The route from the compound to the Gnostic Group's base was littered in uneven terrain. The rugged landscape proved to be difficult even for the Type-B Exos, which was designed specifically to traverse these sorts of geographies. Vesper struggled as he tried to keep up with the pace of their advance.
"Thirty minutes till arrival!" Ame called out over the general voice channel.
He pushed on the throttles of the control interface. His Type-B Exo lunged on his command. The hulking mass of metal leaped over the mount of rubble that stood in his path. He clenched his teeth to brace for the impact of the landing.
Ame was situated in the middle of their formation, performing handler duties, while Shiori and Calli led the group at the vanguard in Type-A Exos. Vesper and Suisei were in the rear. Given the urgency of the situation, they were given minimal responsibilities so they can focus on operating the Exos. Even then, Vesper was having a hard time keeping up with the pace. Gradually, he felt himself lagging behind as the strain of commanding the Exo grew.
Dammit!
His arms were shaking. His fingers and wrists throbbed. His back was in agony, and a wave of nausea constantly swept his mind.
Once again, he found himself lacking. Incompetence seemed to haunt him whenever he went. Whether it was spellcasting or operating an Exo, Vesper was constantly confronted by his inferiority.
He was always slower than everyone. He was always holding everyone back.
A notification for a private voice message suddenly appeared on his screen. It was from Shiori.
"Vesper, do you need us to slow down?"
The young lady asked the innocuous question. Likely she was just being considerate and was looking out for him, but Vesper saw red. Heat flared from his chest.
"No..." he hissed, barely able to keep himself from lashing out, "I can keep up."
It was a lie. He didn't really believe he could do it. But he had to. Marine was waiting for their rescue. Vesper would never be able to live it down if they failed to reach her in time just because he couldn't keep up. There was no way he was going to let his incompetence be the reason for his companion's death.
Frustrated, he reached for the side compartment and grabbed a pill. It was a drug, compact with stimulants. Vesper hated the taste and the ensuing effects. The first time he took it, his heart felt like it was going to explode.
Without hesitation, he tossed it into his mouth.
The astringent taste flooded his tongue as he swallowed. The effect was instantaneous. His heart immediately quickened. Jitters rushed down his body. Everything was shaking. But his mind was suddenly alert. His senses felt clearer. His reaction speed increased.
His Exo began to catch back up.
"...Don't overdo it," Shiori warned as if realizing what he had just did, "Those are for emergencies."
"My companion needs help. This is an emergency," he snapped back, colder than he intended.
"Right."
The private channel closed. Vesper focused on his piloting, shutting off his mind against all the doubts and noisy thoughts.
There were twenty minutes left until midnight.
***
Marine fell unconscious shortly after she was incapacitated by Vernon's electric attack.
YOU ARE READING
A Distant Reverie
Fanfiction"Careful now. Try not to move too suddenly, alright?" Vesper Noir wakes up one day in a foreign land with gaps in his memories...and a sharp blade pressed against his throat. His assailant? A beautiful, self-proclaimed female pirate with a sweet voi...
