The situation in the Norvinsk region remains tense. After the evacuation of civilians, marauder gangs have taken over the besieged territories. Meanwhile, Private Military Companies (PMCs) have started their operations in the Tarkov area.
Among them is the Western PMC, representing the interests of the Terra Group corporation. According to some information, there is also a Russian private military company known as BEAR. However, the presence of the latter in this troubled region is yet to be confirmed by Russian official authorities.
Skif's Raid Group: Four Hours Before Tarkov Infiltration
"So, comrades, we are departing at 2330." In a dimly lit hangar, mercenaries from the BEAR organization were seen preparing their gear for their mission, while their squad leader, whom had blond hair and a fairly built body, briefed them on the situation.
"And you're packing all-in, full loadout. Our little trip might take a while," he continued, his voice echoing off the steel walls.
"Chief," another man, holding a modernized AK-104, spoke up, "why can't we just clear out this damned Tarkov?"
The commandant sighed, "Okay, let me make this clear for the intellectually challenged: this local conflict between the Kremlin and Terra Group is not a reason for a full-scale army operation on our territory." He glanced around the room, meeting the eyes of each of his men. "Again, at 2350 sharp, the chopper is taking off to Tarkov."
He walked toward the area where his men were seated. "I repeat: no civilians in the sealed-off territories. Only scavengers and touring PMCs."
"Commander, when is this bullshit in Tarkov gonna be over?" asked one of the men as he stashed his rifle beside his backpack. "Everyone knows who's responsible for this mess."
"For now, everyone believes the Terra Group is a bunch of harmless creatures. They're combating hunger in Kenya and creating cutting-edge technologies," the commandant replied, sarcasm dripping from his words.
As the commandant was about to say more, another man in the group spoke up. It was his younger brother, Captain Burov'. "So why don't we declare the investigation's results? I mean, about what these creeps do in real life."
The commandant, Alexander, looked at his brother with a mix of worry and pride, fear gripping his heart as always on his first operation as a unofficial PMC. "Because the whole world needs hard evidence. And we don't have it hard enough yet," he replied, sighing.
"Fucking politics," Burov' huffed, stuffing magazines into his gear.
Time passed, and the group began to relax, sharing jokes and laughter, trying to enjoy the calm before the storm. Alexander took Burov' aside, speaking to him quietly. But before he could say a word, Burov' interrupted, "I don't need another briefing about the danger. I'm a BEAR PMC for god sake! First mission, or a bunch of others isn't much of a difference."
Alexander looked his brother's in the eyes, then sighed. "I'm not here to talk about that. I just want to remind you that problems at home need to stay behind closed doors."
Burov' relaxed a bit, replying, "Yeah, I know. But you also said that one would come back if he had a place to come back to."
Alexander smiled slightly, it was kind of funny for the commander, especially when your own little brother sometimes surpasses you in life, compared to the stagnant, and sinful life of his. "You have some time before lift-off. But now you have to decide: where will you stay?"
Burov' looked around, taking in the laughter and camaraderie of his fellow soldiers. He may not have been there with them long enough, but he took a liking to what he loves to call 'lovely bastards'. He sighed, "There's nothing to decide on."
They walked back to the group, and as Burov' seated himself among his brothers, the commander spoke up, "Alright, those who show up late will run on foot."
"I'll be there on time, I swear," one of the men joked.
"Plus, plus."
"All I need is to ask my mom for leave," another added, earning chuckles from the group.
Alexander chuckled, taking in the scene. It was always times like this that would sheer him up, the ties, the mood, the brotherhood. "Everyone knows the rules: no mobile phones at base."
But at that moment, the commandant's phone rang, prompting laughter from his men. "Commander, do you have the special comms there?" Burlov' joked.
As his men laughed, the commandant sighed and took out his phone, checking the message he received. His frown deepened as he read it, then he looked up to see Burov' laughing with his comrades. Closing his eyes, then reopening them, he stashed his phone in his pocket. "You have four hours before boarding. Spend this time wisely!"
Three Hours Before Planned Lift-Off
Burov' ran toward the boarding zone, looking around but not spotting his squad. Approaching one of the men stationed nearby, he asked, "Guys, where is the BEAR group? We're about to load now."
The man seated on the ground looked up at him, curious whether this clueless bastard was really from BEAR, but he responded nonetheless. "You talking about the PMC's? They took off already," he replied, pointing to the sky where a helicopter was flying away.
Burov's eyes widened as he checked his wristwatch. "But we were supposed to lift off in an hour..."
"They said your commander switched up everything to leave earlier," the man replied nonchalantly.
Three days later, the raid group would cease communication...
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Moments after his death
As his final breath escaped, Alex found himself in a vast, emerald-green plain under a cloudless sky. The chaos of the battle was replaced by serene silence, with gentle waves of grass rolling toward a single hill on the horizon, bathed in the golden light of a setting sun.
