Heeding the Call
Damon sighs as he sits against the tree and looks up at the night sky. It's clear with the moon shining brightly and the stars blinking at him from a distant universe. The Ghost glances at his watch, eleven fifty seven; in a few minutes the helicopter will swoop in and take him away from this place.
He looks around one last time, knowing full well he's going to miss the place. The chirping insects, the smell of the pines and the fact that the place is full of life; the polar opposite of the place known as America where grey death hovers over the land and a bleak outlook of life is the only thing being offered as a future. He listens to the sound of a creek not far from here, he feels the cool gentle breeze as it flutters through and he soaks in the moonlight like a sponge to water. It feels like a lifetime ago since he and Comanche team rappelled in with nothing more than fear, death and a mission in mind that kept them going. Now Damon is leaving with some hope, with courage and a will to fight for his country, the thing that he fought for, but now he fights for another reason; he will fight to keep his pack safe and to ensure America is as far as the Federation will go.
"Do you really have to go?" Lilly asks as she sits next to him while Humphrey, Garth, Kate, and the pups sit in a near semicircle around the human.
Damon didn't want their last conversation to be about this, but he knew it would come up eventually; he suppose this would be considered a closure of sorts.
"It's time I go back," Damon says in a solemn voice, looking away as he does so, "my homeland is still under attack."
Meadow steps up next to him and whines, "but your home can be here."
Damon's heart is going to break, but he shakes his head, "I came here to defend you, the innocent that the Federation has threaten, that danger has passes here, but they are still fighting and invading further down South, if I don't help stop them, than they will come back up here in full force."
The wolves are silent before Garth asks, "Will you visit?"
Damon looks down and shakes his head, "I didn't come here for vacation, I was sent here by my pack leaders, this was just one long prolong mission."
Max is the next one to speak, "What if we visit you? Humphrey and Kate traveled south before."
The Ghost smiles before patting the young pup on the head, "True, but believe me, my home isn't as nice as yours, I don't think coming down to see me will be a good idea."
Silence envelopes them once more before Ann asks, "what if the soldiers come back, will you return than?"
The human shrugs, "Maybe, but only if my leaders give me the ok, besides, you guys know how to repel human invaders now," he teases lightly.
Meadow licks her lips before leaning against Damon and asks, "You will return won't you?"
Damon scratches her head as he thinks about this. He wishes he could visit, but his country is still in a state emergency, has been for ten years straight, there is now way he can get some time off. But he wishes beyond belief that he could, he's going to miss his companions, especially Meadow, in a way, she has become his best friend too.
He leans down a bit before whispering, "I'll try my best, that's all I can promise."
She grinds her canines against one another as she always does when she is troubled but nods her acceptance.
Humphrey's ears begin to twitch before he reports, "I hear that strange buzz coming Damon, I think that helicopter is almost here."
Damon feels like his inside is being filled with molten lead as he switches into a kneeling position and shoulders the radio, but he forces a smile as he asks, "Really? Your senses seem to have sharped considerably since we first met Humphrey."
The Omega grins but it quickly fades as the loud humming starts to fill the air. This is it, Damon has to get on and get out as quick as possible, but he knows the hardest part is happening right then and there.
He wraps an arm around Max and squeezes lightly, "Take care Max, don't go too crazy, and stop telling people I breathe fire."
The young wolf just laughs quietly to himself and nods in response.
Damon then hugs Devan and says, "Take care of yourself," before his voice drops to a whisper, "and take good care of Talia."
Devan shifts his weight in embarrassment before replying in a rather strong voice, "Yes Damon."
Next to be embrace is Ann to who Damon says, "Remember, the world may be dangerous, but it can also be peaceful and majestic as well."
Ann nods and he could almost hear a small whine in the back of her throat.
Damon than turns to the four grown wolves and hugs Kate, "Thank you, for everything, and thank your parents again for me."
Kate licks his cheek before saying, "Of course, just be careful when you're fighting the soldiers."
