Operation: Bright Tablet

Finding Wamai

Denver's pov(two months later)
      I walked through the base doing an inspection of my division, the fight between Stryker and Jäger had happened a while ago but I was keeping the pressure on the team making sure they knew I wasn't going to ease up just because time had past. They stood tall and straight as I walked through the rooms and made sure everything was too my specifications until I came across Stryker's room. I walked around it hunting for the one thing that would allow me to put some more pressure on him, I saw a locker that had been left open and found what I was looking for. I called in Stryker and his roommate Rich, I asked "What the fuck is this?" As I lifted the p226, a weapon neither of them use for missions as Rich said "It's uh, it's a war trophy sir" I looked at him with narrowed eyes as I asked "what the fuck is it doing in this dorm?" He replied slowly "I uh, I took it from a mask commander sir. It's uh, ehh, I wanted to remember that mission" I said "what shift are you with?" Stryker replied "3 sir" I called Hunter in, she walked in gracefully regarding the two with respect but an air of coldness to her action as she asked "yes sir?"
      I replied "gather Shift 3 and get them to their posts, I don't want them off guard until morning. Let them know it's because Rich wants a war trophy" I saw her walk out and give the order as I said "get your gear and go." As I walked to the next room and continued my shake down. Once I was satisfied I gave the order for them to go about their business before calling "Hunter, Oxide. With me" as I began walking to the meeting I had been made aware of by Gates earlier today. We walked through the halls as I asked "how're you settling into your new positions?" I got a short curt response from Hunter "well enough" before Oxide said "it's kind of daunting, Raider and Basco did a really good job and it's hard to step into position" I replied simply "you aren't filling their shoes, they had their job, they failed to do it so they got replaced. Just as I will do with you two if you fail to keep the division under control, I allow a lot of freedom in this unit and when they decide to trample over it the freedom is revoked and they have to earn it again. Fighting is not acceptable"
      I opened the door and saw different team leaders from The 6-4 as well as Rainbow, I stood next to Bear, Thor and Athlete a few minutes of small talk later Grace walked in and she stood next to me as Harry started talking "we've gotten reconnaissance imagery from the USDOD showing Wamai and a large group of Nighthaven operators in the hills of Afghanistan along with a decent force of White mask. If you'd direct your attention to the wall, I'll have the images projected on" we looked over and saw them, two groups embracing as old friends. I saw the black circles labeled with each group as Harry said "they've set up what seems to be a training camp. We're going to storm it." I heard Grace ask "who's we?" As Harry spoke "All of us" as I looked at Gates and she squinted. I asked "how're we doing this?" He replied "Surround and destroy"
      I heard Thatcher "are you asking us to do a frontal assault on 100 enemy combatants?" Harry replied "no, I'm asking you to surround and massacre them" I spoke "this won't go over well with commands" Harry looked at me "Don't worry about the politics behind it, I will get the clearance. Get your groups ready to go." After everyone started filtering out I told Hunter and Oxide "Go get everyone ready, that includes shift 3, they can have their punishment another day." They walked out as did Thor and Athlete followed by Gates second and third. Gates said flatly "if you think you're having my men be the point of the spear on this assault you better rethink your plan" Harry said "No, that wasn't my plan. I'm having your PMC take the north, west and eastern side." I crossed my arms and said "why are you really making us take those flanks?" He said "intelligence says those are the most heavily defended areas, I don't feel comfortable putting so much weight on my operators when they're already on edge. If I can give them a slightly easier time while still getting the mission done, I will take that option"
      Bear stated "what makes you think we'll take this plan at face value?" Harry replied "hatred for Nighthaven" I commented "you're right, we do hate Nighthaven. But not enough to put our men in positions like that, you want us to assault over a mountain to come down the other side and help your team wipe out that many enemies." Harry replied with a sigh "I hate to say this but while my operators are good, they're not good enough to handle this mission without help." I sighed as I heard Hunter from the doorway "you're really going to abandon your friends, Grace? Because of this?" I went over what would happen if I let Erik and Grace try this mission without The 6-4's support and didn't like the outcome at all. I looked at Harry and said "if you get my division A-10 support for the duration of this mission, you'll have my guns." Harry brightened and said "I'll make sure you get your close air." I nodded before hearing Bear "Alright, I'm in." As Gates looked at the two of us before saying "you're comfortable sending your units into this?" I looked at her and saw her worry for her team.
