She did relax. Fareeha, though wanting to get back into the fight, felt safe. The front wasn't that far away either, but she felt far enough. She smiled ruefully at the doctor. "I'd wouldn't have any other," she said. She was taking deep, slow breaths. "You wake me if you need anything. If anything happens."

Then a foreign voice snapped her eyes back open. Looking for the source of the voice, Fareeha's eyes rested on a Swiss soldier. Tension layered its way back into her body. She knew better than to try sitting up. Pain never fazed her, but she didn't go looking for it. Her eyes narrowed when the Karson told the two he had a message from Kalte.

The news, thankfully, was good. Pulling back the injured was the best course of action. However, pulling the wounded out would mean sacrificing man power from the line. Not being in the action gave Fareeha incomplete intel. If the private reported truthfully, the omnic positions were being pushed by the joint forces. But how stable was the line? She bit her lip.

"Officer discretion," Fareeha said after thinking about the consequences of either decision. "Have Captain Kalte evaluate the situation. If the injured can exfil, do it. If the line if too fragile, then they'll need to hold."

Private Karson nodded. "I'll let him know, ma'am."

"Private," Fareeha said before the soldier could leave. "See if you can't find volunteers here to help. I don't think the base can spare anyone. Only if you can find some. Every soul counts in this war."

"Yes, ma'am. Fast recovery, ma'am. Jumpers miss you already." Saluting smartly, the private left without another word. Professional. Fareeha admired that.

Fareeha leaned back into her cot. She tried to fall back into her stupor but couldn't. "Angela. Can you see if you find some water?"

Angela found herself smiling at the professionalism that the young Swiss soldier had, even in a time of panic and war. Once the young Swiss soldier had left, the woman turned her head to Fareeha as the jumper Captain spoke. Water? Shouldn't be too hard to find. And even in her weakened state, if Angela was careful she'd be fine to get up and walk around. She was feeling a little less dizzy now that she'd stopped straining her body.

"I'll see what I can find." She said, pushing herself to stand up slowly. She felt very slight dizziness, but it was manageable. She walked out of the partitioned area where Fareeha lay and into the aisle between the rows of cots. She maneuvered her way towards the exit of the tent, squeezing past medics who were hurrying between wounded soldiers. Some were still critical. Angela felt a pang of regret, but ignored it. This was the price of war. Not everyone could be saved. She just had to accept that.

Upon exiting the tent, she scanned the area with crystal blue eyes, soon locating a small truck that carried food and water. It was strange, however, that said truck was even here. Angela didn't recognize the insignia on the side until she saw the soldiers standing around it. Black-clad guards with red goggles, speaking with one of the doctors.

Talon. What on Earth were these terrorists doing here?

Approaching, she immediately caught the attention of one of the Talon operatives, who waved off the doctor. "Angela Ziegler. A pleasant surprise." He said, taking of his helmet. He was a soldierly-looking man, shaved face and head, typical grunt.

"Why do you know me? How did you know I would be here?" Angela questioned. She was in no mood nor condition to be a negotiator, but not everyone in the ESF knew who Talon was, and they were clearly here to tempt the ESF with much-needed food and water.

"Calm down. Talon has eyes everywhere, you should know that. We're here to make a deal." The operative crossed his arms. "We'll help the ESF here. Bring in additional troops to reinforce the frontlines, and give extra supplies to those on the back who are in need. However, we request that you and Fareeha Amari come with us to work with Talon. That is all. Talon gets you and Captain Amari, the ESF and the Swiss forces here get extra troops and supplies. That is the deal. I expect a decision to be made within the hour."

Angela was about to spout an immediate refusal, but the doctor whom had previously been speaking with the operative made her hesitate. The way he was looking at the supplies in desperation; they needed as much food and water as they could get, and troops as well. Angela looked down; the decision had to be made soon.

"Let me speak with Fareeha. She... She might be able to come up with a better answer than me." Angela turned and headed back to the medical tent, making her way to Fareeha. The woman was trying to rest; god, why did this have to happen now.

"I'm afraid a simple search for water has gotten much more complicated. Talon has arrived with a truck full of food and water, and I assume other supplies as well. The operative I spoke with promised to give those supplies to the ESF and the Swiss here, as well as calling in Talon soldiers to reinforce our frontlines... but... the catch is, they was you and I to go work with Talon." She explained. "I... I am so, so torn. Talon is a terrorist organization that fought against Overwatch. They are criminals. But... these troops need supplies. Desperately. And for every wounded soldier, Talon could easily replace the lost manpower with their own troops. The operative wants an answer within the hour."

