Chapter 36: Eagle vs Dragon

Sarah locked and loaded an M4 carbine, and after grabbing extra magazines she headed in the direction of Marcus' last know location.

"Ma'am wait!" Montgomery yelled as he and the rest of the squad ran to catch up with her. "All of us want nothing more then to go and bring the Captain back, but if you disobey orders and go off mission the General will put you in front of a firing squad."

Sarah didn't stop. "That's why I'm going alone. I'll except the consequences..."

Montgomery grabbed her arm and Sarah spun around; giving the Gunnery Sergeant a look that caused him to quickly let go. "Ma'am with all due respect we have to take that listening post. Too many lives are at stake."

"I'm not going to just leave him! I..." Sarah managed to catch herself. "...I owe him."

Montgomery looked over at Lancaster, Hardison and Tikanni. All three Marines nodded in silent agreement, and the Gunnery Sergeant faced Sarah. "If that's what you want ma'am then we're with you. First Squad takes care of it's own. But consider this ma'am: we don't know where they've taken the Captain, which means we'll be going after him blind. If we take the listening post, and if we can crack their communications, then we should be able to find out where the Reds are holding him. Then we'll be able to launch a rescue mission."

Sarah's mind raced as she tried to decide what to do. The thought of leaving Marcus in the hands of the enemy caused a knot to form in the pit of her stomach. She wanted to rush off and rescue him the same way he'd done for her - but the soldier in her knew Montgomery was right. Without intel she'd be rushing in blind, and all she'd accomplish is getting herself and her squad killed. No. She had to do this right. "Alright, Gunny, we're going to take the listening post. Have the rest of the company prepare to move out."

Montgomery saluted. "Yes ma'am!"

As she watched the members of First Squad head back to the rest of EZ Company, Sarah felt a tightening in her chest. Even though her father would often pray to the Creator, and Marcus believed in the existence of God, Sarah was never one for religion. She felt the world was too cruel a place for something like that to be real.

However in that moment, Sarah said a prayer that she hadn't just sentenced Marcus to death.

The Chinese soldier held down the ripper's trigger, and smiled as he held the weapon close to Marcus' arm. "Last chance." he sneered.

Marcus' mind raced for a way out of his current situation. Since fighting his way out was obviously out of the question, he took a deep breath and presented the most smug expression he could muster. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

His interrogator was not impressed. "And why not?"

"Because if I die this computer is programmed to fry it's memory."

The interrogator laughed. "Well we're not killing you...we're cutting off your arm."

"You don't get it, do you genius! If it doesn't pick up my vitals it will presume I'm dead - and you get nothing."

The soldier holding the ripper stopped smiling, and looked to the interrogator; who walked over and grabbed Marcus by the hair. "You're lying!"

Marcus swallowed hard. 'When all else fails, bullshit your way out!' "Computer, explain what will happen if I am deceased."

Moira, who caught on to what Marcus was doing, decided to play along. "If M...the subject is deceased, this unit is programmed to perform an immediate self destruct of all memory banks."

Marcus locked eyes with the interrogator and did his best to look confident. Any moment he would know if his bluff worked, and he braced himself in case it didn't.

The interrogator yelled in frustration and backhanded Marcus across the face. He yelled something in Chinese, and the ripper was turned off. "You will tell us how to access that computer!" He grabbed Marcus by the throat. "Other wise before this day is over you will be begging for death!"

He let Marcus go, and the Wanderer coughed as he struggled for air. "Before this day is over...you and everyone here will be dead."

The interrogator and the soldier chuckled. "Really? And why is that?"

Marcus looked up and grinned. "Because the greatest soldier I know is going to be coming for me...and when she gets here you're going to wish your father never met your mother."

The two communist busted out laughing. "You know arrogance may not be a uniquely American trait, but I must confess you do it better then anyone." The interrogator got right in Marcus' face and smiled. "This female soldier. Who do you think she is...God?"

Marcus locked eyes with him. "No God would have mercy...she won't."

The smile faded from the interrogator, and he backhanded Marcus again.

After being thrown into a rather small cell, Marcus slowly picked his bruised body up off the concrete floor. When he was certain no one was listening, he pushed the touch screen of his PIPBOY. "That was good work back there, Moira."

