Chapter 4

"You know this is a mission, not a damn costume party."

Sequoia looked at Merrick as she finished putting the last of her paint on. She moved her head like an inquisitive puppy would and replied, "I know." Her response was calm and in normal cases it was to diffuse a situation. Here it seemed to make Merrick more annoyed with her. "This is a war face," she added as she pointed to her face.

Hesh had been listening to the entire conversation and watched her work. She hadn't said a word to him beyond what was necessary but she was animated with Logan; a good show to the point that he was on her bad side. It had been that way the entire time it took to get down to Caracas and plan the assault. The tension was felt and thick enough to be cut with a knife. He took a look at the work she did on her face and was surprised to find that he didn't have a problem with it.

The top half of her face was painted black like a mask including her forehead. Above her brows were thin strips of white like feathers and on her cheek twin dark red lines on each one like the Fed's blood that hit her on the face when they first met. The whole picture made her look intimidating and scary and was better than any Ghost mask. Her dark hair had been swept back into a single braid that was coiled into a knot on the back of her head. It was a badass look.

Logan was watching the whole thing as well and he caught his brother looking and nudged him, "Say something, bro."

"Why me?"

"You want to stay on her bad side? I know you're pissed about it."

Pissed wasn't exactly the word Hesh would use to describe the conditions of the past few days. Functional may be the correct word since they did work together but it was hardly pleasant at least between him and her. With Logan she was nicer and even gave him tips. Merrick groused and grumbled and she was polite. Keegan, it was a quiet acceptance and of course Elias conversed with her like he did him and Logan. It was just different with them.

It wasn't like she made it easy to get on her good side in the first place. It was like she was determined to keep him down no matter what he did. It was like she found fault with everything and while it wasn't hatred, it was more… he had no idea. He went with the best thing and was polite with her but didn't expect anything beyond politeness in return. Maybe the right word was clinical. Either way he was stubborn enough to take it but… he really didn't like it.

"Hesh," Logan said and motioned towards where Merrick and Sequoia were having a standoff.

Hesh sighed, "Like it's gonna do anything."

"You'd be surprised."

Hesh shot his little brother a look akin to the idea that it would be a cold day in hell before that would happen. Then again he probably was in hell. He made a noise and walked over before a potential fistfight started and he was willing to bet that Sequoia would win. She certainly looked fierce enough. He cleared his throat and said, "It's not that bad."

If looks could kill, Merrick's would. Hesh stood his ground and reaffirmed his opinion, "It's not bad. It looks like a… ghost."

Logan heard what Hesh said and almost wanted to laugh out loud. His brother looked uncomfortable saying it and he had one person glaring at him and the other was looking at him like he had gone off the deep end. He looked down but managed to catch a glimpse at Keegan who was also trying hard not to laugh.

"That was the effect I was going for," Sequoia's soft tones broke the silence. "Inspiration by the Ghost Dancers of the Sioux and we are warriors too." She slowly gave an almost sly smile in the direction of Merrick. "You would look good in this though I think the bottom half in red better reflects your temper."

"Fine." Merrick walked away muttering about her being a pain in the ass.

"Do you like pressing people's buttons?"

Sequoia had been watching Merrick storm off when she heard Hesh's question. She turned to see his face covered in camo paint and it made his green eyes stand out more. They were actually a nice color and he wasn't bad per se. She had observed him with Riley when he wasn't looking and when he spoke to his brother. It was just… "Only because I know it pisses him off and I hardly made a good impression when I gave him a black eye. Why?"

"You can be nice. You are nice when you are."

It was lame and awkward and Hesh knew it. He could hear Logan laughing at him in silent laughter. It was a surprise though when she replied, "You are too."

"Thanks?"

"You're welcome."

It was rather abrupt when she pivoted on her heel and went back to checking her gear. Hesh stared for a moment trying to figure out what had just happened. He looked over at Logan who merely shrugged his shoulders and went back to what he was doing. Hesh didn't bother looking at anyone else. He shuffled on his feet and said, "I bet you'll scare them good… Hawk."

