2146 hours

Shortly after Team One's decent

Erynn stood silently at the dark entry way, her green eyes seemingly lost in thought as she wondered whether or not it was wise to let them all go in, without at least one or two of her security detail staying behind to watch over them. Sighing lightly she dismissed it though, knowing for a fact she could handle things by herself long enough for the others to quickly return to push back whoever came their way. So without a second thought, she promptly twisted about on her heels and started to walk towards Katie who had since fallen asleep –having gotten so little sleep it wasn’t a surprise to see- on her chair with Dylan’s shotgun resting next to the stone wall of the temple. Erynn raised a brow as she approached, holding her hands behind her straight back, she then brought her right bare hand around and tapped the folded table a few times.

“I don’t think I recall the Order paying you to sleep during your shifts, Mrs. Robbert.”

Katie quickly popped her head up, a trail of drool connecting her to the folded table before she shook the sleep from her face, rubbing the saliva away quickly. “W-wah… uh… yes! Right… sorry, was, uh… thinking?” She replied quickly, her face growing red in embarrassment.

Erynn gave her a serious glare for a moment before closing her eyes and shaking her head with a small smile. “Never mind. It's fine, no point getting worked up over it at the moment.”

“Thanks… I guess?”

“Mhm, but enough of that, anything to report, before you fell asleep?”

“Uh, no. Not that I can think of anyways. Was or rather is just as quiet as it was when team one entered the tunnel there.” Katie replied confidently as she threw her hands behind her head and leaned back against her chair.

Erynn looked over towards the researchers who were clearly now lost in their own world of curiosity and interest as they scanned and cataloged every inch of the area they were in; gathering together whatever evidence they could find. An impressive sight to see, given how dedicated they were to their work, a respectable trait in her eyes.

“Always good to see the Order’s resources aren’t being wasted.”

Katie shrugged, “Yeah, I guess.”

Erynn turned back to Katie for a moment, a small frown on her face. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, I just…” Pausing a moment Katie looked over and up at the stairway then towards the tunnel the rangers went down. “I just wish I was with them…” looking back at Erynn, “You know?”

Erynn shrugged as well. “True. The aspect of adventure and danger would be quite interesting.”

Standing straight once more the 4’11 woman began to walk away and towards the exit. “Anyways, watch the door.”

Katie sat up, “Sure, I take it you’re going to contact Head Quarters then?”

Erynn gave a simple nod in reply before vanishing around the corner, one of the carbines strapped around her left shoulder, Robbert following close behind as she launched herself into a run to catch up.

--

It didn’t take long for her to reach the outdoors, and once the moonlight shined down upon her scarred face, she gave a small smile. She liked the moon, more so when it was on full display on a clear starry night. But shaking her head, she quickly pushed the thought and desire to see more away, instead of replacing it with her current task, which was to get to the communications. As she took her first step, however, she realized something. It was quiet… too quiet. Nothing was stirring, the area was silent. Something was off and she knew it. Frowning slightly she slowly backed back into the temple doorway, before Katie came running up beside her.

“What’s up?” Katie asked as she remained standing.

“Shhh…” Erynn hushed, her finger pressed to her soft lips, before she motioned for Katie to crouch.

Katie raised a brow and tilted her head for a moment, but shook it off. Though as she lowered herself down, she was suddenly hit by something in her neck, made evident by the small pinch she felt, and the small thap. It wasn't the crack of a round wizzing past, but rather it was something else.

“W-what?..” Katie suddenly crumpled to her knees, her eyes suddenly becoming heavy. She quickly brought her hands up to try and hold herself up as she fell forward. “R-Run!” She barked quickly, after mustering whatever she had left in her, before finally slumping down and out.

Erynn stood in disbelief for a moment as she saw her teammate go down, but knowing she couldn’t waste any more time than what was already wasted, she took Katie’s plea and bolted down the hallway, heading back towards the group. It was then that she was halted by the sudden sounds of explosions going off in the distance followed closely the pained screams of men and women. A small slash of grin soon formed across her lips the moment she remembered William telling her about their little welcoming gift. Returning to her sprint once more, she felt a little more motivated than before.

Katie on the other hand, groaned in annoyance as she desperately tried to move her limbs, but to no avail. All she could do was curse and groan before a pair of black army boots came into her view.

“W-who th-e fuck… are you?” She managed, her voice a little muffled by the stone floor.

Though she didn’t get much of an answer, or in a way she did, as suddenly she felt the sensation of cold steel being clasped around her neck. “F-fuck…” She coughed, as she was suddenly pulled up.

