"Tour"

01/27/2012 - 08:18:13

Sgt. Ash Kline

Task Force 141 Overseer

Northern UK

"Here's the training grounds, which can be changed toward your preference," Sgt. Kline pointed out to the two men following her. One, the newly dubbed lieutenant Mactavish glanced over it with a discerning air. The other, Captain Price, remained unreadable.

"How much can be modified?" Mactavish implied, gesturing toward the completely flat space the size of a football field with one two rope courses and a simulation building. The query was laced with skepticism over the meager provisions he was currently seeing.

"There's a dozer in that shed, plus a lot of supplies. Construction teams are on call but it'll probably take a few days for them to make it up here," Ash placed her clipboard against her side, gestured to the equipment storage and rubbed her hands together. The air was frigid, she regretted having just taken a shower. Her pitch black hair was beginning to turn white with frost. She brushed it off. "If you draw something up, I can have it done. Include all the measurements and where you want it on the field."

"Perfect, that'll do," Mactavish nodded, the Captain only huffed while crossing his arms. The tour guide ignored this, she instead took in both their attires. Despite the weather, Mactavish wore a tight fitted t-shirt tucked into tactical pants. Ash knew there was a gun wrapped around his ankle, along with one tucked into his belt. Yet he seemed far more relaxed than his Captain, who stood rigidly beside him. Captain John Price didn't appear hostile, simply more focused, direct. He wore what Ash thought was a fishing hat and a standard combat uniform with the SAS patch on the shoulder. Both seemed to not mind the cold, but it was beginning to irritate Sgt. Kline.

"This is the main hall," she gestured toward the large warehouse to her left, then began walking toward it. "Cafeteria, rec room, and gym. Not all the equipment is in yet. Staff are all ex-military. MTF is behind this building. I will be overseer, as well as base doctor with Corporal Talby of the SAS, whom I believe you are already familiar with." She opened the door for the men, then followed inside. It was a high ceiling, concrete floored space that would be sufficient in housing some of the most powerful men in the world. Again Mactavish nodded, the Captain remained silent.

"Who's selecting the recruits?" Mactavish asked as he studied the large space. Ash flipped open her clipboard, turning a few pages before landing on a roster sheet.

"General Shepherd insisted on you two joining the 141," Kline glanced at the two SAS veterans, "but the rest are to be determined. I have narrowed down the candidates to about forty men from the UK, US, and Canada. We'll discuss them over the next few days."

"Alright," Mactavish nodded, he seemed eager to get the gears into motion. It was obvious having the sole mission of hunting down terrorists was enticing, to say the least. Ash observed the sparks of ideas flash through his eyes with interest. Managing to tear her gaze away, she looked over her notes of what remained of the 'tour'. There was one last thing on her list, purposefully placed at the end. She began walking toward the opposite side of the warehouse.

"There's a few more individuals General Shepherd needs you to meet before we go over possible recruits," she said.

"Who are they?" Mactavish implied as they headed toward another exit, this one led to the barracks, office, and armory.

"Officials, a shrink, and a few tactical operators," Kline replied, again opening the door for the two men.

"Don't need 'em," Captain Price spoke, Ash hesitated in closing the door.

"Shepherd insists that you coordinate your efforts with them," she continued, a little more nervously leading them back to the office.

"Sounds like a way to keep his eye on every little thing," Price continued, almost angrily. Ash knew that this verbal assault was not personal toward her, she just happened to be in the line of fire. Pausing, she turned to face the man. Even in the freezing cold, Ash grew hot with putting her career on a thinner line to make adjustments in favor of Captain Price's justified suspicions.

"I understand that you do not trust the General or his men, but if you cooperate for a few months, I may be able to get them out of here," Ash compromised. Her suggestion seemed to surprise the Captain. "It's a vague 'maybe' however."

"Deal," Price sharply said, but his shoulders remained stiff. With that, they continued toward the main office near the helipad at the top of a low hill. Ash hoped that this meeting would go smoothly, pondering over all the work she has done over the past few months. This disclosed location was settled near the border to Scotland, tucked away in an uneven valley. It was an old military base used in the last World War, old, decrepit, and unknown to the public eye. Ash had oriented the repair and reconstruction of the base to provide what the 141 would need in order to execute their missions.

Ash watched as the two men headed into the office building, knowing she should follow. But for a moment, she paused, considering the deal she had made with the Captain. She didn't understand why she did it. But for some reason, she found more reassurance in the gruff, uncharismatic British veteran compared to the cold, distant command of her uncle. Standing there, she made a silent oath to help these men and their leaders fight and survive the missions she knew would prove extremely difficult. If crossing her uncle was necessary in order of helping the 141 live on, she was prepared to do so.