12874/AIM Takedown

AIM Takedown
Date of Scene:	22 March 2021
Location:	AIM Facility, Czech Republic
Synopsis:	AIM training facility is taken down. Unfortunately, the teacher isn't there so the hunt continues. Quake Brings the House Down.
Cast of Characters:	Phobos, Black Widow (Romanoff), Quake, Hawkeye (Barton)

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Phobos has posed:
    The Czech Republic has always been a hot bed of intelligence work since the start of the 20th century. Always a hub on which both Europe and Asia turned, some cold war advisors would say that where Czechoslovakia falls so falls the world. And in Prague there are many that believe it.
    A week ago a SHIELD intelligence operation led by Black Widow gained intel during several gatherings of dead drops that AIM was active in the area. Two enemy operatives were eliminated and intel of a possible training program was gained. Other assets were deployed to gain information on the location of the facility. Until that time some of SHIELD's best operatives were held on standby, waiting until the small light on their cellphone turned from green to red to signify go time.
    Which had been four hours ago.
    Inside the hurtling Quinjet conversation was easy with the vehicle's noise generation lowered for the stealth insertion. Just a low rumble under the feet of the operatives sent on this mission. Skye, Widow, Hawkeye, all had a place of prominence in the ready line. While along the two sides of the jet two teams of SHIELD agents rapid response units were ready, armored up, and settled in.
    Over the comms and headsets a voice came back, "ETA 6 minutes, get ready."
    Back in the bay a display on the wall flickered through the relevant data as it had for a few hours since the briefing. The Church of St. Wenceslaus was prominent as the cover for the training facility. The point of ingress... straight through the roof.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Natasha was not piloting this time. Though she generally liked to, sitting for a few hours in the pilot's seat was not the best course of action before ingress of an enemy facility. Thus, she was in the back with the other agents.

She was standing, stretching muscles. Pulling an arm across her torso to stretch the shoulder. Then the opposite. Then bending and stretching her legs. Getting the blood flowing and flexibility up. She was in her usual SHIELD uniform, with all her favorite toys hidden in utility belt and wristbands.

Quake has posed:
Normally, Skye stayed back, or went in looking.. well.. more like a hacker than a spy.

This time she was ready: Grey and black clothing. Brand new wristband on her arms. Various weapons.. and various data retrievals systems, duh - she was still Skye after all!

Still she was nervous.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
And here they are, off to some mission in the Czech Republic. Looking around, Clint Barton grins: as long as it's not Budapest again, he won't be picky. Being part of a well balanced team, on what should be an interesting mission, this will change his mind from current personal matters.

Prompted by the ETA, Hawkeye makes sure his equipment is all ready, including the quiver filled with the necessary arrows with extra specialized arrowheads. This is done fairly quickly, as it's probably the fifth time he goes through this routine since they took off.

Glancing at the display on the wall, Clint grins and can't refrain to comment, "Ok guys, steep roof, better czech where you step."

Phobos has posed:
    The jet's interior shifts lighting from normal to a subdued darker level of illumination with the lights shifting red, strong enough to see clearly but with that eerie after-image. Dropping low across the tree-line, the Quinjet's engines became a low thrumming sound even as the ready light near the ramp flickers from a flashing crimson to a steady crimson.
    The SHIELD teams gather their gear, slinging rifles and lowering their helmets into place. A few last minute checks are made as they move within their teams, each lead checking on his people and making sure their gear is set. For some of them it was their first live drop, their duties were limited. The lead agents were to handle the first wave of infiltration, the back up agents to clean up. Usually for people the caliber of Skye, Clint, and Natasha... the main thing other agents could do was get out of their way.
    The display flickered to life, no visible guards or operatives in the area, live streamed surveillance data appeared on the monitor near Clint and Natasha. No obvious snipers in the surrounding environ, but the cameras they got inside the church did show something. Several squads of beekeepers in their unique yellow and silver armor, weapons held though not at the ready. But clearly set for something and guarding the main access points to he catacombs beneath the church. The choice was to be made by the team before going in and reinforced by the pilot.
    "Thirty seconds out, we going loud or soft?" And now with the latest intel, they can make that last moment decision.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Looking at the feed from inside, Natasha considers. "Soft for now. We'll take lead. That is a lot of drone bees guarding the access points." She considers then glances to the other two. "We want to try to herd them a bit then Skye can do her thing?"

Quake has posed:
Skye shakes her head. She'd done one more unofficial 'Quake' but that wasn't even on the books. Tonight? She will be Quake officially. On the books. "Right. Ready!"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Hawkeye nods in agreement with Natasha, but a sudden puzzled look crosses his face. Do her thing...? Oh, yes, /that/ thing. He grins at some thoughts, preferring to not comment on it this time.

