𝑨𝑹𝑬 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑨𝑭𝑹𝑨𝑰𝑫 | four, six underground.

viii. GOOD LUCK

"FMS, Hong Kong. Engine start."

"Hey team, we're below radar. So, buckle up. 'Cause it's about to get bumpy." One's voice came echoing into the plane's cabin.

     The unlikely team was now preparing to make their land in Hong Kong. The private jet's cabin was peaceful throughout the majority of the flight and the large, soft cream chairs seemed to swallow Zero whole. This combination made it irresistible for her not to fall asleep. Unfortunately, she found herself seated next to Four. The man she desperately tried to avoid.

"You know I usually look at the stewardess, to see if I should be scared." Three shuffled anxiously in his chair.

"Flight attendant." Two bluntly corrected. "You can look at me."

"Oh, darling, you could be on fire and you would have the same creepy, blank expression on your face."

     The raised voices around her seemed to stir Zero, her eyes were now softly fluttering awake. As she wriggled in her chair, she couldn't recognise the surface her head was resting on. However, once her eyes were open, she shot upright. Her heart started racing. Iris had fallen asleep on Four's shoulder.

     Four knew the girl had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He knew hours ago. Every now and then he would open an eye to check on her. Curse at the slight turbulence. He didn't get any sleep on that flight, however tired he was, Four didn't want to move and disturb her.

"You know what sucks." Three announced to the cabin. "If we were to crash, no one would ever know or care." He grew restless in his seat, glancing out the window. "We would have no impact on anything. Like we never existed."

"I can hear you, and if you're gonna shit your pants, there's a bathroom in the back." One, on the intercom.

     The ghosts slowly exited the plane, humidity instantly engulfing them. As they unloaded the luggage, Four reached down to grab Zero's heavy bag. He thought, maybe, this was how he would get her to talk to him again. To his disappointment, she simply smiled and let him take the bag for her.

Hong Kong

     The next day the team found themselves eating in crowded food market. Zero adored the smells of cooking different meats and sauces that danced through the air, the sound of people talking, food sizzling. Unfortunately, she was pulled from the bliss and serenity of the food market when she saw, out the corner of her eye, Three feeding Two some of his food. She didn't try to shoot him for being to close to her. She even smiled. Suspicious.

"So, how long's this been going on?" Seven smirked, gesturing to the pair.

"I've been wondering the same thing. Florence?" Five questions.

"Nah. My money's on Vegas" Zero smiled.

     Her suggestion was met with nods and hums of agreement from the rest of team.

"So, you guys know about us?" Three grunted, through a mouthful of food.

     Dumbass.

"Well, we do now." Five shook her head.

"Unbelievable." Zero chuckled. She stuck her hand out, gesturing to Five. The woman dug through her pockets, producing a crumpled five dollar bill. She slapped it into Zero's hand, rolling her eyes.

"Well, I guess it's not against the rules, right? " Two shrugged.

"Depends." One entered the conversation, a mouth full of noodles. "So, are you guys fucking or making love?"

     Zero's eyes met Four's, gazing at her from across the table. The World fell silent. What they had was more than 'fucking.' What they felt was definitely against the rules. They were falling.

     They were falling, yet Zero couldn't admit that to herself. She wouldn't let herself break the rules again. She had learnt her lesson. All that getting close to someone brings, is pain. Iris felt her only choice was to completely shut Four out. Her eyes traveled back to her bowl.

"Hey." One grabbed the groups' attention. "Who's this honey badger ?" Zero turned her head. There was a man, around late twenties, sitting with them.

"I'm... I'm Raymond." He spluttered.

"Hi Raymond. You new to the team?"

"Just, just hanging out."

"Can we keep him." Zero cooed.

"It's Britney, bitch." Five chuckled, referring to his shirt.

"So, we probably should go discuss our sensitive geopolitical issues when we're, you know, Raymond-free. Great security though. Really great." One commented. "Especially you." He pointed his chopsticks to Two.

"Hong Kong. Penthouse extraction." The team were now gathered around a table, discussing the plan one last time. "We're gonna break out Rovach's baby brother from his 90th floor prison. A simple snatch and grab. Minus the word simple, because it's not. And minus the word snatch-"

"Snatch?" Two questions.

"Snatch." One corrects.

"Snatch."

"Minus the word 'snatch and grab' because they mean the same thing."

"Snatch?"

"Snatch! " He huffed."Stop saying that."

"Nothing's simple." Seven carried on. "The next building over, we can use the sky cranes. One of which as a sniper's nest, for yours truly, the other as a crossover from building to building."

"Two, Three and I will take out the penthouse. Do the dirty work." Zero smirked, ending the plan. "We'll only have 15 minutes before HK police arrive. So suit up."

"Hey, that's my job. I'm the 'suit up' guy." One whined.

     Everyone was getting into their positions, awaiting that first cue. Five anxiously strolled into the lobby, Two and Three waited patiently in the car. Zero was at the base of the sky crane Four was about to scale.

"You afraid? " She asked.

"Nope." Four replied bluntly.

     He was frustrated at the girl, Four knew she was purposely trying to ignore him. She believed that it is for the best. They shouldn't care for one another. That angered him. He couldn't keep pretending like nothing happened. He couldn't let her go.

"Zero. You should go find Two and Three, we don't have much time." One offered a sad smile to the girl, he noted the tension between two.

     Zero turned and walked away, took a deep breath, and climbed onto her bike. Her full focus had to be on the mission.

"Good luck." One turned to face Four.

"Saying good luck, is bad luck." Four grunted.

"Well, I take it back."

"Taking it back is even worse luck."

"Go, go, go, go, go." One gave up. He paused until Four was a couple feet off the ground. "Good luck."

"Do you want me to die?" Four spoke as he started the long climb up the sky crane. "Wanker."

"It's time." Five smiled.