A Turning Point

 I woke up and the piercing sunlight came through the window and warmed my feet under the covers.  I lay there in my bed wondering how to start my day.  I was not on-duty, so I didn't have to do anything at all today if I didn't want to.  I could just lie lazily in my bed or I could get up and start my day.  Hmm….  What a difficult decision to make, I thought.  Sleep or corn flakes?  I chose corn flakes.  I was GDI's elite.  I couldn't be lazy.  I got up and changed out of my pajamas and got a shower first, though.  I put on black pants, a white undershirt, a green vest, and black shoes.  I usually don't wear this ensemble unless I am on a mission or fighting.  Today I just wore it for looks.  I used my clothes to cover my Tiberium-infested body.  I got out the corn flakes and began to pour the milk.  When I was a 15-year-old boy when the Brotherhood of Nod captured me for use in their twisted Tiberium experiments.  The Tiberium experiments gave me greater-than-average strength.  One day, I had enough strength to break the chamber holding me.  I escaped the facility with five bullets in my.  Two bullets in my stomach, one in my left leg, and two in my right arm.  I took a Nod buggy and drove to the nearest GDI hospital where doctors in chem suits operated on me.  I vowed vengeance on the Brotherhood from then on.  I joined the GDI recruits and worked my way up the ranks.  I passed officer rank after only two skirmishes with the Brotherhood because I fought so fiercely.  The Brotherhood had made me a mutant, to be excluded from normal society for the rest of my life.  But seeing my loyalty and towards GDI and my hatred towards Nod, GDI gave me a special rank.  I now had the codename "Ghostalker".  I struck fear into the heart of every Nod soldier and commander.  I hadn't gotten my revenge yet.  The facility that experimented on me was still standing.  I never had a mission that involved it.  I was now mad.  Anger was now controlling me.  I put away my breakfast dishes and had a new objective for today: destroy the source of my mutation.  No more Brothers.  No more hurting like this because of what happened to me.  I don't want anyone else to suffer what I went through.  I decided to go to the Kodiak and ask for permission to do this mission.  I went into my garage and got into my black Mercedes.  I drove to where my tracker said the Kodiak was.  General Solomon gave me the tracker.  I was the only one in GDI's forces that had one.  I drove until I reached the ruins of an old GDI Tiberium research facility.  McNeil and his crew were viewing the wreckage.
"I don't believe it…" McNeil muttered under his breath.  "Of all those people, only six scientists escaped, but at least they were our top scientists."
"What is this?" I questioned.
"The wreckage our our once-great top Tiberium research facility."
"What happened?"
"The Brotherhood of Nod happened."
"Damn."
"There was nothing we could've done.  The place would be gone before backeup could arrive."
"How come this place wasn't guarded better?"
"No one thought Nod would be able to find this place."
"Hmm… that is a major oversight."
"Yes it was."
"Well, as much as I hate to bother you,  I need your permission for a special mission."
"And that mission would be…" McNeil asked, waving his hand in a continue your story motion.
"An attack on Trion's Tiberium research facility."
"Trion?  You mean the town that is entirely under martial law of the Black Hand?"
"Yes."
"No can do then."
"Why not?"
"That's where Stinger was last sighted, and you can't handle him, let alone an entire city of Black Hand commandos."
"I can handle any Black Hand commando."
"Your rage is blocking your common sense."
"No it isn't."
"Ghostalker, you've never seen Stinger in action."
"He was captured last month."
"He broke out of out of our best prison and killed hundreds of new recruits that were viewing Nod weapons for their training."
"I could do that."
"I don't doubt it, but then he even blew up the entire prison with just two other members that weren't even trained for the Black Hand."
"So he's good."
"Extremely."
"I am taking this mission no matter what you say." I said as I started to turn away.
"Wait.  You can take the mission under one condition."
"Okay."  I said smiling slightly that I had won.
"Get a squadron of about twenty elite Titans to accompany you."
"Twenty Titans?  For one city?"
"Twenty Titans for one Black Hand city."
"Fine.  I agree to your terms."
"And one more thing.  Do not engage Stinger if you find him."
"Why?"
"Just don't.  Let the Titans take care of him."
"If you insist."
"I'm being serious."
"I know you are."
"Okay then, meet me in the barracks of Dellaria for your briefing while I get permission from General Solomon for your backup."
"I'll be waiting."
I got in my Mercedes and droves south to Delarria.  I got to Dellaria's gatehouse and showed the guard my ID card.  He opened the gate and I drove in.  I got out at the barracks.  I went into the barracks to find an empty mess hall.  All the soldiers, officers, and recruits were out training, weight lifting, or something else, which was rare.  I went to the food bar and got mashed potatoes, corn, and a smaller-than-average cheeseburger.  I sat down at one of the long tables and enjoyes my lunch.  After I finished my meal I waited a while until I heard McNeil coming in the door.
