PRDS - 4413 Part 1 Chapter 7: A Mess

The security team was waiting for us as we went up the hills where the gathering point was established. It was a smart move for the security team to take the higher ground above dead tree forest. Behind the shades of the dead trees, there must have been hundreds of FREEMANs lurking in the dark.

“I’ve got the report from one of my men about you. Where is the rest of your little….”

“Are there any dropped or stolen weapons from you?”

The taunting face of that man in charge had my anger surge all the sudden.

“Well, we are still searching the area. There is no rush. Those FREEMANs that you concern are no match for us.”

The situation was worse than I ever imagined. Their pride in technological superiority was blinding them as arrogance. No matter how superior the tech is, the one who wields is the most important part. The guy that was talking to me was completely considering himself as a different species to FREEMANs. I could not even comment on his nonsense.

“One or more of the civilians were shot and killed by one of YOUR weapons. Do you even understand how serious the current situation is? They can raid us whenever!”

The man listened to me quietly. After finishing my sentence, he took a deep breath.

“You need to learn how to speak to upper rank first. Take him. Escort our civilians to the camp.”

As soon as the man gestured, the security team took Claire, George and Linda. Two other men apprehended me.

“Let go of me. I need to report to my team now. At least protect the civilians! They got your toys!”

I shouted to warn the security team. I wished they listened. The two men took me to the corner of the basecamp. It was getting dark so the structures created perfect shadows against the tower light of the guards. I started to plan my escape.

“Eric, it’s me.”

“Mable? How did you get here?”

Mable, the second man in charge of the rescue team, took off the cap to reveal himself. The other man was also one of my teammates.

“It looks like they had everyone not to talk about what happened to P4R4D1S3. I could not figure out anything. And the man in charge, Bradley Baddel, he is not trustworthy. I am going to evacuate the civilians with the captain. He is here too. You should go figure out what’s with P4R4D1S3 and a new base candidate.”

“Alright, I still have the COM. device and radio sets. If I don’t contact you every hour, give up P4R4D1S3.”

I showed Mable the radio sets. As we split for our missions, I stopped Mable.

“One last favor. Can you bring here a kid named Claire?”

I hid myself in the shadow, and organized the information. I did clearly remember the shout that warned me not to go near the P4R4D1S3. Why in the world would everyone have to evacuate from the P4R4D1S3? What made the security team be silent about P4R4D1S3? I needed Claire for the key card to Mireen Lab, and I also promised Dr. Mireen and Dan. With the information I had in my mind, I thought of the possibility that Mireen Lab could be the cause of this. I wondered what they did in the lab, the reason why I had not heard of this lab.

The COM. device was indicating 19:35PM. Mable brought Claire and also the old couple. As I opened my mouth to question why the old couple came, George spoke first.

“Let us at least go with this kid. You are not the only responsible person for her. We got your back.”

“George used to be a security team. I am sure he is still better than most of those lads. And my first aid certificate is still active.”

George and Linda were respecting my choice whether to take them or not. I had a strong feeling that they could help the company.

“This trip can be more dangerous than you imagine. You two are sure of that?”

“We lived long enough to watch this giant spaceship fall. What more should we see?”

George shrugged, and I thought, if there were people who did not want to be in P4R4D1S3, this old couple could be one of them.