Operation M.I.A: Missing in Action (IN NEED OF REVISING)

Chapter V

SHANNA

Music: A Way Out of the Difficulty from Gradius II Arcade

Mia and Mackenzie's parents are the ones to offer Sean and I a ride to the airport. Our two families are pretty tight with each other, given how close the relationship between Sean, Mia, and I is (Mackenzie seems to be somewhere in the middle with us and the other half of the group).

As their car pulls into the parking lot, I can't help but recall what took place just a couple months ago. Basically, the ten of us went on this school-sponsored cruise, did a few idiotic things, and ended up split in half due to being out in the middle of the ocean during a storm. Half the group ended up on a deserted island while the rest of us eventually made it back to civilization. It was honestly a miracle that we were able to reunite so quickly.

My parents obviously remember this situation all too well as well, so when we all get out of the car to leave, my mom tells us, "Text us updates often and stay together this time. Got it?"

"Yes, mom," I reply, waiting impatiently to get inside the airport. Despite the events I just described from last June, I'm still very excited for this trip. It's not often I get to travel with my friends for a simple vacation.

Mia, Mackenzie, Sean, and I quickly make our way inside the airport and look around until we find our gate. We have half an hour before our plane is scheduled to take off, so we made pretty decent time. The rest of the group is already there, although Avery is busy chatting with her friends in her dance class.

Once the four of us join Sam, Elle, Heath, Luke, and Skylar, Luke yells out to us, "Yo, guys, ready to get involved in some more stupid shit? 'Cause it's pretty much guaranteed to happen."

"Luke, don't assume that. We're gonna be much more careful this time," Mackenzie replies.

"Although, if we do end up in trouble, I didn't bring any weapons with me this time because I didn't want to get in trouble, so... yeah," Mia adds.

"Seriously? I have the hovercraft and my handgun in my jacket and the metal detectors picked up nothing," Sam says, sighing to himself.

Things are silent for a few seconds following that. At least, until Avery randomly decides to poke her head inside the group with a cheery, "Hi!"

"'Sup, Avery," Heath says, taking a step or two away from Avery.

"You guys excited?" Avery asks us.

The results are a little mixed. Some of us, myself included, seem fairly excited for the trip, while others seem pretty much indifferent.

"Thanks for letting us come with you, Avery. This is gonna be a lot of fun," Mackenzie says. Like the other day, she seems to be a bit more happy to be with us than she normally is.

Right as I'm about to question her, Avery ruins my opportunity with, "Oh, no problem! Thanks for coming along, you guys!"

From there, we start discussing potential sightseeing options for the two places we're going to visit. Mackenzie's oddities leave my mind almost as quickly as they entered.

SEAN

Music: ROUND1 from Dragon Saber

At around 5:55 is when the intercom comes on and starts calling for groups to board the plane. As per usual, they start with first class, veterans, and handicapped passengers, none of which we categorize as.

Next are the group names. The man on the intercom starts counting off group names downwards from 9. I have group 5 with Mia, Heath, Luke, and two of the chaperones coming along for the trip. Sam, Elle, and Skylar end up in group 3, and Avery, Mackenzie, and Shanna have group 2 along with 3 other girls from Avery's dance class.