#wftc141's fanfictions

[wftc141]

Blackwatch Chapter 10: Conflict Part 1

12:40 PM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Embassy of the United States

December 2018

The team are all gathered at their quarters but their mood has been less talkative. While Genji was tapping away on his phone, McCree and Sombra played pool against Fio and Moira, and Marvel was losing his dart throwing match with Amelie. By the corner of the room, Ray watched the TV with disinterest.

"Man, this shit's getting boring." Ray said, breaking the silence.

"Saying that for the tenth time isn't gonna make it less boring, man." Marvel called out as he took his stance.

"And you just got out of the kill house four hours ago." Sombra added. "What more do you want, bro?"

"Shooting paper targets and blanks don't count." Ray replied. "We've been on our asses for far too long."

"Ray does raise a point." Moira butted in after finishing her turn. "We're being put on hold after all thanks to this Valorant Protocol unit."

"You mean the guys who failed to stop Null Sector from attacking Rome?"

"The intel failed them." Amelie corrected. "Unlike us, they operate by the books. The mistakes from the higher ups were out of their hands."

"You seem quite fond of the Valorant Protocol, aren't you, Amelie?" Moira asked.

"I speak with logic in mind."

"So there's a chance that they're gonna put us on the sidelines indefinitely?" Ray said.

The room went silent. Blackwatch had been in charge of handling off-the-books operations under the government's nose and they were good at what they did.

With Jack Morrison and the Valorant Protocol taking over duties for the most part, all they could do was wait and see what comes next for Blackwatch.

________________________________________

03:20 PM, Local Time

13 km outside of Mogadishu, Somalia

UN Refugee Campsite

Outside of the city, doctors of the United Nations are helping the Somalian citizens who were caught in the middle of the civil war between Al-Shabaab and the government, accompanied by Helix Security International who served as security detail for the humanitarian doctors.

Angela comes out of a tent as she has just finished working on a patient. She needed to get some air as she took a deep sigh in relief and whipping the sweat from her head.

"How did it go?"

Angela turns to the voice and notices Fareeha Amari walking up to her, still in her gear. She simply raised a thumbs up as Fareeha got close.

"We managed to save the boy, though the landmine shattered his right leg." Angela said. "It's a possibility that he'll have to wear a prosthetic for the rest of his life."

"What matters is that he's alive and you saved him, Angela."

"I heard you put yourself in danger to save that boy."

"If it weren't for me, the boy would've been a goner. I couldn't just leave him there."

"You know those stunts of yours are gonna get yourself killed, Fareeha."

Fareeha let out a deep sigh. She had known Angela enough that she would be aware of her heroic stunts on the field. Before the conversation could continue, an HSI contractor approached her with orders.

"Amari, we need you for a CSAR. Captain's orders." He said in Arabic.

"Got it, Tariq." Fareeha nodded. "Right behind you."

Tariq nodded before heading off.

"Going out again?" Angela asked.

"Yep." Fareeha said before turning away. "I'll see you when I get back."

"Be careful."

"No promises."

Angela watched as Fareeha caught up with her teammates and couldn't help but feel worried for her. Knowing how she always puts herself in danger for the safety of the helpless, it was admirable and courageous to say the least but Angela's gut feeling was telling her that Fareeha's actions aren't going to always be successful considering Somalia's current situation.

________________________________________

04:20 PM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Embassy of the United States

Gabriel makes his way to Jack's office as by the look on his face he is not going to have a pleasant conversation as he needs to question him. Once he got to the door, he knocked and waited for a response.

"Come in."

Entering the office, Gabriel walked towards Jack sitting behind his desk who looked up, eyes meeting an unexpected face.

"Ah, Gabe. Wasn't expecting you today. What can I help you with?" Jack asked.

"I've been wanting to discuss something that has been on my mind for some time," Gabriel said as he crashed onto the chair before Jack's desk.

"What is it?"

Gabriel shot a glance at Jack with sharp eyes and a somewhat interrogative aura. Jack was quick to recognize that look as he took a sip from his mug.

"I wanna know what's up with this Valorant Protocol and how a unit that came to existence out of thin air, is suddenly handling duties meant for us."

Lowering the mug from his mouth, Jack simply sighed as he set the mug on the table and leaned back on his chair.

"I figured you were going to ask me that eventually. Just didn't know when."

"You're trying to replace me and my team, aren't you? Is that the real reason why you're here and Salvatore kicked the bucket?"

"This is nothing personal, Gabe." Jack said. "You and your team have been useful for our cause but the Valorant Protocol is a government-sanctioned and, dare I say, a clean covert organization that I believe that your efforts are far suitable with them."

"You're asking me to work with a bunch of scouts just because you don't like how Blackwatch operates?"

"We can't have dirty ops under NATO's hand. This will contradict our intentions to demonstrate peace and unity."

"You honestly believe that shit when there are killers out there trying to turn this world under?" Gabe said, leaning forward. Jack sighed as he lifted his hand to his scrunched eyebrows."You think NATO's idea of peace is gonna fix the mess they've made? Our methods aren't pretty but we're the ones covering up their mess and like it or not, we do it better than any other cleanup squad they throw in."

"I understand your frustrations, Gabe, but right now, the situation is getting more heated than we've anticipated. Congress has been questioning our capabilities ever since the Rome incident and the public are getting more-"

Gabriel suddenly bolts up and slams his fists on Jack's table. "Lives are in danger and you wanna talk about your fucking approval ratings?!"

"This isn't about ratings, this is about collateral damage!" Jack snapped back. "People are scared to go out onto the streets without worrying about whether they'll live to see another day. We're supposed to be keeping our operations out of the public eye and if word gets out to the media about you and your team's existence, we'll be spending months doing damage control!"

Gabriel glared down at Jack as he continued.

"Look, I know this is not the answer you expect from me and I understand. Believe me when I say I'm with you all the way but we need to be realistic about this-"

Gabriel began to chuckle as Jack looked at him with confusion. "Realistic? Don't make me laugh. Where has being realistic ever gotten us, huh? All we did was let people die while we stood by the sidelines, knowing we could've stopped the bloodshed! You know this as much as I do, Jack, but I guess being NATO's lap dog made you forget the blood that's still on your hands"

Gabriel storms out of his office, not giving Jack the chance to speak. As the door slammed shut, Jack slumped back into his chair and sighed, taking in everything that Gabriel had said to him.

________________________________________

05:30 PM, Local Time

Mogadishu, Somalia

Helix contractors have just wrapped up their CSAR, returning back to their headquarters. Fareeha was in the Humvee at the front of the convoy, seated next to Captain Khalil who was driving. She looked through the window, watching the Somali people going about their lives while the civil war continued to shake their country. However, there was something that was bothering Fareeha.

"Something doesn't feel right." Fareeha said.

"Because we found nothing? Agreed." Captain Khalil answered. "Intel said there were innocent people in that area."

"Could've been a trap."

"If it was, we would've gotten into a gunfight. Luckily for us, we're still in one piece. My guess is wrong intel."

Fareeha said nothing and returned her gaze to the war-ravaged streets. Even if bad intel was the case, Fareeha's conscious was convinced something was off. She just couldn't pinpoint where exactly.

________________________________________

9 km north of Mogadishu, Somalia

Undisclosed Camp

Gunshots rang out in synchronization as Talon units watched insurgents of Al-Shabaab train with resilience and coordinated diligence. Talon was fortunate to find such fighters like Al-Shabaab who were more than happy to support their cause, unlike the late Macaba militia. On top of being fast learners, their motivations were the driving force and easy enough for Talon to broker a fair deal of weapon shipments and military training.

On one side, insurgents took to the firing range to test out the newest range of weaponry much more advanced than their arsenal of AK-47s, courtesy of Talon. On the other, fighters trained in close-quarters and the many ways to kill a man, thanks to Talon's best instructors.

Captain Cuerva watched from the sidelines as live fire erupted across the camp, observing for the potential candidate to join their ranks. Almost every insurgent had potential, making it a hard choice for him.

"Captain," Cuerva then turned around to find Pacanowsky approaching him, phone in hand. "The Coin wants to speak with you."

Cuerva held out his hand for Pacanowsky to hand over before lifting the phone to his ear. "Go for Cuerva."

"Bonjour, Captain," Maximilien said. "How's Mogadishu doing for you?"

Cuerva glanced over to the insurgents at the field. "Our allies are surprisingly loyal and competent. They barely managed to move an inch against the military and now they've taken over an entire town thanks to our funding and training."

"Never underestimate the power of money and power," Maximilien replied. Cuerva can feel his smirk behind the screen. "Now, I didn't call you just to catch up on trivial news. Your boss is calling for you to finish up. I have an assignment that I believe you and your team would be interested in."

A smirk grew across Cuerva's face.

"I'm listening."

________________________________________

05:50 PM, Local Time

13 km outside of Mogadishu, Somalia

UN Refugee Campsite

Back at the camp, Angela was walking around the camp looking around with a smile on her face watching how the refugees are feeling safe from the war.

"Angela!"

She turned and noticed Winston jogging up to her, alongside his assistant, Athena. Angela noticed he was rather breathless despite his muscular build, which was rare for a doctor like him. He must have something urgent for her to come running.

"Angela. I've been meaning to speak with you." Winston said through his labored breaths.

"Is something wrong, Doctor?" she asked, cocking her head.

He nodded. "Unfortunately, yes. The UN has ordered us to halt all activities effectively and pull out of Mogadishu ASAP."

Angela's eyes widened and her mouth went agape at what she was hearing.

"They want us to leave? Why?" she asked.

"They say the area is getting too dangerous and they can't risk us and the staff getting caught in the firefight."

Angela looked over to the tents where the patients were. "But we can't just abandon these people, Doctor. We have innocent lives on the line here and that's just a small fraction of this city."

"We've tried to reason with them but they told us that our lives are their top priority. The UN has lost all contact with the government and-"

The conversation ended with loud gunfire, engine roaring and panicked screams which caught the three's attention. Angela rushed to see what was happening.

"Mortar incoming!" a voice screamed, although tad too late.

Just as Angela comprehended the warning, a deafening blast knocked Angela onto her back as sand clouded her and everything went dark.

A few minutes later, Angela slowly woke up from the darkness, ears ringing to no end. Sand stuck to her skin as she caught a glimpse of cuts on her arms, close to where the sand was. Her body struggled to get itself back on her feet as she began to crawl, not knowing what was happening around her.

Suddenly a huge shadow casted over her face. Angela heard the figure shout, although she couldn't understand what it was saying. Once her ears fully recovered, she saw Fareeha in front of her holding her up.

"I got you, Angela! Come on!"

Angela quickly helped herself up as she followed Fareeha into cover, coming across four other doctors and the remaining Helix contractors protecting them.

"What's happening?!" Angela asked over the gunfire.

"It's Al-Shabaab! They're after the supplies and they've taken out several of our contractors!" Fareeha replied.

Angela looked around as civilians of all types ran amok as the insurgents moved past them, firing upon anyone carrying a gun. However, she noticed something was missing among the group.

"Winston's not here." Angela said before turning to the doctors. "Where's Winston and Athena?"

"We don't know!" Dr. Kessler replied. "We got separated from the mortars! Should we look for them?"

"There's no time to search for them now!" Tariq said while loading a new magazine. "We need to get you all out!"

"We'll peel off our rear! It's our only way out!" Captain Khalil ordered. "On me!"

The group followed the contractors as they provided covering fire for the doctors and themselves. During the firefight, Fareeha noticed something different about one of the insurgents' rifles. She could make out what looked to be a government-issued CZ 805, a weapon unusually in the hands of insurgents.

Who could they have gotten them from? Now that Fareeha thought about it, almost every attacker they've faced had been carrying advanced tactical gear and weapons that would've been out of reach for a group like Al-Shabaab, as well as moving in ways that mirror special forces tactics, which only furthered her suspicions.

She could only hold that thought for later as she and Captain Khalil were the last to retreat and regroup with the rest. As the group made a dash for safety, Fareeha heard Khalil let out a cry of pain behind her and turning around, she found him on the sand.

"Captain!" Fareeha shouted.

She ran to Captain Khalil as he crawled behind a few cargo boxes and helped return fire on the insurgents. Ducking to cover, Fareeha checked the Captain's wound and found a bullet hole in his lower waist.

"Go! Get everyone out of here! I'll hold them off!" Khalil shouted over the gunfire.

"No! We fight as one, Captain! Let me get you up!" Fareeha responded as she tried to help him up.

Khalil pulled her close by the vest. "Amari!" The tone made her freeze momentarily. "This is not the time to be a hero. Protect the doctors and get them to safety. That is my final order to you, Captain Amari."

Although one half of Fareeha's mind wanted her to carry Khalil with her, she needed to get Angela and everyone else out, and carrying Khalil would only make him an easy target and render her bravery in vain. Cursing under her breath, Khalil released her and she took the cue to catch up with her team.

As the group got far from the area, Fareeha turned back to catch one last sight of Khalil returning fire before an explosion erupted beside him, concealing him in smoke and sealing his fate. Fareeha sucked in her breath and faced forward as the group kept running, away from the base. Even after finding a safe distance, there was still no sign of Winston and Athena.

________________________________________

07:50 PM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Embassy of the United States

Gabriel headed down the corridor after being summoned for an urgent meeting with Jack. On his way to his office, Gabriel thought hard on what to say, remembering he had stormed out in anger earlier. He eventually arrived at Jack's office and stopped by the door, taking a deep breath before opening the door. Walking in, he noticed a familiar face standing in front of Jack's desk.

Brimstone turned around and a grin grew across his face upon noticing their new visitor.

"Gabe! What a surprise!" Brimstone greeted.

"Could say the same to you, Liam." Gabriel greeted back as he and Brimstone shook hands. "Long time no see. Haven't seen you since your deployment with the Ragged Ravens."

"I got the job a few months back. Higher ups were impressed with my resume and put me on as team leader for the Valorant Protocol."

Gabriel lingered on that answer. "Interesting. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've seen you at our last meeting with your team."

"You two can catch up with each other later cause we have a situation that needs to be dealt with ASAP." Jack interrupted, catching both Gabriel and Brimstone's attention.

The two turned towards Jack as he began the briefing, turning on the projector to open a slideshow.

"Last night, UN humanitarian and aid workers led by Dr. Winston Hayward were stationed outside Mogadishu to provide help for those affected by the civil war when their camp was attacked by heavily armed Al-Shabaab insurgents." Jack continued to the next slide. "They were under the protection of Helix Security International but they took serious casualties and were forced to retreat. We've received a distress call from one of the contractors for HSI, Lieutenant Fareeha Amari, who was with the humanitarians at the time. We've tracked their call to Khandali Village, just several klicks southeast of their camp, which may've been their last known location."

"How many doctors do we need to save?" Gabriel asked.

"Seven, that includes the contractors." Jack replied, turning off the projector.

"I'll take Ray and Genji for this one."

"And I'll have two of my own with me." Brimstone added.

"Very well. You two will be leading this team for this joint covert op." Said Jack. "Your task is to find the doctors and the contractors, and extract them out of the country fast. And keep a low profile with this. If NATO finds out about the doctors, we'll have an international crisis on our hands."

[wftc141]

Blackwatch Chapter 9: The Everlasting Spark

8:20 AM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Embassy of the United States

November, 2018

Whenever he had free time, Genji would use that chance to meditate. Find a spare room in the Embassy and sit on the carpet floor to immerse himself away from the noise. He needed to pinpoint the very spot to be in the full state of calm. Silence was also vital and he was glad the rooms were also soundproof and privacy screens were provided.

During the previous months, Blackwatch had been dormant for some time and no missions were assigned. NATO had been managing their duties using their alternative and they've been making progress so far. So far, no new attacks were reported since the Null Sector siege in Rome.

Genji had been meditating for a long time as a way to cope in hopes of ensuring his past doesn't catch up to him. It was hard for him back then as a SAT officer after that defining moment years ago. Genji's eyes were shut, shrouded by the shadow of his hood. His breathing movement eased to follow the rhythm of his heartbeat. Genji tried to clear his mind of negative thoughts and painful memories pierced into his brain. Everything around him was dark and silence surrounded him, leaving him immersed in his own void. He felt alone. Shunned. Isolated to the point where the concept of humanity doesn't exist.

Suddenly, Genji heard a rumble from beside him and his eyes opened in a flash. He turned around and noticed his phone on the floor vibrating towards him. Lowering his breathing rate, Genji reached over to his phone and tapped the dial without checking the ID.

"Hello?" He answered

"Hey, Genji. It's me."

Genji's head perked up and he straightened up. He recognized that voice.

"Angela?" He said. Suddenly, his words were stuck in his throat. "Hi. How are you?"

"I'm good, thanks for asking. Just wanted to let you know that I've just landed in Italy."

Genji cocked his head.

"You're in Rome?" He said.

"Yep," Angela replied. Genji could hear her smile through her voice. "Me and my team are getting stationed here with Fareeha's unit for a couple of weeks and since I'm not booked as of right now, I was wondering if we could have lunch together? I've found a nice place where we could grab some Italian cuisine."

Usually, Angela doesn't ask anybody out for lunch while on her days off, instead retreating to her office to have some overdue coffee and a paid meal to keep her up. Genji was one of the few people to witness it, apart from her other friends.

"Where's this coming from?" Genji asked.

"Oh it's just that we haven't seen each other in person for a while and I thought maybe we could do some catching up while we're at it."

Was it normal for good friends of the opposite sex to invite each other to have a meal together, Genji thought. Even as a former Yakuza, he never had any experience with dating women of his type and most were merely escorts for his fellow Yakuza. Friends were never in his dictionary and Angela happened to be the only female friend he had in his life thanks to her intervention and he owed her for it. Her sudden lunch proposal was definitely odd but it wasn't a bad thing.

"If you're busy, then we can try tomo-"

"I would be more than glad to join you today." Genji said.

"Excellent! How's 12 at noon?"

"I'll be there."

"Great! I'll send you the address later. Looking forward to seeing you, Genji!"

The call ended and left Genji back to his own silence. Genji simply sighed and as he got up, he wondered what to wear on his day out.

________________________________________

9:00 AM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Via Margutta

Another day has passed during Ray's time off and it has been tedious for most of the occasion. Ray stared at the ceiling of his bedroom with the pale light blocked off by the curtains. It has been two months since their last Blackwatch operation and there has been nothing new for them for quite some time. Everybody else was either out throwing a vacation or visiting friends. He wasn't the type to relax elsewhere since he was more set on working on the battlefield.

Ray missed the taste of beer after drinking with Marvel a few days before he left to see a friend of his in London. His mouth was dry and he had just woken up a few hours later than he usually does. Ray let out a grunt as he heaved himself out of the sheets and stepped onto the wooden floorboards, aiming for the bathroom.

Once inside, Ray turned his sink on and began brushing his teeth. After finishing up with his mouth, Ray splashed the cold water onto his face and rubbed his nose. The ice cold sensation felt nostalgic. Finishing up, Ray leaned onto the basin and glanced up at the mirror, facing his reflection. His reflection's eyes were dead straight into Ray's. Some drops of water streamed down the mirror, one sliding past his right eye.

Then the visions flashed before him. The sounds of gunfire and the looming closing of mortars and rockets. Sand and blood coating him as the screams of his teammates from afar and nearby filled his ears.

By the time the visions blinked away, Ray found himself breathing heavily and alone with the tap still running down the sink and the drops fading away.

________________________________________

11:40 AM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Before stepping towards the door, Genji took one last look at himself in the mirror. The scars that practically cover his face were in full view. The particular ones running across the bridge of his nose and his left eye were also exposed now that he ditched the hoodie in favor of a grey coat over his dress shirt. He checked his watch poking from his sleeve: 11:40. Should be enough time for Genji to find the address of the restaurant Angela sent him. Genji slipped on his shoes and left the apartment.

Now on the streets, Genji made his way through the walkway past the shops and cafes nearby. The leaves on the road slid and swept off as the cold breeze blew past him. As he reached the main road, Genji found himself getting looks from others. Most were either disgusted or intimidated by him because of his scars. He couldn't say he blamed them. Anyone would reel back from seeing Genji's scars in public and it wasn't a first for him. Genji paid no attention to the glares and continued his walk.

Shortly, he arrived at the restaurant near the river where the crowds flowed from left to right as well as the sight of the river in front. The restaurant itself felt like it was revisiting the past while also showing its own twist in the modern time. Genji went inside and looked around the crowded tables before noticing the distinct platinum blonde hair on the other side.

Genji approached the table where Angela was. She was still just as pretty as the last time they met in person. Angela's lean arms were laid crossed on the table near the menu which she hasn't opened yet. Her coat was draped behind her over the chair. The blue shirt she was wearing tucked into her skinny jeans goes well with her, if not, makes her look professional.

Once Genji closed in on her table, Angela's corner of her eye caught him and her smile grew as she stood up from her chair to approach him. Genji couldn't help but smile too after noticing hers.

"Genji! So glad to see you!" Angela said as she pulled Genji into a hug.

"You too, Angela," he replied, returning her hug. The scent of perfume filled his nostrils. "Thanks for inviting me."

The two broke off the hug and both looked up at each other. Genji noticed something different about Angela's hair.

"I see you've cut your hair." He said.

"Yes, I did," Angela replied, touching the ends of her shortened hair. Her side bangs swept to her right eye were kept. "Figured I wanted to go for something fresh and practical. You like it?"

"It fits you."

Her smile remained as she fiddled with the locks. "Thanks."

Genji wasn't aware he was staring at her for quite some time before the two realized they were still standing and took their seats hastily. To be precise, Genji wasn't the only one staring.

"Anyways," Angela said as she sat down. Genji removed his coat and hung it behind his chair. "I haven't ordered anything yet apart from some coffee since I haven't had my morning caffeine today and I wanted to wait for you before we figure out what we wanna eat."

"That's really considerate of you. I appreciate that." Genji replied.

"You're welcome. Speaking of consideration," Angela handed him a second menu, similar to the one she was reading from. "I hear this place has some really delicious food."

Genji opened the leather folder and inside were the list of foods with photos beside it and quite a list. There was also an English translation next to the Italian words. Glancing up from the menu, Genji looked at Angela as she continued on about Italian cuisine before chuckling mid-sentence over a bad joke she made.

There was something sweet about the way Angela laughed, especially whenever she made jokes that normal people wouldn't laugh except for Genji. Her angelic-like presence and the way she expressed herself would turn Genji into a different person. A normal person.

Maybe it was because he owed her for saving him from his death that day.

________________________________________

11:52 AM, Local Time

Paris, France

The sound of leaves rustling from above to the wind and the fountain splashing into the river fill the uninterrupted silence.

Amélie Lacroix watched over the river floating to the side as streams of water from the fountain tap clashed with the quintess river pelted with dry leaves. The air was cold so she opted for a wool cashmere coat over her black turtleneck with a skirt and boots accompanied by tights and sunglasses and leather gloves as final touches.

She watched as a handful of couples from a distance passed her eyes, holding hands and talking among each other. She missed the feeling of a warm hand and the steps they took in every walk. Amélie couldn't forget her memories with Gérard Lacroix, her late husband.

He was killed here two years ago in a bombing attack at the facility that used to be Blackwatch's headquarters where he was stationed while Amélie was on a mission. Every year, she would come to Paris to see his burial grave and visit this very park where she found her purpose. The place where she and Gérard met as an assassin.

"I knew I would find you here."

Amélie turned to her left where the voice came from and noticed Gabriel approaching her before stopping a few feet away from her. Like her, he was in winter clothes with a puffer coat over his sport fleece zipped up to his neck and a beanie to brace the cold. Amélie didn't react and looked away from Gabriel.

"You're here because we have a job?" Amélie asked.

Gabriel shook his head. "Just checking in to see how you were doing because of what today is. Mind if I sit with you?"

"I don't see why I should."

Gabriel reached the bench and sat beside Amélie. He let out an exhale and icy air puffed out from his mouth.

"And here I thought you would be in LA to talk things out with your family." Amélie guessed.

Gabriel scoffed. "No, it's a waste of energy."

"How are the others?"

Gabriel slumped back onto the bench, sighing. Another cloud of air streamed out of his lips. "Far as I know, they're doing alright. Genji, Moira and Ray are still in Rome with Jack, Marvel just left for London to see a pilot friend of his, Fio's in the Bahamas, Sombra and McCree… I have no idea where those two are."

Amélie said nothing and looked ahead. Gabriel glanced at her before looking away. Even when her sunglasses conceal her emotion, Gabriel could tell that she was still in mourning.

"Still thinking about Gérard?" He said without looking at her.

Amélie's silence and her frown answered Gabriel's question.

"I miss him too," Gabriel's eyes fell onto the ground. "He was a good friend of mine. And a damn good leader too."

Amélie's willingful commitment to staying silent was telling Gabriel everything she couldn't tell him with her words.

"You know what happened to Gérard wasn't your fault, right?" He said. "I don't understand why you keep carrying that weight around."

A pause filled their gap. Shortly, Amélie lifted her hand to remove her sunglasses. Gabriel took one look at her eyes and he recognized it immediately. It was the eyes of sorrow and guilt.

"I brought him into my life and he died because of what I was," Amélie said, softly. "I could've said that I was a ballet dancer or just… never met him. Gérard would've still been alive if it wasn't for me."

"That's bullshit and you know it." Gabriel said firmly as he faced Amélie. His eyes were showing anger but not at her. "You didn't kill Gérard; Antonio Bartalotti did. We lost our staff to the bombing thanks to that bastard and he's out there as an innocent man, running his business while smuggling weapons and terrorists across Europe under our noses. And because of his connections with the government, we can't go after him."

"You know I find the idea of revenge pointless."

"I don't see why when he's the one who killed your husband."

"And I know killing him won't bring him back," Amélie fired back. "The second I kill Antonio, my husband is still dead. The only person who saw me as a human being rather than a killing machine is gone. Nothing will change that."

Gabriel went silent. Amélie was right and he knew it. She never felt the desire of remorse when she learned of who killed her husband. She only felt guilt and thought this was her past catching up to her, refusing to let her go. The concept of someone going after the person who killed their loved ones felt unsatisfying, let alone useless. Gabriel sighed in defeat and leaned forward.

"Amélie, I'm just asking you to stop beating yourself up," Gabriel said. "You gotta stop carrying that burden of yours, otherwise it's gonna manifest into something you can't control and the effect isn't gonna be pretty. I've seen it before and it's been haunting me ever since."

Amélie didn't respond but Gabriel could see her understanding his point silently. Gabriel looked away from her and faced forward. The two didn't speak for a while and watched over the park as people continued to pass by their sight.

"I can see why you like this park." Gabriel said.

Amélie nodded without glancing back at him. Silence. Gabriel took his beanie off to scratch his scalp. The cold wind blew at his head as the warmth from the beanie dissolved.

"Gabe?"

Gabriel heard Amélie call his name as he put his beanie on and glanced at her. Although she was still staring forward, a faint smile grew from her face.

"Thanks. For that pep talk." She said.

Gabriel simply smiled and looked away.

"You're welcome." Gabriel replied.

The two stayed seated and basked in the cold yet bright sunlight, overlooking the breeze over the winter trees below.

________________________________________

12:15 PM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

It has been a while since they received the food they've ordered and so far, Genji's lunch with Angela has been eventful and enjoyable. The two have been talking for a while and it was clear they get each other. Angela would talk about work and often add in some personal moments outside of work, such as her strange encounter at a cafe while on a coffee run with her Chinese nurse friend.

Genji would sometimes laugh at the unfortunate moments and feel bad at the same time but those were the moments where he would get the chance to smile and act like a normal person, especially with someone he felt comfortable with.

Then, Angela would get into the serious and sensitive parts about her job as a field doctor handling heavily wounded patients and balancing some sense of levity, especially about the air strikes the US keeps sending in. Angela herself wasn't into the nature of war as much as any normal person was, considering she was a pacifist and most of the time, she could get critical about how President Trump and his office handled the war.

She would often apologise for going too much in depth about her job and Genji would assure her he was fine. He always appreciated how concerned she felt whenever she believed she stepped out of the line when talking about her job.

"Anyways," Angela said, after finishing her story about a patient hit by an air strike. She rested her crossed arms on the table after twirling the locks of her hair, leaning in front of the table. "We're getting shipped off in a few weeks. Don't know where but it's probably gonna be in another war-torn country. On the bright side, Dr. Winston Hayward is joining the team."

Genji's head perked up after hearing a familiar name.

"Winston Hayward? You mean the scientist who used to work for DARPA? I never thought he would get involved in humanitarian work."

Angela nodded. "It was a surprise for me too. He served as a medic in the army before DARPA picked him up. He was interested in my work for a while and offered the team a helping hand."

Genji nodded as he took a sip from his glass of water.

"How about you, Genji?" Angela asked. "How's work going for you?"

Genji's smile faltered. He wasn't sure how to answer that. He told her he was working for NATO but he didn't tell her he was working as a covert operative taking part in possibly illegal missions. Genji wasn't sure how she would feel if he told her he maimed a crime lord with his own karambit. He set his glass on the table and sighed, looking away from her.

"I'm alright," Genji said. "There were good days and bad days."

Angela didn't prod him any further about his work. Part of Genji was thankful but the other half lamented that he couldn't confide in her about what he really does. Angela then noticed a few people staring at Genji, with some whispering to each other. She was quick to pick up on the fact that they were staring at him because of the scars on his face. Genji was also trying his best to ignore the judging looks. Angela couldn't help but feel pity for him.

"I-I'm sorry, Genji. I should have picked a more private place." She said softly, feeling guilty.

"It's okay," he assured. "I feel more comfortable showing my face like this when I'm with you because...you don't see me as a monster like others do."

"That's because you're not. I know it's difficult but the scars you have does not define who you are."

"I know. But what happened still haunts me to this day. I can't outrun it."

Angela looked at him, recognizing that look and the voice. The same as the one he had when he was in the middle of recovery.

"Are the nightmares coming back?" She asked.

Genji looked up at Angela, who gave him an assuring look. He took a deep sigh as he held his hands.

"Every time I look in the mirror," Genji said. "I see my brother instead of myself. Every time I try to sleep, I see the Shimada elders order my brother to kill me. Every night, I would wake up, drenched in cold sweat and I would sit on the floor in the dark making sure the clan doesn't go after me because of what I've become."

"Are you still meditating?" Angela asked.

A weak nod came from Genji. "Always, but it's not enough to push those nightmares back. I couldn't remember how long I fought but I remember every cut my brother gave all over me and every hit I made until my limbs gave up. I still remember how it felt too."

Genji wasn't aware his hands were balled into trembling fists. This wasn't the first time he told Angela about his condition but any time he talked about, it would trigger the trauma in his mental state. Then, Genji felt contact with one of his fists. He glanced up and noticed Angela's hand holding his right fist and the shaking stopped.

"I know how painful it is to carry that trauma for a long time, Genji," she said. "I understand how you feel. I carried a lot of pain when I was a kid and it was agonizing for me to face the reality. But I made it through and I want to help people like me. That's why I became a doctor for a reason."

Genji's fists began to unroll and laid flat on the table as Angela's hands held his.

"I know you'll make it through this, Genji. I've been with you for a long time to know that you're strong. But if you ever need help and you can't find someone you feel comfortable with, I'm here for you and I'll help you in any way possible."

Genji looked up at her. Her soothing voice bordered on the lines of angelic. Genji felt a sense of relief and calm being able to talk out his deep issues with his first and close friend. He smiled in return of her assuring words.

"I'll keep that in mind," Genji softly said, looking back at his hands. "Thanks."

"You're more than welcome." Angela replied, smiling back.

The two didn't move for a brief moment as the idle chatter around them drowned out their thoughts. Genji then looked down to his plate and noticed something.

"You know," he said. "We've been talking for quite a while and not once have we touched our food."

Angela blinked before looking down and realizing what he meant.

"Oh my, you're right about that." She said.

Genji couldn't help but chuckle. "Didn't expect that we would talk more than we've eaten."

They both laughed, easing any sense of tension between one another before they got back to eating their meal. They still talked as much as they ate but they drifted towards a more lighthearted path. Angela still had more tales to tell and Genji's smile never faltered since then.

________________________________________

12:46 PM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Embassy of the United States

Jack Morrison took a sip of his coffee as he read over the mission reports from Blackwatch as well as the dossiers of their operatives. He had just finished reading Genji's dossier and moved on to Ray's. Some of the operatives' backgrounds involved their former lives as career criminals before getting hired by NATO. Others were former military and conducted significant operations early on. Jack didn't expect Gabriel to even consider hiring criminals to work under his hand. Not that he ever played by the rules.

A sudden knock from his office door cut through his thoughts.

"Come in." Jack said.

He heard the door open and footsteps follow through. Jack looked up from the dossiers and noticed it was the team leader of the Valorant Protocol, Brimstone. His Valorant tag hung in front of his sky blue shirt hugging his shoulders. His right hand was also holding a Manila folder.

Jack set the files aside and drank his coffee. "I take it Chechnya was a success?"

Brimstone placed the folder next to Jack's among the pile. "Like a walk in the park. No one suspected we were there, no bodies were dropped and the CIA have the American terrorist in their custody."

Jack grunted in approval as he placed his mug on the desk. "Good job as always, Brimstone. Get you and your team some rest. You all deserve it."

With that said, Jack went back to continuing his reading on Ray's dossier. As he read the file, the footsteps in front of him stopped.

"I got something to ask, Jack," Brimstone said. "Do you trust Blackwatch?"

Jack stopped reading. He knew there was going to be a time where Brimstone would inquire about Blackwatch. Brimstone was not just the team leader - he co-founded this unit with Jack and he was well aware of Blackwatch's existence for a while. Sighing, the commander set his hands on the desk, interlocking his fingers.

"Yes. I do. But the thing is… I believe Blackwatch should not be operational anymore."

"Why's that?" Brimstone asked.

"The world is changing and trustworthy allies are the key to stabilizing a nation. We're making significant progress for NATO and the UN with the Valorant Protocol and we've managed to earn trust from other countries. Blackwatch however… could be a compromise to our goal."

"So we're their replacement?"

"Precisely. The higher ups may need Blackwatch but I want to prove to them that it should be shut down. We've been solving most of NATO and the UN's problems diplomatically and I don't want a black ops kill unit ruining our chances in bringing peace to all nations if they can't trust us."

Brimstone had nothing else to say about Blackwatch and turned away for the door. As he heard the door close, Jack looked back down to the files before going for another sip of his black coffee. Truth be, as much as he believed in Blackwatch's cause, Jack found their methods risky and the risks they make would only drive other countries apart should they ever find out about what they've been doing. He could only hope for Gabriel to understand that but it would take a miracle to convince him.

________________________________________ 

11:00 PM, Local Time

Zambia

The convoy of trucks drove through the terrain over the tracks engraved between the trees. The headlights shone down the road as the only light source in the desolate forest of Zambia. A Talon strike team was deployed into the country to meet a potential partner for their organization. For air support, an Mi-24 Hind was sent in to accompany them as their eyes in the skies.

Inside the trucks stamped with the signature 'T' insignia on the side, Talon soldiers glued to the seats bobbed up and down as the truck went through uneven terrain. They were all sporting Talon-issued uniforms under their plate carriers and pads covering most of their vital areas, as well as M50 gas masks fitted under their helmets with NODs attached.

Everybody else wore the same masks except for Captain Cuerva, the strike team's commanding officer in the leading truck. Apart from his uniform and gear, he had a red beret bearing the 'T' flash and a jet black neck gaiter. He was as merciless as people say and a force to be reckoned with whenever he led his team during his missions, especially with Mauga, the squad's titan. This was also a rare occasion for Cuerva to get in the field to personally oversee the operation whenever there were complications.

Shortly, the trucks arrived at the riverside village where the gate was guarded by AK47-wielding militants. Because they were expecting them, the militants opened the gate and silently let the trucks in while the Hind hovered above them. As the trucks drove down the path, they were met with glares from several militants from outposts and on the sidewalk. Most of the locals were nowhere to be seen with empty markets and shops.

Once the trucks reached the plaza next to the main hut, the trucks came to a complete stop and shortly, Talon soldiers hopped out one by one and landed on the pale mud. There, the soldiers gathered into their positions and faced the militants while several turned to the hut where their partner would be in. Mauga stood in front of his men, knowing his size and weapon would ensure support and maximum damage. Cuerva was the last to get out and without a word, he headed up the stairs leading to the hut and signaled for both Mazzei and Doubleday to escort him.

As he ignored the condescending glares from the militants, Cuerva and his men went inside and found the office of the militant's leader. Inside the office accompanied by a straw backdrop, the successor of the Macaba militia Kwame Macaba glared at the Captain, knowing who he was. His guards watched with caution running in their eyes as Cuerva stood by the doorway with his escorts. Their begrudging glares reflected onto the unnerving visors of their gas masks. Cuerva paid no attention to them and sat down on the couch across Kwame's before pulling down his neck gaiter.

"Sorry for the sudden visit, Mr. Macaba," Cuerva said. "I understand that you're still dealing with the loss of your brothers but we have a proposal that you may find beneficial to your operations."

Cuerva stared at the man of Talon's interest. Youngest brother of the family, forced to take control of the militia after the death of his brothers a few months back. Knowing him, his family would be hiding upstairs.

"Our leader received a call from you saying that you do not wish to be part of our cause or accept our money that we offered you." Cuerva continued.

"We will not be accepting your blood money or an alliance with you." Kwame growled.

Cuerva chuckled. "Seems like we haven't convinced you well enough. First off, we're not here to negotiate money. We're more than that. Consider us partners looking to help spread your influence across Africa and strengthen your army because you will need it."

"You best leave now if you know what's good for you."

"I'm afraid that's not going to happen. And you might as well watch what you say or there will be consequences for you and your family. Wouldn't want to end up like your brothers, yes?"

Tensions were raised. Kwame's hand clenched into a fist as he glared at Cuerva, clearly taking offence to what he said. Mazzei and Doubleday remained cautious as they eyed the militants, knowing they could open fire at any minute. A smirk curved from the corner of his lip.

"I've read that your brothers were killed trying to take control of Africa and the first thing they did was going after the people running the country," Cuerva said. "That was a bold and ambitious move - a naive one if you get my gist."

Kwame was itching to lunge at him at any moment but he would've done so by now if it weren't for the Talon soldiers watching him.

"And I also found it funny about how your brothers died. Dede Macaba went out of his way to use a child as a bargaining chip before the military shot him dead. I mean, talk about being a 'warrior' who'd rather die a coward than fight as a man. And Arno? Let's just say he failed before he even started."

Kwame gritted his teeth as his fists shook and Cuerva was more than glad to see his face contort into hate.

"You dare speak ill of my family's sacrifices?!" Kwame hissed.

"Oh I dare because I'm the one holding you and your people's lives in my hands," Cuerva said smugly. "I'm just trying to negotiate peacefully here and you're making this very difficult. All Talon wants is an alliance with you and your militia. You see, we believe humanity can only evolve through everlasting conflict. We're gathering organisations who are willing to contribute in making sure the human race grows stronger through war and terror."

Kwame's expression doesn't change, still glaring at the Captain.

"Talon can make you the most powerful man in Africa," Cuerva continued. "We'll provide your militia with better weapons, gear, training and materials for your operations. We can give you all of that with just a flick of a pen and with all the funding from us, you could achieve everything your brothers had been longing for. All you have to do is shake my hand and we can cut you a deal."

Cuerva then outstretched his hand to Kwame. Without a second thought, Kwame smacked it away as if it was a fly. Cuerva was unfazed by his rude gesture.

"The reason why I refused in the first place was because you and Talon are not soldiers, not warriors… you are terrorists who kill for money and sport. My people will never be part of that."

Cuerva stared at him for a moment before sighing and leaning back.

"Very well then," He then reached for his comms. "Negotiations failed. Prepare to clean house."

Shortly, gunfire erupted from outside surprising Kwame and his guards. Talon soldiers posted outside were under orders from HQ to kill the militia whenever the negotiation didn't work out. Kwame was quick to realize what Cuerva ordered and attempted to reach for his holster. Cuerva beat him to it and he shot the leader in the head before he could even touch the gun. Blood sprayed onto the floor and as soon as Kwame went limp, Mazzei and Doubleday took out the guards with ease and smooth synchronization.

Glancing at the stream of smoke oozing from the suppressor, Cuervo got up from the couch and approached Kwame's body. He stared at the dead leader with eyes of disappointment.

"Such a shame, Mr. Macaba," Cuerva said. "We would've had potential working together. Oh well, only fools would go for someone who's useless."

Cuerva then turned away to the doorway.

"Take care of the family." He ordered as he walked off.

"Yes, sir." Both Mazzei and Doubleday complied.

The two went past Cuerva and headed the opposite direction of him to find the rest of Kwame's family, checking their mags as they moved out. As the heavy footsteps faded out, Cuerva walked down the corridor and for the front entrance.

"Akuma 1, you are cleared hot," Cuerva said. "Send those bastards a message."

The sounds of the MG outside raining down from above accompanied the melody of the gunfire below. Walking out of the hut, Cuerva watched as his men moved from several spots in the dark hunting down the militants.

He already noticed several bodies of the militants in front of him as well as several buildings and markets left on fire. The rockets from the chopper then hit the village with immense velocity and obliterated almost everything in sight to ensure no survivors while also avoiding Cuerva's smell of burnt wood and straws filled his nostrils as he watched the flames light up the dark sky and burning wood melt into the river. Screams from afar filled the air of silence, drowned by the gunfire slowly catching up to them.

