The Program [COMPLETED]

Chapter Seven

"Mhm, guess who just got nominated for the big mission!" Virgil grinned.

Rania rolled her eyes, nudging Virgil in the ribs with her elbow. "Be serious for once, will you? This is a big deal!"

"Cut him some slack," Zariah waved dismissively. "He gets to stretch his legs for the first time in weeks. At least now his energy can actually go towards a good cause."

Aiden, Zariah, Virgil, Theo, Rania and Jayda stood just outside Debriefing Room Seven, each of them formally dressed and waiting for their meeting with General Xylem. Rania shot Zariah a dirty look following her comment, but kept quiet. Aiden quickly glanced at Rania, silently pleading with her to cooperate. She understood his message, her scowl recessing.

Aiden sighed. He wasn't too interested in participating in any of the group's usual chatter - or nonsense - today. The remnants of his nightmare had cast a dark shadow over his entire morning, and he found it difficult to share his friends' optimistic view regarding the mission. At least the field work might be able to make him take his mind off of the dream.

The door to the Debriefing Room swung open as General Dominic Xylem appeared in the doorway. "Thank you all for coming this morning. Please, have a seat."

The soldiers filed into the room, taking their seats in the metal chairs that sat along the briefing table. Xylem took the head of the table, closest to the flat screen monitor, with Colonel Asphodel and an Official taking their seats beside him. Aiden sat next to Rania and Virgil, and turned his head to face Xylem. The metal felt unnaturally cool against Aiden's skin, and he shifted uncomfortably.

The General smoothed down his uniform and looked over his soldiers carefully before speaking, as if confirming his decision. "Thank you once again for agreeing to meet me at this hour," he began. "As some of you may have heard, a large illegal arms cartel known as Phantom has infiltrated a number of nearby cities in Creatan. These cities include Oslua, Tuclea, Laspil and Zagreb. Our intel suggests that the cartel's main base is in Laspil City. Tonight at twenty-one hundred hours, there is supposed to be a standard weapons drop in the abandoned government warehouse of Laspil City. Every member of the Phantom cartel should be present. This cartel has drops such as these about twice a month, so our window is small. The key to this operation will be stealth. There are four cartel leaders; one for each of the manifested cities. Four of you will be assuming sniper positions, and you will each be taking out one of the cartel leaders. They go by the names of Hywel, Deon, Elias and Oakes. One of you will be the driver and the pilot of the escape transport vehicles. You will supply backup and take out any cartel members in the outer perimeter of the warehouse. One more person will be there to provide backup, and also handle communications. This person will be assisting in clearing the perimeter of the building if necessary. However, the primary objective of the cons manager is navigating the snipers. You will be all be serving under the squadron name of Scarlet Cross. The four snipers will be positioned at various vantage points within and along the warehouse where the drop will be taking place. You will be taking backup measures should anything go differently from the original plan. Your coms manager will inform you of the location of your targets and will be seeing everything; your 'eyes in the sky', if you will. The four snipers will be jumping out of the aircraft with the assistance of the pilot in order to reach the warehouse. Your primary assignments will go as follows," Xylem pointed to the monitor's display, which detailed the layout of the target city and their positions.

"Sergeant Ines," the General looked at Theo. "You will be our driver." Theo nodded sharply, saluting.

"Sir, yes, sir," he saluted.

"Private Hope." Rania looked at the General nervously as he said her name. "You will be handling our coms. Sergeant Cerise, Lieutenant Aeriona, Lieutenant Lycroft and Lieutenant Blanche will be our four snipers. Sergeant, your target is Deon. Lieutenant Aeriona, Hywel. Lieutenant Lycroft, Elias, and Lieutenant Blanche, Oakes," Xylem finished. "I have given Lieutenant Lycroft the title of Mission Leader."