Year 3000 : Contagion

HSS: Phantom

320km off Mindanao Archipelago

Lanao Del Norte, Mindanao, PH

02 June 2886

0127H

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"They said you guys were the best of the best"

Utter by the radioman Pvt. Bryan Ordonez by looking at a 6-foot tall man dressed in a different camouflage than them. He was fixing the radio transmitter and receiver, connecting all radios to the main radio on the base 730km off of their location right now.

Beeping sounds of equipment echoing on the sturdy walls of a 24526 CH-47 Chinook Model Military Helicopter as it flies over a vast jungle terrain of the southern parts of the Philippines. A team of fully geared Philippine Scout Rangers lined up sitting while being strapped on the sides. 

Among them is the most secret of all military units tasked to do sensitive missions that will result in mass destruction and potential threat to the Philippines. An elite military regiment only a few have ever heard of. They were nicknamed "The Phantom" because they are believed to be dead. No records, no traces, as if they never existed in the first place. They are a small group of soldiers, as small as five individuals that excel in their particular skills and duties. They are physically and mentally prepared to go on dangerous or sensitive missions because their basic skills and knowledge exceed those of other soldiers in other army regiments. They are handpicked by the government through selective and harsh training secretly conducted on a lone island near Marinduque, Philippines. They are given the most intensive training by the government and are provided with the most latest military technology to help them succeed on their mission. 

"Depends on what you consider best, kiddo!"

Gunther answered back at Bryan. He's a 28-year-old man wearing a black camouflage suit with all the C- 4 bomb and breaching devices. He is the demolition of the squad, having graduated from more than 20 academies and training about bomb disposal, disarmament, detection, and arming of all of the known explosives currently used around the world. He was sent to Afghanistan to assist in the war but he was believed to be killed in a mission. Thus erasing his existence from the face of the earth, allowing him to move in and out in secret missions like a ghost.

"You seem nervous kid. First time on a mission?"

Said Roza, the field scientist of the group. She is a 27- year old woman with a great physique as expected of the elite military group. She served under US Scientific Research working in Congo and was captured by local militants when a move to cultivate a type of bioweapon using the chemical found in the mines of Jadotville was reinforced. She was rescued during the mission but was diagnosed with severe trauma due to the incident. What happened during her time of imprisonment was unknown. And she was considered dead by her family and relatives.

"Kinda, yeah. I never expected my life to be this way. I was just playing a computer game about something like this after I graduated from the army. Who knows that it was a government tryout for this spot."

He said to Roza while checking his radio for one more time. He was bowing with a slight uneasiness painted on his face.

"Your tryouts were great. I was watching that time. You've got a decisive mind. Your timing in calling air support was spot on. I like that. I think we'll be a great partner"

Lance patted the shoulder of Bryan. He looked at him and smile.

Lance was a 25-year-old Japanese man with a lean physique and dexterous mobility. He is the assault of the team and the most dangerous and vicious in the squad. He carries with him samurai swords, knives and was given the invisibility armor to be used in swift execution and infiltration purposes. He was recruited by the US Government Special Task Force when he was 18 years old and shows a lot of potential during his time. He was sent as well as the others in the Congo and Afghanistan and was believe to be killed during the mission.

"Just stay close to us, and you'll be fine. I also watch your tryouts and saw potential in you. Though you finish last in the rankings, your ability to cope up in sudden situations contributes to the success of the mission at hand. I request you to be here personally. You should be an honor."

Uttered by Benning. He is the squad leader and was greatly followed and respect by all members of the Phantom. He's a 32-year-old man standing 5'9", with a great physique, mature features, and a robotic right arm. He was a legendary Delta Force Captain with his codename "Swallowtail". He's involved in many missions in and outside of the US and was awarded many times for his service until the mission in Congo happened and he was pronounced dead when his detached arm was collected after the explosion.

" Thank you, Sir. I will consider this a great honor to be working with you. By the way, where are we again?"

Asked Bryan. He was unaware of their whereabouts right now.

"Good thing you asked Private!"

A silhouette of a man suddenly appears on the screen inside their aircraft and all military inside it stand in respect.

"At ease gents. This is Major General O'Connell. The looked on your face tells me you are all uninformed on your current coordinates. You are all at the Lanao Del Norte, Philippines."

All soldiers looked at each other. They are surprised that they were in the Philippines when they know they only travel for 45 minutes.

"A reported tip from our local spy shows a group of terrorists dealing and hoarding some type of biological weapon. A weapon capable of mass destruction if falls on the wrong hands. That's why you have with you today the member of the Phantoms to assist you on this mission.

They all swiftly glance at the Phantoms. They are sitting and preparing their weapons. But they looked at the screen and nodded at the General and to the rest of the military personnel.

" Your mission was to eliminate the insurgents, captured their leader, and secure all of the bioweapons in the area. Private Bryan here will be responsible for the continuous communication between the command center and you. I would suggest that you keep him safe if you want to live as well. That's all gents. May God bless you all."

The screen went dark and a deafening silence follows after it. They all looked nervous, especially Bryan. He looked at the Phantoms and they give him a thumbs up which helps him cleared his mind.

"You heard the man. Let's move!"

Then the lights inside turned from red to green, the door opens and a gust of winds greeted them vigorously.