New Life

Phillip leaves to run his seven miles, so now I gotta grab my own sandwich. I walk over to the fridge and choose the same sandwich as earlier: ham, cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

Sitting down next to Georgia with my sandwich and the confidence Phillip reinstilled in my soul, I strike up a conversation.

“So, how long have y’all been here?” I already know Georgia joined the team 411 days ago because of Roj’s freakish memory, but I’m hoping to hear something other than just the numbers.

“411 days ago.” Georgia doesn’t give me as much as a glance. I smack my forehead—that was such a helpful answer.

Clara seems to understand that I’m really trying to get Georgia to talk, so she gives a second for her to elaborate. But Georgia doesn't pick up the cue, so Clara responds next.

“I came here about three years ago and joined Team 21 about two years ago. I was essentially a desk jockey, just sorting paperwork. I kept training during that time, and eventually Roj chose me to be part of this team.”

“Is Roj normally in charge of recruitment?”

“Not always, although me, Aria, and Georgia were chosen by him, Phillip was chosen by higher ups. I doubt he would ever have chosen him of his own volition, Phillip’s attitude isn’t exactly up to speed.” She leans in and lowers her voice just enough that Roj can’t hear from the other side of the table. “He would never say it, but I think Roj actually really likes Phillip. It’s a good change of pace for him.” Roj does seem like he’d need someone to balance him out.

“Why Phillip? This seems like a pretty skilled group, what does Phillip have that he would be forced onto Roj?” This time I look directly at Georgia, making sure she knows I’m trying to get her to talk.

Luckily, she does. “He’s more skilled than me and Clara, he just has what one would call ‘natural talent,’” Georgia answers reluctantly—not because she doesn’t wanna talk, but because she seems annoyed that Phillip is somehow still better than them.

She didn’t name Aria though. “What ‘bout Aria? Is he better than her?” I ask.

“No one’s better than her,” Georgia answers plainly. “I don’t know if she has natural talent, but it’s hard to be better than someone who trains every day.”

“I hope I get to meet her soon, I don’t wanna have a distant relationship with any of y’all.” Clara and Georgia become a bit fidgety at my words, their eyes flicking uncomfortably between each other. I’m pretty certain they heard what I said; must’ve been something ‘bout it. Strange.

Roj pipes up from across the table. “You will meet her at the briefing tomorrow. Do not expect to see her any earlier than that, the chances of that are low.”

“Okay sir.” Roj ain’t all that good at having open-ended conversations.

We keep talking for a while, and eventually Phillip comes back from his run. After he grabs some food and rests a little, he, Clara, and Georgia decide to take me around the facility and give me a tour.

“Here’s the cafeteria, they have alright food. If you ever get sick of sandwiches then you can come here,” says Clara.

“And here’s the library!” exclaims Phillip. “It’s actually not all that exciting—there aren’t that many books in the first place and all the good ones are always checked out.”

Georgia adds on, “Don’t get your hopes up here. There isn’t a whole lot else to do besides talk and train. Unless you're Phillip, then you just waste away sleeping.”

I quickly find out that there isn’t much that’s interesting—just some more garages, team rooms, driving areas, and shooting ranges.

The next day Roj and I get back to training, teaching me formations, proper technique for shooting, and strategies for fighting in a bi-tank. Me and Roj get back to Room 21 ten minutes before the briefing is supposed to start. Clara and Georgia are already there, just taking their seats. The three of us take the same spots as yesterday, sitting at the end of the table opposite the door, me and Georgia next to each other and Clara across from us. Roj pulls a folder out of a bin from under the counter and hands out a packet to each of us that say “Item #3087” on the front page.

“Wait to open your packets,” Roj instructs. “As usual, we will go over them together.”

“Excuse me, sir?” I ask.

“Yes Terrance?”

“Does ‘Item #3087’ refer to the person we are transporting?”

“Yes,” he responds matter-of-factly.

I nod and say, “I see, sir.” Still not a fan of referring to them as such, but I guess it’s just the job.

We sit there silently. Normally I would try to strike a conversation, but Clara and Georgia seem so much more serious than usual that I feel unable to.

A minute before the meeting is supposed to start, Aria walks in. Her stride is precise, like that of a well-trained soldier, and she has an air of perfection, as if her movements are a guide on how to properly carry yourself. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail without a single stray strand. Her expression is serious and stiff, like stone, but there’s a depth to it that makes me think there might be something beyond just being the best soldier. Above all, she looks cool as hell. Ain’t never seen someone so badass.

Aria sits down next to Clara, across from me. I glance at her, not sure what to do. I want to say something, but I don’t know if I can speak. She glances back at me and then stares at Roj, waiting for him to speak.

Right when the meeting time hits, Phillip bursts through the door, panting. Between massive breaths he says, “Sorry Boss… I al… almost slept through.” He walks over and sits right beside Aria while saying, “A celebrity decided to show up.” Aria ignores him.

”Be on time next time,” Roj says. “We can talk more later, Phillip.” Phillip frowns, but he seems used to it. “Let us go through the details of tomorrow’s mission…”