Storm

By Steve Hemingsworth

Storm is the action packed techno thriller set in the year of 2023 As the balance of power changes, a new world emerges. Technology is now at the front line in the year 2023 as world leaders enter a new generation of warfare. All worldwide armies have converted to become private militaries, and those who enlist do so by giving up their freedom as a normal citizen. They live by code only and to serve their country with pride.

Hot on the trail of the cyber terrorist John Doe, Delta and Bravo team act under the new powers and regimes to ensure the safety of our world. They are the most advanced private military group in the world, and they will stop at nothing to get their target who threatens the very core of worldwide national security

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve Hemingsworth
• Release date: Sep 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310528071

Steve Hemingsworth

As a Toronto based author, I like to keep my books more contemporary if possible, that way it makes it easier for the readers to connect to them. For me, it's very important to write in different genres which allows me to explore many themes and concepts.Writing for me is a lifestyle that I want to share my work with other people and bring them into my world. I enjoy writing twists to keep the read surprised and interested in the story. Writing should be fun, quality over quantity is what I always believe.

Book preview

Prologue

I stood watch as the man was on the floor looked at me. His eyes showed mercy, but his intentions didn’t. I raised my suppressed gun and shot him in the face, his cheek exploded as the flesh split open and blood poured out from it. The man fell to the floor and was dead in an instant, trying to grasp the gaping hole in his face but it was too much as the shock to the body was too much. I knew he suffered a horrible death. His body lay motionless as his eyes looked into the heavens, and I stood there remorseless, and heard the men behind me.

I walked backwards quickly and pushed by back against the wall, I could hear them shouting in a foreign language, most likely looking for me for what I had just done, killing one of their comrades. I pulled out my knife and twisted it outwards, so that I would look towards the outer hall, the reflection would show me my targets. The gleam of the knife was quick and gave my position away, but it also acted as mirror as I saw five men come towards me, screaming and yelling something.

I stood my ground on the corner and waited for them patiently, breathing as slow as I could to regulate the oxygen in my lungs. This always calmed me down as it prepared me for hand to hand combat. As they got closer I could smell the stench of death on them, and I could see the main person had a hostage with him. His gun pointed at the hostage’s head as he shouted at her to move forward. He was using her as a shield, a military personal. Fucking Mujahidin, you have no honor.

They got closer and closer as I could hear their footsteps. Within less than five feet I sprang into action and swung my knife down quickly, cutting off the nose of the first man right in front of me. The cut was sharp and deep, cutting the flesh while his organ fell to the floor. The man stared at his severed nose in horror, as it hit the ground and splashed in blood he screamed in pain. Holding his hands up towards his face, I jammed the knife forward and plunged it right into the gaping hole. The force shot his head back as he fell to the floor screaming and his comrades watched as I pulled the knife and stabbed one them in the throat with a horizontal cut.

The cut sprayed blood all over the place as the poor bastard never knew what hit him. In excruciating pain, the man grabbed the wound putting pressure as I swung the knife back jammed into his left eye and twisted it hard. The force of my knife pushed the eyeball all the way back into his head, causing him to fall flat dead on the floor. I still had the first two targets as a priority, so I pulled the knife out and fired two shots from my gun, killing the man with no nose and hitting throat wounded guard in the head. They were dead as well, time to move forward.

I then ran into a corner as the three remaining men shot at me trying to get me. My instincts worked fast as I hid inside a drainage hole that stretched around the area and connected to the hall near me. I could hear them running towards my position, screaming at me and firing in my direction trying to take me out. But I moved, and had already gone around them waiting for them to stop shooting but they didn’t. Not realizing my position, I came up behind one of them bursting out, and stabbing him in the leg as he fell to the ground on top of me. His leg bled wide open as the cut made him lose his balance, and as he fell backwards I grabbed him on top of me as a shield and stabbed him twice in the chest, cutting him open. For good measure, I shot him three times in the chest. Two bullets entered his stomach, on the heart as he fell back on me dead.

One of the soldiers thought he had an opening and tried to come after me, and I took a swing at his leg with boot and knocked him over. He fell backwards holding on to his knees, as I threw the body aside and took a swipe as his leg with the knife, completely cutting of his leg from the knee joint. His lower leg fell to the ground, bouncing a couple of times as he held on to the bloody stump that used to be his leg. I could see the bone sticking out and quickly ended his life by sticking the knife right though his neck from one side and it protruded from the other.

I slid back into the drainage hole as another man came towards me but I was already gone, staying ahead of them. Working my way around the confusion of them trying to shoot me, I counted to five and then sprung up again, wow these assholes were trained bad and lacked any true combat. I came up behind one of them, and I took my knife and shoved it into his testicles. The man tilted his body backwards from the agonizing pain as the knife dug deep into his balls and blood splashed into my face and his thighs. I twisted the knife for extra measure making sure he wasn’t going anywhere. I could hear him scream from the pain, a pain that I knew was pretty much killing him. I ended his life by shooting him in the back of the head as the bullet exited out and went through his forehead. The body fell to the floor as the man with the hostage looked at me in horror. I stood up from the manhole and he started to back off. He shot the hostage in an instant without caring and then threw the body to the floor.