The Captain simply pulled out a cigar from his pocket, lit it with a match and watched the village burn to the ground. The embers before him sparked brighter like fireworks, making Talon's mark on their steps to the glory of never-ending conflict.

[wftc141]

Blackwatch Chapter 7: Tainted Justice

04:50 AM, Local Time

Jakarta, Indonesia

August, 2018

Everything around him felt warm, his body embracing the hot smoke trapped inside with him. The darkness around him began to light up as his eyes slowly opened and found himself upside-down. Constable Fauzi Wijaya was surprised that he was still alive even after getting their patrol vehicle t-boned by a truck that caught them from the side after leaving from a secret meeting, pushing them off the dirt road. He doesn't know where they landed but he could feel the humid dirt's odour wafting towards him.

Looking around, Wijaya felt something warm streaming down his face and saw red slipping off his face. His legs were trapped below and the seatbelt was stuck. Wijaya then spat out blood and coughed, almost choking himself on it.

He glanced at his side where his partner Nonk was, only to find him with blood streaming down his face, eyes bloodshot red and body riddled with broken glass. He was in an unlucky spot. Wijaya knew he would be joining Nonk if he doesn't get out now. Reaching for the seatbelt with his aching arms, Wijaya tried to break the seatbelt off. The burning sensation of his fingers flowed as he tried to pull the seat belt off. Suddenly, the seat belt lock ripped off and Wijaya fell onto the surface, landing on the miniature glass shards. His sleeves ripped into the glass as Wijaya gritted his teeth to endure the pain.

Finally crawling himself out of the broken window, Wijaya gripped onto the ground tightly as he crawled over the puddle mixed with dirt and waste. Half of his vision was blocked out by the blood from his head. Wijaya did his best to ignore the unending pain as he crawled through the wreckage and the hidden glass among the ground while facing the darkness. His legs felt like paper. He couldn't move an inch of his foot. As Wijaya looked up slowly to at least see the moon, he froze.

In front of Wijaya and above the road, a figure walked down the ditch with the headlights of the truck illuminating behind him. Then Wijaya noticed a gun lying on the ground near him and desperately tried to reach for it, ignoring the steps closing in. His strained grunts echoed the eerie silence as the steps got louder. Heart pounding with the mindset of a tortured victim. Just as he reached it, Wijaya noticed black boots in front of him before a gloved hand reached down to yank the revolver off him. Looking up, Wijaya got a clearer look of the figure. Black mask and cap. It was the assailant, preparing to tie up loose ends. And there was no doubt it was the Four Arms' doing.

"Anda bajingan! (You bastards!)" Wijaya cursed as the assailant checked the gun. "Saya tahu kami seharusnya tidak mempercayai anda anjing jalanan sejak awal! (I knew we shouldn't have trusted you street dogs in the first place!)"

Suddenly, blood coughed out of his mouth as Wijaya helplessly tried to pull himself up with his bleeding arms. The masked assailant finished checking the revolver and looked back at Wijaya, eyes filled with little awareness of what he said.

「大丈夫。彼らは遅かれ早かれあなたに加わるでしょう。」

Wijaya stared at the masked assailant in silence. He wasn't speaking Indonesian.

"Jepang? (Japanese?)" He muttered.

Just as Wijaya said his words, the masked assailant aimed the gun in front of his eyes and everything went black to the loud crack of the gun.

24 Hours Earlier

Central Jakarta, Indonesia

Embassy of the United States

July, 2018

The elevator made its stop at the eighth floor of the Embassy. After the doors opened, Genji followed Lacroix and McCree out and down the hallway. They were all called in for a new operation a month later after their operation in Russia eliminating the remaining ISIS group. There, Genji had some time to train himself and chat with Angela and check up on her progress in practicing self-defence with her friend Fareeha from Helix Securities.

Genji alongside McCree and Lacroix were the only few people picked by their team leader for this mission for whatever reason. Once they reached the meeting room where their team leader was waiting, the group entered the room where they saw Gabriel standing by a board with some photos and files pinned onto it as well as a projector. Gabriel turned around and noticed the group.

"Welcome to Jakarta, team," he greeted. "Glad you guys could make it."

"I'm guessing this is something big since we're here." McCree said as the team sat at the large, round table.

"It is. As you could see on the board, these guys are the reason why Blackwatch has been summoned."

Gabriel then took out a pile of dossiers from a box and handed each of the team one. Once Genji received the dossier, he opened it up to see its contents and found some documents with photos of what appears to be police officers and their names and ranks beside it. Beside were some personal information and some notes on them. Genji noticed a staple on the top left corner.

"So we're just going after a bunch of dirty cops, huh?" McCree questioned. "Not that I have a problem with taking these scumbags down."

"Not just them. These people are under the pockets of a notorious street gang of Jakarta known as the Four Arms, led by Eyo Naki."

Genji flipped the document over and found the second document showing an old photo of a man in a military uniform with medals over his jacket standing behind the Indonesian flag. One of his eyes was pure white with a vertical scar slashed over the white eye. He looked up and saw the man's photo again on the projector with more info beside it.

"Former General in the Indonesian army in the 90s, he was arrested and scheduled to be executed after an investigation reported countless war crimes committed during his twenty years of service and reports of multiple deaths of his own soldiers who opposed his actions. However, the convoy escorting Naki the next day was ambushed and killed by those loyal to him. After that, he disappeared into thin air, never to be found. That's how he ended up as the most wanted man of Asia."

Gabriel then changed to a new slide showing a symbol of the Four Arms with some disturbing photos from the past. Most were either dead bodies, drugs or photos of gangsters posing.

"At some point, he started the Four Arms with what was left of his loyal army and began to rise to the ranks as one of the most deadliest organisations of Jakarta for the next ten years. Naki is an iron-fisted leader with no remorse for his past and present and he doesn't like to share. The Four Arms' criminal activities have left at least thousands of innocent people and criminals alike dead."

Another slide with more shocking context was shown but this time the pictures showed destroyed buildings with some news articles.

"Last week, several complexes across Jakarta were bombed, taking the lives of hundreds of innocent people but the police discontinued their investigation. Intel suggests that the complexes belonged to a rival gang and Naki and his gang bombed the buildings as a message."

Gabriel then picked up a cup from the table and drank from it.

"The police have arrested members of the Four Arms before but most of the time, they were released shortly due to 'lack of evidence' and often resulted in widespread protests from the public. This went on for the entirety during the Four Arms' rise."

McCree scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Lack of evidence, my ass."

Genji stared at the document showing the corrupt cops as Gabriel continued the brief. He showed nothing but disgust and contempt. These people must be shameless to be involved in these atrocities.

"That was until an insider provided intel that the Four Arms had Police Chief Yulis Katuuk and some of his units including the narcotics and patrol paid off to turn a blind eye on their operations as well as their willingness to assist in covering their crimes."

Genji looked up where the slide showed a photo of the police chief in uniform, standing by the flag with four stars. There were medals over his jacket just like the one with Naki. Medals for someone with little regard of justice.

"Sounds like this bastard's got some tricks on his sleeves to be able to get someone like the chief on their good side." McCree commented.

"I take it this is a kill order?" Lacroix guessed.

"That's right," Gabriel answered. "The government has had enough of their shit and wants them dead so they reached out to NATO for their help in dealing with this issue."

"So the Indonesian government's alright with taking out their own guys? Cos' I thought NATO and them have some issues of their own." McCree questioned.

"The government has put aside their differences and approved our operation on behalf of NATO. Other than that, we're on our own for this."

"Do we have a place to stay?" Lacroix asked.

"The CIA has already lent us a hideout for this mission since we're also here to sabotage their operations. Weapons and gear have been taken care of as well. Might as well head out right now and get prepping. Dismissed."

The team began to get up from their chairs and made their way out of the room. Genji closed the dossier and stood up in silence.

"Genji," Gabriel called, grabbing his attention. "A word?"

Genji stayed while Lacroix and McCree left the room. Genji approached Gabriel to see what he had to say.

"Don't think I'm sitting you out of this because I'm not," Gabriel said. "I think you're capable of handling this. You've done this dirty cop business before, wouldn't hurt to do it again."

"I'm fine, sir." Genji replied quickly.

Gabriel stared at him for a moment before nodding. He would assume he just wants to finish this operation and get this over with.

"Alright...just checking."

Genji left the room once Gabriel let him leave. As he made his way down the hallway, Genji felt the pictures of the chief and the corrupt cops flash before him. He remembered every detail and every difference in each one of those people. Of all people he hates the most, corrupt cops make it to the first place. The only reason these false protectors let the gangs run amok and allow innocent people to die is for some white powder and dirty money. Genji saw it with his own eyes in the Shimada Clan. These people exploit the system of justice for their own purposes and appease the scum of this land. They were destined to face the well-deserved justice and Genji was bound to make sure the corrupt cops here would learn their lesson like every corrupt cop he killed.

Present

5:43 AM, Local Time

August, 2018

After torching the truck used for the attack, Genji returned to their hideout near the canalised river which was an abandoned apartment used for Blackwatch's operations. Parking the motorbike near the gate, Genji entered the building and met up with Gabriel and McCree where they set up a makeshift operation board. The board was filled with photos and files on Katuuk and the Four Arms.

"How'd it go?" Gabriel asked.

"Fauzi Wijaya and Hanif Nonk have been eliminated." Genji answered.

"Good. Mark those two off the list."

"Now all that's left is the narcotics unit, Katuuk and the Four Arms," McCree said. "Hopefully this will convince the dirty cops that the Four Arms is turning on them which is gonna make things easier for us."

"I believe Widowmaker is still out handling the other narcotics officers, yes?" Genji asked.

"She is," Gabriel answered. "She won't be back until a few more hours."

10:00 AM, Local Time

Getting inside his car in the parking garage, Police Chief Yulis Katuuk finished his cigarette and took out his cellphone from the cup holder. He speeddialed Naki's number and held the phone up to his ear, waiting for him to answer. His fingers tapped on the edge of the seat impatiently. Finally, the beeps stopped.

"Saya sedang melakukan sesuatu yang penting, jadi lakukanlah dengan cepat. (I'm in the middle of something important so make it quick.)" Naki's voice hissed.

"Begitu penting bahwa Anda belum menonton berita atau repot-repot menjawab telepon saya? (So important that you haven't been watching the news or bothered to answer my fucking calls?)"

Naki scoffed. "

Apa itu? Seseorang meninggal? (What is it? Someone died?)"

"Ya, kamu tua bangka! (Yes, you old fart!)" Katuuk replied. "

Unit narkotika saya mati seperti bagaimana petugas patroli saya menghilang- (My narcotics unit is dead just like how my patrolmen disappeared-)"

"Dan mengapa aku harus peduli tentang antek-antekmu yang hilang? (And why should I give a shit about your missing lackeys?)"

"Karena mereka bersama kru narkoba Anda ketika semuanya dihancurkan! (Because they were with your drug crew when everything was destroyed!)"

Silence returned from the other end. Katuuk realized he wasn't supposed to blurt out the drug part.

"Apa maksudmu semuanya hancur? Apa yang terjadi dengan kru saya? (What do you mean everything was destroyed? What happened to my crew?)" Naki said in a tone that could frighten even the new General of the army.

"Gudang untuk produksi obat dihancurkan tadi malam, (The warehouses for the drug production got destroyed last night,)" Katuuk explained. "Kristal, ganja, semuanya habis terbakar. Sebagian besar orang saya di narkotika dan kru Anda terbunuh seluruhnya. Saya melakukan yang terbaik untuk memastikan penyelidikan tidak akan berjalan- (Crystal, cannabis, they were all taken by the fire. Most of my men in the narcotics and your crew were killed altogether. I did my best to make sure the investigation wouldn't go-)"

"Apakah Anda tahu siapa yang melakukannya? Apakah itu saingan yang bisnisnya saya bom? (Do you know who did it? Was it that rival whose businesses I bombed?)"

"Tidak, saya tidak percaya ini adalah pembalasan. Mereka tidak akan melakukan ini bahkan jika mereka mencobanya. Ini terasa seperti pekerjaan profesional. (No, I don't believe this is retaliation. They wouldn't pull this off even if they tried. This feels like a professional job.)"

"Lalu apa maksudmu, Katuuk? (Then what are you implying, Katuuk?)"

"Seseorang memperhatikan kita. Mereka pasti sudah tahu bahwa saya terlibat dalam bisnis Anda dan mereka mencoba menyingkirkan kita berdua. Dan saya rasa saya tahu siapa yang mengejar kita. (Somebody is onto us. They must've figured out that I'm involved in your business and they're trying to get rid of both of us. And I think I know who's after us.)"

"Betulkah? Katakan padaku. (Really? Tell me.)"

"Saya memiliki orang dalam di Kedutaan Besar AS dan kemarin, dia melaporkan bahwa unit khusus dari barat disewa oleh pemerintah untuk misi pembunuhan. Hanya itu yang dia dapat dari itu. (I have an insider in the US Embassy and yesterday, he reported that a special unit from the west was hired by the government for an assassination mission. That was all he got from that.)"

"Dan? (And?)"

Katuuk was certain Naki won't like his answer but the truth can stop them from stuffing Katuuk into an oil-filled barrel and setting him alight.

"Dari apa yang dia kumpulkan, tebakan terbaik saya adalah bahwa kita adalah target mereka. (From what he's gathered, my best guess is that we're their targets.)"

Silence. The incoming outburst was inevitable.

"Apakah Anda memberi tahu saya bahwa pemerintah saya menyewa sekelompok tentara barat untuk membunuh kami? Untuk membunuh saya dan menghancurkan apa yang telah saya bangun?! (Are you telling me that my government hired a group of western soldiers to kill us? To kill me and destroy what I've built?!)"

Katuuk let out a sigh and braced for impact.

"Iya. (Yes.)" he grimly said.

"Mereka bodoh, dengar aku ?! Bodoh! Saya tidak akan tahan untuk ini! Saya tidak membangun sebuah kerajaan hanya untuk membiarkan beberapa orang asing mengakhiri pekerjaan saya karena apa, pemerintah saya tidak setuju dengan metode saya! Aku akan menjadi Tuhan negara ini bahkan jika aku harus membuat setiap sistem tidak stabil! (They're fools, you hear me?! Fools! I won't stand for this! I did not build an empire just to let some outsider fucks end my life's work because what, my government disagreed with my methods! I will be this country's God even if I must have every system destabilized!)"

The voices were so loud Katuuk thought Naki's other end was breaking up. Shortly, Katuuk heard Naki exhale to calm himself.

"Saya ingin Anda segera menangani masalah ini, (I want you to deal with this issue immediately,)" Naki calmly ordered. "Kirim anak buahmu keluar untuk melacak orang luar itu dan bunuh mereka. Lakukan perburuan, bingkai, apa pun yang dapat Anda lakukan untuk menemukannya. Saya akan mengirim beberapa anak saya untuk membantu tim Anda menyelesaikan misi. (Send your men out to track those outsiders and kill them. Put out a manhunt, frame them, anything you can do to find them. I'll send some of my boys to help your team complete the mission.)"

Katuuk wasn't sure what he was thinking. Even a dirty chief like him has standards to follow. After all, he only took care of turning his police force away from Naki's activities and some minor operations.

"Anda pasti sudah gila jika Anda pikir saya bisa- (You must be out of your mind if you think I can just-)"

"Bahwa. Apakah perintah. Saya tidak peduli jika Anda harus melanggar kebijakan Anda atau kehilangan lebih banyak orang. Itu adalah prioritas. Atau Anda ingin saya memotong 90% dari pembayaran Anda? Karena aku bisa pergi lebih rendah jika kamu mau. (That. Is an order. I don't care if you have to breach your policies or lose more of your men. That is a priority. Or would you like me to cut 90% of your payment down? Cause I can go even lower if you want.)"

Katuuk's grip on the seat tightened as he sat in his own bundle of rage. His breathing intensified before he recollected himself.

"Tidak, aku akan menemukan tersangka. (No. I'll find the suspects.)"

"Baik, (Good,)" Naki said. "Jika saya mendengar mereka masih hidup pada sore hari, berdoalah agar saya tidak menelepon Anda. (If I hear they're still alive by afternoon, pray that I don't call you.)"

Once the call ended, Katuuk slowly lowered his phone, finding himself in the threshold of life and death. This time, he wasn't going to bribe his way out. Not with what money he has left. However, he did get information from his informant in the Embassy on the location of their hideout.

10:23 AM, Local Time

As the team waited for Lacroix who was still out, Gabriel's phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out and after reading the ID, he answered it.

"Go ahead, 2." Gabriel said.

"We're blown. The police are on their way to the hideout. Get out of there now." Lacroix warned.

Without any hesitation, Gabriel hung up and turned to the team who were occupied with their own activities.

"Team, drop what you're doing and pack everything up right now!" He ordered as he reached for the gear.

McCree looked up from a document he was reading. "What's going on? Something happened?",

"We've been compromised. Destroy all the documents and anything that could leave a trace to us now!"

The team immediately got into it and packed everything they could manage. McCree stripped the board of all the photos and files, dumped them into a bin and doused it with gasoline before lighting it in flames. Everybody frantically and hastily searched for anything to burn to erase their existence in this building.

Arriving at the hideout, several police cruisers and a black car stopped at the side with no sirens and everybody got out. Police officers on Naki's payroll stormed the front door with the Four Arms gangsters following them, slightly better armed than the cops. Some of the cops stayed outside to keep guard. Once they entered, there was no sign of their targets. As the group searched the building, one of the police officers made a call through a burner phone that exclusively connects them to Chief Katuuk.

"Apakah mereka sudah mati? (Are they dead?)" the Chief asked.

"Tidak ada tanda-tanda dari mereka, tuan, (No sign of them, sir,)" the cop said. "Mereka pasti tahu kita mengejar mereka dan melarikan diri. (They must've figured out we were after them and fled.)"

"Pak! Saya menemukan sesuatu di bawah meja ini! (Sir! I found something under this table!)"

The cop turned around and noticed his fellow cop holding up a side of a tablecloth, looking underneath it. Keeping the chief on standby, the cop approached the table and looked underneath. Through the dark, they noticed several red dots flashing. The cop's eyes widened just as he realized what it was.

"Sial! Kami mendapat- (Sial! We got a-)"

As the team headed down a hidden stairwell, they heard a muffled rumble from above and dust crumbled from the ceiling. Gabriel was watching the CCTV footage from the phone before detonating the emergency C4 the CIA had snuck in for them. There was no chance of both the cops and the gangsters surviving the explosion, especially when it collapsed onto their heads.

After reaching the tunnel underneath the safe house, the team stuffed their gear into a grey Mercedes before entering the car. McCree ignited the engine and drove off through the dark tunnel.

"Well that was a goddamn cluster." McCree said.

"No shit," Gabriel replied. "They must've found out we're here and what we're doing somehow."

"Sounds like we might have a rat in the Embassy."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

Shortly, McCree drove the team out of the tunnel, leading them to a wide canalised river which happened to be outside their hideout. McCree took a right and drove down the river. Genji perched up after hearing faint sirens from behind. He turned around and looked behind the window where he noticed two police cruisers driving on the street beside them from a distance.

"We picked up a tail." Genji said.

Gabriel glanced at his rear mirror and noticed the police cruisers chasing the team. The cruisers drove down the hill and onto the river, gaining some speed. Genji then noticed a police officer point his gun at their car and open fire. Genji ducked down as the shots hit the back of their car and the window.

"I'll handle it!" Genji called out, reaching for the bag carrying the weapons.

After grabbing an MCX and loading it with a full mag, Genji waited for the gunshots to stop. Once there was a brief pause from the police, he sat on the side window and opened fire. Genji fired at the cruiser at the left, hitting the front as both police cruisers began to swerve around erratically. Genji then aligned his shots to the window where the unsuspecting police officers were, riddling them with bullets as glass shards projected onto them and blood splattered from inside. The cruiser then began to slow down with smoke wafting from the front and swerve onto the corners of the hill, coming to a complete stop. One down, one to go.

Genji turned to his right and noticed the last police cruiser aligning itself with the team's car. Genji opened fire at the cruiser before the police officer could aim his gun. Then, he heard a click from his rifle. Genji quickly disposed of the empty mag and burrowed into the bag for a new one. Gunshots erupted from the side and pounded the doors.

"Anytime now, Genji!" Gabriel shouted.

"Good thing those crooks are lousy shots!" McCree called.

Genji finally found the full mag, loaded the rifle and pressed the bolt catch before aiming for the drivers. The shots hit both the driver and his partner inside. Genji watched as the cruiser swerved away from the team and crashed into a garbage pile, flipping over onto its top. Genji noticed one of the police officers' launch out of the window and fall onto the ground. The sirens died down as the cruiser slid away and shrunk from the team's view.

"Targets down. They won't be after us for now." Genji said, getting back inside the car.

"Alright," Gabriel said. "Hide the gun."

The drive led them back onto the road and into the streets. The embassy was close by so it wouldn't take long to arrive.

3:00 PM, Local Time

Katuuk's feet tapped on the gravel rapidly. As predicted, Naki has ordered him to meet him through a phone call. A meeting Katuuk can't decline. Which was how he ended up at an isolated cliffside in the hills overlooking Jakarta. Just in case, he brought along some of his police officers for protection.

Then, the Four Arms arrived with three black cars stopping in front of him. The doors opened and gangsters got out with most of them armed with rifles while the rest were unarmed. Then, the door of the car in the middle opened and stepping out of it was none other than Eyo Naki himself in the flesh. Despite him being much older than Katuuk, Naki's deadshot eye and his face shaped by the war can make a combination of the army and the entire police force fear him. Adjusting his sleeve of his coat over his pinstripe suit and turtleneck, he approached Katuuk with every loud and slow step filling the dread before taking his hat off.

"Saya memperingatkan Anda, bukan? (I warned you, didn't I?)" Naki growled. "Saya ingin orang luar itu mati sebelum sore, namun saya dengar mereka masih hidup. Ingin mengatakan sesuatu? (I wanted those outsiders dead before afternoon and yet I hear they're still alive. Got anything to say?)"

Katuuk took a deep breath. "Itu tidak bisa dihindari. Orang-orang ini berpengalaman. Mereka pasti tahu kita sudah mengetahui lokasinya. (It was inevitable. These people are experienced. They must've known we figured out their location.)"

"Dan Anda mengatakan bahwa Anda tidak bisa melakukan apa-apa lagi? (And you're saying that you can't do anything else?)"

"Saya katakan kita harus berhati-hati! Orang-orang ini tidak menyukai penjahat yang Anda hadapi. Mereka memiliki tenaga yang cukup untuk melebihi jumlah kita. (I'm saying we should be careful! These people aren't like those thugs you've dealt with. They have enough manpower to outnumber us.)"

"Menurutmu teroris barat itu membuatku takut? Saya telah membangun karir saya dengan darah dan keringat saya! Saya tidak akan membiarkan beberapa orang luar menghancurkan apa yang saya buat! Aku bodoh karena mengira kamu mampu menangani ini. Anda tidak lebih dari buang-buang waktu yang tidak kompeten. (You think those western terrorists scare me? I've built my career with my fucking blood and sweat! I'm not going to let some outsiders destroy what I've created! I was a fool to think you were capable of handling this. You're nothing more but an incompetent waste of time.)"

At this point, Katuuk has had enough.

"Saya lebih baik menjadi orang bodoh daripada bekerja untuk teroris seperti Anda! (I'd rather be a fool than work for a terrorist like you!)" he snapped.

Naki glanced at him with an eye that could pierce through his heart.

"Apa katamu? (What did you say?)"

"Saya muak dan lelah mengambil tanggung jawab atas semua hal yang telah Anda lakukan, (I'm sick and tired of taking responsibility for all the shit you've done,)" Katuuk continued. "Tahukah Anda berapa banyak petugas polisi yang kehilangan tugas sejak saya mulai bekerja untuk Anda? Apakah Anda tahu apa yang harus saya tangani hanya agar Anda tidak ditangkap? Tidak. Karena Anda seorang teroris. Anda hanya peduli untuk memuaskan ego Anda yang membengkak. Aku seharusnya menangkapmu saat aku punya kesempatan! (Do you know how many police officers I've lost on the line of duty ever since I started working for you? Do you know what I had to deal with just to keep you from getting arrested? No, you don't. Because you're a terrorist. You only care about satisfying your inflated ego. I should've had you arrested when I had the chance!)"

"Perhatikan lidah kotormu itu. Kamu pikir kamu siapa, ya? Ketahuilah tempatmu! (Watch that filthy tongue of yours. Who the fuck do you think you are, huh? Know your damn place!)"

"Anda tidak menakut-nakuti saya lagi, Naki. Anda ingin membunuh tentara barat itu, lakukan sendiri. Dilakukan. (You don't scare me anymore, Naki. You want to kill those western soldiers, do it yourself. We're done.)"

Katuuk then ordered his men to get moving as he turned away. As he headed towards his car, Naki drew out his pistol from his holster and fired two rounds to each of his legs. Katuuk let out a cry and fell towards the cruiser. The police officers sluggishly reacted to the sounds of gunshots and Naki's men raised their weapons. They gave the police officers bzero chance to fight back as the bullets shredded into them, clearing them out in seconds. The gunfire ceased and the men lowered their weapons, leaving Katuuk the last one alive.

Naki approached Katuuk who sat up against the cruiser, unable to feel his legs. Naki aimed his pistol at Katuuk's head and shot him dead without hesitation. His hand fell onto the ground lifelessly and his eyes strayed away as blood streamed from his forehead. Naki stared at his body as he holstered his pistol with no remorse like how he treated his victims. He spat at Katuuk's corpse before turning away to his men.

"Ayo kembali. Kami akan berburu. (Let's head back. We're going on a hunt.)"

7:30 PM, Local Time

Embassy of the United States

The team watched the TV by the board broadcasting mostly unimportant news while waiting for Amélie to report back. Shortly, the news then showed a new report of a murder. The camera focused on a crime scene at a cliffside with the police surrounding it where the reporter explained the bodies of Chief Katuuk and some of the other police officers were found. Judging by the way the news is portraying Katuuk and the police, the locals wouldn't be surprised about it since they've lost whatever was left of their faith.

"Seems like the Four Arms did us a favor dealing with those dirty cops," McCree said. "Makes our job a lot easier."

"Would've been better if I had taken him out." Genji said.

"I know, Genji. Naki's next so you'll get your chance." Gabriel told him.

The sounds of the door opening behind them caught the team's attention, seeing Amélie entering the room, carrying some documents. She was tasked in finding the person who ratted them out and it was no surprise she was skilled in finding them.

"Who was the rat?" Gabriel asked.

"A local analyst of the embassy," Amélie answered. "Katuuk sent him here. I managed to squeeze the information out of him before handing him off to the CIA. They'll be putting him in a blacksite since they believe he has been a mole for other Islamic terror cells."

"So what's our situation with the Four Arms?" McCree asked.

Amélie placed the documents onto the table, with a picture of a satellite shot of a row of houses.

"The analyst gave us the address of Naki and his gang's hideout. They're at a townhouse in South Jakarta. He also told me that they're currently planning their next move. My best guess is that they're going to start a war against us."

After reading the documents and the map of the hideout, Gabriel got his hands off the table and faced his team.

"Well, if Naki's that pissed off, then who are we to decline his offer?" Gabriel stepped in. "If he wants a war, then we'll bring it to his front door. Get geared up, team. We move out in thirty mikes."

8:23 PM, Local Time

Twas the night before the chaos. Blackwatch has already made their arrival at the townhouse in South Jakarta where Naki and his men would be at. Turns out, they were near a town that was a hotspot for a night out. The townhouses itself resembled buildings from either the UK or the Netherlands. The team parked by the back alley between the townhouse and a bar. The sky was pitch black with some vague clouds hovering above but the townhouses were bright from the windows.

"Shadow 1 to Shadow 2, we're at the target's destination, over." Gabriel said.

"Copy, Shadow 1. Got visual on the hideout. No patrols. Possible hostiles inside the building." Amélie replied.

The sniper was positioned at a rooftop of a building across the townhouse where she would get a clear sight of Naki and his men.

"Copy, Shadow 2. We'll get the bastards. Out," Gabriel then reached for the door. "Alright, let's get this done."

The team got out, already fitted with plate carriers over their clothes, gear and balaclavas and their suppressed weapons and made their way to the alley. Genji paced after Gabriel, taking the lead as they walked down the alley to where the townhouse's backyard would be. He was particularly eager in taking Naki down, after losing his grasp on Katuuk. This time, nobody leaves this building alive.

Genji and the team arrived at the back gate leading to the townhouse's backyard. After a brief check of their surroundings, Gabriel led the team in after opening the partially closed gate. At the front was a glass door where they saw a group of Four Arms gangsters by a table, possibly setting up their weapons.

"Hostiles inside the building." McCree said.

The team moved quietly away from the door, blending in with the dark. Music was blaring from inside, making it easier for them to move without the gangsters hearing anything outside. They approached the wall beside it and stacked up.

"Shadow 1 to Shadow 2, we're breaching the building, out." Gabriel said.

"Bien reçu."

After getting off the comms, Gabriel turned to Genji.

"All yours, Genji. Bring in the heat."

Genji nodded and moved past Gabriel towards the door. McCree held out a grenade for the next hit. Getting his MCX ready, he reached the glass door and faced the gangsters still unaware of his presence. Just as one of them looked up and noticed Genji, he opened fire with full automatic rounds, dropping the gangsters in front of him as the glass shattered into pieces. The rest of the gangsters began to scramble while grabbing their weapons.

"Tossing frag!" McCree called out as he threw a grenade into the room.

Just as the team entered the room, an explosion erupted and debris flew outwards. The music began to die down, drowned out by the gunfire. Some blood spilled from the area. Genji took cover behind a kitchen as gunshots erupted from the front of the house. Gabriel and McCree took cover behind some tables. Most of the loud shots came from either a pistol or an SMG.

Genji moved out of cover and saw a gangster approaching him face on with a rifle. The full automatic rounds riddled into the gangster before he could react. As the body fell down, Genji dived and rolled towards a drawer table, taking cover from further gunfire before noticing a gangster hiding inside a room trying to fire through the narrow gap of the door. Genji shot his foot and the gangster let out cry and lost balance, leaving Genji an open view of multiple rounds to his body. Moving out of cover, Genji and the team took out the rest of the gangsters near a living room with a large pool table.

"Leading." Genji said as the team approached the stairs.

As they moved up the stairwell, Genji heard frantic footsteps and faint shouts from outside and above. He noticed a gangster appear from the left about to aim his gun. Genji fired first, taking him out with several shots to the head. His body then fell onto the stairs and tumbled down. Genji then noticed a pair of legs on the hallway of the next floor through the stair gap. Firing several rounds to the legs were enough to make the gangster collapse. Reaching the next floor, Genji finished off the downed gangster and headed towards the room to his left where he noticed a man running on the rooftops through an open window with two of his men following him. That has to be Naki.

"I got visual on the target! He's on the rooftops!" Genji reported.

"Shadow 2, HVT fleeing on the roof. Do you have a visual, over?" Gabriel asked.

"Negative, I have no visual on HVT," Widowmaker replied on comms. "But you got hostiles moving in to the front door. I'll hold them off as much as I can."

"I'll go after him." Genji suggested.

Gabriel nodded. "Go. McCree, with me!"

Genji headed into the room with the open window while both Gabriel and McCree stayed back to hold off oncoming gangsters. After climbing through the window, Genji moved towards a chimney and then suddenly, a gangster with a camo balaclava emerged from behind and swung a machete across him. Genji managed to dodge the hill swing and the attack after it. Then, he heard voices behind the masked gangster closing in.

Once the masked gangster swung his next hit, Genji let go of his rifle and grabbed onto his wrist before punching his throat. With the masked gangster unable to fight back with a broken windpipe, Genji held onto the base of the machete, stepped to the masked gangster's side and drove it into his stomach.

The blades protruded through his body with blood dripping from the tip. Pulling out his suppressed Glock, Genji noticed several other gangsters heading his way and used the masked gangster for cover as bullets hit the gangster's body, hardly going through to Genji. He managed to take out two gangsters before tossing the masked one aside and advancing further through the rooftop.

As Genji made his way over another rooftop connected to each townhouse in this area, he caught sight of two of Naki's men calling in reinforcements from the other houses to hold Genji off before continuing to escort Naki away. There were only a handful of them. Genji took cover behind a small garden as gunfire erupted after him. He leaned over to the left and took out one of the gangsters near a door before running dry. Getting back in cover, Genji ejected the empty mag and inserted a new one before hitting the bolt catch.

Turning to his right, Genji moved out of cover to find a gangster approaching his position amidst the gunfire. Genji shot his abdomen before aiming for his chest, taking him out in an instant. One of the gangsters behind him got distracted, leaving him open for Genji to take him out too.

He then noticed more from the other side, shooting at him. Taking cover once again, Genji took a flashbang from his battle belt and tossed it to the gangster's position. A loud bang erupted and sounds of pained cries followed up as gunfire ceased. Genji moved out of cover and took out the remaining disorientated gangsters before continuing his chase after Naki.

Reaching another rooftop of a different townhouse, he found Naki running into a door with his men helping close the door. Genji took aim and fired his rounds, taking both of them out. As he closed in on the door, his instincts flared up and Genji noticed one of the gangsters he shot grab onto his rifle. Genji kicked his leg, bringing him onto his knees and pulled out his Glock, firing several shots into his head until it ran dry. As the gangster fell away and his grip loosened, Genji swapped pistol mags and racked the slide before opening the door.

"Shadow 5, HVT entering a new building. Moving in with caution." Genji said as he entered a room with stairs down below.

Using his rifle, Genji went down the stairs with heightened sense, expecting an element of surprise. He made sure his steps on the wooden stairs didn't creak loud enough for anyone to hear. Genji found himself on a floor with several rooms. Every room he checked was empty. Suddenly, he heard something fall onto the ground downstairs.

Genji slowly went down the stairs and just as he stepped onto the floor below, he saw Naki at the kitchen and aimed his rifle. Naki ducked down behind the counter as Genji fired at him. The bullets shattered some of the glass and tiles behind the counter. Suddenly, he heard a click. His rifle was jammed. Genji glanced up and saw Naki now standing from the counter, drawing his pistol from a shoulder holster.

Genji quickly dropped his rifle and dove for the front counter as the shots zipped above him. Genji was able to get a good look of Naki and he looked much older than the photo with the grayed hair and distinct wrinkles, complemented with a black turtleneck and pinstripe pants like he was still reliving his 40s.

Genji pulled out his Glock and blindly fired back from the counter. The sounds of more glass shattered echoed across the room. Slipping to the side of the kitchen, Naki suddenly attacked him, slapping Genji's pistol out of sight. Genji managed to grab hold of Naki and pushed him against the fridge. He managed to pry the pistol off Naki's hand and toss it away from reach before getting kneed in the stomach and kicked back.

Looking back up, Genji noticed Naki take out a karambit and spun it as he got on his feet. For a man in his 70s, he was still able to hold off a punch. He somewhat reminded him of his father. Genji got into his fighting stance, not planning to pull any punches.

"Saya tidak akan membiarkan teroris mengakhiri warisan saya!" Naki growled hoarsely, charging at him with the knife.

Genji dodged Naki's rapid swings, including several lethal jabs. Genji managed to grab hold of Naki's arm, delivering an elbow to the forearm until Naki lost grip of his karambit before turning a heel and throwing him onto the counter surface. Turning around, Genji watched Naki slide off the table to the other side. Glancing down at the karambit, Genji swiped it off the floor as he moved towards Naki's position.

Naki threw a punch and Genji slipped below, getting behind the gang leader. Spinning around, he swung a hit to Naki's arm, leaving a cut. Naki was slow to react to Genji dodging his attack, further emphasizing his fading abilities through age. He wasn't going to survive this. Genji then let Naki throw another punch, pushed it away with his free hand and delivered a heavy cut to his forearm. At this rate, he wouldn't be able to use his vital amount of arm strength.

Genji stooped down and pierced the karambit through Naki's left ankle. This was enough to bring him to his one knee. As he let out a jarring cry, Genji felt Naki's hand force onto his face, with one of his fingers trying to reach his eye. Pulling the karambit out, Genji went for his other leg with a swift swipe. The cut managed to distract Naki enough for Genji to stab him in the stomach.

Twisting the karambit upwards, Genji forced Naki onto his feet while holding his arm. He noticed Naki can barely stand on his two feet anymore thanks to the cuts. Genji then turned the karambit to the left and drew a deep cut across Naki's body and stabbed his right arm after noticing his attempted hit. With the blade deep inside his arm, Genji pushed it towards the shoulder, leaving blood spilling onto the wooden floorboards. Finally, Genji has his sights on Naki's throat. He suffered enough. This is his final blow.

Genji thrusted the blade into his throat, deep into the skin and inside. He heard the sound of knees falling onto the ground. The movement stopped and Genji panted as he listened to Naki's gargling. Genji's eyes caught Naki's as he stared into the last eye slowly losing colour as Genji's deadshot gaze further pierced into his head. He then slightly leaned towards Naki.

"May God forgive you." Genji whispered before pulling the karambit out.

He stared forward as the thud accompanied the silence. After some time, Genji looked back at Naki's body soaked and drowned in a puddle of dark velvet red blood. The blood paid for the atrocities but he wouldn't expect it to be returned with grace. After all, people like Naki are beyond redemption.

"Shadow 5, status, over!" Gabriel's voice buzzed from Genji's comms.

Genji responded, tapping the comms. "HVT is KIA, over."

"Copy, Shadow 5. Target house is secure and all hostiles are KIA. Time to disappear."

Genji got off the comms and glanced back at the body, noticing the blood on his gloves and plate carrier. He silently bid farewell and placed the karambit on the counter before heading back on the rooftops and eventually meeting up with the team, surrounded by a load of bodies from the inside to the outside.

The Next Day

12:30 PM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Embassy of the United States

The day after their mission in Jakarta, Gabriel and Amélie have been called in to meet with Salvatore at the Embassy for something important. Ever since the death of Naki and Katuuk, most international news channels have been reporting on this incident overnight. The discovery of both the missing war criminal and the sheer amounts of bodies left behind at the townhouse was enough to attract international attention, although they acknowledged they were part of the Four Arms which has apparently been crippled due to Naki's death.

Jakarta Police has also been on damage control after leaks exposed Katuuk and his followers' corruption. Some other officials have also been arrested after evidence pointed fingers at them while most were unaware of Katuuk's corruption, especially the commissioner. Being unaware is even harder to control when the public has already lost their faith.

After entering the hallway to the room where Salvatore would be, Gabriel and Amélie found the door open and allowed themselves in. As Gabriel entered the room, he turned to where Salvatore was sitting at and noticed something that caught him by surprise. Salvatore wasn't alone this time. There was another man sitting with him, wearing the same uniform as Salvatore's. His hat was placed by the corner of the table. Faded blonde hair and a familiar face. Of all times, Gabriel would've never expected his old friend from the Delta Force to be here, in this Embassy.

"Jack?" Gabriel muttered.

The colonel stood up, approaching him with a stretched hand. "Been a long time, Gabe."

Gabriel said nothing. He was still comprehending the situation and the possibilities of his presence. Gabriel raised his hand and shook Jack's just to not keep him hanging.

"It sure has."

Jack Morrison was a colonel back at Delta, as well as Gabriel's team leader. He learnt a lot from him, something he took into consideration when becoming a leader of his own covert team for NATO. They weren't just acquaintances in the military. Their friendship skyrocketed after meeting each other back at the army. Gabriel hadn't seen Jack ever since his enlistment for Blackwatch. Something between them began to change forward on.

"What's happening?" Amélie asked.

Jack and Gabriel glanced at Salvatore. Noticing the eyes on him, he sighed as he stood up from his chair and adjusted his collar.

"Well, I'm officially retiring," Salvatore answered. "Nothing bad about it. Just believe this soldier should turn in. Colonel Morrison will be handling future Blackwatch operations. Since you two know each other, I believe you'll get along real well."

"Trust me," Jack said before turning to Gabriel with a smirk. "We will."

The two continued to stare at each other, no words exchanged. Amélie glanced at them, noticing a sense of tension. She would be wrong to think they would still offer a warm welcome. Gabriel never talked about Morrison before. From what she knows, Amélie could only predict not just a change of direction now that Morrison is taking over but a divide between the two leaders. A divide that could shape Blackwatch's purpose.

[wftc141]

Voltron: Global Military Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Unit-Chapter 12: Martyr

2000 Hours

Goiânia, Brazil

The streets of St Central were quiet and empty with nothing but street lights illuminating the road. The Voltron team used this quiet time to race their way past the street shops to the presidents' secret meeting area. Armed and loaded, they brought along some breaching equipment just in case. The SUV they were in reached a short overpass above a freeway in mere seconds before crossing over.

"Lions, this is Zero. The meeting has been hit and security personnel are taking small-arms fire. Local police and military have been notified, over."

"Wait, wasn't they supposed to start tomorrow?" Hunk said as he drove the SUV.

"Seems like the presidents have started their meeting early." Pidge deduced.

"Any casualties?" Keith asked.

"Possible security. Not sure about the presidents but you have to get there fast before it's too late." Allura said.

"Any news on Shiro?"

"Black Lion is alright. He's making his way to the meeting too as we speak."

"Copy, we're five mikes from the destination. Out."

