Chapter 2: Getting the job started
Hours have past and they finally landed in a U.S. Airfield, Finn felt a bit tired after the trip and stepping out of the plane and into a different place he never went to before was indeed quite an experience and good things about being a marine, adapting.
For Hillary, it was already something she got used to since she did had a two year trip in Europe; as they went to the base they were going to be stationed in and as they have arrived. Finn, Hillary and her 1st Recon comrades were greeted by a few officers who recognized them. The officers saw Finn as well, looked at him and recognized him as a 1st Class Private, they escort the 1st Recon group including Finn to a command center and as they were walking Finn could see so much activity going on the base. He could see soldiers and other marines training local law enforcement and military units, soldiers working and attending to various duties, especially others fixing some vehicles and machinery; this was what Finn was going to be doing for months to come.
They arrived at the command building and greeted by some higher ranking officers, the officers brief to Finn, Hillary, and the 1st Recon group telling them that there have been suspicious activities going on the outskirts of Baghdad, which might be possible terrorist activity. Hillary and her 1st Recon friends and other 1st Recon Marines were assigned to look on to the suspicious activities in the outskirts; however for Finn he was simply ordered to be in base or within Baghdad where he will overlook at some certain duties that some soldiers are conducting, also he and some other marines like him are to train the local law enforcement and military units in Baghdad. While Finn was attending to his duties at base he suddenly heard a familiar voice; and it sounded just like someone he just saw a couple of days ago when he left for Afghanistan.
Finn's suspicions were confirmed as he realized the voice he heard was actually THE same Belltower mercenary he saw at the airfield when leaving for Afghanistan, Finn did not really had a good look at the merc's face when he saw him back at the airfield mostly because his face was blocked by those cases and boxes he was carrying. Finn saw the merc talking to an officer and he saw the merc was American, had messy Yellow Orange hair, and also had a large bushy moustache that was also Yellow Orange; Finn noticed the merc still had his two robotic arms. The mercenary was wearing a short sleeved Desert Camo Uniform which exposed most of his Jet Black Robotic Arms and he was wearing Desert Camo Military Shorts that extended to his knees, Finn also noticed the mercenary not only had two robotic arms. But also had to two robotic legs that were Jet Black like his mechanical arms and the merc is not even wearing shoes or boots since his feet are also mechanical.
After the merc was done talking to the officer the merc noticed Finn and let out a big smile and called out to Private Finn. "HEY! YOU! YEAH YOU!"
The merc then sprinted to Finn; Finn was surprised at how fast the merc moved mostly because of his enhanced legs. The merc then asked Finn.
"Are you Private Finn Mertins? Yeah I think you are; I saw you couple days ago back at the U.S."
"Yes I'am Private Mertins alright, and you're from 'Belltower' Right?"
"Yes, Yes I'am. I'am Jake, Captain Jake Sorenson but you can call me. 'The Dog' Captain Jake 'The Dog' Sorenson; it's my nickname or callsign."(Yes that's right; Jake in this AU Fanfic is a human.)
Finn responded "Heh, what a nickname. So what are you mercenary guys doing here in Afghanistan anyways?"
"Setting up shop, that's what I and Belltower are doing in here."
"You mean you're setting up an HQ here in Baghdad?"
"Yes, most recently the government officials have been discussing to us about a contract where we'll be monitoring and enforcin' the law in certain places. There's been talk the new U.S. President will be withdrawing U.S. Troops when she's elected."
"So you guys are in contract with the Afghan government?"
"Soon actually soon, right now our Afghanistan HQ is currently under construction."
"By the way Jake what type of unit are you? Or what exactly do you specialize in? Oh and are you gonna be staying here in Baghdad then?
"First of, Nah I'am not gonna be here too long I'am just like advising the construction workers on the infrastructure of our base and second, I'am an Engineer for Belltower; I work on and help repair damaged vehicles and drones, I also specialize in fortifications and defensive stuff, and Area Denial strategies, from Caltrops to Landmines and Laser Systems to Sentry Guns. What about you Finn?"
