Los Angeles, California 7:42 A.M.

Derek POV

Derek: So what exactly are you guys doing today?

IQ: Locust you're going aswell.

Derek: I am?

TheDooo: Dude, get some more sleep.

Derek: I have enough.

Ela: You just asked where we were going.

Derek: Yea, where are we going.

Ela: Locust, we're going to an event.

Derek: Alright, when.

Ela: In like 3 hours. Get some more sleep.

Derek: I can live with an hour.

IQ: No you're not, get some more sleep, we won't leave without you.

Derek: Fine, jeez you're like a mom I never had.

IQ: What is that supposed to mean.

Derek: What it meant.

You walked over to a room and closed the door, you laid down and closed your eyes and soon your were asleep.

3rd Person POV

Ela: Hey Monika?

IQ: Yea?

Ela: Did he just blatantly say he grew up without a mother?

IQ: Yea, he did.

Ela: Well atleast you're like a mom to him.

IQ: I don't think he meant it in a good way.

TheDooo: So um, where did he dump the bodies?

Ela: Oh, saw him throw them in a few garbage cans. Got pissed off for soem reason and kicked one down the hill outside.

She pointed outside of the window down a hill to see a trash can on its side with a body folded outside of it.

TheDooo: Oh, he's gonna get that soon right?

IQ: Who knows, we just started learning who he is.

Grizzy: You mean he's a mystery at base aswell?

Ela: Yea, never talked, cold stare, always followed orders excessively, was secretive. We just started getting him to be himself after getting his old squad recruited.

Blarg: He served?

IQ: Yea, its crazy at how he's only 21 but served for 4 years.

TheDooo: How old is he?

Ela just nudges Monika

IQ: 31 I meant.

TheDooo: Huh, alright then, so what now.

Ela: Well the two of us could just patrol.

IQ: Yea we could, but you know, Locust must've scared them off.

Ela: Yea true, so then what should we do.

TheDooo: You guys know how to play Zelda?

Camp Dwyer; Hemland River Valley, Afghanistan. Year....2017

Derek POV

You were running around the camp in a scramble. The camp was under attack and you were trying to find your squad. You ended up finding them towards a wall of sandbags firing at the opposition.

Mickey: Bulldog I need some cover on my left.

Bulldog: On it.

Robert: NATO whens our next drone coming in!

NATO: That last one was shot down on the way out, we're on our own!

Derek: What do you mean we're on our own.

NATO: I mean the next drone won't get here until 10 minutes from now.

Derek: what do they not fucking realize that we need that air support. We can't do this shit on our own.

Mickey: We've noticed, and Patch is also all the way in the middle form all this shit.

Robert: He is the medic so he needs to help others who need it.

Derek: Fuck it, we'll just have to hold out.

Bulldog: And how will we do that.

Derek: By first getting the fuck down. Mortar!

A projectile came flying towards you and your squad and landed in front of the wall you guys were behind. Everything went black.

Derek: Fuck!

TheDooo: You alright? you're sweating.

Derek: Huh?

Los Angeles, California

Derek: Oh, I'm back here.

TheDooo: Nightmare.

Derek: More like a demon.

TheDooo: Well don't let it get to you, we're leaving in 20 minutes.

Derek: Was there any problems.

TheDooo: Nope, everything was normal here.

Derek: Good, it seems they're only attacking during the night.

IQ: Or they could be waiting for a better opportunity like this event.

Derek: Yea they could. When we go I want you two staying close to them at all times.

IQ: What about you?

Derek: I'm staying close aswell but if something seems off, I'm going to be the one going towards it, not you two.

Ela: Thats bullshit, why can't we help.

Derek: Because that's not happening.

Ela: We've been doing this longer than you, so in reality you should be listening to us.

IQ: Ela, calm down.

Ela: No, I'm not gonna calm down. He thinks he's all tough and shit because he served in the military and can handle himself.

Derek: I'm only saying this because I don't want you two hurt. Not again, I'm not having someone in my squad killed because of my dumbass choice.

Ela: Oh but you'll always go first into a fight not thinking with Mickey.

Derek: Because we both don't care about what happens to us. We do dumb shit like that to buy you guys time. We've both got nothing left to lose so why the fuck not.

It was silent for a bit until Grizzy decided to chime in.

Grizzy: Mom, dad, please stop fighting.

Derek: *sighs* Just get in the cars, I'll be out in a minute.

They all left leaving just you, you ripped off a pair of dogtags from around your neck and stared at them for a few seconds.

Sphinx Anna 1746 O - neg Catholic

Stone Felix 1882 A - pos Christian

Derek: I'm sorry.

