Chapter 4

Colorado waited with everyone else around the projection table while Carolina approached the Director. They all knew that this mission would be one of the most important they have ever done, simply by looking at the number of Freelancers here. He stood next to Florida, who had deep blue ODST armor instead of the standard MJOLNIR suit everyone else wore.

The Director came to the table and came to a stop next to the Counselor. "Agents! Your mission today is by far the most important you have undertaken to date. As our Number One, Carolina will be leading from the field."

Carolina pushed a few buttons, and the table projected a blue sphere. "As you may have heard, there is suspected Insurrectionist activity in this area. Our intel says that members of the UNSC loyal to the Insurrection have acquired a high-level asset and are holding it in this secure location." The sphere opened back into the table. Another button was pressed, and the hologram showed a metropolis with high-rises stretching to the sky, the tallest tower taking center-stage. "It's a hundred and ten-story building in the middle of an urban environment."

"What does security look like?" Wyoming asked in that British accent of his.

"They have enough troops to fill a hundred and ten-story building."

"So, that's a lot of security."

"We're up to it," Carolina replied, then continued. A red line traveled up the target building as she spoke. "Our job is to infiltrate the building, work our way up to the floor where the Sarcophagus is being held, and secure it."

"The Sarcophagus?" North repeated.

"That is what we are calling the primary objective," the Director clarified.

"But since this is a high-level asset, we need to access a key code to open the Sarcophagus."

Washington had to throw in a comment. "I'm guessing they don't keep that just taped to the side."

"It's held by an official of the program who will be moving in a vehicle along the freeway between inspections. That's when we'll hit the facility." The hologram spat out a red car with the official's head floating above it. "We need to acquire both targets within minutes of each other. We fail that, the remaining target will enter lockdown and we'll miss our window."

"We will not have another chance at this," the Director sternly emphasized.

"Two teams, then," Colorado stated the realization.

Carolina nodded. "Two teams. Team A will consist of me, Wash, Colorado, and Maine." The large Freelancer cracked his knuckles loudly upon hearing his name. "We will work infiltration on the Package's storage facility. York is still in the infirmary, so Colorado, you will have to pull off lockpicking duty."

"I'll handle it."

The door to the command deck slid open. "Hey, don't be so quick to give away my job," the gold Freelancer said, faking a somewhat hurt tone. York walked to the others, the door closing behind him.

"York?" Wash questioned.

Carolina turned around and walked up to York, but she stopped at a respectable distance. "I thought you were in the hospital."

"According to their records, I am."

"How's your eye?"

"It's okay," he answered happily, continuing past the team leader. "Docs are letting me out tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, huh?" the steel-and-yellow soldier repeated again.

"Look, I couldn't let you guys have all the fun without me. Besides, you need someone to get you in."

"Good to have you back in the fight, man." Colorado slapped a crimson-armored hand on York's shoulder, then removed it after a friendly shake.

Carolina came back. "You're good, right?" she whispered.

"Okay, look, I said I was okay. Good might be oversettling it a little-"

"It's settled, then," the Director said loudly. "York will join Team A and get them into the facility."

The two Freelancers switched positions so Carolina could have the table back. "Transport will be two lightly-equipped Pelican dropships."

479er spoke up, surprising Colorado. "We're rigged for fast running only, people. No heavy armaments."

"Understood," the agent replied.

"Team B will be North, Wyoming, CT, and Florida. You will act as recon for Team A, and once we enter the building, you will disengage to attack the target on the freeway. North will lead Team B."

"Got it," the newly-appointed team leader responded.

CT, who had been quiet up until this point, finally spoke up. "What about Agent South?"

The Director immediately answered the question. "Agent South will not be accompanying you on this mission."

"Hmm... guess the world's a tough place when you move down a rank. And where's our new recruit? Will she be joining us?"

"That's enough questions, Connecticut."

Carolina took the spotlight again. "Team B should be simple. Stop the vehicle and grab the case. Team A? You have more of a challenge." Colorado rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Mainly, the Sarcophagus is an unknown."

Wash asked for more clarification. "How unknown are we talking?"

"Unknown in that we don't know its size, or its weight, or its dimensions."

"Actually, ma'am, I may have a rough estimate." The crimson Freelancer looked to his top superior. "With your permission, sir."

"Go ahead, Colorado."

"The Sarcophagus is large enough to contain an object or objects the size of a human, at least. Depending on the material used in the container—and the weight of whatever is inside—it's going to be heavy."

"How do you know this?" Florida asked.

"Inferring from the name and its history," Colorado answered. "That's all, sir."

"How will we know what to look for?" Wash inquired for the umpteenth time.

"It will have these markings on its exterior," the Team A leader replied, changing the hologram to show a large insignia.

"I saw those same markings on the oil platform," North commented.

"Correct. That facility created the primary objective."

"Do we know what's inside it?"

"Yes, we know," the Director confirmed.

"Yup, definitely heavy," 'Rado mumbled under his breath.

"We have a job to do, people. Let's do it right and come home safe," Carolina finished.

"That is all. You are dismissed!"

All nine Freelancers stood to attention and shouted, "Yes, sir!"

Arizona traveled with Colorado to the Invention's docking bay. "Knuckles?"

He raised his fists and looked them over. A whine raised and just as quickly died. "Check and primed."

"Med kit?"

He patted his belt and legs. "Check. Primary and reserve both topped off."

"HUD?"

His vision flashed between each spectrum, then returned to normal with bio-scans of everyone around him. "Check."

"Kiss?"

"Che- Wait a sec." He quickly tore off his helmet and her lips touched his own. It was quick, but still made both participants smile. 'Rado put his helmet back on, locked it, then looked back at 'Zona. "Check."

"Come back safe."

"Don't worry, I will. And I'll make sure the others come home safe as well." The door opened and the two moved to Team A's Pelican. Maine was already aboard, hand hanging off the weapon rack.

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

"I know. But I do it anyways." Colorado jogged to the dropship's bay and stopped inside. He took a seat and sat down, then waved a salute when he saw Arizona still watching him. She nodded and turned away, and he dropped his arm. Alarms began to blare, but were cut off once the cargo hatch closed and sealed shut.

Colorado leaned back and tightened his harness, preparing himself for the drop to the planet below. He felt eyes focusing on him, so he looked around to see York looking at him. "I don't want to hear it, York."

"I didn't say anything."

"Yeah, but it's the advice in your head that you're thinking of saying." Colorado paused for a moment before finishing, "You don't tell me how to date and I don't spread rumors about you. Win-win."

Maine chuckled a throaty growl that shut both parties up.

He does leave an impression on you, Talon remarked inside 'Rado's head.

Just drop it. You have the algorithms?

Already uploaded.

Thanks. Now stay scarce.

The AI nodded and disappeared.