October 1994

Detroit, Michigan

It was Monday morning. A cloudy sky was looming across the city. The streets were busy as per usual and children were going to school. A lot by bus but some lived close so they walked.

One of these was a very tall fourteen year old. He stood out from the others because of his size. Next to him was a twelve year old girl who's head barely peaked his shoulder.

This was Franklin Jones and his sister Jasmine.

They walked to school together every day. One thing that made Jasmine stood out was her appearance. She was very pretty and it made a lot of boys fall in love with her. They were constantly trying to win her over. Well, almost always. Whenever Franklin was with her they stood as far away as possible, which was a good idea. Franklin was an overprotective brother. He acted like a guard dog a lot of the time.

But that's only because he loves her.

As they were crossing the street to get to school, a speeding car drove past them. It made Jasmine jump back and almost fall but Franklin caught.

Franklin:"Watch it asshole! I'm gonna-"

Jasmine puts her hand on his shoulder:"Hey. It's ok. We're here anyway."

Franklin calms down. He unclenched his fists and walked to school. Once inside the parted ways.

———————————————

(Afternoon)

School was over and everyone was headed home. When Franklin came out he waited by the entrance to the school yard. But Jasmine didn't show up. Something was wrong.

Franklin:"C'mon where are you. You know you're supposed to meet me hear by now."

After a while Jasmine got out. But she was pressing her book on her chest and had her head lowered as she tried to walk away from three boys who kept following her. They were about Franklin's age though.

Boy 1:"Oh c'mon girl! I see you rejectin' those boys. How'd you like a man?"

Jasmine:"Not interested."

Boy 2:"Pretty please?"

Jasmine:"I said go away!"

The third one grabs her by the arm. Jasmine tried to shake him off:"Let me go!"

Boy 3:"We we're trying to be nice. But now you done-"

Franklin rushes over:"HEY!" His voice boomed over the school yard, "what's going on?"

Jasmine:"Frank just let it go."

Boy 2:"Oh so you the big bro. Listen here, we just wanted-"

Franklin grabs him by the collar and looks him dead in the eye:"Yall better let her go before I show you why having kneecaps is a privilege and not a right."

Boy 2:"You talk big game. Let's see if you can back that up."

The first one punched Franklin face while he was holding the second one. But Franklin barely moved. He turned towards him:"Big mistake."

Franklin head butted the one he was holding and kicked him in the stomach. The second one tried to punch him but Franklin grabbed his fist and started crushing it. As he yelled in pain, Franklin punched him in the face three times before picking him up by the shirt and slamming him on the ground. He turned towards the third one holding his sister. But then the first one he knocked down got up and started punching him in the stomach. After a few seconds, the fool realised he was barely doing anything and Franklin knocking him out with a left hook.

The third one let go of Jasmine and slowly backed away as Franklin approached him. He was about to finish the job but Jasmine hugged him to push him away:"No! It's ok. I'm ok. Just stop. Let him go."

The third one ran away and Franklin hugged Jasmine back. He looked around and everyone was staring at him but they immediately left after he stared back.

Jason's and Franklin went home.

—————————————————

(The next day)

Franklin is sitting in front of the principal's office while his parents are inside. They were called over to discuss Franklin's situation.

Principal:"Thank you for coming mister and misses Jones. I wanted to talk to you about your son, Franklin."

Father:"Yes, we know what happened."

Mother:"Jasmine explained everything. We are truly sorry."

Principal:"I understand that but it isn't me who you should be apologising to. I called you here because, well... this has been a problem as of late. Franklin keeps being aggressive towards a lot of the students. Not all of them, just those who want to... flirt, with his sister. Pardon my language."

Mother:"No worries. But, we might know why he's acting like this. So overprotective."

Father:"Honey you don't-"

Mother:"It's alright. I'll tell him. Last year, we were pregnant with our third child. And everything was going well until the seventh month. I... ended up, loosing my baby. And he took that harder than anyone else." She starts crying and the father wrapped his

Principal:"I see. My apologies and condolences."

Mother:"Thank you."

Principal:"So he was devastated with the loss of his sibling that he feels like he needs to protect his sister. He doesn't want to loose her like he lost his other sibling"

Father:"We believe that might be the case."

Principal:"Still, this is a problem."

Father:"We'll talk to him. We'll make him see he doesn't have to act like this."

(Meanwhile)

Franklin was sitting outside. He heard everything but he didn't care. Family is the most important thing to him, and he will protect it at any cost.

He was leaning forward twiddling his thumbs and thought:"I don't care what they say or think. I'm not gonna lose her."

———————————————

(Six years later)

September 2000

Fort Custer, Michigan

Fort Custer Training Center, often known simply as Fort Custer, is a federally owned and state-operated Michigan Army National Guard training facility, but is also used by other branches of the armed forces and armed forces from Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

Today was the final day of the Marine training program. A lot of students dropped out, but those that stayed were determined to complete it. They had to run 3 miles with full gear on, finish the physical exam and then pass the target obstacle course.

Two marines, James and Logan, were running together.

James:"Oh man, this really is harder than in the commercials."

Logan:"Stop bitching. Not like we don't do this shit every day. We just gotta get past this and the shoot some targets."

James:"Yeah but-"

He stops talking as he sees a tall man run past him. He just kept running without slowing down.

James:"Damn. That Franklin fella sure is something."

Logan:"Something of a moron. If he uses this much energy on the running course he can't pass the target obstacle course."

