Friday, 20th September 2024, 8:27 am
"Mate, it's fucking freezing. Why the hell did you insist on dragging my poor arse out here? We could've done this at the bloody gym!" Ghazal moans as he and Reyn endure another morning run through the frost-bitten paved paths of the compound. Ghazal fights against the ice-burn of cold air hitting his lungs with every breath.
"Just move your ass, Gaz. You'll find out in a second." Reyn responds excitedly, tapping Ghazal on his back as they run.
"Argh! It better be bloody good."
The two persevere, passing the main administration building and moving towards the western side of the compound. As they round a bend, Ghazal sees smoke rising from the chimney of the on-base pub, the smell of roasting meat hits his flaring nostrils soon after.
"Mate! Don't tell me!"
"Yes, sir. Steaks for breakfast!"
Ghazal stops to lean on his hips as he catches his breath.
"Hell! Now that's a tradition we've not enjoyed for too fucking long! Mitchells!" he smiles widely while slapping Reyn on the back. "What did I do to deserve this, mate?"
"Come, let's talk inside, oh Great Ghazal."
The two briskly move toward the pub, dragging their tired legs through puddles of melted frost and dew. The first licks of light start stretching out over the Tahtali Mountains to the east, bringing with it the warmth of day.
The two burst into the pub, kicking off moisture and ice from their shoes and shaking off bits of morning cold as they step into the overwhelming warmth of the quiet pub.
They quickly find a table in a dim corner, snickering with anticipation as they tap through the menu deciding between the various steak options. They make their selections and notify the lone duo working the kitchen, one of which writes down their orders reluctantly. As the man in the back grills up their slabs of meat, the two discuss the happenings of the last three months over the smell of charred pork and alcohol, an ambience the two would enjoy almost every weekend during their time at Brannon-Brook.
The topic of conversation catches up to their current situation and Reyn suddenly goes quiet while Ghazal prattles on about his experiences in the mock battles, having proven himself as one of the most versatile and combat effective among the recruits. He laments Reyn's lack of involvement in the training program and goes into detail regarding his experiences with his aetherics and the things he learnt in trial combat.
Reyn chuckles as he listens to his friend confidently boast about his performance, but Ghazal eventually notices Reyn's quietness.
"Oy, what's this, mate. You look like me bloody mum staring at me talking about my school day." Ghazal scowls.
Reyn chuckles.
"My little boy's all grown up!" He jests. "But seriously, I kinda miss this, Gaz, we haven't had time to just chill and catch up, you know. I've been so busy with Ravinok, and you with training..."
"I bloody know, mate. Barely see you anymore, and now you've got Joze sucking up all your time like a damn vampire…"
"Hey!"
"Relax. You know I love you guys. But I miss you too, mate. Paolo and Luka just aren't cutting it. They keep kicking my arse on VR too. Need my little princess back."
"Yeah, yeah. Look, Gaz. The thing is, I just wanted you to know that you've honestly been the best friend I've ever had, man. And it's meant a lot to me, more than you realize. I dunno if I'd be here…"
"Fuck off! You gonna get all mushy on me all of a sudden just cause we've been to busy to fuck around these last few months? Jesus, mate, you're more of a princess than I thought."
"Argh! Fuck you, you wanker. I'm trying to be real here. Ugh, look, whatever happens from today onwards, just know I couldn't have done it without you, Gaz. I mean it. You've been a legend, man."
"Tell me something I don't know, mate. They don't call me the Great Ghazal for shits and giggles. I earned that title!"
"Who the hell are they?"
"The proverbial they, the world out there, anybody that knows me. Whatever, you bloody pillock. Why are you suddenly acting like you're gonna die or something? What the fuck is Ravinok doing to you, mate?"
"Relax, it's the opposite, actually." Reyn says with a knowing smirk as he moves closer to Ghazal and whispers. "You'll finally get to see me fight today."
Ghazal's head cocks back.
"Really?"
"Yep, Ravinok and I discussed it last night. He thinks. I'm ready." Reyn nods proudly.
"Holy shit, finally! You think they'll let us fight each other?" Ghazal asks excitedly.
"I hope so!" Reyn says with a chuckle.
The two go on to discuss the potential upcoming battle. Ghazal eagerly goes into details on his typical strategies and thought process in combat while Reyn listens on eagerly. Ghazal would only find frustration when trying to dig into the nature of Reyn's aetherics and combat experiences, only getting vague answers and promises that all will be revealed in his mock battle debut.
