1000 hours, October 10th
Somewhere in the USA, OGL Private Airstrip.
“So, this is the place they told us to meet?” Dylan asked as he slowly pulled up into the gravel parking lot.
Andre, who was sitting in the front seat of Dylan’s car nodded in reply. “Yeah, this is the place alright… or at least that’s what the GPS says.”
William, Evan, and Lucas poked their heads up from in the back, looking at the rather well maintained and well-built private airstrip that even had a small hanger attached to it. The airstrip itself was even paved and seemed to look as though it was owned by a Special Forces group more than a company dedicated to the collection and preservation of artifacts. But the five friends pushed the thought aside as Andre was the first to step out of the black Ford Mustang. His eyes hidden behind a pair of black sunglasses he had used back when he was a Ranger. Dylan was next though as he got out, pulling the front seat forward so the others could get out, he couldn’t help but wonder why everyone decided to use his car, and not their own.
“So… tell me again, why did we have to take my car here?” Dylan asked, still a little confused as to why they all took his car.
Evan smiled and patted his shoulder, “Carpool.” Short but sufficient as Dylan shrugged and nodded his head.
“So, when do I get the gas money then?” Dylan added as he paused a moment to think.
“What money?” William added as he stepped out next, stretching his arms high into the air before bringing them back to his side.
Dylan raised a finger to protest but stopped himself, telling himself it wasn’t worth it. Instead, he simply adjusted his lucky baseball cap that had his former unit patch and ranger tab on the front. He’d had it with him since day one of his time in the Rangers. Having received his ranger tab was the highlight of his career. Plus everyone pretty much saw it as being a lucky tool as well since it always seemed to give them a fair bit of good fortune whenever he wore the cameo cap.
“So where are these guys?” Lucas asked, trying to figure out where their employers were.
Looking around the five friends could see there was little to no life around the airstrip which saw to the group being a little uneasy. “You fuck up the directions Andre?” Lucas asked as he looked towards the empty strip.
William just shrugged as he opened the trunk, pulling out his bag. “I bet you twenty they’re in the hanger and or the adjoining building.”
“I’ll take that bet,” Dylan replied quickly.
Andre peered over towards the buildings, before he too grabbed his bag, heaving it around his shoulder, before passing Evan his. Lucas and Dylan were last to grab their stuff. Dylan pulling out his trusty 590A1 Shotgun along with his rucksack and backpack, throwing the rucksack over his shoulders before grinning at his friends who were giving him a surprised look at the sight.
“Why the hell do you have a tactical shotgun just sitting around in your trunk like that?” Andre questioned, his tone showing both his surprise and curiosity.
Slinging their rucksacks over their shoulders each of the friends nodded in agreement to Andre’s question, more so Lucas who was curious how it even fit with all the baggage they had in the car.
“Come on guys, you don’t talk bad about old faithful here. She’s gotten me through more shit than any weapon… save maybe my colt nineteen eleven.” He replied patting his duffle bag which housed his pistol.
“No, no, it's all cool and stuff, but I mean… a better question is, how did none of us notice the shotgun when we put our stuff in there?” Evan observed, looking at the trunk in wonder and surprise at how all their stuff managed to fit.
William raised a brow but shook it off as he adjusted his own rucksack, before pausing a moment to consider something, “By the way… I just noticed this as well but… why does this car have so much trunk space? It had our backpacks and rucksacks, which is weird.”
Dylan chuckled softly before shaking his head, “Reasons.” Was all he said before walking towards the strip hanger and the small building connected to it.
William just looked at him, then back at the open trunk before sighing as he dismissed the thought knowing full well that the answer he was given was the best he was going to get. Much like Evan who had already thrown away any hope to his question as he began moving to catch up with the rest of the group.
As they walked to the front door of the small Spartan-like building, they noticed a sign that had the company’s name, ‘The Order of Golden Light Corporation.’
“Huh, an odd name for a research company.” Andre thought aloud, “Hey, Evan, who’d you say these guys were again?”
Evan shrugged, “Didn’t say. But from what I read, they’re one of those old organizations. Some group that’s based off an order of European Knights.”
“Sixteenth century if I remember correctly. The real order was made up of Explorers who tried to work with the natives of North America, rather than destroy and or conquer.” William interjected, his blue eyes showing an obvious interest in the name.
The four others looked at him a little surprised for a moment before shrugging it off as they remembered his degree.
