Sting like q bee, while looking like a butterfly.
This
Is the sound
Of Ebony Bones
Walking on water that's where we are
Running in circles won't get them far
Down in the gulley that's where we'll be
And the time is now take them shackles off me
And we march march
And we march march
And we march march
Whoa like a warrior
Leaving this town gonna do it today
Your lips move but I can't hear what you say
Down in the gulley that's where we'll be
So the time is now so say you get behind me
And we march march
And we march march
And we march march
Whoa like a warrior
And we march march
And we march march
And we march march
Whoa like a warrior
Oh it's coming like a baby tonight
Gonna hum around and screw me and I'm ready to strike
It'll be to late in the morning
They'll be ready tonight
And when they take away what ours
We'll be ready to fight
And we march march
And we march march
And we march march
Whoa like a warrior
And we march march
And we march march
And we march march
Whoa like a warrior
And we march march
And we march march
And we march march
Whoa like a warrior
And we march march
And we march march
And we march march
Whoa like a warrior
Whoa, whoa like a warrior
Whoa, whoa like a warrior
Like a warrior
Ooh like a warrior
Walking like a warrior
Ooh like a warrior
Like a warrior
Walking like a warrior
Ooh like a warrior
Walking like a warrior
Leaving this town gonna do it today
Your lips move but I can't hear what you say.
Chapter Two _ same old same, nothing Much ever chsnge'S
March 9th
Virgina Beach Base
Ella walked out of the Athena cage room. Hearing the laughter and chatter disappear as the door shut.
She lay her head against the wall her eye's closed as she tried to breath slow, her body seemed to be aching but she knew from past injuries that she would be fine in a few days rest and some sleep.
She felt her body calming and her mind was clearing finally all the water Drake and Myka had forced down het throat was flushing all the drugs out of her system.
She was clear enough to not flinch when she felt somone lean next to her .
She opened her eyes, as she slowly turned her head and couldn't help but smile at the man standing next to her.
"Hey Kid, I heard you was back. You look better than I expected considering your guys already leaked out what happened. How you doing kiddo"
She turned so she was facing him, his tall muscle framed shoulder was leaned on the wall, his black hair standing out against his golden tanned skin.
She laughed shaking her head,
"The answer iv been given all day is im okay. I feel like a psrrot" she smirked.
He raised an eyebrow. "and what's the trith" he questioned.
She shook her head snd leaned back. A sigh whispered from her lips.
"The truth Jace, im fsr from fine. Im pissed off im aching and i feel lile the devil's on my ass waiting to graab me." She hit her head against the wall.
" mean i understand people are curious about Athena. I get they want Intelligence on us, but sending god dann delta force death squads after me. Jay they used what happened to me as a teeager, as leverage it was like i was eighteen all over again, it waas a repetition of my first day in that hell hole . They had a file on me and the Information they had about my personal life, my missions my teams missions, someone high up must have been involved, in order fpr that kind off information to be shared as it is all retracted" she shook her head sadly as she continued.
"Im tired, I'm so tired. I can't remember the last time i was off. The last day i didn't have a gun in my hand. I can't remember the last time I had some free t1me. Do you know even after Myka
called in and confirmed they found me I was ordered to continue . Even i wil
admit i was a mess, drugged, broken and bloody. Roman ….." a dark laugh laft her.",he told Myka if i could talk and walk i had thirty minutes to have them patch me up, then we was to continue our original mission
in Mexico, i did it, but my team is on high alert, i have to try calm them down while dealing with all the political bullshit"
Jason winced his guys was all talking and guessing on the leak, Clay was as ususal trying to rein sonny and his texas ways in, whilst keeping an open mind. Trent and Brock were trying to figure out why only Ella was attacked, was it really about Athena or was it because she had successes, she had beaten all the odds, or was it someone attacking tier one, they had been whispering all day. while Ray was worrying who could be next.
Jason had spoken to Alpha one full mental, jason knew scott knew Ella longer than any Of the guy's did. Ella was the youngest member of the Tier ones, and at first it had been hard seeing a kid and a women in the role, none of them ever had worked with women as equals before
, but Ella had more than earned everyones respect and loyalty she was family and they protected their family.
"I never thought id say this Jay, but i might start counting down the days to ny renewel is up" Ellea said frowning.
