Location: Georgian-Russian Border

"Damn it! I can't get through to them! Is the signal being jammed?" Koko's voice crackled through the phone, frustration evident in every word. "Don't say 'maybe,' maybe doesn't cut it. Identify the problem now!"

Clay couldn't help but smirk, hearing the familiar fire in her voice. "Look out world, the little lady's pissed off again," Lutz grinned.

Koko's sigh came through the phone loud and clear. "These idiots at HQ are useless. I'm so sick of this shit. How are we going to meet up with Tojo and Valmet if I can't reach them?"

Clay chuckled. "Use morse code?"

Koko groaned. "I swear... I don't know how you're still smiling."

Another truck, this one carrying Demons 2, 4, and 6, pulled up in front of Koko's vehicle, with Demon 6 manning the M240 machine gun in the bed of the truck, covering their 3 o'clock. The second truck carrying Demons 3 and 5 was positioned to cover the 9 o'clock. The entire convoy was on high alert, providing 360-degree security.

"That's probably the Georgian border police," Demon 6 (Ching) commented, squinting out the front.

"How do we play it?" Lehm asked, glancing around.

Koko didn't miss a beat. "Don't bother stopping. If they want to pit an LAV against a twenty-ton truck—"

The words were cut off by the sound of a massive explosion. The BRDM armored vehicle escorting their convoy was blown to bits by a mine, sending debris flying into the air. Koko yelped in surprise, the shock wave rattling her.

"Ambush!" Clay shouted through their local radio frequency, quickly signaling the convoy to halt. The two pick-up trucks swerved off the road and parked, trying to get out of the line of fire.

"Non-vehicle gunners, dismount—hey! Where are you going?" Clay yelled as Koko jumped out of the vehicle and sprinted ahead. "Be advised, our VIP ran out of the vehicle. Set up a temporary perimeter here."

Demons 2, 3, and 4 quickly dismounted and moved to set up a secure perimeter as Clay followed Koko, catching up to her as they both came upon the valley below. What they saw made Clay pause for a moment.

"Looks like a warzone," Clay muttered, the sound of gunfire echoing in the distance.

Lehm, walking up behind them with Graver, chuckled. "They're fighting for that pipeline."

Clay just exhaled. "No shit."

Koko, fuming, grabbed Lehm's binoculars and scouted the area. "We've landed ourselves right in the middle of a battlefield, but hey, at least that explains why the phones weren't working." She tightened her grip on the binoculars, her anger growing. "Crap like this goes down, both sides want to control information, which is what I meant about the Sat phone. Covert war equals total blackout."

Lehm gave a nonchalant shrug. "I guess I know a thing or two about it."

Koko's frustration boiled over, and she threw her hands up in the air, ranting and pacing. Her rage was palpable, as if she was trying to outrun her own frustration.

Just then, Church's voice cut through the tension. "Ey, we got contacts here. What are your orders, lead?"

Clay turned toward the approaching armed men. "Stand down and put your weapons up. We're not fighting their war," he ordered.

Everyone complied, holstering their weapons as the armed men, Georgian soldiers, approached. Koko, staying calm despite the situation, spoke to them in Georgian, her voice steady. "It's alright, boys. We're not the enemy."

She paused for a moment before muttering under her breath in English, "That doesn't mean we're friends."

The armed men, seeing no threat, lowered their weapons and let them pass without further incident.

Later, Koko met her client, Major Pollack, a firm handshake exchanged. "I'm glad you could make it, Ms. Hekmatyar. It's a pleasure," he remarked with a slight smile. "I must say, you're a lot younger than expected."

Koko returned the smile. "Nice to meet you, Major Pollack."

Clay watched as the armed men began unloading the parts for the Patriot Missile Air Defense System from the back of their trucks, a clear sign of the heavy-duty equipment they were moving. Meanwhile, Demon team kept their eyes sharp, providing perimeter security and keeping an eye on the armed Georgians for any suspicious activity. It was a delicate moment, and they weren't taking any chances.

"Sorry if my men are a little rough. They live on edge. I'm glad to see all eight anti-aircraft missiles made it, just as we agreed." Major Pollack said, a faint smile on his face as he glanced at the cargo.

"Of course, Major. Now, if you would just sign..." Koko started, handing over the papers.

"There's no need to rush us there. Go on, pull up a chair," Major Pollack interrupted, settling into his seat with a sigh.

Koko followed suit, sitting down across from him. "So tell me, when did the shit hit the fan?"

"Just eight hours ago," the Major replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"I thought Lieutenant Colonel Grant was taking this delivery?" Koko raised an eyebrow.

