The next challenge, as it would turn out, was already ready and waiting for Zan.

He heard a ping in his ear.

“Zan. It is I, Screen Master Simulacrum. We are potentially close to answering why the Backroads behaved as they did during your first outing. Please do not wander far away from the command center in case we discover why sooner than expected.”

What a mistake: the next challenge wasn’t ready just yet.

Speaking plainly, Zan said, “Sounds good. I won’t wander too far. I will be in the area soon, tonight and tomorrow, I think, searching the place for those lodestone things you told me about.”

“A good plan. Thank you, Zan, for picking up this call. Jiehong makes it a habit to ignore many of my calls to his earpiece,” Simulacrum said.

“Oh? Why would he do that?” Zan asked.

“I do not know. He resists my attempts to encourage him to speak on the matter. Perhaps you could talk to him? As friends, he might listen to you.”

“I will do that as soon as I see him again. No worries,” Zan said. The ‘call,’ as the Screen Master had called their conversation, ended soon after.

Seeing Jiehong in the distance, at the end of the street, and walking directly to him, Zan suddenly realized he was near the front gates. Good, he thought. I can understand why Jiehong doesn’t pick up when the Screen Master issues his verbal summons.

“Ready to head back?” Jiehong asked.

“Sure. Let’s get going. Considering the sun’s falling, we shouldn’t have an issue on the road,” Zan said, referring to the automotrons.

Leaving the town, Zan jumped right into the issue.

“I was chatting with the Screen Master just before we left town. He said we should expect to resume typical activity soon,” Zan said.

“Oh, good. I wish I knew what typical activity meant, though,” Jiehong said.

“What do you mean? It is about the war. Missions opposing the invasion, and all that? Or do you mean something else?”

“I guess something else, but nothing is coming to mind. Like… there is no history. What have other Ranger-Knight orders done? What are we going to do?”

Jiehong made a good point. To Zan, the moment’s victory was one in the same with what the order would be in the future — an anti-Expanse initiative.

Explaining to Jiehong his vision, his friend said, “I guess that is well enough. I want more definition, though. More substance.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Zan replied, “Understandable! I am sure the Screen Master has information on the other orders before us. We just have to wait until those memory ‘things’ are repaired. I know it will be a wait, but it isn’t like we don’t have stuff to keep us busy.”

With the topic having reached its height, Zan thought it best to change the subject and wading into the communication issue. He asked of his buddy, “Hey. Tell me something. Why don’t you answer the Screen Master’s summons? His ‘calls’?”

Jiehong did not give an answer right away. Zan knew it was a tense moment.

Filling the silence, Zan said, “I’m not angry or nothing. As a team, we need to be in constant communication. Especially with our support staff, right?”

Responding, Jiehong said, “I guess I don’t see the point.” There was bitterness in his voice. Continuing, he said, “You’re at the head of everything. Why should I even matter?”

Stopping dead in his tracks, Zan looked directly into Jiehong’s eyes. He said, deadpan, “Jie! You are just as much part of this team as me. I’m not gonna to lie, buddy. I am getting pretty tired of this sob-act. I get it! You’re upset you didn’t get to be the leader. Tough shit! I’m leading us to the best of our abilities. It isn’t my fault you don’t help me lead; it isn’t my fault you took to complaining from the backseat the whole time instead of seizing the initiative. What do you want from me?”

Zan had never talked to Jiehong like that before. When this issue began earlier, he had some tough words, yes, but not ‘tough’ like how Zan currently handled his friend.

“It’s not that, Zan,” Jiehong said.

“Then what is it? Clearly, some issue has come between us. What changed?”

Jiehong threw his hands up, helpless. He said, “My parents. I really don’t want to get into it right now. I still don’t know how everything is and how to respond.”

“Maybe I can help?” Zan asked, curious to see if his best and only friend would let him inside to help.

“Not now…” Jiehong said, at first, and to Zan’s disappointment. Saving it, Jiehong said, “But maybe in the future? When I have some breathing room?”

“Okay. That’s fine. I just need to know we are good. Or will be good.”

“We’re fine… really. I will answer the Screen Master’s calls. And make more of an effort to help you. On the rest of it, though, we’ll have to be patient.”

“I’m fine with patient. Thank you, Jiehong,” Zan said.

“You’re welcome…”

Conversation was a little awkward thereafter. Silences more than talk, but as always, when it came to the deeply personal, some time for inner reflection after the serious words were best.

Nearly back to the command center, its ‘electronic’ torches blaring in the distance, Zan said, “What did you do all day in town?”

“Oh, lordy. It was so boring. I was just talking with an old woman all day. I thought her daughter would stay and help keep me company, but she left nearly once my foot was in the door,” Jiehong replied.

“That’s funny,” Zan said, giggling politely. “Why would you think that, bro? She made it pretty clear, I think, she needed someone to watch her family member. Why would you think she would stay when she was the one doing the foraging?”

“Honestly? I have no clue, no idea. I saw a pretty girl and my brain stopped working.” Jiehong laughed.

“Sounds like you, Jie! You figure you would have learned by now!”

“Well… faces get the same when the only pool of girls you see day after day are the same ones you grew up with. A new girl? Parts of my body came awake, buddy. Let’s just say that!”

Zan burst out laughing. “So gross! That why you got the hots for Whiskey?”

“That AND she is an incredible woman who clearly has immense potential!”

Continuing to laugh all the way to the impromptu village, neither of the boys talked about anything noteworthy, either about themselves or their futures, let alone the command center. Talk, instead, reduced down to the teenage topics which so enthused generations of youth. Girls, bodily pleasures, and who one would like to share a bed with someday.