Far and beyond

A world shatters

As Steph was getting ready to head out to do his next job he was firmly devoted to staying away from Mike. He wanted to go out and do something simple, alone. Maybe with a drone by his side. Please don't let there be any complicated s**t. He really needed a day to gather his thoughts. He wanted to speak to Monsa and make sure everything is okay but he was still restraining himself from calling her. She might even be sleeping. For him the day had started but where she is it's still dark. She must be sleeping. Anyways, she should come back later today. He could wait. He wanted to surprise her. He knew this place that made the best sweet cakes. She loved them. They were shaped like donuts but made with pasta-like stuff. It was basically a donut shape chocolate lasagna now that he had a moment to think about it. He would go out to get some and bring it into her office. They were usually at the upstairs office by now getting their instructions but today no one called them in. Ah, screw it. He would risk it. They were never that useful anyways. He preferred to read his assignments after that anyways. They were also non obligatory, on paper at least. 

About fifteen minutes later he was walking out of the shop with the sweet cake. He got a call from Mike. He rejected the call. He got another call, he rejected it again. Not ten seconds passed when a third call came. 

- God damn it. What the f**k does this guy want. - Steph rejected the call again and set the settings to "do not disturb". He continued walking back to the office with a smile on his face. He was going to see the love of his life later in the day. He couldn't wait to see her. 

After a short walk to his, he noticed that something was wrong as soon as he walked into the building. Every seemed to be quiet and distressed. His usual optimistic greetings weren't present. He didn't know what, but he could tell something was wrong. He rushed up the few stairs and entered the elevator. After he got out of the floor he rushed again down the corridor to the office where Monsa would be returning. He had envisioned himself leaving the gift for her at the reception or somewhere so it would come as a surprise to her. However, as soon as he walked he faced the green eyes of someone who worked at reception giving him a frightened stare. Had he done something wrong? 

- Hey, it's okay, I work just across the hall. - he said trying to calm the situation. 

- I... I know. You... you are here because of Monsa?

- Yeah, exactly. I wanted to drop something off for her. 

- To drop something off? What do you mean?

- You know, a gift. Like, a surprise. For when she comes in later.

- For later? Haven't you heard?

- Heard what? Have they gotten delayed or something? 

- No, they didn't get delayed. - after this sentence the green eyed girl let a tear flow down her cheek.

- What? Why are you crying? Did something happen? - Steph started panicking. He felt his blood freezing instantaneously in his veins. - What happened? 

- They... they were... they are... - the young girl tried to talk, but to no avail.

- THEY WERE WHAT? ANSWER ME!

- They were attacked Steph. They were ambushed by some savages. - a familiar voice from behind him made Steph turn around.

- Viktoria? Attacked? Is everyone okay? - Steph was looking at Viktoria, as serious as ever, not showing any emotion. 

- No. Everyone is not okay. And this is not the place to talk about it. - she swung her head as to signal that he should follow her.

Steph tried to follow Viktoria but as soon as he took the first step, his hands suddenly stopped working and dropped the present on the ground. The cake splattered on the floor. Steph just kept walking like it didn't even happen. Viktoria threw a glance back, but then she also turned away and ignored it. She walked into her office and Steph followed. Two glasses were placed on the desk. Ice went in both. They got filled with whiskey. Viktoria drank the whole in one go. This was the first time Steph saw her drink alcohol. She poured one more and drank that as well. Steph was sitting in front of the desk observing her behavior. He was pale. He was shaking. 

- Steph. I think that Monsa is alive. The crew was attacked last night. I saw what happened after you came into my office this morning and called a meeting. I wanted to avoid this but you weren't there. Now, you are probably wondering what are we doing right now. There is a team being assembled. They will go out and bring her back. They will avenge the looses. I will make sure of it. - Viktoria made sure to mention everything in one go so that Steph would not get the chance to ask many questions. 

- A team? Who are you sending? 

- Members of the CSF. We have three Outworlders available. They will be transported by a dropship to the teams last known position. A full company will follow those beasts to their den and kill every last one of them. 

- What about Monsa?

- We will find her. 

- You don't know where she is? How can you not know where she is? - Steph started to use a higher tone than previously.

- She got away. She got away from there. 

- Where to? Did she get to Nebograd? 

- I think she is on her way. Her vehicle was abandoned. She is most likely walking to Nebograd.

- Well, aren't you going to send anyone to rescue her? She is alive, she should be the priority! You should focus on protecting the ones alive not avenging the ones that are dead!! - his tone continued to go up. Steph was standing now.

- STEPH! I WILL DECIDE WHAT THE PRIORITY IS! There are patrols sent from Nebograd. They are combing the area. They are looking for Monsa. And may I remind you that I do not have unlimited resources. It is not like I have a standing army just waiting for my signal. Until we have reinforcements, all I can do is send the men and women I have to do what needs to be done. They need to find those aliens and asses the threat they pose. And then they need to be eliminated. If this is not done who knows how many more may die. What if they are encouraged enough to attach Nebograd tomorrow? Who is going to be responsible then? Will your head be on a plate if hundreds or even thousands more people die? No. So, if I were you, I would do my job, and I would let the others do their job.

- You are taking the short way. You are sending children into the homes of wolves. And they are going to get eaten Viktoria. You should have taken the safe way, even if it is longer.

- This is not the time for Little Red Riding Hood bullshit. You are dismissed. Leave my office. - Viktoria turned to the side to signify the conversation was over and that whatever Steph says will fall on deaf ears.

Steph stood up and walked away. He was mad. He knew that Viktoria would not listen to him, but she needed to. The men and women she was sending had never before been in battle. They will be encouraged by their shiny armor and their flashy weapons and they will most likely die in an ambush. He knew that their commanders would panic at the first encounter. He had seen it before. But they haven't.