The men devour their steaks and a desert of waffles and ice cream before heading back to the dorms.
As expected, they receive a notification sent to all recruits announcing an unscheduled mock battle that would be taking place in the afternoon. All were expected to attend, and all combat-capable recruits should prepare themselves for a potential fight.
The message creates an uproar in the dormitories as Ghazal and Reyn enter. Most of the recruits huddle around the lounge area and fervently discuss the upcoming battle, speculating wildly on what match ups the unscheduled event could provide.
"You see the message?" Jocelyn enquiries as she runs into Reyn in the lounge.
"Yep!" Reyn says with a knowing smile. Jocelyn immediately notices the sparkle of pride and accomplishment in his eye.
"Are you fighting today?"
"What? N-No… um. Well…" He stutters before quickly grabbing Jocelyn and pulling around a corner.
He presses her up against a wall with his hand over her mouth while moving his lips within licking distance of her ear. The experience evokes new feelings and emotions in Jocelyn as she stands pinned to the wall, overwhelmed by Reyn's sudden show of strength and assertiveness.
"Sorry, Joze. I'm not supposed to tell anyone, Ravinok wants..." He whispers softly into her ear, each uttered breath breaking down walls of self-control in her mind.
"Uh, no… I-I didn't… sorry." she splutters as she stares into Reyn's quivering eyes.
"Oh, ok… I'm just so excited you know. Feels like I'm vibrating here. Fuck, I can't wait!" He whispers, his excitement clearly evident to Jocelyn as his body quivers against hers. " Oh, shit, sorry. I didn't mean to…" Reyn yelps as he notices he had been holding her captive.
He quickly moves away and starts to straighten his uniform, but Jocelyn grips his waist and pulls it against hers again, accidentally knocking the back of her head against the wall in the process.
She ignores the pain while Reyn looks worried and wide-eyed.
"You ok?" He asks.
Jocelyn doesn't answer, she stares up at him, her eyes big and bright as she raises her face up toward his, stretching onto her toes to find more height. Her lips pout and her eyes fall close as Reyn descends to meet her. They share a kiss and Jocelyn slowly opens her eyes to Reyn's big, sheepish smile. She can't help but break into a chuckle.
"You think they'll let me fight you?" She asks pointedly, causing Reyn to shift his head back in surprise. "What? You've seen me fight before. You know what I'm capable of. I could totally kick your ass."
"Maybe, guess we'll find out today."
Jocelyn slaps him on the chest before pressing a kiss deep into his cheek.
"Just go easy on me, ok. I don't like it rough." she playfully whimpers at him with a sly wink.
The two eventually find their way back to the lounge and into the conversations.
Just before 2pm the recruits are already gathered at the training facility entrance, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their superiors.
Rick Justice, Victoria Amari and Glenn Foster each appear in turn, followed by the rest of the training invigilators and a number of other GAARD staff and archaners, including the Strike Team Split Nova.
Glenn Foster greets all the guests at the training facility and quickly leads them inside where Ravinok would be waiting for them. A stiff, cold breeze still rolled down the mountains towards the coast, bringing with it tickles and pricks of frosted air.
The group enters the training facility's main yard, and assembles around the large, flat, concrete battle-stage, sitting among the numerous seats provided for fight audiences.
Ravinok appears on the centre stage with a shimmering vortex of particles that descend from the sky.
"Welcome everyone! And thank you to those of you that took the time out of your busy day to attend this auspicious event." the doctor bellows, swinging his arms proudly as he speaks to the assembled. "Today, you will all see what the Brannon-Brook initiative is truly capable of. After more than three years of hard work and dedication, with guidance from the science and research done here at GAARD, we have bred the next evolution of the aetheric warrior. Today you will see a glimpse of what true power and total command over aether looks like. Bare witness to the key to our victory. Reyn Mitchells, come!"
Reyn lifts from his seat among the audience and swiftly makes his way up on the stage as numerous conversations and sounds of surprise erupt around him. Jocelyn looks worried while Ghazal lifts from his seat and stares in shock.
Reyn's mind is wrapped in pride and accomplishment, though he still fights off flitting feelings of self-doubt and unworthiness. He pushes past all notions of negativity and fully indulges in the outcomes of his hard work and training. He steps on the stage, shifting his gaze around the audience, blasting out a wide, confident smile as he walks. He positions himself next to Ravinok while maintaining an erect posture, puffing out his chest and holding his chin high and firm.
