02:27:21, despite the fact that he may have once seen himself and Kane in Major Shadi and Conrad as he held the latter at gunpoint, Taylor forgets about it and the fact that he found common ground with Shadow for the first time and returns to his preferred comfort zone: the mission. And the W.A.S.F. Wetworks Division's best team's C.I.A. liason officer helps with that over comms after formulating an air raid on the Cairo Mobile Water Refineries, also known as the Aquifers, with Khalil and the other commanders of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
SHADOW: *cleans his Drakon* Morning, Captain. At least you're not a heavy sleeping beauty this time.
TAYLOR: Hey, I can control my heavy sleeping.
SHADOW: *laughs* Yeah, I'm gonna have to see that first.
KANE: Prep to move out at 03:30. We're launching an air assault on the Aquifer drilling platforms where we believe Stone, Fierro, Chase and Jackson are holed up. Once again, we've got the full support of the Egyptian Army.
TAYLOR: How do they do it, Kane? Even under the grip of the N.R.C. occupation, they don't lose hope.
SHADOW: Freedom is a beautiful and powerful thing. We didn't lose hope under The British Empire's oppression or when they burned the White House.
KANE: Sadly for you, Shadow, Egypt's underdog story is far more compelling and believable than America's. Maybe one day, the W.A. can repay their allegiance and give them the support they deserve.
SHADOW: *shakes head* Globalist bitch.
TAYLOR: Why can't you trust her, Shadow?
SHADOW: She, like Egypt, is an ally. And allies do not equal to friends. Friends are with us and not against us. Allies may not be against us, but they are also not with us. And trust is for friends only.
TAYLOR: What about Shadi?
SHADOW: Don't you dare bring Shadi into this. He's our friend, not our tool. And a true friend, as a matter of fact. No matter how much you and Kane try to sugarcoat Khalil and his piggery.
TAYLOR: Whatever. No matter how much common ground we might find, I won't ever agree with you.
SHADOW: Agree to disagree. Like I said, I'm sick and tired of butting heads with you.
Before the mission briefing of the JAAT is disseminated, Aphrodite approaches Vanguard 1-2 for a short talk about his decision to not kill Vanguard 2-4 immediately and allow Vanguard 1-6 to capture and imprison her instead.
KANE: Tell me exactly what happened when you were preparing to kill Conrad.
TAYLOR: At first, I thought I couldn't explain it yet, but now... I think I can. Before I got my MR6 out, she told me to kill her so that you and the C.I.A. would get off the W.A.S.F.'s back. The same thing Ramirez told Hendricks after his questioning. And Special Agent Alison Stone agreed with her. She wanted us to kill her right away. But then I realized this and saw this as I held Conrad at gunpoint.
KANE: Which are?
TAYLOR: Alison has been manipulating Vanguard Squadron 2 to Sebastian Krueger and probably wants them dead once their usefulness has run dry. She might be wanting the same thing the C.I.A. does, and I don't feel good about it one bit. As for what I saw... *exhales*
KANE: Relax. Breathe.
TAYLOR: I saw you and me in Conrad and Shadi. I felt their imminent pain of losing each other, and it was overwhelming. Especially when I kept seeing you replacing her and me replacing him. I suppose that's why I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. It galls me to admit it, but I am grateful that Shadow gave that alternative. That's why I went along with him for the first time.
COMPUTER: (visually) *shows Taylor's ID picture* Captain TAYLOR, John/W.A.S.F. Executive Officer/Mission: Secure the Cairo Moblie Water Refineries and pursue the rest of Vanguard Squadron 2 *shows a picture of the Cairo Mobile Water Refineries*
07:25:00, Western Desert, Egypt, Platinum Hawk 1, Platinum Hawk 2, their fellow El-Sa'ka Forces Operators, and the rest of the Egyptian Army air assault company are on standby and temporary ISR in their holding pattern-following VTOL Warships. While Vanguard Squadron 1 ft. Kane and the Egyptian Air Force clear out the airspace and the only Aquifer drilling platform occupied by the N.R.C.
KHALIL: The N.R.C. has already made their move. They have established a makeshift network of air defenses on the Command Aquifer.
--
Sand Castle
Western Desert, Egypt
CPT. John Taylor
W.A.S.F. Wetworks Division, C.I.A. Special Activities Center, El-Sa'ka Forces, Egyptian Army, Egyptian Air Force
February 22nd, 2065 - 07:25:19
--
KANE: Copy that, Khalil. We are inbound. Priority One is elimination of N.R.C. defense systems. Okay, let's clear the way for the Egyptian infantry air assault.
HENDRICKS: What about Vanguard Squadron 2?
TAYLOR: One thing at a time, Hendricks. One thing at a time.
