Chapter 13

Learning Curves Pt. 1

"Niko," Sapphire whispered harshly, "you can't just barge into this meeting, especially after what you just pulled. I advise you to go. They don't want your help, and as captain, I've gotta do what they want." She shook her head. "Even if you do think you found him, you can't be sure it's him. It could be an AI in a mechanical body. We've run into a lot of those, and I'm not about to be fooled by one again." She gently drummed her armored fingers on the table. "Niko, you wanted to help, right? I told you not to make accusations without consulting me first, or confirming your information. You can't help until you learn to play by the rules."

"Is there a problem, Agent Sapphire?" Gold asked as he looked her way, causing all of the eyes in the room to turn their way too.

Sapphire cleared her throat. "No, there's no issue. Now, what were we discussing?"

"Defense. We calculated we'll be able to defend ourselves for the next three attacks," Garnet replied, tapping something on the tablet in front of him.

"That's excellent," Sapphire said with a nod. "That'll give us more, much needed time."

"You know?" Niko asked. "I'm trying my hardest to help better than I had five months ago, but every time I do my part, it's a bad. There's a phrase called "A and B the C of D". You know what that means?"

Everyone shook their heads. "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty. Going beyond what's expected of you. That's what I did and it seems like that's just getting me nowhere with you! So fuck this! I'll take this asshole down myself, my way! A regular chess player takes his time, but a competitive one plays on a clock. You don't make quick but accurate decisions, opportunities you find afterwards are gone! If this is an ambush, I'll have myself to blame, but if it isn't and I do take the Director down, you'll wish you'd listened to me. Later."

"Garnet," Sapphire started as she closed her eyes, "take my spot for just a moment, please," she requested as she stood and followed Niko out, ignoring the heavy feeling that she got from her armor.

"Niko, wait up," she called, but instead of desperation in her voice, there was resentment and pity.

"Why am I trying to help when all I do is get in your way?" Niko asked angrily. "Every time I present something I know will bring us closer to the Director's trail, you or the others shoot it down. I'm putting my skills to work and my patience but I can't wait any longer Sapph! I've been looking for this guy with trial and error in mind for as long as I can recall. I made more mistakes than you lost members so I know what it's like to walk into traps and ambushes! I'm sorry about blurting out my ideas, I'm sorry for sharing them at all...you know how I get when I get a good idea? I wanna see it through. You gotta try this idea. We take as long as you wish to plan it out, but can't you at least try it? I know everyone wants me to disappear and stop helping. If this doesn't work and I'm wrong, I'll gladly do just that! But you have to trust me on this."

Sapphire gently rested a hand on Niko's shoulder. "The plan isn't full proof. I'm not willing to go in and lose more of my men if it's a trap." She sighed. "I'll... I'll try to work with the chessboard, see if I can find anything else with it. The Director wouldn't give away his position so easily." She looked back over her shoulder at the Meeting Room.

"They don't know you, but I do. You like to take risks just as much as I do, but this one might be too big. If you want to help me, I'm going to need to put you on the Black Committee. That's our highest Committee, and I think you might be most helpful there. After the meeting, I'll get you in, and you can work with them." She looked down. "I know I haven't been much of a friend, because I have to be a captain first. But you are still my friend, you know. I just don't need a friend right now. I need a soldier."

Niko, remembering how important her work was, especially now, nodded in agreement. He knew this was gonna require more patience than he had, but he had no choice. He went back to his quarters and looked at a picture of him and his mom when he wa born and a tear fell. Niko wanted this to end but he didn't want to lose his friends in the process.

"I have to just go with this for now," Niko said "It's the most I can do for now."

Sapphire returned to her meeting, and soon enough, it was over.

"Garnet, would you mind assigning Niko a spot on the Black Committee?" Sapphire asked as the two left the Meeting Room, and Garnet nodded.

"Of course." Garnet then set off with a quick salute. He started for Niko's quarters, armor making a slight clanking sound.

Niko was sitting on his bed playing chess with rouge when Garnet walked in.

"What do you want, Garnet?" Rouge said when she saw Garnet walk in. "Havent you guys done Niko enough damage?"

"It's okay rouge." Niko said. "What can I do for you, Garnet?"

"Sapphire told me to come by and get you signed up for the Black Committee," Garnet told Niko, paying no attention to Rouge. "If you come with me, I can go ahead and get you in." He leaned against the doorframe and looked around the room absentmindedly.

Looks like Niko's gonna have get used to the New Insurgents/New Hesitance way of life! Can he do it?!