Internal Affairs

Man, Sheridan thought to himself as he guided Nadya over to the 'designated browsing area', I'm feeling a little dirty doing something like this. Maybe it's because if someone did this to a movie I'd have to hunt them down?

As he sat down, he was a little surprised to see his 'boss' head back over to the clerk, before fighting rolling his eyes as she started flirting.

Phone out. Set up pic out of sight. Mute sound. Click click. Tap tap the links to the permits. Click click.

Hmmm, well isn't that interesting.

Phone back in pocket.

Tapping tablet back to the plans, he made a showing of looking over them thoughtfully, before getting back up and walking over.

"Oof," he said to Nadya, clicking his teeth as he leaned on the desk, "Well, ma'am, right off I can tell ya that on our budget, we could probably re-create... a small corner of the roof. Like, maybe make a small hut sized roof. Maybe a slightly larger hut if I work by myself, and get cheap wood off the warped pile in Home Depot. Maybe put it on the side where costumers can see it, but not allow anyone into the room that's holding it up..."

Viscayne Luxury Condos

With a little bit of acting on the part of Sheridan and flirting by Nadya, they left the permitting office with snapshots of the floor plans and the work done since. All that was left was to give Mykola the time to craft a believable Captain's License and rent a boat for recon, or for use in the extraction ... probably both.

It's amazing what one can find on the internet, especially when it comes to government issued forms and requirements, so when Mykola sat down to begin the process of forging the license he felt confident in his abilities and what was required to produce the document. While his confidence was high, Mykola still took care, ensuring that all the details were just right, thus meant he was working well into the night with his head finally hitting the pillow between 1 and 2 AM ...

---

Driving away from Key Biscayne Planning Department, plans in hand...

"Yeah, we got an extra complication," Sheridan said as he steered them back towards their condo, "Second building permit for 'security upgrades', plus extra ones for mech/elec/plumbing. Can't be 100% certain, but I'm at least 95% sure they got a safe room installed. Gotta keep the lights and water running while you wait out whatever's coming to get you. I'd also place easy money on it being either in or near the bedroom. No doubt our guy's even got a strict movement circuit so's to be within sprinting distance at the first sign of trouble."

Later, at Viscayne Luxury Condos

As Mickey worked away at his forgery, Sheridan went through his post-workout-shower routine of inventory checking, making sure everything was in working order.

Looking over his AUG at the man working away at his Captain's license, the soldier couldn't help but chuckle.

"Y'know, I've had people ask me why, since I took infantry work so seriously, why I didn't join the Marines," he said, closing the bolt on the gun, "And I'd always answer the same way. Didn't want to be a dick-drawing fratboy armed with hand-me-down equipment. But most importantly..."

He put the rifle down and motioned towards the table the multi-man was working.

"Didn't want to have to deal with sailors all the time. Heh. Guess the joke's on me, eh?"

Viscayne Luxury Condos

Around 9 PM, Mykola took a break from his work to find the others. "I have a workable template for the license but I need your help for the next part. I'll need to get a suitable picture to use on the license of whichever one of us will be playing the role of boat captain."

---

Viscayne Luxury Condos

For a second, Sheridan stifled a laugh, before clearing his throat.

"Sorry, someone else'll have to be the skipper for this one," he said.

Then a quirky grin grew on his face, and he slowwwwly turned his eyes towards Nik...

Viscayne Luxury Condos

The long haired, international thief shrugged as he met the soldier's eyes, "Sure ... I can be the captain."

With a hearty laugh, Sheridan clapped an arm around Nik's shoulder.

"Congrats on the promotion!" he said, before gazing off with a faux tearing-up expression, "Our land pirate has evolved into a sea captain, I'm so proud."

Clearing his throat, he stepped back and gave a semi-serious Navy salute (palm out, as you do) "Cap."

Standing at relaxed attention, Sheridan then scratched his neck, "Got a preference of rental places? I'll admit I haven't really put too much thought into where we should get the boat. Oddly enough I don't have much experience shoppin' for 'em."

Viscayne Luxury Condos

"There are a couple sites where boat owners can list their boats for rent. I think we are better off working with them directly. Nadya suggested staying off the books as much as possible."

Turning to Nik, Mykola said, "Now, let's get you properly set up. Come with me a moment, I need to get a decent picture for your license and I'll need to know how to spell your name. I can also give you some basic nautical terms that may help you get by."

---

"Not to point out the obvious", mused Nadya, "but shouldn't we keep this off the books?"

"Now, which one of us knows the local scene well enough to find a a boat owner who's willing to rent to us under the table?"

Viscayne Luxury Condos

Nodding, Nik stood from the chair he had been sitting in while mindlessly watching one of the news channels, and made to follow the 'arms dealer' for pictures and a crash course on boating. The continued consensus seemed to be to work with a private boat owner, rather than a larger firm, however he paused at Nadya's question on who might know a 'cash only' boat captain who'd be willing to rent their boat with no questions asked.

"Oddly I never had much use for boats," he shrugged apologetically, "Best I could do is get a boat through customs."