"You know I will," the Ghost replies before hugging her again and moving down.
Next he hugs Garth as he says, "You're one brave and loyal wolf Garth, stay cool and take care of your family."
Garth is unsure what the human meant by being staying cold, but he grins as he butts his head against Damon's as he says, "Just watch your own tail Damon, we won't be there to save you."
The Ghost chuckles before rubbing the red wolf's head before heading next to Lilly and hugs her.
"Never lose your gentle heart Lilly," he says, "and thanks for understanding and helping another outsider."
Lilly licks his face and nods, keeping her mouth shut probably in an attempt to keep herself from whining.
Next is Humphrey who Damon hugs vigorously, "If you were born human Humphrey, you would have been a great Ghost commando."
Humphrey shakes his tail and says, "Thanks, but I think I'm pretty content with being just a wolf, or to be an Omega to be precise," he says before looking lovingly at Kate who smiles brightly in return at her mate.
Damon smiles before saying, "I understand what you mean."
Finally, he turns to Meadow who isn't looking at the Ghost, but the frozen ground beneath her feet. He slowly reaches out and pulls her into a hug.
"Thank you," he whispers to her, "You're the greatest friend I could have asked for," He leans back as he looks at her, "and I know you will become a great Alpha."
Meadow lets out a low whine as she nuzzles him lightly in the neck, "And you are my best friend, thank you for helping me become an Alpha."
Damon could feel cold silent tears threatening to break loose as he leans away and look at the small assembly of wolves before saying, "You guys are the greatest bunch of wolves I've ever met, don't ever let the terms Alpha and Omega bother you again."
The wolves then converge on Damon and begin rubbing and jumping on him, mindful of his injuries, all releasing their held in whines that truly touched the Ghost heart, it has been years since he last met anyone who cared for him as much as these wolves did. He allows a single tear to break free before hugging each one of them using both his arms as he remembers all that they have done for him. They healed, protect, played and fought with him, creating a bond just like the one he had with Comanche team. They are like a second family to him, no, they are not his family, they are his pack and he'll never forget them for as long as he lives.
The moment is ruin when he they hear a burst of static and a rough voice speaks from Damon's radio, "Comanche One this Red Jay, what's your twenty, over."
Damon breathes heavily trying to get his voice in order before picking up the mike and responds, "I'm at the LZ, over."
"Copy, we are a mike out, be ready to move."
Damon gulps before hugging all the wolves some more, he can't tell how many times he heard the whines, felt their furry body against his or how many times his cheek is lick, but he knew it wasn't enough to suppress the feeling of lost building within him.
With a heavy heart, he grabs his walking stick and stands, taking timid steps away from the wolves. They all watch with sorrow filled eyes as the Ghost walks away, knowing full well that they have to remain hidden within the foliage. Damon can see Meadow stalking along the tree line looking up at him and knows that she wanted nothing more than to run to him. His heart is being torn to pieces.
Finally his clogged throat opens a bit, allowing him to say, "Good bye."
Some of the wolves return the farewell, but they mostly look down with soft whines escaping from them. Damon turns to look to the south just in time to see a helicopter fly in, just skimming along the tree tops. It isn't a Black Hawk its outside is too smooth and looks alien to the Ghost, but he knows it's one of the experimental Stealth Jays, a new breed of choppers that supposedly gives off no heat signature.
Damon limps to the middle of the field, looking back at the wolves only to see them retreat further into the forest so they won't be seen. Meadow lingers behind and cast one last look at the Ghost. They both locked eyes and he sees her sadness mirrors the one he no doubt has on his own face. She finally looks away and runs into the forest, her brown figure disappearing from his sight, probably forever.
Damon chokes back a sob when a rush of wind almost blows him over. The black helicopter lands on the ground before the large door is slide open and two crew chiefs jumps out and runs out. They train Remington rifles on the Ghost and concentrate their laser points on him.
"First Sergeant Damon Joyce?" one of the crew chiefs asks in what sounds like a Boston accent.
