Chapter 51: Hope and Fear I

  “This was the third security check! It is getting silly.” Janette moaned and the team gathered their belongings and finally entered the inner parts of the military base. “What ever it is they are going nuts with the security. If Carmen had not vowed for us we would never have been hired for this job.” Kou said picking up his bags. “And she really did not say anything?” Marcus grabbed his heavy bags with both hands. Kou just shook his head “Not one word, but for one million dollar per person I’m willing to accept some secrecy.”, they walked further down the main road.

  This had been a remote area of Scotland not long ago, but like in many parts of the world a portal appeared that looked promising and now a brand new base had been constructed around it.

  Normally these kinds of operation are very busy but the base was nearly empty besides the expedition they joined, thanks to Carmen. They had to sign a gigantic NDA that covered about anything and everything and still were not told anything, besides the types of clothes they had to bring. Apparently they had to expect mild to warm weather where ever they were going.

  A small, electric car came their way and Carmen with red cheeks waved to them “Hello!” and they all waved back. Carmen greeted them with a hug and helped them with their luggage. “I’m so happy you decided to come. You will not regret it!” The car was not large enough for all of them so they walked into the direction of their dorms while Carmen drove next to them. “Can you finally tell us what is going on?” Achara asked but Carmen sadly said no. “There will be a briefing tomorrow morning and then you will all learn what is going on.” Marcus did not say anything but this level of security was not normal at least not for any job they should be qualified for.

  “Grace, are you kidding me? Have you read the make up of the last group?” the red haired man looked very upset and Grace stopped eating her meal. Even now she could not catch a break. “Yes, I have.” The man, second in command on the expedition and a member of the UK Royal Expedition Forces, was Mr. Torp a level 60 Guardian and a pain in her ass. “A Fighter, a Hawkeye and a Catsith. This is normally how a joke starts and not how a part of a security for a vital mission looks like.” The man was steaming and Grace wondered if there was a chance he could get a heart attack. “Carmen has recommended them, they passed the security check, signed the NDA and according to the base logs have arrived on time. I do not see the problem.” She talked very slowly and still held out hope for a heart attack.

  “The problem,” and he bent over to her face “is that this is not security personel but trash.” His white face had turned red but Grace had to deal with him for weeks now and did not lose her patience, yet. “If everything goes to plan we will not need any combat troops and we all will just twiddle our thumbs while the scientists do their thing.” She said wondering if she would be able to finish her meal before it got cold. “If everything would always go to plan we would not need security in the first place.” He countered and she admitted he had a point. “If you are so worried why don’t you go and check them out?” she said and apparently this was what he was waiting for because his face turned into a grin. “Very well, I will see if they are viable. If not we will send them home. I would rather have less but capable people than a horde of amateurs.” He said and before she could answer he left her private office. Grace returned to her meal feeling a migraine coming her way.

  Half an hour later somebody from the base personel came running. “Miss Taylor! We have a problem. Mr. Torp has been injured, he is in the hospital wing.” Could it be? Have her prayers been answered? Quickly, Grace went to the hospital to check on the poor, poor man.

  As she entered the room, Mr. Torp lay on a bed and looked very much KO and a doctor tended to him. “What happened?” she asked. “According to witnesses Mr. Torp confronted some members of the expedition and demanded prove of their ability.” The doctor said and grace knew that Mr. Torp was very proud of his powerful barrier abilities. She had seen him more than once challenge other classes to try and break them only to ridicule them when they failed. He never let me give it a try, Grace thought.

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  “Well, he got his wish and a large gentleman hit him right into a wall. We have taken care of the injuries but the problem is he has a concussion and that is not something we can quickly cure. Maybe an Alchemist can help.” Grace looked very worried and said with a firm voice. “No. This is not something we can take lightly. Mr. Torp should rest until he has fully recovered. This is a heavy loss to the expedition but his health comes first.” She left the room and the doctor looked after her, deeply touched how much she cared for her people. Of course he did not see the victory dance she performed in the hallway.

