Chapter 31: Clearing Skies

October 12, 2018

New York City, New York 2000 hours

...Beep…Beep…Beep this is an emergency broadcast system. Please remain calm, Report to your local government building for extraction. Pick-ups every ten minutes from the Post Office in Pennsylvania Plaza. Emergency Evacuation in progress. Head to your nearest Emergency Service Shelter. Troops will be there to assist you bring photo ID and one baggage item per person. Be aware of your surroundings. Remain Alert…Beep…Beep…Beep…

It has been four hours since the team left NYC. Nathan is the last Rainbow operator left in the city. His uniform is scorched and is covered in singes and holes. His hair burned on one side and his rifle covered in blood and scratches. Mainly due to the gas main that went up when apache fired a missile at the Masks to cover the MRAP. The Masks chased him from 1st avenue all the way into midtown. He's now walking back into the newly established beach head the Army has set up at the UN building. The Devil and Army dogs are sitting, laying, and sleeping on pelican cases, boxes in vehicles anything they can to catch a break. Nathan walks into the perimeter with his head hanging low from exhaustion. A couple of grunts watch him walk across the courtyard. He looks to them.

"Hey who's in charge and where's the command center?" Nathan nearly shouts at them

"In the main hall of the building, Redfield is in charge." one replies

Nathan waves them off and he walks into the UN building for the millionth time today. The halls are still covered in blood the lights have mostly been shot out giving the building an eerie feeling. There is a radio sitting on a box playing an emergency broadcast. Civilians are still making their way to the building looking for shelter and trying to figure out what is going on their faces covered in soot and their clothes tattered. Nathan continues to walk to through the hallways and he gets to the main lecture hall. The table has a map and laptops spread out on it. Redfield's command staff is assisting him at their laptops punching away and trying to regulate and support comms. Nathan sighs as he walks down to the main table. Redfield sighs in anger, he looks up from his table to see Nathan. He chuckles and shakes his head.

"I should've known you would be here" Redfield says

Nathan smirks as he gets to the table "Well what can I say, I always find a way into the biggest shit storms"

"That's the truth" Redfield drops the playful attitude almost immediately

"C'mon let's not start that now, we need each other right now." Nathan replies "Plus I can fill out your map here."

Redfield nods and passes him a pencil

"So they had a tank column move up through here close to the beginning of the attack. Now if I had to guess they are heading north and cutting through central park, Stewyville, and Grammercy." Nathan circles 1st Avenue and draws lines to where he thinks they went. "They also nailed Hudson Yards pretty hard. Murphy Hill is also being used as a stronghold. Some of my team also said that the Embassies have been hit hard." Nathan circles the boroughs "They also have access to Black Hawks which is how they are moving around so quickly. That's all I know" Nathan hands the pencil back

"Well that's more than what we knew a few minutes ago. Now here's the full picture. Command says there are two more jammers on the island. One is in Hudson Yards, another is in the financial district on the stock exchange. Command is sending in two more Delta teams. We also have already got our own tanks on the ground supporting our ground troops." Redfield informs

"Who are the Delta teams?" Nathan asks

"Metal and Guardian." Redfield replies

"Perfect." Nathan replies studying the map

The two Delta teams Guardian and Metal make their way down to the command center. The teams gather around the table.

"Nathan it's been awhile." Maddox the leader of Guardian says

"It has been, good to see you Maddox" Nathan shakes hands with the man

"Nate" Sandman nods softly

"Sandy" Nathan smirks

Redfield informs the two teams on the situation. "Nathan, I'm putting you on Maddox's team. Metal, you will be reporting to Overlord and they want you to move in on the Jammer in the Stock Exchange. Guardian you will be taking care of the jammer in Hudson Yards and will be under my tasking. There is an AC-130 on its way to provide air support however it will be a few more hours before it gets here. Any questions?"

"Yeah when do we move out?" Maddox asks

"Twenty minutes, Metal team you need to get moving now. There is a Humvee waiting outside" Redfield commands the team.

"Got it" Sandman nods, he and his team leave the building.

Nathan and Maddox's team walk away from the command center and they take a seat out in the staging area on some boxes.

"You look like shit Nate" Cruiser says

"Yeah well that tends to happen when you have been in a fight for eight hours and you are constantly on the run or in a fire fight." Nathan replies as he fixes himself an MRE

"How long have you been out here?" Gill asks his Louisianan graw punches through his voice

"Since 8am this morning on over watch for the G20 meeting that obviously went to shit." Nate chuckles as he starts eating the MRE

"Are you sure you're good to fight? That's a long time to be fighting." Bear asks

"Yeah I'm good, I might power nap on the chopper but yeah I'm good don't worry about it." Nate replies

"Guys quit bothering him, he's had a long day let him eat in peace." Maddox reigns in on his team

Nathan smirks as he leans back against the box. The twenty minutes pass quickly, their MH60 Black Hawk lands close by. They load up in the pilot is rather chipper.

"Ladies and Gentitals thank you for flying Air America this is your pilot speaking. There are no meals no inflight peanuts. This is a nonsmoking flight and smokers will get a boot in the ass and a fast exit off the bird. Please no groping and harassing the stewardesses. Have a wonderful flight" The pilot jokes with guys in the back

The team chuckles at the joke. The chopper lifts off the ground with haste. The soldiers look at the bombed out NYC, buildings on fire and the stench of death fills the air. The cars are burned, looted, or the windows are blown out of them. The chopper becomes quiet as the soldiers look at the land they were supposed to defend with failure. No one says a word as they look at the death and destruction from above. Another Black Hawk flies by, no one is really paying attention to it. The chopper joins on them it comes up on the starboard side.

"Oh shit! Pilot evade evade evade!" Maddox shouts

The copilot looks over to see the masks. "Greg bank left, bank left!"

The pilot picks up on the stick and banks the chopper to the left trying to get away from the hostiles. The Masks land a lot of shots into the aft of the aircraft. The door gunners spin up their guns.

"Bring us around so I can get a shot!" the starboard gunner shouts.

"Hang on, panning right!" The pilot gently shifts on the pedals trimming the chopper to the right

The gunner fires on the hostile chopper, Maddox and Cruiser both open up on the chopper trying to take it down.

