Feel free to enjoy my fic of my Cod OCās backstory
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
āI promise I got your back, always,ā Dredd says his to friend. Looking at the other man in the eyes sincerely.
He knew something wasnāt right the moment he opened his eyes. He could just feel it in his bones. Hell even the morning light looked a little duller. Not one to stay in bed though despite odd feelings, going about his normal routine. Brushing his teeth and hair, a quick rinse of the face. Throwing on his favorite pairing of cargo pants and tank top then he was out the door. Even the hallways along the way to the mess hall felt oddly quiet.
At least the banter he could hear coming from the mess hall was loud as usual. But that seemed to stop the moment he walked into the mess hall. All voices going hushed as he gets in line to get his food. Now he really feels like something isnāt right. Grabbing his tray he makes his way to the lone table in the back, but it seemed someone else had other plans. The Captain was waiting for him at the table, a grim look on her face. He stopped just in front of her, having to look up at her like he does practically to everyone. āLT. Dredd, youāre needed for a search and rescue immediately. Itāsā¦ itās Hawk, he was captured by the Iraq cell he was supposed to gain intel on.ā
He froze the moment he heard the words leave her mouth. Hawk captured? No! No this couldnāt be! Not his hawk! The tray clattered loudly to the floor, food spilling everywhere. But before anyone could even try to comfort him he was out the door. Rushing to his room, he needed to prep immediately to save his friend. Thereās no way in hell heās letting his friend stay in the hands of those extremists. He made a promise and heās damn well gonna keep it! Slamming his door open he rushes to grab his bag and start packing what he needs. His karambit knives, his rifle, mask, vest and plenty of ammunition. He was gonna go in like it was an all out war. He was going to get his friend back.
The helo was up and ready by the time he went out to the tarmac, figuring the Captain had requested it be the moment he rushed out of the mess hall. Not waisting time he climbed on and put on the headset to confirm he was ready to go to the Pilot. Buckling in as the helo took off to the drop off point. The flight felt like days, weeks even, when it was only but a few hours. He was practically jumping off once it landed at the drop off. Waving off the helo before trudging his way towards the location of the Iraqi extremist cell.
The dry desert land and blaring sun made the walk to the cellās hideout a chore during the day. Barely any wind or clouds to stop the heat. The only thing relieving Dredd from the heat was the water pouch he brought along. Though he drank from it sparsely, to conserve the water for Hawk who would need it more. Who knows how long his friend has gone without water. Shakes his head, canāt think about that stuff right now. He needs to find the hideout and make plans with a clear head.
It takes him a few more grueling hours of walking in the blistering heat till he finds the hideout. A decently sized house, two stories at least from what he can see at this distance. Heāll have to get closer to scope out what heās dealing with. Wondering what odds will be against him, not like he hadnāt taken on crazier odds before. But knows his friend canāt handle stuff like this, not alone, not like how he does it.
Crouched low, Dredd crawls to the edge of an overhang to get the best vantage point while also staying under the radar. At this distance he can get in all the scouting he needs, not going to go in blind like a bull in a china shop. Pulling out his rifle to peer through the scope. Making out quite a few well armed guards, pairs of 2 at each entrance. He counted approximately 5 snipers on the roof. Can see figures moving in the curtained windows, at least a dozen, maybe more. He wonāt know how many are inside till he can sneak his way in. Hoping his friend can hold out for him till he can rescue him from their clutches.
Slowly Dredd tracks his way down through the dead brush, keeping himself low to avoid the snipers catching sight of him. Taking but only a few minutes to reach the house. Going right for one of the side doors, knife at the ready as he turns the knob and quietly slips inside. Eyes already locked on his first target. A lone guard in the hallway with his back facing him. With quiet steps Dredd sneaks behind the guard, with one swift motion the blade cuts deep into the guards neck. Hand coming up to muffle the scream as he lowers the guard to the floor. A small quiet hiss leaving Dreddās lips, āIāll send every last one of you to hell.ā Dredd rushes off without a second to lose after the guard stops breathing. Quietly slipping around corners and through doors, each guard he comes across being left lifeless with slit throats. No guard in his way of getting to his friend would stay standing.
