{"sf1_id":144262,"sf2_id":"ve34JlQm","title":"Task Force - Operation Terminated","author":"SrA havenofimage","words":2364,"posted_at":"2010-05-06T22:58:00.000Z","tags":["Bear","Falcon","Fox","Military","Mink","Snow Leopard","Spec Ops","marten"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/144262-task-force-operation-terminated","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/ve34JlQm","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/d0/28/d0280b72-3a82-4770-b587-1784e232c27e","description":"#18 of Task Force","content":"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;That's it Doctor, you have to terminate the project.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What?\u0026nbsp; It's just coming into fruition.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"We have two rouge Task Force operatives.\u0026nbsp; These are things we can't afford right now.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Look, let me bring them and I can work with them.\u0026nbsp; We'll get everything cleared up and then have them back to you.\u0026nbsp; This all happened because your splitting them up.\u0026nbsp; Unlike most of your special forces, these soldiers have always trained group operations.\u0026nbsp; That was the point of them, not to be one of your mavericks.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I can't risk this happening again.\u0026nbsp; You get them in here, but once you do, the project is over.\u0026nbsp; Your experiment has failed Doctor.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"If it has failed, it is because of you.\u0026nbsp; I have not yet seen evidence of this failure.\u0026nbsp; They simply analyzed the situation and refigured the plan as they were trained to do in hard battle situations.\u0026nbsp; I do not call following government training programs a failure.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"This matter is not up for debate.\u0026nbsp; I want them decommissioned within three days.\u0026nbsp; This was the deal we made and you know it.\u0026nbsp; Remember, it wasn't me who sold them out, it was you.\u0026nbsp; I just bought the contract.\u0026nbsp; So before you go all teary eyed remember who is ultimately responsible.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You know, you really are a son of a bitch.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No doctor I'm worse, I'm a politician.\u0026nbsp; If you care for the lives of your little... pets, I'd make sure they are taken care of in the manner we agreed.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"General!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I will not discuss this any longer.\u0026nbsp; My decision is final.\u0026nbsp; Either do it yourself, or I'll be up there to do it my way.\u0026nbsp; That is all.\"\n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Jessica and I made our way to the nearest friendly military outpost.\u0026nbsp; The guards at the gate, an iguana and a lynx, were startled by our appearance and even more so when we presented our identification.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Go right ahead Sir, Ma'am.\u0026nbsp; The commander will be expecting you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I guess it wasn't every day that two top security clearance special forces officers showed up at the front gate on foot with a strange assortment of equipment and weaponry.\u0026nbsp; I slung my skis and walked onto the fort with Jessica behind me.\u0026nbsp; It had been two days on the trail since executing The Phoenix.\u0026nbsp; We would have contacted Dr. Hall immediately, but we had left our earpieces at the bunker to avoid being tracked.\u0026nbsp; Now I had to get a hold of her.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; As we walked through the fort, we got many curious looks from uniform clad soldiers.\u0026nbsp; Despite our clearly visible rank, many were too busy staring at us to remember to salute.\u0026nbsp; Soon we were at the command building.\u0026nbsp; I walked inside and was stopped by two MPs, both bucks.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sir, you are required to leave your firearms and any other weaponry with us before entering.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No problem.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I unsung my rifle and handed it to them along with my sidearm.\u0026nbsp; Jessica handed them the assault rifle and then her SMGs here eyes saying that she would kill them if any harm came to her weapons.\u0026nbsp; This formality complete, we were escorted into the building where we waited on a young ground squirrel desk attendant to clear our presence.\u0026nbsp; He lead us to a second waiting room where we sat for half an hour.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Are you sure about this Jess?\u0026nbsp; We have enough training that we could just disappear from this.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Look, I know we could, but what would be the point.\u0026nbsp; We'd have to spend our whole lives running.\u0026nbsp; The second we settled down, someone would find us and we'd be on the move again.\u0026nbsp; This way they can't charge us for anything more than insubordination.\u0026nbsp; We don't have a world court and he was already a war criminal.\u0026nbsp; We had been given tactical command over the situation, so our actions were within the bounds of our position.\u0026nbsp; Trust me on this one Kirian.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Alright.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The commander, a tall caribou, opened a large oak door and stepped out to great us.\u0026nbsp; I snapped to attention and saluted.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sir.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"At ease, come in so we can talk.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We followed him into his office and he locked the door behind us.\u0026nbsp; He walked over to his large desk and pulled out a small device which I recognized to be a signal disruptor.\u0026nbsp; He noticed me looking at it.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sorry for the precautions.\u0026nbsp; A man in my position can never be to careful.