"Hold on moving!" the pilot says

He increases the speed and the maneuvers around the buildings. He rounds the corner of a building and he rotates the chopper to have the full starboard side aimed at the corner of the building. The door gunner unloads again. This time chewing up the pilot and the nose of the craft.

"Splash one, target neutralized!" the door gunner informs

"Tara systems check." the pilot says slowing the chopper down and starts moving to Hudson Yards again

"Got it, oil pressure good, fuel is good, altitude good." She looks out her window and at the aft rotor "Tail rotor good, I think were alright." She says with relief. "Is anyone hit back there?" she asks the Delta operators

"Were good!" Gill shouts

"Hang on, I'm getting a lot of vibration in the pedals" the pilot says

The chopper swings hard to the left "Shit!" he looks at the oil gauge "We're losing oil pressure. I'm going to try and set her down on the street. You guys in the back hold on were going down!" the pilot says

The Delta operators strap in and hang to everything they can.

"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday this is Angel 6-1 were going down Grid 2741" The copilot relays into the radio

The chopper's tail swings left and right wildly as the pilot tries to maintain control of the craft. The helicopter descends nose first. The pilot pulls up on the stick and the chopper levels out again.

"Hang on!" the pilot shouts

The chopper comes down hard on the belly of hull. The blades clang against the buildings and cars they pass. They slide for half a block before they hit a car and come to a stop. Everyone is disoriented by the crash. The Delta operators are the first ones to get up. Maddox is up first out of the group.

"Is everyone alright?" He asks

"Yeah" Bear says standing up and dusting himself off

"I'm good" Gill says as he stands

"Yep" Cruiser stands up and moves to check the pilots

Nathan uses his rifle as a crutch to get up off the floor. "I'm good, are the pilots alright?" he asks

"Come take a look Nate and you tell me" Cruiser says

Nathan walks up to the cockpit and the pilot's right leg is pinned under some folded metal. The copilot has some glass her in arm and she also has a busted leg. The door gunners are sitting beneath their guns trying to gather themselves. Nathan shakes his head, he steps back and gets on the radio.

"Striker, this is Guardian 2 we have two wounded pilots at grid 2741 we need cutting tools and medevac." Nathan says into the radio

"Roger we have a marine unit in the area to help secure the area, you need to remove that jammer ASAP. When the Marines get there move on to your objective." Redfield replies

"Roger" Nathan replies "Maddox, good news is we have Marines on the way to hold the position. Redfield said that we need to press on once the Marines get here." Nathan informs Maddox

"Ok" Maddox replies and turns to his team "Set up security and be ready to move once the Marines get here." He commands

The team sets up security around the downed bird and Nathan starts first aid on the pilots. They can hear the wing beat of another chopper flying by.

"Everyone get down and don't move!" Maddox commands the team

Everyone gets into the hull of their chopper and everyone stops moving. The chopper comes down their street. It descends and lands in the street, the Delta operators in the crashed bird raise their rifles prepping for a fight. The new chopper doesn't power down, they can hear voices getting closer.

"Phoenix!" An American voice shouts

"Icepick!" Maddox shouts back

The Marines move in on the crashed chopper. A full platoon takes up security around the downed bird.

"How many wounded?" Lieutenant Vasquez asks

"The pilots and that's it, we can't stay Lieutenant. Command needs us to move on the jammer in Hudson Yards" Maddox explains to the Marine

"We have it get moving on the jammer." The lieutenant waves the Delta operator off "Jackson get over here and cut the pilots out. Griggs take your men and set up security." Vasquez continues

"Guardian let's move!" Maddox shouts to his team.

John and Taylor are both still in the bridge of the command ship they are packing up their equipment and their crews. Taylor looks out the window and sighs he can't help but feel depressed looking at the bombed out city. He thought back to opening days of the war on terror, When Taliban killed anyone who defied their influence. The angel on his shoulder was crying in pain. Taylor thought of his brother again, this was one of the cities he really wanted to visit. Taylor felt a piece of him die, he feels bad for destroying his brother's dream. He looks to John

"We did a good thing today John." Taylor says breaking the silence between them.

"Yeah we did" John replies, he focuses on packing up his gear. There is a pause between the two men. John breaks the silence this time "When do you want to pull the men back? Who do you want to pull back as well?"

Taylor thinks for a second. "Pull the Asian and American cells back now. The other groups can leave later at their own accord."

"Got it" John replies.

John makes the walk to the radio room. He walks past one of the rooms and hears the news broadcast.

"The estimated death toll is up to 200,000 civilians and 51 US soldiers that are KIA and MIA. Please if you are viewing our broadcast and you are in New York City, please be careful and go to your local government building for pick up." The reporter says

John's heart drops to the floor. He continues to walk toward the radio room. His mind kicking around the numbers. "That's 200,051 people you ripped away from this world John, someone's wife, child, husband, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, guardian. You killed them John, their blood is on your hands. You are nothing more than a murder. You have caused a lot of heartbreak John. Imagine how Jenna feels, just imagine what she thinks of you murdering so many innocent people. Just think about that John." The angel in John's head says.

He slips into a low place and his head hangs low. He walks into the radio room and behind one of the radio operators.

"Tell the Asian and American cells to pull back and inform the other teams to leave when they can and at their own discretion." John says.

"Yes sir" the radio operator replies.

John walks out of the room and into his quarters. He pulls a picture out from his locker. It was a picture of his wife and him, at what was their home in Mississippi. She had her arms wrapped around his chest and she was on his back with her legs up off the ground with John leaning forward. They both were smiling. It was just after they bought their first house and they just got all of their stuff in the house. He thought of exactly what she would say about him going on this crusade against the government. She would be very angry and disappointed in him. He felt ashamed, Jenna always knew how to guilt trip him when did something bad. He takes a beat and exhales as his mind centers on the task at hand. He put his picture away back in his locker and made his way back to the command deck.

Taylor can feel a difference in John's aura "Is everything alright John?" Taylor asks curiously

"Yeah everything is fine" John lies and goes back to viewing the destruction he has caused.

"After we launch the cruise missiles we'll leave this place" Taylor informs still skeptical of John's reply.

"How long until they are loaded?" John asks Taylor making eye contact.

"A few more hours, then we launch them for the final fuck you and we'll be on our way." Taylor replies.

John nods and packs up the rest of his gear. He sees the Masks loading up their stolen cruise missiles on their adhocked launch pad. He turns away and focuses on his task.

2200 hrs Time Square

Donny is standing ontop of one of the buildings, he finished his job of jamming signals and messing with radars of the US military. He is taking a break to eat and drink. He looks down into the square. It is lined with bodies much like the rest of the city. He feels bad but not guilty, he was never too keen on killing civilians but this had to happen. He takes a bite of his MRE, his face scrunches at the disgusting taste of the meal. "I can't wait to get back home and eat something that isn't cardboard." He says to himself.

He thinks of his home and the fantastic cooking he could do there. Him and all of his sibling's barbequing and just screwing around. He really misses being around them and just talking all kinds of bullshit about all kinds of different topics. He misses his family he hasn't seen them in so long. He looks down at the square and sees a woman stumbling around, she looks lost. Her hair knotted and dirty, her shirt is soaked in blood. Donny watches her carefully as he eats his most wonderful meal. She stumbles and falls next to a bench she looks around as if looking for help from anyone. Donny sets his meal down and he hooks up to his repel rope, he repels down the building and walks through the square with his rifle raised looking for threats. He gets over to the beaten woman.

"Ma'am are you alright?" he asks.

"What?" she replies her eyes wandering around.

"She's in shock." he says to himself "Ma'am let me help you." he says to her.

"Ok" she says with little to no idea of where or who she is.

He takes her into one of the little store fronts. He lays her out on the counter with no resistance. He sees there is blood from her upper chest. He cuts her shirt off and he pulls a package of bandages from his bag. He disinfects her wound with rubbing alcohol, she groans in discomfort from the burn of the alcohol.

"What's your name ma'am?" he asks her

"m-my my name is Kendal" she replies

"Kendal, you have been shot and bleeding for a while. You are in shock, so listen to me very carefully" he speaks slow and clear.

She nods slowly with half closed eyes.

"I'm going to see about getting you some medical attention and medical extract. Ok?" He says slowly

"O-ok" she replies

"I need you to lay down on the counter and I will do what I can to patch you up" He says

She tries to hop up on the counter only to almost fall down. He helps her up and lays her down, he cuts her shirt open to investigate her wounds. He sees that she was shot in the upper left portion of her chest. He pulls out a bag of quick clot to at least seal the wound.

"Do you have any family Kendal?" Donny asks as he tries to tend to the wound.

"Y-yes, m-my husband Steven. Do you know where he is?" She asks with labored breath and a groan from the pain of the quick clot.

"No I don't unfortunately. I'll try to find him for you. Do you know where you last saw him?" he asks as the bleeding continues

"I-in…the Pennsylvania plaza. We…were going to the Post…Post Office." She fights to stay conscious as the pain continues to radiate.

"Fuck me this bleeding isn't going to stop, Keep trying Donny." he says to himself

He starts packing on the quick clot and gauze. "How long have you two been married?"

"Two…Two y-years." She whimpers

"Well you two will have many more years together when I find him." Donny replies. He shakes his head as her blood continues flow out of her body. He smiles at her "I'm going to go find your husband." he lies

She grabs his wrist and gives a weak smile "T-thank you" she whispers

He nods and steps out of her view. He pulls his handgun, he exhales painfully as he points his weapon at the dying woman.

"C'mon man it's no different than when you put down Reggie." Donny says to himself

He hears a step behind him, he stops and listens carefully to hear for the attack. The figure jumps out, he turns and fires two shots into the man's chest. The man falls to the ground Donny walks closer with his weapon drawn.

"Kendal" the wounded man reaches for her

"Fuck! I should've waited to see who he was. Damn it!" he shouts to himself

He puts one round in the man's head before turning and finishing Kendal.

"Damn it, I shouldn't have shot. At least it was a mercy kill for her. God Damn it! I need to stop training with these guys I'm becoming used to shoot first ask later." He beats himself

He hits himself upside the head.

"Think next time damn it!" He shouts to himself one last time

His radio comes to life, breaking his chain of thought.

"Donny do you have your ears on?" John asks

"Send traffic" Donny replies

"Boss is pulling us back come back to the ship and pack up your gear." John replies

"On my way" Donny replies

He starts his long jog back to the ship. He continues to beat himself over his mistake.

October 13, 2018

Hudson Yards 0500 hrs

The team finally reached the Jammer. Cruiser is setting the charges on the jammer. The team was in a gunfight with a platoon of Masks on their journey to the jammer.

"I can't believe they just slipped in like they did. How did no one see them coming?" Gill asks

"I don't know, but they were in bed with the SB cartel and they had maps and everything from when this town was under quarantine. I know they used the cartel as their labor to build their tanks. I don't know how they got their hands on the choppers." Nathan replies checking his mags and weapon.

"It doesn't matter how they got in let's worry about driving them out first. Check your weapons and gear." Maddox says

"If there is anything lucky about the Masks is that they use the ever so wonderful NATO rounds and GI mags." Bear replies

"Yeah that's really nice." Cruiser says with a smirk as he steps back from the jammer. "Ready?" He asks

"Blow it." Maddox commands

Cruiser squeezes the detonator the explosion rattles the building and the jammer comes tumbling down onto the street below. Their radios fill with traffic from nearby units.

"Striker this is Guardian 1, Jammer destroyed." Maddox says into the radio

"Good Work Guardian, stay put for further tasking orders" Striker replies

They hear an engine moving closer and what sounds like people talking. They look down to the street to see a tank and a platoon supporting the tank. Maddox walks away from the edge and gets on the horn.

"Striker, this is Guardian 1 we need immediate evac at the second jammer location. We have twenty tangos and a tank closing in on our position." Maddox says into his radio

"Roger Guardian 1 we are dispatching a chopper to you, move to grid 4792 for a safe extract." The dispatcher replies

"Roger we will use smoke to mark the rooftop for extraction. Guardian out" Maddox replies. "Alright command wants us to move from here to that building over there for extraction. Pack up your gear and let's move quick and quiet. We don't need to get into another gun fight." Maddox commands

"How are we going to get out of the building without them seeing us?" Cruiser asks

"There is a fire escape on the fifteenth floor. We use that to get to the alley before moving to the next street over. It would keep us out of sight and out of the way." Bear replies

"We're going to do that and fast march to the building. Let's move" Maddox says

The team rushes down the stairs to get to the fifteenth floor, hearing the Masks talking and their tank driving along the road. Nathan and his comrades run as fast as they can down the stairs until they get to the fifteenth floor, where he silently opened a large window to allow the team to cycle out, one-by-one and head down the fire escape. As the first one on the ground, Nate raises his rifle looking out to the street. Bear drops down next looking to the opposite street cover Nate's six. The next three drop down, with Maddox taking point while the rest follow quietly. The tank gets louder the tracks clang against the concrete of the street. Bear feels his heart racing as the sound of the tank tracks get closer. Determined, the team picks up their pace and heads into the lobby of a building. They hide behind the desks and pillars, as the tank and its infantry support rolls by.

Nathan feels what's left of his neck hairs stand up. He looks to his team with hand signals he tells them to ready their weapons. One of the Masks walks into the lobby and looks around, he hears a shift from the lifeless furniture. Maddox curses under his breath and tries to stand still as possible behind his pillar, but hostile moves closer to him. At this point, Maddox has no choice. He raises his 416 and fires off a small burst to drop the tango. One less hostile to deal with, but now the team's position was compromised. The rest of the White Mask platoon hears the rounds and they rush over to the building. Their tanks turn around and moves back to the building.

"Out the back! Move!" Maddox commands his team

The Delta operators run out of the lobby, rounds whiz by and strike the walls in front of them. Bear swivels and drops to one knee and he lets his M249 lay into their pursuers. Nathan runs by and taps Bear's shoulder as he runs by. Bear stands up and runs with the team. They get out of the building and into another alleyway.

"Keep moving north east to the building!" Maddox shouts to his team

The team runs as fast as they can. Nathan posts up behind a corner and waves his team on past. He fires his M110 into the Masks he drops two with four shots. Maddox taps his shoulder and they start running to the building. They hear the tank moving to a better position to fire on them. They run between a building and an alley the tank catches a glimpse of the team and fires its HMG at the Delta troopers. The team gets split up Nate and Maddox on one side. Cruiser, Gill, and Bear on the other side.

"Go that way and make your way to the building and we will regroup there! Try to stay in com range!" Maddox shouts to his team

Bear gives a thumbs up and a nod. He takes his half of the team down the alley pushing toward their LZ. Nathan and Maddox turn around to get back out on to the street. The Masks close in on the alley. They fire on Nathan and Maddox from around the corner. The two operators jump behind some garbage in the alley and return fire on the hostiles. Nathan's M110 hisses with anger at the tangos.

"Maddox, get frag in that alley!" Nathan shouts as he slams a new mag in

"Give me covering fire!" Maddox replies pulling a homewrecker off his chest

Nathan pours rounds into the side of the building keeping the Masks at bay. Maddox tosses the grenade into the other alley. The frag goes off killing most of the Masks, Nathan and Maddox's ears ring from the echoing explosion of the grenade.

"Push up!" Maddox shouts and motions with his hand to move up

The operators push up, they point their muzzles down the alleyway, only to find that the enemy tank has the main gun pointed at them. Both of the Delta soldiers jump back as far as they can as the tank opened fire. The explosion rattles the ground, flinging debris everywhere and pelting the soldiers. Nate and Maddox struggled to pick themselves up off the floor as they run away from the hulking machine. They sprint past the alley the team was split up on, but the hostiles were on their heels, firing at them. As rounds buzz and whiz past them, Maddox turns and returns fire. Nathan follows suit.

"Striker, This is Guardian 1 we need air support now. Multiple tangos in pursuit. I repeat we need air support. Multiple tangos and one tank." Maddox says with a cool voice

"Roger Guardian, we cannot dispatch you air support at this time keep moving to exfill." The radio operator replies

Nathan returns fire on the hostiles. They move around a corner breaking contact. They both reload their weapons, they take a second to catch their breath.

"Guardian 3, what is your location?" Nathan asks

"We are half a klick away from exfill." Bear replies

"Get the pilots to hold out for as long as you can. We are still on the move and being chased." Nate replies

"Copy, keep moving." Bear returns

Maddox looks at Nathan "Ready?"

"Let's go" Nathan says

The two move out on to the street away from the Masks. Nathan watches their back as they move up the street toward exfill. They hear the contacts behind them searching for the pair. They move to extraction with quick and quiet steps, their hearts thumping with adrenaline and anxiety. Nathan keeps checking their six making sure they aren't being followed. They move up a block and they see the building they are using for extract.

"Bear we're at your 3 o'clock, check around to see if we are ok to move up." Maddox says on the radio.

"Give me a minute." Bear replies and looks at the surrounding blocks and streets. "You're clear to move up. We're almost to the roof." He adds

"We're moving up. Keep an eye out" Maddox orders

Maddox and Nathan push up to the building, they open the doors and rush in the lobby guns drawn. They regroup and the whole team pushes up to the roof of the building. Maddox pops blue smoke.

"Striker, this is Guardian 1 we are at the extraction point waiting for pick up." Maddox says into the radio

"Copy Guardian 1 this is anvil 2-3 we are two mikes out." The pilot replies

"Copy that Anvil." Maddox replies

Bear walks along the edge of the roof keeping an eye out for hostiles. He looks out at the street to his one o'clock. A tank round hits the side of building, Bear gets launched five feet from where he was standing, he lands on his back and covered in rubble. Nathan grabs the straps of his plate carrier and pulls Bear further away from the edge. The rest of the team moves up and starts putting rounds down range.

"Striker, this is Guardian 2 request CAS and immediate evac." Nathan says checking Bear over for bleeding and broken limbs.

"Copy, we have a gunship on station. We are patching you into their comms, callsign Archer 6-4" the radio operator replies

"Copy" Nathan replies

"Guardian 2 this is Archer 6-4 we have you on scope. We are awaiting targets." The gunner says to Nathan

"Your target is a tank to our one o'clock marked with IR laser." Nathan replies

"Maddox lase the tank for the gunship!" Nathan shouts

Maddox nods and turns on his PEQ-15 and puts the laser on the hull of the tank.

