*I would like to apologize to my readers, I just recently realized I was spelling Atla's name wrong, and I promise they will be correct in all future chapters
Part 8 – First Job – Part 1
The following day the team was cleared for duty, four men arrived at a barn outside Rock Valley, two were in their late twenties to early thirties, one was defiantly in his thirties, and the final one was in his very late teens to very early twenties.
Inside was a man in his early forties, "My name is Mr. White," he said, "You will refer to me as this, White, or Boss. This job will be one-time-only, half-a-million each," he pointed at the man in his thirties, "You are Mr. Blue," the one in his late teens, "Mr. Green," to the one on the left in his late twenties, "Mr. Red," the other one, "Mr. Yellow," he held out his hands, "Hand over your phones," they all slid their phones across the table to him, "When this job is over we go our separate ways, and never speak of this again," what he pulled out of his jacket was a Glock 17, "Is that understood," no one said anything.
Mr. White chuckled before passing the Glock to Mr. Yellow, he then handed Mr. Red a Serbu Super Shorty, he then passed an MP5 to Mr. Blue, and then another Glock to Mr. Green.
Meanwhile, Naofumi was sitting in his office submitting his report on his unit members, and how well he thought his team would perform under pressure.
As he submitted his report, he heard a knock at the door, "Come in," he said.
Raphtalia opened the door, and stood at attention before asking, "How's your report coming, Captain?"
"Just submitted," Naofumi said, "Anything you need?"
"Yes," Raphtalia said, "May I sit?"
"Loosen up, Sergeant you might sprain something," Naofumi said before pointing at the seats in front of his desk, "And you never need permission to sit in my office unless someone important is here. So what do you need?"
"The team has put in their requests for their guns," Raphtalia said as she took her seat, "With your permission, I'd like to begin requests for ordering our accessories."
"Why would you need my permission," Naofumi asked.
"Hero Brigade Regulation 13A states that any and all accessories that go on weapons of Hero Brigade personnel have to be requested via a superior officer," Raphtalia said.
"Yes," Naofumi said, "But you're forgetting that Regulation 13B states that these requests can be approved via the unit's Second-in-Command. And, officially as of a few minutes ago, that's you."
"In that case, I'll get right on it," Raphtalia said.
One hour later…
The sounds of gunshots are something that you wouldn't expect to hear coming from a barn, but then again when you have five men planning a robbery, you want to make sure that they know their firearms inside and out (I've never robbed anyone, but rule number one, if you have a weapon, is to know it like it's your child).
Mr. White had begun training Mr. Blue and Mr. Yellow on their weapons, "Squeeze, don't snatch," Mr. White said as he shot off three rounds, and then handed it to Mr. Blue, "You fire in full-auto in bursts, or you switch it to semi-auto. Full auto is very hard to control."
Mr. Blue took the MP5 and began firing as Mr. White aimed the Glock downrange, "It's semi-auto," he said, "One shot," he fired, "Then follow up," he fired again, and handed it to Mr. Yellow, "Always keep your weapons downrange."
"You've seen him before," Mr. Green asked.
"You mean before this," Mr. Red asked as he was cleaning his Super Shorty.
"Yes," Mr. Green said.
"No," Mr. Red said, "He approached me about the job, I was down on my luck, and needed the money."
"You'd kill for five hundred thousand," Mr. Green asked.
"I'd kill for half that," Mr. Red said as he checked the bore before going back in for another scrubbing, "It's a job, nothing more."
"Keep the elbow stable," Mr. White said as he adjusted Mr. Blue's elbow so it was so fair extended before walking over to Mr. Yellow, "Shoulders forward," he pushed Mr. Yellow's shoulders so that his arms were fully extended in front of him.
While Raphtalia was submitting her request for the team's equipment, Naofumi took the time to look over who his former teammates had chosen for their units.
Ren had chosen Welt Penrose, who used to be an Investigative Protection Officer with the United States Secret Service. Bakta Ratti, former Sergeant in the Border Patrol Tactical Unit. Tersia Apostolos, discharged from the DC Metropolitan Police. Finally, there was Farrie O'Brian, an ex-patrol officer with the Miami-Dade Police Department.
Itsuki's team consisted of Mald Broadside, former Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Marines. Rojeel West, ex-NYPD SWAT officer. Rishia Ivyred, a retired U.S. Navy officer. There was one other, but for some reason, her name was withheld.
