Under Orders -set 6 months after brief analysis. They are IMFs top team, which is why Ethan is struggling to understand their new mission. It is a mission that will have a huge fallout that will leave them wondering if they can trust the agency that they are all dedicated to working for.
Characters from Ghost protocol
The top team in IMF, Ethan was not a man to get an over inflated ego, yet he acknowledged that it felt good. They'd been together almost 6 months now and had taken down many of the worlds worst .
Another mission was over and they'd all gone their own ways again. Taking a moment to reflect on each of them Ethan found himself smiling. Benji was the wizard tech who would never shut up.
He'd also become a firm friend in a business where sometimes having friendships was not wise.
Jane, elegant, beautiful and quite capable of kicking his butt. He felt sad that she was still alone . But he also knew how difficult relationships were for agents.
Brandt, the former guilt ridden analyst had morphed into a competent efficient agent.
He also was the one that challenged Ethan the most . If he thought a plan would not work, he'd stand his ground and say so, often loudly. But he was also totally reliable and would help carry out any plan no matter what his feelings were.
He was proud of them all. Sitting back in his chair Ethan switched on the television
"The visit of Premier Halin Mulun is still the topic of conversation at the white house tonight", the reporter stated.
No wonder Ethan thought, this man had been an enemy for a long time. The handler of one of the most well known spies in the world, the man known only as 'the betrayer". He was a legend in IMF, selling the countries secrets, exposing some of their top agents and always getting away. Ethan had only just joined IMF when the betrayer had been at his peek. He remembered the pain of losing the man who'd trained him to the spy. He'd lived in hope that one day he'd get the opportunity to take out the betrayer. But it had been age that had caught up with the man first. When one of the betrayers missions had failed because he no longer moved as quickly it was rumoured that the enemy considered him to be a liability. To prevent himself being taken out the betrayer had trained a successor. With the 'protege' at his side the betrayer had once again become a major threat.
Ethan had been awaiting the mission that would send him after these men. But that too was not to be because while he'd been busy saving the country from nuclear war another IMF team had taken out both the betrayer and his protégé. They had unfortunately all lost their lives in the process. But the mission had still be deemed a success as it had paved the way for Mulun to seek a peaceful relationship with the country that had been his sworn enemy. Now the man responsible for several horrific atrosities was on his way to the States. Many people were of course outraged by the mans visit. But if the countries did declare peace it would put the end to years of death. It was only because of this that the visit was allowed.
The talks would usher in a new era that would mean IMF would have one less in enemy.
As if thoughts of the IMF had conjured them up, his phone beaped. He sighed, another mission was pending, perhaps things didn't change in the world after all.
Making his way to the meeting site Ethan was surprised to be met by the new secretary of IMF Harold Denver. "Good morning Mr Secretary", Ethan greeted politely. "Good morning agent Hunt. I must say that I am very pleased with the recent efforts of your team". Ethan knew praise was rare in IMF and smiled, "thank you sir". Denver did not smile in return keeping his face smooth and devoid of any emotion. "I have a new mission for all of you. One that I am insistant that you do accept".
That was definitely not usual procedure but Ethan guessed that something serious must have happened and IMF needed the top team on the mission.
"Go on sir", he prompted. Denver said nothing more just handing over another phone. Ethan pressed the button that would give him access to the information. He found his voice going dry as he listened.
"Sir, I don't understand", he stated. "It is not necessary for you to understand agent Hunt, it is just necessary that you obey. That is your mission and instructions for your team. You all must follow them or suffer the consequences." It was put so bluntly that Ethan found a wave of anger rising within him. He didn't have the personal connection with this man that he'd held with the former secretary. He figured that meant he could dislike the man. Denver was still his boss though and he held his tongue just going an extra fierce glare of disapproval.
The secretary just held his gaze not flincing in the slightest. "Consequences ", Ethan pressed, "what are you telling me, sir", he left a long pause before adding the 'sir'. Denver obviously noticed because he growled, "if you do not accept your missions then I will ask for your resignations from IMF. "You will then all be disavowed".
It was harsh and Ethan found himself swallowing painfully. He had given years to the IMF and could not just walk away like that. He became convinced there must be something the secretary was not telling him. Whatever it was it was important and meant he must obey. So Ethan took the phone. "Carry out your mission",was Denver's parting comment as he exited the car.
Making his way to a quiet bar Ethan made the call that would summon his team. Their reactions would be like his ,absolutely hating what they were ordered to do.
