A/N: X5-511 is Biggs. X5-529 is an OC.
Search and Seizure- infie
The Manticore Mission Files : # X5494-1109 Theatre: UzbekistanExternal Assets: None
Internal Assets - Commander: X5-'494
Internal Assets - Support: Unit X5-09, X5-'511 CO
Objective: Search and Seizure. Locate and retreive virus ATR-22 (Argent) sample
Primary Mobile Target: Mikhail Ashkovich - see dossier
Level of Threat: Minimal
Mission Abstract
Surveil and assess the target location. Resistance and personnel numbers are expected to be minimal. Once the exact position of the sample has been identified, proceed to obtain the sample by whatever means necessary. Return to base.
Enemy base located at 64.10.32E,40.2.2N, Bukhara province, Uzbekistan
Proceed with all possible speed. All travel, personnel, and customs arrangements are in place.
Signature, Commanding Officer: Lydecker, Donald, Colonel
(Monday, 1600 hrs)
494 snapped the blue plastic mission brief folder shut with perfect military precision. He returned crisply to attention, eyes firmly directed straight ahead. "Sir! I understand."
The office around him was a marvel of efficiency and order. The walls were largely bare, with the exception of a couple of framed commendation certificates hanging precisely just inside the door. There were no plants, no distractions, save a large map of the middle east currently occupying the full size corkboard on the western wall. The office reflected the precepts of the Manticore way of life, though no more so than the man sitting behind the large mahogany desk that took up a good deal of the room. Colonel Donald Lydecker leaned back in his gleaming black leather chair, rocking slightly on the springs.
Lydecker looked him over assessingly, and 494 straightened even further. "Good man." he said, his voice its customary husky tenor. Suddenly he came to his feet and approached 494, circling him as he looked the soldier over. "I believe you've worked with 511 before?"
"Yes, sir. We have been on three missions together."
Lydecker nodded and pursed his lips as he came to a stop facing 494. "And you used to be his CO."
494's eyes didn't so much as flicker. "Yes, sir."
"Good. You have a good record with him." Lydecker paused. "I expect your performance on this mission will be exemplary, 494. No repetitions of what happened in Kazakhstan, understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"Pick up your papers from the Comissary. You leave at 0200. Dismissed."
Lydecker returned to his chair as 494 turned on his heel and exited. He smiled and shook his head, remembering the mission report 494 had filed after the Kazakhstan mission. {'X5-511 and I proceeded to diligently investigate the local establishments for willing informants', indeed.} he thought to himself with an reluctant grin. {Though I have to agree that Lola certainly qualified as 'willing'...}
He looked up as X5-511 entered his office and saluted smartly. "Sir!"
"X5-511." he stood and subjected the waiting soldier to the same scrutiny that 494 had endured. X5-511 stood at attention, dark eyes fixed on a spot directly in front of him. He was attractive, as all of the X5's were, but to this day Lydecker had never quite been able to rid him of the mischievious glint in his gaze. 511 had put on some weight, been bulking up, he noted with approval. Lydecker flicked his fingers along the edge of 511's short black hair. "Remember to get a haircut when you get back."
"Sir."
"Have you read the mission brief and attached documentation?" Lydecker asked as he returned to his desk.
"Yes, sir."
"What are you planning for the composition of your team?"
"In addition to X5-494, sir?" 511's tone was impassive, but Lydecker's lips twitched in a hastily supressed smile.
"Yes."
"X5-529 should be sufficient, sir. Based on the threat assessment, enemy count, and efficiency gains in a small group, I believe a team of three would be optimal, and X5-529 is our comm specialist."
Lydecker gazed at him expressionlessly for a moment, then nodded curtly. "I concur." 511 flushed slightly with pleasure. "Dismissed."
(Tuesday, 0030 hrs - Staging Area)
"Ahmad. They named me Ahmad." 494 looked down at his ID in disbelief. He wore a loose tan burnous, belted at the waist, and dark leather boots were briefly visible as he shifted position. "I never liked Ahmad. I thought for sure they'd give me Alexei. I mean, come on. Do I look Arab to you?"
511, dressed virtually identically, gave an amused, pointed stare at 494's newly black-dyed hair, henna-darkened skin, and brown contacts. "You know, I've gotta go with 'Yeah, you do.'"
"Laugh it up, Habib." 494 tossed 511 his own portfolio. 511 sighed in resignation. 529 looked up from his packing. His naturally thick, dark, silky hair, perfect caramel skin and soulful brown eyes marked him as a genetic descendant of the middle-eastern region they were about to visit. "And you. Shut up. At least you didn't have to sit through hours of being poked, prodded, and colourized. And, you get Saleh. At least that one is kinda cool." 529 just flapped his hand dismissively, returning to his packing. 494 zipped up his black canvas duffel and looked at his watch. "All right. We still have to stop at the armory. Let's go." he ordered, leaving the staging area. 511 and 529 picked up their own bags and followed.
(Tuesday, 0045 hrs - Staging Area)
"No guns? What do you mean no guns?"
The armory sergeant, Jessin, looked back at 494 blankly. "I mean... no guns." 511 and 529 exchanged glances, and 529 began edging around behind Jessin carefully. 494 raised an eyebrow and threw an arm around Jessin's shoulder, angling him away from his fellow soldiers. 529 blurred to the display case and crouched in front of the lock, hands busy.
"Now, come on, Jessin. You know we can't head over there unarmed. What if something went wrong?"
Jessin snorted. "You lot are plenty lethal without any guns." 529 stealthily opened the case and withdrew three Glock21C pistols, concealing them easily in the folds of his black burnous. He snagged a handful of replacement magazines and closed the glass case soundlessly, giving 511 a thumbs-up. 511 nodded, a motion 494 caught from his shadow on the wall. "I've given you all the comms equipment you asked for, but the Colonel was very clear. No firearms required."
494 removed his arm from Jessin's shoulders and nodded. "All right." he said lightly. "If the Colonel said no firearms, we'll just leave it at that." Jessin turned to look at the other two X5, standing near the door looking innocent. He frowned suspiciouly, but 494 headed for the door before he could say anything else. "Gotta go, Jessin. We'll make sure to return everything when we get back."
"You do that!" shouted Jessin after him as the door closed behind the three X5s.
494 stopped in the hall and held out his hand. 529 handed him one of the Glocks, which he immediately placed in his waistband under his robe. 511 and 529 mimicked his gesture. "Uh, 494, if the Colonel said there shouldn't be any guns, should we really..." 494 and 511 exchanged glances.
"Forget about it." 494 cut him off curtly. "The Colonel only gave that order to keep us on our toes. He's have been shitting kittens if we went on a mission without firearms. He likes to play these little games." His lips compressed. "Especially with me."
"How would you have managed, if we hadn't been here?"
494 remained silent, but turned and looked at 529 with empty, impassive eyes. 511 put his hand on 494's shoulder, making him blink. Humanity slid back into his expression, and 529 began to breathe again. 511 waited calmly for a moment, then started purposefully toward the helipad, drawing 494's attention. "0100, men. Time to head out."