Developing an Arsenal: Overwatch (The Unit)

Chapter 2: Safehouse

As the vehicle transports the four elite soldiers up a mountain, everyone inside remained silent. Barnes was on the wheel, keeping her eyes on the tough treacherous terrain as the Humvee climbs up the tall tundra hill. Atticus sat at the passenger side, cleaning his red bifocal glasses. Apollo, in the back seat next to Aaron, was cracking his knuckles, as his spike brass knuckles were covered in blood. Aaron had his ear buds on, rocking his head back in forth lightly while mimicking the lyrics of his favorite song silently with his lips. No one really mind what anyone was doing, as they were too exhausted to notice.

The black Humvee parks at a safe house, a log cabin perched on a high position of the mountains. The location of the safe house is unknown, just like the other J-SOC safe houses located across the world. There's no specific architectural pattern, any design was fair game as long as it matched with the surrounding scene.

As the engine stops and the door opens, the four operatives got out of the truck and walked inside the log cabin. As the front door open, it revealed the interior didn't match to the theme of the exterior as the inside was filled with fancy technology, livable sized rooms, and the best part, indoor heating.

Aaron heads to his room, locking up The Massacre and two micro Uzis in the small armory nearby. He heads to the bathroom to wash up the terrible after taste from the last mission.  It's been nearly a year since The Unit became a international strike team.

Aaron was not only efficient with firearms, but had great knowledge on what pieces were effective for the mission. It was that skill he learned from his dad, who worked as a weapons designer for a research company. This was the skill set that allowed him to join a team of soldiers, giving Aaron the best social experience he had. They were dedicated to protect each other while fighting terrorism and crime wherever it lingers.

As he washed off the taste of vomit, a knock was heard from the other side of the main door. Aaron opens the door, revealing Apollo standing still out in the hallway.

"Hey, you need something?" Aaron says while inviting the Russian inside.

"Just checking on how you feeling. I saw you feeling queasy." Apollo replies back, but it came out in Russian.

"I felt queasy seeing as I walked in to see a horrific sight. The cell leader blew off his chest with a shotgun. The balcony was horrifying to look at because of the mess he made." Richards replied back in Russian. The grammar was correct, but his pronunciations on some of the words were a bit vague. 

Apollo connected with Aaron when he asked Apollo to let him learn to speak Russian. It started from memorizing the words and getting familiar to the grammatical rules to oral practice. Apollo now quizzes him by having conversations in Russian and see if Aaron can keep it going by being as fluent as possible.It was to help Aaron retain the language as memorizing the words is one thing while getting familiar and keeping in touch with the language is different thing.

"Ah, I see. So, are you working on fixing a gun?" Apollo asks.

Aaron walks over to his workshop and opens a drawer, exposing a pistol incomplete with missing parts.

"I've been trying to fix this Desert Eagle when it exploded on one mission. Better than having to pay for a new one". Aaron explains.

"I see. Do you now what is happening tonight?" The Russian asked out of curiosity.

"I don't know, we may have to wait till Commander Lawson returns from his meeting with Overwatch and gives us information about our next mission. This is strange that Overwatch have asked him to come to Switzerland to meet with them. Do you think they want to work with us?"

Gregg Lawson is the commander of The Unit and officer in J-SOC. He coordinates any missions the U.S. government and military assigns. He has personal ties with the high ranks in Overwatch and members of the UN thanks to his military track record. The agents of Overwatch are aware of several of their activities, but they don't know members nor know many details of the many classified missions. Barnes is in charge when Lawson was away due to her great leadership qualities in her military career.

"I don't know. I hope that is the case." Apollo looks around before looking at his hands, covered in blood. He totally forgot about cleaning his hands as he wanted to know what was happening tonight. "Well, I need to clean my hands up. I'll see you later on." Apollo explains, switching back to english before walking out of the room.

Aaron pokes the contraption a few more times before exiting the bedroom, making his way to the gym area, a big flat room filled with exercise equipment, boxing bags, and even a fencing area. As he gets ready to practice, he feels a tap on his shoulder.

"You didn't tell me that you are up for boxing practice." A friendly familiar voice chirped. Aaron turns around it was Barnes.

"I felt throwing a few punches were in order. But now I have a excuse of not having to work on the bag." Aaron replies with a smile.

Barnes rolls her eyes. "Take a side on the mat. I want to see what you have learned."

The two each took one end of the mat, loosening their legs, fists in defensive position, preparing for the first move. Barnes moves forward, making a swing at Aaron. Aaron dodges the punch, moving back on the mat. He makes a quick sweep to the rug with his left leg, tripping Barnes. As Aaron attempts to pin her, she kicks him in the stomach, knocking him on his rear end.

He gets up, raising the fists again. Barnes throws a series of two roundhouse kicks. Aaron swings his upper body down, dodging the first, moving behind her as she whiffs the second strike. Aaron grabs Barnes lower body and performs a suplex; her back slams against the mat. Aaron turns around, Barnes rolls backwards, then sprints forward to throw a fast punch, Aaron was quick to dodge to the left, but feels immobilized as she strikes his back hard with a quick and strong kick. He crumbles to the ground, breathing deeply. Seconds later, a hand reaches out, offering him help on his feet.

"Nice fight, kid. You were quick, but you telegraphed at the end." Barnes points out as she pulls Aaron up.

"Come on, you think I can defeat you? You are gifted in the area of hand to hand combat."

Barnes smiles. Suddenly, her bag starts to vibrate the bench. It was her phone ringing inside her bag.

"Excuse me for a second." She walks to her bag to fish out her phone before exiting the room as she holds her phone to her ear. Aaron heads back to the bag, throwing a few punches. Many minutes later, Barnes enters the gym again.

"It was Lawson on the phone. We are going to be briefed for another mission tonight." Barnes says with a concerned look.

"What is with the urgent news? Does Overwatch need us in Egypt?"

"No, but he says it is personal. He is also bringing guests to the HQ, so please be presentable. This will be important for you as they haven't seen you yet."

Aaron looks at the ground a few seconds before another question pops into his head. "When will Commander Lawson and the guests arrive?"

"In a hour. We are going to have dinner early, as this visit is going to be important for us."

"Got it. I'm going to clean up before getting some chow. You coming to eat?"

Barnes shakes her head. "Sorry, I got some work to do before Lawson arrives. You are going to have dinner on your own for tonight. Be ready at 7:00".

Aaron nods before he hangs up his boxing gloves to shower up and prepare for the meeting and mission brief of tonight.

A/N: I know this chapter is short, but it was for good reasons as I need to establish how well Aaron connects with his squad. Thank you everyone for the support on the book so far. If you really enjoy the chapter, leave a vote and I will talk to you guys later.