Chapter Two
The Mission
Part One

The group of Preventer agents gathered on the rooftop of HQ. The plan was to take three helicopters for the mission. It would be close to a four-hour flight, but they needed to be in and out as quickly as possible. Given the time they'd be arriving around 2300. The night mission would make things easier to infiltrate the compound. Using the dark of night to cover them, they were less likely to be spotted before they arrived.

Sally Po had brought a small team of her own. Three of her assistants who were not only trained as medics but also trained in fieldwork would be accompanying her. The three of them could provide backup if needed while also assisting with any injuries. Sally nodded to the group of ex-pilots as she continued to get her supplies ready.

Heero knew Sally had been informed of everything and that she and her team would stay back unless they were needed. He trusted her judgment even if he didn't trust her to look at every little cut he or the others got. He thought maybe she enjoyed poking and prodding them a little too much. Though they did often give her a hard time about not needing any medical treatment.

Heero surveyed the group. Making sure each person had the necessary equipment needed to succeed. They may have been overdoing it with the amount of weapons one was going to be carrying, but Heero didn't want to take any chances. He made sure everyone was outfitted with bulletproof vests, handguns, and assault rifles. Along with some smoke and flash grenades. Each had zip ties in case they came across anyone they could take in for questioning along with extra ammo. Duo had tried to insist that they needed some kind of explosives of their own, but Heero was quick to remind him that the compound may have some and they needed to deactivate any that they came across. Once satisfied that they were ready to go, Heero gave the signal for them to board their respective helicopters and move out.

The ride to the outskirts of Germany where the compound was located passed uneventfully. Heero had Agent Charles Brown working hard to get them close enough to the compound without being heard or seen. They'd have to travel on foot but once inside they could have the helicopters come in. Agent Brown was to stay behind as he would be using GPS to navigate the rest of the team to and from the compound. As well as direct them to locations inside the compound.

Barton, Roberts, and himself were going to infiltrate the compound. Trowa was to head straight for the control room and gather as much information as possible. Heero and Roberts were to look for anyone to take into custody along with handling any detonators they found. Trowa had his work cut out for him, but Heero knew he could get the job done. It allowed Heero the chance to look around once inside. He had a feeling about something but he couldn't put his finger on it.

Chang, Maxwell, and Watson would be working on the outside, disarming any explosives. Both Wufei and Duo weren't thrilled at the idea of not being able to go inside the compound, but Watson seemed overjoyed to be a part of the mission. While the two grumbled about it Heero reminded them that they needed them on the outside. If something should arise he needed them close by to come in and help.

It had shut the two of them up for a little while till they started making the trek to the actual location of the compound. The group in all-black combat gear would only be walking for about a half-hour if they kept their pace up and if Brown's directions were correct. They had landed in a field a little less than a mile away from their target location. The woods surrounding them gave enough coverage and with the light from the moon above, they were able to see where they were going. Gathering their weapons the group headed out.

They had only been walking for a short amount of time as Heero went over the mission parameters in his head when Duo's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Man, we fly almost four hours to have to walk for what? Half hour, forty-five minutes to some location. With NO idea what we're getting ourselves into. Then you want us to hang around outside while you have all the fun!?" Duo threw up his hands, sighing dramatically. Heero glanced back at Duo. Glaring as he spoke.

"Shut it, Maxwell. If you didn't want to come you shouldn't have accepted the mission. Get your head out of your ass and focus on what we need to do and not what you want to do," Heero emphasized the last few words for good measure.

"Geez man, I get it. Don't need to be a dick about it," Duo held his hands up in mock surrender. Heero's glare darkened. "Yah yah, I'll shut up for now. I see you're not in the mood for anything Mr. I got a stick up my-"

"I wouldn't finish that sentence if I were you, Duo. Better to keep your mouth shut. We're getting closer and we should be listening and watching for anything," Trowa said as they continued along the route Brown had been guiding them through.

Sure enough not even fifteen minutes later the group arrived at the…

"This is the compound!? It's a fucking abandoned airbase!? There's nobody even fucking here!" Duo's voice rose. Practically yelled as he looked around.

Heero cursed under his breath. He wasn't pleased either. From where they stood they didn't see any guards. The base was overgrown with tall grass and weeds everywhere. The runways looked like they hadn't been used for some time and the building themselves looked to be falling apart. While it was on the smaller side for an airbase, it was likely used as a private airport for small planes at one point.

Heero looked around, assessing the land in front of them. There were two hangers off to the left of a large six-story building, which he assumed was the main part of the base. Most likely housing the control room in the main part of the building. The hangers looked to be empty and falling apart. One of the roofs was caved in on itself and the other looked like it was on its way. The main building itself had chunks of cement missing off the siding and the roof didn't look great from where they were standing. Some of the glass windows at the top of the building were broken, and no lights could be seen, but there was one single light source outside. The building still had to have some kind of power source. It was the only clue they had that it was possibly still being used.

"Barton, scan the area and see if you can find anything," Heero looked over to Trowa who nodded, stepping away with a pair of binoculars. Heero turned back to face the base. Tapping his earpiece to connect him with Agent Brown.

"Brown, are you sure this is the location?" After a few seconds, Brown's voice came over the commlink.

"Yes, according to the blueprints and location coordinates this is the place, sir."

"Hm. Can you get us inside?"

