Chapter 13: Payback Hurts

Interrogator: Dragovich has fully weaponized and deployed Nova 6. He has sleeper cell agents all over the US just waiting for the signal...

"I don't understand why he can't just signal everyone the second they're on shore, assuming if America is on island or along a shore," Weiss said.

Mason: We've been invaded.

"Good job Mason, you finally put two and two together," Blake said sarcastically.

Interrogator: The US was invaded decades ago Mason. The communists have been waiting. Now they're ready to strike.

"It would be interesting to know who invaded the US," Yang thought out loud.

"It was Japan, and they barely did any heavy damage," Ruby said.

"Japan? Unfamiliar, just like everything else on that planet," Weiss said.

Mason: What the fuck am I supposed to do?

"It's nice to be on memory lane to actually know what's happening, but your goals are ambiguous and your reason for us being here is still unknown," Blake said.

Interrogator: You know about the sleeper cells…

"Oh…" Ruby finally realized, "Don't you think during Vorkuta that they might've made Mason a sleeper agent?"

"I already figured it out the second sleeper agents were involved," Blake said.

"I wonder if Reznov knows about this," Yang speculates.

Mason: I'm trying to help you.

"JUST BE TELL ME WHAT YOU EXACTLY WANT!" Weiss screamed."Seriously, if you asked us what the numbers are, and what the hell is going on, we might've have more time saving America."

Interrogator: Dragovich uses number sequences to communicate with the sleeper cells. Those numbers are broadcast from one location, Mason.

Mason: Why the hell do you think I know where it is?

Interrogator: You were in Vorkuta, Mason. We know what happens at Vorkuta. They programmed you. You can translate the codes.

Mason: But Reznov was never…

Interrogator: STOP! Mason. We are on the brink of war. Where is the broadcast station? Where is the broadcast station?

Mason: Dragovich had us like rats in cages…

"Dammit, he's getting a Vietnam war flashback," Ruby said.

Interrogator: Mason, dammit we're losing him.

Mason: We are all brothers… we are all prisoners… Laos…

Interrogator: He's gone.

Transmission #14-15-20. Designate: DELTA

No contact from SOG group X-Ray.

Last known location Laos - Vietnam order.

Mason and team presumed KIA.

1100 hours, February 19, 1968

The game cuts to Mason and Woods halfway above water trapped in wooden cages.

Woods: Mason, you with me?

Mason: Woods…

Mason: Dragovich is fucking with us.

Two Vietnamese soldiers opened the cage Mason was in and pulled him out of it.

Mason (voiceover): We were all fucked and we knew it. All I could hear is Bowman sobbing. He had given up. Who could fuckin' blame him...

The two soldiers dragged him to a room with a gun in the middle of the table and Bowman sitting down, looking down

"Oh, God. I hope that doesn't mean what I think it means," Blake said.

"What does it mean?" Ruby asked curiously.

"Well, you might see what it means if it happens, but if doesn't, I'll explain it later."

Mason: Bowman…

Bowman: I'm tired. I just wanna end this.

Mason: You don't mean that, Bowman.

Bowman looks at the man with a cleaver with bittered eyes.

Bowman: Fucl… you… Charlie…

He spits on the man and the man with the cleaver gently places the blade of the cleaver on his throat.

Mason: Bowman, don't!

VC Bookie: You dead, American.

A Soviet soldier slams a lead pipe on the table and speaks to Bowman in Russian.

Bowman: You don't scare me. Communist piece of shit…

The Soviet soldier slams the lead pipe on Bowman's head, smashing it until he's not breathing. Mason gets up, but the soldier with the cleaver blocks him with the weapon.

Mason: Bowman! BOWMAN! You fucking son of a bitch!

"He died with no fear," Yang sympathized.

"Well, wish we knew more of his background so we could get more of this character," Weiss said, with the others nodding. The Soviet soldier raises Bowman's head, with blood pouring down his head and eyes white.

Soviet soldier: Next.

He throws Bowman's body off the chair. "Disrespectful piece of shit. I bet actual Russians aren't like this and you're giving them a bad name, that or this is a misrepresentation because this is an American made game detailing the American side of things ," Ruby said. After saying disrespectful piece of shit, Ruby spoke in a fast tone that the others couldn't catch up.

