1600 hours

Kandahar Base

As the unit pulled in through the gate, each of the rangers began to pile out, the look of exhaustion and anger plastered across their dirtied features. Out of the five friends, Andre was the first to exit his vehicle, his once gentle eyes now darkened with anger wandering about the convoy, trying to count all the rangers to ensure no one was left behind. A small sigh of relief escaping his lips as his count came to show all were accounted for. No one was left behind… not even their fallen brother; who was now being carried out by William, Evan, and Dylan. As the three men looked at their fallen brother, they couldn’t help but feel a great deal more anger than sadness since his death could’ve been prevented if it hadn’t been for the spook that had sold them out.

William looked over at Andre who was walking up towards them, shaking his head, “That fuck can’t get away with this! Rather the CIA should be held accountable for this fuck up.” Dylan growled as the lieutenant glanced over at the body of his fallen ranger, a small frown now seen on his dirty face.

Andre nodded in reply before opening his mouth to reply, “Fuck yeah he’s not. If we don’t get that bastard back, our brother won’t be able to rest in peace knowing that some spook is out there selling out our positions.” As he made his reply Evan returned after a group of medics and doctors began to take the wounded and the fallen ranger away.

William just had Dylan stand in just the right way to prevent any of them from seeing his wound, as he really didn't feel like going to get his neck fixed up until he had his answers.

“So, what’re we going to do now then?” Dylan asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Evan merely pointed his thumb towards Dylan, “What he said.”

William shook his head and shrugged, “I don’t rightly know… I’ll see if I can get some answers from the Colonel, but don’t expect any answers. In truth…” He paused a moment, his gaze focused on the dirt, “We’ll get more questions then answers I bet…”

“Given how it all played out, I have to agree,” Lucas added as he walked into the circle that they had unintentionally formed.

Dylan and Lucas both pounded their fists in greeting as they both looked at the lieutenant. “Yeah... either way I’ll try to get some answers, no matter how small they may be.” William replied frowning before looking up at his friends and giving them all a reassuring smile.

The four others nodded, “Sounds good.” Dylan sighed as he pulled his helmet off, his bald head showing how much he had been sweating under the afternoon sun.

“Right, I’ll give you guys the details at dinner,” William said before he made his way towards the Colonel’s office, giving a small wave before turning a corner.

As William vanished from sight, the others looked at each other then shrugged, “Nothing to do now but get cleaned up. Especially you, Evan, you look like shit bro.” Lucas said a wide grin across his face as Evan pulled off his helmet showing how greasy his dark brown hair had become.

Evan smiled and chuckled a bit, “Yeah, yeah. At least I can clean myself up and smell nice, unlike you Cavs. You always smell like shit.” He retorted before walking off to get out of his tactical gear.

Everyone joined in the laugh as they soon followed the Corporal, with the want to get the heavy shit off.

Meanwhile, William who was still wearing his combat gear stood outside the command ops, his helmet tucked under his arm, and his M4A1 hanging at the other side; empty and clipless. He tried his best to make sure he looked at least slightly presentable before meeting their commander. A man named Colonel Sigismund, who was a man who looked older than he really was, which the guys more or less chalked up to all the shit he had seen and had to deal with in his career… hell the ‘old man Siggy’ as the unit called him was even a former Delta before age forced him to retire from the teams and take up a desk. Though he was a man who was highly respected by every Ranger under his command and was the type of person who one could trust. So William hoped he’d be able to get some answers from him. More so since they lost one of their brothers.

Within a few minutes, a young intelligence agent popped his head outside the door, looking around for a moment before looking down at the blonde haired officer. “The Colonel can see you now.”

William nodded his head, “Thanks, Sergeant.”

As he stepped inside, he stopped at the door and stood at attention before snapping off a salute. “First Lieutenant William Anderson, reporting, sir!”

The graying Colonel looked over his shoulder and back towards his junior. “Glad to see you… Well, I’d like to say unharmed, but judging by the bandage and wrappings around your neck, I’d be lying.” Sigismund greeted before offering a chair for William. “Now, please, sit. I can only imagine how exhausted you are after the shit you went through over there.” As he made the offer to William he looked at the NCO and nodded for him to leave them.

William watched the NCO leave before taking the offered seat. “Thank you, sir.”

“No need for that formal stuff around me.” Waving his hand dismissively at the title.

“Uh… okay.” He replied hesistantly, not sure if he'd actually take the honorific out.

