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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 3
"Bartholomew McClain," began Jim, as he pulled up the man's photograph on the large screen for his four teammates to view. "The man has a reputation for being an expert in information technology, a shrewd negotiator, and perhaps even a cold blooded killer."
Jim punched a few more buttons and pulled up photographs of five different men, of varying ages and physical traits, none of whom the team recognized. Four of them had the word "disavowed" stamped across their likenesses.
"Four IMF agents have been murdered trying to nail McClain." Another punch of a button, and the fifth man's image was enlarged. "This agent, Sam Patterson, is now missing, probably being held captive by McClain's entourage."
"If he's presumed kidnapped, why hasn't he been disavowed, too?" Max questioned.
"Max, the Secretary believes that there is someone familiar with the IMF working for McClain's operation, most likely as security personnel," Jim answered. "We believe this person may be acting as a double agent."
"Someone who knows that the IMF would go after McClain, and is using their position to draw out agents and have them eliminated," surmised Nicholas.
Jim nodded. "Right now, we can't say for sure whether it is McClain or someone else ordering the hits, but the bodies of the other agents were found within twenty-four hours of their last contact. Patterson has been missing for three days now, and the fact that his body hasn't yet been found leads us to believe that he's being used as bait."
"To draw us in," Grant finished grimly.
"Exactly."
Jim's steely blue eyes made contact with each team member's gaze. "I cannot stress enough how dangerous this mission will be for each one of us. We all have to be on our toes. If they even suspect we aren't who we say we are, they will not hesitate to kill us."
"So how do we get inside?" Nicholas asked.
"Well, McClain runs a very tight ship," replied Grant. "We haven't been able to access any of his personnel files, so we don't know who he has working for him. We have checked the employment requirements, and each new hire is subject to extensive background checks, photo verification, and fingerprinting."
"We also have to assume that someone in McClain's operation may have access to IMF personnel files," added Jim.
He shot a look at Grant. "With this being an IT firm, having you inside would make the most sense, Grant, but we can't risk it. There's no way we could manipulate your identity enough to safely disguise you. And since we don't know who this person might be, we have to assume that he might recognize you because of your father's association with IMF. So you will have to work your magic with a very low profile."
Grant nodded in acquiescence as Jim turned to Max. "Max, aside from Shannon, you're the newest to the IMF, and the easiest identity to disguise." Jim handed Max a dossier. "It's been arranged that you will start work tomorrow as a security guard for McClain Consulting. For this mission, the Secretary has agreed to change your identity and remove you from the IMF database, so you will pass whatever checks they decide to run."
"Right," Max acknowledged.
"You will be our only eyes and ears within the compound, and it will be up to you to gather information for the rest of us," Jim continued.
"Well, hopefully these will help with that," Grant chimed in, indicating a pair of reading glasses.
Max drew in a sharp breath. He had seen these before. Nicholas had worn similar pairs twice before; most recently when the team stopped a terrorist from releasing a deadly virus. But that wasn't what Max was remembering. Nicholas had worn a similar pair during the Berazan mission - the mission that had cost Casey Randall her life. Casey's death had hit Max harder than the others, for he was the team member who had to work directly - intimately - with Casey's killer in order to complete the mission.
"Max?" Grant asked softly, knowing without asking what was on his friend's mind.
Max sighed heavily and nodded, taking the glasses in his hand.
Grant patted his shoulder in sympathy, but no one said anything. They didn't have to.
"I will be able to use my computer to communicate with you via the LCD screen on the right lens. And there is a tiny camera near the left lens, so we will be able to see and hear what you see and hear."
Jim's face grew serious. "Max," he said somberly, "your cover is sound and will stand up to scrutiny, but that doesn't make this any less dangerous. Please be careful."
"Right, Jim," Max responded.
"Bart McClain is a multi-millionaire," Jim stated, turning his attention back to the whole team, "but we've found out that he likes to spend a good portion of that money at a local pub called the Silver Star. Shannon, you'll be working there and you'll be able to let us know when he shows up."
Shannon nodded.
"Once we get a little more information, I'll be meeting with McClain myself, to see if the consultant he recently sent to the FBI can help me eliminate my tawdry past," Jim concluded with a smirk.
"But, Jim," Shannon pointed out, "you've got the most IMF experience of all of us. By meeting with McClain, won't you be putting yourself at risk?"
"Maybe so, Shannon," Jim answered, smiling at his teammate's concern, "but by that time we'll be calling all the shots."