A few minute pass, drenched in blood, when he finds the door that leads down. Where his friend is being held. Where heāll find his friend being tortured. Gritting his teeth, Dredd opens the door and swiftly makes his way down. Drawing his gun this time. Heās already cleared all the guards inside, now to free his friend. Each step feels like walking on a knifeās edge. Not sure what heāll find once he gets to the bottom. He can see a light coming from the bottom of the stairs. And can hear the sound of voices. His body feels like ice shards are shooting through him when he hears Hawkās scream. Throwing caution to the wind he rushes into the room, aiming and shooting the man that was practically ontop of his friend clean through the head. Quickly pivoting to shoot down the other man that was there before they could retaliate.
Dredd rushed to his friend, quickly undoing the bindings holding him. āHawk, I need you to get up. Iām getting you out of here,ā voice firm with a stern look. Hawk gives a pained nod of acknowledgement, getting up with Dreddās help. Dredd noted the wounds on his friend. A broken arm, cuts and burns. Seeing his friend like this made his blood boil. Never again. Never again will he let his friend go on missions alone. With urgency in his steps he helps his friend upstairs, letting his friend put all his weight on him. They both cleared from the basement and back down the hallways towards the side door he came in from.
Unaware of his overlooked mistake, Dredd continues helping Hawk to the door. Not hearing the two sets of footsteps rushing towards them till it was too late. Dredd crying out in pain, back burning in pain, but turns despite the pain to shoot the man. Not expecting the same blade that cut his back to be swung back down. The blade cutting deep into his cheek, splitting his lips and digging deep into his chin. Stumbling back and dropping his friend. Cursing as he grabs the manās wrists and wrenches the machete from him. Snarling as he sends the machete deep into the manās throat. Pulling the machete free with a squelch and quickly turns to face the other man.
Heart stopping cold at the sight of the man pulling the blade from his bow lifeless friend's chest. Chest feeling like something is squeezing it tighter and tighter, almost unable to breathe. Everything feeling like shards of glass are piercing him everywhere. All the pain growing till it all comes to a head. And something snaps. Following after could only be described as a blood curdling scream, the sound filled with nothing but raw anger and pain. The man taking a step back in shock that such a sound was coming from one person. Dredd all but bull rushed the man and ran him clean through the stomach with the machete. Twisting said blade to do as much damage as he could.
Letting the manās body fall, body aching and back sticky from the blood. The pain increases as his adrenaline starts wearing off. Stumbling to his friend, vision a blur from tears and blood loss. Collapsing onto his knees as blood and tears fall onto his friend. Hands gripping and shaking his friend, not even hearing his own voice slurred and broken as he begs his friend to wake up. His begging and pleading devolving slowly into silence as he collapses on top of his friend's body. Nothing but darkness taking over him. The last image only being his lifeless friends eyes looking at him.
Dredd wakes up groggy and aching, wondering where he is. Then everything hits him like a truck. His friend. Hawkā¦ is dead. He failed to save his friend. Before his thoughts could go further he hears the door open. Looking up, he sees his captain walking in. A solemn look on her face. ā Dredd Iām-,ā she starts to say, but Dredd just shakes his head. Looking at her in the eyes, āDonāt. Donāt apologize. This is my fault.ā Dreddās voice wavers, but keeps his gaze firm. āItās my fault heās dead, I didnāt clear that building properly.ā He can see the look in his captainās eyes, knows she wants to say something but doesnāt. Instead she reaches out to rest her hand on his shoulder gently. Giving him a reassuring look and a gentle but firm squeeze of his shoulder.
āThe doctor said youāll be out for a month atleast. So rest up as much as you can. Then I want you back on your feet and giving my all my recruits a hard time.ā She gives him a playful smile before leaving. Dredd settles and stares at the ceiling. Images of Hawk flashing in his mind. Clenching the sheets in his fists, making a silent vow. No matter what, he will not let anyone ever, EVER, be harmed or killed under his care.
The month was mostly uneventful, having been bed bound and being checked on by nurses. He despised being stuck in the infirmary. And if it werenāt for his injuries heād have run clear out of that room if he could. But luck is on his side as heās been discharged today. Making a haste to get out of that nightmarish room. Making a quick stop in his room to put on a mask, hiding the scar on his face. Deciding a walk around the base would do him good.
Many of the passing recruits and officers nodded to him or gave him space. Which heās glad for, heās gotten enough pity from anyone who came to see him. Each step helps to clear his head, only stopping when he hears a few murmuring about visitors. Curious, he goes to check it out. Stopping short of the main building where he sees three new faces heās never seen before. Must be from some other branch coming to visit. Dredd shrugs and moves on, that is until he hears the one thing everyone here knows not to bring up. Head whipping around to stare directly at the one he heard, eyes filled with unbridled anger.
They were gonna pay for calling him short.
