Hereford Base; Gym

August 3rd, 2021

Derek POV

You placed a 45 lb plate onto the bar and slid underneath it. Sean was right behind you ready to spot when you shoo'd him away

Mickey: What?

Derek: This isn't anything difficult. I'm warming up.

Mickey: My bad, you forget that it's been awhile since we worked out at the same time.

Derek: Well, you could've looked over at the board and seen what peoples PR's are.

Mickey: You know me, why would I even bat an eye at that when I can focus on my own things.

You gripped the bar and lifted it off the rack

Derek: Because... you are the designated sniper... so it's only right... that you... keep a keen eye on things.

You placed the bar back on the rack and sat up. You went and grabbed two 25s and started to head back over to the bar

Mickey: So it's been a bit since our last major op, what's the plan stepping forward?

Derek: The plan is... well I'm quite unsure.

Mickey: You aren't sure what's going to happen after?

Derek: No, most we know is that Felix is alive. But if neither of the mask bases had him, and Nighthaven doesn't have him. Where the hell could he be?

Mickey: Maybe he's just not here anymore.

Derek: They wouldn't leave out that he died a second time, perhaps they knew their bases were under attack so they left out information on things. Specifically the info Mark found about that new group.

Mickey: You really think there's a new group?

Derek: It's what Mark Found, and I trust his word with whatever he finds.

Mickey: Whatever you say...

Date: August 15th, 2021

Time: 1:25 AM

Hereford Base

You felt your eyes start to close but you slapped yourself a couple of times to keep yourself awake. Mark, who was sitting next to you, looked over just as tired

NATO: I don't understand, In the years I've had doing this shit, why am I struggling to find a lead on this.

Derek: Because who the hell knows.

NATO: You know you don't gotta suffer with me here, go get some sleep.

Derek: If I'm gonna be commanding this squad, I might aswell suffer along with you. It wouldn't be fair to leave you alone.

NATO: But it's been fucking days and we still have no clue where Felix is and who the hell this new boss is.

Derek: And sending Robert out with the rest of 052 is coming up with nothing aswell. Maybe we should just throw in the towel for the time being.

NATO: For you to be accepting the facts to something is...

Derek: New?

NATO: More like out of character.

Derek: Times changed. I'm tired, you're tired, just gotta face facts that we have to let this case go for the time being until we can find something later on.

NATO: Yea, I'm sorry we couldn't find anything else.

Derek: Don't be, I'm glad we atleast found a hint. Place everything in a secure file and get some sleep man. You deserve it.

You got out of your chair and gave him a pat on the shoulder before leaving the room.

Date: August 19th, 2021

Hereford Base; Briefing Room 1

Derek POV

You stood at the end of a table while Mark was on his tablet

Derek: So we've reached a dead end with the Felix situation, now might be a good time to assist John in eliminating that smaller threat.

NATO: That's easy, if you want to find the leader of the group, you have to find the second in command. The one who's really doing the dirty work.

Derek: Ok? How do we find them.

NATO: We'd base it off an attack that will happen soon. Like for example the Six major that's being held in Mexico City, Mexico.

Derek: Alright, so that's the plan?

NATO: Real question is who would you bring?

Derek: I think it'll be a job the two of us can handle, and since they need the experience, we'll bring Omaha aswell. Once we get a location we can notify a stand by squad to their location and raid.

NATO: And the standby squad?

Derek: Sean, Robert, Franklin, and they'll grab John along with the rest of Omaha.

NATO: Bit of a big task for Omaha.

Derek: You ever hear of having a sword and shield?

NATO: Who hasn't.

Derek: Well in this instance they have a Sword, a Shield, a bow, and a scalpel. They'll be just fine.

2 hours Later

You laid out the plan to the rest of your squad and Robert piped up

Demo: So once you get the intel, We'll jump to the location.

Derek: Yes, and I expect you to protect them with your life.

Demo: Who's "them"?

Derek: The female recruits you pick up along with John. You know your roles, enforce it.

Demo: Yes sir.

Date: August 21st, 2021

Mexico City, Mexico

Derek POV

You were standing on the roof of the stadium and watched Mark scroll through different cameras on his tablet

Derek: Ground team do you copy?

Kenzie: *radio* Loud and clear sir, how do we look?

You looked on the tablet as Mark scrolled to a camera that had a clear site of them. They wore regular attire and waved at the camera that was above them

Derek: Like you own the place.

Kenzie: *Radio* Damn right, ready to shoot some fuckin Nerds.

Derek: Let me and Mark deal with any members of the group. In the meantime I need you guys to keep your cover and for once, enjoy yourselves outside of the base.

Kenzie: *Radio* These are our orders?

Derek: For the time being, yes. We'll keep you guys updated, for now just have fun and stay safe. Mark will be watching.