"Mr. Mitchells has been blessed with an ARCH-type unlike anything we have seen before. It has no name, for there is no way to quantify it with a single title. Words will do no justice to explain its power and potential. So, we will show you here today, right, Mitchells?" Ravinok announces and Reyn nods approvingly. "So, for today's mock battles, I challenge each and everyone sitting here today, to fight with Reyn Mitchells. Consider this a testament to my faith in Mr. Mitchells' ability. I am confident he will prove victorious against anybody here today… So, without further delay. Who shall be the first challenger."
The training grounds go silent as the audience stare at each other in shock. Ravinok's announcement far exceeds any possibilities they could have thought of, and his proclamation of Reyn's strength and ability leave little to the imagination. The godfather of aetherics truly believed he stood next to the most powerful human on Earth.
Rick Justice sneers as he stares down Reyn, he shuffles in his seat and moves to stand up, but another does so before he has the chance to.
"Ghazal Merkaan! His best mate! And ready to kick his arse!" Ghazal yells out as he jumps up from his seat. Ravinok laughs as he gestures for him to approach the ring. He climbs the stage and positions himself across from Reyn and Ravinok.
"Miss Amari, would you please prepare the stage!" Ravinok yells out.
Victoria Amari lifts from her seat and slowly moves toward the stage. As she reaches the side of the raised concrete floor, she quickly drops into a seated position, folding her legs over each other as she floats effortlessly, held aloft by her own telekinetics. She weaves her hands in front of her and as she does, the air around the stage begins to shimmer. She concentrates her mind as a dome of aether grows out from the centre of the fight-stage until it covers its entirety, reaching up more than 50 metres into the air. She smiles as she witnesses the rest of the audience's eyes stretch with amazement at her display of power.
"Thank you Victoria! As you all know, our mock battles take place in the chrono-spheres so graciously provided by Miss Amari. With this, you can fight to your heart's content without fear of severe or fatal injury." Ravinok says as he moves about the stage. "Ms. Amari, slow us down please."
Victoria flicks her fingers about and twists her hands, each of her movements causing Ravinok's own to slow down, eventually his movements are so slow they are barely visible. A quick flick of her hand again and Ravinok was moving and talking normally.
"So, gentlemen, you may begin as soons as I give the signal. Remember Mr. Merkaan, feel free to fight with all your strength. You will stand no chance, otherwise" Ravinok exclaims before disappearing into the floor. He appears again beside Victoria Amari on the side of the fight-stage. "Begin!" he yells.
The two men stare intently, both wearing confident grins pointed at each other. Ghazal motions a slight nudge, urging Reyn to attack. Reyn shrugs, encouraging Ghazal to do the same.
Ghazal chuckles. He lifts his hands in front of him and begins twirling them around. As he does, the air in front of him fluctuates as sparks of electricity and flakes of fire merge into existence. He weaves a large spinning ball entwined with enormously powerful currents of electricity and thick, flowing, globs of searing-hot, highly-condensed plasma. The orb crackles and pops with ever increasing intensity, and as it reaches its climax, Ghazal further compresses it into a tiny, brilliant ball of overwhelming energy.
He flicks it towards Reyn with a smile.
Even in the chono-bubble of slowed down time, the energy ball buzzes toward him in an instant. As it's about to hit him, Victoria Amari freezes space inside the chrono-bubble.
She stares at Ravinok with bewilderment. "What is this? The boy isn't moving? He'll be killed by such power." She scolds at Ravinok beside her.
Ravinok bellows out with laughter. He bends down and whispers something into Amari's ear, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. She attempts to protest the doctor's revelation, but he grabs her shoulder and manages to calm her worries with a simple smile and nod. She turns back to the battle, and after a deep sigh, reactives the time flow.
Ghazal's attack hits Reynn square in the chest. It fizzles out with a few sparks and shimmers of light, leaving behind a little puff of smoke, which Reyn quickly blows away with a flick of his hand.
Ghazal looks on first in shock then frustration. Without much thought, his combat instincts take over and he launches himself towards Reyn with an explosion of aetherics at his feet. He barrels across the fight-stage, covering his body in a coating of electrified particles that help him cut through the air around him, exponentially increasing his speed. His left hand fills with a swirl of white-hot plasma, while his right wraps itself in a torrent of slicing air.