The Ghost merely nods before the chiefs' lowers their weapons, rush to his side and half guide and half carry him to the chopper.
"It's alright sir," the same chief says, "you're going home."
Damon doesn't feel like he's going home, he feels like he's leaving it.
The other crew chief gives a thumbs-up at a door gunner sitting inside the helicopter while shouting, "Jack Pot! Jack Pot! We've got our man!"
Carefully, Damon is lifted into the helicopter and laid on the floor. Damon squints as artificial lights blind him, despite the dark exterior, the inside is actually quite bright. The helicopter vibrates slightly as the rotors move while multiple chatter and blinking lights can be seen in the pilot's small cockpit. The sleek inside is silver, full of duffle bags and weapon cases.
The Ghost turns his head and looks out at the dark woods. His eyes adjusted just in time for him to see the glowing eyes of the wolves, all four of them staring back at him. He wished he could call out to them, but right at that moment the crew chiefs closes the door, blocking his view.
A man with a red cross slapped onto his helmet kneels down and looks down at Damon.
"How are you doing sir?" he asks as he cuts off the Federation jacket, "I'm Sergeant Flan, do you have any injuries or do you feel any pain anywhere?"
Damon stares up at the man in silent awe. He has no idea how long it has been since he last seen a human being up close who didn't want to kill him. The sergeant is an American, the first one he has seen I a long time. Oh the irony, he used to think talking wolves didn't exist; now he believes Americans are just as rare as unicorns.
His ears then picks up something in the back as he hears the pilots, "Copy Silver Eagle, we are RTB, say again RTB, we may have to refuel while in midair, but we should be back around midday."
As soon as he finishes those words, the helo suddenly jerks slightly and Damon knows they are in the air and are leaving Canada.
"Sir?" Damon looks back at the sergeant over him, "are you ok sir? Do you feel any pain?"
The Ghost releases a heavy sigh as he says, "I've been shot in the chest, the shoulder and have sustain injuries that only God knows how long ago."
The chief nods as he begins to dig in his bag and begins to pull equipment out but pauses. Damon freezes too when he hears it.
Outside he can hear the howls of wolves. But unlike last night, these calls weren't joyous or had any voice to them, instead they only hold emotion and one emotion only; sorrow. It sounds like the entire forest is alive as the howls echo all over the land, pretty loudly considering the rotors are supposed to block out any and all sounds.
"Whoa," the sergeant says as he returns to digging in his bag, "They sound like they're crying or something, how funny is that sir?" his amusement dies when he looks back at the Ghost.
Damon has finally allowed the tears to flow down in rivers. His chest is heavy as he tries to control himself, trying to keep the dam from breaking.
The sergeant pats Damon's shoulder, "It's alright sir, it's ok, we're leaving now, you'll be home soon."
Damon just allows the tears to continue to stream down as he contains his sobs. He has no idea what the sergeant is doing or how long he stayed awake, but Damon soon cries himself to sleep. But before he did he could still hear the heartbroken howls in his head, and standing out from all of them is a howl that he is sure that belongs to Meadow.
'Silver Eagle' paces around on the airfield as he waits for one specific bird to come in. He still can't believe it; a small part of him refuses to believe it until he sees Damon Joyce personally, alive and healthy.
It has been moths since team Comanche has gone missing, he, as well as the rest of the Ghosts, have long since believe that they were all killed, either by the Feds, Canadians or even the wild nature. However, 'Silver Eagle' is one of the few that knows where it was that the team was deployed, Elias Walker himself showed the plans to 'Eagle' personally.
'Silver Eagle' sighs. Poor Elias, he died believing he sent an entire team of good men on a suicide mission with the thought that they have died and their bodies disappeared. In truth that would have been good, at least then there would be no evidence for the Canadian to find and the U.S wouldn't be forced to claim that the men were rouge American terrorists.
