Chapter 25-26 - Adopted into a Modern Family

Chapter 25 – Back in the Game

The C-17 rocked slightly as it flew over the mountains of Afghanistan, approaching Bagram Air Base. Below, the scenery was familiar to Grant: arid territory surrounded by mountain ranges and dotted with small villages. Despite the darkness of the night, the base's lights were visible in the distance, like a refuge in the middle of nowhere.

Grant, or rather Cine, as he was now called, sat with the other Rangers. His gear was securely strapped to his body, his M4A1 rifle between his legs, and his mind was already fully focused on what was to come.

Logan nudged him on the shoulder.

"Ready for another round, brother?"

Grant smirked.

"Always."

The pilot announced over the radio that they were minutes from landing. The Rangers looked at each other and adjusted their gear one last time. When the plane touched down, the impact was soft, and soon the rear door began to open.

The smell of dust and jet fuel filled the air. As they descended the ramp, they were greeted by the roar of Black Hawk helicopter engines and C-130s parked on the runway.

FOB Bagram was one of the largest and best-equipped in Afghanistan. Grant had been there before, and this time, the sense of familiarity made him relax a little.

One of the battalion sergeants already at the base, a broad-shouldered man with a thick beard, greeted them.

"Welcome back, Rangers. We have a brief briefing waiting for you at the TOC. Let's get right to it."

Wasting no time, Grant and the others grabbed their backpacks and headed down the dirt path to the Tactical Operations Center.

The TOC room was spacious and filled with monitors showing drone footage and maps of the region. Intelligence officers, CIA operators, and a few command staff were there.

The commander, a veteran officer with a stern expression, began the meeting.

"Gentlemen, this deployment will be intense. We'll have four months of direct operations against high-value targets. There will be missions almost every night, and we'll need to operate with surgical precision."

He pointed to a digital map projected on the screen.

"Our focus will be this region north of Kabul. There are insurgent cells operating intensively, and Delta Force is already engaged in some operations there. We'll work hand-in-hand with them, as well as with the British SAS."

Grant exchanged a look with Logan. Working with Delta Force and the SAS meant this was serious business.

The commander continued:

"Furthermore, our presence here will extend through Christmas and New Year's. I know no one wants to be away from their family during those holidays, but you know as well as I do that this is our reality. And frankly? The enemy doesn't take vacations."

There was a slight murmur in the room, but no one complained. Everyone there knew what they had signed up for.

"We rest now, because tomorrow the hunt begins. Dismissed."

Grant and the others were assigned to a barracks. He threw his backpack on the bottom bunk and sighed.

"Well, at least it's better than sleeping in the dust," Logan said, throwing himself onto the next bed.

The two began organizing their gear when a senior soldier, a seasoned operator named "Bear," entered the barracks.

"Cinema! Good to see you back, man."

Grant stood and shook the veteran's hand.

"Bear, it's been a while. How are things around here?"

"Same hell, only the demons change. But with you guys back, things are going to get interesting."

Bear looked at the new Rangers and smiled.

"So, are you used to the idea of spending Christmas in the middle of nowhere?"

Logan laughed.

"It'll be the first time I've spent the holidays without getting drunk."

Grant smiled.

"I just hope the food is better than last time."

Bear laughed.

"Good luck with that."

The following days were a whirlwind of night missions. Operations began at dusk and lasted until dawn.

Grant and his team made quick infiltrations into suspected villages, capturing or eliminating high-value targets. The pace was intense. Sometimes they would complete three missions in a single night.

The experience Grant gained on his first deployment helped him adapt quickly. He moved with precision, covered his teammates, and knew exactly when to act.

His teammates noticed. Cine was becoming a respected name in the battalion.

On the evening of December 24th, the FOB was relatively quiet. A few makeshift Christmas lights hung in the mess hall, and the smell of a slightly better-than-usual meal filled the air.

Grant sat with Logan and Bear, eating a modest supper.

"You know, it's not so bad," Logan commented, holding up a piece of dried turkey.

Grant looked around.

"It's not home, but we have each other."

Bear lifted the can of soda he was drinking.

"So here's to the strangest Christmas of our lives.

The three toasted and laughed.

Later that night, Grant managed a quick video call with his family.

Cam and Mitchell were gathered in the living room, the Christmas tree lit up in the background. Lily leaned closer to the screen.

"Merry Christmas, Grant!"

"Merry Christmas, everyone."

Cam wiped away a tear.

"My ideal Christmas present would be you here."

Grant smiled softly.

"Next year, maybe."

Mitchell nodded.

"We're proud of you. Stay safe."

"Always."

New Year's wasn't as calm as Christmas.

On January 1st, Grant and his team were on an infiltration mission into a village suspected of harboring insurgents.

