Hey guys, back with another chapter.
Before we go any further, I just want to point out that like with my other stories, updates will be sporadic because of my life.
10 years ago, Captain Price took Naruto in, and Naruto left the Leaf behind. Now let's see what the state the world is in right now.
"Speech" – regular
"Speech" – thought
10 years later
Naruto has been raised by Captain Price as his informal adopted son, being trained by him, as well as other rouge ninjas that Naruto came across over the years. He learned many skills over the years, mastering his shadow clone, summoning Jutsu, using the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra, as well as his father's own Jutsu, Rasengan. He also learned how to operate different vehicles and aircraft, because you never know when you need to fly out of a hot zone under fire. When he passed through the grueling Selection for the Special Air Service, he acquired the nickname "Fox" for his fox like whisker scars on his face, as well as the Nine-Tailed Fox that lay inside him. Right now, Naruto, Price, and Gaz were in the briefing room looking over the state of the world currently.
Gaz was near the screen with a remote in his hand, while Price and Naruto were sitting at the table with some coffee waiting for Gaz to start.
"Alright, Gaz," Price said, "Let's hear it."
"Good news first: the world's in great shape," Gaz stated plainly. "We've got a civil war in Russia, government loyalists against Ultranationalist rebels, and 15,000 nukes at stake."
"Just another day at the office," Price said sarcastically, taking a sip of his coffee.
Gaz turned the screen to the next set of satellite footage from the Middle East. It brings up an image of man in military attire wearing a red beret and sunglasses.
"Khaled Al-Asad. Currently the second most powerful man in the Middle East. Now word on the street is he's got the minerals to be top dog down there. Intel's keeping an eye on him."
"Right," Naruto said, "Now what's this about a struggle in the Elemental Nations, Gaz?"
Gaz turned the screen to the Elemental Nations, "There's a conflict between the Akatsuki, Orochimaru's forces, and the Hidden Villages. The Fifth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, Tsunade Senju, is trying to remain in a position of strength ever since the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi was nearly killed, when the Sand and Sound Villages tried to invade it. So far, they've been making little progress. Now rumor has it that the Akatsuki may currently be working with the Ultranationalists in different parts of the world. Your contacts in the Elemental Nations will keep us notified, Naruto."
Naruto nodded. "So that's the good news out of the way. And the bad news?"
"We've got a new guy joining us today fresh out of Selection. His name's Soap," Gaz answered.
"Alright, since he'll be joining us today, he's gotta go through the CQB test. By then, we should have a status on the cargo ship mission," Price informed them.
Naruto and Gaz nodded. Gaz left the briefing room to go greet the new guy. Naruto went to go get his gear. As he got dressed, he then grabbed his headband. He stared at for a minute. It was a gift from Price when he passed Selection. It was a black headband with a metal forehead protector, almost like the ones the Shinobi used from the different Shinobi Villages. But instead of a symbol of one of the villages, the metal forehead protector had the insignia of the Special Air Service, with the SAS motto "WHO DARES WINS" written on it. In a way, it reminded Naruto of his old home, if he even called it his home. He had a new home now, and he wasn't leaving it anytime soon. He tied it on his head and looked himself in the mirror. He still had the foxlike whisker scars on his face, but his hair was now shorter than it was 10 years ago. Once he got his gear, he went to Hanger One where the cargo ship simulator was.
"F.N.G."
October 2, 2011 – 06:30:12
Credenhill, U.K.
Sergeant John "Soap" MacTavish
22nd SAS Regiment
Sergeant John "Soap" MacTavish got off the bus with his kit bag and began to take in the sights of the Credenhill base. He was part of a class of 120 recruits that signed up to join famous 22nd Special Air Service Regiment. Out of the 120 however, only 8 made it through the grueling Selection, with Soap being among them. He had received instructions to meet an SAS lieutenant named Gaz in Hanger Three, where the indoor firing range was. Once he got to the door he entered in and saw a guy with a camo cap with the British flag on it.
"You Soap?" Gaz asked.
"Yes sir," Soap answered, "Lieutenant (AN: pronounced Leftenant by the British) Gaz, is that correct, sir?"
"Correct, but just call me, Gaz. I was told that you got the name 'Soap' was because you said you're always there to clean up a mess?"
"That's what the colonel told me before he sent me off for Selection."
"Well, it's good to see you mate. Take one of the rifles from the table."
Soap nodded and headed off to get a rifle from the quartermaster's desk. He grabbed a G36C with a Reflex sight on it, with 14 spare magazines. "I guess you can't have enough ammo, can ya?" Soap thought. He put the spare magazines in his web gear.
"You know the drill, go to station one and aim your rifle down range."
Soap went to firing station one. "Lovely. Now shoot each target while firing from the hip."
"Is he daft? I just went through Selection just to spray-and-pray? Oh, well."
Soap dumped most of his magazine eventually hitting all three targets.
"Right. Did you see how bad that was? Sorry mate, just wanted to test you. I read your file, and it said that you were a sniper in the 3rd Parachute Battalion. So that must've made you cringe there," Gaz said while holding back a laugh.
"Just a little," Soap responded.
