Leon led them towards the registrations office before he knocked and opened the door. He cleared his throat and stuck his head inside.
He kept his voice quiet to keep in with the library atmosphere the building had, “Excuse me, could I have a moment? I have some new recruits.” He announced.
Leon opened the door further and stepped in. The short haired brunette corrected the glasses on her nose with an attentive, formal stare. She waited patiently as Leon stepped forward and held the others papers out towards her. Nodding her head, she grabbed the official documents from Leon before she opened a drawer beside her. She pulled out more application sheets while Leon motioned for the group to follow him inside.
Dane looked to the girls and puffed out his lips in a quiet, huffed sigh. He was a bit nervous. Maybe it was the environment or the fact that this was a big step into uneasy and unpredictable territory. He rested his hand on their backs one after the other inside before he closed the door.
The woman's eyes flicked over her glasses and looked over the three that Leon had chosen, “Are these the ones you were talking about, Delacroix?” She asked.
She read their names aloud and handed them the new set of paperwork. A waiver of sorts and a final agreement to what this meant.
“Dane West. La'Quinta Patterson, Adelaide West. Fill these out please and I'll take them to Decker. He's waiting for you.” She told them. She then turned her attention to Leon and cleared her throat, “I take it they're up to date on all their physicals and hormonal shots?” She asked.
Leon had already considered his crew before he asked them to take this on with him.
He nodded with confidence and a sense of authority to her question, “Yes. All of them. They've passed their physical and psychological exams as well.” He answered.
Dane glanced up from the forms and took notice how Leon acted completely different from how they knew him to be.
Dane signed where asked on each page and read what they agreed to. He realized that some of the fine details were steep. The consequences they'd possibly face for violation of protocol was exceptionally dark. Up to a year locked up in prison? Stripped of their titles? Fined twenty-thousand dollars for wrongful death? These were just a few of the lighter sentences he could skim over. Though with the government, he, unfortunately, expected such. When he was finished, he helped Addie with what she wasn't sure on before he handed their papers to the brunette. Dane was particularly anxious about Decker in the other room for the sole reason that he was the man who had to clean up the trouble with Mike. That wasn't exactly a great experience in the eyes from an outsider looking in.
Finishing up with the others, Quinta handed her paperwork to the secretary who in turn read long the pages before she straightened them along the desk, “Mhmmm I see. Well give me a moment, then will you?”
Standing from her chair, she entered the only door to the immediate left of her desk. Quinta looked over Dane and Leon all while Addie watched the silhouettes inside the other room.
They all stood around in awkward silence before the woman returned a minute later, “The commander will see you now.”
She held the door open with the length of her arm all while Addie followed the others into the room. Decker sat behind a glossy, preserved desk and simply stared right at Leon. Leon could see in the traces of the Commander's expression that he didn't like his choice of teammates. He was already on edge about this mission from the start and now to bring candidates that he didn't deem worthy to become members of the government. After the fiasco with a Senior Leader, Decker had extreme doubts. Regardless of what he had to say, Leon was set on who he had chosen and already planned to make a case for himself.
Decker's fingertips were pressed together and a thin line stretched over where his lips should've been, “Delacroix, are you for certain that THESE are the people you want to take with you?” His deep voice asked.
Decker looked over at Dane, the sick one. Quinta, the quiet one. Finally, Addie, the kid. Just what in the hell was Leon thinking?
Before Leon had a chance to answer, Decker sat up in his chair and scratched along his jaw in an irritated manner, “These are the same individuals that cost us a lot of man hours to clean up after them. One of our harvest leader’s lives. Plus, a broad sweep in search for the others that were stranded. I hope you have a good reason for this.” He said.
Quinta inhaled a deep breath and rolled her jaw. So, they were to blame for Mike's bullshit were they? She arched an eyebrow all while she made eye contact with Dane. Dane couldn't help but feel frustration rise in him as he had to listen to the accusations that they were at fault. Quinta obviously had the same sentiments when they met eyes and had an understanding. They weren't as welcome has Leon made it out to sound. Addie's wide-eyed gaze stared at Leon while she waited for his response. All in all, the sense that they’d lost the possibility of a better life settled over all their shoulders.
Leon straightened up and cleared his throat all while he looked Decker in the eyes, “With all due respect Sir, I believe the general knowledge that the responsibility of what happened on that day lies with the man who perished. To be more specific Michael Scott. You knew of the previous complaints we'd received from other survivors and teammates from his squadrons daily. All of them were about his reckless and arrogant behavior. A behavior that should have been rectified by those officers in charge of doing so.” Leon stated purposefully since that was Decker's job. Leon leaned over the desk with his palms pressed against the grain, “The ones I've chosen to take with me on my mission bear no responsibility over what happened that day. They're very capable, skilled, and talented at survival. Especially since they wandered out there for a YEAR before they found us. As such, I believe they deserve a promotion into a government position and taken seriously. So, to answer your question, yes sir, I am very certain these are the ones I wish to take.” He finished.
