Alex Draubman rubbed his eyes, enjoying a coffee and fighting off the crash of teaching marksmanship to Rainbow's admittedly inexperienced operators. He sighed and finished his mug quickly, realizing he was already finished.

Figures. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a can of dip, smacking it with his wrist to prepare. That's when his peace and quiet was ruined when he heard the door open to the room. He looked up immediately, out of years of instinct to prepare for unknown guests. "McKinley, glad to see that you've moved up in life, being the president's bodyguard and all."

Collinn McKinley chuckled, taking a seat next to Alex on the coffee table. "What can I say, it's been awhile. Nice to see you old friend. Should've talked to you sooner, catch up a little."

"Are you saying that so you can take a pinch?"

"And what's wrong with that?"

"I thought you quit when you left the Corps," Alex replied, taking a hefty pinch and pushing it in his gums. He handed the can over to Collinn. "You're not using my spit bottle."

"I have my own," he chuckled, shaking an empty water bottle. "I haven't seen you since the fleet, how have you been?"

Alex sighed, leaning into his chair. "Went into Force Recon, then I ended up here. I heard you went into the Secret Service, got cozy with President Baldwin and came here too."

"Yeah, it's been a while," Collinn packed his lip. "Having Baldwin as a friend ain't so bad either."

"Eh, I didn't vote for him." Alex chuckled.

The two talked. It was nothing grand, just quick catching up and some questionable career choices that landed them in Rainbow. Collinn was the one to bring up the question. "Whaddya think about Team Rainbow so far?"

Alex took a moment to think about the question. "You want the ugly truth or the pretty truth."

"You already know."

Alex laughed and spit into an empty bottle. "After all I heard from when John Clark and Ding were in charge, I expected it to be different. But not on this scale."

"It'll take some getting use to sure," Collinn added. "But it'll get better. Everyone here isn't an asshole at first, except maybe Morrowa—"

"Who the fuck is Morrowa? I only know like two people here Collinn. That Russian dude and the Asian chick." Alex took out the used dip and shoved it into his bottle. "And can you believe the girls here? I don't understand how we can focus if all I see is a finely-shaped face and ass all mission."

Collinn sighed, spitting into his own bottle. "You'll learn that these ladies can break your nose faster than you can say 'sorry'. And the names will come, Rainbow likes to have a little class presentation with new guys. Speaking of which,"

He shot up his arm and checked his watch for the time, obviously showing off the fancy design of a high class watch. "You have about two hours before that happens with Shoshanna and Isaac."

Alex sagged into his seat, defeated at the news he just now heard. He groaned. "Is it mandatory?"

Collinn nodded before laughing out the room, calling out from the hallway. "I'll buy you a can later!"

The conference room had gradually expanded over the years to accommodate the amount of operators. With the low activity of the White Mask threat this year, it was a rare moment where most operators were present at Hereford, though not everyone was in the room just yet. Alex was present with Isaac and Shoshanna, sitting idly while they waited for Harry and the others to arrive for a group photo that was tradition. On the wall, there was a group photo every few months over the course of years. Latest photo was of Iana and Oryx. Two operators who had recently joined their ranks prior to the trio.

Alex respected Isaac. The Marine first met with him years before in Afghanistan, the military is a small world after all. Shoshanna was quiet, something that he heard around as she was slowly getting introduced to the operators. She orbited Isaac, he noticed, whenever he'd introduce himself to others she was close behind him. Maybe it was a little crush. She seemed like the person to not be mature in relationships.

He chuckled. Alex knew her more than that.

Collinn was one of the first to arrive at the conference, dragging along what seemed to be Jordan Trace and Jack Estrada. Soon, the rest began to appear, filling in seats, various people of age and nationality wearing whatever civilian clothes they chose to wear. Alex was glad to see that most didn't wear something so conspicuous or obvious. Except for maybe Grace, dressed like a teenager going through a phase. He laughed in his head. Maybe she still is in that phase.

