It was pitch black, rain trickled from the sky. Only thing keeping it bright was the night vision of the squad’s Heads up display. Moving out the bushes and onto the abandoned road. The squad of Spartans trailed down the road. Their objective was simple: Locate the target, and escort him to an EVAC point. Iowa led the squad forward. Part of Him wanted to question command but the other part understood they would kill me if he found out why.
He had expected it to be a quiet mission but of course there was always complications. There was a glint of light and a round hit the man behind Iowa. “SHIT, SNIPER FIRST FLOOR SECOND BUILDING ON THE RIGHT.” Iowa shouted as he dragged the man to cover he made the call for suppressing fire as he looked over the man, the round had gone straight through his chest; there was very little chance of his survival.
“Control, this is agent Iowa we have a man down presumed KIA I estimate that if we get a medivac we can save his life.”
“Sorry, agent but due to our lack of resources you must continue your mission. Due to Your loss of men your mission parameters have changed, instead of escorting the targets you know have orders to eliminate him”
“Bull shit control, I’m not moving until-”
“Don’t argue with us Agent, You know you orders. Control out. ”
“Dammit, I’m sorry” He said pointing his pistol at the agent’s head and pulling the trigger. Kneeling down to him he took off his helmet and took his rifle and put helmet on the rifle and leaned it against the wall. “May you find peace amongst the dead.”
“Let’s move out, radio silence from now on, I don’t want to hear control again until this mission is complete.” Moving up to the objective it was shown a Heavy perimeter around the warehouse complex, the only option was stealth. In a sense it was lucky that the squad became a man down they had the perfect amount of men to do a pincer formation. 2 squad members took the right whilst Iowa and another took the left.
He was halfway inside the complex when heavy gunshots were heard followed by silence. Iowa knew the outcome; he’d just lost two other members of his squad. “Poor bastards.” he muttered "Just you and me now” Iowa turned around to see him lying bleeding out via pistol wound. It to him that seemed like time had slowed down he grabbed his knife and went to stab the assailant, he was countered but he dropped the knife into his other hand and aimed for the abdomen whilst covering his mouth so no sound could be heard. He shut his eyes and left him leaning against a wall. It was now only him left.
He found his target. He was a Spartan ‘You’re in enough trouble already don’t ask questions’ he thought to himself. He climbed up to the nearest roof, grabbed his DMR and aimed towards his head, a perfect shot. He shot and the bullet went straight through, It was a hologram. All of a sudden he heard the click of a pistol behind his head and a voice: “How do stupid do you think I am?”. Iowa replied “Not at all” he turned on his field just as the trigger was pulled causing the round to deflect; he deactivated the field and grabbed the pistol. And aimed it is his head, the target took off his helmet and threw it on the ground, I staggered back I knew his face, Iowa’s gun still pointed towards his head. “I’ve killed two of your squads now, how does it feel to be responsible for their deaths?” He kicked him to the floor as his radio beeped: “This is Control, your mission has changed the target must remain alive”. Iowa replied as he threw off his helmet “Fuck you, control. This guy is mine.” as he unloaded his whole mag of his pistol into his chest. He threw the pistol on the ground and punched him repeatedly as he broke into tears he collapsed as he whispered into his ear: “Find peace amongst the dead. Ass hole”
A grid formed around everything and the world faded into a strong White light as the familiar voice of F.I.L.S.S spoke: “Critical mission failure, simulation Terminated. Would you like to talk to anyone Agent Iowa?” the world fell back into view “No F.I.L.S.S I’m fine, I just need some time,” Iowa was escorted out with tears dripping down his face Luckily he was wearing his helmet still as it shielded the view of tears. He stormed in “I’m going to rip that bastards throat out, how the hell did he have access to that file” and paced around until he finally exploded and punched a wall. Two men came in to calm him down and he eventually sat down in a corner with his head in his hands