|
"I saw the News coverage, but I've never met him. Or Iron man. I'd love to know how he got round the minimization problems on his weapons system, not to mention the power distribution. That suit really is light years ahead of anything you can buy commercially. But I guess his secrets are his to keep."
"I suppose that was quite the introduction to him. Being in New York during the invasion must have been incredibly shocking, I've seen the videos and I still can't believe it happened."
--
Ebon places a hand out to Trystt but is quick to pull it back as she glares at everyone. "That loud crash was a little startling, it's going to take me a while to get used to everything down here."
Rubbing the back of his neck he smiles. "I'm from China, I lived in the Shaolin temple at Dengfeng all my life. Getting to America about three months ago was massive shock, but it has grown on me."
"Shift this all seems light years ahead of anything, this place the Iron Man suits. The things Stark has done it baffles me, he could be here now explaining it all to me and I know I still would have no idea what he was talking about."
"Heh. Heh." Spore lets out two separate grunting laughs as the others talk about the technological advancements, even as he makes a mental note to ask Trystt more about the local heros everyone's discussing.
"Tech can be great, but it's not everything. I've seen my fair share, and I still prefer the old way for most things. If Nature wants something done, it'll give you a way. You can trust me on that."
As everyone recovers from the shock of the loud BANG, Spore points out the weight lifter.
"Impressive. Who's that?" he asks Agent Carter.
Sharon follows Spore's gaze down the Hall to the far end.
At first glance, the area looks very much like any other upscale, commercial gymnasium. It is complete with treadmills, exercise bikes, weight racks, benches and every other piece of equipment any discerning athlete might hope to use.
And yet it all looks somehow different. The STARK logo appears on most of the items and each have a futuristic look with sleek lines and smart grey and silver construction.
As you get slightly closer, you realise that the man Spore indicates isn't wearing silver at all - he is silver. The man stands well over 7 feet tall and is brutishly muscles, huge ribbons of muscle stretching along his back, shoulders and massive arms. But most extraordinary, beyond his physical height and obvious strength, is the fact his entire body seems to be crafted from gleaming, living steel. He wears a red and gold training costume on top of it and reaches down to adjust a dial set into one of the massive weight plates on either side of a bar. He then bends, grips the bar with both hands and deadlifts the weight up time and again as though it were nothing before letting it drop at the end of his set with another prodigious crash.
That's Piotr - Colossus. He's one of the X-men. He and Storm are here today. We see most of the X-men from time to time but mostly in a consultative role or to give us some tips on how to dial this place up a notch. No one from SHIELD has been there but they talk about Xavier's school out in Westchester and the facilities they have there for training mutants - they call it the Danger Room apparently and it's even more advanced than here.
The machines you see are very much like any gym. Except the weights are fitted with mass-induction technology that allows the user to effectively dial up the weight from basically nothing right up to around 100,000lbs. Even then I've seen Piotr and Ben - The Thing I mentioned earlier - max them out pretty easily. God knows what Thor has to do to break a sweat.
The cardio equipment is pretty similar. But make sure you dial it up slowly, you don't want to jump on a treadmill when it's already going 108 miles per hour hahaha!
"I like your way of thinking Spore, in the temple we never had technology like this we got by in simpler ways." He says as they make their way into the gym.
"Although this does seem easier to get to than carrying a pack of rocks up a thousand steps each day." Looking around, he stares as Colossus finishes a massive set of weights.
Hellcat, my ass! a female voice says from somewhere off to the group's left. Pussycat maybe!
This is followed by a growl of frustration from another female and you turn to watch the two women you saw earlier from a distance, this time a lot closer, and just as brutal.
The woman doing the talking is an athletic blonde in an outfit of grey and white, quite similar to that worn by Sharon except somewhat more revealing - probably deliberately so.
She adopts a tight-elbowed, half-hunched boxing stance with both hands up in a guard by her chin. Beyond her guard is a sly smile as she realises her trash talk has worked and she has baited her opponent.
The other female wears a full-body yellow catsuit and is currently in what Ebon recognises as Panther style. Her face and head are covered in a black mask that allows her a shock of fiery red hair to spill out from the back. She is taller and leaner than her opponent and leaps in, hands raised like claws.