Her brown eyes quickly began to scan the men whose bodies were clad in nothing but black, the only other colour on their person being the NVG’s they wore, and the chains they had in their hands. Though she couldn’t say anything, she knew what was going to happen, as suddenly all of her tactical gear was pulled off, leaving her in just her fatigues, for the time being, that was until those too were removed. Every article of clothing was removed save the steel collar now around her neck, leaving her completely bare. Her pink nipples quickly growing hard as the cold wind nipped at her bare flesh. Her rather shapely breasts heaving, showing the obvious fear she had, before her hands were pulled behind her back, and then pulled up, a small chain linking the cuffs to the collar, before they took it a step further by even cuffing her two thumbs together, ensuring she couldn’t try to get her arms free at all. Next, she was laid back down on her stomach, her legs pulled up and cuffed like her wrist, the cold steel biting into her soft fair skin, and like her thumbs her two big toes were also cuffed together before a chain was connected to the wrist cuffs, effectively hogtying her.

Katie could only mumble and grind her teeth in annoyance as this was all going on, though even that didn’t last long as they soon slipped a bit gag in-between her lips, silencing her. She was effectively bound, chained, and gagged. Wiggling her toes in annoyance as she started to get some feeling back in her body, she wondered what fate awaited her.

“Sir! Capture of secondary target confirmed. What do you want us to do with her, sir?” A man’s voice asked that seemed to send a shiver down Katie’s spin.

Katie could do little besides sigh and close her eyes, cursing her lack of caution as she was soon also blindfolded.

“Right, good work gentlemen.” Katie heard, followed closely by the sound of footsteps that stopped next to her head. “She’s all yours gentlemen, we see no purpose in dealing with her or the other target. So, feel free to take her as part of your payment."

Katie, let out a sigh from in between her gag, she knew who these men were, and now… now she also began to feel the fear of the unknown creep upon her. More so as she was suddenly picked up and carried off somewhere. Though, as they loaded her into a truck like some kind of object, she could feel pain shooting through her limbs now as more of the drug seemed to wear off -it seemed like it was a low dose of something- but none the less the pain caused was due to the cuffs and chains binding her, which made her feel a fair bit more uncomfortable. Despite the hopeless situation, she found herself in, she wasn’t going to give in that easy. It was all a matter of finding an opening in her bindings, or during the transport. Either way, none of it mattered as much as getting off this cold truck.

---

Erynn didn’t stop running, or rather she couldn’t, at least not yet. Peeling around corners, her hand gripping the edges to help keep her balance as she ran down each corner, trying her utmost to reach a defendable spot. Given the speed she was running at, it didn’t take long for her to reach the area the researchers were, each of whom were quickly scrambling about, each finding the sound of explosions in the distance as a warning for another battle –although Erynn and the misfits wouldn’t have called the previous engagement a real battle- more so when they saw their employer come running in, her emerald eyes seemingly scanning each and every one of them. Clicking her tongue in annoyance, she knew she was the only combat capable person in the AO.

“Fuck… just my luck.” She cursed under her breath, her head twisting down towards the hallway as the sound of voices could be heard.

She was running out of time, she had to get ready, she had to be ready for the people who were coming to either kill or capture not only herself but her people here. She hated having to leave Katie behind, and just the thought of it boiled her blood. Erynn was going to make sure that no one else would get captured or killed so long as she could still fight. Determination coursing through her mind she brought her carbine up, quickly cocking the weapon, and turning the safety off before she pressed herself against the nearest cover in a crouched stance. Now… she would wait for the coming firefight.

She didn’t need to wait long as she saw the familiar sight of a muzzle come around the corner. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself, taking careful aim, her eyes peering through the Holographic sight. Then as the first combatant came around the corner, his weapon up at the fire-ready stance, she opened fire, sending a three round burst into the man’s skull. The 5.56 punching through the man’s skull and helmet, a trail of blood and brains spraying out from the back of his head as the rounds ripped through sending bloody debris onto the man behind him, who brought his hand up in defence, only to feel his arm get smacked by both blood and a stray round that managed to get through the first man’s head. Dropping to his knees, the second man let out a scream of pain, while the first just dropped lifelessly to the stone floor.

Erynn grinned, two men taken out with one burst, so far so good, she thought, as she quickly fired off a second volley, which promptly killed the second man, his own head blowing up in a burst of blood and gore as the corpse slumped and slid against the left side wall. The other hostiles, not taking any chances, quickly found cover, the third man peering out from the corner to return fire, popping off two shots before pulling back into cover.

