Rogue Nation: Meet the IMF

Chapter 3: Freedom

Kat shivered as she stood close beside Ethan, watching him with wide, worried eyes as he dialed into the phone. He was holding her between him and the phone attached to the red London booth, keeping her shielded- just in case. Kat was too concerned about him to argue and she continuously glanced from his face to his jacket-covered side.

She was close enough that she could hear as an operator answered: "Stack-com 7."

"Western Europe unsecured." Ethan said quickly, and the operator asked: "Designator?"

"Bravo Echo One One." Ethan replied, and the operator answered: "Connecting."

Kat waited anxiously, watching Ethan's face as he glanced at her with an almost apologetic look in his eyes. She understood why in the next second.

"This is Brandt." Brandt said through the receiver, and Kat blanched.

'Will...' She thought, as Ethan said shortly and quickly: "Go secure."

He glanced at Kat again, and she shook herself. This was definitely not the time. She nodded at Ethan to show she was all right as there was a brief pause before Brandt replied: "Go."

"London terminal is compromised." Ethan said hurriedly. "Repeat, London is compromised. Agent placed is down. Request immediate extraction."

Washington D.C.

Brandt glanced over into the court room where he could see Hunley speaking with the Senate Committee, and he quickly turned his back on them as he asked Ethan quietly: "What happened? Who breached London? Do you've anything to go on?"

"A face." Ethan replied tightly. "He wanted something. Not information. He could've killed me... but he didn't."

London

Ethan glanced at Kat as he added mentally: 'And he kept Kat alive... why?'

He refocused as Brandt asked: "Okay, what do you think it means?"

"The Syndicate is real." Ethan replied immediately. Kat didn't know what that meant, but she didn't have to, not after what they'd just gone through.

"They know who we're, how we operate." Ethan continued harshly, and Kat glanced at him worriedly as his breathing became slightly forced. "I think I know why they've been so hard to find. Just focus operations on gathering any available Intel regarding formal covert operatives."

Ethan winced but kept going as he controlled his breathing once more: "It doesn't matter what country or agency. Just as long as they are dead, or presumed dead. Start with Janik Vinter. He's also known as the 'Bone Doctor'."

Washington D.C.

Brandt's face was drawn as he replied grimly: "I can't do that."

"What?" Ethan demanded. "What're you talking about?"

"The Committee has shut us down." Brandt explained in a tight voice as he glanced back to make sure Hunley was still occupied and couldn't see him. "Operations are to be handed over to the CIA."

London

Kat looked at Ethan in alarm as Brandt finished grimly: "There is no more IMF. I've been ordered to bring everyone in."

Ethan had closed his eyes, and Kat touched his arm in concern as Brandt called worriedly. "Ethan."

Ethan's eyes opened and he stared at Kat as he replied tersely: "I understand."

"Ethan." Brandt tried again, but Ethan cut him off quickly: "I understand, Brandt."

Ethan stared at Kat pensively as she watched him anxiously and he quickly made his decision.