# Fallout - An Illusion to Follow

Author: SrA havenofimage
Tags: Bear, Falcon, Female, Fox, Gun, Husky, Leopard, Male, Military, Snow Leopard, Story Series, marten, memory

#8 of Fallout

&nbsp;

-NEW MESSAGE

-FROM: HQ

-TO: BRAVO

-SUBJECT: #1

Was there any indication of his intentions?&nbsp; The chief needs to know if he or any of his people are at risk.

END MESSAGE

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Take the car and try to sell it.&nbsp; Cash would be best."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Okay, why?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "By now the JIA will have the plates and registration.&nbsp; They'll be able to track it.&nbsp; Besides, we won't be needing it for the next few days.&nbsp; We're going off road," and then, adding with a sideways look, "If you can handle it."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jaimie replied with a smirk, "You forget I'm a mountain girl.&nbsp; I can do off road.&nbsp; What are you going to be doing?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'm going to try and get us a new set of wheels," which translated to something which could handle the rigors of traversing the dessert and possibly mountains.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I searched the phone directory and soon found what I was looking for.&nbsp; There was a dealership for a popular motorcycle and ATV company in town.&nbsp; The half page advertisement in the yellow pages indicated that they also did rentals, which was perfect.&nbsp; Whether or not they'd let me rent with cash was the real question.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the end, they did, after nearly an hour of haggling, arguing, promises, and bribes.&nbsp; I may as well have bought the two ATVs I was finally given the keys to.&nbsp; The dealership owner assured me I'd get the difference back "if" I returned the vehicles.&nbsp; I only hoped Jaimie had better luck.&nbsp; I told the slick dressed kangaroo who I had been working with that I'd be back to pick them up in an hour before taking a cab back to the hotel where I paid to extend the reservation for three days.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I was about to return to the room and wait for Jaimie when she walked into the entrance behind me.&nbsp; There was a rather large bulge in her front pocket which I eyed suspiciously.&nbsp; Before I could ask any questions, she took my arm and led me to our room.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So, how did it go?" I asked.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Great.&nbsp; I got lucky though.&nbsp; Found a chop shop by accident which was happy to take the car off my hands and even more so to pay cash for it.&nbsp; It looked like a pretty shady operation, but the chick who ran the shop paid decently for a car which wasn't stolen."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Good, how much did you get for it?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jaimie reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded bundle of Thousands.&nbsp; I whistled appreciatively.&nbsp; That would defiantly help cover the ridiculous price for the ATVs.&nbsp; I informed Jaimie that I was going to change and then we'd head out.&nbsp; I had briefed her on my intentions over breakfast.&nbsp; Though she was a bit skeptical of my source, she thankfully agreed with my plan without many questions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A few minutes later, Jaimie stepped out of the small bathroom.&nbsp; I couldn't help but stare in awe at her new appearance.&nbsp; She wore an ultrathin, long sleeved, white outer layer over a blue sports bra.&nbsp; Her legs were covered only in a pair of olive khaki shorts cut well above mid thigh.&nbsp; Her hair was tied back with a red bandana and copper tinted sunglasses protected her eyes.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I told you I could do off road," she informed me, ginning at the expression on my face.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I had opted for a pair of black and orange sports pants and a fur tight, white, temperature control base top.&nbsp; I wore a bandana around my neck so I could pull it up to protect my nose and face.&nbsp; I slipped on a pair of wide black sunglasses as we left the room.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We greatly enjoyed the first part of the day, hopping over dunes, racing across flat hard pack, and navigating around large rocks.&nbsp; Jaimie rode on a red four wheeler while mine was black and white.&nbsp; We stopped by a small stream, still running from snow melt, for lunch.&nbsp; The excitement of the morning was beginning to wear off and the search was becoming more important.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After eating, we packed back up and continued our journey north.&nbsp; As it had before, the fact that I had no idea what I was looking for bothered me.&nbsp; What was I expecting to find, a fenced perimeter, specked with guard towers or perhaps a sign saying restricted area?&nbsp; No, if it was a secret facility that the government could deny, it probably wouldn't have any detectable outward signs.&nbsp; The day moved forward and the sun got lower on the far horizon.&nbsp; My exposed fur and hair was caked with red brown dust and my paws were numb from the vibration of the handle bars.&nbsp; I drove along slowly and soon Jaimie pulled up alongside me.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Xavier, it's starting to get dark, maybe we should call it a day and set up camp for the nigh."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yeah," I agreed reluctantly, "you're probably right."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I steered my ATV around an outcropping spur of mountain.&nbsp; As I looked at what was around the corner my heat skipped a beat.&nbsp; I increased the throttle and sped forward.&nbsp; Three minutes later, I was standing in front of the geographical feature which had caught my attention.&nbsp; It was a broad, flat cliff.&nbsp; Jaimie soon caught up and dismounted to stand next to me.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What is it?" she asked with mild concern on her face.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "This is it!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Xavier, this is a cliff."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No, it's not 'A' cliff, it's 'the' cliff."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What are you talking about?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "This is the cliff from my dreams.