Black Source #theWattys2016

DEREK VII

The first province was particularly lively, workers constructed new features for the wall, farmers planted crops, shops roared with citizens, and constant celebration went on customarily. Passing through the marketplace posed more difficulty that morning than any time before. It was like every citizen of New America had something to do. They filled the province streets like an ocean. It was as if no one noticed the importance of the day. The elder's hard work to preserve the peace of the province was paying off.

At the front gate of the province, the clanking of metal and the patter of boots filled the air. Mikey and Derek weaved through crowds of Infidel soldiers, and regrouped with the Daggermouths, along with Dmitri and his soldiers. Raven confronted them.

"Where've you two been?"

"I told Mikey," Derek said. Raven gave Mikey a glance then nodded.

"You understand don't you?" she asked him.

"No, can't say I do." Mikey replied.

"That's nothing new, Mikey. Come on, Dmitri's going to debrief us on the mission."

An Infidel placed a small wooden table down in the grass then stood back to attention. Dmitri unrolled the map that Derek found onto the table. He marked off their location and the known territories of other factions and Mod colonies.

"These are the five I asked for, two hybrid and three unshapely characters," Dmitri complained, staring at Asher.

"The big ones Asher," Frank said. "The tall ones Mikey, and the grey haired one is Derek. These are the best men I have, each one capable and willing. Where're your men?" Dmitri looked over Asher again and rolled his eyes. Looking over his shoulder, he nodded.

Right then three Infidels stood to attention—the biggest was a massive, brute of a man. He had a rough face and a thick neck that led to his tight red uniform, and he carried a chain gun on his back. His appearance was that of a stone wall, large and intimidating.

The woman to his right wore a black tank top, had soft eyes and long, black hair that was tied back. Her slim stomach showed under her cropped, black top. She held a standard light rifle and sight attachment in her heavily tattooed arms.

The other Infidel had a sniper rifle slung over his shoulder. He had a strong jaw, cold dark eyes, and a gash that ran from his cheek, down past his pointed nose to his dimpled chin. They looked far more capable and willing than the others did.

"The big ones Spaz. The woman beside him is Zada. And the sniper is Murphy." Dmitri turned his attention to the map. "So far we know without a shadow of a doubt that the Mod Army has neutralized many territories within the conflict zone and have set up war camps and outpost there. They plan to sweep across the country and capture everything in their way." He pointed at the Rocky Mountains on the map and New America that was established farther west, and then swiped his finger up north to the infested lands. "This is where you all come in. We were expecting the Mod Army to attack us yesterday. That means this team has to get to Arcana in half the time."

"How long will those defenses hold?" Raven asked, pointing to the laser grids in the distance.

"The grids should hold up for about two days with the fire power we expect they have, if we're lucky."

"Just two," Asher said, scowling. "The trip itself is going to take that long."

"Exactly." Dmitri said. "When the grids go down, the Infidels will need to occupy the capital and defend the city from within its walls, giving us another day or two of solid defense, time enough to evacuate the civilians." He rolled up the map and stuck it under his arm. "We'll surprise them with our combined forces, and when they retreat, we'll go on the offensive. But nothing will get accomplished unless the source is taken. That's why we need to take the boy—without him, they have nothing. Take him, and Arcana falls."