●　● Akkadia One, Eden Space Territories

At Hexa’s main office, Vincent was seated in his chair in the executive board meeting room where it was a group of six board leaders sitting in a manner along the sharp angles of the main table that gave off the shape of a hexagon. Al was seated across from him, surrounded by the other four who had been there since the beginning: Lucian, Nabransky, Mugen, and Zaeras. Vincent started the meeting off: “I for one have no problem finding time for us all, but I would start to question the need to have so many emergency board meetings lately.”

“Sir,” Mr. Lucian, who was labeled as the “Head of Internal Affairs”, responded as he put a hand up. “I know everyone saw my notices, and I think most here agree. We would like to know why holds have been placed on as many as twelve different active-duty divisions across the globe. It’s got a lot of us up in sorts. If we need to discuss anything and get things in the open, it has to be now. A lot has happened and a lot needs to continue moving forward and we need to get this cleared right now.”

“Right, especially the ones I have been trying to help rearrange,” Al added.

“Alright, gentlemen, I can put it this way,” Vincent replied. “I didn’t want to interfere with your work. I know exactly how busy you have been with expanded employment and recruitment as well as the flurry of new structure construction and management. That’s why I took the time to flag various groups to try and determine how best to continue further field testing of our newer equipment.”

“But we just had our financial adjustment meeting days ago!?” Mugen, the head of financial matters, responded in frustration. “We can’t just start dumping the funds once more on those Axiom units! We have to at least gather a new round of investors just for that one project to continue! And that is what I am still working on, to be clear.”

“But that’s what I meant. We only have four on the ground. Twelve potential hot spots to cover. Not enough funds just yet, and we are still bound by modified rules of engagement with hybridized round technology. I really want the best and fastest results to come up over the next few weeks as you know a certain rogue group amongst the terrorists really have us in a pinch.”

“But they haven’t surfaced since that incident in Medellin,” Nabranksy, head of corporate expansions, added. “We need to focus our new expansions across the South Pacific. As much as I had my disagreements, Mr. Knight has been pivotal in locking down much of the SAU corner of the globe. With Cuba getting where it needs to be, I think Singapore needs more of our time, now, not the Axiom project.”

“Then,” Vincent said with confident smirk, “explain to me why we shouldn’t continue field work without spending another dime more? Our Axiom pilots are in the least active regions as we speak, each having seen tremendous success. I want them put in our hottest spots up to date in Bangladesh and the Philippines.”

“Is that what the holds were about?” Lucian shot back with a frown. “You intended on doing that without consulting first?”

This is all bullshit, Vrey, and you know it. Al quickly interjected: “As if you thought that would fix the biggest cluster- you know what’s we have experienced since day one?! And this is not even to start to mention how the Axiom has only shown excellent results… against the weakest opposition! We have men bearing tech so advanced we here at Hexa never figured it out for crying out loud.” He felt in his gut Sam would be put right in the middle of the talks, but couldn’t bring that up for fairness’ sake.

“I will do what I must, because every other point you made until now is a true matter,” Vincent calmly but sternly returned. “Research and development can’t afford to take back seats with our financial and personnel matters, therefore I am going to continue forward with the restructuring of our active-duty rosters as I have already begun to do. This means we will expect to see how much more of a difference Axiom-centered squads do in areas with the biggest need of clean-up.”

“I know you don’t even intend on wasting an Axiom unit on Dhaka, yet,” Al spoke back with paralleled confidence. “That’s not even an LTAC issue. We’ve got our politics so screwed up backwards in that city, basic approach and all. The prime minister even made it clear we aren’t executing like they initially imagined. We are already in the process of renegotiating the terms of the contract- don’t mess this up!”

“If you don’t like the surge forward to find faster, more effective, positive results, the door isn’t far, Mr. Knight. We showed you your seat we can show you the exit.”

“That’s being a bit unfair, sir,” Nabransky stepped in. “You trusted us to work together on this-”

“I do,” Vincent stepped back in abruptly. “I expect you to work around our biggest problems, and you must- and you have no choice but to admit that our lack of efficiency in those two areas are not just political. We don’t have enough personnel, and we can in theory make up for it with more effective endurance and load-bearing capabilities. That is what the Axiom was designed for! Why are we holding them back? You ask me to make a sensible decision, but ask yourselves: are you truthfully thinking sensibly?” He stood up to continue, not about to let them answer back just yet. “You men have been doing outstanding jobs. And please, continue to do so. Do so around a new shift in manpower. I will have the schedules finalized soon, but that is none of your worries. Our fine network of directors already know how to handle it all. You just continue your work you all have laid out.”

