@LadyAmber

Samantha was in the secure data room at the base. Raphael was also in the center working on the data pulled from the servers at Pavel’s company. Samantha was sitting in front of her laptop with the hard drive that contained the cloned copy of Pavel’s personal computer. She sipped from a ceramic mug of steaming coffee. It was made just the way she liked it. She closed her eyes and savored the rich sweet creamy taste. That was the good stuff she thought with satisfaction. This was only her second cup of coffee this morning. She had her first one with breakfast. Someone had made pancakes and bacon. She had helped herself. She tried to eat healthy but she burned off most of her calories. Besides who turns down fluffy hot pancakes dripping in butter and real maple syrup! Her morning was starting out well. She had sugar, caffeine, and was carb loaded just what every respectable hacker needed.

Samantha was proud of accomplishing her mission in Pavel’s office. It had its hiccups, but she got the data. She booted up her laptop and began the process of sorting what was on Pavel’s computer. She had managed to create her own security credentials so she could work with Pavel’s information but the paranoid bastard had hidden traps seeded all throughout his computer. She had gotten past his security thanks to Skye’s help in his office. She had cloned his computer. She knew he had added that final level of security to his files. Pavel had been a paranoid bastard although I guess it's not paranoia if everyone truly is out to steal your information. Pavel had motion and heat sensors monitoring his office, as well as cameras. It had required a retina scan, and a full biometric palm and fingerprint scan with a DNA positive result with a live heartbeat to open the computer. Pavel also had to speak a code phrase which would allow full access to the data on the computer. The computer was programmed to shut down and lockout if the code phrase was not given.

She had lost count of the number of times she had to reboot and start over with a fresh clone of the man’s computer. Once she had finally gotten past all that then it was a matter of finding the trigger so that she could see his hidden data. That had taken more time but her patience was being rewarded this morning. She was using a faraday cage and air gapped network to ensure that no signals could be sent to or from the harddrive containing the data. She had a cup of coffee sitting next to her and a notepad. She wanted to note anything of interest and the file names and numbers so she can pull it up fast. She thought back to what his code phrase was. She typed in “I am God.” The screen flashed and showed an image of Pavel depicted in robes with heavenly light around him.

Samantha rolled her eyes. “I will never get that image out of my head.” She grinned as she took another sip of coffee. She was working in the computer lab on Pavel’s information. She had isolated it just in case it had viruses. She didn’t want anything nasty released onto the base’s network. She started reviewing what she had. “Skye, I got into Pavel’s computer. Need your input on how you want the work split up. There are 50 terabytes of encrypted files to sort through. It is going to take some time.”

Skye rolled her eyes, seeing the login open up, with the guy whose PC they’d copied coming to life, the Scot making her daily visit to the data room, mainly to visit Raphael and Sam.
“What a twat.” Her Scots mannerisms were clear regarding his self-worth as she sat down on a beanbag to the side of Sam’s workstation, watching the American benign tapping into it, knowing the isolation had at least kept it off grid from any prying eyes, Raphael keeping to himself at the moment with other work.
“Alright, anything you can get on contacts within Artemis, emails, messages, documents with people. And then anything to do with Vale’s black sites. He has his offices, but only he will have access to what we found earlier. It’ll tell us where the base station is we found in Aralsk of where Artemis are moving gear in.” Skye replied, knowing there was a hell of a lot to sift through, and no doubt, Sam was going to be a busy bee working away at it.

Sam nodded and hid a smile as she took another drink of coffee. “Right, just everything important. Well hopefully Pavel kept his files organized to make this easier.” She began searching the file organizer and began to pull out reams of data. Samantha began copying data to a file for Skye to use after checking it for malware, spyware, and hidden bots and viruses. “There is over a terabyte in saved emails. I have a feeling Pavel kept all electronic correspondence as reference material on those he was involved with. I will begin cross referencing that list against known Artemis contacts.” The list was building rapidly. She copied it over and sent it to the shared file on the base server so those working on the data could access it. “These are the emails I have identified so far.”

Skye had a peer, picking up her tablet, the advanced, AR-equipped advice allowing her to start scanning through, taking a look over and starting to look over the people that might be on it. A lot of guests, clearly, but that wasn’t going to be anyone higher up. After all, it was a seemingly endless list of hydras, but someone had to be at the head of all of this. And it wasn’t certainly Pavel, because he could tell the emails that were coming from up on high from anonymised, unknown email accounts. His fear was substantiated, and it confirmed all he’d been saying, as she rapidly went through it, seeing that well, reference had been made. He had been a proxy to it all, or at least, his network had been used, but there was no doubt, the hack had come from his network. Skye was wondering again why she hadn’t killed him, but then again, that was heat that Raven did not need now. Besides, his “incident” had gone viral, enough to put him out of picture.

“Right…” Skye seemed deep in thought, as she flicked it back down, looking across to Sam, deep in her own thought process of what this was, confirmation yet nothing too novel.
“Confirms a lot of what we knew, but we may need to keep going.” Skye added, looking to Sam, watching as she continued to scan.

Samantha began to put all the documents together and began sorting them into folders. She started with business documents from employees, email attachments from the cross-referenced list of Artemis contacts, business documents from others, and a patents and design folder. She started a file for pictures saved on his computer. The man had a ton of photos of himself meeting various celebrities and world leaders. The man was such a narcissist. She was sorting image files when she noticed a series of maps. She did a quick scan of the files to ensure they were safe to share. Her eyes widened at what she had found. “I think we hit pay dirt Skye. Take a look at this.” She flicked the file over to Skye’s tablet.

Samantha began to dig around on his computer for files associated with those maps and began to compile them all for Skye. She pulled in the communication and emails associated with files. She found shipping manifests and personnel requests. She found actual Artemis mission parameters for Aralsk. Her face hardened, somehow those bastards had known they were coming. Samantha began to put the pieces together with what Skye was saying. She began typing faster as she dove deeper into Pavel’s data and began putting items together in another file marked Project Mercury. Pavel didn’t have just one satellite, he had at least three satellites that could be moved. He had built satellites that intercepted communications signals and one thing that Pavel excelled at was breaking into other companies and nations’ secure systems. He had the perfect set up to hi-jack what should be secure communications. Those signals had to be fed somewhere though. Pavel had ground stations that were remote and secure. The stations were the hub of Artemis’ communication and intel network. The more powerful higher ups helped divert official attention in those locations away.

“Okay….oh, perfect. They’ve talked about a black site in particular. One that’s here.” Skye sat up again, swiping across and pulling a map in closer to Patagonia, namely, an isolated river valley near Puerto Natales, Chile.

“This might be it. It’s the Southern Cross Observatory, or Observatorio Cruz del Sur. Interesting. Not exactly a great place for a geosynchronous network, given the strength of the signals that it has to emit, but then again, it blends in. And if they are running it, which it seems like it is part of one of Vale’s charitable arms, funding it, then well…they have access to it themselves.” Skye noted, making some notes on the tablets, about roads, access, . It was modeled after the famous Pyrenees observatory of Pic du Midi, and sat on a large ridgeline, overlooking an incredible glacier and dense, boreal forest. It was an incredible place, with very, very few ways that weren’t guarded, or could see you coming from a mile out. It was a truly stunning location, and perfect to hide at the end of the world. It likely had access to a hydro scheme nearby, and likely would have excellent defenses by pure nature.

“That is one part of it. There seems to be this reference to Project Mercury, that must be the satellite network. Guess they want to keep reference to it to a minimum, because they say all the business related to it is there. Including their internal data for Artemis. Though if it’s stored on a satellite, we are going to need to figure out something creative.” Skye added, looking to Sam, brushing her red hair aside.
“This is good. Shit, nice work.” Skye retorted, before going back to the emails, scanning again at the other details.

Skye flicked over to it, eyes widening as she pulled it up. It was a picture of Pavel there, and another figure, in his 50s it looked like, with a white beard, and pale white skin.
“Dunno who Father Christmas is, but clearly he might know the score. Possibly someone in Artemis, but he rings no bells.” Skye added, making a note for later with the file, as she ticked across to the next, bringing in the patents.
“This is getting more interesting. We’re on an encrypted network built by a former member of Raven, the kind that is at the cutting edge, and Xan can testify to it. Even so, the base itself is airgapped to prevent our location leaking too, but we’re secure in the field. We are now reinforced to these attacks again. Because it looks like what Pavel was doing was not so much hacking, but just brute forcing commands in through computational power. If they can do that to us, they can do that to infrastructure, power grids, anything. Shit, this isn’t so much a hacking program as it is a sledgehammer. Crude bastard. I expected better, but then again, it makes it usable on anything. No programming needed, pick your target and fire.” Skye shrugged, pulling up the potential ground network, and then the satellites.
“No details on how many they launched, and their capability. Looks like they can point it at a radio or receiver frequency and they are in, but….shit, that still doesn’t make sense. That’s all been erased, and it’s confidential. Because it’s in Artemis’s hands. Sam, this is something they don’t even want him to know.” Skye retorted, sighing as she took the cold cup of tea and finished it, a little disgusted by the taste and sitting up on the beanbag.

“I’m no electronic warfare specialist, but in theory, with enough computational power, he’s giving Artemis an in on infrastructure without touching it, not just through computer networks but to overload their signals. Couple it to a conventional attack, and that’s what they’ll do next. It’s why they wanted the Wildspitze facility.” Skye said, noting Sam’s blank demeanor.

“Ah right, the server network half of the intelligence services of the west use. That one. We went in and stopped them from stealing any data or servers while you did the Devil’s Cooker. That would have given them a backdoor into it. We stopped them, cos you know, we’re pretty badass.” Skye added, guessing Sam was a little confused, but it would tie into her thoughts.

“So he made them this system and he’s basically handed them the keys. And there is no way to control it from his network, because of course, he can tell his fiends in Patagonia to do it. And now, who knows what’s next.” Skye sighed, as she stood up, looking out the window, and then back down to Sam again, grabbing a small jug of water and bringing it to the table, pouring herself and Sam a glass.
“Okay. This is good so far. I wonder, if we can get access at that ground station. Find a way in, get access to Artemis’s whole network, or at least, stop them from doing any damage. End this fucking mess for once. That said, given the access is hard, we might need to come up with some interesting insertion methods. I might need yours, Xan’s, and Javi’s help with that.” Skye replied, sipping down water, cautiously optimistic.
“See what else you can find. Actually….Tejedor. See what you can do if he’s in there. You might be able to bail me out with Mateo….and I think it may be worth looking up.”

She found emails routed through Artemis’ satellite network from South America from Thiago Tejedor. He seemed to be a relatively new player in their network. Artemis was using his smuggling network to get supplies and people in and out of countries around the globe. He also seemed to be supplying them with conscripted labor for a several large projects. The destinations of where these people were being sent will take a little longer for her to figure out. The data had missing chunks. It looked like those higher in the organization didn’t want Pavel to know everything they were doing. There was a drug formula attached to some encrypted communication from Tejedor. “Skye, this has the potential to be something bad. It doesn’t say what this drug does but Artemis wants it.”

Samantha pulled up the chemical formula. Samantha had some understanding of chemistry because she sometimes needed chemistry to temper a metal or needed to know the impact a chemical could have on a material she planned to use. She was not versed in biochemistry though. She had a basic understanding of what she was looking at. “I am no expert in biochemistry, but I can tell you this is a psychotropic drug of some nature. It has a biological component. It is not all artificially manufactured. It is more likely a combination between a natural substance and chemicals. No idea on the effect though.”

Skye looked it through, scanning it over, another site that was now of interest. Not another fucking evil project, she wondered. Cartels were evil as is, but if it had Artemis involved, Skye already had her concerns, the redhead Scot looking through it before turning to Sam.
“Shit. If it’s biological, or chemical they want to go down, then it plays into their anarchist’s beginner guide. But I don’t get it. That sort of thing goes noticed, and it’s why they haven’t done it, pandemics are far too uncontrolled unless they have a screw loose. Chemical attacks are too limited. So why are they trying to lace it into their drug network? They’ll just kill junkies with it, and opioids are too good at that anyway. Maybe they want a dry run. I know they’ve done worse. Might even give my ethically sourced, 100% wee fairtrade drugs a run for their money.” Skye wondered, pulling it up, finding the network and then pulling up another site.
“I need to chat to Mateo about this one. I think there may be a site we need to look at, and one where Thiago himself might even be. But Patagonia is critical for the main team. I may need some help on this one, and I might know who to look for. This one is important to him, Sam. In a way you probably know, but it’s his business. And I’m a person of my word.” She comfortably sipped down more water, the silver-haired hacker bringing out the goods now. Skye knew Sam herself had her own demons too- people that had screwed her over, and her family. It was tragic, and she knew Sam would likely be looking for them too. But in this line of work, it wasn’t always possible to get back straight away. And even if you did, the void was still left. What was taken was taken, and there was no way of taking it back, even if you had the skills. There was just moving on, and that had hurt Skye herself for years, because having the slate clean and the attention of Raven to work for made her life a little more directed.

“Thanks for this. Once Raph gets a look at the depth of it, we’ll know how far this will go. Chat to him if you can, though I do advise, he basically runs on coffee. If he hasn’t got a mug full of it, don’t talk to him.” Skye chuckled, sipping down more on the water, reflecting on Sam’s talent. She’d certainly made it look easy, but a CIA analyst always would pull the goods out. They knew how half the world did their business, so Raven must have felt like it was filling in the blanks for her.

Samantha thought about it but there were simply too many variables and scenarios to give Skye a reasonable answer. “I don’t think we are going to be able to figure that out unless we find something else out in the communication. There is an email noting that Thiago will be on hand to demonstrate this new drug for a member called Specter. This demonstration is scheduled to happen next week at one of Thiago’s locations near Cartagena. Evidently Thiago owns land around a small bay there where he ships product out of his private docks in Columbia to other parts of the world.” Samantha sent the communication and the details to Skye’s tablet.
She understood what Skye was alluding to with Mateo. It made her wonder if he had lost someone to a member of Artemis the way she had. She didn’t feel it would be right to come out and ask Mateo. It was his business. If he wanted to share with her, he would. If Samantha could help him get some closure and a little payback, well she would help him do it. She would want someone to do that for her. “We will probably want to acquire hard intel on what this drug does and find out if there is an antidote or a way to counteract it. Thiago has already shared the formula with Artemis. We can’t put the genie back in the bottle. If something happens to Thiago, they don’t really need him to move forward with their plans. Whatever they are.” Samantha looked worried about what they could be planning with this drug. A group that would set off a dirty bomb would have no qualms using biological or chemical warfare against innocents.
“Then that might be the spot. It’ll be heavily guarded. Hard to get into, and well, zero support from any others. It’s a simple hit and run. Mateo will be personally invested in it, but he’ll want nothing more than to kill Thiago. It might cloud his judgment for what we need, and there could still be some info. But also, I’d want the bastard dead too if I were him, so it’ll come with the territory. Do that, then find the details on the drug.” Skye thought out loud, knowing this would be a tricky one to run on the side, and chances are, Oracle wouldn’t like the idea of Mateo in. But given the opportunity, Mateo probably knew the area better than anyone, although she wasn’t sending him alone.
“I’ll call a contact of mine. New to Raven, but no less capable to give him backup and heavy firepower if he needs it. And Tahlia has been doing well on the range. She can get him close, and get set down as a sniper. She might not be as mobile as she once was, but the less people involved in this, the better.” Skye added, looking across to Sam, seeing the worry on her face.
“Believe me, shit like this comes up from time to time. My concern is why he’s doing it this way. If they wanted a biohazard in their chain, they’d attack a secure facility and steal it, so why bother going to all that effort to kill a bunch of guys doing lines of coke?” Skye knew that again, Raven’s predecessor had stopped that sort of work - it came with saving the world as per usual, but once again, what that had was of concern. Coupled to the satellite network, she wondered about what they were trying to achieve, and do. The sooner they got answers, the better.

Samantha turned to Skye “Exactly, this feels out of nature for Artemis. Usually their connection to drugs is manufacturing them to fund their terrorist groups. It makes me nervous to see their interest in something like this. There are simply too many variables and ways it can go bad. We at least need to know what this drug does. We might be able to recreate it from the formula but there may be other things involved in how it is administered that might change the effect. If Artemis is interested in this drug, you have to ask what it does that would fit into their agenda. Anything I can think of is really bad and hard to fight against or prevent.” She shrugged as she knew she was always uncomfortable around drugs. Her worst fear was not being able to control her own mind and thoughts. It was why she didn’t like alcohol all that much. She craved control and hated feeling out of control for all her adrenaline junkie ways. “I am glad we are at least going to investigate.”

Skye nodded, looking it through and knowing Sam definitely would want to get some answers given the work she’d been involved in too, and likewise the same for Skye’s own ends. All of these things going on, it felt odd that they were disconnected, yet part of a wider grid of things going on. Vale had clearly been involved in some of the agricultural setup here, through a shell and yet why would Pavel need to know? Maybe he was a cokehead and his dealer was just letting him know what was up, but irrespective, it still seemed strange. Irrespective, she made some notes before putting down the tablet.
“Aye, we can figure this puzzle out. Pavel’s belief might be a little more than wrong if they want to do something as fucking stupid as this. And that’s what worries me more, because there is more to it. I’ll let you crack on..” Skye stood up on that note and glugged the rest of the glass down, heading across the data lab and grabbing some fruit from the communal basket, looking back over at Sam. She was certainly getting in with the team, and any doubt of her combat ability, or ability under pressure had long since gone. The optimism drove Skye’s spirits higher, all things considered.

“You know, your father and Takahashi-san would be proud of you. I’ve never seen someone hold onto their humanity so well in this line of work. Whatever you do, keep it. Gives you something to fight for beyond your trust in people. Once it’s gone, believe me, it’s really hard to find a way back.” Skye seemed solemn in her words, knowing Sam’s backstory well enough, and knowing who she was as a person. Analytical, and sure, a little high energy, but fundamentally, a good person. Irrespective of what had happened, and Skye couldn’t always live down the idea that she took not just the weight of the responsibility of the team, but sometimes, the morality that came with convincing yourself that you had to be right doing bad things. Much like Pavel did. She only hoped that ultimately, her gut was right and that narcissistic assholes like him were very wrong. Sam made her belief a little stronger, and for Skye, that sometimes for someone who looked invincible on a good day, was more than enough.

Samantha blushed as Skye told her father and Takahashi would be proud of her. Her mother had died giving birth to her. She found out at a young age that she was different from others. She had intellectual gifts. She had always strove to help people. She had always thought it was her way of balancing out the universe. Her mother had given her life to bring her into this world. She needed to help the world be a better place to justify that sacrifice. She had never told that truth to anyone. She knew it and understood it. Having a moral code allowed her to honor her mother. She had never known the woman but she lived on in her memory through her father’s stories about her mother. That was part of the pain of losing her only living relative that had meant anything to her. She had lost that last link to her mother. She would never share these thoughts with Skye or anyone else. She just nodded her head before replying “I hope so.” She turned back to the computer to escape the emotions that Skye’s observation and comments had
dredged up in her. She went back to searching and sorting through all the data. She kept pulling the information together into files for Skye to review.

