01:45:20, Russian Airspace, after losing contact with Task Force 141, Overlord and Battle Captain track them down via ISR and find out where Laswell is taking them next. While waiting, Bishop shares the fact that The Forever Winter Project has been deployed once for testing during the worst combat tour of his career.

Battle Captain: We're tracking Task Force 141 as we speak. They won't escape our line of sight. We'll find out where Laswell is gonna take them next. All you can do is be ready for an immediate redeployment.

Nomad: Understood, Battle Captain. We'll be set.

Chaos: No way The Forever Winter Project can run that successfully without previous testing. The Moscow population attack is no isolated incident. I'm sure of it.

Bishop: You're right, it isn't. And I happen to know the day of its first test all too well.

Chaos: You do?

Chemo: Bishop, you gonna tell everyone what you told Helen and I?

Bishop: Because of our busy schedule, I couldn't share the history of Lieutenant Andrei Nolan without disrupting Operation Western Retribution's prep work. Now... *breath trembles*

Chaos: It's okay, Bishop. Take your time. Chemo, can you tell us instead if Bishop doesn't want to?

Bishop: No, don't worry, I can do it. *exhales* Here it is. The worst combat tour of my career. September 30th, 2018.

September 30th, 2018 - 10:29:50, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Captain Ned 'Bishop' White was recovering from an injured back after an I.E.D. explosion in a previous stint. Because he could not operate for a while, Major Donovan Finnley Spencer, an old friend of his and the only CO he personally trusted who is not Colonel Edwin 'Hunter Killer' Huntley, volunteered to take his place in the field until he becomes combat effective again.

Accompanying Spencer on the first op of Bishop's eighth tour of duty were Lieutenant Andrei Nolan himself and a 48-man Australian Army 1st Bn., Royal Australian Regiment platoon.

8 YEARS AGO

AFGHANISTAN

Bishop: (narration) The first op of my dreadful eighth tour was a supply mission for an Afghan National Army element in Kandahar. Unfortunately, I suffered a serious back injury from an I.E.D. back in a previous stint. And because A.S.I.S. (Australian Secret Intelligence Service) and the C.I.A. needed the best Aussies in their corner immediately, Major Donovan Finnley Spencer, an old friend of mine and the only CO I can personally trust who isn't Hunter Killer, volunteered to take my place alongside Andrei and 48 good men and women from the 1st Bn., Royal Australian Regiment. And before you ask because he used to get this a lot, yes, he is related to the late Lady Diana Frances Spencer. He even believed that his aunt got killed by the Deep State, let alone mere foul play.

--

The Forever Winter Project

30th September, 2018 - 10:30:50

MAJ. Donovan Finnley Spencer

Australian S.A.S.R., 1st Bn., Royal Australian Regiment

Kandahar, Afghanistan

--

Bishop: (narration) It was supposed to be a routine ally support gig. Low risk. Everyone gets home in time for lunch. *sighs* I still wish I was there for them. I still wish it was me and not them. Let me explain.

Andrei: (flashback) Tell me. Do you think your aunt, Lady Diana, should've lived, or do you think her time came that night?

Spencer: (flashback) For the sake of my parents, my family, of course, she should've lived. But... a part of me believes that God told her it was time to go. And with how easy it is for public figures to get destroyed by reasons both within and beyond their control nowadays, I don't blame Him. Besides, the Deep State wouldn't have stopped making her life and the lives of her family, children and grandchildren miserable if she survived.

Andrei: (flashback) That complicated. Sorry for asking.

Spencer: (flashback) (off comms) Don't be. It helps dull the stress of the childhood trauma of watching my mum and dad cry and feign suicidal thoughts for weeks in our old life at London and our new one at Sydney. (on comms) Reaper 0-1 to Hunter Killer and Bishop, Kilo 1 and Kilo 2 are touching down as we speak. We're about to kick this supply run off, over.

Hunter Killer: (flashback) Roger that, Reaper 0-1. Nothing's changed. Carry on, over.

Bishop: (flashback) Try to make this fast, Reaper 0-1. With the incoming sandstorm, I don't like this shit.

Spencer: (flashback) Nor I, Bishop. We'll be on our guard, over.

Laswell: (flashback) Reaper 0-1, this is Watcher. You can make it quick, but do NOT fail. The Afghan National Army is worth more to me than every man and woman you have under your command at the moment, over.

Spencer: (flashback) (on comms) Roger that, Watcher. We will not fail. You have my personal guarantee. 0-1, out. (off comms) Deep State cocksucker. What's stopping her from using Captain John Price for wiping her arse if she loves him so much?

Nolan: (flashback) *laughs* Jesus, sir, you kill me. You really do. *exhales* Here they are.

