Phase One, Pt. 1

The group was gathered in the living area still, planning in detail how everything would take place. So far, they had established that someone should go ahead and check out the club first, marking exit points, where bouncers were posted, things of that sort.

"So, who should it be?" Lawrence asked.

A few minutes of silence lapse as they all think about the best option. Finally, Cameron speaks up. "I think it should be Emily. As far as someone going in alone, she would blend in the most." It was true. Emily fit the description of your standard party girl to the t. Blonde hair, a perky physique, an easy-going attitude. No one would think she was out of place.

Lawrence must come to the same conclusion. "I agree," he says, looking toward Emily. "Are you okay going in alone though?"

Emily smirks in a cocky manner. "Of course I am. Do you really think anyone else could do better?"

What she said was true, but it still got on Cameron's nerves, the way she said it. It was one of the things that always frustrated him about her. She was cock-sure, and it often got her into trouble. But with this kind of operation, there weren't many ways she could screw up. It's what had to be done in this case.

"Then it's agreed," Cameron says. "Now, when should we send her in?"

Lawrence glances at his watch. "I think tomorrow would be best. It's already pretty late. Let's get the gear ready, grab a bite to eat, and then get some rest. If we stay up all night, no one will want to go anywhere tomorrow." Lawrence stands and walks toward the table of equipment. He quickly sorts through the gear, setting aside a small camera and an earpiece. They were small, small enough not to be noticed by even the sharpest eyes. That was good because one of their targets was known for his keen eyes.

"Hey Cam," Lawrence shouts over his shoulder. Being called by that nickname brings Terra to Cameron's mind. "Call and order some Chinese. You know what I want."

Oh, Cameron knew, that was for sure. They had spent many nights together playing video games and eating take-out food. The memories bring a smirk to Cameron's lips. "Yeah, bud, I gotcha." Cameron looks over to Emily. "Will you write down what you want while I look up a place nearby?" Emily nods, but Cameron is no longer paying attention. Looking at his phone, he scrolls through a long list of nearby Chinese take-out places. Finding one with a decent rating, he dials and proceeds to order food.

The food arrives sometime later and the group sits to eat in relative silence. They're all too tired and too focused on the task at hand to really talk much. Besides, Cameron knew that any conversation with Emily involved would eventually lead back to the same topic every time. Cameron lamented once again as to why she had to be the one to join the group. Not to mention the look on Terra's face when Emily latched onto him. He could have killed the damned girl for putting his Mate through that discomfort.

Shaking the thoughts from his head, Cameron focuses on the task at hand. How to best get to Crimson? Just thinking about it, Cameron knew that there were going to be guards everywhere, not to mention Wolfsbane. He wasn't how sure the Alpha would go to protect Crimson, but he hated to find out.

As everyone finished their meals, Lawrence ordered everyone to bed. Lawrence always had a way of taking command in situations like these. If Cameron were honest, Lawrence deserved more than the position he had. But his friend was content with the lot he was given, so Cameron wouldn't pry into his reasonings.

The next morning, they all gathered to go over the plan one more time before that evening. Based on what they had come up with, Emily would go into the club with the hidden surveillance equipment, snap some pictures, make note of certain things and then leave unnoticed. Cameron and Lawrence would be in the building opposite the club, luckily the ground level of said building was a cafe, with a window looking onto the club. They had planned to sit there with laptops, so as not to draw too much suspicion and watch the camera feed live, just in case they noticed something Emily didn't.

While Cameron and Lawrence went over the fine details, Emily sorted through her personal bags and pulled out a party dress. It was long, with a slit running up to where her upper thigh would be. It was bright gold and practically soaked in glitter. Cameron stared at it in pure disgust, but Emily must have taken it a different way.

She winks at him and says, "Like what you see?"

Cameron suddenly has the urge to puke. As evenly as he can, he responds, "Not even remotely. Do you really expect to go unnoticed in that atrocity?"

Emily pouts, poking her bottom lip out. "Oh please, do you know nothing of the club life?" She motions toward the dress. "The key is to go unnoticed by being as flashy as possible. Sure, if you go dressed drab, no one will look twice at you, but that could draw suspicion from the guards. If you're fabulous, you look like you belong there. Going undercover is an artform, my dear."

Cameron rolls his eyes. She had a point, but he would never openly admit it. If he did, he'd never hear the end of it. They all continued with their preparations. Luckily, as the sun began to set, Emily retreated to her room to get ready.

Within a few hours, the group was on their way to the club, taking the SUV to avoid being seen together on the streets.

"Now Emily," Lawrence says, "Remember, no flirting. At least none that would actually lead to anything. If you blow our cover, I swear I'll kill you myself."

Emily rolls her eyes at Lawrence's statement. "Oh stop nagging, you old lady. I know what I'm doing."

Cameron doubted that highly. Yes, she was a good marksman and she could blend into more modern social scenes, but when it came to stealth, she had none. There was a pit of anxiety growing in his stomach. Taking a deep breath, Cameron attempts to alleviate the stress. He wished it were him going in instead of Emily. He may be noticeable, but he had more confidence in his own abilities than hers. If this operation is a failure, Cameron didn't think he'd ever be able to look Terra in the eye again.

Lawrence, behind the wheel of the SUV, pulls into a parking garage approximately a block away from the club. Putting the car in park, he says, "There, this should be far enough. Do you think you can walk there in those glorified stilts of yours?"

Emily crinkles her nose at Lawrence's jab at her shoes. "Oh please, I can run a marathon in these things."

Lawrence rolls his eyes. "Okay, whatever. Just get out and get a move on. Cameron and I will make our way to the cafe a few minutes after you. Got it?"

"Got it," she says as she gets out of the car.

Cameron groans from the passenger seat. Lawrence laughs at him. "What's up with you, then?"

Cameron cringes. "I'm just so glad she's gone for now. I can't wait for the mission to be over. Then I can be rid of her for good."

Lawrence chuckles again. "Yeah, your girl didn't seem too happy when we left. "

"I know," Cameron says sullenly.

"Hey now, cheer up!" Lawrence claps Cameron on the shoulder. "Let's go eat some greasy diner food while Emily does all the hard work."

Cameron laughs to himself. Lawrence had a point. Emily doing all the hard work was a rare sight indeed. It should be enough to draw him out of his poor mood. The two get out of the car and start the short walk to the cafe. Once they get inside, they show themselves to a table by the front window. As predicted, it has a perfect view of the club entrance.

A waitress comes up and askes them what they'd like, and the two of them just start with coffee. They were going to be up for a while if things went smoothly. They pull out their two small, slender laptops and pull up the camera feed from Emily's device. Looking at it, plus what they can see through the window, she's just about to make her way inside.

Once in, they can see that the club is extremely crowded.

"Damn," Cameron curses. "How is she supposed to get a good look around like this?"

Lawrence waves a hand in a dismissive manner. "Don't worry, clubs are always like that. I'm sure she knows how to navigate through a crowd."

Cameron wasn't so sure, but he had to have hope. He needed this mission to go well. Through the camera, Cameron saw Emily make her way to the bar and have a seat. She orders a drink, virgin thankfully, and uses it as a prop to play the part. Finally, she scans the club, looking for signs of Crimson or any guards that might be lurking through the club.