You fucking coward I thought to myself. You’re nothing but a terrorist and that innocent man had nothing to do with this. I stood my ground as he began to speak to me in English, some gibberish about how he was going to make my life miserable. Not giving a shit, I got a closer and kicked the gun out of his hand, forcing him to run the other way. What a coward, you would rather run then fight me?

I took the knife and threw it into his back causing him to fall to the floor. The man screamed as he held his back in pain where the knife had entered into this body. As I got closer he screamed more and begged me to spare him. I asked him why he killed the hostage. He had no answer. To that, I stomped the knife’s handle which plunged it hard into his back even further. I could still see a piece for the handle sticking out so I grabbed it and started moving it around. The knife rotated in the flesh as the man screamed from the pain. I didn’t care; I was enjoying his pain and screaming as it was music to my ears. Once I realized I was no longer happy with the torture, I ended his suffering by snapping his neck with a hard crunch. I had done it; I had killed these men for the glory of my country. Why? Because I had the talent and the skills to do such things.

I had entered the room where they told me the men would be, but when I looked for them, I could not find their bodies. If they were dead, I only wished they had been buried with respect. Powers had been right, they had been moved, to where, we had no idea. I only wish I had come sooner. I had never left a man behind until today, and I was extracted back to the base I could only think of my men. I have failed you in every way possible.

The Major.

***********

I watched from afar, too ashamed to let them know who I was or why I was there as they buried these men in the cemetery. But of course I knew the truth all along. Yet what ashamed me was that they were not burying my men, but empty caskets. They didn’t care, the government didn’t care at all. My men went into hostile territory and came out as nothing but branded as traitors. They gave everything, but got nothing in return. This is the American dream, the American life.

As I stood they lowered the empty caskets, the families cry and sobbed as they watched their fallen heroes go to dust. If they knew the truth, that my men had been brutally murdered, they would not shed their tears. Why? Because we don’t matter, none of us ever did. We are insignificant to this world and its people. Join the bloody army, make a living. Ya right what a crock of shit this world is.

But I knew in my heart I can make things right, and that I will have my revenge. I will let the world know who I am and why I am here. All in good time patience will pay off. Men of honor they called us. Ya, fuck honor. We got screwed by honor and now their bodies lie in cesspools and rot. I know what I must do, I know who is responsible. The day will come, yes it will. I stood watch as the rain hit my face hard, too scared and in pain to go to them and tell why they should not be there why their beloved had a so called closed casket funeral. But right now is not the time, it will come and the world will know what has happened. Please forgive me my soldier brothers that I could not help you, but in time I will.

God bless you my fallen brothers!

**********

October 23rd, 2018

The car pulled up next to me and stopped, the man spoke out of the driver’s window in my direction as I ignored him and kept walking. He talked again, trying to bring up small talk. Hey how are you today? he asked. The rain was getting cold; I wish he hadn’t stopped me here right now. Couldn’t be a good place with all this cold rain. Why don’t people use common sense? I just wanted to get home.

But out of respect, I replied. Fine I told him and kept my pace only to stop and look back at him. I knew him, a friendly face, one that I didn’t realize it at first but it was father’s friend. General Thomason I called his name and walked over to the car. Nice day out isn’t it? I tried to hint at the weather.

Yes it is he replied to me. Can I offer you a drive home?

I looked up form where I was, not too far from the house. No I can manage. I am good I said politely. He offered me rides all the time to help out, but I felt today I wanted to walk home on my own. I didn’t want anyone’s help.

He politely smiled and insisted. Oh now come on, it’s raining and you don’t want to be walking out in this weather.

I declined again as my body shivered from the rain, I guess from the comfort of his car he didn’t realize how cold it was out here. Thank you. But I can manage. Plus, with the amount lifts you’ve given me I am racking up your gas bill and I don’t have the money to pay you back I replied jokingly.

Oh don’t be like that. I’ve known your father for years and I am glad to help him out. Are you sure you don’t want to come in and I drive you home.

I nodded no and he turned off the car. Why did he turn off the car? I started to step back a bit and he opened the door.

He stepped out. Why did he step out? I thought. He came towards me and then out of nowhere he punched me in the side. The force was strong, as my kidney felt the shot and it drove me backwards as I stumbled towards the car. The pain was excruciating as I held my side and came towards me with his finch clinched. Why did he punch me? He never punched me. He was a nice man but today something was wrong. Or did I do something wrong? I couldn’t’ have, I never have. As I got closer to the car he kicked me once in the stomach and lifted me up and threw me in. I tried to punch him in the shoulders but he wouldn’t budge.

I told you to get into the damn car he yelled at me. Why didn’t you get into the bloody car like I asked? he slammed me in the back seat.

This time, he punched me in the face and I felt his knuckles bounce off my eyes and cheeks. The impact burned the skin from the friction and blood startled to trickle out from a cut across my cheek. I cried and fought back and kicked him in the stomach as he stood there and laughed it off.

Nice try but it’s gonna take more than that.

He tried getting in the car but I resisted him and tried to push him back with my arms. You bastard I thought as I used all my energy from my reserves and punched him in the face. Not fazed, he punched me in the ribs and kidneys twice, the blow felt like I was being hit by a professional boxer as it incapacitated me.

