Chapter 9 The 35th Phoenix Battalion

As Zane woke up, he decided to fix himself some breakfast. the classic Buttermilk Pancakes with Omelette Au Fromage and Pretzel Bites. paired with a cup of coffee, with sugar and creamer. then he left his apartment complex and hit the gym, the gym was used to be an apartment unit but no one else lived there but dust and boxes, so the landlord insisted the Assassin renovate it because nobody's needing it anymore.

after consuming the last Pretzel Bites, drinking a whey protein shake, and a quick shower, Zane went to Basepoint Delta, the shop that he used to run was kept under new management, as soon as he reached the Military Base, he saw Major Thomas Bowie or Major Tom, the Major was holding files about the new members of the 35th Phoenix Battalion, due to the noticeable Phoenix patch on his right shoulder during the war and the recent promotion of Captain, Zane rummages the files in his office space to check out the soldiers that came from other battalions.

five of which are from The Grim Reapers, which he carefully proofread to pick any Soldier from each unit by their strength and loyalty, even endurance as well, after two hours of decision making. he picked a total of 200 soldiers from five Regiments:

Senior Staff Sergeant David Caffrey (30th Black Hornets Regiment)

Staff Sergeant Viktor Zdorovetsky (76th Mockingjay Battalion)

Master Sergeant Henrietta Lee Jones (170th Phantoms Regiment)

2nd Sergeant Chester Cormac (57th Delta Stormtrooper Battalion)

1st Sergeant Rachel Miles (170th Phantoms Regiment)

Sergeant Daichi Nakazawa (57th Delta Stormtrooper Battalion)

Specialist Richard Park (46th Black Ravens Division)

Senior Lance Corporal Alejandro Solomon (76th Mockingjay Battalion)

Junior Lance Corporal Aurelia Heard (55th Screaming Falcons Airborne Regiment)

Specialist Sam Jenkins (24th Black Mamba Division)

and the list goes on, everyone was eligible to wear a gas mask for anonymity, even masks as well. their uniform will be the same as Zane's but minus the cloaked daggers. they were trained like crazy, twenty-kilometer jog with fifty push-ups, fifty pull-ups, fifty squats, and coarse training ground with machine-gun fire, the bullets were blanks for a minimal amount of damage, Major Jacob was impressed about the Assassin's leadership, he's a cheerleader for his growing unit and mistakes were unfazed by him, as he reminds himself by his father saying: "Mistakes have the power to turn you into something better you were before".

Zane's a no-brainer for surrendering, even if his Soldier started to give up, he said "Giving up is the easiest way to let go everything you dreamed of, it's better to chase it until you succeed". the soldiers of the 35th Phoenix Battalion took rest and chugged down a bottle of isotonic drink down to their parched throats.

"I can't believe our training would be as hell since we joined here" Alejandro panted

"mine was worse, I'm almost shot by the training course by machine-gun fire, at least it's a dummy round or I'm Dead out there," Henrietta said while drinking

"same thing here, we're trained like the Russian Alpha Group. but at least we're getting prepared for another attack, you may know when it will hit us" Kelvin said

at his office, Zane poured a cup of aged Scotch, along with a piece of spherical ice from a brass-colored ice maker, and sip. although the Assassin doesn't drink alcohol, the texture was smooth and the oak wood from the barrels that were aged broke the roughness of the Whiskey. There are a few bottles of alcohol that are willing to be consumed while two dispensers filled with saltless nuts and candy were placed near his desk, a mini-refrigerator filled with ice and chilled cans of soda, a flat-screen TV, and numerous paraphernalia of his coven.

on the next day, the Phoenix Battalion ran out to a fifty-mile sprint with 60 kilograms of equipment, including their training rifles, then a makeshift CQB training facility was placed in Ruby Hill to seal the deal, and another strenuous exercise back in the base. during lunch, Major Jacob wanted to meet up with Captain Zane for a little talk, but the Assassin brought a gas mask as the Major went out to smoke at the same time

"it better be quick, I ain't gonna live on cigarette smoke" Zane coughed

"says the Assassin who tried aged Scotch," Jacob said while puffing the cigarette

"that was a once, alright. what's the holdup?" he said back

"do you remember Marcus Dawson?"

"Your ex-boyfriend? yeah, I felt bad for him"

"me too, but I moved on rather than mopping around like Romeo got dunked on by Rosaline, so, have you found your one and only?"

"not yet, after what happened four years ago."

