Chapter 9

Clean up crews ran through the streets of Requiem’s district 1. It was the first time that Requiem had been invaded by the irons essentially ever. Procedures would usually stop an iron advance or attack. God only knows if it would be the last. If it hadn’t been for Clive, and his team within the Armored DB then even more lives would have been lost. But also if they hadn’t gone on mission then the irons wouldn’t have gotten in in the first place. This could also be conceived as Mason’s fault as well. Or a higher powers plan. Upon counting there were 61 irons inside of Requiem. People were not happy to say the least.

There were many petitions, and riots over the whole incident. Protests for the next week would surely be a daily occurrence. Fear had settled within the hearts of the people, not only in district 1, but the other districts as well. Miller himself addressed the matter through a public speech. He actually went to make the speech in front of an angry audience. In front of a protest taking place. A big deal considering it was in no way his fault.

There was a massive thunderstorm waging that even within district 1, you could hear the boom of thunder. Miller pulled out his on bench to stand on. He cleared his throat because he had no microphone. He had no script, because he knew exactly what he wanted to say. At first people threw things at him, and shouted at him. But somewhere along the way as that old man was standing there, people stopped to listen to him. The rain could be heard pattering in the silence.

“I wake up… every morning, and wonder… if as people we will get through this. I am not talking about survival, but revival. The human race is like that of one broken individual! We need therapy, we including myself need someone to take action, someone to tell us that we can get through this. And I know that is what you fine people are asking for, and needing right now. And I regret to inform you that there is nobody like that here.” The people stayed silent.

“War! It is a word that I am frightened of quite frankly. I still have nightmares from fighting the irons. I remember every week I would suit up in the mechanic, or as you now know it as the mechanic 1.0, the first model and… I am a coward!” Miller now states with a tear falling down his face.

“But I will fight again. I will fight for you! If that is what it takes? I hadn’t said it yet but courage is the new way of life. For my people. I now declare war! War against the beasts that plague us! I will fight for you soon. I don’t know when but I know I must suit up again.” Miller told them, then grunting he said.

“Thank you. Stay strong. Requiem depends upon your strength.”

The audience neither cheered nor booed. There was however a faint disappointment within the crowd. They had been yelling, screaming, and protesting over the slaughter, and a simple promise and thanks was the best thing a hearty commander could do. The citizens whether they like it or not were at war, even if that wasn’t what they wanted. The incident had left people scared, and scarred. Some more than others. Mason had now opened his home to Sylvia. They were both in turmoil.

Emily, and Jack’s deaths hadn’t just affected them, their father returning from the farming operation in district 2 returned to a home where his only family had been killed by his sister. Therefor Sylvia’s brother… committed suicide. He blew his brains out with Sylvia’s sidearm. The next morning Sylvia had her sidearm replaced, and moved out of district 1, and in with Mason. She was now free to move into a new district. Those chains were no longer there to hold her down. Ironically she longed for those chains to hold her back.

The sidearm was the exact same berretta that Mason had adopted during the period in which he first woke up. Throughout the streets of Requiem a week later were still clean-up crews getting blood stains out of various areas. People had to clean walls that were 10 or more feet above one-story buildings due to an iron dragging victims up the walls. It took a lot to scrub the smell of dead out of the streets of district 1. More reasons that Sylvia wanted to be out of there despite everything else was the smell of dead. It reminded her of scavenging buildings with irons she had to kill, and when irons dragged their victims you could smell the rot. The rotting dead.

“I don’t think I am going to be a soldier anymore?” Sylvia said softly.

She lay in bed at night with Mason. Neither of them could sleep. Too much was going through their heads. With Clive officially having all he quote on quote needed from Mason now, there isn’t much for Mason to do. Sylvia doesn’t know what to do with herself. Clive gave her a few weeks to think about what has happened. Clive would need some time to get funding for his mission anyway and would want Sylvia emotionally functional. Clive had a mission in mind that he wouldn’t tell anyone about. So revolutionary that Mason knew he had to be apart of it.

