The Mantis Effect

Chapter Two

"It's Ward."

I could see her now. She sat in the seat fixated on something in her lap as Hap spoke to her. She shook her head softly and he ruffled her wild kinks. He turned to face us and stood promptly. I wondered why she had been the only one not to get out of the vehicle.

"The other guys say that she and Titus got those scars on their faces fighting each other. If it's true I hope we don't have to go up against them any time soon", Rodriguez whispered.

I agreed. The two of them against each other had to have been a battle between titans that split the ground but something told me the rumors were wrong about Ward's scar.

The soldiers split us into groups to be taxied by the vehicles and Rodriguez and I as well as two others were assigned to Hap and Ward's vehicle. I crawled into the truck quietly hoping not to draw any attention to myself but Rodriguez and his introductions completely foiled that plan.

He was polite and Hap was just as sincere in introducing himself. Hap came across much like Rodriguez did. Both were outgoing when it came to interacting with others and they smiled effortlessly. It was like they were both from another place where this world's problems hadn't affected them. Ward scratched her arm vigorously with her gloved hand. It seemed to be a bad itch as she itched persistently as a dog with dry skin. Hap touched her hand kindly to stop her.

"Don't itch, you'll make it worse", he said softly.

Ward stopped itching. I noticed Hap's tone had an twang to it, not like one I had heard before. How curious.

"Guys this is Ward. Ward?" He questioned.

She spoke in a soft and low tone and the pitch of it was almost robotic and monotone.

"Hello, I'm Ward. Ward, W-A-R-D, Ward", she said.

The way she spoke was as though she had memorized a script or been trying to anyway. Her mouth moved but she was quite catatonic in nature.

"Nice to meet you Ward. I'm Rodriguez and this is Mei", Rodriguez said politely.

"Is it?" Ward asked quietly.

"What?" Rodriguez asked.

"Is it nice to meet me? I've heard people say that but then say I'm a bit too detached for their liking. That's why I don't have friends except for Hap. So is it really nice to meet me or are you just being polite?"

She responded in a manner too analytical for common conversation. She was a literal person. Every word was acute when she heard it and warranted an equally acute response.

"You're very direct aren't you Ward?" Rodriguez asked.

Ward nodded her head and her wild hair shook. Rodriguez smiled.

"Well I like that in a friend. We'll get along well", he said.

It was astounding how well he could handle any situation he was thrust into.

We were on our way into the dust and away from the bus. The air was dry and hot. I lay my head back and felt myself nodding off. I did my best to keep myself awake but when I looked over Rodriguez and the other recruits were asleep.

"Looks like you're the only one who could keep their eyes open,"Hap said.

I looked up to meet his eyes in the mirror.

"Guess so, I think it's my nerves," I answered.

"Certainly", he replied.

I touched my bangle again. I was missing home already.