Angela sighed, sitting back down beside Fareeha, holding her head in her hands. This dilemma was giving her a near-instant headache. "I don't know what to do... We have two choices. Refuse the offer and continue fighting with what barebones supplies and troops the ESF has left, risking the malnutrition and dehydration of deployed soldiers, as well as a shortage of medical supplies. Or, accept the offer and trust that Talon will keep their word and give supplies and troops in exchange for you and myself. I... I hate to say it, but I think that Talon is being sincere. Why would they have a truck full of supplies at the ready to be distributed, if they were just going to turn their backs the moment they got what they wanted? But the question is... what are they going to do to us if we go with them?"

Fareeha realized too late how stupid her request sounded as Angela walked off. Water! She was wounded and fatigued for crying out loud. Though perhaps out of a right state of mind, she could make due without water for a while longer. A nurse was bound to bring something by.

She sighed. She'd have to apologize after Angela returned. It was a selfish split minute decision made out of convenience.

Opening a small compartment on her armor, Fareeha took out a picture of her and her mother. Nothing recent, but a prized possession she kept from her younger days. Tired eyes stared at it. A ghost of a smile tugged at her lips. What would conversation would Fareeha and her younger self have if they could have the impossible chance? Would the youth smile so care free as in the picture? Would mother look as relaxed as she did in that snap shot of time? Fareeha bit the inside of her lip. What would she say to the woman who raised her if she met her now?

Anger? Resentment? Fareeha played dozens of imaginary fictions of the reunion. Many of them brought her close to tears while an equal amount of others steeled her heart. What did she care if she met her again? Even though Angela's words made her reflect on how much she missed her mother, the rift from Ana vanishing and the walls Fareeha erected to protect herself couldn't be instantly removed. What would probably happen was a smack to the woman's face. And then-

Bringing a hand to her face, Fareeha dabbed at the wetness. She laughed and exhaled as she dried her face. No matter how great the anger, this was her mother. No matter the resentment, she couldn't bring herself to swear violence against her. These feelings were a farce. All she wanted was-

She jumped as Angela stood beside her. She hadn't heard the doctor come back. Quickly putting the photograph back into the compartment just above her heart, she was about to apologize about making Angela do when the woman should be resting. But Fareeha didn't get the chance.

The dragon roared within her. Feeling her hands ball into fists, Fareeha tried to get up before collapsing back into her cot. A train of Egyptian profanities and curses flowed from her mouth. "Talon! I never had the chance to be in Overwatch, but I certainly heard of their ...!" Fareeha gestured with her hands. No words came forth. "Work for Talon? Gods! What a sick joke!" Fareeha snorted at the thought of Talon being sincere. She groaned. "Angela. We're talking about an organization that double crosses. An organization that doesn't have any morals! How can we trust that?"

Her blood boiled at the thought of those terrorists being in her country. Promising to aid her people though their promises were as fickle as an undecided youth. While the world struggled against the omnics, Talon never once aided the war effort. If anything, they took away from humanity's survival by their thefts, assassinations, and the other nefarious deeds they carried out. Did they even stand for anything? They were the antithesis of everything Fareeha stood for.

Fareeha sighed. Regardless, taking her anguish out on Angela was unfair. "... I'm sorry," Fareeha said. "Are there really Talon operatives here? Trucks of supplies? Did you see inside? I wouldn't be surprised if those trucks were empty."

Angela stared at the ground as Fareeha spouted off her anger, first in her native tongue, then in English. The doctor knew she'd have this reaction, but it was necessary. The wounded jumper was leading this operation, and if anyone was going to make a decision it was her. That wouldn't stop Angela from advising her, however. Talon was indeed a terrorist organization, guilty of many a horrid crime, but surely even they'd realized that there would be no one left to terrorize if the omnics killed everyone.

Once Fareeha was done venting, Angela looked back up at her, hands folded in her lap. "The bed of the truck was open. There were jugs of water, and what appeared to be rations of food. Nothing incredible, but it would definitely help sustain the forces here. The Talon operatives were armed, but they weren't threatening. They made their offer, and are awaiting an answer."

