L' Inizio
The Initiation
Justin looked around the chaos that was the time right before one of NSYNC’s concerts. Himself, Joey, JC and Chris were trying to find Lance. He had left earlier due to a call, and now that it was hackey time, he was no where to be found.
“Lance! Yo, Lance!” Dodging people, he continues looking around. The group of four had split and was each individually looking for Lance. They were going to meet back at the designated hackey spot in 10 minutes, hopefully with their friend. Hearing voices from the activity room, he heads there and knocks. “Incoming!” Justin opens the door to find Lance and Stephanie laughing, red in the face. Stephanie was sprawled out on the floor in an awkward position. “What’d I miss?” Lance catches his breath.
“Nothing. Stephanie here had a little accident… right Steph?” Still giggling, she nods. Justin eyes the both of them before shaking his head.
“Um…right… you’re freaking me out Gizmo.”
“All in a days work Gremlin.” She cheerily quips. Justin rolls his eyes.
“Lance, come on. It’s time for the hackey.” He says and motions out the door. Lance nods and looks at Ste.
“Be careful… never know when stuffed animals might attack you.” Justin raises his right eyebrow and gives the two a look, shakes his head, then leaves. Lance and Ste break out into the giggles again. Lance regains his composure and heads out the door in the direction Justin was going. He joins the rest of the group in the designated circle.
“So, who’s got the sack?” Asks JC looking at the rest of the group.
“Joey. He ended it last time.” Replies Chris. They all look at Joey. He smiles and pulls the hackey sack out of his pocket.
“Like I would lose it.”
“You lost it three weeks ago.” Points out Lance. Joey gets thoughtful.
“Oh yeah. I did.” He shrugs. “But it’s not like you guys haven’t lost it from time to time.”
“Let’s get this on the road. It’s seven till show time.” Says Lance, reminding them of the time. Joey nods and drops the hackey sack. With concentration, he kicks it on its way down to JC. JC catches it with his foot and solemnly kicks it to Lance. Lance catches it as the rest let out a cheer. Lance rolls his eyes. “Wow. Big deal. I didn’t drop it.” He says glaring at the rest. They continue smiling as the hackey makes its way to Chris and finally Justin. They let out a cheer.
“That’s that. Where’s SC?” asks JC, looking at the group. “She’s usually here.”
“She’s hanging with Taryn. Taryn had gotten worked up earlier and Stephanie said she’d help out for a few days during the concerts. At least until we can get some replacements.” Says Justin, speaking up.
“Replacements?” Asks Chris.
“Um… yeah... didn’t you hear? Three people quit because of the…” A lump in his throat catches his speech. “…the incident. I guess they got scared. I don’t blame them though.”
“Oh, I didn’t know. I’ve been caught up in the whirlwind.” Chris nods. “Now I do.” The group goes solemn in remembrance of their crewman. They say a quick prayer before they are rushed onto the stage for that night’s concert.
*****
“Damn it!” Yells Ice over her shoulder as she finishes pulling a T-shirt over her head. “Viper! We’re going to be late!” She dashes to the closet and pulls out the first pair of sandals she could find.
“No we won’t. They won’t start without us.” Says Viper as she calmly exits the bathroom.
“Yeah, but we can’t make that plane wait for us now can we? No we can’t. Jester will have a field day.” Viper smiles and walks over to her friend.
“Ice? Breathe, honey. We’ll be okay. Scorpion has got to be rubbing off on you… Now let’s go!” She says as she starts dashing down the hall. Ice mumbles to herself.
“Not funny.” She races down the hall, following the path Viper had taken. The rest of the group was already in the main lounge sitting in a circle, with one spot left for her. She sits down. “Sorry.” The rest shake their heads and moan.
“You’re always late. What should make this time any different?” Says Hawke. Ice shrugs, grinning innocently. Hawke rolls her eyes. “All right. Let’s get this circle started. Since I led last time, it’s Ice’s turn to lead.” Ice nods, accepting the responsibility. “Now quiet. The Circle begins.” She takes a deep breath and then begins the dialogue that they each knew by heart.
