Page 7 of The Team

They’d warned Rhett. They’d told him, in no uncertain circumstances, that any conflict of interest or misstep because of their relationship, and it was all over.

For two years, they’d been a formidable team.

Their results were impressive and undeniable. Keeping them on the same team had been the right decision.

Until last night.

It was stupid, stupid, stupid.

And perhaps the blunt reminder that Rhett needed. On the ground, he was in charge of his team, yes. But he was not in charge of the Milvus Division. He did not make decisions.

He took orders.

The arrogance and complacency were gone.

The debriefing on the two new members of his team went about as well as expected. He was a team leader, a squad leader, with his tail between his legs.

Agent Yin looked more reserved too. Giving polite nods and subservient replies. Chen wasn’t smiling so much now, but the spark of humour in his eyes was still there.

Maybe the ass-ripping they got last night had reminded them of their place too.

Director King was there, of course, standing at the back, unimpressed. Commander Zihao was there, poised and polite. Director Depraz led the debriefing. She was French, astute, and to the point.

Agents Yin and Chen were introduced as members of the Jiaolong Commandos. The name translated to Sea Dragon, part of the People’s Liberation Army Marine Corps.

SEALS.

They were the equivalent of Navy SEALS.

Yin had been a captain, same rank as Rhett. Rhett wasn’t surprised by this. He held himself like a leader. Fought like one too.

Chen had been a first lieutenant; Yin’s right-hand man. He was a big guy, and Rhett assumed he was the brawn of the duo. Yin was the brains.

They were highly decorated, highly respected, and hand-picked as ambassadors for this mission.

King had said it was an exercise in diplomacy and international relations, an exchange of intel, but Rhett had to wonder if the Milvus council simply wanted a base on Chinese soil. A foothold in China, conveniently within striking distance of Russia, perhaps?

Rhett knew one thing for certain: nothing ever happened without subterfuge, ulterior motives. Personal gain.

And that went both ways, Rhett had no doubt.

What the Chinese were getting out of this deal, Rhett could only guess.

There was no word on duration. Were they here for a week or a year, or a permanent inclusion? Rhett couldn’t even guess. He could only assume, given he had not been told, that he didn’t need to know.

At the end of the day, it didn’t matter. They would adapt to their inclusion as well as adapt to their departure.

Every member of Rhett’s team listened as he knew they would. None would argue. They were soldiers, all of them. They each knew decisions were made over their heads and they would obey without question. Personal beliefs and prejudices were not a factor.

Not according to the hierarchy anyway.

How the team adapted and the cohesion, or lack thereof, that followed was Rhett’s problem.

Bringing two new members into an established team was never easy. But Rhett knew, as always, that any failure was a failure of his leadership skills.

And Rhett didn’t fail at anything.

Director Depraz looked directly at Rhett. “Agent Ouston, anything you’d like to add?”