June 8th, 2044 - 05:56:05, as promised, Elias finishes Operation Return To Sender and gives the Ghosts' future plans.
Hesh: So what happened to him?
Elias: We searched for his body for weeks. Finally we were pulled and he was declared MIA.
Hesh: But why is he hunting Ghosts.
Elias: The Federation got to him first. Whatever they did, if they can turn him, he can turn anyone. And a Ghost won't stop until he completes his mission.
Logan: So that's his motivation. Sounds vague and lackluster, to be honest.
Hesh: So, find him before he finds us.
Elias: Exactly.
Logan: Did you know about this fact before the Tony Gwynn Stadium?
Elias: No, he was able to work much more discreetly than us. But not for long. There's a man in Caracas who knows where he sleeps.
Logan: What an oddly specific and creepy thing to know.
Elias: Victor Ramos. He heads up RD (Research and Development) for the Fed. Few men get close enough to call a man like Rorke "friend". Ramos is one. To find Rorke, we're going back to Caracas, where this all started.
June 14th, 2044 - 06:15:05, after seven days of going through a crash course on Task Force Stalker's supposed year and a half selection process, Logan and Hesh join Keegan, Torch and Grim in preparation for their first mission. Which is to infiltrate the Latin American Federation's High-rise Headquarters in Caracas, get Ramos and find out what he knows about Rorke's whereabouts.
Keegan: This is yours, Hesh. And this is yours, Kid.
Logan: Thanks.
Hesh: *whistles* Nice hardware.
Logan: Oh cool, the SR-25 Enhanced Combat Carbine? My favorite DMR.
Logan opens his gun case*
Logan: What the fuck? A P226 only? Where's the rifle?
Keegan, Torch and Grim laugh*
Torch: Awww, what's wrong, Kid? Didn't get the good shit?
Logan: Well, how are we supposed to operate effectively if even one member doesn't have the necessary equipment?
Keegan: Looks like you're gonna have to find similar guns in the AO, Kid. And don't flatter yourself. Which reminds me...
Torch and Grim then swipe Logan's Five-seveN USG and Operator 1911 away.
Logan: Wha— Oh, COME ON! We did this shit already!
Grim: Remember, Hesh Walker Lite. You're still a kid. Like your callsign. You wanna get your favorite weapons? Earn it.
Logan: Unfortunately, we got a double standard problem with tha—
Keegan grabs Logan by the collar of his shirt*
Keegan: You start a fight with them, you're gonna deal with me too. Because we are your superiors, we look after our own, and we are not here for right and wrong. You got that.
Keegan pushes Logan away*
Hesh: Nightfall, just give it a rest.
Torch: Don't call him that in any way, Hesh. You know he doesn't deserve it.
Hesh: *sighs* Yes, Sergeant Major. Sorry, Sergeant Major.
Keegan: Alright, kid and gentlemen. The mission is a go. Wheels up at 0800. Dismissed.
Grim: Remember this too, *mockingly* Nightfall. If you compromise this mission because of your piss-poor weapon choices, you're dead to us.
Logan did not even let Grim finish his sentence before leaving the Team Room. He then drives out of Ft. Bragg and into a park with little to no people around.
Once settled on a bench, he pulls out his phone, secures his line and FaceTimes Larson.
Logan: Hey man.
Larson: I got Davis, Wilson, Taylor and Johns here as well.
Logan: Eh, I don't mind. Even with Davis and Johns, actually. Seems the Ghosts thought of everything, having all my stuff in my room.
Larson: Oh yeah. I thought they were stolen. So I tried to call you immediately but you weren't answering.
Logan: Sorry about that. David and I were going through a crash course on Task Force Stalker's selection.
Larson: Interesting. So, you're a Ghost now?
Logan: *sighs* Yes.
Larson: You think you'll stay around long?
Logan: Probably not. Merrick and Keegan are still dickheads who won't give me my M4 ISR and SRS A1 back. Now I got two more who have my Five-seveN USG and Operator 1911. But I'll steal them back, believe me. Besides, I think Task Force Stalker is way too notorious for my taste. Kinda like the SEALs, only worse.
Larson: I understand. At least try to be reasonable first. You're not getting what you want by being an asshole.
Logan: Yeah, I'll try. Just hard to transition with the fact that I didn't ask to be here. And now I'm stuck with the worst CO and NCOs in the world who treat me and me alone like a dumb little kid even though Hesh is as new as I am. All because my dad begged me to give the Ghosts a shot for Hesh! What do I get for trying?! Being held back from Delta Force, intentionally or not! And now that Johns is back in Viking Team 6, NONE OF US ARE GETTING WHAT WE WANT!
Taylor: Holy shit, Nightfall.
