Harry wasn't one to back away from a fight. Even when his predecessor set a reputation of being as immovable as a mountain—and even through doubts that he would hold the same feat— he made a new era within Rainbow Six's history. They were more autonomous, able to do more without the harsh leash of bureaucracy. He wasn't being bullied into the agenda of a few politicians within the UN or NATO.

A video-call with the CIA director shouldn't be any different.

"I'm afraid that all Rainbow R&D is classified, Mr. Director. Even if we recruit new operators, all their gadgets are strictly under Rainbow records," Harry continued. "We realize that nation relations could falter while we have a diverse range of members from various nations. Even if the relationships between operators follow suit of their countries, we are fully trusting that they don't expose such secrets."

The director scoffed incredulously. Harry presses on.

"Furthermore, just because Rainbow is financed by the US, it does not mean it is under their whim. I would like to discuss this another time, Mr. Director, I have some matters to deal with."

Through the monitor the director scorned, before muttering to himself. "As you wish, Dr. Parney. We will be in contact in the future. Hopefully by then you'll reconsider your choice."

With that, the call ended. Harry sighed and went back to his board, examining the further developing relations between his operators. On his desk, laid a few files for operators ready to join the team.

Director Madsen didn't take the rejection well. He scooted up from his desk and signaled his intercom. "Shelly, call a meeting with the board in my office in 10 minutes."

"As you wish Mr. Madsen, they'll all attend shortly."

Ten minutes later, several bodies occupied the chairs with glasses or cigars in hand. Waiting patiently for Madsen to speak. One of the men spoke. "I take that Parney wasn't willing to hand us the intel?"

"No, he wasn't," Madsen stared out the blinds. "It seemed he forgot the importance of the Pentagon's funding for Rainbow."

"So cut funds?"

Madsen shook his head. "If we do, then other nations wouldn't send their operators in. They'd keep whatever tech they've been developing. We need to be more tact with this."

"The amount of R&D they put into their team is too much of a risk to pass up. If the Koreans, Russians, or the Chinese were to grab the intel before us, they could beat us in an arms race."

"Yes yes, I heard. Ballistic portable panels, laser turrets, live video-sanitizing, even holograms. All developed in Rainbow's headquarters, with even the British government left out in the dark. It's only a matter of time before there's another to beat us to the punch."

Another man took a puff of his cigar. "So what's the plan then? Why not ask President Baldwin."

"The president is nearing the end of his term, he's got as much authority as a wet napkin," another man spoke. "We need to act independently."

"That's treasonous," another member spoke. "We need to act on Presidential or Congress' approval."

"It won't be the first time that the CIA conducted things outside the approval of the bureaucrats in Congress. Even so, President Baldwin's controversial election has split the whole nation," Madsen explained. "Besides, most of the presidential cabinet realize the threat we face if we don't act first.

"There's already a plan in the process. We've allocated some funds to the Special Activities Center to create a task force for the mission." Madsen day down at his desk, bringing up a few slides. The other members of the room seemed impressed. "It's a small op, but an important one nonetheless."

"What's the time frame like?"

"A year at the most, a few months at best."

"It's a big risk, what if the missions compromised?"

"Easy, White Mask involvement. Set up a false flag attack, stage a disaster or other to draw away attention. Simple and proven."

"And if Rainbow or the UN catches wind of our involvement?" A reluctant voice said. "What do you plan on doing?"

Madsen straightened up. "We plan on destroying every piece of evidence. This will have no paper trail."

"Alright then Maddy, launch the mission. We only need your approval."

"The op is already in effect gentlemen. Within the end of the year, we'll see all the knowledge Rainbow has been hiding from us."

A few days had passed since the call. He nearly forgotten about it, it wasn't uncommon for politicians or other high members asking him for favors. This time wasn't any different.

Waiting patiently, Harry looked over the file for the new operator he was going to interview. Before he heard a gentle knock on his door. He got up and walked to the door, unlocking it and opening the door for a woman. She was of average height, athletically built, her eyes were light and gray, contrasting the freckled yet sun kissed tone of her skin. Her hair was short and dark brown, not passing her ears. Harry smiled. "Ms. Shapiro,"

"Shoshanna, please." She said, a heavy Israeli accent clearly not used to speaking English.

Harry smiled, welcoming her with a handshake. "Shoshanna, please come in and sit."

She sat in the chair as Harry prepared his notes. "To be part of Rainbow means you must have the experience of performing in high-stress situations, the physical demands, and obviously, the mental fortitude of withstanding life-threatening events. And it shows clearly in your file all of these."

"Thank you sir."

"Harry, please," he smiled. "We would be ecstatic to have you on board with Rainbow. After all, our operations seem to grow bigger and bigger and our manpower is spread thin. The White Mask threat has been growing as the years go by. The recent attack on the NATO shipyard in Hamburg has shown us that even after our growing size, the White Mask don't seem to let up."

Shoshanna seemed a little puzzled from his explanation. "The White Masks? I haven't heard much about them recently."

"Ah, the news tends to let go of an old story once its commonplace. There hasn't been much activity near the Middle East since the border dispute with the White Mask a few years back." Harry looks around and finds a chunk of concrete, pulling it away to show Shoshanna. "This was a little souvenir that Mr. Jenson brought back for me when he first arrived. I keep such things to remind me of how strong our unity is."

"It's a good thing that you've done all their reports, then. They really come to accept you as the new leader." Shoshanna smiled. "Almost as if you were family, I hear."

