Erasure and Affirmation (Hypernaturals 11)

Sleeping Sirens

Up on the roof, the paratroopers that overnighted up there and cut the comms became a breach team. They had all night long to fiddle with the roof access panels and make them ready so that once the alarm was down it was easy to open them. Crew poured into the place via every opening. The plan minimized the time we were outside and other nearby people could see us. Cars driving by. Taller buildings that could see over the fence.

There was even a sign suddenly hung by the front entrance that read 'Fire drills today'. I love the Crew's attention to detail. That is why humans do not know we exist. Mostly. Not counting the HPA and a certain ultra-secret government agency.

I followed Denise and the rest of the team. "We would be a lot more effective up in front." I bitched to Morgan. "Does no good to bring your best eyes and ears in last."

"I do not disagree. Denise is in charge. Her call." Morgan said. "My Jessica is angry about being even farther back."

"My Jessica probably never thought being a Doctor would bite her on the ass like that." I said.

"That is not where she likes to be bitten." Morgan agreed. "Me either."

We shared the briefest of smiles at our possessiveness of our mutual spouse.

By the time Morgan and I got inside the loading dock area, the Crew members from the leading edge of the assault were zipcuffing and stacking sleeping people along a wall for later processing.

This part of the Op is pretty radio-quiet, as everyone is focused on taking down anyone in their path.

I ran forward at a gesture from my boss, Denise. "I hear voices. What do you hear on the other side of this door?"

I listened.

"People. Not alarmed. Walking and talking about some sporting event. Coming this way." I said.

Denise gestured. Two Crew lined up on the door, and she popped it. The pair rotated into the opening and took down the people before they could react.

"What is in those Darts?" I wondered aloud as I watched them fall.

"Couple of things. Tranqs are not instant, so they are coated in a contact paralytic." Denise said offhandedly.

"Good to know." Said Morgan.

"Regular Crew did know. I should have said." Denise semi-apologized. There was a conversational layer to that which implied 'You are not Crew' but it was not mean spirited.

We rolled into the building interior, leaving behind a rear guard. They watched out back and also cuffed sleeping Sirens. At least we are not in that group. I promised to behave, but that would have gotten seriously up my nose.

"See: It could be worse. You could still be on the loading dock." Morgan pointed out, echoing my thoughts as she often does. "She also used you tactically exactly as she should: for your ears."

"Yes, Morgan. I understand. You think I'm being dumb." I said.

"No, Adrian: I am still angry at you for going into the last building without waiting for me." Morgan said. "Denise putting you on a leash? I wish I could. I am going to take lessons from her."

"Well: that is pretty self-aware." I said. "You normally take a while to process how you are feeling about something. Not telling you anything you do not already know."

We are having a sub-vocal personal conversation and the closest thing to a fight Morgan and I ever get into, even as we are raiding a Siren stronghold.

"I am learning." Morgan said. "Only you and Jessica can make me that furious. I suppose it was your turn."

As we are behind the leading edge of the incursion team, we are not darting anyone. The leading edge is getting all of them. In an old movie, all we would need is for the leading edge Crew members to be handing their guns back to us for reloads while they fired out the window.