Inside the Café:

Kotone entered through the front doors of the café and returned to her seat with her friends from SAO. She got the feeling that her absence hasn't gone unnoticed.

"Hey Kotone." Rika said. "Where were you?"

Kotone beamed. "You wouldn't guess who I found among the soldiers."

"Who?"

"Dex. From the ALO mission."

"And that's not all..." Kotone continued. "He was one of my online friends when we were kids... Back before America underwent the Second Civil War..."

Kazuto and Asuna overheard this.

"Looks like you're finally reunited with your pen pal, Kotone." Kazuto smiled.

"And I'm assuming that he's your beloved as well..." Asuna added. "Though I didn't know you knew him from before."

"For years, I haven't heard from him or what happened..." Kotone replied. "And then after the whole Yokota Air Base attack, when you two met him and relayed his message to me, I was surprised and glad that he's alive..."

Kotone put her hands together and bowed. And thanked Kami for protecting Damion and his family from the civil war and from the injury he received at Asuna's hospital the previous month. "Thank you for giving me his tag, you two. It means a lot. I wouldn't have known that he was my old best friend if you hadn't."

"You're welcome, Kotone.." Kazuto and Asuna bowed in response.

Nathan laughed. "You matchmakers," he jested, "now you've got Kotone paired up with a soldier!"

Kazuto and Asuna blushed from Nathan's response.

"You got that right, Nathan..." Tony Stark chuckled. "Though, you gotta be careful with the new Captain America... I've seen him on the job, and he's one strict Cap."

"I agree with you on that, Tony." Anderson chimed. "He doesn't seem to enjoy relationships that much..."

"What is he, a celibate or something?" Tony joked.

"Who knows..." Anderson shook his head. "Which is ironic, given that he had a beautiful girlfriend back home."

Kazuto and Asuna turned to Anderson upon hearing this. Captain Burke never mentioned anything about having a beloved. Then again, soldiers in the armed forces usually don't chat about their personal lives all the time during deployments.

"Really?" Alex asked. "Looking at him, I wouldn't have guessed."

Anderson turned to Kotone. "I'm sure that whatever happens, it won't affect the relationship between you and Private Burton."

Kotone smiled. "Thank you, Captain Anderson."

"Anytime, Miss Takemiya."

It was then Tony turned to Nathan. "I also heard that you're in a relationship yourself, Nathan..."

However, with Kazuto and Asuna, they were talking about Chris Burke's apparent past romance. While the others were chatting about Nathan's love interest, Kazuto and Asuna looked at each other.

"So Chris does... or rather had one he loved," Asuna said.

"I guess... Although, I don't recall him mentioning it." Kazuto replied. "Maybe he just didn't think or want to talk about it."

"So, it'll be best not to bring it up." Asuna suggested.

"I also would not advise that." Asuna looked up to see Steve Rogers.

"Colonel Rogers." She greeted.

"I'm sorry to butt in, but I could not help but overhear the both of you," Colonel Rogers said.

"We were just discussing what Captain Anderson said regarding with Captain Burke..." Kazuto explained.

"Yeah, of course. He wouldn't know the whole story anyways..." the former WW2 Captain America muttered knowingly.

"Was that one of the reasons why they were getting in heated discussions during the whole ALO campaign?" Kazuto asked.

"Well I wouldn't know that..." Colonel Rogers admitted, but then went on, "but what I can tell you both was that because of what happened with his brother and best friend... he fell out of favor with his girlfriend's father, a general."

Kazuto and Asuna paused for a few seconds before the former said. "Suguha said something like that while we're in the Legrue Corridor."

"Why?" Asuna asked, but then realized something, "wait, was his best friend..."

"His best friend," Colonel revealed, "was that girl's brother."

"So that's it..." Kazuto muttered. It was starting to make sense for him, how Captain Burke was being stern and serious during the whole mission. "Another tragedy paralleling the one he suffered with SAO."

"But... what about the woman he loved," Asuna asked, "you mentioned nothing about how she felt."

Colonel shook his head, clearly a little uncomfortable talking about this. "That wasn't all... it had to do with the way he became Captain America."

"I see..." Asuna nodded. However, the young couple wondered who was Captain Burke's girlfriend. But they decided not to press it.

"All I can say is that Captain America has seen more personal loss and tragedy in his life than any young man his age should ever have to endure," Colonel said, "and I wouldn't recommend asking him anything he would not want to discuss about any of that."

"We won't now that we've learned the truth..." Asuna acknowledged.

"Oh..." Colonel muttered under his breath that the others would not hear, "trust me, Asuna Yuuki... you don't really know how tragic his becoming Captain was..."

Asuna just nodded. Still, she and Kazuto could not help but wonder what made this... other half of Taylor the man he was. But for now, they decided to finish up the conversation.

"I can see that you two are happy with your friends," Colonel finally smiled.

"Indeed, we are, Colonel..." Kazuto nodded. "Especially for Kotone and Nathan..."

"I can tell," Steve said with a continuing smile.

"Who would thought our friend and our daughter Strea would find love for each other?" Asuna asked with amusement, followed by her giggles.

"Asuna's a romantic," Kazuto said with a smirk.

"I see..." Colonel Rogers smirked as he and the couple observe Nathan taking his smart phone out and introducing Strea to Stark. "And how is your other daughter then," Colonel asked.

"Yui? She's doing fine as well..." Kazuto answered. "She and Strea have been surfing the internet and learning about our world."

"Though lately, they've been obsessed about the topic of space travel and sci-fi."

"How so?" Rogers asked.

"Well," Kazuto scratched his head with a chuckle, "it turns out our girls have gotten into this series called Gundam."

Asuna gave Kazuto a curious look. "I never knew you're into Gundam."

"Well I wasn't exactly a fan, but I heard plenty about Gundam," Kazuto admitted. "Alex told me about it some time after SAO was cleared..."

"I see..." Asuna deduced.

Kazuto then explained the backstory of the Gundam series and the conflict in the Gundam Seed series.

"Strea and Yui have been pestering me about Gundam Seed ever since," Kazuto laughed. "They also found the series through the MunchieRoll website as well..."

"I still find it hard to believe that Hydra's weapon concepts could become a source of popular intrigue and entertainment," Colonel reflected, "I always thought it the realm of mad scientists at the time."

"In a sense of cruel irony, is that they always use the media as their source of information..." He added.

"Well... It could've been worse..." Kazuto stated. "... At least Hydra hadn't learn how to create Godzilla... We can breathe easy on that.." He let a chuckle to lighten the mood.

"Ugh, yeah, if Hydra did that, I'd command Howler Platoon and the Air Force to level the site," Colonel waved his hands.

"Unless Ultraman came to this world and aid us..." Kazuto added. He went on explaining the Ultraman series.

"Still can't keep track of all this," Steve shook his head, "has the world changed that much? I never would have thought Japanese were into all this."

"Well..." Kazuto said sheepishly. "That can happen if one did freeze and then wake up nearly seventy years..."

"I can't even imagine," Asuna added, "leaving the world and waking up to miss nearly a century worth of history."

"It must've been hard..."

"It was..." Rogers answered. "Everything I knew about the world... everyone I ever knew and cared about... This include those who fought alongside with me during the second world war..."

"All of them gone," Kazuto said. "They weren't killed during the war, were they?"

Colonel Rogers shook his head towards Kazuto. "I was able to find out what happened to most of them..."

"I've learned that Howard Stark died back in the 1990s... He lived long... but he sadly did not outlast Hydra's long grudge."

"Howard Stark... That's Tony's father, correct?" Asuna asked. "And you said something about Hydra doing something to him."

Colonel nodded sadly. "They had him and his wife murdered."

Asuna glanced at Tony before back at Rogers.

"And I also found out about the Howler Commanders and Peggy Carter," Rogers continued. "They made it through until the very end."

Roger then pulled out a photo from his uniform. It showed a woman in her early twenties sporting brown curly hair. Or it could've been brown as the photo Rogers presented was in black and white.

"That was Peggy Carter, the lead agent of OSA and the founder of SHIELD."

"The first SHIELD, if I'm not mistaken..." Asuna deduced.

"Of course... what SHIELD was and should have been." Rogers then became nostalgic, "and she was my love in the war. We even had a big date planned."

"Sounds almost like us, Right, Kazuto-kun?" Asuna asked.

Kazuto smiled back, and urged Steve Rogers to continue.

"She was also there when I was injected with the super-soldier serum... and she stood with me through my final flight into the Arctic."

"What happen exactly in the Arctic?" Asuna asked.

"That was where he was found," Kazuto pointed out.

"Found?" Asuna looked at Kazuto, then back at Colonel Rogers. It was then, it dawned on her. "Wait... You were frozen after you crash-land that Hydra bomber..." She recalled.

Colonel nodded with a hum. "Needless to say, we didn't get a chance for the date..."

"That's so sad," Asuna got a bit emotional. Even Kazuto felt a lump in his throat. The thought of never seeing one's beloved was too familiar for him.

Colonel nodded. "At least I could see her again... and she was taken care of by a good husband." He chuckled, "she married one of the former Howler Commandos."

"Well... At least she's in good care..." Asuna said.

"And even better care now," Colonel nodded, "she's in heaven now..."

It was then Kazuto asked. "D-Did you managed to find another beloved?"

Colonel Rogers smiled as he produced yet another photo of himself... with a smiling blond woman and the officers of Howler Platoon, including Burke and Preston among others.

"Sharon Carter," Rogers says. "Peggy's grandniece..."

Kazuto smirked. "Oh... you sly old man," he teased. Even Asuna found it amusing and giggled.

"Hey," Colonel gently rebuked, "respect your elders."

"Don't worry, Colonel." Kazuto remarked. "Didn't think you'd find someone related to Peggy..." He then shrugged. "But at least you managed to find someone to love and cherish..."

"Yes," Rogers said with a smile, "and while I do miss Peggy and the old Howlers, I found new love and friendships thanks to Sharon, the Avengers, and now Howler Platoon. I can't change what happened, but I can change how I respond to the lemons life gives me."

"You make lemonade," Kazuto answered with a grin.

"Exactly."

Meanwhile, Alex and Suguha are chatting with Naomi and Kenta.

"So..." Naomi began. "I've heard that your father's a navy captain..."

"That's right," Alex nodded. "Been living in Japan since 2015... It's been a good life here."

"Especially since what was starting to happen in the States back in 2016," he added, "not to mention throughout the world..."

"Yeah," Naomi could smile at that a bit. "Also, didn't some of your neighbors moved from America?" She glanced towards Scott, Tim, Randy, Wendy, and Nathan. Then back to Alex.

Yes, all of them are military brats like myself," Alex nodded.

Naomi then looked to Suguha. "And I've heard about you... when Uncle Mine still visited our father."

Kenta scratched his head. "I still can't believe that you're Uncle Mine's little girl, and that you have the beater- I mean Kirito as your brother."

"And I still couldn't believe that my father a cop, then and now..." Suguha replied.

Suguha looked over to see her dad nonchalantly scanning the room like a hawk. His Beretta was concealed from view with his SIT jacket uniform.

"At least we know that we're safe..." She added.

"Yeah..." Naomi said a bit sadly, "I always felt that with both Kenta... and Daddy." Naomi gazed downward towards her hands. "He was not always home every night, but he never stopped letting us know how much he truly loved and protected us. And that he always let us know that he's alright as well..."

"So your dad stayed with the police after mine retired," Suguha asked.

The Ootomi daughter nodded with a hum. "He was younger. Your dad was his mentor after all."

Suguha was awed. "Now that I did not know."

Even Alex was surprised. "Sounds like your family's becoming interesting by the day, Sugu." He complimented. "I guess he was quite the character to earn his nickname."

"Beretta Kirigaya..."

"He sure did..." Suguha nodded.

Alex then continued with his family's history, how he became captain of his own aircraft carrier one year after the second civil war began.

"An aircraft carrier captain?" Naomi asked. "What ship?"

"The USS Thomas Jefferson. A Ford-class supercarrier that Anderson Tech help built." Alex pulled out his phone. Suguha, Naomi, and Kenta observed the photo of the very large aircraft carrier with Alex's father standing in front of it.

"It's one of the aircraft carriers to have an arc reactor installed." Alex explains. "But it also has a green fuel engine. So it's more of a hybrid. Cleaner running, and stealthier than a nuclear carrier," Alex added.

"Wow..." Suguha was bewildered of her boyfriend's family history, even Naomi herself was astonished.

"He and his carrier force participated in the liberation of the West Coast," Alex continued. "Alongside with the navy from Alaska."

"Sounds like your dad got a chunk of the action," Kenta remarked.

"Yeah, though nothing like the meatgrinder on the mainland itself," Alex answered. "It made mom and I worried for both dad and Jon..."

"Jon's your brother, right?"

Alex nodded. "Although, he served in a different ship than father did... Jon is a Navy SEAL attached to one of the forward attack destroyers in the fleet... a tip of the spear if you will."

"Your brother part of the Navy SEAL?" Now Kenta was impressed by Alex's military family.

"Yep... and he wasn't alone either... he served alongside another distinguished SEAL," Alex said, "he was Lieutenant Taylor Burke."

"Chris' twin brother..." Suguha said softly. When Naomi and Kenta looked at her, Sugu explained that Captain Burke told her about his twin brother. And how he helped created the Knights of the Blood guild in SAO. And how he lost his life against Laughing Coffin.

"So that was who that Revere guy was," Kenta realized.

"The first Revere," Suguha clarified. "Captain Burke was the second Revere in ALO..."

"I see..."

"His twin took his tag name?" Naomi asked.

"It probably wasn't his choice." Alex deduced. "Later on, his avatar suffered flashback glitches from his late twin."

"You see... it was coded from the former Revere's," Suguha added, "his mission engineers thought it would make him more combat effective in VR."

"But it did cause some problems while we were in the Legrue Corridor, right after driving off the Sylph/Salamander alliance..."

Naomi then softened her surprised expression. As a programmer, she seemed to know something. "I think I may know what could've caused those glitches..."

"Really?" Alex asked.

"I've seen this kind of phenomenon among some study participants and players inside ALO... It happened sometime after Argus was shut down, we used the Cardinal System to created ALO. While outdated, it was useful for RECT at the time..."

"That's what Kazuto said about ALO using Cardinal," Alex recalled. "Which explains why most of our items and skills were transferred. Although, our items were corrupted and had to delete them..."

Suguha looked to Alex for a bit, then urged Naomi, "so... what was it about seeing this phenomenon?"

"Well... Since all of the players from SAO took our appearances from the real world before logging in." Naomi explains. "And since the root of the problem couldn't be traced, we had a problem with the upgrades."

"What do you mean?" Alex asked.

"Well... The Cardinal system was built by Akihiko Kayaba of Argus as you know..." Naomi reminded.

She continued, "we had a case of some SAO survivors registering as gamers... And during the first week after the game's released, we noticed some of the glitches the players were experiencing..."

Suguha and Alex looked on, while Kenta also seemed curious.

"Most of them were flashbacks from certain attacks from rogue players and floor bosses... and reactions to certain stimuli and events in ALO that seemed to trigger strong reactions."

"I think I may have seen one of the players went into a seizure..." Suguha said.

Alex gave Suguha a surprised look. "You did?"

Sugu nodded. "For a moment, I just assumed it was connection errors. That tends to happen every once in a while during the first few weeks..."

"Of course," Naomi confirmed. "Once the ALO technicians found out about it and notified Nobuyuki, he managed to cover it up by stating it's connection issues and patched it up in the next update."

"Of course..." Alex rolled his eyes.

"So it's not only Captain Burke who can experience this... deja vu," Suguha muttered. "Strange that most of us didn't suffer it during our time in ALO... Minus myself, of course..."

"Yeah... why not me?" Alex wondered. "Or the others as a matter of fact?"

Both he and Suguha glanced at Kirito for a moment. It was no guess that he may have experienced it.

Naomi shrugged, "I don't know, maybe it hasn't triggered."

"Probably... Or maybe we've deleted our old items from SAO. That could be the case..." Alex guessed.

Naomi shook her head. "I don't think it's from the items... This is a cyber-psychological event."

Alex just shrugged. "Well, whatever the case is, it only seems to affect certain players..."

Kenta turned to his sister. "Naomi... When I was held in ALO, did I, by any chance, went through those events before being subjected inside one of the labs?"

"No... we sedated you and the others," Naomi said with a trembling lip.

"Oh..." Kenta muttered.

