Keegan walked down the final set of stairs leading to the second floor. This place was going to take time getting used to, this was where he was going to be staying after all. He started to walk down the corridor, taking notice of how clean and kept up the place seemed to be. Figuring that it would've been that way anyway, seeming the place was military funded. He looked at the doors as he walked by, taking notice of the numbers imprinted on them.
"201, 202 ,203 ,204." He counted, "Seems my room is a ways down" he said to himself.
The hallway seemed to turn at the end, the last room being number 210. As he got closer to around the corner he could faintly hear voices coming from that direction, they were hard to make out but as he got closer he was sure they were out in the hallway as well. Both voices sounded feminine, one sounding French, and the other sounding German.
"Jesus how many countries are stationed here? He whispered.
He pushed the thought aside, he'd have time to ask questions later, for now he just needed to find his room. Re adjusting the bag on his shoulder again, he went and walked around the corner. He was right about both voices being feminine, as he spotted two women at the end of the next hallway. They both seemed to be talking outside one of the rooms, Keegan figuring it must be one of theirs. As he kept walking down they turned their heads, noticing him as he was approaching down the hallway towards them. They slowly stopped talking and the echo of Keegan's foots steps seemed to get louder and louder with each step he took. Why was he being so loud, why was it so quiet all of a sudden? The pressure of the situation seemed to be getting to Keegan, also frustrating the hell out of him. "Jesus Keegan this isn't high school, chill the fuck out." He thought to himself, as he kept walking. The mini pep talk in his head seemed to work, as Keegan's self consciousness went away quickly and the atmosphere seemed to go back to normal around him. He looked and saw where his room was, room 218 only being a few more rooms down. To his dismay though it was really close to where the two females were, being only two rooms down from where they were standing outside at. He sighed to himself as he walked closer, feeling their eyes on him the entire time he walked up to his door. As he started to turn the knob to his door, the silence in the air was suddenly broken.
"Hey Keegan, hows it going?" A female voice chimed out.
Keegan looked over his shoulder to put the voice to a person. He was surprised to find that it was the French specialist that had been on the last mission with him. Emmanuelle was her name he remembered, she was the one that came up to him with another GEO soldier and thanked him for simply saving their lives, (though he had felt no need for thanking.)
"Oh uhh hi Emmauelle." Keegan said, his hand still on the doorknob.
"Please, like I said just call me Emma."
"That's right, sorry I guess."
"Don't be, anyway have you met my friend Monika here?" Emma said motioning to Monika beside her.
"No I don't think I have." Keegan replied placing down his bag, and turning to them.
"Monika this is Keegan, Keegan this Monika." Emma said looking between the two.
Keegan and Monika shook hands, nodding to each other. As Monika shook his hand she briefly noticed a patch on the side of his arm, one showing bright colors of red and yellow. She thought she saw a skull in the middle of it but her view was cut short as Keegan replaced his arm at his side.
"Nice to meet you Keegan." Monika said, "Are you the new operator that will be joining us?"
"It would appear to be that way." He replied picking up his bag again before turning back to his door, twisting the knob and opening it.
"Well, we'll see ya around Keegan." Emma said waving to him as her and Monika began walking down the hallway.
"Yeah... see ya around."
With that Keegan walked into his room and shut the door, ending the possibility of confrontation for the time being. He looked around the room, examining it for the first time. It wasn't a small room, and it wasn't overly huge either. It was about the size of a regular dorm room, having a window and just enough space that was necessary. Of course he wasn't one to complain, if need be he could sleep outside for the rest of his life if he needed to. He went to the bed and sat down, setting his bag down beside him. He scanned the room again, spotting a door in the corner. He got up and went over to it, opening the door to find a private bathroom that connected to his room as well. Truth be told Keegan wasn't used to having this much luxury, having a room come with a bathroom seemed almost weird to him. He guessed he was going to have to get used to the services provided by the place as well, no matter how long it took. He looked back over by his bed, noticing the small amount of boxes that resided by the window.
"And...there's my stuff." he said to himself in a somber tone.
