"Blackmail."
Chapter 1
"Prologue."
"Do you understand what you are asked to do?" A strong woman voice asked in a dark room, filled with cigarette smoke. The only thing seen there, was a straight line of moon light that shined through the window above.
"Yes." Another voice answered, this time male. It was a deep baritone one with a strong Australian ascent, peeking through longer sentences. "I just don't know why it 'as to be me." Scratching sounds could be heard, as the man presumably scratched his head. "Our team's got a spook, why not ask 'im?"
"Because the mission is located here." A thin hand with long slender fingers and fingernails painted in the color of purple, appeared in the dim light holding a closed folder.
Another hand joined in, this time a larger, stronger one with palm hiding glove. It took the folder from the female's hand, backed away to the darkness.
Apparently the receiver of the folder has such good eyesight, that he could read what was in the folder, with absolutely no light. Or so was expected from him by the female. "Crikey, that's in the Amazon jungle."
"Correct." The female voice answered, pleased he did not disappoint her. "As you know, Spy isn't the most effective in the wilderness." A circle made of silver smoke appeared in the moonlight. "He'd probably get eaten by animals or stuck in the moving sand, before reaching the destination." She added, sounding quite serious instead of sarcastic.
She couldn't see it, but the man smirked at the image of his fellow colleague being eaten by a large crocodile, that popped in his head.
What can he say? He and the masked spook didn't exactly see eye-to-eye.
"You, on the other hand." She continued, pointed the lit end of her cigarette at the man. "Are a hunter, an experienced wildlife explorer. That place has no secrets from you. So much so, that you can practically call it you're second home." The lady paused. "That's why you're the perfect choice for this mission."
The man nodded. "This mission is labeled "suicide". What make's ya so sure I'll survive?"
The lady smiled in the darkness, not oblivious to the fact that he had highly trained night vision. "Respawn is a wonderful work of technology, and with one positioned inside a cave in the jungle, it will reach you anywhere you are." And before he could ask. "This mission takes absolute priority and needs to be completed at all costs. I don't care about the money."
He nodded.
"Only one question remains." The female leaned closer to him. "Can I count on you, to fulfil the assignment?"
"S'not like I have a say in that matter." He shrugged.
She smiled. "Wise move."
"When do I leave?"
"The transport will be waiting tomorrow morning." Another circle was seen in the moonlight. "Do not tell anybody about the details. Officially you're going on vacation back to Australia."
"Understood." The taller man pulled his hat down as a "goodbye", turned around and began walking towards the door.
"And Sniper." He stopped mid-way and looked across his shoulder. "Do not fail me."
The Australian smiled. "I wouldn't dare."
With that said he left the room.