Blood in the Sand

It has been several weeks since Roman and his friends were rescued from the war torn country of Yemen and brought to the S.S Hammerhead. Throughout the several weeks Roman, Rainbow, and Baxter all worked hard on the reformation of Rhino Company more importantly scouting members for his new detachment. Ivory Squad this squad was comprised of ten of the best marines the U.S.M.C had to offer and in know time Roman had them exercising and running drill after drill. They hated Roman at first after all he was working them to the bone and he was relentless as a drill sergeant. However rumors about Roman, Rainbow, and Baxter began to spread around the ship and soon after everyone knew what those three souls had to endure just to survive. Needless to say Ivory Squad soon began to warm up to Roman after all he wasn’t being mean on purpose all he wanted was to make sure his men were strong enough to survive so he doesn't have to suffer through what happened to Applejack and Rhino Company ever again.

Roman still has nightmares about that night. a few days after returning from Yemen Roman began to have horrible night terrors  were he would relive the horrifying incident over and over. Some nights he would wake up screaming Applejacks name only to look around and begin to cry. Make no mistake Roman would always appear tough on the outside but inside he was suffering more than anyone. Rainbow was faring a little better sure she missed Applejack dearly and she was tore up about the whole incident, but seeing Roman suffer night after night hurt her even more. As for baxter well Baxter always tried his best to be there for his two friends every chance he got.

After two months of reformation on the ship Ivory Squad was ready and willing to go to war, All that was left was locating Tahir and taking him down. Using some of the resources on the ship Roman was able to gather intel on a certain person with ties to Tahir and Prometheus. His name was Vladimir Petrov and he was a contract killer working for Tahir more importantly him and Tahir were close as they served in the military together several years back. If anyone knew Tahir's location it was Vladimir and Roman had a very important meeting with the Russian. So He, Rainbow, Baxter, and the rest of Ivory Squad began to formulate a plan. After weeks of simulation after simulation the operation was memorized and perfected all that was left now was a little speech before they gear up and ship out for Moscow.

“Alright listen up ladies and gentlemen this here is our target Vladimir Petrov.” Roman said pulling up a picture of the man. “He is ex KGB and is highly dangerous so this operation must be executed with precision and perfection. We can not afford to make any mistakes here people. We have all ran the simulation several time and I believe you warriors are ready. Roman pulls up a map of a compound near the outskirts of Moscow. “This compound here is where Vladimir is held up, we believe that he is planning on assassinating several high value targets from several countries including the United States. Our mission is to go in from the basement and neutralize all hostiles before making our way to the tower were Vladimir is held up. Remember people this will be a stealth mission so the ten of you will be split up into two man fireteams and attack random points in the compound. Remember that stealth is your weapon here people. Now onto gear, Everyone will be outfitted with Night vision goggle, M4A1’s with laser sights and suppressors along with ACOG scopes, two thirty round mags, and a M9 with suppressor and laser sights, as well as smoke grenades and flash bangs. People this is the turning point success here means we are closer to avenging those we lost in Yemen and everywhere we encountered these Prometheus bastards. So tonight I want everyone to get a good meal in there stomach and get lots of sleep tonight we meet on the deck at O’Six hundred. You're dismissed everyone.” Roman stepped down off of the platform and began to walk to his quarters. He figured one last conversation with Sunset would steady his nerves for tomorrow.

After the first call with Sunset and after breaking the hard news to everyone Roman spent all the downtime he could talking to Sunset. It was really the only thing we could do to make the screaming and the flashbacks stop whenever he talked to Sunset nothing fazed him he was in a trance of his own creation that no one could break im of. No one ever tried to break him out of it Rainbow wouldn’t let anyone near him and Baxter just sat there perplexed at how calm and carefree his commanding officer was despite all that had happened. After taking a shower and grabbing some food from the mess hall Roman sat down in front of the terminal and sent Sunset a message after a few minutes they were video chatting like normal people.

“Hey baby, how is your eye doing?” Sunset asked sitting on the couch and drinking some wine.

“Well my eye is permanently shot the shrapnel damaged it too much for it to be recovered but since I lost it my other eye along with my other senses have strengthened enough to compensate for the loss.” He said pulling up his eyepatch and showing her his eye.

“Well that's good. Ya know Roman we have been dating for a while now and I have just one question for you.” she says slightly blushing.

“What is it Sunset?” Roman said feeling his heart race.

“Well I know it's usually the guy that does this but what the hell. Roman I love you more then anything and I want us to be together forever.” She pauses before taking a deep breathe before Roman cuts her off and beats her to the punch.

“Sunset will you marry me?” a silence falls across the room as Sunset smiles tears in her eyes.

“Yes of course I will. I’d want nothing more.” she says jumping up and down in excitement. Roman gets her attention.

“Tomorrow I’m shipping out for Moscow with my new squad. They were trained a lot more than Rhino Company so the mission has a ninety five percent success rate. That means that Finding our last two targets and ending this war will be easy and before you know it I’ll be running off that boat right into your arms. Then we can finalize everything and I can even buy the rings for us.” He said with a genuine smile on his face.