The fair-skinned woman breathed a stressed sigh, reaching up with one hand to pinch the bridge of her nose, feeling the headache strongly beneath her eyes and forehead. "I know what Talon have done first hand. They've killed Overwatch agents in the past, early in the conflict. But their activities have since declined as far as I know, and for them to emerge and offer assistance... I don't want to believe that they are really willing to help us after all that they've done to destroy life. But... my mind has sounder judgement than my heart. Thinking logically, they've no reason to keep doing what they do. Humanity is already in chaos. No crime or assassination could ever be worse than what the omnics are doing right now. So if anything, they're willing to help preserve humanity for the greater good, but they'll likely continue their lesser evils once the threat is gone. If the omnics aren't stopped, even Talon won't survive."

Angela shut her eyes for a moment, brow furrowed in frustration. "It's so damn wrong, Fareeha, but I think just this once we should trust them. Or... maybe we can come to some sort of compromise with them. I could go, if you're unwilling to. In return, they could give only half of the supplies originally intended. I don't know if it's the right decision. But... in the end, this is your decision. You are the leader here."

"No!"

Fareeha shook her head at Angela's alternative. There was no way in hell she was letting the doctor go with Talon alone. Even though what Angela said about the organization made sense, she still didn't trust the organization to keep the doctor safe or to hold up their end of the bargain. What purpose they had to recruit the two women also made Fareeha wary. What if this was a sick way to blackmail the two into remaining with the organization? What if they were to join Talon in further illegal escapades?

What Fareeha couldn't deny was that if the omnics won, Talon would have nowhere to go. No country to harass and attack. Perhaps, just this once, they were thinking of the big picture. They'd were quite late to the game if that were the case. But if they brought food? Supplies? Perhaps if Fareeha was within the organization, she could push for more troops and supplies to be given to Egypt. Even the rest of the country. That was contingent on Talon being a vast organization as she believed them to be.

"I'm not losing you, and I don't want you to go," Fareeha said quietly. "Maybe it's selfish of me too say. Maybe I'm not thinking straight. But I don't want you to go. Not with them. Anywhere." The words sunk in shortly after she said them. Fareeha felt her face warm ever so slightly. She had to think. "Do ... do you think Talon's capable of helping the war effort? Not just here but globally? I only know of the organization's deeds. Not their structure."

Angela was caught off guard by Fareeha's sudden protectiveness. Not that it was unusual for her to seem protective over those around her, but this seemed more personal. Closer to Fareeha's heart. The doctor noticed a slight tint of red on her cheeks; the Egyptian woman was blushing ever so slightly. Perhaps it could just be written off as a symptom of her injuries, rather than caused by embarrassment. Though, it was a bit heartwarming to know that Fareeha cared so much about the doctors well-being.

"I don't know that much about Talon as a whole, but I know they have troops of all different sorts. At least enough to give themselves a fighting force. I've heard rumors of a sniper so skilled that she could out-do even your mother, but I'm not certain if that's true. They certainly have been successful in assassinations in the past... Regardless, I think they can help the situation. If they focus their forces in key areas, it could make a huge difference. I don't think they could spread out into multiple countries. Probably one country at a time. What better one to start with than Egypt...? We need all the help we can get here. What if they have doctors that would help aid the wounded? What if they could save even one child from the battlefield, Fareeha?"

Angela reached and took Fareeha's hand supportively. "I say we accept the offer, together. Where you go, I go. If anything seems suspicious, then we'll do our best to escape. We have to take risks in war. This is a big one. But we need any help we can get here in Egypt, even if it comes from those we would consider to be enemies."

Still embarrassed by her outburst, Fareeha tried to ignore the past and focus on what Angela had to tell her.

A sniper that outdid her mom? She didn't have the opportunity to see her mother fight, but she heard the stories. The best sniper in all of Egypt people would say. Maybe even in the world. Fareeha was proud of that when she was a kid. It served as a cornerstone to one day follow in her mom's footsteps. However, instead of taking up the rifle, she became a jumper. What would mother have to say about that? Fareeha hoped she'd be proud.

Fareeha clasped Angela's hand in hers as she stared at her battle-buddy. "I'll believe Talon's charitable side when I see it. Until then, I don't trust them," she said. Pursing her lips, she sighed. "If we accept their deal, you wouldn't get in trouble. I, on the other hand, would be a deserter. Even thinking about that ..."

Looking around to make sure there weren't any eavesdroppers, Fareeha scooted a little closer to Angela. "It would be a blow to the ESF. Egypt. They hang deserters here, Ange. Not the firing squad. Hanging," she said. "If Talon pays off, then its worth it. But ... I'm torn ... I don't know what to do. What would happen to my jumpers? The Swiss forces here? Even talking to Talon would spread rumors better left unspoken."