As William sat down he felt a sudden surge of exhaustion hit him again, which made it hard for his eyes to stay open given how soft the chair was. ‘fuck this chair…’ he cursed to himself as he leaned forward.

“So… I take it our Sigpig gave you the run down when we came out of the dark zone?” William asked.

Sigismund raised a brow before walking over to the window. “Mhm… Can’t say I’m all too happy to hear that my rangers were ambushed on an Intel op.”

The young officer nodded, “Yeah… if I have permission to speak freely sir.” The Colonel nodded his head, “… we nearly got wiped out if it hadn’t been for the talent of my brothers.”

The Colonel nodded his head sagely before turning to face the blue-eyed officer. “Well, that’s something good then at least.”

William looked up and watched as the Colonel took a seat behind his desk before resting he had rested his arms on the desk. “But… I know why you’ve come. You’ve come for that spook's name.” The aging colonel, his brown eyes looking at Will’s. “Correct?”

Will nodded.

“Well… All I can tell you is he’s not one of ours… at least…” Pausing a moment he looked around the room before leaning closer. “He went rogue some time ago, and no one here, not even myself knew about it until after you left the AO.” As he admitted the truth of the matter he let out a heavy sigh, before pulling out a cigar from his desk. “Cliché, I know, but… it’s a stressful moment, and it’s going to get worse, for both of us.” He added before he lit the cigar and began to puff out sweet smelling smoke.

“What you mean, sir?” William asked, his eyes darkening a bit as his anger began to grow.

Sigismund looked at him off the corner of his eye before closing them and taking a deep drag. “You and your people need to forget you ever heard or took part in the operation.”

The room went silent for a moment as both officers felt the tension grow. “What? I don’t think I heard you correctly sir... are you telling me to tell my Rangers… no, my brothers out there that the fuck responsible for our wounded and dead is going to get away with nearly killing us?” William repeated as his anger flared.

“Sit the fuck down Lieutenant!” Sigismund barked as he slammed his fist down on the desk.

William gritted his teeth as his anger continued to grow, “No sir, I don’t think I will. I want to know why, why should we forget what just happened?!” His tone began to get louder and before long the door swung wide open as Dylan, Lucas, Andre, and Evan came rushing inside.

“We’re with him on this sir!” They all said, Evan, closing the door behind him.

The young officer turned back to his friends eying them all as if asking why they’d come, but chose not to question it, knowing they had the right to be in the room with him.

Turning back to the commander, “Well? Can you at least give us SOMETHING?!” William growled.

“You better watch your fucking tone Lieutenant.” He warned, before sighing finally in defeat. “Fine… but… I say this not only as your commander but as a fellow brother. The people that man worked for.” He paused looking at the pictures on his desk. “The people he worked for are the type of people we’re meant to fight against… yet… yet these men and women have put themselves in such powerful positions we can’t fucking touch them. What’s more…” As the Colonel began to explain what happened he shook his head. “They’ve done this before. We don’t know why they’re selling out our positions and operations, but they’re doing it, and our people are paying a price… a price we have no idea what they’re trying to gain. Hell, whenever we try to look into it, our own intelligence agents are found dead or vanish without a trace.”

The Colonel paused a moment, taking another long drag before blowing out the smoke, “We don’t have a chance at getting these bastards as we are. The military doesn’t want to risk any more resources on tracking these fucks down.” He finished finally, the look of pure defeat plastered across his face.

The five Rangers started to feel their shoulders slump in defeat as they heard all the Colonel was saying. An untouchable enemy… a foe they couldn’t hope to even get their hands on if they remained in the military… if they remained. Suddenly Dylan popped his head up and looked over at Andre who nodded knowing just what he was thinking.

“You know what I’m thinking Tyrone?” Dylan asked grinning.

Andre nodded grinning, “Ice cream.”

“What? No, what? Well… that’s good one for later, but no, I mean-”

Suddenly Dylan was cut off by Andre who was chuckling, “I was kidding, no, I know what you were thinking shorty. Leaving the military to bag these fuckers.”

Dylan nodded laughing, “Yeah.”

The others looked at the two, even the Colonel was staring at them, before smiling and closing his eyes.

“I’m down. Plus, I’ve already had my fill of military life.” Lucas replied as he folded in arms, nodding in agreement.

“Likewise,” Evan muttered, a smile across his face as he lowered his head closing his eyes.