Her avatar appeared. "Thanks. I had no idea I was such a good actress. Of course, being threatened with a ripper can cause someone to do just about anything I guess."

Marcus quietly agreed as he slowly sat down on a small cot. "Do you know where we are?"

"We're currently being held at the Chinese Forward Camp Delta, also known as the Ice Camp."

"Okay. Is there anyway you can get a message to Sarah and EZ Company?"

"I've actually been thinking about that, and I have an idea but...it means I'll be leaving you alone for a while."

Marcus was taken aback. "Leave me? How can you..."

"Just trust me, Marcus. If this works, I'll be back soon with Sarah and the Calvary."

Marcus looked around his tiny cell. They didn't appear to have many options. "Okay Moira, do what you have to do."

"Okay. Wish me luck!" Her avatar blinked out, and Marcus was truly alone.

Sarah pulled the now dead Chinese soldier off the listening post's main computer console. "Get over here and start cracking their communications!" she ordered.

One of EZ Company's Marines, a young female staff sergeant, sat down and began typing on the console. The battle to take the listening post had been intense, but the Marines had secured it with minimal casualties. Though Sarah had been nervous before the beginning of the assault, the combination of her training and desire to find Marcus allowed her to push her doubts away once the bullets started flying. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, her anxiety was threatening to creep to the surface. She began pacing back and forth as the staff sergeant continued to type. "Come on, come on!" she snapped.

The staff sergeant suddenly began to shake violently, then seemed to be encompassed in a blinding blue light. Sarah raised her gun and stood back, not sure of what was going on. Was the simulator malfunctioning? A few moments later the blue light blinked out, and the staff sergeant stopped shaking and appeared to be staring at her hands, as if seeing them for the first time. Sarah watched as she stood up and turned around - and the Sentinel nearly dropped her rifle. "Moira?"

Moira Brown was grinning from ear to ear as she looked at her new body. She was wearing the same winterized armor as the VI she now possessed. "Wow! This is amazing! I can actually touch things again!"

Sarah blinked to make sure she wasn't dreaming. "Moira...how did you..."

"It's a very long and complicated story. The short version is that I'm inhabiting this VI so that I can lead you to Marcus."

Sarah's heart skipped a beat. "Is he alright? Where is he?"

"He's being held at the Ice Camp, not too far from here. We better hurry though, those communist are not very nice people."

Sarah nodded. "Okay, but remember Moira these guys don't know you're an AI so..."

"It's okay," Moira smiled, "I've been practicing my acting."

Sarah followed Moira outside; not sure of what to make of her last statement. When they approached Montgomery, Lancaster, Hardison and Tikanni, the four Marines snapped to attention.

"Listen up, Marines!" Sarah began. "This is...Moira Brown from - intelligence."

Montgomery's mouth dropped open. "Hey...you're the Guardian Angel! What are you doing out here?"

Moira found herself blushing as she stared at the Gunnery Sergeant. He was definitely cuter in person. "Um...headquarters sent me to ummmm lead you to the Captain. Ya! That's it."

Hardison stepped forward. "You know where he is?"

"Sure do! He's at the Ice Camp not too far from here."

The Squad could barely contain themselves. "What are your orders, ma'am?" Montgomery asked.

Sarah spoke loud enough for the rest of the company to hear her. "First and Second squads are on me. The rest of EZ Company will stay here and hold the Listening Post."

Montgomery grinned. "Alright Marines, let's go get the Captain!"

"OORAH!" They shouted.

Sarah, Moira and First Squad were joined by two infantrymen, a sniper, a Sentry Bot and Mr. Gutsy from Second squad. It didn't take long for the rescue team to reach the Ice Camp, which was wedge between two rock formation that allowed for only one way in or out. From her vantage point, Sarah could see two guard towers to the left of the camp, and at the far end was a fortified bunker. 'That must be where they're holding Marcus', she thought. "Okay, I don't see any other way in. So we're going to have to rush them. Hardison, you knock down the door."

The Grenadier gripped his 40mm grenade launcher and nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"When we charge in we'll have the robots up front." She turned to Tikanni. "Once we're inside I want you and Lancaster to take out those towers."

