Steel Ethereal

Ch. 18 The First Mission

            

            

Rob

"Considering our positions now, we should train more," I say as Charlie and I complete a third lap around the perimeter of the city.

"This is the most I've ever heard you complain. Like ever. And it's about not doing enough." Charlie says as she adjusts her cap for the sixth time that day, "You're back-ass-wards sometimes."

"Shut up, I don't just strive for the bare minimum!"

"Bitch, I don't act like a bookworm. All you do is work and train," She sneered. I chuckle at her comment.

Three days we worked patrols in the city. We were still instructed to continue on with patrols as officers despite our christening as Apex members. Though I was a little disgruntled I wouldn't be starting Apex work right away, I agreed to my regular day to day job.

Our commanding officers were informed, but nothing changed. Charlie and I were handed our standard issue gear as officers. Uniform, arm welds, handcuffs, and several other tools we'd need on the job.

Our first day came, we dressed and headed out together.

Our shifts were twelve hours long with three 30 minute breaks throughout the day.

It was as boring as I thought it'd be. There was no conflict wherever we went. We stopped a bar fight our second day and stopped a shouting match that was seconds away from ending in blows.

"We should just be content. The moment either of us complain too much about one thing, something else would..." I stop mid-sentence as I felt a small vibration on my wrist.

"You too?" Charlie asks glumly as she raises her alto-mitter.

"Guess we better head to the Center for Defense." I say trying my best to conceal my excitement.

"You first. I have no idea where I'm going." Charlie says kicking a pebble, "Should we change?"

"Jeez, you guys should have changed first," Jenna says closing the manila folder in her hand.

"Sorry," I mutter. Charlie snickers to my side. She'd give me flak for my haste later. But now was the time to be important and intuitive.

Riley is sitting behind his desk. He's dressed differently than his usual formal attire. He's wearing outdoor clothes. A jacket and boots with brown pants.

"As you know, we're short on man power. Our members of Apex are working while also looking over their shoulders.

I lean in, listening for the intent Riley has for us.

"The two of you are going on a bit of an expedition."

"What for?" Charlie asks.

"You're going separately in teams." Riley says straightening in his seat.

"Excuse me, but where are we going to?" Charlie pipes up when she doesn't get a straight answer. Jenna glares at Charlie and I see regret on Charlie's face for asking her question.

"One team will be sent to the human settlement, Bastion. The other team will be travelling in the mountains."

"What's in the mountains?" I ask politely, wary of Riley's assistant and her paralyzing stare.

"A mercenaries' den. A notorious one at that." Riley answers.

"Who's going where?" Charlie asks, cringing in wait for Jenna's cold stare.

"Rob will be going to Bastion. Charlie, you will be going with the team to the mercenaries' den."

"That... Sounds a little dangerous," Charlie says nervously.

"Trust me, if they wanted you dead, they would have done it while you're here in Promenade now. Up there you'll be in the strongest of company."

"Where is Bastion?" I ask.

"West of here," Riley answers me, "A good weeklong journey. It's likely you'll be staying there for several weeks while the others obtain information."

"I won't be joining them?" I ask.

"No, you don't have experience at reconnaissance. You'll be there to work a bit and keep the image of your group being a family of refugees." Jenna explains pertinently.

"How big of a place is it?" I slip out the questions and feel myself cower a bit as Jenna appears to grow impatient.

"It started as a small village. Only it grew much larger past its original borders. It is a city that is miles long with no green. All metal and waste." Jenna says begrudgingly.

"Jenna," Riley warns, "please shut up."

He turns back to us, "You two prep. A message will be sent giving a suggestion as to what supplies you should take. We leave in a day. Until then, rest up."