The woman in white sees the attack coming, counts on it, and spins away at the last moment, letting the other crash against the fence. In an instant she seizes her opportunity, delivering a solid blow to the body that crunches home, followed by an uppercut that rocks the one known as Hellcat.
But she isn't done yet and as the woman in white closes the distance, Hellcat leaps upon the cage, grasping the chain links with her strong grip and then leaping deftly to wrap her legs around the other girl's neck and with a twist, throw her bodily across the cage where she lands with a cry of pain as Hellcat simply drops to all floors as her namesake would.
TIME! a trainer shouts, standing nearby and watching the proceedings with his stopwatch to hand.
The two women stand and catch their breath, smiles spreading across their faces as they cross the cage to embrace eachother quickly.
Nice job, Bobbi. Hellcat says.
Yeah, you too girl. Landed right on my g0ddamned tailbone. she adds with a wince and a laugh.
Same time next week?
You bet you ass. If my ass ain't still sore that is! Mockingbird replies laughing at her own joke.
As they exit the cage, Sharon says; That's Hellcat and Mockingbird. Mockingbird is a SHIELD agent too, Agent 19 but her real name is Bobbi Morse. Hellcat has kept her identity secret, and that's fine. We respect her privacy in that regard.
"Why are they here if their 'Danger Room' is so great?," asks with a bit of an edge to her tone.
SHIELD have worked hard to establish good relations with the superhero groups we know about - the X-men, Fantastic Four, Inhumans, even Excalibur over in Europe. Sharon replies. We've extended invitations to all of them and so far Charles Xavier and his students and the Fantastic Four have taken us up on the offer. The Xmen have kept their agendas close over the years but I think they take this as an opportunity to legitimise themselves and also to make sure SHIELD really is above board now that the Avengers have broken up.
They occasionally help us set up scenarios and give guest lectures in the Halls. Since Tony Stark decided to take a sabbatical, Dwayne - you'll probably meet him later - has taken over maintaining all this but sometimes Forge - another of the Xmen, has been helping out too.
Besides, they probably just like getting out of that mansion every once in a while.
"Hello," Spore offers to the women as they group passes by, speaking in his slow and deliberate way. He raises a vine-y hand up, pointing to himself, and says:
"Spore."
After a moment, he reaches out with his other arm, plucking a pair of flowers from each his chest and handing one to each of the women.
"Very nice to meet you."
Well arent you sweet? says Mockingbird as she wipes sweat from her forehead with one hand and takes the flower with the other. Welcome to Earth I guess. Where'd you spring up from? Like radioactive fertilizer or something?
Jesus, Bobbi... Hellcat chides, before introducing herself. Havent seen you here before, I'd remember. You on the induction? Hey Agent Carter.
'Cat. Sharon replies
Midnight leans against a nearby wall, a cool appraising expression stamped carefully on her face as she watches the two women fight.
So may I enquire Hellcat, if you are not a SHIELD agent, what talents might you possess? Forgive my curiosity, I'm new here...
she tries to smile in a friendly fashion.
Responding to Trystts comment. "Breath taking... We were on one of the seven peaks of Song mountains. A lot different to New York."
---
Ebon steps forward after admiring the match. "First time for us. You both were very impressive, I liked your use of Panther style." He says to Hellcat. "I'm Ebon He bows to both women. "Maybe one day you two could teach me a thing or two?"
Midnight leans against a nearby wall, a cool appraising expression stamped carefully on her face as she watches the two women fight.
So may I enquire Hellcat, if you are not a SHIELD agent, what talents might you possess? Forgive my curiosity, I'm new here...
she tries to smile in a friendly fashion.
Hellcat pants as she struggles to regain her breath, her hands cupped over her knees as her back rises and falls with each gasp.
Oh you know... stubbornness, a thick head, inability to disregard bad people do bad things to good people, a decent right hook... the usual. she replies to Midnight.
Sharon laughs.
Hellcat is playing it down. She's schooled more than one of the senior trainers here and her acrobatics are pretty top notch too.
