Story Reader / Interlude / Front Sight Focus / Story
Let me introduce you all to our new recruit.
Her name is... I'll just let her introduce herself because I don't know her name.
Some call me... "Hyena".
"Hyena"? What kind of bull name is that?
No one would call a girl "Hyena", unless you can prove yourself.
...
Boss, our standards are getting lower and lower! You bring back kid this time, are you gonna bring back a cripple next time?
...
As if sensing "Hyena" is about to explode in anger, Andre puts a hand on her shoulder to hold her back.
He means no ill.
...
Feeling "Hyena" relaxing under his hand, he lets go of his hand.
What, Clegg? Do you have opinions on how I pick people?
Did I make the wrong choice when picking you or the others here?
O-of course not!
Then that's that. You're thinking you can finally get rid of your last place title now that a kid's here, aren't you?
Well, she's a kid. How can I be worse than a kid...
Heh, we'll see.
Andre smirks before pushing "Hyena" into the crowd of workers.
From today on, she'll be a part of the investigation team. Clegg, you're in charge of her!
Aww, come on... Why'd it have to be me...
Hey! You! Listen up. I may have the worse scores during training, but the investigation team is always the busiest!
Alright, there's a pipeline failure in section B of the exhaust gas recovery system. Go have a look.
...Good.
If you can fix it, then fix it. If you can't, come back and tell me.
...Where are the maintenance tools?
Looks like you know the basics. You've seen us working before? It's on the shelf over there next to the mop bucket.
...
"Hyena" quietly takes the tool kit off the shelf and straps it to her back. She then pushes open the door and leaves.
Aren't you being a little too harsh, Clegg?
According to the rules, members have to undergo three months of training before they can attend to exhaust gas maintenance...
That's a rule for newbies who know nothing.
I don't know why the boss decided to recruit a kid, but I hope he has his reasons.
If she's just a normal kid then I don't mind being the villain here.
Of course, I hope she'd just be a normal kid, scurrying home crying. That tool kit can be sold in exchange for food for a few days. It's not a bad deal for her.
But what if the boss asks?
Whatever. I doubt he'd want to see a newbie gone after a few jobs again.
...
When Clegg wakes up from his nap and sees a "Hyena" covered in dirt and oil before him, an hour has already passed.
What the...?! You almost gave me a heart attack there! How's the exhaust gas recovery system?
...I found this stuck in the pipe.
"Hyena" tosses an oily balled-up cloth onto the ground in front of Clegg. The logo of the inspection team could still be seen vaguely.
I thought I'd stuck it in deep enough... Never thought you'd find it.
Why did you do it?
...Do you hate me?
Not really, but if the boss tossed me someone with no credentials, then I'd have to find the evidence myself to prove she's reliable.
I was wrong. If you wanna tell the boss, you're free to do so.
...
Clegg and "Hyena" stare at each other, hoping to find the answer in the other's eyes. They were suddenly interrupted by Andre pushing open the door.
Clegg! You little s**t, I heard you ordered the new girl to repair the exhaust gas recovery system!
...!
I'm only going to ask you this, what's your conclusion? You only keep those who are useful, which is why I entrusted her to you.
Clegg raises his hands and diverts his gaze away from "Hyena".
She passed. Looks like I get to keep the honor of being in last place.
Good. I was most worried about your attitude when I took her in.
That's settled then! Kid, here's your uniform! Look at how dirty you are, go take shower! We left the shower empty just for you!
It has been 197 days since "Hyena" joined the inspection team. She never cared to keep count of the days, but now, every day is precious to her.
It was everything she had ever dreamt of—bed fluffier than steel slabs and asbestos, two whole meals a day, at least 6 hours of sleep every night, a hot shower every two days...
Chief Andre may look like a tough guy, but deep down he was very thoughtful and considerate, he knew how to make tasty scrambled eggs and resizing uniforms for small girls.
As long as people do not make fun of his treasured badge—which he claims to be an authentic royal token—he does not mind most of the time.
Leader Clegg, always ranking last, but he can remember where every wrench and every screw is; stubborn and stingy, and also short-sighted.
Leader Katyusha, the leader of the structure team. One of the only three females in the whole inspection team. She can run faster than anyone in a 10km run with weights. She is also one of the few that were present on "that day."
As for "Hyena"... Well, she's no longer "Hyena" now. Lena from the structure team gave her a new name—"Sophia".
From what she's heard, this is the name of Chief Andre's homeland. And in the language of the Golden Age, it meant "gift from God".
Recently, someone found a movie from the Golden Age.
And after that, Chief Andre insists on others calling him "Boss" like Clegg does.
It has been 197 days since Sophia joined the inspection team.
Today... It's been... Since Sophia joined the inspection team... I don't know how to write. I'm going to leave it blank for now.
Today, Sophia... Start... Follow Chif, Endre to... Can't spell this. Delete... Work together.
It's... Sophia's, first time... bring tiim to work outside.
Sophia! It's time!
(...I'll get back to this later.)
Coming!