  “It has only been a few hours and I have already messed everything up.” Marcus lamented but Janette gave him a hardy slap on the back. “You did nothing wrong. He told you to give it your best shot. It was his own fault, that stupid prick.” The others seemed to be of the same opinion but Marcus was not so sure about it. He walked up and down in his room where everybody had gathered for the moment.

  “What if-” he started but a knock on the door stopped him. Achara opened and a blonde woman greeted them. “I’m Grace Taylor and responsible for the security of the mission.” She introduced herself but they already knew her from various TV outings. She had the aura of a leader and a strong warrior, and from close up Marcus had to admit she was quite attractive too. “Marcus Freimann, I’m very sorry about the incident. I should have held back no matter wh-” Marcus started to apologize but Janette cut in “Mr. Torp got what he asked for. It was his own fault underestimating you.” she said confronting Ms. Taylor with crossed arms.

  Grace took a look around the room and put on a smile. “As you say it was his own fault. I came here to make myself a picture of the people under my command.” With these words she reached out a hand and Marcus shook it. It was a firm handshake and her eyes were piercing his own. She let his hand go and repeated it with the rest of the team. “Tomorrow 0800 will be the briefing, don’t be late.” she said before she left. Grace walked back to her office reviewing the impressions she got from the unusual team. After half the way, she decided to change her direction and to meet Carmen.

  “What was that about?” Achara asked but Janette scoffed. “She is a sly one. Trying to get a read on us. Nice ass tho.” Marcus wished Ms. Russell was already here but it would take a few more weeks before she would join them. But it was a nice ass, he had to agree.

  The next day, punctual at 0800 the team, the rest of the security forces and a whole lot of scientist waited in a large hall for the briefing. Ms. Taylor took to the podium and started: “For now 20 years humanity has been sending expeditions through portals. In that time we have found many horrible and wonderful things. But there is one thing we have not found.” she made a short pause for effect. “A functional alien civilization. Ruins yes. Bands of savages, yes. But on no world we could find a functional society of any technological level. Until now.” A large picture appeared on the wall behind her. It showed a humanoid with green skin and basic clothing, carrying wood on his back in a special backpack, walking on a primitive cobblestone road. Orks, Marcus thought with a hint of discomfort.

  Another aerial picture appeared, showing what looked like a city with massive walls and houses as far as you could see. “These are pictures a reconnaissance drone has made before it was destroyed. It shows a fully functional society of the species commonly known as orks. We estimate the city population between 50000 and 100000 and a large amount but low level class holders.” Ms. Taylor continued and Marcus started to get a really bad feeling. “I hope I do not need to point out what a groundbreaking discovery this is. The goal of our mission is to make peaceful contact with this society and build up communications.” She continued and the room was full of little whisper fires. “The insight and knowledge we could gain from these orks is invaluable to us. The result of this mission could change the way humanity looks at the universe.”

  A large black man from the security forces raised a hand. “What if things don’t go peaceful?” he asked and Marcus was thankful for the question because he did not expect things to end peaceful. “If we can not engage in a peaceful manner we will get the heck out of there. We are not there to fight, this is a diplomatic and scientific mission. For more details…” she stepped aside and Carmen took the place. What followed was some basic info about the place and the way they hoped to communicate. They brought some specialists for diplomacy, language and the tech to quickly learn their language and exchange ideas. They had gifts and a whole lot of good ideas.

  Janette stepped next to Marcus “You okay?” and he nodded. He hoped Carmen and the scientist were right about this because if not, nobody would make it back alive, security team or not.

  “One last point.” Ms. Taylor stepped up to the microphone at the end. “Because of a tragic accident Mr. Torp will not be able to join us. He needs to recover and we wish him well. As a consequence the Royal Expedition Force members will also be under my direct command.” After the announcement Marcus was sure he heard cheering from various people and Janette smirked “Told you, he was a prick.”.