Chapter 1: Secure the Package

Date: 20Dec2023

Conference Room

Secured location.

Sergeant First Class Curtis

Squad Leader: Standing in front of a Smartboard with images of armed men and a child, "Okay, quick review. For our new recruits, here is a refresher. Our target, R.E.A.C.H, is a terrorist group created in 2017 originally consisting of defected KGB members until they started gathering international defectors, absorbing unorganized terrorist groups, and gaining corrupt government officials. These guys like to work from the shadows, using smaller terrorist groups to execute their plans and gain control. It is because of this that most of the general public does not know they exist. We have gathered intel indicating that lately R.E.A.C.H has become more active for reasons we were originally unaware of. Or that was at least until two days ago when our intelligence teams from both the U.S and China, caught pictures of this little girl being taken into a research lab in North Korea. Now, this lab is run by a Dr. Qigong Chin, a genetic researcher who specializes in the study of what he refers to as super cells, manipulating and mutating cells in an effort to create them. According to Dr. Chin, these cells would be able to cause humans to experience more than normal feats of strength and speed. Not to mention the extraordinary regenerative properties as well as their ability to slow down aging. Now, for the most part, Dr. Chin has had no success in creating the Super cells or finding any of them amongst any of his test subjects."

Specialist Garcia: "Excuse me for interrupting Sergeant, but why is this important? Last time we investigated this guy was far from discovering any kind of 'super cell.' What's changed?"

SFC Curtis: "Good question." Points to the board, "This girl, she is what's changed. Corporal Damon, pull up the video."

The video shows a little girl with long black hair shrouding most of her face, standing on a patch of grass surrounded by armed men. A voice yells, "Junbi, silhaeng!," suddenly before the armed men could even get off a single shot, four enormous vines emerge from underneath the men; wrapping around their guns, crushing them, and stabbing them in the chest. Mortified by what they just saw, everyone gets quiet, completely focused on the corpses suspended in the air. All of them focused, except for one whose attention remained on the girl.

Xerxes: His attention towards the little girl unwavering, he notices her long unkept black hair, which blocks most of her face. Looking into the eye he could see, he sees her soul filled to the brim with emptiness, "Hey, Sergeant what do we know about the girl?"

SFC Curtis: "Good question kid. Unfortunately, we are severely lacking in information pertaining to her. As far as we do know she is a 5 to 6-year-old female of Asian descent, most likely Korean. Name, unknown. History, unknown. Origin of her abilities, unknown."

Xerxes: "Understood."

SFC Curtis: "Alright time to review the execution of 'Operation: Care Package.' There is a cabin we found secluded in the woods of Canadas Northern Territory. This place turns out to be a meeting/exchange point for R.E.A.C.H resources. Now, we have it on good authority that in around 48hrs a transport containing the little girl will be heading here for what we believe is to resupply for their trip to R.E.A.C.H HQ. The plan is to cut them off here and retrieve the kid."

Private Kane: "Sergeant, why don't we just use the girl as a decoy to locate their HQ?"

SFC Curtis: "If we do that, then we risk the chance of an unknown potential Bioweapon getting lost to us and permanently in the hands of the enemy. So, for us, Team One consisting of Specialist Garcia and Private Kane, will be staged north of the house watching the road located northwest of the cabin. You'll be watching from the surrounding woods. Kane you're sniper, Garcia will be your spotter. Staff Sergeant Claude, you and PFC Diaz and Sergeant Liu will be sent in the back of the cabin to clear out any enemies inside. As a bonus, if you can find anything containing valuable information, TAKE IT. CPL Damon and I will be in the BLACKBIRD ready to provide backup and a quick extraction if necessary. As for the newcomer; PV2 FENIX!!

Fenix: A Japanese female with black hair quickly stands up, "YES SERGEANT!!"

SFC Curtis: "You'll be on X-Duty."

Fenix: "What's X-Duty."

The Blackbird lands in the Northern Territory. All around, a forest covered in snow and few hill tops.

SFC Curtis: "Is everyone in position? If so, report your status."

SPC Garcia: "Team 1 is set. Road is clear."

SSG Claude: "Team 2 in position and awaiting your order."

SFC Curtis: "Team X, what's your position?"

We go to a cliff overseeing the cabin with Fenix watching through binoculars.

SFC Curtis (Through intercom): Team X, your position?"

Fenix: Stops looking through the binoculars to turn around to see a lounging Xerxes. "Sir, are you going to report in?"

Xerxes: "Nah," he turns over to lay facing away from Fenix.

