Gojaro, after concluding the call, turned to Jade with a sense of finality in his voice. "Okay, well, that’s that. Report to the debrief room in 10 minutes and finish that tea. You should have your energy back by then."
He paused, concerned and resigned at once. "The director really wants to get you killed, or he really has faith in what Master Ash sees in you. Regardless, stick close to Oscar and Yui, okay?
They have both been doing this for about 3 years now, so trust in their judgment."
Jade nodded even though the names meant little yet.
Jade, absorbing his instructions, took another sip of the tea, feeling the warmth and energy slowly starting to replenish her reserves. Curious about Gojaro’s next move, she asked, "And where are you going exactly?"
"There’s something appearing around the Canadian border, and they can’t really tell what it is, so I will go ahead and handle it," Gojaro explained, a hint of urgency in his tone. "Shouldn’t take too long, so don’t worry."
His reassurance did little to ease the weight of the situation.
"I still worry because I have too many questions," Jade said, concern and curiosity tightening her voice.
Gojaro, in the midst of gathering his belongings for the imminent task, paused at her words. "When we finish up," he began, hinting at a promise of more comprehensive answers once the immediate dangers were addressed.
As he made his way to the door, Jade’s voice halted him once more.
"How long have you exactly been at this, and do these creatures fight using the same abilities as us?" she inquired, seeking to understand the depth of Gojaro’s experience and the nature of their adversaries.
Gojaro, placing a finger under his chin in contemplation, shared a glimpse into his past and the peculiarities of their foes. "I believe a good ten years, since I filled in for my father’s retirement.
I never had a normal life like most get, but regarding these creatures, they make no logical sense, and no two are usually alike from my experience."
Gojaro said, "After enough time, they all die the same when you remove their heads."
The statement landed colder than Jade expected, blunt enough to make the room feel smaller.
"And one last thing, Jade," Gojaro called out, pausing at the threshold of departure. "I want you to use that eye of yours to gather as much intel on these creatures as possible."
His words carried a weight of expectation, emphasizing the unique capability entrusted to her. "Your perception that you were given could provide insight into these creatures that we don’t know about.
So, just stay on your toes and record as much information as you can."
With those final instructions, Gojaro departed, leaving Jade alone with the magnitude of the responsibility placed on her. She clutched her chest, nervousness and excitement bubbling within.
"For once, I get the chance to be useful," she thought to herself, a determined glint in her eye reflecting her newfound purpose.
Discarding the empty bottle in the trash can, Jade headed toward the debrief room, her steps echoing with resolve. The intermittent flashing of the red lights overhead.
Looking up toward the ceiling as she thought to herself further "Just how deep does all of this go though, whatever we are dealing with could just be a small piece in a huge puzzle "I will have to do what I can for Ty and maintain myself until his return
As Jade continued her walk down the unusually quiet hall, the absence of the typical hustle and bustle of the facility felt almost cold.
Her steps led her to a door marked "Fire Team: Debrief Room," beneath which her name was listed alongside those of Rosa Yuisui and Oscar Ruiz. With a mixture of anticipation and curiosity, she pushed the door open.
Inside, she found Rosa leaned over a table in a loose red hoodie and black leggings accented by red lines.
Rosa’s initial annoyance quickly morphed into excitement upon noticing Jade’s entrance.
"OMG, what are you doing here?!" Rosa exclaimed, her voice a mixture of surprise and delight. She quickly closed the distance between them, enveloping Jade in a warm hug that was both welcoming and comforting.
"Just so you know, still soft as a pillow," she commented playfully, a slight lift of her hood revealing ears that puffed out slightly, adding an endearing touch to the moment.
Jade, slightly overwhelmed by Rosa’s enthusiastic embrace, gently pushed her away, amusement in her voice.
"Okay, that’s enough, thank you for the hug, but I’m not a very huggy person," she said with a slight laugh, trying to bring some normalcy back to the interaction.
Rosa, undeterred, continued, "Sure, sure. I’m surprised they let you come with us on this mission, though. From the report, it’s supposedly a weak grade coming through whatever portal it is they use."
"Portal? Grade? What?" Jade blinked at the unfamiliar terminology, each new word adding another layer to an already uncertain situation.
"Oh, don’t worry, I’ll explain it to you on our way. But what’s confusing me the most is the report makes no sense," Rosa reassured her, indicating that the complexity of their mission went beyond simple categorizations.
Before Jade could further inquire, Oscar’s voice cut through the room, introducing yet another perspective. Jade turned to see a 5’9" guy with dark black hair and two noticeable scars across his face.
His presence, until now unnoticed, added an air of seriousness to the room.
"While they don’t add up, we simply need to just follow the instructions," he stated, emphasizing pragmatism over confusion.
Jade observed Oscar’s attire, noting the loose, dark clothes made from an odd fabric that seemed both practical and mysterious. The hilted sword at his side caught her attention, reinforcing the notion that swords were a preferred weapon among her companions.
"They really like swords," she mused internally, recalling the weapon rack she had seen with Gojaro, before pushing the thought aside to focus on the matter at hand.