Chapter Text
The next morning, K-Unit and L-Unit, along with their additional members, set off on a survival hike.
“Right, we’ll still be on SAS grounds, but we will be farther away from the camp, so everyone should still be on their guard.” Wolf said firmly looking around. L-Unit and Panther all nodded in agreement. Orion on the other hand just rolled his eyes, it shouldn’t matter if they were near camp or not-they should always be on their guard considering the circumstances.
Alex timidly raised his hand. “Uh just wondering why we are going farther away from camp if it might not be safe? And how long this exercise will take?”
John cut in before anyone else could answer “It will be beneficial for you to know some more in-depth survival skills in case you are caught again and manage to get free. Besides that, it’s more a precaution to be on our guard. This area is still protected and under SAS surveillance. As for the exercise I believe it is supposed to be an overnight exercise.” At the last statement he looked at the two unit leaders who nodded in confirmation.
“We will be sort of splitting up-but will be close enough we can easily back each other up if need be. Both units will have radios.” Explained Cougar, L-Unit’s leader. “We will start the hike together but will split up once the first waypoint. Everyone ready?”
Alex looked hesitant but nodded.
“Great, let's move.” Ordered Wolf.
Orion watched L-Unit, John, and Alex disappear into the opposite direction they were headed with a bit of unease.
Fox noticed his hesitance and muttered “If it helps, we aren’t thrilled to be left alone with you either.”
Orion gave him an exasperated look. “I don’t care about that-I’m more worried about Cub in an attack than being stuck with you idiots. At least if the two groups had stuck together there would be less chance he could be taken-with only five people, if there is an attack L-Unit and Panther’s attention will be divided between looking after Cub and actually fighting. And we might not get there in time if they don’t get a call out right away, or are taken by surprise.”
K-Unit all stared at him.
“You actually care about the kid?” Eagle blurted out.
Orion gave him a withering look. “I don’t hurt children. Plus Cub is literally a younger version of me. With much better chances of living a normal, uneventful life. My goal is to insure at least of us gets that life. And any chance it could’ve been me disappeared a long time ago.”
“I mean… if you hadn’t joined SCORPIA” Fox began.
“Then instead I would be in the same boat but working for MI6. Assuming I was still alive.” Orion responded dryly. “My chance at a normal life died with my uncle.”
At that K-Unit shifted uncomfortably.
As they started to move Snake started up the conversation again.
“Uh so Orion…. about your Uncle dying… I uh, heard Panther and Eel talking and they happen to mention it was Gregorovich that killed him? How uh, exactly does that work since I thought he mentored you?”
Wolf and Fox came to a halt turning back to stare at Snake in horror. Eagle perked up,
“Oooh, that must have made for awkward times! ” he chirped. “Did you know that before you joined him?”
Fox just groaned. “We aren’t leaving this forest alive.” He muttered.
Orion just stared at Eagle then at Snake.
“We should keep moving.” He said finally. “As for your questions. Yes, Yassen did kill my uncle. And while it would’ve delayed Blunt blackmailing me into working for MI6, I doubt it would’ve completely stopped it even if my uncle had survived. And yes-I did know that he killed Ian. It was one of the very few things I was told by MI6. And to answer the next question I know Eagle is about to ask. No. I don’t particularly care that Yassen killed him. If it wasn’t Yassen it would’ve been someone else, and if it wasn’t on that mission it would’ve happened on another. They both were doing their jobs. Yassen was just better at his.”
With that Orion pushed past them and continued on the trail.
When they finally made camp K-Unit seemed to realise they had only been given two two-person tents. Orion watched them argue over what to do, before mildly cutting in. “While you lot will have to share with me regardless, we should have someone on watch anyway in regards to only having room for four people. We might be in SAS territory but quite frankly, SCORPIA wouldn’t care about attacking a target in SAS territory which leads me to believe this enemy might not either. It would be better to have a guard and nothing happen than to actually need one and not have one.”
Wolf paused before sighing “Orion has a point. We don’t know the enemy, and they could still attack us here. We’ll set up a rotation.” At this Wolf eyed Orion. “And I suppose Orion should be part of it… considering he’s one of the targets.”
Fox and Snake quickly put together a schedule, and Orion was amused to see they made sure he shared a tent with Eagle, and then later Snake. Apparently they didn’t trust him to share peacefully with Wolf. Or trust him to try and get revenge on Fox for what his otherself did.
The night passed peacefully, which made Orion jumpy. He had been sure there would be an attack. It seemed like too good of an opportunity for the enemy to pass up on. It was possible they didn’t have as great intel as SOCPRIA and couldn’t tell that Alex and Orion had been separated from the rest of the camp, but still Orion couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.
They were almost finished packing up camp when fight gunfire could be heard. Orion had his gun out with in seconds, K-Unit wasn’t far behind.
“We need to go.” Wolf ordered. “Somethings wrong with L-Unit.”
Within minutes they were carefully creeping through the forest. Suddenly shots rang out near them. Fox cursed as a bullet hit next to him. Orion quickly returned fire before ducking behind a tree.
Wolf started to use hand signals to direct the rest of K-Unit. Orion mentally cursed as he realized they should have figured out a plan in advance-that was suited to five people instead of the units regular 4 person plans.
Eagle and Fox slipped away into the shadows, to try and catch the enemy from behind. Wolf, Snake and Orion carefully watched the trees.
“We need to keep their attention.” Wolf barely breathed to Orion. Orion nodded, and seeing movement, he waited until he was sure it was an enemy-and fired. One by one the three of them started to pick off the enemy.
The distant gunfire seemed to fade off. Orion cursed again. That wasn’t good. While L-Unit might be fine, and could be on their way to help, Orion had a feeling that wouldn’t be the case. Just then, Snake went down with a pained cry. Orion quickly went over to him. Wolf eyed him suspiciously.