“I think I will change my name back to Rust. Because I am now officially broken just like my mother already believed me to be.” Sylvia said as Mason rebuked it.

“No!”

Sylvia was shocked. She had never heard such magnitude of anger, and volume from his voice.

“I hate this new world! I will see the irons destroyed! One way or another.” Mason believed what he was saying to be truth. He then pointed at the sky through the window.

“And with Emily and Jack I now realize why they died. God was giving me a reason to get up, and fight! Because the irons didn’t kill them. But they paved the way.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Clive, and I are going to obliterate evil from this world! He, and his mission have given me a purpose to fight! He said he was going to make the bad go away so… so am I!” Mason demanded. Sylvia slid over to him on the bed embracing him.

“Then I will protect you to see that goal finished.” Mason put his hand on hers.

Mason still looking outside at the rest of the world was determined to make this goal a reality. Mason would then make the statement that decides the rest of his life. “I’M GOING TO PUT A STOP TO THIS!” Mason then felt the scar from where Emily had bit him.

“Something has to be done.” he thought.

Back at his home, Wayne had still felt he could have made a difference. Had only they let him in he thought. Then he may have saved lives. His doorbell begins ringing. He goes to open it but the moment he opens it he sees, targets, then almost instantaneously throws a punch. The punch is then caught. Stopped in its tracks.

“Calm down, save your energy.”

On Wayne’s doorstep was Clive. “I have a mission that will change everything!” Clive said while ignoring.

“With this mission the hour of man will be tested!” Wayne stared at Clive.

“I don’t understand a word out of your mouth when you start getting all idealistic. But you may be right.” Wayne shakes Clive’s hand.

“I still think the superiors, and everyone else trusts you too much. But as long as I’m there then I can stop you from doing something stupid.” Wayne told him as Clive smiled.

“You and your team will be a godsend to my mission!”

The mission was only days away. Miller who wouldn’t be given the details of the mission denied the mission. Strange considering how he usually has great trust of Clive. But now wasn’t the time. Especially considering that it was his mission that allowed the irons in.

“I am sorry Clive but I will not pay to have the bridge dropped in the case that it just might be worth it all.”

Miller would then go on to ask for details pertaining to the mission but Clive would refuse. “I can’t believe this damn it!” Clive said as he punched the wall out of anger.

“You can’t blame him. You won’t give anyone any clue as to what we are doing. I would be suspicious too, hell I am suspicious now.”

Back at the training camp Mason had begged Bellmore to let Sylvia teach him how to use the equipment, topped with some physical training to keep him in shape of using all the levers, and throttles of the controls of both the DB, and the mechanics as well. Mason had swift stead determination, with only days until the planned mission time, assuming there are not many problems getting funding. Bellmore let him and Mason had already started getting the hang of the mechanic in a few hours.

Bellmore looked at him as he trained. He was still scared of what happened in Cage District. As for Clive he had no idea what to do. He wouldn’t be able to get any of the other generals to fund him. Nobody else trusted him the way Miller did. Except for one individual Wayne brought up.

“Well if it weren’t for Admiral Zoe Stacey the Arkada shotgun wouldn’t have been mass produced. I just won’t go with you on this one man.” Clive realized that Admiral Zoe may be his only chance. He may have to go talk to her.

A day later, Mason had been learning the ropes of the vehicles. He had worked on vehicles a lot with several different militant groups before his cryogenic slumber, and it all sort of came naturally to him. Mason was getting the hang of the gunner seat. He was only allowed to shoot off so many rounds. Later that particular day he searched for Clive, requesting a spot on the mission. Clive however was no longer in Requiem. He was on the battleship that Admiral Stacey was aboard.

Clive had hitched a ride on a speed boat on the docks of the eastern side of Requiem. The way Requiem is actually set up as is that there are 4 districts. The first essentially being a cage to hold back irons that got in through the front somehow, but it also has on top of it most of Requiem’s solar panels for generating electricity throughout the city. But the entire city is a half circle with district 1 stretching all the way around. Then district 2, then district 3 with each district getting smaller as it gets closer to the center with finally the capitol, which resides in the center.