Angela shook her head, as valid as Fareeha's concerns were. "No, I don't think you have to desert. Not completely, anyways. Command may put pen to paper, but at the end of the day, it's a piece of paper. Tell the people here, like Kalte and your officers in the ESF who trust you with their lives. Tell them the situation, and I know they'll understand... I know that you would fight and die for this country. And I would die right along side you if it meant saving the lives of others."

The Swiss woman paused. Dying, huh? That was a new idea.

"Okay, this may sound absolutely crazy, but what if we feigned death to your superiors? We tell your officers and Kalte that we're going to Talon, but they'll relay a false message that we were killed and unrecoverable due to the omnics. It's a shady idea, which requires absolute faith in those we choose to tell of the plan, but it could trick those who sit there and run a desk while people die out here. I'm not even certain it would work, but it'd be one way for you not to be considered a deserter and potentially hanged if they get their hands on you again."

The cloak and dagger idea surprised Fareeha. She never pegged Angela for the type to manipulate. But could the idea work?

Kalte was the wild card. Her own officers were too. She trusted her men with her life as they did hers. But to feign a death? If word got out to command, the whole company would be punished for her actions. However, the aid gained from Talon, if they kept their word, was an invaluable asset. Who knew what the organization had? If they could produce supplies and troops that were potentially well trained, the war effort would benefit from Fareeha and Angela's agreement.

"We have an hour to decide?" Fareeha asked. Scrunching her brows together, how was she going to contact Kalte and her people? Using the main channels was out of the question. Operators monitored the chatter constantly for logistical updates and battlefield developments. Even whispering the idea over the comms was out of the question. It had to be word of mouth. She had to find the officers herself.

"Angela. You're tired. Weary. I'm about to ask you to do something. If you cannot, no shame in saying no." Fareeha pointed at her ribs. "If we're going to do this, I need to talk to my officers in person. No radio. No messenger. Minimize the chances of this becoming public news. I'll be blunt. I don't want to have anything to do with Talon. I think they're fundamentally evil. If they can help the war, however, then perhaps a necessary evil is necessary. And I have faith in you."

She looked pointedly at the doctor. "Can you do this? Be honest," she said. "A few pain meds is an alternative. No pressure."

Angela somehow felt more content knowing that fareeha was on board with the idea of feigning death to get away with defecting to Talon. It'd be a tough bargain; her soldiers and even the Swiss ones would be dragged into something that could potentially be treasonous. To be frank, Angela wasn't certain that Kalte would go along with this plan. He was a great soldier who understood dire circumstances, but to trust him with a secret like this? It was risky. All of this was.

The woman nodded her head. "I can go find them. I may be wounded and weak but I'm not going to let that stop me from doing everything that I can to help people, even if that means temporarily defecting." She spoke quietly so no one would hear. "I'll go find your officers, and I'll get Kalte as well... Perhaps that messenger who went to talk with Kalte can help me find them faster. I'll try to find him first."

She stood up once again. "And Fareeha? I won't let anything happen to you. They find out you've deserted, and I will exercise every bit of authority I have as one of few Overwatch agents to still call myself a member of it, to keep them from harming you."

With confidence and determination driving her exhausted body forward, Angela once again exited the tent. With her objective clear, she searched first for the few that would be in the base of operations. Among the moderately injured sitting outside of the medical tent who didn't ant to waste space was one of Fareeha's officers. She looked over his wounds; nothing too serious, but it was enough to take him out of the fight. It was similar to Fareeha's case. Painful, but he'd be fine with adequate rest.

She asked him kindly to go sit with Fareeha and wait until the others arrived for her to talk to them. Once they'd done that, she moved towards the backlines of the fighting, where people were actively being assessed for injuries, or doing communications to the frontlines. Angela spotted the messenger, Karson, from before.

She approached him. "Karson, I need a huge favor. If the line is able to be held stable by the soldiers alone, I need the officers in the jumpers to come speak with Fareeha, as well as Captain Kalte. But radios must not be used to contact them."

Karson looked up from the radio he was operating, confused. "Are you certain, ma'am? The line s stable, but without the officers, the less-experienced Sergeants will have to give any orders that are needed. And to go get them physically..."

"I know what I asked, private." Angela reaffirmed. "And I know it's a heavy burden on the enlisted soldier's shoulders, but it is extremely important that Fareeha speak with them in person, and without anyone monitoring the radios hearing that they are being pulled back. The omnics could easily be listening, and this is very, very important. You must understand."

