Happy points his fist towards the BOPE unit leader. He just stared at Happy’s fist so Happy dropped his fist down and just smiled. The BOPE unit leader looks at the wooden wall.
“Is this a private property or what?” asked Lead.
“The gangs did that,” said the unit leader, “One way of indicating their borders.”
“So we’re kind of taking on another gang past this?” Happy asked.
“Good luck out there,” said the BOPE unit leader as he signals his men at the back to fall back.
“Can we kick this thing off,” Happy said while tapping at the wooden wall, “this is a thick pile of wood planks.”
River One joined the two, “We can jump over. Just need a little boost.”
“Good idea,” said Lead as he positions himself at the wall, “You go first Happy.”
Happy steps on Lead’s clenched palm then shoulders until he reaches the top of the wall. He climbs over but as soon as he saw what’s on the other side gunshots echoed. Happy’s tactical helmet took a shot making him fall back down. Bullets past through the wall but Lead manages to hide back at the alley as he drags Happy.
“Contact!” yelled Lead.
Alex throws another sensor over the wall, “Deploying sensors.”
“We should’ve done that before,” said Happy while groaning as he saw Alex throw a sensor.
Alex and Rojas starts to fire back at the gangs.
“You alright?” Lead asked Happy.
“I’m fine,” Happy said as he tries to sit down. He touches his helmet, “What happened to my helmet?”
“Just a dent,” Lead said, “You’re head hurts?”
“Yeah,” Happy groans, “and my back. That’s quite a fall.”
“I’m sorry about this,” Lead said, “I should’ve think twice before getting you up there.”
“No,” Happy tries to laugh, “Don’t blame yourself, Lead. This happens.”
The gunshots ceases. The wooden wall is now full of bullet holes. Alex and Rojas approaches.
“On three,” said Rojas, “One. Two. Three!” they both kicked the wall. It falls back. They immediately pointed their guns forward.
Happy gets up, “Alright,” he said, “Let’s move.”
Rojas and Alex took point followed by Lead and Happy. The Seals guards their rear as they tail them.
“Left,” said Lead.
Alex peaked before turning left, “Clear.”
Rojas followed immediately. They walk on both sides of the alleyway while Alex is a bit ahead of Rojas. The rest followed them in the same manner. There are a lot of doors left and right as well as windows. Some houses are on top of each other. Civilians seems to be hiding inside their homes now.
“Hunter this is Overlord,” they heard him on the radio, “You’re twenty minutes in. Helos are inbound in ten for exfil. Over.”
“Solid copy Overlord,” said Lead, “We’re near the target location. Over and out.”
“I thought they’ll pick us up in an hour,” said River One.
“The plan is only thirty mikes,” said Lead, “They’ll pick us up in one hour with or without the packages.”
Alex signals to stop. He approaches an alley on the left side. Rojas tailed Alex.
“I saw something,” said Alex as they both move forward. Alex throws a sensor. They immediately saw a kid but with a long rifle, “It’s a kid. Ten, maybe twelve years old.” Alex said as they move towards the kid at the corner. The kid seems to wait for them to show up. “Don’t do it,” Alex said in a faint voice, “Please don’t,” he said as they walk slowly with only a few steps away.
“Alex,” Rojas said as they both point their guns towards the corner.
The kid bolted out aiming his gun at them. “No!” yelled Alex at the kid while running towards him to try to pin him down instead of firing his weapon. A gunshot cracked. Rojas dropped the kid down.
“Alex!” yelled Happy, “What the hell?!”
They immediately became overwhelmed with gunshots all over. All rushed by the door near them. Happy runs toward Alex and Rojas as Rojas drags Alex inside a house.
“Mãos ao ar! Mãos ao ar!” yelled Rojas at the people inside the house they barged in. A woman hugs her children while a man raises his both hands up. Happy closed the door, “Where’s Lead?” asked Rojas.
“He’s probably with the seals,” said Happy, “Everyone just scrammed to the nearest doors.”
Alex finds the kitchen sink and removes his mask and AR glasses. He rinsed his mask then wets his face. He took a deep breath then stared at the sink blankly. Happy approaches Alex while Rojas is guarding the door. Happy was about to yell at Alex but he notices blood stains on Alex's AR glasses. He tapped Alex's shoulder.
Alex took another deep breath before talking, “Where do we draw the line, Sir?”
“You draw wherever you want, Alex,” Happy said, “Just make sure you’ll still go home in one piece.”
Rojas takes a look at Happy then sighed, “That’s why I hate this place.”
Alex took a pause then wipes off the blood off his glasses, “Let’s move.” He said as he wears the glasses back.
“Yeah come on, Alex,” said Rojas, “We need your sensors.”
Happy opens up the door. Alex tossed a sensor our. They immediately saw enemy positions.
“On three,” said Rojas as they position by the door, “One. Two. Three!”
As they went out they took every enemy one by one while moving cover to cover. Lead and the seals started to do the same. The firefight lasted for a few more minutes. Then they heard a familiar noise going louder followed by a new voice joining their frequency.
