A trilling, metallic ring sounded from outside.

Morning light came in from the window, letting me know how long I had been out. It was still the afternoon when I went to sleep. I expected to be groggy from the long sleep, but I felt immensely better from the day before. I felt as if a fog had been lifted from my head and a weight from my body.

I heard a distinct call of a person hollering from outside, but I struggled to make it out. I thought it would be best to see what the noise was about. Ignoring it and discovering it was a monster attack wouldn't be good. I put on a pair of the new clothes I received and shoved my boots on my feet, quickly tying them.

I stood up and prepared to walk out the door but paused just before I stepped out. I felt like something was missing. I flexed my hand and realized what it was. My spear was gone. Realizing that I really hoped it wasn't a monster attack because I didn't have a way to defend myself. I would have to ask about getting a weapon.

A couple other people were leaving their rooms at the same time as me, and we all exited. The others didn't seem to be in a panic, and they also didn't think anything was wrong with the ringing. When the door opened to the outside, it coincided with another holler from whoever had been doing it.

"All hands! Morning meeting! All hands!" yelled a man on the porch of the HQ. He was yelling and ringing a large metal triangle, twirling his arm like a madman, and hitting every side with a manic glee.

The morning air was cool. With the sun still low in the sky, almost the entire camp was still swathed in shade. The only unshaded area was in the center, and it was the direction everyone was walking. The air had a slight sour tinge that I recognized as coming from the latrine behind the sleeping cabins. I realized that I needed to take care of my morning necessities, and the added pressure caused me to forget the stink.

Everyone was walking toward the center of the compound – apparently, that was the known meeting location. I followed their lead and occasionally caught glimpses of Bill through the shuffling crowd. The crowd wasn't too huge, especially since I just came from Crescent City, but it was about five times the number of people who showed up the day prior.

Bill was standing in the space everyone was heading with his hands in his pocket, and the brim of his hat pulled low. Everyone gathered close, and as the ringing stopped, Bill spoke up.

"As most of you know, our mission here is to clear out monsters in advance for the railways to send in the construction crews to build a new line. In that regard, I have some good and bad news for everyone here. The good news is that your jobs are secure, and if all goes well, everyone's compatibility is going to rise. The bad news is that you're really gonna have to earn your keep.

"Yesterday, we had runners report from the advanced team. They're reporting on massive bovine mutations in the valley we need to clear. The team leaders and myself are still formulating our plan, but it looks like, based on the numbers, we're all going to be heading out within the next day or two, and it will be a long trip. So, enjoy your downtime now and make sure you have everything ready to go at a moment's notice. If ya'll have any questions, direct them to your team leader, and they'll address them to me. That's all."

Everyone started to disperse, apparently used to how Bill did things. Unfortunately for me, I didn't have a team leader. I looked around for any idea of who to go to. I was about to go to Bill, but he was already heading toward the HQ building. I was about to push through the people still in my way, but I noticed Angus a short distance away.

"Angus," I called out to him. "Excuse me, Angus!" I called again when he didn't respond.

Angus heard me the second time and stopped walking to jerk his head in my direction. He waited as I walked up to him.

"What do you need, son? How ya feeling?"

"I'm feeling much better, thank you."

"Great, so what can I do for you."

"I wasn't sure who to turn to with questions. I wasn't assigned a team leader."

"Anne didn't give you one?" I shook my head. "Damn, that girl."

"Also," I spoke before he could say anything else. "Also, I'm not sure that I made the right decision now. I appreciate all the help, but a long and dangerous mission isn't something I had in mind. I do have somewhere I need to be." I didn't know how high Angus was in the hierarchy, but I knew he wielded some power. I sensed that he was going to shunt me off to another person, and I hoped that elevating my needs would force him to personally deal with me instead.

Angus sunk his head for a moment, then nodded to himself. "Meet me in front of the HQ in an hour, and I'll see what I can do. I have a few things to do right now." I thanked him, and we parted. Meeting him in an hour was better for me, so I could take care of my needs and get some food as well.

The latrines were situated behind the bunkhouses. They were toilet and basin combinations. There wasn't running water, but there was a large underground water source and a hand pump in the back. I grabbed a bucket from a pile outside and filled one up.

I brought the water inside and poured some into the basin to wash my face and hair. I had gotten a large, multi-purpose brick of soap from Anne and used it liberally. I used the rest of the water to wash the toilet out after I was done with it.

I took a moment to look in the mirror. I had sporadic hair coming in all over my chin and cheeks; it was much more than I had been used to. I thought my goggles hid my youth well, but despite growing some thicker facial hair, its thinness still betrayed my age.

I took a moment to focus on what I wanted to do. I thought doing a little work for this company since they helped save me was a good thing. Now, they were all going to some random valley to fight mutated bovines. I needed to get back to the capital and finish my mission. If only Arthur hadn't kicked me off the train.