Jason gave her a sad smile. "I hear you kid, all the guys are pissed about what happened to you. The teams all want answers, they want to know how it happened. Have you spiken to Admiral Anderson or the Fleet, Admiral , im sure they would let you take a few weeks off. Especially whilst every thing settles back down. Take a break, visit your Aunt or Uncle, we will all be here when y our back, and Ella the day you put your papers in will be a dark day. The winds will cry kid."
Ella smirked as she nudged jason. As he wrapoed his arm around her hugging her.
She hugged him back tightly.
They pulled apart, both leaning back.
"I called Leo. I don't usually run to family, but when Roman demanded we stay on target i knew i was done. I called him on my way bsck, told him what happened and told him if i wasn't trasfered to another commanding officer id hsnd my Trident in, i don't want to run a team that isn't safe, if i can't protect my team, i dont deserve to be their leader, and with Roman trying to put a collar on me, i cant do it. He was furious Roman hadn't even let them know my team found me. He agreed to have Elijah remove Roman and said he would be our Commanding Officer until every thing was sorted out, and we'd talk about a change "
Just as jason was about to reply, they was interruptrd by their phones beeping.
They both reached for their phones, as the cage room door opened and Drake stepped out.
"Hey Jace, you good man "
They shared a guy handshake.
"Ace, were apparently up, Group message"
Ella groaned but nodded.
She knew they all needed a break, her guys was going to run out of steam soon.
Jason parted ways to sort his own team out, and answer his beeping phone.
Ella entered the cage room, and told her guys to go to the meeting room. When she was alone, she read the message she huffed in annoyance at the fact that it held little information but the meeting room number.
She sighed grabbing a quick drink knowing she had time, before finally leaving and making her way to the meeting room.
As she entered the room, she raised her eyebrow at the fact jason was their, her eyes moved around the room as she took in who else was in the room.
She spotted Jaces team. Ray, Sonny, Trent, Brock and Clay also Full Metal or Scott as she called him, and Derek both Alpha one and Two respectively .
Bravos commanding officer, Lieutenant Soto was stood next to Admiral Leo Anderson, Bravo intelligent officer Lucy Davies and their Centrel Intelligence contact Agent Mandy Ellis, who was stood talking to Athenas Contact Director Sofia Wrang .
Ella lookes around to see who of Athena was called in. She spotted Myka stood behind Drake. Harper, Wilson and Klaus was stood in the corner. Jackson was stood with his arms crossed, .
Chuck , Harley and Teddy was sat at the end of the table.
Even their support teams was huddled in tne opposite corner, she was not impressed to see they had called in the special supoort unit known within Athena as Team Ares including their Doctor and mechanic, Athena had its own special unit naval intelligent officer, pilot basicslly anyone they may need was a member.
She leaned again the door, still feeling the effect of the drugs. She needed this mission to go quickly so she could hopefully rest and recharge.
As she stood next to the door, her arms crossed she smiled to herself she knew that She and Lieutenant Soto always argued, and she was in the right frame of mind for a verbal fight.
She breathed in and out, calmly until she felt more relaxed, she sighed out before looking right at Admiral leo Anderson.
"Two questions before this party gets started"
The room quited as she spoke.
"Whos in charge, and who is the target "
Lieutenant Soto stepped foward.
"We will get to that Commander Lang, take a seat"
He attempted to order her.
Ella smirked, raising her eyebrow .
"Thanks for the offer Lieutenant, but i wasn't actually talking to you "
She cheekily smiled at the Lieutenant, then looked to the Admiral again "
Admiral Andetson shared a look with Sofia before he seemed to nodd to himself.
"There's two targets , connected but in different locations we have first pick, team Charlie and team Hotel will complete the other target. The mission is an Athena one, but Bravo one and Alpha one will be secondary. Im hoping you'll take Artemis and Apollo in as primary then have phoneix and scorpian as back up".
Ella looked around the room, her eyes landed on the special support unif, they looked drained. They unlike the seals was trained, they wasn't used to the long hours, they wasn't use to the long gruelling hours, they wasnt going to be much use if they crashed out due to exhaustion.
