MARY WANG "CHICK" BRIEF:

TIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER - Honolulu

"You were hospitalized in Tipler Army Med, the largest hospital in the Pacific Rim. Considered part of the United Nations Peace Operations Institute."

"Why Tipler?"

"The UN and US are connected, and thus the rest of the world. It would be the last place Cipher would think to look for the Reaper. That's what kept you safe for 9 months. Like a whale...being inside it's own belly."

"Well, it ain't Pinocchio who let me out. Who was he anyway...?"

"Cipher went as far as to burn down their own facility on their soil. That shows how much they wanted the Grim Reaper dead."

...

Hawaii, Imperialized Past

"You said we were in Hawaii...so why did the staff looked more...similar to us?"

"They hired locally. It's easier to trust them. It's their homeland after all."

"What do you mean?"

"Well...I guess you didn't learn about that yet...was your history class the lower end of things, or the Advanced Placement?"

"AP, why?"

"Well, I guess you haven't learned much then. Before...Hawaii was an independent colony. That was before American planters and Marines overthrew Queen Liliʻuokalani in 1893."

"Then that means..."

"Yep. America imperialized Hawaii. Kind of weird don't you think?"

"Didn't know about that..."

"I guess America doesn't like revealing much of their...bad history."

...

THE ROUTE TO AFGHANISTAN

"Subete no te wa, watashitachiha Okinawa ni sekkin shite imasu."

"Okinawa?"

"That's right. Our new home is at Okinawa."

"But...there's American military bases there."

"The Americans ditched the bases not long after we lost our old camp."

"I see... my grandparents. Are they still around?"

"Yeah. They're at our new base. You'll meet them as soon as we rescue the commander. Can you stand...We're taking one of our helicopters to Pakistan, Afghanistan's neighbor to the south. There, we head to Peshawar and then to the border."

"And then?"

"We go on horseback. Taliban, ISIS and American patrol the main roads. We'll go around them, in narrow paths in the mountains. It's a local guerrilla tactic. Using high ridges to avoid recon and then charge down to ambush. Only time frame is only half as much as we really need. A tough march though."

"Better a safe ride than one filled with gunfire."

"It make a good physiotherapy then. Better take time to get yourself back in shape."

...

ORIGINS OF SECOND GENERATION

"We all know what happened at Home Base 9 months ago...Do you remember? You've joined a group...where we fight against America's genocide: 'Second Generation'."

"I remember that...but...Genocide?"

"Against us...we all have something in common."

"What is it? That we are immigrants? That we are young people?"

"No...Look at our names. And you'll see what it is."

"...Hnh! You…You don't mean..."

"That's right. Our ethnicity. Asian-American..."

"That's a holocaust!"

"No...the Holocaust is the name for the genocide of Jewish people. This is different."

"Why...we...we didn't do anything wrong."

"I know...weird isn't it?"

"...Oh my god...it's like...1942...the camps...the words...'jap'...'yellow'...'chink'...NGH!"

"Izumi..."

"What...what about you guys..."

"Um...don't you remember? I see...you're not sure what's fact, and what's fantasy caused by the coma? All I can do is tell you facts as what I know...Besides; you weren't with us since the beginning. February 2015: The month before you entered your coma. We were in San Jose, living our normal lives. That was until we were under programs approved by the American government. After escaping, we realized that we need to unite together as a group, and must be able to defend ourselves. We didn't have much to go by... only weapons owned by the original owners...That was until we met a certain person. She was nicknamed, 'Furiae'. A Japanese girl, the same age as us. But her abilities...she was able to get us equipment, including military helicopters. Pretty mysterious person, if you ask me. As time went on, we grew... and we lived safe from them. Soon, we were a group of 2,000."

"I didn't know you were..."

"Yeah...and then we began making military teams: Combat Troops and Strike Force. Combat Troops are the guard and security teams, while Strike Force are the special ops. Our first mission was attacking Edwards Air Force Base. It caused quite a stir...so much that it made our downfall..."

...

IZUMI'S ARRIVAL

"Then...we met you."

"Me? I was next?"

"Yep. It was the GRIM REAPER...He wasn't supposed to help you..."

