Meeting Your Demons

Orion left for the cart and by the time he got to the road, it was already there. The cart was big capable of transporting at least 10 people, the cart was powered by crystalized mana and was driven autonomously by a golem. The cart was made of both mana steel and wood making it look both futuristic and rustic at the same time.

"Orion get in. Don't worry though it's not going to take as long as before to get to the base, the only reason it took so long was that Eric was too busy negotiating the price on the explosives and the smoke. When I told him to hurry up but no he had to get them for 4 silver cheaper," Jack spoke to Orion as he just arrived next to the cart.

"Elaine, did you finish with all your calls? Sith is getting agitated most likely because it's getting colder" Eric said to Elaine who was just coming in to view from behind Orion.

"NO IM NOT, ITS JUST GETTING COLDER, SO HURRY UP ALREADY ELAINE!" Sith yelled at Elaine.

"It's okay Sith I'll hurry up, and I'll see what I can do about this cold okay," Elaine tried to calm Sith.

Elaine put Kai into the cargo in the back of the cart and got into the cart then the cart drove off to the base.

After 3 hours of driving, they finally arrived at the base, and right now it was about 2:20 pm. Eric picked up Sith and said, "I'm going to take Sith to her quarters and see if I can get some firestones from the mages, so she will at least be able to move."

"Hi, Elaine why can't Sith move and got agitated when it got colder outside?" Asked Orion.

"You didn't learn this in class? Well, it's because serpentine have cold blood that's the reason she got a bit angry, that's also the reason why she fell asleep in the cart. See the way we usually deal with that issue is with firestones that have been formed into sheets and she puts them underneath her armor, but firestones eventually get run dry of mana if they don't get more of it and then they stop producing heat," explained Elaine.

"I get it now," Orion said.

"Well okay then," Elaine said awkwardly.

"Are you two done? I want to go to a bar and drink for a bit" said Jack as he got off the cart and headed to town.

"Jack make sure you get the report done," said Elaine to him.

"You too, or did you forget that what's her name is in the trunk of the cart," Jack said while reminding Elaine.

"Oh right, thanks Jack," said Elaine.

Elaine went over to the back of the cart and took out the hostage who was still knocked out.

"Hi, do you want to later get a drink or something?" Elaine asked when she put the hostage on her shoulder.

"Yeah, that sounds fun," said Orion.

Elaine then walked off to inside the base as Orion followed her since he didn't know how to get into the squad building. Elaine and Orion got to the interrogation room and she gave Kai to an interrogator.

"If it isn't Elaine Greydark, how long has it been since the last time we saw each other, 3 years?" Said the interrogator.

"Yeah something like that Han, this is Kai we need some information she has about the Celestials, can you do your thing with her and then tell me?" said Elaine.

"Okay sounds good, and who might be the person behind you, don't tell me he is your lover," Han said.

"No no nothing like that, this right here is Orion he is my new squadmate and he just finished his very first mission with us," Elaine said.

"Kid make sure you take care of her, she can be a handful but she is a great person once you get past her flaws," Han said to Orion who was getting red-faced from the suggestion that he and she were in a relationship, after which Orion saw Elaine punch than in the stomach pretty hard.

"OW! OKAY OKAY, I'm sorry I was just joking. See what I mean kid by flaws," Han said as he got punched again this time making both Kai and him drop to the ground.

Then Elaine began walking out, followed by Orion. Elaine was heading to the squad building, getting to the dead-end once more Elaine then said, "I still need to set you up in the system, so how about doing it now...." she then touched the door and said, "Greydark code 12AYRT ALPHA, initialize profile set up, Orion Alfheim, okay now do you see that hole in the wall?"

After a couple of moments of looking, Orion said "yes."

"Okay just put your eye to it and then wait a couple of seconds, after which you just put your hand anywhere on the wall and if it recognizes your hand and eye it will open up," Elaine said and Orion did what she told him to and after about 10 seconds the door opened, letting them both inside.

