The day they were to infiltrate the TFC was, ironically enough, quite bright and sunny.
<The current temperature is 18ºC. Attire index D, please note the extreme difference in temperatures between daytime and nighttime>
Al Bahah was an alpine city in southwestern Saudi Arabia. This region, nestled in the Sarawat Mountains, was quite detached from the heat of the lowlands and was blessed with ample humidity and a pleasant climate.
The center of activities for the NGO they were infiltrating, the International FLM (Frontline Medicine) Foundation, was a group of camping trailers set up in the outskirts of the city. A simple fence marked their plot; the sight of a fifteen-meter-wide line of large US-made trailers was quite impressive. Nearly one hundred employees deployed from across the globe lived here as they went about their daily aid activities.
“To think I’d see the day you wore something other than black… I’m getting emotional!”
“What was I supposed to do? The staff’s jackets are all white…”
Standing under a tarp tent set in the plot, Bigga nodded in satisfaction, ignoring Echika’s sour mood. The nylon jackets they’d just put on were emblazoned with the foundation’s emblem, and there were IDs hanging from their necks—forged ones, of course. Around them were the ten other members of the Special Investigations Unit who’d been deployed for the infiltration mission, putting on their jackets and confirming that their small, portable cameras were still working.
Three days had passed since Director Schlosser had ordered this mission. Totoki’s handpicked group of members from the Special Investigations Unit had finally arrived on the outskirts of Al Bahah, which was a major stronghold for the TFC. Based on the information that Cook had provided them, Al Bahah was being used as a weapon production hub, chiefly of the biological variety.
The situation was clearly a mess, but at this point, there was no sense in grumbling about it.
“The staff pack up their aid supplies and set out to the city at eight AM, so you can basically blend in with them. That should be fifteen minutes from now.” Bigga read the plan outline from her Your Forma. “Once you get into town, make way to the designated destination and look for clues related to the Alliance.”
“Roger that.” Echika breathed out her nose. “I think you’ve got talent as a commanding officer, Bigga.”
“That’s the only role I can fill right now.” Bigga frowned in disappointment. “I wanted to join you, but I’m still not officially an investigator, so I can’t.”
“I think Chief Totoki did her best to get you some concessions. Normally, you wouldn’t even be allowed to come here.”
Echika and Bigga turned around to find investigator Fokine. He’d heard their exchange just as he was putting his Flamma 15 automatic pistol in his shoulder holster.
“I know that. I’m just saying I’m worried about you!”
“The NGO’s checks are pretty lax. The International FLM Foundation has been working here for years, so apparently, they don’t particularly care, even when the personnel change.” Fokine donned his nylon jacket and pulled up the zipper, perfectly hiding the holster. “You can just kick back and snack on the chocolate we got you from Switzerland while you wait for us.”
“Stop treating me like a kid.” Bigga pouted. “I’ll eat the whole thing, every last chocolate.”
The door to the trailer opened, and Investigator Gardener, who was in charge of handling the communications equipment, called Bigga over. She reluctantly turned on her heels and walked away. Gardener was the squad leader for the London branch’s Special Investigations Unit, and the son of the Robin Flutter company’s CEO. Echika heard he’d worked with Bigga in the days leading up to this.
“The small cameras we’re carrying transmit to this trailer.” Fokine jerked his chin in the direction of the trailer. “That’s our communications center, so to speak. Is your camera set, Hieda?”
“Not yet, but—”
“Here it is, Investigator Hieda, I’m sorry it took me so long.”
Echika stiffened. She slowly turned her head—a terribly handsome Amicus entered the tent. The baggy nylon jacket he was wearing clashed with his meticulously waxed blond hair and his neat shirt.
Harold had linked up with them just before they left for Saudi Arabia. This was the first time in a month she’d been in his presence, and she felt the urge to bolt, but she was able to greet him calmly enough. They didn’t discuss their falling out in Dubai or the malfunction that had caused him to stop being an investigator aide. She knew there was no point in touching on those topics.
They both were aware of each other’s intentions without having to talk about it. They’d concluded they needed to keep their distance from each other, so there was no need to discuss it anymore. But although they’d made their choice, the fact that things had changed still stung at her heart.
“Thanks.” Echika accepted the camera from Harold, trying to keep her tone as natural as possible. “I thought you were setting up the transmission equipment with Investigator Gardener?”
“He insisted on doing it himself, so I left the matter in his hands,” Harold replied, looking just as casual and unaffected. “He’s in the Online Monitoring Department, so things like this are his field of expertise.”
“Keep a careful watch over our camera footage, would you, Aide Lucraft?” Fokine told Harold. “At least as much as possible, given your malfunction.”
Harold, like Bigga, was part of the team that was staying behind to survey the situation. As an Amicus with a striking appearance, Harold stood out far too much to pass himself off as a member of the NGO.
“Of course.” Harold nodded. “But Investigator, do remember I’m now an investigation assistant Amicus.”
“Oh… Yeah, sorry, Harold.” Fokine awkwardly corrected himself. “I heard from Bigga, by the way. Investigator Gardener gave you trouble over in Finland?”
“Yes. He probably wouldn’t be here if Bigga hadn’t lent him her wool hat.”
“Was that sarcasm?”
“Perish the thought. The Laws of Respect forbid me from being rude to humans.”
Echika shuddered at his joke. Fokine naturally laughed back, oblivious to the truth about Harold. Fokine walked away in a hurry, beckoned by another agent. Once he was gone, the noise of the wind seemed to fill the place. The silence weighed down on her.
“So,” Echika said, feeling at a loss. “I hide the camera in the breast pocket, right?”
“Yes. There’s a little hole in the pocket’s inner side, so fix the lens there.”