—-------



Skye had been rather impressed about Sam’s progress on hacking, as she sat there in the office, still working away, reviewing the data herself, as well as a few bits from Tahlia regarding procurement- the usual crap. Her usual casual attire on, she didn’t really give that look of a super serious boss, rather one that just didn’t enforce too strict a set of rules on a group of people that didn’t do it. Work was work, and Skye hated being an office bound jockey, but at least the sound of Tame Impala’s “The Less I Know the Better” made the place a lot more funky, an old indie singer she loved and kept to heart. For such a badass queen of a woman that seemed almost like she would prefer metal and screaming classical, to see that was quite a contrast.

Samantha was still sorting through all the piles of crap that Pavel had stored on his computer. She had made a great deal of progress on discovering what was stored on it throughout the day. Most of it had been sorted in categories such as business emails, personal emails, and Artemis contact emails, purchase orders, calendar invitations, shipping invoices, and research. Items of interest connected to known terrorists or criminal parties were being pulled into their own files for review together. She had quite the overview of Artemis’ network because Pavel’s communication hub was at the center of their network. There was a great deal of information there. Sam was sure some of it would be passed to other Raven teams or the appropriate party to handle. Some she knew Raven would deal with personally to ensure true justice would take place.

Her conscience was bugging her though. Skye had prodded her gently about how she was feeling in regards to her father. She felt bad that she had turned to work and shut her out for the most part. She had not really re-engaged her in conversation since then. They had worked quietly next to each other for most of the day. Skye didn’t seem worried or upset but Samantha knew she had let her own insecurities push the other woman away. She struggled to talk about her feelings, especially the complicated ones regarding her family. Samantha had made tremendous progress at least sorting through the data on his computer. She had added another cipher to search for keywords in all his stored emails. She had included the address in Patagonia to see if anything popped out.

Her conscience would no longer let her sit still as she had been fidgeting for at least a half hour. “Skye…” She really didn’t know how to start this conversation but she knew needed too. ”I owe you an apology.” Sam’s eyes were focused on the computer screen as her face flushed a pink tone. “I find it hard to talk about my parents. I appreciate that you were trying to help and check in with me about it.” She cut off obviously embarrassed.

Skye reached over and flicked the AR device off, the music cutting out as Skye looked across.
“It’s all good. It’s not an easy one. Look….fancy taking a break from this? Get a moment away from it, grab a walk and have a wee chat. If that’s alright with you?” She suggested, the warm motherly tone implying that whilst Skye knew that Sam was comfortable hacking away, staying here was probably going to not be the right place to talk- while in the thick of it. The Scot could read Sam, and the nerves had come back in an unintended affect, and she felt a bit bad about it. Then again, Skye knew she had to bridge that gap, make sure she was there for her. It was the right thing to do. She didn’t want to delve more, but at least, address the burning thing in the middle of the room, and help.

Sam’s face got even redder but she nodded. She set the computer up to continue its work without her. She knew she could deny Skye’s request and that she would allow it. The truth of the matter was that Sam liked Skye and being a part of Raven. She wanted to be on good terms with her boss and team. The least she could do is see what she had to say. As she rose to her feet, her stomach rumbled. It had been a long time since breakfast. “As long as food is involved too, my stomach is growling.” She gave Skye a sheepish smile as she fidgeted like a toddler on a sugar high. “Lead on.”

Skye nodded, as they got up and headed out of the office, Skye giving a wave to Raphael as they headed back out into the afternoon sunshine, looking back over at the American.
“Aye, I’m sure we could arrange that.” Skye wryly commented, chuckling, knowing it was probably about time for some lunch, and probably something as simple as could be.
“I might go tough on you all sometimes, but I’m here to listen, Sam. There’s a lot of stuff going on. Like how Mateo’s got things in his life. Freya might seem perfect, but I know how hard it is for her to keep that way given what typically a giant would have to deal with, and Xan in his ways. I might know a lot about your past, but what I need to ask is what I can do to help. That remains a mystery to me.” Skye calmly and gently said in her quilt-like accent, looking over out the sea as they walked down the stony track, the redhead looking back across at Sam, the tall Scot calm in her demeanor and open to things.

Samantha gave Raphael a passing wave of good bye as the two women left the secure intelligence room. She walked alongside Skye. Her eyes scanned the horizon. She appreciated the contrast between the dark blue sea with heavy gray clouds on the horizon and the green hills and trees surrounding the base. She took a deep breath feeling a deep knot of tension she hadn’t realized she was carrying began to unfurl a little. “I know we all come with our own personal baggage. Mine is no more or less important than anyone else’s on the team.” Samantha thought about how to put what she was feeling into words. She shrugged and grinned mischievously as she embraced the cliche. “It’s complicated.” She laughed a little at how it was such a simple phrase and yet so true at the same time.

“I have never known my mother. The closest I have is the elderly woman who taught me martial arts. Her husband was with my father at the game that day.” She sighed wondering for about the millionth time why this was so hard. “All I knew about my mother, I learned from my father. It was like growing up with a ghost I was supposed to know, respect, and love.” She paused a little before continuing. “He never stopped loving her. He never dated or tried to get to know other women. He would just shut them down gently. He was my link to her. I have no memories of my own. I didn’t just lose my father that day. I lost my mother, my father, and the man I considered my grandfather.”

Her voice grew harder as thoughts of how she lost them pulsed through her awareness. “I need closure. I know they are dead and not coming back. I need to know that the people responsible for that act have paid for it. It is not about revenge. It is about being able to think about them without anger and rage. I should be able to remember the things that made me smile and love them.” Her voice cracked. She stopped talking and just looked off into the distance. “I know that Raven Squad will help me when the time is right and the information is there. In the meantime, I have to live with the knowledge that the only other person who really knows me, is an elderly woman who I love. But who will probably pass away in the next 5 years or so.”

She tilted her head considering what Skye had said about Raven Squad. “I feel like Raven Squad could be my new chosen family. I am trying to build lasting relationships with people who I can trust to know all the parts of me. My rage, my crazy need to test boundaries and ideas, and my need to fight for the little guy. I watched all my life as my father endured having my mother talked down about because she was Hispanic. That he deserved being poor because he had embraced people not of America. Which is utter bullshit, my mother was a citizen. I watched him be pushed around by gangs, harassed by officials, and more. Justice means something to me. It means people don’t get to push other people around because they can. Someone who can fight back should step in the way and help. I want to be that person.” She nodded as if clarifying her own feelings and thoughts. She blushed as she realized how much she just verbalized to her boss. She looked at Skye for her reaction.

Skye nodded, listening away, knowing that while she couldn't compare her own experience, she could understand, a certain kind of compassion she could put back and know that even if what she said wouldn’t fill that void, it would be something.
“It’s why you’re here, after all. Quite extraordinary.” Skye simply retorted initially, nodding, aware of the facts, the story, what had happened, and how it had happened.
“Justice is a tough one to give out. There’s none in this world apart from the kind we make, and then we live with it. And what’s worse, sometimes the one that pulls the trigger, or the knife hasn’t a clue why they did it. There’s always some bigger fish. And that is the bit that is really scary. Leaves things hard to see.” Skye added, knowing it wouldn’t give comfort, but at least, it would give some rationality to what she was thinking on her mind. Skye didn’t mind, if anything, she was happy to see her open up, the black box that was sometimes Sam now coming a little more alive.

“I guess I found what drives you. If Mateo’s is revenge, then yours is that. Compassion. And it’s a rare thing to have, especially doing what we do.” The Scot added, as they turned a corner, Skye instead taking them on a different track- not down to the base but away, down towards another patch of forest, a winding one down to a beach.
“Sam, you probably by now realize I’m not all a good person from some of what I did in Singapore. I don’t play fair, and that’s even by CIA standards. That I know, is that there isn’t a lot you know about me. From what you did before, and right now. But I may as well tell you too. There is a lot of blood on my hands. More than I can even recall. A lot of bad people, and a lot of them probably had families. Even some of them really didn’t deserve it. But it was me or them. And it keeps me thinking sometimes. I did it because it was service, duty, commitment. I was good at it. And still am. And yet that world of niceties isn’t one I can ever go into, Sam. It’s distant, far, and temporary. I can’t turn off. Let go of it.” Skye added, shaking her head, chuckling, knowing the weakness never came out, never really showed, the Scot baring her honest self.

“So like I said earlier, hang onto it. That bit of good. I meant it. You lose that, your night out with Freya last night becomes less about life and more about escape.”

Samantha listened to what Skye had to say. She disagreed with her on some of it. “I am trying to let it go by throwing myself into work. It is hard to let it go when the pain still feels fresh. I know the work that we are doing will help someone else not lose a parent. She turned to face Skye. “I have taken lives and tortured people for information Skye. I am not as naive or innocent. I see the darkness of knowledge in your eyes. Of the things you have seen and done. We do them because we are strong enough to live with having done those acts to spare others. Some would call the act of simply taking a life evil. If taking that one life spares thousands of innocent lives, then I am going to pull the trigger. I think the difference between us is that I still know that there are good things in life from those who can accept me, friendship, love, a life of fun and companionship. I want my life to have meaning. I will bear what I must so that others will see justice. I used to believe that justice would come from the court systems or governments. I am not that naive anymore. I have found that working outside of those constraints suits me. If it looks like a nail and I don’t have a hammer but a gun, then it's okay to use the gun.” She shrugged, “I am okay with that. On the other side of that argument, I know that the woman I consider my grandmother, will never understand this side of me. I have found surprising acceptance and friendship among Raven Squad. I am in no hurry to leave.”

Skye nodded, hearing the fire from Sam, almost hearing her words say it almost be that confirming, good piece that at least reassured her that the American was in control of her feelings. Saw this for what it was, rather than some fest it wasn’t.
“That’s fair enough. Just a fair warning, that’s all. And the team, they make it bearable, eh?” Skye added, chuckling as she walked down the steps, the track winding through the jungle and with a bit more walking, out onto a small sandy beach, as Skye found a small piece of driftwood, a log that had made its way back on shore, and sat on it, the wood dried from how long it’d been sitting in the sun.

“It’s a tough one, I guess. Meaning, purpose. This is quite a good one, as far as it goes. Get to adventure, travel, and do good. Not many careers like that.” She simply added on, thinking on the words of Sam, knowing she had plenty of wisdom herself, and perhaps, in another angle to help, she could open her own self up.

“My mother never would. She never really knows, to be fair. I feel awful sometimes, this alcoholic that practically disowned me. I did all I could, but the reality was, I never could help her. After she lost my father, there wasn’t much of a chance of that.” Skye solemnly commented, looking over at Sam, baring herself as she sighed a little, then looking back across to the sea.
“Never met my grandparents, on either side. My dad told me I was a Lyons through and through in spite of that, and while it was never a great clan, it was one full of a lot of pride, courage, conviction. Gave me a lot of these things, a childhood that was amazing, all of it. Then he just fucking vanished. One day, he’s there for me every moment, the next, gone. I don’t get it. They say he fell overboard, yet every time I try to figure it out, can’t. Maybe I tell myself that because he couldn’t have had that happen to him. But I tried. And found nothing.” Skye sighed, knowing that emptiness of regret wasn’t like Sam’s. It was just empty, an acceptance that it was random, disorganized, nonsense.
“So yeah. This has meaning to me too. Helps give purpose when a lot of it’s random.”

Samantha chuckled a little and shook her head. “Don’t go there Skye. Your mother made her own choices. You are not responsible for them. If she was shitty or abusive to you, those were her actions. There is no shame in not allowing yourself to be a verbal punching bag. As far as your father goes, maybe he meant to come back and couldn’t you will never know. I understand what that feels like. I will never have any first hand knowledge about my mother. I only know what she looks like through pictures. I will never know what her cooking tasted like, or what her hug might feel like, or what she smelled like. It is the same with your father. Unless some new evidence comes to life you only have what little you know which sucks. Like me you have to live with it.”

She had walked down onto the beach with Skye. She sat down on the driftwood log next to Skye. “Raven Squad members have their own issues, yes. But they are going to understand what it means to do what we do. They will be there to support us during an op and after. Skye you just have to let us know how to support you. You are the leader, yes without a doubt. But leaders deserve support too.” She smiled as she playfully nudged Skye with her shoulder.

Skye chuckled, wrapping her own arm around Sam, the feeling of warmth close as she held her close, looking out into the sea, then back down, for a moment taking this particular one in.
“True. You know, I never told anyone that. Not until now. I guess I don’t think about saying it. But sometimes it’s good.” She retorted, her husky Scots tone playing out, as she sighed, looking at Sam, then back at the ocean, vacant.

Samantha smiled as Skye put a comforting arm around her. She allowed the warmth to be shared and nodded as she listened to Skye. “I don’t usually talk about my mother either. I find it hard to talk about her. Most people just offer pity and try to understand but if I hit them with my truth they don’t know what to say. Thank you for listening and sharing.” She leaned into the side of the Scot and gave her a mischievous grin. “Great! Then the next time Freya wants to do a girls night out, I know how to guilt trip you into coming with us. She said I have to plan the next one. How do you feel about a rage room? Do you think we can find one to withstand our battle goddess?” She tried to help Skye lighten the mood without breaking the moment. “I promise not to tell the guys that you have a heart hidden in there.” She winked at Skye conspiratorially.

Skye chuckled, shaking her head and giggling, just envisioning the idea of Freya in a rage room. She didn’t need a room, she needed an entire town to contain her when the hammer was out, not one piece would remain unbroken.
“You’ll struggle to find one. Though saying it, we rather are in the business of it…and I’m sure they’ll all find it in time.” Skye giggled, looking back with her warmth back in again, like she was back in the room once more.
“No worries. It’ll be hard to understand, because it means different things. But I’m happy to be there.” Skye added, standing up as she looked across the waves, then back over to Sam, dusting her jeans off of sand and dust.

“You really should stop by Javi’s sometime. He is really talking too much about you. Though don’t give him more coffee. He has enough.” Skye dryly remarked, brushing the rest of the dust off her as she looked across at the blonde, former CIA-agent.

Samantha chucked at Skye’s answer. She pictured them having to find a small operation where they could turn Frigga loose to smash to her heart’s content. Maybe she could find a nice smuggling ring they could take apart for fun one weekend. They would need their gear. It wouldn’t be too dangerous for them. They probably wouldn’t have the kind of weapons that could touch Frigga in her suit. She pictured a beautiful drug runner’s estate with huge holes in the wall and a caved in roof. She might have to see if she could get Skye to approve that. It sounded like fun.

She perked up at the mention of Javi. “Javi is the mechanic right? I have been meaning to swing by and see him about some vehicle designs. Ever since we have started narrowing in on Patagonia as a potential operations site, I have been thinking about an armored snow cat with a turret on the roof with modified heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Snowmobiles with a front facing armor shield and mounted machine guns.They could be helpful in snowy terrain. Any requests?” She smiled at Skye looking like a kid who had been told they had an unlimited budget in the candy store. She followed Sky rising to her feet and dusting off the yoga pants she preferred when lounging around the base.

Skye chuckled, very ornately aware of that fact that Sam would go wild once she gave the green light.
“Haha….well, it’s the forest I’m more worried about. Something gives me a feeling we may need to go quiet. But it wouldn’t go without help.” Skye retorted back, as they headed back up the track, slowly but surely, the Scot happy to share her time with one of the team’s hacker, and whilst it felt odd to share, it felt like her own load may be easier too.

------------



With the computer work out of the way, Skye had made another detour as the noon turned into afternoon- back to the armoury.

With the fact that they were headed to Patagonia now firmly on the radar, Skye had time to at least prepare her equipment before the team would know about the further details. There was a lot to work out, but firmly, she knew it was good as time as any to start preparing her equipment. Her exoskeleton frame and the various ballistic plates across it's skeleton-like embrace held a snug, insulated MTP uniform that would be good for the forests and rocks of the observatory approach.

Next to it was her SIG MCX, the customised and highly pimped out battle rifle sporting a silencer, thermal optic, secondary holographic sight, tactical grip and custom skeleton stock no less, a weapon that felt like a machined piece of Swiss elegance rather than the crude hose that the MG3 was in her hands. Magazines loads with ammunition, it felt ready to go, as did her helmet, plate carrier, and most of all, the sweet, sweet boost pack. R&D had managed to turn the double jump into something even harder hitting, and the exo wasn't much more faster, though it could certainly now more easily break into sprints faster than prior- the overcharge now coming in a little quicker. A few adaptations to her AR/holographic glasses also helped out too, giving her a little more insight into Sam, Xan and the team's other members when out on operation. It felt like a little extra something something, and the Scot loved her combat toys as she checked over the M32 MGL that was also ready to go, with a quick loaded set of 40mm grenade rounds, and a few utility ones too.

The team would likely be keeping themselves busy on the island- either through setting up their own equipment too, enjoying the sunny environment and getting geared. They wouldn't have much longer to enjoy it, as Skye had informed the team they were getting briefed tonight, and already, the gears were slowly beginning to turn for the next operations. There wasn't just work to do in Patagonia- they had another target of interest, and the Scot had a promise to keep to the team's infiltrator, one she knew would be demanding answers sooner rather than later.

Mateo was busy in his corner of the base after enjoying some of the nice climate of Kaitiaki and relaxing for a bit, which he needed after the closeness of the last mission. But now it is time to start gearing up since Skye told them that there will be a briefing tonight. He has no idea of what the next mission will be, but hopefully, it will not be as close as the last mission. It had been a while since he had used a wingsuit, and was glad he still knew how to use it. Though Mateo would gladly use his normal suit any day.

Though as Mateo was prepping and making sure that his suit was ready to go. Did he step back and think about that promise that Skye made to him. There were Tejedors at that party, and while he stuck to the mission and Thiago, for Skye's sake, was not there. He still missed a chance to get real intel on Thiago and figure out where that he is. Sure, there was a chance he could not capture the Tejedor that was there, but when it comes to getting his revenge on Thiago. Mateo did not care after hunting him for years.

Anger started to grow in him, and he stood there completely still in thought as he suddenly punched a nearby wall. Angerly breathing as he tried to calm himself down. Another missed opportunity to add to the list of failures in trying to find Thiago. He has to come in his sights sooner or later and if Skye will keep her promise. Mateo never told her why he wants Thiago dead. That Thiago, with some of his goons, invaded his house and killed his parents before nearly killing him. Mateo still has the bullet scar to prove it.

Mateo knows why Thiago did this. It was personal since it was Mateo's father who killed Thiago's brother while Mateo's father was still with AFEUR. Apparently, the two were very close, and he felt the need to avenge his brother after taking over the cartel.

He then slowly leaned against the wall as he calmed down. Another thought entered his mind. Mateo has been burned before by people he thought he could trust. The DNI betrayed him possibly from the start, and could he be betrayed by Raven? That remains to be seen, but he has been more cautious this time around, and if going with Raven is a good idea, he will have to see. Until then, business as usual as so far he thinks Raven is good. His teammates certainly help with that, though it took time to get used to being around someone who is nearly eight feet tall.