You think you’re gonna screw up my plan? he yelled. I stared at him not knowing what he meant. You stupid child, I’ve been watching you for some time he said, shaking me around in the car. He slapped me in the face and held me down and grabbed my leg, trying to turn me around. He was strong, his hands left imprints on my legs as he squeezed hard to turn me over. I struggled, he continued, back and forth we fought. I kicked him in the face once, hoping that it would deter him, but it only made him madder and he was right back on top of me.

His punching continued as he tried to weaken me. I kicked and screamed, but there was no one out here to hear me. The rain was hard now bouncing off the windows and roof of the car as the windows steamed up. The bastard had planned this, and he knew from the beginning what he wanted to do. I screamed in fear as it built up in my head and my heart got heavy from what was happening. My heart rate increased and I could feel my heart pounding as sweat trickled down my forehead. He finally had me turned over, and I felt a sharp pain.

That was it, this was the last thing I remembered, and then I passed out.

Revenge is a dish best served cold!

The PMC (Private Military Company) Code of conduct: Approved by United Nations and the world courts.

-Never leave a man behind: Never leave a man behind as they are always valuable to you and your mission’s completion and any future missions. A man left behind is a liability to your country at all costs.

-You forfeit the right of existence: Your country no longer recognizes you as a naturalized citizen and you can no longer claim citizenship in that country. You are alone, a freelancer, yet still must swear allegiance to your country and its military and be loyal to it. You are a rogue as long as you are PMC and we assume no liability as you give up all rights as a normal citizen and start one as a military personal. Your government salutes you, depends on you, and recognizes behind closed doors your contributions but will never make light or bring to public your activities.

-You have no personal life: Your previous life is finished; you are now a PMC until you are discharged. You are to never talk about your personal life as it could jeopardize your mission. Your family does not exist, only you as a single entity.

-You will be submitted to harsh training: We, your military, will train you to the best intent and grueling methods available to get you to become the supreme soldier. We will provide the most high tech weapons and technology money can buy to aid your missions.

-All missions are classified: And they stay that way. No one is allowed to know about them in any way shape or form.

-If you are a discovered to be a traitor, you will be put to death: If you defect or give any information about your country pertaining to national security, and we discover this, you will be put to death. We do not tolerate traitors under any circumstances and approach them with extreme prejudice.

-You never work alone: That is why you’re trained as a group and always function as one. They are your teammates, your new family. Live with them, train with them, eat with them. They will provide you with support you need.

-If you are captured: We, your country, will disavow all knowledge of you. All your records (Military and personal) will be destroyed if deemed it necessary. We can and we will refuse you to take asylum in your country or embassy. You are on your own for the rest of your life.

-Failure is not an option: You are paid well to do a job; the military expects it to be done no matter what.

Timeline:

October 5th 2013

– The Military all over the world becomes private, and the Obama act is sanctioned and approved. By becoming Private Military Officers, they can no longer claim a country of origin and work more or less as freelancers (aka mercenaries). Their countries dissolve all knowledge of them and military personal have the right to kill anyone and can be deployed privately for all purposes.

– The Obama Act is presented and passed unanimously one hundred percent by the United Nations.

Dear World and the United Nations,

It is with great honor that on this day, one that will go down in history, I present to you The Obama Act which grants countries the right to initiate a nuclear strike against another country if they are deemed hostile. Approved by the United Nations, the Obama act is the first of its kind to represent a constitutional approach to nuclear threat. This will ensure nuclear war is the way of the future and it’s controlled by all parties.

~President Barak Obama

October 10th 2017

- President Obama steps down from power after serving his second term, the debt in America is abolished, and a new beginning starts.

November 10th 2017

-President Samuel Powers takes over as the new leader of the United States of America. With the joint chief and military personal, he starts a plan to create a powerful military force beyond normal standards by using current PMCs .

January 1st 2018

-Delta and Bravo Squad are created. They are the most technologically advanced and equipped soldiers in the world and trained professionally consisting of no more than 8-10 men in the group that can handle any situation. Most of their training is done through simulation and virtual reality so that variables can be manipulated and adjusted at any point to keep their environment dynamic.

They are sent on their first mission in Iran, consisting of 8 men, and both teams are betrayed and presumed killed within hours of their departure. All knowledge of their whereabouts and identities are disavowed by the U.S government immediately due to the PMC code.

January 1st 2018

-North Korea and South Korea join together and form The New Republic of Korea under the leadership of Kim Soon Ja. This new leader changes the ways of Korea by making it a democratic country. Korea and the U.S become allies in the war against Mujahidin and eliminate all of its members through systematic recognisance. Korea even provides the U.S with its own PMCs that join the fight against terrorism and abolish the Mujahidin.

February 1st 2019

-Delta and Bravo squad are reinitiated with new members by the president Powers, and they are better trained than before. They are personally been trained by Campbell, a legendary soldier in the field of warfare who once served for President Obama as his personal body guard.

April 5th 2019

-A member or the original Delta team contacts homeland security but is refused clearance. They say they have never heard of him yet he claims all members of both teams are alive and cooperating with Iran to provide intel in return they are kept alive. For the purpose of national security, the call is disconnected and never referred to.

