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Part Four

Learning about Katherine changed things for Nick. That assault earlier was not done by AEU, this point was certain. It was caused by some organization whose goal was to get rid of Katherine, and it would seem that anyone caught in the crossfire would also die.

However, Nick could not recall of any organizations that would collide with Katherine being around. Nick was not, he could not keep this to himself. This camp held a greater danger than AEU.

Nick arrived back at their base with Katherine, who was adequately dressed again.

He walked over to Matthew who was directing the other students.

“Finally done? That was somewhat quick if you know what I mean.”

Matthew commented as he spotted Nick coming his way.

However, he realized that him and Freya did interrupt the moment, so who would be able to finish in a situation like that?

“Misunderstanding, we were just talking.”

Nick did not want there to be any misunderstanding in his relationship. Sure, Katherine was a beautiful young woman, but his interest in her allied elsewhere.

“No need to tell me that, might be best to tell her though.”

Matthew replied as he pointed to his right, where Freya could be seen seated down. She was sitting on the tree stump Matthew was standing on earlier.

“Yeah, I should. Can you look after Katherine for a bit?”

Nick asked him.

It was almost time for him to meet up with the members of the Disciplinary Committee. This meeting was not supposed to be known, and they were not suppose to be here. There was no way Nick could show up with Katherine just because he had to watch over her.

Matthew shrugged his shoulders, he did not see why he could not do this.

“Sure. I don’t know why you two do not get together yet.”

He did not forget to throw in that last comment.

“Our relationship is nothing like that.”

Nick told him before he left to check on Freya.

Nick looked at Freya, who looked at him. She looked better without her glasses on, but even with them on she still was beautiful.

“Mind if I take a seat?”

“I do not care Nick. Do whatever you want.”

From the tone of her voice, he could tell she was disappointed.

“Look, what you saw was not and is not what you are thinking. Katherine and I have nothing going on.”

“Nick, I'm your friend, not your girlfriend. You do not have to explain yourself to me.”

“While that is true, I still did not want you to misunderstand.”

Nick gave her a warm smile as he looked at her.

Freya could not stay mad at him, they were not together, so why should she be upset? What did make her upset? Nick was apparently looking at her butt, she felt that smile he was giving her was not normal.

“Where are you looking?”

“I think we both know. While Katherine has a better chest than you, Freya, you win in another area.”

Freya’s cheeks turned red. What was this bastard saying to her?

She threw a punch his way but only touched air. Nick dodged her attack which caused her to become furious.

“Why are you dodging!? Come back here!”

“No, I'm not stupid enough to sit there and let you hit me. I’ll come back after you calmed down. See you later Freya.”

Nick told her as he walked away.

He needed to get moving, time waits for no man.

If others saw Nick, they would surely be upset. From the very start, he has done no work to help out with the base. They were over here logging wood, finding food, getting water, yet here he was doing nothing.

Nick himself did not care much about the base. He was okay with or without a roof over his head. He has lived out in the heat, rain, and snow before. This camp would not be challenging for him, nor would it be his first time being outside all day long.

He finally arrived in a dense part of the mountain. In this part of the mountain, the grass was up to his waist. Moss was growing all over the trees, and Nick could hear the flapping of wings.

The strangest thing was that he did not encounter any beast coming this far into the mountain.

He should have at least come across one, but he did not find any.

Better for him, he saved time coming this way.

The deeper he went in, the more spacious the area got and the grass shrunk in size. He left the grass that was waist high and entered into an open area where the grass could be considered average height.

In his sight was a wooden cabin.

It did not look like it was old but Nick knew he was built a while ago.

‘So this is why I did not encounter any beast.’

Nick thought to himself as he walked towards the cabin.

The wooden cabin itself was small in size, Nick figured it would only be able to fit three or four people. However, it had a mysterious air around it. It gave off a feeling as if it was telling people to ‘back off, come any closer and you’ll die.’

Nick entered the cabin from the front door, and he noticed that there were already three others inside.

“Well look who decided to show up.”

Darren said as soon as Nick walked into the cabin. He was laying down in the twin size wooden bed.

“Welcome Nick, you are just on time.”

Fred said he was seated at the wooden table with two others.

One of the people seated at the table along with Fred Nick knew the other person he did not.

Nick would not mistake that messy blue hair and that smug look anywhere.

“Why is this loser here?”

Arthur asked. They were waiting here for one more person, but he did not imagine that person would be Nick.

“Same reason an overly arrogant prick like you is here.”

Nick expressed himself as he strolled over and took his seat at the table.

Darren who was laying on the bed laughed.

“Arthur, you’re going to let him talk to you like that? Go on, teach the newbie a lesson.”

“Shut it, Darren. We don’t have time for your games today.”

