ONE (dystopian Prinxiety AU)

Talyn's Out

Roman awoke to the sound of the soft bell as usual, but did so reluctantly. The anticipation for the day ahead had made falling asleep difficult. He looked up to see Virgil's legs hanging off the top bunk. He'd woken up before the bell sounded. Roman sat up in silence as well. Both of them knew what the other was anxiously anticipating. The sounds of scuffling footsteps outside their door seemed to wake them from their thoughts, and they rushed out simultaneously for breakfast. Not looking at each other as they entered the crowded elevator.

Breakfast seemed to pass in a haze. It felt odd that everyone around them was chattering loudly as they ate as if this was a normal day, as if their insides were not collapsing from anticipation. They saw Logan walk swiftly across the hall and give them both a fleeting glance in which he tried to smile, but it came out as more of a fearful grimace. He left for his own room as usual. Virgil and Roman ate in silence, and slowly, not even finishing before the alarm rang for the training day to start. They separated from the group as discreetly as possible, entering the elevator from the ground level to the cavernous runway, where they were to meet and depart.

As they stood in the lift, emptier than it hardly ever was with only two occupants, Roman heard a husky laugh from next to him. "You think they're gonna tell anyone why we just randomly disappeared?" Virgil's voice was hoarse, like he hadn't used it or indeed drank anything for days.

Roman hesitated, then turned away from the wide window, facing Virgil solemnly. "I guess we'll explain it when we come back." He said.

The door of the lift opened. The two turned around to see the wide hallway, and beyond it, a single hovercraft at the beginning of the long runway. Logan and Valerie were next to it and waiting.

"Just here to send you off and exchange some last minute information." Said Valerie as they approached. "Our intelligence has learned of a Tails officer high up in their government, yet who's often out in the open, communicating with Tails fighters on the front lines." She pressed a finger to the blank watch on her wrist. It lit up, and from it shone a holographic image of a rather small person in a suit, tie and glasses, short blue hair poking out from beneath a black beanie.

"Talyn Sears." Valerie said, "Scheduled to meet the Tails militia commander at 22:00 tonight. If all goes according to plan, it will be Remy at that meeting disguised as Sears. Use the glasses and learn everything you can about them, learn to play the role convincingly. If you're discovered, you will almost certainly be killed." The two nodded in understanding. "You're due to come home in two weeks. Get as much information as possible by that time. As you know, Logan is supervising the mission and will record everything he sees."

She put a hand on each of their shoulders, looking from one to the other with a slight smile. "The Board of Command has watched every single pair train to get where they are. We wouldn't have chosen you if we weren't confident in your potential." Virgil nodded slowly, Roman managed a smile back. Valerie gestured toward their waiting ship.

They made their way toward it, walking slowly, looking back to see Logan waving goodbye. They climbed into the ship, Virgil switching on the lights as they went. They stood in the compartment behind the pilot's seat for a moment, observing their transportation. Their usual weapons hung against the wall, along with boxes of rations on the floor. The ship was larger and cleaner than the ones they usually flew. Virgil recognized it as the model used by the adult pilots. They were to upgrade to this model when they turned eighteen. Before he could stop himself, Virgil reflected on the new possibility they might never turn eighteen. Yanking his mind away from that rabbit hole of panic, he held up his wrist abruptly, his fist clenched, the violet circle blinking at Roman. "We should fuse now," he stated, "in case we meet trouble in the air."