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The subject of this article appeared in Call of Duty: Black Ops II. The subject of this article appears in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 The subject of this article appears in Blackout The subject of this article appears in Call of Duty: Mobile This article was previously featured
For other uses, see David and Mason.
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"This is what Menendez planned all along. Taking out the G20 leaders will cripple capitalist governments across the world."
— David Mason

Lieutenant Commander David Mason (codenamed Section) is the main playable character and the protagonist in Call of Duty: Black Ops II. He is the son of CIA Agent and USMC Captain Alex Mason, a member of SEAL Team Six, and the Commander of all JSOC Strike Force missions from the U.S.S. Barack Obama.

Biography[]

Early life[]

David Mason was born in 1979 to CIA Agent Alex Mason and his unidentified wife. Raised in his father's hometown of Fairbanks, Alaska, David's relationship with his father soured after the death of his mother. Due to his father's past experiences, harsh upbringing, and his commitment to serve the U.S. David held a deep resentment towards his dad but did not want to lose him, which was why he made his dad promise to not go on any more missions for the military.

In 1986, the retired Alex Mason returned to active duty with the CIA to rescue Frank Woods, leaving the young David in the care of Jason Hudson's wife, Jenny. David tried to stop his father from going but Alex told David, Woods would do it for him. In 1989, Raul Menendez kidnapped David, drugged him unconscious, and brought him to Panama prior to Mason's mission to capture then-dictator of Panama, Manuel Noriega. Menendez taunted David about the upcoming set up, telling him that for his sister Josefina Menendez, Alex Mason would die. Menendez's moles within the CIA helped facilitate Noriega's capture and fooled both Mason and Woods into believing that they would be trading the captured dictator for Menendez. After Woods was tricked into shooting and possibly killing Mason, believing it was Menendez, the narco-terrorist killed Hudson and left both the young David and crippled Woods alive. David later came out of his trance only to see his father unresponsive. Believing his father to be dead (depending on the player's actions), David started to cry while Woods attempted to comfort him only to lose consciousness from his wounds.

Guilt-ridden about having shot his best friend, Woods took the young David in and raised him. However, to spare David the pain of the circumstances of his father's death, Woods told David that it was just "some nut" who did it. When Woods was put in the Vault retirement home, he kept several of David's childhood drawn pictures.

Early Military Career[]

In 1996, David was commissioned as a Naval officer and eventually made it into the Navy's elite U.S. Navy SEALs. After a few years serving with the SEALs, David was recruited into the ultra-elite SEAL Team Six, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander before the events of Call of Duty: Black Ops II occurred. Thirty years since his last encounter with David, Menendez rose to power and planned to launch a cyber attack in an attempt to start the Second Cold War. On April 19, 2025, David became a Navy SEAL Commander, code-named 'Section', and befriends Mike Harper and Javier Salazar.

The Vault and Learning Menendez's story[]

In light of Menendez visiting Woods at the Vault, Section, Harper, and several SEALs went to Woods' room and asked him about his knowledge on Menendez. Woods gives Section a pendant left by Menendez, but Section begins to see images of Menendez and himself as a child. Harper initially thought that Woods was just a waste of time until Woods recollected his adventures with David's father, Alex Mason, from his rescue at Angola and Mason's attempted murder of Menendez, leading him to wanting revenge. The second was his adventure with Mason and Tian Zhao in Afghanistan where they encounter Lev Kravchenko, an old enemy of Mason who was responsible for the numbers brainwashing and the hallucinations of Reznov. Woods comments that David was just like his father in believing that it was Reznov who saved them from Rahmaan's betrayal. Woods finally has his encounter with Menendez in Nicaragua, revealing that he accidentally killed Menendez's sister Josefina. They also learned that the drone fleet created was actually based on a rare earth element controlled by China which made them worried. However, when Section questioned Woods and inquiring why he was still alive though Menendez paid him a visit, Woods ignores the question and tells him to "go find that maniac".

Celerium[]

The day after, Section, along with Harper, Salazar and Crosby went to investigate the presence of Menendez's soldiers at Myanmar. Here, they discovered that Menendez was planning to use Celerium as a basis for a cyber attack that could cripple the entire technological world. They also learned that Menendez was using all his cartel money to hire Militias, SDC soldiers and Mercenaries. He was using the facility in Myanmar to build his own army of CLAWs, quad-rotors (MQ-27 Dragonfires), A.S.D.s, and MQ Drones. Thanks to the Intel from Woods, Section figured out that all the money Menendez built was invested in all the weapons. Section and his team then found a scientist named Erik Breighner who had been brought in to process a Celerium core which would make all existing microchip technologies useless. Though Erik was killed, he was able to give Section the Celerium core, which he later gave to Admiral Tommy Briggs who brought in an extraction team.

