The Daffy settled down in the water next to the Prominent. The crew was waiting for the word from the HQ. They had been tracking the UGLIES for close to three days. There was nothing more annoying that finding out they had been tricked. The UGLIES had left a rotten EGG at their base, causing a massive amount of damage to the crystal nest.
The girls were ready to head out the moment the signal came.
“Gander, are you ready to head out?” the voice in their ear sang. The girls gave a joyous “YES.”
“Goose, you good for backup?” the voice asked the men.
“Yes,” the men answered.
Team Gander took their spots, waiting for the Daffy to open its doors. They were a tightly knit clutch, all willing to die for their sisters. Magic hummed under their down jackets, filling the air with a strange burning smell. They kept the door shut until the burning ended, leaving the girls scentless.
Gander was made up of three girls, all ready to die for their clutch. These girls had been raised together from a young age, farmed from their villages and encouraged to develop their abilities. Like most triangles, they had learned who would fly lead.
Anda Entwistle was the leader of the group. She had taken to leadership like a duck to water, no pun intended. She threw herself into the battle simulations with agility and grace. She was a no-nonsense sort of girl, her shaved head and angular features making her a rather scary contender for top student in the school.
On her right was Idriya Teale, a short, stocky blonde. Iddy was prone to leaping first, questioning later. She didn’t speak much, instead her fists did the talking.
The final girl in the motley crew was Gogol Sheshbens. Gogo was the sweet one, the person who backed away from blood. She had her makeup done, her hair neatly braided. She seemed to be the only one concerned with making sure she looked human.
Gogo was the one chatting their ears off. She was concerned that the feathers woven into her black hair would come off.
“Cut the feeder chatter,” Anda said. She gave the girls a complicated hand signal, feeling mildly proud of the way they nodded in understanding.
Team Goose made a sarcastic comment over the com. “Look at the little wee ones, breasting out for the first time.”
Before Gogo could report, the call was in. “Band out.”
“Flyway,” Anda replied, tone flat.
“Divers ready,” Goose One said.
“Decoy ready,” Goose Two answered after a moment.
Anda felt an eager flurry in her chest like her heart was about to take flight. She always felt a happiness starting missions. Even if they were going in coffin blind, they would still be able to take back what belonged to them. The EGGs were needed, they were not toys for the idiot swans to play with.
Goose Three opened the hatch and gave a cheery cry. “Fresh birds. We’re at the landing zone. Out.”
“Let’s get this hen party started,” Gogo said. No one laughed, the joke having died the first time she said it. Still, it was her code, they were ready, they were good to go.
Iddy gave a rather lax snort. “Highball! Can we just go? We are ready. Out. Open the fucking doors and go.”
Anda felt the fresh air, letting the currents guide. She had always been able to sense the wind. Now she could control it, use it to guide them to the enemy. It was her special talent, the reason she was the leader.
Using her extra, Anda lead them out into the marshland. They had landed at Greenhead, a small cove just outside of the Limit. The mountains were rising up about 10 miles out, allowing the enemy to dig in. They wouldn’t have an easy time getting the EGGs back, but it wouldn’t be impossible.
Anda heard Goose One over the com: Locked Up.
They were on their own. The Daffy would be withdrawing until the planned meeting time.
Gogo moved right, Iddy going left. They were both holding out their hands, getting a feel for the area. Despite the guns strapped to their backs, Iddy and Gogo didn’t need traditional weapons. They were loaded with other weapons, things people were often surprised could be held in such small bodies.
Anda held her own gun. Her abilities were powerful but left her tired and drained. She was the ninja, willing to remain in the shadows if she needed. Her gun was held in her hands. She was ready to kill if she needed.
They heard the Daffy moving backward, the soft pull of water all they needed to know. It was gone. They were on their own. Anda whispered, “Forward.”
Things went wrong the moment they stepped out of the tree line. Anda had felt a cluster of warmth to the right, but it seemed it was an illusion. There was a jerk string fire set outside of the closest building.
Anda let out a curse, gesturing her team back. “It’s a fucking motion decoy,” Anda snarled.
“Migration?” Gogo demanded.
“I can’t tell if it’s people or another one of those jerks,” Anda said.
“Do you want to go in?” Gogo asked. “You can sort of… look around?”
“Fucking puddles, no I don’t want to split up.”
Iddy made a plucking motion, tilting her head to the right. Anda let out a curse. She didn’t want to use Maneuver 6, it was dangerous and worthless to her. She didn’t want to put her girls at risk.
“Okay…” Anda said after a moment. “Let’s pick a refuge, then I will go in. If I don’t come back in like ten minutes, get the retrievers.”
Gogo looked surprised. “You think it’s that bad?”
Iddy sighed. “They used silhouettes, so they obviously were expecting us.”
Anda nodded. “I think they realized they would send someone, but I am not sure how they knew it would be me. Maybe they just assumed… Who knows? I do know we have to figure out what is going on and I need to see.”
“I think we should call in the Geese,” Gogo said. “This seems like a lot to do. They might not expect six people.”
“We don’t have time. We need to work this out and soon. I mean, not to be rude, but I think I can handle this,” Anda said. She dismissed Gogo with a tilt of her head. The Gander fell silent.
“If she doesn’t come back, we can go to the skiff. The Daffy isn’t that far,” Iddy said, putting a comforting hand on Gogo’s shoulder.
“Fine,” Gogo snapped. “But you need to get going.”
“I will.” Anda moved towards the forest, leading the girls into a rather dense patch of bushes. They had a good view of the buildings. “This is the refuge. I will come back here. Be ready to sky bust if I need you.”
Gogo nodded, a grin shattering the nice girl image she presented. She looked ready to kill someone. “Oh, I am ready.”
“Off I go,” Anda said jovially.
“Off you go.”