Chapter 19: Training (5)
A/N: Sup, we back. Depressing week but ye it is what it is. Somehow got an extension on one of my projects, so had some time to write. Enjoy reading!
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[Lunar-One, Skywatch]
The deserted lunar control station was essentially a wide junkyard littered with satellite scraps, and occasionally one would spot rusted steel towers that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky, now simply reduced to ruins left behind by the old lunar command in the golden age.
Naturally, the communication space within this junkyard was exceptional. There was still some reason why it had been a satellite communications hub in the golden age. The Nightstalkers had capitalized on this space, turning it into a somewhat temporary hideout and communication bay themselves.
Their old satellite grid covered all of earth, but not only that, it also served as a safeguard against transmission tampering. Ever since the Fallen had arrived on earth, they had largely hijacked old golden age satellites to act as their own. However, this lunar command center was one of the first and largest of its kind built on earth. Hence, it could easily override any communications request and even turn off those satellites to an extent. In a nutshell, as long as the Nightstalkers dominated Skywatch, no external force could establish secure communication channels within the cosmodrome.
Tevis loitered around the lunar bay, awaiting his teams return, he stomped around, seemingly still annoyed by earlier events.
Finally, in an effort to ease his bitterness, he once again picked up his transmitter and spoke,
"All hunters report to Lunar-one, return to base as soon as possible. This is a direct order. I repeat, a direct order, you can't run from this one Levi, I f*cking dare you. Tevis out."
No sooner than he had closed the channel, Tevis saw a dozen figures gather near the base.
He seemed to be doing a mental head count as he nodded,
"Alright, that's thirteen of you, I suppose the two still out are Levi and Void."
Tevis continued marching up and down the road, around the base, he seemed restless. Although no one could pinpoint what plagued the commander, the Nightstalkers were slightly anxious. It wasn't everyday their captain was itching to call them to base.
Tevis was seemingly running out of patience as he waited, he almost activated his transmitter again but just before he could open the voice channel, he saw two hunters rushing back.
Levi and Void spotted the gathered hunters as they too sped up to take their place. The Nightstalker corps gathered as they immediately lined up symmetrically in front of their captain.
Although Tevis hadn't ever instructed them to do that, hunters loved to add their own touches to protocol, though somehow this time it fit the situation really well. Coincidentally, Tevis was marching around them, like a field marshal ready to dish out some drills.
Somehow, it felt like they were soldiers ready to be scolded by their drill sergeant. Tevis walked around still brooding in his own thoughts. His lack of words surprised some hunters, and annoyed the others.
'What kind of bastard would call us here and then not have any orders...' is what they all thought.
Naturally, none of them had the guts to spit it out, hence the fifteen Nightstalkers stood in place. This was all until Levi had enough of watching Tevis circling the group.
"Ummm....Captain I am not trying to be rude but, if we have nothing scheduled I will be leaving right now", Levi turned to sprint off but before his legs could grant him any lift, Tevis snapped out of his trance.
"Shut the f*ck up. You've been dodging sentry duty for three weeks. It's a surprise I haven't ratted you out to the Praxic order, stand still or else I will really make sure you have to clean the city sewers by hand."
Tevis shot him a death glare.
The threat of community work was strong enough to shake Levi to the core, sending shivers down his spine, as he immediately portrayed the image of a perfect soldier, and lined up again.
Void observed from the side, he wanted to chuckle but since no one else had, he could only imagine that Tevis was being completely serious..... City sewers, it can't be that bad..can it?
"I called you all here regarding an abrupt request. A few days ago, an important mission was issued by the Praxic Order. They require a scout from the nightstalkers to aid their fireteam. As you would expect, you have to coordinate with their fireteam and involve yourself in some political mess to complete this mission."
Tevis's words were like a hammer that slammed the hopes of the Nightstalkers, shattering it to pieces.
The atmosphere instantly turned gloomy, everyone looked around, glancing at each other, unable to keep calm after hearing Tevis.
Void however was left slightly confused, but before he could show any reaction, Tevis messaged him privately to be calm and not say anything.
The Nightstalker's seemed to be discussing with hushed voices, not caring that Tevis could still slightly make out what they said.
Void was surprised at this reaction as well, ' The praxic fire might not be popular, but hey they're still offering some good loot.' He muttered to himself, unfortunately his peers disagreed.
