Smoking Shells

    Project Multiply

    Title : Multiply
    Code : 40956
    Participants : -First Commander Inso
                        -Lieutenant Ling
                        -Second Lieutenant Fari
                        -Third Lieutenant Oppis
                        -Corporal Jarn
                        -Colonel Tik
                        -Private Haff
                        -Knight Fenrir
    Objective : Search and Destroy
    Reward : 2000 credit

    "That's it?" Tjukim Fenrir said.  He was holding the project paper in his hands.  It was a single piece of paper with those details and a long signature at the bottom.  The ink on the signature was deep red, like it was written in blood.  Fenrir slumped back in his high backed moving chair and spun it round.  The meeting room's occupants looked at him with a sense of uncertainty.  They were all waiting for his response.  After that, the project would be signed off officially.
    "And why am I the only Knight in here anyway?  I can't say I share that much of anything, short of some years in the Artillery Academy, with the Ju Squad," Fenrir twirled the spinning chair again, still holding the document in his hands.
    "Knight Fenrir, I- we would appreciate it if you agree with the mission.  It's already stated there we need to work with you in this mission," someone on the far right side of Fenrir said.  His face was a scar of past veterans and a constant reminder why he had been taken in as second lieutenant.  He was wearing a a jacket, made of leather, like the rest of the occupants except Fenrir and a single man at the head of the meeting table.  That one had his face hidden in the semi darkness of the room, the only light coming from the screen of white behind him.
    "You cannot avoid that the Locker System had indeed chosen these people, all of them except you, is within my close circle and in the Ju Squad.  There is something that needs to be done there that only we can do," Hlafir Oppis said.  He was beside the second lieutanant.  When the man beside him bears scar on his face, Oppis' reminder was the single symbol on his chest.  Beside the obvious Node on his left side chest, right above his heart, was another smaller Node.  It was the Berserk Node, more commonly known as an advanced technology originated from overdrive.  With a push of a button, the third lieutenant can do things far more impressive than his body would always do and him without it, a single troll would be a piece of cake.
    "Correct.  I know that much after reading this thing.  Commander Inso, what would you say is that 'only thing' that we can do?" Fenrir stopped the moving chair and faced all of them.  He was wearing his usual gear, consisting of two energum-loaded hand guns, and a sword blade.  All of them strapped on his waist like they belong there.
    Silence filled the room for the incoming answer.
    A voice originated from the right side of table, at the end, sounded.  It was rough and holds a commanding tone.
    "It would be no more than to participate in a war that needs stopping," he said.
    Silence filled the room again.  This time, though, it held a very pressing mood on all of them.
    "I would guess so too.  Since all of us are mercenaries, I would not imagine any other than that.  But-" Fenrir never finished that sentence.
    "But the paper said we need to search and destroy.  Search and destroy what?" Oppis said.  "In a war, we just kill the opposite side, in which we are assigned and take the place to stop the war.  Eventually a trigger will be pulled and the war stops.  But this one is different.  What can we search for in a war?"
    "A war consists mainly of troops, and a battlefield," Fari continued.  "If I am given a guess, I would say we need to search for a person or persons, that holds Destinies in his hands and-"
    "Kill him?" Fenrir finished.
    "That is only a guess,"
    "A far-fetched one.  Destinies are meant to be protected, not killed off,"
    "So if you're so smart, what can you make of this?"
    "Ah, gotta love that accent.  What is it?  Frigger?"
    "Koorur.  What say ye in this matter, Knight Fenrir?"
    "I would say," he stood up, the blade in his waist straightened and the two guns somehow clicked on something, "that we just need to go there and find out."
    The man at the front end of the meeting room stirred.  He turned a little bit and a face like snake's and a piercing eyes made the face respectful and meant to be taken seriously.  He was wearing the same black robe since a long time ago.  He smelled of magic and power.
    "Then it is agreed.  Anyone would want to object?" he said.  His voice carried off until to the end of the meeting room, and it only seemed that he just whispered.
    "Well, I guess there is no timeline for this Job.  The credit would employ 2  to 4 years, according to the usual rate.  But this Job is quite different.  Be ready tomorrow morning at Station 506.  I will see to it that you get your gears and protectives.  I will assign 5 transporters and 2 spies in this Job," he stops and holds out a hand to Fenrir, who was still standing.  Fenrir gave the document to him.
    "If nobody objects, that is."
    Nobody stood up.  Fenrir sat down and began to play with his gun.
    "And somebody wake up Private Haff.  Make sure he is with you tomorrow morning, at 9 sharp."
    He walked off to the exit and disappeared before the doors were closed.  Everyone stared at the double doors, expecting a single burst of flame would suddenly burn the door.  Nothing happened 10 seconds later.
    "He's in a cheerful mood," Fenrir stood up and began to walk off too.  "See ya."
    He was gone too.
    "Bring your usual gears.  Tik, I would say you need the Grunt Device for this one.  Just in case," Lieutenant Ling said.  "And Jarn, don't forget your inhaler this time.  Or your other arm."
    "Yeah, yeah," a slick voice sounded from a tall man.
    "Haff.  Haff.  Haff!"
    "GAH! Wha- Who- Whe- How-" his voice a mumble.  His eyes were burning red.  On his back, he has a very huge rifle.
    "Station 506, 9 a.m. sharp, tomorrow.  Bring your usual gears and that Lightning Gun," Ling told him, with a cold stare that can freeze a river.  "Be sure you get enough rest until then."
    "Err.  Yeah, sure," he scratched his head.
    "This meeting is postponed until another one is called.  Commander Inso," Ling stood up and bowed to the First Commander.
    Inso got up and bowed to the others.  On his face, he had a rough expression.  He was still like that when he got out of the room.
    Haff was the last one to get out of the room.
    His eyes were red from lack of sleep.
    He wondered who would pound at his doorstep this time.
    Oh boy.