"What...'I'm not supposed to help you...' Ah!"

"You okay?"

"I...eh...I don't know..."

"Well, he found you while at...'Deport'."

"Hu...NGH!"

"You were about to be deported...along with your family."

"No...no! NH! AH!"

"And... your...father..."

"WAH! ENNNH! DAD! NO!"

"...was killed...Izumi? Are you okay?"

"No...Dad! AH! NO!..."

"...Izumi...there there..."

"The Grim Reaper...I don't remember his face...I can't remember his name..."

"He saved your life...He was able to..."

"Divert me to a prison...While my mom and my aunt are sent to the slaughter!"

"Izumi..."

"SHUT UP!...It's my life! You don't know what it means to be treated like that!"

"You weren't like that...You looked up to him. You asked him yourself to save them."

"I...I did..."

"You loved him."

"WHAT?! NO! Why would I..."

"You made him bread everyday...hoping for him to love you back."

"No...I didn't..."

"You were hoping to be more...active with him."

"EH?!...I...I loved him? How...He...I thought he..."

"Anyway, you were sent to a prison."

"But I broke out."

"Then it's the one in Arizona then. The one were prison guards were helping the inmates escape."

"Yes...Some of them died helping me..."

"Then, you crossed some 300 miles to reach the Death Valley National Park...where we were hiding."

"I saw it on the map..."

"At the 'Deport'?"

"Yeah...And when I got there...I saw the Reaper..."

...

STRIKE FORCE: FATAL MISSION

"Strike Force is a group of 32 young adults, all of which were hardened survivors of a high school shooting. They had a thing in common: they resisted. They fought against those who went against them, and their friends."

"Like a sleeping giant..."

"Quoting Admiral Yamamoto, huh? With the help of 'Furiae', Strike Force gained access to impressive weaponry, some of which are more exotic, even from Russia. These guys undertake day after day of training, hour after hour of conditioning. All to become the badasses they are now...That is, until the GRIM REAPER and some of the senior members were killed..."

"Killed..."

"Yes. Died trying to save your mother and aunt. Shoko and Mizuki."

"Oka-san...Oba-chan..."

"Our group...was now well known. Every American was out for us... It was only a matter of time before someone took us down. And that was FOX. Officially, they are an anti-terror unit under the CIA. In reality, they're Cipher's own 'strike force'. They lured the GRIM REAPER to Cuba, were your family was..."

"I didn't know...I got them killed?"

"In a way, yes...But they got them out of that base...but ours...wasn't so lucky. While they were gone, FOX...posing as a news broadcasting crew, stormed into Home Base. They took over the main camp...where 1,000 non-combatants lived...Then, fires began to spread through out the camp. It all went down within 30 minutes. Both camps 1 and 2 were gone. No one survived... FOX...A big 'fuck you', followed by insulting kisses and hugs..."

"1,600 dead..."

"It was all because of a certain blind spot...Minh, a scientist for letting the news team on board. That gave them the perfect chance to end us all... the GRIM REAPER, SCARLET, and RANGER...they were just returning home...when it happened. It came damn close taking you down with it to ashes, till the REAPER got the final camp out of there just in the nick of time. Some of the ones who were trying to join up with us...only found ashes and bodies...they checked the coordinates, again and again. That's when reality settled in. And then...they were hunted down...and slaughtered... Their objective was partially done...including to kill the GRIM REAPER..."

"He's really dead?"

"Along with the others...You were with them when they died...your mom, REAPER, SCARLET, RANGER, the pilots...all of them are dead...except you. You crashed off the coast of Hawaii. Doctors didn't even know what to do with you...before they even started...they moved you to Tipler. It was 'Furiae' who arranged it..."

"Furiae?"

"Like I said, 'mysterious'. People under that condition your age would be pronounced dead on the spot. You should have died...But you survived. You went straight to hell, and you pulled yourself back out. Eyes wide open, filled with nothing but darkness. The days of Izumi Nagano are now long gone. Welcome back, Angel of Death. The new 'GRIM REAPER'."

...

BECOMING A SOLDIER

"Here, use these."