In the end, the praxic order was still a disciplinary organization under the Vanguard. They were lapdogs who enforced rules on guardians, and as one would expect, their prime targets were almost always hunters.
Working with them was not exactly "favorable" to them. If anything, hunters avoided the praxic fire like the plague. Why would they wish to cooperate and inadvertently put themselves in the spotlight for these rat bastards? All Nightstalkers present held the same thoughts.
Hence why none had ever thought about accepting Tevis's "mission" from the start. They could only discuss in hushed voices and hope the captain declines the request.
"Alright alright, no need to be on the defensive. I knew you all would back out anyways so the first thing I did was reject them." Tevis waved his hands disgruntled.
All of a sudden, everyone was delighted, and couldn't help but cheer openly, throwing their fists in the air, much to Void's amusement.
Naturally, Tevis let them enjoy the moment before he dropped the next bombshell.
"Ahh, but how unfortunate, the next day the Praxic order came to me with the Vanguards approval, so I couldn't really reject them anymore." Tevis added casually.
It was a split second later, but Void could almost swear he saw the colors visibly drain from the Nightstalkers cheerful faces.
The moment "Vanguards approval" was uttered, every ounce of hope they had to dodge this "draft" had disappeared. After all, the Nightstalker Corps, Praxic Fire, and however many else fireteams and squads operated by guardians, they were ultimately answerable first and foremost to the Vanguard.
Even the city did not hold a right to command them! Every single guardian was under the authority of the Vanguard, not the city. The city had its own counsel, called the "Consensus", which obviously included the Vanguard in its list of participants.
Hence, if the Praxic fire and truly obtained their approval? There was no use of running from this mission.
When the expressions of the hunters around him had sunk, and everyone showed downcast looks. Tevis finally added the last line, like a devil playing with their hearts.
"Luckily for you guys, at the time Void was present, and he basically volunteered to take that job. That's why I allowed him to train with us. But what do I see? You ungrateful bastards didn't even try to talk with him, let alone teach him something useful. I am really ashamed to show my face around here." Tevis clicked his tongue, as he looked towards Void.
Void knew there was a scheme involved, but he couldn't ever imagine that Tevis would spin some stories to make him out to be the one who took the job without hassle.
All the hunters present couldn't help but glance at Void, some eyes held gratitude, while others seemed to perk up with interest. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that initially his existence was ignored, perhaps only Tevis and Levi cared to talk with him.
But after this incident, all the hunters looked to him with some curiosity, and also with some desire to somehow pay him back.
"Of course, we can't just let him train with us and go to the mission. You might not know but Void's only been active for a few months. His skills aren't exceptional, but he is daring and possesses immense potential. I brought him here to train and test his abilities, but I can't possibly teach him everything."
Tevis hinted something subtly, and it didn't take the others long to figure out what he meant
A few minutes later a few hunters stepped up, volunteering to teach Void.
"Hi, I am Cory, I am pretty good at hand to hand combat, I can help you out if you need it." The hunter extended a hand.
Void immediately accepted the help, in his eyes the more the merrier.
An exo popped up and looked at him, "Bandit-3, I can teach you dagger and sword skills. You can reach me through the captain."
The exo immediately left not wanting to interact any further.
"That's enough, don't hound him. First I will be teaching him stealth, he only has a week at best before the mission calls." Tevis informed them all.
Hearing the captain, the crowd around Void thinned out and everyone ran back to their posts, they couldn't exactly leave surveillance duties...
This time, even Levi was dragged to his duties by his fellow squad mates, knowing nothing good will come of him leaving him alone.
Tevis then gestured for Void to follow him to another training area he had prepared when Void finished his bounty.
"I planned to use this later on, but you don't really have that much time left. Your recent bounty is good enough for me, so we'll be starting your training early on."
As Tevis said these words, Void was baffled and also delighted. His mission had just been ended, how could he not be?
Naturally, he checked the system and as expected the mission was completed early.
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{Legendary Guardian System}
Skywatch Bounty: +Mission Completed
Rewards: Tevis Reputation +50, +Xp
+Subclass advancement unlocked!
Nightstalker (Lv 10/10) *
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Void was satisfied by unlocking his class advancement, but he wasn't sure what lied ahead...what kind of advancement would he go through?
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A/N: Hope you enjoyed, sorry for the delays. Leave a review ! Comment what you liked, thanks for reading.
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