The clock ticked eight-thirty and still no answer. Keira was felt the sting of tears, her gaze falling to the small radio she'd used nearly an hour ago. Torn was going on the mission- he didn't believe her.

"But I can still stop it," she thought aloud, awareness crossing her face.

Swiftly, she slid out of her desk chair, sprinting to the back room. She searched for the beaten leather jacket that Bill had given her to wear while welding car parts. With a small grunt, she pulled it free from the closet, running to snatch up a dark blue bandanna from the counter. She shrugged on the jacket, happy to note that it was snug on her. Keira zipped it up, sprinting out of the shop. She seized her goggles from the jack and tied the cloth around her neck. The wind cooled the sudden sweat at her temples as she ran down the stairs of the stadium, the bright lights overhead casting harsh shadows. Keira hopped into her car, fumbling with the keys. Her heart was beginning to pound at what she was about to do.

There was hardly any traffic, which was odd, and she reached the Port in less than fifteen minutes. She could faintly see the outline of a group of people standing on the platform across the water, waiting for the transport ship. Keira parked the car beside the dock, then clambered out and ran up to the group. They were all dressed in desert gear, their faces obscured by bandannas, goggles or helmets. One of the agents noticed her sprinting toward them. He held out his hands as if to stop her.

"Woah, slow down there, kid. Who are you?"

"M-my name is Keira," she panted, "And I'm here to tell all of you that you can't go on this mission!!"

The Underground members just stared at her. A few of them laughed.

"I think you're a little confused or something…"

"No! I'm serious- you can't go!!"

"Get her to shut up, Hector," One of the others snapped, "She's gonna blow our cover!"

The agent named Hector rolled his eyes. Keira noticed he was a tall, burly man who wore his goggles pushed to the top of his head. He had short dark brown hair and hazel eyes. There were tattoos on his ears and a few across his face, permanent reminders of his time in the Krimzon Guard. He wore a black jacket striped with a dull red on the sides, black slacks and combat boots. A Blaster was slung across his shoulder.

"I can't let you stay here," he told Keira, "Either you come with us, or we're leaving you for the patrol to find."

"How can you say that to one of your own?!" she snarled.

Hector frowned as if he didn't believe her. Keira searched in her pockets, wrenching out a small coin-like object. It bared the symbol of the Underground.

"Now listen to me- you can not go on this mission! Something very bad is going to happen, and-!"

Hector was hardly paying attention to her, signaling for people to begin boarding the transport. Keira watched helplessly as they all filed inside.

"I don't have time for this, kid. Is your boyfriend on this mission or something?"

"NO!" Keira shrieked.

"Then I'll be seeing ya."

Hector turned and began walking into the transport. Fighting off desperate tears, Keira ran inside after him as the engines roared to life. The mechanic seized the brawny soldier's arm in her hands and shouted,

"Torn's not going on this mission, right?!"

Hector frowned down at her again. Her eyes showed no sign of deception.

"I'm his replacement!!" Keira fired, her grip vice-like on his arm.

Around them, the transport ship rocked gently, signaling it had left the dock. Keira watched as the back door slowly rose upward, her view of the Port suddenly obscured. Hector smirked down at her, freeing himself from her grasp.

"Alright," he laughed, "I should tell him that it ain't a beauty contest…"

The backend closed with a snap. Keira unsuccessfully tried to swallow the lump in her throat, feeling the sudden pull of gravity as the transport lifted into the air. She stumbled to an empty seat beside Agent Hector, assuming she'd found a somewhat friendly acquaintance in him.

"We didn't trip any alarms, no surprise KG assault. As of right now, we still have the stealth element going for us. That is, unless the newbie wasn't careful," Hector said, a hint of scorn to his voice.

Keira felt eyes upon her and turned scarlet. She was thankful for the darkness that surrounded them.

"I left no traces- I'm not stupid," she snapped, "But you people wouldn't listen to me-!"

"Shut- up!" an agent demanded, obviously annoyed.

Keira closed her mouth, her shoulders slouching. They traveled in silence for awhile, and it felt as though they were still staring at her. She leaned her head against the wall and sighed. The vehicle suddenly lurched as it hit turbulence. A fierce wind howled outside.

"We're landing in five!" the pilot called to them.

The transport ship dropped steadily through the air. Keira stood up, mimicking the movements of the Underground members. Hector turned to face her, pulling his goggles down.

"Here- you might want to have one of these."

He handed her a Blaster. Keira's eyes widened a little at the sight of it. She took the weapon in her hands, feeling her stomach twist into a knot. She was holding something that killed other people. The thought of doing such a thing made her feel dizzy. Keira watched how the agents held their weapons almost nonchalantly, some only with one hand. She felt the weight in her arms, holding it upright as best she could. Recognizing a few of the main devices, she was able to figure out how to click the safety on and off, where to reload and how to aim.

This was all in a matter of seconds, for the ship touched the ground with a resounding thud.

"Goggles, guys!" Hector ordered.

Keira barely had the time to put hers on before the door clunked open. A wave of sand spiraled inside, washing over them. Keira grimaced, pulling the bandanna over her mouth and nose. The grit stung as it whipped at her body. She staggered out of the vehicle after Hector, catching up with the rest of the group. The transport flew off, showering them with a spray of sand. Keira coughed from behind the bandanna.

"Let's get moving," Hector shouted over the wind, "I don't want to get caught up in this storm for too long."

The agents began to follow their leader, heads bowed against the wind. Keira hesitated.

"You comin' or what, kid?" called Hector.

She frowned, as if convincing herself of something. She gripped the Blaster tightly in her hands and fell into step behind them.