I suddenly had a flashback of flying off the train. My heart rate increased, and the cold pump water didn't help to cool me. I gripped the side of the basin tightly.

What would I do if I ran into Arthur?

I didn't have the skill or the power to be able to confront him. He had tried to murder me but failed. I wondered if I could just go to the guards in the capital and tell them. If I did that, I would surely have to give them my name. They might be able to make the connection between me, my father, and my mother.

Arthur was also some sort of war hero and a noble. Nothing would probably even happen if I did accuse him of my attempted murder. I couldn't let him get away with that, though. I needed to get back at him for that. Unfortunately, there was no way I could do that at my current compatibility and cultivation levels.

I have to get stronger. I can do that in the valley fighting De mutated bovines.

I suddenly had a brand-new mission. It was a multi-faceted mission to get stronger, find Arthur, and make him shit his pants in fear for his life. With that, I changed my plan from leaving quickly to staying and getting stronger.

I finished up in the latrine and still had time to get some breakfast in the Mess. The hall was much louder that time, and I barely found a place to sit and eat. Someone finished their own meal and got up just in time for me to secure it.

After eating, I headed to the HQ. I was standing in front of the sign contemplating its meaning when Angus walked around the side of the building.

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"I wouldn't worry too much about that sign," he said. "It's mighty misleading."

"How so?"

"It isn't stating that this place is a bad decision or that people make bad decisions while here; no, it's more that people's bad decisions are what got them here. This is their last chance to make some decent money and get a better foothold in their life."

"Wouldn't something like Fort Last Chance be better, then?"

"I suppose it would," he sighed, "but I didn't name it, and I ain't changin' it." He chortled as if he had said something incredibly funny. "Well, so you're not too fond of going out with all of us, you said."

"Well, I gave it some thought," I said, shuffling my feet. I was still nervous about my decision. "I decided that I'd like to stay and participate in the mission." Angus stared at me, fidgeting for a moment while formulating his answer.

"That's a big switch. What changed your mind?" He seemed skeptical. His eyes searched my face. "I know that your tough, son; I mentioned that yesterday, but it shouldn't be too hard to get you on the skeleton crew to stay here.

I made sure to stand tall while he queried my change of heart. I wasn't completely convinced myself, but I was confident enough to stick to my decision.

"I had somewhere I was trying to be, which is why I wasn't too keen on the mission. But after thinking about it, I need to get stronger first. I think this will be my best chance.

"I'm going to be straight with you," he said seriously. "This ain't no place for someone who isn't on their last rope. Especially once you go out that gate. You get my meaning?"

"Yes, but –"

"Most people here don't have much of a choice. Orbs, if I'd known what was going to happen, I wouldn't have recommended you stay here. It's dangerous enough without where we're going."

"Still, it's something I want to do."

"I can get you an easy job. You can stay here 'til you work off your debt, then you can go."

"Debt?"

"Sure…You didn't think all this was free, did you?" The older man ran his hands through his gray-speckled hair. "It was in the contract you signed." My eyes widened in rage at the thought of being duped by hidden clauses in the contract. Angus noticed my anger. "It was right there, and it isn't too bad of a deal. The company ain't one of those that try to keep people under their thumb."

I would have to go back and reread the contract. I hoped I would have learned from the last time, but apparently not.

"Angus," I began with difficulty and suppressing my anger. "I don't know anything about how the business is run, and I will be sure to recheck the contract. However, my current desire is to go. I believe it is what I need right now."

Angus sighed once he noticed that I wasn't going to budge.

"Alright, let's find you a team to be on."

"Before that," I said. "Is it possible to get a weapon?"

"Weapon?" Angus scratched his chin. "Dang it. Most bring their own. I think there's something in the storehouse. It'll go on your debt ledger, though!" He held his finger up in warning at me.

Angus led me around the back of the building, just as Anne had the other day. He opened the same exact room where I got my supplies. The night prior, we didn't go too deep, though; he walked inside and started rummaging through and between large boxes piled in the corner.

"Ah, ha!" he exclaimed.

He turned and was holding a crossbow, a small quiver of bolts.

"A crossbow? What am I supposed to do with that?"

"You needed a weapon, and this is all I got. Besides, it'll be perfect for your class. Scouts should keep their distance."

Of course, it's all you have!

Crossbows were primarily used by guards in the city. They were great at keeping the peace as long as people weren't in Symbiotic Mode. They were practically useless against a person in robotic armor or the majority of De mutations. The small size didn't allow the draw weight to be significant enough to damage anything but the smallest monsters. Also, their ranges weren't as good as regular bows, so standoff distance was difficult.

I grabbed the weapon as it was my only choice.

"I don't even know how to use this thing," I commented to myself aloud.

"Ah, there ain't nothing to it." Angus ushered me out of the supply room and locked the door behind him. "You can practice right over here. Just shoot at the wall. No one cares."