[PL-17s launch]
[explosions]
[Egyptian Air Force J-85Bs crash]
KANE: We've got multiple bogeys!
TAYLOR: Break formation and take 'em out. Hendricks, proceed to the platform. We'll rendezvous when we're done. Copy that?
HENDRICKS: Copy all. Clear out quick. We can't afford to lose Stone, Fierro, Chase and Jackson again.
SHADOW: Sarah, Seb, Peter and I'll keep bandits off your sixes. Just clear out all N.R.C. tasked to the Command Aquifer.
[GSh-30-1 fire]
[N.R.C. J-85B explodes]
TAYLOR: Got him!
KANE: I'm in the weeds! Pulling up and breaking left!
SHADOW: I got your attacking bandit, Aphrodite. I got tone. Vanguard 1-6, Fox 3 (active radar homing missile).
[N.R.C. J-85B explodes]
SHADOW: Splash 1 (one enemy aircraft neutralized).
TAYLOR: I got a lock. Firing.
[PL-17 launches]
[N.R.C. J-85B explodes]
TAYLOR: He's history.
KANE: I'm having trouble shaking this one. Coming around.
SARAH: 1-3 moving to clear. I got a lock. Firing.
[N.R.C. J-85B explodes]
SARAH: Splash 1.
[GSh-30-1 fire]
TAYLOR: Damn, this guy's good.
HENDRICKS: Taking heavy fire over here! We need to rally at the control platform!
KANE: Copy that, cleaning up and adjusting our vector.
[N.R.C. J-85B explodes]
TAYLOR: That's one down.
[Taylor and Kane approach the Command Aquifer and go into VTOL Mode]
HENDRICKS: Alright, we need to knock out those VTOL Warships and ASP-Ms so Egyptian forces can secure the Command Aquifer.
[GSh-30-1 fire]
[N.R.C. VTOL Warship explodes]
HENDRICKS: One down.
[ASP-M explodes]
HENDRICKS: That's a fucking hit.
[N.R.C. VTOL Warship explodes]
HENDRICKS: He's not coming back from that.
[ASP-M explodes]
HENDRICKS: One more left.
[ASP-M explodes]
KANE: Good job, Taylor. Khalil, air defenses are down.
KHALIL: Thanks for the assist. We are starting our assault. If you can cut off the N.R.C. communications, it will make our job easier.
TAYLOR: Solid copy. We're on it.
HENDRICKS: Enemy comms? This is bullshit! What about Stone and Fierro?! We need to find them!
KANE: We'll find 'em. Just focus on close air support while we take care of these comms towers.
Even though the Cairo Mobile Water Refineries' skies are clear, the search for Vanguard Squadron 2 will still have to wait as Taylor and Kane voluntarily give the Egyptian Armed Forces an edge on their aerial attack by cutting the Nile River Coalition troops off from each other. First stop is the enemy communications tower in the middle of the Command Aquifer's water reserves.
[Taylor and Kane land, disembark, and place their J-85Bs in a holding pattern]
[Rampart 17 fire]
[KN-57 fire]
HENDRICKS: If you really give a shit about Egypt, why don't you realize what's happening?! Stone's already made a deal! If the N.R.C. and the U.N. get him out, they score a major propaganda victory! He'll be their poster boy! "The American Hero, The American Traitor!" You need me on the ground! I'm the only one who can get through to him!
KANE: (on comms) Negative, Hendricks! What we need is air support until this platform is under Egyptian control. (off comms) We can overload the comm array manually. Push forward!
TAYLOR: Eyes on the comms tower's access panel. Opening. *force opens the comms tower's access panel*
KANE: I can take it from here. Cover me.
TAYLOR: Multiple contacts, right side!
[War Machine fire]
[explosions]
[Spike Launcher fire]
[Spike detonation]
[N.R.C. VTOL Warship explodes]
TAYLOR: Took out their reinforcements!
KANE: Good job watching my back. Let's get this done.
TAYLOR: Enemies above us, dead ahead! Getting close! Watch out for R.A.P.S.es and Talons!
[Spike Launcher fire]
[Spike detonation]
[N.R.C. VTOL Warship explodes]
[War Machine fire]
[explosions]
[R.A.P.S.es explode]
[Talon-Gs crash]
[Talon-Rs crash]
[N.R.C. comms tower powers down]
KANE: Comms down! Let's get outta here!
HENDRICKS: Perfect. We got more VTOL Warships to deal with.
KANE: On our way.
[Taylor and Kane call their J-85Bs back and embark]
With the one remaining active radio array, the N.R.C. calls in more heavy air assets to keep the control platform on lockdown.
[GSh-30-1 fire]
[N.R.C. VTOL Warship explodes]
KANE: Good work. Keep it up. There's still more active.
