@clarke.griffin

[strove]

There are a lot of things I can say here. I can chastise all of us for how discussions went before. But that's not important. People are in danger, and they're people who have helped us. I haven't made it a secret that I think Morningstar doesn't deserve devotion from us. The thing is, there's a difference between devotion and helping out someone who's helped you. It's time for us to do the latter. My issues don't mean anything. We know Morningstar can do good work.

So, let's talk. Let's plan. We should all do it in the same place.

I want to lay some ground rules.

1. Even if we've been asked to use the weapons only to stun any assailants, a number of us know it's not that simple. So, let's skip the morality talk about whether or not that's okay. Sorry, Gaby. I actually trust most people won't go in guns blazing. [She actually wouldn't if there weren't "civilians" involved. She's still not sure she does now, but that's unimportant. White lies have a place here.] Self-defense is a thing. Let's all trust one another.

2. I have a lot of questions about this. We all do. But we have a limited time to pull this off. Let's try to focus on what we can do and then figure out the rest later. If you think you can get answers now that can help us? Bring it forward. Make a new reply to draw eyes to it.

3. I figure we have two separate directions we can go, but we need all hands on deck. If you're not comfortable handling a gun, take the address for the safehouses and get them set up.

4. Nothing "funny" about these rules. Which means the first thing you're all going to say is ... about my rules. Get it out of your system.

[There is a lot more to say, a lot more to add, but Clarke knows that it likely isn't her place to talk about it. Plus, some of these people are adults, even if they don't act like it. Maybe they won't make a joke about her rules.

... But she bets they will.]

edit: Daisy set up a useful map for everyone. Keep it updated as best as you can.

[ooc: this is the previously discussed and set up IC planning post for the event! Clarke won't be replying to everyone.]

Comments

[retravel]

[ Well, here comes the general. Thank you, Agent Carter. She outlines a route so clearly and rationally, he has to take a moment to appreciate the sheer professionalism.

Fitz shares the layout of the apartment of their lead contact (one bedroom, mid-rise, open kitchen and sitting room divided by a counter, close quarters) as well as her profile in brief:

PATIL, ISHANI. Our lead lab contact, capable of superlative, discreet work, handling both our own and Morningstar's information. Although a non-combatant, Patil is a long-time Morningstar agent highly loyal to the cause. ]

I'm with you all the way, Carter.
And as long as I can visualise the space ahead, I can create a path.

There'll be no time for hacking when we enter the building, just bust the damn door open. Cain's ability may be of use here, with removing the lock outright.

Once inside, I suggest Cain and I scout, seeing as we're both trained for combat. You and Markus reach and cover Patil at all costs. Clear all curtains and entryways en route, if you can, but I'll have a laser-cutter on hand, if I need to widen my sights. I imagine the UNA will have a vehicle prepared for their escape with the target. Airborne, most likely. Watch the windows for that.

If the soldiers come up, we sound the alarm but wait to act. Single pincer movement. If they're already waiting, you sound the alarm, and Markus blocks initial attacks. Patil is wanted alive, but we'll be seen as obstacles and removed swiftly, leaving us with no choice but to attack from a defensive position.

[ the main apartment entrance, that is. ]

Stun, not kill, seeing as I doubt they'll leave anything uncovered that's worth a bullet.

[ UNA armour is his main concern here, should they encounter any soldiers. ]

[revlon]

Even tanks have weaknesses, Agent Fitz. You just have to know where to aim.
But I agree: stun, not kill. A rescue mission is not the time or place to play roulette when time is of the essence.

[ Now holstering her weapon and taking a moment to pull her short, short hair into two tight braids close to her scalp, she backreads over the rest of his plan. Unsurprising that they're on the same wavelength here — it's not the first time, but there's also no other way for this op to go.

Surrounding the enemy while letting them believe, for a split second, that they have the upper hand is the only ace up their sleeve. That, and their abilities. Peggy hates that she hasn't discovered her yet when it could be helpful in the here and now, but she's survived years in the field without being a supersoldier, so this is no different. ]

Your plan is sound.
I do have one question:

[ She spots him across the safehouse but doesn't approach, instead making eye contact even as her message scrolls across the interface between them. ]

At what point would you consider aborting the mission?

[ At what point do they decide whose lives are worth saving? He wanted to know about contingencies. She's as pragmatic as he can be. ]

[retravel]

[ She registers in his periphery vision, the way you can feel someone's focus narrow to yourself, as the rest of the world blurs. Fitz's answer types immediately, as soon as he thinks it into existence, but he doesn't send for a long moment, with Cain and Markus in the loop. Instead, he adjusts his sleeves, smoothing out the wrinkles in the fabric and situating himself in his bulletproof vest. He doesn't look to her for guidance or confirmation. ]

If the mission failed.
Move out in 5. We go above ground in pairs, and then meet inside the underground cave entrance west of here.

[ GPS pin attached. A glance up then, as he begins his short walk over to her (gun holstered at his hip, mask in hand). She and the others can do the math, and choose to disagree if they don't like his attitude. He won't begrudge them for it. His mind is made up: if Patil dies, there's no point in going forward, but if something should happen to one of them, there are still countless others at risk. Needs of the many outweigh the few. That's simple mathematics.

Even minor intelligence on their superhuman abilities is too deadly to leave in enemy hands. He already perpetuated that worst case scenario himself, and he won't make the same mistake now (he'll make a different one, entirely unique in its spiralling consequences). ]

Agent Carter. [ A tip of his head in greeting. Affixing her status says it all: They can speak freely for brief moments now, albeit in hushed tones. He awaits her move. ] Once more unto the breach.

[ Maybe he remembers. Maybe he would have said that, anyway. ]

[revlon]

[ If the mission failed. It's not an answer and they both know it so she doesn't bother wasting the thought on a reply. His answer is telling (but everything is telling when one is a spy who looks for the subtext between every line said and unsaid). Her expression is not — just a flicker of her gaze as she acknowledges the message, the glance, and yes, the math.

She can agree with the math and disagree on principle. An all-or-nothing outcome isn't what she favours (emphasis on the nothing) and although her idealism has been shaken as of late both in 1947 and 2511, it's still stubbornly holding fast whether she likes it or not. Kill or be killed was drilled into her in the war and it's a rule she herself lives by but cannot, for any reason, apply it to those in her circle or the people put in her charge.

She's aware of the contradictory nature of it. Peggy watches him approach as she finishes off her hair, her own bulletproof vest strapped on and ready. The quote makes her unpainted lips quirk at the corners, there and gone, more grim than warm. So he remembers the last time they were in the caves; naturally, so does she. ]

Or close the wall up with our English dead. [ She tucks her mask within easy reach, brow arched. ] As the only Englishwoman on this team, I object the choice of text but appreciate the sentiment. I'll meet you at the rendezvous point after I've fetched our aid kit.

[retravel]

[ What can he say, otherwise? If any one of you dies, the rest keep going. If she falls into enemy hands, we stop the source with a sharp, sudden shot. Better dead than compromised. It's a bit much, when they have less seasoned individuals on side.

Naturally, it won't be so easy in practice, with Markus in danger, just out of his reach, or Peggy knocked down, seemingly lost — but he knows there'll be an audible reminder to focus, rattling in his skull. His shadow follows him everywhere, after all.

At her comments, there's a huff of air, not a laugh (it might have been one, on any other day). ]

See you there, then. [ for a second, his features soften. ] I'm glad you're with us.

[ As he passes, he claps a hand on her back, soldierly camaraderie. And he's off, out ahead of the rest.

The old Fitz flickers in and out, it seems. ]