As we continued our tour, it was Adam's turn to take the lead. We were exploring the vibrant landscapes of Ukraine and Hungary when an urgent message about a rush job interrupted our journey. Despite the pressure, I was determined to complete the task. I had been traveling with Adam for a week now, and he was doing his best to assist me with our flea business. However, Bran had sent him some alpha problems and other issues to deal with, which additionally pressured us. Despite everything, we were still on target.
I approached Adam, and with a sense of urgency, I informed him I needed to leave to drop off the rush job. As I explained the mission to him, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and nervousness. The rescue mission was in Ukraine, and it involved the fae, who desperately needed help. They were supposed to be victims; I knew they could make good allies. However, their research could also be dangerous because of the unknown poisons they might contain.
As I prepared for the mission, I began thinking about what I needed to bring. I realized I had most of what I needed in the house and car, but the base here was not as well-equipped as some of the other places we had visited. Despite this, I was confident that I could still succeed and complete the mission on time.
I wasn't even paying attention as I was turning to go upstairs when Adam got up from the chair he had been sitting in. He asked, " Fine, when do we leave?"
I paused, my eyebrows arching in surprise, and took a moment to contemplate. The room was filled with an air of anticipation. Adam had never been involved in a rescue mission before, only been on killing sprees and explosive endeavors. However, I couldn't help but wonder if Damon had shared the details of that one job with him. But that was no concern of mine. I could trust him enough to put him in the destroyer's role, allowing me to carry out my own tasks without hindrance.
I addressed Adam confidently, making my intentions clear: "You're welcome to accompany me on this gig, but it's crucial that you understand I hold the reins here. If you have any qualms with my leadership, staying home is best. There's no room for negotiation; my word is final."
Adam locked eyes with me, a defiant expression on his face, as he raised an eyebrow. He responded, his voice laced with determination, "Am I bothered by having a female boss? Absolutely not. Just tell me what needs to be done, and let's get on with it."
A smile formed on my lips, appreciating his willingness to follow my lead. "Excellent. I'm actually going upstairs to gather some supplies. Follow me."
Ascending the stairs, each step creaked under our weight, echoing through the quiet house. Adam's curiosity was palpable as we made our way to the second floor. The sight of his intrigue brought a sense of satisfaction. Finally, we arrived at the bedroom that I had designated as my supply room.
I swiftly moved a heavy dresser, the sound of scraping wood filling the room. With a deep breath, I opened the floor hatch, revealing a hidden compartment. A faint scent of dust and secrecy wafted through the air as I unveiled a sizable bag concealed within. It was heavy, causing me to gasp as I pulled it out. Adam, ever the helpful companion, quickly stepped forward to assist, our combined strength lifting the weighty bag onto the bed.
I took out my smaller bag from the closet, my workbag, where I would put my supplies for now. Then, with a flourish, I unzipped the massive bag, revealing an arsenal of supplies I had carefully packed for the mission. The room now carried the scent of metal and gunpowder, a potent mixture. Within the bag, an array of firearms, ammunition, explosive charges, knives, and all the essentials for the mission lay organized. Adam, leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, observed as I efficiently packed my bag, his eyes scanning the collection of tools and weaponry before him.
His piercing brown eyes flickered over the contents of my bag, scanning each item with a hint of amusement.
With a self-assured smirk, he said, his voice laced with mischief, "Pack enough, honey, to supplies for me too, guns and such."
I grunted in response; the sound escaping my throat with a tinge of annoyance. "You can get your supplies at the base. There's plenty there."
But Adam wouldn't let it go. He walked over to me, his determined footsteps echoing in the room, and I could see the unwavering resolve in his eyes as he said, his voice filled with conviction, "Honey, I want those supplies, same as you."
I sighed, feeling the weight of futility settle upon me, knowing that arguing with him was pointless. Reluctantly, I gathered enough supplies for five people, the sound of items clinking and rustling filling the air. It wasn't a significant inconvenience for me, as I knew I could always put in a requisition at some point. The thought of the requisition party coming to fill my bag lingered in my mind, but I didn't want to make a fuss about it.
Alongside the supplies, I carefully packed a first aid kit, its contents including painkillers, antibiotics, and wound care equipment, a kit Colin had developed. With my bag finally filled, I handed it to Adam, who grasped it from me.
"Go shower, change your clothes," he instructed, his voice firm yet gentle.
Nodding in acknowledgment, I made my way to the bathroom. The warm water cascaded over me, soothing my tired muscles as I washed away the grime of the day. I had recently changed my hair to a shorter blonde style, a strategic decision to make it harder for the enemy to grab hold of.
After drying off, I tied my damp hair into a ponytail and slipped into my gig clothes. One of Damon's jeans, which I had skillfully altered to fit me perfectly, provided both comfort and durability. Layering a sturdy top, a soft tee shirt, and a well-worn denim jacket, I ensured I was prepared for whatever lay ahead. Completing the ensemble with a decent pair of sneakers, I made my way downstairs, my footsteps echoing on the staircase.
To my surprise, Damon was waiting for me in the living room. His eyes lit up upon seeing me, and he greeted me with a warm smile.