As he reaches Reyn, he slams his hands together and creates a gigantic cleaving blade of plasma and compressed air that blasts out towards his target, carving through the concrete floor of the stage.
As soon as the attack is released, Reyn disappears, allowing the energy blade to hit the wall of the chrono-bubble explosively, causing Amari to wince and quiver as she struggles to maintain her aetherics.
Reyn appears, a moment later, behind Ghazal and swiftly flings his arm around his friend's neck, gripping him into an unbreakable chokehold. Ghazal panics and gasps for air as Reyn takes his other arm and violently tickles Ghazal all over his ribs and belly. He erupts into uncontrollable laughter and spasms while the crowd looks on in shock and confusion.
"Mitchells! Focus. Stop messing around!" Ravinok yells from the sidelines, pointing a wagging finger.
Reyn quickly tosses Ghazal onto the floor where he crumples into a heap, fighting to catch his breath.
"Wanker! What the fuck was that!" He yells in protest as he gets up and straightens his attire.
Reyn shrugs. "Didn't wanna hurt you."
Ghazal pouts. "Yeah, instead you're embarrassing me. Come, you plug head. Kick my arse if you think you can!"
Reyn grins. "Fair enough."
He moves back and allows Ghazal a moment to collect himself. They nod at each other and Ghazal immediately prepares his next attack, but before he has a chance to activate his ARCH-unit, Reyn points a finger-gun at him.
"Bang!" Reyn barks with a grin.
Ghazal stares at him confused, until an invisible object suddenly hits him square in the forehead. The strike whips his head back, twisting his body wildly as he is lifted through the air. He pirouettes across the fight-stage, bouncing along the floor before coming to a sliding halt near the stage edge. Reyn strolls over to him as he struggles to get up while his mind tries to make sense of Reyn's attack.
"Wanker! What the hell was that!"
Reyn stands over him as he lifts onto one knee. As Reyn reaches down his hand to assist Ghazal up, Ghazal quickly releases a powerful plasma strike directly into Reyn's face at point-blank range. The explosion knocks Ghazal against the wall of the chrono-bubble, expelling all breath from his lungs. He gets up, huffing for air and patting at the burning patches of clothes on his body.
He is suddenly hit by the realization of what he had just done. He jumps from the floor and runs toward the cloud of dust and steam covering Reyn's body, screaming for his friend, but as he approaches, his body suddenly feels light and an instant later, he finds himself standing in front of a smiling Reyn who had teleported him instantly. Ghazal looks at his friend in abject shock, Reyn was untouched by Ghazal's point blank attack.
"Pretty sneaky, Gaz." Reyn chuckles.
Ghazal's frustrations begin turning to fear as he begins to gain a small understanding of the extent of Reyn's power.
"Mate, what the hell is happening. W-What are you…?" Ghazal asks, a slight whimper finds his voice.
Reyn sees the worries and fear appear over his face and he grips Ghazal by the shoulder. Reyn's ARCH-unit erupts, sending out long, crackling sparks, and a moment later, the world around them freezes.
Reyn taps Ghazal on the shoulder as he stares around him in absolute disbelief.
"You dunno how long I've been waiting to show you this!" Reyn says with a warm smile.
"Did… did you just freeze time?"
"Not really."
"But… Everyone's frozen… "
"Yeah… it's… complicated. We're in a kind of pocket dimension I created that's layered on top of our regular reality. It's something Ravinok and I worked out. He's really worried about me fucking up the balance of the universe or something, so I'm only allowed to use the, um... really weird parts of ability in pocket dimensions like this."
"Mate, this is insane. What… I… are you, like a god now or something?"
Reyn bursts out laughing as he grips Ghazal around the shoulders.
"Still just a plughead, Gaz. Well, a plughead with the power to fuck up our reality apparently!"
"Mate… what the fuck!? What now? You're basically a god, mate. Are you planning to rule over humanity or something?"
Reyn's smile turns to a pout. "Gaz, that's not funny man. And no, I'm not. I'm powerful but not omnipotent or some shit. I'm still human, without a power-core you'd be able to kick my ass… probably"
Ghazal chuckles. "Only because you always let me. Mate, this is insane. This is… wait… what happens with the war now? If you can do shit like this, what the fuck else can you do?"
"We're still figuring that out. Ravinok and I have only started scratching the surface of my ability. There's still so much to learn and understand, and I want to do that, I want to understand, you know. This power and the consequences it can carry. I don't know if I'll ever truly be ready for it. But I don't have a choice, the next invasion is coming and if we can use my power to stop it, then that's what I'm gonna do."