The man continues to pace, his fingers drums on the hip holster that contains his pistol. He is in full tactical gear, after the events in South America, the Ghost teams have lost many good men and they needed all the help they could get to fill out the ranks. 'Silver' was more than happy to get his boots dirty again, he prefers fighting on the ground, not sitting in a chair in an operation center being forced to watch his brothers fight and bleed on covert ops, but somebody has to do it, and as Walker's protégée, 'Silver' was the man for the job.
"Silver Eagle this is Red Jay, over," a voice says over the radio that is strapped to 'Silver's shoulder.
'Silver Eagle' talks back, "Yeah Jay, go."
"We are inbound, just one mike away, you should be able to see us in the distance, over."
'Silver' squints in the said location and indeed sees a black dot on the horizon slowing getting bigger, "Copy, I see you," he says, "you are clear to land, out."
'Silver' crosses his arms over his chest and waits as the bird comes in.
The last time he saw Joyce was right before he went on the rescue mission to save Ajax, right before the whole Ghost program started to fall apart. He considers making Joyce a fellow officer so that they can regrow the Ghost team's together. Elias originally wanted Hesh to help out with that, but after Logan's kidnapping 'Silver' isn't sure giving the man the power of an officer would be a good idea, he's about ready to march into South America again and tear the whole continent apart. 'Silver' prays that Joyce is indeed on that bird, the Lord knows he needs some help.
Finally with excruciating slowness, the bird lands, power downs its rotors and the door is slid open.
First to jump out the crew chiefs, who scans the area and sees that it's clear but kept their weapons at the ready. Next steps out a young man with a duffel bag over his shoulder and a Red Cross sticker on his helmet. Finally out steps a man that 'Silver' could barely recognize.
The guy looks like a person who could very well be Robinson Caruso. He is wearing torn and beaten down boots, a slightly stain camouflage leggings and a new U.S.A olive green t-shirt. He walks with a slight limp and though the medic is helping him along, he seems to be carrying a bulk of his weight on a walking stick that looks like a tree branch that has been stripped down.
His face thought is what gets the attention. His usual short cut golden hair is now long and looks like a rats nest as it reaches down and touches his shoulders. His face is slightly blue with bruises and red welts that decorate his face. He jaw is full of stubbles stretching all the way to his hairline and curves around his mouth, giving him a caveman like appearance. If it wasn't for the hard set of blue eyes, Silver wouldn't have identified the man.
Wait...eye? 'Silver' squints a but before his own eyes widen. Damon's face is covered in three identical scars, all going down vertically. One of them, the middle scar, has gone right through his left eye, leaving the eye grey, almost as if its dead. This truly gave Damon the look of a battered combat veteran, but he knew, eye or no eye, he is still a dangerous combat operator.
Slowly, the wild man and doctor limps until they stand in front of 'Silver', the man looking over 'Silver' like he's the one out of place and not him.
Finally the man clears his throat and says in a rather hoarse voice, "Merrick."
'Silver Eagle', who has now been ID as Merrick, stares back as he looks over the person once more before replying, "Joyce…you look like crap."
"Feel like crap," Damon replies before reaching up with his free hand and Merrick mimes the gesture. They clasp their hands together as soon as they meet, he feels Damon pulling himself closer and Merrick opens his arms and gives the man a rough bear hug.
"It's good to see you man," Damon says in his rough voice.
"It's good to see you too," Merrick responds in kind, "you've got a lot of explaining to do."
Joyce finally leans back and Merrick is surprised to see Joyce wipes his eyes. Slightly concerned, Merrick then turns to the medic and asks, "How is he?"
The medic shrugs, "He's covered in injuries, bruises, knife wounds, and bullet holes, we may have to put him through an X-ray and some more scanning before we can verify the depths of his wounds, we should take him to the hospital now before-"
"No," Damon suddenly says in a war like voice.
Merrick frowns slightly, "Damon, we have to make sure you are ok so-"
"No," Damon replies again before saying, "I need to be taken to Division HQ."