So, after calming down, Mateo resumed his prep work and relaxed a bit. He should be ready once the briefing is close to begin and they will be told what the next mission will be, whatever that might be.

Sitting in the armoury, Skye flickered the clean, Italian-forged tactical scout-styled knife back into the holster of her exo’s leg, next to the .45 cal FN FNX pistol, and then the other weapons around her kit as well. She knew she wouldn’t be sharing this on her own, as the Scot heard the sound of the team’s heavy come through the wide door, Skye spotting Freya’s towering, overbearing presence come in.
“Fancy seeing you here.” Skye chirped across, moving from her sitting position to standing right in front, knowing well, this was the armoury for the regulars of the team. Freya’s, and formerly Asim’s was adjacent, and well, that was a place unto itself.

The current only true giant of the team had to dip her head a little to enter through the door, the pair of sliding doors had clanged as she’d pushed them open. And her sharp gaze had landed on Skye immediately, “Kvinnelig venn! My dear friend Skye, gotta go somewhere to suit up. And only the hottest part in the base will do.” She makes her way to the smaller woman, a smirk on the giants lips, “I see you’ve gotten the jump on getting things set up for yourself yes?” She peered past the woman and nodded, “Your gear is always so pristine.”

The room shudders and there’s a boom as the large bay door that separates the Heavy section of the armoury room from the regular side starts to open. As it does, there’s the crack-boom of the industrial lights coming on in the other room. By the time the doors open, the other section of the room is lit fairly well. Asim’s old hardware bundled up to make room for the whoever comes in after him. But hanging in Freya’s section, from several chains and with various wire bundles running to it as systems spool up, rests the Gjallarhorn Armor suit. With a wink Freya heads that direction, “Ever see it up close without me in it hun?”

Skye chuckled with a warm reply, the utter size, and well, femininity of Freya never fully settling in. She really was her mother’s daughter, a warrior worthy of a name of a Norse Goddess, and she had so much fire behind those clever looks of hers. Skye may have been a fair looking lass herself, but Freya, even despite Skye’s mixed tendency, stirred at some strings.
“A good Knight keeps her armor in one good piece. Like you do, I guess.” Skye wittly replied, watching as the door opened and the hydraulics hissed, opening the next section and the much more gritty, industrial feel of it. The white concrete and yellow paint continued, but it felt different. Like less of a tactical room and more of a store for industrial equipment, plant, that kind. And there it was, as Skye looked across as it, hanging there and tethered up.

“Aye, I’ve seen it. But it never gets old.” Skye remarked, walking around the suit, taking it in full depth, the size of it reminding her that if the Scot had her own kit, her own exo that made her feel powerful, this must have done one hell of a thing for the Norse, Russian and American bred titan.
“Heavy armours like this, and their users are an interesting breed. You’re the center of attention, take bullets like no tomorrow, hell, I’ve seen one big bastard take an RPG and keep going. And you dish it out. Quite the thing. So I suppose it must be some ” Skye added, feeling the cold embrace of the outer layer of the armor the surface feeling something like cloth, or not quite, maybe leather or oil perhaps, yes more like an oilskin coat, up to the advanced helmet, HUD and other protective kit, oh, and the gigantic tanks on it.
“If Laura had access to these lass, she would cream herself. I hope she’s enjoying her leave. I think you two would have gotten on like a literal house on fire.” Skye chuckled, hoping Freya may have known her, given that well, she was probably one of the other large boobed, big in every way giantesses in the game right now that happened to be an utter pyromaniac.

Freya reached up to activate some screens, readouts and rolls of information lighting up as the rooms lights finished coming on, bathing this second section of the room in white light, it’s almost clinical in nature, the light. But they don’t need it to be fancy, they need it to be functional. As the screens light up she looks the information over, “Emmm yes, big Laura.” She smiles, “Servos are warm…strange…” She walks around the suit checking it over, “I have a dinner date set up with her down in Brussels a few weeks in the future. Be off base for a few days, talk shop, maybe I’ll bring Sam then too, show the girl the fun of two big ladies.” She chuckles.

Freya bit her lip as she checks the joints and servos of her suit, “Ahhh I see, someone was in here after me…” And pulls a bunch of industrial grade heating packs out of the joints, “These are supposed to remain cold, no matter, it won’t hurt things too much, just be a little more loose then normal.” She smiles, “That woman has some incredible ideas when it comes to make things burn. I thought my Sun Core was amazing. But last I spoke to her, she was trying to put together a jet powered burner. Let it spin up, and this directed lance of heat. Melt through steel even. Could you imagine that? My Sun Core can heat steel, make it unbearable to be inside, but can you imagine having something like that? Something akin to the Tesla Cannon? To just slough through metal like it were warm candy?” Freya may be forgiven doing a little shivery dance, getting a little damp just thinking about it, “The things a good fighter could do with something like that.”

Skye chuckled in response, seeing Freya tend to her armor, and talk about the German, getting all manner of excited about all things, Sam and all.

“Oh no…I’m corrupting the girl through you, I’ll tell yas that.” Skye heartily remarked, watching as the physicist in Freya was certainly rather excited about the prospect of that kind of equipment in her hands.

“She does have some ideas, but mostly fucking burning things down. Or people. But if we didn’t have her, I’d be scared. Crazy shit, and I imagine she’s rather enjoying her R&R considering I sent her on a pretty crazy operation recently in Pakistan. Sent me a fucking selfie of her in her gas mask, like seriously, I think she’s trying to get some BDSM vibes on here with that shit. Anyway…..speaking of crazy ideas, for the next op I think Javi’s configured the personal lifting device, that helium suit again. Personal tweaks for it of course from what Jamie had, but set for you. If you know what I mean.” Skye remarked, knowing she’d later come back to it for the briefing, and well, it would be a cornerstone for Freya coming in. After all, sneaking into a large mountain base, well, that required a different methodology altogether.

Freya comes back around from the far side of the suit, and the smile on her face is almost star-worthy. So bright it is. She nods, “So, Javi decided to take a page out of my mom’s book did he? I won’t do we have enough time to call down to Perth? My mom might have some input on the helium lifter system. Her balloons were works of art by the time she retired. Self sealing against bullets, had directional fans for path correction. Zero thermal and radar signature. And could hold up both her and my dad in a pinch.” Freya suddenly starts cackling, “Oh the stories my parents could tell about their trips. My dad used to hate heights you know. It wasn’t until my Mom got him on one of her balloon rigs that he got over it. And rumours are, Athena was conceived on one of their…balloon rides.”

Freya chuckled deeply, “Course Athena will deny that at all times. And say it was Jamie and I that were conceived up there and she was the one conceived in a bed…that broke.” Freya chuckles and finally returns to the bank of screens, where the suits details play out, “Emmm yes. This will work out nicely.” She turns to look at Skye, “And now, for the main event.” Reaching back behind the bank of screens and with a pull, a section of the ceiling above them starts to drop slowly, cables and chains and wires trailing behind it, as it nears Freya’s head level, a table rises up from the floor, leaving about a meter and a half between the table and the descending section. With a click, the ceiling hidden vault opens, and reveals within a hammer, a furnace with it’s connected nozzle and the AEW rifle, “Emmm yes. Let’s see now.” One by one each weapon is pulled free and rests on the table. The hammer coming out last, and even though the table is sturdy, the dense weight of the hammer makes it groan under the weapon, “Alright my dears, let’s take a look at you.” And the woman begins to inspect her weapons.

The Scot retorted, hearing the story, as a smirk formed on her face.

“Funny you should say that. See, I thought she might have something like that up her sleeve. Something more feminine for your….well, like mother, like daughter. I heard those stories, saw her in action once even. Initially designed as a cargo carrier, then turned into a heavy’s personal blimp. Jesus Christ, absolutely fucking mad. Then again….we are hitching a lift with you. So it better be like the one your sister got made in..” Skye said, walking around as a bank of screens came down, the rifle, hammer and tools coming down, as she watched Freya look at them like a lover would embrace their other alf, very much not doing this for the first time, yet it feeling as good as it was from hers. This was going to be a treat, and Skye knew it would warm even the large girl’s heart.

“Because let’s just say I might have asked rather nicely through Tahlia and it’s on loan for us.. I’ll let you do your tweaks. Because I know you like to have your marks on things. We need a thermally silent, audio quiet, radar invisible piece of kit for a place that will be easy pickings. If we do it well.” She added, the cheerful Scot knowing it was dangerous to get inbetween family- yet you know, sometimes it was just adding the lubricant to a good thing.

“Oh, and I forgot to mention, new guy’s joining the team but he’s not on this op. Sending him to Colombia with Mateo, and Tahlia. Giving them some backup before I get them to join us. So it’ll be me, you and Sam for this one.” Skye remarked, flicking a strand of hair over her shoulder, looking up at Freya’s naturally inquisitive look, given the mention.
“Guy called Chuck Simmons. Ex Marine Raider. Apparently as American as apple pie, or something like that, aye?”

Freya stops looking the Sun Core furnace and nozzle over, checking the cylinder of the nuzzle to make sure is no build up in the titanium nozzle or in the kevlar laced tubing that leads to the furnace that would connect to the materials tank. She looks at Skye and smiles, “So, you’re saying you managed to get my mom to part with her designs?” She does a little happy dance, “I’ll finally be able to take a proper ride on my moms balloons.” For someone so big clearly stacked and cranked with muscles and feminine charm, the giddy little tappy dance she does at the thought is downright adorable. Freya takes a deep breath for a moment, then smiles, “Well then it sounds like we’re going to have a good way in Moms designed were incredible. Some of the Heavys in Bluesword still use them for silent ops. So they had stood the test of time.” After abit she nods and responds to the news of a newbie coming onto the team, "As American as Apple Pie huh? Well we'll just have to see. Hopefully he's good for the team." She huffs softly.

Skye nodded, smiling and happy for Freya, knowing it must have been a bit of a treat, something to say the least. She may have been enormous, yet deep down, there was an excitable young something in there that kept a happy side on and was proud of her heritage.

She puts the Sun Core down, then picks up the AEW. Popping out one of it’s cores, looking the long thing power core over, rubbing some scaling off the contact point. Smacking it back in place almost like one would do to an HK rifle, the infamous HK slap used on a bleeding edge energy weapon. With a practiced movement she points the weapon towards the back wall of her section, half depresses the trigger causing that angry blue glow to flare up at the muzzle, “Emmm well this baby is purring.” She looks it over and then offers the thing to Skye, “Take a look?” The smile on her face is broad. At the same time her hand goes and rests on the handle of Starbreaker.

Skye put her hand as Freya’s titanic grasp took the large weapon into hand, the AEW a tool effectively the size of Skye’s torso, yet made portable by the mere grasp of the team’s heavy. The energy off it felt surreal, like a tool that was never made for personal use, let alone to be even wielded.

“Holy shit. That is quite something….” Skye merely remarked, the smaller of the two redheads looking up, feeling the raw energy and power emanating from Freya, the muscles and figure of her making even the giant’s clothes sit on her like she was pumped up full of air, from arms, chest and body.

Freya smiles and carefully takes the AEW from Skye, picking it back up, and carefully placing it on the table, “One day Jotunnheim is going to super size this version of the tech. Imagine, naval gun sized Plasma and tesla based weapons. Rail guns, plasma casters and tesla guns on tanks. And then we make regular infantry sized weapons like this. Revolutionize the act of war and combat.” She nods, patting the AEW, “One day hun,” She says to Skye, “You won’t need to worry about a slug thrower.” She winks at Skye.

The Scot chuckled, nodding and seeing the pride on Freya’s face, Skye under no illusions of it at all.
“And it’ll be a hell of a day. I’m just waiting for when they can shrink a coil for a battle rifle, and I’ll be one happy lass.” Skye remarked cooly, watching as the giantess continued her ritual.

And then before god and all, she one hand hefts Starbreaker. The head alone heavier than should be possible to lift by a normal person, without mechanical assistance. And here she goes lifting it one handed, the only tell it’s an effort is the buldging of her muscles. The table even groans as if in relief from the dense weapon, “Now this I’m not going to get you to try and handle Skye…this I’d be worried even for my siblings to try and handle.” Almost negligently she lets the hammer head fall to the floor. It’s not a ringing clang, but a dull dense thud, thank goodness for the rubber mats on the floor, or there’d be a dent in it, “I called it Starbreaker, because of a reference in a novel I saw once. A might warrior wielding a weapon made from the core of a white dwarf star. So heavy and dense, it would break most materials with ease. I tried Skye I really did try to make this thing heavy and powerful enough to break open tanks.” She smiles findly as she lifts the club up, two handed, running her left hand over the dense head of the weapon, “Something mythical almost.”

“Not even going to ask what the hell that is made of.” Skye whistled, watching the hammer come down, the concrete probably splitting with the titan’s handling of the warhammer, a tool that certainly if it couldn’t come through tanks, it could come very, very close.
“But why bring a sword when you can be Thor.” She whistled, walking around it, Skye sitting up on the table, the giantess before her a contrast to the smaller, more insignificant Skye. Some did ask what the place of a giant, or giantess on the team was when increasingly, mechanised suits were becoming prototypes for even operatives like her. Mechs and the like in skunk works were breaking cover, more and more, and whilst they were still incredibly niche, nobody could deny how powerful they were. Yet Skye knew Freya’s power lie in something greater. Something most couldn’t understand. Freya didn’t need her armour to do what she did. She could rip off everything and go and do what she did without it. That was what made her spectacular. And it was quite something to see. Skye had certainly the talents of leadership, but well, in this moment, a tricky one, she knew to open up a little. The usually stoic character giving way to something else, seeing Freya go from hardened, to innocent, back to swinging a hammer got it back in her head. Skye was unchanging, but then again, of late, thoughts had played through her head. Maybe for some odd reason, but they had.

“I was chatting to Sam about this whole thing earlier. Maybe being with you guys has made me realize that you guys were the family I never had much of. Kinda starts ot make sense why I’d go as far as that. Before, I never did, beyond survival…yet it’s an odd feeling Freya, I’ll tell you. Giants live like there’s no tomorrow, and I do too in this line of work. Yet you relish in living like a superstar, rather than the shadow. Kinda cool, you know, and I’d envy that anyday. It’s something.” Skye said, solemn in her thoughts, not showing weakness yet somewhat, baring her soul more, and it would have been one hell of a rare occurrence for Freya to have seen that. Perhaps it was just where she was mentally, or perhaps that side she’d let down was opening the veil to a character that the team, let alone most intelligence operatives, had never seen.

Freya rests the head of the hammer back on the floor, and sets her wrists atop the blunt pommel of the weapon, “Osmium and Depleted Uranium, some of the densest materials known to man, without making it into science fiction. It was an incredible thing just to make the materials mesh together, the science to do it pushed the fringes of what could be done with metals into a new era. Armies are trying to get Jotunnheim to sell the information.” She smiles.

And then is quite surprised to have Skye open up to her. The giantess, leans forward abit balancing on the hammer and smiling brightly, a slight blush on her cheeks as Skye bears her soul. She nods, “You know, it’s true. Giants like me, my parents, my siblings, Laura, we life in the moment, and go day to day. Because we never know if our bodies are going to break down from the weight and stress we put on them in the night. Or like my sibs and I, if we’re going to catch a bevy of rockets or a hellfire on our next op.” She nods, “So we live wild, we life spontaneous, we live free lives so we can say we have no regrets when the time comes.” She smiles brightly, “It’s having a family and friends to come back to everytime that really helps. I’m glad you can open up to me, and to the others Skye, hun. We’re not just your subordinates. We’re here to be your friends too if you’ll let us.” She nods, hefting the hammer, and setting it back up in the weapon vault, the clasps for the weapon hissing closed to secure it, “We life on, we survive, we do what we can, so when it’s time to burn out, we do it like a supernova, and take the bad guys with us.” She reaches over and playfully pats Skye on the head, “Thank you for trusting me hun.” And then promptly ruffles up the other red heads hair with a massive grin on her face.

Skye smiled, knowing that while it was a chink out of her, saying it had helped. To Tahlia, Javi, anyone even, it couldn’t be said. But for the first time in what felt like almost a lifetime, it felt good to say. Good to let out. She trusted them with her life completely, and well, it seemed wrong to not get it out if it was on her head, now ruffled by the giant, as Skye smirked
“Appreciate it, Freya. Thank you. I’d go to Ragnarok and back with you, believe that. I guess I can’t burn as bright as you, but it’s certainly exciting to watch. You and your big fat arse making all the techs drop their faces.” Skye added, smiling as she gave Freya a gentle tap on her rear in response to her pat, grinning back.
“Oh, and I almost forgot. Your maw, she told me all about the face paint. Even sent me a can of the blue stuff. You know, Highlander is a bullshit film, never did they wear any fucking blue paint….nah, that’s all the Picts. Crazy fuckers with axes and javelins. But all the same blood. Might even be a nicer alternative to the suntan I need in the desert.” Skye chuckled, looking over her shoulder as she headed towards the exit, knowing the reference was old, but it had to be dispelt for the non-Scottish redhead.
“So, are you coming along? Brief’s soon. And I’m not doing it without getting some snacks ready first.”

Freya put her weapons back up in the vault carefully, making sure the clasps are all sealed up over them. Then sends it back up into the ceiling. And the table lowering back into the floor. She turns and pretty much moons Skye right before the big woman gives one of the globes of her rear a smack, and it’s only the fabric of the sweat pants that keeps it from wiggling about too much under the impact, “I’ll have you know, my ass is fantastic.”

The big woman gave a cackle as she pushed the screens back out of the way, and set the suit back to stand by, “Yes, let’s go. I’d like to learn what we’re on about again. And I could use a rack of ribs while we talk. Mama is hungry.” She giggles a little and trails after Skye, “Lets go boss lady.” She smiles, pacing along in her wake.

The team had gotten their chance to enjoy their day, and come evening, after getting some food in together once again, came the usual briefing. The same thing, but this time, it felt like rather than the glacier like progress that had been plaguing their hunt of Artemis, they had some significant leads. The kind of leads that the team would have to divide and conquer for.

With everyone assembled in the briefing room, the team was in one place and ready to be given that insight, and Skye stood as usual in her casual yet serious demeanour, knowing the next ops were going to yield the beginning of the end for Artemis.

"Alright. We're dividing and conquering for our upcoming work, because there's two targets of note. You don't need to know all the details, but the data we recovered from Pavel's computer has proven to be quite valuable."

"Sam, Freya, you're with me as part of Fireteam Condor. Mateo, you're with Tahlia, who'll give you sniper support, and Chuck, one of our new heavies, who will blast your objective to bits if you need it as Fireteam Piranha. Apt names, for your tasks." Cutting to the next slide, it came up with an AR diagram of the next. No goggles needed, it was like a hologram but way easier to flick through, and actually rendered in more detail.

