Captain Williams nodded back to me in response with a strange expression that almost looked like relief while behind her Fox had the tiniest of smirks on his face before he quickly schooled his expression.
“Excellent, and thank you everyone. As of this moment, you are now part of the Project American Star program. Specifically, you are assigned to the tactical arm of the program designated as the Supernormal Tactics and Response team. The STAR team is made up of two components, a Special Forces Unit and PMC Walker.”
“Officially everyone in this room not named PMC Walker is now assigned to Wolf Unit. Wolf unit is a blended Human/Supernormal Unit, so some of you have abilities, some of you don’t, but all of you are the best of the best. When I was given leeway to name our new unit, I wanted to honor the name of our former unit in which Fox, Brunner, and I served. We were Hound Unit, a bunch of dogs that ran together. When thinking about this unit I wanted something better for us. A name that evoked even stronger bonds and a name that will let us forge our own legacy. I want this unit to work and grow together like a pack. To stand and fall together, each of us strengthening the pack,” Captain Williams explained all this while walking slowly to stand with Fox and Brunner. Something passed between them before she continued.
“I will serve as your Detachment Commander and will carry the callsign of Wolf One. Chief Warrant Officer Nicholas Brunner serves as my Assistant Detachment Commander carrying the callsign of Wolf Two,” she said waving in Brunner’s direction. “I have high expectations of Chief Brunner and know he will do everything he can to support the unit.”
“Lastly, Master Sergeant Ken Takahara, Fox, will serve as our Operations Officer and rounds out team leadership as third in command. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, Fox does not carry the ‘Wolf’ designation. While Fox is assigned to the unit officially he is still tied to SpecOps Command as a special operator and may be called into service at their request and there there retains a special designation. Additionally, Fox will function as a combat instructor while on base and all of you will at some point enjoy his…training.”
I winced at the loaded way she said the word training having already experienced Fox’s training sessions. He still managed to put me through my paces even with above average endurance. Heidi must have heard the rumors or talked to someone who had trained with Fox as I caught her quick grimace at the word training.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t give an overview of the Command Chain above us. I’ll start at the top with base commander Colonel Reginald Morales who carries the callsign of Jupiter, followed by Lieutenant Colonel Rupal Amin, callsign Astraea. Lieutenant Colonel Amin serves as our direct liaison to Colonel Morales. Additionally, she serves as the Public Relations Officer for the Program. She is someone you’d do well to make friends with,” Captain Williams made a point to pause for effect on explaining Astraea’s role.
“Doctor Anna Robinson who carries the rank of Major is the head of the base medical corps and directly supports our unit and the Medical Sergeant. Major Maxwell Ziet, callsign Whiskey, serves as our base Operations Officer and will support the unit Operations and Intelligence Officers. Lastly in order, but not in importance, is Captain Ian Zaymon our Quartermaster. Captain Zaymon goes by the callsign, Backpack, and there may be no more important officer on this base. You’d do well to remember to treat him accordingly if you’d like to get anything in a timely manner. Okay, that was a lot. Does anyone have any questions?” Captain Williams finished her run down with her hands spread inviting questions.
“Captain Williams thank you for the overview. I’m sure that will be helpful as we settle in but what are our callsigns?” asked Laurel.
“Thank you Sergeant Moshner. I was getting to that but since you asked, I’ll just get to it,“ she answered..
“Sergeant First Class Alessandra White will serve as the unit Medical Officer, Callsign Wolf Three, ability Empathic Touch. Sergeant Andre Ricard serves as our Engineering Officer, Callsign Wolf Four. Sergeant First Class Laurel Moshner fills the role of Intelligence Officer, Callsign Wolf Five. Finally, rounding out Wolf Unit is Sergeant Heidi Spinklemann our Communications Officer, Callsign Wolf Six. Any questions?”
There were none and each officer had simply nodded at their newly assigned callsign as it was given.
