-----ISLANDS-----
Everon - Land of the Free
Malden - Superpower. Leader: Samuel L. Jackson
Kolgujev - Superpower. Leader: Gareth Gaytes
Desert Island - Prison Colony
Nogova - Peaceful Home Island. Can be tough when it wants to be.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prelude:
August 17th, 20:20, Nogova
I'm on my home island, Nogova. I've lived here for 20 years and enjoyed it. Back in '72, I was taught all the soldier skills anyone could ever need to know, so I keep a bristly supply of guns and ammo. My neighbour, Barney Calhoun, said I should open a guns and ammo shop, but I turned it down. I've already got a good job as a jet fighter mechanic. Besides, the guns have sentimental value and they look cool.
Although I was now well out of the army regime, I was still edgy. Even after 20 years, I still have horrible flashbacks. Friends blown away, family men killed, no doughnuts left, the coffee machine broken...
5 years in 'Nam. They taught you survival skills, logical thinking and stealthy tactics. What they didn't teach you was to automatically barrel roll from your desk, lob a smoke grenade and tackle someone to the ground, just because you weren't expecting visitors.
August 17th, 20:25, Nogova Airbase
When the smoke had cleared, I stared down at the panic-stricken face of my friend and neighbour, Barney, pinned under me. I got off him and helped him to his feet. He brushed his suit off and looked at me, silently asking, "What the hell!?"
"Er," I replied, "Just a little test to keep you to on your toes."
Lousy lie, but it was better than just standing there looking like a complete jackass. Barney raised an eyebrow and said, "Yeah. Uh-huh."
"Was there something you needed me for?" I asked him.
"Yes, there was. I got a call from a Colonel David Blake, I think it was."
"Colonel Blake?!" I repeated in disbelief.
"Yeah. He said he needs you on Malden. President Jackson has some disturbing news that he can only tell you about. That's all there was then he hung up."
I placed my hand on my chin, resting the elbow on my other arm's hand. I sighed and said, "Alright. Tell him I'll be on my way."
"He said he wants you to call him back. Here's the number I was given."
With that he walked away, back to his guard duties.
I punched in the number and waited. 4 rings later, it was answered. A familiar voice came clearly through.
"Player? Lieutenant Alex Player?"
I was silent for a few moments, scared to answer; yet I knew I had to.
"Yes sir. It's me."
"Long time, Player."
"Yeah."
"Listen, sorry to break the moment, but we need you on Malden ASAP. President Jackson and me have some disturbing news about Tommy Gaytes."
Tommy Gaytes!!?? That guy was killed on Kolgujev! I should know! I spotted the bastard for the sniper, myself!
"Uh...yes sir! I'll be there by 1535 hours tomorrow!"
"Understood, Lieutenant. Looking forward to seeing you again."
"Goodbye."
I replaced the receiver. Tommy Gaytes? What the hell was this all about? I would find out tomorrow...
August 18th, 15:25, Nogova Runway
I had said goodbye to my family and friends and prepped the A-10 for take off. I changed into my old army uniform, got out an M16 and some spare hand grenades from the storage locker. Malden is off to the south. A direct route will take me almost completely over Everon. But since Everon is a peaceful island, what the hell, I'll fly over it.
August 18th, 15:30, Somewhere over Everon
Up in the air, and damn, I'm a little rusty, but I quickly recalled my training. I had a foreboding that I would be using a lot more vehicles, not all of them just for transportation.
Halfway to Everon, I wished I had reminded the wife to tape The Simpsons.
Everon is a beautiful island from this height. The trees, the mountains, the smoking debris...
Smoking debris? Ah well, who cares?
I passed over Everon towards Malden.
August 18th, 15:35, Malden Airport
A soldier met me when I got off the plane. He told me to get in the Jeep. Once I clambered in, the soldier drove off towards the Presidential Building.
August 18th, 15:37, Malden, Presidential Building
The soldier told me he had called Colonel Blake before I got out the plane. Now we were just outside the building where President Jackson and Colonel Blake were waiting.
I entered the President's Office. Colonel Blake turned round.
"Ah, Mr Freeman," he said.
"What, sir?" I asked.
"Oh, er, sorry. I was playing Half-Life on President Jackson's computer."
I looked over, and sure enough, Windows ME was on with the 'Games' folder open. In it was: Half-Life, Half-Life: Opposing Force, Half-Life: Blueshift, Operation Flashpoint and AvP Gold.
"So, what is this about?" I asked.
