SMS 23' | The files

The debriefing room is a cold and stuffy tomb. The white, sharp light cuts through the air like a knife and chills run down your spine when the blast doors open. Maps are spread out across tables and walls, while chess-like pieces mark important locations. Most people only come here once, until their story ends, but here is home to me. People have been frantically running around now since France fell, and the panic in their eyes are as clear as day. After walking for a good 10 minutes, I reached action room 665. The man in front is hefty, but strong. He knows who I am, but he still asks for my card. I hand it to him along with my badge and he inspects them real close. He hands the items back to me, but my card is now marked with a bright red stamp. There are two other people in the room. My colleague Josh, and the head of mission command, Coins.

“Hey James,” Josh starts. “Looks like it’s just us. Most likely an undercover mission.”

I reply, “As long as the war ends right, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Coins start a projector to show the plan. I know he wants to do it himself, but after being caught prisoner of war, he lost his voice from all the screaming and suffering.

The video starts, “James Coils and Josh Martin, you two have been selected for a challenging mission that will need all of your morals and skills. Our information says that a secret base in the middle of enemy territory is producing weapons that would most likely end the war, but not in the way we want. We need you to intervene with their factorial production, and grab the base plans. With this, we will be able to destroy the base and save countless lives. Coins will lead you to your supply station to help you prepare.

At the supply station, we receive a couple pairs of clothing, a rifle, a camo-vest, and a backpack full of survival supplies such as matches and water.

“Where’s our walkies in case we need help?” Josh asks. This isn’t the usual supplies for a mission and he knows it. “Where are the grenades and the gas bombs?” Josh likes to get his hands dirty when it comes to infiltrating a base. I bet he wants to rush the entrance with a group of men, and the commander knows it.

“This is not a mission where we try to destroy the enemy,” Commander Polus demands. “That isn’t your job. Now, you two were picked because James has experience with agent missions and knows how to survive in the outdoors, and Josh will be able to disarm any tech before it spots you guys. This weapons facility is ready to attack, so aggravating it will not just get you killed, but thousands of good soldiers out there.”

I now feel the weight of a thousand lives on my back. This isn’t the first time, but it is a nasty feeling to have. I bet Josh sees now why we can’t use any communication devices. A base with this much technology should easily be able to find and decipher any message that we send, ending the mission.