Fantasy Vagabonds: Exodus

[Pilgrim59]

Exodite

Ulysses

Captain of The Exodus

Sentosa, Singapore

Silvery AFA walls stretched well beyond the horizon between the crowded city of Singapore and their northern neighbor, with packs of drones hovering above guarded checkpoints. As one of the few last standing cities in Southeast Asia, its inhabitants have adapted to the fleeting essence of defending their livelihoods and liberties day by day. Fisheries were confined to certain areas where the seaborne Reds could not reach, and agricultural zones were erected in places where tall skyscrapers once stood. Office buildings were renovated to accommodate stockpiles of weapons and equipment.

It has been a week since the Exodites' last mission in the Riau Archipelago, which earned them some time on land in Singapore. Finding refuge and respite at port, the Captain relinquished the docking details to Ceto and her minions, while the Marines were given furlough until recently. Situating himself in Sentosa, Ulysses retired in his chair with a glass of whiskey in his hand at the behest of the Marina Chairman's accommodation. His blue eyes scanned the western shipyard, where the Exodus resided, before the Chairman's voice caught his attention.

"I take it your last job wasn't too much to ask? Even if your oppositions were human?"

"They made their choice to prey on helpless, simple folks. I came not warring here for any ill the Trojans had done me. For between me and them, there is a great space - both mountains and sounding seas."

"Have you taken to heart the Iliad as your own scripture, Ulysses? Or perhaps there were some truths to the Olympians?"

"I perceive it as my own source of entertainment. Though I cannot deny Ceto's findings and its merits. This was supposed to be our last stop here."

"You've got somewhere else to be?"

"Wherever the stars point. You know I can't just let you in on the communities' quirks, Lee. Though judging from that reaction, I reckoned you've got a job for us?"

"Heh. If only you had been in the industry, you'd make a great asset for the company." Lee replied, clinking glasses with Ulysses before adjusting his spectacles. "Indeed. This one came straight from the top..."

A dead-steady tone interrupted him, as he reached for his phone with a grim facade.

"When? Fine. I'll see what I can do."

A heavy sigh escaped Lee, as he turned to Ulysses and ended the call. "Seems like I've got a detail for you on short notice."

"What's the job?"

"I'm surprised you didn't ask for the pay firsthand."

"I know you'll follow-up in kind. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here."

"How soon can you depart?"

"Depends... how soon can you acquiesce our requisition for wine and ambrohols?" Ulysses smiled confidently.

"Very well, I'll send you the details. As for the particular detail of my client's request, I hope you'll be in for a long haul with that one." Lee said, donning a concerned look about him, as if reluctant to let his friend in on the detail just yet.

"Exodus has always delivered when it comes to Marina's requests, have we not? Shoot." Ulysses retorted with a firm but curious posture, as he leaned forward to let Lee know that he was all ears for the offer.

Code by Arkangel