"I'am a Private, First Class, I was called in here thought that I would get into some serious action, but instead some 1st Recon guys especially my friend are handling it instead and right now I'am just attending random duties but mostly training some newbie Afghan soldiers and Police. I guess I'am just like a bench warmer or an extra guy to be used another time."
"You joined the Military why?"
"Cause I feel like doing good like helping people out and stop evil bad guys and such"
"Hey guys at Belltower also do that stuff we help people and stop bad guys and evil doers too. And honestly it would have been best if you joined Belltower."
"Dude you guys are like guys who do stuff for anyone who pays you"
"Yeah, yeah I know the whole 'we're-not-so-good-because-we do-things-when-people-pays-us-to-do-bad-and-horrible-things argument'. But come on man not all mercenaries are bad, sure there are mercs out there who work with terrorists and other bad guys. But there are those out there who are just doing their jobs to survive and even feed their families, like me. Besides being mercenary you get paid A LOT and I mean seriously; whatever your salary is. I earn and get paid five times more than your yearly salary combined."
"Whatev's man I'am just proud to be serving my country, protecting its people and the constitution."
"Don't get me wrong Finn, I myself am American AND Patriotic just as much you. I just work for a company that does not bound itself with different morals. But hey I also have a beautiful loving wife and five children I'am taking care of.
"You must be one proud Family Man."
"True, Me and my wife especially my five kids will soon be moving into London."
"You'll be moving into England?"
"Yeah me, my wife, and kids will be living in London soon, the reason why is 'cause Belltower HQ as in THE main and very first HQ is located there. And since I'am a full time Belltower Contractor I have to move in to London for work."
"And just curious, how did you get your Robotic Arms and Legs, you replaced your original arms and legs?"
"I never asked for it… I lost my limbs during an operation in South Africa. I and some fellow mercs along with Government Soldiers were guarding a diamond mine against local ruffians and thieves, the infiltrators were able to bypass the security systems but got caught when they got the diamonds. A firefight broke out between the guards, me and my comrades, and the infiltrators who were escaping, one of those assholes had an RPG; fired it at me and the resulting explosion blew of my arms."
"Ouch, man I… I'am sorry man that's gotta hurt."
"Oh yeah? Well to add insult to injury a fucking venomous snake slithered to me and bit both my legs when I foolishly tried kicking it away from me while the infiltrators escaped with some diamonds worth millions. Thankfully a medic and a South African Soldier arrived to my aid just when that snake bit me, the medic looked at me and at my legs and the other soldier knew I was bit and drew a machete to chop my legs out of mercy. The medic said no and injected Morphine to me and I passed out."
"And lemme guess you woke in hospital bed with your arms gone, and I bet the venom from that snake rendered your legs useless and had to be amputated-"
Finn was then cut off by Jake "Actually yeah you're correct... And yeah that's what happened I lost my legs and just when I thought about my wife and kids I also thought I was gonna retire. But the doctors especially my comrades who were in the hospital I was in said I can still move around like a normal person and continue working, they offered me special bionic arms and legs. It really was no big surprise since advanced robotic limbs for disabled people already existed years ago thanks to Professor Bonnibel Bisley. So yeah that's how I got my new and improved military grade robo-limbs."
"How much do they cost?"
"Belltower paid for the operation but I had my limbs specially customized to stretch out to ten to twelve feet away and cost me fifty million dollars for the customization, I have very long reach. Plus my robotic legs help make me run faster and jump higher."
Finn let out a whistle "Wow that stuff is EXPENSIVE, good that you could afford 'em"
"Well that's why working as a mercenary is better than a soldier or marine, cold hard cash lots and lots of it."