"Fireteam Condor, this is Observatorio Cruz del Sur, the Southern Cross Observatory in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. A dark zone for light, and signals, which makes it absolutely perfect for one of Artemis's key ground stations for a satellite network that could break and cripple plenty of infrastructure assets, as well as containing a healthy dose of information on our targets. The base isn't defended with significant amounts of troops, but is near impenetrable, from all angles, containing hidden SAM sites on the top of the observatory, checkpoints all over the mountain road, and the fact is, the only way onto it is via a cable car. To that end, we'll use a radar-silent, helium lifting piece of equipment that Freya is very keen on, so me and Sam will hitch a ride, drop into the base, disable the defences and quietly pick off anyone inside to get Freya close. We'll need to keep our stealth for as long as possible to give us the best window to tap into the satellite controls. If needs be, we'll need to down a satellite out of the network, then worry about recovery later. Then we need to leave, with the mission going hot. Extract will need us to clear the observatory deck and call in Vincent, who can provide air support with the VTOL, and pick us up. Expect resistance to be small, but elite trained. I expect the troops there to be well armoured and more than a match to us, including drones. They will take more than a few rounds to drop, and likely will be very well paid mercs. So hence why our method is unconventional. Fast in, fast out. If the satellite is coming down, we will chase that. Given the tonnage and payload of what they are, wherever it hits, it'll make one hell of a bang."

"Fireteam Piranha, your target is an island off the coast of Colombia, near Cartagena. Formerly an eco-lodge front run by the Tejador Cartel, it's now inhabited with drug labs, storage, and distribution for onward cocaine and other narcotics in plain sight. Irrespective of your thoughts on the war on drugs, it's a shithole with lots of bad people in it. We have reason to believe that Thiago Tejador is meeting a HVT of Artemis, regarding a concocted drug that they seem to be taking great interest in. Your job is simple. Mateo is to infiltrate the island with Tahlia providing sniper support and our heavy, Boomer, on backup and as a distraction. Gather intelligence by any means needed, collect samples of the drugs and eliminate Thiago, and find out who Spectre is before eliminating or capturing them. There will be a lot of enemies, but I don't expect them to be well equipped- drug operations like this aren't, they prefer quantity of eyes over quality of guards. We need details, and we need to know what is going on. I imagine it's the other half of the puzzle we're trying to solve. If we're trying to hear what they're saying, this is about finding out what they're going to do. While removing one bad scumbag from the earth. You'll then extract via boat, dash and dine."

"Everyone on the same page?" Skye asked, clicking to the next, bringing up a darkened screen, but by no means done. Skye's look and voice continued, a leader's and unwavering, almost unspent.

"We are getting close to finding out what we need with Artemis's structure, and their setup. I don't have any doubts you share some of what the post mission debrief has to say when it comes to Artemis's capabilities and willpower, even if it's heavily redacted. Point being, we're up against people who believe they're right. I don't half doubt what they're saying, Pavel is an asshole but there's a reason people believe in what he says. But they want to make your families, friends back home, countries, fellow operators hurt in the process. Keep that in mind. We are getting closer to ending this."

"Kit on in 30 minutes. Lift off is in an hour. We're headed to Easter Island for fuel, then dividing from there. Condor, we're staying with the VTOL, Piranha, you'll be taking a charter all the way to Panama, and boating from there on a RIB boat."

--------------

Down in the armoury, Skye had the chance to suit up in her exoskeleton once more, returned back to it after an operation and in skin that felt a little more comfortable than spying her way into a billionaire's party. Weapon in hand and crossed over her arm, Skye had her helmet on too alongside her usual tactical glasses, an easier setup for now given they were about to be on the move soonish- and well, it was like a ritual really. The team was all here, and it was their last chance before they split their separate ways, given more likely than not, everyone was gonna sleep on this flight.

Weapons wise, she'd gone for a different setup- her silenced MCX, an M32 Grenade Launcher, FNX pistol and her usual squad leader equipment was to hand, as was her helmet, baseball cap and well, a tin of blue paint for later. A winterized variant of her advanced, thermally-resistant fatigues followed, the one-piece equipment sat in the exo, giving her a blue digital camouflage pattern, mixed in with a hex and black pattern unlike the usual MTP that would be used. It was a short change, but well, considering they were going to an observatory at 3,500m sitting on the tiniest of precipices that could take it, warmth was a considered option. That and the long ride they would have to take. The jump-jet secured, and her tactical pack, and exo fuelled, Skye knew this was time for some ritual fun.

Turning to face Mateo before he left and in a quiet moment outside of the rest of the team's kit up process, Skye rested an hand on his shoulder, knowing full well he'd understand this was a favour to have pulled, and a half.
"Listen to me. This isn't about revenge. And not a blood feud. This is business. Promise me that now, because it ends with Thiago. I know what he did, and I know this is a long time coming, and you should be the one to do it. But do it the way a professional does. Are we clear?" Skye looked him dead in the eyes, and whilst the Colombian was quiet, the facts needed to be broken, now. Skye was kind and caring, but right now, in this moment, given it was the last time she'd say it, she had to tell him that one more time. And the Scot knew right now deep down, it wasn't what he would want to hear. But it would sink when he got to rest, at least, she hoped it would.

Behind him, Tahlia had walked by, and holding her plate carrier and her own equipment.
"So no suicide missions or anything. Good luck out there, and put him down." Like good cop, bad cop, Skye knew that Tahlia would keep an eye out, but was probably less mothering. More just happy to be focussed on the job at hand, because beneath it, there was a little fear left over. It felt odd, surreal even to see her here, but then again, risks had to be taken sometimes on people. Like with Mateo, Tahlia was a good shot, and significantly above average. It would hurt not to have the help given she couldn't get any marksmen on the line. Blue Sword had something prospectively, but after Singapore, there was a lot of damage control. Skye had thanked Carl for the help, given it had bought them a significant amount of time out of there- but with every gain came cost.

Skye's intercom chattered away and tuned into one signal in particular, as she heard the voice of a very excited pilot could be heard, and well, it was quite something.
"Ma Capitane, we are ready to go. Give me the signal and we are go. This machine is quite something, c'est incroyable."

"You're not the only one with new toys. Affirm, start pre-checks and we'll be there in five."

--------------

Isla Langosta / Lobster Island, near the coast of Cartagena, Colombia

Retribution

Fireteam Piranha

The humid, hot swampy morning morning was taking hold on Isla Langosta, the private isle.

And in it, lay Tahlia, with her gloves on, ghillie suit making her blend into the jungle that she sat in, on a hillside overlooking the bay, against aquamarine sea the green lush vegetation full of bugs, critters and mosquitos. She didn't feel superpowered. She didn't feel particularly superhuman either given her leg, but here she was, with not her Mk14, but an FN Ballista sniper rifle, with a large-bore suppressor on the end of it, subsonic ammunition, and .338 Magnum loaded in. The dark green and olive ghillie-suit wearing Kiwi certainly felt like she was back in the game, and while she was off active combat, she was on sniper support today, and picking out targets.

The scene in front was quite a messy one. From her point, Tahlia knew she'd need to move from one side of the jungle to the next on this side of the bay, but it wasn't far- and it gave her a perfect view, at about 1km away from the main complex of buildings that made up the eco lodges, shipping containers and drug labs that Mateo was going into. Sniping meant she'd have to shoot bodies that wouldn't be findable- guards in towers, near bushes, or close to Mateo so he could hide them. What that meant was. On the other hand, she wouldn't be too close in. He had a marker she could spot him on, so she wouldn't at least snipe the blur of movement that would be him tearing through the base. He had his options- from in the forest, from the sea, Tahlia wasn't sure what he would do, but whatever his choice was, she was almost certain that blood was getting spilled today, and plenty of it.

"Taniwha is in position, Jaguar. Rounds from the rifle will take a couple of seconds to get to you, I've got a good view of the area. This is your op, but don't forget what we're here for. And don't be afraid to ask for help if it goes hot. Chur." Tahlia called out, knowing on this one, Jaguar had been left to his devices on setup. For Tahlia, it felt odd, weird to be back in the field, and even weirder to be working with the elite team. A bit of imposter syndrome, but she believed Skye was right. And she knew she could shoot. So she'd do that. Already knowing that was reassuring enough, and right here, right now, helping Mateo get revenge would be something to savour. He seemed like a decent chap, quiet even, but Tahlia could tell he was being eaten away at for this. Like he wouldn't stop when he got close. Perhaps Skye had prefered that they were here so he didn't do anything too stupid. But same time, Tahlia knew he was a good man. He'd do it respectfully. And even a superspy light like him, a ghost and a spectre through his work would need another pair of eyes when there were this many on look out, and this much shit to hunt.

That left the other member of the team. The Heavy, the new American one who Tahlia had briefly met, and briefly gotten to know. A brute to say the least, but well, he'd raise all shit once he arrived. Make for more than a distraction. Which would be perfect, and Tahlia left that detail to Mateo, knowing he could call him in on the other side of the island and have an instant, perfect distraction. Or support. Whichever he preferred, things were going to go boom, and a lot of firepower was going to get leveraged, the giant likely on his side of the island and going through jungle.

"Boomer, how are you and Duke settling in?" Tahlia added, adjusting her ranging, thinking much about that Shepherd.
"I hope he's had his treats today for this weather."

----------

Somewhere near Mirador Serrano Glacier, Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Through the Looking Glass

Fireteam Condor

In quite the opposite to Colombia and later in the same day, the mountains at the other end of South America were awe-inspiring, with spires of sandstone rock dusted in snow, surrounded by glaciers, lakes, boreal forest and total quiet made it clear that here, they were very much at the end of the world. With the VTOL parked up, the impressive beast sat at the tiny clearing of the forward operating point, a hastily organised site by a wide open glacial lake, the water peering through, and the beautiful hut that sat by its side. They had gotten the lion's share of the view, and well, an opportunity to use the hut as a temporary post. Final checks on the observatory, weather, equipment, gear, and the like. Oh, and a nice little fire too, crackling with wet wood, the glacier outside the hazy window in absolute glimmery splendour. It was possibly the most beautiful place on planet earth, the clear sky turning to a hazy yellowy-orange and reflecting in pink off the mountains, about to disappear and open up the cosmos itself. The stars shone bright with almost no light pollution, though for their purpose of infiltrating, there was no moon out tonight.

Vincent wouldn't shut up about the VTOL from the moment they had landed here couple of hours back- a stealth-capable V22-iterated airframe that had taken on radar cloaking, extended range and well, dropped props for powerful jet engines, and even an armament of it's own- a retractable 20mm cannon under the front of the fuselage, storable for longer flights, as well as a set of electric motorcross bikes in the back for the satellite hunt, if it came to it. Quite the tool, and he wouldn't shut up about the V-38 Sioux's capabilities, so hell, it wasn't just Freya getting treated today to aerial work.

Hauling out the equipment from the back of the VTOL had gone quickly, and they were remarkably, ahead of schedule. So much so that they'd had the chance to even enjoy what was left of the sunset at the mountain hut. A fairly hefty drop had bene made here earlier, organised through Raven's black contacts- the one that carried a significant volume of highly compressed helium in it. It had been helidropped into the woods nearby, and well....it had stayed there, but not before the long rubber hose had been pulled out of it, and run all the way to the shore of the lake's water. After all though, helium was light, and the sheer volume it would take to carry about half a tonne of heavy operative, and two passengers. And speaking of that very lifting tool, here it lay by the shore, the craziest of cargo tools, deflated yet the outline of it at least over fourteen foot tall, and almost as wide. The Russians had invented it for Spetsnaz troops, it had been stolen by the CIA, bastardised by the FSB again, and then in the hands of Freya's mother no less, who had turned what was a fairly mundane tool into an incredible, potent infiltration, and aerial attack tool for heavies. If you wanted to attack a base as a heavy from the sky and wanted to make everyone tremble in fear, a helium suit was what was needed. Gigantic, yes, but silent, and virtually invisible until an operative wanted to make it so. And anthromorphically shaped on the very operative herself, as Skye knew Sam was in for a shock if she hadn't seen this toy in action yet. It was about as bombastic as you could make something, and for any good heavy, half the fun was the drama you caused.

Vincent chuckled as he looked at the large black-rubbery and foam-lined suit sprawled out, looking across to Skye, Freya and Sam, sitting on the bench at the side of the hut, the mountaineer's hut very barebones and basic- but enough of a post to do work in, and appreciate this before setting forth.
"Putain, you are fucking crazy...you cannot be serious. A high altitude drop, rock climbing, even some cruise missiles, that I would understand. But you're going to fly a fucking balloon at it? Over that mountain there? They will puncture it, no?" Vincent rarely spoke out, but well, on this occasion, he had to check her boss hadn't suffered any head injuries over the planning of this.

"Absolutely we're doing it. And technically, Freya's half inside the thing, so more of a suit....oh yeah, you haven't seen it inflated. So, once the sun drops, we pump that thing full. Freya steers it, we attach ourselves to the outside with rappel harnesses. Ride Freya's considerable backside, and I mean....it's a magic carpet. A steerable one, but a silent, and well, against this night sky, nearly invisible one, self sealing no less so it'll take some heat. Natalie also put thermally absorbing compounds in it, Freya's mum being an absolute enchantress meaning that it basically stays nigh impossible to spot out of direct light." Skye said, looking to Freya, then to Sam.
"First time for everything then?" Skye remarked, chuckling as she shook her head, Vincent still unsure of even the team leader's insanity on this one, and well, while he knew she had a plan, this was the maddest one yet.
"Mon dieu, even by my standards, this is crazy, mec. Alright boss girl, fine." He replied, cooly as ever as Skye checked her watch, standing on a perch by the shore, then looking across to the other two, her watch blipping with a subtle vibration. She put her helmet on, and glasses back too, the serious-looking special forces major now leading this fireteam of misfits about to do something that she was pretty confident, would be wild. But then again, fast, hard assaults was her bread and butter. Even without the MG3, Skye was ready to make them pay, get the info they needed, and finally put Artemis under.
"Alright then. Let's stop enjoying this view and get to work. Sam, plug the suit up to the tank and fire up the compressor, would you? Freya, check systems, harness yourself in. Vincent, clear any trace and as soon as we're gone, pack up and get off station. We'll be on target in about an hour, and we'll call you when we need you."
"Affirmatif, boss. Sam, you'll have a link to the 20 mil if you need it, and Freya, your spare rounds are available quickly if you need more ammunition. This will be quite the sight."

As the two got onto their tasks of inflating a Freya-shaped helium suit, Skye opened up the little can of paint, and gently pulling it out onto her glove, smeared it across her face, her glasses off and coated under her eyebrows, then along her cheeks, and almost around. For an operation like this, her face was as pale as the moon in the sky, so culling the colour of it was always something preferred. A balaclava would normally go as a better option, aye, but this felt a little more homely and didn't fog up her tactical glasses, and it took the pale out of her skin...and well, it felt right. After the chats with the team, it was almost half a reminder of home. Half a reminder of her identity, and to that, her person. The pattern from her chin to the bottom of her eyes, it turned her from a pale to a blue and red coloured illusion, rather contrasting yet somewhat battle hardened.

As they got on, Skye checked the distant peaks, the direction of the flight, past the glacier, the mountains, and ultimately into the pitch black night to a mountain observatory, before coming back to her senses and helping load up the helium suit's equipment haul, and preparing her attachment point on the right hip of Freya's soon to be very, very large bottom.

---

---

Chuck had spent some time recovering after Raven Squad pulled him out of the Middle East. He had almost died on a op where his unit had been betrayed and set up. He had been standing in the way of someone using the Marine Corps as their personal hit squad. After he had recovered from his injuries, he had spent some time regaining his strength before going through the long application process and the gauntlet to join Raven Squad. Chuck was pissed off about what had happened to his unit. He had a new mission to remove the rot that had taken hold of the US Marine Corps. When good men who were serving their country were thrown into dangerous situations and dying simply to line someone else’s pockets, it was time for a change.

Chuck and Duke had finally been given the green light and called up for duty with Raven Squad. He was hoping he fit in well with his new team. He was used to being the man in charge of his unit. He was used to the chain of command. He had never been on a team like Raven Squad before. He certainly knew the work but it would be different than the corps. Marines knew they could trust their fellow soldiers in action. He was sure he would get used to the new team but it would take some action and time before they were used to each other.

Chuck jumped out of the Osprey and was careful to watch his head. He used a hand signal motion to let Duke know to jump out of the aircraft. He grabbed his large duffle bag and swung it up on his shoulder. He was assured that his armor and weapons were already at the base. Duke wore a collar and work harness. Chuck didn’t have him on the leash though. He knew Duke was trained well enough to be off leash. The harness was in case of emergencies. He could easily grab the handle on the back of the harness if he needed to control his dog. He snorted at the idea though as Duke was an exceptionally well trained and intelligent dog. He only used a leash on his canine companion when forced too. Duke was bred and trained for action. Duke loped at his side panting slightly with his tongue hanging out. His body posture was relaxed but his ears twitched showing he was curious about this new space.

Chuck looked around what was going to be his new home. It looked like a wealthy landowners homestead. The compound had a large building built into the side of a hill. His trained eyes noticed the large hidden doorways that led to the vehicle garage and noted the guard posts around the perimeter of the gated compound. The scenery reminded him of home with the greenery and beaches. The area around the hidden base was greener though and the native plant life was different. He had never been to New Zealand before joining Raven Squad. He was stopped by a security checkpoint. He went through the whole procedure of presenting his and Duke’s credentials. Chuck was amused that Duke could care less. He plopped down into a sitting position waiting patiently for him. Chuck reached down and rubbed his ears. He could feel the slight tension in Duke’s head that told him he was relaxed but alert in this new environment. The security guard gave him his paperwork and badge back. Chuck nodded to him. “Thank ye kindly.”

Chuck continued on into the main facility with Duke at his side. He sighed as he still had to duck to get through the door. He was seven foot ten inches tall after all. A standard door in America was only six foot six foot eight inches tall. He made his way further into the main building of the complex. He was directed to an office on the upper floor. He knocked lightly on the open door as he looked at the red headed hellion that sat behind the desk. He had yet to meet Skye Lyons in person but she was the reason he had been recruited. He had not expected to get called up quite so quickly. He expected that something had hit the fan which is why he had been called up and had spent the last day and a half traveling to the base.

He took off his battered Marine Corps hat that was broken in just right and tucked it into his waistband. He paused briefly as he met Skye’s eyes. He had seen enough action that he tried to never startle a veteran. You never knew what might trigger someone. He stepped into the room after ducking under the door. “Boomer and Duke reporting as ordered.” He gave Skye a grin full of southern boy charm. “I am here to help you exterminate some vermin with extreme prejudice. M’am.” He shrugged, “Or something like that.” Duke sat at attention with his gaze focused on Skye at Chuck’s side. His tail wagging slightly behind him.

