“Erik, am I shooting or not, nothings going on and I don’t want you to fart in my face” Derricc says, ruining the moment…..as always.
“Bro, we got some surprising company, we are all coming down.” “Wait seriously, you sure man.” “Trust me, we won’t have better company.” As I come down, Derricc stands in front of me I guess to make sure to himself that nothing is happening.
As the figures come down, Derricc’s face goes through shock, then happiness, then sadness and finally guilt.
“Derricc, we had to face this eventually.
Better now that later right.
Let’s see what happens ok.” Derricc nods but I know deep down inside he’s still racked with trauma like I am and we both know this won’t be easy.
The four of us go back to the meeting room.
“You must be big sis, the big man’s wife am I correct,” Anya says, going around to give her a hug.
“I’m Anya, since you’re here, I assume you know about us so I can say I’m one of the family members for these boys.
I handle comms.
“Ummm yes, yes I am, how did you know.” Selene comes around to hug her as well.
“We all know who you are, Erik doesn’t hide his feelings for you very well.
I’m Selene, I handle recon.” They also have a meet and greet with Anna while Ashley and I try not to look like tomatoes and failing a bit.
“Anyways,” I say after the meet and greets are done, “explain to me how you found this place and whether or not we should be packing and leaving.” “Easy big man, it took even me a long time to find this place.
Unless someone is specifically looking to hunt you down, there’s absolutely no way anyone could find this place.” The minute she says that, she looks up and everyone but Selene is currently looking guilty like no other and immediately Selene and Anya are on guard.
“That explains that”, Selene says, glaring at us with an investigative look.
“What did you two do.
It’s barely been a week yet you look like you’ve seen ghosts, aged 10 years and you can’t even interact or look at the two of us without looking like life slammed into you like a freight train gone beserk.
What’s even worse is that you two can’t go 5 seconds without making sure this place is still secure.
What has you two so wired.” “Big man, little man, it’s going to be ok right.” Derricc and I can’t even fake trying to say or look like it’ll be ok.
The guilt is killing us right now and being interrogated isn’t helping.
“Look you two, we flew in from Russia scared to death that you two got blown up in that villa and here you are, wired about something major.
How do you two expect us to help you if you won’t let us in.” Selene gets really emotional.
Anya gets up and walks towards me and gives me a hug, then goes over Derricc to ruffle his hair.
Derricc and I give each other a look that says might as well right.
Derricc looks at the girls.
“Can you finish answering us.
What we have to say will take a while.” Selene and Anya then explain how Selene heard about the attack and had Anya try to find us using very faint clues.
Apparently Selene caught me doing something with this car which is how Selene thought to have Anya check here.
“That makes sense,” Derricc says.
“Unless someone even knew about the mission and the car, no one would ever put two and two together.” “Exactly,” Selene says.
“Now it’s your turn, exactly what the hell is going and why do you two look like you’re here and not here at the same time.” I give Derricc a look and we explain everything that happened in the first timeline, the rebirth, the villa, Ashley’s letter problem, and of course the system.
Thankfully Ashley and Anna were here to help explain some things when Derricc and I got to emotional.
4 hours later, Anya is koala hugging me, crying into my chest as if the life of her got ripped out of her.
Selene on the other hand is somehow a sobbing mess and an analyzing wizard at the same time.
“This sounds incredibly fake yet oddly makes sense at the same time.
Definitely explains the boy’s temperaments.
So let’s say we agree to help you with this “system” you mentioned, what was your plan before we showed up.” “Honestly, Derricc and I were going to find all of you and see how you all were going to fit into the system.” “Why us Big man,” “Simple, we trust you.
I know it sounds crazy, I wouldn’t believe it either but we’ve spent 15 years only having each others backs.
There’s no other group of people I’d rather start something this big with.” “Erik, you’ve got my attention, and you know what boys.
15 years together and not once have you two lied to us or gave a reason not to follow you.” “Big man, I’m with you always.” “Very well then, you two are in for a shocker” I say with a grin on my face.
“System, analyze them” A blue screen pops up in front of us.
Name: Selene Teachability: SS Physical ability: S Personality: A Mental ability: SS Leadership: A Adaptability: SSS Loyalty: SS Patience: A Diplomacy: B Engineering: B Manufacturing: B Reconnaissance: SSS Communications: SS Research: A Overall Score: SS Potential score: SSS “Ding, Selene has met the score requirement for head of reconnaissance department, Proceed.” “Yes” Name: Anya Teachability: S Physical ability: B Personality: B Mental ability: SSS Leadership: A Adaptability: S Loyalty: SSS Patience: SS Diplomacy: A Engineering: S Manufacturing: B Reconnaissance: SS Communications: SSS Research: A Overall score: SS- Potential score: SSS “Ding, Anya had met the score requirements for Head of Communications Department.
Proceed.” “Yes” …..
…..
…..
“I was expecting a survival stat page to show up but I guess it’s too early.” I look to Anya who is very giddy right now, like a child who has a new toy to play with.
Selene is analyzing her screen as well.
“I don’t want to offend anyone when I ask this, but Anya, you seem more I guess childlike, than I expected.” Ashley says with a curiosity that matches the aura of the room right now.” “Anya can I explain,” I ask “That’s fine, this system is fascinating.” “Anya is an actual certified genius, actually joining us at the age of 12.
That being said, her intelligence came at the cost of some emotional growth.
She’s one of the smartest people you’ll ever meet, but only has the emotional maturity of a 12 year old.
So emotionally, she grew up around us in a world that expected her to be an adult.
Just treat her as a young, curious teenager and you’ll be fine.” “That explains the how clingy she is towards you.” “Right now I’ve been like a dad/older brother figure to her for the last 15 years so yeah.
She can be like that at times but it’s never bothered me.
I’m sorry if you’re uncomfortable with it.” “Oh no, it doesn’t bother me.
I just didn’t except someone in this group to be like this.” “My love, this group isn’t normal.
Forget everything you’ve ever know about personalities clashing or complementing each other and learn to know people, not worldly expectations.
“Erik,” Selene interrupts.
“We’ve got intel that Zira may be in trouble.
How soon do we leave.” I look at Derricc for confirmation of what I was thinking “Let’s get everything thing packed and move out.
Get ready to head out to the airport before we hear the familiar sound that makes us all stop what we were doing.
“Ding” Logistical infrastructure requirements exceed current capacity Recommendation accepted Vehicle management module unlocked.
Blueprints for acceptable vehicle acquired.
Blueprints locked.
Recommendation: Find Vehicular Specialist I stop for a minute and just stare at the screen in front of me.
Interesting That’s…very…..interesting