Francis Fear (Part 1)

“Tomorrow’s mission is of critical importance, so I need all of you to make sure you have this information memorized from top to bottom.” I feel like every mission is important, but Roj doesn’t usually add “critical.” The packet doesn’t say “Item #????” on the front; instead, it reads “Francis Quant.” “Francis Quant is the leader of the Francis Fear Faction. They do not have a large military force, but they do have a lot of money, intel, and an essentially impenetrable defense around their town. This is a chance for many opposing factions to finally dispose of their powerful leader. With that said, powerful factions know how useful an ally Francis Quant is, so we should not have to worry about overwhelming forces. It is the weaker factions that are attempting to move up in power and influence that are likely to attack us. Remember, fly swatting becomes difficult when there are too many flies in the room.”

For months and months it’s been mission after mission. Most of them are boring as hell—grab the item and transport it back in silence, no fighting or anything.

“I already gave you the rest of the information and you have your packets. Make sure you memorize our path and formation.” Roj almost always ends there, but this time he adds one thing, “Terr, you are to meet me outside this room in exactly ten minutes.” Roj leaves.

Aria doesn’t get up to leave just yet. After all our griping about her always leaving immediately, she agreed to stay for three minutes after every meeting. I think she figured it would save her time and annoyance in the long run.

She used to sit there, her face stone cold, and only speak if spoken to, but now she does seem to try a little. “Why did Roj call you out?” she asks, shifting back and forth in her seat.

“AHHHH, Aria spoke first!” Phillip shouts. I swear he’s eventually gonna scare her off. “But seriously, what the hell does Roj want with you?”

“I don’t know.” Everyone looks at me skeptically. “I mean it, I genuinely have no clue.”

“Whatever, big guy.” Phillip throws up his hands, as if surrendering.

After some more talking, I leave to meet Roj at the appointed time. He leads me somewhere unexpected. We get into an elevator—it feels like forever since I was last here. When the elevator doors open, we step into a familiar room where a familiar man sits with his back to us, hunched over as he writes on a document.

“Is that Roj and Terr I hear behind me? Come on over and take a seat.” Sergio looks as charming as ever, and besides a few more wrinkles, is the same as the day we met.

“It’s been a long time,” I say. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I never thought I’d get to experience some level of normality again.”

He laughs. “It seems I should be the one thanking you actually. You’ve performed very well, increasing Team 21’s time efficiency and success rates.” I smile, taking my seat and leaning back. I swear Roj is beating the record for having the most perfect posture.

“What is the purpose of this meeting?” asks Roj. Why can’t he just give me and Sergio some time to chat?

“Well, it isn’t good news, but it isn't the worst news either.” Sergio lets out a heavy sigh. He then veers the conversation in a totally different direction, “Want any tea?”

“I would love some tea!” I exclaim at the idea of getting to have Sergio’s tea again—the bad news can wait.

“No, I would rather just get told the news.” So like Roj to spoil a conversation.

“It’s so like you to spoil a conversation. You’re getting tea.” Sergio’s just the best, isn’t he?

“Fine.”

Sergio hums to himself while making tea and asking me questions.

“So, have you been making friends?”

“Yeah, the team is filled with such great people. I don’t know anyone outside of it, but that’s okay.”

“Don’t you worry about not making any other friends. I’d say most people have the same experience.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, you go through a lot with your team, and it isn’t like people just hang out in each other’s team rooms, right?”

“I suppose.” Sergio finishes making the tea and begins pouring it out into teacups.

“Honey or sugar?” he asks.

“Both,” I answer.

“Neither.” Boring old Roj.

“Coming right up.” He gets out the sugar and honey and stirs them into our teacups. “I’m glad to see your shoulder has healed completely.”

“It took a while for the stiffness to go away, but it’s as good as new.”

“Make sure you’re careful, you’re at higher risk of dislocating it again since you already did once,” he says while handing me and Roj our tea.

I thank him while breathing in the aroma. I take a sip. “Exquisite, as always.” Although “always” is only twice.

“Thank you, Terr.”

Before we can keep talking, Roj intervenes, “Now that we have our tea, can you tell us the news?” Ugh.

“I guess I can do that.” Sergio sounds like a kid being forced to help their parents. “There have been some rumors going around that the Soul Brothers are searching for someone within the organization.” My jaw drops and I whip my head over to look at Roj. His face tightens as he holds the bridge of his nose.

“How did this happen?” Roj asks with a strained voice.

“I have no idea.”

We sit for a moment, pure silence wrapping around us. My jaw remains wide open as if I forgot how to use it.

Sergio continues, “This is simply a warning to tread carefully. The Soul Brothers shouldn’t have any more information than that who they are searching for is in the organization, and they are likely not even certain of that. You will continue to operate as normal, we aren’t sure how much they know about us and we don’t want to raise any flags.”

Even though it’s my first time seeing Sergio since I met him, we only exchange a few more words as we finish our tea before leaving. Roj and I walk in silence on our way back. It feels like there should be so many things we need to talk about, but I guess not.