Orion kept on following Elaine as he had no idea what to do now.

"Orion are you going to follow me all the way to the bathrooms, I didn't know you were that kind of person, just wait out here, or take a shower yourself and then we will go, okay?" Elaine said.

'I guess I should take a shower myself, even if I didn't get any blood on me I still smell like iron. How much money do I have?' Orion thought to himself as he looked at the bag that was attached to his pants, picking it up and looking inside, 'it looks like I have about 10 silver coins, that should be enough to buy some basic clothes in a shop. I wonder when I'll be paid, I just did my first mission so I should start getting paid soon, right?' Orion thought.

Orion then went after Elaine into the showers and went to a shower on the opposite side of the room from hers.

After both of them finished taking a shower they dried themselves off and put their clothes back on after that, they headed to the lobby.

"Orion let's go to a bar, I know the perfect place too," Elaine said.

"Sounds good but before then can we go to a clothes store, I only one piece of clothing and was hoping for more than just that," Orion said to Elaine.

"Okay, there is a clothing store on the way I think let's go there," Elaine said.

"Let's go then," Orion said as he left for the door

Both of them headed off to the store, Orion bought himself a set of clothes quickly and then left.

"The bar is this way," Elaine said.

'Isn't this the really bad section of the city,' Orion thought to himself as he walked next to Elaine.

They arrived at a small, old looking building at the end of a dark alley that had a bright light sign that read, Sleeping Dead.

"This is the place, you want to head in?" ELaine asked.

"Yeah I guess so," Orion said as he opened the door.

"Welcome to Sleeping Dead. What can I get you?" A dark elf that was dressed to serve, with a clean white shirt, bow tie, braces, and smart black trousers.

"Syph, could you get me the usual," Elaine told the bartender her order and asked Orion "Orion what do you want?"

"I have never actually been to a bar before but I would like something bitter I guess," Orion said.

"Oh right didn't you say, you have been in the Brigade for 4 years, Syph could you get him a starter drink," Elaine said.

"Sure thing and I'll get you the honey malt, I just got a cream liqueur imported yesterday that should be a good starter," said Syph as he went to the back.

"Elaine this might be a personal question but could I ask it?" Orion asked Elaine.

"Sure," Elaine answered.

"It seems like you know this side of town pretty well, how come?" Asked Orion.

"Oh that, I grew up in this side of town, and Syph here raised me," answered Elaine, as Syph came with the bottles of honey malt and the cream liqueur.

"Elli how's it going up at base, plus who is this guy, is this your boyfriend. Finally, you at least found someone, I was getting worried that you would never find someone since today would be 23 years with you never having someone. Happy birthday Elli by the way," Syph said in a very happy tone.

"Why is everyone assuming Orion is my boyfriend, why didn't you assumed that with Eric, Sith, or Jack huh, and thanks Syph. Oh right how's Nex, I haven't seen her yet?" Elaine said.

"Sorry to tell you but Nex was killed 2 weeks ago by the Rushwell gang, Elli I know what you're thinking but don't do this, Nex wouldn't want that, you know that," said Syph as he was seen tearing up a little.

"Syph you know that have to do something about them, the only reason I haven't is that you two told me not to, but now that they killed Nex I have to hurt them as they hurt you," said Elaine.

"Elli I know you have been meeting your demons, talking to your inner self and that screaming in your head telling you to do something about this but please don't," Syph said.

"Syph you know me too well for you to think that would work, I will make them pay, and Orion here well help me, won't you?" Elaine said as she opened her bottle and downed it in one go.

"Wait what? I didn't agree to that, maybe you should listen to him," said Orion as he himself tried some of the drink he was given.

Then Elaine got up and grabbed Orion by the back of the shirt and dragged him out of the bar making Orion drop the bag from the store.

'She is so much like her mother, so stubborn' thought Syph.