Force of Nature

Chapter 8

The training session seemed to clear any tension between Maisri and Thomas as they made their way to HC Laidír's cell. They bantered heartily as they made their way up through the maze of bridges leading to their destination. The training had gone really well. Thomas seemed to take on any advice Maisri had to give and actively used it to improve. She would never admit it, but he had almost bested her on their last round. Almost. She would have to train harder to stay ahead of him. Maisri smiled, the man had talent.

"You've got to admit, I've got talent," Thomas boasted as he swaggered beside her.

Maisri shook her head, keeping her face natural. Her thoughts might have said it, but the fiery pits of the South would have to freeze over before she admitted it out loud to him. "I've seen better, I've fought better."

Thomas looked at her, admiration unhidden in his eyes, "I don't doubt it." Despite her face remaining emotionless, the heat rising in her cheeks gave her away. Thomas chuckled, "you don't deal well with praise, do you princess?"

Maisri chose not to answer but, she was pulled gently to a stop by Thomas just outside of the door to the HC's cell. "Why not?"

Once again, she did not answer, but slowly pulled her arm out of his grip and knocked three times on the door. It was promptly opened and Torrin stood smiling down at them.

"Looks like she got you good Transfer," Torrin chortled, stepping aside to let them enter. Noah whistled lowly under his breath as he caught sight of the blossoming bruise on Thomas's jaw. Maisri looked at it surreptitiously. It had gotten a lot worse since the initial contact, but Thomas hadn't said anything about it.

"That's a shiner for sure," Hamish chuckled, and the group continued to add their own comments on the new addition to Thomas's face.

Maisri came to stand in front of Laidír's desk. As always he was sat in his leather chair, his crutches resting against the table. "High Comrade Laidír," Maisri said, offering him a formal raider's greeting.

"Good morning raider McDonald," Laidír replied politely, shaking her hand. Maisri felt a presence at her side and knew without looking it was the Westerner.

"High Comrade Laidír, this is Transfer O'Hanlon."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Sir," Thomas said eagerly and held out his hand for Laidír to shake. But Laidír simply eyed Thomas critically and did not move. The room turned silent as everyone watched the interaction with interest.

Laidír turned his gaze from Thomas's still outstretched hand to Maisri. "Chief McDonald has appraised me of the change to patrol duty. I assume the reason for this is to test out how the Transfer responds to the trials of this zone." His gaze was unusually cold and hostile as t landed back on Thomas, who withdrew his hand and shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "Raider McDonald, Unit A is to patrol the South and West border, Unit B is to cover the East and North, and Unit C are patrolling the Ouilethoms perimeter. You only have two days instead of the usual week. This means you will have to move fast and light. The kitchen already has your food packages ready to go."

"Has there been any news from the Zone 6 about southern troop movements in the area?" Maisri asked, noting the map spread on the desk.

Laidír clasped his hands together and bowed his head before speaking. "Another reason, our top units are being deployed is that Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Morse has been sighted approaching our southern border with a large body of troops." There was a rumble from around the room as the name was said. The name was a curse amongst Northerners. Laidír did not address the murmurs but carried on. "We are unsure of the speed at which they are travelling and whether or not they will actually cross into Zone 2, but you will understand the need and importance of neutralising this threat quickly."