He proceeded over to the boxes, taking out his knife and cutting open the first one he saw. As he opened the flaps of the box he recognized the first set of items immediately, taking a moment before starting to pull them out. The first item was his signature uniform, specifically the one he had used during... Green Haze. Dark thoughts began to flood Keegan's mind all at once, making him remember of that damned day. Images rapidly flashed through his head, the jungle, gunfire, blood, and his dead squad mates beside him. Keegan sighed to himself, sitting down and laying up against his bed, his hands going and pressing up against his temple. Just from these sudden flashbacks he knew it would take some time to fully unpack everything, given how painful the process would be for him. As he put the old uniform to the side he began to faintly notice an odd odor coming from his current uniform, it giving off a smoke and sweat like scent.
"Christ, I really need to change into a new set of clothes." He muttered
He stood up and grabbed his bag, knowing he had a spare uniform stored in there. He would have to open the boxes that contained his clothes later. For now his spare uniform would suffice, not seeming to have any other options. Keegan picked up his other uniform and made his way to the bathroom. He was in need of a hot shower, that and some time to clear his head again. With that the bathroom door shut, and the faint sound of water running could begin to be heard.
"Soooo, what do you think of the new guy?"
Emma and Monika continued to make their way down the hallway, both agreeing to head towards the cafeteria earlier before meeting Keegan. Monika shrugged her shoulders, not quite giving a solid answer to the question.
"I don't know, he seems nice enough. But then again they all do when you meet them the first time, so I'm not sure yet."
Emma pondered this answer, deciding whether to tell her of what had happened on the last mission.
"He seems okay so far." Emma said carefully, "Me and Ryad would have been killed if it had not been for him after all."
"Wait, what!?" Monika said stopping, her tone suddenly becoming worried.
"Yeah, the White mask was about to shoot me point blank before Keegan speared him through the wall. After that he went and then killed the one that was on Ryad." Emma replied casually stopping as well, "So you can imagine the impression he made on me and him in that moment."
Monika put her hands on her hips, tilting her head slightly at Emma. Emma looked back and forth between Monika and the end of the hallway, seeming confused and oblivious to Monika's disapproval.
"What?"
"When were you going to tell us about this?" Monika said in a slight annoyed tone, hey eyes scanning Emma's face.
Emma sighed rolling her eyes, immediately regretting her decision on saying anything. This was going to spread like wildfire, and she knew it.
"Monika me and Ryad are fine I promise, now can we please get something to eat before I die?"
"You are definitely telling me more about this later."
"Fine, now lets go I'm starving."
The two continued to make their way down the hallway, turning and going down the concrete stairs. The cafeteria was on the first floor, so it wasn't that far of a walk compared to going somewhere like the firing range. As they walked through the cafeteria doors, the aroma of cooked food soon hit them, making Emma's mouth water. Emma went and got in the serving line while Monika made her way over to a table where some of the other operators were sitting, greeting them as she sat down.
"Hello everyone!"
"Afternoon " Rook said looking up from his plate.
Echo and Montagne both nodded to her, returning on comparing and writing down notes on improvements for their specific gadgets. Ela and Valkyrie got up from the far end of the table and went to sit beside Monika, both of them embracing her and striking up a conversation almost instantly. A few seconds later Emma would sit down and join them, receiving greetings from Ela and Valkyrie as well as they turned their heads to acknowledge her as she took a seat.
"Hey Em, hows it goin?" Ela said casually
"Oh you know, the usual I guess..." Emma replied, starting to take bites of her food.
"Yeah well... would you mind helping us with something Emma? Valkyrie asked.
"Of course Meghan, what do you guys need?" Emma responded setting down her silverware.
"Well before you sat down, me and Ela were about to ask Monika here about whats going on with her and Elias." She said grinning.
Hearing this Monika's face began to develop into a shade of red, getting deeper with each second that passed by. Monika at the moment wished she could sink into the hoodie that she wore, just to get out of the situation that she was in. Seeing this Emma had to stifle a giggle, focusing her attention back at her plate just to not lose her composure. Ela looked at Emma and grinned, looking back towards Monika expectantly.
