The Lost Ones

The Lost Ones - Chpt 10

*Y/N POV*

------ 2 Months Later ------

The past few months had been generally uneventful, mainly drills and practicing. I have been getting to know the operators a little more, caught up with the two Spetznaz operators. The catching up consisted of light-hearted jabs, mocking one another and catching up with their life since the last time we met. I repeated this same process to a certain degree with other operators, by which Zofia and Vigil interested me deeply. Zofia, having a great deal of professionalism and Vigil's guarded personality made me respect them more than the rest.

It has been two months since Eliza and I had that exchange. I've been avoiding her, dreading the conversation we would need to have to arrange a "date". I did not know what to expect. I have known nothing but the military. I needed help. Professional help. I learnt a few tips from the internet but there was no where in there that would prepare me for the upcoming date. I was still browsing websites on the matter, till I received a phone call.

"Captain Wolffe."

"Director Six here. The team is needed. You will be going to the US, a file will be sent to you shortly." The call ended.

Sighing briefly, I went to the intercom.

"Operators, briefing room 10 minutes. Urgent."

Just as I was leaving my office to go brief the operators, Ash was standing at the door, holding a folder. I left the room to go talk to her, knowing she might know something about today's op.

"Captain, this file came from Six. Take a look." Ash handed the file over to me.

"Seemingly, we have a fix on one of the White Mask terrorist cell leaders there." She elaborated.

The White Masks terrorists. Those lost souls flocking to overthrow the governments who are corrupt and oppressive. I accepted that fact long ago. Their naïve enthusiasm will do them no good. You either get on with the system or fight long enough to know its futile. Maybe in another life I would agree with them. But no. My honour was loyalty. I shall not tarnish my honour and that of my family to associate myself with petty terrorists. As I was busy with my thoughts, walking to the briefing room with Ash, her statement grounded me.

"Still waiting for that date." Ash glanced at me from the corner of her eyes briefly, before looking forward.

I gaped, looking at her directly. I did not know what to say. Here I was planning how to tackle these terrorists and here she was asking for that date.

"You want to do this now? We have a mission coming up. I need to focus and plan for this." I tried to reason.

"I want to hear you ask. I know you have been avoiding me for the past 2 months. I am not stupid Y/N. Now, I cannot guarantee that I'll make it back from this mission, nor you. I need to know. I want to hear it from you." She stopped, faced me and looked me in the eyes.

"Erm... I do not know how this works. It's uh. How do I say this? Um..." I started rambling to myself, doing my best to make eye contact but missing miserably.

"It's your first time?" Ash concluded, possibly amused by my rambling.

"Yes."

"Just ask me out."

"Uh. Would like to go out for a dinner with me?" I asked, suddenly finding the courage to look her in the eye.

"I would love to, but not today. Today we have a mission." Ash said, smirking.

------ A few minutes later ------

"Alright ladies, we have a mission. We are to be deployed in a small suburb in Oregon, US for a counter terrorist mission. We have intel that a top-ranking White Mask leader is in the AO (Area of Operations). We have been ordered to bag and tag him. That is all we know of as of now. I will update you all when we have additional information. As for now, I want Thatcher, IQ, Ash, Thermite and Zofia to bag and gag. This group will be Alpha. Ela, Valkyrie, Lesion, Maxim and Doc for support. This will be group Delta. Get your equipment ready and I'll intercom when I need you. Any questions?"

There was a resounding no.

"Fine. I want to say something to everyone. I want this to go smoothly. No heroics and no one will get hurt. Dismissed."

As I packed up my intel and prepared to leave, my eyes connected with Monika's beautiful blue ones. Monika immediate broke the contact and rushed off. I don't blame her. I hurt her bad. Please just give me another chance to make amends. I wanted to follow her, but I could not will myself to do so. I shook my head in disappointment and left the briefing room, only to be met with Eliza at the doorway.

"Captain, if you have time, can I talk to you?" She asked, softly.

I nodded my head, gesturing for her to walk with me.

"Why do you wear that hat? Or whatever you call it?" She asked curiously.

"It's the schirmmutze, or peaked cap, I had from the Grenztruppen. When I wear it, people call me a communist. Some say I am a traitor. The reason I wear this is to honour my father. You may not have heard this but when Germany was reunited in 1990s, they were rounding up top military officers for a secret trial and since my father was the Minister of Defense, he was the top "dog". He was the best father anyone could have. He was always there when I needed him. He recognised my potential when he saw me leading my men. I was there when they executed him. I saw the fearlessness and self-accomplishment the last second before they shot him. I swore to do right by him. I could not seek vengeance for him. I swore to keep my honour for him and not do stupid shit like terrorism or sabotage. So, the least I could do was to make sure I remember him and all he did for me. Hence, this hat." I explained, reflecting on what I had said.

Ash nodded her head in understanding. I sensed that she wanted to ask more questions. But that could wait. We had a mission coming up. I excused myself and went to my office to plan for the assault and potential counter attack. As I sat behind my desk, I could not help but flashback to the nightmare on the day of the execution. My eyes teared up looking into the same loving eyes of my father. He was proud that he raised me to my greatest potential. If only he could see me now. He would be disappointed. Very disappointed.