Author's Note: This story is a part of a continuing series that follows a group of Delta Force soldiers. Now, the name "Delta Force" is no longer in use, I still use it for story purposes mainly to keep the mystique surrounding these Special Forces soldiers alive. So please, don't waste your time trying to correct me on the term Delta Force.

1432 hours

26 August 2003

U.N. Compound, Iraq

"Melissa Koppler," Rayne breathed lowly, her eyes narrowing at the site of the blonde, wavy-haired journalist dressed in a black business suit.

The journalist, while clutching her red notebook (pen in ear) gave a short, wry smile to Rayne.

Stopping just in front of Melissa, Rayne hissed, glaring at her, "I should have known that you were at the bottom of this."

"Don't flatter yourself Paula," Melissa smirked. "I was not the cause of this war; it was you and your Delta Force…."

"I'm talking not talking about the war, Melissa," Rayne interjected, giving a broad grin. "I'm talking about the free doughnuts."

"Eh?" Melissa questioned as Rayne walked past her.

The sound of Middle Eastern rock music flooded the flight line. The song was Rachid Taha's, "Barra Barra", a popular song by the soldiers from the Middle East. A Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV), kicking up dust, hummed by the journalist, making her take a step back while covering her face from the dust that was being thrown into the air.

Rayne paused to look behind her. She smirked as she saw the driver.

"Short-round!" Rayne laughed, walking back over to the Special Forces dune-buggy. Gazing at the light but highly efficient desert transportation, Rayne inquired, "How did you get a hold of one of these?"

"Let's just say," the Chinese soldier grinned, "I have special friends in high places."

"What he means," a voice said from the third seat (the gunner seat).

Rayne looked up at the second person. She gave a short laugh when she saw who it was.

"What he means," Captain Guiry smiled, "Is that his dear friend, the captain, (that's me) has Ranger friends who let him borrow this fine piece of dusty military vehicle to find the kinks in it."

Melissa, recovering herself from the dust attack, strolled nonchalantly up to the vehicle and remarked, "Looks fine to me."

This time it was Short-round who gave a chuckle. He responded quickly, "Lady, obviously you know nothing about mechanics."

"What ever do you mean?" Melissa questioned defensively, sticking her nose slightly higher in the air. "I took mechanics as a junior in high school."

"Much good it did you," Short-round snorted with laughter. "You're clueless when it comes to cars. Just a typical blonde in…"

From the back of his seat, Short-round received a swift kick.

"Hey!" Short-round protested, turning and giving Captain Guiry a look of hurt, "Whadd I do? Whadd I do?"

"Be nice, she's our guest," Captain Guiry told him. Mentally, Captain Guiry agreed with Short-round. The journalist had no idea about mechanics but was at least trying to make conversation.

To protest, Short-round turned up his music.

Rayne glared at Melissa. She hissed lowly, "You never had mechanics Melissa."

Turning slowly and giving Rayne an arrogant smirk, Melissa commented, "So what if I didn't? What's it to you?"

"Just what are you trying to prove here?" Rayne demanded. "What do you want from us?"

"I'm trying to expose this group as the joke that it is," Melissa responded in a snooty voice. "And also, you're still the biggest loser that ever set foot at Sparco High School. Always has been, always will be. Once a loser, always a loser."

Through a piercing glare, Rayne hissed darkly, "When all is said and done here, your little charade will come to an end."

"I highly doubt that," Melissa replied with a smirk. "Because by then you'll be on the streets just like your stupid friends here."

"And another thing," Rayne growled, "Stay away from my team!"

Scoffing, Melissa replied, crossing her arms, "I can do whatever I want. I have a pass."

This time it was Captain Guiry who spoke up. During the argument the captain had climbed down from the gunner's seat and had made his way to the other side of the vehicle to listen to the heated conversation.

Captain Guiry spoke directly but coolly, "Now I'm telling you Miss Koppler, leave my team alone."

Surprised, Melissa took a step back, looking from the captain to Rayne. Then, as if her courage suddenly reappeared again, Melissa regained her lost step and spoke boldly, "You wish, Captain. But with all due respect, I have a special pass that lets me do whatever I want to do here and there's nothing that you can say or do that's going to…"

Captain Guiry cut her off; his voice was still cool but a touch of anger was evident in his voice, "Miss Koppler, have you ever dealt with a pissed off Special Forces member before?"

"Well, no," Melissa replied.

"Keep this up and you're about to," Captain Guiry told her. "And not only that, but you'll also have airborne rangers on your back as well as Navy SEALS."

Melissa gave a startled gulp.

Behind Rayne, an amused Keller strolled up to the FAV. With him were Miller and Pete, who were hauling two rather plump duffle bags.

Captain Guiry finished, "The media pass that you have grants you to certain privileges, not all Miss Koppler. You are allowed to travel with our team on certain exercises but you are not permitted to butt in on our personal time nor are you allowed to harass my team, which is exactly what you are doing. So give my guys a break and get off Rayne's back."

Melissa simply glared at him before turning on her heels and storming away.

Rayne looked to Captain Guiry and gave a small, appreciative smile, "Thank you Sir."

"No problem," Captain Guiry replied, returning her smile.

Pete spoke up, nodding at the retreating journalist, "She's evil!"

"They all are!" Miller exclaimed, dumping the duffle bag on the ground. "Sharks, hyenas…it's a media frenzy now with the war on the Malahar!"

Rayne growled bitterly, "And Melissa Koppler leads the way for the press. She's an intelligent psycho."

"That's an oxymoron," Keller noted.

"Yeah, and so is she."

AUTHOR'S NOTE (CONTINUED) - I would like to thank everyone who has made it this far. Judging the nature of warfare and what Delta Force has to accomplish on their missions, I'd say you have hit upon one of the rare "light" stories.