“I shall open the circle. May the silence be as our respect for each other. We are Ghosts. To serve and protect our country. We are never anywhere, yet we are everywhere. Our laws bind us together, but we do so out of our friendship we've gained over the years. Let these laws and virtues guide us.” Ice looks to her right towards Delta. He meets her gaze and then turns to the group, continuing the dialogue.
“Honor. Honor is what holds us together. We honor each other's strengths and use them to achieve our goals."
“Wisdom. Wisdom keeps us from making mistakes. Mistakes of the past keep us from making them again. We learn from them." Continues Viper.
“Fast. To be fast is to not be caught or seen. To be caught is to give away our secrets. To be seen is to be known. Both are dangerous to Ghosts." Glitch finishes his part and looks towards Scorpion for him to continue.
“Agile. Agility of the mind and body get us out of tight spots, both mental and physical." Dust keeps the dialogue going.
“Smart. Never jumping into things we don't know. We analyze and study before going under.”
“Caring. Never harming an innocent. We care for the people we protect or help though they will never know it.” Says Rogue. As she finishes, she looks to her right for the next person to continue.
“Friends. We are friends. Held together by the bonds we’ve created. Brothers and sisters till the end.” Says Fox in compliance.
“But most of all invisible. Throughout what we do, we are never there. Leaving no lasting memory or impact because we are no where, yet we are every where." Hawke finishes and turns to Ice for her to close the ritual.
“These are our virtues. These are our laws. We live for them; we live by them. May these be our guiding lights in our times of trial. This is a circle of friends; may it be always be a circle: never unbroken and never-ending.” They all nod, before the silence is broken by Glitch.
“Whoo-hoo! Let’s go!” He laughs. The rest of the group either giggle or roll their eyes. He starts to head down the hall towards the exit where there was a plane to take them where they needed to be. The rest follow. Viper and Ice hang behind.
“Here we go…” Ice sing-songs. Viper giggles as well before nodding in agreement. She looks Ice in the eyes before they simultaneously sing.
“Here we go… Here we go again…” They laugh at the ridiculousness of it and run to catch up with the others.
*****
Johnny looked up when the commotion that was coming down the hallway finally came into his office. He was able to identify it even before it was yards from his office. They were being loud. Johnny shook his head smiling sadly.
“Boys? Would you please calm down and sit?” They find spots and Johnny begins the meeting. “I wanted to tell you boys myself instead of you all hearing it from the crew. I know you all know about the four people that quit, and because of what they do, finding their replacements soon is of importance; however, we already have. They will be coming in over the next few days, flying in from various parts of the world. Yes, world. Two are in and were born in the US, but two are coming in from tours overseas; one of which was born overseas; the other, American. I want you to be nice and try to come off as the gentlemen I know you can be. We need these replacements, and because of the extenuating circumstances for which they are here, we don’t need to scare them off. Any questions?” He looks around the room. Justin raises his hands.
“Yes?”
“Where are the two coming from?” Johnny ruffles through some papers.
“Spain and… Germany I believe. Anything else?” They shake their heads. “Okay. Would you also repeat the gist of this to Stephanie? I’ve already told the heads of the crew. You boys are free.” They let out a few cries of joy then head out. Johnny sat in his office and hoped things would go well. He needed the new crew members.
*****
"Testing. Testing. One... Two… Three..."
"OW!" Ice yelps when the microphone in the earpiece squeals right in her ear. She quickly removes it. She had just placed it in, and Viper was making sure it worked by talking into her end of the com-device. "Dammit V. That hurt. What'd you do?" Ice rubs her ear, trying to erase some of the ringing. Viper giggles.
"Sorry. I think Glitch was messing with my end again." She takes off the head set and looked it over, looking for the tell-tale signs of Glitch's tampering. Viper sighed. "Yup. He's been messing with it. Probably hiding in the next room listening for me to yell. He'll be disappointed it was you and not me."
"I'll bet." Says Ice dryly, still rubbing her ringing ear.
"Ice, sweetie, if you keep rubbing that it’s going to turn red."