Decker stared at the four of them for a long, long moment. Honestly, he couldn't fight who Leon chose because he was stupid enough to attempt this in the first place. For two months, they had pulled volunteers and sent them out and the results were one of two. They would return after a few hours because they were ill prepared and sun drained or worse, they never returned at all. Though Leon had a point with Michael's habits, it was the fact that he pointed out one thing that he overlooked initially. These three survived a year on their own and somehow found their way there.
With a deep sigh, Decker tapped his fingers against each other before he nodded and gave in, “Fine Delacroix.” Decker looked them over one last time before he turned his head away, “Take the recruits to the board room. I will find our superiors and we will break down the full briefing of your mission.” Decker then looked Dane, Quinta, and Addie in the eyes before he stood from his desk, “Welcome Aboard. Dismissed.” He stated.
Leon felt a wave of triumph with Decker's acceptance ripple over his shoulders and it showed with the way he strutted out of the room. Addie's elation was written over her face with a wide, open-mouthed grin. Even though she too was relieved, the fact that Leon had done such a job to stick up for her brother and Quinta was what stood out. Dane blew out because at least to him Addie's security was assured and he felt more at ease. Despite having to face more superiors he had already accepted that whatever the mission, he'd complete it for her. Quinta exhaled the breath she held and nodded her head while they passed through the brunette's office and down the halls again.
Leon waved them to follow while they turned the corner out of the door and towards the empty meeting hall. Once inside a room with whiteboards along the wall and a large, round table outlined with seats, the door closed and that steely man returned to a goof.
Leon faced them with a broad grin and tight fists while one arm shot upwards, “You're in!” He hissed in a tight whisper. From officer to pep talk coach, he tried to boost their morals, “Now remember to just listen and agree to this. Don't forget to look confident and don't put doubt in their mind
s. You guys are capable. We are capable.” He said.
Leon knew well enough that the eyes of these people judged and drew conclusions from performance and steel. How one carried themselves and how confident one was in their skills. Quinta pressed her clammy hand against her forehead all while Addie joined in with Leon.
Addie silently fist pumped in the air one arm after the other and bounced from side to side, “We did it. We've got this. We're in the money! We're going to get out of this shit hole!” She whispered excitedly.
Quinta ran her hands over her twists, even though the part of being accepted was over, the hardest was yet to come. That, she didn't think, set into their minds just yet. With a deep seeded sigh, Quinta turned her back to them and sat in a random chair only to keep her reservations to herself. Before long the door opened and Addie quickly straightened herself out and stood closer to her brother. Decker, a woman of Asian descent with mousy features, an older, white haired man, and a tanned male with an eye patch and a long ponytail entered the room.
Decker closed the door and locked it, “Have a seat.” He ordered the group.
Sitting at the end of the ones he entered with, the white-haired man and the tanned men sat centered.
Once they were all settled, the leader of the pack rested his elbows on the table and clasped his hands together, “My name is General Gregory Austin. This is Major Jonathan Pinder and Private May Ross. You all have been brought here today to do a justice for our people, for our survival, and most importantly for the families of the ones who lost their loved ones. Let's get right into it.” He stated in a voice that demanded attention.
Addie gripped the end of her shirt and stared ahead at them while Quinta crossed her ankles and once again made brief eye contact with Jonathan.
General Greg continued, “Two months ago a rover from the Atlanta jurisdiction was sent out with important documentation. We had given them a time frame for arrival to be within a week, they never made it. They checked into Jacksonville's sanctuary two days before they were to arrive. But, not far from Palm Coast they sent out a distress signal. When radioed we did not receive any feedback. It's been two months we are not expecting survivors. Here is your mission.”
Jonathan handed out a list to Leon all before he began to speak. He kept eye contact with each one of them, ending on Quinta.
His accent was alike to hers though not as strong, “The last signal was near Interstate 95 and Highway 100. You are to seek out the rover, retrieve all documentation that survived, and radio back here for a helicopter pick up. The pickup site will be at a warehouse facility that has already, in the past, been fitted as a safe house. This should take ya all about three days in total. Maybe four. Every night you are to check in with us and update your progress and whereabouts. If you find yourselves in danger, protect yourselves and radio for help. We will send a rover of our own to meet you but we'd rather not waste what resources we have. In other words, don't do anything stupid. We have lost enough men.” He finished while he stared at Quinta.
Dane tried to listen as attentively he could though he found himself unusually distracted from the pressure. He focused on each person when they spoke with an intense stare while he took in all the details. Once he heard that others hadn't returned, Dane figured out that this was not only a dangerous mission but almost classified as suicidal. This tidbit caused him to do a double take at Leon for a moment before he settled back in.
No matter the odds, he was going to ensure that they returned safe.
Private May cleared her throat as she laced her fingers together, “Completion of this mission will be a pay of fifteen thousand dollars each and the possibility of a few weeks off from sector duties for rest. You will have at least two weeks but please understand if another problem arises you will be summoned being that you are now officials. Food, ammunition, and weapons will be given to you from us and we will fund you a thousand dollars apiece, if you so wish, to buy extra necessities you will need individually.” She stated.
