"Talking"

'Thinking'

"A.I"

"Translated foreign Language"

Chapter 2: The Sarcophagus

"Director?"

"Yes, Agent Carolina?" the Director asked turning to her.

"The team is ready, sir."

"Excellent. Let us begin."

Naruto and the rest of the Freelancers are currently standing in the Mother of Invention's main control room, all gathering around the holographic screen.

"Agents!" All eyes went to the Director "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."

"Okay, here's what we have. As you may have heard, there is suspected Insurrection 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."

Different holograms show up to form a replica of a skyscraper. "It's a hundred and ten-story building in the middle of an urban environment."

"What does security look like?" asked Wyoming.

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

"You don't say." said Naruto. "That's a lot of security."

Carolina continued "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 asked confused.

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

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

"I'm guessing they don't keep that just taped to the side." said Washington.

"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." Carolina press some buttons changing the holograms to change into a map of the city showing the targets car. "We need to acquire targets within minutes of each other. We fail that, the remaining target will enter lockdown and we miss our window."

"We will not have another chance at this." stated the Director.

"So that means two teams." Carolina nodded "Two teams. Team A will consist of me, Wash, and Maine. We will work infiltration on the Package's storage facility. York is still in the infirmary, so Wash, you will have to pull off picking duty."

"Um...okay. Guess I'll re-read my field manual on the transport."

Everyone hears the sliding doors open with a voice "Hey, don't be so quick to give away my job." who turns out to be York in full armor like everyone else.

"I thought you were in the hospital." asked Carolina with her and Naruto walking up to him.

"According to their records, I am."

"How's your eye?" Naruto asked with concern. "It's okay. Docs will let me out tomorrow." said York grinning behind his helmet even though the others can't see it.

"Tomorrow, huh?" said Wash.

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

Both Naruto and Wash look at each other thinking the same thing before quietly talking to Carolina. "Listen, I'm happy to see him too, but this mission...I don't know…"

"I'm agreeing with Wash, I mean he was.." said Naruto before being interrupted by Carolina. "Hey you two, if York says he's good, then he's good."

"It's your call, boss."

Carolina walks up to York "You're good, right?".

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

"It's settled, then. York will join Team A and get them in the facility." York thanked the Director before Carolina once again continued with the plan. "Transport will be two lightly-equipped Pelican dropships."

"We're rigged for fast running only, people. No heavy armaments."

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

"Got it." said with his trademark grin. 'Excited I see, Naruto.' Kurama asked in Naruto's mind. 'You bet, this the first time I'm in charge of a team.'

'And this is an important mission apparently, lets not disappoint.' Naruto nodded mentally 'Right!'

"What about Agent South?" asked C.T with the Director answering "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." said the Director. C.T quietly says to Wash "Notice he didn't say no."

"Team B should be simple. Stop the vehicle and grab the case. Team A? You have more of a challenge. Mainly if the Sarcophagus is an unknown." explained Carolina.

"How unknown are we talking?" asked Wash "Unknown in that we don't know its size, or its weight, or its dimensions. We just know it will have these markings somewhere on the exterior."

Some symbols appeared on the hologram projector which North interestly recognized." I saw those same markings on the oil platform."

"Correct. That facility created the primary objective."

"Do we know what's inside it?" Wash asked the Director. "Yes, we know."

"How do we know what's in it, but not how big it is?" the Director turns to C.T who apologizes.

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

"That is all. You are dismissed!" Everyone stands to attention "Yes, sir!"

Soon Team A and B were in their Pelicans ready for their mission. 'Are you okay Kurama, you seem distracted?' Naruto asked the former Tailed beast.

'It's just what Connecticut said. Something doesn't seem right.'

'You think they're hiding something from us?' asked Naruto. Soon sounds of the docking clamps started to get released. 'I guess we'll just have to find out.'

Half an hour later both Pelican's are flying side by side in the city. "Team A, you look clear. Window is open. Start your clocks. On my mark. Mark."

"Sync. Roger that. Team A is moving." Carolina responded before Team A's Pelican starts flying to a different location. "Copy that Carolina. Good luck Team A." Naruto replied back.

"Thanks California. We won't need it." said Carolina before cutting the transmission.

Naruto gets up from his seat and looks at his team. "Alright Bravo, lets move out. We have 3 minutes until first alert. Lets have our target in hand by 2."

"Sir!" they replied back.

"We're all set up California."

"Great North, Alright everyone get into positions."

Team B are on the highway bridge with North lining up the Sniper Rifle. "C.T how long until our guest arrives?" asked Naruto.

"Should be coming around the corner any minute." Naruto nodded "Ok North on my mark."

Hundreds of cars passed under the bridge, until finally the target was in sight.

"Now Kit!"

"Mark!" One well placed bullet fired from the sniper and shot off the target's car front left tire, sending the car off course and upside down on the road. Other cars tried to swerve pass the flying car to avoid being hit. Once all the cars stopped Team B got off the bridge got close to the upside down vehicle.

"Wyoming search the car and get the case, North and C.T keep all civilians away from the field."

Wyoming walked up and knocked on the tinted glass "Knock, Knock mate." When he opened the door he saw nothing, no passenger and especially no case! "What the devil?! It's not here!"

"What do you mean "It's not here?"" asked North.

"It's a decoy! They knew we were coming." said C.T

A sound of a sniper was heard and landed on Wyoming's hip causing him to yell in pain.

"They're here! North flip that car provided cover, C.T get Wyoming over here and patch him up!" Everyone did their assigned tasks, and once again a sniper bullet was shot from a nearby building almost hitting C.T. Now all of Team B is taking cover behind the car.

"North take out that sniper!" commanded Naruto. North quickly aimed and fired getting a head shot taking out the sniper. After that was done police cars gathered at the front, spraying all kinds of weapons.

The entire highway was a battle ground with a fire trail, police sirens going off and dead police corpses leaking blood. What confused the fuck out of them was a railgun firing from the sky hitting the skyscraper that Team A was at.

"Did anyone else see that? Or is it me seeing things from blood loss." asked Wyoming.

"What do you think Kurama?" said Naruto.

"Know doubt about it, that came from Mother of Invention. Most likely to leave all sign of evidence."

"Thats a good way, blowing the fuck out of it!" shouted C.T "What do you think happened to Team A?" she asked killing another officer.

"Lets hope they made it out alright." said North.

"Team B report. Team B!" Carolina's voice could be heard from the radio's.

Naruto was the one who answered the call. "Team B is down! We have wounded, and are taking fire."

"We'll be right there."

"Negative, get the package. Get it out of the city."

"Roger that." Carolina said ending the call.

"California how do you plan on getting us out of this, we are outnumbered and outgunned. Here I thought Carolina said we'll be getting the easier part of the job." said C.T

"Kurama get Four Seven Niner on the line." said Naruto.

"Okay were on the air."

"Four Seven Niner this is Team B and we need immediate evac!" commanded Naruto "Looks a little hot down there Agent California, any attempt would take me out." Four Seven Niner replied back.

"Don't worry come as quick as you can on my signal. You know when you see it." Naruto said as he pulled to objects that looked like grenades. Throwing them towards the enemy three of them set off a load and large bang blinding all who saw it and the other two let out large amounts of smoke. Seeing the signal the drop ship made its way down in a temporary landing. North and Naruto helped Wyoming on to the ship with C.T backing them up with some cover fire before getting on herself. Already inside was Wash and Agent Florida.

"So, how was your first time in charge?" asked Wash.

Naruto smiled at his friend "I think it went smoothly."