James:"Who knows, maybe he'll surprise everyone."

———————————————

(20 minutes later)

The other marines showed up. Some were tired from the running. But when they showed up they saw Franklin standing and waiting.

Logan:"What the hell! Why is he just standing there?! He should be doing the physical exam!"

Staff Sargent:"He's already done! Now stop bitching and get on the pole."

Logan groans but leaves. Staff Sargent turns to Franklin:"Alright Jones, you're up. You pass this, you pass the whole thing. Ready?"

Franklin gets into his stance. His test was walking though a 100 meter target obstacle course. He would walk through and shoot every target that pops out. There are total of 60 targets and the minimum to pass is 40.

Franklin:"Ready."

Staff Sargent:"Go!"

Franklin walks forward. A target pops up.

*BANG*

Another one.

*BANG*

Another one.

*BANG*

Two more.

*BANG*BANG*

He hit every target and reached the end. Almost no one passes like this. Everyone's jaws dropped. Except the staff Sargent. He was noting but impressed.

Franklin reloaded his weapon and stepped from the course. The staff Sargent walked up to him:"You got the stuff son. In all my years I've only see a handful of men do what you just did."

Franklin:"Thank you sir."

Staff Sargent:"Listen, I have a friend." He gives Franklin a black card, "If you feel like you're really worth it, give him a call."

Franklin:"Will do, sir." He looked at the card. It had a phone number underneath a knife with three lighting bolts. The symbol of the Green Berets.

——————————————

(Eight years later)

June 2008

Fort Bragg, North Carolina

DescriptionFort Bragg, North Carolina, is a military installation of the United States Army in North Carolina, and is one of the largest military installations in the world, with around 57,000 military personnel. This base is the beginning and the end for all those who wish to become a Green Beret.

The United States Army Special Forces, colloquially known as the "green berets" due to their distinctive service headgear, are a special operations force of the United States Army that are designed to deploy and execute nine doctrinal missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, direct action, counter-insurgency, special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, information operations, counterproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and security force assistance.

These were some of the best America had to offer. And among those, one man stood out. Franklin Jones, now known as Captain Jones.

Holding some of the highest records in the Green Berets and being the leading demolition operatives, Franklin was without a doubt one of the most skilled soldiers not only in the US, but also the world.

And he... was retiring.

Colonel:"You are what?"

Franklin:"I am giving you my resignation sir."

Colonel:"I know what you're doing! I just don't get why!"

Franklin:"It's nothing personal colonel. I just... don't feel like I want to be a part of this anymore."

Colonel:"A Beret. I could transfer you-"

Franklin:"No. A soldier in this army. When I joined, I joined so I could fight with freedom for freedom. But we're shackled by all these rules. I just don't feel like I can keep doing this."

Colonel:"I... I understand. You wanted more and you were picturing it differently. We have rules for a reason Jones, but I guess some men just can't love by them. Very well. You are dismissing, I will have this processed."

Franklin salutes, one last time.

———————————————

(One month later)

July 2008

Wilson, North Carolina

Franklin was in a post office, finishing his letter. After he was done, he mailed it and went into a bar. There, he ordered a glass of whiskey and watched a baseball game on the bar TV.

After a few minutes, a man in a brown jacket sat next to him and ordered the same thing.

Franklin:"Took you long enough. You could've talked to me at the post office."

Man:"I know. But this place is better. You don't know me but I know you, Captain Jones."

Franklin:"That's former Captain Jones. What do you want."

Man:"My name is Alex O'Neil. Colonel Jefferson contacted me. He said you'd be a good man for my group."

Franklin:"Not interested."

Alex slid a card to Franklin. He flipped it over and saw a symbol. A black anvil. Only one groups would have something like this. The legendary paramilitary organisation of the west, ANVIL.

Created during NATO's infancy, ANVIL was designed to be a paramilitary organisation not directly under NATO's control but under NATO's supervision. The idea was to have a group that works off eve grids and completes dangerous assignments. After a successful mission the real forces would roll in and show themselves as the heroes.

The mercs didn't mind as long as they were paid. And they were paid good.

ANVIL is the largest paramilitary group in North America, South America and Western Europe.

The east however was controlled by its Russian counterpart, Eagle.

They were created in the 60s by the Soviet Union as the ultimate communist paramilitary group. They recruited men and women from the Soviet Union, the Balkans and Asia.

While the Soviet Union fell, the Eagles stayed. Right now their influence spreads over Eastern Europe, Balkans, Asia and it's spreading to Australia.

While they are contenders, they never fought between each other as there was no reason to. They're mercenaries, not soldiers. They respect the wish of the buyer and the "first come first serve" rule. Professionals have standards.

Alex:"I understand that you want freedom. We can give you that. Complete the mission, it doesn't matter how. You can have the freedom you always wanted. What do you say?"

Franklin ponders for a bit. But asks:"What's the pay?"

Alex:"Proportional to the work."

Franklin smiles:"Just how I like it. Honest pay for honest work. You got a deal."

The tow clang their glasses and drink."

——————————————

(Present day)

12th of May, 2011

C17 *Sandman*, above Iraq

Franklin is looking at a picture of his sister. He smiles and kisses it.

Jeff:"We're almost there! ETA to landing site 20 minutes."

Carla:"Hey Frank! You ready?"

Franklin:"I was born ready."

End of Intermission

Thank you for reading