"Well, things change. Not everyone has the stomach for this kind of fighting." He offered Koko a soda, which she accepted with a nod. As she took a drink, he continued, "So let's forget about the Lieutenant Colonel for now."

The Major then signed the papers, handing them over to Koko. "Here you go, the order's complete. But there's maybe something else you can do for me."

Koko raised an eyebrow. "Koko?"

Before she could respond, a familiar voice caught her attention. "I thought that was you."

A white-haired woman stood up from her seat, grinning, while a ginger-haired woman beside her giggled. "Hey girl, long time, no see."

"Mildo... and Lu's with you." Koko stood up, pulling the women into a tight hug.

"I have a bad feeling about this, Lead," Ching muttered into his comms.

"No doubt. Just keep your guards up and weapons off safe," Clay replied, his eyes scanning the area.

"Hey, where's Valmet hiding?" Mildo asked, glancing around.

"She's not with us on this run," Koko answered, but as she spoke, her eyes narrowed, a displeased look crossing her face when she spotted an old British man in a suit standing behind Mildo and Lu.

"Well... Koko Hekmatyar, what a coincidence," the man said with a smirk.

"President Currie of England's CCAT," Koko replied, her tone sharp. "'Coincidence,' my ass."

"Now we've got the Brits, great..." Clay muttered under his breath.

Koko, Major Pollack, and President Currie all sat down at the table to continue their discussion, while Mildo crouched down in front of Jonah, flashing him a smile.

"Help you with something?" Jonah's eyes narrowed as he looked at Mildo.

"Who's this charming lad? A new recruit?" Mildo asked with a laugh.

Koko ignored her, focusing on the conversation with the men. "What's Mr. Currie have for you?"

"Stinger missiles," President Currie answered, clasping his hands. "New warheads with refurbished launchers. We acquired them from suppliers in Eastern Europe. Once we get them operational, we'll watch those Helis drop like mosquitoes, just like the good old days."

"Right. He's getting out of here as soon as he can," Koko said dismissively.

"They're powerful, plentiful, and inexpensive. Precisely the kind of goods our customers look for," Mr. Currie continued, clearly proud of his product.

Koko leaned back, her expression neutral. "Well, this has been riveting, but now that our contract has been fulfilled, we'll be on our way—"

Before she could finish, the Major stopped her again, a serious look on his face.

"We're not done. I need something else," he said, his tone insistent.

Koko crossed her arms, clearly annoyed. "What's that?"

"A new radar unit. My radar site was taken out by an air raid. I need a new battlefield radar to replace it," the Major said, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Sighs Something that size is beyond my capabilities," Mr. Currie replied with a shake of his head.

"A new radar unit? What the fuck are we, combat technicians now?" Ching muttered over the radio, clearly frustrated.

Koko's eyes flicked over to the Major, her gaze cold. "That's not something I carry with me—"

"But surely you can get one? You of all people. Your own father, Mr. Floyd Hekmatyar, is a Navy giant. It's no secret that a sizable chunk of HCLI's naval weapon sales in Europe and Africa are personally overseen by you. You can't expect us to believe you can't get hold of a simple radar unit." The Major's voice dripped with subtle pressure.

Koko's glare intensified, but she stayed silent for a moment. Then, in a sudden movement, she stood up and spun around dramatically, her voice laced with mock cheerfulness. "Nope! Not happening. Too bad, so sad! Can't help, gotta go!"

The Major's tone turned sharp. "Stop! You're not leaving yet, right, men?"

At his command, the Major's armed men pointed their weapons at the former JSOC operatives, closing in menacingly. Without hesitation, Clay shoved one of the soldiers' AK-47s aside, grabbing the soldier by the neck and pinning him against the truck's container. With his pistol pointed directly at the soldier's face, Clay held him in place, his body tense with control.

Graver, reacting just as quickly, spun around, his hand swinging to grab a second soldier by the neck. In a fluid motion, he slammed the soldier onto the hood of a car, holding him in a chokeslam while simultaneously drawing his Sig P226 and aiming it directly at the soldier's face.

The atmosphere in the room grew charged with tension, every movement precise, controlled. Koko stood behind the chaos, watching with a look of disinterest as the situation escalated.

"You're not going anywhere, Major," Clay growled, his grip tightening on the soldier's neck.

The Major's eyes flicked between Koko and the now-dominant former JSOC operatives, realization dawning on him. The balance of power had shifted in the blink of an eye.

