Ultraviolet: Codename S.P.E.C.I.A.L

Author's notes: I know it's been three weeks, but schoolwork has really taken a toll on me and writing is more of a luxury than a hobby. I did finish this chapter a long time ago; I just didn't want to update because that would probably mean another month before I update.

Chapter 27

Breaking and Entering

Specialist Training Mission File 002

Mission Description: Information is being gathered about Supers in a secret military facility, which may reveal more about current Supers activity as well as secret identities of Supers who survived the SRP. The information may prove to be useful in the hunt against Supers.

Primary Objective: Retrieve top-secret files out of compound.

Secondary Objective: Alarm must not be sounded.

Resistance: Hopefully, none.

Training Difficulty: Moderate

"Come on guys, move it!"

This mission was not like the others. Heck, it was only their second, and things had changed to the point that the team may fall apart at any moment. The 'blame game' was played, now was the time for actions to prove who was right.

Lance was stuck at the rear; because the 'leader' said so. He was up front, smug look plastered all over his face. But he'll not make it far, Lance thought. Then he'll be the one taking over.

"Move, Lance. You don't want to be left behind…"

For now, he'll have to obey.

The compound loomed ahead, a dull, grey structure typical of a military facility. And just like their real-life counterparts, this one was crawling with guards. No details were spared, even in a simulation. They had spent the last half an hour observing the guards' behavioural pattern, in hope of having an easier time sneaking in. Nothing out of the ordinary; the guards weren't falling asleep or anything.

This called for a more… unorthodox mode of entry.

Their sneak suits melded into the darkness, its soft fabric making no sound as the team snuck closer, backing against a wall. Further along the wall was the entrance; they could see the pair of guards at the guard post now. It would require immaculate precision to create a distraction.

Serena and Lance fell back, as Ken and Anna worked in tandem; first Anna sprinted up to the guard post, injecting a dose of her powers into the unwary guard and then retreating in three seconds, thanks to Ken's time manipulative abilities. Now they wait for a response…

"What the…"

There was a click, followed by the sound of rifle fire amid a cry of protest. The guard left standing grabbed his comrade's rifle, before storming into the compound Rambo-style. The entrance was now clear; it would take at least a few minutes before someone came to investigate, before finding the rogue guard. No trace that the Specialists were here… still within the mission premises.

The team went in, keeping clear of the path of the wandering guard, who occasionally took a few shots at the ceiling or doorways. Their walking decoy took a right turn down the hallway, as the team huddled together to consolidate their plan.

"Serena, you've got the layout of the building memorised. What's the fastest way to wherever the information is stored?" Ken took charge, much to Lance's anger.

Three sets of eyes looked at the female, as she sighed. "I don't know yet. We have to access the compound's mainframe to find out where the files are."

"And that would be at…?"

"Wherever they keep the computers, stupid…" Lance muttered, supposedly out of Ken's earshot. Anna stifled her laughter as Ken resisted punching Lance.

"I knew that! We still need to know where to go!"

"The main computer lab is in the east wing. I could tell you how to go, but you probably won't catch half of it."

They were interrupted by voices coming from the right hallway. Their decoy was probably found, which meant that they don't have time to remain idle. They ignored the screams of pain and sounds of bullets ricochet off the walls… They needed a quick plan.

"We can go by the ventilation ducts… Leader," Lance suggested, drawing another look of fury from Ken.

"I'm the one calling the shots here..."

The sounds of footsteps were drawing closer now. One side must have been victorious.

"Everyone in the ducts now," Ken whispered in exasperation, and Lance hid a smile.

The ducts were lit up by Serena's torch, as she led the group through its numerous turns and bends. They must have been in there for a good half an hour before she announced, "It's below us."

The grilles that allowed air out of the lab also provided a good view into the room. As expected, there were mostly technicians in the lab; nothing that a little gas couldn't handle.

A gush of deadly fumes diffused into the lab below; a few minutes in the enclosed room, and everyone in it was slumped against their workstation. The Specialists slipped on their gas masks, landing silently into the room. As an additional measure, Serena locked the room in by tampering with the security codes.

Lance had started on the computer, retrieving the relevant information in seconds. Serena took a look at it, signalling thumbs up for the team to move out.

"Right turn, first grille."

Ken eased the grille out of position, sticking his head out to inspect the room. "All clear," he called out, and lowered himself down. Anna and Serena followed, their suits making no sound as they landed. Lance scrambled into position, ready to jump when muffled footsteps came from beyond the door.

"Right this way, sir."

The trio in the room glanced up at Lance, as though waiting for an order, but there was no need to. They ducked behind the nearest cover, as Lance retreated back into the duct to keep an eye on things.

A high-ranking officer, flanked by a couple of soldiers, strode into the room. This certainly messed things up, Lance thought. How would the team fare without his co-ordination?

Much better than he expected, definitely.

Anna moved towards the entrance, cutting off their only route of escape. She didn't even need hand signals; on a silent count of three, she closed the door using the touchpad, while Ken and Serena leapt out from behind the tables. It was over in a flash, the three men were sprawled on the ground.

Lance landed with a soft thud, straightening up with a grin. "Good job, guys." For a fleeting second, Ken caught his eye, and Lance nodded in approval. Both of them looked like they were about to say something, but were interrupted by the girls clearing their throats.

"Let's get outta here."

"You handled well," Lance congratulated, patting his brother on his shoulder.

"Thanks, but the leader thing is just not my stuff, you know…"

The waves crashed into the rocks below them, as they leant on the balcony overlooking the ocean. They stayed there for a while, not saying anything, but a lot happened. Ken relinquished his leadership post back to Lance, and Lance himself understood that his team could do well without him in the lead.

It wasn't a bad thing after all.

Specialist Training Mission File 002

Mission accomplished

Learning Outcomes: Resolve rivalry, stealth mission

Outcomes accomplished.

Additional Outcomes: Learning to let go

End notes: Every time I see the folder labelled Ultraviolet in my documents folder, I can't help but imagine an expiry date stamped smack in its centre. This story has, in my opinion, gone past its expiry date, so I guess it's time to make way for something new. The story will finish, and that's it for now. I have decided to take a long break, but that doesn't mean I'll be inactive; just less active than before. I will also build up more chapters in my other fics for the Incredibles section. It's there, but I need time.

What this means for you: Expect more stuff from me, but the earliest I can start posting multi-chaptered fics is probably… December this year. Yes, it is that bad…