"What do you think about disguises?" Alec questioned his sister.
"I think it might be better to forgo any type of disguises this time, Alec, it's too much upkeep for a mission like this." Vanessa replied. "Disguises work for a short amount of time, but over an extended period, I don't think they really work that well. This is the biggest assignment we've ever been assigned, and I don't want something stupid, like a wig being on crooked, to blow our covers."
"Don't worry, Nessa, that was exactly what I was thinking." Alec grunted out as he lifted the weapons' bags and headed upstairs. "I think using our names, well, first names at least, will make things easier as well. We need total concentration, and trying to remember what name to answer to will just throw us off. I am totally confident that we are going to be able to pull this off without any problems, sis."
Vanessa picked up their remaining gear and followed her brother up through the house. Her mind had been racing at a million miles per hour since Muse revealed their mission earlier this evening. Vanessa had expected fear to be coursing through her by now, but that hadn't happened. Instead, excitement and energy flowed through her body, and she realized that she had to be a total adrenaline junkie. Her mind had already begun going over strategies and plans in preparation for their assignment. She knew that this assignment was just as important to Alec, and it actually might even mean more to him than it did to her. Vanessa had been in the forefront of practically every mission, and this time Alec had an opportunity to shine. It was a chance for him to show just how good he was at his job, and Vanessa knew he was one of the best.
They stepped out of the house and the cold fall wind whipped around them, sending chills through their bodies. Their gear was safely and carefully stored in the mustang's trunk. Transporting gear for missions had become a problem when security in airports had become very tight. The Covenant had a private plane for Vanessa and Alec's use, and had built a small runway and hanger outside the local airport. This was all accomplished with the help of some highly placed Covenant members, who took care of things like getting federal approval for the airstrip and other intricacies. Vanessa and Alec didn't have to worry about airport security, their plane being late, or any other airport inconvenience.
"Remember to take some clothes to change into on the plane, Alec, so we don’t walk off the plane onto a tropical island in winter gear." Vanessa reminded. "Let's just hope neither one of us gets sick from the drastic temperature change. That's all we would need, to be in the middle of our biggest assignment and have the flu."
After making sure all the gear was properly stored in the trunk Alec and Vanessa headed back into the house to get their remaining luggage. They went to their bedrooms and began finishing up the packing, making sure their clothes were comfortable, but also appropriate for their work. The clothes had to enable them to blend in with everyone else, but still have the flexibility for quick movement and comfort. A majority of their clothes had to be as close to form fitting as possible because loose fitting clothing could either slow them down or be too bulky for movement. Alec and Vanessa had solid, muscular bodies, and wearing the tighter fitting clothing didn't bother either one of them. In fact it helped them sometimes because they had encountered a few people that focused more on their appearance and found out the hard way what a mistake that was.
Alec and Vanessa met in the foyer with their packed bags and looked around at the house. It was becoming a routine for the pair, and even though they had every confidence in their abilities, they never knew if this would be the last time in their home. They took a deep breath through their noses, taking in the scent of the house that was filled with so many memories. Alec easily took Vanessa's hand, their fingers entwining with a practiced ease.
"Looks like we're ready to go, Trinity." Alec murmured with a grin. "We're finally going on that dream vacation, eh?"
"You know it, tiger, I plan on finding you a man on this trip. Of course, that would be after I get all my hours of sunbathing in." Vanessa said with a laugh. "Muse?"
"Yes, Trinity." Muse's voice echoed throughout the downstairs.
"We are leaving on assignment, Muse, please secure the house under security level Alpha Bravo." Vanessa requested.
"Institution of security level alpha bravo will require double clearance." Muse responded. "Trinity, please provide your security clearance code."
"Trinity clearance Vanessa Lynn Romane, access code seven eight six nine." Vanessa stated.
"Phoenix, please provide your security clearance code." Muse requested.
"Phoenix clearance Alec Michael Romane, access code one seven one two." Alec replied.
"Clearance codes have been confirmed. Security lock down under security level Alpha Bravo will be complete in two minutes. Please leave the premise immediately to avoid defensive measures. Be safe on your mission and return in once piece, Trinity and Phoenix." Muse confirmed.
