Day: Zero

It was November the 19th, 2021. It was recently referenced as 'Day: Zero' by many of the F.O.B's commanding officers. Being an NCO, he wasn't of any high authority to hear of why such a icy, normal day, bar the war going on, be named such a thing. It had been rumored for weeks about the day being called so, but wasn't confirmed until Golf-India returned from their Tasked Reconnaissance mission to the entrapped Stockholm. Stockholm...it had been under a 'Siege' from the AGTF for 2 years. Somehow the High-Command had told that it would be over-soon with a fresh new operation to eliminate the threats within. Rumors also had it that the Covert Operators were involved big-time. Rumors...just rumors everywhere. It frustrated him that he knew the High-Command were plotting daring and risky missions. These missions never got them anywhere, with constant failures and confirmed Stalemates. Death after death, casualty after casualty. Then a round of fresh-combatants would arrive. It hadn't been the first time he'd lost a friend, when he heard the news of Virgil's death during the Night-Operations HALO jump into what turned out to be crossfire between Local Militia's and the Ny värld...

This war seemed to be a fight that could not be won, to Matt. All that had currently come out of it was figures of casualties and news stories to keep the citizen gossip flowing. He had fought in a lot of wars, Turner had, but one with such little meaning as this one? It was off the scale of how pointless he felt. If they were given a chance, a beacon of success...then so be it. He will push for something worth and able to be won. Apart from that, he was sick of watching lives being taken. Though something ruined his ever-lasting muse. C-17 Globemaster Transport recently arrived on Runway Strip B...And according to files given to various 1-ICs as Teams: Alpha-Tango. Maybe those Rumors was true...maybe Day: Zero has a meaning. Maybe there might be an operation that isn't as pointless as the rest have been...All Matt could do was wait and see.

The sight of the rear cargo door of the Globemaster opening brings forth memories of Mats during Operation Enduring Freedom, the first time he had arrived in Afghanistan, eighteen years ago.

Mats hangs back for a while, watching all the men walk off the plane, contemplating that he might not see most of them again, just like he had lost many of his comrades during his time in Afghanistan, such as Mats best friends, Geir and Petter. Starting to grow bonds with the men he will be serving with is going to have consequences down the line, but now is not the time to think about that.

Maybe this time will be different? No. This time it could get much, much worse. Worse than Afghanistan? Maybe. It’s hard to tell so early on, but one thing is for certain…

Men will die.

It had been a short while since the arrival, and now was the time for the introduction. Matthew had been briefed about Team Hotel, the new assignment for him during the next Operation that he had been informed of: Operation: Bronze Gate. Funnily enough, it was a plan that he didn't seem to like the sound of, but it proved that rumors explained earlier that day were true...

"Alright...Listen up..." He entered the Mess-hall, and at his quarter of the room there were 14 soldiers, all of mixed cultures and ethnic groups. "My name is Senior Sergeant Matthew Turner; and a lucky thing for you lot is that you'll be put under my command for what I have here in this document." In his right hand, he raised the encased document, staring at the almost completely silent detachment. "What you are about to hear is Highly confidential so yadee yadee yadah...let's go through this so you can enjoy Lunch..." A hand was raised from the rear of the group. It belonged to a Young American Private, who's name and picture was encased in the file. Matthew slowly pointed to him.

"Yes, thank you. Private Sean Philips, and...uhm...if this is a Confidential mission, shouldn't you be sounding more caring?" This caught his attention dearly.

"No...I deal with this on a monthly basis...now shut up and listen!" The Private was silent once again. "You lot have come from many different Branches of the Military. Some the Spetsnaz, others the United States Marines, some like myself have even been transferred from the SAS. You have also all served time with the AGTF for a while to get to the Covert Operators group as well...but let me tell you, this mission is going to test us, no matter what experience we have..." Everyone nodded in approval. "We are located here, at the F.O.B, obviously. We've been tasked with a 16 day Operation. Our goal? Stockholm, currently under Ny värld control. Take a look at this photo..." He said, handing out multiple copies. "Övid Westermark. Ny värld's 3rd highest Commanding Officer. Dangerous and a veteran, he's definitely a way of ensuring Morale stays high. He is our Main Target. Consider this an assassination Operation, which leads into Operation: Bright Storm, a direct assault on the city from AGTF Ground forces. However, this ain't no standard trek. We have a series of objectives to cross-off around the journey. These aren't something we have the option to do, they must be done perfectly to ensure we get this Mission a success. These'll include setting up communications outposts, cutting off supply lines and there will be a Bridge key to the Operation. We'll have access to AGTF's 17th Armored Brigade along the way as well as the 9th Support Gunship Squadron. This brief has and will be given to 19 Operation teams, all taking part in this objective. Now I know, Matthew made it short...but I don't have a lot of time on my hands. As tomorrow we'll be setting out. We don't have much time, as I've said...so when we get onto this...I want you to do what you are commanded. Any questions?" He slammed the folder shut, waiting for the response. There was none. "Good...I'll see you tomorrow for departure..."

