Chapter 15: Of Their Own Accord

                                    

                                          
JiU and her team arrived at Washington at night. Luckily there was no attack on her convoy along the way to DC. They helped unloading the wounded from the convoy when a soldier came looking for her.
                          
"Rabbit! Is someone called Rabbit here?" The soldier shouted amidst the chaos.
                          
"Boy, I really need to change my callsign....." She shook her head and went towards him.
                          
"Rabbit here. What's up?" 
                          
"Ma'am the colonel requested for you and your team. If you follow me please." The soldier replied. JiU called the girls and followed him to the command room.
                          
"You're Rabbit?" Ackham asked.
                          
"Yes. Who am I speaking with?" JiU saluted.
                          
"Colonel Ackham. Thank you for your service." Ackham shook JiU's hand.
                          
"What can I do for you, sir?" JiU asked 
                          
"Your CO is looking for you. She's sorting the men as we speak. Follow me." Ackham answered and started walking. JiU and the girls followed suit. If he said CO, that means CL is here.
                          
"What's the situation in DC, sir?" JiU inquired
                          
"FUBAR. Sporadic fighting everywhere. Some of the ground troops were cut off and behind enemy lines. A lot of civilians are still trapped in crossfire." Ackham filling JiU up.
                          
"So your order?" JiU further asked.
                          
"That's not up to me. You are independent body in this. Your CO will give your orders. But I assure your help is greatly appreciated. She's in there. Good luck, soldier." Ackham shook JiU's hand again and left. 
                          
JiU entered the staging area and saw CL was briefing the Rangers and Delta. They found a spot and listened through the briefing. The mission is simple; the Rangers will reinforce the advancing while the Delta, 21, Red Velvet, and her team will do a SAR  (Search and Rescue) from the rear and box the enemy into the killzone.
                          
"Do this right, we will paint DC with their blood by dawn. Any civvies we found, push them back away from the AO. Ackham will prepare to receive them. Load up. We go in 15. Grab some chow if you can. It's gonna be a long night. Dismissed." CL ended her briefing. Everyone moved out of the staging area to do their things. JiU and the rest went forward to greet everyone.
                          
"CL unnie!" JiU ran up and hugged her tightly. CL patted her head and greeted the others.
                          
"Hey, dipshit." Irene nodded to SuA.
                          
"Hey, jackass. Still alive huh?" SuA smirked at Irene.
                          
"Not until I put a Colombian Necktie on you first." Irene grinned and hugged SuA. SuA returned her hug.
                          
"John! What are you doing here?! What's with the gears?" Dami surprised as she saw John with the 21.
                          
"You crazy? You're the president for fuck's sake. What the hell are you thinking going out in the field?!" Handong yelled at John.
                          
"I rescinded my position. Besides, I would be at ease more when I fight side by side with my daughters." John chuckled.
                          
"You're out of your mind! Get back, now!!" Handong pushed John back.
                          
"I know you're worried about me. Don't be, okay? I'm fine. Besides, I'm fighting along with 21. See you on the field. Watch each others back, okay?" John smiled and walked away. Suddenly he felt his back were tugged.
                          
"Don't go...." Handong tugged John's back, her face wet with tears. Dami was right beside her, holding her tears back.
                          
"Don't forgive me that easily. I don't deserve it. Not after what I did to both of you. Stay frosty out there." John tugged away from Handong's hold and regroup with his team. SuA and Siyeon watched and went for them.