"Manos Arribas, assholes, and no one gets hurt!" Ching shouted, his M240B raised from his hip, prepared to hose down the Georgian soldiers. The atmosphere tensed, shifting into a Mexican standoff.

"You have your answer, now tell your men to back the hell off!" Lutz ordered, dual-wielding his MP5A4 and pistol, aiming them at two different targets in front of him, his stance unwavering.

"Lutz, enough!" Koko intervened, a note of authority in her voice before she broke into a small, amused giggle. She stepped closer to Major Pollack, her eyes narrowing, her presence commanding. "Let's all settle down. No reason to go all Tarantino here."

She turned her gaze back to the Major, the playful expression fading into something more focused and sharp. "I've underestimated you, Major Pollack. You're feistier than you look. You've orchestrated an information blackout, and I'm willing to bet your infantry's been ordered to kill any civilians or journalists trying to flee. You're desperate to keep the pipeline battle under wraps. Even to keep it for yourself."

The Major shifted uncomfortably under her glare, but he didn't flinch. "You make it sound so insidious when you put it that way." He rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled nervously. "But you're right about one thing. A soldier earns his paycheck by killing people. And as it happens, my soldiers are very well paid. They have a job to do, and it's my job to get them the materials they need to do it. You can get me what I need. That is not a request. Now go see about getting my radar unit. I've got things to take care of."

As the tension began to subside, everyone lowered their weapons. Koko's voice softened, though her gaze remained sharp. "Of course, you'll be well compensated once this is over."

Mildo approached Jonah, her fingers lightly brushing his cheek as she teased, "That was a close one, lad. But I guess the storm's passed, yeah?"

Meanwhile, the HCLI bodyguards closed in around Koko. Mr. Currie, walking behind her, smirked but couldn't mask the underlying tension. "Goodness. Prickly fellow, and dangerous too, I'd wager."

Koko shot him a cold look, dismissing him with a wave. "He's nothing. Why don't you run along home now?"

With that, Mr. Currie walked off, his bodyguards trailing behind him, while Koko's team started to disperse in the opposite direction.

"So? Where do we go from here?" Lehm asked, glancing toward Koko as they regrouped.

"We've got an order to fill." Koko replied firmly, then switched to sign language, making her instructions clear. "We make a run for it. Pretend we accepted the offer."

The team immediately understood her plan.

"We need to locate Valmet and Tojo. According to my intel, this army's nearly out of funds. He'd never admit it, but it's pretty clear that Pollack only intends to pay up if his side wins," Koko continued, clenching her fist to her chest. Her voice grew resolute. "I am not a bank. I'm Koko Hekmatyar. I've never accepted, nor will I ever accept credit!" She threw her arms up in frustration, a fire burning behind her eyes.

Her team nodded, understanding the weight of the situation and the path they needed to take. 

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Next day...

Koko adjusted her camouflaged poncho, the heavy fabric blending with the surrounding terrain as she looked up at Major Pollack. "I need to contact HCLI Headquarters. I can't afford to be completely out of touch any longer," she said, her voice calm yet firm.

The Major leaned back slightly, arms crossed, with a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Your cells will have reception again once you cross the pass. Even that precious Iridium phone of yours isn't working here, is it? This just happens to be the only place in Europe out of its range."

Koko raised an eyebrow and pulled out her phone, checking the signal again. "I'm impressed you knew I have a SAT phone on me," she said with a faint grin. "But yeah, still out of range."

The Major nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his expression. "I'll have two of my elite soldiers accompany you. As long as you've got them along, you should make it to the pass safely enough." His soldiers saluted Koko and her team, their stiff postures betraying a hint of tension.

"Elite soldiers, my ass," Ching thought to himself, rolling his eyes.

Koko motioned for her team to get in their vehicles. As she started to climb into the driver's seat of her car, the Major called out to her. "Take care, it can be treacherous. Oh, and if you try to pull anything stupid, I will kill you."

Koko shot him a look, barely fazed. "Noted," she replied flatly.

Clay, sitting in the back seat next to Jonah, couldn't help but smirk at the Major's words. "Major Pollack sounds fun," he said in a tone so casual it almost seemed dismissive, his expression matching the sarcasm in his voice.

Jonah, seated beside Clay, glanced out the window, eyes narrowing at the situation unfolding. He said nothing, but his fingers subtly hovered near his pistol. Meanwhile, Koko settled into the driver's seat, hands steady on the wheel. The Georgian soldier, who had been riding in the front passenger seat, glanced over at Koko, his unease palpable as he adjusted his grip on his rifle.

