Operation Reconnaissance

10000 Egress

what a perfect number of chapters.

---

"Run free, Travis, leave. It's not too late to go back on the promise. Don't make the same mistakes I did."

"I-yes. Thank you, dear comrade, I wish the best for you."

"This is our separation, then, Have you memorized the address to which you are to go to?"

"Yes. Norway is a dear place to me; it was where my mother had put me into this world."

"Good. You must be off now, before they throw us another mission."

"Why do you not come with me? Do you not feel the same as I do, or why do you help people like me and risk your own life to do so?"

"Travis, I do. I feel for you. Yet, I anticipate the return of another agent. Only then will I be content to run."

"I see."

"Be off now, then, Travis, faithful comrade. May the best come to you."

"And you the same, dear Charming."

---

"Please, I beg of you to offer my a night of shelter, in the name of my comrade, who goes by the name of Charming and claims that she has worked with you before. She required me to give you this."

"Perhaps you do not know us well enough. You ask, and I shall comply, though my wife may be ever so skeptical and meticulous. Stranger, please, do come in from the cold."

Lancelot closed the door, catching his brother and wife's attention.

"Lance? Who might this be?"

The wanton man spun around, an earnest smile appearing on his face upon the sight of Jocelyn. "An ally, an used-to-be spy."

"You take in so many strangers, all of them sent to our vicinity by her help. But when will we see them, our dear friends? They do not write; they do not send tidings. None knows if they should be alive or dead. But stranger," Jocelyn spoke, turning towards Travis, "since you have come to us, we shall not shy away from offering you shelter, for that is what we have dedicated ourselves to. You are in our cottage, now rest like it is your home."

"Thank you, my host. I will aim to repay you in the future, even if it is my dying wish."

Lancelot's mouth quirked up into a smile. "There will be no need, friend. The message that you hold shall be your payment."

---

A little versatile cab swerved around a corner, its owner pulling hard on the brakes to stop it. She waited for two spies, a man and a woman, to climb in, then immediately sped away.

The two spies in the back laughed when the cab swerved yet again and they were thrown against the door.

"Calm down. There will be no need to rush. Central trusts us enough to believe that we're doing missions on our own and not escaping. They don't know who we are."

The driver chuckled. "That's an awfully risky thing to say, don't you think? Lies make up your industry."

The charming woman smiled, leaning forward to wrap her arms around the driver from behind the seat. "I've missed you, Rose."

"And me the same. To you as well, Tristan."

Just then, it was Ardent, Charming, and Intelligent again. The ardent driver glanced back to her two passengers, a fond smile tugging at her rosy lips.

---

Lancelot opened the letter, with Jocelyn and Roland behind him. Together, they read the letter beside the fireplace, a cozy, warm, serenity coming upon the three.

Loves,

Your names I will omit, just in case these fall into the wrong hands. I have naught to say but that we're both doing well. Central has no idea of our past identities and trusts us just like they had.  The new general does not recognize us. The switching of the superiors served some purpose, after all.

Five years later and the war still hasn't finished. Sometimes I wonder if it will ever be. Even after we faked to fail the assassination of the king and our own death, Central still hasn't given up. They won't ever, will they?

That should hardly matter now. I apologize for not writing and sending this as soon as I could've. I suppose there were risks, even now, if I should give this to you. But assuming that you would receive Travis and this letter with generosity, I've ought to write my message.

We're on our way.

Sincerely, C&I.