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After the attack of the New World Order training facility, the action truly began. In an angered retaliation, The Phoenix destroyed a Croanian University. There was now considerable pressure on our government to end the situation before it turned to full warfare. We began running multiple ops a week. Our job was to get in fast and leave even faster. The Task Force was asked to be more versatile, more mobile, and above all else more deadly.

We rose to the challenge and defeated all odds and every obstacle the enemy through at us. In two weeks, I counter sniped three assassins at a presidential speech, we captured a weapons supply convoy, prevented the hijacking of four military aircraft, infiltrated and secured two rebel hideouts, and returned a town from rebel control. We moved from bunker to bunker, attacking where we were least expected and would have greatest impact on the enemy's plans.

I recalled our combat instructor telling us one day during training in his gruff voice, "You need to move faster than well lubricated lightning!" Now we were accomplishing that. Each mission was executed so swiftly that the rebels barely had time to react to what was going on. Each mission was over before any resistance could be mustered against us. We were victorious before the first shot was ever fired.

Stories of a ghost squad began moving throughout the NWO forces. Despite their leaders doing everything they could to maintain order, the fear was more and more noticeable each time we encountered them.

We were sitting in bunker echo after completing our most recent assignment of eliminating a New World Order fringe terrorist cell. As with the others, the plan had gone off without a hitch. The only snag was when a round from a poorly controlled machine gun clipped one of Trestan's wings. It had only hit flesh and cartilage though, no bones, muscles, or tendons. He was sitting in a chair, patching himself up, laughing about the whole experience with the rest of us.

"Did you see the look on his face?"

"Like a filly coming across a snake."

"I think if I was that scared of something, I wouldn't have been able to shoot strait either."

We had been clearing a bunkroom when a colt had jumped from cover shooting with a look of absolute terror on his face. The fool hadn't even aimed. It was no wonder he didn't hit anything. Needles to say, Trestan quickly took any thoughts of fear from the young rebels mind; along with a good sized chunk of brain matter.

The Phoenix was beginning to become enraged with our effectiveness at picking his organization apart. He had threatened both governments multiple times. These were empty threats however. The university bombing had brought the New World Order's true intentions to light for most of the world and many allies had pledged support in helping Croania deal with the rebel faction if any further attack was made on their country.

All in all, we had virtually defused the situation in the south. The Phoenix had been hit on multiple different fronts in our operations and if he retaliated, he'd have the armies of more than seven nations knocking on his front door. Word had come down from Dr. Hall and Hogan that soon, we'd be wrapping things up down here and returning to Center Seventeen, returning home.

With every solution though, always came more problems. As the violence here began to wind down, activity had picked up in the northwestern hemisphere. A group of religious extremists had begun to grow, gaining popularity and power in the poverty stricken region. I was sure that our time at Seventeen would be limited before we found ourselves soaking our fur in the hot, arid environment.

In the mean time however, I was looking forward to the prospect of a homecoming. I was enjoying the action down here immensely. It was the most fun I'd had in my life. We were true killers and these missions were our blood and sustenance. There was just something about the mountains in the Jardinian northeast and Center Seventeen which always wanted to pull us back. I missed the trainers, Dr. Hall, the ranges, Hogan, and vast training grounds. It would be good to back Province side. I pulled my thoughts away from home and returned the book I was reading.

Another which I had read so many times that I almost had it memorized. Though not the most exiting read for most, I found The Art of War to be very enlightening and its words could always focus my mind. The great eastern dragon general Sun Tzu had written it close to three millennia ago but it's translated text still ran true for modern combat.

I was interrupted by my earpiece signaling that the com was coming online. By the expressions on the other's faces, they had received the alert as well. I marked my place and sat up, walking over to the consol and switching on the power. My first sign that something was wrong was when, instead of Hogan greeting us as usual, Dr. Hall's face and torso appeared in the holograph.

"Good evening Ma'am."

"I need to run a quick codeword security check before we begin this conversation."

"Acknowledged."

"Codeword is Sandstorm."

"Response is Redwood."

What was going on? The connection was usually checked electronically.

"Good. How are things going down there?"

"Fine. Funny thing you should ask considering you probably have more intell on our accomplishments than we do."

Dr. Hall laughed. "Never one for small talk Kirian."

"Sorry ma'am. Long day and all that, you know."

"Yes, I do," she said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

Now it was my turn to laugh. Whatever he news was, it was going to be dramatic. I knew the doctor by now and she wouldn't be trying to lighten the mood if she wasn't about to tell us something we didn't want to hear.

"What's up Doc?" asked Tank. He must have picked up on it too.

"There's no fooling you guys is there. I made you too good at picking up details and counter intelligence."

Silence followed this remark. She sighed, accepting defeat in any attempt to ease the circumstances.

"Okay then. As you know the violence in the northwest is increasing. Our government is extremely worried about instability in that region. With several countries seeking atomic power, the extremists have made it a very volatile situation. I've fought and argued but I don't have control over the Special Assignments Team now that you've gone active. The powers in charge want to head off the situation out there, but they can't leave the job here unfinished."

She paused for a moment. I was beginning to understand what Dr. Hall was telling us, and I didn't like it. They couldn't do this to us. She continued speaking.

"I don't agree with this decision and niter does the general, but it's out of our hands now. I wish there was something I could do to reverse this, but I've pulled every string I can, made bribes, even threats. I'm not too popular amongst the Joint chiefs anymore."

I knew Dr. Hall had cared about us, but I never knew it was enough to stake her reputation on. I respected her more than ever, even though I hated what was going on.

"Ma'am, do they not understand how we function, how we came together, what made us who we are."

"I'm afraid not. As far as they're concerned, you're just another black ops team for them to play with and reorganize however they like. I never wanted this. I thought when I put the plans together five years ago the general and I would have the final say. I thought they were solid enough even to stand up against military politicians. I was wrong. I can't express how sorry I am that I allowed you to be put in this situation."

Trestan interrupted, "Excuse me but, what are you talking about."

I answered before Dr. Hall could, "They're going to break up the squad."

Perfect silence followed this comment. Dr. Hall took advantage of the pause in conversation to continue before anyone could react.

"He's right. Teague, Chris, William, you'll be returning to Center Seventeen to begin the northern operations. Kirian and Jessica, you'll stay here. Once the New World Order is no longer a threat, you will return and rejoin the others. We already have a series of missions lined up for both groups. I apologize. There was nothing I could do."

"I understand ma'am. Is there anything else?"

"No. A transport will be there within the hour to pick up Red Team."

"Understood."

I reached forward and clicked off the com. The bunker was silent for a full minute after the light of the holograph had faded.

"F'n A," Tank stated quietly before moving off to gather his equipment.

The others followed. I still couldn't believe what had happened. We had been together as a team since that first day of CBT when our names had been called and we fell into an awkward line behind Lewis. I knew I would see them again, but it felt wrong somehow. We had trained to fight as one, act as one, and succeed as one. Fucking arm chair commanders trying to direct a force in the field. What did they know?

We sat together, reminiscing from our time at the academy and training for two years under the mountain. I joked about the funeral, and Jessica laughed about the time she had been shot during the mission which had brought us to the Task Force. I was sure we would function just fine apart but it didn't make it better. We had spent every waking moment together for the past three years.

After they were gone, I stepped back into the bunker. I would have to just grit my teeth and get on. We had a mission to finish down here and nothing was going to stop me from doing that. "Don't allow your emotions to interfere." It was one of the first things we had been taught during training. I wasn't about to allow myself to break that rule now. I know the others wouldn't either.