"I-I just didn't want you to go t-through that..." She continued. "So in a way, I'm glad that I was ordered to do so..."

"I see..." Kenta shook his head. "Well... Better than going through the psychological phases..."

"Yeah," Alex scratched his head, "I wouldn't even wish that on jerks like Kibaou here."

This earned a glare from Kenta.

"I still can't believe that Hydra could do something like kidnapping all those people after SAO was over," Suguha muttered. "I mean, doesn't the Virtual Division have security? There's no way they could've missed this..."

"That group was understaffed," Alex recalled, "I heard that it was because of budgetary concerns... but given what Asuna revealed..."

"Actually, you're not that far off..." Naomi confirmed, "remember the lawmaker, Suzuki Tachibana?"

"You mean that opposition councilwoman who resigned from office last week?" Suguha asked. She had heard about Tachibana who ran and governed on social democracy and pacifism, with high technology and progress for Japan as her main campaign. She was a popular figure, and her resignation was a shock to many. Suguha's eyes widened at Naomi. "Wait... you don't mean..."

"She was arrested shortly after... because she was an agent of Hydra as a plant in the opposition," Naomi revealed, "she was also on the Internal Affairs and Communications Committee, and used her position to covertly thwart funding for the Virtual Division."

"She was Nobuyuki's inside woman to thwart Kikuoka-san's investigation into RECT."

"But... she seemed so..." Suguha was shocked.

"Kind and gentle," Alex finished. "not to mentioned that she sought to help America recover from the second civil war... That also included before the war..."

Alex shook his head. "Still can't believe she was in cahoots with Hydra all along... What a traitor."

"You said it..." Sugu agreed.

With Logan:

Logan Walker broke the neck of a Hydra guard as another Ranger planted C4 onto a fuel tank. So far, they remained hidden from the view of Hydra soldiers. This also includes the combat androids after their scanners have been sabotaged.

"At least that Ant-Man bought us some time..." As far as Logan and the rest of Howler 7-2 concern, both Ant-Man and Wasp have sabotaged one of the submarines and working their way on their second.

"Charge set, sir."

"Good, onto the next..." Logan watched on.

Suddenly there was an alarm. Logan swore under his breath as he realized they've been made. "This is Charlie Team, we're in contact with enemy forces! Taking fire!"

Logan ducked as bullets zipped by him. He took cover as four Hydra shot at him and his team from a gantry above. It was then he heard the combat androids approaching and began firing. But not on Logan or his team. He peeked around the corner and saw the androids firing on Hydra soldiers.

The Hydra soldiers shot back, but two of them were cut down by the bullets and the rest were forced to run. Logan readies his rifle as he took aim. He fired in semi-automatic fire, taking down three Hydra soldiers.

"Get your remaining charges in place! We'll bring the whole house down!"

"On it, captain!" half of the 7-2 moved from cover to avoid getting hit.

"Go go go!" Logan urged his troops on as he laid down suppressing fire with his Mk.18. The Hydra soldiers focus their fire on both Logan's men and the rewired combat androids.

"Looks like our Army friends are in trouble, Scott," Wasp told her partner in love and heroism.

"We've managed to sabotage three subs so far." Ant-Man observed. "You go ahead, I've got this last sub."

"Right on," Wasp primed her stingers in her left arm and her pistol in her right. She then flies out of the final sub and into the heart of the skirmish. She flew up to a squad of Hydra guards and technicians. She resized to normal after positioning from behind, so she could get the drop on them and fire upon them.

"Surprise!" Wasp fires both her stingers and her pistol, taking down Hydra soldiers and technicians. Wasp was hyper-focused as she went to town like a gunslinging cowgirl.

"Someone stop her!" One of the Hydra soldiers shouted. However, Wasp was nimble, going from cover to cover with her superior flight and agility while shooting back and drawing fire. This gave Logan and the rest of 7-2 a chance to carry out their mission and plant charges on fuel tanks and ammunition crates.

Logan burst into a submarine control center and shot a few technicians who raised their weapons. One of the technicians fell backwards and land against the control panel.

"Clear!" Wasp then radios Ant-Man. "Scott, how goes the process?"

"I'm almost done removing the wiring and circuits." Ant-Man replied. "Then, goodbye getaway subs."

There was suddenly a loud alarm that blared over the gunfire.

"That doesn't sound good!" Ant-Man yelled over the noise.

"Emergency launch of the Kraken, authorized"

"Kraken!? That's definitely not good!"

Logan looked out from the control room. He saw something massive move that was not among the visible line of submarines that were in the pens.

"Is that an extra sub!?" One of the Howler soldiers shouted.

"A Typhoon-class," Wasp gasped, "they have a freaking Typhoon-class."

"Typhoon-class? Didn't they decommissioned those?"

"Shoot, it's moving out!" She then radios Logan. "Captain, we need to stop that Typhoon-class sub!"

Logan ran up to the controls and pulled the body off. He tried to close the dock door, but he was given a negative warning about an override.

Wasp sees Ant-Man leaping out of the fourth submarine. "Should we try to go after it?!" He radios her. However, the submarine was already beginning to submerge.

A soldier next to Wasp swore. "That nuclear monster will roam the seas!"

Then they see Ant-Man disappear, presumably shrunken and trying to enter the sub.

"I've got to make it..."

However, electric arcs are seen surrounding the submarine's hatch. Ant-Man managed to steer out of the way and avoid getting hit. "No!" Ant-Man grunted as the Typhoon escaped underwater.

He approached Wasp and the others and grows to normal size. "They put an EM shield on the ship," he gasped, "nearly got fried."

"How did we missed a fifth submarine?" One soldier asked.

"That berth was not in the floor plans," another said.

"They must've made renovations of their own," said a third.

A disgruntled Captain Logan Walker walked up next to Ant-Man and Wasp. "We should've dug deeper into the base's layout, and we would've stopped the fifth sub from escaping... and now we've got a nuclear monster escaping into the world."

"Captain America isn't gonna like this..." Logan lamented. However, more gunfire broke out as Hydra reinforcements arrived.

"Still got the detonator?!" Logan asked after ducking behind cover.

"Roger sir, I-" the demolition expert was interrupted as a round blew into his chest, knocking him to the floor and causing the detonator to clatter into an open area. Logan tried to reach it, only to be forced to retreat after a few rounds came close to clipping him.

He looked over to Wasp and Ant-Man as they shot back with the other Howlers. He looked back at the detonator before her gave the order. "My specialist is down! I need the detonator!"

Ant-Man glanced at the detonator, nodded before he pressed the button on his belt and he shrank. He leapt toward the detonator and pushed it. The super-human strength the Ant-Man suit was equipped with helped him move the detonator with ease.

He jumped up next to the Ranger captain. "Here!"

Logan catches it as Ant-Man grew back to normal size. Logan clutched the controller as he ducked next to his dead specialist. With gritted teeth, he muttered, "make my day!" Logan pressed the clapper. A ripple of loud explosions echoed throughout the submarine base. Shrapnel debris flew in all directions and striking half of the Hydra reinforcements.

Wasp ducked with the others as debris rained down. Ant-Man nearly got grazed by the shrapnel as he dodged out of the way. The whole facility was bathed in violent orange flashes and fire. The four submarines were also hit by the explosions as their hulls became breached and sank into the water-filled docks.

Logan grit his teeth as he radioed, "Howler 7-2, retreat!" Everyone begins to evacuate the destroyed submarine base. The survivors took their wounded or dead and shot their way in different directions. Ant-Man and Wasp helped with the retrieving of the dead while shooting back against the remaining Hydra soldiers. Logan continued to fire as his demo specialist's body was moved by another soldier.

They made their way towards the exit as the flames spread around them, with Logan being the last as he chucked a grenade in Hydra's direction before diving towards the door. Any Hydra not fast or smart enough to escape never stood a chance as fires and explosions claimed the last of the former WW2 base...

SS Kraken:

"Full speed ahead!"

"Aye, captain!" The Hydra yeoman saluted. The submarine hummed loudly as the reactor-powered turbines spun. The Hydra personnel of the Kraken were fortunate to escape from the nosy American soldiers.

The Japanese captain gritted his teeth. Of course, they would still be after them. But not this time, as they'd gotten the leg-up on the situation and escaped. The idea of concealing a fifth dock when they renovated the sub-base was ingenious. And this nuclear submarine would allow them to stalk the seas of Japan undetected for a long time...

Off the coast of Okushiri Island:

Jonathan Mitchell wanted the action, and he never thought it could come fast enough. But now it was his chance to stick it to Hydra. His destroyer had been stationed some distance away as not to alarm any locals living near coastlines. He and his SEALs watched as two of the Russian-made fighter jets they were told belonged to a USAF special contingent soared in a holding pattern.

'Any moment now...' Jon thought. He then looked over toward the Navy's... special guest. A woman in her mid-thirties and sporting red hair and wearing a dark red outfit.

"So... Miss Maximoff.. you know what you're doing, right?"

The superpowered red-dressed woman gave the SEAL leader a small smile. "Yes... I find the Typhoon-class submarine and force them to surface.." She said with a noticeable accent.

"I read that thing is huge and weighs more than a few thousand tons," one SEAL objected, "you can't possibly lift something like that."

"Wouldn't be my first time of lifting something huge," Maximoff smirked, "and I'm sure it wouldn't be my last..."

The SEAL just huffed.

Jon smirked on the inside. "Don't disappoint us."

"I won't let you down, lieutenant..."

Then the battle alert sounded over across the destroyer.

"It's time..." Jon said. "Sounds like our monster submarine escaped before our Howlers could rip into it."

"I'll head out to locate the submarine..." Maximoff said before heading out onto the deck. Wanda Maximoff stood out on the stern flight deck. She focused her senses towards the ocean below her.

'Come to me...' She thought as she then floated up towards the air and outwards. Wanda had to focus just enough to get the submarine to surface, but still leave herself strong enough to return without drowning.

SS Kraken:

"Captain! The main engines are offline!" The yeoman called out.

The captain cursed. 'What is the problem,' he wondered.

"I'm scanning the engines for diagnosis!" The yeoman added. There was a loud groan and shudder. Everyone was jolted as the submarine angled upward.

"What's going on?!" The captain held onto the chair. "Why are we ascending!?"

"Something's got hold of the submarine!" One of the technicians shouted.

"We can't descend!" The helmsman yelled as he pushed down hard.

"Activate the periscope screen!" The captain ordered. The holo-screen flickered on, static filled the screen for a few seconds before a clear image was shown.

The captain cursed... As on the screen, it shows the sub being enveloped by a red aurora. And as the ship rose, the periscope was giving him a view of what, or who was above the surface.

"It can't be..." The captain gasped. He turned away from the holo-screen. "Push down! Full speed ahead!"

The helmsman pressed the command buttons to activate the engines, they felt the sudden and violent explosion coming from the rear of the submarine.

"Torpedo impact!"

The captain ordered to check the radar while he observed the periscope's holo-screen again. Then, he saw something in the sky above. "Oh great..."

Hitman 3 and 4:

"There she is..." Dip said as he watched the submarine known as the Kraken surface. Despite all effort, the submarine is at the mercy of the red aurora. Cipher saw the US destroyer turn its weapons on the Kraken, just as the radio buzzed with the destroyer captain's communique.

"Hitman Team, commence attack on our designated target. Fire to disable."

"Copy that, sir," Cipher acknowledged, "engaging."

Dip and Cipher dip down towards the Kraken. "Aim for the propellers."

"And damage the hull, but don't overdo it; we don't want to breach the reactor, Diplomat."

"Roger that, Cipher." Dip took aim at the propellers and fired the cannons. Cipher followed up with his own rocket barrage. Both the propellers and the tail were hit and took damage. Dip then switched to his guided bombs. He takes aim around the submarine, looking for a place to cause some damage.

Dip shook his head. "Screw it," he muttered as he just dropped two of the bombs on the spot designated via laser. Moments later, two columns of water sprouted out of the ocean and into the air from the underwater detonations. The two guided bombs landed close to the submarine, damaging the hull, but not rupturing it.

Wanda strained to hold the submarine on the surface as the destroyer and Hitman fighters fired on it.

SS Kraken:

The submarine was rocked as the US ship and aircraft bombed it.

"Captain! The hull's been breached, we're taking on water!" The yeoman panicked. The captain cursed again like the crooked sailor he was.

"What about the missile silos?!"

"Sustaining hits to the pressure hull!"

"All of them?!"

"The armor is holding," an operator reported, "but that destroyer is too close for our long range missiles!"

The captain cursed again. All hopes of escaping and fighting back are fruitless against the full force of the US ship, aircraft, and an Inhuman cornering them. "Well if we are going down, we'll go out with a bang," the Japanese captain swore, "get our short-range batteries up."

"Yes sir!" the yeoman saluted.

Outside:

Dip's bomb hit its mark as part of the hull next to the sail buckled. "Yeah, that's gotta hurt!"

"We don't want to destroy the boat, Dip," Cipher reminded, "just stop it."

"I know..." Dip replied dismissively. "But, we need to make them think twice before trying anything that they'll regret..."

However, several compartments to the rear of the sub opened up.

"What are they doing?"

It was then that small platforms rose up from the compartments. Dip got glimpses of multiple gun barrels glistening from the sunlight shining from the splashed water. Not long after, Dip got a radar lock alert; the boat had SAMs.

"Contact! Contact! They got AA weapons!" Cipher yelled. The two Hitmen raised altitude as the boat opened up.

"We need to take out the AA weapons!" Dip called out. Cipher had to dump flares as a missile was shot up at him.

"Flares, flares, flares!" The missile went towards the flares and detonated in mid-air.

Meanwhile, the men on the destroyer saw what was happening, but before they knew it, the rear deck gun opened up on their ship. As shells splashed around the ship, the captain gave orders. "TAO, reengage the enemy ship with prejudice! Return fire!"

The destroyer began to open up on the Hydra submarine. Wanda breathed hard as she watched the gun battle unfold. She had to do something to even the odds. So, she focused all her strength and power on the sub's weaponry.

"Got to destroy the missiles..." She concentrated on the AA missile launcher. Wanda closed her eyes as she used her telekinesis to overheat the warheads. The launcher locks onto one of Hitman's aircraft and was about to fire.

However, Wanda flashed energy at it and caused it to misfire. Wanda realized this and used her powers to divert the missile away. She slammed it down onto the water before it could hit any shoreline on the island. Wanda breathed a sigh of relief before refocusing her attention on the submarine again.

She focused on the deck gun shooting at her ship. She managed to cause the gun's auto-loading system to buckle its feed. Causing the gun to stop shooting.

However, the Hydra crew seemed to notice her interference. One of them went for the large case and flipped the lid open and pulled out a rifle.

"I'm going up top the sail!" He loads a fresh magazine in the rifle and chambers a round. "I'll kill that insubordinate witch."

With Hitman:

"Cipher," Dip said, "that lady's doing something again."

"She's trying to disable the submarine's AA weapons." Cipher reported.

"And that destroyer down there is firing away like no tomorrow," Dip added. "I'm gonna try to disable their AA weapons, there's no telling what else they may have up their sleeve..."

"You've got an opening, Dip. Take the shot!"

Dip adjusted the flight pattern for his fighter jet, took aim at the rear of the submarine, and opened up with a salvo of cannon rounds and missile strikes. The rounds and AGMs hit home, causing significant damage. Dip smirked as the AA launcher exploded and the stern of the submarine's in flames.

Cipher then let loose the last of his rockets, destroying the sail and crippling the boat. "That should do it, they'll be considering surrendering since they'll be sinking soon."

Meanwhile, the destroyer captain monitored the damage and saw that the Kraken was on fire and disabled. "Cease firing!"

With Jon Mitchell:

The guns and missiles on the destroyer ceased suddenly, the area fell silent apart from the fighter jets from Hitman. Weary from the pulling and fighting, Wanda slowly floated back to the destroyer. Jonathan saw her and told a couple of sailors, "help her!"

The two sailors ran over to the side and prepared for a raft in case she fell in the water. Fortunately, Wanda managed to stumble behind the safety railing, allowing for the destroyer crew to catch her. A medic was also on scene to check for any injuries such as nosebleeds.

"Maximoff? Look at me."

Wanda looked up as the medic checked her face and eyes. "Other than fatigue, you seem okay."

"That's good..." Wanda replied. She grunted as she helped herself up.

"At least we've stopped Hydra from escaping..." Jon remarked with a smile. "Thought they'd get away..."