Both Marines nodded. "Roger that!"

"The rallying point is the bunker at the far end. Moira," she pointed her finger at the AI, "I want you to stay on my ass like glue, you understand me?"

Moira nodded. "Okay."

Montgomery pulled out a 10mm pistol and presented it to her. "Here - you might need this."

From the look in Moira's eyes, you would think Montgomery had just given her a diamond. She gently took the weapon and smiled. "Thank you."

Montgomery smiled back. "You're welcome." His face suddenly became as hard as granite, and he cocked his M4. "Now let's kill some fuck'n commies!"

The Marines took their positions and Hardison announced their arrival by firing four grenades, killing the Chinese soldiers guarding the camp's entrance. The attack force charged ahead, with the two robots leading the way. The Sentry Bot unleashed a wall of 5mm lead, cutting down three Chinese soldiers rushing to stop them. The Mr. Gutsy added to the carnage by shooting a stream of fire into a tent, burning two more communist alive. By now the Marines poured into the camp, blasting away with their weapons; the sheer violence of the assault knocking the Chinese off balance. Sarah gunned down two soldiers emerging from a tent, and Hardison followed up by tossing a frag grenade inside, killing two more. Tikanni crouched down and took aim at the two Chinese soldiers in the first tower. Her first shot was a head shot, and before the other soldier could react, Tikanni put a .308 round in his chest. Lancaster shouldered his missile launcher, targeted the second tower and pulled the trigger. The missile scored a direct hit, and the tower was consumed in a fire ball.

Marcus could hear the explosions and gunfire from outside the bunker he was being kept in, and his spirits immediately began to rise. They were coming for him. More importantly, she was coming for him.

He heard the latch on his cell door, and he quickly sat up. The door opened, and his interrogator stepped inside, holding a shanxi type 17 pistol. The look on his face was one of both anger and fear, and Marcus couldn't contain his smile. "I told you she'd come."

The interrogator yelled something in Chinese and raised his pistol, determined to smash Marcus in the face, but this time the Lone Wanderer was ready for him. Marcus grabbed the pistol and quickly disarmed the surprised soldier, and he followed up by smashing his fist at the base of the interrogator's shoulder blades, sending him to his knees. Marcus finished him off with a round-house kick to the head, and his tormentor was knocked unconscious. After retrieving the Chinese pistol, Marcus calmly stepped over the interrogator's still form, and walked out of his cell.

Sarah could see the massive stone bunker up ahead, and with the rest of the camp now cleared, the Marines charged towards it. They were met by a hail of machine gun fire from two auto turrets, cutting down the two infantrymen from Second squad. Sarah and the rest of the Marines scattered for cover, but Montgomery was caught out in the open. Sarah heard a shriek behind her, and her eyes went wide when she saw Moira running towards the Gunnery Sergeant. "MOIRA GET DOWN!"

The AI could hear bullets buzzing by her head as she slammed into Montgomery, knocking him to the ground. "Stay down, I got this!" Moira said.

Montgomery, who's head was practically buried in the snow, didn't see Moira reach out with her hand towards the two auto turrets. A second later the turrets stopped shooting, and with a flick of her wrist, Moira overloaded their circuits and turrets exploded. After she reluctantly got off the Marine, Moira helped Montgomery on his feet.

Montgomery stared at where the turrets had been just a moment ago, and then looked back at Moira with his mouth hung open. "How did you..."

Moira cut him off by kissing him on the lips. Montgomery stood their speechless and began to blush, and Moira giggled.

The exchange was not lost on the rest of the Marines, who looked at each other dumbfounded. Sarah on the other hand was not amused, and she stormed over to the AI and spun her around. "If you EVER do that again I'll shoot you myself!"

Moira's smile quickly turned into a frown. "You'll shoot me if I kiss him?"

Sarah clenched her teeth and took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself. 'How the hell does Marcus put up with her...' "Just stay behind me!" She looked over at Montgomery, who still had his mouth gaped open. "Gunny!"

The Marine snapped out of his trance. "Y-yes ma'am!"

"Have what's left of Second squad stay here and secure the area. The rest of us are going inside to get the Captain."

