Hereford Base; Russian Dorm

Derek POV

You were handed a shot glass of vodka by Timur as you took off your balaclava and drank the shot. It'd been awhile since you drank vodka with the Russians so the taste was strong. You put the shot glass down as Timur filled it up again.

Tachanka: One day comrade, we will be having you drink straight from the bottle.

Derek: I don't have Russian blood in me, so I doubt I'll ever get that far. But I'll just stick to shot glasses.

You drank the vodka from the shot glass as you filled it up again.

Derek: That reminds me, Maxim. What the actual fuck did you and Tina do.

Kapkan: As she already told you, we Russians are a bit crazy. I take it you had an encounter with her.

Derek: Yea, she was rough, and it lasted for nearly 2 hours. She didn't give me enough time in between periods to recharge.

Kapkan: You're welcome for that.

Derek: Yea, so when are we going to get you your first time Eric.

TheDooo: why am I being brought up?

Grizzy: Because you need to get laid.

TheDooo: It'll happen when it happens.

Derek: I could get Taina.

TheDooo: Please no, I like my dick where it is.

Derek: What about Ela, she hasn't done it much plus she was easy during my first time. Just get to know her first and then I'll be your wingman.

TheDooo: I hate you guys.

Yumi: That was our deal a month ago so.

Rory: It is crazy knowing that we've been here for awhile.

Derek: Yea it has, however you guys are safe so that is all that matters. Once we deal with the situation you guys can be free to go back.

Grizzy: Oh also, you know that trend where people are simping over the Winter Soldier with his "murder strut"?

Derek: Yea, why?

Grizzy: They're doing it with you now.

Derek: You're joking right?

Grizzy: I'm not.

He pulled out his phone and opened tiktok and searched up Colt. He scrolled through the videos until he found the one that started it. You watched the video and you remembered that day. It was when you first went to Brighton after it was under control by the whitemasks during your time at the beach.

Derek: You've gotta be shitting me.

Grizzy: Let the people do what they want.

Soup: I think it's hot.

Derek: Yo, pause.

Soup: Oh come on, you can't be a guy without being a little bit gay.

Derek: Yes you can, I need to head out.

Tachanka: Leaving so early?

Derek: Yea, Franklin has my pain meds for my hip and it's starting to wear off. Hurts like a bitch still.

Tachanka: Have a good night comrade.

Derek: Dont get too fucked up.

Tachanka: when am I not.

Derek: Good point.

You put your balaclava back on and exited the Russian Dorm. You started to head back towards your dorm. Once you reached it, you opened the door and closed it making sure to lock it. You took off your balaclava as you saw Frankin sitting on the couch.

Patch: That was fast.

Derek: Yea, didn't want to get too fucked up.

Patch: Alright, medication is already in your room with a glass of water aswell. Take a pill and try to get some sleep.

Derek: It's what I was already planning.

You walked into your room and like Franklin said, there was a bottle of pills with a glass of water next to it. You took a pill out of the bottle and swallowed it with some water. You decided to lay down on your bed and quickly fell asleep.

Manhattan, New York

August 17th, 2018

Derek POV

You slowly regained consciousness as you realized your jeep was on its side. You looked around and saw the driver was shot and killed. Sean and Mark were in the jeep with you aswell and noticed them shaking off the crash aswell. You opened the door of the jeep and climbed out of it. You fell off of the jeep and landed on your side as you rolled over and tried to get up.

Demo: Sarge!

You looked over and saw Robert running over to you to help you up.

Demo: We've got Russians surrounding this area, and they're jamming our signals!

He pulled you to your feet as you grabbed an M4 Carbine on the ground. You noticed Franklin and John making their way over aswell.

Derek: Get Mickey and NATO out of the jeep and help the rest of us defend this spot!

Bulldog: On it Sergeant!

You and Robert ran over to a small barrier and took point at the Russians moving to your location.

Derek: Give me information on that Jammer Robert.

Demo: Delta Squad is moving towards the jammer as we speak! So for the time being, we aren't getting any help unless we send messengers!

Derek: We can't send anyone out, we need every last man here!

You went out of cover and shot down 3 Russians before getting behind cover again after receiving fire back.

Soldier: What do we do sir!

Derek: You can firstly keep your head down! And where the hell is the Sergeant Major!

Soldier: Dead sir!

Derek: Damnit! We need to defend this area until that jammer is destroyed!

You continued to push back the Russians from your spot. Killing 5 more before having to take cover again. The rest of your squad joined you and Robert as a bullet knicked John's helmet and he quickly took cover.

Demo: You lucky son of a bitch!

Bulldog: Its why I wear a helmet!

Demo: We're all wearing helmets dipshit, you're just lucky enough they hit the side of it!

Derek: Both of you zip it and push them back!

You looked out from cover and shot down 2 more Russians as your M4 clicked empty. You dropped to take cover and reload your M4 Carbine watching the rest of your squad and other soldiers try their best to push back the Russians moving towards your position.

Derek: Great time to be wearing a shemagh!

Demo: Could've just worn a balaclava like the rest of us, but you just had to stand out!

Soldier: Greek is hit!

Patch: Cover me while I move to them!

You peaked out of cover and gave covering fire for Franklin as he moved towards the two soldiers.

Mickey: Are we sure Delta Squad isn't dead!

Derek: Theres no way! They get the job done no matter what!

The firefight lasted for 20 more minutes until you heard static on your comms.

Overlord: Overlord to Bravo 2-1, Delta Squad has reached and destroyed the jammer.

Demo: About damn time!

Bulldog: Whats the plan now Sarge!

You thought for a second before you turned on your comms.

Derek: Bravo 2-1 to Overlord, requesting bombing run on our position over!

Demo: What're you fucking crazy! You'll get us killed!

