The next day came. The squad gathered their gear and weapons in preparation for the operation.

Calvin sat calm, cleaning his rifle, creating a certain repetitive ticking sound that echoed throughout the room.

Maddie walked pacing back and forth, from one corner to the other, frantically and repeatedly placing his hands on to the blades holstered on his belt, as if he was practicing the quick draw of a revolver. Each time he did this motion, it would be faster than the last, until eventually, a single drop of sweat fell from his nose, seeping into the concrete floor.

Gorge was sitting alone, away from others with his hands clasped, praying silently.

“Does it help?” Jebua asked as he stumbled into the room.

“What?” George asked as he opened his eye.

“To take the edge off,” Jebua clarified.

“Yeah,” George said before closing his bible.

“Maybe I should try it sometime,” Jebua said while lighting a cigarette.

“No better time than the present,” George retorted, pulling the cigarette out of Jebua’s mouth and stomping it out with his foot as he glanced at him with a warm comforting smile.

“Alright,” Jebua sat down next to George, “How do I do this?” he asked.

“Just close your eyes, clasp your hands together and think of your loved ones,” George explained.

“How do I know if I’m doing it right?” Jebua asked, trying to focus.

“As long as the payer comes from the heart, it is bound to reach someone,” George explained, intensely staring at his companion.

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Suddenly, X and Matsuhide walked into the room.

“Aright, enough chit chat boys, it’s go time. The chopper is waiting for us!” X shouted with Matsuhide standing directly behind him.

“Maybe next time,” Jebua muttered, standing up.

“Yeah,” George replied, cracking his left knuckle.

As the squad rushed outside, the sound of rotor blades cutting through the air grew louder.

“Hurry up or we will lose the element of surprise. We have the entire block surrounded and barricaded, the communications are scrambled, there’s only a brief window for us to act. I will be with you on the intercoms,” Matsuhide explained, screaming so his voice doesn’t get drowned out.

The helicopter took off, flying high into the night sky. The crew sat still on the bunks inside, staring blankly at the floor, completely motionless. Cold sweat was gathering on their foreheads and dripping into their eyes, but they were far too focused to notice. X was the only exception to this. He was laying down on the floor of the aircraft as it flew, looking up at the ceiling with a bored expression.

“Why are you all so worried?” he wondered, laughing gleefully.

“You do realize this is akin to a suicide mission, right? We are about to storm into a compound full of contractors, one of which is a guaranteed invoke class,” Maddie replied lighting a cigarette of his own.

“Oh, come on guys, we’ve done this before. You’re not afraid of little old Phoenix, are you?” X smirked as his gaze shifted towards Maddie.

“Sure, we are. We’re about to face off against one of the most powerful contractors in the city. Not to mention that he’s functionally immortal,” George stated.

“I’ll take care of him,” X stated confidently.

“You better,” Maddie scoffed.

“He will,” Calvin intervened.

“What about drinks after we’re done??” Jebua laughed, trying to brighten the mood.

“You have a drinking problem!” Calvin pointed at Jebua.

“Right, and I will solve it…” Jebua attempted to reply before being interrupted by the intercoms.

“Code name: X, Brick, Pretty-boy, Vizor and Chimney, this is team leader Matsuhide, do you read me? Over,” Matsuhide said over the intercoms.

“Loud and clear, over,” X replied.

“You are about to descend into the enemy’s den. The location is an old warehouse-complex. To your right will be the main office building. To your left is the warehouse itself. You are to engage at your own discretion. Be careful not to get spotted, over,” Matsuhide explained.

“Eye eye, over,” Calvin answered with a slight awkwardness in voice.

“Where’s X?” Matsuhide asked in a concerned tone.

“He just jumped out of the helicopter,” Calvin sighed.

“Fucking psycho,” Matsuhide angrily murmured.