“So should we knock?” Lucas asked, looking around at the others, his hand hovering just a mere two inches from the steel door.
“No point making them wait any longer than they already have,” William replied quickly which prompted the former Scout to knock on the thin steel door.
As Lucas knocked, the group looked at the door a little nervously, wondering who it was that actually hired them, and who it was that had all this money… more so since they were getting paid a cool one million each… an amount one would consider to be a near impossible payout no matter what type of job you were doing… hell, not even millionaires made as much as they were about to in such a short amount of time… save maybe Bill Gates and the top ten billionaires. But yeah, the thought was one that seemed to be shared by the five friends who waited with baited breath to meet their employers. Within moments the thin metal door swung open, and standing there holding it open was a rather intimidating woman standing 4’11” with short black hair tied in a small ponytail, though it what made her look a fair bit intimidating was the scar that ran down the side of her otherwise beautiful face. Her cold emerald green eyes seemingly adding to the fact that she was not the type of person one would wish to mess with. But the thing that seemed to give the five friends a bit of surprise was how she was dressed. Standing at the door wearing full on tactical gear, her torso protected by a jungle cameo designed plate carrier vest, with a pistol holster strapped to her right thigh. In truth it looked like they were looking at one of their sisters from the 75th; more so given how badass those women were.
“Yes?” The woman asked with a brow raised.
Despite her cold tone and rather… intimidating aura, Dylan was the first to speak up, “We’re the team you guys hired to provide security.”
The woman nodded slowly, scanning the group of Rangers before smiling as if satisfied by what she saw before opening the way for them to enter. “Ah, yes. Please, come in.”
They didn’t need to be told twice, as hefted their rucksacks over their shoulders and made their way into the small and as they could tell, quite cramped building. “You’d think with how much money they’re throwing at us, they’d make something a little larger,” Andre whispered over towards Evan who just nodded silently in return.
The group of friends looked around the small building noting how they were now in the company of six other individuals, each seemingly dressed and ready for the hot and humid jungles of the Amazon, though that was the extent of their looks, as they were looked like your average group of civilians… much like how the five friends would’ve appeared had they not been carrying their rucksacks and backpacks.
Though as the five friends came to a stop to join the other six around a small table with a map and numerous other documents laid out atop it, everything suddenly went silent. William pursed his lips before taking a deep breath in to speak.
“Hey.”
Short and simple, and one that had the people whom the five assumed were the ones they were to protect look up and give a rather curious nod in greeting. “Hello, I… take it you’re the fellows our patron over there had hired to act as our protectors?” Came a voice by a grey-haired man looked to be about 60-years-old given his overall appearance.
“That’s correct Doctor.” Answered the petite woman as she rejoined the group. Resting against the nearby wall she gave a nod over towards William, “That man over there is the one who’ll be in charge of security during our time in South America. If you have any questions or have anything to report he’s the one you go to.”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
The large group all looked at her for a moment before they all looked over at William who just nodded silently in reply, as he knew he couldn’t really correct his employer though in truth the only difference between him and the others was the title he now had and the paperwork he would no doubt have to do now. But none the less, it probably brought some peace of mind to the civilians who looked at the group with some apprehension given how Dylan looked with his shotgun resting against his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, so long as we’re around your safety is guaranteed,” Andre said, trying to reassure them before he put his rucksack and another bag down as to rest his shoulders. “Names Andre Richardson. I’ll be the one down the area with you guys providing both support and security.”
Evan stepped up next, taking advantage of Andre’s introduction to make his own. “Evan Anderson. Younger brother to William over there, and I’ll be the one watching over you all from a distance. Think of me as your guardian angel.”
“Dylan Smith… or Bull if you want something shorter.” Dylan started a warm smile across his face. “I’ll be doing the job of keeping you all safe as well as our vehicles.”
As Dylan finished making his introduction, Lucas scratched the back of his head realizing he was next, “Boerhave, Lucas Boerhave. I’ll be the point man. I’ll be the one ensuring we camp in safe locations and ensuring you all have a higher life expectancy out in the wilderness.”
William nodded, liking how short his friends kept their introductions before they all suddenly looked at him as if expecting something from him. “What?” He asked, his arms crossed over his chest before realizing he was supposed to say something. “Uh… well… to be honest with you, the boss more or less introduced me already. I’ll be the one dealing with the security reports and also the middleman who coordinates with my team and HQ.” he quickly followed up, his face a little red in embarrassment at his complete lack of a proper introduction.