The capitol is not only where most military big wigs live, but is also where most military industry take place. There is also a large docking section within a large warehouse registered for military use only. Clive has set out to get on the ship that Admiral Zoe Stacey resides in order to attain funding for his mission from her naval department. The Admiral is one of the most feared commanders there are with her department not even slightly controlled by the General Miller. It is also the only other branch of military without an air force in sight.

There had been an air force but helicopters were too slow as irons would just throw incredibly tough debris taking helicopters down right away. And as for jets for the first few years outside of Requiem there was an air force runway which was required since there wasn’t room in Requiem for construction of one. It was an incredibly dangerous, and expensive endeavor. It was only a matter of time before it was disbanded.

As for the famed air force runway, they had to be on constant alert of an iron assault or they would be killed. Any soldier sentenced to duty at the runway had been essentially sentenced to death. On top of all that Armored DBs and mechanics back then were much clunkier. They were not as effective as the ones now in holding down the fort. They were slow, and couldn’t change out features like the ones now, and had zero flexibility. They were the 1.0 model that Miller had mentioned.

Back at the main training facility, Sylvia suggested to Mason to get some shooting practice in. she knew he could hit the edges of an iron from a good distance from their first time outside but she wanted to have a bit of a better idea where he was at. She knew he was alright basically but if she knew exactly where he was then she would be able to keep it in mind during the heat of battle.

“Try this.”

Sylvia then handing Mason an M-4 carbine single shot rifle. She pointed him down the range at a circle target with a center bull’s-eye for Mason to shoot at. Mason put the rifle butt against his shoulder then looked down the iron-sight. He had a hard time being completely steady but as he squeezed the trigger, he was hitting the target all around, and sometimes on the bull’s-eye.

“Not bad!” Sylvia stated excitedly.

“Soon enough you could probably be a marksman. But you still need more practice.”

Mason put the rifle down. “I used to work on weapons, including particular rifles all the time. You don’t think I would have had experience in testing the product?” Mason boasted.

Sylvia then put her arms around him.

“We are going to get this done, I swear. Just have don’t get too cocky.” Sylvia said. Mason shook his head, reassuring her that he is ready for what’s to come.

Mason was then practicing with the “Lady Killer”. He even got a bandolier full of 357. Magnum rounds before the mission. He had about 52 rounds extra. He never felt more ready. He felt odd as well. It would be his first military operation if Clive agreed to his going with. Which if Clive didn’t agree then Sylvia would refuse to go. Clive felt he needed personalities he knew, and could trust in order to get his mission done. That is why has also taken to trusting Wayne’s team with an operation such as this, whatever it was.

He had big things in store for himself with this mission. Things were based with what he now knew about Miles, both what Mason had confirmed of him, and what he already knew. If there was ever a man more destined to fulfill his dream, Clive believed it would be him. He would shine above all others in this long strewn out war. A war he was eager to end. Sea water, as well as the salty air was tasted by Clive as it hit his lips on the speed boat. Upon reaching the battleship, Admiral Zoe was happy to let Clive on board.

She had a certain fondness for Clive. She liked almost everything about him. She thought he was smart, handsome, respectful, idealistic, and in her eyes he seemed somewhat cynical in the suspicious sense. Which was also a quality she holds, a quality she rather enjoys. Zoe who was known for beating her subordinates didn’t like how friendly he was with Miller. But she usually tends to hate other superiors in Requiem for the simple fact that she doesn’t always agree with them in the slightest of ways. Especially Miller, and she was slightly more lenient with Bellmore in that regard.

“Oh Clive! How good to see you!” Admiral Zoe had said in a seductive fashion.

She had Clive sit as she then sat in his lap. Clive then got straight to the point looking to retreat already. “I would like you to fund for me a two team military operation if that’s okay?” and upon being asked that Zoe laughed right there on the spot.