Fenix: Frustrated, she answers, (Over comms) "Sergeant Team X has taken position."

SFC Curtis: "Alright, Team 2 you're free to act."

SSG Claude gives Diaz the go ahead with which Diaz carefully removes a back window of the cabin. This grants them access to a small bedroom which appears to be empty, save some furniture. After entering and replacing the window, each of them turns off their winter(white) camo changing their uniforms to the standard black and dark gray. Team 2 then activates the heaters on their boot soles, quickly melting and evaporating both any snow and water so not to leave any tracks. The team then proceeds with their sweep, encountering no one on the first nor the second floor. As they make their way to the basement, they notice a Secure door.

SGT Liu: Whispering. "Sergeant Claude, it appears to have a biometric lock. Permission to blast open the door?"

SSG Claude: Whispering. "Denied. We don't know what's in there and if the door is connected to an alarm. Plus, if anyone heard the blast we'd be in deep shit. It's best to let the big guy handle this when the mission is done. Diaz, send up a report to everyone."

PFC Diaz: "Yes Sergeant." (Over Comms) "Team 2 reporting."

SFC Curtis: "Go ahead Team 2."

PFC Diaz: "The house is clear, save the basement which is protected by a…"

SPC Garcia: "Sorry to interrupt Ela, but we got bad guys approaching Northwest of the cabin. Their movin' in as a convoy of three; 1 Cougar 6x6 in the center and 2 Humvee's, one front, one back. Both with mounted weapons."

SSG Claude: "Moving into positions." Claude takes a window on the first floor while Diaz and Liu take the second floor. "Garcia, number of enemies and weapons?"

PV2 Kane: Continuing to look the scope, "Windows are blacked out."

SPC Garcia: "Cannot confirm number of hostiles nor weapons beyond the mounts. Assuming they're all max capacity, we're lookin at around twenty hostiles. 5 per Humvee."

Fenix: "Shit." Trading her binoculars for her Barrett XM500. She looks to Xerxes to see that he still hasn't moved. Disappointed, she reverts her attention back towards the cabin. "Lazy ass."

SFC Curtis: "Team one, move to your second position. Remember, no one make a move till we get eyes on the kid."

All: "Roger"

The convoy pulls in front of the cabin, letting out its passengers. From the Humvees emerges six soldiers.

SGT Liu: "Everyone, six men have left the Humvees; we are waiting to engage."

REACH Soldier #1: "Everyone, secure the perimeter."

R-Soldier #2: "Sir, I just got word from the extraction team. They say they'll arrive in approximately 6 to 8 minutes."

R-Soldier #1: "Understood. You two head inside and secure any necessary supplies for the trip back."

R-Soldier #3: "What should we get?"

R-Soldier #1: "I'll leave that to your discretion."

SSG Claude: "Shit. Team 2, prepare for contact in 20 seconds. Make sure to capture at least one."

As two REACH soldiers break off from the group towards the cabin, Unit-X waits in anticipation for the inevitable shoot out soon to occur. SSG Claude, still on the first floor, hides behind a couch with his weapon trained on the front door. Eyes piercing through the door; seeming as if he were watching the soldiers every step as they approached. Both on the second floor and outside, the rest of Unit-X sits in damn near utter silence, listening closely for the sound of the "starting gun." Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, the uneasy silence is broken by the faint sound of helicopter propellers and a strong gust of wind kicking up a whirlwind of snow.

R-Soldier #1: "Hmm? They're early. HEY YOU TWO?!! WE'LL SECURE THE PACKAGE FIRST, THEN GRAB SUPPLIES!"

R-Soldier #3 & 4: "YES SIR!", they reply as their attention shifts from the cabin, back to the convoy.

Inside the cabin, Claude exhales in relief as he and everyone else switches back to their primary focus of spotting the girl. Back at the convoy, the helicopter lands a few feet away from the convoy. The R-Soldiers begin to make their move. Suddenly, six soldiers

R-Soldier #1: Yelling over top the sound of the still active helicopter, "I WANT ALL SOLDIERS, EXCLUDING DRIVERS, OUT OF THEIR VEHICLES AND HELPING WITH THE TRANSFER!" And like that, nine R-Soldiers exit through the back of the COUGAR with four of them carrying an odd metallic container. They are also joined by the front seat passengers of the Humvees.

SGT Liu: "Sergeant Liu confirming new enemy count. We have 20 from the convoy and 4 in the bird."

SSG Claude: "And the girl?"

SGT Liu: "That's a negative visual. However, we do have visual on a strange box some of them are carrying."

