You are Duncan, Vicky Vanderholt has asked you to take up the role as ambassador between Vanderholt farms and the human bio toys of camp Maureen.
Vicky is offering you quite a hefty sum to do this.
As you ride in the back seat of an M29 Weasel Odis rests against your chest.
You strike up a conversation with the driver.
“I’ve never been out here before, what can you tell me about it?”
Her gaze never shifts away from the dirt road as she speaks in patois
“Nah much out yah except fi wi.”
“Oh. I meant what can you tell me about camp Maureen?”
“Camp Maureen a fi wi lickle slice ah paradise. 'Im mite seem luk gud spartan buh civilian standards buh wi hav ah place tuh lay fi wi heads an ah command structure dat trims aweh di unnecessary bs Fine eena most military settings.”
Her squad mate sitting next to you laughs.
“Cedella takes a while for the uninitiated to understand. I’d be happy to answer questions.”
“Thank you Ms…”
“Ysella . Ysella Bilaal. You are?”
“Duncan. Duncan Accutron.”
Ysella raises her eyebrow .
“I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Accutron isn’t your legal name?”
You chuckle as Ysella is the first person catch it
“ my birth name is Duncan Illiwara , my adopted name is Duncan Accutron Belova .
It was hard being a kid in the early 2000s with a with a Czech last name, not as difficult as explaining why a blonde hair blue eyed white boy had Illiwara as his last name but nonetheless a similar struggle. I took the middle name Accutron from the watch company and it made my childhood a lot simpler.”
Ysella begins explaining that Camp Maureen functions very similarly to a military base with a few exceptions.
“Any decision regarding a certain aspect of life in the C.O.B.R.A mercenary company has to be made by the people who deal with the outcome on a daily basis. This doesn’t mean that we don’t make compromises but we as soldiers have a little more say In what goes on around here. Think about it this way, if you aren’t someone who’s going to be carrying the the preposed new machine gun into battle then you have less say in which one is adopted vs the people who have to carry, use or maintain them. “
You arrive at camp Maureen . Ysella escorts you to meet with the council headed by Mr Drogat .
“Ah. You must be Mr Accutron , I am Arrmin Drogat head of logistics welcome to camp Maureen.”
Mr Drogat gestures at the other counsel members
“This is Mr. Dewitt Armstrong head of equipment maintenance “
Mr Armstrong glances up from his clipboard acknowledging your presence with a nod before returning his attention to the clipboard.
“This is Fiona Linette head of living technology.”
Mrs Linette has what appears to be a house cat sized zoid sitting in her lap .
“Greetings Mr Accutron”
“This is Mr Edward Zachariah Baker head of agriculture.”
“You smell of fried potatoes and homemade alcohol…. I respect that.”
Mr Drogat clears his throat.
“Mr Gideon Isaac Johannesburg head of finance ”
“I see you have a fluffy. We are going to get along just fine.”
There’s an empty chair at the table.
“And this is where you will potentially sit Mr Accutron.”
You’re not sure if you misheard him.
“I’m sorry. Did you say that was potentially my seat?”
Mr Drogat smiles.
“Mr Accutron that seat is reserved for the head of human rights and the vanderholt family has spoken very highly of you. Seeing as how the other counsel members have yet to object. The seat is yours should you want it.”
“Not that I’m not extremely grateful for the offer, I’m just rather confused as to why you chose me an outsider.”
“Mr Accutron every person seated here at this table is an expert in their field.”
“Yes but why me specifically?”
Ms Linette points to Odis.
“Because you are the voice for even the smallest of creatures.”
Mr. Baker places a photo of Jane on the table.
“Because you help others even when it would have been far easier to just turn your back on them.”
Mr Armstrong plays the security footage of you cradling Drupals lifeless body as you weep.
“Because no matter what is thrown your way . even if you stumble or fall you always get back up.”
Mr Johannesburg pulls up a screenshot of the hit put out for you by Femi on the monitor.
“Because even in the face of Death you kept your wits about you.”
Mr. Drogat turns to you.
“Because a certain someone recommended you.”
“Someone recommended me?”
“Indeed Mr Accutron.”
The voice sounds so familiar. You look behind you to see Ms Bakshi.