The call ended and everybody fell back in silence as the team drove down the streets.

"We're probably too late." Hunk uneasily said.

"Let's not think about it, yeah?" Lance replied. "We can get there in time and smoke these cabróns. This is where it ends for them."

"Lance's right." Said Keith. "This is the end of the line for the Galra."

Arriving at the street where the safe house is located, the team drove down the dark, narrow road with parked vehicles before noticing some dark vehicles parked near a building. Once they reached the area, they noticed a brightly lit building with the security gate blown open and a breached entrance.

"They're here." Hunk muttered.

"That's bad news but we still gotta complete the mission." Keith said as the SUV came to a stop.

The team got out and geared up with their weaponry and equipment from the SUV.

"Red Lion to Zero. We're on foot and proceeding to the safe house, out." Keith reported as the team approached the gate.

"Should we wait for Shiro?" Pidge asked.

"No time. Presidents would be dead by the time he arrives. Let's move."

With Keith taking point, the team went past the gate and into the entrance leading to the front door which was broken down. There was no sign of Galra soldiers but they could hear gunshots from inside.

"Red Lion to Zero, we're going internal." Keith muttered.

They made their way past the reception and security checkpoint which was already scattered with bodies of security guards. Blood footprints and stains were everywhere throughout. The sight of the bodies were no different from their previous encounters, in fact they saw worse.

Making their way up the emergency staircase, they reached the upper floor with the door left open. Entering the next floor, the team found themselves in a hallway with several offices inside some of the rooms. More blood and bodies filled up the count. Reaching the corner of one of the hallways, Keith noticed two Galra foot soldiers down at the hallway, the same ones from the attack on their hideout with their distinctive all-black uniforms and its purple and red highlights and masks. Keith aimed his rifle and opened fire, taking out the one at the right. The other soldier noticed his partner fall and turned around but Keith put him down before he could react.

The group reached another corner leading to an open area with a staircase leading to the second floor where the main meeting room was. Then, they saw two gunmen on the floor above them who turned around to notice them just in time. One of them was carrying a PK machine gun.

"Take cover!" Pidge yelled, pulling Keith away from the gunfire.

The bullets barraged against them, holding them back as the Galra's firepower suppressed them. The team heard more footsteps as the gunfire ceased. There was more gunmen approaching their position.

"MG gunner on the top floor! How many others are there?" Pidge called out through the gunfire.

"Dunno! Around eight of 'em!" Lance called.

Keith was quick to think of an idea on how to handle the Galra soldiers holding them off. He reached for his comms.

"Green, Yellow, keep that fucker distracted. Blue and I will flank around and take them out."

"Copy." Pidge replied.

Keith got up and headed over to the other side with Lance in tow. The two found a door leading to an emergency stairwell. As they made their way up to the designated floor, Keith heard a door open above and saw a Galra soldier who just noticed him. Keith aimed fast and took him out first. Suddenly, another Galra soldier entered and was about to open fire before getting shot first. Keith glanced at Lance who just took him out for him.

"Thank me later." Lance said as he headed for the door.

The two managed to arrive at the floor where the MG gunner would be. Keith turned a corner and found the MG gunner and his partner on the railing, firing at Pidge and Hunk's position. They were both completely distracted, leaving them open from behind. Keith shot at the MG gunner while Lance aimed for the other soldier.

With them taken out, Keith and Lance used the floor to their advantage with the Galra soldiers below just noticing the ceased gunfire. Keith used the PK and fired upon the remaining Galra soldiers, wiping most of them out instantly with Lance taking care of the rest. Once the gunfire ceased and the soldiers were confirmed dead, Keith reached for his comms.

"Area is clear. Regroup on me."

Pidgin and Hunk came out of cover and made their way up to where Keith and Lance were before heading towards the main meeting room. As they stacked up beside the door, the team heard muffled noises from inside. There's clearly hostages inside and it is likely the presidents are among them, as well as the remaining Galra forces. They were about to consider breaching until Hunk stopped them.

"Wait," Hunk whispered, grabbing the team's attention. "I got an idea."

The last of the Galra were barricaded inside the meeting room with their hostages, including the presidents, as their shield. There was no chance of them leaving alive and it would be a sin to surrender. They waited for the Voltron team to breach so they would eliminate the hostages. The Galra soldiers were already prepared to fight back with their very last breath. However, there was no activity from the front door.

Some time has passed and nothing has happened. One of the soldiers ordered his comrade to check the door. As the Galra soldier approached the door, a sudden blast erupted from the side, catching everybody off-guard. Dust clouded in as the Galra fell over from the explosion. Before they could react, the Voltron team entered through the hole and finished off the rest of the Galra soldiers. One of them tried to aim for the Brazilian President, only to be cut off by Keith with several shots to the body. The sounds of muffled cries followed as the dust settled.

"¡Calmarse! ¡Calmarse! ¡Nosotros estamos con el gobierno!" Lance shouted.

The team began to secure the hostages with Hunk checking for any bombs fitted in their vests. After checking, Hunk turned around.

"No vests!" He called.

"All clear!" Pidge said.

With the crisis settled, the team exchanged approving glances and nodded. The job was a success. They stopped a potential catastrophe. The team finished freeing the hostages and gathered them out to a safer place. Keith reached for his comms.

"Red Lion to Zero, area is secure. All hostiles are KIA. Three-Rulers are alive and intact. Multiple friendlies are wounded and KIA, over."

"Copy, Red Lion." Allura replied on comms. "Friendly forces are enroute to the safe house. Any news on Kingfish?"

Keith hesitated at first but he hadn't seen Sendak anywhere in the safehouse so it was safe to bet he didn't take part.

"Negative, Zero. Kingfish is nowhere in sight."

Sendak watched through his binoculars as local police forces and the military arrived at the scene, now that the gunfire has ceased. He knew this was Voltron's doing and they succeeded. He let out a deep sigh in the midst of the cold breeze. Sendak anticipated the failure. He knew what Voltron was capable of and he let it happen. He'll deal with the punishment later. Then he heard slight footsteps from behind and the sounds of a weapon raising.

"Step away from the gun."

Sendak glanced at the pistol that was on the surface on the balcony which was already in his reach. He chuckled in amusement, recognising the voice.

"I had a feeling you would escape, Shirogane. You really are an untamed animal. I guess I've finally failed."

"You're damn right about that."

Sendak put the binoculars on the surface near the gun and stepped away before turning around to face Shiro who was aiming his pistol at him with his rifle slung in front of him. He slowly raised his hands.

"You might as well kill me now, Commander." Sendak said.

Shiro said nothing as he trained his gun on his head.

"Go on," Sendak demanded, approaching him. "Pull the trigger. I've failed the Galra Empire and I deserve to die. There's no reason for me to live and I know you want to do it. It's the only way you can avenge your fallen."

Shiro then saw flashes of his team fighting for their survival including Sven. His index finger was already slowly pushing the trigger and his grip shook as Shiro's rage began to emerge.

"We're lions, Shirogane. Lions who will do absolutely anything for our country, even if we have to shed some innocent blood."

Sendak was already up at his face by the time he was done. He grabbed the barrel and pressed it against his crown tightly. His annoying smirk still plastered across his mug.

"Go ahead. Do it right now. Avenge your brothers. That's what you wanted, right? Do it!"

Shiro still hesitated to make a decision. He thought of all the terrible things that Sendak has done. It would be best for him to just kill him right now. Sven died in Shiro's arms as he watched him suffer. He could end this right now and it'll be all over. However, nothing good can be gained from killing someone. Shiro took a deep breath.

"I do want to kill you. I wanna kill you so bad for what you've done. I wanna kill you for my team...and my brother. I wanna kill you so fucking bad right here, right now. But I know better."

Shiro holstered his gun away and held Sendak tightly, rounding him up and tying his hands with zip ties.

"I won't give you the chance to be the Galra's martyr." Shiro said before turning to glare at Sendak. "And you're right. I am a lion but a lion doesn't eat his own pack."

Sendak simply smirked before facing forward as Shiro escorted him out of the rooftop.

2450 Hours

Some time has passed after returning to base. The hostages and the presidents have been allocated to the military for special treatment. Allura has been on the phone for a while, talking to her superiors. The Voltron team waited anxiously, concerned about their fate since they just broke the rules. Although they wouldn't be surprised if the superiors were just as corrupt as Sanda.

Shortly, Allura finished her call and turned to her team where they stood up and approached her.

"Well? What happens now?" Keith asked.

"I'm ordered to headquarters for a full debrief along with Commander Shirogane and Lieutenant Smythe. The rest of you have done well for stopping the Galra. After we hand over Sendak to the CIA and bury the fallen, you'll all be allowed three months off-duty. You guys earned it for the hard work."

The team took the news well. They were expecting worse but they can accept this, especially after their grueling battle with Sendak and the Galra. Hunk took the chance to walk away from the team to a private spot. He got out his phone and dialed a number. Shortly, the beeps stopped.

"Shay Bainivalu, Vice News."

"Hi, um, this is Momoa from NATO," Hunk said. "Is this a bad time?"

"Hunk? N-No, not really, I was just finishing my shower. What's up?"

"Yeah, I want you to hear this from me first. We actually got them. We managed to stop the Galra before they could accomplish their goal."

"Really? Oh that's fantastic! I would say it was an impossible task but I always had a feeling you guys would pull it off. Congrats!"

"Thanks. We couldn't have done this without your help. Credit goes to you too. Oh, and there's something else I wanna ask you."

"Shoot."

"Well…"

Elsewhere, Lance caught up with Keith who was walking off and elbowed his arm, grabbing his attention.

"Not bad for a Ranger grunt." Lance said.

Keith chuckled before bumping Lance's arm. "You're not so bad yourself for a jarhead."

"How long do you think you'll last sticking around with me?"

"More than you would."

This time, Lance laughed it off. As the two continued their banter, Pidge watched from a distance. It took them a whole month for them to become comfortable with each other. A smile grew from her face, proud of the progress from them.

"They're actually friends now." Shiro said.

Pidge glanced at the team leader, who appeared beside her, watching Keith and Lance as well.

"Seems like it. Hopefully this will keep up for the next few months." Pidge replied.

The two stared at the boys in silence for a brief period.

"If you don't mind me asking," Shiro said. Pidge looked at him. "How's Matt?"

Shiro knew Matthew Holt back in the military. They used to be on good terms. Shiro hasn't seen him during his service in the SEALs.

"Actually, I haven't seen him since I joined the army," Pidge replied, looking down. "I lost every contact from my parents because they didn't like the idea of me joining the military. They wanted me to be a horticulturist instead of studying in college."

Shiro chuckled before collecting himself.

"Your brother did tell me he wanted you to be a horticulturist. But I get what you mean. My father wanted me and my brother to work for NASA rather than fight proxy wars. Then again, we are what we are because we want to fight for our country and help our allies abroad from terror. That's why we chose being soldiers over a career that won't do much to help others."

Pidge said nothing but she understood Shiro's point.

02/15/2018

0010 Hours

Even though it was midnight, Jem wasn't asleep. He still had the light on. Just then, he heard footsteps from outside and a knock on the door.

"Come in." Jem called.

The door opened and Coran and Stacy entered the room, both seemingly haven't gotten some sleep yet.

"Oh, hey guys. What's going on?" He said.

"Sorry for dropping by this late, Jem but we wanted to bring you the good news." Coran said.

"Oh, that-it's no big deal. Wasn't feeling tired yet. What's up?"

"Voltron has captured Sendak four hours ago after rescuing the presidents from Galra forces during their meeting. He's currently in custody right now." Stacy said.

"Really? Okay, that's good to hear."

Coran nodded. "So how're you doing, right now?"

"Oh I'm recovering pretty damn well. The meds worked wonders and the doctors said I'll be discharged in the morning once they finish up on the paperwork."

"Great. We'll pick you up then. Get some rest for now. You'll need it."

"Same thing could be said to you guys. I feel like you're treating me like a dad, sir."

Coran and Stacy chuckled as they left the room.

"That's nice to hear," Coran said. "We'll be leaving now. Goodnight."

Stacy was the last to say goodnight before leaving with Coran. At some point in time, Jem fell asleep afterwards.

0800 Hours

The team arrived at a private airfield far from the city with a cuffed Sendak, who is set to be handed in to the CIA and transferred to a blacksite. Once they arrived, there was already a plane ready for the CIA. Shiro got out and took Sendak with him, approaching the paramilitary officers of the SAD division.

"We will meet again, Shirogane," Sendak said. "Mark my words. This rivalry will not end until one of us is dead."

"I look forward to it, Sendak," Shiro replied as one of the officers grabbed the terrorist. "I'll be waiting for you."

"I know you will. It will only be between us...neither your allies nor the Galra will stop our battle."

Sendak returned one last smirk before being placed into the watched the plane ride off with nothing left to offer for Sendak. One part of him wished he could just shoot him on the spot and avenge his fallen team. The other, however, felt tired to continue. He just wants to stop. No more killing, no more fighting wars and no more pulling off the same mistakes that got his team killed.

Shiro had been fighting since he was 18, switching from the Marines to the SEALs and Voltron. He fought so long he forgot the last time he found peace. Hawaii was his only escape from the horrors of war. Maybe it's time for Shiro to take a break from the mindless killings and find the peace he lost.

02/28/2018

1200 Hours

Hawaii

Shiro took another swig of his beer as he basked in the sun under the shade. The view from the beach was beautiful. He could see the ocean lushly flow as people play on the shoreline. The beach was mostly filled with a crowd with the umbrellas, towels and such making up most of the beach. Shiro placed himself close to the water and away from the big crowd so he could enjoy the view in peace without interruptions. Letting out a sigh, Shiro finished his beer before reaching for the cooler. As his hands clasped onto a new bottle, Shiro noticed a shadow emerging on the sands.

"I can see why you enjoy Hawaii so much."

Shiro looked up. Standing near him was Allura, sporting a straw hat and wearing a navy blue one piece with a beach skirt. Shiro noticed the middle of her swimsuit was divided, exposing her cleavage. Allura's hand was on her hip as she approached Shiro. He wasn't sure how she found him but he didn't mind her presence.

"The view is beautiful." Allura said as she sat beside Shiro under the shade.

"Sure is," He replied. "Always wanted to have my final moments here. I would like my funeral held here and my ashes spread across the ocean."

Allura hummed. Shiro popped his beer open and took a swig before reminding Allura about the beer, though she wasn't thirsty. The two stared out at the ocean for a brief moment.

"So how'd you find me?" Shiro asked.

"Coran was a bit concerned for your wellbeing so he sent me here to make sure you didn't do anything stupid."

'Flattered to hear."

"I'm also going to be staying with you."

Shiro glanced at Allura, surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah. Already got my things packed at that shack of yours. Coran wanted me to keep watch over you for some time until we finish our vacation. Don't want anything bad happening while you're in Hawaii."

"Is that just your way of saying you guys miss me?"

Allura chuckled. "I actually said the same thing to him. He won't admit it."

Shiro let out a laugh. It was nice to hear his teammates care. The two eventually calmed down and went back in silence.

"How long has it been?" Allura asked.

"Hm?" Shiro looked at her.

"How long have you been in touch with home?"

Shiro's smile faded, remembering his call with his parents a few weeks back.

"I've never been home since I told my parents what happened to Sven. My dad doesn't consider me family anymore. Can't say I blame them."

Allura didn't say anything. Shiro let out a sigh and took another swig of his beer while sulking at the sea. He still carried the guilt, yet people remind him he's not in the wrong. Shiro wasn't sure how to comprehend both sides.

"It'll take some time but I know they won't keep blaming you forever." Allura said.

"Yeah…" Shiro muttered.

At some point, Shiro didn't feel like continuing his beer.

"Are you sure you want to stay in Voltron?" Allura asked.

Shiro took some consideration into it. He already joined Voltron for a few weeks and he always had an opportunity to leave. But deep down, as much as it hurts to stay in Voltron and deal with the losses, it was a risk Shiro would rather take than bury himself in guilt. Taking a deep breath, Shiro turned to Allura and smirked.

"I'm positive."

[wftc141]

Voltron: Global Military Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Unit-Chapter 13: The Crusade

                                                TWO MONTHS LATER

26/04/2018

1723 Hours

Colombia

The clouds cast over the partially empty dirt road, surrounded by the greenery of the countryside. The winds brushed off the fields and the trees outside a village a few kilometers nearby. Perfect place to be isolated from the crowds and perfect to slip by unnoticed. A second Voltron team, dubbed ‘Tigers’ have been deployed in Colombia to intercept a group of terrorists reported to have gotten hold of an unknown cargo, possibly a chemical weapon, from Europe. Coran and his analysts, Gold and Colbert, have been overseeing the mission through a drone watching the team down below amongst the clouds.

The team has been split on different sides of the road, blending in with the greenery among the hillside. Team leader Lieutenant Damon Halliday, former SAS, had been keeping watch on the road waiting for the convoy to arrive. He had his rifle ready, mounted on the grassy hill with two of his other teammates, Montgomery and Yeon. The last two of the five Tigers, Garceau and Okusanya, guarded the other side with Garceau being an experienced sniper for the team. 

“Got visual on the convoy.” Montgomery said.

Halliday took out his binoculars to check and noticed a faint sight of several vehicles from a distance with a truck towing a cargo container as well.

“I see it. Two vehicles and one truck.” Halliday acknowledged.

“Should we call it in?” Montgomery asked.

Halliday nodded and reached for his comms to report. “White Tiger to Zero, we have eyes on the convoy. Ready to strike, over.” 

“Copy, White Tiger. You are clear to engage, over.” Coran responded.

“Copy, Zero. Out.” 

Halliday then looked back at the convoy which was now closing in on their position and readied his rifle. 

“All Tigers engage!” 

The team opened fire on the convoy, hitting the vehicle tires and taking out the drivers. The convoy stopped as the terrorists got out to fire back. Montgomery and Yeon took out some of the terrorists on one side of the convoy while Garceau’s marksmanship picked off the remaining as well as Okusanya’s swift mowdown with his LMG. Shortly, the gunfire ceased and all of the terrorists were on the ground motionless.

“Clear!” Halliday said.

“Clear!” Garceau replied.

“White Tiger to Zero, hostiles are neutralized and the convoy is clear, over.”

“Copy,” Coran said. “Investigate the cargo. We need to identify its contents before deciding on our next move, over.”

Halliday then got his team to approach the convoy stranded in the middle of nowhere, weapons raised in case of anything happening. The team checked the bodies to make sure they’re dead before checking the truck. 

“Montgomery, Okusanya, check the truck.” Halliday ordered.

“Roger.”

The two approached the truck with heightened caution. Montgomery opened the door and dragged the body out to check inside the cockpit. Okusanya approached the rear door and felt for any way to open it. The rest of the team kept their distance while guarding the convoy. Halliday heard the doors open and turned towards the truck where Montgomery and Okusanya were as they stepped into the truck.

“Boss?” Montgomery called shortly. “We got ourselves something worse than just chemicals.”

“What is it?” Halliday asked.

“Uh,” Okusanya replied. “A bunch of mercury and sulfur, lots of toxic shit mixed into the barrels!”

“White Tiger to Zero, we got ourselves some sort of toxic substances, possibly a chemical bomb. Awaiting orders, over.”

A brief pause after Halliday relayed the report. 

“Copy, White Tiger,” Coran replied. “Retrieve a sample and exfil, over.” “Roger. Out.”

Halliday was about to get an order ready before he was suddenly rocked back by a sudden explosion. Shielding himself from the blast, Halliday stumbled away from the truck as the deafening ring echoed in his head. Once he looked back, Halliday noticed the truck engulfed in flames and slowly coated in black ash. He then realized something. “Montgomery, Okusanya! Come in, over!” Halliday shouted through his comms.

There was nothing from the other end. Halliday had no reason to deny that both Montgomery and Okusanya are dead, consumed by the explosion while they were inside the truck. His breathing continued to pace as he looked around, finding both Garceau and Yeon still intact. Halliday quickly rushed over to the two.

“You okay?” He said.

“We’re okay, sir!” Yeon replied.

“I’m good,” Garceau let out a cough. “Putain d’enfer. What happened to Montgomery and Okusanya?”

“They’re dead. They were inside the truck.” Halliday said.

“Merde! What now?”

“White Tiger to Zero, Red Tiger and Grey Tiger are KIA and the cargo is destroyed! Repeat, Red and Grey Tiger are KIA and the cargo is destroyed! We need an evac, over!”

“Negative, White Tiger,” Coran said. “Can’t send in an evac now but we’re noticing toxic substances from the truck heading your way. Get the hell away from it now, over.” Coran said.

Halliday looked over to the truck and noticed a mix of yellow and green clouds emerging from the burning truck. 

“Bollocks!” He cursed before standing up. “Tigers! Get clear from the truck, now!” 

The team wasted no time to get away from the convoy, forced to leave both Montgomery and Okusanya behind, though there was no way to recover what was left of them. Once they got to a safer distance, Halliday was about to reach for his comms.

“Hey, bossman,” Garceau said, grabbing Halliday’s attention. “I think we got company.”

Halliday looked at where Garceau was staring at and noticed a group of cars driving towards their position.

“The hell?” Halliday muttered as the vehicles closed in.

Suddenly, gunshots began to zip towards them. The team ducked down and tried to use the vehicles as cover. Halliday braced as gunshots hit the vehicles behind him.

“White Tiger to Zero, we’re under heavy fire from unknown hostiles! We need that bloody evac right now!” 

He peeked through the corner and noticed several gunmen coming out of their cars.

He couldn’t count the exact amount but there were a lot of gunmen with military-grade body armor over their clothes. Halliday managed to shoot some of them down but more took their places. He noticed his comms didn’t reach out to base and the response was nothing but static. He could hear anything from them. His team were struggling against the gunmen. Halliday noticed the gas slowly emerging further towards them. There was no other choice but to run into the forest.

“All Tigers retreat!” He shouted as he made a break for the forest.

The team ran towards the forest. Halliday looked behind his shoulder and noticed Yeon tripping over and falling onto the ground. Some of the gunmen reached Yeon and fired their rifles at him. Halliday looked away, knowing Yeon sealed his fate. Now it was just him and Garceau. The two stopped by some trees and took cover behind them.

“Where the fuck’s Yeon?!” Garceau shouted.

“Bastards got him!” Halliday replied.

He heard Garceau curse in French before hearing shouts from afar. Halliday noticed more gunmen chasing after them and opened fire. He managed to take out a few before running empty. As Halliday switched to his pistol, he looked at Garceau about to open fire with his rifle, only to get shot in the shoulder and fall over into a pit behind him. 

“Garceau!” Halliday shouted.

Out of newfound determination, Halliday got out of cover and fired across the forest to draw out as many gunmen as he could. He couldn’t see them through the canopies and the bushes shrouded among the trees. Suddenly, a bullet hit his leg and his arm. Halliday let out a shout before falling over onto the dirt, landing on some tree roots. He couldn’t feel his right hand as he struggled to reach for his gun while holding the wound to keep it from bleeding further.

Footsteps rustled and closed in. The rest of the gunmen arrived, approaching him with their weapons aimed at him. Some approached the pit Garceau fell into. Halliday noticed one of them bore a ski mask with sunglasses under his helmet, as well as more kitted out gear than the others. Halliday could assume this was the team leader. 

“¿Qué hacemos con a él, señor?” One of the gunmen asked the leader.

The leader glared at Halliday before turning to his men. “Llévalo a él con nosotros.”

“Sí, señor. ¡Agarrarlo! ¡Vamos!”

The gunmen approached Halliday and grabbed his arms, lifting him up to drag him away.

“Get your bloody hands off me, you bastards!” He cursed as he struggled to wrestle free.

Halliday continued to struggle and kick away fruitlessly while the gunmen held on without breaking a sweat. Suddenly, he heard Garceau shout from the pit before shots were fired. Halliday then noticed one of the gunmen rip off a tracking device from his vest before glancing at him. His comms are already screwed and his team is dead. Halliday has no idea who these people are but they are definitely involved with the terrorists. His impulse rocketed and he continued to rock aggressively as he shouted curses at his attackers. Suddenly, everything went black, not before he noticed a gunman thrust a rifle butt at him.

Coran, Gold and Colbert stared in silence, jaws open. They watched the whole ordeal unwind from their surveillance room in the hideout until they lost sight of Tiger and their leader Halliday. All of this started to go sideways when the truck exploded suddenly and then an unexpected group of hostiles arrived. 

“Bloody hell. What just happened?” Gold asked.

“A lot just happened, son,” Coran said. “We just lost contact with Tiger.”

“And the comms couldn’t reach out to them for some reason. It was working fine a while ago! Something must’ve jammed the signal.” 

“We’ll get to the bottom of this. We need to get Lion recalled.”

“Are you sure, sir?” Colbert asked. “They just took care of the Galra issue a few months back and they’re still off-duty.”

“I’m positive, Colbert. This isn’t just some simple issue. We just lost an important team from NATO and a man I call my friend to a group of unknowns. They’ll understand soon enough. Recall them.” 

Colbert knew it wasn’t her position to debate. She simply nodded and turned towards her computer.

“Yes, sir. We’ll send out the recall.”

________________________________________

27/04/2018

0647 Hours

Macon, USA

A white Ford Escape slowly drove by the side a few blocks away from a suburban house situated outside of Macon. The sun was still rising and the people inside were up and running. Once the SUV stopped, the doors opened and two people got out, both a man and a woman. Both of them wore jackets under their shirts and jeans with gloves. They walked up to the house down the path near the forest, adjusting their sleeves as they focused on the house. 

Once they reached the front door, Hunter 1 simply glanced at the camera from the left corner. These weren’t their average American neighbors. They were agents working under extremists, hiding in the US with plans in motion. The camera itself was way too advanced for a normal neighbor. 

 “Who is it?” A voice asked from the other side, with a good American accent.

“Девять-четыре-восемь-ба��алайка.” Hunter 2 replied.

The two waited for the response. They already acquired their password earlier on which could fool the agents that they are on their side. As soon as the door unlocked, the two pulled out their suppressed MP7s with Hunter 1 opening fire on the door. Entering the house, Hunter 1 walked over the body and stormed into the surveillance room to his left where he took out the agents trying to reach for their guns. None of them prepared for a surprise like this.

As Hunter 2 continued her sweep on the ground floor, Hunter 1 moved upstairs and heard footsteps from above and in a room and the sound of a window opening.  He knew they were trying to make a run for it. But they weren’t the only ones.

“Hunter 3, you got rabbits coming out of the house from the back.” He said.

Hunter 1 reached the upper floor to check the rooms which most of them were empty. He then heard some faint muffled shots from outside.

“Hunter 1, this is Hunter 3. Rabbits are down.” Hunter 3 replied from the comms.

After searching the entire house, Hunter 2 began gathering the intel from the servers in one of the rooms while Hunter 1 found a fuel canister and started pouring gasoline all across the house, over the bodies and everything else to cover their tracks before ending the trail by the front door. Once Hunter 2 left the house with the intel in tow, Hunter 1 lit a match and tossed it onto the trail. Flames lit up and spread towards the trail like wildfire and by the time it reached the end, the house was burning, smoke levitating to the sky. Shortly, the two met up with Hunter 3, an African-American male, carrying his sniper rifle and bag with the ghillie suit used for the operation.

 “All good?” Hunter 3 asked.

“Hell yeah, brother.”  Hunter 1 answered.

“Russia’s gonna owe us for this one.” Hunter 2 said.

“They should,” Hunter 1 briskly concealed his weapon as he approached the SUV. “We just took out their corrupt FSB team since they don’t want to kill their own.” 

“They would let us do this anyway since they’re in our country.” Hunter 3 said.

“We would’ve done the same thing if we had corrupt agents.”

“Would we?” Hunter 2 asked.

“Maybe.”

Once the team got into their SUV, they drove off and away from the burning house, leaving the rest to the police.

“Hunter 1, hostiles are neutralized and we have secured the intel, over.” Hunter 1 reported through his comms.

“Confirmed,” His supervisor replied. “Be advised, you are now given a new assignment. There will be a plane set for Colombia where you will work with Voltron. We have a situation that is urgent.”

Hunter 1 suddenly froze after hearing the name. He wanted to say no but that would be against his supervisor’s wishes. Hunter 1 scowled and eventually nodded.

“Copy, Hunter 1 out.” He grudgingly said.

Once he got off the comms, he slammed the steering wheel of the car, puzzling his teammates who looked at him confused. 

“Fuck!” Hunter 1 swore.

“Matt?” Hunter 2 asked.

Hunter 1 panted as he glared out at the windscreen facing the freeway. Both Hunter 2 and 3 exchanged glances, waiting for his response.

“The last thing I wanted was to see them again.” Matt growled.

________________________________________

27/04/2018

0745 Hours

Hawaii

Shiro let out a yelp as he jolted upright from a nightmare. As cold sweat ran down his body, his breathing rate was accelerated with his heart racing from the sudden experience from the nightmare. Shiro looked around frantically, finding himself in the bed he was in last night. It was just a dream. Just a dream. Although he noticed apart from the many nightmares he had for his entire life, this one saw him die.

“You alright?”

Shiro turned to his side and noticed his bedside was empty and saw Allura approaching him fully dressed. She must’ve heard him shout from his nightmare. Shiro gave himself a breather to calm himself down.

“Yeah,” he replied. “Just a bad dream, that’s all.”

“What was it this time?” Allura asked.

Shiro then saw a vision of someone familiar standing by his side. He swore he remembered that vision but he just couldn’t make it out.

“Shiro?”

The face was clearer and he realized he was the man from his nightmare.

“It was Adam…”

Allura’s mouth gaped wide as she stared in disbelief, knowing she herself knew Adam before. Shiro couldn’t believe his eyes either. He had never seen Adam in his dreams ever since Lahore.

“How did it-”

“Same as always,” Shiro quickly answered. “I wasn’t able to save him from that explosion.”

Adam was Shiro’s first. They both developed a bond that turned into love during Shiro’s time with the SEAL Team Six. Adam was a CIA agent who was killed in Camp Chapman in 2009. Shiro recalled trying to save him before the explosion consumed him right before his eyes. He had blamed himself ever since then and carried that guilt for his entire life.

“It wasn’t your fault, Shiro.” Allura said.

Shiro doesn’t reply. Suddenly, he heard his phone buzz from his nightstand and he reached over to see the message. As soon as he saw the message, Shiro immediately got out of bed and got dressed with Allura waiting for him. Voltron was calling them back in and surprisingly, it was earlier than usual.

________________________________________

27/04/2018

1146 Hours

Somewhere in Texas, USA

“700 meters moving down the rock side,” Lance reported using his spotter scope. “Got eyes on him?”

“Yeah, Got that son of a bitch.” Keith replied, focusing his sniper scope on the field as he laid on the hill frontside. 

The scope caught sight of a mountain lion sneaking it’s way to a herd of sheeps in the farm’s field. Calculating the distance and controlling his breathing, Keith pulled the trigger. The bullet looked to be heading straight for the mountain lion but it hit the ground below it, scaring it away. The two watch the mountain lion scurry away down the hill.

“Fuck! It’s gone.” Keith cursed, slamming his hand on the mat.

“Well, the good thing is…you scared it away.” Lance assured.

“The bad thing is he’ll come back. Fucking mountain lions.”

“I mean, can you blame ‘em? Circle of life.”

“My cattle aren’t food.”

“Technically, sheeps are food.” 

“I don’t eat sheep.”

Lance slowly glanced at Keith, surprised by his suddenness.

“Really?” He asked.

“Really.” Keith answered.

“What are you, an animal lover?”

“I am, actually.”

“But you were eating burgers.”

“That doesn’t count.”

“Fuck you mean it doesn’t count? You’re eating a dead cow, cabrón.”

“It was a mystery burger.”

Lance realized what he was talking about and scrunched up his nose.

“You mean that nasty, tasteless, bootlegged one that vegans eat?” Lance guessed.

Keith nodded. “Yup. You should try it.” 

“Do I look like a fucking cow to you?”

“Oh, so you’re saying vegans are cow eaters, huh?”

“I’m just saying I’ll take meat over plants any day now.”

“Your parents never gave you broccoli since you were a kid?”

“Dude, they had me eating meat so I could grow big and strong. Me and my siblings. Hell, my brother and sister fed the same meat to my niece and nephew.”  

“Uh huh. My dad did way worse than that. I had to hunt.”

“I thought you’re an animal lover?”

“I was hunting predators who were trying to eat my cattle.”

“Huh. Good point.’

The two went into silence, staring down at the field where the cows were, still chewing on the grass. 

“You know, I was wondering,” Lance asked. “How are you paying for all this?”

Keith scratched his face. “After my dad passed away from cancer, guys from his old Force Recon unit managed to take all of the bills and taxes so I can take care of the farm. They never told me how but I’m basically living free…for now.”

Just then, they heard sounds of rotors spinning faintly. The sounds began to get closer until the two saw a Blackhawk from a distance approaching their area. The helicopter lowered itself beside the field, causing the sheeps to scatter away, bleating as they galloped.

“Hey, Keith.”

“Yeah.”

“A fucking Blackhawk just landed on your field...right next to your sheeps.”

“Yup.” 

Leaving their equipment behind, Keith and Lance approached the Blackhawk and once they got close, they noticed Pidge get off the helicopter and approach the two, surprising them both. 

“Pidge?” Keith called.

“You two! Lets go!” Pidge demanded.

“What’s going on?” Lance asked.

“We got a mission, obviously! Get in!”

Keith and Lance exchanged glances and nodded before getting inside the Blackhawk. As the two entered, Keith got out his phone and dialed the number as the helicopter ascended from the ground.

“Hey Alice, I need you to watch over the farm…”

________________________________________

27/04/2018

0800 Hours

Sydney, Australia 

Hunk was just finishing up on the omelettes he was making. He was about finished with the side of the nearly complete piece of omelette. The scent of salt and eggs surrounded the entire apartment as the air passed through the open balcony door. Hunk had already prepared the fillings and the first omelette was just about done with the last one. As he finished up prepping the omelettes, he turned around and noticed Shay wasn’t up. 

After his mission in Brazil, he ended up spending some time with Shay at Sydney during his time off-duty. Flash-forward, the two went into a relationship and Hunk moved into Shay’s apartment in Pyrmont since he can’t really go back to Fort Benning. During his time with Shay, he got to learn a lot about her, both her work and her life outside. Hunk had noticed Shay had been sleeping in a lot more than usual, though he didn’t blame her.

Covering the breakfast to preserve the heat, Hunk headed into their bedroom where he noticed Shay still in bed, covers sprawled all across with one of her bare legs exposed. Her untied hair spread out over the pillow like seaweed. She looked as if she was spooning a pillow. Hunk could hear her light snores as he approached her, even when he was the first to wake up way before her. He even did a morning jog at six and she was still fast asleep. Hunk sat on the bedside and he couldn’t help but take a gander at her beauty even at its unkempt nature. He moved a lock of her hair covering her eye aside before slightly tucking it behind her ear.

The curtains were still closed so maybe that could wake her up. Hunk stood up and went up to the curtains and opened it up, letting the sun into the room. The light brightened the bedroom and Hunk got a clean view of the bay overlooking the city. Then, he heard a moan from behind and turned around, noticing Shay was slowly waking up. Hunk reached her side and checked up on her as her eyes slightly opened. 

“Morning, Hunk…” She lazily said.

“Morning, Shay,” Hunk replied, grinning. “Slept well?”

Shay turned over onto her back as she tried to close her eyes. “Mmm. Five more minutes, please.”

Hunk chuckled. “I already got breakfast ready. Bacon onion omelettes. It’s gonna get cold soon.”

He noticed a smile creep across her face while her eyes were still closed. 

“Okay, you win,” she muttered before sitting herself up. “I’m up. I’m up.”

As Shay stretched her arms, Hunk got off the bed and headed back into the kitchen to get breakfast ready. Shortly, as Hunk placed the plates of omelettes and glasses of orange juice on the table, he looked up to see Shay walking towards him wearing her sweatshirt and shorts from bed. Her hair was still left untied.

“Smells nice.” Shay said as she leaned over to kiss Hunk.

“It’s your favourite.” Hunk replied.

The two sat down and began to eat their breakfast. Shay took a bite of the omelette, sliding the fork into her mouth.

“So good as always.” She said as she ate.

Hunk chuckled. “Glad you still like it. I added something to make it tastier.”

“What’d you add?”

“Parsley.”

“Can’t really taste it but it’s still yummy. You should be my personal chef.”

Hunk chuckled as he watched her eat up. He knew Shay wasn’t the greatest cook surprisingly but he didn’t mind. As long as she likes it, he’s happy. The two continued to eat, talking about work and Shay’s sleeping habit. Then, she got into a different subject.

“You know,” she said. “You never told me why you wanted to be a soldier when you could’ve been a chef.”

“You never asked.” Hunk answered.

“I’m asking now.”

“Well, since you asked nicely, I always wanted to be a cook because my father was a cook back in the Navy. He was really good at it and I wanted to be like him.”

“But why the army?” 

“The attacks on my home gave me the motivation.”

Hunk then took another bite of the omelette before going for the glass of juice.

“You know, you never told me about your family or why you wanted to be a war correspondent for Vice.” Hunk said.

“You never asked.” Shay replied.

“I’m asking now.”

“Since you asked politely,” she paused for a moment. “I was never a huge fan of the military or the war. I only became a war correspondent so I can understand why people go to war...and see the cost of it.”

Hunk then noticed she'd stopped eating. Her expression darkened.

“I saw so many people in the Middle East die in front of my eyes,” Shay continued. “Men, women, children. I even lost close friends of mine. Everytime I sleep, I keep seeing flashes of everything that I’ve seen. I want everyone to see why war is hell and what the cost of it is.”

Hunk had stopped eating too but he was already finished by then. He never thought Shay would end up in a situation like this. Thinking about it makes Hunk feel ashamed for being a soldier, considering how many people he killed. Was he actually the type for Shay?

“I’m sorry you had to go through all this.” Hunk muttered, looking down to his hands on the table.

Shay looked at Hunk in confusion before realizing why.

“Hunk...I didn’t mean-”

Suddenly, Hunk’s phone started buzzing from his pocket. He pulled it out and after noticing the notification, he sighed. 

“Great.” Hunk muttered in disappointment as he stood up.

“Work?” Shay guessed, standing up as well.

Hunk looked at Shay, feeling bad to just leave like this. He really wanted to spend more time with her.

“I’m sorry-”

“No, no, it’s alright,” Shay said. “Get out there.”

Hunk was still upset that he had to leave Shay but he knew that there was no other option. Hunk then began to gather his gear from the bedroom and then made his way to the door. He was about to unlock the door.

“Hey.” Shay called.

Hunk stopped and turned around, noticing Shay approaching him. She then leaned forward, kissing him for a while before pulling away.

“Be safe.” Shay whispered.

Hunk smiled and nodded. “Will do.”

Just like that, Hunk walked out of the door and headed off to the elevator. Both Shay and Hunk prayed for the safety of each other and themselves.

________________________________________

28/04/2018

1132 Hours

Colombia

The Lions of Voltron, all dressed in their uniforms, have arrived at the US air base in Colombia. They were directed to a briefing room for a meeting where they will soon meet someone. The only members who were missing were Coran and his analysts. Some time has passed and nothing much has happened, leaving the team in the dark.

“Well, this is weird.” Lance said.

“In what way?” Keith asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? We just landed in Colombia and none of us knows what the hell’s going on.”

“Lance’s got a point,” Pidge said. “Not only that, where’s Lieutenant Smythe and his computer team?”

“I know you guys are concerned,” Shiro butted in. “Me and Major Brooks have no idea what’s going on either. But we were obviously called here for a reason. Why else would NATO go to all the trouble bringing us here?”

“Why not bring NATO’s best counter terrorism unit?”

The team turned around to the sound and noticed Coran standing by the door, accompanied by another person. He looked to be a Native American man in his 50s with long brown hair, a beard and a vertical scar on his right eye. 

“Well I’ll be damned.” Allura said, standing up and approaching the man alongside Shiro with a smile. “So glad to see you again.” 

Allura and the Native American man both hugged. 

“You too, Brooks,” The man said as he and Allura broke the hug. He then went up to Shiro for a hug. “Same goes for you, Shiro.”

“Yeah. Good to see you too, old friend.” 

Allura and Shiro then turned around to their team, who were unfamiliar with the man.

“Team,” Shiro said. “This is Bryce Kolivan, Station Chief of the CIA.” 

“And I’m guessing he’s the spook who handed us the mission to go after the Galra in Brazil.” Lance said.

“Sure was. Had faith that Voltron would get the job done.” Kolivan answered.

“So what’s going on here that you want us to handle?” Allura asked.

Kolivan’s grin faded and he let out a deep, grim sigh.

“Lieutenant Smythe was helping us intercept a terrorist group smuggling in some sort of unknown cargo, possibly a weapon, into Colombia from Europe.”

“Tiger was sent to interrupt the convoy,” Coran added. “They succeeded in eliminating the terrorists but unfortunately…they were ambushed. Four of the team members were killed while their leader Damon Halliday was captured. Colombian Special Forces have already recovered the bodies of Tiger at the scene, although they had to quarantine the truck containing lethal chemicals.”

The news hit particularly Shiro, Coran and Allura, although the others felt neutral since they never heard about another Voltron team other than them. Damon Halliday to Coran was a close friend and a capable soldier with lots to tell. The news that Halliday got taken was hard to get over.

