Once again I was clinging to the back of Bobbie as we rode down the quiet suburban streets and then further out into the forested wilderness towards what was supposed to be a newly emerged dungeon. A dungeon that I was supposed to personally be responsible for clearing out and neutralizing, at least that's what Matilda made it sound like.

Thankfully, this trip was much more subdued than the last. No overland treks through the densely packed woodlands. No nail-biting speeds. Just a relatively sedate journey on the back of a motorcycle going at legal-ish speeds.

It was strangely peaceful, compared to the last time.

“So, um, are you going with me, into this dungeon? I thought I was supposed to handle this myself.” I asked, only slightly straining my voice to be heard by Bobbie's superior senses.

“Nah, I won’t be helping, unless you royally fuck up newbie. I’m just here to observe and offer advice. It’ll be just like last time.” She said congenially.

“L-last time!? Last time was terrible.” I told her honestly, probably a bit too honestly as the words seemed to slip out of my mouth before I would even stop them.

“Pssh, you survived, and more importantly you got stronger. What are you even trying to complain about?” Bobbie replied a bit grumpily. “Never mind, don’t even answer that, we’re at the site.”

Sure enough, ahead of us on the dirt road we were on sat a large number of vehicles pulled off and parked to the side of the road.

There were dozens and dozens of people milling about as well, setting up various canopies and tents. They were also unloading and transporting various crates and equipment out of their vehicles and into the make-shift structures they had already set up. It seemed like there was a whole entire little village being created just outside wherever the entrance to this dungeon. Everyone seemed like they had a job, and already knew exactly what they were doing, everyone except for me that is.

“Wow. What is all this.” I said in slight wonder at the sight. “I thought this was just going to be a low-key and secretive kind of thing.”

“Nah, well it is. But, honestly, most of this stuff is super unnecessary.” She said with a slight smile as she turned her head to look back at me. “I think they’re just trying to impress you is all.”

“Me? But you’re here too.” I said to her.

“Sure, but they already know me. They already know I can handle my own shit, and if I need help I’ll ask for it.” She explained. “You though, you’re still pretty new. So they probably want to show you their worth. Give you plenty of reasons to need their help. And should the time come in the future when you’re a super badass like me, well then you’ll hopefully look back and remember how they helped you out.

“Really? They’ve seemed kinda distant with me, except for Gunderson.” I said while trying to process what she said. “I mean, most of the people at the office were nice enough, with a few notable exceptions though.”

“Let me guess, Knowles was one of the bitchy ones right?” She said with a broad smirk as she stepped off her motorcycle that had finally come to a rest in a vacant spot next to a large black van that was currently being unloaded.

“Uh, yeah, a bit.” I admitted. “He wasn’t too bad though, mostly just acted like an overly strict teacher. Eager and waiting to correct whatever mistake I was making.”

“Yeah, that does sound like Knowles.” She said, still with a slight smile on her face. They must really get along, for her to be so… amused at my description of him. I still didn’t get how their relationship worked as well as it did.

“Go on, tell me more about how strict and eager to correct any of your many glaring mistakes I am.” A familiar voice said from nearby.

Knowles, Gunderson, and a trio of men dressed in body armor and a plethora of other equipment marched up to us as we turned to look at them.

“Oh u-uh, Special Agent Knowles, I’m v-very sor-” I tried to say before Gunderson cut me off.

“It’s fine, his ego isn’t so fragile that an accurate account of his shortcoming from a new supernatural would destroy it.” Gunderson said with a broad smile before loudly patting Knowles on the back, much to the man's obvious distaste.

“Please, don’t speak for me, and furthermore, desist from doing that ever again.” Knowles said with an intense glare in Gunderson’s direction.

“Well, while you love birds keep up with your daily ritual flirting, let me introduce myself to the newest member of our little family. Trevor Sheffield, at your service ma’am.” He said with a crisp salute, that the other two men beside him joined in with him as well.

“Oh, uh, hi?” I said awkwardly. “Thanks, I guess.”

“Ah, stop making the new girl so uncomfortable, Trevy. I know you’re sooo eager to make a good impression with another supernatural who isn’t me, but really, do you have to be so shameless with your butt kissing.” Bobbie said with the cockiest of grins.

“Ah, excuse me, oh wise and powerful lady, I obviously must defer to your great expertise on the matter.” Sheffield said with a deep and mocking bow in her direction.

“H-hey, what’s that supposed to mean huh.” Bobbie said while walking over to stand right in Sheffield's face. “What are you talking about, exactly? Are you trying to say I’m kissing someone’s ass? Who?”

Her finger was now poking Sheffield right in the chest as her verbal tirade continued, all the while Sheffield just smiled at her. This only seemed to make Bobbie more and more irritated, as Sheffield refused to respond.

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“Just, come with us and leave them to their fun.” Gunderson said a bit awkwardly, as he and Knowles led me away from the increasingly loud bickering going on between Bobbie and Sheffield.

“Do uh, they not get along or something?” I asked while looking in Gunderson’s direction.

“Eh, it’s more like they consider each other to be rivals. They bicker a lot, but it's never anything more than that.” He said while looking backwards himself.

“How can they be rivals? Isn’t she like, a rising star among supernaturals, or so you guys told me before.” I asked while looking between the two of them.

“In strength, Bobbie is without question the clear superior. That’s not even in question. They are rivals in the sense of how effective they are in dealing with monsters and other incursions.” Knowles helpfully explained.

“Huh, so Sheffield is comparable to Bobbie in dealing with monsters?” I surmised.