" fine but Ares stsys here, if and i mean if the mission calls for one of them who has a skill the rest of us going
Doesn't posses , then I'll agree for them to come along, otherwise they stay. There exhausted, they need rest, thryce been on dity the last ninty six hours no break. They need rest, and recharging, or they will burn out. "
Lieutenant Soto went to speak when Admiral Anderspn nodded, his eyes loopked around the room, before he looked at her.
"Very well"
Ella eyed Leo, he seemed to be in a negotiating mood so she shrugged to herself and thought why not.
"When this is all done, my guys are off call. They need a break, we've been none stop lately, and i need them
rested and at their best. I wont risk taking them out in the field when i know they need rest. Its putting them and anyone around them, in danger if their not quick enough to react"
Leo was looking around the room, at the Athena members, he had noticed the fact Roman seemed to be sending them on more missions, but he hadn't known how tired they really was, but he could see it now .
Lieutenant Soto smirked as he eyed Ella.
"If you and your team, arent up for the task. Just say we can easily find someone else."
Every one in the room heard Admiral Leo Anderson groan as he warily eyed Ella, who suddenly was smiling sweetly.
Myka pulled Drakes hair causing him to look up, both shared a look that jason and full metal saw, it was like a dominio effect as each person smiled and quickly hid it. Ella and Lieutenant Soto argumrnts was legend around the base. Ella had an argumentative nature they all knew it, but they also knew when to push and when to leave her be. Everyone but Lieutenant Soto, it would seem.
"Oh I assure you, my team is up for it, but by all means if you can find somone else who can do it, with my teams skills go ahead."
Ella moved her eyes to her team.
"Athena come on, the Lieutenant can find some one else. We can all gp get some well deserved sleep. "
No one moved since they all knew Ella too well, this was her sarcastic tone.
Admiral Andetson stepped forward.
" Elle the Lieutenant was just"
Ella cut him off her eyes on soto and as frosty as her voice came out.
" he was just being a patronizing, asshole cake eater, i gathered that Admiral . Lieutenant let me make one thing cleer you might have forgot what a war it is out their, you know since you have been so busy climbing the political ladder, but my guys haven't had any down time in months. We've been on constant spin ups the last six weeks, with only one or two days off, days we more than not ended uo in renditions with suspects. Before that we was deployed for six months. So they're tired, they need to recharge. I wouldn't be a very good leader if i didn't notice would i. But if you can find someone else by all means do so. If not don't make anymore of a fool of yourself." She hissed.
Lieutenant Soto stepped foward.
" you can't speak to me, that way."
Ella chuckled darjky.
" watch me "
Ella turned to Admiral Anderson.
''Do you need me and our guys, or not if so. I need to get things sorted if you don't my guys need rest ."
Lieutenant Soto shook his head.
" sir she can't just "
"ENOUGH" Admiral leo roared.
Everyone in the room stood, or sat up straighter. Everyone but Ella, who hadn't so much as flinched a muscle.
Admiral Andetson inhaled deeply.
"Lieutenant Soto i told you i would deal with commander Lang. Ella, yes Athena is needed. Sofia will fill you all in about the missions and you can decide which this unit will complete, and which we will give unit two with teams Charlie as Primary and Hotel as secondary ."
Ella nodded leaning back, she wipes her head feeling the sweat and hoping she didn't start shaking again coming down from drugs was a bitch.
Sofia stepped forward, as she did Mandy pressed the remote she had been twirling round her hand.
Everyone watched as the screen solit into two sides, each side had a map, and multiple pictures.
Drake looked over to Ella seeing she was struggling, he and Myka had notices every few hours she would shiver like she was cold, yet she was sweating at the same time, they all had enough training to know it was whatever drug's they had pumped through her, getting out. He looked up Seeing Myka nod once to him, letting him know she would go over to her.
Jace caught the look and leant over.
"She ok" he whispered, knowing Mandy and Sofia was discussing the best way to give the mission targets and Lieutenant Soto was having a hushed but heated conversation with Leo.
Drake sighed before looking at jason, usually Athena stuck to themselves but they all knew jason Haynes and Full mental was like older brothers to Ella. She treated them like family, like she treated
the team, like they was brothers and sisters … so in turn the team treated them the same.
