When I got the message from Polly early in the morning, I didn’t hesitate to launch myself out of bed and meet her at headquarters.
She was standing at her desk, insignia pinched between two fingers, a small smile on her face.
I approached and saluted.
“Good morning, madam.”
“Good morning, Cooper. Ready to become a Captain?”
“I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment.”
“How dramatic.”
She rolled her eyes before reaching out and plucking off the insignia from my fatigues, pinning the three silver bars of Captain on my shoulder.
“Congratulations, Cooper. You’ve completed the easy part. Now, you get to work through the bullsh*t. I know you’re looking to speed through the ranks and you’ve certainly demonstrated how smart you are. I didn’t find a single wrong answer on your test, and I’ve never seen someone cite the exact lines out of the books their answers came from. With those smarts, getting to Lieutenant Colonel won’t be difficult at all for you.”
“I appreciate the praise.”
“But the issue is time. I’m a Colonel who parses Scourge activity in the region utilizing even the smallest details from reports that come in every day, from patrols to missions. I’ve been stationed here for 13 years, seen thousands come and go, and hundreds die on missions I’ve given them. By now I should be a Major General. And yet I still sit here as a Colonel, collecting reports and analyzing them, reporting to the Marshal whenever she calls. Do you know why that is?”
“No ma’am.”
I didn’t even try to guess. I really didn’t know why she was still in this position.
Polly planted herself in her chair and leaned back.
“It’s because summoners like to build ladders with overcomplicated regulations before kicking them out from underneath them. Being the weakest of the Magi, once they get a little taste of power and superiority, they hold on to it with a death grip and never let go. They’re scared sh*tless of anybody pushing in and intruding upon their slice of authority, giving excuses like how they’ve ‘already filled all their positions’ and how introducing another Brigadier General will only ‘create tensions that disrupt the harmony of the chain of command’. And since the cowardly bastards never die off in battle and never retire, there’s no chance of things changing.”
“Oh…”
“Indeed. Intelligence is their one asset and they know how to use it. Anyway, my point in telling you this is that you’re going to have to prove yourself. I’ve talked to Pollux. I’ve seen your performance at your Magisterium tournament. I have a pretty good grasp on your attitude. And now you’ve proven how smart you can be. You’ve also got a Marshal on your side. You’ve got loads of assets to be used to your advantage, so long as you’re given the chance to exercise your abilities in the first place. And I’m here to say that I’m going to give you that chance. Follow.”
Polly stood and walked off. I followed behind as she led me to a big war room.
There wasn’t anybody inside. The walls were plastered with maps, markers, and movements. There were dozens of reports scattered on the table, loosely organized by date and location.
“I’ve heard about you guys. The Calamity Class. It’s amazing to think that you actually came face to face with the King of Anarchy and survived. That day, we came under siege ourselves. Thankfully, we had a Sovereign here. They’ve since been relocated, but we thankfully haven’t had a need for them. The pressure has been mounting though. We’ve had more activity in the past month than we’ve had in the year before Anarchy. I feel like you have a more intimate grasp on this than most, because either you’re very lucky or skilled to come out of what you did alive. ”
“Hm.”
I recalled memories of that day against Anarchy. Everything seemed to have happened in no time at all, yet every second was acutely seared into my mind.
Polly continued, looking toward the maps.
“Whatever it is, you’re going to start helping me. I have two other Colonels and a dozen intelligence personnel working almost everyday to help me synthesize information from reports. The Scourge is coming down harder, getting smarter. We have to step up. The war we fight here at Stronghold Charlie is a war of information. I frankly have no idea how we’ve survived this long, given that we’re sorely lacking personnel in all departments, but so far I’ve managed to keep us winning. The Marshal knows this, which is why I’m the highest sitting Intelligence agent in this Stronghold. And now, you’re going to be another asset. Not just a thinker behind a desk like the rest of us, but one that can actually step onto the field and give us information from a perspective that someone like Pollux can’t. But before doing that, you’re going to need to understand how our tactics work. Then, you’re going to have to study our recent history, understand the war as it was, and as it is now, before contributing to its future. Which brings us here.”
Polly reached out, setting an Orb in front of me on the nearby table.
