บท 4: Chapter 2 - Once More, Dear Friends?
September 5, 2017
11.30 pm, London, UK
"This should be my operation, Verruckt." The General says. The room around him poorly lit by an unholy glow of a silhouetted hologram accompanied by a disembodied voice.
"As Chair, I am overruling you." Mad Scientist says, "Vengeance will be mine as I see fit!"
"He is extremely dangerous." The General responds.
"Even nature bows to science and I am the Mad Scientist." Mad Scientist says as he dissolves fading, "Hail Skull Reich!"
"Hail Skull Reich!" The General says as the room falls into darkness. He instinctively rubs his left shoulder, the location of an ancient scar.
The TV coverage of President Pond's granddaughters' abduction continues...
"It has been nearly 36 hours since the abduction of Serena and Mariah Ali, granddaughters of President Gertrude Pond." Jake Wolf reports, "The 20-year old twins were celebrating their birthday at a resort in Cancun, Mexico when contact was lost with their security detail."
"Dr. Linda and Dr. Muhammud Ali issued a joint statement pleading for their daughters' safe return. The White House said they completely trust and rely on the FBI to bring the young women home." Jake continues, "Many people have journeyed to the White House to lay flowers and candles at the front gates to show solidarity with President Pond. Prominent figures and leaders from around the world have publicly condemned the abduction."
"America stands with the first family against such acts of cowardice," Sara Pauline says.
"Don't you view President Pond as your biggest political rival, Sara?" Jake asks.
"Doesn't mean I want harm to befall her family." Sara Pauline says, "It is her presidency I take offense to. It undermines American democracy. A Republican candidate was voted in and so the replacement must be Republican. Her continued administration could be called a state-sanctioned coup d'etat."
"Yet she has done well reversing the damages caused by 45." Jake says, "She resolved the border wall crisis-"
"We need a wall to secure our border and keep out all the illegals!" Sara interrupts, "Look what her softness on immigration has caused. Her own granddaughters are now victims of all that crime down there."
"The majority of illegal immigration is people overstaying their visas." Jake says, "In any case, President Pond is the first female American president and also the oldest serving US president in history."
"Don't get me started on her age." Sara Pauline says, "She should transition to someone younger in the Republican party. Now is her chance to do the honorable thing and invoke the 25th amendment. She should step away from the office and be with her family."
"Sorry to interrupt you Sara but we have a new development." Jake says, "This drone footage from an anonymous source shows the exact moment of the abduction. Viewers at home are warned…"
10 pm, Naval Air Station Key West, US
"We've tracked down the abductors using that drone footage." Nick Jones says while video conferencing with Fire on a desktop from the comfort of his Langley office at the CIA.
"Cartel?" Fire asks. He sits in front of a laptop in a well-lit room.
"Fringe extremist group gone rogue from the cartel, New Aztec." Nick says, "The splinter group call themselves Yao."
"Still no demands?" Fire asks.
"None." Nick Jones responds, "This entire situation smells fishy. I'll bet good money they didn't really know who they were kidnapping."
"The team is itching for my retirement party." Fire says, "So the sooner we rescue the girls the better."
"Alright, alright. Satellites place the group in an abandoned farmhouse in the middle of the woods, about 60 miles West of Cancun. Coordinates and data sent." Nick says, "The dense forest makes satellite scanning difficult but there's a Reaper en route to the region so you should have better information soon."
"We will be airborne in 1 hour," Fire says while skimming through the data Nick just sent, strategizing rescue plots in his head.
"Oh!" Nick says, "Don is reluctantly giving your team a 4 hours head start while the FBI negotiates paperwork with the local authorities."
"Tell Don to have helos standing by." Fire says, "They can clean up after us."
"Will do." Nick Jones says, "Bring everyone back safe, you old fire."
"Over and out, old snake," Fire says, ending the call.
Fire stands, making his way to the door. Pushing it open, he steps into a spacious aircraft hangar. Metallic stairs lead down to the ground floor.
"You are supposed to be on a cruise sailing around the known world." Dr. Kabeer Wong says, standing beside the stairs and facing the door Fire just opened. His glasses shielding his brown eyes. His hair greyed from experience. His brown skin tanned by nature. Although he is shorter than Fire, he maintains steady eye contact.
"Soon doc," Fire responds, lightly holding Dr. Kabeer's right shoulder before walking down the stairs. Fire remarks mentally, He is surprisingly fit for a 75-year old.
"How is your scar?" Dr. Kabeer asks.
Fire stops.
"Still there," Fire says, rotating his left shoulder as if to prove his point, "But a none issue."
"Good. Your last mission was less than a week ago so you all should really be resting." Dr. Kabeer retorts, watching the departing figure.
"Doc, this is the last mission," Fire says, as he resumes his descent.
"Well, as the team's doctor, it's my job to remind you all that you aren't superheroes." Dr. Kabeer shouts, "And I can't keep up with you youngsters. So be careful out there."
"Don't worry doc! We've got the Chief and the Chief has us." Quake, AKA Andrew Ewald, says with a thumbs up. His black on black t-shirt and pants barely hides his bulky muscular build. His dark skin contrasts with his always smiling pearly whites and brown eyes. A short black beard covers his chin and a low haircut covers head. His gloved hands hiding slight burn marks earned as the team's land warfare and explosives specialist. Aged somewhere in his 40s.
"Gather round, Team Six," Fire says as he walks toward a big table with six tablets.
"We should enjoy this beautiful Florida weather while we can," Wave, AKA Chloe Ross, says. Her caramel skin covering her slender build filled with powerful muscles. Her short wet blonde hair swaying as she walks towards the table. She is the team's water warfare specialist. Her piercing blue eyes scanning Quake. Aged somewhere in her 50s but still radiating youthful 30s.
"Perhaps after the rescue. What say you, Aviator?" Spectrum, AKA Simon Wright, says. Light brown skin and eyes. Hands in black gloves. He is the team's communications and technology specialist. Aged somewhere in his 50s.
"Absolutely. Especially with such perfect flying conditions." Aviator, AKA Shawn Sho, says. Unavoidable Asian build with short dark hair and eyes. The team's pilot and aerial warfare specialist. Aged somewhere in his 50s.
Shade, AKA Kaori Takei, nods while a short blade dances in her slender fingers. Her silent entry is unmarked by everyone. Her hood covering her Asian characteristics. She is the team's reconnaissance and assassination specialist. A step away from her 50s although looking vibrant 30s.
This is Team Six. America's best kept secret taskforce filled with extraordinary people. Their physical prowess is rated as above olympian. And, they are all in black on black mission outfits.
"So what's the plan, Chief?" Quake asks.
"Nighttime tree landing about a mile from the enemy base. Shade and Wave will scout the girls' position. The rest of us will form a perimeter and tie up loose ends as we advance. Rescue the girls and exit by helo courtesy of the FBI." Fire says, "Details are on your tablets. Questions?"
"It's a full moon tonight." Aviator asks, "When do we fly?"
"Wheels up in 50 minutes," Fire says.
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