The World Has Fallen
Chapter 2
Somewhere in Alaska near Denali: 1320 (1:20 pm)
It was the middle of the summer in the northern state of Alaska. The sun was high in the sky regardless of the time of day whether it be in the middle of the day at 1200 or in the middle of the night at 0000. But that doesn't matter to a particular wolf and his group of canines. Lupe, leader of the Atlas Wolves, ex-CIA operative, and enemy of the United States and her allies while a friend of Russia but that is it. The gray wolf leader would be walking down the hall of an underground base he and his group have built and made their new headquarters. It is an underground bunker base and being huge makes everything so much better for the Atlas Wolves to store and grow whatever they need from food and water for their basic needs of survival to the many weapons and gear they have accumulated from years of the trade from the Russians and a few black market deals to get some of that United States equipment and new Abstergo equipment.
Once Lupe passed another corridor, a red fox that the group knows as Redstone would join him at his side and give him the latest report. "Well, latest reports from our scouts in Washington say that the PAW Patrol have been gearing up for war and have become a small US Army FOB. Other reports say that tensions with the US and China have gotten really bad to the point where the US doesn't ship anything to them and doesn't have trade with the Chinese anymore."
"So the US is going to have a lack of resources soon?" Lupe smiled evilly.
Redstone didn't smile back, "On the contrary sir. Before the US cut off all trade with China, the new president lowered the taxes and other regulations on companies who then came back to the US and started building in the US. Most of the products in the US now say 'made in the USA' or somewhere in Europe, mostly Germany. They were planning to cut off all trade anyway and took the measures needed so they wouldn't collapse. Companies like Ford, Chevy, Tesla, Apple, Microsoft, and others now make their products solely in America now and ship out from there."
Lupe lost his smile as he kept walking while Redstone gave him the report.
"The crazy part of the whole thing is that they did this in less than a year. All the states' national guards have been activated by the governors and war is so close on the horizon. Germany, Poland, and the UK are also digging in and fortifying their positions on their borders," Redstone concluded the bad news.
"Is there some good news in this report?" Lupe asked.
Redstone came upfront to him and had the leader stop and said, "We need to get to the main room."
The duo then kept walking to the main room of the bunker, passing troops who would stand to the side and let their leader pass with no obstruction. Hearing the worry in Redstone's voice didn't sit well with Lupe for Redstone only gets worried if something is horribly wrong. Not wanting to wait any longer Lupe picked up his pace and ran to the main room.
When he got there every canine, mostly wolves from different areas of the world with some foxes of different types all stood up from their seats to greet their commander but the mood was solemn.
"At ease," Lupe shouted and everyone went back to work. He then went over to the main computer where his mate, Artemis was. Her face of shock only made Lupe feel worse about what he was about to learn.
He slowed down and came up behind his mate and looked over her shoulder. She obviously noticed but wasn't in the mood. She then said to Lupe who now was right beside her and looking concerned, the rare caramel-colored female wolf then spoke, "Lupe dear, you have to see this."
"What is it?" the grand leader of the Atlas Wolves asked.
Redstone came up to the two and gave his leader the rundown. "Our Russian Comrades are no longer our comrades. Abstergo has secretly declared war on us and any supplies that were coming have been cut off. Russia has now determined us an enemy and instead now supports Storm and his gang with China."
"What do we have to work with?" Lupe asked, looking for options in his big brain.
"All that we have are our bases throughout the world and whatever we have here. We are officially on our own.
This put Lupe into a state of thinking. He saw this as Russia was trying to cut off ties with them as fast as possible. Abstergo must have had something to do with it. Meanwhile, Crusader Industries in America has started to ramp up war material production and that company is most likely not going to provide anything for it is loyal to America. This makes the Atlas Wolves look expendable and Lupe was not going to have that. He has the most powerful terrorist group in the world with bases all over the globe. Lupe had to give his next orders very carefully if he and his group were to survive the next couple of days. These next decisions will not only affect his troops but also their families who he has taken in to protect and Lupe is a wolf of his word and doesn't backstab his now small number of allies.