"Yeah, let's get in position, then some distraction to herd 'em where we want them. I'd say in the back, more room, more peeps. Inciendary arrow should get their attention." He nods at Skye's enthusiasm, "Then you shake the nest"."

Phobos has posed:
    The jet's ramp lowers with a faint mechanical whir and suddenly outside the rushing landscape can be seen. First the canopy of the forest and trees around the city, then gives way to the orange roofed suburbs as for those awake at this time of night the quinjet is little more than a black silhouette silently slicing across the sky.
    he red light begins flashing, a flicker of illumination that accelerates as they near the drop zone. The SHIELD response teams ready up and hook up to the support bar while their weapons are slung and they keep their balance with the sway of the ship.
    Then the deceleration begins as the city of Prague becomes more and more visible, taller buildings, more prominent architecture until finally the roof of the church is visible some hundred feet down. And that is the moment the light flickers from red to a steady green.
    Below, on the roof of the church, two snipers in sneak suits can be barely made out, abruptly illuminated by the high proximity sensors of the Quinjet and fed to the displays of the SHIELD operatives. As Natasha passes by one of the faceless SHIELD agents in his armored helmet tells her with a mechanical warble to his voice, "Good hunting."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Thank you," Natasha says to the SHIELD agent as she walks past. The image of the snipers has her glancing to Clint. They have worked together for years. The know each other and balance out skills. No words really need to be said for it to be conveyed. They've got this.

Then she simply leaps out the back. No line being used to repel out for insertion. Then at the last second, there is a pfft of displaced air as she fires a Widow's line which hits the open hatch of the quinjet and her fall turns abruptly stops a moment before she would splat on the roof. Then a release of that line and she has dropped onto the sniper, the line around his throat as she goes for the silent removal instead of getting into a brawl.

She's only going for unconsciousness this time.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Hawkeye opts for the line, which allows him to aim and take care of the other sniper. He's not even midway down the line to the roof, that said sniper is efficiently taken care of. No sound, no alert. All's fine so far. Reaching the roof, Clint quickly glances around, in case there would be some easy targets to take down. Instinctively, he looks up to make sure Skye and Phobos will join them quickly on the roof.

Quake has posed:
Skye goes last. Of course. They didn't want her giving away their secret weapon till the last second. At least she's been practicing her lines. Even Natasha had to admit she wasn't quite a newb anymore.

Once down she looks to make certain all was ok.

Phobos has posed:
    On the old rooftop of the church, with the tall slanted angles and the turrets that offer a series of spots where snipers can hide, two of them are occupied by lone figures in black suits and helmets that seem to present a blank faceless plate to the outside world. Their weapons, however, are of no normal make. Long barreled, heavy caliber, but light with an extra chamber of some kind resting upon the top of the weapon. They represent the top of the line for AIM's infiltration corps, and as they scan the market square in front of the church and the skyline, nothing sticks out for them...
    Until one looks up. Inside his helmet the heads up display flickers, a pixellated image appearing slowly around a spot of the night sky. Data feeds from that image erratically until with a snap and a beep on that display the Quinjet suddenly appears...
    And then his breath is stolen from him as that cord slips around his throat. All of the warning lights flash on in his HUD but soon enough the one person that can perceive them slips into unconsciousness.
    Across the church rooftop the other sniper doesn't have the sight line to catch the Quinjet, though his scanning of the horizon likely would bring his gaze around. Until an arrow slices across the heavens and into his chest with a near silent rush of air. His body jolts, twists, then falls. Just enough to give the team a clear ingress to the roof and to the top floor which is primarily an open level for confessions that looks down onto the church proper. A nice elevated position from which they can see the two teams of AIM soldiers in their yellow and silver armored uniforms.
    Down below the teams continue to move amongst themselves, some conversations likely held on their comms. The pews have been rearranged to provide cover from a possible hostile entry on the ground floor, but otherwise they seem unaware.
    On the comms a voice is heard, "No data surge, no alarm most likely." They're still in the clear.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Block their comms," comes the quiet words across the SHIELD comm links. That's for their resident hacker since they don't want the ones below to call for reinforcements. "Then get into position and we'll bring them to you."

