The Home Front

Damon groans as he stretches his tired limbs before standing as he shakes off the last remnants of his slumber.

The Ghost barracks is empty aside from the Sergeant Major. No doubt his teammates are off somewhere either getting their first decent meal after spending months living off cold rations in the boonies or visiting friends or, if they're lucky, communicating with their families. He knows that Senior has four brothers and their families who are living on base, Jacob's girlfriend is here as well, and Ash's mother is in a small town in Virginia somewhere. He suppose he should feel happy that his team has some loved ones who they can visit, even if it does make him feel a little lonely.

Hoping it'll help him feel better, he shrugs off his shirt, looks down and raises his arms in front of him so he can examine them. About three months ago, he had visited a tattoo artist and had both his arms decorated.

His right arm is covered by a silver strain that curls around his limb, starting from his wrist and making its way up to his shoulders. Every so often the wire is interrupted by a sharp and punctuating end, making it look like a complex yet deadly design. What stands out though are the words written in old English, particularly the large ones that takes up a large portion of his arm. Written across his biceps and working their way down his forearm before stopping at his wrist are the words "Remember the Fallen". Written in and around the curvy designs are minuscular words that are actually names. Among the names are the titles Faulkner, Gordon and Swans, Damon's original Ghost team who perished on the Canadian mission. Inscribed among them are the names of the wolves of the United Pack, Damon's Pack, the ones who gave their lives in the final battle against the Federation invaders. Among them is Viola, Joey, Zane, Sitka, Gunther and many more. The total tally is thirty two, thirty two names that Damon bares proudly on his arm, people and wolves who he will never forget.

His left arm is just as colorful and elegant in some ways. Stretching from his wrist to his forearm is an American flag, given the appearance of waving in a breeze; however its in tatters with holes and scratches made all over it. There is also a picture of orange flames slowly eating its way up from the bottom of the American stars and stripes, causing patches of the banner to be blacken as its slowly being burned away. However, starting from his shoulder is a long sleeved arm reaching down and holding the top portion of the flag is a gloved hand. Just like the flag, the arm is covered in fire and through the flames a skeleton hand and arm can be seen, but despite that, it continues to clings on tightly to the flag. Written alongside his underarm are the words "Holding on," Damon's way of showing how deep his commitment is for his country. He may not have always been a hard fighting patriot, especially during his younger years, but he is now, more than willing to do whatever is necessary when it comes to protecting America.

Soft footsteps are sounded behind him and he turns to see who it is. Entering the barracks is Ash, who is wearing cargo pants and a gray t-shirt that has the words USAF written in black letters. Her short black hair is restrain and made into a pony tail that is lightly touching her shoulders, he notes how a small strain is loose and is waving in front her eyes, she keeps tucking it away, but very so often it falls back down. Her dark colored skin is quite exotic in Damon's opinion, but her warm eyes are colored a bright and energetic brown. She is about six foot two, nearly the same height as Damon is, but she is a lot leaner in frame than compared to the Sergeant Major.

Master Sergeant Ashley "Ash" Clinton, born and raised in Mobile Alabama is a woman of many talents. Her dream of becoming a commercial airplane pilot was dashed when the Federation invaded. Her family is one of the first to have made the exodus north into the supposed safe zone. She was seventeen at the time, but like Damon, she was quickly introduced into military life. However unlike him, she put off doing field work and instead spent a limited amount of time at flight school where she became a chopper pilot. Wanting to be more helpful to the cause and kill a few Feds along the way, she transferred and became a part of AFSOC, the legendary Pararescue Jumpers who are task with recovering and providing medical support to wounded ground troops. Most of the time they work in hostile environments, so they became were dubbed as a Special Forces group, one solely consisting of medics.

It was in this way that Ash caught the attention of a Ghost recruiter. When an Infantry unit got pinned down deep in occupied territory, she got deployed solo (her partner having been hit earlier that week). She then led the team out of the danger zone while caring for their needs along the way, eventually getting the unit out without losing a single man while crossing a stretch of nearly fifty miles of the long lane known as "No Man's Land". A day after their return, a Ghost recruiter talked to Ash and she agreed to try out for the Ghosts. Within a year, she graduated with the fourth class of Ghosts. Though she makes the occasional crack about switching from the Air Force to the Army, Damon knew she loves her new job, particularly when it comes to blowing Federation troops away.