"Sorry for making you wait so long."
"Yeah, about 2 hours and 21 minutes."
"Yes, that.  But I got your backup."
"Great!"
"The Titans are waiting in Kriff, 11 miles south of Trion."
"Okay, then.  Now for my briefing right?"
"Yes.  First off, try not to kill the civilians."
"They'll probably be hiding."
"Okay then, also, don't engage Stinger.  I can't emphasize this enough."
"Relax."
The briefing was pretty much straightforward from then on.  He told me to avoid any uneccessary risks, the building specifications of the research facility, etc., etc., etc..
"Are you ready to take on this mission?" McNeil asked.
"I believe I am.  I'll take my car to Kriff and ride in a Titan with the driver."
"Okay.  Good Luck."
"I don't need any luck for this mission."
"Just come back alive then."
"I promise you I will."
I then turned around and left.  I got into my Mercedes again and drove 23 miles to Kriff.  I saw the mechs, standing in line.  The drivers were waiting outside the mechs for their briefing.  I stopped my car next to a mech and got out.  The drivers looked at me.
"I am here to give you your briefing." I told them.
"It is an honor to fight with you." One driver piped up.
"Thank you." I smiled.  "Now, for your briefing."
I told them basically everything McNeil told me in my briefing with one exception.
"Any Black Hand commando can be handled by either of us."  There was a brief silence.  "Now let's move out."
They cheered and got into their mechs.  I got into the Titan beside my car.
"Let's move out." I commanded over the radio.
The Titans lurched into gear as they took their first steps towards Trion.  The ride was rather smooth in a Titan, because unlike a car, formations in the terrain wouldn't cause and bumpyness in the ride.  It would take 32 minutes until we reached Trion at the speed the Titans were going.  I had time.  I mentally prepared myself for the assault.  I fell into a doze and was awakened by the boom of the Titans' cannons and the recoil.
"Get ready to drop out.  I have your railgun in the closet.  McNeil gave it to me when we arrived at Kriff." the driver told me.
"I entirely forgot about my weapons.  Thank you, and thank McNeil for me."
"No problem, and you C4 is in there, too."
"Good."
The Titan stopped to let me out.  A ladder protruded from the escape hatch in the back of the Titan so I could get out.
The Titans were ripping the place apart, even the civilian part of town.  But I didn't care, I was just here for the research facility.  I ducked and ran for my target.  In my running I ran past the ruins of the Nod radar, barracks, and war factory.  Lasers were now just piles of bebris were they once stood, ready for frying infantry and light vehicles.  I blew open the door to the research facility with a C4 and killed the guards and technicians as I walked through the hallway, blasting everything possible.  I stopped at the end of the hallway.  A large double-door was standing in my way.  This door lead to the chamber where I was held for 3 grueling, hellish years.  I wiped out the door with my railgun and shot the chamber that once held me.  A young boy was inside.  He thanked me quickly and ran out.  Four scientists ranout of the soundproof, radiation-proof room.  I shot them before they could bring their pistols out.  A fifth person came out.  He was dressed entirely in black with red eye slits and mouth on his helmet.  He also had a dark red belt.
"Hello Ghostalker."
"Hello, nameless lackey of the Brotherhood."
"My name is known well as Stinger."
"Stinger?"
"Yes."
"I was looking forward to killing you."
"A lot of GDI soldiers say that.  But then I shoot them."
"I am not an ordinary GDI soldier.  I am a commando in GDI's forces."
"You are a pest that plagues the Brotherhood's hope for victory."
"Ditto to you for GDI."
He brought out his well-known laser rifle in a split-second and shoot towards me. The shot got my railgun and rendered it inoperable.  I sprang forward before he reacted and kicked the gun out of his hand and split it in two with my foot.  He shot a punch out towards my abdomen and I dodged it quickly.  I planted a C4 on the ground and ran into the hallway.  I blew it up and waited for the smoke to clear.  I walked back in the room and his foot came out of the what seemed like nowhere.  I ducked down and did a roundhouse kick which he jumped over.  He jumped over my head and I turned my head just to receive his shin coming in contact with my chin.  I fell to the ground and he knocked me out with a solid kick to the head.
"I'm done with you." he said as he walked away from me.
I woke up in a hospital room with McNeil leaning over me.
"He's waking up!" McNeil called to the doctors.
"Where am I?"
"In the local hospital in Dellaria."
"Why?"
"Because you went against direct orders and fought Stinger; and lost."
"Oh, that."
"Yes, that.  What were you thinking!?"
"I was thinking: he doesn't look so tough."
"You underestimated your enemy.  That's one of the reasons you lost."
"What are the other reasons?"
"You weren't ready and he evaluated you and your skills better than you did him."