"Yeah, well, it hurts." Viper shakes her head. True to Viper's word, Ice’s ear was now a bright red from her rubbing.
"Okay, so you're going British right?"
“Yes.” She says, giving a perfect English accent. “Figured the English thing would be a nice change of pace from the French thing we were doing. Besides, it’s nice to be speaking good ol’ English again.” Ice sighs. “We know too many languages.” Viper laughs. Like clockwork, Ice was always complaining about that right before a mission.
“True. When and where were the rest of the crew going to meet us?” Viper asks Ice while Viper was trying to fix her headset. Ice thought for a moment while she put the piece back in her ear.
“Testing. This work?” Ice nods.
“That’s good. No more squealing…” She pauses. “Glitch said that everyone was to meet here before Scorpion had to head out.”
“So where are they?”
“I don’t know.” Replies Ice just as Rogue and Hawke come rushing in, laughing. Viper looks at them weirdly. The two look at each other and grin, before they burst out laughing.
“The boys are going to be a wee bit late.” Says Rogue. Hawke nods.
“Yup. They had to find other means of getting clean. Though I really don’t see a problem. Shaving cream is clean.” Continues Hawke once she had regained her composure.
“Shaving cream shower?” Ask Ice knowingly. The two nod. “I have taught you well my pupils.” Viper shakes her head. The guys come in glaring at the girls; they just grin.
“Oh, we’ll get you back. When we can, we’ll get you back.” Threatens Glitch.
"I'm shaking in my socks." Replies Rogue with mock fear in her voice. Glitch, Fox, Dust, Scorpion, and Delta sit down, slightly away from the girls who where sitting on the floor and on one of the beds in the hotel room.
“All right. Come on crew. We’re going under starting today. First Scorpion, then Rogue, Ice, and finally Dust. The agency had already set up the jobs and times, so all we have to do is go to them. I know this is a fast into assignment, but we can do it, right?” They all nod their head. “Yeah. So good luck, god speed, and keep invisible. This is the last time we’ll be all together like this for a while.” They reciprocated the sentiments, hugged and went on their ways, but Ice’s head kept repeating two words he said over and over again. Keep invisible. She only hoped she wouldn’t have a problem with it. She never had before, and this time it wouldn’t be any different. That was their biggest command – Keep invisible.
*****
"Excuse me? Can you tell me where I can find Mr. Wright?" Scorpion asks a bodyguard guarding the door as he adjusts the position of his duffel bag's strap on his shoulder. "I'm David Sanders. He told me to come here." The bodyguard checks his list and nods his head.
"Go straight down that hallway; make a left at the third hallway. First door on the right." The guard says gesturing. Scorpion nods his head, adjusts the strap, and then heads in the direction the guard was telling him. Finding the door, he knocks.
"Come in." He opens the door to see eight guys and a girl looking at him. Two of the guys looked like bodyguards since they were built, so he assumed the others were Mr. Wright and the tour's headliners, NSYNC.
"Mr. Wright?"
"That would be me." Says a fairly short Black man. "And you?"
"David Sanders. We talked over the phone?" He says putting out his hand for Johnny to shake it. Johnny accepts.
"Ah, yes. I remember. The new Lighting Manager... Good. Good. Well, I'm finished here and have some time. Let me show you to the stage so you can get a feel of what you'll be working with, but I'm sure there won't be any problem. This is much like you've worked with before right?" Scorpion nods.
"Yeah. Similar. Shouldn't be too much trouble adjusting."
"Alright. Oh and this is the group, NSYNC. Justin, Chris, Joey, Lance, and JC." Johnny says pointing to each of the guys individually. Scorpion shakes each of the guys’ hands. "Those two are Red and Dewy, two of the bodyguards. And the girl is Stephanie Knowles, Justin's cousin." Stephanie rolls her eyes. "So let's head out shall we?" Scorpion nods his head goodbye then follows Johnny out of the room.
"The girl's hot." Laughs Delta in his ear. Scorpion nods in agreement. Even though Delta couldn't see the nod, he could see the motion of it. "So, let's get this started."
