A year had passed before Kallista was allowed to set foot onto the field and it was conditional based. For this mission they needed someone from the Blackwatch Intel department to link directly with the factory's mainframe to obtain information. The mainframe of this factory was ancient compared to newer mainframes and because of this someone needed to go in.
The information was integral to ongoing investigations into other players around the world – names, locations, connections, gangs, smuggling etc. This one mainframe was the lead Blackwatch needed to get ahead of their targets. The server was tucked away in an old factory that was seemingly defunct, but the giveaway was the heavily armed but sparse security that patrolled the old corridors.
The mission was simple enough, establish a link back to base and Malik would handle the extraction of the data. Kallista was Gabriel's last choice due to Malik still being medically unable to participate in this mission.
Every time he looked at her, she knew that he didn't want her here.
Gabriel glanced at the woman sitting across from him, she appeared calm as she sat with her arms crossed and one leg over the other. She was damn good at hiding how nervous she was, he could see the slight bounce in her leg, the rhythmless tapping of her foot, how hard she grasped her biceps and how she closed herself off.
"Kalli, you nervous?" Jesse asked.
"Not entirely," Kallista replied as her blue eyes focused on the man next to her.
"Surprisin'" Jesse replied
[Jesse almost shit himself when he went on his first mission. Wait I can't remember if you did or not]
Malik's voice echoed over everyone's comm unit, Gabriel and Lyudmila chuckled as Jesse scoffed at their comment.
"Now is not the time fer yer shit Malik," Jesse cursed.
[I mean...that's what I heard...just saying…]
"I'm used to working under pressure...we'll see how well I do under this type of stress," Kallista replied.
[We get to see the kitten with her claws in person this time…]
"Malik…," Gabriel started.
[C'mon you can't tell me you're not excited to see Fata Morgana work...aye Kalli]
"Seeing and hearing her work is two different things Malik," Lyudmila commented quietly. The graying woman had been silent and Kallista nearly missed what the woman had said
"Yea, We see one thing and you see another Mali," Jesse added.
[You are all lame]
"Malik enough," Gabriel spoke up cutting the conversation short.
[Fiiiine...Don't have too much fun without me…]
"Kallista...just to make sure you remember the mission details. Do you need me to go over them again?" Gabriel questioned.
"Yes, just to cover all bases," Kallista replied.
"This is just an Intel mission, engaging with the security is prohibited. Birro has already infiltrated and will give us as much leeway as possible. Jesse will serve as backup as well as Lyudmila," Gabriel began.
"You are to establish a secure link with Malik back at base to begin transferring data. This is a time-sensitive mission and we have to be alert as it," Gabriel finished as he focused on her.
"Understood,"
[Roger Gabi~]
"Cut it out, Ramos,"
Malik's voice was heard snickering through the group's comm units.
Gabriel shifted in his seat as he glanced at the two sitting across from him and Lyudmila. His eyes focused on the woman, her icy blue eyes meeting his before she focused on the small PDA that was given to her for the mission. It was a message from Malik.
{Malik: An escort mission hmmm?}
Kallista gripped the small device in her hand before she noticed that she had been sent a message. She looked around noticing Gabriel's eyes were on her. Shifting slightly she responded to the message.
{Kaines: I guess so? I'm not even cleared to carry a weapon yet}
{Malik: Eventually you will...when he trusts you more}
{Kaines: That's promising}
{Malik: Yeah. I heard Lyuda putting in some good words for you when you helped her out with those corrupted documents.}
{Kaines: Even better}
{Malik: This is your first time with Gabriel :) }
{Kaines: You do know that sounds bad right?}
{Malik: Exactly. I know what I said and I mean it in both ways :) }
{Kaines: Anything to expect?}
{Malik: Just follow his orders and don't worry. When you worry you mess up. Gabi is there to protect you, you'll be fine,}
{Kaines: Thanks I suppose}
{Malik: I mean…what else did you expect? }
The rest of the ride to the mission drop point was silent although his mind raced 1000 miles per hour. Gabriel occasionally found himself staring at the woman across from him. It was her first field mission, she was unarmed, basic gear, and anything could go wrong. More importantly, he was worried about what was happening inside of her.
The concoction of unidentified chemicals that were injected into her system without proper clearance showed no signs of slowing her down but he knew that whatever the concoction was would show itself with time. But he hoped that no symptoms would appear under the stress of this mission. He didn't want to see her on the field and felt that she didn't belong.