"Well Monika, what is going on?" Ela said putting emphasis on her words as she spoke.
"I-I really don't know what you guys are on about." Monika stammered shyly, her face now as red as the Spetsnaz emblems.
"Oh come on now Monika we know about you and Elias." Meghan said smiling, "Besides, you know I have cameras everywhere."
Emma finally gave up the straight face, taking the moment to jump into the interrogation.
"Monika just tell us, its not like we don't already have an idea whats going on." Emma added giggling.
Monika sighed, coming to the realization that her friends would not be giving up anytime soon. She decided that the secret had gone on long enough, she was sure Elias had told his friends already anyway.
"Alright you guys got me, me and Elias have recently been...seeing each other."
The left side of the table erupted in enthusiastic cheers, somehow making Monika's face redder than it already was. Upon hearing the commotion the three guys from the other side of the table turned their heads, wondering what the hell was going on. Montagne would be the one to speak up, raising an eyebrow in a questioning glance.
"Is there anything you ladies need to tell us?"
The girls giggled in response, Emma then turning to look at Montagne.
"No you guys are fine Gilles, go back to what you were doing." Emma said cheerfully.
The three confused operators looked at each other and shrugged simultaneously, returning to what they were doing before. At that moment Thatcher or Mike walked into the cafeteria, swiveling his head around before stopping when seeing his fellow teammates at the lunch table. Mike sauntered over to the table, leaning down and putting both hands on the flat surface. Doing so gained the attention of everyone there, them not fully expecting Mike at this time of day.
"Afternoon everyone" Mike said, observing the faces of everyone at the table.
"Afternoon Mike." Gilles replied, placing his notebook on the table. "How come your down here at this time, usually your training the recruits or doing your own thing."
"I just got done talking to Six, wants me to show the new lad around Hereford." Mike said looking around, "None of you would know where he is would you?"
Almost everyone shook their heads at the table, everyone except Emma and Monika. Monika crossed her arms again, gaining the attention of mike for the moment.
" Yeah me and Emma ran into him at the dorms, seemed to be checking out his room." Monika said.
Some of the operators gave confused glances between the two, not quite following up on the situation.
"Alright, thanks lass that's all I needed." Mike replied standing backup. "Ill see you muppets some other time, you hear that Gilles?"
Gilles replied with an improper hand gesture, earning a chuckle from everybody including Mike. Mike nodded to the girls then made his way towards the double cafeteria doors, not looking back the entire way out.
1700 hours
"Well, this seems to be the lad's room"
Mike stood outside Keegan's door, finally finding it after some time. As Mike raised his hand to knock the door swung open, replacing Keegan in the frame where the door had only seconds been. Mike noticed that Keegan had changed into another set of clothes, this time he wore an urban colored multicam uniform, the style being the same to his previous uniform. His face wear had been replaced by a gray balaclava, it matching with the colors of his boots and uniform as well. Mike had to raise a brow, Keegan almost seemed to be expecting the encounter. He guessed the new lad would take time to figure out, seeing as he was similar to Vigil in some aspects.
"Good afternoon, were you going somewhere lad?"
"No I just heard you stop at my door." Keegan said casually, "Is there something I need to do?"
"I just talked to Six, she wants me to show you around the place." Mike said looking over Keegan's shoulder into his room, "Are you busy at the moment?"
"No, not at all." Keegan replied, self consciously looking over his shoulder as well.
"Alright good." Mike said, pointing into Keegan's room. "Make sure to bring your weapons, were stopping at the armory first."
Keegan nodded, turning and going over to his bedside, shortly becoming out of view from where Mike was standing. When Keegan returned he was carrying three weapon bags, all appearing to be remotely the same size. Keegan stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him.
"Okay, were all set."
"Very well, follow me."