“Last but not least is the final member of the tactical team, Danielle Walker, Callsign Star. Officially Miss Walker is a Private Military Contractor and holds no rank, however, if you are astute you may have noticed a recurring theme around the word ‘Star’. PMC Walker here is the original ‘Star’ and the genesis from which this program was formed. She is a Quantum level Supernormal and Miss Walker has spent the last two years training with myself, Fox, and Chief Brunner in military protocol and first response to deploy as a First Responder. While under the banner of the STAR Team, we will work together, but make no mistake, Wolf Unit is deployed in support of Miss. Walker and her role as a First Responder.
Forcing a nervous smile on my face I looked at Wolf Unit. “No worries guys, remember you can call me Dani, and we’re all going to do our best right? I’ll be sure to do my best for you as well. A rising tide lifts all boats,” I finished in the lamest way possible.
My true ability of being a huge dork must of sparked the right amount of humor because Heidi broke out in a giggle while Alessa had a smile on her face. Even Laurel who seemed to not show much emotion had a smirk but it was all topped off by Andre who hit me with a wink and shot finger guns my way.
I did notice Brunner roll his eyes before crossing his arms and looking angry, but then again, anything about me usually had that effect on him.
“Thank you Dani. Just to make sure I’ve covered all of my bases, the final part of the Project American Star program consists of the Supernormal Theory and Advance Research Project. This consists of the original research program that was formed after Miss. Walker manifested. They represent the leading edge of Supernormal research and will be providing us with technical support and R&D while we share operational data with them. For context, Dani has been working with Dr. Rokker and his team since she was eleven years old. Multiple breakthroughs in the understanding of Supernormals have come from their research. I share this just in case anyone wants to question PMC Walkers or the non-military staffs' dedication,” Captain Williams explained to the group.
I was confused by the tone until she said the last part directly at Brunner and I understood this was her way of getting ahead of him and his negativity toward me. The Captain has probably had to hear his complaints more than once and whatever her feelings this was her way of subtly saying to the new members I don’t support his negativity.
“Alright while I’ve been stalling Fox has been setting up a quick rundown of the plan if we get the green light to deploy,” and with that, Captain Williams gestured for Fox to take over.
“Thank you, Captain, as has already been explained our targets are military-trained and highly dangerous. Before our tracker went dark, we were able to ascertain that they had relocated to an abandoned Air Force Station located on the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This particular base does not have an airstrip but does have an old helipad as well as close access to Lake Superior. It wouldn’t take much to get onto a boat and then find their way into Canada if they weren’t planning to exfil by air,” Fox explained all this while bringing up images of the area on the projectors.
Changing the display to show a large weather pattern moving into the area. “As we mentioned earlier we’ve gotten a stroke of luck in the form of a late season snow storm that is impacting the area. The storm hit a few hours after they landed and it’s our belief they were effectively grounded and did not have enough time to move to the next phase of their exfil. Lake effect snow is expected to drag out the timeline of the storm into late tomorrow so we are going to use this as our window to mount a rescue operation.”
“Sir, if I may, how are we going to get up there if the weather is so bad that their chopper is grounded?” asked Andre.
“I did mention the R & D department, right? Turns out we have an experimental VTOL transport prototype that just happens to be decked out in the latest stealth gear here on base and we’ve been given emergency authorization to use it. It kind of looks like a drone ate a helicopter. The rotors are internal and I’m assured they will hold up to weather for the time we are exposed,” explained Captain Williams.
“That solves us getting up there but how will we see through the weather if the conditions are that bad? They most certainly will have some kind of monitoring for electronic signals,” Laurel asked in follow-up to Andre's question.
“Well, we’ve come up with what we hope is a solution to that. Since we already know the location of the base we don’t have to waste time locating it, so it’s the approach we’ll be concerned with due to the lack of intel. We’ll make full use of the stealth capabilities of the craft so hopefully they are what we’ve been promised. Still in order to get on target and stay as passive as possible we’re planning to be guided in by laser.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“How will that be possible if the plan is for us to go in passively. We’d be lighting up their monitoring by painting the location with a laser,” Heidi stated this time. Her communications training kicked in as the conversation veered into her specialty.
