"Central Command to the Barracks, this is Central Officer Bradford. I need Corporal MacIntosh and his new recruits up here now. You're all being deployed and Dr. Vahlin has a few special requests. Get moving."
Duncan, having grown somewhat short of breath after his vigorous exercise on the treadmill, almost replied to the intercom. He hadnt expected any action that morning. If it was an abduction then he was guessing it wasn't Issah's work. Washing off his sweat with a nearby towel, Duncan assembled the team. Or at least, those who hadn't already sprinted off.
"OK people. This is the first time any of you are gonna have a fighting chance of killing some X-ray bastards. I understand some of you have some... personal vendetta's with our adversaries, but I remind you that we are a professional force, and even with humanities finest tech there's a good chance we'll have our work cut out for us. Do not let your emotions-" Duncan noticed his spilt coffee, and paused for a split-second,
"- threaten the mission, the team, or the planet in general. Now go gear up and i'll meet you all back in the hanger".
Then he too left the gym, with several calls of enthusiasm and support from the other opeatives throughout the room. Heading to the Barracks to gear up, the Scot wondered where they would be deployed to. He knew that Command sometimes had to make tough choices, especially with the low number of pilots available for the Skyrangers (some ships were never recovered from the field, and every pilot carried at least a sidearm after the failed OPERATION: SCALING WINDS). As he arrived in the locker room of the barracks and began to slip on his Nano-fiber vest, Duncan silently began to speculate on where they were going.
***
Arriving at the hanger to see the team mostly assembled, the Corporal stood in line with his crew as CO Bradford made his way over, with Sergeant Jacob following behind. Judging from their expressions the two seemed to have recently had a heated discussion
Bradford took stock of the team, then his eyes rested on Duncan. The friendliness the two of them usually shared felt absent, and the American had to pause before speaking to the entire squad.
"For this mission I will personally be providing Intel to the squad prior to deployment, to ensure that the squad can perform at maximum efficency on the field. You are being deployed to Paris, France, to deal with an abduction crisis. More will be explained closer to your deployment", the CO informed them. He then saluted to the group, and as they made their way onto the Skyranger Bradford re-focused his attention of Duncan, who panicked, thinking that Jacob might have let something slip. Fortunatly this was not the case.
He glanced over at the new recruits buckling up, and Bradford's expression softened briefly. "Dr Vahlen has put in a request for this group. She wants...
bodies, so that her people can perform some autopsies. I understand some of the recruits may have some trauma in relation to the X-rays, so we have a back-up carrier on stand-by to collect any intact fatalities". Duncan tried to point out that if his crew did make it through the day then bodies wouldent be of much concern to their mental states, but the commanding officer had already turned away. As he left, the Sergeant gave him a quick nod and walked over, carrying a handheld device in his hand that gave off a peculiar buzzing noise.
"This is a little something I had produced in engineering. I think you'll find it useful".
Duncan looked at the strange device, feeling confused and even a bit worried.
"What is it?"
"It's an Arc Thrower. Hit an E.T. with it at close range and you can stun them".
The Corporal nodded, now knowing where the sergeant was going with this.
"We dont have the facilities to interrogate one of the aliens properly-" Jacob interrupted him. "You let me worry about that". And with that he too was gone.
Walking onto the Skyranger, Duncan looked at his crew, unsure of what to say. He finally spoke after sitting down, and hearing the jets pushing the ship off of the ground.
"So... you all happy with your new toys?"