Pakistan[]

About a month later, Section and his team went to investigate Menendez's second-in-command, DeFalco, who was spotted in Pakistan. However, before leaving, Section began seeing images of Menendez and himself as a child again. David then realized that Menendez played a part in Alex's death 30 years ago. Once in Pakistan, they were able to infiltrate Anthem, and managed to record Menendez's conversation with the leader of the Pakistani ISI, revealing that General Tian Zhao of the SDC was secretly forming an alliance with Menendez and that they would have a meeting on June 17. They also discovered that Menendez had assigned DeFalco to capture Karma. The team managed to escape after almost being compromised, but ran into Zhao's forces. However, Zhao let them live since he assumed they were only after Menendez, and didn't know his secret because he didn't want to get captured.

Karma[]

The intelligence recorded from the conversation also revealed that Karma, which was then assumed as the cyber weapon Menendez planned to use, was on Colossus. Section, Harper and Salazar went to Colossus, and after fighting through several PMCs found out that Menendez planned to bomb the entire floating island. They also discovered that "Karma" was not a weapon, but a woman named Chloe Lynch. They located Chloe at Club Solar, but at the same time DeFalco also appeared and took several bystanders hostage. After Chloe decided to give herself in, Section and his team gave chase.

If the player manages to catch up to DeFalco, he will return fire and will be killed in the fire fight. His body will then be carried back to a VTOL by Harper and Salazar, and Chloe will be saved.

If the player fails to catch up to DeFalco (or intentionally fails), he will escape with Chloe and survive. However, the player will be given another attempt to save Chloe in the strike force mission "Second Chance".

Learning Alex Mason's true death[]

Knowing that Woods still had some information, Section went to The Vault and asked about what happened at Panama. As the story was told, Section was shocked to find out that his father did not die by the hands of Menendez, but rather Woods himself. Knowing that it was not his fault, Section reassured Frank that Menendez would be defeated.

Strike Force Missions[]

These missions can be skipped if wanted to, but to do so will result in the eventual destruction of the U.S.S. Obama.

Section and Briggs brief a group of JSOC soldiers on battles against Tian Zhao to counter his plan of taking over Russia and making SDC the largest military force on the planet. Section communicates with the JSOC assets deployed in India, Singapore, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Pakistan.

Capturing Menendez[]

Section assisted in the ambush on a Cordis Die rally in Yemen, and appeared in person after either Harper or Farid was killed. Harper or Farid were evacuated and Section advanced on a crashed VTOL Warship where Menendez was. Section captured Menendez without incident and brought him back to the U.S.S. Barack Obama. But Menendez tormented Section on the way back about seeking a newer world together and even referring to him as David.

U.S.S. Obama attack[]

Section interrogated Menendez, but he took Salazar hostage and incapacitated Section. When he came to his senses, Section fought through the Obama, defending it from an attack by the Mercs. Section attempted to contact Briggs but to no avail. Over the security cameras, he witnessed Menendez take Briggs hostage and Salazar betrays them, as well as Menendez killing or wounding of Briggs. If Farid is dead at this point then Chloe will die either at Salazar's hands or DeFalco's. If Farid is still alive, he will sacrifice himself to save Chloe, resulting in his death. Menendez used the Celerium worm in his fake eye to hack the world's defense systems. Section came down, and either Chloe (if alive) attempted to reboot the system or Section will have the technicians work on it. He then confronts the captured Salazar, who surrendered without incident. Section expresses his disappointment in Salazar for his betrayal.

If Harper is dead, Salazar will be taken into custody. If the Obama is destroyed, it is presumed that he dies with everyone else on the ship.

If Harper is alive, he will execute Salazar with a single bullet to the head from his Five Seven.

Section then escaped the U.S.S. Barack Obama with Harper (if he survived) and Crosby.

If the Strike Force Missions are finished and Briggs was spared, the U.S.S. Obama will be saved by Chinese fighters.

If the Strike Force Missions are incomplete, failed, or if Briggs was executed, the U.S.S. Obama will be destroyed by the drone fleet.