"Shes coming down from what ever shit they used as a crude truth serum, the guy we caught said they had her hooked up five hours straight, and all she did was taught them. Even when they pulled the nails off some of her toes, she didn't even confirm her name. We keep pumping her with fluid trying to flush it out, but our Doctor said she'll properly need a few days for the side effects to wear off fully. She must be hurting though she asked me and Wilson to fly the choppers. And gave Myka primarly leadership on the mexico mission she was in overwatch with me, made me promise if it looked like she was going to miss the target to give her an adrenaline hit. Luckiky she got them and we got to E.vac just as she went dizzy we thought she had collapsed, Kayla gave her the adrenaline booster injection to keep her lucid till she was checked out in the base hospital " Drake muttered lowly, he eyes the others in the room, seeing if any of the guys notice Myka and Ella.
Jace nodded to let him know he heard.
,"we got her, and you guys back this time."
Drake nodded back as Admiral Anderson noticed the state of Ella he was about to go over when sofia started to speak.
"As Admiral Abserson said earlier. This is a joint mission.
Our targets are the head and his second of the Smirnov crime family. Ivan Smirnov and his brother Alexisi Smirnov.
They've been on our watch list the last few years, believed to have been involved in the new waves of drugs and military grade weapons hitting the streets. A week ago my Russian contact informed me, a number of Ivan Smirnov men was arrested unloading crates at the docks. Some held weapons like we suspected but a number held people . A low level man flipped afrer some persuasion, he gave up a higher up soilder in the top ranks, between them they confirned their Anerican and British hostages, we passed
thpe locations of the British hostage location to M16 this morning, we have two targets, an Indian bunker there holding ten Americans at, they use it as a holding for weapons and other illigel items their trafficking fifty seven people , the sale is going to happen at the seconds location in Cyprus "
Ella looked to Sofia "were in india exactly"
Sofia winced "New Delhi"
Ella shook her head.
"No,".
She looked at Admiral Anderson
"The last time i did an Agency job in New Delhi the team i was with nearly all died, half did, it was an ambush and we nearly got left behind "
Ella might have been willing to go into India, and trusted Sofia but she wasn't risking her team in New Delhi, even with back up this time.
Sofia looked slightly hurt.
"Ella, im not my father. The special operation task group was demolished after my father's unorthodox merhods came to light. Id never leave you or you or your team behind. I'd come in myself like i have done before."
"I know that sofia but i can't, i can't go back to New Delhi, im sorry Charlie team will have to go to india"
Ella shook her head, trying to get the images of Joe and Steve bleeding, out of her mind. The other members going down, she was seeing it on repeat the broken bloody bodied of her seal brothers..
"Do you have an issue with the second location princess"
Lieutenant Soto mocked.
It was the wrong thing to do. Ella was already on edge, add to it the fact she was already on edge the images going through her mind, was replaying the last mission.
Lieutenant Sotos words broke in and she couldn't stop herself.
"How abput when you step out the office and get into the sand box like a real sailor and not a politician then you can judge me … Soto" she smirked.
Lieutenant Soto stepped foward .
"That's it, I've had enough, im formerly
reporting you commander Lang "
Ella rolled her eyes, and looked over at Leo.
"Seriously Blackbirds needs to come back to bravo team command, at least he was a mission man , saw action and wasnt afraid to jump in and join the fight when needed."
Leo sighed.
"Ella i know you're tired, and in pain but this isn't the way, i understand your angry but please try think before you speak"
Ella laughed darkky, she was sweating and shivering again.
"Im angry…. Of course im angry. Theres a god damn leak, we all know it,
Were not Robots, we need rest, and recovery. We need to know were safe out their, we need to know we have each others back, we need down time. We deserve it, we dive in to hell every day, to save people we don't know, whom dont know us, we have to move when injured, when bleeding and all we have in the pits of hell is each other, we have to literally pull each other out. Knowing the demons will chase us even when were free,. We dont ask for a thank you, we don't do it for that, we donĺt do it for the medals and it's obvious not for the penny's were paid. What we do it for, is the calling we all feel, the pull to protect, and serve our country and its innocence and all we expect, is the people we work for, and with to respect us, and understand even the ugly stuff. Is that too damn much" she shook her head, and stotmed out the room.
No one dared mentioned fhe tears running down her face.
She walked to the room they use as a gyn. Thankfully it was empty.
She walked towards the punching bag and without thinking her fists raged down on the bag, a scream
leaving her lips.
