Chapter 1 - Nighthawk Squad

New York, Manhattan
Post Office - NY JTF Base of Operations

Security Wing

Roy Benitez ended the connection to the White House and sat back in his chair with a sigh of exhaustion. It had been nearly six months since The Division's Second Wave deployed to Manhattan. And since then, Manhattan had changed significantly.

The Post Office now featured a refugee camp and fortifications akin to the LMB at the UN, with the JTF receiving major upgrades in gear, training, and tactics. Before this, the JTF in Manhattan had no specialized units or training, and low-grade arms and armor.

Now, teams of JTF were taking on what remained of the Factions and winning, alongside K9 units, support gunners, field medics, the list went on. Even better was the now-restored SHD Network sending out a call for any surviving First Wave Agents to return to the Base of Operations. If so, their rogue status would be cleared in exchange for a oath of allegiance and continued loyalty to the US Government.

It was dubious at best if it would work at first, but surprisingly, three teams of MIA First Wave Agents returned and rejoined The Division as combat trainers and operations support. Even Paul Rhodes, still cynical as ever, but a bit more optimistic, felt good about the Division retaking and stabilizing Manhattan.

Then Manny Ortega brought them back to reality with his report of a possible fix on Aaron Keener and Vitaly Tchernenko. The two of them were top-priority targets for The Division, and despite new measures taken to find them, the pair was considered lost...until now.

Benitez flipped the intercom switch and spoke into the microphone.

"All SHD Agents, this is Captain Benitez. I need all available teams in the briefing room for a crucial operation. Again, all SHD Agents report to the Briefing Room. Benitez out."

====

As the Agents of the Second Wave settled down in the Break Room, Benitez came in, followed by a recovered Faye Lau. A few months off of her crutches, she had a slight limp as a consequence of her hurried recovery. But now, she was an official Division Coordinator, instead of acting commander.

"We've got a problem outside New York." Faye spoke. "I've received intel from the Division Coordinator in Washington DC. They believe that Keener and Tchernenko are there now, or on their way."

The assembled agents murmured among themselves as Benitez continued.

"We all know what Keener's done ever since the UN." he spoke. "We need to find the bastard and put a bullet in him, not to mention rescue his russian pal. We would send every Agent we could, but DC right now, to say the least, is perdition to everyone who goes there."

"There's four new factions, with weapons, armor, and equipment we've never seen before." Faye said, lowering her brow. "We believe that even veteran Agents would be overwhelmed in just a few minutes of combat with these guys."

"Which is why we've already chosen who'll be going." Benitez said. "You might know them as Nighthawk Squad. They'll be shipping out in a few hours with a JTF convoy in order to reach DC. When we can, we'll follow up with reinforcements. Until then, we focus our efforts here in Manhattan to continue reclamation efforts. Am I clear?"

The assembled agents replied in the affirmative as they began to retrieve their gear. Lau motioned to the armory, where four SHD Agents wearing urban clothing were checking their weapons and SHD Tech.

====

"We all set?" asked Ethan Harris, the Leader of Nighthawk team, as he fitted his Ballistic Vest with newly-acquired SHD-Grade plating.

"Affirmative." Kyrie Johnston replied, sliding a 552 Holosight onto her 870 Combat Shotgun. "So, Washington DC. What can we expect?"

"A city on the brink of total collapse, three factions we've never seen before, and a helluva car ride ahead of us." Leo Vance said, mounting a MK 32 Grenade Launcher onto his rucksack. "We'll have to swing through Massachusetts in order to reach DC."

"Why's that?" asked the team's newest member, Thomas Delworth.

"Because most major highways are blocked, flooded with stops, or both." Ethan replied. "We'll be taking a few back roads on our way to DC, but some of the best of the JTF are coming with us. Not NYPD or National Guard, but army veterans. Plus, we've been given new SHD Tech to go with us. Not much better than that, in my opinion."

Ethan gestured to the new equipment lying on an SHD crate. Apart from the new model Turret and Seeker Mines, the Manhattan-model skills were being left behind. Their new equipment included the Hive, being equipped with explosive drones, Chem Launchers, combat and medical drones, a new-model Ballistic Shield, a new Pulse Grenade, and their newest piece of gear, the Firefly robot, which could blind enemies with streams of light more powerful than a flashbang grenade.

"So, any intel on our factions?" Thomas asked.

"The usual suspects." Ethan said. "Scavengers called the Hyenas, quarantine survivors known as the Outcasts, rogue military going by the True Sons, and apparently rumors about some security contractor. Not much more than that, other than they're reportedly known as Black Tusk, and they're the best of the best."

"Best of the best?" Leo said, smiling. "We'll see about that. Let's get a move on, Agents. Our rides leave in thirty minutes."

====

As the JTF convoy headed for the now-cleared and maintained Brooklyn Bridge, Ethan peered out the window at the Manhattan skyline, almost as if wanting to say goodbye to the city he fought so hard to protect.

As he settled back into his seat and put his last working pair of headphones in, he turned on his Ipod and began to relax. The drive to DC would take at least seven hours, and with who-knows-what waiting outside the Manhattan Quarantine, he figured it was now or never.

"Hey, Ethan?" Thomas asked as Ethan lifted his headphones. "What do you think we'll do first when we get to DC?"

"The first thing we always do." Ethan replied. "Establish a Base of Operations, secure a perimeter, and then do what we do best."

"And what might that be?" the rookie SHD agent asked again.

"Protect what remains." Ethan smiled. "You should get some rest, Thomas. We've got a helluva drive ahead of us to reach the capital."

"Roger that."

As the four agents began to doze off, the JTF convoy exited the cleared Brooklyn Bridge and began the drive to Washington DC, and the White House.

Author's Note

So, this took forever to get out. I've been busy, but more frequent updates are coming.

Next time - The JTF reach Canter City, and must defend the ruined town alongside the Equestrians from a group of violent scavengers. And in DC, Sunset speaks with Manny Ortega.

EDIT - Changed names again.