Erynn frowned, she knew she couldn’t drag this out, more so given her limited supply of ammunition. Remembering the count of rounds fired, she knew she had half a clip left as she kept her back pressed against the wall. 5.56 rounds punched into the wall next to her, sending chunks of stone and moss flying past her unprotected head. With two men firing down at her, she could only wait until the breath moment of respite came, when they were reloading; that is if they were untrained.

“Reloading!” Reported a voice from the opposition, causing Erynn to grind her teeth.

“Fuck…” These men were trained, more so as the wall continued to be pelted with enemy rounds, knowing how she had no choice, she began to rummage through her tactical vest, before pulling out a grenade.

“… Really don’t want to use it here, but fuck it… better than letting them take my position.” She thought as she pulled the pin, quickly starting the count, letting as much time as she could afford past before she had mere moments left, and it was then that she quickly threw herself out of cover, risking the chance of getting hit to throw the explosive.

The grenade landed close to the third man, who didn’t notice it at first, but when he did, it was too late as the grenade went off. Her two attackers were dead, their muted screams and the lack of gunfire telling her all she needed to know.

Peering around the corner once more to see if anyone else was coming, she nodded satisfied that she had managed to take out the ones following her at least. With a small respite, she quickly took inventory of her current supplies. She had six magazines for her MK-18, four for her Barrett 9mm, three grenades, two flash grenades, and one smoke. If worse came to worse, she would also have her bayonet ready for CQC; the bayonet strapped to her right calf for quick access. She wasn’t sure if she would have enough ammo and supplies to hold out for the misfits to return… all she could do was hope and rely on her skills. Soon enough though, Erynn is brought back from her thoughts and checks as the sound of boots walking in puddles could be heard; no doubt the blood from their fallen comrades. With a moment’s hesitation, Erynn quickly plants herself against the opposite wall, ready for whatever awaited her.

And what awaited her was a large group of highly trained soldiers who quickly began to put down suppressive fire onto Erynn’s position. Clicking her tongue in annoyance she began to look around, trying to figure out if she could find another avenue of attack, sadly she found nothing that would offer her more of an advantage than the spot she currently held. Steeling her nerves, the black haired beauty quickly pulled one of the flash bangs from her vest, pulling the pin and adjusting her aim so that the flash bounced off the opposite wall before bouncing over the right wall and then hopefully down in front of the group of soldiers firing towards her. Not a second longer after making her calculations and estimations she threw the flash.

Much to her amazement and surprise her little idea turned out to benefit her as the flash bang went off blinding all the men who were in the dark tunnel, the sound of their screams filling the ruins as they tried to remove their NVG’s. “Can’t believe that fucking worked…” She said pulling another frag grenade from her supply and threw it into the blended group.

The grenades were extremely effective, ripping through the large group of black fatigued soldiers who now lay dead, dying, or wounded. Her face soon melted into a sick smile as she saw the carnage she had just inflicted on her foes.

“Hmph, I can’t say I’m all too impressed,” Erynn announced aloud to anyone who might be listening in the hallway.

Then, unsurprising a calculating and cold voice replied promptly. “Ah, yes, I apologize for the… lackluster showing Ms. Collier.”

Erynn raised a brow, curious as to how they knew her name. “Well, I do have to give you credit for one thing at least… you’ve done your research.”

“Indeed, in fact, I know all about you Ms. Collier. I know you work for my organizations… hmm… I guess I’d call your group their rivals? Yeah, rivals seem to be appropriate given their goals.” The unknown man replied soundly.

Even from here she could tell this guy was dangerous, the way he spoke, and the tone of his voice seemed to show he was not the type of man to know the meaning of fear… That much was easy to tell since his voice seemed to grow louder as he drew closer. Calming peaking around the corner she could see the man now. A middle-aged man, whose hair was more of a salt and pepper mix, his cold blue eyes seemingly inflicting fear when looked into longer than a minute. Judging by his build, Erynn estimated the man to be well over 6’3” and weight close to 180lbs of muscle.

“A scary man indeed.” Erynn thought, a little impressed.

Though, the smile still on her face, she twisted out of cover, carbine aimed at the man who only grinned in reply before suddenly three rounds smashed into his plate carrier forcing him off his feet. He fell back hard, his unprotected head hitting the vest of one of his dead men. Though with the usual groan of pain that comes with getting hit in the chest, came a small laugh, as the odd man slipped out from his coat a small pistol that fired tranquilizer rounds. Erynn’s eyes went wide in surprise at the sight of the weapon came into view. Quickly aiming through the holographic sight she was about to fire but he fired first the dart quickly slamming into her right thigh, which saw her quickly grunt in both pain and annoyance as she began to stumble back. The drug moved through her system quickly, and she could feel it, her balance becoming a fair bit unsteady. The mysterious man, pushed himself to the upright position, rubbing the back of his head.

