Chapter 14: The Huntsman
Alex's mission was widely considered the opening strike US made against al-Qaeda. His successful rescue operation boosted the morale of the military. On October 7, 2001, the U.S. launched Operation Enduring Freedom, targeting the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, which was harbouring al-Qaeda. The operation aimed to dismantle the Taliban's control and destroy al-Qaeda's operational capabilities. U.S. Special Forces, including Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets, were deployed to work with the Northern Alliance, a regional anti-Taliban Afghan coalition. They provided training, equipment, and direct support to local forces.
In November 2001, U.S. forces captured Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, significantly weakening the Taliban's hold. In December 2001, U.S. and allied forces targeted al-Qaeda leaders, including OBL, in the Tora Bora mountains. While many al-Qaeda members were killed or captured, bin Laden evaded capture. Several special ops units were established during this period designed for surgical strikes. Alex and Kai became such a unit that specialized in Search and Rescue
After the successful rescue of the senator's granddaughter, Alex and Kai were thrust into a whirlwind of high-stakes operations in Afghanistan. Their next major assignment was in the heart of the Registan Desert. A militant faction had kidnapped a group of alley nation engineers working on an old oil pipeline. The harsh environment and the militants' knowledge of the terrain made it another near-impossible task.
Their mission was to infiltrate the enemy camp, neutralize the guards, and extract the hostages. With Kai's keen sense of smell, they tracked the militants to a hidden encampment. Alex dispatched the guards with silent precision while Kai provided reconnaissance. They found the engineers locked in a makeshift cell. Within minutes, they were free, and the team began their arduous trek back to the extraction point. Despite a fierce sandstorm and a relentless pursuit by the militants, Alex and Kai successfully brought everyone home, earning their first commendation.
Once the threat level became orange, Alex and Kai were deployed to the Philippines. A separatist group had taken a village hostage deep in the jungle, using the villagers as human shields while demanding a ransom. The terrain was unforgiving, with thick foliage and sweltering heat.
Alex traversed through the dense jungle, relying on Kai to scout ahead and detect enemy positions. They approached the village at dawn, using the cover of the early morning mist. Alex coordinated an assault while he simultaneously set off explosives, striking hard and fast. Alex's agility allowed him to navigate through the village, disarming traps and successfully evading ambushes. The separatists were overwhelmed, and the villagers were freed. The operation was a success.
In the frozen tundra of Northern Canada, a group of American scientists had been captured by a rogue military faction. The extreme cold and remote location made the mission one of the most challenging yet. Alex and Kai were tasked with infiltrating the enemy base of ops, extracting the hostages, and bringing them to America while evading capture in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
They faced blizzards and sub-zero temperatures and tracked the enemy base, using the cover of a snowstorm to slip past the guards. Inside, Alex neutralized the sentries while Kai located the scientists. A sudden shift in the weather complicated the extraction, but Alex's quick thinking and Kai's endurance saw the mission through. They reached the extraction point just as a rescue helicopter arrived, completing the mission with all hostages safe.
During all these missions, Alex was gauging his abilities. He could now bench 700 kg for 20 reps while he could deadlift twice that weight. Max speed reached about 35 mph. But if he maintained a speed of 28 to 31 mph. He could run for hours. He could hear conversation spoken at normal volume from a distance as far as 900 meters, But If the place was crowded, like a highway or train station, he had to be much closer.
He could spot the movements of a desert mouse 5 miles away. Though it took a while, Alex realised he could distinctively detect Pheromones in men and women through smell. This helped identify what kind of mood they were in or their tendency towards him. Among all, his senses of taste were becoming increasingly troublesome. He had to learn to cook actually to enjoy the food, but on the bright side, MRE still provided him with the required nutrition. But, It wasn't just the physical stats that improved. Alex had always been an above-average student, but now he could memorise things faster, do calculations quicker, and make assessments easier.
Even with all his abilities, he could easily be hurt with a sharp knife.
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Without rest, he was being assigned to missions; in the bustling city of Mumbai, a group of American tourists was taken hostage by a terrorist cell. The terrorists had holed up in a high-rise building, making a direct assault highly risky. Alex and Kai were part of a joint task force with Indian special forces to resolve the situation.
Alex coordinated with the local forces to plan a covert entry into the building. Kai's ability to detect explosives was crucial in navigating the booby-trapped structure. As they ascended floor by floor, Alex engaged in intense firefights, using his training to outmanoeuvre the terrorists. Kai's presence kept the team alert to hidden dangers. They reached the hostages on the top floor, securing the area and ensuring their safe evacuation.
Pretty early on, Alex realised something. Since he was young, even with all the credibility he attained because of the high-risk mission he was doing and done, the skepticism he had faced was abundant. Initially, it was fun to show the doubtful up, But as time passed, not so much. So Alex modified his combat gear and started wearing a mask. Things almost immediately took a 180 turn. The approach shown by officials, friendlies and enemies took a drastic turn. There was no more distrust. It was during this time that he received the moniker 'Huntsman'. Alex actually didn't mind that name; he was just glad it wasn't something edgy like Shadow or Sceptre or something.
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A drug cartel took a group of biologists studying the mountain karst forests. The cartel used the dense jungle to their advantage, creating a nearly impenetrable fortress. Alex and Kai were inserted into the jungle with a small team of elite soldiers.