"We have the target firing" the gunner says to the team.

The gun operator fires the 40mm onto the tank and surrounding Masks. The gun operator then fires a quick burst of the 25mm minigun onto the targets. The street is turned into one large crater and painted with pink mist. Maddox and Cruiser keep their rifles on target and wait for the smoke to clear. The smoke and debris clears they see the lifeless hull of a T-72.

"Archer 6-4 target neutralized" Maddox replies

"Roger that Guardian, we are on station until evac." The gunner replies

Maddox comes over to Nathan and Bear. Bear is sitting up and panting.

"You good?" Maddox asks

"Yeah, just having a mild heart attack." Bear replies with a soft chuckle.

"We'll go back to HQ and find our next move." Maddox informs.

They nod in approval. The chopper lands on the roof and the Delta soldiers mount up and they start their journey to their HQ. Dawn starts to break over the horizon, the sun slowly lifts from its slumber. The team looks to the rising sun and they take in the wonderful view. They think of their families at home and how they wish to see them again. Nathan looks to the rising sun and he closes his eyes and feels the warming rays of the sun on his skin. He sighs and opens his eyes again. The hairs on the back of his neck stand up, he starts looking around for threats and he doesn't see any hostiles around him. Something doesn't feel right, he looks to the sun again.

"This is the last sunrise I'm going to see" He says to himself "No it's not, why the fuck did I say that?" He asks himself

A cold chill travels down his spine. He leans back in his seat and thinks to himself why he would say such a thing. Their radio comes to life

"Guardian team this is Striker. We have an Abrams dead in the water, their pinned down in central park and needs assistance. We need your team to go in and secure the AO so we can get engineers in and get the tank out. Their callsign is Wardog 4-1 they have a small ranger element supporting them. We can't give air support because of the ZPUs and RPGs." Redfield says

"Striker we need to replenish our ammo before we get into the hot zone." Maddox replies

"They need help right now Guardian, you're going to have to scavenge for ammo when you get on the ground." Redfield replies

"Roger that Guardian is en route, patch us into the ground unit so we can get a picture of what's going on and how to approach the objective." Maddox replies

"Working on it." Redfield replies

Maddox turns to his team "listen up we are heading to central park to assist a tank crew and a Ranger element to get out of the hot zone."

"We're low on ammo so how are we supposed to help?" Gill asks

"We have to make it work only shoot at what you can see until you get more ammo. We have to clear the AO so the engineers can get the tank rolling again. We are the closest unit to bail them out." Maddox replies

The team nods, the chopper turns north toward the park. They rise over the buildings and see the fighting.

"Pilot, land us just outside of the AO we will move on foot to target." Nathan says

"Roger that, we'll put you down on the west side of the park two blocks out." The pilot replies

"Copy that." Nathan replies

The pilot swings the chopper to the left and moves two blocks away from the hot zone. They set the chopper down softly in an intersection. The team hops off the chopper quickly they give thumbs up to the pilots. The chopper takes off, the team moves hard and fast. They hear the infamous roar of the M2 Browning. They can see the whole battle taking place, they take a knee to assess the battlefield.

"The Masks are dug in tight, we need to get pressure on their flank and get the Rangers to hold the L pattern. We then push up and move forward taking the heavy weapons out" Nathan says

"That or we take out the anti-air and call for CAS and knock 'em out." Gill says

"Why not both, it would centralize the enemy saving ammo and allowing the choppers to move to another hot spot." Bear says

"We're doing that. Nate, Bear you guys go help the Rangers and tell them what we need to happen. We good?" Maddox nods

The team nods again, Nathan and Bear break off moving to the Rangers. Rounds start zipping over their heads. They slide in behind a dirt mound created by a mortar shell. Bear props his LMG on the crest of the mound and fires off a couple quick bursts. To suppress the enemy, Nathan runs by tapping Bear's shoulder. They both move together, they see a small group of Rangers behind the Abrams.

"Friendlies coming up on your six!" Bear shouts

The Rangers turn and wave them up to their position. The Delta operators take cover behind the tank.

"We are Guardian team, we need to know who is in charge." Nathan commands

"That would be Lieutenant Hester, he's over there with Charlie platoon." The corporal replies

"You boys give us covering fire." Nathan says

The Rangers give the Delta's covering fire. Nathan and Bear run to a make shift trench that Charlie platoon is using for a firing line. Hester is keeping his troops in line and making sure they are keeping up the fire. Bear sets down next to a rifleman and starts plinking away at targets. Nathan moves along the line.

"Lt. Hester, I'm part of CAG, Guardian team specifically. We need you to move half of these men over to the left flank and hold the line there. Half of my team is trying to establish a foothold for us so we can move on their anti-air get us CAS so we can secure this AO." Nathan says to the Lieutenant.

"Alright, have you cleared this with command?" Hester asks

"No, we were tasked to help and we will get this cleared when we have that formation together. We are here to help you get your men home safe. Now move your men" Nathan commands

"You guys" he points to a group of ten "shift left and use the tank as corner piece, hold the line there." Hester commands

The Rangers quickly move to the new formation. They start firing on the hostiles. The Rangers now hold the L formation. Maddox, Cruiser, and Gill see the new battle line form.

"Guardian 2 we are moving for the anti-air weapons, keep the Masks distracted." Maddox says into his radio

"Roger that we are keeping up the fire. It looks like they have a ZPU at the…" a suppressed round leaves his rifle "the stone bridge to your twelve roughly 50 meters from your current positon. It looks like they have a small cache of stingers at your ten roughly…" Another round leaves his rifle "20 meters away. That's all I can see for now, hold on it looks like some are pulling back. Their numbers are thinning out but the area is still hot with tangos." Nathan says

"Roger Guardian 2 we are on the move toward the Stinger cache." Maddox replies

Maddox looks to the three guys of his team "move up and we'll take care of the stingers before we move on the ZPU. Be ready for anything."

Maddox and his guys move up from the L and push toward the stingers. They move twenty feet west and they take cover behind a busted T-72. Rounds ping off of the dead tank.