"Order our holdings in Russia to start evacuating carefully. We don't want to raise suspicion, if they play their cards right, the Russians won't know that we never trusted them to begin with. Have them come here to bolster our forces here," Lupe ordered Redstone who then got out a notebook and started to write with his left paw. "Next, have our assets based in the rest of Asia start attacking Iranian, Chinese, and North Korean convoys and take whatever they can get their paws on. If discovered, evacuate immediately. Then, have our forces in North America start attacking the cartels, and if they see any sign of Storm, Sweetie, or Sylvia to kill on sight and anyone with them. I want to make it clear not to attack any FBI, ATF, CIA, ASF, DOJ, DOD, or anything that is under American and their allies' jurisdiction attacked or even spied on. They may be our last hope. And now, we are not terrorists, we are the militia. The Atlas Wolves Militia or AWM from now on."
When Lupe stopped talking Redstone stopped writing and looked up to his leader who then, in turn, looked to his mate, "All we can do now is hope that they make it out." Artemis said while nuzzling her mate.
"Redstone," Lupe said to his second in command.
"Yes sir?" Redstone asked politely.
"Give the order. Immediately," Lupe ordered.
With that Redstone closed the notebook and solute to his commander. He then turned and ran to the platform that overlooked the entire command room and had a good view of the large screens that display all needed information.
"Listen up everyone," Everyone on the command deck stopped what they were doing and looked to Redstone, "Curtis, I want these orders given to all AW bases throughout the world, get us an encrypted tight beam transmission," Redstone ordered a gray wolf that was much younger than Lupe and looked very similar to Lupe and Artemis.
Curtis did what he was ordered and got an encrypted message set up and all that was needed now was for Redstone to speak to the rest of the Atlas Wolves.
Family Quarters of The Lennox's at the Alaskan Base
Two young pups were busy playing with each other, rolling around having fun. They were Glacier Lennox and Ash Lennox. Glacier and Ash were born about 2 months after the attack on the old Lennox's home. After Ethan and his wife Maria were wounded by that rogue agent they were found by Redstone and Lupe. After Ethan and Maria had recovered they, along with Redstone and Lupe went looking for their sons Rocky and Ricochet, who is now known as Deckard. Maria was heartbroken when they failed to find any trace of her two missing sons. Ethan politely asked Lupe if he and his wife could remain with them, Lupe accepted.
Two months later, Ethan had become one of Lupe's best assassins. When Ethan came back after another successful kill mission, Artemis and Maria surprised Ethan with two new babies, both were boys. One looked mostly like Maria and the other looked mostly like Ethan. They decided to name the white one with light gray paws, and ocean blue eyes Glacier, and they decided to name the gray one with white highlights of fur in the paws, tail, and tufts of fur on his head with icy blue eyes Ash. Lupe told Ethan that he had earned his absolute respect and that he and his wife can leave if they desire it. Ethan thanked Lupe for all that he has done for him and Maria, and told him that he and his wife are happy here, and then proceeded to ask if they could stay permanently, which Lupe granted.
Glacier and Ash were so busy playing with each other that they didn't notice Lupe entering the room. Glacier and Ash had grown up with Ethan as their father, Maria as their mother, Lupe as their uncle, and Artemis as their aunt. However, both of them had no idea that they have two older brothers, one being a highly dangerous Black OPs Special Forces assassin, and the other being a part of a well-known rescue team in Adventure Bay.
Lupe continued to watch the two young pups, as they tussled with each other around the room. Glacier suddenly caught the sight of Lupe out of the corner of his left eye causing him and his brother to stop. Both Glacier and Ash looked at Lupe then at each other.
"Dad, mom, uncle Lupe is here," said Glacier, calling for his mother and father.
Ethan and Maria emerged from a side room and saw Lupe standing with Glacier and Ash.
"Lupe? What brings you here?" Asked Maria.
Lupe would have a genuine smile as he looked at the young pups but his face soon changed to concerned and serious when he looked up at Maria and Ethan.
"I need to talk to you two about the mission," said Lupe.
Ethan and Maria looked at each other and knew what Lupe was talking about.
"Glacier, Ash, can you go in the other room please?" Asked Maria.
Glacier and Ash looked at each other wondering what their parents and uncle Lupe were about to discuss.
"Sure mom," said Glacier, as he and Ash left the room and went into the other room, where they slept.
