Chapter Text
Puerto Maldonado, 1982
Rays of sunlight danced through foliage from the trees above. The roar of a waterfall reverberated around the two soldiers, sitting inside the hollow of a rocky cliff. Jace wiped the sweat from his brow and looked back through the filmy scope. The weather had been rather unbearable for this mission and it was only going to worsen as the temperatures rose. The amazon had always been known for its beauty, but lately Jace had come to see a much different side of it. On top of the heat, it was also humid which only added to the constant feeling of dehydration. It was pure bliss however, when the sky would cloud over and the cool rain would wash over his body. He had been in this small cave for a good few day, taking notes of the guard shift changes at the compound not far from their camp. The group had not had a job in months and their resources were running low, including food. His stomach grumbled and he groaned, setting his rifle down in front of him. “You bring anymore MRE’s with you, Lex?”
The woman shook her head, and with a sigh rummaged through her backpack. “ Don’t you remember what Aaron told us? There are plenty of resources around us in the forest.”
Jace scoffed and lit up a cigarette. He shoved the zippo back into his pocket and took a long drag. “Do I look like a hunter to you?” She eyed his rifle and coked her eyebrow. The sniper rolled his eyes and stood, stretching his arms over his head. “Come on, we can try some fishing at the bottom of this waterfall.” He nodded in the direction of the falls just ahead of them.
The dull cracking sound of a machete hitting tree vines echoed through the forest. Lexi brushed a strand of hair away from her face as she cut an opening through the dense vines. “Its amazing how much you miss home when you’re out here. The cool air whipping around you on the docks of Port Angeles. The paved side walks.” she laughed, looking up into the branches above. A gunshot startled her and she quickly turned round, gasping as a large snake came crashing down in front of her. It hissed quietly, blood oozing from its mouth. Jace picked it up with the end of his rifle, its body dangling limply.
“Dinner is served, princess.”
“There is no way I’m eating that.”
“What you’ve never eaten snake before? Not even in survival training?”
She shook her head no and pushed past him. “Nope and I don’t plan on trying anytime soon.” Jace snickered, letting the snake fall to the ground and he followed behind her.
“We may not have a choice at this point.”
They continued to make their way through the dense vegitation, the need for sustinance driving them forward. A light mist began to surround them as they eventually made their way to the waters edge, the waterfall now thundering loudly around them. Drops of water splashing onto the bare skin exposed, it was heaven. Jace tossed his rifle to the ground and quickly peeled off his shirt, eager to cool off in the waters before them. Lexi gazed around at the trees surrounding them, despite the noise there was an eerie calmness surrounding the area. The compound loomed in the distance. It was a bit of a risk hunting to close to the enemy grounds. She gasped as a stream of water splashed her face and her torso. “Knock it off, Ashford!” Lexi growled, water seeping through her clothing and chilling her body.
“Don’t be such a hard ass. Come on Lex, live a little!”
‘We might not live much longer if we get caught’ she thought, and she made her way into the river. Jace had the right idea getting in the water, it had been weeks since she had a decent shower. Lexi could feel the stream washing away some of the mud from her body. Closing her eyes, she leaned back and floated on the surface.
It would be so easy to just relax if she knew that this mission would pull through. There was so much riding on this following through. Traveling from city to city, chasing rumours and stories only hoping that something would turn up. About a year ago a contract came in informing them of a company that had possibly been trying to make a type of bio weapon. At first they didn’t think much of, being a fairly new mercenary group they assumed it was just a joke. But more and more reports where coming in telling of strange stories and disappearances.
Silverwing was the dream group she had always imagined being with. If only they could just get a little more money in their pockets, and a real mission they could get the break they all needed.
Something brushed against her lower back and she opened her eyes. Jace grinned slyly down at her. “Having a nice daydream?”
She sat up, standing next to him in the water. “ Ace-“ Lexi was cut off as his lips met hers. Her cheeks flushed and she paused, her brain trying to wrap around what was happening. Pulling her closer, Lexi could feel her body give into the kiss. His lips quickly left hers, and she could feel his body pull away. The water bubbled beneath her and Lexi opened her eyes. “Ace?” Looking around she noticed the spot where Jace was once standing become red with blood. “JACE!” She yelled frantically, diving under the water to search for him. Murky water greeted her, only weeds and fallen tree branches met her gaze.
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