The Rainbow Squadron

Ch 9.1: Not so Agent 007

Scarlet's POV

It's Saturday and my team is at the annual Bouchard Banquet. We are dressed to the nines and on a mission to find Ivan Azarov to survey him for suspicious activity. And if we do find something suspect, we can bring him in for questioning. Each of us has paired up for a certain task. Andrei and I will mingle within the guests and record Azarov. Forest and Anya will talk to Forest's old contacts to review Azarov's trading activities. Raven and Magenta will be talking to fellow S.A.G.E. agents to see if there were other suspects that we could interview in Paris. And Cyan will be waiting outside in case Azarov decides to run. Everyone was in their positions, ready for action.

Andrei and I were at the bar. He said it was to appear normal. I just wanted a drink to calm my nerves. I ask Andrei if he thinks Azarov will show up. He tells me that Ivan is usually late. We turn on our recorders that are hidden in his cuff links and in the bracelet I'm wearing. We just drink and look around for Azarov. Okay, now this is awkward, and that's coming from me, who loves silence. I wonder if Azarov knows about our dead agents and decided not to show up.

"Enjoying yourselves?," Mrs. Bouchard interrupted.

"Yes," I said to the hostess. "This is a lovely party, Mrs. Bouchard."

"You don't seem to be enjoying yourselves just sitting at the bar."

"In truth, ma'am, we're waiting for the food. We haven't eating since we left.

"Oh," she gasped. "I must be a horrid hostess. Starving her guests. The chefs are just finishing up. The food should be out soon. Bye, lovebirds."

"Bye, Mrs. B," I grit my teeth.

In actuality, I couldn't stand being here. I would go with Forest almost every year because her family knew the Bouchards and her girlfriend was usually jetting around the world. A lot of people at first thought I was her girlfriend, but I quickly remedied that mistake. Forest would normally talk to her old friends and I would get updates on missions.

Andrei laughs. He then says, "Do you remember when we first met?"

I chuckle. "How could I forget? I was as bored then as I am right now. But luckily, I had you here both times."

"Would you say I'm good luck charm for you?"

"I guess so," I smirk. "Azarov showed up then too, so let's hope he shows up now. I really just want to get this over with... The whole women and Starling business, I mean."

Andrei pats my shoulder. "We all want to get this over with," he reminded me. "I guess we go one step at a time and try being as calm as we can. Like when you calm me down on plane ride here."

I smile and laugh. "Could you say that I'm your good luck charm too?"

He smiled back at me. "When we don't fight, yes. We are good team, I think. When this is over, what do you plan on doing, Katya?"

I think for a while. That is a good question. What did I want to do?

"Hmmm... I guess I would just continue being an assassin til I'm 30, fake my own death, do some more traveling. Maybe get married and have kids if I'm still alive by then."

Andrei looks emotionless then says, "I'm sure that Aedan would love to have you as Mrs. Morrison."

We don't say anything for a while after that. We just stay silent until we hear a familiar voice asking for a Jack and Coke. I turn around to find...

"Looking good, Agent Scarlet and Agent Grey."

"Looking pretty dapper yourself, Aedan."

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End of Part 1. Please comment and vote.