Your turned off your Comms and let out a sigh, Mark noticed this and looked up at you

NATO: You seem troubled.

Derek: Ya think?

NATO: You're trying to distract your worry by being laid back.

Derek: They really do not understand how difficult and dangerous this is going to be if they're careless, being laid back makes them blend in more. I just...

NATO: You just, what?

Derek: Would like to have somebody enjoy our life better than we did. Hell we were just kids when we were on the frontlines during the US invasion. They didn't, so it's best to keep it that way. And let them relax, Don't want them having the same problems we do.

NATO: And if they become in danger?

Derek: Then I'm going to be their sword and shield. They aren't exactly armed, and their CQC is not the greatest right now. But we'll hone their edges.

He scoffed but you could tell he was smirking through his helmet as he went back to looking at his tablet

NATO: So from what I can get, their main plan is to just steal the PCs and make a getaway to sell for cash, so once that opportunity comes...

Derek: We swoop in from the skylight and mow them motherfuckers down.

NATO: Sigh, you always speak with bullets and not with your head.

Derek: Didn't know I had to use my head.

NATO: In some instances you don't, but this time... there's too many civvies in the area for you to just go in guns blazing. You have to remember Derek, this isn't a battlefield. This is a small building with a big crowd, and one of them has to live so that way we can gain information. Now think of something that can be better than the first plan.

Derek: Once they go to snag the PCs, we drop down from the skylight. The second your boots hit the ground, worry about crowd control. Single fire, pick your targets, and don't let them leave. I'll worry about incapacitating one or more of those thieves with the computers in their hands.

NATO: And if one gets away?

Derek: They won't, now stop looking at your tablet for a second and get yourself in a harness.

NATO: Aye Aye captain.

He set his tablet down and gave you a hardy salute

Derek: Wipe that dumbass look off your face and strap the fuck up.

He clipped a wire to his harness and tied the end to a rod sticking from the ground. He tugged the wire to be sure it was tight and proceeded to look back on his tablet

NATO: So once we jump in, what's the music choice for today.

Derek: Start playing "A Passed Life" by Fozzy. But queue to around two minutes and fifty four seconds.

NATO: Alright, song is prepped. Soon it'll be go time.

You put your helmet on and Mark did the same. Thirty minutes went by and suddenly Mark stopped looking at his Tablet and grabbed ahold of his wire.

NATO: Caught them moving through backstage, get ready to drop down.

You grabbed a hold of your wire and looked over at Mark. He held up three fingers before dropping them down and tossing himself down the skylight. You did the same and quickly descend to the stage. Your feet touched the ground and you immediately unholstered your sidearm and shot one of the masked assailants dead. Just before another could get back behind the stage, you shot him in the leg and another in the back. You holstered your glock and ran over to the one that was shot in the back. You shook him a couple times before you realized that he was dead on the spot.

Derek: Can no one take a bullet nowadays?

You stood up from that man and proceeded to walk over to the one that was attempting to get up while clutching his arm. He was able to get up but you grabbed the collar of his shirt and threw him back towards the ground and stood over top of him

Derek: Alright, I'm not in a good mood and you just happened to be in my line of sights. So here's what's going to happen, and here's what you're going to tell me.

Masked man: *Groans* I'll tell you whatever you want. Just please don't kill me.

Derek: That all depends if you tell me what I wish to know. Starting off with where who your leader is. I want a name, appearance.

Masked man: I don't know who you're talking about

You stepped on his bullet wound and he winced in pain

Derek: I don't think you understand the severity of the situation you're in. Give me a name and I'll let you walk away with atleast one of your arms functioning.

Masked Man: Alright, alright. You're looking for a man named Victor Kraus. Professor at the university of Texas at Austin.

Derek: That wasn't so hard now was it.

You turned your attention to Mark who was getting ready to contact the second squad

Derek: They're gonna be going for a man named Victor Kraus, professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

NATO: Copy, I'll get word out and wait for them to confirm the target.

Derek: Good, now in the meantime...

You gripped the mama shirt collar and pulled him up and sat him down in one of the chairs

Derek: You're gonna stay right here until the job is over and done with.

Masked Man: Just who the hell are you.

Derek: That's not important, what is important however, is whether or not you were telling the truth. I guess time will only tell.

Mark walked up to you and placed his hand on your shoulder

NATO: Team 2 is moving to the university now, what do we do in the mean time.

Derek: Take their phones and try to see if you can gather anything else.

NATO: I'll let you know if I find anything else.

The man started to laugh and before Mark could get any closer, you shoved him back after noticing him pull out a detonator and pressing the button.