The Mission Briefing: August 18th, 15:50, Malden, President Jackson's Office Colonel Blake and President Jackson both explained that the distant island, Kolgujev, was emanating strange sounds. There were sounds of gunfire, tanks firing and other things. They were going to send me in alone at night to recon the island. Stealth is of the utmost importance, they told me. I would land on the north shore via boat. Great. A lone wolf mission. I just hoped this would be a reconnaissance mission and nothing more.
August 18th, 22:00, somewhere along the northern shore of Kolgujev
I was ferried along with some other Black Ops to an island just outside of Kolgujev. The boat was waiting for me. The other Black Ops didn't make any move towards the boat. They just stood around puffing cigarettes or reading playboy magazines.
"Why aren't you guys doing anything? What's the point in your being here?" I asked one of them.
"Atmosphere..." he replied.
"Oh well, ok, then."
I made towards the boat and entered it. It chugged along towards the main land mass. I checked my equipment. Silenced HK, 4 HK clips, 3 Satchel Charges (standard issue), NV Goggles and Binoculars. It's recon only, so no shots should need to be fired. The boat stopped a few feet from the shore. I hopped out and waded through the cold water as the boat buggered off back to the smaller island.
August 18th, 22:05, Kolgujev
Finally here. Time to find out what Kolgujev is up to.
This place is depressing. There were storm clouds over it when we were approaching. They didn't seem to be making any sign of leaving any time soon.
A little bit of noise was up ahead. I made my way silently along to some foliage and peered through it. A BMP came squeaking and rumbling into my view then lumbered off into the darkness again. Against the starlit sky, I could see the silhouettes of several soldiers. The leader turned to his men, said something, then turned back and they made off, with their weapons on their backs. Soldiers. Was Kolgujev preparing for war? Damn, this was strange. War against whom? Could Tommy Gaytes actually be alive? No, he couldn't be, but then again, he seems to be the only one to prepare like this. This style of preparation was the same as I remembered it over 10 years ago. Careless and sloppy.
It was only when I reached a town that I realised it could not be Tommy. Tommy had been a cruel mutha, but he didn't destroy entire towns! Rubble and debris were all that remained now. The soldiers seemed to live in small tents that were dotted around several villages. It made sense. I mean the houses were uninhabitable now...
I scouted out the rest of the island, marking down important places and events on the map and writing notes in my notebook, especially the insane amount of military bases dotted around the island. Honestly, who needs this many bases? Whoever it was, they were some kind of wacko.
I called in the boat and it took me back to the outpost island.
August 19th, Malden, 14:15, President Jackson's Office
Last night, I told them about what I saw on the island and showed them the map with all the bases I had seen marked out. Not all of them were marked out, I guessed. I couldn't go in further without being spotted.
I was now standing in President Jackson's office. He had news for me. He slipped a tape into a VCR, saying that this transmission had been broadcast to Malden.
"Prepare yourself, Lieutenant, the image you are about to see is hideous."
He pressed play and the tape started. A wall with a chair partly shown in front of it was displayed. A shadow moved across the wall. I looked closer. I could have sworn I saw spikes on the shadow's head. Finally, the horrible image walked on-screen and sat down. I recoiled in horror and disgust. Whatever this creature was, it was uglier than Tommy. It had a hair of spikes (horns?), ugly missing teeth, and a ridiculous clothes sense (A white tuxedo and pink jeans??). Then, it talked.
"I am G-G-G-Gareth G-G-G-G-G-G-Gaytes. I'm the s-s-s-s-son of T-T-T-T-T-Tommy G-G-G-G-G-Gaytes."
This thing also had a ridiculous stutter. It quickly became tiresome and repetitive. But, what really grabbed my attention (from what I could make out between the stutters) was that this thing was Tommy Gaytes's son, Gareth Gaytes! Tommy had a son? I always thought s/he was bisexual.
"P-P-P-Presid-d-d-dent J-J-J-Jackson-n-n-n. D-D-D-D-Don't th-th-th-th-think I d-d-didn't see the sp-sp-sp-spy you sent over here. I know you're c-c-c-c-curious about what I am d-d-d-d-doing on K-K-K-K-Kolgujev. Well, I'll t-t-t-t-tell you what I'm d-d-d-doing. I am m-m-m-m-massing an ass-ass-ass-assault on all the i-i-i-i-islands here. I will b-b-b-broadcast me singing Unchained Melody unless my r-r-r-r-record sales g-g-g-go up!"
I looked over at President Jackson, silently questioning him. I saw his face and it was scared.
