A Hero's Journey -- Part 30 -

Something major was going on, which was not a good sign. While taking careful note of the movement in the cafeteria, Trowa only appeared to be enjoying his coffee break. ‘Or what they now call coffee.’

The decline in the food quality had been a hint, but the recent, increasingly frequent power outages had been a red flag. Key supplies would suddenly disappear, only to be replaced with lower quality substitutes. Even personnel were being shifted around.

After his encounter with Dorothy Catalonia, Trowa had intended leave the installation. He would summon the Preventers and let them handle the operation. However, some of the leaders had vanished without a stir.

Coupled with the other changes, the former Gundam pilot knew he couldn’t leave without learning more. While his encounter with Dorothy still posed some risk, he believed he had eliminated the main danger. He would stay a while longer.

With the key personnel and supplies gone, the installation was a mere shell. If something should happen, a strike or an attack, it would be tracked here and the base eliminated. Everyone would assume that the threat was over.

However, the new base would be in operation, continuing the faction’s work. That was the only logical solution to the problem of the missing people and equipment. He needed to find where the new base was.

A technician supervisor paused by Trowa’s table on his way out of the cafeteria. “Your break’s up in a few minutes, Hobbes.”

“I’ll report back on time,” Trowa replied, taking another drink of his coffee.

“Good,” the supervisor replied, “but don't bother reporting back to your hub. Some needed circuits have disappeared and Inventory Control swears that they were there earlier. Go down there and find out what’s going on. We can’t be expected to keep the base online with disappearing or hand-me-down parts.”

“Will do.”

“Let me know what you find out, Hobbes.” With that, the supervisor left.

Finishing his coffee, Trowa rose and straight the jacket of his uniform. The assignment gave him the prefect excuse to visit the base warehouse. Assuming an efficient stride, the technician known as Calvin Hobbes went back to work.


Part XXX Something major was going on, which was not a good sign. While taking careful note of the movement in the cafeteria, Trowa only appeared to be enjoying his coffee break. ‘Or what they now call coffee.’ The decline in the food quality had been a hint, but the recent, increasingly frequent power outages had been a red flag. Key supplies would suddenly disappear, only to be replaced with lower quality substitutes. Even personnel were being shifted around. After his encounter with Dorothy Catalonia, Trowa had intended leave the installation. He would summon the Preventers and let them handle the operation. However, some of the leaders had vanished without a stir. Coupled with the other changes, the former Gundam pilot knew he couldn’t leave without learning more. While his encounter with Dorothy still posed some risk, he believed he had eliminated the main danger. He would stay a while longer. With the key personnel and supplies gone, the installation was a mere shell. If something should happen, a strike or an attack, it would be tracked here and the base eliminated. Everyone would assume that the threat was over. However, the new base would be in operation, continuing the faction’s work. That was the only logical solution to the problem of the missing people and equipment. He needed to find where the new base was. A technician supervisor paused by Trowa’s table on his way out of the cafeteria. “Your break’s up in a few minutes, Hobbes.” “I’ll report back on time,” Trowa replied, taking another drink of his coffee. “Good,” the supervisor replied, “but don't bother reporting back to your hub. Some needed circuits have disappeared and Inventory Control swears that they were there earlier. Go down there and find out what’s going on. We can’t be expected to keep the base online with disappearing or hand-me-down parts.” “Will do.” “Let me know what you find out, Hobbes.” With that, the supervisor left. Finishing his coffee, Trowa rose and straight the jacket of his uniform. The assignment gave him the prefect excuse to visit the base warehouse. Assuming an efficient stride, the technician known as Calvin Hobbes went back to work.


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