"What are they?"

"Your weapons. First off a pistol, pretty light to use. This...is a AMC Auto Mag .44, BUT... it has been modified to fire tranquilizer darts."

"Tranquilizers?"

"You don't want to be killing people do you?"

"But...maybe in case I get caught?"

"Then, well...choose of these two, a MP5SD6, or a PP-19-01 Vityaz."

"I don't know what they are."

"The MP5 is a German sub-machinegun. Used since the 1970s, in many countries, including the U.S. The Vityaz is a SMG derivative of the Kalashnikov rifle. Only used in Russia. Both used the 9mm round."

"Well...the MP5 seems more simple. I'll go with that."

"Good choice. Plus, it has a suppressor on it. Great for infiltration ops."

"Infiltration ops?"

"Like sneaking missions, where you try not to be seen by the enemy."

"Okay. I get it now."

"Of course, there are some gear you need to get used to. Like grenades, mines and something like that."

"Right…being a soldier… I never thought I would do such a thing."

"How come?"

"I came from Japan. We are still somewhat passive in war ever since World War II. Now we are just a self-defense army. Though the Prime Minister is trying to…modify that."

"I know. Have any of your family or ancestors ever been in the military?"

"No…I guess I'm breaking the tradition."

…

CHAPTER 2: PHANTOM LIMBS

December 30, 2015
Afghanistan
Time limit: 2 days, 18 hours
Objective: Rescue Andrew Wong, "Commander"

Weapons:
PRIMARY (HIP): MP5SD6
SECONDARY: AUTOMAG .44 (TRANQ) "WU MOD CUSTOM"

…I HATE SANDSTORMS! UGH! Sand's everywhere! I can't see!

"The area up ahead is currently under control by the Taliban. It's been that way for the past 3 months."

I felt the winds beginning to ease up…"Storm's pasting…"

When it finally ended, I see the what's up ahead: Afghanistan.

Mary began to tell me, "Impressive, huh? Well, let's get yourself used to how we operate. The Commander is being held at a village to the north. However, we do not know his exact location. Here, take this map."

Hm? A map? It's a map of Afghanistan… and also a map of this part of Afghanistan.

"There's another village just ahead of here." Mary explained, "That's an central base for Taliban fighters. It might also contain intel containing Wong's last location. We should check it out."

I'm feeling nervous…

"Don't worry, I'll help you out this first time around. Just make sure we're on the same radio frequency…There can't be much left in him. The Commander has at best 3 days left. Anymore, and we could lose him. Alright, let's go! Time to become a legend."

Hi-yah...WHOA! Easy! Easy! Jeez…Alright…slowly… gallop. There…good. Okay. This isn't so bad. "Hold up, we got a guard post ahead."

…"Whoa! Whoa!" Stop…okay. Where's my binoculars…I can see…two guards. Armed with rifles, they have turbans on… seems simple enough to take out.

"Seems simple enough for some practice. Try to capture it. However, be mindful of their senses: sight, hearing, and smell."

I got off the horse and slowly move towards the guards…I have my Wu pistol ready. Mary said these things are effective to the head, which grants an instant knockout. I should try it. Hm…steady…wait. My offhand is underneath my primary hand…Ishmael said it should be overlapping it, not underneath it…Hmph…force of habit I guess. Okay, here goes… here goes…why aren't I firing? My hand is trembling…

"Take deep breaths. That should calm you down." CHICK reminded me…Okay. Deep…breaths…Fire! It hit him! He's falling…yes! It works! "Nice shot. Now, let's try something else. Grab the other guard…"

"Wait wait wait! You want me to do what?!" I reacted like being asked to jump off a cliff.

"It's simple. Grab their arms and hold their neck with your arm. I'll cover you from here."

I sighed annoyingly, "Fine…"

I slowly walk up to him and saw what he carries…an AK type rifle. The most famous and popular rifle in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. I raised my arms…and attacked! My left arm wrapped around his neck, and my right arm held his right arm in a locked position. Huh…it worked.

"Talk!" I demanded

…But all he spoke was weird gibberish… huh?

