[center][h2] Hidden Escape Boat Docks [/h2][/center] 

[center][h2][color=8dc73f] Boomer takes command of the boat[/color] [/h2][/center]

[color=39b54a]Chuck[/color] knew the shit had finally hit the fan. He had just come back from a balls to the walls op in Columbia to disarming a bomb hidden in the sofa in Raven Squad’s lounge room. It had been nonstop action and fighting since. He had no clue what was going on. He knew he would find out the details later. His training had kicked in and the name of the game was to survive to ask questions later. He had thinned out Artemis soldiers at the beach and on the dock before Samantha had taken out the pier with a drone. He had then made it back to the Land Rover and he, Javi, Samantha, Tahlia, and Duke fought their way towards the hidden airfield. They had made it and were piling out of the Land Rover when Samantha began to give them orders. Chuck knew that tone of voice and noticed the focused intent in Samantha’s eyes. For a second he thought she planned to die to get them all out in some kind of stupid hero moment thinking only she could save the day. He relaxed as she explained she was going to take the fighter jet on the runway up to provide air support. That he could get behind. He didn’t question her giving him orders. He shrugged that would have been the role he assigned himself anyway. He called Duke and gave him a quick and reassuring pet and rub taking the time to check in with his canine. 

Chuck had Duke take the lead. [color=8dc73f]“Search Duke.”[/color] He sent Duke ahead of the group to search out hidden enemies. Duke would find hidden soldiers easier than he could. He followed along behind Duke, his carbine held easily and casually pointed down, his hands relaxed on the gun. He followed after Duke his head swiveling from side to side watching potential ambush points and for enemies. Chuck’s attention was caught by Duke’s body language. Duke went still and tense. His head turned and his ears twitched. Chuck knew Duke well enough to know he heard something. Chuck motioned to Tahlia and Javi to pause with an upheld palm motioning them to stop. He held his finger to his mouth for silence. He moved quickly towards Duke. He had slunk into a lower posture and was moving forward. Chuck moved in a bent knee low crouch that looked awkward but allowed him to move quickly and provide a stable firing position so that he had a better chance to hit his targets. Duke was crawling on his belly now as he approached the side of the hanger opening. 

Chuck could hear it now that he was closer. [color=fff200]“Squad 421 reporting a hidden dock with a large fishing boat.”[/color] There was a pause and a barely audible reply mumbled over a radio. [color=fff200]“Orders confirmed by Squad 421 destroy the boat.”[/color] Chuck felt that extra dump of adrenaline hit his system as his heart sped up. He turned back to look at Javi and held up a hand flashing 4 fingers. Most fireteams had at least 4 members. Hopefully Javi and Tahlia would interpret that appropriately. He almost laughed when Tahlia grabbed Javi and began pulling him towards to hanger wall and some crates there. Chuck moved quickly to take the lead and dashed around the edge of the wall and began firing his carbine. Duke moved with him and took out the man that had moved at him from the side. Duke leapt and his jaws went for the man’s throat. The man’s gun went off as he hit the ground but Duke’s body had forced it away from him. The shot went wide. Chuck took some hits to his armor but it was lower caliber guns. The bullets pinged off his armor. The men were down in seconds. He moved to back up Duke but the man’s eyes were already glazing over. He looked at Duke and gave him the command to release the man. 
[color=8dc73f]“Boomer to Raven Squad. Artemis knows about the boat. We need to leave. They have given orders to take it out.” 
[/color]

He then did a quick recon on both sides of the hanger covering the hidden airstrip. He then jogged back to where he had left Javi and Tahlia.[color=8dc73f] “Its clear. Let’s get to the docks.”[/color] He motioned them to move out. He again took point and made a point of guarding them as they moved past him. 

Tahlia growled at Javi as he tried to offer her assistance on the rocky path to the docks. [color=f7941d]“I don’t need help.”[/color] She swatted at his hand as he tried to grab her arm. 

Javi gave her a saucy wink. [color=00aeef]“Maybe I wanted to hold your hand.”[/color] Javi loved verbally sparring with the proudful Kiwi. He knew he was taking his life into his own hands but he couldn’t seem to help himself when it came to her. He enjoyed riling her up. She turned the most delightful shades of red. 

Tahlia just growled at him. [color=f7941d]“Remember I know how to use a gun and you have to sleep sometime Javi.”[/color] She gave him a sweet saccharine smile just before her prosthetic caught on a large rock and caused her to stumble. She went beet red and kept moving, not saying another word. 

Chuck shook his head and let the grin take over his face. He was grateful for the faceplate in his helmet that hid his face. Tahlia would kill him if she thought he had witnessed that scene. She was a proud woman. Tahlia was like any proud warrior, they didn’t like to admit their weaknesses. Chuck could appreciate the strength of character and the struggle that her injuries had been to Tahlia. He didn’t know if he would have pulled through as well as the stoic woman. He was grateful to see that their were no more enemies hiding in the dock area. 

