[b]“A and VV do not fit the description of the super soldier we found in Umbra's abandoned research notes. Their hearts are made up of several slivers of Wild hearts, yes, but not the thousands of slivers we were expecting. There is also a lack of black-hole-like AE that would denote the subjugation of thousands of Wilds."[/b]

Val's eyebrow arched up so fast it was a wonder it didn't rocket off of his face. He glanced over at the General, this was the test he had been so nervous about? What the hell else did Ghost Corps know and even worse... what the hell else had Umbra been up to? For Dust's sake, he had enough trouble keeping Mercy in line. He couldn't imagine keeping more than a half dozen in check, even if they were small and easy to get along with like Mimi.

[b]”If your goal is the central spectral woods, we have detected a high level of activity on the eastern side, where you would enter. It appears there is a force out there preparing to block your path… I will send my men to accompany you, and ensure you reach the Wild King safely. After that, you'll be on your own.”[/b]

Val frowned. He doubted it was a coincidence that Wilds were on the move in the same areas they just so happened to need to bypass. He was still learning the capabilities of Wilds for himself, but extraordinary didn't even begin to cover it. Could the King have somehow sensed their presence? And they called him the King for a reason, right? How many Wilds did he have at his direct command?

He reached out to take his rifle from Le Frey, instinct causing him to immediately check the weapon and ensure it's combat readiness. He nodded at Le Frey as he inspected the weapon and gave a sharp whistle. "Hell, any cleaner and this fine lady might just leave me for you, Captain," he said, unable to help a small smile cross his face at the familiar weight of his rifle. It might not be AE tech, but it was probably his most important piece of equipment. As he was slinging it back over his shoulder the knock at the door came and three soldiers escorted in a kid that looked like they were malnourished and yet kicked about like they thought they might actually be able to break free.

[b]”We found this kid sneaking around the base last night. We wanted to know what you wanted to do with them?”[/b]

[b]"We don't take trespassers lightly, child. Take him down to one of the interrogation rooms in the barracks. See what you can get from him before I or Le Frey get down there."[/b]

Mimi seemed to take an interest in the child, which in turn sparked Val's interest as he turned towards the kid. Their tears meant nothing to him, Val had killed a half dozen of his fellow lawless by the time he reached the kid's age and seen many die that were much younger for stupider reasons than poking around Ghost Corps. 

"No weapons worth a damn, and pretty much instantly caught when you entered the perimeter? You got a death wish, kid?," Val said, though his tone didn't sound like he was trying to berate them, more simple curiosity. Using younger adults, even children sometimes as spies was common enough among the lawless, the spies relied on the sympathies of their captors and the underestimation of their abilities to be able to report back to their bosses. Deployed against other lawless it rarely worked, but it gave those too young to fight an excuse to keep being fed. Even with that logic the 'kid' still seemed to be old enough to have aged out of that category. Either he had gotten himself caught on purpose in which case... why? Or they just lacked the proper skills or luck, in which case they would know nothing of value and scaring them was pointless.

"Relax kid, I'm more likely to eat you than that one," he said, nodding towards Mimi, "just tell the nice men here who you are, why you're here, and what kind of Dust you've been breathing that made you think this was a good idea. Then do yourself a favor and the minute you breathe fresh air again, forget this day ever happened."