Natasha moves easily across the rooftop, slipping through that opening to the top floor and pausing to consider surroundings. Nothing is standing out but she takes it slow, checking each confessional to be certain there are no surprises within before working toward one of the two squads below.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Navigating across the rooftop, Hawkeye follows Nat through the opening. While she's checking the confessionnals, he's already scanning the floor below for any sing that they might have been detected, looking for the best place to create the distraction. As soon as Nat will be done making sure their actual position is clear, he'll be ready to take over for the next phase. Distrastion.

Selecting an arrowhead that would cause a moderate fire, enough to attract the attention without engulfing the whole back of the church in fire, Hawkeye moves silently towards the back of the church. Right there, he can easily hit the floor behind the altar. A sign of his hand, notifies his teammates that he's ready whenever they are. Once the comms are blacked, they will be ready.

Quake has posed:
One thumb up.

Skye kneels down on the roof and works on the comms. Frankly, it was easy, but then again, they weren't prepared for a nethacker such as she.

"<"All done.. Just let me know when I should turn up the vibrations.">

Phobos has posed:
    The church is large, not massive but it's all primarily the one great room of worship with the lovely frescoes and beautiful woodwork. The confessionals are clear, no civilians seem to be in the area as they likely shut down the church in the earlier hours. It presents a lovely backdrop to what assuredly will be a fair amount of violence shortly. Yet for now it lends itself to a peaceful feeling when one observes it.
    There is a crackle and hiss on the SHIELD comm freqs that likely signifies the end to the AIM communications, reiterated by that voice on the line offering, "Their comms are reading down."
    Which is verified when several of the beekeepers amongst the pews start to stand up or shift from where they are. One lighly thump-thumps a hand against his helmet and then gestures to one of the other squadron members. Several others then turn to one in slightly more prominent armor, perhaps the officer in charge.
    Which is verified when the man pulls his helmet off and scowls, "Cheap cold war crap." And proceeds to smack his helmet as well.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
As Hawkeye moves into place, she takes up a spot on the opposite side. Out come the Glocks. There is already a round in the chambers of each so she doesn't have to work the slide, since that would create a noise that is well-known to a soldier or mercenary type.

The fact the leader just announced himself makes her smile darkly then she glances over and waits for Hawkeye to do his thing and get them all distracted and closer together.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Really, this is a piece of cake so far. Shooting at a rather empty floor. The sound of the arrow is almost imperceptible. On impact, the arrowhead creates a nice streak of fire near the prayer candles, which will be difficult to extinguish due to the chemical used.

Over the SHIELD comms, Hawkeye's quiet voice can be heard.

"Come on, peeps, go czech it out!"

Phobos has posed:
    Another helmet comes of as one of the soldiers frowns, "I've got nothing, you CQ?" The words aimed at another of the beekeepers who responds, "Nope, no signal." Then they both look to a third.
    "Manny, head down and get word, let them know we're comms negative up here. Again." Which causes that third to give a quick nod as he moves up the dais and to the podium. He grabs the microphone and hits a button and suddenly the entire stage area slides back and to the side, opening from one angle, then another until it displays a stairwell with a heavy electronic scanning device that whirs faintly when 'Manny' breaks into a run down the way.
    Then there's that rush of a 'whiff' as Hawkeye's arrow slices across the distance and impacts in the wooden floor near the flickering candles as they offer what prayers they can to the Almighty. A moment later the flames pick up, licking up along the side of the tablecloth that adorns that table with the candles and shortly after... a blaze becomes more apparent.
    "You guys smell smoke?" And suddenly the officer gestures toward the back, "Ah crap, fire!"
    Suddenly all attention is in that direction, and then three of the beekeepers break into motion across the way. "There's an extinguisher in the foyer!" One shouts, which sends another heading in that direction as well, close to the fire but more heading to the large double doors.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Show time." Natasha whispers. "I've got Manny." She is moving, feet silent as she rushes across the upper level then leaps over the banister that protects people from falling to the ground floor below.

Her aim is poor Manny, the one who was going to alert of the comm issue. Sure, they've had problems before with their comms but if downstairs is having no such issues, that might seem odd and have security coming upstairs to check. It was an attempted flying leap to land just behind him and then bringing up a gloved hand to cover his mouth as she fired an icer directly into his lower back. Even as she was lowering him into the exposed stairwell, if it worked.

Hopefully it was fast enough she was never seen since the fire had the others distracted.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint remained on the upper level, having a perfect view of everything on ground floor. After covering Nat while she dispatched Manny, he made a sign for Skye to get ready to work her magic.

"Nat," his voice can be heard over the comms, "Get back here. Skye's ready."

This should also let Phobos know that full action is coming, when the nest is shaken, they will come out like ants.

Quake has posed:
Skye was used to going in last. After all, she usually was after their computer data. Not that she couldn't use a gun! Just rarely.