"Uh…Izumi? Do you think everyone speaks English?" Wang reminded, "Afghanistan's official languages are Pashto and Dari. Two languages I'm sure YOU don't understand. While our group has some helpers that are from the Middle East…don't expect them to translate. If you're going to interrogate them, you need an interpreter."

Right…I forgot…I grabbed my knife and he squirmed "Ah! No! No!"

Huh? Perhaps I can use something other than words to get some information. I have a picture of the Commander; I can show him it…

Come on…think of something…the map. I can motion him to tell me how to find the Commander.

…

He's motioning like he's writing something down. He's pointing at the village up ahead. Ah! There is information there.

"Nice work, Reaper. Now, you need to neutralize him. Knock him out, or kill him."

Hm…knock him out! I threw him hard into the ground. Does that work?...Looks like it does.

"Good, now for the village. It used to be home to civilians before being abandoned and captured by the Taliban. There are also reports of enemy tanks in the area. Watch yourself. In case we need help, I'll contact some assistance."

I asked, "Who is our backup?"

"It's a separate group. They're like us, but smaller. Name's 'Essex', and they are better equipped than us. Quality over quantity. Sometimes I wonder if they're gonna try to take us out."

"Huh…They better not."

I went inside the village…and see a large building. That's probably the command center. I should head there. Guards have the place on moderate guard. There should a way to get through without attacking…Damn…there isn't. I should just use my Wu pistol for now. Okay, first guard's by the stairs. He's isolated. Simple enough. Bam! He's down and out cold. Second guard by the doors…he's going up the stairs! I better take him out quickly. FIRE! Miss?! Again…yes!

Okay…is the coast clear? Wait, why isn't CHICK helping me?

"Chick, are you gonna help me?"

She just replied, "Nope. It looks like you already got the hang of this. I don't want to cramp your style."

"Ah…you guys are all weird."

"Same goes to you."

The path is clear…whew. No kills. I'm good. Now, to check inside the building…it's almost empty…except for some papers…and a map. The papers are in a different language. No use for that. The map has symbols and shapes…the village where the Commander is being held! It's on the map. The map has a circle at a building…That's where he's possibly being held. I should mark it on my map.

"You found anything?"

"Yep. Possible location on the target."

"Good. Let's move out. I want to finish this by the end of the day if possible."

Good…Not only this is my first mission, it's also my fastest. That's what we're trying to go for?

The horse is at the other side of the village, on the path leading towards the target. But… I still need to worry about this place…

"There's not need to take out every enemy. The essential part is not being spotted." CHICK reminded me…

Right…I should just back track, and go around the base. Yeah, that's a good plan. All right… here goes. First few steps… all good. Should be fine…. Come on… come on…yes! I'm free!

"Nice job. Now, let's mount up and move out." I see Mary with the horses.

We got on and moved out towards the village…as soon as we reached it…I get nervous.

It's now nighttime. There are searchlights, and guards with flashlights…

"REAPER, I hate to say this. But I'm sitting this one out. You need to do this solo."

"WHAT?! I've been doing it solo this entire time!"

"No…you had me on the radio. This time, no radio."

AH!

FINE!

"I'll contact Essex in case things go south."

Right…

All right…time to go in all alone. Without any one helping me…Great…I can see the building…It's in the center of the village. The searchlights are there…Are there…shit…there are tanks… Just when I thought it was hard enough! AH! Fine…as long as I don't get seen within the tanks' optics, I should be fine…right? Right? Hello? Mary? Wow…she's taking this solo thing really seriously. Never mind…better be ready. I can see the guards…wait. They're leaving the spotlights. I can use this as an opportunity. Okay…go. Now, I can see the building getting closer and closer…till it's practically right in front of me. Inside should be the commander…let's just go inside and find it… come on. Coast is clear…I see him…is it him?

"This is REAPER, possible ID on the target." I reported

"This is CHICK, roger. Standing by for confirmation."

I walked up to him and see him in a bag… "Sir?" I removed the bag and see his face in scars…"Commander Wong? It's me. Izumi. I'm here to get you out."

"Izumi…Nagano? Huh? Never thought you would come..."

