Maybe… maybe it’s because I am finally somewhere where I am not in everybody’s way for a change…

The flashback to Isaiah’s blade driven through her shoulder combined with his cold stare flickered in and out of her conscious, altering the course of her thoughts.

Or maybe because I won’t ever be able to let that one go… She rolled over with a groan. Imagine me turning tail like I normally would have in any other life…

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That next morning, a loud buzz coming from Sam’s mobile slowly but eventually shook her awake from her yet-again nightmare ridden slumber. Unable to accept it was already six in the morning, she heavily rolled over, reaching out for it so she could swipe the alarm switch off. She looked over to see the stirring caused no disturbance to Kerry’s sleep, allowing her to take her time changing back into uniform in anticipation of their meeting with the rest of the team and whichever directors were slated to join. She then got around to easing Kerry back to reality, allowing her for time to eat a quick breakfast she would pull from the refrigerator while Kerry got ready.

They both knew they would be back in the same room as Sebastian and Andre, which weighed more heavily on them than the presence of higher-ups. And for Sam, there was the added anticipation of when her father would show up, wondering why he hadn’t messaged her yet.

He’s usually late for everything, anyway. I should stay focused on what the hell to do about Andre if everything Kerry spelled out is for real. And Sebastian… I still don’t even know how to face him with how awkward everything’s been between us… Thoughts continued to swirl in her head as she stared emptily through the wall in front of her as she continued eating.

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The two passed through a room with several security gates in route to a briefing room where several men and women in director’s jackets were seated at the front-most table. One of the assistants present guided Sam and Kerry to their seats at the table near the front as they took their seat, noticing no one was uttering a single word in the whole room.

The silence was disturbing, and even the rustling of bags and other equipment almost seemed purposeful to avoid any awkwardness. The air even felt heavier than anticipated; it was as if there was bad news to be shared.

Sam looked over at Kerry as she straightened herself in her chair, seeing she looked somewhat better the more time passed, worried her hangover might still be evident. Her eyes then hovered back over to the table, confirming no sight of her father anywhere. Yep… late as expected. There were four or five more tables behind them, yet they all remained empty as two more director’s assistants joined the front table, leaving the two girls the only pilots in the room. But where are the other two? Did Andre really quit?

And just as another long, awkward minute passed, Sebastian filed into the room and was seated next to Sam. He too remained quiet as he felt the pressure not to speak, and he could tell the others understood all the same.

Still, Sam was surprised he came alone. Well, shit! Andre really did quit!

“Good morning, crew, and thank you for attending,” the center-most director spoke, cracking the deadness of the air. He spoke without any microphone, allowing his stronger, easily-carried voice to dictate with a sense of urgency: “I’m Earth-Space Operations Director Arrion Lau, and we called you for several reasons, each of which will be debriefed in detail, but first and foremost, we have to make it clear that you will each have specific duties involving the upcoming execution of Project Excalibur. I believe you have been notified but never filled in on anything of substance, am I correct?” His eyes locked in on their table, awaiting a response impatiently.

“No, sir,” Sam spoke after clearing her throat, avoiding direct eye contact. She didn’t know why she found it hard to look back at him, and it was a strange feeling, but for now, getting her eyes at least to the tablet on the table in front of him was the best she could do. “We only know of the name, and not of the contents or any dates.”

“Good,” he continued stiffly. “That’s because our enemy’s plans and movements are volatile at best, so giving anything official would only lead to constant and wasteful adjustments.” He then clicked a remote that brought up a map of The Philippines and the surrounding seas behind him as several labels and arrows popped up. “Based on intel, which by the way includes the data provided by your most recent… sortie, gave us enough insight to begin finalizing our next steps.” A second later, the picture of the Axiom engaged with a cloudy, indistinguishable blur popped up, reminding Sam of her battle with Revenant. “Ms. Knight, I assume you understand the impact this little victory you achieved has had on the whole operation. You understand that was one of the last two remaining Cloaks as you call them.”

“Yes, sir, I remember…” She then felt a realization that hit hard like a brick to the head; a realization that she didn’t do that on her own. She remembered seeing Sebastian, but for what reason she never figured out nor planned on asking. Guilt rushed through her as she turned to look toward him. “I remember Sebastian here helped make that possible.”

Sebastian looked back at her with surprise, already sold to the notion his deed would go unrecognized, but it was instead Director Lau that did the honors.

“It matters nothing how it was done in the end, because with your toppling of the power balance, it put them in a reeling backspin and put us in the driver’s seat- not just with the loss of another of their Cloaks but two more prominent pilots.” While failing to notice the offense Sam took on Sebastian’s behalf, he then turned to motion towards the center of the map. “As a result, two doors opened for us and revealed what you see.” He pointed to one photo of a man that popped up on one side of the capital city and continued: “This is the man they plan on voting in as the P4C’s rep. And if things go as planned, his victory will nullify the plans for whatever faction the assumed Rex has going, which means they have to move before election day.” He then turned back to face them. “But even though we know they always move faster than we expect, their retreat left some doors open even if just for a moment, and we gathered something incredibly critical.”

He then leaned forward as the map zoomed out to show several arrows from China pointed to the island nation. “China has been politically active with its pro-Confed restoration movement, and it’s no one’s secret that they want to also rebuild its former alliance with the nearby SEA international community… some even expect it to be forceful as in the past.” His tone continued to grow heavier. “We intercepted one single but damning communication that hints just that… that someone within that faction has ties with someone up top within the PRC’s military. This means only one thing to us: their goal is to reignite anti-Chinese sentiment and use that to turn the tide back in favor of the incumbent party members. And that, as you can figure, means more clashes within the protests and more potential for violent uprisings.”

“That makes no sense,” Sam mumbled under her breath, feeling conflicted with the presented information as her experiences taught her that each of the Underground’s operations were to put pro-Confederacy party members in power.

“Do you have a question, Ms. Knight?” Director Lau prodded as he noted her reaction.

Sam winced before mustering a response alongside Kerry’s head shaking and Sebastian’s sigh, realizing her folly. “No sir, just wasn’t what I was expecting to hear.”

“I assume you are referencing the Underground making moves to keep incumbents remark.” He read her body language just the same, continuing: “You realize this is not simple politics, miss. Their end game just looks to be much faster and much bloodier, and we are here to prevent the latter, not the former. Do you understand now?”

Kerry’s face seemed to react along the lines of “what an asshole” as she hid her face, looking back over at Sam to see if she had any last unnecessary remarks.

“I understand,” Sam spoke back while holding her tongue from any further commentary. Today would not be a day to test waters with her typical stubbornness.

“Now,” the Director continued as he cleared his throat. “Seeing whoever Rex has working for him had to pull their lines back, we will fill the gap and hold everything steady until we finish preparing the Excalibur Team for active duty. That,” he spoke with a hand gesture toward Sam’s table, “is where you all come in.”

The screen now changed to three silhouettes of new LTAC designs, ones Sam couldn’t recognize without any further details revealed, and a list of five names. She saw her name along with Sebastian and Kerry’s, then saw two she didn’t know. Who are those two? And I can’t even read that other name! Who the… And Andre really did fucking quit, huh!

Lau brought his hand toward the list. “We are awaiting the arrival of those two not in presence later this evening as we had to make last minute adjustments, but you five will be the scout team so that Excalibur Team can have eyes and ears where they need them most.”

Hold on… they’re putting us on scout duty!? Have they lost their minds?! Sam thought with the added insult to injury, seeing a new list propagate above theirs, showing three names assigned to each of the LTAC silhouettes, one being Kaylen Rodgers.