“Promise?” Sunset said puffing out her lip and making an irresistible puppy dog face.

Roman looks for a few as he feels his heart explode from cuteness overload. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” he said knowing that you can never break a Pinkie promise. Roman and Sunset talked throughout the night she even Flashed him here in there just to make him happy. She also sent over a photo of her in a short dress with one strap down over her shoulder and a seductive look with caption “Keep this on you at all times sweetie XOXO” Roman quickly printed it onto heavy duty photo paper before putting it with his picture of him and his friends. The two lovers kissed each other's screens before heading off to bed. For the first time in months Roman was able to sleep peacefully through the night.

The next morning everyone was waiting in front of the AC-130 waiting for Roman to show up. After a few minutes Roman comes out fully geared up and ready as he climbs into the plane. After a short rundown and review of the plan everyone piled in and buckled in with there gear beside them and there parachutes primed and ready.

“Alright men it's time get buckled in and get cozy we got a couple hours before we hit the dropzone.” Roman said sitting next to rainbow and strapping in as the entire squad looked at him and saluted.

“Sir yes sir.” they all shouted in unison. Everyone lays back and quickly gets some more shut eye during the long trip. Several hours go by as the red light turns on and buzzes.

“Alright everyone it’s show time everybody strap into your partner and get ready to jump.” Roman counts down as everyone runs out of the plan and jumps into the air as they free fall a few feet before popping their chutes and landing in a forest clearing before detaching there chutes and readying their gear. “All right here is the deal. We have about three hundred feet between us and the compound so Rainbow you and me will take the front, baxter I want you and Ramirez to take the south end of the compound. Team three you have the west team four you have the east and team five I want you and your snipers on that ridge to provide covering fire along with taking out any stragglers. Remember everyone kill them all and leave none alive Pertov is our only priority.” Roman and rainbow begin heading out as the other teams get into position using short wave radios they easily keep in contact as they make there way through the compound clearing floor after floor. Rainbow and Roman stop at a floor with four hostiles guarding a door.

“What do we do. There is no way we can take out all four without being noticed.” Rainbow says scoping them out through her sight.

“Leave that to me just make sure you cover me.” Roman says pulling out his knife and sneaking to a corner where he gets a clear sight of all four of them. Roman runs up slamming the knife into one guys eye as he steals his gun and use the other guy as shield. Her fires at the other three hitting two in the head as he pulls out the knife running up to the final guy stabbing him four times in the chest before slamming the knife into the guy's jaw. Romans grabs the guys head and slams it into the wall  pushing the knife deeper into his jaw and the man falls to the ground and Rainbow moves up leaning against the door.

“OK Petrov is behind this door on the count of three we kick it in and take out anyone in there. Remember Petrov can’t get hit.” Rainbow nods at him and she readies her weapon. “Three, two, one.” Roman kicks open the door as they take out the three armed guards and running inside Roman grabs Petrov punches him in the face and zip ties his hands together and they tie him to a nearby chair.

“Ok Vladimir you're gonna spill everything you have on Tahir or I swear to god I will splatter your brains across the floor.” Roman says pointing a unloaded gun to his head as a way to mentally mess with Petrov.

“I tell you nothing.” he said spitting blood onto Roman's face. Roman punches him several more times. Petrov laughs. “Is that all you got.” Roman pulls out his knife and slams it into the middle of Petrovs and and he twists it in circles as he screams in pain.

“Hurts doesn't it you piece of worthless trash now tell me what you know about Tahir.” Roman says again twisting the knife more. Petrov screams more but remains silent before baxter contacts Roman over his walkie.

“Hey Roman we got a little girl down here says she is Petrovs daughter.” Hearing this Petrov widens his eyes and yells.

“Don’t you dare touch her you American pig.” Roman gets an evil smirk on his face.

“Baxter bring the girl up here to my location. I think we found a way to break this Slovic piece of shit.” Roman and Rainbow leave the room as petrv sits there still tied up.

“Roman you're not gonna hurt the little girl are you?” Rainbow said in a concerned tone.

“God no rainbow I may hate Prometheus with a burning passion but I’m not about to hurt a child.” After a few minutes of waiting Baxter brings the little girl to Roman and he bends down on his knee. “Hello sweetie do you speak english?” Roman asked softly

“Yes...sir.” the girl said in a scared tone. “Is my daddy ok?” she said looking at the door.

“Yes your daddy is just fine, thing is daddy has information about a very bad man. This man hurt millions of people including children like you. We were politely asking your daddy if he could tell us but he is very stubborn. Do you think you can help us out so your daddy can get out safely?” the little girl nods  as Roman guides her to the door.

“Daddy you have to tell them about the bad man. There just trying to help daddy they said if you tell them where the bad man is then they will let you go.” Roman walks up behind her.

“You heard your daughter Petrov now tell us everything you know about Saleel Tahir.” Roman says in a loud voice. “C’mon Petrov don’t make us resort to plan B.” Roman says cocking a handgun loud enough for the little gear to hear and for Petrov to also hear.

“You monsters you would shoot an innocent little girl?” Petrov said sounding very angry. Roman puts the gun to her head as she shrieks in terror.