With the awkward tension lingering, Koko's team braced themselves for the road ahead. There were still many unanswered questions and threats to navigate, but for now, they had a mission to complete. The convoy began to move, the engines rumbling as the vehicles pulled away from their temporary stop, heading toward the pass that promised a fragile signal connection—and possibly a fresh set of dangers.

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The silence in the convoy was suffocating. The road stretched out in front of them, desolate and barren, a perfect place for contemplation if not for the ever-present tension. Koko was gripping the wheel with a steady hand, trying to ignore the soldier in the passenger seat who had been a constant irritant since they hit the road. His presence made the journey feel ten times more oppressive than it needed to be.

"Tsh. You think you're a real badass, don't you?" the soldier sneered, breaking the quiet.

Koko rolled her eyes inwardly. Really? Ten minutes and he's already testing me?

The soldier, clearly looking for a fight, continued with his taunt. "People like you make me sick. How many deaths are you responsible for? Guess whatever fancy college you went to didn't offer a class on ethics." He racked the slide of his pistol, the sound slicing through the air like a threat.

Koko's gaze remained forward, her voice calm but cutting. "You don't know what you're talking about. I'm just a merchant. I never went to anything resembling school, let alone a fancy college."

Clay, sitting behind Koko, couldn't help but think, Koko never went to school? That's... an interesting tidbit.

"Despite my lack of formal education, however," Koko continued, "I know more about weapons than a shithead like you could ever hope to in a lifetime." She paused, letting the sting of her words sink in. "Which is unfortunate because I find it very depressing to hand my quality merchandise over to soldiers not worthy of wielding BB guns. And now you pissed me off, so you might want to stop talking."

The soldier, flushed with indignation, glared at Koko. "What did you say, you little—"

Before he could finish, Jonah, who had been quietly sitting next to Clay, cocked his Browning Hi-Power with a distinct click. Clay, his face cold as ever, reached over and grabbed the soldier by the head, pushing it against the window with one hand while aiming his Glock 19 directly at the soldier's face with the other.

"Listen here, you Borjomi-drinking prick," Clay said in a low, threatening tone that could freeze blood. "I was enjoying the silence of this trip, but you've got a loose mouth. If you keep talking, I'll be happy to sew it shut. I swear to God, if you don't shut up right now, I'll put a bullet in your head. And don't think your buddies are gonna save you. Look around. We're in the middle of nowhere, no comms, no backup. It's just you and your friend in the other vehicle. Thirteen highly trained contractors with former military service versus you two. Don't test our patience if you want to live to see another day."

The soldier, shaken to the core, stared at Clay's eyes, realizing the man wasn't bluffing. Clay's cold, unwavering gaze—backed up by the weapons in his hands and the complete lack of mercy in his tone—made it clear that he wasn't joking. With a tight swallow, the soldier nodded and quickly shut his mouth.

Clay slowly withdrew his hand from the soldier's head, easing back into his seat with a frustrated sigh. "Thank you for obeying," he muttered under his breath, looking out the window with irritation. The tension in the vehicle lifted, but not by much. Jonah, silently still, glanced at the soldier, who had finally stopped talking, his face pale.

The convoy rolled on in silence once again, the occasional bump in the road the only thing that dared disturb the fragile peace that had been restored. But it wouldn't last long. It never did.

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The fog in Orin Pass hung thick and heavy, creating an eerie stillness as the convoy halted. Everyone immediately moved into their usual 360-degree security posture, weapons at the ready. The cold mist wrapped around them, adding to the tension of the situation.

"This is Orin pass," the Georgian soldier muttered, his voice barely audible against the silence of the fog.

"Ugh, so foggy," Koko commented, squinting into the thick haze. She pulled out her sat phone, checking for a signal. "We might finally be able to get through to someone though. You do it, try calling Valmet and Tojo."

Jonah took the phone from her and dialed, his finger tapping on the screen as he checked for a connection. "It's ringing," he said.

"We've got reception, awesome!" Koko grinned, but before she could get too comfortable, Church's voice crackled over the comms.

"Heads up, we got two fuckin' Hinds!" Church alerted everyone, and sure enough, the thundering roar of MI-24 Hind helicopters could be heard approaching.

"Those are MI-24 Hind Es, they're Russian Army helicopters!" Koko shouted as the gunships roared past them. The choppers turned around for another strafing run, their powerful guns glinting in the fog.

Everyone scattered, diving for cover away from the vehicles. Clay, realizing they weren't being targeted, stayed calm and walked casually, conserving his energy while keeping a sharp eye on the approaching choppers. His gaze shifted to Koko and Jonah, who were crawling toward a soldier.

