"We will need to head over the Parvo Monte peak at the Petrosa passing. From there we will move over into Aquilae territory." Odette was leaning over a large wooden table that was covered in a land map of Heraldia. "From there we can settle into the base there and plan our actions from there. We will have to do this quickly and quietly, moving in separate groups of about five as not to draw attention to ourselves. There is news that the rebel group will be moving in the same direction and we might have an encounter with them." She looked everyone in the face before continuing. "Kill everyone on sight."copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ0OxaO1ET
Suddenly everyone's attention was drawn to the heavy door creaking open, waiting to see who was disturbing them.copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR86VJjpDf
"Welcome Laila, so nice of you to join us." She laced her voice with so much sarcasm and hatred. She looked around to everyone again, completely ignoring my existence again. "That concludes the briefing. You're all dismissed." She stormed out of the room, making sure she shouldered me on the way out, she never flinched.copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmsg5GJtcL
"Well done Laila." A stocky man approached me, sneaking a smirk on his face. "You've finally found a new level of disrespect to offend Odette with."copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89Fs3xUMQQ
"Not now Melvin." I really couldn't stand being in this guy's presence. He also had a pungent smell around him and he had an arrogance like he thought he was God's gift to women.copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xJzCNytyv
"Aw come on now Laila," He threw and arm around me and I did everyone in my power not to punch him in the face. "No need to get so upset. I was only joking with you."copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXnyiSclz1
"Get," I stared him straight in the eyes, a dead straight expression on my face, "Your arm off of me."copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAvTFQt5Pr
He guffawed, bringing a few annoyed glances in our direction. "You're far too serious dear Laila." He smiled sickly at me as if he thought his charm was working on me. "You should come by my room sometime and I will show you how to have some fun." He now plastered his face with what he thought was an alluring smile.copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9m3iS4eHC
"I'd rather chew my limbs off one by one." I took hold of his arm, throwing it off my shoulders.copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYWSubX7yZ
"Laila please, you're such a pretty girl and you should be treated right." He tried making a move again to put his arm around my shoulders.copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qSxGvJJoN
"Touch me again and I won't hesitate to cut off your man bits." I stalked off, weaving my way around the last few people in the room to get as much distance between myself and Melvin as quickly as possible.copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDGd69CpwZ
I was barely a few steps out the door when someone grabbed my shoulders and yanked me to the side, out of the stream of people. My hands were ready to defend myself without hesitation.copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhYIbjN6nJ
"Relax Laila." A strong built man stood in front of me, a handsome face adorning it all. "It's just me."copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k29FBk2Tp
"Why Elliot," I shrugged his hand off my shoulder and dusted myself off, feeling the tension that had built up fade slightly. "Would you want to catch me, of all people, off guard?"copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgOIV4Rgiw
"Why isn't it obvious?" He smiled at me. "To keep you on your toes." He winked at me, being his friendly self.copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡE29ZXL9CwO
"Yeah just be glad I didn't pull a knife or something on you. I wouldn't want to embarrass you in front of your peers." I punched his shoulder playfully, feeling a lot more relaxed now being around better company.copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡusMHyabG8a
"You forget sometimes that they're your peers too." He lowered his head as not to be heard. "Whether you like it or not, you're pretty much stuck with these people for life."copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUK7lPPKsd
I scoffed in response. "Please." I rolled my eyes in mock sarcasm. "I don't need anyone holding me back."copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t8weKFH9w
"Someone seems so sure of themselves. You're teeming with arrogance and self confidence, I wonder where you picked that up from?" He looked down his nose at me, arms crossed in front of him.copyright protection303ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YVqb2n3LX
"That's something you should know Elliot." I smirked at him, not buying his attitude. "You are my mentor after all."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlVSVwv06P
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"Very true." He smiled turning towards the infirmary. "Let's go somewhere quieter so I can fill you in on what you missed in the briefing." I nodded and followed him.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbpxI3Jp1z
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The infirmary was a wide open room scattered with a few beds with wall dividers to ensure some sort of privacy for the patient. There were a few wash buckets lying around for washing and keeping the place as clean as possible. It was a pretty plain room but definitely the cleanest and quietest out of all the rooms available in the base. Lucky for us no one had decided to injure themselves today so we were left alone.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs0T4yX9CF
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"So," Elliot began, finding the comfiest bed to sit on before proceeding. "There is the plan to get over to the base in Aquilae in two days time." I eyed him wearily, but let him continue. "We will be crossing over the West base crossing of the mountain." Now it was his turn to eye me wearily. "And I know you know how close that crossing is to Lupus territory."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgM79lqkZF
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I shrugged my shoulders, trying my very best not to show my excitement for it. "I know, but that doesn't mean I will disobey orders." I looked him straight in the eye. "You know that."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cdF9Xuqrx
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"I just want to know if you're okay with that." His face was a look of concern. "I know how much you've missed home, you've told me that much, and with an opportunity like this I'm just a little worried you're going to make silly mistakes. I would hate to know what Odette would do to you were you to ignore her direct instructions."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu8zrKtHyb
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I scoffed regardless. "It would've been direct instructions had she not sent me on a little delivery mission and conveniently forgot to mention the briefing that would be happening soon after I left."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1w4qPit1y
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Elliot smiled reassuringly. "It doesn't help getting angry at her Laila, you should know that by now. She does things deliberately to show her dominance here, even towards the men, and her lack of enthusiasm towards you is one that is not unknown. So like I always tell you, just let her be." 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZiid6yfzu
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I sat down beside him and slumped my shoulders, feeling a little emotionally drained. "Things have been a little crazy these past few days." I looked at my hands resting on my lap to avoid eye contact. "I just don't know what I should be doing with myself anymore."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUCXqF506m
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Elliot put his arm around my shoulders and drawing me into a sideways embrace. "Is this your rare moment of opening up to me, or am I just here to comfort you in your silence?" He looked down at me waiting for a response.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjLIw2JF1q
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"It's things I need to figure out on my own." I looked up at him and smiled a small sad smile. "But thanks for the offer of listening to me whine."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlPb3UGu5V
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He chuckled, enjoying the fact that I could still be funny even though I wasn't really in the mood to smile much. "Anytime Laila." He gave my shoulders one last squeeze before he stood up. "Well I have to get back to work, and you have to get back to what ever it is you do." He bowed his slightly and walked out, leaving me alone with my own thoughts.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb2QsBlK0q
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I sat still for a while, eventually laying down and staring at the dark ceiling. My mind lulled over all the decisions it was wanting to make for the upcoming events that would be happening in the next two days. Knowing now that my chances of meeting up with Braden had evaporated into nothing, and even if I could sneak away undetected I wouldn't know a way to get back without being caught. Assuming I already knew how Odette's mind worked we would be going in small parties to avoid detection. The difficulty came in where I couldn't assume whether or not I'd be in her party so she could keep an eye on me or push me off into another party to avoid as much time with me as possible. Either way there will be eager eyes keeping watch over my behaviour. 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVdbTt1m7B
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Before I could continue with my thoughts the infirmary nurse walked in humming quietly to herself. I sat up quickly as she noticed me. "Laila? Is everything alright?"307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ0TgxoLm6
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"Everything is fine Agatha." I smiled reassuringly towards her, jumping to my feet and walking out. 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42irWiNRpm
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"Let me know if there is anything I could do to help if you need it!" She called after me, continuing with her humming.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6rW9oPr1c
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I wish there was some way you could help me, I thought to myself as I skulked off towards my room.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcZnsiiDE0
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