Chapter 3: Spectre's Day.
"Siz İrana gəlib və PLR ilə qarışmaq olar? Çirkli donuz, çirkli Amerika it!"
a man spoke in Azerbaijani.
You think you can come to Iran, and meddle with the PLR? Filthy pig, filthy American dog!A gunshot was all that Lance heard, followed by the moans of pain from Luke.
"Siz Tehrana dözülməz viran səbəb və bu gün bir çox ev və həyatını məhv etdik. Siz tez ölüm layiq deyil. Siz Death tezliklə sizə gətirəcək qaranlıq ərzində yüngül tapa bilərsiniz." the same man replied.
You have caused unbearable devastation to Tehran, and you have destroyed many homes and lives today. You do not deserve a quick death. May you find the light within the darkness that Death will soon bring you.With that, Lance could only hear the sound of footsteps moving away from their position. He didn't bother opening his eyes, however, knowing that he was still covered by mixed concrete, sand, and other such debris. He was, however, lucky that his arm stuck out above his burial, as a hand gingerly grabbed onto it.
"I know you're down there Lancelot. King Arthur's coming to get you man!" John said, a slight jolt in Lance's arm indicating John was motioning for someone. "Tombstone thinks we're all dead, left before they even checked. Sometimes they can be real dicks. Jenner, Enrique, help me dig Lance out. He's probably only got another few seconds of air!"
Above him, he felt a lot of weight lifted off of his chest, while a pair of hands dug the sand and pulverized concrete off of his face. Gasping for air, Lance's head shot up, resulting in pain reverberating all the way through his person.
"Not that I'm ungrateful, but Squad Leader's shot, and his leg got chopped off!" Lance barked. "Deal with him first!"
With most of that which pinned him off of him, Lance slowly inched his way out of his premature grave. With John and Enrique offering him both of their shoulders. They hobbled over towards Luke, who clutched his chest, blood pouring out of his severed leg and the hole in his chest.
"Well, this sucks." Luke chuckled. "And I was only a month away from retirement. Helluva Christmas present for the kids and the missus."
"Stop talking like that." Lance said, gesturing John and Enrique to let him walk on his own, albeit slowly. "You're gonna be fine. Jenner, do what you do best."
"I'm sorry Lance, he's lost too much blood already. The only thing now is to put him out of his misery."
"You would give up on the Squad Leader, fresh meat?!" Lance growled. "
"No, he's right Knight." Serpent coughed, a small mist of blood staining his grieves. "I'm too far gone."
Shakily reaching down onto his belt, Luke produced the two symbols of Leadership, his .44 Magnum, and his Machete, both handed down to him from the previous squad leader. Handing them to Lance, the Sergeant shook his head.
"This isn't supposed to happen, Boot camp buddies for life?" Lance growled, refusing the gesture.
"We still are, I'm just not going to be here physically. Like our name sake, I'll be the Spectre of justice, watching over all of you, keeping Spectre well protected." Luke coughed once more. "Please, I want to die knowing you will accept the responsibility, without any bitter aftertaste."
Lance nodded, defeated, placing his hand on the handle of the Machete, and the Magnum. Using his left hand, he collected Luke's dog tags, wrapping his hand around his long time friends. Holding it there for as long as he could, Lance nearly was thrown over the edge when his friend's hand slacked, letting go.
Standing, Lance holstered the .44 Magnum on his belt, leaving his P226 on his friend's belt. Sheathing the machete in his regular sheath, he placed his normal bayonet in his boot.
"Either of you guys kill that son of a bitch that shot him." Lance replied, unwavering anger in his voice.
"No, Squad Leader." Enrique replied shyly. "But that's our HPT."
"I speak a little Ajerbaijani." Jenner stated. "He mentioned they were going to the Caspian Sea."
"That's where
Valkyrie and
Valor are stationed." John said.
"That son of a bitch knows it was our ships that fired those missiles." Lance said. "U.S.S
Valor. This is Lancelot of Spectre. Serpent is K.I.A. and the HPT is headed your way."
