Jackson and Ryan stood at the centre of the council chambers. Hooded figures, their identities concealed behind shadow as they looked down at the two soldiers.
They both wore black suits and white ties; Ryan couldn’t help but smile at the sight of an emotionless reptile who was heavily scarred wearing something so formal. He always pictured him always wearing his combat uniform.
One of the council members opened the file, their voice was distorted and sounded robotic so they could hide their identity. ‘We looked over the data slate that you both retrieved. However, it didn’t offer us much to determine the nature of this new threat.’
A different member spoke, ‘we know it is a new species and dangerous. They’re a threat to humanity and if we don’t take the necessary steps now. Our species will go extinct in a decade, or less if left unchallenged.’
‘But that’s not all,’ another chimed in. ‘They’ve breached this realm! No one, and nothing outside had achieved that feat for over 300 years. Even we are not safe from the horrific menace. That is where you two come in, you’ve fought and survived when you entered their realm. Looking at the reports you two submitted, we couldn’t tell if they let us enter their realm as some sort of scheme or to toy with us. Regardless, we need your input on the matter. Operator Abernu, do you have anything to say?’
‘Already stated everything in the report. New Legion needed.’
The council talked amongst themselves, trying to see if the emergence of a new Legion was necessary. ‘Agent Ryan, thoughts?’
He shrugged, ‘honestly, I don’t know. They are not like anything I’ve dealt with. We can kill them, but they are tough. They don’t seem to have any regard for their own life, no survival instincts at all. So, either they are overconfident, or it doesn’t matter if we kill them or not.’
The council talked to themselves once more; they conducted a vote but neither Jackson nor Ryan could understand or hear what the vote was about until one council member spoke to them once they’ve concluded. ‘It is decided that the threat we are facing requires the emergence of a new Legion. One specialised to fight against the monsters we have officially named the Costonirum. Agent Timothy Ryan, as of now Disposal Unit 511 has been disbanded and marked extinct. You will now oversee the development of the new Legion, its recruitment, research, structure, and management of this threat. Since there is nothing else to add, the meeting is adjourned. Jackson Abernu and Timothy Ryan. You two may leave the chambers until further notice.’
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The two men gave a bow before two armoured guards escorted them out.
Jackson made his way back to his unit until Ryan halted him. ‘So, that’s how meetings like these usually end? That was, well, way too quick for my liking.’
‘Yep,’ he bluntly replied.
‘I suppose you got your personality from them, or did they get it from you?’ Ryan teased. Jackson stared back at Ryan, not giving him anything to go off. Which in turn made him worried that he might kill him. ‘So, uh… got any plans?’
‘Yep.’
‘Well, that was helpful.’ Ryan sighed, but he couldn’t do it anymore. He couldn’t handle what he was feeling all of this time. ‘Tell me, how do you do it? How do you hide your fear?’
‘Pain,’ Jackson replied. ‘That isn’t what you're asking.’
‘What do you mean?’
The reptile looked around, not wanting anyone to hear him. ‘They scared me too; I didn’t hide my fear. I never do.’ Jackson walked off, not wanting to continue the conversation. But to Ryan, he felt Jackson wanted to make a point. That the creatures they’ve faced together are something they shouldn’t underestimate but instead prepare for the worst to come. A threat that is to them unbeatable, one where the responsibility to face the impossible is now weighing on the shoulders of a lone survivor of his unit.