Logan looks at the scared children and parents in front of him*
Logan: *sighs* I'm sorry, Taylor. Hey, sorry about my dumb, arrogant ass too Davis, Johns. *breath trembling* I don't know what to say or do anymore. I must be going through a roller-coaster ride of emotions with no signs of stopping right now. Great timing. Sh— A special kind of Hell, huh?
As Logan lies and curls up on the wooden bench, Viking Team 6 gets worried.
Davis: Ah, don't worry about it, man. No big deal.
Johns: All this time, I thought you were just a pissed off kid because you were jealous of Hesh. When Larson cleared the air by telling me why you hated me a few days ago, I realized I had failed you as a leader. One of my worst fears as an officer. I also ended up picking favorites. *sighs* And I'm sorry for that too.
Logan: *nods* Had to know, huh? Thank you, Larson, really.
Larson: *nods* It seems everyone is not getting what they want these days.
Logan: Yeah. *sniffs* Oh, God. Am I a selfish person, or am I just terrified?
Larson: You are confused, Logan. And you need to get your head straight again. Your life depends on it.
Wilson: You're still our Nightfall, Logan. They look after their own? So do we.
Taylor: When I first looked up to you, you were larger than life, even with Hesh and Colonel Walker around. I know you can get through this.
Davis: Important decisions are often, if not, always painful.
Johns: But eventually, you have to go on. You must choose.
Logan: Confused? Quite simple.
Larson: Some of the most complicated situations can be summarized that simply. But one day, you're gonna have to get out of these conundrums yourself. We won't always be there to help out. And we cannot choose your life paths for you. They are for you to decide.
Logan: I always knew something like this will not last forever. And I hate that fact more than I can tell you. So thank you, all of you, especially after the highs and lows we've been through.
Johns: While we're still here, we will help. You know how to reach us. Just remember, in the end, it will be all you.
Larson: Try to answer this simple question: "What do you want?" Don't think about your dad, or Hesh, or the Ghosts, or anyone else. No matter what they feel or how they will feel. What you want is all yours, no one else's.
Logan: Roger that, Haytham (Johns), Larson, Perry, Cody, John. I'll think about what I want. Don't worry, I won't take forever. It will be quite soon. Count on it. *smiles*
Johns: Understood.
Wilson: Got it.
Taylor: We'll wait for you.
Davis: There, see? All better. That's the Logan 'Nightfall' Walker we know and love.
Logan and Viking Team 6 laugh*
Larson: *sighs* Oh, a word of advice. Try to keep your bullshit sensing instincts to yourself. It might make your time there easier. Maybe in your head or in a journal, or whatever. Remember, you're not gonna get what you want by being an asshole, even if you're right.
Logan: Alright, thanks. Next time, I might have to call you guys via sat phone. You know how shitty the reception can be in the middle of the ocean.
Larson: Roger.
After the heartfelt, helpful and relieving call to home, Logan heads back, ready for a new day ahead. June 15th, 2044 - 00:00:51, Caracas, Venezuela, after setting up Task Force Stalker operations on board the USS Liberator (fictional), a Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, Logan, Keegan, Hesh, Torch and Grim HALO and land on the roof of the Latin American Federation's High-rise Security Tower opposite of the HQ.
While the "big boys" prepare the zip line launchers and wait for Ramos, Logan heads downstairs to grab a suppressed DMR and SMG. Five minutes later, he comes back up with an IA-2 and a Bizon and disassembles them to ensure they are well maintained.
Upon finishing the check-up, Logan reassembles the enemy weapons while giving his thoughts about Federation Day. Following Larson's advice, he chooses what to say and what to keep for himself in certain instances instead of straight-up saying everything out loud.
Logan's actual words will be designated by his real name, while his thoughts will be dubbed by his callsign.
Logan: Federation Day, the round-the-clock celebration of the Latin American Federation's rise to power. Meh, still a discount 4th of July.
Present Day
--
Federation Day
June 15th, 2044 - 00:41:12
SFC. Logan 'Nightfall' Walker
Task Force Stalker
Caracas, Venezuela
--
As a squadron of Mi-24 Superhind Mk.IIIs and a single NHIndustries NH90 pass by, the Ghosts ready up to verify Ramos' presence. With Logan activating the Spotter Mode of his Panoramic NODs and controlling its facial recognition via his Wrist-Mounted Mini Pad.
Keegan: He's right on time. Time to earn the mask.
Nightfall: *scoffs* I'm cool with my clean mask and blue goggles, Lieutenant Simon 'Ghost' Riley knockoff.
Torch: Hey, Kid. Are your goggles two-way?
Logan: Of course they are. Are yours? Don't want you to go in there blind.
