Into the Nexus

Urban Expedition

- Prologue -

News Reporter:
"Breaking news! Countless videos of nearby bystanders, witnesses and even CCTV footage from the mall itself has been making rounds as a man in full body armor was found climbing out of the abandoned section of a mall with not one, but both of his legs having been forcefully removed from his body! Locals are saying..."

You want to know what really happened that day?

What really happened to us?

It was June 16, 2021. I had been hired by a private research entity, and here's how it all went down...

- 3 Weeks Earlier-

I work as a private contractor for lots of things, body guarding, on site security personnel, and some odd construction work here and there. That day it all began was no different than the rest.

Sitting at my office desk, I lean back and take a moment to look at all the family photos I have hung up on my cubicle wall. My childhood dog who passed away so long ago, me with my mom, dad and brother on the beach, a few Christmas photos of us all together and some other family gatherings with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

*DING*

The notification for a new email went off, quickly sitting back up I open the email and it reads:

Good evening Mr. Mathers,

I have come into contact with you today to request your assistance in protecting a team of high ranking scientists, myself included, into an abandoned location underneath a local mall. All further details of this contract are to be classified and never to be told to anyone else. This is a class 5 expedition, so make sure to be as prepared as possible. Pay ranges from $x to $x depending on certain factors. Further details will be given upon accepting this offer.

Sincerely,
Dr. Yu

Allow me to explain, every contract is measured in 'class' ranging from 1 to 10. 1 being a quick in and out job, usually a quick construction job. 2. typically consists of guarding a low priority asset such as a small business or local farm, taking at least a full day or two to get whatever task we are assigned. Keep in mind that fire power scales with class so the higher the number, the more power needed. A five would consist of a week or more of guarding a high priority asset during a convoy, typically needs no more than some light armored vehicles and mid to close range weapons. However, a class 10 would take a year or more to get a contract done and... let's just say a couple rifles ain't going to cut it.

In terms of receiving contracts themselves, they all get sent to the pencil pushers who verify if the contract is legitimate or not, and who ever is most qualified. In this company, every squadron is specifically trained for different classes. Some squadrons are specifically trained for building while others are for combat. I happen to be in one that specializes in both. We are the ones you send when either the job is too dangerous for the lower ranked squads but too safe for the task forces. Contracts from contractors only ever go straight to the squad leader after the contract is verified. And no, the company doesn't ever post anything about the squadrons or who is in each one. So to be directly mentioned in a contract email means the higher ups know the sender through deals and what not.

One last thing, lying about the class of a contract being lower than it actually is will cause dire consequences for whoever issued the contract. Same with a contract being higher than is issued will have lighter consequences.

I quickly replied back;

Good evening Dr. Yu,