Spencer: (flashback) Eyes sharp, ladies and gents. This is it. Reaper Team 1, on us.

LT. Kingston/Reaper 1-1: (flashback) Yes, sir. *signals to get in formation*

After a minute or so of waiting, Reaper 0-1/Spencer, Reaper 0-2/Andrei, Reaper Team 1, which was led by Lieutenant Felicity Kingston, Reaper Team 2, Reaper Team 3, Reaper Team 4, Reaper Team, 5, Reaper Team 6, Reaper Team 7 and Reaper Team 8 formed up, met Marshal Farah Karim and General Hadir Karim, and loaded their foreign aid in the Afghan National Army convoy behind them. While the Australian Army appreciated the speed of the transaction, they did not know why else were Farah, Hadir and their soldiers in a hurry.

Spencer: (flashback) Morning, Marshal, General. *extends right hand* I'm Major Finnley Spencer. The commander of this platoon.

Farah: (flashback) *shakes Spencer's hand* Marshal Farah Karim. This is my second in command: General Hadir Karim. Where are the papers?

Hadir: (flashback) *shakes Spencer's hand* Captain John Price said we can trust you.

Spencer: (flashback) We watch your backs, you watch ours, right? Here, Marshal. *gives delivery papers to Farah*

Hadir: (flashback) We have to. Our enemies grow stronger everyday.

Farah: (flashback) Just like the sandstorm behind us... and the chaos it holds. It was a pleasure doing business with you. We will make sure these supplies will be put to good use. *gives delivery papers back to Spencer*

Spencer: (flashback) Excellent. *nods*

LT. Kingston: *nods back* Load 'em up! Double-time it if you wanna beat the storm!

Andrei: (flashback) Hot damn. I haven't seen a supply run go this fast in a long while.

Spencer: (flashback) Yeah, well, no one likes to get trapped and lost in a storm. *checks watch* Exactly 1 minute? Most impressive, Reaper Platoon.

[Reaper Platoon cheers]

LT. Kingston: (flashback) Hunter Killer, this is Reaper 1-1. Cargo is in friendly hands. I say again, cargo is in friendly hands. Afghan National Army contacts are on their way home as we speak. How copy, over?

Hunter Killer: (flashback) Good copy, Reaper 1-1. Now—

[static]

LT. Kingston: (flashback) Hunter Killer? Hunter Killer, say again your last.

[static]

LT. Kingston: (flashback) Major, I've lost contact with Hunter Killer even though the storm isn't here yet. What gives?

Spencer: (flashback) (off comms) Huh, weird. (on comms) Hunter Killer, Bishop, Watcher, this is Reaper 0-1. Come—

[Dragunov SVD fire]

Andrei: (flashback) KINGSTON!

Spencer: (flashback) SNIPER, GET DOWN!

Reaper 1-2: (flashback) MAN DOWN! MAN DOW—

[L86 LSW SOCOM fire]

Reaper 2-1: (flashback) Taliban on our 6 o'— Wait! Who are these guys—

[AKM fire]

[EF88 Austeyr fire]

[F89 Minimi fire]

[HK417 fire]

Reaper 3-1: (flashback) We got Afghan civilians in the mix! They're armed with sharp objects and gunning for—

[Pitchfork hit]

[Reaper 3-1 painfully screams]

Reaper 4-1: (flashback) Civilians?! How?! Kandahar is supposed to be friendly!

[Kitchen Knife hit]

[Reaper 4-1 painfully grunts]

Reaper 5-1: (flashback) Support Reaper Teams 1 to 4! They're getting—

[AKS-74U fire]

Reaper 6-1: (flashback) NO—

[PMM fire]

Reaper 7-1: (flashback) Get 'em off our—

[Machete hit]

Reaper 8-1: (flashback) Major, Lieutenant, we're surrounded and outnumbered! Go while you still—

[PKP Pecheneg fire]

Spencer: (flashback) Screw it! Kill 'em! KILL ALL GUNNING FOR YOU!

[FN40GL MK2 fire]

[explosion]

[Afghan Crowd painfully screams]

[Taliban Terrorists painfully scream]

Andrei: (flashback) This is fucked, sir! The thing is blown!

Spencer: (flashback) Hey! You wanna live?! Tell me you wanna live! We'll work this out!

In the blink of an eye, the entire population of Kandahar went homicidal on Reaper Platoon just as the sandstorm arrived, with Lieutenant Felicity Kingston being the first victim. And the Taliban, who were hiding around and not being attacked for some reason, made the already messed up situation even worse by joining in on the surprise hunt for Australian lives.

A minute of unorthodox urban warfare later, Spencer and Andrei found themselves as the last Reapers standing in the city. However, in spite of the ongoing horror show, Reaper 0-1 still tried his hardest to keep his cool, protect Reaper 0-2, and figure out who or what was behind the whole thing.

