Time is 7:30. Phone ringing.

Ring

Ring

Ring

A hand reaches for the phone and answers the caller, putting it next to her left ear. Yes, she says. Luna was still feeling sleepy as she sat up. She made humming noises as she adjusted. Her mind and eyes were not at full capacity, as of yet.

Upon listening to the caller, it was then that she realized who the caller was.

"Boss!" She exclaimed. She stood up, and suddenly bumped her head.

"Och, damn you!"

Caller: What was that?!

"Nothing sir will be right there!" Luna said acutely.

Caller: I expect no lateness.

"Yes we won't be late, promise sir," Luna said lastly and the phone died.

Ssssshhhhh — Luna hushed.

"Where is Alice at? Need to wake her up."

Luna found Alice sleeping on the couch in the living room when she came out of her room. Why was Alice sleeping on the couch? Apparently, it was the night before, and the two friends — Alice and Luna — were walking from the restaurant to the apartment. The two were drunk (mostly Alice) but they made to the apartment — safe and sound. Since Luna couldn't move Alice anymore, it was enough to put up with it, and so, Alice was lied on the couch for the rest of the night. It was then that she proceeded for her room. Tired and exhausted.

"Hey Alice, wake up!" Luna tapped Alice's shoulder in an attempt at waking her.

"J-just...ghibe me t-ten, miutes," Alice mumbled.

"She won't be woken up that easily..." Luna then thought of an idea. "I've got it," she flicked her fingers.

She went into the kitchen and then came back with a bowl full of water (and you might know where this is going).

SPLASH! — she directly poured the water on top of Alice who was sleeping quietly. Eventually, she was woken from the cold shivering nature of the liquid.

"HAAAAA!" Alice freaked out.

"W-what happened — wait," Alice looked around and saw Luna standing just close to the couch.

"Sorry about this Alice, but we have to get ready," she handed Alice a towel. "Get washed up and quickly; our boss wants us to be at the station ASAP. Word has it, he might have what you've been waiting for," She then went her separate way to get ready as well.

Alice stood up and went into the bathroom. She wiped her face and looked at herself in the mirror. The casual outfit she wore felt a bit rumpled; the blue jeans are still stylish, but the white undershirt shows a small stain from the night before. The light jacket hangs loosely on her shoulders, and she moves slowly, still shaking off the remnants of the night. Her face and hair are in a messy state.

'Let's do this already.'

Racking the washing curtains to the side, she stepped in and slides it back as she turned on the shower nob. Pssshhhh — the sound of water spraying. She took the shower right at the get-go and didn't care much about the water, even if it was cold, or that she was changing — taking off her clothes and all — while she bathed (her shape seen through the curtains with shuttle details).

Fifteenth minutes later — and she is out of the bathroom, partially naked, her body wrapped of a warm and cotton towel. When she got to her room, Luna came in and told her to hurry up. "Alice, hurry up!" She spoke.

Looking around, and in her wardrobe, she picked whatever fits. She chose the same outfit just like the one the night before. It was the same but put in different colors. A tad saturated. On the other hand, Luna wore something casual as well, but her dress looked more formal and a slice of royalty.

After selecting what fit and what didn't, she stepped out of her doorway and closed the door.

"Okay I'm done," Alice said.

"Good. Let's be off," Luna took one look at Alice and gave the okay nod. She'll do good for now. It's not like they were going for a party - not like they had experienced that already.

Tchouuutttt - both doors of the van, shut in unison; the sound of engine roars - bbbrrrrrhhh; and - vvvrrrmmm - goes the van, picking up on the road.

"So, tell me, why did I get wet....and why WAS it so urgent that I had to be woken up SO....early," Alice lightly complained as she rested her head on the headrest.

Luna explains to Alice (viewed from the outside of the van's front windscreen).

"Well...." she emphasized, "Our boss has something that you and I will be interested in."

"....and he said this.... Special gig...is important," Alice judged.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"We'll see when we get there," Luna said with certainty in mind, for sure she was right. Or was she wrong.

Alice didn't mind much and had this weak feeling like she didn't want to dive deep enough into the matter to find out herself, but just hung around the corner to see what goes around - what'll happen if the matter presents itself - and act with an ounce of purpose.

Luna could see it in her eyes. Her determination. It was clear as day but lacked due to the many tasks given to that never got the recognition. Those that she trusted betrayed her.

The van arrived at the destination. They entered the front door. Luna took charge. "Just let me handle the talking, okay," she said.

"Yeah, sure," Alice kindly obliged.

The walking went on for some time as they advanced through parts of the station - or really wasn't a station. More properly suited like a building.

The first floor was fairly empty and had nothing much taking place as all the activities was done upstairs (upper levels). However, they did come across a security guard who always sat the same exact spot. A U-shaped reception counter. Made of a solid based material, it stood out from the white background, giving a striking refined and polished black surface.

The security guard's name is Bob and he's a middle-aged man who has been working for the last 20 years on the job. He likes his job and doesn't plan on quitting anytime soon.

"Hey Bob," Luna waved and gestured.

"Oh, hey girls," he returned the gesture and knew something was up. "You guys seem to be up. Might I guess, you guys are finally gettin it."