Torch walks away*
Nightfall: I'll take that as a yes.
Keegan: There's our target. Chopper's landing, confirm visual ID.
Logan: (off comms) On it. Cool tech. (on comms) Scarecrow, this is Silence 5. Prepare to receive optical feed. Copy, over?
Scarecrow: Copy, Silence 5. Receiving transmission. Cleaning up the signal.
The second Ramos shows his face and steps out of his helicopter, Logan picks him up immediately.
Logan: Fancy gray suit man stepping out of the NH90. Scanning now.
Scarecrow: Receiving uplink.
Facial Recognition: (visually) Identified: Victor Ramos.
Logan: Easy pickin's.
Scarecrow: Target confirmed. Mission is a go. How copy, over?
Logan: Hard copy, Scarecrow. Silence 5, out.
Keegan: Alright, let's do this.
With the verification phase done, the infiltration phase begins. Using the zip lines, Silence Team, with Keegan as TL, ropes all the way to the Rooftop of the High-rise Headquarters.
Keegan: Set up your launchers and check your chutes for exfil.
Logan: Mine's triple-checked. Ready.
Hesh: Ready.
Torch: Ready.
Grim: Ready.
Keegan: Fire your line, Kid.
zip line launchers fire*
Nightfall: Thank you, huge black dildo.
Keegan: Hook up.
While zipping to the HQ, Keegan, Hesh, Torch and Grim quickly shoot and kill the security cameras. Upon landing, Logan immediately prepares everyone's rappelling ropes.
Logan: Lines secure. Let's move down.
Grim: Not in charge, Kid. Alright, let's go.
Now hanging on the side of the building, Silence Team heads down to the Control Center in order to cut the power. Quietly killing two hostile squads on two floors along the way.
Just outside the their first target area, Logan and Keegan make entry with their laser cutters while Hesh, Torch and Grim keep watch. Inside, the two Ghosts upload a virus in the main terminal and unit to gain access to the electricity.
Keegan: Tangos coming. Finish up.
Logan: Halfway there and closing.
Keegan: Finish or hide.
Logan: Finishing... got it.
Keegan: Quick, hide in the alcove.
In the alcoves and under the cover of darkness, Logan and Keegan wait until the enemy patrol passes and leaves the room. But one stops by to make a phone call and spots the Sergeant First Class, only to be killed and dragged away by the Master Gunnery Sergeant with a knife, and his phone caught and kept silent by Nightfall.
Once clear, Keegan and Logan hook back up to their ropes, kill the lights and rappel upside down.
Logan: Lights out.
power goes off*
Keegan: Beautiful.
Torch: I've seen better.
Logan: Three minutes until the power comes back.
On the way down to the second highest balcony, Hesh and Grim kill two tangos coming out of the highest one. Logan then spots and kills a sleeping guard all by his lonesome on a floor he is currently passing by.
suppressed gunshots*
Hesh: Targets down.
Torch: Fast work, Hesh.
suppressed gunshot*
Logan: Caught someone sleeping on the job. No additional hostiles.
Grim: Easy ain't impressing me.
Nightfall: Wasn't trying to, ass clown.
At a safe distance to drop down to the target deck, Logan pulls out his Black Drop Forged Push Knife and Keegan equips his KA-BAR Knife for quiet aerial takedowns on three guards below.
Logan: (quietly and off comms) Free-killing Spider-Man, free-killing Spider-Man...
Keegan: Alright, take 'em out.
Logan drops down on the first bad guy, stabs him in the back of his neck upon landing, and throws his blade at the second one's left eye. Then Keegan comes down hard on the third one.
As the Sergeant First Class retrieves his Push Knife and wipes the blood off, Hesh, Torch and Grim land slowly.
Logan: Awesome.
Hesh: Nice work.
Torch: I've done better.
Keegan: Remember, we gotta shut down the elevators, seal off his chance to bolt.
Hesh: I've got the Main Bank in the West Wing.
Torch: You got this, Hesh. Go on.
Grim: We'll go with Keegan to babysit the Kid.
Keegan: We'll rendezvous in the Junction to cut the secondaries. Move out.
While moving through the East Wing, Logan, Keegan, Torch and Grim clear an active elevator and an office, both filled with guys to shoot at. Then as they enter the Lounge, the power comes back on and a large group of Feds turn on the TV to catch a Federation Day Soccer Special.
So in order to engage them with the element of surprise, the four Ghosts shoot out the TV and all light bulbs in the room almost at the same time. Then [EPILEPSY AND SEIZURE WARNING] Keegan, Torch and Grim turn on the strobe feature of their SMGs' flashlights to blind and stun the enemy, thus making the gunfight easier.
