Nicole

"This is a serious matter so listen up!" I told our agents and spies and additional members who volunteered to help. We were all geared up with all the weapons, armor, and communication devices we needed for this mission. We based all of our gear and materials just on the little bit of information we knew about Fire's plan. A lot of hacking into emails and phone calls were done, spying, and finding out linked connections were all we had.

"We don't have any more time to waste. The longer we wait, the worse the situation gets. All we have now is each other so we have to make sure that we stay focused and stay connected in order to succeed... I know this is an unexpected last-minute change in plans but we have no other choice. The more we take time to figure her out, the more arrangements she makes. It's now or nothing."

I took a deep breath, doing my best not to show any of the frets I felt deep in my chest as I told them, "We will all take a fighter jet and travel in groups. We should have enough, right pilots?"

They nodded, "Yes, ma'am."

"Good... I need a group to specifically target Fire's home. Make sure no one could get in and no one could get out and if it's possible, break into that home and get into her computer. We need to do some manipulating to distract her team of criminals."

Stacy scratched her head, "Isn't that illegal, Agent Greene?"

I sneered, "Do I look like I give a shit? Getting fined or arrested is the least of my worries right now. Keep your minds on the goal. Don't think about the law. Think about the lives you'll be saving and the one life that brought us together as a team in the first place."

Everyone looked at each other with uncertainty and debating expressions.

"Come on, guys... It's the only way to stop this. If we don't act now, we'll fail ourselves and fail to show what it means to work for the USSCI. If we're not loyal to our own members, we're not being loyal to ourselves..."

"She's right!" Dani stepped up to the front. "This team means nothing if we pretend like we're too afraid to face what we've been training for this whole time."

I smirked at her, "Correct..." I turned back to the team, "Ready or not... We never back down to fight for what's right. That's why we are all standing here before me today. We've already baked the cake... All that's left is the icing."

They all nodded then gradually spurred into loud cheers, agreeing to be fully committed.

I smiled, "Great! Let's move!"

They all marched out to the fighter jets and got into groups with their designated pilots. I followed them out but then, was suddenly stopped by a strong pair of hands.

I whipped around and saw Jaden who was just pulling off his protective helmet, "We're riding together... Jerry is coming with us too."

I nodded, "That's perfectly fine. Just wait until everyone is boarded so we can take the extras."

He nodded, "Alright, cool..."

I could see the nervousness on his face. This mission required us to break an ass-ton of major laws and risk lots of lives... Something that he's not used to doing. I appreciate that, even with the guilt of participating in this, he still chose to do it.

"Jaden... Don't worry about a thing. Once we finish here, we'll be able to clean the mess up afterward. I'll make sure that you and nobody else won't end up locked away in prison if that's what you're scared about."

He smiled, "It is pretty nerve-racking but I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

I gave him an acknowledging smile.

"Here's the last of 'em!" one of the coaches announced as he brought two more agents our way.

I thanked him then gestured them over, "Right in here. Buckle up and get ready."

After they headed inside, Jaden and I went in and took a seat at the back, right where I could access the emergency parachutes just in case.

The pilot announced that we were getting ready to lift and a short moment later, the roar of the jet sounded as we moved down the runway and lifted off into the air with the other jets following behind.

Jerry looked out of the window with a soft tone in his voice, "We're really doing this, huh..." he sighed and looked at us, "This is going to be one interesting story to tell my kids when I get back. I bet they'll rethink saying that being a security guard is lame." he chuckled.

I smiled, "You're the best, Jerry. Thank you for tagging along."

"Anything for you..."

I gave him a small smile before turning my attention to my gear. I double-checked myself for my firearms, grenades and communication systems just in case. I always make sure that I am 100 percent ready to get the job done...

Of course, none of what I'm loaded with is nearly close to what's needed to get the job done.

I groaned softly and rested my head on Jaden's shoulder. He looked at me then put his arm around my shoulder, "You feeling okay?" he asked me in a hushed tone.

I nodded and closed my eyes to try and keep my mind from going wild at all the crazy possibilities that might happen, "Yeah... I'm fine."

He gently kissed my forehead as I continued to think. I couldn't help but think.

As soon as we touch down in Europe, we will immediately land in the USSCI European headquarters to get additional materials we need that were too big to carry from the HQ back home.

I blinked my eyes open when I felt Jaden gently playing with my fingers. It was calming to me and made me feel a little sleepy, which is what I don't want. I needed to stay awake for anything unexpected to happen. I can't always trust the pilot to alert us on time.

* * * * *

7 hours later, I woke up to the sound of the pilot telling us our current location.

"We will enter European territory in approximately 10 minutes," he told us.

So much for staying awake.

Now I feel sluggish after taking about 4 separate naps which is unacceptable. I reached over for the small cooler and pulled out five energy drinks.

"Hey, wake up." I slapped Jaden's thigh, making him startle awake. He rubbed his eyes, trying to see as I handed him two drinks, "Here. Swallow this up, fast and hand one to Jerry."