Inside the Kraken:

The captain woke up with a bloody head wound and hurting all over. He saw that the command module was just a tangle of cables and equipment strewn about. Bodies of his crew laid twisted and mangled by the bomb impacts.

"C-curse you Americans..." he gasped out one more curse before his eyes rolled back. He fell back dead, impaled on a pipe that came loose.

With Jon Mitchell:

Lieutenant Mitchell, Maximoff, and the others watched at the Typhoon-class submarine floated, crippled beyond operation.

"That Kraken's going nowhere," one SEAL said.

"Alright, get you team ready," Jon ordered, "we're boarding that sub in five."

"If there is anything left to board."

"Our objective is to seize the sub and its war materiel, not destroy it," Jonathan reminded, "we don't need to turn this area into a radioactive dead sea. Let's get to it."

"Yes sir!" The SEAL saluted before turning and leaving.

Back in Tokyo:

"Let's go everyone, into the cars," Captain America said as Kazuto, Asuna, Alex, Suguha, Kenta, and Naomi were ushered back into the convoy. Kazuto and Alex opened the doors for the others. Asuna and Suguha climbed inside before Kazuto and Alex did. As that happened, Colonel and Captain America got a notification from command; the Okushiri Island operation was deemed a success... but the Mongolia strikes and the transfer of Nobuyuki were still ongoing.

"Mmmmm... That was a delicious meal..." Suguha sighed as she rested her head against Alex's shoulder.

"Glad you liked it," Alex smiled. "And I can see Kazuto enjoyed it as well.." He added with a chuckle.

"That I did," Kazuto beamed from across Asuna and Suguha, "though that game clearing celebration towards the end was a little corny."

Asuna gave Kazuto a playful glare and shove. "Come on, Kirito-kun," she moaned, "don't be such a sour puss. Even the Captain stood up there with you and Alex when he and Iron Man were called."

"That also included the old man, Stanley..." Alex added.

"Wonder what that was about," Asuna muttered, "but you know what I mean, Kirito... just enjoy the accolades."

"Yeah... You're right..." Kazuto strokes Asuna's hair gently.

"Yeah, Onii-chan," Suguha beamed, "you four heroes helped save so many in ALO. Take pride in that a lot of people owe their lives and freedom to you."

It was then Alex added. "Even the original Avengers received praise after the Battle of New York was won."

Kazuto felt sheepish, but then again... it was nice to be appreciated for once.

"And besides, you two have a wedding coming up." Alex added with a smile. "You've got to give Asuna a good dowry," the American boy teased.

"Alex-kun..." Suguha giggled. "No need to tease Kazuto-niisan and Asuna-nesan."

The two main lovebirds in question blushed heavily as the five chuckled and giggled.

In the MRAP, Naomi and Kenta were once again seated next to the Colonel behind the Captain and their driver.

"So far, so good..." Rogers said.

"7-1, remain on high alert, we are oscar mike," Captain America radioed.

"Copy that, Captain. We're moving now..." The convoy begins to move.

Colonel Rogers smiled as he turned towards Naomi. "Okay young lady, you wanted me to ride with you and your brother," he said, "what is it that you want to talk about?"

"It's about the Americans from our company that you have in your custody," Naomi said, "I'm concerned because nothing has been said of them for weeks."

Colonel exhaled as he crossed his arms. "Yes... they're all in military jails on Okinawa, awaiting court martials for desertion and fleeing military justice."

"They may have done atrocities during the civil war, but they did help us take down Hydra within RECT." Naomi explained.

Kenta could not help but be curious about these men and women. "Who are they, little sis?"

"They were Americans who fought in the Civil War... But not for the Free States..." Naomi admitted. "They're refugees of the factions that were defeated and dismantled by the reformed United States."

Kenta was surprised. "The Federated States of Pacifica?"

"Among others," Naomi said, "many of them are former military... so they evaded capture, and took advantage of the refugee program Japan had in place."

"And almost all of them worked for RECT..." Naomi then looked pleadingly to the Colonel. "They are not going to be killed, are they?"

Well..." Colonel Rogers began. "Most of them have committed war crimes alongside with the Blue Cosmos...and even if they did not... the fact is that they are deserters and insurrectionists in the eyes of the law."

"But they turned their backs on Hydra to help you and your men," Naomi begged, "can't that mean something?"

Silence filled the interior of the MRAP.

"What about the Japanese government," Kenta suddenly raised the possibility.

Captain America II just shook his head. "With its current political position and the American government scrutinizing the Hydra infiltration, they would not dare go against my country... and knowing the way they operate, you really think they would stick their necks out for non-Japanese?"

"But there's got to be some way for them to avoid death row." Naomi protested. "I don't want those people to die like that!"

"Which is why I put in a favorable intelligence report," Colonel revealed, surprising the Ootomis, even Captain America II.

"Y-You have?" Naomi stammered.

"Colonel?" Chris Burke questioned.

"Not to worry, Captain. They'll undergo interviews and be monitored. Besides, they are still our fellow Americans, and if they chose to do what is right..."

Captain America II looked skeptical about this decision. "I don't know..."

"Captain America," Steve Rogers locked eyes earnestly with his successor, "there is an earnest lesson here... And it's that some people can be redeemed for their actions..."

Colonel then added, "besides, what I see is that several good Americans got roped into bad situations beyond their control, and as the previous Captain America, I want to help them make things right again."

"You mean..." Naomi couldn't finish her question.

"I mean it," Colonel simply said optimistically.

"Thank you, Colonel Rogers..." Naomi bowed in gratitude. "Asuna-san will be glad to hear this..."

"It's the least I can do for the men and women who risked their own lives and freedom to stop Hydra's plot," Colonel Rogers nodded, "after all, they made your and Miss Yuuki's freedom and my successor's victory possible."

Captain America II remained silent as he turned his attention towards the streets outside. The raw emotions of betrayal were still fresh in his old wounds, but he did not want to say anything.

RECT Kyoto Branch, Temporary Headquarters:

Shouzou walked to the boardroom, with several of his personal and police bodyguards lining corridors and doors. It would be the first board meeting after several of the Board of Directors had been purged and reformed in the wake of several arrests, and other suspected Hydra members going into hiding. The skeleton crew was all that's left of the Board of Directors. Along with lawyers from another company... Anderson Tech Industries.

As Shouzou approached, two female attendants opened the boardroom doors. He thanked them as he walked through, the doors closing behind him. Shouzou took in the current membership... only about three fifths of the original board was intact...

"Mr. Yuuki..." One of the lawyers introduced himself. "I'm Andrew Erikson, this is Phil Cinders, and Karl Harding."

"Anderson Tech... welcome gentlemen," Shouzou bowed slightly. "Glad you three could make it."

The American gentlemen just nodded and smiled. Shouzou could see that they were not that well versed in Japanese etiquette. But he shrugged it off for the moment before he and the three lawyers sat down.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." Shouzou introduces himself. "Today we're here to discuss the future of RECT."

"As those of you still here with me know... we've been infiltrated and subverted by an enemy of this country, and nearly destroyed as a result. While we managed to take back control of the company, the actions of the enemy has destroyed the reputation of our company."

Shouzou then dimmed the room for a holographic presentation on a wall screen. The image of Nobuyuki appeared.

"Their leader, Sugou Nobuyuki, have been apprehended a couple of weeks ago."

There was disgust among the family loyalists. Including the American lawyers.

"I don't need to remind you what else he has done..." Shouzou lamented from the memory.

"No you do not," an old friend of the family quickly said before anyone else could. "Everyone in the world saw the broadcasts from the ALO game..." He added. "Which, of course, caused everyone to become twitchy with RECT."

"Please, let's not dwell on that," Shouzou asked everyone.

"Agreed... I think everyone has done plenty as of late..." He nodded.

Shouzou continued. "However, I believe that there is still much more to be done to rebuild RECT into the respectable company that my family has run for generations, and to expunge it of the evil Hydra has created under its roof."

"Which is why Anderson Tech Industries has offered to help with the rebuilding." He added. Shouzou looked to the Anderson representatives, "I have a proposed motion to this board, which is to approve the accelerated partnership with Anderson Tech Industries to compensate for the disbandment of our Progress branch."

"As you know, RECT Progress Inc's only a gaming branch to RECT, which makes video games, as well as the AmuSphere to replace the NerveGear after Argus shut down.."

"... and it was also the most heavily infiltrated by Hydra."

"Now that RECT Progress is shut down, we no longer have any access to any of the video game market at this time," Shouzou said.

Another loyalist raised his hand. "But doing that has already tanked RECT's market share. Was that really wise to do?"

"Which is why we called in Anderson Tech Industries for support." Shouzou replied. "I am proposing an organizational overhaul of RECT to replace our losses and to strengthen it in areas of industry that are the least affected by the PR disaster."

Silence filled the room for a few seconds before the RECT loyalist spoke up. "I would like to point out that although Anderson Tech and RECT were at odds in the past... But, I agree with you, Shouzou-san... and given how central RECT Progress had become to Hydra, it's just as well that we disavow and disband them to save the company."

It was then Phil Cinders spoke up. "And of course, we'll step in to deal with the legal issues while defending RECT from the bad publicity..."

"Once all that has settled, then we'll be able to rebuild RECT.. and collaborate with RECT on the prior gaming market agreement if that still stands."

Shouzou knew that Anderson Tech had a gaming branch formed one year before the second civil war began, filled with indie games and game developers. While it was not widely accepted in Japan... it may perhaps be an alternative. Plus, before the civil war, Japan was one of the countries Anderson Tech made business trades with after the latter imposed the embargo on the US government over the Accords.

So, this could be their chance...

"We would certainly help introduce you all to the world of independent gaming and development," another American said. "As well as continue the production of the AmuSpheres."

Shouzou smiled warmly. To him, Full-Dive technology in America is still being practice. Even after the SAO incident and before the ALO incident. Of course... there was another... grimmer industry that RECT would find itself looking into as the country moved to a war emergency...

Seburo Firearms:

Kouichirou Yuuki arrives at the HQ for Seburo Firearms. He was let out of his car by armed security as the gate closed up.

"Welcome, Kouichirou-san." The head of security greeted.

"Thank you, but I must skip the pleasantries," Kouichirou said, "I need access to our records and inventory right away."

"We'll take you to the archives, just follow us..." The head of security nodded before turning and heading towards the door with Kouichirou close behind. As they walked, Kouichirou looked to his bodyguards with a knowing nod. He, along with everyone else, have to keep a close eye on any possible breach of security. Kouichirou felt in his pocket for his 'insurance'... something from some heroics in America and here at home.

"We'll almost there, sir..." The head of security said.

Kouichirou then gave glances to his inspectors. "You know your jobs."

"You got it, Kouichirou-san," one of the inspectors replied. "We'll be thorough."

"Good, I want every piece of gun and ammunition accounted for," Kouichirou said as he took in the surroundings. It was the first time he had ever been inside Seburo, let alone any gun manufacturer. It was a daunting thought. Still, it's better to get it done and make sure none of the weapons are missing.

As some of the auditors peeled off, Kouichirou and his bodyguards entered the archives. The older Yuuki heir started searching through one of the file cabinets.

"Ah yes... armory inventory." He pulls out the file and begins to read through it. As he did, he could not help but wonder at the varied variety of weapons produced and stored in the factory next to the headquarters.

'To think we'd store this many firearms here,' he thought. And these were the next generation of small caliber, armor piercing firearms... more advanced than any other nation's arms, save for the United States. He shuddered from the thought of Hydra getting their hands on these weapons...

While most military powers opted for larger and more powerful intermediate rounds, these rifles and submachine guns in Seburo's lineup opted for higher-than-average magazine capacities of the small high-velocity anti-armor rounds for urban and asymmetrical warfare. All of which to support the soldiers of the Japanese Self-Defense Force.

He then looked to transaction records... and saw that weapons had already been sold in quantities to various Japanese government agencies and some military. He checked the names of the government agencies and military bases that purchased them. It was quite a number who had purchased prototypes... mainly those working in public safety, special operations, and intelligence.

"Alright... now to inspect our inventories." Kouichirou closes the file cabinets and made his way to the warehouse.

With Kazuto and Asuna:

"High drama on the seas unfolded this late morning and afternoon as witnesses reported US ships and Russian planes firing on what appears to be a large submarine..."

Kazuto and Asuna watched the news from the SUV's holo-screen.

"However, Russian officials were quick to issue a denial of any military involvement, and the US Navy has refused to comment. And now... On the weather..."

"That must be one of the operations Captain and Colonel were talking about," Asuna muttered.

"At least Hydra won't be using that submarine for anything..." Kazuto agreed.

"Must have been a real big deal," Alex hummed, "I wonder what my brother would say to that."

"No idea," Suguha snuggled with Alex, "but I'm not sure if he'll say any details regarding the operation..."

"And I would strongly recommend against asking unless he says something first," Minetaka said as he drove, "the Americans are still on high alert."

"Don't worry, dad. We're not planning to anyway." Sugu agreed before curling up against Alex.

"Still, this is a sign of the times we are now in," Kazuto lamented, "I regret that I could not bring Asuna back to a more peaceful world."

"You can't blame yourself for that," Minetaka said. "No one knew that Hydra was still active. They tricked everyone into thinking they were wiped out back in the 2010s." He reassured Kazuto.

"Don't be silly," Suguha pouted, "you can't blame yourself for that!"

"Both your father and sister are right, Kazuto-kun." Asuna stroked his check. "Besides... we have many people standing with us. Both from SAO, ALO, and the real world. And I will see to it that all the others who fought and sacrificed will not be forgotten either."

"Same goes for me as well," Alex chimed, "It's what Anderson said after the civil war ended. 'The world is always in constant danger and threats continue to remain hidden. But no matter how big the threats are or whoever's plotting to hurt those who they view as obstacles. We'll always be ready to meet them with great force and drive the wicked out of the shadows and bring them into the light.'"

"But won't that mean that... Captain America, Iron Man, and their soldiers can't stop fighting?" Suguha asked, unable to imagine a life of constant military combat.

"Not really. I mean whenever there's danger, they'll be ready to face them." Alex explained. "... That doesn't mean that we shouldn't celebrate life..."

"But it does mean that they are the ones to pay the price of peace," Kazuto answered. "Like what we went through in SAO..."

"That's... a hard life," Suguha felt deflated. She didn't want to imagine Alex or Kazuto being killed in some battle...

Alex gently stroked Sugu's hair. "Hey... I think those guys are more than capable of taking care of themselves," Alex said, "if anything, I'd be more worried for anybody foolish enough to take them on."

Suguha giggled from Alex's remarks. "You're right, Alex-kun."

"They'd be just as foolish to take me and Asuna on," Kazuto snickered.

"Like they were back at the Yokota air base." Asuna giggled.

She snapped her finger with a spark of white light. Kazuto and Alex smirked while Sugu giggled.

"Asuna-nesan, you just sparked with that fingersnap."

"I sure did..." Asuna realized.

"So... how is your control of your powers?" Suguha asked.

"Well... After the Yokota battle, I've decided to experiment with a few new abilities. One such as focusing my energy into a sword like I did before..."

"It was like having the Lambent Light in my hands again... Only made of pure energy..." She expressed while examining her right hand. "It felt as though my whole life was building up to those moments somehow."

"Same went for me as well during the whole ALO incident..." Alex added.

Kazuto smiled as he looked to his hands, "and while I may not have as flashy of powers... I make up for it in strength, speed, and healing capabilities..."

Asuna looked to her beloved proudly. Their time in SAO have inspired them to manifest their super powers. She also wondered what would their friends' super powers be.

Mongolia:

"Trigger! You got a bogey on your tail!" Prez shouted.

Monarch saw that some Su-30s were going after the younger Hitman pilot. He radioed, "Comic, take care of Trigger."

"On my way, Monarch." Comic replied.

Comic vectored her Advanced Eagle into attack position. She engaged the missile lock on one of the Su-30s.

"Fox 2!"

The first missile makes its mark as it hits the Su-30's jet thrusters.

Comic didn't waste time as she primed her cannon. "Trigger, make sure you're not in my line of fire," she warned.

The young pilot acknowledged by banking to the left. A split-second later, Comic opens up on the cannon. The second Su-30 was not prepared as one engine was shorted out by the shrapnel, forcing the pilot to divert away from Trigger's tail as he went evasive.

Meanwhile, the Firebird Quinjets began to airdrop their troops while Falcon covered for them.

'We're almost there.' Falcon thought while keeping a lookout for any attacks from the air.

