Disclaimer:
I do not own either of the Mission: Impossible series or any of the characters therein. I receive no compensation or other tangible benefit from this story and no copyright infringement is intended. I am just a fan who enjoys taking the team out for an adventure every now and then. Please read and review!
Chapter 2
Jim Phelps parked his black Escalade, got out, and began walking toward the department store. He frowned a bit as he saw that it was already busy. He hoped this wouldn't interfere with him gathering the information he needed.
As Jim approached the paint mixing department, he was pleased to see that the crowd had dissipated. The man with the reddish hair that he had been told to look for greeted him with a smile.
"Can I help you with something, sir?"
"Yes, I was looking for a specific color of paint," Jim answered, falling into the familiar coded banter.
"We mix all colors of paint here, sir. What exactly were you looking for?"
"A shade of red called Falu," replied Jim.
"Ah, yes," smiled the man. "Didn't that particular shade originate in the copper mines in Denmark?"
"Close," answered Jim with a small grin, recognizing the request for additional verification that he was talking to the right person. "Sweden."
"We have some already mixed, sir. You'll find it on that shelf over there."
The man pointed to a shelf near the back of the store. Jim walked over to it and peered behind the three gallons of paint that were sitting on it. There, he saw the familiar black box.
Jim looked around to make sure that nobody was watching him. He lifted the black box from behind the paint cans and set it down again. He allowed the machine to identify his thumbprint, then he entered the three digit code that revealed the small silver disk. He stuck it into the slot, and the familiar voice began.
"Good morning, Jim. In the past two months, four IMF agents have been murdered and one, Sam Patterson, is missing. All of them were sent on the same mission - to stop this man: Bartholomew McClain. McClain is a powerful man who uses his information technology consulting firm to gain access to the world's most sensitive information and sell it to the highest bidder. He is also a ruthless killer who will not hesitate to execute anyone who gets in his way.
"The information we have on McClain is extremely limited, for none of our agents have been able to get close enough to obtain any without meeting with foul play. The Secretary has now specifically requested your team to handle this delicate situation. We believe McClain is ordering the execution of IMF agents, and we cannot dismiss the possibility that he is being assisted by a double agent within our own organization."
Jim pressed the pause button and stared intently at the video screen. Did he really just hear what he thought he'd heard? If there was a double agent working for McClain, his entire team would be in danger.
For a brief moment, Jim considered letting the mission pass by. These were not only his teammates; they were his friends. He loathed the idea of putting them in danger. But every mission is dangerous, he reasoned. All of his team members knew the risks and wouldn't think twice about putting themselves in harm's way - especially if it was to protect the IMF organization.
Jim pressed play, knowing what his decision would be.
"Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to stop Bartholomew McClain, find and neutralize any IMF counterspies, and rescue Sam Patterson if he is still alive.
"As always, should you or any of your IM force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This disk will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Jim."