Dane's brows lifted when he heard the official monetary reward, the free additional supplies, weapons, and the time off after the fact. He wished he knew about this sooner yet a part of him felt deep in his gut that there was a catch. This felt to easy, too accommodating and for a split second he had his doubts about Leon. Dane couldn't help but wonder if Leon had recruited them for an ulterior motive because he wouldn't gain anything with helping them. He then remembered the goofball they had come to know and had trouble to imagine Leon being anything but an idiot.
May looked to the General who released a deep breath, “Any questions?” He asked.
Dane wet his lips and understood what they were to do but there was on detail missing that hadn't been specified yet.
“Yes Sir. What time and date are we starting?” Dane asked
“You will depart the facility at 08:00 hours, tomorrow which means you must be here by 06:00 hours. It is imperative that we get this documentation A.S.A.P.” Gregory said. He then rubbed his chin, “Now. Let's talk the details of how we expect things to go, where you're passing through, and where to stay overnight.” He started again.
The information that followed the initial conversation was extensive. The details and protocol that were given swirled around Addie's mind in a daze. There was so much information to soak in and retain that their voices seemed distant; far-away. By the time the group was released the sun was high in the sky.
Addie inhaled a deep breath and blew out with an audible sigh, “That was intense!” She expressed.
Quinta rubbed the back of her neck to release the tension within before she shrugged a shoulder, “It's nuttin to worry about. Dey won't be with us to monitor everything. If we finish dis safe, it's fine.” She replied. Even though she spoke with somewhat high hopes, there was still that seed of doubt in her mind, “What should we do now?” She asked.
Addie perked up while she patted her hand against her front pocket, “Well since we have free money, I say we should check out the shops before we pack. Question is, will we all stay together at Leon's again?” She mumbled to herself.
Addie got into the front of the cart as per usual while Quinta climbed in the backseat with Dane and waved a hand in her face, “'ow do yuh boys feel about dis?” She asked.
Dane glanced at Quinta before his sister and blew out a long huff of breath as he climbed into the back of the cart and Leon took the wheel. They had a lot of on their plate with specific and intricate instructions, down to where they had to sleep, even though they didn't know personally if these areas were secure. Dane's figured their only hope would be to get the main objective complete and in the end how wouldn't matter much.
Leon started the cart and pulled away before he spoke, “Since we're due here at six in the morning, I really don't want to chase any of you down if someone decides to sleep in. You should all stay over again.” He said. Leon pat his hands against the wheel while they rumbled through the streets towards the stalls, “Until then, let's have a look and get everything we need.”
After a couple minutes, they were parked a couple of blocks down from where the stalls began. Quinta and Addie climbed out of the cart and in an instant Addie was ready to see what she could get her hands on. Dane led the way towards the bustling strip of wares. Their voices were drowned out by the constant yells from vendors who would try to outsell the other. While Dane stopped at the first shop, Addie decided to break free and truly look for a deal.
She kept going with Leon for first aid and disposable goods that they may or may not acquire on the way, “This way Leon!” She called over to him down the dingy street of peddlers.
Leon was dragged from stall to stall by Addie's curiosity and eagerness to be prepared. After all it was her first mission outside of the walls. Although she survived long enough to get to Sanctuary with her brother in the first place, now she couldn't help but yearn to get out and stretch her wings.
Quinta, on the other hand, wandered a bit further than Dane and decided
that she would have to grab extra foods and drinks for the trip. One could never be too prepared in the unforgiving, Florida sun especially since that was one of the reasons other volunteers abandoned ship.
Stopping off at one, Dane found a few small odds and ends that he found useful living beyond the wall before they found Sanctuary. Dane turned to pass by a weapons stall. He was never usually thrilled by the overpriced guns they hocked day in and day out. They were expensive and he had to be honest with himself with the fact that he was never a good aim. This day was different. From the corner of his eye Dane saw a metal bat with a vast, intricate array of nails that protruded from the end. Dane was skeptical since metal was known to crack and dent but when he asked to pick the bat up his mind changed. He gripped the rubber end in each hand and gave a few test swings. The bat had a good weight to it which proved to him that this was one of higher, not cheap, quality. There was also the fact that someone had modified it both with nails and weights on the inside for an impressive, gruesome blow.
All in all, Dane was in love.
By the time he finished paying for his new weapon, Dane had spent most of his thousand dollars at one vendor. He was never good with browsing and comparing prices. Being quite happy, alike to as though it was his birthday, Dane was about to catch up with one of the others when he paused. He caught sight of a grindstone and immediately one person came to mind.
Dane waved her over, “Quinta! Look at this.”
Quinta gathered most of the supplies in her arm before she paid and noticed how Dane motioned for her to follow him.
Wandering over in his direction, Quinta stared up at him before her head slowly tilted downwards, “What is it?” When she looked at all the odds and ends the seller had spread out on the table, Quinta's mouth slowly formed into a smile, “A sharpener. Me do need dat, ah?” She questioned to him.
The World We Once Knew Page 25