Only because someone is trying to wake me up.

You’re pushed out of sleep. Above you, Jordyn hovers beside your cot, dressed in white camouflage and a dim white light hanging around her neck. Slung around her shoulder is one of your M16s, spray-painted white to blend better with the environment.

“You moan in your sleep,” Jordyn comments.

A harsh pink tint goes over your cheeks as you recall Flora, specifically Alicen. You blink a few times and then **** a yawn. “Only when I’m thinking about sex.”

“Charming,” Jordyn sighs. “We’re leaving soon. How long do you think it’ll take you to get ready?”

Her question is met with honesty. About 20 minutes, 25 if you get into a shower. All around you are people still snug in their beds with their blankets pulled in close. You ask Jordyn what time it is, and she smiles. “3:30 in the morning.”

“This early?”

She nods gently. “We don’t have time to blow the breeze here. Hurry up.”

…

…

You filter behind the column of Tiger cubs, dressed in white and armed to the teeth with weapons. Everything is dark, and the mood already has everyone on edge— the mission is easy, but the outcomes are heavy. A successful raid would spell smooth sailing for leaving, but a failed attempt could easily lead to winter fighting and scattered skirmishes, as well as countless dead and a severely dangerous trip back. These factors don’t so much plague your mind, but you don’t let them go either.

You look up when you stop hearing the snow crunch and lower yourself. From the rear, Jordyn pushes up to talk to the main point, noticing the column's halt. A conversation unfolds somewhere in front of you that you can’t understand, but when Jordyn comes back, she begins splitting the column into groups of 2, creating three new teams to surround the encampment that is somewhere nearby. Jordyn considers pairing herself with one of her comrades but ultimately decides to stay with you.

A bonfire burns brightly where the bandits are. Several figures around the fire, chatting, eating, and drinking as they warm themselves in the cold and snow. The outlines of your companions are hard to spot, even with the harsh contrast of their white uniforms against the black of night. Nearly invisible lines of your breath stream upward for your face wrap as you get into position. The process of getting into a position without definite crossfire was challenging to say the least, especially in the unfamiliar landscape you are presented with.

Your belly is pressed against the snow as you rub shoulders with Jordyn, sticking to her like you are glued to her. You’ve lost all visual contact with the other TC members, but you know they are spying on your targets, too, waiting for the first shot to crack out.

The plan was elementary, but the results were gore-filled and crimson when the shooting was done. There’s a quick looting scene that follows, which offers are few rifles and crates of survival equipment. Most of it is far below the quality you were used to seeing with the TC1 group, but they take it anyway just to fill in the gaps in their winter rest.

To no one’s surprise, there are papers or signs of this being an organized group. They aren’t Russian and definitely not a local mercenary group looking for reasons to expand. All this is good news to you, but you wait to see what the others do.

You filter behind the column of Tiger cubs, dressed in white and armed to the teeth with weapons. Everything is dark, and the mood already has everyone on edge— the mission is easy, but the outcomes are heavy. A successful raid would spell smooth sailing for leaving, but a failed attempt could easily lead to winter fighting and scattered skirmishes, as well as countless dead and a severely dangerous trip back.

The walk back is done in silence, but there’s nothing to talk about anyway. You’re impressed to know that the weapons you put out are already being put to good use— even if the others never find out what happened.

Once you’re back at the shelter, Jordyn kicks everything into motion again. Neither Scarlet nor Alexandra are awake, and they don’t question why you’re geared up for a fight. Then again, you didn’t expect Scarlet to talk to you anyway.

Over the table, Alexandra banters onto a quiet table this time. The most talkative attendant there is Jordyn, but she’s accompanied by Scarlet, idly poking her food, and you, distracted with your own thoughts as you chew and swallow. And then, just as everyone was about done with their breakfast, Alexandra cleared her throat.

“So, we’re good to leave tomorrow, right? No more stalling the inevitable departure?” She says.

Jordyn shoots you a glance and then nods to Alexandra. “Now that the weather has cleared up, you ought to be fine to go at your own will. Sooner, rather than later if you want my opinion.”

Alexandra blinks as if she was expecting more resistance from Jordyn. She looks to Scarlet first, but she isn’t looking up from her tray. This prompts Alexandra to look at you. “Well, new guy,” she begins. “What do you think we should do?”