"Quartermaster," I call out a bit quietly. "It's been a while since we last met, right? I think it was back in training."

"Yes, SME 3578," the mechanical voice replies. "Congrats on the SME promotion, even if it's a bit late."

"No problem, Quartermaster. I need some help today."

"What do you need?"

"Team Leader Willingford should have told you, but I'm going out on a field mission with her and need to check out some guns."

"Got the memo from her, SME 3578." The Quartermaster's voice stays even as robots come from the back of the room and give me a leather bag. Inside, there are two pistols with the MagicPerformax logo.

"Thanks. And Team Leader Willingford approved some special bullets, right? The anti-magic and anti-flame ones?"

"Yes, SME 3578. They're in the inner pocket of your bag." I peek inside and find the clips marked with our company's logo and the bullet types.

"Great. Thanks for your help, Quartermaster."

"Anytime, SME 3578 . Good luck with your mission with Team Leader Willingford."

Leaving the quartermaster's facility, I head back to the main work area with the firearms safely in my possession, pondering their use for the urgent task at hand. As I enter through the transparent doors, a familiar silhouette hovers near our workstations.

"TL!" I call out, and she pivots with a warm, welcoming grin.

"Ah, Vaughn! You were getting supplies, weren't you?"

"Yes," I respond, gesturing with the leather bag. "I still have to pick up some protective gear against magic, but—"

"We'll manage," Alliana cuts in smoothly, her attire casual except for the briefcase in her grip. As I recall, her expertise is in machinery and weapon enhancement, not the most sought-after path at MagicPerformax, yet she's among the select few in her specialty.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"There's time for a coffee, right?" Alliana suggests. "SME Lemi is covering for us." She nods toward a no-nonsense guy across the room who acknowledges us with a thumbs-up.

"Good to hear Lemi's on it. He's been swamped lately," I comment, and Alliana lets out a light laugh.

"He has a soft spot for me; he can't say no."

"Team Leader, come on," I exhale, half-exasperated, half-amused as she gives my shoulder a friendly tap.

"I'm teasing, Vaughn. Relax, okay? Let's get that coffee before we head out."

I hesitate, looking toward the busy section of the floor. "Is it okay with the higher-ups if we do that?"

"It's fine. We're in a high-priority situation, and I've explained we need to be at our best for top satisfaction scores. Plus, I refuse to face this ordeal without a cold brew – and I won't be seen looking worn out by the social media team."

"I guess you got a point, TL. And I could use some coffee myself."

"That's the spirit and it'll be my treat too so you better take it!"

Navigating the city's labyrinthine streets in the company vehicle, Alliana and I find ourselves threading through the business quarter. We pull up to a quaint café, distinguished by its old-fashioned charm amidst the glass-fronted skyscrapers—a rare find that offers a drive-thru service.

"Your usual, right?" Alliana confirms with a quick glance in my direction. I give a nod, and she relays our preferences to the order station. Moments later, a server emerges, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail, carrying our drinks on a modest tray.

"Thank you for your patience, Miss Alliana," the server greets, her smile a beacon of warmth. "Here are your cold brew and regular coffee, to-go."

"Much appreciated, Nessa," Alliana replies, eyes flickering to the server's name badge before savoring a sip of her chilled drink.

The serenity shatters as a thunderous blast reverberates, and the sight of crimson smoke billowing in the distance cuts through the tranquil scene.

"Team Leader Willingford," a voice crackles through the car's radio, urgent and clipped.

"The situation's escalated?" Alliana's response is swift, her composure undisturbed as she exchanges payment with Nessa.

"Affirmative. There's been an incident with the client's team, and we need an estimated time of arrival. The Crisis Action Team is prepared to—"

"No need to rouse the CAT just yet, Olivia. Ama will handle the preliminary assessment," Alliana interjects, a touch of irritation coloring her tone.

"Ama?" The abbreviation is unfamiliar, and my curiosity peaks.

Alliana retrieves a metallic thumb drive from her pocket, a fondness in her voice as she murmurs to it, "It’s been too long, old friend." With precision, she inserts it into a slot on the briefcase, which begins to glow with a soft emerald luminescence. The case transmutes before our eyes, its form shifting with mechanical grace into a humanoid figure reminiscent of a marionette.

"Advance Mechanical Automaton at your service," the newly formed android intones, its gaze glowing with a verdant hue, as if infusing the morning with a hint of magic and machinery interwoven. "How may I assist, Team Leader Willingford?"