Another!
A few days later, Stryker had the team gathered in a large conference room.
"I have a new mission." Stryker started. "Banks, James, Wade, and Zero, I want you on it." He explained. He passed Scarlett the file first.
It was an assassination mission of a lesser well known African political leader. He was visiting New York for a peace conference.
James, Wade, and Zero nodded.
"Stealth or public?" Banks asked.
Everyone turned to her.
Stryker smiled at her question. "Whatever gets the job done." He replied. "You leave at 21:00."
Without another word, Stryker left.
Scarlett glanced quickly at the clock on the wall. It was 7:30PM, or 19:30.
"I say two on the ground, sniper on a roof, and one nearby to intercept if needed." Scarlett spoke up, passing the file along.
"Sounds fine to me." James answered for the group.
"Good. I'll be the sniper. Wade, you can intercept if we need you." Scarlett ordered.
Wade huffed.
"Glad you all agree." Scarlett stood up, and then left the room.
She walked down the halls alone and to her and James's room. She changed into her black jumpsuit and put on her favorite pair of high heels. She braided her hair, letting hang over one shoulder. She emerged a few minutes later and went on her way to the Armory. Zero was already there.
"Are you sure that's practical?" He asked in reference to Scarlett's outfit.
"Do you have a problem with it?" Scarlett asked, turning to him and putting one hand on her hip. She raised her eyebrow.
"No, no." The corner of Zero's mouth curled up a little.
"Good." Scarlett turned back to the wall and table full of weapons in front of her. She pulled a SIG and a holster and strapped it around her waist. She put an extra clip on her belt. She went down the line and pulled a Winchester sniper off the wall. She attached a strap and slung the rifle over her shoulder. She pulled two clips from the wall and put those on her belt as well.
"I'll be on the jet." Scarlett said to Zero as she moved to leave.
"Hey." Zero held her arm.
Scarlett looked up at him.
"Be safe." He warned lovingly.
"You, too." Scarlett answered. She stood on her toes and gave Zero a quick kiss.
Then, she left.
Scarlett sat in the first seat from the front on the left side. She waited for everyone else to come. Soon, they all filed in. James sat next to Scarlett, apparently on a silent mission to keep Wade away from her. But, Wade sat right across from her, polishing his swords. Zero settled in the cockpit and readied the jet for takeoff.
Scarlett watched James hold on to the seat arms tightly as the jet lurched into the air.
"You get airsick?" Scarlett asked as the jet evened out, reaching its cruising altitude.
"More or less." James replied, still holding on tight to the seat.
Scarlett fished around in a pocket of hers. She pulled out a gold-wrapped candy. "Here." She held it out for James.
"What is it." He asked gruffly.
"Ginger chew. Helps with the imbalance and whatever." She held it out more forcefully.
James looked at it for a moment. Then he grabbed the candy, unwrapped it, and started chewing. Scarlett saw his hands relax on the seat arms.
Within a few minutes, Zero announced to the cabin that they were close and were going to land soon.
The jet didn't land as smoothly as James would prefer, but he managed to make it off the jet in one piece, motivated by a smirk on Scarlett's face. There was an SUV parked on the tarmac by the jet. Wade drove, since he would stay in there to intercept if needed. Scarlett and Zero took the time to check their guns once more, while James just stared out the window, trying to get his land legs back.
"Alright." Scarlett spoke up as she, Zero, and James exited the car. "The target should be leaving this hotel within the next hour. I'll set up on that roof. Zero, James, stay on the street corner. Wade, be a block back." She ordered, pointing everything out as she went. Zero and James nodded, Wade huffed and drove away.
"Comms on." She ordered.
Everyone was connected.
"I'll have an eye on you two." She commented. "I'll have your backs." She said, walking away.
"But what if you don't?" Wade asked through the comms.
"Oh, but I do." Scarlett answered, going invisible.
Zero and James made their way to the street corner, hiding in the shadows so they were out of view. Wade parked the car, crossing his arms and leaning back into the seat.
Scarlett levitated up to her roof and set up her rifle.
The team waited patiently and silently until their target emerged from the hotel, flanked by several bodyguards.
"Target in sight. I don't have a clean shot." Scarlett said over the comms. "Once I fire on a bodyguard, all hell is going to break loose."
"We're coming." Zero replied. "Heading in now." He and James were on their way down the street to the hotel.
"Firing in 3... 2... 1..." Scarlett squeezed the trigger and the shot rang true. The bullet landed in the middle of the center bodyguard's forehead. He collapsed.
Scarlett reloaded and took aim. Several guards had covered the target with their bodies, others had pulled out weapons, looking for the shooter.
Zero and James had made it, and each already took out a guard. One wrapped a forearm around Zero's neck.
Scarlett fired again. The guard on Zero fell to the ground, dead. Zero continued fending off the guards.
James unleashed his bone claws, slashing anyone who got in their way.
"Do you guys need help? I'm ready, you know. Just give me the signal." Wade said through the comms.
"No." Scarlett bluntly replied, firing again.
"Are you sure? Because I-" Wade was cut off.
Scarlett had shut her comm off.
She breathed in the chaotic silence. She reloaded and aimed.
Zero and James were trying to clear a path for Scarlett so she had a clear shot to the target. She watched through her scope as the target and two of his guards tried to quickly usher him into his armored vehicle, to safety.
Scarlett breathed in and fired. She pulled the bolt back on the rifle, letting the shell jump free. She exhaled. She blinked once.
She turned her comm back on.
"Nice shot." James commented.
The target lay on the sidewalk, feet from safety.
Scarlett gathered the remnants of her mission. "I'm coming down." She went invisible and hovered back down to the ground.
Zero snapped the neck of the last guard. "Let's go." He commanded.
Scarlett nodded and the group disappeared into the night.
Review please!