"I got intel from the Dark Wolves that Rocky is safely at the Lookout with the other PAW Patrol members, but Deckard is right now deployed on a mission with his Cemetery Wind unit in a mission to kill a Russian General that is hiding out somewhere in the Indus Valley Desert, and that they could be walking into an ambush by Russian and Chinese soldiers. The General's name is Ivan Kozlov, he was the one who orchestrated the attacks in Saudi Arabia of the Eskan Village Compound located in Riyadh and the Prince Sultan Air Base located in Al-Kharj. However, my team had to abandon their post in Russia and China, so will have no eyes on any movement that they make," said Lupe.
Maria whimpered at the thought of her oldest son being in danger.
"When do you want Glacier and Ash to leave?" Asked Ethan.
"As soon as possible," said Lupe.
"Glacier, Ash, can you come here?" Asked Ethan.
Glacier and Ash came out and stood next to their parents.
"Remember what we told you last week?" Asked Maria.
"You mean about the stuff you said about us going on a mission to Adventure Bay?" Asked Ash.
"Yes, you two need to go to Adventure Bay and look for two canines named Rocky Lennox and Deckard Lennox," said Ethan.
"L-L-Lennox, but isn't that our last name?" Asked Ash.
"Yes it is, but you see way before you two were born we had two sons named Rocky and Deckard, but we got separated and now we need you two to go to Adventure Bay and bring them here," said Ethan.
"Why us?" Asked Glacier.
"You two need to go because we have to take care of something more important, will you two do it?" Asked Maria.
Glacier and Ash looked at each other then back at their parents and uncle Lupe.
"Yes!" Both of them said in unison.
After Glacier and Ash packed their bags and said goodbye to their parents, the two brothers left in a helicopter with Lupe, Artemis, and Redstone watching as it left.
Later outside the base
As the helicopter with Glacier and Ash inside left in the distance Lupe, Artemis, and Redstone would watch as the helicopter disappeared into the sky as it got farther away.
Lupe would sigh as if he didn't want to do this but he was left with no choice.
"You are doing the right thing, honey," Artemis would comfort her mate.
Lupe would smile at his mate but he would go back to looking in the distance. There would be clouds in the sky just like every day in Alaska but this time it seemed to be a bit more gloomy than usual. The shift of sides and betrayal lay in the air as thick fog clouded Lupe's mind. The newly renamed Atlas Militia was huge all over the world. Lupe believed that his commanders would not follow his orders or leave to join the other factions in this horrible world. Surprisingly, Redstone has reported that the commanders have stated that they are with him all the way.
Lupe feels guilt, he hasn't felt much of any remorse for anything until recently. All the crimes he and his faction have committed against civilians, countries, agencies, etc. Everything was coming to light of the atrocities he had ordered and planned. Originally he was working with the Russians, for he felt that the US wronged him. What they did was a violation of his rights as an American for they broke into his home and killed his family and in the end, it was all a misunderstanding. He was pissed, and left the country with classified information and gave it to the Russians in hope of asylum.
The Russians, wanting any dirt on the Americans, accepted Lupe's terms and allowed him to enter Russia and live there. From there he became part of the MVB and that is when he learned about Fuchs. He would train Fuchs everything he knew as well as his new companion Redstone, another US defector who came to Russia.
Extremely long story short, Lupe and Redstone left the MVD and made the Atlas Wolves and were supported by Russia and the new company at that time Abstergo. They went out and recruited wronged wolves and canines who have experienced discrimination against them from everywhere. They attacked human targets and the ironic part is that the nations responded by making teams of canines such as the PAW Patrol, G.R.F., and now the A.S.F. which all are either lead by canines or have a great many of them part of the agencies. The CIA, FBI, and even the ATF now have canine directors. Lupe's dream has more or less become a reality because of his actions but he now has all the guilt of the horrible deeds he has committed in the name of Russia. It took being cut off from them to knock some sense into him.
"What have I done?" Lupe would ask aloud.
Redstone and Artemis would see everything leave their calm, collected leader. His strong outside is gone as his inner defenses crumble in the face of reality. He would take a deep breath as he came into the reality of what his faction has done, what he has done, and all the people he has affected.
"What have I truly done?" Lupe would ask himself again, "The people I've killed, the people and factions I align myself with. I will be forever condemned to Hell for my sins." Lupe was not known to literally talk about Hell. The fact that there was fear in his voice only made Redstone and Artemis look at each other confused but also concerned for their leader, friend, and for Artemis's case, mate, and for another member of the Atlas Militia, father.
As Lupe was reflecting on what he had done, Artemis would start to approach the wolf leader while saying to Redstone, "I'll take care of him. Go make sure everything is still going well."
