The cave gave some cover from the storm outside as they all slumped against the smoothed walls. Another summer passing through and with it the heavy snows turned into an endless gray. It was a blessing for the boots but he'd already torn off his coat and undone buttons to give him some way to cool himself from the damp. Humidity wasn't the killer at Destiny City's summers often were, but the seasons' lack of sun did nothing for morale.

Opening a canteen, they all waited. Patient but a bundle of anxiousness. They'd been all over hell searching for the barest signature and anything that made sense from the cryptic ancient Intel they had been given when they started this mission nearly 2 years back.

He tried not to think of the time gone. Pushed back the tangled mass of concern that came with it like Sisyphus trying to keep himself going as he pushed his boulder. Focus on the work. Focus on the task. Don't look hard at the weight you carried with you every day.

Orders were orders.

As the rain came in curtains outside, their eyes all collectively glanced further down the tunnel. Further down and down where they had all been, gathered in the chamber and looking down at It. He could feel the pressure in the room as they all thought silently - was this It?

At long, long last, had they found it.

He took another drink from his canteen, his claws sore and hands raw from clawing at stone to help It break free from its prison. They wanted to be sure it was safe and sound, he supposed. It was a wonder they even found it. If he hadn't been scouting in this direction, hadn't noticed the small opening and the faint sense of something, they could have moved on.

They could have missed it or cycled around it over and over. They had hoped it was somewhere here but there was always a concern that the fruit of their labor would be another rotten dead end. Another mark off the map and the dejection of a new direction to start all over. After months, everyone had been left with a good stone of doubt in their stomach. It was duty and the word of their Queen that kept them going. The importance that this could never get to the enemy.

Resting his eyes, he found himself dozing to the sound of the rain before he startled at the sound of footfalls echoing down the path. Their general came, tired eyes looking at all of them one by one, and informed them all to make camp here. They needed to go to Headquarters and confirm.

The bundle was wrapped in a tangle of what looked to be the officer's coat tucked under their arm. Nodding, they watched as the other teleported away and left them all nervously finding any somewhat flat spot to set down sleeping bags. A small fire was made and rations divided between them. They ate despite the churning of their guts. His body wouldn't allow a skipped meal just on nerves alone. The group wasn't a talkative bunch, never had been, but everyone was more hushed than ever. Crawling into their sleeping bags, they took turns on watch. A cave with one exit was a good ambush point for senshi. They'd used smoke on them before. It had blinded them a few months back during an attack - and a blind step into a hunter's metal trap had been his price.

He rubbed his leg, healed but the memory was still there. It had been a wonder it hadn't gotten to the bone, but old traps weren't that reliable.

It was early morning when they woke to the arrival of their general, returned and without their coat or the bundle.

"We're heading back. We're done here." They said, one of the few members of their small unit who spoke English that he understood past a few command words.

"We can go home."


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