Mr Boo

Chapter 1

Ghost was stationed at a Marine base at Louisville Kentucky after successful mission to track and capture a suspected Al-Qatala member, travelling through the US. Extensive surveillance and intelligence reports suggested that Ahmed Dhabari was gathering a terrorist cell on the Ohio border, with the intent to attack US military bases. Ghost had joined up with a marine special forces unit to find him and bring him in for interrogation.

Now incarcerated in a basement jail cell, Dhabari was subject to intensive questioning by the CIA under the careful watch of the Special Forces Commander. Ghost hadn't been part of the interrogation, since his particular skill set was usually reserved for further down the line, once the regular methods not longer proved effective. So Ghost had some rare free time, awaiting any further orders, should the interrogation produce new intel.

After spending a few days catching up on emails and reports, Ghost took full advantage of the base gym and combat training facilities, eager to keep on the move. Ghost wasn't one to sit around and relax, it was disastrous for his mental health. Too much time to think, allowed negative thoughts and poisonous memories to invade his mind and threaten to push him into a spiral of PTSD. He'd worked hard over the years to maintain a strict discipline of work and training, affording him the opportunity to completely cut off from his past trauma and to perfect the stoic, super focussed demeanour that kept him alive and functioning.

It was around 2pm when the relative quiet of the base was rocked by gunfire, followed by several explosions and the Base alarms sounding the attack. Instantly on alert, Ghost headed to the armoury to grab additional weapons, before following the stream of armed soldiers to the Intelligence Building.

One of the lieutenants called him aside to explain "We have four suspected Al Qatala members dressed as US marines. They've infiltrated the base and have attacked the holding area. We have casualties and several men engaging, but the insurgents have IEDs"

"Did they get Dhabari?" Ghost asked, concerned they'd lose their target.

"Affirmative. They're pinned down at the Eastern end of the Intel Block. We're evacuating remaining personnel now" the Lieutenant replied.

The two Lieutenants and a small team of Special Forces made their way to the East staircase. Several severely injured soldiers were being carried away from the area as they arrived, with base medics swarming the area to set up a triage area.

Ghost and the team engaged in an intense firefight before one of the insurgents, activated a suicide vest. The explosion took out part of the staircase along with several special forces members. Ghost pulled the lieutenant aside "Makes no sense to take out their exit, this could be a diversion. I'll take some men to the West side. They might be making a run for it"

Ghost and three of the team had just entered the staircase when Dhabari and two insurgents appeared at the base of the stairs. Ghost was able to take out one of the insurgents and injure the other, causing him to fall back, taking Dhabari with him. As he hit the floor, he activated his vest, setting off a large explosion, followed by a second explosion as the dead man's IED triggered. The small team managed to take cover as the explosions ripped through the area, bringing down the staircase and the adjoining walls.

When the dust settled, a Ghost and a rescue team was sent in to check for any survivors in the basement holding area. Sifting through the rubble, they soon were able to confirm that five base personnel, the four insurgents and Dhabari, had all been killed.

Returning to the West entrance to the Intelligence Building, Ghost observed some medics and soldiers treating the office based personnel and carting them off to the infirmary. A sergeant and a medic carried a young woman out of the building, obviously unconscious before placing her on the ground to assess her injuries.