the sky. We installed inside it, observing the close-end views of the ocean. "What was the last time you've seen ocean, Elias?" Rorke inquired.

"Maybe when my two sons were born."

"Oh yeah, I remember those two little fillies. Reminds of youth", Merrick interrupted.

The conversation progressed to develop in a personal way, thus I changed the format. "Guys, why is this place called Hillside?"

"I assume as it remains as an island, although turned to numerous monarchies?" replied by Siris.

"We have Command PN there, working with the Phantoms", Keegan reminded.

Way there fingered edgy and felt as it was our last trip before demise. The sense of decease remained sturdy, receiving into my nostrils. "S*** is going to go down, guys", I joked, relieving myself from pressure.

"I can feel it too. I think we are not the only Alpha Team that was sent."

"Yeah, there were sixty men sent to there."

I attached my eyes on Siris, who remained sitting silently over the dark corner of the helicopter. "Siris, what are you doing?" Ajax yelled, noticing my presence on Siris.

"Huh, nothing. I… um… just thinking."

He acquired an anxious image on his face. He's acting extraordinarily for today, and his face felt uncomfortable. "What's wrong?" I probed.

"Well, this war isn't about defending that hospital, it is something deeper. I had gathered some Intel over this site, and it seems to be ruled by five empires. This is a war between four empires, as the fifth stayed silent. We are defending the fifth, as its name is Middle-Way. The attackers seem unnatural, as it is federations, the north side."

"Why is it unnatural?" I queried.

"Well, you see, the sickbay locates at the south part, against Middle-Way, and so the northern section has to roll around… I assume that the hospital's surroundings are crucial for the federations, as it seems to be one of its types."

"Oh-really, Siris? You're just being superstitious", Sam joined.

"Guys, screw you…" Siris felt apprehensive, and declined for further chatting.

Silence once again fell into this impractical chopper. I did not mangle myself in previous fights, but apprehension is intolerable.

"Dude, I think this won't end well. This seems like our last fight-"

"Never say that!" I yelled at Rakesh, with his skin reflecting light from the window.

"We may never create a guess or assume our destiny, but sometimes the punitive truth makes you insecure", Siris spoke, his voice unsteady.

"Maybe you're right, Siris, but maybe we are hesitating to take the god damn shot! Remember the guys before us? The whole team got taken out by one single sniper", I indicated a clear point.

"This certainly progresses no sense to me… Why are you guys arguing anyway?" Simon clustered his ammunition, taken my word in.

"Well, excuse me, Ghost Man, but why the hell does Rakesh think we are going to die?" Wilson yelled at the back of the helicopter.

"This is getting pretty interesting", I heard Keegan's whisper, followed by Ajax's words.

"Can we just stop for a moment and ask ourselves: What is wrong with society!?"

"Let's just focus on the battle arena, as we don't even know the arrangements made on it", Rorke commanded, pulling out a map from his backpack. We examined it, seeing the center of the whole zone. Large, few hundred meters on one edge, filled with structures which surrounded a large palace, and an infirmary aside it, and other evacuated buildings, surrounded by mountainous hills, but as we examined closer to the border of the town, we noticed the desert surrounding the area.

"That's bad, as our Fire-team cannot hurry back as they spot the enemies on the mountains", I announced. This is a crucial part to play in the battle.

"Team Alpha, seven hours till drop-off point, get ready", the lights flickered green to the announcement. "What was our motto here?" I inquired.

"I think the codename was "Salvation, but the motto was "Karma, or somewhat like that", Rakesh mentioned. I could sense my heartbeat, pounding in my gradually failing chest, and I could sense the dread on the broken field. Area where we were supposed to defend remained surrounded by mountains, generating an awkward position on planting the mines. This plan wasn't as successful as we alleged it to be, but nevertheless worse. Unfortunately, Phantoms weren't involved with our fight — with our mercenaries…

Mercenary: Are we just a people who fight for this land, or are we just mercenaries? Men, who fight, called as soldiers but it does not affect it at all. We are dubious, not unrelated. How is that? We share the same path of life, though we did not have our rights. My line here is to inquire something from you: Are you same…? Are you same as us? I suppose not, but ask one more time when you see your loved ones, and show dignity for yourself. We are mercenaries…

Tier One: Simon, Alpha Squad: Vector CQC; 'Silence'

Marksmen:

What an immortal power has maintained its dignity... These men are named marksmen, or in common cases: Snipers. They are equipped with a massive powered sniper rifle for long-range distant shooting with such immortality. They strike fear into their enemy with their irregularity, and thus, following something announced as destiny. They have achieved a high milestone, and we need to appreciate their work. In-depth, these men are immortal, nevertheless rather dull in close range, but their rife will be buried next to their grave… "As Legends…"