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Gunfire whizzed over his head. First Sergeant Jim Fawkes looked over at his squad, and gave the signal. At once, the three of them rose from cover and poured fire down the hallway. Shots rang out in short bursts, precision being key. Any ammo they saved could be used for the other Archerial soldiers already on their way. The heat of the nearby flames licked at the commander's scarred face, and made it harder to focus on the enemies hiding in the shadows.

   "I'm out!" Lance Corporal Riley Orvitz shouted, "Give me some cover!" She hunkered down, and reloaded the gun. Fawkes once again heard fire erupt from the M4 rifle next to him. Only 5 more. "Commander, we ought to get moving!" She bellowed, barely louder than the sound of the rifles pouring death from their barrels. "They've brought in armor; it should be here in a few moments! We don't have the time to spare, sir, so we should get the hell out of here before someone gets killed."

   Fawkes pointed to the small case next to him and then to Riley. "Pick 'er up for me then, and be sure it stays all pretty like for when I get it back." he smiled, bracing against the wall, and gave a hearty shove to the case with his boot, sliding it across the corridor.

   "Sergei, toss me a 'hog, would you? I think we ought to give our friends here a present." His explosives expert, Corporal Sergei Kaslyov, gingerly handed him a grenade. "Remember, sir, to be very careful handling that. You shouldn't toss those around carelessly." His heavy Russian accent inflected his speech, but over the years Fawkes had gotten used to it. "Don't worry about me. You two should fall back farther down the corridor. Be ready to break for the EZ; I'll be there as soon as this goes off." He gave his usual wink, the one that just screamed trouble. Both Sergei and Riley crouched and moved swiftly back down the hallway from which they came. They had no reinforcements. They were here all alone.

   Jim touched the earpiece and said "Priming grenade." He counted down in his head, and with the fuse at three seconds, he lobbed the specially-formed grenade into the enemy territory. "Down." he said coolly. These new toys the folks at TDF worked well on the infantry, but they had yet to give him anything against those tanks that were coming. Two... One... He heard the explosion ring out, the flechettes ricocheting off of the walls and hitting their targets. The tiny dart-filled grenade had taken out or maimed enough soldiers that the firing stopped. "Falling back. Mission complete, guys. Let's bring this back to HQ and pop it open. Maybe we'll get a vacation this time." He smiled and started running towards the EZ. As he caught up with his squad, they turned and hefted the shiny black case back towards their ticket back.

                                                  *                                 I                              *

16 MAR 2451
CLASSIFIED LOCATION

   An Airman let them into the room where, standing there next to the metal case on the table, was General Hugh Solstace. His personal aide, Captain Larry Walters, was positioned slightly behind him. Solstace's numerous medals were polished to a fine sheen, and his various ribbons stretched nearly down his torso. The soldiers stood at attention with a salute. After formalities, he waved a hand, offering them three chairs situated in front of the table.

   "Gentlemen, and lady, you have kindly brought something very important back from the TDF camp. What is in this box may change how war is fought forever. This-" He opened the lid of the box, "is the TOR Rifle. This gun is so hot out of the factory, the TDF doesn't even have a blueprint for this sweet piece of metal." He took the gun out of the box and set in on the metal tabletop. The black metal did not reflect the light from the ceiling's fluorescent bulbs, but instead seemed to pull light in and was rather dull. Riley raised her hand, and he nodded in acknowledgment. "Sir, what is so special about this gun? It doesn't look anything but a large gun that fires larger rounds." He picked up the gun, and offered it to the junior NCO. "Take a closer look, Corporal." He smiled.

   Upon looking closer, she noticed that the muzzle was in fact larger than she had expected. Also, the stock was not the telescopic variant she was used to on her M4, but instead stationary, but removable. The sight was also slightly larger than the M4. The most noticeable variant was that the clip did not stick out of the gun at all. It looked more like a sniper rifle than an infantry rifle. "Sir, if I may ask, why the clip is so small? There's not enough to take down a squad of soldiers." She looked up at the senior officer with a puzzled expression. "You aren't supposed to take out a squad with this rifle. In fact, I would be surprised if you took down half. These rounds are not standard rounds. These rounds don't penetrate the target, but instead create an impact strong enough to impair the target, or even knock him out." Fawkes looked shocked. How were they supposed to win the war with a gun that couldn't kill? Solstace seemed to notice this, and asked "Something to say, son?"

   "This gun is impractical for war, General. In fact, I'm not sure it would even be worth the cost of making this thing. This wasn't worth the trouble." Jim stared into his CO's eyes, and awaited a response. "This gun was well worth the trouble. This cost more than you, soldier! Your whole training regimen, 4 years for each of you, cost less than this piece of metal in front of you." He took the rifle from Riley's hands and held it in front of him. "This, soldier, is the Tactical Operations Rifle, and it is special because the weapons system is modular. You can put ammo made of almost anything into this gun, and it will fire. This could be used as a sniper rifle, a tranquilizer gun, or a standard carbine."