Mason: I'm going to kill you all!

"We will, trust me," Blake said. The soldier bring in Woods, holding him close to him. Woods breaks free from his grasp and he pointed the gun at his head.

Woods: Don't you touch me…

Mason: Woods? Shit…

The soldier with the cleaver slams the knife on the table and Woods sits in front of Mason.

"Enjoying the five-star restaurant dinner date?" Yang joked. Woods looked at Bowman's body, face-planted on the dirt.

Woods: Mother fuckers. We're gonna make 'em pay.

VC Bookie: You - no talk! Play!

The VC soldier spins the chamber of the revolver and spins the firearm on the table.

"Oh, now I see it," Ruby realized. "They're playing roulette, but instead of a new car, you get a bullet in the face!" Blake applaud for Ruby's realization.

Woods: What's the plan?

Mason: I'm thinkin… I'm thinking…

"Talk like that would've made them restrain you from doing anything or maybe a smack with the lead pipe," Weiss said.

"Or up the ass," Yang joked, Blake couldn't help but blush a bit and Yang nodded in disappointed, muttering "Blake's perverted imagination."

Woods: One chance, Mason.

Mason: We'll take it.

Woods: Okay.

The VC soldier smacked Woods in the face and placed the revolver in front of him.

VC Bookie: Bac bac bac!

"That better be one bullet in that gun," Weiss said.

"You don't want them to win, or have an advantage?" Ruby asked.

"I do, but if they're loading the gun to the maximum bullets and making them kill themselves with it, they better put one for safety measures in case of a certain someone pulling a trick and kills everyone."

Woods: You can't kill Me!

VC Bookie: You shoot G.I.! You shoot!

Woods grabbed the revolver and aimed it at himself.

Woods: FUCK!

"Nice knowing you Woods, better character then Bowman," Yang said. When Woods pulled the trigger, it clicked. He threw the gun back on the table.

"Wow, this was just a fucking prank!" Ruby exclaimed.

Woods: This time… This time, do it! Ready.

The VC soldier raised the revolver and placed it in front of Mason. "Oh, I see what they're doing. They've placed a bullet in a random chamber and making each pull a trigger to see who actually shoots himself," Yang realized.

"I just said it," Ruby said.

"I know, but I thought they're just spinning the bottle and kill whoever got picked," Yang said.

VC Bookie: Play! Bac bac!

Mason: Six and Eight o'clock.

Mason aimed the gun at the VC soldier and pulled him towards Mason and shot him at the chest. He flipped his body and grabbed the pistol on his side and shot the remaining VC soldiers as the Soviet soldier fled.

Mason: The Russian. Now.

Woods: Let's go.

Mason armed himself with an AK-47. Blake and Woods made their way up to higher levels of the cave they were in and encountered VC soldiers. They fought their way through the open areas.

Woods: IF he gets out, he'll warn Kravchenko.

Mason: He ain't getting out!

"He should've radio called Kravchenko, but I'm assuming reception underground is terrible," Blake said. Blake and Woods fought through a single path through the tunnel and reached an open room. Blake used a grenade launcher at her disposal to clear the room. She used it twice on the enemies hiding behind cover. Blake and Woods made it close to the exit and saw the Soviet soldier trying to tear our the exit.

Woods: There! Piece of shit's trying to escape. Bring him down Mason!

"Why was the exit blocked off like that? They should've made a door or something like that," Weiss said. Blake shot the Soviet soldier and Blake shot him with his body falling down.

Mason: You're not going anywhere!

Woods: You got him. For Bowman.

Mason: For Bowman

Woods: Let's go. We ain't got time to waste.

Some woman in the background was stating a list of numbers as Mason helped Woods reach higher grounds and Woods pulled Mason up the ledge.

Woods: Kravchenko's compound can't be too far. The evil bastard's day are numbered.

Woods knocked down the door with his shoulder. "What the Hell? The Soviet soldier should've done that!" Blake exclaimed. Blake and Woods snuck up in front of a small enemy camp with a helicopter.

"They should've heard the gunfire that was going on not too far," Ruby noted.

Woods: See that hind? We're going to take it.

