EPISODE 04: Operation Mile High Club 14 (Patreon)

“Explain this.” Commanded Madam Z. Her booming voice seemingly came from everywhere at once. The wall lit up with a projection of the front page of ‘A República’ and promptly zoomed into the headline photo.

The headline itself read: ‘Idol Delivers Hope to Esperança!’ and it featured Baram front and center as she descended into a crowd of locals celebrating the fall of the Castilhos and the start of a new age for the stranded nation.

Baram snickered from her seat in the debriefing room and stretched, lifting her arms over her head and plopping her feet on the desk in front of her. “Now that’s what I call a PR stunt.” She remarked to nobody’s amusement.

The silence that ensued was ice cold and the other girls glanced her way in fear, knowing their friend was treading over thin ice. On cue Madam Z stepped out of a dark corner. Her sinuous curves warped the projection in eerie ways as she walked up to Baram to slap her feet off the desk.

“Your stunt almost blew your cover.” Reprimanded Madam Z.

Baram was sulking now. “I didn’t tell anyone who I was.” She said, crossing her arms and twisting her lips into a childish pout.

Madam Z clicked her thumb remote and the projection on the wall shifted displaying a new array of headlines. ‘Idol signs autographs during the Freedom Parade!’ ‘New Single “The Angel of Freedom” announced during a political rally!’ ‘Mega-star’s Official Fan Club the Baram Brigade rejoices!’ ‘K-Pop Idol Baram to be named a National Hero.’.

“I mean… I didn’t tell anyone who I really am.” Deflected Baram but Madam Z didn’t want any excuses.

“Is this your idea of a covert operation?” she asked harshly before leaning over Baram, “The common folk won’t be a problem. They will believe whatever they want to believe. The world is flooded by click bait and fake news as it is. But you have the eyes of the world now… and you can bet our enemies are looking your way. Enemies we don’t even know exist will ask questions and come knocking on doors. They will come for you.”

Baram nodded and whispered. “I’m sorry.” And in response, Madam Z placed a gentle hand on her cheek saying. “Don’t be sorry. Be ready.” Before turning to the rest of the girls.

“We barely won this battle. With the Castilhos either captured or on the run, the violent insurgents of the Ashen Phoenix group leaderless and in disarray, and the Rook Company mercenaries retreating back into the shadows, a temporary civilian government was established by the people. Their fate is now in their own hands.”

Madam Z walked back to the projection wall as new images flickered into view one by one. Open borders. Relief efforts. Labor camps shutting down. Finally settling on a gallery of headshots for the known Rook Company operatives: Irina ‘the Devil’s Bitch’, Doctor Yui, Ichika and the Skeleton Crew of the Presidential Flight.

“The Rook Company has now been officially classified as faction of interest. They’ve kept an entire nation prisoner under military rule through a puppet president and a private army. Deploying military and industrial assets on a massive scale. If they were capable of this much, the question then becomes … What else are they up to? Our new priority will be to root out this insidious faction and drag them into the light. But for now, I’m just happy you are all safely back home.” Finished Madam Z, adding with a motherly smile. “Dismissed.”

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As soon as the door to her temporary quarters closed behind her Baram immediately leaned back onto it. Hands in the pockets of her puffy jacket, eyes closed, she exhaled loudly. Without an audience she no longer needed to play the part of a wildcard.

But then again, she wasn’t exactly alone.

“What now?” she whispered and her earpiece crackled to life letting the child-like digital voice of Visage come through it.

“Take me to the servers.”

(The End of Operation: Mile High Club - Stand by for Round 2!)