The Swiss soldier was silent for a moment before nodding his head. However confused he was, it was his duty to listen to orders given to him. "I'll see if I can tear them away from the frontlines. They won't be happy to be pulled aside, but they should know chain of command... I may have questions but I'm of no rank to ask them."

Angela nodded her head. "Thank you, Karson. I'm grateful for your help. Send them to the medical tent. And if they ask for time, tell them there is none to waste."

Karson shook his head in a yes, then stood up. He motioned to a few others who weren't doing anything of utmost importance, and enlisted them to help gather the officers in question. Angela watched as they hurried off to the frontlines, taking a deep breath then turning and heading back to the base. The Talon operatives were still standing by, waiting. When the one that had spoken to Angela previously looked over, she raised a finger as if to tell him to wait. He nodded his head, then went back to guarding his truck of supplies.

Angela reentered the medical tent, making her way back down the aisle and once again returning to Fareeha's side. She sat down, feeling more exhausted now than she'd been before. All she wanted to do was sleep.

"Karson and a few others are gathering the officers without using any radios. Just to make certain no one suspects anything. I hope it doesn't take long... but your officers and Kalte should know to follow orders, especially coming from someone like you." The Swiss woman rested her elbows on her knees, and her head in her hands, shutting her eyes. At least for this brief moment while they were waiting, she could close her eyes and relax as much as she could, even if it was only for a moment.

Whether or not they were doing the right thing or not, Fareeha still had reservations about the plan. The front needed the supplies that Talon toted along. With the world enflamed in war, necessities were in short supply. The military elements received priority, but she wagered the quartermasters' lists were beginning to dwindle. If Talon wasn't tricking her, their supplies were very welcomed.

Her eyes drew to the entrance to her unit. Nero walked in nursing an arm. His close cropped hair was singed at the tips. His face smudged from grim and dust. He grunted as he snapped as best a salute he could muster. "You look like shit, cap."

A swift reprimand was protocol, but her relationship with her men was hardly protocol abiding. Fareeha pointed to a chair and waited for Nero to seat himself. The chair by her bedside was still vacant for the good doctor. "How're the jumpers?"

"Worried about you," he said. The characteristic jocular tone was gone. It was indicative of building stress. Nero served long enough under her to show his tells. "ESF ground elements are moving in. We broke through the omnic defenses, but we lost a lot of good soldiers. Alawa's coordinating with Captan Kalte. The Swedes fight pretty damn well for being away from the front."

So not everything was lost. Fareeha sighed, her body becoming less tense. It was her tradition to collect the dog tags of the fallen after a battle. Or during. She wondered how many more would be added to her growing sack. She never wanted to forget those that fought with her. Each earned her respect. Jumper or not. They fought a relentless enemy that many lacked the courage to confront.

Fareeha leaned back on her bed. "At ease. I've called the other officers here. I've something important to discuss; the details will be given when everyone's here."

Nero nodded and leaned back against the chair. The two sat in silence until Angela came back first.

Fareeha listened to the update. "Thank you, doctor. Take a breather."

On the verge of sleep, Fareeha's eyes snapped open as several soldiers entered her unit. She recognized the officers immediately. Exchanging pleasantries, she began to explain the situation, and what she intended to do. It was hard to gauge the reactions from the officers as each internalized what could've been labeled as desertion and treason. But whether or not they believed in her judgment remained up to them. If they reported her, then she'd take the consequences. If they didn't, she would try her hardest to limit their involvement. Either way, she was prepared.

Alawa broke the silence. "This is treason, captain. Desertion. Talon no less."

Fareeha nodded.

Biting his lip, Alawa looked at the other two officers present. "You're taking a hell of a gamble."

"Talon promises supplies and men. I can do more if I'm inside," Fareeha said. "I've made my decision, and I've told you your parts. This plan cannot work with you. All of you."

Nero grunted. "Cap's never led us wrong. Always done right. I'm with you, Captain."

"Never questioned you. Not going to now," Ansaf said.

Alawa frowned. "... I trust you, ma'am. I don't trust Talon." He clenched his fists then unclenched them. "I trust you, ma'am."

Fareeha nodded. She looked at Kalte. "You don't have the benefit of knowing me, captain. You are not duty bound to be a part of this. I would appreciate your help, but this is your decision," she said. "If you help me, I'll do everything I can to get Talon involved on the European front. I promise you this."