"Bloody hell, mate! So this is what you and Ravinok have been up to? So, what now?"
"Now we finish our fight, I kick everybody else's ass here, and become the new poster boy for the IGSI, at least that's what Ravinok and the Director told me. They plan to show me off for the next few months. Use my power and skills to show what Brannon-Brook and GAARD have been doing with all that investments and tax-payer money, I guess. Hoping to get approval ratings back up…"
Ghazal looks at him confused.
"You're a fucking god, and they wanna use you for press tours?"
Reyn shrugs. "Well, I might have not been completely honest with Ravinok about the extent of my power."
"What do you mean?"
"It's just, some of the things I've seen in my mind, you know, some of the choices and possibilities… there's things in there that just… I dunno, I just feel some things should stay in there. This being one of them to be honest."
"What, freezing time while we are in another dimension?"
"Well, it's not that… I mean, just look at them." Reyns says, gesturing to the crowd all around the fight stage, seemingly frozen in time. "It just feels wrong. I dunno, man. Like I'm making choices for other people you know. Affecting their lives without their consent… or even their knowledge."
"Like a god?"
"Argh, yes, exactly. Like a god. I think of the things I could do… messing with people's free will and shit. I dunno, man. It makes me sick just thinking of it. It feels really wrong. And I'm not fucking cut out for divinity. I just wanna punch monsters and save people. That's all I ever wanted, you know that."
"And Jocelyn…" Ghazal says with a smirk and tilt of his head.
Reyn chuckles. "Yes, Merkaan, punch things, save people and shag Jocelyn. Playing god is the last thing on my mind."
"Too right, mate! Might as well shut shop and close down the universe if you're gonna be in charge, that would be one hell of a shitshow." Ghazal jokes, causing Reyn to leap at him and the two jokingly scuffle as Ghazal continues to tease his friend.
"Gaz, whatever happens…"
"Forget it, Mitchells. I'm going nowhere! You think you ever getting rid of me after showing me this shit? I'm best mates with a god, you best believe I'm gonna milk it for all I bloody can, mate!"
Reyn bursts into laughter.
"Right, I wouldn't expect anything else from you. And, I'm not a fucking god, you wanker! Just… keep this between us, ok!"
Ghazal nods sheepishly.
The two continue to argue back and forth for a few minutes, eventually coming to a mutual agreement on the use of Reyn's power for personal gain with Reyn making an earnest oath to his best friend to never abuse his aetherics, except in cases where Ghazal deems it appropriate.
Reyn unfreezes time and the two return to their battle where Ghazal would immediately give Reyn a swift and powerful backhanded tap to his crotch, causing him to scream out in pain and crumble to the floor, much to Jocelyn's dismay. Ravinok would not allow this to count as a win in Ghazal's favour, forcing him to forfeit.
Eighteen battles would be fought against Reyn through the course of the afternoon, each one ending within seconds as Reyn quickly dispatched and immobilized his opponents in increasingly weird and wonderful ways. Lucein Fontaine would end up folded into a freezer in the dorm kitchen, more than a kilometre away from the training ground's during his fight with Reyn, something Ravinok would berate him for later that day.
Rick Justice's fight ended with most of his body sunken and molded into the concrete floor of the fight-stage while Glenn Foster forfeited after Reyn span him in an aetheric tornado until he began vomiting uncontrollably and had to be carried away.
Split Nova convinced Ravinok to let them both take on Reyn in a battle, but he quickly disposed of them as well. Vera found herself lodged in an otherworldly cube of unbreakable glass that somehow allowed her to still breathe. The situation made her look like a packaged toy, with her elaborate dress and accessories all neatly arranged around her. Reyn himself would have to release her as no other aetherics or physical interaction could even scratch the strange structure he had imprisoned her in. Vera would later admit to Ayame that she found the experience strangely titillating.
Ayame, on the other hand, was launched into low earth orbit in a bubble of air filled with candy floss, officially her favourite treat as far as Reyn knows. Ayame, who had neglected to fight Reyn in any capacity, would go on to endlessly praise the experience, noting the amazing unhindered views she had of Earth and the moon while floating in space for those few minutes.