“Who took him?” Shiro asked.

“From what we’ve gathered, we believe Halliday was captured by the Colombian cartel Los Cruzados,” Kolivan answered. “The cartel consists of local triggermen who either used to serve in the army or law enforcement. They’re very ruthless and deadly and have been described as potentially the Medellín Cartel’s successor as they’re already considered to be narcoterrorists. They have murdered numerous government and military officials to the point where the government themselves are afraid to fight back.”

“Do we have a location on where they took Halliday?” Allura asked.

Kolivan shook his head. “No need for that. I already have a Ground Branch team boots on the ground searching for him. Your intel team found Halliday’s last known location. Hopefully he’s still alive by then.”

________________________________________

1300 Hours

Colombia

Matt Holt cut through some vines as he and his team ventured through the Colombian jungle. Their supervisor had already pinpointed the location of their objective at a shack somewhere in the jungle. From the skies, they had two analysts of Voltron watching the team through a stealth drone. Jem and Stacy watched from the feed as the Hunter team moved through the jungle, closing in on the destination.

“Hunter 1 to Zero, we have reached the target building but no signs of any hostiles. Are you positive that this is the building, over?”

“Yes, Hunter 1. Positive.” 

“It better be, out.” 

Just as he got off the comms, Jem sighed as he stared at the screen annoyed before turning to Stacy.

“This is like - the fifth time this Hunter 1 guy kept bugging us on whether the location is right or not. Didn’t his CIA mates make it clear to him?” Jem said.

“He didn’t seem too happy to be working with us.” Stacy replied.

“Yeah. You saw the way he glared at us for most of the time when we first met, right? I mean, what is his problem anyway?”

“Hell if I know, Jem.”

The team stayed at their position for a while, not moving from their spot.

“Matt, are we good to go?” Hunter 3 asked.

Sighing, Matt signaled his team to move. The two watched as Matt and his team approached the building as seen by their heat signatures. The team stacked up by the entrance with Hunter 2 tossing a flashbang through the door gap into the room. After the loud bang, the team stormed in with weapons raised as they prepared to open fire. However, no shots were fired and Jem noticed the building was empty. The team then began to sweep the area for hostiles.

“Clear!” Hunter 2 said.

“Clear on my end!” Hunter 3 followed up.

Jem and Stacy waited for Matt who was still checking the rooms without a word. 

“Hunter 1 to Zero, we’re seeing nothing here, over.” Matt hissed.

“Intel said there would be hostiles there, over.” 

“Well, the intel you got was fucking wrong. Just look how Voltron turned out.”

Jem noticed Matt sounded like he has resentment towards Voltron for whatever reason.

“Hey Matt! You better come look at this!” Hunter 2 called.

Matt and Hunter 3 went up to Hunter 2 who was in one of the rooms. Once they got there, the two noticed blood stains on plastic wrapping alongside chopped fingers on a bloodied table, presumably Halliday’s. 

“Seems like they were here,” Hunter 3 said. “Somehow they knew we were coming.”

Matt didn’t say anything but he simply sighed before turning to his team.

“Lets get the fuck out of here.”

[wftc141]

Blackwatch Chapter 5: Zvonak na Zavtra

02:30 AM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

June, 2018

Gabriel let out a gasp as he bolted up. He was searching for breath as he looked around. Sweat was running down his body, sticking to his sheets. It was the same nightmare. The visions of his gruesome experience in his military service, his fallen comrades and Nico. He couldn't get it out of his head and it probably won't until he died. Gabriel then heard his nightstand rumbling. His phone had been ringing for a while which must've woke him up. Sighing, he wiped the sweat off his hands and answered the phone.

"Hello?" Gabriel mumbled.

"You're needed for a mission."

"When?"

"Today. Bring your team in."

"Understood."

Hanging up, Gabriel let out another sigh and got off the bed, turning on the lights. The pitch black room brightened, glowing in contradiction of the dark outside. There was no rest for Blackwatch in the end.

05:10 PM, Local Time

Moscow, Russia

June, 2018

After arriving in Moscow, Gabriel and his team of five, first headed off to their place to meet for the briefing where Salvatore had arranged before-hand. McCree and Sombra were in Gabriel's car while Amélie, Moira and Marvel were in the other following Gabriel. The ride on the way there was quiet, though Gabriel wouldn't care much. The team eventually arrived at their meeting area where they would be briefed. The place looked to be an abandoned warehouse but it was a secluded base for intel gathering. Getting out of the car, Gabriel led the team into the warehouse with McCree helping carry equipment with Sombra. Inside, the warehouse was empty and looked to have been left behind in a hurry. The sun shining through the shuttered windows made up for the poor lighting. The team waited for a while, looking around the empty place.

"This looks shady. Are you sure this is the right place?" Marvel asked.

"Relax, I've been here before." Gabriel assured.

"Of course you have, my friend."

Gabriel turned around to that familiar accent. The figure walked out of the shadows from the other side and stood. He recognized that haircut from Grease, prompting a smirk from him.

"We both picked this together."

Gabriel approached him, shaking his hand before pulling in for a hug.

"It's been a long time, Boris." Gabriel said.

"Likewise, old friend."

Breaking off, Gabriel turned to his team who were waiting for an explanation.

"Everyone, this is FSB Agent Boris Kuznetsov. We trained and fought together while I was in Delta."

"К вашим услугам," Boris nodded. "I was a good friend of Nico…I'm sorry to hear about what happened in Ukraine, Gabriel."

Gabriel nodded, slightly uncomfortable. "It's fine."

"So what's the job?" Sombra asked.

Boris took a deep breath before beginning, placing his hands on his hips.

"Last month, the Russian Prime Minister had a less than pleasant encounter with an assassin during her visit in Georgia. She's a woman with a notable political and social influence on Russia. Rumor has it that there's going to be another attack and that rumor has been proven true when she received a death threat last week. Our government doesn't know about this and when I reported this to my superiors, they did not believe me and ordered me to stand down."

"Sounds like someone is trying to cover this up." Marvel said.

"More like someone wants her dead." Sombra added.

"It's true," Boris said. "The Prime Minister has always been putting people over politics which to them isn't a sensible choice and as Sombra said, I do feel like someone from the government is trying to get rid of her which is why I had to contact Blackwatch."

"And it's a good thing you did, Boris."

The group turned towards the familiar voice, leading to two figures approaching them. There were two women, one of them they already knew. It was the Prime Minister herself in her signature white, tight business suit with her dark brown hair tied to a bun to complete the look. Beside her was a tall, muscular woman whose build resembled an Olympic weightlifter. Her blonde hair was tied back into a ponytail and there was a scar above her right eye, forming an 'X'.

"Ah, yes," Boris turned towards the team to introduce the women. "May I introduce you all to the Prime Minister of Russia, Katya Volskaya��and her head of security, FSO Agent Aleksandra Zaryanova or Zarya as she prefers."

Boris then approached Katya who was looking at the team.

"Miss Volskaya, this is the team I was telling you about." He said.

The sentence was implanted on Gabriel's mind for the past few years every time someone introduced them. Katya nodded, still observing them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all," she then glanced away from the team. "Especially you, Sombra."

Katya's gaze locked onto the hacker. There was a pause and the team turned to Sombra who simply smirked.

"Pleasure to see you again, Kat."

"Please don't call me that."

"You two met before?" Gabriel asked.

"Yes," Zarya stepped forward. "Sombra helped us track down and capture terrorist cells across Russia last November."

"And since I'm here again, I can't wait to find out who's trying to kill a good friend of mine." Sombra said.

Gabriel nodded and turned to Boris. "So how are we doing this, Boris? You got this planned ahead?"

"Indeed," he replied. "Volskaya has a press conference in St Petersburg tomorrow, making it the perfect time for whoever's after her to strike. This is where you and your team come in. You will shadow our escort units on the way to and from the meeting in case anything happens. While they're out there, we'll need your hacker to provide eyes from the sky and keep tabs on whoever's trying to take out Volskaya."

"Alright. We can work with that."

After settling on their plan of action, Gabriel and the team left the warehouse to get some rest for the mission.

Next Day

04:50 PM, Local Time

St. Petersburg, Russia

June, 2018

Katya looked over the window where they drove down the street. The traffic was unusually less bustling than it was. She had just finished the press conference and she was gazing out the window watching people pass each other without a glance at the traffic. Security revolving her had been tightened in case of an attack with a few more vehicles added to the convoy. The Blackwatch unit were trailing behind the convoy from a further distance in an unmarked car while Sombra was watching them from the drone.

Adjusting her jacket, Katya let out a sigh as the convoy made a stop at a traffic light. Her gaze fell in the middle of the windshield in front of her. Katya then intertwined her hands and began to fidget with her fingers. Something was giving her anxiety. The nerve in her left hand was buzzing. Even though there was no suspicious activity throughout the day, she didn't buy it. If nothing happens then, it would happen later.

"Is something troubling you, ma'am?"

Turning to the voice, Katya glanced at Zarya who was sitting next to her. As a bodyguard and a close friend, she was always there for her whenever she wasn't in the mood or felt like crumbling.

"I'm okay, Zarya. Thanks for your concern." Katya assured.

The convoy moved and they were back on the road again. The silence remained for a while. Katya then began to reminisce. It was often a bad thing. Anytime she reminisced, the first thing that would come up would be something that was troubling her. The image of the death threat popped up in her mind.

"This must be retaliation." Katya muttered.

Zarya glanced at her.

"What do you mean?"

"The sins I have committed to make Russia a safer country. The relationships I have shattered to undo Stalin's actions."

There was silence between the two. Katya wasn't expecting Zarya to be on her side on anything political. She heard Zarya sigh and felt her hand touch her knee.

"I don't agree with what you've done but I know that you did what needed to be done. But no matter what you do, I will stay by your side and make sure that nothing happens-"

Suddenly, a loud explosion erupted in front of them, startling Katya as well as cutting off her thoughts. The first car burst into flames and flipped over, landing upside down. The driver then hit the brakes, stopping abruptly. The tires screeched as they halted.

"Змей в Арктику, статус, окончен! (Serpent to Arctic Team, status, over!)" Zarya shouted in her earpiece.

There was no response from the first vehicle. Zarya then shouted something Katya couldn't hear. Everything around her was beginning to close in on her. The noises faded away. This is the retaliation. This is her consequence.

Everything was happening in a blink of an eye. There were two SUVs that stopped in front of the convoy and the doors swung open. A group of men in balaclavas wielding assault rifles emerged and aimed at the convoy. A barrage of gunfire rained upon them. Katya ducked behind the front seats and covered herself as bullets hit the windows like sponges. Thankfully, the bulletproof vehicle was able to sustain against a hail of gunfire like this but they can't stay any longer.

"Уведите нас отсюда, Кирилл! (Get us out of here, Kiril!)" Zarya yelled.

"Роджер! (Roger!)" he responded.

The car began to reverse from the attackers, weaving past deserted cars on the road with the rear escort vehicle behind them. As Katya peered up from the seat, she turned to her right and noticed a vehicle heading towards them at full speed. Before she knew it, the vehicle smashed into the car and everything went black.

The team was already on their way to the Prime Minister as soon as they heard the explosion. Gabriel could hear the sounds of chaos and panic from the radio of the FSO team.

"VIP хит! VIP хит! (VIP is hit! VIP is hit!)"

Gabriel hit the pedal, bypassing vehicles through the almost empty street, heading for the Prime Minister as fast as possible.

"Shadow 4 to Shadow Team, hostiles are closing in on the VIP! Get your asses down there now!"

"Copy! We're on our way!" Gabriel responded before pulling on his mask.

They managed to arrive at the scene. At a distance, fire and smoke was drifting up from one of the escort vehicles and the Prime Minister's vehicle was still there but it's been tumbled over. A pickup truck was parked near the Prime Minister's vehicle with several masked men heading towards it. Parking the car next to the remaining escort vehicle, Gabriel and the team hopped out with their weapons ready. They were equipped with suppressed SIG Sauer weapons, different from their usual arms. As the team headed towards the convoy, Amélie approached one of the FSO agents taking cover behind the vehicle.

"How bad is it?" She asked.

"First vehicle was hit by some sort of bomb and the VIP was hit by an enemy vehicle." The agent told her.

"Thanks. We'll take it from here."

Amélie did a quick inspection of the scene before turning to the team with a plan.

"Shadow 6, 7, flank them. The rest of us provide suppressive fire so we can reach the VIP."

Marvel and Moira nodded before heading off to flank them. By the time the team were ready, the attackers noticed them and charged towards the team. The team opened fire, using deserted vehicles as cover. Gabriel managed to take out two attackers, before taking cover behind a red car. As he waited for the right time, he noticed Marvel and Moira making their way down the path nearby.

Gabriel then stood up and returned fire, taking out a few more attackers with single burst rounds. He caught sight of an attacker stepping onto the roof of a car with a grenade. He blasted him in the neck before he could even throw. As the attacker fell off, the grenade exploded. The fiery blast consumed the vehicles and the attackers near the proximity. Getting out of cover, Gabriel advanced past the vehicles and faced more attackers heading their way.

Gabriel shot two attackers with multiple rounds, emptying the magazine. Taking cover behind a van, he removed the magazine and clipped on a new one before he heard footsteps to his right. Gabriel turned around and aimed, shooting an attacker in the stomach. He then approached the attacker and finished him off with two rounds near the head before he could fight back.

Gabriel peered through the front of the van and fired upon another few attackers as McCree rushed towards them while firing rapid bursts. The attackers hid behind vehicles from the gunfire. Gabriel noticed Marvel and Moira from the other side, about to open fire.

"Reloadin'!" McCree called as he took cover behind another car.

Gabriel moved out of cover and noticed the attackers emerging from cover to fight. Gabriel fired multiple rounds, taking out two of them with the rest being taken care of by the team. He then heard the tires screeching from a distance and noticed one of the attackers' SUVs speeding away from the scene.

"Clear!"

The team caught up with each other and approached the crash site. Marvel and Moira were first to get there while the rest set a perimeter around them. They found Zarya crawling halfway out of the car with the door ripped open and a smoking pistol on her right hand. A thin stream of blood was sliding down her face from her temple.

"Zarya! Zarya!" Marvel called.

Gabriel noticed one of the attackers on the ground near the car with a bullet to his lower back, trying to crawl away. As he finished him off with a round to the head, Marvel reached Zarya and helped her up.

"You alright?" Marvel asked.

"Da," Zarya answered through her gritted teeth. "But they got the Prime Minister."

Marvel nodded before reaching for his comms.

"Shadow 4, this is Shadow 7. Hostiles got the VIP. Can you track down that vehicle?"

"Already on it," Sombra answered. "You guys might wanna start catching up to them before they go dark."

"Copy, we're on the move," Amélie said and turned to the team. "Lets go!"

As they made their way back to their car, they noticed Zarya behind them.

"I'm coming too." Zarya said as she adjusted her Kevlar.

Gabriel glanced at the others, awaiting approval.

"Alright. Let's go!" Gabriel nodded.

After getting the remainder FSO agents to contain the vicinity, the team reached their car, a black seven-seater Renault Duster and jumped in. Gabriel ignited the engine and took it by reverse, driving off to the streets. Speeding through light traffic, Gabriel scanned the road for any sign of the attackers' vehicle.

"Shadow Team, I managed to I.D the vehicle with the VIP inside. You're looking for a red Jeep Wrangler without a registration plate." Sombra said.

Gabriel took a right turn and surprisingly, he caught sight of the red Jeep speeding away in the midst of the light traffic.

"There it is!" Zarya called, pointing at the car.

Gabriel reached for his comms. "Shadow 1, I got visual on the red Jeep."

Hitting the pedal, he chased after the Jeep driving erratically. One of the attackers emerged from the window and opened fire at them. The shots rang across the street, scaring away people watching the chase. Shortly, the attacker got back inside, possibly running out of ammo.

"Take the shot, Lacroix!" Gabriel ordered.

"Copy!" Amélie replied as she opened the window.

She mounted the MPX on the window and aimed for the tires. She opened fire, hitting the front and back tires. The Jeep lost control and skidded to the right, crashing into a parked car. Gabriel stopped the car near the Jeep as the alarm of the parked car blared. Several people began to approach the crash, hoping to help whoever's inside.

"Zarya, get these people outta here." Gabriel said as he got out of the SUV.

"Da."

As Zarya ordered the people away from the scene, Gabriel and the team advanced towards the Jeep with their weapons fixated on them. The door opened and a leg stepped out. Katya came out with one of the remaining attackers holding her in front. The barrel of his pistol was pressed to the side of her head. The sounds of shock erupted from the crowd.

"Отвали! Или я убью это (Back off! Or I'll kill this-)"

A gunshot erupted. Two bullets hit the face and the attacker slumped over, pulling Katya down with him. The crowd cried out in shock. Gabriel wasn't the one who shot him though. He glanced over and noticed both Amélie and Zarya's weapons with smoke coming out of the barrel. As a former Delta, Gabriel admitted that these two would make his former buddies look like stormtroopers.

"Goddamn." McCree muttered, alongside Marvel nodding. Even these two were impressed.

Lowering their weapons, Zarya rushed up to Katya who pushed the body away. The team checked their surroundings as the crowd began dispersing.

"Are you alright, Katya?" She asked, getting her up.

"I'm fine." The Prime Minister nodded and then turned to Gabriel. "Thank you."

"The job isn't over until we get you outta here." Gabriel replied.

"Of course. Let's get out of here."

The team got back into the car with Katya and Zarya joining in while McCree and Marvel sat in the boot. He drove the team away from the area and they headed back to their destination.

"Shadow 4 to Shadow 1," Sombra said. "I found something interesting."

9:50 PM, Local Time

Moscow, Russia

June, 2018

Viačaslaû Tsyganov yawned as he finished his nightly tea. He needed to loosen some tension after his meeting with the Council. The T.V was still airing the night news, including the coverage of the Volskaya attack in St Petersburg. Letting out a gruff sigh, he adjusted his receding hair and stood up from his chair. Suddenly, the room went dark. Everything was pitch black and the T.V was shut off.

Tsyganov looked around. It must've been another power outage but there was something off with it. The suburb he lived in had just gotten maintenance from the electricity technician and the only way a power outage would happen was if there was heavy rain. Setting his teacup on the side, Tsyganov tried to move through the dark with his weak eyesight. He was way too old to navigate through the dark. He lifted his arms to feel anything in front of him but there was nothing to hold on.

Tsyganov held onto the corner of the wall and suddenly, the lights were back on. His eyes gazed around the room, familiarizing himself. Maybe his neighbor was foolish to turn on more than three appliances, that frail idiot. Letting go of the wall, Tsyganov sighed and turned to get his tea. He picked up his teacup along with the saucer and turned around, only to freeze and drop them onto the carpet floor. His eyes widened at that unexpected sight.

There was a hooded figure, pointing a suppressed gun at him from the other side of the room. He noticed that he was wearing a balaclava with a skull painted on it. Tsyganov didn't hear him enter. His house was fitted with heavy security.

"Hola, Senator." The intruder said in English.

"Кто ты, черт возьми? (Who the hell are you?)" Tsyganov asked.

"Друг ФСБ. (A friend of the FSB.)"

So he can speak Russian. He had no idea who he was but he could tell he wasn't Russian. Whoever he was, he must've been hired by the FSB. The intruder walked over to him, still aiming the gun at Tsyganov.

"Sit." He ordered.

He can't escape this but he wanted to hear his part so he played along. Sitting back down on his chair, he looked up at the intruder, feeling his glare from his eyes. A band of sweat oozed from his forehead. He stayed silent, waiting for him to speak.

"The attempt on Katya Volskaya's life was smart, hiring the ISIL-CP terrorists to do the work," He said, taking out a phone from his jacket and tossing it to Tsyganov's feet. "But paying them first was a big mistake when we traced the payment back to you. That was very idiotic...especially for the Russian Senator."

Staring down at the phone, he could see an image of the transaction. Now he sees why he's here. Tsyganov looked up and scowled.

"You have no clue of what she's done." He growled.

"Actually I do," the intruder said. "I'll admit, Volskaya could've done better but at least she did what she had to do to keep Russia from turning into another Soviet Union where the second Cold War would've happened. Hell, she would've gotten my vote for the next President of Russia if she chose to. And as for you? You're just a pathetic politician who abuses power and cowers behind terrorists to do your dirty work."

Tsyganov ignored his insult. "And you think killing me will solve all of this? I have friends who will finish what I've star-"

Gabriel closed the door behind him, holstering his pistol behind his jacket. He wasn't interested in Tsyganov's empty threats so he put a bullet to his head to shut him up. Taking off his mask, Gabriel headed for the front gate down at the hill without worrying about the cameras, thanks to Sombra's intervention. Once he was in a safe distance from the house, Gabriel took out his phone and dialed.

"This is Reyes. It's done."

[wftc141]

Equestria’s Hired Help-Chapter 3: The Hate in Equestria

On the next day, Blitz and Sunset are enjoying their day off since they do not work on Sundays and hopefully there’s no hired help from the crime underworld for them. Right now, Blitz is out in the city walking through the sidewalk making his way back to the bar with bags of groceries. He was wearing a short black sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers. His hair in a manbun, Blitz was simply minding his business although the eyes of the ponies that he passes by are on him.

Blitz felt extremely uncomfortable though he still ignored them. It would have been better for him if he had on a hoodie to hide his face though it would make him more suspicious. He then noticed a police cruiser tailing him close next to him. He could feel the officers staring down at him without even looking at them. Blitz continues to keep walking and his eyes front but does start to question them.

“Is there a problem, officers?”

The officers said nothing as they continued to stare and follow him. Blitz repeated the question in the same tone. “Anything you need?”

The officers continue to say nothing and stare Blitz down. Blitz was starting to have a bad feeling that the cops may stop and search him. He does possess a Glock 17 tucked behind his pants, which would take things in an awfully bad direction. However, there is a possibility that he may have no choice but to take the cops down though it will trigger some alarms and that he will be wanted for assault or murder on two police officers doing their job either they’re corrupted or not. Suddenly the officers drove off. Blitz felt relief that he didn’t have to fight two cops, but eyes were still on him from the equestrian citizens as they do not like nor trust his kind.

Starlight sat behind her office desk looking over files of murder cases happening recently in the city and figuring out who the lion is involved. Sunburst snaps Starlight from focus as he comes up to her and hands her coffee. She thanked Sunburst with a smile and nod as she took the coffee from her partner.

“Anything on our mystery Lion?”  Starlight asked

“Sadly, no.” Sunburst answered after giving a defeated sigh. “There’s not a single record about him. It’s like he’s some sort of ghost or something.”

“There’s got to be something we can find about him.”

“If we don’t this could be a career ending problem for the both of us.”

Before sipping her coffee, Starlight glanced at Sunburst in confusion of what he was talking about.

“What do you mean?” She asked.

Sunburst gave a deep sigh before explaining the situation to his partner, “Once the higher ups heard about our mysterious lion in Equestria, they’re getting the feel that this might be a terrorist attack like last time and they don’t want us to fuck this up and want him found. Hopefully, they don’t send Counter-Intelligence here to take charge. Those guys are really a bunch of assholes.”

“Don’t you think they’re getting a bit paranoid?” Starlight asked.

“Yeah but they don’t want to take any chances. If we don’t find him and an attack does happen, it will be on us.”

Starlight is now feeling pressured since her superiors are involved and wants her to find this mystery lion fast and hopefully won’t be another lion terrorist attack. Deep down, she believes that this lion may not be a terrorist and that there’s something else going on.

Outside near The White Hats’ hideout, a group of gangs driving chopper motorcycles pulls up and parks next to the building. The biker gang, known none other than The Night Shade Aces. Most of the members are comprised of Earth ponies and Thestrals and are dressed in full black outfits and even their biker vests are black. The president of the gang, Snowden Shade, a Thestral stallion with black fur short black hair with grey highlights, a black beard. His most notable feature is his heterochromia, causing one of his eyes to be green and the other to be yellow. He is adorned in his black biker jacket, blue jeans and black boots. The White Hats were already waiting for them as Missy Dawn was walking up to them.

“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.” Missy Dawn quipped.

“Didn’t you send the cat to bring us here?” Snowden joked, “Nice to see you again, Missy Dawn.”

“Same goes for you, President Snowden. How things went in Hollow Shades?”

“Went well and it’s gonna be better since Cut-Throat Talons are gone for good. We’re still in business?”

“We sure are. Since you had a long ride to get here, why don’t you and the boys rest up? We’ll discuss business tomorrow.”

“Sounds good to me.”

The two gang leaders shook hands before Snowden walks back to his chopper and drove off along with his gang.

Sunset is in an office room of the bar sitting at her desk reading something on the computer screen. Suddenly she became distracted as she smelled something cooking and it smelled very good and familiar. Start to get up and make her way to the kitchen. Once she got there, she was surprised to see Blitz already here and cooking.

“Hey you.” Sunset greeted, “Didn’t hear you come in.”

“Yeah. Got back about ten minutes ago.” Said Blitz.

“So what are you cooking?” She asked while walking up to him.

“Thought we should have your favorite pasta tonight.” Blitz said.

Sunset starts to read Blitz as she knows something was wrong with him. He does seem to be a bit angry of something but doing his best to control it. Sunset could even see his left hand shaking but was trying to shake it off as he’s trying to cook though it seems difficult as it continues to shake.

“What’s wrong?” Sunset asked.

Blitz wasn’t surprised that Sunset would find out what was bothering him and there’s no need for him to hide it from her. Blitz stops cook and took a deep breath before answering Sunset.

“I…I just had to deal with some discrimination is all.”

Blitz felt a bit embarrassed though it was a small discrimination and it shouldn’t bother him much but it still affects him how the ponies in Equestria looks at him.

“Equestria was never like this.” Said Sunset.

“I know.” Blitz replied.

As the two were having their comfort moment it was quickly broken when they heard the door from the front bar entrance opened.

“Hello?! Anypony home?!” a voice tore them from their depressive state.

Blitz and Sunset look at each other in confusion as there shouldn’t be anypony here in the bar.

“Aren’t we closed?” Blitz asked.

“We should be.” Sunset answered. “I’ll go check what’s up.”

Sunset walked out of the kitchen, entering the bar. When she got there, she noticed three bikers at the bar table waiting to be served.

“I’m sorry guys but we’re closed.” Said Sunset

“Come on now. All we want is something to drink.” Said the first earth pony biker.

“We had a long ride from Hallow Shade. All we need is a drink.” Said the second earth pony biker.

“Hey bruh. We’re closed.”

The bikers turned their attention to Blitz and were shocked to see him, the tensions were starting to rise. Blitz and Sunset knew things were going to get worse by the look on their eyes. Sunset’s hands reached under the bar, wrapping around the stock of a shotgun.

“Holy fucking shit!” Exclaimed the first biker. “What’s a fucking lion doing here in Equestria?”

“I work here.” Blitz answered.

“You fucking savages don’t belong here! Not after the shit you pulled here!”

“Let’s not cause any trouble here.” Sunset warned.

“There’s already trouble when terrorists set foot here!” Yelled the bat pony biker.

Blitz and Sunset quickly draw out their guns faster than the bikers. Blitz pulled out his pistol and shot the third biker on the right in the head and killed him instantly.

Sunset managed to pull out the shotgun from under the bar table and shot the other two bikers in the heads as they exploded knowing that the rounds were door breaching slug-shot shells. Blitz made his way to the door and peek outside to make sure that there weren't any more bikers or anyone around. Sunset stood there and stared down at the four dead bodies who were once bikers. She and Blitz know that they’re in a bad situation knowing that the rest of their gang will be looking for them.

“Well shit.” Said Sunset.

“I’ll call the cleaners.” Said Blitz as he walks away to find a phone.

Blitz went to a telephone in the office room where it couldn’t be traced so their conversation can be private from Law Enforcement and Government Agencies. Blitz picks up the phone, dialed the number and waits for someone to answer. Sunset watched Blitz, she always worried about Blitz, how much discrimination that he had to take. It angers her even more of how the ponies here in Equestria treats foreigners nowadays knowing it was never like this. Back with Blitz on the phone, someone on the other line finally answers.

“Equestria’s Cleaners, how may we help you?” asked a female voice from the other line.

“Hi, I would like a cleanup order.” Blitz answered.

[wftc141]

Blackwatch Chapter 3: DedPersons

9:11 AM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

June, 2018

"Grazie." Amélie said as she took the hot cup of coffee from the young cashier.

She simply returned a warm smile before turning back to the long queue. Amélie turned away and headed for the door where Gabriel was waiting for her, leaning against the door frame with a cup of coffee as well. The cafe was quite bustling and full, especially during the morning. A lot of customers were either doing errands or getting themselves the newest arrival on the board. Once Amélie walked past Gabriel, he turned away and followed her out onto the crowded plaza.

"As I was saying," Gabriel started, continuing his earlier conversation. "I think we might be going back to Zambia."

"What makes you think that?" Amélie asked.

"The fact that the NSA scooped up some footage of a new leader taking over the Macaba militia camp. They don't know who it is but they believe it's someone from the Macaba family."

"How many relatives do you think he has?"

"Probably enough to run an army."

No words were spoken between them afterwards. Gabriel stared out at the glint of the scorching sun from a distance with his sunglasses reflecting the blinding light off. His frown, surrounded by the goatee, remained plastered on his face and he tugged the collar of his shirt sticking to his skin.

"What's with the long face?" Amélie asked, grabbing Gabriel's attention.

"What'd you mean?" He replied as he sipped his coffee.

"You look like somebody slapped you really hard."

"Isn't this how I normally look?"

"Gabe, you and I have been together since the first day Blackwatch was activated. I already know what you look like by now."

Gabriel sighed while tapping the cup with his fingers. He stared at what's in front of him without glancing at Amélie. His other hand slid into his pocket.

"I just found out my kids are about to graduate yesterday and when I asked Jackie if I could come, she wouldn't let me. Doesn't want me involved in their lives anymore. Guess that's what happens when I'm a dedicated soldier with no time for family."

"You two still haven't worked things out?" She asked.

"Sadly, no."

"C'est une honte. What about your kids?"

"We're still on good terms but my daughter still doesn't approve of the war and she probably hates my guts for it."

"Would you really blame them? Not everybody is into killing." Amélie said, adjusting her sunglasses.

Gabriel scoffed. "Says the woman who once murdered rich people and performed ballet as if nothing ever happened."

Amélie ignored him and took a sip of the coffee as they walked out of the plaza and into the street. As they stopped by a crossing light, Gabriel took out his phone from his pockets which buzzed in his hand. He answered it and lifted it to his ear.

"Hello?"

There was a brief pause, attracting Amélie's curiosity despite voices around them drowning each other out. Gabriel nodded shortly with his eyes flicking downwards.

"Alright. We'll be there."

The call finished and Gabriel lowered his phone. Amélie stared at him, waiting for an answer.

"Well, this is a surprise." He said, slipping the phone back into his pockets.

"Mission?" Amélie asked.

"Maybe. Sombra's in Virginia with the CIA and she needs us there tomorrow afternoon sharp."

Next Day

3:21 PM, Local Time

McLean, USA

George Bush Center for Intelligence

The team arrived at the headquarters after a long flight to McLean. As they entered inside, they were immediately greeted by the sight of Sombra reclining on one of the couches nearby. Several other people at the very back filed in back and forth across the reception area where the large CIA seal was plastered on. Once her eyes locked onto the team, she got off the couch and approached them.

"About time, amigos. You guys are really slow, ya know?" She said.

"Get straight to the point, Sombra. What's going on?" Gabriel replied.

"Blackwatch." A voice called out, attracting the team's attention.

They turned towards the source of the voice and noticed Salvatore approaching them. He wasn't alone however as there was a woman walking beside him. Blonde Hispanic with hair tied into a bun and a grey suit. Possibly in her forties.

"Glad you were able to make it, Reyes," he said before gesturing towards the woman. "Allow me to introduce you all to Mrs Alexis Morales, Director of the National Clandestine Service. Mrs Morales, this is the Blackwatch unit I was telling you about."

"I see," the director hummed as she glanced across the team. "Pleasure to meet you all. If you would just follow me to the debriefing."

She turned away and walked off towards the corridor on the right. Salvatore nodded towards them, prompting the team to follow her. Once they arrived at the conference room, they sat down facing the projector in front of them. Morales and Sombra stood beside it while Salvatore watched from the side.

"I would like all of you to open up the folders placed in front of you and read all of the contents thoroughly." Morales ordered.

The team picked up the folders and read through the documents in silence. Morales then started up the projector, presenting a PowerPoint on their mission.

"Last week, the CIA was hit by a DDoS attack for two hours and by the time the servers were back online, the data inside vanished. Thanks to the efforts of Sombra, we have discovered that the attack came from a group of hackers via a digital trail they left behind."

"You know, I actually found it funny that you guys were able to miss that one tiny detail. I mean, come on! Was that so hard to find? I thought your analysts were meant to be the brains of the agency." Sombra said.

"As Mrs. Morales was saying," Salvatore continued, ignoring the red-haired hacker. "Based on the emails Sombra intercepted, the hackers were hired by a communist mafia who call themselves the People's Republic of Romania."

"So, a communist mafia. That's new." Marvel commented.

"These men are loyal to the ideas of communism. Formed during the Cold War, they were known for many crimes of the states, mainly in countries that don't support their views. Money laundering, arms trafficking, murder, counterfeiting, anything that falls under the category of organized crime."

"What'd they steal?" Ray asked.

"Oh, you know. Just a buncha names and secret stuff that could be used against the government, the same old." Sombra answered.

"And it's best that we retrieve the data back and if possible, eliminate the mafia by all means. We cannot risk retaliation or worse, a conflict. The digital trail Sombra found led us to a ranch in Bennington, Vermont where satellite footage has reported sightings of what appeared to be the mafia taking over the ranch along with the hackers. We are safe to assume this is where the data would be at."

"Me, McCree and Sombra can take this one." Gabriel said.

"What do we do about the hackers?" Sombra glanced at the leader.

"Unless they try to shoot back, they aren't our main priority."

5:47 PM, Local Time

Bennington, USA

After touching down at the William H. Morse Airport, Gabriel and his group got off the plane where several agents were posted nearby. They made their way to a black Tahoe parked near the entrance gate where a pair of agents were. McCree took the driver's seat while the rest took the passenger seats. Starting the engine, McCree drove themselves past the gate and out to the narrow road.

As the drive progressed to the highway, Gabriel looked at the rear mirror and caught sight of Sombra at the back with purple headphones on and a phone on her right hand resting on her lap. God knows what she's listening to but it wasn't much of his concern and interest. He looked away and stared out of the window. The drab autumn trees tossed lightly, obscuring the sky while dark, ragged clouds close in. There was a report of wet weather on its way so the group brought in some jackets to keep them dry.

Few minutes later and they arrived at the road leading to the ranch. The entrance's gate was completely loose with its support wedged out of the terrain. Parking the Tahoe by the gate, the group hopped out with their weapons and backpacks and delved into the bushy forest next to the gate. Gabriel put on his ski mask partially like a beanie.

As they navigated through the forest, the leaves began to rustle and the shadows closed in completely. The sky by now was completely concealed by the clouds. The team stopped once they got close to the end of the forest where a fence was placed, leaving out the forest.

"Sombra, get your drone up."

Without a word, she went with it and took out her recon drone with an installed camera. After getting it airborne, she used her tablet to control the drone. Gabriel pulled out his binoculars from his backpack and scouted the ranch. There were fewer gangsters around the ranch than he had anticipated. The main entrance of the ranch was guarded by two armed men under a portable gazebo along with a white car parked near them.

"How many inside the house?" Gabriel asked.

"That's strange," Sombra muttered. "There's only like five guys and that's not including the hackers. Thought there was gonna be more."

"Maybe we're just overestimating 'em." McCree said.

"My guess as well." Gabriel replied.

Sombra glanced at the team leader while controlling the drone. "So how do you wanna pull this off?"

"If it follows the term 'stealth', then that's how we'll do it," Gabriel tossed his binoculars into his bag and pulled his mask on. "Lets go."

Once Sombra retrieved her drone, she held the custom MP7 slung around her shoulder and followed Gabriel and McCree out of the forest and over the fence. The lawn outside the ranch was overgrown with its grass rustling and waving to the breeze; It was long enough for the team to hide behind the foliage undetected. As Gabriel led the team towards the ranch, McCree and Sombra were at his rear checking back at the two men at the entrance.

The team reached the curved walkway, closing in on the house that stood in front of them. The dark brown paint and some of the wooden aspects of the two-floor house definitely stood out with the autumn forest around it. They can see the calm river behind the house as well.

As Gabriel approached the side of the house while crouching, he noticed a drip of water bounce off the rail of the rifle before continuous drips of water skimmed upon his body in a stable rhythm. Gabriel did his best to ignore it and pulled the hood over his head. By the time they reached the side, the rain was pouring on like wildfire. McCree and Sombra both pulled on their hoods from the oncoming rain.

Gabriel advanced towards the porch, walking up the stairs while aiming his rifle with the others following him and covering their rear. There, the team were shielded from the downpour with water dripping off the edges of the roof. They can hear the fierceness of the rain from the noisy impact from the roof.

"So, five hostiles inside, Sombra?" Gabriel whispered as he approached the door.

"Yep," She nodded. "Three upstairs and two downstairs."

Gabriel clasped his free hand over the doorknob. Turning it over, the lock clicked and the door slowly moved. Gabriel slowly pushed the door open with his right shoulder without bumping it hard and peeked through the narrow gap. Through the gap, he could see a defect washing machine stacked against the wall. There was no sign of anybody from what he could see. Gabriel pushed the door further and made his first step onto the wooden floor.

Once the door swung open, Gabriel made his move first while scanning the area with his rifle. Sombra was the last to enter and closed the door softly, shutting out the hailing rain outside. Gabriel glanced around as he headed out of the room and into the corridor, leading to what appeared to be a dining room.

He stopped once he reached the end and peered to his right where he noticed a stout man sporting a work shirt in the kitchen, grabbing something from the fridge. Gabriel stepped back and held out his right hand curled into a fist while holding the foregrip tightly. Sombra and McCree stopped but still held their weapons. The man called out to someone in Romanian with whoever it was responding back.

Gabriel checked up on the man who closed the fridge door and walked back towards the living room with a beer can. Gabriel moved forward in a fast pace and aimed his rifle for the head, flicking the safety pin off. He had no reason to doubt whether that guy was one of the mobsters or not. Pulling the trigger, the suppressor flashed and the man fell in an instant with two bloody holes on the back of his head, tumbling over a chair. A loud hiss coming from the fallen can rang across the room.

"One down." Gabriel muttered, flicking the safety back on.

As he went around the table to check on the body, he heard the voice from the other room call out in concern. Gabriel jumped over to the right side of the arch and aimed his rifle at the corridor next to the living room, safety off again. Shortly, a slightly skinnier man in a worn sweater emerged from the corridor with a pistol in hand. Just as he noticed the body, Gabriel fired several rounds to the gangster's chest before he fell back.

"That's the second one down."

Sombra and McCree walked past him as he checked the fat mobster he meant to look at. After making sure both of them were dead, Gabriel caught up with Sombra and McCree where they were by the stairs. Patting McCree's shoulder, he advanced up the stairwell with McCree taking the lead. Once they reached the upper floor, they found themselves facing a door with a narrow corridor to their left, leading elsewhere. The lights were off, leaving nothing but shuttered shadows with drips sliding down.

Gabriel approached the door, closed and silent. A room with a closed door is more likely to be occupied by hostiles, which was something Jack Morrison taught back in the day. He still remembered how much he tried to one-up the Sergeant during their early years when he was still a Private searching for the thrills.

Gabriel stood next to the door and waved at Sombra and McCree, prompting them to stack up next to it. Once they were ready, Gabriel stepped in front of the door and kicked it open, boot making contact near the doorknob. As the door flung open, Gabriel stormed into the room. He noticed several people facing the computer monitors spin around, startled. His left eye caught sight of a gangster reaching for his gun on the table. Gabriel aimed and fired several rounds to his body. He fell onto the table forcibly before sliding off. Several suppressed shots were fired and more bodies landed on the floor.

"Room clear!" McCree barked.

Gabriel aimed his rifle at the hackers, still stuck to their seats. All of them had their hands up, keeping their backs towards them. They looked young and dressed in clothes young people would wear.

"Stay right where you are." Gabriel ordered.

The hackers remained frozen, probably already got the message. As his breathing kept a steady pace, Gabriel began to step away from them while keeping his aim at them.

"Sombra, get the data and everything they stole into this drive." Gabriel took out a hard drive from his pocket for Sombra.

"Got it, jefe." She replied, taking the hard drive and approaching one of the server racks nearby with a laptop on it.

"McCree, go outside and keep watch."

"Yessir."

McCree quickly left the room but left the door open. Sombra plugged in the hard drive into the laptop and began to make that computer magic. As she tapped into the network, one of the hackers began to turn around while still keeping his hands up. His hair was light blonde and a necklace hung in front of his maroon hoodie. Gabriel didn't bother to order him to turn back, unless he was armed.

"Wait a minute," he muttered with a Polish accent. "Y-you're Sombra? The actual Sombra?"

She turned around and pulled the hood off, letting her hair loose. "Who's asking?"

The hacker and the others exchanged glances of surprise, gasping and chatting amongst each other. Gabriel still kept his aim at them.

"Niesamowite! I can't believe it! You're a legend in the hacking industry!" The Polish hacker exclaimed.

