Operation: Explosive mirrors

Press meet

Shawn's pov
         I looked to my right and saw the building of Congress, I subconsciously sighed and heard Elena "Isn't that the building that controls your missions?" I replied simply "No, that's the pentagon. This is congress, they just decide when we die" she offered a small "oh" in reply as I heard Reach "Well being you to Ms. President, she wants to talk to y'all before the conference" I nodded before hearing Seamus "Oi, why we meetin the president really? Is she just using us as a campaign point?" Reach replied simply "Your catastrophe was world wide news, especially since the multi national task force was sent in to retrieve you. Everyone has been talking about it, hell, my 7 year old is talking about it. He doesn't have a fuckin clue what he's on about, but he's talking about it. You're all in the publics eyes, especially you, Tombstone" I glanced over "oh? How so?" He replied "come on, the papers have been running with 'Hero special forces captain successfully evaded the enemy for 48 hours' for about as long as it's been public that you survived" I sighed before hearing Ara teasing me "Hear that? You're a hero now"
       I replied sourly "doesn't feel like I am" Eliza replied "chin up, we made it" the SUVs pulled into the round and parked. Reach said simply "let's go, oh, leave the weapons" I glanced at him and pulled my pistol from my holster. He nodded and said "knife too" I pulled my sheathed knife and left it on the center console before sliding out of my door. I heard the team get out as I stared at the Congress building, I felt a hand take mine. I glanced over and saw Elena, she gave me a small smile as Ara said "you ready for this?" I looked at her before Seamus boasted "aye, I'm always ready lass" she rolled her eyes before the secret service agents flanked us and reach ordered "Follow me" we started up the steps slowly approaching the point of no return. Then again it's the president, I can't exactly tell her no. As we approached the door reach said "Just remember, you're here to listen and get pictures taken. You shouldn't be asked to speak, I think she's giving medals and then ending the conference. Should be painless" Eliza mumbled simply "should be, ha"
      He pushed the door open and Elena asked "how're you doing?" I replied quietly "I'm alive" she nodded before saying "you've got me in your corner" I smiled softly before hearing "Captain Ryan" I looked to my left and saw General McHill I snapped a salute, Ara doing the same as we said "Sir" in unison. He laughed "Still being creepy with that I see" I dipped my head as Ara said "we wouldn't want the practice to go to waste sir" he walked up and asked "who're these?" I replied "Eliza Cohen, Elena Álvarez and Seamus Cowden sir" he nodded and said simply "Ah, Team Rainbow. Welcome to the capitol. Captain, Lieutenant, I'd like a word with the two of you after this" I glanced at Ara seeing the same look of shock mirrored before I said simply "yes sir" he smiled before saying "I'm terribly sorry for keeping you from getting to your destination, have a good day ladies and gentlemen" before he walked off. Reach waited until he got out of ear shot and said "that's the most amicable I've seen him since the task force got sent in, he's been furious for 2 days" I shivered at the revelation.
Elena noticed "is that bad?" Reach answered for me "definitely, McHill might seem like he's a happy upbeat person. He's quite the hard ass, he was furious we had another red wings on our hands and when the general is having a bad day he makes sure everyone knows it." Reach started walking again and eventually reached a door. He gripped the door knob and said "are you ready?" I looked behind me and got a "yep" from Eliza, Seamus gave a simple "aye lad" and Elena smiled her confirmation. I knew Ara was ready before I looked at Reach "let's do this" he turned the handle and pushed the door open. I saw President bowman and a few of her cabinet members stood in a small circle talking, they fell silent when the door opened and reach walked in leading the group of 5 roughed up soldiers into the room, my face still cut to ribbons, my left eye bloodshot from dirt getting kicked into it during the final fire fight. President bowman said jovially "Ah, just the soldiers I wanted to see. How're you all holding up?" Elena replied with her typical finesse "a well as an engine can ma'am"
Madam President heard Seamus "Exhausted ma'am" Eliza replied with a simple "Alive ma'am" the president focused in on Ara and I "and how're my two Deltas?" Ara replied "sharp as ever ma'am" I replied simply "ready for the next one Madam President" she nodded before saying "I read the report, you all fought and behaved very bravely and your respective nations are very proud to have you." Ara and I dipped our head in acceptance while Eliza, Elena and Seamus said "thank you Ma'am" the next words I heard was "Come along now, I believe we've kept the press waiting long enough" I followed her through the halls, her cabinet members flanking us, the secret service flanking them. Reach picked up his pace and grabbed the door opening it allowing President Bowman to walk through without missing a stride. I glanced to my left as we entered and saw thousands of lights in the dark room. I internally sighed, too much attention for my liking. We formed a line shoulder to shoulder at attention as President bowman took the podium and began her speak, the shuttering of cameras was heard the entire time, the memory of lost friends staining my focus on the situation.