1 OUR STORY BEGINS

0230 05:14:2018 SYRIA

RAVEN RECOVERY LLC

SHADOW COMPANY

BRAVO TEAM

"Briefing said minimal security, with a brief comm blackout. Standard smash and grab so make it happen."

"Arriving on target, prepare for jump."

"In 3, 2, 1, go, go, go."

I'm speed-repelling from the Blackhawk into a courtyard. As soon as I touch the ground, I disconnect and begin sweeping the area, moving for cover. After reaching position and confirming the sweep is clear, I call out on the coms.

"Northside clear, bulkhead secured."

I hear the callouts from the team follow shortly after.

"Southside clear."

"Eastside clear."

"Westside Contact."

Suddenly three bursts of gunfire resound, and I feel a searing pain in my right arm. Immediately dropping and turning to face the enemy, ready to fire just to find all the enemies downed and blood beginning to pool.

"West side cleared," echoes in the comm.

I call out, "bravo 3 hit."

I duck back to the cover and pull out a first aid kit to begin patching up just enough to finish the mission. Inwardly I'm holding back from cussing over the coms at bravo 2. The only bright side is that, luckily, it was just a grazing shot and won't interfere with my mobility.

After patching the wound, I move back to the bulkhead on the north as bravo 5 cracks the access. We get the key cracked and enter the vault with no hiccups. We then remove the weaponized virus after placing it in a containment unit.

Everything is going smoothly. It went a little too smoothly, besides the gunshot wound on the arm. I just have that feeling shit is about to happen.

"Team leader, we need to move fast and get air support," I warn the team leader, as he knows I have a 6th sense about these things.

"Bravo 3, are you sure."

Before I even get to respond, the radio crackles.

"Griffin calling Raven, Multiple contacts inbound at 6, 3, and 9 o'clock."

Giving bravo 1 the good old I told you so look while I reply.

"Yes, sir."

"Move bravo, clear an LZ."

"Raven calling Griffin, dropping lightning clear the clouds."

We drop flares and smoke to mark our location. I climb up to the roof's peak, taking aim, and start opening fire at the lead vehicles trying to buy some much-needed time. After 5 minutes of exchanging fire, we see the gunships inbound. The Apaches open fire and begin clearing all the incoming vehicles, but they just keep coming. Like locusts swarming, armored vehicles appear from every rock and dirt hill in sight.

"I'll hold the LZ. Get the package. Mission first." I speak through the coms

With little time to clear all threats were just going to have to leave under fire. Since I have the high ground, I might as well make the most of it. I watch the team head out on the first Blackhawk all clear. Making my way down as the second comes in close, I'm about to get on when I hear a call out on the com.

"RPG, RPG"

I instinctively Jump back and roll into cover just as the round hits the Blackhawk. After the explosion, I open fire on the gate as the enemy pours in. Looking at my ride blown to pieces and the charred bodies, that shit creek feeling rears its ugly head again.

"Raven 2 is down. Bravo three still at LZ need cover fire for pickup."

An apache comes overhead and unloads on the gate, giving me a moment to breathe.

"Negative bravo 1, air support reaching limit sending in secondary air support eta in excess of 10 minutes."

I then hear the team leader command the black hawk to let them off to provide support. I know they can't. This mission technically isn't even happening on paper anyways. At this point, I know I most likely won't make it. Let's be clear, I would rather die in battle shooting it out rather than be tortured for an untold number of days. Many Fates are worse than Death, so Fear not the Reaper.

The apache flies off, heading to meet up with the rest. Knowing my foolish team leader, he won't listen to what I say. Seeing another truck driving up, I chunk a grenade disabling the truck and blocking the gate. I pull back to better protection and call out in the intercom. These are the only words I can speak where I know he must listen.

"Lo there do I see my father," I open the prayer beseeching my ancestors to bear witness to my glory. For glory, it shall be!

The com echo's back as I continue. The squad knew my beliefs; the moment I spoke, they knew what would come next. My family shall see me off as one together, Brothers and Sisters. We speak the rest.

"Lo there do I see my mother, my brothers and sisters.

I see my line going back to the beginning. They call to me."

Opening fire again while working toward the rear exit, I toss my last grenade, hoping to remove anyone just outside the door. I know it's time to rush in, as my last hope is the dark outside and the place not being surrounded.

"They ask me to take my place in the halls of Valhalla. Where the brave may live forever."

Finished speaking, I saw the team now almost out of sight, and my last grenade went off.

Rushing forward, I take out 3 coming through the door as I take 2 shots in the vest and one in the shoulder. Passing through the threshold, I headshot the man to my left as I take two more rounds in the chest plate.

Suddenly I get stabbed in the hip from behind as I run out of ammo. Dropping the gun and pulling out the blade in my side, I stab the cowardly cretin in the neck, pulling him in for mobile cover. Two pickup trucks come over the hill. As I begin Drawing his sidearm, I fire at the trucks in front as I move in closer. Wounding two more, making my way forward, and getting close, I run out of ammo, discarding the body and pistol together.

Not much further now, I think to myself. The rocky, sandy hills not far away would be perfect for this game of cat and mouse. Just a little further, I mutter.

Pulling an axe from the thigh holster, I rush up, taking three more shots, one in the leg, one in the ribs, and one to the chest plate. Going down, trying to breathe, I get surrounded. Yep, I'm screwed. Yet, surprisingly, the feeling is gone, and all that's left is a sense of fulfillment.

Gasping here, probably taking my last breaths. Just guessing, but my right lung is likely collapsed. Still crawling forward, the only thought still left in my head is just one more. Knowing my helmet cam and body cam are still transmitting. Someone, please be stupid enough to let me have one more. As if the gods hear my selfish request, the one right in front gets close as I manage to swing up, catching the guy in the groin.

My last thoughts are Fuck yeah as two shots enter the back of my head.

Lying on the ground, knowing I just died, thinking, so this is what it's like to be dead. Unable to move, just looking around, I see souls all around me. Some were being carried off, and some were dragged into the ground. Ravens roaming the field eating their fill with an old man holding a cane walking my way.

Man, sure is surreal. I'd think I was still lingering if I didn't know my head was in pieces. I wonder what their expressions will be when they see my last fight. Finally, a staff comes next to my body, and he speaks.

"Chosen slain by your honored blood, rise and serve me once more in the chaos plain."

That echoing voice shakes the sky as a Valkyrie descends in light, scooping my soul and rising into the sky. as I enter the light, all I am is no more. The only substance that remains are the gods whom I devote.