Prologue

It was the yelling from the guards outside the room that woke Carter. His vision was blurry for a few moments but he could make out that he was in a dirty room behind a metal door. He tried to move but found himself stuck in a chair with his hands tied behind his back. As his vision became clearer he noticed that he had been stripped of his gear and was only in a t-shirt and pants. He tested the strength of his binds and realised that he wasn’t going to be able to free himself without something sharp. He looked around the room and noticed the remains of a smashed bottle next to another man who lay unconscious with his back to him. The man was wearing the same t-shirt and pants as Carter but noticed that he had a bullet hole in the back of his left shoulder. The man’s name was J.D. and he and Carter were both members of an elite Special Forces unit working for the United States Military. The two had been ambushed by insurgents in the mountain region of Afghanistan while looking for a man known as ‘Akil’. Carter observed his surroundings and was looking for anything that could help him. He noticed that there was only one window where the light was coming in from behind him. Unfortunately he couldn’t see anything that could be of any use and finally noticed that he was bleeding. Blood trickled down the side of his face and he remembered a man sneaking up on him and smacking him in the face with the butt of his rifle.

Carter began trying to get free from his restraints but stopped when J.D. began to regain consciousness.

Carter: J.D.!  Come on man wake up!

J.D. groaned and inspected his shoulder then realised they were locked in some room.

J.D.: What the hell happened?

Carter: Farrar’s men must have found us.

J.D.: What about the rest of the team?

Carter: I don’t know. My guess is they bailed out when we didn’t show up at the exfil point.

Before J.D. had a chance to try and get Carter out of his restraints, the door was unlocked and two mean with AK-47’s entered the room. One carried a stool and placed it in front of Carter then stepped aside and both of the men stood on either side of the door. Carter watched as another man wearing a leather jacket and a shemagh around his neck. He carried a pistol in a holster strapped to his thigh and had a long scar running down his cheek. Carter and J.D. realised who he was almost instantly. He was their target, Akil.

Akil: Well now, this is a surprise. Two American soldiers in MY region? You should be proud to have actually navigated these treacherous mountains, only locals really know how to get around.... and even then they sometimes get lost. It’s lucky though that my men found you when they did, otherwise you may have stumbled across this place, my humble home. But of course it would not have been an accident that you came across my home now would it? You were searching for it, and in turn, searching for me!

Akil closed the door to the cell and took a knife from one of his soldiers at the door. He slowly approached Carter and then sat down on the stool. The Arab took an apple out of his pocket and continued speaking.

Akil: Oh my, where have my manners gone? Allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Akil. But of course, you already know that now don’t you? You probably know everything about me, right down to my weight. So tell me, Americans, what do you know about me exactly?

Both Carter and J.D. were hesitant at this point. Their training told them to keep quiet, but their guts were telling them to humour this guy a little until they could figure out of this mess.

Carter: We know that you’ve been stealing weapons from military caches in this area. We also know that you’ve been attacking US forces and kidnapping them to find out supply routes for convoys...

Akil: Well, it seems you are very knowledgeable my friend. Apple?

Carter: No, thanks.

Akil: Suit yourself. One thing that concerns me is the fact that your military has sent YOU of all people to find me.

Carter: “You of all people”?

Akil: Lieutenant Carter MacKnight. Former Ranger and Delta Force Operator, and currently you’ve been working for a classified task force. Interesting really. And your friend here is Sergeant First Class J.D. Wilson, also a part of this classified task force...

Carter and J.D. looked at each other in shock and then stared at the grinning Akil.

Akil: It seems that you’re not the only one who is very knowledgeable in these parts, my friend.

Carter: So it would seem.

Akil: Now tell me, why are you here?

Carter suddenly got very quiet and merely stared at the man. Akil stared back as he chewed on his apple slices then put the knife between his pants and belt before throwing the apple core away.

Akil: I suggest you tell me what I want to know, friend, otherwise this will become very unpleasant.

Carter remained silent as Akil watched him.

Akil: Alrighty, so be it...

Akil got to his feet and started speaking in Arabic to the two guards. One of them banged on the door and it opened to let a very large man enter. The man carried no weapons except for a machete on his back and a knife at his side. The other two walked over to J.D. and got him on his feet, he struggled as much as he could but due to his injury he didn’t put up much of a fight. Akil stood at the back of the room behind Carter as the large man approached J.D. and began pummelling him with his fists.