\u0026nbsp; You never know when unwanted ears are around.\u0026nbsp; Now, what are you doing here.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"We need to report in to our command.\u0026nbsp; I'm sure they're well into searching for us by now.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I'd say.\u0026nbsp; We've had every helicopter on base commandeered to look for you two.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Jessica spoke \"Wait, you know who we are?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Not by name, but I know you are two members of an elite task force who went missing six days ago.\u0026nbsp; I also can speculate that our albino friend here was the one who shot The Phoenix.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Quite true commander, I did.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Amazing shot.\u0026nbsp; I would like to ask a question if I may.\u0026nbsp; What are the two of you doing here.\u0026nbsp; If you know people are looking for you, why would you go to a government controlled facility?\u0026nbsp; I won't turn you in, but are you mad?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No sir, my mission was to kill The Phoenix and then return.\u0026nbsp; Not to run.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You say My mission not my mission, as if you gave it to yourself.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I did.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I see.\u0026nbsp; In that case, I don't know what will happen to you.\u0026nbsp; You've made quite a few high end officials rather angry.\u0026nbsp; I do not envy the position you're in.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"We are prepared to accept the consequences of our actions.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You two have more balls than I ever could, no offence ma'am.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"None taken.\u0026nbsp; I have more balls, as you put it, than most of the men on this base combined.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, if you won't let me talk you out of it, please, feel free to use my com and if there's anything else I can do for you, let me know.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Thank you commander.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He left the room, ducking so his antlers would clear the door frame.\u0026nbsp; I turned to the com and powered it on.\u0026nbsp; We were committed now, there was no going back.\u0026nbsp; I entered the receiver code and the clearance.\u0026nbsp; The lights warmed and Dr. Hall's face appeared.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Thank the Gods I found you guys.\u0026nbsp; There's a full blown manhunt out right now covering that entire tundra.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"It's good to see you ma'am.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"So, what now Kirian.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"With your permit ion, we'd like to come home.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I understand.\u0026nbsp; Look, the general is using some of his connection at the capitol and pulling some strings.\u0026nbsp; I think he'll be able to get you guys cleared, or at least be able to keep you active.\u0026nbsp; You may lose your commission though.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I'm fine with that, we never needed rank anyway.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Alright, I need you two here.\u0026nbsp; I can't do anything with you out there.\u0026nbsp; My records show the landing strip there is just long enough for The Spirit of Silence.\u0026nbsp; Captain Tala will be there to pick you up in a few hours.\u0026nbsp; Keep your heads down and don't do anything stupid.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Will do ma'am.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"One more thing Kirian, good shooting.\u0026nbsp; Jessica, thanks for watching his back.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No problem ma'am.\u0026nbsp; All in a day's work.\u0026nbsp; His back isn't an easy one to watch though.\u0026nbsp; He likes to do too many crazy things.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I know, that's why he wins.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Ahem!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sorry Kirian.\u0026nbsp; I look forward to seeing you soon.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The com clicked off. \u0026nbsp;Well, now we wait.\u0026nbsp; Soon we were back aboard the supersonic transport back to Center Seventeen.\u0026nbsp; I hoped the others were there.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What do you think Kirian?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I think Dr. Hall and the general will be able to handle this just fine.\u0026nbsp; My message got across by the sound of things.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We arrived back at the mountain to applause from the staff.\u0026nbsp; I stepped off the plane and was immediately greeted by Hogan.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hell of a shot Kirian.\u0026nbsp; Hell of a shot!\u0026nbsp; I knew you'd pull of something amazing like that.\u0026nbsp; Two thousand nine hundred meters, wow.\u0026nbsp; That is something else.\u0026nbsp; I can't believe I was part of that one.\u0026nbsp; You got to let me see the scope's recording of that one.\u0026nbsp; I can't even imagine waiting over six seconds to see if the bullet I fired hit anything other than the ground.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He continued to ramble on about bullets and rifles and shooting.\u0026nbsp; It seemed like everyone who worked at center seventeen was in the hangar to greet us, unlike the first time we had arrived and only a few technicians were walking around.\u0026nbsp; Dr. Hall met us at the doors which lead into the main facility.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Welcome home.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Good to be back.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; My muscles were stiff from the flight.