The woman in yellow seems to have composed herself a little.
Yeah well, I try my best. I'm not in the same league as most of the guys and girls who come here but that doesn't mean I can't learn from them and make a difference in my own way.
She turns to Ebon and Shift;
"Wow, that was a true workout. I thought I was a good fencer, but I wouldn't stand a chance against you guys."
Oh yeah, you recognise Panther? What's your thing, kung fu, fencing did you say? I stick to Krav Maga mainly but I like to mix it up. Plus Mockingbird whines if I bring my claws in with me.
Mockingbird sneers.
Let me bring my gun then.
Hellcat laughs and begins to walk away, smoothing down her red hair.
It was nice to meet you all. If you ever want to practice or just a conversation or whatever just leave a message at the front desk and we'll arrange it. She turns back quickly and lays a hand on Spore's 'shoulder.' Thank you again for the flower. See you around.
Hellcat has proven to be a skilled gymnast and acrobat as well as being trained in several forms of advanced martial arts. She is a natural athlete and her costume contains retractable steel claws that she uses as both weapons and climbing aids.
She is relatively new to being a costumed hero and has only been active for some six months or so.
Mockingbird is an excellent gymnast, martial artist, and hand-to-hand combatant. She has a doctoral degree in biology and was well trained by S.H.I.E.L.D. in espionage and counter-espionage techniques. She is also a proficient marks-woman and well versed in the use of her battle staves.
She derives her name from her smart remarks and ability to undermine the confidence of her opponents through satire.
"I try to mix my styles but I was trained primarily in Kung fu, It would be my pleasure to duel with you one day. It looked like you could teach me a lot." Ebon then bows. "See you around."
Sharon leads you around the large hall where it breaks off to a corridor leading east.
Down there are lecture halls where we have speakers form within the Agency, other law enforcement agencies from around the world and also costumed heroes.
There are also interrogation rooms where you can practice questioning techniques - it isn't all running around and busting heads.
She continues on to a separate corridor that leads off north this time.
Down there is the plunge pool. It's basically a massive fish tank where we can replicate deep sea rescues but we don't have anything scheduled in there today. We also have the Wind Tunnel - it's kind of the same thing except we can replicate mid-air events instead. In fact I think Nighthawk is about to attempt to rescue a pilot from a crashing small aircraft if you want to observe? she asks.
Due to the effects of an alchemical serum, Nighthawk possesses superhuman strength, endurance, and recuperative powers during the night.
He operates mostly in New York but almost exclusively at night.
He has advanced athletic ability and hand-to-hand combat skills but also relies on a variety of technology to supplement his alchemical abilities such as claws, a jet-powered set of artificial wings.
Spore waves goodbye to Hellcat and smiles.
"Goodbye," he rumbles.
"Shall we keep going, then? I hope everyone at SHIELD is so friendly."
***********
As the group starts off towards the next 'tour-stop' Spore comments to the others, "I'd make a good dueling partner if you need one. We're not the strongest, but my kind heal quite quickly, you know."
***********
When Sharon explains the Wind Tunnel and the Pool, and offers them the chance to watch, Spore nods silently and excitedly.
'I am learning much today; this was a wise choice, allying with SHIELD,' he thinks.
'And there are so MANY of heroes here. Perhaps I can get some database time soon to learn who everyone else is.'
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"Not that it's the same thing, but the 102nd floor of the Empire State building is an experience that you'll never forget."
=====
"Sharon, this stuff is useful, but what about things like tactics and logistics? If all we needed was someone to punch stuff in the face, well, Hulk could do that. But the Avengers are... err, were so much more than that."
"Not that it's the same thing, but the 102nd floor of the Empire State building is an experience that you'll never forget."
====="Sharon, this stuff is useful, but what about things like tactics and logistics? If all we needed was someone to punch stuff in the face, well, Hulk could do that. But the Avengers are... err, were so much more than that."
That's what the lecture halls and interview rooms are for. So you can benefit form learning from some of the best minds trained in counter-terrorism, espionage and those with real experience of supervillains.