Sequoia paused just a moment when she heard her name. It sounded nice coming from him when it was devoid of any contempt. Actually he had always been polite after their initial conversation but it just sounded different this time and she liked it. Her lip twitched in a slight smile and she continued finishing her prep. She had her gear on and was ready to go except for one last thing.

It was one weapon that sort of increased the rumors of how scary she was to people. It certainly lent credence to romanticized versions of the Old West. It wasn't a traditional weapon but she had learned how to use it from her father and had this one made specifically for her. She ran her fingers along the grain of the wood of the handle up to the bladed part. Her thumb traced the sharpened edge with practice long honed since she first held one.

"That's not standard issue."

Sequoia turned to see Keegan standing close. She figured he was checking to make sure that she was ready to go since she was causing a slight delay. She held it up and moved it like she was playing with it. "This? Not really but it comes in handy."

Keegan studied her. He had been since he set her feet on the chopper. He didn't even mind that she had bopped him a good one on the nose. He liked the fact that she hadn't taken their rescue at face value. He thought she had good instincts about her just for doing that and the fact that she didn't flinch at Merrick's temper… She would do all right as a Ghost. He pointed at her weapon, "Do you know how to use it?"

Sequoia looked at Keegan and saw the dare in his eyes. She twitched her lips into a grin. "Care for a demonstration?"

Keegan gestured that she was to have a go. He pointed at her target. "Be my guest."

"This isn't kid's play," she countered as she moved to get into position. "I'm already in trouble with Merrick."

"He just doesn't like it that you got the drop on him," Keegan replied with a slight shake of his head. "It's been a long time since anyone has been able to do that. And especially from someone who doesn't hold the Ghosts in awe."

"I didn't know you guys," Sequoia replied as she stood in a loose but firm stance. She was ready to throw but she wasn't going to if she didn't have the green light here. Out in the field it was anything goes. "Ask the Walker boys about how I was ready to shoot them when we came face to face."

"Would you shoot a member of your own side?"

Sequoia felt her lip twitch involuntarily. She held her weapon by the head between her first and middle fingers. Her throat convulsed as she looked at nothing in particular. In a low voice that matched the appearance of her face, "If they were not who they said they were, then I would. I did it before."

Keegan looked at her. "You did?"

"Ask the captain," Sequoia replied. She flipped her weapon in her hand and put it on its slot on her belt. "He was the one that sent me on the mission that I discovered it." She looked at the door and the clock. "We should get moving."

Keegan watched as she started heading towards the door. It made him all the more curious about her. He was also wary about what she had said. Considering that, he could surmise that she would kill Rorke because he was hunting Ghosts, betraying them to the Federation. But he also got that she was a person and one who wasn't a coldhearted killer.

Turning he motioned for Hesh and Logan to come along as he followed Sequoia to their ride into Caracas. He watched as the younger Walker immediately approached her followed by his brother. He was going to join them when a hand was placed on his shoulder. He turned to see that it was Elias and he turned to wait for last minute instructions.

Elias looked at Keegan and said, "It's true. I sent Echo Team on a mission and they uncovered a traitor."

"So she killed him?"

"Yes and it was after nearly losing the recon team because of the traitor."

Keegan realized what Elias was saying. "So she was the one that…"

"She did what she had to do Keegan. You can trust that she will watch your back to the end."

The fireworks exploded over the night sky filling it with bright colors of red, yellow, green… it was a celebration after all. The city of Caracas was lit up below and the buildings had their lights on for the evening. It was like how the cities in No Man's Land looked like at night before ODIN destroyed them. Down below people were celebrating because it was Federation Day. Yes there was a lot to celebrate.

Sequoia was kneeling from her position on the roof and scanning the landscape in front of her. She was mostly staring at the building across from them; it was the target building where they were going to catch Victor Ramos, the man who knew where to find Rorke. She had been that way for the past thirty minutes and waiting. That was the patience tester.

Hesh had been keeping watch from his post but also been watching Sequoia. Once she had taken position, she hadn't moved. She looked like a still statue staring into the night. Even Keegan had moved a little but she hadn't. She was just kneeling with perfect balance with one arm resting on her knee and the other was dangling that it almost touched the ground she was kneeling on. Every single muscle was taut and still. He couldn't help but admire it and…

A slight elbow from Logan had Hesh looking at his brother. He glared at Logan and his brother smirked as he turned to look at the building they were going to hit once they confirmed Ramos was there. Hesh scowled and turned back to his lookout but he couldn't help but look at Sequoia. She still hadn't moved and it looked like she could sit there for hours.