*****
Stephanie walks back from getting a bottle of water when she hears a frustrated groan. Curious, she stops heading towards the stage and makes a detour to find a girl sitting on a chair with her eyes closed frustration evident on her face.
"Can I help you Miss?" The girl's eyes shoot open, surprised that anyone had heard her. The girl forces a laugh.
"Not many can." Stephanie grins. "Michelle Jones." Rogue stands up, offering her hand. Stephanie shakes it.
"Stephanie Knowles, or my friends call me Ste. Call me Ste. Now about this little issue you have here..." Ste laughs causing Rogue to chuckle.
"It's my first day on the job and apparently no one can help me... or they're rude about it." She says, ending the sentence with a purposeful glare at the door to her right. "That guy in there is being a pain in the ass." Ste rolls her eyes, too familiar with the person in question.
"That's just Nathan. After a while, you learn to just ignore him. He’s a pain in the back to everyone."
"Nice to know. I'm supposed to report to the head of makeup, Rachael White. I'm her new gopher slash assistant."
"I know where that is. I'll take you and then head back on my way." Rogue smiles gratefully.
"That would be nice. I'm so lost in this place. How do you keep your head on straight?" Rogue asks as they start walking down the hallway.
"You get used to it and quickly." After a bit of walking, Ste stops in front of a door marked with a plain 'Makeup Room' sign.
"I would have never found this, thanks."
"No problem. Maybe we can hook up later on the tour and go shopping or something. There are not a lot of females here, so we got to stick together.
"Sounds like a blast... See ya. Hope I'm not in trouble."
"You won't be. As I said, Nat is a pain in the ass to everyone. Rachael will understand completely. Bye!" Stephanie calls as she walks off.
'That wasn't too hard. This'll be fun.'
"She's a character." Says Hawke's voice through the earpiece.
"Yeah, but should be helpful."
"Mmm-hmmm. Should be. Now let's get going. I've got all the necessities here: popcorn, a coke and a package of Now N' Laters. I'm all set." Rogue laughs, not hiding it due to the fact that no one was in the hallway.
"Yeah. Yeah. I'm the one under here, and you're the one having a party."
"Hey, whatever works, works." Rogue just smiles as she opens the door, ready for her quick training 'review'.
*****
Ice bent over and turned on the radio. She smiled softly and took a deep breath as the sounds of one of Beethoven’s symphonies filled the little practice room she had found. The tight black spandex pants and dark gray spaghetti strap tank top were perfect for the kind of dancing she liked to do. Club dancing was fun, but in her mind, nothing beat ballet. Ice sat down on the ground and began stretching.
“Dancing again Ice?” laughed Viper from the earpiece in her ear. Ice rolls her eyes.
“Yes. Dancing. Now if you don’t mind… quiet please?” Ice asks Viper with a biting tongue as Ice laces up the Pointe shoes. She checks her hair, which was now dyed a reddish brown, more red then brown because of her under heritage, and put into a tight bun, then stands up.
“Sure. Sheesh. Just remember, I’m still here, and I’m still watching.”
“How can I forget? This ear piece is annoying.” Viper laughs.
"It is. So do you remember what the guys look like? Or did you not study and are just winging this assignment?" Ice gives a shy grin.
"Winging it. I'm not supposed to know them yet, right?" Viper gives an affirmative, not quite sure where this was going. "So I'm not. This way I don't have to fake it. The less I have to fake- the less I have to worry about making a mistake." Viper nods even though Ice couldn't see her.
“I see your point. Viper out.” Ice takes another breath and looks around the room smiling. This assignment wasn’t going to be so bad. She could have some fun, dance, and take it with ease. She only hoped that the singers and crew wouldn’t give the four of them too much trouble as they went about trying to find the Griffin. Sometimes their snooping was suspected, but they were good enough to not get caught. Ice continues her dancing and still continues when she feels a pair of eyes watching her.
“Are you just going to stand there and watch me dance, or were you actually going to say something?” She says using the thick British accent that she had been working on the day before with Viper. The man in the doorway is startled. He didn’t know she knew he was there. She was amazing to watch. The grace with which she was dancing had captured him, or maybe it was just the dancer herself. He couldn't tell which. She turned around to meet the same pair of blue eyes that had captured her days earlier.
