Chapter Five: Apprehension
Temporary Covert Operations Outpost - New Mexico Desert (Sector 3327)
=== 10 minutes until helicopter liftoff ===
The seven men in Trenton's squad all sat next to the side of a black, unmarked helicopter, the very one that would be airlifting them to the drop-zone in under ten minutes. Only a small amount of pail, artificial light fell onto the silent operatives. Most of the men stayed quiet through the briefing, keeping whatever worries they had to themselves; Evans, however, could always be counted on.
"Recon mission? You've gotta be shitting me, sending in this many for recon, that isn't how it's done, and you know it!"
"Evans," Trenton said, with as much patience as he could gather.
"Yea?" he sneered, his blue eyes and wavy black hair becoming visible as he peered out from the beneath the shadows.
"Shut up."
Evans gave him an angry expression, looked away, and proceeded to load the SAW he held in his lap.
"Great, the hothead gets the heavy machine gun." Trenton heard a man sitting a few feet away remark. He couldn't make out his face due to the darkness, and it didn't really matter. He didn't even know all of these men's names; he had only been grouped with them right before the Black Mesa mission
"Put on your masks and goggles while on descent," Trenton addressed the men, "Once there, stay in radio contact, but keep it quiet. You know the drill."
The men nodded, all except for Evans, who was trying to make it very obvious he wasn't listening.
Trenton paused for what seemed like ages, silently debating what he was going to say next, what he was going to tell them…
"Tell them what they need to know…
Something has Survived…"
Trenton cleared his throat, speaking with more volume and emotion than he had for the entire briefing. Everyone took notice of this, staring up at him with signs of apprehension as Trenton's voice began to waiver slightly.
"I have, a bad feeling about this… I don't know what the other squads are being told… but you, be ready for anything… that's…that's all."
Everyone nodded at this; all showing signs of the same uncertainty that Trenton himself felt in the mission they were about to undertake. Black Operatives were always given elaborate briefings, told all secrets, all knowledge pertaining to the mission. But this was different, and everyone around Trenton knew it.
"Alright, gear up. Be ready in five minutes."