Maybe that was the soldier side of him protecting a civilian.
Just as soon as they landed at their destination, they moved into positions and Gabriel gave the signal. With haste, the two moved silently through the shadows they reached their first entry point.
"Cameras above entry point and around the perimeter," Kallista whispered. Gabriel nodded in agreement as he spotted the security cameras above the door and around the entry point.
"Hay-B…" Gabriel spoke quietly.
After a second of silence the cameras seemingly deactivated as the door slid open, Gabriel and Kallista made their way into the compound, the door closed behind them with a soft hiss, the cameras reactivating.
[The wolf is on the move]
Gabriel and Kallista moved quickly and silently through the old looking compound, taking note of the new equipment and upgraded security system
35 minutes.
Kallista and Gabriel slid next to the server room, the two hid in the shadows as a guard walked past unbeknownst to their presence. Gabriel waited a moment before he cautiously looked around taking note of all of the cameras.
"Hay-B" Gabriel whispered
[My position may have been compromised, changing locations]
Kallista heard the agent's voice through her comm unit, even in the dark, she could tell that Gabriel tensed as he looked around.
[Gabi- I can't help if I don't have access to the network]
"Allow me," Kallista whispered as she began typing on her PDA given to her for the mission. Within seconds Kallista had the cameras surrounding the server room under her control, the server door slid open with a soft hiss.
"We can move on your word. It's clear from what I can see Gabriel," Kallista whispered.
There was a soft whistle that came from their comm unit.
[Not bad...less than 10 seconds…]
[Radio silence means radio silence, Malik]
Lyudmila's voice came through the comm units to chide them, Gabriel sighed in annoyance before he cautiously looked for clearance, with a nod of his head Kallista and Gabriel moved into the server room, the door closed with a soft hiss.
"You have 15 minutes," Gabriel said as he stood by the entrance.
"5-10 minutes is all I need...probably less," Kallista said as she took her hood off and took a quick survey of the server room.
"Malik," Gabriel began.
[Far server tower in the back, EZK-1930]
Kallista moved silently towards the back of the server room, locating a computer terminal and said server tower.
"Upload in three...two...one…"
[That was too easy...]
"Scrub the data at least three times...the fact that there are no warning signs means that there is something hidden beneath," Kallista whispered.
[Si~]
"There's also some files that are encrypted...and from what I can tell...salted messages,"
Gabriel glanced at the woman sitting cross-legged, engrossed in her work, the green and black translucent wires running from her PDA to the terminal and to the server tower. She was efficient, quick, and crushed all expectations of her and how the data extraction process would go. He knew that he would be a little slower if he did the mission solo.
[See if you can dig a little deeper]
"Already doing it," Kallista replied
"Don't do anything stupid," Gabriel commented.
"Never," Kallista replied curtly.
[Insert the two scramblers.]
"Yeah," Kallista said as she crawled over towards the back of the server tower. Gabriel turned his attention back to the entrance and the soft footsteps echoing.
[Ten minutes until guards change posts]
"Five minutes," Gabriel whispered.
"Gabriel," Kallista called out. Gabriel took a glance at the door before moving to see the woman standing in the outer aisle of the towers.
"I need a boost,"
Gabriel moved over to the woman and placed one of this shotguns down before interlocking his hands together. Kallista moved quickly as he boosted her, she climbed on top of the server tower.
"Three minutes," Gabriel said as he watched her hang from the side of the tower.
"Installation complete. Moving to the second one," Kallista said as she attempted to slide off of the tower. Gabriel wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her from the tower and placing her on her feet.
"Thanks," Kallista said as she moved towards the other side of the tower.
[We're running ahead of schedule…]
[The exit is clear. I'm unable to return to my original location. I will continue to]
A muffled explosion with an abrupt yelp forced Gabriel's attention to the woman, his heart skipped a beat when he saw Kallista on the floor a hand to the side of her head.
[What was that?]
[Is everything ok?]
"Gabriel-" Kallista began
Gabriel quickly scooped Kallista in his arms and used his body to shield the woman from the debris that ejected from the overloading tower.
