The train came to a quick halt, and the doors opened to the new destination.

“They should be near the briefing room, that’s where I ordered them to be for now.” The two stepped out of the train. Outside, operatives donning blue cloaks roamed around with metal staffs in their hands bearing the symbol of an eye at the top.

Hannah and Callan quickly made their way through the station, entering the main room, the place was almost silent. A complete contrast to the A Division tower, the only noises Callan could hear were the hasty footsteps of operatives as they walked by.

The two made their way through the crowd, soon reaching a stairway heading up. Hannah looked unsure, as if she was forgetting something, but quickly shifted her focus back to the stairs.

“The briefing room is just up the stairs, afterwards you will begin your first mission with the team.” Hannah explained. They started walking up, moving past other operatives.

A short hallway lay in front of them, up ahead were a set of glass doors, but on the sides were rooms with different signs on them. Hannah continued walking forward, paying no attention to the other doors.

The glass doors slid open upon getting close to them. Inside was a large room, with rows of chairs placed in front of a large screen. The room was dark, and other operatives were already inside.

Most wore cloaks and held onto staffs, but a few wore different clothing, some wearing Callan’s uniform.

A man stood next to the screen, his cloak was purple and held a sword up like a stick, pointing at parts of the screen.

“Briefing began faster than expected, might have misread the memo.” Hannah spoke to herself. She motioned Callan to take a seat, and the two found a spot, awaiting what the man was about to say.

He cleared his throat, “This mission will be escorted by Arbitrators, and supported by a small detachment of G division operatives to secure the perimeter.” The screen shifted to a picture of a small spire into the ground, the light anchors. A machine meant to hold the L division staff, allowing them to extend the tree’s light farther out.

“One of the light anchors was critically damaged during one of the storm surges, breaking through the light that the anchor gave off somehow, this poses a great risk not only to the tower, but the wall and city behind us.” He placed his sword down. Looking straight at the operatives who were sitting down, listening attentively to him.

“Follow standard procedures, and don’t let the light fade from your staff, and none of you leave the light’s reach. Fix the light as soon as possible. Make haste as well, a few G division guards are currently in the dark in that fort, using artificial light.” With that, the screen turns to black and lights from above lit up the room.

Everyone stood up almost immediately and started leaving the room, Hannah looked at those who were leaving, grabbing the attention of a few from the crowd. Ones wearing the same uniform as Callan.

Four walked towards Hannah, two men and two other women, all donning similar outfits and similar weapons, but with a few more accessories.

“Well everyone, this is the new operative. He should fill the fifth position well.” Hannah briefly introduced Callan. They looked at him with a mix of expressions, from happy to indifference.

“Miss Hannah, did you forget to provide him with the identity scanner?” One of the operatives asked, his voice seemed older but was still clear.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Hannah’s eyes widened in shock as she began checking all of her pockets, pulling a small tablet from one of them before handing it to Callan.

“So that’s what I forgot earlier.” She exclaimed in relief.

“Greetings, the name’s Callan. I hope we can work together.” Callan spoke, afraid at the sight of the seemingly more experienced operatives.

“Clara.” One of the girls in the group reached out her gloved hand, taking a small bow while doing so. Callan quickly shook her hand in response. Her hair was messy, and her uniform was more unkempt or less maintained compared to the others.

"Oliver. Hope we can get along well." One of the men in the group extended his hand immediately after, on his face were a pair of glasses. The other two though remained distant, simply staring at Callan.

‘Seems like formalities aren’t enough for the other two. Probably need to prove myself, like the other guards back in that old district.’ Callan thought to himself, reminiscing on his old guard days.

Callan looked down at the tablet she gave him, showing a blank image and blank description page.

‘Huh cool.’ He looked down at the tablet, heavily interested in what it did. But after facing it in front of one of his teammates, he quickly realized what it can do.

A picture of the operative was displayed along with other bits of information to them, going away once the tablet isn't facing them anymore.

The rest of the operatives already left the room, preparing for their mission. Hannah checked her notes again before speaking.

“Remember to note down any casualties you find. Just the name and their division can suffice. Understood?” They nodded at her.

After talking, Hannah began leading the team away, Callan followed behind, still unsure of what was about to happen. But was still hopeful he could fight some mutants at last.

The group went outside, quickly making their way down the stairs to an elevator.

Inside, they awaited as it began moving down.

Once the doors opened, the smell of mud and petrichor filled the air. The team stepped out into a massive room with other operatives, in the middle of checking their gear and weapons. In front of them was a massive thick gate.

The floor was covered with a mixture of dried dirt and rainwater, quickly staining Callan’s boots. Looking around, he noticed dried blood staining the walls.

“Is that the exit?” Callan asked, looking at the gate.

“Yes, that’s the exit. Get used to it, you’ll see that a whole lot as an Arbitrator..” The man who spoke earlier replied. His response surprised Callan.

“Jeez Marco at least be nicer to the newbie.” Clara intervened, trying to defend Callan. But the man, Marco, simply returned to silence.

“I only hope we don’t sustain too many casualties this time.” The other woman spoke, her voice was silvery and already unsheathed her blade.

Callan took out his own sword, waiting for the mission to start, while holding his clipboard on the other hand.

A loud alarm suddenly blared out, and everyone turned to face the door. Some were startled while most were already prepared.

‘So this is gonna be the first time I go out of these walls…’ Callan thought. He felt a mixture of emotions, from joy and pride to uncertainty and fear. He clenched the sword tightly as the gate began to unlock.

Soon, it began to slowly open to the outside world, he could hear the loud rainfall and rush of cold air before it even fully opened.

‘I hope I can kill some more mutants…’