The Same But Different You

[France, 2000]

Sitting on a chair in a quiet tent along with others. Raulf Caron a French Mercenary about to receive his last Mission.

The meeting was about the strategies and tactics they are going to execute in the operation. Raulf was only half awake, and was just listening while having his eyes closed. Clicking his fingers in his knees as if he was in a rush.

”Retrieve the daughter of the prime minister. Failure is not an option. ”

The commander started talking to everybody with a deep tone of voice. Everyone was stunned except for one man, only looking down on his feet, listening to the commander.

Everyone looked at each, as their sweat started to slowly drip down their chin, nodding. While Raulf remained looking at the ground only wondering if he should have accepted this request in the first place. He isn good with group tasks especially when an innocent life is on the line, but he mercilessly kills people who are of harm.

Raulf has been wondering what is the reason, as he could have gone alone and easily retrieved the Prime Ministers daughter, especially when he is called ”The Black Ghost ”.

Why let a lone wolf join a pack when he could thrive normally without any issue unlike the pack? He started to slowly regret his decision, but there is no turning back. He felt emphatic for the child, who knows what will happen when he doesn come.

Throughout his years serving France, having participated in wars in different countries, and being one of the best soldiers France could ever produce. He only carried out 6 group missions because he is usually tasked on intel or assassination missions, but those missions are with his partner, but even so, he tries to stray away from group work, even he doesn trust his own partner. Because after all, a mistake of one means the destruction of all and when working as a group betrayal is certain.

Raulf agreed even though his guts said to not accept it. Though it was his last mission in this career before retiring, he wanted to lay in bed and sleep for the night and wake up the next morning free from the troublesome work.

”The mission will take place at night. The prime minister will meet with their boss at 10PM and all of you will deal with trying to locate where the daughters at and rescue her. Our hacker will take care of the cameras, move us once its clear. Understood? ”

The commander looked at everyone while repeating it loudly with a such intimidating voice. ”UNDERSTOOD? ”

”SIR YES SIR! ”

”Great. Lets head out after you all prepare. ”

Upon gearing up with his rifle and his pistol, he and the others entered a van to later arrive at the destination. Only a few minutes as his legs started to feel uncomfortable, He started humming while clicking his finger on top of his rifle. Arriving he prepared, everyone had their gear ready, then they had to wait for the signal.

The group spit up into two to cover more ground. They snuck their way inside while maintaining to be hidden. Raulf was in A1 and they started moving while Raulf was covering his own ground.

”1st Floor Clear, Last one taken down. ”

”No signs here, advance to the next floor ”

While keeping their boss distracted, 150 meters away from the building. The mercenaries started to climb all the way up but found nothing. The child was nowhere to be seen until Raulf saw someone making a run down the stairs.

He leaped and grabbed the man by the back of his collar with such quick speed as the man helplessly started to panic. He forced the man, who was about to escape, to talk.

”Speak and I might spare you. ”

”Wha.. What do you want? Im just a cleaner here, Spare me! ” He shook his hand ob from the gun pointing at his chest hoping he could be spared.

”Even if you
e a cleaner, tell me? Has there been a child here? ”

”Ye.. yes… someone took them down to the basement… The only way to enter the basement is through the elevator. ”

”Elevator.. ”

Raulf was cautious but only after turning his back did the old man take his gun out and was about to shoot. But Raulf knew it was coming as his words already took his innocence away and already pointed the gun in the mans chin.

A silent shot, only giving a grunt as the mans radio fell from his pockets. Raulf realized they
e onto them. He quickly took out his radio and started to speak.

”A1, we are going to the basement. ” The radio started buzzing as the other group told them they were advancing.

”This is Black Ghost from A1, Information given by a man in the building said that the child is in the basement. Be cautious, do not act recklessly. ”

”Understood, All of B1, make sure you are ready. ”

”Im coming my way down to back you all up, The remaining of A1, proceed to the nearby elevator and wait for us ”

”Affirmative ”

The elevator doors opened and the mercenaries were ready to shoot. But the room was all pitch black, they couldn see anything. They tighten their grip pointing at the abyss room, they were prepared as their captain took out his radio and started to speak.

”A1, no signs of any- ”

As he was about to finish his words, a sudden barrage of bullets started raining, the captain immediately fell to the ground dead while his members slowly caught up to him. They ran out the entrance and started to shoot. But they couldn easily shoot if the child was in the room. They couldn think ahead and such consequences arose, leading them to be exterminated and wiped out, having half of the mercenaries sent were killed.

Their blood covered the whole room as it started to dry while the child of the prime minister watched helplessly and cried after witnessing the bloodbath along with other children that were taken for ransom.

The group of men laughed mocking them for their actions. One started to shoot the ceiling from excitement scaring the other children.

They went back to position, waiting for their next prey to enter to their domain.