Angela was in awe at the trust that Fareeha's officers had in her. It was sincere, indomitable, and absolutely needed for this plan to work. The only wild card in this crazy plan was Kalte. He was a good man, no doubt, and he could see the bigger picture without hesitation, but this was a matter of treason and faking the deaths of not one but two people who were absolutely needed on the Egyptian front. She trained her eyes on the middle-aged captain, looking over his posture and expression. No doubt he was tense, but that was likely from combat. He was covered in dirt and grime from fighting, and had a cut over his brow that had been caked with dirt. That was one way to clot a wound.

Angela looked into the Swiss man's eyes, speaking with a calm she knew she needed to maintain. "Kalte, I know this seems insane. You've every reason to dislike this plan. But I know in my heart this is the right thing to do. I've been faced with many hardships and many difficult decisions in my life, and there's no doubt that someone of your leadership and your service has gone through the same. But I've pushed through everything because I've known the bigger picture. I see what potential lay ahead, even if it comes with infinite risks and possibly no benefit to myself... I want the best for everyone, and if Talon can give the assistance that Egypt desperately needs, it is worth the "lives" of two people."

Kalte was silent for a moment longer before rendering a sharp salute to Fareeha and Angela both. "I put my full trust in you when my boots hit the ground here in Egypt, Captain Amari. And Angela... Who would dismiss the decisions of a doctor of your caliber? I know I can trust someone who has been selfless her whole life. It seems very... strange to me that this is the plan we must follow for assistance to come our way, but if it is what we have to do, I will be certain to go through with it. I will consider it another mission. I've never failed one in my life, after all." A smile formed on Kalte's lips, an expression not easily earned out of the stoic man, and Angela sighed in relief.

"Thank you so much, Kalte. And thank you as well, officers." She looked to Fareeha's own men. "Your faith in us is astounding and we are extremely grateful."

Yet another potential crisis averted. Fareeha prayed to whatever gods may be for the luck she'd blessed with. If only the world could share in it. With the risk her officers and Captain Kalte placed on the line to make her plan work, she'd do right by them. Whateevr Talon made her do, within reason, she would make sure the supplies and troops came pouring in. It was time Talon helped the world instead of terrorize it.

"Thank you. All of you," she said. "From here on out, Dr. Ziegler and I are to be considered KIA. Our remains will be unidentifiable. If command asks for our bodies, you will tell them we were caught Heavy's ordinance. We'll deal with the medical staff that's seen us. Return to the front. Stay strong. All of you. I will send help. I promise."

The officers all saluted before stepping out leaving Angela and her alone. Again.

Fareeha struggled to sit up. Her feet dangled off her bed. She smiled at Angela. "That went ... really well. We should go tell Talon. Tell them we have a deal, and we expect them to keep their end as well." She pursed her lips and looked out the unit's entrance. "There's one last hitch to our plan. The medical staff. They're the loop hole to our plan. We could kill them. Which we won't. Did you have any brilliant ideas, doc?"

Angela stood from her chair, feeling wobbly on her feet. She was exhausted. Maybe once they left with Talon, they'd both get the chance to sleep if they were even calm enough to. The doctor was certainly riddled with anxiety at this point. Thinking briefly on the trouble they'd have with the medical staff, Angela had a plan come to her quick enough. They were faking their deaths; so why not make it believable that they returned to combat in a wounded state? It would make it much more believable they they got caught by heavy ordinance.

"We march out of here looking determined. Like we're going back to combat. I could give some worried protesting to you going back out there as we head down the aisle out of the tent. Considering you seem to have a reputation of being a bit stubborn, there's no question that you'd want to be back out there as soon as you felt like you could walk." The doctor helped Fareeha to her feet, taking her hand, placing her other upon the Egyptian's shoulder. "I think that's our best bet. It would make it believable that we got KIA'd out there."

She looked into the Captain's eyes and gave her a tired smile. "We'll walk out of here looking tough, talk to Talon, duck away onto their transport, and hopefully be able to get some sleep. Put what energy and strength you have left into this facade... I have complete faith in you. And when we wake up later, I'll be sure to heal you right up, okay?"

Surprised that Angela already had a plan, Fareeha smirked. The doctor wasn't at all a goodie two shoes. Evidently, she didn't give Angela enough credit to be devious. Fareeha spent a lot of time trying to think of a clever way to fake their deaths that she didn't see the simple answer staring right back at her. Be stubborn and true to her nature. She was going to march right on out and give the soldiers and staff here a hero's return to the field and a hero's death.

