Location: 5 miles from Miami

Date: June 10th, 2021

Time: 6:23 P.M.

Derek POV

You opened your eyes to see Sean tapping your shoulder. You were looking up at him and noticed you were laying your head on something with white cloth. You turned your head and looked up towards Loba who gave you a little smile. You shot out of your seat and quickly put your balaclava back on along with your helmet.

Mickey: Wow Derek, Atleast take her out for dinner first before you strike gold.

Derek: Oh haha.

You followed Sean out of the Blackhawk and looked towards the abandoned factory where everyone else was at.

Derek: You guys set up inside yet?

Wraith: Not yet, thought we would let you enjoy your sleep beforehand.

Derek: Aren't you thoughtful. Let's go.

You walked into the factory and set your backpack down against a table.

Derek: Mark, set up on this table. We've got work to do.

NATO: On it.

He set up a projector and laptop on the table and started to pull up images.

NATO: This is the man we're looking for. High ranking officer in the masks and one of Talons right hand man's. Getting to him is going to be difficult.

Derek: What does his schedule look like.

NATO: Most of the time he is with other masks and officers, but there is one open window, he goes to a stripclub every night between 11:30 to 1:20 A.M.

Derek: Do you have information on whether or not there are masks with him?

NATO: That is unknown, it's a nightclub so I'd say there would be. Those masks would do anything to hold a pair of tits. Even if the body is cold.

Derek: Yea, so about this stripclub.

NATO: Oh right, the H.V.T. goes to Bellas Cabaret on Southeast 14th street.

Derek: And thats our only window?

NATO: Its the only one I could find with such short amount of time.

Derek: The sooner we get him. The sooner we have more info on how to release this city from their grasp.

Bulldog: Dolphin season baby.

Mirage: Dolphin season?

Mickey: John is a miami dolphins fan, dont mind him. He just likes cutting into conversations when he has something to relate to.

Bulldog: I know what you guys are talking about.

Mickey: Oh really, what did we just discuss.

Bulldog: Stripclubs.

Sean threw his hands in the air and started to walk away as Mark palmed his face in disappointment.

Bulldog: What? Why do you guys look so disappointed, I'm right.

Derek: You guys are getting distracted, focus on the task at hand.

Mickey: What even are the moves?

Derek: I need someone silent and quick, me and Renee will move into the stripclub and snag the bastard, I want Mark and Sean on lookout with Elliot. Am I clear?

NATO: You got it boss.

Derek: John, you and Anita contact Harry about weapons and ammunition, we're going to need alot of it if we're even gonna attempt doing a job like this.

Bulldog: I'll send word out.

Derek: Everyone else, start making living arrangements in here, we're gonna be here for awhile. We roll out at 22:30. Am I clear.

Bravo squad: Yessir!

Derek: Preds, I didnt hear any agreement, why's that.

Loba: I agree with your plan fully, what happens if you and Renee get caught.

Derek: Thats when lookout comes in, I want you three giving info when something comes up and if we either fail to grab him or get caught in the act, move in.

NATO: You got it sir.

Derek: And if you spot Talon, relay it back to me, theres questions I need answered and he is our ticket.

Mickey: Will do.

Hereford Base; Female Lounge

Ela POV

You laid back on the couch and groaned loud enough for everyone else in the room to hear you.

IQ: Why're you groaning?

Ela: It's so boring here without them around.

IQ: They've only been gone for a few hours.

Ela: Says you, I was asleep when they came back earlier this morning to leave as soon as I woke up. I miss those idiots.

Frost: It's odd, but they do lift spirits around here.

Twitch: Mark has been very vocal ever since they've arrived here.

Ela: If no one else is gonna say it, I find Dereks scar across his left eye to be a turn on.

Mira: You think everything about him is a turn on.

Ela: Well yea, but I mean just looking into his ocean blue eyes and then seeing a mark that shows triumph just ~Oooo~ I need to stop.

Frost: Besides, he had a tragic history, I couldnt imagine losing someone I loved because I didnt have enough reinforcements.

Twitch: Especially when your bestfriend was also caught in that same crossfire aswell, it hit him hard.

Ela: When we were bodyguards for the Goons or whatever they call themselves, I really didnt fully understand why he was always so defensive whenever it came to someone close to him.