Montgomery saluted. "Yes ma'am!"

Sarah turned to Moira. "I'm assuming you can open this door?"

Moira smiled. "Of course - but I'll pretend to hack the control panel so that I don't freak anybody out." She stepped up the controls to the massive steel door, and after pretending to push a few buttons, she stepped back and raised her hands. "Aaaaaaand open!"

The steel doors opened...and out stepped Marcus Lincoln, holding an AK-47 and displaying the most smug grin on his face. "Thanks for getting the door."

Sarah stood there in utter shock as Marcus strolled over to her. He stopped and smiled. "Miss me?"

Sarah responded by jabbing him in the arm.

"Ow, what the hell!?"

"We were coming to rescue you, you ass!"

"And you did! I mean I managed to get out of my cell but...okay, if it makes you feel any better I only had to kill three guys to get out here..."

Sarah smacked him in the arm again, causing him to recoil. A second later she threw her arms around him and held him tight. "You scared the hell out me." she whispered, her voice cracking.

Marcus returned the embrace as relief washed over him. "I'm sorry."

A moment later they heard someone clear their throat, and Sarah released her hold on Marcus. All of the Marines were standing around watching them in awkward silence, and the two friends began to blush. Marcus cleared his throat. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Well done."

Sarah quickly composed herself and saluted. "Thank you, sir."

Sarah stood at attention in General Chase's command tent, and to say he was not happy would have been the understatement of the entire war.

"So you left the bulk of your company behind enemy lines to go off on an unauthorized rescue mission, is that right, Lieutenant?"

Sarah stared straight ahead and did her best to sound confident. "Yes, General! We received reliable intel that Captain Lincoln was being held at the Ice Camp so I lead an assault to rescue him, sir!"

The General got right in her face. "You mean you went awol, Lieutenant! You're orders were to hold that Listening Post, not go off on your own adventure!"

Sarah swallowed hard. "The Listening Post was secured and I only took two squads, sir!"

"Yes - the two best squads, and left the rest of the company in the hands of a Second Lieutenant!" He stepped back and stared her up and down. "Normally I'd put you in front of a firing squad...but I'm not going to do that."

Sarah felt the relief wash over her. The General continued. "By destroying that Ice Camp you opened the door for the Australians to take the Chimera Armor Depot, and that has all but crippled the Reds in that sector." Chase took a drag from his cigar. "So instead of a court-martial, I'll be giving you a commendation."

Sarah could not stop herself from grinning. "Thank you, sir."

Chase got back in her face again. "But I'm warning you Lieutenant. You screw up just this much," he held the cigar between two fingers, "and you're gonna be spending the rest of this war shoveling frozen whale shit in the Aleutian Islands!"

"Yes sir!"

Chase held his gaze for a moment longer. "Dismissed."

Sarah saluted and made a hasty exit.

That night EZ Company stood down and celebrated not only a successful mission, but the return of their Captain. General Chase authorized the quartermaster to distribute beer rations, and the soldiers were enjoying a chance to unwind. Most of the Company had gathered in the main berthing tent, and Lancaster was re-telling the story of how First and Second Squads had rescued Marcus. "...so after Guardian Angel hacks the panel, the doors open and guess who walks out. The Captain. Walks right up to us like he owns the place and says: "You guys miss me?" "

Everyone in the tent busted out laughing. Lancaster turned to Marcus. "That was the coolest thing I'd ever seen, Captain."

Marcus smiled and tried to keep from blushing. "Well I didn't do it alone. If it wasn't for you guys I'd still be back there so...thank you."

Everyone raised their beer and cheered.

"Man I wish I could've been there with you guys." O'Day said as he was lying on a cot recovering from his injury.

Hardison looked down at him. "I bet you do, you crippled mother fucker."

Everyone in the tent laughed. O'Day propped himself up on his elbows. "Laugh it up Hardison, but doc says thanks to those stimpaks I'll be up in a day or two...and I'm gonna put this foot up your tall ass!"

More laughter followed as Hardison smiled and presented O'Day his middle finger. When the laughter died down, Marcus realized that someone was missing. "Speaking of Moira, has anyone seen her?"

Everyone suddenly got really quiet. Tikanni moved her hair away from her face. "She and Gunny went for a walk."