"Aww, it's nice to know I have some fans," Sombra replied, turning away. "I heard about you guys too and how you managed to break into the servers with a DDoS attack. Took some bolas for you boys to rob the CIA."

"Wait, wait? The CIA?" The Polish hacker repeated.

Sombra wasn't too surprised since one of the emails she retrieved indicated that none of them knew who they were actually robbing.

"Oh? They didn't tell you?"

"N-No," he replied. "We were just told to steal some stuff from a rival mob and that was it."

"They were gonna pay us half the money we stole from the mob once we finished." Another hacker with a Finnish accent added.

Sombra hummed in a doubtful manner. "Take it from me, guys. Gangbangers nowadays don't play ball when it comes to money."

Gabriel wasn't into the conversation of any way. This was a mission, not a get-along group.

"How's the progress, Sombra?" He growled, glancing at her.

She tapped a key, displaying a loading bar on the screen and turned to Gabriel. "Gonna take a while, jefe."

"Reaper, you might wanna see this." McCree called out from outside.

Gabriel went out of the room and noticed McCree watching the window at the corridor. He was staring outside with his free hand holding the curtains aside.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Some of our Romanian buddies are back." McCree said, moving away for the leader.

Gabriel pushed the curtains away and glanced out the window overlooking the front yard. Two SUVs and the white car from the entrance were closing in on the house. Gabriel had a gut feeling that these guys now knew they weren't expecting visitors.

"Shit, they must've discovered our car." He muttered as the vehicles stopped and the doors opened.

"What do we do, boss?" McCree asked.

The front door opened and voices filled the floor from below. They heard footsteps advancing up the stairs. Gabriel got his rifle ready and aimed at the stairs while approaching it. McCree followed suit. Just as he reached the start of the stairs, Gabriel immediately caught contact of a large, bald man with a pistol in his right hand heading towards their direction. Gabriel opened fire first with three rounds to his chest. The pistol went off, hitting the ceiling as the gangster tumbled back down and slammed against a rail.

As voices began to escalate over the sounds of the hailing rain, Gabriel and McCree went down the stairs and got a glimpse of another gangster appearing from a room near the front door. Gabriel quickly put him down before he could raise his own gun. He approached the living room to his right, only for two gangsters to come into his way.

They both opened fire while backing up. Gabriel ducked below oncoming bullets while still aiming his rifle. The skinny gangster he was aiming for was really bad at aiming or even holding it properly, therefore allowing several rounds hit his body while the rest penetrated the slider doors. The other one was out of sight. Gabriel heard several suppressed shots from the other side as he entered the living room.

He turned to the kitchen where he found the rest of the gangsters holed up together. Gabriel counted three gangsters before taking cover from suppressive fire. He switched the rifle to his left hand and fired back without peeking over. The gunfire slightly ceased, prompting Gabriel to grab a stun grenade under his jacket. With a hard toss, he listened to the grenade bounce and slide on the wood before a deafening bang erupted.

When the groans and shrieks followed up, Gabriel moved out of cover and raised his rifle, taking out the two gangsters who moved away from the kitchen before approaching the last one. As he moved towards the counter, Gabriel noticed a gangster hiding behind the table too late before he made his attack.

They both shuffled and struggled as the gangster's hands gripped over Gabriel's rifle with the discharge hitting elsewhere being unhelpful. Gabriel kicked his leg with little effect. The gangster pushed Gabriel against the wall, knocking off something hanging on the wall. Just as Gabriel felt a fist slam across his face, his rifle was yanked off his grip. His left hand balled into a fist and it felt as if he had no control of the hand.

As soon as let his hand loose, it flung at the gangster's side and Gabriel let it continue until his muscles gave up. He lifted his fist and sent it flying to the gangster's face, hitting his jaw. With the gangster dazed, Gabriel punched the arms holding him, breaking himself free. He noticed the gangster's pistol tucked in front of his pants and pulled it out before he could. Without hesitation, Gabriel fired two shots to the chest and a final blow to the head.

As the gangster fell onto the chair, tumbling down with it, Gabriel scanned the rest of the room with the pistol. After making one last sweep and confirming the house was empty, Gabriel lowered the gun to take a look. A Mauser C96. Very old fashioned. Dropping the gun, Gabriel reached for his rifle and patched in.

"Main house is clear. Shadow 3, what's your status?" He said, holding his fingers on the earpiece.

"Clear on my position!" McCree huffed, sounding like he had a massive firefight outside.

Gabriel then ordered him to head back inside and went upstairs. He walked up to the door which was shut. Sombra would be at her defensive position at this point.

"This is Shadow 1, hold your fire." He called out.

The door suddenly opened and Sombra appeared in his view, holding her MP7. Gabriel walked inside where the hackers were still there. Shaken but fine overall.

"Is it done?" Gabriel asked.

"Yep," Sombra replied, holding up the hard drive. "Everything they stole is in here."

Gabriel nodded, ignoring the hackers. "Alright, lets go."

"What about them?"

He stopped and turned around where Sombra was facing. The hackers were still there. They may be tricked into stealing from the world's well known agency but their crimes can't go unpunished. Unless they were willing to accept. The CIA or Salvatore could give zero shits if he puts them down or not but they were lucky he wasn't given that order. Gabriel approached them and aimed his rifle at them, startling the hackers and prompting them to raise their hands.

"Jefe, what the hell are you doing?" Sombra called out.

He ignored her and remained fixated at those young men, aiming across them with a sight focused on each of them. For the next few seconds, it was silent except with the frantic breathing.

"You do know the rifle's safety is on?" Gabriel said, still aiming his rifle. "That means I can't shoot anything out of it unless I flick it off. And you know what happens when it's off?"

No response.

"R-Reaper, we got what we came for. You don't have to-" Sombra tried to say.

"I can kill all of you right here, right now. In fact, I wouldn't be here to waste my time talking to you kids. I can just pull the trigger and get this over with...but you're lucky I don't have the order."

Gabriel moved slowly towards the Polish hacker and held his glare at him.

"What you've done and how you did it can't be left ignored. And I don't give two shits if you were hired by the mafia or whoever that was. You pay for the price, no matter the circumstance. But I'm not in the mood of taking a life of another man so I can tell you this and you better listen closely cause I won't repeat myself."

The Polish hacker was on the verge of breaking down, trembling non-stop. Gabriel glanced at the rest of the hackers. He already had their names way back at Virginia from the leaked trail.

"Daniel. Antero. Miles. Noah. Roman. You leave this house and you don't speak of this ever again. I don't care how, just as long as you're outta here. And don't try anything stupid on the way out cause we will be watching you. But if I hear another mention of any of your names, we will hunt you down and once I find you...this safety won't be on. Do I make myself clear?"

The whole room was dead silent with fear. Roman was already petrified with the barrel of the rifle pressed against his chest as well as the others. Everybody nodded frantically.

"SAY IT." Gabriel barked.

The hackers all said 'yes' hastily and between squeaks and mumbling. Gabriel sighed and lifted his rifle away from Roman.

"Good," he began to dig into his pockets and took out the keys to their car. "The car's at the front entrance down the forest. Black Chevrolet. Take this and get outta here. No smart moves, got it?"

All of them nodded beyond normal and Gabriel handed the keys to Roman. As soon as the keys were off his hand, the hackers began to gather their things with the backpacks and they dashed out of the room. He turned around where Sombra was standing outside, bewildered and surprised. Gabriel got out the SAT phone and dialed the number.

"Jesus, Reaper," She muttered. "Was this part of your Scaring Kids to Death initiative or something?"

"It's done," Gabriel said, ignoring Sombra. "The data is in the drive."

There was a pause before Gabriel nodded and finished up the call. He slipped the phone into his pockets and went down the stairs.

"We're leaving. The cops are already on their way," he tapped the earpiece. "McCree, find a car that is still running because we'll be using it."

"Got it."

As Gabriel and Sombra left the house, they walked off the porch to the sight of bodies scattered and sprawled around the field with bullet-ridden cars left behind, smoke rising from the front. A white SUV backed up to where Gabriel and Sombra was and turned to the side with McCree driving. The two stored their equipment and backpacks in the boot and got in, staining the seats with soaked clothed. Just as they did so, the car sped off and drove around the dumped cars before reaching the front gate, hearing nothing but the raging downpour.

[wftc141]

Blackwatch Chapter 1: We Are Blackwatch

In 2014, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) formed a covert black ops unit, bringing together members from the shadows with a certain set of skills, all curated from the best with the best. They operate in countries that revolves in reconnaissance, rescue, counter-terrorism and assassinations. If they are compromised, NATO was not involved. They do not exist, they do not have records. They are ghosts. They are Blackwatch.

5:06 AM, Local Time

Ukraine

April, 2017

Elsewhere far towards the yet to be risen sun, the War of Donbass continued to rage on in the distance. The gunfire and the roars shut out the outside world between the Russian army and the Ukraine forces. Footsteps and war cries rattled the village as a rocket obliterated a chunk of a house.

Dust, debris and glass powdered as a group of armed and masked(with the exception of certain members) operatives evade and escape from an army of Kadyrovtsy soldiers and Pro-Russian rebels, peppering after them with their rifles. Their mission was to rescue missing CIA agent Clint Goddard who was captured by Chechen forces and set to be executed. But when the captors have Pro-Russian rebels on their contacts list, what do they do? Now they were on the run, desperately making their way for the helicopter evac a few blocks away.

Gabriel Reyes, ex-Delta Force and the front man, turned around and fired automatic bursts with his 10 inch barreled HK416 fitted with an Eotech sight, a tactical foregrip, an AN/PEQ-15 ATPIAL and a suppressor while the team ran past him. His signature skull balaclava topped with a black hood glared at the rebels, designed to strike fear into their hearts, thus earning his nickname, Reaper. Doesn't seem to be working so far.

He stopped shooting and retreated, catching up with Amélie Lacroix, the team's sniper and second in command. Apart from the others, she was armed with a HK417 with custom attachments consisting of a RIS foregrip, a suppressor, a Harris bipod and a laser designator. As one of the most deadliest snipers from France, Amélie was known for her sharpshooting skills and her combined use of hand-to-hand combat and ballet dancing. Therefore, the others knew her as Widowmaker. Shortly, Reaper's earpiece from his comms radio brightened alive.

"Ghost Rider to Shadow 1, get your asses moving. I'm running out of fumes here and I'm getting shot at, over!"

"We're on the move right now! Stand by, over!" Reaper replied while hopping over uneven terrain.

Making their way down a hill through a blasted hole on a wide fence, American country-man Jesse McCree turned around and burst rounds with his AR-15 5.56/223 Carbine attached with a Crimson Trace lasergrip and ACOG scope against their pursuers. Everybody was quick to call him a cowboy based on his thick beard, ragged hair and the cowboy hat whenever he wasn't on the field. The Japanese Genji Shimada was also beside him, doing the same thing with his TDI Kriss Vector SBR .45 ACP attached with an extended mag, Trijicon SRS sight and an Osprey suppressor. He also had a hood over his balaclava.

Another operator assisting them was the newest member in Blackwatch. Keenan Cortell, AKA. Marvel, straight out of the US Air Force bringing in his experiences as a fighter jet pilot. Unlike everybody else, he only carried an automatic Glock 18, firing rapid bursts. He always preferred a pistol over an assault rifle but if he had to choose, his first pick would be his custom UMP-45. After taking down a group of rebels, another wave of them clambered after them, forcing the three to fall back.

"This mission was supposed to be clean and quiet!" McCree yelled while sliding down the rocky but short hill.

"How would it be if we're in the middle of a goddamn war-zone?!" Marvel retorted, following him.

While the rest of the team ran through the wide dry area, Irish operative Moira O'Deorain carried Goddard by his shoulders. Even though he went through some beating sessions, he was still able to walk on two feet. Ex-Delta Force operative, Nicolas Beltrán or Nico for short fought back against the rebels trying to flank their east using his camo AK-12 with Eotech sights, AFG grip along with the Mexican, Sombra. Nobody knew her identity when she joined, not even the FBI. Her beanie covered her purple highlighted hair with sunglasses. Her custom silver blue MP7A1 attached with a suppressor, vertical foregrip and an Eotech sight was able to pick off a row of rebels charging after them.

"It would be better if you guys lent me a gun." Goddard croaked.

"Sorry sir but you're our mission and we can't risk you getting killed." Moira said.

The operatives caught up and they formed a line, fighting back against the pursuing rebels far from their distance while Moira brought Goddard to the front. After what felt like forever, their pilot in a PZL-Świdnik Mi-2 arrived and landed in front of the team. The rotors hovered, blowing away the remaining grass on its landing zone.

"Ghost Rider to Shadow 1, we're here. Get your asses in. I don't wanna stay long."

"Copy, Ghost Rider."

As the rest of the team provided covering fire, Moria quickly placed Goddard into the helicopter. Once he was strapped in, Moira stepped near the doors and called after the team.

"Objective secure, everybody in the helicopter now!"

Genji and Marvel were the first to jump in while the rest continued to shoot back. One by one, the team jumped in while taking shots. Now it was Nico and Sombra's turn to get in. As Sombra removed her clip while backing towards the helicopter, Nico's gaze fell upon to his west where he saw one of the rebels crouched and aiming something pointy at them. It didn't take long for him to realize what it was.

"RPG!" He shouted.

Wasting no time, Nico pushed Sombra out of the way just in the nick of time. As Sombra fell to the ground, Nico was unfortunately standing on the radius of the missile seconds away near him. As soon as it landed, an ear-crunching thwoom erupted and smoke formed the area. The explosion damaged the helicopter, which almost had it tilting to its right with its rotors grazing the ground. As the smoke cleared out and the team got back to their senses, Sombra who had covered herself from the blast looked up and found Nico on the ground but he wasn't responsive.

"Nico?" Sombra called. He didn't move or cough, prompting her to get up and check on him. "Dios mios, Nico!"

When she got to him, it wasn't a pretty sight. Sombra almost felt something forced up her throat. Nico's body has almost turned into a limbless statue with both of his legs and left arm missing, as well as burns all over his chest and face. A puddle of blood formed underneath him, soaking the dry grass. His eyes were shut tightly as if something dug inside it.

"N-Nico's down! I repeat! Nico's down!" Sombra yelled.

Everybody gasped silently and gave each other glances except Reaper. He jumped out of the helicopter while bullets continued to rain after them. He went up towards Sombra and helped her pull Nico to the helicopter while the rest of the team provided covering fire. Moira got out as well armed with a spare HK416, managing to take out a pair of rebels closing in.

Once Reaper and Sombra got in with Nico's body, Moira stopped firing and hopped back in. The helicopter began to lift from the hot-zone and Marvel shut the slide. The rebels continued to shoot at them but the ceased shooting proved that the rebel's efforts were fruitless.

As the helicopter flew out of sight from the village, Reaper bent down near Nico's body and pulled his mask off along with hood, revealing his brown goatee. He began to apply CPR while Goddard and Moira came to assist with cleaning up and bandaging the missing limbs with the provided first aid. Blood was now forming on the surface, slowly sliding downwards.

"Come on, Nico! Wake up!" Reaper begged as he pressed his chest repeatedly.

There was no response. No cough or a faint feeling of a breath. Reaper didn't want to believe it. He kept on pressing his chest while the team waited for a miracle. Moira was the only person who knew an injury like this wasn't bound to be healed.

"Nico, don't you fucking die!" Reaper growled, raising his voice progressly.

He continued to press his chest to the point where it was starting to get pointless. Goddard and the team couldn't do anything but watch as Reaper slammed his hands on Nico's almost limbless body while throwing his entire energy on him. Eventually, Reaper stopped while heavily panting. His hands were covered with Nico's blood and went limp onto the surface. The fact that they were together in the Delta Force added further injury to his pain, like a bullet to the heart.

"Goddamn you, Nico," he whimpered as the wine red blood reached the end of the door slide, dripping off the gap. "Goddamn you."

(1 Year Later)

Even being awake, the alarm clock continued to beep without even stopping. Reaper was already up, sitting on the side of his bed while staring down at the floor. Only dressed in worn sweatpants with his old dog tags, the rest of his body was not so pure. There were multiple healed wounds on his body, a healed gunshot wound on the waist with an exit and another on his right shoulder. There were several more on his back, including some healed burns. His right arm also had a healed burn wound. As the alarm beeped mindlessly, Reaper sighed, fed up and turned off the alarm clock.

8:23 AM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Embassy of the United States

May, 2018

Blackwatch was never assigned any stations but the associates from NATO were kind enough to lend in the Embassy of the United States in Rome as the team's station. The Embassy was big enough for Blackwatch to fit in their own quarters and their operation centers for their missions, similar to the CIA and the DSS. Reaper parked his rented Fiat at the nearest parking garage and got out, dressed in all black rolled up shirt and pants with a NATO ID badge, because Blackwatch isn't an official unit. He didn't have time for breakfast since he wasn't much of an eater.

Reaper had to meet up with Widowmaker as the two have a debrief with Major Salvatore of NATO. After getting checked by guards and processed, Reaper picked up the FNG at the front entrance as ordered yesterday and made their way down the hallway, going into an elevator. While in the elevator, Reaper briefly glanced at the FNG. He was a black guy with a temple fade haircut and a beard. He looked like any average soldier: standard build and six feet tall. He also wore a navy blue t-shirt with tan pants and carried a backpack.

Before he went to the meeting, Reaper took the black guy to Blackwatch's quarters. When the two entered the room, the team who were inside stopped what they were doing once Reaper stepped inside. All of the members were in their casual clothes.

Genji was leaning at the corner, wearing a grey sweatshirt with the hood completely shading half of his face alongside black jeans. Marvel had a grey polo shirt and a cap topped with Ray Bans. McCree had his signature cowboy hat with a brown leather jacket over a blue tucked in shirt and tan pants.

Sombra's appearance has made some drastic changes for the past year. Although her shaved side hasn't grown back, her remaining hair was shorter and red highlights replaced her original colour as well as her clothes, shifting into a burgundy raglan tee and black skinny jeans. Other than Reaper, she had a NATO ID badge on her belt. Moira had her usual black shirt with a purple waistcoat. Their pilot, Tamara "Fio" LaPaglia, stood next to Sombra in a green open short sleeve shirt with a white t-shirt underneath. Born with a Brazilian descent, Fio shared similar experiences with Marvel as a US Marine pilot with the exception of a fighter jet.

"Who's this guy, Reaper?" Sombra asked, pointing at the black guy.

"This is...the FNG," Reaper answered. He didn't sound enthusiastic. "Sorry, didn't really catch your name."

"Raymundo Owens. But you can call me Ray."

The team were surprised about the news since nothing bad happened after the death of a former member but nonetheless, none of them had a problem with the news. However, Sombra didn't seem to like the new guy. Its like questioning a nobody in a top secret covert unit sent to replace a previously deceased member. Reaper also noticed that Widowmaker wasn't anywhere to be seen.

"Where's Lacroix?" He asked.

"Already waiting for you at the meeting." Sombra replied, ignoring Ray as much as possible.

"Alright, while I'm at the meeting, you guys make Ray feel at home," Reaper then turned to Ray. "And you...don't cause any trouble while I'm gone."

He replied with a nod. Shortly, Reaper was out of the room and the door swung shut. There was nothing but silence surrounding the room as the team stared at Ray. The silence was eventually broken once McCree got up from the cases he was sitting on and approached Ray. His index finger was tapping intensely on his upper thigh as if he really wanted a cigar.

"Well, I suppose we make ya feel comfortable," he held out his hand. "I'm McCree, Jesse McCree."

Ray shook his hand back. "Nice to meet you."

He seemed warm enough. McCree then let go of his hand.

"So, which branch you from?" He asked.

"Army, 75th Rangers. You?" Ray replied.

"Marines, Force Recon. Those were the days, partner."

McCree then turned around and planned to introduce the team. He first gestured towards Moira.

"This is Moira, ex-Irish Army Ranger Wing. She's our field medic but if you're a bad guy who just got shot or just piss her off in general, she'll murder you slowly and painfully."

Moria warmly smiled and waved like it was a normal thing. After a moment of awkward silence, McCree then pointed towards Fio.

"This is Fio, our pilot. When it comes to any sort of aircraft, she'll fly 'em."

Fio simply smiled and nodded at him, prompting him to do the same. McCree then pointed to Sombra.

"Over there is Sombra, NSA's top cyber security agent and hacker. Her past is a mystery and that's why the NSA want her. She's wicked smart and asks no questions. Ask her to break into Elon Musk's servers, she'll get it done in no time." When Ray looked at her, Sombra avoided eye contact. McCree wasn't surprised at all. "Oh, don't worry about it. She's not so into new guys. She'll soften up eventually."

McCree turned towards Marvel where he was staring at Ray.

"That's Marvel, fresh out of the US Air Force. He's a pro with a fighter jet and he can take on just anybody with his hands. Trust me when I say you'll only last three seconds on the mat."

"Hey." Marvel uttered without waving.

Ray nodded. McCree eventually got to the last part, pointing at the hooded guy.

"And last and not least, Genji Shimada, our other hand-to-hand expert. Actually kicked Marvel's ass a buncha times."

"Once, actually!"

McCree ignored his comment and continued.

"Genji's a former Japanese officer from the Special Assault Team. Had a great record of locking up many bad crooks, especially one of the most ruthless Yakuza clans of Tokyo."

Genji just showed him a peace sign without a word.

"Widowmaker's our leader's second in command but she's currently in a meeting with the boss. You might get to meet her later. I'm gonna assume it's gonna be 'bout our next mission so don't get too comfy. But other than that...welcome to Blackwatch."

McCree patted Ray on the shoulder with a smile before walking away, leaving Ray alone. As everybody else got back to whatever they were doing, Ray stood there, figuring out how to get used to being in a special black ops unit. It was quite hard, especially for new guys like him.

As soon as Reaper and Widowmaker entered the briefing room, they were greeted by Major Salvatore, serving NATO for twenty years, sitting at the middle of the room with a desk containing folders along with two chairs. A pair of guards were also stationed at the corners. As the two sat down, they noticed the two folders conveniently placed for them.

"We have a situation in Zambia," Salvatore stated. "Two days ago, a squad of peacekeepers from the United Nations were captured and publicly executed during their routine patrol by a local militia group. We caught the word when a group of villagers came to one of our nearest bases in Zambia with the decapitated heads of the peacekeepers."

Reaper opened up the folder and picked up a file, showing four seperate pictures of men with blue berets. Underneath were some bullet points and additional notes with one of them by the name of 'Ejner Lütken' highlighted for whatever reason. Maybe he was the leader. Either way, Reaper had some divisive opinions on the decision.

"Obviously it was a stupid call to send in a four man team unarmed into a bad neighborhood." He said, leaning back on his chair.

"They were only ordered to observe and possibly maintain order there." Widowmaker added.

"She's right, Reyes," Salvatore said. "Zambia is still a war-zone and the UN were trying to maintain the peace by using their hearts and minds, not automatic weapons."

Reaper scoffed. "I've seen the work the UN does and with all due respect, this shit ain't working at all. It's just making the situation worse. I hardly believe they're even brave enough to handle this or even give a rat's ass about it."

Salvatore wasn't fazed by his comment but he just handed Reaper another folder. "Either way, this is a Blackwatch operation, Reyes. We've identified the militia who executed those peacekeepers."

Reaper flipped over the folder and took out the paper with a blurry photograph of a black man with braids and sunglasses, standing beside a couple of armed men in shemagh scarves.

"Your target is Arno Macaba. Younger brother of former warlord, Dede Macaba who was killed by the Namibian Defence Force five years earlier. Arno is trying to finish what his brother started by taking full control of South Africa. They had control of both Zambia and Namibia earlier but ever since the death of Dede, Namibia is in the government's hands which leaves Zambia, the only hole left for Arno to fill. The NSA has managed to pinpoint his location at a large camp which is 3 miles away from the village where the UN peacekeepers were killed. Airstrikes are a no go because the NSA has also found out that the militia are using the villagers for labor and we can't risk casualties or worse, have the CNN snoop around on NATO's activities. Which is why we need you and your team on the ground to eliminate him. Keep the mission as quiet as possible. We can't afford any traces leading to NATO. The C130 will be wheels up at 10. Good luck."

After that, words were exchanged and the two left the room. They went down the corridor towards the elevator where they passed a man carrying some files. It was dead silent on their way back.

"Heard about the new teammate." Widowmaker said, breaking the silence.

"You okay with that?" Reaper asked.

"Oui. You think I don't like newcomers?"

"I do, actually. Hell, I don't even want any more members on the team."

Widowmaker chuckled for a moment. The two both stopped after arriving at the elevator. "There's nothing wrong with having a new member on the team, Gabe. You didn't say anything when Marvel first arrived."

Everything went silent again as they stood together. The elevator sign above changed numbers.

"Considering what happened back in Ukraine, it shouldn't be a big deal with the new guy on the team."

Reaper sighed, silently admitting she had a point but he was still concerned.

"Lets just hope the kid won't screw up the mission and get himself or all of us killed."

The elevator arrived just as he finished and they were silent again for the rest of the trip back to the quarters.

10:20 AM, Local Time

Flying over Africa's Airspace

Prior to the boarding of the C130, everybody swapped into their compatible clothes to blend in the dark. Their weapons, each different, were also packed in containers for the mission. Marvel and Fio piloted the aircraft as part of their skills. Shortly, the aircraft went for the sky and made an estimated time of a twelve hour trip to Zambia.

Two hours has passed during the flight and everybody has been minding their own business. As the aircraft rumbled and shook lightly on the sky, Ray looked around where the team were. Sombra and Genji were resting, McCree had earphones on while napping, probably listening to some country music by the looks of him and Widowmaker was writing something on a notepad. Moira was reading a book titled "The Human Anatomy" which seemed to unsettle Ray but he pretended as if it wasn't a big deal. Sighing underneath his breath, Ray looked at the ring on his finger. A small smile slowly grew across his face.

"You're married?"

Ray looked up and noticed Reaper standing above him. He laid his finger off the ring.

"I am, sir."

Reaper nodded and handed him a small container. Ray looked at it in confusion before looking back at the leader.

"Leave the ring in the C130 once we get out," Reaper said. "We don't let our enemy know what we have in life for them to use against us…"

Ray's eyes slowly descended down to the surface of his ring. He had a point there.

"Plus you make us look bad. We're still single." Reaper added.

That comment was enough to make Ray chuckle, brightening the tension a little bit. After taking the container from Reaper, he left him to himself and Ray pulled the ring off his finger, placing it into the container. Just as he removed it, Ray seemed to feel a sense of guilt and pity. Maybe he never had taken the ring off for a while. Could be.

10:43 PM, Local Time

Zambia, Africa

Militia Camp

After arriving in Zambia, the team made another half hour ride towards the marked camp with the supplied helicopter. Fio landed them a few miles away from the camp before taking off. Apart from the other villages where it was pitch black, the camp was decently lit well enough to expose their presence. Prior to their mission, they all suited up in plate carriers although Marvel and Widowmaker had chest rigs and Kevlar under their clothes, ballistic helmets with night vision goggles, bandanas and ski masks except Marvel and Widowmaker and go bags.

First impressions of the camp: easy but looks don't fool anyone. The voices coming from the camp seem to give away more than just a group of useless goons. Shouts and wails can be heard from a distance. It was also surrounded by a line of fence which doesn't look professionally set up. Everybody else was fully armed.

While the rest of the team are moving to the camp, Sombra and Moira stayed back to keep watch in case any reinforcements arrive with Sombra using her personal tri rotor drone controlled by a tablet. The drone hovered above the camp where it was dark for anybody on the ground to see.

"Mini drone's activated." Sombra said on the comm.

The rest of the team moved through one part of the fence at the side of the entrance which was torn open where Reaper suddenly raised a hand, prompting the team to freeze. In front of them was a guard in a tank top with a chest rig standing in an isolated area. Smoke was visible in front of him.

"Genji, take him out." Reaper whispered, gesturing towards the guard.

Just as ordered, Genji moved forward while the team snuck behind the huts, consuming themselves in the shadows. The guard remained unaware of the green visor lighting up the shadows behind him. As the guard continued smoking, Genji slung his suppressed HK416C rifle. Once he was close enough, Genji went for the strike. He kicked the guard's calf, sending him on one knee and wrapped his elbow around his neck. Genji pulled him away from the open and towards the dark while he held onto his neck tightly. Once he stopped struggling, Genji slowly placed him aside and finished him off with a suppressed P229 Elite.

"Clear." He said with elusiveness within his tongue.

The team advanced from the shadows and towards the opening where light was with their weapons raised.

"Shadow 2," Reaper ordered. "Take the overwatch position and prepare to provide cover once we capture our objective. Shadow 5, provide cover for Shadow 2. Shadow 3 and 7, take the east side of the camp. Shadow 8, with me. Engage all hostiles with discretion and silence. Now let's move."

Everybody moved out once Reaper made a hand signal to confirm his command. Eventually, the team dispersed without looking back. Reaper and Ray made their way to the center of the camp where activity was more active. There were several posts with loudspeakers positioned around the camp and if they were to be activated...

While the team moved on, Widowmaker advanced towards the area of makeshift huts. She side glanced the huts around her for a brief moment before moving past a guard sitting on a pile of crates while sharpening his machete. He had just saw her walk past him once he looked up. He let out a shout and grabbed his rifle, calling after her. Before he could move towards her, he loosened his grip on the rifle and slumped onto the ground, face first. Blood began to form from the surface of his face. Genji appeared from the shadows, aiming his HK416C to his body.

Widowmaker unsurprisingly paid little attention to the scene and continued to make her way towards one of the towers nearby. Genji simply went off and dispersed into the shadows. Widowmaker climbed onto the top of the tower and the first thing she noticed in front of her was a guard on a chair asleep. His rifle was also on the floor. Widowmaker slung her rifle away and took out a fibre wire attached to her belt.

Slowly walking up to the guard, she quickly wrapped the wire around his neck once she reached a suitable distance. The surprise attack was enough to jolt the unsuspecting guard awake, causing him to writhe around and make choking noises helplessly. Her strength was intense, having dug into the skin of the neck with the wire. He tried to reach for the wire holding him back, only to pull himself off the chair, giving Widowmaker an even deeper choke. Shortly, he began to relax and his hands went limp. She dragged his body to the corner and unwrapped the wire off his neck.

Widowmaker raised her suppressed HK417 with the safety off. She looked through her Leupold Mark 4 scope, revealing a much proper view of the camp. She adjusted her scope, focusing her sights on the other tower placed across the camp. Two guards, both awake and on duty. Without skipping a beat, she picked off the guard behind the one watching. He suddenly turned but he too was taken out, joining his partner's fate. Thankfully, none of them fell off the tower. Soft smoke escaped the hole of the suppressor, disappearing into the sky. There was still enough bullets in the mag.

"This is Shadow 2, hostiles on the towers have been taken care of, over." She said, tapping into her earpiece.

After the notification, Widowmaker caught sight of Reaper and Ray below. She held her gaze at them, watching behind their backs.

"Shadow 1 and 8, drone's picking up three heat signatures in a hut, fifteen steps from your position. Possible location of the HVT, over." Sombra said.

"Copy. Moving to that location, out." Reaper replied.

As Ray and Reaper walked down between the huts, they noticed a figure a couple of steps away from them. They approached him closer and they find a guard in a shemagh scarf and a teal striped polo shirt smoking while leaning against a pile of weapon crates with his back facing the duo. Reaper slung his LWRC M6A1 carbine over his shoulder and took out a knife from his sleeve as he slowly approached the guard. Ray followed him and hid behind the crates he was on.

Once the time was right, Reaper grabbed the guard's shoulder and pulled him onto the crate's surface. He plunged the knife into the guard's torso rapidly before dragging his body off the crate. Blood was left behind on the surface. Just then, Ray caught another guard walk out of a hut near them. He had just discovered the absence of the guard when Ray aimed his SIG 516 at him. He opened suppressed rapid rounds, bringing the unsuspecting guard down with bullets in the torso. Reaper stood up from the body and noticed the dead guard Ray shot before equipping his rifle and continuing to move. While the two searched for the hut, Ray froze on the spot after looking at something shocking.

Through a wide gap from the huts, there was an open field heavily lit as if it was important. There were guards with rifles supervising with kegs of water placed around the area. Ray stared at the villagers digging something up at the middle of the field. He counted more than a dozen children, five slender and frail elders and almost half of the women. Even worse, he discovered a pair of them pregnant. Ray remained fixated on the field, having that urge to save the villagers. His hand on the foregrip tightened and his finger on the verge of slipping on the trigger. Suddenly, he felt a hand slap his shoulder and spun him, directly towards Reaper.

"Hey, we're not here for them. Macaba's our mission. Let's move."

They continued moving although Ray was still focused on the villager's suffering. Shortly, they found the hut with their target, evident by the flag attached to the front door. The two stacked up next to the door, holding their rifles tightly. They were able to hear muffled voices from the room. Reaper tapped on his earpiece, exchanging communication.

"This is Shadow 1. Me and Shadow 8 are preparing to breach on possible HVT location, out." He said.

Reaper made a hand signal, indicating breach and Ray nodded. The two got their rifles ready and Reaper turned the doorknob open. They went in, aiming their rifles. There were three men standing by the desk with their backs on them and the man in the middle had the same dreads from the picture but with a floral shirt and worn cargo pants. In front of them were some pictures attached on a board. That was definitely their target, Macaba.

One of the guards wearing a dirty sweatshirt under a Kevlar vest had just looked behind his shoulder to discover some uninvited intruders and said something in his own language to Macaba. The other guard also caught them once he let out some noise. However, they weren't quick enough once Ray and Reaper dispatched them instantly. Ray fired suppressed bursts at the guard with Kevlar to his nose and mouth while Reaper fired rounds at the other guard to the forehead.

Both of Macaba's guards fell to the ground with blood sloshing from their heads onto the wooden floor along with their rifles. Just as they took care of them, Macaba had fast reflexes to grab a M1911 from the desk. Ray had just noticed Macaba aim his pistol, directly at Reaper's line of sight.

"Look out!"

Ray swiftly stepped in front of Reaper just as Macaba pulled the trigger. The bullet struck Ray's left chest, stinging him hard. The loud gunshot rang across the entire room and possibly the majority of the camp. As he fell to the ground, Reaper caught the chance and shot Macaba, hitting him in the upper arm. Macaba let out a shriek and pressed his gun to the bicep before trying to retaliate by aiming back while leaving his arm to soak in blood. Reaper quickly finished him off with the 5.56 bullets sawing into his chest. As he slammed onto the desk, his pistol went off at the same time, hitting the wall. Reaper approached his body and shot at what once was the would-be warlord further with a suppressed Glock 17, staining the desk and the photographs with blood.

Confirming he was taken out, Reaper slipped his pistol back into his waist holster and ran up towards the new guy on the ground. That bastard's crazy, he thought. He bent down near Ray who was feeling for the spot where the bullet hit him. Surprisingly, he was fine.

"I'm good, sir." Ray assured. "Round only caught the plate."

Reaper silently sighed with relief. "Then get the fuck up. We gotta move now. Everyone sure as hell heard that shot by now."

Reaper held out his arm, prompting Ray to grab him by the forearm. After getting Ray up, he handed him his SIG 516. As Ray ejected the mag in exchange for a new one, he took point with Reaper following. They opened the door and prepared to hit back with anything the militia's got. Through Widowmaker's scope, all of the guards have begun to take their duties even serious and ran around, searching for the gunshot while the villagers stood in confusion.

"Chicos, you got hostiles moving towards your location, over." Sombra warned from the comm.

"Copy we're exfiling now. HVT has been neutralised." Reaper replied.

Widowmaker moved her focus onto Reaper and Ray. They stopped and took cover behind some rusty sedans as several guards approached their position. Widowmaker shifted her scope and aimed at the guards firing at the intruders. With immense accuracy, she managed to take out the group trying to waste them. Meanwhile, McCree and Marvel made their advance to the east entrance with McCree leading the escape. Suddenly, the two get a warning from Sombra.

"Shadow 3, you got three incoming hostiles approaching from the left corner."

Just as she said so, two guards ran past the left corner of the hut in front of them, just noticing the two. Before they could react, McCree mowed them down like cheese with his modified M4A1. However, the last one wasn't present. Marvel left a signal, prompting McCree to stand by while holding his rifle high. He hid behind the corner and slightly raised his suppressed FN Five Seven, the only weapon he brought with him. He moved a few feet back to make sure his shadow didn't give away his position. The guard's shadow below him got closer and once he appeared from the corner, Marvel shot a round at his foot, causing the guard to shriek and lose balance. Marvel shot his head as he fell forwards. Once the guards were dispatched, the two took a brief breather as if they ran a mile.

"Thanks for the heads up, Shadow 4!" McCree said.

There was a sudden pause. "Not a single thanks for my Azúcar?"

"That thing's got a name?"

"It's the only reason you two are still alive."

McCree turned towards Marvel, only to receive a glance from him. Marvel slightly waved a hand from his hip.

"It's kind of a cool name." He commented.

Meanwhile, Widowmaker continued to cover for Reaper and Ray, taking out guards trying to approach them with their rifles. At this point, most of the guards were aware that one of their tower guards aren't doing their job. Which was why Genji remained in the shadows, taking care of guards trying to reach the tower. After emptying the rest of the mag on the guards, Widowmaker ejected the mag with a tap on the mag release. As the empty clip bounced on the wood, she reattached a new clip from her pouch and retracted the port.

She regained her sight through her scope, noticing the villagers spinning around in confusion. Some of the guards were rushing towards them and mouthing orders at them while raising their rifles, scaring them back into the digging point.

"Shadow 3 and 7 are out." McCree notified on the radio.

Elsewhere, Ray and Reaper arrive at the eastern entrance but stop at the very spot. They crouched and positioned their rifles behind them, aiming across the area.

"Shadow 2 and 5," Reaper said. "Me and Shadow 8 have reached the east entrance. We'll provide covering fire for your escape. Get outta there now."

"Copy, Shadow 2 out." Widowmaker replied.

Widowmaker lowered her rifle and climbed down the ladder, landing back on the surface where Genji was waiting. As they head towards the east entrance, Widowmaker took point while Genji covered their rear. He still remained a stranger with that ski mask under his helmet. Shortly, a group of guards armed with rifles appeared in front of them and opened fire. Widowmaker hid behind a parked pickup truck while Genji disappeared into the shadows. As they continued to fire at them, Widowmaker picked off a flashbang grenade from her chest rig.

"Flashbang!" She exclaimed, tossing it out in the open to where most of the guards were.

There was a thunderous explosion, ceasing the gunfire. It appeared the militia has never heard of a flashbang before. Switching her rifle into automatic mode, she appeared from the truck and opened fire with rapid bursts, gunning down the blinded guards. At the same time, Genji appeared from the corner and shot down the remaining two guards, kicking one of them into a pile of crates. The two continued to head out of the open.

"Shadow 2 and 5, you have two hostiles about to cut you off." Sombra warned.

As usual, two more masked guards appeared from the corner of the remaining huts. Widowmaker quickly slung her rifle and pulled out her suppressed MK 23 from her waist holster. With extreme precision, she dropped them down one by one with a headshot for each. As they both slumped to the ground, the two walked past their bodies and headed off where the gunfire has seemingly started to die out.

The two finally made it to the east entrance where Reaper, Ray and the rest of the team were waiting. As they escaped to the extraction area, Ray hesitated for a moment. He looked behind, feeling concerned for the villagers who were still in the camp. A couple of seconds later, Ray eventually turned away and caught up with his team.

11:25 AM, Local Time

Aviano Air Base, Italy

After another flight back to Italy, the C130 touched down at the Aviano Air Base miles away from Rome. As the team walked down on the platform with their weapons in their crates, Ray slipped his wedding ring back on while everybody else went on their way. Several vehicles passed them and loud aircraft occupied the airfield.

"Hey Ray, hang back for a bit."

Just as he stepped on the surface, Ray heard Reaper call him. While the others walked away, Ray got back into the aircraft where Reaper leaned against the side. Ray felt uneasy, worried about his actions earlier. It would make sense since he wanted to try to rescue the villagers from the militia. Reaper let out a sigh before looking back at Ray, uncrossing his arms.

"Listen," he started. "I appreciated your intention to protect me back at that camp but you need to understand that this unit is not your average team. I have responsibilities and I'll be damned if I lose anymore of you. So I'll keep this brief. Don't ever try to sacrifice your life again just to save mine. I also get that you wanted to help those people back at the camp, believe me, but you must understand that the mission comes first. There were other ways we could save those villagers without getting them killed in the crossfire."

The scariest thing about what Reaper said was...he was right. Who knew what could've happened if he actually did let the villagers loose. This would've resulted in the villagers getting hit and possibly killed in the crossfire. Reaper sighed once again and looked back at Ray with a slight sight of gratitude.

"Other than that...you did good." He said, patting him on the shoulder.

As Reaper walked past him and stepped onto the surface, Ray could only stand there wondering. He looked back at Reaper who was still heading off while the vehicles passed and soldiers marched away. Ray still felt uncertain about his position in a black ops unit.

1:00 PM Local Time

Rome, Italy

Embassy of the United States

While the rest of the team stayed in the embassy doing whatever they usually do, Reaper had just finished his report on his mission for NATO and eventually took the rest of his alone time on the balcony on the third floor. Although there were guards patrolling the area, it didn't bother him. In front of him was the open view of the city of Rome. The baby blue sky occupied the horizon with no sign of any clouds. From a distance, he watched a plane silently fly off above and beyond.