“Why exactly do you need me? Just go lube up the general, and screw some funds out of him.” the Admiral suggested. She then got off of Clive and proceeded to her seat.

“Believe it or not Miller would not fund this operation.” after hearing Clive say that the Admiral was now curious. She loved sticking it to the man, despite her being part of that category of people, and it was almost as if a dog’s ear went up as she heard that.

“So how come Miller refused you?” Clive leaned forward to tell her.

“Because on top of the cost being larger than normal, I also refuse to give out info on the mission, and I assume the district 1 incident may also have a hand in his disagreement for my methods at this moment.”

Zoe then smiled, and leaned forward holding her chin up with her fists.

“So good ol Miller won’t help you out. So how much do you need for this operation?”

Clive knows this is the tricky part. Instead of giving an exact number, he feels it will be better to just say the amount of equipment, and specified equipment for the mission. That would usually lead to the money getting figured out after there was a pre-existing agreement.

“We need two Armored DB’s as well as enough food, ammo, and gas to make it across the United States, and back. Also I am sure a few mechanics is an obvious request.”

Zoe looked at Clive with confusion. Why she thought would Clive need to go across the entire United States. On top of that he was asking for a lot the moment there was more than one DB involved. It seemed Clive was right too. It was most definitely going to be a tricky negotiation. Admiral Zoe paused. She was ready to fill the order on the grounds she knew just a little more about the mission.

“So where exactly are you going?” Admiral Zoe Stacey asked with a sudden pause.

“I am not ready to divulge any figures about this mission Admiral.”

The Admiral smiled then walked over behind Clive then put her right hand over on to the left side of Clive’s cheek as she whispered into his right ear.

“Now listen here, I don’t want much. Just the location is all. Now you can tell me, and get your funding either way or you can leave this boat. And at this point by leave my boat I mean I have your nuts ripped off, and throw you over board as you swim back to Requiem with sharks following you the whole way, sound good?”

Clive then grew nervous. He hadn’t wanted to reveal anything but if he gets his funding, and is on his way then it doesn’t matter. He might as well. Plus he could always lie, and or alter the truth.

“I want to find the lost city out west.”

The city that Clive refers to is one of the four cities created for the sake of defense from the irons. Ever since there were first people creating Requiem there was going to be a city for South, West, North, and East which is Requiem. But the city out West was never determined because they were never able to make contact. Hell no one knows exactly where it would be or if it was ever even finished. Zoe bursts out into laughter, hurting Clive’s eardrum.

“The city of the West huh? What could possibly be there?”

Clive ignored her question.

“If it were up to me, I would just ignore the whole city concept, and live with my harem of men on a boat in the tropics.”

Admiral Zoe thought about it for a second. “Guess I can’t complain, I pretty much do that now. I visit Florida a lot. I just can’t wear a bikini.” She said jokingly.

Clive was unamused with her personality, and her pandering. He just wanted to be off that boat as soon as possible. He felt uncomfortable. Plus it seemed as though he had his funding which was all he actually needed.

The Admiral was fiddling with the pen and paper. “Well are you going to tell me the meaning of your mission to the so called lost city?” Clive was getting irritated, but he couldn’t show it if he valued himself.

“I think you already know the answer to that question Admiral.” the Admiral then grew a disappointing look. But Clive gave her some vague info.

“It will change everything Admiral. For better.”

The Admiral smiled. “Well whatever it is this is bound to piss off Miller. I’m in, I have nothing against a little chaos anyways.”

Zoe began signing the documents required to fund the operation. She slid them in an envelope, and handed them to Clive.

“Hand these to the quarter master back in Requiem to get what you need.”

Clive stands up, and shakes her hand then struggles to get her to let go. He was ready to leave. He gets hoisted back down to the speed boat, as it speeds off toward Requiem not too far in the distance Clive clutches the documents in his hands with a massive grin. He finally has his mission that he has longed for. The world itself will shake from what Clive has in store for it. He was going to make things right he thought.

