Las Vegas; condo

Derek POV

You were woken up by Mickey, you looked at the clock and it read 2:26 AM.

Mickey: Hey its been a few hours.

Derek: Gotcha gotcha, get some sleep now.

Mickey: Yea I will, I need this rest.

You got out of bed while Mickey got onto the bed. You walked over to a wall and grabbed your HK-416 and holstered your glock. You walked out of the room and went out to the balcony of the condo. You looked in the distance and looked at the city lights. It was peaceful, although it was short lived since you had to be on guard for any more of those mercenaries.

Timeskip 5 hours

Nothing exactly went wrong, there was no suspicious activity and you didn't notice anything odd about the surroundings. Mickey came out onto the balcony and walked up next to you with a 2 cups of coffee.

Mickey: *hands you mug* See anything?

Derek: *takes it* No I didn't. Judging by how long its been, the pilot should be on his way back soon. Might let us know when he's close so we know when to start heading back.

Mickey: You know, I enjoy staying with you on missions.

Derek: How come?

Mickey: Because we're almost like the same person, besides we make a good duo.

Derek: Well you are technically second in command.

Mickey: Yea even though I'm a Corporal.

Derek: Rank doesn't matter, if it did, then John would be second in command. Its all on how well you work with your environment and your team. John is used to receiving orders while you end up doing both.

Mickey: You're true about that.

Derek: Besides, we've all bonded well with eachother, feel like I've bonded with you more though.

Mickey: Yea, could say the same to you aswell.

Derek: You changed my life, don't know how I'd be now without you in my squad.

Mickey: I did?

Derek: Ofcourse, I didn't know what to do with my life, not having family and my sister enlisted in the military, leaving myself alone in my thoughts, I was silent during basic. My only purpose for enlisting in the military was to just have a reason to die. Then here you come, during basic when squads are formed, being enthusiastic as ever.

Mickey: I was an energetic kid.

Derek: You changed my whole purpose in life, thats why you're my second in command. Because I know when to rely on you.

Tux: Just kiss already.

Derek: He has a fiance dumbass.

Tux: Well how was I supposed to know.

Derek: .... good point.

Tux: So when do we leave?

Derek: In a couple hours.

Tux: So what do we do for the time being?

Derek: Wait it out? I don't fucking know. Or we could just start heading back and wait there.

Evan: Yea I'd much rather just start heading back there.

Derek: Alright its settled, lets go.

Tix: What about my choice.

Derek: Nobody cares about your choice.

You all left the condo and started to walk back towards where you first came.

Pilot: *on radio* Bravo 2-1 I am 10 klicks out. You should start making your way over.

Derek: *on radio* Roger that, we're almost there. *turns off radio* Alright he's almost here, lets get a move on.

You continued to walk to the open area and in the distance saw the helicopter come into view. It slowly made a decent and landed on the ground. You all got in and it quickly left.

Pilot: We'll have a few hours of flight, but I'm gonna have to stop somewhere to refuel.

Derek: Thats fine, as long as you can get us back.

You leaned back on your seat and looked towards Mickey.

Derek: Poker tonight?

Mickey: When do we not?

Derek: Yea but the Packers and Rams game is on tonight.

Mickey: Want to make another bet on the game?

Derek: How high are the stakes?

Mickey: 100 dollars to whoever wins.

Derek: Alright, who do you think will win.

Mickey: Rams all the way dude.

Derek: What? Packers have one of the best overall offenses.

Mickey: I'm sorry, but a better defense is far greater than a good offense.

Derek: And if your defense crumbles?

Mickey: Well shit it better not.

Derek: Hey, we'll just have to see.

Mickey: Will we even make it back in time?

Derek: Well its about an 8 hour trip back dn we left at around 7 AM. We'll get there about an hour early.

Mickey: Oh alright, because I'm gonna need snacks.

Derek: You always need snacks.

Evan: Yea I don't mean to intrude in your conversation, but is this really what happens off missions?

Derek: Yea pretty much, operators would normally talk about other things relating to the mission, but since we are our own branch, fuck that.

Evan: How are you guys even in the military.

