To Kill A Mockingbird

Two men carry the Wolf's body in a black body bag over to the helicopter under the cover of night, as Kyle, N, and Alex walk along with them.

"N!" Kyle calls out, catching the young drone's attention.

"If it wasn't me, I'm glad it was you who killed the bastard." Kyle said.

"Yeah, too bad we couldn't kill 'em twice." N snarked.

"I'm with you on that." Kyle said.

The three helicopters leave the stronghold in the mountains as the sun rises, casting a beautiful orange-yellow glow, as they near the U.S base in Urzikstan.

"Congratulations on a job well done." Laswell began.

"As much as we can all hear the ice in the glass, I'm afraid our toast'll have to wait. Hadir and his new friends are on the move." Laswell said, while Norris crosses his arms, not uttering a word.

"Where are they?" Uzi questions, her eyes narrowing.

"One step at a time, First Lieutenant." Laswell says.

"No one said that they were friends." Alex said.

"The general would tend to disagree." Norris said, breaking his silence.

"What do you mean, sir?" N asked.

"Norris, I asked you to let me-" Laswell began.

"Tell them, or I will." Norris cuts.

With a sigh, Laswell utters "Command has officially redesignated Farah's forces."

"You wanna translate that from bullshit to English?" V asked.

"It means they're on the list." Price said.

"What list?" Farah said, completely lost.

"Foreign terror organization list. I've ordered my Marines to treat Farah's army as hostiles." Norris said, arms still crossed.

"What?! But they're our allies-"

"Not anymore, N." Norris said, handing N official papers designating Farah's forces as hostile.

CLASSIFIED

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND

DATE: 09/9/XXXX

SUBJECT: Redesignation of The Urzikstani Liberation Force led by Farah Karim:

1. INTRODUCTION:

Following an extensive review of intelligence and field reports concerning the Urzikstani Liberation Force operating in Urzikstan, a decision has been made regarding their official designation in accordance with US defense policies.

2. REDESIGNATION:

Effective immediately, the Urzikstani Liberation Force are hereby designated as a Foreign Terror Organization (FTO) as defined under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

3. IMPLICATIONS:

All military and intelligence operations are to consider the Urzikstani Liberation Force as hostile. Engagement rules are modified accordingly.

Any collaboration, support, or joint operations with the Urzikstani Liberation Force is hereby prohibited and will be subject to disciplinary action.

All personnel are to exercise extreme caution when operating in areas known to have a presence of the Urzikstani Liberation Force.

4. RATIONALE:

While the US military had previously maintained a cooperative stance with the Urzikstani Liberation Force, recent activities and affiliations have raised considerable concerns. Intelligence suggests potential collusion with groups adversarial to US interests in the region.

5. CONCLUSION:

The safety of our personnel remains our utmost priority. This decision is based on the latest intelligence and aims to protect US interests and its allies in the region. Any queries or concerns regarding this redesignation should be directed to the undersigned or the respective chain of command.

Signed,

General Arthur Peters, U.S Special Operations Command.

N crushed the paper in his hands, throwing it to the side in a controlled rage.

"You keep your muppets on a short string, Colonel." Price spat.

"Or what?" Norris taunts.

"OR I'LL FUCKING HANG YOU FROM 'EM." Price growled, walking up to Norris, fists clenched in anger.

"Kate, these people need our support." N said to Laswell, nervously gazing at her.

"There is nothing else we can do." Laswell said.

"Oh, there's plenty we can do." Kyle spat, glaring at Norris.

"I'm tired of being told who my friends are." Alex said.

"Alex, don't." Farah said.

"I"m going back to Urzikstan, I'm staying with Farah's army." Alex said, defiant.

"What you're doing is illegal-"

"Pretty damn sure everything we do here is illegal, Laswell." Alex said.

"Only the good stuff, Alex. You've got friends nearby." N said, shaking Alex's hand.

"You too, kiddo." Alex said.

"Thank you, Price. For everything." Farah said sorrowfully.

"Oh, it's not over yet. Trust me." Price said.

"Always have." Farah said.

"Twenty years of civil war." Laswell said.

"Eh, there's nothing civil about it." Price snarked.

"Hadir's well trained. Teamed up kidnapped, doesn't matter. He took the gas to Russia, John." Laswell said.

"And he did it with Al-Qatala's help." Price reaffirms.

"He's got the network and the manpower." Laswell says.

"Yeah, well, can ya blame 'em?" Price questions.

"Unofficially, no. But this is bigger than Hadir now." Laswell said.

"We got 2 options." Laswell said.

"What, we warn Moscow?" Price chides.

"Or we let Mother Russia have a taste of her own medicine." Laswell says.

"A lot of innocent people are going to die." Price utters.

"At the hands of a Western asset." Laswell mutters.

"Ok, let's cut to the chase. I suggest a business trip." Price said.

"Unsanctioned?" Laswell asked.

"Black." Price murmured.

"Who's your team?" Laswell asked.

"The drones, and some old comrades." Price answered.

"What of the Sergeant?" Laswell asked.