It was only a day away from when Clive would expect his, and Wayne’s squads to be ready for the mission. Mason was jogging, weight lifting, and learning the ins and outs of the machinery available to him. He was a natural. Sylvia was incredibly proud of just how fast he was able to prepare for the mission.

“Even if everyone else dies in this mission I will stand tall and step forward! Whatever the mission specifics are I will see it through somehow!” Mason said as he did sit-ups.

Clive sat in his home smiling. He had that feeling you get when you have butterflies in your stomach before the first day of school. He had never slept more soundly in his entire life knowing that he was about to embark on “his” mission, the mission that could change everything. Mason felt the same way. The only difference was that he like the others didn’t know what he was getting into. He just knew it was big.

He had done the same with Miles that he is doing now with Clive. Miles just sort of led him into the weapons industry, and he respected Miles, and loved Miles to the point that when he had nothing but Miles he froze himself for Miles’ sake. As for the soldiers under his command, whether it was him or someone far superior all they have ever done was take orders, and ask no questions. This is how Mason was.

They all had this mentality. All except for Wayne. Wayne had always been suspicious of Clive. Because he was strong, because he was smart, because he was perfect, and because as he was he didn’t think he was enough. And if that’s how he saw himself, then how did Clive see everyone else Wayne thought. To top it off Clive was ambitious with drive, but he was also secretive, mysterious, and that scared Wayne. So Wayne believed he must show Clive that there were others better than he that had faith in humanity. He wanted to teach Clive not to let a few bad eggs spoil the bunch.

Manny sat in the bar just the night before Clive’s mission was about to be undergone. He was starting to believe that he wanted no part of it. Manny was an asshole, and has made many mistakes that Clive “forgave” him for. Nobody knew more about Manny than Clive, and vice-versa. All he could do that night was drink. He turned to drugs, and prostitution that night as well. He felt guilt that there are secrets he swore to the grave without telling a soul, and he was about to feel the guilt roll in as the drugs settled.

The prostitutes settle on top of him as he feels the high. He knows Clive, and what he is capable of, and Clive knows some of the horrible things that Manny has done. He then pulls out of the prostitute. He can’t even enjoy all the money he was spending due to that dark den of secrecy. It was like knowing that your honor student friend has a stash of porno magazines under the floorboards of his treehouse. But obviously a bigger deal.

“I’m just not feeling it today.” Manny says while gasping and out of breath.

The lady of ill repute gets a flurry of anger before demanding she still gets paid. Manny agreed on the condition that she would listen to what he has to say. And also the condition that she wouldn’t tell a soul.

“Yeah I’ll listen, whatever.”

Hearing that really got Manny feeling better. He would finally be able to get some things off his chest that he has been burrowing for a long, long time. He took a deep breath as the prostitute looked to see how well her nails were filed due to her lack of interest. Manny had begun after the clearing his throat.

“I have done some things that I am not proud, sometimes I wish I could take back these things.”

The prostitute started laying back, then she even closed her eyes to rest them. She sat there thinking about this and that. She ultimately wasn’t too interested.

“Another loser spilling their guts to me from guilt.” She thought as she continued to rest her eyes.

“But if it weren’t for those decisions I may not be here today, I might be dead. And with no ceremony, nothing of the sort, just splattered all over a wall somewhere god only knows where is. I am responsible for the deaths of people I pretended were my friends!” the girl opened her eyes from shock. She was now curious.

“I didn’t care about them initially, people that I used as bait, people that I’ve tripped, and even people I shot to slow them down. It’s just those things terrified me to the core!”

Manny was now gasping and weaving, he was even crying, and shaking with only slightly slurred speech.

“I have always been good at fooling people into thinking I care about them. They trusted a scumbag like me to have their backs. The only people who live near me are the ones that don’t trust me, like Rust, and Clive!” The prostitute stared at him invested.

“Do I deserve to die? I think so.”

