2050

Arc 2:Part 4

The flag above is the flag I made for Helevi. Now onto the story!

I opened the door to the bridge. Expecting to get yelled at. Though I wasn't a child anymore and I wasn't barging into my parents' room. I glanced around and saw that I was being stared at by Nephias, others were roaming around and messing with computers. Not paying much regard to me. Nephias walked over to me. I looked up to him and saluted. He nodded.

"Alright. Hey Jonas. You can find a job for this girl, correct?" A job? Didn't he already assign one to me? This was confusing.

"Yes! We actually need someone to scout ahead of us. Since it's dark and our scanners aren't working too we-" He was cut off as Nephias walks over and grabs a scrawny man from a computer. He grabs him by the head and turns him around to look him in the eye. Nephias spoke with frustration in his voice.

"I didn't want an explanation! Save your words for her." He plopped him back down and he quickly hobbled over to me. Clutching a small computer of sorts. He hands it to me and I grab it. examining it closely.

"Y-You'll be scouting into Watlerville ahead of us to see if Lritish forces have landed yet. Mark any landmarks by tapping on this tablet and typing in a name for it. Such as crooked rock or such and what we could use for it." He stammered as he explained. Nephias gazed over and he bent lower.

"Well alright then. I guess I can do this." Nephias must've dumped this job on me since I was pretty durable. I would do the same thing. Scanning the device over again it seemed to have a real-time satellite map on it. I tapped on it and a blue circle popped up, zooming in on the river. We were passing away from the dot. I was impressed.

"Nephias must have a lot of trust in you if he's letting you out and about." I looked at him and he seemed to be watching me. He was short and I had to tilt my head to see him. He seemed to be around Tessia's age when the societal collapse happened. He had eyes of wonder.

"Well if you want the same treatment maybe you should jump off a cliff. If you live he just might let you out." I bonked him on the head with the tablet. He started to rub his head as I walked over to Nephias. Who was looking out of the window and at the twinkling lights in the distance. Watlerville. It wasn't city lights, however. They must be ship lights. "So anything else other than this tablet?" I ask him. He just grunts and then places a hand on the glass and leans forward. Trying to discern what the lights are.

"You have ammo and a gun? You should be fine. I'm sure your stomach can take anything that's out there. Do a good job and I'll send some of my men as a search party to help you." He said this bluntly. But with a hint of care and warmth. I didn't dwell on it long and just started to leave. I had to ask one more question before I went through the doors.

"Anyone else coming with me?" I question. Nephias shakes his head. Well, that's that. So much for being an arms carrier. I walked down the steps and back onto the surface deck. Everyone's initial excitement and outburst after the speech had all but died down now. Replaced with a healthy sense of grogginess accompanied by fear. Everyone's nerves were high. I knew why. This was going to be an all-out attack. And if we failed, it would spell the end. The mountain hideout is manned with a skeleton crew and most of those eligible to fight are sent out to sabotage the Army on their drive to Watlerville. I looked at the tablet and sighed. 

I descended the steps to make it to the yellow hall. I remember seeing an inflatable boat somewhere there. When I made it to the hall it was oddly quiet. Other than the sounds of the waves there was something wrong with the air here. Something was wrong, or something didn't belong. I looked down at one side. It was clear. Then to my left. Clear. Something was wrong, it must be my nerves acting up too. I was right about the boat, however. I take it and inflate it by blowing it up. It took energy to do so. 

When I was finished I took the boat. Hoped, then jumped with it. I fell for a moment until the world went dark. I didn't have time to hold my breath. But the inflatable boat brought me up. I quickly lifted myself on top of it and caught my breath. I checked the tablet. It was still good. I sighed with relief. I looked over and saw the twinkling lights of the Dreadnaught pass away. Slowly. Even though it was midnight you could still see the smokestacks from the boat against the stars. 

No time to wonder at the night sky. Now's the time to get on with my job. Afterward, Nephias better fulfill his promise about sending a search team to help me look for Tessia. I paddled over to the shore and shivered as the wind blew. Time to move. I could catch up with the Dreadnaught if I moved now. I turned to the direction of Watlerville and begin to run. Glancing past the jungle trees to see if the smoke and lights were still there with the river. Each time I looked I could see the Dreadnaught getting further and further away. I stopped to catch my breath, and I could barely hear anything other than the dark forest sounds. I leaned against a tree. Looking at the satellite map and my surroundings. It was turning day soon, and I could see just barely. Now's a time to do some recon.

I stood up and wandered through the forest, but still heading to Watlerville. If I zoomed out of the map I could see the words Watlerville over a city near the coast. I had begun to mark areas and what they could be used for. Fall-back position here, place mines here, yada yada. It's all pointless to me. But if I do my job here it will pay off. Or at least I hope so. As I was walking I encountered a dip in the terrain. Well, the end of this hill. Looking down I can see a little encampment at the bottom. The encampment was along the river and I could see the Helevi flag wave around. Army outpost. I was just about to start typing when I heard footsteps behind me. I reached for the gun, though I kept facing the outpost. Snuck up on. Again... How many times is this going to happen?

"You. Drop the weapon. I know you have one." I heard a voice, it was muffled as if he was speaking through something. Well damn. I was pinned down now. All I could do was comply. I dropped the rifle and held my hands up. Though I should let him know who he is dealing with.

"Alright then. It's not like I need a gun to kill you anyways." After I said it I regret it, I bit my lip as he laughed.

"Oh, a feisty one aren't ya? How about I burn you to a crisp now?" I could hear flames lick up then burst out for a moment. It came especially close to my hair. Feeling the heat from the fire got my adrenaline pumping.

"If you can hit me!" I quickly turned around and ran to him. The man was fully dressed in what seemed to be a hazmat suit, but green and more suited for combat. I pulled the knife I had on me. I had to get his gas can on the back. I could see the fires licking up from the edge of the flamethrower he held. It was about to hit me. I had no time. I quickly eyed the pipe connecting the gun and the canister. I sliced at it and an orangy substance started leaking out. The flamethrower man grunted with surprise.

"Y-You crazy bitch! Take this." He tossed the gun over to me as it was leaking. The fires enveloped the barrel. I giggled. What the hell why am I? I threw it back over to him.

"This game of hot potato is fun but I seriously think you should have it." He scrambled to catch it as I ran off. I could hear his screams as an explosion sounded. The shockwave pushed me and I started rolling down a hill. So much for laughing. I rolled down until I hit the bottom. I rested uncomfortably on top of the stream bank's rocks. I quickly patted myself. I was fine. Though I could see that some of my hair had been singed. Oh well. I looked over at the hill and soldiers were running up to the burning conflagration up on the hill. 

I clambered Through the stream and up the other side of the hill. Stopping only to type in the location about the outpost. I continue on my way to Watlerville. I was sure this encounter had slowed me down considerably and the Dreadnaught should be nearing Watlerville. I glanced at the sunrise before continuing on my stride.