He was actually feeling sore after capture the flag, which surprised him considering it was just a game rather than an actual mission. Not that he hadn’t gone all out…okay yeah it made a bit of sense, he thought. Eying suspiciously almost everyone around him, he admonishes himself for not finding any potential rats within their bunch, the idea of traitors amongst them scratching like a terrible itch in the back of his mind.
There was someone he was thinking of…a potential issue rather than one that would have been an issue during the previous mission, but an issue all the same. As he looked at her sitting alone a little ways from the bonfire, he wondered if others felt the same. Maybe she had nothing to hide, maybe she was like him.
Sero saw himself awkwardly standing in the natural walkway of people and felt heat in his face from the perceived embarrassment before walking forward with his plate of food. He wasn’t going to learn anything from her by standing there awkwardly.
He takes the seat by her, not really asking for permission as he does. His demeanor is relaxed but proper, and he takes the time to at least get a bite in of food and swallow it before speaking.
“Son, don’t you eat real food? I’m bound to rip one of those muffins ‘outta your mouth if I don’t see you down in the cafeteria today.”
Sero was told the café lady was a kind and sweet old lady. Sero has yet to see this. He suspects she was informed of his habits of not wanting to eat what these people call ‘real food.’ Having lived his life out in the West Ward until just a few weeks ago, he was way more used to packaged goods as sustenance. It wasn’t his fault food without preservatives or copious amounts of sugar tasted weird. But MEIA was insistent on ‘healthy’ agents, thus the old lady on his ass about eating pastries.
Sero simply grumbled and sat in the farthest seat away to properly sulk with his morning coffee. The lady running the café sighs and tsks before turning to go back to her routine, sweetly calling out to her daughter as if she hadn’t just been nagging him. Finally in blissful silence, Sero enjoys the sugary blueberry muffin. Much better than eggs or salad or whatever the heck they had downstairs...
These muffins were so good he’s half inclined to actually listen to the woman and show up in the cafeteria today.
Zer0 had heard there were other…what did they call it? Enhanced agents. Others with powers like him. He'd only known one other Enhanced his entire life–his father–who had the same power he did. He’d also seen Sol’s strength out in the West Ward, when they basically had to carry him to MEIA themselves. Other than that, the idea of other kinds of powers existing had Zer0's imagination swirling in his mind–what were they? Who were they? What could they do with it? He knew they were different from him at the very least, considering MEIA told him it was the first time they'd logged his particular enhancement.
Turns out he'd get some answers to his musing the second he turned to enter the training hall. There was this kid with…floating things around him? Was he doing that on purpose? Some were even flying like projectiles.
Interesting…
Well, MEIA was like his father in one regard, they really wanted enhanced agents to train their skills. That gives him an idea.
Zer0 slinked up to the younger agent quietly, a curious expression on his face. Only when the other took a breather for a moment did Zer0 speak up.
"Pardon the intrusion but…Hello, I am agent Zer0. I've rarely seen other enhanced people…do you mind if I train with you?"
There was something to be said for distractions. Zer0 wouldn’t dare say this is the best he’s felt in a long while, but having a goal, a list of things to do, a new environment to adjust to–it was a lot better than the west ward in that regard. A little too stuffy for his liking, but better. His gentle footfalls could barely be heard in the empty hallway. Most people must have been at lunch, but Zer0 was much more interested in heading up to the weapons depo. He was getting his real guns today. Not that his father’s Remington wasn’t his only prized possession, but he’d always fantasized what it would be like to have a rifle with a real scope. Binoculars were a handful and a pain.
He thinks more about what other weapons he might need, imagining situations from his past where he’d really wished he’d had one defense tool or another, situations he’d had to run where things could have gone differently otherwise. He’s threading his thoughts and connecting the dots as he walks down the hallway, unaware of anyone else around.
He’d managed to sneak out alright. Things seemed to be busier and more lively in the halls around just the beginning of the evening. He knew agents weren’t really supposed to go out after dark, but he was different, right? No one would fault him for being unused to rules, and most of them had been raised around here, where he was from the front lines. That made a difference, he felt. They wouldn’t deny him his natural habitat, right? Plus, people apparently didn’t like it when you smoked around them. He’d never really run into that out in the West Ward but he guessed it did smell a bit.