I check on him, and see him with gashes in his stomach and arms…

His limbs are fine…his eyes are okay…yes!

"Hmph…what took you so long?"

"We'll talk, sir. But…not here. Now, let's get you home."

"This is Pequod, 'Rachel', CHICK. We're en route to LZ. Be advised, Essex is in support if needed." It's the radio. Looks like backup has arrived.

I grabbed the Commander, he's able to walk, but weak…I need to help him to the LZ…I can use the horse…GUARD! SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT!

AH! Alarms! NO! DAMN!

"Izumi…I guess everyone needs a bit of action, huh? I'll connect you to Essex. They'll take care of the situation."

All right…Plan B… as in shoot the guys with guns! The MP5SD6…grab it. Yes…with The commander on the left hand, and the gun on the right hand, I can be effective...kind of. "This is 'Rachel', Essex. Requesting cover fire, over."

Essex responded. It's female…"This is Essex, roger. Providing supporting fire."

Then a male voice came in, "Prioritizing elimination of enemy threats. Cover fire, in hot."

I can hear the helicopter firing it's guns…Screams can be heard…ew…so much death…Come on Izumi, hold it together! Got to get to the LZ. I went outside the building and see a helicopter firing guns, I see two people on the doors, firing rifles. How small is this group?

I then see a tank ahead…"Enemy tank ahead! I need support! I have nothing to handle it!"

"Roger that…" It was the male voice…and then another male voice came in, "We have Hellfires. Use them. Target: Enemy MBT!"

"Yes sir! Target acquired. In hot! "

The tank is turning towards me! Run! DUCK! AH! TOO CLOSE! I'm still alive and the commander is too…Come on Essex! Take him out, please!

"Heh, quite a rescue." The commander chuckled...DON'T LAUGH! THIS IS MY FIRST MISSION!

"Engaging missile launcher!" The radio chimed in, "Essex is in hot! Find cover!"

I see the helicopter firing missiles at the tank… I felt the boom! Is it dead…I better check…OH NO! IT'S NOT!

"Tank is still up, prep for strafing run!" another female reported…who is this group? I counted 2 males and 2 females. Another boom! Followed by a massive explosion.

"This is Essex, enemy tank is down. 'Rachel', you're clear to proceed to the LZ."

Whew…we're clear…Time to get out of here. Whistle…horsey! Come here boy! Yay…Put him on, and on I go… Let's get out of here…

I can see the RV…and then I can see Mary getting on the helicopter…

As I get closer…some strange color became prominent… huh? What is that? Is it gas? Mist? The helicopter began to lift off…

"'Rachel', this is Pequod. There is a gas covering the LZ. We cannot stay here… We're pulling back for now…Essex, requesting assistance to find a LZ."

…Ah great! Just when I thought we are done here…

"Gas? Oh no...Mist." The commander…

"Something wrong, sir?"

"It's them!"

What…! Who are they…They're walking like…zombies?

I got on the radio, "This is 'Rachel'. I'm seeing some... zombie like people. Please advise…"

"This is Essex…uh…please elaborate on that description, over."

"Well…they're walking like zombies…and they have weird colors and suits…"

"It's them…" It was one of the females…"The SKULLS, a unit that is seen when this mist appears. Those who seen them and told the tale…were extremely lucky to have survived. Fast moving, immortal... 'Rachel', whatever you do, AVOID combat with them. We've found a LZ past the mist. Get over there as soon as possible."

Okay…I should just…gallop to the RV…I carefully…they shouldn't see me…They're making strange sounds…AH! It saw me…Are they…WHAT THE HELL! They can teleport?! HOLY SHIT!…THEY CAN MAKE A GUN OUT OF THIN AIR?!

"Oh shit!"

"GET OUT OF THERE, NOW!" It was one of the Essexs...RUN!

Come on horse! Gallop! RUN LIKE THE WIND!

"Essex, providing fire!" The helicopter is firing it's guns at them…But they're not stopping. Come on…They're running as fast as the horse! AW COME ON! They're firing at the chopper! The helicopter is smoking...it's on fire!

"THIS IS ESSEX! WE'RE HIT! HEAVY DAMAGE SUSTAINED! DISENGAGING!"

