Your Mission

*I do not speak Russian, but Sang does. So instead of using google translate, I will make a note of when she or any other character speaks in a different tongue*

Sang Sorenson's POV

The sound of my own heartbeat reverberates through my ears. My skin is sticky with sweat after running for nearly four miles straight. My sides ache and my breathing is labored. God, I really hate running. If I have to run one more mile I'm gonna shoot someone. I'm gonna lose control, and shoot someone. I'm bended over with my hands on my knees as I catch my breathe. I see my watch peeking out from the arm of my trench coat, and curse. I'm thirty minutes late for my meeting.

As quietly and stealthily as I can, which is pretty spy worthy I must admit, I look over the corner of the building I'm hiding out behind. When I don't see or hear anyone coming after me I let out a sigh of relief. I take a moment to examine my surroundings. I'm in Moscow, on a street with lamp posts on every once in a while. But, mostly, the area is abandoned and run down. It's midnight, and the stars are shining above me, one of my favorite sights. My wool knit cap is keeping the chill from my ears as the wind whips my hair around me like a tornado. My trench coat is sticking to me uncomfortably because of the sweat and the wind. I just sigh again before looking at the street sign.

I need to be one across the street and in the warehouse I can see from my vantage point. That's where the meeting is taking place. Problem is, if I somehow missed the Italians chasing me then they will definitely see me running across the well lite street. Think Sang, think… I rack my brain for a solution, taping into all the Academy training I've had over the years. I look around at what I have to work with when an idea comes to mind. A slow smile makes its way across my lips as I form a plan. I mean, it will work. Crazy, yes? Unnecessary, probably? Fun, absolutely. Alexei probably would not approve… Looks like I have my plan.

I take off at a sprint, careful to stay in the shadows, as I make my way over to the side of the building. This building looks like old apartments, run down and abandoned ones. The whole building is in shadows, the lamp post not working. I leap into the air and use my foot to push up the side of the wall, grabbing bricks and ledges to navigate my way to the roof. It took a couple minutes to scale the four story building. Now that I'm on the roof, I take the scarf from around my neck and hook it around the telephone line before testing the weight. It holds. I push off the building and zip line down, across the street in total darkness, before landing softly on the warehouse I need to be in. I'm at the back of the building so I enter through the back window by leaning over the edge of the building and sliding in, I then make my way towards the front of the building with a happy smile on my face. This is a pretty large warehouse. Although, I'm surprised no one noticed me slip in. I look around and notice I'm still in the shadows because of the crates everywhere. Still, they should be more aware. What if I was a spy? Or an assassin? Or some homeless woman whose territory they invaded?

I start strutting my way towards the voices when these thoughts hit me. I smile as I hear what is being said towards the entrance of the warehouse. They sound irritated. I grin, I can't help it.

*Conversation and words are in Russian*

"Where is this bird? We have been waiting for an hour Alexei, this is unacceptable." I get closer and see that it is an older man maybe in his forties with greying hair and an impatient look on his face. He is wearing jeans and a black trench coat with military boots. I do not know this man.

"Patience. I'm sure she's on her way. Give her time. She can explain herself when she gets here, Vlad." That voice I do know. Alexei. My contact and handler through the Academy. I have recently decided I do not like him anymore. He gave me a mission a month ago I told him I wasn't prepared for but he was insistent I do it. I needed at least a month of prep, but no. I got two weeks to infiltrate and destroy the Italian drug trafficking ring in Moscow. Hence my running from Italians earlier. Needless to say, it did not go as planned. I found out a week ago it was because he found out I was dating other people, even though we have broken up. I should have known not to date the man who gives me my missions but I was young and stupid. Still am, if I'm honest. Now, Alexei wears black jeans and a large leather jacket to keep warm.

I think I've heard enough. I start humming happily as I skip into the room and do a twirl, "I am here. No need to fear." I can't help the giggle I give as both men startle and spin towards me eyes wide, hands going for the weapons concealed in their holsters.

"Shit! SANG! Where the hell did you come from?! Why didn't you use the front door? And where have you been, we have been here for an hour." By the end of Alexei's questioning he was already coming down and collecting himself. He is used to me popping up out of nowhere, he knows how silent I can be. The other one however, Vlad, is clearly not used to being crept up on. He is still staring at me with wide eyes as I smile and think about Alexei's questions.

"I came from the back of the warehouse. The front was less exciting. And I was late because I was running from the Italians I clearly upset last week." I replied simply as I went to perch on a semi-stable looking crate.

Vlad seems to have gotten over his shock as he responds before Alexei, "So you thought it was a good idea to sneak up on us like that?! What if I had shot you!"