Motoyasu somehow had recruited the Governor's daughter, Malty (bitch) Melromarc. Lesty Frye, Malty's friend, and former Castletown Police. Rino Preston, former Chicago Police. Then, he had chosen former U.S. Army soldier, Elena Haven. Naofumi thought that was beyond typical for the Brigade's resident skirt-chaser.
A few of the Brigade members that Naofumi read about were also in his portfolio when he was on his way to Rock Valley, but he didn't have time to think about that because it was time to head back to his apartment.
The night was uneventful for Naofumi, but not so much for our crew of robbers: Mr. Green and Mr. Yellow were sleeping in one room inside the house attached to the barn, but neither of them could sleep.
"You awake," Mr. Green asked.
"No, fast asleep," Mr. Yellow said.
"You'd really kill someone," Mr. Green asked.
"For half a million," Mr. Yellow asked, "You bet your ass I would."
"Guess that's why boss picked you," Mr. Green said, "Did he know you before this?"
"Not that I can recall," Mr. Yellow said, "I think Mr. Red might be the only one who knows him."
"Then how'd he know how to find us," Mr. Green asked, "He found the four of us who would agree to do whatever he says. Isn't it weird?"
It was then the lights went on, and Mr. White was standing there, giving them the coldest stare you could possibly receive, "You talk too much," was all he said before he turned out the lights.
The next day…
The team had gathered up the weapons they would be carrying as their primary arms and had customized them in the way that made them theirs.
"I wanted to make sure I could stop unarmored opponents," Raphtalia said as she held her MP5 out to Naofumi which she had customized with an EOTech 512, a PEQ/IR designator, and a telescopic stock.
"Balance is nice," he said as he extended the shoulder stock, and pulled back on the bolt, before giving it an 'HK-slap', and pulling the trigger, "10mm."
"How'd you know that," Raphtalia asked.
"I've been around a few weapons before," Naofumi said as he checked the sight, "Nice reticle."
"Thanks," Raphtalia said, "The IR designator is activated via the grip which can be seen in night-vision."
"Very nice," Naofumi said as he handed Raphtalia's weapon back before continuing to Fohl.
"Sir, my weapon," he held it out to Naofumi.
His weapon was an AR-pattern rifle with a 20" barrel with an EOTech 512/G33 scope combo, a FAB Defense angled foregrip, and a fixed butt-stock.
Naofumi took the rifle, balanced on his open palm right in front of the handle, "Balance appears just right," he said before slapping the butt-stock and causing it to spin in mid-air before he caught it by the barrel, less than a centimeter below the foregrip, "Correction, the balance is perfect. .458 SOCOM?"
"Full auto, sir," Fohl said.
"Can you handle that," Naofumi asked as he held their rifle out to Fohl?
"Yes, sir," Fohl said as he took his rifle back.
"Good," Naofumi said, "Because you just became the team's secondary marksman."
"Thank you, sir," Fohl said.
Naofumi nodded before moving to Sadeena who was carrying a Mossberg with an A&K telescopic shotgun stock and grip, a FAB tactical pump she attached a light to, and a top-mounted rail system with an EOTech EXSP2 holographic sight.
"My weapon," Sadeena said as she held it out to Naofumi, "It's big, but I bet you've held bigger."
"Ha, ha," Naofumi said as he examined the shotgun before pumping once, "What are you going to use in this thing?"
"I prefer slugs," Sadeena said, "Birdshot isn't the best thing to use in a hostage situation."
"Very good," Naofumi said, "Another thing you should consider is making your own shotgun shells."
"Of course," Sadeena said, "Shouldn't be a problem. I'll start seeing what I can do."
"Very nice," Naofumi said, "Before you make those shells, I expect to see schematics."
"First on my list," Sadeena said.
Naofumi then moved on to stand in front of Atla who was holding another MP5 which had a telescopic stock, a railed handguard, an EOTech EXSP2 sight, and a vertical foregrip.
"My weapon, Captain," Atla said as she held out her gun to Naofumi.
"Very nice," Naofumi said as he took the MP5, pulled back on the bolt, and then slapped it shut.
Atla "The sight has additional settings for various situations," she said, "Forest, desert, or even urban settings."
