Rome In The Sky: Daybreak

CH 6: City of Angels

LUKAS/AVA

"I hope neither of you are afraid of heights!" Lute shouted over the noise of the Little Bird rotors, as Lou and Ave walked behind him, dressed for an overcast day with a bag on each of their backs. Gray morning light caught a raindrop every once in a while, making it flicker as it fell.

Lute opened the door, and motioned to the rear seat.

"After you." He offered a hand to Lou, who's right wrist was wrapped tightly. Lou looked at the outstretched hand with narrowed eyes, before climbing in.

'Sure. Offer me a hand after beating my sister with a shovel. The hell is the matter with this man?'

Lou reached to his sister. Her callused hand clasped his own. He helped her up beside him.

"You're riding in style today." Lute said. "If either of you get motion sick, throw up on the seat or the floor, but not on me."

"Whatever you say, boss man." Lou said, rolling his eyes.

As the aircraft began to rise and glide away from the moors, Lou sighed.

"I'm gonna miss that hellscape."

"I imagine we'll be back someday." Ave said, eyes directed out the small window of the aircraft.

"I gotta say though, I'm curious to see St. Oracle. I've heard stories. I've heard there are cliffs. And waterfalls! I've never seen either."

"But I'm not taking you to Fort Gall," Lute said. "If only it were that easy."

"W-what is that supposed to mean?" Ave asked.

"St. Whisper! You're going to the Cull."

"Ohh, you mean the big stretch of wilderness that nobody ever goes to because it's too dangerous to live in?" Lou said, making a face. "So...respectfully, the goal is to kill us before we get to Fort Gall, sir."

Lute smiled, shook his head.

"You shouldn't die. The whole point of this is to show you how to survive the elements. Don't worry, you'll have a guide."

"You're coming with us?" Ave asked.

'Oh no. That sounded more disappointed than I meant it to.'

"Heavens no. I am a Praetor, First Battalion SMR, on rotation as an instructor in Fort Gall for this class. You will be with a Tundra, Second Battalion."

"Tundra?" The two asked at the same time.

"Oh, well, of course, you wouldn't know the nomenclature. There is one corps, The Jury. Within that corps there are four regiments. Calvary, Support, Aviation, and Special Missions. Most of your instructors will be members of the SMR, rotating through training centers for thirty days. These battalions are as follows. First Battallion, the Praetors, direct action and counter terror. Second Battalion, the Tundra, trauma medicine, search and rescue. Third Battalion, the Vectors, coding and electronic communications. Fourth Battalion, the Riddlers, psyops and espionage. Fifth Battalion, The Macers, explosives and breaching. Sixth Battalion, the Archers, reconnaissance and snipers. You'll be in good hands with a Tundra. They're excellent at tracking, survival, and field medicine!"

The Little Bird leaned forward, and they felt a force push them back against the seats as it kicked into high drive, in excess of one hundred-eighty knots. Within the passage of a few minutes, they had left Atlan behind and were nearing the western edge of St. Whisper. They banked, leaving a flutter in the twin's stomachs as the aircraft slowed and began circling.