Overlord: Overlord to Bravo 2-1, Hunter 3 is moving to your position over.

Derek: Roger that Overlord, Bravo 2-1 out!

You turned off your comms as you shot 3 more Russians before noticing a bomber approaching from behind.

Derek: Everybody move!

You got out from cover and started sprinting full speed with everyone else from where you originally were. You heard the bomber getting closer.

Derek: Hit the deck!

You and your squad with the rest of the remaining soldiers dove to the ground as you heard the explosions behind you.

-------------------- May 30th 2021

You sprung up from your bed as you felt yourself sweating. Your breathing was heavy as you scanned your room realizing it was just a dream. You looked at your alarm clock that read 5:12 A.M. you slowly calmed down as you got out of bed and went into your bathroom. You turned on the shower and took off your shirt and leaned on the sink, staring at yourself in the mirror while talking to yourself.

Derek: It was just a memory, nothing more, nothing less. That was 2 years ago, it's in the past. Those events will never happen again, it was just a nightmare.

You took off the rest of your clothes and got into the shower. Once you were done you turned the water off and grabbed the towel hanging up and dried yourself off. You put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and exited your bathroom. You walked out of your room into the main room and walked over to the coffee pot and made a cup of coffee. You grabbed the mug and sat down on the couch as you saw Franklin come out of his room.

Patch: You're up early.

Derek: Yea, woke up from what felt like a nightmare.

Patch: That is a side effect to the medicine, for some reason it has a chance to increase the likelihood of experiencing nightmares.

Derek: Well thats just great.

He walked over and sat down on the other side of the couch.

Patch: What was it about?

Derek: Back in 2018 in Manhattan, when we were completely surrounded and waiting for Delta Squad to destroy the jammer that blocked or signal to recieve air support.

Patch: From what I remember, that was when you called in a danger close, right?

Derek: Yea, casualty list was very high after that moment.

Patch: The casualty list was only wounded after the bombing run. Imagine how that casualty list would've looked if you didn't call it in.

Derek: I guess you're right.

Patch: So what are you planning today?

Derek: I promised Ela I'd hang out today. Considering I'm still being held off from missions right now.

Patch: Aw is the LT. Going on a date?

Derek: Not a date Franklin.

Patch: Bro, you need to get a woman for christ sake.

Derek: I want to get the mission done before I think about any of that.

Patch: And here you go with being boring.

Derek: Look man, I don't see anyone near you.

Patch: Talk to me back in highschool, bitches were crawling all over me.

Derek: Yea, I don't see any now.

Patch: I'm working on it.

Derek: Whatever you say man, you think 6 o'clock is too early?

Patch: If you're just hanging out than yes it is, who the fuck hangs out at 6 in the morning?

Derek: I don't know, or atleast I would've gotten more sleep if someone told me about the increase in nightmares.

Patch: Well how was I supposed to know you would, the likelihood is low.

You walked into your room and grabbed the bottle of pills and walked out. You read the bottle and told him everything you saw.

Derek: Side effects; nausea, drowsiness, that one is unimportant, same with that one, and also that one. And finally, drastic increase of nightmares and night terrors.

Patch: Ok, that was my fault.

Derek: How long am I on this this.

Patch: Just for a few days, most likely 4 days but just to be safe you could also do 5.

Derek: Great, gonna have to relive those days again. What's next, seeing my dead family?

Patch: Lets not think about that right now.

Timeskip: 5 hours

You were in your room getting into your gear as you exited the room while putting on your balaclava and clipping your helmet to your waist. Everyone else was getting ready to get breakfast.

Mickey: You coming with?

Derek: Nah, I'm gonna go meet up with Ela at her dorm and figure what to do.

Mickey: Alright, if you change your mind, we'll be there for a while.

Derek: Alright, I'll see you all later.

You exited your dorm and started to head towards Elas room. You reached her door and knocked on it and waited a few minutes until the door opened.

Ela: Hey.

Derek: Hi.

Ela: You're going out in full gear?

Derek: Yea well, don't know if anything'll happen so being in gear would be helpful. Plus you're wearing a crop top and leggings so I don't think any punk ass boys would try anything seeing a guy in full gear with you.

Ela: I was out with Craig and Meghan one time, they're both very built, strong people. Guys still walked up casually and tried to hit on me.

Derek: This one doesn't hold back.

Ela: Yea you're right, so what did you want to do?

Derek: To be honest, I don't really know. It's really all up to you.

Ela: Well I could go clothes shopping.

Derek: Then we can take a trip somewhere.

Ela: Think we could go to Brighton?

Derek: Why Brighton?

Ela: Its a nice place plus there were stores I wanted to visit but haven't had the chance to, plus no one would drive me.

Derek: Yea, you're also a terrible driver.

Ela: It happened one time.

Derek: *laughs* And it'll be the only time. Come on, by the time we get there it should be around lunch time.

Ela: Lead the way.

You both walked to the garage and walked over to your car. You put your HK-416 in the trunk and kept your glock holstered. The both of you got in your car. You drove out of the garage and through the gates of Hereford Base as you started the drive to Brighton.

Ela: So I was meaning to ask.

Derek: Whats up?

Ela: How come you guys all hide your faces? You've explained it before, however Mickey has a Fíance now so why still wear the mask and only be referred to by his Codename?

Derek: He hides his face to protect his identity, same with his Codename. Once we're in an area most vulnerable, we only stick to codenames. It is to protect Veronica and his father. Because once they find out who he is, they can find out who he loves most. That's the bad thing about the white masks, they work everywhere.

Ela: Yea, and the black masks aren't a joke either, it feels odd knowing that there is a greater force in the masks organization that can give us even more trouble.

Derek: Yea... I know.