“Well, now that we’ve gotten our security team’s introduction I believe we should give them the same.” The woman who hired them walked up, resting her hands on the table before looking at the guys with a rather warm smile. “Erynn Collier. I work for the OGL Corporation as the manager in charge of both the security and research divisions.” As she finished she cast a look over towards another woman who looked to be around the same age as the guys.
The second woman shrugged before pushing herself up from her seat, pulling down her hood as she did so. “Pleasure to meet you, gentlemen. Katie Roberts. Former United States Air Force. I also work for the OGL through their Air Division… Which consists of just me and this lovely airport you find yourselves at… and I’m also the one who’ll be flying you all to your destination.” She replied in a rather forced friendly tone.
Like Erynn, she kept her hair tied in a ponytail, though her brown hair was a fair bit longer and one could tell it was a bit curly by the few strands of hair that fell down her forehead. Her light skin seemingly showing no imperfections, save the odd freckle or two scattered across her pretty features. The former rangers, however, focused more on her military history, feeling a little confident in the fact they were working with an experienced pilot, having both civilian and military experience in flying was a plus in their books, as it meant they wouldn’t have to worry about having to go ‘airborne’ anytime soon.
The next person to come to introduce themselves was the older gentleman who had spoken previously. “Well, I suppose I should apologize for not introducing myself sooner. Doctor Jourdain Linville. I specialize in South American civilizations dating from the fifteenth century all the way back to their earliest history.” The man gave a warm smile to the five men before offering his hand to shake to each of the five friends.
Shortly after the old researcher made his introduction the rest made theirs, each seemingly becoming more open and friendly as they continued to say the areas they specialized in. Another expert in the field of ancient civilizations, a linguist who specialized in lost and dead languages, a doctor who worked for the OGL, and finally another archeologist. Overall the group was highly specialized in what they were all hired to find and examine. Though once all the introductions were done and over, the former rangers looked over towards Erynn whom they expected to start the briefing to give them the rest of their objective and duty in the coming days, more so since it was strange how they had to hire so many ex-military personnel to handle a job that only two or three guys could handle.
“Well, since we’ve all introduce ourselves I believe you’re up Mrs. Roberts.” Erynn started, her tone once more returning to its original neutral one. “I believe we should begin making preparations to make our way to Brazil, so, if I may ask our researchers and archeologists to please gather your belongings and head to the plane.” As she spoke she motioned for the six civilians to head towards the second door, which had a small plate attached to it indicating that it lead to the hanger.
Dylan looked at their boss, curious to know why they were excluded from going to the plane. Though before he could ask anything she shot a look their way, “Now, as for you gentlemen, I have another task for you before you board the plane.”
--
Stepping outside the five men looked at the large hanger doors for a moment. “So… she wants us to do all this shit? Don’t they have staff for this stuff?” Lucas questioned first.
Andre chuckled softly as he looked over at Lucas, “Yeah, they do have staff. Us.”
Evan closed his eyes, nodding in silent agreement with Andre, while Dylan was already starting to roll the doors open, using his hulk-like strength.
“Good job Shorty! Keep it up! Come on, push it!” Cheered William sarcastically who joined the other three in watching Dylan open the large doors by himself.
“Ffffuuuucccckkkk…. Yyyyoooouuuu…. Guyyysss!!~” Dylan grunted in reply.
But knowing they couldn’t let him do all the work, Will pulled out a small remote and pressed one of the buttons which saw to the two large doors open. “I found the remote to open these things before we came out here…"
Dylan looked over at the four, the look of ‘da fuck?’ written all over his face before he just shook it off by throwing his hands up into the air in defeat before heading to the plane.
Once the doors were fully open and its passengers fully loaded, the rather large luxury plane began to taxi its way outside and onto the strip of pavement. Sitting in the cockpit were Katie and Erynn who began their final checks before the edging up the thrust. The former rangers, on the other hand, were in the belly of the plane, quickly strapping themselves into their seats after having stowed their stuff for checking later in the flight. The civilians, however, were sitting in the more luxurious area of the plan which was located on the second level of the plane, where they could fully relax and conduct their research in peace without having to worry about anything their security detail did or would do. And once they were all squared away the plane was off and they were on their way to Brazil.
