Hometown Justice: Homecoming

Prologue

Afghanistan Prisoner Camp

Somewhere in Afghanistan

The marine moved silently through the hollow walkway with the walls inches from his war painted face. Light shone through some small holes, instigating the marine to peer through them. Inside he saw a United States Soldier bound and gagged as an al-Qaeda operative stood behind him with a sword held high. Quickly the marine pressed his right index finger to the earpiece he was wearing.

"Commander, Target sighted. I need to move in ASAP before the al-Qaeda commence with their decapitation," the marine said, his voice low.

"Soldier, your orders are to observe and be the ghost of this recon. Backup is on the way. ETA in five minutes," the commander said in his ear.

"Commander there is no time. Decapitation in progress now on two POWs, as well as two civilians, Commander I am calling an audible here," the marine stated.

"Damn it Ruler, this is not some movie. If you move-" the commander was cut off as Ruler smashed the communicator into the floor. 

Ruler smashed through the wall, startling the al-Qaeda operatives in the room. Ruler had counted three armed soldiers before he smashed through the wall. He had missed one, but that didn't matter. He was a Marine with a third degree black belt. Swiftly moving into action, he took out two of the guards by lashing out with his right leg, striking the cinder block column with a stiff kick that caused it collapse onto the operatives. Proceeding he relieved one of the fallen guards of their assault rifle, as the remaining two soldiers opened fire in the small space. Their bullets ricocheted around the room before planting themselves in a wall. Ruler stood up and emptied the rifle into the operatives before they had a chance to reload. Gripping a combat knife strapped to his boot, Ruler cut the prisoners free.  

Arming the prisoners and himself with the weapons of the fallen al-Queda soldiers, Ruler led the men outside. When they exited the building, the area around them erupted in flames and explosions as live ammunition ripped into the ground before them. 

"Sir, How do we get around?" one of the prisoners asked.

"We don't," Ruler said, his voice more of a growl.

"Then what?" another of the freed prisoners asked.

"We go through," Ruler said, opening fire with the gun he had liberated from the al-Queda.  

Two weeks later...United States Military Base in Baghdad.

The gym was crowded with many soldiers lifting weights as the Commander entered. He scanned the room and found the blonde hair that signaled his target. He cleared his throat.

"Attention!" the Commander stated sternly.

All of the soldiers immediately dropped their weights and fell in line. The commander walked down the line. He stopped in front of the blonde haired blue eyed marine. The marine wasn't overly muscular or tall, but the commander had to admit he was the best in the room. 

"Sargent Ruler, a word with you in private please?" the commander asked, raising his eyebrow.

Ruler stepped out of the line up and walked towards the door as the Commander sternly said, 

"At Ease. As you were,"

"Commander, what is this about?" Ruler asked.

"Sargent, what you did two weeks ago...it required disciplinary action. We have to discharge you," The commander said, being very blunt.

"But Commander, this is my life. I'm a marine," Ruler argued.

"The best, I've ever laid my eyes on son. But you violated a direct order," The commander said.

"Commander, I have put my life on the line and sacrificed my family for The Marines all to be repaid like this? How could you expect me to sit and wait five minutes for backup while the al-Qaeda slaughtered four people?" Ruler asked.

"Sargent. It is out of my hands now. You used tactics not taught to you by the Marine Core to violate orders. That is why we had to discharge you. Please leave now Sargent, while it is remains an Honorable Discharge," The commander said as he turned to leave, leaving Ruler standing there, in shock.