The prostitute out of mostly pity began to rub Manny’s back. It eases his feeling of guilt somewhat. Had it come from someone who usually cared for other people regardless of who it would have been much less comforting. Because it came from another broken individual it made it more worth the comfort for Manny. Having somebody else who wasn’t well off caring about his plight made him feel more forgiven.

“God it seems isn’t angry with me.”

Manny hands the girl the money. She stands to leave. “Wait!” the girl then turns to see what it is Manny still wants “What?” she asks.

“I still need to talk about my CO.” begged Manny. But the prostitute declined “Suga Daddy will get angry if I don’t get back to the streets soon! Sawwy.”

Using her pimp as an excuse to leave early. Leaving Manny to sit back with a look of depression. He was at a loss not being able to get that off his chest. He snorted some coke then laid back to go to sleep. He saw visions of dancing fairies across the ceiling. His high enabled him to see eight blinking lights which all shone brightly while several then began to fade.

Mason was at a constant at Clive’s house. He beat on the door for immensely long periods of time. Today was the day of the mission, and he was unable to find Clive for approval to be a part of the mission. The mission that Clive has been striving for, with the funding prepared, and all. “Quit knocking.” said Clive who has appeared behind a sweaty Mason beating on the door. The glare of Clive met the glare of Mason.

“Are you going to invite me in?” enquired Mason.

Clive gave a signal with a head whip, and a smile. Inside the house they sat there playing chess.

“So Mason, we head out in a few hours today. I feel a deep anxiousness.” Clive said as he moved his knight into position to take Mason’s queen.

“You see Mason it is all about taking out the superpowers in this little game of ours.”

Mason then takes Clive’s queen out with a cleverly hidden bishop surrounded by a cluttered circle of pieces to make it unnoticeable.

“Well you have to worry about the little guys first Clive, then you take the queen.”

“You clever bastard!”

Mason broke him away piece by piece.

Clive then laughed. “Wow I had you to your bare minimum, and you still beat me Mason! Incredible!” exclaimed Clive.

“About your mission Clive. I know you are onto something big. And not just because you talk really big, but also because a lot of your words, and actions remind me of my friend Miles. And regardless of how you feel about him, he was a visionary. And not all visionaries have done badly.”

“What are you getting at Mason?”

“I want a part of it. Your mission I mean.”

“I am sorry Mason but I didn’t acquire funding for a ninth member of the team. Even if I did nine people would be crowded, sorry.”

Mason’s face ran pale, and he wasn’t happy, but he also wasn’t surprised.

“I knew you might say that. And Sylvia said she refuses the mission if you don’t bring me with you.” Mason said precociously.

“I mean you are actually pretty lucky that I am interested or Sylvia would have quit anyway. But since I show interest, she has decided to stand by me.” Mason said with a hint of cockiness.

“Maybe it would be better if Sylvia doesn’t come if she is this mentally disturbed, and emotionally depressed?” Clive pointed out.

Clive pondered that out loud with a shocked Mason. That was his only trump card for the situation, and it was foiled so easily despite Mason thinking it to have been an ace originally. Mason was scared he would not be allowed to join. Mason wasn’t quite ready to give up though. He still intended to persuade Clive one way or another.

“Listen here!” Mason now yelling in anger.

“I need to go! You are just like Miles. Together we would be unstoppable wouldn’t we? A great team right? I have already learned how to pilot the Armored DB’s, the mechanics, and I’m ready for this!” Mason yelled as he smacked his hand on Clive’s table.

“I am sorry Mason, I just don’t need you however true what you say may be!”

Upon hearing that Mason’s eyes widened. There was no more blackmail, or logic that he could use. There was now only one option left. “Please!” Mason screamed as he groveled on the floor. He grabbed from the ground, the bottom of Clive’s shirt.

“You have no idea what you are doing to me! I have nothing if I can’t help you on your mission! I will be lost, unguided, and in need of purpose! I believe two people are dead because of me! Pleeaase!!!” Mason scratched from the bottom of Clive’s lower body like a dying dog screeching for scraps, shaking.