The Master Sergeant is made of stern stuff, which is why he is a bit surprised when they lock eyes briefly before she quickly looks away from him. It takes Damon a moment to remember that he isn't wearing a shirt; the discovery is enough to cause some heat to rush to his face. He reaches into his duffle bag that is at the foot of his cot and quickly puts on a olive green T-shirt.

He is still shrugging it on when he asks, "What's up Ash?"

Ash takes a quick peek at him to make sure he's "decent," before turning back to face the Sergeant Major and says, "It's Jacob again."

Damon checks her face to see if she is making a joke, but when he sees the seriousness in her eyes he knew she meant it. Joyce exhales deeply before walking over to Jacob's cot and starts digging in his bag. Sure enough, he finds the young Ghost's ID card.

Damon tugs on his boots and mutters, "when will that boy ever learn?"

"He's a squid," Ash says jokingly, "it'll take him some time to remember how life on land works."

"How life of an Army Junkie works you mean," Damon says in a teasing tone as he walks pass her in the direction of the door while Ash follows, chuckling silently to herself.

Together the two Ghosts steps into the cloudy outside world and takes in their surroundings. Fort Anaheim is slowly waking up as both civilian and soldiers begin to perform their morning duties. For the first time in almost ten years, America is slowly beginning to rebuild. Small factories are being constructed to develop staples for the war. Cattle and sheep are starting to become a normal sight as more people learn to raise and care for the livestock. While this is done, military men and women, who either volunteered or were drafted, are meeting on the practice fields to continue their training.

This transformation in America came at a huge cost, both physically and mentally. The big push made in the south, sphere headed by the Ghosts known as Logan and Hesh Walker, was a huge success. They met and practically obliterated the largest and best soldier divisions the Federation had to offer; ending with them scoring a major victory for much needed morale and gaining control of the new Fed super weapon resting in space, a new and fully upgraded version of the United State's ODIN design. With it, the U.S has begun a bombing campaign that has proven to be a huge benefit. They destroyed industrial plants, soldier barracks and even got a couple of shots off at Caracas before the Federation built a new anti-air defense grid that knocked the inbound projectiles out of the skies. Thankful though, this defense is only station at the Federation Capital city, leaving the rest of the country open for season. It's only a matter of time though until the space station run out of munition, until the U.S can find a way to copy or create new missile designs that can be substituted for the projectile the station fires.

With the lost of supplies and men power from their empire, The Federation began to recall their troops retreat from the Front lines, enabling the U.S to slowly push the invaders off their land and in doing so, regain lost territories. The line has now been set up along the city limits of San Diego, but rumors are already flying that it won't be long before that city falls back into U.S hands.

Now rebuilding will not be so hazardous for the American except one thing; most of the remaining citizens really don't know much about reconstructing. One of the main reasons the Federation hit the Southern states were because they wanted to eliminate the farmers, builders; people that would become essential to the war effort. Now, the U.S has to teach bankers, accountants, T.V stars and computer techs how to plow a field, take care of a cow and how to put a gun together. This has only become possible because of the President's new bill, in which the former lower class Americans, the working class, became the boss in an ironic twist as they teach the rich and powerful how to do the basic of things.

Damon understood how much of a chore that has been. He was a rich kid because his parent were shareholders who partake in the economy. After ODIN day, he tried to live in a refugee camp where the former rich and glorified people of America now live. It was embarrassing. Damon has no trouble with getting dirty, far from it, when he was a lot younger his mother had to pull him out of muddy puddles and such. The people in camp were a totally different story. There was an actress who demanded breakfast in bed, a software engineer who thought he was higher and mightier than people because of some website he made on the internet. There was even a former director who was trying to trade for ration cards with pieces of paper with his name on it. Damon left that very same day and slept alone from everyone else.

"What are you thinking about Damon?" Ash suddenly asks.

"A director trying to trade autographs for ration cards."

Ash gives him an odd look before saying, "wow."

They walk through the war camp, towards the Military Police station, in silence until Damon decides to restart the conversation.

"How's your mom?" he asks.

Ash is quiet before answering, "She could be better."

Damon looks at the woman next to him and inquires, "Is there something wrong?"

"…It's the anniversary of my dad's…you know," she finally mutters.

Damon slowly nods in understanding. Ash was still young when she saw a Federation sniper blow her father's head off. The Feds had launched paratroopers into the north and her family didn't know about them until that moment. That single bloody moment destroyed Ash's young life forever.

"Is she doing alright?" he finally asks.

"What do you think?" she came back harshly before they stop in front of the MP station where a soldier stands guard.