Spencer: (flashback) Reaper Platoon?! Someone?! Anyone?!

Andrei: (flashback) Is that all of 'em?!

Spencer: (flashback) I don't know!

Andrei: (flashback) What the fucking hell are we gonna do now?!

Spencer: (flashback) Stay sharp and close! And don't get sloppy! Only shoot what you can see!

Andrei: (flashback) We need to find a place to hide!

Spencer: (flashback) Or the way out of the city! Taliban knew we were here! Real question is, how did they get Kandahar to turn against us?! No way you can do that without time and help from our side!

Andrei: (flashback) Wait! You think we were set up?!

Spencer: (flashback) That's my best explanation! Maybe even the only one!

Andrei: (flashback) Maybe, but—

Spencer: (flashback) Come on! I see the outskirts! We'll come back for our dead and payback once the storm's gone!

Andrei: (flashback) Copy! On—

[Afghan Male 1 growls]

Andrei: (flashback) Huh! Where are you?

[Afghan Male 2 growls]

Andrei: (flashback) Shit!

Spencer: (flashback) 3 o'clock! *kicks Andrei away*

[Pitchfork hit]

[Spencer painfully screams]

[EF88 Austeyr fire]

Andrei: (flashback) SPENCER! *dodges* GET OFF OF HIM!

[Machete hit]

[Spencer painfully screams]

[USP Tactical fire]

Just as he found the way out of Kandahar, Spencer saved Andrei from an incoming Afghan Male with a Pitchfork, but got mortally wounded and pinned by one charging Afghan Female with a Pitchfork of her own and another one with a Machete. Reaper 0-2 returned fire and tried to save his commanding officer and good friend only to be jumped and surrounded by other emotionless, bloodthirsty civilians.

Even though he was able to kill the ladies trying to murder him, Reaper 0-1 knew that the only way for Andrei to survive was to leave him behind and run for it. So...

[L86 LSW SOCOM fire]

Spencer: (flashback) *reloads* Are you still functional?!

Andrei: (flashback) Yeah... barely!

Spencer: (flashback) *throws L86 LSW SOCOM to Andrei* Then run for HQ, Andrei! You gotta get the hell out of here!

Andrei: (flashback) Don't say that! I ain't gonna just leave you, Finnley!

Spencer: (flashback) *waves Andrei off* JUST GO! GO! LIVE! THAT'S AN ORDER!

[footsteps advance]

Spencer: (flashback) JUST... *painfully groans* go.

Andrei: (flashback) *looks back* No. No! NOOOO!

[Flash Grenade detonation]

[EF88 Austeyr fire]

Andrei: (flashback) FUCK YOU, AFGHANISTAN! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU VERY MUCH!

[FN40GL MK2 fire]

[explosion]

Andrei: (flashback) I'M STANDING HERE! FINISH ME IF YOU CAN!

[Frag Grenade detonation]

[L86 LSW SOCOM fire]

Andrei: (flashback) FUCKING DIE! ALL OF YOU!

[USP Tactical fire]

However, despite having an exit, Reaper 0-2 disobeyed Spencer's order and fought the entire city. And when the battle ended, he actually lived and won against all odds.

But it did not matter to him because Major Donovan Finnley Spencer died keeping him safe with his sidearm until he lost all his blood and drew his last breath.

Andrei: (flashback) Spencer? Spencer, I think that's all of— SPENCER! Finnley! *checks Spencer* *heavily breathes* No. No, Finnley, noooo. *cries*

Bishop: (narration) Comms were down, sandstorm was raging, ISR was offline, plug was pulled, and the rest is history. Other than our alphabetical agencies' treachery, which they've disguised as incompetence and cowardice, Finnley's death contributed greatly in breaking Andrei. This fact was from his Ultranationalist file. We got it from GRU. And I still wonder why it was them lying dead over there and not just me instead. Why do we have to unfairly suffer the worst consequences imaginable when other people don't get their way all the time?

Chaos: We are so sorry.

Nomad: We'll give you a group hug when we land.

[Bishop nods]

Overlord: Task Force Rogue, this is Overlord. Task Force 141 has returned to their black site base of operations in the Hindu Kush. Standby, over.

At that moment, Andrei lost faith in Australia and disappeared into the tempest after mourning for a few minutes and returning Spencer's LMG. Present Day, Task Force Rogue comforts Bishop and Overlord and Battle Captain give some updates on Task Force 141 and Watcher's movements.

Colonel MacMillan: Exfil's en route now, Alpha Team, Red Coat. Should be here in a few minutes, so ready yourselves. Callsign is Wildfire.

Red Coat: Roger that.

Laswell: MacMillan, Alpha Team, Red Coat, good to see you all.

