Chapter 2 A mission

Aaron awoke and sat up on the mat he had been sleeping on. He looked around at his surroundings. Instantly he figured out he was in a deserted building. Near the door stood a man in ratty cloths. In his hands he made the attempt to carry a lancer, but seemed to be struggling with it weight. The man stopped struggling with the gun and looked at the now awake Aaron.

"Oh your up, Feron would like to speak with you." The man said.

"Who the hell is Feron and where are the others on my squad?" Aaron yelled at the man.

"Don't worry about your friends they're all safe, well except for the one we found in your arms. He was dead before we got there." The man said as he opened the door.

Aaron shrugged off the thought of dead Eric and stood up. He walked to the man and tore the lancer from his hand. "You have no right to carry this gun, now lead me to this Feron guy."

The man lead him to a room with a small hole in the ground. They climbed through the hole and began walking through a dark damp underground tunnel. Being underground made Aaron think of the Locust and those strange spider things that killed Eric.

"Do you have any idea what those spiders things were?" Aaron asked the man.

"They're called Arachnepods. They were a failed experiment by the Locust, supposedly the first one they made killed a whole army of Locust and almost killed the queen herself." The man answered

Aaron shuddered at the thought of that much power in one body. The man lead him to a huge door with a large crank in the center. He then grabbed the crank and twisted it till the door slowly hissed open. Aaron gasped at what he saw behind the door, a whole underground community full of people dressed just like the man that lead Aaron there.

"Survivors?" Aaron asked in awe.

"Yes, each man woman, and child here survived the first wave of Locust attacks, but when they found out it wasn't safe above ground, so we went below. The first underground colony didn't make it a day. The Locust destroyed everyone who decided to volunteer almost instantly. After that Feron, our leader lead us to a huge titanium encased bomb shelter big enough to fit a city in. We knew we were safe here, but we did need to get supplies, so once a month ten volunteers go above ground to collect things people will need and that's how we found you." The man said as he led Aaron through the city streets. Eventually they made it to a house much larger than the others.

Aaron was led through the houses door by the man. They found themselves in a dining room. In the center of the room was a long wooden table. At the end of the table sat who Aaron guessed was Feron. On both sides of Feron sat Steve and Jeffery laughing, eating, and drinking.

"Feron," The man began. " here is the last of the last of the COG we found."

"Oh yes of course." Feron said. "Why don't you have a seat right here to your friend Steve."

Aaron sat next to Steve. A maiden poured him a large glass of wine and gave him a plate piled high with many different foods.

"So, what did you need me for?" Aaron asked as he began to eat.

Feron took a large drink from his goblet and spook. "I have a mission for you and your men."

"What kind of mission?" Aaron asked.

"Well, you see a couple of days ago we sent a transport across the city to collect weapons for our defenses, but they never came back. I can't let any other of the colonist die, it would give me a bad name, so I need you to collect the transport and weapons and bring it back here." Feron said.

"What's in it for us?"Aaron asked.

"Hmm, well how about I give you half the weapons and some colonist to help you on your mission." Feron answered.

"Wait how did you know about the mission?" Aaron asked.

"Your two little drunk friends here managed to slip it out." Feron said and he pointed to the nearly passed out Steve and Jeffery.

Aaron grunted. "You got yourself a deal."

Feron smiled. "Good, but before you start your mission you may enjoy the luxury of my city for a few days."

"I'll do that." Aaron said as he got up from the table. A maid led him to a bedroom. In the room Aaron changed out of his bloody, dirty armor and put on some fresh cloths like those of the other survivors. Suddenly there was a knock on his door. Aaron answered it. Standing in the door way was a drunk Steve.

"Is it time for the mission boss?" Steve half said half mumbled.

"Not right now Steve. I think it's time we had a little Rest and Relaxation.

…

For the next few days Aaron and the rest of his squad spent time with the people of the colony. They learned and did many things they hadn't been able to do since the Locust came. But like all good things it had to end...