Chapter 4

The briefing ends without a hitch. From there, the team, consisting of Lock, Rynoske, Alex, Mye, and Tobias, rendezvous with the designated cruiser they were told to board via teleportation. Once on board, they made their way to the hangar via signs and a bit of guidance, as the place is massive. Upon entering the hangar, they soon met up with the person their Vice-Commander mentioned. Though, they soon also found out about another thing they were told about being more of an understatement.

"What's up yo!"

"Um..." Alex being the only one to react as everyone else seems to be taken aback.

That is probably the most reasonable response, especially when a stranger speaks as if you were friends—well, everyone except one certain person.

"What's up, my good man!"

Rynoske exclaims happily as the group walks towards the ship and the pilot. The pilot himself is covered head to toe in an aviator suit and wearing an aviator helmet that has a dent and a small crack on the edge of the visor. The man's posture and demeanor make him look like he is the type to be a hard-ass. Yet, he seems to be enjoying life, unlike the other beings the team passed by.

"Well then, I assume Hyme and Lucas went over the plans and operation with you?"

"Yep, well, Miss Hyme did, not so much with that Lucas guy,"

The pilot gives a small chuckle as if he knows about the two. He holds his hand out to the group to see if anyone is willing to accept his friendly gesture. Though none seem so willing, he slowly lowers it and puts the hand onto his hip.

"Anyhow, name's Volt. I'll be your team's designated pilot and air support from here on out,"

"Shouldn't we be calling you by rank?" Lock raises an eyebrow, to which Volt just shrugs in response.

"Best to leave that shit off fields and in formal events. Not only is it a risk, designated code names are better, and speaking of the field, these are what you'll be dropping in within,"

Lowering his arms to his side, Volt guides the team to the ship, where multiple pods can be seen secured to its frame. Bumping his fist to the side of the frame, Volt notices the uncertain looks the team is giving him. Alex speaks up first with concern, though their robotic autotune voice makes it sound like a demand rather than a question.

"Say...Volt, would any of these-"

"Ssssk, chk,tsk, fssss,"

Looking over at TobiasXcu, they see him clicking his mandibles as the Extranicus glances up at the drop pods' sizes. While they are massive from the outside, how spacious the inside is a whole other question, especially with someone his size.

"Big man here has a point; don't worry about any of that. All you need to know is that these pods are your quickest way in with the most minimal risk,"

"Sick, then let's-wait, you understand him?"

Rynoske was about to slam his fist into his palm before pausing as he gave a look at Volt. However, the man's aviator helmet hid any sort of facial expression.

"I'm an android, one that is handsome and also highly intelligent. His language is pretty much already in my data bank from years of translating and learning,"

"Huh…neat,"

Rynoske glances back at Tobias, who seems to give a look of appreciation and a small thumbs up with one of his lower arms. Volt chuckles at Tobias's gesture to Rynoske before looking at Lock.

"By chance, do you have the data card?"

Lock was about to respond when Rynoske suddenly pops up in front of him.

"You mean the one our bea-"

Lock smacks Rynoske on the back of his head before taking the card from his pocket and handing it over. If there is one thing he found out during the brief, Rynoske has a bad habit of using very flirtatious words, specifically towards the opposite gender. Not only that, but Lock doesn't want to have an awkward moment again, especially when he is standing next to the guy.

" Here it is,"

"Perfect, now then-"

[ALL PERSONNEL, DEPARTURE COMMENCING IN THE NEXT THREE HOURS, ALL PREPARATIONS ARE TO BE FINISHED AN HOUR BEFORE. MAY YOU ALL GIVE THOSE CRYPTIDS HELL AND RETURN ALIVE; PARATI AD OMNIA!]

"Well, seems like they beat me to it,' Volt looks back at the group, 'Get your gears in check. This will be one hell of a ride and don't worry, I don't plan to get shot out of the sky that easily,"

The team gives Volt a look. In which he casually plays off and walks away back towards the ship's cockpit. Looking at each other, they look over at Lock as he steps forward before turning back to them.

"Everyone ready?" He asks as a means to get their minds off of what Volt said.

"Y-yeah…no?" Alex replies as they seem to still be holding onto what was just said earlier.

Ryn just shrugs and tries to smile as he steps forward and looks over at them.

"Hey, no need to worry. I am sure he means what he said. We're in good hands!" Rynoske says, attempting to reassure everyone else. Though it seems to have barely make any sort of effect to most of the team.

"Tsss!"

Tobias nods as if in agreement before holding a fist up to Rynoske. Seeing the gesture, Rynoske instinctively goes for a fist bump, which the Extranicus is seemingly going for. Once their fists collide, both laugh happily at the expense of the others.

"...At least they're optimistic," Alex sighs before giving in to their mood and roll their arms a few times as they walk off towards one of the pods.

Lock rolls his eyes at their gesture. Though the three look like they are ready to go, he notices one person not falling for it. He glances down at Mye, who is seemingly in her own world. Looking over at the ship, the others are already entering their respective pods, while she is seemingly in deep thought. Lock walks over to her and taps her shoulder, which causes a small jump and a look of bewilderment from her.

"We're about to depart, having second doubts?"

Mye blinks a few times at him before shaking her head and walks away to join the others. Lock narrows his eyes as she proceeds to open up her pod. However, the voice over the intercom announcing that they are about to deploy stops him from further analyzing the situation. Yet, he seemingly can't help but feel like this will be a very rough operation.