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Arc 2:Part 2

I was being shaken. I open my eyes groggily and stare up. I was somewhere cold, with the walls and roof being concrete. I was in something that seemed to be a cot. Looking over I saw a face covered in a bandana. Volunteer. I grabbed at his arm that he was shaking me with and try to pull him. But I was weak. I groan as the pain flooded in. The man quickly shuffled around and then poked me with a needle. Soon the pain had subsided and I found myself sitting up. I was in what seemed to be a medical bay. The man looked to me while putting up the needle and pushing a tray full of medical supplies away.

As I was watching him push the cart away the metal door nearby opened. I widened my eyes and saw it was Nephias. He looked to me and smiled warmly. He walked over and sat by me. I couldn't do anything to him at the moment. "Tell me. What is your name?" He pulls out an apple and begins to chomp on it. I stare at it with envy. I opened my mouth but then looked the other way. He wasn't going to get anything from me. He gave a disappointed grunt and tossed an apple onto my lap. I grab at it greedily. I was just about to start eating it before I remembered Nephias was also here. I turned to him and stared at him. He made a motion that signaled for me to go ahead. I hungrily devour what was left of the apple.

I wipe the juices off of my mouth and throw the core aside. I look at Nephias and sigh. "I'm Kenera. What do you want from me?" I reply, contempt with my situation. These guys were friendly, they went out of their way to hospitalize me. I should return the favor.

"We know you have a daughter out there." I jolted, my ears perked. They know about Tessia. Nephias chuckled and I just stare at my lap. So they were the one that sent the people after us. Though I knew that from the start.

"Look I know you may be a bit angry but we were bringing you over to our side. We knew you guys wouldn't come willingly so we had to do what we had to do." he pats my back. I wish I had more painkillers in me. This man wouldn't be standing at the moment.

"So, let me guess. You want me to go find Tessia?" I ask. I sort of had an idea that was what they wanted from me. I look over to him with interest. Who is this man exactly?

"Of course. But first, you need to prove yourself since you knocked two of my men unconscious a broke our equipment. You dented the artillery gun's barrel and snapped one of our rifles." He crossed his arms and started to bob his knee up and down.

"You want me to do?" I prompted. He sighed and pulled out what looked like a blueprint for a ship.

"You'll be an ammo carrier for our Dreadnaught." Seemed simple enough. I grabbed the schematics and looked at it. The plans were a bit different than the regular Dreadnaught plans. This one had more space. This thing will be fast. "You think you can handle it without murdering my men?" I nodded.

"Good. you have free reign over the base, as long as you don't hurt anyone or destroy anything. There will be a man outside. He'll get you a uniform and then you can get food. Don't disappoint me." He signals for me to get up. I look at my bandaged body and then him.

"What about healing my wounds?" I ask. Concerned that some bones should be broken.

"Don't worry, I gave the go-ahead to give you Instim. You should be fine just rip the bandages off." Suprised I unraveled my bandages. It was true, nothing seemed wrong. I could move everything without feeling miserable. I don't know what this Instim stuff is but it sure works like a charm. I quickly get out of bed and walk out. I turned to look at Nephias before I opened the door. He was still sitting in the chair staring at the bed I was in. I shrugged and opened the door.

Once outside I look around. The entire area is in a cavern of sorts. I marveled at the inside that was being patrolled by a multitude of guards. Larger walkways allowed vehicles to move down to ground level. Which had a humongous ship that aimed towards the waterfall. Which from there you can see the outside. I was too busy being impressed at the Volunteer hideout to notice I was being tapped on the shoulder. I turned over and saw a scrawny bald man with a clipboard and round glasses. I lower my eyes in disappointment. He was a step down from the amazingness of this hideout. "What do you want?"

"Eheum." He coughed to signal the start of the conversation. "I am tasked with providing you with clothing and food?" He asked. Looking me over.

"Nephias said someone was. If you don't mind of course." I grabbed at my clothing, which was a simple blue dress, the ones that the hospital gives to all patients. I grabbed it and dropped it. I would need to get out of this.

"I don't, I don't! Follow me." He turned and started walking. I followed suit whilst looking around. As we passed by some guards I heard whispers and murmurs. I looked around and some guards flinched and started walking a bit faster. Probably because they heard how I just knocked some of their members out with just my bare hands. I wouldn't blame them.

I was lead to a small alcove in the rock face. It had shelves with items on them and a counter at the edge with a register. It was a shop. He led me over to the back room. A small metal door behind the counter, which had a brass plate on it that read "Dwight."

"Your name Dwight?" I ask curiously. He nodded as he fumbles for a key. Which he opens the door with. Inside was dark and damp. I could feel the congestion in my nose start to drip. I sniff it back up noisily as we alk further in. This was a storage room of sorts. Where Dwight silently picks out some garments. He tosses me the first two. Boots, brown. Then the pants, baggy and desert camo. Next was the top, which was a scarf attached to a sweatshirt of sorts. The scarf was white and would wrap around my shoulders before dropping down my back. The shirt a dull yellow. Next was the hat which was another scarf.

"Alright. Put those on. Those are recruit clothes. The higher ranks get armor under them and some freedoms with their clothes. I'll leave." Dwight said. closing the chest that the clothes came from. He left the room and shut the door. I put the clothes on and looked at myself. They were light and allowed for mobility. I guess this is how the Volunteers pull off those guerilla tactics. I open the door and Dwight looks to me. Before nodding. "Where else did Nephias say for you to go?"

"He said to eat?" I scratch my head trying to remember myself. But Dwight was quick. He had grabbed an M.R.E off of the counter and tossed it in my direction. I almost missed catching it and juggled it in the air before pulling it close to my chest.

"Eat up. I hear we're heading out today." He says before rustling through a gun rack. I watch him as I eat. confused about what he means by head out I speak to him despite my mouth being full. "Heading out?"

"Yes. As in an attack. An Army convoy is said to be heading out to supply their push into the mountains. They'll probably send some of us out to stop it." He tosses me a gun with a sling on it. I place the gun over my head and let the strap rest on my shoulder. He then tossed me a pouch. I open it and it was full of bullets. 'Wait I'm heading with them?" Dwight chuckled.

"No, recruits are to stay here at the base and defend it. You'll probably be in the pillboxes overlooking the waterfall." I nod and quickly attach the pouch to my belt straps. I started walking away.

"Alrighty then. Pillboxes it is!" I start running up the steps. There was a buzz around. Everyone was running around getting weaponry and moving into position. I wonder if there was a broadcast or something already planned. I watch everyone before quietly slipping into a room behind me. I sigh and turn around. It was an empty pillbox with a machinegun overlooking the waterfall. There was a path following the river. A gravel road. I could see some dust being kicked up further down in the jungle. The Army? I was saved. I seriously hated the Volunteers. But I had to comply for now. If there was any chance I could get Tessia back I would. I could run away now. I could dive into the waterfall and float down the river. I could leave. But something in my head was yelling at me that, this idea is a bad one. I just sigh and pull up one of the chairs and watch the dust rise and then settle over the dense jungle canopy. This side was facing away from the desert. So it was moist and sort of colder. But it was still warm. It was serene. I wonder if Tessia already forgot about me?