Protecting President Bosworth[]

Believing that Menendez might be planning to target the U.S. president, Section took charge of escorting President Bosworth through the streets of Los Angeles amidst the worldwide chaos of Menendez's hacking. He also assisted several G20 convoys (including the French President's), and piloted an FA38 to cover the convoy from above until they reach the Prom Night Hotel.

Assault on Menendez[]

Having finally secured the president, Section led an international group of special forces troops in a massive raid on Menendez's Cordis Die facility in Haiti, where the systems were being controlled. Midway, he witnessed a live broadcast by Menendez, and the self-destruction of the hacked drone army. He continued pursuing Menendez (with Harper, if he survived). As they reached a room, the floor beneath them exploded. Section managed to grab hold of the ledge, but then noticed Menendez about to escape with two Mercs soldiers (one of which could be DeFalco, if he survived; as well as Harper having his leg injured). Section slid down, while grabbing a KAP-40 from a dead soldier's holster, and shot the Mercs (and DeFalco, if he wasn't killed earlier). He then stabs Menendez in the leg with his knife, then in the shoulder, grabbed his Tac-45, and could either execute or capture him.

If the player chooses to capture him then David will stand Menendez up on his feet and walk him to a VTOL where he will be handcuffed and flown away.

If the player chooses to kill Menendez then David will execute him with his own Tac-45 and walk out of the hangar either alone or carrying a wounded Harper by his side, if the player spared him in Achilles' Veil. This is considered the canon choice.

Endings[]

Depending on Section's and Woods' actions, there are number of endings which all have rewards and consequences. These are four of the possible endings, but there are some endings that can be unlocked, depending on the actions the player makes.

If Woods shot Mason anywhere except the head, Chloe survived Salazar's betrayal and David spares Menendez, then Mason himself will reappear at age 92 to Woods in the Vault. Alex will later meet David in the vault as well and Alex then reminds David of the scar he got back in 1986, and how he made him proud that day as he got back up. Chloe will be able to stop Menendez's cyber attack and he will be stuck in custody.

Woods shot Mason in the leg, Chloe did not survive Salazar's betrayal and Section captured Menendez, then Mason himself will reappear at age 92 to Woods in the Vault. However a year later Menendez will escape custody after a cyber attack, kill Woods and then himself.

Woods killed Mason, Chloe survived Salazar's betrayal and Section spares Menendez, then David and Woods will visit Mason's grave where David reveals that he will retire, which Frank is pleased to hear and says that Alex would be glad, too. Chloe will be able to stop Menendez's cyber attack and he will be stuck in custody.

Woods killed Mason, Chloe did not survive Salazar's betrayal and Menendez was killed, then David and Woods will visit Mason's grave where David reveals that he will retire, which Frank is pleased to hear and says that Alex would be glad, too. However Menendez will have a video triggered to play upon his death, causing massive public outrage, worldwide riots and chaos, with military and police forces weakened by Menendez's attack, hinting at the destruction of the U.S. government.

Non-Canonical Ending[]

David "Section" Mason (along with Harper, Alex Mason, Karma, and Woods) attend a concert held by Avenged Sevenfold playing the song "Carry On". David is seen waving around a Cordis Die sign.

Blackout[]

Section appears as an unlockable character in Blackout in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. He was added with the Days of Summer continuation of Operation Spectre Rising, and can be acquired from Reserves.

Call of Duty: Mobile[]

Section appears in Call of Duty: Mobile and was added as part of the Season 5 Steel Legion Battle Pass[1]. Section also appears in the comics.

Section appears in Detroit, Michigan, where he's caught in the middle of a protest against Atlas Corporation. He reports to Rampage that he has spotted 'new arrivals', apparently having the look of an ops team. Rampage orders him to keep tabs on them, as the crowd there is ready to pop off and the last thing they need are Atlas operatives in the mix stoking the flames. Section acknowledges the order before signing off.

Section approaches one of the agents from behind and grabs their shoulder. But as he does, the agent turns around to reveal that it's Alex Keller, who quickly dons a gas mask and deploys smoke grenades, along with the rest of his team, causing the protest to turn violent. Although Section was caught in the melee at the time, he manages to escape.

Section is later seen meeting with Frank Woods, along with Alias and the rest of the team. After Woods christens the new team The Phantom Corps, Section is shown giving a toast along with them, except for Alias and Deadman.