There was no response, minus the occasional crackle from the communique. Lance growled in disgust, the signal was probably blocked from the Skyscraper's debris. They would have to stop the HPT before he got to the sea.
"I got a feeling we're going to be chasing after these guys." John replied unsteadily.
"You're damn right we are Rockefeller." Knight clenched his fists. "He killed Luke, and not only do we have a score to settle, it was our objective anyways, and I won't be satisfied until
I've splashed his brain against a fuckin' wall."
"Hooah. We figured you might say something like that. One RHIB boat was left on the river after the HTP left. We dispatched it's pilots and figured we could use it as a mean of extraction, but this fits the bill too."
"Good work." Knight nodded. "Enrique, you're piloting the boat, John and Jenner, you guys are supportive fire. I take the fifty."
Without further hesitation, the remainder of Spectre squad clambering into the RHIB at the edge of the river, Enrique speeding off in the direction of the HPT.
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The boat bounced along the water, causing Jenner's face to become as green as peat moss. Warranting a joke from Rockefeller, who chuckled.
"Look Jenner, I know you're mad about Luke, we all are. That's no reason to look like the god-damn hulk, man."
"I haven't earned my legs yet man." Jenner stifled his response, holding back the chuke. "I get sea-
hurp-sick."
"Well, if you're gonna do that. Aim for the assholes responsible for this." Enrique growled.
"I got attack boats, dead ahead!" Knight growled, as they entered the open sea.
Three boats skid across the water, all rushing towards the
Valkyrie and the
Valor. If Spectre didn't act fast, the twin Destroyers would be blown to smithereens.
"Two bogey's are loaded with C-4, they're in for a suicide run!" John called out.
"Garrison, Douglas, this is Spectre Leader Knight. Serpent is KIA and you have three attack boats working their way towards the Valor and Valkyrie. Two of them have ordinance on board!"
"
I'm sorry for your loss, Sergeant. Now isn't really the time, but I assume you've been handed the right to command Spectre?" Douglas replied. "It is only fitting that I put your name in for a promotion as well, is the HTP dead?"
"Negative sir! We believe he is is the attack boat with no ordinance on board!" Knight replied.
"
We'll hold off fire for now, I'll relay the message to Tombstone and Garrison. Sink those sons of bitches! Douglas out."
Turning his fifty caliber turret towards the nearest attack boat, Lance focused on the fuel tanks beside the C-4. Opening fire, the turret roared to live as the belt fed itself into the weapon, round after round showering the fuel canister. One round sparked on the metal drum, as the fumes inside exploded, taking the C-4 and the boat itself to the briny deep.
"Great, there goes the element of surprise!" Enrique growled. "Hold on, TOW missiles incoming! Brace!"
Enrique lowered his head, as the other members of Spectre did as well, the laser guided missile shooting over their heads. Knight turned his turret around, opening up on the explosive, as it turned back around towards them. One of the rounds pierced the rocket, blowing it prematurely.
Turning back towards the other attack boat, Lance opened up on their fuel supply, as the third and final attack boat opened up fire on them. Same as before, one of his rounds caused a spark, blowing the attack boat out of the water, before it sunk into the Caspian sea.
Link --> Enemy infantry stood on the bow of the final ship, firing their weapons at the RHIB boat that gave chase. John and Jenner peaked over the sides, firing their own weapons in response. The HPT, crazed as he was, shoved past one of the soldiers and into the cockpit, speeding the boat towards their RHIB.
"I got your number asshole." Lance growled. "Today, it's Spectre's day. You got a ghost of your past asking for revenge, mother fucker!"
Opening fire with his fifty, the other members of Spectre panicked as the bigger and easily heavier armored vehicle sped towards them. Knight could see the crazed, determined look of their HPT through the windshield of boat, and returned it right back. As if there had been some sort of divine intervention, one of his rounds left a huge gash in front of the ship, ripping open as the speed of the boat and the force of the water filled the bottom of the boat.
