Thirteen men of various backgrounds and appearances filed into the tent and formed a loose circle around their new commander. Aidan stood up as they arrived and exchanged a polite nod with each one. They were a motley crew dressed in their full battle rattle with their weapons stowed in their inventories. With the assistance of Astra, Aidan checked their classes and found many of the same classes represented in his own team. He even learned of other trooper variants like the scout trooper, hazard trooper, and trooper inquisitor. The last variant interested the envoy the most, and he resolved to speak to the man later.
Their equipment was just as varied as their classes. Some wore light plate carriers and light combat boots, while others had begun modifying their gear to include gray metal plates for more protection and crudely crafted heavy gauntlets and boots. Aidan mused that they were trying to adjust their equipment to level the skills associated with that item category. The self-made items indicated that the engineers in the camp were devoting very little time to outfitting their protectors. Instead, they were likely focused on engrams and schematics they received from the Codex. It was a lapse that Aidan was sure to change.
When Guzman walked through the crowd and took his place next to Weir, Aidan was ready to address the troops.
“Where’s Agerwal?” The envoy’s friend questioned.
“Trying to find his new girlfriend,” Aidan smirked.
Guzman rolled his eyes but decided it was better not to ask.
“Thanks for coming.” Aidan began as he noted the faces around him. “As I’m sure you’ve all been informed, I’ve been appointed the Acting Commander of Camp Plymouth.”
“Only Acting?” one of the assembled leaders asked.
Aidan nodded. “It will take time for our political leaders to get through the red tape and draft whatever documents are needed to make the change official. However, we don’t have the time to wait.”
Aidan gestured to the assembled men. “I’ve brought you here because the camp is in crisis. I don’t need to tell you that our operations within the System have been poorly managed by a scientific class with no practical knowledge of our mission here.”
There was a chorus of agreement, but Aidan wasn’t finished.
“But that’s not why I’m the new leader. We’re all professionals and have had to deal with poor leadership before. That alone isn’t enough for a change at the top. Instead, my team has discovered a spy in the camp.”
After the commander’s bombshell, it was quiet enough to hear a pen drop. Aidan could feel the unease and suspicion starting to emanate from the assembled leaders. He was relieved to feel a lack of fear or shock coming from them. The spy might have numbered among the combat leaders if he had detected fear or shock. That would’ve potentially derailed his entire plan. At the very least, it would’ve made things more difficult.
Psionics increased to level 22! You have earned 110 experience.
“Earlier today, we stumbled upon a Progenitor listening station near the gnome settlement of Stalkmitzil. It had collected and cataloged communication signals coming from the camp despite our supposed lack of communication equipment.”
A dark-haired man with a beard crossed his arms and spoke first. “That brings up a whole host of questions, Commander. How did they get the equipment? Was it from this side of the System or our own world? Who are they communicating with?”
Aidan nodded his head at the series of questions. “I can’t speak to how this happened, but I can tell you that the spy, whoever they are, have communicated with the Chinese.”
One man swore, and the others grumbled their discontent. Once again, no one was surprised. The Chinese were the only faction on the planet with the means and motive. They knew the historical means by which the adversarial power had stolen intellectual property from the United States. It wasn’t a stretch that they had enacted the same operation within the System.
Aidan cut through the grumbling. “Since my team members are the only ones I can be sure aren’t the spy, given their presence in the ruins with me, I’d like you all to allow us to inspect your inventory and stash for evidence.”
Aidan reached out with his mind to gauge the reactions of the military leaders. Once again, couldn’t detect the presence of fear or surprise associated with his request. This was something the group expected and, in fact, approved of. They wanted to know who they could trust just as much as Aidan did.
Psionics increased to level 23! You have earned 115 experience.
Aidan pointed at the inquisitor trooper he had noted before. “I’d like to start with you if you don’t mind. What’s your name?”
If it weren’t for the man’s unusual class, the envoy would have found him completely unremarkable. He was an average height, with brown hair and brown eyes. He had the type of look and build that would fit almost anywhere on the planet.