June 3rd 2019

-As a sign of new beginnings, Iran disassembles its entire nuclear program and a second new prime minister is appointed. To strengthen its ties with the United States and the United Nations, Iran offers information on the original Delta and Bravo team, claiming that they are still alive and can return home at anytime. President Samuel Powers denies their existence and says the U.S.A is not concerned due to national security and the PMC code. Iran protests and says they are not men of war as long as they cooperate, but the U.S still rejects them and does not want them back.

July 7th 2019

-After less than 6 weeks, the court finds General Frederick Thomason not guilty of the first degree charge of rape. The high profile trial is broadcasted nationally and gains international attention yet inconclusive evidence is provided and Thomason wins by a wide margin and is set free. He has since disappeared without any knowledge of his whereabouts.

March 2nd 2020

-President Samuel Powers is assassinated by a Korean spy who is arrested and given the death penalty without trial. A PMC soldier himself, the spy was sent as retaliation against the American Government for mistreating its soldiers and denying the whereabouts of Delta and Bravo team. He claims that the New Republic of Korea has given them asylum in their embassy for the time being. Ties between Korea and U.S. began to dissolve in negative ways over this incident.

March 3rd 2020

-The president of Iran contacts the United States to give his condolences. He also verifies that the original Delta team and Bravo team are with the Koreans living in the embassy. The U.S says that they are expendable. Former president Obama becomes temporary acting president.

July 17th 2020

-Korea nukes Iran for being too ‘friendly’ with the United States regarding Samuel Powers denial of his own soldiers, yet the U.S still denies knowledge of its soldiers. After public and international pressure, the United States finally releases a statement claiming that the original Delta and Bravo team were taken as POWs in Iran by the Mujahidin and then transferred to Korea without their knowledge. Using their ties with Korea, the Mujahidin executed the soldiers on Korean solid based on their consent. Tensions grow high between Korea and the U.S. and eventually escalate.

December 25th 2020

-The temporary acting former President Obama and the United Nations approves the first ever Obama Act Strike on Korea. The strike is successful and many government buildings are destroyed, multiple nuclear testing sites, as well as terrorist’s locations are also destroyed at the cost of millions of people. This was brought upon Korea firing a nuclear missile into Iran and violating treaties, claiming that Iran should not have brought the American soldiers to Korea. America states that their purpose for the strike was Korea’s harbor of terrorist groups like Mujahidin and the Freedom fighters of Old Korea.

May 1st 2021

-Two men enter the white house and claim they are members of the original Delta and Bravo team and that they had been released after years of providing intelligence to Iran and Korea without harm. They were given safe passage when the nuclear strikes occurred within Korea. They are immediately executed without cause. They’re finger prints show that they were the original members.

January 1st 2023

-During a military conference, a young boy calls the U.S army and demands to speak to the President of the United States. He threatens national security by stating he will release contents of a disc with classified information of all men and women who served in the army, navy, black ops and secret service. To prove he is serious, he uploads a small portion of the contents of the disc that indicates the information is real and legitimate which shows full names, aliases, and personal information of twenty operative soldiers currently in Berlin. The boy then threatens that he will release all of the discs info in a matter of months if his demands aren’t met. The call finishes with the boy officially calling himself John Doe,

Chapter 1

Tyrants have always some slight shade of virtue; they support the laws before destroying them.

The Setup

19:00 hours local time

Private military base

Five months ago from today

The teen walked in through the hallway as he made his way through the military compound towards the designated room as he was over watched by the personal. He hated this place, it was always so unnerving having to go through these halls, but it was one of the only safe places that could keep his identity a secret. It was a reclusive military compound that he spent many days here as per the request of certain people, and by those requests he was needed here today again.

The soldiers patrolled the place with a certain caution as he passed them and they saluted him, knowing full well who he was. He entered a room and sat on a chair, it was grey, and very comfortable. The room itself was large, square in shape; and quite metallic in fabrication. Something like an interrogation room of some sort. But he wasn’t being interrogated, only summoned for questioning. There was a large mirror in front of him and he could not see through it, but he knew it was a double sided mirror and that someone most likely on the other side was there watching him. This military compound though; it made him feel isolated to the rest of the world. Luckily he wasn’t staying long here, it was just temporary for a few days and then back to civilization. As he got comfortable, a voice came on the P.A system acknowledging him.

Hello it said in a very soothing tone.

Hello sir he replied back.

Are you comfortable? the voice asked.

The teen slightly wedged himself around the chair. I am now he said.

Do you know why you’re here?

The boy shook his head. To a certain degree he replied.

Don’t worry, this is just a small drill to get you acquainted with the mission The voice informed him.

The one we discussed? the boy asked.

Yes the voice replied. I have the plan and it’s ready for you to carry out. Are you in? the voice asked him.

The teen thought it over for a couple of seconds. Yes I am he confirmed.

Good the voice replied. I will relieve you in a minute and then we’ll go forward form there the voice said as the boy stared at the mirror. A table emerged from the center of the room from the floor straight up and juice and bread were on it. The boy stepped forward and began drinking the juice.

Taste’s good he complimented the juice.

Try the bread a voice said from behind him as the door opened. A tall man came in towards him, his uniform was decorated with many medals. I am The Major he said extending his hand to be shaken. The boy shook it and took a bite out of the bread.