[N.R.C. VTOL Warships explode]
HENDRICKS: That's all of 'em.
KANE: Good work. We've got one more comms station to take care of. Then we find Stone, Fierro, Chase and Jackson. Let's land.
But they are not enough to stop Vanguard Squadron 1 ft. Kane or the air assaulting El-Sa'ka Forces and Egyptian Army. As Taylor and Kane land again to destroy their last line of communication that is sitting in the Command Aquifer's central workstation courtyard.
[Taylor and Kane land, disembark, and place their J-85Bs in a holding pattern]
KANE: There's the next comms station up ahead. Let's move.
[Rampart 17 fire]
[Locus fire]
KANE: Cover to cover up to the array! Move!
TAYLOR: There's this tower's access panel. Allow me. *force opens the comms tower's access panel*
KANE: This'll take some time. Cover me.
TAYLOR: More enemies coming in on the right! Moving to cover our flanks!
[War Machine fire]
[explosions]
[Spike Launcher fire]
[Spike detonation]
[N.R.C. VTOL Warship explodes]
TAYLOR: Kept their feet from touching the ground!
KANE: We're halfway there! Keep it up!
HENDRICKS: Better watch out. They're dropping off more troops.
[Spike Launcher fire]
[Spike detonation]
[N.R.C. VTOL Warship explodes]
TAYLOR: This airspace is closed! Get the fuck outta here!
[War Machine fire]
[explosions]
[Talon-Gs crash]
[N.R.C. comms tower powers down]
KANE: Enemy comms are down. We're finished here. Head back to the J-85s.
[Taylor and Kane call their J-85Bs back and embark]
Upon completing the side quest, the Egyptian Armed Forces have successfully taken the Cairo Mobile Water Refineries, leaving Stone, Fierro, Chase and Jackson all out of allies. With that, Vanguard 1-2 and Aphrodite get to their last known position: the control platform's server room.
KANE: Khalil, what's our status?
KHALIL: N.R.C. radio chatter said your targets are in the Command Aquifer's server room, which is on the lower levels. They are trying to coordinate an extraction plan.
TAYLOR: We can still get there first. Let's land there.
HENDRICKS: Hey, aren't you forgetting a few people?!
KANE: The Command Aquifer isn't completely locked down yet. Don't worry, Hendricks. We got this. Out.
HENDRICKS: That's not what we're—
[Kane cuts Hendricks, Sarah, Diaz, Maretti, Shadow and Major Shadi off from the C.I.A.'s comms channel]
TAYLOR: Good call, Kane. This ends now.
[Taylor and Kane land, disembark, and place their J-85Bs in a holding pattern]
KHALIL: Sending you map grid coordinates for Stone, Fierro, Chase and Jackson's last known location. Good luck.
TAYLOR: Thank you, Khalil.
After making the find a two-man operation, Taylor and Kane get to the data center. But the hallway to it is flooded with stored water that was collected years ago, making them swim through without Scuba Rebreathers first.
KANE: That's a hell of a swim.
[Taylor jumps into the flooded hallway]
CONRAD: (flashback) Finish the Kill Order. Maybe when we're gone, she'll come out of hiding. Do it. Kill me. Let me go. (echoes) *looks at Major Shadi* I love you, Aharon. (echoes)
MAJOR SHADI: *cries* I love you too, Alice. THERE'S GOTTA BE ANOTHER WAY! (echoes)
KANE: UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE! (echoes)
SHADOW: You can throw as much shit as you want at me in Washington once this already shattered tour is over. (echoes)
[Taylor drowns]
[Kane brings Taylor before the server room double doors]
And Vanguard 1-2 gets distracted by the events from Demon Within that has been bothering him since returning to The Elysium Checkpoint, causing him to stay submerged for too long and lose consciousness. Lucky for him, Aphrodite is able to bring him before the server room's entrance and back to the land of the living.
KANE: *performs CPR on Taylor* Stay with me! BREATHE!
TAYLOR: *wakes up* *coughs the water out* Thanks, Kane. *catches breath*
KANE: No problem. What the hell happened down there?
TAYLOR: I-I... I got distracted by what happened back at the Cairo U.S. Embassy and what happened after that. What Conrad, Shadi and Shadow said. I couldn't stop putting us in Conrad and Shadi's positions. I don't understand. I've killed romantic couple targets with second parties begging for mercy before. Why am I hesitant now?
KANE: It must be their position and what they know. You may not have known your previous targets personally, but you know Conrad, Shadi and Shadow. And now that we're also aware of the existence of Project MK-ASHLEY, you can't stop thinking about, uh, something like, "That could've been us." A conscience can be a dangerous thing in this line of work.