"How do you know this?"
"The security cameras.  We got the tapes and saw you lose pathetically."
"Damn, that's embarrassing."
"It was embarrasing to be shown how much our best commando sucks."
"Stop it."
"Okay, but I want this to be a lesson for you."
"Fine.  Just take me home."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Your wounds have healed, but you are going to kill Stinger."
"How?"
"I am going to train you."
"Where?"
"Dellaria barracks."
"Fine, take me there."
McNeil helped me up and I got out of the hospital bed without much effort.
"There will be no training today, but tomorrow is when I will crack down on you."
"Whatever it takes."
"Good.  You're determined."
"I have never lost a fight to one person so badly."
"How does it fell?"
"I feel ashamed and disappointed in myself."
"Don't beat yourself up; there will be many more opportunities."
"Okay."
We continued to the Dellaria barracks without another word and showed the guard at the gatehouse our IDs.  We went into the base and walked into the barracks.  The barracks was lit but all the GDI personnel were asleep or talking amongst themselves in their tiny rooms.  I now had my own tiny room in the barracks and McNeil was my roommate.  I went to sleep fast and woke up to McNeil's voice.
"Wake up."
"Hmsksaakldjakldj." I grumbled in my sleep state I was in.
"Wake up!" McNeil commanded.
"I'm up!"
"Okay, good.  Let's start your training."
"What time is it?"
"3:00 am."
"Are you kidding me?!"
"Commandos are ready for action no matter what hour it is."
"Fine, but I want breakfast first."
"I was planning on it.  I brought breakfast to you today."
"Great, training is much better than I thought!"
McNeil handed a snake and 2 beetles.
"What is this?"
"Your breakfast.  Commandos have to do with the elements around them.  Eat anything living that is not poisonous, or has spikes."
"I have to eat this?"
"Yes."
"And if I don't want to?"
"I'll get you court-martialed for disobeying direct orders from a superior."
"That's blackmail!"
"Just eat your crap."
"Fine."
I just barely swallowed my "meal" without throing up on McNeil.
"Now for weight training."
He guided me to the weight room where I pushed, pulled and lifted until I was exhausted.
"Good.  Now for fight training."
"I'm exhausted."
"Too bad."
"Of course."
I got into the fight training rink with McNeil.
"Who am I fighting?"
"Me."
I laughed really hard at that.  I laughed so hard I cried tears of laughter.
"I used to be a GDI marine."
"Yeah, a long time ago."
"I still do the same training I did back then, but now I do it in the Kodiak."
"Okay, I'll fight you, but don't cry when I beat you."
He flew a punch at me and sent me flying to the rink ropes.
"That's why you lost."
"I wasn't ready."
"You have to be ready at all times."
"Just get back here so I can kick your ass."
"You're still cocky?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go."
He threw a kick towards my chest but I dodged.  I jabbed his left shoulder.  He grabbed my arm and threww me against the ropes.  He stomped his right foot where I was before I rolled quickly to the left.  I jumped up but took a blow from his fist to my stomach.  I kicked his right leg and he went down.  He grabbed my ankles and threw me down.  He got up and put his foot on my chest.
"Do you give up?"
"Just get your foot off me."
I got up and dusted myself off.
"You're going to need a lot of training."
"I said "Whatever it takes." remember?"
"Okay then, let's go back to the weight room and get you exhausted again, then come back here until you beat me."
"Fine."
We did just as he said, but it took 3 days before I noticed any improvement.  At the end of the fourth day, though, I beat him.  But I still wasn't strong enough to take on Stinger  Stinger was stronger than McNeil.  Much stronger.  I kept training for the next month.  By the end of the month McNeil didn't have a chance in our fights.
"You're ready."
"I am?!?!"
"I believe you are."
"We should throw a party!"
"…once you kill Stinger."
"Of course."
"Now we just need to know where Stinger is stationed.  I'll send spies into all the Black Hand controlled cities to find it out."
"I'll keep up my training."
"You do that.  I'm proud of you."
"Thank you."
We shook hands and he left for the Kodiak.
"Wait!"
He turned and looked at me.
"Where is my car and keys?"
He threw my keys to me.
"Your car is in here."
"It is?"
"We towed it from Kriff to here.  I'm surprised you didn't see it.  It's the only Mercedes in this base."
"Okay.  Do I have permission to go home."
"Permission granted."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
McNeil opened the door and left.  I decided to stay for a while and have breakfast.  It was 5:23 am.  I got eggs, French toast, and 3 strips of bacon from the buffet.  I chewed and wondered where Stinger was.  Not Trion.  Of course.  It turned out I was really hungry because when I looked down and turned away from my thoughts, the food was gone.  I threw the styrofoam tray away and left the barracks.  My Mercedes was waiting in the parking lot.  It did stick out.  All the other cars were jeeps or SUVs.  I drove to my home in the country.  I live in the country because it is so peaceful.  I had a small garden so I didn't have to go to the store for vegetables and fruit most of the time.  I walked into my house when I opened the locked door with the key under my false rock.  I opened the door with ease and went into my room where I went out like a light.  I woke up and found McNeil leaning over me.
