ETERNAL REAPER : 1

The familiar scent of burning bodies filled Ash's nostrils. He inhaled deeply,enjoying the aroma of death. A twisted fetish he allowed himself from time to time. The village just below the hillside where he stood was a smoldering heap. Pleased with his work he slipped back on his face mask and switched on his two way com-link.

" Ash to Black Unit. Copy. " Ash spoke into his com-link, peering at the night sky.

" Copy. Status update. "

" Objective nullified. Requesting extraction. Copy. "

" Copy. ETA five minutes from your fix. Over. "

Ash did not bother replying. He switched off and stared into the stars. Something about being on the Steppes of Mongolia under the cover of darkness and starlight always brought back good memories. Mostly good memories. Closing his eyes for a moment he could hear the thunder of hooves and the cold wind rushing to meet him. He pushed those thoughts aside when he could hear the roaring engine of the Black Units' modified F-22 raptor. He had to. He knew Mason would be trying to read his mind, like always. The raptor pulled to a stop right over Ash as the zip line shot down. No time was wasted. Ash was hooked to the D ring and was hauled up in a matter of seconds. He could already feel Mason probing his brain, his emotions before he was even inside the raptor.

" Give it a rest M. I just want a cigarette. " Ash said as flatly as he could.

" Fine. Just always wondering what's going on in that big, ugly head of yours Ash." Mason tossed him a pack of smokes and a lighter.

" Nothing. Not a damn thing. " Ash glared at him. lighting up. " You just can't wrap your brain around about how I can slaughter a whole village of innocent people to make one hit. It's easy M. I'm getting paid to do my job. There is no grand scheme. No poetry behind my actions. I just happen to enjoy the act of murder a little more than you or Ghost One does. " He took a long drag and exhaled heavily.

Mason stared at Ash, shook his head in displeasure. That's where the two of them varied. Mason viewed their life as a service to the United States of America. Ash viewed it as a job and nothing else. Mason contemplated continuing the argument but decided against it. Ash was right after all. He did do the teams dirtiest work without question or conscience. For that reason he dropped the issue and instead walked back to the cockpit.

Ash finally sat down and strapped in for the flight home. Two rookies sat opposite him , unsure of what to say. One of them finally cleared his throat and gave Ash a thumb-up. The other stared blankly at his boots. Ash crossed his arms and let his body drift to sleep. The last thought to cross his mind was the dying face of the young boy he was sent to kill. His eyes saying more than words ever could.