Clay moved in their direction, signaling his team to follow. "Who the hell are you?" the soldier demanded as Koko and Jonah approached.

"Major Pollack's arms dealer. Are you part of the unit that fires stingers?" Koko asked, her tone businesslike despite the chaos unfolding around them.

"I'm not gonna tell you that," the soldier growled.

"They're as good as dead," Koko responded bluntly, eyes scanning the sky as the choppers circled for another attack. "Get your men away from those Hinds."

The soldier looked up at the gunships and Koko's gaze followed his. "Those things are designed to hunt people. Look at the sensor pod. The pilot could pick up our heat signatures easily with that thermal sensor."

Clay took charge. "Get into line formation, create distance from the tree line, stay low, and turn on your strobe lights."

"What? Are you crazy? You're gonna give our positions away!" Miles shouted, panic creeping into his voice.

"Eh, we're as good as dead anyway since those choppers have thermal imaging," Ching chimed in dryly.

"Just trust me and do it," Clay ordered. Reluctantly, the soldier's team complied, moving into formation and activating their strobe lights. The gunships flew overhead, continuing their strafing run, unaware of the shift in the terrain below.

The Russian pilot's voice crackled through the comms. "Command, this is Orel 1-2. We have six unknowns with strobe lights, just 50 meters from the tree line. Need to confirm for any friendlies in the AO. Over."

"Roger that, Orel 1-2," came the response. "Could be a Spetsnaz GRU unit coming back from a sabotage mission. Don't engage. Continue striking the Georgian forces. Their mission doesn't concern us. Sokol 1, out."

Koko, Jonah, and the soldier exhaled in relief as the Hinds peeled off, continuing their assault on the Georgian forces. The tension in the air loosened, and the soldier, shaking, turned to Koko.

"That was a close one," Koko smiled, brushing the dirt off of her hands as she got up from the ground.

The soldier's eyes narrowed in disbelief. This chick hasn't stopped smiling... and that guard just casually walked through a gun run like it's nothing? These people are nuts.

"You were lucky this time," the soldier grumbled, pushing Koko off. "Now get out of here."

"I was planning to," Koko responded casually, moving back toward the vehicles with Jonah and the rest of her team in tow.

As they made their way back, Jonah couldn't help but wonder aloud, "Why not just go ahead and sell him what he wants?"

Koko, leaning against the trunk of her vehicle, crossed her arms. "Micah. This battle will be short. Two days at the absolute most. In the end, no one will really win. Russia's already stretched thin with these skirmishes, and this Major has more ambition than he can afford. There'll be plenty more fights like this one over the next few years, but none of them will be decisive. No faction will control the pipeline and its liquid gold. Plenty of dealers will start salivating, ready to sell weapons left and right. Most of them, in fact. But that's not how I operate."

She looked at Jonah closely, her eyes narrowing with a steely glint. "And so, we have no further business in this battlefield."

Jonah looked back at her, his brow furrowed. "You're basing this all on your gut?"

Koko smiled faintly. "Yes. Being part of this team means trusting my intuition. Think you can handle that?"

Jonah didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned and walked back to the vehicle, his mind racing. Koko's confidence was unsettling at times, but there was no denying her track record. He had a feeling there was more to her decisions than just instinct, but for now, he'd follow her lead. He didn't have much of a choice.

---------------------------------

The dense forest around them was quiet, save for the crunch of boots on the soft earth. Koko's unit, along with the two detached soldiers, moved cautiously along the narrow trail, the atmosphere thick with tension. Demon team had already broken off from the main group, spread out ahead in a staggered column formation, staying alert for any potential threats that might emerge. They had a clear mission: reconnaissance, and they weren't about to let their guard down.

As Koko moved further down the trail, one of the soldiers gave her a curious look, his eyes narrowed as if trying to understand her business. "Who the hell are you talking to?" he asked, irritation creeping into his voice.

Koko glanced at him and replied casually, "I'm confirming with HQ where we're supposed to pick up the goods." She continued walking, seemingly unbothered by the soldier's questioning, but her eyes were sharp, scanning the surrounding forest.

Then, in an instant, everything changed. From the trees above, two figures dropped out of the dense foliage, moving with a terrifying speed and precision. Tojo and Valmet landed silently on the two soldiers, swiftly covering their mouths and subduing them before they had a chance to react. Within seconds, the soldiers were bound and gagged, struggling against their restraints.