However, Hitman team seemed to keep the enemy in the air busy, so covering the landing was more of his immediate concern as Hydra stormtroopers streamed out of the bunkers.

Seconds later, the Quinjets finished deploying their troops and pulled out. They came in on their wingsuits as Falcon laid down covering fire with his automatic rifle.

He can hear radio chatter, marking their safe landings. "Watch the stormtroopers, Firebirds," Falcon called as he flew behind a truck for cover, "these guys are better shots than most of the other mooks!"

"We will, Falcon. We're moving in now!"

"Stormtroopers... wish we had Howler Platoon to chew them up."

"Heck! We wish that Deadpool guy was here!" Someone chimed.

"What kind of talk is that!? We are Air Force Firebirds, we can take them!"

"Guys, radio discipline," Falcon voiced off with an eyeroll.

"Sorry." The radio chatter ceased. Falcon fired at the stormtroopers, who took cover behind light armored vehicles and exo-suits.

'Thought they can hide behind all that armor.' He thought amusedly. He activated a targeting laser on his wrist. "Snatcher 1, enemy armor within one hundred meters at my twelve o'clock. Put some rounds on them!"

"Gotcha, Falcon. On my way over now." Snatcher 1 replied.

One of the F-35s broke off towards the enemy armor facing Falcon. "Laser guidance data received, ETA is five... four... three... two..."

The F-35 fired its cannons, taking out Hydra's ground enemy armor. Falcon shielded himself from debris. Seconds later, the firing stopped and the dust cloud dissipated. There were still some enemy armor and more stormtroopers, but a good portion of the vehicles had been turned to scrap.

'That should give our ground forces an edge,' he thought. Falcon continued to lay down covering fire against the stormtroopers that are now without cover. Some of the stormtroopers fell under the barrage of fire from the armed airmen raiding the base, while most others retreated behind new barriers and weapons emplacements.

The ground team continued to push forward, gaining ground while eliminating Hydra resistance.

Hitman meanwhile continued to dominate the skies as Hydra planes entered the airspace, only to be met by the two former mercenary aces and their new protégé.

"Looks like we got more joining in the party." Comic laughed.

"What, did Hydra hire some bored out Mongols to man their planes?" Trigger asked, "there's an awful lot for a hidden missile base."

"Either that or they're protecting something very important." Comic observed.

"The missile base, duh," Prez chimed.

"Bingo." Comic replied.

Monarch maneuvered his F-14D+ to keep up with an Su-27, which was quite doable with the Tomcat's high thrust and a custom fly-by-wire improving response and agility.

"He's good, but not good enough..." Monarch muttered.

The Su-27 turned tightly, but Monarch was able to get a lock for his lethal AIM-9X. He quickly fires the missile at the Su-27.

"Fox 2!" With his good angle, the missile homed in on the Flanker and blew its rear off. Sending it spinning towards the ground in flames. However, cannon fire whizzed past the canopy. Prez was jolted as Monarch went evasive.

Two more Su-27s are tailing them.

"Monarch," Prez said uneasily.

"Hang on." Monarch replied as he turned tightly to the right.

Meanwhile, Falcon worked to make progress for the team targeting the missile silos and storage facilities. Falcon took down several outposts and watch towers that are set up throughout the area. Eventually, Falcon spotted a building that looks like an entrance to the silo base.

"That's gotta be it..." Falcon thought aloud, "hope they don't have any launches planned!" Then he sees more stormtroopers pouring out of the concrete entrance with guns blazing.

Without hesitation, Falcon swooped down and opened up on the incoming stormtroopers. Some of the stormtroopers fell, while others opened up with a vengeance. Falcon darted in and out to avoid getting hit.

"Hydra's got some tougher guys and armor this round!"

The ground forces began picking off stormtroopers from behind the wrecked vehicles. The dirt and desert sand kicked up in the air. While it wasn't much like before, but the winds blew the dust around. Making visual difficult.

"Ugh..." Falcon grunted as the winds picked up. He was glad he's wearing both the goggles and the combat mask for this mission. "This was so not in the forecast!" He flew up in the air to avoid the dust cloud. He reloaded with a casket magazine before laying down suppressing fire.

He then deploys the small drone dubbed 'Redwing' and it flies into the dust cloud, Falcon activates the camera and sonar in his combat goggles to track it. As the little mechanical flying wing showed up as a blue light, it flew around marking friendlies in blue, and the stormtroopers in red.

"This should make things easier.." Falcon muttered before taking aim and firing in controlled bursts.

Off Okushiri Island:

Jonathan Mitchell steadied himself on the hull as he and his SEALs made contact with the stricken Hydra Kraken. The giant sub took a beating and yet, managed to stay afloat.

"Alright, let's get inside and secure any cargo and munitions," Jonathan said, "and keep your masks close in case of reactor leaks."

"Yes sir." One of the SEALs replied. Another SEAL set a small charge on an entry hatch and blew the seal off.

"Go! Go! Go!" Jonathan ordered as the SEALs began climbing down. The young Mitchell officer coughed a bit as smoke filled the corridor. He slips his gas mask on to protect him from the smoke. He then trained his Mk.18 ahead of him as he started issuing more orders.

"Make sure you check every corner possible! Team Bravo, secure any munitions including ballistic missiles!"

Jon and the SEALs continued on.

"Team Charlie, secure the reactor and make sure it is safe... Alpha and I will secure the quarters and neutralize the crew."

"On it, sir!" Team Charlie replied. "Contact!"

The corridor was lit up with muzzle flashes as Jon and the SEALs took cover. Firing single shots down the corridor, while being mindful of any bullet ricocheting off the corridor metal walls.

"Take the boat, use whatever force is needed!"

One of the SEALs tossed a flashbang down the corridor, lighting everything in a brief moment. "Move up!"

The SEALs began moving up the corridor, taking out Hydra soldiers that were blinded by the flashbang. Jonathan led the way as he fought for every compartment and space he walked. It didn't taking long for Hydra's resistance to thin out.

Jonathan then entered the wrecked command module, keeping his weapon trained for any possible ambush.

There were just numerous bodies and debris from collapsed ceilings, pipes, and wires. Jonathan carefully made his way through the debris while checking the control panels, all of which are destroyed.

"Those mercs overdid it..." Jonathan grumbled. He sure hoped that the sub's reactor isn't heavily damaged. Otherwise, it could cause a problem for everyone.

"We still need to be able to have this hulk towed back..." Jon's comm radio squawks as Team Charlie reports.

"We've secured the reactor room and some surviving technicians..."

"Copy that, Team Charlie. The command module's been secured... Or what's left of it..." Jonathan swallowed as he asked the question. "Reactor status?"

"The reactor room took a beating, but the reactor itself's intact... No radiation leaks have been detected, Alpha."

"Good to hear. We're moving to the armory." Checking his Mk.18, Jonathan made sure to top off his rifle. He turned to two of his SEALs. "Hold this bridge." He then took the rest of the SEALs to the armory.

Tokyo, Japan:

The busy streets and districts continued on the daily hustle and bustle. However, for many citizens, the now regular sightings of Japanese military convoys was an alien and jarring sight. It was the reminder that the whole country was in a state of emergency. Hidden in one of the armored personnel carriers in one particular convoy was escorting a certain Hydra Supreme Commander to be turned over to the Americans.

Frank Castle is overseeing the escort as he sits in one of the armored personnel carriers. He and his detachment of Howlers had been given special permission to assist the Japanese Special Forces Group escorting Nobuyuki to the rendezvous point. It was highly unusual for the JSDF to escort criminals, but because of the military nature of Nobuyuki's crimes and his being wanted for war crimes in the United States, his transfer took on a dimension of higher than usual security.

The whole ride was a quiet, uneventful one. Most of the JSDF and Castle keeping their attention on Nobuyuki.

"How far until we reach Iruma Air Base?" Castle asked his adjutant.

"We should be there in about twenty minutes." One of the Howler soldiers replied. "Less if traffic clears up..."

"Good, but keep your guard up." Castle said. "Anything could happen in those twenty minutes. We'll only be safe once we are in the air..."

Castle turned his gazed back to Nobuyuki. He was in handcuffs with a hood over his head, flanked by two Army Rangers with their M17 pistols in their hands. He surely won't be giving anyone smirks now that all plans of escape have faded.

"Let's just hope that 7-2 and those Firebirds are taking care of Hydra's long-range strike capabilities," the adjutant said quietly, "I hate for them to break him out when we are this close."

"Corporal, we can only do what we can control within our purview," Castle reminded, "just focus on the task at hand and let the others worry about their own duties."

"Yes, sarge."

Castle expected Nobuyuki to chuckle at the remark. However, there was none. Castle thought that Nobuyuki was either feeling defeated, or he was expecting some grand plan of escape, but with US command acting on intel from Fury's agents and the Colonel's tactical knowledge of Hydra, it was certain that those holes were being plugged in real-time.

Castle had dealt with these kinds of scum during his time in the marines back in the late-2000s and early 2010. This also included his time during his vigilante days as the Punisher. It was the same stuff on a different day.

It felt like hours as the convoy cruised through the streets. The Japanese soldier driving the APC stopped the vehicle as the SFG convoy pulled up to the airbase gates.

'We're almost there...' Castle thought. There was a part of him that was apprehensive about some of the Japanese soldiers, remembering Asuna's words about Hydra being inside Japan's defense forces. Still, he continued to keep his guard up and keep an eye on the escort.

The APC moved again as they were let through. Within three minutes, the APC approached one of the hangers. Inside was the armored Quinjet being prepped for transport.

"Alright, out you slime," one of the Rangers prodded the hooded Nobuyuki with his gun. The APC's door opened up and Nobuyuki was forced out. The two Rangers handling him pulled and shoved the hooded leader along as another trained his pistol on his back. Castle kept his weapon at the ready as he and the Howlers excorted Nobuyuki to the Quinjet.

The Howlers and Japanese SFG were met by the US Navy master of arms and armed sailors awaiting the prisoner's arrival in the hangar. Castle gave a thumbs up to the master. "He's all yours, sailor."

"Thanks, sergeant." The sailor saluted. "Next stop, the Raft..."

Two of the armed sailors led the hooded and blind Nobuyuki into the aircraft. The rear hatch closes, moments later, the Quinjet's engines started up. Then it taxis out of the hanger. Frank Castle and his Howlers saluted as the Quinjet taxied to take off.

"Good riddance for bad rubbish.." One of the Howler soldiers commented.

"And the rest of Hydra soon after," another Howler added.

The Quinjet took off with its VTOL engines, hovering above the runway. The Punisher then radioed, "Howler 7-1 Bravo to 7-1 Actual, mission complete. HVT Luther is outbound."

"Roger that Bravo," came Captain America II's voice, "return to base."

"Affirmative, 7-1 Actual, Howler 7-1 Bravo out." The Punisher waved goodbye to the SFG, and prompted his Rangers, "alright ladies, let's go."

The Punisher and his team were picked up by authorized US Army vehicles, and were driven off the air base back to Camp Zama.

Camp Narashino, JGSDF Special Forces Base, Funabashi:

Howler 7-1 and their Japanese escorts pulled up to the base gates. This was where the Ootomi siblings would be transferred. Naomi observes the activity and security Camp Narashino posses. "Wait here," Captain America said as he got out of the MRAP to greet the JGSDF liaison at the gate.

Moments later, the gate opens up and Captain America returns to the MRAP. "Only us are going in," Captain America indicated. He then radioed the rest of the unit, "7-1 hold position, we're going inside and we'll be back out."

"Copy that sir."

The MRAP and the rest of the escort drove on through the gate and arrived at the entrance of the main building. Tony Stark and Captain Anderson watched from Iron Man II's MRAP as the gate closed.

"So... This is where the Ootomi family will stay, right?" Tony asked.

"Those are the orders from Okinawa, Mr. Stark," Iron Man II said. "Think of it as the witness protection program.."

Tony looked at the base with narrowed eyes. "I don't know... I would think that you'd be bringing them back to your base instead. If that Asuna lady is right, there may still be Hydra agents inside the Self Defense Forces."

"Way ahead of you on that," Captain Anderson quipped, "the Colonel collaborated with Mr. Kikuoka to make sure that the Special Forces Group are watching Naomi Ootomi. Seijirou had the soldiers assigned to her vetted."

"Alright then..." Tony then shrugged. "After all, you're always one step ahead, Anderson..."

"Well the credit goes to Roger and Kikuoka," Anderson said, "as far as military command is concerned, I am a mere captain."

"Didn't you created the American Rangers within your company? As I recall, you managed to create a militia throughout the nation." Tony laughed.

"True, but as a condition of joining the new government, I had to downscale and release non-defensive elements of the militia to either private life or back into the military," Anderson said, "and I don't need to tell you of some of the distrust I face from some of the former victor factions concerning my influence."

"That also includes the Guardians of the Galaxy, right?" Tony asked. "As I recall, they became irregulars for the United States Space Force after the war ended.."

"Yeah... and sorry if I sound jealous, but they have a lot more leeway than I do, being space mercenaries and all," Anderson admitted.

"Hey, no need to apologize." Tony chuckled. "And besides, you're the man who's never the jealous type."

"Right," Anderson laughed.

Meanwhile, inside the main building:

"Ah..." Captain America II and Colonel Rogers were greeted by Kikuoka, "you finally arrived. I presume that the luncheon with Kazuto and his company was uneventful..."

"As you can see," Colonel Rogers waved his hands around Naomi and Kenta. "Despite the trial against Nobuyuki was successful, the possibility of Hydra tying loose ends is expected..."

"The fact that Hydra still has military strength and their scientific research is what is most concerning," Captain America II added. "And we don't exactly know how many bases that are still hidden throughout Japan."

Kikuoka and Naomi looked to each other.

"It's true... Although, I haven't looked at the full list. But they're others who will continue on. But I doubt that the other Hydra commanders and sponsors will have disclosed their own full lists. This Hydra is less centralized, with each member running their own factions like yakuza."

"I see..." Kikuoka pondered. "And what about... your bases, if any?" Kikuoka was curious.

"Can we expect any resistance?" Captain America II asked.

"It is possible..." Naomi nodded. "But... Captain?"

"Yes?" The young Burke asked.

"What about the rest of my family? Will they be moved here as well?"

Captain America II had no answer, but Kikuoka spoke up. "Your mother and sister have been moved already."

Naomi sighed in relief. "At least they'll be safe..."

"Mom and Naoki were relocated?" Kenta asked, "why weren't we told!?"

"It was for security reasons." Kikuoka explained. "As both Asuna and Naomi are aware of, Hydra has agents within the police force and the Self-Defense Force. I made the decision to have them moved with people that I only trusted closely as soon as it was made clear to me that you had turned against Hydra, Naomi-chan."

"We understand..." Naomi replied. "And Captain... I just want to request something concerning the people at the Hydra bases on my list."

"What would that be?" Captain America II replied with an even tone.

"The thing is... that many of them are young people just like me," Naomi revealed. "All of whom joined Hydra by force. While some regretted of joining upon realizing what was taking place..."

"That seems to be a pattern with Hydra," Captain America II said.

"Would they be place in protection such as this?"

Captain America II sighed. "If I can be honest, I cannot say for certain."

"I can," Colonel America said, "we're gonna do the best we can to help out those who were forced into Hydra's services."

Captain looked toward his superior with skepticism.

"I mean, we may not be able to save everyone." He continued. "... But, giving that they've helped Asuna and us bring Nobuyuki down. We owe everything to all of you..."

Naomi seemed pleased and anxious at once. Kenta just held his sister.

"And no matter what happens, we'll continue to bring Hydra to the light and remove them for good." Colonel looked to Kikuoka, "anyways, we need to go. I leave them in your custody."

"Don't worry, Colonel. They'll be safe and sound here." Kikuoka nodded. "And we leave Miss Yuuki in your temporary custody."

"Alright then." Colonel America replied. "Let's go, Captain."

"Yes sir," Captain America nodded as he opened the door for his superior. The two officers left the building.

Back at the MRAP:

"Here they come," Iron Man II was patrolling outside his vehicle when the Colonel and Captain's vehicle had returned outside the gates. "Alright, troops, back in your victors, we are oscar mike."

"Roger that, Captain." Iron Man II saluted before he and the others entered inside the MRAPs. From the police escort, the teens could see the soldier re-enter their vehicles.

"To home we go..." Suguha remarked while snuggling with Alex.

