Hereford Base; Helipad

Date: June 10th, 2021

Time: 9:56 A.M.

Derek POV

You stood near the Helipad with the rest of your squad excluding Ashley who went back with her husband to Ohio for a longer vacation. Harry approached your squad as you all stood at attention.

Harry: At ease.

He stood infront of the six of you as he spoke up.

Harry: Sorry to suddenly interrupt on your vacation, but I didn't have anyone else capable of undergoing this job.

NATO: What is this job?

Harry: I'll be more in depth once they arrive.

Demo: "They"?

Harry: This is going to be a joint operation, you'll be joined up with a squad slightly larger then yours known as the Apex Predators.

Patch: The Apex Predators? As in the group of mercenaries who help the highest bidder?

Harry: I wouldn't call them mercenaries, they have each been uniquely chosen to be a part of this organization and are paid well for their jobs, they might not get as dirty as you, but they are as skilled.

He checked his watch and looked behind him where the Helipad was.

Harry: And they seem to also always be running late.

You heard the sound of a helicopter I the distance and soon landed. The doors slid open revealing quite oddly dressed operators. You felt a tap on your arm and turned to Robert.

Demo: Check out the one with the braids, she has all the things I like.

Derek: Would you focus for 5 seconds, we're on a mission with them and then they're gone, so don't get attached.

Harry approached the group and welcomed them.

Harry: Welcome to Hereford Base team Apex.

????: Its a little grey around here, wouldn't you think?

Harry: We have nicer days, but I do believe introductions should be put into place.

He turned back to you and your squad and motioned for you all to step forward.

Harry: This is the squad who'll be joining you on this operation.

????: They don't look like much, you sure they can handle this task?

Harry cleared his throat and looked at you.

Harry: Lieutenant, care to introduce yourself?

You stepped forward to Harry and the woman

Derek: Lieutenant Derek Westbrook, I'm the leader of this taskforce.

Loba: Well aren't you a Handsome young man, my name is Loba Andrade.

Derek: Interesting name, we'll start off with introductions and then Harry can explain what he needs us for.

After introductions were made with both squads, Harry finally spoke up in why you were here.

Harry: Miami is still under white mask control. They have access to the city network and are roaming the streets.

Loba: Theres a H.V.T. in Miami that we need alive, he is one of the higher ranking masks who are calling the shots and he has answers to questions we need answered.

Harry: Apexs' priority is that H.V.T., your mission is to retake Miami from mask control.

NATO: With all due respect Harry, we've been in Miami before, it's not in our favor even if we have an additional unit.

Harry: Yes, it will be a hard task, and it won't be any easier since information shows that Talon is still there. It seems to be a foothold base for the masks.

Mickey: I was in a bitchy mood for getting pulled out of my vacation, but now I'm just glad we all agreed to let Ashley have her vacation.

Derek: Agreed, I wouldn't want her in this shit hole either.

Harry: Your main priority is that H.V.T., you're gonna have to make a base of operations outside of the city.

Mickey: What about Fort Lauderdale, cities not too far and can give us easy access to the city.

Wraith: Can't, once the masks get a proper footing, that city will be next on their list. There's already been activities reported of masks slowly trying to make their way there, so far each attempt has been unsuccessful, but you can never be certain.

Derek: Good point, while in the air we can survey from above and find a place to step down and begin our plans.

Loba: If you six would care to join us, we can start this operation.

You nodded your head and motioned for the rest of your squad to follow. You all stepped into the blackhawk as Harry waved farewell. You slid the door shut as you sat back down. You took off your sunglasses and opened a pocket on your vest and opened up the letter Anna's dad gave you to reread her note, while silently singing Fairytale by Alexander Rybak. In your own thoughts.

Derek: *silently* Years ago, when I was younger. I kinda liked, a girl I knew. She was mine and we were sweethearts. That was then... but this is true. I'm in love with a fairytale, even though it hurts. Cause I don't care if I lose my mind, I'm already cursed.

Mirage: Is he singing?

Mickey: Don't mind him, it just keeps him cool.

Valkyrie: Dont mean to be that girl, but if he isn't mentally prepared then why is he on this mission?

Demo: Thats the best part, he's not.

Mirage: Uh what do you mean by that?

Demo: What I mean is, that his parents and little sister were killed when he was younger by these masks, his girlfriend and friend were both killed by the Taliban aswell when he first enlisted. He used that loss and rage to make himself a practical killing machine against any terroristic threat.

