A Chapter 15 Setting Off(1)

  16th Blue, 2043. 8:03AM

  Inside one of the hangars in Mazi airfield base.

  Ril Milena(POV)

  My mother, Estella, plus myself entered through the massive entrance of the hangar. The sky was a gloomy grey shade, and the tarmac was wet with the fallen droplets from the night. I peaked at their side profiles, amazed by their composure. The morning was chilly, with a mist reluctantly clinging to the space. Waking up had been a pain, but dressing up had been on a whole other level. Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact that I really wanted to see for myself how the other continent looked like, I wouldn't have fitted myself into this black skin-hugging attire, not to mention the outer layer composed of dark green military pants and a vest, each with a lot of pockets filled with helpful, yet heavy stuff. Then, there was also the problem of outlined curves. Mother and Estella seemed to be at ease in such an outfit, yet I was contemplating the idea of searching for something to cover up my exposed body. My face was plain, but I knew for a fact that my body was close to sinful.

  "Project confidence, dear Ril! Also make that back straight! Make sure to stay alert at all times when we touch ground on Kisol. We have no idea of what we are stepping into."

  "Yet you refused to stay behind. You are Milena's leader!"

  "Why would I sit back when the others are taking the stage? Those Lutalo bastards and Luthor seem convinced that this is a once in a lifetime chance!"

  "How could you tell? And a chance for what exactly?" I asked curiously.

  "I don't know what for. But, Luthor appears to be very driven, judging by that expression, while the Lutalos, especially that David, appear excited. They, like us, shouldn't have any idea about anything related to the fallen object, yet for some reason, they are eager to head to the site of the crash... " My mother narrowed her eyes.

  "So, that's why you refused to stay back." My gaze traveled deep into the hangar, falling upon the figures clustered under the Army green behemoth whose silhouette was being illuminated by the soft rows of florescent bulbs above.

  It was birdshaped, with four jet engines under a pair of wings, two on each side. It's nose was high up in the sky, exposing a massive cargo area. Beneath it, a crowd was gathered. There were those clad in the same attire as the three of us, and others, the military personnel loading crates, filling the plane with fuel, and doing other stuff in the background.

  The gathered crowd, our travel companions were already there, each checking their gear. Upon making our way over, I was handed my equipment, composed of a pistol capable of spitting out projectiles of concentrated spiritual energy with a flame frequency, a knife whose edge could become even deadlier with light attuned spiritual energy particles, plus a bracer that could layer a coating of rock upon my arm and fist should I find myself in a situation that required using the body part for defending myself, which I hoped would never happen. There were other things handed out, of course, but I was too preoccupied with my nerves to register some. Instead, I worked to stuff them in my many pockets, or holster them upon my belt if necessary.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  I tilted my head to take a close look at the two engines on this side of the craft, realizing that this was going to be my second time on a plane in close succession.

  I clenched my hands into fists, closed my eyes, and took a deep steadying breath. I held it in for as long as I could before exhaling and opening them. I was nervous and scared. I had participated in the dying embers of the war without being in close proximity to any of the beasts. But now, we were heading into uncharted territory. What were we going to find there? Would we be safe? Such questions and more ate away at me. This had been a hasty decision. We should have taken weeks, maybe months, to prepare, yet only two days had passed.

  "Gather around! There are things that we must discuss, like our objective." Luthor called. He was handsome in the body hugging suit. It made his muscles stand out, plus, there was this stern air about him that served to elevate his appeal to me. How I wished I was standing next to him. No! I shouldn't have had such thoughts! This was a serious moment! I should get a hold of myself!

  "First of all, this plane is going to get us all the way to the eastern coast of Kisol. Four fighter planes will guard us from any aerial threats we might encounter during the route. But since Kisol is a primitive land, we will be using chutes to make landing. A helicopter will extract us, but it will originate from this base. It won't be going with us. Instead, we have developed a new technology that relies on spiritual energy to convey signals, and distance is not its limitation. That is what we will use to request an extraction."

  My hands trembled at that piece of information. I intertwined my fingers with each other to hide that. I had never used a parachute in my life!

  "We have no idea about what we will be facing, only that we will be gone for atleast a few weeks. After landing, we will push inland, towards our target."

  "Will we be splitting up?" asked David, igniting embers of rage within my heart. Yesterday, Mr. Luthor had compromised, letting us get familiar with the weapons and accessories... A great decision, yet it still made me angry that he had had to be pushed around by the Lutalos. I ground my teeth in frustration, yet had to keep quiet. I couldn't antagonize the man any further as I would simply be embarrassing myself. And why did he even ask such a question? Splitting up in an unknown land was tantamount to death! Any logical person would have figured that out instantly!

  "A few other things will be explained later on, but for now, we need to board." Mr. Luther said before picking up a large bag and heading inside. Though, he did direct a glare David's way, one I was certain conveyed the very same thoughts swimming in my mind.

  Upon making my way inside, I sat along the seats riveted onto the sides of the plane's body, with my mother and Estella, taking my right and left sides respectively. I directed a smile towards my mother when she placed her hand in mine to reassure me. She must have picked up on my unsettled emotions. I had never been able to hide anything from her. Was this how all mothers were?

  "Supplies are going to be crucial for our survival, yet, we wouldn't be capable of lugging around massive bags. Food and drink will be sourced from the continent itself. We will only be carrying a modicum of miscellaneous stuff." Luthor explained as everyone strapped themselves into their seats.

  "Do you have any idea about what we might be facing upon landfall?" asked Snow Mpale. Even in the crude attire, she appeared radiant and beautiful.

  "No. This is going to the first time that anyone will step on the continent." he said even as the nose started lowering back. Upon confirmation that it had locked in place, the plane started being towed from the hangar.

  "It looks like we will have to be extra cautious then." added Dan, clenching and unclenching his hands opposite me. For some reason, seeing him nervous made me relieved. It seemed that I wasn't the only one with the nerves sickness.

  "We will have to work together if we are to survive. And we won't be splitting up. Everyone has a role to play, and it's important that we stay as a group." Mr. Luthor finally addressed David's question as the gloomy morning light spilled into the interior through the small windows.

  "It's okay!" a hand squeezed mine, while mother's voice entered my ears. "I will be with you. I will make certain that nothing harms you!" her whisper gave me strength even as the noise from the engines started to saturate the insides, growing louder by each second.

  I reassured her with a nod. She wouldn't be the one protecting me unilaterally. I too, would do the same for her. Though she was a veteran of battle, the place we were heading for was dangerous enough that even experience might not be enough to ensure that we keep our lives.

  My eyes traveled towards the others, most of whom wore impassive expressions except for David whose lips were curved upwards, and a twinkle in his eyes. He was clearly in his own world, anticipating a fun exploration.