"It can't be serious! No way would it do that!"
"What's so bad about it singing?"
"Have you heard this thing? It doesn't sing as it says it does. It screeches! What's more is that the terrible sound brainwashes the victims. Long enough to allow it to do whatever it wants them to do. Also, I've heard that if the screeching doesn't work... this thing rapes them! Especially men!"
I gasped. Then I realised that I hadn't seen any women on Kolgujev, yesterday. Why didn't I notice that before? This was creeping me out.
The creature went on, "If m-m-m-my sales do not in-in-in-increase, then I will be f-f-f-f-forced t-t-t-t-to sing!-!-!-!"
The tape ended.
"We have brought in our top historian," President Jackson told me. He clicked his fingers and in came an old, bald man carrying a book. He set the book down on President Jackson's desk.
"Now what I'm about to tell you may sound strange, but bear with me."
The old man's voice sounded strange, like the way your voice sounds if you pull your cheeks out and talk.
"Now let's see here," he continued as he turned to the book. He opened it up, flicking through the pages with various demons sketched on them. There was Gilgamesh, Odin, Ragnarok, GIZ... finally, he cried out.
"Ah! Paper cut!"
Colonel Blake applied a bandage to the bleeding finger, then the old man - whose name turned out to be The Old Man (they called him TOM for short) - continued searching. Finally, he cried out.
"Ah! Found it! The Gaytes Demons!"
I frowned, disbelieving at first, but it made sense when TOM started talking.
"The Gaytes Demons first revealed themselves in 1327, in a small, unsuspecting village. They raped the men, maybe a couple of women and even... the children.
"By God..." said President Jackson.
"They were so gay, that they even tied the men to gates to make sure they wouldn't squirm so much," The Old Man continued.
"So that's how they got the name 'Gaytes'," Blake said.
"Yes. Also, about 50 years later in 1377, a terrible thing happened. A new generation of Gaytes Demon surfaced. It was a singer/screecher! It is written that the Demon would use this terrible sound to-"
"TOM, I've already told him this bit," said President Jackson.
"Why?"
"So the story will go faster."
"Oh. Well, anyhoo. If the screeching didn't work then the Demon would ra-"
"Told him that, too."
"Well, I know you didn't tell him about the stutter."
"No."
"Well, I'll tell him. This new breed of Gaytes Demon would also use a nonsensical demon speech. Today, this is known as a stutter. All the Gaytes Demon Screechers have an especially annoying stutter. They would bore their victims before singing/screeching."
"So this 'Gareth Gaytes'... is a screecher?" I asked.
"Yes," The Old Man replied, "Well, my bit here is done, so I'll do the off, now."
TOM left.
"Now you realise the seriousness of the situation," Blake said.
"Er... yeah, sure," I replied.
"We're going to be sending you in with a few troops to try and take down Gareth before its army can get any stronger. This campaign shall be called..." he stopped.
"Well?" I asked, "What's it called? Come on! You're about to tell me then you clam up?"
"I wasn't clamming up, I was pausing for dramatic effect! Now you've ruined it! Anyway, as I was saying, this campaign shall be called Operation: GARGAT!"
So this mission-
"Campaign," corrected Blake.
-Okay! So this CAMPAIGN is called Operattion: GARGAT.
"Er, sir. Why 'GARGAT'?"
"It's short for Gareth Gaytes... except without the 'y'."
"Right-o!"
"It will start at 1930 hours. Prepare yourself."
And that I did.
August 19th, 19:30, Kolgujev
We arrived with some M113s (the only amphibious vehicle available) and stormed the Western beach.
I was armed with an XM-1775E2, 4 clips and binoculars. I was in command of 5 troops: 3 soldiers, a medic and an anti-tank soldier.
The M113s turned on their headlights, temporarily blinding the GARGATs infantry. We slaughtered them easily. We faced a couple of BMPs during the attack, but we managed to destroy them. We pressed on, uphill towards a base at the summit. A team of GARGAT troops came barging towards us. They were defeated, but then Blake called in, telling us that Kolgujev was moving in a huge armoured squad consisting of T72s and T80s. We didn't have enough anti-tank soldiers to deal with a tank squad. The order to pull back was given. I could see the beams of light from the tanks in the distance. Bloody Gareth! Over-reacting to an attack! What a wuss! However, we made our way back to the shore, getting in the M113s. The mission ended before it had really begun.
August 19th, 20:05, Malden, President Jackson's Office
"Sorry, sir. I guess we never anticipated a response like that."