“We we’re told you need a ride, gentlemen,” they heard over the radio, “This is Catfish One, we’re going on a holding pattern. Pop smoke on the LZ for exfil, over.”
Everyone looked up as three Black Hawk helicopters flew past above them. Enemy fires ceases for a moment as the helicopters pass.
“Catfish One, this is Hunter One,” said Lead over the radio, “We’re a few blocks away from the target area and we’re taking fire from all directions. Over.”
“Alright, we’ll do anything we can in the air,” said Catfish One. He looks down at the favela and saw the IR strobes flickering on their helmets, “That’s them,” he said on his crew, “We got civies down there so only take out anyone who fires a weapon other than our guys.”
“Copy,” said the two gunners at both sides of the helicopter.
“Catfish Two, providing air support,” said the pilot of the other Black Hawk.
“Catfish Three, providing air support,” said the pilot of the last Black Hawk.
Back on the ground Hunters and the Seals rush towards the target area dropping down anyone firing at them. Not long after, they’ve reached the target area.
“This one?” asked Rojas as he points toward a house.
“The one above it,” said Lead.
Alex and Rojas took point climbing up the stairs. Lead and Happy guard the stairs.
“Secure the perimeter,” ordered River One. The Seals took their positions defending the area. The three Black Hawk helicopters circle their position.
Rojas knocked on the door before barging in. He immediately saw a woman sitting beside two children sleeping, “Manuela?” he asked as he slings down his weapon and raises his hands while he slowly approach her, “Não vamos machucar você e seus filhos.”
“No nos lastimes por favor” she said.
“We’re positive on the packages,” said Alex. “What did she say?” he asked Rojas.
“I don’t know,” said Rojas, “I forgot she’s Mexican.”
“Americans?” Manuela said in a strong Spanish accent.
“Yes ma’am,” Alex said. Rojas looked at her in disbelief.
“My husband is not here,” she said. The children woke up. They immediately hugged their mom, “Please don’t hurt us.”
“We know ma’am,” said Alex, “But we need you to come with us.”
“No, please,” Manuela begged, “I won’t leave my children here.”
“They’re coming with us, ma’am,” said Alex, “We won’t hurt you, I promise.”
She won’t budge and just stared at the two, “Please leave us alone.”
Alex sighed as he looks at Rojas. He brings down his right knee and faced Manuela. “Look ma’am we need your help finding your husband but we can’t stay here.”
Manuela shook her head. “I won’t tell where he is.”
Alex took of his AR goggles and looked at the children, “Your husband is in possession of our President’s daughter. We need your help before he does something bad on her. You know what your husband does, don’t lie to me.” Said Alex calmly.
“I know my husband,” Manuela said, “He won’t do anything like that.”
Alex is trying not to lose his temper.
“This is taking too long,” said Rojas. He grabbed Manuela but she resisted. The children starts to cry in fear. “No shhh, please don’t cry. We won’t hurt you.”
“I know my husband,” she repeated. “You’re just doing this to get him in prison.”
“Please ma’am,” Alex starts to think about Samantha. He took a deep breath before continuing, “We know you know your husband, ma’am. That’s why we need you to talk to him to surrender the President’s daughter. You have a daughter. You should know how a parent longs for their children.”
Manuela stared at Alex and sighed, “You must promise me that you won’t hurt us,” she said, “neither my husband.”
“I promise, ma’am,” said Alex straight into her eyes.
“Trust me ma’am,” said Rojas, “That guy in front of you won’t hurt a child.” Manuela looks at Rojas then stares back at Alex.
Meanwhile outside, Lead scratches his head, “What’s taking them too long?”
Suddenly Alex and Rojas comes out with Manuela and the two children.
“Packages are on the move,” said River One upon seeing them, “Let’s move to the LZ.”
They head to the designated landing zone. A wide two storey concrete house with flat roof. They positioned to secure the perimeter.
“Is this supposed to be it?” asked Happy.
“Pop smoke,” said Lead, “This is it.” Alex throws up the smoke grenade up the roof.
Four of the Seal move in the house to secure and check if there’s a way up.
“Negative,” said River One on the radio, “there’s no way up the roof.”
“Catfish One, this is Hunter One, we got a little problem over here,” said Lead.
“I hear you,” said the pilot, “Don’t worry about that we have extendable ladder with us. We’re going in.” Catfish One maneuvers to land.
“Hunter, this is Overlord,” said Overlord over the radio, “We’re seeing multiple militias converging at your location. I suggest you hurry with the exfil.”
“Copy that, Overlord,” said Hunter, “We’re on it.”
The Black Hawk landed and one of its crew dropped down the ladder. They let the three civilians go first before the four Hunters follow. The armed gangs came in and started firing at them. The second and third Black Hawk provided covering fire so they got away safely.
“Catfish One, going on a holding pattern,” said the pilot as the two gunners fire down at the gangs.
“Catfish Two is going in,” said the pilot of the second Black Hawk as he maneuvers it to land.
The first and third Black Hawk provided covering fire while the second is picking up the Seals. They too got off safely and that concluded the first operation of Task Force Athena.
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