Fox changed the projection to remove the weather overlaid over the base. “The radar equipment at the base was stripped out years ago when it closed so whatever detection equipment they have they’ve brought with them. Taking into consideration the average range of portable radar systems and the weather we’re going to deploy Star with a laser beacon at twenty-five klicks. She’ll fly in low following the road until she gets to the base. Once at the base, she’ll need to approach with caution and plant the beacon in a location where we can land the craft.”
My eyebrows rose into my hairline at the revelation that I’d be deployed in the vanguard position. “Fox, what happens if I get spotted? Should I fight back?”
Fox nodded at my question. “That’s exactly what we are hoping will happen, and exactly why I’ll be going with you. Your primary role is to plant the beacon, but upon achieving that, you’ll serve as a distraction for me to infiltrate. There are a lot of buildings and places they could be holed up but our bet is on the old administration building. There is still power to some of the base due to a cell tower being located on the grounds and that would be the most logical place.”
“If I can locate the boy I will attempt to extract him if possible, but more specifically you’re going to hold the landing zone and protect the team’s landing. Once on the ground, Captain Williams will provide orders, but in the gap you will have to use your best judgment. Once the rest of the team arrives they will begin search and suppression. Remember we don’t have intel so we’re going in blind, which means teamwork and communication will be vital,” Fox said letting the gravity of the situation sink in.
“Alright, so hopefully everyone has a good idea of the overall mission. Once we deploy callsigns only, and we’ve designated Markus as ‘MacGuffin’ for this operation. Fox and Star will deploy as Scout and Vanguard. Once we’ve landed Wolves Four and Six will stay with the craft. In the event the LZ is hot, you are to pull back to a safe location and wait for further instructions. Wolf Six will be running communications and countermeasures while Wolf Four will handle operations onsite for this mission,” Captain Williams handed out a mission packet to each of us as our names were mentioned.
“Wolves Two, Three, and Five will be with me on search and suppression. We’ll pair off with Two and Three together and Five with me. Star I will give you more specific direction based on the situation once we arrive. Your tactical uniforms have been delivered to your quarters and any specialty gear is being delivered to the hanger. I know this isn’t ideal and I wish we had been able to get some time together to work out any kinks but all of you are professionals and I know you’ll do your jobs. Let’s look out for each other and talk to each other. It seems fate has decided that trial by fire is the crucible upon which this unit will be forged. You are all dismissed to get changed into your tactical uniforms and to grab anything else you need. Please meet at the hangar ready room on subfloor two in twenty minutes,” Captain Williams instructed everyone.
We all started to shuffle toward the exit with a palpable nervous energy collectively rolling through us. Considering most of us were strangers and here we were already getting deployed, I don’t think I could have ever imagined how things would actually turn out when I signed on.
“Hold on everyone!” Captain Wiliams called out before we had filtered out of the training room. “I’ve just received word from Lieutenant Amin that the mission is go. We are airborne within the hour. Get moving!
Everyone but unit leadership immediately dispersed, and by dispersed, I mean we all immediately got into the same elevator at the end of the hall. We were all headed to subfloor three where our quarters were located so we had to go up two floors to get there. I knew Heidi was near my quarters but I wondered if the rest of the team would be nearby as well.
“I gotta say this unit is already shaping up to be more exciting than I anticipated,” joked Andre while we rode up to our floor. “Brunner seems fun.”
“He…really rubs me the wrong way, and I’m probably pushing it with how I talk to him. From what Fox and the Captain say he’s a good soldier and I know firsthand that he knows his weapons systems. While I have my own thoughts, I’ll try to let you form your own opinions,” I replied earnestly to Andre’s joke.
I didn’t want my new squadmates to think I was overly antagonistic and it wasn’t my place to poison their opinion. My Mom would have my hide for doing that, but I also knew I had every right to stand my ground considering my own experience with Brunner. My Dad would say that you don’t have to be friends with or agree with someone to be professional. It was a standard that I strived for but often fell short of. It was also somewhat Dad’s fault because I got the majority of my smart mouth from him. Not that he would never admit it.
“Don’t worry about it Dani. We’re all professionals and we’ll figure out our dynamic soon enough, but I don’t think you have to worry,” Hiedi said in reply as the elevator doors opened.
