Strong For Too Long Trilogy ✔️

05. A Mission Worth Their While

CHAPTER 05: A Mission Worth Their While

I sit upon my desk, working on a new algorithm to hack into the gala Mansion network cable system under Taylor Green, the woman holding the Gala. A petite daughter of Ryan Green, a famous sports car enthusiast with enough money to host Gala's every month, but, the whole point of this mission is to retrieve a World eyes hard drive, that has information on the board of trustees at the ACC Academy.

Only Pierce's team, knows that they're looking for some kind of disc, that's what they think at least. A knock on my door, breaks me from my reverie, I hesitate, walking up towards it and unlocking it slowly, opening.

To reveal...Branson.

"I gather you're here to train me?" I question quietly and he nods, pushing his hands into his pockets. He takes a look at me for a moment.

"I wanted to apologise for the teams' accusations yesterday evening, it wasn't right what they did, but, you never told me what you asked Reynolds and what got him so fired up about it?" He gestures for me to come out of the room, I do so , after retrieving my gym bag and locking the door, following him.

He bends his head back, waiting for my answer, I sigh, "I asked him for further advice in taking Pierce's offer in becoming part of the team, because you don't have a general hacker in the force." I tell him simply.

His eyes hold my profile intensely, "You don't know him like we do and our team has been together for at least seven years, they're unlikely to welcome an outsider. In terms of hacking, how much do you know?"

"That there's a small microphone in your shirt, allowing the others in your team to hear every word and ask me specific questions to see if you can gather information from me, as no one in Wes' team can do what I can do." I say and he pauses in his steps, I keep walking down the stairs. He sharply inhaled behind me, still not moving.

"If I was able to detect that, then it just heightens how much your team could benefit from my expertise." I continue, still stepping down as he jumps over the railing, easily dropping in front of me, I pause, holding in my flinch.

"Do you know about the mission this Wednesday?" He asks me, everything soft leaves him and leaves a cold empty mark of his previous presence that I found to be more comfortable with.

I turn to him, really looking at him, before walking around him and he allows me too, "What do you think I'm training for?" I ask him.

He's quiet the whole way towards the gym, only when I get inside, I see Wes sitting on a bench, with a laptop in his hand and an earpiece in all of their ears. He looks thoroughly mad, put in the dark and all, I guess anyone would be in his position.

Madison rips hers from her ear, walking up to me in a sports bra and shorts, "Whoever the hell you are, what makes you think you could ever make this team, junior?" She spits at me, I glance up at her, given her height is at least six inches on mine.

"I'm not here to make this team, I'm just here to make your missions glide more successfully, with less casualties like the last time." I comment and Branson steps forward, sizing himself up.

"How do you know of any casualties?" He asks, and I shrug.

"I've been working in infiltrating the Gala for this Wednesday, I'll be with you but, it's on you to actually get in, I'm just guiding you. Do you even know what you'll need to collect?" I ask, diverting the question, placing my bag on the side bench as Tobias closes in on the seat next to me.

Pointing at me, "Before we get into that, you need to tell us what you know about each of us?" His words spark recognition but, I merely sigh.

I purse my lips, "All I know is what's in your files, now answer my question, this should be standard procedure?" I question and Wes kneels down before me, scrutinising me as the rest do the same, I look down, not wanting to stare into their intimidating gazes.