For almost an hour Private Finn and Captain Jake "The Dog" Sorenson talked about numerous things from their work to their patriotism while Finn also learned Jake is in his thirties, (34 years old) and that he's married to his Korean Wife "Rayne" for four years while having five children. And that Jake has been working in Belltower for twelve years straight, as Jake was going to leave for the construction site of the Belltower Afghanistan HQ he gave Finn something.
"By the way Finn before I head off, here have this." Jake throws a Belltower Brochure to Finn as he catches it, the brochure was quite large and thick compared to other brochures; Jake tells Finn.
"If you or any Military buddies ever get bored of your Government jobs and want some 'Adventures' or things don't go very well, come join Belltower Associates."
"Thanks, but I'am fine with being a marine and serving my country."
"Alrighty then, but just remember Finn. If you being a soldier or marine or what the meth ever does not turn out well, just remember. Come join us and I guarantee being a mercenary is a lot better, you get to go to places around the world, have access to more weapons by Raptor Arms, you can still be a good guy and help people in need, and it's one hundred percent guaranteed that you'll never ever go hungry. Because again being a mercenary you get paid lots and lots of cold hard cash."
Jake left Finn and went to the exit of the base but instead of walking out of the gate he used his robotic legs to jump five feet on top of some shipping container, then jumped on top of the base's walls and outside. Some soldiers in the base saw Jake and some mumbled to themselves. "Humph Showoff"
Night time fell in Baghdad and unlike at daytime where it was really hot;nighttime in the dessert was freezing cold, as Finn saw numerous soldiers gathering in Camp Fires for warmth and unsurprisingly Finn saw some male and female soldiers; even marines making out some with the same gender as well. Finn wanted to go to bed as the coldness of the dessert night was making him sleepy, but to his surprise the barracks were filled up and occupied by soldiers and marines and even allied Afghan soldiers were sleeping in the barracks alike so he settled to sleep in some empty tents outside; but even many of the tents outside were also occupied by soldiers and marines and Afghan soldiers and some were just sleeping in the ground outside with sleeping bags.
Finn asked some soldiers who were wide awake working the night shifts even they have no idea where Finn can "Properly" sleep Finn was just suggested to get a sleeping bag and just sleep out in to the cold cloudless night like the other soldiers. Just as he was getting a sleeping bag he heard a familiar voice calling him out in a quite manner; it was 2nd Lieutenant Hillary Watson calling Finn out, she was near a slightly smaller tent which was 2 feet smaller than most of the other tents in the base.
"Finn there you are, I'am glad to see you."
"Yeah nice to see you to Hillary, I guess you couldn't find somewhere else to sleep?"
"Sleep? But Finn it's just like eight thirty why would you sleep in this time? It's kinda early."
Finn let out a yawn and lazily said "Well Hillary the cold is making me drowsy and I just can't help but just sleep somewhere adequate."
"And you can't find anywhere to sleep properly?"
"Exactly, what about you Hillary you just alone in this tent of yours?"
"Yeah… Allright if you're feeling so sleepy well you can…. You can…"
Hillary Watson was suddenly stuttering as her face suddenly turned pinkish.
"What Hillary?"
"Finn you can sleep with me share the same sleeping mat."
"Oh I see." Finn said while letting out a mischievous grin. "Thanks Hillary but hey where just sharing the same bed not… You know?" Said Finn, while letting out another grin while twitching his eyebrows.
"Heh, Finn stop it will you? You're just encouraging my 1st Recon Buds to ship us even more while coming up with a ridiculous shipping name for both of us."
Finn crawled into Hillary's tent and took off his ACU Boots; he saw Hillary's personal belongings beside to his right; her bag, her HUD Glasses, her cloak, her body armor, and even her Custom Compound Bow she brought along. Finn took of his MICH Helmet and placed his boots and helmet and his gloves right next to Hillary's belongings, Finn kept wearing his BDU Jacket because it was really cold and did not want to get sick. Even though the tent was warm he still felt some coldness. Finn then said.
"So Hillary I noticed since the day we first met you were quite anti-social to others especially me when I initiated my first conversation with you."
