We all had been informed that there was going to be a new member joining the ongoing mission. Jack had briefed us on it sometime last week, but now on the arrival day, as I sat alone with my research and lab all the details felt groggy. It's not that I didn't care or listen, it was just that my job and people's lives demanded that my mind was elsewhere. Besides, I'm sure the new guy will be just fine with or without my help, they were chosen to join an overwatch mission after all.
So, even now as I was glancing over the memo I saw the obvious protocols and procedures along with the scheduled introduction events, nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing that truly required my attention. Jotting down the scheduled times I thought about how Jack believed that this soldier may give us the needed edge over Talon and more specifically Reyes. He was so worked up about our next encounter with the former pal and even more so with how Reyes had nearly destroyed Lena's chronal accelerator in the last fight. What if we can't figure this out in time? What if we are just bringing another person into harm's way?
"Hey Doc," A cheerful voice chirped my way, breaking the plaguing thoughts. "Do you want some company to the front bay?" Lena asked as her familiar face peeked through the doorway of my office plastered with her signature lighthearted smile.
"It can't be that time already!" I panicked thinking about all I had to do before the first meeting.
"You betcha! Starts in ten minutes." She reminded me as I ran to grab the black tablet and glasses from the cluttered metal-framed desk hiding away in the corner. "Didn't you get the memo?"
"Huh?" I inquired, feeling slightly guilty at the fact that I had zoned into my thoughts about how to best rearrange the rest of my day. If Jack had moved up the meeting everything else scheduled was most likely to happen right after the group introduction and briefing, meaning goodbye to my scarce free time tonight. With having a job so demanding you learn to expect nothing less, free time is barely part of my vocabulary anymore.
"Jack sent out a memo about the new schedule, funny how he always ends up doing that huh love?" She asked as she leaned up against the door frame taking in my nervous rush as I huffed out in response.
Leave it to Jack to overthrow my whole day yet again. I mean come on what could I possibly have that is more important right? Thank heavens for Lena if it wasn't for the cheeky brit I wouldn't have made it to the meeting at all! Tossing on my lab coat and snagging my now cold coffee I headed her way watching as her golden-brown eyes lit up in excitement. She always loved meeting new people, she said it brightens up the group by bringing something new around. I always hated it. It always meant risking another life.
As we strode towards the bay doors Lena talked about how she was sure she had overheard that the new guy was a flyer, which was great for tactics, but worse for me. It was hard enough to keep everyone on the ground alive especially without one of them being in the air. Don't get me wrong, I agree that sometimes it is what we need and I always love having Hana by our side, but it can be tough. Especially now with two.
Sadly, not many knew much of the newcomer. Soon we rounded the corner and the wide-open doors came into view revealing an already packed bay. I guess we were late to the party.
"About time you two showed, I was just about to come to get you!" Winston called out as we came through the doors.
"Oh, I would have loved that, Mate!" Lena exclaimed blinking to hug the old friend as if we didn't see him nearly every day. I couldn't help but chuckle at the loving friends.
Glancing around I spotted the rest of the crew all formed on the far side of the bay where the jet was found just barely peeking out. Torb stood talking vibrantly with his hands much to the group's amusement as I immediately picked out Jack's aged hair and scowl as Hana and Lucio laughed at his displeasure in the conversation. It must be a hell of a conversation if Jack was so openly showing his disapproval in front of the new guy.
Luckily though when we had put out our emergency call for allies nearly two months ago Hana and Lucio had immediately come to our aid. Without them, we would have never made it this far in one piece and Jack knew it. It's why he had softened his authority, he was trying to welcome the outsiders in his unique soldier way. After all, we owed them our lives.
"Your mom was an amazing soldier," Jack said his voice carrying my way as I strode towards the group.
Everyone slowly came into view as I placed the new guy. He was on the farthest side of the group so all I could make out were his black combat boots and dark-washed jeans. Armor clung to his chiseled calves, knees, and thighs to showcase his overall muscular legs. While his stance and physique disclosed his military experience. Only soldiers held themselves that way, they were trained to. However, before I could make it over to them and meet the new soldier Jack caught my eye and quickly departed in my direction.
"Angela I apologize, but I need you over in medical. Bridgette is coming in with a mild injury, possibly a break." He said as he closed the gap between us quickly, always staying efficient. "Torb said she called and it's nothing serious, but better to handle it quickly. We'll need her to man the fort while we are gone."
"Jack, don't you think she's a little young?"
"She's all we've got, we need all hands on deck for the next drop."
Sadly, he was right and we all knew it. We had no choice, but to leave it to Athena and a clever eighteen-year-old.
"Then I better make sure to train her-"
"Already scheduled with Winston at 1500." He said cutting me off. Glancing down at my watch I realized I had less than an hour.
"Well, I better get moving then. Give the new guy my regards."
With a quick nod from Jack, I parted ways heading for the giant bay entrance, letting Lena know on my way out. She was saddened to lose her company, but overall happy to hear Brig was okay and in good hands. After she wished me luck with the moody teen I sighed in relief as I headed for the lab.