October 4, 2111
Malcolm Richardson
The ARW will not stand for desertion, and James Stone is no exception. And for situations like this, the ARW has just the response needed: Hunters. And that's where Malcolm Richardson, captain of the 51 Hunters, comes into play. He's the card the ARW needs to play.
Under the doorway leading into the 51 Hunters' room stood Commander Sizar; fiddling with his fingers, eyes glued to Malcolm. He noticed this and felt pleasure seeing his commander in such an anxious state, waiting for his own deduction, like a child waiting to be handed a cookie. It didn't take much to see this was no ordinary case, and after skimming the highlights of the file in his hand, Malcolm had an idea as to why.
"Soldiers often say aces are a second coming - the draw of the deck we need to stand a chance in the war. But they're wrong. All's they need to do is look in a mirror. Call me old-fashioned, but the only thing that'll win this war is soldiers; soldiers willing to do what's commanded of them and put everything on the line to complete their mission. And it's exactly those kinds of soldiers who are the heroes, NOT aces." Malcolm finally gave Sizar the acknowledgement he so clearly craved.
"From what your last commander told me, Malcolm, you're more than capable of tracking down James Stone and his rogue legionnaire unit," Commander Sizar stated.
"James Stone may be an ace." Malcolm choked the word out of his mouth. "But like everyone else, he makes mistakes. You can rest assured I'll rub those mistakes in his face and use them to bring him back here to face justice for his desertion."
"There's one more bit of info you should know before taking this mission." Sizar shuffled his feet.
"Spit it out."
"We believe James Stone and his squad are headed to the prison where… where Clover Landis is locked up. Given your past history with her, I need to know your head will remain straight."
"I'll do my duty, at any and every cost. Just as I always have."
"So we have an understanding, then? You must bring back the 1070 Legionnaires to stand trial under the charges for desertion." Commander Sizar stood there on precedence, already knowing what Malcolm's answer would be.
"I promise you, sir, one way or another, James Stone will be brought back to this ship."
"With your reputation and keen mind, I have my highest faith in you." Sizar took that moment to leave the hunters to their new mission.
"Malcolm, we've never hunted a squad like this before, let alone an ace. It'll be our biggest challenge to date."
Vaalima Stoox, the newest member to this hunter group, grabbed her maelkii shield from the wall above her bunk. Just like she always does before a mission, she slid out a metal case that contained her armor from under her bunk; starting with her left shoulder, she began the process of putting on the armor. It was these little things Malcolm always noticed.
"Shit'z like any hunt. We go in, kick azz, n' bring back da prize."
Brad Swift, the lieutenant of this hunter squad, lay back in a seat at the darkest corner of the room with his Prototype-2 power armor on, sharpening his knife. Malcolm can all but guarantee Brad will be lurking at the darkest spot of a room, nearly always in his power armor. At this point, Malcolm only had theories as to why: Either these actions were to distance himself from reality, or, more likely and disturbingly, it was his instinct to gain an upper hand if something went south; always on edge like a predator. And who knows, maybe it's both or neither. To this day, Brad remains the hardest person for Malcolm to read.
"I admire your confidence, Brad, but Vaalima is correct. This is far from any other hunt. Even the vigorous training required to be a hunter didn't include a guide on how to take down an ace. And James Stone isn't just any ace, he's thee ace; first ace in the ARW. His history and reputation speak with words; words that must be analyzed to each layer of detail. If we make any mistake in our analysis, we lose him. We must be near perfect with this hunt." Malcolm stacked all the files together.
"Ah done mission 'n my head," Brad agreed. "Ace or not, I'd kick da shit outta him."
"Like hell you will, Brad," Vaal interjected. "James is an ace, and you aren't."
Brad gave only a snicker, and Malcolm chuckled at her naive attitude. Being new, Malcolm couldn't expect her to understand though. "I already mentioned soldiers are what the ARW needs. Brad is no better an example," Malcolm told Vaal.
"If you say so. So what's the plan anyway?" Vaal asked.
"Get us a transport ready."
"And what should I pack?"
"Everything. Until I devise a strategy, we must prepare for every scenario." Malcolm looked to Brad. "I know you hate paperwork, Brad, so you pilot the ship. Vaal, you'll assist me with the files."
"Bozz, yah know me so damn well." Brad holstered his knife on his left shoulder.
"Why do I always assist with the files?" Vaal complained.
Brad gazed to Vaal. Even through the tinted glass of the visor of his helmet, Malcolm could sense a mocking stare. "Seniority, woman," Brad answered for Malcolm.
Brad is a man built on little trust in others. Malcolm has worked with Brad for many years, and even he's yet to reach the honor of having Brad's trust. Nonetheless, he's gained Brad's respect - a word of lost meaning in this era. But to Brad, respect is a measurement that determines how Brad treats someone. Vaal has yet to gain any of Brad's respect, and the impact shows.