Clive looked into Mason’s eyes for several seconds without saying a word. Then Clive continued to say nothing, and only proceeded to glare at Mason. To Clive it seemed his stare was merely a glare to give, and make the answer which was no, far more clear. But to Mason the stare was tearing him apart inside, and out. If he wasn’t able to follow Clive, then who would he follow? He has never stood on his own two feet before. He has only ever sat on the shoulders of colossal giants. He was now broken. No more options left.

Mason had a blank expression on his face, knowing that he had nothing left to strive after. He didn’t want to simply work. He wanted to work towards a goal, work for someone who makes it all worth it. He wanted more from his pathetic, useless existence.

“I… I understa… stand.” Mason stuttered.

“At least let me see you off?”

Clive gave him a nod of approval. Clive felt somewhat bad but he also thought it may be for the best. That was the only way Clive can guarantee Mason’s safety was by denying him anyways. He felt as though he would need Mason again. The phone rang in Clive’s place.

“Who could be bothering me right before My Mission?!” Clive said while walking toward the phone. “Hello, who is it?” He then said calmly.

“Clive it is Wayne! Manny is dead!” Clive stood shocked in his place.

“What?! That isn’t possible!” yelled Clive.

On the other end was Wayne, who was distressed over Manny’s death.

“He had a lot of drugs last night. I found cocaine while I was over there!” Wayne had proclaimed. Clive was disappointed, and angry.

“How the hell could he do this to me?! I trusted him! The bastard!” Clive said before angrily ripping his table cloth from his table wrecking the whole setup.

“What is it Clive?” Mason asked. Clive stood there breathing heavily with anger for a second while staring at Mason with intent.

“It seems you are going to get what you want Mason.”

Mason’s face lit up.

“Manny is dead.” Then Mason’s smile lessened.

“Don’t apologize Mason. I am actually very fortunate because of you.” Clive said. Now talking to Wayne Clive states “Well we can still go on with the mission.” as Wayne on the other end freaks out.

“The mission!?” Wayne yells.

“A man is dead!” Wayne screams as Clive just screams at him to meet by the gate. Upon arrival to the gate Wayne was pissed.

“Clive! A man from your squad, your friend is dead and you are going to go on this mission right now?! That is disgusting, and dishonorable!” Wayne screamed as Clive stood there getting heated, more pissed off by the second.

“I am not going on this mission until we bury Manny! This mission ain’t worth it!”

As that was said Sylvia who was holding Mason’s hand had the hand ripped away as Mason confronted Wayne.

“How can you say that!?”

Mason asked that as he grabbed Wayne’s shirt. Mason then pulled his fist back saying “You have no idea what this means to me! How important this mission really is!”

“To be fair neither do you Mason. You, and I and everyone else all know the same amount about this mission as each other… Nothing!” Wayne said infuriating Mason.

He went in for the punch right after screaming but was soon kneed in the stomach then punched in the face by Wayne. Mason fell to the ground choking as Sylvia rushed to his side. Wayne looked at Mason choking on the ground.

“This couldn’t possibly mean that much?” Wayne said as he continues feeling pity for Mason.

“Alright Mason, for you on one condition will my team go on this mission. Clive has to tell me what we are doing first.” Wayne demanded.

Clive’s eyes widened with the lingering thought in his mind that the world was out to get him these past few days. Wayne who was growing impatient from Clive’s continuous silence pulled out his cigar, and lighter than began smoking. Wayne was starting to get more than a little sick of Clive’s little games, and personality. His sneaky snakelike ways covered up by his overall atmosphere, and he wasn’t going to oblige to Clive anymore without proper motivation, and incentive.

“I assure you Wayne I have only the best intentions.” Clive exclaimed.