&nbsp; The one I'm always flying towards.&nbsp; This has got to be where the bunker is!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Xavier, this is a cliff."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I pulled her next to me and grinned, "Yeah, it is."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jaimie stared at me, the concern now clearly etching her features.&nbsp; I ignored this though and examined the stone face.&nbsp; There had to be something.&nbsp; This just had to be what I was looking for.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Jaimie!" I shouted, "See this crack, it runs strait up, dead center on the rock.&nbsp; There is no way that's natural.&nbsp; This has to be a door... or something."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Okay," she replied, skepticism dripping from her words, "how do we open it?"&nbsp; I don't suppose you could push.&nbsp; Try knocking, maybe some one's home."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Your sarcasm is doing nothing to improve the situation.&nbsp; Give me a minute."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I stared at the mountainous edifice, trying to remember anything more about this place.&nbsp; I sat down, resting my back against the rock, closed my eyes and kneaded my forehead where a headache had begun to develop.&nbsp; There had to be something.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The sun was setting behind me while I stood before a recessed portion of the cliff and slammed my fist against stone.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Damn!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "This is the third time in a row the sergeant has locked us out."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I turned to see the speaker.&nbsp; He was a fox, taller than myself.&nbsp; His fur was rust red, his ears and paws were white and the tip of his tail was black.&nbsp; I noticed that he was clad in similar cloths as myself, grey digital pattered fatigues.&nbsp; There were three others who accompanied me and the fox.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One was a black bear.&nbsp; He was about my height, but built like a tank, with bulging forearms and biceps.&nbsp; His fur, close cropped hair, and eyes were black as midnight.&nbsp; The very tip of his nose was brown, the only color on his body.&nbsp; Beside him was a brightly colored falcon.&nbsp; He was short and thin, but stood confidently and had a fearsome gleam in his eyes.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The final companion was a rather attractive female marten whose toned muscles were clearly visible.&nbsp; Her fur was light tan which darkened on her lower arms and tail.&nbsp; She had a cream colored collar and mask and light hair of similar color.&nbsp; Her violet eyes burned with determination and I was willing to bet that she could have torn me limb for limb if she wanted to.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It was the latter individual who spoke next, saying, "I'm not sleeping out here again.&nbsp; I'm tired of the cold."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Where do you intend to sleep, there's nothing else out here?" this from the bear.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, if the front door is locked, why don't we try breaking in the back like I suggested last night."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You mean the training grounds entrance?"&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Uh hu. &nbsp;There's no way it's nearly as difficult to get into as the bay door."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Okay," I said, "and if that doesn't work, we might be able to break in through one of the ventilations shafts for the hangar and landing strip.&nbsp; You know how massive those fans are."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alright, how do we get there from here?" asked the fox.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The marten spoke next, "obviously it's somewhere on the other side of this mountain."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Right," I said, taking charge of the discussion, "Curry," indicated the marten, "take point and lead the way.&nbsp; The rest of you, fall in, ranger file.&nbsp; Trestan, can you scout ahead?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Can do," the falcon acknowledged before leaping into the air and rapidly disappearing from view.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I opened my eyes to see Jaimie standing over me.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Xavier, are you okay?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yeah."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You were like in a trance or something."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "A memory.&nbsp; C'mon, I think I know how to get in."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I began walking in the direction I had watched the girl in my memory travel.&nbsp; I blinked several times, because, there she was in front of me, semi transparent like a ghost.&nbsp; It must be a hallucination.&nbsp; That being said, it would probably lead me right where I needed to go, or so I hoped.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jaimie and I clambered over rocks, traversed stretches of mountain side hiking deep into the mountain range.&nbsp; The sun was almost below the horizon and the light was bad, but I couldn't stop in fear of losing my mysterious guide from my memoires.&nbsp; Onward and onward the ghost marten lead, me following right behind.&nbsp; I was beginning to believe that I had gone insane and was chasing a mirage to my death when we reached an open valley.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Here, my escort changed her movement.&nbsp; Where she had been carefully picking our way over the rough terrain, now she darted from cover to cover across the exposed expanse.&nbsp; I stayed right behind her the whole way, checking the right side where the mountain stood.&nbsp; I was sure the others had the left and our six.&nbsp; No reason to get ambushed by the trainers now that we had come this far.&nbsp; Then I remembered that it was just me and Jaimie following an illusion.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I turned to ensure that Jaimie was still behind me.&nbsp; When I looked back for the marten, she sprinted to a point in the cleared space, and then disappeared.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Wait!" I shouted, running after her, but she was nowhere to be found.