"Volk." With a sharp tongue, her reply was curt. "This intel is nice and all, but I'm not seeing why I should risk the lives of my men just to 'rescue' this defecting scientist."

Commander Reeves ran her fingers through her hair, well, lack of hair. "With the intel regarding Durga, how heavily guarded this scientist, and them being stationed at the city's most secure gene therapy clinics for pete's sake!" She paused for a moment to recompose herself. "It may be a setup by all means. To even pull off this rescue, we would need a major distraction."

Down in the Resistance Ring, so far, the meeting had been going well. Volk was relaying all the information his people had gathered about the scientist, the city they were located in, and everything XCOM needed to know about Durga and her security detail. But the Commander wasn't liking it. It just seemed too risky. Especially with this Durga. She was dangerous. One misstep and they could lose both the VIP and a soldier.

"Commander Reeves." Volk replied, almost annoyed by the slight scolding. "We both know how dangerous VIP rescue operations can be, but from what my people gathered," he paused, a smirk slowly appeared, "not only has this scientist personally worked on the AVATAR project, but they also worked on you. The time when you were in that stasis suit." Some enticing information. "They have a lot of information they would like to share concerning both topics if you get them out alive."

Her eyes narrowed at him. She felt like he had held back that bit of information on purpose. Just a little something to nudge her. "That would be nice. But I'm still not putting my soldiers' lives on the line for this scientist." She shook her head. "Unless…"

"Unless what?"

"Backup." She smiled. "Some of your Reapers to help play lookout and possible provide a distraction of sorts for my soldiers."

"You already have Elena."

"Yes, but the rest of my men are not as silent as her." She crossed her arms. "The window for this operation is quite slim from what you told me, as they will be moving the scientist soon. I rather have extra eyes to make sure my people come back with minimal casualties."

Volk grumbled, rolling his eyes as he took a sip from his mug as he thought for a few moments. "I may have a man." He mumbled, hand scratching his chin. "The same one who gathered this information. He knows that city like the back of his hand. Perhaps…"

"Perhaps…?" She gestured for him to continue.

"Perhaps I can loan him to you. For a little while…" He paused again, a grumbled slipped his lips. "If I can get a hold of him."

She raised a brow at that. "Having trouble keeping track of your own people?"

"He's a bit of a special case. Reports to both me and… Fayruz."

"Really now? That's a questionable person you have under you." She raised her hand to mouth to stifle a chuckle. She could just feel the venom slipping through.

"In his words, 'Gotta keep the tensions low and the family together somehow, Volk. And I can't let Fayruz have all the fun raiding ADVENT armories'." He used air quotes. "But he's still loyal and fairly dependable."

"Hmm." She tapped her lip. "Strange one you got there."

He chuckled. "I'll get in contact with him as soon as I'm able to and see if him and his little crew would like to provide backup."

"And if he agrees?"

"I'll let you know, and he'll find your people."

She hummed and hawed for a bit. Thinking. "Sounds like a deal." Perhaps it was worth the risk.

"I expect a little something in return."

"To be expected. We can hash out the details later."

"Until we speak again, Commander." He chuckled. "Volk out." Their conversation ended.

Commander Reeves sighed, closing her eyes. "Mmm, a lot of risk with this possible operation. Have to carefully select the crew. Think of their strengths and weaknessssss…aaah." Her eyes closed tighter as her words trailed off into a pained hiss. She could feel a headache coming on.

"Return to Us."

"Dammit not now." She grumbled under her breath. The calls were starting up again. She was glad it was just her in the room. She shuddered as she felt a familiar pull on the back of skull. She could feel them reaching for her. She took in several deep breaths, steadying her herself and thoughts. "I will not be your thrall again." She thought.

"You will be reclaimed. All will be forgiven."

"Lies." She knew better. They were just a den of vipers. They spoke sweet words, but all was poison.

"You are the light to what lies ahead."

She winced when she felt them pull more, Their voices growing louder, but something else sent a chill through her body.

"Help me."

"Help us."

It was faint, but she recognized it and another feeling. Hands. Grabbing hands. She kept her eyes tightly shut. She would not look. She could still see the twisted, wailing faces. Faces full of torment and despair.

"No, no, no…" She muttered.

She could soon hear them. Wailing voices competing with the calls from the Elders, if not drowning out their calls in a matter of seconds. It was deafening. She felt like she was losing herself in all the wailing. She could feel their grief, their pain. She could feel whatever was tormenting them. Consuming them. Chaos. Just… chaos.

"Hey! Commander!"

Just when she thought her head was going to cave in, a firm voice and a hearty shake brought her back.

"Huh? What?" Her eyes flew open. She looked around before noticing a hand on her should. It was Central.

"You alright? Jynn?" A hint of worry crossed his face. He tightened his grip on her shoulder.

She let out a sigh. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just lost in my thoughts."

"Those must have been some deep thoughts." There was a hint of skepticism in his voice.

"I'm fine." She put on a smile. "Just thinking of the mess Volk has offered for us and how the pull off the operation."

He narrowed his eyes at her. He could tell something was off. The smile was fake. Another mask of hers. He hated it. But he wouldn't push it for now.

