Nothing

Ten

The Sniper saw signs of his tire.

He was surprised he had made it out this long, but walking was a pain at the moment and he barely took any breaks as he did not enjoy being out in the wilds. Maybe it was a past experience, maybe just instinct keeping him up.

Then, he spotted it.

The trees began to break up and something was revealed beyond it. At first, he assumed it was another tree, but the thing continued to be quite lengthy, as if protecting an area. Eventually, he realized, as he stopped to catch his breath, it was no tree; it was made from metal, scrap parts..

It was a wall.

There were a few towers. Nothing too tall, but he was capable of seeing the people that were upon the tower, a navy blue snake pictured on the shoulder of their clothing.

Sea Snakes.

The Sniper closed his eyes, then moved forwards, though he wasn't very quite. A single twig snapped and a few of the guards moved, looking at his direction.
"Who goes there?" A commanding tone, showing no signs of fear. It was a male.

Should he introduce himself?

He took a breath in thought, then opened his mouth, answering the statement the Skier taught.

"I am the one who lurks, the one who seeks, but the one who defends."

There was an odd aura in the air after that, and some mumbling. There was a shriek and the Sniper moved his hand to his ear on reaction, looking up to see a rusted door creaking open. It was a large door.

Three people stepped out. One of them was the commanding tone.

The commanding one motioned, putting his hand up and the Sniper walked down the hill, towards the three people. He inspected them as he did.

All three wore similar, white uniforms. They all had a navy blue snake stitched to the right shoulder of their arm, identifying their place of origin. The Sniper did not have that for some reason.

They all wore white masks as well. He realized the clothing was to blend in with the snow that always seemed to coat this area, while his was to blend with the thick trees or dark spots. Any armour they wore protected their waist, shoulders, chest, arms and legs, and the head as well. It was around the same shade of white worn. The only difference was the Commanding one, who wore a blue glove on his right hand.

The commanding one stared at him. The Sniper could not see what his expression displayed.
Finally, he spoke.

"Husky told me you were going to arrive," the commanding one identified Skier as 'Husky.' His voice displayed little to no emotion, but he could tell there was distrust.

"You came here earlier than expected. Would you tell me how?"

The Sniper looked around. He opened his mouth, then closed it, only to open it back again, and replied.

"I walked, day and night, day and night. No breaks, unless I really required it. W.." He trailed off, recalling a message from one of his superiors when he first joined his station.

'Do not question, or ask why, to those who command you. They have reason, but also authority over you.'

He was particularly lucky that his station seemed to go easy on him back then.

The commanding one looked to his right, to the other one, then to the third troop. Then he glanced back.

"Come with me, then. Hand Blitz your weaponry, though."

Blitz revealed himself as the one to the right of the commanding one. He stepped up, holding his arms out.

Hesitantly, he handed him his weaponry, but kept the bag.

"Only medical supplies and two rations." He replied when Blitz gestured to it.

The commanding one turned around.

"Come on, now. I do not want to continue standing out here."

The Sniper began to follow into the fort, then asking, "I will be getting my items back, right?"

The only answer received was the pairs of eyes he felt from the border guards watching him walk into the camp, and the few people that were outside, tending to whatever work they had.

Welcome to Fort Sea Snake.