Merrick frowns, "Why? We need to get you look at first-"
"Merrick," Joyce cuts him off, "Do you know who Archangel is?"
Merrick starts to grow concern as he answers, "No, I don't, who-"
"He's the intelligence officer that was supposed to be guiding my team," Damon says curtly, "but he turned out to be the spy we were looking for all along, do you know who he is?"
Merrick is shock at this revelation but he shakes his head, "Elias might have known, but I don't know."
"I think I do," Joyce says, "but we need to nab him now, if he hears I'm back then he might bolt."
Merrick thinks for a moment before pulling out his pistol and loads a round into the chamber, "Well let's go then."
"Sir," the medic speaks up, "With all due respect sir, this man needs immediate-"
"Doc," Joyce interrupts, "I survived in the wilderness for months on end; I think I can survive an extra few minutes."
Merrick laughs as he turns and says, "Doctor, believe me you don't want to get in the way of a determine Ghost."
Finally the medic relents and helps Damon as they hurry after Merrick. The Ghost CO walks over to his own private hummer and opens the back door and ushers Damon in. Merrick holds the doctor back and says, "There isn't enough room for all of us, head back to the hospital and prepare a bed, we'll be along shortly."
The medic looks as if he is about to argue, but when he looks into Merrick's determine eyes, he backs away and nods. With that Merrick shuts the door, walks to the other side and gets into the backseat along with Damon.
"Division HQ, go," Merrick tells the driver.
The CO than turns to Joyce who really looks out of place with the mountain man look he has going on. He isn't helping his image as he looks out the window and stares at everything, the barracks, the hummers, the choppers, and even the concrete. They passed a tank and he flinches violently and watches it until they lose sight of it.
Hoping to make things less awkward, Merrick clears his voice and says, "So, what made you realize Archangel is the mole?"
Joyce looks back at him and says, "The lousy traitor led us into a Federation ambush on the second day of the operation…that was when my team was cut down…they fought to the end bravely."
Merrick nods in sympathy before asking, "And you know who Archangel is now?"
Damon lets out a inhuman growl in answer, "I have an idea, Estrada gave me enough ideas to paint a picture."
"Wait," Merrick looks at Damon critically, "Estrada? The Estrada?"
Damon just says, "Yeah, he was head of the whole operation up there, caused me quite some grief."
The hummer finally comes to a halt outside the three story office building that has been transformed into the field HQ.
Joyce practically jumps out of the hummer and hobbles over to the entrance while Merrick opens the passenger door where his body guard is sitting.
"Give me your rifle son," he says to the man.
"My rifle sir?" he asks as he looks down at his Remington.
"Now!" Merrick barks. The man hands the rifle to the CO and he turns and hurries after Joyce. He didn't have to go far; Damon is stuck at the doors where he is engage within a heated argument with the guards. He sees Damon starting to wave his walking stick around and the guards tighten their grips on their rifles. Merrick rushes forward, takes out his wallet and flashes his ID cards as he says, "He's with me."
The guards stare at the up for a moment before stepping aside and allowing them to pass. Damon rushes through quickly with Merrick rushing in from behind, loading his rifle as he does so. They enter the first set of double doors and sees row upon row of man and woman in digital camouflage combat suits working away at paper or computer work on their desks. Damon scans each of their faces before saying, "He's not here."
"You sure?" Merrick asks, but Damon is already limping away and heads to the main stairwell. Merrick curses lightly before hurrying after his friend. They climb a flight of stairs before entering the second level. It's the same as the first, people working at desks and looking up in alarm at the sight of an unkempt Damon and an armed Merrick. Joyce scans the room again before shaking his head and turns back to the stairs.
Finally they reach the third floor, Joyce looks around and freezes before snarling to Merrick, "There he is."
Merrick follows his gaze and sees a man sitting in the middle row of workers, typing away at his desk. The man looks to be in his forties, grey hair and appears to be less than six feet. He has a mustache coming and his face is furrowed in concentration as he types. A plate on his desk proclaims him as Corporal Dante Franks.