"Don't call me a woman like… like you're somehow above me," she hissed.
"How 'bout bitch?!"
"How… how dare y-you say such a vile word to me?"
Before Brad could retort, Malcolm stepped in. "Enough! You have your jobs. Do them! Vaal, go help him pack, and try not to fight. I have somewhere else to be." Malcolm picked up the files and headed towards Kalvin Keefe's quarters.
Inside Kalvin's personal cage of his own ego, as Malcolm saw it, Kalvin sat at his desk, writing notes on a piece of paper. Upon seeing Malcolm, Kalvin opened a drawer and slid the papers inside.
"It's 2111, and you still use paper?" Malcolm asked as he walked up to Kalvin's desk.
"I have every confidence in the Order of Aegis's security system - a system I encoded and designed myself. That said, some documents are too sensitive to risk a breach in our computer mainframe. Now, I am occupied at the moment. Make it hasty."
"I need everything you have on James Stone sent to my cyberwatch. According to the mission brief--" Malcolm nodded to the file in his hand, "--you're one of few people with access to James's past."
"My sincerest apologies, but I am unable to help you with that request."
"Unable to help me with--" Malcolm stumbled over his words. "James Stone has gone rogue, and you can't help me?!"
"I am sure what is in Stone's military file will be sufficient for you. Surely, he is not the only one of 1070 with redacted details."
"If this file were one hundred percent accurate, James was born at the same time he joined boot camp. His past is more than redacted; it was wiped from existence. Now I wonder who would go through so much trouble to delete his existence from the public eye." Malcolm's eyes accused Kalvin.
Keeping his composure, Kalvin reiterated, "Like I stated, you have sufficient information at your disposal. I am unable to help you any further."
Malcolm bent over the desk, closing the distance between him and Kalvin. This was a man who had more than practiced hiding his emotions and motivations from a keen eye. But Malcolm's eyes were more than keen. They could see past almost any poker face.
"Something about James means something to you?"
Kalvin barely blinked. "I have not the slightest inkling as to what you mean."
"Don't play me for a fool. I see past all the PR the Order of Aegis uses to get the public and military's backing. More importantly, I see the man behind the organization - the man at the top - you, Kalvin. I see you; a man guarding not only his own secrets, but an entire organization's as well. There are things the Order of Aegis does behind even the military's back, don't they?"
Kalvin kept the same expression, doing his best not to alter even a wrinkle for fear that Malcolm would catch it. Little did he realize, by trying so hard to look as if what Malcolm said had no effect on him, that in itself meant it did. In words anyone could understand, Malcolm's beliefs on the Order for Aegis were just confirmed. Kalvin remained tight-lipped.
Malcolm snickered. "Kalvin, tell me something. Have you seen my previous mission reports?"
"Indeed," Kalvin responded.
Malcolm figured Kalvin would have looked into him. "Then you know not all of my targets have made it back alive."
"It would be in your best interest to make sure James is not one of those casualties," Kalvin threatened in a way only Kalvin can.
A big, fat grin popped onto Malcolm's face. Another of his theories had just been confirmed: Kalvin cared about James Stone's well-being far more than he let on. Whether it was an interest in James as a way to gain more leverage in the ARW's military or something more personal, the need for James was there.
"Like always, it was good talking to you, Kalvin."
"Likewise." This lie would have been clear to even the biggest idiot. Malcolm started to head out of the room when Kalvin added on his last statement. "Mission reports were not the only source I sought when I heard you were to take on James's case. It may not astonish you that my influence can grant me access to some personal visits you have had with a psychologist back on Earth - not all of them professional either. Nonetheless, it was the conversations that were of the most interest to me. The fear you mentioned to her on numerous occasions and the emptiness you feel inside of you. They even to drive you to a bottle every now and again."
Kalvin knew he didn't have to say any more for Malcolm to understand. Malcolm was used to being able to dominate a conversation. The fact that Kalvin was still able to turn that conversation to his advantage made Malcolm a bit sick. That feeling was more than enough reason to leave to regroup with his squad.
While Brad and Vaalima finished packing the supplies, Malcolm sat with his legs crossed; his thinking position. In his right hand was a bird's-eye view of the camp where James was tasked with taking down a shield tower.
"We have another mission to take care of. We have our own way out."
Those were James's last words to Captain Killemn before going rogue. In seconds, Malcolm had pieced together this mystery. One: James gave himself another mission. Two: That mission had an eighty percent chance of having something to do with rescuing Captain Landis. Three: He left in an enemy Hauler, as it was the only viable means of transportation. Four: A Hauler only had the fuel to travel a small distance. Five: In that small radius of options for James and his unit to go, Kemmer's Bar was the only one that made sense. Yes, that was it. They would be seeking a more permanent way to travel.
One piece of the puzzle was now in place. Now, it was time for him to travel to Kemmer's Bar to obtain more pieces.