Chapter 3
Lady Jaye wasn't a fool. Just because she led a multi-billion dollar business didn't mean she could drop everything and go on a mission with no consequences. There was business to take care of, as well as refresher courses at the training facility. She liked working out with her agents and soldiers and often would spend a few days every couple of weeks, making sure she stayed in shape, whether preparing for a mission or not. Since she started doing this early on, her employees were very comfortable around her and often included her in on the jokes and pranks they would play on one another. She always enjoyed the lax atmosphere after a long day of training and encouraged it with her staff. They were in a tense business and a little levity never hurt anyone, she believed, something she and the Baroness had differed on. One of many things, actually. She was glad when the Baroness announced that although she wanted to remain on the board, she would rather work for MARS Industries when Destro had offered her a position. Good riddance, Jaye had thought at the time.
They had sent Scarlett and Snake Eyes out on an intell mission so they would be prepared for the extraction they were hired for by the Russian government. While the Middle East was not Jaye's idea of a vacation, it promised not to be dull. One of the Russian covert agents had been captured and it was their job to get him out. Although her company had proved itself to the world, the Americans of course were still suspicious and were sending a babysitter to go along. Jaye and Zartan had discussed the possible side mission of the CIA. They were privy to the types of missions they were hired for, and often had side agendas of their own. They did not randomly choose which missions to accompany her team. Several times, the agent had almost compromised the goal and was lucky not to get him or herself killed in the process…either by the enemy or by one of the Phoenix agents! Because of this, they had heard none of the agents had wanted to go and sometimes they were sent as punishment. Jaye chuckled. She wondered who the sucker was who was in trouble this time.
Her team ready and armed with the latest gadgets and weapons, they arrived in the hot desert under the cover of a sandstorm. Granted, it was a sandstorm they had created, thanks to a modified MARS weather machine, but it kept them from being noticed by the group they were going to hit.
As the team set up camp for the night, Jaye wondered who the agent was. She had been busy with preparations, being one of the leaders on the mission, and the intell they had received from Scarlett and Snakes. They were to rendezvous at their camp and leave with the team once they had the Russian agent.
Jaye wandered the camp, making sure her team was okay and that everyone was getting settled. Her team had their special MP3s, and some were enjoying the music they had uploaded onto them. More than just music players, they also had mission specs as well as important information broadcast by the Phoenix team back at headquarters. Developed by MARS Industries, they were fingerprint sensitive and allowed for everything - listening to music, sending sensitive document information, blueprints….even spying on others, such as the CIA, and their transmissions. Since they were fingerprint sensitive, if anyone other than the team member picked it up, they'd simply find the music, and only the music, that was uploaded by that agent. It also made a great way to relax before a battle.
She met up with Scarlett, who looked worried. "What?" Jaye questioned. "Is it something we need to talk about?"
"Not the mission," she said slowly. "You look awfully happy and I can't understand why."
"What, not a desert lover?" Jaye grinned.
Scarlett sighed. "I meant who you were being forced to work with. I figured I'd find you in a foul mood, muttering in Gaelic and who knows what else language!"
Jaye frowned. "Scarlett, what on earth?" They always used code names on missions, and the former Joe team seemed to stick to their old ones.
"Have you not seen your babysitter? The one who drew the short straw? He sure is brooding about it and hardly had a few words to say to me."
Jaye felt her stomach drop. "Surely they wouldn't….from what I heard, he was a CIA darling….not on punishment detail…."
Scarlett hissed, "Well, he must have done something wrong. He's fit to be tied and must be avoiding you. Oh shit," she said, looking over Jaye's shoulder. "I'm outta here. Let out a yell if you need help or buzz me on the MP3….although I'm sure we'll hear the yelling thru the camp. Just try not to let the enemy hear, ok?" With that, Scarlett ducked into the nearest tent.
Jaye dreaded turning around, but felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning, she gave Flint a tight smile. "I see you drew duty this time. Who the hell did you piss off?" she asked sarcastically.