Chapter Text
Her assignments are always simple. Providing protection is her specialty, especially after roughly 8 years of physical and psychological training. Qualified for numerous security jobs, naturally was the choice of applying to be a Physical Security Specialist -and naturally, for the FBI. Why wouldn’t she? The benefits outweighed any cons. Clearance to almost anywhere, good pay, and what better way is there to help others than working for the government controlling them? Perhaps this is the best way to change lives, although what change she would make, she didn’t know.
Four years in her position had broken her and built her up again until she was tough, muscular, and respected by all who had the chance to work with her.
“Damn, this suit got tight…” she muttered softly, sitting at her desk reviewing extensive files on outside personnel her unit would be in contact with.
“Ms. King,” a dark, suited man said. His hand rested lightly on the back of her chair. “Have you assessed Mr. Sullivan yet?”
She had. White guy, forty-something, an average upbringing. “Yes, sir. He’s of minimal threat. My notes are in his document.” Her boss double-checked everything about an assignment in the days before it starts.
“Alright, Thera. Let’s make sure he gets through his conference unharmed.”
“You know I’m your best, boss, though there seems to be no apparent reason for him to need our protection, there’s nothing sketchy in his files,” Thera commented. It was a good question.
Her boss, Mr. Henderson, shrugged. “That’s not our business, I just hope we don’t find out.”
Unruffled, Thera grunted and got back to work.
Keeping guard of DC’s largest conference building, Thera’s team stayed alert, barely listening to Mr. Sullivan’s very important speech to very important people. She turned her boredom to hypersensitivity, probably the most useful skill for her line of work. As Thera scanned the balding, spotted heads, she noticed two men on opposite sides of the conference room speaking to themselves. They must be wearing earpieces. Thera reached for her own earpiece.
“King to Price, we got two men wearing pieces, north and south.” Price was across the room from Thera.
“I see ‘em, King. You got a course of action?”
“Try to get a better position on the man in the back- you’re closer. I’ll move towards the man on the front. Get your men to fill in the gap,” Thera strategized. Clearly they were communicating something important, her team had to be ready for whatever they’re planning. Could this be the reason Sullivan requested protection services? After several minutes the men both shifted in their seats, slouching lower into the grey chairs that filled the large room.
“They’re preparing for something.”
Gut instinct told Thera to move away from the shifting man and closer toward Mr. Sullivan. After all, he was who her team was tasked to protect. She scanned the inside of the room, watching for anything dangerous or out of the ordinary. Like OSHA but on crack. The room had large windows facing the podium. Tall windows, maybe 8 feet from the double doors below them. Thera’s anxiety rose the tiniest bit-- like it does when something’s about to happen, she inched closer to Mr. Sullivan. Something did happen, considering the fact her gut has never failed her. First, she saw it. A window shattering. She lunged at Sullivan. It wasn’t until they made contact that the splintering cry traveled to her ears. By the time Thera had covered him on the ugly carpeting, the room was clamoring. The man was unharmed, although crushed by her weight, she acted quick enough to dodge the sniper.
“Price! Those men- apprehend them!” Thera shouted in her com. She got off the man as others of her team escorted him to safety, eyes frantically searching for the man she was previously monitoring. He was gone, undoubtedly using the crowd’s commotion to disappear.
“My guy vanished. Yours?” Price asked, his voice carrying a slight edge.
“He’s gone. Must’ve left during the shot. Get your men to start a search,” Thera was the team leader, and she was gonna lead, dammit.
“They’re probably long gone by now, Thera. You know that, right?”
“Yes, Price, I am aware. Conduct a search. I’ll call Henderson and see if he can get us access to the cameras, if there even are any,” Her patience was dwindling.
“Copy.”