Atlas Sanctum base location: North Pole
In the center of the North Pole, a no-fly zone was enforced by a combined unit of the Canadian Air Force and Russian Air Force with a US presence. This Atlas base housed over 15,000 people; the majority were military personnel and scientists, while most of the special operations units were stationed there. The most well-known was the Ghost Unit. They are officially dead; records of them were erased from databases, all pictures of them were removed, and Atlas only recognizes them as alive through codenames.
Experimental units were formed there, and the base is a dedicated research facility. Another part of the base was dedicated to training the Cerberus Unit, which is part of the Ghost Unit and consists of three-man teams. Currently, there are over five active teams, but all of them are currently deployed abroad.
Michael arrived a few hours later and was meeting the commander of the Cerberus team, created for the purpose of having a multi-role black ops unit fit for any combat roles.
"Engineer, nice to meet you again," Michael said with a slight smile as he sipped the hot creamy coffee while sitting in a wooden chair. In front of him stood a man with a scarred face; he was nicknamed the Engineer for being the first Ghost and one of the founders of the unit. His age is unknown, but can be told by his experience. The Cerberus unit has been under him since the beginning and has been training under his watchful eye.
"I want Fireteam 6 to be mobilized for this ops. They have not been sent to any missions for the last six months," Michael said. He handed over a document with the stamp and signature of the Administrator. When the Engineer read it to test the authenticity, he nodded and placed it down.
"It will be done. I have faith in Ardus; he's a headstrong leader and not one to reject a new mission. With him are Calares and Kaskan. These three are new Ghosts, and regarding the non-mission status, they were given a test mission a month ago," the Engineer said.
"I will have them ready in five hours," he said. Michael turned to the window where two units were clashing; they were people trying to enter the ranks of the Cerberus unit.
"Ok then. I want an after-action report and make sure that your team isn't compromised. All you need to do is to complete the mission and be done. No need to fawn over the team. Plus, the ambassador contacted a general in the Philippines who has connections to a mercenary team called Incognito and they are also being sent. A bit overrated, but they will get the job done," Michael said and left the room.
"Get me Ardus, i have a mission for him," the Engineer said.
South Korea: Shin-hye's Condo
Rafael had been called earlier to Shin-hye's apartment. Inside, he was quite shocked by the interior of the condo; it was well above the paycheck of a district judge. There were barely any family pictures.
Shin-hye came out of the bathroom, went into the kitchen, and brought out two cans of beer. Rafael opened one of them and began drinking.
"So how useful were the benefits I gave you?" he said after taking a sip.
"It was working splendidly. I tried it earlier this morning and two unwanted people wanted to uncover my identity, but luckily security was able to apprehend them," she said. She showed him the next targets, which mostly were located near Chinese Triad territory. For the rest of the day, they talked and planned their next moves, while Rafael also tasked her to purchase some gear that would be used in combat.
Next day
Rafael opened his eyes and looked around the unfamiliar room where he saw Shin-hye sleeping on his lap. He slowly grabbed her head and placed it gently on a pillow. He moved to the kitchen where he cooked a light meal for himself and her, but he ate his and left hers on the table, covering it with another plate and a note saying:
'Eat it, it comes from your stash.'
As Rafael left the apartment and drove back to his mansion, he saw Michael at the entrance after entering the gate.
"So any news?" Rafael asked as he exited the car. Michael saluted and gave him a tablet.
"Sir, Fireteam 6 has been mobilized and are going to arrive at the location this evening, which is when their operation will begin," he said. Rafael nodded as they entered the mansion and headed to the dining table where a cup of coffee was steaming hot.
"Also, I have a concerning report about an officer within our forces," he said in a measured tone, preparing himself.
"Then go, what about it?" Rafael said, putting the tablet down and looking at him, since a report concerning an officer in his forces was rare.
"He's a Major leading a mechanized infantry company. He was deployed as a small military footprint near countries that we consider our allies," he paused. "He used his authority and mobilized the company without the knowledge of the Regional Command. Based on a report from within his unit before communications blacked out, he attacked the Royal Palace that was holding his 'wife' hostage and killed or exterminated the entire royal family and burned their palace. Right now, the entire country is on the path to civil war and unrest is high. He caused a media blackout and shut down all communications, preventing any news from leaving the country. Their government requested us personally to do something about it. An hour ago, the council requested you for a solution since this was growing beyond their control," Michael said. He heard Rafael crushing the coffee cup after emptying its contents.
"Who reported this?" he asked, holding his anger back.
"One of his officers, sir. He was able to send a report before communications were cut," he said.
"So he covered up everything. Where is he right now?" Rafael asked.