TAYLOR: Listen to me. However this feeling works, whatever my conscience wants... *places left hand on Kane's right shoulder* I'm still me.
KANE: *holds Taylor's left hand* *shakes head* Vanguard Squadron 2.
TAYLOR: We'll find them. And if... the only way to finish the mission is to put bullets in their heads, *nods* I'll do it.
KANE: They're not the only ones who know of MK-ASHLEY.
TAYLOR: If our "friends" get in the way as well, Shadow, Shadi, Conrad, Hall, Diaz, Maretti, and even Hendricks, *checks Rampart 17* I'll do what needs to be done.
KANE: We can find another way. Another way outside the military, outside the C.I.A. There are places we can go, places we can be safe. Please.
[Taylor kicks the server room double doors open]
KANE: Listen to me. Stay with me. *cries*
In spite of the heavy emotions coming from his conscience and Kane herself, Taylor gets back on the mission with the conclusion that killing Vanguard Squadron 2 will free his mind from worry and get his full combat effectiveness back. But Stone, Fierro, Chase and Jackson are not ready to reunite just yet.
KHALIL: Something is jamming our signal. We are reading movement heading your way— *static*
KANE: Something doesn't feel right, John.
TAYLOR: Yeah, I got that same feeling. Keep it tight. Up here, Kane. Ready weapons. On me. *opens server room main office's door*
[C4 Explosive Charge activates]
KANE: BOMB! GET BACK! *pulls Taylor away from the door*
[C4 Explosive Charge detonation]
KHALIL: Kane, Taylor, do you read me? Multiple contacts headed your way. Get out of there— *static*
TAYLOR: ARGH, Vanguard Squadron 2! They knew we were coming!
KHALIL: Kane, Taylor, you have to move now! They are trying to box you in! Do you copy— *static*
[C6 Breaching Charge detonation]
KANE: DAMMIT! RETURN FIRE!
[War Machine fire]
[explosions]
[KN-57 fire]
[R.A.P.S.es explode]
[Taylor and Kane swim through the flooded hallway again]
[Rampart 17 fire]
[KN-57 fire]
[Taylor and Kane get back outside]
After confirming that Vanguard Squadron 2 is not in the data center and surviving their Nile River Coalition-sponsored G.I.U. and R.A.P.S. ambush, Vanguard 1-2 and Aphrodite get back outside without the former passing out underwater this time and regroup with Khalil.
KHALIL: They just keep coming. The N.R.C. counterattack is relentless. We are struggling to gain a foothold in this fight! *exhales* We need more air support if we are to secure the platform.
KANE: Are you staying here, or are you following me?
TAYLOR: What's our best chance to locate Vanguard Squadron 2?
KHALIL: If we can secure the control room, we will have access to the platform's security camera feed. Kane can push it to your HUD.
TAYLOR: Do it. Above or below, we'll give you all the support you need.
HENDRICKS: If you three are finished fucking around down there, we got additional N.R.C. fighters inbound! We need to keep 'em away the Command Aquifer.
[GSh-30-1 fire]
[Egyptian Air Force J-85B crashes]
[N.R.C. J-85B flies by]
TAYLOR: Copy that, we're on our way.
[Taylor and Kane call their J-85Bs back and embark]
TAYLOR: I see 'em. Multiple bandits inbound. Moving to intercept.
KANE: Copy, I see 'em too. Engaging.
An N.R.C. counterattack is underway with the objective of retaking the Cairo Mobile Water Refineries and evacuating Vanguard Squadron 2. Which means Vanguard Squadron 1 ft. Kane has to form up midair again and take out the new hostile fighter squadron that is currently providing far support for air dropping troop reinforcements.
TAYLOR: Sights locked. Missile away.
[PL-17 launches]
[N.R.C. J-85B explodes]
TAYLOR: One less to worry about.
KANE: Two more closing in on our positions!
DIAZ: I have the one on you, Kane. Too close for missiles. Switching to guns.
[N.R.C. J-85B explodes]
DIAZ: Splash 3.
[GSh-30-1 fire]
TAYLOR: These guys know how to maneuver.
[N.R.C. J-85B explodes]
TAYLOR: Splash 5.
KANE: Pulling hard right! I've got one on my tail!
MARETTI: Don't worry, Aphrodite. I got him. 1-5, Fox 3.
[N.R.C. J-85B explodes]
MARETTI: Splash 3.
TAYLOR: Target locked. 1-2, Fox 3.
[PL-17 launches]
[N.R.C. J-85B explodes]
TAYLOR: Good night.
KANE: Hendricks, what's your SITREP?
HENDRICKS: Egyptian Spec Ops is being overrun in the control room! We might lose Vanguard Squadron 2!