---

Viscayne Luxury Condos

Sheridan gave a grimacing half-smirk, "Heck, never mind knowing the local boat scene, I'm still getting over the lack of stairs around here."

Viscayne Luxury Condos

"If we can find someone willing to work for money under the table, sure. But the clock is ticking and we have cover identities for just this purpose. Even if someone tries to follow the money trail it'll lead to Mykola, Nadya, Bill and . . ." Mykola paused for a moment and gave Nik an apologetic look. "Nik."

---

Viscayne Luxury Condos

Nik shrugged in response to the facts presented by Mykola, seemingly unconcerned that he was conducting this mission as his self. Now with a completed Captain License in hand for a one Nikolai Sikorsky, the consensus seemed to be to attempt to work with a boat owner direct and use the license only if they had too ... instead hoping the owner could be tempted to look the other way with a bit of encouragement from Benjamin Franklin.

---

Nadya turned her dead with an approving nod to Mykola, "If you have it arranged, I can meet the owner face-to-face."

Sheridan nodded as well, "Though be sure to mention the dutiful seeing-eye dog she has following around..."

A little glimpse downward.

"As well as the little furry creature she has on a leash."

Grove Isle Marina - Miami, FL

After placing several calls, texts, and/or emails, they were fortunate enough to find a boat owner that would agree to meet them first thing in the morning at the boat slip he rented at the Grove Isle Marina. Looking at Google Maps, the marina in question also provided the added benefit of being more or less across the bay from Key Biscayne.

The owner, a slightly overweight and tanned man in his mid to late forties, was waiting for them at his 16 FT Bayliner -- a cooler and fishing gear beside his sandaled feet. It was a Saturday and a wonder that they were able to find an available boat, thus it seemed if a deal wasn't to be done the owner was going to make use of his investment otherwise.

His eyes widened at the sight of them, a smile accompanied the extended hand as he moved to greet them and introduced his self as 'Dan' ... his accent more Southern than Miami and his worn shorts and T-shirt screamed working class.

---

South Basin - Key Biscayne, FL

The forged captain's license did it's job, the lack of insurance information however was a brief point of contention before Benjamin Franklin convinced the, clearly hard working and blue collar gentlemen, that any damages suffered would be covered. Another $100 convinced the man to, at least temporarily, part with his fishing gear as nobody thought to bring any along and shortly thereafter they had crossed Biscayne Bay and was 'fishing' off of Bill Baggs State Park. They had taken position roughly a hundred yards from the target house, Nik and Nadya making a show of fishing while Bill and Mykola subtly scoped the mansion with there binoculars.

Their quarry was clearly not taking any chances with his safety, hiring what appeared to be uniformed private security with two taking positions at the dock next to what it didn't take a genius to know was an expensive yacht. Two more were patrolling the green space between the house and water, both with dogs on leashes, and a third man patrolling the pool deck -- they could probably assume another was stationed at the front, having seen him on their tour around the cul-de-sac with their Italian host the morning before. Occasionally they would catch glimpses of shadows, shifts in the glare from the french doors around the pool, that probably meant more might be inside.

---

South Basin - Key Biscayne, FL

Mykola scanned over the guards looking for any identifying marks that might indicate which security firm the target might have hired and making notes of their style and uniform in case he had to impersonate them in the future. He also made a point of checking for any electrical devices, primarily lighting fixtures and security cameras, that would have to be navigated on their approach.

---

South Basin - Key Biscayne, FL

Scanning the mansion's grand exterior Mykola could not discern any obviously visible cameras, though there seemed to be an abundance of security lighting on motion sensors and at a hundred yards specific details on the security guards uniforms was hard to make out. Fortunately their drive by earlier had afforded a more closer look and he recalled easily the details ... specifically recalling that he had thought it good advertising that the firm 'Off Duty Officers' with their badges, similar to a police shield in appearance.

The walking paths, dock, and seawall also appeared to have lighting as well ... though more decorative in nature. Though the crime boss was holed up inside and clearly concerned for his safety the security features of the house seemed to be basic and no more than probably any of the other houses in the neighborhood. Most likely the owner believed, at least prior to his fall from grace, that his reputation was security enough.

---

South Basin - Key Biscayne, FL

Sheridan rubbed his face as Mykola took a turn looking through the binoculars, before taking another sip of his coffee. He'd mostly been quiet today, mainly because he was still somewhat recovering from the nightmare the night before. And it was that stupid house on the bay that was the cause. Sighing, he listened to what Mickey had observed.

"Hmm," he grunted, "Doubt he sunk all that extra money on permits for motion lights and reliance on his reputation. Yeah, if it's basic looking, it's because all it needs to do is slow someone down. Unless there's a secret barracks with extra personnel, I'm willing to up the probability of a safe room."

He gave a look again at the house.

"Yeah, they seem to be focused at the points of entry, doesn't seem to be much defense in depth."

Sitting back down, he closed his eyes, and tried his best to visualize the house as a whole, maybe use what knowledge of 'how to build 101' to figure out good places to put a safe room.