"Oh, wow, now that's cool. Can we see that next?" Trystt seems much more excited by the idea of lectures as opposed to sparring.
Of course, let me get the rest of the group settled at the Wind Tunnel and I'll take you to meet Dwayne - Agent Dwayne Reed - he's prepping a lecture on the use of advanced interrogation techniques. Sharon replies. Midnight, if you are an energy projector, you might find it useful to spend some time in the Firing Range too.
She takes the group down a long corridor to a metal door that reads Observation Deck above it. Through the door and up a long staircase, the group finds themselves in a glass-fronted control room. Banks of computers sit on one side with technicians sat hunched over and in intense concentration.
Through the glass you can see a full-size light aircraft. It appears to be floating in mid-air but then you see a man, dressed all in black with a proud-looking gold eagle on his chest. He hovers beside the plane, his black metal wings vibrating furiously in what you see must be a powerful updraft from unseen fans.
He tucks his wings back and swoops beside the plane. Raising a gloved hand, a small laser beam is emitted from a small device on the back of his hand and slices cleanly through the door lock on the side of the plane.
He pulls the door open and adjusts his flight pattern so that he can reach inside and pull the dummy representing the pilot out. But then, just as he is about to, there is a flash of light from somewhere high up in the chamber and you press forward to see what it is.
Floating easily in the tunnel, white hair blooming out behind her is a regal-looking woman with dark skin and eyes that crackle with lightning. Her voice comes through over the speaker system in the observation deck as she says;
Very good Kyle. But how would you cope if the plane's propulsion systems were still active? Could you manage if they suddenly kicked in and the plane were travelling toward the ground at 150 miles per hour!
She raises her hands and you watch as the air shifts and displaces all around the plane, sending the man in black sprawling upward, arms flailing and wings desperately trying to adjust to the sudden updraft.
Ororo! he shouts. That's faster than terminal velocity, I didn't design my wings to fly that fast!
But she appears uncaring and the lightning in her eyes crackles all the more.
Adapt and overcome, Nighthawk. You cannot anticipate all eventualities, but you must react to them all the same.
The man twists in the air and recovers, tucking his wings back like a plummeting hawk and dives through the updraft toward the plane once again. He presses a series of buttons at his belt and you see a shimmering field briefly appear around him.
One of the technicians watches over his instruments and then leans across to another;
He's using a forcefield to more efficiently deflect the air, reducing his drag even more. That's pretty smart.
Nighthawk lowers his head and boosts the small jet engines on his wings as much as he is able, gaining on the plane inch by inch until finally he reaches in and snatches at the dummy, yanking it out unceremoniously and then streaking back toward the top of the tunnel as he opens his wings to slow his descent.
Very good, Nighthawk. But that pilot would have suffered half a dozen fractures at least, being extracted at that speed. the weather-controlling woman says.
Better a broken arm than being flat as a pancake, Storm. Nighthawk replies, depositing the dummy on a platform to one side.
The technicians give the hero a round of applause but he shakes his head and shouts;
Set it up again, please. This time add in a passenger too.
Storm has the ability to control the weather and can fly. She is a member of the X-Men, a group of mutant heroes who fight for peace and equality between mutants and humans. Possessing natural leadership skills and some of the most formidable powers in her team, Storm has led the X-Men from time to time.
Her power levels are currently undetermined but it is clear she is one of the most powerful mutants currently known.
@Trystt "I haven't had a lot of time for sightseeing, but I'll make sure to add that to my list."
--
"I'll take you up on that Spore. I bet I could learn a lot from the way you fight too, I've never seen anyone as unique as you fight It could prepare me for anything."
--
Getting to the control room Ebon looks around feeling out of place with controls planes of blinking lights and monitors showing graphs and spiking lines.
He stands back and watches as the man attempt to extract the dummy only to be bumped out of the way by a frightening woman with lightening crackling off her. He moves closer to the window not wanting to miss a moment. "Is that storm? I suppose the name gives her away." He watches as the wind picks up even more but NightHawk seemingly adapts and strifes forward and pulls out the dummy. "Amazing.. and this is just training!"