Mickey: What does that letter even say Derek?

Derek: Things I wish I could've heard her say in person.

Timeskip 2 hours

It was quiet for a bit and you noticed that Loba was giving occasional glares to the person who went by Bangalore. Didn't know exactly what was going on but you were cut short of your thoughts when Johndecided to speak up.

Bulldog: Ok, I don't know how much longer I'd be able to breath with this mask on during this trip, so I'm taking it off.

He took off his balaclava and so did Franklin and Robert.

Mickey: You're really having trouble breathing?

Bulldog: If I'm gonna be taking a nap, I would much rather not wake up with mask breath.

NATO: What?

Bulldog: Mask breath. You know, when you can smell your own breath since your mask catches your breath?

Mickey: Just say your fat ass ate Dill Pickle chips before this flight.

Bulldog: I need my nutrition.

Patch: What nutrition? The heart attack you're gonna get if you keep eating that shit?

Bulldog: You need to let me eat what I want instead of telling me to go on a diet.

Patch: You do need to go on a diet. I swear if someone cut your arm it'd just be grease and cheese coming out.

Derek: I can test that theory.

Bulldog: Keep that sharp ass knife away from my healthy skin.

Derek: Oh quit being such a baby. Now for the bigger question, what's with the bad blood between you two.

You pointed at Loba and Bangalore, which Bangalore glared at you for.

Bangalore: Keep your nose out of my business.

Derek: Uh oh. Somebody fucked up. Care to fill me in?

Loba: Its nothing important, she doesn't like doing anything serious anyway.

You thought it would be a good time to change change subject so you hollered into the cockpit.

Derek: Hey Valk, what's our ETA!

Valkyrie: About 5 more hours.

Derek: So still a long way to go, alright. Mark you got anything yet?

NATO: Nothing for certain, however there's an old factory just north of Fort Lauderdale that we could use. We'd have to let Harry know so that way he can send us supplies if we ever run low.

Derek: That wouldn't work, if someone gets injured I'd much rather not have Frnaklin complaining about infections.

Mickey: Same with sleeping conditions, I'm not sleeping with rats.

Derek: You sleep next to Robert every night.

Demo: Oh shut the fuck up.

Derek: Bitch your room says otherwise.

Timeskip 4 hours

An hour ago everyone fell asleep besides you and Loba. It was a quiet flight and it left you alone in your thoughts. You thought about how far you've come ever since you were 15, ever since that day happened. You clenched your fist and started tapping your foot rapidly until you felt a hand on your shoulder. You turned and noticed that the person's hand was Lobas.

Loba: You seem troubled.

Derek: Its nothing, same story as earlier, everything that's been going on is just being relapsed into my head.

Loba: When you were 15. You said your family was murdered by the masks.

Derek: Yea, I was out with a group of friends when it happened. While they ran away from the trouble, I ran towards it to see if my family was alright, I was wrong. They were dead by the time I got there. Reports came in and found out the father's and son's were killed immediately while the mothers and daughters were raped then killed. Knowing the fate of my father was terrible, but knowing what they did to my mother... to my little sister, I was angry. I decided to stop associating myself with everyone and I even hid my face, behind this balaclava. For years.

Loba: I know how you feel.

You looked at her with a questionable stare.

Derek: What?

Loba: When I was 9, my mother and father were murdered in front of my eyes by a hitman who was paid to kill them. He was a fairly skilled individual and wasted no time killing everyone in the room. The only person he spared was me, he wanted me to remember that event, told me he would hunt down anyone I loved and kill them.

Derek: Im sorry to hear that, must've been terrible.

Loba: We all have a reason on why we're fighting. I want to find that man and make him suffer, but I also want to help make sure those events never happen to someone else. But you shouldn't hide your identity to

She raised her hands and lifted your balaclava.

Loba: *laughs* Well would you look at that, you're skilled and handsome.

Derek: *chuckles* Well it doesn't compare to you.

Loba: I don't trust anyone or let anyone become close to me. But these people? I trust them with my own life, and I feel like I can say the same for you.

Derek: If you find him, it only takes one call for me and my squad to be there to help you out.

Loba: Well isn't that brave of you. Try to get some sleep, you could use it.

Derek: Only have about another hour.

Loba: Even just a little will make a difference.

Derek: I guess you're right.

You laid back in your seat and closed your eyes and tried to fall asleep. You felt something warm and soft touch your face as you finally fell asleep.