Amidst the lush greenery, he spotted a hill with an ancient tree, beneath which stood a table with two chairs. Seated on the right chair was a being that radiated a pure white glow, emanating a sense of majestic power. He was awestruck by the perfection of its form, from the delicacy of its wings to the graceful structure of its body.
"Greetings, Alexander Kuznetsov," spoke the being, setting down a cup of tea in front of Alaxender. "I have been keeping a close eye on you for some time, but I must admit, I fail to see what is so special about you."
Alaxender couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the being's words, and he hesitated before he approached the being. As he walked towards it, he felt an inexplicable lightness, as if his body was weightless.
"Excuse me, but where am I?" He asked tentatively.
The being gave a dismissive wave of its hand. "This is a place beyond your mortal understanding. You may call it the afterlife if you wish, but that is not entirely accurate."
"Sorry, but... I don't really know who you are and... what do you mean by this not being the afterlife?" Alexander asked while eyeing the being from top to bottom with caution. While he knew he had died, his inexplicable paranoid self was still keeping him from letting his guard down.
"Come on, Mr. Kuznetsov, don't be shy, sit down on the chair," said the being with a mocking tone. He started walking towards the chair. When Alexander arrived at his destination, he sat down in his given place.
"Well, to answer your question, yes, you are effectively dead, but not in the afterlife," responded the being with a slight glint of amusement.
"What do you mean I am not in the afterlife? This place is like the most descriptive place that can at least be heaven for what I believe. And if not, where are we? Who are you?" Asked Alexander, frowning at him. He kept a calm demeanor as if it were an everyday occurrence.
"Please calm down, sir. I am just a mere servant of the mighty lord, and to answer your question, we are in the road of the afterlife, or what you call heaven and hell. You could put it as a tunnel between death and what can be after that."
"Your lord that you talk about, is it... God?"
"You could put it like that, the one and only, engineer of universe, the judge of the mortals, but that's not the reason why you are here. You see, my master gave you... hmm, you could say a third chance," his eyes stared at the being while he though why the almighty God, gave him a chance for life. Alexander, who had killed countless men, made his squad die, and participated in some of the most gruesome operations in the name of his so called 'motherland.' he kept himself from asking if this was some sort of a joke...
Even though he would like to try another life, he doesn't want it. It would be an insult to those he'd killed, tortured, and destroyed.
'Wait, the third?'
"I thank you for... this chance, sir, but I can't accept it. I've done too much bad shit for me to deserve a chance. I am sorry, sir, for asking the obvious, but why does God watch me? And more on that, what was that you said: a third?" While he was talking, the being watched him while taking a sip of his tea.
"I honestly don't know, Mr. Kuznetsov, but declining this chance is unexpected, especially considering your circumstances. Some men regret and want to fix themselves with this chance, while others will take this opportunity to live life to its fullest. But you... I now know a bit more why he is interested in you, but unfortunately, you can't decline this order. I know you may be frustrated, but my master wanted to give you a third chance and try to live your life to its fullest, as you already atoned to your sins." It was unexpected. Alaxender lived his life for the sake of his family. He did everything for them and never did anything for himself. Selfishness was not an option when you become the man of the house at an early age. Even with all of that, he clearly doesn't deserve the so-called third chance.
He sighed and started talking, trying to come to terms with his new reality.
"Sorry to point the possibly obvious answer for you, but again, what was the first?."
"Well, the life you already lived, but I have not the clearance to tell you in details about it. Just know you will be **** ****"
"Well, that is... unfortunate indeed. But if I have to be reborn, I at least want to keep my memories, as this life I didn't retain any of it. And the most important thing of all, please do not get me reborn as a female. I've seen what men can do in case of war at the gender." He couldn't help feeling unease at the thought of it, he does not know why, he can't recall the majority of his memories after all.
"To tell you the truth, the master said that you can have a slight help for you in your journey and be whatever you fish be. But retaining your memories from your world can be... a bit disturbing for the well-being of the world. I will try to make your demand a reality, but you are to be 'reborn', so you will be without the majority of them until you are fit, as it can cause complication to your young body."
He breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that his wish would be granted. "I really thank you for accepting my wish. This is all I have to remember them, but you said I can have some sort of 'advantage'. What do you mean by that? Is it some kind of magic or something, like those novels and manga's?"
The being chuckled and responded, "Yes, that is what you think. But this world is a bit complex. I am sure you know very well about this world, and thus, we know that you can be a great individual in this world. But I will let you discover. Well, I think we have a deal, right? Right, let's go." The being stood up and started walking towards a mysterious door that appeared out of nowhere, while Alaxender, remembering something crucial, he shouted, "Wait, I at least want to be in a wealthy family..."
But before he could finish his sentence, the being entered the door, and he could see the world from the door turning black, slowly advancing towards him like a black hole, engulfing everything in its path. His heart raced with fear and excitement as he braced himself for the unknown journey that lay ahead.
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A complete rewrite, changed settings, but most of it will remain the same.
Anyway, tell me your thoughts about this chapter.