"I knew I would find you here."

Reaper didn't need to look behind. The French feminine voice was enough to give away her presence. As he remained attached to the horizon, Widowmaker approached beside him, joining him.

"Guess the rookie did alright for his first mission." She said.

"He did." Reaper replied, trying to drive the conversation away.

"Then what seems to bothering you?"

It was normal for Widowmaker to be persistent. She always found out, eventually. That's what makes her good at her job. After all, she was his second in command and the deadliest of the team. Reaper sighed deeply and took his hands out of his pockets.

"The rookie took a bullet for me."

"And that's a bad thing?" Widowmaker asked. "Je ne comprends pas. He saved your life."

"Yeah but he almost died. Who knows what could've happened if the bullet penetrated the armor."

She wasn't surprised. It was a normal thing since she was with him for years.

"Gabe, we all knew the risks when it came to jobs like this and you forgot that it's our job to keep all of us in one piece."

Reaper stayed silent. He didn't look in the mood to continue the conversation. Widowmaker got his message and started to turn away.

"Maybe you're right," Reaper suddenly said. "I just hate losing more people on this team."

Widowmaker didn't expect him to reply at all. She sympathized with his idea of losing another member close. It started to remind her about her loss of someone dear to her. Widowmaker eventually walked away, leaving Reaper to himself.

[wftc141]

Blackwatch Chapter 2: The Captain's Den

09:34 AM, Local Time

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

May, 2018

It was just a couple of days later before Ray was called in for his second mission. It was abrupt and direct when the Embassy called him while he was in bed during the morning. After their usual process; debrief, preparation and a flight in the C130 the night before, he and the team arrived at their destination for their mission. From what Ray’s heard, the team were in a town near Kinshasa to scout out their target who is a leader of a militia that runs this town.

The team positioned themselves at an abandoned warehouse built on the hills, 100 meters away from the bustling town. Their target was at a large, heavily guarded mansion placed in the middle of the town. Armed trigger-happy men with standard weaponry were found patrolling the mansion’s gate and the yards. Everybody else that wasn’t busy other than Reaper and McCree sat back and waited while some made some double checks with their guns to pass the time. Others did what they usually did.

“I bet he’s feelin’ real comfy living down there.” McCree muttered, holding the SOFLAM which was attached to a tripod along with a laser directed at the mansion.

“For a tyrannical nut job, he sure does like to hide behind innocent people.” Reaper replied.

“Least the blast radius ain’t near anybody, from what I can see.”

And he was right. There didn’t seem to be any sight of civilians, other than buildings that were around the mansion. 

“Shadow 1, this is Pinball. Closing in on target. ETA one minute, over.” The drone pilot tasked in bombing the mansion said as if he was on a rush. 

Reaper lowered the binoculars he was using. “Copy. Target’s still inbound, out.”    

While the two kept watch, Ray wasn’t that enthusiastic of the current plan. 

“I don’t understand,” he said. “Why can’t we just go in there and take him out right now? Would save us a lot of time.” 

“Orders. That’s why.” Reaper answered.

“And we’re just gonna let these video gamers drop a bomb from a drone when there’s a possibility the target could still be alive?”

“Don’t be an idiot, rookie,” Sombra snapped. “The reason we’re not down there is because we weren’t told to go down there.”

Shortly, Reaper caught sight of a small missile from the sky, descending through the clouds and targeting right at the mansion. Not a second later, the missile landed on the mansion and everything went loud. The blast erupted and large puffs of smoke covered the mansion and around it. The shockwave radius reached the town but it wasn’t enough to hurt anybody. Nobody was guaranteed to survive such blast inside.

“Pinball, this is Shadow 1,” Reaper said. “Strike on target successful. I repeat, strike on target successful, over.”

“Copy, Shadow 1,” Pinball replied. “Drone’s pulling out.”

His communication with Pinball cut off. Reaper placed the binoculars and his HK416 into his gobag and got up.

“Alright team, pack it up. We’re leaving.” Reaper ordered.

The team started to gather their belongings while McCree disassembled the SOFLAM. As the team packed their things, Ray looked over to the window where the smoke made itself the spot of attraction. He still felt that uneasiness tingle his body.  Ray still thought they should’ve just busted into the mansion and take everybody out. That would’ve saved plenty of time instead of sitting at the back and watching drones do the job. But if he had a say, he would take it up to the chairpersons. And it was not easy to chat with the tops about his complaints. 

10:57 PM, Local Time

Rome, Italy 

Via Margutta

After another long flight back to Rome, the team were dismissed once they arrived at the Embassy. Ray walked out of the building and hitched a taxi nearby. He stopped a few meters away, paid the driver and walked the rest home. The town was quiet as usual. The lamps illuminated the narrow street as Ray walked past the closed cafes and stores, alone while holding his backpack in the mildly warm night. The trees and the espaliers surrounding the street rustled to the quiet wind. If he had some free time, Ray would visit the Piazza del Popolo for some photos and maybe the Colosseum if he had further time. He arrived at the apartment he rented down at Via Margutta and opened the door, which let a rusty creak spread through the corridor.

The light inside was making Ray drowsy, especially with the jet lag. But he was already used to it by then. He had been thinking of his wife, Dahlia for a while. He hasn’t heard from her since his arrival at Rome. Maybe she had been busy at work. Who knows. She may have written a letter sent to him. Ray went up to the mailboxes and unlocked one of them open and to his surprise, there was something sent to him.

It was only an orange folder and nothing else. Ray took it out and looked at it. It was thin and soft to the touch. There was nothing written on it. No message, just a pasted sticker embroidered with his name and address of his rented apartment. He took it with him on the way back to his unit. 

As he closed the door, Ray ripped open the folder while walking up the stairs. Tossing his keys into a small basket in the kitchen, he looked inside the folder. There was only an envelope inside. When he pulled it out, he noticed a folded piece of paper attached to the envelope wrapped by a yellow rubber band. He slipped the paper off and unfolded it, finding a written paragraph. And it was for him:

Ray,

Please understand this is for the best of our future. I can no longer be a wife to a soldier who would risk his life out in the field. Please don’t waste your time to call or look for me just to bring us back. It won’t work. I'm sorry for doing this to you but you must understand that you were never going to leave this life and you never will. I hope you find someone who would accept you as you are.

And while you’re at it, please don’t get yourself killed.

Dahlia

Ray couldn’t express it but he felt heartbreak inside him. The hole was empty again. It was as if his life was being tossed into the ocean and left to rot on the bottom of the sea. But she was right. There was no way he could leave his life as a soldier on the field. He already made that choice and there was no going back. Ray didn’t know what was making him stay but he knew it was something about the rush.

Lowering the letter down, Ray looked at the envelope he was still holding. He placed the letter on the dinner table and opened up the envelope where he pulled out a single sheet of folded paper. After opening it up, he stared down at the contents of the paper, one word that stood out the most.

Divorce

11:04 PM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Vicolo Cellini

A metallic tap as McCree clinked his glass of beer against Sombra’s, frothy layers of bubbles gushed around the rim before they both took a swig. After being dismissed, they both decided to go out together and get some drinks down at a bar around Vicolo Cellini. They’ve been doing this ever since she joined Blackwatch. McCree found her easy to get along as they shared similar pasts. 

The bar was small but enough to fit a soccer team, especially during the brink of midnight. Around the two, bar-goers downed their drinks and mingled amongst each other or to themselves while Italian music blared from one of the portable speakers, loud enough to drown out the chatter. The lighting inside was as if it was a flashy nightclub. As they talked about the usual things, Sombra told him of a mission she did while she was in the NSA. From what McCree’s heard, the NSA was investigating a Mexican energy company for embezzlement, bribery, anything else that was dodgy as hell. McCree had heard on the news about the data leak which tainted its reputation but he never who did it. Until now.

“So let me get this straight. You were the one who exposed Guillermo Portero, the CEO of LumériCo for fraud, right?” He asked.

“Hell yeah, it was,” Sombra replied. “Leaked every dirt of that cabrón everywhere on the internet, including lawsuits on the company that have been buried for the past decade. I almost got chewed out by my boss for being reckless.”

“Instead you got a promotion or somethin’?”

“Yeah, you could say that. And guess what else I did once I was done?”

“What?”

“You know those videos of Portero doing the nasty on several Latinas in a yacht?”

“Yeah?” He replied. However, he began to realize something from Sombra’s tilting head and her growing smirk. “That was you? You leaked those videos?”

Sombra gives out a nod and McCree started to laugh. 

“I’m starting to see why people like you a lot!” He said.

“Yeah, you should hear what the President of Mexico had to say about him!” Sombra replied.

The night passed and more drinks were downed, shifting from beers to some more intense drinks. McCree was surprised a girl like Sombra was able to take that much cognac and not get intoxicated. He knew her for two years and of all the women he knew, Sombra was by far the soberest drinking partner he ever met. Not to mention the number of drinks she had the first time he took her out for the night. As she took a swig of her cognac, McCree poured himself another glass of Jim Beam and downed it completely as usual. 

"Hey, vaquero. Wanna bet?" Sombra asked.

McCree nodded. “Shoot."

"That the new guy won’t last another mission."

He chuckled, taking it as a joke. His face was just about red as a dust storm.

"You're pulling my chain, right?" McCree said. 

"No, I'm serious," she replied. "I’m betting a hundred bucks that this idiota won’t be around by the next day.”

When McCree looked up at her, his grin began to fade. She was smirking but her face wasn’t flushed nor did she look drunk. She was enthusiastic about it but in a completely wrong way.

“Y-you’re for real?” He asked.

Sombra hummed, nodding. McCree was speechless at this point he couldn’t find the words he needed.

“I...umm…”

“Come on! Don’t tell me you like that new guy, do you?”

McCree let out a sigh and leaned towards her. Even though he was half-drunk, McCree still kept his sober ego together.

“I don’t get it, Sombra. Like, what’s your problem with the rookie anyway? I mean, he’s been doing a fine job so far. It’s not like he’s done anything wrong to you.”

Sombra suddenly went quiet. Her smirk faded away but her eyes tried its best to hide her grief. That gave McCree time to figure out what’s up.

“Unless...it’s about him. Isn’t it?”

Sombra sighed as if she already had this kind of conversation before.

“You wouldn’t understand.” She said, looking away from him.

“Well, I do understand wishing for someone who’s done nothing wrong to die ain’t no way to make things better.” 

“It's just-” Sombra threw her arms up and flapped them onto the table in submission. “I just don’t get why we need a new guy for this team. Nico was already good enough. We don’t need anybody else to replace him.”

“Point taken but still, wishing for someone to die ain’t gonna fix anything.” McCree said.

Sombra didn’t respond. Normally, she was more comfortable with McCree ever since she joined two years ago. Something was up with her but McCree couldn’t figure out what it was and why. But from what he’s seeing, Sombra didn’t look to be in the mood to protest or listen to anymore from him. She downed her cognac and stood up, pushing the chair back.

“I gotta go. See you around, McCree.” She said while turning away. 

McCree watched Sombra head out to the front door before disappearing outside. As the loud Italian music continued to play and bar-goers droned on, McCree looked down at the bottle of Jim Beam placed near the unfinished cognac. He sighed as he poured himself another glass. By the next morning, he probably wouldn’t remember the number of drinks he had.

06:30 AM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Embassy of the United States

Unlike everybody else, Genji was sharply earlier than his team. He didn’t blame them. He was still used to the usual routine during his time at the yakuza. How long was it since he talked about his life as a son of a brutal yakuza leader? Genji never wanted to talk about it, especially about that time when he tried to stop his brother from killing him. Any question that was related to his past, Genji would shut it down before they could even finish.

He sat down on a chair with his mug of tea and his phone, sinking down onto the seat’s cushion material. Straightening his posture, Genji set his tea on the table and opened up the messaging app on his phone. 

Genji [6:31]: How did the self-defense lesson go yesterday? 

It took a moment for his friend to respond.

Angela [6:33]: pretty well, thanks for asking. Me and Fareeha sparred to wrap up the day. 

Genji [6:33]: that’s good to hear. You always wanted to learn how to protect yourself.

Angela [6:34]: yeah, a doctor’s gotta have a hobby, right?

Genji softly chuckled to himself as he grabbed his tea from the table and took a short sip.

“How’s it that you’re always the first one here?” 

Genji looked up and noticed Marvel standing near the doorframe, wearing a navy polo shirt with matching jeans and a black cap on top. A jacket was draped over his right forearm. He didn’t hear him open the door, let alone know he was there.

“When you’re a warrior, you follow the rules that apply. Being tardy is one that is not taken lightly.” Genji said.

Marvel nodded slightly. “I see you live up to some strict rules. ”

“That’s how it is when you’re raised as a Shimada.” 

Genji placed his mug back on the table and looked back to his phone. The door closed as he looked away. Once he checked, there was a new message.

Angela [6:35]: still in Rome, I assume? 

Genji quickly typed up his reply. 

Genji [6:35]: Yes. Might have to stay for another month.

He pressed send. It let out a high pitched tone from the phone, loud enough to catch someone’s attention.

“Who are you texting?” Marvel asked. 

“A friend.” Genji replied without looking up.

“Friend? Never knew you had friends.”

Genji glanced up, facing his eyes. “Everybody has one.”

“Makes sense.” 

Genji looked away from Marvel and drank his tea. At this point, he wasn’t up for a conversation. He was always that kind of person who preferred the silence.  

“Guess I’ll just grab myself a snack,” Marvel said. “I’ll leave you with your friend.”

Genji drank his tea as Marvel walked away with his hands in his pockets. Once the door closed, he looked up from his phone. The room was once again empty except for Marvel’s jacket draped over one of the chairs. Genji looked around briefly before facing the screen of his phone, finding another message in front of him.

Angela [6:36]: got to go. Patient just got admitted in 

Genji [6:36]: alright. See you soon.

He slipped his phone back into his pockets when there was no response. 

8:11 AM, Local Time

Reaper entered the meeting room with Widowmaker where Major Salvatore waited for them. There was another operation for them, although they already completed one yesterday. The desk that was in the middle had two folders placed for the two. They sat down and opened up their folders. The photo attached to the papers showed a black and white picture of a man in his mid-50s with a plump head topped with a black beret and a short sleeve cargo shirt sitting on his wide shoulders. The same man from Kinshasa.

“What’s this, Major? We already killed this guy.” Reaper asked, holding out the folder.

“That’s what I’m about to explain, Reyes,” Salvatore said. “As you can see, your target has cheated death. Mwikiza Bodho AKA. Captain Congo was supposed to be taken out by the drone strike yesterday morning. However, our team managed to dig into the reports from the Kinshasa police and no documents related to his death can be found.”

“So he was never at the mansion?” 

“No, he was but we believe he managed to slip away with a severe amount of burns.”

“Did you check again?”

Salvatore nodded. “Yes but to no avail. As I was saying, intel analysts has picked up some satellite images and found him getting his wounds treated at an elementary school several miles away from Kinshasa which was abandoned during the Second Congo War and is now being used as the militia’s stronghold.”

“How many men are in there protecting him?” Widowmaker asked.

“Seven or more. There’s a possibility there’s going to be more men to pick him up once he’s finished treatment.”   

“Let me guess. Another drone strike?” Reaper sunk back and crossed his arms.

“No. This time, your team is going there to kill him in person so you can remind Bodho nobody’s untouchable.”

“That shoulda been the final decision in the first place, rather than a damn drone.” 

“I’m with Gabriel on this one but the drone strike took a big toll on Bodho’s army.” Widowmaker said. 

“Well, now’s your chance to retire Bodho for good,” Salvatore replied. “This is a six-man-team mission, on the ground and as always, keep it as quiet as possible. This must not be traced back to us.”

02:43 AM, Local Time

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Arriving at Kinshasa was no different from yesterday. The team geared up on helmets fitted with night vision goggles, plate carriers and suppressed UMP-45s for their mission. Widowmaker however brought her personal rifle while Marvel took a Glock 17 with an Osprey suppressor and a flashlight attachment with him. They boarded the MI-24W stationed for them with their pilot inside and flew off to their destination. The helicopter hovered over the barely lit streets loudly but their altitude was high enough to avoid disturbing the peaceful night. 

As time passed, the helicopter flew past the quiet houses a few meters near the forest. The team was mostly quiet throughout the flight. Ray stared at the ground of the helicopter, listening to the muffled rotors flapping from above. Out of all the team, he was dead quiet for the entire day. It was unusual for him. Maybe he was feeling down throughout the entire day. Maybe it was the divorce papers he had to sign while sustaining painful emotions.

“Hey, rookie.” 

Ray looked up, back into the real world and turned to McCree beside him.

“You good?”

Ray nodded, trying his best not to blurt out his dejection.

“Listen, if you’re still pissed about not going in and killing that Congo pal in person, this mission will make it up to you.”

He nodded again and looked away. “I’m okay. Just wanna concentrate on the mission.”

Ray didn’t hear from McCree afterwards. He didn’t want to let personal matters get in the way of his job. He had a mission to do and thinking about something too personal would endanger not only him but his team. Ray may feel like he let his wife down but if there’s one thing he can try to do, he would keep himself safe.

Few minutes later, they arrived at their destination near a deserted village. The helicopter slowly lowered down to the ground, sweeping dust and dead grass with the rotors. The headlights shone upon a rusted sign planted near the gates: Numbani Elementary School. The doors slid open and the team hopped out with their weapons ready. Ray got out last. Shortly, the helicopter lifted up and flew away from their sight.

“Let’s go.” Reaper ordered, leading the team.

Ray jogged after the team past the front gate, taking them to a long, narrow path with trees and bushes surrounding them. As they trekked up a small hill, faint chirps and croaking noises echoed through the bush. Shortly, they arrived at the main gate of the school with the sign next to it bigger than the one from the entrance. 

The school’s entrance was completely empty and poorly lit, the team had to put on their night vision goggles. The schoolyard at the front was filled with dead trees and overgrown grass. Several tents, weapon crates, power generators with scattered cords and banners were placed at the playground. A couple of vehicles were parked around the yard. Some of the scribbled drawings and paintwork of the school buildings have outgrew itself, degrading its colour and any soul it once had. As the team advanced through the yard, they closed in towards one of the classroom buildings with their weapons raised. 

“Shadow 2, take the Overwatch position by the classroom building to your east.” Reaper ordered.

“Copy.” She replied and moved away from the team.

While Widowmaker headed towards the other classroom building, the rest of the team went up the stairs leading to the door entrance. McCree and Marvel approached the door entrance and stopped. McCree pushed the door open, letting out a typical creaking noise. The team passed them by, entering the school building. McCree and Marvel entered last once everybody else was in. 

“Genji, take point.” Reaper said.

The masked Japanese nodded and moved past Reaper, leading the way. The hallway was pitch black empty with small chunks of rubble scattered around each corner. There were several classrooms on each side with broken windows, rusted lockers and overturned furniture. As they moved cautiously, the team heard muffled voices above them, through the thin ceiling. Ray noticed a blood trail on the floor which lead to the left in front of them.

The team followed Genji who was tracking down the blood trail, taking them up the half-paced staircase. Ray looked around and discovered a bloodied handprint stamped on the wall next to him. While they made their way to the upper floor, Ray looked behind his shoulders with doubt before turning away. 

The team approached down the hallway of the upper floor where there was a hanging pipe on the ceiling. Shortly, Genji stopped by the classroom to their left where the blood trail ended. Muffled voices were heard from the room. The team stacked up beside the door slowly to avoid applying pressure to the creaky wooden floor. After a countdown to three by Reaper, he moved aside and kicked the door open.

The team stormed in one by one, opening fire on the surprised soldiers. They gunned down several of them who were unprepared. Ray didn’t notice any sign of their target. Two remaining soldiers managed to dive away from the gunfire and entered another room to their right. Reaper and McCree quickly ran up to the door and stacked up next to it. Ray was just approaching the door when he heard something assemble loudly. And then there was a kachunk. Reaper was quick to realize what it was.

“Incoming!” He yelled.

Ray had just heard him before he was suddenly pulled away by the collar. Before he knew it, .50 cal bullets penetrated through the door. It shredded the wooden door apart within minutes.

“Holy shit!” Ray heard Marvel say through the gunfire.

For a band of working class goons, the militia were quite stacked. That machine gun was strong enough to outnumber a small convoy in an open area. Suddenly, the firing ceased and loud clicks followed up. There was then desperate voices from the other room. Guess not every African militia knows how to handle a machine gun and the fact they’re taking their sweet ass time fixing their gun gave the team a chance to retaliate.

Reaper took a grenade from his vest, pulled the pin off and threw it through the gap of the shredded door. As the grenade rolled down, the voices rocketed from struggle to panic accompanied by frantic footsteps. Then, an explosion erupted and the noises stopped. Reaper and McCree stormed in and cleared the area, taking out the remaining soldiers hiding behind desks with several weapon crates on it. Ray followed Genji and Marvel inside as they checked the corners. Ray found the DSHK machine gun on the ground with the bipod scattered around the plastered floor. 

“Clear!” McCree called out. 

“Any sign of the HVT?” Reaper asked.

“Negative!”

Ray walked past McCree and went out of the classroom, stopping by the hallway. He glanced to his right to where the staircase was and then turned to his opposite side. He caught sight of a small figure down the hallway. Ray aimed his UMP-45 and opened fire. The bullets slipped away, causing the figure to run off.

“Got eyes on possible HVT!” Ray called before making his chase.

He ran after the figure down the hallway, eager to take him out. He was definitely the target. There was no reason for any soldier to run away. Ray caught up with the figure running down the stairs and without hesitation, he pulled the trigger. Just in a second, the figure fell over and rolled down the stairs loudly before slamming onto the wall. But Ray was done with him yet. He emptied his entire mag on his body as he walked down the stairs and once it was empty, he switched to his suppressed Beretta 92 and continued to shoot his lifeless heap. The pistol clicked and Ray was about to eject the mag before a hand appeared in front of him and held onto the slide off his gun.

“Easy, partner, easy,” Ray looked up and noticed McCree beside him, urging him to lower his pistol. “He’s already a goner.”

He looked back at the corpse which was now filled with bullet holes as well as his blood-soaked clothes and loosely wrapped bandages.

“Just making sure.” Ray replied, flipping the safety back on. He felt a sense of satisfaction from this.

Reaper then bent down by the body. It wasn’t easy to tell since he was completely pelted with bullets. Maybe Ray went a little overkill with the corpse. After a moment, Reaper reached out to his go-bag.

“Yep,” he said as he pulled out a camera. “That’s Bodho.” 

As he took the photos for NATO’s confirmation, Ray glanced back and noticed Marvel and Genji catching up to them. Once Reaper was done, his earpiece buzzed.  

“Shadow 2 to Shadow 1. Status.” Widowmaker said.

“Shadow 1 to Shadow 2, HVT has been eliminated. We’re moving out, over.” Reaper replied as he stood up.

As the team walked down the hallway towards the door, there was another update from Widowmaker.

“Shadow 2 to Shadow 1, I’m detecting multiple vehicles approaching the school gates.”

The team stopped once Reaper froze. Ray could hear a faint engine rumble from outside. He looked over towards the entrance of the school by the end of the hallway. Reaper remained silent.

“I’m counting approximately fourteen armed hostiles exiting the vehicles. Several of them are about to head into your location, over.”

From Ray’s view, there were only five of them and a large group of soldiers heading their way. If they were to take every single one of them out, the team would merely have pure luck on their side. And it was not easy for Reaper to explain a messy  shootout with one of the dangerous militias of Congo. Reaper turned towards his team and gestured them to follow him, leading them into one of the classrooms to their right. 

“Shadow 1 to Shadow 2, hold your fire. We’re letting them pass, over.” Reaper said. 

He lifted his finger off the earpiece and waved the team down while crouching under the window.

“Keep your heads down. Now.” He whispered. 

The team began to hide behind anything they can fit. Ray hid behind the right side of the door while Reaper shuffled into a prone position. Shortly, the doors swung open and Ray caught sight of armed soldiers with bare arms and chest rigs from the corner of his eye. Some of them had loose cargo shirts and dirty bandanas. The men chattered amongst each other while passing by the classrooms, unaware of the team’s presence. 

Once they were in a safe distance, Reaper got up and peered over the windows for a moment before cocking his head sideways. 

“We’re clear. Move.”

The team ran out of the classroom and back to the yard. By the time they were out, the soldiers would’ve found their leader’s body by now and would be relentlessly hunting down anyone responsible. But it would be too late. 

“Shadow 1 to Shadow 2, we’re in the clear, over.”

“Copy, Shadow 1. Moving out.”

As the team went past the basketball court where it was now filled with Jeeps, Ray glanced over to the building where Widowmaker was. There was no sign of her but earlier, he heard she was experienced in using the environment to her advantage during escapes. They made it to the front gate where they walked back down the hill.  

“Ray.” Marvel said.

“Yeah?” He replied.

Marvel pointed to his forearm. “Your arm’s bleeding.”

Ray looked down at his right arm and noticed a cut on his forearm. Small portions of blood was seeping out of it. It appeared to be there for a while. Must’ve been a graze from the DSHK. Ray shrugged it off.

“It’s just a scratch. It won’t kill me.” Ray replied. 

Reaper turned around and noticed Ray’s wound. He looked at it for a moment before flicking his eyes to him.

“Remind yourself to get that arm checked out by Moira once we get back.” he said.

“Yes, sir.” Ray replied.

Eventually, the team jogged their way down the path and towards their LZ where their pilot would be waiting at. For the first time, Ray didn’t look back.

12:07, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Embassy of the United States

Once the team returned to Rome, Ray took his leader’s word and stopped by at the Embassy’s medical office where he got his wounds treated by Moira herself. But of course, he used some of the medical supplies from the helicopter to prevent his wound from infecting during the trip. 

Moira was easy to get along although something about her unsettles him. Maybe it was the fact she’s so into the human anatomy and the nature of science. She had just finished up on his wound.

“Here you go, good as new. You should be fine for a few days.” She said, tearing off the latex gloves. 

“Thanks.” Ray replied. 

As Moira stood up from her stool, Ray looked at his arm where the bandages were laid. There was still some small amount of blood on it but since the wound wasn’t too deep, Moira only had to apply some water and antibiotic cream afterwards with bandages wrapping around the forearm. 

“Is something bothering you?”

Ray looked up to his right where he noticed Moira staring at him while washing her hands. 

“What makes you say that?” Ray asked as if he’s fine.

“I’m not just a medic,” Moira replied, wiping her hands with a paper towel before tossing it into the bin. “I have a Major in Psychology and Sociology before I joined the military and I’ve noticed that your wedding ring has been missing ever since you arrived at the Embassy yesterday.”

Ray looked down to his hand where he realized his wedding ring wasn’t on his ring finger since he left it back at his apartment. He was perplexed he had forgotten about it. 

“Something happened between you and your partner?” Moira deduced.

Ray sighed. If she already figured it out, there was no point in denying it. “Yeah. She sent me the divorce papers for me to sign.”

There was a brief moment of silence. Moira leaned onto the counter with her left hand while her other laid in her hip. 

“Well,” Moira said. “I personally am not one to give proper advice since I have absolutely no experience in marriages. But if Reyes trusts you, he may help you move on. I know he was once happy.”

Ray looked up. “Really? He doesn’t seem to be that kind of guy who smiles a lot.”

“True. He’s been through a lot during his time at the Delta Force. But take my word for it. You’ll be feeling much better once he tells you his story. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to.”

Moira swiped off her coat from one of the chairs nearby and walked out of the room. As the door closed shut, Ray sighed and shifted his feet, positioning himself to a slightly comfortable spot. There was still issues going on around his head. Ray wanted to whisk it off his memory. It was plaguing his mind. Who knows what would happen if he let it consume him while at the field. But he couldn’t help but sense something empty like a large hole waiting to be filled. Ray thought of Dahlia’s last few words that hit him the most.

You were never going to leave this life.

And you never will.

[wftc141]

Equestria's Hired Help-Chapter 2: Fancy's Job

On the next day, a lot of customers are in the bar as it is opened and Blitz and Sunset are already on their shifts working. The two works as bartenders but Blitz is also the bouncer to keep order in the bar. Mostly gangs, mercenaries or any type of criminals come to the bar but must follow Blitz and Sunset's rules meaning no fights or killing, no drugs and no intercourse.

The two also take care of drunks as they do not let them walk out to their cars and drive off drunk which most bars get shut down for allowing drunks to drive unconstipated. The money from jobs that Blitz and Sunset do is for the bar as their second job and disguise from cops.

Mostly mercenary jobs can be illegal if they're tied with criminal activity including gang affiliations. The bar used to belong a colt who worked for many years and was friends with Sunset and Blitz as there is a picture frame of him between the two. He is an earth pony with blue eyes and used to wear a white shirt and a bowler hat. Unfortunately due to an illness, he passed away leaving the bar alone which Sunset and Blitz take over to honor their friend.

After Blitz grabbed his tip from his customer, Blitz noticed a colt with a large blue hood over his head a few feet away snorting a small ounce of cocaine on the table And also the fact his body odor was as intense as horrible body spray. Blitz left his station and approached the colt behind.

"Hey, no drugs allowed here." He said, tapping his shoulder.

The colt turned around and noticed Blitz waiting for him. He only replied with a snort.

"What are you, a fucking cop?"

"No, I'm the owner of this bar," Blitz answered. "House rules. You wanna do that shit, do it outside."

The colt stood up and went up on Blitz's face. He could see his white stained nostrils nearing his eyes. "And what the fuck you gonna do if I refuse?"

He heard a slam from aside and turned around. Sunset glared at the colt, holding a sawn off shotgun on the counter.

"Like my friend said. This is our bar and you follow our rules," Sunset clarified. "No drugs. Got that?"

The colt glared at both of them for a brief moment before letting out a grunt.

"Fine."

Eventually, the colt left the bar, not before giving them the bird on his way out. Both of them brushed it off. Shortly, Sunset's phone rang. She took out her phone and stared at the ID. It only said "Unknown Caller ID"

"Hey Blitz. Cover for me?" Sunset asked.

He nodded. Sunset headed off to the backroom and closed the door shut, answering the caller.

"Hello?" Sunset asked.

"Is this Miss Shimmer?" Someone with a really deep voice asked. It sounded like it was altered by some sort of device.

"Who's asking?"

"A client."

"What do you want?"

"We need you and your lion employee in Canterlot for a job. There's an earth pony who stole something that has classified documents of our company and threatens to expose us and we would like it back...and if possible you may capture the thief to us alive. More Information will be sent to your phone. Have this done and the 1,000 dollars will be delivered, in cash. Good day and good hunting."

After the call hang up, Sunset checked her messages and found several of them with images of an apartment in Canterlot and a photo of the target who was a colt pegasus with black fur and green eyes with baggy eyes and stained lips. After reading all of the information that was given, it was time for another job for her and Blitz to do for a unknown client.

In the city of Manehattan, Starlight is walking through the police department and made her way to her office desk in a depressive mood. There were a few glares by other officers because of her past but she got used to it from time. Starlight unpacked and had her desk setup since yesterday night. Sunburst made his way to her with two cups of steaming coffee and held out a cup to her which grabbed her attention.

"You okay?" Sunburst asked.

"Yeah...so so." Starlight answered as she took the coffee from Sunburst.

"How'd it go with the family?"

"Well, the daughter said there was a shootout and she managed to get away from them without looking back."

"And you had a hard time believing that."

Starlight nodded as she does find it hard to believe by the way of the description of the crime scene there was no way Diamond Tiara would escape on foot and fly over to Ponyville to her parents.

"She's obviously hiding something." She said.

"Maybe this is a vigilante thing." Sunburst guessed, taking a gulp of coffee.

"I know a vigilante and she doesn't murder people. That's the true definition of vigilantism. The family obviously hired somepony to get their daughter back."

"Jeez Starlight, you would be detective of the month if you keep that up."

"Would be an honor. Fact is, they may not hand it to me because of that criminal record they made since I was part of an evil militia."

"It's not really a record if you're not arrested or charged. You were the one who exposed them."

"True that."

"Still, if they did hire somepony to get their daughter back...would that still count as a crime?"

Starlight then gives Sunburst a look that shouted 'seriously'.

"Sun...three Griffons are dead."

"Three gangbangers are dead." Sunburst added, holding up three fingers. "Don't get me wrong, I would bring justice but you gotta face the fact that they had it coming when they were kidnapping little girls for their sickening trafficking business and they were gonna do the same to Diamond and Silver. Silver's already dead and that must've made the Rich Family lose faith in the police, just like every other pony in this damned town."

Starlight then starts to stare at something which is a small picture frame of her smiling with a familiar mare which is a alicorn with violet eyes and dressed as a royalty. The frame caught her attention as she's worried about her friend who has been missing for a few years along with her five friends.

"How long has it been since they've been missing?" Starlight muttered.

"What's that?"

Starlight came back to real life as she noticed Sunburst was looking at her in a confused look as he heard her muttered out loud.

"Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself."

The next day, Sunset and Blitz took an hour drive to Canterlot first thing in the morning in a not-so clean but functional white Audi sedan. They arrived via the gate border of Manehattan. First impressions: neat, expensive, snooty and awashed with pampered ponies.

"So who this guy we're after again?" Blitz asked, taking a sip from a soda can.

"Some freelance journalist named Jackpot Bronco," Sunset answered. "Apparently he stole a thumb drive from our client. Must be some sort of executive company."

"Coulda just sent one of their own to do it."

"They could've but ponies nowadays don't like to get their hands dirty and besides, the pay is good."

"Point taken. By the way, you mind if we stayed in Canterlot for a little while after this?"

Sunset glanced at Blitz before looking back on the road.

"Uh, sure? Why though?" Sunset asked.

"Well...You do fancy a good meal, right?" He said as he placed the empty can in the compartment. "Cause word has it that this place got the best ones. Like the five-star kinds. Something you don't see in Manehattan."

Sunset felt a bit concerned about eating with a lion in front of the ponies.

"Well, I mean sure but...aren't you a bit worried about how other ponies would feel-"

"Ugh, please. Like I said, I dealt with that shit since I first set foot on Equestria. Been called a dirty immigrant, monster and pretty much anything between a communist or a warmonger. Griffons got the same treatment as well."

"But you do know two lions came to Equestria and blew up two popular places full of innocent ponies ten years back, right? None of them would ever forgive what they've done."

"Everypony judges us over what a bunch of terrorists do. They don't take the word from the minors. Some of the lions were part of a joint operation against terrorist cells a few years back."

"But this isn't the past anymore. They don't shape anything for the future."

Eventually, Blitz sighed. "Well, if you say so, we can just go home and I'll make the dinner as usual."

"Yep. I'm way better off eating your nice food than listen to rich assholes call you a commie."

Sunset still feel a bit bad how Blitz has been usually treated. In Blitz's hometown, Panthera-Leo, his country was far worse than Equestria as there has been wars between governments and gangsters and corruptions within governments. Panthera-Leo also had terrorism as there were Lion who likes to go out on a sport hunt by killing anyone they see as prey.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the pinpointed building. The two got out of their car and headed inside. After a stack of stairs, they got to the top floor and found the door.

"Room's here right?"

She replied with a nod. The two stacked up next to the door with each of their Glock pistols drawn out. Sunset lifted up three fingers, counting down to one and clenched her fist. Blitz kicks down the door and then the two storms into the room where it is very messy with files on the floor along with empty beer cans. The two also confronted the colt who was in a middle of snorting cocaine until he stopped, startled when Sunset and Blitz stormed into his apartment room.

"Show me your hands." Sunset ordered.

"Who the fuck are you guys?"

"Doesn't matter, you stole something of an important person and he wants it back..." Blitz said.

As he continued on, the colt then starts to feel something wrong as he couldn't control his shaking nor his breathing. He also grabs his chest as something was about to explode. Blitz and Sunset look at each in confusion and then looks back at Bronco.

"Are you okay?" Blitz asked.

Bronco then gives out his last breath and collapsed backwards to the floor. Blitz and Sunset exchanged glances, confused. Blitz then went over to the body and checked for a pulse.

"Well shit," Blitz said as he let go of his neck. "He just OD'd on us."

"Kinda feel bad for the poor guy now." Sunset said.

Sunset then looks around and noticed a thumb drive on the table next to Bronco's desktop computer. She walks over to the computer and picks it up along with the flash drive attached to it.

"Well...I guess this is what our client wanted." Said Sunset.

"You sure that's the one?" Blitz asked.

"Same description from the photo they sent me."

"Then looks like our job here is done."

"What about him?" Sunset asked.

Blitz then starts to look around and then finds a wall telephone. He walks to it and starts dialing and waits for a response.

"333, what is your emergency?"

"Please! I need an ambulance!" Blitz cried in a feigned panic tone. "My friend just had a heart attack in his apartment, Room 237! Please send help!"

Blitz then hung up and then turns to Sunset, smugly.

"Problem solved."

Sunset then tilt her head to the side as she thinks that was a good plan and she and Blitz starts to walk off leaving the dead colt alone in the room with the door closed.

Later, Blitz and Sunset are now in an empty parking garage as they wait for their client to give them their flashdrive and receive their payment. Finally on time, two black SUVs and a Lincoln limousine drove up and parked in front of Blitz and Sunset. Coming out of the cars were colts in assorted suits and designer shades, making a first impression of hired bodyguards. All of a sudden, they aimed their guns at Blitz and Sunset which the two step away with their hands slightly up.

"Woah, what the fuck is this?" Blitz demanded.

"Now, now everyone. No need to draw your guns out."

The voice sounded like it came from the limousine. The door opened and a middle aged unicorn with light azure eyes, well combed hair with a mustache came out. He wore what a typical pony would wear in Canterlot - a grey suit with a purple bow tie, a white pinstripe shirt under a black vest and one eye glasses. Sunset is very surprised as she knows who she is.

"Mr Fancy Pants?"

"Who?" Blitz questioned as he turned to Sunset.

"He's a CEO executive slash celeb."

"That's right." The rich pony said. "And I believe I owe you two an apology. My team are simply misguided when it comes to which pony or lion is a hostile."

Fancy Pants then tilts his head as he was searching for someone or pony else as there was something missing.

"Mr Bronco?" Fancy Pants asked.

"He overdosed." Sunset answered.

He sighed, expecting a sight of his fearful look on his face. "That's a shame but no matter. Do you have the thumb drive?"

Sunset slowly reached into her pockets and took out the thumb drive. One of the guards went up to her and snatched it off Sunset. She watched as the guard handed the thumb drive to Fancy Pants.

"Thank you very much for retrieving this." Fancy Pants said, observing the drive with interest. "I've already transferred the money to your account as promised. I do hope we can work together again in the future and with your skills. There's alway room for a place in my business."

"Thank you Mr Fancy Pants but we're better off working alone."

He nodded. "Understandable. Also one more thing before we wrap it up...you wouldn't happen to have peeked what's inside the drive, correct?"

By the look on Fancy Pant's glare(although his eyes didn't actually flare up), Sunset was prepared to make a shield spell as she was having a bad vibe but was not going to be needed as she answered Fancy Pants truthfully.

"No. We've hardly even checked it out."

Fancy Pants continued to stare at Blitz and Sunset. Blitz has a bad feeling as he has his pistol tucked behind his pants and ready to draw if anything goes down. Few seconds later, everything eased up.

"Good," Fancy Pants said, smiling. "You both have a good night now."

Fancy Pants and his guards gets into their vehicles and drove off leaving Blitz and Sunset alone.

"Fancy Pants?" Blitz scoffed. "Seriously, what kind of a dumb name is that?"

"How should I know? I'm not the one who gave them weird names." Sunset replied.

"Whatever. You wanna get something to eat?"

"Sure and I think I know a place. Hopefully they don't mind Lions like they don't mind Griffons."

Blitz and Sunset gets into their car and ignited the engine. From a distance, somepony held a pair of binoculars, focused on the car driving out of the parking garage. He held his gaze on the car and looked away once it disappeared.

Back in Manehattan Police Department, Starlight is sitting in her office continuing to stare down at her picture frame of her friend who is missing along with five other friends while rapidly tapping her fingers on the surface. She still wish her friends are found and ok. Her day dreaming stopped when Sunburst started to walk to her direction with a folder in his hand.

"Hey, got some news from the CSI," Sunburst said as he came up to Starlight. "They managed to pick up DNA of the murderer of the last Cut-Throat Talon gangster. Get this...he's a lion."

Starlight looks at Sunburst with a surprised look.

"A lion?" Starlight asked as she takes a look of the information in the folder and was surprised that it a match for a lion. "Holy shit...what do we know about him?"

"Not much but this could be the same lion that was involved with a few incidents across Manehattan but none of them still have a clue on who he is."

"This is gonna scare the city."

"This is gonna scare all of Equestria."

Sunburst and Starlight starts to wonder who this lion is and why he's Equestria...hopefully it's not another terrorist attack that Equestria had by lions from Panthera-Leo.

[wftc141]

Equestria's Hired Help-Chapter 1: The Hired Help

The police in Manehattan are pretty much idiots or just corrupt. Explains the fact that the whole city is under fear and chaos thanks to the waging war with the Griffon gang 'Cut-Throat Talons' against the Earth Pony mobsters 'The White Hats'.

For the past ten years, these two gangs have been attempting to take over control of the city from extortion and murder to illegal deals and the rest. So far, the White Hats have managed to drive off the Cut-throats in Baltimare and now they're going for their operations in Manehattan. Currently, what's left of the Griffons is left uncertain.