Evan sat in complete silence, his eyes looking over at the sign, waiting for the right moment so he could stand up and begin checking his gear. Dylan and William, on the other hand, were already looking at a map that Erynn had given them as they boarded before telling them to study the routes they would take. Lucas and Andre were looking over their seats trying to look at the map as well. Finally, the sign came up telling them it was good to walk around now. Not wasting even a second, Evan launched himself up and headed for the back to begin squaring away his gear.
Looking over Dylan tapped William’s shoulder, “I’ll go start putting our shit together along with Evan.” He told his blonde friend before looking at Lucas, “You should take my place man, you’re the point man on this op, so you should get to know the map better than the rest of us.”
The former scout nodded in agreement, “Sounds good bro.” Then, with all being said, Dylan made his way towards the back to join Evan.
Lucas quickly took Dylan’s spot and within moments was already scanning and memorizing the map as best he could.
Andre, on the other hand, tapped both their shoulders before pointing to the back, “We should start getting our shit squared away as well here. Will, I say we leave our Scout to study the map while we get started in putting our stuff together.”
“Sounds good Rich.” He replied quickly, “We’ll meet you in the back there once you’ve gotten a good enough grasp on where we’re going.”
Once they reached the back, the four friends quickly began to go through their rucksacks, emptying them of their tactical gear and weapon parts. Each man had an MK18 (though each customized with the parts that made them more deadly) be them either a secondary or primary, though in the case of Evan and Dylan they were secondary weapons. Dylan had his Colt 1911, his lucky shotgun, and an MK18 with an ACOG scope, and a tan foregrip to help add some stability. Evan, on the other hand, would be going into the field with an M110 SDM rifle, with an x12 scope, a Sig Sauser P229 pistol, and an MK18 for a secondary small arm; customized in much the same way as Dylan’s but with a holographic sight. Each man save Bull was equipped with a P229 Pistol like Evan, as they were good weapons to use in tight situations and each man seemed rather confident in the piece… that and with the budget they got from their employers they were also an affordable choice.
In terms of tactical gear, each of the five had a tactical plate carrier which was very much like the ones they had in the Rangers. They were also going in wearing the standard knee pads, waterproof gloves, hiking boots with steel toes, tactical belts with attached pouches for ammo and other small supplies, and of course… a harness built into their backpacks which carried the rest of their kits and sleeping gear. The former rangers also had small ear pieces and neck communication set as a means of contacting on another without the use of bulky headsets. In terms of head protection, each man had an Ops-Core helmet like the ones they wore back in the 75th, though the Anderson brothers both opted for the Sentry variant of the Ops-Core, while the others went with the FAST variant; Dylan wearing it with his lucky baseball cap.
The OGL Corporation had actually given them the budget for both the tactical gear and the weapons, which was actually coming out of their overall pay since they were considered full-time employees of the company and as such were expected to keep and maintain the weapons and gear they received. Each piece being designed to be lightweight, and flexible in terms of both customization and movement. All in all, they were ready. More so since they were even equipped with NVG’s, strobe markers, cameo netting, the works. In truth, the guys were actually surprised by the shit they were given by their employers.
“So… is anyone else but me a little curious as to why they’re equipping us with all this shit? I mean it’s like we’re getting ready for a war or something.” Andre asked while loading his harness up.
Dylan nodded slowly in response before looking over at the others, wrench in hand. “I’m telling you, man… we’re going to get shot at. You don’t hire five vets just to guard people on a simple archeological dig. That shit doesn’t happen...” He then shot a glare over at Evan, “If I get shot you’re paying for my medical bills.”
The group laughed at Dylan’s final words, trying in some small way to help calm their nerves as their minds began to race with thoughts of what they had just walked into. “…I hope they actually give us some answers when we’re boots on the ground. I don’t like the fact that we’re going into this mess blindfolded.” William finally said.
As they sat in silence, Lucas suddenly stood up tossing the map onto his pack, before seating with his brothers. “Not a whole lot we can do at the moment… we signed the contract bros. All we can do is do what we do best.”
“Hurrying up to Wait?” Evan joked.
“Hahaha, partly right. Though I meant, soldiering.” He replied with a grin.
He did have a point, and each of the Rangers did miss a fair bit when it came to the military. Namely… the firefights. When everyone came back in one piece, it was like a high no drug could create. Combat was their element and it was something they were good at controlling when they had all the cards in their hand. Every one of them a talented and highly trained soldier able to utilize their combined experience to the fullest. They were like a pack of wolves just waiting to be let loose… and when they’re set loose… God help whoever’s in their sights.
"By the way, you owe me twenty Bull," William said with a sly grin.