The OutCasts

Chapter 19: Silent and Dangerous

QuickShot:

"Anything," I ask, looking at JumpStart as he types away at the OutCast's computer. "Are you finished with that list of names?"

JumpStart stops typing. He lets out a sigh before raising his head and turning around.

"No, I am not done," JumpStart says, nodding his head. "I wasn't done when you asked me a little while ago. I wasn't done when you asked a while ago. I wasn't even done when you asked me a long while ago. By the way, that long while ago was not a long while ago. When I am done, I will tell you. Please leave me alone until then. I work better when there aren't people looking over my shoulder. It makes me very uncomfortable."

"How can you not be done? I thought the list of names would be short. I mean, you said how few people know about that Dr. Cho."

"Yes, but as it turns out, those few people who know Dr. Cho apparently are all high-ranking officials. Their information is secured. It's not going to be easy for me to break through. Even with my skills."

"So many names do you have?"

"Uhh. None. I'm still working on my first."

"Would it be mad of me if I told you to work faster?"

"Yes, and pointless. You told me to get the information without setting off any traps because we're supposed to stay hidden. Well, that is no small task. So again, I ask you to please leave while I work my magic. My computer magic, not actually magic. I don't have any magic."

"Do elves back home have magical power?"

"Some of us do, yes."

"Okay."

I nod my head before turning and walking away. Heading for my room, I stop when I see SpeedBlade and Ms. Justice. They're in their own rooms, polishing their weapons. Thinking it over for a bit, I walk over to Ms. Justice's room.

"Hey," I say, waving at Justice before stopping at the doorway. "How are you doing?"

"What do you mean by that," Justice asks, stopping to look at me.

"I mean, how are you doing? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm fine too. Just wondering what we're going to be fighting soon. And who exactly?"

"May I offer you a bit of advice," Justice says.

"Sure. What is it?"

"Don't think about that kind of thing. Be focused on the here and now. Don't worry too much about what's going to happen or what could happen. Believe it. It'll drive you nuts."

"How can I not worry," I ask. "I'm a soldier. Part of being a soldier is knowing what I'll be facing."

"I thought you were a pilot. You know, given your old-fashioned helmet and jacket."

Justice taps the top of her head and immediately, I know she's referring to the google I have on top of my helmet.

"Whether a soldier or pilot, we still like to know what we're facing. Or flying into."

Justice opens her mouth. About to say something, she is cut off by flashing red lights and alarms.

"Speaking of what we're facing," Justice says, putting down her towel and getting up. "Let's see what we're facing this time."

"Go ahead of me," I say, "I need to grab some extra arrows."

Justice nods her head and we split.

Ms. Justice: