It was a cloudy afternoon, I was summoned to the Office of External Affairs where I would be briefed on my next assignment which I presume is the infamous SynthCo site we’ve been spying on for weeks now. The front of the building looks like a classic Axcalaani temple, with tall stone pillars and triangular stone roofs, but integrated with more modern architectural features.
I enter the front door where two guards are stationed, and quickly pass through the main hall and climb upstairs then head left for the offices. I arrive at the office and am greeted by two older men, one sitting on what I presume is the director’s chair and another standing next to him. They look quite relieved when they see me and quickly start explaining the situation.
[Agent Constantine, welcome to the office.]
“Reporting as ordered sir. I’ve heard there was some activity at the site, was more information uncovered?”
[Indeed, we’ve received reports of an increased amount of shipments to the site, with most of the wagons having sealed windows. On top of that, there seems to be more guards on the site.]
“Looks like they do not want anyone to see what they are transporting there, do you have any idea of what it might be?”
[Unfortunately not, but we presume it is some new weapon they are making, as we all know the war effort has stalled for some time now and no side is making any significant gains.]
“So they are trying to tip the scales with this stunt?”
[That is why we are sending you in there to find out. Travel arrangements have already been made.]
“Alright, when do I get off?”
[In an hour, you will take a train to Mhysa Faer where you will board a plane that will take you to the northern continent. From there you will take a car and drive to a village near the site. The rest is up to you.]
I leave the office and head to the courtyard. It started raining back when I was inside and the sky darkened. Time to spend an hour doing nothing then I’m off to the train station. I say that as I head to the mess hall, a comparatively small outdoors area with two tents. The first tent appears to be the kitchen while the second is the eating area. I’ve eaten nothing since the morning and am extremely hungry. It looks like today's meal is gyros, I better eat a lot since where I’m going they eat only potatoes and bones.
Time passed pretty quickly and by the time I finished my meal I had spent an hour or so. I quickly packed my things and got on the first tram to come that drove me to the train station. Yet another building done in the classical architectural style as most of the buildings in cities are. There awaited my train, which I then boarded.
The journey across the countryside was refreshing as always, going through dense forests only to then see large walled off farmlands with watchtowers and a few tractors scattered around, then the beautiful fields of golden wheat and the unending rows of vineyards. It was a long ride and I even got to see the sea, but we didn’t stop and were soon approaching Mhysa Faer.
It was only as I was getting off the train that I noticed the considerable lack of young males, it looks like the war is really taking its toll on the population, no wonder SynthCo is developing something. Although I’ve also heard that they can and have been reviving their soldiers, the information was unreliable so I dismissed it.
After taking another tram, I’ve reached the airport, a relatively newer building architecture wise, but still beautiful in its own way, with the towering terminals made out of reinforced concrete and very large, but secluded windows which are almost completely obscured by large concrete blocks when viewed from below. I am traveling on a commercial plane and taking economy class. My luggage will arrive via another, this time cargo, plane and will arrive there before me.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
The plane quickly took off and I am already halfway over the North Sea, after passing over the Free States of Axcalaan. Before the war, travel to different countries was very hard since we were in constant political conflict with the Awruka Security Council and the only power that traded with us had their president assassinated by a long extinct species. It makes our job easier to infiltrate so it is our win in the end.
I’ve finally arrived at the airport in Carthya, one of the largest cities in this region, now I need to find a car. Maybe someone at the hotel will know. The hotel I am staying at is a small 3 story building made of brownish bricks and with a lot of snow stacked on top and very large icicles forming on the bumps. I’ve never seen this much snow anywhere in Axcalaan so it’s very unusual.
“Hey, where can I find a rental car around here”, I asked at the reception of the hotel I am staying at tonight.
[There is a car dealer’s not far from here, if that is what you are looking for]
“Are there no rental cars around here?”
[No, we don’t get many tourists so it’s not a profitable business]
“Alright, thanks anyway”
I climb up to the 3rd floor, where my room is located, unlock the door, and leave my primary luggage there. I still have to pick up my secondary luggage and bring it here. I also have to dress in more layers than usual, since it’s -12°C outside.
I make a short stroll to the train station where another agent is located to hand me the luggage. I meet him and quickly leave so as to not draw attention. I get back to my hotel room and unpack. First I have to get my radio online to report back to HQ in Tre Aldor.
After reporting, I got further instructions. Money has been prepared for me to buy a car to drive to the village, around 2700 Lamina to be precise. And I’ve received a silenced kinetic round pistol. Although I prefer something more potent for an infiltration mission, this will suffice. Off to the car dealer’s now.
On my way to the dealer’s, I notice that there are no high rise buildings and that the streets are much more compact than in other places I’ve been to. The buildings also look hotter somehow with their visible bricks and reddish hues from fires all around. Streets are made out of cobblestone and I can often see fire pits and people around them.
The car dealer’s clearly stands out architecture wise with most of the walls being glass and having a lot of cars visible inside while none on the outside. I enter and am greeted by literal steam coming out of the AC at the door.
[Hello, can I help you?], said the seller.
“Yes, can I see the car selection you have?”
[Sure thing, here you go]
After quickly browsing, I chose a silver SUV with extended fuel tanks that costs just 2342 Lamina with refills. The rest of the money along with my starting one I will use up buying other expenses. I still have to register this car and before that get a driving license, but I already have prepared documents for that.
----------------------------------------
I left the station with all the paperwork done. It’s my third day here and I finally have a car in this country. I am posing as Alexander Ioannou, a 27 year old migrant looking for a better life here. Little do they know, I have no intention of staying here more than needed.
I was thinking about how better Axcalaan is than this polar desert while I was heading for my car. I’ve already packed everything up and just need to get inside. I still wonder how they can get the engine to work at this low temperature, but I should leave that thinking for the smartasses over at the R&D.
In the end, it took me 3 hours to drive through the barren landscape to get to the village which is also surrounded by a wall, although not as grandiose as those around Tre Aldor, they still protect them from the wild. I heard they have giant wolves with supernatural abilities here, so they really need to protect every single village.
Anyway, I reached my destination, time to report again and find my way into the compound.