Orion snapped at him “I have some medic training. Just keep them from shooting at us.”
Wolf reluctantly left Snake with Orion and tried to draw attention away from them.
“It’s just my arm.” Snake groaned. “I don’t think it hit anywhere important.”
Orion quickly looked over the injury. “It doesn’t look like it.” He agreed. “But the bleeding still needs to be stopped.” As he worked shouts erupted from the enemy. It appeared that Eagle and Fox and been successful. After a few more minutes the forest fell completely silent. Wolf started radioing in the attack while Eagle and Fox searched the enemy. When Wolf tried L-Unit there was nothing but silence.
“We need to get over there.” Orion grimly said, helping Snake up.
As K-Unit and Orion crept up to where L-Unit was supposed to be staying, signs of a gunfight became obvious. When they found the camp it was deserted, except for a few bodies lying around.
“Shit.” Muttered Fox as he surveyed the damage to camp.
“Right, it doesn’t look like any of ours but Eagle you check on them. Snake, sit down before you fall over.” Wolf ordered.
A groan drew their attention over to the woods.
“I’ll check.” Orion said, as he started over, gun drawn. He froze at what he saw before snapping out “Snake, get over here. I’m going to need help-and supplies. It’s Panther.”
“We can’t just sit here!” Exclaimed Ian. “Alex is captured-along with L-Unit-and John is fighting for his life. And what, now we are supposed to continue with training like everything is fine?”
The Sargeant winced. “The government takes time to work-“ he began.
“What a shock.” Muttered Orion under his breath. From the snort Marcus gave, Orion wasn’t quite sure he managed to keep that under his breath.
The Sargeant sighed “We have men looking for where they could’ve taken them. Even if we wanted to launch a rescue mission right away we have to at least know the general direction of where to look. Once we at least have an idea, then we can see if we are allowed to start.”
Ian threw up his hands and stormed out. Orion gave the Sargeant a tight smile and started to leave before pausing and turning back to the Sergeant.
“Completely unrelated, but the government is dragging their feet because it would use SAS resources correct?”
The Sargeant paused before slowly nodding “I suppose that is probably why they don’t want to approve it. Why?”
Orion hummed “No reason, just wondered.”
Marcus gave him a look but didn’t say anything until they had left the building.
“Why would it matter why the government is hesitating?” He asked quietly.
“Because if it is because they don’t want to use SAS resources, then they shouldn’t object if we launch a rescue mission.” Orion said just as quietly. “You still have the money Mr. Gregorovich gave you?”
Marcus grinned “If I say yes can I buy some explosives?”
Orion rolled his eyes “Once you get everything else we might need, and nothing too big. This isn’t Australia, and we have to be 100% sure no civilians will be hurt.”
Marcus smirked “Have I ever mentioned how glad I was we decided to keep you boss?”
Orion laughed “I think it was the other way around. But I’ll take it anyway.”
Marcus paused for a second before reluctantly mentioning “We should probably involve your uncle. He works for MI6 so I’m sure he knows at least a general idea of where we can get everything we need. Who knows if any contacts from our world will be good here.”
Orion winced but nodded “I suppose I should go talk to him.”
When Orion found Ian, he was surrounded by a couple other units, including K-Unit.
“I can’t believe we aren’t able to do anything right now.” Complained Frog. “One of our units was taken!”
“Not to mention Cub-he’s a minor, you’d think the government would be all over trying to find him.” Wolf pointed out.
“Not even MI6 is allowed to do anything.” Ian cut in bitterly. “Instead we all get to sit here doing nothing.”
Orion decided that was as good an entry as any. “Technically speaking not all of us have to wait for the government to decide anything.”
The units all paused at that statement, and even Ian looked hesitant.
“Uh, is that wise? Aren’t you technically not in prison specifically as long as you don’t attack anyone?” ventured one of the SAS soldiers.
Orion shrugged “The deal is only off if civilians or any of your side is hurt or killed. Nothing was ever mentioned about Blackwood or his minions.”
“I’m not quite sure I like it-but it might be the only way to get Alex back…” Ian reluctantly agreed. “What would you need from us?”
“Information. Specifically on where the SAS has managed to find on where the enemy might be hiding. And information on one other thing. But that can wait for a bit later.” Orion answered easily, although at the last statement he eyed the SAS units around them. Ian followed his gaze and gave a small frown before nodding.
“I’ll see what I can do to convince the Sergeant and MI6 to release that information.” Ian paused before adding, “Do you want to come see John?”
Orion slowly nodded “Yeah, that would be good.”
Once the two Riders were away from the SAS units Ian finally spoke up, albeit quietly.
“What was the other information? I assume it probably isn’t going to be legal which is why it wasn’t brought up in front of everyone?”
“We need weapons and gear. Obviously we can’t get them where we normally would go. Marcus hoped you would at least know where to start.’ Orion explained.
Ian sighed “Theoretically I do… but how will you get them?”
“Sagitta was sent with enough cash it should cover everything we need. Past that, probably best you don’t know. Or when we are getting it.” Orion responded.
They paused in front of the doors to the infirmary for a moment, before Ian finally said “Henry Brown. I’ll give you his phone number, tell him you were sent by Ian Johnson. You have a encrypted phone?”
Orion nodded “Marcus made sure to get one as soon as they were here.”
“Good. I’ll give it to you tonight.” Ian said tersely, “Just be careful not to get caught. While MI6 will turn a blind eye as to how you mysteriously acquired the gear, if you get caught they won’t step in.”
Orion gave a tight smile. “Trust me, I’m aware.”
With a final glance at Orion, Ian turned and opened the doors to the infirmary.