“Logan Gray,” the man replied as he walked toward Aidan so the envoy could inspect his inventory. As he approached, Aidan tried something he had never done before. He reached out with his abilities to try and touch the mind of Gray. The envoy was surprised to feel a lack of resistance. As his psychic tendril advanced on the man, it disappeared. Aidan checked his mana bar and saw it draining rapidly. Still, he poured more and more of the energy into the man, and after a heartbeat, he overcame whatever mysterious resistance had caused Gray’s mind to elude him.
Can you hear me? Aidan asked.
The inquisitor’s eyes widened slightly to indicate his surprise. The subtle motion was enough for Aidan to confirm his success.
Continue to act normal, Aidan ordered. No one here is the spy, but I need to ensure that everyone is treated with equal suspicion. With your abilities, are you able to assist in the search?
I can, Gray assured him. My skills allow me to detect lies, inspect character sheets without associated equipment, and search inventories. I can’t retrieve items from them, though. I don’t know if that happens at a higher level or if it’s a hard-coded restriction.
Got it, Aidan said quickly. When you return from one of my team searching your stash, I want you to come back and help me process the other leaders. We’ll need your help if someone doesn’t willingly show us what they have.
Sure, Gray agreed. I’m assuming you picked me because of my class. How did you know what it was? I have a class ability that allows me to hide it. I should appear as an ordinary Shock Trooper to anyone who looks.
Aidan mentally shrugged. I have better inspection abilities than the average person.
Gray nodded easily. He realized his new commander probably didn’t feel comfortable sharing all of his secrets yet.
Outside of their mental conversation, Aidan was inspecting Gray’s inventory. When he was finished, He asked Guzman to escort the inquisitor to his tent and search the man’s stash. When the pair returned, the rest of the screening went by reasonably quickly.
As Aidan had expected, none of the military leaders had been the spy. Now it was time for them to expand their circle of trust.
“Alright, first things first,” Aidan began. “I hereby appoint all of you Lieutenants recognized by the System.”
The envoy paused to allow the men to look at the System notifications they had received. He knew that, similar to his own title, there would be attributes and bonuses that they were now receiving.
“We could’ve had these the whole time?” Someone muttered.
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“Yeah, we’re well behind the power curve compared to our adversaries.” Aidan shrugged. “That’s why we need to start moving quickly to catch up. With that in mind, I want you to clear your teams and use them to secure the rest of the camp.”
Aidan gestured to his friend. “Guzman will pass out the specific guard assignments, but the overall intent is to screen every camp member by sunset tomorrow.”
Aidan then pointed at the inquisitor. “Gray, you will be in charge of the actual inspections. I want every stash in the camp inspected by one of the people in this room.”
Gray nodded in understanding. The rest of the leaders gave him a sideways glance, wondering why he had been chosen from among them. Neither Aidan nor Gray bothered to explain. His abilities would remain a surprise for any potential spy.
The commander continued briefing his troops. “As a little incentive, once the civilians have been screened, the first order of business will be to get comms and power up and running. We discovered an engram for quantum communications in a ruin. We’re also working on a joint research project to understand and hopefully reproduce the power source we found there.”
Aidan was about to continue, but another one of the leaders raised his hand. “Actually, Commander, my team found something that might help you out there.”
Aidan gave the man a hopeful look. “What’s up, Lieutenant?”
“My team just got back from a patrol before you called us over. We found a primitive camp about ten miles east of us. The occupants were these green half-dragon-looking bastards called kobolds. They’re small but absolutely vicious. We didn’t get the opportunity to say anything before they attacked us en mass.”
The man shuddered at the memory but continued. “Anyway, we killed them to a man and were rewarded with a common engram. It’s with my tech guy right now.”
“What was it for?” Weir asked, curiosity getting the better of him. The lieutenant shared a sly grin before replying.
“Fusion reactor,” he said simply.
