Eli:
Elliott "Eli" Crawley sat on the back hatch of the Range Rover he had driven to observe the defection of five of his brothers and sisters in Team Rainbow to the private military company called NightHaven He contemplated the why's and why's not, and the only conclusions he could make that it was scientific research, personal curiosity, or just selfishness.
He saw Ela making her way across the pavement through the loyal operators, and towards Kali, the leader of NightHaven, Zofia grabbed Ela's arm, and Eli couldn't hear what was being said but the younger sister jerked her arm free and kept walking.
Ela turned her head and noticed Eli staring at her with his best neutral face. When his old prosthetic was broken by Apha in that sparing match unknowingly that he had it, Ela herself was dealing with a leg injury that required her to use crutches, she sat with Eli and even drew a portrait of him which she did with every operator on the team.
Ela smiled a genuine smile at him, telling him she would miss him, and this caused him to relax a little, but his face never changed, but he did dip his head slightly to her.
Eli felt the side of the vehicle shake slightly, and when he looked, he saw it was Daryll Gibbons with one of his few remaining cigars jammed into the side of his mouth. He had been given those cigars by his old Marsoc unit before coming to team Rainbow.
"This is bullshit." Daryll said his eyes, never leaving the display in front of him, Eli knew what he meant since he too thought it was bullshit but he needed to be the adult in this situation.
"You don't have to like it." Eli said, and both men echoed the rest of the saying together. "You just have to suck it." Daryll removed his lighter from the breast pocket of his Marpat BDUs and lit the expensive cigar filling the air with sweet tobacco smoke.
Daryll held the cigar out, and Eli took it using the burning end to light a cigar he had in his breast pocket. It wasn't the Cohiba Daryll was smoking, but he enjoyed them none the less.
Daryll himself was conflicted about all this. He kept his eyes on Lera, who had been one of his constant sparring partners over the years but decided to go her own way.
"Malcolm should be here." Eli said, adjusting his m9a4 on his thigh. He knew his friend was hurting right now, and when Harry confined him to base, Eli knew that it wouldn't do him any good.
"If Malcolm was here, there's a good chance this would've turned bloody, and we're here to make sure that doesn't happen." Daryll said, looking in the back of the range rover where both his and Eli's rifles sat. They were the only ones allowed to leave base armed.
"We got company." Eli said, jumping off the back gate, his prosthetic sending up a splash of water from the previous rain shower.
Daryll saw Monika Weiss jogging over to them. She was wearing a grey sweatshirt with the word "ARMY" across the chest. They knew it belonged to Malcolm as well as the baseball hat that had the state of Texas stitched across the front.
"I guess this is it." Monika said, putting on a sad smile.
"Guess so." Eli looked over the Germans' shoulder to see everyone was staring at them. "Let's make this quick."
"Okay, please just take care of Malcolm, I know this is hurting him, but I'm doing this for us." Monika said, causing Daryll to scowl.
"Did you take into consideration what he wanted?" Daryll asked, and Eli turned to face him.
"That's not right man, you know they talked about it extensively." Eli said as Monika looked down at her shoes. Eli opened his arms to the conflicted German woman. "Come here." Monika wrapped her arms around Eli, trying not to crush her with his advanced strength.
"I'm gonna miss you both." Monika said, pulling away and opening her arms to Daryll, who just looked at her with the cigar burning in his mouth. "I know you're mad, Daryll, but I still think you are a great man and a good friend."
This broke Daryll, and he embraced the shorter woman who was always kind to him no matter what he did. "Don't be a stranger, Monika."
Both men watched as she jogged back towards the other group of vehicles. Eli watched Sam, Zofia, and the other operators make their way towards their vehicles. He clapped Daryll on the shoulder and headed to the front of the vehicle for the long drive home.
"Malcolm brother, I hope you're doing okay right now." Daryll muttered before dropping his smoked cigar in a puddle and smashed it with a boot.
Harry:
Harishva "Harry" Pandey stood outside the door of the dorm room in the barracks inside the base at Hereford in the UK. He never expected this program would last this long, but here he was. He also wasn't expecting it to backfire the way it did either, but again, here he was.
He thought glumly, "This is what happens when you put some of the most elite special operators together and try to make them get along."
He pushed that to the back of his mind and knocked twice on the door. After several seconds of hearing nothing, he waved his key card over the electric lock, and it gave a click.