Suddenly, it was the equivalent of a pole-vaulter's pole striking the ground, as the boat nose dived into the water, the buoyancy of the water was enough to fling the attack boat over their RHIB. All of Spectre watched as the PLR infantry were dumped into the ocean *of course, finished off by John and Jenner as they were falling*, Knight grinning at the look of fear in his Target's eyes as the boat landed upside down in the water.
Opening fire a few more times into the now exposed bottom of the boat, Knight opened multiple holes into the hull, as it started to take in water. Becoming one with Davy Jone's locker, Knight was still not satisfied that the HTP was dead. Ordering Enrique to pull ahead a way, he waited for the chance of the target to surface. When the time it was humanly possible for a man to survive by holding his breath had passed, Knight lifted his new Magnum into the air, firing the last cylinder's worth into the air in both celebration, and respect for Luke's passing.
"You're with Osama now, you slimy son of a bitch." Knight roared, flipping off the patch of ocean where the boat had sunk. "Let's report back to
Valor, I've had enough of this fuckin' desert country."
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Present Day
"Damn, that's pretty rough, and my Military career hasn't been all that pretty either." Gerald shook his head. "Although it is good to know that Gunnery Sergeant Serpent hadn't died in vain."
"Yeah, but there still hasn't been anything right with Knight since the incident. So either he told me something else than what really happened, or it just really shook him up."
"I can't really say for sure." Gerald shrugged. "But my previous question is, do you think he'll be able to keep command of Spectre, it is coming up on the year in a couple of weeks, are you sure that won't cause problems?"
"Well," Douglas paused.
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Entering the barracks, Knight was unsurprised to see the young man sitting on Luke's cot, of all things. He was really thin, which was odd for a military man, especially one from the army. His skin was dark, and his hair dark as night, shorter than an inch, easily. He had brown eyes, sharp, keen, scanning across Knight himself.
"You the fresh meat?" Knight growled, entering the barracks.
"Nice to meet you too, dogfish."
"Shut your god-damn mouth and wait until I give you the order to talk, pigskin!" Knight barked. "You think you Army folk are better than us Marines, well I've got news for you. You might be one hell of a sniper, but I can already tell I got your name when it comes to hand to hand. State your name and rank."
"William Valentine, Private, Lieutenant Fishdick!"
"Boy, you got a death wish or something?"
"Why you callin' me 'boy' foo, you racist or something dawg?" Will growled back.
"Yo, lay off." John barked, walking in. "That's Gunnery Sergeant Lance Knight, he's our CO here. He's not racist, but he's old fashioned Marine Corps. You're either one of us, or you're not, you understand? I don't know how things are in the Army, but us Leathernecks have some god damn respect for our Squad Leader, if you're rolling with us, I suggest you do the same."
"Fine." Will growled. "I like you, but I sure as hell don't got to like him."
"Good," Knight grit his teeth. "Something in common already. That was Sergeant John Rockefeller, your second in command. That fellow in the corner is Lance Corporal Enrique Ramirez, and the Jew in the corner is Corporal Jenner Son, the medic."
"I'M A MORMON!" Jenner growled.
"Hey man, that's cool." Will replied. "I used to be. But respect for you, didn't think Mormon's joined the military."
"It's a long story." Jenner replied. "I'm a conscientious objector, but I shoot to protect myself, not for sport."
"This ain't a sport, Son." Knight rubbed the bridge of his nose. "IT'S A WAR!! None of us like killing people, except maybe Enrique, he's a little fucked in the mind."
"Look," Knight said. "Whether you like me or not, we've got a job to do. I have the final say if you remain a member of the squad or no-"
"No-"
"Noted." Knight growled. "Save it for when the job is done. Spectre, our means of travel for this OP is a little unconventional this time. We're taking the Skytrain-"
"S-skytrain, sir?" Will asked, concerned.