The two began making their way throughout the halls, not saying anything to each other as they walked. Mike was not used to the silence at all, he was used to the loud machinery and yelling of military life. He could deal with some cases of silence now and then, such as when he was on an op or it was a friendly type of silence. This silence almost seemed...unnerving in some aspects. Mike wasn't the type of person to become uneasy, being the only people who could make him feel this way on base were Vigil and Caveria. Mike decided that it had gone on long enough, breaking the silence finally.
"Like I said before mate, your a little quiet."
"I don't like to talk much."
"Bloody hell, not another one." Mike said, "We already got enough silent people as it is."
"That so?" Keegan said curiously, "Interesting."
"Yeah anyway, the second floor comes in two parts." Mike said sticking up two fingers, "One part is the first set of dormitories, the other part is the Gym, workshop, and lounge. I don't really got to explain myself there, do I?"
Keegan shook his head, signify that he understood.
"Alright then, onward."
Mike and Keegan made their way down to the first floor, showing a set of double doors close at the bottom of the stairs.
"This is the cafeteria, i'm guessing you saw it the first time you walked in?" Mike questioned
"Yeah I saw it as I was walking up the stairs, didn't think to much of it at the time." Keegan replied.
"This is one of three parts to the first floor, like most its open 24/7. So you can go and grab something whenever you like, depending on the type of person you are."
"Thanks for the info, Ill keep it in mind."
"Your welcome, lets get your weapons to the armory now shall we?"
The armory wasn't that far from the cafeteria, surprising enough. Only being a little ways down from the stairs they were at, making the room quick and easy to find. As Keegan entered the first thing he saw were lockers, followed by equipment stands and gun racks. As he slowly walked around the room he took notice that each locker had a corresponding insignia and name on it, obviously indicating whose locker was who. He sat on one of the benches across from the lockers, setting his weapon bags down finally.
"Your lockers 2nd from last on the bottom, your locker numbers the same as your room's." Mike explained, "Trust me, it makes it easier to find in the long run. Most have taken to putting their name's and emblems on them, as you so clearly see."
"I'll probably end up doing that, when I make the effort to."
Keegan began unzipping his bags, pulling out his shotgun from the first. He went and opened his locker setting the shotgun carefully inside, doing the same to his DMR and Assault rifle that were in the second. The entire time Mike watched him as he took care putting his weapons away, the sight quickly forming a question.
"You have quite the selection of weapons there." Mike stated earning a subtle nod from Keegan, "Any reason in choosing them, if I might ask?"
Keegan stopped his arm midway, zoning out for a couple of seconds before returning to reality.
"The shotgun and DMR belonged to my friends, shortly before they passed."
"Fuckin hell." Mike muttered, immediately regretting asking. "Im sorry mate I didn't me-"
"It's fine you didn't know." Keegan replied quietly, "Besides its in the past, not much it can change now."
Mike decided that he wouldn't push the discussion further, the topic of the matter being tense. Keegan opened up the third and final weapon bag, revealing an assortment of magazines, attachments, and small weapons.
"Jesus Christ lad, you got quite the fucking arsenal here."
"Just some small things, nothing much."
It didn't take long for Keegan to put away his magazines and attachments, seeing as those were the simple small necessities that were quick to sort for him. His locker was almost completely filled now, the only thing being empty was the inside slots of the locker door. He went and reached into the bag, pulling out a medium sized object, the design taking on a curve like shape.
"What is tha-"
In one fluid motion Keegan flicked his wrist, causing the object to click and transform into a recurve bow in his hand. Earning a surprised expression from Mike as he processed what he just witnessed.
"I'm not gonna question what you just did there mate, but what I am gonna question is why the hell did you decide to bring a bow when your going against rifles?"
"I only use this on reconnaissance missions, its a lot quieter killing someone with this then it is with a gun."
Mike admitted he had a valid point, even with suppressors the gun was still a little loud at some times. Keegan flicked his wrist again snapping the bow back into its original form, sticking it in one of the slots. He turned around and reached into his bag again, pulling out a set throwing knives and just regular exotic knives. He put them in the last slot, now completely filling up his locker. He closed his locker and looked back at Mike, wondering what was he was to do now.