"Yeah until I knew you also like the stuff I liked and I'am just the type of person who rather speaks with others who are on my same level, and Finn I still like you a lot, as a friend. The cold shoulder I gave you; c'mon pal that's a thing of the past."
"Yeah I know, your 1st Recon buddies, you seem quite social and open to them."
"Because we're on par and we work together in previous ops, they to also appreciate the things I was into."
"So I'am not the first one you met in the military who's sharing the same interests as you?"
"I, I suppose"
Finn let out a loud yawn while lying in the mat right next to Hillary. "Well I'am sleeping now, night Hillary"
"Night Finn sleep tight." Said Hillary as she continued to read her favorite book, ''1000 Awesome things about Magic and Fantasy and some info about Mysticism''. As Finn was still asleep for three hours he suddenly woke up a bit feeling someone touching him, he thought he was being robbed in his sleep but he realized that it was just Hillary. But he was slightly surprised to realize that she was unintentionally spooning him as she was asleep, but Finn did not seem to care as her body meeting up with his made him feel warmer. He no longer mind Hillary spooning him since it was now keeping him warm; Finn then fell asleep again.
The following day it was dawn at the base five thirty in the morning and someone unzipped the tent Finn and Hillary were sleeping in, it was Hillary's 1st Recon buddies and they were giggling at what they were witnessing. 2nd Lieutenant Hillary "Huntress Wizard" Watson and 1st Class Private Finn Mertins are cuddling together.
"Oh my God, they're in bed together."Said Captain Hailey Parker.
"What they? They… Tier Fifteen?"Said Corporal Moe Swanson.
"Nah man they're just cuddling and spooning." Said Staff Sergeant Trayvon Masterson.
"Aww how adorable, they make a cute couple." Said Hailey Parker
The three 1st Recon marines were giggling quietly trying not to wake Finn and Hillary from their "Adorable" slumber together, Hailey Parker and Moe Swanson got their Smartphones and started taking pictures of the two asleep while unintentionally spooning; then Finn turned around while still asleep and now is facing Hillary. Hailey Parker gasped.
"Oh my God, I'am so savoring this." She says as she takes another picture of them. Suddenly both Finn and Hillary slowly woke up simultaneously, their eyelids rose up slowly but soon they were shocked to realize that they were sleeping WAY too close to each other. They both quickly sat up looking to each other and both of them were thinking to themselves that they probably just touched each other while asleep, even though they knew they were sharing the same tent and the same bedding they never expected themselves to get THAT close to one another.
Then loud laughter erupted from Hillary's 1st Recon buds, Finn and Hillary were once again shocked and now blushing dark red knowing that they were being watched; as the 1st Recon guys were laughing out loud Trayvon was now just giggling saying.
"Hahahaha *gasps* Oh my fucking Gob you guys just… Just… *Giggles* Tier one hehehehe..."
Hailey Parker said "Not your boyfriend huh?"
Finn then said while blushing "WHAT!? We were not having that tier whatev's junk I was just looking for a place to sleep at night and she like offered me to sleep in her tent."
Hillary backed Finn up, while also blushing. "Yeah, I was just being a good friend to Finn and we were just sharing the matting. Seriously you guys how would it feel if one of you guys were sharing the same bed and you're seen by other guys who are all 'Duuh they together surely they're a couple'."
The marines stood silent for a couple of seconds and Moe broke the silence. "Jeez Hillary calm down we were just you know? Fuckin' around and yeah WE know that you and Finn aren't really a couple… And Finn relax I understand, we to also tried to find an adequate place to sleep but the barracks were just full."
Trayvon Masterson also added. "Yeah man we like came back from the outskirts of Baghdad to scout any 'Suspicious' activity, but found Jack Shit. So we went back tired as fuck and while Hillary got her a damn "Insta-Tent" Me, Hailey, and Moe tried to find some vacant beds in the barracks but all were damn full. Tried to even sleep out in in some of the large tents the sollys and other marines set up but they too were full; so we just got sleeping bags and slept outside at the cloudless night… And fucking hated it."
