Retrograde

Retrograde | Chapter 1

In astrological circles, it is said that when Mercury is in retrograde, chaos reigns.

Relationships break down.
People betray those they never thought they would.
Everything you thought you knew without a shadow of a doubt is proven false.

And for Serkan Bolat and Eda Yildiz, that's exactly what happened.

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2:07 am

A convoy of heavily armoured Humvees speeds down New York's I-495 W.

Controlled breathing and the collective click-clack of weaponry being rechecked are the only sounds within the moonlit cabin. The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta Force, known simply as "The Unit," is en route to their next mission.

The mission: recover nineteen terrified girls kidnapped by the notorious mafia outfit, The Piranhas.

The girls are mostly homeless, at-risk youth whom nobody thinks to miss. Easy prey for an organization that lives in the shadows. They recruit the women with promises of their own apartments and bright futures earned through an honest living. The grotesque reality is filthy mattresses and prostitution as they're trafficked through the Piranha-owned strip clubs and brothels across New York City.

Normally, these sorts of extractions don't require the special forces, but all U.S. federal agencies have been trying, unsuccessfully for years, to bring The Albatross and his Piranhas down.

It's time to bring in the big guns.

"The Unit" consists of six of the most skilled, the most physical, the most mentally calloused operators from across all eight national defence departments. Years of gruelling - borderline insane - selection processes, thousands of covert operations all led to this. A curated team of the most elite soldiers the military can provide.

The Humvee makes a sharp turn, and the newest member of The Unit, Alejandro Chavez, looks over at Captain. Serkan Bolat – asleep – his head resting on the window. Chavez casts his eyes back across the rest of the guys, all double and triple-checking their gear and weapons in preparation.

Seeing the confusion on the rookie's face, Lieutenant. Engin Sezgin leans in.

"What's that look for, kid?"

Chavez shakes his head as he examines Serkan's full combat gear, looking down at his own to make sure it looks exactly the same.

"How can he sleep like that!? We're about to walk into God knows what clusterfuck, and he's just chillin'! I'm just trying not to shit my pants!"

Engin smiles, taking a quick look at his best friend and laughs. "Well, mate, this is your first mission with us – if you didn't have some fear, I'd think you were being reckless."

"But...that's what 307 successful missions looks like." Engin continues, nodding in Serkan's direction and looking back at Chavez.

"308"

A deep voice breaks through the silence.

Engin and Chavez's attention snaps up to find Serkan looking directly at them as he continues.

"It's going to be 308 successful missions when we're finished this evening, Chavez." and Engin roars with laughter at Serkan's bold confidence.

"See, Chavez," Engin snorts, "All you need is to be the youngest Captain in special forces history, with some serious "Big Dick Energy" and you too can sleep like a baby before a mission"

Chavez loosens up, bearing a wide smile and nodding to himself.

Serkan smirks into an exhale and turns his attention out the window. He thinks back to his first mission, seven years ago. No amount of training ever really prepares you for what you'll encounter when your boots hit the ground. It's a soldier's ability to think on their feet that saves lives and salvages the original objective.