0200 hours – Military base of confidential location near American / Mexican border

Turning from the men's sleeping quarters she quickened her pace to accommodate the distance already covered by the Major. Quickly catching up she stared straight ahead down the narrow corridor taking in the cement and cold steel so common among old military bases. After her last assignment in the frigid northern regions of the Soviet Union she had been promised 1 month leave… a leave she had yet to see. She could already tell this placement was going to be a long one. Breaking from her thoughts Emmalina realized that the Major had begun his "guided tour" of the facility. She set aside her confusion in being so easily distracted and blamed it on the hasty arrival at the facilities. She was usually much more focused on absorbing her surroundings; jetlag was the only explanation. She glanced at the Major giving him the majority of her attention.

"I took the privilege of assuming that a woman such as yourself would appreciate quarters separate from the rest of the team. The men are fine soldiers, but many of them make for poor mannered men. I apologize in advance for any of their remarks. And here we are, Ms. Costa. Your rooms."

The Major directed her to a set of solid steel doors. Inlaid into the steel was a type of touch pad, which Emmalina could only assume was a type of pin pad for the lock. Entering a series of numbers the Major opened the door.

"And here we are. I hope everything is acceptable. The password to these doors can easily be changed." He typed in a series of numbers and turned to Emmalina allowing her to do the same. "Due to the late hour I will continue you debriefing at 0730 hours tomorrow. I will send someone to accompany you to my offices. Breakfast for the staff will be served in the Mess Hall at 0700 hours. I am sure you will find it easily enough. Have a good night, Ms. Costa."

And with this Major William Stryker turned and disappeared down the endless corridors. Emmalina had never had much of a sense of direction so she had no idea how she was to find the Mess Hall in the morning. Perhaps the good old Major had read more into her personal files then previously let on. She would deal with this new development in the morning. Turning to the quarters assigned to her, she noticed that her duffle bag had already been carelessly thrown into the room. Entering the room, firmly closing the door behind her, Emmalina lifted the simple, faded canvas bag. She had had this exact bag since her enlistment into the military now nearly 7 years ago. Emptying out its contents into the single set of drawers occupying the room, she allowed herself a fleeting moment of self-pity. To think, her entire life could fit into one duffle bag, and an overseas account. Glancing around her room she absorbed the data that would surround her for… how had the agency put it? Oh right. Indefinitely. A single narrow bed covered in rough military issue sheets, one set of drawers (now filled with the total of her earthly belongings) and one additional metal door, presumably leading to a washroom of sorts. This was to be her life for as long as she was needed. Heaving a sigh, she sat on the edge of the bed and untied her sturdy boots. Pushing them under what was now her bed she laid back, fully clothed, and let exhaustion take a hold of her. There was no need to set a clock. Her mind was more dependable then any machinery currently made. Turning on her side to face the cold, unyielding cement she attempted to quiet her mind.

0600 Hours

Morning came far too soon. The buzzer which piped through the intercom system blared; assuring all the men that it was indeed time to rise. Some climbed reluctantly out of their bunks, while others simply crawled deeper into the military-issued covers. Others still threw objects found close to their beds at the offending noise; boots, books, and finally a bullet were all directed at the intercom. Then finally. Silence.

Breaking the silence came the ever present voice of annoyance. "Rise and shine sleeping beauties. We've got a briefing at 0800 hours. Maybe we'll get to see you new lady friend again." Wiggling his eye brows in what he probably thought as a provocative way, Wade jumped down from his bunk landing with a thump and a crash. "Ah, fuck! Who left the table here?! That's gonna' leave a mark! Oh god there's a hunk of wood sticking out of my leg! Aw, sweet mother of…"

A low drawl could be heard from just outside the door as John walked in stopping the rampage of profanity. "Come on Wade. I'll take ya to the medics. I'm headin' that way as is. Pickin' up our "lady friend"." With a smirk John began to lift Wade of the ground.

With an outraged look on his face, all the while dangling from John Wraiths arms, Wade gaped. Suddenly massive blood loss didn't seem so critical. "You been holding out on us Johnny boy?"

"Common' Wilson. Bring ya head back down to earth. Don't make me drag ya' ass all the way to the doc's. They ain't gonna' be happy to see you 'gain so soon, 'specially if you're dead." Kicking Wade swiftly in the ribs, Wraith glanced around the room. "Ya'll better get you're asses up. From what I hear we'll be headin' out real soon. I don't know about ya'll but I could use some grub before be move out." With one last look at the scoundrels Stryker fondly called a "team"; Wraith dragged a semi-unconscious Wade Wilson towards the sub-par medical facilities the base provided.