Hailey Parker also responded. "You guys are lucky to sleep together and warm each other up, and I don't mean in a sexual manner I mean REALLY it was freakin cold sleeping outside at night in a desert and we were shivering. Could barely get four hours of sleep, so you two best buddies are lucky. Hehehe"
Finn and Hillary giggled; Hillary then asked her comrades. "So why what's the news now? Why so early?"
Captain Hailey Parker's voice then turned stern and was now being professional. "Well you have to get ready, we're heading out again, and we were just informed that some Insurgents may have gotten their hands on new weapons and some weapon caches out there. We're heading out with an hour and thirty to prep up; we'll see you in a while."
Finn asked Hailey Parker. ''Hey if you guys barely got four hours of sleep, how do you guys seem active and wide awake right now?''
Hailey Parker giggled a bit and her voice returned to normal. ''Coffee, energy bars, and energy drinks… And more coffee, but we fight off the sleepiness ourselves too.''
Moe Swanson was drifting to drowsiness but Trayvon Masterson slapped him in the back of his head.
"OOOWW! TRAYVON! That hurts man did you forget the fact your arms and hands are mechanical?"
"Man you gots to stay awake foo' we got some weapon caches we have to find before some insurgents do."
Hillary's 1st Recon buds head off somewhere else, mostly likely to grab something to eat and or gear up in the armory, Finn put his ACU Boots, gloves, and his helmet back on as he crawled out of the tent, Hillary also put her boots, gloves, and her armored vest and slung her bag to her right and donned her UCP Camo cloak and placed her belongings inside her bag. She crawled out of the tent and began folding it; Finn told her he'll be in the mess hall having breakfast. He was eating three large Sausages with large Scrambled Eggs and ten strips of Bacon; not exactly the best type of diet any soldier or marine or spec ops would eat but Finn just loved it. Finn saw Hillary this time she had a Ballista Sniper rifle slung in her back and she greeted Finn and talked to him.
"Finn, you're enjoying your food?"
"You're leaving already?"
"No, Moe is trying to figure which LMG he'd use, an M249 or an LSAT."
"Aren't yagonna eat?"
"Nah, I'am just going to munch down on some MRE's."
"Bleegh, those taste like crap."
"Well Finn we can't be choosy I basically have mission to do… Yeah ok they do taste like shit but hey, at least they make you full."
"Hey Hillary…." There was a bit of a pause, but no silence since the chatter of many military personnel fills the entire mess hall; Finn then spoke again. "… Be careful out there don't want a good friend to get hurt, and we haven't played Magic the Gathering in a while with all this stuff going on."
"Yeah sure Finn, and don't worry about some asshole getting up close and personal with me while they're like yards away from where I can shoot some Gray matter. Oh and I just got some more cards, traded some old stuff I had with an Afghan Soldier for some new cards."
"Cool."Finn let out a smile as Hillary left and continued to wolf down on his sausages, eggs, and bacon.
After eating breakfast he went out and saw Hillary and her 1st Recon buds all geared up as in going to combat. Captain Hailey Parker was armed with an M8 Assault Rifle; which is the new standard issue weapon of the U.S. Military that finally replaced the unreliable M16 and she had a .44 Colt Anaconda Revolver as her sidearm. Corporal Moe Swanson armed himself with an LSAT LMG and he was decked in full body armor that even covered almost all of his arms and legs and was wearing a ballistic helmet with a face shield on it, and his vest had very large pouches indicating he's carrying LOTS of ammo with him.
Staff Sergeant Trayvon Masterson was equipped with an M14 Battle Rifle with a telescopic sight which was also slung in his back and had one pistol holstered in his right thigh and another on his left. As for 2nd Lieutenant Hillary Watson she was already geared up with her Ballista Sniper Rifle and still had her bag slung at her right and her favorite book peeping out of it, though some ammo magazines are also visible and peeping out of her bag and she also had an M1911 as her sidearm. Hillary was just leaning at the Humvee door and saw Finn; she smiled lightly and gave Finn a nod, he approached the 1st Recon group.