"You ok?" Gabriel asked as he helped the woman up and quickly looked over her for any signs of injuries
"Fine," Kallista replied
[Connection compromised. Severing connection. Enabling jamming signals]
[We have movement outside the perimeter...German soldiers moving your way. Betta make it quick]
"Did you get anything?" Gabriel asked frowned as he listened to Jesse's voice in his earpiece.
[I'm going to need some time to look at what I got…it wasn't a lot of time to download much]
"Let's move," Gabriel growled as he made his way towards the exit.
[The explosion alerted the security. 25 seconds until you're surrounded]
"That's fine. Get yourself out of there and meet at the pickup point," Gabriel replied as he and Kallista moved into the shadows.
[But Lobo-]
"Don't give yourself away," Gabriel said as he glanced back at Kallista.
"I can create a diversion you know," Kallista suggested.
"Do it," Gabriel ordered.
"I'm overloading the electricity and giving you direct access…" Kallista said as she pulled off a panel near the server room.
[I like the way you think, I have access and one minute...better make it count Gabi]
Within seconds all the power in the compound had been cut, coating everything in darkness followed by silence. Kallista reached out and gently placed a hand on Gabriel's shoulder. In the short moment of silence, Gabriel's ears picked up the nervous sigh of the woman.
"I'm here," Gabriel replied quietly.
"I-I know...I'm ready when you are," Kallista replied.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you," Gabriel replied.
"Thank you,"
"One minute we will be at the exit point. Provide backup if needed," Gabriel ordered.
"Lockdown you move last,"
[Roger]
[Everyone move]
Gabriel and Kallista moved silently through the compound avoiding the guards scrambling through the compound. Everyone moved to the extraction point as planned, Gabriel and Kallista were the last ones to arrive. No casualties. No encounters. Just how Gabriel liked it during the initial field missions.
Once they were securely on their way back to HQ, Gabriel knelt in front of Kallista with a first aid kit next ready to treat any injuries.
"Are you sure that you are alright?" Gabriel asked as he pulled one of his gloves off.
"I'm fine," Kallista replied simply.
[You know you did have a panel blow up in your face…]
"No one asked you Malik," Kallista grimaced at Malik's voice reminding her of that embarrassing moment.
"I'm talking about your head," Gabriel replied gruffly as he reached up and touched the right side of her head.
"Malik...were you and the others able to get the data?" Lyudmila asked.
[We got SOME data...but it's all scrambled. Not sure if it was like that, to begin with, or it happened on transfer...eh we might have some preliminary information when you all get back]
"Are you sure yer ok Kalli? Let Reyes have a look at you," Jesse said as he leaned back in his seat.
Gabriel gingerly touched Kallista's face and moved to the back of her head taking note of her wincing and the blood on his fingertips.
"Didn't even notice," Kallista replied cheekily.
"I can stop the bleeding but you're going to med bay when we return and make sure you stay away in case you have a concussion," Gabriel said firmly as he took bandages and medi-spray and began to treat her wound.
"Yes, sir…" Kallista replied softly as she looked away. Within a few moments, Gabriel finished treating her wound and moved back to his seat across from her.
[Aww don't scare her Gabi~]
"Not now Ramos," Gabriel growled in annoyance.
Kallista sighed softly as she leaned back in her seat as she tried to ignore the throb of pain with the adrenaline fading from her system. The normally soft hum of the sleek aircraft blared in her ears, the throb in her head made things nearly unbearably.
She noticed a few weeks after being enrolled in that modified basics program, whatever concoction of drugs they injected her with, she was one of the few lucky ones to come out with just enhanced hearing or at least that's what she thought her only condition was. This serum was something similar to the serum that Jack Morrison and Gabriel had been injected with years ago.
They seemed normal, right?
Kallista glanced at Gabriel who was on his cell phone talking to agent Hay-B. She could hear the agent's voice from where she sat. She noticed that she received a message on her PDA.
{Malik: Gabi is upset :( }
{Kaines: You don't say…}
{Malik: Well…yeah not too sure about the data and also you're hurt}
{Kaines: I love how you just assume he's upset}
{Malik: Trust me Kallista, I've known the man much longer than you have. Besides, you know damn well that mission was successful as soon as you placed that second transmitter. You've done better that anyone on their first field mission. You completed that data upload faster than the three numbnuts here.}
{Kaines: Thanks for all the praise...but that doesn't help me}
{Malik: He's upset because his gatita was hurt….}
{Kaines: Gatita? Who?}
{Malik: :) }
