Chapter Two


“Makes no sense.” Ash mumbled as she came from the female locker room fully suited in a black uniform like the rest of the team that were already gathered. It was a medium sized room with a long bench on one side and opposite that were a series of lockers with each members’ names on it. However there was a long bar stretched across them that was secured with a single padlock. The rest of the team were already in the room, Jeff and Jacob sitting on the bench and Hansel casually pacing the floor with his usual smile.

“Most of our missions don’t make much sense Ash. Don’t make a big deal out of it.” Jeff sighed.

“Well they sure as hell make more sense than this one.” She pressed. “He should have at least asked that we look over the files before accepting. We may be government paid but we aren’t government owned, we can turn down any mission we don’t like, and I don’t like this one.”

“You need to trust Raiken more.” Hansel grinned. “He’s very capable and he’s never stirred us wrong before.”

“Where the hell is Daniel?” Jeff mumbled.

“Well I don’t know anything about him so I can’t just trust everything he says like the rest of you.” Ash went on. “Jeff, Cop. Hansel, Security guard. Jacob, Defect Soldier. Arthur, Hacker. Daniel, Weapons store owner.” She finished pointing at the young man who had just walked in. “Why is it that I can pull out files on everyone of you and yet when I look for his I find nothing earlier than five years ago?”

“Pre-mission jitters?” The man named Daniel asked holding out both his hands forward and shaking them in a trembling motion with a bright grin on his face.

Ash grunted and took a seat on the bench.

Hansel laughed. “Good morning Daniel, sleep well?”

“Oh yes I slept great.” He answered in his Finnish accent letting out a laugh as well.
“That’s good to know.” Jeff grumbled. “Always late aren’t we Danny?”

“Sorry met someone interesting while at lunch and lost track of the time.” Daniel grinned in embarrassment. He was a medium built man with misty blue eyes and short sharp brown hair that laid lazily on his head.

Daniel Storme was weapons expert in the force but he was also an expert marksman and went out on some field missions as well. He was originally from Finland but left five years earlier after completing his basic military training to open up a hunting store. He’d entered many shooting competitions and his marksmanship was considered astounding. He’d been spotted by one of the heads and offered a job. He’d accepted enthused by the fact that he’d be able to come into contact with many types of weapons as it seemed to be a high interest of his.

“So what class is this one?” Daniel asked as he unlocked the padlock.

“Class A, Rank 4.” Hansel hummed as he opened his locker.

“Oh really?” Daniel mused. “Means you get to choose your own tools.”
“Yep” Jeff chipped in as he pulled out a pair of magnum colts and stuck them in holsters on either side, then pulled out an old six shooter magnum.

“I wish I could come on this mission.” Daniel lamented. “I’ve been wanting a use of that new automatic.”

“Probably best not to have such big guns for this mission though.” Hansel said as he pulled out an Uzi.

Jacob pulled out a pair of nickel plated .45 colts.

“I wouldn’t mind. I am a bit bored.” Daniel admitted. “Very few people to speak to since Rand was Transferred.”

“Don’t worry we have a new recruit coming in today.” Hansel said cheerily after pulling out a pair of Berettas and closing his locker.

“Tyler Larson.” Daniel informed. “I’m assigned to show him the ropes.”

“See?” Hansel chuckled.

“Yes but new recruits can be a pain.” Daniel sighed. “They even complain about my accent.”

“Oh don’t let the one bad experience with ole Ash dampen your spirits ole boy.” Jeff commented as he slammed his locker shut.

“Hardy har. Be careful you don’t have to pick up your teeth Jeff ole boy.” Ash added slamming her locker and tucking a .9mm in her holster.

“Feisty as ever.” Daniel commented with a grin as he took a duffel bag and began loading it with extra clips.

The door from opened and Arashi walked in his footsteps finding the room suddenly quiet as he moved over to his locker. He pulled out a pair of black dessert eagles lined with sliver and he also took out an Uzi.

“Good Afternoon Daniel.” Arashi said with a friendly smile.

“Good Afternoon Mr. Raiken.” Daniel grinned as Jacob took the duffel bag from his hands.

“How’ve you been?” Arashi asked as he quietly clicked his locker shut.

“Oh not much different, just the usual.” Daniel replied. “But that’s a good thing though.”

“Well if it’s good then I’m glad to hear it.” Arashi responded.

“How have you been yourself?” Daniel put back at him.

Taking life a day at a time.” Arashi chuckled before turning away from his locker and speaking to the rest of the team. “Three minutes, let’s go.”
He headed to the door as the rest of the team filed in behind him.

“Don’t rain down chaos while we’re out Storme.” Jeff commented as he followed after Arashi.

“Later Danny.” Hansel grinned.

“See ya.” Ash waved idly.

Jacob nodded as he passed him and went out the door.