"I'm here to get a man out," Damon tells the soldier.

"Which one?" the MP asks.

In answer Damon hands him Jacobs ID card. The MP stares at it for a bit before looking up, "We need to verify its him, this could take a while."

Damon merely nods as the MP shepherds them inside. The station's lobby has only one bench in a crumbly section of the building while a receptionist sits in the corner typing on a lap top. The guard walks over to the guy at the desk and speaks softly to him before handing the person Jacob's card.

While they wait, the two Ghosts make themselves comfortable on the bench. After settling in, Damon begins to takes in his surroundings. There is a hallway that probably leads deeper into the structure and an old banner hanging above the doorway with the faded words "Happy Easter" written on it. Damon looks around and shivers as he makes out the child like drawings on the dirt encrusted walls, a small reminder that this place was once a child's day care center.

He hears Ash shuffle around a bit and turns to see that she has position herself into a different sitting posture with her bent right leg resting on the bench that allows her to look into his face.

"I'm sorry," she says as she looks down at her leg, "what I said back there...that was rude."

Damon places his hand on her shoulder and gives a small squeeze, "it's alright," he tells her, "I understand."

She still refuses to look at him, "that still doesn't make up for my actions."

"You were angry," Damon says, "you miss your father, all those who are missing in your life, believe me I felt the pain, everyone here has, you just need to move on."

She sighs, "How?"

"Make a goal and move towards it," Damon answers, "it's not perfect therapy, but its helping me some."

She ponders this for a moment before asking, "What's your goal?"

Damon shrugs, "Keeping my family safe."

Now Ash looks up at him, with confusion in her eyes, "but I thought your family was dead."

Damon feels himself panic for a moment. When he said his family; he was referring to his wolf pack. He didn't want to tell Ash this though, it'll just make her believe that he is a madman that needs to be locked up.

"Uh," he stutters for a bit, "When I said family, I-I-I meant you guys," he says with a smile, "you, my Ghost team, you're like a second family to me."

Ash still seems suspicious, but she drops the subject as she asks another question.

"What are the words on your tattoo say?" she asks as she refers to Damon's right arm.

Damon glances at the indicated limb out of reflex before saying, "Those are the names of people who I fought with on the battlefield…and who didn't make it back."

What happens next completely stuns Damon. Ash reaches out and runs a hand along his arm, causing goose bumps and chills to erupt all over his body. He has been a fighter since he was young, but he never felt anything like this before. Ash must have sense it as well for she pulls away from him and mummers something that sound like an apology. Damon could only swallow and nods, unable to form any words.

After a few moments have pass, Ash looks back at Damon and says, "Gordon, Faulkner and Swans, they were the guys in your first Ghost team, right?"

Damon nods, the mere mention of his fallen team is enough to cause his airways to close, but he tries his best not to reveal his devastated emotion.

Ash is quiet before asking, "Do you miss them?"

In answer Damon waves his arm outwards, revealing all the names encircle on his limb before saying, "Every day."

He is frozen again when Ash presses a hand against his arm and holds it there. He dully notes how soft her hand feels on his arm, a nice sensation. She seems to be thinking of something to say when they are interrupted.

"Well that's a nice scene."

Both Damon and Ash push themselves away from each other after they heard the comment. Damon feels his face starting to burn once more and though it's not so obvious with Ash, he can tell she is equally mortified. They both turn to see Jacob, bounded with hand cuffs, but grinning widely at them while two stoic MP's flanks him on both his sides.

The man on the right walks towards Damon and asks, "Is this your man?" as he gestures at Jacob.

The Ghost leader coughs in an attempt to calm himself before speaking, "Yeah, that's him."

"Well there's a problem," the MP digs in his pocket before taking out a ID card with Jacob's image on it, "his ID doesn't match his records."

Damon frowns before standing and takes a look at the card.

"Hey Sarge," Damon looks up at Jacob after he called his name, "Is that my old ID?"

Damon glances back down at the card. Sure enough, the military branch says Navy, not Army.

"Where's your new one?" Damon asks as he looks up at the wet face.

"I got it," everyone turns at the new voice and are slightly surprised with who walks in.

Steeping into the building are two additional Ghosts, Senior and Merrick. At the sight of the Captain everyone, except for the Ghosts, snaps to attention at the arrival of the Ghost Program's director. Merrick hasn't changed much in character, but he has when it comes to style. He no longer wears combat BDUs, instead he is wearing the combat uniform of an officer complete with a cap that has a patch of a double bar insignia stitched to his cap. He looks completely different in Damon's eye, but to the Ghosts, he will always be the dependable guy they all fought with. He may never replace Elisa Walker, the original Ghost Commander, but he's just as good.