"Well anyways, silver lining is that in close quarters environments, full auto can be helpful in some cases. Now shoot each target aiming down your sights."
Soap switched his rifle to semi auto to save his remaining ammunition. When the targets popped up, he put a single bullet in each one.
"See how much better that was? Now I know what you're thinking; 'Bloody hell, this is a stupid test innit?'. My thoughts exactly, but that's how we know you're good. Now I'm gonna block the targets with a sheet of plywood. I want you to shoot the targets through the wood."
Three targets popped up behind a large plywood board. Soap fired all three of his remaining bullets into the wood, hitting each target.
"Good. Bullets will penetrate thin, weak materials like wood, plaster, and sheet metal. The larger the weapon, the more penetrating power it has. But you already knew that. Now I'm gonna make the targets pop up one at a time. Hit all of them as fast as you can."
Soap took this time to reload his rifle. When he did, he then proceeded to fire at each target that popped up quickly.
"Proper good job mate! Now go get a side arm from the armory."
Soap went back the armory and picked up a USP .45 pistol with a laser aiming module, or LAM, attached to it.
"A USP .45?" Soap asked.
"Yeah," Gaz replied, "With the world going to shit these days, a little extra stopping power wouldn't hurt. The higher ups managed to get us a new batch. And with its .45 ACP round, it hits like a bloody train. Definitely better than standard issue P226s."
"Can't argue with that."
"Right. Now switch to your rifle."
Soap put his new pistol in his holster and pulled out his rifle.
"Good. Pull out your sidearm." Soap did so relatively quickly.
"See how fast that was? Remember, switching to your pistol is faster than reloading. If you're caught with an empty magazine, I recommend you switch to your sidearm. That's what it's there for. How much ammo do you got left in your current rifle mag?"
Soap checked the magazine on his rifle, "About 10 rounds left."
"Alright, head back down to station one. Fire in short bursts at the targets. When you run out of ammo, switch to your pistol."
Soap nodded and picked up 6 spare USP .45 magazines. He got to the firing range and proceeded to practice switching to his pistol. When he was finished, he turned to Gaz.
"See what I mean?" Gaz explained. "Alright Soap, come this way. Using your knife is even faster than reloading, especially when you're caught with an empty magazine. Knife the watermelon."
Soap pullet out his knife and proceeded to gut and stab the shit out the poor watermelon.
"Nice! Your fruit killing skills are remarkable!" Gaz exclaimed.
"No problem, Gaz," Soap replied nonchalantly as he took a bite of the now deceased watermelon.
"Now you're catching on. I have a feeling we're gonna be fast friends here. All good here Soap. Head outside and report to Sergeant Newcastle. He'll get you up to speed with demolitions. I heard you were a demolitions expert as well as being a sniper, so you two should have some fun."
Soap nodded and then headed outside. He was temporarily blinded by the sun rising. He saw earlier a bunch of helicopters flying around doing training exercises with other SAS soldiers. He went over to a truck next to some tables. The sergeant in charge greeted Soap as he approached the table.
"It's time for some fun with demolitions, mate," Sgt. Newcastle told him, "Pick up those frag grenades and get in the safety pit."
Soap picked up 4 frag grenades and headed into the safety pit.
"Now throw a grenade into windows 2, 3, and 4."
Soap aimed before pulling the pin and throwing the grenade in to window 2. It exploded a few seconds later. He repeated with windows 3 and 4.
"Come back here and pick up this grenade launcher."
Soap got out of the safety pit and traded his G36C with an M16A4 with an M203 grenade launcher attached to it.
"Now get back into the safety pit."
Soap got back into the safety pit, grabbed some spare 40mm grenades and loaded one into the grenade launcher.
"Fire at the wall with the number 1 on it."
Said wall was literally a few feet in front of the safety pit. "He's either doing this to make a point, or to fuck with me. I know me explosives," Soap thought. He fired the grenade and…
"Notice that it didn't explode," Newcastle explained it like he was talking to a dumbass. "As you know all grenade launchers have a minimum safe arming distance. Now pop a grenade into windows 5, 6, and 7."
Soap reloaded his grenade launcher and fired the grenades into each of the windows.
"Now come back and pick up some C4 off the table."
Soap got out of the safety pit and went to pick up two blocks of C4 plastic explosives.
"Equip the C4 Soap and follow me," Newcastle instructed. "It seems my ex-wife was kind enough to donate her car to furthering your education, Soap."
Soap got a bit suspicious of that last statement, yet he didn't question it. He walked with Newcastle to the car parked in the demolition range.
"Now throw a block of C4 anywhere on the car on the car, then place the other block on the indicated spot."
Soap threw some C4 on the one of the car doors and then placed the other block on an area indicated by a red dotted line on the hood.
"Now get a safe distance from the explosives."
Soap and Newcastle got back in the safety pit.
"Fire in the hole!" Newcastle yelled out, warning of an imminent explosion. Soap pulled the trigger on the detonator and the car exploded. Newcastle let out a satisfied chuckle.
"Much improved. Hey, let me see that M16 and two magazines."
Soap handed him the rifle and two spare magazines. Newcastle then proceeded to empty the magazines into the remains of the car.