“Shit,” Weir breathed.
Aidan gave the tech trooper a helpless glance.
“Sorry, Commander.” Weir apologized. “Think nuclear power without all the fallout.”
Aidan’s eyebrows raised. “Nice,” he commented. “It’s a full engram too. So long as we get enough materials from the gnomes, it has several applications.”
Aidan’s dream of powered drones and spaceships might become a reality. He took a last look around the room. “Alright, you guys have your orders. Let’s get this taken care of.”
The combat leaders filtered out of the room. When the last one left, Agerwal entered with a cheery grin. Behind him, a willowy black-haired woman trailed in. Besides her skin suit, the woman wore a black tactical vest, reinforced gloves, light combat boots, and a pistol on her thigh. Aidan checked her class and confirmed that she was a shadow trooper.
Agerwal held his arms out like a magician presenting his latest trick. The stupid grin on his face ruined any professional demeanor the man may have had. Fortunately, Nikita Yanovna possessed enough for both of them. She cooly stepped around Agerwal and delivered a crisp salute.
“Commander,” she greeted with a voice like smoke blown over a glass of whiskey.
Aidan could immediately see why the engineer had been so enamored. However, the envoy was more interested in what she could bring to the team than in any romantic interest.
“Hey Yanovna,” Aidan returned her greeting and offered her a handshake rather than a salute. “No need to salute. I’m considering this an active combat zone,” he said by way of explanation.
The woman shook his hand. “So, what did you need me for?” She questioned.
“Agerwal and Weir mentioned that you have a stealth class. We don’t have many of those in the camp, and I needed to know if you can take items from people’s inventories or stashes.”
Yanovna cooly raised a sculpted black eyebrow. “Are you asking if my class allows me to steal things, Commander?”
Aidan didn’t bother to beat around the bush. “That’s exactly what I’m asking. There is a spy in the camp, and they may have communication equipment in their inventory that they aren’t willing to give up. Rather than send them to respawn in the hopes that it falls out, I’d like to be able to take it directly.”
“If that’s the case, then yes, I can do that for you.” Yanovna agreed. “My class is focused on getting into places it isn’t allowed, retrieving information or sensitive materials, and then sabotaging whatever I can’t take with me.”
Aidan considered her skills and realized he would like her on his team permanently. She would fill a gap in the team’s capabilities quite nicely.
“What kind of weapons do you use?” He wondered.
“I have skills in small arms, light weapons, special weapons, and melee weapons.” Nikita listed them off like it was a shopping list. “However, I prefer using a sniper rifle at a distance and a pistol or short blade up close.”
“How good are you with the sniper?” Aidan asked.
Nikita shrugged. “I saw some action in Eastern Europe. I have one hundred and three confirmed kills to my name.”
Aidan whistled lowly, and Agerwal reacted with an awed “shit.”
“Damn Yanovna,” Aidan said, impressed. “Want to join my team? I could really use someone like you.”
She looked uncomfortable for the first time since the woman entered the tent. “I’m not used to consistently working for a team. Usually, the CIA just rotates me wherever they need someone with my experience.” She hesitated before continuing. “My orders here were to collect information on Dr. Smith and her coterie of scientists. Langley hasn’t been impressed with her progress.”
Aidan frowned at the realization that outside politics still played a role within the System.
“Well,” he finally said. “They don’t have jurisdiction here, and neither does Dr. Smith. It would seem that your orders don’t mean anything anymore.”
“It does appear that way,” Yanovna slowly agreed. She thought for a minute more and then finally shared a small smile. “I’ll take you up on your offer, Commander.”
“Great,” Aidan smiled back. “Get with Gray and help him clear the rest of the military. After that, we’ll all meet back here for the next steps.”
Nikita nodded and then ghosted from the room. Aidan had no doubt in her abilities to move unseen. He felt she hadn’t even disturbed the dust as she left the tent.