It’s good no? The Major asked.

The boy nodded. Yes sir and took another bite.

He pulled up a chair close to the boy and sat down, he looked imposing but in reality The Major was a very approachable guy from his demeanor.

Your field name is John Doe he told him. It’s part of this Op mission and its success rate that you maintain it.

As of when the boy asked.

As of this point on The Major informed him. Anybody involved with this mission will acknowledge you by that name from now on.

Is it a safe name to have John asked. He pretty much at this point accepted his new name without hesitation.

Yes it is, no one else as a field operative has this name. It’s very generic The Major assured him. I picked it myself after scanning through the archives. You’re good go with it.

So now what? he asked taking another bite of the bread.

I have something that you need to take with you. It’s a disc, with very important information The Major placed the disc in his hand.

John looked at it with high interest. What’s on it?

The Major smirked. Think of it as an insurance policy for us. For me, for you. But the contents are not important to you he said. It’s too risky for you to know what’s on it for now. Later on I will let you in on it when the timing is right. You have my word on that.

That’s fair John nodded and looked at The Major confused. Ok so I can’t know what’s on it, but what’s its purpose? he asked. Can I know that?

There will be a time for you to use this disc The Major told him. But don’t worry its self-executing when inserted into any computer.

What does that mean? John asked observing the disc from different angles.

It means when this disc is put into any computer, it will automatically launch The Major simplified it for him. Don’t worry, it’s all self-guiding.

Well I ever have to use it?

The Major looked at him and bit his lip. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but if it does then you have my authorization to do so.

John nodded. I understand.

I know this can be hard The Major sympathized with him. But you have my reassurance that I will all I can to keep you safe. The contents of that disc represent a major shift in balance of military power. That is all I can tell you at this time. But trust me, I will not keep you in the dark on anything else.

John believed The Major and trusted him. I trust you will sir.

As of today John Doe your previous life no longer exists. Is that clear? The Major asked him as he stood up.

Crystal clear sir.

You report to me at all times, nobody else.

Understood.

Good, because together we are going to shake the foundation of national security.

Chapter 2

Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver. The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter.

Deployment

11:30 hours local time

The original Delta and Bravo team get ready to go to Iran

Military Base, Fort Breslin

Five years ago from today

All right gentlemen step forward this is The Major and he’s going to let you in on what the mission is all about the voice barked.

The Major stood walked over towards Delta and Bravo team, eyeing them one by one as he passed by, as they had gathered outside on a hangar and were waiting to hear what he had to say. This was their premier mission, and The Major was the one who had set it up for them.

First of all The Major said, speaking very loudly to make sure his voice got across. I want to thank President Powers for letting me set this mission up and I want to congratulate you eight men on being chosen for this mission. I am sure you will do well against the enemy. Your enemy is Iran; more specifically it’s the Mujahidin. They have been reforming on and off throughout the years and they now have access to new nukes. There is a possibility these nukes are American, or supplied by us in some way or we have ties to them. It doesn’t matter, what does matter is that we can’t have the Mujahidin running around with nukes. It’s a threat to us, to Iran, and the world and national safety. Your mission is simple, to go in and destroy the nukes and get the hell out. Team member Echo step forward.

Echo stepped forward. Sir yes sir he shouted obediently.

You have received the codes that you will give to your team leader to disengage the nukes?

Yes I have sir Echo replied.

And what’s your thought on this mission?

We will kick ass sir.

I hope so The Major smirked.

I am sure we will sir, we have been trained by the best Echo complimented him.

Yes, and I know you will use it to your full potential.

Thank you sir Echo said saluting him.

The Major saluted him back and Echo stepped back into the line. He began pacing back and forth and continued his speech. I am here to tell you that we have concrete evidence about the nukes, and that through certain spy agencies within the Mujahidin and Russia and Belarus we have found their location and the nukes that they have in positing. We have worked close with these spy agencies for almost two years to coordinate this strike, I am sure you will be successful. Bravo he looked at him directly. What is the first rule as a soldier?

Never underestimate your enemy or the situation, sir Bravo shouted.

And the second?

Look out for your men, and never leave a man behind.

Good The Major complimented him. I am sure you’ll live by those and the fifty three others that we have in our creed.

Yes sir I will sir and Bravo saluted him.

The Major continued. You will enter Iran through Azerbaijan at 03:00 hours. This will give you great cover time to go in and out. You will enter a military compound through a special entrance and I will be monitoring you from here. We will keep contact at all times. Is that understood?

Sir yes sir the men shouted in unison.

Are you ready to do your country proud?

Sir yes sir the men shouted again.

Who are you? The Major asked.

We are Bravo and Delta team sir.

And why are you here?

Because we are the best in the world sir.

And who is the threat?

Iran and Mujahidin sir.

And what you gonna do?

Kick ass and take names sir.

And why is that?

To protect our rights and freedoms sir.

Good, man up gentleman, the president would like to say something and The Major stepped back.

The eight men stood straight, arms at their sides and heads up very high as President Powers walked by and shook their hands. Thank you gentleman he said. Thank you very much for your hard work and dedication. I am happy to announce the deployment of Bravo team and Delta team as a single unit Powers said. I am sure your maiden mission will be very successful. The people in this military instillation worked hard to get you the information and training you need to get this done. Let’s make made in America mean something again and with that he left and waved goodbye and walked into the private jet waiting for him.

