*
After the general meeting, I walked amongst my friends as we headed outside to board the plane back to Safe Zone 3.
I was quite satisfied with the things that I had learnt in this meeting and I couldn't wait to get back home.
Humanity was putting in a lot of effort to protect the remaining Elite Invigorated, and I intended to make that effort count despite having an ability that could just as well lead to my death.
Sure my motivations were still up in the air, I simply responded according to the need for me to step up, but the truth is, fighting without a proper goal and hope doesn't exactly produce your true potential.
As we walked; Josh, Ana, Nicholas, Paul and Yang Hai, looked around at the other Elite Invigorated from other Safe Zones, particularly those from Safe Zone 2.
They were three men who looked rather stern and serious.
I had heard that they came as representatives of Safe Zone 2, in KingMaestro's stead.
If there was one person I was dying to meet, it would be that man.
Everyone mentioned his name with such confidence that I was already beginning to feel like he was invincible.
Apparently, it was common for Safe Zone Commanders to delegate some duties to their Invigorated while they attended to more important activities.
When I heard that little piece of knowledge, something had started gnawing at the edge of my brain and I finally asked.
"Hey, Josh. If Astrid is the Safe Zone Commander, how come she was with you during the scouting mission? Isn't it kind of reckless for her to do that?"
"Oh, that? Well, the thing you need to know to know first is the criteria for an Invigorated to be assigned as a Safe Zone Commander.
They need to be quick to respond to unforeseen events, have a good leadership quality, not break easily under pressure and have a convenient innate ability that allows for them to protect themselves and their assigned Zones," Josh replied.
'I see,' I thought as I nodded.
"However, this is the basic criteria or more of a template. We don't have the luxury of adhering to it at all times, and you could say that Astrid proved herself to the Panel in a different way. In a matter of speaking, she forced her way into becoming a Safe Zone Commander.
Yes, she is reckless. From time to time she insists on joining missions to actually participate in the saving of people rather than sitting at her desk. If I and Sandra didn't bully her ass into staying, she might have actually joined in on the Safe Zone 4 mission."
That was some insane information. When I was rescued, I didn't know that she was a Commander. Her demeanour was that of a caring person by nature which is really cool. Perhaps it masked the inner macho in her.
"Don't worry about her flaking on her duties, there are other Invigorated who often help with taking care of her messes while she is gone. Camille is one of them. You haven't seen the other because he is usually way too busy. He is a Vice Commander in a way," continues Josh as he ruthlessly patted my back.
I almost coughed a lung from the force.
"I can't wait to go home. I need some time of peace and relaxation. It sounds hypocritical since I've just fought a single battle that barely lasted long but.. that warm food man," said Paul as he breathed out.
"I hear that," said Ana as she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Speaking of barely lasting long, I must congratulate you all for barely coming out of this alive. Ana was especially astounding. You contributed greatly to the success we tasted. Cheers to you," said Josh with a smile that was not a smile.
Ana gazed at him concernedly.
"I would have felt flattered by your words if they didn't sound so dark," she said.
"Oh don't worry I was watching you all the whole time, you were going to be fine," he said with a cheery smile that was not a cheery smile.
"Besides, Astrid is probably gonna murder me for letting you guys on the battlefield anyway. Her motherly instinct must be flaring right now. She always knows when I wing it," he said with a sad smile that was really a sad smile.
"Well, rest in peace. Your soul will forever remain in our hearts," I said with an encouraging smile that wasn't an encouraging smile.
"Amen," everyone else responded while clasping their hands together, even Yang Hai.
Josh narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
"Excuse me," a familiar voice came from behind us, making us turn around.
It was Amelia and behind her was a crew.
"I would like to thank you all for helping us defend our Safe Zone. I know it was challenging and some loved ones were lost, but thank you nonetheless for your help," she said with a grateful expression.
Her wrathful expression was all but gone as I can imagine that she was pleased to hear that her people would be brought under the protection of Safe Zone 1.
I could still see traces of sadness in her eyes. I can only assume that she was heavily impacted by Aryan's words.
To be fair I don't think it was her fault. The situation at the base had been far from perfect yes, but she did do her best. She wasn't slacking off as we arrived either.
"Sure. I expect that date we promised to have after this blows over though," said Josh in a matter-of-fact way that caused us all to look at him quizzically and for Amelia to hold the bridge of her nose while taking a deep breath, no doubt to calm herself.
Amelia then looked at me.
'Oh shit! Is she trying to pick up that beef again and slap me with it?' I thought as I nervously made a duck face.
"You. I must apologise. I don't know what the hell happened to you but my emotions were jumbled at the time and I wrongfully accused you. You even helped reduce the casualties indirectly.
If I had teleported with that boy and myself inside the base, I could have possibly perished, as the many I thought I transferred to safety in that building. Thank you," she said as she gave a smile.
I didn't know what to say. I felt like a fraud! Regardless, I wore an amiable smile and responded sheepishly.
"No need for that. It was all just a coincidence," I said.
Josh gave me a threatening glare right off the bat.
Dude do you have to be so tactless??! If you want her she's yours, stop breathing down my neck!
Amelia nodded and walked away, a short man behind her giving me a malicious glare.
I guess the apocalypse took away the shame of being the smaller man!
It's Josh you want goddammit!
Afterwards, we went and boarded the plane. I was so relieved to be on my way home.