      I replied "no, I'm not. But if it means that our friends here don't get massacred, I don't think we'd be able to call ourselves an honorable organization if we don't go" she sighed as I heard Bear "even if you don't go, my division will" I added on "mine as well" she sighed and asked "really forcing my hand aren't you?" I straightened and said "do what you will, you already know what my unit is doing." As I walked out and saw Hunter and Grace standing next to the door looking at me, I asked "can I do something for you? Hunter what did you want?" Hunter spoke "the teams are doing their gear checks and cleaning weapons, they'll be ready" I nodded as Grace asked "were you going to let us go in alone?" I looked at her and thought about it, would I? I know they're good operators but would I keep my unit out of the fight? I replied confidently "no, I wouldn't. Gates maybe, but not me. I told you already, The 6-4 has your back" she smiled before saying "that debate in this had me pretty worried"
      I gently punched her shoulder "come on, chin up. Cant believe you think I'd let you have all the fun" she nodded as she straightened and we started walking. I heard Gates "Denver" I turned and asked "what Gates?" She answered "be at my dorm by 20:00" I nodded as I turned and walked away with Grace and Hunter, I got dragged to Grace's dorm and saw 4 other operators from Rainbow there. I looked around the room and saw most of them in casual clothing, I seemed to be the only one in my combat gear. Then someone caught my attention "Taina Pereira" she looked up and at me and I saw the glint of recognition as she replied "Winters, when were you going to tell me you were here?" I heard Grace "you two know each other?" I replied "we did some operations in Brazil, ran into BOPE a couple times." Taina nodded before asking again "how long have you been here?" I replied "about 5 months, why?" She asked "and you didn't drop in and catch up?" I countered "I didn't know you were here" she scoffed as I heard Meghan "So why are you here?"
     I looked at Grace "Good question" as she said joyfully "well it's a game night and I know Denver doesn't do anything besides sit in his room and read so I thought I'd bring him here so he can do something with his night" I rubbed the back of my neck and asked "is that all you think I do?" She nodded as I got pushed on a chair and heard Jordan "Don't fight it she'll just make you do it" I sighed and heard Mark ask "so what're we playing tonight?" I leaned back and looked up at the ceiling before I heard "catch phrase" I asked "the fuck is that?" As Erik replied "a word or movie name comes up and you have to describe it to your partner without saying the words on the screen and before the timer goes off." I nodded and leaned back again as they tried to figure out teams. I was kinda looking forward to it but the meeting at Gates's room was taking up the majority of my mental processing power. I sat up when we started playing, it didn't sound as hard as it was to actually walk our teammate to the answer.
       At 19:45 I had to bid the group fair well and start heading to Gates's room before Grace stepped out and said "can I talk to you for a minute?" I looked at her in interest as I stopped and said "we have to make it quick" she sighed and said "thank you, for actually putting an effort in instead of not. I know you didn't want to be here" I looked down and said "it's not that I didn't want to be here, it was fun and nice to spend some time with people outside of you, Erik and my unit. It's just this meeting I'm heading to" she looked up at me and asked "you sure?" I poked her forehead as I passed "yes" and I heard her door open as I walked away. I mentally berated myself, I can't be growing attached to her. After this contract who knows where I'll be going, I can't love her, it wouldn't work. I'd be sent away and she'd still be here. I sighed audibly before hearing Bear "You look down my friend" I straightened and looked at him "I'm fine" he stepped closer "we've been brothers for years, I know somethings bothering you"
      I looked at him and replied "just some... emotional turmoil. That's all" he glanced behind us before saying "do you want to let me in or?" I replied curtly "no, I'll be fine" he nodded as we walked and headed to Gates. I asked "any idea what this meetings about?" He suggested "maybe the operation tomorrow?" I nodded since it made sense as we reached the door. I stepped to the side as Bear opened and walked in, I followed him in and saw Gates sitting at her table. We sat down as Gates put down her Tea cup, she said "I don't want to do the mission tomorrow." I scoffed as Bear pointed out "we already told you, you don't have to go but we will" she replied "I can easily order you to stay" I answered back calmly "I can easily disobey that order" she replied "your divisions will stay at this base tomorrow." I leaned forward and said "you forget my division is loyal to me and me alone. Try this again Gates" she narrowed her eyes and stood leaning on the table speaking forcefully "I'm the one who writes the checks, I'm the one who gets the contracts, I'm the one with the connections. I made this company what it is!"
       I stood and gripped the table "I don't give a shit what you did, I already told you. My Men Are Going!" Bear scooted back from the table as Gates yelled "no they won't! This mission is too dangerous! I'm not losing 2/3 of my company because you want to protect your friend!" I picked up the table and threw it yelling "To hell with your company! I joined this unit because it was an honorable place that did the right thing! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU GATES?!" She recoiled at my stunt of throwing the table before hissing "if you go on this mission I will fire you" I narrowed my eyes and said "do it, I'm going. Be ready to fire 2/3 of your company" Bear stood and said "if you fire him, I'm going with him. You've changed Gates, you're not who you used to be." She recoiled at the treachery before looking down "you can go if you want, but I won't" I scoffed and commented "fucking typical, preach your achievements and then when it comes time to honor those words you fold."
       I saw her eyes well with tears as Bear and I both sided with our word and agreements then her, I nodded and said "I'll turn in my patches after the mission. You can hire on more people, I don't give a shit. You're not the Gates I know" I looked down as I turned and stormed out, I heard Bear trying to get her to come around as I walked down to Harry's office. I walked in and saw him jump at the sudden intrusion before he asked "Ah Mr Winters, what can I do for you?" I asked simply "If I got fired from The 6-4 would I be offered a position at Team Rainbow?" He looked confused but nodded "yes, I would offer you a job. I think it's be a waste to lose your experience" I nodded and replied "alright" as I went to leave and he asked "Is there a reason for this question?" I replied knowing it was a lie "no, just wondering" as I walked out and went to go make sure my division would still be going.