TAYLOR: We're not gonna let that happen. All Vanguard Squadron 1 victors, shift focus to supporting the Egyptian Spec Ops forces in the control room, now.
KANE: Khalil, we'll cover you and your men. Keep working.
Once the Aquifers' airspace is secure once again, Taylor, Kane, Hall, Diaz, Maretti and Shadow activate VTOL Mode and move to support El-Sa'ka Forces as they take full control of the entire leading mobile water refinery.
[GSh-30-1 fire]
[N.R.C. ASP-Ms explode]
KHALIL: We are being overwhelmed!
[KD-88s launch]
[explosions]
MAJOR SHADI: Platinum Hawk 2 to Vanguard Squadron 1, we are pinned down by multiple enemy infantry! We need air support at grid coordinates 2-1-4-3-5-niner! Danger close is approved, over!
SHADOW: Platinum Hawk 2, Vanguard 1-6. Coordinates confirmed. Engaging. Danger close, over.
[GSh-30-1 fire]
[KD-88s launch]
[explosions]
KHALIL: Kane, we have the control room locked down. We are in. I am patching you now.
KANE: Send us the security feed.
[Khalil gives Vanguard Squadron 1 the Command Aquifer's CCTV feed]
KANE: No visual on Chase and Jackson anywhere. Delivery hangar! We're too late! Stone and Fierro are on their way out!
TAYLOR: Wait. When it was functional, the drought made this platform a target for pirates. Security protocols ensured that key areas, like the delivery hangar, would be fortified and compartmentalized in the event of a breach. LOCK IT DOWN, KHALIL! LOCK IT DOWN NOW!
[Khalil locks the entire Command Aquifer down]
Vanguard 1-2's big-brain idea may not have stopped Stone, but it did lock Fierro in and cut him off from their fast evac via Nile River Coalition Air Force J-85B Bullsharks.
TAYLOR: There's still Fierro. This isn't over yet. Kane, what's our best route to his position?
[N.R.C. VTOL Warship crashes]
KANE: Well, those security protocols just put a reinforced door between you and him.
TAYLOR: You got a suggestion?
KANE: I can breach the delivery hangar for you to get in. Fierro is still trapped there, and Khalil's men are headed that way.
TAYLOR: Copy, I'm joining them now.
HENDRICKS: Even if it's just Fierro, this is gonna take all of us. And I'm not asking. That was an order. Don't forget who's Vanguard Squadron 1's CO, Taylor.
[Vanguard Squadron 1 lands, disembarks, and places their J-85Bs in a holding pattern]
After securing the Egyptian Armed Forces' current route to the Command Aquifer's delivery hangar, Vanguard Squadron 1 lands and joins their little offensive. With Aphrodite standing by to give the W.A.S.F. Wetworks Division Operators a rappelling shortcut via two well-placed KD-88 Air-To-Surface Guided Missiles.
MARETTI: Clear for now! Fierro's running out of N.R.C. allies.
HENDRICKS: The Egyptian forces will take the long way. Rappelling in will be our shortcut. Ready ropes.
TAYLOR: Kane, we're preparing to insert. Do it.
KANE: Roger. Aphrodite, Fox 3.
[KD-88s launch]
[explosions]
HENDRICKS: GO! GO! GO!
[Vanguard Squadron 1 rappel into the delivery hangar]
[Rampart 17 fire]
[VAPR-XKG fire]
[XR-2 fire]
[Titan fire]
[VMP fire]
[Dingo fire]
HENDRICKS: Fierro's escaping through the back! Stay on him!
However, even though it appears that Hendricks is just picking up the pace to prevent Vanguard 2-3's escape, Taylor assumes he has an ulterior motive because he does sympathize with Vanguard Squadron 2's reasons for going rogue against the C.I.A.
HENDRICKS: He went this way! Run, dammit! *angrily yells*
[Anti-Personnel Combat Knife hit]
HENDRICKS: MOVE FASTER! WE CAN'T LET HIM GET AWAY! *angrily yells*
[VAPR-XKG fire]
[Drakon fire]
SHADOW: Egyptian allies are good to go! Move up! Move up!
TAYLOR: Hendricks?!
[VAPR-XKG fire]
TAYLOR: Slow down!
[RK5 fire]
TAYLOR: Hey, listen to me!
Upon arrival at the control platform's water processing plant, Vanguard 1-2 holds the entire team up by trying to get Vanguard 1-1's attention. And not securing the area first would prove to almost be a lethal mistake since no one knows that Fierro is in the same room with them somewhere.
HENDRICKS: I got center. Go.
SARAH: Moving to clear left.
[Taylor stops Hendricks and subsequently all of Vanguard Squadron 1]
SHADOW: Moving ot secure—
HENDRICKS: What the hell's with the hold-up, Taylor?!
