Operation Moralltach: Preparation

The Logistics section of the Activity's headquarters was located on one of the lower floors. It was a separate entity to the armory, which was located on the same floor, but on the other side of the complex. Madison had never been there. She hadn't had any reason to so far. Karen had mentioned that they could get a hold of anything an operative could need for an operation. And boy do I have a hell of a shopping list.

It was a simple enough place, looked more like the waiting room at a dentist's office than the supply center for a black ops agency. A set of chairs lined a wall and a window with a counter under on the opposite wall. There was no one there when she walked in. A sign next to the window read, 'ring bell for service.'

She did as she was told, and a minute later a man popped up at the window. It took her a second to realize that this was the same person who drove her to the Activity's headquarters that first night.

"Kid!" He said grinning. "You're not dead, and from what I've been hearing, you've done pretty damn well for yourself."

Madison hadn't expected this. "Thank you mister…?"

The man smacked himself in the forehead, "Where are my manners, I never properly introduced myself." He stuck out his hand, "Walter, just Walter. One name, like Daklon, or Daryl."

She shook his hand, "It's nice to see you again. I have no idea who either of those people are."

He looked shocked, "Daklon, the greatest singer ever to come of Tel Aviv? Daryl, the Magician's Magician?"

She adopted a look of apologetic puzzlement. "Sorry"

He waved a hand in dismissal, "No problem, now, I'm sure that you didn't come down here for a lesson on good entertainment. What can I do for you?"

She slid the list across the counter. He picked it up and read it over. He's going to look at me like I'm nuts and ask if I'm jerking him around.

"Alright, give me a few minutes to get all of this together" Then he darted out of sight. She stood there awkwardly for a solid fifteen minutes. I wonder if he's screwing with me, waiting for me to leave. The list is a tall order, I get it. But that doesn't mean he gets to be a dick.

Her worry was abated when he shocked her by returning with two large duffel bags. "Alright, let me list off everything just to make sure I have it all. Five million dollars in unmarked, non-sequential bills. Two syringes of propofol. Three bricks of the same kind of C4 used by the 103rd Engineer Division. A panel van and a safehouse, keys and address are in the bag. I called my buddy over in the armory, Four sets of body armor and four laser rifles will be sitting in your trunk when you leave. I also backstopped an identity for you, it wasn't on your list, but it's always helpful to cover your bases, legend's in the bags."

When Karen said anything, she really meant anything. "I only needed three sets of body armor and laser rifles."

The guy's smile widened, "I know, but an intimidation job is a four person gig. Two to stand behind you and look like badassses, and one to do the dirty work behind everyone's back. So I called one of my other buddies over in Tactical, he'll have one of his boys waiting for you up top. Good guy, his file's in the bag."

"How did you know…"

He cut her off, "Kid, I've been around the bend more times than I could count. I know what a shopping list for an intimidation op looks like."

"Thank you Walter," there didn't seem to be any point in arguing with him. At the very least, he seemed nice enough and like he knew what he was doing. It wasn't all that different than her plan, just as long as this guy from Tactical didn't try and run the show. And if he did, she could pull him, Karen had given her complete control over this op. If this guy tried to take over, she could pull rank on him and if he really threw a fit then her case officer would back her up.

She grabbed the bags and started making her way to the elevator. While she walked, another fact popped into her head. She wasn't entirely sure how much the Activity knew in regards to Ming and Liam. Karen clearly knew that she wasn't working on her own, considering she'd explicitly said to get her people on it. The operative word there being people, plural, implying she knew that Madison was working with more than one person. That meant that she knew she was working with Ming as well as Liam.

Of course Karen knows, the woman has known everything I've done so far, why would she not know that? Her worries subsided and she stepped into the elevator up to the parking garage. In any other workplace, walking around with two duffel bags filled with cash, explosives, and other goodies would be something to look at. My reality has become surreal. She thought as she punched in the code for the underground parking garage.

Standing next to her car was a tall man with black hair cut military short. He wore a blazer over a dress shirt and slacks, undoubtedly to conceal his weapons. He looked to be about her age, maybe a year or two older, and he was obviously nervous.

"Hello," She said as she approached, "I'm Madison Victory, and you are?"

"Ah, you're the one I was told to wait for." He made to salute her, but stopped himself. That made her sure that he was about her age, she'd been around military people her whole life, she knew when someone was just out AIT. She stood there and watched him fidget for a solid minute before taking pity on him.

"Yes, don't salute me. This isn't basic, just tell me who you are and put these bags in the trunk."

He clearly knew how to respond to orders. He immediately stopped fidgeting and extended his hand.

"Nathan Shields ma'am, tactical support specialist, it's a pleasure to meet you.

Another operation started, another character introduced. For those of you wondering, yes, this is the Nate that appears in game if you choose a female sole survivor.

This operation is going to be a bit flashier than the others. I'll admit, I got the entire idea for this next chapter from Burn Notice. But it's going to be fun.

As always, Read and Review People.