“This Orb contains four books. Memorizing them will technically be enough for you to reach Colonel. I’ll give them to you and then expedite you through to the rank of Colonel, given enough time. You’ll get the speedy promotions you want and you’ll get some preferential treatment around here. You’ll be one of mine, after all.”
“... And?”
I raised my brow. As I listened, I realized that this was a deal being offered. I was quite interested.
Polly smiled.
“In exchange, everything you do here, all your contributions, your accolades, will fall under my name. This is my initiative. A new war is coming, and I don’t plan to remain a Colonel for much longer. I’m already primed to become a Brigadier General because there were a few that died at Purple Sky. I’ve been ready to take their place for a long time now. And Brigadier General is just the first step. However, I need to impress some people. Which is why my name has to be at the top. My other two Colonels already understand this. And if you help me as much as I think you can, not only will my job be easier, but I’ll know just who to take up there with me when I climb. Your promotions will come as easy as breathing with my name behind it. And barriers, like access to these books, will be a nonexistent issue.”
She twirled the Orb on the table, satisfied with her explanation.
A mutually beneficial cooperation agreement. In exchange for all my achievements being tossed under her resume, including the help that only I could give, I’d be on the fast track to Colonel. I wouldn’t stand out nearly as much, probably fading into the background as Polly received praise for all the things I did. But promotions, things that often took years for intelligence personnel to get, would come as quickly as I could get them.
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She had already done it with two others apparently. My immediate thoughts weren’t opposed. But when I thought about my goals and whether this lined up with them, I voiced my concern.
I looked her in the eye, no longer addressing her like a soldier, but on equal grounds. This was a negotiation, somewhat.
“I have one concern, Colonel Polly.”
“Yes?”
“You see, I made a deal with some friends, those of my prior squad, before we entered the military. We all plan on getting much stronger than we are, and to some extent our rise is almost guaranteed. They’re some of the most talented of the Magisterium, and although I often question it, I’ve come to realize that my talent and the foundations of my power will facilitate my growth well beyond average. And if you know who the Marshal behind me is and why they’re there, then you’ll know the kind of people I’m talking about.”
“I assumed as much, though you two seem to be closer than what a few moving pictures might suggest.”
“To the great displeasure of many nobles, we are. It also means that I never foresaw any issues getting the recognition I needed to come into contact with a certain group of people. And if you take all my accolades, then I’m afraid I may not fulfill my end of the deal with my squad, for I will remain unseen.”
“... And what group of people might that be?”
She asked curiously, making me smile.
“Special Operations.”
“Oh? You and your friends have quite an ambition.”
“A natural consequence of what we’ve been through.”
“... I understand. Good thing for you, I know some people.”
She smiled, picking up the Orb.
“I’ve been here for 13 years, and there has been no shortage of individuals who have come and gone from this place after being scouted by Special Operations. I happen to know the recruiter, since I chewed him out after he took a batch of my talented Snow Doves. So if that's your goal, I can certainly facilitate the transfer. Only after you’ve met his standards, of course. I can’t do anything for you if he simply refuses to take you.”
“That would be my fault for underperforming. So long as he’s made properly aware of my capabilities.”
“Which I can assure you of. Your performance in combat is yours alone. What I want from you is that strong mind inside your head, as well as the fruit it bears. And there’s no reason why I can’t help that recruiter understand your value beyond combat as well. So long as I get to where I need to go, I’ll promise that, as long as you’re capable, I’ll pave the way toward your goals. My contacts run deep, Cooper. Know that.”
“...”
I smiled. This woman, as unassuming as she looked, was quite the schemer. This was a glimpse of the world of summoners, a battlefield of cunning and subterfuge. Like politics on crack.
I didn’t think I was quite cut out for that world. I didn’t like playing mind games. Which was why I wasn’t bothered by my intellectual achievements being owned by Polly. My goals lay elsewhere.
Once we managed to bring the squad back together, there’d be nothing to stop us. And who knew? Years down the line, Polly might turn out to be an important ally.
This was a great opportunity, even if I had to sacrifice some things. Besides, if it really came down to it, there were some people I could call to get me out, and I’d just make my name big somewhere else. I seemed to be good at that.