"Essex's pulling out. You need to lose these guys!" Mary informed...

I can see the Pequod…I'm almost there…wait...The mist is clearing! Does that mean… Yes! They're going away.

"Looks like you've made it, 'Rachel'." CHICK commented, "Was starting to think that we're not gonna make it. All right, head on to the rendezvous."

"Those things…they attacked us. Came out of nowhere, and suddenly I was the only one left. But…the strangest thing was that they just left me for the Taliban. I would think they would finish me off." It was the commander…

Huh…They aren't aligned with the Taliban? Then…what are those things? Who do they work for?

The helicopter Pequod began to touch down…the doors opening up to reveal Mary Wang…"You're pretty good. Not bad for a rookie."

4 Hours later

"Our new home. Okinawa…the site to the battle where thousands of people put down their lives, the site to where U.S. soldiers would be stationed, and the site where you used to lived, right?" Commander Wong monologued as we approached the island.

"I never thought you guys would be still doing this kind of thing, even now." I replied, "You're back home. Why are you still fighting?"

"Why? Why...Why are we still fighting? For revenge? For money? …Even now I don't know that answer. Since that day...I can feel the pain, coursing through my veins. The pain we suffered…the losses we suffered…the family we lost...will remain within us to no end. You...you feel it too don't you?! I'm the one who tried to fight back. A group of survivors, against the U.S. We were the parasites below them, feeding of their power against our own!"

He began to grasp on to me, "They hunt for the Reaper. After you in Hawaii, and now in Afghanistan. Cipher is now growing...getting bigger and bigger. Who knows how big they are now?...America will pay, I will make sure of that. I am going to make them give back our rights, our lives, and our families. Everything!"

"This is Pequod, approaching Mother Base. Preparing to land."

"This is Essex, roger. We're on approach to Mother Base."

I looked out the window, and see my old home, and my new one. Okinawa Island. Camps…like before. As we landed I can see the soldiers and civilians moving around like it was before…peacefully.

"Our new Mother Base...I don't know how long...but it will be bigger, better than before."

I..."Sir...what should I do? Should I fight? Should I die? Should I cast it away? Should I become the...Grim Reaper?"

"Izumi..."

I've made up my mind..."No...it's 'Rachel' now."

CHAPTER 3: SECOND GENERATION

"This is Essex, landing at helipad 2. Requesting a repair team, over."

"This is Pequod, arriving at helipad 1. Be advised: prep a medical team."

We are landing...and see not much...new that is. I've been here before...I can see the familiar faces. But...I feel like I'm missing a few.

"Things have changed, Kid. We do missions to affect the American efforts on the world conflicts, and thus, against 'Cipher'. Putting us into people's dirty work, all for vengeance."

I began to step out and see many people forming up outside. They are armed with rifles, and saluted...they wear black uniforms...that must be Strike Force.

"ATTENTION! COMMANDER ON DECK!"

Mary came up beside me, "Help me with the Commander, 'Rachel'."

Right...I grabbed his left arm and moved it around my neck... and she did the same for the right arm.

Wong continued to speak, "The call for wetwork has arrived. And, we are the answerers. No greater good, no just cause."

I came to realize the world I've gotten myself into. Cipher sent us into the depths of Hell. And we're trying to get out of it... Strike Force members wear a patch of a 2nd symbol...and then an animal patch...that must be their codename. There are wolves, foxes, chicks, dogs, cats, octopuses, and many others... We began to place Commander Wong on the gurney. Other members set up equipment.

"Dogs of war, for 9 months now. That will end. Now that you're the demon, we're no longer junkyard hounds." A member with the wolf emblem began to place a mask on him, and lay him down on the gurney... but he took it off... Mary insisted, "Sir..."

"Let me talk." He said...the wolf backed off, "We can crushed Cipher, for you, Kid. We can do it."

"One thing..." I began to respond, "This is more than the past. It's also for the future."

The wolf then placed the mask and again, and the Commander laid down. 4 members began to move the gurney towards the camp.

...What? The others looked at me, "The F.N.G. huh? That's the Reaper's replacement? Looks more like a housewife than a soldier. Can she even hold a gun?"