"This man is with us," Merrick says, pointing out the still contained Jacob.

The MP licks his lips nervously, "but sir his ID-"

"He transferred out of the Navy and into the Army," Damon cuts in, "you know squids, they think after seeing a person just once that means they know a guy."

"Hey!" shouts an insulted Jacob.

The MPs still look uncertain, "sir, how do you know he's not a…you know…"

"I'm not a spy," Jacob said, "Just because my granddaddy's granddaddy was from Spain that must I'm Spanish right?"

"I thought you were Italian," Senior puts in, earning a glare from Jacob.

"He's part of the Armed Forces, and I," here Merrick steps in front of the MP, "trust him fully."

They stand in front of each other, the cowering military police officer before the former Special Forces commando who appears to be made of granite.

"Now," Merrick says, "let my soldier go."

The guard seems to shrink inwards for a second before looking back at his comrade and nods. Slowly, the secondary MP takes out a key and undo Jacob's cuffs. The Wet Face quickly walks towards his comrades and offer a cheesed out smile.

"Thanks guys."

Damon just shakes his head before shoving the ID card into Jacob's hands, "next time, take your freaking new ID card wherever you go, this is your third time in here."

Jacob shrugs, "I don't mind."

"Well I do," interrupts Merrick as he steps closer, causing Jacob to stiffen in fear, "and I ain't going to do it again, got it squid?"

Jacob nods in confirmation, not looking the Ghost Commander in the eye.

He huffs before looking to the MPs and mutters "gentlemen," before walking out. Ghost Team Crusaders look at one another for an extra moment before scrambling after Merrick.

Damon picks up his pace until he is abreast with Merrick and says, "So are you ready to tell me what we're doing here? I don't really like being pulled from the Field only to be told you're too busy to see us."

"Hurry up and wait," comments Ash.

"Exactly," Damon agrees.

Merrick chuckles and says, "Let's go to my office and have a little chat about it, huh?"

"Nice office man," Senior says as he looks over the field where a hundred combat troops hone their hand to hand combat skills with their instructors watching closely.

Damon couldn't help but nod in agreement as he looks on from the booth they are in. Thousands, if not millions of seats once lined the stands where enthusiastic fans once stood and cheered as they watch the nation's past time. Now the chairs have been removed, replaced with hundreds of bunks to accommodate the ever growing number of recruits. The field still has the rough angular shape of the baseball diamond cut into the artificial grass on the ground floor, but that matters little to the Drill Sergeants as they yell at their charges to get down and give twenty. A little to the left is a sponsoring board where the lone A of the Angels still stands, beaten by the element, pock marked by shrapnel and covered in a layer of dirt and grim.

Ash steps up next to Damon and asks, "Have you ever been here," she waves at the stadium, "before all this?"

Damon nods, "Yeah, once, it was the Angels against the Yankees, I practically begged my parent to come here and watch it with me."

"They didn't want to go?" Ash questions.

"Their work was far too important for them," here he looks down, "especially when it concerned their troublesome kid."

She lightly pats his shoulder, "Well it doesn't look like this place changed that much," she says in a way to change the subject.

"I guess," Damon admits, "except for the snipers up there," he says and nods towards the top of the stadium where a makeshift crow's nest sat, no doubt being manned by a sniper as he lies hidden within its folds, searching for any potential threats.

"Yeah, well that's nice," Jacob puts in as he sits in a over plush chair meant for VIPs, "it adds to the decor."

"What do squids know about decor," Senior asks as he looks back at the younger teammate, "I thought the only type of style you little sailors knew was the colors of the flag."

"We know just about as much as you Army junkies," Jacob tries to bite back.

"Hate to tell you this kid," Merrick interrupts as he looks through a bunch of files on his desk, "but you're in the army now, so you just insulted yourself."

Jacob appears about ready to explode, but he bites down on his lip and remains silent, casting out angry looks directed at everybody every so often.

The boy can take a beating, but won't ever submit, even to a CO. That's what Damon finds interesting about the former Sailor, that's also the same aspect that got the Ghost's attention.