"So," he set his tablet down on the table, "how did the meeting go?"

"I would say mostly. well minus I'm learning Volk likes to hide some details." Her brow twitched.

He chuckled. "He has his moments and likes to sweeten his side of the deal."

"Hard to believe how much he's changed." She shook her head. "I'm starting to remember that operation in Alaska before the invasion really started."

"You're remembering that?" His eyes lit up.

"Bits and pieces. Chryssalid. Lots and lots of Chryssalids." She shuddered. "They were lucky we didn't have to firebomb the place like that fishing village in Newfoundland."

"You remember that one too?"

"In excruciating detail." She shuddered once more. "Kept me from eating fish for a few weeks, and you know how much I love fish."

Central chuckled, holding back a laugh. "I remember. And remember you also decking Sergent Beckart for the prank he pulled a week after that operation."

"Oh, that wise ass…" She gritted her teeth. "He was lucky the scientists could neutralize the venom from that Chryssalid claw fairly quickly!"

He laughed. "Well, a temporary demotion, broken nose, black eye, and an earful in four different languages set him straight." He caught his breath. "Surprised you have a mouth of a sailor in Japanese." He smirked deviously. "Something about gouging out his eyes and ramming a—"

"You still remember that!?" She bristled, her cheeks turning a bright red. She narrowed her eyes. "Wait… You don't even know Japanese… last I remember."

"Yes, I remember that day. Can't quite forget the Commander being slightly high due to the effects of the antidote." He smirked. She bristled again. "And I've been picking up bits and pieces of a few languages over the years. Learned a bit of Japanese." He chuckled. "I may not be polyglot like you, but knowing a few things has helped with connecting with resistance cells."

She let out an exasperated sigh, covering her face with her hands. "Of all the days you remember, you remember that."

"Sorry, Jynn." He chuckled and patted her back. She only groaned in response. That was an embarrassing day for her.

A few minutes of silence passed.

"Anything new?" Commander Reeves still had her face covered by her hands.

"Got another message from Fayruz. One of the smaller havens the Silent Striders protects got hit and hit badly." He told her.

"How bad?"

"Massacre." He shook his head. "Only a handful escaped."

"Ghost Butcher again?"

"Yes. Same M.O. Same 'unkillable' leader that likes his axes and taking off heads."

She shook her head, finally pulling her hands away from her face. The news angered her. "We're going to have to lend them a hand, but we can't put off our meeting with the Templars."

"Depending on how the VIP operation and a few planned raids go, we may be able to head their way and at least help a few of the havens relocate." He suggested. "Technically, they will be on the way for our journey to America."

"That… Could… Work." She nodded. "But all depends. We are on a bit of a time crunch."

"Right."

"Keep that plan on the back burning just in case something opens up."

"Will do that, Commander." He nodded.

"Also keep you eye out for Volk calling us again. He said he would see if one of his people would lend a hand for the VIP operation." She said. "If he manages to get ahold of them and twist their arm, the operation is a go."

"Actually getting Volk to lend you another one of his people? Thought that would never happen." He chuckled.

"It took a little work." She chuckled. "He probably won't do this again."

"He most likely won't."

They agreed on that.

The two discussed a few more things until they noticed the time. Commander Reeves had a health check up she needed to be at. They soon headed to the Infirmary. There was silence between the two, besides the usual hum and buzz of the ship, as they walked. The Commander was buried in her thoughts. Central was distracted by his tablet. Reports to check on.

"Hey… John." A heavy sigh broke the silence.

"Hm? Yes?" He looked up from his tablet. Something about that sigh worried him.

"I have something to tell you…." She bit her lip. "Something I haven't been too keen on sharing."

"What is it?"

"Can't tell you now… to many… ears." She looked around.

That worried him more. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "The usual?"

She nodded. "Yes, tonight."

"I'll make sure I'm there."

"Thank you." She softly smiled.

The smile was some slight reassurance to him, but he could tell something was eating at her.

"Well." She stopped in her tracks. "See you in a few hours."

"Huh?" At first he was confused and then he noticed his surrounding. "Oh, right." He shook his head. "Hope everything goes well, Jynn." He gave her a few hearty pats on the back.

"Ow, ow, ow." She flinched. "Still like a twig!" She punched his shoulder.

He chuckled. "Sorry." With that, he left to make his rounds.


A few hours, Central was on the Bridge issuing orders and fielding calls. Volk eventually called back. His man, Bones, was willing to aid them in the operation. Bones was actually eager to give a go with working with XCOM. Perhaps they would get another Reaper to join XCOM sometime soon? Only if Volk felt like relinquishing another of his people.

Central relayed the information over to the Commander as soon as he could. With the go ahead, he selected the troops that would be best for the operation. Only the best of the best and those who could show some restraint. They wanted to be as quiet as possible for this op. Going loud was the last thing they wanted to do. They needed to avoid casualties.

With that done and a little prodding from Dimitri, and others on the Bridge, Central went to his quarters to take a quick nap. He figured he needed to be fairly awake for whatever the Commander had to tell him later.