"Yes well, in a way we are a family. While we get along on the field, back on base is a different story," He gives a weak but fond smile. "Like all families, there's those who bicker and argue, some don't like each other and like others. It can get—"

"Frustrating." Shoshanna finished. "I understand, Harry. When I was with the Yamam, there were many political and cultural differences between the operators. It only worsened during the Second Intifada."

"The Second Intifada," Harry solemned a bit. "I heard a lot about that in your reports. I'm sorry about your friends."

"It's fine, that's what happens in war," Shoshanna said, her expression becoming subtly distant. "It's important to keep moving on."

"Rightfully so," Harry beamed a smile. "Rainbow will suit all your needs, we're unlike any other unit out there. I just need to ask a quick question."

He brought out his laptop. Shoshanna could the reflection of her new Rainbow dossier in his frames. She contained a grin. "What should be your code name, I haven't see a mention about it in your files."

"I wasn't keen on code names but if anything," She pondered for a moment. "I'll go by as Mockingbird."

"Well Mockingbird," Harry stood up and offered his shake. Mockingbird graciously accepted. He grabbed his recorder, pressed on and set it gently on the table. "Let's get the actual interview started. Welcome to Team Rainbow."

Another familiar ping of the bullet bounced off the steel target, 300 hundred meters away. Glaz sucked in a quick gulp of air.

Another target popped up a second later. He steadied himself. Breathed out softly until all air was out of his lungs. His crosshair aimed dead center for the target bullseye. Another gentle squeeze and his OTs-03.

Recoil and a blast later, the target was still standing. Glaz cursed silently to himself, his PELTOR allowing normal decibels to come back. Already the familiar approaching crunch of boots were filling the quietness after the shot. He felt the presence of a stocky man kneel next to him. "Adjust to windage, three left, one up."

Glaz nodded and clicked the knobs on his scope. The instructor stayed kneeled. "Fire when ready."

Another exhale and squeeze. The target pinged loudly and went down. "Good hit. Keep practicing with 300 until you're comfortable moving higher."

Being the student for marksman training was something Glaz was clearly not used to. He took a quick peek at the instructor. His darkened, used MARPAT ACU cargos bear the name "DRAUBMAN" printed on the back right pocket. His bald head making his fair skin shine in the gentle sun, the sides of his head coated by graying brown hair that connected to a maintained, yet bushy beard graying just as his hair. His eyes, dark with former bags of restless nights watched closely at the shooters. He adjusted his own ear protection before he walked up to the next shooter and kneeled to give notes for the next target.

Glaz sighed and took aim for the next target.

Harry stood idly by with Mike "Thatcher" Baker, watching the instructor point out the target to what looked like Grace, already getting fussy with the Marine Recon operator. She quickly motioned some hand gestures to him and looked visibly frustrated. She gripped her Mk14 again and took aim.

"I already see he's making some good friends," Harry chuckled dryly, watching Draubman scan the targets with a stern expression and crossed arms.

"He's already made plenty of 'good' friends, especially the younger ops," Mike watched Draubman take a knee to what looked like Twitch, her hand adjusting to her HK417. "He's a stern one, not like the other American Marines."

"Yes well, they were former members who stayed as enlisted but Alex—"

"Alex?"

"Alex Draubman, codename Watchman. He prefers Draubman.

I know he hasn't been acquainted to everyone yet like Shoshanna," Harry put his arms behind him. "As I was saying, Alex was an instructor for the Marine Scout Sniper school and the Marine Force Recon training school. He was expected to perform highly, and he expects high standards from us. Considering the Marine Recon's manpower shortage, and his high amount of experience and talent, it was a steal to get him."

"Difference between Shoshanna and Draubman is that Shoshanna is eager to make friends." Mike cleared his throat as he saw the shooters take another shot at the targets, he shrugged when he saw the results. "Then again, I suppose we can't be sending Glaz to be our sniper on every mission."

"No we can't, hence Alex's presence," Harry smiled at Alex Draubman. The Marine looked over and gave a curt nod to the both of them, and received one back. "When I did his interview, he seemed a little unimpressed about the inexperience with our operators."

"Some of them never seen actual combat until they joined Rainbow, it's understandable."

"Considering that Alex fought in as many wars as you have, he tends to be a little on edge about experience."

Alex crosses his arms and shook his head at the next volley of shots, saying something out of earshot. Harry saw him kneel down towards Grace and sternly pointed between the target and her weapon, already causing bickering. Harry sighed.

"Can't win their hearts every time Harry," Mike said out of concern.

"I'm hoping the next op to come in handles everyone more smoothly. Shoshanna seems to be too meek to be a leader and Alex is clashing too much."

"Another operator?" Mike raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. United States, Green Beret, former master breacher and drill sergeant. He's going to come sometime next week."

"I'm not surprised that Rainbow is facing some leadership troubles, but can't you make some members captains?"

"A fresh face when it comes to teaching brings new ideas," Harry wipes his eye protection. "Besides, he was insistent on joining. I don't know how he got into contact with me on my personal email."

"Americans are determined, I'll give them that much." Mike chuckled, turning to watch another volley of shots hit the steel targets. Alex Draubman watched keenly for mistakes and misses, scanning the horizon. The targets popped up, and they shot another wave. Every target went down.

"Well, seems like we're already improving," Harry smiled, walking away from the range. Mike followed suit, leaving the shooters with Draubman until they were up to his standard.

A/N: welcome to my new story, Ive been hoping to upload a story like this for quite a while now and im finally glad that i can share it. enjoy!