Long Run

FIVE_5

WIPED OUT

"How is it?" A crispy voice said.
"Master." Another deep voice spoke, it was a tall bulky man who was standing below a fleet of stairs with his head lowered but his scarred side profile was impossible to miss. His black boots fitted perfectly with the dark marbled floor and so did the dark walls of the room. "Most of the cities are now within the context of phase one and although we are almost done, the preceding team needs to be properly equipped in the face of stronger opponents." He briefly explained.

"Oh really?" The voice answered lucidly. "Then why is the team not aware of the consequences of not completing their work?" The voice sounded amused.

"I—I really can't say, Master." The tall man admitted.

"Jadyen, if you don't know, then why are you supervising the team?" This time, the voice bellowed. "Now that I think about it—your incompetence has made me realise that you are of no use to me anymore. I would send you in for proper discipline." Jayden, the tall man, gasped, both his blue and hazel eyes widened in terror. Being sent in for discipline was far from its literal meaning, it has been the worst nightmare for many of his predecessors as it cast fear into their souls. He abruptly fell on his knees with the hard floor grazing them as he cried, unaffected by the abnormal chill of the cold ground.

"Master, please grant me a second chance! I will do all that you command!"

"Why should I give you a second chance when you haven't played your role right?" The voice questioned, as the sound of footsteps descended from the stairs. Soon, a pair of silver boots appeared before Jayden's sight but he dared not raise his head.

"Not only have you failed to guide the team but you've also failed to bring back a report concerning project 01. Do you still think you are deserving of another chance?" The boots took a turn around Jadyen as the voice continued to say, "I might forgive you—if there is news about project 01, but I doubt that there is any."

Jayden shivered, his outstretched hands were withdrawn in trembles. He did have news but he was afraid that it wouldn't be enough since he had no evidence to back the report and also, if he doesn't tell, his petty life might be endangered. He had to summon a bolt of courage before he said, "I—I have some information—" He carefully raised his neck only to catch sight of the boots frozen beside him and the fear in his heart intensified.

He couldn't continue speaking and the voice must have been furious.

"And—"

"Although the information is incomplete, I think it's 62% accurate." He clearly struggled to spit out those words.

"You think?"

"I know, I know!"

"So?"

"I have found the estimated location of project 01 but the tracking device seems to be disabled. It was ineffective even after Mr. Cori tried." Jadyen said, fidgeting as he fumbled with his hands. He wrapped an arm around himself as he felt that he was getting too cold.

"Mr. Cori helped?" The voice sounded confused, "I thought he said he wouldn't meddle with any of our current situations but he helped in tracking down project 01? Isn't that strange?" The voice continued to talk to himself.

"I think Mr. Cori helped because he was the biggest contributor to the creation of that project." Jadyen answered and he instantly felt a gaze flashed his way.

"What is the location?"

"One of the communities in Vel city. "

"Oh, I see." The voice suddenly became stern, "I forgive you but you must find the true location in the next four days, otherwise you can just end up as a test subject."