The night was dark, and the only sound was the rustling of the wind in the mountains.

They advanced silently through the dirt streets, until suddenly an explosion shattered the silence.

"Contact!" someone shouted over the radio.

The insurgents began firing from a nearby building, and the crossfire illuminated the darkness.

Grant dove behind cover and opened fire with precision. His aim found an enemy on the roof and, with a controlled shot, neutralized him.

The Rangers advanced quickly, clearing the building in a matter of minutes. When it was all over, silence returned.

Logan looked at Grant and laughed.

"Happy New Year, brother."

Grant, still breathing heavily, smiled.

"Definitely unforgettable."

Bear approached.

"Good job, gentlemen. Now let's get back before the party gets any bigger."

They boarded the helicopters and took off back to Bagram, greeted by the sound of engines and the sky still lit by the fireworks of war.

The following months were a constant repetition of intense missions, sleepless nights, and fatigue building in his body.

Grant knew this deployment would soon be over. But until then, there was more work to be done.

Chapter 26 – The Noise

The cold wind bit at their skin as Grant and his team adjusted their equipment. It was February, the last month of their deployment, and this mission was unlike any other. This time, the objective was a High-Value Target (HVT), a high-value Taliban target.

The man was known only by the codename "The Noise." He was an operational leader of the insurgency, responsible for planning suicide attacks and coordinating the supply of weapons and explosives to enemy cells in the region. Intelligence indicated he would be in an isolated house in the middle of a mountain valley, protected by a heavily armed escort.

The mission was simple on paper but complex in execution: capture him alive, if possible. Eliminate him, if necessary.

Grant took a deep breath inside the CH-47 Chinook that was taking them to the infiltration point. Beside him, Logan checked his magazines, while Bear, the most experienced of the group, looked at everyone with that calm veteran look.

The mission commander spoke over the internal radio.

"Gentlemen, this is the most important target we've faced this deployment. The Noise has American blood on its hands. We're going to bring this bastard home, one way or another."

The helicopter hovered over a narrow clearing between the mountains. As soon as they touched down, Grant and the others descended quickly, their boots sinking into the fine dust. The rotor was still spinning when the aircraft took off again, disappearing into the darkness of the night.

Advancing in formation, the team followed a narrow trail. The terrain was steep, and the altitude made every breath harder.

Grant held his suppressed M4A1, his eyes scanning the horizon.

"TOC, this is Logan 1. We're en route to the target. ETA 20 minutes."

The response came immediately over the radio.

"Copy, Logan 1. ISR confirms movement on site. Be quick and quiet."

They approached the villa. Dim lights shone in the windows of the target house. The drones had identified six armed hostiles in the courtyard and possibly more inside the residence.

"Cine, you and Logan take the right flank. Bear, come with me from the front."

Grant and Logan split up, moving through the shadows. The sound of a radio transmitter came from one of the guards ahead. The man took a drag on a cigarette, unaware of the approaching danger.

Grant raised his weapon and, with a controlled shot, neutralized the first enemy. The body fell without fanfare.

The rest of the team did the same, eliminating the guards outside. Now, all that remained was to enter the house.

Bear approached the door and placed an explosive breacher.

"Prepared for entry."

"Go."

The charge exploded, and in less than a second, the Rangers entered.

Inside the house, chaos erupted.

Gunmen began firing from behind furniture and narrow hallways. The sound of gunfire echoed off the stone walls.

Grant instinctively headed for the stairs, climbing them while covering Logan.

"Cinema, second floor!"

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed ahead. Grant saw a door ajar and rushed forward. When he kicked the door open, he found The Noise trying to escape onto the balcony.

The Taliban leader suddenly turned, pulling out a Glock 17 pistol.

It all happened in a split second.

Grant reacted instinctively, firing three precise shots into the target's chest. The man's body fell to his knees before falling backward.

Silence filled the room for a moment. Blood spread across the carpet in irregular patterns.

Logan entered soon after.

"Damn it.

Bear appeared beside them and looked at the body.

"Good, that's one less problem in the world."

Grant exhaled slowly, his mind processing what had just happened.

The radio crackled.

"TOC, this is Logan 1. The Noise has been neutralized."

The silence on the other end lasted a few seconds before the answer.

"Copy, Logan 1. Good work. Prepare for extraction."

The team quickly exited the house, checking to make sure everyone was okay. They grabbed as much intelligence and documents as they could before heading to the extraction point.

The distant sound of Apache helicopters cut through the sky. They were safe.

As soon as the Chinooks landed, the team boarded, exhausted but satisfied.

The commander welcomed them over the radio.

"Gentlemen, the world is a little safer today. Congratulations."

As the helicopter took off, Grant looked down, seeing the house falling away.

He knew that mission would be remembered forever.

Chapter 14 - Chapter 25-26