Asswipe probably doesn’t give a shit if we come back alive or dead Bravo said to Delta as they walked back inside the military base. They had a couple of hours of sleep available to them before they were deployed.

Ya I agree Delta followed him. I know we’re trained and all but like piss off, we know you’re buttering us up with hope and shit.

You guys don’t trust your training? Tango asked them as he took out his gun and placed it in his locker. I mean I thought it was great training.

Bravo closed his locker door. Ya we do trust our training he told him and sat down on a bench. But I am not gonna take my team in like a bunch of morons unless I have a full disclosure of all the information before we go in.

Echo overheard them speaking and commented too. What the hell was that all about anyways? What a dumb speech.

Ya I know Foxtrot agreed and sat down on a bench, he took off his boots and began walking around in his socks, letting the blood flow through his feet until he needed to put them back on. I mean it’s an honor and all but come on, it sounded like he was sending us to our funeral or something.

Just then The Major came in and broke in on their conversation. Nice socks he pointed out to Foxtrot who quickly began putting his boots back on. At easy soldier, no worries. You’re not due for deployment yet.

Foxtrot acknowledged him and Bravo got up and walked over towards him. What can we do for you sir?

Gentleman The Major clapped his hands together to get their attention. Let’s talk about this mission he started and the room went dark. He pointed to a wall to the left of them and a monitor came on with a three dimensional layout of a map of Iran, and it showed Azerbaijan. The Major pointed at a specific spot and the image zoomed in. This is your insertion point he informed them, pointing at what looked like a desolate, military base with not much around it. Satellite info and sources say that this base is heavily guarded in the mornings and nights. However, since it is the Mujahidin their numbers aren’t as large as say the U.S army, so at some points throughout the day there is a rotation of guards. When this occurs there is a small time period where there are no guards outside in the compound. That’s when you will make your insertion. It’s a small time window but a perfect one.

Seems half assed to me for so little men for a military instillation Bravo looked at the map. Don’t you think? he asked he stepped a bit closer to get a better view of the surrounding area of the base. What about that area? he pointed to a southern point of the military base. Looks like a good insertion point.

The Major shook his head. Land mines, not safe soldier.

The other’s laughed at him as he dipped his head in shame and looked up to see Foxtrot mouth the words ‘dumbass’ to which he smiled at and then took some steps back.

Are we going to expect a lot of resistance? Charlie asked. All eight men were now gathered around the monitor and reviewing the layout.

Their numbers are small. Like a skeleton crew The Major told him. And since the information checks out we can be safe to say it hasn’t changed.

So then there will be no resistance when we land? Delta asked The Major.

No there won’t be. You will be taking a stealth chopper in and landing. You will have a window of two minutes to land, and get in. After that it’s gonna be trouble. Is that understood?

The eight men nodded.

Good, so once in, the nukes themselves will be less than a hundred feet away. We made sure your insertion point is as close as possible to them.

One question? Bravo interrupted. How do we actually get into the compound?

The Major acknowledged him. Good question. We have the codes for a key padded door that you will input and then you will be good to go. One door will need to be fuse exploded, the other coded. Other than that, we are told there are no more entry points of concern.

Bravo thanked him. You can proceed.

The Major nodded. You will expect some resistance, not too heavy once you’re inside he pointed at certain sections of the building. We estimate anywhere between ten to fifteen men in this area. Twenty more in the compound as a total. However, this is not an engage mission, so please exercise stealth and caution; I want all of you to come back in one piece. Is that understood?"

I speak for all us when I say we will do our best Bravo assured him.

I second that Delta followed. We are prepared to do what is necessary.

The Major felt confident in his men. I am sure it will be very successful.

And the nukes? Echo asked.

You have the codes to disarm them?

Echo nodded. Yes I do sir.

Then you’re good The Major thanked them and left, the eight men went to bed and rested and then got up. The couple of hours they had to sleep seem so little and quick, as the adrenaline pumped them up. They entered the change room and began gearing up.

I am so pumped Tango said. I can’t wait.

Foxtrot walked by him and began putting on his pants. This mission is gonna be a piece of cake he said.

Tango laced his boots and when he finished, he slapped him across the shoulder. Iran, Mujahidin, you better watch out cause here comes Delta and Bravo teams bitches he yelled out

Ooorah the eight men shouted as a sergeant came in as the eight men stood in line.

Ok gentleman, we have your air commander outside waiting if you can follow me he said. He then turned around and walked outside as the eight men followed. There was a Boeing 950 waiting in the hangar for them. The first of its kind as it could act as a civilian or military plane which will then transfer them to a chopper.

That’s a nice damn plane Delta bent over and whispered to Bravo in his ear. They couldn’t’ believe they were about to board it.

Ya I know Bravo eyed its size. It’s huge.

As the eight men got closer the door opened and the air commander came out, he saluted them and they saluted him back. Welcome aboard gentleman, get seated and we will talk

The eight men boarded the plane as it was packed with military personal all over. To their surprise, The Major was in there as well seated close to the door. Hey, you guys didn’t think I was let my men go before saying goodbye? he said. I support my men.