You put the tags back round your neck with your cross and walked out the door. You walked over to a car and stepped into the driver side.

Mcnasty: So you're driving.

Derek: Yea.

Grizzy: Yea but aren't you our bodyguard?

Derek: Oh you best believe I am driving this out of there and if it ever comes to that moment, theres a pistol in the glove compartment. When I need it, give me it.

Grizzy: Um, say less.

you started up the vehicle and drove behind the other car. You drove for a few minutes until you reached a huge building. Looked like a stadium for a football game but it wasn't.

Derek: You're so fuckin lucky that Covid exists.

TheDooo: Its the positives throughout this pandemic.

Blarg: Dude is wearing a whole ass gas mask for pandemic.

Derek: Never know when there will be toxins. Come on, lets go.

You all got put and met up with the other car.

Derek: Remember, stick close to the group. I need you guys more on escort than on the offense. If shit ever goes south, get them the fuck out of here.

Ela: whatever you say rookie.

Derek: I'm not having this conversation again.

You continued to walk into the building. It was huge inside. Almost made you miss your teen years when you would play games all day.

TheDooo: Alright so what to do first.

Derek: Do whatever you want to do. We're just your security.

Ela: Hey, they're playing games over here. Huh, its us.

Grizzy: Oh yea, this is a Rainbow Six Siege event.

Derek: Huh, wonder if I'll meet badger again.

Grizzy: You've met him?

Derek: I was his bodyguard a month ago.

Mcnasty: Wait you were one of the two people in that shootout?

Derek: Got shot 5 times and got beat the ever loving shit out of me.

They just stared at you blankly

Derek: What.

Grizzy: How are you alive.

Derek: They missed almost every major artery. Only one shot actually hit an artery. Althought there was alot of internal bleeding, also was in a coma for a few days.

TheDooo: What the fuck.

Derek: Hey, you brought it up.

Grizzy: No, you did.

Derek: huh, Touche.

Derek: Wonder why they made an actual game based off you guys.

IQ: Well we do host yearly tournaments for everyone.

Derek: Yea, I watched a few back in Afghanistan during my off time.

Ela: How'd you like them.

Derek: You are not to speak a word about this... ever, alright?

IQ: What is it.

Derek: Bulldog actually loved Alexsandr.

Ela: Wait, actually?

Derek: Yea, its why he was so fond of Light Machine Guns.

Soup: So he's gay.

Derek: No not like that. I mean who wouldn't love a drunken Russian with an LMG and grenade launcher that shoots fire.

Ela: Huh, you know the more you describe it, the more it makes sense.

Derek: Mhm. So what are you guys mainly doing here.

Blarg: Mini golfing.

Derek: You can't be serious.

Grizzy: And then after that there's supposed to be some kind of tournament happening here.

Derek: Ok atleast something I can relate to. You guys can go do that, I need to make a quick call.

Grizzy: Yea, we'll be over there.

IQ: I could use some free time.

Derek: Monika this isn't a break, you can play mini golf, just keep your guard up.

Ela: ugh, you sound like my dad.

Derek: I'm asking for you to do your job.

Ela: Like that phone call is anything important.

Derek: It is, now habe Spaß.

Ela: What did he say?

IQ: He said have fun.

Ela: Oh, alright.

You walked away from the group over towards a wall. People glanced at you and quickly walked away. Probably cause you had your glock with you. You took out your phone and called NATO.

NATO: Whatsup.

Derek: Need you to do me a favor.

NATO: What is it?

Derek: I need you to get info on this rogue group of mercenaries. They're like anonymous, they've been threatening this group for the past couple weeks and have so far attacked once. But I don't know when they strike. Need info on the group.

NATO: I can try, can you give me a description of them?

Derek: Anonymous, hacking skills are sharp, they wear all black with balaclavas and a hood.

NATO: I can try to find them. It'll take time though.

Derek: I'm gonna need an update 30 minutes from now. This place is packed, so knowing their next attack would be nice.

NATO: I'll update you in 30, so how's bodyguarding.

Derek: Sucks, memories are flooding back in and Ela is getting pissed at me cause I'm acting like a parent.

NATO: You're thinking of them aren't you.

Derek: Yea, I am.

NATO: Derek it wasnt your fault.

Derek: I want to believe that, but being more careful with my squads makes me a nuisance apparently.

NATO: Just try not to think about it, you need to keep remembering it, but once you forget it, its going to happen again. Same with letting it cloud your mind, it'll cause you to not be able to react. Don't let fear sink into you.

Derek: I'm not, don't forget to update me.

NATO: I'm not, NATO out.