---

Chuck was grateful for the upgrades Sam had added to his suit when she repaired it for him. The suit had a built in environmental system to help it dissipate heat. That meant he was not suffering the humidity and heat of the muggy swamp. Sam had built some canine armor for Duke that was flexible but would take a heavier caliber bullet than the simple kevlar vest that had on him before. He even had a little helmet to protect his brain. Chuck would never admit it but he thought Duke looked like a canine superhero from Saturday morning cartoons.

Duke was suffering though. He was panting pretty heavily which is one of the ways dogs deal with heat. He had made sure to give Duke some water just before the action kicked off. He didn’t need the heat sapping Duke’s reflexes and skills at an opportune time. This was one op where Duke’s skills would be beneficial. He could find the drugs but since they made it here, who knows how much of that shit was saturated into the surrounding environment. Chuck had grown up in South Carolina and was acclimated to humidity and heat. He was in position and waiting for Mateo to let him know what he wanted him to do. Chuck was prepared to be a distraction and make some noise or infiltrate as quietly as he could with Duke to sniff out which buildings were manufacturing sites. Skye had made it clear that he would be following Mateo’s orders on this op. He heard Talia over the radio. “Boomer and Duke are itchin’ for a fight. We done find us a nice hidey hole.”

---

Samantha had spent a few days pulling secrets and information out of Pavel’s computer. The intel she had recovered had led to two new operations. Once she had unlocked everything on his computer and broken through the encryption, she had begun the initial analysis of the data. She had done the first runs of analysis on the data with Skye uncovering some disturbing information about Artemis’ interest in a drug being produced by the man that Mateo was hunting. The information had also yielded a location of interest that needed investigation. Samantha had turned the remaining task over to Raven’s analyst team as she needed to get ready for the next operation. She still needed to get acquainted with her new suit. Her last suit had been trashed in the explosion in the desert.

Samantha spent some time with Javi working on upgrading vehicles and gear. She didn’t have much time before Singapore to work on her suit. She had spent the time building gear to help them with a stealth operation. Singapore was not an operation where they could use their tactical gear. It had required the more subtle approach that she had trained for with the CIA. She was still proud of how well her gear had worked on that op. Sam knew her suit requirements were a little different since she tended to play multiple roles on the team. Her suit needed to be able to support all her roles. It was past time that she built a suit designed to work with all her roles. Samantha wanted to prevent similar injuries to those that had taken her out of the field for a few weeks while she healed. Her suit had stopped the bullets, but the damage from the bullets and explosion had incapacitated her in the long run.



She started with her helmet. She replaced the visor with a reinforced bullet proof smart glass that could be used as a heads-up display. She could also tint the glass so her face was not visible or make it clear so she could see out. The glass would help protect her vision against bright lights from stun grenades or explosions. She needed that when she was in active combat as a pilot. The HUD would work in conjunction with her onboard AI to help with things like target identification and overlay different vision options from her embedded camera systems such as infrared and night vision. She added a layer of the custom gel that would be lining her whole suit. This would give her head some additional cushioning if she got bounced around again from an explosion.

She developed a special gel that she was using throughout the suit. She developed a gel that would help cool the embedded technology and act as a ballistic gel helping to stop kinetic injury and bullet penetration. The gel would help with temperature regulation in the suit as well. The gel was in a sealed layer with an imbedded chip that took the kinetic energy from Samantha’s movement and converted it to a low electrical charge that helped recharge the suit and allowed for the gel to be reactivated. This would allow the onboard AI to regulate the gel as needed for heat dissipation.

The outer layer of the armor had areas made from a ceramic alloy infused with titanium. This armor made up the outer shell of her helmet and covered vital areas of her body like her chest. These plates were situated over a woven ballistic Kevlar that offered more flexibility and ease of movement than traditional Kevlar. There was a thin layer of the gel housed in a self-repairing durable material that was almost impossible to puncture or tear. The next layer held embedded electronic components such as cameras, sensors, actuators which were basically synthetic tendons to help with movement, and the needed wiring for those systems.

Samantha used the prototype miniaturized quantum dynamic CPU chip and motherboard as the basis for her suit AI instead of a new laptop. The case for the AI was made up of the same titanium infused ceramic alloy of the outer armor and was located on her chest and hidden by the chest plate of her armor. Sam took Xander’s advice to lighten up seriously. Instead of a new laptop she would build an AI computer housed in her suit that could interface with a desktop on base when she was on base. The base for the system was flat and about the size of a small tablet or cell phone. There was another thin layer of gel material which made up the interior layer of the armor. Leaving that tough durable material as the inner layer.

The armor was designed to be put on like a jumpsuit. She would step into the boots and pull everything up to her waist. Then pull the arms over her shoulders and zip up the front. There was a flap of the woven Kevlar that covered the zipper. The gloves were pulled on last and the helmet locked into place. There was a brace built around her neck to help prevent spinal injuries and help support her as a pilot when she was pulling heavy g-forces. Hidden in the ridged cowl and chest pieces were cameras, sensors, communications, and rechargeable batteries. The gloves had haptic sensors that could be turned off and on as she needed them. There was a custom-made leather harness rig that rode at her waist and carried her sidearm, grenades, and multiple belt pouches that held other gear she might need for an op. She had a second harness that rode around her midriff area that carried her throwing knives. Built into the armor on the outer legs were cases for her additional gear. The armor was sleek, stylish, and black in color with aquamarine piping.

Samantha knew that she was going into a cold environment. She decided on some thermal underwear under her suit would be wise even though the suit had built in environmental systems. She had learned on the last op when your equipment went down, you had to make do with what you had. She didn’t relish fighting frostbite while trying to aim with chattering teeth if her armor failed again. She had developed a jumpsuit coverall that she could pull over her armor that would block heat and radar signatures. She had discovered the chemical formula when developing her new armor that would absorb radar. She had taken the formula and used it to coat a heat reflective material that would hide her from infrared cameras. She figured her guns were not a large enough piece of metal to flag on radar. If she tried to conceal them inside her coverall, getting them out later might be an issue. She strapped her weapon harnesses over the coverall. She stopped for a moment and had a “duh” moment. Why hadn’t she thought to put the coating on her suit? That would help her on stealth missions. She sighed as she could already foresee that she would be upgrading her suit before long, and she just made it!

Samantha had chosen her standard loadout. Her knives went into their sheaths. A P365 Sig Sauer which rode in a holster on her hip. A customized M4A1 Carbine that could be modified in the field if needed clipped into the sling harness that attached to the shoulder of her armor. She packed extra ammo magazines and put a silencer on her carbine. She had opted to leave her sniper rifle at home. They were trying to sneak in unannounced and weight might be a concern with how they were getting in. Sam laughed at that thought. Okay weight was not a consideration. Samantha was not comfortable carrying both guns at once. She could but it made more sense to be able to move fast and stealthy. That meant her carbine with a silencer. She would be more effective getting in close anyway. That is where she shined as an operator.

She packed some new grenades she had come up with that incorporated her knockout spray. She had developed an aerosolized grenade to spew the knockout spray in a gaseous cloud. The grenades packed enough spray for a 5-foot radius circle. Samantha grinned as she remembered testing it out on base. She couldn't predict how well they would work in the field. Inside building yes because their was no wind but there were circulation systems that might spread the cloud. Outside you had unpredictable wind to deal with. She coudln't predict how that would work as the gas spread over an area. Would it lose its potency? Would it still work if people came into contact with it? She didn’t know how long it might keep someone knocked out since she had not tested them yet on people. The concentrated spray had worked great in Singapore. It seemed like the next step since it had worked so well. She decided to test them on this op. She might as well test them on people she didn't care about. She packed 4 night-night grenades. She put two stun grenades onto the weapons harness and added two explosive grenades. She put tools in the pouches at her waist. She only took the ones she thought she might need. The basic screwdrivers, wire cutters, that sort of thing. She did a little test jump and made sure everything stayed where she wanted it and didn't make excess noise. She nodded satisfied as things only shifted a little and there were no loud clanking noises to give her away.

She heard Skye’s voice and looked over at their leader. She was evidently giving last-minute instructions or a pep talk to Mateo and Tahlia. She waited a beat before walking up to Skye. “Did I forget anything?” She grinned at her boss.

---

Samantha was sitting on a bench inside their staging area. It was one of the most beautiful places she had ever seen. She was glad they had arrived during the daytime so she could appreciate the idyllic scenery. She had grinned as she listened to Vincent going on and on about the VTOL that she had helped Javi overall and set up for this operation. She snickered as she heard the back and forth between Vincent and Skye. She looked over to Freya. “How are you doing Freya? Are you ready to do this?” She smiled at Freya’s obvious excitement.

Skye gave the orders to start the op in motion. She nodded and grinned at Skye “Yes Boss”. She gave Skye a cheeky grin as she left the hut to start running the lines from the helium tanks to the compressors. Samantha made sure the lines were not kinked and laid out nicely before she inspected the connections between the tanks and the lines. It would be a disaster if the tank leaked out excess gas to a poor connection or worse, a bad connection blew and took out the tank with it. Gas was typically stored under high pressure. She exercised due caution to ensure they had a smooth time filling the suit. She went to help Freya suit up. “Do you need any help?” She didn’t want to connect the lines to the suit until Freya was in and ready. She didn’t want Freya to get caught in any lines and break them.

So this is it, Skye kept her promise, and now he gets his chance at killing Thiago. Mateo has waited a long time for this, and now that he has a chance of avenging his parents. Granted, killing Thiago is not the sole thing on the list for the mission. For it turns out that Artemis is interested in a drug that Thiago is making and are sending an HVT to the island. So samples of the drug are to be collected, and the Artemis HVT codenamed Spectre is either killed or captured after figuring out who they are.

But the things that weighed on him the most besides killing Thiago was Skye's words and the fact he will running this op. This is business, not revenge, she said, and yet this is still revenge for him. He just has more things to consider, like having people to support him and possibly getting them hurt or worse during this mission, along with the rest of the objectives for this op.

Mateo has always thought he would be alone in his quest for revenge against Thiago Tejador, and now he is running a mission with support that will kill him but more. But, one thing that is true that Skye said to him, his revenge ends with Thiago. He is the one who pulled the trigger that killed his parents. No one else, so that part Mateo is fine with. But, now it is time to actually get this fourteen-year hunt over with once and for all.

So, as Mateo was in the jungle at a vantage point reconning the place with his binoculars. His armor's optical cloaking being on and making him even harder to see. Nothing too out of the ordinary for a drug site, he thought, and as he stayed concealed in his armor. He heard on the radio from Taniwha and Boomer. "Roger, that you two, I am about to infiltrate the site. I will let you two know when I need support, and Taniwha, be ready to fire Jaugar out."

Mateo had not had enough time to talk with Tahlia or with their newest recruit and his dog. While he could trust Skye that these people were ready and of good quality. Mateo does not want to throw away their lives just so he can have his revenge, especially the dog. If anyone dies here for his quest for revenge, it is him and no one else. More so since Mateo is the one in the camp and not them.

So, after putting away his binoculars, Mateo took one last anticipated breath before moving to the edge of the drug site. Time to start this mission and end Thiago once and for all. Time to see get his revenge.

Chuck and Duke had reconned the site and set up explosives along the outer perimeter away from Mateo’s entry point. Chuck had them set to blow upon his command. The detonators were wired into his HUD. They worked on the encrypted frequency that Squad communications were on. They were a new toy Samantha had developed just for him. She had cornered him on his first night to find out what his skill set was and what he normally carried in his kit. He looked forward to any future toys she developed for him. They would help with the distraction tactics. He had them set to blow in sequence to make the guards in the compound believe they were being attacked on multiple fronts to draw them away from the areas where Mateo would be infiltrating and investigating. Duke had lapped up quite a bit of water and was laying in the shade of the huge tree that Chuck had found. The massive trees with a large canopy were part of the rain forest diversity of Columbia. Chuck had found one massive tree that was grouped with others. It was large enough for him and Duke to hide behind without being seen. Considering how large he was in his armor, that was a benefit.

Chuck was using his onboard sensor suite and optics to keep an eye on the compound. The tree he was hiding behind was on a slight hill giving him a line of site down into the compound. He was close enough to support Mateo and be there in a hurry if he needed him and far enough away not to trigger any sensors. He watched the compound as Mateo disappeared. The only way he could track his team mate now was the onboard tracking in the HUD. As Mateo made his way deeper into the compound, Chuck began to scan the ocean near the docks. He wondered if their target would come by boat or helicopter. There was a large dock but also a helipad inside the gated compound. He kept scanning the ocean and the skies. He was grateful the tree he had chosen as his hide had a thick canopy cover that would keep him hidden from the air. Chuck noticed when Duke suddenly sat bolt upright with his head tilted to the side and tension in his stance. Duke looked up and then turned to meet Chuck’s eyes. Chuck rubbed his head gently. “Good boy.” He hit the transmit button in his HUD to send to his team. “Duke says we have incoming aircraft.”

Freya sits in her seat, a plate of ribs beside her which she slowly devours...in an almost sexual way as the briefing gets under way. If Athena is the true sec on legs of the siblings and Jamie is the chase child who doesn't realize he's hot, that means Freya is right in the middle, maybe, all depends how she feels that day maybe. Certainly by the fact she's eatting these ribs in the most innocently lewd way she can. Maybe she's just trying to throw Skye off, or make the play back of the recordings of the briefing be extremely uncomfortable to watch. Who knows?

As the briefing goes Freya slowly starts to sit up straighter, as something comes to her. Skye is speaking of something very near and dear to her heart! She cleans herself up and waits, then squees and leaps to her feet, "You got my Mums permission? Oh my gods I hope she has the one she prepared for me! It has a custom paint scheme!" She giggles and jumps up and down, bobbing in all the right places.

Yeah she might be doing it a little on purpose.

With the briefing over she'd rushed off to go and get suited up, oh gracious it'd be nice to get back into the skies.



Freya is getting her harness in just the right way.

"It's important my Thrud."

She can hear the voice in her head, a nickname her dad use sometimes. And was always interesting to be likened to the daughter of Thor. Maybe that's how she got her love for hammers. She hums. And keeps working.

"There's a certain amount of trust, it's true, but it's always important to check and recheck yourself. These things can be tricky."

And that's her moms voice, about the first time she took them all up, Jamie, Athena and her up on one of these things. They were young, teens yet, and not quite sure where they wanted to go. But a trip up on the suit her mother had upgraded and babied. And her and Athena had been hooked. Helped her aunties Antoine and Svetlana absolutely loved them too. Several strong ladies who adored this method of travel, it really helped to get it into her head. She smiled over at Sam, "Hey girl, just give me a second here, these harnesses are tricky. And then...I gotta climb inside it." She giggles a little. And tippy toe dances abit, "It's been a fair bit Sam, getting into this." She finally rights the harness and attaches all the clasps, "Okay...help me get it." And starts to climb into the suit.

She steps carefully up, and has to shimmy and slide and slip, stopping several times, and with Sam's help get into position. Part way calling, "Nearly in position for Gas Up!" She shouts. Then swears softly, "My foot is caught on an internal line..." She wiggles and moves, face twisted in a look of concentration, "Maybe if I...oh don't wanna break it...hang on..." She shifts then smiles, "Ah there." Then squeezes the rest of the way in, "Okay...ground wires attached!" She nods, "Sam attached the inflation lines. Time to get big." She giggles happily.

It takes about 30 minutes.

And soon the suit is near fully inflated, a matte grey with silver lines and wires, the propulsion engines whirring as they calibrate. Pulling attention though while on the ground...

On the right rear cheek of the suit the Norwegian Flag, a tribute to her Dad, Freya being somewhat of a daddy's girl. But it's the left cheek, with the graphic of a big kissy emote, as if to say, "Kiss my Ass" to everyone who can see it.

Frigga shifts and nods, "Inflation 90%, gonna hold on the last 10% until we're ready to go. Already getting hard to stay on the ground even with the grounding wires. You're chariot is ready to go folks." The giant in a balloon suit grins, reclining in it almost casually.

As Chuck knocked, Skye simply gave her usual, stern and expectant response, like a good schoolteacher, or you know, the team leader of a multinational, multi-faceted team of diverse specialists fighting difficult to identify terror cells.
"Come in." Skye called, as the door opened, and the floorboards felt the weight of Chuck, and the excitable yet disciplined, large Belgian Mallnois following him in. The kind of dog that Skye had no doubt had a bond to Chuck thicker than blood, and the cute ears to boot.

"Chuck Simmons. As I live and breathe. A pleasure to meet you too. Don't worry about too much formality. You're here because you passed the test, and are one of the best in what you do, so you're at ease." Skye moved around, making that initial introduction, and taking the formality out of the air, as she would for any new member.

"There are a lot of questions I am sure you have. I'm Skye Lyons, former Major, British Intelligence and Marine SF. You Marine Raider boys are rather good. I worked a lot with the Yank teams, saw the work your lot did first hand. Means I know what your breaking points are, and that they're rather hard to find. It's also why you're here, and your reputation precedes you. I can imagine you're wondering why mine doesn't. This has been my work for the last few years, and as part of that, I've been dealing with an organisation the likes of which is a serious, prominent threat to not our way of life, but our very world itself. So discretion is preferred, I suppose." Skye responded, shutting her laptop, and with a stand, coming around the table and offering a hand to shake, professional, and yet for a second as she saw Duke, letting that slide.

"And who is the good boy you brought? Oh, he is handsome, what a fine little soldier he is! Duke, right?" Skye chuckled, the rare break that the Scot would have, as she approached the large Mallinois and knowing a service dog would be loyal, but would understand that well, Skye was a friend! With a gentle brush across his ears and the side, she could get the feel of him, the underlying power and . She always wished she could keep a canine companion with her off-duty, but given the nature of their jobs, it was just too risky. Yet Duke was integral to any bomb specialist, a vital, critical even member to help get the job done and well, had his own charm about him. The feeling that this dog could happily munch someone came through, albeit right now, was happily enjoying the attention.

"You know how to win me over, Chuck. Good to have you on the team." Skye stood, as she walked back around the table, pulling a file that was on the desk and sliding it across. Her Scots accent contrasted his Southern drawl, a chipper, refined husk with a sultry undertone to it making Skye's words hang with the poise of an arrowhead.

"Papers for your gear, armour, weaponry, and Duke's kennel too. Room allocation, keys, you name it. Welcome to Kaitiaki. Freya, our other heavy can probably tell you herself, but the giants of the team have their own gym, armoury and tooling station for you know, your sort of thing. The base is lightly secured but has biometrics, so they are keyed to what you provided, and there's a lot of green space out here, and nobody else at all. There's a briefing note on there if you have any questions, and feel free to hit Tahlia, our logistics lead, if you need anything. She'll even source the food for Duke's diet." Skye added, the dog coming back into frame, as she sat back down, the towering presence of Chuck in the room making everything feel small, yet Skye had been enough around this sort of operative to know what was going on.

Yet people like Chuck didn't walk or fight, they dominated, careered and overwhelmed. The bigger they were the harder they fell sure, but they also hit like a freight train on feet. Chuck was no exception, and Skye was glad to have another heavy on the team.