"As of now, they sent agents who discovered that he hasn't been at his post. He only brought a platoon of his loyal soldiers to a secluded estate in the capital. That officer who reported it took command and wishes to arrest him personally due to him giving orders to shoot civilians after burning the palace. His official reports sent out before his rescue operation claimed it was a training exercise and those killed were death row prisoners," Michael said. Rafael sighed and stood up, heading to a tungsten cube on a desk. After looking at it for a few minutes, he crushed it with his hands, veins appearing from the force.
"Send word to the government that Atlas will pay for the damages and reparations, and accept our request of sending soldiers to put down the unrest. Next, send the 1st Company of the Left Hand of Justice to apprehend him. Once he's captured 'alive,' make sure they are in separate cells from his wife, but make sure they can see each other. Beat him every two hours. Also send in our field agents to assist in calming the unrest. Lastly, I want no bloodshed, so order the company to stand down and hand over their weapons to be psychologically assisted. I want this resolved within 48 hours and I will personally meet him when I come on my pilgrimage," Rafael said as he turned around and left the dining room, wanting to take a breather outside.
Michael nodded, accepting the decision, and began sending orders using the tablet. As soon as they received priority orders across Europe, units that were nearby to that nation began preparing to leave.
7 hours later
Somewhere in Eastern Europe, on the borders of the kingdom, soldiers of the Royal Army waited. They saw the insignia of Atlas; they were part of a unit created instantly called Task Force Order. As they crossed the border quickly, the soldiers saluted. Orders came from the new Prime Minister, who Atlas selected covertly, to allow Atlas soldiers in to enforce order and cooperate.
Dozens of combat vehicles crossed the border, and in the skies, a transport plane carrying the 1st Company of the Left Hand of Justice was set to land nearby and begin independent operations.
In a mansion located inside the capital, the Atlas officer sat on a luxurious chair. He was around 29 when he earned the rank of Major through skill and determination. He joined the armed forces when he was 25 after serving as a mercenary. He had fallen in love with the Princess during a state dinner, and when they tried to get married, the royal family put her under house arrest but left him free.
With that anger, he decided to use Atlas's resources to free her, which was against the mandate of Atlas and Rafael's own personal orders. He planned the rescue operation through a training exercise. After covering everything up, he knew Atlas would find out sooner or later, so he left the base with a platoon of his most loyal troops and occupied an empty mansion. A day ago, he received a report that one of his officers reported this treason to High Command. He knew it was only a matter of time before the wrath of the Administrator came down.
BANG!
He stood up as he heard the front gates break. When he looked out the window, he saw dozens of Atlas armored vehicles, but they were not part of any unit he knew.
'Scales of Justice,' he thought as he saw the insignia next to the logo of Atlas. He knew immediately that they were the enforcers of Atlas: The Left Hand of Justice.
"Major Xander! By the order of the Council and the Administrator, you are under arrest! Walk out of the residence within five minutes or prepare to meet with force!" the commander of the entire company shouted through the vehicle's built-in speakers.
Soldiers wearing advanced combat gear surrounded the house, teams preparing to breach. In the sky, two Black Hawks hovered with their miniguns aimed towards the windows. Inside, the platoon loyal to him began moving furniture to fortify their positions.
"How did they find out?" he muttered to himself. A moment later, his wife and platoon commander entered the room.
"Sir, what are your orders? They boxed us in. All routes are unavailable," the officer said with a concerned look.
"It's Atlas," Xander said.
"Three minutes left! Get out so there will be no blood to be spilled!" the commander shouted again.
"Tell our men to stand down. We will surrender. Fighting the Left Hand is useless," Xander said to his second in command. The platoon officer sighed, nodded, and spoke through the walkie-talkie, ordering the soldiers to stand down and gather near the entrance.
"But you can't... how about the life we planned to build?" she said as she clutched her stomach. He replied in a low tone, hugging her. "They can't kill me. I will have a fair trial. I will plead to the Administrator."
Upon exiting, they saw a row of armored vehicles with soldiers aiming their guns. The company commander approached with a disappointed gaze.
"By the order of the Administrator, you are hereby stripped of your rank and privileges. All your assets are confiscated and frozen. You shall be confined to a military prison with your wife, but in different cells, until the Administrator gives further judgment," he said in a stern tone.
While the soldiers arrested him, Xander spoke. "I thought the Administrator had taken a backseat."
"Not after the damage you have caused. Don't think the Administrator will take a backseat after you used the resources of Atlas like a charity and caused the deaths of civilians!" the commander said and ordered them to be placed in separate vehicles.
"Careful with her, she's pregnant!" Xander shouted before being knocked unconscious by a rifle butt to the head. He was carried to the transport where four operators watched him closely.
With his capture, Atlas field agents began assisting the government in fixing the problems and looking for a suitable royal family member to take the mantle. Within 15 hours, the damage was 50% repaired. The initial report was sent to Rafael, and the two prisoners were sent to the prison of St. Helena.
To be continued