Chapter 1
March 17th, 1985. Honolulu, Miami.
The hazy, humid atmosphere of the sun beamed down on a bar at the beach shore of Miami. The soft buzzing sound of the ceiling fans cooled you guys down from the heat.
Inside the bar were five soldiers that were in an elite special forces’ unit in the US military: the Ghost Wolves.
The five individuals finally had a break from the war that was against the Soviet Union. The USSR had managed to invade the Hawaiian Islands, and these soldiers were here to defend the US territory.
Right now, the group was just enjoying themselves. Some of them had a beer or lit up a cigarette in the meantime.
“I dunno if it’s the heat, but I feel a little drunk...” uttered Barnes, a dark-skinned soldier, who just finished his first glass. A light chuckle emerged from the unit’s lieutenant’s lips, Beard. He was known for having a large beard that he loved to grow out.
“Me too, I’m thinking about heading back to camp.” he replied with a small grin. He directed his green eyes towards a pudgy individual, Daniel. “You ready to go back?” he questioned, earning a shrug from the man.
“I’m good for another round or two,” he replied, taking another sip of his drink. “You guys can head back, I’ll catch up with you guys later.” Beard hummed at the answer before directing his gaze towards two individuals, his best friends.
You and your partner, Jacket.
“How about you two? You guys seemed to be tired from the war.” he hummed, earning a faint smile from you. Jacket’s head was placed on your shoulder; he looked like he was about to fall asleep.
“Sure, I can head back,” you replied with a lazy grin, leaning your head on Jacket’s head. “You wanna head back, too?” you questioned, earning a small nod and a hum from the silent soldier. Out of the five individuals, Jacket rarely spoke.
He’s not mute, he really only talks to the people he’s familiar with, which was his team unit but mostly you and Beard.
After Beard got the confirmation from his teammates, Beard, you, and Jacket waved to Barnes and Daniel before heading out. “Just remember, we have a job to do tonight, fellas.” Beard announced, earning firm nods from everyone.
Stepping out of the bar, the gentle breeze blew against everyone, feeling a bit cooled down from the humid heat. Before the trio could hop into the vehicle that was parked outside, a blue-eyed man stopped the three in your tracks.
Beard takes in his appearance, seeing that he wasn’t a soldier, but a photographer or a journalist. “Excuse me, guys. You have a second?” he asks in a polite tone. A low annoyed grumble escaped Jackets lips, earning a chuckle from you.
He just wants to get to camp, get some sleep while he can before they have to get ready for their mission tonight. He felt your pinkie wrap around his, feeling a bit better.
“I’d like to get a picture of you guys, if you don’t mind.” the man added, holding a polaroid camera.
“Sure thing,” Beard replied with a small grin. “Could you send me a copy if I give you your address?” he questioned, wanting to have a picture to remember the memories of the war and his two best friends.
The man told him that there was no need, explaining that the camera he was using was a polaroid, earning a brighter grin from the bearded lieutenant. He asked you three to step in front of the sun.
Beard nodded as he stepped towards his teammates. He wrapped his arms around yours and Jacket shoulders, looking at the camera with a toothy grin. You wore a smile on your face as Jacket held a faint one.
You and Jacket threw peace signs to the camera, watching a small flash coming from the camera. “Alright, good luck out there guys. Thanks for letting me get a shot.” the photographer flashed a small grin, giving the picture to Beard, watching him smile at the photo.
“No worries, man. Good luck to you too!” he replied as you three hopped inside the vehicle. A comforting silence was present in the air, hearing the tires driving on the sandy territory of the area.
Beard smiled at you two, seeing that you guys were a few seconds away from falling asleep, but since the ride back to camp was going to be short, you and Jacket silently conversed with each other.
The lieutenant still couldn’t believe it. His two best friends from his childhood were here with him in the military. In high school, he was already interested in joining the military. But when he asked you two if he would join the military, you both smiled at him.
He remembered beaming at you and Jacket’s answers, remembering a bright smile that stretched on his lips the entire day before he went home.
When he first entered the bus that would drive him and other people to the military base, he remembered tearing up when he saw you two on the bus with him.
Beard sighed at the memories, looking out of the window to see the sun slowly setting down, the sky filled with pinks and oranges that would slowly turn to a dark blue. There were only a few missions left before they could go home.
Back at camp, you and Jacket had gotten some sleep in the large tent that would fit up to ten people with beds. Jacket’s arms wrapped around your waist, his breathing calm as he sleeps next to you.
The relationship began somewhere in middle school, you two weren’t the social ones in your classes. Your classmates’ thought you guys were mute, that’s how quiet you guys were.
That was until Beard would come along, becoming a group of best friends. It bloomed throughout middle school and high school, eventually into the military as well. Beard would try to get Jacket to talk to you, knowing that Jacket had told him that he had a small crush on you.