Even Jocelyn decided to try her luck at fighting her boyfriend, but she only left the fight soaking wet with a burning behind as her fight with Reyn devolved into her dousing the entire area in torrents of ice and water while he effortlessly dodged, leaving most of her own aetherics to hit her. He ended their fight with a swift slap to her behind that launched her across the arena and into a cushion of warm, fluffy air he had waiting for her. She left the fight fuming and slightly aroused.
The day would eventually come to an end with Reyn victorious in all his challenges. Ravinok and the rest of the senior GAARD employees delve into deep discussions of the future of the gate defense and Brannon-Brook initiatives while the recruits gather around Reyn to praise and congratulate him on his performance. As the graduates loudly cheer and chatter, a stern voice breaks through the noise.
"Mitchells!" The Director yells from across the training yard.
Reyn quickly turns his attention and sprints toward the man as soon as their eyes meet.
"You did good, Reyn. Real good. Ravinok has kept me in the loop on your progress, but what you've shown us here today is far beyond what I imagined you'd be capable of, and from what the doctor says, you're only getting started, is that right?"
"Yes, sir." Reyn nods proudly.
"Hm, come, walk with me, kid." The director gestures as he turns toward the training facility's exit.
They leave the facility and make their way to a nearby path. The two men stroll quietly through the grassy paths toward the main administration building, the occasional street light warming the freezing air as they walk.
"We had a mission a couple months ago." The director suddenly speaks. "Simple retrieval. Some terrorists stole some aetherite, we had to get it back. So, I think to myself, who do I send? Who is the best option for solving this problem…"
Reyn nods, he had heard about the retrieval mission Split Nova ran in Venezuela. It was overall a success, the crystal was retrieved, but the actions of Vera Virtaski resulted in an enormous political and humanitarian crisis that would drag GAARDs name through the mud for months, the fall out also tanked already dwindling support for GAARD's numerous involvements in global governments and private organizations, with the general public feeling they are a liability and wield too much unrestricted power outside of their gate defense work.
"The answer is simple, right? You send in the strongest you have. Strength mitigates so many other variables… and when you possess as much strength as Vera Virtaski, or you, most other variables just don't matter. People like you and Vera can achieve pretty much anything just through pure strength."
The Director stops walking and turns to Reyn. He suddenly whips out his hand and snatches Reyn at the back of his neck.
"You're wearing a power-core right now… tell me, if you wanted to, is there anything you couldn't do? And would anybody here be able to stop you? You could destroy this entire facility right now if you wanted to, right? You could steal every power-core in this place and rule the fucking planet by the end of the week if you wanted to. So what's you plan Mitchells? Cause right now… you fucking terrify me, son. Faith and loyalty don't mean shit in the face of powers like yours."
Reyn's eyes widen as he stares at the director, his face grows sullen and he lowers his gaze to the ground.
"Sir, I know what you're saying. But I would never… all I ever wanted…"
"Now, you see that. That reaction right there. That shows me a certain level of understanding here, I want to believe that you understand where I'm getting at, son. Right now you're probably the strongest being on this planet, and that either makes you its protector or its enemy."
Reyn splutters as he attempts to interrupt.
"Shut up, Mitchells. I already know what you wanna say and I don't fucking care how dedicated and loyal you are. That shit doesn't matter when you can destroy everything we've built in the blink of an eye. Nothing else matters now, Mitchells. All that matters now is the choices that you make. And as the strongest among us, the choices you make will affect every single person on this planet. Do you get it?"
Reyn nods, it was something he and Ravinok had discussed at length and in detail.
"Good. I'm gonna be honest with you Mitchells. I don't trust you. You're a threat. A fucking big one. Probably bigger than those fucking gates. If it were up to me, you'd never see a power-core or ACZ. But… Ravinok says he trusts you with his life. And if it weren't for that crazy bastard we'd all be dead already, so I'm taking his word on this. But, understand, Mitchells, as of this moment, you are now my number one priority. I will personally be checking up on you and every fucking thing you do. If I can learn to trust Vera fucking Virtaski, I can learn to trust you. Don't fuck this up Reyn. Not for you, me or any other souls calling this planet home."
The Director releases Reyn's neck and dusts off his hands, his scowl softens and his eyes, always filled with conviction and certainty, look deeply into Reyn's, now quivering with vulnerability. So, Mitchells… I ask you kindly. Will you allow me to lead you, to help you save this planet?"
"Yes, sir! It would be my honor!" Reyn's says as concern fades from his face and he nods earnestly.
The Director smiles and pats Reyn firmly on the back. "Good answer, Mitchells. Let's go make Lunara proud."