He nodded and did as I said while I headed over to the other two agents and gently slapped their faces until they awakened, "We have less than 7 minutes. Drink this up quickly."

They both stretched and each grabbed a drink. I opened my can and went back to my seat, downing the energy drink in one breath. The fizz of it instantly cleared my mind and brought life back into my body.

That's better... Next step: To catch a criminal.

Jaden slapped his helmet on, "Let's do this!"

I winked at him before placing my helmet over my head as well. I felt pumped about this again and had no regrets. Now's our moment.

I gazed out of the window, listening to the pilot announce, "Three minutes till reaching European territory."

I smirked with a nod. Another minute closer to finding Simon...

"Wow... Europe..." Jerry smiled as he looked out of the window. "It almost felt impossible that we would ever be this close to finding my old pal again. Now that we're here, though..."

"All hope is back..." I finished with a gentle smile.

He nodded, "Yeah... It is."

Kyle, one of the other agents on board with us, nudged his shoulder, "Of course we'll see him again. Not one minute in our training was wasted just so we could see the day we bring our boss back."

I grinned at that but then, something outside of the opposite window caught my attention and my smile began to leave my expression.

What... The...

I noticed an organized line of black dots waiting down below at the border... Simultaneously, the all raised some type of pointed shape that aimed directly at us. That's when I realized what was actually happening.

Are those tanks...?

My eyes widened, "PILOT, TURN THE JET AROUND!" I demanded, seeing the first ball of fire fly towards us.

Without question, the pilot sharply attempted to turn the jet but the missile managed to just barely hit the side of it, causing us to stumble around.

"What the hell was that?!" Jaden asked with terror in his eyes.

I crawled over to the back of the jet, reaching for the parachutes, "We're being ambushed! We have to jump!"

Another missile hit, followed by the screams of everyone aboard. I could see the wildly blazing red fire flaring around on the left wing of the jet.

We're gonna go down!

I tossed a parachute to everyone and put one on myself, "Get to the exit, now!" I demanded.

BOOM!

The wing was completely blown off and was now free-falling from the air like a stray meteor.

We stumbled back on our feet but our spy agent, Scarla, demanded us to immediately get down, "Take cover! They're loaded with- AHHH!" she let out an ear-piercing, vibrated scream and grabbed her chest in pain as she was being pushed back to the seats by large, rapid-firing bullets that had forced their way through the hole on the side of the plane.

"OH SHIT!" Jaden screeched as he yanked me back down to the ground.

I watched in cold terror as Scarla's body took bullet after bullet and began to bleed out quickly on the seats, her eyes rolling to the back of her head as she lost consciousness.

The plane began to plummet down faster and faster. The sharp sound of the air sweeping by as we fell gradually crescendo louder the faster we went.

What the hell is that pilot doing?

I crawled across the floor then pushed myself up to jump and dodge another missile that shook the plane.

"Nicole!" Jerry yelled but I ignored it and kept moving.

Once I got to the front of the plane, harsh winds blew through the hole in the front window. I kept my balance and held onto the pilot's chair.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WE'RE... Falling..." I stopped and gazed at him for a moment. His body was limp, leaning against the wheel. "Dammit! PILOT WAKE UP!" I screamed over the roaring winds as I yanked his unconscious body up.

"SPEAK TO ME PILOT, COME ON!" I moved his face to look at me but all I saw was the inside of his skull...

His face poured out onto my hands along with his brain, making me drop him quickly.

"Pilot... Dammit! DAMMIT!" I yanked him off of his chair and placed him on the ground, struggling to keep my footing.

While holding in my anger and tears, I grabbed the wheel, trying my best to maneuver the jet to land safely enough.

BOOM!

Another explosion.

I grabbed the radio and contacted the other jets. The signal was unclear but it was thankfully enough to get in touch with the others.

"We're being ambushed! I repeat, we are being ambushed! Get to safety and take cover now!" I demanded.

"I hear you!" someone yelled back.

My heart pounded heavily as I smashed emergency buttons and tried to keep the plane steady enough for a dangerous emergency landing.

"AGENT BROWN GET DOWN!" I heard from behind.

Less than a second later, a huge explosion followed by the sounds of irritating crashes and snapping loudly surrounded us. Next thing I know, the back half was completely separated from the front and we began to fall faster than ever before, causing the winds to sound more like violent whistles and whooshing. I quickly tightened my seat belt as the winds were fighting to snatch me from my chair so I could stay put.

The experience was so overwhelming and my adrenaline level was so extremely high that all of the sounds around me just faded away and everything fell silent.

I couldn't think straight, I couldn't understand anything anymore. Nothing felt real at this moment. Agent Kyle yelled something to me but I couldn't hear him. I didn't even know where Jaden or Jerry was at this point.

Suddenly, our plane shifted to the side with fire beginning to blaze on the edges of the hole. We then began to be tossed around in the plane as it went rolling and sliding through trees and dirt while rubble and dust fell through the large hole until we came to a complete stop.

Silence...

Still.....

Empty......