"Not exactly," Minetaka revealed, "you and Alex will be spending the night at our precinct until my superior give an all clear."

"Okay. I sure hope they got beds there.." Alex replied.

"You both will be sleeping in my office," Minetaka revealed, "they helped me furnish it back up, and I personally oversaw its secure setup."

"Thanks, dad." Sugu said.

"I guess we'll make the best of things.." Alex added.

"It's just a precaution," Minetaka assured, "though Kazuto and Asuna here will be staying over at Camp Zama with the Americans."

"Looks like we're spending time with the Howlers, Asuna." Kazuto smirked.

"I was hoping that you and I could go back home, but I suppose with everything that is happening..." Asuna exhaled, "I suppose one or two nights will not hurt."

"But at least we'll finally get some peace and quiet tonight.." Kazuto cooed while stroking her hair. "And I'm sure your family will be safe."

"I've already gotten reports from patrols around the Yuuki manor and the Mitchell residence." Minetaka said. "Your families are alright... But we are on a heightened state of alert in case of retaliation against the plaintiffs and witnesses."

"We understand, Minetaka-san." Asuna replied. "Hydra may be wounded, but they are indeed dangerous."

"But in the end, we will win and beat them." Kazuto added.

"Right... Off to Camp Zama we go..." Asuna curled up in Kazuto's embrace.

"I'll take us to the precinct, first," Minetaka said, "but you two will be transferred into Roger-taisa and Burke-taicho's custody."

"I guess we should be boarding with Colonel and Captain America then..." Kazuto surmises. True enough, Iron Man II approached Minetaka's driver side after being let through by one of the motorbike police. The famous Captain America II also came out of his MRAP to join his lieutenant.

"Well... Let's get going..." Asuna said as she sits back up while Captain America II opens the rear passenger door.

"Mister Kazuto and Miss Asuna, please come with us," the Captain said.

The young couple nodded as they stepped out. Kazuto helped Asuna down from the MRAP before they followed the Captain to the other MRAP.

"Well, you kids get to see where we sleep," Iron Man II joked. "Hope you don't mind bunk beds."

"I will be lending them use of my quarters, Lieutenant," Captain America II suddenly cut in.

"Of course," Iron Man II smirked, "after all, they deserve some alone time..."

Kazuto and Asuna blushed, but the Captain quickly said, "no. My officer quarters will be attended to by sentries. There will be no escapades under my watch."

"Oh..." Iron Man turned to the young couple. "Sorry, kids. Perhaps on your honeymoon, you can have your alone time together." He gave them the 'thumbs up'.

"Um... thank you for that," Asuna said nervously, "but I think you might want to remain in your Captain's good side."

True enough, Captain America II was giving Iron Man II the look that was telling him to stop. So Iron Man II decided to end the conversation. He may have been wearing the mantle of Iron Man, but the older Marine knew when he was skating on thin ice.

"She does have a point." Tony Stark remarked from the MRAP. "I wouldn't push it further at it is..."

"That being said, I will be spending the night in the officers' lounge," Captain America II said, "I made my quarters suitable for our guests here."

"Alright then." Iron Man II nodded before he guided the young couple to the other MRAP.

"Alright, in you both go," Captain America II opened the passenger door. Inside was the famous Colonel America waving the two teens in.

"After you, Asuna.." Kazuto offers.

"Thank you," Asuna said as she was helped in by both Colonel and Kazuto. The latter climbed in as Captain America II closed the door. Captain America then got back into the side passenger seat and ordered the driver to proceed.

Kazuto and Asuna watched as Minetaka's SUV drove in the opposite direction until it disappeared around the block.

"They'll be alright," Captain America II said, "now our priority is keeping you both out of the way of any potential Hydra retaliation."

"Alright then, Camp Zama we go..." Kazuto replied.

Colonel Rogers smiled. Kazuto held Asuna as the MRAP traveled through the Tokyo streets. "So... now that it's just us... how are your operations going?" Kazuto decided to ask the Colonel next to him.

"That's classified, Kazuto," Captain America II told him.

"It's fine, Captain," Colonel Rogers assured, "we are alone." He turned to Kazuto. "We've got word that Nobuyuki's been transferred to the air base and the transport has left Japan."

Now that surprised the young couple somewhat.

"No doubt to one of the prison facilities..." Kazuto stated.

"I didn't even know that he was to be taken out of country," Asuna admitted. "But glad that he's finally out of our lives..." She added. "I never want to see that creep ever again."

"Same here," Kazuto agreed. He felt Asuna clutch onto him tighter.

"And yet... I'm getting this feeling..."

"What?" Kazuto asked.

"Sorry, it's just he seems to be one step ahead, even after getting captured..." Asuna confessed. "Hydra would not have gotten this far without him around."

"I know what you mean..." Kazuto replied. "He was certainly a lot more dangerous than he let on," He added. "I just hope that whatever prison facility he's transported to lock him away and kept closely guarded."

"He won't be getting out where they''ll be putting him," Captain America II said, "we will have special measures to see to that."

"Ever heard of a prison facility called 'The Raft'?" Colonel America asked.

"I remember reading up about it." Kazuto answered. "It was originally designed to hold dangerous prisoners..." He continued. "However, I've also read that it was used to hold anyone opposing the Sokovia Accords..."

Colonel America gave a ironic smile. "Been there a few times, the first time was when I busted the rest of the Avengers out after the Accords. And now we'll be throwing Hydra war criminals in..."

"Good to hear," Kazuto nodded. He held Asuna tight, she could hear his heartbeat as she rest her head against him.

"That's already the least that can happen to that creep," Captain America II revealed, "if any of my men caught him back in California, it would have been much worse for him..."

"Especially after his actions in Colorado and Oregon." Colonel America added.

"What would have happened?" Kazuto asked.

Captain America II said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Flogging."

"F-flogging?" Asuna was shocked to hear that.

Captain America nodded. "Yep."

Colonel America on the other hand, seemed more sad. "Now bear in mind that it was not officially sanction, and I would not either," Captain America II shook his head, "but it was one of the signs of a very brutal war..."

"This also included the revenge killings that occurred during the opening months of the war on both sides." He added. "I almost did not believe it myself," Colonel America shook his head, "but when I saw instances of people being crucified... it was more than enough for me."

"That... that's unbelievable..." Asuna could not imagine such ancient Roman brutalities taking place in modern America. Kazuto, on the other hand, was speechless.

Captain America II shook his head. "Yeah... it was all mucked up."

"H-How did Anderson take it?" Asuna then asked.

"He was just as shocked as I was." Colonel America answered.

"Don't engage the Doc on any of it," Captain then said, "he won't want to."

"We won't..." Asuna nodded in response. As for Kazuto, he hated that he was even curious in the first place.

Back in Mongolia - Former Soviet Nuclear Bunkers:

"The Hydra Stormtroopers are retreating..." Falcon heard his ground forces reported. "Enemy aircraft are still in the air, but Hitman Team and our escorts are still in play."

"Are the bunkers secured?" Falcon asked.

"Negative, still encountering enemy resistance."

An F-35 chimed in. "Enemy transport vehicles and planes have been spotted leaving the base. Should we attack?"

"Are they carrying any ballistics?" Falcon asked.

"Negative, Falcon," was the response.

"Our top priority is still the missile base," Falcon advised, "let them go for now."

"Affirmative, Falcon." The F-35 pilot replied. Falcon then cut comms and signaled to one of the teams free enough for his use. He then spotted several Hydra Stormtroopers dug in near one of the bunker entrances.

"Alright squad, listen up! Hydra's dug in tight, so, we need to flush them out! Remember, our primary objective is to seize and destroy any launch sites and warheads we find! And wipe out any Hydra resistance along the way!"

"Copy that, lead the way, Falcon!"

Falcon equips smoke grenades and dive-bombs the entrenched Hydra stormtroopers and deployed smoke grenades near them.

"Move out!"

The ground forces begin moving through the thick smoke, using heat-signature goggles, they begin firing at the Hydra Stormtroopers.

Meanwhile, Hitman was about close to securing air dominance even with the tenacity of Hydra's air defense.

'We're almost there.' Monarch thought as he bank his jet to the right. One Su-30 was behind him, but Trigger managed to get himself free enough to assist. He lines up for the missile lock-on.

"Fox 2!" Trigger fires the missile at the Su-30, Monarch banks to the left just as the missile impacted the Su-30's jet thrusters, sending it spiraling down in flames.

"That's another down..."

"Thanks for the assist!" Monarch called out.

"You got it, lead," Trigger acknowledged. "We've got them on the run. But still got at least ten enemy aircraft left."

"Alright, be careful, we don't know what other tricks Hydra has up their sleeves." Monarch warned.

"I can keep this up all day," Comic boasted.

"Don't get cocky, Comic." Prez chimed. "Besides, we still have a nuclear missile base that can fire at any moment!" She continued. "And we don't have that much fuel and ammo left before we have to set down. Those boys had better take the base quick."

"The sooner, the better." Trigger agreed.

Inside the Missile Bunker:

The rest of the Hydra Stormtroopers stack up in preparations for the inevitable breach of the bunker. True enough, several rockets blew down the doors. Dust was blown inwards along with debris.

"This is it! We give them all we got!" The Hydra team leader shouted.

Falcon spun into the bunker with his wings shielding him.

"Fire!" The Hydra Stormtroopers opened up on Falcon. The Exo-wings proved more than capable of deflecting the bullets. He deploys flashbang grenades and tossed them, lighting up the corridor and blinding most of the Stormtroopers.

That gave the USAF paratroopers their chance to swarm in. The corridor was filled with gunfire as the blinded stormtroopers were gunned down.

"Let's get those missile secured!"

The paratroopers continued to push their way through the corridor while the Hydra Stormtroopers retreated as half of them gets mowed down. Falcon leading the charge while drawing much fire away from his team.

Okushiri Island:

"We've secured the last of the remaining weapons." One of the SEALs reported to Jon Mitchell. "We've also begun rounding up any survivors that have laid down arms."

"Good," Jon replied, "and the nuclear reactor?"

"The shielding took a beating with the rest of the hull," the SEAL added, "but it is stable."

"At least there's no signs of leakage..." Jon sighed. The last thing they wanted was a nuclear disaster. "Very well.. How far until we reach our destination?"

"Given the damage sustained, we'll need to wait on some tugboats to tow this boat into a secure port."

"And how long before they get here?" Jonathan asked. He did not want his team to be on this ship longer than needed.

"They should be here about fifteen to twenty minutes, sir."

Jonathan shook his head at the wait time. Despite protection from the destroyer, they're sitting ducks out in the ocean. Fortunately, the Hitman detachment would alert them of any oncoming ships further off just in case. Plus, with Scarlett Witch on stand-by and on board of the destroyer, that would increase their odds.

Back on the island:

Howler Platoon was back at a rendezvous point awaiting extraction as Logan took headcounts. Both Ant-Man and Wasp had already left.

"Two dead and three injured..." Logan shook his head. However, it could've been worse. He looked out southwest towards the sea where the wrecked Hydra submarine was now shadowed by the US destroyer.

'At least Hydra won't be using that submarine for some other purpose.' Logan thought. He couldn't imagine what would've happen if that submarine managed to get away. Let alone if the US destroyer didn't force it to surface.

Logan reported back in to his mission command. "Helios, Howler 7-2 reporting in. The base is destroyed, and all hostile submarines have been neutralized. The Navy and Hitman are also wrapping it up. The areas should be clear of all Hydra hostiles shortly."

"Acknowledged, Howler 7-2, excellent work." Helios replied. "Leave the rest to the relief forces and prepare for extraction."

"Roger that, Helios, we'll stand by for extraction." Logan then continued to watch the aftermath on the seas. He and his men had completed their objective of destroying the Hydra submarine base, but he just felt that it was not as satisfying or complete as it otherwise should have been.

He knew that this was just one of the steps of bringing down Hydra and it's far from over.

"We just lost a couple more good guys," Logan said to himself, "we'd better know what we are doing here..."

Tokyo, Japan ~ Minetaka Kirigaya's Assigned Precinct:

Suguha and Alex were let out of the SUV by Minetaka in the walled confines of the police precinct parking.

"Right this way, please." One of the police officers said as Minetaka and the others entered through the corridors. Suguha saw that many of the precinct staff and officers gave admiring looks to Minetaka, while also looking at her in wonder.

"You think they didn't know about your dad's personal life?" Alex whispered a question to her.

"Well, he is supposed to be well known." Suguha pointed out.

They soon reached an office, where a female officer was seen inside arranging a computer setup. She looked up and beamed upon seeing Minetaka. "Minetaka-kun," she greeted.

With both familiarity and exasperation, Minetaka reminded. "Officer Himiko, you know better than to refer to superiors in such a familiar manner."

"Sorry," Himiko replied sheepishly, "It's just that it's been a long time since your retirement." She then saw Suguha with Alex. "And you must be little Sugu."

Suguha smiled sheepishly. "I am..." She greeted.

"And I'm Alexander Mitchell..." Alex introduced himself with a bow.

Minetaka then introduced the officer. "Officer Himiko here is an old colleague of mine, though back then, she was a station clerk."

"It's a pleasure to meet you two." Officer Himiko smiled. "You have grown so much, Suguha."

This caused the female Kirigaya teen to blush. "T-Thanks, Himiko..." She replied.

"You were just a cute baby when your daddy became inspector," Himiko said with a shine in her face, "did you know that he was my classmate?"

This caused Suguha to blink in surprise. "Classmate?"

Minetaka shook his head. "High school and police academy."

"We even attended in the same class and graduated together...You know... he was a real sempai," Himiko's eyes glittered, "so smart, charming, and brave!"

Both Alex and Suguha shared glances with each other upon hearing this.

"Officer," Minetaka shook his head, "are you done with my office?"

"Oh, right... I'm just finishing up." Himiko replied with a flushing face. "It's got everything you'll need."

She then pointed to the new electronic lock on the door. "A biometric lock has been installed along with both a keypad and a card reader." She explains. "And no one except those verified and working for this precinct."

"Good." Minetaka replied.

"Now, excuse me," Himiko bowed and straightened her uniform as she walked out. "Nice to meet you both," she said to Sugu and Alex.

"It's nice to meet you too, Himiko-san." Alex replied.

As Himiko walked away, Minetaka looked to his daughter and her boyfriend. "Sorry both of you," he said, "she's... excitable."

"She's very nice, dad..." Sugu smiled.

"If I'm not mistaken, it sounded like an old crush," Alex remarked bluntly.

"It really does," Sugu added.

Minetaka quickly cleared his throat as he ushered the two into his office. As they entered, both teens were amazed by the interior. While it sports a desk with a desktop computer, a couple of file cabinets, and a TV set, it looked cozy. However, the board on the wall behind the desk made it clear that it was a policeman's domain, with awards, newspaper clips, and a section that appeared to be set aside for working on active cases. There was even a high security safe. Above the board was the emblem of the Metropolitan Police.

There was also a door on the other side of the office. Upon inspecting it, it led to the bathroom with a shower.

"An amenity for high-ranking officers having to work overnight," Minetaka remarked. He then pointed to a couch with a blanket. "And that's where you both are sleeping under my watchful gaze."

"Thanks, dad." Sugu hugged her father.

"Well, also thank Mr. Kikuoka that I'm even allowed this assignment," Minetaka expressed.

"We will when we see him again..."

Alex pulled out his phone, and noticed that the battery's getting low. "Hmm... Hope they're chargers here..."

"I can charge it," Minetaka offered.

Alex smiled. He then turned off his phone and lent it to the inspector. He placed the phone on the charging pad on his desk.

"I guess we should get settled in..." Alex remarked as he sat down on the couch. Suguha breathed easy on the couch, she leaned in and hugged Alex.

"Hey Alex," Suguha moaned into his shoulder.

"Suguha..." Alex placed his arm around Sugu for comfort.

"You think we'll ever find another game to play with the others?" Suguha asked.

"Hmm... We'll have to wait and see what happens..." Alex answers. "I think it's best to let things in the game community and industry cool off from this whole shtick. After all, you and I are still pretty high profile."

"I understand..." Sugu sighed, disappointed by the answer.

"But hey, we'll think of something else to do..." Alex reassures her. "And I'm sure Kazuto and Asuna will figure something out." He hugged Sugu tighter. "I know how much Alfheim Online meant to you... It was your first VR game after all..."

Suguha didn't say anything, just curled up against him.

"Hey, it's been a long day... just relax now," Alex cooed, "what you did today will help bring some closure for yourself and hundreds of others."

