Michael led all three of them to the armory. Unlike the facility that Dan was familiar with, he didn’t see any attendants here to greet them. Actually, he didn’t see a proper front desk or waiting area. Dan looked around to see only gun racks or entire jewel casings for various armor types. This armory was as barebones as it could get while serving the essentials.

“I’ve already selected your ideal weapons and equipment for each of you. Whatever existing weapons you have, drop them here. We need to make efficient use of the space the briefcases provide.” Michael pointed to a box where they would drop their existing weapons. Dan dropped off his dual pistols and his looted ZK-77 and the rest followed suit.

Michael had three briefcases lined up along the floor next to him. Dan saw all of them were a dull grey on the outside. All three were the same bulky size, at least the length of Allen’s plasma minigun. Dan knew these briefcases would be put to good use. Michael grabbed one of them and opened it up in his hand. He lowered the case and showed everyone the contents inside.

“Dan and Li, you both have the same loadout, save for a few extra grenades and throwing knives for Li,” he said. Dan looked inside and saw the neat inner layout. The case had contoured shapes that perfectly fit every weapon, magazine, and other gadget. He saw what appeared to be a pistol along with a silencer. A submachine gun similar to Jane’s Aero models lined the top corner. Various grenade types along with a curious empty sleeve along the length of the bottom.

“That right there is where you’ll fold your long coats and fit them,” Michael said. “You’ll have to wear your bodysuits underneath your disguises. Your silenced pistols are for kills that need to be quiet and the Aeros with shredder rounds are for when you need to go loud. But not as loud as this.”

Michael bent down and grabbed another briefcase and opened it to reveal a completely different layout. Dan assumed it was Angie’s since the case contained disassembled parts presumably belonging to a rocket and grenade launcher.

“Since we’re using the hotel’s roof to extract ourselves and the container, we might encounter enemy aircraft that will try to shoot us. Angie, you have three surface-to-air missiles for your rocket launcher. Don’t waste a single one.”

Angie’s eyes beamed as she allowed herself to take in all the individual parts stored within her case. “Got it boss.”

Michael closed the briefcase and handed it off the Angie. He did the same to Dan and Li. “Oh and I have your spoofed IDs.”

He handed an ID card to each member. Dan saw his ID and read the name and other info on it.

Greg Phillips

Age: 27 M

Born: July 10, 2274

Occupation: Cresh Arms Dealer

“Do you guys think I look twenty-seven?” Dan asked. “I’m barely eighteen.”

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“As long as you wear a mask, they won’t notice unless you’re in a staring content and they see the lack of crow’s feet on your skin,” Li said. “My new name is Jason Sung.”

“And mine is Jenny Auburn,” Angie said.

“Well then, arms dealers,” Michael said. “Let’s get going. If we leave now we’ll get to our destination right on schedule.”

The team carried their briefcases and walked behind Michael. They neared the front entrance of the facility.

“Where’s our ride?” Dan asked.

“Outside in the courtyard. There’s a dropship waiting for us.” Michael looked back at them over his shoulder. “Since we’re on a time crunch I won’t have time to roll out the red carpet for you upstarts. You’ll have to cope without first-class services.”

“That sucks,” Angie said.

“We’re agents, not royalty girl,” Li remarked.

Angie grumbled something under her breath and they all emerged out of the facility.

The area outside was marginally brighter than when Dan had entered. The orange streaks of the sun in the sky had spread to more clouds and his ears picked up a slight increase in traffic outside beyond the courtyard’s walls.

Dan spotted the dropship waiting for them in the middle of the yard. It was the same exact model that took him, Jane and the others to Amethyst to crush rebel activity during Dan’s second mission. The familiar eagle’s head shape brought back brief memories of that mission for him. He clutched the handle of his briefcase tightly, promising to himself that he would make sure his team wouldn’t suffer the same disasters.

The team silently boarded the ramp and entered the back of the dropship. The door raised and closed behind them and each team member took their own seat.

Dan felt the floor briefly rise beneath him and the sudden acceleration that told him that the aircraft was already speeding ahead to their destination into enemy territory. Dan and Li sat on one end while Michael and Angie sat across from them.

“Hey Michael, how do you know someone won’t spot who we actually are even with our fake IDs?”

“That’s where the subterfuge comes in. Obviously, once you’re checked in, it’s not a vacation. Keep your interactions with strangers to a minimum and follow instructions from either me or Tim. I highly doubt anyone will recognize who any of you are. All three of you are just tier one Alpha agents. None of you are big names like yours truly.”

“He’s got a point,” Li said. “I’ll be taking a nap for the rest of the ride. You can talk amongst yourselves.”

“Rude,” Angie said.

“I’ve already went through the icebreaker from our introductions with Dan and the training exercise. That’s sufficient,” he stated. Li lowered his head and shut his eyes.

“So Angie, what were you up to before Michael brought you along for this mission?” Dan asked.

“Just doing menial bullshit,” Angie waved. “My team and I were in one of the safer cities. We didn’t get much local action and I drew the short straw and had to act like the over-glorified police in my city. That shit should be for the tier zeros. Let them parade themselves around and let us tier ones get the actual missions.”

“I see.”

“When Michael was desperate to put any team together for this heist, I immediately volunteered myself, no matter how hard or suicidal the mission was. I would have done anything to get rid of the boredom. Now, we get to sneak into enemy territory and steal some important crap for the shard. I think I hit the jackpot,” Angie said. She made a fist and waved it around.

“Nothing to worry about Dan,” Michael said. “Stick to the plan and play it safe. And if shit does hit the fan, I’m confident that you and the others will adapt and overcome any challenges thrown your way.”