"No Bob," she said sadly while still wearing a smile as she passed him, "Same old, same old."

" Oh, okay. Well, if you guys do get it, tell me sometimes," he jokingly and courageously said.

"Will do," Luna replied.

As they walked the girls were headed to the fifth floor — the girls chose the elevator. No stairs. They needed to be quick; their boss demanded that they not be late. Hopefully, they'll make it on time.

"You're exactly two minutes late," the boss said timing the exact moment on entry into his office. "......but really, I don't have much time to waste....so I'll just cut to the chase."

He added, "Our staff and manpower are running low, but since you two are free, as always, but not yet promoted, we've decided to let it slide and have you two work on our works," he sides eyed and head nodded to his associate,".... other works."

The girls were confused. What other works?!

"Basically, what he is saying is that you two we'll be assigned to represent the news channel in one of our upcoming projects, a report session if you will," the female associate said.

"Although, like many other places you may know off, this place is different and won't be here," she handed them a piece of paper containing a detailed image, "It'll be here."

"Keiltanneth," the boss said, bending over and pressing his hands on the table. "That is where you'll be going," he recurringly pointed three times at the image.

"Uhh —" Luna was cut off.

"Keiltanneth is a country to the east. To the Pacific," the female associate said. "The country is well known for their exports mainly in crude oil, organic minerals, metal ores, chemicals, and other sorts. But what makes the country special is their ability to produce genuine products that are just high standards compared other countries, like hell, I feel even feel sorry for ourselves - better than first world nations even if they are a developing country."

As the female associate explained, it was Alice who heard everything on the side. Report Session, now this I gotta see.

"So, what you're saying is this Country......What exactly is the report session about?" Luna said.

"Here," the female associate gave them another detailed image, "This is the province of iillata located on the north-eastern side of the country of Keiltanneth. There lies a very old mine that is about to be reopened for the first time in over 2 years since the pandemic. Your mission is to be the first to report. News stations will get the same treatment, but it is us who were given the first, so I expect full corporation. This a big gig, not just us, but for everyone."

"That goes for you too Alice," the boss man said shifting his head. "I know we haven't given you guys are proper gig, and not many, during these hard times. Make good use of this opportunity. Now go."

"I have already informed the staff below. anything you need, they'll supply you guys with."

The girls then exited the room and made their way to a clear space.

"What just happened?" Luna asked bewildered.

"I think we just got promoted," Alice replied.

They looked each other in the eyes.

"We got promoted!" they said in unison and jumped up and down in excitement.

"I-I-I-I can't believe this, is this real!" Luna said.

"I don't know myself, is it," Alice said as well. Alice who had been upset and grumpy the whole day seemed to flourish suddenly. Because of the promotion, the darkness in her heart seemed to fade instantly. She now had something to look forward to. Something that her superiors wanted, for themselves, to achieve.

"Come one, let's go tell Bob," Alice gladly said.

"Wait - I thought you hated Bob," Luna curiously asked. She knew Alice didn't like to talk to people she felt bad mouthing.

"Yeah, I know. But come on, I know you want to blast the news in front of his face," Alice reasoned with Luna, telling her that she too would like to do it. And she did. She did want to show off, just a little bit.

They then descended down to the first floor. They took the stairs. They weren't in a hurry - so it was all good. When they came out, they saw that Bob was quietly sitting on a stool and munching on a cracker while he read his favorite magazine, undisturbed. The girls saw this as an opportunity and sneaked behind him like two turtles crawling on a sandy beach. It was then after reaching the end, did they initialize the surprise plan.

BOOOOO!

"AHHH!" Bob the security guard screamed.

"Kkkkkkkahahahaha!" both of the girls laughed.

"Man, that almost gave me a heart attack," Bob said, coughing once or twice. "What on earth are you on about scarin me like that!? Come on, tell me."

"Well, guess who got the job," Alice said.

"I think not you," Bob said boldly.

"HEY!" Alice angrily said.

"So, what do you think bob?" Luna dismissed Alice's lossy attitude and asked Bob on what he thinks.

"Well, I won't know if you don't me."

Luna then told him about the country and what their occupation will be. He was a bit shocked at first. He didn't expect something so mind boggling. To him, he saw Alice and Luna to be just some newbies still working their way up the corporate ladder.

"So, you know anything about this country, if might ask," Luna asked in advance.

"I'm not so sure about that," he calmed said while scratching his head, "I've heard little about this country and rumors are just about the everyday things that come in."

"What do the rumors say?"

"Something about the country being loosely ancient and many dark secrets.... but that's just coming from an old man like me. Forget about it. I hope you girls succeed."

Ancient Secrets, huh?

After talking to Bob, the two girls left and went to the garage where they'll go meet with the staff that will help on their preparation. It was unsure as to why, but Luna had a feeling so strange that she wanted to look into the country's history. The way bob said made her intrigued. Alice kind of felt it too, although she didn't know how to put it. All she wanted to do was to prove her point. And if possible, if the country did have something undiscovered to discover and expose, she'll do anything in her might to pull off such a stunt and reveal it to the whole world.