Opening the door and sticking his head inside, he could feel the dark depressed mood inside, but he knew he needed to talk to him.
Malcolm Talbert sat on the couch in the middle of the room he had his head tilted towards the ceiling with his long brown hair hanging over the back of the couch. From the smell of the room, Harry knew he had been smoking cigarettes consistently since the team left.
He remembered reading his personal medical file that he used to chain smoke in the Army.
"How are you doing, my friend?" Harry asked, and Malcolm never looked away from the ceiling. Making his way inside the room, he saw that everything was still the same, same queen bed, same pictures on the walls, still the same faint smell of lavender that Monika like but it was competing with the tobacco smoke.
Malcolm didn't say anything, but Harry grabbed one of the two dining chairs from the small kitchenette and sat down beside the coffee table. Harry noticed two white envelopes sitting on the coffee table, one with Malcolm's name and on with his.
It was the same focused handwriting of Monika Weiss, and beside it was a boxy tablet that contained all the pictures the couple had taken over the years and out them in the digital picture frame, it was face down.
"Is this where you try to help me get over what happened?" Malcolm asked, causing Harry to jump slightly when he looked into his friends now cold eyes.
Harry removed a plastic flask from the side pocket of his cargo pants and tossed it under handed to Malcolm, who caught it before it landed on the overflowing ashtray on his lap.
Removing the glass bowl from his lap and setting it on the coffee table, Malcolm unscrewed the lid and brought it to his nose.
"No, this is where I come sit with a friend in need." Harry said as Malcolm took a slug from the flask and inhaled deeply as the burn worked its was down. "Eighteen year single malt."
"Harry, I appreciate what you're doing, but I had almost a full month to prepare for this, I helped her pack, remove her gear from the armory and tech workshop and loaded it on the tilt rotor Kali sent." Malcolm said, leaving out the part where he threatened to kill Kali if he saw her again
"So you're telling me that you are fine now that's it's over and done with?" Harry asked, doubting what he just heard.
"I'm squared away. She didn't leave me. She just chose a different job in a manner of speaking." Malcolm said, putting on a fake smile.
"Fine, two are gonna play at this game." Harry thought, faking a stressed exhale. "That's good. I was worried that you would be spiraling into an even further depression." Harry said as Malcolm grinned again.
"So, do you mind checking on Dominic, Yumiko, and Jordan for me? You are an advisor for the unit, and I need to submit a report for NATO and the UN informing them that everything went off without a problem." Harry asked, and Malcolm nodded, taking another drink before offering the flask back to Harry.
"No need." Harry said, waving his hand at the flask. "You might need it for what's next. Be sure I get a report before 0900 tomorrow, I want to host an assembly after lunch." Harry rose from his chair and collected his envelope from the coffee table before exiting the dorm.
"Damn it." He heard when he shut the door behind him.
Daryll:
Daryll rode in the left passenger seat of the range rover, watching the taillights of the Tahoe in front of them. Sam Fisher was driving the vehicle in front with Mike Baker, while behind them, they were being followed by an identical vehicle driven by Eliza Cohen with Zofia Bosak as the passenger.
"You're being quiet." Eli said, drumming his fingers across the steering wheel in tune with the rock song being played on the radio.
"Can't a man be quiet and enjoy a ride with his thoughts." Daryll said, looking to Eli, who smiled, and his eye crinkles smiled as well.
"Anybody but you, bro." Eli said as Daryll stared to rotate the plain gold band on his left ring finger. "So when's the wedding?"
Daryll finally spilled the beans that he and Emma had been engaged to each other since Daryll's first day at Hereford. "We don't know, we know we want the wedding in the States, and our honeymoon will be in France." Daryll said, remembering the look on Emma's face when he pulled the little black box out of his pocket.
"I'm happy for you." Eli said, holding out a fist to Daryll, who bumped it. "I've been thinking about asking Sanaa."
Daryll grinned at his larger friend. "Gonna let her make an honest man out of you." This time, Eli shoved Daryll, but the horsing around stopped when the radio cut out with an incoming call from Harry.
Eli hit the green button and greeted their commander. "Yes, sir, we'll be back at base in about two hours." Eli said before hanging up, and Daryll went back to staring out the window again.
