THAT was unexpected. Kudos.

Gatac

Why, thank you.

I figured everyone was due for a really good plot twist.

Shyeah. Stylish and clever.

At least we know it's not the Deckers.

You say that like it makes the list of our enemies any smaller.

Gatac

At least it does make our list of enemies a little less indestructable.

okay, forget subtlety. I think I'm requisitioning a flamethrower this mission.

Good twist. We're on our heels, but that's how we unleash our dreaded monkey-kick, so it balances out.

Please note the last entry in the storyline thread has been edited to make a little more sense and to establish a timeline.

...and you can blame ADS for getting me hooked on the "24"-style. At least I don't say,

"The following takes place from 3PM to 4PM."

Oh, I am killing this guy so dead, hostage or no.

Carla will refrain from doing anything really stupid, for Ayumi's sake, but it's clear what her acceptable losses are.

All kinds of hurt being brought down on these types.

I figure it something like this:

The SAS leaves a broad path of destruction every time the IRA kills on of theirs.

Brian was in the SAS

Someone is threatening one of his

Brian, unlike the SAS, is not under the confines of national law

Brian has a very, very large gun.

I'll leave it up to Gatty to call the ball on this one. It's good thing Brian isn't the designated negotiator...he'd be like Bruce Willis in The Fifth Element.

-We're sending someone in to negotiate!

Corbin Dallas walks in, plugs two aliens dead in the head.

"Anyone else wanna negotiate??"

Those of you who know Splinter Cell understand why Jess doesn't want a room with a view.

Gatac

Ok, I have Jess and Ayumi going to the airport.

What are Brian, Artis, and Carla doing in the meantime. Remember, contacting the authorities is a sure-fire way of getting Kenji killed.

However, that doesn't mean you can't call in for Agency cavalry.

We should ask the Agency if they can arrange for our personal gear to be safely delivered to our destination.

Gatac

Fortunately, the Russian man only asked for Jess and Ayumi which means the rest of the team can be considered pack mules until a base of operations can be established.

Things you'd know from your past Agency experiences (you guys are pretty much considered middle-management now):

-Contrary to the official Agency S.O.P, they don't leave other agents behind. Each agent is too valuable to simply disavow and leave for dead.
-Jess has safe houses all over the world, which may come in very handy. She also has the "backup" class benefit plus "assistance". All of which make being in unknown situations and places extremely helpful.
-Ayumi is a walking arsenal. While not as adept with rifles, she alone can take on at least three or four mooks at a time
-Let's also not forget that Russian men are suckers for hot-looking, non-Russian women.

Count that as your Inspiration check.

The bastard is going to bleed.

Gatac

I find it rewarding that, despite the facts that you have neither seen nor know his name, you already hate this villain quite possibly more than any other thusfar.

Thanks.

As they say: Now, it's personal.

Gatac

Brian is going to let Jess do the planning. His preference is for the usual "draw them into the open with boobies, hail of gunfire" system.

The next storyline post will be tomorrow morning. If you want to interject anything before Jess and Ayumi take off, now is the time to do so.

Send my mission gear along with Jess's stuff.