"Baby, I'm off too, so you've got another one," he said, his voice filled with affection.
He smelled his passionfruit, fantastic.
I smiled at me, rolled my eyes, and sighed, saying, "Fine, but I am the boss of this operation."
Damon just smirked at me. Damon had always been meticulously prepared, his bag already waiting in the doorway. However, it was evident that Adam had already shown him the contents of my bag. With a sense of familiarity, we stepped outside, the cool breeze brushing against our skin.
Making my way to the driver's seat of my car, I slid into the familiar position, my hands gripping the steering wheel with confidence. Though Damon was usually the one to take the wheel, I knew the way to the base like the back of my hand, rendering the use of a satellite navigation system unnecessary.
Damon settled into the passenger seat, his eyes meeting mine inquisitively. Breaking the silence, he questioned, "Why don't you use the sat nav to get there?"
I turned to him, my gaze steady, and replied, my voice tinged with caution, "Because I don't want to disclose the location of the base to anyone outside. Navigators can be hacked."
Damon fell silent, his surprise clear in his expression. It was intriguing to witness his realization, to see how he hadn't fully grasped the intensity and rigor of our work with the fleas. But it was fine by me. After all, I was used to navigating this complex world on my own terms.
I drove to the base, the engine purring softly as I navigated the quiet road in the early evening. The air carried a sense of serenity now that the rush hour traffic had dissipated. I had taken great care to conceal the location of these bases, as corruption ran rampant in this area. The last thing I wanted was for the wrong individuals to stumble upon our operations. Parking my car in its designated spot, I stepped out and entered the base. This base was an enormous warehouse with tin walls and enormous doors, like some sort of abandoned firehouse. But the outside didn't really reveal what was going inside.
Inside was a main room with gigantic tables full of papers and maps, and computer screens flickered here and there; people were talking and walking, and there was a faint smell of guns, ammunition, charges, and metals. People were conversing around a few of the vast tables.
Once we got inside, I introduced the two companions accompanying me, their presence adding a sense of strength to the room. The men engaged in conversation, their voices mingling in a chorus of determination. I learned that both Adam and Damon were fluent in Russian, a language I had yet to study or master.
I had known that Adam was fluent, but so was Damon; I should have realized it as he had lived in Russia quite a long time at some point in his life. However, I saw no need to dwell on that at the moment. Penn and Ruby, who had also been part of our mission in Europe, were now included in our plans. I joined them, focusing my attention on the task while the men continued socializing.
We retreated to my study, seeking a moment of privacy to review the intricate details of our mission. Murdock, our trusted advisor, had proposed a fresh approach. I would pilot a drone, soaring above the roof, and release three carefully placed bombs. These explosives would neutralize any shielding mechanism, and if the roof were unoccupied, their detonation would go unnoticed.
However, if there was someone present, we had three skilled snipers positioned discreetly in the surrounding woods, prepared to eliminate any threats. Murdock himself would be one of the snipers, accompanied by Kevin and Harley, both students under his tutelage. Adaptability was crucial in our line of work, and we were always striving for improvement.
Only when the roof was confirmed clear would our mission begin. It was our duty to pave the way for the rescue team, and now there was only one remaining obstacle. With their mystical nature, the fae might elude detection by thermal cameras. This realization meant we would need to meticulously search all 16 floors, a task that would undoubtedly consume more time.
Damon and Adam, skilled in destruction, would demolish any obstacles they encountered, relishing in their destructive prowess. On the other hand, Penn, Ruby, and I would serve as the saviors, rescuing the victims from their torment. We would get everyone up and running and move them to transporters then.
We had six transporters and a few vehicles at our disposal to facilitate the evacuation process. I had strategically arranged a secondary transport point a couple of miles away to ensure the swift and efficient relocation of the victims to safety. As we completed the minute details of our plan, the news reached us that the snipers had already assumed their positions. Time was of the essence, and we couldn't afford any further delays.
We set off, the weight of my gear settling on my shoulders as I double-checked everything. I secured my gun, but my locker seemed barren after Adam and Damon had taken the rest of the gear - clothes, protective gear, headphones, microphones, and watches. I couldn't shake the uncertainty of whether they would return them.
Damon and Adam were focused, scanning the crowd for anyone missing their equipment. Our new body armor added a heaviness, but it provided reassurance against armor-piercing bullets. The anticipation grew, intensifying Damon and Adam's energy, yet a little extra adrenaline was welcomed.
We embarked on our journey, and I found myself in the car with Burt, Ben's son, as our driver. Burt, who had recently lost his mother, had taken charge of Sark's accounts and procured the funds. He had also uncovered valuable information. Now, he yearned to be a part of the gigs, so I allowed him to drive for a few missions.
Adam engaged Burt in conversation throughout the drive, as I had informed him about their connection and their communication with Burt's mother. Burt was quickly becoming an important figure in my life, though I couldn't recall his exact age, somewhere between 18 and 21. When we arrived, the car came to a halt in a secluded area, and we exited, ready for what lay ahead. Showtime.