After his briefing, Amid had been left to meander at the safe house. He'd arrived in India late last night, and really, he should have been sleeping like everyone else. But he couldn't. This whole thing had his stomach twisted tight, feeling sick and nervous. He'd never done anything quite like this; a bit operation on a global scale. He'd never even been outside his own country. This was all very big and scary to him, and, honestly, he had little expectations of surviving it.

He paced around in his small room, his cot taking up most of the floor. Laying on top of the creaky mattress was his duffel bag. It wasn't big or particularly heavy, but inside were all his worldly belonging. Necessities, mostly. Finally, he stopping wearing scuff marks into the floor and sat down next to his bag, his right leg bouncing nervously. He needed to sleep; he needed sleep very badly. However, over the past couple years, sleep had been something of a stranger to him. Amid could scarcely close his eyes before his head was full of screaming and wailing.

He probably needed to see a doctor, but doctors cost money.

The young man finally moved his duffel onto the floor and laid onto his back. The plastic wrapped mattress creaked in protest. He stared up at the ceiling, going over the things he'd been told in his briefing. The men would be leaving their station tomorrow. Tomorrow he would meet the soldier he would serve and probably die with. He hoped he at least liked them.

Listening to the Senior Sergeant's speech wasn't exactly inspirational, but it didn't matter. Everyone including Mats knew what they signed up for.

After the briefing and finishing his above average meal in the mess hall, Mats began socializing with the other soldiers currently stationed on the FOB. A lot of the men seemed very optimistic about the whole operation and didn't really show much fear. Most of the men on the base are very friendly and doesn't have a problem with meeting new people, which is a good trait to have when everyone is in this situation and is about to go to war together.

Some time later, he met a fellow Norwegian that were assigned to another team, Oliver Hansen, surprisingly was Hansen also a part of Operation Enduring Freedom, but in a different province than Mats.

They began talking about the new operation that was going to commence soon.

"Oliver, what do you think of this Westermark guy?"
"I've heard quite a bit about him, but I believe we can take him."
"I hope so, he doesn't really sound like the guy you want to be messing with."
"Don't worry, Mats. We have the 17th Armored and the 9th Gunship with us. They'll protect us."
"Hey, don't be so naive, Oliver. We can't just waltz right in there even with Armored and Gunship Support without any proper plan."
"Hey, I'm just being optimistic. We can't be afraid when we go in there, we got to have our game face on.
"I suppose you are right... but still..."

After contemplating the operation and sharing war stories with Oliver for an hour or two, they seperated and Mats went to take a stroll around the base. It might be the last safe haven after they depart tomorrow.

The future is in fate's hands now.

Matthew was lying in his Bunk in an almost empty Dormitory. He was thinking deeply about what lay ahead. It wasn't something to just, throw to aside. This mission had to be top priority with 100% per-.

"Excuse me? S-Senior Sergeant Turner?" He opened one eye, and a infantry uniformed female soldier was watching him.

"Yeah...Who's askin'?"

"Private Aimée Linderoth...I was assigned to Team Hotel as you lack a Anti-Vehicular operator." This caused him to sigh. "S-something Wrong sir?"

"Yeah...Problem 1...Don't call me sir. I'm an NCO, not a fucking Commissioned Officer...Second...I don't really like babysitting more soldiers...it isn't like I have enough weight on my shoulders..." She sighed as well. Soon it came to his attention on her Uniform. "Wait...why are you an Infantry-based Troop?"

"I...Fought to defend Stolkholm...I was hired by the AGTF Quickly...and...I guess they didn't have any Covert A-T Personnel...so..."

"All right! The least you can do is spare me your life story and let me sleep..." He opened his eye again, seeing her face in dismal. "Look...it may seem like I'm not a nice guy...but right now I'm not. I've just been assigned to lead a shit-tonne of men into a deathland to take over a city. It ain't no-pretty thought, Private..." He sighed deeply. "It is Operation: Slim-Breakthrough all over again..." This caught her attention.

"S-Slim Breakthrough?"

"Special Air Services Operation...I am not in the position to tell you...now please...I need some sleep at the least..." Nodding understandably, after hearing his reasoning, she departed from the room, leaving him to ponder his mind in his slumber.