"He's ready." Price said, nodding to Laswell.

"I can get you in, after that you're on your own. Host nation weaponry only." Laswell said.

"Leave it to me." Price said.

"That's one hell of a view, Nikolai."

"Was the capital before Moscow." Nikolai said.

"The good ol' days." Price snarked.

"Got two on the door." V said.

"More Al-Qatala inside." Nikolai said.

"Vehicle inbound." N said.

"Watch 'em, N." Price utters.

"Good spot, parking here sucks." Nikolai says as he parks the truck.

"That's the Butcher in the yellow shirt." N said, as the other truck parks, and The Butcher and some Al-Qatala exit the truck, with no sign of Hadir.

"Bastard from the embassy. I swear I'll kill him!" V says, her voice raising an octave.

"No gas, no Hadir." Uzi said.

"Easy shot." Kyle said, peering into his binoculars from inside of a building.

"Hm, tempting." Nikolai said, considering the option.

"Hold fast, the Butcher gets us to Hadir." Price said.

"Or the gas attack goes off." N said.

"If that happens, we're all fucked." Price said.

"Let's gear up, get evil. Clock's tickin'." Price said, as the team follow Nikolai to the front door.

"Timeframe?" Uzi asked.

"Hours or less, you get the gear, Nik?" Price asked.

Nikoai opens the cache, revealing pistols and ammo.

"Best I could do on short notice. Suppressors, ammo, no flashbangs." Nikolai said, as N takes a .50 GS.

"Nice job, Nikolai." N said.

".40 cal hollow points." Price said, chambering a round.

"150 grain, your favorite." Nikolai said, earning a chuckle from Price as he conceals his gun.

"Rally at the warehouse, and bring the package." Price said.

"On my way, Captain." Nikolai said, as they exit the apartment.

"I know you want another shot at the Butcher, V." Price said, going down the stairs.

"No grave deep enough for that sick bastard, sir." V growled. The Butcher reminded V of herself. And definitely not in a good way. What he did back at the Embassy reminded her of the things she did that she would rather forget.

"Oh, you're right about that." Kyle agrees.

"You'll have your chance, V. but right now, we need him alive." Price said, exiting the apartment complex.

"We sweep up the guards before they can squeal, then move in on the rear door." Price said.

"Rog'." N said.

"Guns on my signal, not before." Price said.

"[Hey, hey you!]" One of the Al-Qatala fighters yell.

"[You are not welcome here! Go away!]"

"Easy, easy. We got permits." N said, stalling for time.

"Now!" Price whisper-shouted, as N drew his pistol, shooting the man twice in the gut, as V and Uzi clean up the rest.

"Nicely done, N." Price said.

"Nikolai, trash in the alley." Price radioed.

"I brought bags." Nikolai radioed.

"You think of everything." Uzi said.

"Indeed I do." Nikolai radioed.

"Alright people, check your shots. The Butcher gets us to Hadir, and we need 'em breathing 'till he does." Price said, as Uzi opens the door slowly, advancing into the basement-like area.

The smell was akin to that of a dead body, and the state of the place was comparable to one too.

V enters a supply area, immediately taking cover after hearing the Butcher's voice, scowling in anger as she loads the pistol.

"This, is retaliation. Today, the pain and suffering is not ours, but theirs. We give special thanks to the youngblood, whose strong will is our good fortune. If the Wolf is alive, he'll be proud of you. And if he's gone, we deliver his truth to all who intervene where they are not invited."

"There he is, yellow, behind the table." N said.

"Light 'em, do not hit the Butcher." Price said, as N and V jump out of cover, firing on the 3 men, killing them all swiftly, as the Butcher sprints off.

"Butcher is on the run!" N shouted.

"I'll handle it!" V said, dashing after the butcher, up the stairs into a bar, the smell of wine and liquor filling the air.

"Don't let them follow! Kill them!" The Butcher screams, sprinting off, as V quickly and efficiently disposes of the Al-Qatala, one round for each of the 5 men, dashing into the kitchen of the bar and up the stairs to street level.

"Street door's open, Butcher's on the run!" V shouted, as the Al-Qatala fired on the fleeing civilians, the smell of blood and gunpowder filling the air of St. Petersburg.

"STOP THEM, BROTHERS! STOP THEM!" The Butcher screams desperately, running off.

"Oh, you'll try!" V said, quickly disposing of the Al-Qatala.

"Nikolai, target is moving south! Stand by for extract!" Price shouts.

"Copy, tracking you." Nikolai says.

"How?" V asked.

"The gunshots, of course." Nikolai responded.

"Stay with us, out." Price said, dashing off with V.

"Stay on 'im, I'll circle around for intercept." Price said, as V nods, running into the building, chasing after the Butcher.

"I'll have your fucking head!" V screams, chasing him into an apartment, with a mother and 2 kids, as the butcher drops a grenade and jumps out the window.

"They die, because of you." The Butcher says, as V throws the grenade out the window before it could go off, vaulting out the window.

"Lieutenant?!" Price yelled over radio.

