Codenames M7 ATF AU
The members of the ATF's Team Seven were all gathered in the bullpen as they got ready to leave for a bust. Each of the talented agents were checking their weapons and other gear, Vin Tanner carefully putting his sniper rifle back together after cleaning it. Leader Chris Larabee was loading a couple of spare clips for his 9mm and backup automatic Colt .45. Nathan Jackson was checking his medical kit, adding a few extra bandages and such. While he was technically their forensics expert, he was also the medic, and these men needed one too often for comfort sometimes. Buck Wilmington, the explosives' expert, had just finished going through the stuff in a large duffle, since the warehouse they would be raiding had been confirmed by an informant to hold blasting powder and Semtex along with stolen arms and ammunition. Josiah Sanchez was laying out protective vests and other items for each of the men. JD Dunne, their electronics tech started around the room handing out small communication devices. Buck looked up when he took his.
"So, what are we usin'? Just numbers to identify us or somethin' else?"
Larabee glanced at Dunne. "Doesn't matter to me. We do need to be careful, since our informant said that Jenkins keeps a scanner on all the time."
Dark hair swayed as the smaller brunet passed the SAC his com unit. The blond settled the device securely as the kid moved on to the sharpshooter.
"I picked code names for us this time." offered JD.
The others paused to glance at him with inquiring expressions.
"I used old west descriptions for each of us that Jenkins won't recognize. For example, Chris is 'Gunfighter' and Vin is 'Tracker' since he's as good at reading sign as he is with a rifle."
Buck looked interested. "What's my code name, Kid?"
"Ladies' Man".
The tall brunet smiled and ran a gloved finger over his hidden mustache as he preened a bit.
"Guess it suits me."
Ezra rolled his eyes and mimicked one of JD's favorite phrases. "Ya think?"
It was rather surprising if you didn't know him well how the southern accent disappeared and the undercover agent realistically impersonated the eastern tones of the younger agent.
The chestnut haired man then waved the explosives tech to silence. "And what appellation did you choose for me, Mr. Dunne?"
With a bob of his eyebrows, JD said "Gambler".
Ezra's lips curved up in a wide grin. "I approve. In fact, if I were to magically be transported to the old west, I believe I would be able to make a satisfactory living plying the cards and tempting lady luck."
"Thought ya don't believe in luck, Ez?" Vin picked at his friend.
"Only when she favors me, my friend. And I am a good enough player, that she almost always favors me if I want her to."
Nathan now motioned for the others to hush. "What'd you pick for me, JD?"
"Healer"
The medic nodded in approval.
Josiah craned his head to see around Jackson's broad shoulder as he looked at their youngest.
"That leaves me, John Daniel."
"Well, you were a priest, Josiah, so I picked 'Preacher' for you."
Nathan nodded and smiled. "And he can get all 'Old Testament' when he's mad."
The big profiler gave one of his toothy grins. "Don't know that it's deserved spiritually, but it does fit psychologically."
Buck looked at the younger man and flicked at the hair that was falling down into the computer tech's eyes.
"What'd ya pick for yourself, Kid? Bat Masterson? Kid Curry?"
"Billy the Kid?" Vin added with a grin.
JD shook his head and answered seriously. "Easterner"
When the rest of the team looked at him questioningly, he shrugged. "I wanted to be the gunfighter, but that's obviously Chris."
Wilmington nudged him when he paused. "Go on Kid."
"Well, anyway, I'm good with a gun, but Chris is the best, so he's obviously the gunfighter. Vin is the best with a rifle and at reading sign, so he's either the sharpshooter or the tracker. Buck has the ladies' man image sewn up, and Ezra loves poker and usually wins, so he's the gambler. I don't know much medicine, so I can't be the healer, and I'm sure not as spiritual as Josiah, so I figured that left the newcomer to the west. You know how in most every western there's the easterner who comes to town and has to learn the ways of the west. I didn't want to call myself the 'Dude', so I picked the 'Easterner'. And, while it's not glamorous, it kinda fits. You guys took a geek kid from back east and let him move to Denver and be a part of your team. You've all taken me under your wing, as Buck says, and taught me more than I ever dreamed possible about being a lawman, an agent, and an honorable person. I wanted to show that I realized what you've done for me."
There was silence for a moment when Dunne finished. The other men looked quietly at each other and nodded. The 'Kid' had indeed grown into a good agent and an honorable man. And a fairly astute one, apparently. Buck turned and surreptitiously wiped at his eye with one finger.
Chris stood as JD finished speaking, and he moved up to clasp the younger man's shoulder. The tech looked up at his hero and Chris nodded approvingly at him. "You've learned well, JD. We're all proud of you."
The kid beamed at the praise. "Thanks, Chris."
Looking around, the lean blond gave a smirk. "Alright boys. JD did good, so let's go make use of those code names and take down some bad guys!"
"Sure thing, Gunfighter." "Let's round 'em all up like old time peacemakers", etc. answered him as they grabbed their gear and headed for the door. The suspects would soon find out why the 'Gunfighter', 'Tracker', 'Ladies' Man', 'Gambler', 'Healer', 'Preacher', and 'Easterner' were collectively known as The Magnificent Seven!
By DMA