Snippet #2626528

Haeron tried to take it all in. Breathing in the musky, dank air of the residence district. It seemed as if everything was grey from the outside, like a noir film or some kind of Nazi Germany ghetto from World War II. "I don't get it, I live literally in the lap of the technological revolution and these people look like their houses are held together with Popsicle sticks." He thought to himself as he walked along the cobblestone sidewalk. The people were weary of him. He could tell as they kept a broad scrape from him, one person moved themselves clear to the other side of the avenue. "These people are terrified." He was tense and he could feel the thickness of their uneasiness with him in their community. He couldn't stand it.

He meandered through the corridors of houses into a square of sorts. "Brimley!" Haeron stopped cold in his tracks as he heard Crosby's growl from behind his mask.
"Cros? What are you doing here?" Haeron was beyond confused as his friend was in full uniform deep in the residence district.
"Reassigned, you know how it is."
"I'm not going to lie, this seems like a promotion."
"I'll acknowledge that, I don't know, they must like my... enthusiasm." Crosby was smug in his words. The way Crosby said it was practically disgusting to Haeron. He understood so much in that moment, what the Guardians did, why they were guarding the city. And the practically blood-thirsty recruits they had brought in. It was like a fog had just lifted and he was naked in the world. He felt exposed as an outsider without any lifeline. But he had to keep his face separate from the immediate desperation he felt.
"That's good, man. Don't do anything stupid out there." Brimley held out his hand in an offer of congratulations.
Crosby gripped his hand tight and pulled his friend in close, "I could say the same for you. Have a good night in the tunnels, H."

"Prick... what a prick..." Haeron thought to himself moving quickly as he needed to get back to the tower. He felt powerless to protect anything from Crosby anymore. "What happened to him? He was always intense but he was never dangerous." He got back to the tower and grabbed some food, before retiring to the confines of his quarters. Corville Haynes was waiting for him in the common room. Lieutenant Haynes was a 3rd year Complex Guard and was known as a hero. Serving in 5 tours of duty in North Korea he knew the ins and outs of diplomacy and war. He was unshakable and was always someone of whom Haeron could admire.
"Sit down, Brimley." Haeron was almost geeking out that Haynes knew his name. "Let's talk about yesterday."
"Yes sir." Haeron responded by sitting in the chair across from Haynes. He expected this all day and it was amazing to him that THE Corville Haynes was talking to him.
"There are rules here and you respect that. You like the book, and we like that about you. What you did by putting aside your comradeship and doing what was right, was not unnoticed. It takes bravery to take a stand, and even more to take a stand against someone you trust." Haeron was listening intently, and was finding it hard to believe what he was hearing. "But that, son, is exactly what you did. You put the job in front of yourself. That's why we brought you in. To keep order among the ranks. And if you were willing to keep your best friend in line without hesitation, you can keep anyone in line. We've been watching you for some time, son. From your time in the scouts, ROTC, school, you have what it takes to be a great leader. Don't squander this opportunity. Corporal Brimley, we want you in the trenches. We want you in this war for the nation. The war against magyk. It has no place, and those who use it must be controlled. You are the future of this war. We will win this with or without you. So make your decision and be content. Help us, make this world a better place... a safer place for all of us. Take the night off, seriously. Those "people" are against us."
"With all due respect, sir. They are terrified of us." Haeron was unapologetic in his approach to this.
"And they damn well should be..." Haynes was suddenly darker and serious. "Their lives are in our hands. Think about where you fit in this war. Come see me in the morning, we will talk about the future."
"But sir..."
"Take a night and think it over before you speak. Have a drink, clear your head." He stood up and began walking to the elevator. "You have a future here, Haeron. Don't waste that, for all of our sakes. Good night, Corporal."
"Good night, Lieutenant."

The elevator doors opened up and Corville stepped inside and was gone. Haeron sat in the silent room alone with his thoughts. He sat looking out over the city, he was taken off his post, disgraced for what? For protecting the inhabitants of this godforsaken place? He thought about those kids, the mouthy girl, and how if Crosby would ever come across her again. He would never be able to stop Crosby. "You have a future here, Haeron..."