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Trystt whistles in admiration as they walk in to the control room. "Okay, the lecture hall can wait. Sharon, when you say 'Wind Tunnel', you're underselling it, like, by a lot."
As Trystt watches the training exercise, she twists and leans as if that will help the flying hero. After Nighthawk manages it, she exclaims, "Nice! Wow, how cool is that?! Being able to fly must be awesome!"
Spore nods at Trystt while she gets excited about watching the one called 'Nighthawk' flying in the tunnel.
"She said she can fly," he says, pointing at Midnight while addressing Trystt, "ask her maybe?"
"Auroran, yes?" he asks Midnight, trying to confirm what he suspected earlier. "I've heard of your people; you're quite far from home." He offers a smile, but no more.
Midnight is rapt at the demonstration in the wind tunnel, chafing at the bit to try it out herself, even hovering slightly off the floor in anticipation.... yet at The Spore's mention of her race, her expression falls completely as her feet touch the floor once more.
My people... yes I'm far from home... how... how much do you know about my people? Have you heard anything... recent?
She tries to act casual, but she is a poor poker player, and tension comes off her in waves as she stares at The Spore, hanging off every word of his reply.
Trystt whistles in admiration as they walk in to the control room. "Okay, the lecture hall can wait. Sharon, when you say 'Wind Tunnel', you're underselling it, like, by a lot."
I think it will have to wait. Sharon agrees, stepping out onto the gantry and pointing, drawing your attention to the colossal glass area through which you can see the mock up of a New York street.
That’s the ‘Box.’ she shrugs. When Mr Stark was designing this place he seemed set on giving everything a nickname. I dunno, I guess that's his thing. It is a live-fire area where we can set up almost any foreign or domestic crisis exercise. Before he took his... sabbatical... Mr Stark was working on zero-gravity simulators to emulate missions in Deep Space. But we’re not quite there yet.
I think Vision just finished up. He wanted to calibrate something so we set up a multi-vehicle accident caused by an earthquake.
I'm going to get them to set up a level one exercise for you guys, to put you through your paces. You up for that?
As the group moves on towards the Box, Spore slows his gait to trail to the back of the group, where he can talk with Midnight and not be the center of attention.
"I have," Spore replies tentatively. "Have you not? So you are not still in contact with the Peacekeepers then? Perhaps we should talk...more privately?"
"That was truly heroic !" He comments on Nighthawk.
Then looking down at the box he hears the words of getting to have a go. "Yes I'm ready, I'm excited to see what we're all capable of maybe we can see if napalm wants in on this?."
A man jogs up behind the group. He's wearing a tactical suit with several small objects hanging off and a variety of tech equipment on it. "Hey, I hope I didn't miss anything fun. Was that Mockingbird back there? I've heard she's damned good in the lab as well as being able to kick some ass. Anyway, I got some search queries going on Daredevil, so I thought..." He trails off as he realizes Ebon and Midnight aren't alone.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't realize there were others with you. I just got the alert that we were granted access to the training area, and I came down to see what was down here. I'm Lucas." It's then that he sees Sharon Carter, and realizes she's providing the walk-through and she's in mid-explanation. Lucas purses his lips and gives a curt nod towards her.
"My apologies, Ms. Carter. Please, continue."
Something seems off between Sharon and Lucas. It's a frosty greeting from him, when he otherwise seems on good terms with most of the SHIELD personnel.
Midnight stares at The Spore, dropping back to the rear of the group as he does and bobbong her head in silent appreciation
No... I have... not... I would very much appreciate it, if yo have no personal stake of course, if you could keep your knowledge of my race... quiet?
She tries to smile, but the tension in her expression turns it in to a grimace.
I... you are the only one that could possibly have heard... if you want to talk about it please talk to me first, don't go...don't go to them...don't tell them... I can explain... just... later, after this... later?...
Her eyes implore, then she surges forward coasting on air to catch up with the others...
Yes! The Box sounds fun, let us see what we can do yes?!
"It's good to have you back Napalm, I didnt want you stuck behind that computer when we were having the fun. We've met a few new interesting people too." He nods to the others.
I think Vision just finished up. He wanted to calibrate something so we set up a multi-vehicle accident caused by an earthquake.