“Joshua Chasez or JC, and you are?” He says extending his hand.
“Wren Archer or my friends call me Wren.” She laughs and accepts the handshake. “Do I need to leave? The room was empty, so I thought it wouldn’t hurt anything if I used it.” He shakes his head.
“No. I was on my way to practice when I heard music coming from this direction. Thought I’d investigate. Are you a dancer for one of the opening acts? I haven’t seen you around before. You’re very talented.” She looks surprised, yet manages to shake her head.
“Thank you, but no, I’m no dancer. I’m the new Assistant Tour Manager for NSYNC. I haven’t met them yet however.” He grins and chuckles to himself. This was a first. “A ‘Johnny Wright’ was supposed to meet me in front of the stage in about…” Ice trails off to check her watch. Her eyes open in surprise. “Five minutes! I don’t suppose you know where that is, do you?” He nods.
“Well Ms. Archer, I happen to be headed that way myself. Want me to take you?” She nods gratefully.
“That would be wonderful…. And call me Wren. Let me go and get my stuff.” She walks over and grabs her bag, water bottle, and shoves her small CD player in her bag. JC motions her out the door before they walk together down the hall to her meeting spot. JC sees Johnny nervously looking at his watch then around the venue. He continued to repeat his actions. Seeing JC, Johnny waves then gives a look at Ice, not recognizing her. The pair approach him.
“JC! Good, a responsible one. I’m looking for our new assistant tour manager. Have you seen him? And who’s this?” Johnny asks rapid firing the questions. JC ignores the questions and asks some of his own, starting a drawn out discussion.
“Geeze… Someone needs to cut down on the coffee. How many pots did this little dude have?" Giggles Viper in Ice’s ear. Ice professionally keeps her smile from the comment from showing as she turns her attention back to the two men. Finding them discussing something she didn't know about and didn't seem to concern her, she looked around the arena. Stagehands were bustling about trying to complete their tasks for that night's show. Looking on the stage, she saw Scorpion seemingly right at home giving the lighting hands orders. He turns around, smiling at something, and he sees her. After giving her a quick wink, he returns back to ordering around the helpers. Ice continued looking around. The arena held many seats, yet she couldn't imagine all those seats filled with screaming adolescents hoping to catch the eye of a band member. Hearing a sudden burst of noise coming from her right in the opposite direction her and JC had come from, she diverts from her thoughts and her gazing. A group of four men come racing through the door followed by a brown-haired girl; they were all laughing. After watching them for a second, she hears her cover name in JC and Johnny’s conversation and turns her head.
"Sorry. I believe I heard my name?" Ice questions. Johnny smiles and JC shakes his head.
"Yeah. I believe Josh was telling me that you were the person I’ve been searching for. Ms. Wren Archer?" She nods.
"That would be me. Just Wren though. Reporting in, Mr. Wright." He smiles.
"Good. Good. Call me Johnny, the boys do. By the way, here they come. I can introduce you all, and then maybe have one of the guys show you around..."
"I'll do it." JC interrupts. "Since we've already met and I showed her how to get here." Johnny nods.
"Sure. That'll work. I'm very busy, and I’m awfully sorry I couldn't do it. That's one of the reasons why you’re here: to take some of the stress of myself." He starts to stay something else, but is stopped when one of the guys from the group, a short, brown-haired guy, bumps into him, almost sending him crashing into the floor. The group behind their little trio, now quartet, laughs.
"Way to go Chris. Way to go." Shouts a blonde and curly haired male. Johnny just dusts himself off and regains his composure as JC helps Chris up.
"Yeah, yeah J. Just you wait."
"Oh I'm scared now." Johnny decides to intervene before they had one of their 'throw-downs' in front of his new assistant.