"I'm going to smoke it off and we'll push hard left and get behind them set the charges and blow the stingers." Cruiser says

"Toss the smoke and move fast" Maddox says

Cruiser pulls his last two smoke grenades from the lower back of his plate carrier. He pulls the pins and flips the spoons and throws the grenades over the aft of the tank. The smokers pop off, the team waits a few seconds before pushing north deeper behind enemy lines. They get another 30ft behind the tangos they slide into a fox hole. They crawl to the crest of the fox hole to see what all is in front of them. They see the Masks holding their lines, with a few backing off and leaving the area.

"Ok let's move quickly to the cache. Leap frog the whole way there. Gill you go first we'll give you covering fire. Cruiser you go second, I'll go last. Ready?" Maddox asks

"Yep put the fire down I'm ready." Gill says

The other two operators start firing on the Masks, Gill stands up and runs another 15ft. He sets up behind a tree. He waves for Cruiser to follow him. Gill starts laying down fire from his 417. Cruiser starts running toward Gill. The Masks return fire trying to hit the running man. Cruiser slides in right next to Gill behind another tree. He waves Maddox up, the team leader nods signifying that he is ready. Gill and Cruiser start firing back to cover their team leader. The tree operators take cover behind their trees. A small squad of the Masks start pushing toward the Delta's position.

"Cover the left side, Masks pushing in. Keep moving back we are almost to the Stingers. Gill with me we'll set the charges. Cruiser hold them off." Maddox commands.

"Roger that, get moving" Cruiser says turning his M27 IAR to the hostiles.

He starts putting rounds down range as the other two take off. He takes out two hostiles as the rest of the tango squad dive for cover.

"Guardian 2 this is Guardian 3 I could some support, I have a squad bearing down on my position." Cruiser says to Nate.

"I see them Guardian 3 standby." Nathan replies.

Nathan puts the tangos in his scope. He lines one up and sends a round down range the hostile falls to the ground. He lines the next one up and sends another round down range dropping another tango.

"I bagged two the other two I can't see. Although I can get them to move if you are ready." Nathan explains to Cruiser.

"Do it Nate." Cruiser replies

"Firing." Nathan says

He pops a couple rounds off at the tangos behind cover. Both of the hostiles dive out from behind their cover. Cruiser puts two rounds in them each.

"Targets neutralized thanks for the assist." Cruiser replies.

Maddox and Gill slide back into the foxhole.

"Fire in the hole!" Gill shouts as he pulls the trigger on the detonator

The Stingers go up in a huge ball of fire and frag behind the Delta ops.

"Stingers destroyed, Guardian 2 start pulling for that air support." Maddox says

"Copy I'll update you when I receive word on it" Nathan replies

"Alright let's move to the ZPU so the air support can hit the position. Let's move!" Maddox says

The tangos turn to fire on Guardian team. The team returns fire on the hostiles as they dash for the ZPU. They cover the 150 feet to the ZPU they gun down the team running the gun. Cruiser pulls a Thermite grenade from his pack and throws it to the grenade onto the ZPU. The grenade melts the metal rendering the anti-air weapon useless.

"Guardian 2 where is that air support?" Maddox asks taking down another Mask.

"It's on the way get out of there. Now!" Nathan says

Gill, shifts his rifle to his back and pulls his Glock. The runs back to the US lines taking heavy fire from the tangos. They slide in with the Rangers and hold the line.

"Linebacker 2 this is Guardian 2 Calling for fire in central park north of the Abrams." Nathan relays to the pilot in the chopper

"Roger that Guardian, we need you to mark the targets so we can tell who's who down there." The pilot replies

Nathan stands up and moves along the trench. He keeps moving to an open area he fires on the tangos killing three. He pulls an IR strobe from his bag, a Mask comes up from his right. He drops the device and raises his rifle using his red dot he kills the target. He picks up the strobe and throws it into the enemy lines.

"Linebacker 2 check for an IR strobe to the north of the Abrams." Nathan says

"Roger that guardian I see it. Firing on the hostiles." The pilot replies

The Apache cannon rings in air turning men into pink mist, the rockets fire taking handfuls at a time. The Masks invoke a full retreat from the area. The chopper continues to fire on the fleeing hostiles.

"We are Winchester Guardian, we are leaving the air space. Linebacker 2 out." The pilot says to Nathan

"Maddox AO secure call for the engineers." Nathan says to the team leader

"Roger that" Maddox replies.

The team calls for the engineers to help the tank crew get on their feet and start moving again. Guardian team's chopper arrives and picks them up. It's starting to go on 9 o'clock in the morning. The team sit in the chopper looking at each other with tired eyes. There is a loud tone from the cockpit.

"Brace Brace Brace!" the pilot shouts

The team braces as a missile collides with the tail of the chopper. The helicopter enters a spin the pilot tries to keep it in the air. He fights the stick left and right, he can't steady their bird. They crash into the side of the building and continue to fall to the street. The chopper is nearly destroyed aside from the hull. A cloud of dust and debris floats above the carcass of the chopper as the team tries to get its bearings. Maddox is the first one up, he starts gathering his men. He found Gill twenty or so feet from the fuselage. Cruiser is standing up walking to Gill clutching his left arm. He was able to gather all of team and set next to the downed chopper. Cruiser has a broken arm, Gill has a concussion, and the pilots both have one broken arm. Bear is fine and accounted for. The pilots were only a few feet from the cockpit.

"Bear have you seen Nate yet?" Maddox asks

"No I haven't seen him yet. Did you check the hull?" Bear asks

Nathan comes out of his haze. He blinks a few times to pull his senses together. The dust cloud floated in front of him. He moves to stand up.

"GAH, FUCK!" he shouts

He reaches down to his lower left abdomen. He looks down, iron rebar is punched through him.

"Fuck me." he says

He sees a drop of blood fall on to his pants. He reaches up with his left hand and feels the left side of his head. He flinches with pain and looks at blood on his hand. He looks to his right hand to see a chunk of metal from the chopper in his forearm.

The rubble shifts close by he reaches for his trusty sidearm to only grunt and drop it in pain. With a careful hand he reaches with his left hand and grabs the weapon. He one hand press checks the weapon. It's loaded. He points the gun in the direction of the noise. His hand shakes because of the pain.

"It's just me relax" Maddox says coming through the debris. His uniform has been burnt and shredded. "Hold still while I check you out."