“Keep giving us the stupid act and I guess you’ll find out won’t you.” Everyone I want you all to get to the extraction point tell command the mission was a success.” Roman said winking to Rainbow. She knew that was a wink of trust it was also a wink that said “You don’t wanna see this.” After several minutes of soft arguing Rainbow and the others left as Roman kept the gun to the girls head and walked into the room closing the door. Baxter runs up to Rainbow as they  begin to talk.

“You don’t think he is actually gonna kill the little girl do you?” Baxter said worried for his commander's mental state. “Cause frankly after everything he has seen I think he would do it.” Rainbow looks back at the door and then back to Baxter.

“I don’t know I’m conflicted. On one hand that man in there is responsible for the loss of one hundred and ninety dead soldiers including our friend so I’m all for getting intel by whatever means necessary. But I’m also worried because if he does do it then we won’t be the same Roman I grew up with.” Rainbow says pulling out the picture from their graduation night.

“It’s very simple tell me what you know about Tahir. I’m getting tired of repeating myself and I may be so inclined to splatter your daughter brains all over you, if you continue to piss me off so spill it.” He says pulling back the hammer of the gun. As the little girl screams and cries for her daddy. Finally reaching his limit Petrov breaks down into tears.

“Alright I’ll tell you everything just please don't hurt my little Sasha. He steels his nerves. “Tahir is held up in a heavily guarded base in the middle of the Sahara Desert. He plans on launching several nukes at key countries including the United States.” He says pointing to folders and maps on the table to his right.

“Why is Tahir doing this?” Roman yelled pushing the gun into the girl's head making her scream more.

“He wants to get revenge for the death of his brothe. His brother was killed by U.S forces back in Nigeria during a airport assault. All his intel and coordinates are on that table over there now please release me and my daughter. Have mercy please.” Petrov said.

“Ya know it's funny a few minutes ago you were this stone cold terrorist who stared death in the face and even spit blood at the man who had a gun to his head. Yet the minute we kidnap your daughter you turn into a sniveling coward. Granted I understand where you're coming from i to have people I protect with my life and care deeply for them. Tell me who ordered that ambush on the abandoned village in Yemen?” Petrov looks at his daughter.

“It was me and Tahir. when he found out that the ones responsible for his brothers death here in Yemen he had me formulate a plan to wipe you all out. It appears we failed.” he said laughing slightly at his mistakes. “It’s funny how power can make us do evil things.”

“Ya it is, ya know in that ambush I lost a lot of good men and women. I also lost my closest friend and my other friend was severely wounded. Do you know the pain in having to drag your friend's corpse out from under rubble and have to bury her in some fucking shithole of a country.” Roman begins ti get flashbacks. “Do you know the pain in having to tell you friends that you all won’t be coming home, let alone having to tell one hundred and ninety families that they have lost someone close to them. No you don’t cause you and your daughter were safe under the wings of a damned murderer. So mister petrov tell me who exactly have you lost in this war?” Starting feel scared for his daughter Petrov panics. Before sinking his head in sadness.

“None.” Roman smirks gun still to his daughter's head.

“Just what I wanted to here.” Roman says before firing a round into the back of Sasha's head splattering blood and brain all over Petrov. The man screams and jerks in anger.

“You son of a bitch she was just a little girl have you no sympathy or mercy. Sasha oh my god Sasha no.” Petrov begin to cry heavily and curse Roman out before he walks over to Petrov and firing two rounds into both his legs.

“Now you can feel what it's like to lose someone close to you. Hurts doesn’t it knowing your only loved one is dead before you and there was nothing you could do to stop it. Feel that helplessness feel all your hope draining away. Now you to know my pain.” Roman kicks his chair to the ground before he takes a bottle of vodka of of the table. He rips off a chunk of Petrovs shirt and stuffs it into the bottle and he lights it. “Now that you’ve lost everything enjoy burning in hell.” Roman collects every bit of intel before laying Sahas body on top of Petrov so he can look at the face of his dead daughter as he burns. Roman throws the bottle at Petrov as it shatter covering the two people in fire he walks away the screams of Petrov burning alive fill his ears. Rainbow runs up the stairs.

“Roman we heard the gunshot what hapen-.” Rainbow is cut off as she looks at the room at the end of the all as she hears petrov screaming his daughter's name and she looks at Roman in horror. “Roman you didn’t.” he looks at her and puts his hand on her head.

“Don’t worry the child's death was quick unlike her father she deserved mercy and I wasn’t gonna let her grow up fatherless plus i wanted him to know the feeling of seeing everything he loved being taken away from him and not being able to stop it. This way seemed more fitting. Now c’mon I have tahir’s location along with his plans. We're gonna need a lot of artillery and firepower for this.” Rainbow tears up. “I didn’t enjoy killing her Rainbow if that's what you're thinking. That is is now just another casualty of war that's gonna haunt me the rest of my life. Now gear up we gotta go back the the Hammerhead then after a few hours of rest it's off to the Sahara Desert so we can finish this once and for all.” Roman takes his rifle as they all make a break for the evac point just in time to be pickup by the chopper. One thing was certain this was all about to come to a very bloody end.