"It's okay, Player," Blake said, "We never knew that the GARGAT would over-react like that, either. The weak idiot. You get some sleep. We'll need to rethink this."
"Yes sir."
I was beginning to make my way out when President Jackson's phone rang.
"President Jackson speaking... what? Again? Okay."
He turned on his TV. The GARGAT was there again. This time in it's jim-jams. We recoiled at the dreadful sight.
"Presid-d-d-dent J-J-J-J-Jackson, this is Lord G-G-G-G-Gareth again."
Lord? Oh, please! And I think we know that it's you! I mean, is there anything else that scary?
"I s-s-s-simply ask you t-t-t-t-to ra-ck-ck-ck-ck up my d-d-d-d-dreadful al-b-b-b-bum s-s-s-sales, and what response d-d-d-d-do I g-get? A f-f-full f-f-f-f-frontal a-t-t-t-t-ttack on my homeland-d-d! I will n-n-n-n-not stand for th-th-th-this! J-J-J-J-Just to let you know, I a-a-a-anticip-p-p-p-pated an a-a-a-a-attack after the s-s-s-s-spy app-p-p-p-p-peared, that's why there were t-t-t-t-tanks coming for y-y-y-y-you! Also, I had m-m-m-m-my army c-c-c-c-capture some citizens f-f-f-from the isl-l-l-lands! Als-s-s-s-s-so, you will n-n-n-n-n-never ever, EV-V-V-V-VER find them! MHAHAHAHAHAAAA!"
The transmission ended.
"It's being built on the Desert Island," President Jackson told me.
"But I thought-" I began, but was cut off by Colonel Blake.
"Satellites," he stated, "We located the prison using satellites."
"Oh. So, what are we going to do?"
"We're going to have to free those civilians, Player. We believe you will be the best man for the job."
"Why's it always me?"
"'Cause you're a seasoned veteran, and also because you are the main character."
I sighed and agreed to the task. So, the mission for tomorrow was to infiltrate the Desert Prison and destroy it.
August 20th, 21:20, Desert Island, Shore
Well, I'm here. I was taken a little way by boat, and then swam the rest of the way. The Outpost has radar, so the engine noise would have been detected.
I ditched the scuba gear just below the water level and made my way up the beach. Since the whole damn island is a beach, I guess 'shoreline' would have been more accurate. Damn Gareth! Making things hard to explain! How dare it! Anyhoo, the island.
It wasn't plagued with constant patrols as I had expected, however, it was defended. I just hoped there were no sniper guards with night-vision. I would stand out like a sore thumb next to the relevantly lighter sand. I also hoped I could find some gear to take out the roving BMP.
I could see two 'boxes' made up of barbed wire fencing. On my left was a fuel dump. It was an optional objective to destroy it, so I decided I would. On the right were the civilians. They were cowering in their pen. A single guard patrolled the perimeter. The fuel dump had a few guards here and there. And patrolling in between the pens was a small group.
The small group was my first target. I aimed at them and let go with a full spray, dropping them all in one swoop.
I then ran a little way towards the fuel pen then threw myself on my stomach, which wasn't a good idea, since I'd had a fish supper only an hour ago. After the food had stopped sloshing around, I started crawling. I used my HK to pick off the guards then ran towards two burning fires at the entrance. I quickly extinguished them and placed some charges at near the trucks and the barrels. I found some extra charges in a nearby crate. I also grabbed an AT launcher in there. The BMP came meandering towards the extinguished fires. I took aim and let go with the rocket. It sailed towards the russian-made APC and punched into it. The thing exploded and I felt a warm wind pass over me. I quickly made my way to the civilian pen. The guard was shouting at them to "keep down" and "don't move". He looked around warily. He stood in one place, looking around, so I shot him.
One satchel later, the pen's entrance was cleared and the civilians rushed out to follow me. I looked among them before taking off to see if Sharon was in with them. She wasn't, thank God.
I called in the boat to tell it to pick us up. We didn't have to wait long at the evac point.
August 21st, 13:45, President Jackson's Office
President Jackson commended me on my efforts, and then said, "You can take a day off, or you can go on the next mission, if you're up to it...?"
"I think I'll take the mission, Mr. President," I replied, "Is there a phone I could use? I want to call my wife."
"Certainly. Go to the main hall. There is a phone there."
"Thanks."
I made my way downstairs. I just wanted to be extra sure Sharon was okay. The phone rang. Once. Twice. Three times. Four times.
Come on, Sharon! Pick up! Please!
*Click*
"Hello?"