Blake and Woods snuck around the enemy and they both hid behind a tree.

Woods: Mason, fire when ready.

Blake threw a grenade at and the instantly panicked. The grenade only took out one of the soldiers, but Blake took cover behind the tree and shot down the enemies.

Woods: Clear. Let's fly this bird.

"Are we even trained to fly a helicopter?" Yang wondered. Mason got on the main pilot's seat as Woods sat in the co-pilot's seat.

Woods: Okay, what's our load out… UV-32 rockets… 12mmm nose cannon… these bastards are ready for World War 3.

"I can't imagine another global conflict, again," Weiss said.

"I don't even want to think about the casualties that'll come from the war," Blake muttered. Woods and Mason started the helicopter and rotors started spinning up.

Woods: We have full power, ready?

Mason: Ready.

Woods: I'll take her above the canopy then hand over the stick.

"Why can't you fly it? It feels like games are just making us do stuff just to be immersive or keep us playing," Weiss said.

Mason: Clear.

Woods: I'll call targets as I see them. All enemy targets are valid. Understand? We have coordinates for Kravchenko's compound. We follow the river all the way.

Mason: Got it. Give me the stick.

Woods: Your bird. Keep your eyes on the dirt. I don't want to get shot in the balls.

"Don't worry, you won't get shot in the balls. Instead you'll probably die crashing in a fiery death," Yang joked.

Mason: I got you, Woods.

Woods: Sampans in the river. Look like a .50 cal on the bridge up ahead as well. Take that bridge out!

Blake took out the bridge and continued to go along the river, destroying any enemy boat,vehicle, aircraft or base.

"We should've went as quiet as possible, pretend to be Russian just like that first mission," Ruby said.

"I'm assuming that assuming that Mason and Woods are batshit crazy right now because of Bowman's death," Weiss explained. Blake shot down a helicopter and wiped out an entire base. Blake continued to pilot the helicopter across the river until they heard beeping.

Mason: Radar lock!

Woods: That's not good. We need to get closer. In that cave!

Blake dodged the rockets fired from the enemy within the cave. She went up close to the cave and blew them up into smithereens.

Woods: Good job! That's the last bird those bastards take down.

"But we didn't even go down," Blake said. She continued to go down the river and shoot down anything enemy related. The two US marines reached a large enemy camp.

Woods: Holy shit Mason we hit the mother load! That's the Ho Chi Minh trail down below us.

Blake flew around the camp, blowing up everything that's shooting at them and whatever the game highlights.

Woods: Alright Kravchenko's compound should just be up ahead.

The two continued to go down the river.

Woods: I got a blip on the radar Mason. You see any…

A barrage of missiles hit the helicopter and Blake pursued after the enemy helicopter that shot at them.

Woods: He's running! Hit him in the ass! Put that son of a bitch down!

Blake tried to shoot down the heli and missed a few shots. Another helicopter that hid behind a rock flew by Blake and Woods and joined in on the fight. The aircraft started to burn and Blake tried flying away while giving herself some covering fire. The fire started to wear off.

"I understand if we heal up quickly, but machinery? That's a definite no," Weiss said. Blake fired a hellfire of bullets and missiles at one of the enemy helicopters and it crashed into a fiery explosion.

Woods: One down, one to go.

With a few missiles, the last helicopter burned down and crashed.

Mason: Fuck, yeah!

Mason: Payback, you sons of bitches!

Woods: Kravchenko's compound's just to the South.

Mason: I'm setting her down in the clearing.

"Why can't we just blow up the compound? From how you said it,you make it sound like these things can destroy an entire city!" Weiss exclaimed. Mason landed the helicopter and both of them exited the helicopter. In front of Blake, there was a line of guns she switched her pistol with an assault rifle known as the Galil and a LMG known as the RPK.

Woods: No reason to play this quiet Mason.

"Well, there's advantage to taking a stealthy approach," Blake said. Blake and Woods encountered a patrol not too far away from the heli

Woods: Let's do it.

Blake and Woods killed the first few enemies on patrol and found themselves in front of the compound. Blake shot the VC soldier on top of the truck guarding the entrance and they both entered the compound. A VC soldier started using a flamethrower and started to burn Blake a bit, but she took cover and shot the soldier behind cover.