"That's it." Keegan said zipping up and grabbing the empty weapon bags, "Whats next?"
"Next is I'm dropping you off at the med bay, introduce you to our primary medic here." Mike replied, coming to the choice of ending the tour there. "I felt like I can just tell you the rest on our way, and save us both time in the long-run."
"Fine by me."
Keegan and Mike began to exit the armory, Keegan reaching the door before stopping and hesitantly looking over his shoulder. Taking one last look at the weapons that had been with him since the beginning of his regiment, and suffering.
"They'll been fine lad, they're not going anywhere." Mike seemed to call out down the hall, bringing Keegan back into reality again.
Keegan jogged to catch up to Mike, slowing down to a walk as he met up beside him, matching his pace shortly after.
"The med bay is a little further of a walk, it being on the other side of the first floor." Mike said.
"Doesn't bother me any."
"Good, now Ill get on with explaining the rest of the base." Mike began, "The third floor mainly consists of the rest of the dormitories, the other part being of it being a utility room." Mike took a second to glance at Keegan, "You still following?"
"Yeah you're good."
"Okay." Mike said continuing, "The firing range is a building outside, there's an outside and indoor option, choose which one you see fit. Other than that there's not much else outside that you need to know, everything else is just maintenance garages and things that don't really fookin matter to you."
"Just the firing range, got it." Keegan whispered
"Yes, I don't feel like I really need to explain what's on the fourth floor, seeing you already got a glance of it. It consists of Six's office and the main briefing rooms, so it's probably the most important floor in all of Hereford to us operators."
As Mike finished his last sentence the two turned around a corner, coming to another set of double see-through doors, this time the doors imprinted with large medical symbols.
"This is it, hopefully you never have to come in here other than for a few checkups and examinations."
With that Mike and Keegan stepped through the doors, triggering a chime that let the person inside aware of visitors. Keegan had to take a moment to consider how clean the room was, compared to the rest of the base this place seemed like a place of pureness. Stainless steel countertops and sterilized surfaces seemed to glint towards him, assuring him that he wouldn't be catching the flu anytime soon while in here. He also began to notice the vast amount of Medical equipment and supplies the room seemed to carry, hell this one room had more supplies then some small hospitals could dream to have.
"Gustave you back there mate?" Mike hollered, gaining no answer in return. Mike sighed, "fookin hell, lets go check around back."
"Bon sang." Gustave muttered throwing his hands up in the air.
Gustave then lowered his arms, reaching and carefully placing the tissue sample to the side. It had finally done it, the project for the time being had finally made him give up. He had now been spending a week trying to find a way to get Finka's nanobots to collaborate more effectively with human tissue, doing so could prove wonders in the field. At first it seemed like an easy task for a person like him, little did he know how stressful it would become. Just as he was about to consider going at it again he heard his lab door swing open, turning around to face two individuals.
"Ah Mike it is good to see you, though you know how I feel about people coming into my lab." Gustave insisted
"Yeah mate well It wouldn't be such a problem if you could hear when somebody's actually calling for ya" Mike retorted crossing his arms.
Match point, Gustave couldn't really argue with that.
"Fine, now what did you need exactly, because as you can see I am clearly in the middle of something." Gustave said, motioning with his hands to the mess that was on the counter top.
"Well, I WAS going to see if you wanted to get the new lad's checkup done real quick. Mike replied in an aggravated tone, "But seeing as your CLEARLY busy, you can just forget that we showed up!
"Wait, why didn't you just say so Mike, of course I can get him in today." Gustave said turning his back to them, unaware of Mike's rising anger at the situation.
"Mother of god i'm going to strangle him." Mike muttered, throwing his hands up to the top of his head. After taking a moment to regain his composure, he turned back to Keegan who was silently watching the scene with an expressionless face. "Listen kid my jobs done here, i'll see you around base alright?" he said.
Keegan nodded to him, both of them then sharing another solid handshake before Mike exited the lab, disappearing from sight.