A young man with short silver hair said calmly. However, it also had this power in it that made you feel like you should not disobey him. His blue eyes swept over Nick before he stretched out his hand.

“Names Roland Harris, a pleasure to meet you, Nick. We have not been introduced officially yet.”

Nick shook hands with him.

Nick was not introduced to everyone in the Disciplinary Committee and due to him not showing up that often he never got to know all their names.

“Likewise.”

Arthur who was seated made a tsk sound. He understood what was going on, the person they were waiting on, the member of the Disciplinary Committee was Nick.

Arthur had a prestige among the freshman, and everyone respected him. He was invited to the Student Council, this alone made him stand out from all the others from his same year.

There was no doubt in his mind he was superior everyone in his year. He had everything a man wanted, and what he did not have, he could get it easily.

Yet here he was, seated with a bunch of others whose status was above his own. They had more experience than him, and they each had their individual title that was recognized by the entire school. He was among a few of the elites.

However, there was this sensation in his heart. The moment Nick walked in he felt their mood change. To him who was not in the same club as them, he was not as valued.

He thought highly of the Disciplinary Committee before, but now things were different. If a person like Nick was able to enter, then the club was desperate for members.

Arthur could not help but laugh to himself, he was so glad he chose the Student Council over the Disciplinary Committee.

To all the others sitting down, they did not know what Arthur was thinking. If they knew that he was glad about his decision to join the Student Council instead of their club, they would laugh at him. He was never even invited to join, so what nonsense was he spouting?

“It is nice that you are safe Nick. When we heard about the attack on the bus, we were worried.”

Fred said with his arms crossed.

“Before we get into that, the Student Council decided to send him?”

Nick questioned Fred.

It was not that he disliked Arthur, it was just that he did not like him very much.

“There was a slight change in plans when we were notified about the attack. Alicia thought it was wise to increase the number of personnel who knew about this task.”

Nick understood, he figured that was why Arthur was here. How could they sit back and do nothing? However, he still wanted confirmation on the matter.

“That attack on the bus, what do you think about it?”

Nick asked.

Now that he knew they were after Katherine, he wanted to see what the others thought. He was not going to inform them of her, the fewer people that knew, the better.

“We do not have much information about it. There are two possible reasons as to why one being it was an attack on the school. This I find unlikely, as why would they not attack the first buses to pass and instead attack a certain bus? I believe it was an attempt at someone or multiple people's lives. Whoever was on that bus is being targeted, why? I can’t tell you, but I can tell you that from what we have learned it is more than likely they will show up again.”

Fred explained his thoughts.

“Impossible! The threat has been taken care of, and there is no way they would be able to enter.”

Arthur shouted out, denying what Fred said.

“What makes you think the threat has been taken care of? Because someone with higher status than you said so? Don’t be stupid Arthur, he said that so the students would calm down. The shadow of doubt in their minds have disappeared, but that does not mean it has vanished completely.”

Roland turned to Arthur and said.

“Kid, think about it. If this place is so difficult to get into, how would they get in? A child would not let a murder into their home, but they still got in. How does that happen? Either A, they are a part of the family or B, someone let them in. Different situation, same answer.”

Darren yawned after he got done saying what he had to say.

He wondered why this kid was even recommended, he seemed to be stupid in Darren’s eyes.

“Enough explaining, we have a bit more information on the matter at hand, and it would be suspicious if the two of you were gone for so long. I’ve decided who will take what quadrant. The two of you will be responsible for your own quadrants, which is quadrant two and quadrant four. Darren, you will take care of quadrant three, and I will handle one. Roland, you will stay here and provide backup support.

The mission is still the same, we are to eliminate the threat before it reaches the students. However, if they happen to reach the students, we are to change the mission. Safety for our own comes first.

We do not know when or if they will come so be prepared at all times. We are no longer dealing with AEU. Whoever launched an attack on the bus used an EXO weapon and a high ranking one at that, no AEU member could do such a thing. While AEU may show up given the perfect bait they have, the true threat is something else, someone else.”

Nick listened to Fred talk about everything. He came up with a plan, as well as safe points they could lead the students to if matters got out of hand. From the safe point, Roland would be able to cover the entire area by himself. If it was anything further than that, then Roland could only provide support fire.

Fred dismissed them all, Arthur and Nick both took their leave from the wooden cabin.

“Which one of them do you think will shine?”

Roland asked Darren and Fred as he placed a suitcase on the table.

“The newbie has some skills. The way he manages himself is better than Arthur.”

Roland laughed at Darren's answer.

“That may be so, but don’t be so quick to judge. While Arthur may not be the brightest at analyzing the situation but, you cannot forget that this is only his first year here. Once then matures he you’ll see.”

Roland replied to Darren’s opinion.

Fred himself did not answer, he wanted to keep his opinion to himself. Between the two of them, while they both were above their own classmate's something was off about one.