Inspired by Sue’s Thursday photo prompt, April 20

I opened my eyes, and immediately rehearsed the mission: locate the enemy’s base along this shore, and destroy it. Step by step I checked the multidimensional map, the weapons’ readiness list, and finally my own fitness stats. I was ready; I looked at the rollers, at the white foam forming at the top of the waves as they hit the blond sand. It was low tide. As I slowly walked towards the sea, my personal radar showed nothing. However I knew – somehow – that the enemy had many tricks in its repertoire. I scanned the water running at my feet, as drawn to the depths.

There, somewhere, was my target. I reran the film I was shown, shortly after my arrival, across the portal, when I was given my identity, and briefed on my mission. I had memorised the ugly shape, and the deadly traps that surrounded the structure… In fact I had memorised every detail I needed to help me achieve my goal.

I was now underwater, soon swimming expertly and invisibly from the surface. The gradient was a sharp drop in front of me, and I could see the rocky ground through the clear water. I just felt perfectly prepared for the mission: a sleek killing machine, well briefed and armed… and happily ignorant of her past.

Then the radar alarm in my ear buzzed: I was no longer alone…