"Hang on a second, sir. I'm pulling up their system now."

"Roger that," Heero continued to stare at the building. He didn't like the feeling he was getting.

"You gotta be kidding me here," Duo said, getting Heero's attention. Heero simply shrugged his shoulders. He didn't even look at the coordinates. He was too caught up in trying to figure out who had sent the messages in the first place.

"Sir?" Brown's voice came through his earpiece.

"Go ahead, Brown."

"Uh, this is the location. I was able to hack into their system but it seems they're busy moving files around and possibly doing something else. Their network is tight but there's definitely activity going on," Brown's voice sounded uneasy about the situation.

Heero glanced up as Trowa approached him. Trowa shook his head, indicating he hadn't seen anything.

"Shit," Heero muttered. Looking at the rest of his team, he knew everyone had been listening in on the conversation. "We need to move fast," Heero addressed everyone. "Brown, get us in."

"Roger that, sir!"

"Take your team and start heading around the outside-" Heero addressed Wufei before Agent Brown's voice broke through the commlink, cutting him off.

"Security system is deactivated. You have three minutes to get inside before it's turned back on. We'll be lifting off in twenty minutes to rendezvous with you, sir."

"Our window is small. If they're getting ready to move, we need to move now as well. You have less than three minutes. I suggest you go now before we're noticed," Wufei said. Trowa nodded his head, turning on his heel he started running towards the main building. Roberts followed close behind. Heero turned back before taking off as well. It was risky being out in the open but they didn't have any other choice. Things were already starting to feel like they were going downhill and going downhill fast.

A slender figure moved about the compound. Dressed in all black with a hood pulled over their head obscuring their face. They gave off the impression of moving around as if they were a ghost; an unseen force, which was exactly what they had intended to be. They were nothing more than just that. A ghost. Going from one room to another. Taking out whoever was in the way, but not killing anyone. No, there was no need for that. Chances were these people were probably going to die anyway.

The shadow knew explosives were placed in and around the base. The group of people working at this particular place had a plan to leave. They were going to destroy any trace of them ever being here, hiding any secrets that were being kept at this run-down place.

But that's why I'm here. The figure said to itself. No, it wasn't glamorous, but something needed to be done. To help protect the world from the horrors this group was going to inflict upon millions of innocent people. Not just the Earth's Sphere but the Colonies as well. It didn't help the fact that they, themselves were guilty of helping them to do so. Shaking their head, they tried to clear their thoughts before moving on. There was no time to waste thinking about the past.

Moving swiftly through the hallways, it was a little unnerving just how many people weren't there. There should be more guards stationed here. Why are there so few? The figure questioned. I need to get to the control room and gather as much information as possible. They're changing their game plan and I'm starting to fear they may make a move sooner than anticipated.

Finally, the shadow made it to the control room. Without any resistance from the guards.

"I hope you're not the real soldiers they plan to send out. You're far too weak," the shadow spoke with no emotion in their voice as they stepped over the two remaining guards to enter the control room. Within minutes the task was done and the person left. Heading in the opposite direction that they had come from. The person continued to run down the hallway making a left turn.

Gunfire rained down on the person, hitting their right shoulder. The shadow backed away rounding the corner again. Taking a deep breath they raised their guns, turning the corner slightly while aiming. The two guards fell to the ground in a heap together. The shadow shifted to look around the corner, checking to make sure no other guards were waiting.

That was too close. I need to leave now or I won't make it out of here alive.

Gritting their teeth as they grabbed their right shoulder, the figure continued down the hall once again. Hoping they could make it out with the data that they had collected.

Heero, Trowa, and Roberts ran across the airstrip to the base's main entrance. As they ran they noticed no one had come outside as they approached. Nor did it look like anyone was coming. They had a three-minute window to enter from one of the doors and since they came in on the front side of the building, it was easier to walk right through the front door.

Heero and Trowa exchanged glances as they ran. Something wasn't right. Trowa had confirmed he hadn't seen anything but as they reached the door to the building they saw why. Two men lay on the ground. Heero bent down, inspecting them. Both were still alive but they were knocked out.

"Someone must have gotten here before us, but who?" Roberts asked aloud.

Heero grunted as he made his way to the door. Someone was here and still possibly inside. Heero planned to find out just who.

Once they were inside, their guns were drawn as they slowly started making their way down the corridor. Heero stopped at the end.

"Barton, you know what you need to do. Follow Brown's directions to the control room and gather whatever you can. Then get the hell out of here. Don't wait. The same goes for you, Roberts. Quickly search the area as fast as you can. Take anyone who may be left then get out."

Roberts nodded as he turned right, heading down another hallway. Trowa nodded his head before he tapped his earpiece to get the directions to the control room. The two parted ways, both with their missions.

While the outside of the building looked as if the place was falling apart, the inside looked to be well kept. Everything was painted white and the lighting made everything brighter than it should be. For a run-down place, it was obvious that people had been occupying the place at one point. Heero observed that it looked like some people had packed up and left in a hurry. While some rooms still had personal belongings, others had none.

Heero made quick work moving through the base and had already disabled two explosives that he had found. What he couldn't understand was why all the people he had come into contact with were already taken care of. All were still alive but none of it made sense. Heero shook his head again. He needed to continue moving forward.

No matter what he needed to stay on high alert.

A/N

Here's chapter two! We'll just keep this train moving along now.

-MM