Chapter-16: The colors bleed from Red to Gold

(Present day)

"Mr. Narsius or Arthur, which ever one you prefer. Please stop beating around the bush and get to the point. Mission Log#421-Y-07 Now!" The woman in green shouted, banging her hand on the small table next to the chair that I was in.

"You," I slowly looked up until I saw her face. I could see myself in the reflection on her glasses. My face was caked with blood, a wide smile came on my face and I saw about two or three of my teeth were missing." ever wonder.....what all of this means?" I continued," Ever wonder where in dar.....darkness lies the truth?"

-kugh

Wiping the blood that I coughed on her, bewildered she smacked the table that was next to me and it went flying.

"Listen Arthur," she said , her composure returning a bit," we like stories just about as much as the next guy. But we need you to tell us about Mission Log#421-Y-07 now. What is it huh? Why is it so important? Anything?" her hands were on my shoulder and I could feel her nails digging into my skin.

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(4 years ago-Nekomata High)

After being kicked out of the class, both of us just made small talk until the bell rang and now I was standing in front of Dr. Richmond Jackhammer.

He was a tall person, about 6'4, with a stern look on his face that had a deep gash on his left cheek. His face was unshaven and had a small beard growing out, with a prominent mustache to top it off.

"Arthur." He spoke in a low voice.

"Pancor", I replied," It seems you have you have forgotten your manners. Especially in front of your seniors."

"We are not in the army here." he replied his voice rising a little as he crossed his arms.

"Though it looks like you can do better" he continued, "I'll spare you the sympathy, Captain."

"You might not be in the army, but I still am, and I am on a assignment. Can I ask for your cooperation."

A smile appeared on his face, looking at me he let out a little laugh.

"You're the same as always, an arsehole that doesn't care about anyone except his tasks. Sorry, but I am also on a assignment on loan to the special ops."

Hearing this my eyes went wide, Special ops.

"Clypeus?", If he was on loan to my team then there was a high chance that my team would be around. I can't have that, especially Pandora I can't have her around this place.

"Black Order." I drew a breath of relief, which confused Pancor.

In the military the rivalry between the three special ops team was legendary. Clypeus, the Black Order and lastly Royal Paladins. Of this Clypeus was a mercenary institution, consisting of 8 teams. Of the 8 first 6 were specialist teams while the last 2 teams were experimental teams. All controlled by the Order of course.

On the other hand, the Black Order was a military institution created, Specialist teams created for urban and Jungle warfare, utilizing better technology and more advanced tactics than standard military. It was even rumored that they had understanding of Runes and magic.

Lastly, Royal Paladins. A force created by the last ruler of Rialta about 100 years ago. A specialist force that only serves the President and his cabinet. According to the Order's data, possibly controlled by Faith.

Of these, I belonged to Clypeus, specifically Team-7, a rag-tag team of individuals of great power pushed in a war between two factions fighting for a distant prize.

"Arthur?", Pancor's voice shook me out of my thoughts.

"eh? Yea, yea. Black order huh? You sure traded up. What's your specialization?"

"Demo." he calmly replied.

"So what you here for?"

"That's Classified."

"Petty please?"

"Classified"

"If it's classified, then why'd you go all this length to call me in class to tell me all this?"

"To catch up on the old time?", a small smile on his face.

This bastard.

I first met Pancor when me and my team was deployed on the western continent, with the invasion force that was tasked with clearing the Elves hideouts. Pancor was a second lieutenant while I was the captain of my team, his team was supposed to help our team achieve the objective that was given to us.

With minimum casualty, the mission was a success.

"Okay, then meet me at the Whinny's food house. Then we'll chat about the old times."

"I don't think that's...."

"That's an order, lieutenant."

Chuckling a bit, he mock saluted me and said. "Yes Captain."

Waving back at him , I slung my bag and opened the door and walked out.

As I walked towards the classroom in which Geo-political studies was gonna happen, I had a lot on my mind.

What could the military want that was in this school? More importantly, it had to be something that was so important that they were sending in the damn special ops.

Thinking about these things made my head hurt.

Massaging my forehead, I walked towards the door of the class and went in.

Inside I spotted Rex and Jess, with Miley standing next to them, chatting to each other.

I breathed a sigh and moved in.

Walking up to the seat next to Rex's I plopped my bag down.

"Had your chat with Prof. Richmond?" Rex asked me.

"First, he isn't a professor, second yes."

His smile widened a bit as he blurted out," Do you both know each other?", he leaned a bit to close to me.

Pushing him back I answered, " He was an associate at the church I lived."

"Church?" Miley piped up.

"He is an orphan," Rex said," His parents died when he was a kid."

"Anyone ever told you that this might be rude?" Jess rebuked.

"Sorry."

Turning around, Rex lightly patted Jess's head and Miley began to tell Rex about the thing called basic etiquette. Jess originally with Miley, shifted to Rex's side when she saw that Rex was getting the case of ' too much shouted on.'

All I could do was hope that they don't drag me in it.

I might have been military, but hell this place was tough.