Three Cut-Throat Talons gang members, one with a beanie, one in a green shirt and the other with a jacket were stationed at the back of a market, near their cars waiting for someone. Shortly, a red and black striped Mustang arrived and parked 10 feet away from the Griffons. Blitz Ranger got out. He was dressed in a red shirt with bulging muscles and blue jeans. He pulled out a black bag and approached them. His arrival made the Griffons suspicious.

"Who the hell are you?" The Griffon with a jacket asked.

"The guy who ordered a unicorn filly." Blitz answered.

"Didn't expect my client to be a lion. Far from home, aren't ya?"

"Don't like it anymore and now I'm here," Blitz replied with haste. "So are we gonna do this or what?"

The three looked at each other and one of them replied with a shrug. The jacket Griffon looked back at Blitz.

"You got the money?" He asked.

"You got what I ordered?" Blitz retorted.

None of the Griffons responded but the beanie Griffon backed away to a grey Maserati and roughly grabbed something from the backseat. An Earthfilly with stained white fur and a a tattered school uniform was pulled out of the car. Blitz recognized her as Diamond Tiara, the daughter of the Rich Family who was recently kidnapped six days ago along with four others.

"Payment first." The jacket Griffon demanded.

Blitz nodded. As the beanie Griffon pushed Tiara forward, the green shirt Griffon went up to the lion and reached for the bag, only for Blitz to raise a hand in front of him.

"Hey, hey, hey!" He pointed at the green shirt Griffon. "Back your feathery ass up. We ain't friends."

He then threw the bag next to the jacket Griffon's feet. The Griffon kneeled down and unzipped the bag. It was full of Equestrian dollar notes tied up in stacks. The Griffon turned to his fellow members and nodded. The beanie Griffon shoved Tiara forward and watched as she walked towards Blitz. He grabbed her arm and started heading back to his car. Tiara trembled in fear over his looming darkness. However, Blitz leaned over to her ear.

"Do what I say and you'll live." He whispered.

Tiara got confused all of a sudden, surprised by his unknowingly calm tone. As Blitz took her back to the car, he heard a call.

"Hey!"

Blitz stopped and turned around with a feigned frustrated expression.

"Problem?" Blitz sighed.

"What'd you just whisper to her again?" The jacket Griffon asked, pointing at Tiara.

Blitz pretended to be annoyed. "What'd you think I said? I'm gonna have some fun with her, that's what."

"You really think we'll believe that?"

"Come, on. What the hell is this about? I'm taking her with me and that's it. End of story."

Suddenly, loud sirens started to echo and got louder as it progressed. The Griffons looked at the side, leaning over for a clearer view before looking back at Blitz.

Before they could react, Blitz quickly pulled out his pistol from behind his pants and shot the green shirt Griffon in the head before wounding the beanie Griffon. Tiara shrieked and quickly hid behind a dumpster. The beanie Griffon kneeled down and aimed at Blitz, only to be shot in between his eyes.

Blitz charged after the jacket Griffon whose gun was jammed and tackled him, pushing him against a car. They punched each other's sides before Blitz elbowed the Griffon's temple.

Suddenly, the Griffon kicked Blitz off him and pummeled him against a car. Blitz's left foot stepped on the car door first and he motioned his other foot above his left, making it look like he was sticking to the door.

With a swift kick to the Griffon's chest, Blitz broke free, grabbed hold of his collar and hauled him to the door's window. He scraped his face against the broken glass, back and forth before pulling him off. His face was full of gashes and cuts across the face and the beak. Blitz dropped him to the ground and shot two rounds of his pistol to his face, just to be sure.

Blitz lowered his pistol and looked around for a sign of the police. There were no sirens or any sign of the police at all. He rolled his eyes and went up to the dumpster where Tiara was.

"Come on." Blitz said, stretching his hand towards her.

As he approach Tiara, she crawled back, still scared and confused at the same time. She eventually backed against the wall where she sat on the grungy garbage bags. Blitz holstered his pistol and raised both of his hands up.

"It's okay." Blitz implied soothingly. "I'm not a bad guy."

"W-Who are you?" Tiara trembled.

"Just someone who your parents hired to rescue you." Blitz answered.

Tiara's eyes slightly widened after hearing the word "parents".

"M-my parents?"

"That's right. I'm here to take you back to them."

Tiara considered but stopped herself when she realized something.

"What about my friend?" She asked.

Blitz's eyes beamed with uncertainty. He was hesitant to answer her question since she's a child. Her parents told him about her childhood friend, Silver Spoon who was kidnapped alongside her and police found Spoon floating in a river with a bullet to her back shoulder blade. But telling the truth was better than hiding it deep down.

"I'll explain everything on the way to the airport," Blitz told her. "They're waiting for you."

Blitz stretched his hand towards her, motioning upwards. Despite still being scared and traumatized, Tiara took his hand and they got into the Mustang. He started the engine and drove away from the scene, leaving the dead Griffons where they were.

After a long tearful drive, Blitz arrived at the airport where he headed to the airfield. He stopped at a special hangara where two earth ponies were, standing near a private jet. They were both holding each other, eager for their daughter's safe arrival. Mr and Mrs Rich, both in their business attire watched Blitz's Mustang approach them before coming to a halt near them.

Once Blitz came out, he went up to the other side of the door and opened it where Tiara came out. Her eyes were slightly bagged and dried tears stuck to her cheeks along with a dark smudge around her eyes. As soon as she saw her parents, Tiara shedded even more tears out of happiness and ran after them.

"Tiara!"

"Mom! Dad!"

They caught up and held each other really tightly as Tiara's muffled cries buried inside their circle. Even her parents had shed a bit of tears. As Tiara held her mother tightly, Mr Rich turned to Blitz, smiling.

"Thank you. I'll wire you the payment as agreed."

Blitz smiled back before returning to his car. He reversed out of the hangar and caught a final glimpse of the Rich Family reunited once again. Sighing, he drove away from the hangar and back to the city.

Sunset Shimmer flipped over to the next page of a book she's invested on. The bar she was in was mostly deserted with almost no customers or anybody at all. She adjusted the spectacle of her glasses and sighed. Sunset could hear a car engine rev outside before it came to a stop. Shortly, the front door opened and Blitz came in.

"Welcome back." Sunset said, grinning.

"Hey." Blitz replied.

Blitz came up to Sunset and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Closed already?" Blitz asked.

"Eh, no sign of anybody so far." Sunset answered as she pulled out two bottles of beers from the glass cabinet.

"Wonder why."

The two eventually enjoyed their beer in silence, too busy to start up a chat. Sunset looked at Blitz, who seemed a bit concerned about something.

"How'd it go?" She asked.

"Well...they weren't expecting a lion to show up," Blitz sighed. "I had to kill them, just like the rest of their gang."

"That's another win for the White Hats but...how did the little pony take the news about her friend?"

Suddenly, Blitz had a vision of him explaining to her about Spoon's death which resulted in her crying really heavily. He sighed and looked up at Sunset in solemn.

"Not very well."

Sunset didn't respond but sighed through her closed mouth.

"Fuckin' Griffons and those cops too. What's the point of protecting and serving if they can't do their goddamn job?"

Blitz noticed her hand tightly balling into a fist, shaking on the table. He placed his hand over hers, which slightly calmed her down.

"Lets just think about something else like uhh...our guns. Have they arrived?"

Sunset sighed. "No."

There was a brief pause between them.

"No?" Blitz repeated.

"Like I said, no," Sunset continued. "Smokie didn't bring us our guns at this point. I've tried contacting him but it kept going to voicemail."

"I'm pretty sure Smokie done something to those guns."

"That's one reason to have a chat with him."

"He's gonna run when he sees us."

"No, he won't."

"Can't believe that sunnavabitch is running!" Sunset huffed.

"Told ya!" Blitz shouted while running beside her.

"Just shut up and get him!"

Blitz and Sunset ran through a crowded plaza, chasing a Griffon with black fur and wings, white feathers on the head and a black rolled up shirt with brown cargo pants. Smokie, the smuggler that owed Blitz and Sunset weapons, got spooked as soon as he saw them approaching him from a parking lot.

Smokie pushed and shoved ponies in his way while the two carefully moved past them. The Griffon then ran into an alley beside a discount store. He stumbled plast the corner and headed straight, only to find a large gate in his way. Smokie shook the gate frantically and noticed chains wrapped around the lock. By the time he realized, Blitz and Sunset caught up with him.

"Hey there, slick."

The Griffon slowly turned around. His face was curled into a scared eagle.

"Uh...hey, Sunset and...Blitz...nice to umm...see you two again?" The Griffon nervously said.

"Yeah, nice to see you too. Smokie." Sunset sarcastically replied, saying his name in a threatening tone.

"So...what do you guys want?"

"We want our guns that you promised us, Smokes." Blitz said.

"Oh yeah, uh...about that...I...uh...I don't even know wha-"

Smokie jumped off, flapping his wings in the air. Sunset used her magic to levitate a trash can and threw it at his body. He dropped to the ground, losing control of his wings. Blitz pinned down Smokie and held his face to the grungy pavement.

"Agh, the fuck?" Smokie grunted.

"Listen here, Smokie," Sunset growled. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. All we wanna know is the location of the guns that we bought for 230 bucks, ammunition included."

By the look on Smokie's face, he was really desperate to keep silent.

"I...I can't tell you guys."

Sunset and Blitz looked at each other and then shrugged.

"Listen, c-can't we just-"

Blitz stomped on his left wing which let out a loud pop.

"ARGGHH! FUCK! MY WING!"

"And I'll break the other one and then the rest of your limbs if we don't get an answer!" Blitz demanded. "Where are our guns?!"

"I don't have 'em!"

Blitz was about to go for his other wing before freezing at the spot.

"The fuck you say?" Blitz muttered.

"I owe them, alright?!"

"You owe us, Smokie!" Sunset snapped. "We paid for our guns so who the hell did you sell it to?"

"The White Hats!"

Blitz and Sunset glanced at each other, confused and looked back at Smokie.

"Let me get this straight," Sunset said. "You gave our weapons that we paid for...to the White Hats?"

"I'm sorry, okay?!" Smokie whimpered. "I-I didn't have a choice."

"What do you mean?"

"They were going to come after my kid!"

Their eyes slightly widened.

"I...I owed a shit ton of money to the mob when I accidentally stole their supplies. Yesterday, I paid them 500 bucks which shoulda left me alone but those fuckers said it wasn't enough and threatened to get my daughter if I don't give them more! You gotta understand, I'm trying to keep my daughter outta this. She already lost her mother and I can't afford to lose her again."

Blitz and Sunset ended up being speechless. They stared as Smokie started to sob, feeling bad for him. They met his daughter one time and they knew what a kind little Fledgling she was. They were guilt-tripped.

Eventually, Blitz got off Smokie and let Sunset approach him. She grabbed hold of the griffon's shattered wing, placing it flat on the ground. Smokie winced but held his breath.

"Be still." Sunset ordered.

She closed her eyes and her horn started to glow ember sparks which then reached up to the wing. The colours surrounded it and the magic worked like clockwork. The process was reversing the damage like rewinding a video and shortly, Smokie's wing was back to its original state as if t never happened. Sunset let go of him and Smokie felt for his wing, muttering something under his breath.

"Get outta here," Sunset told him. "Go be with your kid and best that you leave Equestria before they decide to come for you."

"T-Thank you." Smokie frantically nodded, standing up.

The two watched as Smokie flew away, leaving them to themselves. With that out of the way, they still have another problem stirring.

"Thats fucked up." Blitz commented.

"Yeah…" Sunset replied, kicking the rolled over bin away. "Damn ponies have our guns that we paid for and screwed over our buyer. How are we gonna get our guns now?"

The alley was dead silent. They both stood around, wondering what to do.

"We can try talk to them," Blitz suggested, breaking the silence. "We basically helped rid Manehattan of the Talons for them."

"They still owe us." Sunset replied.

"Exactly."

"I don't know, Blitz. You think they'll listen to a lion. These ponies are a bunch of racist assholes."

"Trust me, I'm used to it. Plus, they'll listen to us one way or another."

Sunset still feel a bit worried. She knew ponies like the White Hats don't take kindly to immigrants like Blitz. They've been like that for the past few years. However, she had been with Blitz for a few weeks to know he's okay with it. Eventually, she reluctantly sighed.

"Alright. Let's go talk to the boss then."

On a rooftop of a building, four earth ponies, dressed in cream turtlenecks and bowler hats held down a beaten up pony stripped to a bloody shirt and pants with his hands tied behind his back while two more stood around him. In front of him was a blonde pony with pale blue eyes, cherry lipstick on her upper lip and a long scar on her left eye. She dazzled in a diamond white pelted suit(with pants), with her coat draped around her back and a wide cowboy hat.

Missy Dawn took her cigarette out of her mouth, accompanied by two bodyguards, wearing fur jackets and sunglasses. As the ponies backed away from the tied up pony, Missy approached him with absolute disappointment towards him.

"I warned you not to steal from me…" She said in stereotypical southern accent. "I saw potential in ya, you know?"

"P-Please, I-I can make things right. I won't disappoint you again, I promise."

"Oh, you will."

Missy pulled out a Chiappa Rhino 50DS from her jacket and pressed the barrel on his forehead. Without any hesitation, she pulled the hammer down and pressed the trigger...

Click.

Her eyebrows raised. She looked at her gun, confused and pressed the trigger twice. Still more clicks. She opened the cylinder and found empty holes inside.

"Ugh, looks like I forgot to reload the dang thing again." Missy groaned.

"D-Does that mean I get another chance?" The pony stammered.

Missy glared at him for awhile before sighing in defeat.

"Unite him." She ordered.

Her men obeyed and cut loose of his binds. As he got up, Missy grabbed him by the collar and yanked him close to her face.

"Fuck up again, my friend and your ass will be back here, ya hear?" "Y-Yes Madam Dawn." The colt said with many nods.

She let go of his shirt and shoved him away. "Good. My boys will get you cleaned up and ready for your freedom."

She ordered two of her men to take the beaten up pony away. As they left, she caught up with one of them and leaned towards his ear.

"Beat his lil' pussy ass up so he learns his lesson."

He nodded and walked out of the door. Missy reached for her cigarettes in her jacket and prepared to light it.

"Madam Dawn, these two want to speak with you."

Missy turned around and noticed one of her men with Blitz and Sunset behind him.

"Oh. My. Goodness," she gasped as the two approached her. "Y'all must be the ones who killed those damn birds in my city."

"We were actually hired," Sunset clarified. "The Rich Family paid us to rescue their daughter."

Dawn was a bit surprised to hear that. "Huh, I see."

Missy's focus ended up straight at Blitz. His bod, the charming look and what lies behind his pants was something that interested her. And the fact that he's the first lion ever made it better.

"My, my. Aren't you such a handsome lion," Missy Dawn cooed. "Never thought I would meet one in person, such a pleasure to meet ya."

She held out her hand towards him. Blitz obligingly shook hers.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Madam Dawn but I'm taken."

Missy looked at them back and forth, noticing their bodies close to each other. Sunset remained a calm expression but she really had the urge to throw her off the roof.

"Oh," Missy said. "So what brings y'all here?"

"Well, one of our buyers owed us four assault rifles, two shotguns and two pistols and he claimed to have sold it to you."

Missy's smile started to fade away slowly. The two had that weird feeling, like the music playing at the back was dying out.

"You mean that Griffon, what was his name? Smokie?" Missy asked.

"Yeah...that would be him." Sunset answered.

The music eventually died. Missy's face was straight as an arrow but there's the saying that if you see that certain face, you're screwed. Begging or pleading won't save you from her wrath.

All of her men, including her bodyguards were all trained at Blitz and Sunset. Their weapons were slightly raised but the safety lock was off. The bad news for these two was that their weapons were confiscated earlier and Sunset has a Unicorn Collar which prevents her from using her magic. If she tried, it would've tazed her and it's really painful to be tazed in the neck.

"I'm starting to have this feeling that this humourless bird hired you two to kill me all because I threatened to kill that little seed of his. Is that why you're here? Huh? I'll have my boys and girls turn y'all into swiss cheese, you won't even be able to take a piss!"

"No, no, no," Sunset shook her head. "That's not what we're here for. We just want our guns back, that's all. We wouldn't do that to you."

Everybody was silent as a grave as soon as Sunset finished. Suddenly, Missy and her men(except her bodyguards) laughed aloud. Both Blitz and Sunset stared at them, confused and baffled.

"Hooo wee! Y'all faces are priceless. I'm just pulling yer tails. I was bluffing when I told Smokie I would come after his lil' kid."

Blitz and Sunset blinked.

"So you weren't going to go after Smokie's daughter?" He asked.

"Well of course not, honey," Missy Dawn scoffed. "I may be a cold hearted mare but I wasn't going to go after anyone's kid. First time I saw Smokie's kid, she is such an adorable lil' angel."

Blitz and Sunset slightly nodded in relief. Missy slapped her hands together.

"Now for yer weapons...they're all yours and we'll certainly return them to ya." Missy added.

Blitz and Sunset were both surprised. They would say it felt out of character for Missy to return the weapons without a condition.

"That's it?" Sunset asked.

"Mmhmm." Missy hummed.

"No catch?"

"Nope. I believe y'all done enough since you two got rid of those damn Talon bastards. So everything's good."

"Well um...thank you, Madam Dawn."

"My pleasure."

Eventually, her men escorted them out. As they headed for the door, Missy slipped a cigarette into her mouth while checking out Blitz's assets. The two didn't hear her whistle before the door closed shut.

Once they returned to the bar, Blitz and Sunset eventually got the weapons they bought and opened up the crates. Everything was placed in a wooden box with hay on the bottom. They took every weapon and checked for any cracks or fake signs. So far, no problems arose.

"Looks like everything's good." Blitz said, checking the slide of a SIG P239.

"Yup," Sunset placed an empty extended magazine for a G36C onto the desk. "Seems like Smokie didn't fuck up as always."

"Don't you think we should tell him that the White Hats were just screwing with him?"

She shook her head. "Nah. I don't think we should mess with their fun."

"Kind of fucked up, don't you think? Smokie and his daughter are probably out of this country by now. How are we supposed to get more guns once we run out?"

"Well, either we find another smuggler or at least a dealer or we can just steal them from dead people."

"Fair point. Better than going to a gun store. A lot of 'em don't sell to anyone with a criminal record, right?"

"Yup."

As Sunset packed the guns, Blitz decided to mess around with her. He slowly wrapped his arms around her body and set his chin on her left shoulder. Sunset felt a bit comfortable but she wasn't sure why.

"What?"

"Still pissed at Madam Dawn trying to seduce your lion?"

Sunset scoffed. "No."

"But you were jealous, right?"

"What're you up to?"

"Come on. I saw that look when Madam told me how much of a sexy ass lion I am."

She pouted. "Fuck you."

Blitz suddenly spun Sunset around and lifted her legs. Caught by surprise, she giggled as Blitz's hand crept up to her back, heaving her up. He then carried Sunset to the basement stairs.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Giving you a good time." Blitz simply replied, giving her a suggestive smirk.

Squad cars and Equestrian police surrounded a lone alley behind the markets. Tape was secured across the alley as officers investigated three bodies left behind. An ambulance was also in the premises as well.

As the police did what they usually do, a unicorn with Persian blue eyes and light purple fur, wearing a black suit with a blue tie and a skirt along with a police badge made into a neck chain was the only one present near the bodies.

Starlight Glimmer stared down at the bodies laid in front of her. Formerly a member of a militarized group, she was involved in trafficking, narcotic import/export and gunrunning. However, she took that chance to leave and became a detective of Equestria State Police which she earned a degree for that very profession. That was her chance to revert her wicked ways. Currently, her mind was already on the move, figuring out and piecing together the scene.

"Long way from Ponyville aren't you?"

Starlight turned around and a warm smile drew. Another unicorn with cyan eyes, gamboge fur wearing a rich brown leather jacket with a grey shirt and a police badge attached to his belt approached her with a hand by the hip. He smiled back, took off his aviators and the two hugged each other.

"Good to see you again, Sunburst." Starlight greeted.

The two then broke away from the hug.

"How's things?"

"Eh...same shit, different day but I'm alive at least," Sunburst replied. "You?"

"I could say the same thing."

"Good to hear that."

Sunburst looked away from her and at the crime scene. Her eyes followed his view.

"Oof. What a mess, right?" Sunburst said, shaking his head.

"Seems that way," Starlight agreed. "Some of the guys from the shops found these three Griffons dead with bullet holes in them. Seem like they were waiting for someone until they got attacked."

Sunburst pointed at the one with deep cuts and two bullet wounds on his face. "Poor bastard over there must've got his ass kicked before getting shot twice in the face."

"Well, those guys were the ones who kidnapped Diamond Tiara from the Rich Family."

"They're Cut-Throat Talons too." Sunburst added.

Starlight then turns to Sunburst with a surprised look on her face as she know who they are.

"They are?" She asked.

"Yeah, I had an encounter with them a few days ago when we had a warrant for their arrest," Sunburst replied. "We had just found out who they were...and what remained of them anyway. Talons were hit pretty hard by the White Hats. Those three were the last of them."

"What happened to their leader?"

"SWAT shot him down at his home when he thought it was a good idea to pull out a gun."

Starlight then noticed his right hand was rapidly shaking. She looked back at Sunburst with a solicitous look.

"You alright?" Starlight asked.

"I-I'm fine, just zoned out, that's all." Sunburst grabbed his right hand to stop it shaking. "Anyways, we'll get the CSI to analyse the DNA and the ballistics."

Sunburst left shortly, leaving Starlight alone. She looked back at the bodies with disbelief. The crime rate was starting to escalate and there was no evidence on how.

"Equestria…" Starlight sighed. "How did we get here?"

[wftc141]

Equestria's Hired Help-Prologue

Equestria...you think it's a country of rainbows and sunshine where ponies live peacefully...well to be real with you...half of it is...and the other half is crime happens everyday. Thievery...Trafficking...Smuggling...Rape...Murder...and corruption. Just like any other countries. Equestria is co-ruled by two alicorn Princess sisters who reside in a palace in the city of Canterlot. They're trying their best to keep order in the country but there's too many crime and corruption spread around like wildfire which made ponies doubt their leadership. It all started after the bearers of the Elements of Harmony vanished after they defeated Tirek. Fluttershy the Element of Kindness, Pinkie Pie the Element of Laughter, Applejack the Element of Honesty, Rarity the Element of Generosity, Rainbow Dash the Element of Loyalty and Twilight Sparkle...Princess Twilight Sparkle the Element of Magic. Since their gone...Equestria is now just a shitty country for crime and the authorities are useless. Few years ago…there is a unicorn sitting at the bar corner drink a glass of whiskey...she has long red and yellow hair, orange fur, aqua eyes...and looks like shit...and that mare is me. My name is Sunset Shimmer...I was a field operative of the Equestrian Military Intelligence…I was a good agent at first...until I became corrupted for a reason...all I wanted was to be the best and to save many innocent...but my corruption turned me into a terrorist...and even a demon. Luckily I didn't kill anypony...but I still had to be discharge and serve 10 years in prison but I manage to get out in my fifth year for good behavior. I have no friends...no home...no family...and no job. Actually deserve this shit because of what I've done. Life was hard after I got out of prison. That when I came paths with a Lion...that's right. A lion from Panthera-Leo. A land of lions that is way worse than Equestria. Lions have their own civil war, deadliest mafias and their government are far more corrupted. It was the first time I've seen a lion set foot on Equestria. The lion has black hair with a red streak, brown fur, red eyes and look like shit as well. His name is Blitz Ranger, ex-assassin of a mob. We both had chat and he was actually a nice guy...what funny is that he came to Equestria to live somewhere peaceful...no luck for him. We both chat and drank together but when we got drunk we ended up in my bed...he actually stayed with me...and I did the same. We actually have something in common...both of us have a dark past. When then start to do jobs in the crime underworld...we work for anypony that are in need and anypony with a good price. Mercenary work such as security, extraction, smuggling, heists...and we also did an assassination job once which is something that we're avoiding. It's something that we're not a fan of...especially for Blitz...he wanted to stop doing assassinations because of his past. We have been into dangerous situations and most of our clients can't be trusted such as if we refuse to accept the jobs...they will go after us. This is the life we have...and this is the world that we live in...even if it can get dark.

[wftc141]

Blake Belladonna-Zwei

The first feeling I woke up to was strange. It felt like something was smearing me with something wet, possibly something dirty. I opened my eyes, slowly, to notice Zwei licking me for who knows how long. The puppy was quite excited if you ask me.

“I'm up, I'm up.” I muttered.

As I lifted myself up, Zwei already jumped off the bed. I started to wonder the time. Hopefully not in the middle of the night. I looked at my alarm clock and to be honest, I was amazed. 6:24 in the morning. Zwei woke me up earlier than the time I set. Usually, I wake up half past seven but I guess the dog was eager to start his first day as a pet.

I got out of bed and stretched. It felt like a normal day. The strangest feeling was that I wasn’t sad anymore. I felt peace and happiness. The same feeling I had with Yang except she’s not here with me anymore but this dog saved me from my sorrow.

I quickly did my morning routine and replaced my sleepwear with my black faded jeans and a grey Adidas shirt with green stripes on the shoulder. I fed Zwei with some  cereal since I didn’t have any dog food. I went outside, expecting another newspaper in front of the door. As I bent down to pick up the newspaper, Zwei suddenly bolted past me and ran out of the house.

“Hey-” I called before I realized what he was doing. “Oh…”

He sat on the grass and let out a large dump. I wasn’t able to see how big it was but that had to be cleaned up before someone makes a complaint about a huge shit. After having a shower, I ripped off a page off a notebook and wrote down a list of things to buy. After I finished writing, I looked down and checked.

Milk, cookies, dog food and a long ass list of things I can’t remember.

A few minutes later, I took my black blouson and gloves before tying my hair into a ponytail. I took Zwei with me so I won’t have a small dog become lonely. Plus, he’ll probably beg me to come with me. I opened the garage and took Yang’s motorbike, a Bumblebee 2000. She had always loved this motorbike and the paint job, oh boy. She would talk about it for decades. I opened the tail bag and took out a gold and matte black helmet before putting Zwei in it. After putting the helmet on, I revved the bike and drove out of the garage. The sound was golden and beautiful, reminding me of the ride with Yang at the sunset. As I drove through the streets, I noticed Zwei from the side mirror sticking his tongue out through the strong wind before barking. I chuckled underneath the helmet and headed for the shops.

After an hour of shopping, I made a stop at a gas station to refill my bike. As I refueled the bike, I heard loud hip hop blaring from the speakers. I lifted my head to notice a green Ford sedan heading to the gas station before stopping behind me. I ignored the noise and continued filling up the bike. Zwei peeked out of the bag and stared at the group behind me. The music stopped playing shortly. I decided to turn around and glance at them for a while.

I noticed a group of three men and a woman with green hair and dark skin. One of the men went into the shop while the other guy refilled the car. I didn’t notice the last one since I looked away quickly. I knew people like them would start something I don’t want to get involved.

I could hear them speak Russian with one of them mentioning something in Japanese. Still, I didn’t make a single contact until I heard footsteps coming my way. I turned towards the voice and saw a silver-haired man in a grey leather hoodie with a fully buttoned up shirt and grey jeans. He took a cigarette out of his mouth and blew a line of smoke.

“Nice ride.” The man said.

“Thanks.” I replied, without looking at him.

He stared at the bike and whistled. The guy slapped the front of the bike like a drum. “Bumblebee 2000, huh? She a 70?”

“69.”

From the sounds of it, he sounded astounded. “Beautiful. How much?”

I wasn’t listening when he said that so I turned to him.

“I'm sorry?” I asked.

“The bike. How much is it?” He said, a bit louder.

It sounded like he wanted to buy my bike. I felt a bit baffled with that question. “She's not for sale.”

He didn’t respond afterwards so he walked away, finishing off his smoke as his friends filled theirs. After I finished pumping, I got onto the bike, eager to leave this place. As I slipped my helmet on, the man came back again and petted Zwei who was peeking out of the bag this whole time.

“Aww, cute little doggy.” He said. “Love dogs, ya know.”

I didn’t mind him touching Zwei. However, I felt something was off with that guy.

“Должно быть, хорошая сука, которая подчиняется. (Must be a good bitch that obeys.)” He suddenly said in Russian.

I was shocked. How dare him? Zwei is just a dog and he has the nerve to say something unjust about him? I remained calm despite anger fueling in me.

“Он не сука. (He's no one's bitch.)”

The guy stared at me, surprised I speak the same language. He was about to lunge at me before a voice called.

“Привет! (Hey!)”

He turned around and the green haired woman approached him. She wore a different outfit, compared to that guy trying to be a ghetto, trash gangbanger for a music video.

“Поехали. Мы уходим. (Let's go. We’re leaving.)” The woman demanded, grabbing his arm and pulling him away.

“Позвольте мне просто разобраться с этой сукой. Кем она себя возомнила? (Let me just deal with this bitch. Who does she think she is?)” That silver haired guy said. I could ask the same to him.

“Я сказал, что мы уезжаем! (I said we’re leaving!)”

She shoved the guy away and back to the car. I noticed him scowl at me before walking back to the car. The woman came up to me with a smile.

“My apologies,” she said in English. “Have a good day, ma’am.”

I didn’t respond. She eventually went back to their car. I could hear some argument from the car before loud hip hop concealed it. It was time I left.

I was awoken by loud noises. I lifted myself up and looked around. All I heard was crickets from outside but the loud noise was stirring over it. I noticed something strange. Normally Zwei would be sleeping on the bed but for some reason, he was nowhere to be seen. However, I did hear him bark repeatedly from downstairs.

“What is it now?” I murmured.

I got out the bed and walked through the dark house. As I made my way downstairs, Zwei’s barks become more louder than what I heard.

“Zwei?” I called. “Stop hiding, Zwei.”

I made my way to the living room where it was completely dark and empty. I flicked on the lights, beaming the whole room. I eventually caught a glimpse of Zwei, hiding underneath the dinner table. He was still barking like crazy as if he saw another dog.

“There you are!” I said, approaching him. His barking became even faster and aggressive. “What’re you doing here? You almost gave me a-“

Suddenly, I was smashed in the back of my head. I fell over, onto the wooden floor as pieces of wood sprinkled behind me. I heard Zwei whimpering and glass smashing.

“Найдите ключи. (Find the keys.)” I heard someone ordered.

I tried crawling out of the living room and I saw three hooded men in black, rummaging through my kitchen. I noticed Zwei charge at one of them. My vision blurred as I heard growling and sounds of struggling.

Shortly, I heard a loud bang. I was tired and unable to get up. My vision was almost half closed and through that vision, I noticed one of them approach me. I turned and reached for the broken bat in front of me, only for the man to step on my foot. I cried, almost feeling like my hand was going to snap. He took the bat away and the next thing I knew, I was facing the ceiling. The man bent down and took his mask off. I watched in horror as I stared at the man from the gas station.

“Вы должны продать велосипед. (You shoulda sold the bike.)” he said before a fist charged at my face.

[wftc141]

Voltron: Global Military Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Unit-Chapter 11: Revelation

1700 Hours

"So you're saying these guys aren't jihadists but Middle Eastern anarchist kind of terrorists?" Lance asked as paramedics gathered up the bodies from the safe house.

"Not just Middle Easterners," Allura corrected, turning back to the team. "It's an international terrorist organization intent on overthrowing governments worldwide."

"That's one helluva terrorist group."

"The militia we dealt with at the slum raid were also the Galra too, weren't they?" Pidge guessed.

"I'm afraid so," Allura nodded. "Cardozo confirmed it. We also have bad news from them. Earlier today, the Palácio do Planalto was just bombed before the attack on our safe house. There were no survivors."

The team were silent but Allura could read their shock and disgust and she could understand that. The Galra were willing to take innocent lives for a greater good.

"This is fucked up." Lance muttered.

"Where are they gonna strike next?" Keith asked.

She shook her head. "We're not sure."

"What about Shiro?"

Allura glanced at the floor in doubt, which was enough for an answer. She wasn't sure what Sendak was going to do with him but she prays that Shiro can hold his own.

Shiro was awakened by the bright illumination of light, flashing into his face. As his vision caught up, he noticed two looming figures standing over him. The only thing he remembered was getting hit by an explosion in the room before blacking out while trying to stop Sendak. Shiro found himself on a chair with his hands tied behind his back. He then got a clear look at the two figures' faces. Both were Middle Eastern and definitely part of the Galra. The two exchanged some words before one of them went up to Shiro.

"سگ آمریکایی! (American dog!)" the Galra terrorist yelled in farsi, punching Shiro.

The terrorist was then forcefully pulled away by the arm. Shiro's gaze locked onto Sendak as he stood next to the terrorist, holding his arm tightly.

"آیا از شما خواسته ام به او صدمه بزنید؟ (Did I ask you to harm him?)" he hissed in the same tongue.

"متاسفم ، برادر! (I'm sorry, brother!)" the Galra terrorist replied. "ما باید این سگ آمریکایی را حرف بزنیم! (We must make this American dog talk!)"

Sendak simply pulled out a pistol and shot the terrorist in the head. After ordering his partner to remove the body, Sendak turned back to Shiro.

"My apologies, Shirogane. I'm not here to harm someone who's treated me humanely." He said, holstering his pistol.

"It doesn't matter what you'll do to me." Shiro muttered, avoiding his gaze. "I'm already dead."

Sendak softly chuckled. He approached Shiro and stopped a couple feet away from him.

"I admire your courage but you have been misunderstood. I need you alive."

"Why?" Shiro growled. "Ain't I a liability? Ain't I just a soldier in your way?"

"You are...I'm impressed that your team managed to get this far but you're no use to us when you're dead."

Shiro refused to look Sendak in the eye. Whatever he was asking, he won't give in to his demands.

"You see Shirogane," Sendak said. "We're both warriors...we're both lions in a waging conflict riddled with deception. Our masters of war only see us as machines to fight pointless battles for empty glory. They sent me and my unit to Turkey to assassinate the prime minister so they can pin the blame on terrorists from their country.

It was a dirty operation because my master didn't want the Turks to step foot into our country. They had us pose as Al-Qaeda terrorists and ordered us to start a mass shooting at a football game where the prime minister was. I've killed so many men, women and children that I've lost count…"

Sendak paused before continuing.

"You know, those soldiers I killed in Iraq destroyed the hometown where I used to live. My father was trying to surrender when they shot him. My mother and sisters...they were raped before they were killed. I murdered them all when I found out what they did and all of a sudden...the government marked me as a terrorist. I am what I am because of what they did and I have no shame for that."

Shiro looked up where he faced Sendak's back of his head. He could understand his pain but that alone wasn't enough to forgive him.

"This does not change that you're responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people. You killed my team and my brother."

"Hmm. I understand," Sendak turned around to approach Shiro. "Which is why I'm not going to kill you. In fact, you have a choice. You can join us and together we'll bring those government tyrants to their knees..."

His gloved hand then latched onto the back of Shiro's head and forcefully turned it to his direction, locking gazes with each other. Shiro glared intensely at the eyes of his enemy.

"...or you can be my prisoner and watch the government fall and your country burn."

Shiro remained silent. Just staring at his eyes makes him want to spit at him. He was sure as hell not willing to work with Sendak. However, keeping his mouth closed may have saved his life. Sendak let go of his head and stood up.

"I'll leave you to think about it," Sendak said, heading for the door where one of the terrorists was waiting. "I expect an answer by the time I return."

The door slammed shut and the lights went off. Shiro looked down to the ground. He can't let this slide. Sendak is not going to get away this time. But first, he needed to get the zip-ties off his wrists. They were surprisingly tighter this time.

1800 Hours

The first thing he saw as he slowly opened his eyes was the pale-coloured ceiling. Jem only remembered getting shot and passing out while getting dragged through a chaotic shootout by Stacy. It felt different to his field missions while he was with Interpol. Jem felt the dry insides of his mouth as he licked over it. He needed water.

As his vision began to clear up, Jem found himself on a bed with curtains surrounding him. He must've been taken to a nearby hospital. Jem helped himself to sit up, only to tense up. His waist hurts like hell, much as if a soccer ball hit his ribs. Looking down, he noticed he was in a gown as well as some needles injected to his hand. He couldn't lift up the gown to see where his wound was but hopefully it didn't puncture anything fatal. But after all, he was the youngest and the most vulnerable of the family.

Suddenly, the curtains opened, jolting him. Jem cursed, spinning towards the source of the sound while holding his arms in defence before noticing Stacy standing at the curtains with a water bottle on her free hand. Judging by her face, Jem must've surprised her too when he almost got scared. Something is giving him déjà vu vibes.

"He-," he uttered. "Bloody hell, you scared me."

Stacy snorted, letting slip a smirk. "Five years and you still haven't changed. How're you feeling?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Hurts when I sit up."

Stacy approached him and sat on the stool by the bedside. "The anaesthetic must've worn out while you were asleep. You want water?"

Jem nodded eagerly and took the bottle from her, downing about half of the water inside. He made sure not to move too much to avoid friction from the needles injected into his hands. He let out a sigh of relief as he took the bottle out of his mouth and handed it back to Stacy.

"Thanks, Stace. You're a lifesaver."

Her smile grew as she took the bottle off his hand. Jem couldn't help but stare at her short, ash blonde hair accompanied by the eyebrow piercing on her right eyebrow. He at first didn't recognise her when they met again five years later while Coran introduced him to Voltron. Still, he missed that long hair of hers and the feeling of running his hands through that silky sensation but changes happen in the end.

"You know..." Jem said, breaking the silence. "This is...some reunion."

Stacy glanced at him.

"I mean, it's been like a week since we met after five years and shit happened so fast, you know? Like, we caught a leader of a terrorist organisation and then we got attacked and lost him and I got shot and almost died. Crazy, huh?"

Jem began to titter and Stacy chuckled with him. "Yeah, it's crazy."

The moment of letting out their stress stopped. Turning towards her, Jem noticed her grin was still on as she stopped chuckling. Her eyes however give Jem a different meaning. Silence befell. Both were unable to think of anything to say. Then Jem figured something out that he didn't get to ask between the week.

"How's things?" The way he said it felt forced.

"Hmm?" Stacy looked up.

"I mean, we haven't seen each other since we…you know…"

"Broke up?"

"Y-yeah," Jem nodded, hiding the awkwardness in his voice."You must've been doing well, right?"

"Yeah, you could say that."

"So...you got into the FBI, right?"

She nodded again. Stacy always wanted to be an analyst after graduation and was quite fond of the FBI whenever they talked about their careers.

"I almost didn't, actually" Stacy said. "I messed up the final test at the Academy but fortunately, there was some sort of error in the system so they let me off on this one."

"Really? What happened?"

"Dunno. But anyways, I was an ace at my job. Caught a lot of criminals, including that one terrorist that the FBI has been trying to catch for twenty years. You should see the look on his face when he found out I was part of the team who raided his hideout. Still doesn't believe women are capable of anything."

Stacy began to chuckle. Jem did the same but then stopped himself.

"W-Wait, you were involved in the raid?" He asked.

"Oh, right. Forgot to tell you," she replied. "I also applied as a field agent halfway during my five years there. I had to keep myself in shape and work out and take up a different diet. It was a pain in the ass but those years definitely paid off."

Jem glanced at her and noticed there were some changes in her body. Her arms were slightly toned and her shoulders fit the shirt well. Honestly, compared to his skinny build, she was quite in shape. Although Jem wasn't that skinny, he still felt inferior to her build. In other words, he was kind of envious.

"How about you, Jem?" Stacy asked. "Anything interesting happened? Apart from that raid while you were in the Intelligence Corps."

Jem sighed. Other than taking part in the field, nothing big happened in both the Intelligence Corps and Interpol. Jem leaned back onto his pillow behind him.

"Nothing much. Just paperwork and coding, the usual."

Stacy slightly nodded. Another pause between the two. Stacy then got up from the stool.

"Well, since you're fine now, I'll just head on out. Coran's waiting for me." She said.

"Y-Yeah. Got it," Jem muttered before realizing something. "W-wait! Stacy! I have something to tell you."

Stopping near the curtains, Stacy turned back to him. "What's up?"

Even though she was his ex, Jem still felt like his chest was going to burst. He needed to say those words.

"Thank you," He said. "For saving me."

A smile spread across her face. "You're welcome. Just don't...well, get shot again, okay?"

Jem snorted. "Promise."

"The way you said it is kinda making me concerned." Stacy blinked.

"Relax. I swear, I won't."

She nodded and turned away, heading for the door. "Alright. As long as you keep your end of the bargain. I'm heading out now. See ya."

"Later."

And then she left. Jem heard the door close as footsteps distances away from the room. Letting out a sigh, Jem placed his hand over his chest where he could feel his pulse punching its way out before slowly calming down. Were those feelings back in highschool resurfacing? He thought he had let it go ever since then. Or maybe they were just hibernating for years until he met Stacy again? Whatever it was, Jem couldn't figure out why. He slapped his hands over his face and groaned.

"Why now, Stacy? Why'd you gotta make me go through this again?"

While following Lance and Pidge, Keith and the two noticed Hunk just coming out of a room with one of his hands in his pocket.

"Yo, Hunk!" Lance called, grabbing his attention. "Where've ya been, ese? I had a feeling that you ran away."