   He held his hand out, and the NCO to his right handed him a clip. "I'll show you how this could help win this damn war." He inserted the clip into the rifle with practiced precision, flicked off the safety, and shouldered the weapon. "This clip-" he fired into a mannequin towards a corner, "has projectiles with the shocking power to effectively knock out a person for a good hour or two. Hopefully they won't wake up before you're gone." He set the TOR on the table and clasped his hands behind his back as he looked at his old team.

   "On average, thanks to special storage methods, each clip should hold roughly 15 rounds of any given ammunition, with exception to variable round sizes. Extended clips look more like your traditional clips, and hold nearly 40 rounds. Meanwhile, I have to go meet with some business-types to discuss how we'll put off dying for another day while they sit and talk about money-problems." Obviously saddened, he walked briskly out of the room.

   "Your official unit designation is Wide Observation- Light Fire,  so you will simply be referred to as WOLF 1, 2, and 3, respectively," the general's aide turned to leave the room, "You all have 8 hours to pack your things. Afterwards, assignment begins immediately."

            *      *      *

   Newly-promoted Lieutenant Jim Fawkes high-tailed it back to LIVING QUARTERS A- 88501, known to him as "home". He nearly fell onto the floor as he pushed his way into the room, hinges squeaking as the old door was forced open too fast. Jim began to take all of his personal objects- his picture of his house bake in the Panhandle, his picture of his old dog that had probably run off by now, and a letter of the woman he once loved, and placed them in the locked storage tower in the corner of the room. He closed the locker door, and cursed as he had to re-open it to pull out his standard issue uniform. He nearly hit his head on the door as he spun to see Riley at his door. "Finished packing?" She already had her bags stowed, uniform on, and her medic bag hanging on her shoulder.

   "You cease to amaze me at how fast you can clean stuff up, Corporal." he stated, as he began to strip. Methodically, he took off his other clothes as she turned away, embarrassed. "Sir, shouldn't you be doing that in a place where people can't watch?" he stopped and looked around, puzzled, "Where am I now? I thought my personal quarters were private enough, Corporal, to change into my uniform." Riley turned around and give him a lopsided grin that hadn't been seen since before joining the TDF. "Right, sir.

   "Anyways, the techs down at R&D wanted to see you.... well, all of us. Said they had some new things, and they were ready to give us our equipment." Freshly clothed, Fawkes took his cap off the wall and moved toward the door. "Let's get going, then."

            *      *      *
   Hugh Solstace walked in to see several men in suits already seated around the circular table. The head of the meeting, Henry Walsh, beckoned him to an empty chair. "General, if you please." He walked towards the chair when he was stopped by an armed guard. "Sir, a new policy was approved at the last meeting. You must now present biological identification before permitted entry." the MP held out a biometric scanner, with an enclosure in the middle. Solstace looked unfazed, as he placed his finger into the blood sampling device for identification. "I know this already, especially since I was at the meeting when we voted on it. Damn politicians, always covering their hides..." The light strobed green as he was waved in. The MP whispered "Yes, sir," under his breath, so that only if you were near you could hear him. Hugh sat in his chair, and waited to hear what he already knew Walsh was going to say.

   "Sirs, if I may direct your attention to the map on the projection." In the center of the table, a three-dimensional image of Terra appeared. Technology had come far since Japan was annexed into the United States after the Pacific War in 2389. Immediately, the globe was divided into sections by color, with the TDF blue, the Archerial Confederation red, and those who were otherwise neutral a deep yellow.

   Walsh cleared his throat before speaking. "The Archerial Confederation continues to attack the border of Egypt." The once desert-nation had become one of the leading producers of machines for the TDF. "Our lines are being split very thin, between this and the oncoming unknown hostiles coming from the Anatolian peninsula. No one has yet figured out who they side with, but they seem to be attacking both our forces and the Confederations. This may cause others to join them, resulting in a third side in this battle."

   A third area, consisting of another quarter of the globe, changed to a bright green color. " These nations, based on popularity of either force, are projected as most likely to switch over to this new Rebel force." He clasped his hands as he cleared the projector, and the 3D image phased out of existence. "This cannot be allowed to happen." One of the members of the opposition to war, Louis Avery, stood and yelled, "What do you expect? These people are defending themselves as we take away their land, their freedom, and their money! Have you no decency, to leave these people alone in their houses instead of turning it in to a mechanical workshop for your little toys?!" Avery glared at Solstace, who sat calmly and watched Walsh as he thought. "Your thoughts, General?"

   Hugh seized the opportunity to promote his own, special forces. "Have you seen how we have helped these third-world countries? Egyptian citizens used to sit in the heat and work their asses off for less money than the lowliest worker here! Now, they all have jobs helping make the things that are used to defend the very place they live. Before, they had no defenses other than a small militia. Now, they have some of the best soldiers fighting every day on the front for them! How can you say that we took their freedom? We're protecting it!"