Austin, Texas; University of Texas

Robert POV

The helicopter touched down at the university with you and your team all hopping off and running towards the Computer Science building. You all reached it and lined up against the wall before putting your finger to your ear

Demo: Mick, got anything on your scope?

Mickey: *Radio* Building is kinda shot, but no I have no eyes on any members in the area. You're clear to move in and apprehend the target.

Demo: Roger that.

You turned off your Comms and looked down the line

Demo: Now I don't know if Colt taught you anything about sweeping a building, but just stick close and this'll all be done quick. Ready?

Kait: Yes sir.

Demo: Good.

You opened the door to the and started moving through the building, peaking into each room as you went by. You finally stopped at one room and signaled for everyone to stop. You felt a tap on your shoulder and proceeded to kick the door open and aimed your M9 at the professor

Demo: Task Force 052, get on your knees and show me your hands!

You walked down the aisle while the professor put his hands in the air and got on his knees. You got behind him and zip tied his hands together and pulled him up

Victor: I don't understand, what am I being detained for?

Demo: We received word that you were the head of the organization known as the "Children of Adam".

Victor: With what information.

Demo: The information we're about to pull from your laptop. Now if you like to keep all of your teeth in line, I'd advise you shut the hell up. John, what's taking so fucking long.

Bulldog: After further analysis, I'm not the brightest tool here.

Sam: Oh for Pete's sake, move over, I can do it.

She took over from his spot and after a few minutes she pulled out her phone and took pictures of the screen

Sam: Got it, files on files of Victor planning attacks and even executing a few of them. Most recently being the failed op in Mexico City.

Victor: That plan failed?

Demo: Ofcourse it fucking failed, we have smarter people than you. Shit didn't take that long to anticipate.

Victor: But were you able to anticipate the failsafe?

Demo: The failsafe? The hell are you talking about.

Victor: Every member was rigged with a bomb in the instance they became captured. I'm going to assume you were close by prior to them finding my location so, how's your men?

You felt a stroke of anger and you let it out by smacking the back of his head with the grip of your M9. He fell to the ground unconscious and you immediately turned on your Comms.

Demo: NATO do you copy, has anything happened there.... Colt?!?

After getting nothing you slammed your fist on the professors desk in frustration before attempting to contact Omaha

Demo: Is anyone from Squad Omaha able to answer. What is going on.

After a minute passed a voice came through your ear

Kenzie: *Radio* Demo?

Demo: I'm here, what's going on there? Where is Colt and NATO?

Kenzie: *Radio* Not good, the guy blew himself up and they were the closest to the blast.

Demo: Well, what is their status?

You motioned for someone to get the heli ready while Kenzie spoke up again

Kenzie: *Radio* Their gear stopped burns, but they're both bleeding from the heads. We don't know what to do. The blood is soaking their balaclavas, I don't want them to not be able to breathe.

Demo: Keep their balaclavas on and wait for further info from Patch after he gets settled in the chopper. Where are the EMTs at that place?

Kenzie: *Radio* Right now? Taking off the rest of their gear. NATO is still conscious but Colt isn't.

Demo: Can you get NATO on the Comms.

Kenzie: *Radio* I can try.

Mexico City, Mexico

Kenzie POV

You held the earpiece close to Marks head and waited for Robert to talk again

Demo: *Radio* NATO you with me?

NATO: Yea... I'm here.

Demo: *Radio* We're on our way over to you now. For how long the trip might be, I don't know when we'll get there. Most I need from you right now is to stay strong and stay awake.

NATO: Oh believe me, I'd much rather be awake in this current state.

Demo: *Radio* You're a bitch for that.

NATO: Pleasure doing business with you too. We're most likely going to be transferred to a hospital once the ambulance arrives.

Demo: *Radio* Whatever the case, you're not dying until we get you a woman.

NATO: I'll be looking forward to seeing all your failed attempts.

EMT: I don't mean to intrude on this conversation, but I'd heavily advise removing your balaclavas.

Demo: *Radio* Touch their balaclavas and I cut off one your fingers.

NATO: Demo it's fine, cameras had to have stopped rolling or are not looking at the stage right now.

He reached up to his balaclava and took it off. He tossed it to the side and you noticed a small puddle of blood leak from the cloth. The EMT began wrapping his head while another started to reach for Derek's mask aswell he lifted it off and began to do the same process. The most you could do was watch and admire at the sight of how young they were

Ava: You know, going back to the first day, never would've thought they were this young. Makes alot of sense though considering they act like children.

Kenzie: Yea but, their skills don't match their age.

Ava: They've been doing their specialties for years it seems.

After a few more minutes of waiting, the ambulance finally showed up to the scene. Both men were lifted onto stretchers and brought outside. They were placed into the back of the trucks. You got into the truck carrying Derek while the other two got in the truck holding Mark. Most you could do was watch over him and wait.