"Lance!" Pidge and Keith hissed at the same time, prompting Lance to raise his hands.

"I'm joking."

"It's fine," Hunk assured. "I just got off a call with Shay and got some more information about the Galra Empire. She told me who they really are-"

"Yeah, we know they're buncha anarchists." Lance said.

"But there's a reason why the Galra is operating in Brazil."

"Which is?"

"The president has scheduled a meeting with the presidents of Colombia, and Venezuela for tomorrow morning. They're planning to discuss about a potential combined military and defence agency in response to the spike of crime and terrorism across their countries."

Pidge and Lance were surprised to hear it. They did hear about the meeting between the presidents but there wasn't any info about why.

"The news didn't say anything about this." Keith said.

"Sounds overkill for these three to come up with something like this." Pidge added.

"Kinda makes sense when you think about the stats on both crime and terrorism."

"And the Galra sees this as oppression." Hunk said.

"Wait, how does a journalist like her have access to information like that?" Lance asked.

"She has her ways apparently."

"Also, wouldn't the meeting be cancelled? Did they not get the news that a Brazilian government building was just bombed?"

"No they're still gonna go with the meeting despite what happened to Palácio do Planalto. She isn't sure about when or where the meeting's gonna happen but it's only a matter of time before the Galra begins their attack on the presidents."

"Team?" Allura called, grabbing everyone's attention. "I have some bad news."

The leader stepped in with the group, forming a circle.

"I just got off the phone with the higher ups...They want us to leave Brazil and return to London immediately."

Allura could tell nobody was happy with the news as she looked at the team's faces. She wasn't happy with it either. They'll be letting the Galra run amok and take more lives as part of their goal and worse, execute Shiro.

"We can't go back."

The team looked at Keith who was the first to break the silence.

"We can't!" He raised his voice. "Do they even know what happened to Shiro? Not only that, the Galra is going to attack the presidents and nobody knows but us! We can't just sit aside and let them take more innocent lives, let alone leave Shiro with the Galra. Somebody's gotta do something and we're their only hope. If we let them kill the presidents, what do you think's gonna happen to all of us?"

There was silence. It was the first time they heard Keith let out an outburst like that.

"He's right," Pidge spoke up. "We need to do something."

"I'm in too. I can't walk away on this either." Hunk said.

Lance hesitated for one moment. "Fuck it. I'm always up for some action."

To them, they assumed Allura's planning to give up and return to base, leaving Shiro to die. But she was impressed that they were willing to risk their lives to stop a catastrophe.

"I never said we were going back to headquarters."

The team looked at her, surprised.

"To hell with orders from the superiors," Allura said. "As far as we know, they could be on this like General Sanda. From now on, this is an unsanctioned operation. This means we won't have any support and we'll be disobeying commands which may get Voltron shut down and court marshalled. If any of you want to step down, you're free to do so right away."

Nobody said anything. They were all willing to fight back.

"We're not going to let the Galra commit another attack and we sure as hell are getting Shiro back."

The team nodded with their decision being final. There was no going back from this but if it's to ensure their leader is with them, nothing matters. That is, if Shiro's still alive at this rate.

"So what's the plan, Major?" Keith said.

"Брат, как поживает заключенный? (Brother, how's the prisoner doing, over?)" Fakhoury asked through the radio.

The only response that returned was the ear wrenching static. Barad was supposed to keep watch of the Voltron infidel Sendak wanted. He hasn't responded for the past thirty minutes and at this point, Fakhoury was sure Barad was slacking off as usual.

Letting out a hoarse sigh, Fakhoury got off his chair and snatched the AK-104 off the table before leaving the room. The gun itself was actually more efficient and comfortable to use than the old AK47s he and the insurgents used to carry. The Galra sure knows their weapons. Fakhoury headed downstairs, taking in the sweaty stench of the Brazilian streets. The city may be impressive but they will be leaving a message for the government so they could prepare for their fall.

Fakhoury arrived at the room where the Voltron infidel was. Barad wasn't at the door. Where could he be now, he wondered. He knew Barad wasn't fond of doing patrols and keeping watch to the point he would wander off to have a smoke. Fakhoury let out a sigh and got out his radio.

"Барад, где, черт возьми, ты? (Barad, where the hell are you, over?)" he asked before pausing.

Fakhoury thought he heard his voice from the room. Now he was getting confused. Without thinking it through, Fakhoury opened the door which for some reason was unlocked.

"(Bara-)"

He froze, holding his breath short. There, lying on the floor, was Barad and the chair that the Voltron infidel was supposed to be on was empty and tumbled. Fakhoury rushed towards Barad and bent down to check on him. His wide, soulless eyes stared at the ceiling as he checked for a pulse. Fakhoury noticed red marks over his neck, fresh and warm. He was too focused on his friend's demise to radio in Sendak.

Standing up, Fakhoury felt a strange aura behind him. He spun around and glanced across the room. There was no sign of the infidel at all but Fakhoury still felt like he wasn't alone. He wasn't sure what to do now. Turning around to the body, he noticed the barrel of a pistol aiming at him from the side of Barad's head.

He pulled the trigger, letting the loud bang rip across the room. Shiro heard the round hit the terrorist and pushed the body off him. Pulling himself up, he approached the wounded terrorist holding his neck while stumbling back and gurgling in his own blood. Shiro fired two more well-placed rounds to his chest, enough to make him trip over while dodging the terrorist's misfired rounds.

Once Shiro made sure he wasn't getting back up, he flicked the safety of the Glock 18 back on and rubbed his bruised wrists. It stung like hell but it was the only way to get off these zip ties. He approached the terrorist he strangled just after breaking free of the zip ties and took the suppressed AK-104 and his plate carrier fitted with ammo.

After putting his plate carrier on, Shiro then heard faint footsteps from outside. His prediction was correct. Raising his rifle, Shiro walked out of the room and cautiously checked his surroundings as he moved down the hallway. The footsteps closed in from the corner and the last terrorist appeared. Shiro let single fire rounds rip and dropped the terrorist before he could react. Approaching the body, he fired two more rounds to the head just for precaution.

As he went upstairs from where the terrorist came from, he noticed the rusty, metallic stairs and the industrial-like setting surrounding him. Shiro would assume this is a warehouse that the Galra set up as a hideout. Arriving at the upper floor, he found a room with an open door. Entering the room, he made sure to check every corner throughout the room before confirming it was clear. Shiro's eyes then landed on something that caught his attention. At the very middle of the room among the tables filled with weapons and ammunition was a wide board with everything stuck together in one piece. There were sticky notes and strings connected to the pins holding up photos.

Shiro was able to read the entire board to realise how capable the Galra was. They knew everything about Voltron. Their tactics, their movement, everything. That was how they got the upper hand. The ambushes in Pakistan, Dubai and Qatar were all tests to prove their exploitation.

Shiro then read the rest of the board and noticed a photograph of a building which looked to be the Palâcio do Planalto with a red X crossed over it. The Galra must've done something to the building. Shiro looked over and found three separate photographs of men in suits with flags attached to it and red X's crossed over each of their faces, as well as a cutout of a newspaper article in English. There was Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia. These three are the presidents of those countries. Shiro needed to know what their relation is to Galra.

He took the newspaper cutout off the board and read it. It seemed to be about some sort of 'secret' meeting between the presidents which was cancelled due to the bombing of the Planalto in Brasilia. The word 'cancelled' was circled in red with the word 'LIES'. Then Shiro noticed another photograph of a building which looked to have been taken recently with a red circle over it. The building itself was strangely different compared to the Planalto. Was it their secret hideout? He noticed a sticky note attached next to it with the address written on it. Shiro realized that the Galra must've seen through the cover story of the meeting and somehow figured out where the presidents were going to be at. He then noticed another sticky note saying:

'Tomorrow

9:30 AM

We strike'

There was only one final conclusion to this. The Galra is going to kill the presidents and possibly abolish the countries' system.

Thankfully, Shiro found a phone lying on the table as he frantically searched for a way for contact. They need to know this. Shiro dialed Allura's number and held the phone to his ear. The beeps repeated multiple times as a couple of seconds had passed. Shiro's fingers tapped on the table as he anxiously waited.

"Pick up, pick up." He muttered.

The beeping stopped shortly.

"Hello?" Allura answered.

"This is Black Lion." Shiro responded.

There was a brief pause. "Shiro? Is that you?" "Yeah. Listen, Sendak and his men are gonna attack the presidents-"

"I know. We're sending the Lions there to stop the attack. Where are you-"

Shiro needed to get his message through. "Do you know where the presidents are meeting at?"

A brief pause filled the air. "Not yet. We're getting Coran and his analysts to pinpoint their location. You found something?"

"Yeah, I'm looking at it right now. They have a secret hideout in Goiânia and the Galra must've figured out their location. That must be where the presidents are going to be tomorrow. I got the address too."

"Alright. I'll relay this to the team. What's the address?"

Shiro took the sticky note off the board and read the address aloud. "R. 15, 32-148, St. Central."

"Got it," Allura said. "I'm gonna send the team to pick you up. Where are you right now?"

"Don't worry about me. I'll meet the team there."

As soon as he hung up, Shiro immediately crushed the phone with his boot, making sure the chip inside was destroyed with the phone. Now to get out of this place and find the team. As he made his way out of the room, Shiro turned around to look at the board one more time. The Galra were smart and dangerous. Possibly more dangerous than Al Qaeda or ISIS, especially with their motives and views. But no matter their perspectives, Voltron's purpose is to take down and prevent terrorism around the world and that is what Shiro and his team is going to do. Looking away, Shiro left the room and set off to put a stop to Sendak's mission.

[wftc141]

Blackwatch Chapter 4: The Star

3:40 PM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

Embassy of the United States

June, 2018

Marvel flinched as Genji landed a back kick to his stomach. He had a feeling Genji was going for the stomach but he didn't expect it this early. Marvel moved around the ring, keeping his steady pace. For the past two minutes, he was unable to land a proper hit on Genji. It was almost as if he could read his next move. Marvel wanted to test his luck again after his disastrous first time sparring with Genji, almost embarrassing himself in front of his team. He had experience with MMA training in between his time at the Air Force. He wanted to be better. He wanted to be perfect.

Wiping the sweat off his forehead with his arm, Marvel went for swift hooks left and right rapidly. Genji covered his face against most of his hits and backed away quickly. Approaching him, Marvel lifted his leg for a roundhouse kick which Genji blocked quickly. Marvel then went for a spinning kick aiming for the head but Genji ducked under. Marvel didn't react in time to block not just one but two of Genji's kicks to his torso with the last being a back kick. It was inhumanly rapid that Marvel wished he had that too. Marvel clutched his stomach, enduring another one of Genji's attacks.

But it was way earlier than he had expected. Genji moved forward and delivered what he perceived was a tornado kick. The impact on his face made Marvel stumble onto the ground. He quickly recovered and moved away, punching the mat and cursing under his breath.

They continued to trade punches with Genji blocking most of them, almost reaching the three-minute mark by ten seconds. At that rate, he was starting to feel tired. Marvel stepped forward and swung a cross at Genji, only for him to push the punch away and wrap his arm over his. Then Genji turned his back against him and Marvel felt his feet lift off the ground. In just one motion, he found himself thrown to the mat with a hard thud. He had lost all of his energy to get up. All of his limbs went limp onto the mat and his heartbeat was twice his usual like it was about to burst open. Marvel sulked. He blew it. What would his young counterpart say? Genji appeared in his view and bent down, reaching a hand out for him.

"You overused your strength," He said. "This'll leave you vulnerable and open to your enemy's attacks. Use your mind, not your body."

Since when did he become my personal trainer? Marvel thought. He glared at his hand for a brief moment. Wiping his mouth, Marvel rejected Genji's hand and pulled himself up while gritting his teeth from the pain. He glanced at Genji while holding his stomach.

"Thanks. You fight well."

It came out dry and nasally. Genji didn't respond as long as he said something grateful enough, it'll do. Stepping out of the ring, he snatched his bottle and towel off the floor. Marvel noticed McCree and his Mexican hacker friend outside the ring, watching him leave. Both of them are either unamused or pitiful. Marvel looked away and went back to the punching bags.

3 Days Later

11:35 PM, Local Time

Busan, South Korea

After cleaning herself up, Hana Song walked out of the bathroom while tying up her hair. It was almost midnight and she still didn't feel like sleeping which Hana thought was both a good and bad thing. The press conference that afternoon wore most of her team out with most of the questions by journalists being boring and mundane. She already prepared herself for bed wearing a t-shirt and shorts.

Hana approached the bed where her friend Yuna Lee was on. Her jet black hair was slightly messy but any kind of hairdo she would try would still make the fans and the media swoon. The TV was still on, blaring music on a lower volume.

"Jesus, I'm so tired," Yuna yawned. "That session was so boring I almost fell asleep."

"Tell me about it. I'm lucky that I barely sleep all the time."

"I still don't believe you're not an alien."

Hana chuckled as she tucked herself in beside Yuna. There was only one large bed so the girls decided to share it. Hana reached for her phone on the nightstand and quickly put up an alarm. The noise from the TV shut off.

"So how're things with that DJ boyfriend of yours? " Yuna asked.

"Huh?" Hana glanced at her.

"Your boyfriend, Lucio. You guys doing fine?"

Hana paused for a moment. "We're going steady. Lucio's finishing up his tour for his new album so it'll probably be a few days until we see each other again."

Yuna nodded and clicked her tongue. Hana adjusted herself against the squishy pillow. There was silence.

"What about you? How's Su-ji?" Hana asked.

Yuna let out a sigh, tugging her crop top. A smirk crept up across her face.

"We're a thing now," she said, surprising Hana. "Su-ji asked me out last week while I was staying at his place. He got a bit nervous and all but-"

Suddenly, they heard muffled bangs. The two perched up and looked around.

"Is that what I think it is?" Hana asked.

More bangs followed up, collectively synchronizing. And it sounded like it was coming from downstairs. Yuna leaned forward to get a view of the door.

"You remember that incident in Seoul last year?" She asked. "I think it's happening again but we're in it this time."

"Oh my god," Hana muttered. "Oh my god, this is crazy. D-do you know where the others are?"

"They were at the bar downstairs."

Hana let out a distraught sigh. Her heart was racing and her breathing was fast. She silently cursed and tried to calm herself down. They were already off the bed at this point.

"C-can you call the police?" Hana asked, pacing across the room.

Yuna already had her phone out. "I can't. There's no signal. There was WiFi earlier and now it's offline."

"What? Oh my…what do we do now?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, wait it out, I guess? I mean, we're in a locked room after all."

"But what about them? They're still down there!"

"Hana, unless we had futuristic mechs capable of shooting lasers, I don't think we stand a chance against these guys. Who knows what they're capable of?"

They both stood in awkward silence, other than anxious breathing. Gunfire had already ceased at this point.

"What about the rooftop?" Hana said.

There was a sudden knock on the door. They both froze and spun, focusing on the door.

"Security! Anyone in there?"

Hana and Yuna exchanged glances. They both silently asked questions with no possible answers. Hana then agreed to approach the door.

"What is it?" She called as she neared the door.

There was no reply from the voice. Looking through the peephole, Hana noticed a man in a red polo shirt with a large vest standing in front of the door. He hardly looked like a security guard.

"A-are you security?" Hana asked.

"I'm off-duty," The man replied. "I was inside when I heard the gunshots. Are you alone?"

Hana quickly glanced at Yuna who was standing by the corridor. She had her suspicions and shook her head. Hana faced the door without looking through the peephole.

"Y-yes. I'm alone. My friend's…i-is the police on their way right now?"

There was a pause. Hana looked back at Yuna again who was now near her. She was still unconvinced the man was security.

"I can't tell. Communications have been cut off so it's not likely. Now can you please open the door so I can check if you're hurt or not?"

Hana looked through the peephole again to check on the man. There was no sign of a badge or a tag.

"Ma'am, this is very important," the man continued. "I have been authorized to bust into guests' rooms if I have to."

"Excuse me, sir. With all due respect, security doesn't take routine room checks and kick doors down...and you definitely don't look like one."

There was another pause but Hana thought she could hear the man mumble something. And then she heard a familiar sound. Hana's eyes widened. It was enough to convince them of his deception. Yuna grabbed her shoulder and threw themselves into the bathroom, dropping onto the floor. Gunshots erupted from outside as the girls slid away from the door frame. Hana's ears began to ring on the verge of deafness from the loud shots. She flinched over each shot that fired upon them. Years of gaming experience and shooter games hadn't prepared her for real gunfire. Was it her time? She wasn't ready for this.

Hana flinched as the door kicked off the lock and slam against the wall. Her breathing became short and detached as she braced. Hana noticed a shadow looming on the porcelain tiles. As soon as the barrel of the gun appeared from the door, Yuna stepped forward and went for the man's gun. Shots fired with one hitting the wall and the other two on the ceiling. Hana forgot how painfully loud the gun was, forcing her to cover her ears. They both pushed and kicked, knocking things off the counter as they struggled for the gun. Yuna managed to pin him against the wall, hitting him as much as possible.

"Go! I got this!" She yelled.

Hana was mixed with jumbled thoughts. She didn't want to leave her behind. She couldn't bear the thought of losing her to a killer. Everything was crowding up her mind she could only move slowly. Then, Hana noticed the gun fly off and land in the bathtub. Without any second thoughts, she reached the bathtub and got the gun. It felt heavy and big for her hands. Thoughts were swarming her head, making it hard for her to hear herself. When Hana turned around, Yuna was pushed back and pinned against the sink.

Hana held up the gun, aiming it in the direction of the man. She felt her hands shake uncontrollably as her finger touched the trigger. Hana pulled the trigger and recoiled to the crack. There was no splashy sound of the bullet hitting the skin. Only a hole left in the back of the man's thigh. Blood suddenly trickled from the hole, soaking the area. The man spun around, teeth gritted and was about to reach for her. It gave Yuna enough time to grab a hairdryer from the counter while he was distracted. She swung it to his face, hard enough to break herself free of his grip.

The man tripped over and fell onto the floor. Yuna didn't even give him a chance to fight back, let alone let him sit up. She was above him, hitting the man with the hairdryer without stopping. She was letting it all out on him. Hana could see faint splashes of blood projecting to the tiles. The man's hands fell limp and Yuna stopped. She was heaving loudly and her breaths were shorter. She got off the body and sat beside the bathtub, dropping the bloody hairdryer. Her hair was disheveled and drips of blood stained her top. Hana could notice her flushed cheeks and her bruised arms. Hana felt like a timid rabbit. She could still feel her ears softly ringing like an alarm.

"Y-Yuna?" Hana quietly said.

Her friend glanced at her while still visibly worn out. Her breathing was starting to ease up.

"I had this." Yuna whispered.

"You didn't look like you did so well." Hana replied.

Yuna didn't reply but she decided to pat down the man. Hana looked at the gun she fired. The slide was clipped back and there was no bullet inside. It was now useless. Shortly, Yuna stood up with a flip phone on her hand. Hana couldn't see her reaction but she was lingering to it for a while.

"W-what is it?" Hana asked.

Yuna turned around and Hana quickly noticed how staggered she was.

"It's them."

Hana was confused by her answer. "Who?"

Before she could ask more, Yuna moved past her.

"We need to get to the rooftop now." She said.

Hana wanted to ask who it was. But Yuna was already at the door before she could find her words. She eventually stumbled after her and followed Yuna out of the room. Just as she stepped out, Hana noticed three men in similar vests, armed with rifles, closing in on the two.

The Next Day

10:00 PM, Local Time

West Busan, South Korea

The flaps opened as the Blackwatch team entered the makeshift command center one by one where they were greeted by the sight of Gabriel and Amélie standing by the displays. Once everybody was present, Gabriel began the briefing.

"Alright, let's get into it," he said, turning on the TV. "Last night, a group of armed men stormed the Lijiang Busan hotel and took an unknown number of guests and staff hostage. Because no negotiations have been made, Salvatore has permission to declare this as a Blackwatch operation."

"But that's the ROK's job. Why are we needed?" Ray asked.

"Because intel NATO has provided us with theorized a possibility that the armed men are the separatists of North Korea, the Gwishin." Amélie answered.

The TV displaying the news article and footage then switched to a new slide, showing a black flag with a side view of a leopard skull and swords formed into a cross behind it.

"This group is led by radical, politically motivated terrorists who wish to see their supreme country rise, even if it means the downfall of South Korea. They have been orchestrating attacks on South Korea for the past decade every couple years and continued to this day." She continued, switching to another slide showing news articles about them from the past.

"Intel has also ID'd and confirmed one of the Gwishin members in the hotel as the number one on South Korea's watchlist: Hwang Gyeong-jae AKA. the White Panther." Gabriel added.

The display then switched to a new slide, showing a blurry photo taken from a security camera. The photo was cropped to only focus on the bald man with a large forehead seemingly ordering something. Another photo was a second cropped piece showing the same man posing with the others blocked out for comparison. There was a scar on his right eye.

"He's one of the lieutenants of the Gwishin and possibly more ruthless than the others. He was infamously responsible for the bombing of Major Myung Seon-ok during a diplomatic meeting in 2012."

"If these guys are separatists, then what are they trying to achieve by taking an entire hotel hostage? Doesn't make any sense." Marvel said.

"Whatever message they're trying to send, orders are orders," Gabriel continued. "We'll be going in as an anonymous counter-terrorism unit in corporation with the 707th SMB. Because we were never there, all credit for the raid will go towards them. Sombra, Marvel, Ray, you three hang back. The rest of you, gear up and be ready by 1010."

The rest of the team left the command center one by one while Marvel and Ray were left inside with Sombra. Gabriel looked behind his shoulder at the shrouded tent with light between the flaps before turning away and catching up with his team.

10:29 PM, Local Time

As the chilly night brewed, the Blackwatch team in the KUS-VH unmanned helicopter flew past the skyline of Busan where the sight of the brightly lit Harbor Bridge was easy to spot. Another helicopter flying with them held the SMB team, shrouded in all black gear. The Blackwatch team were suited up in uniforms with masks, covering their identities. They were only a few minutes close to the hotel. Faint siren lights were still flickering from the bottom outside and a news helicopter hovered around the hotel for a shot.

"글라이더 1, AO 접근 20 초 남았습니다. (Glider 1, approaching AO. 20 seconds out.)"

"Copy. Get ready for landing." Gabriel replied.

As the helicopters reached the hotel, the helicopter began to descend to the rooftop with the SMB following. Once it was a few inches off the roof, Gabriel and the team hopped off and started moving. With their weapons ready, Gabriel led his team towards the door while the SMB unit got their rappelling gear set up by the balcony. They wanted to breach the upper floor for the gunmen.

Entering inside, the Blackwatch team descended down the emergency stairway, floor by floor. Their body cameras were attached to their plate carriers as surveillance for Sombra and the others back at their post.

"Shadow 1," Sombra's voice from the comms buzzed. "I've hacked into the security surveillance system and the hotel is swarming with the Gwishin and I mean, a lot of them."

"Not the first time. Any sign of the hostages?" Gabriel asked.

"Still on it. No sign of the White Panther yet."

Gabriel ordered McCree and Moira to sweep the first floor, leaving himself with Amélie and Genji. They reached the ground floor and stacked up by the door. Gabriel slowly opened the door and the team moved out, approaching an integrated cafe. It was brightly lit yet dead quiet. Most of the furniture was toppled over in the midst of the rush. Gabriel stopped by the table once he noticed a pair of men with matching rifles patrolling the cafe several feet away from each other.

Gabriel mounted his Scar L on the edge of the table and made some hand signals with his right hand. Amélie nodded and raised her K7 at the figures. Once Gabriel got their line of sight, he pulled the trigger twice. The suppressor pulsed as the muzzle let out a small flash. The gunman on the left dropped immediately and the other fell in half a second. They were about to stand up when they heard a thunderous burst erupt from the ground. The group froze. Faint noises echoed from afar. Gabriel cursed under his breath.

"Hope you guys got a plan B," Sombra said. "Cause the entire hotel knows something's up."

"Just find the hostages! We'll deal with the rest!" Gabriel replied.

Once the group moved out of the cafe, gunfire from above erupted across the hotel. The SMB must've breached once they heard the discharge. So much for keeping it quiet. As they reached the lobby, Gabriel caught sight of four gunmen from across the lobby near the stairs. He fired a couple of suppressive bursts at them before taking cover behind the reception counter as retaliation gunfire barreled upon the group.

Gabriel chanced a glance through the counter and bolted back as soon as gunfire focused on him. Objects and paper from the counter popped and flung around like confetti. Amélie fired back from behind the wall near the barricaded entrance, taking out one of the gunmen running low in the middle of the fight. Gabriel stood out of cover and returned fire, taking down another gunmen beside the Lijiang label statue. The remaining gunmen were taken out by Genji.

"Clear!" He called out.

"Shadow 1, I found the hostages. They're in the function room next to the restaurant on the first floor." Sombra said.

"Copy, Shadow 4," Gabriel replied as he moved out of cover. "Let's go. Hostages are in the function room upstairs.

As he led his group up the wide stairs between the escalators, gunfire erupted from behind with bullets pelting the stairs. The group quickly spun around and returned fire on two gunmen from below, taking them down without a hitch. Once they reached the first floor, they noticed three gunmen at the hallway shops with one of them carrying a pistol. The team took cover from the hail of gunfire behind the wall. Bullets sprayed at the walls, piecing off dust and small shards of material.

Gabriel leaned over slightly and returned fire, hitting the gunmen with the pistol in the stomach. As he fell onto his stomach, Gabriel slipped away from another barrage of gunfire. He ejected the empty mag and fitted it with a new one before retracting the bolt. Gabriel could hear the cries of one of the gunmen he shot. Amélie got out of cover and managed to hit the second gunman running across the hallway and the last one as soon as he peeked out from behind the leather couches.

Once gunfire ceased, the team moved out and headed towards the hallway. Gabriel finished off the fallen gunman before he was able to raise his pistol. They reached the restaurant to their left where they noticed another group of gunmen near the buffet counters. Gabriel immediately shot the gunman on the right and took cover from oncoming gunfire. While his group hid behind the bar counter, Gabriel mounted his rifle on the edge of the couch and opened fire at the scurrying gunmen. Plate shards and glass sprayed across the restaurant and furniture tumbled over. Three more gunmen arrived from the back, suppressing the group hard enough to make Gabriel take cover.

He took a flash grenade attached to his plate carrier, pulled the pin and tossed it out into the open. A loud bang erupted and gunfire began to cease. The group took that chance to return fire, taking out several gunmen before the rest dropped. Gabriel glanced to his right where the other entrance was and noticed McCree, Moira and the SMB unit entering the restaurant with their weapons' muzzles letting out smoke.

"Clear!" He called before noticing Gabriel. "Reyes, you okay?"

Gabriel simply nodded. Then his comm buzzed.

"Shadow 1, the rest of the terrorists are holed up in the function room with the hostages. And the White Panther's with them."

"Copy," Gabriel replied. "All units, on me."

The team followed Gabriel past the restaurant until they reached the door leading to the function room. Gabriel could hear faint voices through the wall which sounded like a shout. They were possibly waiting for them to come through.

"Plant the charges." Gabriel ordered.

As the team stacked up by the door on each side, one of the SMB operatives set up an explosive charge before stepping away from the door's sight. Once everybody was clear from the door, the operative set off the charge on Gabriel's mark. A bright, deafening blast erupted, engulfing the door in smoke and dust. As soon as the door was blasted open, Gabriel and the team tossed their flashbangs into the room without throwing it too far to blind the hostages.

They stormed into the room and managed to put down the rest of the terrorists hiding behind makeshift cover without difficulty. Gabriel caught sight of the White Panther who seemed to be unaffected by the flash, reaching for a girl nearby. Before he could even touch her, Gabriel fired several rounds to his chest before going for the head. With the smoke fading and the gunfire ceasing, Gabriel glanced at the hostages lined up on the back of the wall. They were relieved and alarmed at the same time. He tapped into his earpiece.

"This is Shadow 1, all hostiles neutralized. White Panther is down. Hostages secure."

"Copy," Sombra replied. "That was kinda genius on the breach thing by the way."

Gabriel bent down to check on the body. The face was similar. Black eyes, large forehead and bald but something was off. His scar was absent. He got back to his comms.

"This is Shadow 1, negative ID on the White Panther. I repeat, negative ID on the White Panther." Gabriel said.

"Are you sure?" He heard Marvel ask. "Our hacker can use a facial scanner on him."

"Don't bother. It ain't him. Intel was wrong."

"He's right," Sombra said. "I'm good with identifying people's faces and that's definitely not him."

Gabriel cut off the comms and growled under his breath. If they were told the so-called 'White Panther' was just a wannabe terrorist, this would've been the army's job and their time would've not been wasted. Sighing, Gabriel turned to where his team was and helped tend to the hostages. At some point, he will have to tell the rest of the team.

11:00 PM, Local Time

"So that wasn't the White Panther?" Amélie said, after hearing Gabriel's news.

"Yep," he replied as they walked past police units and paramedics. "The guy was just someone who looked like him. He hardly bothered to fight back."

"It's not possible for intel coming from Salvatore being wrong."

"Well, he must've made a mistake. This was just a random attack. We weren't needed here."

Gabriel was able to predict his team's disappointment over the news of the White Panther. All this for something the Korean government could've dealt with instead.

"(I'm sorry, ma'am. You must step back from military personnel.)" Gabriel heard one of the police officers say.

"(Please I need to speak to them.)" a woman's voice replied. "Sir, I need to speak to you! It's urgent!"

Gabriel and Amélie turned as soon as they heard the woman speak English. She was trying to get past the police officers blocking her way. The woman looked concerned and desperate like she was trying to warn them of something. After ordering the guards to move aside, Gabriel watched as she approached them. She was slightly short and her long hair was messed up.

"Can I help you?" The leader asked.

"My name is Hana Song and I have information you need to know."

Gabriel and Amélie exchanged glances before turning back to the woman.

"We're listening." He nodded.

"The hostage situation was a distraction by the Gwishin so they could get close to Chung Nam-il without police interference."

"The Prime Minister? What happened to him?" Amélie asked.

"They kidnapped him from his home. This happened at the same time these guys took the hotel hostage but the media didn't report on it."

"So this was the Gwishin…"Gabriel muttered. "What are they planning to do with him?"

"They're going to execute him back in North Korea so they can start the New Korean War." Hana replied.

She paused. Hana looked as though doubtful of what was next. Gabriel and Amélie were both waiting for her to continue.

"Keep going…" Gabriel asked.

Hana took a deep breath. "He was one of the officials for the North Korean army until he defected to the South fifteen years ago. All the attacks they've been doing was to divide the union and they believe executing him in North Korea would be enough to give South Korea a reason to declare war. Everything else they've planned is on this phone I got from one of the terrorists."

Hana then pulled out a flip phone from her pocket, handing it to Gabriel. Although it looked to be broken, Gabriel could see it was intact.

"I don't know what else to say but if the war happens, it could drag other countries into this and the damage could be catastrophic." Song added.

Gabriel could feel her desperate tone. If what she's saying was true, this would be something worse than the fight against terrorists. It was an act of war. They needed to act now and fast.

"Do you know where he's held?" Gabriel asked, looking back at Hana.

"Hwansang Port. They're planning to smuggle him out by ship tonight." She replied.

Gabriel then nodded before slipping the phone into his pocket.

"Thanks, Ms Song," he said. "We'll take it from here. Go and get some rest for now."

"Thank you, sir." Hana replied which almost sounded like a whisper before allowing police to take her back.

"I'll go with Shadow 7 and 8. We'll keep in touch." Amélie said.

"Fine by me, go." Gabriel nodded.

Amélie began to walk away and out towards the road. Gabriel stayed and looked back at the scene where the paramedics continued to treat the hostages with the police questioning some of them.

After the call from Lacroix, Marvel slipped on the plate carrier over his hoodie with exposed forearms and fitted himself with his own Glock 17 while Ray did the same and armed himself with the UMP-45 fitted with a red-dot optic from the last mission. They were also provided with some neck gaiters for concealment. Once they were ready, they headed out and got into a black unmarked SUV before driving off to the Port. Marvel did a press check of his Glock as they entered the highway.

"Do you have any guns other than a sidearm?" Ray asked as he drove.

"I have an MCX but that depends on the mission. I prefer to carry light." He replied, putting his pistol in the waist holster.

"Well, you might wanna bring that one just in case. Any mission can go sideways at any time."

Marvel didn't reply but he wasn't wrong. He had never been on a major mission before. As they continued down the almost empty highway, Marvel had a thought of the situation.

"Makes sense now." Marvel said.

"What does?" Ray asked without glancing at him.

"The Gwishin's plan. They never liked the whole truce thing in Korea."

"Wouldn't make sense that the ROK knew about this."

"That's the point. The ROK didn't know it was them because they don't have enough proof that it is them. The Gwishin wanted the South Korean government to break the truce and they think killing the Prime Minister on North Korean soil would convince the government to raise hell on the North so they could retaliate with bombs and shit, just like the old days."

"I don't think I will understand these guys." Ray said.

"Maybe that's what they're trying to make us think."

A few minutes had passed and the two passed the gate leading to the Port. The place was empty for the late night with all the stacked containers locked up and secured. They reached the entrance to an area of the Port at the very end. There was a blue two story building nearby with a warehouse at a distance. Ray parked the SUV at the parking lot beside them before killing the engine. There was no sign of Lacroix anywhere but she could be taking position from afar.

"This is Shadow 8, we have reached the destination, over." Ray said to his comm as he got out.

"Copy," Lacroix replied. Her feed was shared with Marvel too. "Counting multiple hostiles near the warehouse. No sign of the PM. They seem to be waiting for something."

"Probably waiting for the PM." Marvel added.

"Guess we're gonna have to see for ourselves." Ray commented, finishing up on his weapon check.

Once they were ready, the two moved out and headed for the warehouse with Ray taking point. They passed a yellow truck parked in front of the boom gate and reached the stack of containers a few feet away from the blue building and near the office. They eventually reached the warehouse near the end where a large cargo ship was moored to the side.

Marvel watched through the window of a car with Ray behind him. He moved over to the front and counted about five men in balaclavas and dark uniforms with ballistic gear. They were carrying what appeared to be smuggled weapons. He heard a door creak and turned to the warehouse where a masked separatist went down the platform while taking a cuffed person with a bag over his head with him. Blood was stained at the front of his messy suit with his blue tie partially ripped off his shirt.

"There's the PM. They must've roughed him up badly." Marvel whispered.

"Copy. I see him too." Lacroix replied.

Shortly, they heard the sounds of a car engine closing in. Faint headlights began to enlarge from the side and a white van stopped. The doors swung open and a familiar face emerged. The tall, bald man with the scar near his eye. His muscular appearance was quite noticeable.

"Shadow 8 to Shadow 2, I got visual on the White Panther, over." Ray said.

"Hopefully the real White Panther." Marvel commented.

They watched him as three more men appeared from the van with smuggled ARs. The White Panther began to approach his team and conversed in Korean. Marvel couldn't understand what they said but it could be about the PM.

"What do we do?" Ray asked.

"Wait for it. Let's see what they're gonna do to him." Marvel replied.

Shortly, one of the separatists grabbed the PM and pushed him towards the White Panther. As he held the PM, the White Panther then stopped and looked around. He was scanning the area as if he was looking for something. He then faced their direction but he didn't look to have spotted them.

Just as the White Panther checked the PM, Marvel heard a faint sound of sirens wailing from a distance, seemingly closing in. Once they turned towards the sound, the White Panther suddenly winced and stumbled back, clasping over the temple of his head and letting go of the PM. A thunderous crack followed up. His men began scrambling towards the White Panther while others got into defensive positions. That must've been Lacroix's sniper shot.

"Shadow 7 and 8, you are clear to engage. Repeat, clear to engage." She ordered from the radio.

Without any second thoughts, Marvel stood up and mounted his pistol on the hood, aimed for the unsuspecting separatists and opened fire. He managed to down one of them, grabbing their attention. Ray followed his lead and fired at the separatists. Bullets pelted at the car the two hid behind and a tire popped, letting out a hiss. Ray leaned over to the other side of the car and fired back. Marvel noticed two separatists fall before catching sight of the White Panther and the remaining Gwishin members heading for the van while dragging the PM with them. One of them fell onto the front hood with blood splattering on it and a familiar crack erupted from the distance. Then the van's engine rumbled.

"Shadow 7 to Shadow 2, targets are trying to escape by vehicle, over!" Marvel called out as the two emerged out of cover and chased the van.

They managed to find the van reversing it's way out and opened fire. The bullets sprayed the hood and reached the windshield before hitting one of the tires. The van began to slow down as Marvel fired at another tire, completely immobilizing the vehicle. As the two approached the van cautiously, Marvel heard the back door open and footsteps distancing themselves. Marvel's predictions of a surprise realize when a separatist appeared from the side with his rifle raised. He quickly fired two shots to his chest before going for the head.

"Shadow 7 and 8, I lost visual on both of you. You'll have to find the PM fast, over."

The two reached the van and found the back doors swung open and empty inside. Then Ray's weapon fired upon, prompting Marvel to turn to where he was shooting at.

"Over there! At the cargo containers!" Ray called, running after them.

Marvel followed him to the containers, stepping on a puddle across the road. Once they reached the containers, they were immediately willed back by suppressive gunfire. Marvel slid behind the containers away from the volley of bullets bolting between and noticed Ray across him. He heard one of the separatists shout through gunfire.

"Cover me." Ray said.

Marvel shook his head. "No, you cover me. I'll flank them."

Ray nodded and leaned over to provide cover fire. Marvel moved away from him and headed to the left, raising his pistol. Moving between containers, he aimed his pistol at the separatist hiding from Ray. Just as he turned around, Marvel fired at his stomach. He held onto the body and aimed over his shoulder, shooting the last separatist in the torso. As he fell onto his knees, Marvel finished him off with a shot to the head. He then placed himself in a clinch with the wounded seperatist before pivoting on his heel and throwing him to the ground with his hip. Once he was down, Marvel fired a well-placed bullet to the temple, making it the last round. The cartridge bounced off the cement with a metallic clink.

Ray appeared past the container and noticed the bodies. Marvel unloaded his mag, inserting a new one before pulling the slide back. Ray glanced at him, impressed.

"Nice." He said.

"Thanks," Marvel replied, standing up. "Let's go."

The two then made it out of the containers with Ray taking point. They reached the road across the blue building where they caught sight of the White Panther and the last separatist stuffing the PM into a car. The two opened fire at them, only managing to penetrate the car before taking cover from return gunfire. As Marvel aimed past the sides, he caught sight of the separatist's head peeking out from the side and fired. He then noticed his body slump to the side.

Marvel noticed the White Panther firing at Ray's position near him and fired back, only hitting the hood. He ducked down and changed mags as gunfire focused on his position. Suddenly, they heard a click. Marvel and Ray exchanged glances and he gave him a nod. Ray got out of cover and managed to fire several rounds at the White Panther before he could get down. Marvel stood up from cover and approached the car with Ray behind. He peered past the sides and found the White Panther on the ground. There were several holes to his plate carrier and blood was soaking his clothes. However, he was still alive for some reason. Marvel quickly placed a round to his large forehead before he could try any moves on him. He kept his gaze on his body as the thin smoke escaped the muzzle. Marvel activated his radio.

"Shadow 7 to Shadow 2, the White Panther has been neutralized, over." He said.

"Copy, Shadow 7," Lacroix replied. "Secure the PM, over."

Marvel got off the radio and checked on the White Panther's body while Ray tended to the PM inside the car. There was nothing false about his face. He was definitely not a double this time. Marvel turned around as Ray got the PM out of the car with the bag taken off his head. He was still shaken but relieved to see his rescuers.

"Shadow 8 to Shadow 2, PM is secure. We're moving out, over." Ray said.

"Copy, Shadow 8. Exfiling now. Out."

Ray then glanced at the White Panther's body before looking back at Marvel.

"You sure he's the real one?" He asked.

"Yeah. No other North Korean would have a large ass scar like him."

Ray nodded and the two walked away from the body, heading back to their vehicle with the PM in their protection. Eventually, this would make the headlines of Busan by the time the workers arrive.

5:53 PM, Local Time

Rome, Italy

After a long day and being dismissed, Marvel returned to his apartment outside the Embassy. Unlocking the door, he entered his unit and placed his backpack on the coat rack beside him. His place wasn't much of a luxury house but it was enough to feel comfortable. Wide rooms for bigger furniture and a balcony overlooking the district which was enough comfort for him to take advantage of.

Marvel took a quick shower before slipping on some comfortable clothes. Walking out of the bedroom, he got himself a can of beer from the fridge and a before heading into the living room. He crashed onto the couch and turned on the T.V. However, he wasn't interested in what the T.V had to offer so he just left it on to keep the noise on. Popping off the cap, he took a swig of the ice-cold refreshment.

Then, one of the news reports caught his attention. He didn't understand Italian but he could tell they were reporting on the incident in Busan and the police identifying the bodies at the Port last night as the Gwishin separatists, as well as one of the bodies being the White Panther. Additionally, there was CCTV footage of two masked figures opening fire at the Gwishin from a distance in which Marvel recognized himself. A smirk began to grow across his face. Then, the footage of the South Korean Prime Minister in the hospital bed making a statement played on the screen. Afterward, the rest of the news wasn't too important for him.

Taking another swig, Marvel lifted the controller and changed channels.