#reconnaissance

[captain-price-unofficially]

British Otter light reconnaissance vehicles of an RAF Regiment field squadron contingent during a patrol outside Salonika, Greece. Late 1944-Early 1945

[adnauseum11]

Bottom Line Up Front (John Price x Reader)

Kate updates John on what her reconnaissance has uncovered.

1k words

CW: swearing, allusion to past sexual assault

feedback welcome!

Kate checks the incoming number on her ringing cell before swiveling away from her computer screen and answering. Her favourite current retiree is checking in, right on schedule, saving her a call. 

“John, how are things?”

“Alright Kate, any news there?” John asks, paused at a stop light after dropping his love off at work. 

“Yeah, actually. Let’s start with if you’re aware that there’s a photo of you and your lady on the internet, shall we?” 

Kate asks, already knowing the answer. 

“What?” 

It gets John’s full attention. He’s navigating back to his love’s place, and nearly misses his turn at Kate’s revelation.

“Yeah, were you at a pub recently?”

“A few.” John stays cagey, unused to his habits off duty being under a microscope. 

“Well, there is one over on Beecher’s Lane using a photo of you and a woman to advertise online.”  

“Ah Christ, I knew that was trouble. She does trivia nights with her mates there.” He says by way of explanation. 

He leaves out the part about her triumphant face at finally making it on to the leader board swaying his better judgement about the photo. Years of scrupulous image control to maintain his professionalism undone a few months into dating. Bloody hell. 

“Well, they scanned it and posted it up. I can see why though, she’s very pretty. Well done, John. I can see why you kept her to yourself.”

“Alright, easy, you’re happily married Kate.” 

John reminds her, a wave of possessiveness sweeping through him. 

“Yeah, married but not dead.” 

“She’s spoken for.” John growls, navigating a roundabout while Kate irritates him from afar. 

“Obviously. I did some digging on my end on the name you gave. It’s come back with some colourful info. He’s ex-army, dishonorable discharged for sexual assault years ago. He’s done contract work in the past; one was with some of Col. Norris’ men. Ring any bells on that name?” 

John’s processing as he drives, a sinking feeling in his gut.

“Of course, you think there’s more of a connection there?” 

John’s memory of threatening the Colonel is clear as day, although it had been years and a long road since that incident. The mention of sexual assault has him tightening his grip on the steering wheel unconsciously. 

“Norris is involved in the contract you turned down, that Gaz is on right now. Not sure yet, it is unusual that there would be a connection for a random B&E. I’m going to keep poking around. Certainly, it feels off. Your instincts remain sound, Captain.” Kate acknowledges John’s talent for uncovering bullshit.

John hums, internally thankful he’s already on his way to his love’s place to poke around and doubly grateful he turned down the contract weeks ago. He adds stopping by the pub to his list of errands.

“He didn’t put up much of a fight when I got there. You say he’s ex-army?”

“Well, personally, I think your reputation may have preceded you. If connection to you is what brought attention on her, they’d be looking to confirm they have the right woman, not rob her. He likely would have known you on sight, probably chose the best course of action to preserve his neck in the moment when the wrong person turned up.”

John’s blood runs cold as he pulls into his love's driveway. He idles in the car, staring at the door and the busted doorhandle, still unfixed, as dread sits like lead in his stomach. John’s done too much to be naïve to the potential outcomes.

“You think someone wants to leverage her against me? Norris?” John’s putting the information together quickly, following instincts.  

“Maybe. You’ve certainly given him no reason to like you, and he could be harbouring a grudge for the way his men were treated. He’s got an ego and a chip on his shoulder. Like I said, I’m going to keep flipping stones. There’s nothing solid there yet.”

John sighs, scratching his cheek before replying.

“Alright, thanks Kate. I’d hate to be right on this, but better to get ahead of it. Maybe let Gaz know something is up, if it’s connection to me they’re after. Better safe than sorry.”

“Already in motion. In the meantime, it goes without saying that I would encourage you to keep her away from the apartment.”

Kate swivels back to her computer, a notification blinking in the bottom corner.

“She won’t be going back. She’s moving out.” 

“You found a place that quickly? Impressive, John.” 

Kate’s tone is vaguely distracted as she reads the incoming message.

“She’s moved in with me.”

There’s a pregnant pause on the other end of the line for a moment. John has a feeling he has her full attention once again.

“Well, I suppose that makes sense, but that’s moving faster than I would have expected from a bachelor like yourself, Captain. What’s next, going to marry her before spring rolls around?” 

John presses his lips together in exasperation. Kate is teasing but there’s a vein of incredulity running underneath her comments that John can hear. He can’t totally blame her; this part of his life had been strictly off-limits. For the exact reason unfolding now, to his immense frustration. From the outside looking in, it would look like sudden madness, he’s sure. On some level, he wonders if it is, a man like him trying to retire into a normal life. 