"He's right on time," Keegan said as he looked overhead at the aircraft inbound to their target building. He jumped down from his position to get a better look. "Time to earn the mask," he said as he pulled his on over his face. He turned to look overhead and follow the inbound helicopters towards the building.

"Maybe some don't need one," Hesh murmured as he got himself ready as he glanced in her direction.

"Chopper's landing, confirm visual ID," Keegan said as he nudged Logan. Scarecrow, this is Six-Two. Prepare to receive optical feed.

Logan put on his optic scanner and zoomed in to look and ID their target. They had to make sure he was there or this trip was going to be a bust. He focused on a door into the building to make sure his settings were good.

Copy Actual. Receiving transmission. Cleaning up the signal. Wait until he is facing you.

"Our target's on the roof dead ahead. We need to ID him," Keegan said.

Sequoia was looking straight ahead and she narrowed her eyes. Her focus was on the chopper that had landed and spotting their man. She said, "Focus on the chopper Logan." She was looking in that direction and then said, "Grey suit, glasses. Focus on him."

Hesh looked at her and she was still on her position looking at the rooftop. How the hell did she know that? Could she even see from that distance? He didn't think so and figured that it was all for show.

Target confirmed. Mission is a go.

"I guess you do have the eyes of a hawk, Hawk," Logan said as he lowered his optic scanner and put it away. He looked over at Sequoia who was looking at him and they shared a grin. He then looked at his brother who was looking like he did earlier before they shipped out.

Sequoia grinned at Logan and finally she moved from her position and leapt down to down the group. She replied, "I guess my name is good for something." She gave a friendly pat before turning to notice Hesh staring at her. "It's just being able to observe."

Keegan wanted to laugh but didn't. He shook his head though to indicate he had noticed. He found it a little creepy that she was able to be still for so long. He almost mistook her for a statue at one point. It had him wonder exactly what she did on her missions with her old team. He replied, "Hard copy, Scarecrow. Six-Two out." Toward the group he said, "Set up your launchers and check your chutes for exfil."

Sequoia went to the launcher she had set up and cracked the case. To her left was Hesh setting up his line and to her right was Logan. It made for an interesting thought that was gone the moment it caught fire. She brushed it off as she made sure her chute was good along with the emergency chute. The plan seemed a little more exciting than what she had been on but she was willing to tough it out.

"Your strap," Hesh's voice came in on her left.

Sequoia turned and caught Hesh adjusting one of her straps that had twisted. She hadn't noticed it and probably wouldn't have. Maybe she would have felt the chaffing later but it still wasn't a big deal. Still she let him fix it and said, "Wouldn't have been a bother."

"Maybe not now but later," Hesh replied as he finished. He looked at her full on not really expecting anything from her.

"Thanks, Hesh," she replied and she turned back to make sure the launcher was set.

"You're welcome Hawk," Hesh replied to her back and went to set up his own launcher. She wasn't ignoring him or being rude but just accepting it. It was different from her 'bad side' as Logan put it but he couldn't help but feel that she was treating him differently from the others. The obvious was his brother.

"Fire your lines kids," Keegan was saying to get them going.

It was funny to think how noisy the equipment could be when they fired their lines. The upside was that no one was going to be looking up and if they did, no one would notice. The other upside was the fact that the fireworks in the sky plus the noise below would cover up any noise the equipment made. It was just a funny thought as Sequoia hooked up to her line, took a breath and ran to the edge of the building and leapt off to rappel down.

It was quite a thrill to feel the wind in her face as she continued her course towards the target building. She could feel the shorter locks of her dark hair tickling her ears as she moved forward. She glanced over to see Hesh looking like he was trying to gain momentum and Logan looked like a kid going surfing at Santa Monica. Keegan was the only one that looked like this was routine for him. For her it would never get old.

"Three. Two. One. Detach," Keegan gave the go.