"did she cheated on you?"

"yes, she's doing it on purpose to let me go as her parents know my family were"

the conversation goes on for fifteen minutes until Lance Corporal Aurelia popped in, many people called her Amber due to her semi-dark ginger hair or her surname sound similar to the controversial American actress named Amber Heard, she has brown eyes while a dash of freckles on her body, ginger short hair tied into a bun, and she's 5'4 average build while Zane is a staggering 5'9 Spartan

"Sir! you and Major Deacon are called to the Royal Palace," Aurelia said

"I understand, when will be there?" Zane asked

"an hour and thirty, dress up for the event and hopefully we will get there in time" she replied

"then, what are we waiting for, Christmas? let's go" Jacob added

Captain Zane took off his Gas Mask and tossed it to Major Deacon while he stepped on the small cigarette butt. the Assassin meets up with The Walker Royal Family in the Central Palace, their official residence of the monarchy. Zane wore his military dress uniform with The Medal of Valor and The Phantom of Valor Award perched on the left breast, he learned the best behavior went it comes to greeting the Royal Family, there's even Marvin Lambert of the Grim Reapers and Major Jacob as well, they all knelt to her Majesty Queen Victoria Walker, King Daniel Walker, The Crown Prince Avery Walker, and Princess Carolina Walker, Dominic Walker, Duke of Sapphire Grove and lastly, Duchess Hillary Sparrow of Amethyst Cove. everyone wore their best clothes as today's event was the awarding ceremony from the previous conflict.

everyone was invited from Foreign Delegates to Soldiers that took part in the historic Battle of Basswood, orchestral music filled the palace while tableware with fine China and silver cutlery were present, caterers prepared the finest dishes and dessert to feast on the guest's eyes to their palate while avoiding any ingredient that could react to their allergens or food poisoning, a bar was set up for the guest wanted to drink aside from complementary Wine, Champagne, and Hippocras. Iced Tea and Fruit Juices were served to underage guests or to those who got sick of drinking alcohol on the regular and lastly, the floral arrangement was all set according to the organizer. White Roses and sweer-smelling Philippine Jasmine are present in the event.

there's been a history of attempted assassinations of the Walker Family, the Keepers of Basswood and the Grim Reapers were dispatched as security personnel, the 3rd Enfield Royal Guards Regiment stood guard with high caliber Assault Rifles while Kevlar vest is installed under their uniform. everything went normal as usual until the awarding ceremony had begun.

they were all awarded by the Member of The Order of The Walker Empire due to their selfless bravery and heroism, especially to the fallen soldiers who died to protect their country, even the Royal Guards who were present during the conflict, first responders, doctors, and volunteers who helped out to rehabilitate the city, everyone was asking questions about Zane and the 35th Phoenix Battalion. he was going to answer it all but reporters barraged him with more until Jacob stepped up

"so Captain McBride, how did you manage your new unit after six months on the army?" the female reporter asked

"it's not yet ready for possible deployment, it could be ready after I trained my Soldiers within a month" Zane replied

"how you will answer the return of the Keepers in Basswood?" the Black reporter asked another

"I wasn't sure about it-"

"Zane, we got a word for the King himself" Jacob whispered

Zane and Jacob left the party after the interview, the Captain hasn't had a bite of the scrumptious meal, until they meet up with King Damien Walker and Prime Minister Jaune Sharp, four cloches were present before them while a flat-screen television was there for a possible debrief while eating.

as the cloche was removed, a plate of Roast Beef with Marble Potatoes and Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts along with a drizzle of gravy for the Prime Minister, a hearty Chicken Ala King for Major Jacob, a dry-aged medium-rare Porterhouse Steak with Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes for the King, and lastly, Steak Au Poivre with French Fries and a small mound of Watercress for Zane. they were served with either wine or whiskey on the rocks, for Zane meanwhile, a glass of Hippocras.

