Artificial

New Management

Operator Apex

"Fireteam Romeo, form up!"
I step down off of the dropship and walk over to Reach and Shockwave, joining the new Operator in front of them.
"Your team is called Fireteam Romeo?" I ask in disbelief. "Is it because you have more of Shockwave's saliva in you than common sense?"
In the distance, I hear stifled laughter. The Operator next to me snickers.
"No," Reach replies, offended. "It's because Romeo is the military alphabet for R, the first letter of my callsign. Its relation to my love for Shockwave is only a coincidence."
"It's not," Ayala admits over the comm channel. "I literally picked it because you and your girlfriend are a cute couple. Deal with it."
Reach sighs.
"Thanks, Captain."
"No problem, hon. Still proud of you. Good luck."
"Alright, let's take a quick inventory. We've got me with the grappling hook, Shock with concussion blasts, Apex with the ninja vibe, and..."
His gaze shifts to the Operator to my left.
"Who are you?"
"Operator Wraith, sir," a high, soft voice responds.
I turn to look at her. Her dark brown armor is form-fitting, and lacks any armor plates, Kevlar hugging her hips and bust and emphasizing her thin waist. She doesn't wear a helmet, but a pair of combat goggles sits atop her forehead. A hood hangs off the back of her armor, almost covered by long, curly auburn hair.
She totes a scout rifle like it's light as air.
She's pretty hot.
Focus, Apex.
Right, sorry.
"Ah, yes, Ayala told me I'd be getting a fresh one. Well, give me a quick run down of your skill set, Wraith."
"I'm a scout in every sense of the word, sir. Trained in marksmanship and reconnaissance by Operator Evo, and physically conditioned by Operator Velox. Graduated early, with both of them as sponsors."
Reach smiles.
"Hot damn. Those are good enough credentials for me. What's your ability?"
"I cloak, can handle any variety of stealth and assault entry, and my rifle's as silent as the graves I plan to fill."
I let out a low whistle.
"That's quite an impressive resume, girl. I think we're gonna get along just fine."
She looks at me over her shoulder and gives me a brilliant smile.
"Thank you, Apex."
"Sounds like we've got a kickass recon and strike team," Reach announces. "I'll let Evo know he can task us for scouting and direct action."
"Sounds like a plan," I reply. "You good with that, Wraith?"
"Yeah."
"Good," Reach concludes. "Let's go check in with Alpha."

We walk in pairs, Wraith and I behind Reach and Shockwave, as we approach Evo and Ayala.
"Evo, Captain," Reach greets, nodding to each in turn.
"Hey, Reach," Evo answers. "How's it having your own team?"
"So far so smooth. We've got the makings of a real recon strike team."
"Excellent. We'll provide the brawn, you provide the precision."
"Exactly."
The leaders turn to Ayala.
"What next, Captain?"
"Guys, there's something I need to tell you. You can't call me Captain Ayala anymore."
"Why not?" Velox inquires, stepping forward.
"Because that's not my name anymore. I've been reinstated. Refer to me as Operator Lazarus, and my counterpart as Operator Phoenix."
"Reinstated? You're an operator again?"
"Yes." She turns to her fellow Gen 2. "Evo, I'm in your fireteam, and my skills are under your command. I trust you won't lead me wrong." She then turns to face Reach as well. "You've got the lead now, boys. Make me proud."