"About two hours ago." Lancaster mumbled.

O'Day took a drag from his cigarette and smiled. "Yeah...she's probably giving him some hot intel."

No one could maintain their composure any longer and busted out laughing. Marcus looked over at Sarah. "Did I miss something?"

Sarah couldn't help but grin. "I'll tell you later."

As the celebration continued, Marcus and Sarah walked out of the tent away from the rest of the company. "I haven't had a chance to thank you." Marcus said as they walked through the camp.

Sarah turned her head and smiled. "You did the same for me. I was just returning the favor."

Marcus stopped walking and faced her. "Is that all you were doing?" he asked in a low voice.

Sarah stared into his brown eyes and found herself speechless. The truth was when she'd learned he had been captured, all she could think about was rescuing him. She was ready to forsake her mission, the company, everything to find him. She told herself it was because she owed him, and that she would do the same for any of her soldiers. But deep down, it was something much more...

Sarah finally found her voice, and it was barely above a whisper. "Marcus...I..."

She was interrupted by a very giddy AI bouncing her way over to them. "HEY!"

Both Marcus and Sarah jumped and sighed in annoyance.

Moira was holding something in both hands. "Benji gave me one of his holotags!"

Marcus was confused. "Benji?"

"Yeah - Montgomery."

Sarah and Marcus both just stared at her.

"What? Even an AI's got needs, ya know."

Sarah mumbled "Oh my God" under her breath, and Marcus grinned and shook his head. "Okay Moira, but I think it's time for you to come home." He began tapping on his PIPBOY.

Moira pouted like a little kid. "Ohhhh, do I have to?"

"Yes!" Marcus said with a stern tone. "I can't risk anything happening to you out here; you're pretty much the only thing keeping us alive." He could see she was still upset, and he let out a deep breath. "Tell you what: I promise when the simulation is over, we can come back and you can visit Montgomery anytime."

Moira's face lite up. "You promise?"

Marcus nodded. "Yes."

"Okay!"

The three of them ducked behind a large truck, and after being encompassed in a brilliant blue light, Moira was back inside of Marcus' PIPBOY.

Marcus smiled down at the avatar. "It's good to have you back."

"Yeah...I admit I kinda missed it. Good news, I've managed to learn that there should only be one mission left before the simulation is over."

"Thank God," Sarah said, "I was beginning to think it wouldn't end until Judgement Day."

"Do you know anything about the mission?" Marcus asked.

"Only that's is going to start really soon."

"Captain Lincoln!"

Marcus and Sarah spun around, and Lieutenant Morgan saluted them. "The General needs to see you and the Lieutenant on the double, sir."

Marcus returned his salute, and the two companions followed the intelligence officer inside the command tent. General Chase was standing in front of the plot table...and he didn't look happy. After ordering Marcus and Sarah at ease, the General began the briefing. "Well...it's a whole new ball game now." He touched the plot table, and a close up image of Anchorage appeared. "The Chinese have managed to set up a network of massive artillery guns overlooking Anchorage. They can annihilate anything that comes within twenty miles of the city. But that's only part of the problem." He touched the screen again, and a blue ring appeared on the map.

"What is it, sir?" Marcus asked.

"That soldier is a stasis field, and it's surrounding the entire city. Even if we managed to get past those damn guns, our boys would slam into that stasis field like bugs hitting a windshield. The only good news is that we know where the control station for both the guns and field is located." He pointed to a spot just northwest of Anchorage. "Here - in this massive complex in the mountains." The General's jaw hardened. "Intel believes that General Jingwei himself is commanding that complex."

Silence filled the room as everyone took in what the General was saying. Sarah braced herself. "What do you need us to do, sir?"

"An airstrike is out of the question; their are too many SAM missile sights in the area. Our only chance is for you and you team to infiltrate the base. We'll have to insert you here, ten miles to the north. You're then going to have to hike through those mountains, make your way into the complex and take out the control center. And if you can...kill that bastard Jingwei!" The General stood up straight, and he suddenly took on a more somber tone. "I'm not going to sugar coat it. What I'm ordering you to do is nothing short of a suicide mission. Odds are, you and your team will not be coming back. I wouldn't normally order anyone to do something like this. Hell...I'd rather go myself."