You put your phone back in your pocket and walked over to the mini-golf course. You watched as blarg tried to putt the ball into the hole and it swung around it.

Blarg: What the hell.

Mcnasty: You fucking suck.

Blarg: You had to grab yours from the water.

Grizzy: Man you guys are having a really hard time.

Ela: What was that call about.

Derek: Needed to ask a favor of someone.

TheDooo: So while we're golfing and you're watching, got any stories?

Derek: Recently, no not really. But I do remember back in basic, my friend Mickey was asked to drive a jeep. Halfway through the trip, he just realizes that during the entire trip, he forgot his gear.

Ela: So what did he do?

Derek: stayed back during the assault and before we walked in, he grabbed an AK with a few mags.

TheDooo: Atleast he's efficient.

Derek: Yea but he's got the Brain the size of a walnut. How do you not realize you're 30 lbs lighter than you normally are.

IQ: Oh Ela would know.

Ela: We're not talking about juliens plates again.

Derek: You almost died on that mission.

Ela: Well I didn't.

Your phone began to buzz and you saw a text message from NATO.

NATO: Alright, so I found some stuff on them.

Derek: What is it.

NATO: They're called the Children of Adam. I'm texting you because they are watching on the cameras.

Derek: Shit, alright thanks for the feedback NATO, you know of any high ranks here?

NATO: They sent a man named Chimera, sounds bad. He's planning on doing an assassination attempt. I'll send you a picture of him from his records.



Derek: Thanks, I'll be sure to watch out.

NATO: Careful with what you say aswell, you can't blow your cover and have them know you know of his presence. Good luck.

You put your phone in your pocket and scanned the area. He was right, there were some suspicious people blending in with the crowd.

IQ: Locust.

Derek: Hm?

IQ: You coming to watch the tournament?

Derek: Oh, yea sure.

You walked with them to an open area. Place was still packed even though a virus was spreading around the U.S. but who gave a fuck any way.

Grizzy: You know, we actually get to go on the stage.

Derek: Is that so.

You looked up towards the stage and saw a catwalk on top.

Derek: *mutters* Perfect approach for an assassination.

Grizzy: say something?

Derek: No, just talking to myself. So who is playing today.

Soup: Space Station and TSM.

Derek: TSM still good?

Grizzy: More like better.

Derek: Huh, thats good to hear. So when do you guys go up.

TheDooo: After the first game.

Derek: Alright.

TheDooo: Something else you need to know?

Derek: Nah, that was everything I needed to hear.

Time flew by and TSM beat Space Station in the first game. The group got up to go to the front. Ela and Monika were both with them and you decided to split off from the group to move towards the catwalk. You made your way up the stairs until you finally reached the top. You crept through the walkway until you reached the main walkway that went above them. Thats when you saw the man NATO described as Chimera. He was setting up a rope to rappel down so you decided to stop stealing so you gained his attention. You both stared eachother down for what felt like hours but was only a few seconds.

Derek: So... you're Chimera.

Chimera: And you're my ticket to retirement.

Derek: Oh please, hopefully you're better than the 8 or so goons that were sent last night?

Chimera: It's called a false sense of hope.

Derek: sounded pretty false to me. I think I still see the same result like last night.

He rushed towards you and went to throw a punch. You grabbed his fist and pulled him closer and knee'd him in the chin. He staggered back and when you went in for a quick jab he ducked under and swept your feet. He took out a knife and went to swing down towards your stomach. You rolled out of the way and back on your feet. You got ready into a defensive stance and waited for him to come at you. He flipped the knife around and threw it towards you. You moved out of the way and let the knife hit the floor and grabbed it. You went in close to get a swing but he dodged and hit you with a right hook and kicked you down. You got back up and ducked under a wide swing and kicked his leg out. You brought the knife up and went for his neck. He grabbed your forearm to stop the blade from piercing his skin. You kept on pushing forward but you were both evened out. He caught you by surprise by moving the knife away and headbutting you. You staggered and he gained control of the blade and slashed across your face and stabbed you in your arm and left the blade. He went to shove you off of the catwalk but you grabbed him as you went over and brought him with you. You both landed on the stage and in front of everyone.

Derek & Chimera: *grunting*

You slowly got back up before him.

Derek: *grunts* Alright *pulls out knife from arm* Now I'm pissed.

You couldn't tell if your vision was going red because of your boiled up rage or because there was a big cut going on across your left eye. He went to rush towards you and you readied yourself using your one good arm. You blocked his kick with your good arm and swung with your bad one. You connected but it hurt like hell. You readied the blade that was still in your hand and kicked him over. You didn't want to kill him, just make it easier to move him. You kicked him over so he had his back on the ground. You flipped the knife around and threw the blade towards his leg.