What they didn’t know was that you had feelings for Jacket as well, but you two couldn’t confess to each other due to how shy and nervous you two were. That’s when Beard helped you both with each other, slowly and successfully watching the relationship bloom through the years.
A light groan escaped your lips, eyes slowly opening as you heard footsteps coming towards the tents. “Alright, sleepyheads. It’s time to get up.” announced the lieutenant, earning a hum from you.
Inhaling slowly, you stretched your limbs, hearing the soft pops from your joints as you tapped Jackets hands. “C’mon, let’s get up before Daniel starts yelling.” you whispered, earning a hum from the silent blonde.
Getting out of the beds, you both stepped out of the tent, seeing that Beard was up as well. The moon lightly shone in the night sky, small droplets of rain slowly beamed down on the sandy ground.
You both stood next to Beard, waiting for the Colonel to give out the orders before putting on your bulletproof vests. “Alright, time to move out!” he announced with a loud, gruff tone, getting Barnes and Daniels attention as well.
“Choose your weapon wisely and make them shots count. Lord knows how many of them are out there... Do be careful, I don’t want any of my units dying on me, ya hear?”
“Yes sir!”
He watched the trio pick out their artillery with a menacing grin. Beard had picked out a double barrel shotgun, Jacket held an AR-15 firmly against him while you picked up a glock that was equipped with a silencer and a flamethrower.
Just in case, you three had swiss army knives as well for close combat.
The trio saluted to the colonel before jogging down a path, quietly and quietly. Barnes and Daniel stayed behind, not wanting the colonel to stay by himself at camp, knowing that the enemy could be lurking around.
Muddy footsteps were present, making sure to keep quiet as you all found a small hideout where the russians would be inside. Beard and Jacket placed their backs on the wall as you went towards the door first.
You three exchange silent nods as you creaked the door open, aiming at the enemy that was sitting down. Once he was shot, you three rushed in. Beard went to the left side, opening the door and firing at the two individuals inside.
Jacket gripped his knife in hand, thrusting the sharp weapon into the enemy’s chest before using it as a human shield. Entering into the main room, an armed enemy started shooting towards Jacket, but the bullets only hit the meat shield.
With quickness, he threw the body towards the enemy, surprising them a bit before aiming the knife into their neck, watching their body go limp. The inside of the house laid multiple pools of blood, some of it lightly coated your clothing.
Stepping towards the exit, you pulled out your silencer and aimed at the two individuals outside, shooting them down. “All clear.” you announced, rushing out of the building with Jacket and Beard following behind you.
Rushed footsteps became quiet as you see two guards standing in front of the building with their backs turned towards the trio.
You and Jacket equipped your army knives, silently covering the guards’ mouths as you thrust your knives into their backs, quickly pulling them away to hide their lifeless bodies.
“Alright, you and Jacket finish the ones inside, I’ll deal with the rest outside.” he whispered.
“Okay, we’ll meet you outside.” you replied, Jacket gave Beard a firm nod as you two headed inside. Jacket shot at the enemy soldiers that were sitting at the table, but it alerted the other soldiers inside.
Holding your gun out, you shot the rest of the incoming soldiers that held machetes in hand. Rushed footsteps resumed inside the hideout, pushing the door open to see that Beard finished the ones from outside.
You all silently nodded at each other, reloading your guns before going into the next area. The path was starting to become narrow, making sure not to trip or step on anything that could alert the enemy.
Finding another hideout, you all stopped when a pair of footsteps was dashing towards you all. A man hopped out of the bushes, wielding a machete that threatened to chop you. You maneuver your body to dodge the attack, grabbing his arm and breaking it.
Taking your knife out, you aimed for his heart, watching his body go limp. You quickly reassured your best friends that you were alright, a small toothy grin stretched on your face. The trio ducked under the window, seeing that everyone was inside.
Jacket tapped Beard’s and your shoulders. “I’ll throw a flash while you two head inside...” he insists, his voice low and raspy from not speaking in a while, making you both smile. You both cover your faces as he breaks the glass and throws a flash grenade.
As the projectile went off, it caused everyone inside to exclaim in confusion and anger. With quickness, you pulled out a small flamethrower, pointing it inside as you let out a fiery blaze, watching the enemy’s body slowly turn into a crisp.
Surveying inside the hideout, there was no one to be found, giving the two a thumbs up. Beard took out his walkie talkie. “James here, we’re done weeding out the garden. How’s it going with the yard?”
“Hank here, ran out of fuel for the lawnmowers. We’re at the gas station on 24th and 7th. Head over and we’ll share the ride back.” a man replied, earning a hum from the bearded lieutenant. Putting his walkie talkie in his pocket, he sees that you two were ready to move out.
“Alright, let’s see what they’re up to.”
Calm footsteps trailed their way towards the desired location. You see the rest of your squad standing in front of a downed russian who was shot in the lower region, he had a few minutes left.
Heading inside the small building, you see a gunned down leader that laid limp on the ground. A table nearby, you all see Daniel examining some sort of map on the table. “Looks like we got our hands on some intel here. We should get back to the colonel as soon as possible.”
