Sierra || Lloyd Hansen

2. Morals

Bangkok, eighteen years later...

You look around from your seat with Court beside you. All you have to do is wait for the signal that your target has arrived, take him out, and mission accomplished. They didn't like to tell you much about your missions anyways. It helps keep your morals out of it, you don't get the luxury of making your own judgements you figured.

You look over at Court and he just gives you a slight shrug and smile, knowing you're not a big fan of the waiting period. It makes you feel useless and vulnerable. You smile back at him and chuckle lightly. With all the bright colors and lights surrounding you, the bright red suit he adorns provides an oddly fitting source of camouflage. You opted for the blue suit, they didn't exactly offer any more muted color choices.

You're snapped out of your thoughts as you see Dani Miranda come into your line of view with a floral suit. Very spiffy.

"Do you need anything?" she asks nonchalantly.

Court shakes his head, tossing a piece of gum in his mouth, "No, we're good."

"Nice suits," Dani states.

"Back at you," you smirk slightly, "though we just wear what they tell us to."

"Subtle," she smiles slightly at you. You two had always gotten along well.

"You're no fly on the wall yourself," Court adds as Dani places what appears to be a plastic water gun on the table. She slides it forward to him. "I don't have a permit," he jokes.

"It's not that kind of party," Dani responds before walking away.

"You look really hot!" you call after her as Court picks up the water gun. You swear you could see her laugh slightly as she disappeared into the crowd.

"Well, if you're done flirting," Court trails off as he tosses his napkin onto the table, having finished whatever horderve he grabbed earlier.

"You're just jealous that I'm the hot sibling," you tease as you both get up and start walking to where you were told to go.

"Oh, and how has that worked out exactly? You've dated how many people?" he prys playfulls, spinning the water gun on his finger as you walk down a dimly lit hall. You both know the answer is zero.

"Shut up," you mumble as you halt once you reach the door. He glances down the hall briefly as he holds the water gun to a sensor. It beeps as the door unlocks and you follow him inside.

As the door shuts behind you, Court sheds his jacket and removes a sheet from a box containing the scoped rifle. You look above the room, through the mostly opaque glass to see the outlines of footsteps and shadows above you. You can hear the dull murmur of the party guests talking and the vague bass of the music above.

"Five, Six, you copy?" a voice rings through your earpieces. Court doesn't respond and just gives you an exasperated look at their constant need to babysit the both of you. It gets old fast.

'Five, Six, you copy?' you mouth mockingly, rolling your eyes and earning a light chuckle from your brother.

"Five. Six," the agent repeats, more serious.

"Five and Six, copy," you reply, watching Court fine tune the rifle.

"Five, Six, this is Denny Carmichael, your center chief," a new voice says, "Our target, code name 'Dining Car', is selling information that could severely compromise national security. We need him eliminated before that transaction is complete. Am I understood?"

"Understood," Court replies and you nod slightly.

"'Could severely compromise national security'," you whisper to Court before mouthing a silent 'woooow'. He rolls his eyes slightly, but you catch the smile before he turns away.

"I have eyes on Dining Car. Target imminent," Denny speaks once more.

Court moves the curtains back slightly to get a glimpse outside as you remain focused on watching the feet and shadows above.

"Dining Car has security," Denny informs you both, "Stay the plan."

"When do they not have security?" you mutter mostly to yourself.

Court readies the scope rifle, turning on an infrared camera and walking over to your side.

"He's coming up on you now. He's almost to you," Denny states.

You move forward slightly, Court following you. You point up when you spot your target and Court aims the rifle, readying to fire. You keep an eye on the floors between as Court lines up his shot, hearing chatter through your earpieces from the floors above. You pick up some of your target's conversation to confirm it's him.

"Target acquired," Court mutters slightly, a toothpick between his lips muffling his voice just slightly.

"Execute," Denny confirms.

A crash above draws your attention and you quickly grab Court's arm once you hear a voice. He glances at you and moves his finger off the trigger. You point to your earpiece with your free hand, telling him to listen as you both hear a child's voice speaking in Thai. He looks back up but doesn't shoot as you continue to hold onto his arm.

"Five, Six, why am I not hearing anything?" Denny asks, beginning to get impatient.

"We're picking up collateral. There's a kid near the mark," you respond.

"You're cleared for collateral," Denny snips shortly, "Go loud."

You grip Court's arm slightly tighter, starting to worry about what will happen. You may have done some things other people would call you a monster for, but you liked to think you had your morals straight. That you were on the right side.

"We have a very small window to take out a very bad dude. Go loud," Denny pushes.

You let go of Court as you hear the crowd begin to count down. He moves around the room, trying to find an angle that will avoid collateral. Especially a child. When the countdown hits one and cheers erupt, Court looks at you and puts the rifle down.

"Standby," he says to the agents on the other end of your earpieces. You smile slightly and nod, proud that he too kept his morals in check.

"Do not stand by," Denny objects.

"Gun jammed," Court says nonchalantly as he smacks the infrared sensor on the rifle down and walks to put it away, clearly pissed that anyone would approve moving forward despite avoidable collateral.