Just to prevent any confusion, these are the people's names and designations.
One- Kate
Two- Kazi
Three- Sarah
Four- Jackie
Five- Cassie
Six- Karen
Chapter 4: Know Thy Enemy
"Your target is going to be a Resistance-held industrial complex, located in the northern section of the City."
Kate and the rest of her team were listening closely on their radios as K-257 briefed them on their next target. At the same time, data transmitted over the radio link was being fed into their HUDs, displaying a 3-dimensional image of a section of City 17.
"So far, Civil Protection have managed to keep them contained within this sector, but have not attacked the area as of yet. This complex is one of their most heavily fortified areas, and its literally been turned from a set of ruins into a fortress."
The image then zoomed in, and highlighted certain sections of the 3-d map. They revealed carefully concealed bunkers, trench systems, and heavy-weapons emplacements littered throughout strategic areas of the complex.
"In addition to clearing the complex of any Resistance forces you encounter, your primary objective is this man." K-257 paused as the image shifted from the map to a image of a man. He was fairly old, about forty, had short gray hair, and his face was sprinkled with wrinkles, warts, and other features that would betray a man's age.
"His name is Leonard Simmons. He is one of the major Resistance leaders. It is the utmost importance that you either extract or kill him."
Kate and the others looked at each other. Though the masks hid it, it was obvious that all of them were confused.
"Sir," Kate interjected, "rescue and assassination are a bit on the opposite ends of the spectrum. Which one are we doing?"
It was tough to hear with the voice distortion on the radio, but Kate could hear the Major softly chuckling.
"The thing is, this situation is far more complicated than you might think. Mr. Simmons true designation is Captain M-016."
"A Combine soldier?" Sarah asked in curiosity.
"Correct. Two years ago, Captain M-016 attempted to infiltrate the Resistance as an undercover agent. Unfortunately, he dug in with the Resistance a little too much, and it became harder and harder to come contact with him. We are now unsure whether he is still on our side or theirs. That is why you are going in to find out."
"So, can you clarify on this alive or dead thing a little more, sir?" Cassie asked.
"Preferably, we want him alive. We have to determine if he has any valuable information on the Resistance, or find out how many Combine secrets he has leaked. Either way, you try to take him back in one piece, but that doesn't mean you can't kill him if starts to become trouble."
Everybody nodded. They had no problem with killing, especially if a potential traitor to the Combine was involved.
"That is all. Are there any questions?"
"Will we have any sort of support?" Kazi asked.
"Civil Protection has several units in place already, so they'll provide you with direct ground support. Reinforcements and military units are en route, but won't be there for a while. Besides, if you need them, then you've already failed your mission. In terms of air support, our attack helicopters have been called away on another mission, so all air support is restricted to what your dropship can provide."
"What sort of resistance can we expect?" asked Kate.
"There are roughly a hundred fifty to two hundred Resistance members in the complex, most of them armed. They have an assortment of MP7s, shotguns, pulse rifles, and RPGs, as well as artillery like heavy pulse guns."
"So, in other words, it's going to be a cakewalk." Quipped Jackie.
K-257 laughed, "Pretty much. Good luck to you all. You'll be landing in about ten minutes."
The CitadelK-257 sighed as he shut off his radio. So far, things have not been going well. Multiple units were being drawn off to pursue Freeman, with little success. Units were constantly making and losing contact with him, and there was mass confusion about his current whereabouts.
In addition to the lack of success, some of the offensives in other areas were stalling, as needed reinforcements were being drawn off to find Freeman. The same was true for his team. His reassurance that reinforcements were coming to assist them was a complete lie. They had been transferred before they even left the Citadel. Besides the CP units already in the area, his team was very much alone.
The Major slumped in his chair and sighed. He had a feeling this was going to be a long day, for both him and his team.
