"You asked for me, sir?"

"Please sit down, Corporal Scott."

"Thank you."

"I just got a call from your department lead. You, sir, are in the Assets Commander's very good graces."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Your report indicated that you have a good lead. I agree."

"Yes. It's not conclusive, but I feel that it's worthwhile to look into it."

"How do you feel about leading a team for capture?"

"I'd be honored."

"I want you there because you've shown yourself to be the best among your colleagues. I trust you to succeed."

"Thank you, sir."

"I need you to bring in a list of candidates for your mission to the morning meeting tomorrow. You'll get your directives then."

"Thank you, sir."

"Good day."

"Good day."

...

"Hey."

"Hey Clarkson." Corporal Scott stopped and turned.

"I wanted to congratulate you on that capture last night."

"Thanks, but the team did well. Lieutenant Blake deserves credit for coordinating the operation."

"Don't be so damn modest. You took out two trained weapons grade talents. Your scar does kind of suck though."

"Hazard of the job."

"I was going to Crazy 8's later. Want to join?"

"I've got to do some paperwork for tomorrow's meeting."

"Jeezus. You're wedded to paperwork."

"Maybe some other time."

...

"Good morning, gentlemen."

Scott tried to stay awake through the power points and droning voices of the corporate brass.

It was a mind numbing hour before Scott got the chance to get up and stretch his legs.

"Corporal."

"Supervisor Gaier."

"I want to see you in my office. Bring your rosters and directives."

"Yes, Sir." Scott felt queasy.

When he walked into the office, his supervisor motioned for him to close the door.

Scott sat down across from Gaier.

"Pass me your directives."

Scott gave him the folder. Gaier flipped through it then set it on the desk.

"Scott, I'm changing the parameters of your mission."

"I don't understand."

"Enforcement is making a mess of things, and we can't stop them directly."

"More than the detainee debacle?"

"It's the chaser."

"Please explain."

"It'd be humorous if it weren't so dangerous." Gaier unlocked a drawer and pulled out a file. "Here are the basics. Captain Brubecker sent a team of his own people out to Fallon to follow up on their own intelligence."

"Are they trained?"

"Hardly. Here's the list as far as we know."

"I don't know most of these names. Wait. Officer Linda Hayek's registered. She could be a fair tracker, but she'd need training."

"Any other names?"

"Detective Nigel Cleveland. I thought he was suspended for detainee abuse."

"They reinstated him for this."

"Why?"

"Punitive. That's how they see the whole operation."

"It is, a little."

"Scott, we're supposed to bring them in healthy as possible. Hurting isn't the job, and killing is a last resort."

"Of course."

"You'll take no one with you. This is not officially classified, but we want discretion. If Enforcement makes you, there's a cover story in the packet."

"What do they think they'll find?"

"We don't know. They are keeping their data close."

"Not exactly on the same team."

"No," Gaier said. "I guess they're not."

...

Corporal Scott walked alone down the hallway biting his nails. He shook his head when he noticed.

"Corporal?"

"Oh, hey."

"We're hitting the town later. Come along?"

"I'm not in the mood for that much excitement. I've got too much to prep for tomorrow anyway."

"Suit yourself."

"Right. Well, have a good time if I don't see you."

"Sure."