I feel uncomfortable...it's like 30 guys and girls are trying to gang up on me...

"Alright, knock it off." It was one of the fox emblems. "Codename's FOX. But don't confuse it with the FOX unit. That's our enemy. But around here, I'm Anthony. I'm the new field commander of Strike Force. After what happened in the Pacific, we lost most of our instructors, including sniper and medical practices."

Wait...huh? This guy's the leader? I thought Mary..."Mary? What about you?"

She smiled, "I'm only the rookie. That is, until now. You're the greenhorn now."

"Alright." Anthony announced, "This camp is ours. We need to make the Second Generation the force it needs to be: powerful. We will need good people, and make good use of their talents."

One of the cat emblems handed me something, a bag...like... thingy..."To start bringing people in, use this. A Fulton recovery device."

The dog emblem boy explained it to me, "When in the field, use it to bring soldiers or people back home. Then, we can persuade them to join our team. But... be mindful of trying to bring American troops here. Some of them are more... resilient, and even more hateful of us than Hitler was to the Jews."

Okay..."Can I do a test on this then?"

"Sure, try it on our own members." FOX allowed, "First, neutralize them... You have a tranquillizer gun right?"

"Un huh." I lifted up my WU and aimed at one of the cat emblems.

"W...wh...wait."

Pew...

"Ah...n...uh..." thump! She's asleep.

"Huh...out like a light." Andrew commented, "Now extract her out."

I grabbed the bag and attached it to her uniform... I hope cats like flying.

A balloon began to inflate and the girl began to hover in the air...Then...what happens now...whoa!

"AAAAHHHHHH!" Ouch...my ears...Owie...

"Good. Extracting complete. The helicopter will pick them up. Remember though: only extract those who aren't resisting...you've wouldn't want a guy being pulled up with a gun on hand, would you?" Mary taught, "And this goes without saying but...No dead bodies. They don't make good recruits."

One of the octopuses began to show me a picture. It's one of the uniforms they're wearing, "Like what you see? It's our official Sneaking Suit. Great for infiltration missions. For someone like you, this will be a lifesaver. The suit features reduced noise output and increased damage resistance against enemy attacks. It also adds additional equipment to treat injuries and wounds."

"Oooo...That sounds cool..." I began to drool...wait what?

"Buuuut...you need to get it from us. We can deliver it to you be supply drops, including ammo, weapons, anything else you need. In fact...it's on it's way now."

"Really?" I looked up and see it a box approaching in a cargo net and parachute...right...towards...ME?! AHH!

"Oh right... just be careful not to let it hit you head. Don't worry though. We'll make sure we'll miss...maybe."

Ah...thank you for the reminder. Alright... the box. Open it up, there it is...wait how do I put it on?... I think the better question is WHERE?

"Go on... get in the box." Mary motioned to the box. HUH?! I have to change in the box?! NO! NO WAY!

"Ah...come on. Get in!" FOX urged, "...Fine. GIRLS!"

The female members began to gang up on me..."W...wait...NO!"

N..n..no no no no no no! Don't strip me! This is sexual harassment! NO!

...I feel violated...

"You gotta be dynamic and willing to do this kind of thing." Mary reminded...I hate you.

"Alright, now that you're geared up, let's try some hand-to-hand combat. CQC, as our old instructors called it. The Reaper was excellent in that thing. He was able to mix in Judo, Tae Kwon Do, and Karate, all into a single martial arts system. Let's try throwing. It's simple, but weak. It will temporarily knock out an enemy, but will get back up faster than other kinds of moves."

Throwing?

"Alright, let's try it out." One of the other members came up, he's a bear emblem...um...Is he heavy? "Don't throw any punches!"

Okay...here goes...UPHHH! AH OPH! Ow...

"Well, that didn't go well...I guess CQC is not something you're ready for yet. Well, I guess that does it then. You're ready to go." The FOX was slightly empathic. "Go on your next mission."

...WHAT?! You're not gonna give me any CQC lessons?! DAMN IT!