"We'll be getting to work on getting some pest control soon. For now, settle yourself in, and get things as you need them. We'll be deploying within 24 hours, so be ready." Skye added, before he left, making one last comment.

"Good to see you in one piece. I know it's hard to get back on the horse. But you'll do rather fine here I think, Boomer."

---

Isla Langosta / Lobster Island, Colombia

Fireteam Piranha

Tahlia watched as the helicopter took in its orbit, the Eurocopter H175 coming in over the treeline, and with a rhythmic thud, pounding the trees and jungle. Attention like this wasn't good, but then again, the team was absolutely expecting this to happen. Tahlia wanted it even more if anything, to start getting to work on sniping.

"Eyes on chopper. Jaguar, recommend you keep an eye on who's on board. That may be our VIP. While we've got the noise, I'm going to start thinning guards in the compound. Buy you a bit of time once you start infiltrating the lodges, and the noise will mask any obvious movements."

Adjusting her profile, she picked up the guards in the tower.

"Boomer, Jaguar, two tangos up in the guard tower to your direct 12 O'Clock. They're mine. Bodies should drop inside." With it, Tahlia adjusted the scope, and checking windage on the little device next to her, took a ballpark of the wind further along, using grass, flags and anything else blowing in the wind. It was parallel, which was lovely. Because she had a long shot to make, and well, with a slight adjustment of the scope, she had her marks set straight on the guard.

With a pull of the trigger and an exhale, Tahlia fired the first round in what felt like a lifetime. And the kick of the stock into her shoulder reinforced that somewhat, watching as within half a second, the round had coiled to the left, and with a satisfying plink, hit the Cartel guard straight through the side of the head, and flown out the other side, slamming him into the side of the tower he was in and completely out of things.

The end of the long breath and the bolt was pulled up, back, forward and down, Tahlia rhythmic in how she operated the sniper's mechanisms, her nerves settled down and her back. The other guard was facing the other way and the shot had been masked by both the silencer and helicopter noise, but even more conveniently, he was barely half a degree of turn of the barrel to his head. And with that, Tahlia repeated the act, pulling the trigger once again, and with barely a blink, clattering the man inside the little hut of the tower, disappearing him right there, right then.
"Clear to move. Chopper is landing."

-----

The helicopter landed in the compound, the grassy floor being blasted by the helicopter's blades as the doors opened and a team of highly armoured, highly armed and serious looking mercs clambered out, followed by a white-haired, older individual, who must. He was on his own, but he wouldn't be for long. He wore a tan-coloured suit, and clearly, looked like he was here as the contact Skye had talked about. The VIP himself, and a small group of cartel guards came out, escorting him into the compound, and further inside towards the lodges and amenities.

"Oracle, I have ID on the possible VIP. Sending via link." Tahlia called out, using a separate device on the side of the sniper's scope to pull footage of the character out of the helicopter,

"Affirmative, Taniwha." The comm went silent for a moment as Oracle ran it back, likely via Raf, and then, back to the Kiwi sniper, who had gotten the look in.

"We have no responses back. We're blind on him. He's had a lot of plastic surgery, or the guy is a complete ghost to even our network."

"Well, shit. Jaguar, we might need some clues out of him. See if you can figure out what he's up to. And what the hell is going on." Watching on, she held her finger from the trigger, knowing Jaguar had a lot of objectives to follow. The sample, intel, Thiago, and this VIP. A fairly busy day in the office, but then again, Skye wouldn't have done this without knowing his skills and the support, Tahlia guessed. Likely things would go loud sooner rather than later, but the spring was being pulled in, and when the time was right, it was getting released as a hell of a bang.

---

Somewhere near Mirador Serrano Glacier, Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Fireteam Condor

If ever there was a moment that even the former Foreign Legion pilot couldn't believe his eyes, it would be around now.

"Mon dieu...." Vincent simply called out, watching the suit inflate at rapid pace of all the parts of it that made it what it was, and the armoured Freya clambering inside and then suddenly being buffeted up into position making it just quite something to watch. It wasn't like Freya was just attached to a giant bag of helium, it looked much more like she was almost within, cocooned yet still able to stick out and keep some control. There was nothing quite like this, and no sense at all like it either.

"Quite something, eh?" Skye remarked, looking across to the FFL pilot, checking her MCX, tilting the rifle and checking the bolt, like an absolute fucking gangster, cycling a bullet out and flicking it out and into a holster. With a wry chuckle, she knew this was going on, as the towering presence of Freya got bigger, and bigger, and even bigger. A little stressed under the pressure, but then again, plenty of PSI in was going to do that and the unorthodox method was making it something.

"Indeed. Fair travels. Need any assistance?" Vincent asked, as he watched the suit's reflection grow onto the lake, and the hoses sticking into the thing pump and pump away, straining the rubber-like material further and further, and yet unstoppable.

"Yep, that mechanism there, the handle. Get ready to hit it. That pulses the cables from the magnetic attachments on it, and the suit should seal as soon as the line falls out of it when it goes up fast. If not....you know what happens to a balloon when you don't tie it up after you pump it up?" Skye pointed with her gloved hand, the black, red and blue composite following the fatigues she wore, the Scot's red and blue a contrast that played out again there, as it always did. She put the exo into a passive mode, saving energy and the need to carry, and the whole thing felt heavy once again, requiring a bit of work to move, at least for the moment. She checked her harness around her hips, and the quickdraw attached to it, a shock-absorber with a karabiner that would clip into the latch point right on the suit's rear.

"Oui, it gets messy. Ok, ready when you are." Vincent replied, getting ready by the handle, the grey mass blocking out the remaining sun from his view, and well, quite possibly the most impressive set of thighs he'd ever seen.

With the cables anchoring it to the floor, the suit wanted to pull away, but likely the armoured Freya was the only thing stopping it from going to Pluto right now. It was as good a chance as Skye was going to get to harness in, as she clambered up a piece of tactical webbing on Freya's inside leg, and with a swing of her quickdraw, linked it onto an attachment point right above the crest of her right...uhhh, butt cheek? it was good timing too, as the inflation of the suit itself was now bringing the legs and rest of it up, and with it, Skye was pulled off the floor, looking across to Sam, who in no doubt, was probably terrified yet thrilled for this experience. The Scot had the view of the Norwegian flag, and likely than not. Unashamedly, the view was majestic, in every angle close and far, of mountains and the two right in front of Skye.

As the suit nearly hit the full beans, Skye could tell they were ready to go- and on Freya's command, would go. Skye called across to Vincent once she did, looking down as he set himself up by the spider-like silver cabling that extended from a make-shift ground anchor of roots, tanks and a large boulders on the beach.

"Okay, Vincent, hit it!"

With that, Vincent hit the release attached to the cabling, the magnetic cabling detaching gracefully and suddenly, the duo attached to Freya's large rear end went up fast with her. The pipe trailed, then suddenly, severed out of the suit with a loud pop, the suit sealing as the latched pressure expelled it and sounded like a quiet crack of sorts. Unlike a helicopter or plane, even a hot air balloon on full burn, it was completely, totally silent. The quiet hum of the fan-replacing propulsion units mounted strategically across the suit was the only real vibration, apart from the gentle breeze, and well, the sound of rubber and Freya inside jostling around, the material gently bending under pressure in and out. Skye whooped, and looked across to Sam, the ecstasy on the blue-faced redhead now really charming. She didn't realise it, but her paint was leaving a mark on Freya's rear, even if so subtle.

"Okay...we all good? Woo....this is incredible!" The fact Skye could talk like she was inside a room, and yet they were climbing fast making it clear. It would run out, but then again, that was what the propulsion elements were for- to just get them over that last little bit, and get carried silently on wind as much as possible from there.

"Right....Frigga, airship captain, giant inflated Norwegian bum I'm riding right now, mind turning us 20 degrees and onto the AR route? And no, you can't use those spires as a slalom, or a....ah, forget it." Skye pinged that across, knowing that likely, the suit would be under strain- it was heavily loaded after all, and with two passengers and a small compartment of equipment on Freya's back, would struggle to do so without the propulsive kit. Wind would help them pass over the Patagonian spires, and into the night sky, completely without trace. As such, a vague route would exist for Freya's HUD, well, if she wasn't enjoying it with her helmet off that was.

Given how large it was, Skye could almost anchor her feet and hands on the tilting suit using the slick and low-profile cargo webbing across it's surface, the harness and quickdraw keeping her not too far from a central point if it turned in angle, yet able to lean to atop Freya's lower back like a champ as it was right now. Given how it was setup, the suit was lacking the "head" of the heavy, but for the most part, resembled her to a degree, and well, all in was as ridiculous as could be. Then again, she expected nothing less from Freya's mother, who was as ostentatious as mercs got. Skye had business to get to, that was, at least reporting in they were out and on the way.

"Oracle, this is Queen, we are airborne and uhh...on a magic carpet ride out from the RV."

"Affirmative, Queen....don't lose track of the objective. Whatever insanity you have. Call up on comms when you've cleared the base and are on exfil. Long range radio signals are minimal here, let's keep it down for operational security."

"Roger, over and out Oracle."

As they ascended, the view was simply jaw-dropping. The orange glow of the sky had turned to pink, and slowly, was turning a darker and darker shade of crimson, and then, navy blue, to black. The spire-like mountains, and reflective, endless sea of blue-white ice, jagged and fractured littered the landscape, and in way that could only be breath-taking, shimmering and deep, continuous yet ending with the lake that they had left, a long, long way down.

"Hell of a way to share it up here with you two. Have to admit, I can see why your mother liked this so much, Freya. Should get us to the target silently too."

Sam had carefully laid out the inflation lines and double checked all the connections for safety. She couldn’t help a grin at how happy Freya was at getting to use this suit. Sam was excited but also a little nervous. She trusted Freya but she liked to be the one in control in the skies. It just worked for her inner adrenaline junkie. This op felt more like a tandem skydiving jump. She shook her head laughing as she helped the excitable Freya into the suit. She attached the inflation lines and turned all the lines on full. She then strapped herself into her harness. As the suit began to fill, she went to stand behind Freya. She secured her harness to the clips on Freya’s harness. The harnesses were designed to hold her and Skye but to redistribute the weight evenly and allow Freya as much freedom of movement as they could while not blocking any functions for her.

Skye and Sam were harnessed in as Freya began to float on her tiptoes. She was glad that Skye had the butt cheek with the Norwegian Flag. She couldn’t help a laugh at how they were sneaking into the enemy stronghold. “You know Freya. This is a first for me. I never thought I would ride my teammates' tush to sneak into a secret highly secured facility. Your tush is quite bodacious as I am sure you are aware.” She smirked with mischief lighting up her eyes. She grinned at the sight they must make. She shifted to make sure she could control her weapons. She made sure the safety was on. She didn’t want anything to get bumped while they were in the air. She was grateful for her tactical armor and helmet. The onboard climate control system would keep her from freezing in the very cold climate which would just get colder the higher they drifted. Her new helmet visor had smart glass and was set so clear at the moment so that her teammates could see her face. She gave Freya a cheeky grin as she told her “I am sure this is going to be fun!”

Sam and Skye had made their last minute adjustments and had already lifted off the ground as the suit reached capacity. Skye gave Vincent the instructions to release the magnetic anchoring lines and they all rose rapidly. She looked around as they rose. The view was spectacular. Icy mountain peaks, the fading light glinted off the lake below. Then darkness fell and the landscape was dark navy blues with hints of snow and ice here and there. She sighed as the stars were bright above them in a clear sky. “It is absolutely beautiful up here. I don’t think I have ever seen a sky so clear or with so many stars.” She chuckled as Skye expressed some of what she was feeling. “It is certainly an unconventional way to travel, but it certainly has its charms. You know this was used during the US Civil War. The armies would send a spotter up in a hot air balloon to spy on enemy lines using a telescope.”

She could feel the winds picking up as they neared the peaks. She frowned as they headed towards the spires. “We might experience some gusts near the peaks. The topography between the peaks might act like the wind tunnel effect you get between skyscrapers in a city.” She should have thought of that sooner. She had confidence that the jets in the suit would help them navigate between the peaks. They might even pick up some speed. “Skye, how stealthy do you want us to be? Is the goal to get in, get the info and get out? Or is the goal to wreck the place, and get out?”

---

Chuck had stood at ease as he met the team’s leader for the first time. He had heard stories and rumors about Skye Lyons. He had asked through his network in the US military. All any of them had heard about her were vague rumors and that she was a highly competent ghost operative. She was spoken of with respect and a touch of unease. When he had been invited to join Raven Squad he had done his homework. He was a man of integrity and honor and he had oaths to live up to. He would not leave the Marine Corps for mercenary black ops that might put those oaths in jeopardy. What he had found was an organization that seemed to have ties to numerous militaries around the world but yet operated independently. He was okay with that as long as the operations were for the greater good. His research had indicated that he could trust that they would be. That worked for him because he could no longer in good conscience send men into battle under questionable orders from the Marine Corps. He was a man built to serve and protect. It was a family legacy and part of his DNA. Raven Squad would allow him to continue to do so with his canine companion at his side.

Chuck was amused at Skye’s greeting. His lips curved into a lazily grin. “Well Ma'am, I am very flattered at such a warm greeting.” He nodded acknowledgement of her compliment at passing the test and being one of the best. His amusement came from the fact that she thought he was being formal. He was standing at parade rest and had not snapped her a salute like he would have a commanding officer from the Marine Corps. He was just using the manners his beloved mother had beat into him when he was growing up. She would serve his liver for dinner if he didn’t treat a woman with the utmost respect.

Chuck was pulled back to the fact that he was indeed reporting to his new commanding officer as she continued. He gave her his full attention as she continued. His face settled into more serious lines as she continued. He did have to admit that getting any information on her had been difficult and none of it could be substantiated as more than rumor. She spoke of a serious threat to their world. “That is why I am here Ma’am. I can no longer stomach sending good men to their deaths to line the pockets of some hidden political agenda or powermonger. I am hoping I can put my skills to use here and still protect what I hold most dear.” Protecting those he held most dear was what was most important to him. His answer was formal but she was speaking of things that struck to the very heart of the man before her. His deep baritone voice with its southern drawl softened the formality of his words.

He looked amused as Skye seemed to fall under Duke’s charm immediately. She noticed Duke and paid attention to him as she came around the desk. Chuck grinned and nodded as he gave Duke the hand sign to let him know that he could greet Skye. “Yes, this is Duke. He ain't any trouble. He is very well trained.” Duke’s tail wagged harder with excitement as Skye spoke to him. He barked at Skye as if he could understand what she was saying to him and agreed. Chuck laughed at Duke’s antics. Duke leaned into Skye’s touch seeking more attention. “Well boss, you pass the test. Duke likes you. He is a very good judge of character.” He was quite serious. If Duke had not liked her, he would have given this a test run but not felt confident in her leadership. He laughed when her comments mirrored his own. “Thanks boss. I think I am going to like it here.”

Skye had returned to business as she went back to her desk. She passed him a stack of papers, a map of the base, his room keys, and information he needed to know. “Duke will stay with me most of the time. He doesn’t like being cooped up in the kennel. I hope that is okay. I will only put him in the kennel when necessary.” He had issues with this in the past due to military doctrine and policies. He preferred to have the canine close as well. “As you can see he is well behaved and friendly. It helps to keep our bond and he is more useful when he is free to move around.” It kept the canine’s skills sharp. It also kept him from getting bored and into mischief. He made a mental note to check out the armory and their gear. He smiled eagerly at the mention of green space and it only being them on the island. Him and Duke would go for a run in the morning to get acquainted with their new home away from home. He made a mental note to get together with Tahlia about having Duke’s needs met. She could arrange for his food and vet check ups.

His mind had been on what he needed to do next when Skye once more brought his attention back to her. “Understood Ma’am. I look forward to helping your team. Duke and I will be ready.” He had turned to go with a wave when she told him she thought he would do well here. “I believe we will fit in just fine.” He nodded to her as he and Duke left to go find their room first and then Tahlia.

---




Boomer watched as the helicopter came into land. His HUD zoomed in on the helicopter. He whistled appreciatively. “That has to be your VIP. Those copters are not cheap or easy to get ahold of.” Boomer sent his video stream back to headquarters over the secure uplink. Duke stiffened next to him and tilted his head. Boomer focused on Duke and relaxed once he did. He had learned to pay attention to his dog. Duke had better hearing and smell and usually spotted trouble faster than he did. Boomer listened to Tahlia's report over the com. He turned his head towards the guard tower she indicated. He quietly voiced over coms “Boomer confirms 2 down in the tower.” He listened as Taniwa reported to HQ about the VIP target.

Boomer sighed as he waited for Jaguar to give him the greenlight to raise hell. The hardest part of any op was waiting for action. Duke stiffened and came to his feet. Boomer came to full alert. He gave Duke the hand sign to seek. Duke took off running. Boomer took off after him moving as quietly as his tall form could. He moved at a fast bent kneed walk that kept his firing arc smooth. He was tall enough to keep up with Duke without breaking into a full on run. He reported over the team coms. “Boomer and Duke have contact to the rear of the compound. In stealth pursuit.” Boomer had a silencer on his gun. Duke slowed down and sat and looked ahead. Boomer knew that he was indicating people ahead. He and Duke moved like the well oiled team they were.

He released his gun as even with a silencer they were not completely silent. They were still several hundred yards away from the compound. He pulled a large combat knife from the sheath on his thigh. He crept up behind a two man patrol team. He put his hand over one the guard on the right’s mouth and locked the man in place with his large hand. He pulled the knife across his throat to silence him. As he was dealing with the guard on the right, Duke leapt onto the guard on the left. His weight carried the man to the ground. Duke was savaging the man’s neck. The man was screaming. He could only hope they were far enough away that no one heard him and that his coms were not a live line. He released the guard he had taken out and hurried to help Duke dispatch the one he was keeping pinned to the ground. He used the bloody knife to stop the man’s screams. The man gurgled as he took his last breath.

Boomer pulled the man’s coms off so he could listen to what was going on. He pulled off his helmet so he could hear what was being said. He listened to what was being said as he searched the bodies for more clues about the team. The men carried machetes in sheaths along their hip and were well used. They were dressed in worn fatigues and faded black shirts and combat boots. They had leather gun harnesses over their shirts. They were not wearing body armor. The men were both hispanic looking. His impression was low level guards and cannon fodder. It hadn’t taken much skill to bring them down. He was suddenly grateful for all the damn languages that the Marine Corps made him learn. He listened as the chatter on the guards' comlines was in Spanish. Boomer nodded as what he was hearing over the channel corresponded to what he had noticed of the two guards he had taken down. There was no alarm or stress in the voices he heard. The two guards had not been on an open com line. Extra guard patrols were being sent outside the compound now that their VIP had arrived. He grinned like a bluetick hound on the hunt as the person giving the guards their orders slipped up. Boomer hit his comm and reported to the team. “Be advised additional smaller patrols were sent outside the compound to patrol now that Spectre had arrived. I repeat chatter from guards confirming Spectre’s arrival and gave up a last name. He called him Seniore Gorski.They are armed but not armored. Duke and I took out a two man patrol. Basic skills and no body armor. Guns and knives.”