Woods: Mason - Grab that flamethrower! We'll burn these bastards!

Blake grabbed the AK-47 with a flamethrower and used the attachment it on a couple enemies. It isn't effective as an assault rifle, but it does add a flaming satisfaction. After going down the compound, she encountered US prisoners.

US Prisoner: Who's out there?!

US Prisoner: Help us! Please!

Woods: Mason! They're POWs.

"POWs?" Ruby said confused.

"Prisoners of War, I'm assuming that they're from that recovery mission," Blake said as she approached the release button.

US Prisoner: You're here for us?

US Prisoner: Mason! Is that you?!

"I'm surprised that the US prisoners didn't kill you for, y'know, being Russian," Yang said. Two doors opened and Reznov walked out from one of them as Mason manually approaches him. A woman listing numbers is heard in the background.

"I have an uneasy feeling that Reznov is what he seems," Blake muttered, but no one could her quiet sentence.

Reznov: Kravchenko is here!

A sliding door opens and Reznov picks up an AK on the ground.

Reznov: This way! We cannot let him slip through our grasp!

Mason: I thought you were dead…

Reznov: When we were captured at the River, they brought me here.

"I wonder why the seperate the prisoners, it would make a lot more sense to keep them together so that if they rebel you can just blow up the base and trap them there," Weiss said.

Woods: Mason?1 What the fucl are you doing?! We gotta get these guys out.

"We just pressed the red button! Red buttons always do stuff!" Ruby yelled.

Reznov: I was to be returned to Russia - for Dragovich to decide my fate.

Mason: We're in charge of our destiny now, Reznov. Kravchenko must die.

"I wonder if he can change that fate," Yang said. Blake and the escapees fought their way deeper into the base. The rest of the enemies consisted of regular goons and Blake just used the flamethrower because she was bored. After killing the last of the enemy, Blake approached a door marked by the game.

"Think Kravchenko is in there?" Ruby asked.

"It must be, because there's nowhere else to hide," Weiss said. Blake kicked down the door and entered the room, but she was knocked out by Kravchenko. Blake's vision went white and when things started to clear out, Woods is seen fighting Kravchenko in hand-to-hand combat. Kravchenko gets the upper hand and throws down Woods. Mason picked up a pistol and the team facepalmed thinking that he should've gotten it sooner. But Kravchenko noticed it and kicked it out of his hand.

Kravchenko: Not this time, American!

Kravchenko beats up Mason until blood is seen on his face. Kravchenko stops.

Kravchenko: You… Again...I should've killed you in Vorkuta!

"Or when you captured us, again," Blake scoffed. Woods stabbed Kravchenko in the back

Woods: Got you now, you son of a bitch!

Kravchenko: You will die with me!

Kravchenko pulled the pin off all his grenades and Woods jumped off through a large window, landing on the ground level, blowing up in a large explosion.

Mason: WOODS!

Mason blacks out.

Woods: I got you, Mason…

"He should've been. There's no way he could've survived," Yang said. Mason opens his eyes and sees a shadowy silhouette of Woods.

Mason: Woods?

Woods: You're okay…

Mason closes his eyes and sees Reznov.

"Where were you!?" Ruby exclaimed.

"And the dozen prisoners we freed?!" Weiss added.

"Probably dead because of that explosion," Blake said.

Reznov: Are you okay… Mason.

Mason: Reznov?

Reznov helps Mason up and Mason looks behind and saw a map with an island labeled as "Rebirth Island."

"Isn't that the island Hudson is heading to?" Ruby asked.

"It is, we might see him there," Blake said.

Reznov: Kravchenko is dead… Dragovich. Kravchenko. All must die…

The screen flashed white.

Interrogator: For God sake… Where is the number station?

Reznov: All must die!

"I think Reznov is taking this revenge thing a wee-bit insane," Yang said.

"Well, they did betray him, kill his best friend, and put him in prisoner," Weiss said. Yang nodded agreeingly.

Author's Note:

My goal is to try to complete another chapter this week if I have the time. So sit tight! Also, I released another poll for a potential cartoon reaction for RWBY. It's on my profile so vote!