Derek: In time, you'll realize that when it gets serious, we'll be serious. But for now, we have lives, we're still young adults. Have you seen what U.S. Barracks look like?

Evan: No?

Derek: Think of a college party, but without the alcohol and naked women.

Evan: I don't think that helps.

Derek: Just a bunch of dudes, being a bunch of idiots.

Evan: Oh, gotcha. What about the women.

Derek: Bitchy, if you want a list to not talk to or even stare at, I'll give you it.

Tux: Well how long are we even staying, where would we even stay.

Derek: Most likely in the dorms across ours.

Mickey: Yea, you'll hear us screaming and we'll hear the same from you. Its a compromise.

Evan: But we don't scream.

Derek: Grizzy said the same thing, now he's in my room screaming at the top of his lungs.

Evan: So what will happen with everyone else, you guys are bound to run out of space sometime.

Derek: We know, but however big or the amount of people you play with or are associated with, we're gonna have to herd them in like sheep. We can't risk having squads being guarding people when we don't know when they'd strike. They're everywhere, however they never dare to step foot in Hereford.

Evan: How come?

Mickey: Because they're pussies, they already tried to jump our Lieutenant.

Tux: Whos the Lieutenant?

Derek: I am.

Tux: You're a lieutenant?

Derek: I swear we just went over this, yes I'm a lieutenant.

Evan: While that's cool and all, I'm getting more sleep.

Derek: Go right ahead, nobody's stopping you.

After a few hours the helicopter landed in order to get more fuel. Evan and Tux were still asleep while the pilot was on his phone waiting for the helicopter to finish refueling.

Mickey: We've gone a long way you know?

Derek: Tell me about it, I would've never guessed in my entire life knowing that I'd be sitting here.

Mickey: Are we going back to the sad shit?

Derek: *laughs* Yea just for now I guess. I'm not going to lie, I hated everything. I hated this world, I hated the people, I hated our species as we know it. But after enlisting, I realized something.

Mickey: What did you realize?

Derek: That there has to be someone who sparks hope.

Mickey: What do you mean?

Derek: I spent most of my life just not knowing what to do, I mean what could I even do, I lost every bit of family I had. But there was always one thing stuck in my head, that if I can't help myself, might aswell help others.

Pilot: Helicopters refueled, we'll be back in 2 hours.

Derek: Thanks for the heads up.

Evan: Huh? What time is it?

Derek: It is currently 1:37 PM.

Evan: Oh ok, time for another nappy nap.

Mickey: Nappy nap?

Evan: Yes, I'm still sleepy.

Derek: But was nappy nap the correct word to use.

Evan: Yes, now I sleep.

He was quickly out like a light and you and Mickey just stared at eachother.

Derek: Yea thats Evan for ya.

Mickey: I realized.

A couple of hours go by and you can see the base in the distance.

Derek: *to pilot* The weather is still as shitty as I remember it.

Pilot: Tell me about it, theres barely any sunshine. Why they picked here as a base, I have no fucking clue.

Derek: *shaking Tux and Evan awake: Yo, wake up. We're almost here.

Tux: Hm?

Mickey: We're almost at base, you can see your friends.

The helicopter began to land and when it did, you all got out.

Derek: *checks watch* Right on time.

Mickey: What, an hour early?

Derek: Yup.

Mickey: Alright, I'm gonna go get out of gear and get some food for the game.

Derek: *laughs* Dont be spending too much money, you're gonna be losing a few after this game.

Mickey: *walking away* What can I say, I love making money after spending it.

Derek: Alright, so now that he's gone, lets go find your friends, then I have to go do a debrief.

You all walked inside through the cafeteria and didn't see anyone besides a few operators.

Derek: Hey Tina.

Frost: Need something Derek?

Derek: You know where they all went?

Frost: If you're talking about the three you brought back, they're in the infirmary, your squad is still back at your dorm. They stopped by here for lunch and then went back, your sister looked worried.

Derek: Alright, thank you for the info.

Frost: You're welcome.

Derek: Come on, lets go get your friends and then I'll take you to our dorm, then I have to go debrief.

Evan: They don't sound fun.

Derek & Tina: They aren't.

Derek: Jynx.