“This meeting was not just to question your intentions but to plead you to rethink the potential risks… fatal risks we might be running when all we need is just a bit more time, sir,” Lucian tried once more in deep earnest.

“I acknowledge and understand your concern, but since you came to understand my intentions and you are now clear on everything, that is how it will be. Meeting adjourned.”

●　● Bogota, Colombia

Sam and Sebastian hadn’t made it far from the bus they just stepped off before both of their mobiles had buzzed with a message notification from Infinity. Sam’s eyes widened immediately upon seeing the title. “Hey, did you just get reassigned!?” she fussed as she started to read.

Sebastian paused in his tracks. “What?! Why are they sending me to Singapore!?”

“Me, too!” Sam shouted back as she looked around his shoulder. “We both got Singapore SRC to report to tomorrow!” She started thumbing through other messages from the previous days. “This makes no sense! From what I could tell, we would at least be here in the country for months or more!”

“It says we are to receive special operations training for two weeks.”

“Singapore… Singapore…” Sam said to herself, now staring off into the distance. “Hold on, that makes me think…” she then pulled up a map app that showed recruitment centers across the globe. “That’s where most recruits are sent to Bangladesh, Bali, Myanmar, and the Philippines.” Her eyes then sunk. “My very first emergency assignment was notifying all of us about sudden shifts of all new members to Bogota, Dhaka, and Manila. Shit. Sebastian, I think I know where we are headed, and this is not what we were wanting.”

“No,” he said in surprising calmness. “I think someone knows where the bastards we are looking for are going. Call it a… a what is it...”

“A hunch? That’s a hunch I don’t want to hear. Are you ready to start speaking a new language? I mean, you? Leaving South America?” She then felt another message notification vibration as she read the headline. “Welp, there you go, buddy. Start learning whatever Bangladesh speaks. That’s where we are headed unless you want to quit Infinity and go hunt those dudes on foot?”

Sebastian took a moment to take everything in. “I need to go talk to my brother one last time, but I still have a… a hunch.” He then started laughing at the irony of a memory that had popped up. “He always said I would one day have to leave home to grow up. Maybe this is that calling? I don’t know, but I can’t just walk away with no home to go back to. Maybe we find these men we look for along the way. Maybe Infinity is calling their best pilots?” He then returned to the same smile he had earlier. “Are you with me?”

Sam still felt horribly uneasy, but couldn’t help but smile back with a nod. She wondered, too, if the nightmares Sebastian had been having as he coped with the loss of his former team members would become worse, or if the new direction they were about to take would replace them with new ones. But, still, the comfort that came from choosing both her current direction and who she would surround herself with was real.

▽　▽　▽

(Early Next Morning)

Sam was back in the same hotel room where she was since the SAU took over operations, and her bags were still packed as if she hadn’t opened them the night before. She sat on her bed with the window in front of her, sun just barely peeking out over the horizon, indicating it was early morning. Her hair had been neatly brushed and tied back, but the no-makeup trend continued. She held up her mobile to open up her Waves app before placing it on the table near her to make a video recording.

“It’s been too many days counting since I left Akkadia,” she started as she kept her eyes on the mobile’s camera lens. “I think an apology is in line for assuming my line of work would be less demanding, but I was naïve and can see how my approach is insulting to those in this field. With that, I am not just taking a break, but will permanently log off from all activity until my contract expires,” she continued with a heavy tone as her initial smile had faded completely. “Too much has changed in such a short time, and I don’t think I can properly explain anything, even if you asked me directly. So, what I will promise to do is collect what I can, compile it when I feel my time to return has come, and wait until then to fill everyone in.”

It was apparent her feed was live as a several comments had already been left, keeping the notification light blinking constantly. She paid it no attention, taking one last breath to continue. “I can’t say where I am going, but I can say I am in good care. I am with someone I feel I haven’t had such faith in trusting in so many… maybe never before. So, sorry for my sudden departure, but I can’t let anything distract me. Some people very important to me are counting on me being focused and able to do my best, so I will do what it takes to maintain that focus. Thank you all for following and will see you sometime in the hopefully not-too-distant future,” she said as her smile returned. She motioned with her hand the feed to stop and put the mobile away in her shoulder bag without looking at the notifications. As she zipped it up, she let out a sigh as if a hundred pounds of weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. I am now really starting to believe the mental burden shit that social media has been said to put on the young.

