Artificial

Infiltration

Operator Velox

"I still don't get why she's leading a mission. She literally defected yesterday."
"I understand your concern, Velox," Lazarus responds. "But we've never had an opportunity like this before. We have to strike while the iron is hot. Now, put on the uniform."
I pick up the Saclarian body armor and attempt to slip into the bodysuit. I say "attempt" because the damn thing won't fit around my shoulders.
"Fuck, Saclarians are tiny."
"You're telling me," Shockwave responds, and I turn to see her and Reach attempting to fit her generous hips into the armor, and having about the same success as I am.
"It's like they've never seen a curvy soldier before!"
"Or a female with broad shoulders!"
Riot starts to speak, then sighs and walks away, muttering to himself. Evo enters as Riot exits.
"Why's Riot grumbling about no one listening to him?"
"Fuck if I know," I respond, irritated. "But help me stretch this bullshit uniform over my shoulders!"

An hour later, Shockwave and I meet up with Reach, Wraith and Katya. The defector has once again donned her Special Forces uniform, and the female infiltrator is wearing her usual outfit.
"How come you don't have to wear one of these Chinese body-traps?"
"Because I'll be invisible," she replies with a mischievous grin.
"Lucky bitch."
Wraith snickers. I turn to Reach.
"You're pretty baseline, aren't you? You fit in there pretty easily."
"I prefer 'humble'," he answers. "But yes, my parents wanted me to look pretty natural. Still got the roguishly handsome good looks, though," he adds with a cocky grin, and I smile.
"Lucky for you, your girlfriend loves the 'naturally roguishly handsome' look."
Shockwave wraps an arm around his waist.
"Damn straight."
"Straighten up, you Special Forces bastards!"
We all turn to Phoenix, ready for briefing.
"Here's the plan: Katya leads Reach, Shockwave, and Velox into a Saclarian base, with Wraith following in stealth as insurance. Katya will lead you all into the intelligence center, where you will overpower any guards and gather all the information you can before making a hasty retreat to the dropship depot for immediate extraction. Any questions? No? Good."
Evo pulls me into a hug.
"Stay safe."
I turn and give him a kiss, then pull on my helmet.
"Don't worry about me."
He grins.
"You know whenever you say that, I just get more nervous, right?"