"Make sure you tie them up tight, and gag that one—he pisses me off. A lot," Koko said as she observed the scene with a cool expression. She turned to Valmet, who had already completed her part of the task.

As Valmet moved toward her, Koko smiled and without a moment's hesitation, hugged her tightly. "It's about time," Koko muttered as she buried her face into Valmet's chest, her voice soft. "I was so freaking worried."

Valmet wrapped her arms around Koko, returning the hug with an almost blissful sigh. "I was worried about you too, Koko." Her words were filled with relief and warmth, as if the reunion was something almost divine.

Meanwhile, Graver, always the vigilant one, had been keeping his eyes peeled on the forest to the left. Something didn't sit right with him. He couldn't put his finger on it, but the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He raised his MK.11 Mod 2 rifle, the suppressed barrel barely making a sound as he squeezed the trigger. The shot rang out, cutting through the quiet forest, and everyone immediately froze, instinctively reaching for their weapons.

Sax, puzzled, asked, "What are you shooting at?"

Graver's gaze was fixed ahead, his voice steady as he replied, "I felt something was watching us."

Church couldn't resist throwing in a jab. "Now you got spider senses? Oh, wait, did the Predator track us?"

Graver didn't respond to the mockery, his focus still on the dense trees ahead. Clay, sensing something was off, insisted they check it out. The team moved cautiously forward, and Clay soon found the source of Graver's suspicion. Not far from the group, nestled among the underbrush, lay a body. It was a Georgian soldier, dressed in the familiar uniform, though it was stained with blood. A bullet hole had punctured his chest, the fatal wound clear and precise.

Clay's eyes widened in realization. Graver's instincts were right. The sniper had killed a spying Georgian soldier from a distance, and the rest of the team couldn't help but stare in awe at Graver's sharp sense. He returned to the group with the grim find.

"What did you find?" Miles asked, his tone serious.

Graver simply nodded toward the body. "Graver killed a spying Georgian soldier."

A collective gasp ran through the group.

"What?" Lutz exclaimed, clearly impressed. "Holy shit, you JSOC guys never cease to amaze me."

Church grinned. "Hey Lutz, maybe you should ask them for a shooting competition."

Koko looked at the team with a smile, unfazed by the discovery. "Well, everyone, let's get moving," she said, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Without missing a beat, she signaled for the team to continue their march, leaving the two tied-up soldiers and their unfortunate spy victim behind.

---------------------------------

The forest around them was quiet, only the faint rustling of leaves and the occasional distant hoot of an owl breaking the eerie stillness of the night. The team, well-trained and alert, kept their eyes locked on the building in the distance, a structure that didn't belong in these woods. It was hard to make out in the darkness, but the outline was unmistakable. Their goal was clear, but the tension was palpable.

Demon team had their Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) securely fixed on their helmets, the GPNVGs providing a wide field of view, while some of them, like Sax, had PVS-15s for a more tactical option. Church had his own unique piece, the Sentinel NVG, a high-end model that offered superior clarity and range. They were well-prepared for the low-light environment, but the real challenge lay in not drawing attention to themselves. Laser and light discipline were paramount—any slip-up could lead to disaster. Their IR Lasers and lights were all off, their movements as silent as shadows in the night.

The only source of light came from a single flashlight, barely visible but enough to illuminate the area around the building. It flickered briefly, a signal of some kind, though its purpose was clear: they couldn't afford to use their flashlights for searching. That would be suicide. The light was a message.

Lehm gave a nod to Clay, Sax, and Church, signaling them to come along. They quickly moved into a tight formation, the kind of close-knit arrangement that allowed them to clear rooms and corners efficiently while maintaining security. They moved quietly, taking care not to make a sound that could alert anyone nearby. Their suppressed weapons were ready, fingers resting lightly on the triggers but never fully committing to a shot unless necessary.

As they neared the building, Lehm gave a hand signal, and the team stacked up against the door, ready for entry. They were methodical, moving as a single unit, prepared for whatever might be on the other side. Just as Lehm was about to push the door open, something unexpected happened.

The door swung open before they could touch it, and standing in the doorway was none other than Lu, one of CCAT's contractors. The moment they saw him, instinct took over. Lehm and the others raised their suppressed pistols in unison, pointing them directly at Lu. It was a tense standoff, the two sides locked in a silent moment of uncertainty.

Lu, despite being caught off guard, reacted quickly, his own weapon drawn. But he was outnumbered and outgunned. Lehm, Clay, Sax, and Church were in perfect formation, their weapons trained on him from all sides.