Outside the morning sun sat high up in the sky spreading its warmth over the SQUAD base. The flat concrete surface was warm from the constant presence of the morning sun. Arthur led Janus onto the roof where the helicopter was grounded. Beyond the roof of the main building where they were stood a decently sized compound. The main building was actually a part of a larger building which went right around the compound, however this section stood higher than the rest which was three stories only versus the main’s five stories. The building followed the square lining of the fence however on the inside of the large square was an open field about three acres. There closed away from the rest of the world were some of the basic training grounds.

Arthur led Janus over toward an unmarked helicopter and opened the door to the co-pilot seat and offered to help him up, Janus refused and pulled himself in. After going around Arthur got into the pilot’s seat and began flipping the switches until the propellers began spinning and the hum of the engines showed that the copter was still in working condition. The blades of the propeller spun slowly getting faster, from a gentle whisk to a stronger slice until they were going so fast the noise forced Arthur to shout his question.

“So how long have you been with the FBI Mr. Sterlin?” He asked as friendly as he could while shouting.

Janus turned his head his way and though he still wore his shades Arthur could feel the demeaning look through them as he responded. “Unnecessary intel.”

“Yeah…” Arthur trailed off as he felt the sting of the response. “Right.”

“How long does it take your team to get ready It’s been Eight minutes already.” Janus asked though there was no real impatience in his tone.

For a moment Arthur had the urge to shoot his cold response right back at him be decided it wasn’t worth it. “Arashi said ten minutes, sir.” The last sir had a certain bit of unfriendliness to it.

Janus hardly seemed bothered by it, if he had noticed at all. His attention was instead caught by the door that led up to the roof which swung open and saw the team filing out unto the sunbathed rooftop. Arashi led the way as they made their way over to the chopper. Pulling the door open they all climbed in and took a seat inside. They all put on headset and stored away the bags they brought.

“Alright radio test.” Arthur said into the microphone of his headset. “Cyhper testing, do you read me Atomic?”

“Roger.” Jeff responded.

“Night Cry?”

“Roger.” Jacob replied.

“Fracture?”

“Roger.” Ash grunted.

“Skittles?”

“Roger.” Hansel answered.

“X?”

“Roger.” Arashi.

“I can’t see how radio testing is going to help if all radio communication is jammed on the inside.” Ash spoke up.

“Well it is standard.” Hansel answered. “Besides when we get rid of the jammer then I’m sure the radios will be handy.”

“Feh, I doubt it.” Ash huffed. “If they’ve captured a communications jammer I think they’ll guard it to the last man. My guess is by the time we turn it on the mission will be about over.”

“It’s all just standard procedure Ash, chill out already.” Jeff said a little annoyed as he adjusted his glasses.

“Arthur we’re ready for lift off.” Arashi said finally.

“Roger that sir.” Arthur said as he turned back to the controls.

“Here you go Mr. Raiken.” Janus said passing around a black briefcase. “The remaining information is in this case, I trust you will find it useful.”

“Thank you Mr. Sterlin.” Arashi said as he took the case and rested it in his lap.

“Alright, we have lift off.” Arthur announced as the Chopper jerked off the ground and slowly rose in the bright noonday sky.

Arashi had passed out files from the briefcase and much of the forty minute flight was spent reading and reviewing the files.

“And if you look to your left.” Arthur aid suddenly breaking the silence. “You’ll see the quiet little town of Tarent.”

The rest of the members peered out the side of the helicopter window at the town now appearing below. It was typical of what you’d expect from a small town. From where they were they could make out grocery stores and a single hospital. There was a school which looked like the elementary school as it had a playground and another not too far away which was the High School by all indications. But with all they saw there was still something missing.

“Where are the people?” Ash was the first to prompt this question.

“They are in the town hall over there.” Janus said pointing to a large building. “There is a meeting being held about what’s happening up at the facility.”

“Still I probably wouldn’t have gone to some dumb meeting, everyone can’t have gone.” Jeff Grunted.

‘It was made mandatory.” Janus said coldly.

Jacob looked away from the window and across to Arashi who nodded at him before looking back down at his papers. A couple minutes later and Arthur spoke again.

“Attention all passengers we’re going down, it was nice knowing you.” He chuckled.

“You swerve this helicopter like the last time and I’ll but you head first out the window.” Ash warned.

“Kill joy.” Jeff laughed as Arthur slowly and carefully brought the helicopter down.
They’d landed near a small white outpost by the fence of the facility. It was a large desert area and the dry dirt kicked up every time the wind made its way past. There was a single man dressed in army clothing sitting in the outpost and a vehicle parked up behind it. There was a large mesh fence running almost as far as he eye could see behind the outpost and the gate was left open.

“Well here we are. One mile from sight as requested.” Arthur sighed. “Guess I’ll see you guys in a few hours.”

“Cheer up.” Hansel said slapping Arthur on the back. “I’m sure you’ll come along on the next mission.”

“Yeah, whenever that is.” Arthur laughed dryly.

“Well people here we are. We’ll go over what we’ve gathered so far on the drive up to the main building.” Arashi began. “Now it’s time for use to move out.”