With nothing else to do, Aidan left to assist in the search effort. It took most of the night, but every member of the combat forces had been searched and interrogated. Gray and Yanovna were confident that the spy wasn’t a military member. It both relieved and annoyed Aidan. He was relieved because he could rely on the military to help him search the rest of the camp. He was irritated because the rest of the base numbered ten times more than his own forces.
If Aidan knew anything about scientists, there seemed to be a higher percentage of arrogant megalomaniacs among their ranks than the average population. Something about the brilliance required for them to be experts in their fields also tended to make them a pain in the ass to work with. He wasn’t excited about the trouble he was sure to cause them and the endless complaining he would hear as a result.
He was also perfectly aware that he was racing against the clock. The rug could be pulled out from underneath his leadership at any point. He didn’t know what kind of politicking Marsh was up to outside of the System, and he wasn’t about to log out to find out. If there were any room for politicians to mess up a military operation, they would find it and jump in with both feet. It just took one well-connected scientist to bring his entire house of cards down. He wasn’t sure what he would do then.
With those thoughts in mind, it was tempting to start the inspection before the first rays of the sun broke the horizon. He watched as his hard-eyed combat classes strolled through the camp, their weapons drawn and their shoulders set. When Aidan’s psionic powers brushed their minds, he felt steely determination mixed with a small thread of anxiety. It was clear to the new commander that his troops knew the risks just as well as he did.
As he observed his warriors taking their posts around camp, he knew it would be better to wait for the sun to rise before shaking the civilians from their beds. While there were certain benefits to starting in the dead of night, they would be outweighed by the optics of their new military dictator enforcing his will. He needed the civilian men and women on his side. They would be the backbone of their future growth in the region. With competent management and defensive fortifications, he hoped to rapidly expand the camp.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Guzman’s voice startled Aidan from his grim observations. He couldn’t help flinching, and his old friend noticed.
Sparky clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder before encouraging him. “I can imagine what you’re thinking.”
“Hell,” Guzman chuckled. “You might be pissed at me for putting you in this position in the first place.”
Aidan gave his friend a wry chuckle in return. “The thought had crossed my mind.”
“Well, you know as well as I do that because of your class, this is exactly where you needed to be.” Guzman removed his hand, crossed his arms, and watched the moving troops next to his friend.
“I think the benefits we all received are adequate proof that I was right,” he finished.
Aidan shrugged, “We don’t know why the System didn’t recognize Dr. Smith. You or anyone else may have trigged the System too.”
“Maybe,” Guzman admitted. “But don’t think I’ve forgotten the type of man you were while you were in the military. The man that showed up on Range 18 was a pale reflection of the friend I knew. If the System is the real world, and ours is just a poor copy, you always needed to lead here. Maybe that’s why you were selected in the first place.”
“Maybe,” Aidan noncommittally said.
Definitely, Astra agreed with Guzman.
Aidan declined to reply to them both. There was a comfortable silence as the two men watched as a civilian exited his tent and was quickly detained by a pair of troopers. The soldiers were polite but firm while explaining the situation to her. A few minutes later, Gray had inspected the woman’s inventory and stash and noted the scientists’ cleared status on an honest-to-god sheet of parchment. Gray shot Aidan and Guzman a thumbs up before disappearing back into the camp.
“I’ll be happy when we're communicating over something more sophisticated than pieces of paper,” Aidan dryly noted.
“Should happen soon,” Guzman assured. “Smith had a few people working on recreating schematics for that explicit purpose. Knowledge from our own world isn’t completely useless in the system. It’s just more difficult to design the schematics part by part for the replicator to create. Not counting the materials needed, of course.”
They drifted off to silence once more and waited for the sun to rise. It reminded Aidan that this was his favorite time of day—when the world was quiet, and it felt like there was just a bit more space in the universe to think and breathe. The cool night air promised relief from the harsh realities of the day. If there was one good thing about becoming an immortal warrior without needing to sleep, Aidan could enjoy many more nights like this one.