Infernus Saltus

Chapter One: Homecoming.

I looked at the dusty door. The Special Forces HQ in Nevada. It was an old presidential bunker but was refitted for the Special Forces. I opened the smaller door to the HQ and walked in, closing the door behind me. I walked by and was saluted by the lesser ranks, me being a Lieutenant First Class, and walked to the hydraulic lift to get to the lower levels. I got on and picked the second last floor, there being 17 floors. With Command being on floor 16. I slowly descended and waited for the door to open. When it did I stepped put to be greeted by my superior, Major General Thomas Loan.

“Hello Lieutenant Roland,” he said calling me by my rank and last name, as he usually did, my first name being James.

“Good morning Sir,” I smiled. “How’s the wife?”

“Sabrina’s fine, how are you?” He said.

“I’m good sir. So what do you need? A mission?” I said.

“No. I’m sorry to say it’s much worse. For you and me anyways. The Special Forces are… in a nutshell, firing you. I’m sorry.” Thomas said sadly.

“What?! But… Why?” I said.

“You’re not the only one either. The Special Forces are being shut down to make a new Elite force. Super Soldiers if you would.”

“But I’m one of the best! I’ve worked myself to the bone to get here!” I said getting upset.

“I know but command says it has to be. Maybe you can go back home.” He said.

“I need this! War and fighting is all I know!”

“I know James. But it’s not my decision to make.” He said, a saddened look on his face.

“I’m sorry about this James” he said looking as if he just kicked a puppy.

“Don’t worry Sir. I’ll be fine… Yeah you’re right, I could go home now. See the family” I said looking better, though my heart was a different story.

“Sorry old friend.”

“As long as we can keep in touch I’ll forgive you.” I said with a smirk.

He laughed. “Of course!”

I smiled.

“Can I keep my weapons?”

“I-I don’t know… your knife probably. But I doubt your AUG would be given to you.”

“Darn. Ah well.”

I hugged him and put down my AUG HBAR. I signed the needed papers. I smiled and walked out of the base, but not before saying “See you later” as I was one who believed that saying goodbye means you’ll never see them again.

I walked into the barracks. I changed into my normal clothes and backpack. Putting my knife, a twelve inch trench knife, and its sheath into my backpack. I walked out of the Barracks. I asked the guard where the pickup is.

He pointed towards a building with a Heli-Pad on it, with a Boeing CH-47 Chinook docked on it. I opened the door nodding to the Corporal. I walk up the stairs and get into the Chinook. I ask the pilot to take me to the Military Head-Quarters in Washington. The Pilot starts the Chinook up and takes off.

We land in the Washington HQ about five hours later. I get out of the Helicopter and stretch my legs, having them fallen asleep an hour prior. I thank him and walk into the Parking grounds.

“Hello, what are you here for sir?” says the Guard.

I show him my ID and he lets me in.

“Which is yours?” he said.

“The Pontiac GTO,” I grin.

“Ah, that’s been there for some time now.”

“Yep, I’ve been in Nevada at the Special Forces.”

“Well! Good job getting in, I tried and didn’t make it” he said frowning.

“Oh, sorry to hear that. I’ll have to drop your name Mr…?”

“John Heller.”

“John then, anyway, can you help me find my car?”

“Of course”

He led me to my old 1966, aqua blue, Pontiac GTO. I thanked him.

“This is a nice car,” he said.

“Thanks, I got it from my dad after he died and I got my license.”

“Oh I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be. You didn’t do it, so why should you?”

“I know, but it’s nice to say something”

“Thank you for that, well I’ve got to go.”

I get in and try and start it. To my immense surprise it starts up.

I drive out and drive to the highway. Rocketing down the highway I reach my old house and find no one there.

I go to the neighbors and ask where April is.

“She’s at a family reunion”

“Well that works just fine.” I mutter “Could you tell me where please?”

“Washington.”

“Okay, where in Washington?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“It’s about her son.”

“What happened? Is he dead?” he said eyes widening.

“Yes, now, could you please tell me where it is?”

He tells me the location and I thank him. I get in my car, driving back to Washington and then to the location of the reunion.

I grab my military Uniform and sneak in changing in the bathroom. Before Walking out and into the main room, it being filled with my family. I look around and find my mom near the front. I walk towards the woman who I haven’t seen in 15 years.

“Mrs. Roland. James’s mother?” I said.

“Y-Yes?” She said.

I pass her my dog tags. And say I’m sorry for her loss, before Saluting which she doesn’t return because at this point she is sobbing.

“I served with James and he told me to give you this.” I said setting the note on the table beside her.

I salute again and walk out. Getting in the GTO I drive to a hotel. I had a decent amount of money saved up from my service in the Special Forces. I rented a room for the night and stayed up until 11:00 PM, before going to bed.

When I got up I got in my GTO and drove to a gun shop, I look at what was inside. I found two guns that captured my interest. I purchased the guns and enough ammo to fill seven mags and extra in my backpack. I took the Colt M1911 and the AUG HBAR and walked out of the gun shop with $20,000 less. I got in my car and went back to the hotel, stashing the guns in my trunk before having lunch and going to a shop that sells military supplies. I bought MREs and body armor as well as a full helmet with a gas mask and NV and IR goggles

I got back in my car, and drove to the gym, I worked out for five hours until supper time, showering and driving to a restaurant, where I saw an old friend. My lip twitched as I sat down at the bar. I ordered a Mike’s Lemonade and a burger with fries and ate in silence. I finished and got up, paid and left, going back to the hotel. As I was driving I saw a Kung Fu shop.

I entered the shop and asked the man if he had a liúxīng chuí. He smiled and went to the back of the shop. What he brought back was a meteor hammer. I paid $2000 for it and left.

I got back and paid for another night before falling asleep.