[h1][color=gray]Elias Winzer[/color][/h1]
[hr]
The marks for each of the Zoners began to split apart as they veered off towards their respective missions. A large group to the north, and a trio to the west, where they all spawned in. He sat back in his chair and observed everyone's vital signs - stable, all of them. So he didn't have that to worry about.

[color=skyblue]"Hey."[/color]

A woman's voice sounded on a separate neural communication board. Eli turned his head - rather fast - and held his finger down on the button.

[color=gray]"Yeah?"[/color] He responded.

[color=skyblue]"Your team's looking good so far."[/color]

[color=gray]"That supposed to be patronizing?"[/color]

[color=skyblue]"Believe it or not? No. For once, I am [i]actually[/i] commending you for your selection of troops."[/color]

[color=gray]"They were volunteers, actually."[/color]

[color=skyblue]"Even better."[/color]

There was a bit of a pause.

[color=skyblue]"So what's your game plan?"[/color]

[color=gray]"You and the guys tell me whenever you see something that needs a beating and I'll send them after it."[/color]

[color=skyblue]"Beyond that."[/color]

[color=gray]"What do you mean "beyond that"? That's everything. That's the plan."[/color]

[color=skyblue]"They [i]are[/i] going to want to find out more [i]eventually[/i]."[/color]

[color=gray]"More about [i]what[/i]?"[/color]

[color=skyblue]"You. Somniatis. The Zones. Everything."[/color]

[color=gray]"They want that kind of info, they'll have to earn it. Until then, plan's just as I said. No deviations or setbacks. Nothing to piss off the Board anymore than they already are."[/color]

[color=skyblue]"Fine, then. It's only a matter of time before they start asking, anyway."[/color]

[color=gray]"Yeah, yeah, I get the point."[/color]

Eli sighed, but not out of annoyance.

[color=gray]"Everything okay on your end?"[/color]

[color=skyblue]"I'm fine. Hector's keeping to himself. Kenneth is... well, he's Kenneth."[/color]

[color=gray]"Causing you any trouble?"[/color]

[color=skyblue]"Not right now, no. But I'm afraid of what Ken's going to start doing once conditions improve in the Zones. He's... he's not right, anymore. In his head, I mean."[/color]

[color=gray]"I know. But, look, with things kicking up tonight, it won't be long before you're all out of there. So... tough it out for me, okay?"[/color]

[color=skyblue]"Yeah... Yeah. Okay. See you. Take care."[/color]

[color=gray]"Same to you. Thanks."[/color]

He took his finger off the button and slumped in his chair a bit, exhaling through his nose. A short pause, and he rolled back over to the central area of the console, back to observing the Zoners as they got closer and closer to their destinations. He'd have to be careful about this one - coordinating two teams on two tasks at the same time. He was confident in his own abilities, but... things tend to surprise him these days.