Maddox reaches down and squeezes on the wounded man's thigh.

He screams again "you asshole" he says with anger and tears of pain in his eyes.

Maddox stands up and checks the outer portion of the fuselage and sees the rebar going through it. He moves back inside and takes the downed Eagle's rifle and makes a splint out of it.

"Well, you're pretty fucked. I don't have anything to cut you free and you have a broken leg. I can treat your head and forearm but that's it. I have called for medevac and command is working on getting a chopper free for us." Maddox says

"Hostiles are going to be coming for the bird you need to get out of here." Nathan says

"We aren't leaving you behind man. We'll find a way to get you out of here." Maddox replies

"Rick just go. I'm going to be dead weight and slow you down take your wounded and go" the Rainbow operator says.

"Look I'm not leaving you behind. I don't care what it takes to bring you back with me." Maddox argues

"Rick your guys have families to go home to. Get them out and home while you can. I don't want to be responsible for more funerals. Take your team and the crew and get out of here." Nathan argues more

"Quit arguing with me. Me and my team are staying here until extract." Maddox continues to quarrel

"Rick I will fucking shoot you if you don't go." The wounded man says with anger

"We both know that you won't do that. So we are staying until extract." Maddox continues to bicker

Nathan raises the pistol from retention and puts two shots in Maddox's plate carrier "now fucking go" the injured man says with anger

Maddox gasps for air and coughs before getting back up to his knees "are you fucking nuts? You could have killed me!" Maddox says breathless

"But I didn't so get going Rick before I put the next one in a not so nice place" the injured man continued

Bear comes running up "you alright boss?" He asks

"Yeah, asshole thought I was an enemy. Go grab the med kit and let's get him patched up. Also grab any pistol mags you can find." Maddox says with more air in his lungs this time.

Bear returns and they patch up the wounded man the best they can. They give him the extra pistol mags they could find. They started an IV of Saline and gave him an extra canteen of water.

"Good luck brother make sure you turn on your transponder so the PJs can find you." Maddox says with sadness

"I will, now go" the injured man replies

Maddox nods and he takes his team out of the crash zone. Nathan doesn't turn on his transponder knowing it would be worthless anyway. He looks at his hand gun and sighs.

"Sorry brother but I'm not coming home from this one" he says to himself

NYC 1200 hours

The dark clouds choked the life out of the blue sky as they rolled above the city. The smell of rain and death filled the air. The street runs red with blood, bodies marinating in it. Small arms fire echoed all around him from distant firefights. He stood in the middle of the street. He is holding his trusty rifle loosely in his arms. He looks around taking in the destruction he helped par take in. He was in awe of what he had created, he felt hopeless. He sees a young blonde girl laying on the street face down. She was wearing a grey backpack. Her arm was stretched for her books and notebooks. She couldn't have been older than sixteen. He felt sorrow flow through him. He walks closer to the body he could see a phone not far from her face. He could also see the pool of blood around her, the bullet hole was in the back of her head. He knelt down and picked up the phone. The screen lit up thinking its owner was wanting to access it. There was a lot of text messages. They were all from her parents and presumably her boyfriend or girlfriend but that didn't matter now. All asking the same questions. "Are you safe? Where are you?" He bit his lip and set the phone down next to the sixteen year old. He looked down at his gloves, the leather stained with the red liquid of life. This wasn't the blood of the enemy, this was life of innocent people who had never done anything wrong. He put on hand to his mouth as his eyes filled with tears. He could only ask himself "Who am I?" he began to cry. Everything he had done lead him here. This wasn't who he was. He was a warrior not a monster. "What am I doing here? Why did I do this?" He asked himself trying figure out who he was. The clouds started dumping water down on to the streets. Steam came off the hot asphalt of the street leaving a pungent scent. The sun was finally blotted out by the rain, he dropped to his knees. The rifle fell to the ground, he turned to the sky looking for forgiveness. The tears of the lost cascaded down his face and uniform. He felt as if his soul had dissipated into an empty pit of darkness, his heart was nothing more than dust being whisked away in the wind. His radio came to life, his mind fought him to answer the call, he depresses the talk button his radio. He took a deep breath as his mind gathered itself "Go, for Anubis" he replied into the radio

"There is a downed chopper 2 blocks away. Go check it out" his commander ordered

"Rog" he replied.

He took another breath, he grabs his rifle and uses it as a crutch. He stood up taking one last look at the destruction. He put one foot in front of the other, he walked to the downed chopper. The rain continued to pour, the drops have a cold and cruel bite to them. By the time he got to this chopper he was drenched. His mind was clouded with pain and self-loathing. He got to the chopper. The fuselage was the only thing left, He walks to the broken door of the chopper. The door required him to use every ounce of strength he had. His muscles strain against the sliders on the door. The metal creaks and screams in protest, with a grunt the door is freed and slides out of the way. There is a soldier lying on the floor with iron rebar through his lower left abdomen. A piece of scrap metal was punched through his right forearm. He had a cut on his head blood was dripping down his face. He was in shock. His eyes lazily wandered to the man in front of him.

"Keegan?" he whispered

"Nate?" Keegan asked in shock

"Jesus, what happened to you?" Keegan asks.

He kneels down and gives him a drink of water. He pulls a shot of morphine from his leg pouch and injects it into Nathan's leg. Nathan's eyes dilate at the rush of the drugs hitting his system.

"Chopper was shot down my team had to leave me." Nathan replies

"Nate I'm sorry, I didn't want this for any of us" Keegan says in an apologetic tone

Nathan doesn't reply as he gives Keegan a look of disdain. Keegan feels shame and betrayal come over him.