TAYLOR: You're not yourself, Hendricks. None of you are. There's something inside your minds. It's been there since we interrogated Ramirez and Conrad. It's the same thing that is inside Vanguard Squadron 2.
[Hendricks, Sarah, Diaz, Maretti and Shadow look at each other confused]
TAYLOR: You've lost perspective on the mission! On Vanguard Squadron 2!
HENDRICKS: What?! Vanguard Squadron 2 exposed a conspiracy that goes right to the rotten heart of the C.I.A. and Secretary Mason's Winslow Accord, and that makes them targets! Right?! RIGHT?!
TAYLOR: No! Kane has been clarifying our directives.
HENDRICKS: Kane?! Yeah, she's the one pulling the strings! Has been all along! She is the C-I-fucking-A!
TAYLOR: THAT'S ENOUGH, HENDRICKS!
HENDRICKS: What? You don't believe me?
[footsteps advance]
SARAH: Wait, do you guys hear that?
HENDRICKS: Oh, you're just getting a little bit sweet on her now, aren't ya? Making plans for a nice house in the country and a perfect little family.
MARETTI: Team, we got a lot of N.R.C. company coming. We need to move!
HENDRICKS: DIDN'T WE TELL YOU NOT TO TRUST HER?! YOU'RE LOSING YOUR HEAD!
TAYLOR: She's messing with my mind?! WHAT ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THOSE DICKHEADS OF YOURS?!
SHADOW: GET DOWN, SIRS!
[SDM fire]
As the argument gets more heated than it has ever been, Shadow saves Taylor and Hendricks' lives by spearing them out of Vanguard 2-3's Laser Sight and subsequent SDM shot and dragging them to cover. Then, the noticed N.R.C. movement makes its explosive entrance to try to trap and neutralize Vanguard Squadron 1 a second time.
I cut out the overloading the two generators part because it does not exactly make sense when you could just clear out all the Nile River Coalition hostiles and get to the water processing plant's control booth/Fierro's sniper's nest.
MARETTI: That came from an SDM! IT'S FIERRO!
[C6 Breaching Charge detonation]
DIAZ: AMBUSH! RETURN FIRE!
[Titan fire]
[XR-2 fire]
[Tempest fire]
SHADOW: Going high for overwatch!
HENDRICKS: Gimme your Micro-Missile Launcher first! I'll stay low!
[Shadow gives Hendricks his Micro-Missile Launcher]
[Grapple Gun fire]
[Dingo fire]
[Micro-Missile Launcher fire]
[explosions]
[Spike Launcher fire]
[Spike detonation]
[Maddox RFB fire]
[ICR-7 fire]
[XR-2 fire]
[Saug 9mm fire]
[VKM-750 fire]
[Swordfish fire]
[SG12 fire]
[SDM fire]
SHADOW: Move from cover to cover quickly! Optical Camo's useless against Thermals and Vision Pulse!
HENDRICKS: AND GO FOR CAPTURE ONLY! ALISON WANTS TO GET RID OF US! REMEMBER?!
FIERRO: Great save, Shadow! Never lost your touch! I can see why DEVGRU Gold Squadron chose you!
HENDRICKS: Joe? Joe, listen to me!
FIERRO: Sounds like you've learned enough from Javier and Alice, Jacob. But John, you haven't learned anything, have you?
HENDRICKS: Javier may be dead, but Conrad isn't!
SHADOW: It doesn't have to be the C.I.A.'s way anymore! I WILL make sure of it!
HENDRICKS: Just give yourself up, and we will personally guarantee your safety!
FIERRO: I definitely want to, but I don't think even Task Force Sentinel alone is more powerful than Secretary Mason and the C.I.A. You know how that works.
HENDRICKS: Joe, you know us! You can trust us!
FIERRO: To the C.I.A. fuckfaces listening in right now, you better get your heads down. You may be fucking badasses, but you're not immortal.
HENDRICKS: Please, we give you our word, and you will be treated fairly!
FIERRO: Bullet to the head will still get you a date with your maker.
DIAZ: Are we clear?!
MARETTI: Yeah, all clear!
HENDRICKS: We're close to his blind spots now! Taylor, Hall, Shadow, go secure Joe! We'll draw fire!
MARETTI: Moving to draw fire!
DIAZ: Covering!
[Titan fire]
[bullets ricochet]
[VAPR-XKG fire]
[bullets ricochet]
[SDM fire]
[bullets ricochet]
With the N.R.C. ambush platoon dealt with and the whole team close to Vanguard 2-3's defensive position, Taylor, Sarah and Shadow move through the blind spots and boost jump to the entrance to the command hooch while Hendricks, Diaz and Maretti suppressed and drew fire.
