A/N: The next chapter of To Mend A Soldier is with my beta reader at the time of posting this, so it should be ready soon.

Also, I am close to completing this story, so here comes another double update. Good times ahead.

…

Sitting in her office, Sigrid's eyes darted from the computer monitor in front of her to the printer beside it as it suddenly whirred to life.

A sheet of paper emerged from its topside, which she snatched up.

Operation Sledgehammer

Primary objective: Find and determine status of operative Naja Bjorn, currently MIA.

Secondary objective: Recover relevant intelligence and eliminate enemy presence in the AO.

Resources: Three to four operatives, interpreter will be procured on-site.

Sigrid smiled as set down the paper and rose from her desk.

I know just the person.

…

The door to Hiccup's office opened and a book landed on his desk with a dull thud. "Just so you know, more people speak Dari in Afghanistan than any other language. This includes the translator that Naja was partnered with, so you'll want to get familiar with it."

Hiccup opened the book he had received. "So the translator speaks Dari only? No English or Danish at all? That could cause issues."

"He speaks English well, but he wants someone who speaks at least a little Dari. So you best get busy learning."

"Alright then. I'll take a look at this book on the flight over. For now, I distinctly recall a matter that needs tending to."

…

Bang. Bang. Bang.

The large double doors were jerked open, creaking loudly in the process. "Who the fuck-"

"Control that language, Aage. God will hear you otherwise," Hiccup smiled. "Is Dan around? I wish to convey a message to you both."

"Yeah, he's lazing on the couch. Come in."

So he did, and Aage led him to a living room furnished with a single couch, old to the point of being threadbare, with Dan laying across it with his eyes open, gazing ahead at his phone while his thumb tapped idly at the screen.

He craned his neck to gaze at them when they came in, then refocused on his phone. "Generic greetings."

Hiccup snatched the phone from Dan. "Full attention please. Then you can get back to texting whoever that is."

"My girlfriend."

"I don't care. Within 48 hours, I will be on the other side of the world, and while I'm gone, I want you to keep collateral damage to a minimum."

"What collateral damage do you mean?"

Hiccup stared at Dan. "I've been doing quite a bit of thinking lately. Specifically, as to what reason my friend there would want you alive rather than dead. As I was thinking this, I recalled that said friend has expressed repeatedly that he hates his parents. I can relate."

"You know you can speak to me directly, right?" Aage asked, but went ignored.

"And with that, it hit me that my friend has stopped all mention of this, ever since leaving for Iceland to detain or kill you. Now a sudden change of heart like that doesn't just happen, so he's planning something which I think involves you. So whatever you both are planning, let me not come back to find Berk a ghost town. At least not more of a ghost town than it's become."

"Your friend is also in the room and could have been directly spoken to," Aage reiterated.

"Dan is the one who would do the killing for both of you. Hence this warning is more for him than you, Aage. Now, Dan, here's your phone back. Message over."

Hiccup tossed the phone to Dan, approached the door to leave but then turned and spoke one last time.

"Oh, and Aage? I want you to come with me, assuming you want to as well."

"I'm not sure about that."

"Pity. Well, play nice you two."

The door shut behind him and Aage exhaled. "Shit."

Dan piped up. "You know, for a christian, you sure do curse a lot."

Aage shrugged. "My friends all used to swear a lot. Guess it just rubbed off on me. Besides, we can't all be blessed."

"Hmm. Well, I think we should move things up. No telling when he'll be back."

"Yeah… I think that's best. How soon can she get here?"

…

The following day, Astrid had her hands alighted on his shoulders as she stood on tiptoes, her forehead pressed to his. "I'm serious. You get killed and I'll hunt you down."

"The hunter would become the hunted, eh? I think I'd actually like to see that happen. But seriously, I'll be careful. Just so long as neither of us invoke Murphy's law."

"What's that again? I forget…"

"Google it. Just don't say it out loud."

"Alright. I won't."

Astrid returned to her normal height, no longer on tip-toes so she could seal her lips to his. But it was a brief kiss before she pushed him away, smiling. "Something to remember me by, babe."

Snorting, Hiccup shook his head. "As if I could forget you, milady. I'll see you when I see you."

Not long later, Hiccup had his phone nestled between his shoulder and his head as he drove away.

"Last chance to choose not to come with, Bekker. Neither me nor Fishlegs would blame you for not coming to the land of hot sand and burkas."

"My decision stands. I'm coming with you. You're not getting rid of me like in Iceland."

"Alright. Just don't say I didn't give you the option to leave."

…

Hiccup was the first to set foot on Afghanistan soil, dressed in shorts, a black t-shirt and sunglasses, stepping out of the helicopter to approach a man waiting for him and his cohorts, who mostly followed behind Hiccup.

"Are you, 'Aimal'?"

"Yes," the man frowned, gazing past Hiccup to where Bekker stood. He eyed her uncovered hair with distaste. "You are Henry?" he asked, his eyes not leaving Bekker's hair.

"Yes. So, Aimal, do you know where Naja was last seen?"

"Yes. Naja is this way."

After saying this, Aimal beckoned them to follow before climbing into a waiting jeep.