March16, 2007
It was a dark night.
Inside a stealth helicopter known as the Nighthawk-Zero, Squadron No. 6 sat in silence. Raindrops slid down the cold glass windows, forming thin trails as the drizzle continued outside. The air was freezing, thick with fog. The helicopter cut through it steadily, heading toward the eastern region of the USSR, the United State of Serov Republic.
As the leader of Squadron No. 6, Rafa kept a close eye on his team. There were five of them, Arnold Swiftout, Bruce Grayson, Ethan Lancaster, Sebastian Shawler, and lastly Fox Solle.
Their faces were tense. No one said a word, but the anxiety was obvious. This was no ordinary mission.
Their objective was to identify what was believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile, then neutralize it.
Rafa lowered his gaze to the assault rifle resting in his hands. Even through his gloves, the metal felt cold. Really cold.
Beside him, Arnold let out a slow breath. Sweats ran down on the side of his face despite the freezing temperature. Like Rafa, he was a "Controller", someone who dictated the flow of combat with precise rifle control.
Next to Arnold sat Bruce, the team's "Tanker". A heavy ballistic shield rested against his arm, its small reinforced window reflecting faint light. A shotgun hung securely at his side, along with breaching equipment.
Across from them, Fox remained still, eyes sharp. An "Eagle". The one that watch. He specialized in observing the battlefield from a distance. The one that wait, patiently before pulling the trigger.
Ethan sits nearby them. Shared the same role, but unlike the others, he was a prodigy. Calm, focused, and dangerous.
And then there was Sebastian, the Rusher. Leaning slightly forward, he looked ready to move at any moment. Close-range combat was his domain, the first in and the fastest to strike.
"Nighthawk-Zero, preparing to land."
The pilot's voice echoed through their earpieces, their ECDs. The helicopter began its descent.
"You may proceed with the mission, Squadron No. 6."
Rafa gave a small nod. "Move."
One by one, his team disembarked. Their boots hitting the wet ground with muted thuds. Rafa stepped out last.
They had landed on the side of a quiet, uninhabited mountain, far from any settlement. A perfect location for a stealth landing.
"Listen carefully," Rafa said. His voice were low, but firm. "We must remain undetected at all times. Don't make any mistake. Not a single one."
A series of silent nods followed afterwards. They slipped on their night vision goggles, then began to move out.
Their descent down from the mountain was slow and controlled. Every step was deliberate, every sound minimized. Their destination was a basecamp near Leningrad, located in Zoyan.
Time passed quietly by almost thirty minutes worth, until a flicker of lights appeared on the horizon.
The base.
They approached from the side, staying out of sight of the surveillance lights mounted along the high walls. Using the darkness of the forest as cover, they advanced undetected, step by step, silent and precise.
Until...
"Wait."
Rafa's voice cut through the silent. The squad froze.
Ahead of them, several USSR soldiers were on patrol, moving directly to them. Flashlights mounted on their weapons swept across the ground.
"Prone. Now."
The command came fast through their ECDs.
Without hesitation, the team dropped down to the ground. They slowly crawled into the bushes, shifting slightly to the right to stay hidden.
"Hold."
None of them moved. The sound of boots stomping against the mud grew louder and louder. Their breathing became more heavy then before.
For a moment, it felt as if the patrol might notice them, notice something of, anything, but they kept continuing forward.
The stomps slowly fades away. The patrol passed from them. When they were far enough, Rafa signal again, and the squad rose silently to continue walking.
Eventually, they reached the basecamp. An unguarded section of the wall that was too high to climb.
"Follow me." Rafa whispered.
They moved along the wall, searching for any flaw of the wall. Bruce kept his shield ready, covering the group, while Fox and Ethan observe their surroundings for any potential threat.
Then, they found a crack.
Rafa extended his hand. "Bruce, give me the breacher and sound killer."
Bruce handed them over.
Rafa activated the sound killer, a device that were capable of absorbing any sound within a three-meter radius for a limited about of time. While Arnold stepped forward and planted the breacher.
"Ten seconds," Rafa muttered.
The squad took cover, bracing themselves as the countdown passed in silence
Then the breacher detonated.
The explosion was contained, its sound swallowed completely by the device. The wall split open, forming a gap large enough for them to crouch through.
One by one they entered. Infiltration successful.
Rafa led them to a nearby warehouse. The door creaks slightly as they opened it. Inside, the lighting was dim.
"Check the warehouse," Rafa ordered quietly.
Ethan and Fox moved immediately, looking at crates, equipment, weapons, ammunition, and other standard supplies that filled the warehouse.
They analyzed it. Was there anything unusual here? No.
Ethan glanced at Fox. He shook his head.
"Nothing important," Ethan reported. "Just some equipment and—"
Footsteps.
Behind him. From the doorway.
But... too late.
Pssht, Pfft...
Two suppressed shots. Flew before his eyes.
Ethan turned around slowly. Two USSR soldiers were laying dead on the ground, blood streamed out of their heads.
"Copy that." Rafa said calmly. "Let's continue to move."
01:33
The squad advanced through the dark corridor as Moonlight fell on their heads, faintly reflecting off their gear.
Arnold then spoke up quietly. "What if we check the underground?"
"Good idea." Fox replied. "But where's the entrance would be?"
"Should we split up?" Rafa asked, turning his body to face them.
"We don't have much time. It might be our best option," Bruce answered, crossing his arms.
Fox hesitated. "Isn't it a little bit risky?"
Rafa exhaled slowly, weighing the decision before speaking again. "Well then, let's split up into two teams of three. Who's with me?"
Sebastian stepped forward. "Me. And Bruce."
Rafa nodded. "Alright. Bruce, Sebastian, follow me." Rafa, Sebastian, and Bruce started to move, disappeared into the darkness. Leaving the others behind.
#1 End.