Carter: HEY! STOP! I SAID STOP!

Akil yelled something in Arabic and the beating stopped. He then stood beside Carter and looked down at him.

Akil: If you tell me what I want to know, Lieutenant, then the beating will stop. If not, then things escalate.

J.D.: Don’t tell him shit!

The man punched J.D. in the stomach and he coughed up some blood, he then proceeded to beat him some more. Carter growled and watched as his friend was viciously beaten. The big guy took a moment to let J.D. recover and then smirked before he kicked him in the kneecap and forced him to drop to the ground. J.D. groaned in pain and the big guy just laughed. The two guards picked J.D. back up as Akil walked up to him.

Akil: You must really hate your friend here Lieutenant! Of course, you CAN stop this. Just tell me what I want to know.

Carter: Go fuck yourself!

Akil chuckled and made his way around behind J.D., Carter watched as he took out his knife and put it to J.D.’s throat then slit it.

Carter: NO!

J.D. gurgled and fell forward as he bled out in front of them. Akil wiped the knife on the big man’s shirt and then nudged J.D. with his foot to check he was dead. Carter hung his head and squirmed in his seat trying to get out of his restraints.

Akil: Hey! Hey! This is on you Lieutenant! He did not have to die. But because of you, he did!

The two guards dragged J.D.’s body over to the other side of the room and then stood behind Carter.

Akil: Now listen to me very carefully Lieutenant, you are going to tell me why you are here and what you want....

The location of which Carter is being held is a large compound built at the bottom of a cliff in a very secluded area within the mountains. The cliff above the compound is 100metres high and at the top is a guard post with five soldiers. The compound itself is heavily guarded with six soldiers on the wall around the courtyard, two of which are manning machine guns, while there are eight others patrolling the compound. Outside the compound on a ridge opposite are two soldiers having a smoke instead of patrolling the area. The two are chatting in Arabic and one hands the other a canteen full of water. The two seem determined to take a break on the ridge, unfortunately this will be their downfall. Both of the men are then grabbed from behind and silenced as each feels a knife slit it into their jugulars. They both stop squirming and then fell to the ground. Two other men now stand where they stood and put away their knives and lie down on the ground aiming down the scopes attached to their HK417 sniper rifles.

Zeus: This is 1-1 we’re in position, over.

Below the ridge sat a parked truck that belonged to Akil’s men. The soldiers who owned it were lying dead on the dirt road while two other men sat in the front seats.

Midnight: This is 1-4 standing by.

The guards on the cliff were all messing around and appeared to be completely oblivious as four soldiers snuck up on their position. The guards were standing around a table dishing up some food while the other four men took up positions. Two were on the left flank while the other two took the right flank. They picked their targets and took aim with their silenced M4’s.

Stryder: Take them.

The team opened fire on the unsuspecting troops and dropped them like flies. They regrouped at the edge of the cliff and hooked up to the rail with their rope lines.

Stryder: 1-2 in position. Standing by for breaching order.

Zeus: Copy all. Alright boys remember the primary objective is getting our guys out of there. Akil is not the prize, I repeat, Akil is not the prize. Over.

All units confirmed the orders and prepared to breach as Zeus surveyed the compound.

Zeus: All teams execute!

Midnight started up the truck below the ridge and revved the engine, he stomped his foot on the gas and headed straight for the compound. Stryder and his team rappelled off the cliff and down to the roof of the main building, they stayed low until it was time to move. The truck made its approach to the gate and the two machine gunners began to open fire on it. Zeus and his partner got the gunners in their sights and put a round through each of their heads. Midnight and his partner brace themselves as the truck smashes through the metal gate and tears through the courtyard. The two jump out of the truck and watch as it crashes into the staircase leading up into the building.

Midnight: *Coughs and groans* We’re in the courtyard....

Midnight and his partner get to their feet and keep their hands slightly raised as the enemy surrounded them. Zeus watched as they were surrounded and kept them covered in case things went south.

Midnight: I picked a hell of a day to quit smoking.......

