He sits across me, in that big cushioned chair I've seen so many times. Bright orange light flickers from the fireplace, dancing across the gold ornaments on the carved mantelpiece. They throw strange, swirling shadows on the pale green walls. I look down at the dark wooden table, with delicate flowery patterns engraved into the rich wood and lined with more burnished gold. The wood itself had no doubt been glossed and polished repeatedly, the way it gleamed in the glow of the dancing flames.
The setting was typical of the big boss- he liked the dramatic, a touch of the grandiose. In his huge, imposing sitting room, the elaborate chandelier always kept off, it was no surprise that the majority of his subordinates had been intimidated, their assignments, previously looking so trivial and mundane, swelled to huge proportions in their intimidated mind's eye. But I'd been here many times before. Given all sorts of frightening assignments. And I was still alive- that counted for something.
The boss surveyed me, his intelligent, dark eyes cool and calculating. Without a word he slid my manila assignment folder across to me. I picked it up and opened it, trying to ignore the eerie shadows moving across the page.
Now, I'm usually a calm worker. I don't freak easily. But the parameters of this mission made me gasp in shock. "Sir, I'm not sure I want to-" I begin, but he raises a hand. "Think about it. Really think about it." he says.
I look down, reading through my instructions again. This mission took place in the snowy peaks of Alaska's mountain ranges. I'd be alone, away from most of my already few trusted co-workers. New colleagues would be assigned to me, ones I knew, but not very well. And I'd be in an unfamiliar environment, fraught with danger. What did he possibly expect me to see, to convince me to continue? That's when I saw it.
In a discreet sentence under the instructions: "This initiative takes place in cooperation with D. Bayte Industries." I froze. My mind rushed back to the Heartbreak War of three summers ago. I was still young back then, with barely any experience. I had been assigned to infiltrate the forest camp of our enemies. It was a tough job, and as a total rookie, I was absolutely terrified. Five days in, facing the threat of enemies everywhere, combined with the exhaustion and pain, and the various terrible things I'd been forced to do, I'd broken down internally. I can't remember exactly how it happened, but my team members told me I'd gone completely nuts. I'd be absolutely silent most of the time, unable to say even a word to anyone, closed up in my own world and a danger to my own colleagues. At other times, I'd go completely wild, firing at will and without instruction, lunging into my enemies without a thought for the safety of myself or anyone else. It was, they said, a truly frightening sight.
I might not have broken out of it, if D. Bayte Industries hadn't agreed to take me in on an apprenticeship. They overlooked my mental instability and offered me an internship as part of their new team, taking on less risky methods. A few of their members offered me psychological therapy as well, and the solace of friendship. It helped me come back to sanity.
A few months on, when my internship ended, I was stable again, in my right mind. I returned to my current organization, gratitude fresh in my heart. I didn't know when or how I'd ever be able to repay D. Bayte Industries. And now here was my chance.
Alone in Alaska. Away from the people I cared for, on a mission that was impossibly dangerous. I'd be with people I didn't know- I still had a slight hang-up about that. But it was for D. Bayte Industries. The people who took in the rookie no one else wanted. Who accepted me, for once. A crazy, lonely, sullen apprentice.
"I am aware that you will not be with your usual colleagues. And that there is a great risk of intense personal harm." said the boss quietly.
"Yeah. So am I. But you know what?" I looked up at him. "I'll do it anyway."
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