"Please, take a seat"
Keegan refocused his attention at Gustave, who was motioning to a chair rather eagerly. Hesitantly he went over and sat down, once again getting the same feeling he had sitting down in Six's office a couple hours ago.
"Now just a moment, I need to gather your file." Gustave said walking over to his desk, starting to rummage through the stack papers.
Keegan had no choice but to sit and twiddle his thumbs as he waited for his return. The last thing he had expected was that his day was gonna be comprised of sitting and listening the entire time. But seeing as it was his first day at a new base, what did he really expect? It was 10 minutes later that Gustave rounded the corner, a tan folder in his hands.
"Here we are, now we can get down to business." Gustave chuckled, taking seat in his swivel chair. "As you know by now, my name is Gustave."
"Keegan."
"Nice to meet you Keegan, welcome to the team." Gustave replied, clicking a pen. "I'm sure you'll do just fine here, seeing most of us do."
Gustave gained no reply, which was unusual to most new patients.
"Alright, I need to ask a few medical questions if you don't mind." Gustave said looking up expectantly. "I do this with all new patients, seeing as your required to get a beginning checkup when starting here."
"Alright, go ahead I guess."
"Wonderful, now lets get started."
The questions were your basic checkup questions, some about drug use, medications, etc. It was like going to a common doctors appointment so nothing really got serious until Gustave got into the second part of the checkup, that being the psychological background section.
"So, I read that you are struggling with depression?" Gustave asked curiously.
Keegan's body stiffened, obviously not liking the subject being spoken.
"Yes." he answered slowly, eyes aimed at the floor not daring to come in contact with Gustave's.
"I also read that you have been prescribed medication to help with this." Gustave asked, "have you been taking the medication?"
It was a good solid ten seconds before Keegan spoke again, seeming like it was taking every effort from him to speak.
"Yes."
Gustave seemed to read him like a book, and Keegan could feel it too. This wasn't Gustaves first time dealing with certain patients like this, and it sure as hell wouldn't be the last.
"Honesty is very important in this matter, just to remind you." Gustave said, scanning Keegan's face for any indication.
"I know."
Gustave sighed sadly, writing down a few notes in his notepad. He hated to keep tabs on certain people, but it was his job, and the last thing he wanted was somebody to get hurt because of his laziness.
"Since when did the public start receiving copy's of my biography anyway?" Keegan asked annoyed.
"They didn't, I'm a doctor so I receive everyone's psychological reports, including yours." Gustave stated.
"Hmmpf." was the reply Gustave got.
"Returning to what we were doing, have you thought about ending your life recently.?"
This question caught Keegan off guard, but his surprise was soon replaced with a small burning anger within him. How long was this FUCKING session supposed to be anyway?! Keegan sat up, causing Gustave to sit up as well. Gustave knew he had been pushing boundaries a little, asking him questions about his personal problems. But that was what he was required to do, he was at least supposed to make an attempt, even if that meant angering some people in the process.
"Alright were done, you can settle down, we'll finish this later." Gustave replied calmly setting his clipboard down on his nearby desk. He was about to tell Keegan about his therapy services when the PA crackled to life.
"COULD OPERATORS JACKAL, NOCTURNAL, AND VALKYRIE REPORT TO THE BRIEFING ROOM IMMEDIATELY."
"Well seem's our time is done here, come see me later when you have the time." Gustave said earning a dismissive hand wave from Keegan.
"Yeah, we'll see wont we." Keegan replied coldly, practically body-checking the lab door on his way out.
A/N: Well here we are again, seems as though a lot of creators have lost the energy to write recently, and it might be cheesy to say but I can understand. Hell this is my first story and its been a struggle to sit down and actually write lol, I mean for all I know I could have like a million grammar mistakes in my story ATM. But I do like writing stories, just sometimes I guess it takes time. Like I said I know how I want this to play out, just writing and piecing it together gonna be the hard part. Anyway enough with that, thanks for reading! I do appreciate how some people are interested in my story, gives me a little energy to write I guess. Now that I got the basic layout done (Introduced to Hereford) I can start working on the story aspect more. Until then its been a pleasure!