▽　▽　▽

●　● Medellín, Colombia

Sebastian walked into Renzo’s room to find he was still awake and on social media. [Are you serious?]

Renzo laughed under his breath as he put his mobile down to reach over and turn the room light on. [Got any better ideas on how I need to spend my time?] He then eased himself up a bit to better speak. [So, did you make any decisions?]

Sebastian looked back with a conflicted look. [Yes, and no,] he said as he stood by the side of the bed. [I can’t help but think I need to-]

[-Go play hero?] Renzo interrupted with a smirk.

[You interrupt me to damn much,] Sebastian chuckled back. [I think they have to know something. You mentioned what you did about the caped units, but the guys at Infinity aren’t exactly denying anything nor are they telling me anything helpful.]

Renzo’s head swayed in thought. [Sounds like they know a lot. You know how even the government does. If they denied, they don’t want you. If they stay shut up, they either want or need you. So are you staying with them?]

[With Infinity? Yes, that’s what I decided to do. But as far as deciding what to do? They already did that for me. And that’s what I wanted to ask of you before taking my flight out of here.]

[Oh-hoh, so the Sebastian Navarre is looking to leave on his own for once!] he laughed before starting to cough as last time. He saw Sebastian approaching him but he waved him off. [I know, I will back off,] he said as he cleared his throat.

[So, anyway, I do want to find the men who ripped apart our family, taking away what we cannot get back. But Infinity wants to take me to Asia, and I don’t have a say so in remaining here to continue the search.]

[Idiot,] Renzo mumbled as he rolled his eyes. [That means they have a lead. You are one of the survivors with data or something they will want to keep on hand. They will bring you where you need to go. Even if I am completely wrong, do you think the ‘cape man’ will hang around Colombia just for you? I bet they moved on to bigger targets. You need to go. And make sure to tell Dani on your way out.]

[Why, is she awake!?]

[No. They take her out of her coma tomorrow, but still, tell her anyway. Just… in case.] He then looked to the empty doorway. [Hey, where’s Cruella?]

[She is on her way. We are meeting at the airport before leaving to Singapore.]

He chuckled once more in thought before continuing: She turned out to be nothing like the simple idiot tourist I thought she was. Maybe you need to keep her after all… to help keep you in line, too.

▽　▽　▽

Sam had been waiting outside on a bench near the entrance stairway, dry-fit cloth around her neck tucked between her uniform collar. She didn’t mind the wait, leaning back against the wall behind her to gaze at the high-rises filling the view across the street from her. She noted once again how drastic of a change her perception of the country had gone through in such little time. Morning work-goers busily buzzed by as she thought to herself: I almost want to say… I am going to miss this country. I really need to come back after things settle down. So much… life here compared to home. And better food, people are more upbeat…-”

“Sam, we can go now,” she heard Sebastian call out from behind as he descended the stairs.

“How’s Dani? Is she awake, yet?”

“No,” he said as he waited for her to gather her things and shoulder her bag. “Not until tomorrow, and even then she might still be asleep. I will call her when we get a chance after we land.”

“And how about your brother? How is he with you leaving?”

“Remember?” Sebastian said with a smile. “This whole leaving out on my own was always his idea. It’s up to me to find out if he’s just crazy.”

“Well, only one way to find out. It might be both of us losing our whole damned minds.” Sam then shouldered her other smaller duffel bag over her left shoulder and intertwined her fingers in Sebastian’s open left hand as they started walking. Moments later Sam began to hum a tune to which Sebastian had often hummed, causing him to react in subdued shock.

“Hmm? You know that song?” As she continued humming it, he continued nagging: “Hey, really, who told you?”

♪ “Oh, I know that there’ll be better days…” ♪

“Okay, stop,” he continued with a playful nudge. Although, who knew she could sing?

♪ “Oh, that sunshine ‘bout to come my way…” ♪

Sebastian thought on impulse to join her, but the erupting cracked voice caused both to sputter in laughter. “Ok, you do the singing. I will just pretend to join.”

♪

May we never, ever shed another tear for today…

‘Cuz oh, I know that there’ll be better days…”

♪

“Amen.”

-End Colombia Arc-