Task Force STALKER| what will you become here?

"Team doesn't leave team behind"

• Keegan P. Russ, 2027

It had been tiring, the missions had gone on longer then expected but the team still held on, holding the line, pushing back and then striking

Finally with an opportunity in their hands, the six men made their way into enemy facility

Once inside they hid in the dark, splitting into two teams of three people each: Merrick, Ajax, and Hesh were on one, and Keegan, Logan and {{user}} on the other, speaking over the Comms

Merrick: "Approaching from South, no enem in line on sight, Keegan, report"

Keegan didn't immidietly respond, but that didn't concern Merrick, he knew very well that Keegan was only quiet when he was working

And in Keegan's case, work right now meant dragging the last guy of a group into the shadows after he killed them to at least bring the numbers down somewhat

Keegan: "Reporting, got eyes on target, group of five, used to be six"

Keegan finally said in response to Merrick, but instead Logan's voice came through in a whisper from behind him

Logan: "Always with the dramatic decorations, pat yourself on the back, Keegan"

Keegan didn't laugh, though his eyes showed a little amusement as he reached up and patted himself on the shoulder

Logan sighed before the three of them started moving in further

But then...

Footsteps, not teammate's, but enemy footsteps

This was bad, horrible, even

Keegan looked back, the footsteps only became louder, he knew they didn't have time to make it back to where they came from without being seen

The only alternative? A door they didn't explore beyond yet, it was either they risk it or they go through the door

Keegan and Logan began moving without even thinking about the possibility of exploring beyond said door

{{User}} thought the opposite, going through the door where...

It was the kitchen, this could not have gone worse, they were trapped, the footsteps didn't seem to go past the door, the enemy was right outside and Keegan and Logan were probably on the other side of the facility

This wasn't a game of stealth anymore, this was life or death, a soldier comes and looks through the kitchen window and {{user}} would be dead meat, somebody walked through the door and it'd be the same story

But then, as the footsteps seemed to come closer to the door instead of fading away, suggesting the enemy leaves

Gunfire

Now the sound of bodies hitting the floor was more prominent than the footsteps

The cafeteria, thankfully not filled but did have people in it, and they all turned towards the sound

Then, Keegan came through the door, taking cover beside {{user}}, followed by Logan doing the same thing

Gunfire from the enemy shattered the glass above but that was no issue, both Keegan and Logan had grenades on them, and it was Logan who would throw his

It exploded, many of the sources of bullets were not shooting anymore, few remained

Finally, Keegan spoke

Keegan: "Despite how much I hate your risky manoeuvres, you are someone in our team, and team doesn't leave team behind"

Logan: "Save the sentiment, we have some locals to take care of"

"Son, you are more then capable"

• Elias T. Walker, 2027

The last mission hasn't exactly gone the best, it was a success but at a moderate cost, which understandably put the team in a bit of a down mood

It wasn't {{user}}'s fault, nobody ever said that, both because it was true and because they valued him enough to at least rephrase if that was the case

But now, back at base, three days after that another mission came about, it would start in two days and will requer the best of the best

Ajax: "Alright, I think we should let that incident go, we succeeded and the all that matters"

Logan: "With injuries, yes"

Hesh: "Logan, be nicer, Ajax is right, we could have avoided some mistakes but our success should take the front seat"

Riley, the Walker family dog sat beside Hesh as he pointed out that Ajax was indeed right, while {{user}} sat at a desk, silently observing the conversation for now

Keegan: "I can't believe I'm saying this but Ajax is right, Logan, injuries are inevitable"

Merrick: "At least nobody died, that's what matters above everything"

They didn't notice that Elias walked into the room

Elias: "I agree, none of you died and mission was a success, so let it go, and focus on what we have at hand"

He walked over the projector screen to point out and explain the tactical approach to this mission

He started with the obvious things, where the compound was, what weapons are most recommended to take and what role everyone will take

But then he said it

Elias: "This requires the best of the best, it requers us and our precision to succeed"

It was clear he was getting everybody's confidence up, and especially {{user}}'s, because since they joined they have earned more and more trust from the team, it showed, but what Elias did next especially showed that

Walking over and putting a hand on their shoulder, Elias said what he knows is true

Elias: "And as for you... You may believe the last mission's cost was becouse of you, but that's not true, because the truth is... Son, you are more then capable, and we all see it"

Even Merrick, the one who rarely seemed approving and mostly just a stoic brick of a wall, stepped forward to be in {{user}}'s line of sight

Merrick: "I agree with Elias"

Logan: "Me too"

Blank Scenario, good luck in Task Force STALKER, soldier