I hope my writer's group likes this at least.
Chapter Four:
August 2, 2100
Tomorrow is the day that will change everything. My whole life has led up to this moment. I will not fail. I will be triumphant in brining hope back to humanity.
…
They spent the day going over plans with the rest of the groups. The West Coast group seemed to be the most laid-back. It was clear to Lindell that the whole group only thought of this as an adventure. She refused to fall into that mentality even as it seemed most of the operation felt the same.
"Technical will be hiding a in truck already on site," Locke said. "We'll drive to the location in sets of five and stop within two miles of the perimeter. If anyone asks, we're stargazing. The facility is supposedly abandoned, so we shouldn't be facing any difficulties."
The Utah group leader, John Fornet was a hardened military figure. He locked eyes with every member of the group. It was slightly unnerving.
"This isn't a campout," he said. "No stories, no fraternization, and no other extracurricular activities. I want everyone of you focused on the mission. I don't care what you believe. I want you prepared to enter the administrative building to get whatever has been hiding there. Is that understood?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Get ready to go," Locke said.
Lindell wondered if she was going to be able to sleep.
Someone tapped her on the shoulder.
"Hey," one of the California group members said with a smile.
Liam Whitter had his long blond hair tied in a ponytail. His expression was eager. In his mid-twenties, Lindell supposed he might appear to be attractive if she liked the company of men.
"You and I are hitting Stairwell B together," he said. "Do you want practice clearing corners?"
"Sure," she said.
He handed her a gun.
"How often have you used these things?" he asked.
"I've handled them most of my career as an agent," she said. "But to actually shoot it, never outside a firing range."
"I killed one person, years ago when I was a rookie," he said. "It scared me senseless."
"I didn't think agents were allowed to be scared," she said.
"Just don't tell your supervisor," he said with a smile.
They walked around the compound clearing angles.
"You're good at this," he said.
"I've read a lot of books," she said.
"Maybe we'll be the ones who get to find what is hiding there," he said.
"Hopefully," she said.
"Either way, this won't be boring."
"Sure," she said.
They finished clearing the area.
"I look forward to working with you tomorrow, Lindell."
"You too," she said.
…
Lindell woke up early in the morning and started prepping meals for her camp. Locke appeared. He looked more serious than usual.
"Hello Agent Lindell," he said pleasantly. "I'm not surprised to see you as the first one up."
"I am ready to see what is in the data center," she said.
"You mean the cure?"
"You don't believe either do you?" Lindell said.
"You are one terrific young agent, Lindell," he said. "Hotchner must have liked the spark she saw in you."
"And my naivete?" she said.
"It's not naive to believe Lindell," he said. "It's refreshing to find someone so mission-focused."
"Thank you."
"Agent Hotchner grew up on stories," he said. "I worked her security detail when she went to New York City. All she would talk about were these agents who apprehended serial killers around the country before the Cataclysm. Hotchner expects the agents of today to be held up to the standards of agents from generations ago."
"But that's not possible is it?" Lindell said.
He shook his head.
"The world has changed a lot over eighty years. We're a little more selfish and a little more intent on self-preservation over the greater good."
"I believe a cure is out there, sir," she said. "If not here, somewhere else. We'll find it and we'll bring hope back to humanity."
"I wish I had your conviction Agent Lindell," he said. "I really do."
He quietly left and Lindell continue to set up meals. Belief was important, even if her own direct superior lacked it.
…
"Everyone in position?" Lock asked over the comms. "Group A?"
"Ready, sir."
"B?"
Whitter checked his gun as Lindell kept watch.
"Locked and loaded sir."
"C?"
"Ready on your signal."
"D?"
"Let's get this party started!"
Lindell could hear Lock sigh through the comm.
"Three, two, one. Proceed."
Lindell and Whitter sprinted to the administration building. They cleared corners and entered through a door where the glass was gone.
"You know you're a sweet little thing," Whitter said.
"Now's not the time for small talk," she said looking around.
"I just thought you'd like to know that," he said.
The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She turned to see Whitter aiming his gun at her. His smile was as broad as ever.
Lindell stared down the barrel and knocked it away as it went off. She grabbed his arm and twisted it around. She used his own gun to shoot him in the back of the head.
"We have a security breach!" she screamed into her comm.
"You better believe it," a Southern group member said aiming his gun at her.
Lindell used what was left of Whitter as a shield. More bullets hit the body as she ran towards the shooting. Screaming, she threw the body at the man and pulled her own gun. A bullet grazed the side of her head as she shot him in the throat.
"You only have four more bullets," Hubert said with his gun aimed at her. "I made sure you didn't have enough to get out of here alive."
"What is here?" she demanded.
"I don't know actually," he said. "But the people paying me and looking after my family think it's worth killing a squadron of agents for."
"It doesn't matter if I die," she said. "Hotchner and her successor will send more agents to find what is here."
"And I'll be there to kill them all," he said. "It really wasn't a pleasure Agent Lindell."
Hubert's head suddenly exploded. Locke appeared. He was bleeding from the stomach.
"I'll fight them off," he said. "Go find what they're trying to hide."
"I can't leave you!" she cried.
"I'm a dead man, Agent Lindell," he said. "Save humanity."
Taking a deep breath, she ran upstairs. More gunfire could be heard. She tried not think about it as she cleared corners.
The most likely spot where something was being hidden was on the fourth floor. Proceeding with caution, she noticed all the computers and chairs were in place. There wasn't any dust or cobwebs. In the center was a large room. The steel door had a combination lock.
Lindell looked around and found a water cooler cup. Cracking safes was one of the first things she learned to do as an agent. It helped with finding things that could be bartered. Holding the cup to her ear against the door, she worked quickly as the sound of gunshots grew louder.
The sound of footsteps could be heard just as she opened the door. She slammed it shut behind her. She looked up and wasn't sure what was looking at.
It wasn't the cure. But it didn't look like a weapon either. Whatever Lindell was looking at was clearly vital to the survival or extinction of mankind.