All the lights in the house suddenly went out and the sound of doors locking echoed throughout the halls. Alec and Vanessa quickly stepped out the front door with their luggage and pulled it closed. As they got into Alec's mustang the house continued with the security measures. Steel plates slid into place behind the curtains in all the windows and were also lowered behind all the doors leading to the outside. Invisible laser beams crisscrossed over every inch of the property, scanning and searching for anything out of the ordinary. The house and the surrounding property had become a virtual fortress. Muse would only initiate defensive measures if it sensed a danger, like the weapons and tools in the backseat of the mustang. That is why Alec and Vanessa had been warned to leave before the two minutes were up. If Muse felt any need to defend the home or its perimeter it would contact either Vanessa or Alec on their cell phones and confirm the situation.
The mustang shot through the iron gate at the end of the driveway just as it was closing. The car quickly sped down the streets to get to the main highway as soon as possible. Vanessa and Alec were anxious to get on their way and begin their assignment because there were only seven days until the President's visit at the Isle Of Terror amusement park. They had to incorporate themselves with the park's employees and memorize every square inch of the park. Knowledge of their surroundings and the people in it were one of the most important things in their line of work. It was one of the things that separated them from others in their field. Vanessa and Alec spent a great deal of attention to every detail when they were on missions. They made sure that everything that they said or did fit in perfectly with their surroundings, unless of course their cover required them to do otherwise.
"What was with the Alpha Bravo lockdown, Nessa?" Alec quickly glanced at his sister. "We've never used a security level higher than Charlie when we left on assignments, but this time you requested the highest level possible. What makes this one so different?"
Vanessa glanced out the passenger window, refusing to meet her brother's gaze. She hadn't thought about using that lockdown until the words had already left her mouth, and by then it was too late to change the request. Vanessa's stomach was still a bit knotted from the situation, but she had gone with her gut instinct and trusted in it.
"Mom and Dad were on the biggest missions of their career when that earthquake hit, Alec." Vanessa's voice was so soft Alec could barely hear her over the sound of the engine. "We were there to step into their places whether we wanted to or not. We are on the biggest mission of our career, tiger, and if something happens there is no one to pick up the pieces. There is too much information and other things in that house for it to fall into the wrong hands, Alec, that I had to make sure it was secure, just in case we...."
Vanessa's voice broke off and she took a deep breath. Vanessa knew they had to look at both sides of the coin, no matter how confident she was they were going to succeed. She had to make sure that she was prepared for the worse because there was always the possibility it could happen. It was dangerous to be too self-assured or confident in their line of work. Vanessa tried to always make sure both of her feet were firmly planted in reality, otherwise, one or both of them could end up dead. She knew that Alec followed the same line of thinking that she did. There were times when she felt more like Alec was her twin, even though she was a year older than him.
"You did the right thing, Nessa, we have to be prepared for anything and everything. I'm glad you thought about that." Alec's strong baritone voice gently carried throughout the car. He knew where Vanessa's mind was and he wanted to try and keep her spirits up. "Have you thought about what last name we should use on the island?"
"I've been trying to brainstorm ideas, but I keep drawing a complete blank." Vanessa sighed, even though a small grin appeared on her face. She knew what her brother was up to, and she definitely appreciated the effort. "We're so used to only going by first names that it's pretty odd to have to pick out a last name. Have you had any ideas?"
"I was doing some reading last night about Lewis and Clark, and I thought maybe we could use one of those names." Alec replied as he changed lanes.
"You were reading about Lewis and Clark last night?" Vanessa chuckled. "Why don't you read something that isn't non-fiction for once, brother dear? You have to have some type of imagination in that thick head of yours somewhere."
"Forgive me, sis, if I don't get into the steamy romance novels the same way you do." Alec snapped back. His voice may have sounded rough, but Vanessa knew he was trying to rile her up.
"There is nothing wrong with reading about a lonesome, hunky cowboy who just inherited his family's ranch and ends up falling in love with the beautiful land developer from the city who shows up to build a mini-mall." Vanessa playfully snapped back at her brother.
"I never said there was something wrong with that, Nessa. We just have different tastes in books. You can engross yourself in all of that love at first sight crap, but leave me to my books about facts and truths." Alec replied.
"What do you mean crap? Love at first sight is totally possible, Alec. You can't tell me that you never experienced that in your entire life?" Vanessa asked in amazement. She knew that her brother wasn't into the dating or bar scene, but she would have never guessed he didn't believe in love.
"I just don't see how you can feel this instant love for someone after only seeing them once, Nessa. The only thing you can experience at first sight is lust, not love." Alec responded. "It takes time for feelings like love to exist between two people."
"That's what you think, brother dear, and I hope I'm there when you finally experience love at first sight." Vanessa said. "You know I just love telling you 'I told you so."