Merrick tilts his head slightly as he asks, "Wait a minute, wasn't Franks the one who you-"
Damon suddenly walks forward broadly and roars in blood chilling voice, "ARCHANGEL!"
Everyone turn I their seats to stare at Damon as he marches towards Franks. The man in question appears surprise at the man, but then he squints, looking past the stubbles and wild hair. That is when his eyes bulge in absolute horror. He jumps from his chair, turns and runs towards the emergency stairwell on the opposite side of the building.
With lighting reflexes, Merrick raises his rifle, instantly locks on, and fires. Franks yelps as the round tore through his body as he collapses on the floor, knocking a table over in the process. Despite the screams of the terrified workers, Merrick just chuckles as he pats the rifle and says, "Still got it."
Franks moan as he rolls around in his own blood that is seeping from his side, a flesh wound. The man blinks away tears and gasps. Standing over him is the man that he recognizes as Damon Joyce.
He tries to back away while saying, "No, no, no, please, you must understand-"
Damon is filled with enraged energy as he drops his cane, grabs Franks, and shoulder throws him onto a nearby table. The man gasps as he tries to get off the table, but the furious Ghost grabs him and flings him into another, causing a woman to scream as she jumps away from her now ruin work desk. Franks reaches into his pocket and pulls out an envelope opener. Damon comes in again, but Franks waves the small blade around, trying to ward off any further attack. However, Damon grabs Franks arm, yanks him forward before hitting him in the jaw with the palm of his fist. Franks flew into the air before slamming down on the desk, causing its legs to break as his weight brought it down, smashing the desk into a million pieces.
Damon makes to continue his assault when Merrick grabs his shoulder and pulls him back, saying, "Easy Joyce, stand down."
Damon struggles a bit, he wanted nothing more than to rush Franks again and beat him for all the suffering he has caused, but then he remembers a CO is giving him orders. Obediently, he halts his struggling and relaxes, that's when his leg is about to give out, so he grabs onto a nearby table while he glares at Franks as Merrick keeps his rifle train on the down man.
The ruckus they caused was enough to get attention. Coming up from the stairway is a fully armored tactical squad of MPs, but they lowered their weapons when they see Merrick who jerks his chin at the downed man, the downed traitor.
The MP's rushed forward and secured the area. Damon growls again as he watches one of the MPs secure a bandage on Franks wound before cuffing him with flex cuffs and pulling him to his feet.
They make ready to lead him away when Damon steps forward and rumbles "wait."
Franks lean away from the animalistic man as he demands, "Why? Why did you betray us? Why did you lead us into that death trap?"
Franks summon some of his courage before speaking, "The United States are doom, it's only a matter of time before the Federation steamrolls over us. They promised I would survive when they won, promised that when this is all over I can live within the safety of their borders."
Damon feels pure fury threatening to break out again, but at that moment Merrick steps in, "not anymore," he tells the traitor, "after our actions in South America and Damon securing the northern border, we have reach a turning point in the war, it won't be long before you and your Federation buddies stand before the court for war crimes," he looks at the MPs and jerks his head, "Take this trash out of here."
The MPs start to march the man away, but Franks start to shout, "It's a lost cause! We're all be dead! Turn ti the Federation and you will be rewa-" he is shut up when a MP strike him in the head and roughly shove him down the stairs.
The whole room descends into silence as the technicians and paper pushers stare at the destruction caused, a broken desk, a pool of blood, and the two men who has done it remains in the room looking after where the troubled man has been taken.
Damon breathes a couple times, trying to cool his red hot blood before asking, "What happen in South America?"
Merrick laughs and gently lays a hand on Damon's shoulder as he leads him towards the stairs, "I'll tell you at the hospital, it's pretty much crazy," he then turns his gaze to Damon, "and in return I expect you to tell me what happen during your little vacation."
Damon chuckles at this as they begin to descend, "believe me brother, my story is much crazier than yours, I guarantee it."