William chuckled softly shaking his head, “Fuck it. I wouldn’t last a day without you guys to cover up my mistakes.”

The Colonel looked happy, yet sad at the same time but was happy with their determination. “Chances are you won’t be able to find them… but I’ll pull some strings to help you guys out once you’re on the civilian side.”

“Thanks, old man,” Andre said first.

“Yeah… we’re going to need all the help we can get to hunt these bastards.” Dylan added before Lucas scratched the back of his head in thought.

“Plus, we’ll also need the funds.”

“You’re on your own for that one gentlemen.” Sigismund replied, taking another drag.

William clicked his tongue in mock anger before saying, “Well shit, there goes my retirement.”

Evan shrugged, “Not like we can’t save up for it.”

“True, from here on out we’ll start saving up all our funds and retirement cheques,” William replied, which saw to the other four nodding in agreement. “Then it’s settled, this will be our last tour, and posting.”

The Colonel stood up and saluted his five rangers, looking at them like a proud father. “Do your brothers and sisters proud gentlemen. I’ll do my part where I am, but the rest is on you.”

The five smiled and quickly stood at attention and returned the salute.

--

1 year later, 2016

1931 hours

Somewhere in the USA

A small sigh escaped Evan’s lips as he continued to scroll through the numerous job adverts, each one seemingly too low paying or too much-needed experience wise to even attempt to apply to. Overall it created a rather upsetting mood for the former Airborne Ranger, who now lived with his brother William and his girlfriend. Though in truth it was more like the two of them were living with the girlfriend since she was the one who paid the bills since the Anderson brothers left the military some 6 months ago along with their friends; Dylan, Andre, and Lucas. In truth four of the five were all pretty much jobless or working minimum wage jobs just to get by, an incredible downgrade from what they were getting paid when on the 75th. Only Dylan “Bull” Smith was able to find and land a stable job on the civilian side, becoming a lead hand as a mechanic at some local machine shop. Though what Evan thought to be the weirdest bit was how his older brother was unable to find ANYTHING, given how he had a bachelor's in history and a masters in political Sciences. Though when questioned about it, William more or less chalked it up to the shitty economy.

In the midst of his job hunt in his dark room, he saw it. The perfect job for a combat veteran and it seems there were five positions that needed to be filled. The moment Evan’s green eyes came to rest on the ad he knew it was the job for him and his friends, though mama raised no fool, as he promptly began to read up on the job being requested. All in all, from what he could see it was your standard Private Military Contractor type of thing. Some company was looking for some people to serve as security for a group of civilians that were headed for a dangerous region. Either way, the job seemed pretty standard. However what did start raising some questions in his mind were the experiences each position required.

“What the fuck?” Scrolling through the ad, he began to read up on the experiences, noting how they all seemed a little too… familiar.

Each job position seemed to match the five friends perfectly. A marksman, a survivalist, a mechanic, a jack of all trades, and a team lead. There were a fair bit more details overall, but they all seemed to match up to him and his fellow Rangers. Himself, being a formerly designated marksman in his squad he was a damn fine shot, even earning himself the right to call himself an expert marksman. The survivalist being Lucas who, as a Scout was the type of person to get huge into surviving just about anywhere with so little, and was also known for doing just that when he had the money and time to travel. The Mechanic being Dylan, who was one of the best damn mechanics the guys knew, as he could fix just about anything; hell even an aircraft if he had enough time and motivation to actually do it. The jack of all trades being Andre, the only African American in their group and the one guy who caught on fast and could pick up and do just about anything he set his mind to. Then the team lead obviously fitting his older brother who had served as an officer in the 75th Ranger Regiment and was one of the more down to earth and respected commanders he and the others had served alongside with for years.

Overall it was scary how each job title seemed to match up with the guys, but the fear vanished the moment he saw the payout for taking the job and how much they’d get for completing it. Well over five million USD all together to split between the five, a cool million each. Knowing such a contact would be snatched up in a heartbeat he quickly began to type away, filling out the contract signing up both himself and the others.

“I’m sure they’ll be cool with this once they see the payout,” Evan told himself as he typed away.

--

Same time,

Local bar somewhere close the Anderson home

William, Dylan, Andre, and Lucas sat in complete silence as they nursed their pints. Each of them sat at their usual table, a worn out old wooden booth near the end of their local bar. The place was a well-known hangout for most military personnel, both active and retired. Plus the place was relatively close to the areas where they lived, so it was the one place they chose for their monthly catch ups.

