The team are ordered to infiltrate a KORPS base. It's their most ambitious mission so far. Can they succeed where other MI9 agents have failed ?
"Yes Ma'am," said Dan, taking his key and leaving. He stopped off at the food storage cupboard and hid his things in another cardboard box, before taking it all up to his new accommodation. It felt good to get properly clean and change into clean clothes. "I'm in Room 35," Dan muttered into his comms.
"Good work Dan," murmured Frank's voice in his ear.
Dan returned to the main building and looked for the operations room. He tried his pass card but the door wouldn't open. He stuck the card back in his pocket and was about to knock when the door opened sharply. "Oh, er, I was told to report to Major Moreland," said Dan. An older man wearing a KORPS uniform with banding on the shoulder stood in the doorway staring at him. Dan could have sworn the man looked straight through him and knew everything about him. He mentally shook himself. He really needed to get a grip ! "Sir ?" asked Dan.
"You'd better come in then," said the man stepping back to let him in. Dan stepped through the door. There were several men and women in the room who all turned to stare at him. "What have you been doing since you got here then ?" asked the Major.
"Moving boxes mostly," said Dan. He was sure he heard one of the men sniggering. "Quite a few for Agent Kelsner," he said, absentmindedly rubbing his backside at the memory. The sniggering broke into a full on laugh before being stifled by a glare from the Major.
"I expect it will be a relief to be assigned to Operations then," said the Major dryly. "I feel I should point out that you look a little young for this role," he said, swinging on his heels.
"Uh, yes Sir. I probably do," agreed Dan.
"Hm," said the Major with a small smile. "Can you operate the multi-channel radio ?" asked the Major.
"I think someone might need to run me through it first," said Dan, looking at a console at the side of the room.
The Major clicked his fingers and a woman came over. "Show Agent Carter how to operate the radio. Only once. We'll see how well he picks it up," said the Major.
The woman took Dan over to the radio and handed him the headset. "Put this on," she said. As he lifted it on to his head there was a screaming of feedback from the headset. Dan swiftly pulled his MI9 earpiece out and palmed it. The piercing whistle stopped.
"Wonder what caused that ?" he said out loud. Dan swallowed and put on the headset. The woman looked all round the equipment and then shrugged before running Dan through the operation of the console. He had access to all the comms channels and could contact different teams and listen to their activities. Someone had stuck labels on to the comms channels to indicate which teams were on which channels.
"These channels are changed each day," said the Major, joining them at the console. "Part of your job will be to change the channels to the duty roster for each day. The channels and frequencies are reassigned randomly by the communications team each morning. You have to obtain the new assignments, label the channels accordingly and operate the equipment during your shift. Shifts are rotated every few days. Now, let's see what you can do. Give me access to the Security Perimeter Team !" the man ordered. Dan made the connection and handed the Major a microphone. "Perimeter Team, report !" he ordered. A voice came over the loudspeaker reporting progress on installing the perimeter. It was almost complete. All of the equipment had been installed and they only had to configure the equipment to link up a complete protective field around the site. Dan hoped that Frank was picking this up. He carefully pocketed his earpiece while everyone was listening to the report.
"Good," said the Major, signing off with the Perimeter Team. "Bring up the Comms team !" he ordered. Dan did as he asked and the Major spoke again, "Agent Kelsner ?" he asked.
"Erm, sorry Sir. Agent Kelsner isn't here right now," said Zoe's voice. "I'm Agent Thomson," she said. "Can I help you Sir ?" she asked.
"Hm. She's supposed to be on duty," said the Major, checking his watch. "Do you know the status of the long range communications system ?" he asked.
"No Sir," said Zoe. "Sorry," she added.
"Not your job Agent Thomson," said the Major. "Tell Agent Kelsner I want a report."
"Yes Sir," said Zoe.
Zoe was just completing her last few data entries when the door to the communications room opened. Agent Kelsner came in, patting down her hair. "Any calls ?" she asked.
"Well, an officer called asking for a report on the status of the long range communications system Ma'am," reported Zoe.
Agent Kelsner looked concerned. "Which officer ?" she asked.
"I don't know. He seemed to assume you would know," said Zoe.
"What did you tell him ?" asked Agent Kelsner sharply.
"I said you weren't here Ma'am," said Zoe.
"Good. Be sure to keep your mouth shut and we'll get along just fine," said Agent Kelsner. "I suppose I'd better report to the old geezer then. Girl's allowed to have a little fun in her day, !" she muttered. Zoe kept her head down as the older woman made a call from her station and put in a report on her progress. Zoe could only hear her end of the conversation but it was clear that the woman was getting a ticking off for leaving her post. Finally Agent Kelsner signed off and flung her headset on to the table. "God I hate that nit-picking old swine !" she hissed. "And you can keep that to yourself too hear ?" she snapped at Zoe.
"Yes Ma'am. Er Ma'am I've finished here. Is it alright if I go to eat now ?" asked Zoe.
"What ? Oh yes, I suppose you can," said Agent Kelsner. "I'd better get this finished off now or I'll never hear the last of it. You go !" she ordered.
Zoe left the comms room and headed in the direction of the canteen. On the way she bumped into Aneisha. They smiled at one another. "How was your day ?" asked Zoe.
"Oh fine. Looks like the perimeter will be finished today," said Aneisha.
"That's great. I think most of the communications are in place now too," said Zoe.
The two girls collected their trays of food and went to sit at a table for four. After ten minutes Aniesha saw Dan walking into the room on his own. He collected a tray of food and walked through the room looking for a seat. He spotted the space beside Zoe and Aneisha and asked if the seat was taken. Aneisha waved him into the seat. "Agent Carter," said Aneisha, checking out his name badge. "We're Agents Miller and Thomson. We only just got here," she said.
"Oh, I got here yesterday," said Dan. "Nice to meet you," he added with a smile.
"Guys, are you sure it's a good idea to sit together ?" came Tom's voice over their earpieces.
"I think we're OK," said Aneisha.
"Huh ?" said Dan, looking up in surprise. Aneisha raised her eyebrows at him, and gently rubbed her ear. "Oh ! Sorry. I had to take it out because it caused feedback with the radio system," he explained quietly. He pulled his earpiece out of his pocket and stuffed it into his ear, pretending to scratch a non-existent itch on his neck. "Tom, I can't wear the earpiece in the Control Room," said Dan, apparently inspecting some food on his plate.
"Yes. I nearly got deafened by it too. It's too bad. If that's going to be a problem, then it might not be a good idea to plant a bug in there either," said Tom. "You guys seem to have got yourselves into pretty good positions already. Frank's really pleased. He's just talking to Stella in the other room," said Tom. "Do you want me to get him ?" he asked.
"No, not now," said Zoe. "It's pretty crowded in here isn't it ?" she said to the others.
"Yep. Pretty crowded now. I guess everybody wants to eat," said Aneisha.
"Oh, Okay. Maybe we can speak later when you're in your rooms," said Tom.
"Yes, that's right," agreed Zoe.
"I'm tired. Carrying that equipment up the hill was really hard work. I think I'll go to my room for a rest after dinner," said Aneisha.
"Sounds good," said Dan.
"I'll let Frank know," promised Tom.