Frost: Fuck.

The three of you walked out of the cafeteria and towards the infirmary. You opened the doors and Gustave was sitting at his desk.

Derek: Evening Gustave.

Doc: Ah I see you arrived back.

Derek: Yea, nothing happened as usual, you think you can do a quick check up on them?

Doc: I don't see why not, the other 2 are in the room on the left with the one Franklin brought in banged up.

Derek: Alright, thanks Gustave.

He walked over with the other two towards a table and you went into the other room.

Derek: How are you feeling?

Roy: Well the night before I felt somewhat fine, now my head is killing me.

Derek: Yea it usually takes time for the full effect to kick in, how about you two.

Yumi: We're fine.

Derek: Thats good, did Griz show you where the dorm was?

Yumi: No.

Derek: Alright, after they're checked up, I'll take you guys there. Roy, how long do you need to stay.

Roy: Just for another night.

Derek: Ok, come on you two, I'll just show you the way, get some rest aswell Roy.

Roy: I will.

You left with the other two out of the room and grabbed Tux and Evan and left the infirmary. You walked through the halls until you reached your dorm.

Derek: Alright, you guys can stay here for the time being, I need to go do a debrief.

They walked into the room and closed the door while you walked back towards Harry's Office. You knocked on the door and heard an audible "come in". You opened the door and stood at attention.

Harry: At ease, I thought we went over this.

Derek: Still trained to do it.

Harry: So what happened during the mission.

Derek: Sir, after arriving at the house we split into two teams. One went through the front, while the others went through the second story window into the room with the hostages. We quickly swept through the building taking out all of them except for one.

Harry: Only one?

Derek: Bulldog stated that one was limping away and said that it was a lost cause.

Harry: Now what about the night after?

Derek: Nothing happened the night after, me and Mickey both took turns on watch and nothing was out of the ordinary.

Harry: Alright, that should be it, enjoy your couple days off.

Derek: Thank you sir.

Harry: You're free to leave.

You exited the office and walked back towards your dorm. But was stopped by Ela and Tina.

Frost: Hey Derek you got a second?

You checked your watch and it was 4:03.

Derek: I have 30 minutes, whats up.

Frost: So Ela here made a bet with me.

Derek: Jesus christ, what is it.

Ela: Harry gave the bright idea for operators to train together from time to time instead of training just recruits.

Derek: Where is this going?

Frost: Ela gave the idea after his to have you start giving us lessons.

Derek: Why would you do that?

Ela: Because why not.

Derek: So what is the bet exactly?

Ela: Whoever can't do one of your grueling workouts first or has to take a breather, loses.

Derek: And what do you get for winning?

Frost: You as a stress reliever.

Derek: Hold on, wheres my say in this.

Ela: You were the finalization for this bet.

Derek: You mean for talking and occasional massages right?

Ela: And more.

Derek: Jesus christ, when is training.

Frost: Tomorrow.

Derek: *checks watch* Listen I have to go, I don't really care. If you win, you win.

Ela: So is that a deal?

Derek: *jogging away* Yea I guess, I give pretty good massages!

You ran back to your dorm and opened the door. Mickey was on the couch getting ready to turn on the game and you walked into your room.

Derek: Streaming again?

Grizzy: Grind don't stop.

Derek: *taking gear off* OK just keep it down alright.

Grizzy: Woah you can't be doing that.

Derek: Doing what?

Grizzy: Taking your shirt off.

Derek: Bro what?

Grizzy: I can get banned on twitch.

Derek: Oh shut the fuck up, no you won't.

Grizzy: What makes you think that?

Derek: Because if they do. I'll be on their doorstep.

Grizzy: Whatever you say.

You put a shirt on and walked out of the room and sat down on the couch.

Derek: So you ready to lose?

Mickey: No, I'm about to make money.

Timeskip 2 hours

3rd Person POV

Dereks Room

Grizzy was playing on his PC when suddenly he looked over towards the door and heard Derek yelling.

Derek: And thats another touchdown motherfucker!

Mickey: Come the fuck on!

Grizzy looked back towards his screen and shook his head.

Grizzy: And yet he told me to be quiet.