As if on cue, a man dressed head to foot in jade, red and gold rises into the air and out of The Box. You watch as his form becomes hazy and translucent as he floats easily up through the roof of the structure, his gold cloak completely still as though he were flying in a vacuum.
Rather than stopping he simply continues to float upward toward the ceiling and through it, as easily as if it were not there at all. He simply drifts through and into that 1,000ft of bedrock like a ghost.
Well, there he goes. says Sharon.
When her gaze returns back to the group she sees Lucas has rejoined.
Lucas. she says by way of greeting. I had heard you were transitioning out of the lab. God to see you.
"It's good to have you back Napalm, I didnt want you stuck behind that computer when we were having the fun. [/qupte]
Sharon interjects here;
Ebon, I need to remind you that The Box is a live-fire environment. Don't pull your punches in there, because the enemy won't. You'll be facing a combination of robotic and live enemies that will closely simulate a typical emergency or crisis situation. Medics will be on stand by but you need to be aware of that the threat of injury in there is very real.
Sharon clicks a hidden earpiece and says;
John, set up scenario Alpha zero, zero, eight please. Yep.... Yeah.... Six inductees. Great,
It takes well over an hour for Vison's earthquake scenario to be removed and The Box reset. You have no idea what you'll be facing in there other than you can see huge blocks of what look like natural stone and huge sections of tree and brush lowered in by crane or wheeled in on massive trolleys.
After a while, you are led to a room that adjoins the Box and you soon realise it is dressed like a SHIELD command station. Dozens of technicians feverishly type away and track a hundred different factors on screens that line the walls. Sharon does not follow you inside.
An enormous black glass table emblazoned with the SHIELD logo. At the head of the table are two armed women dressed in SHIELD uniforms, one holding a tablet and the other speaking rapidly into a headset.
Team. the one with the tablet says, waving you inside. You realise quickly that everything from here on is part of the scenario. I'm glad you responded to our call, we have a crisis situation here and we do not have the resources in the field to resolve.
Take a seat.
"Don't worry, I wont be holding anything back." He rolls his shoulders and tenses his fists. "It's been awhile since I've had a proper fight." He responds to Agent Carter.
--
Ebon looking around the command room and is draw the the large glass table and the two armed women standing next to it. He quickly switches to serious as he moves to the table taking a seat.
This is cool.
"What are we looking at here? What are we expected to face?" He asks.
Spore nods in agreement to Midnight, even as she flies forward to join the rest of the group. She'd seemed serious and her actions were measured eariler; when he mentioned her home she'd gotten 'flighty'.
'Ha!'
Spore chuckled to himself at the joke as he shambled forward to join the group
----
Coming upon Napalm, he introduces himself a bit...awkwardly, feeling particularly confident and clever, having just thought of that 'flight' pun.
"Spore," he says, pointing at himself. "Napalm? Please don't light me on fire and we will be wonderful friends, I'm sure." He smiles.
'Hrm. Maybe fewer jokes,' he thinks.
I'm Agent Schmidt, this is Agent Clark. the Agent with the tablet says. And we are in a crisis situation.
She strides to the table and taps at her tablet a few times. Suddenly, the entirety of the glass table lights up and is filled with a huge image of a man's face. He is a human male in his late fifties, with a scruffy grey beard and dark, tanned skin and sunken eyes.
This is Agent Abd al Hakim Elbari. For the past six months he has been operating with deep cove in the mountains of Afghanistan, outside Kabul. His mission was to infiltrate a terrorist organisation there that call themselves the 'Ten Rings.'
4 hours ago, he sent a final encoded transmission saying that his cover was blown and that he was going to be taken by the insurgents. Drones tracked the convey he was carried in to a cave complex here... the image changes to a dense mountain range of sand-blasted rock. It is imperative that we extract Agent Elbari, he has vital intelligence not only on this organisation, but also of our other covert actions in the area.
Questions so far?
The sense of urgency in the field office is palpable.
|
|
"Trystt," she says simply in response to Lucas' introduction.
