Black
#1 of The Assignment
I know I haven't done anything in a while and I apologize. In recompense, I have a little teaser for a new story I've been brewing up. While I work on the plot material for my other stuff, I'll be throwing this up and maybe a chapter or two when I can.
The Assignment
Prologue: Black
"So....he's the one? The one you're selecting for this assignment?"
"Correct, he's the only person in the entire organization that met every of the requirements."
"...I still have my doubts, Arkillian. I've sifted through his dossier. Apathetic of his own life and those irrelevant to the operation, signs of mental instability, prone to eruptions of uncontrollable rage, social disassociation...that's just the tip of an exceedingly towering iceberg."
"I'm well aware of that General. I know him better than anyone else. Besides, you said so yourself. You studied his profile, you should understand why."
"I understand why. It's a surprise that after his upbringing that he's this stable at all. But that's the issue, Arkillian. He's unhinged, chaotic at best. I don't think it's possible for a person like that to adapt to what I'm asking for. He's unsuited for undercover residential life, he's too damaged. He could suffer from a mental breakdown. He could even potentially go berserk and start killing."
"Everything you've said is true, General. But you told me you wanted a soldier. Not just the best, but someone capable enough to get the job done professionally and without failure. He's scored at the top of the boards in drill and has never failed in any mission he's taken. Sergeant Black comes with my highest recommendations."
"You better be right, if he fails, diplomatic relations with our two governments will collapse and there are many predictable outcomes to that....as I am sure you are aware of."
"I know what's at stake, General, and my commendation still stands unchanged. Sergeant Black is the most suitable candidate, even with his...irregularities."
"Very well...I wish to speak with him before I sanction anything."
"Of course, I anticipated you might. The sergeant is waiting outside, I'll send him in."
The door to the small room opened and a shadow exited. Moments later, another one took its place.
"Sergeant Black, Arkillian seems to believe you are the best person for the contract. I disagree. Convince me otherwise."
"....."
"Sergeant...?"
"General..."
"Are you not going to even try and convince me?"
"No."
"I see....a person of few words I take it?"
"Nothing needs to be said."
"Hmm...you are definitely not my first choice Sergeant, nor my second, third, or even tenth. However, your organization is the most reliable and honorable. Therefore I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, of which I have much. In any case, you have the mission."
"As you say...General."
"Since I have a feeling you will not ask, I will inform you of the stringent conditions. They must be upheld at all times otherwise the contract is canceled effectively immediately."
"...Conditions?"
"As long as you are in our territory, you will not unnecessarily endanger the lives of our citizens nor cause untoward damages to both public and private property, no matter whatever persecution you may suffer. You will obey our laws and will be subject to our authority. This is a clandestine operation. That means that no one outside the chain of command and certain planetside operatives will know of your real purpose once you arrive. If your cover is blown, that will result in immediate termination of the contract, and may be imprisoned for an unknowable length of time. It is entirely possible that you may never be released. Conversely, you will obtain a document shortly after you land from one of my most trusted friends. Show it to any officer of the Defense Force and no questions will be asked. This'll only work so far, so don't do anything too crazy. Furthermore, if you manage to recover any data relating to the terrorist group responsible for this assignment, you will receive additional bonuses to your set fee once you turn it in. Do you accept?"
"....Agreed."
"Good. I will allow for your HMCF to be stationed in orbit, only to be deployed in dire emergencies. In addition to your HMCF, your standard equipment and even your ECS will be ferried down and bypass processing, although strict conditions will be placed on your ECS. Once you arrive at your residence, it will be unloaded along with the rest of your gear. Any further resources you might need will have to be requested at a yet to be specified location. A transmitter will be placed in your residence to receive and make encrypted communications to myself and your organization. Do not use it for anything else."
"Affirmative."
"Are you aware of the details of this job?"
"No."
"Interesting....in that instance, the specifics will be given to you by my contact once you reach the starport. They will also take you to your place of dwelling and drop you off. Do not open the data packet until you are inside."
"By your orders, General."
"Now, you are dismissed."
The General watched as the Sergeant exited and sighed heavily as he leaned back and turned it to look out upon the stars.
"I hope I haven't made a grave mistake."