Ash: If you need to know, his outfits bring alot of history for him.

You all stared at Elisa questionably.

Frost: What do you mean?

Ash: His Glock 19 is a generation 3, it was his fathers. He wears his fallen allies dogtags, always making sure they're close to his heart. His go to knife was Stones. He spreads a non-verbal message.

Thunderbird: Take away something close to me, they'll be the ones to end you.

Kenzie: This a bad time to walk in?

You all turned to see the 5 recruits Derek had to train.

IQ: You guys must be our newest recruits, Colt told me to give you guys some help while he's gone.

Sam: Yea, we just got done training with Mike and thought a lounge visit would be nice.

Kenzie: So Colt, he always a man of mystery?

Frost: He's one of our best, started out as a recruit.

Ava: Why a recruit?

IQ: That is still a question unanswered, best assumption was he didnt want too much attention drawn to himself however since the recruits have such a bad rep, he ended up getting that anyway.

Kenzie: So is past, what did you mean by his Non-verbal message?

Frost: Everyone hes ever cared for, he's loved and cherished, were taken away from him by terrorists. First the white masks, then the Taliban, his entire drive is to rid this world of any terroristic threat that poses a threat to innocent people.

Finka: His confirmed kills in the past 8 months is well over 175. Thats not even counting the ones hes gained over the past 4 years when he was in the marine corps.

Kenzie: 175? That sounds high, but doesnt sound like that much when you're talking so highly of him.

Finka: Thats only his confirmed, we cant even begin to think about what his uncomfirmed count is at. Could be 400, maybe even a thousand if you think about it.

Ela: He passed me in his first 2 months, Ive been here for 5 years and only have 83 confirmed.

Ava: When he talked to us, he asked us what we've done to prove that we'd protect innocent lives.

Ela: When he says that, he wants to know if you have that drive that him and his squad have.

Sam: I was only a first responder for the LAPD.

Frost: That shows that you'll put your life on the line to protect the people you love.

Kenzie: What kind of stuff has he done?

Ela: He was only 17 when he first enlisted, but you remember when the Russians invaded the U.S. right?

Kenzie: How can we forget, it was one of Americas greatest threats.

IQ: Colt was deployed to the front lines with his squad, they were so skilled that they were trusted to go on missions with just them, no reinforcements. And they succeeded everytime.

Frost: And when they were with other squads, Colt exceeded with giving orders and being the first one to charge right into combat.

Ava: How good we talking?

Frost: When him and his squad arrived at the white house, there was low morale and they needed to gain access to the white house. So, the only logical way of doing that, was Colt convincing a small company of marines to charge with him, even if they were knocking on deaths door.

Ava: So he... got them all killed?

Ela: Actually they werent, the casualties were high, but there were more wounded then K.I.A. 10 out of the 85 marines were killed in action, while an additional 25 injured. The mission was a success, even after having to rush when they got word of a Hammerdown Protocol being put in place.

Kenzie: He really does show devotion.

Ela: I just want to know what he's up to right about now...

Miami, Florida; Inside Bellas Carbaret

Derek POV

You sat at a bar next to Renee with complete silence between the two of you, the only thing being heard was people whistling at the strippers and loud music.

Derek: I dont want to be here as much as you do, but this is reslly our only chance at getting this guy.

Wrsith: As long as we get him, I dont think it'd be a waste to be here.

You started to hear Mickey speak up form your ear piece. You put your hand against it and leaned away from the crowd.

Derek: Mickey, what did you need?

Mickey: *radio* Target spotted, mask with a yellow marking walking into the building now, do you have eyes.

You looked over towards the entrance and saw 3 masks with one being the one Mickey described.

Derek: Copy that, we have eyes on the target.

Mickey: *radio* I'll keep you posted, if anything else comes up.

Derek: Copy, Colt out.

You put your hand away from your ear piece and looked at Renee.

Wraith: So whats the plan?

Derek: We wait until he goes to a more secluded area with his two bodyguards, take them out, then we snag him.

Wraith: Well since we have some free time, how'd you get that scar?

Derek: The one on my eye?

Wraith: Not that one, the one on your torso near your right lumbar region.

Derek: How'd you notice that one?

She gave out a slight giggle at your comment and spoke up.

