"There's been an attempt."
I was sitting in the staff lounge with my brother, Thomas, when the head of the department walked in with a new assignment folder.
"Was it an ambassador? Oh! I know! It was the president of some foreign country here on vacation!" Thomas and his beloved sarcasm.
"Wrong on both counts. It's a well known musician. Three guesses as to who."
"Sir, no disrespect but I joined this organization to help people with political influence, not some musician that can't handle the heat."
"Ata, this is your assignment to share with Thomas. You will be going undercover. None of the musician's, their friends or family can know who you are and why you are there. You will begin tomorrow and stay as long as needed. Become their friends, protect them. That is your assignment." the department head handed us each a folder.
"Who's the target?" Thomas started to open the folder.
"A band called The Jonas Brothers. You are to protect all three of the band mates."
"The who?" I was perplexed. Being an operative creates a fairly sheltered musical life.
"The Jonas Brothers," My brother was laughing, "you know the new trainees? The Jonas Brothers is the band they are always wailing about."
"Those whiny, preteen, obnoxious voices they continuously play in their rooms?" Great this was going to be a fun assignment. Hurrah for sarcasm.
"You will keep those opinions to yourself Ata. Befriend them no matter the cost. Do your job." The head walked out of the room with a curt salute.
"Well Tom, shall we pack?"
"Race ya." Thomas bolted out of the lounge to the barracks with me close on his heels.