Tale of The Broken Sword

Chapter Eighteen : An Important Mission

23rd September, AD 2056

Advanced Research and Development Commission Headquarters

Downtown District, Detroit

It had been the third time I had woke up lathered in sweat again. The same dream kept on replaying into my mind as if it was in a recorder. The same dream, fire, meteor and a huge blast, all of those were deeply engraved into my memories. I shook my head every time whenever that thought appeared. But the glaring sun casted shadows of the pillars in the hallway as I waited for Warren.

“You alright, buddy?” Warren appeared out of his office. “Maybe the sun’s eating up onto you. Want a lotion?”

“No, it’s alright. I’m just... preoccupied. That’s all.” I replied softly.

Warren doubtfully glared at me. With a hint of disparagement, he shook his head in disappointment. “Puffy eyes and pale face..., doesn’t seem to be alright for me.”

“I’m fine, that’s all.” I said reassuringly.

“Okay,” Warren twitched his lips. “Follow me then.”

I followed Warren into his office and he thumps his fist as we cross the room laden with bookshelves and computers. His office is remarkably large. Makes sense though, since his department assesses machines that are recovered from anywhere and everywhere within and around the country.

Once again, that though appeared in my head. I felt headache and my strides shorten, feet dragging. My hearts beats twice for every step and my sense of direction begins to falter. We turn around the corner and into the second corridor. This time, I couldn’t ignore it. The headache is writhing violently in my skull.

Warren notices it and leaned against the wall. “You okay, Kelson?”

I hold up my hand. The other one is clutching to the back of my head, trying to soothe out the pain. “I’m fine. Just a little dizzy.”

“It’s definitely the heat,” Warren clarified. “Perhaps you were dehydrated while you’re waiting for me.”

“Yeah, I think so.” I replied.

“Come on, keep it together. When we reach there, I will have some water for you.”

I nod, taking a deep breath and straightening my body. “I’m fine. It’s alright.”

He sighs, but doesn’t press on the issue.

A few more moments and we are at the elevators. Warren pressed the door button before examining my face. I didn’t look back; I was busy trying to tolerate the headache. Ironically though, there’s an advertisement about the next generation of aspirins currently on sale displayed on the holographic screen.

“You could’ve used one of that.” Warren joked.

“Yeah,” I shook my head for one last time before looking at Warren. “So, where are you taking me to? I heard from Simmons that he needs you to show me something.”

“Yeah, about that,” Warren rubbed his forehead. “He wanted to make sure that you are truly an excellent marksman.”

I raised my eyebrows at him. “Yup, excellent marksman he is.” Warren joked.

By the time he had finished his sentence; my heartbeat slows to a normal pace again. Felling relived, I watch the screen beside the doors as we descend down to Basement Level Five.

Research Testing Field. The biggest one can find in the whole country, perhaps the entire planet. Staring at the enormous dome covering the testing ground, the size of the field is enough to be taken as a military base. The Government sure have enough funds to cramp all the facilities into one mega building in the middle of a bustling city.