People are coming back! YEY! Thanks SO much everyone! You have no idea how much this means to me! I decided to post earlier than I wanted to, because... I can?
Buckitty: Firstly: I have seen Civil War - three times - so yeah, I know how awesome it was. (As well as how many feeling I had! DAMN IT!) Second: Sorry about the Lily thing - I had no idea xD ^^'' I hope it wasn't too awkward? Third: Ah yes well, it's what siblings do :P And it's not overused (yeah it is but still!) It'll forever be part of the Marvel Fandom and pretty much an Internet thing so... go nuts!
Thanks so much to everyone who is reading this - I love you all and you are awesome! Have an imaginary cookie and a big hug from me!
So, yeah, I only own the new guy here - along with the grammar mistakes and Adam. Read, review and enjoy! ^^
Chapter 14 Replacement (New Command)
"So, what are we doing today?" it was a rhetorical question by Dugan as some of the Commandos gathered in the barrack. They just finished a mission last night and were rearing to take on another.
"Well, depends on what the higher ups decide," Steve sighed, finishing drawing another part of the barrack. He now has almost the whole place.
"I wonder if Phillips gets in any trouble because of us," Jones muttered, messing around with the transmitter.
"He can handle it," Jim nodded, refilling his first-aid kit.
"Guys! They want us in the meeting room ASAP!" Monty rushed inside, looking rather worried.
"Dernier and Barnes are at the bathroom," Morita explained as the others rushed to get ready.
"Right – they'll have to keep the shower quick."
Bucky was still in the shower when Gabe came in, talking about needing to hurry up. He hardly heard anything as he was currently… elsewhere. But after a clear yell of his name was heard, he managed to snap out of it.
"What?" he asked back, still half dazed and got ready.
"We're not sure what's going on – just that it's bad," the communication specialist explained, trying to think of a few ideas.
"Isn't it always…?" Frenchie muttered, half of his hair still wet.
"Yeah, our usual," Barnes added, drying himself of the cold water.
"We'll just have to see," and within the minute, they were ready and gone.
"Everyone is here now," Rogers said when the last three members of the team arrived.
The room was packed with officers and superiors. Most of them seemed annoyed or unbelieving, while some were victorious of smug. Phillips was the only one who seemed stoic and calm.
"Howling Commandos," Samson addressed them, looking at the soldiers with his best calmness.
"We have some news for you, which you might find…" he trailed off, not sure which words to use.
"What the General is trying to say," Luther spoke up, trying but failing to hide his smirk.
"You'll be re-assigned a new commanding officer," the men's eyes grew wide as they couldn't believe their ears.
"What?" Steve was the first to speak, his voice half choked as he stepped forward.
"What about Colonel Phillips?" he barely kept himself from yelling.
"Watch your tone Rogers," Canady glared, eyeing the Super Soldier.
"I can understand how you feel," Twain sighed, shaking his head.
"Sorry boys, but we got outvoted," he gave an apologetic look at the still-stunned soldiers.
"Let us explain," Alexander put his hand the air, trying to calm everyone before anything can start.
"The things you've been doing have caused… some disagreements among the superiors," Williams started off, tapping his finger on the table.
"Believe us, we tried to explain the situation to them, but they didn't really care," Twain sighed, sending a look to Luther.
"We simply saw that you were out of control," Canady kept grinning like a fox.
"But he stepped in, taking the blame, saying you were his responsibility," Luther shot Chester a look.
"Sadly, due to his actions, the others decided on a… maybe temporary solution," Samson had his eyes closed as he spoke.
"While Phillips will be on a forced leave, you'll work under another officer who has proven himself to be capable of your… tasks," he explained, finally looking at them.
"But sirs!" Rogers spoke again, until he felt an arm on his shoulder.
"Easy now Captain," at first he thought it was Monty, but the voice was wrong and the grip on his shoulder was too strong.
"I can understand your discomfort, but please understand," the Commandos turned to the left and looked in surprise and shock.
"Who are you?" Dum Dum asked as the others wondered how they never even sensed him come.
"Edward Ronald – I'll be working with you from now on," the man had dark, short hair, blue eyes and a strong build (almost like Steve or Dugan). Barnes even saw, although he wasn't sure how, that the man had a tight grip on Cap, keeping him from moving. That's not something everyone can do. The Howlers felt a chill up their spines as the man smiled. There was something… off about him.
"I really hope we can work together," he released the Super Soldier and seemed to smirk at Bucky.
"Colonel, they can't do this!" Steve called when they were all back at the barrack. He was still not letting it go and they had some time to cool off before getting a mission.
"They can and they did. You simply have to accept that," Phillips sighed, looking at the others. They were surprisingly quiet compared to the good Captain.
"I understand how you feel, but that was the only way to keep you from being disbanded," another sigh escaped him as he looked up at the roof.
"Depending on how you work under Ronald, I might get command over you again…" a silence followed that statement.
"You calm now? Good. Get ready to head off," there were enough things he could have said, but chose that. For now, that was best.
"Yes sir…" they mumbled, still looking rather lost as they watched the man leave.
"Hello again," Edward greeted as he saw the Howlers arrive.
"Sir," they have halfhearted salutes and stood in line.
"At ease soldiers. I know you probably don't like me, since I did take Chester's place. But if it all works out, it'll be temporary. So, how about we try and work together and get it over with?" he had a different feel right now, than before in the meeting room. A better one.