The personnel quarters in this area were set up with a main hallway and smaller hallways that branched off of it. I turned down the hallway where my quarters were located and it turned out that we had indeed been grouped together. Heidi was across from me with Alessa next to her, and Laurel was next to me with Andre on the other side of her.
“C’est le fun! We’re all together,” Andre exclaimed when it became apparent we were all living near each other. “This will make team bonding easier.”
Andre’s good nature was infectious and you couldn’t help but smile. I noticed the others smiling as well.
“There will be time for that later, but right now we’d better get ready,” Laurel said bringing us back to business.
“You got it ma chère,” Andre said cheekily to Laurel with a wink before ducking into his quarters.
Laurel just looked at the space Andre had vacated with a frosty expression before turning and entering her room without a word. Hiedi however found the exchange hilarious and burst out laughing before getting enough control of herself to say, “See you at the ready room,” before disappearing as well.
Alessa had been watching the shenanigans with an amused expression on her face and made eye contact with me. I had nothing to offer so I just shrugged and entered my room.
After shutting my door I noticed a case sitting a few feet into my quarters. I placed it on the table and noted that it had STAAR stamped on the lid which meant that it was from Dr. Rokker and the research team. I popped the latches to find a new uniform folded away neatly inside with a card that read All Weather Prototype. I pulled out the first piece of the uniform and noted that it still had the same general design but with some differences.
For one, the base layer was all one piece rather than the two pieces that I designed. It was basically a white full-body suit with red stripes that ran up the sides of the uniform like my regular one except they continued into the shoulders, unlike my regular top. One noticeable difference was that the red stripes had an almost metallic texture and were segmented horizontally the length of the suit. They had a vague resemblance to solar panels in an abstract way. The same one-piece shoe system was present in the legs of the suit.
Deciding that I should probably get moving, I tossed the base layer back into the case with the card and moved everything to my bedroom. I placed the case on the bed and then laid out the different components of the uniform. The card had instructions on its back with the recommended order for putting on each component and how a few things worked.
There was the base layer, a pair of red fingerless gloves with an interesting design on the palms, a black bolero jacket with my signature three stars across the shoulders with white trim at the collar and cuffs, and lastly an interesting cape-cloak combo in my regular blue color. All in all, it was a pretty interesting remix of my usual uniform. The black bolero jacket was especially interesting and I wasn’t sure why they chose black instead of my usual blue. Sadly, I didn’t have time to dwell on the fashion of it all as I was on the clock to get changed.
I made sure to put on fresh underwear and some deodorant though. If something went very wrong I hoped they could at least say ‘she had on clean underwear’. I put the base layer on first and noted that the fabric was a little sturdier than the uniform I wore at the mall. Next came the bolero jacket which covered my shoulders to just above my bust and my arms. When I looked in the mirror I had to admit I looked nice and the way it was cut mimicked the design of my two piece uniform top.
Last came the cape which was cut completely differently than my regular cape. It was cut more like a cloak and it draped down the front of the uniform at my shoulders. It had two anchor points at the collar that looked like they would break away under enough force. The cape was admiral blue with a single large white star on the front where it covered the bolero jacket and the edges were trimmed in white, and in a bit of surprise, it had a hood. When I checked the mirror I finally understood why the bolero jacket was black. With the cape on, the colors all landed in the same location as my regular design. Blue shoulders, red and white stripes on the body with black arms. It wasn’t a perfect recreation but that clearly wasn’t the intent of whoever designed it.
I double-checked all the bits and bobs like the wrist panel interface to make sure they worked and then checked the case to see if there was an earpiece. Sure enough in a spot by the lid was the wireless earpiece that would work with the suit’s communication gear. Next to it was the backup receiver that I put into the hidden pouch in the waistband. The last thing I found was a small case that held a pair of glasses that were slightly reflective and a small folded red cloth that on further inspection was a face mask.
I put the glasses back in the case and realized I only had a few minutes before I was expected to meet everyone at the ready room. I quickly ducked into the bathroom and brushed my hair getting it in order before putting it in a ponytail to keep it out of the way. I debated taking my phone but realized that with the microcomputer in my suit panel, I didn’t need it, so with everything in order I set off to the ready room.