Getting up, she stood as tall as she could though her repairing body failed her. She hunched over ever so slightly, but she knew what had to be done. Kalte and her forces were appraised of what they needed to know. She had to do her part and trust that they'd be able to negotiate whatever questions command may have for them concerning her death and disappearance. "I see no other alternative," she said. She gave Angela's hand a gentle squeeze. "Let's go."

Taking a deep steadying breath, Fareeha left Angela behind as she stormed out of the room. Medical personnel gawked as she ignored their many questions. Though her armor was still on her, it was broken and cracked from her encounter with the omnics. The jetpack wouldn't work, but she could raise hell on the ground as well. Taking a nearby rifle resting against the post, she grabbed and ammo belt as well. She didn't need to pretend to want to return to war. She craved it.

Slowing her walk ever so slowly, she walked just enough to allow Angela to catch up while making steady progress to Talon forces.

Faking things wasn't something Angela was a professional at. She wasn't an actress. But being a doctor, a common deliverer of bad news, she was good at putting up fronts. She could easily make concern very convincing, especially in this case. As well, she could act strong in the face of total exhaustion, another trait from her medical background. When Fareeha stormed out, beginning the act, the doctor followed, feigning words of concern to trick the medical personnel in view.

"Fareeha, you're in no condition to be going back out there! Why won't you listen? Fareeha, please!" She protested, brows furrowed in worry. However, she resigned from her preference for the injured soldier to stay, looking resolute as Fareeha equipped herself with a weapon and ammunition. "I won't let you go back out there alone then."

The doctor followed the Egyptian woman back out into the heat of the sun, walking towards the Talon agents, whose truck was still parked, patiently awaiting the answer. Thankfully those back in the medical tent were too busy to follow Angela and Fareeha to ask questions.

The talon operative that Angela had spoken to previously approached them.

"Do you have your answer?" He asked.

"We'll go with you. Now it's your turn to act on your part of the deal." Angela answered, looking the man in the eyes. He nodded his head and motioned to the two other agents who were standing nearby.

"Start distributing the supplies, boys." He commanded, before looking to the pair of women. "Sit in the back of the truck. I'll drive you to our chopper, and we'll take you to our base. The soldiers we promised will be en route to this location shortly, once I radio back to command to send them."

Angela nodded her head, taking Fareeha's hand and guiding her quickly to the side of the military truck. The back seats were empty, while there was an agent in the passenger seat. Angela helped Fareeha get into the vehicle, glancing around the compartment. The windows were tinted which made it hard for anyone outside of the vehicle to see into it, and the air conditioning in the vehicle was on, making it comfortably cold. There were a few supplies sitting in the front, but Angela's eyes trained on the medkit on the dashboard. She reached forward and tapped the shoulder of the agent in the passenger seat.

"Are there painkillers in that medkit?" She asked. The agent reached for the container and opened it up, handing over a small packet of pills and a bottle of water from a case sitting on the floor.

"One of you wounded?" The female agent asked. It almost felt strange to hear a woman's voice come from behind the black ski mask and bulky armor.

"Both of us, actually, but she has it worse." Angela explained, opening up the packet and handing the pills over to her companion as well as the bottle of water. "Take these, Fareeha. If anything they'll help dull the ache until we can get something stronger."

Fareeha smirked ever so slightly before shutting it down. There wasn't any need to draw any unnecessary attention now. She kept on walking as the Talon operatives came into view. She needn't say anything back to Angela's pleas. It was characteristic of her to be headstrong. But at the same time, she wasn't faking this stubbornness. She intended to fight on even if her fight was with those that the world shunned and hunted down mercilessly.

When they approached the Talon operative, Fareeha's cautious soul reemerged. She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly while her hands tightened around the rifle. She wasn't going to do anything stupid though. The supplies were needed - so were Talon's soldiers.

"We're here, aren't we?" Fareeha said without hiding the distrust in her voice. "You do your part, we'll do ours."

After Angela chimed in, Fareeha watched as the operative they spoke to told the other operatives to unload the supplies. Fareeha watched as supplies were brought out from the vehicle. It was a first step to gaining her trust, but Talon needed to do a hell of a lot more than that. She abandoned the fight, her country, for a trust that she didn't know would be kept or not. Having Talon sign a contract wasn't at all feasible. Plus, the organization probably had lawyers that'd find someway to screw her. No, all Fareeha had now was word of mouth. That didn't sit well with her at all.