"Nate I don't know what to say other than I'm sorry." Keegan says

"You are better than this Keeg. Why don't you leave? Look at what you have done to our homeland. Look at what you have done to me." Nathan says with labored breath and slowly

"Nate I would leave but they have some serious shit over my head. How can I contact your friends to help them out Nate?" Keegan asks

"I'm not telling you, you will try to hit them at their home." Nathan says

"Nathan trust me let me help you all kill these scumbags." Keegan argues

"Fuck you Keegan" Nathan says

Keegan's radio comes to life "Keegan its John, Taylor is launching the cruise missiles in an 1 hour. Get to the boats we are in full retreat." John says

"Roger that I'm on my way out." Keegan replies

Keegan puts a hand on Nathan's shoulder and leans his head against Nathan's. "I'm sorry Nate you deserve better than this. I'll try to find you after all of this is over." Keegan says

Keegan feels the handgun being pressed against him. He starts to push the gun away as Nathan puts two rounds into Keegan's gut. One hit his body armor the other grazed his right abdomen. Keegan falls back and coughs as he cover's his wound. Nathan raises his gun with a shaking hand and aims the weapon at Keegan's head. Keegan scrambles to his feet and limps out of the chopper. He flips on Nathan's transponder and he tosses it back into the fuselage. He limps away to a nearby alley to take care of his wound so he wouldn't bleed out. He feels bad for leaving Nathan behind. He was able to find a group of Masks with a truck to get him back to the boat.

NYC 1300 hours

That scumbag Keegan left an hour ago I should have shot him in the face. I am so tired, I have never felt this much pain before. I can barely keep my eyes open, I feel cold. I wonder if Keegan really meant what he said. I take a sip of the canteen that they left me, the water is warm and disgusting but it keeps me hydrated. I wonder what Meghan and Mitchell are doing right now, I bet they're both in a warm bed getting ready to sleep. I should've left with them instead of staying here like an idiot. They're going to be so mad at me. I can hear the missiles John talked about. I'm not ready to die, but of course as soon as I get another girlfriend God wants to put me in the dirt. There's a joke in there somewhere, I chuckle then grimace with pain. I can feel something pulling me into the deep dark. I hear the missiles make impact, the rubble comes crashing down around me. I close my eyes to rest. I hear a familiar voice.

"Nathan, Naaathaan." My mother calls

I can see her and pops as clear as day, my heart jumps with excitement. I haven't seen them in so long.

"Come here Nate I want to talk to you" My Father says

I start to walk over to them.

"Nathan don't leave us yet" Meghan says from behind

I turn to her, I'm stuck in the middle between Mitchell, Meghan, Mom, and Dad.

"You're going to leave me to fend for myself?" Mitchell asks

I start to walk toward them. I don't seem to be coming any closer to them, I start to run I still can't catch them.

"Come back, I can't get to you." I reach out for them

They disappear into thin air and my parents appear in front of me.

"Son it's time." Dad says to me

"No! I'm not leaving them behind. Let me go to them!" I shout

"Honey, it's time to go, you have some friends who want to talk to you." My mother says

I feel a warmth on my back, my dad shoves me toward it. I land hard on the sand, I smell barbeque. I hear familiar voices too. I raise my head out of the sand, I hear the ocean behind me and I look to the scent of the food. It's the Hell Jumpers, Hawg is with them. She smiles and walks over to me with a cheap beer in her hand. She gives me a hug

"It's been a long time Nate" She says

"Meghan, I need to get back to her" I say stepping back from her

"Nate, she's ok and back home. She talking with her parents right now." She says

"Are you sure?" I ask as relief falls over me

"Here look into the ocean" Hawg says

She takes my wrist and guides me to the Ocean, we wade out to about knee height and I take a look at the water. I can see her, she's in her bunk skyping with her parents.

"Meghan!" I shout

I feel Hellen's hand touch my shoulder

"She can't hear you Nate." She says

I shake her hand off my shoulder. I trudge deeper into the water trying to get back to Meghan. I get almost chest deep. I feel a wall in front of me, I push against it with all of my strength. I punch and kick at the wall hoping it will give. I feel myself being pulled back to the shore. I try to fight it but I'm back at Hellen's side. I feel the need to cry, Hellen pulls me into a hug.

"It's ok Nate I did the same thing when I got here." She says quietly and she pulls me back to the shore and we both sit down in the sand. "Nate this is what you think it is. It was rough for all of us to adjust to it too. Come have beer with us. We have a lot of catching up to do." Hellen says

She pulls me toward the others. I have no choice but to accept my fate, I let Meghan and Mitchell down. I miss them already. I look to my feet as I hear the others say hello to me and offer me a drink. I look back out toward the ocean.

"I'm sorry" I whisper to shifting tides.

Hereford 1900 hours

Meghan is laying in her bunk after finally getting back from the airport and transporting the Polish diplomat back home. She is happy to finally be in a bed, she is on a call with her parents.

"Yes mom I'm alright. Don't worry about me" Meghan says to her mother

"We are happy that you are safe dear." Matthew, her father says

"What about your friend, Nathan?" Erin, her mother asks

"I don't know, we had to…" Meghan stops her sentence

She looks behind her she could've swore she heard someone call her name.

"What's a matter Meghan?" Erin asks

"I thought I heard someone call my name" She shrugs "I don't know about Nathan" a shiver travels down her spine and a pang of sadness flows through her. "We had to leave him to get civies out. Plus we were ambushed before he could get in." Meghan replies

"Well hopefully he is ok" Erin says with a smile

"I'll see if I can find anything on him for you" Matthew replies

"Thanks dad." Meghan fakes a smile "I need to go bed, I'll talk to you tomorrow" Meghan continues

"Ok, get some sleep I love you Meghan" Erin replies with a smile

"I love you too Meg. Good night" Matthew adds.

Meghan ended the call and rolls over in bed and sighs. She feels sad and off like something is missing. She shrugs the feeling off before closing her eyes. "Goodnight Nate" She says to herself.

A/N: Hey Guys it's been a minute. So I finally got this put out, it only took 3 month haha. I hope you all are doing well during these times and are enjoying your quarantine. So big things Fletcher got a name change, his original name from the beginning of the story was Harding Fletcher, I have changed it to Nathan Fletcher. That will be his name in the rewrite when I finally get on that task. Hopefully sooner rather than later. I also may or may not be starting another story, it's still up in the air and I don't have all of the details worked out but it's a possibility yes it's another R6 story. Also this story turned 2 years old yesterday. I cannot believe it has already been that long, it feels like just yesterday I should have been giving you guys the first chapter. I honestly cannot thank you enough for reading this story. It has truly been amazing to write for you all. Please if you have any criticism, question, etc. just leave a review or PM me. Thank you for reading!