"you might be wondering why did I bring you all here?" The Prime Minister asked while observing the sliced beef

"another trouble with the Ghost again?" Zane replied while sipping a glass of spiced wine

"kinda like that but even more since the Keepers are online again. they have some Intel regardless of your past missions from Vietnam to Canada, they are rebuilding their army to claim the world, it's next move was the United States of America, particularly in New York City, they will attack the entire country if New York City was taken by the Ghosts. we cannot let that happen once it reached mainland" King Daniel explained

"haven't we alerted the US Army regardless of the possible attack? there's an upcoming election in 2028, the candidates are Former Vice President Katherine Triden and the son of former US President Ronald Drump. I'd hate his father as much what he did during the Pandemic" Jacob added

"exactly, good thing their campaign set up shop on Pennsylvania while Katherine's in California right now. it's not going to be great in New York as they return." Zane also said while eating a part of his steak

"I already talked to the Secret Service about what happened, they are on full alert and halted their campaign until further notice. when we should be deployed, sir?" Jaune said

"a week prior, Jaune" he replied

"a week?! my unit isn't fully re-trained yet for a week" Zane protested

"he's right, the 35th Phoenix Battalion isn't fully re-trained up to his expectations, even you Prime Minister" Jacob also protested

"Perhaps so, maybe we should give them some slack, your Majesty. they haven't finished retraining" Jaune said

"Okay then, I'll give you some time, if you don't, we'll send another unit who will respond to the cause," Damien told to Zane

"yes, your Majesty." He replied

"how about we invade their key bases to cripple their manpower?" Jacob said

"sounds like a great plan, Major Deacon. we'll inform you and your unit tomorrow morning." Jaune added

the four finished eating their meal and gulped their last drink from their glasses, the trolley that carried dessert was served to them with a delectable Strawberry Shortcake and the infamous Sacher Cake or Sachertorte with the Royal Walker Family Seal, it was made by the Royal confectioner from Austria, the confectioner used to work at the Hotel Sacher until King Damien decided to hire him due to excellent quality of the 200-year-old Recipe.

as the Assassin went out for clean air, the French Ambassador to Novergrad was holding a car key with the tag written: To Zane, while holding a glass of wine, like a true Frenchman.

"ah, Capitaine Zane, bon timing. quelqu'un t'a laissé un petit cadeau mais je ne sais pas qui t'a donné ça" the French Ambassador said

(ah, captain Zane, good timing. someone left you a little gift but I don't know who gave you this)

"merci l'ambassadeur, j'espère que vous passez une bonne nuit*" Zane replied in French

(thank you, Ambassador, hope you have a great night)

"your French is good, mon Amie (my friend), whoever left you a gift must have been someone you know and also, have a safe night, Captain" the Ambassador added

"yours too Ambassador" Zane also replied while grabbing the keys

Zane left the Palace along with the hammered Major to the parking area, he pressed the car key in any direction until it beeped, it revealed to be a 1997 Porsche 933, it has a jet black paint job with a wide body kit, and red rims, the Keepers' motto in Latin was spotted in the right side of the door along with the words RWB on the car, thankfully Zane had a driver's license or he's Dead upon hitting the night on the slammer

as morning rises, the location of the key bases of the Ghost Army was located in Kathmandu, Nepal. while the 35th Phoenix Company's training regime was finished and they are ready to be deployed to the said location, however, it's farther away from civilization while their airfield was located to the Ketmen Mountain Range or Tien Shan of Kazakhstan, luckily the Grim Reapers have a soldier with Kazakh origin and no, he's not going to pull a Borat impression.

the initial attack to New York in three weeks but the Novergrad Army going to make it indefinitely, the Phoenix Company set foot on the ledge while another took up Mountain climbing on ice, equipped with winter camo, the Phoenix stood up and climbed to the ice wall until a jet flew over the climbers while holding tight on their ice axes after a downward push from the enemy jet.

Zane checked out the area along with his unit as soon as they are on top of the frozen waterfall, they checked their suppressed firearms with a Mark V Heartbeat Sensor, Zane was armed with an HK-416 Assault Rifle fitted with accessories needed for this op, while some were armed with M4A1 Carbines with the same suit as his rifle, while Henrietta was armed with the SCAR-20 SSR Designated Marksman Rifle, each of them armed with a Glock 17 pistol but Zane preferred the FN Five-Seven Pistol instead while Henrietta was strapped with an MP7 Submachine Gun, all of which are fitted with suppressors

"all heartbeat sensors go" Zane commanded

everyone switched their heartbeat sensors on by opening the screen flap in their rifles, the screen was dark blue while the dots are UN blue.

"the dots on your screen was blue, it's me and one of you, the enemy team was red, stay frosty," he said

"no pun intended" Kelvin murmured

the 35th Phoenix Battalion ascend to the mountains, a group of soldiers was sent to Kazakhstan while the rest took guard of their country, hopefully, they either come home victorious or in sorrow if their comrade came back dead or more.