As Nero waited for Noman to walk over, his mind started to work at full speed. This situation was not as it seemed. Based on his understanding of the Lieutenant, he was an honourable man, and one who took his job very seriously. In fact, the words he had said to Nero just a short while ago served as a reminder of just that!
Now, that same dependable and honourable Lieutenant has brought him to what appeared to be a secret escape plan for Noman and Dave. According to what Iris told him, the transfer was a few days away, so the common news even among the upper echelon of the base was not accurate. Yet he had been brought to their secret escape right before it happened?
No, this was clearly some kind of trap. Either Nero was being tested - he would probably be spied upon to see if he leaked this news somehow - or this was yet another layer of subterfuge.
The common knowledge was that they were leaving in a few days, but a discreet few would be allowed to learn the ’ real ’ time of departure which was imminent, whereas in truth, they would leave at some other time through entirely different means.
There might be other possibilities at play, but in the short moment that he had before Noman arrived, this is all Nero could think of. Although no one said it, Nero was certain that at least one of the two was happening, and that there might even be many layers to this plan that he hadn’t foreseen. Whether Noman was involved in the plan or not was uncertain, although Nero thought it was likely he had no idea.
His sincerity when he thanked his father for bringing Nero was genuine.
As soon as Noman approached, Nero noticed that there seemed to be some kind of invisible aether armor all around Norman’s body, supporting him and perhaps protecting him. From what he recalled, Noman was supposed to have fractures in his spine. If that was the case, he shouldn’t be walking around.
Either that too was a deception, or this aether armour was incredible for more than one reason. The only way Nero even detected it was by being so close to it that he could feel the aether.
"Nero, I’m so glad you woke up in time. I thought I would have to leave without being able to meet you," Noman said, looking at Nero with shining eyes. No matter what opinions he had of Nero before, after he watched Nero fight the Primal Exarch, the only thing left in his body was worship - absolute worship!
As he looked at Nero, he could not help but feel that this was the epitome of what it meant to be a soldier. Sure he was injured right now, and confined to a wheelchair. But the feats he had accomplished to land here... perhaps very few would be able to achieve such things in their entire lives!
"I’m glad to see you’re fine," Nero said, his tone calm yet warm. No matter what scheme was in play, it could not be denied that the little twerp had grown a little on Nero. Not to mention, his innate ability was incredibly useful. "I had heard your spine was injured. I’m glad you don’t seem bedridden."
Noman grinned as he looked away, scratching his head as he suddenly felt a little shy.
"I was a little hurt - it was no big deal," Noman muttered.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Earl simply rolled his eyes. The injuries to Noman’s spine had been real - many doctors had the opportunity to confirm that they could not be so easily healed before Earl had Iris heal them in secret. Of course, even Mystics couldn’t just do magic, and not all wounds could be healed so easily. Earl had to dip into his private card collection to temporarily give Iris something that could heal his son.
The childish awkwardness that Noman was feeling didn’t last long, though. He finally turned to look at Nero one more time, this time with eyes full of conviction.
"This time, I learned a lot from you on our mission," Noman said. "I don’t necessarily agree with everything you did, and I certainly don’t trust foreigners, but... but I suppose it was that foreigner who helped us out when one of our own betrayed us."
Noman looked incredibly conflicted and confused as he spoke. This was the first time he had experienced betrayal, and it had shaken the foundations of what he used to believe. He began to question if Kolar really was the place his father had taught him it was.
For a time, he even began doubting and fearing every new soldier he saw - unsure if they would betray him. It was only after visiting a trauma therapist that he had somewhat recovered. The fear of betrayal had not left him, and he would probably find it very hard to trust strangers from now on, but at least he had not become paranoid.
"When I go back, I’m going to train," he continued. "Before I become an Initiate, I’ll become the strongest Neophyte - even stronger than you! Don’t think that just because you’re a little older than me you’re better than me - when I’m your age, I’ll be far stronger!"
Nero could not help but chuckle as he saw the overly serious expression that Noman wore, and heard his heartfelt declaration. He was a child after all - with how serious he had been acting before, one would have their doubts. But it was not so long ago that Nero, too, had made such declarations, and back then, he hadn’t even synchronized yet.
"You’re already stronger than I was at your age," Nero said, encouraging Noman. He was not lying, Noman really was stronger! But, at that age, Nero hadn’t synchronized yet! "I’ll be waiting for you at KMA. I want to see with my own eyes how you can surpass me."
Noman snorted, though it was secretly filled with delight.
"Oh you’ll see alright! I have to go for now. I... I’ll see you later I guess," Noman said awkwardly once more. He quickly saluted Nero, paying his respects, something he had clearly planned on from before. Then he quickly turned around and scurried off.
Nero watched as, under the supervision of some other soldiers, Noman climbed into one of the boxes.
"Do you know why I brought you here?" the Lieutenant asked.
"No sir," Nero answered.
"It’s to thank you for bringing back my boy," the Lieutenant answered, and this time it was Nero’s turn to roll his eyes. Of course, he only felt like doing it - he didn’t actually do that. The Lieutenant clearly had his doubts about Nero and this was clearly bait.
"He brought himself back," Nero stated plainly. "He is a good soldier, and a smart one."
The Lieutenant nodded, before turning Nero’s wheelchair around.
"I don’t need to tell you this, but what you’ve seen here is strictly confidential," the Lieutenant said in the same tone he’d been speaking in so far.
"Yes sir!" Nero said.
From the warehouse, the Lieutenant took Nero to a debriefing room and got the full details of the mission from him. Besides a few necessary secrets, such as his own second innate ability, Nero revealed everything. He even openly and directly mentioned Vanessa getting Vitracil, as well as the fact that he too absorbed some.
There was no way such a thing could be kept secret - they had gone down in the pool under the eyes of too many, and it wasn’t a secret worth keeping anyway. If it were, Vanessa would have warned him.
The Lieutenant did not seem too surprised, and simply escorted Nero back once they were done. As they were returning to the hospital, Nero saw a bunch of trucks driving out of the base, carrying supplies and resources gathered from Perilith - among other things.
Nero just gave the passing caravan a single glance before looking away. As soon as he returned to the hospital, he told the nurse that he was feeling incredibly exhausted from his excursion, requested some very powerful sedatives, and went right to sleep.
If there was a scheme in play, Nero had no interest in being a part of it. It was best to have a strong alibi, confirmed by many.
The Lieutenant hadn’t even left the building before Nero was asleep, snoring lightly. In fact, Nero was supposed to have a liquid meal, but since he’d taken a strong sedative, he wouldn’t be waking up any time - further irritating Dr. Iris.
One could doubt her based on many things, but they could not doubt her commitment to healing her patients, which is exactly why the Lieutenant hadn’t struck around to run into her again.
By the time Nero woke up, it was late in the morning, approaching noon, and his room wasn’t empty. Sitting on a chair opposite his bed, reading a report, was Vanessa.