1700 Hours

“The White City” Ruins

Venezuela Amazon Forest

After having told Evan and Lucas the news, the two had much the same reaction as the others, the look of utter dumbfounded and surprise written across their features. Though it was it who had the more surprised look, seeing as he was the one responsible for finding the ad. Looking down at the ground for a moment in thought, Evan began to scratch the back of his head.

“So… wait… wait a minute… you’re telling me that they set all this up?” Evan asked.

Dylan merely responded with a shrug, “Already know as much as I do.”

“Well shit…”

Lucas joined in with a cough, “Well so long as it was Sigismund that sent them, I’m willing to trust these guys.”

The four others nodded in agreement.

“Not like we have much of a choice given how much they’re paying us… plus…” William added before pausing to look at the makeshift graves of their attackers. “If we leave them, they’ll more than likely be either kidnapped or killed.”

The tent went silent for a moment as the five rangers knew the researchers would indeed suffer a sad fate should they leave them to their fates. Though with a clap of his hands Andre was the first to end the silence.

“I’m with Will and Lucas. I say we stay. No way I’m passing up one million, more so when all we have to face is a bunch of amateurs like those fucks.”

Dylan and Evan were the only ones to remain silent on the matter, though Evan just sighed and waved his hand. “Fine… if you’re all hell bent on this, I might as well join you guys, I mean who else would cover your asses?”

Dylan was the only one who just shook his head no, “Honestly I’m still not one-hundred percent about this whole thing. To be honest with you guys, I’m still not all into the idea of getting shot… I like the money, but is it really worth it?”

The other four looked at him for a moment then at each other, as if timed they all gave their mechanic the same answer, “Yes.”

Dylan blinked in surprise as they all gave the same answer, seemingly leaving him the only one who was still a fair bit afraid of what might happen. Though with a heavy sign of resignation he knew he couldn’t back out now, even if he wanted to, the door had long since closed.

“Fuck…” Snapping back upright, Dylan clapped his hands, “Alright, so, what’s the plan now then?”

“For now? Well, for now, I’d like all of you on high alert. Given what we now know, I’d say it’s safe to assume another attempt at kidnapping our colleges might occur.” William replied, his tone a little more measured than usual as he walked over towards the map.

Turning to face his friends once more, “Although with some changes, Andre and Dylan I want both of you to head up the entrance and see if you can set up some traps to welcome anymore… guests.” Both men nodded in reply before grabbing their kit and heading out.

“Sounds good.” Bull was first to reply as he pushed himself up from his spot and quickly began to make his way outside. “Really wishing I hadn’t quit smoking…”

As both the scout and mechanic vanished out of sight, William turned to Evan and Andre, “Evan, I need you on overwatch again, this time I want you to find a new location to set up… just to be double sure. Never know if they got out some sort of report.”

“Confirmed,” Andre said as he patted Evan’s shoulder.

As Evan stood up, he turned towards his brother as a question soon popped into his head, “So… if we’re all doing that, what’re you going to be doing?”

With a brow raised, William pointed his head towards the dig site. “I’ll be helping them with their work. I have some experience with archeology, so I’m hoping that another pair of hands and eyes might speed things along.”

“Ah, right, makes sense I suppose. Well, meet back here at seventeen hundred hours like usual?”

“Yup, I’ll see you guys then.”

And with that the five former rangers set off to conduct their day’s job, each of them committed to keeping themselves busy, lest their minds become plagued with thoughts of fear and doubt, more so in the case of Dylan who felt he would be in an uphill battle in keeping his motivation. After having been shot at, even if untrained, it did a great deal of mental damage, as he was the type of person who tended to be more of a homebody. After having left the military, he had learned just how much he hated the army, and how much he hated getting shot at, more so after having witnessed the deaths of two of his brother rangers. So, walking with Lucas through the jungle, his fingers absentmindedly played with the strap of his MK-18.

Lucas peered over, quickly noticing the nervous habit of his best friend. “What’s up, man? You seem a little off your game since the firefight.”

“Huh? Oh… yeah, sorry.”

Raising a brow, Lucas adjusted his weapon, “You know man… if you want to talk you know you have your brothers here for you.” Lucas said, trying to reassure Dylan.

Dylan looked over at Lucas, his words reminding him of who he was. He was angry now, not at Lucas or any of his brothers, rather he was angry at himself. He was the man who earned the nickname “Bull” during his time training to become a Ranger, and now… he wasn’t sure any of that, rather he was showing a doe, and he was damn well pissed off that he had lost that warrior spirit that drove him to become the brother everyone could rely on when things got tough. Slapping himself both mentally and physically, Dylan smiled.

“Thanks, man, but I’m good now. Just had to remind myself why I came here.”

“Oh? And what made you come?” Lucas asked curiously.

“Look after you lot. God knows you guys would have some sort of issue without me around to fix it.”

“Haha! Yeah, I suppose so."