SSG Claude: "Understood. Garcia make your move when that box is out of their hands. Whatever is in that box is clearly important, so I don't want that container leaving nor any enemies to leave alive."

As the R-Soldiers carrying the container make their way to the copter, the others escort them making a formation around them. Once at the copter, two of them lose their grip causing the others to lose balance and drop the container. The pilot yells out of frustration, "WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON?! PICK IT UP AND LET'S GO!" They scramble to pick up the container.

As this occurs, Xerxes, still asleep atop the mountain, hears the voice of a little girl saying, 'Someone Help Me!' Xerxes instantly pops up to Fenix's surprise as she watches him run towards the edge of the cliff.

Fenix: "Wait, WHAT ARE YOU DOI…?," he jumps, sliding down the side of the mountain and then launching himself towards the convoy.

The explosive sound of Xerxes' launch grabs the attention of not just the enemy, but even his teammates, catching everyone by surprise when he lands by grabbing an enemy by the face and smashing his head into the ground. Xerxes then turns around, grabbing another's weapon, crushing it and then renders him unconscious with a single head-butt. Recovered from the shock, the R-Soldiers open fire on the unknown threat only for him to evade as he lunges back towards their front Humvee. Xerxes grips the front of the vehicle, lays it in front of him, blocking the incoming bullets. He then flips the vehicle towards the group of enemies in front of the helicopter, crushing 2 as the others evaded.

During the commotion, the R-Soldiers manage to get the package onto the helicopter. As the others continue firing, one shouts, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!! GET YOUR ASS IN THE AIR!!" And with that, the pilot preps for takeoff.

Xerxes: Evading the gun fire, he jumps behind the COUGAR and notices the helicopter blades starting to spin. (Over coms), "Fenix!"

Fenix: Taking aim, "Got it." BANG, BANG. Two shots are sent flying from the cliff into the heads of both the pilot and co-pilot. She then shifts her attention towards the ground enemies.

R-Soldier #1: "Shit! ALL DRIVERS EMERGENCY EVAC!! LET'S GO!!"

SPC Garcia: "I don't think so. Kane?!"

PV2 Kane: "Roger" Both Garcia and Kane simultaneously fire into the driver's windows taking them out.

Xerxes: Pinned down, "TEAM 2!"

SSG Claude: "Understood," Liu and Diaz begin shooting from the second floor of the cabin, providing cover fire while Claude shoots from the first floor. They kill up to four enemies.

With the R-Soldiers now using the turned over Humvee as cover, one of the 2 remaining soldiers on the copter slips into the pilot seat and starts it up. Now further along, the helicopter starts kicking up another whirlwind of snow around it. The snow acting as a smokescreen, Fenix, after reverting her attention back to the copter, is unable to get a clear shot.

Fenix: "Fuck. Hey, does anybody have a clear shot on that bird?" They all answer back, 'Negative!' "Damn it, I'll just take the shot when they're airborne."

Xerxes: "Negative, the package is on that chopper."

Fenix: "It'll only be a few feet in the air. You can jump and catch it before it hits the ground."

Xerxes: "NO! WE CAN'T CHANCE THAT SHIT, THE GIRL'S IN THERE!"

Everyone: "WHAT?!"

Fenix: "Fine. What you got planned?"

Xerxes: "Umm? Yo, Diaz you got any Semtex (sticky grenade)?"

Diaz: "Yeah; how many you need?"

Xerxes: "Just one. Throw it up at the roof when I say."

Acknowledging this, Diaz pulls out a Semtex. The helicopter in the air, Xerxes then runs out from behind the COUGAR only to be met by gun fire from the copter. In his head, Xerxes hears the same voice, 'RUN!' Once again, something inside him clicks causing him to move at higher speeds, dodging the machine gun fire and jumping onto the roof. Continuing to run, Xerxes yells, "NOW!" to Diaz who tosses the Semtex up in the air. He catches the grenade, jumps towards the helicopter, and pulls the pin midflight. He then lands in the copter, tags it inside while grabbing the container, and jumps out. Mere seconds after, the grenade goes off, destroying the helicopter and killing 3 others on the ground. The blades slicing one to pieces and the body crushing the other two. Afterwards, the rest of the R-Soldiers are eliminated except for three who are apprehended.

12 minutes later

After everything settles down, Xerxes and Liu make their way to the basement door of the cabin to investigate. After Xerxes breaks down the door, their investigation leaves them empty handed once they see that it is nothing more than a supply storage full of short to mid-ranged firearms, small explosives, and multiple non-perishables. Their search over, they meet with the rest of Team 2 in front of the cabin.