"Thanks, Alex..." Sugu then yawned in a cute way. "Now I just want to rest here with you and Daddy."

Alex smiled as he picked up the blanket and wrapped it around Sugu and himself. Soon, the two teens dozed off.

Minetaka sat at his desk, smiling warmly towards the two. They can finally get some peace and quiet from the whole ordeal. However, he still had some evening of work. Even with everything that happened, there was still the everyday work of keeping the city safe from standard fare of regular crime.

With Kazuto and Asuna:

The lovely SAO hero duo looked around Camp Zama as they were led to the officer's barracks.

"This is nice..." Kazuto commented. "I expected it to be more..."

"It may not be like the log house from Floor 22, Kazuto..." Asuna added. "But it'll suffice for the time being..."

"It's no five star motel," Captain America II said, "but it'll keep y'all from freezing your behinds off."

"That's true..." Kazuto agreed.

"Same here." Asuna added.

"Just don't try anything funny in his room," Rogers cheekily warned, "Burke here has a thing for wanting to come back to a neat place."

"W-We won't..." Both the teens blushed from Rogers' statement.

"Thank you sir," Captain America II said with a mix of amusement and swain at the thought. He turned to the blushing teens. "The room has everything that you'll ever need, this also includes the bathroom."

"And the place is also well heated with some wool blankets."

"T-Thanks again, Captain." Asuna managed to reply.

They soon approached the office building that served as the officers' barracks. Iron Man II then came up from behind. "Welcome to the Hilton, kiddos," the lieutenant joked. "We got a swimming pool, room service, even 5-star breakfast meals." He added.

"Really?" Kazuto grinned.

Captain America II just shook his head. "Just the standard officer amenities, nothing more."

"Oh..." Kazuto was disappointed. But cheered up when Asuna hugged him.

"Don't be sad, Kirito-kun. We'll make the best of it..." Asuna playfully pokes Kazuto's cheeks. "Besides, I'm sure some of those officers will be happy to see us."

"I bet they would..." Kazuto chuckled upon realizing what she meant. "I still remember the reception we got the first time here."

"Indeed, they did..." She agreed.

"Well, you two did help our Captain out of a very dangerous place," Iron Man II said. "Not to mention surprise everyone with your super powers."

"How could we forget?" Kazuto remarked.

As Iron Man II opened the door, Captain America II led his young protectees inside with the Colonel behind him. The interior looked cozy for a officer's barracks. The lobby was quite comfortable looking with a display case of pictures and medals, and military flags about. There was even a receptionist/guard desk with uniformed staff.

"Captain Burke, Lieutenant Preston, Colonel Rogers." The receptionist/guard saluted upon seeing the three officers before the desk.

"Soldier," Captain Burke saluted back. "Is my office ready for our guests?"

"Yes sir," the guard told him, "though the staff did say that there was not much to clean up with how beat you are, Captain."

"Very well," Captain nodded.

The guards then looked to Kazuto and Asuna. "You two are in the best hands with him around. The Cap's a real keeper."

"Thank you so much..." Asuna said.

"Just doing our duty, miss," another guard said. "Now, if you follow me to Captain Burke's office."

"Thank you, soldier," Kazuto expressed as he held Asuna by the hand.

"I will be with the Colonel and my lieutenant for debriefing once the Doc returns from getting Stark back to his hotel," Captain America II said, "I will see you both later tonight."

"Thanks, Captain America..." The teens said in unison.

"Be good both of you," Colonel Rogers said, "we can meet for dinner two hours from now."

"We will..." Asuna nodded.

Kazuto and Asuna were led just outside the Captain's quarters. The guard opens the door and the two teens stepped inside. It was a comfy, if modest dwelling, but Kazuto and Asuna could see the furnishings of a highly decorated officer, with America-themed décor, military medal displays, and a desk with small banners and photographs with a tall safe next to it. Behind the desk was a sizeable display case... with a rugged 48-star US flag on the left and the Lone Star banner of Texas on the right.

"Wow..." Kazuto and Asuna breathed.

"This is the Captain's quarters?"

"That's right," the lead guard said, "you're looking at where our latest hero sleeps. We also have spare sleeping cots, which we will bring to you later..."

"Make yourselves at home, but do take care not to mess with any of the Captain's effects."

"We won't..." Kazuto reassured the guard. With a nod, the guard turned around and closed the door. The two teens are alone together.

"Hey Asuna," Kazuto said, "do you suppose that there are more military operations that are underway? It would explain why we are being made to stay on their base."

"Probably," Kazuto shrugged, "but at least we can finally relax for a time being... Hydra would be foolish to come after us in here with all this security after what they tried to do to Burke."

"Not to mention after we faced them together..." Asuna added. The two smiled as they held hands. Kazuto and Asuna then looked up towards Chris Burke's surprisingly ornate office. They spotted a couch nearby and the two decided to sit down together.

"How did we get here, Asuna?" Kazuto asked suddenly.

"Hm?" Asuna hummed questioningly.

"When we were trapped in SAO, our lives changed as we fought to clear the death game..." Kazuto explained. "First, we were excited for a new game that turned into a death trap, fought our way through for two years..." Kazuto then pointed to the American military décor, "and now we are staying the night in a military base with high-ranking officers."

"I think I know what you mean..." Asuna realized. "We were just ordinary people... but now this."

"Becoming superheroes in the real world..." Kazuto finished. Asuna then unexpectedly lit a finger and touched Kazuto's cheek.

"Oh?" Kazuto felt the spark.

Asuna giggles. "It's cute how you react to that." She placed her hand on Kazuto's cheek, letting it glow white. Kazuto was surprised by the warmness of his beloved's hand.

"Asuna..." He sighed.

"Nice, isn't it, Kirito-kun?"

"It is, Asuna... It feels so warm..." Kazuto rubs his cheek against Asuna's hand. "You're wonderful."

"Mmm... Thanks, Kirito-kun..." Asuna sighed.

"And I suppose that this is as good a time as ever," Kazuto said.

"What do you mean?" Asuna asked. As she sat up, Kazuto got up and knelt down before her. He reached something out of his jacket pocket and produced a small black box, no bigger than the palm of his hand.

"Asuna..." He opens the lid and a beautiful diamond ring sparkled from the desk's lamp. "... Will you marry me?"

Asuna was silent for a moment, before tearing up and giving Kazuto the widest smile. "Yes..."

Kazuto smiled as he takes the ring out and gently slides it on Asuna's left ring finger. "I love you, Asuna," Kazuto said as he kissed her finger.

Happy tears continued to flow down Asuna's face. "I love you too, Kazuto..."

Kazuto slowly rose up, grasping Asuna by the shoulders and closed his eyes, leaning up for a tender kiss. Asuna hummed delightfully as she wraps her arms around Kazuto's waist and pulled herself closer. Kazuto pressed more into Asuna as they laid back on the guest couch.

"Kazuto..." Asuna moaned. Kazuto just pressed his lips to Asuna's as they made out. Both of them felt hot all over, but it was a pleasurable heat. Kazuto and Asuna then pulled back as they breathed hard, staring at each other and smiling.

"When's the wedding?" Asuna asked.

Kazuto smiled. "You know... Valentine's Day is just two weeks away."

Asuna realized what he meant. "Oh? Getting married on Valentine's Day? How romantic..." She cooed.

"Do my parents and Kouichirou know about this?" Asuna asked.

"Actually, Anderson-san talked to them about our relationship and the wedding date." Kazuto explained. "He said that he would cover half the cost that your dad is paying."

"Wow... That's so generous of him..." Asuna stated.

"It is," Kazuto grinned before smooching Asuna.

"Mmmmmm..." Asuna hummed before she smooched him back. The two settled down as Asuna reveled over her ring. "It's so beautiful, Kazuto..." She commented. "Where did you get it?"

"It was my grandmother's, from my mother's side of the family." Kazuto answered.

It was a silver ring with a ruby on it.

"After I told my family about us, she gave it to me before I dove into ALO..." He continued. "One could say that Mom was wishing me and you well."

"Remind me to thank your family for the ring..." Asuna smiled. "It's my colors."

"That was what I said when I saw it..." Kazuto chuckled. "And I'm glad it suits you... and I'm even more honored to call you my wife-to-be."

"And I'm honored to call you my husband-to-be..." Asuna replied. "And the father of our precious little girls," she added cheekily.

"And when we get older, we can have more children and have Yui and Strea in the real world." Kazuto expressed happily. "One big happy family..."

Asuna smiled. "I would love that." She then cupped Kazuto's cheeks and smooches him.

Mongolia:

"Okay, we're almost to the control room." Falcon reported.

"This is Team Alpha, we've secured Silo Number 1, no warheads."

"Bravo here, we are still taking fire, but we are moving in on Silo Two!"

"Copy that Team Alpha and Bravo. Once the control room is taken, things should be smooth sailing from there..." Falcon pushed forward with his P90 as he ran down the corridor. He sees the door that leads to the control room, he scanned the door and spotted heat signatures inside.

He planted a charge on the door and stepped to the side. He pressed the button on the detonator and the charge exploded, taking the door off its hinges. Falcon quickly stepped inside and took down the stunned Hydra soldiers inside.

However he only shot the guards, while the technicians were backed into a corner. Seconds later, the room was cleared and Falcon reports that the control room is clear.

"Alright then," he held the techies at gunpoint,. "All of you come here and disactivate the missiles now."

"Y-Yes sir..." One of the technicians stammered as he approached one of the control panels.

"And no funny business or tricks either." Falcon added. "I want to avert whatever long-range strikes your masters had planned."

The technician does what he is told and the giant screen shows the image of the world and the targets for the missiles to strike. It was clear that Hydra was preparing to strike targets in the western Pacific.

Then, a small box appeared on the small screen in front of the technician, asking if he wished to abort the missile strikes. The technician clicked 'yes' on the box.

"Good." Falcon pulled the techie away and back towards the others, holding his P90 on them. The giant screen showed that the planned targets begin disappearing. "You Hydra are now prisoners. You're done."

The rest of the technicians raised their hands over their heads in defeat. "All teams, this is Firebird Actual," Falcon said, "I've disabled the master launch controls."

"Bravo here, we've secured Silo Two. Found warheads."

"Roger that," Falcon replied.

"Alpha here, we've secured Silo Three."

Falcon then radioed as he kept his sights on his prisoners, "Charlie, what's your status?"

"Team Charlie. We've found the missile storage. Still encountering enemy forces, but we've made progress."

"Acknowledged, Team Charlie." Falcon replied before dropping his communication. He turned to the technicians. "Alright, you stay where you are until you're all escorted." He ordered. "You are now prisoners of the USAF."

The technicians nodded in response as they're too frighten to say anything else. Let alone, trying anything stupid.

Minutes later:

"Alright people, let's get our planes down on the ground and refueled," Falcon commanded to his men in the control tower.

"We're on it, Falcon." One of the soldiers saluted. "We'll bring in our birds, and get them refueled and rearmed."

Falcon then ordered. "All Firebird ground teams, marshal any remaining prisoners and intel you can carry and arm charges. I want nothing remaining of this site."

"Yes sir!" Came a reply, and they get to work.

Falcon surveyed the area. The airfield didn't look much, but it held more supplies than he and the Firebird teams realized. The hangars themselves were left intact on purpose from the bombs, with only the moving aircraft on the tarmacs destroyed. They had to be cleared for their own birds to land on the runways safely.

Fortunately, some of the Firebirds found some forklifts and cranes to get to work pushing the wreckage away. The fuel depots are also been spared from the air strikes, so no need to worry about any out-of-control fire.

One by one, Hitman squadron landed on the runway and parked in the hangers. Falcon observes the activity taking place out on the runway as the Firebirds made way for the transport Quinjets to arrive. They too would be refueled for the long journey back to Korea.

He also had drones sent out after taking the air base to make sure they're no scattered Hydra scouts to try to retake the base. "Well, that takes care of that... hopefully things are okay back in Japan..."

He'll find out once they leave after scuttle the base.

Camp Zama HQ:

Both Kazuto and Asuna rested with each other on the couch.

"You know Kazuto," Asuna remarked, "we still have one issue."

"Hmmm?" Kazuto hummed, opening one eye.

"Where are we going to go to school now?" Asuna wondered, "I mean... we missed two years worth of formal education."

"Well... Kikuoka mentioned something about a school for those who were still in school when became trapped in SAO.." Kazuto explained. "There's some building that was scheduled to be demolished. But after the SAO incident, it's being renovated into a school..."

"A renovated school?" Asuna asked.

Kazuto nodded. "And from what I've heard, Anderson Tech has also been helping with the renovations as well. So who knows what the new school has in store for us."

"I bet that it will be a geek's dreamland," Asuna teased.

"Indeed, it would..." Kazuto pecks Asuna's nose, earning a surprised squeak, followed by giggles and a gentle poke on Kazuto's nose.

"Don't forget yourself either, my geeky lightning." He nuzzles into Asuna's hand. "It would be great for us to be normal kids again for a while."

"And we're gonna be husband and wife at the same time..." Asuna giggles. "That would be the talk of the new school we're going to."

"Husband and Wife, young and in school." Kazuto chuckle at the thought. Asuna rubbed her head against Kazuto's shoulder.

The engaged male Kirigaya gently stroked his soon-to-be wife's hair. He then looked up towards Captain Burke's desk, which the small banners and photos are still seen displayed on the desk.

"Hey Asuna, you notice how worn those two flags are behind his desk?" He pointed out.

"Yeah, Kazuto-kun," Asuna acknowledged. She then pointed to the US flag in the display case, "and is it just me, or is that flag missing something? It looks different from the one on the flag pole."

Kazuto squinted. True enough, he counted the stars which were ordered differently and found that it was a 48-star flag.

"Interesting... the 48-star flag hasn't been used since 1960." He commented. "Replaced with the 50-star flag... Actually, until after the civil war and it was replaced by the 53-star flag."

Kazuto rose and led Asuna over to the desk as they got a closer look at the worn US and Texas flags. "It looks like a family heirloom," Kazuto added.

Asuna took a closer look at the flags herself, observing them. "They kinda are family heirlooms."

Kazuto then noticed awards and pictures of Chris, often depicting him at Army events or at gatherings with his buddies. In most of them, he gave some hints of smiling, but was often seen as the most composed for the camera.

"He looks so different back then..." Asuna remarked. "He seemed to smile more."

"As if it was..." Kazuto trailed off for a moment. "... His twin brother..."

It was then that they turned around the desk, and saw some of Chris' other pictures. Asuna then saw one where Chris was giving a much wider smile as he showed off a diploma in his army uniform, while another guy with a strikingly identical face was grinning in a navy uniform while holding his own as he hugged Chris.

"It's them... Chris and Taylor..." Asuna deduced. It was clearly a happy moment, as Chris showed more warmth in this picture alongside his late twin. Kazuto then remember the conversation with Chris while in ALO. On how Taylor was the true gem from God, who survived the horrors of the second civil war and helped so many people. He was remembered by many in the Blood Oath guild. His calm and caring behavior was what inspired many to fight on, no matter how grim the days became.

Asuna leaned in close to Kazuto again. "I still miss him."

"I do too..." Kazuto replied. "If only he was here now..."

"I know, Kazuto-kun..." She sighed. The two then looked at another portrait... this one of Chris taking a selfie with a girl in a cowboy hat, with purple eyes and rich brown hair showing. The two of them were on a beach, with Chris holding the woman close to him.

"Huh... This is new..." Kazuto pondered the portrait. "That looks like his girlfriend."

"She looks familiar..." Asuna surmises. "I might have seen her before."

Kazuto glanced at Asuna curiously, "you have?"

"Believe it or not," Asuna said, "I have a few friends who like her. In fact, Mito showed me one of her music albums weeks before SAO..."

"She's a musician?" Kazuto asked with a raised eyebrow.

Asuna nodded. "Hailey Felix."

"Felix... isn't that?" Kazuto realized, "of course, she's Kyle's sister."

"Now that you've mentioned it, Kyle did say something about having a sister..." Asuna added. "I didn't think that it would be her though."

The young couple observed the portrait. Hailey Felix was even more beautiful in this close up than most of the photos Asuna had seen of her. They also looked at Chris' image, he held Hailey close with a bright smile.

"They looked so happy together..." Asuna said. She squeezed Kazuto's hand gently. Kazuto just stared at the portrait.

It was then that there was a knock on the door, this snapped both Kazuto and Asuna out of their thoughts.

