A Journey of Rebels

II: Steadfast

POV : Rogan

DATE : November 07, 2147

LOCATION : EasSec Main Base

Unsatisfactory conclusions and unanswered questions are often found intertwined within otherwise ordinary lives, yet what occurs when that life, that existence, is anything but ordinary?

A myriad of questions dance around each human's mind, some of which may never be spoken nor would they ever be answered. My life, as of late, has been similar to that of a gray cloud heavy with the shear amount of water particles by which it is comprised of, any moment something may develop and cause my emotions or stress to burst and bring forth undesired rain, muddying both my path and the path of the soldiers who relied upon me.

I had faltered, my inability to rein in one soldier has created a greater level of stress to build upon me, developing a great storm that flooded the rivers before a bridge could be built.

Worry and doubt plague my teammates' minds after our last mission concluded with less than adequate results, burdening them with heavy thoughts for the past month as they shuffled around the restricting confines of the Eastern Succession Main Base. The High Commander has yet to provide us with a new task, even simple clockwork assignments have escaped our eager grasps.

Zayne's actions at the Government outreach base may have cost our team dearly, though I often urged them to remember that we are all still here, regardless of our current level of efficiency.

The walls that surrounded me were not of wood or stone, as one would often employ, for they were carved from the earth itself. The moist dirt was held up by ancient roots, offering a rather sequestered ambiance that was unfortunately subdued by the numerous soldiers that coexisted here.

My fingers trailed across the uncleanable surface as I navigated the hallways, smudges of dirt and clay grinding beneath my nails, maring my otherwise impeccable appearance. The crisp fabric of my ironed uniform shifted across my skin, polished boots leaving behind hints of my passage as their treads dug deep into the burdened soil.

Fabricated lights lined the ceiling, casting shadows into a rushed frenzy whenever two or more soldiers crossed paths, though they were often sequestered within corners and behind solitary objects.

Large wooden arches, each ten feet apart from the one that lay before, added significant support as their rough features created the appearance of a damaged rib cage. Each beam bore marks of ill-placed axes, each held history of the tree from which they were harvested from.

The air, although lacking the fresh breeze that dwelling above ground would offer us, held in a rich smell of earth that brought forth thoughts of fields and nature.

Today did not bring forth a rare occasion, for I have passed through these particular halls innumerable times throughout the last eighteen years of my thirty-six year existence, continuously being summoned by a higher power.

The High Commander sought out my attention on a regular basis, leaving me privy to many of his thoughts and plans while others remained ignorant of what transpired behind closed doors.

Two uniformed guards stood tall before the aged door as I approached, disciplined to react without hesitation if a threat were to occur. Both men nodded and stood aside to allow me access, my position in the hierarchy above their own.

I knocked upon the door in a succession of three short raps before resting my mending shoulder once more. The voice behind the aged door was gruff, lacking its usually welcoming vibe,"Enter."

Rusted hinges emanated a squeak of protest as the door was pushed open, a noise that I long ago became accustomed to.

The room held a better visage than that of the hallways, lightened by the additional lights hanging from the ceiling in a undecipherable sequence.