He waited until one by one they came. As usual Benji was the first to arrive. His eyes twinkling he sat himself down next to Ethan. Already he was exited like some little kid awaiting candy. Well this candy was going to leave a sour taste. Then came Jane, dressed casually in jeans but still looking impeccable. She gave his hand a warm squeeze then sat on his other side.
Lastly came Brandt who slipped quietly into the chair at the far side. He was well attuned to the moods of his agents and noted that Brandt seemed restlessless and distracted. His eyes were not on them but roved the room, flitting over the large screen television where they where still talking about Mulin to rest on a woman. Looking at her Ethan could understand Brandt's interest. But he needed the mans attention so he risked slapping his hand. Brandt's gaze immediately switched and he looked rather embarrassed. Okay now onto his report, brace yourself Ethan.
"I have just met with the secretary and been given new missions for all of you", he told them. He had tried hard to keep the disapproval from his voice but it must have seeped out because Benji raised his eyebrows almost to the top of his face. Throwing over new phones Ethan watched as they all read their briefs. Of course Benji was the first to say something, "is this for real", he muttered.
Ethan just nodded not trusting himself to speak. Jane threw down her phone, "I don't understand", she stated. Brandt had turned rather pale as he read what was on his phone but had yet to make a comment. But Ethan knew what he'd be thinking.
"The secretary has told us that we must accept our missions or be forced out of IMF', he told them the stinker. "Forced out", Benji's voice dripped disbelief. .
Jane looked over at Ethan, "have we all got similar missions", she asked.
Ethan nodded. Jane looked at each one of her colleagues slowly, "we are the top team in IMF but this mission makes it seem like we have done something IMF does not like. Why else would they do this"
Benji looked at his phone, "so you have all been sidelined as well, he asked wanting to clarify this painful information.
Nodding Jane dropped her phone hard, "I am being sent into recruiting where I will work mentoring other female agents".
"At least that is better than being sent to Alaska", Benji spat forcefully. "They are putting me back behind a desk", Brandt coughed out. "I thought I was doing alright as a field agent". His doubts were back again and Ethan reassured him by saying, "you are doing better than alright".
"It is happening to me as well I am basically being giving a job in a classroom", Ethan told them with definite anger in his voice.
"Why",Benji pressed. "Why is this happening to us". Ethan shook his head, " I don't know Benji but we have not been given a choice. Though to sooth things somewhat the secretary did say it was only temporary".
"Temporary, I'll probably be an icicle after just a few weeks in Alsaka" , Benji moaned.
Ethan could hear how much they hated this so decided to share his theory. "I would say something important is going on guys. But we are not being told what it is." "Let's just carry out our assignments and hope this is over soon", he suggested.
They all reached reluctantly for the phones.
Four weeks later
Buzz, Jane picked up her phone and looked at the message. Moving out of the classroom she slowly walked to her car and climbed inside. Activating her GPS she made her way to the location.
Stepping out of the car she regarded the factory in front of her. To everyone who passed it would seem like a normal factory, a place where every day they would produce boring rubber dog chew toys.
But of course that was not what this place was. Jane began to shake and could not suppress the tears that began to fall from her eyes. She knew what this place represented.
Walking through the factory floor she could hardly focus on the rubber bones that passed along the conveyer belt, her eyes were on that door. She didn't want to open it , but knew she had to.
It opened slowly shutting out the noise of machines. Behind the door was a square box and Jane pushed the button to open it up. Then she entered her code. The door in front of her opened.
Jane stayed outside for a few seconds before reluctantly moving forward to enter the room.
The cold immediately assailed her ,chilling her through. She stopped as she caught site of what she dreaded to see, "no", the words slipped out of stuttering lips.
On stiffened feet she inched closer to the sheet covered form. This place was the holding centre for agents who had died. IMF fabricated an explaination for their loved ones and hid any obvious violent death injuries before releasing the bodies. Once you left here you were an agent no longer ,disavowed it would be as though your life as an agent had never existed.
There was only one reason for her to be here and that was what was crippling her now.
A man approached, "he's over there agent Carter. You know the drill say good bye then walk away".
Looking over at where he pointed Jane saw another white sheeted form. Tears were falling fast now as reaction hit. They'd all been fine last time she'd heard. All of them bored in their new jobs but alive.
Only now that had changed. Jane approached the bed and stared at the white sheet. Which one of the three men of her team was lying there. She heard footsteps behind her and knew that two others were joining her. She could not look behind her to see who it was, her eyes were on that white sheet. Her hand wrapped around the edges of it gently. They were feeling stiff ,frozen not wanting to lift. This should not have happened, none of them had been working in the field.
So why was one of them now lying there dead. With a quick steadying breath Jane lifted the sheet.