I put out my hand for a shake. Polly grinned, dropping her terser negotiation smile, and clasped my hand with hers, Orb between our palms.
“You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.”
“That’s an interesting phrase. Quite fitting. I’m not one to disappoint those who help me, Cooper. I need friends and allies, and the more powerful they are, the more we all benefit. Besides, the more power us summoners have, the more control we’ll have over the battlefield and the soldiers on them. I don’t plan to get overrun like Purple Sky, so this is both a war for benefits and survival.”
“Indeed. Have the recent battles here been that bad?”
“They’re escalating, and if we aren’t proactive, it’ll quickly get out of hand. Absorb the information in the Orb. Take the time to really understand it all. After that, I’ll start teaching you about the war we fight in here. Before all that though, go see Pollux. He has your Sergeant insignia. I heard you were particularly outstanding at the Treehouse. He told me to send you to him when you were ready.”
“Understood.”
I took the Orb, stashing it away, then delivered a salute.
The deal was made. Now I just needed to do my part.
After leaving headquarters I went to go find Pollux. He was in the rec room, enjoying a drink at the bar.
I slipped in and sat down beside him, remaining silent as he took another sip.
Once done, he set down the Sergeant insignia on the bar top, sliding over the three stripes.
“Congratulations, Sergeant Cooper.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Keep this up and it won’t be long before I have to give you your own squad. I’ll give it three years for you to hit First Sergeant.”
“Hoh, I’m not sure, sir. My current goal is to hit Authority Seven in three years.”
“That’s awfully ambitious.”
“Well what about you, sir? Where do you see yourself in a few years?”
I plucked the insignia while asking, swapping out my corporal rank.
Pollux just chuckled.
“Heh, you ask that like I’m young.”
“Who said our elders can’t have goals and ambitions?”
“You calling me old, Sergeant?”
“Not a chance, sir.”
“Hm. Hopefully in a handful of years I’ll still be kicking like I am now. This is an unforgiving war, and it’s getting worse by the day. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Scourge comes marching through those gates tomorrow with a million-strong army.”
“Well, that’s dreary.”
Pollux downed the last of his drink.
“Pessimism, and generally expecting the worst, is how I’ve survived this long.”
“Well, I can’t say I haven’t adopted a similar mindset. Hopefully I’ll get to the point where I can do something about it before that happens though.”
“If you can hide from Royals in plain sight, you’ll have a better chance than most.”
“Hm, speaking of, mind if I test out my stealth on you?”
“On me?”
He glanced over at me with a peculiar eye as I stood.
I smiled.
“Just sit down there and keep your focus on me. Don’t let me vanish in your eyes.”
“Alright.”
He nodded and swiveled to face me head on. Then, I let out a long breath.
White fog spread out from my person, obscuring Pollux’s view, as well as the sightlines of all those around us in the rec room. I felt several eyes fall on me.
And then, I disappeared with the fog. I saw Pollux’s eyebrows raise before I started slowly moving to the side.
The entire rec room was silent, and I was able to move out of everyone’s line of sight. Although Pollux seemed to be able to follow me for a short time, once I distracted everyone with a glimmer of myself in another location, I was able to completely vanish.
I moved behind the bar, grabbing a bottle before mixing something up and serving it in two glasses.
“Can I interest you in a drink, sir?”
“Hm?”
Pollux flipped around, eyes wide as he looked between me and the glasses.
At some point, he shook his head.
“Ridiculous. My Aura was never exceptional, but I didn’t think someone three Authorities below me could just vanish from my sight. Are all the Magisterium Elites like you?”
“No, otherwise I wouldn't have won the tournament. Plus, I’m a summoner, and that technique messes with your mind. Not many people have ever had to deal with summoners. If I were you, I wouldn’t blame myself.”
“Weak excuse. But at least I know now that you can keep yourself safe.”
“Mm.”
I downed my drink in agreement. Showing Pollux my skills like this would help when it came time to impress certain recruiters. Although I was sure I could rely on Polly, I wanted to keep all my bridges clear.
I went to the back of the bar and sat back down on a stool, hanging out for a bit longer.