“I don’t need time to get to know her Kate, I’ve known her forever.” John reminds her.  “Christ, you’re making me miss dealing with Simon. He doesn’t ask this many questions.”

“Who do you think found the photo, John?” 

He finally turns the car off, exhaling into the phone. 

“Jesus Christ, Kate.”

“He was concerned that you were slipping, letting that get posted. He’ll be relieved to know you sniffed this out.”

“Him and I both. Keep me posted on what else you find.”

John’s back to giving orders he’s no longer got any business giving and Kate humours him, the stress in his voice evident to her long-trained ear.

“Rog that, John. You keep yourselves safe until we get more details.”

Next Chapter

Tag list:

@deadbranch @beebeechaos @cadotoast @syoddeye @writeforfandoms @itr-00 @chloepluto1306 @batw3nch

[nocternalrandomness]

US Marine Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-4B over Arizona

[illustratus]

Page from volume 6 of the 15-volume Hokusai Manga (sketches collection)

by Katsushika Hokusai

[usafphantom2]

27 March 1957. First flight of McDonnell F-101 Voodoo F-101B-30-MC (56-0232) designated NF-101B from Lemburg Field. Two seat all-weather interceptor.

@ron_eisele via X

[thewhimsyturtle]

Weekends are for reconnaissance work for my plushie rescue mission: No one will suspect me under Mom's chair!

[lonestarflight]

A Northrop F-15 Reporter parked on an airfield, circa February 1948. The Reporter was a photographic reconnaissance version of the P-61 Black Widow.

wawstl: link

[wangxianficrecs]

💙 Reconnaissance by Tomatenmark

💙 Reconnaissance

by TomatenMark (@tomatenmark5)

M, 2k, Wangxian

Summary: The Sunshot Campaign is over, but only just. Determined to finally get through to him, Lan Wangji seeks out Wei Wuxian who is selfmedicating in a winehouse. Turns out, once Lan Wangji has him in his grip, Wei Wuxian has peculiar trouble freeing himself. Or alternatively, the fic that was born from my fascination with how effortlessly Lan Wangji could hold coreless Wei Wuxian down during the stolen Poenix Mountain kiss and what that might mean in a different setting. Kay's comments: A very whumpy potential start into a post-sunshot campaign canon divergence by none other than Tomatenmark! Really loved this, it hit exactly the right itch for Wei Wuxian whump and Lan Wangji acting impulsively and having to immediately reap what he's sown. Excerpt: “Wei Ying!” Lan Wangji stepped even closer. “Do not be recalcitrant! Jiang-zongzhu already ordered you to carry your sword. Why must you insist on being stubborn? By acting as you are you are only making trouble for others and inviting judgement upon yourself!” Wei Wuxian stilled. For an instant something appeared to shutter behind his eyes. All too fast his horrible smile returned however, making Lan Wangji wonder whether he had imagined the look. With a single wave of his hand, Wei Wuxian dismissed his ghost, stood from his sprawl and came stalking over. He stopped a mere handsbreadth in front of Lan Wangji, rudely invading his space. “Listen well, Hanguang-jun. I’ll only say this once,” he began in a low voice, staring Lan Wangji dead in the eye. His breath stank heavily of wine, but his gaze was entirely clear, piercing through Lan Wangji like shards of ice. “Mind your own fucking business.”

pov lan wangji, canon divergence, post-sunshot campaign, wei wuxian whump, ambiguous/open ending, pre-relationship, alcohol abuse/alcoholism, hurt/comfort, angst, mental health issues, isolation, misunderstandings, miscommunication, head injury, blood and injury

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

[stealth-skills]

A Rus Anti-DRG (ДРГ) in action. Russo-Ukrainian War, 2023

[wolviestars]

Just when I think we got rid of you, you appear. when will your lineage go extinct?

[captain-price-unofficially]

A German Wiesel 1 reconnaissance vehicle almost flips while braking at high speed.

[postcard-from-the-past]

Caudron G.3 Reconnaissance aircraft

French vintage postcard

[nocternalrandomness]

1952 photo of a USAF Republic RF-84 Thunderstreak

[illustratus]

A ninja and Prince Hikaru Genji by Utagawa Kunisada

[usafphantom2]

March 30th 1982: Above the Argentine task force, skimming the edge of space, an SR71-A Blackbird begins to take pictures of the fleet out at sea, before heading out over the Falklands. They soon report back that Argentina is bringing an invasion force of "Everything that floats".

@RDPHistory via X

[nelc]

An MQ-9 with one pylon already taken up with a fuel tank to extend the drone's range.