\u0026nbsp; We had trained hard, but six straight days of straining my body had finally taken it's toll.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Are the others here?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No, they're still out.\u0026nbsp; Captain Tala will be bringing them back first thing tomorrow when they complete their current operation.\u0026nbsp; Why don't the two of you take it easy for the day, you won't have much time I'm afraid once we get you guys back together.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Good, more work.\u0026nbsp; I liked being on missions with the team.\u0026nbsp; A day off would be very nice though.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Thank you ma'am.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I walked to my quarters and took a shower.\u0026nbsp; I had been wearing the same sweaty cloths for six days and the hot water did wonders on my matted fur and sore muscles.\u0026nbsp; I stood there for easily half an hour, letting the water just run over my body.\u0026nbsp; I finally stepped out and slid into my fatigues.\u0026nbsp; When I exited from my room, I saw Jessica sitting in the lounge.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Damn Harper, were you in there long enough?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Whatever you say, 'Curry'.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; She laughed and tried to trip me as I walked by.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sorry Kirian, it's good to be home.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I know.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; She stood up and kissed me quickly on the cheek.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Come on, I don't want to sit around here.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We walked through the underground hallways to the largest training field.\u0026nbsp; It was a 120 acre expanse that housed a series of structures for running exercises in.\u0026nbsp; We found our way to the roof of a five story tower in the center.\u0026nbsp; Many times during training we had been spotted and shot from this tower, no matter how well we moved through the cover and trees of the surrounding buildings.\u0026nbsp; Now Jess and I just sat on the roof and enjoyed the view of the familiar field.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We didn't talk very much, I just sat there holding her.\u0026nbsp; It was nice just being able to sit with her alone, in silence, and think.\u0026nbsp; A lot had happened in the past week.\u0026nbsp; A lot had happened in the past years. I thought over the seemingly random series of events which brought me to the point of my life I was at.\u0026nbsp; By now I knew there were no accidents.\u0026nbsp; Sure I had control over my destiny, but fate didn't like to be left out either.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The next day brought the return of Tank, Teague, and Trestan.\u0026nbsp; It had only been a week since they left, but it was still great to see them again.\u0026nbsp; Apparently they had heard about my little side mission.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Great going Harper.\u0026nbsp; Way to get things back under control cause let me tell you, they were going to hell in a hand basket.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Do you know what they had us doing up there?\u0026nbsp; Absolutely nothing.\u0026nbsp; It was all shit missions.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah, we had the same wrap.\u0026nbsp; That's why we decided to end this bull shit once and for all.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, whatever you two did, it worked.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We laughed and joked together for a while.\u0026nbsp; I had said it before, but we truly were a family.\u0026nbsp; Five individuals from different walks of life thrown together on some list put together by some random secretary at the military academy.\u0026nbsp; Dr. Hall walked in.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sorry to interrupt your homecoming, but the general has a mission for you now that you're all together again and the situation is back in our hands.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We followed her to the briefing room and took our custom seats.\u0026nbsp; I shared a joke with Trestan as we waited.\u0026nbsp; Dr. Hall came back in, she had a strange, almost sad look on her face.\u0026nbsp; The projectors whirred on and the general's face appeared.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Good day Task Force.\u0026nbsp; I hope I find you well.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Very good sir.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"That's good to hear. \u0026nbsp;Something has come up recently. \u0026nbsp;I think I speak for both myself and Doctor Hall in saying, I'm sorry.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; His face faded. \u0026nbsp;The lights on the screen changed. \u0026nbsp;The last thing I remember was seeing and image of Jessica before the universe went black.\n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Alright doctor, it's done. \u0026nbsp;Now can we be free of this matter?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Yes. \u0026nbsp;Just make sure they all are taken care of. \u0026nbsp;I don't want this program to hurt them any more.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"You know I will.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"One more thing general.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"What's that.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Here is my code. \u0026nbsp;I injected myself with the\u0026nbsp;YT79114R as well. \u0026nbsp;I don't want to remember any of this. \u0026nbsp;I don't want to remember what I've done to these young lives\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"I understand, the burden of decision weighs on us all. \u0026nbsp;Good bye.\"\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Task Force","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/144149-task-force-long-shot.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/144335-task-force-epilogue.json"}}