Viper: The Official Remaster

Chapter 3: Ice Queen

The helicopter ride was quiet, the three new passengers far too exhausted to partake in any notion apart from sleeping. Tachanka, the Russian operator, spoke quietly to Fuze for the first third of the trip, the two bleeding their language to their native tongue while giving the occasional glance to Ryker.

Nøkk was predictably nowhere to be found, to Ryker's subtle relief. He'd thoroughly misjudged the woman, but at least he was alive to make amends in the near future. Vixen would've killed him had Nøkk not shown when she did. She'd even slipped him her radio during their walk back in case they were separated on their way to the chopper.

Hibana and Thatcher both were passed out; the Englishman had humorously cranked his head back, snoring loud enough to rattle the chopper.

Ryker sat still, preemptively disassembling the M9 he'd been given and folding it into the belt that holstered his knives. He turned, hovering his gaze over the beaten operators. They had a rough several days ahead of them. Debriefing followed by therapy, then more debriefing.

Ela's head was back as well. The woman was definitely not asleep but instead elected to keep her eyes shut. Her bottom lip had swelled and her neck had blackened, the blows she'd taken from Ryker definitely showing as she meditated through the pain. By no coincidence, Elżbieta spoke, just loud enough for him to hear over the hum of the bird.

Ela: I know you're staring, White Mask.

Ryker exhaled, leaning forward and calmly responding.

Viper: Assessing your injuries.

Her head position didn't change.

Ela: The ones you gave me.

Viper: The ones I gave you to-

Elżbieta's eyes remained closed as she offered an exhausted smile.

Ela: I'm giving you shit. These guys would've killed you already if you were a threat.

Ryker blinked at the unexpected jest as Fuze quipped in, taking off his demolition mask and revealing a short beard and buzzcut.

Fuze: He is a threat, Ela. The Mask has a bite to his bark... Wait, how does that saying go?

Several groans filled the bay of the chopper as Fuze continued to incorrectly guess the idiom. The remainder of the helicopter ride held the same atmosphere, being relaxing enough that even Ryker was able to put his head back, matching the form of the rest of the operators.

The jolt of the chopper starting to land shot everyone awake, the pilot opting to land in the middle of the courtyard of the base Ryker had been transported to. There, several operators alongside Six stood, eagerly awaiting the company as the door to the chopper slid open. Ryker leaned forward, putting his elbows to his knees, and stayed seated until everyone had exited.

Relieved cheers and small claps carried into the helicopter, predictably stopping as Ryker hopped out. His eyes carried from Six to the two operators guarding him. Their body language betrayed their calm, each of them practically chomping at the bit to raise their rifles. Amusingly to their dismay, Six stepped forward, once again counting the heads of each of the operators, then surprisingly offering Ryker his hand.

Dr. Harishva: Ryker West. A mission well done.

He took the handshake, deciding to accept the small token of gratitude before a handful of nurses started to chauffeur Hibana, Ela, and Tachanka away. Fuze and Thatcher stayed behind, both of them helping ease the two operators Six was standing with into a rigid relaxation.

Viper: Here. Before you ask.

Ryker offered him the disassembled M9 wrapped in the belt with his blades.