Wraith: I might've taken a quick peak while you were changing into more casual attire.

Derek: Well if you need to know, back in 2018, we were giving air support to a couple squads at the WW2 memorial site. It didnt last long before we realized that there were S.A.M. turrets set up all along the room of the Department of Commerce. We get hit and we ended up crashing along the streets of D.C., I was out cold for a minute until I regained conciousness. A piece of shrapnel from the helicopter pierced my right side as me and my squad were surrounded by the Russians.

Wraith: So what did you do?

Derek: What else was there to do, I pulled myself up, Took Johns M9 and helped as best I could.

Wraith: I can see why people respect you.

Derek: Respect is only earned once you're dead. If you're rich, you're selfish. If you're poor, you lost at life. If you're a soldier, you're a murderer. Only then when you lay down your life and are buried 6 feet under, would people actually put respect on your name. And that too, is a rare moment to be found.

You saw a woman behind the bar serving drinks across from you and signalled her over.

Barista: What can I do for you?

Derek: 2 shots of whickey.

She gave you a slight nod and quickly made the 2 shots and slid them to you.

Derek: Cheers luv.

Barista: Hey, arent you too good looking to be at a stripclub.

Derek: Arent you too beautiful to be a barista at a stripclub?

Barista: Touché, that'll be 10 dollars.

Derek: You reached into your pocket and pulled out your wallet and opened it, you grabbed a 10 out and closed your wallet and looked back up. You noticed her face was shocked and didnt know why, it took you a aecond to realize that your Rainbow I.D. was in the main side pocket on your wallet. It was the first thing you saw once you opened it. You slid the 10 across the table and put your finger up to your lips. She gave a slight nod as agreement and you downed the 2 shots.

You gave a hidden glance towards the mask and noticed that he was going into a private room with the two masks walking in aswell. You looked back over at the barista.

Derek: Say um.. whats your name?

Moika: You can just call me Moika.

Derek: Say uh Moika... are those doors locked?

Moika: In order to ensure privacy they are.

Derek: Damn, Got any other ways of getting in there?

Moika: There is one way...

5 minutes Later

You made your way through the roof of the club watching your step each time you moved.

Derek: When she said there was another way... this is not what I had in mind.

Wraith: Nothing like walking over ceiling tiles.

Derek: Yea, and figuring out which one goes to the private room.

You stopped at one spot when you decided to lift up the tile and peak inside. You saw the two masks with their backs against both sides of the door while the H.V.T. was getting a lap dance. You put the tile back in its place and put on your balaclava.

Derek: Well this is the room.

Wraith: Whats your plan of engagement?

Derek: You gun it for the H.V.T., I'll get the two masks at the door.

Wraith: Got it.

Derek: Good, be ready.

You lifted the tile back up and set it aside, they still havent noticed you. You started to unsheath your knife concealed under the back of your jeans and dropped down into the room. You landed on the ground and pivoted your foot to face the two masks at the door. Rushing towards them you fully unsheathed your knife and dug the blade into one masks abdomen. You twisted the blade and brought it back out before flipping it around and tossing it at the other mask, nailing him in the head.

You turned to face the H.V.T. sitting back in his chair with Renee aiming a Taurus G2C at him. You walked over and grabbed him by the collar and lifted him to his feet.

Derek: You have some explaining to do.

You brought your fist back and and connected it with his mask. He fell back into the chair unconcious as you picked him back up and let him slouch over your shoulder.

Wraith: Did you really just pick him up and then knock him out.

Derek: Did you really just pull out that tiny handgun?

Wraith: Gets the job done doesnt it?

Derek: Yea. Yea. Yea.

You reached for your earpiece and turned it on.

Derek: Mickey do you copy, We have the H.V.T. and are moving out is Elliot in position.

Mickey: Copy that Colt, Porkchop is waiting in the alley.

Derek: Copy that.

You turned off your earpiece and looked back at Renee.

Derek: Next time this happens, lets just stick with codenames.

Wraith: Dont have to tell me twice.

You walked out of the private room and through the crowd before you exited the club through the back door. You threw the mask in the van and got in yourself before driving away to pick up Mark and Sean at a nearby building. With everyone in the van you started to make your way out of the City and back to base.