Colonel MacMillan: And you. How are you?

Laswell: Terrible, I'm afraid. We have Task Force Rogue problems, Ultranationalist problems and World War 3 problems. You know how things have been.

Colonel MacMillan: Word travels fast and all that.

Laswell: Look, I'll be straight with you.

Colonel MacMillan: That's a first.

Laswell: Ha ha. I can overlook the friendly and somewhat cooperative interaction you had with the Rogues. Because the shit is about to go down. We can either survive like the Vietnamese and the terrorists we failed to kill, or we can collapse into nothing like the empires before us. THAT is reality. But Task Force 141 and I can't do it alone and one place at a time. I need to redeploy you and your men.

Colonel MacMillan: Here we go.

Laswell: Fuck you. I looked out for all of you. And I'll make sure to get your lives back. You don't have to be dead men walking anymore. But I need you to do something. It's obvious that it was Task Force Rogue who saved you from my bosses' hit squads all those years ago. And it's obvious that you got close to them. Could you... lure Task Force Rogue into a death trap?

Colonel MacMillan: NO. We don't stab our friends in the back. You think we're just spook operators who'll do wetwork without question or thoughts on the target?

Laswell: I know. But THIS is real. I need you.

Colonel MacMillan: Real?! What the fuck is real?! Real because it's you?! Real because it's our leaders who are miles away from where we are?!

Laswell: Real because it's our last chance!

Colonel MacMillan: But you have the best of the best at your disposal. What are you so worried about?

Laswell: I'm worried about us underestimating Task Force Rogue for too long!

Colonel MacMillan: That sounds like a you problem. So good luck.

Laswell: No! I need you to get rid of the Rogues for good. We can't afford any more room for error in hunting Makarov because of them. I looked out for you, you know. My bosses in the C.I.A., MI6 and our other international partners wanted to finish what they started with you, but I said no. Now, I need you. John, Soap, Kyle, Ghost, Warren, Terrence and Isaiah need you. And I'll give you your freedom and lives back.

Colonel MacMillan: Kind offer, Laswell. Really, it is. But we have to politely decline by quitting. We still serve free countries—

Laswell: NOT ON MY WATCH, YOU'RE NOT, YOU STUPID, OLD FART! I'M NOT ASKING YOU! I'M ORDERING YOU TO DO THIS!

[3 second pause]

Laswell: Get over your principles. War isn't about friends. It's about enemies. You know that. Pixiedust knows that. Do it, or you and me are gonna have a problem!

[Alpha Team ft. Red Coat slowly and coldly looks at Laswell]

Laswell: *sighs* Look. Men and women from our special operations groups will look after you and do all the dirty work. You won't even have to personally deal with the fucking Rogues.

Wildfire: Alpha 6, this is Wildfire on the tarmac. We're waiting for the go-ahead to extract you and your men, sir, over.

Colonel MacMillan: (on comms) Glad to hear you, Wildfire. We're coming to you now, over. (off comms) Let's go.

Laswell: MacMillan! MACMILLAN! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! YOU'RE NOT SERVING A FREE COUNTRY AS LONG AS I'M AROUND!

Captain Price: They were never strong and realistic enough to do what's necessary.

Laswell: Guess I learned that the hard way.

Sandman: But we are. We will always be strong and realistic enough to do what needs to be done. Don't worry.

Laswell: Soap? Ghost?

Soap: Well... someone's gotta watch your backs... right?

Ghost: We don't leave anyone behind. And... no one fights alone.

Laswell: *smiles* Okay, let's brief up.

Soap: (quietly) Gloves.

[Ghost gives Soap a Skeleton Glove]

[Soap pickpockets Captain Price's smartphone]

After being given an order they cannot accept, Colonel MacMillan, Red Coat, Gaz, Cypher, Ridley, Wallcroft, Griffen and Burns choose to stop playing Laswell's sick game, quitting and leaving Task Force 141 while they still can via Wildfire, a Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas Alpha 6 summoned before arriving back in Afghanistan. But despite the corrupted morals and ideals all over the place, Captain Price, Kyle, Sandman, Truck and Grinch still stick with Watcher through thick and thin.

And Soap and Ghost have no choice but to do the same because they still care about Bravo 6 and Bravo 7's well-being. Maybe more than they could ever dare to realize as Hotel 6, with help from Hotel 7's Skeleton Glove in order to avoid leaving fingerprints, pickpockets his CO and old friend's smartphone and sends a text message to Colonel MacMillan.

Captain Price: (text message) It's Soap and Ghost. Help.

Colonel MacMillan: Pixiedust, go secure.

Pixiedust: Secured. Carry on.

Colonel MacMillan: Use access code: European Ranger. Get us a secure line to asset: Hunter 2-4.