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Xavier, who are you talking to?&nbsp; There's no one there."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "The girl, the girl from my memory," I stammered, but of course, Jaimie hadn't seen her.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Chasing imaginary girls?&nbsp; I'm not sure if I should be worried or jealous."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I inspected the place where my imagined guide had disappeared.&nbsp; The was a large flat area of cement, which explained some of it.&nbsp; The must have been a building here at some point.&nbsp; It was now gone, only the foundation left to be slowly covered by sand and dirt and vegetation.&nbsp; I knelt, running the tips of my fingers across the cool concrete pad and closed my eyes, trying to recapture the memory.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I was once again behind the marten, my rifle pointed to the right, watching carefully for any contacts.&nbsp; We crouched behind one of the low buildings which were constructed here for our training missions.&nbsp; The falcon swooped down, landing in the middle of our formation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Okay, I figured out where we are.&nbsp; This is cluster four."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Ah, that means this is the building that was supposed to be the embassy during our last exercise."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Exactly."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Good, I know where to go from her."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I gave the signal to stand and move forward.&nbsp; The marten returned to the front and lead the way.&nbsp; I followed five feet behind, again covering our right flank.&nbsp; We picked our way from building to building before coming to a P&R station.&nbsp; We moved through it, clearing the interior before continuing.&nbsp; Eventually, the girl who I had referred to as Curry raised her paw in a closed fist.&nbsp; The signal to stop.&nbsp; She waved me forward and I soon saw why.&nbsp; A solid metal door stood in the rock ahead. &nbsp;A camera over the entrance swept the surrounding area.&nbsp; A boulder blocked the squad from view, but that didn't help us get passed the obstacle.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Give me a sec," she whispered, "I'm trying to access the security network.&nbsp; They've beefed it up since the last time I broke in, but it shouldn't take too long."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I waited patiently, the others completely silent.&nbsp; By now it was night and the only light came from the screen of Curry's data pad.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Okay, I'm going to lock the motor.&nbsp; The error message will be delayed for an hour before being sent."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Why don't you just loop the cameras like last time?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "They won't fall for that twice.&nbsp; They have a new detection system for that and I won't be able to get around it without taking more time.&nbsp; This should be able to get us in."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I signaled the rest of the team and we ran in a crouch to the door.&nbsp; The fox moved forward, pulling something out of a pocket.&nbsp; The something turned out to be a shaped charge.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Do I need to blow it?" he asked.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Curry responded, "I don't think so.&nbsp; The blast will alert everyone inside to our presence.&nbsp; Not every mission needs an explosion."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I disagree."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I could tell the two were about to get into one of their usual arguments, so I made a subtle cutting motion with my right paw to silence them.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Curry, what can you do?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Give me a second.&nbsp; Okay, I've broken into the door controls, give me the word Harper."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Won't the unauthorized access warning alert the guards just as plainly as an explosion?" the fox asked.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Not if I use my digital copy of the sergeant's biometric scans to trick the computer into believing he opened the door.&nbsp; Taking internal sensors offline."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Good work Curry," I said, "Teague, I promise you can blow up two things on our next mission.&nbsp; Now get in position to breach."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You better stick to that," he hissed as he took his place in front of me.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Curry stood on the far side of the door.&nbsp; I felt Trestan tap my shoulder.&nbsp; I reached forward and touched Teague's arm who nodded to her.&nbsp; She pressed a finger to a command on the computer's screen.&nbsp; The door slid open and we slipped in, clearing the room inside.&nbsp; A computerized female voice spoke through an overhead speaker.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Authorized entry, Master Sergeant Day."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I opened my eyes to find Jaimie inspecting the surrounding area with a flashlight.&nbsp; Noticing that I was watching her, she walked over to where I stood.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Xavier, I don't know how we're going to find our way from here.&nbsp; Everything looks the same."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Don't worry I know where to go."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "How?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Just trust me."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; With that, I began following the path I had just taken in my mind, using building foundations and geographical references to navigate.&nbsp; Soon I was standing at the boulder which had guarded us from the camera, and sure enough, sunk into a rock wall, was what could unmistakably be a door.&nbsp; I walked up to it.&nbsp; The metal was still mostly clear of debris.&nbsp; I looked around to find a control panel.&nbsp; Jaimie gave a cry of surprise and I turned to see a rock slide into the one next to it, revealing a small consol.&nbsp; Better yet, the screen was on.&nbsp; I walked to it and read what was written.

