Zero: Chapter 2

Chapter 2 -:-The next morning-:- I woke from the uncomfortable sad creation of a bed and stood. I checked my HUD's clock. The clock read five in the morning. "Well, to late to sleep again." I thought. I walk outside and notice One sitting comfortably on the dead Cabal. "Hey look who it is?" One said looking up from the fire. "Want some coffee?" He offers me one of his cups and gestures to sit next to him..on the Cabal... I took the cup and sat next to him staring into the fire. I really never understood One. His real name was John, John Lucas. That was when I met him, on recruiting day. It was rainy, the Sarge was, well, a dick in my childhood mind set of not wanting to do as told. Now, everything he has ever drilled into our minds makes sense even now. There were a total of 10 of us. We were nicknamed after our number given to us. There really was 11 if you want to count zero as a number of ranks. The sarge made me zero when I failed to many things. They made no sense and I did things my way. He told me I would be useless in a real fight, and here I am, sitting on a dead Cabal, drinking coffee with One. The way I got here was a complete blur. I ended up going with zero as my number and even as my name. I can hardly even remember my real name. "Hey" One said elbowing me. "When we taking off?" I stood drank the rest of my coffee and checked the time on my HUD. It read five-thirty. "We are heading out now" I mumbled and walked toward the Pike. "Zero that thing is junk, look what I found." I turn and he is pointing to two Pikes in great condition. I look and see a stack of feul cans ready to be hauled. "Well, guess there is no objections to them" I walked over and picked the closest one. It was a shiny bronze with a word carved into it in Cabal tongue. I shrugged. Maybe someone can decipher it. We started the Pikes. They had a more satisfying hum than the others did. They were also quiter. "Well Zero? Where to now?" One said excitingly. "We are going back to HQ to report in" I said calmly. "Or at least you" I said. Since I was a 'zero' no one listened to me or even cared I existed. I was just a shadow and that's how I like it. "Oh yea I forgot i'm supposed to be leader here" One said letting out a heavy sigh. "You know Zero, you should report this. It may just be enough for people to start caring you exist." I looked at him. "One, no one has ever noticed or cared enough of me TO care. Honestly i'm surprised you took me on this mission." One turned his Pike towards the marker of HQ on his HUD. "Zero I know what your capable of and that's why your with me now." One hit the throttle and the Pike shot forward, toward HQ. -:-Close to HQ-:- I look at my clock in my HUD and it read three p.m. "this ride to LZ is ridiculous. Why couldn't they pick us up at that Cabal camp?" I turn my head and One is evenly matched at my speed. "Okay just fifteen more minutes left until the LZ." This desert looks like anyone could be consumed by it. It doesn't help that there are the sand storms that frequently appear everywhere. Just today I have counted seven minor dust devils out here. We finally reach the LZ and a dropship is already there waiting on us. "Hey Zero look, it's the welcoming committee." One said sarcastically. I winked my acknowledgement light on my HUD and slowed to a stop. The ship bay opened and three figures appeared in front of us. It was Five, Seven, and of course, the Sarge. He is a Commander but all that see in him is the same person that recruited all of us, a Sargent. "Well looks like you guys made it out in one piece." Sarge said as he stepped off the bay. "One give me a report." Sarge said. "Yes Sir." One said snapping to attention. "Ease it up soldier, we aren't near any officials." Sarge said looking at Five and Seven. "Just us." I step off my Pike and calmly salute the Sarge to try and be respectful. "Ah Zero, finally decide to join us?" Sarge said giving me a glance. Five and Seven smirked as if it were a funny game. I nodded and stood, waiting for One's report. "Sir? We should be on our way before the next sand storm hits us" Seven said scanning the horizion. "Yes, thank you Seven. Alright, everyone on board and One, I want that report!" The Sarge stepped onto the bay followed by Five and Seven. "Shall we Zero." One said gesturing me to go first. I nodded and walked aboard the small ship. "Sarge the report?" One said. "Yes, One. Okay pilot get us out of here i'm tired of looking at sand!" The tiny ship roared to life and began acsending in the air. "Okay One, go ahead." Sarge said putting a cigar in his mouth and taking a seat in one of the chairs. We all sat down and One began to explain the story of everything that happened those two nights. "Well One looks like you had some fun. Zero, I wasn't expecting much out of you but it seems you helped One here a lot." I had completely forgot your skills in stealth." The Sarge breathed through his cigar and exhaled. "Get some rest all of you it will be awhile until we reach HQ." The Sarge stretched and headed for his bedroll as did the rest of us. Mine was kept farther from everyone else's roll. It was my decision anyway. I lay down and check my clock again. It read nine p.m. I close my eyes and start to calm down. It was weird to have Seven here without Six. I thought those sisters would never part each other. Seven was our best scout, she can spot anything out of the ordinary almost instantly. Six is also a scout. But why bring Five? He is just not the person I would imagine getting on an aircraft voluntarily. He is to hyper and never gets any of our tactics. He just wants to run in and kill things without any forethought of something shooting back. I close my eyes and start to drift away falling into a sleep. -:-HQ-:- "Alright ladies off the ship" Barked Sarge. I was the first one up and woke up One before anybody could notice. Even the sarge was still in a sleep. That man even looks serious when he sleeps. I pick up my things and begin to leave. "Not you Zero, you stay back" Sarge said calmly and gestured me to sit next to him. "You know Zero, Iv'e been thinking. I was misunderstood about your quality to this group. I'm going to keep an eye on you and if there is a mission, I would like you to accompany anyone to lend them your quick thinking." I look at Sarge. "Thank you Sir, I wouldn't let you down even if I had the chance." Sarge chuckled "Good! Now get off and get used to not being in the dark because it won't be like the past." I stand and salute the Sarge. "Thank you Sir." I left the ship. I wonder if he ment by "it won't be the past" by saying I won't be left out anymore. That would be better but I doubt that would change the minds of the people in the group. I'm a zero, and a zero is all they see in me except One. Guess it may be time to show off a bit. Hope you enjoyed it! Chapter 3 will take longer.