This brought a smile to their faces, as The Major was always very supportive in his own right. The air commander came into the special ops room where they were seated and brought them food and beverages. Help yourself gentleman he said, as he poured a coffee for himself. Ok, we will reach Iran in five hours, and then you will be moved from the Al Tabriz military airport where you will be switched to your chopper which will take you to the location in Azerbaijan.

So what’s our total flight time? Bravo took a bite out of a cookie. Felt a bit stale, but it was airline food so he couldn’t complain.

You’re looking at seven hours the air commander answered him. Is there anything else?

Nobody spoke up.

I want to with you all the best The Major spoke up. Have a safe mission and I will see you when you get back. I do apologize, but I am needed in the ops room to monitor everything so I can’t go with you he stood up and walked to door. As the door opened the eight men stood up one last time and saluted him, he returned the gesture, and then stepped out as the plane’s door was closed behind him.

The air commander stood up and saluted him and turned his attention back to the eight men. Ok gentleman, this is it. We reach Iran airspace in five hours, where you will switch to a stealth chopper. The Iranian government has given us safe passage the air commander told them. If there is nothing else then god speed.

Chapter 3

Onwards we go to the unknown, yet expect the known

Insertion, The Present Day, January 6, 2023

14:00 hours local time

The outskirts of Russia, some forest, Site 1

Team 1, Delta Team

Objective: Find and apprehend criminal John Doe.

As the finger gripped the muzzle and pulled the trigger, the barrel of the gun pushed back from the recoil and ejected the bullet, which hit its target directly on the nose, shattering it as a fountain of blood sprayed over his shirt. But the target had little time to react to the pain, as a second bullet hit him in the eye, blinding him, and it bore directly into his brain in an instant and killing him. His body shot backwards from the impact, as it dropped to the floor with a heavy thud, his head slammed the floor hard. He was dead before he even hit the ground.

Alert from what just happened, a second target came running out, the sound of his fallen comrade had caught his attention. He ran towards lifeless body on the floor, but before he could reach him a hand came from behind grabbed him by the throat and squeezed the air out of his lungs. The grip was hard, and so was the sharp knife that jabbed him multiple times in the cheek tearing the flesh apart, as blood spewed from the cuts and the muffled screaming was ended by the snapping of the neck. The second target was down. A third target, yards away began making his rounds.

Concerned he hadn’t heard anything from either of his colleagues in the last couple of seconds he called them on his radio, no answer. He called again, only to have a bullet travel through his throat, cutting it open. He grasped the wound, trying to shut it close with his hand, but it was too late. A second bullet slammed him in the shoulder, forcing to sway back, and a third coming from a soldier who was running towards him. This one hit him in the mouth and ejected through the back of his neck. He was dead in seconds as he fell to his knees and slammed face first into the ground, dead, just like the others.

The soldier stood there, looked at the dead body and looked back at the sniper on the roof. He gave a mischievous smile and thumbs up. The soldier on the roof replied and gestured, pointing towards a truck. He jumped down and ran towards the first soldier and pointed at the truck again. They ran towards it, and laid low behind some rubble, out of sight.

Nice shot the first soldier replied, re-clipping more ammo into his sniper rifle. He was the leader of his team and he was known as Delta, a sniper specialist. The soldier next to him was Charlie, a hand to hand and weapons expert. Delta and Charlie had trained together for years, both military experts in martial arts and weapons, but at some point Delta became more interested in sniping and long-range recon where Charlie became more of an infiltration soldier and close quarter combats. When they joined black ops, top of their class with six others, they adopted their army names full time.

Delta was born John Barry Manzini, a kid from New York, grew up always with an attitude. He always blamed it on his Italian heritage as a scapegoat. John always had a pension for getting into trouble, cause trouble, or finding it. However, that changed one time when he went out with nice Italian girl. Five minutes into the date he lifted her skirt and squeezed her butt cheek. She slapped him in the face and berated him for minutes, and it was at this point that he knew he was not the tough kid he always thought was. But things changed even more when the day as he walked down a street, some dark alley, and saw the same girl running towards him screaming for help. Her left breast hanging out of her shirt and bruises all over her. Turned out a bunch guys had their way with her when she refused to play dirty with them.

When they saw John with her, and knew who he was, they tried to make a name for themselves by ganging up on him. John’s pension for fighting and trouble had helped him over the years to defend himself, and after he put up a good fight against the four boys, one of them stabbed him with a knife in the side of the body and ran off. Thankfully the girl stood by him and called an ambulance, or else he would never have made it.

Recovering in the hospital John soon realized that this is not the life he wanted, and that beautiful Italian girl, Maria, got him involved in the army which began to give him a better sense of life. After years of hard work he finally was awarded his own recon team, and he knew the lives of men were in his hands and he began to understand the meaning of responsibility.

Charlie was born Christen Matthew Levitz, a Jewish boy from Boston. Christen was a good boy, raised very Orthodox and he was top of his form when it came to education. He went into school, then college and became a police officer. When he met John, the two of them became very good friends and John persuaded him to take up the army as a chance. Being a person of discipline, Christen accepted and studied Krav Maga, an Israeli military combat system of weapons and martial arts, extensively. Soon he found his calling in close quarter combats, and it was then that he realized this is what he wanted to do.