Freya looked left, right back over her shoulder then forwards to make sure everything is clear then giggled, "I've always wanted my very own helium rig. Mama knows her stuff." She slapped the flight helmet rig that would go under her armor helmet. Immediately hearing all the support and take off crew talking over the comms. She spoke clear into her mic, "Frigga calling in. Suit is finishing inflation, buoyancy at 90%. We're starting to rise." She checked her flight stick for the jets that would act as both propulsion and maneuvering, "Jets checking out, HUD 100% active." Frigga turned her head a few times back and forth then smiled as the satellite link synced, "Guidance system checks. Final inflation..." The helium suit reached its safe inflation limit. Frigga looked back"Passengers are secure..and..three..two..one...mark!" Vincent hit the switch to release the wires. And Freya eased the throttle on the jets up, for just a few moments they didn't move. Then the lighter then air gas did its thing the thrust from the jets pushing them into the air.

And soon they are in the air. Frigga opened the jets up abit more putting on somemore speed and lift getting them up to a cruising height. Then outting more power to thr jets and the team is soon aligned to their objective in the distance.

After a short bit Freya patches into Sam and Skye on the comms, "Copy on the no showboatting madam." She chuckled, "Now then, welcome to Frigga Airlines, this is a Frequent Flyer sponsored flight so if you have your card make sure it gets scanned. We'll be cruising just below radar height, not that any radar would pick this rig up as anything bigger then a bird. Emergency exits are easy to reach just unhook yourself and jump. There is no smoking on this flight but who am I to stop you?" Her laughter caused the comms to spike briefly.

Her big armored paw on the flight stick is light and sure as they near the peaks, she adjusted abit then spoke over the joint team and support channel, "Getting some tug from cross winds." One of the faceless support techs responding, "Madam Frigga adjust your heading 017 degrees right, it'll take you tight to one of the peaks, but should limit cross wind buffering." Frigga adjusted and scooted by the spire of rock and ice, "Good call there support continuing on mission." She reopened the jets and continued mov8ng the team.

Isla Langosta / Lobster Island, Colombia

Fireteam Piranha

Tahlia kept an eye on the encampment, seeing the trace of Mateo move, in cloaked but from her optic, his outline just about visible from her beady eye and the help of a thermal attachment on the sniper rifle. He voice clicked in, as she heard him get to work, cutting through the interior of the base like a ghost. Nobody ever saw him. And nobody would, because the silent Colombian didn't need to add much. Tahlia knew as much as she knew that on the other hand, Boomer and Duke were cleaning out sentries on the far side.

"Taniwha, Boomer, we have a problem. Eyes on Tejedor in compound, alone, Spectre has left for the next compound, looks like a lab and ecolodge. I'm going to need a distraction and can get the intel, and him too. Then leave me to it...you have Spectre and the drugs. I need this." The voice of Mateo carried on the comms, as Tahlia sighed.

"Affirmative, Jaguar. Don't lose your head. Looks like you're on, Boomer. I've pinged the location of the lab and the other buildings across the other side of the compound. Once you raise hell, that is it. Every gun, every RPG is on you and Jaguar can do his business. Remember, the more noise you make, the easier it is for Jaguar to do his business. I've always wanted to see what a heavy can do on a rampage, you have sniper cover from me." Tahlia replied, knowing the team had split objectives, but they would be able to get it done. It would be tricky with Jaguar dark, but Tahlia knew that was how he operated- he needed quiet, and right now, he had it. Boomer on the other hand, had to blow lots of shit up. A Heavy was not invincible, but holy shit, they would need a platoon, if not two to just stop him from turning the place into a tornado site. Spectre alive would be handy, but at this point, they needed to act quickly, or else lose them both.

----------

Somewhere near Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Fireteam Condor

And it felt like they were, right at the very end, the edge of nothingness, the black sky taking over from pink and orange sunset, and the rocky spires reflecting steadily less, less and less until the stars came out, and it was like an uninterrupted canvas. No moon either, but for lighting, that was good- just the void above and the complete darkness, and the occasional flex of the suit assisted by the pulse jets, and well, it was heavenly.
"Aye, It's beautiful, Chaos. No light pollution. Makes sense that they're here." Skye simply replied, grinning and giggling, enjoying this brief reprieve before the calm.

The darkness felt weird, given Skye was riding Frigga's rear in it, but well, she'd had weirder evenings out, just maybe not with the others of the squad.

"The only thing smoking on this flight is your rotund backside, Frigga. Steady as ever. Your flying, too. Get ready to cut comms once we're past this mountain. Fraid you'll have to pilot this thing alone. Any longwave radio signal after is going to be a risk, encrypted or not. We'll be on our own, until we decide we want to bring Vincent and his noise." Skye replied to their pilot with the same sarky grin she'd shared with Sam, well, the body really of the person they were hanging off of. Going past jagged peaks, and over the glaciers and mountain tops, they drifted quiet, silent and now in almost total darkness, the kind that eyes couldn't get used to. So down came the night vision goggles over Skye's eyes, the blue-tinged quad-optic combined with a clever set of magnifiers and extra tech that allowed her to patch into the network of Sam's helmet cam, Freya's, and no less the suit's even on demand.

It was almost half an hour of travel, and the dark had now swallowed the remaining light out, the cold biting in, and making every surface feel icy, frost forming in patches across the suit, and on Skye herself. Nobody said this was without pain. And while Sam's suit likely had some regulation, Skye was too spartan for that. Extra weight and all, so she made do with the insulation in her fatigues, knowing full well once they were moving. Pain was just something for the body to overcome, another reminder of pushing a biomechanical system to a limit she saw it as, and well, shivering meant it was doing its job. Most special forces warriors were pretty tough, but Skye just seemed to have almost this unmovable, unshakable ability to not let it tap into her. Like she could almost madidate her way through, an almost absurd thing.

But it was coming to a close, and they were nearly, nearly there, as Skye watched through the frontal camera mounted in Frigga's helium suit, seeing the white dome come into view on the night vision, and the large complex below of am observatory, outbuildings and the precipice it sat on.

"Target's in sight. There it is. An observatory at the end of the world, and probably containing the keys to it." Skye called on the comms to the team. This was it.



"Quite the place. Alright, I'll go through the plan again. Frigga gets us to the pinged waypoint, then she pops up onto that thin ridge ahead. Me and Chaos rappel down, and Frigga awaits us to clear the rest of the top two decks on overwatch, before following down from the suit herself and letting it head home. The base will mostly be asleep, but guards will be well equipped, and no doubt, pinned like a rat in a corner if they have to fight. We clear the surface, then we get inside the satellite control room and observatory dome, silently picking off anyone. Then we figure it out from there. Find a way to get the data we need on both all of Artemins, and all of what that system can do. If we're lucky, we go out quiet. If we don't, be ready to fight like hell."

Coming in silent onto the base itself, Skye had the chance to look across to Sam, the night-vision wearing, blue paint having, Scottish team leader mean in her prose. Skye made no bones- she chose practicality every time over form, and whilst not having as sleek and clean a set of equipment as Sam, she looked like a cross of a special forces operator with ultra-gucci gear and her exoskeleton and a Pictish warrior, red hair, blue paint contrasting and the look of absolute fear coming off her body language. Skye was a kind, caring, lovely person, but all of that evaporated when out on mission. There was this almost chilling lack of empathy, the blue light reflecting off her night vision onto her eyes up this close and a fierce, hardened look.

"Alright. I'll take lead, Chaos. Nicely piloted, Frigga, your arse is bare cold now though. Now it's our turn for a show." Skye added, slapping the cheek of Freya's helium suit, and with a gentle check over her rope, let it roll through her hands, sliding off the cheek and down her leg to almost the "foot", well, a little bit further so she was at least clear of the suit somewhat. The view from below looking up was quite....well, it was blocking out her view of the stars, but that wasn't the main attraction, at least, the two men that could spot them was. Freya's piloting was bringing them in close, as Skye saw a couple of guards on the top terrace of the observatory, on an observation deck of some sorts, the kind that were high in the platform itself. There was a whole mess of tunnels below the actual building, but this bit needed to be quickly cleaned out before they went inside.

"Two tangoes, top deck. Nice and easy, Frigga. All mine." Skye retorted with a cold breath, a slight swing backward allowing her to line up her breath, and with it, raising her SIG into position, tapping a couple of times, the rounds clipping both the guards with precision, Skye's handling of the rifle like it was a pellet gun rather than a heavily-pimped battle rifle.
"Clear. Alright, let's get to work. With me, Chaos. Should need a little less thrust now, Frigga, weight's about to shift big time." Skye made short work, as she pulled down on her belay, rappelling down further from off the suit, and coming down with a gentle thump, landing on the tiny rocky ridge that led to the observatory itself. It was about maybe six feet wide, if that, and had a sheer, total vertical drop either side.

"Steady in, Chaos. You have point. If you think we need to split, call it and take your route. Remember, we're clearing Frigga a landing here. So drop anyone you see, quietly and by any means needed. If we go loud straight away, we'll make the odds worse." Skye added, right behind Sam now and with a trusting look. She believed in the American, trusted fully. Knew while this was the dirty end of the job, it had to be done, and hopefully, at the end of this, they'd have some answers, much as the other fireteam would.

Samantha rolled her eyes as Freya began her frequent flier spiel. Samantha was thinking if she wanted her to swipe a card she should have told her that before she had put on the jumpsuit and all the harnesses that strapped her onto Freya’s backside as a passenger. It was beautiful and serene up this high. She was grateful for her suit which kept her from things like hypothermia and frostbite. Sam was right as she overheard Frigga reporting cross winds to control. Samantha found herself struggling to keep quiet. She found it hard to relax as she knew they would be hitting the ground running and gunning soon. She knew they were trying to sneak in quietly, get as much intel as they could, and get out without being seen. One of things she needed to do was help get Freya on the ground so she could join them. She clutched the harness reflexively with her hands as the cross winds caught her and made her sway against Frigga’s backside. She giggled as she bounced off Freya inflated derriere due to the wind.

Freya deftly threaded through the mountain peaks. Their speed increased as the buffeting from the crosswinds decreased. The observatory came into sight like a beacon in the night. It was dusted with snow that reflected what little light was generated by the exterior lights on the compound. There were multiple outbuildings, a guard tower, satellite dishes, and of course the dome of the observatory itself. She could see large tunnel openings on the side of the compound. Some had vehicles and equipment in them obviously being used as garages and staging areas. It made sense the alcove like openings were protected from the worst of the elements. Samantha worked with her AI using infrared cameras to pick out and locate guards around the complex. She grinned as she told Freya “Thanks for the lift Frigga!”

She listened as Skye filled them both on the plan once more. Tension held her rigid as Skye called the first two targets hers. She relaxed as Skye easily made the shots and the guards dropped. She sent her HUD display to both team members. The AI had highlighted where the guards were on infrared imagery. They stood out in red and orange hues against the cool blue and greens backdrop from the frigid temperatures outdoors. The exhaust pipes on the observatory showed up as a plume of orange and red smoke on the infrared. “Skye there are guards in pairs roaming the perimeter and there are 4 in the guard tower. You take the guard tower and I will take the roaming guards. You go left and I will go right and take out the guards down the side of the observatory.” She got down to business as she carefully checked the rappel lines. She then carefully lowered herself till she was past Frigga’s bodacious self and then rapidly dropped to the ridge.

She quickly detached herself from the rigging and took off at a sprint. She pulled throwing knives from the bandolier around her ribcage. She threw the knives and they landed with pinpoint accuracy in the throat, dropping the guards with them unable to send up the alarm. Sam used parkour moves to navigate around the vehicles and equipment stored in the covered alcove entrances under the observatory. Sam was moving fast and had already dropped 4 guards without sounding the alarm. She noted a winch on the front of an all terrain vehicle and grinned. She knew how they would get Freya down once they cleared the area. Sam moved like a well oiled machine threading a needle. She was moving fast enough and quietly enough to drop guards without raising an alarm.

These guards obviously didn’t think this facility would ever be attacked. So far they had all been lazy and unattentive. She had taken out 6 guards and that seemed to be all the guards on this lower ridge level that had opened up into the road that led up to the observatory from the bottom of the mountain. She climbed up a staircase next to one of the alcove entrances that led to the terrace level of the observatory where the outbuildings were and the guard tower. She paused at the top to check on Skye and to see if any of the guards had noticed anything before moving onward. “I am about to head up to the main level of the observatory. There was a winch on an all terrain vehicle in one of the tunnel alcove openings beneath the observatory. We could use that to help secure Frigga on the ground so she can join us once we clear the upper guards.”

Boomer reported what was happening where he was as he continued to listen to the guards coms. Live intel on your target without them being aware of it was always good intel. Boomer grinned as there was no indication that his team had yet been noticed or compromised. He took a minute to check over Duke. He had some blood on his muzzle but seemed unharmed. He gave him a careful pat on the head. “Good boy Duke!” He praised his dog for doing what he was trained for. He knew that things would start to move quickly now that contact had been made with the enemy. The guards reported Tejedor was in a bad mood after being summarily dismissed by Spectre. Guards were warning that the big boss was in a temper. They had all pulled back giving their boss some space. Chuck snorted a little in disgust. He could tell these were guards that worked for a criminal they had really bad communication discipline. No military or mercenary group would allow such sloppy discipline which compromised operational security. He admitted that this worked in their favor.

Chuck frowned as he heard Jaguar’s message. He sighed but he understood that the man was fighting for his own piece of justice. That was something Chuck understood. “Jaguar be advised that guard chatter says that Tejedor is pissed off at how he was being treated by Spectre. The guards have pulled back from Tejedor because they don’t want to be his next victim. You should have an easier time getting to him without letting him know you're there. God speed Jaguar.”

Chuck turned his focus to Taniwah’s message. He began going over Duke’s armor. He wanted his companion to be as protected as possible. He checked his own armor. He put his helmet back on but kept the guards coms in one ear so he could still hear what they were saying to each other. He quickly went over his armor and made sure he had everything ready to go and buttoned up tight. He double checked his heading and where he needed to be on the map. The explosives he had planted were on the side of the compound where Spectre was headed. He would wait to set those off. He would try to draw people towards him first. He would use the explosions to the rear to disorient them once he had them focused on him.

“Aww I thought you would never ask Taniwah. I will give you the best fireworks show you ever saw! Boomer’s pest control is on the job.” He grinned and looked at his partner. “Time to hunt Duke. Keep up buddy and stay safe.” Boomer looked intensely at him and he could tell from the tension in his body that he was ready to spring into action.

Boomer grabbed the two machetes with a wicked smile. He would give them a show all right. It was time to give these criminal asshats a reason to fear others. He hoped that they were prepared to meet their maker. Boomer had a lot of pent up frustration and anger over what happened to his team to work out. This was the perfect operation for that. Boomer and Chuck took off at a sprint for the front of the compound to draw guards and attention away from Jaguar’s position.

Another two man patrol appeared in his path. He threw the machete at one guard and used the other to decapitate the guard on the right as he ran by. Duke was staying by his side. He grinned as he cleared the forest and took to the main road. He needed to be visible and loud. He gave Duke the hand sign to go hunt and attack. The dog was trained to attack targets of convenience. He would slink into the shadows and take guards unaware from height or from the side. He would kill or incapacitate them and move on.

Boomer was moving fast for such a big guy. He might be a giant but he could be stealthy but not in his armor. His armor was heavy and meant to take a beating. It didn’t sound like a freight train coming through but it was not silent either. The weight of his armor with him in it made loud thudding noises as he ran. He laughed at the look of shock on the gate guards faces as they saw him running towards them. They were yelling they were under attack as they began firing at him. He dodged and ran a zig zag pattern to make it harder for them to hit him. He lifted his carbine and began to shoot back. It was clear that Boomer had better accuracy than the guards. His gun spoke and he quickly began dropping guards. He had his gun set for semi-automatic. He didn’t need to spray bullets to hit what he needed. He was aiming for heads and chests. As he approached the gate, one guard said something nasty about his mother in Spanish. Chuck turned to him and put the machete through his skull. He left the guard hanging by the machete nailed to the gate post. “Nobody talks about my mama like that!”

Boomer was satisfied to hear that the guards were mobilized to deal with an unknown threat at the main gate. He had cleared the guards that had been at the main gate. He stopped to apply explosives to the main gate. He whistled for Duke because he wanted him to be out of the way before he blew the main gate to create an entrance into the compound for himself. He slapped the c-4 on the center of the gate and put the detonator in. He backed away the required distance and ducked behind the compound wall. He covered Duke with his body as he turned his back to the explosion and hit the detonate trigger in his HUD. The gate gave a satisfactory fireball and debris field. He grinned as he had timed it so that the frontline of guards coming to provide support from the interior of the compound were caught in the debris field.

He grinned and gave Duke the hunt sign again. He charged through the now open gate. He brought his carbine up again and began moving into the compound. He used his carbine on close targets and began to lob grenades into the guards running in groups at the rear towards him. He saw some automated gun emplacements pop up. He laughed, “And here is a grenade for you and one for you, and one for you.” The grenades hit the automatic machine gun emplacements and set off the ammo in them, taking out guards who were hiding behind them. Explosions lit up the main compound as Chuck waged a one man war of death against the drug lord’s men. “How is the show so far Taniwah?” Chuck’s armor had taken multiple hits but so far it had been from low caliber pistols and rifles. The armor shrugged off the lightweight stuff like being hit with a handful of BB’s. Nothing heavy enough to challenge his armor.

A steady hand on the control stick brought them in over the cliff top base.

A slight push and twist, and they came in over the pinged location.

She licked her lips and settled in. Hovering there above the ground, gazing down at the mountain side, "Careful now kids. I'll remain in a holding position until you guys are ready." She steadied the rig as Chaos and Skye prepared to repel. She held still the jets spinning abit keeping position, "Ahhh I see them. Hold on. Okay...when you're ready boss lady." The clack of the silenced weapon took out both guards. And Frigga finished the descent to the repel point.

With a big smile she whispered into the comms, "And thank you for flying Air Frigga, I'm going to pull back about 100 meters, and above the cliff edge, to stay out of sight, I have a few silenced weapons on me this time around, but they won't do much at range like this. I'll also be able to keep a kind of general overwatch" The pull as the pair slid down the ropes caused the jets to flare briefly, then she called, "Recycling lines. Be careful girls!" The repel lines whirring back up into the holders.

With a soft hiss of the jets the large rear whisked up, and around, hiding out of sight, but able to keep an eye on the moving of the team.

She waited and watched then gasped, buzzing out from hiding.

