The next day, Zion let us all read the envelope, we would In fact have two more soldiers coming with us, not enough though, we would take an unidentified non-military person who was carrying cargo and deliver them to New Central Mexico. Loss or death of either is termination of mission and execution... So we can't mess this up.
A knock on our door followed by "Commanding Officer Jackson," and "his unit, please follow us." A man and a woman in uniform motioned for us to follow, walking with them we made our way to an elevator. They pressed a button labeled WP, and according to the movement of the elevator, I assumed we were going down.
Finally, the elevator dinged, relegating we made it to our destination, doors opening we followed them to an armored door, The man opened it and motioned us to go inside. Looking around inside, we were in weaponry
"We have special orders to give you 2 weapons that we have spec'ed out according to your performance during the placement test." The lady said walking up to a case, "Bob Laska, we've made this, especially for you,"-opening the case she showed the rifle's dark green body and 2 scope attachments. "Using an older M110, we converted much of the rifle to be able to use different calibers, We would not recommend .50 cal, but with your style, I don't think we have to worry." She expressed as she closed the case, pushing the case toward Bob, he took it and stepped away, Bob asked to speak with her about the gun.
"Now Silvia, I think you will enjoy this." The man said eyes sparkling as he started unlocking the case.
--
After giving us our weapons and harnesses, they explained that mobility and protecting the cargo was our priority, not that we didn't already know that. They introduced us to some infantry soldiers who were going to be assisting us on the mission: Liam, a pale man with curly hair, and William, a black man with short locs. Shaking hands, we made our way to the truck we'd take.
The truck was old, showing signs of aging, from the older gen military trucks, it was gas-powered, filled with rations and gasoline, we got in, looking at Avery she was looking sick but she powered through, Liam offered to take the first driving shift as we made way to the pick-up spot.
According to the small info packets, we are just 4 hours out from the pick-up spot, deciding now was a good time to clear the air and get to know our new travel buddies.
"So yall work for Central, or are yall mercenaries from your platoon?" I ask, playing with one of my straps.
"I've been working for Central since I was 19, I'm 25 now," William says from the passenger seat.
"Was in a west platoon before the position at central became available, they offered it to my platoon first, so I applied," Liam says from the front seat looking at him through the rearview mirror.
"Elite?" Zion asked, what we were all thinking.
"Yes," Liam replies
Well, that's great. We have a high-ranking dog babysitting us too, I nudge Zion who's sitting in the seat near me, and judging by his expression he's thinking the same as me. What the hell have we gotten into?
"Avery, you going to be ok?" I ask, changing the subject,
"Hopefully, I don't feel weird now, but 6 days in a car will be pushing it" Avery replies, grimacing.
"If you can't drive your shift just-"
---
3 hours later
"This is it, I'll park around in cargo loading," Liam says from the driver seat.
Bringing the truck around to cargo shipping and loading we see a group of people huddled together making their way outside in American Central uniform. Putting the car in park Liam steps out of the driver seat as we file out of the truck on guard, Zion takes the lead "Sgt. Jackson requesting cargo," He said handing over paper to the man in front and showing his ID as well, the man overlooked the paper nodding as he handed it back to the man closest to him, signaling his hand forward he motioned for movement, with some shuffling a person covered head to toe in black was pushed forward, with her she held onto a book bag.
The man who was originally handed the documents took a separate bout of documents and handed them to the person clad in black.
"Safe transport of this personnel is under your care, Stay safe united with central." The man said.
"Thank you, united in Central we are." Zion said to the man and his convoy as they retreated. Making a hand motion we all started toward the truck, keeping an eye on the person in black they seemed to hesitate before following. Nervous maybe, understandable considering the God-forsaken mission we're on.
Getting in the truck William decided to take the next shift driving with Bob deciding to sit shotgun, the person in black- who I really need to find out their name- sat in front of me with Avery and David filling up the seats next to them while Zion sat closest to me on my side with Liam sitting on the left of him.
So the personnel turns out to be a veiled person with an obsession with black, just great.
William takes off onto a rocky road looking through the cloth cage I can see Bob fiddling with the GPS probably looking to see the best non-ruined areas while staying out of more "hostile" territories.
Sighing I resign my focus the person clad in black. "What is your name?"