Tahlia and Javi went up the gangplank onto the boat first. Chuck and Duke followed them up the short ramp. Chuck turned to those milling around on the deck. There were support staff he recognized like Sophie and a lot of miscellaneous guards that he didn’t. 

[color=8dc73f]“Tahlia, check in with the Captain of the boat and let them know the situation. Get on the comms and fill leadership in on the situation. Take Duke with you please.”[/color] He gave Tahlia a knowing look. He didn’t want Duke up here when the firing started. He couldn’t make much difference in a fire fight. He turned to Duke. [color=8dc73f]“Guard Tahlia Duke.”[/color] He motioned him to go with Tahlia. Duke moved to Tahlia’s side. Tahlia gave him a dark unhappy look but nodded. She made her way to the wheelhouse to check in with the Captain. 

Tahlia went into the wheelhouse on deck and was surprised to find it empty. No one had been monitoring comms. All the staff on board were support personnel. It appeared the people assigned to the boat were KIA or missing. 

Chuck turned his attention to Javi. [color=8dc73f]"Javi, go check in with the engineer and make sure the boat’s engines are on and we are ready to pull out as soon as the others get here.” [/color]

Chuck watched as Javi made his way to the ladder below decks before turning his attention to the rest of the people on deck.  [color=8dc73f]“If you are not prepared to be part of combat then get below decks and out of the way of bullets. Artemis has been told about the boat. We are expecting incoming. If you have weapons and want to help in the defense, move towards the bow.”[/color] He pointed to the relevant direction. 

Javi made his way down the ladder below decks. He found the engine room and it was empty. He sighed and began priming and warming the engine. That way they could take off as soon as everyone was onboard. Contrary to popular belief, boat engines were not exactly like a car. There was a longer process to get everything up and running with this type of boat. After he primed the engine, he had to push a button to get rid of the excess fumes so they didn't blow the boat up. Then he could start the engine. It was an old boat but well maintained. He gave a satisfied smile as it roared to life and began to warm up. It settled down into an idling purr. 

Chuck managed to get people moving and organized. Noncombatants were moving below decks and would not hinder firing lines now. He turned to the volunteers. [color=8dc73f]“I want you to spread out and keep your eyes open. Call out threats as you see them. Keep your eyes on your arc and trust the person next to you to do the same. We all need to be watching for attacks from the air, sea, and ground.”[/color] He waited and watched as people moved into position. They now had people stationed along the edge of the boat, heads moving watching for incoming fire and enemies. It was the best they could do with what they had. 

While Tahlia was debating what to do. She had been joined by Sophie and Rafael. They filled her in on what had happened with them. She shared what she knew of the situation with them. Now they were all up to speed. Tahlia did not have enough knowledge about boats to drive this one. She sighed knowing she was going to regret this. [color=f7941d]"Javi, I need you to come up to the wheelhouse when you are done in the engine room." [/color]

Javi cursed a blue streak wondering what was going on now after he received Tahlia's message. [color=00aeef]"I am on my way."[/color] He left the engine warming up and climbed back up to the main deck. He noticed that Chuck had managed to sort everyone and that his helpers were scanning for attack and prepared to repel boarders. He ducked into the wheelhouse to find Tahlia in there with Sophie and Rafael. [color=00aeef]"What's gone wrong now Tahlia?"[/color] 

Tahlia looked at him with her hands on her hips. [color=f7941d]"You need to drive the boat."[/color] She pointed to the main console that looked the dash of a jet plane with levers, wheels, buttons, and lights everywhere. 

Javi gave her a look filled with disbelief. [color=00aeef]"What do you mean I need to drive the boat? Don't we have a team dedicated to manning the boat?"[/color] Javi's head turned as he looked at Tahlia, then Rafael, and finally Sophie who were all shaking their head at him. 

[color=f7941d]"They either didn't make it or were killed in action. None of us know how to drive the boat. That means your it. Congratulations, Captain. Don't let it go to your head. Now shut up and get over here."[/color] 

Javi stared at Tahlia as his jaw dropped in surprise. He blinked at her for a moment in shock. He finally closed his mouth and grinned at her as his typical swagger and male machismo attitude reasserted itself.[color=00aeef]"Well Tahlia, I must admit. I never thought you would allow me to give you orders."[/color] He began to walk towards the controls and look them over. He knew how to drive the boat. He maintained on it. He had taken it out to ensure it was well maintained and that upgrades worked. [i][color=00aeef]He could feel Tahlia's glare as ice running down his back. He was going to pay for that remark later. He just knew it[/color].[/i] 

Chuck now waited anxiously. He hoped the rest of the team was doing alright. He still had not seen Frigga, Queen, or Tiny Nord. His eyes widened when he heard Samantha’s report that the boat was being targeted by missiles. [color=8dc73f]“Chaos be advised, boat is still docked and waiting for Queen, Frigga, and Tiny Nord.”[/color] Chuck began scanning the skies above the boat. He watched as Chaos seemed to magically show up in the nick of time to take out the missiles headed towards him. [color=8dc73f]“I need a beer and a vacation.”[/color] He grumbled to himself.