"Boys?" He calls gaining the attention of the group. "This is Wren Archer; she's the new Assistant Tour Manager for this tour." He glances at his watch. "I'm afraid I've got to go do some things, so I’m leaving. Wren? Nice meeting you. I'm sure you'll enjoy this job. Guys? Don't scare her away and play nice." He finishes, stressing the last two words, then leaves in a fast shuffle. The group and Ice stare at each other before the girl from the group finally decides to make a move.
"Stephanie Knowles." She says putting out her hand. Wren accepts.
"Wren Archer. Pleasure to meet you." Ice says continuing the use of her British accent. The rest step forward. A curly haired boy is the first to come up. He places out his hand, and she shakes it.
"Justin Timberlake. Are you British? You sound like you’re from there."
"Wren, and yes, I am." The short brown-haired male comes up.
"Chris Kirkpatrick. Pleased to make your acquaintance. What city?"
"I’m from the south part of London in England." A second blonde with green eyes comes up and gives her a smile and a hug.
“Lance Bass.” He says once he pulls apart. She nods and returns the smile. The final male comes up and he gives her a hug, pulling her tightly to him.
“You Italians are quite a bit into hugs aren’t you?” Ice laughs as he pulls away. He shrugs and smiles broadly.
“Joey Fatone. How do you know I’m Italian? Is there a problem with that?” She nods knowingly.
“You just look it sweetheart, but nothing wrong with being Italian. Nothing wrong at all. I do hope you all excuse my appearance. I know it’s not quite fitting for a first meeting.” Ice says gesturing to the dancer’s outfit she was still wearing.
"It's fine. No worse then these monkeys do after practice." Ste comments with a grin.
"Still... I'm going to try and find a bathroom in this maze to change into something more presentable. It truly was nice meeting you all." She smiles as she adjusts her duffel. "That and I need to find out what they did with my stuff. I got parted with it earlier when they took it to put on the bus." Ice runs off with a wave behind her.
"Wait up. I'll help!" Says JC running to catch up to her. The group looks at each other till Justin breaks the silence.
"Gotta love that accent."
*****
“Go! Go! Go!” Dust was racing Terrance at a pop drinking competition since they weren’t allowed to drink alcoholic beverages on the job. The two chugged the two liter bottles as the crowd that had gathered watched and cheered them on. He had met the head of security, Mike, about an hour ago and somehow between then and now, some words he said sparred him into a chugging competition with Terrance. The crowd yelled as Dust finished off his bottle and Terrance gave up, almost done with his. Dust ‘raised the roof’ with his hands to celebrate his victory, slightly dizzy from the soda. Terrance walks up to him.
“Well Aaron Daniels, I do believe you’ve been initiated. Welcome to the NSYNC security crew.” He wraps his arm around Dust’s neck in a friendly gesture then pours the remaining contents of his bottle on Dust’s head. Dust chuckles.
“Sore loser. Let me change and then I’ll be glad to hang with you all.” The guards nod, and Dust takes off to get a new shirt. As he’s walking down the hallway, a static-y voice comes through his earpiece.
“Dus... are… there? Can... me?” He groans as Fox’s voice is broken in the earpiece. Dust heads into a bathroom and locks the bathroom door behind him.
“Fox? I can’t hear you, buddy. The coke must have hindered the circuitry.”
“Can’t… either. Go to… and replace… Can… hear this?” Dust shakes his head.
“Slightly. But will replace. Out.”
“Good. Out…” He sighs then heads to his room for a replacement. Carbonation combined with sugars was the one thing these earpieces couldn’t withstand.
*****
The crowds screamed as the group was led through them and into the hotel. Once all six had made it through safely, they were allowed to go up to their rooms. They were still high off of adrenaline from the concert; all but Ste, who was quickly falling asleep on her cousin’s shoulder.
“Hey, the last of the four new crew members was supposed to come in today. Did anyone have a chance to meet him?” Joey questioned the group. They all shake their heads. “What was he supposed to be doing again?”
“Bodyguard, I think. He was replacing Steven.” Says Lance from his spot leaning against the wall of the elevator, bored.
“Anyone know about the others?”
“Why are you so curious Joe?” Asks JC. Joey shrugs.
“Don’t know. Just wondering I guess.”