"Stop doing that, it creeps me out."
"Sorry."
"Why are you here?"
"We found Stinger."
"That was fast."
"Not many Black Hand controlled towns."
"So where is he?"
"Samoha."
"We're going to attack Samoha?!?!"
"Unfortunately yes, or we can do the alternative."
"What is that?"
"Stealthily kill him."
"GDI isn't meant for stealth."
"…but commandos are."
"Okay.  I might be able to do it…."
"Geat!  Let's go."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!  Let me have breakfast."
"Fine."
I got up and walked into the kitchen where I got a glass of orange juice and started making a bowl of corn flakes.
"You want any breakfast?"
"No, thanks."
"Okay."
I sat down and enjoyed the cereal.  I grabbed the TV's remote and turned it to the news channel.  The reporter was doing a story on the destruction of Trion.  They didn't say anything about me being knocked out by Stinger.  They were just talking about the destruction.
"Why are they still reporting on this?" I asked my self.
I finished my breakfast and got changed and had a shower.
"Ready yet?"
"Hold on.  Be patient."
I got my mission clothes on and walked outside.
"Now I'm ready."
"Let's go."
McNeil started up the car and backed out of my driveway.  We drove down the country road towards Samoha.  He gave me my briefing on the way there.
"Stinger is in the "Stay Inn" hotel, room 156.  We have a copy of his key."
McNeil gave me the key.
"The hotel is located on Armistice Road.  I will drive you into the hotel's underground parking where you will then go up to hi suite and assassinate him.  Then you will come back down to the parking and get back into the car."
"Where's my weapon?"
"You'll have to kill him without a weapon."
"I can do that."
"Ghostalker, do not overestimate him this time."
"I will not make that mistake ever again.  Those first few battles with you where I lost taught me to be humbler."
"Good.  I did teach you that lesson."
I looked through the front windshield into the bustling town of Samoha.  People were everywhere.
"We're almost there.  Just 2 more blocks to go."  McNeil said.
I just watched all the large buildings and the many distractions the big city provided to my eyes.  I looked at the road we were now on.  Armistice Road.  We pulled into the hotel's underground parking structure.  There were hundreds of cars there.  We ended up parking on the last floor.  I got out and closed the car door.
"Good luck."
"I'll need it." I said without turning my head.
I got into the crowded elevator and pressed the 2nd floor button.  The elevator stopped at the 1st floor and a mother with four children got out of the still-crowded space.  2nd floor.  I walked out and walked down the red-carpeted hallway.  I took the room key out of my pocket.  His room was at the second-to-last door in the hallway.  I pressed the key and turned it.  I pressed the door in smoothly and arrived into an empty living room.  I heard a sound similar to that of someone getting up from a chair.  Stinger peeked out and looked slightly surprised.
"You didn't learn your lesson?"
"No."
"Well then, I need to teach it to you."
He practically flew towards me, bringing up his fist all up.  I moved and tripped him when he went past me.  He faceplanted into the door but got up quickly and wiped the blood away from his mouth.  I walked towards him, trying to anticipate his next move.  He brought his fist towards my chest and I grabbed it in midair.  I twisted it while he brought his other fist into my stomach.
"I see you got better." he told me.
"…and you didn't."
He smirked and we circled each other.  I ended up striking his hip and he kicked the air above me.  I launched my entire body at him before he could dodge it entirely.  We both went down but I got up and punched down as hard as I could on his abdomen.  He went unconscious.  I delivered the final blow to his head with my foot and it was over.  I went on my way, walking briskly towards where the car was waiting.  I decided to take the stairs to the parking floor where my escape was waiting.  I was clutching where he hit my in the stomach.  I was also limping from when I attacked with my body.  I had somehow  twisted my ankle and winced in pain at every step.  I made it into the parking lot floor where the car was waiting and got in the vehicle.
"How did it go?"
I looked up at him.
"He's dead."
"Now we can have our party.  What damage did you take?"
"Twisted ankle and my stomach will probably have an extremely large bruise."
"Ouch."
"Yeah.  We're going to have to hold off on the party until I get better."
"Too bad."
"It won't be long before this is all over the news."
"They'll find out you did it with their DNA evidence they have in your file."
"That will be in a few hours though."
"Well, let's just thank God your ok and get you to a hospital again."
"Okay.  I'll sleep a little until we get there."
I went to sleep and lived, knowing that I had done what no other person had been able to do.