Stryder and his team used Midnight’s entrance as a distraction as they broke into the building via window. Stryder and his partner Priest were the first ones in and quickly neutralised two tangos at the balcony over looking the courtyard.

Stryder: We’re in. Beginning our search now.

Stryder and Priest began their search for their missing team mates and left the other two at the balcony to cover Midnight and his partner.

Akil lit a cigarette and began to smoke in front of Carter as he sat bound to his chair and breathing heavily after being smacked around by the big guy for a bit. They had been interrogating him for a while now and nothing seemed to be working. But fortunately the sound of gunfire and something crashing halted the interrogation. The two guards listened to their radios and then told Akil what was happening in the courtyard. Carter realised what has happening and watched as Akil left the cell and made his way to courtyard. Before arriving, he was met by three soldiers who escorted him outside. He examined the crashed truck and then approached the two men standing in the middle of the courtyard.

Midnight: He WOULD be smoking wouldn’t he!

Akil: It seems you two soldiers are a little lost!

Midnight: Yeah, your gate kind of hit our truck. But we’re willing to forgive you.

Akil: Oh you Americans are so funny.

Midnight: Oh! We’re not actually American. We’re Canadian!

Akil: Canadian?

Midnight: Yeah.... apparently...

Akil: You dare mock me? First you attack my home and kill two of my men, then you mock me?! Get your hands up!

Midnight: Alright, alright! Our hands are up!

Akil: You Americans are all the same. Greedy, power-hungry tyrants who only care about what they can profit from! Well I am going to change this! I am on a mission from Allah!

Midnight: Tell him you failed!

Midnight then pressed the button on the small detonator in his hand and detonated the C4 that was in the crashed truck. The explosion killed four of the soldiers around it and knocked over the rest. Midnight and his partner took cover behind a jeep on the left side of the courtyard while Zeus took out the four soldiers on the wall who were going to open fire on them.

Stryder and Priest heard the explosion but continued on their search. They made their way to the very back of the building and were engaged by three tangos guarding the door at the very back of the hall. Priest crouched down then peaked around the corner and managed to take out two of them. The last man opened fire on Priest and forced him to go behind cover, Stryder then moved away from cover and put three rounds into the soldier’s chest. The two stack up on the door and check their weapons.

Stryder: Breach on my mark. 3, 2, 1, mark!

Stryder is the first to enter and as he does he moves to the right of the room while Priest takes the left. Stryder engages one soldier and puts a round right through his forehead. Priest isn’t as quick in engaging and takes a bullet through his lower right side, but this doesn’t affect him as he takes the headshot. The two then switch their aim to the centre of the room where a large man is standing behind Carter wielding a machete. The man is roaring with anger but is silenced when Stryder and Priest both put a round each through his head.

Carter: It’s about time you assholes showed up.

Stryder: Priest check on J.D.! You okay Carter?

Carter: I’m fine...

Priest: J.D.’s dead.

Stryder: Son of a bitch!

The disgruntled Stryder took out his knife and cut Carter free. Carter then picked up an AK-47 from one of the dead soldiers and grabbed some ammo.

Stryder: 1-1 this is 1-2. Killjoy is secure but Spartan is down. I repeat, Spartan is down.

Zeus: Roger 1-2. Get your asses to the courtyard and rendezvous with the rest of the team.

Stryder: Wilco 1-1!

Carter: Priest! You’re hit!

Priest: I’m good! I’ll carry J.D.

Stryder: Alright. Bravo units, engage and secure the courtyard! Let’s move!

The team left the cell and made their way to the courtyard. The two men left on the balcony took up positions and engaged the remaining soldiers below them while Midnight and his partner secured two jeeps for transport. Stryder and the others entered the courtyard as the two from the balcony roped down.

Stryder: Alright everybody get in the jeeps and let’s get the hell out of here! 1-1 this 1-1, we’ll meet you at the extraction site. Over.

Zeus: Roger 1-2. The compound’s clear so you sho- Wait.. Oh shit!

Stryder turned around to see Akil standing behind them with an RPG. He looked seriously injured from the explosion and had a menacing look on his face. Akil began yelling in Arabic and so the team took aim but were beaten to the kill by Zeus. They watched as a bullet splattered through Akil’s head and sprayed his brains all over the courtyard.

Zeus: Now it’s clear....