A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Sorry it's been so long. To be honest, I had forgotten that I had even posted on this site. I'm actually much farther ahead on this story than it may seem. If you want to read all that I have so far, it's all at the SD-1 boards under "Post-Resurrection Fics." But hopefully I'll get the rest of it up here soon, just in case you like this format better.
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Chapter 2
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Since the bombing of the JTF building left the CIA without its normal facilities, Dixon had called for the meeting in the self-storage facility that Sydney and Vaughn had used when she was a double agent for the CIA. Dixon was insistent that a setback like the destruction of their largest operations center wouldn't hinder their work. Sydney and Vaughn walked to the back of the building, where an old table and some folding chairs had been set up as a makeshift conference room. Dixon, Jack, and Marshall were already present. Marshall had recovered well from his surgery and was apparently ready to start work already. Sydney walked over and gave Marshall a hug, but she avoided her father's eyes as she sat down.
"We've received intel on the possible location of a Covenant front company," Dixon reported. "The building is a bank that handles the accounts of many known Covenant leaders. Sydney, Vaughn, your mission is to infiltrate the building and obtain as much information as possible on what is going on in there. Once we have proof that the Covenant is indeed working there, we can plan our next move." Dixon looked over to Sydney and Vaughn. "We believe this information will help reveal the locations of Sloane and Lauren." Sydney and Vaughn glanced at each other uncomfortably. Neither had revealed to Dixon that Lauren was dead.
Marshall piped up. "The bank monitors frequencies very carefully, so closely that they can detect even the faintest transmission, you know, to the point that a microwave oven could set it off. Meaning that you won't be able to pop popcorn on your mission…" he paused for laughs, but only got a polite smile from Sydney and impatient looks from the others. He took a breath and continued. "Actually, what it really means is that you're not going to be able to use comms or uplinks during the actual mission. So you guys are gonna be on your own."
"Since the bank is located just outside of L.A., there is no need to immediately uplink the data to us. You will simply download the information and immediately report back here," Jack continued.
"Of course, I can provide you with transmitters to uplink the data in case of an emergency, like if there is evidence of a security system that will wipe the info from your disk, or if you're compromised or something," Marshall said. "Not that you'll be compromised or anything, but just so you can be prepared…Oh, by the way, Syd," he added, turning towards Sydney, "I just wanted to say thank you for helping Carrie and babysitting Mitch while I was in the hospital."
Sydney smiled. "It was the least I could do."
"Well, I just wanted to thank you. And Carrie says thanks, too. And if Mitch could talk, I'm sure he would thank you…"
"Marshall will get you the op tech you need to get into the computer servers and download the intel," Dixon interrupted. "You can head out as soon as you're ready. Good luck."
After the others filed out of the room, Sydney stepped forward to talk to Dixon.
"Dixon, where did we get the intel for this mission?"
Dixon looked up from shuffling some papers. "One of your father's contacts."
"And who drew up the specs for the mission?"
"Your father." Dixon noticed the concerned look on Sydney's face. "Why?"
"I don't want to be a part of this mission." Sydney realized she sounded like a bratty child, but she did not want to risk being manipulated by her father anymore.
Dixon sighed. "Syd, we need you on this mission. With Vaughn recovering from his injury, we need someone to go with him in case something should go wrong."
"Couldn't you send Weiss?" Sydney pressed.
Dixon gave Sydney a weary look. "Weiss is sleeping off jet lag from his last mission. I gave Vaughn this mission since it's local and relatively low-risk. But to be safe, we need to send someone with him. And you're the best person for that job."
Sydney nodded in reply, and quietly walked out of the self-storage facility. Jack was outside waiting for her.
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