“Not a bad shot there… Too bad the vest I’m wearing absorbed the impact.” He started, tapping his vest. “Experimental vest we’ve been working on back at headquarters. Can take just about any caliber save maybe a fifty.” He added before suddenly a group of men came rushing from around the corner their weapons quickly aimed at Erynn.

Erynn forced a grin across her face as she saw the new arrivals, her chances to hold off a bit longer dwindling down to almost nothing, but she’d continue to fight no matter how bad the odds were stacked against her. Flinching in a mix of pain and numbness, Erynn squeezed the trigger, the MK-18 three round burst quickly ripping through the first of the six men who came around the corner, his body falling limply on top of the other dead men. Though before she could take out a second, she felt a sudden sting as another dart smacked into her right shoulder.

“Fuck… fuck… FUCK!!” She cursed as she felt her entire arm go numb, it quickly dropping to her side as if dead.

Try as she might, she couldn’t will her limbs to move anymore as she felt all her limbs go dead. Grimacing in discomfort as she fell to her knees, her arms letting her weapon just hang around her. Her emerald green eyes piercing daggers at the men as they quickly surrounded her, each aiming their weapons towards her. Although the man she focused more of her scorn upon was none other than the man she had shot who slowly and purposely walked towards her, a sick smile across his aging features.

“I must commend you, Ms. Collier…” He said warmly before crouching down at her level, his cold blue eyes looking into her own emerald green. “Not many people can claim to have held out for as long as you have, with such odds stacked against you.” As he complimented her, his eyes began to examine her body.

Erynn felt a shiver run down her spine –which was made numb by the drugs- as the man scanned her body. She wanted to spit in his face, but she couldn’t even manage to open her mouth to speak… It was then that her vision began to get blurry, her body betraying her as the drugs took over, effectively knocking her out. Before she fell face first into the stone floor, the blue-eyed man caught her before laying her down gently.

Looking down at her, shook his head, “Such a waste…” He sighed in disappointment before he pushed himself back up to his feet. His eyes wide as he began to feel his age. “Hmm… should see about getting my back cracked again.”

As he walked away, the five men lowered their weapons and watched him walk towards the researchers. He paused to look back, looking a little dumbfounded by their lack of common sense. Shooting them a quick glare as if to tell them to secure the researchers, he shook his head in annoyance.

“Leave her for now… I have an idea for her. A little gift for the ones in there.” As he spoke he looked towards the tunnel, knowing full well there were others down there.

And so, he stood watching the anthropologists, historians, biologists, and archeologists were escorted out, their hands cuffed behind their backs. Each looking down at Erynn with a pang of guilt; each feeling responsible for having caused her loss. Before long, they vanished around the corner, leaving the black leather coated man who was soon joined by four men, carrying the same type of bindings as the ones used on Katie.

“Don’t take this one… rather… just strip her, bind her, and leave her here.”

The four men looked at him questionably, “Sir?” One of them said as if to request a repeat of the order.

Grinning the man looked down at Erynn. “I want to leave a message… and a gift to the others.”

“Uh… right, yes sir!”

And within moments the four men quickly went about stripping Erynn of her tactical gear, and clothing, until she lay bare. The extent of her training and skill being made more so evident by how well toned she appeared. Her fair white skin marred by what appeared to be an old war wound, her right side scarred by a long and brutal looking cut that ran down her frame, ending at the sole of her right foot.

“Hmm… They did say she was hit by an IED back in Iraq.” The man noted aloud. “Seems she got lucky given the extent of her scars.”

The four men just nodded, not really paying attention as they attached the steel collar around her neck, the long chain quickly attached to the cuffs binding her hands behind her back, followed closely by the thumb cuffs. After that, they pulled her bare feet up, and cuffed them as well, only with a smaller chain, which they then attached to the cuffs to keep Erynn hogtied before they also cuffed her big toes. Once she was fully bound in the steel chains, they placed a face harness over her head, with a bit gag going in between her dry pink lips, and then a blindfold was added. Once she was fully bound, they hoisted her up and onto one of the table’s set up by her own team.

“That’s good. Go regroup with the others. We have what we came here for.”

“Sir.”

And with that the four men doubled back, carrying with them maps, and other such paperwork that had been gathered by a secondary team that was just starting to finish their own job.

Once they all left, the man just stood there awhile longer. Sighing lightly to himself, he walked over and began to pen a message using a scrap of paper. Once finished he stuffed the message into Erynn’s head harness and walked away.

“Goodbye, Ms. Collier. I do so look forward to our next meeting.” And with that, he was gone.