The weapons fire from the training weapons pounded constantly against the outer armour of Sellsword's Reaver. He steadily strode forwards into the heavy barrage of weapons fire he had faced since the beginning of the training mission. Despite this his Reaver had only sustained minimal damage. Between his evasive tactics and the mobile shield he had picked up immediately he had managed to avoid the worst of what Freya's fighters could throw at him. However the other Reavers in his squad weren't as lucky.
Vengeance and Renegade had done the best besides himself. They had sustained some minor damage but nothing critical. However Raptor had lost his Reaver's weapon arm when he had walked into a rocket emplacement and Elder's Reaver had been completely disabled when he had been backed into an ambush. Of course as this was only training the damage to their Reavers was only simulated.
The computer used information coming in from the opposing team’s weapons to determine the extent of the damage of any attacks. "Damaged" portions of the Reavers were displayed on an information panel inside of the cockpit, their pilots could not utilize the listed parts, and the affected areas glowed red along its outside armour. Likewise when any of the cadets on foot took "injuries" their afflictions were listed in their helmet's display and their armour glowed red and stiffened, eventually leaving them unable to assist their team in the training mission. All of this damage data was sent back to the mission control station where it was compiled for review in the debriefing.
Thus far Freya's raiders had done a remarkable job of avoiding Sellsword and the other members of Vengeance's team leaving them with very few incapacitated cadets. It wouldn't have been so bad if they at least knew where Freya had hidden her command, but for the moment they were no closer to finding it now than they had been at the drop. Things weren't looking good for the Reaver pilots.
"We aren't doing too well right now team," growled Vengeance over the comm, "This keeps up and Freya's going to win. Again."
Sellsword continued to push through the weapons fire as he tried to lock onto one of the numerous moving forms in front of him. It was proving impossible however. Freya's team would step out of cover for only half a second to fire and then duck back down. When he turned to face one, another would pop up behind him. It was as though they knew where he was without looking.
Knew where he was without looking. Something occurred to him. Or maybe someone else was keeping watch for the rest of them. If there was one watching where would they be?
High in a tree maybe? On an even higher point? Maybe…
Sellsword checked the map on his display and then turned to his left. Through the trees he could clearly see a pinnacle of rock sticking out of the forest. Something glinted on the rock.
"Vengeance I think we have some spotters on the rock pinnacle in sector twelve," he said into the comm.
"What? You sure?" Came the response, and then without waiting for an answer, "Renegade, you're closest. See to the spire."
"Yes Sir!" Renegade said, "It would be a pleasure. I'd assume that's how the ground forces have kept up with us so well."
"Seems like it," growled Vengeance, "How did I not see this? Good spot Sellsword."
"Thank you Sir."
There was silence for a moment before-
"Sellsword, my display shows that you are soon going to be under heavy fire. Why are you still where you are? Get out of there! Pay attention!"
"Yes Sir!"
A glance at his display told him the time had indeed come to leave. An energy spike consistent with a heavy weapons placement had appeared nearby. From the energy levels the weapon was emitting it was still charging up, but he wouldn't have the time to get past the weapons shields to disable it before it opened fire on him. His armour could not withstand that. He should be able to get out of there intact if he were to hurry.
Sellsword turned and began to run. At the same time he adjusted the power allotment of his Reaver, he moved some power from his armour shields into his mobility engines. His armour had less stopping power now; however he would be able to get out of the area faster.
"Has anyone seen any sign of Freya's command yet?" asked Vengeance, his voice scratchy over the comm, "We have seen plenty of her units, and we ought to have seen it by now. We have already searched the most likely sectors in this half of the arena."
That was true, in their initial drop the Reaver scans had shown that the majority of Freya's forces were arrayed to the south of their drop site. They had immediately set off south. Since then they had only found resistance and had nothing else to show for it. It was as though there was no command station directing the cadets. Unless…
"I have an idea Vengeance," Sellsword said, "What if Freya's command isn't in the south at all. Maybe she put her forces to the south and then dropped the command to the north? It seems like something she’d do to throw us off."
There was a brief silence before Vengeance responded.
"She would have left her command post virtually unprotected then?"
"Yes sir."
"If that's what she did that's a pretty bold move."
"Freya isn't known for meekness Sir," injected Raptor with a laugh.
"True that," Vengeance responded, "When Renegade is done-"
"I have dealt with the spotters Sir," said Renegade.
"Ah prefect timing. Rendezvous with Sellsword. You two are to proceed with full speed to the north. Start with Sectors twenty one through to twenty four. The heavy forests there would make perfect cover for her command.”
"Yes Sir," responded Sellsword and renegade in unison.
“Elder are you still mobile?”
“Yes Vengeance,” responded Elder, “I’m outside my Reaver, There is too much damage though, I won’t be able to repair her.”
“That’s fine Elder, let’s follow Freya’s lead. Grab your assault and recon gear and make your way up to the spire. Use stealth and get up there as quietly as you can.”
“Will do Vengeance. I’ll be up there as soon as I can.”
“Good. Raptor and I will do what we can down here,” said Vengeance, "Oh also, Sellsword and Renegade. You two should optimize your stealth as well. They will know you're leaving the battle here for better or for worse. Let's not make it too easy for them to track you. Good luck."
"To you as well, " said Sellsword as he set his new course and further adjusted his power division.
Maybe now they were on the right track.
