Where Loyalties Lie.

''' Notice: This story is for mature readers, because of the use of violence, language, and crude and sensual humor. '''

This story is about two men. After an incident in their youth, they grow up together and rely on each other. They virtually become brothers. Both wish to serve and protect thier country and planet. One joins Task Force 141, the best group of fighters on the planet. The other joins Shadow Company, an elite regiment with a single goal, protect the commander of the United States Military, General Shepard. However, when events play, unexpected to both sides, they must both decide where their loyalties lie; friendship or faction. The main character's name is Micheal Jayden. This is his story.


 * This story is in the first person perspective. Whenever "I", "me", and so forth is used, it is refering to Jayden.

Chapter One.
Genesis.

August 26, 2006

Palm Springs, California.

It was nearing the end of August in Southern California. Summer was finally coming to an end. It had already for me, two weeks ago. Unfortunately, that was about the hottest time of the year. The pavement simmered like a runway during takeoff, exceptthe jet wasn't necessary. The sun was a gaint disk of flame in the sky. To top it off, my fifth grade class released at 3:00, an already sweltering part of the day.

But I was used to it. It was beautiful out here. The palm trees swayed with the breeze, and sometimes a small dust devil would be twirling around, dirtying peoples vehicles. I loved the desert. So much mystery, so much enjoyment, and so much cartriges and crap everywhere. It thrilled me everytime I went.

I was looking at the horizon when I should have been looking at the road. Suddenly, I bumped into the back of a stalwart looking high-schooler. He turned around and glared at me with eyes I sworn could have stabbed right through me if a knife. There were five others in a ring around something. Then, out of the ring, I heard shouts and screams. I peered inside and saw a kid my age getting beaten to death. He was bleeding and bruised in many places. I could tell within seconds he might not make it.

"Hey! HEY!! Leave him alone!" I shouted.

A particularly big and strong brute came out of the frenzy and walked up. A couple of others turned around and stared straight at me.

"What the fuck are you going to do about it?" he challenged. He then pushed me back and turned around to the skirmish.

I knew I had to do something. I suddenly remembered the pellet Walther P99 pistol in my backpack. It shot about 550 fps and had a capacity of about 30 metal pellets. It was also configured to have a seesaw trigger, which in the right hands, could shoot faster than an automatic weapon. My brother gave it to me behind my mom's back because he knew it was dangerous walking home from school. He also gave me about 2 extra magazines of pellets, and a red dot. He was a Sergeant in the Navy Seals and was on leave for six months.

I pulled it out, clipped on the red dot and started fighting back. I put two pellets in each legs, one behind the knee, and one in the tendons. My pellet count was reduced to six. But all the thugs were on the ground, bleeding. They wouldn't be chasing after us for at least fifteen minutes. I ran through the throng, and got to the kid.

"Kid!" I said. "Are you okay? Can you move?"

"Uhhh...." he groaned. "Yeah. I can move."

"Ok, come with me. There might be more thugs back there. Lets move!"

"Right, got it!" he regained his stamina pretty fast.

We both ran fast, as fast a sprinters during track practice. We stopped at an intersection. Suddenly, we heard shouting coming from behind us, where I had dropped the bullies. I was guessing a bunch more thugs were coming after us.

"Shit....." I muttered. "Ok, you...what's your name?"

"John Westfield"

I pulled out my Walther, the bag of pellets, and my phone. I handed the gun and the bag to John. "Reload it. Don't dick around with it, just reload it."

"Ok," he replied and started popping the pellets into the mag.

I grabbed my phone and started dailing my bro's phone number. As the droning started, I looked around for a street name. We were near the corner of Orange and 5th, in front of a Mega Flicks store. John handed me the P99, just as my brother picked up.

"What's up, Mike?" he asked.

"Nathan!" I yelled" I need to be picked up at Orange and 5th, in front of Megaflicks, ASAP! I've got a man down condition two, and its danger close! VERY close!"

"Aw, fuck, I knew this'd happen. I'll be there in five minutes."

My bro had fought in Iraq, where he was a driver. If he could get his buddies out of a town, through gunfire and grenades, with about a ton of crap not including the guys and guns, in a Humvee, he could make a ten minute drive in five minutes.

We waited where we were for a while then the shouting grew louder. I turned around and saw about eight guys, all with rods or bike chains, and one with a Baby Desert Eagle in his hand.

"FUCK!! GET BEHIND THE BUILDING!!" I screamed.

I dived behind, just as the boom of the Deagle sounded. The bullet tore a chunk of the building corner about a square inch. I got in position behind a box and shot him 3 times in arm with my P99. He cried in agony, and dropped the pistol. I then shot about ten rounds into the Desert Eagle, rendering it useless.

Then, I heard the screeching of tires. Nathan had finally arrived. His Equinox pulled up and he thrust open the door.

"Get in the car! NOW!!" he ordered.

John and I both jumped into the car and drove off.

Thus began the friendship of me, Micheal Jayden, and John Westfield.