"Sharon! Oh, thank God you're ok!"
"Well, not exactly. The news says there are soldiers landing on the north part of the island. They're not from here, Malden or Everon."
What?! Gareth, you bastard!
"Don't worry, hun, I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Okay. Please, come quickly!"
"I will."
We hung up.
"So, Mr. President, you see I have to go back."
"I understand. We'll send a few troops in, too."
"Thank you, sir. I appreciate that."
I took off in my jet. The soldiers had set off a little before me so we would arrive at about the same time.
August 21st, 13:55, somewhere over Nogova
I saw the boats. Gunfire and explosions were already starting. The plan was I would take the armour out with the A-10 Warthog. The infantry would mow down the enemy soldiers. I narrowly avoided the buildings and trees (I always flew dangerously close to the ground). The Mavericks did their job, though. Soon enough, the GARGAT forces were wiped out. I landed near Petrovice and ran to my home.
August 21st, 14:10, Nogova, Petrovice
I found Sharon safe and well. A little shaken by the distant sounds of combat. I told her that I couldn't stay long, but soldiers would be coming to protect the town. Even as I was saying it, I heard APCs rumbling in and the steps of troops.
I spent the day with Sharon and left the following day, early evening.
August 22nd, 18:25, Malden, near Lake Jerry
Colonel Blake had called me there to tell me about the next mission, which was to take place on Everon. There were two stages to this mission. First, a daytime assault and then a nighttime sabotage mission. In the day mission, I was to lead a squad into Saint Pierre and at night, I and a couple other Black Ops were to destroy a load of targets just outside Levie. According to Intel, the forces there are using an abandoned boot camp to hold weapons and so forth. Idiots. Blake also told me that other battles would be taking place around the island, and that I was not to worry about the gunshots and explosions (talking to me as if I was a rookie!).
After we talked, I got in a nearby jeep and made my way to Camp Delta - as I had been told prior - for extraction.
When we landed on Everon, we set up camp and prepped for the assault.
August 23rd, Everon, 15:00 Saint Pierre
Right. Stage One is under way. We slammed into the town so fast, the blundering goons there had no chance of putting up any real fight. The shock came when a T72 came at us from the direction we had attacked. A few LAWs made the T72 wish it hadn't messed with us. The civvies came cautiously out of hiding and thanked us. What was left of my squad stayed behind to guard the town.
Next, it was the sabotage mission. I was to destroy the Urals and any other armoured units I thought would be needed vital to the GARGAT.
August 23rd, 19:45, old boot camp outside of Levie
Stage Two begins. And what a sight to behold! There were a few guards. Not many, but enough to make short work of us if they spotted us before we took them out. I decided it would be best if we did the guards in then blew the place up. I expected my men to take care of most of the killing, so I could carry more bombs. I had only two clips, giving me space for 4 satchel charges. Just enough to blow up any key units. Three Urals and four T80s were in the base, along with an Mi-24. There were battles on that same night, but I didn't hear them. They must've been too far away. I easily destroyed as many units as I could with the bombs I had and escaped back towards our small camp over the same hill we had went down.
August 24th, 06:00, Everon, Lake Boulevard
Blake told me about the full-scale attack that would commence at 10:00. We would be charging in with M113s and a few M1A1s. The target town was Lamentin, one of the largest towns on the island. I could choose to take an M113, an M1A1 or go on foot. I told Colonel Blake that I would make my decision in the morning. I then went back to my tent to get the strength I would need for the hours ahead.
August 24th, 09:50, Everon, Lake Boulevard
The tanks, APCs and Infantry groups moved out. It was a long way to Lamentin, so the infantry took 5t Trucks and followed the armour. It was time to get rid of the GARGAT forces once and for all!
August 24th, 10:00, Everon, Lamentin
The battle there was intense! I can't believe I'm still alive! It was tough, but manageable. After the battle, most of us were ferried back to Malden.
August 24th, 13:30, Everon, Lamentin
"Well, Player," said Blake, "You're still as damn good as you used to be. Now it's time to take the fight to the demon itself."
"You mean... go to Kolgujev?"
"Yes, Player, Kolgujev, where we will wipe this thing off the map for good. We're going to move in all we can spare and stop the GARGAT from reproducing."
"Sir, are you sure conventional weapons will work against the GARGAT?"
"Well, no, frankly, but it's worth a shot, right?"
"Er, hmm, yeah... whatever floats your boat."
We moved out the next day.