A pair of guards had come out from inside and were behind the pair on the ground. Coming up behind them but not able to see them. Frigga's voice harsh on the comms, "Both of you freeze!" Seeing them both stop at the words, and seeing them turning, they saw the gaurds, but the guards had no time to see them. A paired Whumps. And two aluminum throwing axes catch the guards high in the throat for one of them and the other having severed his spine about mid back. No time to even scream as a pair of whistles, as Frigga floated up just off the railing, a gas operated dart gun having needled the both of the prone guards, "Sorry about that. Someone mark those axes, I don't want to leave them behind. Keep going."

The large ballon girl floated and kept pace with the team now, keeping an eye but doing her best to stay out of sight as well, she's a huge target. As they cleared the lower outer area she buzzed up towards where Chaos had said she might have seen that winch had been, she peered in, "Hey that could work, and there's room in there to stash the suit, and I think some gas canisters in case we want to use the suit to get out."

The big bootied babe motors along to catch up to the team, "I'm going to lose ability to provide air cover once you guys going into the upper area, so if you want me to join you, now is the time." She eeps as a gust of wind almost sends her spinning, "It's getting kinda cold out here can I come inside?" Big ol' Frigga sounding hopeful.

Isla Langosta / Lobster Island, Colombia

Fireteam Piranha

The explosions and violence was quite something, Tahlia glad to be enjoying it from afar, the sight of Boomer blowing shit up and decapitating folks left right and centre quite a delight. Chuck didn't need a big machine gun or flamethrower to raise hell, he just blowed stuff up, and made himself clear to be a terrifying, overwhelming centre of attention.

"Copy. Remind me not to chat shit about your mum." Tahlia replied quietly, the noise that he was making drowning it out. She picked up a couple of guards, and with a pick, dispatched them out, eliminating them before they could focus fire on Chuck's side, clattering them with a satisfying drop. So far, so easy, the near invisible Kiwi in the bush getting the job done, like she always did. She didn't miss her marks. That was too much a hunter's instinct, there were no wolves in Aotearoa but there were big buck deers and well, you wanted a clean hide. Working on a farm had taught her that, and well, it came through right here she'd have her quarry clean.

"Shit, eyes on Spectre. Boomer, I got eyes on the guy running inside the large lodge, looks like a reception of sorts, possibly to a safe room there. He's got some more serious protection nearby, I got guys with exos, and a lot more response. They certainly know you're there, they are going to throw everything at you. Throw it back, over!" Tahlia added, chambering another round, sniping another man on the lodge roof, clearing the mag and reloading, the sniper sending rounds down range like no tomorrow given the attention Boomer had on him. Men were dropping, but they had no idea from what angle, it would have seemed like an army was inbound, yet it was one guy and his dog ripping shit apart.

With it, Tahlia prepared herself, seeing a few more sweep up, modern weapons and modern arms. If Boomer was going through the cartel guards like they were paper mache, even despite their numbers, this reinforcement was going to throw a hammer back at him. Just the way he would like it, apart from the large armoured pyro that had emerged, just under seven foot and head to toe in heavy armour, the kind that would rival Boomer's albeit being a little more primitive. He wouldn't have much chance at getting through Boomer, but well, fire was always unexpected as mercs with exos moved around him. Tahlia clattered one in midair, sniping him out of the sky and sending him clattering into a shipping container with a loud "clank".

"Oh damn, now....woah. That is a big boy. Big armoured contact with a flamethrower's coming through. He could make one hell of a bang....keep him occupied. I might have a bead on him."

When Tahlia was ready, she'd do what she'd need to do with a rifle bullet on Boomer's call- it would make one hell of a bonfire, and a hell of a two for one.

------------

Observatorio Cruz del Sur, Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Fireteam Condor

Running across, Skye followed Sam, the rifle in a tactical stance, the two down from the gigantic ass of the American come Norwegian come Russian come French giant's rear, and well, now in position to start clearing up. Sam had already pinged out targets and recognised their routines, which was helpful. The thin ridgeline felt tricky to run on, but Skye's exo-lined boots clung to it tight, and stuck well on the surface.

"Affirmative. Good spot, ping received." Skye coldly replied, the dark blue-faced Scot moving on Sam's command, the pointwoman giving good instruction as Skye shouldered the SIG, holding it at cant yet keeping the laser off. It was more likely than not the guards had night vision goggles of their own, so up close, Skye wasn't going to risk anything here. Clambering over a wall, Skye turned the corner and with the exo turned down a little to avoid noise, moved left, headed up, rather than down. Instead of the alcove where the ATV was, Skye headed high and up onto the next level, at the top to the main guard tower. Night shift would be parked up in there, and Skye had her plans already to set things alight. Quick, stern and fast, and it would get Freya in, already hearing Sam clear up a few enemies of her own with knives, before Freya sorted axes into a couple more.

Time for Skye to catch up, then.

She heard a couple of guards out for a smoke break, their American accents making it clear they were paid mercenaries, and well, in gucci gear, wearing kevlar and certainly well protected. Not enough from Skye, who could just listen in on them, and lying down poked the rifle around the corner, and clacked a couple of times, the barrel barely visible. Both headshots, and clean enough to wipe them fast, as she stood up, dragging bodies out of the way, at least, in a position they wouldn't be immediately spotted. A couple more were ahead, another detail as she hugged the stone wall, letting them come close, and right as she needed to, letting them just come by side. With it, Skye angled the longer rifle up at one of them and splatted, before kicking the other down with a solid charge, wrapping them into the ground and turning, standing and then headshotting the man. Same routine again. With that, Skye moved along the walkway, the thermal on Skye's headset bringing up the heat signatures visible through a window ahead, as she readied herself. This was going to be a brutal one, given there was about four as Sam had called. But they weren't armoured, she could tell from their heat signatures, so she switched out to her FN, the pistol cocked as she slung her rifle, and moved across the small courtyard, sweeping the area, before lining up to the door. Turning the exo up, she could feel it's whine, and readying up by the hinge, she gave it a gentle knock.

"Yo, get back to..." The voice on the other side called as it opened, Skye holding her pistol directly high and clapping, before kicking the door straight in off its hinge, slamming into one of the men before she Mozabique'd the other, two bullets to chest and one to head, before putting the rest of the magazine into the last man in the tower, to the side of the metal door she'd basically sent at him.

"Guard tower, and upper deck clear. Observatory level, alcoves down below are busy and below that, the interior will be very busy. Frigga, clear for drop. Chaos, latch her down, or Frigga'll come on her own. Once you're down, regroup on me." Skye called into the comms, reloading her magazine, leaving the mess behind, knowing that this time around, finding their radios was going to be tricky- they were encrypted and from what Skye could tell, very well armed and equipped. A firefight loud with them once they knew they were here would get loud- they had Panzerfaust 3s, M240s and grenade launchers, so they were clearly ready for world war three if it hit this place, Skye reasoned.

Leaving the guard tower, Skye moved across the small courtyard, the MCX back in hand, as she perched herself up by another spot, watching a couple of guards come out of the structure itself, a little way away. Eye down optic, Skye plinked a grouping of rounds down range, instantly downing the first, before the second turned and tried to raise, before he got clapped with a couple of rounds, one to the chest knocking him straight into view for Skye's next. It was artistry, when Skye was operating as she exhaled, reloading the magazine itself, moving and slick in the way she did, exo turned back down to just save battery and noise.
"Moving to an entry point. There's signs for the main observatory itself, and it looks like the main console is below it." Skye retorted, shouldered up by the door, covering it in case any more came along- the top deck would be a solid place for Freya to land, and it had a stairwell to where Sam was, by the ATV.

---------

Somewhere near Ystraglanais, Wales

Ten Years Ago

The orange-haired woman yelped, as she was pulled out of the ice-filled water bucket by the fine strands that were left, the young-face free of scars, cuts and bruises, but about to get some.

"Talk, you 'orrid fackin' bitch! Tell me, what were you doing?" The girl looked unfazed, if anything, distant, removed, and more than anything, staring him back into the eyes.

"Lynx, zero, one, four, zero, zero, two." Her accent was flat, her tone neutral, her response like this was back to usual settings, not a cold warehouse in the Welsh Valleys.

The man looked across her back, the girl nude, sodden, and completely, totally at the mercy of her captor. Tattoo on her back, that of a lynx in fact. This isn't exactly a pleasant scene, but the man could make some observations of her in this state, knowing that she'd break, sooner rather than later. Violence usually broke people in time.

"Interesting. Tattoo to match it too."

"Maybe. They teach you how to recognise animals?"

With that, the woman got hit in the ribs as he swung with a violent backhand, hard with the truncheon, getting knocked onto the floor, and at this point, lucky not to hurt more.

"You think you're funny, do you? I won't ask again, what was your mission?" She was dazed, but looking back at him, stark, feeling the blood pool in her mouth as she looked up at him, hurting, but slowly, surely, snarling.

"Yeah. Enough to know you didn't think of going this far."

The man looked in shock, as the girl grinned at him, and he could only come over to do almost as he was told. Taken back, but well, about to beat the ever loving shit from her now. Irrespective of what was meant to happen.

The girl didn't think so. With her bound hands, it wasn't hard to find an opportunity to raise her hands as he went to swing, pulling on his baton painfully, and then with a wry turn, barging into him hard from the floor, tackling his legs before swinging the truncheon back against his neck, slamming hard into a chokehold, and pushing hard, till she could feel him go limp.

Looking into the black, half shattered mirror of the concrete room, she knew what this was as she stood, bound yet somehow, very unbroken. Her stare was icy cold, her voice like a dagger, and her demeanour very much not of interest right now.

"Drugging me wasn't part of the deal. Come on now. You know what I'm capable of. Let's skip the semantics and go straight to business, ey?"

Samantha froze instinctually following the orders given by her teammate. They had to trust each other in the field or they could end up very dead. This was part of what made Raven Squad so exceptionally Each team member was elite and the best of the best. Then the best of the best was paired together creating and nurtured into the ultimate team. Samantha grinned as she heard the thunks and then the splats of falling bodies. She couldn’t help the giggle at Freya demanding her axes back. She went back and snagged Freya’s axes and then moved quickly up the stairs behind Skye. She let Skye head towards the tower as she made a run down the side of the observatory itself. She held onto the axes as she caught one guard in the throat with the axe in her right hand even as she spun and caught his partner with the axe in her left hand. They had been chatting and smoking as they walked a circuit around the observatory. Samantha was still sprinting and moving fast enough to plough into them almost without stopping her momentum. She was moving fast enough to reach them before they noticed her. She frowned a little as she realized there were no more guards outside on the upper levels.

Skye confirmed it as she told her to fetch Freya. She ran back towards her floating weapon of mass destruction, Frigga. She spoke into the comms. “Come on down Frigga. I will help you get you out of the cold. I will need you to drop me that rappel line. I will attach it to the winch to help get you on the ground. If we do it this way, then we won’t need to replace any gas in the suit. It leaves up more options for exfil.” She was quickly waiting by the alcove opening next to the vehicle with the winch in it. She tucked the axes into her waistband to free up her hands. She waited until Freya was drifting nearby. She waited for the rappel line to come down. She caught the line and pulled it over to the winch. It took her a minute to get the line properly attached. “Okay Freya turn your controls off so the winch isn’t fighting your suit. This should pull you down and towards the alcove. The wind is blowing away from the ridge so unless the wind changes your should be okay. This might take a minute or two.” She pulled out her tool set and quickly broke into the vehicle bypassing the alarms and activated the winch controls to pull Freya down and towards the alcove. While the winch was slowly but surely working with gravity to bring the Freya kite towards the ground, Samantha quickly retrieved her throwing knives. They had perfect balance. She didn’t want to leave good tools for the enemies to use. She quickly wiped them off and returned them to their sheaths.

Retrieving her knives had only taken her about two minutes. By the time she got back to the winch, Freya was only about 10 feet in the air. She smiled up at the giantess. “You ready to get into the action?” She began pulling on the line to help speed up the last few feet. She shut the winch off as Freya’s feet touched the ground. She used the second rappel line to help secure the suit to the ground. She tied the second rappel line to the push bumper on the vehicle next to the large truck with the winch. She then asked Freya what help she needed to get out of the aired up suit. She tried to hold the suit steady for her giant friend so she could wiggle out. Samantha stood guard as she held the suit still, watching for enemy activity as Freya began to work her way out of the suit. Once the giant had freed herself of the suit and was on her feet, she pulled the axes out and handed them back to her. “Your toys princess.” Samantha smirked a little as this op had shown Freya’s whimsical and playful side. Who said women couldn’t kick ass and have fun doing it?

Once Freya was happy the suit was secure, she led the way back to Skye. She snickered and told Freya “It looks like the boss is in a hurry. We better catch up.” She ran to catch up with Skye at the open doorway. “Do you want me to break away and try to sneak in to get the data while you keep them distracted or do we stick together?”





Boomer was in his element. So far the cartel guards were just standard cannon fodder. They had not displayed any real sense of tactics or battlefield awareness. They had basic weapons and numbers on their side so far. Which for most law enforcement agencies would probably be too much for them. Boomer was a trained professional soldier and one of the best at what he did. He had expected the battlefield to change once battle was engaged. The first rule any professional soldier will tell you is that no plan survives contact with the enemy. This is where he had to improvise, adapt, and overcome. He felt he had been doing well and using what the enemy had provided him to help take them out. He was more than just one big ass target in a great set of armor. He used tactics and skills drilled into him and learned over the course of a very decorated career even though it was very classified.

Boomer did hear Tahlia’s comment about his mother and just grinned. He didn’t let anyone bad mouth his mother. The woman was a saint with balls of steel to deal with him and his father. She probably deserved national recognition for turning him into a functional member of society with manners. He had not been the easiest child to deal with. He had caused his own mischief growing up. He pulled his attention back to the battlefield. He had managed to drop all the cannon fodder. The next wave had more serious hardware and were headed his way. He noted that seemed to be more intelligent as well. The next wave of guards must be the ones who were better paid. Many of them were not just running straight at him. They were moving from cover to cover. Some of the guards were using the ones in exosuits as mobile cover. He took a moment to scan the battlefield for Duke. He spotted him trotting out from between buildings with a bloody muzzle. He nodded knowing Duke was okay and still hunting for trouble.

Boomer was moving past the craters which were all that was left of the automated machine gun emplacements. He listened to his partner as Tahlia’s voice came over the coms letting him know that Spectre was on the move. He was doing his best to give Jaguar the time he needed to get the intel and his revenge. That meant keeping the heat off him. Hearing that Spectre was being herded into a safe room just made him smile. “Let him go to ground. We can dig him out after we are done with Tejedor. Explosives can open doors.” He laughed as she told him to throw everything back. “This sounds like a job for Lucille.” He pulled out Lucille. Lucille looked like an oversized metal baseball bat with spikes on a chain. The club had a tungsten and damascus core with a titanium shell and leather grip.

He had almost made it to the first set of outbuilding when the next wave of guards appeared. He saw one exo spin out of the air from a jump and bounce off a shipping container. He had seen the spray from a head shot. “Thanks for assisting Taniwah. You can hunt with me anytime.” He began spinning Lucille on the chain. He spun it out in an arc aiming for a group of five guards trying to come at him from his left side. Lucille blasted the men off their feet and crushed whatever body parts he managed to hit. Lucille was heavy and you paired with his strength and speed and there was little that could defend against the high speed kinetic weapon. He began wading forward taking out the guards with more modern weapons. They were wearing Kevlar however Kevlar didn’t stop crushing force. Chuck began to whistle as he was once more mowing down guards. He angled himself towards one of the guards in an exosuit. He choked up on the handle of Lucille and swung for the side of the suit with all his might as he called out “Swing batter batter swing!” Lucille crushed the side of the exo suit imploding the guards chest into a red mist. Chuck laughed and spun as he called out to the horrified looking guards in Spanish, who had been using the Exo for cover. “Next!” The guards had a horrified look on their face as some began to drop weapons and run away from him. “Wait, didn’t you want to play!”

Boomer was having a great time. The battlefield was chaotic as guards that had been towards the rear of the compound were all trying to reach the front gate where all the noise was coming from. Guards were fleeing towards the rear of the compound in terror as fast as their legs could carry them. The landscaping and gravel parking lot by the main gate was cratered with smoke and bodies everywhere and shrapnel fields from explosions. He knew that an exo suit in the right hands could give him some serious trouble. It was a bad day for the bad guys since their operators hadn’t been skilled enough to handle him. Skye could give him a bad day, the chumps he was fighting not so much. He was hoping the chubby pyro guy would offer a challenge. “Roger that Taniwah. Let me see if I can distract him and help give you a better angle." He moved towards the big guy with the flamethrower. Boomer spoke in Spanish. He wanted to be sure he was understood. “Hey chubby! Are you looking for me? I am right here.” He held his hands out like he wasn’t holding a weapon of massive destruction that was old school but you can’t fight the laws of physics. Mass plus speed = destruction. The guard turned more towards Boomer. He was moving diagonally towards Chuck putting his profile into Taniwah’s field of vision. “Anytime you feel ready and have a good shot Taniwah.” Boomer almost casually spun Lucille again taking out another five man guard team with rifles. Boomer was still taking out guards easily. His armor had some dents and scratches now.

Frigga buzzed up into position, dropping the repel line to Chaos, "Ah be gentle now Chaos hunny, this is my first time." She can't help but chuckle. Then throttles the jets way way down, just enough to help keep her aloft. And with a steady pull she approaches the side of the installation. She raises a hand to fend off the rock wall, and then with a bump, she's on the ground. She waits and bobs for abit as Sam ties her down with the second repell rope. Then comes the onerous slow task of getting herself out of the suit, "You guys...can exfil anyway you guys want after this...I'm coming back up here and retrieving this thing...I'll hump it out if I have too...mom would strangle me if I left something like this here. She finally gets lose and falls about 6 feet from where she had been in the suit. Landing lightly on heavily armored feet. She hits a few buttons and her armor comes into combat mode. Power lines under the plates buzzing, plates whirring into place. Shield emitters sliding into place, then canting, and one by one the pieces seem to gain a mirrory camo briefly as it's all tested out.

She smiles, "Now I'm ready." She touches her comms unit "Frigga on the ground. Chaos and I will rejoin shortly." She lowers her hand and grabs the silenced air pistol she used earlier. Palming it then shifting it immediately after, "Ah Chaos my dear girl, I could kiss you. Maybe later." The big woman takes the pair of throwing axes, sliding them back into place, beside the 4 others festooned about her armor, "Good, full set. You know you should have seen the pair my father used. By the time he retired from active combat they had been ornamented and tuned to fly true and look good doing it. Maybe I'll do the same. Dad would love that."

She gets her things in order then motions, "After you lil' Lady. I'll bring up the rear, let's catch up with Boss Lady."

And into step she falls following along behind Chaos, and despite her size and the weight of her armor, she's quiet as she goes. The shield emitters turned to stealth mode creating a moving stealth field about her, she picks her way along, up the stairs Skye mentioned and up to catch up with Chaos and finally meeting with Skye, "Heck of a ride." she whispers, the little gas operated stealth gun in one hand, the other holding one of those weighty looking throwing axes, "Lead the way girls. I don't think me being in the lead would be good for the mission. I can fire over your heads if need be."