Mission Debrief

After everyone in the bunker was awake, except Iris, Lamelie had them line up in the mess hall. On physical training days, the tables and chairs were stacked on one end to free up space for jogging and general exercise. The room was large enough for five people. And Iris needed rest anyway, so Lamelie decided she should sleep in. Besides Pixie had approached her and told her how Iris had been last night. She had cried and she had calmed herself through a calming method.

Lamelie paired up with Rianna and they worked on general stamina.

By eight, they completed their training and ate a simple meal of oatcakes with jam.

"I swear," whined Axel," This lame food is gonna make me die of boredom."

"I think you'll enjoy your part in the mission, Axel," Lamelie said before she bit her oat cake.

Axel stiffened up and leaned inward. "Why? Will I get to leave the bunker?"

"I'll tell you later at the mission debriefing."

"Ugh, let's just do that now." Axel shook the table.

"Shut up," Pixie said," We still gotta wait for Iris to get up. Stop being so goddamn impatient."

Axel frowned mockingly at Pixie. "You shut up."

Pixie grabbed a tuft of his hair and pulled.

"Owwww!"

Iris walked in and served herself some oatcakes.

Everybody stood silent for a moment. It wasn't her sudden entrance that shocked them. It was the bedhead. Her hair was disheveled and stuck out on the right side. Some hairs were stuck to her face. She was wearing the gray uniform but it was wrinkled. She probably went to bed and woke up in the same uniform.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Iris asked at the head of the table.

"You looked like you needed extra sleep," Pixie replied.

"Oh, okay," Iris said as she sat down and began eating in silence. She turned to Rianna and Brian. "I need to talk to you two after breakfast. It's nothing to worry about."

Rianna and Brian were a little nervous. "Okay."

Pixie noticed the uneasiness in everyone's behavior. They walked on eggshells around Iris. She was so difficult to understand.

Iris noticed it too. I should bring up another topic.

"How'd you come from Varquez, Captain Lamelie?" she asked. Everyone froze. Iris had little to no expression on her face. But she wondered, was that the wrong topic.

Lamelie rested her cup. She placed her hand over her heart.

"What other way to begin my tale than with tragedy." She bent over as if in pain. "Oh, woe is me. It was the greatest fire in all the land that caused a great exodus of Varquezians on the border. And my parents fled and sought out refuge in the nearby village." She exaggerated her movements and made fake crying sounds. "So it came to pass that I, firstborn in Varquezia, came to a Maurisian village."

"What?" Pixie muttered.

"What did I just hear?" asked Axel. He cleaned out his ear.

Lamelie shrugged. "That was my backstory."

Iris took a sip. "So your parents left Varquez and went to a backwater Maurisian village following the great Berkley fire."

"Leave it to Iris to see through Lamelie's bullcrap," Axel said.

"Hey," said a mildly pissed-off Lamelie," I don't bullcrap. Everything I said was completely true."

"Then get rid of all that extra shit you tossed in."

Everybody looked at Iris for a second. She had never said a swear word to a superior officer. Until now.

Lamelie turned to Iris with a deadpan look on her face. "I will have you demoted."

Iris jumped up and her hands trembled. "W-w-wait, I was just trying to-"

She was so flustered. Her cheeks were flushed. And everybody smiled subtly. Iris finally opened up.

"I was joking," Lamelie said," Sorry, sometimes I get carried away."

Iris sighed. "Thank goodness. I was so worried."

Axel chuckled. But unable to hold it back, he broke out into a laugh. And the others followed.

After breakfast ended, everyone left to complete their tasks. Pixie updated the resource list. Axel began cleaning the rooms and Lamelie helped him. But Brian and Rianna stayed behind to talk to Iris.

"I was too harsh on you. I'm sorry," Iris said and bowed.

"It's okay," Rianna said while waving her hands. "You can stand up."

"No hard feelings," Brian said," We'll still invite you to the wedding."

Iris smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. Thank you."

Rianna smiled.

Lamelie's head popped through the doorway. She wanted to see if they were done. She smiled when she saw Iris getting along with Rianna and Brian. She was finally letting herself be a little freer. Her childhood made her hold herself back. She had held on for far too long. So when she finally let go, she felt free.

"Mission debriefing!" Lamelie interrupted.

"We'll mobilize in a couple of days. The meeting place is this road. A pilgrimage should be passing by then. We'll blend in." Lamelie pointed at the map.

Rianna asked," How come all the girls have to stay in the bunker?"

"Women traveling alone are more suspicious than a man traveling alone."

Pixie nodded. "That makes sense."

"Besides," Lamelie said," You'll play an important role later. I'll need maids and other servants. Having someone who is trustworthy close by is preferable."

"I see." Iris examined the map. "How long do you estimate this will take and how much time do we have to carry this out?"

"It should be done in no more than three months. I hope to have you all by my side at the mansion by then. It is a shame to abandon the bunker but-"

"It was going to happen anyway," Iris said," You told us the reason for this bunker when you recruited us."

Two years ago, Lamelie had selected five of her recruits to go on a special mission. She chose recruits who wanted peace between the two kingdoms and supported Prince Adrien. These five fit the criteria, as well as being some of the best in their respective classes.

"We're gonna prevent war," Rianna said," And then we'll live our best lives."

Brian put his arm over her shoulder. "We'll carry out our mission with the utmost care, Captain Lamelie." he saluted.

"As you should."

With the possibility of war always in the back of their heads, they carried on their discussion.