Jacob Alcaraz is a fine soldier who is devoted to the U.S.A and his girlfriend Anita. He was a boy when ODIN day happen, he was living in Hawaii at the time and didn't get hit by the planetary bombardments, but the Hawaiian community was shaken from the attack nevertheless. He waited until he was eighteen and joined the Navy and became a part of the U.S.S Rushmore's security team. For years he has been blasting away any Federation infiltrators who tried to sabotage the ship. He served on numerous vessels before deciding to trade in the Navy whites for the Army greens. When a Ghost recruiter saw the number of kills he made alone, he was impressed. Even more so with Jacob's strong, and at times stubborn, assertiveness; his will to never give his enemy ground. The fact that he parades around camp without ID shows that part of him clearly, he is not ashamed of his Hispanic heritage and he'll never deny it, even when he's in prison, he'll never give in. He graduated with the rapidly deployed fifth class of Ghosts, causing some, like Senior, to wonder if he, the kid and former squid, can hold his own in a fight and more importantly, help contribute to the team.

Damon casts a glance at Senior. His rep is pretty colorful, almost as long and as impostures as the Walker boys own records. Son of a Vietnam vet, survivor of both Gulf Wars and an old timer in the ghettos of Phoenix Arizona, Senior endured it all. However, it wasn't until the Feds invade did his name become well known. Oldest of his five brothers, he fearlessly led them and their families out of occupied territory, evading advancing troops and paratroopers alike. Yet what made him famous was when he attacked a Federation concentration camp alone and rescued over fifty civilian prisoners. He would later comment he was just lucky, that the base was barley constructed so breaking in and out wasn't too difficult. The people he saved didn't believe that at all, to them and his family, Jerome "Senior" Lipton is a saint. It wasn't too surprising that the moment that the Liptons made it to safety that Senior turned around and re-enlisted for the military. The Ghost recruiters practically trip over themselves as they rush around a bit and got Senior in the third class of Ghosts, the same class as Damon. They knew each other by name, but split up soon after being deployed with their own Ghost teams.

Damon is more than happy to have Senior in his squad, not only will he has valuable advice, but he also know that the man will work like a machine to keep his squad mates and nation safe from harm.

Damon's thinking is interrupted when Merrick clears his throat.

"Alright kiddies," the Captain says while he shuffles some papers together and gestures to the empty seat around the rectangular table, "school circle."

Damon, Ash and Senior leaves their positions from the windows and sat alongside Jacob. They didn't sit at attention though; Damon stretches his legs out in front of him, Ash leans back and places her hands behind her head while Senior lifts his big booted feet and places them on the table. Jacob appears shock at first, but doesn't say anything when he notices Merrick isn't even blinking his eyes at the lack of discipline the Ghosts were displaying.

After a moment he says, "Alright, first things first," he looks towards the doors and calls out, "He can come in now."

A bit baffle, the Ghosts looks to the entrance, wondering who he is talking to. The door than swings open and a MP steps in and ushers another person into the room before stepping back out and closing the door.

Damon, Ash and Senior sit's up as they, along with Jacob, observe this newcomer with a careful gaze. The man who steps in is wearing full tactical gear, but his combat uniform is different than that of the other soldiers on base, its digital like theirs, but in the color of forest green. His web gear consists of grenades, magazine holders, MRE rations, and a radio. His face is well worn; he looks as if he is about forty or somewhere around Senior's age. He has a well-kept mustache and his head is shaved. Yet what really makes him stand out is the patch on his shoulder; its red, white and has the shape of a maple leaf in the middle of it. This guy is Canadian.

Damon wears the best poker face he could manage, but on the inside he is panicking. Did the Canadians finally found out about the mission? Is this what the whole meeting is about? Why did they call my team in though? To act as witnesses? And why does he look so familiar?

"I know you are all curious what this is all about," Merrick says in a calm voice, "but first let me introduced you to First Lieutenant Nathan Cote, veteran of the Canadian Special Forces and leader of Whisky Bravo 927."

"927?" Senior asks before looking to the man now known as Cote, "you wouldn't happen to be the guys who caught and brought in Khalad Yussaf are you?"

"Eh," Jacob puts in at the end and sniggers. His silent laughter however dies when he notices no one else is laughing and that his Ghost Sergeant and Captain are giving him a hard glare.

Cote regards Jacob silently before looking back at Senior and speaks in an age but tough voice, "Yup, that was us and he didn't come quietly," here he looks back at Jacob again, "eh," he adds, causing the young Ghost to squirm a bit.

Merrick coughs and says, "right," casting one last glance at Jacob before looking up at the rest of the team, "before we get down to business, let me tell you some good news."