"Sound like a plan," Monty spoke, knowing none of the others was going to do it.
"Splendid! Now, why don't we get a bit more acquainted and properly introduced?" Ronald smiled, watching the soldiers, who shared a look.
"I'm Brigadier Edward Spencer Ronald. Normally I work with the British Special Tactics, but for a bit, I'll be working here," he started off.
"Steve Rogers. Captain America and leader of the Howling Commandos. I take the front," Cap was next and wasn't sure what to say.
"James Falsworth – Former 3rd Independent Parachute Brigade of His Majesty. Currently the tactics specialist of this group," the higher up smiled, seeing there was another Brit here.
"James Barnes. Resident sniper and ranger," Bucky kept it short, while William seemed to grin.
"James Morita. Medic and occasional ranger," a chuckle escaped the new man – three James'. That was going to be fun.
"Gabriel Jones. I handle communications and translations," a nod of approval was given by the Brit.
"Tim Dugan. Handle pretty much anything the team needs," a bit surprised, Ronald still gave a nod.
"Jacques Dernier – formerly with the French Resistance. Now I blow stuff up," Edward grinned again and nodded.
"Well, a pleasure and an honor to finally meet you all," he repeated each name in his mind, trying to memorize them all.
"Now then, we should get going. The enemy base it located underground at the North side of Italy," Ronald said and turned towards the trucks.
"We?" Dum Dum asked, but followed with the others.
"Yes, I shall be on the field with you," he answered, looking over his shoulder.
"Don't worry – I'll try and keep out of your way."
"Carter?" Phillips asked, looking around the usual place.
"Sir?" came her voice, soon followed by a body, getting from under the table.
"…I'm not even going to ask," he sighed as she adjusted her uniform, clearly a bit embarrassed he saw her crawling on the ground.
"What can I help you with?" she asked quickly, looking around, as if expecting to see someone else.
"I want you to keep an eye on the Commandos," at his words, she looked at him with confusion.
"Why? Did something happen?" she had no idea of the replacement they got.
"…They're under a new command at the moment and I want to know what's going on," he explained in short, a frown on his face.
"…You're asking me to report back to when they go on a mission?" she asked carefully, eyebrow raised and looking at him.
"Yes, in a way. I know you're capable enough to do that," he nodded, avoiding looking her in the eye.
"Don't worry sir; I'll make sure nothing bad happens."
"Thank you Carter. I knew I could trust you with this," with a nod of his head, Chester turned and left for his own place, needing some rest.
"What have you boys gotten yourself into this time…?" she said to herself, watching the Colonel leave before turning her eyes on the Howler's barrack.
"Alright men, we'll do it quick and clean," Ronald said, looking at the Commandos.
"Rogers, you'll enter the base first, followed by Dernier and Dugan. Clear it out and then let Barnes and Morita come in, taking care of any strays. Falsworth and Jones will take care of the outside if anyone tries to get out," he quickly explained as the soldiers looked up at him.
"…" they shared a look, going from Cap to Monty.
"You are the commanding officer," the other Brit spoke, knowing they were all rather… unused to someone else giving them orders.
"I'm sure it'll work out. I trust you to cover each other," he smiled back before the truck was stopped.
"What about you, sir?" Steve looked up at the man.
"I'll be covering the rangers, so you three can move through the base without worrying about them," he glanced at the two James' and gave an assuring nod.
"Here's the exit point," the driver said, but it wasn't Anderson, as he was stuck driving Bryan around for the month.
"Good. Spread out and follow the plan."
"Yes sir."
It worked better than they thought it would. As soon as Steve charged in, HYDRA men swarmed him, but with Dugan and Dernier coming behind him not a minute later, they were taken by surprise. With that combination, the first wave was cleared quickly. The few seconds of pause they got before more came allowed them to go further in, taking the fight away from the entrance.
With it clear at the start, Jim, James and Edward entered, looking for any lingering enemies before deciding to go in deeper. They let Jones and Falsworth know they might get out of range due to the base being underground.
"They went down there," Bucky nodded towards the left tunnel as the trio walked.
"You sure?" Ronald raised an eyebrow, following his motion.
"Yeah, I-," he cut himself off and swallowed. "I can hear them," he explained, earning a look of concern from the medic.
"Alright. Morita, head down and lend them a hand. Barnes, you're with me on the right," the Brit explained, getting looks of confusion.
"Sir? What's this about? Jim is a medic – he shouldn't be on the front with the-," but anything the sniper had to say was cut off.
"That was an order soldier," the man's eyes were hard for a moment before softening. "I'm sure they can handle it. From what I've heard, you've been in a harder position before," that was directed to the medic.
"Yes sir," he answered, nodding.
"See? They'll be fine. Now go," with a second of hesitation, Jim turned towards the left and started heading down that way.
"Come now Barnes, we have a job to finish," the Brigadier grinned, taking the lead and going towards the right tunnel.
"A job to finish?" James thought, swallowing, but following the man none the less, keeping a steady eye on all his surroundings, despite the darkness. He didn't really want to be alone in this place with a man he hardly knows…
Okay, so this is the new mini series here. I REALLY want to hear what you think - about anything really! So don't be shy! I don't bite :P
I hope you enjoyed and if you did, leave a review!
Till next time~