Intermission Pt. 4

 (Edwin)

I wasn’t sure what to expect from any of them at this point. Clarine and Rocco seemed somewhat uninterested and as for the scavengers, this was way above their pay grade, I couldn’t blame them if they had any objections.

They all stared at each other for a few seconds. Clarine turned her head towards me.

“Your son is a damn idiot, but he’s a good kid. He made me remember a lot about myself… I’ll join you, but only if I get a week off after this is over.”

Clarine was the most important person here that I needed to join to spark the morale of the others.

“Yes, of course, Clarine. Thank you for looking out for my son. Even past your break, I will be in your debt. What about the rest of you?”

Rocco leaned back in his chair and kicked his foot up on the table which was extremely disrespectful.

“All due respect, Lord Edwin, I do trust ya’, but I ain’t doing this because you asked. I’m doing it for the kid. Bane is special and not only because he lights on fire whenever he’s under the sun. I couldn’t give a flying damn about what genetic foolishness he has running through his blood and what it means for the world. I’ll just see to it that he comes back from this expedition alive and well…”

When reading the reports of scavengers and Scavenger Lords on Milona, Rocco was the only one who seemed to be the kind of man I would want Bane to be around. It seems my choice has paid off…

Fence spoke up before I could ask again. “I’ll follow my Lord Clarine, but I must also ask for time off after this expedition. I must venture to see my family if that’s alright with you.”

“Yes, the very first thing after this expedition is over, I will see to it that you get immediate paid time off so you can visit your family for up to a month with no expectations of duty during that time.”

Fence nodded and smiled.

The last one I need is Masir. I looked towards his direction and he seemed unsure.

“What about you, Masir? You’re the last person. Will you join us?”

“...What would happen if I said, I’m too afraid to embark on an expedition of this nature?”

“Truthfully, I would accept this answer. You are not a scavenger yet, I cannot expect you to commit to such a mission… However, scavengers are the protector of humanity. I do not intend to be rude, only blunt. Asking all of you to join was only a matter of formality. As I said earlier, I expected attendance from the rest of you. As for you, Masir, you may choose not to come, but it is then that you have decided you are no longer a scavenger. You will be stripped of your status and dishonorably discharged for your lack of commitment to humanity.”

Masir was quiet for a second and only a second. He brought his palm to his face and began to smile.

“Is that so, huh? In that case, I won’t let you down, Lord Edwin. Teach me everything you can and I’ll protect Bane and fight Lars with every fiber in my being.”

I couldn’t help but smile not only at the rookie’s resolve but everyone’s willingness to partake in this expedition.

“Very well, I’m glad all of you have accepted your roles in this mission. As I mentioned, a detailed briefing will happen on the elevator to the surface. For now, you are all dismissed.”

This world is cruel in nature. It demands the most out of me at the worst time, all the time. Bane, we will protect you from Lars but I hope you can understand the position we’re in. The position I’m in. I like to think I’ve been a good father up to this point even if I haven’t been present often during his teenage years. Surely, he will understand when the time comes…

…

(Lars)

Suiting up for the expedition today was no fun. It always seemed like a cheap reminder of how limited this human body is. I felt it in the old world too.

The elevator humming started to grate on my ears before I knew it. I can’t believe the kid decided to bring his entire daycare with him on this expedition. Did he really think that would be enough to level the playing field? I can imagine they’re all talking about some grand plan to kill me over in that corner of the elevator. Edwin has them all wrapped around his finger like sitting ducks.

Browsing this computer didn’t bring me much entertainment so I’d steal a couple of glances towards Bane and his pity party despite my best efforts. It’s no good to ruin the fun. If I know what they’re planning, it won’t feel as nice when they all die. Even an intricate man like me can entertain a surprise or two. What’s the point of being alive, otherwise?

…

Only a couple minutes until we’re at the surface and it seemed like they all got their bearings together. Edwin is undoubtedly the largest threat I’ll have to face. However, he’s also the man I understand the most out of all of them. Back in training, we used to be like brothers. You genuinely trusted me and although a part of me hates to admit it, I trusted you too…

The two Scavenger Lords are the wild cards. I honestly have no real way to tell what their capabilities are right here and now. I’ve only worked as a doctor with Clarine on the last expedition and I stayed on the elevator with the only eventful occurrence being the surgery I had to perform on Bane’s leg. That tells me absolutely nothing about her. Being a Scavenger Lord for Yvona in a political era where scavenging is encouraged also means a lot. She is definitely not to be underestimated…

This Rocco fella seems like he could be easy-picking but he still has that Scavenger Lord name to him. They really do hand that title out to just about anybody these days though. While he’s definitely not as dangerous as Clarine, I must gauge his skill out on the field while I can before the tables turn…

As for the two rookies, they won’t be an issue. I could understand why the large one was forced along with his Lord but bringing the kid was a mistake. I’ll kill him all the same but even I can feel a sense of tragedy for what could have easily been an avoidable loss of life had they just known to leave him behind.

And finally but never in a million years, least, the star of the show, Bane Wrath! This kid has been a blast. I’ll admit he seemed a bit annoying at first. I was so kind to share the truth of this world with him and he favored a good night’s rest instead. Luckily, I was able to have him come around but it irked me all the same. Ever since he caught me that night though, he has been quite the specimen to watch. You teetered on nihilism and faith for a while now, but seeing you have the balls to act like a hero was truly a sight. Even in my drunkard state, I couldn’t help but appreciate the show you put on. Bane, you see things, don’t you? You see a world beyond this shithole and you’re determined to make it happen. Why else would you do something so incredibly stupid?!

The world will see you for your capabilities of lighting yourself ablaze in front of the Sun, but you are so much more than that. You are so much more than the embodiment of what keeps humanity shackled. You have the ability to become what sets them free. Just the thought of killing you is erotic enough to make me hard…

Walking over to them felt like an intermission before a sports game. The two teams have to act like they’re going to go about this all friendly, while on the field, shit hits the fan.

Edwin was the first to greet me. “It’s been quite the morning, Lars. Did you sleep well?”

I scratched my neck and sighed, “Well, I slept as best as I could given the nature of this mission… Hey, Bane, are you really going to let Daddy do the talking for you? This was our mission, y’know? I didn’t mind you bringing the whole family to ride-along but if I knew you were going to take the backseat, I may have reconsidered!”

Edwin remained silent. It seems even he knew when to let his own son step up to the plate. What a nice father…

Bane passed his father and held his hand out for me to shake it. “No hard feelings, Lars. We’ll both do our best and whatever happens, happens.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, “I bet you feel really comfortable talking like that when you have your militia standing right behind you… I accept your terms. We’ll slay our monsters and get this over with.”

I shook his hand and we both applied a fair firm grip.

The elevator door began to open and the rest of Bane’s crew seemed underwhelmed, to say the least. But don’t worry, that would all change in a matter of minutes.

The sun began to shine through the door as it opened more. The abandoned city that laid on what Ylvona claimed to be part of its surface never failed to impress. Empty buildings, forgotten roads, and a chance for walkers of all kinds to be hiding anywhere. The dynamics of this battlefield gave me goosebumps.

I looked back at all of them while exiting the elevator. “Well, what are ya’ waiting for, idiots? With this mission, we’re about to change the world, haha!”