Hot...
That's the best way to describe the weather in Afghanistan. The scorching heat wave radiating from the sun; the vast emptiness in a desert filled with nothing but rocks and hills.
I don't even know how the hell one can even survive this desert, let alone live in it. But we soldiers have a duty to protect and serve our country.
Our base was held up north of the Registan Desert, monitoring most of what occurs south of Afghanistan and Pakistan borders. It has necessity every base would have, a Armory to stock up on weapons and ammo for future missions; a hangar near an airfield for our vehicles to standby and be repaired and prepped for patrols or air strikes; some barracks that for our soldiers to rest up and be at ease when not on duty; a small training ground near the barracks to keep our soldiers prepped and ready; and a HQ building to for our CO's and intel group to brief us and guide us for our missions.
The base is well hidden near the mountains where the enemies won't be able to ambush us. Though, to be honest, I don't even know who the hell are our enemies at the moment. I'd be lying when I say everyone respects America; most fear us rather than respect, and I don't blame them.
After all, it was an American that created the Patriots, a secret organization that was dedicated to creating a unified world. Which is ironic since it almost destroyed the world, if it weren't for the soldiers who fought alongside Solid Snake to destroy the Patriots and end the fight. Unfortunately, I don't know the full details of that mission. I only know as much as the rest of the world.
My name is Cooper Jackson, I'm a Corporal rank in the Army, 1st Division; The Big Red One we were called. To put it in simple terms, we get the worse of the worse first, even before the Marines. My squad are some of the division's greatest soldiers; we were the ones to end the Second Korean War. Or rather, we managed to stop the North Koreans and put them on hold of the war.
I hated that; I mean, my squad and I went far and above to stop a war that was America's mistake, and all we did was put it to another god damn ceasefire. They called us heroes, but to be honest, I felt more like a joke.
Since I had time, I went to the firing range to cool off a bit after thinking about how I ended up on this side of the planet. I mean, one moment I'm on shore leave at home; the next, I'm sent off to Afghanistan for a very important mission. I mean sure, four years have passed since the war ended, but we still had other missions that were just as bad.
Still, I never forgot why I joined...
I was in high school in 2016 when I heard the news that North Koreans are waging war against South Korea. When I finished school and headed home, I saw two men in black uniforms, speaking to my mom in the living room. As I entered, I saw the grim look on my mother's face, I never saw her so shocked before.
"Hey mom, I'm back from school," I said.
"Ah, sweety; how was school?" She asked, showing her regular smile, as if the conversation before never happened.
"It was fine," I replied. "Who are they?"
"They're just from work, honey. Why don't you head upstairs and wait for me, okay?"
I nodded and headed upstairs.
Hours passed until I heard a knock from my room entrance. My mom walked in, with a grim look.
"Hey sweetie, are you doing okay?"
"Yeah mom, what's up?"
She sat at the end of my bed and talked.
"Honey... as you know now, A war started."
"The Korean War, I know."
Mom sighed, "The thing is... I'm gonna be sent there."
"What?!" I yelled. "Why? I mean, the war just started today for Pete sake! Plus aren't you in the CIA? You guys usually work in offices!"
"Not always... sometimes we get tasked to do jobs that require... hands-on experiences."
"...meaning you may have to kill."
I'm no stranger to death, I saw it a lot in the news. My family is a military family, I was prepared to see death and losses myself after I enlist. But... My mom and I never got over what happened to dad.
"Yeah..." Mom said. "... I know that you never accepted about... your father's death."
"Mom... you don't have to say more... I know it's been hard on you too. I know you got to do what's best for this country; I just wish that I can join the fight and-,"
"Don't!" Mom yelled. "Don't be like us, Cooper. What your father and I did in our past... must stay in the past. When you came into our lives, we were happy."
Mom laid her hands on my cheeks when she said. "You are our legacy; our pride and joy. You will make this world a better place... but not on the battlefield. Understand?"
I never knew what she meant by that. A couple days later, she was sent off to Korea... It was the last time I ever saw her. The war continued when I graduated in 2018, so I decided to join the army and help out in the war. The war lasted for another two years until my team and I managed to stop the war, temporarily. As I reminisced on the past, I was out at the shooting range having some target practice when my friend came up from behind.