Suddenly two strong arms wrapped around her, at first her instincts kicked in, but then she saw Drake and full mental in front of her, and Jason's. Voice finally broke through.
" shhh" and. "Its airtight kid. I got you, we here kiddo,"
She sagged into jason.
After a fee minutes she was calm, she stepped back and leaned against the now resting bag.
She
looked down to the floor, as she felt the shame of her outburst hit her. Sge looked up ignoring the worried looks everyone shared.
"Myka after Sofia explains the mission and target. i'm going to sit diwn, with Jason and Full metal and coordinate with them. I need you and Drake to help Lisa get the gear bags. Ill ask jace to let you guys know of anything extra for this mission.
Im going to see if phoenix one and scorpion two can helio us in to the location.'
Myka nodded, "yeah Ace, well sort it, all out"
Jason rubbed her hair "come on kiddo"
Kayla part of the special unit and a team Ares member …. the Arhena surgical doctor pushed all the men out the wsy.
"Oh Ace, here drink both of these " she ordered pushing two bottles of water in her hands
" Drink all of it , we need to flush everything out your system. I know your properly going too say no but i could come with yoy, i want to keep an eye on you "
Ella smiled kissing Kayla on the left check.
"Kay. You know like umi do, i just need to ride this out, we both know my guys all have enough medic training for field medic, Trent as well so i promise if i start feeling off ill talk to Trent or Klaus other than myself they have the highest medic training. Take the time off, and rest you 1deserve it, you sewed enough iff me up yesterday "
Kayla sighed, but begrudgingly nodded.
Full metal wrapped hus srm around Ella
" cone on xena: he teased using the nickname he gave her when they first met .
, "lets get this party started"
The group made their way back into ths room hearing the end of a conversation. All they caught was Lisa saying she. Would, find them"
……. In the meeting room a few moments before …….
Leo looked around seeing only lieutenant
Soto, Lisa, Sofis and Mandy left in the room.
Leo Turner to Sofia, knowing she didn't just work closely with Athena, she was also a cose friend to Ella
"I didn't realise it was this bad, we didn't have a chance to talk. she told me on the phone she was ok"
Sofia smiled sadly. " although i haven't spoken to her, i was their when drake spoke to jason and Scott this morning. He reported she was àll
hooked up to numerous drugs including Lsd, they made some form of a crude truth serum. Id say from the shivers and sweating she's attempting to flush it out . Her orher injuries include a number of bruised ribs, including one cracked , they managed to do a full check up, once she reached base, they checked abd theirs no water in her lumgs but her throats most likely burning. I read some of her toes are missing nails. She had some deep gashes which was sewen up on site, and a small concussion"
Leo looked like he was going to be sick. "How, how did they know oh god, Sofi a tell me they didn't. She was checked right: he asked
Mandy, Lisa and lieutenant Soto looked to each other utterly confused.
But Sofia liiked at Leo and smiled sadky .
" She wasn't, admiral you have my word, she told Kayla everything, everything but that was repeated. To answer how they knew, i have no idea, but she's right there had to be a leak, a high up leak i soke to Henrietta she said, the soldier they caught the one who helped Ella, he said it was NSA whom authorized the file"
"Hard to believe one of our own did this." Lisa soberly acknowledged.
Mandy smiled sadky "its psychologically warfare. Special operative units have signatures this was definitely the tesm Ella said it was, but of course thier protected "
Sofia turned to lieutenant Soto
" I understand you and Ella both have personality that clash, but even you have to see some things wrong. She may argue with you , but in the past she stops at the line. Today though shes injured yet still during her job. Sges going through withdrawal and she's trying to stay strong, and protect her team.
But frankly Sir, she deserves respect for still fighting even when her own people try to Stop her. I've seen that girl broken., bleeding and still fighting. I was going to request rest and down time for them after this mission. We're estimating they will be completed this target between a week, to ten days. maximum. I can put the request in myself, for my end but i need Roman to stop sendind them off on sucide missons"
Soto needed. ",i took it too far, but
she needs to learn to respect officers."
Sofia sighed "officers at the moment are having a meeting about how Commander Lang will be punished for two different mission reports Roman reported her on. A friend of mine confirmed there just voting but she will be de-ranked down to senior master Cheif ."
Sofia looked at Admiral Leo.