"That'll teach you to go fucking with the football coach, Rachel, you bitch," Newcastle said insulting his ex-wife. He handed Soap back the rifle. Soap was now down to 1 magazine in the rifle and 10 spares, along with his 4 spare magazines for his USP .45.
"Alright Soap, you passed the weapons evaluation. Now report to Mac on the obstacle course. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you," Newcastle said with a hint of sarcasm on that last part. Soap nodded and headed to the obstacle course. On his way over there, he saw a pair of Harrier fighter jets fly over the base. When he got to the obstacle course, he saw three other newly minted SAS troopers who were on the bus earlier. Mac was on a wooden post overlooking the course.
"Well, it seems Miss Soap here was kind enough to join us!" Mac insulted over the loudspeaker. "Line up ladies!"
Soap and the other troopers lined up on the obstacle course, waiting for Mac to start.
"Go!"
They all took off, climbing up on the logs to test their balance.
"This isn't a bloody charity walk – get your arses in gear! MOVE!"
Soap and the others got off the logs and ducked under some obstacles.
"Jump over those obstacles!"
Soap mantled over the wooden walls. Then ran over to some barbed wire, where he went prone and crawled under the barbed wire; all the while other SAS soldiers outside of the course fired live rounds over the wire and Mac continued to hurl insults.
"You crawl like old people screw! I've seen Sandhurst Commandos move faster than you lot!"
Soap got well ahead of the other troopers and sprinted to the finish line, navigating the other obstacles.
"Move, move, move! What's the matter with you?! You all want to be RTU'd?!"
Soap got past the last obstacle and sprinted across the finish line.
"Oi, Soap!" Mac addressed Soap, "Captain Price wants to see you in Hanger One! You passed my little test, now get out of my sight."
He then turned to the other troopers who just now arrived at the finish line, "The rest of you bloody ponces are going to run it again until I'm no longer embarrassed to look at you!"
Soap headed to Hanger One where upon reaching there an SAS soldier in a black uniform wearing a gas mask and black helmet was waiting outside for him. The hanger door opened where Soap was greeted by two other soldiers in similar gear, and a man with a gas mask on his head. The most distinctive feature was his burly mutton chop beard and mustache. Soap assumed that this was Captain Price, and he was right. The SAS soldier that was outside spoke to him.
"It's the FNG sir," the SAS soldier told Price, "Go easy on him sir, it's his first day on the Regiment."
Soap ignored that subtle insult and looked at Price as he said, "Right. What the hell kind of name is Soap, eh? How'd a muppet like you pass Selection?"
"I guess I was in the top 7 percent, sir. As for my name, I just came to clean up the mess the world made," Soap responded.
"Well, we'll see," Price noted, questioning his response to a senior officer. But on to more pressing matters, "Soap it's your turn for the CQB test. Everyone else head to observation. For this test, you'll have to run the cargo ship solo in less than 60 seconds. Gaz holds the current squadron record at 19 seconds. Good luck. Climb the ladder over there."
"Yes sir," Soap nodded. "19 seconds, huh? That sounds like a challenge." Soap climbed up the ladder where he saw another SAS soldier, Sgt. Lovejoy on top.
"Pick up that MP5 and four flashbangs," Price ordered. Soap put his rifle down and grabbed the MP5, four flashbangs, and some spare magazines for the SMG.
"All equipped sir," Soap called from the top.
"Alright. Here's how it will go. On my go, I want you to rope down to the deck and rush to position 1. After that you will rush to position 2. Then hit positions 3 and 4, following my precise instructions at each position. Understand?"
"Yes sir," Soap responded.
Meanwhile, Naruto had just entered the hanger, just in time to see Soap rush to the finish. Soap's final time: 18.75 seconds.
"That's a new squadron record Soap. Not bad at all," Price complemented. Soap walked over the monitors for the debrief. Price used this time to introduce Soap to Naruto.
"Soap this is 2nd Lt. Naruto Uzumaki, also known as 'Fox'. Naruto, this is the FNG, Sgt. John MacTavish, callsign 'Soap.'"
Naruto went to Soap and shook his hand, "Great to see you, Soap. I got a feeling we're gonna fast friends, believe it."
"I hope so, Fox."
"Just Naruto for now. Call me 'Fox' when we're on missions, ya know?"
Price's phone rang and he went up to answer it. After a few seconds, he came over to the group.
"Ok gentlemen, the cargo ship mission is a go. Get yourselves sorted out. Wheels up at 0200. Dismissed."
"Yes sir," all of them nodded and then dispersed to prepare for the mission ahead.
And that is a wrap for FNG.
Sorry if this chapter was a bit Soap-centric, but he's pretty much my favorite character in the Modern Warfare trilogy. Also, some of the dialogue was from Pre-Alpha builds from mods on YouTube. As for the time that Soap completed, that was my best time doing the cargo ship when I played Modern Warfare: Remastered. Believe me it took me a whole lot of tries to get it, but I managed to get it. But I don't think I'll beat Infinity Ward's 15.1 second record.
Next time:
"Rules of engagement sir?"
"Crew expendable."