Moving towards the vehicle, Fareeha nodded in gratitude as Angela helped her inside. It was blissfully cold inside, a welcome change in climate. Fareeha sneezed, then hissed in pain. She clutched her side and leaned heavily against Angela. Too tired and distracted to care about the interior of the truck, Fareeha slumped down. She dropped the heavy ammo belt and rested her head against the breastplate of her armor.

Opening her eyes, she saw the bottle of water and pills Angela handed to her. She eyed the female operative before taking the pills and downing them. She followed up with water before handing it back to Angela. "Some for you," she said. The adrenaline her body had been pushing out was starting to subside. "I'm ... going to try and get some shut eye. Wake me if you need me."

As the medicine started to work, Fareeha's stupor increased tenfold. Leaning back against the truck, Fareeha closed her eyes. She exhaled as her body felt powerless, uncontrollable by her. Before she slipped into darkness, she found Angela's hand and held it in hers.

Thrust into a world of strangers, she had one anchor, one companion, one partner.

Roughly 7 Hours Later

Angela had been awake during the ride in the truck, but once they'd gotten on the helicopter, she too gave in to her exhaustion, curling up comfortably in a seat. Fareeha seemed like she went straight back to sleep as well, settled into a bed at the back of the chopper. Poor woman must've never had this much time to rest, having been in combat near constantly since the omnics struck Egypt to its core.

The hours passed, most of the time spent over the Mediterranean Sea, and they soon arrived in what Angela assumed was Turkey. They landed on a small airstrip outside of a black building with two floors. It wasn't huge, but this must've been their closest base to Egypt. The coast to the south was a beautiful sight, especially when it appeared that there were no omnics for miles on land or sea. Angela stood up from her seat, groaning quietly as pain tore through her abdomen. She'd have to heal it the rest of the way soon.

One of the Talon agents got out of his seat, looking to the doctor. "I'll get our medic to bring a stretcher out for Miss Amari." He stated, before hopping out a side-door. Angela didn't follow, instead going to the back of the helicopter to check on Fareeha. it appeared she'd been roused to consciousness by the landing.

"They're bringing a stretcher for you so you don't have to walk. I hope you slept well, Fareeha." Angela said as she sat down on the edge of the bed. "We've been flying for about seven hours, I think. North of Egypt. I think we're in Turkey. I looked out the window... not an omnic in sight."

A ramp on the back of the helicopter soon lowered, revealing two people with a wheeled stretcher and a third wearing a black cloak and hood. It sure looked quite warm to be wearing something like that, though the sun was lowering in the sky. It'd cool off soon enough. The two manning the stretcher carefully helped Fareeha onto it, then brought her down the ramp. Angela followed, giving a curious glance to the cloaked figure.

"Go with the medics." He grumbled, voice rough and distorted by what appeared to be a white mask over his face. Angela wanted to ask who he was, but she knew better than to ask questions the moment she arrived in a place she was formerly hostile towards. She followed the medics as they wheeled Fareeha into the building through a pair of double doors, the strange cloaked man following but turning down a different hallway once inside.

They brought Fareeha into a small medical wing, helping her onto a different bed. This was much more what Angela was used to. The equipment was modern, the supplies were stocked, and it actually seemed pretty normal aside from it being a domain for Talon.

"If you'd like, Dr. Ziegler, you could run the tests to see the extent of the damage to her body." One of the medics, a young man with clean cut hair and soft brown eyes began. "We won't overstep any boundaries here. Our orders are just to make certain you two have what you need until the boss takes you to France."

"Okay, I'll do that then. I believe you have everything I'll need." Angela replied, looking around the room. X-Ray machine, various medications in a cabinet, and a partitioned bathroom off to the right side of the room. There were only some full-length curtains separating it from the bed Fareeha was lying in, but it would certainly be wonderful to take a shower. "How long will we be here?"

"Likely until you're both fit to do what Talon needs you for. Are you certain you don't need anything else? Food, water, clothes, anything?" The medic asked.

"Actually," Angela motioned to the shower. "Clothes would be wonderful. I plan on washing up while I have the time to. What both her and I are wearing are filthy, obviously."

The medic nodded. "Of course. They'll just be some black fatigues. Was there-" The man was cut off by the door opening. Both agents snapped to attention. "Sir."

The cloaked man entered the room and sighed. "Been a long time, doc. And I see the younger Amari is all grown up now."

Angela raised a brow. "Who are you?"

The man chuckled, the sound gravely and low. "Don't you remember?" He reached up to his face, removing the mask. Beneath it lay a horrifically scarred face, but a familiar one.

Angela's heart nearly stopped. "Gabriel?!"