Vanguard Six

Chapter 2 - The Goat

The makeshift briefing room hummed with tension, a cocktail of scents mingling in the air - gun oil, sweat, and the distinct musk of various Anims. Captain Jackson stood at the head of the table, his talons tapping a quiet rhythm on the worn surface. His golden eyes swept the room, taking in every twitch and fidget of his eclectic squad.

To his right, Alice perched on her chair, her owl eyes unblinking, absorbing every detail. Sergeant Davis, a mountain of muscle and fur, shifted his weight, eliciting a protesting groan from his chair. Lieutenant Taylor remained statue-still, only the occasional flick of his scaly tail betraying his alertness.

Near the holographic display, Akira's bushy tail swished back and forth, a furry pendulum of nervous energy. Jackson caught his eye and nodded, a silent command to begin.

Akira's paw danced over the controls, conjuring a 3D map of densely packed urban sprawl. "Our intelligence on Al-Farouk is severely limited, sir," he began, his voice steady despite his twitching whiskers. "But we've extracted some information from a goat Anim involved in the Porleh attack. He claims there's an Al-Farouk sympathizer in an apartment in Halshi, Tahirah. This individual supposedly knows the location of one of their bases."

The map zoomed in, highlighting a nondescript building. Jackson leaned forward, his beak inches from the hologram. "Alright, Akira. What's the complication this time?"

Akira's ears flattened. "Bayyaran forces bombed the area. Shortly after we received the intelligence."

A low growl rumbled from Davis's chest. Taylor's jaw clenched with an audible click. Jackson raised a wing, and the room fell silent.

"Halshi's densely populated," Jackson stated, his tone serious but with a hint of dry humor. "We have authorization to operate, but one wrong move and we're looking at an international incident. Again." He paused, allowing a wry smirk to touch his beak. "I'd rather not have another chat with the diplomats about the definition of 'covert'."

Alice's voice cut through the tension, soft yet sharp. "The locals are hostile to anything associated with Bayyara, Captain. Especially after this latest bombing."

Jackson nodded grimly. "Exactly why we're going in quietly. Civilian clothes, minimal equipment. We're just tourists with an interest in urban exploration. We find the intel, we extract. Clean and simple."

He manipulated the hologram, expanding the building's layout. "Alice, you're our lookout. Find a good vantage point and keep watch. Davis, you're on crowd control if things go wrong. Taylor, Akira, you're with me for entry."

The squad nodded, each mentally preparing for their role. Jackson continued, his voice dropping an octave. "Listen carefully, because this is crucial. Halshi is volatile, and we're walking into a sensitive situation. These people have suffered enough. We are not there to add to their troubles. Keep your weapons holstered unless absolutely necessary. Rules of engagement are clear: do not fire unless fired upon. Understood?"

A chorus of "Understood, sir" echoed around the room. Jackson locked eyes with each squad member, his gaze intense. "Good. Because I really don't want to explain to Alpha why a simple recon mission turned into an international crisis."

He straightened, rolling his shoulders. "Prepare your gear, keep it discreet. We move out in twenty minutes. And Taylor," he added with a hint of a smile, "let's leave the heavy artillery behind this time. We're aiming for subtle, not shock and awe."

As the squad dispersed to prepare, Jackson allowed himself a small, tight smile. The mission was dangerous, the stakes high, but this... this was where he excelled. In the chaos, in the delicate balance between success and catastrophe. And as he moved to gear up, a part of him, deeply buried, hummed with anticipation for the challenge ahead.