The team moved stealthily through the underbrush, guided by Kai's tracking skills. They located the cartel's hideout, a fortified camp deep within the rainforest. Alex devised a plan to split the team into 2 . Team 1 will create a diversion, drawing the guards away while Team 2 infiltrates the camp. The rescue was executed flawlessly, with Alex neutralizing the guards and Kai leading the hostages to safety. The mission highlighted their ability to operate in diverse environments and solidified Alex's reputation as a tactician.
Adapting to his new abilities was a continuous process for Alex. He had to integrate his enhanced senses and physical prowess into his daily routines and mission strategies. Cooking his own food became a necessity to accommodate his heightened sense of taste, ensuring he received the nutrition he needed while satisfying his enhanced palate.
During missions, his ability to detect pheromones and gauge emotions allowed him to anticipate enemy actions and defuse tense situations. His sharp hearing and vision provided unparalleled reconnaissance capabilities, making him an apex predator in planning and executing operations.
In 2 years, Alex completed 53 high-risk missions, earning him 2 Silver Stars and Combat Action Ribbon, But he never forgot his oath; for all these missions, he still used his former commander's AR, the M4 Carbine that was gifted to him. Due to the intensity of the missions, he could see the damage building on it. But Alex fixed it, cleaned it, and kept using it as if it were a pledge. Between missions, he would look for clues or evidence that could change the narrative or another officer's involvement in the NK mission, but to no avail. But Alex never gave up
[21 November 2003. Chitral, Afghanistan]
Alex was on a Counterterrorism mission at Chitral when he received an emergency alert that a Taliban faction had captured a group of 15 American Soldiers. NSA received the intel they were going to be executed in a live feed on 23 November 2003. When he went through the names of the captured soldiers, he saw Jake Mellow's name.
He sent a message to the base camp, saying that he wanted to go after the captured soldiers and to update him on any new information. Soon enough, he got a response that they were able to find the insurgent's location by tracking their IP address. They were somewhere in the Hindu Kush; the mountainous terrain was harsh and unforgiving during winter. There was also a warning for Heavy storms, which made it difficult for heavy-lift helicopters to land safely, especially if they came under enemy fire like rocket launchers. Alex was assigned the mission to rescue the hostages and to notify the HQ once the coast was clear.
In reality, Alex was running low on rations and ammunition, the current mission took longer than he expected. The logical approach was to regroup, restock, and then engage, but Alex had this gut feeling. He felt like if he didn't act now, he would come to regret it. Years back, when he didn't follow his gut, he paid a dear price.
"Never again."
The enemy location he received was about 70 miles from where he was now, but 3/4 of that distance was the steep climb through the mountains.
After hours of relentless climbing and trekking, Alex and Kai came across signs of recent movement. Broken branches and faint footprints that led them to a narrow mountain pass. The wind howled through the pass, and snow began to fall lightly, reducing visibility. Alex's enhanced senses helped him navigate through the storm, and Kai's keen nose picked up the scent of the Taliban fighters.
As they approached the enemy's location, Alex noticed an unusual formation in the rock face—a narrow entrance partially hidden by snow and debris. This was the entrance to an underground cave. Alex signalled Kai to stay alert as they slipped inside. The cave brought back bad memories, but Alex pulled through.
The cave was dark and labyrinthine, with twisting passages and hidden chambers. Alex used his hearing to detect the faint sounds of conversation and movement. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and gun oil, confirming they were close to the enemy.
They soon encountered a group of Taliban guards. Alex signalled Kai to stay back and moved in with silent precision. He dispatched the guards one by one, using his strength and agility to subdue them quickly and quietly. Kai kept watch, ready to alert Alex to any approaching threats.
Finally, they reached a large chamber where the hostages were held. Alex peered around the corner and saw the soldiers, including Jake, bound and severely injured. Several Taliban fighters stood guard. He set off a flash grenade, causing a loud blast that drew the guards away.
With the guards disoriented, Alex and Kai moved in swiftly. Alex engaged the remaining fighters in close combat, using his enhanced reflexes and strength to overpower them. Kai leapt at one of the guards, taking him down with a powerful bite. The fight was intense, but Alex's training and enhanced abilities gave him the edge. He managed to subdue the guards and secure the area.
With the enemies neutralized, Alex turned his attention to the hostages. Jake was severely beaten even missing a few teeth, and others were in similar condition. They were also drugged to be docile. It's been a few years since they had any contact with each other; it was kind of sad to see him in his condition after all this time
'At least he's alive.'
Alex quickly assessed their injuries, provided first aid and stabilized them as best as he could. They needed to move fast. After he double-checked to confirm that all the enemies were neutralised, Alex contacted the base to let them know it was safe for extraction.
A fierce snowstorm began to set in; the harsh weather complicated the extraction, but Alex's keen senses helped him navigate the treacherous terrain. He carried Jake on his back while Kai led the way, alert to any signs of danger. The storm was picking up, but making the journey back to the extraction point perilous. After Jake, he brought every other soldier to the top of the mountain where it was safe for the helicopter to land.
Just as they bought the last soldier, the rescue helicopter finally descended through the storm. The soldiers were boarded to safety, where they received emergency treatment.
Despite the physical and mental toll of the mission, Alex found solace in knowing he had saved his friend and fellow soldiers. The mission was a stark reminder of the sacrifices and challenges faced by those in the Force.
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