August 25th, 17:00, Kolgujev
Well, this is it! The Final Battle. If we don't survive... God, I don't want to think about it. The stuff I'll never get to experience again, like... waterfalls, beautiful sunsets, chocolate doughnuts, Espresso coffee and... stuff.
Anyhoo, the battle begins. And what a battle! Tanks firing, rifles shooting, men dying, choppers blowing stuff up, random explosions, my inability to keep a list going long enough to make it seem worthwhile, but hey, at least I'm trying, unlike some people who don't try because they are lazy sods who won't lift a finger to switch on the telly, because it's too much to walk the 5 or so feet to the 'on' button and back, the lazy couch potato bastards!!!
Er... sorry about that, I, er, got carried away... hrm.
For this mission, I was now part of a squad, under the command of an Officer with the rank of Captain. He did an okay job of ordering us on the battlefield 'til he died, of course.
We fought and fought and died and died and so on and so on... Finally, the time came when I was walking through one of the ruined towns, making sure no enemy troops were alive, when suddenly, two of my teammates were gunned down. I threw myself on the ground and looked about. On top of one of the blackened roofs stood the GARGAT, in all its gory, er, glory! No, gory was good. Yeah, gory!
In its hands, the GARGAT held a weapon that I had never seen before. A super-fast firing gun. The roof crumbled under the GARGAT and it fell. It lumbered out of the house, its pink jeans and white tux jacket all dirty. Then it looked up, jumped towards me and knocked me unconscious.
August 26th, 00:00, somewhere on Kolgujev
When I came to, I was lying on my back on something hard. I got up. Rock. I was in the mountains. The GARGAT stood before me. It smiled its terrible, ugly smile. The weapon it had used was on the ground beside it.
The GARGAT told me to fire my weapon at it. Strange thing to say, I thought. I fired anyway, but nothing happened. There was a metallic sound, as if it wore a metal vest under it. It laughed and stood there. I sagged backward, but kept my footing. Then something horrible took place. The GARGAT reached to the top of its head and ripped the skin off its entire body. A skeleton stood there, but it was no ordinary skeleton. It was made of metal. It had glowing red eyes and an evil smile.
"YES! EVEN ONES SUCH AS I HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH THE TIMES! SO, I DESIGNED THIS EXOSKELETON TO MAKE SURE I WAS INDESTRUCTABLE! MHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"But your exoskeleton... it was inside," I told it.
Just when I thought I had made it feel stupid, it retaliated with a most terrible reply! One that will stay with me for the rest of my days.
"ERM..." it said.
The G800 pushed me over with one arm. I fell back and looked about. There were weapons in every direction. Why didn't I see them before? Ah well, who gives a crap?
Obviously, the GARGAT wanted to play instead of killing me on the spot.
It grabbed the gun, turned around and started counting to 30. I ran off and got ready to battle the GARGAT.
The mayhem that ensued could not be described. Well, actually, it could be described, but I can't be bothered.
Anyways, I rocketed, shot and blew it up with everything that was available. It was a long, hard fight. Eventually, the thing exploded. I stood there, listening to the massive explosion reverb off the high mountains. I stood there, bleeding, bruised and dirty. These stains are gonna be a bugger to clean. However, I had done it. The GARGAT was dead and the Malden Islands were free again. I still find it impossible that I triumphed.
After the ecstasy of victory had wore off, I radioed home base that I was still alive and to come pick me up.
August 26th, 16:30, somewhere on Malden
"Well, Alex, I must say, that was outstanding work!" said President Jackson.
"Thank you, sir."
"For this, I would like to give you the Congressional Medal of Honour."
Cheers rose as I bowed my head and President Jackson slipped the medal over my head. Blake broke down like a little girl, claiming he was 'so f***ing proud of me', he couldn't help it. After a few days, I returned to Nogova.
Epilogue:
September 30th, 17:25, Nogova, Petrovice
One year later...
Well that's the end of the story of my adventure. I opened up that gun shop Barney had suggested. Barney is learning how to be a soldier. Don't know if he'll do well, but I'm sure he will.
I'm making a lot of money and telling the tales of my adventure. I'm the most famous man on the island, now and damn it, it's gonna stay that way! Got it!?
October 29th, 17:10, Nogova, My Office
I sat behind my desk, counting my boodles of cash, when a knock came at the door. I barrel rolled from behind my desk, threw a smoke grenade and jumped towards the door.
When the smoke cleared and I looked down, I was shocked to find nobody pinned beneath me. Barney stepped into view.
"I learned something else at boot camp," he said, "Never make the same mistake twice..."
I smiled mirthlessly.