"We're coming in."

The teens moved away from the desk and towards the couch as the door opens up. "Hey lovebirds," a female soldier teased as she came in with a bag. "Hope you two are enjoying your stay here."

"I bet they are," another young male soldier laughed, "they're in Captain America's office no less... the new one's anyway."

Both Kazuto and Asuna blushed from both the embarrassment and adoration they were receiving.

"Well anyways," the female soldier said as she set down a sleeping bag, "we brought you some sleeping bags and spare set of clothes for your stay. I hope you two don't mind army PTs for pajamas."

"We don't mind at all..." Asuna let out a smile. "We appreciate your hospitality."

"It'll feel like camping..." Kazuto added with a chuckle.

As the other soldier set down the clothes, he said, "you both are in good hands with the Captain, and especially with Colonel Rogers. Those two are real keepers."

"They sure are," the female soldier added.

"And their helping me rescue Asuna here is my own proof to that," Kazuto grinned.

"Anyway, we won't keep you from your tender moments." The female soldier teased again.

The two base soldiers left, leaving Kazuto and Asuna blushing. They looked to each other. "The Americans really like to tease us," Asuna said shyly.

"Just like Alex did in SAO..." Kazuto replied. "But you know what, I get to tease him and Sugu back."

Asuna giggles from the thought as Kazuto continued. "And let's not forget our other friends who are in relationships..."

"But..." Asuna playfully poked a rebuking finger in Kazuto's nose, "remember the old saying that revenge is best served cold?"

"That's true..." Kazuto realized what she meant and smirked. "Did I ever tell you that you are both devious and lovable?"

"You have..." Asuna laughed, then she leaned in to kiss Kazuto again.

"Mmmmmm..." Kazuto hummed as Asuna's soft lips pressed against him.

Briefing Room:

"Frank should be coming in right about now," Preston checked his watch.

"May be a while," Captain Burke said, "we have a lot of operations occurring simultaneously."

"Alright," Preston nodded, "so far, everything's gone smooth..."

"Do not jinx it," Chris warned, "Hydra can always have a surprise or two in the shadows."

"You're right..." Preston agreed, realizing what he said. Chris checked his phone for updates. So far, they looked promising. For one, the Okinawa headquarters was now fully functional to issue orders to the various unit commands across the country.

Chris then checked the updates for the operation in Mongolia. He accessed the special operations secure threads for authorized users. The reports read that the Firebird Squadron have managed to taken the air base and secured the missile silos. The base was destroyed afterwards, and now Firebird was enroute back to Korea.

Hydra's operations have been crippled... For now... It was then that Frank Castle entered the room. Chris stood up to greet him. Preston stood up to greet him as well.

"Captain..." Castle saluted.

"Good work, sergeant," Chris reciprocated, "you have done well with the HVT."

"Too easy if you ask me," Castle replied. Chris, Preston, and Castle sat back down as Castle continued.

"The Navy's got custody of Nobuyuki now. Boarded him onto a Quinjet and watch them take off. He's halfway to The Raft by now."

Soon enough, Logan Walker and his adjutants arrived. Chris nodded to him. "Sounds like you had quite the catch today."

"We did..." Logan sighed. "But we've got the job done..."

"Heard that the Navy got the big fest one though," Preston teased.

"Shut it, jarhead," Logan spat.

"Ex-Jarhead." Preston corrected.

"Still a jarhead," Logan retorted.

"Hey, you two quit it," Chris chided. "The job is done, and that is what matters."

The petty squabble between Preston and Logan ceased before they nodded and sat down.

Captain Pierson then came in. "Captain Burke..." He greeted with a salute.

"Pierson," Chris waved.

Pierson sat down next to Logan. "Mission complete," Pierson said, "we've found a group of the chief engineers that fled the RECT HQ last month. It got a little messy as we had to kill a lot of their security and armed associates."

"Good..." Chris nodded.

"If I'm not mistaken, the Japanese are telling the media that it was a warrant bust against some violent felons, which should cover us."

"At least it'll put some peace within the civilian population..." Chris remarked.

"And... they're not entirely wrong," Pierson said, "bastards put three of my soldiers in medical."

Logan sighed. "At least we managed to get support from other individuals..."

"I heard about the Navy seizing that submarine," Chris talked to Logan, "and not to mention that they had a special guest onboard."

"This also includes Ant-Man and Wasp within the submarine base..." Logan replied.

"I heard," Chris nodded, "I was with the Colonel when he enlisted their assistance. I guess he felt your particular op required special attention, Walker."

"It sure did..." Logan smirked. "They managed to help us even the odds..."

It was then that Colonel Rogers entered. Everyone stood up to salute him.

"Colonel." Preston, Castle, Logan, and Pierson saluted.

"Sir," Chris snapped a salute to his predecessor.

"At ease, gentlemen." Rogers said after saluting.

"The commanders of 7-1, 7-2, and 7-3 are accounted for, sir," Chris affirmed.

"Good to hear." Rogers nodded. "Anything else?"

Logan stood up. "We also managed to capture one of Hydra's submarines. Although damaged during the battle, the reactor remains intact."

"As such, we were able to avoid nuclear fallout as we secured its weapons. The US Navy's towing it to a undisclosed location."

"It better be," Pierson muttered.

Castle heard it and knew what he meant.

"Pierson," Rogers addressed, "it is also my understanding that your HVTs are also enroute to Okinawa."

"Correct," Pierson replied. "We managed to locate and captured several RECT refugees. While most of them did put up a fight, some of them surrendered..."

"Mainly some mid-level engineers and computer technicians," Pierson added, "but we believe that they hold more secrets than they let on, so we are letting Pacific Command handle their interrogation."

"Anything related to Nobuyuki's further schemes and connections to the former nations of Pacifica..." Rogers deduced.

"Correct," Pierson nodded.

"And if they know what is good for them, they'd talk," Logan said ominously.

"I'm sure that they will..." Pierson replied.

Chris had no reply to that, but moved on. "It does concern me however that we are still missing Howler 7-4. We have yet to replace our losses of Captain Hernandez and his men."

"We lost a lot of good men from Howler 7-4..." Logan shook his head.

"Hernandez left behind a wife and many kids too," Pierson said with simmering sadness. He then expressed, "my men and I made those stormtroopers pay for what they did."

"After all this is over, we'll make sure they have closures for their families..." Castle added with sympathy.

"And I'm working on that issue right now," Colonel Rogers assured, "I'm just wanting to be sure that your companies' capabilities are not compromised."

"Alright then..." Castle acknowledged.

"Sir," Chris advised, "if I may, 1st Company is more than capable... if there was ever a need to replenish 4th Company, give me time to find suitable soldiers to be new leaders."

Colonel Rogers thought of it for a moment before he answered. "Alright, I'll let you find soldiers willing to fill the ranks of Howler 7-4."

"It will take some time... but it will be done," Chris firmly assured, "we will not be crippled for long."

"The sooner we fine new soldiers, the better..."

Pierson then looked somber. "You know, we have yet to give our fallen a proper honor or funeral with the chaos of the past number of days."

Colonel Rogers looked to Pierson. "I have been making preparations for Captain Hernandez and others to be given honors before their bodies are transported home. We can do it as soon as tomorrow late morning."

The three company captains look to one another, before giving consenting nods. "We can do that," Pierson affirmed.

"Thank you for this, sir," Chris added.

"We'll make sure that everyone give their honors in the morning." Pierson said.

"I will make sure my men are informed as well," Logan said.

"Good." Rogers nodded. He then said. "So now all that is said, we can adjourn for dinner tonight. Thank you, gentlemen."

And with that, Rogers leaves the briefing room. However, he then tapped on his phone to text Chris... he needed to tell him something one on one.

Over the Pacific Ocean:

Hailey Felix could barely sleep even as the sun set in the west. It has been an hour since she left the airport from Los Angeles, California. It was another four hours to Honolulu before going on to Narita.

Hailey squirmed as she shifted in her seat to get some sleep. She did not want to suffer serious jetlag like this. However, her mind was flooded with questions regarding about recent events. Her boyfriend Chris was getting into another possible war overseas, and was not telling her anything. It's been over two years since the whole SAO incident began.

For a while, Chris confided his worries for Kyle and Taylor with her, but some two weeks after... it stopped.

'Oh Chris, what's been going on?' She asked herself mentally. On top of all that, she had to keep silent about this trip to her dad. Especially after learning of Chris' trial regarding the ALO mission. General Felix still had not forgiven him for the SAO affair and getting Kyle stuck in the death game.

She still didn't understand why as they chose to wear the NerveGear. Kyle had never shown much interest in VR, let alone computer games. But Chris' brother, Taylor, seemed to be ecstatic about it.

She looked over to her friend Kaylee, who was just playing a phone game. She didn't seem to mind the long flight, Kaylee glanced back over to Hailey.

"Hard time falling asleep?" She asked.

Hailey sighed. "Yes."

"Y'know, I got some sleeping pills here." Kaylee offered. "Before you know it, you'll be counting sheep in minutes..."

Hailey shook her head. "I never had to rely on pills and I want to keep it that way."

"Alright then." Kaylee shrugged and resumed the game on her phone. "I'll drag you around if you need the help," she joked.

Hailey let out a tired chuckle before resting against the pillow. She napped for half an hour when she thought she heard a thud. Half-asleep, Hailey looked around to find the source of the noise. However, nothing appeared out of the ordinary...

"Hey what are you-" One of her agents called out in the next room before he went abruptly silent. Hailey suddenly sat up from her chair. Her stomach began to churn as she sensed something is wrong.

"Did you hear that, girl?" Kaylee asked as she got out of her phone.

"I have..." Hailey responded, her eyes darted around the plane's cabin. The plane then began to bank rather sharply. Both Hailey and Kaylee held onto the seats to keep themselves from falling over.

"What's going on?" Hailey was now wide awake.

"I don't know!" Kaylee replied panicked. The makeup artist struggled from her seat. "Must be that new copilot messing something up!"

Hailey looked out the window of the plane. The plane was banking north and off course. Hailey was unsure what to think or what to do. However, she just thought of following her friend.

As Kaylee reached the door, it was suddenly kicked in. A flight attendant holding a knife pointed it at Kaylee.

"What's going on!?" Kaylee yelled in surprise.

"Get back in your seat if you value your life!" The attendant threatened.

Kaylee scrambled up on her feet and made her way back to Hailey. "Don't you hurt my friend!" She stood courageously in front.

"Don't worry," The attendant sneered, "as long as you cooperate and not cause any trouble..."

"Who are you?" Hailey asked as another man came in with a gun, elevating the seriousness of the situation.

"Who we are is not your concern, Hailey Felix." The attendant retorted.

"It is when my friend's plane is hijacked," Kaylee shot back. "Now you tell us who you are and why you're hijacking her plane?" She demanded.

"Someone whose masters have need for her services," the agent with the gun motioned. "Now, sit back down and relax, you two have a long trip for where we're going.."

Hailey and Kaylee were forced back into their seats. Hailey's mind is still trying to process what is happening. Her plane was being hijacked by armed men, and they were taking her some place else. And if they try anything, they'll gun her and Kaylee down. It was then that the copilot came rushing in. He looked to the two armed men. "Hey guys, we've got trouble."

"What is it?" The gunman demanded. Hailey realized that both the flight attendant and the new copilot were in on it... what was it about her that made these criminals go through the trouble?

The attendant went back to talk to the copilot. Hailey tried to look over, but the gunman blocked the way. She even wondered what happened with her staff in the front compartment.

A couple of minutes later, the attendant came back. "Change in plans... looks like a couple busybody US fighters are vectoring to intercept our little diversion," the attendant said as he produced his own compact pistol and pointed it at Hailey. "Come over here."

Hailey was nervous, she couldn't feel her body move on command.

The attendant let out a frustrated grunt as he grabbed Hailey. The country singer struggled against him.

"No!" Kaylee lunged for the traitor, trying to get him off of her friend. The attendant responded by backhanding Kaylee, sending her onto the floor. It was then that a loud sharp bang sounded as Kaylee's head fell back with a blood spatter.

"KAYLEE!" Hailey screamed in horror as she watched her friend lay lifeless on the floor. "You murderers!"

The attendant just laughed. "You'll be next unless you do exactly what we say!"

"Never!" Hailey protested, but was silenced by a blow to the head the more stoic gunman's pistol, still fresh from murder.

"Alright then, I guess you'll arrive unconscious..." He sneered.

The attendant spy seemed a little jarred, though still dismissive. "We want her in one piece, not damaged."

"At least she's alive..." The gunman retorted. "Besides, she wouldn't cooperate... And her cohorts were dead weight anyways."

The attendant shook his head by his companion's recklessness. The co-pilot came back. "I set the autopilot on... we'd better get parachuting so we don't end up in the ocean deep."

"Right then..." The attendant and the gunman strapped on their parachutes. The professional assassin then used the straps on his vest to get Hailey strapped in front of him.

"Package is secured." The attendant spy said.

"Hurry, those fighters will be closing in three minutes!" The copilot yelled. He opened up the plane's door, depressurizing the plane as he did so. The professional struggled a bit as Hailey's long hair blew about. But, he managed to make his way to the door before jumping out.

"I'd better get paid well for this..." the attendant was about to jump out when the copilot suddenly threw him back. "What are you doing?!" He demanded.

"Sorry about this, but we need a fall guy," the co-pilot pulled out his pistol. "No loose ends..." He pulled the trigger and the attendant slumped back onto the floor. "Hired hands get the short ends anyways and everything we left traces back to you."

He took the parachute off from the dead attendant before turning and jumping out of the plane. The two agents skydive down towards the ocean as the plans plunged down. With them was one unconscious country star, Hailey Felix.

With Alex and Suguha:

Alex held Suguha quietly. After waking up from his nap, he noticed Suguha still sleeping against him. So he continued to cradle her. Minetaka had left the office to work on an active homicide case with the rest of the SIT. Alex recalled him saying it involved a jealous yakuza murdering a rival and ex-girlfriend.

Suguha stirred in his arms as she shifted her position. Alex smiled, though he hoped not to have to tell Suguha before her dad returned. After all, he was a special cop going up against an active and armed murder suspect.

But for now, he'll enjoy the peace and quiet the two are enjoying. He then received a text from Kazuto. Alex reads it and smiled. Kazuto and Asuna were relaxing in Captain Burke's office, freshening up and waiting for supper time at Camp Zama. In the text, Kazuto has proposed to Asuna and she accepted the ring.

"You go, buddy." Alex texted Kazuto back. "So when is the wedding? ;)"

There was a short paused before he got a response. "Valentine's Day. ^^"

"Hehe..." Alex chuckled. "Figures," he texted back. "Am I gonna be the best man?"

Kazuto texted back, "you're a top candidate." And then another text added. "And Suguha's the maid of honor..."

Alex grinned before texting back. "She'll love that. :D"

This year's February became more interesting for all the good reasons...

With Chris:

Chris met up with Steve Rogers just as the debriefing was adjourned. "You wanted to see me, Colonel?"

"Yes I do, Captain..." Rogers replied.

"Well, I'm at your disposal," Chris said, "what's the mission?"

Rogers shifted uncomfortably. "No," he said, "not a new mission. It's news."

Chris could sense some bad news. "What happened, Colonel?"

Rogers sighed, "I didn't tell you earlier, so as not to make you troubled on duty..."

Chris felt himself tense up, he waited for Rogers to speak. The seconds felt like it turned into minutes between the two super-soldiers before Rogers finally spoke up. "Hailey Felix has gone missing."

Chris kept his composure, but the tightening of his lips and hardened gaze told Rogers enough. "Missing? How?"

"The details are still coming in..."

"How?" Chris asked again with firmness. Rogers paused for a moment, as if he was contemplating if he should tell him or not.

He relented. "Her plane was on its way to Honolulu... final destination, Narita Airport."

'Narita Airport?' Chris thought. Why was she on her way to Japan?

"However, their radar showed the plane going into a deep spiral and then lost contact. By the time the fighters got there, they found the tail end of the plane already sinking into the sea."

Chris felt his heart stop and his blood freeze in his body.

"She's dead." Chris uttered.

Rogers shifted. "No, I did not say that."

"How long ago?" Chris asked.

"About two hours..."

"And... what are the Coast Guard finding?" Chris asked again.

"I couldn't say," Rogers sighed, "they are still looking."

"I'm sorry that you have to hear that from me..." The older former Captain saw that his successor was holding it together, but his bright blue eyes told the whole story.

