He hadn’t noticed the recruit nervously approaching his flank, until he spoke. “Sir…we’re, ahhh, we’re ready for you, sir,” said the voice of an innocent.
A young communications technician extended an earpiece as if he expected Agent Branson to confuse his feeble arm for the dangling equipment and detach it from his body.
Mathew perceived the display as cowardice and snatched the hanging wires from the technician’s grasp, careful to leave the arm attached. He emplaced the earpiece and followed the technician to where the Black Coats had constructed the command post and now waited for the final mission rundown.
Mathew took his place ahead of the group to disseminate his orders.
“All right, listen up, you’ve all been assigned under me in Team Alpha, or Agent Iyuega in Team Bravo, and it looks like you guys already separated into your respective subgroups.”
“Sir, yes, sir,” responded the members of Alpha.
Intelligence indicated that the building they were looking to strike rented out the first floors as common dwellings to conceal criminal activity on the three highest levels.
“Bravo Team will act as a barricade to secure the three perimeter entryways.”
“Copy that,” a voice said from the right.
“Team Alpha, the arrow, will clear each level, and post guards at the entryways as we ascend to deter any escape attempts.”
“You got it, Team Lead,” said a voice on the left.