In my opinion, he did not look too put out at the idea of almost shooting me. Men. I sighed before stating simply, "I would have shot you way before you even got your gun out, Vlady." I start swinging my legs as Alexei gives a tired sigh and Vlady, as I have decided to call him, starts sputtering like a fool. I do not think we will be friends either. I find myself joining in on Alexei's sigh.

Before Vlady can collect his tongue, Alexei cuts in. "This is actually what we need to talk about Sang. I don't think the Italians will be letting this go anytime soon. They have already taken… precautions to find you."

This makes my whole body tense, why? I am not sure. But the only thing I can manage is, "Precautions?" At my question, Alexei and Vlady share a loaded glance and start shifting their weight. I know what this means, it means there is something they know that they don't want to tell me. When they break contact I send my spill-your-guts glare at Alexei, knowing he is not immune to my stare.

A moment later I am proven right as he sighs and says something that simply stuns me, "Sang, the Italians have put a bounty on your head. 480,000 euros alive, 240,000 euros dead. I- I'm sorry Sang. You were right, we should have waited, given you more prep time. I just wasn't thinking. I'm sorry." The look he sends me tells me he means it, but my mind is still processing what he just said. Someone put a bounty on my head. Me, Sang Sorenson. People will be looking for me. People who either want to murder me for the Italians euros, or who want to kidnap me for the same reason. What would happen to me if I was brought to them alive? The thought alone sends a shiver down my spine. No. I will not think of that.

Instead I ask, "So what does this mean for me? Or my status? Am I no longer a ghost?" In the Academy there is a term for someone without an identity, no documentation, no photos, no way to connect you to anything or anyone. Someone like me. I have no identification. This, plus my various skill set, has made me very useful to the Academy. But if I have a bounty on my head, then I am no longer a ghost, right? If I am no longer a ghost then of what use am I?

Alexei must sense my increasing panic because he rushes over and holds my shoulders before saying, "No, Sang, stop. You are still a ghost. The bounty is under one of your alias', Elena Soren. Your alias is burned. They cannot find you as long as you are no longer in Moscow, as long as you are as far away as possible right now." His words bring me comfort. If I ignore the fact that he's touching me, my breathing is evening back out. I'm looking at Vlady's curious face as I replay Alexei's words.

"Wait, what do you mean 'as far away as possible'?" I stare up at him from my seat on the crate, completely confused. As far away as possible? From Moscow? Does he mean St. Petersburg? Or further, like Finland? Our the other way, Mongolia? Does the Academy even reach to Mongolia? I don't know. Maybe?

Once again, Alexei brings me out of my own mind. "I mean, Sang, you can't work in Moscow right now. Too many people will be after you. Because of your ghost status, the Academy still wants you to work. In fact they have a case they could use your help on. To help with the case, and get as far away from Moscow as possible, you will have to leave Russia for a little while."

I jump to a standing position, my brain to mouth filter gone, "What do you mean, 'leave Russia'? Where is this mission? What is this mission? Have someone else do it." My breathing is once again labored. At this rate, I will pass out before I get the answers I so desperately need.

"Sang, they need a ghost bird. You are the only ghost bird. You would have gotten called to do the mission anyways, but this way we can get you away from the Italians. This is a good thing, Sang. The American team needs you." While Alexei is talking, I focus on my breathing and latch onto the words 'American team'. In the Academy, girls are considered 'birds' and guys are considered 'dogs'. I have known I was the only ghost bird, but I had always thought there was a ghost dog in America.

Vlady takes this time to put his opinion in, "It will do you good to go to America. It is a lovely place. You will like it."

I do not know why, but that just irritates me so I all but snarl at him, "Mother Russia is a lovely place." But even I can hear the acceptance in my voice, the lack of strength behind my snarl. Because, what choice do I have? Stay here as Elena Soren and run from hitmen and Italians until I am forgotten? Not likely. And this American team needs me. I am The Ghost Bird. I have to do my job. Plus, I do not want to die or be kidnapped. I must go to America.

Alexei must read the acceptance on my face because he turns to Vlady and asks, "When can you fly us to America?" Ah, Vlady must be our pilot. I was wondering why he was here. I knew he was Academy because Alexei was talking to him but I have never seen him before.

When Vlady says he can fly us out at dawn, Alexei tells me to go home and pack only what I need then meet him and Vlady at the address he gives me so we can leave at dawn. I have four hours to get there. "On the plane, I will give you the files of the two teams you will be working with. I do not know the mission yet, we will find out when we get there. There are fourteen members between the two teams, after you are settled I will return here to Moscow to try and get rid of your bounty so you can come home. Do not be late to the plane. See you at dawn Sang."

I nod before leaving to my apartment. I am going to America. And there are fourteen men waiting for me. Maybe someone will give me fruit salad, I think with a small smile.