"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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlOcAfjdcO
Suddenly everyone's attention was drawn to the heavy door creaking open, waiting to see who was disturbing them.copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZXz2rKqmj
"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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsQVx38Z9m
"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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3IofiDzvQ
"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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡotQl2SMNj9
"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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dBX890g99
"Get," I stared him straight in the eyes, a dead straight expression on my face, "Your arm off of me."copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJdl8sDM29
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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqDtLFmytG
"I'd rather chew my limbs off one by one." I took hold of his arm, throwing it off my shoulders.copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡIATjy1tyiC
"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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWmVivoWiq
"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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VRJpCpMbS
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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTtld1nGzG
"Relax Laila." A strong built man stood in front of me, a handsome face adorning it all. "It's just me."copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhCGdUcBQu
"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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WqTFQw4CH
"Why isn't it obvious?" He smiled at me. "To keep you on your toes." He winked at me, being his friendly self.copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4BpqOqOv0
"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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOi6vv0H7R
"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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9ND2ttzx6
I scoffed in response. "Please." I rolled my eyes in mock sarcasm. "I don't need anyone holding me back."copyright protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡgubRUBGlpb
"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 protection213ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTZD0v91cg
"That's something you should know Elliot." I smirked at him, not buying his attitude. "You are my mentor after all."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzemXLy2cn
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXCLStzgOk
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUw4aI7dMg
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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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nPjJN4iPh
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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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9fiU7Lunz
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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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyulDF3KTQ
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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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YdQiXDngt
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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." 217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWCTfw000o
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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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPW5aAKekD
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lCjbUhOix
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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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWuTQJqRKr
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflgcqrMaG6
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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. 217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLsq5DkmrD
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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?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIzoBq71hS
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"Everything is fine Agatha." I smiled reassuringly towards her, jumping to my feet and walking out. 217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxdJJDavOR
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCD53IIn49
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YRAmt0uvi
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