4. Cover Story

"Hello and welcome. I'm Landsat Field Supervisor, Victor Nieves," the man introduced to the group gathered for the debriefing session, standing before a projector. Top Secret was written across the slide.

"This'll be good," Tilda muttered to Mason who smiled in agreement.

"Secrets, secrets, secrets," agreed the blonde.

"This is my colleague, Steve Woodward, our data collector," Nieves continued, introducing the man who had been checking them in and was surprised by the two women.

"Mason Weaver is a woman?" Mason whispered in mocking, making Tilda giggle.

"Shh," she whispered, but the two continued to chuckle.

"Our expedition takes us to a place every nautical trade route known to man has avoided for centuries: a long-lost island." Nieves changed the slides to ones displaying satellite photographs. "As our satellites show, the island is surrounded by a perpetual storm system, allowing it to remain hidden from the outside world..."

"Mysterious," mumbled Tilda, hurriedly scratching notes in her notebook.

"But with Colonel Packard's helicopter transport, we will be the first to break through to the other side. Thank you, Colonel." Packard gave a wave. "We're also pleased to be joined, for the first time, by the resource exploration team, led by Mr. Randa, and accompanied by biologist, Miss San, and geologist, Mr. Brooks. Our focus will be on the island's surface, theirs on what lies beneath."

"Searching for buried treasure," mumbled Tilda. "That's it then, the secret's out: we're working for pirates." Mason gave a little snort of laughter.

This seemed to catch the attention of Packard, for the Colonel shot them a glare from across the room, his tense gaze meeting Tilda's. She quickly looked back down at her notebook.

Brooks came forward and began explaining with the help of the slides. "It's simple, really."

"Is it?" mumbled Mason.

"We'll use explosives to shake the earth and create vibrations-"

At this, Tilda looked up. She and Mason now exchanged a serious glance.

"-Helping us to map the subsurface of the island. We'll fly in over the south shore and then strategically drop seismic charges to do this."

"You're dropping bombs?" broke in James, voicing many's thoughts.

"Hmm, more like scientific instruments," corrected Brooks.

"Sounds like bombs to me," muttered Tilda.

"Yeah," scoffed Mason in agreement.

"You hear that, boys? We're scientists!" cried Slivko, one of the young soldiers, earning some laughs from his fellow military men.

"You are not scientists," scoffed Woodward, just loud enough for them to hear.

Tilda raised her hand. "And what is the purpose of these 'scientific instruments'?" she clarified.

"The explosions they create will better help us understand the density of the earth," Brooks explained.

"So you're dropping bombs," she stated.

"We'll then land and make base camp for ground excursions led by Mr. Conrad and Mr. Lance," Nieves said, grabbing back their attention.

Tilda caught James looking down when eyes looked his way following this address, and he appeared a little shy, while Philip stood up straighter and gave the group a wave.

Next it was Major Jack Chapman's turn. "Alright, once on the island, the storm's interference will block all radio contact with the ship. That means we'll be by ourselves. Three days later the refuel team will meet us here-" He gestured to the picture on the slide. "-On the north side of the island. That may be our only safe departure window for an unknown period of time. So, tip for everybody: don't miss it, please."

Nieves once again took the stage. "That's all for now, thank you for your attention and cooperation. Good night."

With that, everyone disbanded.

"I know a cover story when I hear one," said Tilda, snapping her notebook shut.

"Uh, huh," agreed Mason. "You still having second thoughts about this job?"

"Oh yes," her partner answered. "Only for different reasons now."

RESTRICTED AREA. AUTHORIZED.

After the meeting, the partners in crime were wandering around below decks where all of the equipment for the expedition was being stored. Turned out, they weren't the only ones who had this idea.

"Crikey!" exclaimed Tilda when they rounded a corner to find a tall, towering figure in front of them, also inspecting the secretive crates. James's handsome face was illuminated by the dull orange glow of flame coming from the lighter held in his hand.

"Trying to light all this science shit on fire?" Mason joked.

"What are you doing down here?" he demanded, standing up straight and tall.

"Well, Captain, looks like we caught you red-handed." Mason grinned. "We could ask you the same." She turned to Tilda. "Well English, looks like we're not the only ones suspicious enough to come sneaking around the equipment."

"We thought we were the only ones down here," Tilda told him.

"Well, evidently not." He flicked his lighter shut, enclosing them in shadows.

"It's sure a lot of 'restricted' stuff they've got here," Tilda observed.

"Why does a geological mapping mission need explosives?" Mason pondered aloud.

"You obviously weren't listening in class. I could see you girls giggling away." James crossed his arms.

"Could you? And were you listening? Sound like you were paying attention to us," said Mason with raised eyebrows.

He gave a half-amused grin. "They're seismic charges for the geological survey."

"Sounds fancy," stated Mason. "And you believe that?"

"I didn't say that."

"Have you met Colonel Packard yet? That guy's wound pretty tight."

"The man's a decorated war hero. That's the package they come in. I've met enough of them to know. And you? Isn't shooting a mapping mission a step down for a war photographer and journalist?"

"Anti-war," Mason corrected. "The right photo paired with the right story can help shape opinions."

"And win you a Pulitzer."

"That's not why we're here," stated Tilda.

"Might I ask why, then? Do, pray tell."

"Okay, Captain Conrad, how about you? How did British special forces get dragged into all this?" Mason asked.

"Do, pray tell," added Tilda.

This made him smile. "Just 'Conrad', I'm decommissioned. They offered me money," he admitted.

"Hmm, and there's the truth. You don't strike me as a mercenary." Mason glanced at Tilda who raised her eyebrows. "Anyways, I'm going to go take some shots." She held up her camera dangling from around her neck. "See you two later."

"Bye, Mace." With that, the blonde woman disappeared behind a tall stack of crates.

"Despite your giggling and whispering, you seemed rather attentive tonight," James commented.

"You can never ask too many questions." She grinned. "I just want to know all the facts, what we're getting ourselves into."

He nodded, eyeing the boxed-up equipment surrounding them like a maze. "Me too."

Yay, more James! ;) Haha! I hope you enjoyed, thanks so much for reading and the reviews! :)