“He’s late,” Andre spoke firsts, pointing towards the empty fifth seat.

William shrugged in response, before Dylan spoke next, “Again.”

“Come on guys, he’s looking for a job. The guy was more unlucky than us… though in truth I should say you.” Will replied promptly, casting a look towards Dylan, as if to symbolize how he was the only one of the five to get a stable job in the civilian side.

“Hey! Not my fault my resume looked more attractive than yours.” Dylan had a point, in truth his work experience was by far the most attractive of the group given how he worked on cars before joining the military and continued the trade well into the military.

Either way, Lucas, and Andre just brushed it off with a, “Pfft” before taking a swig of their drinks.

As Lucas put the pint down on the table he looked over at Dylan, a shit-eating grin on his face, “You and I both know you only got that job in return for a little favor.” Lucas joked while making blowjob motions, which prompted William and Andre to burst out laughing, while Dylan just flipped him off.

“And you wondered why no one likes Cav scouts. Trying to push people into what you do for a living.” Dylan retorted quickly as he joined in the laughter.

Suddenly the laughter stopped the moment a pile of papers were slapped down on the table, causing the four men to look at the pile of papers then up to the one who delivered them. Quickly seeing it was none other than the missing man himself, Evan.

“You’re late,” Dylan said, his eyes on the paperwork. “So what’s all this then?” He added, taking a sip from his pint.

Evan pulled out the chair reserved for him, grabbing a pen and handing it to Lucas first. “Okay… why’d you give me a pen? Early birthday gift? If so, you’re cheap.” Lucas asked half-jokingly the moment he got the pen.

Grinning, Evan pushed over the contract towards Lucas who eyed the contract with some skepticism. “Trust me guys, just read the contract. It’s the shit we’ve been looking for since we left.”

William, Lucas, and Andre began to quickly read through the contracts as they were handed them. Lucas nodding in approval before quickly signing, followed by Andre. “One mil? Fuck yeah, I’ll sign up for that shit. Plus it’s just a security job guarding a bunch of history nerds.” Andre said first before looking at William, “No offense.” He said remembering the degree he had gotten.

“None taken.” Will replied, his eyes still glued to the contract.

“Well… as nice as the money sounds, I’m going to have to say…” Pausing he pushed the contract away, before crossing his arms over his chest as he began leaning his weight against the back of his chair. “Fuck that shit. Sorry to say, but I’m happy with the job I have right now. I don’t get shot at… sure I want to shoot some people, but that doesn’t mean I REALLY want to do it.”

William shrugged, sighing lightly as he shook his head. “I might have to reject it as well… Yulia might not be too happy with me leaving for South America for four months. I’ll need to discuss it with her first.”

Evan grinning, pulled the contracts from Dylan and his brother, “Well… it’s a little late for that since I… already signed the contract for you two.” He admitted, looking innocent as he grabbed the signed contracts from both Lucas and Andre who were now laughing.

“Wait…what? No… No! I have a job I actually lov- I enjo-… I tolerate. And the best part… I have to worry about big fucking bugs the size of my hand.” Dylan complained slapping his hand down on the table in annoyance.

“It is a big hand.” Lucas joked.

“Only big thing on him.” Andre chimed in.

“A-ha-ha-ha… fuck you guys. Heh” Dylan replied, flipping the two off before smiling and shaking his head.

William looked at the papers then sighed. “Fuck it… I’ll come up with something. I’m sure she’ll be cool with it.”

Evan grinned, “So… we’ll finally have the money.” He said looking at his four friends, who all nodded in unison.

“Yeah… guess we have wasted a bit too much time on this shit. Might as well take the payday and do what we can.” Lucas added, before downing the rest of his beer.

“Plus, I think it’d be cool to see South America. Haven’t been there before… always did want to see some of the ruins there.” William admitted, smiling a bit at the thought of seeing a ruin no one had seen in centuries.

Dylan sighed and let his head hit the table in defeat. “Dammit…Fine… not like I could leave you guys alone. Chances are you’d break something if I wasn’t there.” He said looking at Andre, who gave the look mock offense.

“I’m hurt short stuff~.” Andre joked softly in reply as he relaxed in his chair.

The five friends just looked at each other before they called for around to celebrate. They were getting back into what they all knew best, soldiering…and hopefully kicking ass.