[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180602/a2de79c52f0a3e66593d6b0a793bbed6.png[/img][/center][right][hr][color=gray][b]Matupi Headquarters, British Raj[/b]
Morning[/color][hr][/right][indent]It had been days since Squad 914's arrival at the Matupi Headquarters.

Naomi still had little to no interest in spending most of her free time with her fellow companions, who were mostly either Russian or some sort of East Asian nationality. She had trained and listened to briefs alongside her comrades in arms, yet Naomi had nothing to care for outside of her mission. There were those that preferred to fraternize with the those in the squad, but for Naomi, she knew better than some naive recruits that hadn't yet seen the carnage of the battlefield.

Truthfully, Naomi felt more at home among those that were not under Russian orders. The French, or those subject to British rule, were often people who Naomi was more interested in. These men and women had bled, fought and died since the beginning, and they were still marching on without a homeland to return to despite the signs that they should surrender.

They were like Naomi, and she was like them.

As the days had passed, and the squad was given more [i]suitable[/i] quarters, they were to go out on their first mission against the Japanese. Naomi had risen early, as she always did, and found herself waiting for the rest to wake up. Her morning routine–consisting of light exercise and lengthy maintenance checks–were already accomplished, and so she was left with finding a task to do, which were often plenty at a military base.

[i]Knock![/i]

The sound of a soft knock echoed through Naomi's quarters, evident that someone was at the door. When the agent opened the door, however, her eyes did not initially register who she was seeing. It had been several years since Naomi last saw his face, around the time when Operation Lovejoy was still in effect. After a moment of an awkward stare, it all begun to click for Naomi. His uniform, the SOE patch, even the glasses... by George, it was Captain Alexander Arthurs!

[color=0071FF][b]"S-Sir!"[/b][/color] Naomi stammered, bringing up an arm in a stiffened salute. Arthurs was one of the last people she had expected to meet within the Raj. The last time Naomi saw the Captain had been in what was former Polish territory, and it was to the Agent's curiosity that somehow they both reunited far from where they previously met.

[color=00aeef][b]"At ease, agent."[/b][/color] Arthurs spoke with a hearty chuckle, entering the room once Naomi had moved aside. It was a reaction Arthurs had expected, after all, he was still technically Naomi's superior, at least within the SOE. Taking a seat upon the agent's bed, Arthur returned his gaze to Naomi. [color=00aeef][b]"It's been some time since we last... saw each other. I was curious to how you've holding up all these years."[/b][/color]

Naomi did not immediately answer. 

Her thoughts returned to her past, as if Arthurs had brought up bad memories for Naomi, which was the truth. It had been a long road of hardships for the agent, even from the beginning. In Europe, Naomi lost her entire family to the Third Reich, and later on, this total would include her Mieszko and all the agents and operatives that she had once fought alongside, plus her grand homeland across the channel blue. If there were anyone more broken than together, it was Naomi–the one who lost it all.

[color=0071FF][b]"I've been... fine,"[/b][/color] Naomi replied, after some hesitation. It was a boldface lie, and Arthurs knew it, but ultimately, he also knew better than to press matters wrongfully.

[color=00aeef][b]"Is that so?"[/b][/color] Arthurs asked, drawing a notebook from the pocket of his jacket. The papers were weathered, covered in dirt and grime, but it still had its usefulness. [color=00aeef][b]"Regardless, I need to confirm some information from you. We haven't heard from the agents that were among your group after Operation Lovejoy..."[/b][/color] The captain continued, taking a more official, yet still polite tone.

Before he continued speaking, Naomi immediately knew what Arthurs' notebook meant. Back in Poland those many years ago, there were agents that had been working alongside Naomi while Arthurs had went his separate ways. Operatives were often more sacred than a regular soldier, as they carried or knew sensitive information, and allowing it to fall into enemy hands was a disaster. Straightening her posture, Naomi placed her hands behind her back before addressing the question at hand.

[color=0071FF][b]Johnathon Richards, OSS, call sign: November, KIA."

"Sarah Frechante, DB, call sign: Montange, KIA."

"Michael Polinski, call sign: Silent, KIA."[/b][/color]

Arthurs nodded as he scribbled some information down in his notebook before placing it inside his pocket once more. [color=00aeef][b]"That's all I needed. We'll be in touch."[/b][/color] The captain went on to explain, standing up from the bed and walking towards the door. The two operatives exchanged their farewells, but Naomi had not moved from her position.

Once Naomi was alone, a warm sensation streamed down her cheeks. The sudden appearance of Arthurs, and the memory of everything from before being stirred up once again, was a painful experience. Naomi hoped no one would see her in such a sorry state, especially when she had been the loner of the group. The agent didn't need, or even wanted, someone who was almost a stranger to try and console her.

No, Naomi only needed to focus on killing the next Kraut she sees, but perhaps, just perhaps, dealing with her past wouldn't be so bad as the agent thought.[/indent]