Redstone would nod and go back into the base looking back before entering.
Artemis would come to Lupe's right side and use her mussel to nuzzle him to try and show him the good things, "You aren't the only one of us seeing this finally." She would sigh, "Morale is at an all-time low everywhere once they realized that we were horrible beings but also used for others' benefits." Artemis was right. Morale was at an all-time low due to the fact that the faction is now under heavy pressure from all sides.
Lupe would sigh, "I know. Now we need to make new allies. I must be transparent with our faction. Our family." Lupe, being the leader he was, knew that he needed to tell the truth about this sudden change. He doesn't want to lose any of his members, for he sees them as family. The one problem is… will they stay loyal when the truth is released?
Indus Valley Desert 2240 (10:40 pm)
Deckard and his team arrived at the missile assembly building with their target inside. Deckard and his team were dressed in black pants, black combat shoes on their hind paws, black fingerless gloves on their front paws, a black lightweight military army jacket, a black mask that covers their noses and mouths with black tinted goggles with night vision and thermal settings that covers their eyes which makes them look like the Winter Soldier from Captain America 2, and a black army style hat on their heads. Each piece of clothing has bulletproof material stitched into them, so that they will be fully protected.
"Alpha Cell in position," said Deckard into his ear piece with his team on the roof.
"Bravo Cell and Charlie Cell in position," said Smokey in his ear piece with his team and Bravo Cell waiting by the door, ready to breach in.
"On my mark we breach in, and remember that General Ivan Kozlov must be killed," said Deckard.
"Copy that," said Smokey.
"3… 2… 1… BREACH IN! BREACH IN!" Yelled Deckard as he and all other members breach in, with Alpha Cell repelling down from the roof as Bravo and Charlie Cell came through the door.
All three teams enter the building but was met with emptiness, Killshot and the rest of Bravo Cell took a staircase up to the second floor while Smokey and the rest of Charlie Cell stayed on the bottom floor and Deckard and the rest of Alpha Cell repelled down to the third floor from the roof.
"Decks, we don't see anyone," said Killshot as he and his team moved throughout the second floor.
"Same here, we haven't seen anyone so far," said Smokey as he and his team moved throughout the bottom floor.
"Copy that, just be careful we don't know what to expect here, so cover each other's six and keep your eyes peeled," said Deckard.
The Cemetery Wind operatives continued to move through the building, but in the end they couldn't find a single soul. Deckard ordered all members of Cemetery Wind to rendezvous on the bottom floor to figure out their next move.
"Are you sure that this was the right place?" Asked Max.
"Yeah, this is where the coordinates lead us to," said Sidian.
"Well someone made a mistake because there's no one here," said Snowstorm.
"Celestial Dragon, can you confirm the coordinates that we were provided?" Deckard asked his team's A.I.
"Coordinates confirm, we are exactly where ASF command has sent us…" said a female voice but stopped when she saw the coordinates change, "I'm sorry the coordinates have been revised."
"Revised? By who?" Asked Frostbite.
"Better question, when did they get revised?" Asked Striker.
"Celestial Dragon, what is the direction of the coordinates?" Asked Deckard.
All of the Cemetery Wind operatives got a notification on their goggles indicating where they needed to be, but it didn't make sense on the location of the new coordinates.
"Okay this can't be right," said Tate.
"Are we sure that Celestial Dragon doesn't have a virus in her?" Asked Flint.
"Negative, I make sure that Celestial Dragon goes through a proper scan to make sure her systems are 100% functional, and she was good to go for this mission," said Deckard.
"Well, how in the hell do any of these coordinates make sense, because whoever changed them now has us going a click and a half east and 1,500 feet underground," said Echo.
"Sir, what are we going to do," said Delgado.
Deckard didn't know what to do, apparently, he and his team were in a big pickle and for once he didn't have an answer to their dilemma. However, after some thinking, Deckard did get an idea that might work, "Celestial Dragon, see if you can give us an IR scan of the room."
After a brief moment, a flash of red light appeared and suddenly a secret door opened. All 15 members of Cemetery Wind operatives pointed their guns at the opening door and when it was fully open, there was a large room that looked like an office. The room had bookcases, filing cabinets, a desk with a black duffel bag sitting on top, and a chair behind the desk. However, what was in the chair startled Cemetery Wind because this is the last thing they expected to find, the dead body of General Ivan Kozlov was sitting there with his throat torn out and his eyeballs missing.
