Stealth Specialist || Simon Riley

Translocated

Monday morning, 6:04 am

I roll onto my side, wincing at the volume of the alarm that blares into my ears. The sound throbs through my skull, reminding me of the restless night I'd just endured. The nervousness of today's mission didn't allow me a single uninterrupted hour of sleep, only small bursts of shut-eye.

I roll over again and reach for my phone, jamming my finger on the snooze button. The sudden quiet atmosphere calms my nerves momentarily, allowing me to collect my thoughts. 

I push myself up from the mattress and sit on the edge of the bed, not ready for the day to begin. Nonetheless, I get to my feet and rummage through my belongings, searching for my shower supplies. After all, who knows when the next will be when I will be able to indulge in a hot shower.

I put everything I need together in one pile and make my way down the dim hallway toward the showers on the first floor.

It doesn't seem like anyone's awake yet. The entire building feels empty, desolate.

I take my time in the shower, really savoring the warm water and its relaxing properties. I take extra time to double shampoo my hair, deep condition it, comb it out carefully. I fully shave every part of me and apply copious amounts of lotion. I spend an extra few minutes styling my hair out of the shower, making sure every single curl is properly formed before squeezing out the excess water.

I exit the bathroom feeling refreshed and less nervous about the mission. I make my way back up to my room, passing by Gaz and Rudy on the way. They both look like they've woken up just seconds ago.

My door swings shut behind me, leaving me in silence. I grab my large duffle bag and begin packing up my belongings once again. Price told us a few days ago to pack most of our things for this mission. Since our target is so far from base, we're going to be stationed in a temporary camp in Finland. We're to bring everything we need for at least a month, maybe longer.

I pack only the basics: my clothes, gear, hygiene essentials, chargers, headphones, and weapons. It only fills my duffle bag up about halfway. I toss one of my books in there for good measure. I shove a thin blanket in as well, just to fill the space. 

7:24 am

I do a once-over my room, making sure I have everything that I will absolutely need. I look at my special pillow, upset I must leave it behind. Price said only the essentials.

I shut off the light and shut the door gingerly. I turn and make my way down the hall toward the atrium to drop off my bag. 

"Excited?" a deep voice sounds through the silence. I turn around, seeing Keegan walk out from another hallway toward me, carrying his own duffle bag.

"You could say that," I reply, blinking dramatically to release the sleepiness from them.

"Stop freaking out about it," he says, closing the distance as he nears me. His caramelly voice rattles through the vacant lobby. He knows I've been quietly stressing about this for week now.

"I just don't want to fuck it up," I tell him. He drops his bag next to mine on the ground near the front doors.

"Then don't fuck it up."

At the most recent meeting about this mission, we were assigned who would be accompanying us in our mini squads. Captain Price assigned Keegan to me since we've already worked together quite well and we've grown close as friends. And if I'm honest, I don't think there's anyone else I'd want with me out in the field. 

König will be working with Gaz as the intelligence coordinators. They're going to be working mostly in intercepting enemy messages for the first part of this mission. The rest of the guys will be with Ghost on standby.