"Alright, get on the helicopter, kid." Huh, who's that? It's...Essex? They're wearing a sneaking suit. But, it's different. It has green straps, their emblem is also different. It's a skull...with bullet holes within the left side of it. There are 5 of them, two of then wear badges that look like a Wi-Fi signal bar, one wears a medic badge, another a square with an empty line through it, like a box with handles. The last one has crossing swords, and was the one talking to me. They're a pretty small group, but look at their weapons... Modern looking AKs, a sniper rifle, even a rocket launcher! Their helicopter even has missiles... as I already know that... " 'Engaging missile launcher...' as they said.

"You're going or not? We need to drop you off." One of the Wi-Fi guys asked, "Let's go...Fox?"

"Right, we better get going, 'Rachel'...ah...or should we call you 'Reaper' instead?" It's the other Wi-Fi, it's female...wait. Fox? Anthony's the FOX...why is she also Fox?

The medic...I assume it's a medic...came over to me, "You doing okay, miss? I'm sure you've been taking it rough these past few weeks. Especially since you were in a coma."

It's another female, and she sounds like I would know her. Maybe it's her accent, or her voice?

"Um, right. I'm fine really." I responded...ah...My head...

"Oh ok. If anything happens, just talk to me. I can help you. Just call me 'Sugar', okay?" Sugar? What kind of name is that?

The sword guy came over and patted me on the head...ah! I...uh...ngh! That's embarrassing!, "I have to admit kid, you're pretty good." He's carrying the sniper rifle... it's feels like he should have used different one. "Pretty lucky with that mission. But...one day, you'll become a great soldier... I only hope I can be around to see that happen."

"Let's go!" The Wi-Fi guy shouted as he got into the helicopter, and took the controls.

I followed the Essex group to the copter... As I got on, I look back at the Strike Force...saluting to us, with FOX making a quick salute before going back towards the camp.

The sword took out a device... and present it to me, "Your next mission..." To which he pressed a button...whoa! Holographic! So cool! I want one! "Is to find and eliminate a...are you listening?!"

AH!

"Huh...As I was saying, your target is to take out a U.S. Marine Commander. He's part of the detachment remaining in Afghanistan. With his skills and expertise, I would say it would be a shame to have him killed, but I'll leave the decision to you."

Right...take out an enemy officer. But...I could always take him on board the Second Generation. Decisions, decisions.

"For this mission, I recommend either a long-range rifle, or a close-range submachine gun." The female Wi-Fi informed, "The commander has a Marine Detachment with him as well as some Afghan National Army. Better watch yourself."

I guess I don't want to be in the line of fire...I want to try to be like an assassin. "Can I...borrow your sniper rifle?"

The two looked at each other, before the sword handed me the rifle, "Sure. Better keep it with you at all times. I don't want to look for it myself."

I examined the rifle while he explained it to me, "This is an Accuracy International AX338 scoped rifle. Uses .338 Lapua Magnum rounds for high stopping power. Also has a bipod for stability, and a high power scope. Pretty nice setup for a long range fight. If you want your own rifle, I guess you could ask your friends." The rifle has an tan color look, with some black as well. It has an inscription... tally marks. Must be kill counts.

The medic "Sugar" then joined in, "I remember them saying about an old Remington Model 700. They have one, so you could use it."

"Okay...But I REALLY want to try yours." I insisted, it looks so sleek and powerful.

"...Oh alright." They sighed...are they disappointed?!

"This is Essex, we're lifting off. Heading to Afghanistan..." The helicopter began to lift off, "Departing, gaining altitude."

"Get some rest 'Rachel'. You're gonna need it." The sword informed...

"Wait. What should I call you by?" I asked

"...Roger. Like Roger Rabbit."

"...Eh? What's that?"

"You don't know Roger Rabbit?"

The box then chimed in, "Call me Roger too."

"Then what will I be?"

"You? You could be George."

"George?! Like Curious George right? Really?"

Um...So...

Sword guy's George
Box guy is Roger
Medic is Sugar...
Wi-Fi Girl is Fox
And the other Wi-Fi is..."Um... Mr. Pilot, what's your name..."

...

How-Sail? What's with these guys and their names?!