Ashes and Return
18:45 — Citywide Darkness
The nightlife in the bar was muted. Key lights were out, overhead fans spun in low hum, and patrons stirred with the sudden emptiness. The blackout, coupled with the EMP and explosions miles away, had everyone on edge, yet still dancing.
John Wayne stepped through the back door, entering with his team, faces serious but composed.
Price glanced at him cautiously. "Everything clear?"
John nodded. "Mission done."
He tapped his holobud; a holographic map appeared — red zones marking cleared areas, now tagged for destruction.
John: "We need to level it to the ground."
Packing the Charges
They moved in silence, slipping through back corridors of the bar. Price slung a pack of C4; Nikolai hefted the largest satchel. Soap tested a detonator. Ghost's face was hidden, but his eyes reflected pure focus.
**
Price asked quietly, "Just make sure none of it stays."
John answered, "No one will leave anything behind."
They emerged without a sound into the quiet street. Red dots tracked by their holomaps marked structures around the sealed compound. Each team member placed their charges on entry walls, power substations, and ground points.
**
John set his charge in the structural support room — the heart of the building.
Price placed his at the main structural pillars.
Soap laid his near the loading bay.
Nikolai planted at the southwestern stack.
Ghost stayed back, eyes forward, arms folded.
Within minutes, they returned inside the bar. No lights. No sound except their breathing.
"Detonation in five," John whispered.
Their earpieces were silent.
They watched the crowd from a corner window as the faintest glow in the distance erupted.
—KABOOM—
Shaking windows. A thunderous sound. Echoed laughter stopped mid-moment. People stared. Police sirens began wailing.
On their holomaps: red circles expanded outward — police units being dispatched to investigate.
John exhaled. "Perfect smoke."
Night Aftermath
The rest of the night turned peaceful. They stayed in the bar's private room, eating quietly. Waited for power to return.
John sat back and watched their faces.
Price sipped black coffee. "Nobody will connect us to that site…"
John smiled, "Not tonight."
Soap twirled his glass. "We did good."
Nikolai watched the street through blinds. "Look at all those cops."
Ghost remained silent, yet calm.
When the lights flickered back at 21:30, the world blinked awake.
They acknowledged each other with tired nods.
John signaled the end. "That's it. We're done here."
They exchanged silent glances, backed to shadows.
Departure at Dawn
05:30, Next Morning — Bar Front
The team gathered outside in the pale dawn light.
Soap yawned. "Early flight."
Price acknowledged him, adjusting his coat.
Nikolai carried a small carry-on bag.
Ghost remained masked, head down.
The street was quiet. Only the distant remnant boom of prior night's operations.
John arrived in his Mustang. Noir headlights flickered on.
**
John: "Planes are ready."
They nodded. Their setup was simple:
John would fly in the Gulfstream G50.
Price, Soap, Nikolai, and Ghost had booked civilian flights—staggered schedule yet coordinated.
John handed them their passports. "Stay safe."
They shared final nods.
**
Soap: "Catch you when we land, Reaper."
Price: "Try not to shoot your own plane down."
John faintly smiled. "No promises."
He climbed in and sped away.
Touchdown — U.S. Secret Base
11:00, Military Airstrip
The Gulfstream touched down on a hidden runway. John disembarked first. The others deplaned moments later, their faces calm but weary.
They were escorted via unmarked SUVs to an underground base, secure and undisclosed.
**
Inside, General Marcus Bennett awaited—with crisp uniform, medals gleaming. A digital screen behind him displayed top-secret status flags.
John and his team prepared standing in formation.
Bennett addressed them with solemnity.
**
General Bennett: "Reaper, Captain Price, Sergeant MacTavish, Specialist Riley, Lieutenant Nikolai — report."
John stepped forward.
**
John: "Targets destroyed. Facility leveled. Personnel neutralized."
He paused. Bennett motioned him to continue.
**
John: "Charges triggered at 18:49 local, clearing was complete by 18:27. I exited facility at 18:36. Made demolition of infrastructure. City blackout lasted two hours. No collateral casualties in field."
**
Price nodded.
**
Price: "EMP worked as planned. We tracked every heartbeat. Extraction was seamless."
**
Soap added dryly. "Only wonders what the tourists think of the fireworks."
**
Nikolai: "Vehicle prepped, on schedule. No issues during extraction."
**
Ghost: "No reinforcements—facility was empty post-clear."
Bennett typed notes.
He looked at remains on the top-secret folders.
**
General Bennett: "And casualties?"
**
John: "All 23 targets confirmed. No survivors. No friendly losses."
Bennett nodded slowly.
**
General Bennett: "Excellent. You executed flawlessly."
He turned to the team.
**
General Bennett: "Your actions remain classified. No records will be kept outside this file. The President is aware—silent approval."
**
He paused.
**
General Bennett: "Reaper, you requested three favors?"
John looked forward evenly.
**
General Bennett: "Granted. Within reason. Provide your requests to me directly."
John nodded.
**
General Bennett: "Your team will be debriefed, medically evaluated, and returned to posting. You may proceed."
He dismissed them with a nod.
Quiet Aftermath
Outside the debrief room, the team regrouped.
**
Price clasped John's shoulder. "Kid... you outdid yourself."
John managed a small nod.
**
Soap: "We earned tonight's silence."
**
Nikolai: "Next stop, whatever we choose."
**
Ghost said nothing, but his nod signaled approval.
They walked together down the hallway—five shadows moving into a future now uncharted.