"Sheesh Cooper, the target was already dead from the first shot. Something on your mind?"
"...It's nothing. Just thinking about my mom is all."
Jack Castellan is a friend I have known since Middle School. We had each other's back since then; when I told him that I was gonna join the army, he joined up too. And surprisingly, we both ended up with the same squad.
"Still wondering if she's ok?"
"... It's been four years, Jack. I need to know what happened to her."
"I get you man," Jack replied. "We just got to hang in there."
"HEY!" Yelled out from another soldier in the firing range. "Sarge wants to speak to you guys about the mission tonight!"
"Where's Michael?" Jack asked.
"He's at the mess hall, Sarge said that one of you guys will get him and meet up at HQ."
I answered, "I'll get him; Jack, go meet up with Sarge; I'll meet you there."
Jack nodded and I headed off to the mess hall. The mess hall was filled with soldiers grabbing a bite and relaxing. At the corner, I see Michael talking to some of the other soldiers, exchanging war stories.
"I'm telling you guys! My squad and I were up in the mountains in North Korea. They had those Gekkos patrolling the area; We had to improvise and sneak our way around until we managed to hijack one and used it against them. If it wasn't for my expertise in weaponries, we'd be dead and all of y'all would be fighting in the war!"
Michael Valdez, our tech and explosive expert; during our time in Korea, he was able to help us slip into the enemies radar and sneak past them, along with creating several explosive entrances and exits. If it weren't for him, we'd be dead.
"Michael!" I called out. "Time for the mission debriefing. Let's go!"
Michael excused himself and followed me to the debriefing room.
"You sound cranky today, something on your mind?" he asked.
"No... just thinking about some stuff."
"Let me guess... your mom?"
I didn't say a word but he knew the answer; though he can relate in a way. Michael had... an unfortunate childhood. He won't talk about it much and we never force him to, better to leave things buried; all we DO know is that Michael's family was involved with the Mexican Cartels.
"Well don't worry, I won't pry into it. You'd do the same for me."
As the two of us were reaching the room, a man was waiting at the front door. An asian man, roughly around his 30's.
"You're late," he said.
"Sorry Trent, I was at the mess hall and Jackson had to get me."
Trent was his name, but that's all we know of him; no one know's his past, his goals and motives, or his family. All we DO know is that he's good with a rifle and a blade. Back in Korea, he was able to slip behind several platoons and provide support from distance when we got ambushed and pinned down. If there's anyone that's watching our back in the shadows, it'd be Trent.
"Well anyways, Sarge is waiting for us. The old man doesn't want us to go in guns blazing like old times. This one is an important mission for the higher-ups; and WE were chosen to pull it through."
"Really?" Michael asked. "Man, if the higher-ups are involved, then this isn't our ordinary routine mission."
Most of our missions are standard routine patrols and covert recons. Because of our successful mission back in Korea, we were given more covert operations than usual.
Not once did we fail.
As the three of us entered the room, we spotted our leader, Sergeant Neil O'Brian. He's around his early 40's and no one would dare to ask him to retire. Though we're glad he's still with us, there's no one we want leading other than him.
"It's about time you ladies showed up. Now sit down, the meeting is gonna start."
Everyone sat down, including the new member who recently joined, Pvt. George Truman. Truman joined up with us a few months ago, so he never was with us during Korea. However, he was an expert on piloting; he can fly almost anything. Still new to how we do things here, but he's quick to adapt.
"Alright ladies, listen up," Sarge started briefing about our next mission, he turned on the projector, showing a satellite picture of a village. "Now, this Operation is a search and rescue mission. We're in charge of securing a high value target that was on the run from Russia."
"Russia? Aren't they our allies?" Michael asked.
"They are, Valdez. Turns out a small group of elites are starting an uprising against their own comrades. They kidnapped some of Russia's best scientists and are trying to make some dangerous weapons. Luckily, one of them escaped, but got captured by the locals here, according to our intel."