Since Logan does not have Hi-Point 995 Tactical LED Flashlights on his guns, he just puts on his Panoramic NODs and clear the area away from the blinking.
Logan: A seizure salad, anyone?
suppressed gunfire*
Logan: Clear.
Keegan: Strobes off. This way.
After clearing the entire East Wing, Logan separates to help Hesh finish his sweep of the West Wing and shut down the secondary elevators. While the three NCOs set up the second set of rappelling ropes.
Keegan: Go give Hesh a hand. I'll hook up the ropes.
Logan: On my way.
Nightfall: Oh, now you think Hesh needs my help.
Hesh: Looks like we've got company.
clip*
Logan: All quick escape routes are sealed.
Hesh: (on comms) All callsigns, hostiles are moving to the Junction fast, over. (off comms) *equips Vector CRB* Time to upgrade.
Logan: I would if I have my actual guns, genius.
gunfire*
Keegan: Thanks for the heads-up, Hesh! Now get back here!
Now that stealth is no longer an option, Silence Team goes loud and fends off the first Latin American Federation responders. With Logan blowing their heads away one by one while they receive heavy fire from the other Ghosts.
Once the Junction is secure for the time being, Hesh grabs Keegan's spare C4 Charges to cover the team's getaway, with Grim watching his back. While the rest rope down to the Green Room, where Ramos is expected to be at.
Logan: Targets down.
Hesh: Give me your extra charges. I'll cover our exit.
Keegan tosses his C4 Charges to Hesh*
Grim: I got your back.
Keegan: Torch, Kid, on me. Hook up to the ropes.
clip*
Torch: Skipped a generation, huh, Kid?
Nightfall: Really enjoying my stay, fuckface.
Grim: Here they come!
suppressed and unsuppressed gunfire*
Keegan: Make it quick, you two!
boom*
Despite having to make a close call, Hesh and Grim rejoin the others safe and sound. After thinning the herd of additional responders, Silence Team breaches the Green Room and pushes through Ramos' security team.
Three minutes of fighting later, Hesh splits up to cover the Staircase Door of Ramos' Office. While the others go through the Green Room Door.
Hesh: In position.
Keegan: Likewise. Alright, let's do this.
Torch: Clear left.
Grim: Clear right.
Keegan: Damn it! He's not here. Hesh.
Hesh: I got him.
Hesh sits Ramos down and holds him at gunpoint.
Torch: Just like your dad.
Ramos: He knew you would come.
Keegan: Where's Rorke? Where is he?!
Ramos: I don't know. No one knows.
Keegan: Hesh.
Hesh prepares to execute Ramos*
Keegan: You have five seconds to deliver coordinates on Rorke! Four!
Ramos: He's not here!
Keegan: Three! Two!
Ramos: *points* His location is in there! In an encrypted file!
The all of a sudden, just before Keegan takes a look at Ramos' laptop bag, the TV of Ramos' Office turns on and Colonel Gabriel Rorke himself FaceTimes the Ghosts.
Rorke: Well, well, well, if it ain't The Walking Dead.
Keegan: Rorke.
Rorke: *chuckles* I knew you'd follow the bread crumbs.
Hesh: You tried to kill my father, you piece of shit!
Keegan: Hesh!
Rorke: The sons of Elias Walker. Boys sent to do a man's work.
Logan: Smart move, Hesh. Sup, Uncle Gabe? FaceTimed to negotiate a surrender?
Rorke: *smiles* At least someone here knows how to get wise.
Keegan: Where are you, Rorke?
Rorke: Where I am doesn't matter. What matters is a decade ago you left me to die in this city. And from this night forward, Elias lives with the knowledge he sent his own sons to their deaths.
Logan: Not an eye for an eye anymore, huh?
Keegan: It was a setup. Let's move!
suppressed gunfire*
Logan: No loose ends.
Keegan: Scarecrow, this is Silence 1! Mission's compromised! Attempting an aerial exfil from the 52nd Floor.
Scarecrow: Roger, Silence 1. Prepping emergency team for Rally Point Bravo.
With the Latin American Federation's High-rise Headquarters blowing up and collapsing, Silence Team moves out to find an open window on the 52nd Floor for exfil. But not before Logan quickly executes Ramos in order to tie up a loose end first.
After sliding down a bit and shooting through a couple of skyscraper windows, the Ghosts skydive, open their parachutes and head to Rally Point Bravo.
Keegan: Scarecrow, we're airborne! En route to Rally Point Bravo!
Scarecrow: Roger that, Silence 1. Emergency extraction team is on standby.
Keegan: Good work, people. Now let's get the hell out of here.
Grim: Outstanding work for a first time Ghost, Hesh.
Torch: Indeed. You're making us proud already, Hesh.