"So now you guys are heading out, and you guys are all geared up for just reconnaissance, you guys look like you're heading to war."
Hailey Parker responded "Well Private, we are heading to hostile territory; the enemy's cache is located in the outskirts and Intel says it may be guarded and there might be Insurgents lurking around."
Moe Swanson also added. "Yeah and us being all fully equipped like this; you can never know when heavy firepower may come in handy."
Trayvon Masterson added. "Oh and this time we're bringing friends along with us."
Finn glanced to his left and now only noticed that there are a two groups of four marines who are also 1st Recon loading up in two Humvees each had a mounted M2 Browning Machinegun mounted on top, Finn turned to Hillary while letting out a grin.
"So Huntress Wizard where's your bow and arrow? How will ever make a silent takedown with those loud guns?"
She responds in a sarcastic yet friendly tone. "Well I would but my Compound Bow would seem inadequate for this type of situation, but if this were a forest I would go Connor Auditore on those donks and William Tell on their skulls."
Hailey Parker suddenly receives a message from her comms.
''Yes Captain Parker here… Yes, yes… What? *sigh* alright thanks for the heads up. Guys; bad news we're going to have to take the long way out to the outskirts, there was a HUGE accident that occurred and right now the usual shortcut we take will be filled traffic. We have to go now before the traffic gets any worse for the regular way out of Baghdad.''
Intel was right, loud honking can now be heard kilometers away from the base Hillary, Hailey, Travon, and Moe gave their goodbyes to Finn as Finn also wished them luck in their mission, the 1st Recon marines boarded their Humvees and drove out of the base as Finn watched them.
An hour passed the honking grew progressively louder, for three months Finn has been staying inside the base and he never really stepped outside the base as he did most of his activities such as exercising in the base grounds; but he did spend that good amount of time hanging with Hillary, Hailey, Moe, and Trayvon. Finn decided that he would step foot outside as he's been feeling like Recluse, he informed some ranking officers that he'll be stepping foot outside the base and that he may patrol the busy streets. The officers then agreed with Finn that he may do so to help his fellow men and one of the officers he consulted gave him authorization to access the armory, he was told by one of the officers that he should be armed so that he may defend himself and help along with fellow marines when something bad happens; from there Finn had a wide array of weapons to choose from.
He saw high caliber rifles, submachine guns, light machineguns, assault rifles, and even pistols all neatly placed in racks; after some pondering Finn decided what weapon he will equip himself with. He chose an MK48 Light Machinegun as his primary and took an M1911 as his sidearm, he donned an Interceptor Body Armor for protection, and he got large pouches around his beltline to carry ammunition for both weapons and filled the pouches with LMG magazines and handgun clips. He even equipped himself HUD Glasses which provides the wearer a Heads Up Display much like in FPS games, he even brought with him a MOLLE rucksack and filled it with essentials such as medical and emergency supplies. Finn decided to place attachments to his MK48; he attached a fore grip and he folded the ironsights and placed an ACOG sight for better aim or accuracy. Despite the size of the MOLLE rucksack it did not slow him down or made him uncomfortable thanks to its design, Finn felt he finally had what he needed; weapons, ammo, and supplies after reassuring he has everything he needs and for the first time in his career as a marine he sets foot outside the base to the streets of Baghdad.
It was all new to him the sights, the sounds, and the language which the locals spoke in. He heard many Afghan citizens talking to each other but he can start hearing the loud blaring of the horns from the distance slowly get louder. So he decided to move to where the accident happened and jogged to that location and he was still amazed that all that stuff in his MOLLE rucksack did not slow him down, he jogged for thirty minutes suddenly… *BOOM!*