Xerxes: "Well Claude, is he talking?"

SSG Claude: "No, ain't sayin' shit. What now?"

Xerxes: "Well, first thing's first. (Over Comms) Everyone, report."

SFC Curtis: "Blackbird, reporting. No hostiles nor suspicious activity detected."

Xerxes: "Understood. Team 1, can you confirm that with your sweep?"

Garcia: "SPC Garcia reporting. Northern area clear, moving west."

Kane: "PV2 Kane reporting. Southern area clear, moving east."

Xerxes: "Understood. Fenix, everything good up there?"

Fenix: "Yeah, nothing up here."

Xerxes: "Great. BLACKBIRD pick up Fenix and rendezvous with us at the cabin. Team 1 once your sweep is done join us."

SSG Claude: "What about Team 2?"

Xerxes: "Just keep Master Liu and Diaz on the captives. And you… are gonna watch as I open this container."

CPL Damon: (Over comms), "Excuse me sir, but I strongly advise against that. We're not sure what'll happen when the container opens. For all we do know it could be rigged to explode without an access code or a key."

Kane: "We should just take it with us and worry about it later."

CPL Damon: "We can't. What if it explodes midflight or after we get back to base?"

Xerxes: "Hmm. Then what do you suggest?"

CPL Damon: "I think we should try getting some information out of the other two P O W's."

Xerxes: "Well ya see, the problem with that is, one is still unconscious and possibly concussed from my head-butt. And the other one is also unconscious; probably from getting tossed around in that Humvee like a damn crash dummy."

Fenix: (Over comms), "And whose fault was that?"

Xerxes: Avoiding the question, "Not important, what is important is that I have an idea and I'm gonna open the container."

SFC Curtis: "Negative. Wait until we're all…"

Xerxes: "Can't hear you, don't care." Xerxes then proceeds to grab both the container and the conscious R-Soldier and leaps into the woods. "Fenix, watch me."

Fenix: "Fine. By the way, the Blackbird's here."

Xerxes: "Cool. Head to the cabin once I'm done." Once at a decent spot, Xerxes tosses the soldier onto the ground and gently places down the container. He then approaches the R-Soldier and executes his plan. "So asshole, I can't help but notice how much of a loudmouth you were earlier, you know you calling all the shots; but now you don't seem to wanna talk to my friends or answer their questions." he remains silent with nothing but an angered expression on his face. "Now, I'm not gonna ask any tough questions like, about your plans or the cabin or even where your base is. All I wanna know is if that container is rigged and how do you open it." Again, he remains silent, looking no different than before. "You know what? I respect that. I respect the fact that you're willing to put your life on the line for your cause. I really do." Xerxes moves closer to the stoic R-Soldier. "But what about your two buddies over there? What about… I don't know. Your family?" This forces a reaction from the Soldier. His scowl softening, slowly being replaced by a look of worry and concern. "Thanks, that's all I needed. (Over comms) Hey Staff Sergeant Claude, you there?"

SSG Claude: "Yea, I'm listening."

Xerxes: "Good. If anything considered deadly; ya know like an EXPLOSION were to happen after I open this container, I order you to execute the other captives. After that, I want you to locate this guy's family and do the same." Xerxes then turns to the R-Soldier, now with a distraught look on his face, and says, "Alright Bruh, Imma take you back to the cabin. You won't be killed since we still might need you, but please don't think I was playing about what I said. Just remember, you made your choice." He grabs the Soldier by the vest and proceeds to make his way back to the cabin when he hears something.

R-Soldier #1: Mumbling, "397…"

Xerxes: "Huh?" He turns to look at the Soldier. "Did you say something."

R-Soldier #1: Speaking clearly, "I said the access code is 397458."

Xerxes: "Really?" Xerxes grabs the R-Soldier's cuffs and breaks them to free his hands. He then walks him over to the container to enter the code.

R-Soldier #1: "How are you so sure I won't just enter a self-destruct code?"

Xerxes: "Cause unlike you; I'VE GOT NOTHING TO LOSE."

A wave of fear washes over the soldier as he enters the code. Once entered, the cover of the container opens. Xerxes looks inside to see a small black-haired Asian girl wearing a white gown. The girl then wakes up, rubbing her eyes as she sits up in the container. She first looks at the R-Soldier and gains a scared expression on her face. Noticing this, Xerxes grabs his own handcuffs, re-cuffing the soldier. This appears to work as the expression on her face begins to change to that of less fear and more confusion towards the situation. This look only changes again once she notices Xerxes; her expression changing to that of sheer joy. Taking notice, Xerxes becomes both confused and relieved.

