A Hero's Journey -- Part 34-

As Trowa had expected, the main storeroom was noticeably barer. And of what was there, it was of poorer quality. But where were the supplies and personnel being shifted? How soon would the new base be operational?

With a silent frown, he headed toward the electronics section. He didn’t have any concrete answers to those questions. But his gut was telling him something big was going on, and he couldn’t leave without learning what it was.

“Hey, a little out of your territory aren’t you, pal?” a security guard called, trotting over to him. “Unless you have permission, you can’t be down here, tech boy.”

Trowa understood why this guy had been left out of the personnel shift. He had met the kind several times before. Given any amount of power, they would abuse or intimidate anyone they could. They seemed drawn to positions requiring guns.

“I don’t need permission to be down here,” Trowa replied, flashing his ID badge.

“Well, I guess you know what you’re doing,” the guard said quickly, having read Hobbes’s standing in the organization, which was higher than his. “Like we told the other guy, we don’t have the circuits you’re needing. They’re just gone.”

“How can they be gone?” Trowa asked, scowling in irritation. “Isn’t that why you are here?”

He had hit a nerve. The security guard immediately stiffened. “Nothing happens on my shift.”

“I’m sure,” Trowa replied coolly. “I’ll get back to my duties if you’ll get back to yours.”

“Just make sure you sign for everything you take,” the other guy growled before stumping back to his post.

Trowa continued on down the aisles of the electronics section. After several minutes of searching, he finally located a box of circuits and pulled one out for inspection. It was of such shoddy construction he doubted it would last a week. However, it was there and it was better than nothing.

He glanced around, happy to find the security officer harassing someone else. Taking the opportunity, Trowa wandered around the rest of the electronics and the other supplies sections. Finding some boxes of quality goods, he stuck microtracers on them.

Not wanting to test his luck further, he headed out. He made a show of signing for the meager box of circuits. With a final smirk to the security guard, Trowa returned to his shift.


Part XXXIV As Trowa had expected, the main storeroom was noticeably barer. And of what was there, it was of poorer quality. But where were the supplies and personnel being shifted? How soon would the new base be operational? With a silent frown, he headed toward the electronics section. He didn’t have any concrete answers to those questions. But his gut was telling him something big was going on, and he couldn’t leave without learning what it was. “Hey, a little out of your territory aren’t you, pal?” a security guard called, trotting over to him. “Unless you have permission, you can’t be down here, tech boy.” Trowa understood why this guy had been left out of the personnel shift. He had met the kind several times before. Given any amount of power, they would abuse or intimidate anyone they could. They seemed drawn to positions requiring guns. “I don’t need permission to be down here,” Trowa replied, flashing his ID badge. “Well, I guess you know what you’re doing,” the guard said quickly, having read Hobbes’s standing in the organization, which was higher than his. “Like we told the other guy, we don’t have the circuits you’re needing. They’re just gone.” “How can they be gone?” Trowa asked, scowling in irritation. “Isn’t that why you are here?” He had hit a nerve. The security guard immediately stiffened. “Nothing happens on my shift.” “I’m sure,” Trowa replied coolly. “I’ll get back to my duties if you’ll get back to yours.” “Just make sure you sign for everything you take,” the other guy growled before stumping back to his post. Trowa continued on down the aisles of the electronics section. After several minutes of searching, he finally located a box of circuits and pulled one out for inspection. It was of such shoddy construction he doubted it would last a week. However, it was there and it was better than nothing. He glanced around, happy to find the security officer harassing someone else. Taking the opportunity, Trowa wandered around the rest of the electronics and the other supplies sections. Finding some boxes of quality goods, he stuck microtracers on them. Not wanting to test his luck further, he headed out. He made a show of signing for the meager box of circuits. With a final smirk to the security guard, Trowa returned to his shift.


Part XXXV Main Page