Chapter 32- G List

A week passed quickly, and Dubs trained harshly trying to maximize the energy he could output.

Dubs did not know how to cast any spells, or how to use magic aside from controlling some particles and balls of energy. This was the first limitation he came upon as he trained.

This wasn't an issue for the time being, as Dubs was able to improve swiftly even without learning any spells, but if he wanted to use magic practically then he would have to master the science behind it.

Dubs formed a large sphere of dark energy in his hand. The sphere began at a radius of over a foot, but contracted to become as small as a grape.

The high concentration of the energy swirled about, and Alt began to speak.

"Over the past week, your control for dark magic has increased to 2%, and control for all other types has increased to 1%. With this, your mana is up to 70. Our synchronization has also increased to 20%."

This was an exponential amount of improvement. Dubs grinned as he let go of the ball of energy, and it slowly dispersed back into the surroundings.

Dubs exited the training room, to meet Peter who gave him a distasteful look. "Ivan has been looking for you. Report to him immediately.", he ordered.

Dubs saluted to Peter. "Yes, Lieutenant!", before running off giddily.

"I must keep up the front of a youth who is eager to learn. This way, they will see my goals as that of a dreaming child- one who is trying to bite off more than he can chew.", Dubs thought.

"Even if they find out my lofty goals, they will not think it to be something concocted by some mastermind who poses a threat, but rather a child who is spouting nonsense."

With this, Dubs had begun to act much more cheerful in front of the others, Ivan aside. Particularly, he acted like this in front of the front room mercenaries, as they were the ones who knew the least of his background.

If a front room mercenary sensed any real threat coming from Dubs, their first move would be to alert the guards, and this was the last thing Dubs wanted.

Dubs walked through the damp hallway, and finally reached the HQ entrance where Ivan was reclining. Ivan's eyes followed Dubs, and Dubs walked over and stood in front of the desk.

"Captain Ivan, I heard you were looking for me.", Dubs stated.

Ivan sat up and pulled out some paperwork. "I have finished working around the empire's intel, and completed the necessary steps to have a mercenary sent out on a long term aboveground mission. It was very difficult to work around the empire, as you are well known among the elites, so I had to pull some strings to get this to go through.", Ivan explained.

"But here you are. This is a passport that will allow you to exit the empire indefinitely on a long term mission. You are to leave immediately for Reagan's home, and begin studying as a scientist there."

Dubs took the wrinkled parchment, and curled it up, placing it into his pocket.

"I understand. Are there any other orders for me before I leave?", Dubs inquired.

"No. Say goodbye to your squadmates, and leave as soon as possible. I already understand how powerful you have become over these past few weeks, and I am at a loss for words. Right now, if you were to help us, we would have the power to take over the empire. The reason we cannot do that is because if we stage a coup and reveal our trump card, the surfacers will be sure to investigate the powerful figure that caused such an event- you. We cannot afford a war with the surfacers, so I will need you to go and research so that you can become more powerful than the surfacers.", Ivan responded.

"I know I am asking a lot of you Dubs, but with the progress you have made it is surely within the realm of reason.", Ivan sincerely stated. "All I ask is that you continue progressing for now. I will contact you when the resistance is going to make a move."

Dubs nodded. "I understand. I will be taking my leave then."

As he walked down the hallway, Alt began to speak to Dubs. "Oooh! I can't wait to see Reagan again! I wonder what experiments she has prepared for us?"

Dubs laughed, and agreed. "Isn't that funny? We are about to perform experiments, to prevent the corrupted leaders of the empire from performing similar experiments."

"But the difference is that we will be punishing the wicked for their offenses against the weak...", Alt responded.

Dubs nodded, and arrived at the dining hall, where he entered. All of the squad members were present, eating. Dubs walked over to them, and began to speak.

"Everyone, I have an announcement to make.", Dubs stated.

The 9 squad members turned to listen to Dubs, and the cafeteria went silent. Clark, who was pigging out on his own a table down, also listened.

"I will be leaving on a long term mission today, and I will not return for a while. I am glad to have worked with you all, and I thank you all for your assistance in helping me to get stronger. I hope to see you all again when the resistance is making a larger move against the empire.", Dubs proclaimed.

"You're leaving, Dubs!?", Drodus exclaimed.

"So soon! I wish you the best of Luck.", Tirian stated.

The rest of the members all bid goodbye to Dubs. Samuel stayed silent, and he clearly had an infuriated look on his face.

"How could someone like Dubs be sent on an important mission for the resistance before me? What does the captain see in him!? He is nothing more than a weakling who cannot use magic!", Samuel thought.

The rest of the squad was also unaware of Dubs recent progress, and Enferia showed some concern for him. "Are you going to be alright on your own?", she questioned.

Dubs held out his hand, and said "There is no need to worry about me."

After telling everyone goodbye, Dubs thought once more. "Yes... I must rid the world of the disease that is plaguing it... for the sake of these kindhearted people."

Upon leaving, Alt took his shadow form and Dubs walked up the stairs to the front room of the mercenary guild.

Upon seeing the pub scene, Dubs waltzed out proudly, and his demeanor changed.

"Hey, everyone! I'm leaving for a long term mission, so I won't see y'all for a long time. By the time I get back here, I'll be strong enough to take over the surfacers, so wait for me, ok?", Dubs haughtily stated.

The balding man let out a low pitched laugh. "Yeah, right Dubs! You may be a little stronger than the average rookie but you're getting in over your head!"

"Just watch me, old man Gary. You'll see my achievements soon enough!", Dubs replied.

"Who are you calling an old man? You better come back here safely so I can straighten up that attitude of yours!", Gary bellowed.

Dubs said goodbye to all the other regular mercenaries, and took his leave.

Dubs took out a list, and began to read over it. The yellow parchment was crinkled, and at the top it read in black ink "G List"

The G stood for "Garbage", and written on the list were a few names.

'Samuel, Peter, Harold, Millis, Dr. Phillips.'

"Looks like my list will only grow with time. Worry not, Alt. We will rid this world of evil."

Alt laughed and Dubs continued walking, on his way to the town exit.

Upon reaching the exit, Dubs came across the guards. Their armor clanked as they blocked the exits with their polearms.

"Halt! We need to see identification and purpose!", the guard exclaimed.

Dubs took out his mercenary ID and his mission passport, and the guards went over it and let him through.

"Be careful out there on the surface, young mercenary.", the deep voice of the guard rumbled. "There are all sorts of danger up there, however i'm sure you know this well if you have been granted a pass on a long term mission on your own."

Dubs nodded and thanked the guard, and went on his way up the cobblestone steps. Exiting the trapdoor, he waved his way past the entrance guards and emerged into the luscious forest.

Alt began to fly around and scout the surroundings. "No enemies in sight. Hopefully we can have a little bit of a fun before we make it to Reagan's place."

Dubs turned west to cross the forest, and began to trek towards Reagan's home.