Khartoum International Airport, Sudan
Several hours later
Within the heart of the capital city, the airport was a busy place. Planes of all types, sizes, and airlines came and went in a constant ebb and flow. The commercial airlines were kept in the main terminals, while the cargo lines had their own dedicated terminal a ways away from the main ones. This terminal dealt with the larger planes and the goods they carried.
“Okay then, our business is concluded,†Leos said. He was sitting in a small, nondescript office inside the terminal. On the other side of a small desk, a man in a sharp business suit nodded. “And here is your payment,†he said as he handed Leos a briefcase, “just as we agreed upon.†Leos took the case, but he didn’t open it. Doing so would have been unprofessional. “A pleasure doing business with you.†With that, Leos left the office and, shortly after, the terminal. Waiting for him outside were the other two Gespenst pilots, who started walking with Leos.
“Well?†asked Henry. Henry was the oldest of the Black Wolves at 36. The rest of the Wolves often teased him about that, though there was a shred of validity to their jests. It was rare to see a mech pilot that old- by that age, they were usually either killed in battle or promoted off of the front lines. However, Henry was just as good of a pilot as anyone even half his age. Before joining the Wolves, Henry had been a competitive sharpshooter. No one really asked what brought on the sudden shift in careers, but his skill as a sniper served the team well.
“How’d we do?†Hiro inquired. Hiro was barely 16, and yet one of the most skilled pilots Leos had seen. Hiro claimed that it just came naturally. Hiro was actually short for Hiroko, but between her build, clothing, and general behavior, one would be hard pressed to believe that she was, in fact, a she. She often fancied herself as a romantic samurai, something that got just as much razzing from the Wolves. However, Hiro never seemed to be affected by it. While perhaps not a samurai in name, she had certainly mastered the mindset of the ancient warriors.
“Job’s done, we got paid what we were promised.†Leos tossed the briefcase to Hiro, who took a peek inside. “So, what’s the next job?†Henry inquired. Leos could only shrug. In return, Henry shrugged as well. Neither one of them could see the future, after all. “We’ll ask Wendy if she’s got anything for us.†Leos suggested. Both Henry and Hiro’s faces turned sour at that notion. “Okay, I may be wrong here, but didn’t Wendy…†Henry trailed off as he tried to find a good way to phrase it. “Didn’t she shoot you?†Hiro chimed in, feeling less need for tact. Leos sighed and waved a hand in a dismissive fashion. “That was a long time ago over an entirely legitimate disagreement about money,†he said. “I’m sure she’s long forgotten about it.â€
By now the three had crossed the runway and were approaching a transport. It was an older model, but still skyworthy. Admittedly, it had taken a lot of work to get it fixed up, plus a lot more to make it fit their accommodations. But it had all been worth it, as the transport served as their reliable (if occasionally rickety) home. The three walked up the cargo ramp and into the hangar. The three Personal Troopers were already loaded up, with various pieces of armor removed to expose the delicate interior workings. “Hey Doc,†Leos called out, “how’s it looking?â€
From behind the legs of one of the Gespensts, a man in a duster and bowler hat peaked his head out. No one actually knew his real name. Everyone just called him Doc, partially because of his medical skills and partially because of his uncanny resemblance to the old gunslinger Doc Holliday. The fact that he always wore the jacket and hat just added to the illusion. “There’s sand everywhere! I’m gonna have to rebuild the motivators by hand, and with no parts to do it. I swear, this is too much. I’d be better off leaving!†Leos smiled and continued on his way. Doc said that every time there were repairs to be done, but he never left. No matter how much he fussed or complained, the Wolves could always count on him as their medic and mechanic.
Breaking off from the other two pilots, Leos made his way up to the cockpit. There he saw two women, one sitting at the controls and the other standing. Sarah barely gave Leos a glance as she prepared the transport to depart. She was, in a single word, gorgeous. She had a face that could make any man (and some women) do whatever she wanted, and a body to back it up. Combine that with her spitfire personality, and you had one heck of a woman. Sarah served as the Wolves’ public relations liaison. She would scout out potential jobs and make contact with the pilot.
The woman standing turned around, causing Leos to gasp in recognition. She was dressed in the uniform of the United Earth Alliance Military and carried herself like she had been a soldier since she could walk. Her eyes widened for an instant in shock and recognition, but she quickly regained her composure as she snapped to a salute. “Lieutenant,†she said curtly. Leos sighed. “Lisa, I haven’t been a lieutenant- hell, I haven’t been in the MILITARY- for years now. You know that.†Lisa slowly came out of the salute, but kept her disciplined air. “Let’s speak privately,†she requested.
The two of them made their way to the transport's small galley. Leos grabbed a bottle of water and offered it to Lisa. When she shook her head, he merely shrugged and took a large swig from it. "So," he asked, "what brings you here?" Lisa handed him a sealed envelope. It was marked as high priority and had apparently come straight from military command. Leos looked at the envelope, then at Lisa. His expression was not a particularly happy one. "I turned in my commission. I'm not-"
Lisa cut off Leos' attempt to argue. "While your commission is no longer active, you are still registered in the UEAM database. Furthermore, both the Black Wolves and the Personal Troopers you use are considered paramilitary units. As such, the UEAM is allowed to call upon you in times of certain need." Leos opened his mouth to make an argument, but Lisa didn't miss a beat. "Also," she continued, "do be aware that under article seven, section three, the UEAM has the right to conscript any citizen with a Class 3 background."
Leos was dumbstruck. "So...you're drafting me?!" he sputtered. Lisa didn't even blink. "That's right," she said. Leos sighed, running his hands through his hair. "What does the military want with me?" he mused. Looking down at the envelope in his hands, Leos decided there was only one way to know. He opened the envelope and read the contents. "You have been chosen....extended absence...Norfolk Station..." His scowl increased as he stared back and forth between the orders he had gotten and the woman who had delivered them. Finally, he realized that he had no real option. "...okay." He held up one finger. "But ONLY so I can tell your boss that they've got the wrong guy!"
For a brief instant, it looked like Lisa smiled. However that instant was fleeting, and she quickly returned to the disciplined soldier. "Excellent. You'll be launching directly to Norfolk Station. The nearest spaceport with the proper facilities is in Dakar." She almost sounded smug, as if proud that she had been her job to deliver the orders. Lisa started making her way to the cargo area and out of the transport, Leos following behind as he tried to make sense of this sudden turn of events. "Dakar? When am I-" Leos was cut off as the transport shuttered, its engines beginning to warm up. Leos' jaw dropped as he put two and two together. "You set me up!" Lisa didn't even try to hide the grin. "Now what makes you say that? I'm just a soldier following orders."
The pair had now made their way back to the cargo ramp. Lisa stepped off the ramp, taking a few steps away from the transport. Leos remained on board. She turned around and gave Leos another full salute. As she did, the transport started making its way down the runway. Leos tried to say something, but the roar of the engines drowned out his voice. The cargo ramp retracted as the transport took to the air.
