Runcorn Organisation's Task Team - Jaguar's Beginning

I hope to expand this piece into a series of a team tasked with commando-espionage in the story.  This story is set just before the team I’m hoping to write is formed. 

 

The flying craft was high in the clouds, silent as a tiger hunting in the moonlight. 

“Approaching the drop-zone.”  The Chief Pilot reported on the COM.  “ETA: five minutes.”

“Thanks Chief.”  Lion, the leader of the team, a man of about early thirties, replied.  “Give us the right spot and I may buy a bottle of red wine for your fiancée.” 

“A bottle? She’ll want a case!” The pilot reacted with a both men laughing their joke. 

“OK, everyone listen up!” Lion ordered his team, who were all wearing black commando uniforms.  “The vessel is called Upturn.  She is a passenger ship taken by Somali pirates just five hours ago.” 

“How many hostages?” Tiger, the team’s second in command, a lady of about mid-twenties, asked. 

“As far as we know, about fifteen hostages.”  Lion answered. 

“How many pirates?” Jaguar, a young man of about early twenties member of the team asked. 

“At least twenty,” Lion answered.  “According to a member of the hostages who escaped custody of the pirates, the captain is in the bridge with two of his best men, seven are in the engine room, five watching the hostages, and the rest are patrolling the ship.” 

“I take it that we won’t have time for sightseeing round the ship.”  Jaguar commented. 

“Afraid not,” Lion replied, “The pirates have issued a ransom for two million pounds to be delivered, with their captured drug lord.  The deadline ends in two hours.” 

“Let’s get going.”  Leopold, a man of about late twenties, piped. 

All of the team got up and started to collect their equipment and weapons. 

“Any plans for tonight?” Tiger asked Jaguar. 

“Apart from my uncle’s birthday, no.”  Jaguar smiled. 

“Wish him the best for us.”

“Will do.” 

The side door of the craft was opened.  “Final approach to the drop-zone Lion.”  The Chief Pilot reported. 

“OK everyone,” Lion spoke as his team finished fastening their parachutes on, “Let’s go.”  And with that, one by one, the team followed Lion out of the craft and into the windy night air with only the lights of the target vessel to guide their decent. 

 

The team glided with their parachutes towards the stern deck of the Upturn.  Jaguar, having the sharpest eyes, took his sniper rifle and picked off the pirates on guard on the deck.  All of the seven team members landed without a sound to their feet. 

Once on the deck, the team took off their parachutes and stuffed them back into the bags and tossed them into the shadows, Jaguar being the team patrol, watching out for pirates coming. 

Lion issued his orders: “Jaguar, secure the deck, then get your sights on the pirate captain.”  Jaguar quickly moved along the deck, checking every shadow possible the length of the ship. 

“Cheetah, find the hostages and let me know when you.” 

“On it Lion.”  Cheetah, the quickest lady of about mid-twenties member of the team, took off. 

“Leopard, Cougar, secure the engine room.” 

Leopard and Cougar disappeared into the depths of the ship. 

“Cheetah finds the hostages, we’ll take out the rest of the pirates.”  Lion order Tiger and Snow Leopard as Lion checked his pistol. 

 

Jaguar was at the bow of the ship within seven minutes and five kills.  He kept to the shadows as he spied the pirate captain through his sniper rifle’s scope.  “I’ve got the pirate captain in my sight Lion.”  He reported over the team radio. 

“Wait for my word.”  Lion replied back. 

“Copy that.”  Jaguar responded. 

 

Leopard and Cougar entered the engine room without the slightest sound.  Leopard was the first to dare a look inside.  He could see three of the seven reported pirates.  He nodded to Cougar. 

“Lion, we’re at the side door for the engine room.”  Cougar radioed his report. 

“Copy that, wait for my command.” 

“Roger that.” 

Leopard and Cougar tightened their grips on their assault rifles. 

 

Cheetah walked down the maze of corridors in the ship.  She has already found two pirates on his way, both of whom she took out without a sound.  She slowly opened a door into the great hall of the ship and looked in. 

“Lion,” she radioed, “I’ve found the hostages, no more than ten pirates in there.” 

“Can you take them out?” Lion asked over the radio. 

“Easy.”  Cheetah snorted. 

“OK everyone,” Lion called on the radio, “Ready.”  Everyone held their breaths, “NOW!”

 

Jaguar has never missed a shot in the nearly five years in serving the Runcorn Organisation.  His shot made its mark between the pirate captain’s eyes.  The captain’s best men were quick to follow by Jaguar’s shots.

Leopard and Cougar swiped through the engine room with their firepower and their infamous flying knifes, leaving seven of the pirates dead within two minutes. 

Cheetah entered the great hall from one door while Lion, Tiger and Snow Leopard burst from another and within ten shots, the hostages were no longer hostages.  And within the next fifteen minutes, the ship was free. 

“How can we thank you?” The ship’s true captain asked Lion as the flying craft had its final approach beside the ship. 

“You don’t need to thank us.”  Lion answered.  “Just avoid this part of the world in future.” 

“Will do.”  The captain shook Lion’s hand before Lion lead his team back onto the craft. 

“Well done everyone.”  Lion said to his team has the craft flew homewards. Lion checked his watch, “Looks like we have completed our last mission with a new record, by one minute.”  Lion looked at Jaguar as he placed his rifle back in its place. 

“I hear that you are staying an agent.”  Lion spoke to Jaguar. 

“Yes, sir,” Jaguar answered, “I feel better doing the fieldwork than being an office worker.” 

“Well then,” Lion held out his gloved hand, “On behalf of this good team, I wish you the very best of luck with your new team.” 

Jaguar took and shook Lion’s hand.  “Thank you, Lion.” 

 

I hope that you will find this piece interesting to read.