Chapter 17: Mission Time

Lucas was resting in his dorm, laying face down on his bed, when an unexpected knock sounded at the door. Assuming it was Bloom since she was the only one who had ever paid him a visit, he simply yelled out, "Come in," not bothering to check if it was her.

The door opened, revealing a male voice that was clearly not Bloom's. Lucas sat up, staring at the unexpected visitor.

"I'm paying a visit to Saul's house later today. You're coming with," Andreas stated, his gaze fixed on Lucas. (Authors Note: For those who have not watched the show, Saul is Silva's last name).

"And why exactly would I do that?" Lucas questioned with a bored smile, not particularly interested in taking orders from his supposed teacher despite him being one of the more bearable people within this academy.

"You skipped my class," was the response he got. Before Lucas could even formulate a rebuttal, Andreas walked out of the dorm, leaving a simple, "You'll get a text message when we are setting out."

Lucas stared at the closing door until it finally shut, then slumped back onto his bed. Something was clearly up; he had reports from his people that the Solarian army had already searched Silva's home earlier. Andreas must have discovered something new.

He considered letting Bloom know but ultimately decided against it. He doubted it would have anything to do with her. After all, there was no way she was unlucky enough to be involved with every somewhat meaningful event happening... or was there?

Shutting his eyes, Lucas attempted to get a quick power nap before the mission he now had to partake in. It had been three days since he last slept, and even if he didn't feel physically tired, he was mentally strained a bit too much recently. It was best to be in his best shape; one never knows how a mission might go down.

A couple of hours later, the sound of his phone buzzing jolted Lucas awake. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he checked the message, a simple 'It's time' sent by Andreas. It appeared his resting time was now over.

Grabbing his gear, Lucas made his way to the designated meeting location, which was outside the specialist's hall. As he approached, he saw Andreas, joined by Riven and Dane, who were technically his classmates, but they had never actually interacted.

They were standing next to a military jeep, much like the one he had helped Silva escape from. Lucas felt a tad bit cringy, however. He had changed into the specialist suit they had assigned him, and matching with the three of them did bother him.

"Guess we're heading out?" Lucas asked, directing his question towards Andreas, who simply gave him a nod before hopping into the driver's seat.

Riven had attempted to claim the other front seat, but Lucas, seizing the opportunity, gave him a quick jab in the ribs that Riven clearly did not expect as he gasped. Not caring much for Riven's discomfort, he shoved him aside, and slid into the coveted seat, a smug grin on his face.

Andreas appeared to have witnessed the exchange but did nothing. If anything, Lucas could have sworn he saw a small smile tugging at the corners of the man's mouth. This is why he was the most bearable out of everyone here, he wasn't someone who cared for playing nice, and Lucas respected it.

As they set off, the jeep kicking up dust in its wake, Lucas couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Whatever they were about to uncover at Silva's house, he had a feeling it would be significant.

He took a glance at Riven and Dane in the rearview mirror, noting the mix of excitement and apprehension on their faces. They were young, eager to prove themselves, but also painfully naive. Lucas knew that feeling all too well, the desire to make a name for oneself, to stand out from the crowd. Inf act, his entire purpose in life could be added up to simply him trying to prove himself... the issue was he was also the judge.

He knew however the price that came with that ambition, the sacrifices and compromises one had to make along the way. He wondered if they truly understood what they were getting themselves into, if they were prepared for the realities of the world they had chosen, or maybe even been forced to inhabit.

As the jeep bounced along the rough terrain, Lucas found his thoughts drifting to Bloom and the others. He knew they would likely disapprove of his involvement in this mission, and would see it as a betrayal of the tentative trust they had begun to build.

But Lucas also knew that he had to play the long game, to keep his cards close to his chest until the time was right. He couldn't afford to let personal attachments cloud his judgment, especially with someone like Rosalind being involved.

The jeep slowed to a stop outside Silva's house, a modest structure that seemed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. As they exited the vehicle, Lucas took a moment to survey the area, his trained eyes scanning for any signs of disturbance or potential threats.

Andreas took the lead, striding towards the front door with a sense of purpose. Lucas fell into step beside him, Riven and Dane trailing close behind.