Both men let out a small laugh as he continued on.

--

1730 hours

“Tired~” Dylan bemoaned as he collapsed onto his chair, as his bearded face hit the table.

Throwing off his tactical vest and plate carrier off to the side, Lucas chuckled in reply, “Same bro, same.”

William, covered in dirt turned to them with a smile, “You guys manage to set up the traps?”

Dylan just let out a moan of exhaustion in reply.

“Yeah, we’ve set up a lovely welcome for anyone not nice enough to at least call before visiting,” Lucas added with a small joke.

William nodded, “Good, good. Means we can at least sleep soundly now.”

Then, just as Will finished speaking both Andre and Evan walked in to join their friends around the table.

With a small sigh and stretch, Evan rested his M110 down with the rest of his kit. Andre did much the same after ensuring his weapon was empty and safe before resting it down on his own kit, his Ops-Core helmet being the last to come off.

Rubbing his shaved head, Andre picked up and opened up his canteen before taking a swig. “Pwah! God… its way to fucking hot out there man…”

“Also doesn’t help that we were constantly having to swat away all the bugs.” Evan said, adding to the complaint made by Andre.

Dylan turned over to look at his two friends, a weak smile soon creeping across his face. “Tyrone… Tyrone! I miss your afro… that glorious afro.”

Andre rolled his eyes as he chuckled, “You’re quite the racist, aren’t you shorty?”

“Only on Sundays, and sometimes on Tuesdays.” Dylan joked in reply.

“But it's Saturday today.” Eva pointed out with a small grin across his face.

Dylan shot him a non-serious glare, "Don’t fight me on this Evan!”

The group soon burst out into laughter as Dylan m\de his cries of protest. Though as the sun continued to fall under the jungle canopy, William found himself staring out towards the ruins. Noticing the lost in thought look of his friend Andre came walking up beside him patting him on the shoulder.

“What’s up bro?”

William was quickly shaken back to reality as he turned to see Andre. “Nothing just seems odd is all.”

Andre chuckled softly as he shook his head, “You’re telling me that you’re only getting this thought now?”

“No, no, I mean, it’s odd that none of the archeologists have come out from the ruins yet.”

Andre raised a brow before he too turned towards the ruins. “Shit…”

Without a second thought, both he and Andre quickly grabbed their MK-18’s. Andre quickly throwing over his plate carrier, while William just strapped his Ops-Core helmet on as they rushed towards the ancient city center. Dylan, Evan, and Lucas were next to gather their kit, Bull even going so far as to grab his shotgun in preparation for some CQC. As they all ran into the center of the ruins, each of them quickly went into fire ready stance. William peered over his shoulder towards Evan and Andre, giving them both the order to begin sweeping the left side for any signs of hostile or friendly contacts, while he had Lucas focus on the right side while he and Dylan would take the north. Bull rested his hand on Will’s shoulder, letting him know he was ready to move. Not wasting time the five friends began to make their sweep. An unsettling silence soon settling in as they began to make their checks.

As Will and Bull came walking towards the location the academics were located before, they both came to a halt by a nearby worn white wall, both men quickly checking each of their sectors before William peered around the right corner, his eyes scanning the area through his ACOG scope. Finding nothing he patted Dylan’s hip, before waving over towards the nearby tree. Dylan quickly understood as he twisted about, slowly moving towards the tree ten meters from his former position, knowing full well he was covered by Will whose eyes never left the forward sector. And as soon as Bull came to crouch behind the thick trunked tree, he angled himself just right so he had a good view of the area before suddenly he motioned for William to move up with his left hand, which was covered by his fingerless gloves. Pushing himself to his feet, William made his move, his weapon up and at the ready, as he came towards what looked like a temple entrance. The pointed archway entrance seemingly worn out, with overgrowth all around its surrounding walls, though by the look of the door it appeared as though someone had cut through the vines.

Raising a brow, William looked at the old temple entrance with some skepticism for a moment before standing, noting how the area seemed to be clear. “Alpha-one to all call signs, forward clear. Copy.” William reported to the others before keying his mic once more, “Report status on other sectors. Over.”

As he waited for the others to chime in, Dylan came walking up beside him. “Did you know about this door?” He asked as he scanned the doorway.

William shook his head, “No… wasn’t here when I was helping them excavate.”

Then, just as he was about to continue the three others quickly made their report. “Alpha-three here, nothing on our end, all’s quiet and peaceful here. Over.” Came Andre’s voice.

“Same here, all clear. Over.” Lucas was the final one to report in.

The former officer sighed in relief before he pressed his index finger against his ear piece. “Copy on all. Regroup at mine and Alpha-Four’s position. Out.”

Within moments the three other rangers quickly regrouped with Dylan and Will who were resting against, what they assumed was some sort of temple. “Hey.” William greeted the group with a small wave and smile.

