Trials

Chapter 1.2: What are You, Who am I?

4 months later...

November 30th, 10782, Roshma, Evening.

"Come on, Devon. Wakey wakey! We're here."

"I am so replacing you with a kinder alarm clock."

"Well, if you feel like being a little baby and want to sleep in a little longer, I'd be happy to take your place on the mission."

"You are not taking my spot! I'm ready for this info drop."

"You're never ready for anything in your puny little life."

"You're just sore because you weren't picked to engage with the contact, Bevore."

"Both of you be quiet. Now is not the time to be bickering like twelve-year-olds on a school playground."

"Sorry, sir."

"Sorry, Archie."

Devon stood up and stretched his legs. The shuttle ride over the Divide had taken much longer than he'd anticipated. His legs and back were incredibly stiff and his neck ached. Reaching up to the ceiling, he sighed nervously. "So what is Heenas Territory really like? Are there a lot of giant cities?"

Archie nodded. "There are plenty of small towns as well. Most of the big cities are extremely complicated to manage, so many people live in small towns where simple jobs can be assigned more efficiently."

Bevore snorted like everything his commanding officer had said was completely childish. "As if that would work in the real world. There's no growth if everyone just sticks to the job they're assigned. I would go nuts in a society like that. I'd probably kill my way to the top!"

Devon rolled his eyes. When would Bevore learn anything about life? "Could you at least pretend to have some basic decency?"

Bevore's face turned tomato red with anger. "Why you little-"

"Stop it, you two! Will I have to file a report against one of you by the end of this mission?" Archie said with controlled features. Annoyance bled from the cracks in his mask.

Devon gulped. A report? He'd be demoted. He wouldn't be able to go on missions again for a long time. Oh no. No way was Bevore going to mess this up for him. "No, sir. I will try my best to refrain from any friction between myself and Second In Command Bevore."

Archie nodded in acceptance. Then he turned his eyes on his SIC. Bevore practically shrank from the gaze. There was only one person Bevore was scared of, and it was the man in front of him.

"Sorry, Archie. Won't happen again."

Archie waved both of them off. "Very good. I hate doing mountains of paperwork." At this mild dismissal Devon's lips parted and he stared at Archie indignantly. "Now lets see that you prepare. Devon, I know that this is your first time on an undercover mission in Heenas Territory, so I will send Bevore along with you to make sure the information transfer is successful. You will approach the contact at a black tie event for a partyman who is running for appointment to the Roshma City Council. I will be on point, following everything from our shuttle, which will be cloaked." Archie shot laser eyes at the boys. "I expect you to behave in accordance with your undercover identities, not like little children. This is a very important information drop and I will not have a blemish on the team's record because you two can't keep your little insecurities in check. Do I make myself clear?"

Devon and Bevore nodded. Neither dared make a sound, not even to breathe.

"Good. Bevore, you are Bevore Fon, you will be Devon Doro's bodyguard. Devon, you are a rich investor who is planning to contribute to the partyman's campaign. If you have to talk to anyone about anything, ask them about their jobs. It'll help keep from the fact that you haven't had a full briefing on the cover ID. Read this document. It goes over most of the partyman's platform."