Chapter 14: Mission Introduction
Chapter's POV: Cross
The three of us stopped just infront of a large high-tech board. "So this is Mission Control... We don't have a dispatch system yet, so BLADEs usually choose their own assignments.", Era said, "Everyone comes here and selects from the missions available on the board." "And it's not just official BLADE tasks.", Deylin said, "Ayone with a request is free to post here. Businesses, citizens, whoever." "Yeah, it's basically how anything gets done in Neo IO, so the board is constantly updating.", Era said, "Just about every BLADE will stop by here at some point in their shift." "It's like our second home.", Deylin said, "You'll always find a number of BLADEs here blowing off steam or browsing Mission Control for their next assignment."
"Whenever I get freed up, I'll stop by here first thing to check for any missions I might be suited for.", Era said. "Likewise.", Deylin said, "And if the assignment seems too tough to handle solo, that's what the Scout console is for. We should show you that next." "Hey, who's giving this tour, anyway?", Era asked, "We also have the Scout Console, if the assignment seems too tought to handle solo. Aaaand Deylin just said that, didn't he?"
Deylin and Era started moving torward another high-tech board nearby, so I followed them, stopping just infront of it. "Ta-da, the BLADE Scout Console.", Era began, "When the going gets tough, the tough go to the Scount Console. You know... to get tougher." "If you do end up joining us, you'll quickly realize just how important this little kiosk is.", Deylin said, "A lot of the Mission Control assignments are too much for any one BLADE to handle. They tend to call for multiple members with specialized knowledge or unique skills."
"This console lets you search for and recruit other BLADEs to fill those roles for just such an occasion.", Deylin continued. "You can't spell 'BLADE' without 'TEAM'! ... Sorta.", Era said, "Anyway, awesome, right? So you ready to join up?" "Hang on, Era.", Deylin said, "Take it easy, would you?" "What? I'm just saying you have to be some kind of an IDIOT to not want to join BLADE! Or maybe a crazy person." "Oh. And here I thought you might be pressuring our guest.", Deylin said. "Apology accepted.", Era said. Something tells me Deylin was being sarcastic. "Now, how about a little shopping?", Era asked, "And I'm not talking about the stuff over in the commercial district. I'm talking about Armory Alley."
*To be continued