"So close," George commented. Sarge then changed the picture, showing two pictures of several buildings. One picture showed a two-story building that's surrounded by heavily arm guards while the other picture shows a small gas station filled with cars, gasoline and stockpiles of weapons.
"Our job is to infiltrate and extract the doctor out of the village. We'll be splitting up into two groups, the infiltrators and the distraction. There'll be a lot of enemy forces in the village so we'll need to divert the majority of the enemy somewhere else. Luckily, there's a small barracks full of weapons and vehicles. The distraction team is going to blow it up and make as much noise as possible while the infiltrator group will move in and secure the doctor."
"Sounds like a plan, Sarge. Who's in charge of the teams?" Jack asked.
"I'm going to be in charge of the distraction team, Bravo Team; Truman and Valdez will be joining me on creating a diversion," Sarge replied. Michael said something in Spanish, most likely just cursing since it'll mean that he'll most likely get shot. "Jackson, you're in command of the infiltration team, Alpha Team. Trent and Castellan will join up with you and extract the target. There may still be some resistance so be prepared. Any questions?"
Trent was the first to ask, "What about the Russian defectors? Should we expect any surprises from them?"
Sarge was quiet for a moment but then replied, "We haven't gotten any words from Russia yet, but if they managed to get the same intel as we did, you can expect the defectors will be on their way to retrieve the target as well. Worse case, expect heavy resistance from both sides."
Sarge changed the projector again and showed a wider view of the satellite picture.
"We will be dropping down a few clicks west of the village, Alpha team will head toward the north side and secure the target while Beta team will work causing a distraction. Once that's settled, we'll head east toward the canyons and wait for extraction there."
Sarge ended the briefing by turning off the projector.
"That's it for the briefing; I want you boys to be ready by 1700 sharp. Valdez, I want you to stock up on many explosives you can give me tonight. I want our distraction to be so loud that even our folks back home can hear it!"
"Yes sir!" Michael saluted with a smirk.
"Alpha Team, I want you boys to do this quietly; but expect heavy resistance. Carry some grenades and extra mags in case you get ambushed. And Truman, we'll need a quick getaway so I'm putting you in charge of finding us a vehicle."
"Sir!" Everyone saluted and walked out of the briefing room until suddenly Sarge called out for me.
"Jackson, a moment."
I turned back and asked, "Sir?"
"How are you holding up?"
"I'm good to lead the team, sir. Already ate and did my daily routines."
"Not that... I know it's almost the day when..."
Sarge didn't continue but I knew what he was gonna say.
The anniversary of my father's funeral.
"I'm good sir... I am. Got to focus on the mission."
"That's... also what I need to tell you about."
"Sir?"
Sarge was quiet for a bit and looked around the area outside the room, making sure no one was eavesdropping, then whispered to me.
"I'm getting a bad feeling about the mission, Jackson. I just got new intel about our target and I'm starting to believe our past is out to get us."
"What do you mean, Sarge?" I asked.
"Apparently... our target escaped from North Korea."
"What?!" I said. "But why? Why was he even there in the first place? I thought he was kidnapped by Russian soldiers."
"I know, it doesn't make sense. But this is where I need you to listen."
I leaned in closer to listen.
"This... isn't the first time our target needed a rescue. The first rescue mission was back during the Second Korean War. It was led by CIA agents."
"Wait... that would mean..."
"Yeah... there's a chance he may know something about what happened to your mother."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. After all these years, I'm finally gonna get answers about my mother. But...
"Cooper... I know how much this means to you. That's why I'm telling you all of this; but, we got to do this mission right. I need you to stay on your toes and focus. Once we secure the target's safety, I'll get you access to talk to him, understood?"
I nodded. "Yes sir."
[LATER]
It was already night-time, everyone was packed and geared up for the mission. Two choppers were heading toward the drop-off point and will commence the operation. I will be leading Alpha toward the target's destination while Sergeant will lead Bravo to create a diversion and secure an escape route to the extraction point.
"This is Alpha team, heading up north to prepare for our objective."
"[Copy that, Alpha team. Bravo team is heading out south and will commence the diversion. Do not, under any circumstances, get spotted or the operation is a bust.]" Sarge said through the radio.
"Copy that, Bravo Team. Good luck."