Phase 1: Exit the Gambit and infiltrate the auction

The Gambit, utilizing its cloaking capabilities for a silent approach, found a good drop-off point and then released the three of you on the roof-top of the massive auction building. The place wasn't even disguised to the eyes... the auction house was so opulent, with its tall columns and glass-domed roofs, it could be mistaken for a prince's palace. You wondered what Adder's plan was to hide it from the eyes of each nation's satellite surveillance and furthermore, how CEDIT had been able to circumvent that camouflage... It was more likely that they'd gotten a tip or info from inside than that they'd simply stumbled upon it.

The main entrance saw both vehicles and foot traffic entering inside. Oddly enough, Vaarvel and Tschau weren't alone in wearing masks... about fifty percent of the interested parties here had their faces covered or their identities hidden in some way. What was it with villains and wearing flashy costumes? Then again, given that one of your allies was wearing a silver mask and the other was dressed as a ninja, you supposed every organization had its oddballs...

"... You were thinking just now that I look like one of the villains, weren't you?" Tschau questioned, lowering her eyebrows. "Don't deny it now, stupid..."

"Ha ha... As charming as I find the banter, now's the time for focus, team." Vaarvel was still grinning behind her mask, as she reached into her purse for some sort of tools. With interest, you noted she'd fetched out a make-up kit... She turned her shoulders from the two of you, removed her mask, then set upon the work of touching up her face for the mission to come. "I'll be making the approach through the front with Ciao. Ciao, I know you may want to have the option to follow Tschau on this one, but trust me: she really is a ninja. She'll be jumping from rafter to rafter, using a grappling hook, clinging to ceilings... all of those sorts of things. Regular people like you and I can't follow her."

You had to speak up: you noted with some irritation that she wasn't the mission handler... You were. It was your job to decide how the infiltration occurred. Ordinarily, you'd hate to be so standoffish, but it was important that the Goodbye Girls didn't see you as someone disposable...

The woman turned to reveal a face you hadn't expected at all... with dark brown eyes, a somewhat angular nose, and a slightly lighter skin-tone than you were sure you'd seen earlier, she didn't look at all like you expected she would without her mask. You wondered if she was actually wearing some kind of advanced prosthetic to disguise herself... Even the smirk she wore seemed a bit different than what you'd seen hiding in the darkness of that mask. "Of course, Ciao. You're in command. But until you get your feet wet, please, leave it to those with more experience..."

You frowned, but nodded. After all, it wasn't like you had a better plan. It still pissed you off, though: being talked to like a rookie this late into your career.

"I'll meet you down below, Ciao." The elegantly dressed agent tied off a rope to one of the stable beams connecting the roof to the pillars, then began to rappel down the side. You'd be approaching the same way.

"... Don't let your guard down. It's a den of vipers in there... or Adders... whatever... We can't risk radio for a while, but we can regroup later, once things really get into motion." Tschau offered you some rare advice as she finished checking her equipment, keeping her back turned. As you looked closer... you realized she was actually distracted, browsing something on her phone. You sighed deeply... One of your agents was usurping your handler position while the other was just flat out acting like a slacker.