Brighton, UK

Derek POV

You were driving through the streets of Brighton as you gave Ela a nudge to wake her up.

Ela: *groans* Five more minutes.

Derek: Ela, we're here.

Ela: Oh we are? Didn't feel that long.

Derek: Because you fell asleep 10 minutes after we left base.

Ela: I'm not a long drive person.

Derek: I'm starting to see why no one wanted to drive you, or why you didn't want to drive.

Ela: Now you're getting the hang of it.

You pulled into a parking lot and you both got out of your Ginetta G40. You opened the trunk and grabbed your HK-416c and closed your trunk. You looked over and noticed Ela was giving you a questionable stare.

Derek: What?

Ela: We're hanging out, not you being a bodyguard.

Derek: I have to be ready at all times.

Ela: You don't do this when you go out to drink with the boys.

Derek: Because they're my boys.

Ela: Whatever you say, just don't cause a scene.

Derek: It's only an HK-416c, you know an assault rifle that isn't civilian legal. That actually sounded wrong when I said that.

Ela: And you just proved my point.

Derek: Whatever, they can bitch at me later if they want. So where did you want to go?

Ela: Just some stores, maybe a place to eat, and just walk around. You gonna be ok in all black and with all that gear?

Derek: I was deployed in Afghanistan for nearly 4 years, I'll be fine.

Ela: Whatever you say.

You both walked away from your car and walked around Brighton. You noticed people staring at you while you and Ela were walking. Some looked frightened, others didn't care because they must've thought you were cosplaying, and others showed happiness. Ela saw a store that peaked her interest and tugged your shoulder.

Ela: I wanna go in here real quick.

Derek: You're a 32 year old woman, why're you asking for permission?

Ela: Because look.

You looked over and saw that it was a Victorias Secret.

Derek: Go ahead, but I'm not going inside.

Ela: But what if I need someone to see how I look?

Derek: There's employees.

She rolled her eyes and walked into the store. You stood outside of the store leaning against a wall. You gripped your HK-416 keeping your finger away from the trigger and checking to see the safety was on. Some pedestrians walked past you and give you a quick glance. You could tell they noticed your R6 and American flag patches since you heard them say something while walking away.

British Woman: Americans...

30 minutes went by and Ela finally came out of the store.

Ela: I found what I liked.

Derek: I don't know whether to say that's good or not but, we'll go with that.

Ela: Come on follow me.

She grabbed your arm that was gripping your rifle as she started to walk away from the store.

Derek: I don't think this is necessary.

Ela: Theres another clothing store down the block that I want to go to, and you're coming inside to do your own shopping aswell.

Derek: Whats wrong with my clothing?

Ela: Its too basic and makes you look like fuckboy.

Derek: Black doesn't make me a fuckboy. Now let go of my arm.

She reluctantly let go of your arm as you both continued to walk towards the store Ela wanted to go to. From the corner of your eye you saw a familiar group walking across the street. They noticed you aswell and one of them ran across the street to you.

Chelsea: Hey Colt. Hey Ela

Derek: Hey Chelsea.

Chelsea: What're you guys doing here?

Derek: This one needed to do some shopping.

You looked down at Ela who rolled her eyes.

Ela: Dont forget you need to do some shopping aswell.

Derek: I'm not shopping for clothes when I already have enough.

Fiona: Gotta say, you look cuter in your gear.

Derek: You're still trying?

Fiona: What? A girl can't keep trying?

Chelsea: Yea that reminds me, why are you in your gear and she isn't?

Derek: Like I said, she's shopping and Brighton is like Detroit right now, so if something comes up, I'm going to be there.

Ela You still need to be careful with your hip.

You turned towards Ela and shrugged your shoulders.

Derek: Who gives a fuck?

Ela: I do. You can't keep injuring yourself on missions.

Derek: When I get hurt, I hurt them back.

Chelsea: They always say that the people with good hearts, unless the most anger.

Melanie: How would you even perform angry?

Derek: Ela already saw it when I went to Afghanistan to help rescue my sis.

Chelsea: And how bad we talking?

Ela: Lets just say there was alot of dead bodies.

Chelsea: Dark.

Derek: Enough about me and my job, What're you guys doing here?

Chelsea: Oh we're shopping for dresses for the dance. You still gonna be our bodyguard?

Derek: As long as no one tries to see my face, or make me do dances, then I will.

Chelsea: Great, care to come along with us Ela?

Ela: Having others girls to look for outfits with would be nice.

They started to walk away as you watched them and sighed.

Derek: I should've just stayed in the marine corps.

You caught up to the group as they stood outside of a store.

Derek: I'll be out here if you guys need me.

Ela: Its probably going to be awhile, you think you can wait that long?

Derek: I'll be fine.

They walked into the store as you stood outside like usual, that was until you heard an explosion in the distance and saw the 11th floor of the Sussex heights on fire.

Brighton, UK

5 Minutes Earlier

3rd Person POV

A large group of black masks were setting up charges in the Sussex heights with hostages tied and muzzled. Another figure walked into the room as the masks walked over to him.

Talon: Are the charges set?

Black Mask 1: Yes sir, charges are set and ready to detonate on your call.

Talon: Good, and is the Enhanced squad on standby?

Black Mask 2: They're ready to be deployed.

Black Mask 3: This plan of yours gonna work?

Talon: It will, we know Lt. Westbrook is here, once he notices that there is trouble, he will be there, and he will call for backup. That's when the rest of his squad will arrive. Once they arrive, I want them cornered like sheep ready to be slaughtered.

Black Mask 2: And if the plan doesn't work?

Talon: After everything that I've witnessed with this squad, every mission, every victory, and every moment they've had to themselves. One thing feared them most, when the one calling the shots is struck down.

Black Mask 3: What is that supposed to mean?

Talon: Because back in 2018 when I was shot and thought to be dead, only luck kept them alive.

Talon turned to leave the room before turning around and looking at the three masks.

Talon: Oh, and kill the hostages. Once that's done meet at Checkpoint Zeta.

Black mask 1: It'll be done Miller.

He exited the room as the three masks looked at the hostages and pointed their handguns at them. They let out muffled cries as silenced shots could be heard outside of the room.