"We'll be over the drop zone in 5."

Alright boys ... and girl let's get ready to rumble. You have any problem going first k1?

No sir. I was going to volunteer.

4

Gear up and O2 every one

3

Wish us luck guys

2

Line up

1

Go go go.

Reagan was the first to throw herself out of that plane. Feeling that rush of wind as she plummeted toward the ground felt so good. She'd missed it the 6 months she'd been out of commission. Before she knew it, she was being told to pull the cord. She did so, then floated down to the ground. She immediately went to her knees scanning for any threats.

Maria watch my back.

Bee bah. (Absolutely)

Eventually the rest of the team joined her on the ground. Supplies were put away and o2 was stashed away. Reagan stayed on overwatch the entire time. She even took out a couple of tangos along the way. All while pulling her own weight. Jason was impressed. Maybe official reports could be wrong. As the group pushed toward the target building Jason became even more impressed. She could walk backwards without losing her footing. Upon arrival everyone was told to get comfortable enough to sleep. Once Reagan heard everyone else either snoring or ignoring her she too was able to sleep.

The next morning she had agreed to take first watch. Reagan glanced down at the street through the camera Bravo had set up in their hiding spot on the balcony the night before. She also had her red alert camera going. So far everything was going smoothly, and she was hoping it would stay that way. Her career couldn't end if she didn't screw up. She was perfectly fine taking all watches. There was something about laying there with her rifle that soothed her. Switching time came and went but still Reagan lay there. People came and went below but still she lay there. Around lunchtime Ray brought a MRE and a water for her.

"Reagan. You need to switch with me so you can eat. You haven't eaten anything since Dinner last night."

"I'm good sir. I had a granola bar when I got up."

Reagan just ignored Ray. Ray wasn't to happy.

"That wasn't a suggestion, Petty Officer. Switch with me right now!"

"Yes sir!"

Reagan knew she wasn't going to be allowed to resume watch until she'd eaten the entire meal and drank the entire bottle of water. So she did so. Then she tried to replace Ray on watch. He wasn't having it. After seeing her trying to keep her cool and failing for 30 minutes Ray finally relented.

"These guys usually travel in pairs. I could use the help. You know. So we all make it out alive."

Watching her light up at that statement broke Ray's heart. She had worked 6 hours straight and still wanted to work. What are you hiding Reagan? Why do you want to work for so long? After another 20 minutes of silence Ray decided to breach the subject of what made Reagan want to be a SEAL.

"So what made you want made you want to be a SEAL."

"Oh when I signed up, I didn't. I thought I would cruise though being in the middle, if you get my gist. But then it became an f you thing to someone, but then I operated for the first time and fell in love with it. Now I can't see myself doing anything else with my life. Of course I hope to live to see retirement, but it's not something I look forward to anymore. My family knows what I do to an extent."

"Ah ok. I think retirement is something we all dread. And I don't think anyone of us here knew we'd be where we are now then. Except maybe Jason. But then again even he's changed."

"Yeah? I mean I've heard stories but I prefer not to listen to stories. I mean look at me."

"Oh? What do you mean?"

"I said that out loud? Forget I said anything. Oh we've got movement. Wait a minute..."

At this point Reagan ran from the window and got about 12ft away before losing her breakfast and lunch. Trent was on her in an instant. He offered her a water. She was about take it before she turns away to dry heave more. All Trent can do is rub circles on her back and wait for her to finish. When she was finished, she gratefully took the water bottle and downed it in a couple gulps.

Havoc hk 1 can you explain why I'm seeing ghosts?!

Say again?

Care to explain why I'm seeing ghosts?!

I literally just saw men who supposedly died in a raid 5 years ago while I was on leave!

Hang on a second... It's looking like a cover up of some sort. Mission's highly classified. Higher ups are saying that your main surveillance mission is done. Come back.

And leave them out there?! No f-ckin way. They've already lost 5 years of their lives.

Personally I'd agree with you, but the higher ups are saying to come back. We'll make a plan and come back for them. That's an order.

She looked to Bravo for support. Ray was saying a prayer, whether for the men or for guidance she didn't know. Sonny looked pissed as hell, Trent was packing and unpacking his med kit, Brock was unreadable, Clay looked like he could punch someone or something, and Jason looked conflicted.

No man left behind right? I left them behind when I thought they were dead. I won't leave them behind again. That's not who I am.

You don't need to argue your point with me. I'm all for what you're doing to bring them home. We have our orders. Although out here the final desion lies with me alone. I'm not going to make it an order. If you want to exfil I won't hold it against you. But if you want to stay I'm not going to hold it against you either. I'm staying.

Only easy day was yesterday, right?(Clay)

It's been 5 years, right? Who knows what injuries they have that need to be treated. I'm staying too. (Trent)

Tangos surely outnumber us. If you think I'm going to miss that kind of fight you're crazy. I'm staying. (Sonny)

Jace this looks too good to be true. I'm going if you're going. (Ray)

Brock you've been quiet. You coming or going?

Well ROE say it's now a Capture or Kill mission since American hostages are involved. We may need cerb to track. As you all are well aware we're a package deal. I'm in.

Good we're all in. Reagan what were you thinking in terms of a plan?

Oh um me? I... uh... I... don't think I'm the most qualified to be making that call. I'm just HK 1 after all.

Yeah true but you're still in charge of this rescue. These are your guys after all. Tell us how you would run it.

Well um first I would like to have satellite images to see what we're dealing with. Mia, think you can handle that?

Bee bup dah dee (Hell yea I can)

You have your own AI drone.

Yeah. Most team 7 teams do. She would have been retired if I left her behind. She's only about three years old. Why would I let her be retired when she's still got some years left in her?

There's no such thing as team 7.

That's where you're wrong. No one outside it's operators are supposed to know it exists. So not a word.

"So are you two bonded for life like me and cerb?" Brock asks.

"In a way. Unlike with k9 selection where the handler chooses the dog and their bonded for life, Mia chose me, and our bond is similar yet different. She's learned to recognize my voice out there, and take her orders from me. But if something happens to me in the field she can tell if I'm no longer alive. If that's the case she'll take her orders from my second, 'leaving' me behind. It'll also happen if she can't find me. So whatever team I end up on, someone will be bonding with her with me present."

@" That's so cool." Said Clay. "You said she's been active for three years. Have you two been bonded that entire time?"

"No actually. We've only been bonded officially for about 18 months. Which is the time I was on team 7. She was actually bonded to a gentleman before me. Unfortunately he and his entire team were caught in an ied building explosion. I knew when she attached herself to me even though I was miles away in another country. Double broke my heart but hey. That's the way it goes sometimes."

"Wow she back. That was fast."

"Yeah. Sorry I'm a very visual person.

Have any of you ever zipline exfilled before?"

"Zipline exfil? I don't think think so."

"Oh man it's the most invigorating feeling ever. When you're not getting shot at that is. I love it. Also the fastest way to get to point b from point a. So I was thinking we could put two of our best shooters on the roof with me to take out the guards, the rest would be waiting on the ground for us. We move in together in case there are more guards. Then we can free our fellow Americans."

"Wow. Just wow."

"That's normally how we have it done. Only we only have two shooters."

"Well then let's do it."