Iron angel (Book 1 of IA)

[21] At the meeting...

Apparently the meeting was held was in an underground facility in IIMT. The walls were made of reinforced ion steel and could withstand a direct missile attack, or so I was told. The room was a white dome, with a circle of light hanging above. In the center of the meeting room was a round table, with a dozen of people sitting around it: myself, Isa, Rojin, Dr. Cherrylove, and 8 strangers in uniforms. The meeting wasn't going to start for another five minutes so I idly looked about. Isa was standing to one side chatting with Rojin; I couldn't help but sigh for some reason. I didn't notice the person behind me until they put a hand on my shoulder:

"Kard! How have you been doing?" Dr. Cherrylove asked. Although I was somewhat mad at her for not informing me what was in store for the special program it had dulled over the past couple of days as my world view changed.

"Good." I faced her and managed an awkward smile.

"That's good to hear! I am sorry I didn't inform you about the details of the program, my bad on that part." She said, sounding apologetic.

Somehow it was kind of hard to believe that she would make an error that big. Also she purposely hid the content of the contract from me in the first place. But I decided to let it slip for.

"It's fine. I haven't seen you in a while, what have you been up too?"

"Oh, you know...just treating patients. I have recently been a part of this team designing a new technology that can recreate muscle cells."

I honestly couldn't have cared less so I changed the topic. "Nice, but wait, aren't you a doctor? What are you coming to this meeting for then?"
"Ah, I came here because..."

"Time's up, please everyone return to your seats. The meeting shall begin." Rojin said looking up from his smart watch.

"Talk to you later!" Dr. Cherrylove waved a small good bye as she returned to her seat.

I waved back and took my seat beside Isa. After a moment of brief silence, Rojin stood up.

"Today, I have summoned all of you here for none less than the mission. Some of you may have heard rumours about it, but today allow me to make a formal explanation and clarification of the mission."

"164 hours from now, the State Level threat criminal who goes by the alias 'Soul Steel', is to be transferred from Ayre's maximum security prison of Etoile to Krow's Eternal Ice of Rosha. A land convoy will be used to escort him. The convoy will consist of a carrier truck of Vanguard Armoured series version 6.6, and 3 light armour land cruiser version 2.1. The distance traveled will be 5203.4 km, and the estimated time of travel is 56 hours. The name of this mission will be 'Cold Steel'."

"Our biggest problem, as you all may know, is that we are severely understaffed at the moment, due to the giant sandworm crisis in Akka'don. That is why Lieutenant Isa, a member of the Iron Angel has agreed to join us on this mission. If anyone has an objection this voice it now." Rojin scanned his eyes dangerously across the table, daring anyone to cross him. None were so foolhardy.

"Very well. Does anyone have thoughts or opinions on how the mission should be conducted? I am open to suggestions."

Silence.

"This is your last chance to make any adjustments, if there are none, then the solution is final..."

Dr. Cherrylove raised her hand.

"Yes, Doctor?" Rojin raised an eyebrow.

"I just thought this is too good of an opportunity to pass on..."

Dr. Cherrylove's eyes darted to me then stood up and pointed her hand at me.

"I would like to test out my new product, Iron Angel version 1.0 and its user Kardusenn Romello. I would like him to be part of the mission."

Immediately another man who appeared in his mid-forties dressed in uniform stood up and slammed the table in protest.

"Bullshit! I had seen the boy's profile, he is inexperienced and immature! Sending him onto this mission is plain suicide!"

Huggins words as several man stood up and followed his example.

"Order." Rojin snapped. Almost instantly everyone retreated back into their seats. "Colonel Huggin does hold make a valid statement, is there anything you want to say to counter his statement?"

"Colonel Huggin and I seemed to have a misunderstanding, just like his business trip to the Serpentine Island 3 times every month..." Dr. Cherrylove said with a carefree voice.

Everyone looked to Huggin, whose face was now drowned in sweat.

"Do whatever you want! But the purpose of those are business trips." Huggin looked at everyone at the table.

"Quiet. This meeting has no interest in your affairs." Rojin voice just killed all the drama. "Let me ask one more time, does anyone object to the doctor's proposal? Speak up now, this is your last chance."

Some looked away, some scratched their heads, but they all kept their silence.

"Very well. Then it is decided. Kardusenn Romello will be joining us on the mission..." Rojin turned and fixed his gaze on me.

"However you are not officially a solider yet and owe no allegiance. You have the right to choose or decline the offer. I hope you already have an answer in mind."

Escorting a State level threat criminal?

Dang...

Even though I had no idea how dangerous the mission was. But if Rojin had to take the matter into his own hands, it certainly said something about it.

When he said 'hope' though, it could have meant anything. It could be him hoping, that I would decline the offer so he wouldn't have to clean up my dead body or something, or it could mean he was hoping I would accept it as an opportunity to prove myself to him, or it could be him hoping he could finally get the meeting over with. Whatever 'hope' it was, it didn't matter. I wanted to prove them wrong, I wanted to prove that I was capable. Because I knew I was better than what they thought of me and especially better then what that douche Huggin said.

I took in a deep breath and answered.

Q: Do you play any FPS games?