In the briefing room, Trystt takes a seat next to Spore while Rocky floats up onto the table. As the briefing begins, she takes her time studying Agent Elbari's image, committing it to memory.
Hmmm, knowing what to ask is probably almost as important as the answers. She starts the questions with, "How many entrances are there? How many insurgents? And what kind of weapons and defenses do they have?"
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Lucas nods to the others as they quickly enter the scenario's field office. He listens to the quick briefing, his mind already analyzing the situation. "So this is an infiltration and rescue mission? It sounds like we need to quietly find a way in. What do we know about the Ten Rings? What kind of activity is there at the cave complex? Comings and goings? Supplies?"
He looks around the room to see if he can see anyone with actual controls on the drone. "Can we get tactical imagery? Infrared might be able to highlight heat sources. It won't be able to penetrate the cave, but it can show running vehicles, people."
Our intelligence is limited. Agent Schmidt says. You're right in that the drone cameras cannot penetrate the mountain. But what we do know about this cave complex is that the Ten Rings use it as a communications hub. The amount is digital traffic coming out of there is huge and some of our best techs are trying to crack it.
The image on the table shifts again, the sudden wiping of one image and the display of another is a little stomach churning, especially as it switches to a high level, top-down view that cycles through normal vision, night vision and infrared.
You can see that vehicles are few. The convoy of lightly-armoured civilian vehicles is some way down the mountain, there is no good vehicle access yet. We think that's deliberate so any attackers have to approach on foot. So vehicles should not be a concern on this op. We have only seen insurgents entering and exiting through this entrance that leads to a path down to the vehicles.
Numbers are unknown. We have definitely identified 6 different insurgents entering that cave from the vehicles as well as two more who were on guard at the entrance.
The Ten Rings are a relatively new, but highly aggressive, organisation. We have no idea what their ideology is, nor their goal. We have evidence that they have attacked British and American forces in the region, but also tactical strikes against incumbent forces. They seem to be almost exclusively made up of extraterrestrials called 'Hobgoblins.' These are genetically, big, strong but also wily and cunning. More concerning is we have reason to believe that there are two enforcers in this complex - what they call 'Hill Giants.' We believe them to be a race indigenous to the same planet as the Hobgoblins and are a very deliberate physical threat. If they are present you can expect extreme physical resistance from them whereas the Hobgoblins seem content with a mixture of automatic weapons and melee weapons like blades and axes.
The map zooms in to one particular area in the foothills of the mountains.
We believe we can insert you here, and you should be able to make your way through the trees undetected until you are within about 50 feet of the opening. Unfortunately from there, it's a pretty open area to the cave mouth itself and from there we go dark.
Intel from Kabul indicates a massive mobilisation of Ten Rings troops who we believe will be on site within the hour. If Elbari is not extracted by then, we will never get him back - their forces will be too great.
FInally, the other Agent finishes whatever conversaiton she was having in her earpiece and turns to you;
Your primary objective is to extract Elbari. A SHIELD vert-jet will be waiting at the extraction point two miles away in this valley. Secondary to that is recovery of any data you can find on site relating to Ten RIngs operations.
But be warned, if and when you are discovered we estimate that you will have little more than 5 minutes before reinforcements arrive through the cave network - we think the place is a labyrinth deeper in the mountains where they store their munitions.
Midnight eyes you suspiciously, but seems to make a decision and as the SHIELD techs begin their work on setting up the Box, she comes back over.
I didn't leave my home system on... particularly 'good terms' with my people... so forgive me if I'm somewhat wary of another space traveler, I'm keen not to be found. Can I trust you?
Her pupil-less eyes gaze unblinkingly at Spore.
*
Lucas! You've missed the guided tour but there's SO MUCH here! I can't believe it's all just been sat under us the whole time!
She glides around an inch or so off the floor, giddy as a schoolgirl.
Oh they're ready for us, right...
She listens raptly as the agents relay the scenario, and by the time they are done, all trace of levity is gone from her demeanor.
Lucas and Trysst have asked good questions, I will add the following; what are our entry and exit capabilities? Are there any other local resources to leverage or are we it? What level of force is authorised? How visible is this mission... covert or overt?