As they approached the home, which was honestly basically in the middle of nowhere, with simple fields surrounding them, Andreas looked back at Riven and Dane. "You two remain outside, make sure no one attempts to come near. Lucas, you're with me," he ordered before setting out to enter the house.

Lucas didn't argue with the order; he wanted to go inside anyway. However, he did flash a cocky smile at Riven and Dane, who seemed a tad bit down from having been left out. He could have sworn, though, that Riven appeared a bit guilty... Ah... he was friends with Sky... and since Silva raised Sky... this was Sky's home too! How fun!

Entering the house after Andreas, his moved now improved due to the realization of how else had lived in this house, it appeared empty, all the lights off, and the interior dark.

Lucas followed Andreas into what seemed to be a bedroom. The house was rather small; everything could be seen simply by standing at the front door, but he chose to follow anyway. Mainly out of curiosity to see what if signs showed that little Sky was just as annoying as the grown one.

As they stood in the bedroom looking around, he heard some sort of vibration... By his best guess, it was probably the sound of a phone. Glancing around and seeing nothing, he looked down, only to see two pairs of eyes staring up at him...

Bloom and Sky... They were under the floorboards... He maintained eye contact with them for a few moments, practically seeing the begging request for him to remain quiet in their eyes. He would have instantly said something if it was just Sky... why did Bloom have to fucking be here as well... 

Glancing up, he looked at Andreas... Andreas was by no means an idiot... If he saw it, he was certain Andreas was aware as well... At the same time as he was looking at him, Andreas looked back...

All it took was their eyes meeting, both able to tell the other knew... And yet... Both were choosing to remain quiet about it... An awkward sort of understanding passed between them; the house was empty, and that was final.

"Well, this was a flop. I say we burn it to the ground. Silva was a pain in the ass," Lucas said. "You in agreement?"

"Agreed. I don't see any leads towards his location here," Andreas added as he looked around, getting distracted by his own phone vibrating, which he answered.

"Rosalind," Andreas spoke into the phone, taking a small moment to process what was told before continuing, "He woke up?"

"You said he was barely holding on when he escaped the lab," Andreas continued, glancing at Lucas who was listening in on the call.

Lucas, however, did not care much for the conversation. He assumed it was about that student who was attacked... Bloom had mentioned his name a few times... He had forgotten, though. It had nothing to do with him, so he simply did not care.

He watched as Andreas wrapped up his call and reached out towards a photo of what appeared to be him, holding a young Sky in his arms. Taking the photo, Andreas folded it and placed it under his shirt, likely in some sort of pocket.

Glancing back at Lucas, he spoke again. "We burn it and then leave. Something came up."

"Sounds good," Lucas responded as he took one final glance down at the floor, making eye contact with Sky and Bloom again before following Andreas out of the house.

Outside, he watched as Andreas spoke to Riven and Dane, letting them know someone was at the house at some point, someone who probably knew where Silva was.

"Now, burn it down, let it be a message to them" he commanded Riven and Dane, who glanced at each other and then at Lucas as if for some sort of validation...

Lucas gave them a simple nod, at which they grabbed the gas cans and began splashing the liquid all over the walls of the house.

Wanting to have the honors himself, Lucas lit a match and tossed it at the now gasoline-covered home, watching it set ablaze. God how he wished he could watch Sky's face up close right now.

"We're heading back now," Andreas ordered the three of them.

"Ah, I'll stay behind and watch. Not every day I get to watch the house of someone I dislike burn down," Lucas said with a smile as he gazed toward Andreas...

An understanding passed between them. Both knew the house was not empty. Lucas figured that deep down, Andreas had feelings left for Sky; he was his child, after all. It only made sense he would not say anything. But that also gave Lucas leverage... leverage to do as he liked.

"Fine. You'll have to find your own ride back. We're leaving," was all Andreas responded with as he sat in the jeep, Riven and Dane joining him as they watched Lucas stay behind in confusion.

Lucas watched as they drove away, and then turned back to the house as the fire consumed it, Bloom would be fine, Sky as well sadly, she'd probably protect him, although he did wish she would just let him burn to death...