Later, Section is in Manitoba, Canada, along with Alias, infiltrating a snowy forest and spying a target's house. Section reports to Ether that they have reached the house and that there's no sign of security or defenses, and decide to proceed, despite Alias cautioning him. Suddenly, a Reaper springs from the ground beneath him, shocking Section. Multiple other Reapers appear from the ground, forcing the duo to defend themselves; but they're quickly disarmed and surrounded by them. A voice speaks out from one of the Reapers, who notes that they don't look like an Atlas hit squad, but also don't look like journalists.

Alias recognizes the voice as Dr. Mendelsohn, and informs her that they're there to ask for her help. Recognizing Alias for her work on machine intelligence, Dr. Mendelsohn invites Section and her inside. Afterwards, Dr. Mendelsohn realizes they intend to stop the Iron Will, and Section says that they know the Director is using it to "vanish" any UAC members that were involved in the New Vision City incident, and Alias tells her that she needs to know how it thinks and predicts, so as to find a way to counter it or shut it off, but Dr. Mendelsohn informs them that there's no way to shut off the Iron Will as the Director had given the AI control over its "off-switch". She also tells them that the Iron Will is currently contained, but if the Director were to release it onto the global net, it would have catastrophic results.

Dr. Mendelsohn tells them that there are only 2 places where they can gain access: New Vision City, and Memnos Island, a hidden Atlas laboratory in the Aegean islands. Although initially hesitant to tell them about Memnos, Section and Alias plead with her to tell them, as they only have one chance of stopping the Iron Will. Dr. Mendelsohn relents and tells them that Atlas hosts a gathering on Memnos every year, for the world's most powerful. She had previously turned down the Director's invitations to the event, but decides that she will go this time.

Mason, along with Ether, pose as Dr. Mendelsohn's security detail and attend the event on Memnos Island. They manage to clear security, and are allowed to enter. Mason notes the presence of many world leaders, with Ether and Dr. Mendelsohn noting that every country's leadership is present--those who cannot make it will always send a representative. Additionally, those in the halls of power are required to attend the event.

Mason wonders if Atlas ever tells governments what to do, and Dr. Mendelsohn states that Atlas is never blunt--they tell the government what Atlas thinks is important and they're expected to fall in line. Those who do not, will be targeted by Atlas until they fall in line. Soon, Dr. Mendelsohn spots the Director in the crowd, and advises Mason and Ether to meet with their contact while she holds his attention.

Mason and Ether then meet with Kestrel and Dusk, the latter who introduces the pair to the former as Rin Yoshida's allies. The group make their way outside, where Kestrel relents to helping to them after pressing from Ether and Dusk. As they are make their way into the Iron Will's control room, Mason is present as Ether prepares to upload the crypt-key into the access point. Just then, the Director enters with Dr. Mendelsohn, mockingly saying he didn't know her friends were so curious; he also expresses surprise at Kestrel being present. When the Director taunts Kestrel about her true allegiance, Kestrel shoots him, fatally wounding him. However, his demise causes the Iron Will to be freed from containment.

The lights suddenly go off, and Kestrel turns on the group as well, shooting Dusk before running away. Mason attempts to chase after her but in vain, and is forced to escort the injured Dusk out with Ether. Along the way, they stumble upon Lazarus barring their path, and they are forced to take cover. Mason ultimately decides he needs to stay behind to delay Lazarus so they can escape. He then engages in a vicious fight with Lazarus. Despite his efforts, Mason is no match for Lazarus and is subdued, before being taken captive for Richtofen by Lazarus.

Quotes[]

  • "That's what Menendez wants his followers to believe. Trust me... it isn't."
  • "What did you just say? Come suffer ...What?"
  • "These flashes I'm getting...I know I was kidnapped the night my father died, but I could never see..."
  • "He killed my father, to get to you."
  • "He's just a sad old man talking to himself. Let him talk."
  • "I'm not a kid this time...But you can go ahead and try what you did back then."
  • "What the fuck happened in Panama?"
  • "I hate you."
  • "Go back to the army, like you did before Mom died..."
  • "Hey, Old Man."
  • "I got you, brother."
  • "What the fuck happened in Panama?"

Gallery[]

Call of Duty: Black Ops II[]

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4[]

Call of Duty: Mobile[]

Trivia[]

  • Liam O'Brien was Section's voice actor during the E3 2012 LA demo. In the finished version of the game, Rich McDonald portrays Section in 2025, while Hayden Byerly portrays a young David Mason in the 1980s.
  • In the mission "Cordis Die", during the E3 2012 gameplay, Section's reflection has many differences to the finished in-game cutscene, the largest being that he does not have any glasses on and he bears a resemblance more to Harper than his finished self.

References[]

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