Empty
The room, once so full, now lies empty. Its inhabitant is gone. All around lay their scattered belongs, empty and without purpose. Each piece still held its own story but now lacking of meaning.
I am alone in this room sitting in the armchair. Across from me is the rocking chair where he spent so many hours. The chair fills my vision, at this very moment it fills my world. I keep waiting for him walk into the room, footsteps slow but strong, and fill that vacant void. I tell myself it will never happen again. Those days are past. I can’t seem to believe my own words.
Never before have I felt more alone.
Faint warm light creeps in past the curtains as the clouds shift. Briefly the lights falls across the single small stack of books lovingly placed on the end table near that old rocker. It falls on the cool coffee stained ceramic mug which I have not yet had the heart to wash. The clouds shift once more and the light fades and then brightens again. It crawls across the white carpet and deep burgundy rugs, slowly climbing the end table up to the colourful tapestries hanging on the walls above.
My eyes rove across those tapestries, taking in the familiar patterns and images. They would have to be taken down soon, packed away into storage. So much would change here. So much already has.
Something creaks in front of me and I look up, my eyes wide and hopeful as I search for that familiar form sinking once more into the rocking chair. But it is just the cat, Cassie, settling into her favorite chair. She would be coming home with me after this, I figured. I can't just leave her here. I can't leave her alone. I idly wonder if she would miss her oldest friend as I do. Would she remember who she had lost or would she just know that something was wrong, something was missing, in her life? Would she even realize that something had changed?
Who could tell? All I know is that I will be there for her, just as she will be there for me.
Something disturbs her and with a meow she vanishes into the kitchen.
I stare after her before I return to my observation of the room.
The lamp in the corner clicks on, even though the golden light still seeps in the window. It is summer, and if it were still spring the timer would turn the light on just before sunset. Were this any previous year he would have changed the timer at the beginning of summer, but this year... He must not have gotten around to it.
My gaze returns to that empty rocker sitting across from me. It always returns there. That rocker acts as a lodestone for my vision. A constant pull which I cannot resist.
The doorbell rings and I realize what must have drawn Cassie away. I guess I should answer that, I think, as I stare moodily in the doors direction. However rising seems like too much effort so I remain seated.
A moment passes before the bell rings again. I sigh and give in.
As I rise a thought occurs to me.
I was wrong about never seeing that chair filled.
One day it will be me.
Operative: Objective
"Welcome," said Nigel as Shawn was escorted into his war room, "I'm glad you could make it."
Shawn remained silent as he stared impassively at the man. They both knew the reason why he had returned. It had nothing to do with generosity.
This man before him was threatening his daughter. He would play along... for now. Someday he would put an end to this program’s... manipulations. But now was not the time for that. They must really need him if they were willing to threaten his family to get his service. They must know this could not end well.
There was an empty space at his side which Nigel seemed to want him take however, for the moment, Shawn ignored it. Instead he looks around the room. The normal assortment of personnel wandered around as they worked on their separate tasks. Analysts, operatives and general security made up the bulk of those in the large room. However he did occasionally catch sight of someone who didn't seem to fit in, perhaps someone coerced into service like himself or a consultant of some kind. Those he could pick out as they didn't look quite so comfortable in the crowd.
Computer monitors and display glass glittered around the room. The screens displayed a great variety of information; they showed the ever changing and ongoing stream of information from all of the operations the program was running at the moment.
This was the heart of the program, one place he never thought he would stand again.
Nigel himself stood in the center of the room next to a large display table.
"When you are feeling safe Shawn, if you would consent to stand over here," Nigel gestured to the place at his side, "I would be much appreciative. We could then begin with your mission briefing."
Shawn shrugged and moved closer to the table. Might as well see what he wants.
Nigel eyed him inquisitively before directing Shawn's attention to a young woman standing across the table from himself.
"This is Sasha; she will be your partner in these assignments. Her background is similar to your own so she should prove to be more than an adequate partner for one of your skills."
Shawn nodded to her. She was dark skinned and lean. Her hair cascaded in a multitude of slender braids with framed her face and its inquisitive eyes.
"And this," said Nigel gesturing to an older heavyset man standing next to her, "is Ron, he will be your handler and contact from with the program."
Again Shawn nodded to the man who bowed his head in return. Ron was blond haired and bearded, with pale skin and steel grey eyes. Shawn knew him from before he had been cut loose from the program. He was experienced, a very valuable asset as a handler since he knew exactly what he had to do to keep his operatives alive.
He would reserve judgement on Sasha until he had seen her in action, but he had worked with Ron before, and so already knew that he was one of the best. On top of that Nigel had dared to blackmail Shawn into coming back. It looked as though Nigel really wished for this mission to succeed.
Nigel hesitated and Shawn frowned. He had never known Nigel to be reluctant about anything. So why hesitate?
"You are still familiar with the Rock?" He began slowly.
Shawn nodded. It was the program's codename for an impregnable fortress in Eastern Europe. He had been part of a disastrous mission to the Rock many years before.
"We have an intelligence asset inside of the Rock," Nigel said, his eyes locking onto Shawn's, "Your mission is to retrieve that asset as soon as possible. It is of utmost importance."
Shawn could only stare at him in shock. They had to break into the Rock. That bloody Rock.
The last time he hack been there his partner had died and he himself had barely managed to escape. The scars, both mental and physical, from that place had never truly faded. Now they wanted to send him back.