The Chronicles of Protan (Book 1): The Shadowed Man

Chapter 26

“I am not sure how I will be of assistance Lieutenant. It was clear from the previous occasion that I would be of no help.” The bustle around Protan and Layla in Level Sub C was not as crowded as it was during the Tokyo extraction, yet both the Alpha and newly appointed Beta team in the form of Shania Brooke’s mix of Hybrids and former government spies were being prepped and geared up. Protan stood with arms slightly raised as Taproot and Vixen assisted in attaching a bullet proof vest and a utility belt.

“I don’t like this any more than you do,” Layla replied as she threw on her vest, “but we have no idea if we’ll be dealing with Creekers or not.”

Protan’s eyes narrowed slightly, “I resent that term Lieutenant. Some of my best friends were Creekan. It would ease my perception of you if you would refrain from it.”

“I don’t give a shit what you think of me,” Layla said clipping in her belt as she looked him in the eye. She caught the eyes of both Vixen and Taproot that seemed bereaved by her statement and treatment of Protan. They seemed uncertain as to how they should react, yet Layla understood the expression. The thought of how people often accept her regardless of her inadequacies ran through her mind again, and it shone through the two Alpha team members’ eyes.

“That is fair enough Lieutenant,” Protan said, “yet I would not be able to follow you through this as leader of this group.”

The statement instantly froze Vixen and Taproot, and caused Layla’s head to snap toward him, three pairs of eyes staring and baring on him. Layla’s voice altered to a low register, “You think my leadership is flawed because I don’t censor what I say?”

“Senorita,” Taproot started carefully, “that’s not what he—“

“Let me lay it down so you can understand,” she interjected as she stood, holstering side arms and sharper hand-to-hand combat weapons, her eyes not leaving Protan’s. “The Alpha Team has done far more for that Realm than the collective of its own people in a lifetime. All we get in return, are those very people dead bent on making this Realm their own, or destroying it for their own reasons. We have had countless losses of mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters…children…wives, and husbands, and other loved ones.

“We have suffered enough at the hands of a tyrant and sorcerer. Besides what you have seen in the form of abilities and numbers, what keeps us together is strength, and that comes in many forms. One of which is showing how resilient we are, and that is what is prevalent in my voice.” She moved closer to him as he stood listening, lowering her voice, “My strength is in my words. That and your Realm is what—“

“It is not my Realm—“

“Your Realm,” she interjected pausing afterward, “and that strength is what drives me. So before you question my leadership, tone of voice or manner of speaking, be sure to think about where it is that you just came from.”

The two locked eyes for a tense moment as Vixen and Taproot stood silently as spectators, yet it was Protan whose eyes dropped surrendering to the confrontation. Taproot eyed Vixen, and she nodded, moving off to join the rest of the crew soon to embark on the mission to Hawaii.

“Lieutenant,” Taproot started, Layla’s eyes rolling over to him. “As much as Protan has refused to join the group, I do agree that he will be useful to our investigation.”

“What’s your point Tap,” she responded shortly.

“He could always slot in with Shania’s team,” Taproot suggested, producing a pause from both. “They could use the intel. It is what they do.”

The suggestion gave Layla a twitch, and Taproot knew full well that she detested the notion. Yet, he knew well that she would always take the base’s operations and mission parameters as first priority. It was a harsh way to turn the tables, and she would bare a very short grudge against him for it, but it was a small price to pay for offering a way for her to possibly see things differently, and for Protan to make use of his skills in a positive way.