TAYLOR: *kicks the control booth's door open* Drop it!
FIERRO: Easy there, guys. *gently puts Conrad's SDM and his Strife down* I'm all done here.
SARAH: Go ahead and cuff him, Taylor.
FIERRO: The world knows the truth.
TAYLOR: You're a traitor. Your "truth" has killed more people than you can count.
FIERRO: Good. There's too many C.I.A. Operatives right now. We drop that number down by a lot, and America will have a fighting chance against the U.N.
SARAH: Taylor, cuff him, now.
FIERRO: We know we did what was right. Can you say the same, John? Can the C.I.A. say the same? Can your Special Agent Rachel Kane say the same?
TAYLOR: You MOTHERFUCKER!
SARAH: TAYLOR, NO!
[Taylor heel kicks Fierro through the control booth's window]
[Fierro screams, lands back first through a sharp piece of risen metal debris, and draws his last breath]
[Hendricks, Diaz and Maretti watch in shock]
[Sarah covers her mouth]
SHADOW: Wha-Wha-Wha— WHAT THE FUCK, TAYLOR?!
TAYLOR: Mission is still complete. Don't forget who's the second in command here, Vanguard 1-6.
Vanguard 1-2 finds Master Sergeant Joseph Fierro's questions regarding O.G.A. and Kane personally offensive and kicks him through the control booth's window and onto his sharp, pointy death below in response.
HENDRICKS: You killed him. Put him down like an animal. In cold blood. We've been doing wetwork for more years than I can remember, but you can't tell us that you're okay with this. Joseph was one of ours! So was Alice, and so was Javier! SO WHAT, ARE WE GONNA MAKE IT A CLEAN SWEEP AND KILL STONE, CHASE AND JACKSON NEXT?! If you're so keen on us helping the C.I.A. keep their damn secrets, then MAYBE I SHOULD PUT A FUCKING BULLET IN KANE'S HEAD RIGHT NOW!
[Taylor punches Hendricks to the ground]
[Shadow, Sarah, Diaz and Maretti raise their guns at Taylor]
TAYLOR: NO. You all listen to me. The only reason you're all not sitting in an Egyptian Army brig right now is because NO ONE is coming to help us! We're on our own. You're all I've got. Besides *reaches out to Hendricks* you're all my friends.
[Hendricks gets back up with help from Taylor]
[Shadow, Sarah, Diaz and Maretti lower their guns]
[explosions]
But just as the infighting reaches its peak and the only thing left to do is cool down, the Nile River Coalition concludes that if they cannot have the Cairo Mobile Water Refineries, then no one can.
KANE: The N.R.C. has launched a Hellstorm Missile barrage to level all the Aquifers! You need to get outta there now!
TAYLOR: (on comms) No need to tell us twice. (off comms) Let's move, Vanguards! We need to get back up top before the whole place comes down around our ears!
MARETTI: Vision Pulse has no more friendly or hostile movement anywhere!
DIAZ: The Egyptians and remaining N.R.C. must've heard about this hammer down deployment and bolted earlier!
SHADOW: Up here! Top of the delivery hangar's this way! Our jets will be waiting!
[Vanguard Squadron 1 calls their J-85Bs back and embarks]
[Hellstorm Missiles launch]
[Hellstorm Missile Cluster Projectiles launch]
SHADOW: Vanguard 1-6 defending!
[explosions]
[Cairo Mobile Water Refineries explode and collapse]
SHADOW: God, take care of Joseph. Guide him to the kingdom of Heaven and the light of your face. Take care of his family.
VANGUARD SQUADRON 1: Amen.
DIAZ: All that engineering work and water. A real shame.
SHADOW: Yeah.
11:59:43, The Elysium Checkpoint, Syrian Desert, Iraq, Vanguard Squadron 1, Aphrodite, and Major Shadi visit Conrad to tell her what happened. However, she happens to also have some news to tell them with help from the dead bodies by her closed cell door.
MAJOR SHADI: Alice, *opens door* we're— *gasps* ALICE!
CONRAD: I'm still here, Aaron. I'm okay. Guys.
SHADOW: What happened, Alice?
CONRAD: Hit squad came in knocking, Shadow. They diverted the guards away from here. They knew exactly who to find: me.
HENDRICKS: Kinda like how the C.I.A. knew who to find next this time around: Joe. He's dead, by the way. Killed by Taylor.
CONRAD: Oh. *makes the sign of the Crucifix* May God be with him. May he rest in peace.
KANE: Okay— Wait, hold on. How did you get that MR6?!
MAJOR SHADI: That is my MR6. I gave it to her for self-defense against assassins. She is not extradited yet, and her death here will not be just or fair.