Andre nodded as he walked up to his friends. “Fuck~” He cursed aloud with a small chuckle. “House clearing sucks almost as much dick as a POG.” Turning back at Lucas with a shit eating grin on his face.

Lucas just flipped him off, “Ha-ha-ha, fuck off.” Shaking his head with a laugh as he joined the others. “This the place you think they went into then I take it?” Lucas continued, pointing towards the open doorway.

William nodded, “More or less… Only other place I can think of them going.”

“You sure?” Andre added, hoping against the odds that they might need to do some building clearing.

Looking up at Andre, “hundred percent. Unless you guys saw some other building and or entrance as open as this one.” He replied before standing up and grabbing one of the nearby vines. “I mean, look at this. This wasn’t cut when I was here a few hours ago.”

Grabbing the vine from the Elder Anderson Andre examined it, knowing full well now that they were about to go house clearing. “Man…”

Dylan grinned. “Since you’re the one who bitched, I say you’re on point.”

Andre was about to protest before everyone nodded in agreement, with William all but cementing it as he rested his gloved hand on his shoulder. “Good luck.” William said as he gave him a thumbs up.

“Aww… fuck- No… Richardson, you know better.” He told himself before slapping his cheeks with his gloved hands. “Fine, I’ll take point, but only if Shorty has my six.”

Bull shrugged, “I’ll take it.”

William satisfied nodded, “sounds good. I’ll take the third spot. Evan, you're rear guard.”

Evan nodded, as he adjusted the strap of his M110. Within moments the five rangers quickly got into position. Once they were all ready, they quickly began to pat each other’s shoulder and or arm letting them know they were ready until they came up to Andre, who was the first to go in. His brown eyes scanning the front, while Dylan covered the right side, Will the left, Lucas the top… if there was one, and Evan the rear. Each of the five moved in an experienced and practiced pace, not stopping until they came to a corner.

As they came to the first corridor, Andre took to watching the left side, whilst Bull took the right, each quickly taking a crouched stance as they began to watch their sectors. William came up behind Andre, while Lucas came behind Dylan, with Evan stopping just behind his brother, his eyes still glued to the end of the hallway.

“Clear left!” Andre reported.

“Clear right!” Came next from Dylan.

“Rear still clear.” Evan then chimed in silently.

William quickly tapped Andre’s shoulder before suddenly his dark skinned friend stood up and began to move, while Dylan and Lucas covered the right flank, allowing for both William and Andre to scout up ahead. Once they came to the end of the left-hand corridor, they quickly saw the adjoined hallway was caved in, with overgrowth all around it. It was here they knew no one had gone this way. Quickly twisting around, Will signaled for Dylan and Lucas to move up, letting them know their hallway was clear.

With a small nod, Bull and Lucas quickly began to move on while William and Andre regrouped with Evan. Peering over the edge Dylan spotted more cleaved vines and branches. Turning back to Lucas who in turn signaled for the others to regroup on them. Within moments they once again took their positions, quickly going about clearing hallway after hallway.

“It’s like we’re in a fucking maze man…” Lucas observed, annoyance clearly evident in his tone.

“Yeah… and we’ve yet to run into our researchers yet.” Dylan added in a hushed tone.

But they were quickly silenced as they came to the end of the hallways, as their eyes came to rest on what looked like a torch lit opening. Pausing a moment the group began to take their places at either end of the hallway before coming to the open doorway. Andre and Bull both looked at each other, nodding they were ready before Will, Evan, and Lucas all tapped their shoulders letting them know they were ready to enter. And without a moment’s pause, the group quickly entered.

As they came into the room, the two groups quickly fanned out, with Dylan’s going left and Andre right.

“Clear left!” Lucas reported quickly as he and Dylan cleared their sectors.

Andre, William, and Evan quickly lowered their weapons as they came to see the entire team of OGL researchers and their boss look up at them. “Eyes on our researchers. They’re fine… save the small scare we just gave them.” William said before he began to walk down a thin stairway leading to another chamber below, which the OGL researchers were gathered in.

Erynn, with her hands held behind her back, gave a slight nod in greeting. “Glad to see you and your team, Anderson.”

Unslinging his carbine, William glared over at his employer, “Likewise, wasn’t sure if you lot ran into trouble or not while we weren’t looking.”

Waving her hand dismissively Erynn just chuckled, “As you can see, we’re perfectly fine. Though admittedly, your sudden appearance did give our people a bit of a scare.”

“Ah… yeah, sorry. Just doing our job.” William apologized, as he pulled his helmet off.

Though quickly pushing any other thoughts aside, he looked over at the new passageway the archeologists were looking over and examining. “So… what is this you guys are looking at?” William asked.

“Hmm?” Erynn hummed before her green eyes looked over at the large passageway. “Oh, that?”

“Yes, that.” Dylan chimed in as he came to sit on a nearby block of stone.

“That gentlemen, is the other part of your job.” She replied coly as she looked back at the former rangers.

“Aww fuck…” Dylan cursed.