“No. That said he is quite adequate at his job.” Knowles said, maybe a little bit too quickly. Maybe he really was as fond of Bobbie as I'd heard, and therefore biased in his judgment.

“Sheffield, and other members of security usually take on the lower level threats, leaving the more difficult tasks to Bobbie and one day you.” Gunderson added. “If you weren’t around, Sheffield and his team would have probably been sent in to deal with this dungeon themselves, and Bobbie wouldn’t have been involved at all.”

“Huh, I didn’t realize how much work non-supernaturals did for the IDPA.” I said, mostly to myself.

“More and more each year.” Knowles added.

“Today though, they’ll just be handling our equipment and providing backup support in case it should be necessary.” Gunderson explained.

“Which it won’t be with myself, Gunderson, and especially Bobbie all accompanying you.” Knowles said somewhat bitterly. “Honestly, she’s right in that it is a severe waste of resources to spend on just one low-level dungeon. Utterly gross negligence.

“Is Bobbie right, that you guys are just here to show off?” I asked Gunderson a bit more quietly.

“Eh, somewhat.” Gunderson said with a shrug. “The office feels it's important to demonstrate the value we can provide, and to ensure your first dungeon is cleared in as safe and effective a manner as possible.”

“I can’t tell if you’re starting to sound like me or Matilda when you talk like that.” Knowles said while not even bothering to look in Gunderson’s direction.

“Pfft, save it Zachy boy. So, how are you and your friends doing, after everything that happened the other night.” Gunderson said changing the subject and sound much more serious.

“Oh, well Beth’s is more or less adjusting, save for a small tiny freak out at seeing a half-elf for the first time.” I explained. “Letitia though, I’m not sure, to be honest. She hasn’t come back to school since that night. I’m kinda worried about her.”

“Hmm, well if things don’t seem like they're improving, look into it. If you need help, feel free to call me anytime.” Gunderson offered.

“I will.” I replied.

“And you?” Gunderson asked.

“Me?” I said, feigning ignorance.

“Yeah, how are you doing? Are you holding up alright?” He asked softly.

“I… I’m fine.” I lied.

“Jenni.” Gunderson said simply.

“No really, I’m fine.” I insisted.

“She’s clearly not fine.” Knowles added, helpfully.

“Thank you Zach.” Gunderson replied with measured irritation.

“Jenni, you can talk with me. How are you feeling?” He insisted once more.

Letting out a tired sigh, I stopped walking alongside them, forcing them both to stop and turn around to look at me.

“How am I feeling? How do you think I’m feeling?” I told them coldly. “I’m constantly being put in dangerous life-threatening situations through no fault of my own, and it seems like that is only going to become more common and more dangerous as time goes on. So, again, how do you think I’m feeling.”

“Not good.” Gunderson offered.

“Irritable.” Knowles guessed.

“Sure, yeah, both of those.” I agreed, before stomping loudly between them and continuing on in the direction they were headed.

“I’m not stupid enough to assume I have a choice in this, so I won’t bother asking if I can just not do it and go home, but humor me and answer it anyways.” I asked with my emotions slowly starting well up inside me. “Do I really have to do this?”

“Let me answer.” Gunderson said to Knowles before he could say something. “Look, you’re right. Your situation sucks, but why do you think all IDPA exists, why do you think all these people came here. To support you, to have your back, to make things that much easier for you. If you want to go home right now, I won’t stop you. But sometime down the line, the Akashic Record won’t give you a choice, and at that time you likely won’t be prepared for what you’ll have to face. With that in mind, what do you want to do?”

I stopped my loud stomping, and started walking a bit slower allowing the two older men to catch up with me.

“Whatever option is least likely to get me killed.” I reasoned. “Which, assuming everything you’ve said is true, is going into this stupid dungeon and killing a bunch of stupid monsters.”

“It is.” Gunderson said.

“It is.” Knowles agreed.

“Fine then. Let’s just go.” I said while continuing to walk forward.

“You’re already here new girl.” Said the voice of Bobbie just ahead of us. “Welcome to your very first dungeon. I promise it’s an experience you’ll never forget.”

Bobbie, Sheffield, and his two other security team members were standing in front of an upraised mound of earth that looked like it led down into a larger cavern system underground.

“Is that it?” I asked while looking at the cave entrance they were standing in front of.

“It is. Here, take this pack of supplies, and leave your own here. Someone will look after it until you return.” Sheffield explained while handing me a large black backpack, laden with supplies.

“Uh, sure. Let me just get something out of it first.” I said pulling out the repulsor from its hiding place inside and buried at the bottom.

“Ah good, you brought it with you.” Gunderson said happily. “And your pistol?”

“Uh, no. It’s still in my room at home.” I said apologetically, but my mood changed to irritation at seeing Gunderson’s disapproving expression aimed at me. “Look, I wasn’t going to take a loaded pistol to school alright, sheesh.”

“Fine, fine. I’m sure Sheffield or someone else here can offer you a replacement to use in the meantime.” Gunderson said grumpily.

“Of course, here you are ma’am.” Sheffield said, detaching his own holstered sidearm and offering it and the holster to me.

“Oh, uh thanks.” I said awkwardly, while trying to strap the holster onto myself.

“Here, let me.” Bobbie offered. “So, you ready?”

“Do I have a choice?” I asked rhetorically. “Yes, I’m ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Then let’s go!” Bobbie shouted excitedly before jumping down into the entrance.

“Hurray…” Was all I could muster in response as I followed her down into the dark depths below.