Kai

Friday, 1st of January, 198 A.C, 11:40

“As the cold months approach it is tempting to stay inside and turn up the heat. It is in this spirit that we remind everyone of the value of blankets and warm clothing. Turning down the heat is a great way to save Bits for the aftermath of New Year’s Eve.” - PSA by the Spark Department of Infrastructure

Beck turned away from her tray, face sour. “Remind me not to get my hopes up for pizza day next time.”

I choked down the rest of my bite before talking. “It’s gotta be premade, right? How do they manage to mess it up so bad?”

“Beats me. Buuuuut,” Beck started slapping the table, “we’ve got a meeting after school! Gotta be some good grub there.” She leaned in. “Hey, you think the meeting’s about a mission? I hope it’s about a mission. I’m ready for some *shenanigans.*”

“Woah, hey, not so loud!” I said, then leaned in myself. “Honestly, I hope so too. Been a couple a’ weeks, I’m itchin’ for some action.”

“What do you think it’s gonna be? A heist? A daring fight to protect civilians? A tense infiltration of a secret corporate base?” Beck mimed out each scene as she went.

“Hmmm… nah, we’re still in our training arc,” I said. “I’m thinkin’ we get put on a simple lookin’ missision but it all goes wrong when a villain from someone’s past appears at the worst possible moment.”

“Could be, could be. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

I stifled a gag trying to get down a bite of something that was more charcoal than pizza. “Urgh. Hey, not to change the subject but how’s it going with your dad? I don’t suppose he knows ‘bout all this?”

“Wellll…” Beck drummed her fingers on the table. “What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him, right? As far as he knows I’ve just found a nice group of friends. Which, I mean, isn’t exactly false. The scheduling does get a *little bit* tight though. I’ve had to come up with some pretty stupid excuses for why I won’t be home for dinner.”

I started picking out dirt from under my nails. “Yeah, that’s, uh. That’s one of the advantages of my homelife. Nobody’s gonna question it if I slip out for a few days.”

Beck popped her lips. “Oh! Yeahhhh, sorry. Buuut, hey! What’s a good story without the main character having a crappy living situation?”

I let out a wry laugh. “I’m not so sure about that one.”

Just then the bell rang out in our Chippers. Beck cried out, “Oh thank god! I’ve been saved from this nightmarish culinary creation!”

Some ways away a lunch lady said, “Hey, I heard that!”

“Sorry, Charlene!” I called back. “Just havin’ a little fun!”

“No hard feelings! You two have a good day!”

I picked up my tray. “I think you’ve been drinking too much of Casey and Lily’s irony juice.”

Beck stood up. “Nah, I’ve always been-” She trailed off and put a hand to her head, swaying slightly. “Ooof. Sorry, headrush. Giiiiive me a moment... Aaaand…” She blinked a few times. “Alright, there we go! Sorry, must’ve stood up too fast. Anyway, See you after school?”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

I gave a thumbs up. “See you after school!”

***

“What do you mean we can’t go?!” Beck scowled. “We’ve been outside city limits before! I don’t see how this is any different.”

Darren shared a look with Sable, then said, “I understand your frustration, really. This isn’t anything against you, we just don’t want to put you two in any more danger than we have to. Supervised Leftovers runs and smash-and-grabs on corporate bandits are one thing (which I’m *already* unhappy about), but this is on an entirely different level.”

Sable nodded, the scar across his eyes giving off an air of solemnity that was almost certainly not his intention. “Exactly. This is an open bounty. There’s no telling which Veiled squads we might run into. Plus there’s…” Sable paused. “Well, this is a big one. We’ve got to look after our footprint.”

“Also,” Trevor said, his eyes never leaving his laptop, “the supposed location of the gem is a sewer. Underground. Just about the closest thing Psychons have to a breeding ground. For once I actually agree with Darren. Even *I* don’t want to go on this one.”

I sunk a little further into the crack between the couch cushions. “Fiiine! Fine. Guess we’ll just sit around here while y’all have fun then, huh?”

Sable grinned. “I didn’t say that, now did I? We’ve still got to figure out exactly who’s going on the mission, but I was thinking those of us not going could give you some special training.”

“More training?” I groaned. Training didn’t come with a payday.

“*Special* training,” Sable corrected. “I know you two are tired of drilling the basics. It’s time to start developing your own unique styles.”

Beck perked up just a little. “I could be persuaded into that,” she said.

I was admittedly a bit curious as well. “Alright, alright. But we’d better get something exciting to do soon, you hear?”

“Of course, of course,” said Sable, waving me off. “First things first then, who wants to head out for the gem? I’d rather stay here to give these two a workout.”

“And you don’t want to chip a nail,” Casey snarked behind her always-worn Veil.

Sable let out a sigh. “And that, sure.”

Casey sat up. “I’ll go, by the way. A gem sounds like a fun score, and bonus points if I get to beat on some pampered Veiled.”

Sarie spoke next. “Sorry, but I’m not gonna be able to join. I’m getting hit pretty hard now that I’m back to part-timing. Might be able to swing by later to help with the training though.”

“Hmmm.” Lily’s eyes – one red, one purple – looking to the ceiling before coming down along with her decision. “Yeah, actually. I’m good to go this time. Had a bitch of a time at work, but there’s nothing like a road trip to let off some steam.”

Axel gave her a quizzical look. “Yeah, I’ll be able to go myself, but um. Lily, you sure you’re good to go? You look like you’re a few glasses down already.”

Lily waved him off. “Nahhhh, I’m fiiine. Not like I’ll be staying sober during the mission anyway.”

Darren gave Lily a look, but chose not to comment. He instead said, “I’ve got consultation right after this, but I should *hopefully* be done in time to treat any wounds. Though as always, I would recommend more extensive medical care than I can give with my Veil for anything serious.”

“You already know my opinion,” said Trevor. “Don’t really feel like traipsing through some sewers right now.”

All eyes turned to Yumi, since she was the last to give an answer. She started at the sudden attention, then said, “I, um. Yeah, I guess I can go. If you need a fourth person.”

Sable clapped his hands together. “Sounds like we’ve got an away team then. The Heister, Deadeye, Runner, and Berzerker will head out once they’re ready. Beck and Kai, get your gear on while the rest of us hash out the training.”

The group broke to take care of their tasks. Beck and I ended up in the armory alongside the four squad members actually heading out. While lacing up my shoes I remarked, “Dang, I really thought I was gonna be having some fun today.”

The Runner, who had just put on his Veil, chuckled. “Come to think of it, you haven’t had a proper ‘special’ training session yet, have you?”

Beck tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, nothing. I don’t want to ruin the surprise. Let’s just say they can be more fun than you might think. Much better than wading through stale water, anyway.”

I gave the Runner a side eye, but he was already whistling away while he double checked his gear.