   "As for your problem, Mr. President, I have a solution you may be willing to compromise on." Henry Walsh held out a hand to stop the gibbering Avery, and gave the general his attention. "Continue, if you will," he prompted, as Solstace began to use his controls to draw up Terra again. "Mr. President, and the Council, my plan is to infiltrate the rebel force, and capture their leader; bring him back for interrogation. This cannot be done with modern technology- Our MCUs are much too large, and make too much noise. Also, we don't have enough Modular Combat Units to spare." He outlined the border of Egypt again, as well as the northeastern border of Saudi Arabia. "All the MCUs are positioned along here to prevent further incursion." He cleared the map, and continued, "Conventional infantry and sniper units would fail to penetrate or take out the vast amount of soldiers that the rebels could possess, and taking out all of the soldiers could cost us since we don't know the exact number and type of the forces. Therefore, I propose a plan that would create a team specifically for this mission, who would be skilled at all infiltration/exfiltration skills, and who have the experience necessary to operate away from home." Powering down the map, he looked at the President, signaling he was finished.

   "Very well, General. Thank you. Council, this is now open to discussion."

   "This could further anger the rebels into attacking more sensitive areas of our territory!"

   "What if these people were captured? What would you do then?"

   "Well, James, obviously they would die rather than give up valuable intel."

   "Victor, surely you can't be suggesting making more soldiers after all of the money we're short of right now!"

   "Now, now, Hawkins, we don't need to compare the military spending to your enormous "homeland security" budget. That is astronomical compared to what we're spending."

   "Hold on," Walsh interrupted, waving his hands, "the more important question is, who would we have go into this program, and how do you know where the enemy's camp is?"

   Solstace finally joined the mass of voices, "Sir, I have a few candidates in mind, and one more who has to decide on whether or not he will join. I have intel on a smaller region where the camp could be. I have no definite answer."

   The chaos quieted down as they heard his reply. "You have a location?" "You already started on this without the approval of the council?" Hugh stood and waited for silence. "Intel shows a relative location of where the rebellion head could be, but that's not a definite location. I have yet to confirm the candidates for the project, so I have not yet started this project."

   "Thank you. I call a vote to decide whether or not this proposition will pass.  Vote either yes or no, in accordance with what you believe to be the right choice." He sat down. He had no vote, since it was his proposition. There were four people who Solstace knew he could trust, and four who he could not. The president also got a vote, and there was one other person who he had no idea what to think. Hugh sat waiting as seconds turned to minutes and hours as he waited for the results of the vote to be read.

   "It is done. General Hugh Solstace, your proposition passes by a margin of 6-4. Use this gift wisely." Solstace thanked his commander, and left the room, already thinking about what now had to be done.

* * *

   Fawkes walked in to see Kaslyov and Orvitz already waiting for him. He hadn't held them up much, but an injury was an injury... "Thanks for keeping us waiting, Lieutenant." The techs walked into the back, and they did not reappear. The squad took the hint and followed them into a room where they were already waiting. Three odd-looking black suits were hung on the wall, and next to them, three pedestals, each with a TOR rifle, sat. "Strip of all of your clothes, and put these on. Place your clothes into the receptacles next to the suits." Fawkes and Kaslyov began stripping their clothes off immediately, and Riley hesitated for a second.

   "Wait a second, commander..." she began, and seeing that he was almost completely undressed, she sighed, and began to follow suit. In another minute, the three were naked and standing in a white room wondering what exactly they were doing. Furiously embarrassed, as her male counterparts had never seen her bare body, Riley began putting on her new gear quickly. "Some wrong, Corporal?" Jim asked her. "No, sir, I'm fine." Her motions, quick and imprecise, belied her true feelings. "Well, at least we know you look pretty beneath that uniform now." The attempted compliment only made it worse. She had the whole thing on before Jim had half. Her slender form was rather attractive, but he honestly didn't want to make things worse. They'd been great friends ever since basic training. Sergei looked fit as his muscled body was exposed in the form-fitting suit.

   Fully geared, they grabbed the rifles and proceeded to another room previously unknown to them. "Step into the field, and wait for a minute or two. You will feel strange, as the electricity flows freely in the field. Be sure to keep your head out of the field, as it is not covered. This should charge your suit." The Wolves did as the techs said, and proceeded into the field. It was barely visible, and as he stepped into it, he felt like Terra's gravity slowly decreased. The feeling stopped, and he began to start walking. "Lieutenant, do not move while in the field. This could lock up portions of the armor that are rather vital, and could prove to be rather... fatal." No more motion occurred until the field was off.

   "You may now exit the field." Jim tripped as he attempted to walk. It was almost like gravity was no longer there. He heard no other sound, so the others must not have the same problem. "Uh..... Something's not right here." He laid there on the ground as he waited for the feeling in his leg to pass. "Lieutenant, that is quite normal for someone to fall on their first few steps. This suit, the Combat Infiltration Suit, enhances the user's strength by 200%. The downside is that mobility has decreased, but the suit is self sealing, so should you be shot less than a few times, the suit will compensate and prolong your life for hours." He got up and stood next to the wall, Sergei with his straight face, and Riley, now slightly happier (but still angry) waited there already. "Not bad. Not bad at all..."