Staff Sergeant Carmen had been here for about a year, almost as long as this war has existed . She was the Anime House Head, had passed all training classes and test, and was a friend to most of the other Heads, and yet she still hadn't seen battle, nor been on a mission even if a fire fight wasn't likely. But today was different. Today she received the call to meet with Sergeant Major Kiora that evening after the ceremony. This had to be her first mission, right?
She walked into the office and closed the door behind her. She kept her professional stance and expression on. It took a minute, but she noticed something in her long time friend's eyes. Sadness. She was concerned, but knew better than to talk out of turn, and so kept her face neutral.
"You're just in my office, you can talk." Kiora smiled when she said it, but Carmen didn't respond with even a smile back. "I have an office!" Kiora continued "an office! Once upon a time i couldn't even get a job at my age! Now i have a ranking- at 15 years old!" there was humour in her voice and Carmen relaxed, Kiora was still Kiora, even if that wasn't her real name.
"I used to work at Burger King." then Carmen added "I wasn't even more than the 'hamburger flipper' (even though they don't have those)."
Kiora and Carmen sat laughing for a few minutes, making similar remarks and laughing about them. After about 5 minutes had passed Kiora sighed and spoke.
"You came here at about the same time i did, didn't you?"
"Yeah, a week or so after"
Kiora nodded as if making note of this. "And you have never been on a mission?"
Carmen nodded.
"Well, the leaders have asked for you to accompany me on the next mission."
Carmen wanted to smile- Finally! She wasn't useless here after all!- but she kept a level expression, and nodded.
"Would you accept a position on my team as the sketch artist of sorts?"
Carmen was barely holding back a smile when she replied in affirmation.
"Good." Kiora replied. "we leave in 48 hours, make sure you are ready." Kiora excused Carmen to get ready, and Carmen left in haste.
Carmen was excited, and nervous. She knew weapon's training , higher than Kiora even, but she had specially trained as a sketch artist, and was quite good at it. She thought so at least, and Kiora must have or she would have chosen someone else to take that role.
She went quietly to the Otaku Dorm and found her gear, and necessary supplies. After packing and leaving her things ready in her drawer, she went to the Sherlockian Dorm to meet with a friend.
The dorm was hidden under the Nemo ride and required a certain key to get inside. Only those part of the Fandom knew what or where it was. Anyone could technically find or know it, if they figured it out. It was even rumoured that in order to be really accepted in the fandom you have to figure out the key within the first week.
Carmen, though, was never particularly good with riddles and so took a different approach. She knocked.