"I'm good, sir. Target's on the move, river side." V said, as she pursues the Butcher, running through a cafe, as V quickly kills 3 of the Al-Qatala who seem to be coming from nowhere.

"Where the fuck are they coming from?!" V cursed, rushing out of the cafe just in time as a Molotov hit the cafe grounds, lighting the whole thing ablaze as V continues her relentless chase.

"You get away from me-" The Butcher began, but Nikolai's van mad contact with his ribs as 10 miles per hour, knocking the Butcher to the floor. He was groaning in pain as Nikolai took him by the collar, dragging him to the back of the van.

"Is hard to run with concussion, no?" Nikolai taunts.

"Ah, it's only a scratch, get the fucker in the van." Price says, as Nikolai throws the Butcher into the van, as N kicks The Butcher in the ribs once the Butcher hits the van floor.

"Who are you?! So my men can send your heads home to your families." The Butcher painfully spat.

"Oh, fuck off, shit-pouch." Kyle said, climbing into the back of the van.

"Uh, small problem." Nikolai says.

"What?" Price says, looking worried.

"Engine's a bit, errrrrr.... Cranky." Nikolai says.

"Then sing it a bloody lullaby, we gotta go!" Price shouted, as several cars rolled up, and they all begin firing on the van.

"COVER US!" Price shouted, as Kyle takes a rocket launcher from the small armory in the back of the van, firing it at one of the cars, rendering it, and everyone else in the car, blown to ash.

"There she is!" Nikolai says, starting the engine after several tries.

"FLOOR IT, GO!" V shouted, as the car speeds off.

"Where is the chemicals?" N coolly asked.

"Up your fucking AI ass." The Butcher said, earning a gut punch from N, causing the Butcher to cough up blood.

"Wrong answer." N said.

"You can't hurt me, you weak piece of shit!" The Butcher spat, blood trickling down his lip.

"But you, Captain. Oh, you can do better than that. And do you think I forgot your face, Lieutenant? Or you Sergeant?!" The Butcher taunted, prompting V to growl, changing her hand into a sword, speedwalking up to The Butcher, only to be held back by Price again.

"Sir, this FUCKING BASTARD." V snarled.

"V, get your head in the game!" Price shouted, preventing her from reaching The Butcher.

"A feisty one, ain't she?" The Butcher taunts.

"We gotta break this fucker, Captain." V growled, changing her sword back into a regular hand.

"We're about to, trust me. Nikolai, where's the package?" Price radioed.

"Pulling in now, captain." Price said.

"M'kay, N. Go to Nikolai get the package, come back 'ere, okay?" Price said.

"Yes, sir." N said, turning and leaving the room, and walking into the garage as Nikolai pulled up.

Walking past the Russian police car, N approaches the van, as Nikolai exits the driver's seat.

"Lieutenant, the package is in the back." Nikolai said, as N opened the van doors, to find a woman and a child, both scampering back.

"Please, let us go! We know nothing!" The woman screamed.

"Bargaining chips, for negotiation. Perhaps, the Butcher will have a change of heart." Nikolai says, as N grabs the woman by the arm, pulling her and the boy out of the van.

'I hope I live to regret this...' N thought to himself, guiding the two back to the interrogation room.

"What you are doing is unforgivable! We are innocent people!" The woman shouted, trying to break her and her son free of N's grip, to no avail, as they enter the interrogation room.

Uzi's eyes widened, as V put on bags on the family's heads and sat them down on a chair.

"Ousa?! Amon?!" The Butcher shouts, as Price pushes them both down, forcing them to sit, bagging the two as well.

"YOU BE CAREFUL WITH THEM, YOU SON OF A BITCH!" The Butcher screamed.

"You two wanted the gloves off, they're off." Price said, looking at V and Kyle, Kyle being the only one of the two that's actually horrified at this.

"What did you do?! Your own son is here, your own child!" Ousa screams, holding her crying son tightly.

"Oh, after what I've seen your husband do, I have no problem hurting his kid. Let's see how he feels when the roles are reversed." V says, taking a revolver on the table.

"Don't! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! No, no, NO!" The Butcher yells, trying to break free of the ties, as V points the gun at Amon, and pulls the trigger.

Click.

V sadistically smiled after she saw the Butcher's face, both mortified and relived.

"Ah, rest assured, I wouldn't let the Lieutenant brandish a loaded weapon. That is, unless she has to." Price says, tossing her 3 bullets.

V slowly loaded the gun, watching as the Butcher's smile turned to an expression of pure horror, as she chambered a round.

"Last chance, where is the gas?" Price questioned, as N, Kyle, and Uzi were frozen in fear.

"Listen to me! Karetka Theater, I swear to you!" The Butcher desperately screamed.

"Where's Hadir?" V questioned, her visor making an ><.< p>

"The youngblood? Y-you're too late to stop him!" The Butcher stammers out.

"Go, on you lot. Save some fucking Russians. General Barkov will already be dead." The Butcher continues, hanging his head.

"Hadir's going after Barkov, we're done here people. V, you and The Butcher take a minute together. N, Uzi, Kyle, c'mon." Price said.