-PLEASE SUBMIT SCAN FOR ENTRANCE

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I wondered what this meant but then noticed a small camera and finger pad next to the screen.&nbsp; I placed my thumb on the pad and looked into the camera.&nbsp; This was obviously a biometric scanner.&nbsp; I jumped as a needle pricked my thumb, a small drop of blood appearing.&nbsp; A new message scrolled across the display.

-RETINAL AND BLOOD SAMPLE MATCH

-PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR VOICE SCAN

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Xavier Snow."

-VOICE PRINT MATCH

-WELCOME BACK CW2 KIRIAN HARPER

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The door groaned for a moment before the servos broke through four month of disuse and it slid upon to reveal a black interior.&nbsp; Jaimie shone her flashlight inside.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Shall we?" I asked.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Before she could answer, I pulled her inside.&nbsp; The door slid shut behind us leaving the room pitch black.&nbsp; Then the sound of generators could be heard in the distance and the lights overhead flickered on.&nbsp; A computerized voice crackled over an intercom system.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Authorized entry, Chief Warrant Officer Harper."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well," I stated turning to Jaimie, who seemed a bit scared, "here we are."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She nodded, seeming to be unable to speak as I lead us further into the underground facility.&nbsp; Now I might get some real answers.

&nbsp;

-NEW MESSAGE

-FROM: BRAVO

-TO: HQ

-SUJECT: #1

Negative.&nbsp; He appears to be searching for information about his past.&nbsp; Showed no signs of hostility at this point

END MESSAGE

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/B1QpxJvn
Part of the series Fallout
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