"Well, look what we got here," Lehm said, his voice calm but carrying an edge. "Put it down, Lu." He motioned to the rest of the team to lower their weapons but never took his finger off the trigger. The situation was still too delicate.

Lu, seeing the odds stacked against him, slowly lowered his gun, his expression wary but resigned. "You guys sure know how to make an entrance," he remarked, his voice betraying a slight hint of amusement.

Lehm nodded, still keeping his weapon trained on Lu. "Ey, it's just our friends from CCAT. It's all good for entry," he said, signaling the rest of the team to ease their tension. He waved his pistol toward the others, giving the all-clear. The standoff was over, for now.

With the tension dissipating, the team moved into the building, their presence a silent force as they secured the area. Lehm exchanged a quick nod with Lu, both of them aware of the risks and the importance of the mission ahead. Despite the danger, they couldn't afford to hesitate. The night was still young, and there was much to be done.

---------------------------------

The atmosphere was thick with tension, as the group settled into their positions. Koko, with her usual mischievous grin, rocked in her chair while Mr. Curry looked less than amused. It was a strange blend of tension and amusement, with Koko's childlike behavior contrasting sharply against the seriousness of their mission. Mr. Curry's frustration was palpable as he groaned in exasperation, clearly not impressed with the situation.

Koko, ever the provocateur, taunted him in a fake British accent, mocking his previous attempts to leave and return to England. "Well, Mr. Curry, fancy running into you here. What a coincidence," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Mildo, meanwhile, continued to circle around Valmet, the one-eyed warrior exuding an air of cool detachment despite the odd tension. The banter between them wasn't lost on anyone, and Valmet's cold glare towards Mildo didn't go unnoticed.

The confrontation between Mildo and Valmet, though seemingly playful, had a dangerous edge. Mildo's teasing about Valmet's knife skills, and Valmet's measured response, only heightened the strange dynamic. "What do you say you wanna have a go?" Mildo teased. Valmet, however, simply replied with a quiet, "I think I'm gonna pass, so sorry." The tension settled down but was far from over.

Mr. Curry's frustration bubbled over, as he dealt with Mildo's antics, groaning in exasperation and trying to assert control over the situation. Koko, ever the instigator, mocked him further before turning her attention to the news about the Major's guard dogs. The weight of the situation sank in—someone had killed the dogs, and more men were likely to come after them.

"Once he knows he's likely to send guys after us," Koko said, confirming the looming danger. It wasn't just an idle threat; it was the reality they were now facing.

Mr. Curry suggested sending out scouts to be sure, and after some brief deliberation, Koko agreed. "Do you mind?" she asked Valmet, who shrugged, offering her help in return. Koko's trust in Valmet was clear, and the two women quickly made their way outside to scout the area, leaving the rest of the team behind to hold the position.

The team remained on edge, ready for anything. As Mildo and Valmet ventured into the unknown, the others kept an eye on their surroundings. Miles watched as the two women began bickering, their relationship clearly a mix of camaraderie and rivalry. "Looks like Valmet is winning," Miles commented, amused.

"Jesus, Mildo is fighting so sloppy even a white belt can crash her to the ground," Ching added, his sharp eyes taking in the scene.

The momentary distraction of the women fighting gave way to the bigger question: how prepared were they for what might come next? "How many crash bangs you guys brought?" Sax asked.

"Two, not like we're staying in a city," Ching responded.

"Me and Miles brought two 9-bangers and as many grenades as needed," Clay added, checking his gear.

As the scouts finished their scuffle, it became clear that Valmet was the one holding her own. "Mildo lost... now Valmet is on lecture mode," Ching noted dryly.

Graver, ever the tactician, nodded. "Expected. Weighed her ass down," he muttered, acknowledging that Mildo's excess gear had slowed her down. But in the end, the mission still had to be their focus.

With the scouting out of the way, it was clear the team needed to remain on alert. "We gotta stand here and lock this place down for now, got it?" Clay instructed. Each of them knew their role, and as the night stretched on, they continued their vigil, eyes scanning the forest around them, alert for any sign of danger.

In the end, it was just another night in their line of work—dangerous, unpredictable, but always with a steady hand on the trigger and an even steadier mind.

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As the moonlight filtered through the trees, Koko's unit and Demon team prepared for the confrontation with the Georgian forces, knowing that a fight was imminent. Koko, ever the strategist, wasted no time in giving orders and making it clear to everyone that the situation was about to get intense.

"We'll go first and establish an escape route, depending on what we're up against, we may need to subdue them," Koko announced confidently. "I guess I'll let you owe me one this time," she added with a grin, her usual playful demeanor shining through in the face of danger.