“Besides Wren… um… no, I don’t think I have.” Says JC, thinking on it. Chris decides to join the conversation.
“Wait, isn’t that Michelle girl new? I didn’t see Angie today.” They nod. “So that’s three. Who’s left?”
“Michael.” Comes a sleepy voice on Justin’s shoulder. Ste lifts her head and yawns. “You left out Michael.” The muscles in her throat tighten making the sentence hoarse. Chris nods.
“I think I recall meeting his replacement. David wasn’t it?” The rest shrug. It was odd how these new people were much harder to remember then the old ones, like they were trying to be forgot. The elevator dings and they rush out.
“Play station Tournament in Joey’s room!” Yells Chris. Joey looks up.
“What?! Oh it’s on!” They go into Joey’s room for the tournament, and Justin joins them after putting Ste in her bed. Since they couldn’t go out, they had to wear off their energy the next best way: gaming.
*****
The black screen with green lettering lit up the hotel room. The room had previously been checked for bugs and was found clear. The door and curtains were shut. There would be no “peeping Toms”. Ice sat down, yawning at the early AM hour. The only sound in the room was of the clock, the digital voice from the computer, and her typing.
Enter System User Access Name:
I-c-e-0-3-1-5-7-2
Enter System User Access Password:
u-t-o-p-i-a
Please press thumb for authentication:
Ice found a spot on the laptop that looked like a second battery compartment. Opening it revealed a black-glassy looking surface underneath the plastic part. She placed her thumb on the surface. A green line moved horizontally down the surface from the inside, taking in all the details of the thumbprint.
Print taken....
She removed her thumb and replaced the plastic.
Analyzing Access...
Access granted.
Welcome Ice.
The screen flashed, and then the desktop, that looked just like a regular desktop. She clicked on the ‘Conference’ icon.
Logging in to conference. One moment please…
Conference connection established.
The screen was filled with eight images: four on top, four on bottom. Seven of those eight were moving, and the final one was black. It was the rest of the team. Ice picks up her headset and grins.
“Morning.” She chirps. “Ice checking in.”
“Shut up.” They chorus with slight variations.
“Too early.” Complains Rogue.
“Where’s Glitch? Shouldn't he have been first? He's the one that requested to meet at five AM when he knows SOME of us have to be working at six.” Questions an irritated Ice. Then, the final spot flickers, and they could see Glitch. He put on his headset and addressed the team.
"Morning." He yawns. "Sorry, I slept in."
“Took you long enough.” Says Viper smirking.
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s get this underway shall we?”
“NO!” The group choruses while laughing. Glitch sticks out his tongue. Rogue rolls her eyes.
“That was mature.”
“So anyway, the transition seemed smooth enough. No problems. As you peeps can see, the under assignments were designed so that we could cover and question the entire crew without too much trouble. Rogue, I’m sure you noticed you have lower crew. Scorpion, you have upper crew. Dust – the bodyguards as well as NSYNC and girlfriends. Ice – management and NSYNC and their girlfriends also. We want to cover all our bases. As for Scorpion, we got your back bro. We’re going to catch this guy without losing any of you in the process and without any more civilian or Sleeper loss. Any questions?” They shake their heads. “Okay then, good morning everyone. Let's get going." The group all sticks out their tongue at him. "Cute. Real cute." He shakes his head and logs off. The rest of the group log off one by one, including Ice. It had been two full days where the four of them had all been under. She had been learning all about her job and was getting aquatinted with it, but now the trouble started. They were going to start the investigation.
*****
He wasn't mad. He was way beyond that point. Something wasn't quite right with the four new crewmembers. It was possible they were Ghosts, but he wouldn't chance anything yet. No, no. Not yet. The timing had to be just perfect, then, and only, then would he strike. If they were Ghosts, it should scare them off because he knew that if he didn't, they'd be on his tail. He laughed. But they wouldn't catch him. They would be dead before they caught him. Them and the rest of the sleepers. They would pay. They would pay for everything.
*****
At 11 MSWord pages, this is my longest one yet. I hope this chapter wasn't too confusing... a lot was going on and i hope i made things clear enough for y'all