Fragments Gallery
Operative: Objective
"Welcome," said Nigel as Shawn was escorted into his war room, "I'm glad you could make it."
Shawn remained silent as he stared impassively at the man. They both knew the reason why he had returned. It had nothing to do with generosity.
This man before him was threatening his daughter. He would play along... for now. Someday he would put an end to this program’s... manipulations. But now was not the time for that. They must really need him if they were willing to threaten his family to get his service. They must know this could not end well.
There was an empty space at his side which Nigel seemed to want him take however, for the moment, Shawn ignored it. Instead he looks around the room. The normal assortment of personnel wandered around as they worked on their separate tasks. Analysts, operatives and general security made up the bulk of those in the large room. However he did occasionally catch sight of someone who didn't seem to fit in, perhaps someone coerced into service like himself or a consultant of some kind. Those he could pick out as they didn't look quite so comfortable in the crowd.
Computer monitors and display glass glittered around the room. The screens displayed a great variety of information; they showed the ever changing and ongoing stream of information from all of the operations the program was running at the moment.
This was the heart of the program, one place he never thought he would stand again.
Nigel himself stood in the center of the room next to a large display table.
"When you are feeling safe Shawn, if you would consent to stand over here," Nigel gestured to the place at his side, "I would be much appreciative. We could then begin with your mission briefing."
Shawn shrugged and moved closer to the table. Might as well see what he wants.
Nigel eyed him inquisitively before directing Shawn's attention to a young woman standing across the table from himself.
"This is Sasha; she will be your partner in these assignments. Her background is similar to your own so she should prove to be more than an adequate partner for one of your skills."
Shawn nodded to her. She was dark skinned and lean. Her hair cascaded in a multitude of slender braids with framed her face and its inquisitive eyes.
"And this," said Nigel gesturing to an older heavyset man standing next to her, "is Ron, he will be your handler and contact from with the program."
Again Shawn nodded to the man who bowed his head in return. Ron was blond haired and bearded, with pale skin and steel grey eyes. Shawn knew him from before he had been cut loose from the program. He was experienced, a very valuable asset as a handler since he knew exactly what he had to do to keep his operatives alive.
He would reserve judgement on Sasha until he had seen her in action, but he had worked with Ron before, and so already knew that he was one of the best. On top of that Nigel had dared to blackmail Shawn into coming back. It looked as though Nigel really wished for this mission to succeed.
Nigel hesitated and Shawn frowned. He had never known Nigel to be reluctant about anything. So why hesitate?
"You are still familiar with the Rock?" He began slowly.
Shawn nodded. It was the program's codename for an impregnable fortress in Eastern Europe. He had been part of a disastrous mission to the Rock many years before.
"We have an intelligence asset inside of the Rock," Nigel said, his eyes locking onto Shawn's, "Your mission is to retrieve that asset as soon as possible. It is of utmost importance."
Shawn could only stare at him in shock. They had to break into the Rock. That bloody Rock.
The last time he hack been there his partner had died and he himself had barely managed to escape. The scars, both mental and physical, from that place had never truly faded. Now they wanted to send him back.