Malcolm:
Malcolm exited his now lonely apartment with the flask in the pocket of his cargo shorts. He made his away across the hall to the room, now solely occupied by Jordan Trace.
Malcolm knocked twice on the door, and it opened, revealing Jordan, who was wearing his long sleeve blue button-up and a pair of black tactical pants.
"Malcolm." Jordan said, leaning against the door frame, Malcolm could see the puffiness around his eyes and could tell he had been crying.
"Jordan, plan on going somewhere?" Malcolm asked, gesturing to his attire.
"Planning on heading down to the range. Do you plan on playing shrink?" Jordan asked, and Malcolm had never heard him speak so coldly. Malcolm removed the flask and offered it to him. Jordan took it and downed a swig without checking it.
"Gotta check on my men. We're all a little under stress right now." Malcolm said, taking the flask back and returning it to his pocket.
"Well, what about you? How are you doing?" Jordan said, crossing his arms. Malcolm smiled outwardly, but inside, all he wanted to do was be left alone and figure out how he felt now that the woman he loved was potentially on the enemies' side.
"All squared away, Jordan." Malcolm said, slapping his friend on the shoulder. "Now go make some steel ring." Malcolm headed the opposite way Jordan went and headed to the next room on his journey.
Eli:
Pulling the Range Rover into its parking spot, Eli put the vehicle into park and exited with Daryll, who handed Eli his ACR.
The first thing Eli noticed was Sam Fisher power walking his way out of the garage, ducking under the lowering door, causing the British soldier to stop in fear of hitting the veteran operator.
"What's his problem?" Daryll asked, slinging his rifle over his shoulder.
Eli shrugged. "Bathroom maybe, he is older than us both." Both men laughed.
"I'm heading to the cage. Are you coming?" Daryll asked as Eli played with the keys in his hand.
"Gotta turn these in, I'll be there as soon as I'm done." Eli said as Daryll started to head his way towards the door, followed by Zofia.
Eli made his way to the office in the back corner of the garage. When he walked into the office, he was hit by a heated discussion.
"They're all fucking traitors now." Mike Baker said writing the vehicles miles and fuel consumption from the trip.
"Yes, but they are all our friends, and three of them were with us since the beginning." Eliza said as they both noticed Eli standing in the doorway.
"Don't mind me." Eli said, making his way to the keybox hanging on the wall. After returning the keys, he made his way to the logbook when he noticed Mike had left, but Eliza had stayed. "What is it, Eliza?"
"I just want to know if it would've turned sideways on us that I'd have your back." Eliza said as Eli placed the clipboard back on the desk.
Eli looked at the woman who raised the corner of her shirt, revealing her FN 57 and two extra mags tucked in her waistband in a holster.
"God-" Eli stopped before using his lords name in vain. "Damnit, Eliza, you were ordered to leave base unarmed." Eli said, and the red-headed operator crossed her arms.
"So you and Daryll would've been able to cover everyone if everything kicked off." Eliza said, and Eli grounded his teeth.
"We were there in case either side attacked, not just NightHaven." Eli said, causing Eliza to take a step back.
"So you would've killed me if I tried to kill Kali?" She asked, and Eli started moving towards the door where Eliza moved to partially block it. "Well?"
"Don't put me in that position." Eli said, shoving his way past her.
Malcolm:
Malcolm stood outside the second door he needed to knock on tonight. He knew this one would be difficult. Dominic Brunsmeier has been a complicated individual since he joined team Rainbow, his undercover operation with the RAF took a chunk of his soul with him.
When he met Ela and they formed a strong bond over the years, always looking out for each other, now that she's gone, he didn't know the mental state of the German GSG9 operator.
Knocking on the door for a second time, Malcolm dug his keycard from his back pocket and waited another minute before swiping the card over the reader.
Opening the door, he was hit by a wave of dark emotions, the feeling someone gives off when you know they are depressed. Malcolm looked around and didn't notice Dom until he took another look around and noticed that he wasn't sitting on the couch, but in-between the couch and coffee table.
Making his way to him, Malcolm noticed the table had a familiar sketchbook sitting on its wooden surface, picking it up. Malcolm realized that it was the book Ela put her sketches of the operators of team Rainbow.
He flipped through the book, seeing the names written on colored tabs, red for attackers, blue for defenders, and green for the senior staff and advisors.