“That may be so Clive, but that is what scares me. Men under the best intentions have created atomic bombs to end one war only leading to eternal fear for the rest of human life in the future, and others with these so called good intentions of one who won’t be named created a species so deadly that it has drove humanity to the brink of extinction! Oh I am aware of how best intentions is often just a hypocritical excuse made by dreamers who instead of just admitting that with their dream they shackle others to the idea by involving them, making them believe it concerns them, and betraying them. I am maybe too familiar with your quote on quote best intentions, so please just tell me what me, and my men are walking into for the love of God Clive, the love of the almighty Lord that is God, tell me!”

Clive sat with a false ease set upon him. His mission was to be realized soon but there were so many obstacles in his way obstructing his path. He was now forced to share information he had planned on keeping secret. He then realized that he doesn’t have to keep the whole thing in secrecy if it meant fulfilling his dream, his mission. Because once he succeeds it will no longer matter what he has shared.

“We are going to be venturing into the far west of this country. What was the old American saying?” Clive then asked with Mason seemingly knowing the one in which he seeks.

“From sea to shining sea.” Mason whispered from the ground with now further pride in taking part in this mission.

Clive smiled then saying “Of course! We are going to be traveling to the forgotten city, the undiscovered city to uncover something that will completely change this world, and eliminate all evil!”

“The undiscovered city of the West! You want to drag us across the entire country!?” Wayne asked with distaste.

“That is nearly suicide! The mission to uncover Mason was less than half that distance with more experienced soldiers, who happened to work well together. We don’t have those benefits this time around!” Wayne insisted.

“And to top it all off we now have a man that is dead who not only have you disrespected with this current decision but who was also replaced with an untrained pussy like Mason!”

That insult was then met with resistance from Sylvia who defended the honor of Mason. Mason sat on the floor praying in the back of his mind despite his overall feelings toward religion. Wayne looked at Mason then sighed. He then looked at his crew.

“You guys okay with this?”

The crew gave no direct answer but Dexter continued on with his no care attitude, while Joseph put on a brave face. Wayne sighed even harder before finally agreeing to let the mission be continued to proceed. If his team was fine then he was fine. It was his team whose integrity he was defending after all.

“Hell yeah, we have a road trip ahead of us!” Dexter yelled.

“Oh boy.” July whispered while face palming.

Joseph, and July tried to assure Dexter that there wasn’t a reason to be excited. July put her weapon in the back of the Armored DB that Clive was in. Sam stared at Mason as he climbed up into a mechanic, and all Sam could think of was Dean, and Romeo. He fought with his inner self for a while not to blame Mason for their deaths, and was able to come to terms with it only because of how easy it was to blame, and hate the irons instead.

Meanwhile Sylvia couldn’t stop staring at Mason. She was scared for him, and she wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for him. He was now determined, and had himself a purpose through Clive of whom she trusted as a Commander, and as a person. She trusted that what Clive had in store was truly great, and that he would see home Mason safely, even if she were to die.

“God please keep him safe, no matter what!” Sylvia said while holding her hands to her heart.

“I will protect him!” she thought if all else fails.

Mason got in the cockpit then gently brushed his hands against the dash, and on the controls.

“This is it!” he thought.

He would finally do something of true importance. The cryogenic freezing he was a part of turned out to be a waste in the end. All it did was keep him from Miles further achievements, although it also allowed him to be here for Clive. He could feel it in his bone marrow, in his mind that this would be the definitive decision of his life that he made. This would change everything forever he thought.

The team prepped for the mission with all weapons in order, and check. They all had a different slur of emotions going through their heads, and each with motives. July wants to simply be there for her team, and the commander she respects. Dexter wants the option to legally kill. Joseph wants to earn the money to keep his family from being destitute. Sam is driven by simple revenge, as well as the fear of losing somebody else. Sylvia for the protection of Mason. Mason a sense of purpose, and a mark to be left. And lastly Clive wants to change the world for the better. The way he thinks is better.

But where exactly is better coming from? How did Clive know of Mason’s time of awakening, and where to find Daikov’s journal, and much more? There is something being hidden by Clive. Something Clive is covering up. Clive really does want to make the world a better place, but how will he go about it? That’s the final question.

The way he thinks is better.