Mr. Curry, with his typical sarcastic tone, responded, "I see you are brave and generous as ever, Ms. Hekmatyar." Mildo, ever the cheerleader, giggled and waved at Koko as the team prepared for the operation.

Koko didn't waste any time and immediately took control, giving her team the orders they needed to stay focused and vigilant. "Later, Mildo," she waved, signaling the start of their tactical movement as everyone lined up outside. Guns up, they were ready for whatever came next.

Demon team, crouched and on high alert, surveyed the surrounding woods. "They aren't very many, but they have us surrounded," Lehm observed, scanning the area for any sign of movement. Church, ever the pragmatist, responded with his usual dry humor, "I can see that, pops."

With a sharp command, Koko shouted, "On my command, squad. Lower your weapons!" Her orders were unconventional, and as always, she kept everyone on their toes. The team lowered their weapons but did not eject their rounds, staying ready for anything. Ching, ever the exception, removed his belt from the feed tray, his M240 now lightened for speed.

Koko's voice rang out again, "Pollack's men, listen up, you don't want us. The ones who killed your pals are in there!" She wasn't going to give them a reason to engage unless absolutely necessary. The Georgian soldiers, confused but driven by their mission, ran past them and engaged the CCAT forces, leaving Koko and her team free to slip away unnoticed.

"Looks like we'll be away from our post for a little while, probably wouldn't be too hard for someone to slip through the border and head north. This kind of stunt only works once, lucky girl," the commander of the hit squad remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Koko merely winked at Lehm and chuckled, knowing that their plan had gone off without a hitch.

"Step lively, everyone, I want the hell out of this killing field!" Koko's command rang clear, and with that, the team took off running, fast and precise. Demon team was already in motion, quickly adopting a tactical column formation as they sprinted away from the chaos.

"Ching sure is fast," Wilee remarked, surprised by Ching's speed despite carrying his heavy M240. "For an M240 gunner, I thought he'd have a hard time lugging it, but look at him, running like it's nothing."

"Yeah, damn, even I'd have a hard time keeping up with them. They're on a whole different level of deadly," R added, in awe of their team's prowess.

Meanwhile, Jonah couldn't help but laugh as they sprinted through the moonlit forest. "Amused, Jonah? What's going on?" Lehm asked, noticing the laughter.

"Nothing. This feels kinda weird, is all. Never left the battlefield without firing my weapon before," Jonah explained, the thrill of the escape mixing with the odd sensation of not being in the middle of a firefight.

Koko, always ready with a quick response, teased, "Sorry, would you feel better if I let you shoot a whole bunch next time?!" Her playful tone brought laughter to the entire team as they continued to run toward their vehicles.

"Better be careful, Jonah. You're gonna figure out real quick she's only half joking when she says stuff like that," R joked, knowing Koko's tendency to push things to the extreme.

"Time for an exfil, peeps, 'cause I can smell the taste of freedom," Sax chimed in, bringing the mood back to a sense of relief as they neared their vehicles. The mission was a success, and their escape was almost complete.

With adrenaline still pumping and laughter echoing through the trees, the team made their way to the vehicles and sped away from the killing field. The moonlight faded as they left the danger behind, knowing they'd live to fight another day. For now, though, they had survived—and that was enough.

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Clay's mind was still racing, the weight of their recent operation lingering in his thoughts. The mission was over, but the questions about Koko's decisions, her unpredictability, and her twisted genius were gnawing at him. How could she plan such elaborate moves without ever breaking a sweat? How could she so casually walk into danger with a smile, knowing exactly what to do next while everyone else was trying to catch up?

His hand reached up, massaging his temples, trying to silence the chaos in his mind. But it was like Koko was a puzzle, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't figure her out. She always had a plan—maybe even before anyone else knew there was a plan to be made. Clay was just a piece in her game, and yet, he couldn't help but wonder: Was she even playing the same game everyone else was? Or was she playing a game all her own?

"Sir?" The receptionist's voice broke through his thoughts, bringing him back to reality.

"Sorry," he muttered, trying to shake off the feeling of being lost in his own mind.

"Have a safe trip," she said with a smile as she handed over the last of the paperwork.

"Thank you," Clay replied, his voice distracted as he turned and caught up with the rest of the crew, who were waiting for Koko. They were all standing there, seemingly unfazed by the quiet chaos of the mission's aftermath. Koko, of course, was the only one who could keep her cool in such a situation, but even she was quiet for now—her thoughts hidden behind that ever-present grin of hers.