Flying across the Atlantic Ocean and through the clouds above is the C-147B Paladin, the mobile HQ of the Fourth Echelon. Commanding the ship and the operations taking place is the famous Splinter Cell, Sam Fisher. Once served as a Splinter Cell for Third Echelon until many incidents and events took place. President Caldwell made Sam Fisher the ship's commander during the operations with the Blacklist. Sam worked along with his fellow members, including his long time ally Anna Grimsdottir, his fellow field operative Issac Briggs, his tech expert Charlie Cole, and his captive and useful asset Andriy Kobin. After years of commanding the team, Sam was getting closer to retirement. He plans on giving away his role as commander to Grim but is in need of another Splinter Cell to take field operations with Briggs.
Today was the day he was given some new recruits. Few were Splinter Cells and Mercenaries. He didn't find the mercenaries necessary unless they were sent to assault or distract enemies on the field. These are elite operatives and he was told by Caldwell that it was hard for any soldier around the world to kill these men. Sam was only looking for members. Not an army. But if this is what's necessary for the team, then Sam would have to accept.
Sam took a look at the recruits. The mercenaries were big and strong and the spies are quick and quiet. But none of them would be able to take on Sam, even if he was alone. He didn't think they would be trusted enough to command the team since he had a feeling that one of them would get killed which is a good reason why Grim should take the role and not another Splinter Cell.
Sam went across the Cargo Bay and notice two unusual recruits. These two seem slightly smaller or shorter than the rest of the recruits. They seem young, too. They seemed around their early twenties. The others were around their early thirties. One was a spy and the other was a mercenary.
"You two look a little young for elites," he said to them.
"Graduated early, sir," the mercenary said.
"That doesn't say a thing until you prove me otherwise."
"Understood, Sir."
"What's your name kid?"
The mercenary looked at Sam with a confused look. But then answered,
"Argus. . . sir?"
"Is that a code name or your real name?"
"My real name, Sir."
"Good enough." Sam turns to the young Splinter Cell standing across next to the Mercenary. "How about you? You seem to be interested in my kind of work."
"Archie, Sir," the young Splinter Cell said.
"Fitting."
"Uh. . . fitting, Sir?"
"Fitting until you get older. Sounds like a name for a teenager."
"Affirmative."
Sam walks back in front of the recruits and announces to them, "Alright. You men can join. Just make sure you do as I say or you're out of the plane. Is that clear?"
"Yes Sir!" they all respond.
Sam walks away back into the command room to talk with Grim.
"Grim, I didn't ask for eight men, I asked for two."
"It was the President's call, Sam. She needed more members to keep Fourth Echelon running."
"This plane doesn't have enough room for eight more men. Was this even necessary?"
"As far as I could tell. No other Splinter Cell is like you, Sam."
The Paladin has receives some sort of distress signal coming from the cold edges of Green Land. Sam signals the ship to head for that location and find the distress signal source. It was about time the ship had some action. Just in time to test these new recruits and see which one can take Sam's place once he retires.