The Lost Ones

The Lost Ones - Chpt 12

*Y/N POV*

------ A few minutes earlier ------

"The fuck is going on? Can we get a feed?" I fiercely commanded my ops command team, sweating slightly, worried for Eliza, the team and the mission. But more about Eliza than the rest.

The ops team moved around, trying to get a control over their part in the op. What the fuck is going on? Nobody is telling me shit. They were all shouting and running around, no one working together. It was seriously getting on my nerves.

"EVERYBODY FUCKING STOP" I yelled, through and through, lost my temper.

Nobody made a sound nor moved, apart from the gunfire in the building. I glared straight ahead, trying to gather my thoughts, knowing I had everyone's full attention. If it were in different conditions, my temper would have receded. Slightly.

"Can someone get a fucking update, and can everyone stop running around like chickens with their heads cut off?" I commanded, trying to get order in this mess of things.

Nobody moved, still. I groaned, facepalmed and glared at the second-in-charge.

"Lieutenant? Did you hear what I said? Get going!" I yelled at him, my anger rising again, worse than before.

Said lieutenant relayed orders and commands, but some were still taking their own sweet time, still shell-shocked by me. They needed motivation. Proper motivation. I felt I could provide that adequately. I swiftly grabbed my gun from my holster and shot a single bullet into the air. That was what it took. The men were productive now, running to carry out their orders. Promptly, I received my report and had a proper appraisal of the situation. After a quick assessment, I sent out the order to rally a SWAT team for backup and recovery. I was going in as well. I was well on my way to go to the armoury but was interrupted by Doc.

"Where are you going, sir?" He asked, arms akimbo.

"Armory. I'm going in." I replied, unfazed.

"Are you serious? You just recovered, and I told you – "

"No physical activity. I got it. I'm still going in." I cut him off, trying not to direct my anger at him, knowing he is just doing his job.

"Captain, you are not cleared for this mission. You are supposed to be commanding and advising, not leading the team in. I will do what I have to do." Doc threatened.

I looked at him, a smirk showing on my face. I rested my hand on his shoulder.

"Between you and me, I don't care about myself anymore. I'm old, probably gonna die in the next few years anyway. Secondly, Eliza is in there. I'm going to get her. Get the command post steady okay?" I said.

My hand left his shoulder and I looked at him in the eye, face to face.

"Don't worry. I'll get them back." I smiled and waved at him, walking towards the armoury.

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

I had my gear on, gathered the SWAT team and rallied at the entrance. The building was quiet except for footsteps. I grabbed a field medic and geared him up, while also getting a full medical team on standby to get Eliza quickly and transport her to the hospital.

Once the team was ready, I did not delay further and pushed forward into the building quickly. We went about it half the time it took, knowing the areas were cleared by Eliza's team. I assumed the worst happened to her. I hope that she would be fine. I could not live with myself if the last she saw of me, was of our argument. I cast those thoughts aside and pushed through to the objective room. As we entered, I saw IQ and Thermite working on Eliza, Zofia who was securing the cell leader, gave me an acknowledging nod and Thatcher, checking the corpses for signs of life. I immediately ran towards Eliza and got on my knees, watching her face as IQ and the newly arrived medic worked on her.

"Is she okay? Do you need help? What happened?" I asked those questions rapidly, worried dearly for her safety.

"Sir, please give us space to work." The medic said, eyeing Monika briefly, silently hoping that she would ask me to leave as well.

Monika seemed to get the hint but didn't say a word and carried on working on Eliza. I don't blame her. Firstly, Eliza's wounds were more important than telling me off. Secondly, I don't think should even bother telling me off. I just backed away from they, be it reluctantly, and went to inspect the area, trusting them to take care of her. She will make it. I mean ... I hope she does.

I contemplated between approaching Thatcher or Zofia, but Zofia had the cell leader under control, so I approached Thatcher for an update on what had happened. Better to get that out of the way first.

"Mike, what happened? Comms and cams were down." I asked.

"After Eliza was down, Thermite went to help her out, leaving a hole in our perimeter. We had to readjust to cover our flanks, that was when Zofia saw the cell leader and incapacitated him. After she secured the objective, IQ and I moved in to support her. That was when the other 2 gunmen rushed out. They are dead now obviously. Is there anything else, Captain? If not, I'd suggest you go talk to someone else. Its Thatcher to you, not Mike." He said, the venom clear after his somewhat neutral explanation.

I nodded firmly, mustering whatever authority I had over him, and moved on. I knew that addressing the matter right now would not be at my best interests so it was best to drop it. For now. Regardless of whatever I did, I will not allow any subordinate to disrespect me like that in public again. Clearing my thoughts, I went to Zofia.

"We are ready to move out. The reinforcement threats have been taken care of. Get the schwienhund ready to go. Understand?" I ordered.

"Yes sir." She replied in her thick polish accent and set up to complete the task.

The men can learn a thing or two from her. She is the one of the best operators that I work with. Professional and efficient. I stood outside the room, minding the big hole on the floor, and just stared blankly out the window. My first op, successful, but Ash was injured. I can't just treat my troops as meat anymore. I put the woman I liked, no, loved in the mission and I treated it like any other mission, I don't care what happens, as long as it got the job done. What have I done? I shouldn't have talked to her like that. It was before her mission for the love of god. Its all my fault. I should not have done that.

I looked on as the medical personnel rushed to bring her to get proper medical care. I wanted to follow her and wait for her, but I could not bring myself to it. I do not know what she will do if she saw me when I woke up. Will she hate me? Hug me? Throw me out? I felt it best for us to cool off for a while. Removing my Beret, I ran a hand through my hair.

I should have died in Kiel. It would have been better for everybody.