Forty-Six

Spying

"OK here's the plan. Matt and I are going to go to the Team Base today, and you guys will split into separate groups, keeping watch. If we get found out, you'll step in."

Everyone nodded, and formed groups as Matt and I slipped into the stolen uniforms.

Quiet and inconspicuous as possible, we walked out the alleyway and into the streets. According to the I.D cards Warren had made, I was Caroline Mathews, and Matt was Jeremy Cohan. Warren had done his best to hack and make add us to the system, but there were a lot of bugs. It was risky, all right.

The Team Base was a big, hulking structure in behind City Square, and Matt *cough* Jeremy and I joined the flow of uniformed Team Members. As we swiped our cards, I felt clammy sweat build up in my palms. This was the moment of truth.

We got in.

For the first time, I was in the Team Base. The interior was slickly designed, with marble floors and official grey walls. We were in a lobby sort of room, flanked with speakers.

As Team Members filled in, the doors swung close.

The Team's Voice filled the room, causing me to flinch involuntarily. "Yesterday, two dear members of our Team were sabotaged. They are, thankfully fine, but their equipment has been stolen. Take care to be extra cautious for rebels. And if a rebel is in here this minute, know you will never defeat our society. Now get to your posts."

Even though I knew that The Team knew nothing about me, I cringed, feeling the fear creep in my brain.

"C'Mon." whispered Matt. Warren had managed to give us a post as a sort of "Hall Monitor." We were free to roam the hall of the base as the hacked in scribe acted as a sort of GPS. The scribe also worked as a communication device. The guy was a genius.

Matt muttered, "Do you think we could get to the computer room?"

"Nah." I whispered back. "Too much security. Only The Team is allowed in."

"Then how ARE we going to do it?"

I sighed. I didn't know.


By mid-afternoon, we had most of the Base mapped out, at least most of the less secured parts. Matt was smart enough to know that we could afford to go to the other places. There was no more room for risks.

All of a sudden, red lights began blaring, and panic surged into my veins. Calm down. I thought. It's probably not about you.

Jinxed it.

The Team's voice said, with a new cold edge, "Rebel intruders have been notified of. Take care of them. NOW! This is NOT A DRILL. I repeat: THIS IS NOT A DRILL!"

A group of Team Members barged in, as the fear exploded inside me.

"THERE!"

They were charging at us. This was the end.

Instinctively, I whipped out the pistol and aimed for the helmeted Team Member.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

His body flew against the hall wall as the rest advanced, and Matt and I fired, aiming for hearts. At Death's Door, Forty-Six training kicked in, kicking out all emotion. I felt the bullets graze my body as we ran for our lives, and bile rose into my mouth as I realized what we'd done.

We'd killed them, every single one.

My heart was screaming at me to stop, but my mind couldn't stop. Bullet after bullet penetrated advancing Team Members.


As we fought on, I took a few seconds to throw up.