Chapter Text
"Signal lost, agent Sherry has with all possibility been eliminated, reason unknown. Mission phoenix failed." Athena reported to Mycroft though it was unnecessary, he was well aware of the situation. "Seems like I have to take matters into my own hands then." Mycroft decided after a moment's thought and a dedicated analysis.
The mission in question had now failed two times and Mycroft had lost some good men which was the reason for his sudden direct involvement with the leg work.
Mycroft abhorred legwork not because of the physical aspect as his brother tended to mock him with but because of the feeling of loss of control. He couldn't see the bigger picture as clearly, couldn't react and adapt the plan to every little minute detail that inevitably came while the mission was under way. It was slightly sentimental. Mycroft knew this, which was why he didn't correct his little brother. But he was not going to sit by and lose more men when he himself could complete the mission without any further casualties. He had his reasons for not taking this approach from the beginning. He had fully believed his men competent enough for the task and had calculated his best position to be from behind the scenes with the necessary information and resources but since this had failed a new approach was in order and Mycroft saw no other possibility for success than his own direct involvement.
That was when things started to complicate and go wrong.
"Athena, stop the recording." "It has been stopped, Sir." Athena replied a moment later. "Are you alone?" Mycroft questioned quietly as he glanced around to make sure he was still alone and unwatched on the empty and dirty street, in the small village he was currently residing in. "Yes Sir." Athena answered immediately. "I'm going to break radio contact in a minute." Mycroft stated calmly. "Why Sir?" Athena asked, concealing her surprise. It wasn't uncommon for Mycroft to change tactics at the last moment if it would be beneficial but breaking contact was still a risky move especially for the agent in the field. Even more so when there was no Mycroft in the office to calculate the possible actions and outcomes of the agent in the field. "Too many things are off. I will follow through with the plan to the location. Should I not contact you in two days then begin the search from there. Don't share this information with others and be careful Athena." Mycroft warned. “Copy.” Athena replied feeling uneasy about Mycroft´s decision despite her faith in him. Mycroft heard Athena´s reply and then without further notice he broke the radio contact, thrashing his own device and burying it in the sandy ground.
Mycroft had indeed been right, things had been off, only his quick wit and sharp intelligence ensured that he avoided detection. Their entry point had been made, the organization had been tipped off. But someone else had also been tipped off and they acted even quicker. With destructive fierceness and delicate planning.
The bomb both saved and doomed Mycroft……..
Cover Artwork by applejuice667
Enough cracks no matter how tiny will eventually shatter even the strongest ice facade.
Not even the greatest minds are immune to this.