You hummed at the information, seeing that they’ll come up with a plan everyone gets back to camp. “What about the guy outside?” you questioned, earning a muffled chuckle from the pudgy man.
“Barnes will probably finish m' off. We only needed him for information,” he replied, a sigh escaping his lips. “I can’t wait for all this to be done, I know all of you are tired of this.” he spoke with a tired tone.
You and Beard hummed at his words, Jacket stood close to you, his arm around your shoulder. Beard suddenly grinned, seeing that he had an idea. “How about this? When most of this is close to finishing, let’s relax at the beach.”
“That sounds great. Maybe Jacket can finally get a good rest there.” you lightly teased, leaning against him. He silently chuckled at your words before you all gathered the information you all needed before heading out.
Turning your gaze to the right, you see Barnes with a revolver in hand, a small stream of smoke flowing out of the barrel. He’d shot the downed enemy, putting out of his misery. “Alright, Barnes. We’re about to head out.” Daniel announced, earnings nod from the man.
Heading back onto the truck, an exhausted sigh escaped your lips, leaning your head on your partner’s shoulder. You both were tired from the mission, feeling your eyelids become heavier. Jacket laid his head on yours, earning an amused huff from you.
Beard watched with a small smile as you both fell asleep, the droplets of rain added into the nightly atmosphere, putting everyone at a calm state.
October 15th, 1985. Hawaii County, Hawaii.
Beard’s idea was able to come true.
He stood on the sandy beach, watching the soft waves lightly crash into the sea as the sun shined down on everyone. Barnes and Daniel can be seen playing a card game on a small table next to a building where Colonel was in.
You wore a tank top with shorts as you sat on the beach with a cold drink in hand. Looking down on your lap where Jacket’s head was, a peaceful expression plastered his face as he slept. You combed your hands through his blonde locks, hearing a content sigh from him.
“I’ve been thinking,” Barnes spoke, getting everyone’s attention except Jacket’s, who was still sound asleep. “When I get back home, I think I want to open up a bar.” you remembered when everyone introduced themselves, he used to be a bartender.
Daniel chuckled at him. “Well, you do like drinking...” he teased, earning an annoyed expression from the dark-skinned man as he placed down a card.
“What are you gonna do when we get back home?” Barnes questioned, waiting for the pudgy man to place down a card.
“I’m a teacher, remember? I have a job when I get back,” he hummed as a small grin stretched on his face. “I’m sure you’d make a great bar owner though, Barnes. Who wouldn’t want a sociopathic drunk as their boss?”
Barks of laughter echoed in the air, Barnes eventually chuckling at his words as well. He then turned his gaze towards you two. “How about you, lovebirds? You got any plans?” his question earned a chuckle from you.
“I’m not sure, really. Maybe even start a life somewhere...” you replied, a light pink tint dusted your cheeks, directing your gaze back to Jacket, who had a small smile on his face. A small grin stretched on your lips as you turned towards the lieutenant. “What about you, Beard?”
The gingered haired lieutenant stared into the neon sunset, a relaxed expression plastered his face. “I’m not sure as well. Maybe I’ll find a little convenient store. Put a little tv next to the register, just sit there all day, relaxing.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it all planned out.” joined Daniel, earning a shrug from the bearded man.
“I try not to think about it too much. Things never turn out the way you expect them to.” he added, his small smile faltering a bit. “My bad for dampening the mood, I’ll go check on the colonel.”
He then explained that everyone was supposed to move out at dawn, seeing that they still have stuff to do in the meantime. Walking inside the small hut, he sees the dull, purple eyed man sitting at his wooden desk with a few papers.
The colonel turned his gaze towards Beard, a wide grin spreading on his lips. “Lieutenant! I just received some good news. Looks like I might be promoted.” his grin then faltered a bit, confusing the green-eyed man.
“You don’t look so happy about it, sir. Is something troubling you?” Beard inquired, lending against the wall with his arms crossed.
“Of course I’m happy,” Colonel huffed. “Why wouldn’t I want to be lieutenant general?” that earned him a hum from Beard. “On a positive note, you and the others are being sent back home soon.”
Beard smiled at the words, finally going home. He was tired of carrying a gun everywhere he went, paranoid about what could happen at camp. Paranoid of what could happen to his team, especially you and Jacket.
But the two men knew that they had one last mission before everyone was discharged. A few days ago, the colonel had briefly explained what the last mission was, saying that he’s gonna charged to an enemy camp with himself and five soldiers.
“It’s a good thing that you all are elite units. What a piece of shit mission...” he then lifted his gaze towards Beard, his expression firm as he spoke again. “Don’t get yourselves killed for nothing, you hear?”
“Yes, sir!” Beard saluted the man before walking out of the hut. Colonel stared at the entrance Bread just walked out of, slumping against his chair.
‘Godspeed you all. Godspeed...’