Those were good times for them but right now, the two men made their way to the truck as Delta moved forward to survey the area. The truck thankfully gave them a hiding spot, as he saw there were three men ahead of them towards a small shed and a fourth one came out and pulled up his pants.

How many? Charlie asked quietly as he cleaned the blood of his knife.

Delta held up four fingers, Charlie nodded.

As Charlie began move to the other side of the truck Delta grabbed him by shoulder and held up his fist, army sign for hold up. He surveyed the scene as Charlie waited because from his side of the truck he couldn’t see much. Then Delta held up three fingers, meaning three more men had come into the picture. The total number of targets now was seven, and they were all seated on a table talking in Russian and laughing. None of them were aware that the two soldiers were there at all and their presence had gone unnoticed.

They were also not aware that two more soldiers where there as well, less than twenty feet from them, hidden. They part of Delta’s team, Tango a shotgun and explosives expert and Alpha, a machine gun expert who liked suppressors sat behind a small brick wall waiting for a signal. They had their man covered from each side, now it was Delta who had to make the next move.

What the fuck is keeping up Delta Tango asked, anxious to get in and start shooting.

Something caught Alpha’s attention and he pointed to the west, three more men had arrived, and two of them had dogs. The two men looked at each other with caution. Dogs always made things harder, and now Tango knew why Delta waited and hadn’t done anything. He probably saw the three other soldiers coming in ahead of them.

Tango felt his earpiece vibrate, and Delta’s voice came on.

How’s it going hot head?

Fuck I am bored, and now we got dogs. I fucking hate dogs.

Delta gave a slight chuckle. Relax he whispered. I got some tear gas.

So how you wanna do this? Alpha asked.

We got any tear gas? Tango asked Alpha, who shook his head no. So then it’s Delta’s tear gas only then. Remind me to bring some fucking tear gas next time.

Tango obliged pushed the earpiece towards his mouth. So benevolent leader, what’s the plan.

Delta thought for a second, then spoke. I throw the gas which will create a distraction, then we flank them from both sides.

What about the dogs?

The gas will confuse them as well, and then we can take them out. Don’t kill them.

Charlie tapped Delta on the shoulder and he turned his head back. Ya what’s up? he asked

Let’s just kill em all and let god sort them out, we got farther to go into the compound to get what we want. We’re wasting time here.

Delta gave him a thumbs up. You hear that Tango and Alpha?

Both of them tapped heir headpiece as in to say ‘Yes we have’.

Each man took a deep breath and looked at the surrounding area. There were ten men, each with AK-47s, as well as two German Shepherds. The tear gas will take them out and make them easy targets while they systematically take them out one by one. Delta put away his sniper rifle and pulled out his suppressed Five-Seven. The other three did the same, insuring chambers were full. He then motioned for masks that came equipped with thermal visors so that they can see through the tear gas. He had two cans left, but only really needed one. He looked at Charlie who was ready, and he presumed that Alpha and Tango were as well.

Charlie took out his knife and curved the blade outwards and held it hard. He had calculated that he will slash the throat of one or two soldiers and continue from there. He took deep breathes, measuring the seconds it would take to reach his targets. Their set up was based on Charlie’s calculation; he would go out first and neutralize the first set of enemies with knife as it didn’t produce a sound. Noise always gave position away and the more men Charlie incapacitated quickly, the less they relied on have to shoot with a gun. Delta glanced over and watched him count, waiting for the right moment. Charlie was good, and he always trusted his timing.

On the other side where Tango and Alpha were waiting for the signal, so they put on their masks and turned on their thermal visors. The seconds began to grow longer; each man took a deep breath, and waited. The tear gas was tossed, a fizzing sound, and then the canister hit the floor as it sprayed all over the place.

There was panic and commotion as the Russian soldiers began to look around to see what was happening. They got up and spoke loudly in their native language, but none of them screamed or yelled, trying to determine where the canister had come from.

Charlie made his move first ahead of everyone like he always did. The dogs began barking and he threw his mask on and ran towards of them. He quickly subdued the dog by punching it in the neck and made a mad dash towards the first soldier, slashing him hard in the throat. The cut was deep, and the solider yelled out in pain. But it was too late, as Charlie twisted around him and slashed him in the back of the neck, deep into the flesh as blood poured out. He then swung around one eighty and drove the knife hard into the other soldier’s neck behind him and then snapped his neck. Two down, eight to go plus the dog as the tear gas gave cover for them.

Now Delta sprinted forward with and ran towards his first target. The smoke was still in the area, covered it like a cloud. To his complete surprise, no one else had come to see the commotion or no alarms were triggered. His first target got a sense of where he was and tried to punch him. Delta kneed him in the stomach, caused the soldier to fall over on his knees and as he did, he shot him twice in the back of the head. He spun, buried his elbow deep in to the next soldiers nose, a large crack filled the air indicating that it broke. Railing his head back from the pain, Delta he stuck his right hand under the soldier’s chin shot twice as two bullets ejected from the top of his head. He then preformed a mule kick as hard he could and kicked the next solder back against the wall, turned around, and shot him in the head.

As Delta went for the second dog he saw Tango come out with not one, but two suppressed guns and fired at the soldiers. The big hulking black man shot both