He pauses for theatrical sake before announcing, "after our recent victory against the Federation, the countries of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Canada, has, as they say," here Merrick looks at a piece of paper on the table and quotes, "recognize the Federation as a threat to global security and are now lending assistance to the American warfront."

Jacob huffs a bit, "So what? They're now sending spare clothing with the stale food?"

This time its Cote's thick voice that answered, "We're sending in troops to help."

The Ghosts eyes widen as they look among each other in absolute shock.

"That's right," Merrick says, "as of now, this is the beginning of the Forth World War."

The Forth…

That single word alone has a shattering effect on the people in the room, even Cote seems a bit cowed from the words. The Third world war wasn't as long as the second, but just as bloody, barely surpassing the number of dead in the Second World War, but it wasn't too far off. Now with countries from half a world away lending their support this is all that is needed to mark the occasion of the next great conflict.

Merrick waits a bit before continuing, "By the end of next month, British, Canadian, French and some Germans will come to our aid and be fighting on the front line. With our combine might, we may be able to end this war before the start of the New Year."

"Glory Hallelujah," Senior mutters under his breath.

"Now with that out of the way, we must approach a…delicate situation we have," Merrick says, suddenly looking uncomfortable.

"Which one of you is the Ghost that infiltrated our country the previous year," Cote suddenly asks.

Damon has all but stop breathing. His teammates didn't say anything; in fact, they look just as astonish as Damon feels. They never heard of a special ops mission taking place in Canada and they most certainly never heard of a Ghost team being deployed there.

The Sergeant Major looks to Merrick and the Captain gave a quick and barely noticeable nod of his head. Damon gulps before raising his hand in the air, further stunning Ghost Team Crusader.

Cote's eyes narrow before he slowly steps towards Damon. The Ghost makes no move to defend himself; he just shifts around in his seat, wondering what is going to come next. His team however tenses a bit as the Canadian approaches their squad leader. They have no idea what this is all about, but Damon has earn their trust and respect, so they are more than willing to fight for him.

Finally the moment of truth arrives as Cote steps in front of Damon and peers at him curiously; no doubt taking in the scared face and one dead eye that the Ghost has accumulated. He then moves his hand and for a moment Damon thought he was reaching for the pistol in his hip holster, but instead he is astounded when the Canadian holds out his hand towards the Ghost.

"I admit, I don't like the fact that a deadly spec ops killer can easily make his way into my country," Cote says slowly, "but…seeing how you were there to prevent a butchery from happening…I give you my thanks for that comrade."

Damon stares at the Lieutenant with his disbelieving eye before he forces his own hand to move and shakes the steel grasp that Cote possess.

"A pleasure," Damon is able to gasp out while still in a daze like trance, unable to believe his luck.

Cote now cracks a smile, "I take it you were the moving shadow I saw," noting Damon's confused expression he elaborates, "at the Federation base just moments after we made the discovery."

That's when it finally clicks in Damon's mind. Cote was part of the Canadian task force that investigated the destroyed camp. He looks exactly the same as Damon last saw him, only it looks like he shaved his sideburns and he doesn't have a rifle in his hand, something that Damon is grateful for.

Merrick releases a sigh and says, "Now that's out of the way, let's move on with business," he gestures towards Cote, "Lieutenant…"

The Canadian moves back to the head of the table and picks up a piece of paper and passes it to Ash who is sitting closest to him.

"Approximately twenty six hours ago," he begins, "we detected an anomaly within our borders that is quite troublesome."

Ash passes the paper to Senior who gives it a brief glance before looking up at Cote, "is this radioactivity residue?"

Cote shakes his head, "we have no plants in that area, and, thankfully, there are no signs that there is an unregistered nuke within our borders…as far as we know."

Senior passes the paper to Jacob who gives it a quick once over before looking back up, "why us?" he asks, "I mean why tell America this?"

"Because of him," Cote answers and points a finger at Damon. Will this day of surprises ever end?

"Show him the image and he'll know why," Merrick says tersely.

Jacob hands his boss the paper and Damon visibly stiffens. It's an aerial photo of a large plot of land, acres of uninterrupted trees, mountains and lakes stretching for miles around. But one section claims his attention. He sees it all. Howl Rock, Rabbit Poo Mountain, the Meadow and the dens. Its Jasper Park, more importantly, it's the lands of the United Wolf Pack.

