So before we dive into my crazy world and I share with you what I've been through let me share a little bit about myself. My names Ryan or is everyone in my squad likes to call me "Red". For the fact of me being a redhead. I'm 27 years old with short red hair and green eyes. I'm about 5'10 and 200 lbs. I'm decently fit for my age and really don't have any health problems. Minus a few aches and pains but that comes with my job. I'm an army ranger so a lot of what I do keeps me in shape and on my toes. I spend my first few years in the military as a simple private. Learned the basics of what it's like being in real combat and how to handle myself in life or death situations. Also learning the simple procedures of patrols, intel gathering, broaden weapons training along with hand to hand combat. Things that will help you stay alive in the long run. After my first tour, I wanted to see if I could become an army ranger. I was a quick learner and always fast on my feet but had an issue with my emotions at times. Nothing like disobeying orders or fighting with my squadmates. More along the lines of initial shock and some depression. After 2 months of grueling training, I finally became an army ranger. I'm not gonna lie to you I landed on my ass more times then I can count and had a few times I wanted to give up and go home. I wasn't gonna let that stop me. I wanted to push myself to become better, faster and stronger.
After becoming an army ranger I spent the next few years getting a taste of high octane combat. Conducting raids deep in enemy territory and learning to become lightning fast with my decisions and reactions. I've seen things as an army ranger that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. But what would come in the next few years would make me realize that being an army ranger was just.... child's play.
During some downtime between missions, I was talking with my co asking what he would do after he gets out. For now, let's just call him Rogers. Yes, I do mean as in Steve Rogers aka Captian America. He could have been the real-life Captian America. 5'11 Blonde hair blue eyes, built like a tank. But he is one of the most down to earth and honest guys you'd ever meet. He did everything he could to do right by his men. Even if that meant taking the blame for things he shouldn't have. During downtime at the base, I decided to see if I could learn more about Rogers. So we spend an hour or so talking. The usual bs for the most part. I got to know where he grew up, what his family was like and how he got into all of this. He became a ranger to protect and serve. His whole family is military so it no shock that he followed in their footsteps. As we were talking Rogers says in a relaxed tone "After I'm through here there's a company I'm going to become a security contractor for.". I look at Rogers with this look of confusion and ask why he would after being an army ranger. I mean after all the things you've seen and all the raids you've done. It has to wear on you afterwhile and make you wish for some peace and quiet. He looks back at me with a smile and what he says next doesn't really shock me. I'm a protector Ryan. It's in my blood to keep people safe and it always will be. I wanna keep honing my skills to make sure I can fight any threat that may arise to those I love. I smile and joking say "do you ever take a day off?". He shrugs with a smile and in a joking way and says "and let you have all the fun?".
After mine and Rogers final year of being army rangers, we are starting to pack our things up on our last day. I keep thinking back to what Rogers had said when I asked him what he was going to do once he got out. I paused as I was almost finished packing up my personal belongings and thought I stop over to talk to him. Knocking on his door I wait for a few minutes before he opens up the door. With a weapon manual in his hands, I roll my eyes and with a smirk, I say "I didn't mean to interrupt you. Looks like you were in the middle of something exciting.". He laughs and says "what can I help you with red?". In an inquisitive way, i start off by asking what was the name of the company you were going to work for? Tilting his head in curiosity he asks "Thinking of coming with me Red?" nonchalantly I tell him yes I am. We spent an hour talking about the company and what all they have to offer. Pay, hours we would work and benefits the normal stuff you'd ask about working for a company. After we finish talking he asks what made me change my mind? You know all that talk about peace and quiet. What happened to that? Looking up I take a deep breath and let a sigh escape from me as I look back at Rogers with a half-cocked smile saying "I couldn't let you have all the fun by yourself now could I?" With both of us laughing I ask a few personal questions about the jobs we will be doing. Slowly though as we talk the smile Rogers usually has on his face retreats when I say "we". Correcting me he says that he and I will be doing two different jobs. A little shocked I ask him why don't we work together? He gets this distant expression on his face one the I haven't seen before. With a calm but stoic voice, he says "the work I will be doing won't be normal assignments. The work I will be doing would change your views on everything you know. It'll also make all the raids and missions we have done seem like we were playing toy soldier.". I'm stunned for a moment from what he just said. Rogers has gone from this always smiling cheerful man that I've known to always be laughing to this cold and disconnected person. He continues on to say "The work I'm going to do isn't for the faint of heart and those who are weak of mind.". I ask what he means but refuses to tell me any more until I've contacted the company and spoken with an agent. Roger tells me to mention him by name as a reference and they will fill me in if this is what I truly want to do. He tells me that if I go through with this there is no going back. That I'd be in this for life and I would have to commit everything to this company. Pausing for moment Rogers asks me "Do you truly want to follow me?". I stand shocked for a second as I try to adjust to this side of him. In a more commanding tone, he snaps me back into reality. "Red I'm only going to ask you one more time. Do you or do you not want to come with?" This is a man who has pulled me out of the fire more times then I could count. The one who has had my back in some of the nastiest firefights I've ever had. The same one who once took a bullet for me. Looking back at him I nod to him and he does the same back. He tells me to go back to my room and call the company. Once I have done so get some rest. Then meet him in the morning and we will depart for the company. Once more I nod and he says "Good I'll see you bright and early Red." Once I'm back at my room I lay down with the phone in my hand. Wondering if what'll come next. Is it going to be as bad as he says it is? Will I be able to do what is asked of me? What will I see? All these questions run through my head but one thought echos through my mind...I should have kept my mouth shut... Once I dial the number and hear the ringing I say to myself...Time to take the plunge.
YOU ARE READING
The Hidden War
AdventureA Security Contractor that shares his stories throughout the years of what he's seen and fought in his line of work. Don't let the myths and fables fool you...There are monsters out there... and they closer then you think.