He wasn’t too far out, he thought, just enough to stretch his legs (and try out actually new shoes!!). The street was quiet, and he mimicked its sound as he hopped on top of a dumpster, grabbed the gutter, and easily shimmied up to the roof. He looked out over the expanse of rooftops, his playground. He smiled.
Taking off, he jumped. One, two, three roofs, and a quick flip that made him feel like he was flying. He bounced a little before coming around back towards MEIA, finishing out a U shape from his starting point. He let himself spin and fall onto the last roof, hands never leaving his pockets as he laughed in relief. Finally getting some energy out, he let himself catch his breath. Staring up at the burgeoning stars, he finally removed his hands and flicked his lighter, lining up for a quick smoke before anyone noticed he was gone.
Someone made an oversight in capture the flag, that oversight being Sero. Well, that’s what he thought of it, at least. With his agility, it was just too easy. The first round he’d bolted out of their area, easily skirting slower and stronger attackers alike by sticking to the trees and tops of any obstacles in the field. He’d gotten over to the enemy side fast enough that not everyone was completely on their guard. Perfect.
A quick duck in, a quick grab, a few surprised yells, and he was out of there before anybody had the chance to catch him.
Now, with the yellow flag in his hand, he simply had to bolt back to blue side. Easy. He doubted the game would last 20 minutes at this rate!
These are his exact thoughts as he bounds into what he assumes is an unoccupied tree, distracted by keeping watch of the agents on the ground.
Well, this was sure a way to blow off steam. The water gun fights had been a bit intense, but getting drenched, while somewhat humiliating, was a welcome cold shock to his system. Projectiles (except for bullets) he was used to dodging…but water arched in such a weird way that he was getting hit a lot if he didn't take cover. Hence him hiding behind a corner of a wall now, preparing his next move. Maybe if he moved to more central cover, he'd be able to get a better sight line on the enemy–
Sero forms a plan in his mind, his body starting to move with a goal ahead of him. At least, until he darts out from his hiding spot and lets out an embarrassing yelp at the sudden person–no, demon–in front of him. He stumbles back behind cover, ready to shoot, the face of his enemy processing in his mind, confusion and surprise coming over him.
You receive a message from JINX to show up for a meeting in her office. When you enter you are greeted by JINX and SOL seated on one side of her desk. SOL motions for you to take a seat across from them. A hologram of your profile is pulled up in front of the two head agents.
“Hello agent ZER0.” JINX greets, a smirk on her face. SOL is smiling at you in a friendly manner. “We have been watching your performance lately and have deemed you ready for more responsibility.” She taps something on her desk.
A notification pings on your communication device, a new message from JINX.
“You have received an offer to rank up, as well as switch departments if you desire. If you choose to accept the rank up then you will move from LEVEL ONE to LEVEL TWO. You may choose to rank up without switching departments, or you can simply switch departments without ranking up.” SOL continues, gesturing to the contract offer that you will open on your coms device.
“Moving forward things are going to change, and we need all agents ready to face whatever may come.” JINX says. “You have until the end of the day to respond to this offer. Whatever you decide is up to you and we will not hold it against you. Dismissed.”
SOL will lead you to the door. He places a heavy hand on your shoulder as a sign of support and comfort. “Good luck, agent.”
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Zer0 stays silent during the entire exchange, the only readable expression on his face being mild confusion. Things happen so quickly and suddenly he's being ushered out by SOL and the door closes behind him. Frowning, he looks at his comms device on his wrist. He...was going to need a little bit to think this over.
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Several hours later Zer0 finds himself on a roof of the civilian compound, looking out over the mix of concrete and greenery as the sun sets over the horizon. He takes a drag and exhales smoke, the expression on his face unreadable other than slight annoyance. Resting bitch face, his sister used to call it.
He'd come to his conclusion about an hour ago but was having trouble getting up, of pushing forward. He sees his sister's face in his mind's eye, always full of comfort and positivity. He can feel her pushing him to stand. He does.
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With about an hour to spare, he finds himself in front of JINX again.
"I've come with my decision." He pauses. "I don't know if this offer speaks to your confidence in my abilities, or MEIA's desperation for warm bodies." His conviction doesn't waver. If he wants real change in this world, he has to seize it, whether he thinks he is ready or not.
"In the end it probably doesn't matter. I'll accept your offer. Keep me in the field and I'll keep bringing you results."
