It was the 18th of July 2018. The Brazilian election was in full swing, but the hottest topic amongst the locals was how they lost against Belgium during the FIFA quarterfinals. Yet that was all trivial when news broke out around 10 pm about a strong and what seemed to be an unkillable man taking hostages and tearing anyone in half who dared to approach them. The world knew about the incident, nor could the Order couldn’t hide the gem embedded in his chest which gave them immense physical power. But it wasn’t the first time they had to conduct operations in the open.
The ride to the Copacabana Palace, a famous hotel in Brazil was an eventful one. Now, it was locked down as a crazed unkillable man took hostages and the police barricaded the area so people wouldn't interfere with the Order’s operation.
Not an ideal vacation situation, Ryan thought to himself. He and everyone in his unit were debriefed about the problem the moment they landed. However, since the crisis became public, they had to wear BOPE uniforms and utilise their equipment so as not to raise any suspicions. It annoyed Ryan that he couldn’t use his favourite weapons, but he could appreciate the feel of the M4 Carbine. Though that didn’t upset him as much as when he was told that he had to wear the BOPE’s helmet instead of his cowboy hat.
Conducting operations out in the open was easier said than done. While the public was unaware of the existence of a secret society determined to defend humanity at all costs. The Order still needed supplies and raw resources. Under the table, they had to interact with the leaders of the world to establish deals to facilitate their continued existence. Though the Order will only interact with the outside world posing as controlled entities and organisations that served as hidden branches within any government that specialises in the paranormal and the unexplainable, in truth, they were just a diplomatic corp. Their purpose was simple, to act as eyes for the Order, and to give them the resources necessary to combat the threats of humanity.
People knew the existence of the American Society of the Paranormal and how the average person would see their existence as a waste of taxpayers’ dollars for trying to prove the existence of “nothing”. It was ironic to know that the existence of the ASP and organisations just like it led to the disbandment of numerous ufology and conspiratory organisations throughout the entire world. The allure of wanting to be an outsider finding aliens and ghosts was ruined when the government was doing the same, it just didn’t have the same appeal.
Ryan and twelve of his comrades sat inside of a Paramount Maverick armoured personnel vehicle, sat across from him was Jackson and his newly recruited member of his unit, Mark Esmen. Jackson was forced to wear the typical body armour of the BOPE instead of his armoured trench coat, Ryan could tell the reptile wasn’t amused when he was told to wear something that didn’t provide adequate worth. However, Ryan had to admit that the reptile looked terrifying with his green scales scarred from years of conflict in contrast to the black BOPE uniform.
Either way, they were there for the same reasons as Ryan. The mission was as followed, Unit 511 would rescue the hostages while Jackson and Mark dealt with the immortal psychopath. Ryan knew there was more to it because out of everyone Jackson was the only one without a weapon. ‘What are you planning to do? Punch the guy to death?’ Ryan teasingly said to the reptile.
‘Nah, the scalie is going to kiss him to death.’ Mark joked after he nudged the reptile. ‘I heard his lips are poisonous as well. Might go home early if given the chance..’
The reptile glared at Mark before he turned to face Ryan to respond with a cold tone. ‘I will be provided equipment on site.’
‘Ah, so we will be given typical guns, and you get to handle all the cool… stuff?’ Ryan censored himself, not wanting to deal with the reptile’s deathly stare.
Stolen novel; please report.
Jackson gave Ryan a blank expression. ‘Don’t know, we’ll know soon.’
As the armoured car stopped and the back doors opened, everyone hopped out of the vehicle and made their way to the command tent. Hundreds of people gathered outside, watching behind barricades to observe the siege that was about to commence. Some whispered to each other about the late arrival of the BOPE, others even noticed how strange some of the members were far more diverse than what should make up a BOPE unit.
Yet Ryan and his team couldn’t care about the onlookers, to him, he was amazed at the architecture of the Copacabana Palace. To him, it reminded him of some of the palaces in Europe. An all-white building overlooking the ocean and beachside. ‘I should come here on vacation next time.’ Ryan mumbled to himself.
From behind, his teammate named Kylie gently slapped the back of his head. ‘Or perhaps you should focus on the mission besides where you want to go on leave.’ She said to him while she headed inside the debriefing tent.
Inside, everyone gathered around a small table with a map of the building. The commander in charge, one of the Head Director of Omen, gave the entire 30-minute mission briefing to Ryan and Jackson’s team again. The mission was simple; enter through the main entrance, head up the stairs to the 6th floor where the hostages were located and escort them out of the building while Jackson tries to kill or incapacitate the immortal man who Ryan just found out was named Michale Pears. The easy part of the mission was they would only confront an unarmed man, the issue was no one could hurt him. Though that wasn’t Ryan or his team’s problem, that was why the Butterfly Legion was called in.
As Ryan brought out his notebook and tried to plot a course that could have him and his unit lead the hostages out of the building without resistance. The Director of Omen placed down a steel box of enchanted equipment in front of Jackson. ‘We know, or at least speculate, that one of the enchanted items we have in stock can hurt him, we don’t know which one.’ The Director explained before he outlined Jackson’s main objective. Figure out which enchantment could hurt them before they make and provide an enchanted bullet for Mark to use. In the box were knives, brass knuckles, and a baton. A whole set of enchanted items made to fulfil different purposes with the enchantment type engraved on the weapons. Ryan couldn’t help but feel bad for the reptile who had to figure out which one would hurt someone who could not be harmed through traditional means.
As they all made their way outside Mark headed off to set up at a nearby building. Ryan approached the reptile while they placed every enchanted melee weapon into their designated spots. ‘So, how do you think this mission will turn out?’
The reptile expected a knife before he placed it in his leg holster. ‘Badly, we need to be quick.’
Ryan chuckled, ‘yeah, and how will we do that when you only have knives and sticks?’
‘I will bring chargers. I’ll be on the floor under the target and drag them under. Mark will notify me when he will confront you and when to set off the charges.’
Ryan smiled at the reptile’s confidence. ‘I doubt the guy will be waiting for us on the sixth floor.’
‘He will. Keep your comms on and don’t engage the target. Focus on the hostages and stay alive, understood?’ The reptile coldly replied, their tone flat and unmoving. Yet Ryan could hear a faint hint of concern from the reptile’s voice, even if Jackson didn’t know it.
‘Don’t worry, we’ll do our part. Just make sure not to get hurt.’ Besides replying, the reptile gave Ryan a reassuring nod.