Malcolm stopped on the picture of Monika. It was so realistic that he had to swallow back the emotions that tried to rise to the surface.
She was sitting on a bench in one of the courtyards wearing her favorite green workout outfit. He remembered when she had gotten it. It was a simpler time. She had her legs extended with her feet cross with a large smile on her face.
He noticed that in the upper left of the picture was an outline of the state of Texas in yellow pencil. He didn't know if Ela put it there or Monika had.
"Keep going." Dom said from his sitting position on the floor. Malcolm looked down to see the bald man staring at him with puffy red eyes. Malcolm sat down beside him and flipped to the defender section.
He passed Jäger's photo and expected to see Dom's, but he was surprised to see the exaggerated glory of Tachanka sit upon a throne. Dom's picture was gone. He could see where the picture was carefully taken out of the book.
Malcolm closed the book and sat it back on the table, then he removed the flask again and handed it to Dom, who took a large swig from it, when he handed it back to Malcolm, Dom lost his fight and began to sob quietly.
Malcolm wrapped an arm around him and held his friend close to him. He lost his battle as well and let his tears fall.
Daryll:
Daryll had finished securing his gear when Eli entered the cage that they shared with Malcolm. Eli looked like he had downed a shot of vinegar, and someone offered him a second.
"You good?" Daryll asked, leaning against his workbench.
"Eliza went out of the base armed, asked me if we would've killed her if she tried to kill Kali." Eli said, depositing his rifle and pistol into his weapon locker.
Daryll worked his jaw from side to side. "You going to tell Harry?" Daryll asked as Eli slammed his locker shut.
"Don't know yet. All I know is that things are bound to get complicated with people wondering if they should follow the others in leaving.
"Maybe they're right." Daryll said, getting the side eye from Daryll. "Seriously dude, what are we doing now that the Masks are gone? The invitational was the thing that sparked this whole mess to begin with."
Eli raised his hand, stopping his friend. "Okay, I can see your point. What's the reason to have a bunch of operators sitting around if we don't have a target anymore." Eli said, rubbing his chin.
"Exactly." Daryll said, patting him on the shoulder. "Well, I'm going to head to bed. See you tomorrow, Eli." Daryll said, exiting the cage.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow." Eli said, thinking about what he would do if the team was dissolved. Would he go back to Alabama, maybe go to Florida and work for the security company that let him use their facility. Whatever he did, he would go where Sanaa went.
Malcolm:
Malcolm didn't bother knocking this time. He just opened the door and called Yumi's name. The Japanese woman was curled up on her couch with her red jacket wrapped around her like it was holding her together.
She didn't look up when he entered or even acknowledged that he was there. Malcolm walked around to see a pair of dark sunglasses sitting on the coffee table facing towards her. Malcolm knew they belonged to Jack and wondered why he left his trademark look behind.
Malcolm sat down on the coffee table, pushing the shades behind him, causing her to look at him with surprise.
"Sorry I didn't hear you come in." Yumi said, rising slowly and removing her hood. The black hair she kept short flowed, unkempt, and scraggly.
"I know the awnser already, but how you feeling Yumi?" Malcolm asked, knowing the rock solid woman who went with him to Morocco wasn't here right now.
Instead of awnsering him, she reached inside her jacket and handed him her phone. Malcolm read the texts Jack had been sending her, and there were mentions of going to find himself that it would be in both their best interests if they split up and severed contact with each other.
"Damn it, Jack." Malcolm said quietly. He removed the flask and felt that it was almost empty. He contemplated taking a drink himself but held it out for her.
She took the flask and drained it without reacting. "It's like the years we spent together didn't mean anything to him." Yumi said, handing the flask back to Malcolm, but he sat it on the table.
"I'm so sorry, Yumi." Malcolm said as the woman just stared at the floor.
"I'm sorry about Monika." Yumi said. She didn't ask him if he was okay, but she definitely knew what he was going through.
"It'll be okay. We'll get through this together." Malcolm said, taking one of her small hands in his, giving it a comforting squeeze.
"Can I ask you for a favor? Yumi asked, and Malcolm nodded. "Can you stay with me tonight? I don't know if I can sleep without someone here." Yumi said as Malcolm nodded, and she allowed him to sit on the couch before resting a head on his shoulder.