She was ticking down to the point when she let it loose..

Skye came over the balcony and set her hands to blast anyone who tries to stop her, moving to the next level.

Phobos has posed:
    It was all a rush of movement, the dark silhouette of the Widow leaping from the banister and then landing silently. Manny's gloved hand resting on the security sensor in the stairwell long enough to key the system off so he can descent... only for the former Soviet agent to land behind him and grab him...
    BZZZZT!
    And suddenly he was unconscious, falling into the stairwell silently while the Widow recovered.
    Meanwhile several AIM operatives surround the now blazing prayer candle table as the fire starts to work its way up a curtain. The beekeeper that had ran into the foyer returns abruptly with the extinguisher and tries to rip off the safety guard, struggling for a good seven seconds before he tears it free and starts blasting a white foam onto the flames.
    The officer of the AIM operatives slaps his helmet and shakes his head. "This is a circus." For now Skye's descent goes unnoticed as they manage to get the flame mostly under control though some of the chemical continues to burn and flare up at points, only for heavy metallic armored boots to thump down on it over and over.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Manny is left at the base of the stairs. Natasha takes a glance around but as usual, most places have guards outside but not inside the entry door. She knows what's coming and fires a line to the banister well above then twists a wrist so the line is drawn back into the mechanism, pulling her back up to the second floor to allow Skye a clear line of fire.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint remains close to Skye, to offer protection if any idiot tries to attack her while she quakes them just fine. There's like a proud smile on his face, although he remains focused on the targets. Alright, now Nat has reached a safe position, time for the big surprise.

"Give 'em hell, Skye."

Quake has posed:
<"Here we go..">

Up to then she was a little nervous. But when the chips were down so to speak it was natural. All the time she had practiced and honing the skills came back and it was like riding a bike - once you had ridden it, it was unlikely you were to forget it.

With her arms outstretched she began to rip through the second floor where most of the enemies were.

Phobos has posed:
    One moment on the floor, the next Widow takes flight, flipping up and into position on the second floor once again. A clean operation to take out the one AIM operative and to keep moving with none of the others the wiser. She gets clear while they handle the fire.
    Then there's an abrupt shout as the beekeeper with the expended fire extinguisher points in Skye's direction as she darts into place. The empty cannister is dropped as he goes for his slung firearm across his back only for him to abruptly sprout a shaft in his chest and fall over with a gurgling sound.
    "What?" The officer turns, just in time to get a full straight on eyeball of Agent Quake as she gets into position...
    And then the tumult begins. The heavy rumbling thunderous sound shakes across the distance, the ground jostling as it lashes outwards in a perfect uniform wave pattern emitting from Skye's out-stretched arms. The ground crackles up and open, the old facade of the church breaking to reveal the metal underneath and what looks like pieces of recent construction work shattering as those waves cross the distance to /smash/ into the AIM operatives. Not just the impact of the waves, nor the shifting ground, it's the heavy effect on their bodies as she creates a resonance within them suddenly smashing them about. Several strike a wall, another hits the podium and knocks it over.
    Until finally the power recedes leaving the floor of the church a wreck, and the sound of alarms coming from below. Though not necessarily the trill of an intruder alert and perhaps more an emergency alarm.
    Then on the SHIELD comms there's the voice of the pilot, "Squads deploying. You have back up available at your discretion." Now that they have most definitely 'gone loud' the Quinjet roars out of stealth and into position to provide cover from the outside as the SHIELD agents rappel downwards.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
That was kind of terrifying.

Natasha knew about Skye's abilities. But admittedly, she had never seen them first hand. As the building shook in such a controlled way, the attack not on the outer structure but beneath them. The agents toppling like pins. It was damned impressive.

Likely those in the underground were thinking natural disaster as opposed to invaders. They were confused and staggered by what just happened. "Let's the rest."

And she was leaping over the banister, heading for that stairwell to go finish cleaning out the hive.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Yeeeeeeehaw!" Clint exclaims, watching Skye in action. THAT is something. Now, the fun just started, and arrows hit any creep that wasn't smart enough to stay put on the floor. While the SHIELD troopers finally arrive to mop - almost literally - the floor, Hawkeye can be heard, once again over the comms.

"SHIELD 1, AIM 0. Czech mate!"

Quake has posed:
After such a controlled and massive attack Skye felt it in her arms, right up past her elbows. "Fuck.." She could not say it now, but it hurt like hell! She'd have to wait until they were on the way home. But she felt, otherwise, good.

Yay? Shield had unleashed Quake on the world.