Derek: Sorry old man, but I think I was right.

You kicked him in the head, knocking him unconcious.

Derek: IQ, get some zipties.

IQ: What about you?

Derek: I'm fine, just get some zipties. *on radio* Jäger, we're gonna need you here soon.

Jäger: Right away Mein Freund.

Derek: Danke (thank you)

Ela: What are you planning.

Derek: Listen we cannot keep switching bodyguards for them. We have no idea how many of these guys there are and where they are. So we're taking them back to base.

Ela: Thats a stupid idea.

Derek: You're not listening, its the safest place they can stay. They won't know where they are and with Chimera, we can get info on them for the time being.

Ela: Fine, now get that arm treated.

Derek: Hey Grizzy, you mind if I borry your bandana.

Grizzy: I'm not gonna want it back.

Derek: Yea yea whatever. I'm bleeding out here.

You took the bandana from Grizzy and after sealing the wound with a couple butterfly sterile bandages. You tied the bandana to cover the wound.

Grizzy: How do you feel?

Derek: Like I got hit by a truck.

Blarg: You did fall off of the catwalk.

Derek: Oh yea, that reminds me. You guys can continue your tournament, he was the only one.

Commentator: O...K, so with confirmation that the area is clear, we'll be um starting game 2.

Timeskip 6 hours

You were waiting outside until you saw Jäger landing the blackhawk in a nearby area.

Derek: Alright, come on.

They all walked towards the helicopter while you dragged Chimera towards it. You reached the helicopter and lifted him up on the helicopter with both arms, wincing in pain. You got onto the helicopter and sat down and soon it was heading back towards Hereford. All while you were clutching your arm.

Ela: Maybe ask for help.

Derek: I'd rather do it alone.

She just remained quiet but gave you a glare.

Derek: I'm sorry that I don't need help with everything.

Ela: You're issue is that you're gonna get yourself killed.

Derek: Not like its happened.

Ela: You're being a nuisance.

Derek: Well thats how I got my name. Hey soup, deal with her while I take a nap.

Ela: Oh you piece of-

Derek: Can't hear you, I'm sleepy.

You closed your eyes and sleep quickly overcame you.

Timeskip 5 hours

You were nudged awake by Blarg and when you opened your eyes it was pitch black out.

Derek: What time is it.

Blarg: Its about 9.

Derek: Oh alright, so I can still get dinner with my squad.

The helicopter landed and you all got out.

Derek: So this is Hereford Base. You'll be staying here for a bit until we can figure out how to deal with the Children of Adam.

Grizzy: Children of Adam?

Derek: Thats what they're calling themselves.

Caviera: This the hostage?

Derek: Mhm, deal with him greatly. Oh and Taina, if he doesn't break. Let me have a crack at him.

Caviera: Hey you can have seconds.

Derek: Have fun with him once he wakes.

Caviera: Oh I will.

She walked off with him and you all began to walk into the cafeteria, splitting away from Monika and a still pissed off Ela. You brought them over to your table where your squad was at.

Bulldog: Who're they?

Derek: These are a bunch of youtubers, TheDooo, Mcnasty, Blarg, Soup, and Grizzy. Keeping them here for the time being since we have no clue where the Children of Adam are held up.

NATO: Yea I needed to take a break.

Derek: Take your time.

They all sat down and before you could, you were yanked away and slammed onto against a wall by Zofia.

Derek: Not in the mood for this Zof.

Zofia: Why were you being a dick to my sis.

Derek: I wasn't, she was being arrogant and I wanted her to stay safe.

Zofia: By being an asshole.

Derek: By being a higher up.

Zofia: You know, I always thought you were like the rest.

You shoved her away from you.

Derek: And I think you dont know my past. Now get the fuck back and go talk to your delusional sister because I was trying to keep her out of harms way.

Zofia: What did you just call her?

Derek: Delusional.

She went to swing at you but you blocked her punch and swept her to the ground.

Derek: I think I lost my appetite. I'll be in the dorm.

You began to walk away towards the doors but was stopped after hearing Zofia say something else.

Zofia: No wonder you came here as a recruit. Just an arrogant asshole who wants to shine in the light but will just end up dying anyway.

Derek: You want to know why? I spent 4 goddammit years having to be a leader even though I didn't want to. You wanna know why I was a dick to your sis? Why don't you do your fucking research and look up Camp Dwyer; Hemland River Valley, Afghanistan and the year 2017. You want answers, you got them.

You walked out of the cafeteria and slammed the doors behind you, leaving a silent room of operators with your squad and old friends.