Aliens and Security Clearance M7 ATF AU
The members of Team Seven exited the restaurant in their Vegas hotel with an old Navy friend of Chris and Buck's walking with them. Larabee's group were there attending a mandatory seminar. The other man was working not too far from Las Vegas now and had seen the event mentioned online. Remembering that his former SEAL team leader and second-in-command were now agents with the ATF, he'd taken a chance and came to the hotel to find out if they were part of the symposium. Hanging out in the lobby, he'd seen the pair when they left the conference room with the rest of the attendees right at five. The blond and brunet had been happy to find him waiting for them, inviting him to have supper with them after a somewhat boisterous greeting.
Wanting to give the trio some privacy to catch up, the rest of the agents offered to get a different table for the meal. Chris and Buck nodded in appreciation, since that meant they could discuss some of their old missions without having to avoid topics with security issues.
They'd spent almost two hours catching up and reminiscing over the meal. When that was over however, their former teammate said that he'd like to get a little better acquainted with the pair's new team if that was alright. Rather pleased that he was interested and willing to include the other six men, they all headed to one of the nearby bars to have a few drinks. Laughter flowed as the old partner and the new told tales and cracked jokes, all of them tickled to hear stories about Larabee and Wilmington. Most of the SEAL missions were still classified, but during the serious parts of the conversation, the rest of the ATF members did learn that the team had taken out some high-value targets during the time that Larabee had commanded it. They could all tell that JD especially really wanted to ask questions, but realizing that Chris and Buck couldn't answer most of them anyway, he kept the majority of them to himself. He did have a rather awed expression by the time they finished their beverages though, even more impressed with his hero and his 'big brother' than he'd been before. As were the rest, to be honest, though Vin just nodded a few times as if the stories simply verified what he'd already believed. The former Ranger added a few brief experiences of his own without breaking security, the four special warfare/ops members understanding each other without having to actually have details.
When they finally got up, it was almost ten. Hawkins had to be back at work early the next morning and the agents had another full day of seminars, so they said goodbye in the lobby. Chris and Buck shared brief hugs with Dale as they all said how great it was to get a chance to catch up. Inviting each other to visit on vacation or something so they could spend more time together, the blond and brunet watched their former teammate exit the hotel with a casual wave. Since they all had to be up by seven, Larabee's group trouped toward the elevators, chatting as they walked.
Vin leaned over to speak to Ezra in a stage whisper that they all heard.
"Guess we know now why Chris has a security clearance high enough t' see the dead aliens in Area 51, huh?" A blue eye winked at the undercover agent in amused conspiracy.
"My dear Mr. Tanner…if there are dead aliens in Area 51, it's probably because Mr. Larabee put them there." drawled the gambler in his most honeyed accent, emerald eyes flitting to the ice green ones of his boss as he spoke. A grin showed his gold tooth as he continued. "I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that our illustrious leader has the talent to take out anyone or anything in our galaxy or any other."
Chris gave the two younger men a feral smile that was incredibly dangerous looking. "You two might want to remember that. Only I know where the bodies are buried and how they died…" the low voice trailed off in mock warning as dark blond brows bobbed once above the hazel eyes.
The sniper and undercover operative shut up with grins, but the rest of the team failed to heed the warning for a bit longer.
"Wonder if there's any Xenomorphs in there?" asked Josiah with a grin as he glanced at Nathan.
"Reckon there ain't no tellin' what kinda threats Chris and Buck have neutralized over the years." opined the medic with a smirk and a wink.
Chris turned to give his men a Larabee look.
"Boys…unless you wanna join whatever's in there, I suggest you let it drop." murmured their leader softly. There was a hint of a smile on the handsome face, but the voice was fairly serious.
Both men acknowledged the mild glare and shrugged innocently, but they did hush with quick nods of acquiescence.
JD however wandered in front of the group and so missed the warning.
"Those ugly things from 'Aliens' that Hicks and Ripley fought? Cool! Wonder if Chris could get us in to see?"
The only response was a groan from both Larabee and Wilmington, and shaking heads from the others as they exited on their floor. Aliens and security clearance… you never knew what the topics of conversation were going to be with Team Seven!
By DMA