"Oh yeah, you still haven't earned your legs yet Private." Knight grinned evilly. "I'm sure a little tough guy like you will just LOVE it."
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Spectre made their way to the airstrip aboard the
Valor's main deck. Lance hefted the brunt of the harnesses they would require, while Enrique and Jenner lifted the air generator, John carrying the balloon.
"So, aren't you going to tell me exactly what it is?" Will asked, still nervous.
"Dude, he ain't going to tell you anything." John grinned menacingly. "You disrespected him, and now he's going to let you figure it out the hard way."
"Lance! How's it going man!" a man approached Knight, who dropped the harnesses onto the ground, securing one onto himself. Tugging it once for safety, he made sure it was secure.
"Crabapple, what's up Zach?"
"Well, I'm the Skytrain coordinator for today. Zephyr Squad has the day off on account of the 50th anniversary. I'm surprised, isn't Spectre this ship's oldest team?" Zach replied.
"Yes, but there is no waiting for a potential World War III. We've got to go save some irradiated Red piece of shit. That's all I'm allowed to say."
Zach nodded, as every member but one in Spectre got their harness' on correctly.
"Uh son, did you not get taught how to put on a Skytrain harness?" Zach asked, helping him correct his mistake.
"No, Gunnery Sergeant Assface won't help me."
"-And the answer becomes clear." Zach sighed. "There, tug on it. If it feels loose, you'd best hold on for dear life, son. If it's snug, you're golden."
"Hold on?!" Will panicked, as the air generator filled a giant balloon in front of the squad, five ropes attached to it, each rope attached to a harness. "Woah wait, I'm afraid of heights! Army boys prefer their feet on the ground sir!"
"Well son, you're with the real men now!" Zach chuckled. "Happy flights Spectre!"
There was a loud whirring in the air, as a giant AC-130 Hercules broke through the clouds in the heavens, descending low enough for the hook at the bottom of it to latch onto the balloon. There was a certain pressure on the five soldiers, as the speed and trajectory of the C-130 Hercules lifted them off of the deck. Within mere seconds, they were hundreds of feet up and away from the
Valor, literally the only thing keeping them from certain death was a rope hanging from the bottom of the AC-130.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Will whined in fear, holding tightly to his harness as the wind rushed through his ears.
"MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Knight bellowed deeply. "You chose one helluva'n OP to join Spectre son! Don't underestimate me or my squad!"
"O-OKAY!" Will said. "When does it end?!"
"If the Flight Master maintains a good hook, fifteen minutes." John chuckled. "If not... well, hope you brought a chute."
"I HATE YOU ALL!" Will barked.
"WHAT?!" Knight asked jokingly, pulling his Machete out, holding it near Will's rope. "RELEASE US ALL?!"
"N-NO! I LOVE YOU ALL!" Will growled.
"I'M NOT FEELING THE LOVE, WILL! MAYBE SOME FLOWERS OR CHOCOLATES?"
"ASK ME WHEN I'M NOT THOUSANDS OF FEET UP FROM CERTAIN DEATH!"
"YOU HEAR THIS GUY?" Knight shook his head. "DOESN'T BRING GIFTS ON THE FIRST TIME OUT, HOW RUDE?!"
"NEW GUY?" The Flight Master asked, activating the winch, pulling them closer to the troop bay.
"Army boy, wanted to join the Marines for a bit." Knight chuckled, climbing into the machine, helping Jenner, Enrique, and John up.
"H-HEY! Help me up!!" Will barked.
"Oh you didn't know?" Knight asked. "First time flyers get the FULL experience. Don't worry, we'll be in Moscow in a half hour!"
"Boy, this one REALLY pissed you off, huh?" the Flight Master whispered.
"Disrespectful as shit, cocky. He'll soon learn that being cocky in the Corps will lead to nothing but trouble, one way or another. Let him up in another five. I want him to learn his lesson." Knight whispered. "Hope you brought a blanket Valentine! It's supposed to be cold in Moscow!"