"My God!" Exclaimed Flint as he saw the dead body.
"Looks like someone got to him before we did," said Max.
"Looks like it, what's in the bag?" Asked Seth.
"Just a white piece of paper with the words "Too Slow" written on it," said Killshot.
"This wasn't one of our allies or a vicious gang, this was someone tying up loose ends," said Deckard.
"Well, what's the plan now?" Asked Seth.
"We return to HQ and inform the commander of this development," said Deckard.
Deckard and Cemetery Wind proceeded to take multiple photographs of the dead Russian General, sending copies to both the Pakistani government and the United States Government before burning the body and the building at a request from the Pakistani President. With their work done Deckard and his team got back into their plane and flew off home.
XXX
Several hours later Deckard's team arrived at their Atlas Special Forces Headquarters, which is located in Deep Springs Valley in the Inyo-White Mountains of Inyo County California. After landing the plane, the members of Task Force Wild Card exited to replenish their ammunition and gear equipment.
"Alright you guys know what to do, I'm going to see Anderson," said Deckard walking away.
"Something the matter?" Asked Echo.
"I just need to check on a few things before I go and give Commander Wulfric our report
"Alright, we'll get the plane and Celestial Dragon ready for our next assignment," said Killshot.
Deckard walked down the corridor to Doctor Anderson's office, once there he stopped and knocked twice before entering.
"Ah, good evening, Mr. Lennox," said Anderson as he greeted his friend.
"Anderson, are you sure you said I was alright in my last check up?" Asked Deckard.
"Nothing seemed out of the ordinary with you physically or mentally, why?" Asked Anderson.
"Lately I've been getting very dark thoughts that I can't escape and every time I get near someone who has spilled innocent blood or has committed an unforgivable crime, I feel like turning into Nightmare and kill that person in the most violent way as possible, and it's fucking scary as hell and so important it feels like my insides are on fire" Deckard explained.
"I see, well your alternate side does go through changes every now and then, almost like it's evolving, and what our last session showed us is that your alternate side might be entering its final stage," said Anderson.
"Oh great, so the next time I turn into Nightmare it can be something dangerous," said Deckard.
"It depends on how powerful your evolution can be," said Anderson.
"Oh great," replied Deckard in a sarcastic manner
Killshot and Max burst into the room, both of them looking out of breath. However, Killshot was able to get the words out first, "Deckard, Major General Wulfric wants to see the whole team in the command center."
"I guess I will have to finish this talk later," said Deckard as he got up and left the room with Killshot and Max right behind him.
"Good luck and Godspeed, Deckard," said Anderson as the three Cemetery Wind operatives left.
Deckard, Killshot, and Max arrived at the command center with the other members of Task Force Wild Card waiting for them. Major General Carter Wulfric was going over some important details of information with his SIC, Colonel Fenix Velasquez.
"Task Force Wild Card reporting for duty, Sir," said Deckard as he announced his team's presents.
"Deckard, we just got reports that a secret CIA safehouse located in Yekaterinburg, Russia had to be abandoned due to the security risk of Russia invading Ukraine," said Wulfric.
"What was a CIA safehouse doing in Russia in the first place?" Asked Shadow.
"They were there to gather hardcore evidence on Russia about possible war crimes that Vladiimir Putin and Russia have committed," said Velasquez.
"Okay, so what does this have to do with us?" Asked Striker.
"We were told that important documents got left behind in the emergency evacuation of the house," said Wulfric.
"I'm guessing that you want me and my team to go and retrieve these important documents?" Asked Deckard knowing full well where this was going to lead.
"Yes, I need you and your team to head to the Odesa International Airport in Odesa, Odesa Oblast, Ukraine. Once you get there, you guys do anything that is necessary to retrieve those documents as well as gather any new information about Storm's gang or the Blackgate Hellfire Club, do you understand," said Wulfric.
"Yes Sir!" Said the Task Force Wild Card team as they saluted to Wulfric, who saluted back. Deckard and his team prepared to leave, making sure that their weapons were loaded and ready and that all of their equipment was in working order.
"Alright boys, let's pay Russia a surprise visit," said Deckard as he and the others loaded everything onto the plane before blasting off into the sky on another mission.
However, unknown to any of them, this mission will be the team's last ride together.