"I... thank you, sir."

"You're welcome," Rogers replied. Chris was about to turn when Rogers tugged on his arm.

"Listen, if there's anything else you need..." Rogers said. "Talk to me and Sharon."

Chris turned briefly back to Rogers. "Thank you," he muttered.

And with that, Chris leaves. Rogers then looked at his phone and frowned as he watched the news coverage of the Coast Guard and Navy search of the crash area. So far, no survivors are reported to be found. The phone then buzzed as Sharon then texted.

Rogers begins texting back. "How's it going, Sharon?"

Sharon then said, "we are watching the coverage now."

"As am I." Rogers texted back. "What are your thoughts?"

Sharon then replied, "are you asking me as a White House intelligence analyst or your fiancé?"

Roger flustered from the last text.

"If it is the former, you know the rules," Sharon texted.

Rogers then texted back regarding the former. "I know, security clearance and confidentiality."

He waited for a reply. "We do not have much information at this time," Sharon said. "But I'll let you know when the situation develops."

"Granted that it is nothing confidential," Rogers stated as a matter of fact.

"Correct," Sharon replied. She then texted. "And how is our successor in national battle honor?"

"He took the news well..." Rogers texted back. "However, I sense a hint of trouble in his eyes... He's just not one to express his innermost thoughts with hard news easily."

"I see..." Sharon replied.

White House, Washington:

The President sat in his study, unable to sleep. Too much has been running through his mind. Yet, his old mind could not ponder over the events of recent history that led up to this point. He remembered being a running mate for candidate John Henry Campbell back in 2016. He became the popular figure as he was openly opposing the Sokovia Accords enforced by the United Nations.

The threats and dangers the Accords brought alarms which caused the Avengers to split in response. However, Campbell's Anti-Accords stance brought the attention of the US government in a bad way as the majority of them supported the Accords.

While he and Campbell had widespread support across the country, much of the Senate and the White House publicly denounced their platform. There was a conspiracy to remove both Campbell and the Andersons in one strike as the latter was also against the Accords and promoted the Campbell campaign.

While Matthews himself was an old friend and held no ill will, the people he surrounded himself with proved to be bad company. This also includes senator Ellen Nadeer, Glenn Milley, and vice president Orville Newman. Newman was a replacement for the previous vice president Rodriguez collaborated with Aldrich Killian's Extremis experiment in exchange to help his crippled daughter. Newman however, was hand-picked by Milley as a perfect replacement. Being at the age of ninety and only seems to be useful for either Nadeer or Milley. Matthews' inability to sense this treachery cost him his presidency, honor, and the country's peace.

Thus sparking off the second civil war after a bloodless coup against the US government occurred. While the starting date of the civil war started on May 31st, 2018, several people, including Wilson himself, felt it started after the coup. The Clash in Frankville had taken place, it wasn't officially the start of the war.

Nonetheless, the political split that had affected the Avengers affected the rest of America as its citizens felt the increasing paranoia and oppression the national security apparatus inflicted. The dissolution of the old US government, its agencies, and the Republican and Democrat party didn't help things either, it made it worse as government loyalists saw this as a threat and the western states, and the north-eastern states seceded from the crumbling union. Thus creating the Federated States of Pacifica and the New England Separatists respectfully.

America's loyal states were left to contend with the changing of governments as the old collapsed with its failed policies and promises. The Free States were the true successor to the failed US government as it upheld the traditions of American and Christian values while, at the same time, fought against the New England Separatists and Pacifica that allied themselves with the Blue Cosmos. While promising better and more modern Americas, the two factions became autocratic, technocratic, and totalitarian regimes. Their true colors were revealed from the atrocities they've committed on both military and civilians, as well as common household pets.

Wilson shook his head as he recalled how the Blue Cosmos set out a crusade to wipe out all cats and dogs in America, claiming that they're drivers of climate change and they must removed them to save the planet. Blue Cosmos would also carry out the most egregious genocides against political and religious enemies since the 20th century with methods that were as systematic as they were horrific.

However, despite the darkest days of terror from the Blue Cosmos, the resistance, supplied with the help of the Free States Rangers, managed to make a stand against the tyrants and fought back via guerilla warfare. Which gave the Free States a chance of retaking the west.

And out of that front, came the Army Ranger that would become Steve Rogers' successor. Christopher Samuel Burke. He was fresh out of the academy, but his youth concealed a brilliant tactician and courageous fighter in him. He, along with the rest of the 299 graduates, held off the Pacifican/Blue Cosmo Armed Forces on their own. Chris Burke then went on to lead the guerilla war against the rest of the Pacifica movement from his base in Dallas with the graduates who survived.

When the Free States Armed Forces began pushing through the south and north-west, Burke and the graduates received reinforcements. And soon enough, he was spearheading airborne assaults into the Southwest. However, Pacifica and Blue Cosmos initiated a scorch earth policy. Ranging from burning down homes and farms to overloading nuclear reactors. Burke would prove to be the one to clap back harder though, as he and his fellow Rangers exacted retaliation on the partisan Monitors carrying out the terrorist acts.

The Free States Rangers continued to push through, despite harsh resistance from Pacifica, Mexico, and Australia. This also includes thwarting the Cuban Revolutionary Navy near Florida and coasts near the Free States territories. It was thanks to Burke's efforts that the US Army Rangers survived and reformed, with the best of the Rangers being incorporated into an official Howler Platoon in the aftermath.

However, Pacifica became desperate after losing both China and Australia in the aftermath of the Great Fires of Hawaii. If it had not been for these troops expediting the capture of San Francisco, Pacifica's war criminals would have no doubt prolonged the war into a terrible Armageddon.

Wilson sighed, all that for the Accords... Many other nations also suffered internal unrest as paranoid governments persecuted metas and those who helped them. While old governments and nations fell, new ones rose up from the ashes of the old. Especially in the European Continent. The United Kingdom of Britain fell into chaos and a British Revolution occurred. Thus, creating the New Republic of Britain. The continent itself became a mix of larger new powers and smaller countries in between.

While nations like France, Spain, and Italy survived, other nations in Eastern Europe weren't so lucky. Especially Germany who got the worst of it. The Balkans themselves were no surprise when it came to ethnic, religious conflict and violence. Even Russia was having trouble keeping the peace in the Balkans despite success in Ukraine. However, they were able to stabilize the line to prevent the chaos from crossing into Russia.

Nonetheless, that was still nothing for Russia compared to the specter of the new but still expansionist China that retained the foreign policies of the former regime.

And now, Hydra became the new threat in the Post-Modern world. It was what troubled Wilson the most. While Nobuyuki was captured, deep down, he felt that this was only the beginning. And then, Hydra tried to have Captain Burke assassinated and destroyed Yokota Air Base. It was because of that that President Wilson was forced to put USFJ on a war footing.

So far, everything in Japan has been stabilized. Yet the de facto state of war had everyone blindsided. It was then Wilson felt himself become tired. He put his history book away, he checks the clock that it was almost two in the morning. Wilson knew he needed to go back to bed and get some rest. Otherwise, he'll be unable to focus on the matter during the day. He closed the study and headed back.

Camp Zama:

Chris returned to his office, which currently had a sentry posted at the door. As he entered his office, he sees both Kazuto and Asuna currently napping together on the couch. The young captain wanted to be happy for them, but it also made him feel bittersweet.

Hailey Felix's plane went down in the ocean and he's not sure if she's still alive or not. And it only happened two hours ago. If only if he knew what Hailey was planning to do if she reached Japan. Yet that was not even the worst part. No... he had not even thought that much about her until this happened.

It had been nearly three years since he last spoke to Hailey. And during that time, the specter of SAO haunted his thoughts day and night. Everyone that he held so dearly were taken away by the death game. His brother, best friend, and a slew of respected officers and NCOs he knew were in the game just before their scheduled deployment to Korea.

And the death of his best friend caused Hailey's father to blame him for. Because it was Chris who got the rest of these men interested in VR gaming before their deployment, Howler Platoon and others were not able to go over to Korea in their full strength, and Chris ended up being summoned back to the US. Since that day, Chris developed an aversion and paranoia of augmented VR and related technologies.

Chris shook his head in self-pity. If not for him being Captain America, his military history would be even more controversial.

On the couch, Asuna stirred in her sleep. But she appeared to nuzzle into Kazuto's shoulder. Chris looked at the two as he sat down at his desk, hardly tired with his super stamina, but emotionally drained.

'I should've called Hailey weeks ago.' He thought. 'Oh Nadia...' Chris pondered, 'I became Captain America, and I still end up failing.'

The room remained silent. It was then that Kazuto and Asuna stirred. Kazuto was the first to open his eyes. He then saw the Captain in his utility dress version of his Captain America uniform.

"Oh... Hey, Captain..." Kazuto greeted, still waking himself up. He was a little surprised to see Chris in his utility dress version of his uniform.

"Haven't seen that before..." He admitted, referring to Chris' utility dress uniform.

"My uniform?" Chris guessed sharply.

Kazuto nodded.

"Even in my downtime, I'm still the military symbol of my country," Chris said, "and I need to be able to snap back into action as needed of a soldier of my station."

"I see..." Kazuto observed. "Asuna and I were like that before..."

"Ah yes... the Blood Oath Guild you two told me about," Chris said, his memory sharp.

It was at that moment, Asuna began to stir awake. "Uh?"

"Hey Asuna..." Kazuto cooed.

"Miss Asuna," Chris nodded from his desk.

Asuna turned to see Chris. "Oh... Hello, Captain Burke..."

Chris then saw the ring on her finger, and turned to Kazuto. "Making it official so young?"

"Yes," Kazuto nodded, "We're gonna go through with it and get hitched."

Chris contemplated this. "Making virtual reality... you two have a way of doing that it seems."

The young couple nodded and smiled. "And we've planned a wedding already..." Asuna added.

"Well," Chris tried to say sincerely, but it came out subdued, "congratulations both of you."

Both Kazuto and Asuna could tell of Chris' subdued reply, but they decided to overlook it.

"Thank you, Captain." They said in unison.

"You both deserve some measure of happiness in this chaos," Chris added. "And like everyone said, you two married in SAO, and have gone through hardships in that game as well as ALO. Not to mention your actions in Yokota."

"I haven't seen that kind of young perseverance for a long while. And even though I've questioned your decisions despite your youth, I'm quite impressed by your commitment to each other."

Asuna flushed a bit. "Those are kind words."

"I second that." Kazuto agreed.

Chris continued to talk as he turned on his computer. "So when is the wedding? After you both graduate high school and come of age?"

"Valentine's Day, a couple of weeks from now." Asuna answered.

"Poetic," Burke allowed himself to hint a smile. "And I assume that everything's arranged, invitations and such..."

"Actually, now that you remind me..." Asuna said, "I need to let my parents know."

"Good idea." Kazuto agreed. "That way, they'll know when to send the invitations."

"I also recommend some security if you can afford it," Chris added, "these are dangerous times we live in."

"Don't worry, Anderson-san's kind enough to help pay for the wedding." Asuna replied. "And I'm sure that additional security won't hurt either..."

Chris breathed heavily. "I cannot make that kind of decision at my level, and it would be improper use of my command," he explained, "if you two and Kikuoka want to request it, you'll have to take it up with Okinawa."

"Sure, I'll contact Kikuoka and ask him about it." Kazuto said.

"If you have a good enough reason, but I'm sure you'll have one with the current situation." Chris then typed on his computer to submit his action reports and to check his unit's assignments and logistics. Meanwhile, Kazuto took out his phone and looked up Kikuoka's number in his list of contacts.

"So what are you doing now, Captain?" Asuna asked.

"What we do when we are not trudging on the battlefield and fighting," Chris said, "paperwork."

"Like after you finished with battles and such." Asuna deduced.

"Among other things... and please no peeking," Chris said as he continued to work, "our secure computers use facial recognition."

"Don't worry, I'm not planning anything like that." Asuna reassured.

"Thank you," Chris acknowledged, "you may be in my office, but there are a lot of security protocols active right now."

"Evening sir," the guard called from the ajar door.

"Evening soldier," Chris acknowledged, "all good in here. Anything to report?" He then asked.

"Nothing, just checking in as required with you having guests, sir."

"Of course, thank you," Chris said, remembering that he had two minors in his office. "Also, have the canteen dish up for our guests as well..." Chris added.

"The canteen will be open in half an hour, sir," the guard said.

"Very good. That'll be all." Chris went back to work. Both Kazuto and Asuna continued their cuddling despite the door's now cracked open.

"Hey, Chris, can we ask you something?" Kazuto asked.

"What is it?" Chris said as he continued.

"Your family's been in the military, correct?"

Chris sat up. "It's a generational occupation," he said, "we're a long line of soldiers."

"Interesting..." Kazuto commented.

"And my dad is a general," Chris added.

"General Samuel Burke." Kazuto replied. "One of my friends told me that he is in charge of special operations."

"SOCOM, yes," Chris affirmed. "We Rangers fall under the Army Special Operations Command subdivision of SOCOM. We locate any threats whenever within the nation or outside. And undertake missions where the regular army would be unwieldy to use."

"This includes in all branches?" Kazuto asked.

"SOCOM oversees any unit in any branch that undertake asymmetrical and covert warfare functions," Chris said, "that being said, "my dad has a lot of responsibilities."

"I see... He sounds... just like mine," Kazuto muttered. Asuna was listening to the conversation.

"Well, your father can make time for you... hard for me or Dad to do so with me being always on the frontlines," Chris shrugged.

"I understand."

"And those flags on the wall," Asuna pointed meekly...

"Those?" Chris swiveled his chair to face the old US and Texas flags. "Those are my great-grand-daddy's. Carried them during his time in service." Chris seemed wistful as he said, "he's considered one of the great men of my family lore."

"When did he serve?" Asuna asked.

"World War II," Chris answered.

"Same as Steve Rogers then," Kazuto wondered, "must have served alongside him."

"Nope... but he was quite a battle legend in his own right," Chris related.

"I'm sure that he was an inspiration to many," Asuna smiled.

Chris shifted a bit with a bit of an amused hint to his eyes. "Actually, you two probably would not have liked him very much."

"And why?" Asuna tilted her head cutely in wonder. Kazuto himself waited for what he thought was a punchline.

"My great-granddaddy hated you Japanese," Chris revealed, "he fought in the Pacific."

"Oh..." Kazuto and Asuna said upon hearing Chris' blunt statement, it was no surprise that both America and Japan were enemies during World War II.

"In fact, he never had nice things to say about your people, especially after surviving the war," Chris shook his head. "He was that old breed of Southerner who did not much like people outside our hemisphere."

"I see..." Kazuto remarked somberly.

"Well, that's ancient history," Chris said, "I can't help that great-granddaddy was a difficult, if disciplined man. Still, he made my family what it is today."

"This also includes your brother... Taylor..." Asuna added.

"Of course..." Chris then chuckled to their surprise. "But when he joined the Navy, Dad and I yelled at him," he admitted with a humored snort.

"I'm assuming it had something to do with your military backgrounds as army rangers." Kazuto was amused.

"Mister Kazuto," Chris said as he looked back up from his screen, "if there is one universal truth in the military world, the Army and Navy are like oil and water."

"They don't mix well."

"In fact," Chris rubbed his chin, "I told Taylor that if he signed up for the Navy, he was going to get his behind beaten raw if some Army GI got his hands on him."

"Taylor said something like that to us." Asuna admitted.

"And I still stand by those words," Chris said, "Dad and I were furious with him. It made for some very lively after dinner talks."

"Oof." Kazuto said. "But you do made up for them afterwards?"

Chris raised an eyebrow. "Hey, in the end, same family, same country," he said.

"That's good to hear..." Asuna said. "Taylor was a great man,"

"And he helped us during SAO." Kazuto added.

"I knew he would," Chris remembered, "that's my little brother."

"And Kyle was the same too..." Asuna said.

"Of course, and I would not have imagined otherwise," Chris had a nostalgic if tragic tone to his voice.

There was a long pause, It was then that Chris' watch beeped. He looked at the time. "Dinner's ready in the canteen." He arose from his desk and straightened out his uniform. Chris walked over and held his hand out to Kazuto and Asuna. "If I may."

"Sure thing, Captain America." Asuna replied with a smile.

"Your orders, Captain," Kazuto grinned as he stood up and shook his hand. Asuna shook Chris' hand shortly after before she and her beloved stood up and followed him out of his office and towards the canteen.