G’ire looked at the approaching soldiers. There were Four of them: one was Fruitie, To the right of Him was a small and frail looking private, carrying a spear twice his size. The two were of a lower rank and of no concern. it was the others that he cared about. both of a higher rank as seen on their uniform, so it came down to a guess, “probably the one on the left”.

It was clear. The mission is starting that day.

It should take them two more minutes until they get to him, and that was just the perfect amount of time for G’ier to get his stretches in. His muscles aching having just performed an aggressive training routine preparing him for his mission to protect that politician “Protect? But am I really going to protect him?” He whispered the question to which he couldn't find an answer.

But that's for future him to sort the answer out.

The group approached him, seeing their ranks he smiled to himself, he got it all perfectly right. after which he proceeded to turn to them.

“G’ire, Ronen is calling you for a debrief”

G’ire gave a Salute and nodded, seeing the entourage relaxing a-bit.

He recognized him; he served with the captain twice before, once in a guerilla mission near the borders of the water lands, the second time was The war of the false prince.

“G’ire it is recommended you move now”

The captain sounded a bit more tense, G’ire looked and noticed the private had raised his weapon. The Fruitie pointed a hand forward, his fingers’ ablaze. Weirdly enough he noticed the third soldier standing at attention seemingly unmoved by the goings on.

G’ire obeyed.

//

Ronen reorganized his notes for the final time, this is possibly the most important thing he will ever do for the kibbutz. Over time G’ire has become a threat to the well being of the kibbutz and to Ariq’s lands. Well, they’re the free commuunes now Ronen reminded himself. He quickly glanced towards Pri, his assigned guardian relieved at the sight of two dimly glowing points.

The door opened. His moment has come. G’ire walked in followed by an entourage of soldiers.

“G’ire, it is great to see you” Ronen lied, one hand motioning at a seat in front of the podium, “Come we have great matters to discuss”.

Looking dejected G’ire sat down and met Ronen’s eyes.

Ronen looked down at G’ire, “So. I am hereby happy to inform you that the politician has arrived and that your mission has officially begun!”

The soldiers assumed positions around G’ire. Except for K’alev, who remained at the entrance

G’ire remained unimpressed, “And so, I am here to give you one last debrief” Ronen said.

G’ire visibly winced, restlessly tapping his knees.

Ronen took a quick glance around the room and was glad to see his protectors raising weapons,

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Ronen quickly and mechanically gave the debrief ending with

As he finished speaking Ronen the sense of creeping discomfort crashed down on him. The whole time G’ire had barely moved, only occasionally twitching when there was a comment about the politician or the box, G’ire stayed quiet and stood, he looked at Ronen eyes flaring.

The sense of upcoming doom overwhelmed Ronen. The aura of safety provided by his confidaunt crumbling around him.

The tension was palpable, with Pri standing up making his presence known to G’ire. They stood that way for a period of time, until G’ire silently turned around and walked out.

‘That's it,’ G’ire thought ‘they are testing my loyalty.’

Suddenly It all made sense to him. Pri’s presence, the guard escort. Even Ronen’s nervousness.

That's why they sent him on this mission.

//

The political residences always seemed off, their architecture foreign.

a Battle lizard was stationed near one of the buildings with carvings symbolizing the fact it is on a political mission, the lizard was carrying a massive wagon on its back, and on it was a man writing something.

He was dressed in full armour, no, metal clothes?

G’ire tried to look at the man's eyes, but the sun was directly behind him. blinding G’ire.

Behind the lizard were the residents themselves, with a big roundish design that stuck out of the ground like a tick. A few workers were loading things on and off the wagon.

G’ire took a look around, he couldn't see any Rüt soldiers, G’ire took note and approached the man, it took the man a while to take notice and when he looked down, “so you are the other export?” he said flatly.

G’ire was taken aback “don’t you mean your escort? Am I not the only one?” the man smiled with malicious glee, “No no. We’re exports see? Sent from our nation to others, sold, never to return.” the man said sarcastically.

Irritated by the melodramatic act, G’ire opted to stay quiet.

“Anyways, I am Pale Bānčär, and you fellow export, what is your name?”

“G’ire”

The man seemed to wait for more, but G’ire stayed quite.

“It's a pleasure to meet you G’ire” he said with an extended hand.

G’ire shook the man's hand, and the man continued.

“Since we will be on this mission together for the foreseeable future, why don't you tell me about about yourself?”

“i am a second corporal in the Kibutzes third army, and am placed in an external support unit by myself. I have served for the last nine. and i am in possession of one fire fruit”

“Really? then how did you get screwed?”

G’ire was visibly confused. “I… didn't”

“Oh, so that's how it is,” the man said with pity in his voice.

G’ire noticed the sun flare off the man's clothes, “are those some kind of metal cloths you are wearing?”

The man seemed surprised by G’ire noticing. “No, that's my armour”

“Oh, what metal is that?”

The man smiled at G’ire's question, "I'll withhold that information for now, no need for that to be public.” G’ire nodded “We shall be leaving within the day, are you ready for departure?”

The man waved his hands at G’ire and said “Give me half an hour, I'll finish writing this message and then I am ready to leave”

G’ire walked away to grab his necessities.