Sequoia reached for her rig and followed through. This was even better than running and jumping off a building. It certainly was a fantasy of something like Tarzan swinging through the trees as her weight and momentum carried her forward. She crouched her body into a ball and readied her feet. The thump against the wall as the balls of her feet touched had her want to giggle like a girl as she let the balls of her feet absorb the impact and she bounced a little.

There was a slight crunch and she looked to see Logan bouncing to get to the wall. She could make out a crack in the glass. When he looked up he had a sheepish grin on his face. It caused her to give a grin in return and a slight shake of her head. She adjusted her feet and still was on the balls of her feet and ready to move on Keegan's orders. Time to get down to business. She flipped her rifle to a ready position.

Line secure. Let's move down.

Bouncing on the balls of her feet, Sequoia rappelled down to the next floor and got to appreciatively watch as Logan took out tangos in the rooms in his range. She adjusted and didn't make a sound as she looked on the level they were at.

Targets down. We're clear. Move to the next floor.

Sequoia moved down almost on tip toe. It was not the conventional way of rappelling down but she found that it was quiet to her and she could move like she would on the ground. She peered through the glass and said, "More enemies below."

Hold your fire.

Sequoia looked up to see that Hesh was not too far from her and he was peering to get a good look. She had a couple in her sights and she readied her rifle and waited for the green light. She heard Keegan say that he had three at the poker table. She angles her body and was able to see them clearly. Interesting angle but she could make the shot.

Left side. One in the kitchen. One on the way.

She looked at Hesh's direction. Well that made the odds interesting. She looked up to find that Hesh was staring at her again. She didn't know why except the possibility that he was trying to throw her off her game. Fat chance of that happening.

Shift left. Hesh, Hawk, hit the kitchen first. Wait until he's in the kitchen then take them both out.

Sequoia felt her lip twitch as she brought up her rifle and followed Hesh as they shifted. She got into position and asked, "Do you want to catch him with his pants down?" She meant if he wanted the one that was looking for chow.

Hesh felt his lip twitch in a near smile. "Only if you take out the latecomer."

"Roger that," she replied as she readied her gun. She spotted her target walking into the kitchen.

"On you," Hesh said.

Sequoia wrapped her finger around the trigger. She aimed right for the head and steadied her breathing until it was like she wasn't breathing at all. She squeezed and felt the gun kick. All that was in front was a hole in the glass and the hostile was down. She glanced over to see Hesh's bogey down. "Nice," she commented.

Got movement in the center.

Sequoia shifted and followed Logan and Keegan back over. Movement with the poker players. She studied their body language and it looked like someone wasn't playing fair. She had her sights on the far right.

Alright you three, smoke these guys.

"I got far right," Sequoia let Logan and Hesh know as she shifted on the balls of her feet to steady herself. She took the initiative and fired first and it was followed by Hesh and Logan and their shots. They never saw it coming.

"Clear," Hesh called.

Keep it moving.

Sequoia was tempted to reply with a salute. She didn't though and proceeded to move with the others down to the control center floor. The lights were on but the funny thing is that they wouldn't be noticed. No one would have expected them to rappel down the side of a building to infiltrate. That was one of the perks in special ops.

Control center is on this floor.

That was the cue to ready to enter. Grabbing the torch from her belt she cut the glass creating a yellow circle big enough to fly through. It was quick and fast and she was flying into the building, the glass landing in huge chunks on the ground. She had her line detached and rifle up and ready covering Hesh while Logan covered Keegan.

Power system in the back. Let's go.

It was a silent jaunt as Logan followed Keegan and Sequoia followed Hesh. Hesh didn't have much to complain about since she was covering his six. It just unnerved him that she could move that quietly even with all her equipment on. He did hear her say, "Relax. If you were an enemy, you'd be dead before now."

"So this is a step up."

"No. Distinction."

Hesh shook his head as he went to do what he had to do. This was going to be a long mission and Logan hadn't even killed the lights yet. He could almost hear Logan laughing at him and was tempted to just tell him to shut up.

A/N: First mission and already seems like things might be getting exciting... or not. Stay tuned for more There Are No Coincidences...