You'd think this is one hell of an exciting game, but for someone like me, this is just pure trouble--- a complicated, troublesome worthless task. Who wants to be bait?! I doubt someone out there dreams of being bait. It's like how people throw in meat on a crocodile pen to draw them in.
Damn that jerk! For all it's worth, this is his revenge on me. I still don't get why he's mad at me, but since he's one of those crazy kids, I'll let it pass. He must've lost a screw or something. I picked all the bait-like personalities in the class, or they chose me. And when I say bait-like, you'd probably think wimpy, and you're just half right. I sighed, looking at them. I can't help but feel sorry for ourselves. One of us even sneezed, spreading green matter down his chin.
"Hey, guys," I said, and you can trace the pity on my voice. "I'm Meow. And I'd be this division's commander. Any words of wisdom? Complaint? Comment?"
"I'm Fren," said the one who just sneezed. "I can, uh… Run fast."
"Phlegm--- I mean, Fren. Hello," I said and nodded at him. I silently cursed myself for that.
"I'm Kaye," said a girl. She reminded me of Emily of Corpse Bride. She's just too thin and has a bony face. "I'm not much, but I know stealth. And I'm a great climber. Of trees." She added like she was ashamed of it.
"I'm Ogress," one of them stepped forward, and oh boy, was she huge. I wasn't sure how she managed to get herself a suit with that building, but she did. "I can't do stealth with this built, but I can definitely do tanking."
"I can see that," I smiled, nodding at her. "Did you, perhaps, choose the Vulcan for a weapon?" She will do her best with a machine gun.
"Aye," she answered, smiling. "I'm not a good shot, but I can carry that heavy thing."
"I'm Jonas," said a boy holding two guns. He smiled smugly, but I sneered mentally when I noticed his shaking legs. The boy is scared, alright. "I'm a speedy runner."
Yes. I figured you could definitely run, given the inspiration.
I nodded at him and looked at the next. I stared at the boy, more petite than I am. He was smiling grudgingly, and he looked apologetic. He blinked his lashes at me and smiled like a…
"I'm Reyna," said the boy. "I'm… good with cosmetics and --- "
"Gay."
Some of them laughed. He bit his lip and looked down. "I can do well with camouflage."
I took a deep breath and smiled at him. It will not do to stand up to him, especially in an environment like this. If you don't want anyone crossing you, you should learn how to stand up for yourself. I turned to the next guy and noticed how he looked pretty tough. He's the male version of Ogress.
"I'm Sedano," he said and showed his teeth, grinning arrogantly. "I joined this little team simply because I like the challenge."
"More like, no one took you," said a girl beside him. "This guy doesn't know how to follow orders, so I'm warning you now about him. My name's Yetti, a pleasure to be under your guidance."
I smiled and asked. "Why did you choose this unit?"
"I'd rather belong to a small group than a big one, and since I'm no sniper, I joined yours."
You had the free will to choose wisely, you know.
I brushed away the envy and continued. "Next?"
"I'm Arley," said a girl and smiled. "I joined because Yetti joined."
"I'm Thorn," said a boy taller than I. He looked pretty gloomy. "I can run, and I'm not a bad shot."
"I'm Osprey, and this is Marlo," said a guy and nodded at me. "We joined this unit because we think you needed prolific members…." He looked around and sneered in disappointment.
"And what do you mean by that?" asked Ogress. She looked insulted. She approached them grumpily. Can't blame her. He sounded really insensitive.
"What do you think?" asked Marlo and chuckled when Ogress missed him.
"Stop," I warned, and they ignored me. I noticed Yetti watching me keenly. "I said stop."
Damn it. Why do I have to lead?!
I jumped in between them, and they paused. I held a knife at their throats to stop them from having a brawl. I may not be as strong as Ace or as fast as Loki, but I can visibly see movements. Dodging, parrying, and countering, I can do just fine. "If you're not going to cooperate, I think I'd force you to retire now."
Marlo took a step back, and Ogress stumbled down. I straightened up, pleased. They look shaken enough. Finally, they nodded. Every one of them nodded, and I got a feeling it was a nod of recognition.
A distant clapping caught my attention. "Chiefs! Come forward!"" Ace called, and I left my team and approached the table where the forest map was sprawled.
Minnie approached me with an animated air. Staring at her gave me the creeps. I nudged her and said. "Get that nasty grin off your face. You'd get killed if you keep that up."
She frowned at me and snorted. "I didn't know I was that excited. Thanks."
"Welcome, mouse," I answered and finally arrived by the table.
Ace started pointing out the critical locations for the snipers. Bee listened intently and nodded once in a while. She gave her own comments and plans, waiting for Ace to either agree or disagree. I listened to him for a time and then eventually got bored.
"We need to make them infiltrate this much before we attack," Ace said, circling the middle part of the map. "My team will be waiting over here. While our vanguard sneaks around the enemy's vanguard and moves forward."
"We're going for a counter?" I asked, frowning. "It's unlikely we will win the first clash with that, captain."
"Why do you say so?" asked Ace. I was expecting him to get mad, but he looked speculative. "Enlighten me." I looked at Minnie for help. I mentioned that part of the forest to Minnie on our way to the base a while ago. I noticed a bunny behind the bushes, so it kinda stuck.
Minnie nodded and pointed at a spot near the middle. "See this part?" They nodded.
"The foliage over here is too compact," she said. "There's no way we can go with an ambush if we don't know whether they'll split up around this part or make a detour."
"And what do you propose, mouse?" Bee asked, and she took a deep breath.
"We better set a trap over here just behind the foliage before ambushing them once they've delved deeper into our territory."
Ace nodded. "I didn't notice that part of the terrain before."
Loki was grinning. "We're going to wind them up with a trap before ambushing them deeper into the territory. Who's going to set the traps? What kind of traps?"
"The timing should be perfect. We cant have the vanguard losing their number earlier in the game," Minnie told Ace. "So the trap should be able to report."
I cleared my throat. They want our team to be the bait and the trap simultaneously. I know so since four sets of eyes looked at me.
"I didn't know whether we're the trap or the sacrifice here," I said and sighed helplessly. "Anyway, don't blame me if we fail."
Ace looked at me intently. He must be thinking of another way not to consume the particular unit since he said:
"I can spare a number of my infantries," he said. "We can't have your unit annihilated acting as a trap."
"So, what's our task?" I asked.
"It's simple," Ace said, and I almost groaned when a smile swept his lips. "Clear a path as deep into the enemy territory as you can."
And then he handed me a flare.
"Send us a signal once your team is entirely annihilated," Ace grinned at me like the jerk he is.