"Attention everyone!" Harry settled the room, his voice slightly booming on a microphone. "We have received new members of Team Rainbow, and as tradition, I would like them to introduce themselves to their future friends and team members. Please keep attention and show the respect they deserve."

Henry motioned for Shoshanna to come up to the microphone. She nodded gently and walked up to Henry, taking the microphone from him and staring back to the crowd. "Shalom, my name is Shoshanna Shapiro. I was born and raised in Ashdod, Israel. I joined the Border Police when I was out of school, and worked my way into the Yamam. I was in their service for a few years before Henry noticed me and took me into this new family. Sorry if it's short, I haven't done this thing before."

"That's fine, better than nothing." Henry clapped, and a soft wave clapped back. She mumbled thanks to the crowd before retreating back to her spot. "Thank you Shoshanna, we will all appreciate your teamwork."

Isaac was next. Alex had noticed that Isaac was already rather critical of Rainbow's operators. It would make sense, he was a man who'd seen more than most, and trained soldiers to face the same. He walked up to the microphone coolly, smiling when Henry handed him the mic.

"My name is Isaac Castillo. I was a member of the 10th Special Forces group in the US Army. Before that, I was in the 75th Rangers Regiment. And before that, I was a drill sergeant. I first enlisted as a Combat Engineer, doing breaches and urban ops for most of my career. I was there for the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, and I've seen some things. I've been in the Army since 2003, and now I'm here." He took a break. "I've never been in a unit like this before, I will hopefully try to lend my experiences to the unit and be a good asset to trust."

Henry clapped, and so did the rest of the team. It was finally Alex's turn. He stood up and grabbed the microphone and cleared his throat.

"Uh, hey everyone. My name is Alex Draubman, I was in Marine Force Recon prior to my recruitment here. I've already met some of you, either from earlier today or back when I was in the Corps. In fact, I was Collinn's team leader when he was a fresh new private."

Some laughs were heard, before Collinn raised his hand and acknowledged it. "Yeah, you were an asshole."

Alex chuckled. "Yeah. So anyways, I'm glad I was offered this opportunity to join Rainbow and I'm hoping to further it's advancement."

Then, the usual clap began. Harry stood up on the podium and referenced the audience. "Alright team, let's all get a photo for this month's newest additions."

The whole team quickly gathered into their spots on the podium. Harry had set a timer on a camera nearby, and the timer was closing in. They all stood still, women smiling, some looking bored, others looking indifferent. The flash hit, and the picture was over.

"Alright everyone, once again thank you for the chance to come and meet our newest operators. If you have questions, feel free to ask them. As for now, return to your activities."

Harry left the room, and most of the operators trickled out as well. Only a few bothered to stay and talk to the newest ops, it was sort of a cold shoulder treatment to newbies they've developed. They had to prove themselves in a real fight first.

Isaac wasn't willing to answer questions either. He was among the group who poured out the room, cigarettes in hand. He neared the exit door that led outside, before he heard another person's footsteps. Isaac turned around, seeing a female figure come behind him and closed the door.

"Mind if I bum one off you?" She said, her voice a bit soft. Isaac couldn't recognize her, his thoughts more preoccupied with his cigarette. He opened his pack and gave one to the dark haired woman with pale skin and light eyes. He brought out his lighter and handed it to her, lighting it for the two of them. She nodded and blew out a puff. Her accented voice sighed in relief. "Thank you, I hadn't had one all day."

"Me neither, I want to kick it but..." he looked down at his hand. "I'm just too deep in to quit."

"You've seen a lot? You said you were in the army for a while." She said, taking another pull.

"Oh, you were in the meeting?" He asked. "Sorry that I didn't recognize you."

"Most people don't." She said. In her mind the tone of his voice said something else, probably that he didn't care either way. "And never mind the question. I don't mean to overstep boundaries."

"No, you're good." He let out a plume of smoke. "It's like what Harry said, 'ask questions'."

"I personally am not a big fan of those." She chuckles to herself, like it was an inside joke Isaac has yet to understand. He finished his cigarette as she continued with hers, taking her time.