Damon instantly feels his heart swell for unknown reasons. So many emotions coarse through him at the sight of the familiar land before him. He sees the spot where he and Ghost Team Comanche were dropped off and where he was evac from. He sees the place of battle that claimed his team's life; he notes that there are trees still turned on their sides from where RPGs have dislodged them. He finds the place where he and the pups would play or train for hours on end. He can identify his old den and the wolves as well. It all came rushing back to him that he couldn't help but grin, totally oblivious to the people in the room who are giving him odd looks because of his behavior.

His hammy demeanor dies though when recognizes the place where the Federation base was, and that there is a small red blimp directly in the middle of it. He frowns as he looks back up

"Is this a heat scan?" he finally asks, unaware that he spent the longest of time taking the image in and the concerned looks his comrades gave him.

"Yes," Cote replies, "at first we thought it was you," he looks into Damon's eye, "but that was dismissed when the Captain here," he nods to Merrick, "informed us that you were back in your country, or, to be more specific, back further south in enemy territory."

Damon looks to Merrick in bewilderment, "You told him?" a tiny part of him is actually relieved at this, from the way Cote is staring at the Ghost, he doesn't see him as a nut case.

Merrick however changes this by saying, "I didn't go into details, just the basic stuff."

Damon feels a bit deflated after the comment, but does his best not show it.

"As we were saying," Cote continues, "we have no idea who this person is, for all we know it's a teenager trying to find a seduce place to take his girlfriend," Jacob laughs loudly here, "but that was changed when we notice the person is moving away, and that we tracked him here."

He holds up another photo of a rather large spot of color moving towards a large rocky mass that could only be a mountain.

"Mount Hardisty is right outside of Jasper Park," Cote informs them, "so if, say, a few Fed soldiers survived a onslaught, wouldn't this be a good rally point?"

At the thought of the Feds being so close to his pack again, Damon leans forward and asks, "have you verified this? Has anyone gone in?"

"Gone in, yes" Cote answers, "come back out, no."

The Ghosts looks amongst each other at these words.

"There was a large blackout that lasted from the time the team went in, the whole area became a dead zone so we have no idea what happen," Cote says grimly. "When the blackout lifted, we detected our squad along the perimeter of the park, but when a rescue team got there, they only found the squad's gear, not their bodies."

"So you want us to go in," Damon says as more of a statement rather than a question.

Cote exhales loudly before nodding, "As far as we know, you Damon, are the only one to walk through a firestorm like this and come out unscratched."

"Not exactly unscratched," Damon comments and waves at his ruin face.

"But close," Merrick says as he steps back in, "as a show of our good faith in our neighbors, we are going to help them out here since we already done it before."

"At a great cost," Damon reminds him, "so why not have me go in alone like last time?"

Damon couldn't help but wonder if he can live with himself if his whole team dies, just like team Comanche. And he most certainly doesn't want to be responsible for the death of another Ghost team.

"Because you didn't go in alone last time," Merrick says sternly, "and I won't let it happen again."

"Nor will I," Cote suddenly spoke up, "One man or one team it does not matter, I'm going in as well to ensure you don't cause a havoc in my country like you did last time."

Despite himself, Damon smiles, "for the record that wasn't havoc, you haven't seen me cause a panic yet."

"Well are we all going or not," Ash suddenly asks as she looks to the Captain.

"You all are going," Merrick says, "but Cote here will be in charge," he points a thumb at the Canadian in question, "Whatever he says, goes. Your primary objective is to find out if there is a threat in the North and if so, neutralize it."

"Will we get any support?" Damon asks, remembering how last time he certainly could have used an airstrike.

"No," Cote answers, "my government does not want the people to panic at the thought of our country being vulnerable-"

"Which it is," breaks in Jacob that earns an animalistic growl from Cote before he continues.

"We will have a radio, but other than that no, we are going in alone with only ourselves to rely on."

He's talking like he's one with the team, Damon thought, perhaps this is an attempt to get on our good side.

"Well before you head on out to Canada," Merrick adds in, "you need one more person to join your group, and he isn't here."

"Well call him in," says Jacob.

"It's not that simple man," Merrick says, "he isn't in country, you have to go get him."

"Well where is he?" asks Ash.

"Okinawa," Cote replies lowly.

The team are shellshock from this as they all think of one thing; this must be serious.

Ten years ago after the ODIN strikes, the U.S recalled everybody from their posts all over the world. Including the soldiers' station in South Korea. After the U.S withdrawal, the North Koreans swarmed over the border and tried to capture the South's capital, but they were met with one unexpected obstacle. The new leader of China also had his eyes set on South Korea and sent troops to secure it. The North Koreans and Chinese forces clashed and it was on, an event that many people today are calling "The Pacific Wars."