Xerxes: Talking to the Soldier, "Hey you, sit over there… Actually, what's your name or at least something I can call you by?"

R-Soldier #1: "Why does that matter to you? All you need to know is that I'm your enemy and the man that will kill you if you harm his family."

Xerxes: Blatantly ignoring the threat, "Imma call ya Ruvik."

Ruvik: "What?"

Xerxes then shifts his attention back to the girl, who has yet to stop staring at him. He moves closer to her and notices a faint red blinking light being masked by her hair. He reaches out to move her hair to surprisingly be met with no retaliation. He then moves the hair to see what looks like a collar around her neck with a detonation device. He turns to Ruvik with a look of anger on his face and ask, "Ruvik, why the f**k is there a bomb collar on this kid, and how the hell do I get it off?"

Ruvik: "The collar is so that she can be controlled. If she uses her powers without the remote deactivation, the collar goes off and she dies. As for how to get it off; the only ones with a key I believe are the higher ups and that crazy ass doctor. And by the way, forcibly removing it without the key will produce the same result."

Xerxes: Taking off his gloves, Xerxes slides his fingers in between the collar and the girls' neck. Right when he's about to break the collar he hears, "STOP!" Confused he asks, "Who the hell?"

Fenix: "It was me or did you forget I was watching? Listen, I don't know what you're trying to do but…"

Xerxes: "What the hell does it look like? I'm finna break this damn collar off and jump into the air so it can detonate in my hands. Oh, by the way disregard that last order I sent out. Just ignore the explosion."

Fenix: "And you see nothing wrong with this?"

Xerxes: "Don't care, doing it anyway." He breaks the collar in half, jumps into the air allowing the bomb to explode in his hands. The explosion sends him falling back towards the ground only to land on his feet.

Ruvik: "What the hell are you?"

Xerxes: He looks at his hand, questioning himself. "To tell you the truth I don't even know. Alright let's go."

Xerxes goes to pick up the girl, both reaching out their arms to greet the other. Once close, he notices that she's shivering. To counter this, he takes off his vest and removes the light hoodie underneath to put it around her. He then looks into the container to find something else to keep her warm, instead seeing a bracelet. The inside reading 'Power Dampener.' 'Hmm. I should put this on her in case she loses control, or the others will worry.' "Hey, Imma put this on you as a precaution. Okay?" She nods her head in compliance as he places the bracelet on her wrist. He then closes the container and carries it on his left shoulder while carrying the girl in his right arm. The two then make their way back to the cabin with Ruvik following close behind.

Now back at the cabin, Xerxes and company are greeted by both Team 2 and Team 1, now done with their sweep. The Blackbird, with Fenix onboard, then lands in front of the cabin, ready for departure.

Xerxes: "Hey Diaz, you finish rigging those vehicles?"

Diaz: "Yes sir. I also made sure to search the contents of the vehicles and found nothing of value."

Xerxes: "Understood. Once we're in the air set them off. Oh, shit I almost forgot." he places down the container reaches into his back pocket to pull out the broken handcuffs. "Uhm, Master Liu, sorry about this but I 'mayyy' have broken your cuffs." he says with a shameful smile.

Liu: This breaks Liu's otherwise calm and composed demeanor; now displaying an expression of irritation and anger. "For now, I will spare you the searing rage I feel towards you only because it would upset the child you currently carry in your arms. I will, however, notify you that I now wield the desire to kill you."

Xerxes: With a confused look on his face, "Man, what's with you? They're just cuffs. You can get new ones at HQ."

Liu: "Those we're a gift from my WIFE!"

Xerxes: "Oops. Well maybe you shouldn't have brought them on the mission?," he says with a guilty smile.

Liu: "Idiot disciple! Why didn't you just unlock them like a normal person?"

Xerxes: "Well I would have if I had the key. Also, why did Mrs. Liu buy you cuffs? That's indecent Master."

Liu: Now even more enraged by Xerxes's insinuation, "INDECENT?! THEY WERE FOR WORK, YOU CHILDISH STUDENT!"

Xerxes begins to laugh

As the two continue to go back and forth, the hatch of the Blackbird opens with SFC Curtis inside.

SFC Curtis: "Enough! Get on the plane so we can go. We've still got loads of questioning and research to do. Not to mention the debriefing."

Once everyone is boarded, the plane lifts into the air ready to blast off. Before taking off, Diaz sets off the precisely placed charges in the enemy vehicles, rendering them inoperable. They then take off, heading for HQ.

Operation: Secure Package

Status: Complete