"None of us are," he said, opening the door. She stopped him for a second.

"I'm Nøkk, it was nice to meet you Isaac. I appreciate the smoke."

Isaac didn't look back as he slowly pushed the door open for him to go inside. "Nice to meet you Nøkk, it was no problem."

As the door was about to close and she went back to smoking, Isaac stopped it from closing. Half his body already through the entrance. "I have to say, I prefer Julie better."

The door closed and Nøkk froze. There's no way he could've guessed her name. There's no way he could've known her name prior. This alarmed her, she needed to speak with Harry as soon as she could about this incident. What else does he know?

Harry's door was always open for any operators or workers who needed him to hear their complaints or thoughts. It was a little unlike Miss Arnot, who requested dates prior to meeting her. He was in a video-call with some leadership for one of the CTUs, relaying progress reports with that operator. Nøkk, or Julie, opened the door quietly, seeing Harry in the call. He looked up at her and smiled, holding a finger in the air to let her know he was about to finish. She crossed her arms and looked around, no trying to listen in on the call.

"Yes yes, he's been improving… exceeded my expectations actually… recommend for promotion, he deserves it… thank you, it was a pleasure talking to you. I will call you another time, bye." Harry sighed and leaned back into his chair, closing the laptop. "Ah, Julie, what can I do for you?"

"I have something to tell you about that new guy, Isaac." She pulled out a chair and sat down at his desk, looking solemn and grim. Harry picked it up right away.

"Oh, what is it then?" He said, leaning forward to hear her better.

"He knew my name, Harry. He called me by my first name like it was nothing. I told him I was Nøkk, and he said he preferred Julie."

Harry sighed, before retreating back into his chair and chuckled, before he began to laugh loudly. Julie could only look at him with a confused expression. "What… what's so funny about this? He could be a spy!"

Harry laughed more, eventually dying down before wiping away a tear. "Oh, I thought you had something more serious."

"How is that not serious?!" She exclaimed, nearly jumping out her chair. "My files are locked away in the NATO vault."

"That's my fault then," Harry said, composing himself seeing how worried she was. "Let me explain. Please sit, and calm yourself."

Julie sat down, waiting for the explanation that Harry would give. "When I was doing Isaac's file, he had mentioned that he heard Specialist Thorn was in Rainbow's ranks, he wanted to know how he didn't die in Taliban captivity. Erik is a local legend within American Forces, mind you. I mentioned you, and he wanted to know more about you. I gave him your file, as I did with everyone else in Rainbow and made sure he returned it."

Julie sighed, relaxing more into the chair as she rubbed her forehead. Right, he's going to be part of the team, he needs to know my real name.

"This was my fault, Julie. I should've let you know that the new operators know your name. I understand the fear of leaked intel very well."

"I suppose it was me overreacting as well."

"Don't blame yourself. Now that's been cleared up, is there anything else you wish to discuss?"

She shook her head. "No, that was all Harry. Good night." She stood up from the chair and walked away, exited through the door. Once the door clicked, Harry leaned back and sighed, rubbing his hands over his face in anguish. When did all this distrust and reaction start coming about? He hadn't recalled seeing this discourse in Rainbow's restart earlier.

He needed to do something about it quickly. The team couldn't handle more discourse or risk falling apart.

Then, the phone rang.

He picked it up quickly, hearing the clamoring voices in the background.

"This is Agent Johnson of the FBI, we need Rainbow's assistance immediately."

"Yes, of course. What is it that you need?"

"Our safehouse in Detroit has been raided by White Masks, and our previous teams haven't reported back. We have them held back in the building, we can hold them until your teams arrive."

"Of course Agent. I'll be sending a team shortly. Please report this to our intelligence team, we'll have the building back in no time."

A/N: An update, been a while huh? I was reading some lore about Team Rainbow and there seems to be a lot of discourse through the team and I thought it was an interesting point of the story. Shows that Rainbow isn't perfect as it seems, it makes a good plot point for this story. Next update, a mission! Hope you all stay safe!

Mister Bombastic