I looked down at the crossbow at a complete loss of what to do first. Angus saw my confusion and showed me what to do. What I thought was a handle for carrying was instead a stirrup to place my foot in so I could pull the cord back. I had to latch the cord on a small protruding slab of metal. I didn't think I would have trouble pulling it back, but I was wrong. I managed to do it without switching modes, but it was due to my cultivation that I accomplished it.

"The bow is made to be armed by those in Symbiotic Mode," Angus instructed. He didn't know what the material was made from; he just said it was some type of composite material to make it extra strong.

"Will it kill a De monster?" I asked.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. Maybe, with a well-placed shot, it should be able to take down most of 'em. Definitely the smaller ones, but I wouldn't take any chances. The crossbow itself is strong, but the bolts ain't as tough."

Angus showed me how to hold it with the wider end pushed into my shoulder. Unfortunately, that was as much as he knew other than loading the arrow and pulling the trigger.

I lifted the crossbow and pointed it toward the wooden wall. It was about twenty meters away. I slowly pulled the trigger, which creaked slightly and increased in pressure as it was depressed.

A sharp twang erupted in the air as the string snapped forward. The bow kicked backward into my shoulder, causing me to blink in surprise. By the time my blink was complete, the bolt was embedded into the wall. Angus and I went to check it out. I moved to pull it out, but Angus stopped me.

"Leave it in there for now. Shoot a couple more first to see if you can hit the same spot. That will help you learn how to aim better."

I thought it was good advice, so I did just that. I put the crossbow back down, put my foot through the stirrup, then pulled the string until it clicked into place. Afterward, I lifted it up, and while I braced the buttstock on my knee for support, I grabbed another bolt from the quiver, inserted it into the groove as Angus instructed and finally lifted it to a firing position.

"That sure takes a long time to set up," I commented.

"Well, it's a good thing you're learning to shoot right. You might not get too many shots when it really matters."

I thought about his comment. Not the part about learning to shoot right, but about not getting too many shots when it mattered. I needed to practice shooting in Symbiotic Mode when my goggles would help me target. With my spear, the DTA program highlighted areas on monsters that were weak spots, but it also highlighted them when I had the ability to hit them. It also lets me know where to move and what to do to help with my fight.

I wondered if it would help with aiming. I didn't feel like showing Angus or anyone else my full capabilities at the moment, but it wasn't needed. Even if my robot would help me target, it was still good to be proficient and accustomed to it before that time.

I aimed at the same spot as last time. At least, that was what I thought I was doing. The crossbow had nothing to ensure I was pointing at the same thing, and I couldn't remember exactly where it was aimed. I focused on the bolt protruding from the wall and pulled the trigger.

The bolt was a good foot higher and six inches to the right.

"You ever shoot a bow before?" Angus asked. I shook my head in the negative. "Your breathing plays a large part in it. Make sure you expel all the air from your lungs before you shoot."

"Anything else?"

"You pulled the trigger pretty hard. It looked like the crossbow jerked just before it went off. You'll have to be smoother doing it."

I practiced a few more shots using the advice from Angus. Although, I didn't get much better. I figured if I kept practicing, it would get easier, just like everything else did. Once I had some time to practice within Symbiotic Mode, I would find out how functional the crossbow actually was for me. Regardless of my actual skill, I felt more comfortable, and I decided to take a break. I retrieved the arrows and headed to Angus, who was standing off to the side.

"I hope you can spot things better than you can aim," he chuckled. "Scouts are usually good with ranged weapons since fighting isn't their job."

"I'll practice a little more before we leave."

"Well then, if you're still planning on staying, we should find you a team," Angus said with a raised eyebrow. If he thought I would be dissuaded, he was wrong.

"Lead the way."

We headed back to the front of the building and into the HQ.

We didn't go far, just to the same desk as the day before. Anne wasn't sitting there, and neither was anyone else. Angus went to the other side and pulled out a thick book that he dropped on the table with a thud. He opened it more than halfway, and I saw numerous notes filling the page. Angus flipped through another handful of pages, stopping when he made it to one that was only half filled.

He read through it, his finger moving along the writing as he did.

"Hmm, that's rare," he commented.

"What's that?"

"It looks like we have an even number of people through all the teams." I gave Angus a questioning look so he would let me know what that meant. "If someone had an open spot, I would put you there. In this case, company policy is that the team leaders will have to choose you. That's bad for you. It means you'll need to find a good team and convince the leader to add you to their roster."

"Which team is good?"

"We have a few good teams, but based on you being a scout and your current weapon. I'll recommend these three teams."

Angus showed me the names of the team leaders and the places they usually were. It was easy due to the confined space of the fort.

"Is there any team I should go to first?"

Angus closed the ledger with the teams and dropped it back on the desk.

"Talk to Wilson's team first. He's the best of the lot, and his team is well-trained. They've been here the longest. But keep in mind, they'll be the hardest to get into. They're a tight-knit group."

I thanked Angus, then walked slowly out of the HQ and back into the blazing sun.