In a way to show their superiority while also obtaining new lands for their war machine, China and North Korea spread out across the ocean; taking over the Philippines, New Guiana, Japan, the Solomon Islands, parts of Australia and various other small specks of floating land in a campaign of rapid dominance. Between the warfighters are also rebels fighting to get the occupying forces off their land on the occupied islands, especially Australia. Ironically, the very land North Korea and China are fighting over has yet to be conquered, the South is practically the middle man as they defend their borders from the two fighters as they batter each other to pieces.

One of the islands that were taken was the former U.S held island called Okinawa. The place of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II became a new headquarters for the victor of the war. Now however, the entire island has been taken over by North Koreans and has been converted into an island sized prison. It's a large version of Alcatraz with one unique aspect about it; if a prisoner is too troublesome or if the guards want entertainment, they throw the prisoner into a small part of the remaining jungle with no food, water or weapons, watching as the unlucky person is torn apart by the foreign wild beasts the Koreans had shipped in. It has become one of the most brutal and bloodiest places on Earth, the worse prison anyone can ever be in, a prison where no one has ever escape from before. That's where the Ghost team is to be heading.

Damon finally clears his throat, "are we allowed to engage the Koreans if necessary?"

"If its absolutely necessary," Merrick says in a loud voice so everyone can hear, "we don't want to get in a war with the North, not now anyways."

"Who are we busting out?" Senior asks in turn.

Merrick looks at his papers, "Prisoner 918."

Everyone stares at him with a baffled expression, including Cote.

"Well…what does he look like?" Jacob finally asks.

"You'll know him when you see him," Merrick simply responds.

"Well how are we supposed to find him?" Ash asks.

"Chances are he'll find you first."

"Is he even alive?" Damon dared to ask.

"Well he was supposedly killed twice," Merrick says as he flips through the papers again, "so in a way, unless you find a body, there is no way of knowing if he's dead or not."

Cote rolls his eyes, "Is he American?"

"Well he doesn't say it," Merrick replies, "but he's pretty much hostile to any organize government and doesn't speak of his nationality so...I suppose he's a freelancer at the moment."

Cote frowns, "and why exactly do we need him?"

"I'll tell you when you get him," Merrick answers, "just know that he is important and could prove to be of essential use to the mission ahead of you."

Damon is quite excited at the prospect of seeing the wolves again, so going through the dark pit known as Okinawa drowns out most of his fears. That is until he looks to his team and sees their weary faces. He feels a bit guilty when he didn't even consider them. Damon may be returning to his family, but in actuality, his friends will be traveling away from theirs, on a dangerous mission that may claim their lives.

He curls his hands into fist. He will try, no; he will not allow any of his team members to die. He'll get them through this, he'll find a way.

Merrick shuffle the pieces of paper, "There's a C-17 on the runway with your name on it," he says, "You'll be dropped off in New Zealand where they will supply you with a boat and you'll paddle, more or less, to Okinawa."

"Heading to Armageddon on Earth on a canoe," Jacob says with a grin, "nice."

"This is your area of expertise isn't it squid?" Senior asks.

Damon sees the look of surprise on Senior's face when Jacob's smile became even wider as he says, "yes it is."

"Dismissed, and good luck," Merrick says without looking at them.

Slowly the Ghost Team gets to their feet and starts to shuffle out of the room. Damon is the last to exit, but not before he heard Cote speak to Merrick.

"When I agreed to come here, you said nothing about traveling to the other side of the world," Cote says accusingly to Merrick.

"Think of this as a test run Lieutenant," Merrick answers calmly, "this little safari trip will help you build a tolerance against the Ghosts," here he chuckles, "that way when you do head back to Canada, you won't strangle them when they get on your nerves."

Damon is outside the booth when he hears Cote give another small growl.

Ash falls back some until she is beside Damon.

"So Okinawa?" she asks.

He nods, "Okinawa."

I hope I didn't offend anyone by writing this, remember this is all fantasized in the CoD world and I hope you enjoyed. Thank you for reading and if you can, leave a comment, I'm not too sure how well I did with this chapter. Also, if it's not too much trouble, please vote for how I should write my stories on the poll on my profile page, thank you.

Also special thanks to Night Wolf Savage 9401 who came up with name for Whisky Bravo 927, I hope I got this down correctly.