KANE: You filthy, horny motherfucker, Major.
HENDRICKS: Don't try anything stupid, Kane.
TAYLOR: Yeah, Kane, ease up. They'll get theirs soon enough.
HENDRICKS: Any idea who these guys are, Alice?
CONRAD: Either Russian and Chinese Spec Ops or Russian and Chinese Intelligence, Jacob.
KANE: How do you know that?
CONRAD: Spoke Russian and Chinese, had suppressed MR6s, the technique one guy used to try to head scissor throw me was from a martial art known as Systema, and the form another guy used to try to kick me was from a combat sport called Sanda. Hardly anyone uses them except for branches of Russian and Chinese Special Forces and Intelligence.
KANE: *sighs* I need to get you off my combat tour immediately.
MAJOR SHADI: You and what agency? *opens cell door* *gives Conrad his VKM-750* Here, in case more of them come.
CONRAD: Could you take off your headgear first?
[Major Shadi takes his headgear off]
[Conrad takes Major Shadi's VKM-750 with her left hand, grabs him by the head with her right hand, and French kisses him]
[Major Shadi holds Conrad's hips and French kisses back]
KANE: Oh, you've gotta be shitting me.
SHADOW: This could be their last moment together, guys. Come on, let's not ruin it.
[Vanguard Squadron ft. Kane leaves The Elysium Checkpoint brig]
CONRAD: If I'm gonna die, I wanna die happy. So fuck me here and now before I get a bullet to the head or the chair.
MAJOR SHADI: Yes, madame. *enters Conrad's cell*
CONRAD: *closes cell door* I love you, Major Aharon Shadi.
MAJOR SHADI: I love you too, Sergeant First Class Alice Conrad. But please, call me Aaron.
CONRAD: *giggles* Yes, sir.
[Major Shadi and Conrad continue French kissing]
While Platinum Hawk 2 and Vanguard 2-4 have their first and possibly last sexually romantic moment together, Hendricks, Sarah, Diaz, Maretti and Shadow walk up the surrounding dunes for fresh air, and Kane returns to Khalil and the other commanders of the Egyptian Armed Forces. Taylor follows her and writes his journal concurrently.
TAYLOR: (journal entry) Termination. Target K.I.A.: U.N. Defector Juliet-Foxtrot. Mission Status: Open. February 22nd, 2065 - 12:09:31. Our JAAT with the Egyptian Armed Forces proved both effective and, as it turns out, necessary. Upon approaching the AO, N.R.C. air support was sighted moving on our targets, and DA was initiated before reaching our DZ. We moved in on the DZ to secure and liquidate, with the latter agreed upon by only LNO Kane and I, our HVTs. With N.R.C. forces entrenched inside the mobile drilling platforms of the old Aquifer project, our infiltration proved far more difficult than initially anticipated. Targets Chase and Jackson were nowhere to be seen or found anywhere in the AO. With the assistance of the N.R.C., Target Stone was successfully extracted to an unknown location before we were able to secure and liquidate him. Target Fierro was apprehended and terminated on site. Like Ramirez and Conrad, he appeared slightly delusional, convinced that the actions of Vanguard Squadron 2 were in the service of the greater good. In coordination with Col. Khalil, our LNO will continue to monitor comms for any chatter that may give some indication as to the location of our remaining targets. Current theory is that they are leveraging the support of the N.R.C. in order to secure safe passage out of Cairo and transport to Zürich. Full Disclosure: Having been informed that Hendricks, Hall, Diaz, Maretti and Shadow chose to file an official report regarding their concerns over my relationship with our LNO, I have no choice other than to rebut the allegations made by offering my own account of the events that transpired. During the pursuit of our targets, I became trapped underwater by my thoughts on the near-death experience of Conrad and Maj. Shadi, causing me to drift out of consciousness. Close to death, it was LNO Kane who found a way to pull me from the water and perform lifesaving procedures. As I recovered from my near drowning, Kane expressed her own doubts regarding the mission's agenda, as well as her feelings for me, suggesting that once the mission was complete, we could leave the military and the C.I.A. and start a civilian life together. I believe this was a brief lapse in professionalism on the part of Kane, borne out of stress, and should have no impact on our ability to complete the task before us. With the termination of Target Fierro, Hendricks, Hall, Diaz, Maretti and Shadow displayed yet more signs of anger and emotional distress. Even suggesting that we were being deliberately misled by our LNO. As previously stated, I cannot recommend removing them from duty at this time as they are still needed to achieve our goals, but I stand by my decision to remove Hendricks from his Commanding Officer post and assert myself as OIC (Officer In Charge) for the remainder of the mission. Once we have confirmation on Stone, Chase and Jackson's locations, we will move to eliminate. Taylor, out.