"Very good," Naofumi said as he handed the MP5 back, "You all seem to know what you like, and I can respect that. But there's one thing each of you are missing. First one to answer what it is incorrectly buys everyone a round of drinks. Thirty seconds to say what it is before I start calling names."
"Experience," Fohl asked.
"Good answer," Naofumi said, "But wrong, first round on Fohl next time."
"Trust," Alta asked.
"Another good answer," Naofumi said, "But like your brother, wrong."
"A personal touch," Sadeena asked.
"Ding, ding, ding," Naofumi said, "We have a winner. Adding a personal touch to your weapons is what truly makes them 'yours'. Start thinking about what you want to weapons, you never know when a personal weapon or addition to your weapon might help you."
It was then that their alarm went off, "Team one," the chief's voice said over the loudspeaker, "Immediate response, Rock Valley National Bank. They have hostages!"
"Guess we'll have to decide on that later," Naofumi said, "Let's go!"
One hour prior…
Mr. Green was driving the van that would take them to the bank, Mr. Red was the first to step out, he had on a fake beard, a black beanie, and a pair of round-rimmed sunglasses.
The bank was not busy, but there were a few customers inside, he made sure that no one was paying attention to him as a bike pulled up next, and Mr. Yellow and Mr. Blue got off, and walked into the bank.
"Keep it parked close," Mr. White said, "And don't draw attention to yourself."
Mr. Green nodded before Mr. White stepped out, and walked across the street toward the bank. Mr. White himself had on a large trench coat, fedora hat, and a fake goatee.
As he entered, he saw one of the tellers was talking to one of the customers, walking up to the front, he spoke up, "Sorry to interrupt," he said, "But I have an appointment with the bank manager."
"Of course," the teller said before turning around, "Mr. Richards."
Mr. Richards signaled Mr. White to walk around to the side door, as he was buzzed in, Mr. White pulled his coat aside to show the grip of his handgun, "Keep quiet," he said as he reached into his coat pocket, "And you'll return home, to your family," he pulled out a picture of his wife and kids getting into her car, "I have three other men with me. We'll be in and out in ten minutes, insurance will pay, and your family will be just fine."
As they walked into the main area, Mr. Richards walked over, punched in the code, and spoke, "Take it, easy everyone," he said, drawing everyone's attention, "We have a situation. Please nobody try anything heroic."
Mr. Blue, Mr. Red, and Mr. Yellow sprung into action, drawing their weapons, closing the blinds to the bank, locking the door, and as Mr. White threw Mr. Red a think of post-it notes, he placed one over the camera lens.
"Are we being robbed," one of the customers asked.
"We're not robbing you, we're robbing the bank," Mr. Blue said, "Now gently place your phones on the counter," as they complied, he pointed to the teller, "Now very slowly open the drawer, place them inside," he raised the MP5, "And don't do anything brave."
The teller nodded before opening the money drawer and placing the phones into it.
Mr. White, Mr. Red, and Mr. Yellow marched Mr. Richards up the stairs into the sorting room, whereupon seeing the mountains of cash sitting there on the table, all Mr. Yellow could say was, "Holy shit," which drew everyone's attention.
"No heroics," Mr. Richards said.
"Let's go," Mr. Red said as he pointed his shotgun at them, "Phones on the table."
Mr. White pulled off his trench coat, and as he placed it on the table, he revealed that there were pockets sewn into the back.
As he was beginning to fill his pockets, Mr. Green heard a tap on the window and saw a cop in full uniform standing next to his window.
"There a problem, officer," Mr. Green asked as he rolled down the window.
The cop simply pointed to a sign off to the right which simply read, "No Parking between 8:30 P.M., and 8:30 A.M. without permit".
Mr. Green nodded before going to move the car, but throwing it into reverse first, and accidentally backing into the car parked behind him.
The cop walked back, and said into his radio, "1-Echo to Dispatch, observed NIA, 10-75 with subject," he clicked it off, and simply said, "Sir, please step out of the car."
Mr. Green exhaled strongly before putting the car into park, and opening the door, allowing his Glock to slide out of his pocket onto the ground.
The cop looked down, and saw the gun, only for Mr. Green to shove the door open, retrieved his weapon as the cop fell backward, and had him as a hostage before he could recover.
A lady shopping saw this, and retreated into the shop to pull out her phone, and call the police.
To be continued…