Marcus and Sarah stood in silence as they listened to the General. They could tell the man was sincere.

"But the fact is, you and your team are the only ones trained for something like this, and if you don't succeed, we'll never win this war. I know this sucks, but everyone of us signed the bottom line. We all knew the risk, and we're prepared to do whatever it takes to save this country. That is why we're here. Are you up for this, Marines?"

Marcus and Sarah both swallowed as their throats went dry. Neither one of them were prepared for something like this...but they didn't dare take the chance to say no. "Yes sir!" they said in unison.

To their surprise, General Chase stood at attention and saluted them. "America will never forget your sacrifice." He slowly lowered his arm. "Good luck. Dismissed."

Marcus walked out of the command tent in a daze as the gravity of what had been said sunk in. Sarah on the other hand, was fuming. "This can't be a suicide mission! I mean...it doesn't make any sense! Why would they put us in a training simulator if there's no possible way for us to win?"

A bitter chuckle escaped from Marcus and he slowly shook his head. "Because it's the Kobayashi Maru."

Sarah's head cocked to the side. "The what?"

Marcus was was still shaking his head. He couldn't believe this, and the irony was not lost on him. "The no win scenario." He turned and faced Sarah. "It's from an old movie. People were put into a simulator and presented with a problem, and no matter what they did, no matter how crafty or smart they were, they could never win. It was designed to see how they would react when faced with a no win scenario. Don't you see? This simulator is not just for training...it's an evaluation. Which I'm guessing would be okay if..."

"If the safety's were in place!" Sarah finished. She clinched her fist and gritted her teeth as rage began to build. She remembered the look on McGraw's face just before she entered the simulator; as if he wanted to tell her something...

"Those bastards set us up!" she screamed. "They knew this was a suicide mission, that's why they needed us!" She began pacing back and forth; anger coursing through her veins. "Those lying motherfuckers! I can't believe I trusted them! We do the simulator for them and get the vault open, we die in the process, and they get all the tech!"

Marcus stood in silence as he listened to her rant. Finally Sarah sat down on a pile of supply boxes and put her head in her hands. Marcus took a few stepped towards her. "We're not dead yet, Sarah. We will get out of here...and I plan on giving Protector McGraw a piece of my mind."

Sarah looked up at him as if he were crazy. "You heard the General: it's a suicide mission! How the hell are you going to beat a no win senario, Marcus?"

Marcus grinned. "The same way Captain Kirk did." He touched the screen of his PIPBOY. "Moira, listen carefully...here's what I want you to do..."

The next morning Marcus briefed EZ Company on the mission, and just like the General, he didn't sugar coat it. When he asked for volunteers it was no surprise when the members of First Squad, Montgomery, Tikanni, Lancaster, Hardison, and the newly recovered O'Day, all stepped up. Even though the Marines were just VI's in a simulator, Marcus and Sarah could not help but get choked up at their level of devotion. The truth was, they had grown fond of the members of EZ Company and thought of them as people. As friends.

The quartermasters were ordered to give Marcus and his team something "extra", and what that got were three Gauss Rifles. It was an experimental sniper rifle that used micro fusion cells as ammo - and it packed a hell of a punch. Sarah told Marcus her father had told her stories about these rifles, and how only a handful had ever been found out West. She hoped that the fact it was in the simulator meant a few real ones were waiting back in the vault.

"Are you sure this is going to work, Marcus?"

The Lone Wanderer finished making final checks on his new gun. "It's still going to be a tough fight but...at least this way we'll have a chance."

Sarah let out a sigh and hung her head. "I'm sorry I got you into this. I should've listened to you and walked away..."

Marcus walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Hey...it's alright. We're in this together. You and me."

As they stared into each other's eyes they both felt in that moment, despite the danger, there was no place either of them wanted to be. They had been through so much, and if this was the end, they wanted to face it together.

"Sir, ma'am!" Montgomery entered the tent, causing Marcus and Sarah to break contact. "They're ready."

Without saying a word, Marcus Lincoln and Sarah Lyons walked out of the tent, and headed into the final battle for Anchorage.