"Sir, no offence to your other grandchildren Admiral but Roman
has been pushing then to the brick, ever since the investigation over the crash last year, hes been sending then on more and more jobs. When i refuse to give them high profile cases he sends them as secondary with his own team as primarily
. When there on base he's ordering exercise task and training
they don't need. Just before they deployed for six month, he had then do two weeks were they, was exercising for over twenty hours a day. They was lucky if he let them have four hours sleep each day. I tried talking to Ella but she didn't want to rock the boat with Ronan. Her parents still aren't taking to her, and i think she feels he's her last thread to solving that relationship but i think this was just the last straw, when i mentioned Roman this morning she simply replyed check mate telling me one thing. It was over she was done being Romans pawn ."
Leo nodded
"As soon
as the neetings ended ill go speak to fleet Admiral, Elihah was worried she hadn't called either of us, since the day before they arrived in Los Angeles. She called me on her way back from Mexico but was more than vague. I'll explain to Elijah team Athena need a break and ill request to be their commanding officer fulll time. "
Lieutenant Soto sighed
"Ill forget todsys incident on the understanding when she's back She doesn't disrespect higher ranking officers."
Admidal Anderson nodded in agreement "just remember
respect goes both ways. "
Lisa smiled 'I'll go find them."
But just as she said it, the door opened, Jason leading them in.
"Everything alright" Mandy asked
Every one nodded in unison.
Sofia smiled as she saw Ella, she was huddled up to Myka and Scott.
"I sent Ares home, since they won't be needed their just in the cage room grabbing their belongings"
Leo nodded sending a smile over.
"Ok so Ella dont pout, but Cyprus is going to be easy for you to map out you've been to the location before ."
Ella rolled her head back trying to think were she had been in Cyprus .
"Ugh no, please say it's not so" she muttered.
Drake seeing her face , his own lit up like a christmas tree, he shot up out of his seat. "boo ya were gong back to Athena Castle,."
"Idiot you bloody fool, its not a bloody castle and its not in Athena either." Myka moaned.
Clay raised his eyes "what is it then."
Sofia smiled ignoring the ususall meeting trivia, this, this was just how Athena was .
They acted like children with Ella attempting to reign them in but in a war zone they was Angels who slaughtered any demon whom dare try to free themselves from hell…
Ella looked to Clay smiling "Its a ghost base, our code name for it was castle Athena"
Sonnys eyed light up "A what … ghist were hunting a ghost."
Myka giggled
Klaus turned and faces the door shaking his head. While Jackson grinned because he looked at Wilson and Harper knowing that was what they asked when they heard it the first time.
'No its
.. well its" Myka was laughing to much to get the words out.
Ella rolled her eyes "don't even try to explain your all such bloody children as bad as each other ."
Ella looked to Sonny an amused yet understanding smile on her face, she was used to dealing with Drake, daily sonny was like his older brother.
"Sonny Athena castle is a ghost base. A ghost base is an old … old abandoned military base only there not so abandoned we. as in the united ststes bought a lot of them, those we didn't outright own or won in wars, we borrow. We use them to run missions off the book from, the Special operations groups need somewhere and this was their preferred option. Once a missions unit is on the base, it is transformers into what they require. Once the mission is over, every thing is removed and the base is left as it was before, like they never arrived. Most bases aren't reused unless no other option."
Ella grinned cheekily. "but I'm sure their are a few ghost roaming around, if you wanna job change. "
Sonny laughed. Shrugs and looks like he is really thinking about it.
"Ypu guys been to this base before then." Ray asked.
Ella shared a pointed look with Sofia
Who nldded to let her know she could share the past.
"Twice, we did a three month job their with Sofia about Five years ago . Then two years agp we used it as a training site fpr a month no one , no military personal or connection would use it so soon."
Sofia winced "Actually teb nonth ago NSA used the base, they wasnt aware of your training month their."
Ella mafe a fsce at the NSA commrnt but nodded to show sge understoof.
"Ten months yeah, no its definitely that Smirnov family, "
Once the neeting ended.
Sofia handed the file to Ella explaining that she was needed back in Washington.
Mandy offered to brief team Charlie and Hotel on their mission to India .
Soto left with a huff at the zoo the meeting turned into.
Admiral Andetson left smiling as he passed Ella hugging hef quickly, he was going to speak with hjs youngest